After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Meeting the Parents

“Mom, we’re back.”

With her styling finished, under the warm and balmy spring sun, Mingzhu and Rong Zhao set off in the car amidst the budding scenery.

Not long into the drive, Rong Zhao closed the acoustic partition between the front and back seats. Mingzhu knew Rong Zhao had something to say, but Mingzhu wanted to speak first.

Mingzhu adjusted the pearl necklace around her neck and asked, “Rongrong, does this look make me look like I’m not a ‘good daughter-in-law’ in front of elders?”

Mingzhu was actually surprised that the stylists hadn’t turned her into the gentle, demure lady that some elders prefer. Instead, they had amplified her strengths, making her look even more radiant and stunning.

Rong Zhao looked over at her. Mingzhu was wearing a red coat; her curls were loose and lively, with a few wisps of hair fluttering at her hairline. With rosy cheeks and red lips, she wore the pearls Rong Zhao had prepared. Her bright eyes sparkled with a light even more brilliant than the gems.

Rong Zhao: “You are who you are. Just be yourself; they will like you.”

Relieved, Mingzhu asked, “These pearls… have you worn them before?”

Rong Zhao: “These are new.”

Mingzhu understood. If Rong Zhao had worn them, the elders might notice something was off if she wore them too.

“…Do I have to give them back after today?”

“No need. I don’t wear these. Consider them a small part of your acting fee in advance.”

Mingzhu’s eyes instantly sparkled. “Oh my, Rongrong, you’re spending so much! How could I possibly accept this?”

Rong Zhao knew she didn’t need to respond to that performance.

After a moment of joy, Mingzhu tilted her head and stared at Rong Zhao. “What were you going to tell me earlier?”

Rong Zhao took a red leather jewelry box from her pocket. Inside was a two-tone diamond ring.

Rong Zhao: “If my parents ask about the rings, say our custom ones aren’t finished yet, so we bought this set to wear in the meantime.”

Mingzhu: “…Just one? For you or for me?”

Rong Zhao disassembled the ring—it was actually an interlocking set that could be split in two. She handed the white gold band with a large round-cut diamond to Mingzhu, while she slipped the rose gold band, encrusted with two half-circles of smaller diamonds, onto her own right ring finger.

Mingzhu had never thought about marriage, so she had never paid attention to diamond rings. She curiously put the ring on her left ring finger; it was adjustable and looked beautiful.

She glanced at Rong Zhao’s right hand. “Why are you wearing it on that hand?”

Rong Zhao looked at Mingzhu’s left hand, her heart softening slightly. “It’s more convenient for my left hand to hold your right. Otherwise, the rings would press against each other.”

Mingzhu: “…”

How thoughtful.

“When did you buy it?”

“On my way home from work.”

I see, Mingzhu thought. It probably wasn’t that expensive then.

“Can I keep it when we get divorced?” Mingzhu asked. “Not that expensive” was relative to Rong Zhao’s net worth, not hers. To Mingzhu, everything felt expensive now, and that diamond had to be worth a lot.

Rong Zhao: “…Up to you.”

Mingzhu: “But after the divorce, if I have one and you have one, isn’t that a bit… ambiguous?”

“…I’ll give you both.”

Mingzhu immediately smiled, nodding while feigning modesty. “You make it sound like I’m so greedy.”

Rong Zhao caught the greedy glint in Mingzhu’s smile, and a flicker of gloom passed deep in her eyes. Does she never get tired of talking about divorce every single day?

Mingzhu held up her hand for Rong Zhao to see. “Praise me. Does it look good?”

Rong Zhao looked. It was indeed beautiful. Mingzhu’s fingers were slender and fair; the ring looked even brighter against her skin.

Rong Zhao spoke slowly: “Mrs. Rong is naturally beautiful. Isn’t that beyond doubt?”

Mrs. Rong. Beyond doubt.

Mingzhu savored the title. “Mrs. Rong” sounded elegant, like a socialite with endless money. Plus, Rong Zhao was acknowledging her beauty. Mingzhu’s lips curled up in a smile.

Then, the smile faltered. Wait, she’s praising “Mrs. Rong”, not “Bai Mingzhu”? Mingzhu pouted and grumbled at Rong Zhao in her head.

