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

City Theater Troupe, Director Wang's Office

The early summer sunlight streamed through the blinds, cutting out slats of light on the mahogany floor.

Commander Wang sat behind his large desk.

He held a crumpled newspaper in his hand, his brow furrowed.

The newspaper was brought back from abroad by someone.

There was a short report in the culture section.

Accompanied by a black and white photo, two world-class mentors,

One Chinese and one foreign, one black and one gold, both with friendly smiles, stood in front of the stage at the Paris Concert Hall.

It was cello master Ji Xian and his friend, dancer Cecchetti.

The report stated that the two mentors concluded their six-month world tour.

I will be returning to China this fall to select talent from various art colleges and troupes.

Four students—one adult and three teenagers—will be selected to participate in a one-year exchange program at the Paris Conservatory.

"The Paris Conservatory..."

Commander Wang muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

This was a godsend for the city's theater troupe.

In recent years, new gadgets like televisions and video arcades have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Life is getting harder every day for traditional theater troupes.

With attendance rates declining year after year, it's difficult to retain young actors.

The veteran artists have either retired or been transferred.

If we could get in touch with these two masters, even if we only got one spot...

The troupe's reputation and influence can be revived.

The question is—how do we build it?

He tried more than ten times to secure the ballet performance last year, but it was finally held at the cultural center.

Although the championship was won by someone from the theater troupe, Fu Chaochao is now in jail...

Never mention it.

He only met the two masters once.

How can you find someone if you don't even know which way their door faces?

Commander Wang has been in the business for thirty years and has a lot of connections.

But after thinking about it, I still can't reach the level of Ji Xian and Cecchetti.

Those two are world-class, national treasure-level artists.

He has an eccentric temperament and doesn't play by the rules.

I heard that last year some local leaders wanted to invite them to provide guidance.

I was immediately shut down by a simple "I'm too busy".

Just as I was worrying, there was a knock on the office door.

"Come in."

The person who came in was Lin Jingqiu, the deputy director of the troupe, holding a performance program in her hand.

She's a long-time employee; Su Yurou previously entrusted her with teaching Fu Chaochao dance.

He also had a good personal relationship with Commander Wang.

After putting down the program, she glanced at the newspaper on the troupe leader's desk.

I asked casually, "Commander, I heard they're going back to China to train students. Are you... planning to invite Professor Ji and the others?"

"You know about this too?"

Commander Wang shook his head and smiled wryly: "What's the use of thinking about it? It's out of reach."

Lin Jingqiu hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice: "I did hear something... but I don't know if it's true or not."

"explain."

"Last year, when Teacher Ji and Teacher Cecchetti performed at a nursing home, they apparently had a fight over a student."

Lin Jingqiu recalled the rumors she had heard, "It was a young girl who played the cello. She was extremely talented, and both of her mentors wanted her. They almost got into a fight."

Commander Wang's eyes lit up: "Really? Who's that girl?"

"I can't remember the exact name right now, but I heard... she's Fu Chaochao's sister."

Lin Jingqiu paused for a moment, then said, "It's Comrade Su Yurou's daughter."

Su Yurou.

daughter?

Doesn't she only have one daughter?

Commander Wang quickly ran through the name in his mind.

The director of the city's theater troupe is a conscientious worker.

He was talented and even taught in rural areas when he was young.

He has a withdrawn personality and doesn't fit in well with others.

I heard that her husband is a regimental commander in the military region and comes from a prominent family.

I also heard that something happened in the family recently.

The affair between the real and fake heiress caused quite a stir in the city...

It wasn't a message after all.

Are you sure?

Commander Wang pressed for an answer.

"pretty close."

Lin Jingqiu said, "I have a relative who works at the cultural center. I heard from people there that the girl even performed at the nursing home because Fu Chaochao missed the rehearsal. Oh right, I remember now, the girl's name seems to be... Fu Hua."

Fu Hua.

Commander Wang remembered the name.

Two days later, Su Yurou was invited to the regimental commander's office.

She knocked and entered, her face bearing her usual aloofness and politeness: "Commander Wang, you wanted to see me?"

"Comrade Yurou, please sit down."

Commander Wang warmly stood up and personally brewed tea for her, saying, "Try this, West Lake Longjing tea, a friend just gave it to me."

Su Yurou sat down on the sofa, took the teacup, but didn't drink it: "Commander, did you need something?"

"It's nothing major, just showing concern for our comrades."

Commander Wang sat down opposite her, smiling warmly. "How's everything at home lately? How's your husband, Commander Fu, doing?"

"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Commander."

"That's good, that's good."

Commander Wang rubbed his hands together, then changed the subject, "I heard you have a daughter named... Fu Hua, who is very talented in dance and music? She even participated in last year's performance at the nursing home?"

Su Yurou paused slightly in her teacup.

His expression darkened slightly: "Commander, who told you that?"

"Well, everyone's heard about it now."

Commander Wang feigned nonchalance, "Is it true that Masters Ji Xian and Chekatty almost came to blows over who would become her students?"

Su Yurou put down her teacup, her voice turning cold: "Commander, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Seeing her attitude, Commander Wang knew that beating around the bush was useless, so he simply laid his cards on the table.

He pushed the newspaper over and pointed to the article: "Comrade Yu Rou, look, Instructor Ji and Instructor Ceccheri are going back to China in the fall to select people to study in Paris. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

You know the current situation of our troupe. If we could get a spot…”

He paused, observing Su Yurou's expression: "If Fu Hua is willing to step in and plead with the two masters, even just for a recommendation spot for the troupe, that would be a tremendous achievement! Don't worry, the troupe won't mistreat you and your daughter..."

"impossible."

Su Yurou interrupted him, stood up, and said, "Commander, I can't do this."

Commander Wang's smile froze on his face: "Comrade Yu Rou, don't be so absolute. This is a good thing for the troupe, for you, and for Fu Hua..."

"Good news?"

Su Yurou looked at him, her eyes filled with a complex and indescribable emotion.

"Commander, you don't know my family's situation. I can't bring myself to say this."

"What's there that you can't say?"

Commander Wang also stood up, maintaining his amicable tone.

"Between mother and daughter, it's just a matter of saying a few words. Besides, if Fu Hua really goes to Paris, what an honor that would be! You, as her mother..."

"I said, no."

Su Yurou's voice was soft, but firm: "The commander should find someone else."

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked towards the door.

"Su Yurou!"

Commander Wang's voice finally turned serious, "This is an organizational mission."

Su Yurou stopped at the door without turning around.

Commander Wang walked up behind her and lowered his voice.

He emphasized each word: "As the commander, I am officially informing you that you must complete this mission."

"Either go to Fu Hua and ask her to intervene, or you find a way to invite those two masters yourself. There is no third way."

The office was deathly silent for a few seconds.

Su Yurou's shoulders trembled slightly.

In the end, he didn't say anything, opened the door, and went out.

The door closed with a soft, gentle thud.

She was told to beg that unfilial daughter, Fu Hua.

Why not just take a knife and slit her throat?