12

Zai Ye still remembered the first time he met his future brother-in-law. Back then, Zhang Xihuan was even more composed than he was now—already a well-known lawyer in the industry.

He wasn’t married, completely devoted to his work, and even more of a workaholic than Vice President Zhang.

At their first meeting, the brother-in-law had worn a friendly smile and taken a warm, familiar tone to lower his guard, chatting casually like they were old friends. He even hinted that if Zai Ye ever had any shady legal matters to deal with, he, as the soon-to-be brother-in-law, could lend a hand—after all, they were practically family.

Right then, Zai Ye had thought the guy wasn’t exactly on the up and up, but for Vice President Zhang’s sake, he nodded along politely.

Who knew the man would turn around and tell Vice President Zhang that Zai Ye’s company was involved in shady business, possibly even illegal, and that marrying him wouldn’t be a wise choice?

From that moment, Zai Ye realized—this brother-in-law was a master of entrapment.

Now, walking through the front door and seeing that same calculating look on Zhang Xihuan’s face, Zai Ye couldn’t help but think: he was still too green back then, nowhere near the level he’d reach a decade later.

Glancing at his wife and daughter, who were happily watching cartoons and doing workbook exercises in the living room, Zai Ye greeted casually, “Hey, bro, have you eaten?”

Zhang Xihuan looked like he’d rather not acknowledge him at all. But he was still young, a man who cared about appearances, not yet skilled at outright confrontation. Plus, Qian was watching. His combat effectiveness dropped sharply.

Facing the shameless Zai Ye, he forced a fake smile. “Yeah, I’ve eaten.”

Zai Ye replied, “I haven’t.”

Zhang Xihuan: “?”

What’s that got to do with me? Don’t tell me I’m supposed to cook for you?

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. The food at home just ran out,” Zhang Xihuan said.

Zai Ye responded generously, “No problem, I’m fine with instant noodles.”

Their thoughtful daughter immediately ran to the drawer and pulled out the stash of instant noodles her mom had hidden, trotting over happily. “The noodles are right here!”

Zhang Xihuan turned to Zhang Qinghe and started nagging. “Why are you buying instant noodles again? They’re not nutritious. If you really don’t want to cook, at least order some soup from downstairs, or get some tangyuan or dumplings—anything’s better than instant noodles.”

“Yeah, got it,” Zhang Qinghe replied without looking up, still focused on her homework.

Suddenly the fire shifted toward Vice President Zhang. Zai Ye cleared his throat and busied himself with the noodles, striking up a conversation with his brother-in-law.

“You might not know me well yet, but I think we’re family now, and we get along just fine… By the way, bro, you’re aware of our situation now, right? Or do I need to explain it again?”

Zhang Xihuan, who had already heard the story from his sister, kept up the fake smile. “Not really clear. Go ahead.”

Let’s see what kind of nonsense you’ll come up with.

And so, Zhang Xihuan listened as Zai Ye recounted how he and Zhang Qinghe met.

At first, Zhang Qinghe hadn’t worked at Zai Ye’s company. She was the assistant to a CEO they were collaborating with.

Fresh out of college, she had been sexually harassed at her previous job. Zai Ye, impressed by her professionalism and attention to detail, offered her a high salary to join his company. He had promised her that such workplace harassment would never happen under his watch.

Zhang Xihuan was fuming as he listened, unsure who he was angrier at. “Harassed by the boss at one company, then poached by another boss who ended up marrying her? Hmph, all capitalists are the same—no good ones among them!”

Zai Ye defended himself, “She quickly became my chief assistant. I treated her very well.”

He remembered how every time he gave Chief Assistant Zhang a raise, she’d become softer and more patient with him. It felt like playing a game where only spending money could raise the affection meter.

But ever since their relationship changed, money no longer worked to boost affection. The ways to earn her favor had become unpredictable.

Zhang Xihuan narrowed his eyes. “So you’re saying you didn’t have your eye on my sister from the start?”

Zai Ye replied, “I admired her work ethic. She’s very capable.”

Back when he was negotiating a deal with that CEO, Chief Assistant Zhang had everything prepared meticulously. Her coordination was seamless, her efficiency top-notch. He couldn’t help but envy her boss, especially when he looked at his own clueless assistant.

At first, he really did just think she was a great employee. As for what happened later… well, no one could’ve seen that coming.

Tong Jianxu had mocked him about it countless times already.

Zhang Xihuan then grilled him with more detailed questions about Zhang Qinghe’s future, and Zai Ye answered them all one by one.

