After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Certainty

[Part 1] “Sister, someone bullied me…”

In the dining room of Rongguang Villa.

A gramophone played an old record from the last century. The high-quality speakers amplified the low tones beautifully—the sound was clear, the balance of frequencies perfect, and a contralto voice flowed out gently.

At the dining table, Su Yujian’s hand, which was peeling a boiled egg, paused as she drifted into deep thought.

Mingzhu sat opposite her, drinking tea with poise while studying Su Yujian. The woman had a mature face, looking perhaps three or four years older than her actual age. Such features usually aged well; she would likely look younger than her peers later in life.

She wore a slim-cut blazer with rolled-up sleeves and a Blue Balloon watch. Her long hair fell in natural waves over her shoulders. She exuded a capable, efficient aura, yet currently, her gaze was vacant.

Realizing her lapse, Su Yujian looked up. “I’m sorry. I came to bother you right after a heartbreak.”

Mingzhu set down her teacup and gave a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. You’re Rongrong’s classmate. It’s not a bother at all; you’re welcome to visit whenever you like.”

As Mingzhu spoke, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of Rong Zhao. Rong Zhao hadn’t left for work yet and was making coffee with the semi-automatic machine. She was almost late, yet she still hadn’t left.

Su Yujian was a keen observer. “By the way, the person I lost is not Rong Zhao. They are unmarried. I heard from Rong Zhao last night that the person might have a girlfriend; I confirmed it this morning that they do. That’s why I’m ‘heartbroken.’ Don’t misunderstand.”

Mingzhu had almost misunderstood. She felt a secret relief and used serving chopsticks to place some food on Su Yujian’s plate. “I didn’t misunderstand,” she said softly. “Eat more.”

When Su Yujian first arrived, Mingzhu had introduced herself and asked if she had eaten. Su Yujian said no, so the auntie quickly fried some eggs and vegetables to add to the meal.

Su Yujian’s first words upon sitting down were that she had experienced a heartbreak this morning and wanted someone to talk to.

Su Yujian: “I forgot to say, Mingzhu—congratulations to you and Rong Zhao. Happy wedding.”

Mingzhu: “Thank you.”

Su Yujian studied her. “You are truly beautiful. When I first saw you, I was genuinely stunned. You’re so radiant, your smile is lovely, and your eyes are so bright. My bad mood from this morning suddenly got better.”

Rong Zhao cast a cold glance at Su Yujian. Don’t start getting ideas about Mingzhu just because you’re heartbroken.

Mingzhu beamed. “You’re very beautiful, too.”

Su Yujian: “Hardly. My cheekbones are a bit too high. Your face shape is the beautiful one—so smooth and perfect. I’m almost jealous.”

This was the first time she had seen Mingzhu in person, and she was indeed struck by her. She had originally thought Rong Zhao’s “goddess” would be the gentle, “White Moonlight” type. Seeing the vibrant, stunning Mingzhu, she felt that this was exactly how it should be; this was exactly the kind of girl Rong Zhao would love.

Rong Zhao placed the coffee she had made by Su Yujian’s hand. There was no latte art, just a bit of milk and sugar stirred in. “I’m going to work. Shall we go together?”

Su Yujian looked up and smiled. “I’m heartbroken; where would I go? I’m going to talk with Mingzhu.” She gave a slight tilt of her chin, signaling Rong Zhao to relax—she wouldn’t say anything she shouldn’t.

Joking behind someone’s back was one thing, but in person, she knew what to say and what to keep secret. If she didn’t understand that much, Rong Zhao would never have been her friend for all those university years.

Rong Zhao instantly understood. Su Yujian wasn’t there to cause trouble; she was there to help probe Mingzhu’s attitude.

Mingzhu was understanding. “Yes, Rongrong, go to work. I’ll keep Sister Su company and help her clear her mind.”

Rong Zhao walked over to Mingzhu, leaning down. “I’ll have Xiang Qian stay with you. Just the three of you. Don’t call anyone else; it’s not convenient.”

Mingzhu hadn’t planned on calling anyone, but Rong Zhao’s words reminded her. She tested the waters: “I can’t even call Hehe and Jiangjiang? It might be more fun with a group.”

Rong Zhao didn’t speak, but the corner of her mouth quirked up ever so slightly.

Su Yujian spoke up, her voice steady. “Is ‘Hehe’ He Chan?”

Mingzhu was surprised. “You know her?”

Su Yujian: “The person I have an unrequited love for is He Chan. Mingzhu, don’t call her.”

Mingzhu: “??”

Rong Zhao gently stroked Mingzhu’s hair. She wouldn’t proactively reveal a friend’s privacy, but if the friend outed themselves, it had nothing to do with her. Knowing the name of the person would make Mingzhu feel more at ease.

Zhenjiao Racetrack, Xiaojun Equestrian Club.

