The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Fu Xiao walked to the window and looked out at the deep night.

In the military family compound, warm lights shone from the windows of each household.

You can faintly hear the sounds of a television, children's laughter, and a couple talking.

He folded the note and put it back on the table.

Forget it.

Since Huahua has clearly rejected Steinberg, the matter is over.

It's good that Su Yurou took Chaochao out for a walk to clear her head, so she wouldn't overthink things at home.

As for "we'll talk about it when she gets back"—Fu Xiao shook his head.

Sometimes, it's better not to say anything than to say it.

Meanwhile, Fu Songchuan's jeep was driving on the road leading to the municipal party committee's residential compound.

Zhang Wen sat in the back row, holding the case containing the harmonica in her arms.

My fingers gently traced the gold-stamped Hohner lettering on the box.

The streetlights outside the car window flashed by one by one.

Light and shadow played across her face.

"Huahua,"

She suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, "Thank you for today..."

Fu Hua turned to look at her.

"It's not just a harmonica."

Zhang Wen's eyes sparkled in the dimly lit carriage. "Thank you for treating me like family."

She paused, then took out several neatly folded banknotes from her pocket.

He stuffed it into Fu Hua's hand: "This is for the harmonica; I can't let you pay for it."

Fu Hua tried to push it back, but Zhang Wen gripped her hand tightly: "Keep it. Otherwise, how can I ask you for help again in the future?"

Looking at her serious expression, Fu Hua smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll accept it."

"besides……"

Zhang Wen's face flushed slightly. "My brother... Lei Lei, that little rascal, has been talking about you a lot these past few days."

He said Hua-jie is better than his biological sister. Could you... perhaps teach him to play the harmonica when you have some free time? Just occasionally, not necessarily setting aside specific time...

"it is good."

Fu Hua readily agreed, "Next weekend, I'll come to your house."

Zhang Wen's eyes lit up immediately: "Really?"

"Um."

I'll just pick up the book that Zhang Wen asked Uncle Zhang to find for me last time.

The car stopped at the entrance of the courtyard house.

Zhang Wen got out of the car carrying the box and waved from the roadside: "Huahua, see you Monday! Brother Fu, thank you for giving me a ride!"

"You're welcome."

Fu Songchuan leaned out of the car window and smiled, "Watch where you're going."

The jeep restarted and drove into the night.

The carriage fell silent.

Fu Hua leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the street scenes flash by outside the window.

The cool autumn night breeze slipped in through the cracks in the car window, causing the stray hairs on her forehead to flutter slightly.

"Huahua".

Fu Songchuan suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Don't overthink what happened today."

Fu Songchuan's voice was very gentle, the kind of gentleness an older brother has for his younger sister.

"Mom will handle things with Chaochao. You don't need to feel pressured."

Fu Hua was silent for a moment: "I didn't think much about it."

"That's good."

Fu Songchuan turned and glanced at her, his eyes filled with both heartache and pride.

"Actually, Dad was quite happy today. Although he didn't say it, I could tell—he's proud of you."

Fu Hua was slightly taken aback.

"They say Steinberg is a titan in the international music scene."

Fu Songchuan's tone was tinged with amusement, "The fact that he values ​​you so much shows that you are indeed extraordinary."

"But you've only just been recognized as family, so going abroad now isn't appropriate. You refused well, so don't regret it."

He paused, his voice softening slightly: "Chaochao grew up in a sweet environment, used to everyone's attention and praise."

She'll eventually understand that the world doesn't revolve around her, not everyone will fawn over her, and you don't need to feel any pressure.

Fu Hua turned her head and looked at her older brother's profile.

The streetlights flickered across his face, outlining his resolute features—

That's the bone structure of the Fu family; she has it too.

"Big brother,"

She asked softly, "Don't you think I'm...too cold?"

Fu Songchuan laughed: "Cold? No, it's clear-headed. Our Fu family's children should be clear-headed."

