Chapter 22
Potion-crossed Sweethearts (Part 4)
The next day, Qing Yi didn’t show up for breakfast. He’d slipped into class early, avoiding his friends altogether. The moment he walked into the classroom, heads turned. Whispered words and giggles rippled through the room like an unrelenting tide. He could feel the stares, the weight of the teasing still hanging over him from the day before.
In the Great Hall, Lan Xichen sat with a frown, his gaze drifting toward the empty seat where Qing Yi should have been. The knot of concern in his chest tightened as he turned to Nie Huaisang. “Have you spoken to him?”
Nie Huaisang shook his head, looking just as worried. “I tried talking to him last night, but he didn’t say anything. Just did his homework quietly, then went straight to bed. And this morning, he was still in bed when I asked him to come to breakfast, but... he just shook his head.”
Lan Xichen’s lips pressed into a thin line as he nodded. “I see… Thanks, Huaisang.”
Nie Huaisang gave a soft, reassuring smile. “He’s in most of my classes today. I’ll keep an eye on him. Let you know if anything changes.”
Lan Xichen gave him a small, grateful nod, though it did little to ease the growing worry gnawing at him. He knew how much the teasing was hurting Qing Yi, but there was something deeper, something that felt like it was slipping further from his grasp.
The teasing continued relentlessly throughout the day. It seemed as though nothing new had been spread—no fresh rumors, no outrageous headlines—but the mocking was persistent. Everywhere Qing Yi went, whispers followed.
At one point, during a break between classes, Qing Yi’s patience finally snapped. A group of Slytherins stood near the entrance of the Transfiguration courtyard, snickering as he passed. One of them, a tall boy with slicked-back hair, sneered loudly.
"Well, if it isn't our illustrious Ice Queen," he drawled. "Tell me, Your Highness, how does it feel to have the whole school wrapped around your little finger? Must be nice, having everyone fawning over you. I bet you're loving every minute of this attention, aren't you?"
The words hit Qing Yi like a slap. His hand flew to his wand, his fingers curling around it in a tight grip. Without hesitation, he whipped it out, his eyes blazing with fury.
“Stupefy!”
The red jet of light shot toward the Slytherin, who barely managed to dodge, his smirk fading into a look of surprise. The students nearby gasped, and a few even laughed, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
“Watch it, Koh!” the Slytherin barked, his own wand now drawn. “Trying to hex your own housemate, huh? That’s some royal attitude you’ve got there.”
Before Qing Yi could fire another spell, Nie Huaisang rushed forward, grabbing his arm. “Qing Yi, stop! Come on, let’s go,” Huaisang urged, pulling him away.
But Qing Yi’s expression remained cold and furious. He yanked his arm free, glaring at the other boy with a mixture of hatred and exhaustion. He couldn’t take another word, another whisper, another stupid joke.
Nie Huaisang glanced between them, his voice softer but urgent. “Don’t let them get to you. He’s not worth it. Let’s just leave.”
Qing Yi said nothing, turning abruptly on his heel and storming off in the opposite direction, his shoulders tense. Nie Huaisang stood there for a moment, torn between relief and worry, before hurrying to catch up with him.
As they rounded the corner, Qing Yi’s frustration was still simmering beneath the surface, snippets of a heated conversation reached their ears. Jin Zixuan's frustrated voice carried down the corridor, punctuated by Jiang Yanli's softer tones.
"...narrow-minded fools," Jin Zixuan was saying, his voice dripping with disdain. "Getting all worked up over something so trivial. It's beneath me to even acknowledge their pathetic attempts at humor."
Jiang Yanli's gentle reply followed, "If it's truly not worth your attention, Zixuan, then perhaps you shouldn't react. The more you respond, the more they'll want to provoke you."
Her words were meant to soothe him, but as she spoke, her gaze shifted past Jin Zixuan, spotting Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang approaching from the corner. Jin Zixuan, noticing her sudden distraction, turned around, and the moment his eyes landed on Qing Yi, his blood boiled. His face contorted with anger as he stormed toward them.
"You!" he spat, stopping inches from Qing Yi's face. "You silver-haired scourge! You conniving little pestilence! It's because of you that I'm caught up in this mess!"
He stopped just inches from Qing Yi, his presence looming. Nie Huaisang instinctively moved to step between them, but Qing Yi held up his hand, silently stopping him, choosing to face Jin Zixuan head-on. Jiang Yanli hurried after Jin Zixuan, grabbing his arm to hold him back from escalating the situation any further.