Rong Zhao had arranged for Xiang Qian to accompany Mingzhu and Su Yujian. The location was chosen by Su Yujian.

Su Yujian didn’t like shopping malls, hiking, or the sound of old men cracking whips in parks. That eliminated many options. Mingzhu liked skiing, but that wasn’t conducive to talking. Swimming or hot springs felt too intimate for a first meeting. Knowing Rong Zhao was a skilled rider, Su Yujian asked Mingzhu if she’d like to visit the racetrack.

They agreed and went. The racetrack was vast, with many horses but few people—quiet and perfect for a chat.

After getting out of the car, the three of them strolled toward the stables.

Su Yujian said, “Rong Zhao and I are very similar. She has a male cousin, and I have a younger brother. Our families both favored boys when we were young. The difference is that Rong Zhao had sensible grandparents. When she showed more talent than her cousin, they focused on cultivating her. For me, no matter how hard I tried, it was never enough.”

Su Yujian continued: “So when I suddenly met someone like Teacher He—someone who loves to nag, worry, and meddle—my annoyance with her was real. But once she actually went back to her own school, I felt the silence was too loud. I missed her.”

“You know Rong Zhao speaks too little. He Chan talks a lot, but she’s like a cheerful angel.”

Mingzhu let out a soft laugh. Though she was surprised Su Yujian liked He Chan, He Chan’s warm-hearted nature was indeed worthy of love.

But who was He Chan’s girlfriend? She didn’t even know!

Mingzhu offered some words of comfort, then listened to Su Yujian talk more about He Chan.

Su Yujian asked Mingzhu, “How many years have you known Rong Zhao?”

Mingzhu: “Many years. I’ve known her since the sixth grade.”

Su Yujian: “That early?”

Mingzhu smiled. “Yes.”

Su Yujian: “So, essentially childhood sweethearts.”

Mingzhu nodded, then shook her head with a smile.

Su Yujian: “Why?”

Mingzhu began telling her about the time she celebrated Rong Zhao’s birthday, and how petty Rong Zhao had been—pretending not to remember her because she thought Mingzhu had forgotten her—and other small misunderstandings like the “short dress” incident.

Su Yujian casually and pointedly joked: “I never knew Rong Zhao could be so petty. So, she’s liked you since she was a kid?”

Mingzhu immediately countered: “No way! She doesn’t even know where the birthday doll I gave her went. I asked her about it last month and she didn’t remember at all. She didn’t like me since we were kids… she only liked me once we grew up.”

Su Yujian’s heart stirred. She recognized the dissatisfaction in this “patient.” There is a psychological concept called the “Rebuttal-Driven Expression Effect.” Some silent patients won’t express themselves proactively, but if you start a topic that makes them want to argue, they will keep talking to prove you wrong.

Su Yujian continued her act: “I don’t believe it. Rong Zhao definitely liked you since you were little.”

Mingzhu laughed in exasperation. “She really didn’t! She never even let me win an exam once. I was always the ‘eternal second place.’ If she really liked me, she could have skipped two big questions and I would have been first overall.”

Su Yujian: “…”

Great. Within a few minutes, she’s revealed two things she’s still brooding over.

The sky was filled with clouds, with an occasional cool breeze. When they reached the stables, Mingzhu looked toward her golden horse, Moon, only to hear the sound of an argument. Her eyelid twitched violently.

“I don’t care! I want this horse! Hubby, this horse is so beautiful, I want this one!” a young woman was throwing a tantrum at a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man glared at the manager. “Didn’t you hear my wife? I don’t care whose horse it is. Ask them for a price. I’ll pay whatever they want. I’m buying it!”

The manager bowed and apologized. “President Zhu, I am truly sorry. This horse belongs to one of our VIPs. They’ve raised it for years. No matter how much you offer, they won’t sell.”

The horse they were haggling over was Mingzhu’s.

Seeing Mingzhu’s face go cold, Xiang Qian realized the horse was hers and stepped forward. “This is our horse. What’s going on?”

The manager was about to ask “Who are you?” when he realized the person looked familiar—it was the Rong family’s driver. He looked up and saw Bai Mingzhu. He slapped his thigh; Why are they all here at once? This is going to be a disaster!

“Your horse?” the young woman said contemptuously. “Good, you’re here. Name a price. I want it.”

The golden horse was stunning. She had heard it was a national horse from Turkmenistan, its coat shimmering like a celestial being. She had fallen in love at first sight and had to have it today.

“One billion. Pay up,” Mingzhu said, walking over with a cold sneer.

“Who do you think you are? Who does this horse belong to!” the middle-aged man bellowed.

Mingzhu brushed back a strand of hair that the wind had blown against her lips. She looked at the horse manager—someone who was paid by the Bai family—and asked calmly, “Who is this? Introduce them. Not from around here?”

