After the introductions, it was the turn of the younger students like Qiu Xi to greet the teachers in turn.
However, before they began, the third-year and second-year graduate students set an example. Their greetings were not difficult.
It was the part where the greeting was accompanied by a talent showcase that posed a bit of a challenge.
Following the earlier order, Qiu Xi and Luo An were the first to go up.
"Teacher, senior brothers, senior sisters, I am Qiu Xi."
"I am Luo An."
"Today, we'll present a song and dance talent showcase..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Luo An started the prelude.
Qiu Xi waited, and when Luo An began to sing, Qiu Xi also started to move.
A lyrical French song, paired with the dance that Qiu Xi had specially chosen. The talent showcase they performed together turned out to be quite successful.
"Old Qi, I'm quite envious of your two students," Shang Mingjie said, making no secret of his admiration for the two young people.
"You have good taste. But I think your students are also good..."
"..."
Engaged in mutual flattery, the two exchanged a smile.
"Alright, let's not talk anymore. The children are about to start."
"Yes."
After Qiu Xi and her group finished, it was the turn of the first-year graduate students from Shang Mingjie's group.
Gu Qingqing, a girl who looked very traditional, was the first to come up.
As she approached, Fang Mo next to her moved to bring her a large whiteboard that the hotel had prepared.
"I don't have many skills, but my painting is decent. I can only show you a little bit," she said in a soft, feminine voice, which surprised the girls present.
Luo An, who had just finished performing, thought, "..."
He had thought his performance was a "little" showcase, but he didn't expect this to be the real... He had broadened his horizons!
Gu Qingqing's performance also involved music and dance.
As the music started, she began to move with a calligraphy brush, dipping it in ink from a dish and slowly creating her artwork.
Her series of movements stunned everyone.
So, there were indeed people who didn't mind the trouble.
It was truly impressive!
Only Fang Mo beside her breathed a sigh of relief.
Who knew how worried he had been about this. The things he had prepared in advance were all negotiated with the hotel.
He was also afraid of being summoned by the mentor after the performance, so he had been worried for quite some time.
Looking at it now, it was alright. At least it wasn't a disaster... As for what the mentors would think after the showcase, that was for later.
"Clap, clap, clap~"
After the performance, there was a round of applause.
Regardless of the specifics, the painting itself was excellent.
What's more, she had thoughtfully prepared two copies.
"Thank you~"
"If the teachers don't mind, I'd like to give these two paintings to both of you..."
"..."
At that moment, the air became a little too quiet.
Perhaps no one present had expected such a turn of events.
On Qi Xizhi's side, neither the older nor the younger students had ever seen such a situation before.
Especially the second-year and third-year graduate students. For gifts like this, it was something they coordinated to give together at the beginning of the semester, so as not to trouble the teachers.
But this, these two paintings that were just created, seemed a bit... it made everyone feel a little awkward...
Of course!
Fang Mo on the other side also hadn't expected his new junior sister to do something like this. It completely caught him off guard.
It wasn't that giving gifts was forbidden, but at a social gathering with teachers present, especially when there were teachers from both sides.
It was good that the two teachers were familiar with each other. If there were more teachers...
He couldn't imagine it!
"Ahem~"
As everyone remained silent, Qi Xizhi made a sound.
"Since it's the children's sentiment, and these are just hastily drawn, let's accept them."
"The paintings look quite good. Let's consider them as a paper-based assessment assignment..."
This way, Qi Xizhi provided Shang Mingjie with a way to save face.
"Ahem~"
"Since Teacher Qi has said so, Gu Qingqing, bring them over. Tidy up your things first."
"Yes, thank you, teacher."
Gu Qingqing herself could feel the atmosphere just now.
However, she hadn't realized that her indirect act of gift-giving had caused so much...
One could only say that this person... was rather interesting.
After this episode, Shen Yan, who went up next, immediately felt too embarrassed to showcase her talent.
She usually enjoyed playing, but when she wasn't playing, she preferred quiet activities like reading. Skills like clubbing or singing loudly were not really her forte. So, she thought of the voice acting show she had done with Song Daiyao before. After thinking for a few days, she decided to do a voice acting show for everyone.
As an amateur who had done voice acting professionally, she had some skill.
So, after greeting everyone, Shen Yan presented the audio she had edited and specifically sent a copy to the group.
It was a clip from a familiar animated movie.
After everyone had watched, Shen Yan began her performance.
Without many props, just some background sound from her phone, relying on her own voice for dubbing was quite challenging.
However, it was alright. There weren't many people, and the venue wasn't large, so the showcase went quite well.
"Hmm, this voice is good."
"It's quite good..."
"Clap, clap, clap~"
The last to go up was Yu Shouxin.
This name piqued everyone's interest; it was a very interesting name.
Despite such a delicate name, the person himself was not delicate at all.
His appearance was rugged, yet quite handsome, leaving a deep impression.
"I don't have any special talents!"
"My brothers and sisters are singing, dancing, painting, and voice acting. I'll just show you some martial arts."
As soon as he finished speaking, he performed a set of martial arts punches, broad and powerful, full of momentum.
He started without further ado. Everyone thought it was a dance performance. They didn't expect it to be a martial arts demonstration...
"Cough, cough..."
Suddenly, there were many coughs.
Everyone silently apologized for imagining a hunky guy dancing.
"Not bad, not bad."
"Thank you all for your efforts. You've all done well."
"Ya Ya, Fang Mo, there shouldn't be any follow-up, right?" the two teachers asked.
"Teacher, that's all."
"We've already arranged with the waiters, and they can start serving the dishes."
"Okay!"
"Then let's get started."
After the talent showcase, the next challenge was toasting.
This act of toasting truly tested one's personality.
One had to deliver a good congratulatory speech while also appearing poised and confident, which was indeed difficult.
Especially for someone like Qiu Xi, who also had to explain that she couldn't drink alcohol...
But it was alright. The seniors and senior sisters had set an example for this process, so it proceeded quite smoothly.
"Alright, that's all for now. Everyone, eat and drink as you please. This meal is on me and Teacher Shang."
"Take your time. Work hard in the future, and just finish your theses..."
"..."
Amazing!
To be pushing for theses at a time like this...
Those preparing to graduate and still revising their theses, those preparing to write their theses and still revising various outlines, and those who had just started and were still exploring without direction were all speechless.
"Cough, cough!"
"Teacher, we're still eating. Can't we just eat happily first?"
"Exactly, look at what Old Qi is saying!"
"Out of line!"
"Everyone, please continue, don't be shy, just eat!"
"..."
May I ask, will eating less reduce the pressure?
Answer: No!
So, it's best to eat your fill...
The social gathering, in a way, was a success.
...