The exchange meeting in the courtyard was scheduled for three days, and today was the first day.
The exchange meeting was primarily for discussion, so the host wasn't that important.
Aside from the opening and transitions, the host at the front was essentially not needed.
This made Qiu Xi's temporary rescue job much easier.
"Qiu Xi, you've worked really hard today."
When the work ended, Meng Tian's expression had returned to normal.
Speaking to Qiu Xi now, his smile was uncontrollable.
"You're too kind, Teacher," Qiu Xi replied, shaking her head slightly.
"Teacher Meng, how was my student's rescue performance today?"
As they were chatting, Qi Xi Zhi walked over from the front.
Meng Tian quickly stepped forward, "Teacher Qi, thank you today, you helped a lot."
"No need to be polite! Actually, we were helping ourselves," Qi Xi Zhi replied with a smile.
It was Shang Ming Jie who had mentioned it to him, reminding him that he could ask Qiu Xi to step in.
"Teacher Meng, a student is looking for you over there."
"Alright, coming right up," Meng Tian responded. He turned to look at Qi Xi Zhi, "Teacher Qi, we'll chat again another day. I need to get back to work."
"Okay, you go ahead. We'll talk when we have time."
"Sure."
With that, Meng Tian turned and headed backstage.
"Teacher, shall we go too?"
"Let's go. Those three are still outside, let's have dinner together, teacher and students." Qi Xi Zhi nodded.
"Okay."
...
The next day, while Qiu Xi was in the office, Gu Qing Qing arrived.
"Senior Brother, I'm looking for Qiu Xi." Gu Qing Qing entered and saw Wei Zi Qin.
"...Just go in," Wei Zi Qin said, slightly taken aback.
He had mentioned this junior sister a bit when they were having dinner yesterday, so he hadn't expected her to come.
Curious, Wei Zi Qin, who had been about to leave, turned and walked back into the office.
"Qiu Xi."
"Gu Qing Qing? What brings you here?" Qiu Xi asked Gu Qing Qing, looking confused.
What was she here for?
"I came to talk to you about yesterday's hosting," Gu Qing Qing said slowly after staring at Qiu Xi for a long moment.
"Hm?" Qiu Xi widened her eyes slightly, waiting for Gu Qing Qing's next words.
"...I heard from Teacher Meng about what happened yesterday. Thank you."
Gu Qing Qing looked at the girl in front of her. Although she felt a bit resentful, she had to admit that Qiu Xi was indeed very capable.
Qiu Xi nodded gently, "You're talking about that. I was just asked by Teacher Qi to help. I'm glad you don't mind."
"...Mm."
Actually, she did mind a little.
But there was nothing she could do, after all, she had eaten too much and upset her stomach...
Thinking about it now, Gu Qing Qing still felt a bit annoyed.
"However, you won't need to trouble yourself for the next two days. I'll work hard myself."
"???" Qiu Xi was puzzled.
She hadn't intended to continue anyway...
"...Then good luck?" Qiu Xi said awkwardly.
"I will!" Gu Qing Qing even nodded with unusual seriousness.
The onlookers watching the scene were speechless.
"What a determined person!"
"Okay..."
"I still have a paper to read. Perhaps you should head back?"
Qiu Xi, unsure of what else to say, could only speak to her like this.
"Then I'll be going. You take your time reading."
"...Alright."
Even after watching Gu Qing Qing leave the office, Qiu Xi couldn't understand.
What was she here for?
"Senior Sister, what do you think Gu Qing Qing was really here for?" Luo An, who had been watching the drama unfold, sat down after Gu Qing Qing left and started chatting with Mo Ya Ya.
After observing for a while, he couldn't draw any conclusions.
Mo Ya Ya shook her head, looking troubled, "Perhaps... she just came to express her thanks?"
"Is that so?" Luo An rubbed his head.
"I felt a hint of smugness from her."
"Perhaps the seasoning wasn't right..."
This somewhat peculiar junior sister, she had heard Fang Mo mention a few things about her.
She was a girl with a temper, a bit pampered, and a bit... arrogant?
Having not interacted with her directly, she couldn't be sure...
"Senior Sister, aren't you supposed to be looking for materials to complete your paper?" Qiu Xi looked at the two who had suddenly gotten into a lively conversation, feeling a bit helpless.
One was being rushed for a draft, and the other was being nagged about their direction, yet they were chatting so happily in the office.
If the teacher saw this, they might be assigned a mountain of tasks.
"..."
Upon hearing Qiu Xi's words, the two seemed to freeze, turning their heads to stare at Qiu Xi in unison.
"Take that back, and we can still be friends..."
"Mm!" Luo An seconded.
Qiu Xi, "..."
"I take it back!"
Seeing their expressions, Qiu Xi decided to stop while she was ahead.
"Good." Mo Ya Ya smiled with satisfaction.
"Senior Sister, um..."
"Hm?" Mo Ya Ya threatened.
"...I just wanted to remind you that Teacher Qi is already on his way..."
The teacher had no classes today. Based on the usual schedule, he should be arriving at the office soon.
"!!!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Ya Ya was already seated at her desk.
"Luo An, why are you standing there spacing out?"
"..." Luo An stiffened.
Senior Sister, you forgot to pull me along...
"Teacher Qi, I was just... about to ask Senior Sister a question..."
"Is that so?" Qi Xi Zhi stared at Luo An.
"Yes!"
"Teacher, please excuse me. I'm going to ask my question now." With that, Luo An got up and left.
Qiu Xi watched from the side, trying hard to suppress a laugh.
"Qiu Xi, what about you?"
"Cough, cough... Teacher, I was actually looking for you." Qiu Xi appeared composed.
"Looking for me? What is it?"
As he spoke, Qi Xi Zhi sat down at his desk.
"It's about the draft of my paper." Qiu Xi followed him and walked over.
"Hm? It's already finished?" Qi Xi Zhi was surprised.
It had only been two months since the semester started!
"..." Qiu Xi's expression darkened, "Teacher, it's not that fast!"
"...That's right, you only gave me the report a while ago," Qi Xi Zhi said, nodding to himself.
"Then tell me, what did you want to see me about?"
Qi Xi Zhi, having regained his focus, became serious.
"Here, Teacher, please take a look first." Qiu Xi handed the tablet she was holding to the teacher.
These were the two points of contention she had encountered while working on her paper.
"Alright, let me see."
"Okay."
After a few minutes, Qi Xi Zhi put down the tablet.
"Regarding these two issues of yours, I think..."
And so, teacher and student conversed, one speaking and the other taking notes, the office remarkably quiet.
Mo Ya Ya and Luo An, who were secretly observing the situation, buried their heads in their studies as they watched.
If they didn't start studying soon, their good days would truly be over!