The next day,
According to the information Jin Qiong provided yesterday, Qiu Xi arrived around 9 AM.
"Good morning, Teacher Jin."
"Morning~"
"Xiao Xi, you're quite early. Have you had breakfast? If not, I still have some..."
Qiu Xi reached out and gently pushed Jin Qiong's hand, which was already reaching for breakfast, and smiled, "Teacher Jin, no need. I brought some from the cafeteria when I came out and ate it on the way."
Jin Qiong nodded slowly, "Is that so? Alright, have a seat for a moment. I'll take you to the training room shortly."
Yesterday, she had only met Teacher Qi from that side. Today, for the first lesson, she had to take Qiu Xi to meet the other instructor as well.
It was also opportune that this class was taught by her, so it wasn't a big deal.
"Okay~"
About ten minutes later, Jin Qiong finished tidying up and took Qiu Xi to the training room.
"Alright everyone, we have a new member joining us today, Qiu Xi." Jin Qiong said, gesturing towards Qiu Xi. "You all met her yesterday, so I won't introduce her again. Qiu Xi will be learning with us from now on. Please help each other."
After speaking, Jin Qiong pointed to a seat for Qiu Xi, "Qiu Xi, you can sit there for now."
"Okay, Teacher Jin."
Seeing Qiu Xi settled, Jin Qiong ignored the students' gossiping intentions and took out a stack of test papers from her bag.
"Alright everyone, get organized. We're about to start the test."
As soon as Jin Qiong finished speaking, a murmur arose from the students.
"Why are there test papers again!"
"Teacher Jin didn't say anything yesterday... Will I be at the bottom?"
"Never mind, I should just prepare myself to do more test papers..."
Teacher Jin was always very spontaneous, which was precisely why her classes were more interesting.
However, there was a downside: tests were also spontaneous, happening without warning. If they were notified once in ten times, it was only because Teacher Jin was in a good mood...
The students were too preoccupied to worry about anything else, their minds focused on answering the questions diligently.
Yet, some were occasionally drawn to new developments.
Indeed, besides those lamenting their impending doom, there were a few who felt a bit of schadenfreude.
"What are you guys afraid of? Isn't there a newcomer?"
Their eyes flickered towards Qiu Xi.
"Qiu Xi? She probably won't... Don't you remember Gu Rou before?"
Although Gu Rou hadn't performed well in Teacher Qi's class, her other grades were all top-notch.
That was why Teacher Qi was so tolerant and constantly mentioned giving her "special attention."
"There aren't that many Gu Rous!"
"Besides, she performed so well in Teacher Qi's class yesterday. Does that mean her performance in other areas can be equally outstanding?"
"I don't believe it!"
If she were truly that outstanding, why would she have gone to Teacher Qi's yesterday? Why not just join the training directly? It was a redundant step.
"That's true... There aren't that many outstanding people..."
"Exactly!"
As they muttered, Jin Qiong's test papers had already been distributed to everyone.
At this moment, they still didn't know that Jin Qiong taking Qiu Xi to see Teacher Qi yesterday was purely coincidental, and that she had introduced Qiu Xi to Qi Yun along the way.
Although Jin Qiong's initial intention was simply to change Qi Yun's impression of Qiu Xi and make the subsequent training smoother.
As for the later developments, she herself hadn't expected them. When Qi Yun concluded her assessment, even she was surprised for quite some time.
All along, she only knew that Qiu Xi was exceptionally good at her major courses and excelled in her elective foreign languages. Regarding etiquette knowledge, she merely thought the girl was doing alright, but she never expected her to be so outstanding.
"Alright, has everyone received their test papers?"
"Let's begin. As usual, once you're done, hand it to me. If you pass, you can rest for my class today."
This was a periodic perk Jin Qiong offered her trainees. As long as they met her standards, they could have an easy time for that lesson.
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone immediately quieted down and picked up their pens to start writing.
Qiu Xi looked at the paper in her hands. One sheet, two questions.
She stared at the questions for a while longer. They seemed acceptable.
