ATLAS TRANSLATES

Bai Lian’s voice.

Jiang He, who couldn’t understand Go and was dozing off in his chair, suddenly perked up. He jumped up to open the door.

But Director Chen moved even faster. He went out holding chopsticks, walked to the courtyard gate, and opened it, “Miss Bai.”

Then he saw the silver large box in Bai Lian’s hands.

Director Chen reached out to take it.

Bai Lian waved him off, didn’t give it to him, then turned her head, “We’re here.”

Only then did Director Chen notice the elderly person beside Bai Lian. The Chen family wasn’t involved in arts – Old Master Chen had fought bandits, Chen Beixuan handled sniper rifles, and Director Chen himself came from the military…

Though Jiangjing was large, he didn’t recognize Dean Jian, though he looked familiar.

If it had been the dean of Jiangjing University or Jiangjing National Defense University, Director Chen would definitely have recognized them.

Dean Jian hadn’t met Director Chen either. Bai Lian put the box aside and introduced Dean Jian to the family.

Dean Jian stood beside her, secretly trying to lift the box with one hand.

He couldn’t move it.

“…”

He looked at the box puzzled and silent for a long while before coming to his senses and introducing himself to Ji Heng and the others: “I’m Bai Lian’s friend, here touring Xiangcheng.”

Having struggled alongside his mother since childhood, he had experienced all kinds of hardship. Here he didn’t put on any airs as a dean.

Shen Qing’s eyes lit up – she greatly admired art teachers, “Please, have a seat.”

As for Jiang Fuli, hearing his surname was Jian, he gave him an extra look.

That look was quite cold.

Jian Zhongyou was very puzzled at the dinner table, thinking he hadn’t offended this young man, had he? Why did he look so fierce? Even Jian Zhongyou found it hard to handle.

Of course, he didn’t know that Bai Lian’s previously screenshot page had contained the words “Dean Jian.”

In just a few sentences, Jiang Fuli had guessed Dean Jian’s identity.

At the dinner table, everyone was talkative except for Bai Lian, Jiang Fuli, and Jiang He. These three spoke little and ate elegantly, clearly having received formal etiquette training.

When someone asked her something, Bai Lian would always finish swallowing before speaking.

“We’re going fishing tomorrow,” Ji Heng, knowing this was Bai Lian’s friend, was very polite to Dean Jian, “Do you have plans tomorrow? You can join us fishing and see the Xiangcheng River – it’s spectacular.”

He knew Bai Lian was busy, especially in her final year, using every minute for homework.

Dean Jian thanked him, “Thank you.”

Before coming to Xiangcheng, he had researched its history and was quite interested in the area. He came to see Bai Lian but also wanted to explore the historical sites.

That night, Dean Jian stayed temporarily at Ji Heng’s place.

** Xiangcheng Train Station.

At 7:30, the train arrived, but the person Jian Ruhai was supposed to meet wasn’t there.

“Where’s the person the old chairman was meeting?” Ren Wanxuan had been wanting to see who Jian Ruhai was picking up.

But they hadn’t shown up.

Ren Qian was also confused.

Jian Ruhai was quite shocked too. He made a phone call.

Two minutes later, he frowned and told Jian’s father: “The person arrived but doesn’t want to meet us. They avoided the train. Let’s discuss at the mansion first.”

Jian Zhongyou rarely left Jiangjing. In Jiangjing, it was extremely difficult for the Jian family to meet him.

Now that he was out of Jiangjing, it was their only chance to persuade him.

The group returned to the mansion, but Jian Zhe wanted to return to the Calligraphers Association.

With Ren Qian and Jian Ruhai present, hearing his son’s unambitious words, Jian’s father scolded in a low voice: “Even Jian Rong is obediently following your grandfather, you have this opportunity but instead of making a good impression, you want to return to the local Calligraphers Association? Why?”

Of course it was to practice writing – he hadn’t written the hundred characters Jiang Fuli assigned today because he left early.

