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

Fu Hua's excessive silence and calmness made Fu Chaochao feel somewhat uncertain.

But then she thought, "He must have done so badly on the test that he's too ashamed to speak."

So she felt relieved and continued to enjoy her mother's praise.

A smile spread across her face as she thought about the silk scarf she was about to receive.

Late at night, Fu Hua finished her homework and prepared to wash up.

Only the corridor wall lamps in the Fu family's small building emitted a dim yellow glow.

After washing up, Fu Hua came out of the bathroom wearing a simple cotton nightgown.

As I was about to return to my room, someone stopped me at the door.

It is Fu Chaochao.

She seemed to have waited there on purpose, a faint look of guilt and unease on her face.

Her fingers nervously twisted the lace trim of her nightgown, her voice soft and gentle.

With a deliberately choked voice, she said, "Huahua... could you... could you give me a few minutes?"

"What is it?"

Fu Hua has little interest in acting.

At this moment, patience is running out.

"I...I want to apologize to you for what happened at the hotel today."

She raised her large, watery eyes, trying her best to make her expression appear utterly sincere.

"Zhou Rong just speaks without thinking. She didn't mean it. I've already talked to her about it. I'm so sorry her words must have upset you..."

I apologize to you on her behalf. Please don't take it to heart; we are family after all.

This excuse, however, manages to absolve himself completely.

They shifted all the blame to Zhou Rong.

She herself plays the role of a kind person who understands the bigger picture, prioritizes the overall situation, and strives to maintain family harmony.

This is because she's afraid Fu Hua will expose her true identity!

If it were someone else, they might be somewhat fooled by Fu Chaochao's superb acting skills.

Or at least they will maintain a facade of politeness.

But at this moment, Fu Hua simply watched her performance quietly, her face expressionless.

His eyes were as calm as a deep pool of water, without the slightest ripple.

It wasn't until Fu Chaochao felt a little uneasy under her gaze that...

The sound grew fainter and fainter, and finally stopped awkwardly.

A suffocating silence fell over the corridor.

After several seconds, Fu Hua spoke softly, her voice low.

As clear and cold as shattering icicles, it pierced directly through all pretentious politeness:

"Fu Chaochao."

She called her by her full name, her tone devoid of any warmth.

"There's no one else here, you don't need to act anymore."

She tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing the frozen, strained expression of grievance on the other person's face.

A faint, yet mocking smile curved at the corners of his lips.

"Isn't it tiring to put on such a pretentious apology?"

"As long as you don't provoke me, I'm too lazy to reveal your true identity to the public."

The color drained from Fu Chaochao's face instantly, her pupils contracted, and she froze completely.

All her prepared remarks, all her carefully adjusted expressions,

Under Fu Hua's blunt and cruel tearing apart, they appear ridiculous and vulnerable.

However, she has achieved her goal.

As long as she prevents Zhou Rong from saying anything out of line, the crisis of being exposed will not occur for the time being.

Can you promise me that?

Fu Chaochao clenched her fists and looked up.

Why should I guarantee anything to you?

Fu Hua scoffed, "Are we some kind of close friends?"

After saying that, she left Fu Chaochao and went straight back into the house.

Fu Chaochao stared blankly at that retreating figure, a surge of resentment rising within her.

Fu Hua was always like that; her eyes seemed to see through everything.

No anger, no resentment

Forever, there is only one kind of utter, cold understanding and weariness.

Mom, Dad, and my older brother—they were all fooled by her.

She wasn't as well-behaved as she appeared.

In essence, Fu Hua and she are both extremely selfish people.

Fu Chaochao clearly realized—

After the staircase incident, the thin veil of secrecy that maintained a facade of peace between them...

Fu Hua herself has completely exposed it.

All her pretense and probing were meaningless in front of Fu Hua.

Fine, she doesn't want to play the role of close sisters with Fu Hua either.

From the moment Fu Hua stepped into this house, their relationship...

This inevitably leads to a struggle for resources and attention.

Even a natural antagonistic relationship in the struggle for living space.

To live in harmony?

It's nothing but a self-deceiving illusion.

The last trace of feigned apology in Fu Chaochao's eyes vanished completely.

Instead, there was a sense of shame and anger at being seen through, and a cold hostility.

She straightened her back, which had been slightly hunched to appear delicate.

The fragility on her face vanished instantly.

Although he didn't immediately retort, his eyes said it all.

The door closed gently in front of Fu Chaochao, making a soft "click" sound.

It was as if this brought an end to this brief but sharp exchange.

In the corridor, only Fu Chaochao remained standing in the dim light, her face grim and uncertain.

She stared at the closed door, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Fu Hua is right, it's really tiring to keep pretending.

Since disguise is ineffective, then... it's time to try another method.

Three more days have passed; time always flies.

These past few days, Fu Chaochao has been going to and from school with Fu Youchuan.

Fu Xiao and Su Yurou initially forced the siblings to be together.

Later, I learned that Fu Hua had a new friend, Zhang Wen.

That was the last thing I asked about.

In the evening, Fu Chaochao stood by the second-floor corridor window, holding a glass of milk.

My gaze could just glimpse the half-open window of the study on the first floor.

Fu Hua and Lu Xingzhou were huddled together discussing a thick workbook.

The two had their heads down, their shoulders almost touching.

Fu Hua occasionally pointed to a certain place in the book, while Lu Xingzhou tilted his head to listen, his eyes behind his glasses focused and gentle.

What was a perfectly normal scene in the eyes of a seeker of knowledge was particularly jarring to Fu Chaochao.

The monthly exam results will be out tomorrow. At that time, even those bumpkins who have been tutored by famous teachers will show their true colors.

Her parents will be extremely disappointed in her.

The next day, Fu Chaochao got up early.

She got dressed and went downstairs to prepare for breakfast, just in time to see Su Yurou in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

Aunt Liu wasn't there at the moment; only Su Yurou was busy in the kitchen.

"Mom, let me help you."

She affectionately took Su Yurou's arm: "Mom, you've worked hard. What should we make for breakfast?"

"Egg pancakes? That's easy, I can do it. Don't burn your hands."

Su Yurou said with loving eyes, "My baby's hands are for writing."

Fu Chaochao didn't offer any further help. Instead, she lowered her voice and said with concern, "Mom, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."

"explain,."

Su Yurou smiled and said, "Is it something to do at school? Or is your allowance not enough? Just tell me, I have some in my pocket, go get it yourself."

"Mom, it's not about the money."

Fu Chaochao looked puzzled: "Last night, I took the milk back to my room. In the second-floor corridor, I happened to see... Teacher Lu and Huahua in the study, very close together."

Although Teacher Lu was invited by my eldest brother, there is still a difference between men and women, and Huahua has just come from the countryside and doesn't know much about city etiquette. I'm afraid that if any gossip gets out, it will be bad for her reputation and also have a bad impact on our family..."

Her words were subtle, but highly suggestive.

Su Yurou paused in her pancake-making, her brows furrowing.