After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: A Little Secret

It turns out the icy Rong Zhao is so deeply sentimental.

The living room played the natural white noise of a babbling brook. Mingzhu sat nestled in the sofa, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a mask. Her eyes looked exhausted, devoid of her usual spark, as if she were being tormented by a severe cold.

“I hurried downstairs as soon as I heard you were here. I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting,” Mingzhu said in a muffled, raspy voice, speaking slowly and pausing to cough weakly. “The security guard didn’t notify me in time, and the doorbell system has been broken lately. I feel terrible making you both stand outside in the rain for so long.”

Wan Ling sat stiffly, only using half the edge of the sofa. “No, Mingzhu, it was my oversight. I heard you were ill and wanted to come see you right away… I forgot to call ahead. Is CEO Rong not home?” As she spoke, Wan Ling cast a cautious glance around the room.

Mingzhu replied with a faint, airy tone, “Oh, she’s busy. Since Sister Shan is here, I assume you both know—Rongrong came back early from the ancestral rites at Wanxia Mountain because she had urgent matters to handle. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been back until tomorrow with the elders.”

Mingzhu shot a side-glance at Gu Jashan. News of her “illness” and the fact that Rong Zhao was home must have come from her.

Wan Ling relaxed considerably upon hearing Rong Zhao was “busy.”

“CEO Rong has a massive business to run; she is indeed very busy.”

“Yes, she’s incredibly busy,” Mingzhu agreed. “Please, help yourselves to some snacks and fruit. I’ve had no appetite since catching this cold, so the house isn’t as well-prepared as usual.”

Wan Ling didn’t even look at the food. “The virus has been quite aggressive lately; many of my friends are sick too. Mingzhu, I specifically brought you some supplements to boost your immunity.”

Mingzhu looked over. On the table were luxury gift boxes of Lingzhi spore powder and Dendrobium. She was far too young to need such things, but she had bought them for her parents before, so she knew they cost nearly 10,000 yuan. Wan Ling was showing at least a little sincerity.

“I’m just happy you came to see me; it warms my heart. You shouldn’t have spent so much on these.”

“I hope you recover soon. If you’re unwell, CEO Rong will worry.”

“True,” Mingzhu sighed. “Rongrong really does dote on me.”

Gu Jashan: “…”

Wan Ling felt stifled, but with the pressure from her grandfather at home, she had to keep swallowing her pride. “Also, regarding what I said at the stables last time… Mingzhu, it was a slip of the tongue. I only meant to show concern, but it came out wrong. I hope you can be the bigger person and not take it to heart.”

Mingzhu didn’t reply immediately. She went into a fit of coughing—cough, cough, cough—until Wan Ling’s face turned pale. Only then did Mingzhu stop, gasping out, “What are you saying? That was so long ago, are you still thinking about that? Really, I let it go ages ago. I’m not that petty.”

Wan Ling continued her humble act. “I didn’t mean you were petty; it’s just that I couldn’t forgive myself. I’m glad you can overlook it.”

Mingzhu let out a sudden laugh. “Look at Miss Wan, still so worried. Well, if it makes you feel better, why don’t you pour me a cup of tea? That way, we can officially turn the page. How about it?”

Wan Ling, who had never poured tea for a peer in her life: “…Alright.”

Mingzhu called out to Auntie Guan to bring the tea set and hot water. While the maid was busy, Mingzhu leaned back into her blanket with half-closed eyes. As Wan Ling leaned forward to brew the tea, she felt a surge of indignation, yet she performed the task skillfully—she often brewed tea for her grandfather.

Once the tea was ready, Wan Ling handed it over with both hands. Mingzhu took it, blew gently on the surface, and took a sip. The slate was clean.

After a few more minutes of trivial small talk, Mingzhu rubbed her temples and let out a yawn. Wan Ling took the hint: “Mingzhu must be tired. We should go and let you rest. Sleep is the most important thing when you’re sick.”

Mingzhu suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Gu Jashan. “Sister Shan, why don’t you stay and keep me company? I’ve just married into the family and there’s still so much I don’t know. I heard you visit Grandma often. Could you tell me more about everyone?”

There was no room for refusal. Wan Ling left and got into her car. As soon as the driver turned the corner, she called her father, stomping her foot in rage. “Dad! That Bai Mingzhu is infuriating! I brought gifts and apologized, and she actually made me serve her tea! I’ve never been so humiliated! She has no respect for you at all!”

