November arrived, and Qiu Xi's days became increasingly busy.
She was busy with classes, busy writing her thesis, and busy preparing for upcoming exams.
In short, occupied with academic matters.
...
"Qiu Xi, Director Qi wants us to meet in the office!"
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
Qiu Xi, who was in the middle of revising her thesis, immediately packed her things upon seeing the message and rushed to the office.
Being called for a meeting at short notice wasn't new to her; Qiu Xi was very familiar with it.
She just didn't know what tasks Teacher Qi would assign them this time.
Yes, after two months of graduate studies, Qiu Xi and her peers had grown accustomed to their supervisor suddenly assigning them tasks.
It was only when they had no work that they would find it strange.
After all, suddenly not having to be "livestock" was a surprise, a cause for celebration.
"Teacher Qi."
"Mm, sit down," Qi Xizhi nodded.
"Teacher, what is the meeting about today?"
"What we're discussing today concerns the two of them. You two can rest this time."
Qi Xizhi said, slightly raising his finger to point at Qiu Xi and Luo An.
"Us?" Luo An pointed to himself.
Qi Xizhi nodded, "Yes, it's the two of you."
"On November 11th, I have to go on a business trip. You two prepare yourselves for the next couple of days and then accompany me."
"We're accompanying you on a business trip?" Luo An asked, confused.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Qi Xizhi looked at him.
"No!" Luo An shook his head.
Even if there was, he wouldn't dare to voice it.
"Mm, good if there are no problems."
"Yaya, I have another meeting in the department shortly. I'll give you the itinerary, and you can tell them about the business trip."
Mo Yaya nodded, "Okay, Teacher."
"Mm."
"If you two have any other questions, ask your senior sister. If there are any other issues, leave me a message, and I'll reply when I have time tonight."
"Okay, Teacher." Both nodded obediently.
"Well, you all chat. I'm leaving now."
"Okay."
Watching Qi Xizhi leave the office, the three of them gathered.
"Senior Sister, have you and Senior Brother gone on business trips with Teacher before?" Luo An was curious.
"Of course. At first, Teacher was a bit reluctant to take me, but later it became me and Senior Brother, the three of us together."
"You two are both first-year graduate students, so Teacher doesn't have to worry this time."
When it came to business trips, regardless of other reasons, objectively speaking, it was often much more convenient to have male students accompanying.
"Is that so..."
"So, what did Teacher Qi ask you to tell us just now?"
"It's nothing much, just to tell you some details. As for other things, you'll find out when you get there."
"...Understood."
It was pre-job training; specific on-site situations required personal analysis.
"Alright, Teacher Qi has already given me the itinerary. I'll send it to you two. Save it properly."
"I just took a look. This time the situation is a bit special. We're going on a business trip to H City, a neighboring city. Teacher said we'll depart on the 11th, and the meeting is on the 12th, so you'll need to stay there for one night. Pack lightly, as much as possible."
"Okay." Both nodded.
"One more thing, November 15th, remember? It's the teacher internal exchange meeting that Teacher mentioned earlier. Teacher Qi will also be attending."
"Teacher said this time he'll only bring the two of you, so after the conference, you might have to transfer to C City."
"This itinerary is a bit complicated. You need to get these things clear in your minds beforehand, so you don't end up clueless and flustered."
"Also..."
Mo Yaya spoke at length with the two of them, holding the timetable, fearing she might have missed something, and meticulously making notes with a pen.
"...Alright, that's about it. Take a look, and if you have any questions, ask quickly. I'll tell you if I know."
"Okay..." Luo An, having listened this far, hadn't fully processed the news of him going on a business trip with his supervisor.
"Senior Sister, besides what's on the schedule, is there anything else we should pay attention to when we accompany Teacher on this business trip?"
Qiu Xi intended to get clearer details so she could be mindful.
"Let me think..."
"When Teacher Qi takes us out, it's always for learning. He rarely uses student assistants, so just pay more attention to the learning content. It's best if you can discuss it with Teacher afterward; it would be quite beneficial for you."
She had only gone out with Teacher Qi once or twice herself, so her experience was limited to this much.
"Okay, we've noted it down."
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
"You're welcome; it's what I should do."
"If you have no more questions, then I should get going, right?"
She had stopped her work midway when Teacher Qi called for the impromptu meeting, and now she had to rush back.
"Then, Senior Sister, you go ahead. If we have any more questions, we'll find you again."
"Mm, that's fine."
"Then I'll be leaving. You two be careful."
"Okay, goodbye, Senior Sister."
"Mm, bye~"
As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Yaya hurried away.
"Qiu Xi, should we leave directly, or shall we talk more?"
"I see you're not quite in the mood. How about we each leave for now and talk later?"
There were still two days left, and they could go back and think about it.
"I think that's a good idea!"
"Then shall we talk after class tomorrow?"
"Okay, then tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll be going then. Bye." As soon as she said it, Luo An also walked out at a brisk pace.
Qiu Xi, holding her belongings, walked behind with a somewhat leisurely pace.
She wasn't in a hurry.
The matter was already settled anyway, and rushing wouldn't help. It was better to maintain a calm mindset, which would allow her to do things better.
...