After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Thinking of Rongrong

“I missed Rongrong.”

After breakfast, the two were supposed to go and register for their marriage. However, when Mingzhu looked in the mirror, her double eyelids—though iced—were still a bit swollen and unsightly. The thought of having such ugly eyes in her first-ever marriage certificate photo dampened her mood further.

Mingzhu spent some time picking a white shirt in Rong Zhao’s walk-in closet, her mood souring with every choice. Rong Zhao’s closet was organized like a high-end department store: a row of white shirts in different fabrics and styles, followed by a gradient of colors from light to dark—orderly, neat, and incredibly boring.

However, she also found two cabinets full of very sexy outfits, which left Mingzhu speechless. She knew it; despite Rong Zhao’s cold exterior, she had a hidden side—just like that slip dress from last night, which she’d worn without a bra.

Mingzhu chose a crisp white shirt and paired it with her pajama pants. Fixing the collar, she went to the balcony to find Rong Zhao. “Rongrong, is this shirt okay for the registration?”

Rong Zhao was admiring the cherry blossoms. She had tended to these trees for a year just for this brief March bloom. Seeing the courtyard filled with soft pink, she felt it was all worth it.

Hearing the crisp voice behind her, Rong Zhao turned around in the sunlight, brushing a stray hair from her face. Her gaze lingered for a moment.

Mingzhu immediately read the pity and helplessness in Rong Zhao’s eyes. “Are my eyes still very swollen?”

Rong Zhao pondered for a moment. “Let’s not go today. We’ll register once the swelling is gone.”

Mingzhu instantly grew nervous and grabbed Rong Zhao’s arm. “Rongrong, do you not want to marry me anymore? Are you going to back out?”

Rong Zhao looked down at the hands clutching her arm. Why was Mingzhu like a clingy puppy? No matter how many times she pulled away, and despite Mingzhu’s promises, the girl just kept clinging.

“Are you that afraid I’ll back out?” Rong Zhao asked calmly.

Mingzhu nodded pitifully. “I am. You know… I don’t have a home anymore.”

No home anymore.

Rong Zhao lowered her gaze. Even the cherry blossoms seemed to take on a bitter scent.

“Don’t worry, I won’t back out,” Rong Zhao said, slowly pulling her arm free. “The certificate is something people will see. It’s not right for your eyes to be swollen. A day or two won’t make a difference.”

Mingzhu was relieved. Even if they were eventually going to divorce, her first marriage photo was still important to her.

“Rongrong, you are such a good person! When you get married for the second time, I’ll definitely give you the biggest, most thoughtful gift!”

“…”

Rong Zhao turned back to the cherry blossoms, her jaw tightening slightly. “I thank you.”

Since they weren’t registering today, Rong Zhao prepared for work.

Before leaving, she asked Mingzhu if she wanted to stay home or go out to clear her head. Since her eyes were still swollen, Mingzhu chose to stay and continue icing them. Rong Zhao instructed Auntie Guan to take good care of her.

After Rong Zhao left, Mingzhu took a nap. When she woke up, she was hungry again. She had met the two cooks: Auntie Tang, who excelled at desserts and soups, and Auntie Fan, who specialized in various cuisines. Today was Auntie Tang’s shift.

When Mingzhu went downstairs, Auntie Tang was in the dining room preparing dinner. “Miss Mingzhu, would you like something to eat?”

Mingzhu smiled. “I’m a bit hungry, but I don’t want a full meal. Is there any afternoon tea?”

Auntie Tang seemed delighted to have a guest to serve. “I have waffles. If you can wait, I can make any other dessert you like. As for tea, Miss Rong usually drinks jasmine tea. Would you like to try some? Or would you prefer black or green tea?”

Mingzhu felt a petty urge to reject Rong Zhao’s taste. It was the kind of feeling where even if she liked jasmine tea, the fact that Rong Zhao liked it made her want to hate it.

“I don’t want tea. I want coffee. Can you make coffee?”

Auntie Tang immediately listed her skills: “Of course. Hand-drip, iced Americano, latte… what would you like?” She opened a cabinet stocked with high-end coffee beans and coconut milk.

