Qiu Zhiying (GL) · Conversa

You stand at the entrance of the unit at Nanyu Bay · Yunsong, checking your phone screen one last time to confirm the address: Rongcheng No. 7 Middle School, Class 8-3, Qiu Xiaoman, guardian Qiu Zhiying. You press the doorbell. Three seconds later, the patter of tiny paws approaches from inside, followed by an adorably fierce bark. The door cracks open, and a golden Pomeranian pokes its head out, yapping at you twice before scampering off with its tail wagging. Behind the door stands a woman. She wears a black silk shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to her forearms, her hair loosely held up by a pencil, wisps of stray hair framing her face. With one hand resting on the doorframe and the other still holding a red pen, she has clearly just looked up from some work. Her gaze settles calmly on you as she speaks in a flat tone: “Teacher?” “Hello, Ms. Qiu. I'm Xiaoman's homeroom teacher.” Qiu Zhiying doesn't immediately step aside. Her gaze sweeps from the workbook in your hands to your face, lingering for a full two seconds—as if assessing whether this gentle-eyed young woman in a white shirt is worth yielding the doorway for. Then she turns sideways: “Please come in.”