Finally, Zai Ye raised an eyebrow and asked, “Bro, want to know which law firm you’ll end up joining?”

“Want to know what the future holds?”

“Want to hear about the shocking scandal involving the famous lawyer Zhu Hong?”

Zhang Xihuan: “…”

Okay, he kind of did.

The tide was turning.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qinghe was distracted from her workbook, glancing toward the kitchen now and then. The door was closed, and all she could see was the two of them boiling water and making noodles. They’d already finished eating, yet they were still talking and hadn’t come out.

Well, at least they hadn’t started fighting.

If they weren’t fighting, maybe everything was fine?

As she neared the end of her workbook, the kitchen door finally opened. Zai Ye and Zhang Xihuan walked out one after the other. From their expressions, it was impossible to tell who had won the verbal sparring match.

Zhang Xihuan wiped his hands and walked over to his sister, speaking in a low voice. “I tested him for you. That guy’s slick and sly. If he ever lies to you, you might not even notice.”

Zhang Qinghe: “?”

Slick and sly? Was he talking about Senior Zai Ye? The man was clearly a cold-faced, cool-headed guy—and a fierce but loving dad.

Zhang Xihuan added, “And he’s not even attracted to your looks.”

Sitting on the couch with ears perked up, Zai Ye thought: When did I ever say that?

This brother-in-law really had a talent for twisting words and taking things out of context.

After hearing all the bad things her brother had to say about Zai Ye, Zhang Qinghe realized something—her brother must’ve lost the argument in the kitchen.

At this point, Zai Ye looked at his brother-in-law the way one might look at a conniving court official whispering slander into the emperor’s ear—sowing discord and undermining the loyal.

He couldn’t let him keep stirring the pot.

So Zai Ye scooped up Qian, who was watching cartoons, and played his trump card: the mischievous child.

Zhang Xihuan, still trying to get in his jabs, was quickly overwhelmed by Qian’s relentless energy. Zai Ye chuckled smugly.

Zhang Qinghe observed the three of them quietly and came to a conclusion: they were like a food chain—each one countered the next. Everything seemed fine.

She might as well go back to finishing her workbook.

Ever since Qian came into the picture, the once-busy Zhang Xihuan had started coming home much more often.

Zhang Qinghe felt exhausted just watching him. More than once, she told him not to rush back—he should take some time to rest.

The first time she tried to talk him out of it, Zhang Xihuan was in the kitchen wearing an apron, watching Qian gnaw on cola chicken wings. He smiled and said, “I’m not tired at all.”

He looked just like a doting grandma.

The second time she tried, Zhang Xihuan was sipping coffee to stay awake, laptop in hand, working online. He glanced at Zai Ye, who was sitting in their living room doing make-up lessons, and gave a cold smile. “I’m not tired at all.”

This time, he looked like the Big Bad Wolf in grandma’s clothing.

Zhang Qinghe gave up trying to talk her brother out of it. She turned to Zai Ye instead.

Zai Ye was easygoing. He picked up his book, stuffed it into his pocket, and left, even tossing back, “If I can’t come to your place, then next time you come to mine.”

Seeing how prepared he was, Zhang Qinghe suspected he was deliberately provoking her brother—and it seemed like he’d won this round of their silent rivalry again.

And Zai Ye was indeed quite pleased with himself. He basked in that smugness for over a month.

Then came July, and with it, the dreaded parent-teacher conferences.

Back when he was actually eighteen or nineteen, Zai Ye never fantasized about his parents showing up for one of those. And now? Even less so.

His relationship with his dad had been lukewarm for over a decade. His mom checked in maybe twice a year. He had his own family now, people he cared about. Whatever hopes or resentments he’d once had had long since faded into a blur with time.

While his classmates fretted over the upcoming conference, Zai Ye sat there with Qian’s head in his lap, recalling the time he’d gone to one of hers.

Forget grades—Qian’s academic performance was a rollercoaster. Her teachers had long given up. What they mostly talked to him about during conferences was her constant rule-breaking.

Like when she suddenly conjured an owl in class, causing a stir across the entire grade. Students came running from all over. When the teacher arrived, she claimed it was just a magic trick, not a real owl.

Or when she ran off into the woods during PE class to meditate, saying she was cultivating immortality. The grade supervisor caught her and tried to scold her, but she launched into a passionate lecture about the Dao of cultivation and even tried to teach him breathing techniques.

Then there was the time in summer when she started selling ice in the classroom, distributing it across three grade levels. It was so hot that year, she caused a school-wide outbreak of colds.

