ATLAS TRANSLATES

“What?” Xu Wenyao took the item from Bai Lian with surprise. Due to their conflict, Qi Shuyun hadn’t given Xu Wenyao an event ticket.

He had never seen one before.

Curiously, Xu Wenyao looked down at it – five centimeters wide and over ten centimeters long, in a light blue color with Jiangjing Science Museum’s image on the front.

He turned it over to read several lines on the back:

[Quantum and Information Age Speaker: Ma Tongfeng

Time: January 17th, 2 PM

Location: Jiangjing Science Museum, Basement Level 2 Auditorium]

Quantum and Information Age…

Ma Tongfeng…

As Xu Wenyao kept reading, he suddenly realized what this was. His hands holding the blue ticket trembled slightly, his fingertips turning white.

Academician Ma’s lecture was incredibly hard to get into. Anyone attending would be an expert in the field.

Xu En and Xu Shujie had tried their best, but these tickets couldn’t just be bought with money.

Otherwise, Xu Shujie and Old Madam Xu wouldn’t have taken turns trying to convince Xu Wenyao to apologize.

And now?

Bai Lian just gave him one? “Where… where did you get this?” He looked up at Bai Lian, utterly shocked.

Even someone as composed as him was confused and didn’t know where to begin.

“Someone gave it to me,” Bai Lian said lazily, wearing a bluetooth earpiece on her left ear. The wind was strong outside, so she put her hands in her coat pockets. “Jiang Xiaoniao said you wanted to attend Academician Ma’s lecture.”

“Jiang Xiaoniao?” Xu Wenyao repeated reflexively.

“Ah,” Bai Lian had spoken too quickly and misspoke. She tilted her head back, “…I mean Jiang He, you’ve met him before.”

Xu Wenyao knew Jiang He – they had visited the museum together that day.

However…

Looking at the casual Bai Lian, someone so beautiful, Xu Wenyao couldn’t imagine how she came up with nicknames for people, and used them so seriously.

“I’ll go now.” Bai Lian nodded slightly to Xu Wenyao.

There was no parking here, and Jiang Fuli was waiting for her at the temporary parking spot. She couldn’t return too late.

“You…”

Xu Wenyao opened his mouth, and Bai Lian raised an eyebrow questioningly, as if asking if he had something else to say. “Nothing,” Xu Wenyao paused, “just wondering why you don’t go in for a look since you’re already at the school entrance?”

“Maybe next time.” Bai Lian lazily said goodbye and turned to find Jiang Fuli.

Behind her, Xu Wenyao stood still.

The event ticket in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Growing up in the Xu family, Xu Wenyao had always known that relationships between his family and others were based on benefits and value.

Old Madam Xu valued the Qi family’s connections in education, and how could the Qi family ignore the Xu family’s money? Qi Shuyun was willful, but the Qi family was also using the event ticket to test his bottom line.

Living in such an environment, this was the first time someone had directly said “you want to go, so here it is.”

She had a relaxed attitude that easily made people feel goodwill towards her.

Xu Wenyao thought that if she were a military commander, many people would willingly fight for her.

**

Jiangjing Boulevard was a main road with many students, and cars couldn’t park there. Jiang Fuli drove around for a long time before finding a spot on Yunbai Road.

There were many schools here, and although it was close to the New Year, many students in Jiangjing hadn’t gone home yet.

Passing students all looked at Jiang Fuli’s car.

However, seeing the tightly closed windows, no one dared approach.

Bai Lian opened the passenger door and got in, calmly fastening her seatbelt.

“Bai…”

Bai Lian interrupted him: “I gave Academician Ma’s ticket to Xu Wenyao.”

Jiang Fuli changed what he was about to say, his expression cold and elegant as he tapped the steering wheel with his pale fingers, saying very seriously: “Let’s go eat Jiangjing cuisine for lunch.”

OK.

Things were temporarily back to normal.

Bai Lian turned down the volume on the bluetooth speaker.

They still had to go to the Science Museum after lunch. The Science Museum was between Cheng’an and Xingjiang districts. Jiang Fuli didn’t drive far, choosing a private restaurant on the edge of Chang’an district.

It was in a small alley, in a traditional building, not very crowded.

Jiang Fuli had ordered the dishes beforehand. They were in a second-floor private room by the window, with a small square table placed against it. A bamboo blind was half-raised, with clear glass behind it, through which they could see the river below.

Occasional boats floated past.

Bai Lian sat down and pulled up the blind, telling Jiang Fuli, “I saved a ticket for Tang Ming too.”

“Him?” Jiang Fuli calmly poured her a glass of water, casually saying: “He can experience the academic atmosphere.”

Bai Lian lazily rested her chin on her hand, looking out the window, “That’s what I thought too.”

Meanwhile.

