The more one tries to avoid something, the more inescapable it becomes. Zi Ye simply decided not to evade it any longer. Better to resolve it sooner than later. Taking a deep breath, she initiated a comm link.
On the connection, Tang Wen’s face was alight with a smile, though a subtle, unfamiliar tension could be detected upon closer inspection. “Zi Ye, do you have a moment?”
The instant Zi Ye saw him, something within her seemed to resolve itself. Regardless of Tang Wen’s agenda, he had helped her. Once, he had aided her in accumulating foundational knowledge; now, he had helped rescue Hong Fa and earned the Wolf’s Den universal acclaim among the stars.
Tang Wen hadn't changed at all; he was just as reckless in pursuing whatever he desired as when she first knew him in university.
Thinking it over, she admitted she was quite envious of him. Few people lived with such carefree abandon.
She smiled faintly. “I do. I’m preparing to head to the Kakala Star System.”
Tang Wen’s tense demeanor instantly eased. “Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”
Zi Ye sent him her coordinates via comm. “I’ll wait for you.”
After hanging up, Zi Ye hurried back to her room. Tang Wen was coming; tidying herself up was paramount. Since arriving on this junk planet, she hadn't paid any attention to her appearance. Just now, seeing Tang Wen’s understated yet luxurious attire on the screen, she suddenly felt as if she had crawled out of a garbage heap.
She had just finished changing when Tang Wen arrived. With him were Bu Lan, and a young girl she’d never met before. The young girl was tall, but her face still held a clear trace of youth. When she smiled, two sweet dimples appeared, complemented by a warm-toned dress that made her look incredibly fresh and cute. Zi Ye watched her, and the girl watched Zi Ye in return.
“Brother Tang Wen, is this the Xiao Ye Zi you mentioned?” The young girl asked, holding onto Tang Wen’s arm, her eyes darting curiously over Zi Ye.
Tang Wen let out a soft affirmation and walked towards Zi Ye. The little girl skipped along beside him. Before Tang Wen could speak, she looped her arm through Zi Ye’s, her eyes wide. “Hi, hi! Are you Xiao Ye Zi? Bu Lan said you might be really amazing.”
Zi Ye: “…I’m actually quite useless, honestly.”
The little girl was instantly familiar and friendly, shaking Zi Ye’s arm. “Either Bu Lan is lying to me, or you are.”
Zi Ye turned her head to look at her. “Who do you think is the liar?” —This was practically self-sabotage; she either had to admit she was useless or admit she was a deceiver.
The little girl puffed out her cheeks in distress, looking left at Bu Lan and right at Zi Ye. Finally, as if making a grand decision, she pointed at Bu Lan. “I think Bu Lan is the liar!”
Zi Ye: “…Why?”
The little girl declared loudly, “Because we are both girls! We should team up against them!”
Zi Ye chuckled softly. “Alright, starting now, we are allies. My beautiful ally sister, what’s your name?”
The little girl belatedly realized she had forgotten to introduce herself and quickly said, “My name is Tang Wan, everyone calls me Xiao Wan’er.”
Oh, so she was related to Tang Wen’s family.
Zi Ye smoothly accepted the nickname. “Got it, Xiao Wan’er.”
Xiao Wan’er was ecstatic. “Zi Ye, Zi Ye, let’s go shopping!”
Zi Ye laughed lightly. “How about a trip to the Kakala Star System?”
Xiao Wan’er raised her fist. “Let’s go!”
And so, Xiao Ye Zi and Xiao Wan’er walked hand-in-hand toward the shuttle.
Bu Lan glanced at Tang Wen. Tang Wen waved his hand dismissively; he hadn't actually expected Xiao Ye Zi and Xiao Wan’er to bond so quickly.
The reason he had brought Tang Wan along was that she had accused him of deceiving her emotions previously; he had promised to take her out, only to stand her up. The consequences of offending Tang Wan were severe. Tang Wan would tell everyone she knew that Tang Wen had deceived her, and within a day, everyone who knew Tang Wan knew Tang Wen was a liar. This time, when Tang Wen asked Zi Ye out, he feared upsetting her. Thinking that Tang Wan was also a girl, perhaps two girls would communicate more easily, he decided to bring Tang Wan along. The outcome proved his move was remarkably correct. Because, at this moment, both Tang Wan and Zi Ye had abandoned him!
Bu Lan settled into the captain’s seat and started the shuttle; Tang Wen, Zi Ye, and Tang Wan sat in the lounge area, with Tang Wan and Zi Ye on one side, and Tang Tang Wen on the other.
Tang Wan was like a fledgling bird just released from its cage, chattering away. “Xiao Ye Zi, where did you go to school?”
Zi Ye responded helplessly, “Kaja, but I took a leave of absence.”
Tang Wan’s eyes widened. “You’re not Brother Tang Wen’s student, are you?”
Zi Ye: “…Fine, you guessed correctly again.”
“Ahhhh!” Tang Wan dramatically rolled around on the sofa in frustration. “Why do you get to attend university at Kaja and be Brother Tang Wen’s student, but I only get to attend Tang Sect University?”
Zi Ye shot a surprised look at Tang Wen. Tang Wen rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window, completely ignoring Zi Ye’s non-verbal inquiry.
Zi Ye had no choice but to take on the responsibility of comforting Tang Wan. “It doesn’t matter which university you attend, does it? You can always ask him questions anytime.”
Tang Wan’s lip drooped to a distance of three feet. “You don’t know, Brother Tang Wen refuses to teach me. He thinks I’m stupid.”