And so on.

Compared to him and Vice President Zhang, those other parents had it easy.

“Bro Ye, your parents not coming to the conference?” Xiao Di asked.

“Nope,” Zai Ye replied.

He got an envious look in return. Xiao Di always got singled out during these things and secretly wished his parents wouldn’t show either.

But on the day of the conference, Zhang Xihuan showed up in a sharp suit, looking every bit the refined gentleman, and walked into Zai Ye’s classroom.

He had just finished attending Zhang Qinghe’s conference and was riding high. “Hello, Teacher. I’m Zai Ye’s guardian. I’m here for his parent-teacher meeting.”

Zai Ye: “…”

What the hell.

Zhang Xihuan walked over and, seeing Zai Ye’s dark expression, patted his shoulder with a smile. “Since you call me ‘bro,’ it’s only right I help you out with this. No need to thank me.”

Then he turned to the teacher. “Please, if there’s anything wrong with Zai Ye—bad grades, fights, anything—feel free to tell me.”

Zai Ye got it now. This was a tactical move—turning defense into offense, probing for weaknesses.

Zhang Xihuan had only ever attended conferences for his sister, and he always got praised. This was his first time representing a problem student, and the teacher nearly left him speechless.

It was a whole new world he’d never experienced before.

Finally, the teacher said gravely, “Zai Ye seems to be in a romantic relationship. With a sophomore, no less. The girl’s an excellent student, often ranked first in the grade. Zai Ye keeps seeking her out, and it’s affecting her reputation. As teachers and guardians, we really should step in…”

Zhang Xihuan: “…”

Zai Ye: “…”

Zhang Qinghe happened to be passing by and saw her brother and Zai Ye standing on the opposite balcony—one sipping coffee, the other drinking cola. The air between them was oddly melancholic.

She figured… maybe this round ended in a draw.

After that conference, Zhang Xihuan started attending all of Zai Ye’s parent-teacher meetings.

That New Year, the siblings’ home welcomed two new members, and the place was livelier than ever.

Zhang Xihuan, who had lost the drinking contest to Zai Ye, passed out on the bed cursing. Zai Ye curled up on the couch, while Zhang Qinghe and Qian slept together.

As fireworks lit up the midnight sky, Zhang Qinghe held the little girl in her arms tighter.

She didn’t know what her future self would be like or what she’d be doing, but she felt—deeply—happy.

Zhang Qinghe drifted off to sleep.

Vice President Zhang woke up.

This was their home in S City. She’d moved here after marrying Zai Ye, and they had welcomed Qian’s rebirth here. They’d lived here for many years.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, gazing at the spacious bedroom and walk-in closet, Zhang Qinghe momentarily thought she was still in their old house.

Back in time—Qian in high school, Zai Ye as her senior and boss… it all felt like a dream too vivid to be fake.

The sound of water from the bathroom stopped. A tall man stepped out, pulled open the heavy curtains to let the sunlight in, and came to sit beside her. He reached out to touch her forehead, bringing her back to the present.

“Vice President Zhang, how are you feeling? Mind still intact? Has your precious daughter turned you into an idiot?”

Zhang Qinghe smoothed her hair. “Was that time travel or just a dream?”

Zai Ye: “A very real dream?”

Seeing the clarity in her eyes, Zai Ye relaxed, though his tone was a bit sour. “You didn’t remember anything until the end.”

Zhang Qinghe smiled. “Maybe because I missed those simpler times too much.”

“Isn’t it more fun that I didn’t remember? You looked like you were having a blast—scaring me on purpose, dragging my brother into it…”

“Ahem!” Zai Ye got up and strode into the walk-in closet. “I’m getting dressed.”

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was her brother calling.

“Hey, bro.”

“Hey, Hehe, how are you and Qian doing lately? I had a weird dream last night—Zai Ye was messing with me the whole time.”

“We’re doing great. It was just a dream. Maybe you’ve been working too hard lately? Feeling stressed?” Zhang Qinghe replied without missing a beat.

After hanging up, she heard noise from the courtyard downstairs.

Zai Ye had already rushed out to the balcony, yelling, “Zai Qian! Get back here! Look what you’ve done!”

Qian’s voice floated up from below. “Mom, Dad, I’m going to stay at Uncle Tong’s for a few days! Bye!”

Zhang Qinghe got up to change, ready to start a new day at work.

After being gifted a long, magical vacation of youth by her daughter, she felt more energized than ever.

(The End)