After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Night Talk

[Part 1] Fuuuck!

The night sky was a deep, dark blue. A crescent moon hung like a distant streetlamp, quietly reflecting the sun’s cool light—a lonely companion to those still awake in the northern hemisphere.

Inside the third-floor bedroom of Rongguang Villa, someone had refused to let the moon peek in. The curtains were drawn tight, and from within came the clear, resonant sounds of instruments. It was hard to tell if the music was meant to lull someone to sleep or keep them wide awake.

After dinner, the aunties had helped move all the healing instruments from the first floor to the bedroom. Even the monochord bed had been stood upright and squeezed into the elevator to be brought up.

Rong Zhao lay on the bed, cushioned by a soft pad. After her shower, she settled in as Mingzhu tucked her under a blanket and lit some essential oils. The scent of roses swirled in the room, harmonizing with the ethereal notes Mingzhu produced.

“Are you asleep?” Mingzhu asked.

“No.”

Mingzhu, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, smiled and continued to pluck the strings beneath the bed frame. She was a natural with these instruments; with rhythm, anything became a melody. Played slowly, the sound became three-dimensional, vibrating directly into the ears of the woman lying above.

“Rong Zhao.”

“Mhm?”

“Are you really planning to make that man named Zhu go bankrupt?”

“Yes.”

Mingzhu thought to herself that Rong Zhao must have been truly infuriated by him. The things Zhu Sishao had said—the homophobic slurs—must have hurt her deeply.

“You don’t want me to?” Rong Zhao asked.

Today, when Mingzhu had lunged into her arms, so delicately calling her “Sister” and complaining that “someone bullied me,” there was no way Rong Zhao was letting him off the hook. But if Mingzhu wanted to show mercy, she would.

Mingzhu shook her head, her tone filled with righteous indignation. “I do. Of course I do. I think he deserves it.”

The corner of Rong Zhao’s mouth twitched upward. “Alright. I understand.”

If Mingzhu didn’t want to let him off, she wouldn’t either.

Mingzhu plucked the strings for a while longer until her arms grew tired. She rested her hands, only occasionally striking a singing bowl. Rong Zhao lay peacefully with her hands on her stomach, listening to the hum and vibrations. It felt as though all her troubles were being drifted away, and she gradually grew drowsy.

“Rong Zhao.”

“Mhm?” Rong Zhao woke slightly.

Mingzhu asked softly, “After you came out in high school… was it very hard for you?”

Rong Zhao’s thumb moved slightly. “Why ask that suddenly?”

“Because I feel like you’ve carried a lot of hardship.”

“Why?”

Mingzhu held the singing bowl in her arms, forgetting to strike it. She looked at Rong Zhao’s profile on the bed and whispered, “When I was little, I thought you were cold and had a terrible temper. It seemed like you looked down on everyone. If someone crossed you, they’d pay for it. You seemed so arrogant and invincible, especially coming out so young.”

Rong Zhao’s lips pressed together.

Mingzhu shuffled forward, resting her arms on the edge of the bed. She said softly, “But as I grew up, I realized how brave you were back then. And spending time with you lately… I think you’re wonderful. And pure.”

Rong Zhao let out a laugh. “What do you want to buy now?”

Mingzhu: “…”

“I’m being serious!” Mingzhu gave Rong Zhao’s leg a light shove. “I’m talking to you for real.”

“Alright,” Rong Zhao said, closing her eyes again. Her tone became more serious and cooperative. “I’m listening.”

Mingzhu adjusted her emotions and spoke earnestly: “When you came out publicly in high school, I was too young to understand the significance. Looking back, that was eight or nine years ago. No one dared to do that back then. Only you.”

“Lately, I’ve noticed that while you seem cold, you never lose your temper. In fact, you almost never get angry. The aunties at home all love you. I have a bad temper, I’m impulsive, and I don’t really do anything ‘productive,’ yet you’ve never looked down on me or gotten angry with me.”

“Your life is so simple, too. Just home and the office. At home, you’re always reading, so quiet. At work, you’re probably always in meetings, making decisions, guiding the company. You give so much for the group.”

Mingzhu continued: “That’s why I think you’re wonderful, pure, and brave. But I also think… how can anyone be perfect? I figure you must have moments of vulnerability too. That’s why I asked if it was hard for you back then.”

Rong Zhao opened her eyes. In the dim room, the orange floor lamp cast arcs of light against the wall. She slowly adjusted to the light, suppressing the moisture in her eyes as she looked at Mingzhu.

Mingzhu’s face was half-hidden in shadow, but the concern in her gaze was unmistakable. The light reflected in her eyes, looking so clean and bright.

Rong Zhao reached out from under the covers and gently ruffled Mingzhu’s hair. Mingzhu smiled softly, caught Rong Zhao’s hand, and pressed the warm palm against her own cheek.

“The hardships are in the past. It won’t be hard anymore,” Mingzhu comforted her gently. “And don’t you dare take what Zhu Sishao said to heart. People like him are the ones who are truly disgusting. Rong Zhao, you are so brave and wonderful. There is no one better than you.”

Rong Zhao thought to herself that Mingzhu’s voice was a thousand times, ten thousand times more healing than any instrument.

