He said, “The schematics are not an issue. But you must return to the Tang Clan.”

Tang Wen’s demeanor was unchanged from usual, his tone light and distant, as if he were merely commenting on the pleasant weather.

Zi Ye stared at him blankly for a long moment before finally finding her voice, “Why?”

On the journey back from the Garbage Planet, Tang Wen had once claimed she was his sister, but there had been no evidence to support it, nor any inappropriate follow-up actions from him. She had willfully ignored the statement, clinging only to the hope that he was joking with a poor sense of humor.

As for the Tang Clan, she felt no affection for them, nor did she possess even a basic understanding of their structure.

She didn't know who Tang Wen’s parents were.

Compared to Tang Wen’s ‘lie,’ she found it more believable that she was an orphan raised without parents, her family consisting of Tang Shan, Red Hair, Old Dog, and that Dead Pervert.

She couldn't fathom becoming the princess of a powerful house—no, a lineage—like Ilya.

“No!”

Zi Ye shook her head violently. That was absolutely not the life she desired.

The longer she spent in space, the more she understood that what she truly craved was a peaceful and comfortable existence: a space free from war, where her legion wasn't eyed covetously by others, where An Junlie had time to spend with her, and she had time to work on mechs or design starships...

The name ‘Tang Clan’ had no place in the blueprint of her entire life.

She couldn't grasp why Tang Wen insisted on this.

Tang Wen said softly, “Because you are my sister.”

They both had their video feeds open. On the screen, Tang Wen’s expression was serious, clearly not joking. His long eyelashes cast shadows over his eyes, concealing his emotions.

In the past, Zi Ye had found this sight immensely pleasing, but now, seeing him like this inexplicably tightened a knot in her chest. “Why pick this moment?”

Tang Wen lifted his eyes. “If I didn’t force you, would you agree?”

Zi Ye turned her face away.

—In this regard, Tang Wen understood her perfectly.

As the standoff persisted, Bran knocked lightly and entered.

Tang Wen glanced up at Bran, then addressed Zi Ye, “Think it over carefully. Come find me when you’ve decided.”

Bran watched him end the call and sighed. “Must you push her while pressuring yourself?”

Tang Wen placed his hands on the desk and slowly leaned his forehead onto the cool surface, murmuring, “I don’t know…”

Bran couldn’t bring himself to criticize him. “I understand. The Tang Sect Master is forcing you to assume leadership for the sake of the Madam. Will the Madam be happy if you force Zi Ye back into the Clan?”

Tang Wen still offered no reply.

He didn't even lift his head, seemingly having drifted off to sleep.

Bran reached out as if to gently tousle his hair but stopped himself, changing the subject instead. “Shall I teach you to play the zither?”

Tang Wen: “…”

He heard nothing.

“Brother Tang Wen, are you in there?” A bright, crisp voice cut through the communication system into their ears.

Tang Wen burrowed his head even lower.

Bran knew instantly, without looking, that the voice belonged to Tang Wan.

Tang Wan was the adopted daughter of Tang Mingyuan, the Head of Logistics. Spoiled by her four elder brothers since childhood, she was practically effervescent. Since Tang Wen’s return to the Tang Clan headquarters, she had been knocking on his door every other day, eager to play.

Bran, knowing Tang Wen wanted nothing to do with her, prepared to step out and send her away, but Tang Wen suddenly thought of something and looked up. “Let her in.”

Bran cast him a look of surprise, said nothing, and returned to stand beside him, issuing a silent command on the light screen.

The door slid open silently, revealing Tang Wan standing before them.

It was the first time Tang Wan had seen the door open on its own accord. Seeing Tang Wen sitting at his desk, resting his chin on his hand, completely unaware of the slight furrow in his brow, she mistook his posture for bored dozing and was delighted. She bounced in, her palm-sized face radiating sweet smiles, and immediately reached out to grab Tang Wen’s hand. “Brother Tang Wen, let’s go out and play!”

Tang Wen remained still, looking up. “Wan’er, I want to ask you a question.”

Tang Wan giggled. “Ask away, I promise to answer.”

Tang Wen studied her expression. “Wan’er, if one day you knew who your biological parents were, would you go back to them?”

Tang Wan froze slightly. Bran nearly lunged to clamp his hand over Tang Wen’s mouth.

What an utterly terrible question! Was he trying to overload the usually carefree girl with psychological baggage?

But Tang Wan merely laughed, not a trace of sadness on her face. “No, I wouldn’t. My current Mom and Dad are wonderful to me. Elder Brother One, Two, and Three are all so good to me too. Even though Fourth Brother often plays mean tricks, I never get truly angry, honest.” Tang Wan counted off her four brothers on her fingers. “If they hadn’t abandoned me, I never would have met such wonderful Mom and Dad. So, I wouldn’t go back to them!”

The little girl stated this with absolute certainty, then tugged on Tang Wen’s arm, her eyes wide and pleading. “Brother Tang Wen, are you trying to send poor little Wan’er away?”

For some inexplicable reason, Tang Wen was suddenly reminded of Zi Ye puffing out her cheeks. They were nearly the same age. Zi Ye was reserved and rarely expressed extreme joy or sorrow, whereas Wan’er was her complete opposite—crying when she needed to cry and laughing when she needed to laugh, never suppressing her feelings.

However, Tang Wan’s refusal stemmed from having better family now. Zi Ye, who had no family, why was she unwilling to return to her parents?

Noticing his deepening frown, Tang Wan leaned forward and, with a shwoop, flicked her two plump little fingers against his forehead. “Stop frowning, you’ll get old!”

Tang Wen stared at Tang Wan with an expressionless face.

Tang Wan showed no fear. She scurried from the desk to Tang Wen’s side, grabbing the flesh of his cheeks between her hands and squeezing tightly. “Don’t make a long face.”

Bran’s heart lurched. He worried Tang Wen might snap and throw her out immediately.

He had heard of this girl; she was spoiled by her parents and brothers, knowing neither boundaries nor fear, though she was inherently kind-hearted. If Tang Wen were to retaliate too strongly and wound her fragile feelings, the trouble would be immense.

The Tang Clan’s Head of Logistics, for all his other talents, excelled at protecting his own kin—and he protected this one daughter above all his sons. Bran could already picture the fifty-something-year-old minister weeping before the Tang Sect Master, recounting the barbaric ways Tang Wen had treated his precious darling daughter…

So, before Tang Wen could speak, Bran quickly pulled Tang Wan away and spoke in a soothing tone, “Wan’er, don’t bother Brother Tang Wen; he’s troubled right now.”

Tang Wan’s eyes darted left and right. “What is Brother Tang Wen troubled about?”

Bran sighed helplessly. “He’s troubled about someone.”

Tang Wan blinked in confusion. “Is Brother Tang Wen afraid of being alone? Then I’ll make a sacrifice and keep him company for a little while.”

-RS