She saw that the top trending topic had changed from “Chu Yue” to “Zhongguang Group”.
v Zhongguang Group: [Acting is art, not entertainment [Image]]
The image showed Chu Yue and Yan Lu in the same frame. Chu Yue sat on a fake horse on the left, while Yan Lu held a gun and rode a tall horse on the right.
v TV Administration reposted and commented: [What exactly is that thing on the left?]
When this photo came out, the contrast was too stark. It was clear who had acting skills and who was just “entertaining”.
With that, Weibo exploded.
Many younger people might not be familiar with Zhongguang Group’s power.
But everyone in entertainment knows who the TV Administration is.
A bunch of Chu Yue’s fans didn’t dare criticize the Administration, so they went crazy in Zhongguang Group’s comments—
[Our brother just has a cold and can’t ride a horse!]
[Are you also trying to ride Chu Yue’s popularity?]
[…]
Weibo Tail: [Wait, how old are Chu Yue’s fans?]
Laugh?bby: [Haven’t you heard of Zhongguang Securities, Zhongguang Bonds, Zhongguang Heavy Industry? You must have heard of Zhongguang Bank? What about railways and highways? One-third are invested by Zhongguang]
[The total assets of your Tianhuan Entertainment don’t even equal one-tenth of Zhongguang’s annual bonds.]
[Do you know what kind of company Zhongguang is? Read more books instead of just entertainment news. At least then you’d understand what Zhongguang Group does]
The TV Administration took the lead in criticizing Chu Yue.
A bunch of official media also joined in, saying the entertainment industry needed to be rectified.
Chu Yue and Tianhuan Entertainment started to panic, contacting Yan Lu and the Dayong production team.
They had hyped things up too much, and now it wasn’t easy to back out. They were in a tight spot, and topics like “What’s wrong with the entertainment industry” remained highly trending.
Compared to Chu Yue, Manxi was now really in hot water.
“Why did you like Chu Yue’s Weibo post for no reason?” The manager scolded Manxi harshly. “It was okay before, but now Chu Yue is officially labeled as ‘entertainment’. All future programs about him can’t be aired. Why did you like his post?”
Not just Xingguang’s CEO and people like Chu Yue and Manxi, even Sister Xin herself was shocked.
It wasn’t…
Sister Xin thought about Bai Lian, then about Jiang Fuli…
She felt she had reached the peak of understanding them, but they gave her a whole new worldview.
Who exactly were these two?
The entertainment industry giant Tianhuan, whom no one dared offend, now seemed like a small shrimp? Sister Xin was utterly confused.
**
Bai Lian didn’t go online and didn’t know about the Weibo incident.
In the class group chat, Wen Qi kept going crazy.
Wen Qi: [@everyone Who understands? Folks, my idol has fallen]
Lu Xiaohan: [Hahaha]
Qin Wen: [Are you going mountain climbing tomorrow?]
Wen Qi: [@everyone How could she be this kind of person]
Xu Guangming: [I want to lie down]
Lu Xiaohan: [@Qin Wen I’m going, I’m going]
Wen Qi: [@everyone Why is no one paying attention to me? I’m so heartbroken, is there anyone who wants to drink with me?]
Wen Qi: [@everyone Wuwuwu]
Wen Qi: [@everyone Bunch of heartless people]
[…]
Bai Lian, who had been listening to English reading, was constantly interrupted by mentions: [Who keeps mentioning me?]
Lu Xiaohan: [@Wen Qi]
Qin Wen: [@Wen Qi]
Xu Guangming: [@Wen Qi]
[…]
The formation was surprisingly consistent.
Bai Lian: [See you when school starts]
Wen Qi was ready to kneel before these old friends: [Sister, I was wrong!]
Bai Lian continued quietly listening to the audio. Outside the door, Ji Heng called to Bai Lian, “Ah Lian, do you think this outfit would suit your classmate?”
He had made clothes for Lu Xiaohan.
It was also a dress.
The top was light pink satin. He had made this outfit meticulously, with subtle butterfly patterns. The skirt faded from deep to light pink, with white and pale yellow floral patterns on the hem, creating a layered, magnificent effect like overlapping mountains.
Several butterflies were either perched or spreading their wings.
It was serene yet lively.
Ji Heng always felt that girls this age should wear bright, vibrant colors. In his aesthetic, Bai Lian suited white, but even more so red.
Bold and brilliant.
But regrettably, among the clothes he had made for Bai Lian,
She only wore light colors. Red, pink, pale yellow – she had never worn such colors.
Later, Ji Heng rarely made bright-colored clothes for her.
“She’ll definitely love it,” Bai Lian carefully examined the clothes in Ji Heng’s hands and smiled lightly, “I’ll give it to her later.”
Ji Heng folded the clothes neatly and put them in a plastic bag before handing them to Bai Lian.
Just then, Xu En’s video call came through.
“Uncle,” Xu En seemed to be busy, but when he saw Ji Heng’s face, he quickly greeted him, “You should come earlier. Mu Lan and I can show you around Jiangjiang – Jiangjiang University, the museum…”
He discussed with Ji Heng.
