"Sister Tong, you were looking for me?"
"Mm, come in." Seeing the person at the door, Tong Mei nodded with a smile.
After the person came in and sat down, Tong Mei continued, "Mm, do you know why I asked you here?"
Qiu Xi shook her head, "I'm actually not too sure..."
In fact, Qiu Xi had a slight inkling, but she didn't dare to speak rashly, so she shook her head and said no.
"It's alright, I'll tell you slowly." The smile on Tong Mei's face had not faded, and she seemed quite happy.
"Sister Tong, just say it directly, I'm listening."
Her smiling demeanor was a bit... unsettling?
"..." Tong Mei cast a helpless glance at Qiu Xi.
This young girl really didn't know how to say polite things.
Helpless, Tong Mei could only nod.
"Actually, this matter can be considered a good thing for you." Tong Mei glanced at Qiu Xi and tidied the documents in front of her. "You're here because of the cooperation between our higher-ups and your base, which is why you came here."
"Mm... and then I was placed with me..."
Although Tong Mei's words were tactful, Qiu Xi understood immediately.
It was a case of "wherever there's space, we'll put them," she understood the principle.
"So you understand then?"
Qiu Xi nodded, "Mm, I do."
"But what does this have to do with what you wanted to tell me?"
"This is the main point." Tong Mei nodded. "I've communicated with the higher-ups, and we want to keep you here. I'm not sure about your thoughts?"
This was the first time she had considered keeping someone, not for any other reason, but because Qiu Xi herself was quite capable.
"Ah?" Qiu Xi was surprised.
This was not part of her plan at all!
When she came, Teacher Jin and the others hadn't mentioned anything like this.
Her original intention was to prepare for future activities and get a qualification certificate. This long-term retention was not included.
After thinking for a few turns, Qiu Xi still shook her head.
"Sister Tong, let's forget about it. I have other plans later, so I don't intend to work out here long-term for now."
"Really?"
"Won't you consider it carefully?"
Clearly, Tong Mei had not given up and was ready to persuade Qiu Xi further.
"Really, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Sister Tong's good intentions. I truly don't have any thoughts in this regard..."
"Alright then..."
It was just a bit of a pity... such good talent was slipping through her fingers.
"Sister Tong, do you have anything else?"
If not, she had to get back to her work.
Tong Mei shook her head, "There's nothing else really."
"I just wanted to ask, if you don't plan to stay, are you planning to leave before the holidays, or stay for a while after the new year before leaving?"
"This... according to our regulations, don't people usually leave before the holidays?"
This was something Qiu Xi had inquired about during her stay, and it shouldn't be a problem.
"That's true, but you're different. If you could stay a bit longer, I would be delighted~" Tong Mei said with a smile.
"..."
At this point, Qiu Xi was still a little stunned, but in the end, she shook her head.
"..."
"Alright then... If that's the case, I won't say any more. You can go back now."
There was no other way; the person's heart wasn't here, and further talk would be futile.
"Okay, but thank you, Sister Tong."
"Alright, go on and get busy." Tong Mei waved her hand helplessly. "Looking at you now gives me a headache..."
"Heh heh~"
"Then I won't disturb you, Sister Tong..."
Saying this, Qiu Xi closed the door and walked out.
Watching the door close, Tong Mei sighed again.
If only she had known...
"Xiao Xi, why did Sister Tong call you in again?"
"Have you done something wrong recently?"
It was close to the holiday season, and although their department was busy, there shouldn't be any urgent matters at this point...
Seeing Qiu Xi being called in for so long, the people outside were somewhat curious.
Qiu Xi, "..."
"Do I look like someone who makes mistakes?" Qiu Xi said helplessly.
The group shook their heads, "No..."
Not only did she not make mistakes, but she also completed tasks smoothly and left work early every day. They had never seen her get reprimanded by Sister Tong.
Instead, it was them...
Working overtime until late every day, only to be scolded again at the morning meeting the next day...
Really!
It's unbearable...
It would drive them crazy...
"Then what did Sister Tong want to talk to you about?"
They were quite curious after such a long conversation.
"We didn't talk about much, just about the practical training I came for. They're preparing to give me a qualification certificate..."
Qiu Xi didn't say much more, but this wasn't an outright lie, as everyone knew the situation when she arrived.
The way Sister Tong had stared at her before she even entered, the jokes about her being a decorative vase, were still occasionally brought up and laughed about.
"Is that so..."
"Then are you preparing to retire with your qualification certificate, Xiao Xi?"
They all understood this rule.
It was the same for everyone who had come before.
The difference was that Qiu Xi was a little more capable than them, and when she left, they might still miss her for a long time.
"Yes~" Qiu Xi nodded.
"I should be able to get it around the time you all go on holiday leave..." Qiu Xi estimated.
According to what Sister Tong had told her, the timing should be about right.
"That's great..."
"Congratulations, Xiao Xi."
At this point, everyone finally realized that Qiu Xi was still an undergraduate who hadn't graduated, and this wasn't an internship...
For a moment, everyone didn't know how to react.
The young girl was too capable, so much so that they hadn't treated her as a young girl...
Now that they realized it, it seemed too late...
Who could blame them when Qiu Xi was so... memorable, and it was hard to change their perception.
"Thanks~"
Qiu Xi didn't have much interaction with others in the office, so being able to say this much was already good.
"You're welcome~"
......
After a few exchanges, the group went back to their respective work.