Recently, a certain super topic has been quite active because the actual subjects openly came out to 'give out candy,' which instantly energized all the fans shipping the couple.
【If Professor Ye ever debuts, we'd definitely have a lot of material to edit.】
【Wuwu, they are so good to ship. Now Xixi has new material for replacements, can the big editors start using it?】
【Hahaha, I heard several big editors are already working on edits overnight.】
"Brother Xi, we're returning to the country tomorrow, don't stay up too late," Zhang Dong reminded before leaving the room.
"Got it," Xie Xi responded casually, scrolling through the super topic on his phone, feeling a bit disappointed that everyone was still editing and he hadn't seen any new videos yet.
It seemed he'd have to wait until returning home to see the newly edited videos.
Yes, Big Star Xie was secretly using a side account to ship his own CP with Professor Ye, and his phone was filled with countless videos of the two of them. It's just that some uploaders were too skilled at editing; certain videos made his face flush red.
...
"The review passed. I can start as a lecturer after the new year when the semester begins." Rong Shiyun stretched, feeling the heavy weight in her heart finally lighten a little.
"Congratulations." Ye Qiusuo was still busy, with endless tasks to do every day.
Rong Shiyun didn't mind. She got up to cook, thinking of adding a few more dishes to celebrate: "What do you feel like eating today?"
Before Ye Qiusuo could answer, Rong Shiyun calculated for herself: "Anyway, everything tastes good to you."
By the time she finished cooking, Ye Qiusuo hadn't moved an inch from her spot, with only the sound of her fingers tapping on the keyboard filling the air.
"Have you ever taken a vacation in all these years?" Rong Shiyun asked her.
"I rest every day," Ye Qiusuo stated matter-of-factly.
Rong Shiyun shook her head. In Ye Qiusuo's mind, resting equaled a break; sleeping time each day was considered rest. She had no concept of taking an actual vacation.
"By the way, I'm going home in a few days to prepare for the New Year," Rong Shiyun put down her bowl and chopsticks. "When are you going back?"
Ye Qiusuo thought for a moment and said, "I'll go back the day before New Year's Eve, just in time for the celebration."
Rong Shiyun: "...You'll just work the same way at home. Aren't you afraid of upsetting your parents by going back so late?"
"It's fine," Ye Qiusuo said seriously. "My parents said it's okay to go back later if I'm busy."
Sometimes, Rong Shiyun couldn't tell if her friend was truly naive or just pretending. Clearly, no one could outsmart her outside, but she actually believed the comforting words parents say to their children?
"Being your friend is okay, but being your family must be tough," Rong Shiyun sighed.
"Why do you say that?"
"You haven't seen them all year. Your parents definitely want you to go back early. Only you would believe those comforting words they said." Rong Shiyun urged her, "Go back earlier and spend some time with your parents."
Professor Ye didn't understand: "I am going back. Many researchers at the company aren't going back for the New Year either."
Rong Shiyun: "Is that the same? They followed the regular educational path. Think about how long you've been away from your parents since when."
"I'll ask them."
After the meal, Ye Qiusuo indeed called her parents to ask. Rong Shiyun sat nearby, shaking her head as she listened.
"Mom, Dad, do you want me to come back earlier?" Ye Qiusuo asked bluntly.
She started school early, attended university young, and had been on her own since. After completing her direct Ph.D., she went abroad for further studies, almost staying overseas like Rong Shiyun. She hardly had any chances to see her parents throughout the year.
Father Ye answered the phone. He fell silent for a while after hearing her question and said, "Let me get your mom."
When Mother Ye got on the phone, Ye Qiusuo asked again. Mother Ye also fell silent, and after a long pause, she cautiously said, "If it doesn't interfere with your work, could you come back a bit earlier if possible?"
"Understood. I'll go back earlier."
After Ye Qiusuo hung up, Rong Shiyun wore an expression of understanding. "See, your parents actually want you back early."
Ye Qiusuo's parents were ordinary workers, common people, the kind of neighborly uncle and aunt you'd pass on the street. Sometimes, Mother Ye even wondered if her child had been switched at birth. Not to mention Ye Qiusuo's intelligence being far above average, even her looks were exceptionally outstanding, inheriting the best features from both Father and Mother Ye.
When she was little, she somewhat resembled them, but after growing into her features in university, Mother Ye hardly recognized her when she came back.
