After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Pride, Provocation, and Vitality

The next morning, Mingzhu woke up with a face full of regret. Nothing had happened last night; she hadn’t gotten the upper hand over Rong Zhao, nor had she gotten… on top of her.

Maybe Rong Zhao is a bit tired and needs to rest; she can’t go two nights in a row, Mingzhu mused. She looked at her own hand. She didn’t feel tired at all. Rong Zhao was still too weak.

After breakfast, Rong Zhao went to shower while Mingzhu curled up on the bedroom sofa to check her phone. She really didn’t understand why Rong Zhao loved showering so much. She had showered right after waking up and was now taking another one after breakfast, as if showering were her primary way of relaxing.

Mingzhu held a throw pillow, her eyes squinting at the WeChat icon. She had been staring at it for so long she nearly burned a hole through the screen. Finally, she pursed her lips and tapped it.

Since turning her phone back on a few days ago, she had been intentionally ignoring the new messages. Watching the numbers in the red circles on the top-right corner of the avatars grow had only increased her internal resistance and pressure. But some things had to be faced. Besides, Rong Zhao had hinted that she hoped Mingzhu would stay emotionally stable.

Mingzhu scanned the message list, trying her best to stay calm. Her parents, relatives, and friends had all sent messages. He Chan had too, but there was nothing from Jiang Jiang—she was likely still on her “seclusion trip.”

Mingzhu tapped into He Chan’s chat. He Chan’s messages were full of concern, mentioning snacks and gifts she had sent and asking if Mingzhu wanted to stay at her place. Mingzhu decided not to reply yet; she wanted to thank He Chan in person. Typing or voice messages felt too dry and lacked emotion; it might even get more awkward the more she tried to express gratitude.

Mingzhu took a deep breath and moved her finger to the group chat “Apple of My Eye”. This was their family group of three. Her parents always spoke to her here. The notification count was already at 99+.

Mingzhu’s finger trembled slightly. She still didn’t dare enter. Instead, she clicked on her contacts and scrolled idly. Suddenly, a unique nickname caught her eye: “Old Classmate from Class 3-2.”

The profile picture was a bright pearl nestled inside a white shell. It looked like a micro-vendor selling pearls. They had been on her list for years, but she had no idea who it was and they had never spoken.

Driven by her desire to escape thoughts of her parents, Mingzhu became curious about this ignored classmate. She clicked into their Moments, only to find it completely blank. She raised an eyebrow.

Looking closer, she realized “Old Classmate from Class 3-2” wasn’t a nickname she had assigned; it was the person’s actual WeChat name. The more she thought about it, the weirder it felt. Could it be some creep with a crush on me? A chill ran down her neck. Without thinking further, she decisively blocked the person.

After blocking them, she went back to the message list to look at her family group. Her finger hovered, unable to press down. That button felt like a live wire—pressing it would hurt. She was afraid.

Rong Zhao emerged from the bathroom and saw Mingzhu’s eyes turning red again.

Drying her hair, Rong Zhao said nonchalantly, “Let’s go out for a bit. Do you want to go horse riding, skiing, or something else?”

Mingzhu caught on instantly. If the two of them were “dating” but didn’t have any photos together, it would easily arouse suspicion. Rong Zhao wanted to go on a date and snap some pictures.

Perking up, Mingzhu sat up and asked, “We’re going out to pose for photos, right? Do you have riding or skiing gear?”

Rong Zhao: “…I have a few sets.”

Mingzhu was surprised. “You know how to ride and ski?” She thought Rong Zhao only liked stationary or “graceful” sports. Rong Zhao had played piano and done ballet since childhood; her athletic pursuits were usually beautiful butterfly strokes in a pool or steady-handed shooting.

Rong Zhao: “I’m a novice at both, not very skilled. So, riding or skiing?”

Mingzhu was delighted—another chance to outshine Rong Zhao. “Let’s check the outfits first. We’ll go wherever the clothes are prettier. Where are they?”

Rong Zhao: “Ask Auntie Guan. I need to blow-dry my hair.”

Mingzhu immediately went to find the housekeeper. Meanwhile, Rong Zhao habitually picked up her phone to check a certain person’s Moments. Her brow furrowed slightly.

