ATLAS TRANSLATES

When Xu Nanjing spoke, Bai Lian would just nod. Though her reactions were minimal, she still responded.

“You’re in your final year, almost done,” Xu Nanjing smiled and said to Bai Lian, “But I really envy you all.”

“Envy?” Bai Lian casually picked up a building block and handed it to Jiang He, expressing surprise at his words.

“Yes, although your year’s college entrance exam might be harder than last year’s, it’s much better than our year.” Xu Nanjing didn’t pay much attention to college entrance exams, but had heard a bit because of Liang Wuyu.

“The year Nanjing took the exam was like watching gods fight,” Xiao Bingwen added from the side. “That year was rated as the most competitive exam and produced many notable people.”

Xu Nanjing laughed, “I almost didn’t get into Jiangjing University.”

Oh, is that so.

Bai Lian nodded.

Beside her, Jiang He looked up at Xu Nanjing.

Xu Nanjing felt puzzled and raised an eyebrow, “What are you looking at?”

Jiang He lowered his head again, slowly returning to assembling his Lego.

Upstairs, Jiang Fuli came down with a stack of printed papers.

He bound them together and placed them on the counter.

The papers Academician Ma sent to Bai Lian were all introductory papers, including some he had read before and some recent popular ones.

High school seniors couldn’t access much yet, it was mainly to build a foundation for the future.

In the hall, dishes were already set on the dining table.

Xiao Bingwen came today to find Xu Nanjing. Young Master Xu had slept until mealtime, and Jiang Fuli didn’t let him leave, having him join them for the meal.

He didn’t dare sit next to the others, only sitting beside Xu Nanjing.

“Does your school have enough practice problems?” Jiang Fuli knew about the conflict between Xiangcheng and the northern city, but his influence couldn’t reach that far. Xiangcheng No. 1 High School would ultimately have to develop on its own.

The Chen family had helped Xiangcheng No. 1 High School quite a bit these past few years, but it still hadn’t improved.

Jiang Fuli could only do as the Chen family did, providing them some resources.

As he spoke, he noticed Bai Lian had no drink beside her, so he got up to fetch a can of cola, casually opening it and placing it next to her.

This scene didn’t surprise Xu Nanjing, but Xiao Bingwen beside him was extremely shocked, thinking to himself that he should be even more polite to Bai Lian in the future.

If nothing else, even Jiang He didn’t receive such treatment now.

Bai Lian leisurely picked up the cola and took a sip, thinking about the school situation: “It’s enough for now. Most students have weak foundations and can’t handle more difficult comprehensive problems.”

The impact wasn’t just on the senior year, but also on first and second years.

Jiang Fuli listened to her slowly, his left hand casually resting on the table. “After the college entrance exam, they’ll re-evaluate based on exam quality. If they can rank as a provincial key school, there’s no need to worry.”

This was Bai Lian’s first time hearing about the provincial key school evaluation, so she asked about some details. Teacher resources, school environment, and student performance were all part of the evaluation, with student performance being the most important.

Besides high-scoring brackets, the school’s undergraduate qualification rate was also very important.

Xu Nanjing and Xiao Bingwen heard a bit and were quite surprised – Xiangcheng didn’t have a provincial key high school?

These two were discussing studies.

Xiao Bingwen looked at Jiang Fuli. He sat beside Bai Lian, head slightly lowered, quietly listening to her speak. Though still wrapped in coldness, this scholarly, jade-like demeanor was very different from what Xiao Bingwen had imagined.

He felt Jiang Fuli was just a bit cold, not at all as frightening as rumored.

“Found information about the supplier?” Xu Nanjing held his chopsticks, casually discussing business with Xiao Bingwen.

Xiao Bingwen nodded, a smile appearing on his face: “Found it. He has dealings with the Dawson family. I had a friend check locally, it’s confirmed.”

Unable to cooperate with Wang Youfeng, they had to take an indirect approach. These past two days they went to bars, where Xu Nanjing spent generously and gathered quite a bit of information, making connections through shared interests.

