Chapter 4
The Colorful Tasseography Readings
The next morning, Qing Yi woke up with renewed determination. He got ready quickly, eager to show off his newly acquired crystal ball reading skills. As he entered the Divination classroom, he wore a smug smile, ready to impress everyone.
But as he took his seat, his confidence wavered. He noticed something strange—there were no crystal balls on the tables. Instead, each place was set with a teacup and saucer. Professor Trelawney floated into the room, her ethereal presence as enigmatic as ever.
“Good morning, class,” she began in her usual dreamy tone. “Today, we shall delve into the mysteries of tasseography—tea leaf reading.”
Qing Yi's face fell faster than a Seeker in a Wronski Feint. He stared at the teacup in front of him, his eye twitching slightly. "Well," he muttered under his breath, "I guess my crystal ball forgot to mention this plot twist."
As the reality of the situation sank in, Qing Yi felt his newfound confidence evaporate like steam from a hot cup of tea. He'd spent all night mastering crystal ball reading, and now he was faced with an entirely different challenge. With a resigned sigh, he slumped in his seat, mentally preparing himself for another baffling lesson.
Nie Huaisang, noticing his friend's dismay, leaned over with a mischievous grin. "Cheer up!" he whispered, patting Qing Yi's shoulder. "Maybe your incredible crystal ball skills will translate to tea leaves. They're both round, after all."
"Your optimism is as misplaced as Trelawney's sanity," Qing Yi grumbled, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Professor Trelawney continued, her voice as misty as the room itself, "Choose your partners wisely, for your energies will guide your Inner Eye!"
The class buzzed with excitement, but none more so than Wei Wuxian. His eyes lit up like a child who'd just discovered a hidden stash of Honeydukes' finest. He practically levitated across the room, his robes billowing behind him as he called out,
"Lan Zhan! Be my partner! I'll unravel your leaf-y future!"
But fate, in the form of Jiang Cheng, had other plans. Before Lan Wangji could even consider responding (not that his stoic expression gave any hint of his thoughts), Jiang Cheng's hand shot out, grabbing Wei Wuxian's collar with the precision of a Seeker catching a Snitch.
"Oh no, you don't," Jiang Cheng growled, his voice a mix of exasperation and fondness. "You're with me, troublemaker. Merlin knows what chaos you and Lan Wangji would brew up together."
Wei Wuxian's resulting sigh was so dramatic it could have won him a starring role in the Weird Sisters' next music video. "Jiang Cheng!" he wailed, "You're crushing my dreams of unraveling the mysteries of the universe with Lan Zhan!" He cast a longing glance at Lan Wangji, who remained as impassive as a statue, save for a microscopic twitch of his eyebrow that only the most observant would notice.
"Tough luck," Jiang Cheng grumbled, dragging Wei Wuxian to a nearby table like a resigned parent handling a particularly enthusiastic toddler.
Lan Wangji, though his face remained an impeccable mask of indifference, somehow managed to look slightly disappointed.
Meanwhile, across the room, Nie Huaisang turned to Qing Yi with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Qing Yi. Wen Ning and I decided to pair up today. Misery loves company, after all, and we're both equally hopeless at this tea leaf business."
"So am I, Huaisang," Qing Yi replied, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "In case you've forgotten, I'm just as hopeless at this leaf-reading nonsense."
Huaisang's expression turned genuinely remorseful. "I know, I know. I'm really sorry, but I already promised him..."
Qing Yi let out a defeated sigh, massaging his forehead. "Just go," he muttered, waving Huaisang away with his free hand.
Huaisang hesitated for a moment, then added hopefully, "I'll make it up to you next time? Maybe we can suffer through crystal ball gazing together?"
Qing Yi just shook his head, already dreading the impending tea leaf disaster that awaited him. As Huaisang made his way to join Wen Ning, Qing Yi found himself alone, fidgeting nervously and feeling about as out of place as a flobberworm at a Fwooper concert. His eyes darted around the room, silently pleading for a partner – any partner – to save him from the impending embarrassment of his non-existent divination skills.
Professor Trelawney's enormous eyes, magnified to comical proportions behind her spectacles, blinked owlishly as she surveyed the room. Her bangles jangled ominously as she raised her arms. "Those without partners, speak now, or I shall let fate decide for you!" Her voice carried the weight of a thousand prophecies – or perhaps just too much incense.
