After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Gathering

“Hold me.”

The living room of Rongguang Tianjing was bustling with activity. Clothes and bags were strewn across the sofas, and people were scattered on the floor. Ms. Ji Yue, Mingzhu, Jiangjiang, the driver Xiang Qian, and the secretary Qian Meiyi had all changed into pajamas. They were huddled around the coffee table, laughing and shouting while playing poker. Their faces were covered in paper strips—the penalty for losing rounds—and the table was cluttered with fruit and snacks.

Music videos played randomly on the TV. Whenever a familiar song came on, the five of them would scramble for the two microphones Ji Yue had brought along.

The so-called “family meal” was actually a condition Ji Yue had imposed on Rong Zhao in exchange for backing Mingzhu up at the art exhibition: she wanted a pajama party at Rong Zhao’s house, and she wanted a lunch cooked by Rong Zhao’s own hands.

This was exactly why Rong Zhao had previously hesitated to let her mother hang out with Mingzhu—Ji Yue was simply too boisterous.

However, to get her mother to intervene, Rong Zhao had agreed. Now, while the five others played cards in the pajamas Ji Yue had long since schemed to leave there, Rong Zhao remained in her street clothes—a white T-shirt and black trousers—quietly preparing lunch in the kitchen alone.

The seafood and meat had already been washed and prepped by the housemaid; Rong Zhao only needed to do the actual cooking. British cuisine left much to be desired, so during her years studying abroad without a nanny, she had frequently cooked for herself, honing her culinary skills.

“By the way, where’s He-He?” Ji Yue asked Mingzhu, three paper strips already fluttering on her face. “Tell her to come play too.”

Jiangjiang suddenly became very busy, rubbing her nose, pinching her ears, and ruffling her hair.

Mingzhu, her cheeks also adorned with paper strips, laughed while sitting cross-legged. “I asked her. She has a class at 1:00 PM and can’t make it. Next time.”

Ji Yue: “That little girl is quite the busy bee.”

Since they were all close acquaintances, after a few rounds of cards, the blunt Jiangjiang brought up the incident at the art gallery.

“Auntie, do you think Rong Li really didn’t recognize Mingzhu today, or was he doing it on purpose? If it was on purpose, what’s his angle?”

Under the table, Mingzhu secretly nudged Jiangjiang’s leg with her toe. Jiangjiang pulled her leg back, refusing to let Mingzhu stop her, and even gave her a glare.

Mingzhu: “…”

Ji Yue caught their small exchange out of the corner of her eye and smiled softly. She had realized long ago that while Mingzhu seemed more flamboyant, she actually had a great sense of propriety—often “playing the fool” while being perfectly aware. Jiangjiang was a bit more “straightforward.”

Picking up a card, Ji Yue explained nonchalantly: “Actually, Rong Li was quite good to Mingyue (Rong Zhao) when they were children. Later, once Mingyue’s brilliance could no longer be hidden, many things changed.”

Jiangjiang understood, but only partially. “What about the grandparents and Rong Li’s parents? Don’t they do anything? They just let him trip Rong Zhao up in broad daylight?”

Ji Yue smiled and shook her head. That headshake seemed to say nothing and everything at once.

Mingzhu hadn’t been with Rong Zhao long enough to decipher all the meanings behind Ji Yue’s gestures, but through the comment about Rong Li being “good to her as a child,” she could imagine how poorly he must treat her now. Mingzhu lowered her head in thought.

Ji Yue played a card and smiled. “Mingyue has a steady personality. She’s been meticulous for years. Only two things have ever caught me off guard. One was when her father and I wanted her to study abroad after middle school; she refused and said she’d go for university instead. We could understand that—she was young. But the other thing was quite scandalous: suddenly registering her marriage with Mingzhu.”

Mingzhu’s back went stiff instantly. Jiangjiang froze too. The atmospheric pressure in the room plummeted.

Ji Yue suddenly burst into laughter. “What are you so nervous for? I know Mingyue must have tricked Mingzhu into it. I don’t blame Mingzhu at all. Besides, the result is good. Her father and I used to worry ourselves sick that she’d never marry because she never dated. She reached a point where she hated coming home because of the pressure. It was the same with her grandparents; the harder she worked, the more anxious they got. Now, her family life is happy and harmonious, and we can finally rest easy.”

