ATLAS TRANSLATES

As the fight ended, everyone around simultaneously stood up to applaud.

Xiao Bingwen stood up to clap along, vaguely noticing two camera lenses across the way. Who would dare bring cameras here? He squinted and looked again.

That’s when he saw someone who definitely shouldn’t be here.

Yan Lu?

Why was she here?

Xiao Bingwen couldn’t accept it – bringing video cameras too? Was this some kind of entertainment venue? Xu Nanjing noticed Xiao Bingwen’s strange reaction and followed his gaze, “What’s wrong?”

“I think I saw Yan Lu,” Xiao Bingwen couldn’t connect entertainment industry people with this place. He pondered thoughtfully, “No way, it’s one thing for her to come here, but bringing cameramen…”

Were the fighting arena people really this accommodating?

At the back of the crowd.

Yan Lu and Mei Yi hadn’t left yet. Little Five took them backstage for filming.

Backstage.

Mao Kun sat on a stool. He took off his mask, saw Little Five, Yan Lu and the others, and waved at them with a grin, “Hi.”

The director had gone from initial shock to numbness by now.

He frantically directed the two cameramen, “Film, film! Capture Mei Yi and Yan Lu’s expressions, and these people in the back too, get all of this…”

He could already predict what would happen when this episode aired…

The director wasn’t afraid anymore, instead mentally counting how many trending topics they would hit.

A completely different, bloody yet real and curious life – unique in the entertainment circle. Who else could achieve this?

After filming at the fighting arena, Little Five took them to the auction house, “This is our biggest auction house, though you missed the auction…”

Though there wasn’t an auction today, many people were setting up the venue for one in a few days.

Coming out, the director saw the glowing name behind them –

White Tiger Auction House.

White Tiger?

The director paused.

He wasn’t familiar with the fighting arena, but White Tiger Auction House seemed somewhat familiar.

But the director couldn’t recall why at the moment.

He followed behind Little Five toward Black Water Street’s exit, which led to the Blue Dragon Bar.

Little Five checked his phone while fixing his red hair, then stopped to look at Yan Lu, “Sister Lian just arrived at the bar, want to go take a look?”

The director and cameramen were eager.

Blue Dragon Bar existed in Jiangjiang too, but you couldn’t enter freely there. The director had heard industry bigwigs say that anyone you found in Blue Dragon Bar was important.

Mei Yi nodded slightly too.

**

The bar was dimly lit with swirling smoke.

People came and went. The sharp-eyed director noticed several people playing with guns in the corner.

His heart jolted and he quickly looked away.

Mei Yi and Yan Lu immediately spotted Bai Lian sitting at the bar.

When Mei Yi, the director and others arrived at Black Water Street, they had realized Bai Lian’s identity wasn’t ordinary, so seeing her sitting here wasn’t surprising.

“Miss Bai.” Yan Lu and others walked over to her.

The group sat in a row.

Bai Lian greeted them politely, still wearing the dress from earlier that evening. She sat lazily on the high stool, one hand carelessly propping up her chin while the other tapped the counter.

“How was it?” she asked Mei Yi and Yan Lu.

Mei Yi noticed the bartender bringing out a desk lamp for Bai Lian. He paused before answering, “The fight was exciting, and the auction house was grand.”

“Today’s cooking is moved to tomorrow,” Yan Lu thought about visiting Zhang Shize tomorrow morning, so moved cooking to noon, “Mei Yi and I will cook. Do you and Xiaohan want to come eat? I’ll have the cameramen try not to film you all.”

“That works, but I have something at noon.” Bai Lian casually picked up a pen and took out some papers to start doing homework.

The light fell on her profile, showing her serious concentration.

Mei Yi wore light casual clothes, looking very refined. After brief consideration, he said, “Then evening.”

“Okay.” Bai Lian didn’t calculate much, lowering her head to slowly write down a line.

The elusive Xiao Qi, seeing Yan Lu and others had finished talking with Bai Lian, finally came out to tell Bai Lian about tomorrow’s Chinese medicine matter.

The director and Mei Yi’s group didn’t disturb them, going out to book a booth and order drinks.

It was their first time seeing someone doing homework in a bar, even with a desk lamp – completely incongruous with the bar’s decadent atmosphere.

Close to 8 PM, Mei Yi’s group finally left Blue Water Street.

Reeking of smoke and alcohol.

“Director,” with the production team wrapped for the day, Mei Yi’s manager looked at Mei Yi and the director, unable to contain his curiosity, “What exactly was in there?”

“I can only say,” the director had been drinking, his face red as he pressed his brow, tone profound, “This time, our production team got really lucky, and so did you all!”