Qing Yi’s eyes sharpened, meeting Jin Zixuan’s glare head-on. “Because of me?” His voice was cold and controlled, but there was fury simmering beneath his words. “As I recall, you were the one all over me that day. If anything, you caused the scene that led to this. And don’t forget—who was it that stormed into The Hogwarts Herald, threatening to blow up Jin Guangyao’s operation and making everything worse?”
"Guys, please," Nie Huaisang pleaded, while Jiang Yanli urged, "Zixuan, calm down. Let's go."
Jin Zixuan's eyes widened at Qing Yi's words, a flicker of realization crossing his face before hardening again. He yanked his arm free from Jiang Yanli's grasp. "True, this started as a potion accident," he sneered, "but everyone knows about your... proclivities. It's your unnatural interests that made this blow up more than it should have."
Qing Yi's eyes widened, his lips parting but no words coming out. Jin Zixuan pressed on, his voice laced with disgust,
Jin Zixuan continued, his tone dripping with disgust. "That's right. Everyone knows about your disturbing 'preferences.' Do me a favor, Koh, and stay away from me. I don’t want to be associated with your kind.”
Jiang Yanli’s expression shifted from shock to anger as she stepped forward, her voice louder than anyone had ever heard from her. “Zixuan! How could you say something like that? That’s awful!” She turned, her gaze full of sorrow as she looked at Qing Yi’s hurt expression, then back at Jin Zixuan. “Apologize to him. Right now.”
Jin Zixuan hesitated, regret flickering in his eyes as the weight of his words began to settle on him. He glanced at Qing Yi, seeing the pain etched on his face, but before he could say anything, a calm female voice cut through the tension.
“Qing Yi.”
All heads turned to see Jing Shi and Jing Xiang who had been drawn to the commotion while on their way to class. Jing Shi's expression was stern but composed, while Jing Xiang's eyes narrowed in irritation. It was clear from their faces that they had overheard Jin Zixuan's cruel words.
Jing Shi extended her hand toward Qing Yi, offering a gentle smile. “Come here, Qing Yi,” she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.
Qing Yi’s expression softened immediately at the sight of his sister. He turned slightly to look at Nie Huaisang, who gave him a small, understanding smile.
“I’ll cover for you in Charms,” Nie Huaisang said quietly. “It’s okay.”
Taken aback by his friend’s kindness, Qing Yi offered a faint smile in return before walking toward his sister. Jing Shi wrapped an arm around him protectively, and together with Jing Xiang, they turned and walked away toward the courtyard, leaving Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli, and Nie Huaisang standing in stunned silence.
Jiang Yanli then turned to Jin Zixuan, her voice quiet but firm. “You went too far, Zixuan.”
Jin Zixuan stood in silence, watching as Qing Yi left with his sisters. He clenched his fists, unsure of how to process the mixture of regret and pride battling inside him.
****
The Koh siblings made their way to the courtyard, the tension from the earlier confrontation still hanging heavily in the air. They found a quiet spot near the fountain, its gentle gurgling a stark contrast to the turmoil in their minds.
Jing Xiang was the first to break the silence, her voice tight with barely contained fury. "I can't believe the nerve of that Jin Zixuan! And the rest of them..." She clenched her fists. "I'm shocked the professors haven't done anything about this. It's outright bullying!"
Jing Shi sighed, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "The professors are preoccupied with preparations for the Fall Dance this weekend. Besides," she added, a hint of irony in her voice, "it seems this incident has actually increased participation in the voting. The Hogwarts Herald is drawing more attention than ever."
"At the expense of our brother's well-being!" Jing Xiang retorted, her eyes flashing. "How is that a positive thing?"
Jing Shi shrugged, her voice softening. "Because children can be cruel, I suppose. They think only of their own entertainment, regardless of who gets hurt in the process."
She turned to Qing Yi, who had been silent throughout their exchange. “I know you’re angry, Qing Yi. I know you feel like the world is crashing down around you right now, but being like this, letting them get to you... it only makes it worse. The more down you are, the stronger their bullying will become.”
Qing Yi looked up at his sister, his emerald eyes clouded with a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Then what would you have me do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just pretend to be happy and cheerful with all this negativity surrounding me."
