ATLAS TRANSLATES

Chen Ju was chatting with Ji Heng while Ji Shaojun thanked Assistant Xu, “Assistant Xu, thank you for making the trip.”

Xu En had originally wanted to properly host the Ji family.

However, he hadn’t found many opportunities. As they were about to leave, only Xu Wenyao had taken them to visit the museum once. Today, he specifically asked Assistant Xu to pick them up.

Assistant Xu replied seriously, “Please don’t say that.”

“Uncle, find someone to have a few drinks with you the day after tomorrow,” Chen Ju pulled out a big fish from the fishing basket and placed it near Ji Heng, “You can make fish head hotpot when you get back.”

They didn’t catch many fish this afternoon. Chen Ju mostly caught small fish, which he released.

Of the two big fish, one was for Ji Heng and one was for the Chen family.

During the New Year period, Chen Ju didn’t dare drink much. He thought about finding someone to have a few drinks with Ji Heng.

Chen Ju sent Ji Heng to the car, then stood there waving in its direction, his posture straight.

Assistant Xu looked in the rearview mirror. It was his first time being seen off by Chen Ju, and his hands and feet felt stiff.

The pressure was even stronger than when Xu En poured tea for him.

Of course, he never expected Xu En to pour tea for him.

Only when Chen Ju disappeared from the rearview mirror did Assistant Xu finally relax.

At the entrance of Jiayu Lake, after sending off Ji Heng, Chen Ju took out his phone and searched through his contacts. Ming Dongheng could drink but wasn’t around, Chen Jingyu could drink but wasn’t suitable, Chen Beixuan could drink but who would dare invite her…

He went through many people – some could drink but weren’t close enough to invite without it being awkward.

Chen Ju opened Ji Shaojun’s WeChat—

[Where is Xu En from?]

Honestly, Chen Ju hadn’t heard much about the Xu family in Jianjing. Having rushed back to Jianjing, he hadn’t looked into the Xu family’s affairs, especially since he couldn’t even find time to meet Miss Bai.

Ji Shaojun replied quickly: [Mingfeng District]

Mingfeng District? That area was quite remote. Chen Ju didn’t really know anyone from Mingfeng District. After thinking for a while, he finally remembered someone—

This person was perfect, he could drink! Chen Ju found a name. He had some dealings with this person who had worked under him for two years before being transferred to Xiangcheng. Thinking this through, he sent a message.

Asking the person to attend the wedding banquet the day after tomorrow.

Conveniently, this person was also from Mingfeng District.

** Qingxin Tower.

Winter Room 08 was very traditional, with a low table and tea set on the right, burning almost scentless incense with smoke rising lazily, and an eight-panel screen on the left. “Would you like to hear some music first?”

The server brought tea snacks first, then handed the music menu to Bai Lian.

Bai Lian took it, glancing over it as her slender finger tapped on one of the songs.

The server looked down to see.

Ambush from Ten Sides?

There wasn’t anything wrong with this song, and others had requested it before, but the server was surprised – after all… how could such a beautiful and gentle young lady choose such an intense song?

However, being well-trained, she withdrew to make arrangements.

Bai Lian removed her outer robe and now sat cross-legged lazily at the low table. She lowered her head to use the tea scoop to put tea leaves in the teapot. The water beside her had already boiled. Her distinct knuckles pressed on the handle as she poured the boiling water in. After the tea leaves rose and fell three times, they slowly settled to the bottom of the pot.

The woman who entered Winter Room 08 carrying a pipa stopped at the doorway, momentarily stunned.

Looking at the young woman making tea inside, she felt as if she had traveled back in time to a noble’s chamber.

Bai Lian turned her head slightly, smiling at the woman and making a welcoming gesture with one hand.

The sharp sounds of the pipa soon rang out from behind the screen.

Bai Lian finished brewing the tea, poured a cup for herself and one for the yet-to-arrive Dean Jian, then finally took out her phone to take a photo.

Bai Student: [Picture]

Teacher Jiang: [?]

Bai Lian sent the picture and ignored him after that.

Dean Jian had been thinking about what to say when meeting Bai Lian, knowing she was a high school student. They hadn’t talked much online and had a generation gap of several decades.

