After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Begging Rongrong

“I can only take you in if you register for marriage with me.”

Mingzhu peered toward the courtyard gate for a few seconds before slowly turning around. As her gaze swept back, she caught sight of the cherry blossoms filling the yard.

How beautiful. Since when did Rong Zhao like such romantic cherry blossoms? She had always assumed Rong Zhao only liked things like jasmine.

Being someone who knew when to yield, Mingzhu bowed her head before Rong Zhao and said softly, “Rongrong, the cherry blossoms at your house are really lovely.”

“You like them?”

“…I do.”

“Good that you like them.” Then they weren’t planted in vain.

“…”

“What is it?”

“…Rongrong, I have nowhere to stay. Looking back on the fact that we grew up together, could you take me in for a few nights? Just a few nights, I’m begging you, okay?”

Mingzhu’s voice was very soft, laced with a pathetic, choked-up quality. Behind her was a courtyard of romantic pink blossoms, but her hair was a fiery red and her lips were a deep crimson—more vivid than any flower in the garden.

Rong Zhao looked at the woman before her and suddenly felt that Bai Mingzhu was like a burning torch whose flame was flickering and fading, on the verge of going out.

Usually, Bai Mingzhu wasn’t arrogant, but she was certainly not the type to tuck her chin and bow to anyone; she was always the one in high heels, chin up and smiling.

Mingzhu waited for a response. When none came, she slightly raised her eyebrows and looked up.

Rong Zhao was leaning against the door in a loose bathrobe, hands in her pockets. The deep V-neckline plunged nearly to her stomach, her fair, soft skin almost spilling out.

Mingzhu only looked as far as the neck before looking away. She had never met someone like Rong Zhao—someone who looked so cold on the outside, yet exuded charm and sexiness in every detail.

Rong Zhao’s damp hair was draped behind her back, but a single strand hung forward. A crystal droplet fell from the tip onto her collarbone, trailing down her flawless skin.

Mingzhu’s eyes followed the droplet downward, and she suddenly realized that Rong Zhao’s chest seemed larger than hers… She was being outdone again!

Finally, a response came.

“Why do you have nowhere to stay? Did you fight with your family?”

Mingzhu fell silent. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words “I’m not my parents’ biological daughter.” Just leaning her thoughts in that direction made her heart contract with pain; tears were ready to fall at any moment.

Mingzhu feigned messing with the hem of her trench coat while tucking her face even lower, suppressing the bitterness in her nose. She tried to think of something else to distract herself. Right, Rong Zhao had asked why she had no home.

Mingzhu shook her head and choked out: “I didn’t fight with them. It’s just… I lost everything in the stock market. I have no money and I’m afraid to go home. Rongrong, I could only come to you…”

Silence again.

Mingzhu waited a moment and then peeked up again, this time at Rong Zhao’s face.

Rong Zhao was looking behind her with an unreadable expression. Her usually pale skin was flushed pink, likely from her bath, resembling the blooming cherry blossoms in the yard. Her eyes were a clear, translucent amber like a cat’s; the porch lights reflected in them like starlight.

So beautiful, Mingzhu thought, dazed. She had to secretly admit that, besides the fact that Rong Zhao was rich, a big reason she came here was that Rong Zhao was gorgeous—especially those eyes. They were like polished amber on pure white snow, hit by the first ray of morning sun.

Suddenly, she heard Rong Zhao’s voice: “Sorry, Little Sister. It’s not convenient.”

Mingzhu: “?”

Was Rong Zhao even human? No! Absolutely not! Mingzhu had lowered herself this much!

And Rong Zhao actually called her “Little Sister”! Every time she used that title, Mingzhu felt like she was being looked down upon. Rong Zhao had only arrived in this world a little earlier than she had!

“My family is strict,” Rong Zhao added indifferently.

Mingzhu: “…”

Mingzhu was so angry she wanted to scream. Whose family wasn’t strict? Who was this woman insulting with her passive-aggression? Besides, what did letting a friend stay over have to do with family upbringing?

Mingzhu suddenly remembered what Rong Zhao had said to her back in the seventh grade: “Student Bai, your skirt is too short.” If her upbringing was so strict, why had she been so nosy since she was a child?

Rong Zhao calmly watched Mingzhu’s mouth twitch as if she wanted to curse, and then added unhurriedly: “I can only take you in if you register for marriage with me. Otherwise, it would be improper for us to live together without a clear status…”

“Wife!” Mingzhu interrupted immediately. Without a second thought, she excitedly opened her arms and hugged her tightly. “Sister Rongrong, you are my dear wife now! We’ll go register right now! Whoever doesn’t go is a big stinking bug!”

Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t cling to such a wealthy person! This wasn’t just a chance; this was a lifetime of luxury! So what if Rong Zhao called her “Little Sister”? She could call her that for the rest of her life; it wouldn’t hurt a bit!

Rong Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly. Mingzhu was hugging her too tight. She gently pushed against Mingzhu’s waist. “The Civil Affairs Bureau is closed now.”

“Then we’ll go tomorrow. Tomorrow morning! I have my ID; I can register anytime. Rongrong, do you want to find a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement? I don’t want anything—just food and a place to stay is fine.” After being pushed away, Mingzhu enthusiastically grabbed Rong Zhao’s arm, looking up and eagerly discussing details.

She knew Rong Zhao wasn’t someone who made empty talk. For her to say this, her parents must be pressuring her hard, and she wanted a fake marriage partner. Mingzhu figured that Rong Zhao’s silences earlier were her weighing whether this convenient person at her door was a suitable partner. After calculating the pros and cons, she decided Mingzhu was the best candidate.

Perfect. Everything was perfect.

Mingzhu stated her stance: “Rongrong, I know you need me to act for your family. Don’t worry, I promise not to fall in love with you or cause you trouble. I just want a place to stay. If you ever want a divorce, just tell me; I promise not to pester you.”

Rong Zhao’s breath hitched slightly. I promise not to fall in love with you.

Her voice turned colder. “I give you a home, you act with me. We each get what we need, and we won’t interfere with each other.”

Mingzhu beamed. “Deal!”

Rong Zhao suddenly felt a headache coming on. Yet, Mingzhu only smiled more brilliantly. Rong Zhao calmly pulled her arm away from Mingzhu’s chest and stepped aside. “Come in first.”

Mingzhu immediately brushed her red hair back and stepped inside. “Rongrong, tell me whatever you need me to do. I will cooperate one hundred percent.”

Rong Zhao said, “I need you to move out of the way first.”

Mingzhu: “…”

Mingzhu did a sideways crab-walk a few steps to the side, watching Rong Zhao expectantly. Rong Zhao closed the door and pressed the lock button. The courtyard gate clicked and locked firmly.

Rong Zhao invited Mingzhu inside, where she met the first person in the house: the housekeeper. She was a woman in her forties, lean, with her long hair pinned up, wearing glasses and a kind smile.

“Mingzhu, this is the housekeeper,” Rong Zhao introduced. “Auntie, this is Bai Mingzhu. You can just call her Mingzhu. She’s my fiancée.”

Guan Tong’s pupils dilated. Bai Mingzhu? The daughter of Bai Zhaolin from Mingzhu International Travel Agency? Was this a “hired” person to deal with the marriage pressure? Otherwise, how could there be a fiancée without any mention of a relationship?

However, Guan Tong maintained her professional smile. “Hello, Miss Mingzhu. If you need anything in the future, please let me know.”

Mingzhu’s pupils were also shaking. She was already on the job as the fiancée? Was Rong Zhao really pressured that much?

Mingzhu smiled brightly, though she didn’t take off her sunglasses. “Hello, Auntie. My eyes are a bit inflamed, and I’m usually quite conscious of my image. I’ll take the glasses off once they’re better.”

Guan Tong immediately showed concern. “Have you seen a doctor? Should I call one over now?”

Mingzhu smiled calmly. “I’ve seen one. It’s fine. I have eye drops in my bag. Thank you, Auntie.”

After the introduction, Rong Zhao led Mingzhu upstairs. “The housekeeper’s name is Guan Tong. She’s one of my parents’ people, so you’ll need to stay in the same room as me starting tonight. Otherwise, if she sees you in the guest room, she’ll know something is wrong. Do you mind?”

Mingzhu immediately proved she didn’t mind by grabbing Rong Zhao’s arm. “Of course not.”

But Rong Zhao pulled her hand away again. “We haven’t registered yet, Little Sister. This is inappropriate.”

Mingzhu: “…” Then how is living together before registering appropriate?

Naturally, Mingzhu didn’t show it. She swallowed her pride. “Right, I’ll be careful.”

Rong Zhao’s room was on the third floor. At the door, she turned to Mingzhu, her amber eyes showing no emotion. “I came out early. I’ve never heard that you like girls, Bai Mingzhu. Are you sure you want to register with me tomorrow?”

Mingzhu remembered that same-sex marriage was legalized during their middle school years. Rong Zhao had come out in the tenth grade when a senior boy tried to confess to her with a guitar and flowers; she had stated then that she didn’t like boys.

