When news of the national exam champion appearing in a small city on the outskirts of Beicheng reached the education bureau, congratulatory calls started pouring in despite media restraint.
This was unprecedented – not just for Xiangcheng but for Beicheng as well. Among the four major cities, Xicheng’s education system was notably better than Beicheng’s, yet now Beicheng stood above even Jiangjing.
Early this morning, Director Li received notice from Jiangjing’s Education Bureau about increased education funding.
Both Beicheng and Xiangcheng’s Education Bureaus would be promoted, with Director Li transferring to Jiangjing.
These were the results brought by having the national exam champion.
Director Li immediately looked up information about the champion student, but even as the Education Bureau director, he couldn’t find any details about this Bai Lian.
Her records were completely blank except for her attendance at Xiangcheng First High School. Her information was sealed off, which wasn’t surprising – special talents were always carefully protected. This made Director Li even more convinced of her exceptional nature.
Just as Director Li was preparing to visit Xiangcheng First High School to discuss this dark horse with the Beicheng principal, he learned she was originally from Beicheng.
Her father was still in Beicheng.
They rushed over immediately.
Director Li was polite, but Bai Qiming listened in confusion. “…Bai Lian?”
The Bai clan leader was also surprised – he knew Bai Lian was Bai Qiming’s daughter who had been removed from the family registry.
The butler had already served tea to Director Li and the principal.
“Yes, Student Bai Lian achieved the top national exam score. Jiangjing University is taking great interest,” Director Li sat on the sofa, his coat draped over his arm as he smiled at Bai Qiming. “I expect Jiangjing’s admissions office representatives will arrive soon. Will Bai Lian be returning to Beicheng?”
The exam results had only come out two days ago. News was spreading like wildfire between Xiangcheng and various universities, but Director Li didn’t know the university chancellor had gone personally, thinking only the admissions office would go.
Bai Qiming had been focused on planning Bai Shaoqi’s admission to Jiangjing University, paying no attention to other matters.
He was always behind on this kind of information and hadn’t paid attention to others – as long as Bai Shaoqi did well, that was enough. The Song family hadn’t contacted him, so he had assumed Song Min was the top scorer without looking into it further.
As for Bai Lian…
If no one had mentioned her today, he would have forgotten she was taking the exam this year too.
“You’re saying she’s the provincial champion?” Bai Qiming’s hand unconsciously gripped the armrest as he looked up, his dark pupils trembling violently. “My daughter Bai Lian?”
Beside him, the Bai clan leader also set down his teacup with a clatter when he heard “provincial champion.”
He stared blankly.
Sitting next to Bai Qiming, the elegant Guo Yueqing maintained her gentle smile.
But her slightly pale fingers betrayed her true feelings.
The Beicheng principal had known they had bet wrong when he first heard Xiangcheng First High’s national champion was named Bai Lian. “Mr. Bai, Bai Lian isn’t the provincial champion – she’s the national champion.”
“National champion?” The normally composed Bai clan leader shot to his feet, shocked beyond words. “Are you sure it’s Bai Lian, from our Bai family?”
This reaction…
Director Li was puzzled. He set down his teacup, feeling things weren’t quite as he had imagined. “You… didn’t know yet?”
Seeing Bai Qiming sitting there looking both shocked and lost, Director Li sensed something was off and stood to leave.
The Beicheng principal didn’t know Bai Lian had cut ties with the Bai family.
He had come today for Bai Lian’s sake, since she was part of the Bai family. He didn’t want to make an enemy of her because of Bai Shaoke. Now sensing something was wrong, he anxiously left with Director Li.
After they left, the Bai family hall remained silent.
Even the usually smooth butler stood frozen with his tray.
Upstairs, Bai Shaoqi came down in changed clothes, her expression slightly surprised. “Dad, Clan Leader, what’s wrong with you all?”
This question was like a stone dropped into still water. The clan leader clutched his chest and looked at Bai Qiming. “Qiming, take me to Xiangcheng to find her. We must get her to return to our Bai family and acknowledge her ancestors!”
Back when Bai Shaoke was provincial champion, the Bai family had overlooked his illegitimate status and persistently courted him.
Now with Bai Lian as national champion, even the clan leader was willing to humble himself and go to Xiangcheng personally to invite Bai Lian back.
The Bai family had never produced a national champion before.
Of course, the Bai family only knew Bai Lian was the national exam champion – they didn’t realize just how significant this achievement was.
Even so, it was enough to make them rush to Xiangcheng overnight. As for tomorrow’s celebration banquet?
They couldn’t care less about that now.
**
The 28th, early morning.
At an airport near the vast grasslands by the border.
The plane’s wheels rolled along the cement runway, wings sweeping past on both sides before gradually coming to a stop.
Airport staff efficiently set up the stairs for passengers to disembark.
Bai Lian stepped onto the carpet, looking up slightly – this was her first time here.
At the bottom of the stairs, someone in traditional ethnic clothing respectfully handed over a booklet when they saw the two come down. “Young Master Jiang, this is the itinerary we’ve arranged for you.”
Jiang Fuli, holding a document in his right hand, switched it to his other hand to take the booklet.
“Take a look, where should we go first?” His eyes lowered casually as he glanced at it before carelessly handing the booklet to Bai Lian.
The person in ethnic dress carefully raised their head.
Their gaze fell on the young woman standing nearby. She wore a long dress, its hem floating slightly against the blue sky behind her, the cyan patterns on the skirt perfectly refined, showing exquisite craftsmanship.
