ATLAS TRANSLATES

Xu Wenyao held the notebook Bai Lian had returned to him, surprised as the two people approached from a distance.

“You’re a bit late,” said Bai Lian, her hand resting on her luggage handle, white coat draped casually over her arm.

Jiang Fuli had met Xu Wenyao before and wasn’t surprised to see him here.

Hearing Bai Lian’s words, Jiang Fuli just gave Academician Ma beside him a cold glance.

Academician Ma had only discovered his car was restricted today when leaving, so he had Jiang family’s driver take a detour to pick him up. However, he wasn’t embarrassed and continued speaking to Bai Lian, “There are still 160 days, you mustn’t relax your studies.”

“I know,” Bai Lian nodded.

Academician Ma understood Bai Lian’s comprehension abilities but wondered how someone with such strong spatial awareness and understanding was only discovered now: “After finishing the review, you can read some quality master’s and doctoral theses.”

“Hmph.” Beside them, Jiang Fuli, who had been waiting for them to finish talking, gave a cold laugh.

Expressing doubt about Academician Ma’s use of “quality.”

Indeed there were many subpar works now, and Academician Ma couldn’t argue: “…I’ll make you another reading list, first understand the professional vocabulary and definitions.”

As for top journals, Bai Lian wasn’t qualified to access those yet. Start with a smaller scope – some major academic families began cultivating children’s research spirit from childhood. Bai Lian’s enlightenment wasn’t considered early.

“We need to catch our flight,” Jiang Fuli hadn’t interrupted their conversation, his hand pressing on Bai Lian’s luggage handle, standing lazily, only reminding them when it reached 5:50.

Their flight was scheduled for 6-9 AM.

Finally, Academician Ma looked at Bai Lian, “I’ll wait for you in Jiangjing.”

Seeing they had finally finished, Jiang Fuli lightly tapped the handle with his fingertip, slightly turning his head, cold as ever, “Where are you headed?”

He asked Xu Wenyao beside him.

“Sch-school,” Xu Wenyao’s gaze was fixed on Academician Ma, still not recovered from his shock.

That meant Jiangjing University. Jiang Fuli arranged, “Can you take Academician Ma back with you? He’s also going to Jiangjing University.”

Academician Ma turned to look at Xu Wenyao, saying gravely: “Then I’ll trouble you, student.”

Despite his good upbringing and usually stable character, Xu Wenyao was for the first time in his life so shocked he couldn’t maintain proper manners or speak—

So the person Bai Lian was waiting for was Academician Ma?

Being able to enter Academician Ma’s lab… no, even just being able to meet Academician Ma privately was every physics student’s dream. To physics students, Academician Ma was both an enlightening figure and a leading figure in domestic physics.

His health wasn’t good, and in recent years he had been immersed in quantum and chip research, rarely appearing in public. In the past year, he had only made one public appearance at that lecture.

Such a figure who appeared in textbooks was like a mythical existence to Xu Wenyao.

People like Academician Ma couldn’t have too much public exposure even while alive, needing strict protection.

**

“Then we’ll go first.” Bai Lian bid farewell to Academician Ma and Xu Wenyao.

She pulled her luggage, tossing her coat to Jiang Fuli under his somewhat gloomy gaze, and they walked together toward the passage.

Xu Wenyao stood in place until he couldn’t see them anymore.

Only then did he turn to Academician Ma, his voice somewhat wooden: “Academician Ma, shall we go now?”

“Yes.” When not lecturing or teaching, Academician Ma had no airs at all. He wore a plain gray cotton jacket, not any international brand, with a gentle smile. Walking like this on the street, he was almost indistinguishable from ordinary elderly people.

Xu Wenyao led him to his car. After Academician Ma sat in the back seat, Xu Wenyao saw the elderly man through the rearview mirror and finally hazily realized this was really Academician Ma.

Academician Ma smiled: “Don’t be nervous, are you also in the physics department?”

“Yes,” Xu Wenyao clenched and unclenched his fist, then explained, “I hadn’t expected the person Ah Lian was waiting for would be you…”

“That’s nothing special,” Academician Ma waved his hand, “Apart from physics, I’m just an ordinary old man, just a speck of dust among the stars and universe, no need to be nervous.”

The more one studies physics, the more one realizes one’s own insignificance. Civilization is just a passing guest on Earth – it takes a very strong heart to resist such overwhelming feelings of emptiness.

“Student Bai Lian is a very gifted person,” Academician Ma thought of Bai Lian, her natural talent and strong heart were rare in the world, “I really hope she comes to school soon.”

Xu Wenyao started the car, utterly shocked by Academician Ma’s sigh.

In an instant, all the inexplicable things connected.

Why she could give him Academician Ma’s ticket.