On his way back to the classroom after lunch, Tang Ming sneezed suddenly and explained to Ning Xiao: “My mom must be missing me.”

Ning Xiao never responded to such comments.

“Ex-excuse me…” Just as they reached the stairs, Xu Zhiyue, wearing thick glasses, lowered her head and spoke softly to Tang Ming and his companion, “Do you know where Bai Lian is?”

She wrung her hands together.

Her voice was too soft, Tang Ming didn’t hear clearly, but he knew she was asking about Bai Lian.

Tang Ming glanced at her: “She went out for something, I can pass along a message if you’d like.”

“No need, thank you!” Xu Zhiyue bowed again and quickly left with her head down.

Tang Ming was confused.

He wanted to say something more.

His phone rang once, and at the same time, Ning Xiao’s phone lit up.

It was from Jiang Fuli, just a location pin for the Science Museum.

The two looked at each other, then turned to leave.

Their teacher Jiang was telling them to hurry over.

**

The Science Museum covered a large area.

The whole building was shaped like a concave flowing line. From above, the entire Science Museum looked like a half-ring blue crystal, shining brightly.

Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli arrived first, and went to see the exhibitions.

They planned to go to the auditorium when it was time.

The first floor showed the evolution of technology from modern times to present, with 3D projections displaying intelligence and co-creation; the second floor was about physics, chemistry and mathematical evolution; the third floor was about space and astronomy, where Bai Lian saw a small satellite.

Basement Level 2.

A crowd had gathered at the entrance.

Most were from Jiangjing University. For security reasons, tickets were limited, so many without tickets could only gather at the entrance to observe.

They might even encounter some field experts by chance.

The Science Museum had anticipated this scene and assigned over a dozen security guards to maintain order on the basement level.

The lecture would start at 2 PM.

After getting his ticket, Xu Wenyao came early to get a seat.

He handed his ticket to security, and the staff member noticed the blue ticket and glanced at him.

It was only 1 PM, but only a few scattered seats remained in the auditorium. Xu Wenyao, carrying a stack of books, found a spot in the corner and sat down to study.

“Preparing for graduate school?” a voice came from above.

Xu Wenyao looked up to see a balding middle-aged man. He was startled, “Dean Huang?”

He recognized him as the Dean of the Physics Department and Director of Jiangjing University. There was even an introduction about him in the first-floor corridor of the university’s physics building.

“Mm,” Dean Huang glanced at the ticket beside him, “Very few university students can get tickets.”

“This?” Xu Wenyao looked down at the ticket, his voice softening, “My sister gave it to me.”

Dean Huang pondered thoughtfully, “What’s your name?” “Xu Wenyao.”

“Mm,” Dean Huang slightly narrowed his eyes and recited a string of numbers, “This is my phone number. If you encounter any research problems, you can ask me. I’m planning to take on a student this year. Work hard, I hope to see your name on the list.”

He patted Xu Wenyao’s shoulder.

Xu Wenyao hadn’t expected such good fortune to fall from the sky. He felt dizzy, “Thank you, Dean Huang!”

He memorized the number.

**

At the Qi residence.

Old Madam Xu was speaking with Mrs. Qi, “Shuyun is still angry and won’t come downstairs?”

Since Xu Wenyao wouldn’t come, Old Madam Xu had to visit personally.

Mrs. Qi sighed, “We’ve spoiled Shuyun too much, she lacks manners. Please forgive her, Old Madam.”

“This has nothing to do with Shuyun. Wenyao can’t distinguish what’s important,” Old Madam Xu had an extremely poor impression of the Ji family. This Ji Mulan hadn’t even married into the Xu family yet was already ruining their feng shui. She clasped her hands together. “I hope Shuyun can forgive Wenyao.”

Mrs. Qi smiled slightly.

Upstairs.

Mr. Qi sat in his study, very calmly telling Qi Shuyun: “Don’t worry, Xu Wenyao will come.”

He knew how much the Xu family needed this opportunity to enter academic circles.

For Academician Ma’s lecture, many people had flown specially to Jiangjing from abroad.

The Xu family had been developing rapidly in the past half year, directly cooperating with railway and cultural tourism officials. The Qi family wanted to use this opportunity to give Xu Wenyao a warning – this circle wasn’t something you could enter just because you wanted to.

Your Xu family couldn’t enter this circle without the Qi family’s help.

“I know.” Qi Shuyun sat quietly to the side, lowering her head to drink tea.

At first, both were quite calm.

As time drew closer to 2 PM.

Qi Shuyun was getting restless, “Dad.”

Mr. Qi also frowned. He knew Ji Mulan’s character but had never taken the Ji family seriously. Compared to the Qi family, the Ji family was just a drop in the ocean.

He believed the Xu family would know who was most important, and Xu Wenyao would ultimately compromise for the ticket.