“Dad, would you and grandfather like to visit the Calligraphers Association?” Jian Zhe promoted the Xiangcheng Calligraphers Association to Jian Ruhai, “It’s really nice, and the kids there are adorable…”

A vein throbbed on Jian’s father’s forehead.

He wanted to cover his son’s mouth in public.

Jian Ruhai glanced at Jian Zhe, “I’ll visit when I have time.”

Jian Ruhai was a proper old chairman with administrative rank, not some ordinary vice chairman. Given his status, if not for Jian Zhongyou, Jian Ruhai would never visit this place in his lifetime. Visiting a local Calligraphers Association…

It was simply ridiculous.

At the library and later: Bai Lian still went to the library early in the morning.

Jiang Fuli sat beside Bai Lian writing his thesis, everyone busy with their own tasks.

Yesterday, Jian Zhe had found sitting here torturous. Today was better – though still somewhat difficult, he no longer checked the time every few minutes like yesterday.

With Jiang Fuli present, even going to the bathroom required great courage from Jian Zhe.

Bai Lian knew Jian Zhe couldn’t focus well when reading, which is why she had him come to the library with her – habits are developed through practice.

Yet unexpectedly, Jian Zhe was much quieter in the library than Lu Xiaohan. She propped her chin on her hand and thoughtfully said to Jiang Fuli: “You should stay in the library for a few more days.”

Jiang Fuli slowly typed out a line, his posture casual, tone seemingly indifferent: “If you really want me to stay a few more days, that’s fine.”

Bai Lian consoled him, “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll treat you to milk tea later. Tell me what you want.”

“I’ll have the same as you.” Jiang Fuli wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about milk tea.

“Okay,” Bai Lian capped her pen with one hand, then lazily knocked on Jiang He’s head, “Bird, what do you want to drink?”

Jiang He: “…”

Having fully recognized Jiang He’s peculiarities these past two days, Jian Zhe waited until Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli went downstairs before quietly asking Tang Ming: “Why is Bird Brother called Bird?”

“Don’t know,” Ning Xiao replied calmly, pointing out the key issue: “But it was probably Sister Lian who named him.”

Otherwise, Little Bird Jiang wouldn’t be so silent about it.

** Around 4 PM.

Ji Heng called her, asking her to bring Ning Xiao and the others over for dinner.

On the phone, Ji Heng sounded quite excited, apparently having caught many fish.

Bai Lian couldn’t help being happy for him. After hanging up, she looked at Jian Zhe, remembering he hadn’t gone home for New Year, “Would you like to have dinner at my grandfather’s tonight? They caught lots of fish today.”

Eat at Bai Lian’s house?

Jian Zhe hesitated, “Would that be too troublesome…”

“Ning Xiao and I are going,” Tang Ming told Jian Zhe.

It wasn’t their first time eating at Bai Lian’s grandfather’s house. Tang Ming and Ning Xiao were very familiar with Shen Qing and Ji Heng.

Not to mention them – even Lu Xiaohan had secretly added Ji Heng on WeChat, sweet-talking him into making clothes for her.

Tang Ming found it simply amazing.

“Alright then.” Jian Zhe nodded. He didn’t have many friends, but coming to Xiangcheng, he had met many people through Bai Lian.

Including these two university academic stars before him.

When leaving the library for Qingshui Street in the evening, Jian Zhe quietly asked Tang Ming what Ji Heng liked, wondering if he should buy something.

“Take some fruit and tobacco, there’s a small shop on Qingshui Street,” Ning Xiao suggested from the side.

The young people got off at Qingshui Street. Three of them went to No. 112 to buy tobacco and fruit, and Bai Lian accompanied them to the shop.

Things weren’t expensive at the shop, and the tobacco was ordinary.

Jiang Fuli carried his laptop in one hand, the other hand in his pocket, lazily following behind them.

