"All right, since you think it's acceptable, then so be it."
"Now, let me tell you about this Qi Xizhi..."
Qi Xizhi, in his fifties, was considerably younger than Du Bin and Ding Yujing, and remarkably energetic for his age.
He was a top-tier teacher within the department, possessing excellent pedagogical skills. His most outstanding talent was his fluent command of foreign languages.
Besides being proficient in English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, he also had a keen interest in several minor languages.
However, that wasn't the most important aspect. The most crucial part was that Qi Xizhi truly lived up to his name. Before settling on a specific research direction, he had concurrently studied ancient literature. At that time, he was deeply engrossed in classical texts, showing an interest in oracle bone script and seal script, among others. He also possessed excellent calligraphy skills. Had he not enjoyed the process of linguistic transformation and conveying culture through language, it's highly probable he would have continued his studies in ancient literature.
Qi Xizhi was a scholar dedicated to academic research, constantly writing papers and publishing numerous books. As he aged, his inclination towards research deepened, leading him to teach students far less frequently now.
It wasn't that he stopped teaching entirely, but rather that he did so very rarely. Sometimes, he would even have his students substitute for him. Consequently, undergraduate students rarely had the chance to see him.
It was considered fortunate if a student encountered him in even one of their four academic years.
Many students, deeply impressed by him, would try to audit his classes in the following year, even if they hadn't officially enrolled.
The sole reason for this was that Teacher Qi's language classes were well worth the effort.
A significant reason he still took on students was his need for an assistant to help with laborious tasks...
Therefore, even if he only accepted one student each year, he would still do so. This pleased the university and saved him some trouble...
Regardless of anything else, Qi Xizhi was undoubtedly an excellent mentor.
He was dedicated to imparting knowledge, nurturing virtue, and resolving doubts!
...
After hearing Teacher Ding's introduction, Qiu Xi's determination to choose this teacher was further solidified.
She just wasn't sure if she would be one of the one or two students accepted each year.
"Teacher Ding, how great are my chances, based on what you've told me?"
Ding Yujing smiled and then sighed, "Very great! How could they not be!"
"Even if they weren't, we still have me and your master, don't we?"
"Hmm... Teacher Ding, are you planning to pull some strings for me?" Qiu Xi gazed intently at Ding Yujing.
"..." Ding Yujing felt like not speaking anymore.
He and Old Du genuinely possessed substantial knowledge and skills, alright!
Compared to Qi Xizhi, setting aside Old Du, even he himself was no less capable!
As for why he wanted the child to choose another mentor...
It was all for Qiu Xi's own good; letting her experience more of the outside world was a good thing.
Moreover, Qi Xizhi was indeed suitable for Qiu Xi. Each had their own area of expertise, and in certain aspects, Qi Xizhi possessed strengths that Ding Yujing couldn't match. Thus, letting the child gain more exposure would be beneficial.
With these thoughts, Ding Yujing began to chide her.
"You child!"
"You should let go of that idea and rely on yourself."
"My and your master's academic level is quite high. If it doesn't work out, you can just stay by our side..."
Qiu Xi, "..."
She was just saying that...
If it really didn't work out, she would compromise.
"Did you hear me?" Ding Yujing asked Qiu Xi, who remained silent.
Qiu Xi nodded helplessly, "Understood..."
"Good, that's good..."
"Old Du, do you want to say a few words too?"
Du Bin shook his head, "Xiao Xi is reliable. I don't need to say much."
When it came to the school's teachers, Old Ding was the more familiar one. There was no need for him to interject further.
However, he did have something to say about his little apprentice's studies.
"Old Ding, are you finished?"
Ding Yujing nodded, "Yes, I'm finished."
"Good. You sit here and rest for a bit. Xiao Xi and I will talk about other things."
"Alright, go ahead."
After talking for so long, it was time for him to rest.
The scene then shifted to Du Bin and Qiu Xi sitting and talking, while Ding Yujing idly listened, eating snacks.
"Xiao Xi, Old Ding has already explained the interview and your subsequent choice of mentor very clearly, so I won't elaborate further."
Qiu Xi nodded, "Mm."
She already knew the answer from her master's silence.
"What I want to talk about now is your future studies."
As Du Bin spoke, he first inquired about Qiu Xi's recent situation, "How is your internship going?"
"And your graduation thesis, are there any issues?"
These were the two major matters for Qiu Xi recently. If they posed any delays, he would consider adjusting his plans.
"Master, my internship has no problems. I've adapted extremely well."
Indeed, her internship was going smoothly. Given her current state, she had become proficient and was working efficiently.
As for her graduation thesis, it wasn't that there were no problems, but they were few...
"I've started working on my graduation thesis. The project I was involved in with the office leader last time has also concluded without any issues."
Any remaining problems would have to wait until after her internship. She was still anticipating the rewards she would receive upon its completion.
Listening to Qiu Xi, Du Bin silently began to calculate.
It seemed like there were no significant issues now.
Therefore, his plan could commence as scheduled.
"Since that's the case, let's proceed according to my plan. Let me first tell you..."
Qiu Xi had heard her master mention this plan before, but now it was more detailed.
"Do you think it's feasible?"
He had devised the plan, but Qiu Xi was the one who would execute it, so Du Bin asked her opinion.
Qiu Xi shook her head, "Master, I have no problem with it."
The timeline had already been adjusted for her. This plan was currently only set until next year.
Although her master had said he would modify it based on her academic progress, she believed it would largely align with her learning pace.
She didn't think she would fall behind the schedule; in fact, barring any unforeseen circumstances, her progress would likely be ahead of the plan, making it difficult to lag.
"Good, then we'll proceed with this for now," Du Bin nodded with a smile.
"Okay~"
According to her master's plan, everything would begin after her interview.
If there were any unexpected outcomes in the interview, he would make appropriate adjustments, so Qiu Xi felt no pressure.