Mingzhu breathed a tiny sigh of relief, though her ears turned red with guilt.

Ji Yue looked at her and stroked Mingzhu’s face. “Especially since Mingzhu is so beautiful and someone we watched grow up. We couldn’t be more satisfied.”

Mingzhu felt shy. Before the round could even finish, she tossed her cards and stood up. “I’m going to go help Rong Zhao.”

Ji Yue led the girls in a chorus of laughter behind her. Mingzhu quickened her pace.

At the kitchen doorway, Mingzhu slowed down.

Inside, Rong Zhao looked like an elegant gourmet. She methodically lifted the lid of a simmering pot; the moment it opened, a cloud of white steam billowed out. Rong Zhao leaned back slightly to avoid the heat. Once the steam cleared, she used the back of a long spoon to gently stir the soup, took a small sip, replaced the lid, and skillfully flipped a steak in another pan with tongs.

Rong Zhao wore a checkered apron, a sandalwood cherry blossom hairpin in her hair, and a pair of teardrop earrings that swayed gently with her movements. The counters were spotless; she clearly had the habit of wiping as she went. Standing in a pristine kitchen filled only with aroma and the glow of the stove, she remained poised and graceful.

It reminded Mingzhu of the time before the Gaokao. Everyone’s desk was buried under piles of practice exams, yet Rong Zhao’s desk was always neat. While others hunched over their work, she was always the one sitting the straightest.

Rong Zhao suddenly turned around. “Hungry?”

Mingzhu shook her head and walked over to stand beside her. “Not hungry. Just came to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“Hold me.”

“What?” Mingzhu’s heart gave a jump.

“The kitchen door is open. They might come over to peek.”

“Oh,” Mingzhu replied, obediently walking behind Rong Zhao and wrapping her arms around her slender waist.

Her hands weren’t well-behaved; she started fidgeting, only to have Rong Zhao gently swat them away. Mingzhu hadn’t intended to touch her, but once she did, she remembered how soft, delicate, and fragrant Rong Zhao’s waist and stomach felt. So, after being swatted, she continued to fidget. Rong Zhao seemed too lazy to care and didn’t swat her again.

However, a glint of a smile flashed in Rong Zhao’s eyes as she leisurely pressed down on the steak.

“Auntie has such a great personality,” Mingzhu whispered.

Rong Zhao: “Is that so?”

“Yeah.” Mingzhu felt Ji Yue was a bit like her own mother—they both loved dressing her up. The difference was that her own mother had gotten her fill while Mingzhu was a child, whereas Ji Yue was clearly just starting to satisfy that craving.

Mingzhu tilted her head to watch the steak sizzling in the pan. Thinking of Rong Li, she asked softly, “Rong Zhao, you have such a predatory brother… has it been hard for you all these years?”

Rong Zhao glanced at her, unsurprised to see a look of genuine, kind-hearted sympathy in Mingzhu’s eyes.

She answered honestly: “It’s actually alright. Most of the time, Rong Li is the one who ends up fuming because of me.”

Mingzhu: “…” If that’s the case, I actually empathize with Rong Li. She was often fuming because she couldn’t keep up with Rong Zhao.

Mingzhu felt a pang of pity for Rong Li, but then realized she had never actively bullied Rong Zhao—she wasn’t like him at all.

“Well, there must be times when he gets to you,” Mingzhu comforted her. “Next time he upsets you, just think of your family. Your parents love and spoil you so much. Don’t bottle things up; it’s bad for your health.”

Rong Zhao gave a silent laugh. “Are you here to comfort me?”

“I am.”

Rong Zhao turned the heat down and turned around. “And you? Are you unhappy about what happened today?”

Mingzhu, her hands still around Rong Zhao’s waist, looked up and smiled. “Of course not. I asked Sister Xiang to pick us up for the gallery because I knew she’d tell you. And I knew that if you knew, you wouldn’t just stand by.”

Rong Zhao arched an eyebrow. “You trust me that much?”

Mingzhu: “Of course. Why else would I marry you? And you could have come alone today, but you specifically brought Auntie. I know you did it to tell them—and me—in the most direct way possible that I am accepted and liked by the Rong family. That I’m not alone. Right?”

