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

Zhang Wen, with red eyes, came over and pulled her: "Huahua, you must take good care of yourself in the future, and come back to school to see me often."

"You too, take good care of yourself, don't fall behind in your studies."

Fu Hua hugged her: "Try to come visit me at Peking University next year."

Chen Zhe said in a low voice, "Fu Hua, if someone bullies you, just say so. Our Class Ding-Liu may not be good at everything else, but when it comes to fighting, we're fearless!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! You want to be a hooligan?"

Zhao Kuan patted Chen Zhe on the back of the head and laughed himself. "Fu Hua, keep in touch."

"must."

It was already dark when I left Dexinglou.

As the streetlights came on one by one, the students said goodbye in twos and threes and headed home.

Lin Bei was at the back, and when they were almost at the intersection,

He suddenly turned around: "Fu Hua."

"Um?"

"That woman from earlier...do you know her?"

Fu Hua shook her head: "I don't know her."

Lin Bei hesitated for a moment: "The way she's looking at you isn't right, you... be careful."

"I will."

Fu Hua smiled and said, "Thank you."

Lin Bei nodded, turned and left.

Under the streetlights, the boy's back was slender yet straight.

Zhang Wen took Fu Hua's arm and whispered, "Fu Hua, I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid that when you go to a bigger world and meet better people, you'll forget about us."

Fu Hua stopped and looked at her earnestly: "Zhang Wen, Class 6 is the cutest. I will remember everyone for the rest of my life."

Zhang Wen's tears fell, but she quickly wiped them away: "Okay, then promise me that we'll get together at least once a year! Also, you have to come see me every week. Mom and Leilei often talk about you."

"Okay, I'll try to visit Leilei next week when I have some free time. By the way, how's his harmonica lesson going?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Wen immediately burst into laughter through her tears: "That kid didn't practice properly, and he played 'Two Tigers' off-key. What a waste of that good instrument."

"It's okay, I'll go take a look next time, I'll get it."

The two girls parted ways at the intersection.

Fu Hua walked back alone, the night wind blowing on her face, feeling a little cool.

…………

The Xie family's living room was warm, and the three of them were all home together, a rare occurrence.

Xie's father and Xie Ci sat in front of the Go board by the window, the black and white pieces scattered about.

Mother Xie brought over a plate of sliced ​​apples and gently placed it on the corner of the chessboard.

"How long has it been raining?"

Xie's mother sat down on the single sofa next to her and took out a beige scarf that was half-knitted from the bamboo basket.

"Half an hour."

Mr. Xie stared at the chessboard, his fingers holding a black piece, hesitating to make a move.

"This kid's playing style is getting more and more aggressive."

Xie Ci didn't reply, his gaze fixed on a corner of the chessboard, where a fierce battle was brewing.

Xie's mother knitted a few stitches, the yarn rustling between her fingers.

She glanced up at her son, then lowered her head to knit again.

It was as if he were casually asking, "Aci, what do you think about what your grandfather talked to you about the day before yesterday?"

The knitting needles paused for a moment.

Xie Ci's fingers, which were holding the white pieces, tightened slightly, and his knuckles turned white.

His expression was complicated. He didn't look up, only staring at the chessboard: "Mom, I don't want to talk about this."

"We have to talk about it whether we want to or not. We can run away from it one day, but we can't hide the whole time."

Finally, Xie's father made his move, his voice steady, "You're twenty-five this year, and you've been away for several years. By all accounts, your marriage should have been arranged long ago."

Xu Jing graduated from the National Defense University and was assigned to the military in a technical position. Her family background is impeccable, she's good-looking and has a great personality, and your grandfather watched her grow up. She's a perfect match for you.

The chess piece landed on the chessboard with a crisp sound.

Mother Xie put down her knitting needles and looked at her husband: "You just don't understand our son. He already has someone else in his heart, can't you see?"

Mr. Xie looked up: "Who?"

"Who else could it be?"

