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

The afternoon sun of autumn, with its lazy warmth, shone on the bustling crowd of students leaving school.

Fu Chaochao and Zhou Rong slowly walked out of the teaching building with the flow of people.

Zhou Rong was in a bad mood. At lunchtime today, Zhang Wen tried to take her food again.

And she always managed to snatch it from me.

"Chaochao, do you think Zhang Wen, that annoying girl, is doing it on purpose? Every time she sees me wanting to buy a certain vegetable, she deliberately squeezes in front of me."

Zhou Rong pouted and complained.

Fu Chaochao absentmindedly hummed in agreement.

Her gaze, however, was like a precise radar, quickly locking onto the figure in the moving crowd that posed a thorn in her side—

Fu Hua and Zhang Wen were together, chatting and laughing.

Fu Hua was still carrying her old schoolbag. The two of them quietly walked down the side stairs.

Zhang Wen seemed to have left something behind, so she turned around and went back to get it.

Fu Hua then stood quietly to the side and waited.

Her expression was indifferent, her eyes lowered in thought.

It was as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her.

Like a snow lotus, standing alone in the world.

That's exactly how it looks!

Fu Chaochao snorted coldly in her heart.

Why does she always put on such an aloof, arrogant, and indifferent attitude?

It's like everyone owes her something!

On what grounds?

What right does a country bumpkin who grew up rolling in the mud have to steal my things?

The panic caused by arranged marriages and the resentment of being "betrayed" by parents

At this moment, intense jealousy was mixed in.

It gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake.

She desperately needed to find a foothold to prove that she still held an unshakeable position in the family.

A thought flashed through my mind.

A slight smile played on her lips as she interrupted Zhou Rong's incessant chatter.

His voice suddenly rose, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalant smugness.

"Zhou Rong, I'm not going with you today."

She stopped and slightly furrowed her delicate eyebrows.

He wore a helpless expression, as if he had no choice in the matter.

"I need to hurry up and go to the theater to practice the piano."

Su Yurou hired two teachers for Fu Chaochao.

One teaches piano, the other dance. For so many years, Fu Chaochao has gone to study with them until very late every day after school.

She works very hard, and her teachers also recognize her efforts.

After a while, the piano master will come to China to select students, and she is confident that she will succeed.

Then, Mom will know who her most important daughter is.

And Fu Hua...

She's been back for so long, and her mother has never mentioned letting her go to the theater.

This shows that in her mother's heart, she is still the most important person.

After Fu Chaochao finished speaking loudly, her gaze, seemingly unintentional but actually sharp, swept across Fu Hua's direction.

It was like throwing out an invisible needle, trying to pierce the other party's cold shell.

Noticing the slight change in Fu Hua's expression, Fu Chaochao felt extremely pleased.

Did you hear it?

My mom hired a teacher for me!

Her heart was screaming.

Her teacher was a renowned pianist who had retired from the Central Philharmonic Orchestra.

And the principal dancer of the song and dance troupe!

Teachers of this caliber aren't someone you can hire just by having money.

You also need connections and prestige!

My mother has always spared no effort in raising me!

As she spoke, she gracefully raised her hand and gently tidied the stray hairs that were not messy on her forehead.

The delicate, petite women's watch on her wrist reflected a dazzling light in the sunlight.

This was a birthday gift Su Yurou gave her last year.

"Wow, Chaochao, I really want to see too! What kind of teachers did your mom hire for you?"

"Sigh, one of them is a piano teacher who is extremely strict. He can't tolerate even the slightest deviation in pitch."

The other one is a dance teacher; every time she does leg stretches or shoulder opening exercises, it hurts so much!

She sighed softly, but her tone carried a hint of a carefully nurtured "sweet burden."

"There's really no way around it. My mom says that artistic cultivation and temperament are extremely important for girls, and no matter how busy or tired they are, they have to persevere and not fall behind."

Artistic cultivation! Demeanor!

These two words stood like a shield in her heart.

