In the evening, as it was too late, Qiu Xi did not call Shen Yingjun again. She simply sent a message to express her gratitude and inquire about Pei Wen's condition.
The very next morning, Shen Yingjun saw the message upon waking.
As for the initial words of thanks, he had already skimmed past them.
He focused on the last part, the inquiry about Pei Wen's situation, and then, at length, replied with several lines, expressing his positive outlook.
Actually, when Pei Wen first arrived, he hadn't felt much, and didn't even think much of him.
After all, they weren't related, and he didn't know the person. His agreement to meet him was merely because he had promised the girl, Xiao Xi.
However, after spending some time together, he discovered that this young man was quite different from what he had imagined.
At the very least, he was truly capable! He had already helped resolve many issues for Shen Yingjun while familiarizing himself with the environment.
Furthermore, his parents were also easy to get along with and were good people. They were getting along exceptionally well with Shen Yingjun's own parents, chatting and laughing together daily, with great harmony.
So, gradually, he began to have more hope that Pei Wen would be able to develop the research.
...
Meanwhile, Qiu Xi was quite satisfied with the reply she received.
If Uncle Shen could change his mind so much, it seemed this person wasn't bad at all.
Now, she was just waiting for him to produce results. Once he did, it would likely be time for him to return.
...
"Xiao Xi, are you ready?"
"Are we going to the back...?"
Song Daiyao had been waiting outside for quite some time.
They were supposed to attend morning classes with their teacher today, which was why she had woken up so early.
She had wanted to ask Xiao Xi to have breakfast together before going to the back. Unexpectedly, after waiting for a while, there was no sound from her.
Unable to help it, Song Daiyao had to urge her again.
After reading the message, Qiu Xi finally realized that she had asked Daiyao to wait for her just now.
Quickly tidying up, she immediately opened the door, "I'm ready, I'm coming!"
With so much to do at home... for a moment, Qiu Xi felt that she had truly been... a bit lazy these past two days!
Going downstairs, both of them gulped down their porridge, finishing it hastily, and immediately headed towards the small room in the courtyard.
Upon arriving, Du Bin and Li Minglan were already seated there.
The two walked up and greeted them.
"Master / Grandpa Du, Grandma Li, good morning~"
"Mm."
Looking at the books in his hands, Du Bin nodded, "Come and sit."
The two obediently walked over, pulled out chairs, and sat down.
Once they were seated, Du Bin continued, "Xiao Xi, your tasks are all on that pile of books in front of you."
"Because you were too busy before, you still owe Teacher Ding a lot of homework. You must catch up in these two days, or he'll come chasing you, saying you're seriously holding back his plans."
This old Ding had been muttering constantly these past few days, mentioning that Su boy and his little disciple in three out of every four sentences.
Now that the Su boy's matter was over, it was Xiao Xi's turn. If she couldn't complete Teacher Ding's plans on time, even he wouldn't know how to provide further training for this girl later on.
Qiu Xi's face, which had been slightly smiling, instantly drooped like a wilted baby cabbage as she picked up the materials her master had mentioned.
She had almost forgotten that Teacher Ding had mentioned before that because the Century Cup was urgent, it would start in mid to late September.
Therefore, he planned to complete the initial phase of the plan before school started, so that it wouldn't occupy too much time later.
As for the mid and late-stage plans, they would only be needed after she passed the qualifying rounds.
So, based on her understanding of Teacher Ding, he was indeed capable of pushing students to work overtime.
Thus, she really had to hurry up with the "debts" she had accumulated in hand.
Thinking of this, Qiu Xi immediately lost her leisurely mood.
Picking up the topmost sheet of paper, she placed her draft paper and pen down and immediately got into her zone.
The speed and the resolve she displayed made Song Daiyao, who was watching from the side, widen her eyes.
Unexpected!
Now that it was just the two of them, she could sense the hidden "competition" in the air.
If people who were better than her were already working so hard, shouldn't she work even harder?
Otherwise, before school even started, she might be looked down upon by others in Teacher Yang Yue's group...
And then what awaited her would likely be... going home to be a salted fish?
The kind that remained a salted fish even after flipping over...
So, looking at Qiu Xi, Song Daiyao also immediately turned her attention to her own notes.
The actions of the two girls, one after the other, made Du Bin and Li Minglan, who were watching from the side, stunned for a long time.
Then, they chuckled inwardly, never expecting that the usually understated girl, Xi, would also have such tense moments.
And this competitive girl, Song, was also incredibly endearing!
Thus, seeing the two children working so diligently, they themselves began to busy themselves with their own affairs.
They would occasionally check in, offer a few pointers, and then go back to their own activities, as leisurely as ever.
And so, Qiu Xi, embracing her "debts," spent two to three days holed up, "happily."
During these days, she would occasionally lament, thankfully her master's courses had finished. Otherwise, she might truly have to treat the toilet stall as her sponsor's point and busy herself there.
She was truly fortunate that she hadn't reached that point yet!
...
"Master, I've finished these. Remember to tell Teacher Ding."
After organizing the completed "debts," Qiu Xi handed them over to her master.
Du Bin smiled, "You girl, you're still as fast as ever."
After all, he had witnessed it firsthand. His little disciple had diligently worked for two to three days.
As for the quality of the completed tasks, he felt there was no problem.
Knowing his little disciple, he was always very serious about his studies.
"Master, please don't say anymore. As soon as you say it, I'll remember the difficult days I've had these past two days."
Honestly, even when going to the toilet, her mind was still occupied with those few pages of paper.
Little Pigeon even said she was going mad...
"You girl~"
Seeing his little disciple's wronged expression, Du Bin could guess what she was thinking.
Unable to help himself, he burst out laughing.
Qiu Xi glared at him expectantly, "..."
This master of hers might be an imposter...
Du Bin steadied the expression on his face, "Alright, I'll look at these first, and I'll tell Old Ding later."
"That old fellow will probably rush over before lunch."
Based on his understanding of Old Ding, this was indeed very likely.
Qiu Xi nodded, "Then Master, you look at them first. I'm going to rest. If Teacher Ding arrives, remember to call me."
She didn't know when Teacher Ding would arrive, but she knew she needed a good rest with her eyes closed.
Du Bin waved his hand, "Okay, you go."
She really needed to adjust herself!
Seeing her master nod, Qiu Xi ran off without tidying anything up.