Rong Zhao leaned against the counter, steak tongs in hand, unable to look away from the smart, trusting girl before her. Mingzhu was in her bunny-print cotton pajamas, the paper strips still stuck to her face, smiling with a mix of intelligence and silliness.

The kitchen was thick with the scents of rice, seafood, and steak. Perhaps the domestic atmosphere was too strong, but certain emotions in Rong Zhao began to surge uncontrollably. She suddenly reached out, cupped the back of Mingzhu’s head, and moved closer to her lips.

Mingzhu’s eyes widened. She forgot to react, standing perfectly still as Rong Zhao drew closer. She even forgot to breathe.

The steam puffed out from the edge of the pot lid, the sizzle of the steak grew louder, and the flames on the stove flickered. A swallow landed on the cherry blossom branch outside the window. Sunlight illuminated the counter, and tiny dust motes floated in slow motion.

Everything became unnervingly clear, then slow, then still. Mingzhu could smell the rose fragrance on Rong Zhao, surrounding her completely. Rong Zhao was just about to brush against the corner of Mingzhu’s lips—

Mingzhu instinctively pulled back an inch.

Rong Zhao’s lashes flickered, a shadow crossing her eyes. She shifted her lips to Mingzhu’s ear: “My mother was just peeking.”

“…Oh.”

Mingzhu released her grip on Rong Zhao’s apron—which she hadn’t realized she’d been clutching—and patted her chest, letting out a long, shaky exhale of relief.

Rong Zhao turned back around without a word, adjusted her breathing, and placed the seafood on a plate. She handed it to Mingzhu. “Take this to the dining room. Careful, it’s hot.”

Rong Zhao had prepared a massive spread. Everyone was stunned; except for Ji Yue, it was the first time any of them had tasted her cooking. Mingzhu was also impressed, wondering how Rong Zhao could be so good at everything. She didn’t dare praise her too loudly for fear of blowing their cover in front of Ji Yue, so she ate reservedly, acting as if this were a common occurrence.

While Mingzhu stayed quiet, the others raved about the food. The atmosphere was celebratory, filled with wine, tea, and laughter. The pajama party lasted until after dinner. Ji Yue’s face was tired from laughing—she had finally had her fill of fun.

Ji Yue waved goodbye to the girls, telling them to visit her house next time. She gave Rong Zhao one last deep look before leaving in Secretary Qian’s car.

Only Jiangjiang and Xiang Qian remained. Mingzhu suggested Jiangjiang stay in the guest room, but Jiangjiang insisted on staying with a “friend.” She asked Xiang Qian to drop her off halfway after stopping for fruit. No matter how much Mingzhu pestered her, Jiangjiang wouldn’t say which friend.

Rong Zhao knew exactly where she was going—one only had to look at who was missing from today’s party.

As Xiang Qian got in the car, Rong Zhao asked Jiangjiang, “How long do you plan to stay in the country?”

Jiangjiang: “I’ll leave after your wedding.” She needed to edit her footage from France and plan the promo for Mingzhu’s family’s town, so she was in no rush.

Rong Zhao asked, “Will you be a bridesmaid?”

Jiangjiang looked repulsed. “Not this time. I’ll just be a guest. I’ll play along for this wedding, but I’ll save the bridesmaid role for when Mingzhu marries her true love next time.”

Rong Zhao: “…”

Mingzhu nodded with a smile. “Fine, next time then.”

Rong Zhao: “…”

After the daytime chaos, Rongguang Tianjing fell silent. The living room had been cleaned without a trace.

Rong Zhao felt uncharacteristically drained, rubbing her head from the noise. Mingzhu, however, was still hyper, bouncing and twisting on a yoga ball. Rong Zhao went upstairs to change. When she came back down, she saw Mingzhu laughing with Auntie Guan, who was hiding her face in laughter while reminding Mingzhu to put on her slippers.

“It’s past eight. You’re going out?” Mingzhu asked, surprised to see Rong Zhao dressed up.

Rong Zhao grabbed her keys. “Just for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Go to sleep first.”

“Oh,” Mingzhu teased. “No flirting with anyone. My nose is very sharp!”

Auntie Guan quickly scurried away.

