After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Backing Her Up

Rong Zhao approached, her aura ethereal—like the moon, like an immortal.

The Four Seasons Baya Hotel sat along the Spring Moon River. As cruise ships glided across the shimmering water, the hotel loomed in the night like a towering, brilliant palace piercing the clouds.

In a 32nd-floor river-view twin room, Mingzhu and Jiangjiang sat on the carpet by the floor-to-ceiling window, drinking and chatting after their baths.

Xiang Qian had originally booked a presidential suite for Jiangjiang under Rong Zhao’s orders, but Jiangjiang didn’t want to be beholden to Rong Zhao. Fearing Rong Zhao might use the favor to manipulate Mingzhu, she booked this room herself.

“I did so many paintings during my retreat. Look,” Jiangjiang said, pulling up her phone gallery to share with Mingzhu.

Jiangjiang’s travels took her deep into local life. Her colors were bold, her brushstrokes unrestrained, and her style unique—highly visual with a striking mix of vibrant vitality and dark distortion.

Mingzhu felt a new impact every time she looked at them. She patted the spot beside her. “My great artist, come tell me your thoughts.”

Jiangjiang crawled over and explained the pieces one by one. After a dozen photos, Mingzhu clutched her head and lay back. “You paint life so cruelly. Artists really are lunatics; you’re terrifying.”

Jiangjiang had been the type of girl since childhood who liked drawing faces where the left eye laughed while the right eye bled.

Jiangjiang laughed and lay down next to her, eventually letting out a sigh. “Let’s talk about you. I heard your dad’s business is having some trouble. Is it true?”

Mingzhu sat up, hugging her knees. “There are some issues. I was panicked the first few days, worried they wouldn’t make it. But I’ve realized lately that Rong Zhao probably won’t let the business of ‘Mrs. Rong’s’ foster parents fail. Still, she’ll likely only fix the short-term problems. I have an idea to help them plan a campaign for the town that’s losing the most money. If we can revive it and kick my second uncle out of the deal, the long-term problem is solved.”

Jiangjiang got excited. “Filming a promotional video? Perfect! I’ll support you. I’ll film it with you.”

During her time abroad, Jiangjiang had become a popular creator with her “Weekend World Tour” videos. With Jiangjiang’s artistic eye and Mingzhu’s background in directing, they were a perfect match. They had a history of successful collaborations on travel and human-interest content.

Mingzhu rested her chin on her palms, her toes wiggling against the carpet. “I don’t want my parents to know I’m helping yet, and I haven’t asked for the data. I don’t even know if it’ll work, yet here you are supporting me.”

“Of course I support you unconditionally,” Jiangjiang said. “Have you told Rong Zhao?”

Mingzhu pouted and shook her head. “It’s a fake marriage. I should avoid troubling her as much as possible, or she might get annoyed by my constant chatter.”

Jiangjiang: “…” True. Rong Zhao seemed like someone with few emotions, but also someone with a potentially short fuse.

Jiangjiang clinked her glass against Mingzhu’s. “Then we’ll research it ourselves. Since you’re still ‘faking sick’ for two more days, we’ll plan it here in the hotel. Let’s try it regardless; maybe the views will attract new investors.”

Always optimistic, Mingzhu clinked back. “Deal. After I’ve met the rest of Rong Zhao’s family, I’ll fly to Mount Duya to check it out.”

The “Mount Duya” project was a resort town in a visa-free European country, featuring skiing in winter and lake tours in summer. It was family-oriented and naturally beautiful, but because her second uncle was the primary investor, Mingzhu had never visited. Now, she could take the drone Rong Zhao gave her and go film.

The two spent two days analyzing reviews of the town, listing pros and cons, and brainstorming themes. By Thursday noon, Jiangjiang received a call from their most social high school classmate, Yuan Chen.

“Jiangjiang,” Yuan Chen said warmly. “We heard you’re back! We want to get together with you and Mingzhu. There’s a new BBQ bar with a great vibe. Are you free tonight?”

Jiangjiang knew these socialites usually had hidden agendas. “Mingzhu was sick and is still on a restricted diet. She can’t go.”

Yuan Chen quickly pivoted. “You can’t stay cooped up just because you’re sick; you’ll wither away! How about a walk? There’s a ‘Healing Art Exhibition’ that’s quite good. You’re an expert, right? Come take a look. There’s a light-food restaurant right next to it owned by our classmate Lu Siying. We can gather and support her at the same time. See you tomorrow at noon?”

Knowing these people would call incessantly if they refused, Mingzhu nodded to Jiangjiang. Jiangjiang agreed.