Until the server opened the door and through the thin smoke, he saw the young woman sitting cross-legged at the low table.

“Dean Jian.” Bai Lian stood up to greet him.

For Dean Jian, the zither was very zen-like. Bai Lian’s previous video didn’t show particularly advanced technique, but as someone who had studied <Bai Yi Xing> to its core, he could hear the resonating sorrow in it.

Meeting through music – this kind of musical resonance was something others couldn’t understand.

“Did you make this tea?” Dean Jian sat across from Bai Lian, surprised at the color of the tea.

Bai Lian listened to the pipa sound carelessly, “Yes.”

Though it was their first meeting, they felt like old friends.

“Why did you come to Jianjing?” Dean Jian asked her.

Bai Lian took a sip of tea: “Further studies, taking the college entrance exam next year.”

Dean Jian looked at her again, “You’re going to take the exam for Jianjing University, and your teacher isn’t stopping you?”

Dean Jian knew she must have a highly accomplished teacher, so he never thought about taking her as a student. He only hoped she could take over the position of Guzheng Master.

To take over the title of First Chair.

“Him?” Bai Lian thought for a moment, knowing he must be referring to Master Qin Jiu, “He doesn’t have time.”

Because he had to grumblingly perform at the palace every day.

Sometimes the Emperor Jiang’s consorts would insist he compose special pieces just for them.

This led to Master Qin Jiu being irritated at the sight of the guzheng for a period. So when Bai Lian now read historical descriptions of Master Qin Jiu as a modest gentleman… it felt very disconnected.

“Besides, he probably wants to curse whenever he sees a guzheng now.”

Dean Jian: “…?”

So you’re being rebellious just like your teacher? He took a sip of tea and spoke mercilessly as the pipa music ended, “You won’t get into Jianjing University anyway.”

After saying this, he sneezed.

Dean Jian then asked someone to turn up the heating inside.

They both had their own understanding of the guzheng. Bai Lian had learned from the historically renowned Qin Jiu. Her understanding of the guzheng was mostly what Qin Jiu had instilled in her. Master Qin Jiu’s understanding of the guzheng, passed down through history, was something historical records couldn’t capture.

The more they talked, the more Dean Jian felt he needed to get her into the Music Academy. “You’re in Xiangcheng, right?”

Bai Lian nodded.

Dean Jian thought briefly. He had recently been watching videos and saw many tourist spots in Xiangcheng. During this winter break, many college students were passing through to film puppet shows, which had become a cultural phenomenon during the New Year period.

Even Dean Jian had come across these videos.

After meeting with Bai Lian, Dean Jian was going to send her back.

Sitting in the car, the driver respectfully asked Bai Lian where she wanted to go.

“Boyuan Base,” Bai Lian opened her English reading material.

Before the driver could speak, Dean Jian broke down: “Where?”

“Boyuan Base,” Bai Lian replied politely.

Dean Jian, who clearly knew what Boyuan Base was: “…”

After Bai Lian got out at Boyuan Base.

The driver looked surprisingly at Bai Lian’s retreating figure, “Dean Jian, is she your chosen next First Chair?”

“I wish, but she’s not willing,” Dean Jian took out his phone to instruct others at the academy not to schedule anything for him in the next few months.

He wanted to go traveling.

Hearing Dean Jian’s words, the driver was shocked.

Dean Jian was a senior official in the National Arts Department and the face of domestic classical music. He participated in composing diplomatic-level pieces. While his technical achievements were high, his cultural image was even higher.

He represented domestic classical culture and could rival the Principal of Jianjing University in certain aspects.

How many people at the Music Academy were fighting to become Dean Jian’s last disciple.

Yet someone wasn’t willing?

** Yunxiao Hotel.

Ji Heng handed the fish to the hotel staff, asking them to prepare the fish head, then went to go through the day-after-tomorrow’s ceremony procedures with Xu En.

Ji Heng hadn’t attended Ji Mulan’s first wedding, Ji Shaojun’s wedding wasn’t this grand, and at Ji Shaorong’s wedding, Ji Heng had just sat quietly below.

The procedure was simple.