Her gaze landed on Lan Wangji and Qing Yi like a spotlight, making Qing Yi wish he could disappear into his robes. "Ah!" she exclaimed, her voice rising dramatically. "Mr. Lan Wangji, the cosmos whisper that you shall partner with Mr. Qing Yi. It is destined!"
Lan Wangji inclined his head slightly, accepting his fate with the grace of a centaur gazing at the stars. Qing Yi, on the other hand, felt a curious mix of relief and terror wash over him. Partnering with the legendary Lan Wangji was like being asked to assist Madam Pomfrey in a complex spell when your magical experience was limited to occasionally making your wand light up.
As Qing Yi hesitantly made his way to Lan Wangji's table, the fragile silence was shattered by Wei Wuxian's gleeful voice carrying across the room. "Oooh, Jiang Cheng! I see something in your cup! It's... it's a dog! No, wait—" He squinted dramatically, leaning so close to the cup his nose almost touched the leaves. "—that's just your reflection!"
"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng's indignant shout was accompanied by the sound of a teacup nearly meeting its untimely demise against the table. The clatter echoed through the room, causing several students to jump.
Professor Trelawney's voice suddenly cut through the noise, her tone airy and mystic, "Oh dear, such disruptive energy! It threatens to unravel the delicate threads of fate woven in this very room."
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng exchanged a quick glance before both muttered, "Sorry, Professor," trying to stifle their laughter and return to their teacups, though Wei Wuxian’s smirk hinted at his amusement.
As the Divination class settled into their partnered tasks, outside the castle, a different kind of magic was unfolding. Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue were engaged in an intense Quidditch practice, their brooms slicing through the air with the precision of seasoned players. The upcoming championship game between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor was only a few days away, and both captains were pushing themselves to the limit, determined to lead their teams to victory.
During a water break, Lan Xichen's gaze wandered to the Divination classroom window, drawn by some unseen force. His eyes widened as he spotted his brother, Lan Wangji, sitting with Qing Yi.
"Now that's a pairing I never expected to see," Lan Xichen mused, his curiosity piqued.
Nie Mingjue, wiping sweat from his brow, followed Lan Xichen’s gaze, squinting slightly. "Which pairing?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Lan Xichen pointed toward the window, a small smile playing on his lips. "There, Wangji and the first-year student."
Nie Mingjue raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t that your friend’s brother?"
Lan Xichen nodded, still watching the unlikely duo with growing interest. "Indeed, I think his name is Qing Yi."
Nie Mingjue chuckled, the sound deep and playful. "Ten galleons says Lan Wangji loses his patience and gives someone the silent treatment before the class is over."
Lan Xichen laughed softly, his eyes still on the window. "I’ll take that bet. Wangji has more patience than you think. He’d outlast a Sphinx in a waiting game."
With a final glance at the window, Lan Xichen turned back to the pitch, his mind still lingering on the sight of his brother in class, while Nie Mingjue grinned, the friendly wager adding a lighthearted touch to their rigorous practice session.
Inside the incense-clouded classroom, Lan Wangji and Qing Yi sat down with their teacups. They were an island of calm in a sea of chattering students, like two Bowtruckles in a forest of Whomping Willows.
Qing Yi looked at Lan Wangji and hesitated, his fingers drumming nervously on the table, playing a silent tune of anxiety. "Um, do you want to go first?" he asked, hoping to buy some time and possibly a sudden onset of divination skills. He felt about as prepared as someone stepping into a challenge far beyond their experience.
Lan Wangji shook his head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. It was as rare and fleeting as a glimpse of a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest. "You can go first," he said calmly, his expression composed but attentive, as though he was simply observing the situation with quiet interest.
Qing Yi's heart raced faster than a Nimbus 2000 in a Quidditch final. This was their second lesson, and he understood Divination about as well as he understood Mermish - which is to say, not at all. Taking a deep breath that could have steadied a ship in a storm, he peered into his teacup, trying to make sense of the chaotic patterns that looked more like a messy spill than anything meaningful.
