After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Looking Up

“The most outstanding person in my heart.”

In the living room, an old-fashioned gramophone paired with a new generation of speakers played a song. The female vocals carried the charm of a bygone era yet remained clear and melodious for the modern day.

“Beautiful.”

Mingzhu was standing before the full-length mirror in the living room when she suddenly heard this praise from behind.

She turned around. Rong Zhao, dressed in a light bamboo-green New Chinese-style set, was walking slowly down the stairs. Her long hair was pinned up, and she wore a pair of gilded openwork jade earrings.

“You’re beautiful too,” Mingzhu called out.

Rong Zhao chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping over Mingzhu twice.

The outfit was embroidered with green bamboo, exuding a noble aura. The side slit featured a pleated lining so Mingzhu wouldn’t accidentally expose herself when sitting. To tone down her striking red hair for the occasion, she had used a temporary black hair spray and tied her hair up. She wore a jade bangle and her wedding ring; aside from that, she wore no other jewelry.

Beautiful, elegant, appropriate, and well-behaved.

“Why did you change it to black?” Rong Zhao asked as she walked up behind Mingzhu, placing a hand on her waist.

Mingzhu turned and smiled. “I can be as flashy as I want normally, but I have to mind the occasion for an event like this.”

This was a charity event. Being too high-profile would be a lapse in judgment.

Rong Zhao’s fingertips brushed Mingzhu’s hair. Seeing the black dye on her fingers, she picked up a wet wipe to clean them. “Let’s find a place to wash your hair after the event. I’m more used to seeing the usual you during dinner.”

Mingzhu said joyfully, “Sure!”

The fact that Rong Zhao said this meant she still preferred Mingzhu’s usual high-profile red hair. She appreciated Rong Zhao’s appreciation of her.

Rong Zhao studied the exceptionally different Mingzhu. Suddenly, she raised her hand and rested her index finger on Mingzhu’s lower lip, rubbing it gently side to side.

Mingzhu’s eyes widened, and she forgot to breathe for a second. Rong Zhao was touching her lips, yet it was her ears that suddenly burned.

Rong Zhao’s fingertip smeared the lipstick on Mingzhu’s lip. When she pulled back, her finger was stained red. She applied a dab of the red to each of her own cheeks, blended it out, then handed a powder puff to Mingzhu. “Help me pat it in.”

Mingzhu: “…” She took the puff.

Suddenly, Rong Zhao pulled Mingzhu closer by her slender waist, drawing a low gasp of surprise from her. Rong Zhao’s palm rested against the qipao; the fabric was soft, but Mingzhu’s waist was softer.

Mingzhu’s breathing hitched. She braced her hands against Rong Zhao’s arms, catching a glimpse of the stylists out of the corner of her eye. She whispered with a flushed face, “Stop messing around.”

The two stylists bowed their heads with smiles, busy eating the snacks Mingzhu had given them. The “Little Madam” had a great personality and was very generous, giving them plenty of snacks every time they did her styling.

Rong Zhao stared into Mingzhu’s nervous eyes and loosened her grip slightly, smiling faintly. “I’m not. My complexion is a bit dull; help me pat it in.”

Mingzhu glared at her, took a slow breath, and used the puff to gently pat Rong Zhao’s cheeks. Actually, Rong Zhao’s complexion was excellent, but her skin was cool-toned. Compared to Mingzhu’s warm-toned skin, it made Rong Zhao look a bit pale.

As Mingzhu patted, the color blended naturally. One couldn’t tell she was wearing blush, but her complexion indeed looked more vibrant.

Rong Zhao: “Does it look good?”

Mingzhu’s face felt hot. “There’s no difference.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhm.”

Rong Zhao chuckled and stopped teasing her. She tilted her head slightly. “Ready to go?”

Mingzhu was surprised. “Already? It’s still two hours away. Isn’t it a bit early?”

Rong Zhao took Mingzhu’s hand—it felt soft in hers. “Yes. We’re going to the farm to pick up Grandma. She said at the last minute that she wanted to go, so she asked us to fetch her.”

“Why the sudden interest?” Mingzhu wondered.

“Probably had a fight with Grandpa.”

“…” Nonsense.

They detoured to Jiahe Farm in the western suburbs to pick up Rong Zhao’s grandmother, Tian Sumei. The one elder and two youngsters then got out of the car at the Baya Hotel by the Chunyue River and headed upstairs.

Today’s charity event was focused on corporate public welfare donations, co-hosted by several foundations and enterprises. The donations were aimed at rural medical construction, reforestation, bridge building, and ecological protection projects.