Jing Shi sighed again, exchanging a look with Jing Xiang. Both sisters understood their brother’s pain, and it pained them to see him like this, but they were just as lost for words. Jing Xiang opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, a soft melody began to play from Qing Yi’s pocket.
Startled, Qing Yi reached into his pocket and pulled out a two-way mirror. The name "Yu Yan" flashed across its surface.
"Mom?" Qing Yi's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and relief washing over his face. The mere sight of his mother's name seemed to momentarily push back the dark cloud that had been hovering over him.
He remembered his attempted call from the previous night, when the weight of the day's bullying and frustration had become too much to bear alone. He had longed for the comfort of his mother's voice, her wisdom and understanding, but there had been no answer. Now, seeing her name on the mirror, he felt a small spark of hope ignite within him.
"She must be calling back," he murmured, his voice softer now, tinged with both anticipation and a hint of vulnerability. All the anger and frustration that had been building up seemed to pause, giving way to a child's need for parental comfort.
He tapped the mirror, and his mother’s bright face instantly filled the reflection. Yu Yan's smile was radiant, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw him.
“Qing Yi, sweetheart! I’m so sorry I missed your call last night. Work’s been absolute chaos lately with all these store openings—” She paused mid-sentence, waving her hand dismissively. “Ah, never mind that. What’s going on? You calling me out of the blue during the school term—what’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Qing Yi’s breath caught in his throat. His heart ached, and all he could manage was a quiet, “Mom…”
Her face immediately changed, concern flooding her features. “What is it?” Her voice sharpened with protectiveness. “Who hurt my baby? I’ll go up to that school right now and deal with them myself!”
Her sudden outburst startled the siblings. Jing Shi and Jing Xiang exchanged a glance, a mix of amusement and embarrassment at their mother's typical overreaction. Qing Yi felt his cheeks flush, torn between gratitude for her concern and mortification at her intensity.
"Shh, Mom! Keep your voice down," he hissed, glancing around nervously. “You’ll have the professors on me.”
Yu Yan's eyes widened with realization, then narrowed suspiciously. "Oh?" A mischievous glint appeared in her eye, reminding Qing Yi of where he got his own cunning streak. "Does that mean you're cutting class right now?"
The siblings exchanged guilty glances, each feeling like they'd been caught red-handed. Jing Shi bit her lip, always the most rule-abiding of the three. Jing Xiang lifted her chin defiantly, as if daring their mother to scold them.
Yu Yan sighed, but the amusement in her voice remained. “I have to say, I expect this kind of thing from Qing Yi, with him being a Slytherin and all. But you two?” She shook her head, her gaze shifting toward her daughters. “My Hufflepuffs skipping class too? I guess your brother’s rubbing off on you.” She let out a light laugh, adding, “That’s the Slytherin effect for you.”
The siblings let out relieved sighs, their shoulders easing as they realized she wasn’t upset. Her playful tone helped melt the tension that had been weighing down on them.
Qing Yi, still holding the mirror, forced a smile, though the weight of everything still bore down on him. “Mom… something happened.”
Yu Yan’s teasing demeanor vanished, her face becoming serious again. “What happened? Tell me.”
Qing Yi took a deep breath and began to recount the events of the past few days. As he spoke of the love potion incident, the rumors, and his nomination for Fall Queen, Yu Yan's expression cycled through shock, anger, and indignation. Her brow furrowed deeper with each word, her lips pressing into a thin line.
When Qing Yi finished, Yu Yan exploded, her voice rising with each word. "Seriously? They're using the school newspaper to bully fellow students? And targeting one from their own house, no less? This is absolutely pathetic!"
The siblings nodded vigorously, chorusing, "Right!" They felt a surge of vindication hearing their mother's outrage.
But then Yu Yan continued, her tone shifting unexpectedly, "And such an amateur move, too."
Her children blinked, thrown off by the sudden shift. Jing Xiang tilted her head in confusion. “Wait, what?”
“Honestly, Qing Yi,” Yu Yan said, her tone growing more playful. “I’m surprised you’re letting this nonsense get under your skin. If I were still at school, I would have turned this whole mess into an even bigger spectacle—on my own terms.”
The siblings stared at her, momentarily stunned. “Mom!” they chorused, disbelief coloring their voices.
