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

Fu Xiao spoke sincerely, out of a father's desire to make amends to his biological daughter.

Fu Hua turned around, her face still showing that gentle and calm expression.

She even smiled slightly and said softly, "Dad, I'm okay, you don't need to worry about me. I'm still young, and right now I just want to focus on my studies."

She acted very "sensible," as if she had completely accepted the outcome.

And without any complaints.

However, a faint hint of mockery flickered in the depths of her lowered eyes.

A better marriage? Using men to prove one's worth?

She found it somewhat ridiculous.

She knew better than anyone that glory gained by depending on others was like a sandcastle, which would vanish with the tide.

Whether it's the Qin family, the Fu family, or any other prominent family, none of them are her goal or her destiny.

She was about to embark on a path entirely her own.

By relying on one's own abilities and standing at a sufficient height,

At that time, there was no need to rely on any "marriage" to embellish appearances.

Her own strength is her own foundation.

As Fu Chaochao was going upstairs, she clearly heard her father's promise to Fu Hua.

These words were like poisonous thorns, instantly piercing her heart, which had just been filled with ecstasy!

Better? Even better than the Qin family's?!

An overwhelming surge of jealousy and anger welled up inside me!

Brother Qin Che is already the best among his peers, with excellent family background, ability, and appearance.

Her father actually said he wanted to find Fu Hua someone better? What right did he have?! Did a country girl like her even deserve it?!

I barely managed to keep this marriage.

Did her father turn around and promise Fu Hua a "better" future?

Then wouldn't all this fighting and this hard-won "victory" be laughable?

The bright smile on her face could barely be maintained, and her nails dug deeply into her palms once more.

Only through the pain could he barely suppress the question that was about to spill out.

She lowered her head, concealing the resentment and bitterness surging in her eyes.

No! Absolutely not!

Why should Fu Hua get anything better? She only deserves what I don't want, or... nothing at all.

She would never allow Fu Hua to surpass her in any way.

Especially when it comes to something as important as marriage, which is a matter of one's status and reputation for a lifetime!

Su Yurou, who followed later, noticed the stiffness in her body.

Assuming she was just tired, she said softly, "Chaochao, you must be exhausted today too. Go upstairs and rest early."

Fu Chaochao raised her head, her face now once again adorned with a sweet and obedient mask.

She nodded obediently: "Okay, Mom, Dad, you and Dad should get some rest too. Goodnight."

Outside the courtyard gate, a cool night breeze dissipated the lingering noise and smell of alcohol from the banquet.

Qin Che and several of his brothers, dressed in military uniforms or cadre uniforms, stood beside the jeep, saying goodbye.

A tall, strong, and outgoing man named Lei Dong nudged Qin Che with his elbow.

Lowering his voice, with a mischievous smile, he said, "Hey, Archer, seriously, don't you regret it at all? I think the Fu family's newly found daughter, Fu Hua, is really quite nice!"

Not only is she strikingly beautiful, but her demeanor is also remarkable. Standing there, she's like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley—graceful and poised, without the slightest hint of stage fright. She's far superior to… cough cough, far superior to some of those loud and boisterous types.

His words carried a hint of disapproval of Chaochao's overactive nature.

Qin Che's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment, then relaxed.

His tone carried his usual calmness, tinged with a barely perceptible hint of irritation: "What's there to regret? It was my decision. After all, Chaochao and I have known each other for so many years; our relationship is naturally incomparable to others."

He seemed to be persuading others, and also persuading himself.

Lei Dong chuckled, revealing two rows of white teeth, and said, half-jokingly, "Alright, if you don't want her, then I won't be polite! A girl like that makes you want to protect her, but also conquer her. I really want to get to know her and give her a try!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a surprised yet somewhat disdainful voice came from the shadows beside him—"Huh?"

The group turned around and saw Fu Youchuan walking out of the courtyard, clearly having overheard their conversation.

His face was filled with disbelief. He looked at Lei Dong, then at Qin Che, as if he had heard some unbelievable story.

"Brother Dongzi, are you drunk?"

Fu Youchuan had a rather loud voice. Thinking of his clueless deskmate at school, he wondered why everyone seemed interested in that country bumpkin.

His tone was full of bewilderment. "What's so great about her? She's just okay-looking, isn't she? She always has this cold, aloof face, like everyone owes her millions. She's incredibly arrogant. I think you guys... have terrible taste, don't you?"

He truly couldn't understand why even Lei Dong would take a liking to that country girl.

What else does that woman have besides her face and that feigned calmness?

Qin Che listened to Fu Youchuan's rapid-fire denigration.

But, incongruously, the image of Fu Hua at the banquet resurfaced in my mind.

—She stood under the lamplight, calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant;

When she heard herself refuse, her eyes were calm and even held a hint of understanding...

A strange, subtle sense of irritation welled up in my heart again, like a small thorn pricking me—it didn't hurt, but I couldn't ignore it.

Why did he feel that her gaze... seemed to have foreseen everything?

Even with a hint of... pity?

This feeling made him very uncomfortable, as if it were the very choice he had just insisted on.

In the other party's eyes, it was nothing more than a pointless act of stubbornness.

And I... it seems I really gave up something important that should have belonged to me.

He dismissed the absurd idea and interrupted Fu Youchuan's incessant rambling with a cold tone: "Youchuan, shut up. It's getting late, we should go."

He stopped looking at anyone, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat first.

Lei Dongchong shrugged and made a helpless expression before getting into the driver's seat.

The jeep started and drove into the night.

Fu Youchuan stood there, scratching his head, still feeling puzzled, and muttered to himself, "This is really weird..."

Unbeknownst to him, Qin Che, inside the car, was watching the night view rushing past the window.

The slight ripples in my heart caused by Fu Hua's calm eyes lingered for a long time.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the hallway through the windows.

The rest of the Fu family had already gotten up, and Old Master Fu and Old Madam Fu were downstairs drinking tea and reading the newspaper.

Fu Xiao was talking to the old man while Su Yurou was helping to prepare breakfast in the kitchen.

Fu Songchuan and Fu Youchuan sat at the dining table, one reading a book and the other packing his schoolbag.

"Chao Chao, Hua Hua, time to eat."

Aunt Liu called out to the second floor.

"They're here."

Fu Hua and Fu Chaochao opened their doors almost simultaneously and met at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

Fu Chaochao wore a sweet and harmless smile.

But a hint of provocation lurked in his eyes.