For her, they weren't a problem.
The next second, Qiu Xi picked up her pen and started writing rapidly.
About ten minutes later, everyone noticed that someone had moved!
Many eyes began to sneakily shift, wanting to see who this brave soul was.
After all, Teacher Jin detested people who wrote carelessly, only caring about speed.
This person was probably going to be the first casualty today...
What a pity...
Until they saw the figure, they thought it was a newcomer being too impulsive! So direct!
Thinking of Gu Rou not long ago, wasn't she like this too?
And after not even a second of seeming free, she was criticized.
Fortunately, her foundation was decent, and her answers were somewhat presentable. After a few words of advice, there was nothing more.
That was the gentlest scolding they had ever seen from Teacher Jin!
One couldn't help but wonder if Qiu Xi was truly that confident...
"What? Have you all finished writing?"
Jin Qiong's words immediately drew the attention of those who had been wandering back to their test papers.
They couldn't even guarantee their own performance, so it was better to focus on writing.
After speaking, Jin Qiong lowered her head to look at the answer sheet Qiu Xi had submitted.
Two questions, filled to the brim, with clear handwriting. At first glance, it appeared to be a good answer sheet.
After reading it, her satisfaction deepened.
The paper was good, and the answers on it were even better.
Going back and forth, picking and choosing, Jin Qiong couldn't find a single point for commentary or correction. In the end, she could only helplessly mark a checkmark.
"Honestly, I was hoping to keep the child from becoming arrogant, but it seems I couldn't even achieve that..."
However, this was also good. It could be used to humble these children below, who often became conceited.
"Alright, you've done very well. You can go back to your seat."
Handing the test paper back to Qiu Xi, Jin Qiong smiled and told her to return to her seat.
Those who had been secretly observing were bewildered when Qiu Xi came down so "peacefully."
Could it be that Teacher Jin was in a particularly good mood today?
That shouldn't be the case...
As everyone was in doubt, Gu Rou went up.
"Teacher Jin, here you go." Gu Rou said with a smile, extremely confident in herself.
When it came to doing tests, she felt she had some ability.
Jin Qiong ignored her and took the test paper Gu Rou handed over, starting to read it.
Her answers were quite acceptable, with some correct and some incorrect marks.
If this were before, she would have been satisfied. However, after Qiu Xi had submitted hers earlier, this answer sheet felt a little lacking.
After spending some time reading, Jin Qiong picked up her pen and made many markings on the paper.
"Your writing is passable, but the handling of details is not quite right, and there are still several minor errors. You still have time, so take it back and review it carefully."
"Okay, Teacher Jin."
Gu Rou was still in a decent mood. Teacher Jin had always been like this before, and this was already considered quite generous treatment.
"Mmm, go ahead."
"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask Qiu Xi. She completed her test perfectly, and she should be able to help you with your questions."
With just these words, Gu Rou's mood soured considerably. Her eyes narrowed, and if she had raised her head any higher, her somewhat displeased gaze would have been impossible to hide.
"I understand, Teacher Jin. If I can't figure it out later, I'll ask."
She had been here for a while, and this was the first time Teacher Jin had spoken to her like this...
"Mmm, good, then hurry along and go down."
If this girl were willing, Qiu Xi and her partnering up should also be quite good.
"Mmm..."
Gu Rou replied with another mmm and quickly walked away.
Returning to her seat, the sound of the paper slapping on the table was slightly too loud.
Looking at the test paper in her hands, Gu Rou felt increasingly unsettled.
What did Teacher Jin mean by saying that just now?
Was that Qiu Xi really better than her?
Staring intently at the red pen marks on the paper, Gu Rou didn't even feel like picking up her pen.
Those observing Gu Rou from the side turned their heads and sighed.
As expected... Teacher Jin was still the same Teacher Jin.
But why was Teacher Jin in such a good mood when Qiu Xi went up just now?
For a moment, everyone's minds were filled with questions.
Gu Rou, who had been staring for a long time, suddenly stood up.
...