Jing Shi, ever the voice of reason, spoke up first. "You'd participate in the bullying too? I can't believe you'd say something like that, Mom. How could you?"
Jing Xiang chimed in, her voice a mix of confusion and indignation, "Yeah, isn't Qing Yi your precious baby boy? Why would you want to make things worse for him?"
Qing Yi's face flushed a deep red, embarrassment overriding his earlier distress. He turned to Jing Xiang, protesting, "Hey! I'm not her baby boy! Cut it out!"
Yu Yan laughed, a sound that reminded them all of home and simpler times. "Oh, Qing Yi, you'll always be my baby boy," she teased, her eyes twinkling with affection. Then her expression turned more serious, though a sly smile still played at her lips. "But listen, all of you. Sometimes, the best way to deal with this kind of situation is to lean into it, to take control of the narrative."
The siblings listened, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They could almost see the gears turning in their mother's head, reminiscent of the cunning Slytherin she once was – and in many ways, still is.
"Mom," Qing Yi began hesitantly, a spark of interest in his eyes despite his reservations, "what exactly are you suggesting?"
Yu Yan's eyes glinted with mischief as she leaned closer to the mirror. "I’m saying, darling, that if they want to cast you as the ‘Fall Queen,’ then you don’t run from it. You embrace it. You take what they’ve labeled you and you make it your strength. Own it, and turn their little joke into the grandest spectacle Hogwarts has ever seen!"
The siblings exchanged bewildered glances, their mouths agape. Qing Yi leaned closer to the mirror, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, Mom? How could we possibly make this situation any grander?"
Jing Shi's brow furrowed in confusion. "But Mom, wouldn't that just be playing into their hands?"
"Not if you do it right," Yu Yan countered, her voice filled with excitement. Then, her tone took on a fierce, proud quality as she pointed at Qing Yi through the mirror. "Listen closely, Qing Yi. No son of mine is going to be beaten down by some half-baked attempt at humiliation. If these stuck-up little wizards want to see you as their queen, then by Merlin's beard, you're going to give them a queen they'll never forget!"
Qing Yi's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You mean... go all out? Really lean into the role?"
"Exactly!" Yu Yan exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Make it so grand, so over-the-top, that they can't help but be impressed. Turn their joke into your triumph!"
Jing Xiang, who had been quiet until now, suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh, Merlin's beard! Can you imagine their faces if Qing Yi showed up in the most spectacular outfit, owning that crown like he was born to wear it?"
Yu Yan nodded enthusiastically. "That's the spirit! Remember, Qing Yi, in Slytherin, we don't just survive – we thrive. Take their mockery and wear it like armor. Show them what true royalty looks like!"
Jing Xiang's eyes lit up with excitement. She turned to her twin brother, patting his shoulder enthusiastically. "Mom's absolutely right, Qing Yi! If these dimwitted kids want to see a queen, then by Godric's sword, you'll give them THE Queen! Wear that title with such pride and grace that it'll make their jaws drop and their wands fall right out of their hands!"
Qing Yi's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and growing determination flickering in their emerald depths. He looked at his twin, feeling a surge of encouragement he hadn't expected.
Yu Yan continued, her voice filled with fierce pride. "Exactly! You're my son, Qing Yi. And no child of mine – not a single one – will ever lose at anything they set their mind to. So lift that chin, be yourself, and show these kids exactly who they're messing with!"
A bright smile spread across Qing Yi's face, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of gratitude and newfound resolve. "Thanks, Mom..." he began, but Yu Yan wasn't finished.
"Oh, and with that said," she continued, her voice suddenly brimming with enthusiasm, "I have just the PERFECT dress for you to try on!"
Qing Yi's jaw dropped, his disbelief nearly tangible. "Wait, what?" He couldn't have heard that right.
Yu Yan grinned, her sly Slytherin side showing through. "Oh yes. It's the dress I wore to my third-year fall dance– a beautiful emerald gown, perfect for a Slytherin queen. Of course, I didn't win that year because—" She caught herself mid-rambling and quickly waved away the unfinished thought. "Never mind that. I'll have it delivered to you by express owl post."
Jing Shi’s mouth fell open, and Jing Xiang's laughter turned into gasps of surprise. "Mom, seriously?"
Yu Yan only smiled, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "You will win this for me, Qing Yi. Do you hear me?"
