Xia Qingtian's swift actions in handling everything, her decisive approach, dealt a resounding blow to anyone still harboring intentions of framing Xia Qingyu.
Although Xia Qingyu remained silent, she knew full well that she was sheltered under Xia Qingtian's wing, finding a haven of peace.
A world protected by her sister granted her ample security, freeing her from any further worries.
Xia Qingyu understood that even after Xia Qingtian finished her assistant work and left City First High School, she would still be safe and sound.
No longer would she have to face school bullying or endure embarrassing schemes.
These were all gifts from Xia Qingtian.
The warmth in her heart burned fiercely, and whenever Xia Qingyu thought of it, she felt this happiness was too intense, so much so that it made her anxious.
Did she deserve it?
From childhood, her father left, and she and her mother depended on each other.
How many scornful glances had she endured, how much exclusion had she faced?
Aunt Liu was frail. Since she could remember, Aunt Liu was either weeping alone or working through the night.
Even if she suffered injustice, she dared not speak of it to anyone.
She feared that from then on, Aunt Liu's tears would be mixed with her own grievances. If that pain were to crush Aunt Liu, she would be utterly alone.
Xia Qingyu lost her father at a young age and didn't want to lose her mother.
But then, it turned out she could have someone to rely on.
Someone who, without her needing to say much, could flatten all obstacles for her, protect her so well under their wing, shield her from wind and rain, and battle the storms, leaving her only a vast expanse of clear sky.
When she felt as insignificant as a blade of grass, someone told her that she, too, was cared for.
When she thought she could endure everything, someone told her she didn't need to endure; she should fight back.
When she felt lost in darkness, alone, and helpless, someone told her that there was light in this world.
For Xia Qingyu, what was precious was not just having someone lend a hand when she was in distress.
What was truly invaluable was someone giving her a beam of light, telling her that the outside world was vast and colorful.
This person was the confidence that would allow her to move forward bravely from now on, and the reason she began to anticipate the future.
Those who extend a helping hand in times of trouble can withdraw it at any moment.
But the confidence she was given was something no one could ever take away.
"Wait for me," Xia Qingyu murmured, watching Xia Qingtian walk ahead of her. "When my wings are fully grown, it will be my turn to give you clear skies."
"Hm?" Xia Qingtian, walking ahead, didn't hear Xia Qingyu's words clearly. She stopped and looked back at Xia Qingyu, reaching out her hand and asking curiously, "What?"
"Nothing," Xia Qingyu said with a smile, holding Xia Qingtian's hand. "I want to drink milk tea."
"Now that you mention it, I want some too. Are you treating me?" Xia Qingtian looked at Xia Qingyu and said, "I want taro boba, half sugar, hot taro boba milk green tea, extra boba toppings, and double taro."
"I really can't do anything about you..." Xia Qingyu's tone was her usual haughty one. "Just this once!"
"Hehe~"
The sisters held hands, walking shoulder to shoulder.
The sunlight stretched their shadows long, leaning against each other.
The three days of assistant work ended quickly. Tomorrow, Xia Qingtian and the others would return to Z University. This activity was once again a complete success, much to the satisfaction of the leaders from City First High School and Z University.
"I'm telling you! Qingtian is my best friend, and Qingyu is Qingtian's sister, which makes her practically my own sister. You're my own brother. Rounded up, she's your sister too. If you dare stand by while someone bullies her, don't blame me for falling out with you!" Li Xiaoxiao only found out about Xia Qingyu's situation afterward. Before leaving City First High School, she grabbed Li Xiaozhong and warned him, "Be alert at all times! If Qingyu gets bullied, I'll cry!"
"I know," Li Xiaozhong's ears were about to go numb these past two days.
Besides, he hadn't stood by idly.
After all, they were business partners. In this school, besides Shi Xingwu, he was the closest to Xia Qingyu.
"Just knowing isn't enough, you have to do it!" Li Xiaoxiao said worriedly, "The thought of the adorable Qingyu being bullied makes me want to cry..."
"..." Li Xiaozhong didn't reply, only sighing helplessly.
Only after Li Xiaoxiao calmed down a bit did Li Xiaozhong say, "The parent-teacher conference last time was quite a scene, and this time multiple people were expelled. Sister Qingtian has already established her authority for Xia Qingyu at City First High School, so no one will want to bully her anymore."
"What if! What if someone just likes to test the boundaries of legality?" Li Xiaoxiao immediately retorted, "Qingyu looks so soft and sweet, she seems easy to bully. What if someone deliberately provokes her, stabbing her in the back?"
"No one would be that bored," Li Xiaozhong, seeing Li Xiaoxiao about to argue, quickly added, "If there is, I'll step in to help her immediately. Is that okay?"
"That's more like it." Li Xiaoxiao was finally reassured. Then, as if remembering something, she said, "But you need to be careful too. You can't go head-to-head. If they're desperate criminals or something, while protecting Xia Qingyu, you also need to protect yourself."
Hearing Li Xiaoxiao's concern for him, Li Xiaozhong's lips curved into a slight smile.
His sister still cared about him.
Li Xiaoxiao thoughtfully said, "Your... injuries should ideally be limited to grade two disability."
"???" Li Xiaozhong's smile froze.
His dear sister?
After giving Li Xiaozhong his instructions, Li Xiaoxiao returned to Z University with Xia Qingtian.
Upon arriving at Z University, they discovered that while they were away as assistant teachers at City First High School for three days, some interesting events had occurred at Z University.
Originally, people from Wanying Entertainment came to Z University to promote a talent show. The response was enthusiastic, and it immediately became a trending topic on the school forum that evening.
Someone even created a webpage predicting the most beautiful students in each department at Z University and who could officially debut after participating in the talent show.
For some reason, someone posted Xia Qingtian's photo and name. Some argued that Xia Qingtian had already debuted and couldn't be counted, while others felt that Xia Qingtian was also a beauty at Z University and that anyone pretty could participate.
As the argument escalated, it somehow turned into a debate about whether [Xia Qingtian participating in the talent show vote would be considered cheating].
Although this was initially just a lively discussion on the school forum, the next day, some busybodies took screenshots of the matter and posted them on social media, directly turning it into [Xia Qingtian is to participate in Wanying Entertainment's talent show as a civilian contestant and has been pre-selected. Is this considered cheating?].
After hearing the whole story, Xia Qingtian's mouth twitched. So, [people sitting at home, yet trouble falls from the sky] wasn't just a saying.
Gu Corporation's entertainment division would handle the public relations for online matters, so Xia Qingtian wasn't worried about how it would escalate.
However, given how Song Junhan and Yu Linwan had seemed eager to drag her down before, Xia Qingtian absolutely did not believe that this matter escalating into such a mess could have happened without their involvement.
As expected, that day Xia Qingtian received a call from Yu Linwan.