After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Little Glutton

Rong Zhao: “I’m very easy to pursue.”

As soon as Mingzhu stepped out of the exhibition hall, Xiang Qian, who had been waiting at the entrance, greeted her and stayed by her side. Mingzhu hadn’t actually intended to go to the restroom; she continued to stroll around the gallery, chatting and laughing with Xiang Qian.

Guge Zhai was vast, with multiple floors and various specialized halls for bronzeware, calligraphy, paintings, and jade, arranged much like a museum. After wandering for about ten minutes, Mingzhu suddenly realized she had inadvertently given Rong Zhao and Qin Wei space to be alone. Losing all interest in sightseeing, she immediately turned back.

“Is something wrong, Little Madam?” Xiang Qian asked in surprise.

Mingzhu: “…I miss Rongrong.”

Mingzhu hurried back toward the original hall. Just before reaching the entrance, she turned to Xiang Qian: “Sister Xiang, is there anywhere to get drinks? Buy three—a hot latte, a hot milk with brown sugar, and an iced Americano.”

Qin Wei was on her period and needed hot milk; Rong Zhao was health-conscious and avoided ice. While Xiang Qian went to get the drinks, Mingzhu stopped at the hall entrance, peeking her head inside to spy.

She saw Rong Zhao and Qin Wei. They were still standing by the celadon vase, but they seemed closer than when she had left. How ambiguous, Mingzhu thought, frowning. Qin Wei had her back to the door, blocking half of Rong Zhao’s face. Mingzhu tilted her head further, trying to get a clear view.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Rong Zhao shifted slightly, allowing Qin Wei’s silhouette to completely shield her. Mingzhu could see nothing.

Qin Wei’s brow was furrowed: “How can I make Mingzhu happy?”

Rong Zhao caught a glimpse of a cute red head at the door out of the corner of her eye. She looked back at Qin Wei: “She would have been happy if you hadn’t outbid her for that bowl just now.”

Qin Wei: “…”

Rong Zhao noticed Qin Wei looked exhausted—likely from flying back and forth—and her mind wasn’t sharp. She asked a pointed question: “Why didn’t you come over this past month, President Qin?”

Qin Wei felt a bit dizzy from low blood sugar. She thought: Why didn’t I come? Because my father’s weakness is avoidance, and so is mine. We were afraid to face it, we hesitated, and time simply slipped away. Time really did move too fast.

Rong Zhao knew how to make Mingzhu happy, and that started with preventing her from being unhappy. She advised: “Mingzhu will ask you why. You’d better think of a clear answer before you look for her again.”

Hiding at the door, Mingzhu strained her ears but couldn’t hear a thing. After a moment, sensing Xiang Qian was about to return, she sauntered back into the room.

“What are you and Miss Qin chatting about, Rongrong?” Mingzhu asked sweetly, hooking her arm into Rong Zhao’s.

Rong Zhao threw the ball to Qin Wei: “I was asking President Qin why she was outbidding us.”

Mingzhu was genuinely curious, her beautiful eyes blinking. “Yes, Miss Qin, why?”

“…Because I saw you liked it. I wanted to give you something,” Qin Wei sighed honestly.

Mingzhu: “?” She was shocked. “It cost millions! Have you ever given Yining something that expensive?” If this cousin is really this generous, maybe I should reconsider my pride and acknowledge her, Mingzhu thought.

Qin Wei: “I have. She wouldn’t accept it.”

Mingzhu: “…” True. Yining wouldn’t. Neither would she, most likely. Just as she couldn’t comfortably let Jiangjiang or Hehe wait on her, she couldn’t just take this. Qin Wei might be a generous cousin, but whether she was a good sister was another matter.

Mingzhu smiled. “I see. Well, thank you for the sentiment, Miss Qin.”

Qin Wei relaxed slightly.

Then Mingzhu added: “We could have won it for a million, but because of Miss Qin, we spent over two million. Really, thank you so much.”

Qin Wei: “…”

She had actually wanted to buy the gift to improve Mingzhu’s attitude toward her. But she was also feeling frustrated—she suspected Rong Zhao knew the truth, yet for the past month, Rong Zhao had only discussed Yining’s counseling and avoided everything else.

“I’m sorry,” Qin Wei said. “I haven’t slept much these past two days. My brain isn’t working…” Before she could finish, her body swayed. Mingzhu and Rong Zhao both rushed to steady her.

“What’s wrong?” Mingzhu asked urgently.

Rong Zhao checked her condition. “Likely low blood sugar.”

Fortunately, Xiang Qian arrived with the brown sugar milk. Seeing Rong Zhao about to support Qin Wei, Mingzhu quickly pulled Qin Wei into her own arms and fed her the hot milk. She intentionally shooed Rong Zhao away: “Rongrong, you and Sister Xiang stand back a bit. Give her some air.”

In Mingzhu’s arms, Qin Wei’s lips curved slightly. At least Mingzhu and Yining shared one thing: they both fell for the “damsel in distress” act.

Rong Zhao stepped back and arranged for Xiang Qian to bring the car around to take Qin Wei back. Watching the two of them together, Rong Zhao’s breath hitched. Will Mingzhu eventually push me away to get closer to Qin Wei?

Rong Zhao had Xiang Qian drop Qin Wei off at the Bai residence to be with Qin Yining. With Yining there to look after her, Mingzhu felt at ease.

On the way home, Mingzhu stopped by to get the town project files from Assistant Jiang, still keeping it a secret from her parents. Back at Rongguang Villa that evening, Rong Zhao went to the kitchen to make spicy crab and Dongpo pork. Mingzhu sat in a chair at the kitchen door, studying the project while “supervising” the chef.

