The first day of the exchange meeting, apart from the opening pleasantries, the entire day was dedicated to everyone's presentations.
Only after the second day's presentations concluded would everyone have time for free discussion.
Before coming, Qiu Xi had listened to her master and two teachers, and had specifically prepared a notebook in her backpack.
Before the presentation began, she had already spread the notebook on the table.
"Elder Xing?!?!"
"There was no news before!"
Qiu Xi didn't know why, but as soon as a nameplate was placed on the table in front, there was an outcry from below.
She saw him – Xing Jing Tian.
For a moment, Qiu Xi's mind raced, trying to find anything related to this name.
But in the end, she couldn't make any headway.
"Teacher, why is everyone so surprised?" Since she didn't understand, Qiu Xi asked her two teachers as the speaker hadn't come up yet.
"Little Xi, it's understandable that you wouldn't know."
"Elder Xing, whose name is Xing Jing Tian... He's in his eighties, I didn't expect him to still be here."
Qiu Xi listened as her two teachers kept rambling, but didn't say anything useful...
However, she did glean one thing: he was old and held a high position... otherwise, the reaction of everyone present wouldn't be like this.
Just as Qiu Xi was about to discreetly check some information, the person in front appeared.
To her surprise, it was a person walking up... She had expected him to be supported or to be using a cane...
"It seems Elder Xing is still quite hale and hearty~" Teacher Ding next to her murmured with a smile.
"Indeed!"
As soon as the person came up, the noise in the venue significantly decreased.
"Hello everyone, fellow colleagues. This old man has disturbed you..."
He spoke courteously, sounding like a kind neighborhood grandpa.
After the greetings, the actual presentation began.
At over eighty years old, he sat in front and spoke from the heart.
From the initial expectations, to his discoveries over the years, and finally, to the focus on the international exchange meeting.
In short, after this entire presentation, Qiu Xi felt greatly benefited.
This feeling went beyond the superficial knowledge presented, but the grace that emanated from his very core.
This spirit, of still dedicating oneself to scholarship even in old age, and still thinking of contributing to the country, deserves respect no matter where one goes.
...
"Little Xi, learned a lot, haven't you?" After the old man on stage left, Ding Yujing glanced at Qiu Xi beside her.
Qiu Xi touched the notebook, which already had quite a bit written in it, and nodded, "Yes, I have indeed benefited greatly."
On the other side, Yan Xingming, separated by Ding Yujing, looked down and said softly, "There's still a lot more to come, so study well."
One could learn quite a bit from all of this...
In this way, this exchange meeting, which initially felt like a show, still had some value.
Qiu Xi lightly hummed after listening, "Mm..."
However, neither of the three expected that after Elder Xing left, the entire morning would be quite boring...
Because some of the content was already very old, and even Qiu Xi, who hadn't finished her studies yet, knew most of it.
It was truly old talk.
She just didn't expect it to be repackaged and discussed here.
However, there were also some very interesting parts. Those who weren't too old offered many novel insights, which even Yan Xingming and Ding Yujing next to Qiu Xi couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"It seems there's still some hope..." Unlike a few years ago, when a bunch of people acted superior just because of their age, it was embarrassing to watch!
"Alright, let's take Little Xi and go check out the back."
"Yes, Elder Xing should still be here..."
After not seeing him for many years, seeing him again suddenly made them feel quite nostalgic.
"Little Xi, let's go."
With that, the two teachers greeted Cheng Pei beside them and led Qiu Xi away.
Upon reaching the entrance, they made inquiries and then turned towards the living quarters in the back.
When they arrived, they realized there were still quite a few people there, likely drawn by Elder Xing.
The three paused for a moment and then walked directly forward.
They were stopped at the door, but after the two teachers gave their names, someone soon came to open the door and let them in.
Those watching from behind, "..."
"Why did these three get to go in?"
"Yeah! Didn't they say Elder Xing was resting?"
"Right!"
The ones speaking were clearly the younger attendees, who were here hoping to meet him...
As for the older ones, they were too polite to approach those they didn't know well, so they quietly sent their juniors...
...
Meanwhile, Qiu Xi, led by her two teachers, had already entered.
"Elder Xing, it's been a long time. Are you well lately?"
