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

Lin's father's face also darkened.

But he remained relatively calm: "I'll ask him about it when my son comes back."

"Get the facts straight! The whole school is talking about it! What about his reputation? What about his future?"

Lin's mother grabbed her coat. "I'm going to the school right now to find that Fu Hua and her parents! She's so young and already so bad at seducing my son..."

"stop!"

Lin's father raised his voice, his tone pleading: "The matter isn't clear yet. Rushing to the school like this will only make things worse!"

As the couple reached an impasse, they heard the sound of a key turning outside the door.

Lin Bei pushed open the door and saw his parents' solemn expressions and the things in his mother's hands, and his heart sank.

"Dad, Mom."

He greeted him in a low voice.

"Come to the study."

Lin's father stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lin's mother gave her son a disappointed look, then turned and went into the kitchen.

In the study, Lin's father closed the door.

He pointed to the chair: "Sit."

Lin Bei sat down and saw the items spread out on the desk.

Strawberry hair ties, calligraphy practice sheets, dried flowers, and draft paper.

The tips of his ears were slightly red.

"Please explain."

Lin's father's voice was calm and gentle.

But those who know his father know that this is when he is most serious.

Lin Bei remained silent for a few seconds,

He spoke, his voice slightly weak: "I found the hair tie. I originally intended to return it, but then..."

"What happened next?"

"Later I realized that maybe she didn't need it anymore."

Lin Bei's voice was low, "Just keep it."

"And what about these?"

Lin's father pointed to the calligraphy copybook and draft paper.

"The calligraphy practice book was recommended by a classmate. She said it could make my handwriting look better."

The draft paper... she wrote on it when she helped me solve problems, and I secretly hid it myself.

Lin Bei looked up and said, "Dad, Fu Hua and I are really just classmates."

Lin's father looked at his son, the son he had always been proud of.

At that moment, there was a seriousness in his eyes that he had never seen before.

"What's going on with the rumors at school?"

"Someone is spreading malicious rumors."

Lin Bei clenched his fist. "She did nothing wrong. She has been helping the students in Class D with their studies, including me."

Because of her, our class's average score improved by more than fifty points in this monthly exam.

"So, do you like her?"

Lin's father asked directly.

The study was so quiet that you could hear the clock ticking.

Lin Bei's Adam's apple bobbed.

Finally, to be honest, "I admire her. She's the smartest and most determined girl I've ever met."

I know that we are students now, and studying is the most important thing for us.

Her dream is scientific research, and my dream is to get into a good university. We both know that.

Lin's father looked at his son for a long time.

He suddenly sighed.

"You've grown up."

He said, "It's good to know your limits. But Xiao Bei, you need to understand that public opinion can be a powerful force."

Especially for girls, such rumors could ruin them.

"I know."

Lin Bei's gaze hardened. "So I will protect her. Not in that way, but... to prove her innocence."

Mr. Lin nodded: "Does the school need my involvement?"

"No need. Principal Gao already knows, and he said he will deal with it seriously."

Lin Bei paused, then continued, "Dad, what about Mom..."

"I'll talk to your mother."

Lin's father patted his son on the shoulder, "However, these things..."

He glanced at the items on the table. "Return what needs to be returned, and deal with what needs to be dealt with. Some feelings are better left unsaid."

Lin Bei nodded and carefully put away the items.

The strawberry hair tie was worn out from being rubbed back and forth by him.

When I came out of the study, Lin's mother was standing outside the door with red eyes.

She looked at her son, hesitant to speak.

"Mom, I'm sorry for making you worry."

Lin Bei said softly, "But I really didn't do anything wrong. Fu Hua... is a very good girl, and you even..."

"That's enough, I don't want to hear it."

Lin's mother wiped away her tears and turned to go back to her bedroom.

Lin Bei returned to his room and closed the door.

Outside the window, dusk was falling, and the streetlights were gradually coming on.

He opened the drawer and put the items back in their proper places.

Finally, picking up the strawberry hair tie, she remembered when she was explaining problems to him.

The setting sun shone on her cheeks, making her glow.

Since they met, she has always been the one selflessly helping him.

Now, he can't repay anything at all.

It also caused her trouble.

A deep sense of guilt welled up in Lin Bei's heart.

Some feelings can only be kept in one's heart.

When I went to university, when I became an adult...

Many things will be different then.

As night deepens, another tough battle awaits tomorrow.

Although the storm of rumors was suppressed by the school authorities,

But the malice lurking in the shadows has not subsided.

When Fu Hua returned home, Fu Xiao and Su Yurou had already heard about the school incident from Fu Youchuan.

They approached to inquire about the matter, their attitude cautious.

Fu Hua glanced at Fu Chaochao and Fu Youchuan on the sofa and said calmly, "Principal Gao is already investigating, and there will be results tomorrow afternoon."

"Huahua, do you need Daddy's help with this...?"

"No need, the truth will eventually come out."

Fu Hua didn't say much and went straight upstairs.

Su Yurou and Fu Xiao looked at each other and sighed heavily.

The bell rang to signal the end of the last class on Friday morning.

Zhou Rong received a letter folded into the shape of a heart.

To: Zhou Rong

The words were written crookedly.

It was a piece of paper torn from a workbook.

The girl sitting next to her leaned over to look, grinning and nudging her, "Oh, a love letter? It's not another guy who has a crush on you, is it?"

Zhou Rong blushed, but felt a little smug inside.

Although Fu Chaochao was the prettiest in Class A,

But in terms of the number of love letters she received, she was far inferior.

Zhou Rong opened the letter; it contained only a few lines of text:

"Zhou Rong, meet me in the grove behind the playground after lunch. I have something very important to tell you. I've liked you for a long time."

No signature.

Zhou Rong stuffed the letter into his schoolbag, pretending not to care.

But I felt like I had a rabbit in my heart.

She went to the bathroom to redo her hair.

I secretly applied a little bit of lipstick.

After finishing her meal, she deliberately sent Fu Chaochao away.

After most students returned to their dormitories to rest,

She then slowly walked towards the grove behind the playground, carrying her backpack.

The midday sun was shining brightly, and the winter woods were bare.

Only a few pine trees still retain their green leaves.

A boy in a school uniform stood with his back to her deep in the woods.

The figure looked somewhat unfamiliar from behind.

"Hey, did you send me?"

Zhou Rong walked over, his voice carrying a feigned air of modesty.

The boy turned around; he was an ordinary-looking boy.

Zhou Rong couldn't even remember his name.

I only vaguely remember that it was in my second year of high school.

"Zhou, Zhou Rong..."

The boy stammered nervously, "I...I've liked you for a long time..."

He pulled a small, roughly packaged box from his backpack. "This, this is what I saved up to buy..."

Zhou Rong took the box, opened it, and saw that it was a cheap plastic necklace.

She pouted, but still pretended to be happy: "Thank you."

"Will you...will you be my girlfriend?"

The boy's face turned red.

Zhou Rong was about to give a perfunctory reply when the boy suddenly leaned closer.

I kissed her on the cheek!