Mother Xie chuckled, "The one who loves osmanthus flowers, that girl from the Fu family."

The living room was quiet for a few seconds.

There was only the faint sound of water flowing from the radiator.

Mr. Xie's brows slowly furrowed.

He quickly went through the information about the Fu family in his mind.

Chief of Staff Fu Xiao, the farce of the real and fake heiresses, the adopted daughter goes to prison, the biological daughter leaves home...

I recently heard that her biological daughter is quite capable; she made it into the newspapers with her scientific research.

"Fu Hua?"

Mr. Xie asked again, "Have you been to our house once before?"

"Um."

Xie's mother picked up her knitting needles again. "Your son's mind is always on that other girl. Every time he comes home, he talks about Fu all the time. Last time he even asked me how to pickle osmanthus flowers. When has your son ever been in the kitchen?"

Mr. Xie looked at his son: "Is that really true?"

He slowly straightened up after thanking her.

He gently placed the white piece back into the chess set container.

His entire demeanor changed, from the relaxed state of a chess player during a game...

It has become a proper way of facing serious issues.

"Yes."

He looked at his father without flinching, "Dad, Mom, in this life, I will only marry Fu Hua, I won't consider anyone else."

As expected, Xie's mother continued knitting the scarf without stopping, a smile playing on her lips.

When I was young, that's what I told my family too.

She will not marry anyone but Xie Chenjie.

Back then, the Xie family wasn't as prominent as they are now.

Her family also objected, saying that joining the army was too dangerous.

But she was determined.

"I support Aci."

Mother Xie glanced sideways and said, "What era are we living in? Why are you still talking about marriage between equals?"

Didn't we also have free love back then? The Xie family has connections, but Aci got to where he is today through his own hard work in the army.

Look at his uncle's two kids, how many roads did their families pave for them? And now they're still just coasting along in idle jobs.

Xie Chenjie remained silent.

He held a black chess piece in his hand, twirling it around, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, his eyes darting around, clearly not looking at the game.

The living room fell silent again.

The only sound was the faint clinking of bamboo needles when Xie's mother was knitting a scarf.

After a long silence, Xie Chenjie sighed.

"The Fu family's affairs are far too complicated."

He paused: "The whole city was in an uproar over the real and fake heiresses; the adopted daughter was sentenced to prison, and the biological daughter broke ties with her family."

In a family like this, interpersonal relationships are a complete mess. Ah Ci, by marrying her, you're dragging the Xie family into this mess as well.

"dad,"

Xie Ci's voice was calm and steady. "I married Fu Hua, not the Fu family. She has already severed ties with the Fu family."

"Are the blood relations clearly separated?"

Xie Zhenguo looked at him, "Those are her biological parents. Even if they didn't raise her, they still gave her life."

"When the Fu couple gets old and sick, can she really ignore them? Can she really cut off all contact with the Fu family? Ah Ci, marriage isn't just a matter between two people."

"I know."

Xie Ci said, "So I will handle it well. I will fulfill the proper etiquette towards the Fu family, but I will draw clear lines. Fu Hua has the same attitude; she is more clear-headed than anyone else."

Xie's mother interjected, "I've met that child a few times. He's talented, cultured, and even got a direct admission to Peking University."

Her eyes were clear and bright, not like a confused person. Besides, all her achievements were hard-earned.

A gold medal in mathematics, research projects, and collaborations with the military—I heard even Commander Hua praised her highly. A girl like that is more than worthy of our gratitude.

Xie Chenjie shook his head: "Sigh, haven't you understood all these years? What the old man values ​​is the integration of family resources."

The Xu family had a life-or-death friendship with him; Xu Jing's father worked at the General Armaments Department, and her mother at the Space Administration. Such a marriage would benefit the Xie family and Aci's future development.

"I don't need that kind of benefit."

The acknowledgments were delivered calmly, each word landing with a resounding impact.

"I will walk my own path. If I have to rely on marriage to advance my career, then there's no point in me wearing this military uniform."