Ji Heng held his pipe, thought for a moment, and didn’t refuse, “Alright.”
Xu En had just planned to ask, not expecting Ji Heng to agree. Even now, he wasn’t sure if Ji Heng would attend his and Ji Mulan’s wedding. He couldn’t understand anyone in this family, from top to bottom.
Unexpectedly, Ji Heng actually agreed.
Xu En was overjoyed, “Then please prepare. I’ll book the flight tickets and arrange the itinerary…”
**
Bai Lian didn’t expect the special training camp to also be in Jiangjiang.
Tang Ming and Ning Xiao had gone back with Jiang Fuli.
But Bai Lian had refused Jiang Fuli. She wanted to take the plane with Ji Heng, Ji Shaojun, and Shen Qing. When Young Master Jiang heard this, he was also very shocked.
“This airport, it’s so big…” This was Shen Qing’s first time on a plane. Xu En had bought them first-class tickets.
After getting off the plane, Shen Qing stepped onto the ground of Jiangjiang with a sense of unreality.
He felt quite dazed.
Ji Heng, on the other hand, remained calm, and Ji Shaojun was also very composed. He often took students out for art exams.
“Uncle Ji, you’ve arrived.” Xu En had been waiting early at the arrival gate. When he saw Bai Lian, his eyes lit up even more, “Ah Lian, are you going with them?”
“No.” Bai Lian took out her phone, turned it on, and waited for a signal.
Jiang Fuli had taken a private jet and arrived much earlier than her.
Teacher Jiang: [Where are you? I’ll come find you]
“Was the flight comfortable?” Xu En was a bit disappointed, but still led the way while asking.
Ji Heng nodded, holding his pipe.
Shen Qing was very nervous, “It’s my first time on a plane, I’m not quite used to it.”
Bai Lian was very honest, “The seats were a bit small.”
She was fine, but Ji Heng, who sat in the same row, was older. Sitting and embroidering every day was already not good for his lumbar spine. At home, he could still stand up and move around, but it wasn’t so easy to move on the plane.
“Huh?” Xu En was surprised. He looked at the housekeeper. Hadn’t they bought first-class tickets?
The housekeeper standing behind Xu En glanced lightly at Shen Qing, then looked at Bai Lian with a smile: “Miss, you might not understand. Airplane seats are generally small. What you sat in was already first class.”
His tone was light, without any mocking intention.
He was just stating a fact.
“Ah Lian, planes are just like this,” Xu En thought for a moment and explained to Bai Lian, “When you go back, I’ll change to a different airline.”
Miss Bai, who had ridden Young Master Jiang’s private jet, indeed didn’t know that these seats were considered large for a normal plane.
“No need.” She lazily replied, staying in place, “You all go ahead. I’m waiting for my classmate.”
Ji Heng and the others knew Bai Lian was going to the special training camp with Ning Xiao and the others.
So they left with Xu En first.
“Alright then.” Xu En said regretfully.
The housekeeper beside him glanced at Bai Lian. He didn’t care what Bai Lian was going to do.
He didn’t even know why Xu En valued this Ji family member so much, putting aside his work to personally come and receive them.
**
At Jiangjiang Airport.
Bai Shaoqi was talking to Bai Qiming in the VIP room.
Bai Qiming’s attitude towards Bai Shaoqi had been improving day by day. Despite being so busy at the end of the year, he still made time to send Bai Shaoqi to Jiangjiang to report. “Why hasn’t Song Min arrived yet?”
Song Min was coming for the special training camp. Bai Shaoqi wasn’t qualified for that yet.
“The joint exam results come out today. He probably checked them before getting on the plane.” Bai Shaoqi knew Song Min very well.
Mentioning their grades, Bai Qiming’s smile grew wider: “How was the final exam this semester?”
Recently, there had been a lot of news in Beicheng about Ji Mulan. She was marrying into a wealthy Jiangjiang family. It was impossible for Bai Qiming not to feel anything.
Fortunately, he had a pair of good children.
Thinking of Bai Lian, then of Bai Shaoqi and Bai Shaoke, Bai Qiming’s slight unhappiness disappeared completely.
“Same as before.” Bai Shaoqi replied.
That meant still in the top three. Bai Qiming was very gratified. Then he sighed, “It’s a pity you’re in the same year as Song Min.”
Otherwise, the Bai family might have produced a second top scholar.
Two talents from one family, how rare.
Bai Shaoqi took out her phone and opened her conversation with Song Min.
Bai Shaoqi: [Have you checked your scores?]
Song Min hadn’t replied yet.
Not sure what was going on.
Bai Shaoqi casually looked up.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure outside the door and was startled.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Qiming noticed her expression.
Bai Shaoqi frowned. She felt that the back figure looked a bit like Bai Lian.
“Shaoqi,” Bai Qiming stood up and said seriously, “The Yin family has arrived.”
