After returning to school, Qiu Xi also worked overtime and delivered the editing materials Old Yan requested.
After that, she and Li Du and Song Daiyao planned their studies.
Because Song Daiyao had a dubbing competition with Shen Yan, she occasionally joined Shen Yan, and the few of them practiced together.
Just over ten days later, time flew by, and the Century Cup that many people had prepared for a long time finally began.
September 26th.
Today is the official start date of the Century Cup.
Qiu Xi and her group of six, led by several teachers, had already settled into their pre-competition positions backstage early.
"Xiao Xi, I'm a little nervous!"
Li Du sat next to Qiu Xi, still gripping a few draft papers.
Even though it was just the preliminary round for their Northeast region, he was still nervous!
People from various prestigious schools had arrived. He looked at some of the people sitting behind them and felt they looked particularly formidable.
"It's okay!"
"Just like we practiced, give it your all."
Qiu Xi had seen many such scenes and didn't feel particularly nervous.
She just felt that this competition was linked to some of her later affairs and tasks, so she had to take it seriously.
Although Qiu Xi said this, Li Du was still unavoidably nervous.
This was something he couldn't control, so he wanted to talk more with Qiu Xi.
He felt this could temporarily relieve his nervousness.
"Um..."
"Xiao Xi, how about... you listen to me recite my script again? I can get a better feel for it."
Li Du, who hadn't calmed down at all, started to shift his attention.
Qiu Xi didn't refuse this.
"Okay."
"But we need to go out. There are too many people here, and we might disturb others later."
Li Du nodded, "Okay."
Then he immediately got up and left his seat.
Qiu Xi followed closely behind and also left her seat.
After informing the teachers when they went out, the two found a quiet spot outside and began immediately.
Following their previous practice routine, Li Du started first.
After all, they had practiced for a long time, and now Li Du, who was reciting his script, had already corrected most of the issues Qiu Xi had pointed out.
It was just this nervousness that really couldn't be gotten used to with just a few practices.
So as Li Du went on, he inevitably stumbled a bit.
As expected, he stopped again later on.
Qiu Xi listened quietly, saying nothing.
But at this moment, sounds suddenly came from behind a half-closed door.
"Oh~"
"I wonder where this great talent came from, to stop for so long after just a few sentences."
"Oh my!"
"Xiao Jie, not everyone is like you, speaking off the cuff with a fluent London accent."
"They are just here to make up the numbers for you."
"Hmph!"
"What are you talking about!"
"Am I that kind of person?"
"I'm just ordinary and just wanted to look around."
"That's true, these people really aren't good..."
"..."
The voices gradually faded until they could no longer be heard.
At this moment, Li Du lowered his head, stunned, completely unsure of where he had left off.
He was indeed not very outstanding...
As for Qiu Xi, after listening, her expression grew colder, and she said nothing.
After the people had walked away, Qiu Xi turned to look at Li Du.
"Li Du, don't overthink it!"
"Think about how long you've prepared for this competition. You're not someone who can be put down by a few words."
"You can do it!"
"When you go on stage later, ignore everything else and just focus."
"We'll cheer for you from the audience."
"Xiao Xi, you're right!"
Qiu Xi's words brought Li Du back to his senses.
He had worked very hard for this opportunity.
Since he was recommended by the school, he had started preparing early.
He studied diligently and finally met the recommendation standards.
Then, to ensure he could participate in the competition and strive to advance from the preliminary rounds, he shamelessly approached his teachers and practiced diligently for a long time.
He had never given up from the last period until this moment.
It would be a great disservice to let himself be affected psychologically by two outsiders!
He had to persevere!
"Mhm!"
Qiu Xi smiled, "That's the spirit!"
"We can definitely do it!"
"Mhm!"
"Xiao Xi, let's continue. Let's finish the script, and then we'll go back in."
Li Du tidied up his emotions and prepared to start again.
Qiu Xi watched, even happier, and quickly nodded, "Okay, let's continue."
So, the two of them continued reciting the script as if no one else was around.
"Let's go back, it's about time."
"Mhm."
By the time the two returned, the venue was already full.
Glancing quickly, they saw their teachers waving and hurried to rejoin the group.
Seeing them, the teacher was a bit anxious, "You two are finally back. Hurry inside and take your seats, it's about to start."
"Okay."
"Alright, thank you, teacher."
...
Less than ten minutes after they took their seats, the competition began.
It's worth mentioning that before Qiu Xi and her group took the stage, their "acquaintances" went on first.
With Qiu Xi's memory, she recognized them as soon as they started speaking.
They were the two girls who had passed by their door earlier.
Li Du also remembered. The words they spoke were so unpleasant, and they were talking about him, so he couldn't forget them after such a short time!
However, there was also something that made both of them happy!
That is, according to the flattering words of the two girls, Xiao Jie's speech was indeed very good.
Much better than most people who had performed before them.
It's just that the content they delivered, to be honest, wasn't great.
Neither of them was particularly good.
One spoke plainly, without any highlights, at least from their perspective.
Such a script, even if it were handed to them, they wouldn't use it.
The latter one spoke nicely, but it was a bit too flashy.
If you say it's ornate language, it's just longer sentences, and there's nothing that resonates.
If you say it's concise and easy to understand, the sentences are so long, like foot-binding cloths, unpleasant to hear.
Finally, Qiu Xi and Li Du came to a conclusion.
It was also their judgment at the time, that they were simply foolish.