Yvonne Grindelwald and Hermione turned their questioning gazes toward Lin Yingqing, her grandmother. Their parents followed suit, clearly intrigued by the topic.
Unfazed by the attention, Lin Yingqing leisurely sipped her tea, moistening her throat before beginning to speak about the relationship between sorcerers and ordinary people in Longguo.
"In Longguo, we don't see any fundamental difference between sorcerers and non-sorcerers. It's simply a matter of different talents. After all, we're all citizens of Longguo," she began.
"The Chairman of Longguo—similar to the President in Britain—has been both a sorcerer and a non-sorcerer at different times. Regardless of who holds the position, the goal of Longguo remains constant: to ensure all citizens live better lives."
"With the existence of sorcery, which in some aspects is far more practical than technology, there's no reason to hide it," Lin Yingqing continued, taking another sip of tea. "However, we also recognize the potential for misuse. As a result, we neither actively promote nor suppress its existence but have seamlessly integrated it into the lives of ordinary people."
"For instance, in food and medicine. The chief agriculturalist of Longguo, Elder Yuan, utilized both scientific and sorcerous methods to hybridize spiritual herbs—those imbued with spiritual energy, or what you might call magic—with ordinary crops. This resulted in high-yield crops containing trace amounts of spiritual energy that even ordinary people can absorb, thereby improving their health while solving Longguo's food supply issues."
Glenn nodded inwardly. He had indeed noticed traces of magical energy in the food he had just eaten. The harmonious blend of ingredients and cooking methods made the energy gentle and easily absorbed. If his perception was correct, even ordinary people could benefit from it.
"Similarly, the herbs sold in the ubiquitous traditional medicine shops of Longguo have also been enhanced with spiritual properties by our agriculturalists, making them beneficial to human health," Lin Yingqing added.
Hermione's jaw dropped slightly as she listened, earning a satisfied nod from Lin Yingqing, who continued, "Research by our Academy of Sciences has shown that even those without sorcerous talent possess trace amounts of spiritual energy within their bodies. They simply cannot perceive or utilize it."
"So, after relentless research by top scientists from our Combat Court and Curse Institute, we discovered a way for ordinary people to mobilize this trace spiritual energy through physical movements. This not only promotes health but also slightly extends lifespan."
"We categorized these movements into different routines. For instance, Tai Chi from traditional martial arts, radio calisthenics and eye exercises for students, and square dancing for the elderly. These seemingly ordinary routines, when performed in public spaces equipped with our concealed sorcerous formations, can guide the circulation of spiritual energy within the body, achieving health and longevity."
"Similarly, we have integrated the knowledge of our alchemists and their elixirs into public healthcare, with remarkable results," Lin Yingqing concluded.
Mr. Granger, a doctor, nodded appreciatively. He understood the potential of integrating magical potions into the Muggle healthcare system to solve numerous medical challenges. However, the Statute of Secrecy in Britain made such integration impossible.
Look at Longguo!
After elaborating on the transformative impact of sorcery on Longguo, Lin Yingqing's serene expression softened into a gentle smile.
Hermione was captivated by her grandmother's smile. Lin Yingqing, already a stunning beauty with an ethereal demeanor, looked like a fairy. Her smile added a touch of warmth, making her even more enchanting. Hermione couldn't help but wonder, "Will I be as beautiful as Grandma someday?"
Caught staring, Hermione blushed as Lin Yingqing gently patted her fluffy hair. Embarrassed, Hermione lowered her head slightly.
Oh no, I've been caught staring!
"Beyond improving livelihoods, sorcery plays a crucial role in national defense and disaster prevention," Lin Yingqing continued in her calm voice. "Although most details are classified, I can assure you that in Longguo, the state is your strongest shield. Any calamity, natural or man-made, will be swiftly addressed."
She smiled sweetly, adding, "And besides, we're family."
Her gaze then shifted to the young girl and her grandson sitting beside her. The other adults exchanged knowing smiles, their eyes filled with playful teasing.
Hermione squirmed under the scrutiny of her elders.
Why are all my relatives such shippers?
Glenn nodded in agreement. He had long considered Hermione and her parents as family.
But the adults' lingering gazes puzzled him.
Why are they all staring at me and Hermione?
Antin chuckled, shaking his head. Lin Yingqing insisted she wasn't childish, yet here she was, enjoying shipping others even at her age.
Well, it was amusing, Antin admitted. He had been shipping the two youngsters all the way home earlier.
Oh, it reminded him of his own past with Lin Yingqing. Such fond memories.
Meanwhile, Lin Yingqing, noticing Hermione's face turning red with embarrassment while her grandson remained calm, felt a tinge of dissatisfaction.
Why aren't you reacting? Show some emotion!
