The winter evenings always arrived exceptionally early.
Walking along the seaside, gazing at the distant lighthouse, she made a wish for a distant journey.
As she boarded the return car, her trip was brought to a perfect close.
...
Night.
As Qiu Xi was packing her luggage, preparing to head back the next day, she unexpectedly received a message from Teacher Su Yihua. It was posted in the group chat.
The gist was that the paper they had written had been published, and they were asked to visit the office after the holidays.
"Xiao Xi, why are you spacing out?"
Song Daiyao looked at Qiu Xi, who had been tidying up diligently, suddenly freeze after looking at her phone, and found it a little strange.
Qiu Xi shook her head, said nothing, and handed her phone to Song Daiyao.
"See, she's surprised."
"Wow~"
"Xiao Xi, you guys are too amazing!" Song Daiyao said enviously.
Their group, working with Teacher Yang, had just finished their project. The paper was still just a blurry outline, and here Xiao Xi's was already published...
Shen Yan and Liang Yunfei watched, not as surprised, but still very happy for their friend.
They had known about the paper writing earlier and had subconsciously felt that Xiao Xi would be fine.
So, it was only joy, no surprise.
Shen Yan even directly patted Qiu Xi's hand, "Xiao Xi, when we get back, we're going to have a big feast!"
"To celebrate~"
Qiu Xi smiled and nodded, "Okay."
"But we'll have to wait until after our final exams!"
"..."
"Alright..."
Thinking that as soon as they returned, their "library" dungeon runs would begin again, Song Daiyao couldn't help but feel a little down.
The urgent tasks weren't even finished, and the next wave was already upon them...
The joy of the trip was considerably diminished...
"Forget it!"
"I'd better hurry and pack, and get some sleep!" With that, Song Daiyao quickly started tidying up.
Once asleep, all worries would disappear~
"That's true!" Isn't resting early better than sighing here?
With that, Shen Yan also started packing.
Qiu Xi and Liang Yunfei exchanged a look.
Yep! Completely agreed!
Not long after... the quiet room was filled only with the sound of deep sleep.
...
The next day, at noon, at the airport.
Qiu Xi and the others, fresh off the plane, were staring blankly at each other.
As for the four elderly members of the Qiu family and the grandfather, they had already been taken away by Nan Hua, Qiu Ge, and Zhao Huasheng.
As for Qiu Xi and the others, the reason they hadn't left yet was thanks to the couple holding hands across from them.
Shen Yan's cheeks were flushed, feeling too embarrassed to look at Teacher Ding and Grandma Ge.
Actually, she was still a bit dazed. When they came back, no one had mentioned picking them up!
The atmosphere remained stiff for a long time.
"Teacher Ding, Grandma Ge, why don't we head back first? This isn't a good place to talk."
"We can talk properly when we get back, alright?"
The incident happened so suddenly; Qiu Xi and the others hadn't expected things to be exposed so quickly.
Looking at the scene, Ding Yibai, though a little awkward, was quite calm internally.
His own grandfather and grandmother, how could he not understand them!
With a smile playing on his lips, "Grandpa, Grandma, how about we head back?"
Ge Jiaojie's eyes moved, "Old Man?"
"Hmph~"
"We'll deal with you when we get back!"
With that, she leaned on her wife and walked forward.
This brat!
Not even mentioning such good news beforehand!
Ding Yujing became more and more annoyed as he thought about it!
The two old folks had been spending time with the young girl every day for the past couple of days, and they had known each other for so long. His stinky grandson couldn't compare to that little girl in any way!
Hmph!
Seeing this situation, the girls walking behind were a bit bewildered.
"Xiao Xi, do you think Teacher Ding will be okay like this?" Shen Yan was already imagining novel plots.
Qiu Xi hadn't missed the smile on the two elders' faces when they turned around.
"Don't worry, Teacher Ding and Grandma Ge definitely like Yan Yan. It's just Yibai ge's grandson that's not so certain..."
Ding Yibai, "..."
As expected!
He wasn't their biological grandson, even outsiders could see that...
Looking at the young girl beside him who hadn't spoken a word, Ding Yibai smiled again, gripping her hand a little tighter.
"Yan Yan, don't be nervous. Grandpa and Grandma definitely like you..."
He then changed his tone, pouting a little pitifully, "As for me, if I get scolded later, you'll have to help me~"
His words made Shen Yan burst into laughter.
"Xue Zhang, I didn't expect you to be so playful~"
This was the first time Shen Yan had seen Ding Yibai like this. She remembered when they first met, he had always been like a big brother, very proper.