Xu Nanjing narrowed his eyes slightly, “Get him drunk tonight and probe for more information. We need to secure this person. Also, how are the preparations for the mountain road?”

“Almost done.”

“Then let’s go check in the afternoon. Everything needs to be ready before the reporters arrive,” Xu Nanjing was in a good mood hearing about Charles, and at this point looked at Bai Lian, “Little sister Bai Lian, want to come watch? Someone’s doing cornering practice this afternoon.”

Bai Lian finished her bite of food before looking up at Xu Nanjing, her eyes clear and beautiful, “I haven’t studied today yet.”

Xu Nanjing: “…Ah, right.”

Indeed, a good student like little sister Bai Lian probably didn’t even understand that “cornering practice” meant motorcycle riding.

After eating, Jiang He needed his afternoon nap. Xu Nanjing took Xiao Bingwen to check the mountain road, going to the small counter to get his keys.

He immediately noticed the printed papers Jiang Fuli had left there.

“Research papers?” Though the printed papers were all in English, Xu Nanjing recognized the website logo at a glance and said to Xiao Bingwen: “I can’t even read one paper like this.”

Xu Nanjing recognized these were physics research papers and complained to Xiao Bingwen.

“I can’t understand them either.” Xiao Bingwen had never published in this journal, only learning about it from Xu Nanjing’s comment. He couldn’t help but recall what he had seen at Bai Lian’s place.

She was actually reading research papers?

Because of the exam, Bai Lian hadn’t brought books today, planning to read Academician Ma’s newly sent review article in the afternoon.

She watched as Jiang He lay on the small bed, holding the rolled-up paper in her hand.

Jiang Fuli stood to the side, looking at her, and suddenly said: “Do you want to take an afternoon nap?”

Bai Lian didn’t take afternoon naps because she basically couldn’t fall asleep, only having slept for half an hour that time in the library.

Hearing his suggestion, she hesitated.

“There’s another room here?” Her gaze swept toward Jiang Fuli. If she remembered correctly, Xu Nanjing was staying here.

“I don’t sleep at noon.” Jiang Fuli calmly turned around and opened his own room. He was wearing black cotton loungewear, his refined features creating a hazy glow in the light coming through the window.

Bai Lian looked up.

His room had gray flooring and was very spacious, with a gray bed in the middle and a desk under the sill window, all in very cold tones.

The temperature was much lower than in Jiang He’s room.

“If you want to rest, you can come here. I’ll work on my research.” Jiang Fuli left the iron door handle half-open, his slender jade-like fingers resting on it, very politely.

Bai Lian walked in to look at the environment and nodded slightly: “Alright.”

That evening.

Jiang Fuli drove Bai Lian back to Qingshui Street.

Ji Heng and Director Chen had caught quite a few fish today, but the courtyard wasn’t as lively as before.

Director Chen helped Ji Heng cook in the kitchen.

In the evening, Ji Heng invited Jiang He and Jiang Fuli to stay for dinner.

When Jiang Fuli returned home, his room was still tidy, but there was an extra piece of paper on the desk by the window – a half-finished physics mind map.

The writing on this paper was very neat.

Jiang Fuli lowered his head to look at it for a while, then slowly folded the paper.

She hadn’t slept here, but she had spent a long time studying and writing.

In the courtyard, only Bai Lian and Ji Heng remained after everyone left.

Ji Heng hung the fish outside, planning to make dried fish.

He wasn’t doing embroidery today, just taking out paper and pen to design the male graduation uniforms. The boys didn’t have many requirements, but Ji Heng had high standards for himself.

Under the bright light, he lowered his head, making light strokes.

Occasionally looking up at Bai Lian sitting under the tree.

“Grandfather, if you have something to say, just say it.” Bai Lian’s fingers rested on the guitar strings, head still lowered, just testing the sound.

