Bailian held her phone, sending Jiang He a message not to worry.
She still wore a moon-white gown. Liquid eyes clear as she leisurely recited vocabulary words.
Hearing sounds she raised her head: “Waiting for your ancestors.”
Whether at school, in the Ren household, or anywhere else, Ren Wanxuan had always been the focus with everyone fawning over her.
Even Chen Wei had to put on appearances before her.
As for the Ji family, despite being very polite to Ji Heng, deep down she still looked down on them somewhat.
Ren Wanxuan eyed Bailian’s dress. Simple and elegant without any brand. With one look it was obviously something Ji Heng casually made.
In her eyes Bailian was truly the most inconsequential one here.
Even running into her, shouldn’t result in such arrogance without treading cautiously and deferentially.
Yet she hadn’t expected the person she cared least about would speak to her so rudely.
Even the driver couldn’t help taking another glance at Bailian. Ren Wanxuan noticed the boy beside her also looking over. She was shocked Bailian actually dared speak to her this way. “You…what are you saying?”
“Can’t hear clearly?” Bailian was checking the next word. Airily she said: “I can carve it onto your gravestone.”
The driver desperately wished he could cover his ears and pretend not to have heard anything.
But Ren Wanxuan still carried herself with poise without exiting the vehicle. She only aloofly rolled down the window. So Bailian’s words were audible to everyone in the car.
Even with the driver showing no reaction, Ren Wanxuan felt everything about her was being challenged by Bailian right now.
“You—” She was rendered speechless by the retort. Only awkwardly pulled her lips taut. With a “shu” the window rolled up and she nearly wrathfully ordered: “What are you waiting for, drive!”
The car started.
The boy in the passenger seat lazily viewed Bailian standing at the roadside through the rearview mirror.
His gaze was as if watching a mere leaf. Briefly lighting upon her before withdrawing. “Know her?”
Ren Wanxuan’s tone carried traces of chill. “Who knows which relative the Jis suddenly pulled out.”
She didn’t understand why Bailian could be so matter-of-fact. When it was clear she only lived in the still undeveloped slums that relied on well water.
I see.
Chen Zhe nodded indifferently. Disinterested he didn’t inquire further.
After the car drove on for a bit, a black vehicle slowly drove towards them. Previously lounging casually, Chen Zhe now sat up straight. His gaze fixed unblinkingly on the rearview mirror as the black car gradually moved further away.
Until it disappeared from sight.
Nightfall gradually arrived. That vanished black car in the mirror seemed to turn mysterious.
In the rear passenger seat Ren Wanxuan also temporarily forgot about Bailian. She watched the direction the black car disappeared towards and softly asked: “The people Grandpa mentioned?”
Although it was her final year of high school Ren Wanxuan still paid attention to other matters besides studying. She knew of Xiangcheng’s recent unrest. The manor behind them had always been thought as government property.
Yet people recently moved in. Xiangcheng’s major families all received word forbidding disturbances.
Chen Zhe only slowly replied: “Haven’t seen that car model before.”
**
The one who came to fetch Bailian was Ming Donghang.
All the way over Bailian recited vocabulary words. By the time they reached the manor gates she saw Jiang He already squatting at the entrance waiting longingly.
The person dressed in gray suit waiting in the garden was extremely astonished seeing the girl lazily sauntering behind Jiang He.
Then—
He watched Jiang He walk to the laboratory next door inputting the password to enter smoothly.
“Mr. Ming, she is…” The man looked towards Ming Donghang asking about the girl’s identity.
Despite spending so many years in Jiangjing, he had never heard of someone like her before.
Ming Donghang only warned: “Don’t overstep.”
A chill shot down Director Chen’s back as he recalled who resided here. Not daring to inquire further.
He could only secretly commit the breathtaking girl’s face to memory. Her looks were impactful enough. He definitely wouldn’t forget upon seeing her next time.
The laboratory.
Bailian hadn’t seen most of the items here. Jiang He brought her to a small table and demonstrated a mini perpetual motion machine sitting atop it.
A yellow bean-sized metal ball slid down through a hole on the highest tier into a track before bouncing back up.
The two of them squatted in place staring fixedly at it for a full ten minutes.
“According to conservation of energy,” Bailian concluded, “yours is a fake perpetual motion machine.”
As she spoke she flipped over the base. Indeed spotting magnets underneath.
Jiang He nodded. Then secretly told Bailian: “Uncle Ming thought it was real.”
