After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“You didn’t even pretend to be modest! You didn’t even try to decline!”

Rong Zhao’s mother, Ji Yue, introduced Mingzhu with a smile to the elders standing before the long sofa: the grandparents, Third Aunt standing by the single sofa, and that lack-of-discernment girl sitting next to Grandma who hadn’t budged.

Ji Yue smiled: “Mingzhu, these are Grandpa and Grandma. This is Third Aunt, and this is Third Aunt’s niece, Xiao Shan. Xiao Shan is a year younger than Rong Zhao, so she’s like a cousin, but she’s a year older than you. You don’t need to call her ‘elder sister’ or anything; you’re the same generation, just call her Xiao Shan.”

Hearing the term “cousin,” Mingzhu remembered. She had a vague impression from when she used to play at the Rong house as a child—there was indeed a cousin who was always hanging around.

As it turned out, this wasn’t Rong Zhao’s biological cousin, but a relative on Third Aunt’s side with no blood relation to the Rong family.

This “cousin” wore makeup today that looked effortless but was actually meticulously applied. Her backside was glued to the sofa, clearly there with designs on Rong Zhao.

Mingzhu’s brain worked differently from most people. She actually enjoyed playing with people like this—poking them unexpectedly and watching them lose their cool brought her secret joy for days.

Mingzhu offered a radiant, polite smile: “Hello Grandpa and Grandma. Hello Third Aunt, hello Xiao Shan.”

Grandma Rong looked kind and gentle: “Mingzhu is finally here. I remember when you were little, you were as pretty as a doll. Now that you’ve grown up, you’re even more beautiful.”

Grandpa Rong was quiet but fatherly: “Sit down, Mingzhu. Have some tea.”

Third Aunt, Gu Wenxiu, was draped in jewels: “Mingyue is beautiful, and Mingzhu is beautiful too. When the two of you stand here together, the whole room lights up. What a perfectly matched pair.”

The cousin, Xiao Shan, only nodded with a smile, staying silent.

The group exchanged greetings and compliments. The atmosphere was formal but festive and harmonious. Rong Zhao, holding Mingzhu’s hand, sat on the sofa opposite the grandparents and placed their marriage certificate on the coffee table.

Everyone leaned in to look.

Ji Yue took a deep breath as she looked. Rong Zhao, this child, is just so headstrong.

Once the inspection was over, Grandma Rong spoke up slowly: “Mingzhu, dear, let Grandma ask you—are you and Little Mingyue serious?”

Rong Zhao lightly patted the back of Mingzhu’s hand in a gentle, reassuring gesture.

Mingzhu said seriously: “Grandma, it’s real. When Rong Zhao and I were away for university, in our sophomore year, she…”

Mingzhu followed the script, with Rong Zhao occasionally adding a detail or two. By the time they finished, everyone present seemed convinced.

“Oh my, I see. It really is a case of… how do they say it? Childhood sweethearts, growing up together without a doubt,” Third Aunt giggled.

Ji Yue hated hearing this sister-in-law speak, but with her in-laws present, she forced a smile and chimed in.

Third Aunt continued: “Since you’ve already registered, when do you plan to hold the wedding?”

Rong Zhao: “In a while.”

Third Aunt: “Why wait?”

Ji Yue shot Gu Wenxiu a glare. Clearly, Mingzhu’s current emotional state wasn’t suitable for a wedding; Gu Wenxiu was poking at a wound on purpose.

Seeing his brother’s wife acting up, Rong Qingshan couldn’t stay silent. He steered the conversation away from sensitive topics and asked Rong Zhao: “Do you plan to hire a planning company, or will you two arrange it yourselves? If you don’t want to do it, your mother and I can help. Even if it’s six months or a year away, we need to book the venue in advance.”

Rong Zhao looked at Mingzhu, a hint of a smile on her lips: “Mingzhu will handle it. She likes doing these things. If there’s anything she doesn’t understand, you and Mom can help her.”

Mingzhu: …? The wedding is for me to handle?

She was full of confusion but only nodded for now, thanking them in advance for their help. Ji Yue and Rong Qingshan simply smiled and told her there was no need for such formality within the family.

When the chatting wound down, Grandpa and Grandma Rong presented their “first meeting” gift: a pair of gold bars engraved with “Peace Year After Year” and another pair engraved with “Perfection.” Each was 50 grams, totaling 200 grams.

Grandma said apologetically: “Mingzhu, Little Mingyue only told us she was bringing a girlfriend, not a wife. We only prepared this. The gift is a bit light, but that doesn’t mean you are light in our hearts. Don’t mind it for now; Grandpa and Grandma will make it up to you later.”

Mingzhu said quickly: “Grandpa, Grandma, this is already very precious…”

Rong Zhao pressed down on Mingzhu’s hand to stop her from declining and put the gift straight into Mingzhu’s bag: “It is indeed a bit light. Make sure to compensate her next time.”

The grandparents both laughed: “We will!”

Mingzhu: “…” This is already worth nearly 200,000 yuan.

Rong Zhao’s parents had prepared a pair of jade bracelets and a pair of jade hairpins. Ji Yue also said the preparation was inadequate and told Mingzhu they would go to the study later to pick up more. Rong Zhao nodded before Mingzhu could, tucked the boxes into the bag, and said, “These are okay.”

Ji Yue: “…”

Mingzhu quickly coaxed her parents-in-law, saying how much she loved the gifts. Her charm soon had the room filled with laughter again.