Mei Yi’s manager had anticipated this when he saw Sun Dan in the morning. He said softly, “After the show airs, Black Yang’s team…”

He clicked his tongue without finishing.

The director looked at the car ahead, muttering, “Yan Lu’s friend isn’t simple… But then again, even Principal Jian composed for her. We should have guessed – is Principal Jian someone who can just be invited by anyone?”

True enough. The manager sighed, then remembered something important, “Tomorrow we’re having dinner with Miss Bai’s friend?”

“Yes,” the director nodded. Bai Lian’s classmates were all from Xiangcheng, without as many highlights as Sun Dan and Black Water Street today. He instructed Mei Yi, “Don’t worry about the show’s effect. Today’s footage is enough for our editing. Tomorrow is mainly about treating them to dinner.”

**

The next day.

Xiangcheng Prison.

When Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli arrived, Zhang Shize had already been brought to a small room, wearing silver bracelets.

A year had passed, and he’d become much more composed and cultured.

Half a year of prison life had been busier than his previous dozen years combined.

Besides daily labor, he spent all his time studying, occasionally acting as the boss to resolve group conflicts.

The changes from half a year ago were visible.

But as soon as Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli arrived, his composed face immediately crumpled, drooping as he said, “Sister Lian, Brother Jiang, my vocabulary book is gone.”

Perhaps because Zhang Shize had beaten up the previous boss, his reputation in prison was fierce.

No one in prison had yet discovered he was actually an idiot.

Every time new inmates learned about this, they’d try to find a chance to beat him up and establish dominance to avoid future bullying. This happened every other day.

Last time it happened while he was showering. Zhang Shize had put his vocabulary book by the showerhead, studying while bathing.

There were no guards watching during showers. Just as Zhang Shize finished dressing, the other person started fighting him.

Though he won, his vocabulary book was ruined.

Bai Lian sat across from him, handing him a new vocabulary book, saying, “Lawyer Chi will be back next month.”

Zhang Shize looked up blankly. Jiang Fuli tossed him a new notebook, very disdainful: “Hurry up and memorize it.”

After two hours of tutoring, Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian left.

Behind them.

Zhang Shize watched their departing figures, then dragged his heavy steps back, slowly calculating – just half a year left.

**

After visiting Zhang Shize, Bai Lian didn’t go to the library.

Jiang Fuli drove to Xiangshan Avenue in the east. The mall along the avenue had finished construction and was recruiting tenants. He parked in front of an old Chinese medicine shop.

It was an old shop that had been transferred due to poor business. Jiang Fuli looked up at the four large characters on the shop –

Xuankang Pharmacy.

The four characters flowed smoothly in one breath, deeply carved. Between the strokes, one could seemingly see the writer’s unrestrained grace.

Just after 9 AM approaching 10, people kept coming to buy “Foundation Paste.”

The Tourism Bureau had listed “Foundation Paste” as a Xiangcheng specialty – cheap and good value. Visitors would take several bottles home. Some who had used it and knew its effectiveness specifically asked others to buy it.

A faint medicinal smell wafted out before even entering.

Inside the hall were several staff members, with a table on the left where an old Chinese medicine doctor sat.

When Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli entered, the entire dim hall seemed to brighten.

The hall manager hurried over. He didn’t dare look at the aloof man behind Bai Lian, only respectfully leading Bai Lian to the back, “Miss Bai.”

A middle-aged doctor named He, He Zhiwei, had already arrived.

Jiang Fuli looked around, then sat to the side, his wrist resting lightly on the armrest, features cold.

He casually picked up a teacup and leisurely poured himself tea, showing excellent manners. Though silent, his presence was imposing.

Doctor He discreetly observed Bai Lian – indeed young as described above.

Beside them, Jiang Fuli’s eyes glanced over coolly. Doctor He inexplicably felt pressured and his scalp tingled, not daring to look more at Bai Lian.

Bai Lian put her backpack aside, unhurriedly taking out her silver needles. Her eyes lowered slightly, “Weren’t there supposed to be two people? Where’s the other teacher?”

Doctor He’s voice faltered, “My junior brother had something come up, so only I came.”

What business? His junior brother just thought having a girl teach them acupuncture seemed like a joke, so he didn’t come.

Bai Lian nodded without asking further. She chatted with He Zhiwei.

The topic extended to acupuncture. Modern acupuncture differs from ancient times, so Bai Lian didn’t dare teach carelessly.

Jiang Fuli hadn’t stayed long when Jiang Xiju called. He ended the call with a solemn expression and excused himself to Bai Lian before leaving.

Returning to his residence.