To her shock, a roar came from the other end of the line. “What’s wrong with pouring a bit of tea? Rong Zhao is sensible; she gave us a way out by sending high-quality tea to me already. If that’s not giving me face, what is? Change that spoiled attitude of yours right now, or don’t expect this old man to keep cleaning up your messes! If you clash with Bai Mingzhu again, see how I deal with you!”

The voice belonged to Wan Ling’s grandfather. Stunned into silence, Wan Ling bit her lip, tears of frustration welling in her eyes.

Back in the living room, Mingzhu asked Auntie Guan to go to her room and close the door. She looked at the composed Gu Jashan. Mingzhu remained in her “sickly” state, sighing with a raspy voice. “Let’s talk about why Rong Zhao likes Lu Zi. Why did you say that?”

Gu Jashan still resented Mingzhu for calling her “mute” last time. She sipped her tea slowly, putting on airs and remaining silent.

Mingzhu found her interesting. Gu Jashan was a “kind friend” to Wan Ling, a “dutiful granddaughter” to the Rong elders, and someone who kept her distance from Rong Zhao in public—yet in private, she was incredibly arrogant.

But who gave her that confidence? Besides Rong Zhao’s Third Aunt… there was also the cousin, Rong Li. If Rong Li became the heir to Rong-Tech… no wonder.

But when it came to arrogance, no one could beat Mingzhu in this house. She lay back on the sofa, eyes closed. “If you don’t want to talk, forget it. I’m not feeling well and a headache is coming on. You should go. I won’t see you out. Drive safe.”

Gu Jashan’s eye twitched. Finally, unwilling to leave just yet, she dropped the act. She blew on her tea and said slowly, “I suppose you don’t know. Lu Zi loves cherry blossoms. That’s why my cousin had the family plant a whole garden of them.”

Mingzhu’s hand tightened on her blanket. So Rong Zhao planted all those trees because Lu Zi likes them? A suffocating, heavy feeling began to swell in her chest.

In the third-floor walk-in closet, Rong Zhao locked the door. She shed her slightly provocative silk pajamas and changed into more appropriate loungewear: long black trousers and a loose white shirt. She chose a simple design so Mingzhu wouldn’t accuse her of “overdressing”—sometimes Mingzhu’s tongue could be quite sharp.

She pinned her hair up with a jade hairpin her mother gave her, rolled her sleeves up neatly, and placed her wedding ring on her right ring finger.

After a moment of thought, she used her fingerprint to unlock a hidden cabinet. Inside sat a one-meter-tall stuffed white rabbit. The design was years old, but it had been kept in pristine condition. The bunny was soft and fluffy, holding a small plush carrot, with long ears and a sweet, innocent smile.

Rong Zhao looked at it, remembering the moment its owner had given it to her. Her gaze softened. She reached out and patted the rabbit’s head—just as she patted Mingzhu’s hair after she fell asleep—with a tender, indulgent smile.

A message from Auntie Guan arrived.

Auntie Guan: “Miss Wan has left. The Young Madam kept Miss Gu Jashan behind and won’t let me stay… Should I eavesdrop?”

Rong Zhao: …

She frowned slightly. “I understand. It’s fine. I’m coming down now.”

Auntie Guan: “But Miss, the Young Madam forbade you from coming down…”

Rong Zhao: … She sighed. Does Auntie Guan think I’m that afraid of Mingzhu?

Rong Zhao: “It’s fine. Go rest.”

Rong Zhao composed herself and headed downstairs.

The drizzle continued outside, turning into a fine mist. This kind of rain was the most agitating, far less satisfying than a proper downpour.

In the living room, the music flowed softly. The scent of tea gradually filled the air. Mingzhu had managed to pin down the source of her discomfort: she felt pity for Rong Zhao.

Rong Zhao is so pathetic, she thought. She has this long-term unrequited crush, planting a whole garden of cherry blossoms just to please someone who probably doesn’t even know. How miserable.

It also explained the three-year contract. Since Rong Zhao couldn’t have the one she loved, she had prepared herself for a life alone.

Feeling sorry for her “husband,” Mingzhu opened her eyes and looked at Gu Jashan. “Who else knows? I mean, about Rong Zhao liking Lu Zi. Does Wan Ling know? Does anyone else?”

Gu Jashan looked smug, as if she possessed a unique secret. Mingzhu understood—only Gu Jashan knew.

“How do you know Lu Zi likes cherry blossoms?” Mingzhu asked.