She can’t see them anymore. Had Mingzhu just finished a “friend list purge”?

Mingzhu chose horse riding because skiing required masks and helmets, which would hide her beautiful face in photos. The maids loaded their riding gear and boots into the car while the two left in casual clothes.

Mingzhu wore a new outfit she’d bought—different from the style in Rong Zhao’s walk-in closet. It was a short, colorful knit cardigan and baggy, multi-pocketed pink cargo pants. Her curly hair was tied in a high ponytail, her lips were red, and her makeup was rosy—a bright, bold aura.

However, she had spent 40,000 yuan the other day and hadn’t dared to buy shoes. She was wearing the clean white sneakers she had arrived in. They were versatile, but the “vibe” wasn’t quite there. A pair of black leather boots to tuck her pants into would have looked much more powerful.

“Didn’t buy shoes?” Rong Zhao noticed Mingzhu pursing her lips after putting on her sneakers, looking like someone had bullied her. Rong Zhao could see where the credit card was swiped, but not specifically what was bought.

Mingzhu immediately played the “pitiful and obedient” card. “I have to be careful with the limit you gave me. It’s okay, Sister Rong-Rong, I’ll just wear my white shoes.”

Rong Zhao: “…” Being careful with spending meant 40,000 yuan in half a day.

Rong Zhao hadn’t put on her shoes yet. She turned back toward the living room. “Go look in my shoe cabinet. There are many pairs sent by brands that I’ve never worn. There are bags, too. Go on.”

Mingzhu was both surprised and confused, chasing after her. “But I didn’t see them in your closet?”

Rong Zhao: “The ones I don’t use often are in the basement. Auntie Guan, take her.”

“Awesome!” Mingzhu suddenly lunged at Rong Zhao’s back, giving her waist a quick squeeze before racing toward the basement.

Rong Zhao was pushed forward a step by the impact. The sudden tight embrace, followed by the quick release, felt like a gust of warm winter wind—momentarily soft and warm, then vanishing instantly, taking a bit of her body heat with it.

Mingzhu didn’t make Rong Zhao wait long. She chose a pair of black combat boots. She and Rong Zhao shared the same shoe size, and they fit perfectly.

Stepping out of the villa, Mingzhu preened. “Do I look good?” With the gold-threaded sweater, pink pants, and black boots, the twenty-two-year-old socialite smiled brighter than the sun. In Rong Zhao’s eyes, there was no one more beautiful.

Rong Zhao brushed past her shoulder toward the car, dropping a cool comment in her ear: “You could be a little better.”

Mingzhu’s face instantly twisted in mock fury, and she followed Rong Zhao, grumbling and nagging all the way. A smile flickered across Rong Zhao’s eyes; she had successfully captured a piece of the spring air.

Xiang Qian drove them to the stables. At the stables, they changed into their gear. Mingzhu looked professional in knee-high black boots and white breeches, her curls tied high. Rong Zhao looked more casual in grey windproof gear, her hair loose, radiating her usual elegance.

Xiang Qian, acting as their photographer, snapped a photo with a high-end DSLR. In the frame, the two stood side by side—Mingzhu confident, Rong Zhao reserved—each with her own brilliance.

Hearing the shutter, Mingzhu looked at the camera, and a wave of bitterness hit her. She had studied directing; her parents had gifted her endless equipment and drones. When she was learning to fly drones, she crashed them constantly, and her parents always had spares ready.

Rong Zhao caught the reddening in Mingzhu’s eyes and the slight twitch of her nose—she looked like a pathetic stray cat. She stepped forward. “Shall we go pick the horses?”

Mingzhu snapped out of it. “Okay.”

However, none of the horses in the stable were as beautiful as her golden horse, “Moon.” After much searching, Mingzhu chose a sturdy brown horse with a shiny coat.

Just as she stepped out of the stables, she ran straight into a trio of “sisters.” The leader was Wan Ling, a battery tycoon’s daughter, flanked by her lackey Chen Luohan and another girl Mingzhu didn’t recognize.

