"Dad, are we ready to go?" Qiu Xi had been waiting for a while, but her dad was still adjusting his clothes, even more meticulously than when her mom dressed him for exams.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming." Getting the results out and taking his daughter to fill out her college applications, plus meeting the teachers, he naturally had to present himself properly. Especially since his daughter had achieved such excellent results; he couldn't let her down.
Indeed!
He adjusted his clothes again and then calmly walked out of the room.
"Let's go, we're leaving now."
Seeing her dad suddenly so serious, Qiu Xi was still a bit taken aback.
"Oh, okay."
Hai Lan Middle School was unusually crowded at this moment.
Teachers, students, parents... in less obvious spots, people were holding cameras.
When Qiu Xi and her dad got out of the car, they were also a bit surprised by the large crowd.
"Dad, let's go." With that, the father and daughter walked through the school gate.
Qiu Xi planned to take her dad to find her teacher, and after chatting, she would meet up with her friends.
After a winding walk, they finally reached the classroom.
From a distance, she could see the homeroom teacher surrounded by parents.
Qiu Xi walked up and greeted him, "Hello, Teacher Rong."
"Good, good, good. Ah, it's Qiu Xi, come, come, come." Rong Jun, who had greeted her reflexively, realized it was his school's top scorer and immediately looked up, calling her over.
"This must be your father," Rong Jun guessed, looking at the middle-aged man beside her.
"Yes, I'm Qiu Xi's father." Qiu Xi's dad was a bit flustered.
"Good, good, good. Your family has truly produced a talent."
"Not at all, not at all."
The two of them began to banter publicly, fitting in seamlessly.
Some parents nearby overheard snippets of their conversation.
They knew a city-level top scorer had emerged but hadn't expected it to be from their child's class, which was a bit surprising.
Before long, what should have been a simple inquiry session turned into a session of self-praise, making Qiu Xi lower her head repeatedly.
After all, these weren't her closest friends. She felt awkward with so many parents and teachers around.
"Qiu Xi, which university do you plan to attend?" The topic suddenly shifted to her.
"Teacher, I want to go to Minhua University." She had discussed this with her parents at home.
Many universities had called on the day the results were released, discussing admissions.
After much deliberation, Qiu Xi decided on Minhua University.
The homeroom teacher nodded, "With your scores, there shouldn't be any issues. Have you thought about your major?"
"Yes, I want to study English."
He nodded again, "That's fine, and it suits you very well."
"Mm-hmm."
After chatting for a while longer with the group, the homeroom teacher finally said, "Qiu Xi, the school is having an interview. Would you like to participate?"
"Teacher, I think I'll pass." Qiu Xi frowned, thought for a moment, and then shook her head.
"Is that so..." This was clearly unexpected for the homeroom teacher.
"Teacher, how about my dad goes instead?" Although she didn't want to go, she wanted her dad to have a moment of pride.
Rong Jun nodded, "Hmm... that's acceptable."
"However, while you don't have to attend the interview, the school is planning an commendation ceremony, with students from grades 10 and 11 present. You'll be speaking as a representative. You absolutely must come to this." After so long, the school finally had a city-level top scorer; they needed to promote it and encourage the next cohort.
"Okay, I can do that." Qiu Xi agreed after some thought.
Seeing that there was nothing more for her to add, Qiu Xi wanted to go find Tang Tang and the others, so she said, "Dad, Teacher, I'll go to the classroom first. You guys chat, okay?"
Rong Jun waved her off, "Go ahead."
"Then, Qiu Xi's dad, other parents want to speak with me. Shall we talk in the office later?" After all, there were quite a few other parents here, and he needed to address them before continuing their conversation.
"Yes, yes, of course." Qiu Xi's dad stepped aside, feeling a little uneasy for some reason.
Meanwhile, inside the classroom, as soon as Qiu Xi entered, her classmates started gathering around her.
Classmate A: "Hey, our city top scorer is here! Congratulations, congratulations."
Indeed, in the midst of chatting with the teacher, the gossip network had already finished its work.
Classmate B: "Qiu Xi, you're amazing!"
Classmate C: "University scholar Qiu, classmates for a day, we'll never forget our time together!"
This was clearly the class's jokester.
...
Indeed, although everyone had gotten used to being overshadowed by Qiu Xi over the past six months, it didn't stop them from gaining a new idol.
