After saying they would return to the Qiu family, Nan Hua and Qiu Xi spent a long time playing outside before heading back.
In the afternoon.
Following the habits of the elders in the family, Qiu Xi also took a nap.
Having just woken up and washed her face to clear her head, Qiu Xi remembered her master's words before she slept. She tidied herself up and went to the backyard to find him.
In the courtyard, Nan Hua was playing chess with Grandpa Qiu, while Du Bin was engrossed in reading a book on the other side.
"Grandpa~"
Qiu Xi greeted her grandfather first before walking towards her master, who was reading by the side.
"Master, I'm here."
"Mm, sit for a while first."
Qiu Xi glanced at the book in her master's hand, nodded, and said, "Okay."
It was her master's habit that he wouldn't stop until he finished a section he was reading. So, Qiu Xi sat on a chair on the other side.
Then, she casually picked up a book from the table and began to read.
After a considerable amount of time, Du Bin finally put down the book he was holding.
He instinctively reached for his teacup to take a sip.
"Master, please~"
Looking at the smiling child in front of him, Du Bin picked up the small teacup he had just put down. "You're the only one who knows."
"Hehe~"
"Alright, let's talk about important matters."
"Okay, Master."
With that, Qiu Xi sat up straight, ready to listen attentively.
"Master Ding and I have both told you about the final training session for the Century Cup."
"Mm."
"This training should be starting soon. Before that, I'll help you practice first."
"Master?"
Qiu Xi had initially thought her master was going to give her more instructions, so she was a bit surprised to hear this.
She knew that her master had never interfered with her previous training.
He had always mumbled that Teacher Ding was enough, and that he had more experience than him.
So, it was no wonder she was surprised by what he said now.
Could it be that her master was suddenly intervening for some other reason?
"Alright, don't overthink it. Your master just doesn't want you to mess up at the end."
Even if there were other reasons, he couldn't tell this girl yet.
The time was not yet right...
Qiu Xi widened her eyes, "I would never!"
She was reliable!
Since participating in the competition, she hadn't made any mistakes; she was very dependable!
"Just listen to what Master says."
"...Alright."
"Then, Master, you just say it, and I'll listen."
Du Bin raised his hand and stroked his chin, which had only a few days' worth of stubble. "That's more like it."
"Go on, there are two handwritten notebooks on the desk inside. Go get them."
"Mm."
With that, Qiu Xi headed towards the small room at the back.
Upon entering, she immediately saw the two notebooks placed on the desk.
The two notebooks were A4 size, not too thick, and appeared to be a few years old, but they were preserved very well.
Taking them, Qiu Xi walked out again.
"Master, are these the ones?"
Du Bin gave her a look. "Mm, yes."
"These were selected from my own study notes and are suitable for you to read now."
"Take them back and study them carefully. After you're done, come back to me, and I'll see your learning progress."
These two notebooks had been sitting in a corner for decades.
They contained study insights and notes, but most of them were from his experiences and what he had learned from others. The rest included many pasted examples or observations with comments and annotations.
Initially, he hadn't planned to bring them out. After all, for children, once they experience things themselves, they would naturally understand these things.
But the situation was different now, and his disciple was indeed very smart and perceptive. She didn't just blindly accept things; after coming into contact with them, she would prove them through her own practice, so he wasn't worried at all.
On the contrary, she might even gain some unusual insights.
Qiu Xi looked at the two notebooks in her hands and, after listening to her master's words, opened them to take a look.
A quick scan revealed that apart from some cut-out content, everything was handwritten stroke by stroke.
To have been preserved until now and still be so clean, it seemed that Teacher had always paid great attention to their safekeeping and cleaning.
"Master, please rest assured. I will definitely study them diligently after I take them back."
Du Bin looked at his diligent disciple's reply and nodded with relief. "Good."
"By the way, are there any other matters you need to be busy with at school?"
After saying what he needed to say, Du Bin began to inquire about his disciple's school life.
Qiu Xi shook her head. "It's not as busy as before. This month has been quite leisurely."
"It's just that soon there will be a trade fair at the school. The teachers asked me to help out and learn more."
"Trade fair... It's good for you to experience more."
Qiu Xi nodded. "Yes, that's what I thought too, so I already replied to the teacher."
"It's just that there might be an emergency training session soon, and the teachers will likely give us more instructions. Then, with the Century Cup training, it might get busy again."
"Mm, studying hard is a good thing, but don't wear yourself out. Health is the foundation of everything."
"Don't worry, Master. Little Xi knows that herself."
"Instead, Master, you're getting older. You can't stay up late anymore."
"..."
"Did that old woman come to nag you again? I told her, I..."
Qiu Xi was helpless; her master was particularly like a child at this moment.
"Master, Grandma Li didn't say anything to me."
"I know my own master, don't I?"
"Besides, look at how you've practically confessed yourself. Do you still need Grandma Li to nag you?"
"..."
After hearing this, Du Bin also realized and started to wave his hand impatiently. "Alright, alright, I know."
"Okay, then I won't nag anymore. Master, remember to sleep early."
"I know, I know, stop talking about it!"
"Okay~ I won't talk about it!"
Qiu Xi was also helpless; this master was just disobedient.
However, it was fine. Being with Grandpa and Grandma, she would come back occasionally to secretly supplement the elders' health. Their condition was manageable.
It would be even better if he were a little more obedient~
After chatting with her master in the afternoon, Qiu Xi went out shopping with her grandmother.
After returning, she cooked a delicious meal for everyone, satisfying their appetites and nourishing their bodies.
And so, the brief two-day holiday came to an end.
Back at school, Qiu Xi was also preparing to undergo training.
However, before the training began, Qiu Xi and Shen Yan received the money sent by Nan Hua and the others.
The two were overjoyed, especially Shen Yan. It was the first time she experienced earning money herself, and doing something she loved. So, she insisted on taking her dorm mates out for a celebratory meal.