The scorching summer days showcased their warmth to people.
In the remaining days of August, Qiu Xi was busy decorating the small home she would live in for the next three years with Nan Hua, while also preparing for the upcoming group meeting.
Furthermore, Du Bin's expectations of Qiu Xi had also risen considerably.
It wasn't for any other reason than the fact that Qiu Xi, his young apprentice, was progressing too quickly.
This was something Du Bin had remarked on more than once; his apprentice had never stopped surprising him.
Up to this point, Qiu Xi had completed her one-year learning plan arranged by him at an astonishing speed.
He felt that he could accelerate his teaching pace.
Four years had passed, and it was time for Xiao Xi to graduate.
There was nothing more he could teach; the rest of the path she had to walk alone.
At the end of the month, on this particular day, Qiu Xi was specially summoned by her master.
"Master..."
Qiu Xi approached quietly and softly greeted her master, who was pretending to nap in the rocking chair.
Du Bin slowly opened his eyes and looked at Qiu Xi, "You're here... Sit down."
"...Okay." Qiu Xi was confused.
"Keep the old man company for some tea," Du Bin gestured to the tea set beside him.
Qiu Xi glanced at it, picked up the cup and tea leaves, and skillfully began to brew.
After a while, Qiu Xi handed over the tea, "Master, why did you call me for tea today?"
"It's just that seeing you're about to start school again, this old man was thinking that with nothing else pressing, I'd take your Grandma Li out to see the sights, and then we'll head back to Jinhai City for a while..." Du Bin spoke his plans slowly, feeling a touch of melancholy in his heart.
He hadn't expected that four years would pass in the blink of an eye...
When Qiu Xi first heard this, she was taken aback, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
Then, seeing the longing in her master's eyes, she fell silent.
"Xiao Xi, do you remember how we met, how you became my apprentice?" Du Bin murmured.
Qiu Xi slowly nodded, and softly replied, "Of course, I remember. I will never forget..."
It was at the flower and bird market, with that fall, that their master-apprentice bond began.
Du Bin nodded, "Yes..."
Besides the master-disciple relationship, there was also the matter of a life-saving debt between them...
"I originally thought my old parts were about to give out, but I never expected that following you, this little girl, would keep me going until now..."
This was an unexpected blessing, and he had already been content.
But who could have imagined that the apprentice he took in would have such great capabilities, reaching the standard for graduation in just four years?
This, in turn, gave him other aspirations.
"Master..." Qiu Xi couldn't help but murmur.
"Alright~"
"This old man was just reminiscing. The important matter comes next."
"What I just said are my plans. Your Grandma Li and I have already decided that while we can still walk around, we'll travel together and visit places more often."
"I called you here today specifically to tell you this. We might be preparing to leave right after your school starts."
"..."
"Master, perhaps if I have time, we..."
Before Qiu Xi could finish, Du Bin interrupted her with a smile, "You girl, your studies are just beginning. How can you have so much free time?"
"Don't worry, your Grandma Li and I will join a tour group when we go out."
"To start with, we were planning to ask your Grandpa Nan and your grandparents at home about it. You don't need to worry..."
Qiu Xi, "..."
To be honest, it was hard not to worry.
However, after the quiet adjustments to their health and medication over the past four years, the physical condition of the elders was indeed quite good. Going out for a trip wasn't entirely out of the question...
"Master, if you truly feel this way, I won't stop you," Qiu Xi nodded in agreement after careful consideration.
"But as this is just the beginning, how about we find someone to accompany you, so we can observe?"
Qiu Xi planned to discuss it with her parents, and perhaps they could all go out and relax together.
"..."
Seeing Qiu Xi's sly probing, Du Bin also smiled, "Then tell me, who do you suggest accompanies us?"
Who else would have so much free time...
"I think my parents would be great. These two hardly go out all year round. This time..." Qiu Xi offered a string of reasons, afraid Du Bin might disagree.
"..." Du Bin was also helpless.
This feeling of being cared for by the younger generation... he had no choice but to accept it.
"Since you've put it that way, what else can I say..."
"Let's find time to discuss it. If your parents are agreeable, then our first stop will be to visit them."
If the younger generation could be reassured, then a little inconvenience would be acceptable.
Seeing this, Qiu Xi immediately beamed, "Okay~ I'll discuss it with them tonight!"
Even if they didn't go, she would encourage them; it could be considered a trip to clear their minds and enjoy the scenery.
"Okay~"
The conversation between master and apprentice ended with the master's compromise.