Zhao Ru
The Wicked Fake Heiress, but Her Thoughts Can Be Heard
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Zhao Ru (赵茹) |
| Alias(es) | Aru, used by Bai Yaxin and Yun Yongchang; Aunt Zhao, used by the Lin children 6 8 9 |
| Gender | Female |
| Affiliation | Zhao family; married into the Ming family 8 9 |
| Occupation/Role | Homemaker; property owner who entrusts her assets to others to manage 9 |
| Family | Zhao Qi (younger sister); Yun Yongchang (husband); an unnamed biological daughter; Yun Mingning (raised as her son, later rejected) 8 9 32 |
| Status | Alive; has heart disease requiring regular medication 8 9 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 6 6 |
Background / History
Family and Marriage
Zhao Ru and Bai Yaxin have been friends since they were five. Her parents died several years before the events surrounding Yun Mingning’s engagement, and Bai Yaxin describes Zhao Qi as Zhao Ru’s only remaining relative. Zhao Qi is six years younger than her 8.
Zhao Ru married Yun Yongchang despite their unequal family backgrounds. Support from the Zhao family helped the Ming family prosper, while Zhao Ru believed her husband loved her. After marrying, she stayed at home; following the division of the family assets, she left her property in the hands of trusted managers. Zhao Qi instead took responsibility for the companies under the Zhao Group 8 9.
During a difficult delivery, Zhao Ru gave birth to a girl. Fearing that the Zhao family would not leave its assets to a granddaughter, Yun Yongchang sent the baby away and substituted a relative’s son, Yun Mingning. He exploited a brief interval when Bai Yaxin, who had accompanied Zhao Ru through the delivery, stepped outside to collect soup 8.
Rejection of Yun Mingning
While visiting the Lin family, Zhao Ru brought jewelry for Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan, having missed Xiawan’s family reunion banquet while abroad. Tingyue’s gift was a sapphire necklace 6.
During the visit, Yun Mingning announced his forthcoming marriage to the Song family’s eldest daughter while insisting that he would continue pursuing Cheng Jinshuang. Zhao Ru initially tried to preserve appearances, but Lin Tingyue’s inner voice revealed that he intended to invite all the women he liked to his wedding—and would even express interest in Zhao Qi. Horrified, Zhao Ru dragged him away 6.
At home, Yun Yongchang’s appeals and Yun Mingning’s apparent repentance briefly weakened her resolve to sever their relationship. When Zhao Qi arrived, however, Yun Mingning stared at her without restraint. Zhao Ru slapped him and declared that she would no longer acknowledge him as her son. Her anger aggravated her heart condition, prompting Zhao Qi to support her and help calm her breathing 8.
Exposure of Yun Yongchang
Zhao Ru remained adamant about rejecting Yun Mingning and demanded that Yun Yongchang choose between them. Bai Yaxin arrived to support her after hearing Lin Tingyue’s suspicions about the switched children and an attempt on Zhao Ru’s life. Alarmed by the confrontation, Zhao Qi instructed her assistant to investigate 9.
The assistant discovered that Yun Yongchang had deliberately replaced Zhao Ru’s heart medication. Police then uncovered annual transfers of several million to another account, which led them to the child-switching scheme. Three days later, Zhao Qi reported that he had been detained on suspicion of attempted murder and switching the children 9.
The discoveries left Zhao Ru visibly haggard despite her carefully applied makeup. She and Zhao Qi jointly decided to thank Lin Tingyue with Zhao Group shares; Zhao Qi delivered a card that would receive the associated bonuses and dividends 9.
Later Life
Zhao Ru later joined Bai Yaxin and Wu Qianyun for afternoon tea. Her experience with Yun Yongchang had heightened Wu Qianyun’s worries about her daughter Taotao’s marriage. Zhao Ru reassured her that Taotao still had both parents to support her 29.
When Taotao defended Feng Qin’s absence as work-related, Zhao Ru warned her about men’s lies. She and Bai Yaxin deliberately brought Lin Tingyue over, recognizing that her thoughts could expose any wrongdoing. Zhao Ru subsequently accompanied the group to the Yunting Grand Hotel, where Wu Qianyun caught Feng Qin with other partners 30.
Bai Yaxin later defended Zhao Ru against Zhang Liyuan’s disparaging remarks, describing her as having a filial daughter, money, and leisure—and being better off than she had been with Yun Yongchang. The supplied account does not describe her daughter’s return or identify her by name 32.
Appearance
- Beauty: Still beautiful despite visible signs of age at the corners of her eyes 6.
- Voice and bearing: Speaks in a measured, pleasant voice and ordinarily maintains a dignified expression 6.
- After the investigation: Appears exhausted and haggard enough that makeup cannot conceal it 9.
Personality
Zhao Ru is courteous and generous, bringing gifts for both Lin daughters and initially trying to maintain decorum when Yun Mingning embarrasses her. Her restraint ends when she believes Zhao Qi is threatened: although she briefly softens toward his apology, his behavior toward her sister makes her resolute about rejecting him 6 8.
She acknowledges the deception she suffered rather than defending Yun Yongchang afterward. Her warning to Taotao draws directly on that experience, while her decision to reward Lin Tingyue demonstrates gratitude for the help that exposed him 9 30.
Abilities & Skills
Hearing Lin Tingyue’s Thoughts
- Zhao Ru hears Lin Tingyue’s inner voice during the visit to the Lin home, initially wondering where the voice came from 6.
- The thoughts alert her to Yun Mingning’s intended wedding behavior and interest in Zhao Qi 6.
- She later knowingly brings Lin Tingyue into Taotao’s conversation, expecting her thoughts to reveal whether Feng Qin has wronged her 30.
Relationships
- Zhao Qi — Younger sister and protector. She helps Zhao Ru during her heart-related distress, initiates the investigation into Yun Yongchang, and jointly arranges the reward for Lin Tingyue 8 9.
- Bai Yaxin — Childhood friend since age five. She supported Zhao Ru during childbirth, intervenes during the family confrontation, and later defends her life without Yun Yongchang 8 9 32.
- Yun Yongchang — Husband whose apparent devotion concealed the substitution of her child and deliberate tampering with her medication 8 9.
- Yun Mingning — The boy she unknowingly raised in place of her daughter. She insists on severing their mother–son relationship after witnessing his behavior toward Zhao Qi 8 9.
- Biological daughter — Sent away at birth by Yun Yongchang. Bai Yaxin later describes Zhao Ru’s daughter as filial 8 32.
- Lin Tingyue — Friend’s daughter and beneficiary of Zhao Ru’s generosity. Her audible thoughts help expose the threats within Zhao Ru’s household, earning the sisters’ gratitude 6 9.
- Wu Qianyun and Taotao — Social companions whom Zhao Ru supports when concerns arise about Taotao’s husband 29 30.