After sending the message, Gao Yan waited patiently for a reply. The guzheng circle in Jiangjing was very influential. While Jian Zhongyou’s influence wasn’t as great as the Jiangjing University president’s, he had earned considerable respect. It was difficult to meet him in Jiangjing.
Even the Chen family members who hadn’t studied guzheng found it hard to meet him. Old Master Chen had only introduced Chen Beixuan to Principal Jian.
Principal Jian had three students. Gao Yan didn’t know the other two. But one of them, Gao Yan knew well by reputation – Jiangjing’s talented woman Liu Shuhe, who was once as famous as Jiangjing’s prodigy Jiang Xijue, renowned throughout the Xinjiang district.
However, in recent years, Jiangjing hadn’t produced any more remarkable talents.
Gao Yan thought deeply. She had grown up with Jiang Fuli’s mother, and they shared a deep bond. Love extends to all connections – just seeing Bai Lian’s silhouette made her sure her sister would like her.
She couldn’t interfere with Jiang Fuli’s matters, but she would properly arrange things for Bai Lian.
Thinking this, she sent another message to Xu Nanjing: [Do you think she would be willing if I made her my goddaughter?]
Gao Yan and Xu’s father both really wanted a daughter. Although their branch wasn’t on good terms with Xu’s second uncle’s branch, Gao Yan envied their daughter.
As she thought about this, Jian Zhongyou’s reply came. Gao Yan quickly looked down to open it: Principal Jian: [Yes.]
** After seeing Zhang Shize, Bai Lian went to the library to do homework. Jiang Fuli lazily carried a laptop and followed behind her.
At the library, the homework group was growing larger. Today, besides Jian Zhe, there was also Yang Lin with bandages wrapped around his head. Jian Zhe carefully asked, “Classmate, are you okay doing homework like this?”
Yang Lin just swallowed some medicine. Didn’t speak.
Lu Xiaohan sat beside Yang Lin and smacked Jian Zhe away, “Why do you care so much? What are you looking at?” She bared her teeth.
Jian Zhe and Tang Ming quietly complained about how Lu Xiaohan had become so fierce. Tang Ming just gave an “mm” in response, very aloof.
Jian Zhe suddenly felt confused – how had this small group become so unfamiliar after just a few days of not seeing them?
Until Jiang Fuli arrived, the familiar cold atmosphere that made it hard to breathe made Jian Zhe momentarily emotional.
The library row was very long. They sat in the last row by the window, with the three innermost seats reserved for Bai Lian and Jiang He.
Bai Lian sat in the middle, Jiang Fuli sat by the window, and one seat remained for Jiang He.
Jiang Fuli reached out to place the laptop in front of him, opened the lid, his long fingers casually clicking through the document library, beginning to browse submitted reports. He was in a peaceful mood.
Occasionally he would open WeChat to reply to some questions.
Until midway through when Xu Nanjing’s message came – he was bringing Jiang He over. Today Ming Dongheng had to wait for guzheng maintenance, so taking Jiang He was left to Xu Nanjing.
** Opposite the library.
Xu Nanjing wore a white T-shirt casually topped with a baseball jacket, holding a cigarette, helplessly looking at Jiang He crouching by the streetlight.
Beside him was a man wearing a silk shirt, holding a phone, with striking features.
“Bingwen,” Xu Nanjing took a drag of his cigarette, shaking his head, “You should know I can’t get involved in this matter. You can go find Chen Yongkun or Sister Beixuan.”
While speaking, he sent a message to Jiang Fuli.
Among Xu Nanjing and Jiang Xijue’s group, Jiang He was the only one they couldn’t handle.
Xiao Bingwen nodded, showing understanding.
His gaze turned to Jiang He under the streetlight, “With him here, is Young Master Jiang…”
The Xiao family and Xu family had business together, everyone in their circle knew each other. Xu Nanjing and Xiao Bingwen had quite a friendship, both were in that group. Xiao Bingwen had only come looking after hearing he was in Xiangcheng.
Xu Nanjing glanced at Xiao Bingwen and smiled without speaking.
Jiang Fuli’s whereabouts in Jiangjing had always been a secret, but Xiao Bingwen wasn’t talkative – Xu Nanjing trusted he knew his boundaries.
As they were talking, a lazy figure walked over from across the street.
She wore a white top with a moon-white long dress, with delicate peach blossom patterns embroidered on the collar, sleeves, and hem. Counting the time, in a little while, Xiangcheng’s peach blossoms would bloom.
Seeing her, Xu Nanjing put out his cigarette and stepped forward, “You’re alone? Where’s Brother Jiang?”
Xu Nanjing was very surprised. Jiang He was having an episode – Bai Lian coming wouldn’t help.
“Him?” Bai Lian’s dark eyes were half-closed as she looked at Jiang He crouching under the streetlight, her tone unconcerned, “He’s queuing.”
“Queuing.” Xu Nanjing held his cigarette, nodding. A second later he reacted, looking hesitantly at Bai Lian, “Little Sister Bai Lian, what did you say he’s doing?”
“Queuing for bubble tea,” Bai Lian explained.
Xu Nanjing: “…?”
