After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Giving the Watch

CEO Rong truly loves her Mrs. Rong.

Mingzhu snapped back to reality, her eyes landing first on the tea Rong Zhao held out. She caught the elegant scent of jasmine mixed with the mellow aroma of the tea leaves.

Usually, her shower gel and shampoo were jasmine-scented. She didn’t really know why; her favorite scent was actually rose, yet her personal items always skewed toward jasmine.

Ironically, it was Rong Zhao who resembled the elegant, pure white jasmine, while Rong Zhao’s own scent was always the vivid, passionate fragrance of roses. Rong Zhao is so strange, she thought.

As for the tea? She decided to pass. If it turned out to be delicious and perfectly to her taste, it would feel like she’d lost a round to Rong Zhao. It would be embarrassing; she didn’t want to share the same refined palate as her.

So, Mingzhu didn’t take the tea. She continued to gaze out the window pensively. “I’m wondering if your doorbell system is ever going to be fixed. It’s been nearly a month.”

Rong Zhao: “…”

“I’ll arrange for someone to fix it shortly,” Rong Zhao said, placing the tea on a high cabinet.

“Oh.”

“What did Gu Jashan say to you?” Rong Zhao asked.

When Rong Zhao had stepped out of the bedroom earlier, she’d taken a call from her mother asking if Mingzhu felt any better. Because she took the call in her room, she was downstairs two minutes late and missed the conversation between the two girls. But looking at Mingzhu’s current state, she knew Gu Jashan must have said something.

Mingzhu let out a soft sigh. “What else could she say? She said I’m not good enough for you.” After speaking, Mingzhu turned toward the sofa, her posture the picture of dejected grievance.

She wasn’t going to tell Rong Zhao the truth. If she said, “Gu Jashan said your secret crush is Lu Zi and that you planted a garden of cherry blossoms for her, so I’m feeling pretty sympathetic toward you,” it would only make things awkward. It would ruin the natural dynamic they had.

Rong Zhao was a proud woman. Mingzhu decided she wouldn’t just keep the truth hidden; she would keep her sympathy hidden, too, to protect Rong Zhao’s dignity. Furthermore, she wouldn’t let Gu Jashan—or anyone else—bring this up again. She would guard Rong Zhao’s reputation and their marriage.

As for Gu Jashan? She wasn’t going to just suffer in silence. Regardless of whether Rong Zhao backed her up, she had to drop a little “bad word” about the cousin. Her parents had taught her: “Treat others the way they treat you.” Since the other side had already deployed troops, Mingzhu didn’t need to be the benevolent Confucian scholar. Gu Jashan was two-faced; anything Mingzhu did now was just fair play.

Before Mingzhu reached the sofa, her wrist was suddenly caught. She was pulled into a spin. Once she stabilized and looked up, she met Rong Zhao’s furrowed brow and deep, smoldering eyes. Mingzhu’s eyes widened in surprise.

“In the entire world, the only person worthy of being Mrs. Rong is you, Bai Mingzhu. Can you remember that?” Rong Zhao said solemnly, every word deliberate.

Mingzhu’s heart gave a violent thud. She stared blankly at the intense woman before her, feeling as though she were being pulled into the depths of Rong Zhao’s amber eyes. Her heart began to beat like a drum, faster and faster.

“Rong Zhao, you…”

A flicker—unnatural and lightning-fast—passed through Rong Zhao’s eyes. It was gone before Mingzhu could catch it.

Rong Zhao quickly regained her composure, though she didn’t let go of Mingzhu’s wrist. “Have you forgotten what I told you at the beginning? Answer me once you’ve remembered.”

Mingzhu looked at the seemingly angry Rong Zhao, her mind racing back to their initial agreement. “You said… it was because we’ve known each other for many years, and because of my beauty.”

Only then did Rong Zhao release her wrist. “Good. Keep it in mind from now on.”

“…Okay.”

Mingzhu’s breath was still a bit hitched. It took her a moment to find her cool. Right. I’m the most beautiful person Rong Zhao knows. I’m the one she chose personally. There’s no such thing as being ‘worthy’ or ‘unworthy’!

Once she realized this, she felt a bit awkward. She was the one who fabricated the “unworthy” comment, not Gu Jashan, yet here she was being comforted by Rong Zhao.

“Rong Zhao.”

“Mhm?”

Mingzhu bit her lip. The lie was already out; it was too late to change her story, and she couldn’t tell the truth anyway. “Nothing.”

“…”

Rong Zhao studied Mingzhu’s hesitant expression, assuming she was still feeling wronged by Gu Jashan’s words. She walked toward the sofa, using her foot to push Mingzhu’s slippers toward her bare feet. “Put your slippers on and follow me upstairs.”

Mingzhu put on the shoes and followed closely behind. In the walk-in closet, Rong Zhao stood before the watch cabinet for a moment, appearing deep in thought. She then opened a lower drawer, took out a substantial watch box, and handed it to Mingzhu.

