ATLAS TRANSLATES

At the Song residence, Mrs. Song was absentmindedly trimming flower branches with scissors while watching Song Min.

“Are you still worried about his grades?” Mr. Song laughed at his wife’s distraction. Song Min had never given them cause for concern about his academics. “Strange that the principal hasn’t called today.”

Mrs. Song remained silent as she continued trimming.

Song Min sat on the couch, slightly reclined as he clicked the magnifying glass icon on the website. His cold gaze focused on the results page.

After the page loaded, it displayed his scores and rankings. [Total Score: 686, Provincial Rank: 5, National Rank: 36]

700 points marked a critical threshold – below it, a single point could mean several ranking positions difference.

Especially between 400-500 points, with nearly a million students in the province, one point could mean tens of thousands of ranking positions.

While the national ranking was within Song Min’s estimates, the provincial rank made him stand up abruptly.

He remained silent for a long time. Mr. Song put down his phone and walked over. “What’s wrong? Didn’t do well? It’s okay, just a temporary setback…”

Mr. Song found it strange. Song Min always had access to the best educational resources through the Yin family. Resources that were hard to come by for other students in the northern city, like the recent Boyuan Base program.

Even if Song Min hadn’t performed well, Mr. Song didn’t think he could have done too poorly.

Until he looked down and saw the provincial fifth place ranking on Song Min’s phone.

“Your class had that many people in the national top thirty?” Mr. Song frowned, feeling something was off.

The Bai family also felt something wasn’t right.

Bai Shaoqi had estimated her scores and knew she would likely secure a spot at Jiangjing University. Recently she had been close to the Northern Music Association and the Jian family. Jian Rong was friends with Bai Shaoke, and she herself was a member of the Northern Music Association.

Knowing she was a good student from North City First High School, Principal Luo had hinted that when recommending members to the Jiangjing Music Association this year, they would prioritize recommending her.

Everything had been going smoothly for her on both fronts.

With Bai Shaoke working under Professor Jiang, the Bai clan was already preparing to celebrate at their ancestral hall.

They were all waiting for her return.

However…

“Provincial eighth?” When Bai Qiming heard Bai Shaoqi’s ranking, his smile froze as he narrowed his eyes at her. “How are you only provincial eighth?”

Bai Shaoqi had never ranked lower than fifth before.

The butler stood behind Bai Shaoqi. “Sir, although Miss ranked eighth provincially, her national ranking is still 201. With this ranking, she can enter a very good program at Jiangjing University.”

Half of Jiangjing’s students were special admissions from summer camps who didn’t need to take the entrance exam.

The other half were split between regular exam takers and international students.

Hearing the butler mention Bai Shaoqi’s national ranking, Bai Qiming’s smile returned and his tone softened considerably. “Shaoqi, is it true you can enter Jiangjing University?”

Though puzzled, Bai Shaoqi was confident about her ranking. “Yes, this ranking can get me into Jiangjing University, but popular majors will be difficult.”

Bai Qiming hadn’t expected Bai Shaoqi to achieve a prestigious provincial top spot like her brother anyway.

Having two top performers was rare. Her being able to enter Jiangjing University was already beyond Bai Qiming’s expectations.

“Getting into Jiangjing University is good enough,” Bai Qiming’s stern expression disappeared as he drummed his fingers on the table, clearly pleased. He turned to instruct the butler, “Go find reporters to publish this news, and ask if the clan leader is free the day after tomorrow.”

He had already booked the banquet hall at Jiahao. This was also a good opportunity to expand their connections.

When Bai Shaoke had achieved top provincial scores, he had arranged for many reporters to heavily promote it, causing Bai family stocks to surge. Although Bai Shaoqi’s results weren’t as impressive, having two children enter Jiangjing University was still worth celebrating.

Bai Qiming was in a good mood.

The butler smiled and acknowledged the instructions.

The next day in Xiangcheng.

The principal was cheerfully hanging red lanterns and banners at the school gate with the security guard.

Two rows of fireworks were arranged on either side of the gate.

“Move that a bit to the left, and up a little more…” The principal placed a firework in the middle, then turned to direct the security guard hanging banners.

