After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Testing

Mingzhu grew greedy.

It was the third day of the May Day holiday, and the entire country was crowded.

The sky was filled with rosy clouds, the weather was warm, and the breeze was gentle. In the outdoor courtyard of the Bai Mansion, four ladies sat around a steaming hot pot, while a man nearby grilled skewers over a charcoal pit.

The one in charge of the grill was Bai Zhaolin. Having grilled a handful of seafood skewers, he stood up and placed them on the ladies’ table, saying with a smile, “Mingyue doesn’t eat spicy food, so these are mild. You three—mother and daughters—all like spice, so these are the hot ones.”

Mingzhu looked up and smiled. “Thanks, Dad, for taking special care of my Rongrong.”

Bai Zhaolin had been drinking, and his face grew redder with every glass. He laughed and ruffled Mingzhu’s hair. “Silly girl, isn’t Mingyue my daughter now, too?”

Yining and Shao Simian chuckled simultaneously, their smiles curving at the exact same angle. Rong Zhao also let out a shallow smile.

Unexpectedly, Mingzhu suddenly panicked, looking at Rong Zhao in a hurry. “Look! My hair was just touched up. Did any oil get on it?”

Rong Zhao had accompanied her to get it done today; it had taken a long time, and Rong Zhao had stayed with her despite being on her period. Her hair felt soft and fragrant now, and to set the color, she couldn’t wash it for two days.

“Oh, Dad forgot.” Bai Zhaolin laughed awkwardly.

Yining and Shao Simian also burst into laughter. Mingzhu was annoyed, but with Yining there, she couldn’t really lose her temper with her father.

Rong Zhao pulled out a white tissue and lightly dabbed the top of Mingzhu’s head. “Don’t worry, look, it’s fine.”

Mingzhu checked; there was no oil. Only then did she relax.

Yining handed her father a couple of wet wipes to clean his hands and joked, “I just washed my hair, too, so don’t touch me either.”

The table erupted in laughter. Bai Zhaolin wiped his hands and leaned down to ask Yining, “How’s the barbecue?”

“Delicious,” Yining replied.

“Then eat more!” Bai Zhaolin laughed heartily. He kept urging the kids to eat meat, while Shao Simian reminded them to dip more green vegetables in the pot, worrying that too much meat would be hard to digest.

After a lively while, once Bai Zhaolin had finished serving the four ladies, he turned down the grill fire and joined them.

“Mingzhu,” Bai Zhaolin clinked his glass against her teacup and said solemnly, “Dad wants to thank you for this time.”

Mingzhu was drinking the nine-times-scented jasmine tea she and Rong Zhao had brought. She raised her cup back. “Don’t be so formal. Why are you being polite with me?”

The video of Xitang Town had been posted on Jiangjiang’s account with Mingzhu’s voiceover; even if Mingzhu wanted to hide it, she couldn’t. Mingzhu International had a marketing team and collaborated with major influencers, but currently, everyone craved “something new.” Thus, Mingzhu’s niche travel video had exploded, hitting over six million views. Jiangjiang’s “behind-the-scenes” clips were also nearing a million, and keywords like “Xitang Town” and “School Bus” were trending on other platforms.

Interestingly, many couples were heading to Xitang to take wedding photos simply because “Xitang” sounded like “Wedding Candy” (Xi Tang), a lucky omen.

Bai Zhaolin said seriously, “It’s not just politeness. I must thank you. I’ve been busy lately, and your second uncle’s side hasn’t been helpful. If it weren’t for your help, Xitang Town wouldn’t have seen such a surge in revenue. Mingzhu, thank you.”

He had asked Assistant Jiang and realized that Mingzhu had been worrying about the company’s affairs for the past two months. She might seem carefree, but in matters of substance, she was loyal and kind—helping the company and donating school buses. She was his good daughter.

Mingzhu didn’t like sentimentality and brushed it off with a casual “Oh.”

Bai Zhaolin: “…”

Rong Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

Mingzhu laughed and reminded her father, “This sudden fame is fleeting. Many places go viral and then die out. You need to keep up with follow-up services and continue to innovate to last long-term. Also, talk more with the Mayor of Xitang; he’s a good man.”

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Shao Simian patted Mingzhu’s back. She could feel that Mingzhu had grown up; she was relieved, yet her heart ached for her.

Bai Zhaolin then looked at Rong Zhao and raised his glass. “And Mingyue, I know that many of our recent investments were thanks to your influence. And you’ve taken such good care of Mingzhu. Mingyue, thank you for your effort.”

Rong Zhao lowered her cup to clink it respectfully and said with a smile, “We’re family, Dad. To say thanks makes us sound like strangers.”

Mingzhu’s new Hermès bag had been picked up, and she had brought it along today. She crossed her legs and smiled. “That’s right, Dad. We’re family. Rongrong buys me bags and gives me money for school buses, and I don’t even say thank you to her.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll listen to you both.”

Bai Zhaolin laughed and downed half a glass. He was happy his children were home. Back in March, he and Shao Simian had suspected the two were faking it, but now it seemed Mingyue’s feelings for Mingzhu were real; otherwise, how could Mingzhu be so happy?

Mingzhu asked Yining, “By the way, where’s Qin Wei?”

Yining had returned to school in late April and only came home for the holiday, but this time, Qin Wei hadn’t come with her.

“She went to the U.S. for something,” Yining said.

“What for?”

Yining tried to remain composed. “Something came up with Qin Mu. She went to check on her.”

Mingzhu knew Qin Wei had a twin sister and asked casually, “When is Qin Mu’s birthday? Are you older or is she?”

Yining hadn’t expected the question. She and Qin Mu were born on the same day, in the same hospital, only three minutes apart. She was the elder, and Qin Mu was the younger. The topic was sensitive and unsuitable for tonight.