They had even joked that the car accident had opened up Qiu Xi's meridians after her repeated displays of academic excellence.
"Okay."
"Thanks, you too."
...
Finally, Qiu Xi managed to meet up with her roommates.
Hua Linglong, who had been sitting comfortably, saw Qiu Xi break through the crowd. She immediately propped herself up, tilted her chin, and looked at Qiu Xi, asking, "Xiao Xi, which university do you want to go to?"
She had been thinking about this for a long time.
Qiu Xi pulled over a stool and sat down, "Minhua University."
"Really?!" That was Minhua University, a landmark institution in the capital city of Chongxi, one of China's top-ranked universities.
"Mm." Looking at the others, Qiu Xi nodded again.
"It makes sense. Xiao Xi wants to study English, and Minhua University is the most suitable," Ni Xue added, also finding it logical.
After hearing Ni Xue speak, Qiu Xi turned her head and began to ask about their plans, "Enough about me, what about you all? Where do you plan to go?"
"Oh, what a coincidence! I also plan to attend university in Chongxi and major in photography at Jiangning Academy of Fine Arts." Speaking of this, Hua Linglong became excited. It was her lifelong dream, and she was finally taking another step forward.
"That's great! We can still meet up in the same city. Hahaha~" Qiu Xi was very happy. For the upcoming university life, having someone to accompany her in the same city was wonderful.
"What about Xiao Xuehua? Where are you going?" Turning her head and blinking her eyes, Qiu Xi was curious. Ni Xue's grades were also very good; she wondered where she wanted to go.
Speaking of this, Ni Xue's face lit up with longing and aspiration, "Me? I want to go to Nanguang University in City S to study Chinese Language and Literature."
Qiu Xi nodded, "That's also very good."
"What about Tang Tang? Are you going to Country Y?" Qiu Xi patted Tang Siran, who seemed a bit lost in thought.
"Ah, yes, I'm going to Country Y." In fact, she had started preparing last year, from application materials to visas, handling all sorts of things, and by now, it was almost complete.
She had only mentioned it briefly to her roommates before and hadn't elaborated.
Now that they were about to part ways, she felt a bit reluctant.
"That's great! We'll have to visit you. You'll have to be our guide," Hua Linglong couldn't help but get playful as they chatted.
"Yes, you go scout ahead and show us the most beautiful scenery," Ni Xue chimed in.
"That's right, we'll come find you," Qiu Xi also promised.
"Mm-hmm." Tang Siran's voice began to crack, and her emotions surged within.
At this moment, it was enough.
"Alright, alright. Since we've all shared our plans, let's put this topic aside for now."
Qiu Xi had no choice but to interrupt.
"How about after we finish with the college applications, we go out and have a gathering?" Hua Linglong slapped the table, thinking it was an excellent idea.
Qiu Xi nodded repeatedly, "Sure! We can go have fun and sing karaoke."
Ni Xue also agreed.
Tang Siran, of course, was even more enthusiastic.
And so, this solidified the pre-university celebration that would remain in their memories.
"Qiu Xi, come fill in your results." The class monitor started urging her.
"Okay."
After she filled it out, the homeroom teacher returned and gave some instructions about online college applications, telling everyone to reach out to him if they had any issues and to take the application process seriously.
After speaking, he dismissed everyone.
After parting ways with her roommates, Qiu Xi followed the homeroom teacher.
The homeroom teacher mentioned that her dad's interview was finished and then briefly discussed the commendation speech.
He also mentioned the school and city scholarships, asking her to bring her parents that day.
After finishing, he told her to go find her dad and head home.
"Dad, let's go, we're done here."
"Let's go, let's go." Qiu Xi's dad was still very excited.
Seeing her dad like this, Qiu Xi couldn't resist teasing, "Dad, how do you feel?"
"Happy, you've brought me honor." Patting his daughter's shoulder, Qiu Xi's dad beamed with pride.
"Oh? Wasn't it more like nervous anticipation?" her voice laced with playful mischief.
"Who said that!" He was determined not to admit it.
"Hahaha~" Qiu Xi covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter.
"Hmm? You little rascal, always making fun of your old man." Although quiet, her dad still noticed.
"Hahahaha~"
The father and daughter left the school, laughing.