And even…

Why Dean Huang would add him! So everything originated from Bai Lian herself… Academician Ma valued her so highly? He had only kept her company at the airport because she looked lonely waiting alone, who knew… he’d end up waiting with Academician Ma.

**

A little after nine in the morning.

The plane landed in Danping City. Shen Qing had enjoyed attentive service throughout the flight and whispered to Ji Shaojun after disembarking: “These flight tickets were great, so few people. We should buy this kind next time. Look, Dad’s back isn’t even hurting.”

Ji Shaojun gave Shen Qing a look: “…”

Of course there were few people – it was just them.

Obviously, Shen Qing didn’t grasp the concept of a private plane.

Ming Dongheng had brought two cars to wait for them early. One for Ji Heng, Jiang He, Shen Qing and the others, and another for Bai Lian’s group.

The black business van drove onto the highway from Danping City to Xiangcheng.

“They built a new road?” Bai Lian sat by the window and immediately noticed this asphalt road was new. She sat up straight and lowered the window: “This road was very run-down just a few months ago.”

The drive from Danping City to Xiangcheng took about an hour, fifty kilometers. That it could open to traffic in just a few months was quite shocking to Bai Lian.

Jiang Fuli glanced at her.

She sat there, gazing out the window, the romantic sunlight illuminating her profile, extremely peaceful.

“Sister Lian, you don’t watch videos online?” Tang Ming scratched his head. Sometimes he really suspected Sister Lian was a cave dweller.

But thinking about how she didn’t go online, he could understand.

“We’ve always been known as infrastructure maniacs. Previously they renovated a high-speed rail station in six hours, and replaced bridge piers and deck overnight.” Speaking of this, Tang Ming raised his chin proudly, “As long as they want to, there’s nothing they can’t do.”

Except for some projects where people tried to cut corners, these urgent essential projects were not even considered fast by these infrastructure maniacs.

**

Upon reaching Xiangcheng, Jiang Fuli had to go to the lab first.

Ji Heng and his group went to Qingshui Street to pack some things before heading to Xinan Complex. Ji Shaojun had just bought a house this year, and the family decided to have New Year’s Eve dinner at the new house, then return on the first day of the new year.

Bai Lian went to school first to see Aunt Zhang.

With New Year’s tomorrow, Aunt Zhang’s flower shop was very busy.

“Teacher Lu, don’t be so polite!” Aunt Zhang was helping Lu Lingxi wrap flowers.

There were still two fresh white lilies on the counter, with yellow centers not yet removed. Bai Lian suddenly remembered tomorrow was Friday.

These lilies were prepared for Yang Lin.

“You’re back?” Aunt Zhang looked up and saw Bai Lian, very delighted.

Lu Lingxi held a large bouquet of flowers, forcefully stuffed money into Aunt Zhang’s hand, then turned and saw Bai Lian. She pulled out a flower from the bouquet and gave it to Bai Lian, “How was Boyuan?”

She knew Bai Lian’s group was at Boyuan Base. “It was fine.” Bai Lian accepted the tulip.

“You’re really not going to Beicheng?” Lu Lingxi smiled gently, remembering this matter, “The principal and I…”

“I just came from Beicheng No.1 High School,” Bai Lian silently apologized to Beicheng No.1 in her heart, then looked at Lu Lingxi, “They expelled me, I don’t want to go back.”

She had extremely dark eyes, seemingly with waves of light flowing through them. At this moment she was staring intently at Lu Lingxi.

Lu Lingxi instantly empathized with her anger at being expelled. She frowned: “I’ll talk to the principal.”

Beicheng No.1 High School definitely wouldn’t easily give up on Bai Lian, who could potentially be Beicheng’s top scorer.

Bai Lian blinked as she saw Lu Lingxi off.

Then she took the bus to the Calligraphy Association.

**

At year’s end, both the martial arts school and calligraphy association had no students, but the street outside was very lively. The road had been completely renovated with added vendor stalls.

Today everywhere was selling lanterns and New Year goods, with an endless stream of people coming and going.

The nearby mall was nearing completion, with huge red banners advertising for business investment.

“Senior, how can there be so many people here?” This was Ren Wanxuan’s first visit, shocked by the prosperity.

Although she knew from Ren Qian that Xiangcheng was developing and had very successful business recruitment, even recently getting a high-speed rail line, she was still amazed by the level of development.

Beside her, Chou Boqing was also shocked. His cold face watched people playing with puppets in front, with many young men and women gathered to watch.

“Tourism has taken off here,” Father Chou said gravely, “Come on, I’ll take you both in. Especially you, Boqing – when you see your grandfather, don’t be stubborn anymore. Even if you look down on Xiangcheng’s Calligraphy Association, don’t show it in front of him.”

Since Chou Xuezheng joined the Xiangcheng Calligraphy Association, Chou Boqing and Ren Wanxuan had barely had any contact with him.