Ji Heng was silent for a moment, “You…”

Seeming to find it difficult to say, he considered for quite a while before speaking softly, “You might have a younger sister or brother.”

Ji Mulan was pregnant.

Ji Heng had known this news since Friday but hadn’t told Bai Lian because she had exams this week.

Actually, for the first dozen years of Bai Lian’s life, she had been the Bai family’s only daughter. Ji Mulan thought Bai Qiming had clearly established Bai Lian’s position as heir.

Who knew Bai Shaoqi and Bai Shaoke would appear later, and Ji Mulan finally understood Bai Qiming’s backup plan.

Ji Heng knew Bai Lian had been an only child for many years. The Bai family incident had already hurt her enough to return to Xiangcheng, and now this news from Ji Mulan…

“Oh.” Bai Lian put her hand on the table, her tone light and casual.

Not showing the distress Ji Heng had imagined.

Which made him even more silent.

Ji Heng looked at her for a while, sighed lightly, and lowered his head to draw another line.

He didn’t know if Ji Mulan would seriously raise the child, only feeling that Ji Mulan was carefully preparing her next work of art.

A few streets away in a small courtyard.

The lights inside were dim, with low coughing sounds constantly coming from the corner room.

A middle-aged man in a black jacket lowered his brows, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, frowning as he looked at the elderly person on the sickbed.

Ning Xiao sat by the bedside, skillfully helping his grandmother catch her breath.

Grandmother Wang’s coughing lessened considerably, and she started feeling sleepy.

Wang Youfeng watched as Grandmother Wang’s eyelashes gradually lowered. His anxious heart was just settling when his phone rang in his pocket.

Grandmother Wang seemed about to wake up, and Wang Youfeng quickly hung up the phone and went to the courtyard.

Hearing the sounds from the room quieten, he finally relaxed, put the cigarette in his mouth, took out his phone and called back, “What is it?”

His tone was heavy.

On the other end, his confidant guessed his mood wasn’t good and just said: “How should we divide this year’s quota? Many people from Huaguo have found Lucien’s people.”

“Wait until I get back to discuss,” Wang Youfeng hadn’t been in the mood to handle these things lately, the scar on his brow exuding a murderous air, “Tell them to stay on their toes.”

“Yes, boss.” The confidant responded.

Wang Youfeng irritably hung up the phone.

After waiting a while longer, Ning Xiao came out from inside, his long bangs hiding the gloom in his eyes, “Uncle Wang.”

His tone was flat.

“Mother didn’t take her medicine?” Wang Youfeng had found many doctors to examine Grandmother Wang. Her body had developed problems years ago, and at over ninety years old, living this long was already quite remarkable.

Ning Xiao went to clean up the garbage in the courtyard, coldly giving an “mm” in response.

Wang Youfeng wasn’t surprised by his adopted nephew’s attitude. He looked at Ning Xiao’s back and lit his cigarette, “Your technique is good, helping mother reduce a lot of pain. Which doctor did you learn from?”

Wang Youfeng could naturally tell Ning Xiao’s skilled technique.

“Classmate.” Ning Xiao was sparing with words.

Classmate? Wang Youfeng looked at Ning Xiao’s back, somewhat surprised. He knew about Ning Xiao – because of early experiences, he was always distant with people and they had barely spoken.

Only in these past two years when Grandmother Wang’s health deteriorated did their communication increase.

“Mm,” Wang Youfeng glanced at Ning Xiao, taking a slow drag of his cigarette and saying softly: “Find a chance in the next few days, I’ll treat your classmate to a meal. Let your classmate know.”

Ning Xiao didn’t speak.

“Don’t let mother worry about her current condition,” Wang Youfeng exhaled smoke, “They taught you because they consider you a friend. You finally made a friend, do you want me to tell mother?”

“I understand.” Ning Xiao spoke.

“Is your classmate male or female?” Wang Youfeng nosily asked another question.

Ning Xiao coldly looked at him.

Wang Youfeng removed his cigarette, “Alright, alright, I won’t ask… you brat.”