Inside was an exquisite watch with a vibrant red leather strap. The bezel was encrusted with diamonds, and the dial featured a delicate sun and moon that seemed to glow as time passed. Since it was day, the sun shone with a golden light; at night, the moon would likely sparkle. It looked incredibly expensive.

Mingzhu asked, half-nervous and half-excited, “What is this?”

“A gift for you.”

“?!”

“I thought about giving you one of the watches in the cabinet, but I’ve worn those. If you wore them out and people noticed, it would look like you’re wearing my hand-me-downs, which isn’t ideal,” Rong Zhao said casually. “I bought this one four or five years ago and never wore it. Gu Jashan’s words upset you today. If you don’t mind it being an older purchase, take this as compensation for your grievance.”

Mingzhu’s eyes were sparkling so brightly it was as if the golden light from the watch had transferred into her pupils. Before Rong Zhao could even take it out, Mingzhu reached in. Under the closet lights, the watch was even more dazzling.

“I don’t mind! Not at all! Rongrong, I love it so much!” Mingzhu cried out in excitement. She immediately tried to fasten it to her left wrist.

Rong Zhao leaned against the cabinet, her heart finally settling now that she knew Mingzhu would accept it. This watch had indeed been bought four or five years ago—more accurately, she had commissioned a top designer to create it specifically for Mingzhu during her freshman year of college.

She was relieved the designer had captured the exact effect she wanted: a perfect match for the radiant Mingzhu. it had the intricate luxury Mingzhu loved, along with a bold charm and vitality that mirrored her personality.

The unique, handcrafted piece was finished in their sophomore year. Rong Zhao had taken the watch to the US, intending to “accidentally” leave it in Mingzhu’s car or apartment during a “chance encounter” to create an excuse for a second meeting. She had secretly hoped it might become a token of their affection.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times she traveled to the US, she never “ran into” Mingzhu. The watch had sat in a box for years until finally reaching its rightful owner.

Seeing Mingzhu fumbling with the clasp in her excitement, Rong Zhao stepped forward and reached out.

Mingzhu laughed. “I’m just too excited.”

Rong Zhao’s heart was racing, but her voice remained as flat as ever. She lowered her eyes, fastening the strap. “As long as you like it. And remember what I said: next time someone tells you you’re not good enough, tell them that I pursued you. That I had to have you. That the only person in the world worthy of being Mrs. Rong is Bai Mingzhu.”

The red watch looked stunning against Mingzhu’s pale skin and bright red hair.

“It’s not bad. It suits you,” Rong Zhao said, masking her emotions. She looked up. “Any questions? Can you remember that?”

Mingzhu was too distracted by her wrist to fully process the words. “No questions! I remembered!”

“…”

A few seconds later, Mingzhu realized what had been said. She looked up. “But she’s your cousin. If I say it that bluntly, isn’t the tone too harsh?”

“Not a first cousin,” Rong Zhao corrected. “And even if she were, as long as she is disrespectful, you are free to use your status as the ‘elder sister-in-law’ to discipline her.”

Mrs. Rong. Elder sister-in-law. Each title felt more intimate than the last. Mingzhu loved it.

Seeing Mingzhu’s glowing face, Rong Zhao closed the box. “Since we have registered our marriage, you represent me as well as yourself. I don’t want my Mrs. Rong—my partner—to be mistreated. If word got out, people would think I’m not…” She paused.

“Not what?” Mingzhu leaned in.

Rong Zhao looked away. “…not deeply enough in love with you.”

Mingzhu burst into laughter. She wrapped her arm—the one wearing the beautiful watch—around Rong Zhao’s. “I get it! CEO Rong loves her Mrs. Rong the most!”

Rong Zhao: “…” It’s not exactly a joke.

CEO Rong really does love her Mrs. Rong the most, Rong Zhao thought. Aloud, she simply said, “As long as the partnership is pleasant.”

While she had compensated Mingzhu, she still intended to deal with Gu Jashan. However, Mingzhu’s concern about being “too harsh” suggested she didn’t want a family feud. Rong Zhao decided she would handle Gu Jashan through their grandmother in a few days.

Mingzhu happily took photos of her wrist. She suddenly looked up. “By the way, Rong Zhao, you didn’t even doubt my version of what Gu Jashan said. You already knew she was two-faced, didn’t you?”

Rong Zhao wouldn’t defend her cousin, but her upbringing prevented her from gossiping. She sat on the sofa and offered a middle-ground answer: “She is of the same mold as the Third Aunt.”

Mingzhu laughed. That was even worse—she’d insulted two people at once.

Mingzhu stood before the full-length mirror, striking poses as if she were a brand ambassador. The more she looked, the more she felt the watch was meant for her. She skipped over to Rong Zhao. “Rong Zhao, thank you for this. I really, truly love it. I…”

She really wanted to hug her, but she figured Rong Zhao would hate it. If she did something Rong Zhao disliked right after receiving a gift, her thanks would seem insincere. So, Mingzhu blinked her eyes and said earnestly: “Rong Zhao, I truly wish that one day, you’ll be with the person you love, and who loves you back. Sweetly, forever.”