Qing Yi, still stunned, felt his heart race as he took a step back. The force of his mother’s determination left him speechless. "Ye... yes, ma’am," he stammered, his mind struggling to process everything.
Yu Yan's expression softened, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Alright, my darlings, I'm afraid I have to run now. You three get to class, okay? And no more skipping!" Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "I'll keep this little truancy from your father this time, but don't expect a second chance."
The siblings exchanged guilty glances before chorusing, "Yes, Mom," their voices a mixture of relief and amusement.
Just as they thought the conversation was over, Yu Yan's voice piped up again. "Oh, and Qing Yi?"
Qing Yi looked up, his emerald eyes meeting his mother's gaze through the mirror. Yu Yan's expression was filled with love and pride as she said softly, "You'll be fine, sweetheart. You're stronger than you know."
A lump formed in Qing Yi's throat as he began to respond, "Thanks, Mo—"
But Yu Yan, true to form, couldn't resist one last outburst of affection. "And Mommy loves you so much!" she exclaimed, making exaggerated kissing noises. Smooch**, smooch** “Okay, bye now!"
With that, the mirror went dark, leaving the siblings in a stunned silence. The courtyard was quiet for a moment before Jing Xiang broke the spell with a chuckle. "That's Mom for you," she said, shaking her head fondly.
Qing Yi's face softened into a gentle smile, his earlier troubles momentarily forgotten. "She always knows exactly what to say to lighten our mood, doesn't she?"
Jing Shi nodded, wrapping an arm around her brother's shoulders. "That she does. And you know what? She's right. You've got this, Qing Yi."
As they stood there, the weight of recent events seemed to lift slightly. The warmth of their mother's love and the strength of their sibling bond surrounded them, a shield against the challenges that lay ahead. With renewed determination, Qing Yi straightened his shoulders. Hogwarts wanted a queen? Well, they were about to get one they'd never forget.
The Koh siblings made their way back into the castle, the cool stone walls offered a welcome respite from the crisp autumn air. The corridors were quiet, most students still in their classes, giving the trio a moment of privacy to discuss their newfound plan.
Jing Xiang, her silver hair catching the flickering torchlight, turned to her siblings with a mischievous glint in her eye. "So," she began, her voice a mix of excitement and caution, "how exactly are we going to pull this off without making things worse? I mean, we're walking a fine line here, aren't we?"
Jing Shi nodded thoughtfully, her brow furrowing as she considered the question. "It's definitely tricky," she admitted, twirling a strand of her own silver hair around her finger.
"We want to turn this situation into something positive for Qing Yi, not accidentally fan the flames of ridicule. If we're not careful, playing along with their teasing might backfire spectacularly."
Qing Yi paused, absorbing their words. He knew his sisters were right—this wasn’t just about standing up for himself, it was about doing it the right way. The teasing, the judgment, the whispers behind his back—it had been overwhelming. But now, standing here with the two people who had always believed in him, and with his mother’s words still resonating deep inside him, he realized this wasn’t about fighting fire with fire. It was about embracing who he was and showing everyone that their words didn’t define him. He would define himself.
A slow smile spread across his face, filled with confidence and determination. He looked at his sisters, his voice steady and sure.
"I think I know what to do," he said, looking at his sisters with a newfound determination.
"I'll use these physical features that have been bestowed upon me and show them what a true winner looks like. It's time I embrace who I am and shine brighter than they ever expected."
His sisters exchanged proud glances, nodding in agreement. Jing Xiang reached out and squeezed Qing Yi's shoulder, her eyes sparkling with pride. "That's the spirit, Qing Yi! And don't you worry for a second – Jing Shi and I will make sure you outshine every star in the sky that night."
Jing Shi suddenly clapped her hands together, bouncing on her toes with excitement. "Oh, this is brilliant!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly in the empty corridor.
"It’s just like when we were kids, remember? You and Jing Xiang always wore identical clothes and styled your hair the same way on purpose to confuse Mom and Dad. Remember how they could never tell you apart? They got it wrong every single time!"
Jing Xiang laughed, the sound light and melodious. "Oh, those were the days," she sighed wistfully, before a mischievous smirk crossed her face. "Although... I bet if we put Qing Yi in a dress now, they still couldn't tell us apart. We'd have them second-guessing for hours!"