“We’re about the same age,” Yining said vaguely. “Qin Mu is slightly younger than me.”

“How much younger?” Mingzhu pressed. She didn’t mean anything by it; she just wanted to keep the conversation going since Yining was quiet.

Yining was always serene—smiling when someone said something funny, moving plates closer to someone who liked a certain dish, or adding vegetables to the pot. Mingzhu smiled to herself, thinking that Qin Duo and Cao Qiuyue had somehow raised such a lovely daughter—or perhaps a lovely daughter wasn’t raised, but born that way, like herself.

Rong Zhao suddenly interrupted. “By the way, Dad, Mom, where are Mingzhu’s filming equipment? I’ll help her move some of it out later to clear some space for the house.”

Mingzhu looked at Rong Zhao, her mind flickering with confusion. Why didn’t Rong Zhao want her to ask about Qin Wei? Has Qin Wei been in frequent contact with Rong Zhao lately?

After moving the equipment back to Rongguang Villa.

Mingzhu had originally been too embarrassed to mention moving her gear, but since Rong Zhao brought it up and her parents were happy about it, she cheerfully moved everything back, along with more of her clothes, shoes, and bags.

When Mingzhu first arrived, she hadn’t brought anything and wore Rong Zhao’s clothes. Later, Aunt Guan bought her many things, which were kept in Rong Zhao’s walk-in closet. Tonight, Mingzhu continued moving her items in.

Aunt Guan had moved the out-of-season clothes to the basement to make more room. Mingzhu hung up her freshly laundered clothes and set out her cameras. Rong Zhao stayed in the closet with her, relaxing without work, listening to music, and reading a book.

Rong Zhao was dressed lightly in a deep-V silk slip dress with a short hem. On her slender ankle was a thin gold and pearl chain that caught the light whenever she moved.

“Rongrong,” Mingzhu suddenly called.

Rong Zhao turned a page. “Mhm?”

Mingzhu had accidentally opened the hidden door of the built-in safe. Looking at the keypad, she said, “So this is where your safe is.”

Rong Zhao’s hand tightened on her book as she looked up. Fortunately, the door wasn’t open yet.

Mingzhu turned and asked with a smile, “What’s in here? Did Grandma Rong give you the family trust or something?”

“Take a guess.”

Mingzhu turned to her. “I can’t. What is it? Jewelry worth hundreds of millions?”

Rong Zhao usually kept the expensive gifts from the elders in the study without a lock, so Mingzhu couldn’t fathom what “treasure” would warrant a safe.

“More than that,” Rong Zhao smiled faintly. “It’s a priceless treasure. Why else would it be in a safe?”

Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled.

“Want to see?”

Mingzhu nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

Rong Zhao put down her book. “Come here and beg me.”

Mingzhu: “…” Rong Zhao’s period wasn’t over yet; how was she supposed to “beg”?

“Not begging,” Mingzhu said, finding the mechanism and closing the door. “Since it’s priceless, I’d better not look. If we ever get a divorce, I might get greedy and steal it.”

She was naturally susceptible to wanting nice things. She understood the philosophy of “you can’t take it with you,” but she liked beautiful things nonetheless.

Rong Zhao liked every word out of Mingzhu’s mouth, except for the word “divorce.”

Rong Zhao stood up. “I’m thirsty. I’m going to have some tea. Want some?”

“You go ahead,” Mingzhu replied. She was still thinking about how often Qin Wei and Rong Zhao seemed to be in contact. If Yining was home, why was Rong Zhao still talking to Qin Wei?

Once Rong Zhao went downstairs, Mingzhu continued organizing. Before long, her curiosity took over. She peeked out of the closet and listened; silence.

She walked back to the safe and experimentally typed in Rong Zhao’s common “lazy” password: 6464.

With a click, it actually opened.

Downstairs, Rong Zhao brewed the tea Mingzhu had brought back. Master Chen’s private stash was indeed superior. After a few sips, she left her phone and tea on the island and checked the fridge for things Mingzhu liked.

Mingzhu had been away for a while, and the grocery stocking had slowed down. She noticed crabs were in season—fat and full of roe. She’d have the maid buy some; Mingzhu could never get enough spicy crab.

“Rongrong!” Mingzhu’s voice came from the stairs.

“In the kitchen.”

Mingzhu had changed into pajamas and walked over barefoot. She stood beside Rong Zhao, hands behind her back. “What are you looking for?”

“I want to cook tomorrow. Anything you want to eat?”

Mingzhu rested her head on Rong Zhao’s shoulder. “Why do you want to cook?”

“I’m bored, I suppose.”

Mingzhu rubbed her head against Rong Zhao’s shoulder. “Crabs should be in season. I still want spicy crab.”

“Alright.”

Hearing Rong Zhao’s soft chuckle, Mingzhu blinked at the fridge. “I want some coffee. Can you make me a cup? Please?”

Rong Zhao glanced at her, sensing something unusual. “Just one ‘please’ and I should do it?”

Mingzhu instantly doubled down, hugging Rong Zhao’s arm. “Then twice, three times! Please, please!”

Rong Zhao smiled silently and went to get the coffee beans.

Mingzhu turned and walked to the kitchen island, pouring herself a cup of tea. It had cooled down to the perfect temperature—refreshing and sweet like rock candy. She looked back at the kitchen; Rong Zhao was busy preparing a hand-ground coffee, her silhouette as elegant as ever.

Mingzhu took a deep breath, nervously pulled out her phone, and unblocked “Old Classmate from Class 3, Year 2.”

She quickly sent a message: “Are you there?”

Just as she sent it, Rong Zhao’s phone on the kitchen counter rang.