“Wait a bit longer.” Mr. Qi was usually very patient.

Qi Shuyun had to sit down again.

“Ding—”

As the study’s clock struck 2 PM, Xu Wenyao still hadn’t come, not even a phone call.

“Dad!” Qi Shuyun stood up.

Mr. Qi’s expression wasn’t good either. This ticket should have been an opportunity to get closer to the Xu family.

Who knew Xu Wenyao would be so stubborn.

Downstairs.

Time had passed.

Old Madam Xu’s expression had also turned gloomy.

Xu En had moved out of the Xu family mansion for that woman, and now Xu Wenyao had missed out on the ticket for the Ji family.

She stood up and looked at Mrs. Qi, saying gravely: “Don’t worry, I will give Xiao Qun an explanation for this.”

“Old Madam, I know you’re on Xiao Qun’s side,” Mrs. Qi narrowed her eyes, “For the wedding the day after tomorrow, Xiao Qun and I won’t attend. I hope you can understand.”

It was Xu En’s second marriage, and his partner was unknown.

Although it was being held grandly, some people would attend for Xu En’s sake, while others couldn’t be bothered.

Though the Qi family looked down on this social circle, Mrs. Qi and Qi Shuyun had planned to attend. After all, when Qi Shuyun married into the Xu family, Ji Mulan would be half a mother-in-law to her.

Mrs. Qi had planned to accompany Qi Shuyun, support the Xu family’s image, and take the chance to put Ji Mulan in her place.

However, now Mrs. Qi was very dissatisfied with Xu Wenyao’s attitude.

For this wedding, she decided not to go and wouldn’t let Qi Shuyun go either.

**

At the Science Museum.

Academician Ma’s lecture was reaching its conclusion.

The final section was for questions and answers.

Bai Lian came late and had no seat, so she stood in the corner with Tang Ming and Ning Xiao.

After accompanying Bai Lian to see the exhibition, Jiang Fuli had left. He had originally put aside many things to find Bai Lian, and could spare time to have lunch with her.

But there was no need to stay for Academician Ma’s lecture.

The back rows were full of people. Bai Lian held her phone, and when she heard questions being asked, she put on her bluetooth earphones. Her phone lit up, and she casually swiped to look.

It was Jian Zhongyou.

Dean Jian: [[Screenshot]]

It was a screenshot of his conversation with Lu Xiaohan, showing that she was in Jiangjing.

Dean Jian: [?]

A simple question mark, asking why she came to Jiangjing without visiting him.

Baijian: [.]

Dean Jian: [[Location]]

Dean Jian: [There’s a small student performance the day after tomorrow, want to come watch? It’s a classical music ensemble]

He sent the location of Jiangjing Music Academy.

He also showed Bai Lian a photo of the classical instruments on stage – over a dozen guzheng, along with guqin, dizi, pipa…

These instruments would be played by long-practiced students, with instructors arranging and conducting.

Just imagining it, you could tell how beautiful it would sound.

Jian Zhongyou had helped Yan Lu with arrangements, and Bai Lian wanted to find a chance to thank him, but the day after tomorrow really wouldn’t work – it was Xu En’s wedding. She honestly replied that she had no time.

Dean Jian was also speechless: [.]

Dean Jian: [Today?]

Inviting her to meet today.

With no evening classes, Bai Lian thought about it and didn’t refuse.

The auditorium was very quiet. She messaged Ning Xiao and Tang Ming, then quietly slipped away from the back.

Sitting in the front, listening to other teachers answer questions, Academician Ma watched helplessly as Bai Lian secretly left early.

But he could only sit there, powerless. Academician Ma: “…”

**

At Jiangjing Music Academy.

Receiving Bai Lian’s address, Jian Zhongyou quickly stood up from his seat and walked out with his phone, his face showing subtle excitement.

Everyone he met along the way smiled and nodded to him.

His mood was clearly very good.

On the way, he met two girls in formal dress. Jian Zhongyou nodded to them, asking: “Participating in the performance the day after tomorrow?”

The girls hadn’t expected Dean Jian to actually greet them, and awkwardly bowed, “Yes, Dean Jian!”

Dean Jian recognized that one of them had played “Bai Yi Xing”. He himself had become famous for playing this piece, and Bai Lian, whom he was about to meet, could also play it.

So he smiled at her, “Good luck.”

Then he walked out with his hands behind his back.

Humming an unknown tune.

After he left, the girl in purple dress excitedly looked at her companion. She noticed Dean Jian’s last words were meant for Bai Shaoqi, “Shaoqi, do you know Dean Jian? He actually greeted you! Has he been noticing you for a while? Does he want to take you as his personal disciple?”

At the entrance.

Mrs. Song, wearing a coat, was walking in when she heard the girl’s last words, “Oh my, what’s this about? What personal disciple?”