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

Inside the house, Fu Hua and Cai Xiaoyan were huddled together.

They were discussing the location of Hua Ning Textile's next branch when they heard the noise and looked up.

Fu Hua recognized the person immediately; it was Cheng Yue's mother.

I saw it once when I went to Huaning Textile before, and it left a deep impression on me.

Cai Xiaoyan recognized him immediately, after all, he was a regular customer at the store.

Although the customer was picky, they became a regular customer afterward.

Cai Xiaoyan quickly stood up warmly and greeted her with a smile, "Sister Zhao, what brings you here...?"

Cheng's mother glanced at the two of them and saw Fu Hua, who was dressed simply and had a cool and aloof demeanor.

A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed across his eyes.

He then forced a smile and said in a flat tone, "Oh, it's you guys. I... I came to the wrong room."

She paused, then looked at Fu Hua.

His tone was somewhat casual: "I had plans to have dinner with my son and daughter-in-law today. Look at me, you two go first, I won't disturb you."

"They're in the next private room."

Fu Hua nodded slightly, her tone calm.

"Okay, okay, you guys eat."

Mrs. Cheng gave a perfunctory thank you, turned around and walked straight out of the private room, closing the door behind her.

The politeness on his face vanished instantly, his eyes paused slightly, and he pushed open the door to the next private room.

She had no intention of mentioning to Cheng Yue and Xiao Ran that she had just bumped into Fu Hua.

It was as if it were just an insignificant little incident.

As soon as they entered, they started chatting animatedly.

They firmly controlled the pace of the meal, giving no chance for awkward silences.

"Why are you two standing there? Sit down and have some tea, don't be shy."

Cheng's mother sat down with a smile, her eyes immediately falling on Xiao Ran, full of the favoritism of an elder.

A moment later, the waiter pushed the food cart in.

The duck carver carves the duck on the spot, the blade slicing through the crispy skin, sizzling and releasing oil, the aroma of fruitwood roasting instantly filling the private room.

Cheng's mother was the first to pick up her chopsticks, took the tenderest piece of duck skin, wrapped it in a lotus leaf pancake, and put it directly into Xiao Ran's bowl.

His tone was warm and natural: "Come on, Xiao Ran, try this duck skin first. It's most authentic when dipped in white sugar. Girls all love to eat this."

She then turned to look at Cheng Yue, her eyes filled with a playful reproach.

The implication was clear: "Cheng Yue, what are you standing there for? It's Xiao Ran's first time here. Teach her how to roll the pancakes, add some scallions and cucumber, that'll make them taste better. You young people should chat more, don't just sit there."

Cheng Yue was still thinking about the scene of his chance encounter with Fu Hua earlier.

He was completely absorbed in the meal, only nodding perfunctorily, his hands remaining motionless on the table.

Xiao Ran was called out and froze on the spot, her smile faltering.

Cheng's mother remained completely calm and immediately smiled, smoothing things over and giving Xiao Ran a way out.

He then put pressure on his son: "Look at you, you're so distracted."

He seems quite clever most of the time, but he becomes dull when it comes to serious matters.

Xiao Ran, don't take it to heart. He's just straightforward and doesn't talk much, but he's very perceptive.

As she spoke, she pushed a plate of delicate pastries towards Xiao Ran, her eyes constantly fixed on Xiao Ran.

He inquired about Xiao Ran's parents and work.

Upon learning that Xiao Ran had just returned to Beijing, they arranged for her to work for Air China.

He was even more satisfied.

This is the elite level; they earn a lot each month.

Cheng's mother made her intentions clear and unambiguous, displaying both grace and assertiveness.

It's obvious that he's decided on this future daughter-in-law.

Cheng Yue's mind was elsewhere; he was so oblivious that he didn't even notice his mother's meticulous scheming.

The atmosphere in the next private room was much more relaxed and comfortable.

Zhang Wen and Cai Xiaoyan kept wrapping Fu Hua's pancakes and adding food to her plate, chatting about interesting things that happened in the shop and what was going on in the neighborhood.

The private room was bustling with chatter, lively and cozy.

