After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Mwah

[Part 2] “Do you want to try using this place?”

In the quiet bedroom, Mingzhu’s husky, soft, and provocative voice lingered.

Rong Zhao caught the hand that was tracing her collarbone. Although it spoiled the mood slightly, she felt she had to remind Mingzhu that the leap in logic was a bit large.

“Weren’t we just talking about He Chan and Jiangjiang?” Rong Zhao reminded her.

It was better to resolve that matter first. Otherwise, when she went to work tomorrow, she would worry that Mingzhu was at home nursing a grudge—after all, Mingzhu had been agitated enough to scream just moments ago.

Rong Zhao lightly pinched Mingzhu’s fingertip. “Are you avoiding the topic?”

Mingzhu lay half-sprawled over Rong Zhao. At times like this, Rong Zhao’s body always felt soft and supple, and she loved pressing against her.

Mingzhu admired Rong Zhao’s perfect jawline and long lashes. She laughed. “What ‘avoiding’? I’m not avoiding it. I’m not angry anymore.”

“Mhm?” That fast?

Mingzhu pursed her lips and blew gently on Rong Zhao’s hair, watching the strands dance in her breath. After playing like this for a while, she spoke slowly: “They didn’t tell me, but I didn’t tell them either. Sometimes, when a best friend doesn’t share what they’re going through, it’s not because they don’t want to—it’s because they don’t know how to start the conversation. Or maybe they weighed the pros and cons and decided that keeping it quiet was better for the friendship.”

Mingzhu rested her chin on the back of her hand, blinking at Rong Zhao. She used to think Rong Zhao was icy, but now she realized Rong Zhao was simply emotionally stable. Because Rong Zhao was so calm and peaceful, Mingzhu didn’t have to worry about being interrupted or judged. She felt safe sharing her thoughts.

“Hehe and Jiangjiang are both my best friends,” Mingzhu said softly. “When I was in trouble, Hehe messaged me and let me stay at her place. Jiangjiang flew back to the country immediately when she found out. They are so good to me; even if they intentionally hid this, they are still my friends. While my first reaction was shock and anger, I understand them. I won’t actually be mad at them.”

Mingzhu tapped Rong Zhao’s chin with a finger. “So, don’t worry. I’m not going to go pick a fight with them.”

Rong Zhao took Mingzhu’s hand—a soft, warm hand. Such a transparent, insightful girl.

Mingzhu didn’t let internal conflict consume her, and that was because she saw through things clearly. How is it that such a brilliant person is so oblivious when it comes to her own feelings?

“Good. As long as you aren’t angry,” Rong Zhao said softly.

Mingzhu studied her, then used her toes to pinch Rong Zhao’s leg. “You drifted off just now. What were you thinking about?”

Rong Zhao: “…” Mingzhu’s toes are certainly nimble.

Rong Zhao looked at the ceiling, where the pale yellow light of the floor lamp reflected. After a long silence, she moved her gaze to Mingzhu’s face and issued a formal invitation: “I was thinking… there’s a charity event in two days. Let’s go out for a candlelight dinner after it ends. Are you free?”

Since Mingzhu was brooding over that bunny plush, she would show it to her. She would tell her formally that she hadn’t forgotten—that she had kept it all these years.

Mingzhu’s “smart brain” went back online. She assumed Rong Zhao wanted to put on a show for outsiders, so she agreed with a smile. “Sure! Do I need to get my hair and makeup done? Should I wear an evening gown?”

As she spoke, her chin bobbed up and down, her red hair sliding against Rong Zhao’s skin like a silken snake. Rong Zhao’s amber eyes dropped, scanning the skin that had turned red and itchy from Mingzhu’s movements. “Yes. The more beautiful you are, the better.”

They chatted for a while about where to eat and what to have. Gradually, Mingzhu noticed that Rong Zhao still seemed to have something on her mind. Ever since she got home from work, she had been a bit different—constantly pensive.

Is she still mad at Zhu Sishao? Or is it work stuff?

Mingzhu felt a pang of frustration. If only she were the person Rong Zhao actually loved, she could say something witty to make her truly happy. She racked her brain and could only think of one “technique” to cheer Rong Zhao up.

Mingzhu licked her lips, gathering her courage—bolstering her “bear-heart and leopard-gall.” Then, with a tiny, timid voice, she said, “Rong Zhao.”

“Mhm?”

“Can I ask something offensive?” Mingzhu’s whole body was tense, her heart racing like an F1 engine. She whispered, “Do you want me to try using… here?”

“What?”

Mingzhu made a small, smacking sound with her lips: “Mwah.”

Rong Zhao’s mind went blank for two seconds. Then, a wave of heat surged through her entire body, and she felt a throb down there.

In a moment of uncharacteristic loss of composure, she clamped her hand over Mingzhu’s mouth.

Mingzhu: “?”

Rong Zhao: “…”

Rong Zhao let go and gave a light cough. Mingzhu asked timidly, “Did I offend you?”

“No.” Rong Zhao’s heart was still hammering. She tried her best to keep her voice from trembling. She swallowed hard and said, “As long as you don’t mind. Maybe next time. It’s getting late today.”

This was far too intimate—much more so than using hands. She felt it should happen after she showed Mingzhu the bunny plush and clarified Mingzhu’s feelings.

