After the training base matters concluded, Qiu Xi returned to school.
Upon her return, there weren't any major events. Many students were still in the final stages of preparing their theses.
As for Qiu Xi, after she got back, she took a few days to relax.
However, this period wasn't very long because Ding Yujing began to look for her.
"Teacher Ding, your news is really accurate."
Arriving early in the morning, Qiu Xi greeted Ding Yujing with a light smile.
"What's there to say? As soon as your side finished, Teacher Ding told me. He praised you continuously, making it impossible for me not to know," Ding Yujing chuckled.
Qiu Xi, this child, truly gets praised wherever she goes.
On the 28th, as soon as the event ended, Jin Qiong called him. The conversation was filled with praise and astonishment, with a hint of wanting to recruit her.
"Teacher Ding, Teacher Jin is exaggerating too much. It's really thanks to everyone's hard work that we achieved this result together."
"But Teacher Jin is right about one thing: I am indeed quite outstanding." Qiu Xi jokingly praised herself with a smile.
Ding Yujing: "..."
This child!
This aspect hasn't changed at all, and now she's becoming more and more like that old fellow Du Bin.
"Alright, I know you're capable. But I called you here today for something important, so let's not chat about this."
Qiu Xi suppressed her smile and said softly, "Okay."
"Whatever it is, Teacher Ding, please just say it directly."
Actually, even without Ding Yujing saying it, Qiu Xi could roughly guess what it was about.
If he was looking for her at this time, it could only be about the May exchange conference; there shouldn't be anything else.
As expected, Ding Yujing said it in the next second.
"Xiao Xi, your training base matters have concluded, which also means the time for the exchange conference is drawing near."
"There's still a month left. How do you think your progress is?"
Qiu Xi nodded without hesitation.
"Teacher Ding, I'm fine with this. With less than a month left, I can still settle down properly. I'll be ready."
"Mm, your teacher also believes in you."
"However, remember that there are still some things you need to take care of at the school before you depart. After all, once you're back, it will be almost time for your defense. Time is a bit tight."
"I know that. After I tidy things up these past couple of days, I'll go see my thesis advisor and prepare the necessary forms and documents in advance to avoid any future troubles."
"Mm, that's good."
"Since you're all prepared, I really have nothing more to say. Just rest well during this period."
Ding Yujing was aware of Qiu Xi's capabilities. Before she went to Jin Qiong's base for training, he and Du Bin had already confirmed that this child would have no problem participating in the exchange conference.
After all, the exchange conference wasn't a competition; it was about exchanging and learning within one's familiar field. There might be some minor issues, such as someone insisting on challenging you or particularly wanting to compete, which are common at such conferences. That's why they sent Qiu Xi to the training base to get familiar with it and learn a bit.
And through his conversation with Jin Qiong a few days ago, he also discovered that Qiu Xi was already doing very well, and attending the international exchange conference would be no problem.
Now, resolving all the tasks that needed to be done before departure, and then resting and adjusting properly, they would be ready to depart.
"Okay, I'll do as Teacher Ding says. I will definitely complete the current tasks well and rest properly."
"Mm, it's good that you can think this way." Ding Yujing nodded with satisfaction. "But remember to make time to go back and chat with your master and sort things out properly."
Although he was taking Qiu Xi to the international exchange conference, the role played by that old fellow Du Bin was by no means small.
In short, it would only be beneficial for Qiu Xi to go back and chat with him more.
"Teacher Ding, I know that." Qiu Xi nodded with a smile.
"I plan to finish my tasks at school during this period, and then for the remaining time, I'll go home to have a good talk with master and rest."
"Mm, it's good that you have your own plans."
"If that's the case, then that's all for now."
"You can go back first. I still have class, so I can't chat with you much longer. If you have time another day, come back again. We can have a chat with Grandma Ge. She's been mentioning you for a long time."
He originally called Qiu Xi over to give her some proper advice. Now that there were no more issues, he should also go to class.
