"Teacher Yang, Linglong, let's go."
As soon as the call ended, Qiu Xi stopped thinking about it.
Anyway, with Liang Yunfei and the others there, they could handle it.
"Alright, the car is here too, let's go."
The institute had specifically allocated more funds for their convenience when traveling.
So, for their outings, they arranged for the hotel to provide car pickup and drop-off services, lest they be delayed for the competition.
"Okay."
As they spoke, the three of them took their luggage and got into the car heading to the hotel.
In the car, Qiu Xi and the others sent a message to Tang Siran.
They wanted to invite her for a meal on the first day.
"Teacher Yang, will you be alright if we go out to eat later?"
Qiu Xi was worried about leaving the teacher alone, thinking it might not be good...
Upon hearing this, Yang Yue couldn't help but laugh, "You two little girls think too much!"
"You can go with peace of mind. I have classmates here too."
She had actively applied and competed to lead the team here.
Part of her intention was to meet old classmates.
"But be careful when you go out. Call me if anything happens, and be sure to come back early."
Although meeting old classmates was a good thing, she hadn't forgotten that her main task was to lead the students to the competition and bring them back safely.
Qiu Xi nodded, "Okay, we'll be back early."
"Yes, remember that."
...
As soon as Qiu Xi and the others arrived at the dormitory and completed their registration, they received a call from Tang Siran.
Qiu Xi answered, "Tangtang, did you see the message?"
"Yes!!!"
Tang Siran on the other end was clearly very excited, "Why didn't you tell me until you arrived!"
"And... why are you here?"
She asked two questions in rapid succession, her speech so fast that she almost choked on her saliva.
"Tangtang, slow down, we have time."
"You don't need to rush like you're rushing for reincarnation~" Hua Linglong, who overheard, chimed in with a smile.
"Hua Linglong! How dare you!"
"Such a big thing as you coming here, why didn't you tell me sooner!"
With such short notice, how was she supposed to make arrangements!
It was rare for Tang Siran to be so agitated.
"Well, Miss Tang, would you treat us to a meal later if you're free?"
Hua Linglong didn't care about these things.
They had known each other for over ten years; she understood her well.
"Of course!"
"Even if I didn't have time, I'd make time!"
"Where are you staying? I'll pick you up later."
"Okay~ I'll send you the address after I finish packing."
"Alright, I'll be waiting!"
"Got it~"
As soon as the call ended, Hua Linglong handed her phone back to Qiu Xi, "Xiao Xi, should we finish packing and then tell Tangtang?"
"Yes, so hurry up and pack."
"Okay!"
...
In Chongxi City, at the Qiu family residence.
"Mom, Dad, Aunt Li, where's Xiao Xi?"
Qiu's Dad and Mom had just finished their work matters and rushed over immediately.
Because they were too busy, they hadn't yet learned that their daughter had gone abroad to compete.
"Xiao Li, Xiao Xi departed for Country Y a couple of days ago to participate in a competition."
"Is that so... When will she be back?" Huang Li was still a bit slow to react.
This year, they had been so busy that they rarely called their two children. Xiao Xi was a good girl and had grown up, not needing their constant worry. As for their younger son, he was being looked after here, so there was no need to worry.
"It'll be over a week. She just left, so she'll probably be back in early June."
"Okay, then we'll call the children later to chat."
"Alright."
"But why are you here now? Didn't you say there were still many things to finish over there?"
When Xuan Ming had brought them over before, the two of them had mentioned that their work arrangements would be busy until the end of the year.
Their arrival so early was indeed a bit surprising.
"That was the plan, but after you arrived here, I pulled your father and we worked overtime together. Most of the tasks are arranged now, and the specific details have been handed over to his eldest uncle."
They had originally intended to bring everyone along, but Qiu Jue was unwilling and voluntarily asked to stay and help, which is why they were here now.
Upon hearing his daughter-in-law's explanation, Grandma Qiu nodded, "This is good. That child Jue is very stubborn. If he wants to do it now, let him."
"Alright, you two go and unpack first. We'll talk more later."
"Okay, then we'll go upstairs."
"Go ahead."
Qiu Xi was still unaware that her parents had arrived in Chongxi City in advance. She and Hua Linglong were busy packing, preparing to go out with Tang Siran.
"Xiao Xi, I'm done. I've sent the message to Tangtang."
Qiu Xi looked up, "Okay, go ahead and send it."
She didn't have much else to do and would be ready soon.
"Okay~"
As soon as the message was sent, a reply came back.
"Xiao Xi, Tangtang said she's leaving now."
"Mmm."
In about half an hour, she arrived downstairs at the hotel.
"Xiao Xi, let's go this afternoon. Tangtang is here."
Qiu Xi nodded, "Okay, I'll inform Teacher Yang and then we'll go down."
"Mmm."
Two minutes later, downstairs at the hotel, three girls who hadn't seen each other for a long time hugged each other excitedly.
"Xiao Xi, Linglong... I'm so happy to see you!"
Tang Siran, who hadn't been back for several years, had a noticeably higher pitch in her voice when she saw her best friends.
"Me too!" Hua Linglong shouted, excitedly patting Tang Siran.
"Tangtang, it's been a while, and you've become even more beautiful~"
Although Qiu Xi didn't pat Tang Siran as vigorously as Hua Linglong, the force of her hand conveyed everything.
"Hahahaha~"
"Xiao Xi, you always know what to say~"
"Let's go! I'll take you guys around, and then we'll have a good meal!"
Having not seen her friends from home for a long time, seeing them now meant plenty to talk about.
"Let's go!"
Although they said they were going out for a stroll, the girls ended up shopping.
Carrying several shopping bags, the three of them walked along the streets of a foreign land, laughing heartily.
"If only Xiao Xuehua were here..."
Tang Siran sighed with emotion.
"Tangtang, don't be so sentimental. We can come here together next year."
Next year, after they graduated, they had such a plan for their graduation trip.
Tang Siran would be staying here for a long time then.
It would be perfect for them to visit!
"That's true..."
"Exactly! Xiao Xi is here to compete this time. If I didn't have time, I might not have come either," Hua Linglong said as she ate.
"That's fine, having the two of you is enough."
"Come on, I'll take you to eat something delicious."
"Okay~ We'll listen to you."