Rong Zhao handed her phone to Mingzhu. “Add me on WeChat. You handle it. The lock screen code is 6464. Then pick a photo from the album for the wallpaper.”

Mingzhu laughed as she took it. “This code is quite a workout for the thumb.”

Rong Zhao said indifferently: “It’s the pinyin for ‘Ming’.”

Though narcissistic, Mingzhu had self-awareness; she knew it stood for the ‘Ming’ in ‘Mingyue’ (Rong Zhao’s name), not ‘Mingzhu’. She clicked her tongue. “You sure are narcissistic.”

Rong Zhao said nothing, turning her head to look out the window. Her reflection in the glass showed a slight softening of her lips.

Mingzhu set up the small tray table and put both phones on it. After adding each other, she saw Rong Zhao’s avatar was a hand-drawn yellow crescent moon and her nickname was just “Ming.” Their names really were a coincidence, both containing “Ming.” However, Mingzhu’s own nickname was Gem, and her avatar was a gorgeous selfie.

Scanning Rong Zhao’s album, the newest photos were the ones Xiang Xi took of them at the stables. Further back were screenshots of documents. Mingzhu picked a photo of each other for their respective wallpapers.

Feeling playful, she changed both their nicknames to “Wife.” Using Rong Zhao’s phone, she sent herself a bunch of cheesy messages: “Wife, I miss you so much,” “Wife, I love you,” “Wife, have mercy on me.” She replied to herself with nodding or shaking head emojis, laughing even as she felt goosebumps from the cheesiness.

Suddenly, Rong Zhao snatched the phone back. Mingzhu’s laughter died instantly. Rong Zhao looked down at the chat history, and the car went silent.

“…Check my Moments,” Mingzhu said after a while, unable to stay quiet. “I’ll check yours too. We should know what the other posts.”

Rong Zhao nodded and openly browsed Mingzhu’s Moments. Mingzhu did the same. Despite her cold exterior, Rong Zhao posted quite a bit—travel photos, family gatherings.

Mingzhu: “Tell me more about your family while you’re at it.”

Rong Zhao had given her a brief rundown before. The elders they were meeting today were Rong Zhao’s parents and grandparents. Her grandparents didn’t live with her parents; they were here specifically to meet the “girlfriend.”

Her Third Uncle’s family was very active in the Rongke Group. Her cousin was currently competing with her for the position of successor. Since the successor needed a stable family life, Rong Zhao’s marriage put her one step ahead. Her Second Uncle’s family stayed out of the corporate drama. Today, only the core family members were present.

Rong Zhao sent a message to her mother: “I’m not bringing a girlfriend home today. Mingzhu and I have already registered our marriage. We’ll be there in 20 minutes. Take some time to digest this.”

Rong Zhao: “This is our marriage certificate.”

Rong Zhao: [Image] [Image]

Ms. Ji Yue: “???”

Rong Zhao put her phone away. “We’ll take it slow. I just told my mom we’re legally married, otherwise they’ll spend the whole week pestering both of us.”

Mingzhu: “…”

At this moment, wearing the scarf Mingzhu had gifted her and rose-gold glasses, with her hair half-up, Rong Zhao looked like a high-IQ, cold beauty. She also had an air of indifference toward her family’s shock.

At the Rong Family’s Gushu Villa.

Gushu was an old luxury district. It only had surface garages and limited parking, so they had to park on the road and walk.

Xiang Xi and Secretary Qian walked ahead carrying gifts. Mingzhu walked behind, arm-in-arm with Rong Zhao. Looking at the familiar roadside, Mingzhu remembered the first time she saw Rong Zhao—it was here, when she was in the sixth grade. She wondered if Rong Zhao remembered. She’d ask her next time.

At the doorstep, Xiang Xi and the secretary handed over the gifts and left. Rong Zhao opened the door via facial recognition.

The voice prompt sounded, and the chatter in the living room stopped. A woman’s voice called out: “Are Mingzhu and Mingyue back?”

Rong Zhao raised her voice slightly: “Mom, we’re back.”

Footsteps rushed toward the door. It was Rong Zhao’s parents. Ji Yue, in a qipao, hurried in front, while Rong Qingshan, in a white shirt, followed behind.