A crowd of people, mostly students’ parents, had gathered at the school gate to share in the celebration.

Since two years ago, to shape students’ values, the Education Department had been against promoting top exam scorers, so the principal hadn’t invited reporters to publicize extensively.

At 8:08, the principal launched the fireworks right on schedule.

The fireworks exploded in the clear sky, making Xiangcheng First High School as lively as New Year’s.

The principal turned to look at several banners behind him—

[Congratulations to our student Bai Lian for achieving First Place Nationally in Science!] [Congratulations to our student Ning Xiao for achieving Sixth Place Nationally in Science!] [Congratulations to our students Yang Lin and Tang Ming…] […]

The sound was deafening.

Smoke filled the air.

The principal looked at the first banner as if in a dream. Since the scores were released yesterday, the principal’s office and admissions office phones had been ringing non-stop.

Major universities were all seeking Bai Lian’s information.

“Are we becoming a provincial key school this year?” Director Pan covered one ear, smiling as he spoke near the principal’s ear. He had received notice last night to prepare for an upgrade.

Not just a provincial key school. The principal turned his head and said into Director Pan’s ear, “You don’t know – the admissions office phones are completely overwhelmed.”

Even without promotion, they couldn’t hide that Xiangcheng First High had produced a national top scorer.

Some media had already jumped on the trending topic. Fortunately, they hadn’t exposed photos of the students, or the Education Department would have stepped in to control such trends.

The media was already promoting names like Bai Lian and Ning Xiao. Students who had left Xiangcheng wanted to transfer back.

Additionally, more students taking this year’s high school entrance exam would choose Xiangcheng High School.

Student quality was crucial – why else would top schools compete for top exam performers each year?

Today, Xiangcheng First High celebrated with everyone.

Xiangcheng Channel’s official reporters had gotten the first-hand news yesterday, conveying the school’s educational philosophy.

They asked the principal several official questions.

The principal straightened his clothes and answered cautiously: “The success of our other students is largely due to the study methods shared by Bai Lian and Ning Xiao…”

The national top scorer’s study methods?! The reporter’s eyes lit up: “Could we interview these students? I’m sure all students are curious about these high achievers!”

The principal paused.

He imagined how those students would respond to reporter interviews.

Bai Lian — [“Because the Wenzhong program doesn’t have my preferred major”] Ning Xiao — Better not, he’s so cold, he’d probably just say [“Oh”] Yang Lin — Who knows where she’s working, can’t even find her Tang Ming — [“Why did I only score 691?”]

Thinking about it, they might come across as too arrogant. To prevent giving the reporters heart attacks, the principal politely declined on behalf of the students, “The students aren’t available for interviews.”

In the crowd.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhang each grabbed two pieces of celebratory candy.

Mrs. Zhang looked at the familiar names on the banners and said wistfully: “Ah Ze should have graduated with them.”

“He’ll be out soon,” Mr. Zhang patted her shoulder. “This isn’t entirely bad for him.”

On the evening of the 27th.

Due to the intense attention, Bai Lian needed to leave early.

Before departing, the group gathered once more at the Zhang house.

Mrs. Zhang bought lots of food to celebrate their graduation and exam success. Chi Yundai was invited from the cake shop.

Being next to the school, he was among the first to learn about Bai Lian achieving national top scores.

Holding a cigarette, as soon as he arrived at the Zhang house, he couldn’t help but look at Bai Lian.

Unable to cook personally, he only asked Lu Xiaohan while Bai Lian was trimming flowers: “Miss Bai really got national top score?”

“Yes, what’s wrong? Chi Lu, you’ve asked several times now.” Lu Xiaohan looked at Chi Yundai puzzled.

In Lu Xiaohan’s eyes, Chi Yundai was an even more impressive lawyer than Zhao Jingzhou. She didn’t think Chi Yundai would be so shocked by Bai Lian’s national top score.

Chi Yundai pressed his lighter, blue flame curling around the cigarette. “Nothing.”

