Tang Qiyue covered Tang Xiuyuan's mouth and apologized to Zhan Zeye with a remorseful expression.
"My brother is young and speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
Zhan Zeye had no intention of pursuing the matter with his "cheap brother-in-law."
Instead, he took the newspaper from Tang Xiuyuan's hand.
He glanced at it but didn't immediately see anything unusual.
"Sister, is something wrong with his head?"
Tang Xiuyuan pulled her hand away from his mouth and muttered softly.
Tang Qiyue flicked his forehead.
"Be quiet. When will you grow up?"
Tang Xiuyuan rubbed his forehead and pointed at the newspaper in Zhan Zeye's hand.
"Dad actually published a notice in the newspaper kicking me out of the family!"
In a small corner of the newspaper, there was a tiny statement that would be almost impossible to notice without careful searching.
It seemed Tang's father didn't want to make a big scene—probably just enough to appease Tang Qiyue.
The notice stated that Tang's father was severing the father-son relationship with Tang Xiuyuan, and that they would have no further contact in the future.
After Tang Xiuyuan pointed it out, Zhan Zeye also noticed the statement. He looked at Tang Qiyue in surprise.
"What are the two of you planning?"
It was no wonder he was puzzled. Knowing Tang's father, that old man had been willing to sacrifice his daughter's marriage just to curry favor with a former superior. How could he willingly sever ties with his son?
Tang Xiuyuan didn't know the full plan either, but he sensed that the relationship between his sister and Zhan Zeye was somewhat delicate. They didn't seem to dislike each other very much.
Tang Qiyue explained honestly.
"The Tang family's background is a serious problem for Xiaoyuan. He took the college entrance exam this year and did very well. He'll definitely qualify for university, but the political background check could disqualify him."
Without her saying more, Zhan Zeye understood.
In recent years, political background checks had become increasingly strict. The Tang family were large capitalists. If someone used that fact against them, Tang Xiuyuan's university admission could easily be rejected.
Therefore, severing the relationship between Tang's father and Tang Xiuyuan would actually benefit him.
"Besides," Tang Qiyue continued, "my parents divorced ten years ago. My mother's status is just that of an ordinary citizen. If Xiaoyuan is registered under her household, he won't have any problems."
In truth, Tang Qiyue would have preferred to register her brother under the Zhan family's household. Zhan Zeye was a soldier, which meant the political background would be completely safe.
Unfortunately, she was a newly married woman. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to bring her younger brother into her husband's household, so she had to settle for the next best option.
Zhan Zeye folded the newspaper and handed it back to her.
"A newspaper notice alone isn't enough. You'll also need a handwritten certificate—preferably one that's notarized."
Tang Qiyue hadn't thought of that.
Worried that circumstances might change, she grabbed Tang Xiuyuan and prepared to return to the Tang family home immediately.
But just as they were about to leave, Zhan Zeye spoke again.
"Are you sure you want to go now?"
Tang Xiuyuan also stopped her.
"Sister, a bride returns to her parents' home on the third day after the wedding. Today is only the second day."
There were strict customs regarding a bride's return visit.
Having lived through the apocalypse in her previous life, Tang Qiyue had almost forgotten these traditions.
She sighed and said to Tang Xiuyuan:
"Then you go back first. I'll return tomorrow, and you can come with me."
Tang Xiuyuan pulled her aside and whispered:
"Mom said you should go home when you return. She has something to tell you. And about the money—she won't let me take it."
Tang Qiyue knew her mother well.
After divorcing Tang's father, her mother had supported the family alone by running a small clothing shop. Even when Tang's father occasionally sent money, she refused to accept it.
How could such a proud woman accept such a large sum of money?
"Hide it well," Tang Qiyue said. "I'll talk to Mom about it when I go back. You should deposit it in the bank."
She urged Tang Xiuyuan to leave first.
She hadn't yet established herself in the Zhan family and didn't want her brother's presence to make Zhan Zeye dislike her.
Although the Zhan family members were curious about Tang Xiuyuan, none of them stopped him because Zhan Zeye was standing nearby.
Only Zhan Chunying complained irritably.
"He has no manners. He didn't even greet the host!"
Tang Xiuyuan snorted when he heard that.
"I came to see my sister. What does it have to do with you?"
Zhan Chunying had a fiery temper and couldn't tolerate that remark. She immediately put her hands on her hips and chased after him.
Fortunately, Zhan's mother quickly stopped her.
"Enough! Your brother hasn't said anything yet. Why are you interfering?"
She poked Zhan Chunying's forehead twice.
However, her gaze shifted toward Tang Qiyue, revealing a trace of dissatisfaction.
Tang Qiyue opened her mouth to explain, but Zhan Zeye suddenly closed the door, cutting off her chance to speak.
Now only Tang Qiyue and Zhan Zeye remained in the room.
An awkward silence filled the air.
"Eunuch?"
Zhan Zeye suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
Tang Qiyue shivered.
She rubbed her hands nervously.
"He was misled by rumors! I'll definitely teach him a lesson when I get back. I won't let him spread nonsense!"
She forced a flattering smile onto her face. The expression looked strange on her naturally gentle features.
Zhan Zeye felt uncomfortable looking at it. If they weren't strangers, he might have reached out and straightened the curve of her lips.
"That would be best," he said.
Then he changed the topic.
"Why haven't you severed your relationship with your father?"
The flattering smile faded, replaced by a bitter one.
"I wanted to," Tang Qiyue said quietly, "but my father would never agree."
Her gaze briefly swept over Zhan Zeye.
"He's a profit-driven businessman. He would never agree to a losing deal."
Zhan Zeye wasn't stupid. He immediately understood what she meant.
"So he thinks I'll just swallow this bitter pill?"
Tang Qiyue knew Zhan Zeye wasn't the kind of person who accepted losses quietly.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken revenge on the Tang family after her tragic death in her previous life.
Of course, she also knew he hadn't done it for her. He simply despised Tang's father.
"I know I don't have any leverage to
negotiate with you," she said softly. "Just treat me as a housekeeper."
Her eyes were full of pleading.
Clinging to Zhan Zeye was her only chance to survive with dignity.
"You want me to violate regulations?"
Zhan Zeye's tone became stern.
"Put away your clever schemes."
Tang Qiyue had expected him to be difficult, but she hadn't expected this.
Still, she had no choice.
For her brother's sake—and for her own future—it was best for her to stay with the Zhan family.
"I'm sorry. I was too presumptuous."
She lowered her head.
"Then please take me back to the Tang family. You'll have to personally discuss the cancellation of the marriage."
Even if her life became difficult after the engagement was broken, it wouldn't be hopeless. At worst, she could follow Tang Chunlan's example and volunteer to go to the countryside.
Feeling dejected, Tang Qiyue walked toward the door, already thinking about how to protect her brother from their father's anger.
Suddenly, Zhan Zeye grabbed her arm.