ATLAS TRANSLATES

He Wen? To Wang Xu from West City, this person was practically a legend.

Just think – He Wen was unstoppable at Jiangjing University. Jiangjing Affiliated High School wanted to proudly display his name. How much more glorious must he be in West City?

In the middle row of the classroom, Wang Xu, Pei Qin, Song Min and others stared blankly at Bai Lian, who was lazily leaning against the podium.

Bai Lian knew He Wen?

And they did mathematical modeling together?

In front of Wang Xu, Ling Ziyao let out a breath and smiled, his gaze fixed on Bai Lian at the podium. “We were just discussing Senior He Wen the other day, and now you’re saying you did mathematical modeling with him? Even in Jiangjing, hardly anyone can meet Senior He Wen nowadays. You say you’re the second author – well then, I might as well say I did experiments with Senior He Wen in the lab!”

He Wen’s name was famous not just among students, but even among PhD supervisors.

It wasn’t just because of his natural talent, but also because of what he’d been through – being suppressed and exploited by his supervisor, having his thesis blocked… until by chance he ended up in the Jiang family’s lab.

The academic circle was even more complex than business and politics. It wasn’t easy for someone from a humble background to rise up.

But He Wen caught the eye of the Jiang family.

Many PhD supervisors envied his luck.

His current fame came from a combination of talent, hard work, and luck – none could be missing.

Everyone knew that people who entered the Jiang family lab were practically isolated from the world. Unless for important occasions, they rarely appeared in public.

The row where Director Huang sat only just learned from Gao Jiachen that this modeling was from He Wen’s thesis.

“So it was his…” Director Huang let out a breath. That made sense.

Given the capabilities of those under Professor Jiang’s supervision, Director Huang wouldn’t be surprised if they achieved controlled nuclear fusion tomorrow.

However, when Bai Lian said she had participated in He Wen’s modeling, this claim was like saying a kindergartener participated in a university competition.

If someone else had said this, Director Huang would have dismissed it with a laugh.

They would think the person was delusional.

But it was Bai Lian who said this. Director Huang glanced at Academician Ma from the corner of his eye.

Academician Ma merely raised an eyebrow, remaining completely composed without even a flicker in his eyes. As Academician Ma’s top student, Director Huang quickly stood up.

“Gao Jiachen,” Director Huang walked to Gao Jiachen’s seat, “Pull up He Wen’s thesis.”

In the class, except for Liang Wuyu, Gao Jiachen didn’t care about anyone else, so naturally wouldn’t pay attention to Bai Lian’s name.

Of course, even if he knew Bai Lian’s name, he wouldn’t have paid attention to who the second or third authors were in He Wen’s thesis.

Gao Jiachen rarely read papers on his phone, so he wasn’t used to it and took some time searching.

He remembered He Wen’s thesis title and typed in a few words.

A recently published paper quickly appeared.

Gao Jiachen clicked into it directly.

“Director Huang, how could you believe a high school student’s…”

While speaking to Director Huang, Gao Jiachen was still reading. Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes fell on the names under the title—

Wen He Lihong Xing, Lian Bai First author in front, followed by second authors.

Official journal submissions were all in English. Gao Jiachen’s gaze fixed on the last name.

Though he hadn’t remembered Bai Lian’s name before, he had just heard her introduce herself and remembered how “Bai Lian” was pronounced.

He quickly scrolled back, all the way to He Wen’s acknowledgments, which were quite long—

[…”Xing Lihong taught me how to use lab equipment and helped record data… and fortunately had Bai Lian’s model variable insights, allowing me to…”]

Gao Jiachen read word by word.

Not only was Bai Lian’s name listed as second author, but the acknowledgments content also matched what she had said.

Director Huang had some suspicions even before seeing this thesis. Now that his suspicions were confirmed, he let out a long breath.

Damn, this model really did have a high school student’s contribution.

“Dr. Gao,” Bai Lian saw Gao Jiachen’s reaction and guessed he had seen the thesis. She stood properly and politely said, “If you think it might be someone with the same name, you can contact He Wen to confirm anytime.”

Director Huang took out his phone, just as he received a WeChat message from Academician Ma—

[It’s her]

With the final confirmation of his guess, Director Huang gave Bai Lian a deep look before putting away his phone. “I’ve already confirmed with He Wen, it’s not someone with the same name.”

Saying this, he nodded to the professor at the edge of the last row, “Give her a score.”

“The model was self-made, the entire report uses professional terminology, the logic is clear, 99 points.” After such an unexpected turn, the somewhat stunned professor gave a high score.

He didn’t give full marks because everyone has room for improvement.

“Thank you, professor.” Bai Lian bowed in thanks.