Mingzhu felt a wave of relief. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms and legs around Rong Zhao. “You scared me! I thought I offended you. I don’t mind; it’s a perfectly normal thing.”

Normal?

Rong Zhao held her breath, feeling waves of ocean sounds crashing against her eardrums. Her breathing grew ragged as she took Mingzhu’s hand and guided it downward.

The still water turned into a grasping swamp, clutching the prey’s hand and refusing to let it go. Enveloping, devouring. Soon, the room was filled with gasps that made it impossible to tell who was the hunter and who was the prey.

Su Yujian left. She didn’t message Rong Zhao and Mingzhu until she was on the plane, sparing everyone the “no need to see me off” pleasantries. She came and went with a crisp independence, as if her impulsive trip was simply to process a heartbreak and help a friend confirm her romantic status.

The plane cut through the sky, leaving a long white trail of ice crystals against the Rayleigh-scattered blue before slowly vanishing. Su Yujian typed three lines into her laptop:

Psychologists can’t heal the pain brought by one’s family of origin.

But last night’s alcohol and nightlife can. That beautiful girl’s name is Daisy.

Wishing Rong Zhao and Bai Mingzhu a lifetime of happiness. Also, wishing Teacher He doesn’t get dumped. 🙂

She tied her long hair back, asked the flight attendant for a glass of red wine, and opened a PDF of the Psychological Bulletin, focusing on her studies.

In a barbecue joint recommended by Xiang Qian, Mingzhu and Jiangjiang—having just finished a session at an indoor ski resort—ordered a table full of skewers and two glasses of iced draft beer. After eating for a while, they clinked glasses again.

Jiangjiang downed half her glass. “I’m leaving. Are you coming?”

Mingzhu: “…”

Jiangjiang had shown up today with “heartbroken” written all over her face. Mingzhu didn’t even have to ask; Jiangjiang spilled everything about her and He Chan. She talked about living at He Chan’s place, and about a “beautiful girl from abroad” who had come to see He Chan. He Chan had been messaging the girl day and night, and even after she left, He Chan asked if she had landed safely.

Mingzhu knew “the girl” was Su Yujian. Since Jiangjiang was clearly fuming, she didn’t dare mention it.

“Teacher He is just a nice person. In her eyes, we’re all like her students. She’s probably just habitually caring. Don’t worry about it,” Mingzhu said, sipping her beer.

Jiangjiang wasn’t listening. “Whatever. I’m leaving. It doesn’t look like you two are having a wedding anytime soon, so I won’t wait. Do you want to go film somewhere? Come with me. I guarantee no one will find you.”

Mingzhu knew how capable Jiangjiang was. When she wanted to disappear, she could go months without a phone, focusing entirely on travel and creation. It was indeed hard for anyone to find her.

Mingzhu sucked on some lobster meat—delicious. Xiang Qian’s recommendations were always spot on. “I have to accompany Rong Zhao to a charity event. I can’t leave. Why don’t you stay a bit longer?”

If Jiangjiang left now, He Chan would be miserable. Especially since He Chan had classes and couldn’t go looking for her; they’d be separated again.

Jiangjiang ignored the advice and stopped talking about He Chan. She asked, “What charity event? Do you need hair and makeup? Is the outfit decided?”

“Just a regular charity event. The clothes were sent to the villa—there’s a lot, I haven’t picked yet. I’ll get the styling done on the day. But Rong Zhao said we’re going to a candlelight dinner afterward. It should be interesting.”

Jiangjiang’s eyes lit up. “How are things between you and Rong Zhao lately?”

Mingzhu thought about it. “It feels the same, but also… a bit better.”

Despite her own romantic troubles, Jiangjiang was energized by Mingzhu’s news. “Is Rong Zhao going to confess to you? He Chan and I analyzed you two. Even though you haven’t managed to confirm if she likes you, we both agree she does.”

Jiangjiang continued: “A candlelight dinner sounds like a confession setup. Who in their right mind goes to a candlelight dinner for no reason?”

Mingzhu: “…” Confession? They sure have vivid imaginations.

Mingzhu propped up her chin, waving a skewer. “The dinner is for show. You believe in that too?”

“I do! I’m actually a bit excited now. Let’s go—we’re going back to pick your outfit right now,” Jiangjiang said, dragging Mingzhu up. “I’ll help you choose and style. You must be beautiful enough to outshine everyone.”

“I haven’t finished eating—”

“Pack it up and eat at home,” Jiangjiang said as if she were tipsy. “I’ll wait for the result of your candlelight dinner before I leave. If nothing happens, you come with me. If there is a result, I’ll gift you two some very ‘useful’ toys.”

Mingzhu’s thoughts were derailed. Her face turned slightly red. “…How ‘useful’?”

Jiangjiang laughed and whispered exactly how fun they were.

Two hours before the charity event.

At Rongguang Villa, Mingzhu’s styling was complete. Since she was attending as Mrs. Rong and representing the Rongke Group, she couldn’t be too flashy.

She and Jiangjiang had first selected an outfit for Rong Zhao: a New Chinese-style set in light bamboo green, featuring a top and a skirt. Once Rong Zhao messaged back her approval, Mingzhu picked her own.

Ultimately, Mingzhu chose a New Chinese-style qipao with elements similar to Rong Zhao’s outfit. They looked like they were from the same series—standing collar, small pankou buttons. It was appropriate yet radiant, striking the perfect balance of poise.