In Jiangjing, the Xu family.

Mid-month meals were at Old Master Xu’s place. This branch of the Xu family had many more people than the Jiang family, and those youngsters were quite capable. In a big family, open and hidden struggles were inevitable.

Gao Yan and Xu Jueling sat below Old Master Xu.

Across from them, Xu Jueming glanced at Xu Jueling: “I heard elder brother requested a civil service position?”

Gao Yan wore exquisite makeup, only elegantly taking a sip of tea, not speaking when she heard this.

Xu Jueling deflected easily, smiling slightly at Xu Jueming, “Second brother knows things quite quickly.”

“Of course, elder brother has a good son, everyone in the clan gives elder brother face,” Xu Jueming looked up with an ambiguous smile, “I hear Nanjing has big moves lately, congratulations to elder brother in advance.”

“Big moves?” The old master indeed looked up toward Xu Jueling, his expression smiling, “I was wondering why I haven’t seen Nanjing lately. Where did he go?”

Among the younger generation of the Xu family, quite a few were outstanding. Xu Nanjing and Xu Jin were both renowned in Jiangjing, especially Xu Nanjing who, with that person from the Jiang family, had always dominated over Xu Jin.

Xu Jueling coldly glanced at Xu Jueming, reporting to the old master, “Father, don’t listen to second brother’s nonsense. Nanjing just found a remote place to ride motorcycles.”

The matter of Xu Nanjing going to Xiangcheng to draw blood for Jiang Fuli was known to fewer than ten people.

“You’re being modest,” Xu Jueming looked at the old master, “Nanjing is preparing a surprise for you.”

Xu Jueling slightly frowned.

After dinner.

While returning to his own courtyard, Xu Jueling finally spoke with Gao Yan, “Who did you request that position for?”

He asked casually, knowing his wife was a sensible person, which is why he hadn’t refused when she brought it up.

“Future daughter,” Jiangjing was cold, and Gao Yan wore a heavy military coat over her qipao. Recalling Xu Nanjing’s answer, she paused, “Schrödinger’s daughter.”

She replied.

Xu Jueling was used to Gao Yan’s strange descriptions, “Daughter? Xu Jinyi?”

Xu Jinyi, Xu Jueming’s daughter, currently held the highest status among young ladies in Jiangjing circles.

The old master also extremely doted on her, and Xu Jinyi was quite capable. Unlike her father, Gao Yan had a good impression of her.

After all, with the Xu family’s prominence, only someone from the Jiang family could overshadow Xu Jinyi’s influence. But the Jiang family hadn’t produced any young ladies in this generation, only Jiang Fuli.

Gao Yan had envied her for a long time.

“Not her. I’ve picked out a goddaughter for you, it’s just…” Gao Yan laughed lightly, then seemed a bit troubled: “She doesn’t seem to like us very much.”

“Oh?” Xu Jueling was surprised. Not out of excessive confidence, but if Gao Yan wanted to adopt a goddaughter, counting through all of Jiangjing, how many people could refuse? This was quite novel, but since Gao Yan wouldn’t say more, he didn’t ask.

Beside them, Butler Lin, who had grown up with Xu Jueling, was extremely surprised.

Gao Yan wanted to adopt a goddaughter? Just based on Xu Nanjing’s status, if Gao Yan adopted a goddaughter, wouldn’t she turn things upside down in Jiangjing circles? After all, Xu Jinyi’s high status in the circle was largely because she was from the Xu family—

And the Xu family…

Everyone knew Xu Nanjing was Jiang Fuli’s good friend.

Back in their courtyard.

Xu Jueling called Xu Nanjing, his expression slightly stern: “What have you been doing these days?”

“Your information comes so quickly?” On the other end of the phone, Xu Nanjing sat at the counter, elbow resting on the surface, curling his lips, “I’m negotiating a business deal. If it goes smoothly, you won’t need to worry about lab consumables for the next year.”