The Yin family was Song Min’s mother’s family, from Jiangjiang.
Those coming to pick them up were Song’s mother and her brother, the current director of the Yin family. Song’s mother had arrived early, firstly for Ji Mulan’s wedding, and secondly to connect with the family, preparing for Song Min’s entry into Jiangjiang next year.
Both sides greeted each other.
Song’s mother looked at Bai Shaoqi: “What are you looking at?”
“I feel like I saw Bai Lian…” Bai Shaoqi withdrew her gaze.
“Bai Lian?” Director Yin, who was exchanging greetings with Bai Qiming, turned his head.
“Oh, her,” Song’s mother said lightly, “She was Ah Min’s former fiancée. Her mother is about to marry into Jiangjiang. It’s not strange to see her here.”
Hearing Song’s mother say this, Director Yin nodded lightly, no longer inquiring.
He was clearly not interested in Bai Lian. He just smiled at Bai Qiming and said: “I heard your son is interning at a laboratory in Jiangjiang University…”
For them, their own strength was the most important.
The Bai family’s Bai Shaoke was doing well at Jiangjiang University, and Bai Shaoqi was also valued by Dean Jian. These two were both outstanding, which was why Director Yin came to personally pick them up.
Last time, the Bai family didn’t receive this treatment at all.
**
Every time the Beicheng joint exam scores came out, the entire education system would crash.
At Xiangcheng No. 1 High School.
The principal and all class teachers were guarding the computer room.
They hadn’t been able to log into the system successfully for two hours.
“What’s going on?” The principal paced back and forth in the computer room, extremely anxious.
This had never happened before.
Lu Lingxi was calm. She sat at a desk to the side, leisurely writing lesson plans, occasionally looking up to take a sip of tea: “What are you so anxious about?”
What was he anxious about? Of course, he was anxious about whether Ning Xiao and Bai Lian could maintain their scores.
Last time, Ning Xiao ranked 31st. If he maintained that this time, and maintained it again in the college entrance exam, then Xiangcheng No. 1 High School would have hope of becoming a provincial key school when reevaluated.
And then there was Bai Lian.
How many people were watching her chemistry score?
How could he not be anxious?
As they were talking, the teacher sitting in front of the computer suddenly called out, “It’s out, it’s out! Where are their student IDs?”
“Check Ning Xiao’s first, 2*******.”
The person responsible for checking scores directly entered Ning Xiao’s student ID.
Pressed enter.
The computer still slowly turned its circle.
After a lag, the scores finally displayed.
Name: Ning Xiao
Subject, Score, Ranking Chinese, 120, 71 Math, 135, 3 English, 127, 67 Science: 279, 1 Total: 661, 6
“I must have seen it wrong.” The teacher responsible for checking scores rubbed his eyes.
“That’s not right!”
“Oh my god!”
“Are these really Ning Xiao’s scores?”
This was utterly unbelievable!
In Ning Xiao’s first monthly exam, he barely made it into the top 100. In the second, he was 31st. The teachers originally thought that was already an exceptional performance for Ning Xiao, and were worried whether he could make it into the top 30 this time.
Now he’s 6th overall in Beicheng?! First in science in the whole province?
It had only been two months!
This first place in science was too exaggerated, right?
Lu Lingxi was also startled. This time she was truly shocked.
The office exploded over this for a long time. Sixth place, first in science, what did this mean? Even that Song Min’s science score wasn’t as high as Ning Xiao’s!
After excitedly discussing for a long time, they finally remembered Bai Lian.
“You know what,” the principal had already ordered banners, he smiled at the others and said: “With Ning Xiao improving so much, Bai Lian must be in the top 30 too, right?”
Last time, Bai Lian ranked 97th overall.
Ning Xiao was 31st.
This time Ning Xiao was 6th, which was too terrifying.
Originally, people at the school were guessing if Bai Lian could join Ning Xiao in the top 30, but now Ning Xiao had dropped a bombshell.
They thought it wasn’t impossible for Bai Lian to make it into the top 30 too.
The teacher entered Bai Lian’s student ID.
Everyone was quite relaxed.
Some were predicting Bai Lian’s scores. With Ning Xiao’s performance, they thought Bai Lian would do well to place in the top 30, given that chemistry was her weak point.
“Haha, this Ning Xiao is really something. I wonder how Tang Ming did.”
“Right, we should check his scores too.”
“Let’s see…”
“Hey, look, are the scores coming out…”
The voice suddenly stopped.
Because Bai Lian’s scores had appeared. The principal of Xiangcheng No. 1 High School suddenly leaned towards the computer screen, carefully examining the scores from top to bottom—
Name: Bai Lian
Subject, Score, Ranking Chinese, 150, 1 Math, 150, 1 English, 131, 17 Science: 261, 4 Total: 692, 1
Total score, first in Beicheng.
The principal’s mind was buzzing. He felt that this moment was worthy of being recorded in Xiangcheng No. 1 High School’s annals, because in his daze, he saw—
The provincial top scholar waving at him.
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