Yan Xingming's words were polite and serious, while Ding Yujing's tone was different, with a cheerful demeanor.
Upon hearing this, Xing Jing Tian, who was chatting with someone, stopped and turned to look at the two of them.
"You're here, come sit down."
"Xingming, you're still so steady, unlike this one. It's been so many years, and he's still the same!"
At these words, the assistant nearby couldn't help but laugh.
Rarely was Elder Xing this happy.
It seemed they had come at the right time.
Thinking this, he poured a few cups of tea from the side while they were talking.
As Ding Yujing sat down and took a cup, he looked at Elder Xing and said, "Indeed, you are still treated so well, Elder~"
Xing Jing Tian laughed and chided, "Indeed, you're still the same!"
"Of course, you don't see who I am, Elder~"
"Indeed! Still this rascal, it's a joy to see~" Elder Xing laughed heartily.
The wrinkles around his eyes crinkled, and his eyes were nearly invisible.
"As long as you're happy~"
"Well, who is this?" After chatting for a while, Xing Jing Tian finally turned his attention to the young girl beside him.
"Look at my memory!"
"Elder Xing, let me introduce you, this is Qiu Xi, Du Bin's youngest disciple, a student from our school."
"Hehe~"
"She's junior, so you can call her Grandpa Xing~"
At this moment, Ding Yujing looked at Xing Jing Tian, smiling with a hint of obsequiousness.
They had no generational seniority with Elder Xing; in a sense, they were friends. As for why they called him Elder Xing, it was a form of respectful address.
Elder Xing's life was one that deserved such a title.
Qiu Xi looked at Teacher Ding, her eyes widening. This demeanor of Teacher Ding was truly rare.
In fact, it was a bit... shameless!
However, she didn't dare to think too much. As soon as Teacher Ding finished speaking, she looked at Elder Xing in front of her, "...Elder Xing, hello, I'm Qiu Xi."
After much internal deliberation, Qiu Xi decided how to greet him.
Despite the old man's cheerful smile, Teacher Ding's words seemed quite fitting.
But Teacher Yan beside him maintained a stern expression, and she noticed that even after Teacher Ding spoke, Elder Xing remained silent.
It was her first time meeting him, and she didn't want to cause any unpleasantness, so she greeted him earnestly and introduced herself.
"Hello~"
Upon hearing the young girl's words, Xing Jing Tian's smile became more benevolent.
This little girl was quite smart...
"Listen to your Teacher Ding and call me Grandpa Xing."
After Xing Jing Tian finished speaking, Qiu Xi followed suit and called him that.
"You mentioned earlier that this girl is Du Bin's youngest disciple?" The old man suddenly recalled.
Ding Yujing nodded, "I wouldn't dare to lie to you about this! You can ask Xingming if he doesn't believe me; he knows too."
Xing Jing Tian glanced at Yan Xingming, who was standing silently beside him, his eyes full of inquiry.
Hearing this, Yan Xingming also nodded, "That's true. We've discussed it before."
"Oh~"
"That's quite interesting then~"
After hearing Yan Xingming's explanation, Xing Jing Tian became even more interested.
"Qiu Xi, isn't it? Come and chat with Grandpa Xing."
For that fellow to take her as a disciple, this little girl must have some skill.
Otherwise, given that fellow's current age, he likely wouldn't do so.
Qiu Xi glanced sideways and then rose and walked towards the position beside Xing Jing Tian.
"Grandpa Xing."
"Come, let's chat."
"Okay."
"Did you hear quite a bit of what was said downstairs earlier?"
Qiu Xi didn't speak but nodded.
"Then let's talk about that. Fortunately, this old man still has some energy."
"Alright, Grandpa Xing, you start. I'll listen."
"Good."
Then, the old and the young began to chat, with Yan Xingming and Ding Yujing on the side becoming mere onlookers.
Although it was a bit boring to just sit and not speak, their hearts were far from idle!
The fact that Elder Xing was willing to chat with Little Xi, regardless of whose face he was doing it for, was a good thing in their eyes, and they were inwardly delighted!
It's just that the chat lasted a bit too long!
This chat actually went on for over an hour!
It was almost... unbelievable!