Xu Shujie sat at a nearby table with her computer in front of her, working while waiting for the food.

Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing sat beside Ji Mulan. Shen Qing was peeling sunflower seeds and had put two fruits in her pocket. Ji Mulan beside her looked away at the sight.

Assistant Xu was discussing details with the host.

When Xu Wenyao arrived, the food had just been served. After greeting Ji Shaojun and the others, he sat next to Xu Shujie. Xu Shujie, who had been focused on work, finally looked up. She wanted to say something about the Qi family but held back considering the Ji family members present.

Ji Heng and the others came to eat after going through the procedures.

Xu En stood up and raised his glass to Ji Heng and Ji Shaojun, solemnly saying: “I’ll take care of Mulan, you two can rest assured…”

The group didn’t drink much tonight, just taking small sips.

Xu Shujie picked up some fish head with her chopsticks and was surprised, “This fish is quite good.”

The nearby Assistant Xu who had just finished being busy: “…”

How could it not be good? It was fish from Jiayu Lake, caught by Chen Ju.

After dinner, after sending Ji Heng and the others back to their rooms, Xu Shujie looked at Xu Wenyao, “Grandmother was furious at home because you didn’t go to the Qi family this afternoon.”

“Didn’t go.” Xu Wenyao stood up, preparing to return to his room to rest.

He had to greet guests the day after tomorrow, so he hadn’t gone home and had booked a room at the hotel instead.

“Brother, you’re not going to manage him,” Xu Shujie sighed, “Shuqin might be willful, but you shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture because of Ji… That ticket, you know how important it is to him.”

Xu Shujie really didn’t understand. If they had fallen out with the Qi family over something important, that would be one thing.

But it was precisely because of the Ji family’s matter. In her opinion, a hundred Ji families couldn’t compare to the Qi family.

Ji Mulan just stood to the side. She didn’t know about what ticket they were discussing.

But she knew this was a realm beyond her reach. When she heard Xu Shujie’s implications, she paused, somewhat understanding why the elderly Mrs. Xu had recently expressed multiple dissatisfactions with the wedding.

Xu En lit a cigarette, “This isn’t losing sight of the bigger picture.”

“This isn’t…” Xu Shujie frowned.

“Aunt,” Xu Wenyao stopped and looked at Xu Shujie, “I went to a lecture this afternoon.”

“What?”

Xu Wenyao took out a carefully preserved blue ticket and showed it to her, “Professor Ma’s lecture, I attended it.”

Xu En was also surprised by this ticket, “Where did you get this from?”

Academic lectures in the scientific research field weren’t something you could just attend if you wanted to.

“Ah Lian gave it to me.” Xu Wenyao said softly.

Xu Shujie realized who this person was and was very shocked, “Her?”

How did she get the ticket??

Hearing it was Bai Lian, after being stunned for a moment, Xu En nodded, calming down: “No wonder.”

Bai Lian always knew all sorts of strange people. If it was her, then Xu En wasn’t surprised. After all… she was someone even Chen Ju had to call Miss Bai.

Let alone getting a ticket, Xu En thought, now that Bai Lian knew that… Professor Ma, it probably wouldn’t be so strange either.

Xu Shujie had felt Assistant Xu’s attitude toward the Ji family was very strange in the afternoon, and now seeing Xu En’s attitude, she was even more surprised. No, what kind of people were this Ji family anyway? After she went back, she had someone look at Ji Mulan’s information again – graduated from Beicheng University, from Xiangcheng.

Looking through it back and forth, she didn’t see anything special.

** On the day of Xu En’s wedding.

It was the last day of classes at Boyuan Base, and all three of them were listening attentively to the lecture.

Boyuan Base would also be on holiday after the day after tomorrow for New Year’s.

The wedding ceremony was at 11:18, so they just needed to arrive before eleven o’clock.

During the lecture break, the professor sat up front.

Tang Ming and Wang Xu went to the bathroom together, and the girl sitting in the middle saw that no one was sitting to Bai Lian’s left, so she slowly walked over.

Bai Lian was lazily flipping through a review with her hand propping up her chin. Hearing movement, she slightly raised her eyes.

She raised an eyebrow at Xu Zhiyue, her eyes tinged with languor.