With this, the last group of students finished their presentations.

The professors stood up and began leaving. Though the back door was open, they all left through the front door, nodding kindly to Bai Lian in greeting as they passed her.

This was a student who could participate in particle wave modeling while still in high school.

She might very well be the next He Wen.

After leaving, these professors discussed in low voices, “Who is she? How come we’ve never heard of her before? This doesn’t seem right.”

Back when He Wen was in high school, he was so outstanding that Jiangjing Affiliated High School had poached him.

But Bai Lian had appeared completely out of nowhere.

“Academician Ma.” Gao Jiachen finally came to his senses. He put away his phone and hurried after Academician Ma.

All the professors had left.

The classroom remained very quiet, no one speaking, including Ling Ziyao.

Bai Lian hadn’t brought anything today.

She walked to her seat, picked up the down jacket on her chair, and put it on unhurriedly. Seeing Wang Xu and others still hadn’t reacted, she gave Ning Xiao a look before leaving first.

After she left, Wang Xu finally came to his senses.

He looked at Pei Qin on his left, then at Tang Ming on his right, “Pei-Pei Qin, Tang Ming, did you two… did you just hear something?”

Wang Xu grabbed Tang Ming’s wrist.

Though Pei Qin usually had strong psychological qualities, he now shared Wang Xu’s bewilderment.

It felt like having a friend who ate street food with you suddenly calmly tell you they were just discussing cooperation with Bill Gates.

“Classmate Bai Lian, she… worked with your idol on a mathematical model, the model we used was the one they collaborated on.”

** On the main road of Boyuan Base.

Gao Jiachen caught up with Academician Ma, “Academician Ma, are you leaving already?”

Seeing it was him, the professor beside Academician Ma smiled and made way for Gao Jiachen.

“Do you have something?” Academician Ma stopped.

Most people thought Academician Ma came for Gao Jiachen, including Gao Jiachen himself. He instinctively asked, “Weren’t you specifically here today to listen to the academic reports?”

“Of course not,” Academician Ma slightly furrowed his brows, “I came to inspect Boyuan Base.”

At these words, the PhDs nearby looked at Gao Jiachen strangely.

Before this, there had been rumors at Jiangjing University that Academician Ma had gone to Boyuan Base twice for Gao Jiachen.

Gao Jiachen’s face stiffened. He smiled awkwardly and stepped aside.

“Teacher,” Director Huang followed behind Academician Ma, “Before I came today, I really thought you had intentions of letting Gao Jiachen into the lab.”

Academician Ma commented flatly: “Too shallow.”

Director Huang felt like laughing. Gao Jiachen had been quite prominent these past two years. After returning from studying abroad this year, he had won three awards, and his research projects and written papers were in two different directions.

Academician Ma went alone to the publicity room.

Waiting for Bai Lian. He didn’t wait long; Bai Lian arrived within ten minutes.

“This is tomorrow’s lecture activity ticket,” Academician Ma took out a ticket and gave it to Bai Lian, “One o’clock in the afternoon.”

“Okay.” Bai Lian reached out to take it.

The publicity room door was open. She stood with her back to the sunlight, her attitude very calm and casual.

This circle wasn’t friendly to women. Before Bai Lian’s abilities could conquer everyone like He Wen had, Academician Ma wouldn’t push her to the forefront. He also didn’t want all her future research to be questioned as having “Academician Ma’s” mark.

But now there were too many impetuous people in the circle.

However, he hadn’t expected that Bai Lian, this high school student, seemed to have a kind of disdainful yet composed demeanor.

He had come to Boyuan twice. Rumors spread through Jiangjing University about him coming to see Gao Jiachen, yet there wasn’t a single word about the person he was really watching.

She could become strong on her own without riding on anyone’s coattails.

“Have you visited Jiangjing University?” Academician Ma’s expression was unusually gentle as he looked at Bai Lian.

Bai Lian looked up, raising an eyebrow, “Not yet.”

“Why haven’t you gone to see it? There are many places worth seeing,” Academician Ma was surprised, “Is it because you can’t get in? I can get you a temporary pass.”

“No,” Bai Lian raised her hand in refusal, “I want to test in myself.”

Academician Ma had always been very friendly with Bai Lian online. After meeting in person, apart from thinking her appearance was a bit too good-looking to seem like someone who seriously did research, he had only one impression—

This girl looked very well-behaved.

Experiencing Bai Lian’s apparent rebellious side for the first time, Academician Ma: “…Alright.”

He fell silent for a moment.

Bai Lian had put on her down jacket now, only showing the white collar of her inner garment. Academician Ma looked at her for a while, “You remind me of someone, though she’s from quite a different era than you.”

