After the Bankrupt Heiress Married into a Rich Family - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Drunk

Rong Zhao hugged her.

The “Mirror of Heaven” seemed to transition from a cold night into a spring night; cherry blossoms bloomed across the courtyard, and the lonely, cold crescent moon hanging loftily in the sky gained a touch of warmth.

In the dining room, candlelight burned within crystal candle cups. Mingzhu and Rong Zhao sat facing each other, the alcohol beginning to take effect. Their cheeks were flushed and luminous, and with every blink, the flicker of the candlelight danced in their eyes.

Mingzhu rested her chin on her hand and swung her legs—her most relaxed posture—while she studied Rong Zhao across from her, intentionally or otherwise.

Having showered, Rong Zhao’s long hair was draped loosely over her shoulders. Beneath her silk sleep-shirt painted with light floral oils, she wore a moon-white, waist-cinching silk camisole. Though the pajamas were loose and comfortable, her posture remained upright and elegant rather than lazy.

The way Rong Zhao drank was equally elegant. Her porcelain-white fingertips pinched the stem of the glass, swirling it gently. The ruby-red wine flowed slowly into her mouth, moistening her lips. She tilted her chin slightly, revealing a graceful profile as the wine slid down her slender throat, making her look like a refined celestial fairy drinking at a heavenly banquet.

Mingzhu thought mischievously: If Rong Zhao has a low tolerance, is it possible I’ll see her get drunk and act crazy tonight? If that happened, she would definitely record it for her own private viewing to compensate for the years of frustration in middle and high school when Rong Zhao always beat her in exams.

As the glass touched the table, Mingzhu noticed it was empty and immediately rose with enthusiasm to refill it. “I heard from Hehe that you don’t usually drink much. Looking at you tonight, your tolerance seems pretty good?”

Rong Zhao watched Mingzhu’s eager pouring and tilted her head slightly. “That’s enough. I have a low tolerance.”

Mingzhu heard her but pretended she hadn’t, stopping only after a deliberate few-second delay. She said affectedly, “Oh dear, I accidentally poured too much. Let me pour some into my glass.”

Rong Zhao blocked the rim of the glass with her palm. “No need. Leave it.”

Mingzhu put on an apologetic look. “But you just said your tolerance is low.”

Rong Zhao lifted her thin eyelids to look at her. “I’ll risk my life to accompany my younger sister. It’s fine.”

Younger sister.

Every time Mingzhu heard this title, she automatically assumed Rong Zhao was being sarcastic. This sentence was surely a jibe, proving Rong Zhao knew she was up to no good.

Sarcasm be damned. Mingzhu acted as if she didn’t understand, sitting back down with a smile to clink glasses with her.

“Are you getting used to living here these past two days?” Rong Zhao asked casually, elegantly taking a sip of wine and a bite of steak.

Mingzhu nodded seriously. “Very used to it. Especially Auntie Guan—she’s very good to me and thoughtful about everything.”

For example, while shopping today, she received a call from Auntie Guan asking what toiletries and skincare products she usually used. Mingzhu mentioned a few offhand, and when she returned home in the evening, they were already laid out in the bathroom and on the vanity.

Rong Zhao: “For example?”

Mingzhu: “For example, on the first day I arrived, Auntie Guan prepared clothes for me on the bed. Today she even got the specific toiletries I like. She’s too sweet. I really like her.”

Rong Zhao: “…”

Rong Zhao rubbed her temples with her long fingers. “As long as you like it.”

Mingzhu nodded and smiled. “Mhm, I do.”

“…”

The two chatted occasionally and clinked glasses every so often. Mingzhu grew increasingly enthusiastic, refilling Rong Zhao’s glass again. Suddenly, she thought of the procedures other couples go through after registering their marriage and asked in a low voice, “By the way, Rong Zhao, do we need to have a wedding? Do we need to take wedding photos?”

Rong Zhao glanced at the wine, lowered her lashes to cut her steak elegantly, and asked nonchalantly, “What do you think?”

Mingzhu thought to herself that she definitely didn’t want to. They didn’t have real feelings; she didn’t want to give her “first time” in life to Rong Zhao. Naturally, the fewer complications, the better.