Deciding to intervene, Lin Yingqing, known for her straightforwardness, asked bluntly, "Glenn, tell me honestly, do you like Hermione?"
!!!!
Her question stunned everyone. The adults covered their mouths, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
The young girl whimpered softly, her face turning pale as she lowered her hands from her ears, which had been futilely trying to block out the conversation. Slowly, she looked up at Glenn, her gaze filled with hope and trepidation.
After a moment of thought, Glenn calmly responded, "I'm sorry, I can't give you a definitive answer…"
The room fell silent. Hermione's flushed face turned ghostly white as her hands fell limply to her sides.
But then she felt it—a small hand tightly holding hers.
It was Glenn.
Speaking quickly, Glenn continued, his tone betraying a hint of unease he couldn't quite understand. "…because of my own issues, I don't fully understand the expression or sensation of emotions. So, I also don't know what it feels like to like someone or how to define liking someone. But if what you mean by 'like' is 'not wanting to be apart from Hermione, not wanting her to get hurt, wanting to give her the best, willing to sacrifice my life to protect her, and always wanting to be with her,' then my answer is—yes, I like Hermione."
As soon as he finished speaking, a brown-haired blur flung itself into his arms, and the young girl began to cry loudly, her face buried in his chest.
Caught off guard by Hermione's sudden action, Glenn, usually composed, found himself flustered. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air before instinctively wrapping around the sobbing girl.
His face showed a rare trace of confusion, as if he couldn't quite grasp why things had turned out this way. But feeling Hermione's warmth and the tight embrace around him, the inexplicable irritation and anxiety that had been gnawing at him gradually dissipated.
The adults, having heard Glenn's full response, collectively heaved a sigh of relief. Mr. Granger, though slightly resentful about his "precious cabbage" being taken by the "pig" from a good friend's family, knew there was no stopping it. After all, his "cabbage" had been the one actively pursuing the "pig" for a while now.
Oh well, what can you do? My clever little cabbage has become sentient!
But what he truly feared was seeing Hermione heartbroken if Glenn had rejected her.
Thankfully, that didn't happen.
And it never would.
(Over my dead body.)
Antin finally spoke, his smile tinged with seriousness as he affirmed Glenn's words. "Yes, Glenn, that is what 'liking' means, though it's only part of it. If you like Hermione, then you must uphold everything you've just promised."
Looking at Glenn, who calmly made his vow before everyone, Antin was reminded of his younger self. Back then, when those hunting Lin Yingqing had found them, he had risked his life to protect her until reinforcements from the Lin family arrived.
Your mindset, I approve! Truly worthy of being a Hawthorne!
Mrs. Hawthorne, usually playful, was now wiping away tears.
My child has grown up. He's finally figured it out.
Among everyone present, only Lin Yingqing's expression seemed slightly off.
While pleased with Glenn's response, her gaze grew serious as she silently observed him.
There was no mistaking it—the aura emanating from Glenn moments ago.
Rare, but not unheard of.
"Magic?" Lin Yingqing murmured softly to herself, her voice audible only to her.
...
From that moment on, Hermione refused to let go of Glenn.
She clung tightly to him, unwilling to part even for a moment.
She was scared.
But she wasn't scared.
Because she had heard Glenn's promise—his… confession?
Hermione, who knew Glenn well, understood that he was simply stating his thoughts. But that didn't stop her from feeling a sweet warmth in her heart. Glenn's resolute tone and protective intent were palpable.
As long as Glenn was there, she wouldn't feel afraid.
Gradually, her grip on Glenn tightened.
If I'm already hugging him, I might as well hold on a bit longer. Besides, burying my face in his chest helps me avoid the teasing gazes of our elders.
Hermione. Ostrich. jpg
Hermione needed Glenn's hug to soothe her frightened little heart. That had been a real scare earlier.
By the time she snapped out of it, it was too late.
Glenn was already in the bathroom, running the water and undressing her.
Caught off guard, Hermione stared at him in shock as Glenn explained, "You didn't say anything earlier, so I took it as your consent."
Consent to what?!
Hermione remained frozen in disbelief.
Until she found herself stripped bare and gently placed in the bathtub by Glenn.
Sensing her confusion, Glenn, as if reading her mind, clarified, "You kept holding onto me, but we need to bathe before bed. I asked if you wanted to bathe together, and since you didn't respond, I assumed you agreed."
At this point, Glenn was also completely undressed and began meticulously washing the young girl's hair.
Hermione's hair deserved his utmost care.
As expected, the young girl let out an ear-piercing scream. But Lin Yingqing, ever the shipper, had anticipated this and cast a soundproofing spell around the bathroom in advance.
So no one else heard a thing.
Not that it would have mattered if they had.
After all, Mr. Granger had already resigned himself to the situation.
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