In the end, Tang Zhen still went back to the Zhou family home that weekend.
Before she went, the original owner’s mother had been calling her nonstop—an absolute barrage of missed calls, clearly determined to keep dialing until she came home. Tang Zhen had briefly considered blocking her, but she knew that would only land her in even bigger trouble.
Because that woman would most likely show up directly at her university dorm.
When Tang Zhen arrived, her stepfather wasn’t home, but the Zhou family’s eldest son, second daughter, and youngest son were all there, along with her mother.
Out of everyone present, the only one who genuinely liked her was eight-year-old Little Zhou, who ran over the moment he saw her and called out, “Pretty sister!”
Her mother, on the other hand, was clearly displeased and immediately demanded, “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
Tang Zhen felt a headache coming on. “My phone was accidentally set to silent. I didn’t hear it.”
“Even such a small thing you can’t handle properly. Tell me, what use are you?”
Tang Zhen said nothing.
Miss Zhou No. 2 looked on with barely concealed schadenfreude. The Zhou family’s eldest son sat on the sofa drinking coffee, his attention fixed on his laptop, not sparing Tang Zhen even a glance.
In the wildly popular novel she’d transmigrated into, the Zhou family’s eldest son could barely qualify as a third male lead. He secretly loved the female lead, protected her every step of the way, invested in her projects without limit—his devotion was almost absurdly deep.
Tang Zhen chatted with 000. “I’m getting more and more curious about the female lead.”
【In a few months, you’ll meet her. There’s really nothing that special. She’s got two eyes, one nose, one mouth—just like anyone else.】
Tang Zhen laughed despite herself. 000’s tone was soft and cute, easing her tightly wound nerves.
She felt extremely uncomfortable staying in the Zhou house.
Her mother’s intention in calling her back was obvious. At first, Tang Zhen hadn’t understood why she was being summoned so insistently—until her mother dragged her into an empty storage room and said in a how-can-you-be-so-useless tone, “Your eldest brother finally came home today, and you didn’t show up until the afternoon…”
Wait—what did her being late have to do with him?
“Your eldest brother may have a bit of a temper, but you’re pretty. If you put in some effort, it’s not impossible.”
Not impossible… for what?
Realization struck Tang Zhen in an instant. She stared at her mother in disbelief. “Mom, he’s my brother…”
Her mother snorted. “What brother? What kind of brother is he to you? Go ahead and call him ‘brother’—see if he even responds.”
That was… hard to say. Up until now, whether it was the original Tang Zhen or her, neither had ever called him “brother.” Even when they ran into each other by accident, she’d only addressed him as “Young Master.”
Her mother tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Relax. Your household registration is still with your father. You’re not even on the same household registry. It won’t affect anything.”
Tang Zhen: …
“Recently, several rich girls have been aggressively chasing after your eldest brother. You should put some thought into this!”
Tang Zhen stayed silent the entire time. After finally leaving the storage room, she had barely taken a few steps when she saw Zhou Xusi nearby. His left hand was in his pocket, his right holding a cup of coffee, standing in front of the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing outside.
He was dressed casually today, making him look quite young—though in truth, he was young. At only twenty-six, he was already highly successful.
A pair of rimless glasses rested on his nose, giving him an aloof, restrained elegance.
Tang Zhen wasn’t sure whether he’d overheard her conversation with her mother. Or perhaps he had, and simply didn’t care. She had never been able to read this eldest brother’s thoughts.
When he noticed her coming out, Zhou Xusi turned his head slightly.
Tang Zhen blurted out, “Big brother.”
Crap! She’d always called him Young Master before!
It was fine, it was fine—Zhou Xusi definitely wouldn’t respond anyway.
To her surprise, he gave a faint “Mm.”
He actually responded.
After dinner, Tang Zhen prepared to leave.
Her mother took the initiative. “Xusi, why don’t you give Xiao Zhen a ride?”
Tang Zhen immediately refused. “No need. The subway is very convenient—I don’t need big brother to see me off.”
But before she could reject again, Zhou Xusi had already picked up the suit jacket draped over the sofa arm and said to her, “Let’s go.”
Her mother looked stunned. She’d only mentioned it casually and hadn’t expected him to actually agree. Even his own sister looked shocked, as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how.
With no other choice, Tang Zhen got into Zhou Xusi’s car.
Unlike the male lead, Zhou Xusi drove a dark gray business vehicle—low-key and understated, with plenty of space inside. As soon as they got in, he turned on the music.
Neither of them spoke the entire ride. Tang Zhen kept her head turned toward the window, watching the scenery pass by, completely unaware that Zhou Xusi glanced at her eight times along the way.
000 noticed, but assumed he was just checking the right-side mirror.
After all, it was normal for one’s gaze to accidentally brush past the passenger while checking the mirror.
Half an hour later, the car finally stopped at the university gate.
After saying goodbye to her “big brother,” Tang Zhen practically jumped out of the car.
The moment she was out, she couldn’t help asking 000, “What’s his deal? Why would he agree to give me a ride?”
000 was also confused. 【Maybe it was just on the way.】
“Does he live nearby?”
【He owns too many properties. No matter which direction he goes, it’s technically ‘on the way.’】
So that was it. Tang Zhen understood.
When she returned to the dorm, it was 9:30 p.m.—not early, but not too late either.
She took out her phone and checked it.
She and the male lead hadn’t contacted each other for three days. There was a saying that if a couple didn’t talk for three days, it basically meant they’d broken up by default.
But she knew he hadn’t contacted her simply because he was busy.
Just as she was about to put her phone away, the system released Mission Four.
Mission Four read—
【Throw a small tantrum in front of the male lead.】
Tang Zhen: …
000 said righteously, 【The male lead hasn’t contacted you proactively for three days. You need to be angry in front of him—throw a little tantrum, but not too much. If you actually break up, the plot can’t continue…】
This mission wasn’t difficult for Tang Zhen.
She walked out to the dorm balcony, pulled the glass door closed, tilted her head up to look at the moon, and dialed Ren Yanjing’s number.
Beep… beep… beep…
The first call rang until it automatically disconnected—no answer.
She immediately dialed again.
This time, someone picked up.
Ren Yanjing’s slightly weary voice came through the phone. “Hello?”
Anyone could tell he’d been exhausted these past few days. Tang Zhen didn’t want to do this either, but the mission really wasn’t hard. It would only take a minute of his time—just a small tantrum. He could cooperate a little, right?
She pouted into the phone, her voice sweet and aggrieved. “Ren Yanjing, did you forget who I am already?”
He let out a breath on the other end. “No…”
“No?” she shot back. “Do you know you haven’t contacted me for three days? We’ve only been together for three days! Are there couples who just start dating and then don’t talk at all for three whole days?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy.”
Tang Zhen huffed softly, perfectly embodying a small tantrum. But her voice was far too sweet and soft—what should have sounded like anger came out more like coquettish whining. “Busy to the point where you didn’t even have time to send a single message?”
In this best-selling novel’s setting, the male lead belonged to the female lead. Toward the female supporting character, he would only be impatient. No matter how gentle he was by nature, when it came to his career, the female side character always had to give way.
Tang Zhen had already prepared herself mentally. Even if he said he’d simply forgotten to message her, she could accept it. Or if his words were a bit harsher, she could take that too.
What she never expected—
Was how fast the male lead folded.
He cleared his throat lightly on the other end of the line, lowered his voice, and that pleasant sound flowed into her ears like water. “My fault. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Tang Zhen: ???
Wait—this reaction… wasn’t that a bit off?