His gaze swept toward Bai Lian standing by the window. She had her head slightly lowered, methodically trimming flowers, her apricot eyes calm. To her, it seemed achieving national top scores mattered less than the flowers in her hands.

Lu Xiaohan wasn’t from Jiangjing and didn’t know what being national top scorer meant, but Chi Yundai knew—

If Bai Lian stayed on track, her achievements would certainly match He Wen’s. Her going to Jiangjing would surely cause a stir at that school.

The small courtyard at the Zhang house was cool and shady. Tang Ming was picking vegetables when he couldn’t help asking Wen Qi, “Bro, how did you all do so well on the Chinese exam?”

Beside them, Lu Xiaohan put down her camera and looked at him.

“Just did it normally.”

An excerpt from Lu Xiaohan’s college entrance exam essay “Graduation Photo”—

[It was an ordinary senior year. Lu Ma could finally relax, and no one was late again on Monday mornings after that.

The basketball court remained the same court, nothing had changed, except Beibei and the others never went to play basketball again.

This year’s graduation photos have been taken, marking the end of our senior year. His senior year will begin anew, so why dwell on a graduation photo with one empty space?]

Meanwhile in North City, the Bai residence was also very lively.

Guo Yueqing stood beside Bai Qiming, welcoming the Bai clan leader. This was her first formal appearance at the Bai household.

Tomorrow they would host guests at the Jiahao Hotel. Today Bai Qiming specially received members of the Bai clan early.

The clan leader discussed matters regarding the ancestral hall: “After dinner tomorrow we’ll go straight back to the clan. Everyone is waiting to add her to the clan records. When will Shaoke come back? I heard he’s entered the lab.”

Bai Shaoke was about to start his sophomore year. Entering the lab now meant his path to graduate studies and doctorate was basically secured.

This was a joyous occasion for the Bai clan.

Bai Qiming smiled, “His advisor recently left the lab due to some emergency, so he’s very busy and can’t return for now.”

The clan’s grand uncle patted the shoulder of the boy beside him: “Bai Han, your cousin Shaoqi and cousin Shaoke have both gotten into Jiangjing University. Your cousin Shaoke was provincial top scorer and will become a doctor – you should learn well from them, understand?”

The boy glanced at Bai Shaoqi and pouted, looking around: “I don’t want her, I want cousin Bai Lian.”

At the mention of Bai Lian, the atmosphere grew tense.

The clan leader remembered who Bai Lian was and smiled faintly without speaking.

The clan’s grand uncle glared at the boy for saying the wrong thing.

Bai Qiming’s brows furrowed.

Guo Yueqing stood before Bai Qiming in her qipao, observing others’ reactions and concealing her own emotions.

Just then, a servant came in from outside: “Sir, the principal is here.”

It was the principal of North City First High School.

Bai Qiming smiled, “Must be here to congratulate Shaoqi. Butler, go tell Shaoqi to come down, no more piano practice.”

As this was North City First High’s principal, the clan leader and Bai Qiming’s group all rose to receive the guest.

At the main entrance, beside the principal stood a middle-aged man in a striped shirt. He wore glasses and had a jacket draped over his arm, looking very official.

The man had an impressive bearing. As the Bai family members wondered who he was, they heard North City First High’s principal introduce him: “Mr. Bai, this is our city’s Education Bureau Director, Director Li.”

Education Bureau Director? The Bai family members were all quite surprised.

The clan leader looked at Bai Qiming with particular amazement, his expression clearly asking: how did you get to know the Director?

Bai Qiming was in business, and his connections weren’t particularly strong. They were just wealthy families that could be found through public records. Last year when Bai Shaoke was provincial top scorer, the Education Bureau had only issued an official notice.

How could he have invited the Director? Bai Qiming’s mind scattered. He could only quickly shake his head at the clan leader while hurrying to engage with Director Li.

However, before Bai Qiming could speak, Director Li smiled and raised his right hand.

He shook hands with Bai Qiming, slightly bowing his head as he introduced himself: “Mr. Bai, hello. I heard from the principal that you are student Bai Lian’s father, so I came specially to visit you. I hope you won’t find this presumptuous.”