Time slowly passed, the weather gradually grew warmer, and the college entrance examination arrived.
In the hotel.
"Xiao Xi, remember to bring everything into the exam room, don't be nervous."
"Okay, it's fine, you guys can head back first."
"Believe in yourself, you can do it."
Qiu Xi couldn't help it. Although she was staying at the hotel arranged by the school, her parents still came, and they insisted on bringing her food every night. She couldn't persuade them otherwise.
However, it was better for her parents to go back, as their presence made them worried and prone to overthinking.
After much persuasion, she finally managed to convince her parents to leave.
Seeing her parents out, Qiu Xi gathered her things and headed to the conference hall arranged by the school, preparing for a last-minute review.
"Qiu Xi, come here." As soon as she entered, she saw her homeroom teacher waving her over, with several subject teachers standing beside him.
"Teacher, what's up?"
"It's nothing, just wanted to say a few words."
"Mm." Qiu Xi nodded.
At times like these, nodding and saying "mm" repeatedly was always the right approach.
Chit-chatting ensued.
"Alright, don't be nervous, do your best."
Looking at the student before him, Rong Jun couldn't believe she had managed to keep up this far. Everything was a pleasant surprise, making him feel as though she could create miracles.
"Okay, you can go now."
"Mm."
Turning around, she cheerfully walked towards the table where her three dorm mates were sitting.
"What did the teacher want?" Seeing Qiu Xi approach, all three looked curious.
"Nothing much, just said a few words, like 'do your best, don't be nervous,' that's all." She shrugged, not quite understanding herself.
She just took it as pre-exam encouragement.
"Alright, it's understandable. It's exam time, what else could it be? Let's get back to our studies." Seeing that there was nothing more, Ni Xue urged everyone to focus on their books.
"Mm."
The next day, outside the examination hall.
"Good luck!"
"Good luck!"
...
The four of them exchanged blessings outside before turning and heading to their respective exam rooms.
Under the scorching sun, the youth marched forward fearlessly.
Three days later, outside the examination hall.
"Finally done with the exams." Gazing at the setting sun, Qiu Xi thought that this leg of the journey was finally over, and the next one, Shan Hai, was about to begin.
"Xiao Xi!"
"Hmm? Mom and Dad." She blurted out instinctively.
There was a crowd of parents outside the school gate, but those two faces instantly caught her eye.
As if waking up, she immediately ran towards them.
At the first intersection, seeing the people waiting for you brings great happiness.
"Mom, Dad, why are you here?"
"Of course, we're here to pick up our darling daughter after her exams."
Seeing their daughter run towards them, the couple didn't ask how she did. As long as she had finished, they were happy for her to relax.
"Come on, we'll take you to eat something good to celebrate finishing your exams."
"Okay."
After they finished eating, they rushed back to school to pack their belongings.
Qiu Xi's school allowed students to pack up immediately after the exams, marking the end of their third year of high school.
There was no graduation ceremony or farewell party.
They only needed to return to school after the results were released to fill in their college applications.
Thus, her senior year of high school had truly reached its end.
After packing her things, Qiu Xi looked at the empty dormitory, then dragged her suitcase and walked out of the campus.
That evening, after tidying up, she lay on her bed.
"Xiao Hua, I'm graduating." Staring at the ceiling, Qiu Xi began her free chat with Xiao Hua again.
"Xiao Xi, congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Xiao Hua, what should I do with my time for the next long while?"
"Xiao Xi, you should learn some skills."
"Mm, that's right. Let me think about what I should learn first."
"How about learning cooking first?"
Her parents would be busy with the family's convenience store anyway, and with her current abilities, she wouldn't be able to manage her own meals.
The more Qiu Xi thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
So, she blurted out, "Xiao Hua, start the cooking training for me."
"Okay, cooking skill training course has been activated. The training will only end after system learning and passing the assessment."
"Okay."
With her mind made up, Qiu Xi fell asleep.
However, in her consciousness, she was diligently practicing her knife skills.
A few days later, her culinary skills had reached an initial stage of proficiency.
To showcase her achievements, Qiu Xi went to the wet market early in the morning to buy ingredients.
Coincidentally, Qiu Ge also had a holiday and was preparing for the upcoming middle school entrance exams. It was a perfect opportunity for a good meal.
After lunch, she began preparing the purchased ingredients, especially the chicken. After washing, cutting, and marinating, it was like the chicken was receiving a transcendent spa treatment.
As she busied herself, time quietly slipped away.
"Wow! (⊙∀⊙)"
"What is it? It smells so good!"
Qiu Ge, who had just entered, was instantly captivated by the aroma. Her nose twitched, and she headed straight for the kitchen.
"Sister, what are you cooking? It smells delicious."
Looking at the meat in the pot and inhaling the pervasive fragrance, Qiu Ge, while furiously swallowing her saliva, asked.
She never expected her sister to have such culinary skills; she had underestimated her.
"Alright, stop looking, go clean up and get ready to eat." Qiu Xi found her little pigeon so gluttonous.
"Mom, Dad, it's time to eat. Sister's cooking smells especially delicious this time."
"Coming, coming." The Qiu couple was also a bit tempted.
The dishes were served.
"Come on, everyone try it and see how it is."
As soon as she spoke, there was a clatter of dishes on the table.
A moment later, only the sound of everyone devouring the food could be heard.
"It's really delicious, sis. You should cook from now on." Qiu Ge, still unsatisfied, directly requested of her sister.
"Wishful thinking." It was impossible to cook all the time, but occasionally was fine.
Cooking should be an enjoyable experience when one wants to do it, otherwise, it's just a chore.
"You little brat, what is it? Are you saying your mom's cooking isn't good enough anymore?"
"Thud." It was a peanut, a reward from her mother.
"Exactly. Be grateful that you have something to eat, and you're still making demands," Father Qiu chimed in, adding another comment.
"Hahaha~"
As they talked and ate, Qiu Xi's debut as a cook concluded.
Undeniably, it received "public" acclaim.
Thus, after a few more practice sessions, Qiu Xi's cooking assessment was passed, and the course was completed.
"Beep beep beep~"
Just as Qiu Xi was contemplating her next plan, she received a call from Hua Linglong.
"Hello, Linglong, why are you calling?"
"Xiao Xi, do you want to go on a trip? Shall we go together?"
"Did you ask Xiao Xue Hua and Tang Tang?"
"I did, they agreed."
"Hmm... where are we going?"
"To Yun Province, we can play for about a week before returning."
"Okay, when?"
"In two days, I've already bought the tickets."
"...So you went ahead and made the arrangements without me." Qiu Xi felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. She was so impulsive; what if she couldn't go?
"Fine then, I'll pack my things, and we'll set off in two days."
"Okay, love you."
"Alright, bye-bye."
"Bye."
It seemed she didn't need to think about it; her plans had arrived unprompted.
With that in mind, she informed her parents about the trip with her roommates.
Father and Mother Qiu had no objections and even strongly supported it, thinking it was good to get out and see the world. They also repeatedly reminded her to be safe.
Thus, amidst these preparations, Qiu Xi embarked on her first journey in life.