Jiang He was staying with Ji Heng. Currently only Xiao Bingwen and Xu Nanjing were there. Xu Nanjing had returned late yesterday and had just woken up.

Seeing Jiang Fuli return alone, he stood up looking outside, “Why just you? Where’s little sister Bai Lian?”

“At the Chinese medicine shop in the east.” Jiang Fuli put down his coat, answering casually.

“Chinese medicine shop?” Xu Nanjing was surprised – was Bai Lian buying medicine? He hadn’t connected Bai Lian with Chinese medicine, but didn’t ask further.

**

Noon.

After getting He Zhiwei fairly familiar with modern acupuncture, Bai Lian finally got up and took her backpack.

He Zhiwei, initially skeptical of Bai Lian, was very enthusiastic after a morning’s chat, “Miss Bai, won’t you stay for lunch?”

It was mealtime.

Bai Lian looked down at her phone showing He Wen’s location, shaking her head, “No thanks.”

The east side tourist area of Xiangcheng had many restaurants.

The restaurant He Wen booked was on Peace Street. Bai Lian soon arrived at a small tavern.

“Sorry,” the staff saw Bai Lian, paused then spoke, “We’re full today. Perhaps come back tomorrow?”

“I have friends inside,” Bai Lian gave the table number He Wen sent, “Table 28.”

Inside the traditional-style tavern.

Table 28 was near a first-floor window. A wooden window propped open showed the slowly flowing small river outside and the arch bridge ahead.

He Wen rarely ate out. This was the most popular restaurant in Xiangcheng he found online. Wearing a blue hoodie and dark jeans, pale-skinned, he was looking down at his phone.

He went back to WeChat to check the message he sent Bai Lian.

Bai Lian hadn’t replied yet.

He opened the document again, leisurely reading through files.

Until a server’s voice came from above, “Miss, here’s table 28.”

Boss? He Wen perked up immediately. He stood up and looked over as the server made way, revealing the person behind.

It was a quite young woman.

She wore a cyan dress, a pair of dark almond eyes casually looking his way. The dark almond eyes reflected He Wen’s dumbfounded expression, her features lazy.

Some say academic papers are the best beauty treatment in academia.

He Wen was decent-looking, hot in academic circles. Compared to people like Director Huang who went bald in middle age, he was quite presentable.

So he couldn’t immediately connect this extraordinarily beautiful person with “Bai Lian.” He Wen only hesitantly said one word, “Boss?”

Bai Lian carelessly pulled out the chair opposite him, sat down, picked up the pre-poured red tea beside her, lowered her brow to take a sip, “Mm.”

Grandma? The server who had just walked two steps was startled.

Really grandma???

The Mountain Grandma?

The server couldn’t help turning back to look at the exquisitely beautiful young woman, drawing in a sharp breath – this couldn’t be right?

**

After Bai Lian and He Wen finished eating, it was still early.

She had just eaten a bit when she received Xu Nanjing’s call. On the phone, Xu Nanjing’s voice was casual: “Little sister Bai Lian, where are you? I’ll pick you up, Brother Jiang has something to do.”

She needed to go to the library to do homework in the afternoon, then to Yan Lu’s in the evening.

Bai Lian told Xu Nanjing the address.

“I saw the summary you sent, it’s a type of Riemann hypothesis,” He Wen ate slowly with Bai Lian. Unable to discuss the confidential lab work, he discussed academic questions with Bai Lian instead, “But it’s not quite rigorous…”

The nearby server, intrigued by the “grandma” comment, had come to refill tea several times trying to learn more.

They understood nothing of the conversation.

After eating, Bai Lian needed to wait by the road for Xu Nanjing.

He Wen walked her over. On the way he finally couldn’t help tilting his head to politely ask, “Boss, how old are you?”

When submitting the paper earlier, Jiang Fuli had filled in the second author’s information.

So He Wen didn’t know Bai Lian’s specific details, only assuming she was like him, from some lab and about his age.

Until now.

“Me?” Bai Lian stopped at an intersection following the landmarks, waiting for Xu Nanjing. Hearing the question, she glanced at He Wen, “High school senior.”

He Wen: “…”

After a while without hearing He Wen respond, Bai Lian slowly took out her bluetooth earphones, “What?”

What?

What kind of normal high school senior researches such difficult mathematical models with others? Even university genius He Wen couldn’t maintain composure. He looked up about to speak to Bai Lian.

“Screech!” —

The sound of tires scraping the road.

A silver convertible stopped beside them. In the driver’s seat, Xu Nanjing had one hand on the steering wheel as he removed his glasses with the other, smirking as he looked at Bai Lian, “Bai…”

Just then he saw the young man beside Bai Lian.