"Um, I see... something obvious," Qing Yi began, his voice wavering like a poorly cast Wingardium Leviosa. "Oh, I see... uh... orbs...? Heads!" he declared, his voice hesitating slightly as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow, his expression a perfect blend of confusion and curiosity, as if Qing Yi had just announced he'd discovered a new use for dragon blood. "Heads?"
"Uh, yes, heads. Zombies!" Qing Yi declared, trying to sound more confident than a wizard fresh out of his first wand lesson. He might as well have announced he'd seen a parade of dancing Inferi.
Lan Wangji's eyes widened slightly, a blend of bewilderment and amusement flickering in their depths.
Encouraged by the lack of outright rejection (or hexing), Qing Yi continued his valiant battle with the teacup. "And this... uh," he flipped through the pages of his Divination book as if it were the Marauder's Map and he was searching for a secret passage out of this embarrassment. "Hmm... this looks like... a stick figure?"
Lan Wangji, now fully invested in this unconventional reading, leaned in closer, as intrigued as if Qing Yi were decoding ancient runes. "Let me see..."
Qing Yi handed him the cup with a slightly awkward movement, his hands a bit shaky as he tried to steady the teacup. Lan Wangji glanced at the tea leaves, then at the book, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he carefully read through the text.
Qing Yi also scanned through the pages of his divination book, his eyes lighting up like a Lumos charm as he spotted a familiar shape. He then took the cup back, excitement overtaking his nervousness like a sudden burst of adrenaline. "Oh, this stick figure must mean you!" he said, grinning triumphantly as if he'd just solved an impossible riddle.
Lan Wangji's lips twitched as he fought to maintain his usual calm, a struggle as intense as holding back laughter at an unexpected joke. "The stick figure means me?" he asked, his voice carrying a rare hint of amusement, as if he'd just heard something genuinely delightful.
"Absolutely!" Qing Yi nodded so enthusiastically he nearly upset the teacup, tea sloshing dangerously close to the rim. His eyes were wide with the fervor of a true believer. "Okay, let's see... We've got floating heads - zombies, and a stick figure that's definitely you. So this means..." He squinted at the cup, leaning closer as if trying to read a message written in microscopic script. "The zombies want to ... or maybe you want to ... hang out with them?"
Lan Wangji blinked, a rare look of confusion crossing his face like a cloud over the sun. "What?" The single word carried the weight of a thousand questions.
Qing Yi, now red-faced but determined as a dog with a bone, dove back into the cup. His voice muffled by how close he was to the porcelain, he muttered, "Hold on, maybe…that's not quite right. I see... zombies and... is that God?"
Lan Wangji's eyebrow shot up so high it threatened to disappear into his hairline. "God?" he echoed, his tone a mixture of incredulity and fascination.
"Yeah, yeah!" Qing Yi was on a roll now, words tumbling out of his mouth faster than he could think them. "So get this – you somehow charmed the pants off God, got hitched, and these orbs-head-things..." he gestured wildly at the cup, nearly knocking it over in his excitement, "they must be your kids!"
That did it. Lan Wangji, the human ice sculpture, actually burst out laughing. The sound was so unexpected it was like hearing a cat bark or seeing a fish fly. It started as a low chuckle and grew into a full-bodied laugh that shook his shoulders and lit up his entire face.
Qing Yi jumped, suddenly realizing he might have gone off the deep end. His face, already red, turned the color of a ripe tomato. "Uh, wait, maybe not zombies," he backpedaled, words stumbling over each other in his haste. "Spirits? And instead of God, maybe... a super powerful Wizard? And you... raised them together and got married, and the spirits are like... your disciples?"
Lan Wangji's laughter only grew, filling the room like a rare and beautiful song. It was melodious and infectious, spreading through the classroom like ripples in a pond. Heads turned so fast you'd think someone had announced free tickets to the Quidditch World Cup.
Wei Wuxian, never one to miss out on any excitement, nudged Jiang Cheng so hard he nearly fell off his chair. His eyes were as wide as saucers, disbelief written all over his face. "Pinch me, A-Cheng," he stage-whispered, loud enough for half the class to hear. "Did Lan Zhan just... laugh?"
The entire classroom had fallen into a stunned silence, broken only by Lan Wangji's continued laughter and the occasional gasp of disbelief from their classmates. Professor Trelawney, who had been drifting around the room in her usual mystical haze, stopped in her tracks, her enormous eyes even wider behind her glasses.