This senior year student was preparing to graduate, but he, an old teacher, still had to diligently attend his classes.
Qiu Xi smiled after hearing Ding Yujing's words, "Teacher Ding, don't worry, I'll definitely come when I have time. I hope you won't find me troublesome then~"
"Also, please tell Grandma Ge from me that I will definitely visit her often later."
"I got it, I'll tell her!"
"Mm, then Teacher Ding, I'll be going. I'll come to see you and Grandma Ge again another day."
"Alright, go ahead~"
...
After chatting with Ding Yujing, Qiu Xi went to see Yan Baitao the next day and explained her situation to him.
Subsequently, Teacher Yan specially held a meeting with other students and informed them about the forms they needed to fill out later.
With this, Qiu Xi's matters were almost completed. By this time, it was already mid-April, and it was time for her to go home.
After saying goodbye to her roommates, Qiu Xi packed a few things and went home.
"Master, Grandma Li~"
As soon as she entered the door, Qiu Xi saw the two elders.
The other members of the Qiu family only came over later, after Qiu Xi had been busy with the training base and hadn't returned home.
"Why are there only the two of you? Where are Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, and Mom?" Qiu Xi put down her things and walked over.
"The weather was good today, your grandparents had made plans with others to play chess and dance, so they just went out not long ago."
"Your mom took your dad out to look at shops. Judging by their usual schedule, they'll be back quite late."
To better understand the market, as soon as she arrived this year, Qiu's mom went with her sister to look at shops, occasionally chatting with customers, which was considered a pleasant pastime.
As for Qiu's dad, he would sometimes accompany them, and sometimes he would tinker with food at home. With them doing this, life wasn't boring, and they were living quite well.
Qiu Xi nodded, "I see~"
"Since I'm back, and they're not here, Grandma Li and Master, please keep me company."
"It's been a long time since we last saw each other. Let's chat together. I've missed you all~"
Li Minglan covered her mouth and chuckled, "Okay~"
This child Xiao Xi is truly a source of joy.
With this child around, life has become much more cheerful~
After chatting with Grandma Li about family matters for a long time, Master sat aside and didn't say much, only occasionally nodding or interjecting a sentence. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
After chatting for a while, as Li Minglan had other matters to attend to, only Qiu Xi and her master were left.
Seeing Grandma Li leave, Qiu Xi knew that her master wasn't just looking to chat about everyday matters, so she started discussing her studies with her master.
"Master, my training with Teacher Jin Qiong has already ended. A few days before returning, I met with Teacher Ding. He has now finished his other school-related matters and is preparing to wait for the upcoming exchange conference."
Qiu Xi recounted her recent experiences to Du Bin in detail.
"Mm, you did well!" was Du Bin's only comment after listening, his eyes filled with a smile.
He was very satisfied with his little disciple!
He would also inquire about the things she mentioned when he had time, and Ding Yujing would also report to him occasionally, so he knew quite a bit.
It was just that this girl was being modest in front of him, calling it "not bad."
However, just as Du Bin finished speaking, he was proven wrong by his disciple.
"Hehe~" Qiu Xi gave a silly laugh. "Of course, who do you think I'm a disciple of~"
Du Bin: "..."
He really didn't teach her that!
"Alright, alright, look at how smug you are now. Quickly put it away."
You can't praise her even once...
However, Qiu Xi still smiled, because she noticed that her master was trying hard to suppress a smile, which she couldn't miss.
"Master, you can laugh if you want to. I won't laugh at you~"
"Ahem!"
"Quickly, go back and get ready, you have class downstairs soon!" Du Bin said, trying to maintain a stern expression.
Qiu Xi: "..."
She had just gotten back...
"Master, I..."
"Enough, talk less and do more!"
"Okay..."
There was no other choice, so Qiu Xi mumbled "Okay" and went upstairs dejectedly.
She thought she could finally rest today, but she didn't expect this...
Thus, on her very first day back, Qiu Xi was already starting the courses specifically arranged for her by her master.