ATLAS TRANSLATES

Bai Qiming knew that Song Min was exceptionally talented. Not only in academics but also in finance. Plus, with Song Min’s grandfather being from Jiangjing, he had access to different resources than those in the northern city from an early age.

He had told Bai Shaoqi more than once that she was unlucky this year to be in the same grade as Song Min.

The principal of North City First High naturally thought of Bai Lian. Since there were no joint exams anymore, they didn’t know Bai Lian’s exact scores. While Song Min had improved greatly, they weren’t sure about Bai Lian’s progress. “I hope our First High can once again claim the provincial top scholar title.”

Bai Qiming sensed there was more to what the principal and homeroom teacher were saying, but he didn’t think too much about it. As long as Bai Shaoqi could get into Jiangjing University, that was enough. After dinner, he saw them off and returned home to share the good news with the Bai family clan.

“I told you these siblings would do well,” said the clan’s grand uncle, who commanded great respect in the Bai family. “I’ll notify the villagers right away. Once the college entrance exam results are out, we’ll celebrate at the ancestral hall.”

The clan rarely opened the ancestral hall except during New Year. Last year, when Bai Shaoke became the provincial top scholar, they opened it for him, but only the side entrance. The main entrance wasn’t easily opened unless for major contributions.

This was the most exciting time for the Bai clan in recent years. Even Bai Qiming’s usually stern face couldn’t hide his pride as he spoke with the clan members. Nobody could resist bringing glory to their ancestors.

June 1st, Saturday.

Bai Lian was preparing for college entrance exams with Ning Xiao and others. First High didn’t have a holiday, so she didn’t visit Zhang Shize today. Jiang Fuli took Chi Yundai instead.

Without Bai Lian present, Zhang Shize was even more unapproachable. The two prison guards didn’t dare get close to him. Beside him, Chi Yundai automatically switched to his “I’ll send you to prison for ten years” face as soon as he entered.

After escorting them to the meeting room, the prison guards exchanged glances and sighed in relief.

Inside the room, Zhang Shize had been waiting. Seeing Jiang Fuli and Chi Yundai, he paused before standing up and muttering, “Brother Jiang, Teacher Chi.”

Chi Yundai tossed the keys to Zhang Shize, who lowered his head to unlock his handcuffs.

Chi Yundai glanced at him. “Quite skilled at that.”

Zhang Shize put down the handcuffs and flexed his hands before learning from Jiang Fuli for a while. Without Bai Lian present, Jiang Fuli had limited patience with him. Even He Wen would get scolded for making mistakes in front of Jiang Fuli. He sat across from Zhang Shize, his white shirt sleeves rolled up twice, his refined features frosted over. “So you want to get into the Political Science and Law University?”

Chi Yundai watched for a while from the side, his brow twitching. “Young Master Jiang, let me handle this.”

Jiang Fuli tugged at his collar and stood up coldly.

An hour later, Chi Yundai calmly asked: “Would you mind staying in prison for another ten years?”

Zhang Shize: “…”

Without Bai Lian here, even having Senior He Wen would be better. Why did these two living Hell Kings have to come today?

The long visitation finally ended. Zhang Shize would rather go back and serve another ten days. Before leaving, Jiang Fuli handed two items to Zhang Shize.

Zhang Shize took them and looked. He opened the red banner first. “What’s this?”

As he opened it, he quickly saw the words— [Taking photo with Zhang Shize (A Good Person)]

Zhang Shize: “…”

Then he looked at the other item, a photograph of Bai Lian and others posing with this banner. Looking at the photo, he suddenly realized, “It’s graduation time. They’ve all taken their graduation photos.”

He carefully put away the photo, as if he had participated in the graduation photo shoot from afar.

“Oh right, Brother Jiang.” Zhang Shize took out a letter and handed it to Jiang Fuli. “Please have Sister Lian give this to Mrs. Lu later.”

This was Zhang Shize’s letter to Lu Lingxi.

In the evening, at Ji Heng’s courtyard:

After Class 15’s graduation uniforms were finished, he had free time to work on his small crafts. Jiang He had been spending time with Ji Heng lately. Like Ji Heng, he didn’t talk much, different from other kids his age. He was smart and independent, just not talkative, and tended to be hard on himself. Strangely, he got along very well with Ji Heng. Usually one would draw while the other did embroidery, and that’s how they’d spend their days.

When Xu En arrived carrying gifts, the courtyard gate was open. He immediately saw Jiang He sitting at the stone table, leisurely painting with his brush.

Ji Heng looked up, surprised to see Xu En: “Why did you suddenly come back?”

He stood up.

Xu’s assistant followed behind Xu En, also carrying many items. “The CEO was worried about disturbing Miss Bai’s exam preparation, so he didn’t mention it beforehand.”

“I don’t plan to stay long, just came to see you and Ah Lian. Ah Lian has her college entrance exam, so I need to head back tomorrow,” Xu En put the gifts in the living room and noticed the TV, surprised. “You bought a TV?”

He thought Ji Heng didn’t like watching TV and hadn’t thought to buy one for them.

This time Xu En brought many gifts, including tobacco, clothes, and accessories for Bai Lian.