"Remember, my dear students," Professor Trelawney said in her ethereal tone, "there is no right or wrong in what you see. We are merely practicing to enhance your intuition, to see beyond the obvious." She gave a knowing nod, as if Qing Yi's reading had revealed some deep, hidden truth.
Qing Yi’s heart raced, but her words gave him a small measure of comfort as he watched Lan Wangji still quietly laughing, his shoulders shaking slightly, the amusement clear in his eyes.
Jiang Cheng, looking like he'd seen a ghost (and not the usual Hogwarts kind), mumbled, "If this is a dream, we're having the same one." His eyes darted between Wei Wuxian and the still-chuckling Lan Wangji, as if trying to decide which was more unbelievable.
Qing Yi, however, wasn’t about to be distracted. As the initial shock of Lan Wangji's laughter began to subside, Qing Yi furrowed his brow in concentration once more, determined to get this right. He stared intently at the teacup, eager to prove he could master the art of divination. As Lan Wangji's chuckles tapered off, Qing Yi's face morphed from confusion to bewilderment.
"Wait... what the heck?" he muttered, more to himself than to Lan Wangji. His brows furrowed as he examined the leaves. "Why do I see something different now?"
Lan Wangji, still riding the wave of amusement but now curious, leaned in slightly. His golden eyes, usually so impassive, sparkled with interest. "Different? How so?"
Qing Yi's eyes darted between the cup and Lan Wangji, genuine confusion evident in his gaze. He tilted the cup this way and that, as if the angle might reveal some hidden truth. "Do these tea leaves change shape or something? I swear it looks different than before."
Lan Wangji shook his head, a small smile still playing on his lips. "I don't think so," he said, his tone gentle and encouraging, "but what do you see this time?"
Determined to redeem himself, Qing Yi grabbed the Divination book and began flipping through the pages with renewed vigor. His eyes scanned the illustrations frantically, as if the book might suddenly reveal the secrets of the universe. The rustling of pages filled the air, punctuated by Qing Yi's occasional mutters of concentration.
"Okay, this here..." he began, his voice a curious mixture of uncertainty and hope. He tilted the cup, squinting at it from various angles. "Is that... a dragon? A dragon … wearing glasses?"
Lan Wangji, who had just regained his composure, couldn't help but chuckle at the absurd image. The sound, still rare and melodious, only added to Qing Yi's confusion.
"A dragon wearing glasses," Lan Wangji repeated, his voice tinged with amusement. His golden eyes sparkled with mirth as he asked, "And what might that predict?"
Qing Yi's cheeks flushed a deep red, but his determination didn't waver. He took a deep breath, as if preparing to dive into the lake of divination once more. "Um, great wisdom... and... maybe the need for better eyesight?" He looked up at Lan Wangji, his eyes seeking confirmation or guidance, like a lost first-year looking for the way to the Great Hall.
Lan Wangji shook his head slightly, a hand flying up to cover his mouth as he tried to hold back his laughter. His shoulders shook with the effort of containing his mirth, like a cauldron about to bubble over.
Panic flashed across Qing Yi's face like lightning in a stormy sky. "Oh no, I've said something wrong again, haven't I?" he asked, worry lacing his words as he glanced anxiously at Lan Wangji, hoping for some reassurance.
Lan Wangji, still battling against his laughter, managed to lower his hand slightly. "No, Qing Yi," he said, his voice trembling with suppressed amusement. "It's just... your interpretation is..." He paused, searching for the right words as another chuckle threatened to escape. "...unexpectedly creative." His golden eyes sparkled with mirth, a sight so unusual it could have made headlines in the Daily Prophet.
Determined to correct his mistake, Qing Yi quickly spun the cup around, bringing it closer as he peered inside. His face was a picture of concentration, tongue sticking out slightly as he focused on the depths of the porcelain. He looked like an overeager Niffler searching for treasure, desperately seeking a new interpretation. Suddenly, his eyebrows shot up in surprise, as if he'd spotted a golden snitch at the bottom of the cup.
Lan Wangji, noticing the frantic change in Qing Yi's demeanor, managed to compose himself. His voice was gentle, almost soothing, as he asked, "What is it? Do you see something different now?"
