"Everyone, let's part ways here then."
The group, now back in the country, was about to separate outside the airport.
"Qiu Xi, Xi Wei Mu... may we meet again."
While the teachers discussed their own matters, the five young people were having an emotional farewell.
"We definitely will!"
"Mm!"
Only Zhen Zhu, though she found the scene touching, knew that the chances of them meeting again were probably slim.
However, she didn't know what the future held; perhaps this forced connection was a form of fate after all?
It was like her first meeting with Qiu Xi. She had only gotten into the domestic exchange program through family connections, and then, through Professor Cheng Pei, she met Professor Cheng Su, which gave her the opportunity to step onto the stage of this international exchange. One could say that everything was a result of her own persistence and financial backing.
Yet, after this latest competition, she might no longer be interested in the "purity" of the academic circle.
Young persistence, through repeated failures, can truly lead to giving up.
Fortunately, her retreat was supported by a mighty pillar.
"Alright, farewell for now."
With a light hug, the individuals finally had to part.
...
Qiu Xi, having recovered her composure, began talking to Teacher Ding.
"Teacher Ding, are you heading back to the school?"
Although it was only around 8 AM when they departed from France, upon returning to China, it was already past 4 PM.
"Of course, where else would I go if not back to school?" Ding Yu Jing smiled at Qiu Xi.
Qiu Xi looked at the person smiling happily and replied, "I thought Teacher Ding might want to have a chat with the Master."
"That's definitely something I'll do, but it will have to be another day."
Upon mentioning this, Ding Yu Jing became excited again. He was eager to share this good news with the old fellow personally.
"You should head back to school too. See if there's anything you need to catch up on after being away for a few days."
"Mm, I know."
"Alright then, let's go back to school together."
"Okay."
They took a car from the airport back to the school, and by the time they arrived, it was almost 5 PM.
"Teacher Ding, I'll head back to my dorm now. See you in a couple of days."
Qiu Xi bid farewell to Ding Yu Jing after escorting him back to the faculty apartments.
"Mm, go ahead."
...
"Sisters~ I'm back!"
"Xiao Xi!"
"What a surprise!"
Since Qiu Xi hadn't informed her roommates of her return beforehand, seeing her now left all of them with looks of surprise and delight.
"Yeah! Why didn't you tell us you were coming back~"
"It was all so rushed. How have you all been while I was gone?" Qiu Xi smiled as she explained to them.
"Life has been incredibly comfortable~"
Ever since their theses were finalized, they had been living quite comfortably.
Especially after they had prepared the presentation materials for their defense a while back, things had become even more relaxed.
Even Liang Yun Fei had been spending less time at the company due to her defense preparations, squeezing in work to get it done, all for the upcoming defense and graduation.
Seeing the happy expressions of the three, Qiu Xi also smiled, "It seems life is indeed good."
"You bet!"
"Hehe~"
"So, do we have anything else to do these days?"
Qiu Xi hadn't checked her notifications much during her time away and was now asking as she unpacked.
"No," the three shook their heads.
"There shouldn't be anything until the defense."
"But the class monitor and the others mentioned taking graduation photos a couple of days ago."
"Mm, but the date is set for after the defense, so there's no rush."
"Is that so... then there's indeed no rush." Qiu Xi nodded.
If that was the case, she, Ni Xue, and Hua Linglong could prepare for their trip.
After their travels, they would have their defense, and then, after finishing up school matters, their dormitory could even have a graduation trip.
The specific arrangements would depend on the timing.
Reviewing the information in her mind, Qiu Xi nodded with satisfaction.
Since there was nothing urgent, she would meet Old Yan in the next couple of days to finalize things, and then she would head home. It was time for them to prepare for their departure.
"So, have you all eaten yet?"
After tidying up her belongings, Qiu Xi checked the time on her phone and asked Song Dai Yao and the others.
She hadn't eaten anything since coming down.
She had only managed to eat a little for breakfast to catch her early transport, and after being out for so long, she was already a bit hungry.
"Xiao Xi, you haven't eaten?" Song Dai Yao glanced at her.
"We all finished just before you came back..."