What about you, Fu Hua? You're a country bumpkin from the countryside. What are your skills?

Can you plant rice seedlings or feed pigs?

Will your mom take you to the theater?

Will they hire a famous teacher for you?

She could almost imagine the bitterness and embarrassment Fu Hua felt at that moment.

This gave her a twisted pleasure.

Zhou Rong immediately understood and cooperated by praising him.

Her face was filled with exaggerated envy: "Wow, Chaochao, you're so lucky! I heard that the piano is really hard to learn, and you can dance so beautifully, and you're so good at your studies too!"

Your mother is so good to you! She raises you like a princess.

Fu Chaochao was very satisfied with Zhou Rong's reaction.

She smiled reservedly, her gaze sweeping over Fu Hua again.

This time, she was disappointed.

Fu Hua didn't even lift her eyelids.

Fu Hua only smiled when she saw Zhang Wen running down the stairs.

When passing by them, he only nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The two walked straight to the bike shed, Zhang Wen and Fu Hua chatting and laughing.

Fu Chaochao was inexplicably annoyed, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh.

Keep pretending!

Fu Chaochao gritted her teeth inwardly, but then, thinking of the marriage, her expression shifted slightly, and a contemptuous smile appeared on her lips.

At the family reunion banquet, Qin Che chose her.

She wanted to see how this country bumpkin could maintain his deadpan appearance!

She took a deep breath, suppressing her displeasure.

She put on a perfect smile again and said to Zhou Rong, "Okay, that's enough. I have to go now, or the teacher will be unhappy if I'm late."

She turned around and headed in the opposite direction from Fu Hua.

Head held high, like a proud peacock.

Zhang Wen affectionately hugged Fu Hua's arm, chirping like a cheerful little sparrow.

"Huahua, I'll pick you up again today. I promise, the car is absolutely fine. I had a senior mechanic do a thorough check-up."

She pushed over that same 26-inch women's bicycle.

But it had clearly been carefully wiped clean; the chain was oiled and gleamed with a lustrous sheen in the setting sun.

Even more thoughtfully, a thick, soft cushion made of scraps of fabric has been added to the back seat, making it look much more comfortable.

"Thank you, Zhang Wen."

A genuine smile appeared in Fu Hua's eyes: "If you can't ride anymore, just say so, and we'll take turns."

"Whatever you say, get in the car!"

Zhang Wen patted the back seat, and after Fu Hua sat down comfortably, she deftly started pedaling.

This time, the bicycle ran smoothly, emitting only a slight, pleasant sound of chain friction.

The evening breeze caressed my face, carrying the unique freshness of autumn.

The two walked along the streets that were gradually turning golden and red.

Zhang Wen was in a great mood and began to excitedly recount her experience of fighting with Zhou Rong for vegetables that day.

This made Fu Hua chuckle softly.

I didn't expect Zhang Wen to be so humorous!

"By the way, Huahua,"

Zhang Wen suddenly remembered something, and said expectantly, "There's an open-air movie screening at the Cultural Palace this weekend, they'll be showing 'Romance on Lushan Mountain'."

I heard it's really good, shall we go together? I'll treat you to creamy ice cream!

"Romance on Lushan Mountain?"

Fu Hua had never heard of this movie, but going to the movies with her good friends was a must-do pastime during the holidays.

"I'd be happy to oblige!"

"Then it's settled!"

Zhang Wen excitedly pressed the bicycle bell, and the crisp sound seemed to accompany their promise.

The two chatted and laughed as the bicycle carried them briskly forward.

The scene was filled with youthful energy and the warmth of friendship.

Zhou Rong stood there, staring blankly as the bicycle carrying laughter and joy gradually disappeared into the distance.

She couldn't hear the specifics, but the harmonious and joyful atmosphere felt like tiny needles pricking her heart, making her very uncomfortable.

A mixture of jealousy and disappointment fermented in her chest.

On what grounds?

Even a scoundrel like Zhang Wen can make friends.