The manager nervously introduced them: “My apologies, Miss Bai. This is President Zhu from Nanyu. He isn’t familiar with Jiangyue City, so he doesn’t recognize you or President Rong. Please don’t be angry, I—”

“What ‘President Rong’?” The woman shoved the manager aside and reached out to push Mingzhu. “What did you mean by ‘one billion’? Do you think we can’t—”

Before the woman could finish her sentence or touch Mingzhu, her wrist was grabbed.

“Ah! It hurts! Hubby—”

Xiang Qian held the woman’s wrist and flung it away with force.

The middle-aged man caught his young mistress, furious. “Call the police! There’s surveillance, isn’t there? Call the police!”

Su Yujian stood in front of Mingzhu and reminded him with a smile, “Sir, I suggest you stay calm.”

The middle-aged man: “Who the hell are you! Fuck off!”

His filthy gaze landed on Su Yujian and Mingzhu. Mingzhu frowned and stood in front of Su Yujian.

The man looked them up and down, sneering with disgust. “You’re lesbians, aren’t you? You lesbians are the most disgusting things on earth! Tui!”

He spat a glob of phlegm toward Mingzhu. Xiang Qian yanked Mingzhu out of the way just in time. Simultaneously, a gust of wind blew the phlegm back, landing it right on the man’s own pants.

At the police station.

Xiang Qian argued self-defense, citing the surveillance footage showing the young woman initiating an attack on Mingzhu.

Mingzhu had originally worried that being at the police station would interfere with Rong Zhao’s work, but seeing that it was noon and Rong Zhao should be on break, she stopped worrying.

Mingzhu and Su Yujian had finished their statements. They waited calmly to the side, continuing their chat. Their voices were low, not disturbing the officers’ work.

Su Yujian asked with a smile, “What were your standards for a partner when you were a kid? Have they changed much now?”

Mingzhu: “Not really. I started school early and was a late bloomer. I was only eighteen in my sophomore year. When I was little, I didn’t even have the concept of ‘liking’ someone, but I had the concept of ‘who I like to play with.'”

Su Yujian was intrigued. “Then what kind of person did you like to play with back then?”

Mingzhu thought for a moment, her voice soft with memory. “First, someone gentle. Someone who never lost their temper or looked coldly at others. Someone who spoke softly and had a lovely laugh. Even if my jokes weren’t that funny, she would smile at me.”

Su Yujian: “…” Good lord. The complete opposite of Rong Zhao.

Su Yujian asked curiously: “Then why did you grow up to like Rong Zhao?”

Mingzhu emerged from her memories. She almost wanted to pout, but then she thought seriously. “Rong Zhao treats me very, very well. Although her gaze toward others is cold, it’s never been that cold when she looks at me. She’s never lost her temper with me. She smiles at me occasionally, and her laugh is beautiful.”

“No matter what I ask for, Rong Zhao agrees. She buys me bags, cars, drones. She supports me going to small towns to film. She cooks for me. She watches the moon with me on a yacht. She takes care of me like an older sister—she even accompanied me to see the doctor for my period. She reminds me to take my medicine every day and watches me take it. She’s two years older than me, more mature, more perfect, more…”

As she reached this point, Mingzhu’s heart suddenly constricted.

Do I actually… like Rong Zhao?

Su Yujian was watching Mingzhu closely. She clearly saw the dependency in Mingzhu’s expression, and another kind of emotion directed toward President Rong.

At that moment, footsteps approached. Mingzhu heard Xiang Qian say “President Rong.” She looked up and saw Rong Zhao wearing an embroidered white shirt, looking elegant as she walked toward them with long strides.

Mingzhu’s gaze dropped. Rong Zhao seemed to have driven herself; she was holding her car keys, and on her ring finger sat their wedding ring.

When she looked up again, Rong Zhao’s face was taut, her lips pressed together. The atmosphere around her was incredibly heavy. Her anger clearly wasn’t directed at Mingzhu, but at the others.

Mingzhu’s heart throbbed. She stood up and ran toward Rong Zhao. “Sister, someone bullied me…”

She wrapped her arms around Rong Zhao’s waist, acting spoiled as her heart raced.

Rong Zhao put an arm around Mingzhu’s shoulder and cast a frigid look at the middle-aged man and the young woman. Zhu Sishao. He owned three KTVs in Nanyu and had some other unsavory businesses.

Rong Zhao’s tightly pressed lips slowly relaxed. “Fine. Let him go bankrupt.”

Mingzhu smiled in Rong Zhao’s arms, burying her face in the crook of her neck, feeling incredibly safe.

At that moment, Su Yujian stood up. She wrote two lines in the notes app on her phone and held it up behind Mingzhu for Rong Zhao to see.

“Mingzhu likes you.”

“I’m certain.”