Fu Hua ate slowly, then suddenly looked up at Zhang Wen.

She asked softly, "By the way, do you still remember Chen Zhe?"

Zhang Wen paused, frowned, and said with a sigh, "How could I forget? Our old classmate, back then at the school gate? He proposed to you with plastic roses, making the whole school know about it. I still remember that scene clearly."

She sighed and continued, "I ran into Zhao Meng a while ago. He told me that Chen Zhe's mother passed away, his father remarried, and the family fell apart completely."

When his mother was seeing a doctor, he borrowed money from many of his classmates, and then he completely lost contact with them.

We're all doing alright these days, and none of us are really pressuring him to pay back the money. We just wanted to check on him, but we can't get in touch with him at all.

Fu Hua nodded gently, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the glass.

Thinking of that familiar figure at the train station, a heavy feeling welled up in my heart.

Halfway through the meal, Fu Hua got up to go to the restroom.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, I bumped into Cheng Yue walking towards me.

When Cheng Yue saw her, his eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward.

Her tone was slightly excited: "Fu Hua, what a coincidence, you're going to the restroom too?"

Fu Hua nodded.

"I didn't have a chance to talk to you outside earlier. May I come into the private room to say hello to your friend? I'll go over and offer a toast, and get to know everyone. I don't mean anything by it."

This is incoherent...

Fu Hua shook her head slightly, her tone calm.

I found a safe excuse: "We were discussing the store's development plans, so it's not convenient right now. How about next time?"

Cheng Yue didn't show any obvious disappointment after hearing this; he just smiled.

"Then there will be another opportunity next time."

As he spoke, he pulled two gold-embossed concert tickets from his suit's inner pocket and handed them to her.

Her voice was soft: "Here, take this. It's a ticket to next week's cello concert. I got it through someone. We can go together..."

Fu Hua frowned slightly, didn't answer, and stated directly: "Cheng Yue, you should know that I have a boyfriend."

"I know."

Cheng Yue spoke frankly, without any attempt to conceal anything.

"I didn't mean anything by it, really, it's just that Dr. Cheng Jin mentioned before that you can play the cello."

I know absolutely nothing about music; I just thought it was a waste of money to buy this ticket, and I figured you might like it.

Fu Hua remained silent for a few seconds, then did not take the ticket.

She simply replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, but I'm not sure if I'll be free recently, so I can't go. Maybe next time."

After saying that, she stepped aside and walked straight to the restroom.

Cheng Yue stood there, staring blankly at her retreating figure.

That glimmer of hope slowly faded, leaving behind a deep sense of frustration.

It's like punching cotton; there's nowhere to apply force.

From the corner of the corridor, Xiao Ran saw this scene clearly.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.

Jealousy and resentment welled up in his eyes, but his heart remained frighteningly calm.

She has fair skin, a beautiful face, and a tall figure.

The number of young men in her workplace who fawned over her could stretch all the way to the state-run restaurant.

She has no shortage of choices.

If it weren't for the Cheng family's background and the powerful resources that Cheng's father held,

She would never compromise herself to accommodate a man who has someone else in his heart.

To be honest, Cheng Yue is reasonably good-looking and has a respectable and stable job.

He has no bad habits and is worthy of her.

Since she has already decided on this marriage,

No matter who he has in his heart, in the future, he can only be listed on the same household registration book as her.

The aroma of roast duck still lingered in the private room, and most of the lotus leaf pancakes on the table remained.

The oily stains were left on the gilded porcelain plate.

The warm yellow light shone down, filling the room with the unique atmosphere of an old Beijing restaurant—a blend of local life and refined elegance.

Cheng Yue was absent-minded as soon as he sat down.

Just now, when the waiter was serving the food, the door to the next private room opened a crack.

He caught a glimpse of Fu Hua out of the corner of his eye; her off-white silk shirt made her look exceptionally gentle.

With just a fleeting glance, his soul seemed to vanish completely.

Xiao Ran handed him a teacup.

He didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, only giving a vague "hmm," his gaze fixed on the door next door.

His brows were unconsciously furrowed, and the unconcealed worry in his eyes was obvious even to a fool.