The semi-finals have ended.
Bai Xiaoruo and Ji Shushu both passed. As soon as the list of those who advanced was announced, the two of them happily hugged each other. Although it wasn't the final result yet, the fact that they had both passed made them overjoyed.
"It's in! It's in! We've all made it! Xiaobai, this is wonderful! We can continue playing together!" Ji Shushu was so excited she almost jumped up.
Originally, I wasn't interested in participating in these competitions; it was just to get more points when I graduated. But with Bai Xiaoruo around, it was different. The two of them could do everything together.
"Yes, all our hard work over the past few days has finally paid off."
The next round of the finals is scheduled for two weeks from now. There are a total of twenty people in the finals this time. Although the number is half that of the previous semi-finals, they are still not to be underestimated, after all, they are all carefully selected seed players.
Xiao Yaran also passed the semi-finals, and her pride was written all over her face. Before leaving the venue, she even went to Bai Xiaoruo and Ji Shushu to show off.
"Xiao Ruo, congratulations on advancing to the finals. I never expected that someone of my skill level could make it to the finals at the same time as you. Drawing isn't just about talent and hard work; sometimes, luck plays a part too," Xiao Ya Ran said with a meaningful smile, leaning close to Bai Xiao Ruo's ear. "I hope you'll have the same good luck in the next final."
After saying that, Xiao Yaran patted Bai Xiaoruo's shoulder twice and walked straight to the door.
Her last words made Bai Xiaoruo feel uneasy.
What does that mean? Why do I always feel like there's something else behind Xiao Yaran's words?
"Stop showing off! It's not certain who will win or lose yet! We'll definitely crush you in the next round!" Ji Shushu said angrily to Xiao Yaran's already departing figure.
Seeing her friend lost in thought again, Ji Shushu gently nudged Bai Xiaoruo's arm with her elbow. She wondered what Xiao Yaran had just said to Bai Xiaoruo that made her expression turn sour. "Xiaobai, what did she just say to you? That sarcastic attitude of hers, I just couldn't stand it."
"Huh? Oh...it's nothing, I'm fine." Bai Xiaoruo came back to her senses and smiled at Ji Shushu.
"Really nothing? You don't look too good. Did she say something nasty to you?"
"How could that be? We're all classmates, and we advanced together. There's no conflict between us. Don't overthink it. We need to prepare well for the finals in two weeks. Let's go, we should go back to the classroom."
"You're right. Xiao Ya Ran had better behave herself and not cause any trouble, or I will definitely not let her off the hook." Ji Shushu clenched her fist and waved it in the air, showing that she was not someone to be trifled with.
***
After school in the evening, Bai Xiaoruo still took the bus home alone.
Because she didn't want to attract too much attention, Bai Xiaoruo even refused Ji Shushu's offer to have the driver take her home.
Upon entering the courtyard, Bai Xiaoruo sensed that something was amiss.
There's an extra car in the yard.
Moreover, it wasn't a car parked in the garage; it seemed to have been driven directly in from outside and placed directly on the lawn in the yard, leaving deep tire tracks on the grass she had carefully tended.
Bai Xiaoru squatted by the lawn, feeling somewhat regretful. It had taken several months for the plant to sprout a few tender shoots, and now it was ruined.
The next second, a person suddenly came to mind, and she stood up abruptly, looking into the open doorway of the room.
Such a luxury car is not something everyone can afford, let alone parked so brazenly on her lawn. There are no neighbors around, and no one knows where this place is. Could it be... that Xuan Mingyu has come over?
Bai Xiaoruo subconsciously touched her ponytail, which she had tied up that morning and was now a little loose, and touched her face. She was wearing simple clothes, with a drawing board and a bag on her back.
If I just go in like this, what if he sees me? Will it leave a bad impression on him again?
Should I go back to my room and get ready first?
But what if he's sitting in the living room?
Just then, Bai Xiaoruo saw Xia coming out of the house. She seemed to have been wronged, her little mouth pouting, looking very unhappy.
Just as Bai Xiaoruo was about to greet Xia Xia, Xia Xia also saw Bai Xiaoruo. As if she had seen a savior, Xia Xia ran towards Bai Xiaoruo, "Young Madam, you're finally back! I was so angry!"
"What's wrong? Did Aunt Qin yell at you again?"
"If it were Aunt Qin, it would be alright. But that woman in the house, I don't know where she came from. Aunt Qin and I were specially transferred here to serve the young master and young mistress. As soon as she arrived, she insisted on ordering me around, pointing and telling me what to do, and making me run errands back and forth. I've done it at least fifty times. My legs are weak. If I complained, she would tell me to get out of the yard. Tell me, what kind of person is she!"
"Are there guests at home?" Bai Xiaoruo was somewhat surprised after hearing Xia's complaint. She had lived here for so long and had never ordered Aunt Qin and Xia around like this. Who exactly was in the house? Even when her grandparents came, they were never this difficult.
"A guest has arrived, brought back by the young master. He's sitting in the hall right now."
"I see..." Since it was a guest brought back by Xuan Mingyu, he must be a very important person. Bai Xiaoru thought for a moment and handed her bag and drawing board to Xia Xia. "Xia Xia, please put these things in my room for me. I'll go inside first. As the host, I should at least entertain the guest."
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