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

Su Yurou, flattered by her daughter's praise, showed a pleased expression on her face.

He patted Fu Chaochao's hand: "You silly child, you always know how to make me happy. But today really did go very smoothly."

She turned her gaze to Fu Chaochao, her expression one of obvious satisfaction. "As for you, Chaochao, you made great progress with that piano piece you played in front of the teacher today. The teacher even praised you for being much more emotionally expressive."

"That's because the teacher you hired for me, Mom, is very good; he keeps me on my toes."

Fu Chaochao nestled obediently against Su Yurou.

After happily changing her shoes, Su Yurou went to the kitchen to help.

The brother and sister walked toward the living room, chatting and laughing.

Only then did the two notice Fu Hua sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Fu Youchuan curled his lip and said sarcastically, "Oh, you're really living a leisurely life. You just sit in front of the TV as soon as you get home. You're much more comfortable than those of us who are out there working hard."

Fu Hua didn't even lift her eyelids; her gaze remained fixed on the television screen.

It was as if the guys inside were more attractive than the person in front of me.

Why aren't you saying anything? Are you pretending we don't exist? Are you...?

Does he have any manners?

Fu Youchuan was about to speak when he remembered being scolded by Fu Xiao last time, so he quickly swallowed his words.

But his eyes remained fixed on Fu Hua, clearly displeased with her reaction.

With her parents not around, Fu Chaochao couldn't be bothered to pretend.

She tossed her backpack onto the sofa and leaned back lazily.

Su Yurou came out of the kitchen and her gaze fell on Fu Hua.

Her biological daughter sat quietly in the corner of the sofa.

She was so different from Fu Chaochao, who was smiling and chatting with Fu Youchuan beside her.

Aunt Liu just told her in the kitchen that Huahua helped carry things and even massaged Aunt Liu's ankles.

But he had completely ignored her just now.

A mixture of embarrassment from the oversight and a vague sense of guilt welled up inside me.

She was somewhat unable to look directly at Fu Hua; her overly calm face instinctively avoided Fu Hua's gaze.

With a hint of barely perceptible guilt in her tone, she said to Fu Chaochao and Fu Youchuan, "Alright, say less and get ready to wash your hands and eat."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the restroom.

Fu Chaochao keenly noticed her mother's momentary evasiveness.

She's feeling guilty!

A shadow of gloom flashed across Fu Chaochao's eyes, but her perfect smile remained unchanged.

"Mom, I'm going to wash my hands now."

With that, he quickly followed Su Yurou into the restroom.

Fu Youchuan snorted and walked away in his slippers.

Fu Hua was left alone in the living room again.

The sound of the grassland wind, which had nothing to do with her, came from the television.

She picked up the glass of water, which had cooled slightly, took a small sip, and her eyes remained calm and undisturbed.

This level of isolation and sarcasm did nothing to stir her emotions.

Fu Songchuan and Fu Xiao had something to do today and were eating at the military base.

So there are fewer people at home today.

The atmosphere wasn't any better than usual; it remained delicate.

Aunt Liu carried the dishes from the kitchen, her ankle still seemed a little uncomfortable, and her movements were slower than usual.

Fu Hua got up to help.

"I'll help too."

Fu Chaochao had also heard from her mother about Aunt Liu spraining her ankle.

Of course, they wouldn't just let Fu Hua be the only good person.

The food was served, and everyone ate in silence, heads bowed, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was somber.

Su Yurou seemed to remember something and looked at Fu Hua, who was eating quietly.

Her tone was deliberately casual, as if trying to build rapport: "Huahua, Aunt Liu said a classmate brought you back? You made a new friend? What's their name?"

Fu Hua swallowed the rice in her mouth, looked up, and calmly replied, "Her name is Zhang Wen."

"Zhang Wen?"

Su Yurou felt that the name sounded familiar.

She subconsciously glanced at Song Lizhu beside her, "Chaochao, isn't this your classmate? You always mentioned her back in junior high."

Fu Chaochao's hand holding the chopsticks paused almost imperceptibly.

A perfectly measured expression of worry quickly appeared on her face, and she gently put down her chopsticks.

Her voice was soft: "Mom, you have such a good memory. She was my classmate. But..."

She hesitated, her brows furrowing slightly, as if she found it difficult to speak. "Zhang Wen... she has a very cheerful personality, but her circle of friends might be a bit mixed."

I heard he's been getting quite close to some shady people outside of school lately.

At school, everyone secretly calls her "the troublemaker"... Huahua, you're new here, you don't know that, I advise you to find out more about the situation, I'm worried you might... make bad friends."

Her words, seemingly out of concern,

In reality, every sentence was labeling Zhang Wen as a "bad student" and a "slacker".

Upon hearing that Fu Hua was making friends with such a person, Su Yurou's face immediately darkened.

She already had a problem with Hua going to Class 6 of Ding.

Now that she's heard she's befriending a "scumbag," her tone immediately turns stern: "Huahua, did you hear that? Be careful who you befriend! Stay away from those shady characters in the future, and don't let them lead you astray."

Fu Hua didn't immediately refute; she slowly picked up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks.

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and sharp as she looked at Fu Chaochao, her voice still gentle.

His tone was clear and unquestionable: "Mom, you might have misunderstood. Zhang Wen is the girl I jumped into the water to save last time at Xiangshan Lake."

She paused, noticing a fleeting look of surprise on Su Yurou's face.

He continued slowly, his tone tinged with confusion: "Zhang Wen is fine. I can't judge a person's character based solely on rumors."

I heard some rumors about my older sister at school today.

"What rumor?"

Su Yurou's attention was drawn to it.

Fu Hua seemed a little embarrassed, lowering her eyes slightly: "I mean... Chaochao and Lin Bei, that outstanding student from Class A, seem to be very close, often discussing problems together."

"Someone even saw you walking home together after school, and they described it in great detail."

She looked up at Fu Chaochao, whose face had instantly stiffened, and her tone softened even more, even carrying a hint of "naivety."

"I think this must be just a rumor spread by some bored people, right?"

Just like when they say Zhang Wen is a "slacker," you can't take it seriously.

Right, sister? After all, it's perfectly normal for classmates to help each other and interact normally.

This strategic retreat put Fu Chaochao in a very difficult position!

This highlights Zhang Wen's special status.

Then, she casually brought up the ambiguous rumors about Fu Chaochao and Lin Bei.

This falls into the same category as the rumors that defame Zhang Wen—

They are all unreliable.

Fu Chaochao's face flushed red and then turned pale. She hurriedly explained, "Mom, don't listen to people's nonsense. Lin Bei and I are just ordinary classmates, we only occasionally discuss our studies. It's nothing like what they're saying!"

Just then, Fu Youchuan, who had been engrossed in his meal, suddenly interrupted.

He was oblivious to the undercurrents on the table.

She simply said, following her memory, "Oh, Lin Bei? I think I saw him talking to Chaochao a few times at school, but we were far away and I couldn't see clearly."