Zi Ye said, “It’s okay, if he won’t teach you, I will.”
Tang Wan’s eyes immediately lit up. “Really?”
Zi Ye nodded, giving her assurance. “I plan to anchor a space station in the Kakala Star System and establish an air force assembly workshop here. I’ll be around frequently from now on.”
Tang Wan’s eyes shone brightly. “That’s wonderful! Tang Sect First University is only a ten-minute trip to the Kakala Star System. It’s settled then!”
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the Kakala Star System. Kakala’s space station and stargate were filled with Tang Sect architectural styling, so classical it felt like a journey back several centuries.
Zi Ye glanced at the star map; the coordinates were precise—exactly the space station she wanted to inspect. Tang Wen’s mind-reading skills were becoming increasingly formidable…
Tang Wan grasped Zi Ye’s hand, stood up, and then asked, “Let’s visit our school later, okay?”
Zi Ye readily agreed. After just a few minutes of conversation, the two had clearly become fast friends.
Upon exiting the shuttle, Tang Wan pulled Zi Ye along into an air-skiff, speeding ahead. Tang Wen and Bu Lan followed behind. Tang Wan enthusiastically narrated everything, while Zi Ye listened quietly. In any case, she understood: Tang Wan was a chatterbox. However, this girl possessed a truly kind heart. Sigh, she genuinely hoped Tang Wen wouldn't corrupt her.
Tang Wen spent the entire trip just accompanying them. Only after Zi Ye had toured the entire space station did he ask her how she felt. Zi Ye shared her vision, Tang Wen jotted down notes, and instructed Bu Lan to take them back to the architectural designers for revisions.
The group toured until evening. Tang Wan, exhausted from exploring, collapsed onto the lounge sofa in the shuttle and promptly fell asleep. Zi Ye couldn't help but marvel again: Tang Wan was easier to satisfy than a pig! Though exhausted from the day’s touring, she felt mentally energized. Just thinking that this space station would soon become the Wolf’s Den’s air force assembly workshop filled her with excitement.
Tang Wen stayed by her side the whole way, occasionally interjecting a few words. In truth, if his only purpose was for her to look at the space station, there was no need for him to accompany her like this. However, his objective wasn't merely showing her the space station; it was simply to spend more time with her, to lower her guard. Since he had proposed Zi Ye’s return to the Tang Sect, the distance between them hadn't closed; if anything, it had widened.
Noticing the fatigue on Zi Ye’s face, he asked with concern, “Are you tired?”
Zi Ye shook her head. “I’m alright.”
Tang Wen shook his head. “You’re much stronger than Tang Wan.”
Zi Ye thought of Tang Wan and couldn’t help but smile slightly. That girl was resilient; she had talked non-stop all day long, which was probably why she was exhausted enough to sleep.
“Is she your sister?”
Tang Wen paused his steps, turning his head to look at her seriously. “No. I only have one sister, and that’s you.”
Zi Ye shrugged. “Then her?”
Tang Wen replied, “She is the daughter of a close friend of my father.”
Zi Ye nodded. It wasn't easy to be brought along by Tang Wen.
The two resumed touring the space station, exchanging only occasional sentences. Tang Wen never brought up serious matters. Zi Ye stewed over it for a while, and finally couldn't hold back. “Did you ask me out today just to introduce Xiao Wan’er to me?”
“No.” Tang Wen abruptly dropped the calm demeanor he had worn and suddenly asked, “Do you resent me?”
Zi Ye froze. Holy cow, Big Brother Tang Wen, don’t suddenly switch to the sentimental route! My heart can’t handle it! After a moment of thought, she shook her head. “I don’t resent you.”
Tang Wen seemed surprised, but more so, delighted. “Why not?”
Zi Ye said helplessly, “You didn't do anything wrong. If I were in your shoes, I might have done the same thing. Regardless, I still admire you quite a bit.”
Tang Wen: “…Is that all?”
Zi Ye was silent for a long moment. “May I ask the reason behind your actions?”
Tang Wen slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and stated plainly, “The Tang Sect will not allow its bloodline to remain adrift outside.”
Zi Ye had long expected a similar reason. “In other words, as long as my name is re-registered with the Tang Sect, that’s fine? There won't be any other demands, right?”
If that were the case, it wouldn't affect her daily life, so having her name under the Tang Sect didn't matter to her. Perhaps the only adjustment would be Tang Wen becoming her elder brother. Having someone as outstanding as Tang Wen as her brother would put a lot of pressure on her.
Tang Wen curved his lips slightly. He wanted Zi Ye back in the Tang Sect for only one reason: to bring her under his protection, to shield her for a lifetime. He was jealous of An Junlie, jealous that An Junlie could stand rightfully by Zi Ye’s side, helping her in battle, while he could do nothing. That was why he had agreed to his father's request to prepare to inherit the Tang Sect’s affairs. Only by standing at a sufficiently high position, wielding enough power, could he protect those he wished to shield. However, he didn't know how to explain this to Zi Ye. Explanation had never been his strong suit; he was too accustomed to keeping things locked away in his heart.
Since Tang Wen hadn't replied for a long time, Zi Ye pressed again. “What exactly is it? Please tell me.”
Tang Wen said, “Do you have time tomorrow? We’ll go to the Tang Sect headquarters to conduct blood and DNA testing.”
Zi Ye sharply turned her head. “So you still aren't certain I’m your sister?”