Lianhua, the maid lingered by the doorway like a mother hen, still clearly not satisfied with Zhang Yue's rebellious declaration.
How can someone not get married, that too by choice? That's impossible.
"You know, young miss," she started, clearing her throat, "you can't avoid marriage forever. Sooner or later, every proper young lady gets married. It's... just how life works."
Zhang Yue arched her brow, tilting her head, amused. It is not even 24 hours since she stepped into this world and she is getting lectured on getting married and settling down. No way!
"Life works that way, huh? Funny. I must've missed that memo while dodging emotional trauma." She refuted with all her might.
Lianhua hesitated, wringing her hands. "Marriage isn't as bad as you think. A good husband can protect you, give you a home, even share your burdens. My cousin got married last winter, and now she lives like a queen! She doesn't even have to lift a finger, her husband treats her like gold."
Zhang Yue let out a soft chuckle, the sound laced with quiet bitterness. "Gold, huh? My mother probably thought the same when she married my father. You know how that turned out."
Lianhua fell silent, her lips pressing into a thin line. She had heard the whispers, of course , the Zhang family's perfect daughter marrying a man who turned out to be nothing short of a disaster. A fight that tore two families apart, a child caught in the crossfire.
Zhang Yue continued, voice light but razor-sharp. "If marriage is such a golden ticket, why did my mother run away from hers? If husbands are supposed to protect you, why didn't hers?"
The maid opened her mouth to defend her romantic notions, but another voice interrupted , warm, smooth, and unmistakably fond.
"She has a point, you know."
Both heads turned as Zhang Yanjun entered the room, hands casually tucked into his sleeves, that signature easygoing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His presence instantly softened the air, like the sun cutting through a cloudy afternoon.
Zhang Yue straightened, her playful expression shifting into something more sincere. "Uncle."
Zhang Yanjun walked over and gently ruffled her hair, a gesture so casual yet full of affection that even the maid lowered her head, quietly excusing herself. Of course, everyone in the Zhang family knew how much Zhang Yanjun adored his sister and it was normal that he has the same love for her niece as well.
"You don't need to worry about marriage," Zhang Yanjun said, his voice kind but firm. "Not now, not ever, not until you're ready. And when the time comes, I'll find you someone good. Someone who won't turn your life into another one of those Zhang family tragedies." His words bore the unspoken agony.
Zhang Yue blinked, caught slightly off guard by the promise tucked into his words. No one had ever said it so plainly before, that she didn't need to rush, didn't need to fold herself into a shape the world demanded.
She grinned, the usual mischief returning to her face. "What if I don't want you picking anyone either? What if I decide to live like a lone wolf? An eccentric, fabulous, single old lady with cats and questionable taste in furniture?"
Zhang Yan let out a quiet laugh. "Then I'll make sure you have the best cats and the comfiest furniture. Your life, your rules."
For the first time since waking up in this strange, second-hand version of her own life, Zhang Yue felt something other than dread pressing against her chest. It was hope , fragile, but real.
And for now, that was enough.
A moment passed before Zhang Yanjun lanced at her with a hint of concern clouding his features. "Do you remember anything from yesterday, Yue'er? You mentioned someone stole your belongings."
"I... I don't really remember what happened, Uncle." Zhang Yue replied, her voice carefully neutral. It was a lie, clear and calculated. But how could she even begin to explain that she wasn't from this timeline? That everything familiar had been turned on its head? So instead, she deflected.
Zhang Yanjun studied her for a beat longer but chose not to press. "It's alright. Just promise me you won't go wandering off again like that." He was terrified by the fact that Zhang Yue went missing just as she survived the accident.
"I won't," she said, her tone suddenly bright. "Are you heading out?"
"No, classes begin soon. Students will be arriving in a couple of hours."
"Classes? Wait, are you a teacher?" she asked, tilting her head curiously. Her uncle doesn't give off any kind of scholarly vibes. Maybe because of his youthful looks and physique.
He gave a modest smile. "Not exactly. I'm more of a trainer, I teach martial arts."
Zhang Yue's eyes widened slightly in appreciation. "That explains the arms," she teased, reaching out to gently tap his biceps. "No wonder you look like you walked straight out of a wuxia novel. I bet women line up to marry you."
He laughed heartily, shaking his head. "Yue'er, I think you might've hit your head harder than we thought."
She smirked, unwilling to let it go. "Trust me. I've dated enough men to know when someone's a catch."
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow. "You've dated enough...?"
The shift in his tone was subtle but unmistakable. Serious. Probing.
Zhang Yue cursed herself internally. That had slipped out too easily. In this world, in this body, she wasn't supposed to be someone reckless or experienced. She quickly backtracked. "I meant... compared to the men I've seen in my father's family. You're definitely better looking and way more put-together, Uncle. Honestly, why are you still single?"
Zhang Yan gave her a lopsided grin, clearly amused but not entirely deflected. "Maybe I'm just too young for marriage."
He gestured for her to follow him to the living room, where tea was already steeping.
But as they walked, Zhang Yue couldn't shake the feeling that her casual mention of marriage had touched a nerve. His words were light, but something unsaid lingered in the air, like a scar beneath well-worn fabric. Maybe, just maybe, "marriage" was a sore spot for him too.