After hanging up, Jiangjiang rolled her eyes. “A swarm of annoying flies. If anyone dares bring up your parents’ business tomorrow, I’m slapping them.”

Mingzhu swung her legs leisurely. “They probably won’t dare. They’ll likely change the subject. I’ll bring Sister Xiang along. She knows martial arts; she could slap a tooth out of their mouths.”

As “Mrs. Rong,” she wasn’t going to let herself be bullied.

Friday, 10:00 AM. Xiang Qian arrived to pick them up, handing Mingzhu a beautiful box. “Young Madam, CEO Rong prepared this jewelry for you.”

Mingzhu opened it and was stunned. Jiangjiang shouted beside her: “Oh Mon Dieu! C’est tellement beau!!!” (My God! It’s so beautiful!!!)

It was a necklace from the priceless set Rong Zhao’s mother had given her, set with multi-colored gemstones that shimmered with a luxurious glow.

Mingzhu smiled and handed it to Jiangjiang. “Rong Zhao’s mom gave it to me. Help me put it on.”

“She’s that good to you?!” Jiangjiang was starting to wonder if Rong Zhao really was in love with her.

Mingzhu preened. “Well, I am a beauty, after all.”

At the “Healing Exhibition” on Fuan Road, Mingzhu saw banners with the word “Heal” and various poetic verses about tranquility.

She linked arms with Jiangjiang and walked in, with Xiang Qian following a short distance behind. There weren’t many people. Soon, they ran into Yuan Chen, the restaurant owner Lu Siying, Wan Ling (whom she’d seen recently), and Wan Ling’s perennial sidekick, Chen Luohan. Gu Jashan was nowhere to be seen.

The group swarmed them with pleasantries, though their eyes immediately locked onto the gemstone necklace and the diamond watch. They were drowning in jealousy but bit their tongues, pretending not to notice.

Suddenly, Chen Luohan said with mock concern, “Did Mingzhu catch a cold while going back for the ancestral rites with Rong Zhao?”

Mingzhu smiled. So this was the trap—a way to mock her “exclusion” from the family rites. “No, I caught the cold before the Qingming Festival.”

Chen Luohan pressed: “You took a car up the mountain, right? You didn’t walk?”

Mingzhu: “No, I didn’t.”

Chen Luohan: “Good, so you weren’t tired. Was the scenery beautiful?”

Mingzhu: “Quite nice. There’s a viewing area at the peak with apricot blossoms and azaleas. Lots of tourists were taking photos.”

She answered every question patiently, showing no irritation as “Mrs. Rong.”

Wan Ling eventually interrupted with a sneer. “Mingzhu, you didn’t actually go back for the rites with Rong Zhao, did you? Why are you talking like you were there?”

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The other girls began to whisper.

“So she didn’t go?”

“Is she not accepted by the Rong family yet?”

“Makes sense, given her family situation…”

Jiangjiang’s wrist cracked as she flexed it. “Mingzhu didn’t go because she was sick and didn’t want to infect Rong Zhao’s grandparents. It wasn’t because she wasn’t invited. Didn’t you see her necklace? Rong Zhao’s mother gave it to her. And the watch? Rong Zhao gave it to her because she was worried about her being ill!”

The girls looked on with cold, skeptical eyes. No one believed her. Jiangjiang’s temper was reaching a boiling point.

Mingzhu, however, was calm. She wondered where Wan Ling got the courage to provoke her again. Did she have a new backer?

Just then, a tall, handsome man walked straight toward Mingzhu, brushed past her shoulder, and put his arm around Wan Ling.

Mingzhu: “…” So this is Wan Ling’s support. Or rather, the person using Wan Ling. He looked a bit like Rong Zhao, but wasn’t even one-ten-thousandth as attractive.

“What are we chatting about?” the man asked Wan Ling affectionately.

Wan Ling acted surprised. “Don’t you recognize her? This is Mingzhu.”

Rong Li acted even more surprised. “Mingzhu? Who?”

The crowd hissed with more gossip.

“So she hasn’t even met Rong Zhao’s brother?”

“She can’t even stand on the main stage.”

“I thought she’d flown up the social ladder, but she’s just a pet kept in a side courtyard.”

Jiangjiang moved to strike, but Mingzhu held her back and signaled Sister Xiang to wait. Mingzhu knew they wanted to provoke Jiangjiang into a fight so they could call the police and embarrass her in front of the Rong family.

Mingzhu stepped forward, smiling serenely. “Cousin, it’s our first time meeting. Hello, I am Bai Mingzhu.”

