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

Fu Hua and Lin Bei walked out of the teaching building side by side.

The winter night was bitterly cold, and Fu Hua tightened her scarf.

"Thanks."

Fu Hua smiled gently.

Lin Bei shook his head: "I'm the one who should be thanking you. If it weren't for your insistence on investigating..."

Rumors don't disappear on their own.

Fu Hua looked up at the starry sky, her breath dissipating into the night. "But the truth will always come out."

Looking at her profile illuminated by the streetlights, Lin Bei felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

This girl from the countryside was much more resilient than he had imagined.

Will you be watching the game on Sunday?

he asks.

Fu Hua thought for a moment and nodded.

Offices in the military compound

The heating pipes were making a slight humming sound.

On the mahogany chessboard, the pieces on both sides of the Chu River and Han Border have already fought to the middle stage.

Commander Hua was in his fifties, and his cheekbones bore two red marks from his service on the northwestern border when he was young.

At this moment, he held a "car" in his hand and pondered for a long time.

Finally, the final word came: "Checkmate!"

Xie Ci looked at the chessboard and smiled:

"Commander, that was a brilliant move. I've lost."

"You little brat,"

Commander Hua picked up his enamel mug and took a sip of tea. "Were you daydreaming just now? Your mind wasn't on the game."

Xie Ci did not deny it, and while collecting the chess pieces, he laughed and said, "The commander has sharp eyes."

After the two finished tidying up the chessboard, Commander Hua lit a cigarette.

She slowly exhaled, "Just got back. How are things going at work and at home?"

"Everything is fine."

The thank-you reply was concise.

"How are things at home? Have you visited your grandfather? Has the old commander been thinking about you?"

"What?"

He didn't react for a moment when he said thank you.

Commander Hua's eyes held the concern of an elder. "What did you say? Of course, it's about marriage. You're not young anymore, you'll be twenty-five by the New Year, right? It's time to think about your personal life."

Xie Ci's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes: "Commander, I'm still young, there's no rush."

"Young my foot!"

Commander Hua waved his hand, "When I was your age, my son was already old enough to run errands."

He paused, then continued, "My former boss has a granddaughter who just left the performing arts troupe. She's beautiful and has a good personality. How about..."

"commander,"

He was interrupted by a thank-you note, his tone gentle yet firm.

"No, really. My mind is on work right now."

Commander Hua stared at him for a few seconds.

He suddenly burst into laughter: "Fine, I won't force you."

He stubbed out his cigarette and changed the subject, "But there's something I really need your help with."

Xie Ci replied solemnly, "Please speak."

"The military has recently encountered some problems with its communication equipment, and has run into a technical bottleneck."

Commander Hua's expression turned serious. "We've contacted Peking University and would like to invite Professor Yan to provide some guidance."

I heard he's been busy with his research station lately and hasn't had much time. I remember your family has some connections with Professor Yan?

Xie Ci's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face: "Professor Yan is my father's old classmate. Does the Commander need me to contact him?"

"right."

Commander Hua nodded. "This matter involves the security of military communications and requires a reliable person to act as a go-between. I trust you the most to handle things reliably."

"no problem."

Xie Ci readily agreed, "I'll go see Professor Yan tonight."

Commander Hua patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction: "Good lad! You got this done, you deserve credit!"

Stepping out of the headquarters, the winter sun shone warmly on my skin.

The thought of going to the professor's house involuntarily brings to mind a certain figure.

I wonder if Fu is going to the research station tomorrow?

Xie Ci put on his military cap, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Fu family,

After dinner, the family sat in the living room and talked.

Su Yurou winked at Fu Xiao, then looked at him again.

Fu Chaochao and Fu Youchuan were also exchanging glances.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Fu Xiao cleared his throat and beckoned to Fu Hua, who was watching TV: "Hua Hua, come sit over here, Daddy has something to ask you."

"Is it something that's being rumored at school?"

Fu Hua turned off the TV and sat up straight.

He explained the whole story.

After listening to Fu Hua's brief explanation, Fu Xiao...

Knowing that the matter was resolved, he breathed a long sigh of relief: "It's good that everything is alright. Principal Gao handled it very fairly."

Su Yurou sat on the sofa, knitting a sweater.

She frowned slightly: "Huahua, although things have been clarified this time, Mom still has a few more words to say."

She put down the yarn. "A girl's reputation is the most important thing. You need to be more careful and not get too close to your male classmates."

I heard you're still tutoring those people. Let's just mind our own business. From now on, keep your distance from that guy named Lin something.

Mom believes you're a good child, but public opinion can be overwhelming...

She paused, then unconsciously said, "You should learn from Chaochao in this respect. She has always been sensible in this regard and has never caused her family any trouble."

After the words were spoken, the living room fell silent for a few seconds.

Fu Hua raised her eyes, looking calmly at her mother: "Are you saying that I was slandered because I wasn't careful enough?"

"That's not what Mom meant..."

Su Yurou was somewhat flustered, and seeing the indifference in Fu Hua's eyes, another surge of anger welled up within her.

"What does that mean?"

Fu Hua's voice was very soft, yet like a needle, "According to you, the girl was being slandered..."

First, we need to reflect on where we went wrong. Does that mean the person spreading the rumors is innocent?

Su Yurou opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment.

Fu Hua stood up, her tone still calm: "Mom, I'm not Chaochao. I won't give up what I should do or help the people I should help just because I'm afraid of what people will say."

Lin Bei transferred to Ding's class to study, and Lin Bei and I were just helping each other out as classmates. If that's wrong, then what is right?

She paused for a moment, then continued, "As for reputation, the innocent will be proven innocent. If you become timid and hesitant because of a few rumors, then you have truly lost."

After saying that, she nodded to her parents and said, "I'm going upstairs now."

The living room was completely silent.

Su Yurou stared blankly at her daughter's retreating figure as she went upstairs.

His fingers unconsciously twisted the yarn.

Fu Xiao sighed and sat down next to his wife: "Yu Rou, what you just said was indeed inappropriate."

"I was only doing it for her own good!"

Su Yurou's eyes reddened. "She came back from the countryside and doesn't understand the complexities of the city. I'm afraid she'll get taken advantage of..."

"But she didn't do anything wrong."

Fu Xiao was unusually serious. "On the contrary, she handled it very well."

Neither arrogant nor servile, principled and with a bottom line. This is how a daughter of the Fu family should be.

Su Yurou's tears fell: "I know... I just... I just don't know how to treat her."

I raised Chaochao myself, so I know how to cherish her.

Ke Huahua... she's too independent, it seems like she doesn't need me for anything...

Fu Chaochao watched quietly, taking in everything.

She gently bit her lip, composed herself, and sat down next to Su Yurou.

"Mother!"

Fu Chaochao took her arm, her voice soft.

"Don't be sad. Huahua... she's just straightforward and didn't mean to talk back to you. In time, she'll understand your feelings."

She picked up a handkerchief from the coffee table and gently wiped away Su Yurou's tears: "Huahua suffered a lot in the countryside, which is why she's so strong-willed. Mom, you need to understand her more... just like you understand me."

These words sounded comforting, but Su Yurou felt even more wronged.

She was clearly thinking of Fu Hua's best interests.

How could she be so insensible? Talking back to her parents?