Rong Zhao: “…Thank you for your kind words.”

Though she hated hearing such a wish from Mingzhu’s mouth, she couldn’t help but hope that Mingzhu’s “blessing” might actually come true.

Mingzhu entered a state of high excitement. She gave up on swimming and refused to take the watch off even at bedtime. She estimated it was worth at least six figures—maybe a very high six. It wasn’t just the price; she loved the look. Her parents had given her expensive watches before, but this one just… fit. It complemented her red hair and gave her an air of vibrant luxury.

Rong Zhao leaned against the headboard, watching from the corner of her eye as Mingzhu rolled around in the blankets like she had insomnia.

Rong Zhao: “…Are you not taking the watch off?”

Mingzhu smiled brilliantly. “Nope.”

Rong Zhao: “…” She didn’t even seem this happy about the wedding ring. At least she likes it.

Mingzhu rolled over again and looked at the seated Rong Zhao. “Are you talking to Secretary Qian?”

“Mhm.”

“It must be hard to be your secretary.”

“But the pay is high.”

“…” Fair enough.

Still too wired to sleep, Mingzhu wanted to talk about the cherry blossoms again. She said tentatively, “Yesterday Auntie Guan said the trees were here before you moved in. She said you liked them, so your family had them planted before you came back. Is that right?”

Rong Zhao: “Mhm.”

Mingzhu pretended to be curious. “Why do you like them? Is there a story? A book?”

Rong Zhao’s fingers paused on the screen before resuming. “There’s a poem: ‘When the first blossoms move, they are radiant; their brilliance and fragrance are unmatched.’ I loved that line as a child. We usually learn about plum or pear blossoms, but I rarely saw poems about cherry blossoms, so that one stuck with me.”

In reality, she had seen that poem in Mingzhu’s notebook. He Chan had mentioned that Mingzhu was obsessed with those lines for a while.

Mingzhu was stunned into silence. She hadn’t expected Rong Zhao to like that poem—she loved it too, but she had heard it from Lu Zi. Rong Zhao really did plant them for her!

“Radiant brilliance… that is special,” Mingzhu said, feigning a pleasant surprise. “I liked it as a kid, too.”

Rong Zhao replied calmly, “Is that so? What a coincidence.”

“Maybe we read the same book,” Mingzhu added.

“Perhaps.”

The conversation felt open and honest, as if neither was hiding a thing. After a while, sleepiness finally hit. Mingzhu turned her back to Rong Zhao and silently wished for the “proud but pathetic” woman to find her true love.

Rong Zhao listened as Mingzhu’s breathing leveled out. She sighed softly and gently pulled the covers over the girl who hadn’t crawled over to hug her tonight. Looking back at her phone, she replied to Secretary Qian:

“If Qin Yining is truly a kind person, then it won’t just be Mingzhu thinking of her; she will think of Mingzhu too. There might be a solution yet.”

Secretary Qian: “I hope the Young Madam can get through this difficult time with your company, CEO Rong.”

Rong Zhao: “She will.”

Mingzhu’s dreams were busy. She wore her red watch to a gathering of socialites and classmates, elegantly tossing her red hair to show off the timepiece. She wasn’t showing off the price, but the fact that it felt tailormade for her. When they asked where she got it, she smiled casually and said it was a gift from her “beloved.” In her dreams, she was fully Mrs. Rong.

She woke up with a smile on her lips. She saw Rong Zhao already up, standing by the bed in a sexy nightgown with crossed straps on the back. She was doing her skincare, massaging her long, graceful neck in silence.

“…Morning, my beautiful CEO Rong.”

Rong Zhao caught the playful tone. She pumped some rose-scented lotion and massaged her arms. “Morning.” Her voice was cool but soft, like a spring under sunlight.

Mingzhu rubbed her eyes and checked her phone. Her eyes went wide. She sat up abruptly as if she’d just received a massive bank transfer.

“AAAAHHH! Rongrong!!!”

Rong Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it?” Her first thought was: Is Lu Zi coming back?

Mingzhu was two years younger and a late bloomer in romance, but in school, she had always been close to the gentle Lu Zi. They used to walk hand-in-hand across the playground. She and Mingzhu had never been like that.

Mingzhu’s eyes were practically glowing. “Jiangjiang is coming back! Rongrong, finally someone to play with!”

Rong Zhao’s hand paused for two seconds. She nodded gently, not wanting to spoil the mood. “That’s good. If you need someone to pick her up, let Auntie Xiang drive you.”

“Okay!” Mingzhu chirped.

Rong Zhao turned toward the bathroom. Even the bright lights couldn’t hide the flicker of gloom in her eyes. Jiangjiang is back. Mingzhu won’t need me anymore.