Rong Li maintained his act. He asked Wan Ling, “Is she really Bai Mingzhu? Are you sure?” He acted as if he were worried she was a con artist.

Since he wanted to play a role, she would just expose him. Mingzhu reached into her bag for her phone to call Rong Zhao, but before she could, a hand wrapped around her waist.

It wasn’t Jiangjiang. And it wasn’t Rong Zhao—Rong Zhao had never held her waist like that!

Mingzhu looked up and saw a face similar to Rong Zhao’s—older, but still elegant and beautiful, her eyes brimming with warmth.

“Hello, baby. Mom is here to take you to lunch,” Mrs. Ji Yue said, holding Mingzhu close.

Mingzhu blinked, stunned. “Mom.”

Ji Yue smiled and stroked Mingzhu’s cheek, her eyes drifting to her neck. “Oh! Baby, you’re wearing the necklace I gave you? Beautiful! I told you it would suit you!”

A collective gasp went through the crowd.

Ji Yue then looked at Rong Li. “Ah Li? What a coincidence. Another girlfriend? Such a pretty girl—you should bring her home to see your grandparents sometime.”

Rong Li’s face paled instantly. He let go of Wan Ling as if she were red-hot. “No, Aunt… we’re just friends.”

Wan Ling’s face turned white. Ji Yue simply gave a faint “Mhm.”

Ji Yue had wanted to visit Mingzhu all week, but Rong Zhao had forbidden her from “disturbing” her. Today, she’d received a call from Rong Zhao asking if she wanted to come “back up” Mingzhu. She had rushed over immediately.

“Rong Zhao, hurry up!” Ji Yue called out to someone behind them. “Bring the earrings I just bought for Mingzhu. She isn’t wearing any today; let Mom put them on her.”

Mingzhu and Jiangjiang were still in a daze. Mingzhu turned around.

Rong Zhao was walking toward them, carrying a platinum bag (likely her mother’s). She wore a simple white shirt and her hair was pinned back, yet she looked like she had stepped out of a mountain spring—ethereal, like the moon, like an immortal.

“Mom wanted to surprise you, so I didn’t tell you.”

Rong Zhao reached Mingzhu, handed the bag to Xiang Qian, and naturally stroked Mingzhu’s face. Mingzhu’s lashes fluttered.

Though her voice was still cool, Rong Zhao’s tone was much softer. “We would have been earlier, but Mom saw a pair of earrings she insisted on buying for you. Are you alright?”

Mingzhu felt a wave of warmth in her heart. Even if it was just for the sake of “Mrs. Rong”, it felt good. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Rong Zhao nodded and stood by her side. Mingzhu’s posture straightened even further.

Ji Yue produced a pair of vintage ruby earrings and insisted on putting them on Mingzhu right there. Rong Zhao looked like she wanted to say something—Is that too much jewelry? Are you dressing up a doll?

But Ji Yue had been waiting for a “doll” since Rong Zhao was a child, and Rong Zhao had always been too stubborn to play along. Now, she had Mingzhu—beautiful, with red curls and pale skin. She was perfect.

Mingzhu said, “Mom, Jiangjiang is back. Do you remember her? My high school classmate. She came back from France to see me. Jiangjiang, come here.”

Ji Yue was still fiddling with Mingzhu’s right ear while she greeted Jiangjiang. Of course she remembered her; she’d had dinner with her parents and heard He Chan mention her often. Jiangjiang, being naturally social, joined in. The scene was lively and relaxed—the tension was broken without a single word of explanation.

The other girls immediately changed their tune, flocking over to praise Mingzhu and Ji Yue. Ji Yue and Jiangjiang ignored them, leaving the girls to praise them awkwardly to their faces.

Nearby, Rong Zhao looked at Rong Li. Her tone was mild, but her words were a cold command. “Cousin, since we ran into you, why don’t you represent Mingzhu and me? Treat these friends to a meal at the light-food restaurant. My mother isn’t fond of light food, so we’re going for a family meal.”

Rong Li was terrified of his aunt. He forced a smile. “Sure. Leave it to me.”

Ji Yue looked back at him, her eyes seemingly kind. “Ah Li, don’t forget the family gathering this weekend. Your grandparents and your mother have met Mingzhu, but you haven’t. It’s as if you aren’t part of the family; we never see you. Your uncle says he misses you.”

Rong Li, who had just seen his uncle that morning: “…Yes, Aunt.”

Rong Zhao was here, and all Mingzhu could think about was food. She hugged Rong Zhao’s arm and whispered, “What’s a ‘family meal’?”

Rong Zhao looked down at Mingzhu’s tightly gripping hands and a small smile touched her lips.