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

"Little guy?"

Xie's mother came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fruit. "How old is she? Is she a girl?"

My mother's mind is still so delicate.

He paused for a moment before replying: "Seventeen or eighteen, I guess."

"Here, have some fruit."

Mrs. Xie put down the plate and smiled slightly: "That really is a little one. Whose child is he?"

"You two know each other."

Xie Ci picked up an apple and asked casually, "Dad, Mom, what's going on with the Fu family in our compound?"

"Are you talking about the Fu family in the military dependents' compound?"

He nodded in thanks.

Mr. Xie sat down on the sofa, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples: "Old Master Fu retired five years ago, but his influence still lingers."

The three sons, the eldest in the General Staff Department, the youngest in the military region, both wielding considerable power. The second son…”

He paused for a moment, then said, "Fu Xiao is now a regimental commander. His abilities are average, but he is a decent person."

"His eldest son is in a tank company and was promoted to company commander last year. His promotion speed is incomparable to yours."

Mother Xie chimed in, "I heard that his second wife has a daughter who is betrothed to the Qin family since childhood; she's the grandson of Political Commissar Qin."

"Yes, Qin Che."

Mr. Xie nodded, then remembered something, "Oh right, I heard recently that Fu Xiao's family has adopted a biological daughter? She came from the countryside on her own."

"That's true."

Xie's mother put down her newspaper. "I heard it from Wang Yu. She even went to that family reunion banquet. She said that the girl looked remarkably like Su Yurou; they were obviously mother and daughter."

She has a very outgoing and generous personality, unlike a country bumpkin. We'll be living in the same courtyard from now on, so we should see each other often.

Xie Ci listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on his knee.

So that's what her family situation was like.

"Who is Qin Che's betrothed to?"

Mother Xie put down the apple and thought for a moment: "She's an adopted daughter. I heard the Qin family isn't willing to switch her, but the Fu family is keen to switch the marriage back."

After hearing Xie Ci's words, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why did you suddenly ask about the Fu family?"

Xie's mother looked at her son sharply, "The child you were just talking about, could it be his child?"

"Um."

Xie Ci did not deny it, "I met that interesting little one today, she's the Fu family's daughter."

Mr. and Mrs. Xie exchanged a glance, both seeing curiosity in each other's eyes.

Just as Xie's mother was about to ask which daughter it was,

The phone in the living room suddenly rang.

"I'll go pick it up."

Mr. Xie got up and walked towards the telephone.

The call was from the military region; it was urgent.

After finishing the phone call, Xie's father hurriedly put on his coat: "I have a meeting, I need to go to the military base."

When Xie's mother saw him off and returned, Xie Ci was no longer in the living room.

She stood at the top of the stairs and heard the faint sound of water coming from the second floor—her son was taking a bath.

"This child..."

Mother Xie shook her head. Could it be that she's been smitten?

However, the Fu family's social standing is somewhat inferior to theirs.

The next day, before dinner, Fu Chaochao lingered on the second floor for a long time before coming downstairs.

"Dad, Mom, how do I look today? Is this outfit okay?"

"Very good, poised and graceful."

Fu Xiao and Su Yurou both said it was very good.

Fu Chaochao was still worried and asked Fu Youchuan again, "Second Brother, is he alright?"

"Our little sister is the most beautiful, and she will definitely shine today."

Fu Youchuan pulled Fu Chaochao to sit down: "Eat your food. Just focus on your performance. That piano master will definitely choose you."

When Fu Chaochao heard everyone say this, she finally felt relieved.

After finishing breakfast, Fu Chaochao stood in front of the mirror in the entryway and put on her shoes.

I'll also check my makeup one last time.

The girl in the mirror had bright eyes and white teeth.

The light blue dress accentuated her snow-white skin.

The pearl brooch gleamed with a warm glow in the morning light.

Fu Hua was just coming downstairs, carrying her schoolbag and getting ready to go out.

"Huahua,"

Fu Chaochao turned around, her smile gentle.

His voice held a hint of urgency, "You really...aren't you going to see my performance? Mr. Steinberg rarely comes to China."

And many celebrities come to listen to the performances, aren't you curious about what your mother's workplace is like?

Fu Hua stopped in her tracks.

Fu Chaochao looked radiant today, having dressed up meticulously.

But his eyes lost their sparkle due to nervousness.

She shook her head: "I made a promise with my friend, and I have to keep my word."

The idea of ​​going to the performance was suggested by Fu Chaochao on the spur of the moment.

Even if she had told me in advance, she wouldn't have been interested in going to the theater to hear her visit her relatives.

Haven't you heard enough while you're at home?

"When shouldn't you go hiking?"

Fu Youchuan walked out of the living room, his tone full of sarcasm, "Fu Hua, are you afraid that when you get to the theater you'll find that you know nothing but studying and nothing else, and that you'll be embarrassed?"

Fu Xiao happened to be coming out of the study when he heard this, and frowned: "You Chuan!"

Fu Hua didn't react much.

She smiled—a faint smile, like a dragonfly skimming the water, fleeting and indistinct: "Yes, I really don't know anything, so I won't join in the fun."

After she finished speaking, she nodded slightly to Fu Xiao: "Dad, I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road."

As Fu Xiao watched his daughter's slender figure disappear into the distance, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside him again.

This kid... is too steady.

He's so composed, unlike a teenager; it's heartbreaking.

However, this kind of personality is exactly what makes someone good for scientific research.

In another month, it will be the family dinner.

Then, he would tell the old man the good news that Fu Hua had joined the research station.

The first and third wives will be very surprised at that time.

Fu Youchuan wanted to say something, but Fu Xiao's glare froze him in place.

"Say it again,"

Fu Xiao's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the imposing authority of someone who had long held a high position: "Stay home today, don't go anywhere."

Fu Youchuan's face turned pale, and he finally shut his mouth.

Fu Chaochao bit her lip, watching as Fu Hua walked out the door without looking back.

That inexplicable flame within me surged up again—

What gives her the right?

Why are you so indifferent?

Why would they even come to her performance?

Was it fear, or disdain?

Yes, she must be scared, scared of everyone surrounding her.

I'm afraid to see her shining on stage.

Su Yurou's gentle voice sounded from behind: "Chaochao, it's time to go. The car is waiting at the door."

Fu Chaochao took a deep breath and smiled again: "Um, Mom, are you sure Dad and my older brother can't go?"

Fu Xiao and Fu Songchuan were originally supposed to go together, but the troops had an emergency mission.

Su Yurou raised her hand to straighten Fu Chaochao's bangs: "They will try their best to get here. Let's go first."

The backstage area of ​​the city theater was brightly lit.

The air was filled with the mixed smells of cosmetics, hairspray, and sweat from tension.

Fu Chaochao was arranged to have a separate dressing room.

This is a special treatment given by the troupe to "key trainees".

Of course, Su Yurou was also partly to blame.

After all, she was one of the leaders of the troupe.

"Chao Chao, don't be nervous."

Su Yurou sat down beside her and gently took her hand. "Mom's here."

Fu Chaochao nodded, but her palms were sweaty.

She looked at her meticulously made-up self in the mirror.

Suddenly, she felt a little dazed—did all of this really belong to her?

However, she regained her composure in just a moment.

All of this belongs to her.

This private dressing room, with envious glances from outside...

Parents' attention, and the upcoming moment in the spotlight...

"Every morning!"

The door to the dressing room was pushed open.