"Little Xi, don't get involved in this. I'll handle it."
He used to have to watch his back because he lacked money, but things were different now.
Although he still didn't have much power, their product and technology were the most solid stepping stones.
If he didn't make Zhao Dongsheng take a hard fall this time, his surname wouldn't be Xu!
"Brother, why don't you hear my idea first?"
Qiu Xi could guess what her brother was planning with a little thought.
This would teach the person a lesson, but it wouldn't even scratch the surface of his foundation, let alone his shadow. For someone as thick-skinned as Zhao Dongsheng, it would probably just feel like a tickle.
"Then tell me what you have in mind."
"Brother, I've already asked Nan Hua to investigate that guy. He won't be able to hide for long. We..."
"Little Xi! Are you planning to trap him directly?"
Xu Xuanming had already investigated Zhao Dongsheng before, so he had some understanding of his dirty dealings.
He had just planned to stir up some trouble with Liu Wei and a few others, then hire outsiders to investigate and send the guy in.
He hadn't expected Little Xi to think along the same lines, but she had even set a trap.
If he got caught, and the evidence was sent up, then no matter how far his reach extended, it would probably be useless.
Moreover, Zhao Dongsheng was not a particularly favored person. If he didn't have money, no one would probably even bother with him.
So if he caused trouble, the Zhao family would likely distance themselves far from him.
In the end, Zhao Dongsheng would probably never get out once he was in.
"Something like that. I also have three thugs who can be of use."
Remembering Mao Da and the other two, whom he had bribed with money, Qiu Xi briefly explained the matter to her brother.
"Then let's leave it at that. You guys investigate first, and I'll think about how to make the best move."
This matter definitely had to be dealt with, but he still needed to consider the specifics to ensure it was foolproof.
"Okay, then that's settled. I'll wait for your news."
"Mm."
"Xixi, do you really not need my help?"
Nan Hua, who was standing by, felt a little annoyed since Qiu Xi had been talking for so long and hadn't mentioned him except for the part about investigating data.
Qiu Xi put down her phone, "Aren't you helping me now?"
"..."
"You know very well that's not what I mean!"
Not to mention his own Nan family's vast wealth, he himself was also a capable person.
Qiu Xi chuckled, seeing how aggrieved he looked. "Yes, alright. Then will you let us borrow your prestige later, okay?"
"..."
"Fine... I guess."
Nan Hua looked at her and nodded, but a glint of darkness flashed across his eyes as he lowered his gaze.
If he waited for this young lady to come to him, he might as well take the initiative.
Zhao Dongsheng, was it!
...
It had been nearly a week since Qiu Xi took her IELTS exam.
"Little Xi, where are you going again?"
Song Daiyao and the other two asked, seeing her about to go out.
Qiu Xi, who was busy putting on her shoes, casually replied, "To Teacher Ding's."
The three were pleasantly surprised, "Professor Ding! Can we go with you?"
"Mm, you want to go?"
They nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes!"
"..."
Qiu Xi looked at the three of them and, for the first time, doubted her own judgment.
Because the last time they went, those few of them had been severely criticized.
She still remembered how they had bowed their heads and obediently accepted the scolding.
It was quite a coincidence. Previously, when the three of them were walking down the fruit street behind the teachers' apartments, she happened to run into Grandma Ge.
After a brief chat, Grandma Ge insisted on inviting her over, saying that Teacher Ding was home and that she could go and learn from him.
In the end, Qiu Xi couldn't refuse, and she hadn't visited after returning to school, so she followed along.
As for Song Daiyao and the other two, Qiu Xi had initially planned for them to go back, but Grandma Ge, in her usual forthright manner, invited the three of them to come along as well.
The outcome was surprisingly good. It was originally Qiu Xi's intention to seek advice, but she herself had very few questions, and she hadn't even started preparing for the Century Cup competition in the second half of the year. Therefore, she didn't chat much with Teacher Ding. After a few words, Grandma Ge pulled her away to learn cooking.
Since Teacher Ding didn't have much to do, he started asking questions to Song Daiyao and the other two who were sitting there.
Among the three, especially Song Daiyao, she was quite articulate, and within a few sentences, she was already asking all sorts of questions.
Moreover, those few days, the three of them had been pulled by Qiu Xi for extra training, so... they had quite a few questions.
However, the three of them hadn't expected to end up feeling a bit ashamed.
"Alright then, let's go together."
Grandma Ge had asked her before, but she thought the three of them wouldn't want to go anymore.
Who knew, these three were quite brave.
"Great! We'll get ready right away!"
Although they felt a bit uncomfortable being lectured by Professor Ding, they were willing to!
First of all, the things Professor Ding said were indeed very useful to them, and he offered quite a few constructive suggestions. Secondly, they now had their own ideas. Since they had decided to get certified with Little Xi, they couldn't always be left behind.
Moreover, Professor Ding's temper was quite likable.
Interacting with him sometimes felt less like a teacher-student relationship and more like a grandparent-grandchild one.
Qiu Xi looked at the three of them getting ready and felt very happy.
Since the final exams were also approaching in June, she hadn't made further preparations for the certificate exams, thinking she could leave those for the second half of the year.
So recently, besides keeping an eye on the three of them, she had been attending classes diligently and completing her tasks after class.
It was good that the three of them could accompany her now.
"Little Xi, let's go."
Being in a hurry, the three of them got ready in a flash.
"Let's go."
...
Teachers' Apartments.
"Ding dong ~ Ding dong ~"
"Coming."
She had initially thought it was one of the teachers from upstairs or downstairs, or one of Old Ding's students.
She hadn't expected it to be that girl Little Xi, bringing a few more young girls with her.
Ge Jiaojie was instantly delighted and pulled Little Xi's hand, bringing them inside.
"Come in quickly, and you all too, come in and sit down."
"Grandma Ge, we've disturbed you again."
"Disturbed what? Grandma just likes it when you, this girl, come."
Ge Jiaojie truly liked Qiu Xi, not only because of her old friend but more so because this girl appealed to her tastes.
At the very least, her cooking had won her over.
The three young girls she brought along were also good. Unlike Old Ding's students, perhaps because they were a bit older, they were reserved, and their conversations revolved around their studies.
These three young girls, on the other hand, were sweet-tongued, knew how to talk, and didn't have so many burdens. The old lady liked them.
"Grandma Ge, where is Professor Ding?"
Shen Yan was the first to speak, looking at the person happily chatting with Little Xi.
"That old man of his, he just finished his meal and went to the office to get his things."
"Oh, right, have you girls eaten yet?"
"Grandma Ge, we've all eaten."
"That's good."
"Then you stay here and chat with this old lady. He'll be back in a moment."
"Okay~"