Indeed, since they weren't busy, they had chosen to eat earlier, taking advantage of the time when fewer people were around.
"Alright then, I'll go eat first. You all carry on." Qiu Xi nodded.
"Do you want us to accompany you?" There was no urgent matter anyway.
Qiu Xi jiggled her phone, "It's okay, I was just asking. I have someone accompanying me."
The three, "..."
"Alright, then go ahead. You don't need to tell us anymore."
Even without Qiu Xi saying it, they knew who it was.
It could only be Nan Hua!
After his girlfriend had been away for a few days, now that she was back, he had to come out and spend time with her.
"Okay, I'm heading out then. If you girls need anything or want me to bring anything back, send me a message."
"Mm, understood. Go ahead."
"Okay."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qiu Xi slung her backpack over her shoulder and headed out.
Outside the dormitory building-
"Ah Hua, I'm here."
"Mm." Nan Hua looked at Qiu Xi, who was a few steps away, and nodded gently.
Then, as soon as she stepped out, he reached out and took her small hand.
"You just got back, are you tired?"
He had initially wanted to drive directly to pick her up, but Qiu Xi had said everyone was together, and the teachers were there, so there was no need to make a special trip. That's why he hadn't gone out.
Qiu Xi nodded, "Still a little."
"But it was okay. Going out with Teacher Ding this time was very worthwhile."
Thinking back to the experiences of the past two or three days, although it was a bit tiring, it was indeed worth it.
"Mm, tell me about it."
"Okay~" Qiu Xi said with a happy smile.
As they walked and chatted, Qiu Xi recounted all the big and small things that had happened these past few days to Nan Hua.
They ambled along like that for quite some time before reaching the cafeteria.
"Xi Xi, does Xi Wei Mu look good?"
As their footsteps entered the cafeteria, Nan Hua suddenly turned his head and looked at Qiu Xi with a smile.
That smile made Qiu Xi burst into laughter.
"What are you thinking about!"
"Although he, well, he is quite good-looking..."
"Mm?" Nan Hua raised an eyebrow and hummed.
"..." Qiu Xi pressed her forehead, "But if you were to compare, he's not as good-looking as you..."
"Mm, that's for sure..."
"..."
She really hadn't expected Nan Hua to be so narcissistic at this moment.
"Yes, you're the most handsome." Qiu Xi nodded with a light laugh.
"Uh-huh!"
"Let's go, let me fill your stomach first."
With a satisfied answer, Nan Hua, a subtle smile on his face, led Qiu Xi away.
"Okay!"
...
After the meal-
Qiu Xi sat with Nan Hua on a bench by the campus's artificial lake.
"Xi Xi, when do you have some free time? Let's take a few days to go out together..."
With graduation approaching, and having some time, he wanted to spend some days traveling with his girl.
After all, graduation was an important milestone, and although they were graduating together, he didn't want to miss it.
"Mm... this might require some careful planning." Qiu Xi said softly, leaning against Nan Hua.
"In a couple of days, I'm going to Country Y with Ni Xue and the others to visit a friend. After I get back, I'll be going on a graduation trip with Song Dai Yao and the others, but the timing might be before or after the defense."
"However, most likely it will be before the defense. In that case, it's highly probable that our trip will have to be postponed until after the defense."
"Mm, that's fine."
"It's all up to you; I'm okay with anything."
He himself didn't have many plans and could completely accommodate her.
"Then that's settled!" Qiu Xi said with a smile.
"But where we're going, you'll have to plan all of that yourself~"
"Alright, I'll do everything. You just need to bring yourself." Nan Hua nodded, looking at the artificial lake not far away, and tightened his grip on her hand.
As long as she was there, everything else was a minor matter.
"Alright, it's getting late. You're tired today, so you should go back and rest early."
"Call me when you're going home in a couple of days, I'll take you back."
"Mm, okay." Qiu Xi obediently nodded in agreement.
"Let's go, I'll walk you back." Saying that, Nan Hua lightly put his arm around Qiu Xi's waist and stood up.
Under the moonlight, hand in hand, Nan Hua escorted her back to the dormitory.
"Ah Hua, goodnight~"
"Goodnight."
See you tomorrow~
...