Gu Jashan said coldly, “I grew up at Grandma Rong’s side. I saw the bond between Lu Zi and my cousin. Of course I know what Lu Zi likes.”

Mingzhu pulled out her phone and scrolled through her “Moments.” She sat up and sighed. “I took some photos with cherry blossoms last year and posted them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to explain this to you.”

She turned her phone screen toward Gu Jashan. She didn’t hand it over; she held it so the other girl could see the text: “I love, love, love cherry blossoms! [Happy]” followed by a grid of nine photos.

Mingzhu wasn’t about to let Gu Jashan win. As the contract “Mrs. Rong,” her first rule was to protect the marriage. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Sister Shan. Actually, I’m the one who has loved cherry blossoms since I was little. The bond between Rongrong and Lu Zi was just a childhood friendship. It’s a shame you remembered it so incorrectly… I don’t know where you heard Lu Zi liked them, but the truth is, Rong Zhao planted this garden for me.”

Gu Jashan’s face shifted. “Impossible,” she frowned. “My cousin likes gentle girls, not someone like you. Why else did she go to study in the UK? Why didn’t she go to the US with you—”

“Sister Shan,” Mingzhu leaned forward and pressed her hand over Gu Jashan’s, interrupting her firmly. “There’s no need to debate this. I just hope these rumors don’t spread. I don’t want to have to explain this to everyone one by one like I did today. Besides, if Rongrong heard such talk, she would be very unhappy. Do you understand what I mean?”

Gu Jashan wanted to argue, but Mingzhu wasn’t acting the way she expected. She thought Mingzhu would be angry, jealous, or play dumb. She had prepared words to provoke her, but Mingzhu had checkmated her by framing it as “protecting Rong Zhao’s reputation.”

“I… of course I won’t go around spreading nonsense.”

“That’s good. Thank you for being so considerate of Rongrong.”

“…”

“Have some snacks, Sister Shan. What’s the point in overthinking? In this weather, watching the rain and eating snacks is the simplest joy in life, isn’t it?”

Gu Jashan was speechless. Mingzhu was like a ball of cotton—no matter how hard she punched, it had no effect. After thirty seconds of awkward silence, a cool, melodic voice came from the stairs.

“What are you discussing?”

Gu Jashan jumped. She hadn’t expected Rong Zhao to be home. The voice felt like a bucket of ice water over her head.

Mingzhu looked up and glared at Rong Zhao for coming down. “I was just asking Sister Shan about Grandma’s preferences. Why are you down here? Weren’t you busy?”

Mingzhu noted the new clothes. CEO Rong really knows how to fuss. Changing just to see her cousin.

Gu Jashan stood up, looking fragile and cautious, just as she had at the stables. “Cousin.”

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

“I’m just going to the kitchen for a snack. Carry on.” Rong Zhao didn’t approach them. She gave Mingzhu a small nod and wandered toward the kitchen.

Mingzhu stared at Gu Jashan in disbelief. Why the act all of a sudden? But Gu Jashan didn’t look like she was faking; her hands were gripped tight around her tea cup, and she looked genuinely intimidated by Rong Zhao.

Mingzhu: “…Did Rong Zhao used to hit you or something?”

Gu Jashan: “…” She whispered so only they could hear, “Of course not. Don’t say such things.”

Mingzhu raised her voice intentionally. “But you weren’t talking like this a moment ago, Sister Shan?”

“…”

“Sit down, let’s keep chatting! We were having such a warm conversation. Ignore Rongrong; she’ll be back in her study once she eats.”

Gu Jashan couldn’t stay a second longer. She mumbled a few parting words, grabbed her bag, and fled.

Mingzhu took off her mask, tossed the blanket and phone aside, and stood barefoot by the floor-to-ceiling window. She watched Gu Jashan’s car disappear into the mist, then looked at the budding cherry trees in the courtyard. She crossed her arms, her gaze turning distant.

She didn’t care what kind of person Gu Jashan was—Rong Zhao could handle her. But she couldn’t forget what she had said.

Those trees were planted for Lu Zi.

Every day, Rong Zhao stood by this window, looking at the trees and thinking of her. To plant trees that only bloom for less than a month a year… it felt like a silent, lonely wait for a lover to return. Rain, snow, wind—no matter where she was, did Rong Zhao always think of this garden? Did she always think of Lu Zi?

I never knew she was so sentimental.

“What are you thinking about?”

The cool voice came from beside her. Rong Zhao handed her a cup of warm, fragrant jasmine tea.