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

Xiao Ran saw this scene clearly.

Her fingers tightened subtly around the teacup.

The cold porcelain wall pressed against my palm, and my heart felt as if it had been filled with ice water.

A fleeting look of grievance and resentment flashed across her eyes, as quick as a gust of wind, only to be suppressed in the next second.

Xiao Ran's face once again wore that gentle and shy smile, the corners of her mouth curving just right.

She remained silent throughout, quietly picking at her food and eating.

He would occasionally refill Cheng's mother's tea and put food on her plate.

So well-behaved that you can't find a single fault with her.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, concealing the scheming surging in her eyes.

The dinner party ended, and Cheng Yue put down his chopsticks.

He casually replied, "Mom, Xiaoran, you two eat first. I have to go to work."

The smile on Cheng's mother's face instantly vanished.

He slammed his chopsticks down on the table with a "thud."

She reached out and grabbed his arm, her brows furrowed.

Lowering her voice, she said, half-scolding, half-advising, "What's the rush? Even if it's something important, finish your meal before you leave."

Look, Xiao Ran is still here. It's so rude of you, a grown man, to leave first. Hurry up and sit down!

She glared at Cheng Yue again, her tone softening slightly: "Even if something's wrong, wait a bit. It's not safe for Xiao Ran, a girl, to go home alone later."

You should drive them home; that's the most basic thing you can do!

Cheng Yue frowned deeply, his eyes full of impatience, and then found an excuse that he couldn't refute: "Mom, I really can't today. The department notified us that there is a meeting. The director told me to go there in advance. I have to go back to the hospital immediately. I can't afford to be late."

"I really can't manage to take Xiaoran home right now. How about I call her a car, or could you please take her home?"

Seeing his determined departure, Cheng's mother was so angry her cheeks ached, but she couldn't say anything.

Turning to look at Xiao Ran beside him, he immediately put on a fawning smile.

His eyes were full of apology: "Xiao Ran, please don't take it to heart, don't be angry with him."

That's just how his job is; hospital matters are matters of life and death, and we can't stop him no matter what.

Don't worry, Auntie will drive you home personally later and make sure you get there safely!

"Auntie, I understand. Hospital matters are matters of life and death, and cannot be delayed."

Her voice was soft, her tone full of understanding, without a trace of displeasure.

"Wait a minute, I can go back by myself. There's no need to trouble you and Brother Cheng Yue."

After saying that, she turned to look at Cheng Yue and gently reminded him, "Brother Cheng Yue, drive carefully, don't rush, and be safe."

Upon hearing this, Cheng's mother felt extremely comforted.

This is what a truly understanding daughter-in-law is like.

Looking at Xiao Ran with increasing satisfaction, Cheng's mother nodded repeatedly: "Xiao Ran, you are so sensible, reasonable, and considerate, unlike this brat who doesn't understand human relationships at all."

She glared at Cheng Yue again, then waved her hand.

His tone was tinged with helplessness: "Alright, alright, you should hurry up and go. Don't really delay things at the hospital. Remember to thank Xiao Ran properly later. She won't hold it against you at all."

Cheng Yue responded, said a brief goodbye to the two, and quickly left the private room.

Only Cheng's mother and Xiao Ran remained in the private room.

The mahogany pillars were bathed in warm light, and waiters walked back and forth in hushed tones.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted duck.

Cheng's mother stared at her son's hurried departure and shook her head: "This child is always in such a rush. He's like this at home too, often leaving before he's even finished his meal."

"Xiao Ran, let me tell you, he's just busy with work, nothing else."

These words hit the nail on the head that Xiao Ran had been holding back all night.

Her eyes were lowered, her long eyelashes drooping down, covering her reddened eye sockets.

Her voice was soft and gentle, with just the right amount of choking.

"Auntie, actually... I could tell just now that Brother Cheng Yue has someone else in his heart."

"Impossible, Xiao Ran, don't overthink it. Auntie asked him herself, and he said he doesn't have a girl he likes."

Xiao Ran's eyes brightened slightly, her expression paused, and her tone carried a hint of cautious humility.

"Auntie, I really like Brother Cheng Yue and I really want to get along well with him, and to stay with you and take care of this family in the future."

But just now, I saw him and a girl named Fu Hua, pulling and tugging at each other, outside the restroom...

Cheng's mother's expression changed slightly, and she was about to explain,

Xiao Ran didn't give him a chance and continued, "My parents often tell me that it's my blessing to have met such a reasonable and loving elder like you. I've always dreamed of you coming into our family."

"I know that feelings can't be forced, but Brother Cheng Yue can't get over it for a while."

I don't want to throw a tantrum, and I don't want to put you in a difficult position. I'm just afraid that because of me, you and your son will be unhappy, and if word gets out, outsiders will laugh at our family..."

As she finished speaking, she slowly raised her eyes to look at Cheng's mother; her eyes were already red-rimmed.

Her eyes were veiled with a thin layer of water, her nose was red, and she looked like she was about to cry, looking pitiful.

She paused, biting her lower lip, looking hesitant and extremely aggrieved.

She spoke softly, "Auntie, I'm not petty, nor am I deliberately trying to cause trouble."

But you didn't see what happened just now. This is a big hotel, with lots of people and distractions.

If Cheng Yue's colleagues or superiors see this, what will people think? What will they say about him?

How will he be able to stand on his own two feet at work after this? I... I genuinely care about Cheng Yue; I'm afraid it will damage his reputation and that he'll suffer.

Upon hearing this, Cheng's mother's face instantly darkened, and her brows furrowed tightly.

His cheeks were taut, his eyes were filled with anger, and his hand holding the chopsticks was slightly clenched.

She hadn't expected Fu Hua to be so ungrateful, daring to pester her son.

I never expected my son to be so disappointing!

She quickly patted Xiao Ran's hand, her tone full of heartache and comfort: "Good child, I'm sorry you've been wronged. Auntie knows that you are sensible and think of our Cheng family."

Don't worry, Auntie knows what she's doing. She won't let you suffer any injustice, nor will she let others gossip about you!

After calming Xiao Ran down, Cheng's mother turned and called over a waiter.

He lowered his voice and gave a few instructions, his expression still grim.

A short while later, the door to Fu Hua's private room next door was pushed open.

The waiter brought in a plate of exquisitely prepared "Three Whites in a Fermented Rice Wine Sauce" and placed it on the table with a smile.

"Hello, this is our restaurant's signature Shandong dish, 'Zao Liu San Bai' (a type of braised white meat)."

"But we didn't order this dish."

Zhang Wen's eyes darted around.

The waiter explained, "It was a gift from the lady in the next private room, who said it was to thank Comrade Fu for helping her with the directions earlier."

Fu Hua raised her eyes indifferently: "Okay, I understand."

The waiter nodded. "Enjoy your meal."

Fu Hua had just picked up her chopsticks when she sensed something was wrong.

Looking up, I saw Zhang Wen, Cai Xiaoyan, and Zhang's mother who had come with them.

Their faces darkened, their brows furrowed, and their expressions were full of displeasure.

"What's wrong?"

Fu Hua put down her chopsticks and asked softly, "Why do you all have that expression?"

Cai Xiaoyan pouted, her tone dissatisfied: "This dish looks fancy, but it tastes bland and tasteless. Most people wouldn't order this!"

Zhang Wen nodded in agreement, her tone straightforward: "That's right, we never serve this kind of dish when we're hosting a dinner party."

"Huahua, do you have some personal grudge against that old woman? Giving her something like this, she's clearly up to no good!"

Fu Hua didn't answer immediately, but called the waiter back.

Then he asked, "What did you just say this dish was called?"