Knowing what you want and what you don't want, not being swayed by external applause, and not being shaken by temporary gains or losses—that's true skill.

He knew that despite being the eldest son of the family's main branch, he didn't have any great abilities.

The only thing I can do is protect this home and my family.

He freed one hand and gently rubbed Fu Hua's head—

The gesture was so natural, as if he'd done it countless times: "Huahua, you did a great job. Really."

He always knew that this younger sister had a cold exterior but a soft heart.

Fu Hua's nose suddenly felt a little sore.

She lowered her head, looking at the brown wooden bracelet on her wrist, her eyes welling up with tears.

This home may not be warm in every way.

But at least, where my older brother is, there is warmth.

"Huahua, would you like an orange?"

Fu Songchuan pointed to the stalls outside.

Before Fu Hua could nod, her older brother had already stopped the car and brought up a large bag of things.

"Try it, it's quite sweet."

"Thank you, brother."

The jeep drove into the military family compound.

The sentry at the gate stood at attention and saluted.

Fu Songchuan returned the greeting, and the car slowly drove in.

Right at the fork in the road leading to Building 7,

The headlights illuminated a tall figure ahead.

The man was wearing a military service uniform, but no hat.

He was standing by the roadside talking to the sentry.

Hearing the car, he turned his head—the headlights were blinding.

He raised his hand to shield himself, but the profile of his face, his posture...

Fu Songchuan instinctively stepped on the brakes.

The car stopped, and Fu Hua could see the person clearly through the windshield.

This is a thank-you speech.

Oh, right, he said yesterday that he's moving today.

It seems they've already moved in.

Fu Songchuan clearly recognized the other party as well.

He got out of the car, stood at attention, and saluted.

Xie Ci's gaze bypassed him and landed directly on Fu Hua in the passenger seat.

I just regret that the windshield wasn't tinted.

Fu Hua felt embarrassed to sit in the car.

She also opened the car door and got out.

"Thank you, Deputy Division Commander!"

Fu Songchuan's voice carried the respect of a subordinate to a superior, "What are you doing here?"

Xie Ci then turned his gaze back to Fu Songchuan.

He had just been promoted and didn't know who the person in front of him was.

But the other person was standing next to Fu Hua, which made him very unhappy.

Xie Ci's expression was very indifferent, the kind that was businesslike.

With a hint of aloof indifference, she said, "Yes, I just moved in today. You are...."

"Reporting, I am Fu Songchuan, the company commander of the tank company of the 3rd Regiment."

Fu Songchuan stood ramrod straight.

Is your surname Fu?

Xie Ci looked at Fu Hua and indeed, their features resembled each other.

They turned out to be siblings.

"You... don't recognize me?"

Xie Ci looked at Fu Hua with a half-smile.

She stood aside, looking like an outsider.

A cool autumn breeze swept by, and Fu Hua pulled her coat tighter around herself, nodding slightly to Xie Ci: "Brother Xie Ci."

With just that one "brother," the frost on Xie Ci's face melted instantly.

He raised the corners of his mouth in a smile that seemed incongruous with his military bearing.

With a roguish intimacy, he asked, "You guys just got back?"

"Um."

Fu Hua glanced at her older brother, Fu Songchuan, who was still standing at attention, clearly showing some respect for Xie Ci.

Xie Ci then looked at Fu Songchuan again.

His tone was gentler than before: "So you're Fu Hua's brother, her biological brother?"

"Yes, Deputy Division Commander Xie."

Fu Songchuan answered.

"Then don't stand so straight."

Xie Ci waved his hand, and the sense of distance between superior and subordinate suddenly disappeared.

"You don't need to be so formal in private. I just moved in today, and I live in Building 9."

He paused, then looked at Fu Hua.

His smile deepened: "Fu Hua, would you like to come over to my house for a bit? Get acquainted with the place. We'll be neighbors from now on, so come visit often."