The main stage was massive—large enough for two or three dance troupes to perform at once. The audience area was filled with seats labeled with company names.

As soon as they entered, staff members came forward to guide them. After a few steps, a laugh rang out from the side.

“Sumei!” An elder who looked to be in her seventies walked over with a smile. “I didn’t hear you were coming. What brings you here so suddenly?”

Grandma Rong turned toward the voice and smiled. “Old Liang.”

Grandma Rong looked at the two girls and said, “They wanted to come and support the cause, and I wanted to support them, so here I am.”

Grandma Rong was still dressed very simply in cotton and linen, though it was clearly a designer piece with a high price tag. She had a great temperament, standing tall and looking ten years younger than her peers, with a kind and gentle smile.

Grandma Rong patted Mingzhu’s hand, which was hooked around her left arm, and introduced her with a smile: “This is Grandma’s old friend, Grandma Liang. Old Liang, this is Mingyue’s wife, Mingzhu.”

Mingzhu greeted her graciously, “Grandma, good afternoon.”

Rong Zhao greeted her as well.

Liang Wenjuan knew Rong Zhao, so she turned her attention to Mingzhu, praising her repeatedly. “Oh my, look at this! Mingzhu is truly beautiful! Too beautiful! Sumei, you are so lucky! Both children are so stunning.”

Grandma Rong’s smile remained reserved. “Yes, I am lucky.”

When the two girls had come to pick her up earlier, her eyes had truly lit up. Two beautiful children with such great temperaments—there was no sight more pleasing than this match made in heaven.

Liang Wenjuan continued enthusiastically, “Mingyue, I heard you’ve already registered your marriage. When are you holding the wedding? Is the ‘auspicious day’ set for your birthday?”

Rong Zhao replied neutrally, “Not yet. I’ve been busy with the new car lately, so it’ll be a while. Once we set the date, I’ll be sure to send you an invitation first, Grandma Liang.”

Liang Wenjuan let out an “Oh,” acting nervous as she whispered to Tian Sumei, “Could it be that the birth charts and times weren’t checked properly? Is it possible your birthday isn’t actually an auspicious day?”

Mingzhu’s eyes narrowed for a split second. So, this old lady wasn’t a kind grandmother—she was here to stir up trouble.

Mingzhu suddenly laughed. She was quick with her words and her actions. She stepped forward with a crisp laugh and took Liang Wenjuan’s arm. “Look at what you’re saying, Grandma. What era is this? Who still believes in birth times? The fortune teller who calculated your birth time might not even be alive anymore, yet you still believe them.”

Liang Wenjuan: “…”

Rong Zhao and Grandma Rong exchanged a glance, both breaking into smiles.

Liang Wenjuan bit her lip. She had heard the Bai family girl was high-profile and arrogant, but she hadn’t expected her to be so sharp-tongued as to essentially wish death upon her.

Liang Wenjuan: “Yes, Mingzhu has a point. We don’t believe in that. By the way, I remember when we went back to the ancestral home for Qingming, I didn’t see you there?”

Grandma Rong spoke up: “Mingzhu was on her period during those few days of Qingming. She had bad cramps. I felt bad for her, having to take a plane and then climb a mountain, so I told her not to come.”

Liang Wenjuan looked skeptical. “What a coincidence. I hope Mingzhu’s birthday isn’t also…”

“Grandma Liang.” Rong Zhao’s face darkened.

Mingzhu had intended to speak up once the old lady finished, but she didn’t expect Rong Zhao to beat her to it. Liang Wenjuan, having lived a long life, wasn’t about to be intimidated by a young person’s cold voice. She looked over. “What…”

“It’s like this,” Rong Zhao interrupted again, her voice steady. “Mingzhu and I agreed a few days ago that next year, we’ll apply for a flight route in advance. Mingzhu has a license; she’ll fly the family’s private jet to Wanxia Mountain for the ancestral rites. It’ll be much more convenient. You can come with us.”

Mingzhu understood immediately. She smiled and patted the old lady’s back. “I really hope I’ll still get to see you next year, Grandma.”

Liang Wenjuan was so angry she glared and huffed. These two children were cursing her—they were both cursing her!

Grandma Rong laughed and pulled Mingzhu back. This time, her laugh wasn’t reserved at all. She laughed heartily and said, “Look at how sensible my two children are!”

Liang Wenjuan shook her hand off forcefully, gave a cold huff, and walked away with a dark face.

