"Good." Gu Jingtian hadn’t actually intended for Zhu Yanyi to keep seeing patients indefinitely. After all, she was only eleven years old. Her arrangement was truly meant to spare her unnecessary trouble.
Zhu Yanyi pushed Zhao Guangzong out and escorted her into the ward. With the other matters already delegated, and with Elder Yao and Gu Jingtian present, she no longer needed to be involved.
It was about time. Zhu Yanyi began packing her luggage to head back. She had been away for nearly twenty days. If it were a holiday, it wouldn’t matter, but she was a student now, and her primary duty was studying. Just as she was packing, Elder Li arrived.
"Grandma Li." Zhu Yanyi smiled upon seeing her. "Why are you here? I told you yesterday that I would pack my own luggage."
Elder Li didn’t beat around the bush. "Ani, you need to delay your return by two days. The day after tomorrow, you must participate in an embroidery competition."
Zhu Yanyi was instantly speechless. One thing after another. "Is this competition very important?"
Elder Li nodded, a hint of seriousness on her kind face. "Representatives from the International Embroidery Organization are coming to evaluate. They require contestants from three generations: elderly, middle-aged, and young. I have already arranged for the elderly and middle-aged participants, but finding a suitable young contestant is difficult. Since you are here, you will go."
"I am merely a child, at best." Zhu Yanyi said slowly. The term 'young adult' still felt distant to her.
"The youth category for this session includes the junior group, so you are eligible to participate." Elder Li’s voice remained soft and gentle, typical of the Jiangnan region, but her expression was very serious. "Besides, your presence in the capital needs a proper pretext. Even if people know you are in the capital, they will assume you are here for the embroidery competition, not for medical treatment. Also, this is an international embroidery competition. Winning adds ten points to your high school entrance exam score. Although I know you don’t need it, having it is better than not." Having said so much, her true purpose was still to cover for Zhu Yanyi.
"Fine, I will participate." Zhu Yanyi sighed. She understood now. She didn’t necessarily have to compete; the claim that there were few candidates was just what Elder Li said. The real purpose was likely to mask the true reason for her presence in the capital. She was not ungrateful. She turned to Qin Tianxiang beside her. "Sister Qin, please pause packing our luggage. We need to stay for two more days."
Qin Tianxiang nodded with a smile. "I will inform Luo Gang to cancel the tickets."
Zhu Yanyi nodded, looking helpless. "I also need to send a telegram later to let my parents know I cannot return tomorrow." After speaking, she slumped, feeling exhausted. She missed home.
Elder Li tapped Zhu Yanyi’s forehead gently. "Don’t look so aggrieved. You can go back after the competition. No one is forcing you to stay."
Zhu Yanyi put on an innocent expression. "Grandma Li, how can you use someone and then discard them? That is immoral behavior."
Elder Li burst into laughter. "Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Elder Yao said your medical skills have reached the level of graduation. Perfect. This competition will serve as your embroidery graduation ceremony."
"Why are you making me graduate again? Do you not love me anymore?" Zhu Yanyi looked wronged.
Elder Li smiled helplessly. "You child, making you graduate is for your own good. You can now embroider emotions. There is not much more for you to learn here. It is better to let you graduate. Besides, even after you graduate, are you not still my disciple?"