As they approached, Wan Ling’s mouth fell open in feigned shock. “Oh, Mingzhu! I heard about your parents… that they aren’t your real parents. Are you doing okay?”

Mingzhu’s eye twitched. Wan Ling laughed gloatingly. “If you have any financial difficulties, just come to me. Lending you some pocket money shouldn’t be a problem.”

Usually sharp-tongued, Mingzhu found herself defenseless against these two specific wounds.

“What ‘isn’t a problem’?”

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around Mingzhu’s waist, and a cold, crisp voice rang out. Rong Zhao looked at Mingzhu, her voice softening. “Mingzhu, what are you chatting about?”

Mingzhu was overjoyed. She turned and hugged Rong Zhao’s waist, looking up with a pouting, spoiled voice. “Nothing, Rong-Rong. Just ran into a ‘friend.’ You might not know her—she’s Miss Wan from Wanteng Power. She was just worried I’d run out of money and offered to lend me some of her pocket money. So kind of her.”

The faces of the three girls opposite them changed instantly. The rumors were true—Rong Zhao was actually dating Mingzhu.

Rong Zhao patted Mingzhu’s shoulder. “Such a warm-hearted friend is rare. But hearing this makes me realize I haven’t cared for you enough if you’re already looking to borrow money outside. It’s my fault, and the fault of the Rong family.”

Wan Ling turned pale. “No, no, Rong Zhao, that’s not what I meant…”

Mingzhu played along. “Oh, Miss Wan just didn’t understand. No one is at fault.” She leaned back against Rong Zhao, smiling at Wan Ling. “Thanks for the offer, Ling-ling, I appreciate the thought. But I have my Rong-Rong, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

In front of Rong Zhao, all of Wan Ling’s arrogance vanished. She lowered her head, her lips stiff. “I overstepped. Miss Bai, President Rong, please don’t mind.”

Rong Zhao nodded and gave a cold glance to the third girl, Gu Jianshan, who quickly hid behind Wan Ling.

“I’m taking Mingzhu to pick out a saddle. Excuse us.” Rong Zhao nodded with polite grace.

As they walked away, Mingzhu whispered, “Thank you.”

Rong Zhao didn’t pull her arm away. “You’re welcome. From now on, you represent me in public. You don’t need to hold back.”

Mingzhu’s lips curled up. With those words, she knew exactly how far she could go in the future.

The interlude left Mingzhu with a surge of energy. After riding slowly with Rong Zhao for a bit, she told her she wanted to run a few laps. Rong Zhao told her to go ahead and be safe. Mingzhu nudged the horse’s flanks and took off like the wind.

The faster she rode, the more she processed Wan Ling’s stinging words. Flying under the sun, dopamine flooded her system. The sadness and frustration over her birth secret that had been cooped up for days were released with every hoofbeat.

After three laps, Mingzhu’s face was pure excitement. As she passed Rong Zhao, Rong Zhao reined in her horse to make way. She heard Mingzhu’s sharp “Jia!” (Giddy-up!).

Rong Zhao looked over and caught Mingzhu’s eye—those peach-blossom eyes were turned back toward her, shining, full of pride, provocation, and vitality.

Rong Zhao felt her heart thumping so hard it nearly burst from her chest. She sat upright on her horse as the spring breeze ruffled her hair, her amber eyes reflecting Mingzhu’s free and beautiful silhouette.

Xiang Qian walked over to the horse, unable to hide her admiration. “Miss Mingzhu is so beautiful when she rides—heroic, flamboyant, and so full of life.”

Rong Zhao’s gaze was also full of appreciation. “She’s always been like this.”

Xiang Qian smiled and asked, “Do we need to keep an eye on the Wan family?”

Rong Zhao: “Yes. Keep an eye on Wan Jing from Wanteng Power. Let me know when he returns to the country.” She was also keeping track of the Qin family and the meeting between Mingzhu’s parents and Qin Yining.

“Yes, President Rong.”

Rong Zhao nodded, loosened her grip on the reins, and followed slowly. She couldn’t let it slip that her horsemanship was actually superior to Mingzhu’s. Mingzhu would sulk.

Today, she was out to help Mingzhu clear her head.