Chou Boqing only returned at year’s end, and this was both their first time visiting the association.

Father Chou knocked on the half-open door.

Only after hearing a voice from inside did the three enter.

Upon entering, Ren Wanxuan and Chou Boqing saw Jian Zhe reading in the courtyard. The two disinterestedly looked away.

Then they observed the association. Xiangcheng’s Calligraphy Association wasn’t as big as Beicheng’s. The facilities were new but not as luxurious as Beicheng’s.

The two discretely observed everything before lowering their heads to greet Chou Xuezheng. After all, both their calligraphy training began with Chou Xuezheng.

Chou Xuezheng was lazily sitting in a lounge chair sunbathing with a teacup, “Mm, want tea? Help yourself.”

He pointed to the teapot on the table beside him.

“No thanks.” Ren Wanxuan glanced at the teapot and cups, refusing. She wouldn’t even drink tea poured by Ji Heng, how could she accept tea from here?

Chou Boqing didn’t drink either.

Father Chou chatted with Chou Xuezheng, mainly about the surrounding development.

Ren Wanxuan and Chou Boqing stood to the side listening.

Until there was another light sound at the door.

The two instinctively looked toward the entrance. A girl wearing a black and gold horse-face skirt entered. Sunlight filtered through the tree gaps, gently falling on her soft black hair, leaving light scattered shadows. As she walked, the light and shadows moved and flickered carelessly on her black dress and face.

It was Bai Lian. Ren Wanxuan’s expression froze.

**

Bai Lian didn’t look at Ren Wanxuan’s group.

Chou Xuezheng’s family was in Xiangcheng so there was no rush to go back, but Jian Zhe’s family was in Beicheng, yet he hadn’t left either.

He was reading at the small table Jiang He often used in the courtyard.

Bai Lian had her hands lazily tucked in the large pockets of her horse-face skirt, curiously asking: “Don’t you need to go home for New Year’s?”

“Oh my goodness—” Jian Zhe was studying seriously.

The sudden voice startled him, making him lean back, the whole chair tilting backwards until Bai Lian grabbed the back of the seat to stop it from rocking.

It was noon.

The sun was strong overhead. Bai Lian lightly lifted her eyelids, looking down at him from above, “What are you panicking about?”

She said unhurriedly.

After steadying himself, Jian Zhe stood up to look at Bai Lian, scratching his head, “How did you come in so quietly? Teacher Chou, why didn’t you warn me!”

He looked over at Chou Xuezheng.

“She’s such a big person, I thought you saw her.”

Jian Zhe: “…”

“Going home or not is the same,” he closed his book and shrugged, “They probably won’t even notice I’m not home. Perfect time for me to study.”

The Simple family knew about him coming to Xiangcheng. If he really went back for New Year’s, everyone would definitely ask him about Xiangcheng, or they’d nag him about how Simple Rong won another award, which university Simple Rong was planning to do her PhD at…

“Yes, he’s preparing for graduate school.” Chou Xuezheng paused his conversation with his son.

“Teacher Qu, please stop…” Jian Zhe was very embarrassed.

“Graduate school?” Bai Lian now knew what graduate school meant.

Chou Xuezheng glanced at Jian Zhe, “Yes, his family all knows he’s preparing for graduate school.”

As it happened, Jian Zhe’s cousin was also preparing for graduate school in the calligraphy department. If Simple Rong got in but he didn’t…

Bai Lian took out her phone which had lit up – it was Dean Jian—

[[Picture]]

Dean Jian’s plane ticket, he was flying to Beicheng on the 24th, the fourth day of the New Year.

Baijian: [?]

While replying, she asked Jian Zhe: “Are you applying to Jianyi?”

With how hard he was working, he must be applying to Jiangjing Arts University.

At her words, Ren Wanxuan and Chou Boqing beside her couldn’t help but look at Bai Lian.

Jian Zhe was even more mortified. He pulled at Bai Lian’s sleeve, lowering his voice, “Sister, I might not even get into Beicheng University’s graduate program, how could I get into Jianyi?”

“Isn’t your calligraphy quite good?” Bai Lian was puzzled.

“You probably don’t know,” Father Chou smiled and explained to Bai Lian, “It requires classical literature theory knowledge. Even Boqing is only applying for Beicheng University’s PhD.”

“Yes, it’s very difficult to get in,” Jian Zhe quietly told Bai Lian, “Sister, please stop talking about it.”

Bai Lian: “…Very difficult?”

“Do you even know what classical literature requires for the exam?” Chou Boqing finally couldn’t hold back. Everyone in the calligraphy department knew graduate studies required classical literature. He said coldly: “Just speaking of two major sections of complex classical Chinese texts you’ve never studied, isn’t that difficult enough?”