Zhan Zeyi lay on the ground for a long moment before reacting.
He had just been thrown down and restrained by his own wife.
If he hadn't experienced it himself, he would never have believed it.
He knew Tang Qiyue was strong—but not this strong.
Rubbing his head, he stayed silent for a long time, questioning his dignity.
Beside him, Tang Qiyue rubbed her nose awkwardly.
"Um… get up first. I moved too quickly and forgot to hold back."
Zhan Zeyi: …
He looked at the hand extended toward him, then finally took it and stood up with her help.
This was truly embarrassing.
"Is that strength natural?"
Zhan Zeyi brushed the grass off his clothes. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he knew he had been careless.
With his abilities, he shouldn't have been defeated so easily. It had only happened because he underestimated her.
"I guess so."
Tang Qiyue kept her answer vague. Being too specific might invite unnecessary investigation.
"From now on, don't reveal this strength in front of others. Only in front of me."
Seeing the strange look she gave him, Zhan Zeyi quickly added,
"I mean—for your own safety. You don't want to attract attention from the wrong people."
Tang Qiyue nodded lightly.
Then she muttered, "If you hadn't insisted on kissing me just now, none of this would have happened."
Doing something like that outside—what if someone saw? It would be embarrassing.
Zhan Zeyi understood immediately.
He deserved that.
His wife was still shy.
He coughed twice, pretending nothing had happened, and reached for her hand again. This time, Tang Qiyue stopped him with a look.
"We're not pretending to be married," he said confidently. "We are married. What's wrong with holding hands?"
Tang Qiyue was speechless.
He had just been thrown to the ground—and still had the nerve.
But then she thought about it. Men cared about their pride, and she would need his protection in the future. It was just holding hands. Compared to everything else, it wasn't much.
She didn't pull away this time.
"Just don't do this in front of others."
Zhan Zeyi agreed immediately.
Tang Qiyue bent down and picked up the peach shortbread that had fallen earlier when he suddenly lifted her. It was probably crushed by now.
She shot him an annoyed look.
All his fault.
The two walked on awkwardly until they reached their destination.
Zhan Zeyi kept his word and let go of her hand before speaking to the guards. Since they were all his subordinates, there was no trouble entering.
Inside, things were still being arranged.
It was only the first day. No research had begun yet. Equipment wasn't ready, and the people themselves needed time to adjust to the island.
Tang Xiuyuan was staying in a dormitory with Bai Xu.
The room was small, shared by eight people—four beds on each side.
Tang Qiyue stayed outside while Zhan Zeyi went in to call them.
Tang Xiuyuan had already met Zhan Zeyi earlier and knew his sister was on the island. He had planned to find her, but his teacher had called him away before he got the chance.
Later, Bai Xu told him that Tang Qiyue had been on the beach collecting seafood, which made him feel a little upset.
The moment he saw Zhan Zeyi, he knew.
Without even putting on his shoes, he ran outside.
"Sis! I'm here!"
He rushed forward and tried to hug her.
Tang Qiyue pressed a hand against his shoulder, stopping him.
Although they were twins, she had always been the more composed one.
Tang Xiuyuan didn't mind at all. Instead, he grinned, even more excited.
It was still his sister. Even after marriage, nothing had really changed.
Bai Xu followed behind, carrying his shoes, with Zhan Zeyi beside him. Meanwhile, several people peeked from the doorway, watching.
After all, the dormitory was full of men. Seeing a woman—especially one described as exceptional—naturally drew attention.
The result was silence.
Tang Xiuyuan was already handsome, but Tang Qiyue, as his twin, was strikingly beautiful—so much so that people didn't dare stare for long.
Zhan Zeyi's expression darkened.
He clearly didn't like the attention his wife was getting.
"Let's go for a walk. I've already informed them."
Tang Qiyue also felt uncomfortable under so many gazes and nodded.
Tang Xiuyuan quickly put on his shoes, too excited to notice anything else.
"Let's go," Bai Xu said. "We haven't even explored the island yet."
Tang Xiuyuan wrapped an arm around Tang Qiyue's shoulder, bombarding her with questions. She answered patiently.
Then she opened the peach shortbread and handed it to him.
"Eat something."
Both Tang Xiuyuan and Bai Xu knew she had brought plenty, so they didn't hesitate.
"Sis, you have no idea how much I needed this!" Tang Xiuyuan said while eating. "These past few days have been miserable. The food doesn't suit me, and I got so seasick I almost collapsed getting off the ship!"
He kept talking nonstop, completely different from his usual intelligent and composed self.
Zhan Zeyi looked disgusted.
Bai Xu quietly explained, "He's not usually like this. Only around you."
Zhan Zeyi clicked his tongue but said nothing.
As they talked, Tang Qiyue realized she didn't need to ask why Tang Xiuyuan had come.
In fact, it was safer for him to be here.
If the Tang family's situation worsened, even if ties were cut, blood relations couldn't be erased. Trouble would eventually find him.
Now, only their mother remained to deal with everything.
"Does Mother know you're here?"
Tang Qiyue turned to Bai Xu.
He shook his head.
"When we left with the teacher, we only said it was for school. Our location is confidential because of national work, but we'll send letters regularly so she won't worry."
Tang Qiyue felt relieved.
Seeing her expression, Zhan Zeyi understood that she didn't fully grasp the restrictions.
"You can write to your mother," he said, "but you can't mention that he's here. Not a single word about this place or the technicians can be revealed."
Tang Qiyue was surprised—but quickly understood.
"And tomorrow, everyone will sign a confidentiality agreement. There will also be individual briefings. Be prepared."