As Mingzhu was thinking, she heard Rong Zhao’s thoughtful, cold voice from across the table: “I heard from He Chan that there is a makeup artist in Jiangyue City who does beautiful bridal makeup. She amplifies the bride’s natural beauty based on their unique features. Everyone she’s worked on says it was the most beautiful moment of their lives. She usually doesn’t take commissions, only for new brides. Mingzhu, have you heard of her?”

Beauty-conscious Mingzhu was instantly swayed. Her eyes wavered. Bridal makeup… amplifying natural beauty… most beautiful moment of her life… Oh no, she seemed to be tempted.

Since it’s a fake marriage anyway, experiencing a few more steps shouldn’t hurt.

Rong Zhao swept a glance at Mingzhu’s shining eyes. “Just a casual thought. You don’t have to take it to heart.”

“I haven’t heard of her, and I won’t take it to heart…” Mingzhu leaned forward to clink Rong Zhao’s glass, saying considerately, “Rong-Rong, here is what I think. You took me in and you’re paying me. I’m a person who pays back kindness. If your elders want to see wedding photos or attend a wedding, I will definitely do my best to cooperate with you.”

Rong Zhao pulled her glass back just in time to avoid the contact. “Mingzhu, I don’t want to force you, lest you resent me in the future.”

“I won’t. No force, no resentment. I’m willing,” Mingzhu insisted, stubbornly chasing after Rong Zhao’s glass to clink it.

After the crisp sound of the clink, Rong Zhao nodded. “Then, thank you.”

Mingzhu raised an eyebrow. “You’re welcome.”

The moon rose higher, its silver glow filtering through the cherry blossoms, causing the flower-shaped moon-shadows on the ground to sway. Rong Zhao leaned on her hand, blinking slowly. She was clearly drunk.

Mingzhu thought she had finally bested Rong Zhao in terms of alcohol tolerance. She called out softly, “Rong Zhao, if you’re sleepy, go back to your room and sleep?”

Rong Zhao took a few seconds to respond. “I’m not sleepy.”

Mingzhu was slightly surprised. The drunk Rong Zhao had shed her cold, aloof aura. Her voice was very quiet and soft.

Mingzhu thought for a moment and told Rong Zhao to wait. She went down to the basement to find Auntie Guan, who then got another maid. The two women helped Rong Zhao into the elevator and back to her room. Mingzhu could have supported Rong Zhao herself, but she was afraid of accidentally dropping her and bruising that precious face; it was better to play it safe.

The two maids busied themselves for a while, coaxing Rong Zhao to brush her teeth and rinse her mouth before tucking her in and leaving.

After closing the door, Mingzhu sat by the bed and watched Rong Zhao. Auntie Guan had probably never seen Rong Zhao drunk before; she had been frowning with worry the whole time. Mingzhu hadn’t seen it either. The drunk Rong Zhao lacked her usual frigidity; it was as if a cold person had retracted their shield, revealing a soft underbelly.

Mingzhu quietly took a photo of the drunken, sleeping Rong Zhao—looking so soft she seemed entirely at Mingzhu’s mercy—and saved it in a private album on her phone. It wasn’t that she intended to use it to blackmail her; she just inexplicably wanted to keep it. Perhaps it was a form of… psychological victory.

After brushing her teeth, Mingzhu returned, took out her own quilt from the cabinet, and laid it on her side of the bed. They had been sleeping under separate quilts for the past few nights.

Feeling drowsy from the wine, Mingzhu fell into a hazy sleep. Suddenly, she snapped her eyes open. Incredibly, she was being held by Rong Zhao!

When did Rong Zhao crawl into her quilt?!

Horrified, Mingzhu turned over to push her away. With that push, Mingzhu was shocked—Rong Zhao’s body was actually very soft; she was pushed away easily.

However, as soon as she pushed her away, Rong Zhao hugged her again.

Mingzhu’s eyes adjusted to the darkness. She saw that Rong Zhao still had her eyes closed, still seemingly asleep.

But Rong Zhao’s cheeks seemed even redder—red to the point of being vivid.