This was indeed a big matter. Xu Jueling narrowed his eyes slightly, “You need to be careful with this. Your second uncle might know about it.”

“Don’t worry.” Xu Nanjing narrowed his eyes.

Monday.

Some scores came out first. This was Xiangcheng No. 1 High School’s internal exam, with questions set by the school’s grade team. The questions weren’t difficult.

The high score range didn’t show much difference.

The math difficulty was nothing compared to the final exam. Not just Bai Lian and Ning Xiao, even Tang Ming got full marks in math.

In Class 15, the math teacher scanned the class, smiling as he had people hand out the test papers, “Everyone did very well this time, math has improved a lot. If you have questions, you can come find me.”

Wen Qi came to look and saw that after English, Bai Lian and Ning Xiao had full marks again, muttering “scary” as he returned to his seat.

The questions were somewhat simple for Bai Lian, Ning Xiao and the others.

So Bai Lian didn’t have an advantage in math and physics.

After school in the afternoon.

A group from Class 15 walked together.

Not far away, Class 8 students also gathered together.

Class 8 was full of children from difficult backgrounds, either wealthy or powerful families, with many private tutors.

For the final joint exam, everyone only checked their own scores, not knowing other classes’ scores, but Ning Xiao replacing Chen Zhu as first place in several monthly tests last semester had shocked people.

So almost everyone in Class 8 took tutoring during winter break.

Winter break was also a chance to widen the gap.

“The last two subjects’ scores should be out tomorrow, wonder how much Bai Lian and Ning Xiao got,” The Class 8 monitor, who used to be close with Zhang Shize, had a crew cut and looked at Bai Lian ahead while lowering his voice: “Did Bai Lian have private tutors during winter break?”

At these words, Chen Zhu beside Ren Wanxuan also stopped walking.

Looking toward Bai Lian.

“No,” Ren Wanxuan held her bag, squinting at Ning Xiao and Bai Lian, finally resting her gaze on Bai Lian, “She went to Jiangjing for a wedding.”

Ren Wanxuan knew this from Ren Qian. The Xu family hadn’t invited the Ren family.

Hearing this, Chen Zhu’s heart stirred…

He and Ren Wanxuan had been studying at home with tutors from the northern city, not missing a single day.

Ren Qian had great hopes for Ren Wanxuan, hiring the best teachers from the northern city.

While break meant relaxation for other students, for Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhu it was the best time to make up for weaknesses.

“Jiangjing… Then she and Ning Xiao definitely won’t score higher than you,” The Class 8 monitor looked at Chen Zhu and laughed: “Ning Xiao’s family definitely can’t afford private tutors. Chen young master, you have a good chance.”

This wasn’t baseless speculation – playing through winter break versus studying through winter break would definitely be different.

Hearing this, Chen Zhu just shook his head, “Not necessarily.”

Not far away.

Wen Qi noticed Class 8’s glances and frowned: “Why do the Class 8 people keep looking at us?”

“Don’t know,” Lu Xiaohan shrugged, just playing with her camera, “Their brains never worked well.”

Tang Ming and Bai Lian were discussing a physics problem.

Ning Xiao didn’t pay attention to those people.

Ning Xiao walked beside the two, not saying much, just occasionally glancing at Bai Lian.

“The electric field comes down like this,” Bai Lian’s hand angled forty-five degrees downward, her fingertips jade-like in the sunlight as she looked at Tang Ming, “Think in your mind how the paths of q and e would intersect.”

Tang Ming hit his forehead, suddenly enlightened: “Right, why didn’t I think of that?”

He took off his backpack to get out his practice book.

Only then did Bai Lian turn her head slightly, taking out bluetooth earphones from her pocket, lazily looking at Ning Xiao while putting them on, “What did you want to say?”

“Just…” This was Ning Xiao’s first time inviting a friend to dinner. He lowered his eyes, his voice very soft: “My uncle wants to treat you to dinner, to thank you. Do you have time?”