Qing Yi’s eyes widened as if he’d uncovered some ancient secret. "I see... oh no, a grim? No, wait, that’s just... a smudge." He squinted harder, almost crossing his eyes in the process, before exhaling in visible relief.
Lan Wangji’s brow furrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching as he tried not to laugh. Watching Qing Yi was like watching someone invent a new form of tea-leaf storytelling.
Undeterred, Qing Yi stared harder into the cup, his mind racing. “Okay, I’ve got it this time! Yes! I see... a badger and... is that a flower? No, wait... a daisy, to be exact?" He squinted, focusing intently on the blob of tea leaves in the cup. At this point, the shape seemed to morph and shift, influenced by his increasingly vivid imagination.
"A badger holding a daisy!" Qing Yi declared with sudden confidence.
"A badger..." Lan Wangji started, but he couldn’t finish his sentence as another wave of laughter bubbled up, as unexpected and delightful as finding a chocolate frog in one’s pocket.
Qing Yi's fingers skimmed over the pages until he found something that seemed to fit. "Uh... it means... persistent determination in... warfare? And... an appreciation for... floral arrangements?" His voice wavered with uncertainty as he looked up at Lan Wangji, hoping he was on the right track.
Lan Wangji’s lips twitched, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Persistent determination in warfare and floral arrangements?"
Qing Yi nodded, trying to muster some confidence. "Yes, like... a warrior who never backs down, but also knows how to make a really good bouquet?"
Lan Wangji couldn't hold back his laughter, a soft, warm sound that filled the space between them. "That's... quite an interpretation, Qing Yi. A warrior who’s stubborn in battle but has a secret passion for flowers. I didn’t know tea leaves could be so insightful."
Qing Yi blushed but smiled, his earlier nervousness melting away. "Well, it’s not every day you see a badger holding a flower. Maybe it’s trying to tell you to never give up... and to pick some daisies along the way?"
As Lan Wangji's laughter filled the air, Qing Yi's face fell, his earlier determination giving way to discouragement like a deflating balloon. He set the cup down gently, his shoulders slumping. "Maybe I should stop... I'm clearly not any good at this."
Lan Wangji's laughter subsided, replaced by a gentle smile that could have melted the heart of a basilisk. "No, don't stop. Every shape means something, even if it's not what you expect. Keep trying, Qing Yi. As Professor Trelawney said, "Divination is as much about intuition as it is about knowledge."
Encouraged by Lan Wangji's words but still uncertain, Qing Yi picked up the cup again. He tilted it carefully, focusing intently on the tea leaves. Suddenly, his eyes widened in surprise, and he looked up at Lan Wangji with uncertainty before quickly returning his gaze to the cup, confirming the shape he thought he saw.
Lan Wangji, now fully invested in this unique divination session, leaned forward slightly. His usually impassive face was alight with curiosity as he asked, "Let me guess... another new shape?"
Qing Yi furrowed his brows, clearly uncertain about what he was seeing. "I mean... I do see something, but honestly, at this point, I can't tell if I'm actually reading the tea leaves or if my mind is just playing tricks on me from staring too long."
Lan Wangji's eyes sparkled with amusement, but his voice was gentle when he replied, "You're not losing your mind, Qing Yi. There's no right or wrong in divination, only interpretation." He paused, a small chuckle escaping him."So, what shape do you see this time?"
Qing Yi hesitated, his uncertainty evident as he glanced back at the teacup. "Well... I see... a hippogriff and... a pair of—" He paused, squinting at the leaves as if they might suddenly rearrange themselves into something more logical. "—socks?" His voice wavered with doubt as he looked back at Lan Wangji, half-expecting to be told he was imagining things.
Lan Wangji’s expression warmed with subtle humor, his gaze lighter than usual. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, "A hippogriff and a pair of socks, you say? That's certainly unique. And what do you think it means?"
Qing Yi sighed, still perplexed but trying to make sense of the bizarre combination. He looked into the book again and said, "It means...uh, great strength and... cozy feet?" he guessed, his face flushing a deeper shade of red with each word.
Lan Wangji let out a soft, genuine laugh. Though quiet, the sound was unmistakably filled with genuine enjoyment. "I'm sorry, Qing Yi," he managed to say, still chuckling. "It's just... you're really, really bad at this." But there was such warmth in his voice that it was impossible to take offense.