Mingzhu immediately looked at Grandma like a good girl, acting spoiled. “Grandma, did I say something wrong?”

Grandma smiled and patted Mingzhu’s hand. “No! Well said! If someone speaks unpleasantly, you should speak right back!”

This little Mingzhu girl was sharp-tongued and knew how to hide a needle in a smile, and Mingyue was just as cutting. Both protected each other—their marriage would certainly be fine. Managing the Rongke Group together would also be no problem at all!

Rong Zhao lagged half a step behind and moved to Mingzhu’s side, gently rubbing the small of Mingzhu’s back. The touch made Mingzhu’s back tingle, and for some reason, Jiangjiang’s mention of “useful toys” popped into her head.

The three of them took their seats in the first row. People kept coming over to chat; such events were always a blend of charity and business.

At exactly 3:00 PM, the event began. There were performances, auctions, and direct corporate donations. Halfway through, it was time for the manager of the Rongke Group’s public welfare project, Manager Cheng, to give a speech. Rong Zhao usually stayed behind the scenes; she never appeared on stage for filmed events or new car launches.

Rong Zhao and Mingzhu sat on either side of Grandma Rong. On Rong Zhao’s other side was Secretary Qian, and next to her was Manager Cheng.

Grandma Rong suddenly leaned over. “Manager Cheng, let me see the speech.”

Manager Cheng hurried over and handed it over. “Chairwoman, is there anything you’d like me to add?”

Grandma Rong looked at it, folded it twice in her hand, and said, “Manager Cheng, you take a break today. President Rong will go up to speak—no script needed.”

Manager Cheng said hurriedly, “Chairwoman, this…”

Rong Zhao reassured her, “It’s fine, Manager Cheng. You rest. I’ll go.” This was her grandmother testing her; there was no reason to refuse.

Secretary Qian took care of the filming arrangements. For this event, the Rongke representative would go on stage twice. They only needed to record the second time Manager Cheng went up for the news release.

Mingzhu had just seen the script—it was a page and a half of text. She felt a knot in her stomach. She knew Rong Zhao would handle it well, but she was still nervous for her.

“Nervous?” Grandma Rong asked Mingzhu.

Mingzhu shook her head with a calm smile. “Not nervous. Rongrong is so outstanding. I’m sure she has a Plan B and a Plan C. When it comes to things related to Rongke, she’s always prepared for any occasion.”

Grandma Rong raised an eyebrow. “You know her so well.”

Mingzhu lifted her chin. “Of course.”

Hearing Mingzhu’s answer, a soft smile flashed in Rong Zhao’s clear, amber eyes.

The host introduced Rongke Group’s donations and invited the representative to the stage. Rong Zhao stood up and walked onto the stage from the side. From that moment on, Mingzhu’s gaze never left her.

The stage lights shone on Rong Zhao, her light bamboo-green outfit looking elegant and her expression mature. Mingzhu’s heart beat faster, and she blinked gently.

Suddenly, the person on stage seemed to change into a different set of clothes. She was wearing the uniform of No. 5 High School, standing on stage in front of a banner for the freshman orientation ceremony. Rong Zhao’s hair looked soft and fuzzy under the lights as she gave her speech with clear words and a composed tone.

“I am Rong Zhao from Class 1, Grade 12. It is an honor to stand here today on behalf of the faculty and students to welcome the incoming freshmen.”

Thunderous applause broke out, and Mingzhu forgot to clap. She looked up at the “Student Rong” of that time—so cool and transcendent—and her eyes remained fixed on Student Rong’s moving lips. She couldn’t look away, and she didn’t want to.

The colored lights swirled until the spotlight before her turned white. Mingzhu looked up at the General Manager on stage, her pale red lips moving. Years had passed, and yet she still couldn’t look away—still didn’t want to. Like a cold moon, or a warm sun—modest, elegant, and resilient.

“Rongke Group has always believed that giving back to society is a responsibility we must shoulder. Every bridge connecting towns is a path home. Rongke Group is willing to contribute funds and effort to build every new bridge with sincerity and goodwill. Though the journey is long, we shall walk it together.”

Mingzhu’s gaze shifted upward, meeting Rong Zhao’s clear, calm eyes. Gradually, she saw warmth and certainty within them. Clear wind and bright moon, the grace of elegant bamboo—a love without borders.

Grandma Rong whispered with a smile, “Is your Rongrong outstanding?”

Mingzhu’s heart was racing. She whispered proudly, “She is the most outstanding person in my heart.”

Outstanding, radiant, and dazzling.