With so much equipment in the lab Bailian only looked at the vortex collision with Jiang He. Jiang He squatted at the side conducting trials with Bailian several times. Continuously adding more liquid.
Bailian recorded the data every instance.
She finally succeeded once with Jiang He. Glancing at both devices’ numbers she documented the data onto paper again.
After finishing Jiang He slumped over the table watching the vortex device: “How come it’s still not broken?”
Bailian set down the paper and tilted her head to look it over. She truly couldn’t voice disagreement here.
Outside.
By the time Jiang Fuli returned night had fallen.
“Young Master Jiang.” Director Chen respectfully followed him inside.
Jiang Fuli took off his coat. With a glance he immediately spotted the black backpack, cell phone, and rose placed on the padauk table.
Ming Donghang said: “Those belong to Miss Bai.”
Jiang Fuli calmly hmm-ed. Exceptionally long lashes lowered, faintly covering his excessively frosty eyes. “They’re still in the lab?”
A girl like Bailian probably had many people at school lining up to give her flowers.
High schoolers these days should be properly focusing on studies instead of sending roses to others.
Truly inappropriate.
Young Master Jiang politely assessed.
“Tell them to come out for dinner.” Jiang Fuli instructed. His features were light and indifferent.
When Bailian came out Jiang Fuli happened to be speaking with Director Chen.
Director Chen was clearly somewhat cautious with both hands placed on his knees sitting properly. “It should be someone seeking vengeance. Over in Xiangcheng…”
Seeing Bailian enter from outside he stopped, uncertain whether to continue speaking.
Jiang Fuli’s fingertips lazily tapped the table. Giving him a look he said: “Go on.”
“Oh.” Director Chen promptly continued: “I came to oversee security and order. Scorpion was at the top of my wanted list. Yet I had just arrived today and someone already retaliated against him.”
Ming Donghang couldn’t resist deadpanning: “What a coincidence. Not your group’s doing?”
“Impossible,” Director Chen was extremely agitated. “If I had that capability would I need to be assigned here for advanced studies?!”
Ming Donghang suddenly understood.
Director Chen: “……”
Xiangcheng always had lingering issues throughout its history. This time Jiang Fuli came to Xiangcheng so Jiangjing decided to thoroughly rectify the place. Director Chen was the more remarkable descendant of the current Jiangjing Chen family generation. He managed to secure this opportunity for Xiangcheng amidst a crowd.
Back in ancient eras this would be akin to an imperial commissioner wielding the emperor’s golden plaque.
Achieving merit here would let him gain higher official titles upon returning.
Yet right after arriving someone conveniently handed over credit for an accomplishment on a platter.
Director Chen truly felt Xiangcheng was blessed land for him.
“No suspects?” Jiang Fuli folded up both shirt cuffs and randomly poured two cups of tea for Bailian and Jiang He.
Jiang He stared at that cup of tea as if it was poisoned.
Director Chen’s expression was severe. “There’s one. The owner of 112 Azure Waters Street. I’ve already added more men to keep watch on him.”
“No mistakes found?” Ming Donghang had impressions of Azure Waters Street. He expressed skepticism: “Could it be unrelated to him offending Daosen’s cakes or the mercenary mafia instead?”
“Unsure. But I have top secret intel,” Director Chen lowered his voice. “I heard Scorpion took two of the boss’s cigarettes.”
Although he felt it was absurd, Xiangcheng presented piles of evidence.
Why else would the boss get wasted right after taking two of his cigarettes that same night?
Bailian at the side lifted the teacup for a light sip.
Genuine old Banshan tea. Her eyes brightened a shade.
Hearing the conversation she set down the cup. Drooping dark eyes, jade white fingers resting atop the padauk table’s edge. Lazily she agreed with Director Chen: “What a nasty guy.”
Only then did Director Chen dare to look at her again. Seeing her as someone quite young he gently consoled in a kind grandfatherly manner: “Don’t worry. The evildoer has already received some punishment. No need to fear.”
“That’s good then.” Bailian finished her tea.
Taking her things she bid Jiang Fuli and the rest goodbye.
Jiang He tugged her sleeve.
Bailian faintly lowered her eyes glancing at him. “I’m going home for dinner with grandpa.”
**
A few streets over at the Ren house.
The Ren household politely waited with the Chens and others.
“Director Chen, when will he arrive?” Anyone Qian looked towards the middle-aged man beside him. Despite his impatience he still remained very courteous to this Director Chen.
