Qiu Xi slept for almost the entire morning, missing lunch.
Consequently, she didn't know that as soon as her master received the manuscript, he glanced at it a few times before messaging Teacher Ding to come over and review it himself.
So, when Qiu Xi woke up and went down for lunch, she saw Teacher Ding chatting with her master in the living room.
As Qiu Xi walked towards the dining table, she chuckled, "Master, Teacher Ding, what a leisurely afternoon for you both?"
"Ahem!"
"It's all your master. We probably haven't seen each other for a few days, and he missed me terribly."
Just as Du Bin was about to respond, he heard this audacious statement.
"..."
He didn't realize he was missing someone!
This Old Ding, how thick-skinned had he become!
It was unbearable to watch!
Qiu Xi also had a vein twitching on her forehead, "... "
It was clear that Teacher Ding was being his usual unreasonable self.
"Alright!"
"Look at you, so smug!"
"It's because Du Bin is indulging you!"
"..."
Ding Yujing, who was about to say a few more words, had his speech cut short by his wife, who had just entered.
"Grandma Ge~"
"You're here too!"
Qiu Xi was a little delighted, putting down her chopsticks even while eating.
"Since there's no one at home, and I heard your master was coming here, I thought I'd tag along to take a look."
In fact, Ge Jiaojie wanted to chat with her old friend.
She only found out later that for convenience, her old friend had moved in directly.
So, to avoid causing any trouble, she hadn't visited.
Since her old man said he was coming today, she figured she'd just come along.
"That's wonderful!"
"Grandma Li was just mentioning you a few days ago~"
Grandma Li had a different personality from her own grandmother.
Her grandmother was restless, and the older she got, the more she loved to roam.
Grandma Li, on the other hand, was a quiet person who preferred to stay in the courtyard, tending to her flowers and plants or reading.
Recently, with Dai Yao around, she was occasionally giving guidance, so she wasn't as idle as before.
"I know~"
"I just came from the back."
Her old friend was teaching that girl, Dai Yao, in the courtyard. She couldn't intervene, so she planned to bring some snacks for afternoon tea.
Seeing the little Qiu girl now, an idea struck her, "Xiao Xi, are you free later?"
"Accompany Grandma Ge to make some afternoon tea, snacks, and then we can chat in the back."
Because she was chatting with Grandma Ge, Qiu Xi had completely put down her chopsticks.
However, she didn't rush to speak, but glanced at her master and Teacher Ding beside her.
She wasn't sure if she would have free time later.
After all, Teacher Ding looked like he was here specifically for her "debts."
"Don't mind me and your master. I haven't finished reading the assignments you submitted yet, so I'll have to go back and take another look later."
Ding Yujing, seeing the little girl's gaze, knew exactly what she was thinking.
However, he said this not because of his wife, but because in the short time he had been here, he had only been chatting with Old Du and hadn't really looked at much of the homework.
So, he still needed quite some time to review it.
Hearing this, Qiu Xi looked at her master, who remained silent.
Seeing him nod, confirming the truth of the words, she turned back and accepted Grandma Ge's invitation.
"Grandma Ge, then please rest for a while. After I finish my meal, I'll go prepare the ingredients."
Ge Jiaojie smiled and said, "No rush, take your time with your meal."
Little Xi's cooking was superb, so today's afternoon tea was going to be a treat~
...
"Afternoon tea is here~"
Ge Jiaojie walked ahead, with Qiu Xi following behind carrying a small box of food.
What was intended to be a simple afternoon tea had taken quite some time due to Qiu Xi's involvement.
However, the result was delightful, with the pastries so exquisite they looked like paintings.
It was also accompanied by the specially brewed tea by little Qiu. She had already tasted it, and it was incredibly refreshing.
"Grandma Ge..."
"Sister Jiao..."
The two, who had finished some time ago, stood up immediately upon seeing the approaching figures.
Song Daiyao also tidied up the small table beside them.
"Come, try these."
Qiu Xi put down what she was holding.
"No need to say, Xiao Xi, whatever you make is bound to be delicious."
Song Daiyao had never doubted her good friend's cooking skills.
Besides, they looked so beautiful, they were sure to taste even better!
As Song Daiyao spoke, her hand involuntarily reached out.
"Stop!"
"Hold on a moment!"
"Huh?"
Following this exclamation, Song Daiyao's hand froze mid-air.
Song Daiyao looked confused, "Grandma Ge, what's wrong?"
She could already feel her appetite whetted by the aroma...
"It's nothing..."
"Let me take a photo first!"
Saying that, Song Daiyao watched as Grandma Ge, with her aged hands, held up her phone and deftly pointed it at the small table, continuously clicking.
"..."
Astonished!
She never expected that in some aspects, the elderly were even more meticulous than the young girls!
Song Daiyao leaned in to take a look, and indeed, the photos were quite good.
"Grandma Ge!"
"I didn't expect you to be such an expert!"
Ge Jiaojie looked at the photos on her phone and waved her hand, "A hobby, just a hobby."
"Alright, Song girl, you can eat now."
Li Minglan also smiled happily looking at her old friend.
Sister Jiao loved taking photos when she was young, using a very old-fashioned camera back then.
Even so, she took great care of it.
She didn't expect that even at her advanced age, she was still so passionate.
"Okay~"
"Grandma Li, you all eat too~"
"Grandma Ge, here you go~"
"Oh, right! Grandma Ge, you have to send me a copy of the photo!"
As Song Daiyao handed over the items, she remembered that she had been at Xiao Xi's for so many days, and it was the perfect time to post on her social media!
Thinking about it made her very happy~
"Daiyao, you stay here with the grandmas then. I'm going inside to find Master and the others."
Qiu Xi looked at the three of them, remembering the unfinished task.
Song Daiyao nodded, "Mhm!"
She knew Teacher Ding must have something important to discuss with Xiao Xi, so she didn't say anything else.