Qing Yi’s cheeks puffed out in a pout, his face turning an even deeper shade of red, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "Oh, now I’m bad at this? You’re the one who told me divination was all about interpretation. And now you’re just making fun of me!"
Lan Wangji’s laughter softened, though the smile on his face remained. "It is about interpretation, but the way you’re interpreting the shape…or ‘shapes’ is just... unexpectedly hilarious. I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it."
Qing Yi’s pout deepened as he crossed his arms, his face still flushed, but there was a playful glint in his eyes."Well, if nothing else, I’ve discovered my hidden talent for making you laugh, Wangji," he said, both embarrassed and oddly proud.
Lan Wangji’s laughter bubbled up again, a bit louder this time, and Qing Yi’s expression crumpled in confusion. He glanced between the cup and Lan Wangji, utterly bewildered. "I don’t get it," he said, his voice edged with frustration. "I’m really trying to read these leaves correctly. Why do they keep changing? Am I doing something wrong?"
Lan Wangji, still chuckling, shook his head. "Like I said, Divination isn't an exact science. It's about intuition and interpretation. Your readings may not be... conventional, but they're certainly entertaining."
Lan Wangji, still chuckling, shook his head. "Like I said, Divination isn't an exact science. It's about intuition and interpretation. Your readings may not be... conventional, but they're certainly entertaining."
Qing Yi sighed, feeling both exasperated and a little amused by Lan Wangji’s reaction. The sight of the usually stoic Lan Wangji laughing so freely was unexpected, and despite his frustration, Qing Yi couldn’t help but feel a small sense of accomplishment for having elicited such a response.
Just then, Wei Wuxian, unable to resist any longer, stood up and made his way over to their table, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "Alright, Qing Yi, let's see what you've got." He handed his teacup over with a mischievous grin. "How about mine? What do you see in this one? I’m curious."
Qing Yi, determined to prove himself, took Wei Wuxian's cup and peered into it with intense concentration. "Okay, let's see here..." He squinted, studying the leaves as if they held the secrets of the universe. "A... dog?"
Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, lowering his gaze. "Very funny, Qing Yi. I already used that trick on Jiang Cheng earlier."
But Qing Yi shook his head earnestly. "No, no, I really do see a dog. Look!" He tilted the cup toward Wei Wuxian, pointing to the cluster of leaves. "This is the shape of a dog. Are you afraid of dogs?"
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing his face. "What? A dog? You mean... the Grim?" He snatched the cup back, staring into it with growing alarm. "Oh no, am I going to die?!"
Lan Wangji calmly interjected, his voice steady but with a hint of dry humor. "It is NOT a dog, and certainly not the Grim." He glanced at Qing Yi, a barely perceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Although you were correct about Wei Ying's fear of dogs. I suppose that's... progress."
Wei Wuxian looked between them, relief washing over his features before being replaced by indignation. "Hey! That's not fair. Everyone already knows about that. What about my actual future?"
Jiang Cheng, who had been watching with growing amusement, couldn't resist adding, "Well, if your future involves running away from a group of dogs, I'd say that's pretty accurate."
Wei Wuxian shot Jiang Cheng a glare, unimpressed by the remark. "At least my future isn't full of complaints and brooding," he quipped back, handing his cup back to Qing Yi. "Here, take another look, Qing Yi. Maybe this time you'll see something more interesting—like me defeating Jiang Cheng in a duel."
Qing Yi blinked, realizing his mistake. "Ok, Let me focus again..." He leaned in closer, his brows furrowing as he tried to decipher the tea leaves once more. "Hmm... I see... a flute? And... is that... a rabbit…uh.. A rabbit with a sword?"
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "A rabbit with a sword? What does that mean?"
Qing Yi tilted the cup slightly, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of the odd combination. "It means... um... you’re destined to become a hero in the animal kingdom? And... you’ll lead an army of rabbits into battle?" He paused, squinting at the tea leaves again, clearly uncertain.
"No, wait... that can’t be right. Maybe you’re... going to marry a rabbit who plays the flute? And… I see floating orbs around the rabbit… could they possibly be your... rabbit children?" Qing Yi's eyes widened as the ridiculousness of his own words hit him.