The shop owner rounded down the price and gave Bai Lian and Jiang He each a lollipop.

Tang Ming and Jian Zhe complained, “Why don’t we get any?”

Jian Zhe: “…Maybe because you look ordinary.”

Tang Ming: “Then what about Teacher Jiang?”

Jian Zhe: “…”

A dangerous question.

Fortunately, a phone call rescued Jian Zhe – never had he been so grateful for his father’s call.

“Didn’t I tell you there’s a banquet tonight,” his father said in a low voice on the phone, “Where are you?”

Jian Zhe walked to the side and said quietly: “I’m having dinner at a friend’s house, so I won’t come.”

Besides, there was no point in him going – it was probably a banquet Jian Ruhai arranged for Jian Rong. Whether he went or not didn’t matter.

“You…”

On the other end, his father looked at Jian Rong talking with Jian Ruhai on the sofa, then looked back at his phone. He really couldn’t understand – why did Jian Zhe have so little ambition?

“Young Master Jian Zhe isn’t free? What’s he doing?” Jian’s assistant looked at Jian’s father in surprise.

Jian’s father smiled awkwardly, “Having dinner with some friends.”

Friends?

These questionable friends in Xiangcheng?

The assistant gave Jian’s father another look, then understood and went to report to Jian Ruhai.

It wasn’t that the assistant looked down on Jian Zhe’s friends – mainly that Jian Rong’s friends were all well-known figures in Northern City’s circle, one even being last year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam.

The comparison was simply too cruel.

This look made Jian’s father very angry. If Jian Zhe were beside him, he would definitely get beaten again.

“If he’s not free, that’s fine,” Jian Ruhai didn’t care where Jian Zhe ate – as long as Jian Rong was there. Then he kindly asked Jian Rong: “Are you sure your grand uncle added you?”

Jian Zhongyou was an eccentric person.

Jian Ruhai knew his contact information, but Jian Zhongyou didn’t add older generations. Sometimes the younger generation and some assistants and secretaries could get through.

“Yes,” Jian Rong nodded, “I’m asking Grand Uncle where he’s staying.”

“Good, good.” Jian Ruhai laughed heartily, heavily patting Jian Rong’s shoulder twice.

** Here, Jian Zhe hung up the phone.

Tang Ming and Ning Xiao each carried a bag, and gave one to Jian Zhe, “Let’s go.”

The group walked toward Ji Heng’s courtyard.

Ning Xiao had been there once and knew the way, leading Tang Ming and the others.

Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli walked behind, with Jiang He beside them, the sunset stretching their shadows long.

Today Bai Lian wore a lead-white top with butterfly sleeves and a silver-white pleated skirt, the hem moving lightly as she walked.

She walked a few steps, then waited, looking Jiang He up and down before lazily commenting: “Such short legs.”

Jiang Fuli unhurriedly followed behind Bai Lian. His eyes were light, only looking down at Jiang He when Bai Lian spoke, “Heh.”

He looked at Jiang He and laughed mercilessly.

Jiang He: “…”

He dejectedly took bigger steps.

Walking slowly, Jiang He and the others had reached Ji Heng’s house while the three hadn’t even reached the corner.

“Is this where Sister Bai lives?” Jian Zhe looked around curiously.

“Yes.” Tang Ming talked with Jian Zhe on the side.

Ning Xiao raised his hand to knock on the courtyard door. Just as he lifted his hand, Shen Qing opened it, “I heard Tang Ming’s voice from far away. Come in quickly, I specially made soup for you two today.”

Jian Zhe hadn’t met Shen Qing before and nervously followed behind Ning Xiao.

In the courtyard besides Shen Qing were two people.

Director Chen and Dean Jian.

The two were crouching in the middle of the courtyard looking at fish. Director Chen raised his head to greet Ning Xiao, then pointed at the biggest fish in the middle, introducing it to the three: “I caught this one.”

Dean Jian then leisurely pointed at the one beside it: “I caught this one.”