Mingzhu was surprised. “Does Rongrong drink coffee?”

“Miss Rong doesn’t, but she keeps it stocked to entertain guests.”

Actually, they hadn’t had many coffee-drinking guests. When He Chan came over and asked for coffee, Rong Zhao usually just gave her plain water.

Mingzhu didn’t hold back. “I’d like an iced hand-drip. Lots of ice, and add some coconut milk.”

Auntie Tang’s eyes lit up. Finally, someone was making a request! “Certainly, Miss, please wait—”

“Miss,” a voice interrupted from behind. The housekeeper, Auntie Guan, stood there with a smile. “The stomach prefers warmth. Perhaps a warm drink would be better?”

Mingzhu: “…”

Auntie Tang: “…” Here she goes again!

Since Mingzhu hadn’t registered with Rong Zhao yet, she had to stay on her best behavior. She forced a smile. “Okay, let’s go with warm. Thank you, Auntie Tang.”

Mingzhu drank the warm coconut coffee. It wasn’t as good as iced, but she finished it along with some waffles. She started thinking about visiting the Mingzhu International Travel Agency, but she didn’t even have taxi fare. She slumped onto the sofa to watch nature documentaries, her heart feeling empty.

A robot vacuum hummed past. Bored, Mingzhu gave it a playful kick. It rolled away and came back; she kicked it again.

The housekeeper secretly filmed the scene and sent it to Rong Zhao: “Miss, Miss Mingzhu seems a bit bored…”

Rong Zhao replied: “Are you sure she’s bored?”

In the video, Mingzhu was wearing Rong Zhao’s shirt and pajama pants, barefoot with her pant legs rolled up. Her red hair was in a messy bun with stray strands hanging down. She was “fighting” the robot, her face lively and full of smiles.

Housekeeper: “She must be bored. Why else would she fight a robot?”

Rong Zhao watched the video again. Mingzhu looked like a mischievous cat swatting at a hardworking bee.

Rong Zhao: “Besides looking bored, does she seem sad or unhappy?”

Housekeeper: “Currently, no.”

Rong Zhao felt a bit more at ease. “Mhm. Compliment her beauty more; it always puts her in a good mood.”

The housekeeper chuckled. So Miss Mingzhu loved being praised for her looks. “Understood.”

Rong Zhao: “Is the doorbell system turned off?”

Housekeeper: “Don’t worry, Miss. It’s off. No one will disturb her.”

In the CTO office of the Rong Group’s automotive division, Rong Zhao looked at the uninvited guest, He Chan.

“Something wrong?”

“Of course! I just went to your house, but the doorbell didn’t work. That confirmed Mingzhu is there. Tell Auntie Guan to let me in; I want to take Mingzhu to my place.” He Chan dropped a bag on the desk.

“…What is this?”

“Beef jerky and yogurt. Mingzhu loved these in school. My family’s cook made them. I also brought some toys. You have to lure her with treats and games. After everything that happened, she needs to clear her head at my place. Staying at yours won’t work.”

“Why not?”

He Chan leaned in. “I know Mingzhu probably told you not to tell me she’s there. She probably went to you because she thought no one would look for her there. She’s just putting up with you because it’s ‘safe,’ right?”

Rong Zhao looked at her files. “I have a meeting soon. I won’t see you out.”

He Chan didn’t take the hint. “See? You’re so tight-lipped. No wonder she went to you even though you aren’t close.” She continued enthusiastically, “Really, she must be so uncomfortable at your place. Tell her to come to mine. She can stay for three or five years if she wants. We get along. You’re too cold; she’ll probably get depressed looking at your face every day.”

Rong Zhao stood up coldly. “I’m going to my meeting.”

He Chan followed, reaching for the bag.

“Leave it,” Rong Zhao commanded.

“?”

“You want me to give it to her?”

Back in school, whenever He Chan asked Rong Zhao to give Mingzhu something, Rong Zhao always refused with a cold glare. That was why He Chan thought Mingzhu would be miserable at Rong Zhao’s. Right now, Rong Zhao was giving her that same cold look.

He Chan awkwardly put the bag down. “Then remember to give it to her! Don’t eat it yourself.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Leaving.”

