With Mother Zhan's protection, Tang Qiyue felt much more at ease in the Zhan family.
Whether it was her sharp-tongued sister-in-law or her elder brother-in-law's family members who suspected her motives, Tang Qiyue greeted them all with a polite smile.
Because this was a marriage meant to bring good fortune, there was no bridal chamber ceremony and naturally no wedding night pranks. The Zhan family also did not hold a large banquet; they simply shared a meal together as a family.
After dinner, Tang Qiyue took off her wedding dress and changed into ordinary clothes she could wear daily. She rolled up her sleeves and went into the kitchen with her sister-in-law to wash dishes and clean up.
Despite being the daughter of a once-wealthy capitalist family, she neither complained nor looked down on the Zhan family.
Zhan Chunying was not foolish. Being forced to marry her brother in place of Tang Qiyue's sister meant that Tang Qiyue's life in the Tang family must have been difficult.
"Hey… how does a young lady like you know how to do all this work?"
Zhan Chunying finally spoke when she saw Tang Qiyue skillfully splitting firewood and throwing it into the stove before lighting the straw with a match.
Sixteen-year-old Zhan Chunying was naturally bold and straightforward. If Tang Qiyue had been more sensitive, she might have thought her sister-in-law was deliberately trying to embarrass her..
"My parents divorced more than ten years ago," Tang Qiyue replied with a smile. "I live with my mother and younger brother. Even though we had a maid before, my mother still believed we should know how to do housework."
She looked up at Zhan Chunying.
"If you don't want to call me 'sister-in-law,' you can just call me Qiyue. I'm only two years older than you."
She had just turned eighteen this year.
Zhan Chunying fell silent.
She knew very well how difficult life could be for a family without a father.
Her own mother had been widowed early and had raised three children alone.
Her eldest brother married early, nearly exhausting the family's savings.
Her second brother, however, had joined the army when he was still young so he could reduce the burden on the family. Later, he began sending money home every month, which gradually improved their lives.
Eventually, he distinguished himself in battle and became increasingly successful.
He even suggested bringing the family to live near the army with him.
But Mother Zhan refused.
She said that the eldest son was responsible for caring for the family. If they moved to rely on the younger son instead, they would only become a burden.
In truth, she simply couldn't bear to trouble the son who was risking his life in the army.
Originally, Mother Zhan had been dissatisfied with the marriage alliance with the Tang family.
The Tang family had clearly arranged the marriage because they wanted to rely on her second son's rising status.
Later, when she learned about her son's injury—especially the possibility that he might never have children—the Tang family's eldest daughter ran away instead.
Not only that, they even arranged for a substitute bride to maintain their reputation.
Zhan Chunying despised the Tang family's behavior.
But after meeting Tang Qiyue, she felt the switch might actually be better.
At least Tang Qiyue was beautiful.
More importantly, she didn't act like a spoiled young lady. She worked hard and didn't complain.
They worked until it grew dark.
The Zhan family had the habit of saving lamp oil, so they rarely used lamps at night and usually went to bed early.
Late that night, Mother Zhan quietly entered Tang Qiyue's room in the dark.
"Child," she said softly, "this old woman will ask you one more time. If you are unwilling, then this marriage can still be canceled. Leave now while it's still dark."
"I know my son's condition. I cannot let you ruin your life because of him."
Tang Qiyue had no intention of leaving.
Not only was the Tang family about to fall into trouble, but she also wanted to use this marriage to completely separate her younger brother from the Tang family.
Besides, her situation at home was already awkward. Even if she returned, she would probably be sent to the countryside.
"Mother," Tang Qiyue said sincerely, "I truly want to stay."
"I know Second Brother Zhan is injured and needs someone to take care of him. A boat will arrive in three days, and I will take it to go look after him."
"As long as he does not reject me, I will be his wife."
Perhaps it was the sincerity in Tang Qiyue's eyes that finally dispelled Mother Zhan's last doubts.
Mother Zhan took out a handkerchief from her pocket.
She slowly unfolded it layer by layer, revealing a jade bracelet inside.
"I don't have anything valuable," she said. "This was part of my dowry when I got married. Take it as a small gift from your mother-in-law."
She gently slipped the bracelet onto Tang Qiyue's wrist.
Even someone unfamiliar with antiques could see that the bracelet was extraordinary.
Tang Qiyue, who had grown up surrounded by fine jewelry, immediately recognized its value.
"Mother, this is too precious. I can't accept it."
But Mother Zhan held her wrist firmly.
"Your sister-in-law has one as well. Just wear it."
Hearing that her sister-in-law also had one, Tang Qiyue realized it was a symbol of acceptance from her mother-in-law.
She no longer refused.
Instead, she decided she would hide it carefully later to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
The two women were still unfamiliar with each other, so they didn't speak much longer.
After exchanging a few words of advice, Mother Zhan returned to her room.
Only after lying in bed did Tang Qiyue finally feel a sense of reality.
Compared to the tension of life during the apocalypse, this world felt almost peaceful.
Life here might be difficult, but at least there were no monsters suddenly appearing, no constant fear of death.
Physical hardship meant little.
As long as she worked hard, she would never starve..
Just as she closed her eyes to sleep, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
[Dimensional fluctuation detected. Cross-Dimensional Trading System successfully connected. Would you like to view the trading platform?]
Tang Qiyue sat up abruptly.
In the darkness, her eyes widened.
She suddenly remembered the moment in the apocalypse when everything had changed.
While searching an unknown area, she had been enveloped by a mysterious light.
The next moment, she was transported back to the past.
Since returning, she had been busy dealing with the forced marriage and the battle of wits with her father.
Only now did she realize—
That mysterious light must have been connected to something extraordinary.
"Open it," she whispered.
Tang Qiyue had seen countless strange abilities during the apocalypse.
Although she had once dreamed of having superpowers herself, she had always been just an ordinary person struggling to survive.
Now she finally understood.
What she possessed was not a supernatural power.
Instead, she possessed the timeline of two lifetimes.
As the trading platform slowly unfolded before her eyes and countless items appeared for exchange, Tang Qiyue became even more certain—
Her rebirth had not been an accident.
The platform contained everything imaginable: clothing, food, housing, transportation.
Anything she could think of could be traded.
However, exchanges required items of equal value between the two worlds.
For example—
In the apocalypse, pregnancy potions were extremely common. The government practically distributed them for free to encourage childbirth.
Exchanging one of those potions on the platform only required the value of a single steamed bun.
It was practically the same as giving them away.
Tang Qiyue stayed awake the entire night studying the trading system..
By the time she woke up early the next morning to cook breakfast, Mother Zhan was startled to see her.
"My goodness," Mother Zhan said. "Did you stay up all night?"
"Were you worried about my son?"
Tang Qiyue laughed awkwardly.
She wasn't worried about a man she hadn't even met yet—she was simply too excited.
"Mother," she said, "I was just thinking that I'll be going to take care of Brother Zhan the day after tomorrow. I wonder if he'll dislike me."
Mother Zhan immediately held her hand.
"He wouldn't dare!" she declared. "If he does, I'll disown him!"
Tang Qiyue immediately hugged Mother Zhan's arm playfully.
"I knew Mother was the best!"
Mother Zhan was not used to such affectionate behavior and was about to push her away.
At that moment—
The courtyard gate suddenly opened.
A cold voice echoed from outside, instantly breaking the warm atmosphere between the two women.