ATLAS TRANSLATES

Because Wutong Street had become popular, many tourists came during the day to see the Calligraphy Association and martial arts school. The Association gave free calligraphy to tourists, so even during New Year, Teacher Chou hadn’t gone home.

The Calligraphy Association had been staying open until 10 PM for the past month.

Jian Zhe: [Teacher Chou went home today, no one’s at the Association, I’ll be back right away]

Jian Zhe lived at the Association and had keys.

Worried that Bai Lian had been waiting long, Jian Zhe quietly asked Jian Rong: “Can you drive me back to the Association?”

The mansion was in a special location without public transport, and taxis couldn’t enter.

Jian Zhe just asked Jian Rong once.

His relationship with Jian Rong was okay since Jian Zhe had come to Xiangcheng in Jian Rong’s place, and Jian Rong was quite grateful to him.

“Of course.” The Ren family had specially provided cars for the Jian family. Jian Rong went to get the keys from Assistant Jian.

Usually the Association didn’t close, and since Wutong Street had become popular, many tourists came during the day to see the Calligraphy Association and martial arts school. The Association gave free calligraphy to tourists.

So even during New Year, Teacher Chou hadn’t gone home.

Jian Zhe lived at the Association and had keys.

Worried about Bai Lian waiting too long, he quietly asked Jian Rong: “Can you drive me back to the Association?”

Assistant Jian overheard and spoke rather loudly: “Young Master Jian Zhe, you say your friend is waiting? You want Young Master Jian Rong to drive you to meet your friend?”

“What?” Jian’s father quickly lowered his voice, looking at Jian Zhe, “Didn’t I tell you not to go back tonight and study with Jian Rong tomorrow?”

Everyone knew Jian Zhonghai had found tutors for Jian Rong’s graduate studies.

“I study with others,” Jian Zhe frowned, “Sister Bai is waiting for me.”

Hearing about these friends again, blood rushed to Jian’s father’s head, “You…”

The voices were loud enough for Jian Zhonghai to hear. He put down his teacup and glanced at Assistant Jian: “Young Master Jian Rong still needs to study. Take him to the main road.”

He could get a taxi from the main road.

Ren Qian sat next to Jian Zhonghai, drinking tea silently, not interfering in their family matters.

Assistant Jian respectfully answered: “Yes.”

He took the car keys to drive Jian Zhe.

Jian Rong gave Jian Zhe an apologetic look. He could have insisted on driving Jian Zhe, but didn’t want to upset Jian Zhonghai.

Assistant Jian drove Jian Zhe to the main road, “Take care, Young Master Jian Zhe.”

After dropping him off, Assistant Jian went upstairs to find Jian Zhonghai.

“This Jian Zhe is becoming more and more unruly,” Jian Zhonghai put down his pen, expression cold, “Didn’t his father say he was also preparing for graduate school? Why haven’t I seen him studying? Where’s he going now?”

“I heard he’s delivering keys to his friend.” Assistant Jian shook his head.

“Let Jian Rong have less contact with him.” Jian Zhonghai gently blew on his wet ink.

Always hanging around with questionable friends.

**

Meanwhile.

Jian Zhe’s taxi quickly arrived at the Association’s entrance.

As soon as he got out, he saw the brightly lit opposite side, where Jiang Fuli stood out from the crowd.

Almost nine o’clock, but there were still many tourists. Jian Zhe squeezed through the crowd to talk to Bai Lian, “Are we going to the Association now? Why are you still here so late?”

“Oh, it’s not for me,” Bai Lian tilted her head slightly, speaking casually, “He’s the one staying here.”

She nodded towards the front.

Only then did Jian Zhe see that in front of Bai Lian were Lu Xiaohan and an elderly man—

The elderly man turned around, nodding slightly to Jian Zhe, “Sorry to trouble you.”

Very polite.

“Ah… no-” Jian Zhe had thought it was just Bai Lian, he hadn’t expected to see Jian Zhongyou again, stammering, “No- no no trouble.”

After a puppet show performance ended.

The crowd gathered in small groups. Jian Zhe held the Association keys, walking in front, his steps feeling like he was treading on cotton, unable to find his footing.

While opening the Association door, Jian Zhe was still in a daze.

Dean Jian was going to stay here?

As soon as the Association door opened, Bai Lian turned on the courtyard lights. Dean Jian stood on the steps, looking at the small table in the courtyard with an inkstone on it.