Rong Zhao headed to the garage. “Don’t worry. My nose is sharper than yours. Just make sure you don’t flirt with anyone.”

Mingzhu laughed and saw her off.

An hour later, Gu Jashan stepped out of a building in full makeup, walking joyfully toward a figure standing by a white car. It was Rong Zhao.

The area was silent. Rong Zhao stood under the moonlight in the shadows of the trees. A night breeze rustled the leaves and blew back her hair, revealing her face in the half-light.

As she drew closer, Gu Jashan saw that the driver’s window was halfway down and the car was empty—Rong Zhao had come alone.

“Cousin, what did you need to see me for?” Gu Jashan asked excitedly.

Rong Zhao was polite. “I’m sorry to call you out so late.”

“It’s fine. I was heading to my mother’s anyway. I haven’t even taken off my makeup yet.”

Rong Zhao nodded. “Then I’ll be direct.”

Gu Jashan’s eyes narrowed. “Go ahead.”

“Wan Ling and Rong Li—you set them up, didn’t you?”

Gu Jashan’s expression changed. “Cousin, what are you talking about?”

At the stables, Gu Jashan had been close to Wan Ling, and she was Rong Li’s cousin. Given how close Wan Ling and Rong Li were today, how could she not be involved?

Rong Zhao continued: “You told Wan Ling that as long as she was dating Rong Li, I wouldn’t let the Wan family ground her anymore. You said Grandmother loves family harmony and I wouldn’t dare insult Rong Li by going after his girlfriend. You used her.”

The color drained from Gu Jashan’s face.

“And you told Rong Li that Wan Ling hates Mingzhu and would be willing to embarrass her. You suggested he seek her out. You told him that if I got angry, it would be directed at Wan Ling, not him. You used them both.”

Gu Jashan’s legs felt weak. “Cousin! I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Then let me be clearer. While you were coming downstairs, Wan Ling—realizing she’d been used—confessed your involvement to the Wan family. And Rong Li, fearing my parents’ anger, has already told Grandmother about you.”

Gu Jashan’s voice trembled. “I didn’t! They’re framing me!”

Rong Zhao looked up at the distant moon, wondering if Mingzhu was asleep. She finally realized why her mother had stayed at her house all day. She gave a small smile and looked back at the trembling girl. “Did you think they were that stupid? They recorded the conversations, Gu Jashan.”

Gu Jashan, staggering in her heels, was speechless. She shook her head frantically in denial.

Rong Zhao opened the car door. “Gu Jashan, I gave your mother face when you troubled Mingzhu at my house last time. I won’t do it again. I’m here to tell you: don’t visit Grandmother anymore. The security will not let you in.”

Gu Jashan screamed, “I visit Grandmother because I like her! You have no right to stop me!”

Rong Zhao turned slowly. “You’re asking me what right I have?”

“Yes!”

Suddenly, the rear window rolled down. Grandmother Rong, hiding her disappointment, looked out with clear, wrinkled eyes at the “honest and clumsy” child she had watched grow up.

If Rong Zhao really had a recording, would she have bothered coming here? Gu Jashan had been outsmarted by her own guilt.

“The right is that she is my granddaughter,” Grandmother said coldly.

Gu Jashan collapsed to the ground.

After dropping Grandmother off at the farm, Rong Zhao returned home late. The lights in the yard were off; only a single light remained on in the living room.

Rong Zhao took a shower in the guest bathroom first. Gu Jashan’s perfume had been far too strong. Once she had washed it away and changed into her pajamas, she pushed open the bedroom door and lay down.

As soon as she settled in, Mingzhu—like a small animal seeking warmth—burrowed into her blanket and wrapped her arms around Rong Zhao’s waist, her hands habitually fidgeting.

“Rongrong…” Mingzhu’s voice was thick with sleep.

Rong Zhao caught her hand. “Mhm?”

Mingzhu nuzzled closer. “The spicy crab you made today was so good. I didn’t get enough.”

Rong Zhao smiled. “I thought you didn’t like it since you barely ate.”

“I loved it. But I saw Auntie and Jiangjiang liked it more, so I only had two legs and let them have the rest.”

“I see,” Rong Zhao whispered, patting the back of Mingzhu’s warm hand and holding her soft fingertips in her own. “Sleep now.”