[ Meng Yao's walk back from class to his dorm room is probably the slowest anyone could manage without going backwards. There's a few reasons why; one is his roomie. Nie Huisang is chaos at it's finest and whilst Meng Yao likes the other it can be hard to keep up. He has work to do. They both have work to do! Meng Yao is forever mystified as to how Nie Huisang has not been bounced out of the University yet.
On the other hand, there's Lan Xichen who lives next door. Lan Xichen is perfection in every single way and Meng Yao knows that he'll never get the others attention just through staring and having the odd conversation but he can't help it. How does someone grab the attention of an actual god on campus? Even Nie Huaisang hasn't managed it yet.
And so Meng Yao is loitering not loitering, somewhat hoping that Lan Xichen will suddenly materialise in the hallway and also hoping when he reaches his room it's not to a veritable whirlwind of Nie happenings.]
[As it happens, Nie happenings are in fact over by the time Meng Yao makes it back, although the way everyone is scuttling around quietly should say enough about the probably most recent phone blow up.
But by now, Huaisang is just moping on his bed, eyes red from crying, curled up around a pillow and listening to sad music, because of course he is. Most probably his brother called Xichen-ge to grouse about him, and some time later Xichen will come to check on him after making sure he's calmed down, and while Huaisang is always happy to have some of Xichen's attention, it bothers him that a lot of it is because the poor man is trying to keep the peace between the Nie brothers.]
[ The music is a dead give away. Meng Yao can tell what has happened without even needing to see his roomie. Another Nie blow-up. One would think with how legendary they can be they'd be rare, but no it seemed to be frequent. Or maybe they'd just that loud and prominent that Meng Yao can easily recall them.
He tiptoes across the room, books held to his chest as he debates if he should disturb his friend or not. Meng Yao knows he should be concerned but he also knows he'll be dragged into whatever argument has happened. Then he'll probably get a call from the older brother too. There's not enough time in the day to do his work and deal with a Nie argument.
A floorboard creaks and Meng Yao instantly gives up, knowing his cover is blown as he pokes his head into Huaisang's room.]
[It's not that Huaisang would have minded if Meng Yao had chosen to go do something else instead while he is in his feelings, but he's still glad to get some positive attention. Commiserate with him, A-Yao.]
He found out I dropped out of the business program and he started yelling about all the money he paid for that, so I literally transferred the whole amount back to him on my bank app and told him I didn't need his money to pay for my school.
[And that went over about as well as one can imagine, knowing Mingjue's temper.]
The university bounced one of his payments back and he called them to ask why.
[ So the elder Nie now knows the truth. Things may look bad now but Meng Yao can't help the small sense of relief. No more lying when it comes to courses then. At least Nie Huaisang can change his course and pursue something he likes; Meng Yao is pretty sure the business scholarship is going to be the end of him.]
It's done then, there is nothing else to be worried about. He'll come around.
[ Not that Nie Mingjue would have stopped Huiasang from having a blast; the younger brother manages that quite fine, with or without the other knowing about certain course routes.]
Maybe you should send him some of your work to show it.
[It's done, indeed, and Huaisang just gives a shrug at the suggestion.]
If it's just to hear that it's a useless, unmarketable skill and I'll never amount to anything, I'll pass. He doesn't even listen long enough to let me tell him I'm acing all of my classes, so what's the point?
[Maybe Mingjue will come around. Most probably he will because he cannot resist his little brother for very long. But it could take time because both of the brothers are stubborn.
Just then, he seems to notice the books Meng Yao is carrying and he makes a face.]
[ Meng Yao isn't too sure on that one, sure Nie Mingjue was a stubborn, angry sort, but he would put money on the other being fiercely proud when realizing what a good artist his younger brother is.
He opens his mouth to say as much, promptly closing it when a drink is mentioned.]
No, no, no. You will have to go get one by yourself. I have to do this assignment.
[ Xichen does happen to be returning to his room after practice, his flute in its carrier over his shoulder. He is not, in fact, a music major, but one can barely tell. ]
[ There he is, the most amazing person on campus. Meng Yao isn't even sure how he managed to score a dorm room next door to Lan Xichen, what planets had aligned to gift such a thing. But it happened and here they are, talking like normal people talk...
Thankfully Meng Yao can make some eye contact as he talks, not at all looking as wistful as he feels.]
Ah. I think from the music selection I can hear, there was probably another argument.
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On the other hand, there's Lan Xichen who lives next door. Lan Xichen is perfection in every single way and Meng Yao knows that he'll never get the others attention just through staring and having the odd conversation but he can't help it. How does someone grab the attention of an actual god on campus? Even Nie Huaisang hasn't managed it yet.
And so Meng Yao is loitering not loitering, somewhat hoping that Lan Xichen will suddenly materialise in the hallway and also hoping when he reaches his room it's not to a veritable whirlwind of Nie happenings.]
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But by now, Huaisang is just moping on his bed, eyes red from crying, curled up around a pillow and listening to sad music, because of course he is. Most probably his brother called Xichen-ge to grouse about him, and some time later Xichen will come to check on him after making sure he's calmed down, and while Huaisang is always happy to have some of Xichen's attention, it bothers him that a lot of it is because the poor man is trying to keep the peace between the Nie brothers.]
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He tiptoes across the room, books held to his chest as he debates if he should disturb his friend or not. Meng Yao knows he should be concerned but he also knows he'll be dragged into whatever argument has happened. Then he'll probably get a call from the older brother too. There's not enough time in the day to do his work and deal with a Nie argument.
A floorboard creaks and Meng Yao instantly gives up, knowing his cover is blown as he pokes his head into Huaisang's room.]
Another fight?
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He found out I dropped out of the business program and he started yelling about all the money he paid for that, so I literally transferred the whole amount back to him on my bank app and told him I didn't need his money to pay for my school.
[And that went over about as well as one can imagine, knowing Mingjue's temper.]
The university bounced one of his payments back and he called them to ask why.
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It's done then, there is nothing else to be worried about. He'll come around.
[ Not that Nie Mingjue would have stopped Huiasang from having a blast; the younger brother manages that quite fine, with or without the other knowing about certain course routes.]
Maybe you should send him some of your work to show it.
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If it's just to hear that it's a useless, unmarketable skill and I'll never amount to anything, I'll pass. He doesn't even listen long enough to let me tell him I'm acing all of my classes, so what's the point?
[Maybe Mingjue will come around. Most probably he will because he cannot resist his little brother for very long. But it could take time because both of the brothers are stubborn.
Just then, he seems to notice the books Meng Yao is carrying and he makes a face.]
I want a drink.
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He opens his mouth to say as much, promptly closing it when a drink is mentioned.]
No, no, no. You will have to go get one by yourself. I have to do this assignment.
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You're no fun, A-Yao. I'm having crisis here! You could at least console me a little.
[Besides, drinking and partying are part of the college experience, aren't they?]
You always get good grades on those anyway, and you're always early with your assignments. It can wait until tomorrow, can't it?
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[ Xichen does happen to be returning to his room after practice, his flute in its carrier over his shoulder. He is not, in fact, a music major, but one can barely tell. ]
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Thankfully Meng Yao can make some eye contact as he talks, not at all looking as wistful as he feels.]
Ah. I think from the music selection I can hear, there was probably another argument.
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[ Xichen's smile is apologetic because of course he is. ]
I will call Nie Mingjue to try to calm him down, in that case.