After so many years, seeing the Association again, these writing implements were no longer his nightmare.

“You can stay next to Jian Zhe’s room,” Bai Lian had asked Teacher Chou, she opened the door next to Jian Zhe’s room, which had disposable items inside, “This is usually for guests. If you need anything, just ask Jian Zhe.”

Then, Bai Lian reminded Jian Zhe, “Take good care of Dean Jian.”

“I will.” Jian Zhe nodded solemnly.

While Dean Jian went to check the room, outside, Lu Xiaohan talked with Bai Lian: “Sister Lian, want to record a video?”

“What kind of video?” Bai Lian sat lazily on a small table, her slender fingers arranging the inkstone.

“Like this.” Lu Xiaohan took out her phone and played her a video of a girl playing guzheng.

She was playing “Betting on Wine.”

Lu Xiaohan pointed at the girl in the video and told Bai Lian: “She’s super popular lately, heard she’s about to play ‘Another Autumn.’ Comments are all asking Dean Jian to take her as his disciple. Should we follow the trend and show your skills?”

Bai Lian looked down to see someone called—

Bai Shaoqi? What an unlucky illegitimate child.

“Oh, no thanks.” Bai Lian leaned back, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

Lu Xiaohan: “…”

Why did she sense a rebellious attitude?

After Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli left, Dean Jian took out his phone, opened WeChat, and casually asked Jian Zhe: “Want to add me on WeChat?”

Jian Zhe mechanically took out his phone and scanned Dean Jian’s WeChat.

Added friend.

All in one go.

**

Dean Jian’s video went viral online.

Xiangcheng tourism was already trending recently.

Videos about Xiangcheng easily became popular, especially when it featured an expert like Dean Jian playing “Sexy Love” on erhu in Xiangcheng…

The strong contrast was striking.

In this age of information, in just an afternoon and evening, the most popular video reached over 10 million views, over 3 million likes, and hundreds of thousands of comments—

[The pressure from this erhu!]

[Now this is a true rhythm master (covering face)]

[That’s our old master!]

[Only professionals know how amazing this old master is (crying)]

[Folks, I need to visit Xiangcheng]

[True masters are found among common people]

[…]

In the originally normal comment section, one comment suddenly popped up—

[Masters among common people? Go check out @Jian Zhongyou]

[??]

[Oh my!]

[Is it really him????]

With such wide viewership, someone had recognized Jian Zhongyou.

This pushed the video’s popularity to its peak.

Early on the seventh day.

At the mansion, Jian Rong saw this video through local trending data. He excitedly went to find Jian Zhonghai with his phone, “Grandfather, Grand Uncle is really in Xiangcheng!”

Jian Zhonghai took the phone, excited: “Where is this?”

“Xiangcheng tourist area.” Jian Rong answered.

“Good, good,” Jian Zhonghai hurried outside, “We’ll go look around there today.”

As long as Jian Zhongyou was still in Xiangcheng, everything could be worked out.

Jian Rong followed Jian Zhonghai with his phone, suddenly remembering something, he opened his phone and messaged someone—

[Confirmed, my Grand Uncle is in Xiangcheng]

**

North City.

Bai family.

Bai Shaoqi was reading comments. She had also posted on her social media, from her first video playing “Bai Yi Xing” at Jianjing Music to the current “Betting on Wine,” each post had high engagement.

She knew Jian Zhongyou had an account on this platform, so she was working hard to maintain it.

Good looks, good family background, top student at North City First High School, playing guzheng beautifully in netizens’ eyes, even interning at Jianjing Music Academy…

All these credentials amazed netizens.

Having spent money to build her account, her online guzheng popularity was second only to Jian Zhongyou.

Most comments tagged @Jian Zhongyou, asking him to notice Bai Shaoqi, hailing her as the next successor of guzheng.

Nearby, Bai Qiming was on the phone with Bai Shaoke, suddenly standing up: “Are you serious? Dean Jian is in Xiangcheng?”

Although Bai Shaoke was only a freshman, he had been working hard to develop connections in Jianjing.

He had left for Jianjing on the fourth day of New Year.

Bai Shaoqi’s sharp ears caught the words “Dean Jian” and sat up straight.