“Ah Lian bought it,” Ji Heng made two cups of tea and invited them to sit. After waiting a while with no one else arriving, he pondered: “Mu Lan hasn’t come back?”

Xu En arranged the gifts, “Xiangcheng is far, and the doctor said her pregnancy is unstable, so I didn’t let her come back.”

Ji Heng glanced at Xu En and lit his pipe. “You don’t need to make excuses for her.”

Ji Heng knew very well what Ji Mu Lan was thinking. Even if it wasn’t about the long journey, Ji Mu Lan hadn’t even called to ask about Bai Lian’s exam.

As long as she wasn’t forcing Bai Lian, Ji Heng didn’t want to get too involved in Ji Mu Lan’s affairs. He knew that now Ji Mu Lan only cared about her unborn child.

Ji Heng lowered his head and took a puff of smoke, his gaze heavy.

Bai Lian returned with Jiang Fuli. When they arrived, Xu En was talking with Ji Heng in the hall. Seeing them return, Xu En stood up and went outside to greet Bai Lian, his gaze lingering on Jiang Fuli.

Jiang Fuli wore a white shirt today, the light softening his sharp edges. But those light-colored eyes still gave people a sense of pressure when they looked over.

Xu En secretly wondered who this Mr. Jiang was. Jiang, surname Jiang…

Xu En only thought about it briefly before shifting his attention. He took out a golden “Success in the Imperial Examination” pendant and gave it to Bai Lian. “Your college entrance exam is in a few days. This is an early wish for your success.”

This pendant was custom-made at a gold shop. Both Xu Zhiyue and Bai Lian had one.

Beside them, Xu’s assistant also offered auspicious words, “Miss Zhiyue said that with Miss Bai’s excellent math skills, she’ll definitely succeed.”

“Thank you,” Bai Lian lowered her eyes and accepted the pendant.

In Jiangjing, at the Xu family’s old residence:

Xu Zhiyue was still at school. Only Old Mrs. Xu and Ji Mu Lan were having dinner at home.

“I’ll see Zhiyue off on exam day,” Old Mrs. Xu held chopsticks in her right hand while rotating prayer beads in her left. “Wen Yao, you’re busy at school, no need to rush back specially.”

Xu Wen Yao nodded.

With the college entrance exam approaching, Old Mrs. Xu was also anxious. After a few bites of food, she remembered something else. “Where’s your father?”

“He went back to Xiangcheng,” Xu Wen Yao spoke. “Sister Ah Lian also has her college entrance exam, so he went back to visit them.”

Old Mrs. Xu knew about Bai Lian’s exam, but hadn’t expected Xu En to make a special trip back. She glanced at Ji Mu Lan across the table – even the girl’s own mother hadn’t gone back, yet he rushed to go.

Old Mrs. Xu didn’t say anything more.

After dinner, the old lady still went to the ancestral hall behind to offer incense to Buddha, praying for Xu Zhiyue’s grades.

“Madam,” Manager Xu stood beside her, respectfully reporting, “According to news, Miss Qi seems to have met that Third Young Master Xu.”

Third Young Master Xu was a prominent figure in the Xu family’s ancestral hall. Both Xu Jin and Xu Jinyi were overshadowed by Third Young Master Xu. Many said the next clan leader of the Xu family should skip a generation and go directly to Third Young Master.

“Are you sure?” Old Mrs. Xu’s eyes suddenly opened wide, showing a sharp light in her cloudy eyes.

She didn’t have the status to meet Third Young Master’s group, but that didn’t stop her from keeping track of their news.

Manager Xu answered: “Almost certainly.”

Old Mrs. Xu hung the prayer beads on her hand and pressed her palms together. “I’ll visit the Qi family in a few days.”

June 4th.

After finishing the day’s lessons, Ji Shao Jun told Manager Lou and others that he wanted to return to Xiangcheng, and early tomorrow morning at that.

“The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up,” Manager Lou looked at Ji Shao Jun, disapproving of his return. “I was planning to take you to see the master. Why are you going back to Xiangcheng now?”

Ji Shao Jun poured himself a cup of tea, not hiding anything from Manager Lou. He spoke unhurriedly: “Going back to see my father and Ah Lian.”

“You can see people anytime,” Manager Lou put down his teacup, his fingers full of wrinkles. “The master specially made time to see you this time.”

“Manager Lou,” beside them, Shen Qing explained, “It’s different. Ah Lian has her college entrance exam. Shao Jun and I are going back to see her off.”

College entrance exam?

Manager Lou paused, remembering Bai Lian was indeed taking the exam this year.

And seeing her off…

He knew about Bai Lian, living with Ji Heng and attending Xiangcheng First High.

Manager Lou’s expression turned serious as he wondered: “I know you care about her, but it’s just a college entrance exam. Is it worth going back to see her off?”

He knew Shen Qing and Ji Shao Jun had always cared about Bai Lian, but now they seemed to be taking her college entrance exam too seriously. He could understand paying extra attention, but there was no need to travel so far back to Xiangcheng for this, right?

Shen Qing and Ji Shao Jun were acting as if she was going to be the top scholar.