"Oh gosh, that doesn’t sound right at all... Why would there be a bunny warrior? Unless—unless that person is an Animagus?" He blurted out, sounding both confused and desperate to make sense of it.
Lan Wangji couldn’t hold back his laughter this time, a soft but genuine sound that drew the attention of the entire class. Jiang Cheng, unable to hold it in any longer, burst out laughing, shaking his head in disbelief.
Wei Wuxian, already teetering on the edge, finally lost it, nearly toppling off his chair as he howled with laughter. "I’m going to marry a flute-playing rabbit and have a bunch of bunny kids? Qing Yi, you’re a genius! I’m crying over here!"
Just as the laughter filled the room, Professor Trelawney’s voice cut through the noise like a gentle chime. "Children, back to your seats and continue your readings! The Inner Eye requires focus and tranquility!"
Several students, still giggling, reluctantly returned to their seats, but not before casting curious glances at Qing Yi. Nie Huaisang and Wen Ning, intrigued by the commotion, made their way over to the table, cups in hand.
"Qing Yi!" Nie Huaisang called out, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You simply must read our cups too! I'm dying to know what sort of bizarre future awaits us."
Wen Ning nodded shyly, adding, "Maybe you'll see a dragon wearing a tutu in mine?"
Qing Yi, now thoroughly embarrassed but also a little proud, braced himself for the next round. "Alright, but don't blame me if you end up married to a mermaid or something," he joked, reaching for Nie Huaisang's cup.
Just as Qing Yi was about to dive into another outlandish prediction, the classroom door swung open with a creak that silenced the room. A stern-looking wizard dressed in the official robes of the school faculty entered. The lively chatter died down instantly as the wizard scanned the room until his eyes landed on Qing Yi.
"Mr. Koh," he announced, his voice echoing in the sudden silence. "Your presence is required in the Headmistress's office. Immediately."
A collective gasp rippled through the classroom, followed by a flurry of whispers.
"The Headmistress's office?" someone hissed. "Oh no, what could this mean?"
"Maybe he's getting an award for most creative tea leaf reading?" Wei Wuxian quipped, but his eyes betrayed his concern.
Qing Yi slowly put down the teacup, his hands trembling slightly. He exchanged a knowing look with Nie Huaisang, the events of the previous day flashing in his mind. The confrontation with Wen Chao. This could only mean one thing.
Nie Huaisang, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a hint of annoyance, muttered under his breath, "That slimy flobberworm Wen Chao must have gone crying to his daddy. I can't believe this!"
Qing Yi nodded slowly, standing up. "Well, I guess I'd better go face the music."
As he started to move, Nie Huaisang jumped to his feet. "Wait! I'm coming with you," he declared, his usually timid demeanor replaced by determination.
"But they didn't send for you," Qing Yi protested weakly.
Nie Huaisang shook his head firmly. "Doesn't matter. You were defending me, Qing Yi. There's no way I'm letting that puffed-up pixie Wen Chao win this one. We're in this together."
A warm smile spread across Qing Yi's face, touched by his friend's loyalty. "Thanks, Huaisang."
As they made their way to the door, Wei Wuxian, never one to stay quiet, called out with a mischievous grin, "Hey, if you need us to hex Wen Chao into next week, just give us the signal!"
Jiang Cheng elbowed him but nodded towards Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang. "Good luck," he said simply, his tone gruff but sincere.
Wen Ning gave a shy thumbs up, his silent support clear in his eyes.
With a final nod to their friends, Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang followed the wizard out of the classroom. As the door closed behind them, Lan Wangji picked up Qing Yi's teacup, which he had been supposed to read. He studied it for a moment before speaking.
"Interesting," he mused, "well…I suppose it's a bit late to mention, but these leaves did foretell an unexpected summons for Qing Yi.”
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened with curiosity. He took the cup from Lan Wangji's hands to examine it himself. Jiang Cheng, equally intrigued, leaned in close, peering at the tea leaves over Wei Wuxian's shoulder.
Professor Trelawney's misty voice cut through the rising murmurs. "Now, now, class. The Inner Eye waits for no one. Back to your readings, if you please."
With a few lingering glances at the door, the students reluctantly returned to their teacups, though whispered speculations about their classmates' fate continued to flit around the room.
()()()()()