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

She glanced at Fu Chaochao, but her tone was unexpectedly firm: "Chaochao, don't overthink it."

The boy from Xingzhou was carefully selected by your older brother. He is of good character and academically gifted, and he is here to teach properly.

As for Huahua, she is quiet and loves to study, which is a good thing.

Even if she doesn't understand other things, I believe she knows the differences between men and women, and what is right and wrong to do.

What's with all this gossip? If we family don't talk nonsense, who would dare to spread rumors?

She patted Fu Chaochao's hand, with a hint of admonition: "You, stop thinking about these things all day long, and focus more on your studies."

Mom trusts your older brother's judgment, and she also believes that Huahua is a sensible child. You're definitely overthinking it.

Fu Chaochao was stunned, completely unexpected her mother's reaction.

A lump formed in her throat, but she forced a sweet smile: "Mom, you're right, maybe I misjudged. I was just worried about Huahua..."

She reluctantly let go, knowing that this tactic wouldn't work without solid "evidence."

The atmosphere was more relaxed than usual at breakfast time.

Aunt Liu made her signature braised ribbonfish today.

There were also egg pancakes made by Su Yurou herself, filling the house with their aroma.

The family sat around the dining table, and Fu Songchuan was the last to come out of the kitchen.

Holding a steaming cup of milk, she gently placed it in front of Fu Hua.

"Huahua, hurry, drink it while it's hot."

Fu Songchuan's tone was as gentle as ever, but the content of his words made everyone at the table pause for a moment.

"I'll ask Aunt Liu to heat up a cup for you every morning and evening from now on. You're growing right now, so you need to get the nutrition you need."

Fu Hua stared at the milky white liquid in front of her, slightly taken aback.

During her time living in this family, she did notice that Fu Chaochao drank milk every morning and evening.

And no one ever brought anything to her room.

She hadn't paid any attention to these things before, but she didn't expect her older brother to notice this detail.

She looked up and met Fu Songchuan's concerned gaze, feeling a slight warmth in her heart.

He said softly, "Thank you, brother."

"You are welcome,"

Fu Songchuan glanced at the head seat and forced a smile: "This was also ordered by my parents."

"Thank you, Dad and Mom."

Fu Hua repeated the same thing to the Fu couple.

Fu Xiao and Su Yurou, who were sitting in the main seats, exchanged a glance, both showing some unease and shame on their faces.

They should have thought of that.

But they overlooked it.

In the end, their son had to make up for it.

Su Yurou spoke first, her tone filled with urgency to make amends: "Huahua, your parents were negligent before. You should drink milk! We'll prepare it for you from now on."

As if to prove something, she quickly followed up, "Um... is your allowance enough? If not, be sure to tell Mom!"

"That's enough, thank you."

As always, Fu Hua was gentle yet polite and distant.

Fu Xiao coughed lightly, put down his chopsticks, and tried to keep his tone gentle: "The weather is getting colder, and I see that you are still wearing thin clothes."

Next Sunday, Dad has the day off. I'll take your mom and you to the department store to buy you some new clothes and a hat; winter is just around the corner.

This time, Fu Hua still didn't politely decline.

She raised her clear eyes, looked at her father, and nodded readily.

A faint, almost pleased smile even appeared at the corner of her mouth: "Okay, thank you, Dad, Mom."

Her quick acceptance actually relieved Fu Xiao and Su Yurou.

It was as if her acceptance could alleviate some of their invisible pressure.

However, Fu Chaochao, sitting opposite, subtly tightened her grip on the chopsticks, her nails digging into her palms.

It's happening again!

Buy her clothes separately? And go to the mall together?

What about her? She used to go with her mother!

No matter how cunning she is, she's only a teenager.

Upon hearing this, his expression subtly changed.

Although she tried her best to remain calm, her stiffness and resentment still betrayed her.

Su Yurou immediately noticed Fu Chaochao's emotions.

Almost instinctively, she immediately added with a smile, "Chaochao, you should come too. It'll be more fun with more people, and you can see if there are any winter clothes you like. Mom will buy them for you all!"

This was meant to appease her, and it was also her habitual "fairness."

But to Fu Chaochao, who had just completely broken ties with Fu Hua, these words sounded more like charity and a form of bondage.

How could she possibly go shopping with Fu Hua in a calm and peaceful manner?

Did she watch her parents fawn over her, picking out clothes for her?

Fu Chaochao abruptly put down her chopsticks, forcing a forced, even slightly aggrieved, smile.

Her voice was a little stiff: "Mom, no need. I... I already made plans with my classmates to go to the library to do some research next Sunday, so I probably won't be able to go."

She made an excuse to decline this "family activity".

This also avoided the awkwardness of traveling with Fu Hua.

Su Yurou opened her mouth, as if to say something, but seeing Fu Chaochao's clearly unhappy profile,

He glanced again at his biological daughter, who was calmly drinking her milk.

Speechless for a moment, I felt a tightness in my chest again after the meal.

Fu Hua sipped the warm milk, the rich aroma of milk filling her mouth.

Whether Fu Chaochao goes or not is not that important to her.

She is not so bad as to affect her mood.

The subtle shift in atmosphere at the dinner table, and Fu Chaochao's awkward reluctance to accompany her...

She saw everything clearly.

She didn't say anything, but that previously frozen corner in her heart...

Because the older brother's warm milk seemed to have melted a little bit.

As for shopping, she does need to buy new clothes, and there's no need for her to suffer just to spite someone.

Fu Chaochao's avoidance was, in her view, nothing unexpected.

After dinner, everyone went about their own business.

Fu Hua still rode with Zhang Wen on her bicycle to school.

Today is the day the monthly exam results are posted.

A huge red achievement list was posted on the bulletin board in front of the teaching building.

The front was packed with anxious students, three or four deep.

The students in Class 6 also crowded together, tiptoeing to find their place among the densely packed names.

The atmosphere was tense, tinged with a habitual sense of frustration.

"See me? Fifteenth from the bottom... Sigh, I've fallen behind again."

"I didn't fare much better; I only got 40 in math..."

"Our class will probably come in last place again this time."

Several students from Class A who were passing by couldn't help but sneer when they heard their discussion.

A boy wearing thick glasses pushed up his glasses and said with a sense of superiority, "Why bother looking at grades in Class D? It's always the same anyway. You might as well go home and help your parents with chores. Staying here is a complete waste of time."

A tall boy next to him chimed in, "Exactly! Instead of squeezing in here to watch the countdown, why not go to the playground and stretch our muscles? The result is the same anyway!"

These words were like a spark falling into a powder keg.

The resentment that Class 6 of Ding had felt for being looked down upon and ridiculed was instantly ignited.

"So what if you're in Class A? Why do you look down on others!"

"Try saying it again!"

"Are you looking for a beating?!"

The verbal conflict between the two sides escalated rapidly, turning from mutual sarcasm into pushing and shoving.

It's unclear who pushed first, but a boy from Class D standing in front stumbled and bumped into a student from Class A next to him.

The scene immediately descended into chaos!