“Who?” Bai Lian stuffed the activity ticket into her large pocket.

“Senior Sister,” Academician Ma said composedly, “When you test into Jiangjing University next year, you’ll see her. Every year during exams, loads of people frantically pray to her… Alright, you can go now.”

He waved his hand.

It would be hard to explain if someone saw them.

Bai Lian didn’t know who this Senior Sister he mentioned was. After saying goodbye to Academician Ma, she left.

Behind her, Academician Ma watched Bai Lian’s retreating figure, muttering to himself: “167 days until the college entrance exam, over 240 days until school starts. Wonder when Jiangjing University will start next year.”

Things will get lively when she comes to Jiangjing.

After she left, it was quite a while before Director Huang returned. He had already gone to check Bai Lian’s records.

Many professors had gone to look at Bai Lian’s records.

“Her math is really excellent,” Director Huang sighed, “No wonder He Wen would seek her out for modeling. If only her comprehensive science was a bit better, that’s why we hadn’t heard her name before. But it’s fine, we have the Wenzhong plan.”

Liang Wuyu and He Wen were well-rounded.

Bai Lian’s comprehensive science was a bit lacking, otherwise she could compare with Liang Wuyu and Xu Zhiyue.

Academician Ma stood aside without speaking, not telling Director Huang that someone insisted on testing in herself.

However, this year’s betting pool for Jiangjing’s college entrance exam top scholar… might send many people jumping off buildings.

He suddenly remembered something and took out his phone, forwarding the video recording sent by Boyuan Base’s person in charge to Jiang Fuli.

** On the phone.

When Jiang Fuli received Academician Ma’s message, his assistant had just brought him ten activity tickets.

Although Academician Ma’s lecture came suddenly, it still caused quite a stir, sweeping up graduate students, PhDs, and even PhD supervisors.

Some people even rushed back from abroad.

Activity tickets were limited. Jiang Fuli received these ten tickets that Academician Ma had sent over.

He looked down at his phone.

Little Bai: [Picture]

Little Bai: [Academician Ma just gave it to me]

Him: [….]

Going back to open Academician Ma’s video, it was a full recording from Boyuan Base, from the first group to the last, a full two hours.

Jiang Fuli cut out all other segments, keeping only the last group’s presentation, before saving it.

Beside him, Jiang He, who had seen his actions very clearly: “…”

Jiang He slowly withdrew his gaze, his fingers methodically unbuttoning the middle button of his clothes, then repeatedly buttoning it back up.

This was his anxious behavior.

Half an hour later, Jiang Fuli finally glanced down at him, saying flatly: “She needs to study.”

Jiang He sat cross-legged on the sofa with his back to him.

Looking down and poking at his watch.

Jiang Fuli continued reading documents. He was very busy at year-end, and since he had to take a day to go to the Xu family, time was even tighter.

His phone lit up again.

Little Bai: [My grandfather said if you’re busy, bring Jiang He to his place]

Teacher Jiang: [Then what about me]

[You recalled a message]

Teacher Jiang: [Oh]

Little Bai: [You work hard]

Teacher Jiang: [….]

Was his typing speed not fast enough?

** At noon, Xu Corporation cafeteria.

Taking advantage of the free morning, Xu En had shown Ji Heng, Ji Shaojun, and Shen Qing around the Xu Corporation building. Everyone in Xu Corporation knew these were Xu En’s future in-laws.

Ji Mulan’s smile was also very obvious.

Xu En had originally wanted to take them out to eat, but Ji Heng wouldn’t let him, saying the company cafeteria was fine.

The group walked along, meeting Director Wang’s group face to face.

Director Wang glanced at Ji Heng and the others holding their tobacco pipes, smiled slightly, knowing who they were, “Mr. Xu, congratulations in advance on your wedding. Unfortunately, I have to fly abroad tomorrow.”

He sighed.

Beside Xu En, Ji Mulan heard Director Wang’s tone and understood his meaning.

If it were someone else, if Xu Wenyao and Qi Shuyun were getting married, Director Wang would make time to attend the wedding even if he had other matters.

Ji Mulan cared too much about others’ opinions, unable to accept even a bit of negative evaluation. Her expression became flat.

Seeing that Shen Qing wasn’t wearing the exquisite hat she had given her, still wearing that terribly rustic wool hat, Ji Mulan’s smile had already become somewhat frozen.

She could already predict that 80% of Xu Corporation’s senior management wouldn’t attend this wedding.

“Zheng—”

The passionate sound of a guzheng rang out.

The atmosphere was broken. Beside Xu En, Ji Heng switched hands holding his tobacco pipe and took out an old-style phone from his pocket, “Little Jiang, you’ve arrived?”