"Finished?"
Nan Hua's tension eased. "Done!"
After a flurry of activity from Qiu Xi and Nan Hua, the tedious process was finally completed.
"Let's go out for a bit, buy the things we need, and then we'll pick up the two elders."
Since the task here was done and they'd had their fun, it was time to go shopping and then head over.
"Okay~"
With that, they locked the door and Nan Hua drove Qiu Xi to a large mall near Grandma Li's place.
Besides the drinks her mother had asked for, the two also bought a lot of food.
Tonight's meal was destined to be a two-table affair, with the elders and the younger ones having different conversations, which also provided an opportunity for them to gather.
Once everything was ready, they went to the Du family's home.
"Master, we're here~"
As soon as she entered, Qiu Xi called out.
"I hear you, you little rascal."
Du Bin had known this girl was coming today and had been waiting since he woke up from his nap.
"Master, where's Grandma Li?"
Seeing only her master sitting there, Qiu Xi was curious.
Du Bin pointed to a small storage room nearby. "She's busy in there, insisting on taking some things with her."
"Then I'll go take a look..."
Qiu Xi started to get up, thinking it would be better to help so she wouldn't get scolded later for bringing too much back.
Seeing her about to rise, Du Bin quickly said, "Sit down, sit down. Let Nan Hua go. You sit here, and I have something to ask you."
As he spoke, he shot a glare at Nan Hua, who was sitting beside them.
This kid really had no sense of what was going on!
Nan Hua: "..."
Nan Hua had nothing to say. Resigned, he nodded and obediently walked towards Grandma Li's storage room.
"Alright, Nan Hua's gone. You just sit here."
Qiu Xi watched his retreating back and had no choice but to nod.
"By the way, I overheard that kid Su Yihua chatting with Old Ding a while ago, and they mentioned your project. How's it going lately?"
Seeing his little disciple after some time, Du Bin was reminded of the days when Old Ding brought Su Yihua over.
They had finished their business and then heard Su Yihua talk about it.
Although the kid had said many nice things in front of the two old men, they knew him well enough.
Even the slightest twitch of his brow told them he wasn't in a good mood.
However, it was his own project, and at his age, they hadn't interfered.
Since the girl was here today and they had time, he wanted to catch up.
After all, she was his own disciple, so showing a little more care was only natural!
Qiu Xi had nothing to hide and told her master directly.
"Master, it's going very well. We've signed the contract for this project, and everyone is busy with the subsequent translation work. We'll be delivering it to the client in two or three days."
It wasn't classified information anyway, and maybe she could even ask her master for advice later!
Du Bin nodded. "Mm, signing the contract couldn't have been easy, right?"
He had been through it himself. Times were tough back then, and even more so now!
"That's really true!"
"Master, let me tell you..."
Since there was still some time, Qiu Xi recounted the events leading up to the contract signing to her master.
"Mm..."
This Su Yihua, he really was something!
His temper hadn't changed at all!
Always putting on a stern face!
And now he was even talking about his "late-blooming" little disciple!
Du Bin mentally sent a string of greetings to him. This unfilial... even though he wasn't a biological son...
But that didn't stop Du Bin from grumbling incessantly in his mind!
"Master, you really wouldn't believe it, but after going through this, I've learned a lot."
Qiu Xi's words were sincere.
Because Su Yihua favored practical, hands-on teaching, she and the others in the group felt they had been honed by the experience.
Furthermore, working together on translations now, they all understood much more.
"Mm! That's why they say you need to reinforce your knowledge. Practice is a process of engraving knowledge into your very being."
"With more experience like this, your reactions will become natural. That's what habit is."
Hearing Qiu Xi say this, although Du Bin was still grumbling about Su Yihua, he couldn't help but agree.
Qiu Xi nodded emphatically. "Mm!"
"Alright, where are you in the work process now?"
"When can you come back to visit?"
Seeing the implied meaning behind her master's words, Qiu Xi couldn't help but chuckle. "Master, I'm almost done. I just need to review it a few more times to be sure. Then I'll compare it with the others in the group before submitting it to Teacher Su. If all goes well, we should finish ahead of schedule."
"At the latest, it will be four days if things go slower. The deadline will come, and we'll have to submit it then."
"Really!"
"Bring it over later, I want to see if my precious disciple has improved!"
Although Du Bin said it with a hint of disdain, Qiu Xi knew he was using this as an opportunity to guide her.
So Qiu Xi immediately replied with a smile, "Okay!"
"Then I'll trouble you for your guidance later, Master~"
Du Bin, basking in his little disciple's affectionate plea, replied, "Mm!"
Just as Du Bin was enjoying himself, Li Minglan came out carrying several bags.
"You old man, what are you babbling about with Xiao Xi again?"
As soon as Qiu Xi saw the two of them emerge, she stood up and walked over. "Grandma Li, why are you carrying so much?"
Looking at the bags in Grandma Li's hands and then at the bags in Nan Hua's, Qiu Xi felt her head grow considerably larger...
If she really took all this back, wouldn't her mother lecture her?
Thinking this, Qiu Xi spoke again. "Grandma Li, how about we take a little less? We can't possibly use all this."
Li Minglan teased, "You, girl, telling people to take less when they visit?"
"..."
Me? Yes, I am!
Seeing Qiu Xi's almost comically crestfallen face, Li Minglan quickly stopped laughing. "Alright, child, relax. It's all food. Let's go right now, and if we have your father cook it, he won't scold you."
Qiu Xi blushed. Had her little thought been seen through so easily?
At this moment, Nan Hua leaned in and whispered to Qiu Xi, "Xi Xi, don't worry. I'll help carry it in later, and your aunt won't scold you."
His own family had ties with Grandpa Du, so his words were quite reassuring.
Seeing that both Grandma Li and Nan Hua had said so, Qiu Xi didn't argue further and could only help carry the items to the car.
"Master, Grandma Li, it's getting late. Please lock up, and we'll be heading out."
After putting the items away and returning, Qiu Xi prepared to ask the two elders to set off.
"Okay!"
"Old woman, have you got the things? Let's go."
"Mm."