Later, when they didn't have time to meet at school, their constant chats hadn't revealed this side of him.
Seeing the person beaming with joy, Ding Yibai no longer cared about his image.
"What? You're not calling me by my name."
Shen Yan's body stiffened, then she tilted her head, looking at Ding Yibai, "Call you by name?"
"Yes, it should be changed. How about 'Bai Bai'?"
Ding Yibai, "..."
It would have been better to just call him 'Xue Zhang'...
However, before he could say anything, Shen Yan had already decided.
"Alright, it's settled then. I'll call you Bai Bai from now on~"
The three people completely ignored beside them, "..."
Song Daiyao glanced twice and realized she couldn't bear to watch anymore. Finally, she turned her head to look at Qiu Xi and Liang Yunfei.
"Xiao Xi, why don't we head back first?"
Watching this family's affairs, it seemed a bit inappropriate for them to be spectators...
Qiu Xi glanced at the two elders walking away, nodded, "Yes, let the four of them go back together."
"We'll take our things back to the dorm. After we've settled in, I have something else to do, and I'll visit later."
The two nodded, "Okay, that's how we'll do it."
After discussing, Qiu Xi turned and informed the two behind her.
Shen Yan was initially a little conflicted, but after Ding Yibai's assurances and persuasion, she finally agreed.
Seeing this, Qiu Xi was relieved. This was not a major issue.
"Then we'll be leaving first. Remember to walk quickly and catch up with Grandma Ge and them."
"Okay, see you back at school then."
"Mhm."
With that, Qiu Xi pulled Song Daiyao and Liang Yunfei and left first.
As Ding Yujing, who got into the car behind, looked at his grandson in front, his nose wasn't quite his nose, and his eyes weren't quite his eyes. He was clearly furious.
On the other hand, Ge Jiaojie looked at the young girl beside her, her "auntie's smile" never ceasing.
This situation continued until they returned to the teacher's apartment.
As soon as they entered, Ding Yujing put away his stern expression and, along with his wife, pulled the young girl to sit on the sofa.
"Yan Yan, you tell us!"
"Did this guy threaten you!"
Shen Yan, "???"
What's going on?
Ding Yibai, "..."
He knew it would be like this...
His grandparents, especially his grandfather, had been bickering since he was young. How could he not understand them!
"What are you mumbling about! Don't be afraid, speak up boldly to us old folks!"
After a long pause, Shen Yan slowly came back to her senses.
The first thing she did upon regaining her senses was to look at Ding Yibai, who was sitting alone.
Her eyes conveyed: Is this your status?
Ding Yibai gave a wry smile and shrugged slightly.
What do you think?
Seeing this, Shen Yan couldn't help but smile.
"Teacher Ding, Grandma Ge, it's not like that. It's Bai Bai whom I like."
"You like him? He doesn't like you?"
His words were so shocking that all three looked at Grandpa Ding.
Ding Yibai rubbed his forehead, "Grandpa, if I didn't like her, would I tell you?"
"Hmph~"
"Who knows what those cunning thoughts of yours are!"
"..."
Why don't they just chop him up... to liven things up for his grandfather...
The perspective of the women was different from that of the old man, Grandpa Ding.
Ge Jiaojie held the young girl's small hand, smiling, "Bai Bai~ that's a nice name~"
"Yan Yan, don't worry, if this brat dares to bully you, just tell Grandma, and Grandma will teach him a good lesson!"
One moment gentle, the next, Grandma Ge was full of domineering aura!
Shen Yan, sitting there, finally felt completely relaxed.
"Okay~"
"If anything happens, I'll definitely tell Grandma Ge."
Ge Jiaojie was more and more pleased, "Mhm mhm~"
"Ahem~" Ding Yujing, hearing this, didn't forget to assert his status.
Shen Yan chuckled, "Of course, Teacher Ding too."
Ding Yujing nodded with feigned seriousness, "Mhm."
"But my title... should it be changed?"
The very prompt Shen Yan immediately called out, "Grandpa Ding~"
"Mhm~"
Comfortable!
This girl who spoke so nicely and was so beautiful was indeed different from that stinky brat!
That stinky brat only knew how to make him angry!
"Innocently" caught in the crossfire, Ding Yibai, "..."
I'm wronged, but I won't say it!
So, when Qiu Xi arrived at the teacher's apartment after tidying up, she saw this scene.
Shen Yan was chatting happily with the two elders, looking at photos on her phone, and laughing heartily.
Then, Ding Yibai, by himself, was dejectedly packing luggage for his grandparents...