"Don't forget, this Saturday!"
Qiu Xi spent the entire morning studying with Teacher Ding.
As she was leaving after lunch, Teacher Ding reminded her one last time.
Qiu Xi, already standing at the doorway, smiled at the concerned Teacher Ding.
"Teacher Ding, please don't worry, I remember."
"But what about you and Grandma Li? Don't forget our plan too~"
"..."
Ding Yujing said helplessly, "I can't forget!"
Hearing Elder Du's tone not long ago, how could he forget?
Seeing her teacher's helpless expression, Qiu Xi also recalled what her master had said that day.
She felt a little helpless herself. "Well then, Teacher Ding, I'll be going back now."
Ding Yujing, his thoughts interrupted, simply waved his hand casually, "Go on, go on."
"Goodbye, Teacher~"
...
Time flew by, and it was suddenly Saturday.
Qiu Xi prepared early and arrived at the teachers' apartments. Then, Teacher Ding took her out of the school.
"Teacher Ding, this is?"
Looking at the bungalow in front of her, Qiu Xi began to understand.
Weren't they supposed to meet the training teacher? Why was she being brought to look at a house?
Seeing the confusion in Qiu Xi's eyes, Ding Yujing smiled and explained.
"There are quite a few people coming today, and the apartment in the school isn't convenient. So, I arranged to meet with a few old friends here."
"This is a house that Grandma Li and I own outside the school. Normally, only you and Brother Bai visit occasionally. It'll be convenient for you now."
After hearing this, Qiu Xi looked around carefully again.
It was indeed convenient for her. It was quiet, spacious, and most importantly, not too far from the school. Training here was indeed a great place.
"Alright, no more looking for now. Let me take you inside. The others should be arriving soon."
Qiu Xi nodded and followed him in.
There wasn't time to show the child around more. After a brief word, Ding Yujing led her to the study.
After putting their things down, the two of them immediately came out again.
Ding Yujing also asked Qiu Xi to help tidy up a corner of the living room for her future training practice.
Just as Qiu Xi finished, before she could even sit down, the doorbell rang.
"Xiao Xi, don't just stand there, go open the door for them."
"Okay."
Saying that, she immediately stood up and went to open the main door.
"Old man Ding, I'm here!"
"How about that? Am I the most punctual one, arriving the earliest!"
As soon as Qiu Xi opened the door, before she could even look up, she heard a booming voice.
"Old Stone!"
Seeing the person who arrived, Ding Yujing greeted him with a smile, "You haven't changed at all. You're already old, and still so restless!"
As he spoke, he gestured to Qiu Xi behind him, "Xiao Xi, come, let me introduce you."
"Little classmate, we don't need introductions, do we?"
Yuan Qing said with a smile, turning to look at the young girl walking towards them.
Hearing this, Qiu Xi froze for a moment and immediately looked up.
She blinked and looked at the somewhat familiar old man in front of her.
Relying on her limited memory, Qiu Xi tentatively asked, "Yuan Qing? Teacher Yuan?"
If she remembered correctly, he should be the judge she met during the finals of the Century Cup regional competition.
"Eh~"
Yuan Qing responded happily, "I didn't expect you, this young girl, to have such a good memory~"
"I am Yuan Qing."
Qiu Xi looked at him and introduced herself.
"Hello, Teacher Yuan, I am Qiu Xi."
Yuan Qing nodded thoughtfully, "Mhm!"
Indeed, she was a good girl!
"Alright, even though Xiao Xi recognizes you, I still need to introduce you."
Seeing the old man and the young girl already chatting animatedly, Ding Yujing went up to interrupt them.
These two shouldn't be chatting, especially this old stone. What if he chatted too much later and he couldn't stop him!
With that, Ding Yujing called Qiu Xi over, pointed to Yuan Qing beside him, and began to speak, "Yuan Qing is a professor at the University of Foreign Studies. He will be involved in many parts of your upcoming training."
Qiu Xi nodded understandingly and greeted him again, "Hello, Teacher Yuan, I'll have to trouble you from now on!"
Yuan Qing maintained his smiling demeanor, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to speak, "It's all small matters. An old man is just coming out to gather and chat with this old fellow."
Ding Yujing, "..."
He wasn't sure if inviting him here was the right decision...
"Cough, cough~"
"It seems I've arrived quite punctually."
While the three of them were silent for a few seconds, another person walked in through the still-open door.
Qiu Xi looked up and was stunned.
This was also someone she knew...
Liu Qingyun. She remembered him as a judge sitting next to Teacher Yuan during the Century Cup regional finals.
Seeing the newcomer, Yuan Qing greeted him first, "Qingyun, you're a step behind me."
"Xiao Xi, come here, let me introduce you. This is Liu Qingyun, he sat next to me at the time. Like me, he's from the University of Foreign Studies and is here with me this time."
Ding Yujing, "..."
Clearly, he was the one being brought along, yet he spoke so naturally?
Oh well...
This old fellow, they had known each other their whole lives. He couldn't change when he was young, let alone now.
Thinking this, Ding Yujing felt much more at ease.
Then he nodded and told the child to greet the person.
"Xiao Xi, say hello to Teacher Liu."
Qiu Xi responded and stepped forward, "Hello, Teacher Liu, I am Qiu Xi."
Liu Qingyun looked at her and slowly nodded, "Mhm."
Then he directly sat down in a pre-arranged chair, quietly sipping the tea that had just been poured.
Yuan Qing, "..."
"Your Teacher Liu is like this; he prefers quiet."
Qiu Xi nodded, "Okay."
Fortunately, Teacher Ding was here. Otherwise, even she would feel a bit awkward.