They had just found out they were meeting a daughter-in-law, not a girlfriend. They were in a total panic! Now they understood why Rong Zhao had insisted the grandparents come over, and why she had pressured the Wan family to back Mingzhu!

“Mingzhu is here! Come in, come in!” Ji Yue greeted them warmly.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie,” Mingzhu smiled, handing over the gifts. “It’s my first time at the house, so I brought some things for you and the grandparents.”

“Oh, look at this! Coming here is like coming home—no need for gifts! Qingshan, help her with those.”

Ji Yue shoved the gifts into Rong Qingshan’s arms and smiled at Mingzhu. “Long time no see, Mingzhu. You’re even more beautiful than when I saw you in France.”

They had essentially watched Mingzhu grow up. Though they didn’t meet often, they crossed paths at school events and parent-teacher meetings, and had shared meals with Mingzhu’s parents. They were familiar with her. But they never imagined that the child they watched grow up would secretly marry Rong Zhao!

It was a good thing—two people in love starting a family—especially since Mingzhu was lovely. But it was so sudden and strange; they suspected Rong Zhao was up to something, or that it was related to the recent troubles in Mingzhu’s family.

Mingzhu remembered her last meeting with Rong Zhao’s mother. She knew she couldn’t be too enthusiastic right away, so she offered a shy, reserved smile. “I remember you wore a white coat last time, Auntie. You looked so elegant. Half a year has passed, but you look even better than before.”

Ji Yue had never heard Rong Zhao speak to her like this. Even though she knew Mingzhu was just being polite, it was wonderful to hear. She laughed and ushered them in. “Mingzhu’s tongue is much sweeter than Rong Zhao’s!”

Ji Yue noticed the scarf. “This scarf?” It didn’t fit Rong Zhao’s usual cold style.

Rong Zhao’s voice rose slightly: “Mingzhu gave it to me.”

Ji Yue beamed. “It’s beautiful! Mingzhu has great taste; it softens Rong Zhao’s icy aura. Come in, come in, Grandpa and Grandma are inside.”

Ji Yue was a chatterbox. Rong Qingshan, who had been lectured by his wife for days not to mention Mingzhu’s parents, found himself unable to get a word in.

“By the way,” Ji Yue whispered to Mingzhu while shooting a glare at Rong Zhao, “Rong Zhao only just told us you two got married. We had no idea, so we’re a bit unprepared. Please don’t mind.”

Mingzhu felt a bit bashful. “I don’t mind at all. I only found out on the way here too… I’m sorry, Uncle and Auntie, it was a bit rushed, and we didn’t tell you in advance.”

Ji Yue laughed. “I know my daughter’s personality. She must have tricked you into it! It’s fine, as long as you two are happy. And why are you still calling us Uncle and Auntie? Since you’re married, you should call us Mom and Dad.”

Just as Mingzhu was about to change her address, Rong Zhao spoke up from the side: “Mom, you haven’t given her the ‘name-changing’ red envelope yet.”

Mingzhu, Ji Yue, and Rong Qingshan: “…”

Ji Yue laughed quickly. “Right, right! We’ll do that in a bit. Let’s go in first.”

Mingzhu gave a timid smile.

Slippers were ready for them—pink for Mingzhu, white for Rong Zhao. Rong Zhao took Mingzhu’s hand and led her through the foyer.

Mingzhu was half a step behind. Holding hands for the first time, she realized Rong Zhao’s hand was incredibly soft—unbelievably so. She couldn’t help but give it a firm squeeze.

Startled, Rong Zhao looked back, asking silently: Nervous?

Mingzhu shook her head and replied silently: Excited.

Rong Zhao: “…”

They reached the living room. Rong Zhao’s footsteps paused, and she frowned slightly. Mingzhu narrowed her eyes.

Rong Zhao’s grandparents stood up from the sofa with smiles. A middle-aged woman sitting on a single sofa stood up too. But a young woman sitting next to the grandmother remained seated.

Mingzhu recognized her—she was the girl who had been standing to the right of Wan Ling at the ski resort that day.

Mingzhu cast a casual glance at Rong Zhao beside her. Rong Zhao couldn’t possibly not know her, yet she hadn’t said a word that day.