“Xixi, will you stay at school for the next few days or return to the villa?”
“I’ll stay for a few days first, then head back.”
The training wasn’t over yet, and she had promised Yu Xinxin that they would train together. So, she planned to stay a few more days before returning.
Nan Hua nodded. “Okay.”
“By the way, our game development is almost complete. Do you want to come and try it out when you have time later?”
Recalling his recent busy schedule and the draft art she had helped with before, Nan Hua thought it would be good to invite her to try it out.
Perhaps she could even offer some suggestions, as girls’ and boys’ perspectives were quite different.
This way, he wouldn't be... abusing his position for personal gain.
Nan Hua’s mind was indeed working overtime.
“Really? When can I go?”
Qiu Xi, unaware of his little scheme, was now curious about what the developed game would be like. Yanyan and Xiao Xuehua’s scripts, along with her own drawings – everyone had put in tremendous effort. She was eager to see what the game would look like.
“Anytime, as long as you have time to come.”
“Let me know in advance when you’re coming. If I’m around, you can come over; otherwise, you might make a wasted trip.”
Qiu Xi nodded, her excitement making her speak a little faster. “Okay! I got it.”
“I’ll check my schedule later and go take a look as soon as I have time.”
“Mhm~”
As they talked, hand in hand, they had covered nearly half the distance.
“Ah Hua, why did you stop?”
Qiu Xi, who was still chatting, looked at the man holding her back with a hint of confusion.
Nan Hua shook his head, his eyes flickering with a smile. “No reason, I just wanted to walk a bit slower.”
Qiu Xi understood. “You should have said so~”
“Then let’s walk slower~”
“Okay.”
…
A few days later.
While others’ holidays were nearing a week, Qiu Xi was still busy with her studies at school.
Today, there were no training sessions with the teachers, so she trained with Yu Xinxin instead.
“Xiao Xi, I’m really grateful to have you,” Yu Xinxin said sincerely.
While she had initially approached Qiu Xi to learn for her own benefit, she was now completely won over by the girl.
They were the same age, and Qiu Xi was even a little younger, yet she was far more capable.
At the very least, as they trained together, it was ostensibly mutual learning, but in reality, it was Qiu Xi single-handedly guiding her.
She might as well be considered a mere accessory to a great talent… Fortunately, this accessory looked pretty good.
“Don’t be so polite!”
“It’s not like that. We’re helping each other.”
After all, they were going to the competition together, and having someone to accompany her made Qiu Xi much happier.
As they spoke, they shared a smile.
After a while, Yu Xinxin spoke again. “Xiao Xi, we’ll be leaving school in two days, and I feel like time is too short.”
“After the Spring Festival, we’ll be heading out for the competition right after school starts. I’m a bit worried.”
According to the school’s holiday schedule, the new semester started in early March, which was around the same time as the preliminary rounds of the Century Cup.
They might have to depart within a couple of days of returning to school.
“Yes, time is indeed tight, which is why I’ve decided to return right after the seven-day Spring Festival holiday ends.”
Qiu Xi didn’t hide her plan to return early for training from Yu Xinxin.
On the contrary, she would be quite happy if Yu Xinxin also returned early.
However, upon hearing Qiu Xi’s words, Yu Xinxin frowned. “I might have to delay my return by a few days.”
“That’s fine. We can still have online training sessions at home.”
“That’s true. We can communicate online then.”
At this point, they had to rely on themselves more.
If they had any doubts, they could discuss them online.
Qiu Xi nodded. “Yes, that’s possible.”
“Xiao Xi, you’re so nice~”
With that soft, sweet utterance, Qiu Xi couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s a small matter. After all, we’re allies now~”
Yu Xinxin nodded heavily. “Mm!”
After chatting for a while longer, they both immersed themselves back into their studies.
With only two days left, every minute and second was precious!
Two more days passed. Shen Yan and Song Daiyao had already gone home. For convenience, Liang Yunfei had also packed her things and moved to the company. As the “stay-at-home children” of the dormitory, Qiu Xi could finally pack her bags and leave school.
“Ah Hua, we’ll be returning to Jinhai City in a few days. We talked about visiting the game you’re developing, but it looks like that will have to wait until after the New Year.”
As soon as the holiday began, Shen Yan had packed her bags and gone home.
Her stated reason was homesickness!
But anyone with eyes could see that it was infatuation…
This was because she had taken Ding Yibai home with her…
To be precise, as soon as they returned, Qiu Xi received calls from Uncle Shen and Auntie Hu.
They probed and tested, afraid that the girl had been tricked into returning because they had nagged her too much…
After all, they had met this person. She had visited during the summer, and they hadn’t noticed anything amiss then. But after half a semester, she had brought the person back, so they had to ask properly.
However, speaking of which, Ding Yibai’s decision to go also had a bit to do with her own research.
But the most important thing was that they could date on the company’s dime!
On that note, they had been lectured by Teacher Ding and Grandma Ge for quite some time.
Nan Hua had intended to say a few words, but in the time it took him to put down a suitcase, she had frozen in place, looking quite adorable.
“What are you thinking about? You’re zoning out.” Nan Hua reached out and pinched her cheek.
Qiu Xi immediately snapped back to attention. “Nothing, it’s just that when talking about visiting the game, I thought of Yan Yan. I had originally planned to invite her along.”
“Then, when we’re back from the holiday, we’ll bring her along.”
Nan Hua couldn’t think of anything else; his eyes and heart were entirely on the girl in front of him. “Xixi, are you free later?”
Qiu Xi nodded. “Yes, I am.”
She had no other plans for today, as she was packing to go home.
“Alright, then I’ll take you to see it later. After that, we can go for a stroll, and I’ll send you back in the evening, okay?”
Qiu Xi ran through the plan in her mind and nodded immediately. “No problem~”
“By the way, in a couple of days, there’s a small company gathering. Do you want to come with me?”
Not many people would be attending this one; it was more of a gathering and chat session for the management.
As for the company-wide annual event with lucky draws and performances, Qiu Xi had already had them organized a couple of days ago.
She had only made a brief appearance and said a few words.
Originally, there wasn’t supposed to be this gathering. But the few of them felt that as the boss, she didn’t appear at the company much. In the first year, it was important to get acquainted, so Qiu Xi eventually agreed to hold this gathering.
Nan Hua nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I’ll go.”
Otherwise, what would happen if this little girl got drunk?
Qiu Xi was unaware of Nan Hua’s thoughts. She had heard the answer she wanted.