“Alright, dad understands,” Bai Qiming hung up, arranged for more money to be sent to Bai Shaoke, then told Bai Shaoqi, “The Jian family says Dean Jian is in Xiangcheng…”

When saying “Xiangcheng,” Bai Qiming unconsciously frowned.

Bai Lian was in Xiangcheng.

He shook his head, pushing thoughts of Bai Lian aside, “Pack your things now, I’ll arrange for a driver to take you to Xiangcheng. I’ll talk to the school.”

Bai Shaoqi hadn’t seen Dean Jian for a long time. Last time Dean Jian had specially greeted her, she thought he would contact her later, but never heard from him.

Now hearing this news.

She could barely contain her excitement.

Senior year would start on the eighth day of New Year, but for Bai Shaoqi, Dean Jian was the priority now. Bai Qiming directly got Bai Shaoqi a week’s leave from school.

**

Afternoon of the eighth day.

The Ren family’s extended business car stopped at Xiangshan Avenue intersection. Jian Zhonghai came out with Jian Rong and Assistant Jian.

Yesterday Jian Zhonghai hadn’t found Dean Jian here, today he planned to look around again.

As soon as Assistant Jian got out of the car, he saw Jian Zhe across the street, “Young Master Jian Zhe?”

Jian’s father had just gotten out of the passenger seat. Hearing this, he quickly looked across—

Jian Zhe was standing with two girls and a guy with yellow hair.

One of the girls was tall, with her hair half-tied with a hairpin, holding a phone seeming to play some game. The other girl held a camera, talking with the yellow-haired guy.

That yellow-haired guy looked like a complete thug.

Jian’s father’s face instantly darkened.

Jian Zhonghai glanced over casually, then looked away. Assistant Jian discreetly looked at Jian’s father.

“Grandfather, I’ll go ask if Jian Zhe wants to come.” Jian Rong said quietly, then ran to find Jian Zhe.

Jian Zhonghai gave Assistant Jian a look, and he immediately followed.

When they reached Jian Zhe, Jian Rong realized one of them was Bai Lian, whom they had met in Jianjing, “Oh, it’s you.”

Jian Rong’s eyes lit up.

Mao Kun had a cigarette in his mouth, squinting as he looked at Jian Rong, but didn’t speak.

Bai Lian lifted her eyes slightly, politely greeting him: “Hello.”

Then continued casually scrolling through words, polite but distant, not saying much.

Assistant Jian just respectfully followed behind Jian Rong, coldly glancing at this rabble, his gaze lingering long on Mao Kun’s yellow hair, seeing him rudely sizing up Jian Rong. He frowned – Young Master Jian Zhe’s friends were too ill-mannered.

“They start school tomorrow,” Jian Zhe went to Jian Rong’s side, putting an arm around his shoulders, “We’re going for hotpot, want to come?”

Hearing Jian Zhe’s words, Assistant Jian withdrew his gaze, focusing on Jian Rong’s response.

“No,” Jian Rong hesitated, shaking his head, “I need to pick up Sister Shaoqi later, want to come?”

“Sister Shaoqi?” Jian Zhe didn’t know her.

“Shaoke’s sister, the North City top student’s sister,” the Jian family looked down on the Bai family’s money smell, they hadn’t had much contact before, but Jian Rong and Bai Shaoke had been good friends since middle school, “Bai Shaoqi, very famous, trending online too, you don’t know?”

“Bai Shaoqi?” Lu Xiaohan put her camera in her bag, a bit surprised, “The one online?”

As another online phenomenon-level internet celebrity, Lu Xiaohan had a decent impression of Bai Shaoqi, mainly because Bai Shaoqi played guzheng well and had played “Bai Yi Xing.”

Bai Lian finally looked up, licking her lips, her eyes dangerously narrowing.

Seeing Bai Lian like this, Mao Kun immediately lowered his head to smoke, not making a sound.

Seeing their lukewarm reaction, Assistant Jian finally couldn’t help explaining, “Miss Bai isn’t just ‘the one online,’ she has rehearsed at Jianjing Music Academy. Our Grand Uncle… Dean Jian of Jianjing Music Academy, you know Dean Jian? He thinks very highly of Miss Bai. Miss Bai herself is very talented, very likely to become Dean Jian’s next successor.”

Assistant Jian was very respectful of Bai Shaoqi, who might become Grand Uncle’s last disciple.

After speaking, Assistant Jian sighed, wondering why he explained so much to them. They didn’t even understand the significance of being the next successor.