The aforementioned Director Chen was the economic tycoon Chen household of Xiangcheng, Chen Gang. He stared at his watch answering: “Should be soon.”
Just as he spoke someone outside excitedly came to report: “Master Chen is here!”
Anyone Qian and Chen Gang simultaneously rose to go greet outside.
Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhe at the side also got up and exchanged a mutual look.
“Master Chen.” Chen Gang respectfully led Anyone Qian to welcome the guest in. Then he introduced: “This is Xiangcheng’s current highest official Anyone Qian.”
If Bailian was present she’d recognize this to be the same Director Chen she just met.
Director Chen casually took a seat near the dining table appearing to be in his thirties or forties. He had an austere unsmiling face merely resting a hand on the table looking at Anyone Qian: “Mister Anyone I must trouble you this time by intruding. Please take good care of me.”
“How could I dare.” Anyone Qian was a sly old fox too. He smiled and responded appropriately courteous: “Our Ren house basks gloriously in your radiance.”
Although smiling his heart truly shook vigorously.
Xiangcheng already had longstanding rumors of the Chens being a branch of that Jiangjing Chen family. Anyone Qian had been skeptical and incredulous.
Until Xiangcheng suddenly received a covert order recently.
Jiangjing would be assigning a Director Chen to oversee Xiangcheng.
The abrupt assignment arrived just as Anyone Qian was at a loss. Then Chen Gang brought Director Chen’s news to find him.
“I heard there’s a genuine calligraphy piece by Liang Zhenwen at the auction house?” After Anyone Qian poured him wine Director Chen indifferently asked.
This was another assignment the Jiangjing Chen family gave Director Chen.
“That’s right. But the auction house issued a notification these past couple days,” Anyone Qian explained. “Allegedly the writing may not have been penned by him personally.”
Director Chen knitted his brows.
Anyone Qian’s heart jumped seeing this. “Though it truly is genuine. Seems to be notes written by one of his disciples. The auction house has already contacted appraisal experts and it’s still undergoing authentication. So the auction was postponed by five days.”
“Is that so?” Director Chen sat up straighter.
“Still being appraised,” Chen Gang at the side quickly added. “I will closely follow this matter.”
It was common knowledge Great Seer of the times Liang Zhenwen took only two disciples in his life other than Jiang Wendi…
That would be the extraordinarily gifted White family siblings.
Of course Jiang Wendi wouldn’t use a writing style identical to Teacher Liang’s.
Thus if there existed another person’s writing, it could only belong to one of the White siblings.
It turns out historical rumors weren’t baseless. The Jiangjing Chen family, unattainable since ancient times until now, were actually diehard fans of the White family. Most of the items showcased in the Chens’ private museum were things the White family members used during their lifetimes—
And they offered sacrifices to tablets engraved with the entire White family’s names through generations.
This was far more alluring to the Chens than Teacher Liang’s genuine writing!
Anyone Qian merely exchanged a look with his secretary-general. It was very clear their White Tiger Auction invitation must be secured by some means.
**
Presently.
Ming Donghang worriedly watched the bus Bailian boarded sway off into the distance. He somewhat wanted to tail her in a car.
Yet Bailian refused.
He could only watch her get on public transport before driving back to the residence himself.
Jiang Fuli sat with Jiang He at the table eating dinner. Both were laconic eating together as usual without any conversation.
Silent and peaceful.
Ming Donghang also went over to slowly eat.
Jiang Fuli set down his bowl and seemed to recall something. “Who brought over that tea?”
Everything delivered here was personally selected by Xu Nanjing. In between mouthfuls Ming Donghang answered: “Xu Nanjing.”
“Mm.” Jiang Fuli pulled out a disinfecting tissue. Head lowered he carefully and meticulously wiped his hands clean. Tone light and indifferent he said: “Use this as the standard from now on.”
Ming Donghang nodded.
Jiang Fuli got up taking the folder atop the table to the lab.
As the project lead researching “dark matter” he completely replicated his Jiangjing laboratory setup here in Xiangcheng. Thus a section had been reserved for Jiang He’s belongings.
A less than 70 cm tall table with a matching 20 cm bench.
Even the experimental equipment was sized smaller.
Upon entering the long lab table Jiang Fuli had just set his own documents down when he glimpsed a sheet of paper not far away.
His lab had always been tidy and clean. That paper must have been left by those two.
He went closer casually picking up the sheet scanning it from top to bottom. Seven groups of data. He had merely wanted to see what the two were up to until reaching the fourth set…
He froze astonished.
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