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

"Auntie, you're too modest."

Fu Hua picked up her teacup and gently blew on the tea leaves on the surface of the water.

My face felt warm.

What do you mean by saying you've found a treasure? It's like you're some big shot to him.

Xie Songchuan glanced at the clock on the wall and stepped forward: "Deputy Division Commander Xie, Aunt Xie, it's getting late, we should go back. Sorry to have bothered you today."

"I won't bother you, I won't bother you."

Mother Xie quickly stood up. "Come often, Huahua. Just chat with Auntie about flowers and plants, or books. Next time you come, Auntie will cook you something delicious."

next time?

Fu Hua stood up and bowed slightly: "I understand, thank you for the tea, Auntie. I'll visit again another day."

"Definitely!"

Xie's mother saw them to the door and gave her son a look, "Xiao Ci, see them off."

"Need not……"

Fu Songchuan had just opened his mouth.

"Yes, the streetlights ahead are broken."

Xie Ci had already picked up his coat. "Let's go, I'll see you to the gate."

The moonlight was bright on this autumn night, casting the shadows of the three people on the ground.

The three remained silent until they finally arrived at their doorstep.

"Um, Songchuan, I have a few words I'd like to say to Fu, is that convenient?"

Fu Songchuan glanced at Fu Hua, and seeing her nod,

Still worried, she turned around and said, "I'll go in and wait for you. Don't stay too late, or Dad will worry."

"Understood, brother."

Fu Hua smiled.

Fu Songchuan thanked him, saluted, and turned to enter the courtyard.

There were only two people left outside.

The moonlight was cold and clear, and autumn insects chirped in the grass.

Fu Hua looked up at Xie Ci, wondering what he wanted to say to her.

He stood in the moonlight, the outline of his military uniform edged with silver.

Her eyebrows and eyes were even softer than before.

"today……"

Xie Ci spoke first, "Thank you for being willing to come to my home with me."

"Of course."

Fu Hua pursed her lips. "You helped me, so I should pay you a visit."

"Just because of that?"

Xie Ci looked at her, something gleaming in his eyes under the moonlight.

Fu Hua paused for a moment: "Also because...you're my older brother's boss??"

Xie Ci smiled, a smile with an indescribable meaning: "So, it's because of Song Chuan?"

Fu Hua did not answer.

"Your mother is a very nice person."

"Um."

Xie Ci also looked in the direction of that house, "She likes you a lot, I can tell."

Fu Hua didn't respond.

A night breeze blew by, bringing a chill, and she pulled her coat tighter around herself.

"cold?"

He declined the question.

"fine."

Xie Ci wanted to take off his clothes and put them on her, his hand already touching the buttons, but after glancing at the Fu family's gate, he loosened his grip.

"Here, take this."

Xie Ci took a small paper packet out of his pocket and stuffed it into Fu Hua's hand. "My mom made this osmanthus candy herself. She said it was for the little girl."

The paper package still carried his body heat, it was warm.

Fu Hua held it in her palm, and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus wafted out through the paper package.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Xie Ci looked at her and said softly, "Fu, come visit often in the future. My mom is usually home alone and gets quite bored."

Fu Hua looked up and met his eyes.

The moonlight cast dappled light into those eyes.

Like starlight in the night sea.

"Um,."

she says.

Xie Ci smiled.

This smile was pure and clean, like the moonlight on an autumn night.

"Then...see you on Monday?"

He said, "I run in the yard every day—at five in the morning."

Fu Hua was stunned for a moment.

She immediately realized—he was asking her out.

"I can't get up that early."

She was telling the truth.

She said she couldn't get up, not that she didn't want to.

Xie Ci smiled and said, "Then it'll be six o'clock. I'll wait for you on the playground and teach you military boxing—for self-defense."

These words were spoken in a serious tone, but Fu Hua understood the underlying meaning.

She wasn't a naive young girl; she could naturally see Xie Ci's feelings.

However, the purpose of learning military boxing is...

That's a good suggestion.

Now that she's drunk the spiritual spring water, her body's resistance has improved considerably.

But when they encounter thugs or the like, they still have no way to protect themselves.

Learning another skill is more appealing to her.

She glanced at Xie Ci, stared into his eyes for a dozen seconds, and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll learn military boxing from you."

She agreed.

Xie Ci's eyes shone even brighter.

He took a step back and waved to her, "Go on up, it's cold outside."

Fu Hua turned and walked into the courtyard.

As she reached the corner on the second floor, she glanced back out the window.

Xie Ci was still standing in the moonlight, gazing in her direction.

Seeing her turn around, he raised his hand and waved again.

Fu Hua turned and went upstairs.

Footsteps echoed in the stairwell, and the wooden bracelet on her wrist swayed gently with the movement.

The sweet aroma of osmanthus sugar lingers on your fingertips.

Fu Hua returned to the room door, and Aunt Liu came out from inside.

"Huahua, I've put the milk in for you. Drink it while it's hot."

"Thank you, Aunt Liu."

"You child, why are you being so polite with me?"

Aunt Liu's eyes were gentle as she patted Fu Hua's shoulder: "Go to bed early after you finish drinking. I heard about what happened during the day from your older brother, so don't overthink it."

Fu Hua nodded; the room was bathed in a warm yellow light from the table lamp.

The thesis was still open on the desk, and the pen rested on the open notebook—it was the electromagnetic wave formula she was deriving before she left.

A glass of hot milk sat to the side.

She took off her coat and hung it on the back of the chair; the brown wooden bracelet gleamed warmly under the lamplight.

She took the small paper packet out of her pocket and untied the thin hemp rope that was tied around it.

The paper package contained seven or eight amber-colored candies.

Each one was carefully wrapped in glutinous rice paper.

It gleamed under the light.

Fu Hua picked up a osmanthus flower and put it in her mouth; the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms melted on her tongue—sweet.

But it's not cloying; it has a refreshing sweetness.

Sweet with the coolness of autumn,

It also contains tiny, scattered osmanthus petals.

It makes a slight rustling sound when you bite into it.

It's the flavor she likes.

In her past life, she was an orphan.

The orphanage director was very kind, and always took special care of her.

I always give her osmanthus candy.

The dean also said, "I hope that when you grow up and think back to your childhood, your heart will be filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus."

So, until now,

Whenever she hears the word "osmanthus," a warm feeling always wells up in her heart.

If it weren't for the dean, she wouldn't have been able to attend junior high school.

Her talent went undiscovered.

The dean was also her mentor.

Fu Hua, with a candy in her mouth, walked to the window.

The autumn night sky was very clear, and a few sparse stars could be seen.

She glanced out the window; the empty space under the moonlight was deserted.

Xie Ci should go back now.

But the sweet aroma of osmanthus sugar lingers on the lips and teeth.

What are her feelings for him?

Fu Hua herself couldn't explain it.

But she didn't seem to mind his approach at all.

She can remain calm and composed when dealing with other people.

But for him...

Every smile and frown on that face seemed to stir her emotions.

She was utterly astonished by her own reaction.

Suppress those chaotic thoughts in your mind.

Fu Hua returned to her desk, picked up her pen again,

Let's continue deriving that formula that stumped me for so long.

This is the only source of her confidence.

This time, my thoughts flowed exceptionally smoothly; the complex symbols and equations flowed from my pen as if they came to life.

Perhaps... sweetness really can make people feel good.

When you're in a good mood, everything is easier.

Meanwhile, the ticket office at the city theater was in complete chaos.