Beside them, Xiao Bingwen stopped talking business when he saw the unfamiliar woman approach. He just stood to the side, looking at Bai Lian with surprise – such beauty… would be rare even in Jiangjing.
“…Then we’ll wait for him to come. None of us can handle Jiang He.” Xu Nanjing looked at Bai Lian’s beautiful lazy face, unable to connect Jiang Fuli with the concept of “queuing.” His mind suddenly became a bit confused.
As he was speaking, he saw Bai Lian walk to Jiang He’s side and grab his collar. Pulled the child up in one motion.
The child looked at her with a suffering, expressionless face.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Lian crouched down.
Jiang He wore a blue vest, “School, go back.”
Just two words, but Bai Lian immediately understood his meaning, “Your brother said he’d send you back to school next semester?”
Jiang He was about to raise his hands to cover his ears.
Bai Lian reached out to move his hands away.
Jiang He put them back.
Fine, Bai Lian smiled, “I’m going to Jiangjing next semester too.”
Jiang He paused.
Bai Lian said lazily: “I will become a university student, while you—”
She smiled.
Jiang He silently lowered his hands: “…”
“Follow along yourself.” Bai Lian patted her dress as she stood up, then politely bid farewell to Xu Nanjing, “I’ll take him to the library first.”
Xu Nanjing watched in shock as Jiang He obediently followed behind Bai Lian.
Then he took out his phone and sent a message to the group.
Xu Nanjing: [@Ming Dongheng I understand your ‘holy shit’ now] Ming Dongheng: [.] Jiang Xijue: [?]
Xu Nanjing put away his phone. He watched Bai Lian leave – he had two “holy shit” moments today.
After they left, Xiao Bingwen beside him was still looking in the direction Bai Lian had gone, “She is…”
Xiao Bingwen could tell that the “Brother Jiang” Xu Nanjing mentioned earlier was Jiang Fuli, and this girl had just been with Jiang Fuli.
“Yes, exactly what you’re thinking.” Xu Nanjing came to his senses – Young Master Jiang’s principles and bottom lines seemed to not apply when it came to Bai Lian. Thinking this, he smiled at Xiao Bingwen.
Xiao Bingwen withdrew his gaze, “Her… I’ve never heard of her in Jiangjing.”
In his memory, there was no one who matched that girl just now.
Xu Nanjing lit another cigarette, “That’s normal, she’s not from Jiangjing, just a good student from here.”
“What?” Xiao Bingwen was particularly surprised. No wonder he hadn’t heard of her – Jiangjing’s upper circle was only so big, especially their generation, with just a few noteworthy people.
Xiangcheng?
Xiao Bingwen lost interest in digging deeper.
“Don’t spread this around when you go back,” Xu Nanjing glanced at him, smiling, “I know your family also has dealings with the Gao family.”
Xiao Bingwen tensed, “Nanjing, don’t worry.”
Xu Nanjing smiled and stopped mentioning the matter.
** Evening.
Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli returned together – she needed to get her guzheng.
Two adults and one child returned while the sun hadn’t completely set.
In the classical-style hall, Xu Nanjing had just returned not long ago. He had finished calling Gao Yan and stood up when he saw Bai Lian.
Jiang He slowly followed behind Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian.
Jiang Fuli carried a stack of books, while Bai Lian casually played with Jiang Fuli’s laptop. His laptop wasn’t big, very thin – she could spin it on her fingertip.
Xiao Bingwen, sitting stiffly beside Xu Nanjing, was talking with Ming Dongheng.
“Young Master Xiao,” Ming Dongheng’s response was very official, “I don’t know about Director Chen’s matters, but regarding Mr. Wang’s side, he also hasn’t found any leads.”
Wang Youfeng had mines, but he was from the Dawson family. It wasn’t easy to find someone who could provide long-term resources for experiments and heavy industry.
Xiao Bingwen knew both Ming Dongheng and Director Chen were hard to deal with. He wanted to say more but saw people returning from outside. He quickly stood up and looked at Jiang Fuli, “Young Master Jiang.”
Jiang Fuli put a stack of books on the coffee table, his expression cold and noble. Without looking up, he said, “Continue your discussion.”
Meaning they shouldn’t mind them.
Jiang Fuli went to help Bai Lian get her guzheng. Bai Lian leaned against the doorframe without entering – she was waiting for the guzheng so she could go home to eat with Ji Heng.
Xiao Bingwen looked at Bai Lian beside him and didn’t continue speaking.
But Ming Dongheng beside him, as soon as he saw Bai Lian, got up to pour tea. Xiao Bingwen saw his action and was surprised.
Xu Nanjing noticed the laptop Bai Lian was spinning in her hands and felt his heart jump – if it dropped, the whole laboratory would be heartbroken.
“Little Sister Bai Lian,” Xu Nanjing tried hard not to look, but remembered Gao Yan’s words. He walked to Bai Lian’s side, somewhat hesitant, “…have you ever thought about having more family members?”
Like having another mother…
Bai Lian placed the laptop flat in her palm, finally setting it on the bar counter. While checking messages on her phone, she asked, “What?”
On her phone. Wang: [How long can my godmother hold out?]
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