“Are you sure it’s this one?”
After taking it down, Li Minglan asked again.
“Mm, this one. Hand it to her.”
He was old now, not like he was in his youth, when he had plenty of energy. If he were to take someone under his wing now, he would have to be responsible. So, if this young girl could handle it, he might give it a try. If not, then it was simply not meant to be.
“This is your test. Take a look, do you want to reconsider?”
Watching his wife hand over the item, Du Bin then said.
“Beep!”
“Task issued: Successfully become an apprentice, reward 50,000 cash, 1 professional notebook, 1 medicinal diet recipe.”
Qiu Xi, who was about to answer, received the system's task. Looking at the content, it seemed like they were afraid she would walk away after hearing Grandpa Du’s words. And the reward, wasn't it tailor-made for Grandpa Du? Of course, no matter what Qiu Xi thought, she still took the papers from Grandma Li.
“I’ve made up my mind. Trying it won’t hurt.”
Du Bin nodded upon hearing this, “Then let’s begin. You have three hours for free rein.”
“Okay.”
Qiu Xi, who had responded cheerfully, was no longer so cheerful after seeing the questions. No wonder they gave her three hours. The questions on these papers probably covered all the knowledge from her four years of university. Glancing through them, there were some she had never even seen before, barely making sense of the questions. Qiu Xi, who was initially quite confident, was now starting to feel a bit uneasy. However, this also showed that if she did manage to become an apprentice to this teacher, it would definitely be worthwhile. Thinking this, Qiu Xi picked up her pen and began to ponder deeply.
Watching the young girl writing furiously, Du Bin had Li Minglan push him out. Then he pulled her aside and began to ask, “Old woman, how is it? Do you think she’s alright?”
“I think this young girl is quite good, but for the questions on those pages, to be honest, I’m not entirely confident.” When talking with Qiu Xi, she truly felt that this young girl had potential and was a promising talent. Even if she had no one to guide her in the future, she would still achieve great things. However, with guidance, she would likely avoid many detours.
“Mm, let’s wait and see then.”
“Mm…”
Finally, after chatting, they decided to form their specific thoughts after seeing the exam paper.
…
Three hours later, the time was up.
Qiu Xi put down the papers, rubbed her wrist, and handed the completed answers to the person who had been waiting beside her.
“Grandpa Du, I’m done. Please take a look.” Although it was indeed very difficult, and there were a few questions she really couldn’t grasp, Qiu Xi managed to finish them by relying on the scattered knowledge she had learned from the system. She just wasn’t entirely sure.
“Alright, sit down for a moment and rest.”
“Let me take a look.”
Qiu Xi listened and moved aside, starting to drink water.
“Sigh… Mm…”
During the subsequent grading, Qiu Xi initially watched the old man, seeing his expression change unpredictably. In the end, she simply made herself comfortable, thinking that since she had already finished, the burden was no longer hers.
After only fifteen minutes, Du Bin put down his papers. Qiu Xi, seeing this, quickly turned her head and asked, “Grandma Li, is Grandpa Du finished already?”
Li Minglan was also unsure, “Probably…” Based on the number of papers and Old Du’s usual habits, either she had written quite well, or she had written too poorly, otherwise Old Du wouldn’t have stopped writing so quickly.
“Let’s ask.”
“Mm.”
“Grandpa Du, how was it?”
“To be honest, you’ve exceeded my expectations.”
“Ah?”
Seeing that he stopped speaking halfway, Qiu Xi’s heart pounded with anxiety!
“Ahem!”
“You are very good!”
“After careful consideration, I can indeed take you under my wing.”
After a long pause, he finally managed to utter the next sentence. Qiu Xi immediately felt relieved. Thankfully, thankfully!
“I knew it, this girl Qiu Xi is excellent.”
Li Minglan, watching from the side, was genuinely happy for both the old man and the young girl. Especially for Old Du, to fulfill his wish in his twilight years, she felt content.
“Beep!”
“Task completed. Reward 50,000 cash, 1 professional notebook, 1 medicinal diet recipe have been issued.”
“……”
“Yes!”
“Thank you, teacher!”
Qiu Xi, reacting to the system's broadcast, immediately changed her address.
“Alright, while there’s still holiday time, come here and study diligently from now on.” He, Du Bin, was serious about teaching apprentices!
“Okay, teacher.”
“Alright, you’ve been here long enough. Go back and rest well, we’ll discuss the rest tomorrow.” Seeing that there was nothing else, Du Bin began to urge her to leave.
“What kind of master are you? You don’t even invite them to stay for a meal!” As soon as Old Du finished speaking, Grandma Li stopped him.
“Grandma Li…”
“Alright, both of you, stop talking.”
“Qiu Xi, you’ll stay for a meal today before you go back.”
“Okay~”
…
While eating, Qiu Xi thought about it again and felt that her apprenticeship lacked a sense of ceremony. Although the teacher didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t forget. After all, this was her first time taking a master. So, she said to the two elders, “Teacher, you don’t need to come to my home anymore. I’ll bring my family another day to visit you here, and let them get to know my master properly.”
“That won’t do, that’s different.” Old Du was still a bit stubborn.
“Then…”
“Qiu Xi, why don’t we just hold it at your place? My and your teacher’s place is too small, and we’d be too busy if everyone came.”
“That works too!” Qiu Xi looked and realized it was indeed the case. Perhaps because it was just the elderly couple, the space was not very large.
“Then I’ll discuss it with my family when I get back, and let you know once the time is confirmed.” This way, it would be good. She would handle things on her side, which would save her teacher and them a lot of trouble.
“Then that’s settled.” Hearing his wife’s suggestion, Du Bin also realized. Their small home might not be able to accommodate a large family and give them room to maneuver.
“Okay~ I’ll tell them when I get back!”
“Yes, then hurry back while it’s still early.”
“Listen to your teacher-mother, and go back.”
“Okay~”
“Then I’ll be going back now. I’ll come again another day.”
“Go on, go on.” Not long after she finished speaking, Qiu Xi picked up her things and headed back.