"Where are you taking me?"
All the way, Xia Qingyu could feel the gazes of everyone around them, some filled with admiration, others with envy, and yet others with jealousy.
As the top student of the entire school, she was no stranger to such attention. However, today was different.
Xia Qingyu looked at the hand Xia Qingtian was holding, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks.
Considering her current disheveled state, would she embarrass Xia Qingtian?
Xia Qingyu became a little insecure, wanting to pull her hand out of Xia Qingtian's grip, only to find Xia Qingtian holding on even tighter.
A small seed had taken root in her heart. With the warmth of the sun, it sprouted. The hidden joy, coupled with pride and a hint of possessiveness over this newfound affection, blossomed within her.
Xia Qingtian, unaware of Xia Qingyu's inner turmoil, walked on with a stoic expression.
It seemed Xia Qingyu's situation was worse than she had anticipated.
It wasn't even April yet, and the temperature difference between day and night was still significant.
Wearing wet school uniform pants, the slightest breeze would chill her to the bone. A cold was the least of it; if she caught a chill that led to a chronic illness, it would be a lifelong burden.
Those who had bullied her so carelessly... they were utterly despicable!
Relying on her memory, Xia Qingtian quickly found the grade-level homeroom teacher's office. After knocking and entering, Xia Qingtian first greeted the teachers who had taught her before, and then she found Xia Qingyu's homeroom teacher.
Xia Qingyu's homeroom teacher was a male, in his early thirties. He seemed somewhat surprised to see Xia Qingtian.
"Hello, Teacher Jiang. I'm Qingyu's older sister," Xia Qingtian said with a slight smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Qingyu has been a bother to you."
"Not at all. Qingyu's grades have always been among the top, and her personality is introverted and well-behaved. She's never caused any trouble," Teacher Jiang replied with a smile.
"I noticed Qingyu's clothes are wet, and the weather is still cool. I happen to have a change of clothes with me. I'll take her to change first. If we're a little late returning, I hope you'll forgive us, Teacher," Xia Qingtian said.
"No problem, no problem. Go quickly, don't catch a cold," Teacher Jiang said, waving her hand.
"Thank you, Teacher," Xia Qingtian said before taking Xia Qingyu's hand and leaving the office.
Just then, Li Mengxiao called. Xia Qingtian asked Xia Qingyu to wait for her and then hurried away.
Watching Xia Qingtian's retreating back, Xia Qingyu still felt as if she were dreaming.
Xia Qingtian was actually attending her parent-teacher conference...
Ever since she could remember, she had often been alone. At that time, she had desperately wished for a sibling.
Later, after her mother married into the Xia family, Xia Qingtian always spoke harshly to her. Despite that, she still hoped to be accepted.
Before long, Xia Qingtian had completely accepted her. Xia Qingtian was just like the older sister she had always wanted as a child: beautiful and gentle, with a bright and radiant smile. Although she was a little restless, always making Xia Qingyu worry, all of this felt like a dream that Xia Qingyu never wanted to wake from.
It was wonderful...
"Xia Qingyu, you're such a slut," a female voice cut through Xia Qingyu's thoughts.
"How did you beg Xia Qingtian to come to your parent-teacher conference? Did you kneel for her?" Qian Xiaoyue's eyes were filled with frenzied jealousy as she looked at Xia Qingyu. "You'll go to any lengths to achieve your goals!"
"Do you think Xia Qingtian's arrival can change your destiny? Don't be so naive!"
"Let me tell you, selfish people like you deserve to be scorned!"
"I heard that no one has ever seen your father. You probably don't even know who your father is, do you?" Qian Xiaoyue's smile grew increasingly sinister. "Even with the Xia family behind you, it doesn't change the fact that you're a bastard."
"Xia Qingtian is unlucky to have a bastard sister like you! The entire Xia family is shamed because of you. Instead of putting on a show of sisterly affection at school with Xia Qingtian, you might as well just kill yourself; it would seem more sincere."
"Xia Qingyu! Why don't you just die!"
The sharp and vicious curses spewed from Qian Xiaoyue's mouth, accompanied by the sneers and agreement of the "Heiress Sisters" clique, darkening Xia Qingyu's expression.
Passersby merely cast a quick glance and then hurried away, as if afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
It seemed verbal taunts weren't enough. Qian Xiaoyue raised her hand, intending to slap Xia Qingyu.
At that moment, a hand firmly grasped Qian Xiaoyue's wrist.
Qian Xiaoyue was startled and looked up, following the hand to meet a pair of eyes filled with fury.
"Xia... Xia Qingtian..." Qian Xiaoyue shivered.
"Sister..." Xia Qingyu looked at Xia Qingtian with teary eyes, pursing her lips. Her gaze was somewhat evasive due to a sudden surge of shame.
"Qingyu," Xia Qingtian said coldly, "hit her back."
Xia Qingyu was stunned by Xia Qingtian's words. Qian Xiaoyue also looked at Xia Qingtian in disbelief. "What! What did you say!"
"If someone tries to hit you, just hit them back," Xia Qingtian repeated. "Anything that happens, it's on me."
"You're kidding! Do you know what you're saying! If I expose this online! You'll never be a big star again! You dare instigate someone to assault a minor! You're dead!" Seeing Xia Qingtian's serious expression, Qian Xiaoyue panicked.
"Whatever you want," Xia Qingtian said coldly. "Do you think I care about that? No one can bully my sister!"
"Xia Qingyu! You dare hit me! I'll tell the dean! I'll tell the principal! You wait to be expelled!" Since threatening Xia Qingtian was useless, Qian Xiaoyue turned to intimidate Xia Qingyu.
"Go ahead and tell them! It's just the top student in the school getting slapped. Do you think the school will protect a useless bully like you, or the top student of the entire school? Wake up and think clearly!" Xia Qingtian said coldly. "Qingyu hitting you is what you deserve!"
Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, Qian Xiaoyue was completely dumbfounded. She looked at Xia Qingtian in disbelief. "I'm the daughter of Qian's Trading! You! You can't hit me!"
"As if no one else is a daughter of a prominent family," Xia Qingtian sneered. "Xia Qingyu is the daughter of the Xia family. To oppose her is to oppose the Xia family. If you want to make things difficult for her, I don't mind representing the Xia family and tracking you down one by one! Let's see if your parents would rather favor you or completely offend the Xia family!"
Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, the previously arrogant "Heiress Sisters" were also stunned into silence.
"Qingyu, give her a slap and show her that you're not someone to be bullied!" Xia Qingtian said, looking coldly at Qian Xiaoyue.
"Sister, let it go," Xia Qingyu felt an urge to cry. She stepped forward, grasped Xia Qingtian's wrist, and shook her head gently.
Seeing that Xia Qingyu was not going to pursue the matter, Xia Qingtian let go of Qian Xiaoyue's hand and warned, "You're the daughter of Qian's Trading, right? I've got it noted!"
Qian Xiaoyue took two steps back, then hurried away with the others, as if afraid Xia Qingtian would change her mind and grab them to deliver a couple of slaps.
"Honestly, people like that who bully the weak and fear the strong should be slapped twice. Why didn't you hit her just now?" Xia Qingtian said, annoyed.
"What if she really says something baseless online and causes you trouble?" Xia Qingyu lowered her head. She still remembered Xia Qingtian's disappointed and helpless expression when she was targeted by online trolls saying she should quit the entertainment industry.
She wanted to be the one to protect her sister, not let her sister worry about her again.