When it came time for the elders to open their gifts, Ji Yue looked at the two uninvited guests, indirectly explaining to Mingzhu: “Sister-in-law, Xiao Shan, it’s a coincidence you came today. I was so busy I forgot to tell Rong Zhao you were here. She didn’t prepare gifts for you, so please don’t mind.”

Third Aunt hurried to say: “Sister, don’t say that! We just wanted to go shopping with you and forgot to call. How could we possibly expect gifts from Mingyue? These gifts were all meticulously prepared by Mingzhu, right? Let me and Xiao Shan see.”

Fortunately, Mingzhu had read the gift list and the descriptions of their meanings twice while getting ready. She presented and introduced the gifts with a steady pace and a bright smile. Rong Zhao’s choices hit the mark for each elder, and Mingzhu’s silver tongue kept them laughing.

As Third Aunt was laughing, she suddenly let out an ill-timed sigh: “I still remember when Mingzhu was little, her parents…”

“When I was little, my parents took me to see many people”, Mingzhu cut in with a smile, taking control of the narrative. “I remember Uncle Rong and Auntie Ji best. They always smiled and told me little Mingzhu had grown even prettier.”

Some topics become more sensitive the more you avoid them. It was better to speak openly and avoid making Rong Zhao’s parents feel awkward. Mingzhu leaned against Rong Zhao’s arm and said, “Third Aunt must have heard about my family. It will take some time for us to accept it, but the outcome won’t change. My parents pampered me for twenty-two years; I won’t forget that love. For the rest of my life, I will take care of them and repay their kindness. Rongrong will be by my side too.”

Grandpa Rong sighed softly: “Poor child, good child.” He looked at his son and granddaughter: “If there’s anything needed on Zhaolin’s end, help them out. They haven’t had it easy.”

Both father and daughter nodded. Mingzhu whispered her thanks. Ji Yue walked up behind Mingzhu and placed her hands on her shoulders, patting them gently and tenderly.

Ji Yue skillfully changed the subject, asking the two for photos so she could show friends when they asked. After some chatting and photo-sharing over WeChat, Third Aunt struck again: “By the way, Mingyue, I’m your elder, so I’ll say something you might not want to hear. How long have you two been dating that you went and registered behind everyone’s backs? Isn’t that a bit reckless?”

Mingzhu was about to speak when Rong Zhao pressed her hand again: “We have known each other for twelve years. If that’s reckless, how long did you and Third Uncle know each other before marrying? Of course, the depth of feelings has nothing to do with the length of the acquaintance. I’m sure your feelings are very deep too, right?”

Third Aunt was left speechless. The others smoothed things over, while Grandma Rong gave the third daughter-in-law a cold look that made her lower her head.

At lunchtime, they moved to the dining room and continued chatting about little “stories” from Mingzhu and Rong Zhao’s relationship.

After the meal, Ji Yue called Mingzhu into the study. On the table sat a large box half a meter high. Ji Yue beamed as she opened the drawers. Mingzhu’s eyes widened in awe—it was a set including a tiara, necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring, all encrusted with bright gemstones of various colors. It looked astronomical in value.

Ji Yue patted Mingzhu’s hand: “You can tell what kind of person your Third Aunt is. I didn’t take this out earlier, otherwise she’d start with her sarcasm again. Grandma likes peace in the house, and I can’t be bothered to argue with her; just ignore her in the future. I bought this set with your father at an auction when I was pregnant with Rong Zhao. But you know her—she’s so plain, she never wears them. Since you two are married, Mom is giving this to you as a first-meeting gift. Call me ‘Mom’ now, and it’s yours.”

Mingzhu didn’t hesitate: “Thank you, Mom!”

Ji Yue laughed and poked her: “You didn’t even pretend to be modest!”

Mingzhu couldn’t pull her eyes away as she touched the box: “You know my personality, Mom. I can’t fake it—these are too beautiful. Mom, did you mean I can actually wear them? Not just keep them as a collection?”

“Of course!”

Mingzhu chatted with Auntie Ji for a long time. Later, Uncle Rong came in, and Mingzhu addressed him as “Dad” as well. When she finally stepped out of the study carrying the box, her head was spinning. She knew these things wouldn’t truly belong to her, but Auntie Ji said she could wear them. She was going to put them all on and take photos as soon as she got home.

Wearing them out was out of the question—too precious. It would be a disaster if she lost them. But she could admire herself in them in private.

Mingzhu’s steps were light as she rounded the corner, but someone suddenly blocked her path. Gu Jashan stood before her and whispered: “Bai Mingzhu, Cousin doesn’t like you. She likes Lu Zi. You should know that very well yourself, right?”

Lu Zi—once part of the “Iron Triangle” with Rong Zhao and He Chan. Later, Lu Zi had joined Mingzhu and Jiang Jiang, and the three of them became best friends.

Mingzhu knew there had been feelings between Rong Zhao and Lu Zi. Otherwise, as narcissistic as she was, why would she have been so certain that Rong Zhao didn’t like her?

Because of this, Mingzhu wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, she was quite happy as she stepped forward and put an arm around Gu Jashan’s shoulders: “Xiao Shan, so you’re not a mute after all?”

Gu Jashan: “?!”

Just as she was about to snap, Rong Zhao appeared at the top of the stairs.

The side window cast a bright light, but Rong Zhao’s gaze was freezing cold, devoid of any warmth. She swept a chilling look over Gu Jashan, walked up to Mingzhu, and extended her hand. Her voice instantly softened with warmth:

“Mingzhu, let’s go home.”