Qing Yi rolled his eyes good-naturedly, but couldn't help joining in the laughter. "Oh, please," he said, trying to sound exasperated but failing to hide his amusement. "Let's not give them any ideas. I have a feeling Mom's going to be enthusiastic enough about this whole Fall Queen business without adding twin confusion to the mix."
As they reached the intersection where their paths diverged, Jing Shi bid farewell to her younger siblings. "Try not to start a royal uprising while I'm in Advanced Transfiguration," she quipped, her purple eyes twinkling. With a final encouraging smile, she disappeared into the sea of students, her silver hair trailing behind her.
Qing Yi and Jing Xiang turned toward their Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The hallways were buzzing with students, emerging from their current classes and heading to their next. Qing Yi could still feel the gazes of those around him, and he didn’t miss the teasing remarks—“Hey, look! It’s the Slytherin Queen!”—floating toward him as they passed. But instead of letting it bother him, he simply rolled his eyes and kept walking, feeling a newfound strength. He was starting to embrace the title, after all.
Jing Xiang, however, wasn’t so forgiving. She shot cold glares at the students who dared to mock her brother, her protective instincts kicking in. Anyone who crossed her path and said something inappropriate quickly looked away, their voices quieting under her steely gaze.
Just as they turned the corner, Nie Huaisang appeared, heading in their direction with a bright smile on his face. The moment he spotted Qing Yi, his face lit up even more, and he jogged toward him, his usual carefree energy bubbling to the surface.
“Qing Yi! There you are!” Nie Huaisang called out, his excitement palpable.
Qing Yi’s heart softened at the sight of him. Seeing Nie Huaisang's smile, Qing Yi was reminded of all the times Huaisang had stood by his side, supporting him through the worst of the teasing and rumors. He realized, in that moment, just how lucky he was to have such a reliable and loyal friend. Without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Huaisang, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Huaisang, caught completely off guard, froze for a moment. “Uh... Qing Yi?” he stammered, feeling the sudden warmth of the hug. He tensed slightly. "Are you okay? Did someone hit you with a Confundus Charm or something?"
Despite his joking tone, he returned the hug fiercely. "It's okay if you need to cry, you know. I've got a whole collection of creative excuses ready if you need to skip class. Personal favorite: 'transfigured my homework into a Niffler, currently chasing it through the castle.'"
A soft chuckle escaped Qing Yi’s lips as he shook his head, pulling back just enough to look Nie Huaisang in the eye. “No, I’m fine,” he said, his voice calm and genuine. “It’s just...”
He paused for a moment before pulling Huaisang out of the hug, keeping his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “Thank you, Huaisang.”
Nie Huaisang blinked in confusion. “For what?” he asked, his head tilted in that familiar curious way.
Qing Yi smiled brightly, his expression full of warmth. “For standing up for me. For staying by my side. You’re the best friend a guy could ask for.”
Huaisang’s face flushed pink at the compliment, his heart skipping a beat as Qing Yi pulled him in for another hug. This time, Huaisang returned the embrace more naturally, though he couldn’t quite hide the blush spreading across his cheeks. His heart felt warm, almost fluttering, as Qing Yi’s words echoed in his ears.
“Don’t mention it, Qing Yi,” Huaisang murmured softly, his smile widening. “I’ll always be by your side, no matter what.”
Qing Yi was surprised by the depth of Huaisang’s words, and for a moment, he simply hugged his friend tighter, appreciating his sincerity. “And I’ll always be by yours,” he replied, his voice quiet but full of emotion.
Huaisang’s heart skipped again, and his face grew even redder. He wasn’t used to being this close to someone, especially not like this. But somehow, being close to Qing Yi felt... right. There was a warmth between them that he hadn’t realized existed until now. Was it just friendship? Or could it be something more? The thought made his heart flutter, though he quickly pushed it aside, not sure what to make of it.
Jing Xiang, who had been watching this exchange with a knowing smirk, cleared her throat. "As heartwarming as this is, we should probably get to class before we're late. I don't think 'lost track of time during an impromptu hugging session' will fly with Professor Mei."
Qing Yi chuckled and released Nie Huaisang from the embrace, feeling lighter than before. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go before we really have to explain ourselves.”
The three of them made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. As they entered the classroom, the atmosphere shifted. Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Lan Wangji were already seated, waiting for the lesson to begin. Qing Yi noticed a few familiar faces glancing his way, the teasing smiles still present, but he felt more grounded now. His sisters, his friends—they had his back.
****