"Ah Hua, when are you leaving after you've decided on this?"
After chatting, the two of them settled on the sofa.
"The specific time isn't finalized yet, but based on past experience, we'll probably need to prepare at the very beginning of summer."
"Hmm... so that leaves about two or three months."
Nan Hua nodded, "About that."
"Okay, it's only a year anyway, it's quite short," Qiu Xi thought about it carefully and it didn't seem as bad as she initially imagined.
During her second year of graduate studies, she would likely be very busy herself, right?
"Yeah, it does seem quite short..."
"..."
Not long after Qiu Xi learned about Nan Hua's matter, both families were informed.
Regarding the child, they would make their own decision, at least for the present moment.
...
"You two get ready, we'll go to the defense site together later."
"Alright, Teacher. We'll follow you shortly."
May 20th was the graduate defense day for their department.
Senior Wei Ziqin had gone to prepare early, while Qiu Xi and Luo An were now being pulled along by their own advisor to help out.
On the way to the defense classroom—
"By the way, if your senior's defense goes smoothly and he applies for his degree, he'll truly be graduating."
"Regardless of the school's arrangements, we should still prepare something ourselves."
"In our group now, your senior sister is out for an internship and can't help much, so it falls to you two to prepare something, a celebration party."
"Teacher, there's no problem with that, of course." The two exchanged a glance and immediately nodded.
"But when should we schedule this?"
"That... the sooner the better."
"Let's pick a date after the defense, so we don't run out of time later when things get busy."
After all, once the child graduated, his matters would only increase, not decrease, compared to now.
"Okay, we understand. We'll inform you once the date is set."
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."
"Let's go, it's about time."
"Okay."
Upon arriving at the classroom, the two parted ways with their advisor.
"Qiu Xi, there's still some time, why don't we go find our senior?"
"Yeah, we can still go cheer him on a bit."
"Shall we go now?"
"Let's go!"
The defenses began preparing at seven or eight o'clock, and after a whole morning, Wei Ziqin's defense finally concluded.
"Senior, how do you feel? Not bad, right?"
"Hmm... it should be okay, but I'm not sure," Wei Ziqin nodded.
When he came out earlier, he had met his advisor and was chatting with the teachers in their group. Seeing that he didn't show any strong reactions, he should be doing alright, right?
Wei Ziqin had some trust in himself, but not much... he was still a bit worried.
"It's fine!"
"I think you'll definitely be okay, Senior!"
"Exactly!"
"Alright, I understand all that."
"Now that everything's done, you two should hurry back. Go to class if you have it, read if you don't."
"..."
"Alright then, we'll be going back now."
"Go back."
...
Late May to early June—
Those third-year graduate students who could graduate smoothly had basically prepared to leave.
At this time, the graduate re-examination work, which had been busy for two to three months, had also successfully concluded.
"Senior has already left campus, and this re-examination work is also finished. I wonder what kind of student Teacher Qi will recruit this time, one, or two..."
"Qiu Xi, I've been rambling on for so long, why aren't you replying?"
"Luo An, I don't know about these things you're saying either." Qiu Xi turned her head from the computer. "Besides, after finishing Senior's graduation matters, the Teacher also seems to have vanished..."
"You're right!"
"Teacher Qi hasn't been in the office for a few days. He arrives earlier than us in the morning, puts his things down, and leaves, then picks them up in the afternoon and leaves again..."
As Qiu Xi listened, she turned her head back to stare at the computer screen in front of her.
"Qiu Xi..."
"No way! What are you doing?" Luo An, not hearing a reply, shuffled closer.
"Can't you see? Writing my thesis," Qiu Xi replied without looking up.
"I see... but I suspect my eyes are playing tricks on me!"
Looking at the computer screen, Luo An stared blankly for a long time.
This... this Qiu Xi!
Was she even human?
He himself was digging through literature every day, constantly searching for a direction, but this person in front of him had already started her second one?
Luo An's mood was chaotic and terrible. Either he had gone mad, or Qiu Xi had gone mad...
Of course, his going mad was more likely...
"Why aren't you talking?" Qiu Xi said while typing.
"..."
"I'm feeling rather ashamed!"
"Um... Qiu Xi, I'll be heading back now. Keep up the good work!"
He needed to go and give himself some encouragement as well.
"...Okay, you too!"
Thus, Qiu Xi, at the tail end of her first year of graduate studies, began writing her second graduate thesis.
Ultimately, it was because she had some free time after finishing recent tasks, and reading a lot had sparked some inspiration.
Luo An: ...
He wished inspiration would strike him just by reading.
Why was there such a difference between people? Had they secretly evolved without him?
No!
This semester was about to end...
It seemed he needed to find time to have a chat with Teacher Qi!
Before this semester ended, he couldn't afford to fall behind!
Having made up his mind, Luo An sat in his seat and began to summarize the progress he had made during this period.
Fortunately!
He had good study habits!
Coupled with the numerous group presentations, summarizing was quite manageable, all of it was his own gain!
Looking at the gradually filling document, Luo An finally smiled.
There was a glimmer of hope!
Not bad!
...