To secure her safety net, Mingzhu was honest: “I’ve never liked anyone, so I don’t know my orientation. But it seems like as soon as someone likes me, I stop liking them. People online say it’s called lithromanticism or an avoidant attachment style… maybe that’s it.”

Rong Zhao: “…” If someone likes me, I stop liking them. She rubbed her temples.

Seeing Rong Zhao’s sudden headache, Mingzhu worried she had been too honest and that Rong Zhao would regret it. She immediately grabbed her arm again. “But none of that matters! Look, Sister Rongrong, you don’t like me, and I don’t like you. We’re a match made in heaven, a perfect pair, right?”

Rong Zhao looked at the floor, her breathing slow and heavy. Concerned that Rong Zhao thought she was homophobic, Mingzhu leaned her face against Rong Zhao’s shoulder and looked up with a sweet smile. “Thank you for taking me in. Rongrong, you are beautiful, smart, and kind. You are the best in the world.”

Rong Zhao’s eyelid twitched. She sure knows how to smooth-talk. She didn’t believe a word of it. For the third time, she pulled her arm away and opened the door. “The smell of the taxi is lingering. Go shower first. The bathroom is over there. Leave your clothes in the hamper; the housekeeper will wash them. I’m going downstairs to read.”

Mingzhu heard the distaste in her voice—she felt it too, actually. “Okay, Rongrong. See you in a bit.”

At the first-floor kitchen island, Rong Zhao dried her hair, put on gloves, and picked up a sharp knife. She elegantly sliced some Spanish Iberian ham and arranged it on a plate. It was tender and melted in the mouth. Mingzhu might be hungry after her shower.

He Chan’s WeChat suddenly popped up: “Have you heard? Mingzhu is missing. Her parents are looking for her.”

Rong Zhao typed: “I heard.”

He Chan: “What? From who?”

Rong Zhao quoted He Chan: “You.”

He Chan sent a voice message: “I heard Mingzhu isn’t their biological daughter, that’s why she left. And her biological parents aren’t good people—they mistreat their kids. It’s too much. Her world must have collapsed. I can’t reach Jiang Jiang either. Did she contact you? Forget it, she definitely wouldn’t contact you. You two never got along. She’d contact me before you. I’m going to check the bars. You coming?”

When Rong Zhao heard “She’d contact me before you,” her brow twitched. She replied: “I’m not going. Let me know if you find her.”

He Chan: “You’re cold-blooded.”

Rong Zhao: “.”

She finished the ham, washed her hands, and went upstairs to leave a set of clothes on the bed for Mingzhu. Mingzhu was still in the shower. Rong Zhao leaned against the wall and listened; she didn’t hear any crying. After a moment, she went back downstairs to get a bottle of wine.

Mingzhu liked to drink.

Rong Zhao messaged the housekeeper: “Auntie, don’t tell anyone about Mingzhu being here. You haven’t told my parents yet, right?”

Guan Tong had been hesitating. She had seen the news about the Bai family looking for their daughter—white trench coat, red curly hair—and the mention of her being adopted. But seeing the message, she immediately replied: “I haven’t said anything. Don’t worry, Miss.”

Mingzhu finished showering and used Rong Zhao’s skincare products with great care. She came out in the bathrobe and smiled when she saw the disposable underwear and silk pajamas on the bed. They must be Rong Zhao’s; they smelled of roses. In the mirror, the pajamas were loose but looked good, though she still preferred red—it made her skin look fairer.

As she looked in the mirror, her eyes were no longer red, but thoughts of her parents crept in. Her eyes began to sting again. She bit her lip and thought of Rong Zhao—specifically, how Rong Zhao had pulled her arm away with distaste several times. Her sadness was replaced by a small spark of indignation.

With her emotions stabilized, she went downstairs to discuss the marriage registration. She had convinced herself that to avoid physical hardship, she had to behave herself at Rong Zhao’s house. Besides, Rong Zhao didn’t really bully her; she just treated her like air. If Mingzhu just coaxed her a little, life would be easy. Having been spoiled since childhood, Mingzhu just wanted to take the shortcut. Work was too tiring; she just wanted to be a pampered “parasite” here.

Reaching the first floor, Mingzhu slowed her pace. Only a reading lamp was on by the sofa. Rong Zhao was wearing a deep-V lace nude slip dress, legs crossed elegantly. She was holding a book in her left hand and a rose-gold fountain pen in her right, marking the pages. A glass of red wine sat on the coffee table while soft blues music played in the dim light.

Rong Zhao didn’t look up, but her cool voice drifted over: “Finished? Come sit.”