Because of a slight delay due to dancing square dances with Grandma, Qiu Xi returned with her grandparents just as her father was bringing dishes out, preparing for dinner.
"Dad, where are Uncle and Little Pigeon?"
As they sat down and were about to start eating, Qiu Xi still hadn't seen the two of them.
"Your Uncle usually comes back in the evening. He only has three meals a day."
Even though his eldest brother was home, he wasn't idle. That little warehouse outside kept him busy all day, but he seemed to enjoy it.
"As for your brother, he's still in his room, saying he's waiting for the later meal."
Qiu Xi nodded. "Alright, then I'll go check on Little Pigeon after I finish eating."
She could understand. It was a critical period. Even though it was said to be for adjusting their state, they absolutely couldn't relax.
However, being too tense wasn't good either. She needed to go up and talk to Little Pigeon later, emphasizing the importance of approaching the exam with a calm mind.
"Then you really need to talk to him properly and tell him not to be so nervous."
Little Pigeon, this child, when he and his mother went up and started talking about studies, he would get a bit nervous.
"Oh, Mom and Dad, you can rest assured. Don't you know Little Pigeon's grades!"
Three years, he was as steady as can be!
"That's true! There's really nothing to say about that! My son..."
"Alright, you say less and just eat."
Qiu Dad, who wanted to nag a bit more, was silenced by a mouthful of food from Qiu Mom.
Qiu Dad smiled. "Okay, let's eat."
Qiu Xi, on the side, also chuckled secretly while eating her rice.
Seeing her dad like this, her grandparents were already preparing to reach out. If it weren't for her mother, this old man would probably have been hit with peanuts.
Heh heh.
After dinner, Qiu Xi went to find Qiu Ge immediately.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Little Pigeon, can I come in?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the door opened.
Qiu Ge looked surprised. "Sis, you're back!"
As soon as Qiu Xi entered, she familiarized herself with the layout and started to recline like Ge You.
Although she had learned so much etiquette, those things were sometimes just external. In front of her family, she was very relaxed.
"You seem so happy. Why didn't you come down to greet me earlier?"
Seeing the person whose lips were curved with a smile, Qiu Xi was happy to tease.
"I didn't know. Mom and Dad didn't tell me!"
Qiu Ge complained consecutively. "It was just Dad. He came up to call me for dinner and didn't say a word."
"Alright, you know now, don't you?"
"Come on, tell me, where's the exam hall for tomorrow?"
Having rushed back, Qiu Xi hadn't had a chance to find out.
"It's at your high school."
"That's quite close then."
"Otherwise? If it were far, I'd already be staying in a hotel."
"Mm."
Indeed!
The current place wasn't far from Hai Lan Middle School, so even if her dad drove her, there wouldn't be traffic jams.
"Will you come back for lunch then?"
"No, Dad's new car is quite good. If he gives me a ride, I can have a good nap inside."
"Okay, it's good not to have to rush back and forth. Dad and I will bring you food then."
Qiu Xi just remembered that her dad had sold his old van not long ago and bought a new one for convenience.
It was quite good, and now it was serving a great purpose.
"Okay~"
Qiu Ge sighed, "Sis, I really haven't tasted your cooking for a long time."
He felt like he had come back to life, as he truly hadn't eaten his sister's cooking for a long time.
Although his dad's cooking was also excellent now, he still felt his sister's cooking was better.
Moreover, things that were rare were precious. His sister only cooked once in half a year or so, so of course, he missed it now.
"Don't worry! I'll satisfy you this time and cook for you for three days."
It was because this guy was their family's "treasure" right now!
Let him enjoy it; he wouldn't get this treatment later.
"Sis~ You're really my sister!"
Qiu Ge was so happy that he almost hugged her.
He just spun around and stomped his feet foolishly.
Qiu Xi covered her head, not wanting to admit that this was her brother.
"Alright, alright, since you have an exam tomorrow, stay calm. If you don't want to study, go down and accompany Grandpa and Grandma. That's good too."
Seeing that she couldn't read any further, Qiu Xi prepared to leave, not forgetting her original purpose for coming up.
"I was planning to go down later anyway, and then come back up after dinner."
He didn't want to eat so early, so he skipped this meal.
He'd just read for a while, then go down to wait for the next meal and relax as well.
"Okay, then I'm relieved. You're still a bookworm!"
Hearing what she wanted to hear, Qiu Xi immediately stood up with a tumble and patted her slightly wrinkled clothes.
Qiu Ge found his sister's string of actions very speechless.
And how was he a bookworm!
Would a bookworm be as handsome as him? As smart? And possess eighteen kinds of martial arts?
However, he didn't dare to say these things and just watched his sister walk out.
Then he followed her out wagging his tail.
In the end, while his sister was reclining like Ge You, he ended up chatting with his grandparents for a long time.
???
He was confused!
Of course, no matter how confused he was, the matter of going to the exam came as quickly as it was said.
The next day, including Grandpa Qiu and Grandma Qiu, the entire family woke up early. At Mom Qiu's request, everyone wore bright red and purple. Whether it was a qipao or ač¤å, it was as festive as possible.
Even Qiu Ge, at his mother's insistence, wore bright red underwear, saying it was for a good start.
After a delicate breakfast, the family sent their family "treasure," Qiu Ge, out.
When they arrived, the time hadn't come yet, and everyone was waiting.
Mom Qiu, feeling nervous, pulled her son aside and repeated the same sentence over and over, "Hold your things tightly, keep a good mindset, and remember to give your admission ticket to the teacher as soon as it's out..."
She had said it several times. Qiu Ge, who wasn't nervous, was starting to get nervous from his mother's nagging.
"Mom, stop talking, or you'll infect Little Pigeon."
It was Qiu Xi who noticed and promptly stopped her mother from spreading nervousness.
"Okay, I won't say anything more."
"Son! Go for it!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Mm."
Just as the family was feeling anxious, the homeroom teacher finally squeezed in. At the doorway, he called out for everyone to get their admission tickets and repeatedly cautioned them to be careful, careful, and even more careful.
"Little Pigeon, go for it!"
Seeing that the time had come and noticing the crowd starting to stir, Qiu Xi shouted to Qiu Ge, who was about to take a step forward.
"Mm!"
Qiu Ge looked at her, nodded heavily, and then took his step.
Qiu Xi watched her brother's back and was still sighing with emotion.
Beside her, a powerful voice suddenly came.
She turned her head to look...
Good heavens!!!
She didn't know when they had gathered, but a group of fiery red uncles and aunties were cheering them on.
Upon closer inspection, her parents were among them, and they were extremely supportive.
The cheering continued until this group of examinees walked through the main gate.
On the way back, Qiu Xi curiously asked, "Mom and Dad, that grand display just now, who came up with it?"
It was truly impressive!
"You wouldn't know this, would you? This was organized by our neighborhood committee, all to encourage the children and for a good start!"
Mom Qiu was still excited, so as soon as Qiu Xi spoke, she immediately explained.
"It's quite... unique!"
"Not bad, the meaning is good!"
Qiu Xi marveled, these parents nowadays were truly full of energy!
"Of course. We thought about this for a long time, and your grandparents also gave their input!"
"..."
No wonder Grandma was almost jumping up and down just now.