Her father had supported her second uncle too much, handing over good projects that the uncle lacked the ability to manage, leaving behind one hole after another. As Mingzhu looked through the data and online reviews, she found a few niche travel spots that were well-rated but obscure. These were the easiest to fix—take something already good and apply strong marketing to see immediate results.

Suddenly, she smelled the rich, spicy aroma of crab and savory meat. She heard Rong Zhao call out: “Mrs. Rong, come choose a bowl.”

Mingzhu looked up. Rong Zhao had taken off her apron and was leaning back against the counter, sipping water and watching her. The kitchen lights bathed Rong Zhao in a soft, warm glow. She was wearing silk pajama tops and shorts; the buttons were loose, the neckline low, her soft curves partially visible.

So elegant, yet so sexy. Mingzhu realized that even cooking could be an act of grace—and in her life, perhaps only Rong Zhao possessed such charm.

Mingzhu walked over and threw herself into Rong Zhao’s arms, sniffing her pajamas. “I’m not trying to hug you. I’m just checking… for the smell of cooking oil.”

Rong Zhao didn’t pull away, tilting her neck for Mingzhu to smell. “I’ll shower and change before bed.”

Mingzhu closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The scent of roses on Rong Zhao was wonderful, but even the faint smell of cooking oil was intoxicating. It seemed any scent belonging to Rong Zhao was pleasant to her. Mingzhu’s lips brushed against Rong Zhao’s skin. “Smells good.”

Rong Zhao was slightly taken aback—by the compliment, and by the uncertainty of whether Mingzhu’s lips had actually kissed her skin. Her fingertips lightly kneaded Mingzhu’s waist. “Then… no shower or change of clothes tonight?”

Mingzhu thought about it, then laughed and looked up. “Better shower anyway.”

Rong Zhao smiled and nudged her waist. “Choose a bowl.”

“Why choose…” Mingzhu stopped as she saw five exquisite, beautiful new bowls. Her eyes lit up. Compared to them, the Ru ware lotus bowl from the auction… well, the new bowls were prettier. She handed a new one to Rong Zhao. “This one.”

Rong Zhao smiled as she served the pork. Mingzhu stayed by her side. “How did you know I wouldn’t pick the lotus bowl?”

“I guessed when I saw you hesitating,” Rong Zhao said, spooning sauce over three pieces of tender pork. “You can’t bring yourself to actually use a cultural relic, whether it’s real or not. Miss Bai may love to play, but she respects art and history. Am I right?”

Rong Zhao glanced at Mingzhu, her eyes slightly upturned and alluring. Mingzhu rested her face on Rong Zhao’s shoulder, her voice soft. “You always seem to understand me.”

“You don’t like that I understand you?”

Mingzhu shook her head. “No, I like it. It means I don’t have to worry about many things. I just think you’re too smart. I can never catch up to your intelligence.”

Rong Zhao let out a light laugh, her voice carrying a hint of hidden invitation: “You can catch up. I’m very easy to pursue.”

Mingzhu pouted and shook her head. “Not at all. I’m not wasting that kind of effort. I’m not pursuing.”

The light in Rong Zhao’s eyes seemed to be suddenly snuffed out. “Let’s eat then”, she said quietly, handing Mingzhu the chopsticks.

The spicy crab and Dongpo pork were half-gone—mostly eaten by Mingzhu. Rong Zhao stuck to light vegetables. Mingzhu was full but reluctant to stop. The crab was perfectly crispy and tender; the pork melted in her mouth, savory but not greasy. She kept praising Rong Zhao’s cooking throughout the meal. It didn’t even matter if it was a “Su Shi bowl” or not; the food was incredible.

Rong Zhao watched her over a glass of red wine. Seeing that Mingzhu shouldn’t eat any more, she asked: “How is the town project coming along?”

Mingzhu finally put down her chopsticks and brought over the stack of files. She showed several to Rong Zhao. “I think these are interesting. What do you think?”

Rong Zhao looked through them. Mingzhu had taken clear, elegant notes. Rong Zhao guided her: “Master Chen, who makes my jasmine tea, is from Xitang Town. He says it’s beautiful there.”

“Really?” Mingzhu asked. “What else did he say?”

Rong Zhao played along. “He didn’t say much, just that it’s a shame so few people know about it. It’s quiet and the locals aren’t disturbed, but visitors would boost the economy and quality of life. What are the reviews like?”

Mingzhu sat down—quite naturally—on Rong Zhao’s lap. “The reviews are great! Apparently, the previous mayor was wonderful, so the local atmosphere is very welcoming. But he’s been unwell this year, so development has stalled. Maybe Jiangjiang and I should go check out Xitang?”

Her father had invested in a large scenic spot and a restaurant there, but due to her uncle’s neglect, the profits were slim. “May Day is coming up,” Mingzhu said. “If we can get a video out before then, it might go viral. What do you think?”

Rong Zhao nudged her back. “Let’s talk on the floor.”

Instead, Mingzhu stayed firmly on Rong Zhao’s lap, turning back with a smile. “Tell me first, President Rong. What do you think?”

Rong Zhao was concise: “I support it.”

Mingzhu’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Then I’ll go with Jiangjiang tomorrow!”

“Hospital check-up first tomorrow morning,” Rong Zhao reminded her.

“It’ll only take a morning,” Mingzhu said impatiently. “I’ll leave in the afternoon.”

Rong Zhao: “…” Did I just dig a hole for myself?

As night fell, Mingzhu realized she was about to be separated from Rong Zhao for a short trip. Looking at Rong Zhao’s low neckline and seductive aura, she felt an urge to do something before she left.