As they reached the elevator, Rong Zhao added, “Mingzhu is closest to Jiang Jiang. Why don’t you ask Jiang Jiang where she is? Oh, right—you probably can’t reach her. She’s probably busy being in love with someone.”

He Chan: “…” That hurt. She left, looking like a wilted eggplant.

After being complimented on her beauty several times by the housekeeper, Mingzhu’s mood improved, and she wanted to go out. She was never one to stay still. Though she was penniless, Rong Zhao had cars.

She felt awkward just asking to use a car, so she looked for an excuse to be helpful. “Auntie Guan, could you ask Rongrong if there are any documents she needs delivered? Or if she’s hungry and wants me to bring her food?”

“I actually missed Rongrong a little,” Mingzhu added with a shy smile, “but I don’t want to disturb her work. Don’t tell her I missed her, just ask casually, okay?”

Soon, a voice message from Rong Zhao arrived: “There’s a file in the top drawer on the left of my study. Let her bring it. She can pick any car she wants.”

Mingzhu instantly came to life, like a thirsty flower given water. “Great! Auntie Guan, ask Auntie Tang to pack some fruit and snacks, too.”

The housekeeper handed her the file and snacks, then took her to the garage. Mingzhu saw a white Ferrari—flashy and high-profile. She loved it, but being new there, she decided to act “modest” and chose a Rong Group electric SUV worth about 500,000 yuan.

“Do you want the sports car, Miss Mingzhu?” the housekeeper teased.

Mingzhu put on a demure face. “No, I prefer to keep a low profile.”

Mingzhu drove to the Rong Group headquarters with the windows down and music playing. Rong Zhao’s license plate gave her seamless access to the underground parking. As she pulled into the designated spot, she saw a cool beauty in a white shirt standing there.

“Rongrong!” Mingzhu leaned out the window. “Why did you come down? Auntie said a secretary would meet me.”

Rong Zhao, holding He Chan’s bag, stood by the car. “I needed a break from the office. How was the drive?”

Mingzhu praised the car sincerely. “Very comfortable. The steering is light, and the smart driving features are smooth. You’re amazing, Rongrong.”

“I didn’t work on this one; it’s my uncle’s project.”

“Ah… then,” Mingzhu drawled, “it’s actually quite average. I’m looking forward to your new project.”

Rong Zhao’s lips curved slightly. She reached out, and Mingzhu handed her the file. “If you ever need a delivery, I’m your girl. I’m your little personal secretary.”

“What’s your fee?” Rong Zhao teased.

“Free of charge, of course!”

Rong Zhao nodded and checked Mingzhu’s sunglasses. “How are the eyes? Swelling gone?”

“Almost.”

“Ice them well at home. Can we register on Friday?”

Mingzhu calculated. If they didn’t do it Friday, they’d have to wait until Monday. “Of course! Don’t worry, Rongrong. On Friday, I will definitely turn you into a married woman.”

Rong Zhao got into the passenger seat and handed Mingzhu the bag. “He Chan sent this. She’s worried about you.”

Mingzhu felt a wave of warmth. She found the snacks and toys inside, her eyes growing misty. Many friends disappear when the money does, but she still had He Chan, and eventually Jiang Jiang.

“These were made by He He’s cook. They’re delicious. Did you have any?”

“Mhm.”

Mingzhu didn’t offer her more; instead, she handed Rong Zhao the snacks she brought. “I brought you something too. You work so hard, you need to refuel.”

“You had the auntie pack these?”

“Yeah, I wanted to do something for you. Eat up.”

“Mhm.”

Rong Zhao put the file in the back and casually unbuttoned her shirt—one, two, three buttons—revealing an emerald pendant against her snow-white skin.

“Hey, hey!” Mingzhu shielded her eyes. “Rong Zhao, what are you doing?”

“The clothes were too tight. I’m relaxing. Why?”

“…” Mingzhu moved her hand back. “I thought you were going to take it all off… carry on, carry on.”

Rong Zhao ate the snacks while Mingzhu chewed on beef jerky. With the music playing, Mingzhu chatted about nothing in particular. Her voice was pleasant, making even the most mundane topics sound interesting to Rong Zhao.