“Okay. I know. Thank you. I won’t let it bother me,” Rong Zhao said, her thumb lightly tracing the corner of Mingzhu’s mouth.

Mingzhu smiled. “You’re welcome.”

The warm light shone in both their eyes, reflecting each other’s silhouettes. The world around them seemed to recede, leaving only the two of them in a deep, silent gaze. There was a pull to get closer, to embrace, or something more. An emotion was surging up—urgent, warming, burning.

Suddenly, Mingzhu felt as if she’d been jolted by an electric current. Her lashes trembled as she snapped back to her senses. She instinctively pushed Rong Zhao’s hand away and explained hurriedly: “Don’t misunderstand! I didn’t mean anything else. I just thought what Zhu Sishao said today was awful. Even if you didn’t hear it yourself, Sister Xiang and the manager definitely told you. I was just worried you’d be in a bad mood and wanted to comfort you as a friend. I didn’t mean to cross any lines.”

Rong Zhao: “…”

Now I actually need the healing instruments.

Rong Zhao closed her eyes again, putting her hand back under the covers. “I didn’t misunderstand,” she said flatly.

“Oh. Good.” Mingzhu replied.

But why does it feel like Rong Zhao is a little annoyed?

Mingzhu retreated and tapped the crystal bowl. Its sound was delicate and ethereal, but Mingzhu suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if the temperature had dropped. After two taps, she heard Rong Zhao ask: “How did the comforting go with Su Yujian today?”

Rong Zhao’s mention of it made Mingzhu realize she had almost forgotten something huge.

“It was fine. We didn’t talk much about her and He Chan. We mostly just rode horses.”

He Chan was her friend, so it wasn’t right to talk behind her back too much. Besides, she didn’t know He Chan’s current relationship status, so she couldn’t tell Su Yujian there was still a chance. She just gave “move on” advice. Luckily, Su Yujian seemed level-headed.

Mingzhu leaned back in. She had been leaning near Rong Zhao’s legs, but now she rested near her arm. “How did you know He Chan was in a relationship? Did she tell you?”

“I guessed.”

“How did you guess?”

“Innate intelligence, I suppose.”

“…”

Mingzhu chuckled and leaned closer, whispering into Rong Zhao’s ear: “Tell me more, Rongrong. Do you know who He Chan’s partner is?”

Rong Zhao went silent. The bowl sounds had stopped, and the bedroom was exceptionally quiet. Mingzhu stared at Rong Zhao’s face. Without makeup, her skin was flawless—willow-leaf brows, a soft oval face, pale skin. A perfect celestial beauty.

But why did the beauty stop talking?

Mingzhu watched her. Rong Zhao didn’t deny knowing. Which meant… she knew. And if she knew but wouldn’t say, it meant Mingzhu probably knew the person too.

Mingzhu was excellent at math and physics; her logic was top-tier. Without even thinking, she blurted out: “It’s someone I know too… Is it Jiangjiang?!”

Rong Zhao remained silent.

The next second, a shout erupted in the bedroom: “Fuuuck!”

Rong Zhao opened her eyes and laughed. Mingzhu was red-faced with indignation. Rong Zhao reached out to touch Mingzhu’s face, teasing, “How about we swap? You lie down and I’ll do the sound therapy for you?”

“I’m so stupid,” Mingzhu deflated.

“They’re the ones who were naughty,” Rong Zhao said.

“They aren’t… they aren’t bad.”

“Fine, they aren’t bad.”

Mingzhu looked like a pouting child who had just found a discarded fried chicken bag in the trash, realizing her parents had eaten treats without her. She pulled back Rong Zhao’s blanket and climbed onto the monochord bed. Rong Zhao automatically lifted her arm for Mingzhu to use as a pillow.

Mingzhu’s hand wandered over Rong Zhao’s waist. The silk nightgown felt wonderful, but Rong Zhao’s waist felt even better. Mingzhu held the curve of her waist and murmured, “When did they get together? Do you know?”

“High school, probably.”

“?” Mingzhu shrieked. “Fuck her! Fuck them!”

Rong Zhao rolled onto her side and covered Mingzhu’s mouth. Mingzhu finally quieted down.

After a moment, Rong Zhao said softly, “They might not be ‘together.’ It might not be a romantic relationship.”

Mingzhu understood. A “friends with benefits” situation. She gently moved Rong Zhao’s hand away and grumbled, “It must have been Jiangjiang who seduced Hehe. She probably wanted to ‘try it out’ and Hehe just went along with it.”

Rong Zhao propped herself up on one elbow, her other hand gently patting Mingzhu’s left chest as if lulling a child to sleep. “Why do you say that?”

“Because Jiangjiang was watching… videos back in high school.”

“…” Rong Zhao paused. “Did you watch them too?”

“Of course not. She said she was ‘appreciating the female form’ to help with her painting. I don’t paint.”

“…Then how do you know… how to do things?”

“American TV shows, movies. That’s what I studied. I’ve seen everything. Even the banned stuff.”

Mingzhu didn’t know how the conversation had turned this way. She turned on her side to look at Rong Zhao, her leg draped over Rong Zhao’s, her finger lightly tracing Rong Zhao’s collarbone. Her voice turned soft and husky: “Do you feel better now? If you still aren’t in a good mood…”