Because of Rong Shiyun's reminder, Ye Qiusuo went back home more than half a month early this year.
When Xie Xi returned, wanting to find a roundabout way to see Ye Qiusuo, he discovered she had already gone back to her hometown.
Big Star Xie felt very dejected. He had thought of several excuses to meet her on the plane, but now they were completely useless.
The gloomy big star Xie still had to work. His agent had accepted an invitation for him to perform at a gala event, where he would sing on stage.
Xie Xi drew inspiration from this. He pretended to have a video call with Ye Qiusuo to practice calligraphy and later asked her, "Teacher, will you be watching the New Year's Eve gala?"
"My family will watch it together," Ye Qiusuo replied. She was already home, sitting in her room, with no attempt to hide anything during the video call.
Xie Xi could clearly see the room's setup behind her—a large bookshelf filled with nothing but books, no toys in sight.
"Qiusuo, would you like some fruit?" Mother Ye came in with a fruit platter, immediately spotting Xie Xi on Ye Qiusuo's computer screen, which gave her quite a shock.
Although her daughter was different from ordinary girls at this age, as a typical mother, she had still wondered what kind of person her daughter might like in the future.
Suddenly seeing such a handsome boy, especially around the time before the New Year, Mother Ye naturally assumed their relationship was... not shallow.
"Teacher, I'll hang up now," Xie Xi said, having also noticed someone entering the room. He had gotten the answer he wanted.
Ye Qiusuo closed her laptop, stood up, and took the fruit platter. "Thank you, Mom."
Hearing her say thank you made Mother Ye feel a bit sad. A daughter being too polite wasn't something to be happy about.
"Have some fruit to tide you over. I'll start making dinner now." Mother Ye's hand, hanging by her side, twitched. She originally wanted to touch her daughter but held back, afraid she might find it uncomfortable.
"Mhm."
Mother Ye walked out, pulled Father Ye aside, and whispered, "I just saw Qiusuo video calling a boy."
Father Ye clearly didn't think in that direction: "A colleague of Qiusuo's?"
"Definitely not a colleague," Mother Ye stated firmly.
In previous years during the New Year, colleagues had called for video chats, and Mother Ye had seen them. Both Qiusuo and the person on the other end were always very serious. This time when she entered, she didn't see any seriousness from Qiusuo at all. Moreover, the boy in the video didn't look like a stern, straight-laced professional.
And also...
Mother Ye carefully recalled the boy she had just seen. She tugged at Father Ye's sleeve: "I think that boy looks a bit familiar."
"Where would you know Qiusuo's friends from?" Father Ye said helplessly. "You must be mistaken."
Father and Mother Ye usually didn't pay much attention to celebrities. At most, they watched TV dramas at home and occasionally tuned into the movie channel. They might recognize You Feibai if mentioned.
...
"Sister Wei, I'm going to the gala," Xie Xi told Wei Qi early in the morning.
I know you're attending the gala tonight and singing on stage.
"Not today's event, it's the nationally broadcast New Year's Eve Gala," Xie Xi said eagerly. "Didn't you say last time a singer had a last-minute problem and couldn't make it?"
For such an important gala, preparations start half a year in advance. From beginning to end, there are always various issues, though by this time, the program lineup is usually pretty much set.
If someone can't make it, the program inevitably needs adjusting. The most common method is to extend other performances or New Year's greetings to fill the time.
"Aren't you spending Spring Festival at home?" Wei Qi asked, surprised.
Every year, Big Star Xie goes home to celebrate the New Year with his parents, refusing all engagements. What's going on this year?
"I want to perform at this year's gala." Xie Xi had even composed a cheerful new song just last night.
"I'll reach out and ask, but don't get your hopes up. The gala organizers might not be willing to take the risk."
The news that Xie Xi wouldn't be home for New Year's immediately caused an uproar with his parents. They kept asking why. When he said he was going to perform at the gala, his mother grew anxious: "Xixi, are you short on money? Mom will send you money. Let's not do that gala."
"That gala doesn't pay."
"Then why?" came the serious voice of Father Xie.
Xie Xi raised a fist to his lips, clearing his throat lightly. "If I sing at the gala, the entire country can see me."
Father and Mother Xie: "?"
"That way, the person I like can see me when the New Year countdown happens."
In fact, on that day, not only would the person he likes see him, but a future mother-in-law would also discover her future son-in-law on TV.
