After Nan Hua departed, Qiu Xi's days became monotonous again.
To say monotonous was perhaps an understatement; the woman had slowly begun to immerse herself once more.
Having reached this point, Qiu Xi had a concrete plan for her life.
Given her current circumstances, she had reached a stage where she could do whatever she pleased.
After all, she was someone who no longer had to worry about money.
Therefore, for her own interests, Qiu Xi was planning to advance further.
With aspirations and no desire to be employed by others, Qiu Xi was strategizing how to progress further and build her own network of connections.
Her mentor, Du Bin, had discussed this with her a long time ago, when she had only had a preliminary idea.
Now, she was nearing the end of her postgraduate studies. After experiencing so much, she had deliberated thoroughly.
In life, living with integrity was paramount.
Thus, she decided to dedicate herself to the path of languages.
Becoming a strong reserve force for the nation was also quite viable.
Having freedom and pursuing something she loved was, in a way, another form of fulfillment.
The days of intense effort did not last long before Qiu Xi prepared for the start of her third year of graduate studies.
As Qiu Xi had not contacted her advisor much during the break, she returned to school early when the semester began.
She went directly to the office, bringing gifts.
However, they were not anything particularly valuable, just simple fruits.
Before coming, Father and Mother Qiu felt it was not appropriate, but Qiu Xi insisted, and in the end, she bought quite a lot.
However, the outcome proved that Qiu Xi's decision was a good one.
"Senior Sister, why are you back so early?" Zhao Xingling, who was still in the office, looked surprised at Qiu Xi's sudden entrance.
Then, her gaze fell upon the two large bags in Qiu Xi's hands, and she became a little curious, "Senior Sister, what is this? It's such a big pile?"
"Xingling, you're here!" Qiu Xi was somewhat happy upon hearing the voice.
"Here, help me carry it. I brought it specifically for the advisor and for you all to eat."
"Okay!" Zhao Xingling instinctively reached out to take them.
Only upon hearing Qiu Xi's final sentence did she say, "Senior Sister, you can just give it to the advisor. We don't need any."
After completing her first year of graduate studies, she realized something.
Senior Sister Qiu Xi not only excelled academically and was beautiful, but in her eyes, everything about her was truly exceptional.
Although everyone who heard her say this claimed she had a fangirl's bias towards her Senior Sister.
But who knew, it really wasn't!
It was that Senior Sister Qiu Xi was genuinely a good person!
Working under her, everything seemed extraordinarily simple. Things like casually accepting free food were considered the least of their concerns.
As Senior Brother Luo An put it, following Senior Sister Qiu and occasionally seeking advice from the advisor made graduation seem not so difficult.
She initially thought this was a bit exaggerated, but after experiencing it herself, she understood that this statement was not an exaggeration at all.
"It's okay, I'm eating too. I can't just eat alone all the time, can I?"
"Then I'd feel too embarrassed."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Zhao Xingling said with a knowing smile.
The Senior Sister who advanced strategically while considering everything truly made people feel an irresistible fondness.
"Leave the busywork to me!"
Qiu Xi smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright, I'll trouble you then."
"It's no trouble!"
"By the way, is Teacher Qi not here today?" Qiu Xi's gaze swept around the office; only Zhao Xingling was present.
"Senior Sister, no," Zhao Xingling began to explain to Qiu Xi.
"Teacher Qi suddenly had something to attend to, so he called Senior Brother Luo An and Chen Mingyu to help. They should be back shortly."
"I see, I understand," Qiu Xi nodded gently and found a place to sit down.
She had not planned to start working immediately upon arriving today.
Qiu Xi sat and watched for a while, and Zhao Xingling also finished her tasks.
As they ate and chatted, footsteps could be heard from the doorway.
And the voices of three people, speaking at a moderate volume.
"Teacher Qi, for this physical labor, after we leave the office, shouldn't you treat us to a meal of Teacher's wife's cooking?"
It was Luo An's joking voice.
Having studied under Teacher Qi for a full two years, Luo An was no longer the unarticulated young man he once was.
From his opening remark, it was evident that in two years, not only had he matured, but his speech had improved as well; he dared to joke and spoke more eloquently.
"So, you've become quite articulate in my absence, Luo An!" Qiu Xi joined in the joking.
"Xiao Xi!"
"Why have you come?" Luo An, surprised, widened his eyes as he looked at Qiu Xi.
"If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you were still thinking about Teacher's wife's cooking," Qiu Xi said with a light laugh.
"..."
"I only have this small wish, and I didn't expect you to catch me at it," Luo An glanced at Qiu Xi.
"Junior Sister Zhao, what are you holding?"
Changing the subject, Luo An was quite capable now.
"Senior Brother Luo, it's fruit that Senior Sister brought over just now, there's a lot."
"Teacher, you eat first."
Saying this, Zhao Xingling perceptibly placed the washed fruit on the teacher's desk.
Then she spoke to the other two, "Senior Brother Luo, Chen Mingyu, you too."
Extending her hands, Zhao Xingling did not forget her Senior Sister.
"Senior Sister, you're the great contributor, here you go~"
"Junior Sister, you truly are Senior Sister Qiu's little fan!"
"Heh heh~ Senior Brother Luo, you're too kind."
"..."
Qiu Xi Zhi, already eating, looked at the students joking around him and couldn't help but shake his head.
"Since all of you are here today, why don't you come back with me later."
"Perhaps it will make your Teacher's wife happy too!"
"Teacher is wise!" Luo An said with a fawning smile.
Qiu Xi Zhi glared at him, "You should also thank Xiao Xi. If she weren't here today, I probably wouldn't have had this idea!"
After all, his own Jiu'er still liked that girl Qiu Xi the most.
"Okay~"
"Then thank you too, my Xi Jie!"
The other three, "..."
Senior Brother Luo An, when being informal, would call Senior Sister Qiu "Xi Jie."
When he had something serious to say, he would call her Qiu Xi or Xiao Xi.
Qiu Xi gave Luo An a roll of her eyes and then looked at Qiu Xi Zhi, who was seated in front of her, "Teacher, since you've said so, I won't be polite anymore~"
"How come I don't know you ever are polite?" Qiu Xi Zhi laughed heartily.
Qiu Xi also smiled, "Then since Teacher Qi has said so, I must go even more."
"Go, go, go!"
"I'll inform your Teacher's wife in advance. We'll go back together this afternoon."
Saying this, Qiu Xi Zhi picked up his mobile phone from the desk and began to make a call.
...