“He-hello, I’m Xu Zhiyue, Xu Wenyao is my brother,” Xu Zhiyue introduced herself quietly.

She raised her phone, wanting to add Bai Lian on WeChat.

Xu Zhiyue? Bai Lian had known this name for a long time, but… she just learned that she was Xu Wenyao’s sister.

Bai Lian had a good impression of Xu Zhiyue – quiet, refined, and previously she had even wanted to give her the mathematical modeling that Liang Wuyu and others had done. She took out her phone, found her code, and let Xu Zhiyue add her.

Xu Zhiyue excitedly went out.

Another person added on her phone.

Bai Lian didn’t pay much attention, but just as she put down her phone to continue reading the review.

Moon: [Ahhhhhh!]

Moon: [Hello sister!!]

Moon: [You can actually do mathematical modeling with Senior He Wen!!]

Moon: [#@!%*…]

Bai Lian looked at these messages, and after several seconds, she slowly and hesitantly clicked on this person’s profile picture. Their Moments showed a post from the day before yesterday—

[Shocked Wild Boar.jpg]

Xu Wenyao’s comment: [6]

…? Bai Lian went back, finally confirming that this person with such noisy text was indeed the seemingly very quiet Xu Zhiyue.

Moon: [Sister, aren’t you attending the wedding today?]

Bai Lian: [I am]

Moon: [My car has arrived, let’s go together!]

Bai Lian: [Will go later]

Moon: [Okay!]

“Lian Jie, what’s wrong?” Tang Ming was saying something to Wang Xu when he came back and saw Bai Lian looking at her phone. Her usually composed expression seemed a bit different this time, making him ask an extra question.

This question made Song Min look over.

“Nothing.” Bai Lian put down her phone and continued reading the review.

Tang Ming sat down beside Bai Lian, while Wang Xu sat down next to Tang Ming. He spoke to Tang Ming, “Jian God hasn’t been active for a long time. The math and physics problems are killing everyone.”

“Don’t worry, she’s probably busy,” Tang Ming replied.

“You’re right, she’s probably like Senior He Wen, staying in the lab all day,” Wang Xu sighed.

Tang Ming: “…”

She might also be casually studying biology and chemistry, then practicing some music.

“By the way, what’s your name on the app,” Wang Xu took out his phone and opened the app, “Let’s all follow each other.”

Most people used their real names.

Wang Xu searched for Tang Ming and Ning Xiao’s names and followed them. After thinking for a moment, he searched for “Bai Lian” but couldn’t find it.

Nothing?

Wang Xu found this strange.

** Boyuan Base PR Room.

Jiang Fuli sat leisurely on the sofa, wearing a loose knit sweater, his posture very relaxed. He held a black pen in his hand, his leg slightly crossed with several documents resting on it.

Jiang He sat to the side playing with a new Rubik’s cube.

Chen Ju sat across from Jiang Fuli, as stiff as a needle.

Without Bai Lian present, he couldn’t ignore the pressure from Jiang Fuli.

Who in the entire Xingjiang District would believe that Young Master Jiang was here waiting for someone to finish class?

Ten minutes later, Chen Ju finally couldn’t sit still. He steeled himself and stood up, “Young… Young Master Jiang…”

Jiang Fuli extended his hand, tossing a finished document onto the coffee table, “Speak.”

“I want to go help Uncle Ji with something first,” Chen Ju stood in place, immediately bringing up Ji Heng without thinking, “They’re getting married today, they must be very busy. I’ll go see if I can help with arrangements.”

He had sent Jiang He to find Jiang Fuli in the morning, and then they came together to find Bai Lian.

He originally thought they would see Bai Lian right away. How could Chen Ju know that anti-fraud measures were already this serious – Bai Lian was still in class, and they had to wait for about an hour.

Ignoring Jiang He, who would dare face Jiang Fuli alone for an hour?

“Go ahead.” Jiang Fuli lifted his head slightly.

Chen Ju hurriedly left.

After leaving the PR room, he finally felt refreshed as he sat in his car and fastened his seatbelt.

Before starting to drive, he made a phone call, “Shen Min, have you left yet?”