Bai Lian’s eyes scanned the booklet, which had several routes planned.
The Tibetan King’s Tomb…
Her slender finger stopped at the last route, and she paused briefly: “Here.”
Jiang Fuli handed the booklet back, “We’ll go there.”
They clearly weren’t typical tourists.
After they left, someone looked at the route Bai Lian had pointed to and exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this area sealed off and closed to outside visitors?”
“Sealed off?” The middle-aged man in ethnic dress looked up and said quietly: “That depends on who’s asking.”
The young person scratched their head.
Not understanding.
The middle-aged man held the booklet and skillfully dialed a number with his other hand, “For their family? Even our boss doesn’t know which direction their mansion’s main gate faces.”
**
Summer vacation hadn’t officially started yet.
There weren’t many tourists here.
Bai Lian held a bottle of water, standing at the foot of a hill.
The tomb keeper beside them explained to Jiang Fuli, “Going up this mountain path leads to the Tibetan King’s Tomb.”
“You still have tomb keepers now?” Jiang Fuli looked toward the burial ground he mentioned.
The old man had white hair, “I’m probably the last generation.”
He led the way in front, walking onto a path marked “No Entry”. “We rarely let people come disturb them now, occasionally journalists come to interview… Look, it’s right ahead.”
Bai Lian quietly followed behind the old man.
Following his gaze, she saw an ancient-looking burial ground.
The name was still visible on the entrance.
“Princess Huai’an isn’t here?” Bai Lian looked at the name repeatedly, her fingertip tapping the mineral water bottle absently.
“Princess Huai’an?” The old man was startled, then remembered this person and casually pointed to the neighboring hill, “She wasn’t qualified to be buried here, should be on that hillock…”
Before he could finish speaking, Bai Lian was already walking in that direction.
The old man was surprised. He hesitated before catching up, speaking to Jiang Fuli, “Young Master Jiang, that’s not part of the scenic area, it hasn’t been maintained, the path isn’t good…”
“It’s fine,” Jiang Fuli stopped halfway up the hill, looking at the time on his watch, unperturbed: “Let her take a look.”
The old man didn’t dare say anything more.
**
On the mountain.
The hillock was very roughly built.
Bai Lian tried to make out the characters, taking some time before finding the words “Princess Huai’an” on the unmaintained tombstone.
She stood before the grave, looked at the surroundings, then casually sat down.
Wearing plain clothes, Bai Lian reached out to wipe the yellow dirt off the tombstone, then took out her phone to take a photo.
After taking the picture, her index finger absently tapped her phone.
By coincidence, her phone rang – it was Lu Xiaohan.
“Sister Lian, are you out?” In the video, Lu Xiaohan had crowds behind her and held a camera. “Is that… the grasslands?”
“Yes,” Bai Lian rested her elbow on her knee, speaking lazily: “Are you fleeing?”
“Ah, it’s fine that these universities are looking for you and the study god, but I don’t know why they’re looking for me,” Lu Xiaohan said helplessly as she carried her camera. “When are you going to Jiangjing?”
Lu Xiaohan’s scores weren’t high enough for Jiangjing University.
But they were enough for the Media University.
She planned to check out the Media University first.
Hearing this, Bai Lian raised an eyebrow, youthful confidence showing in her expression, “Today.”
“So rushed?” Lu Xiaohan calculated the time, “Then I’ll have to wait two more days. My parents want to take me home to pay respects to our ancestors, oh, and they want to pay respects to your grandfather. Tell your grandfather to be prepared – from what I know, Study God’s uncle is also going to visit your grandfather. I won’t even mention the others from Class 15, they all know where your home is.”
Everyone knew who was behind Ning Xiao and the others achieving such scores.
Class 15 knew too.
Bai Lian switched hands holding the phone: “…That’s too much, tell them not to come.”
Lu Xiaohan looked steadily at the camera: “I haven’t finished yet – the principal and others also want to visit your grandfather, along with people from Xiangcheng’s Education Bureau.”
Bai Lian: “…”
She hung up the phone, silently apologizing to Ji Heng in her heart.
After hanging up, Bai Lian saw the tombstone photo on her phone.
The unmaintained tomb was old and dilapidated. She sighed and murmured: “This won’t do, Third Princess. How can I show this to my brother looking like this?”
A few steps away.
Jiang Fuli hadn’t come closer.
He stood by the path taking a phone call, with a woman’s voice on the other end: “I heard you’re returning to Jiangjing?”
“Mm, going back tonight.” He stood in the sunlight, his profile cold as he watched Bai Lian’s direction, his tone casual.
Bai Lian was still sitting by the tombstone, wearing loose plain clothes that made her look very thin. In the light, her whole person was wrapped in a layer of radiance.
Sitting there casually now, her features beautiful, she looked just like a frustrated cat that couldn’t find its way.
“I thought you were going to stay in Xiangcheng for five or six years.” The voice on the other end was surprised.
“That was the original plan,” Jiang Fuli saw Bai Lian stand up and withdrew his gaze, speaking unhurriedly: “Aunt, if there’s nothing else I’m hanging up.”
**
Jiangjing.
Ji Shaojun’s residence.
After finishing a day of lessons, he looked at the estate manager, hesitating to speak.
The manager held his cane and looked up, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Ah Lian arrives in Jiangjing this afternoon,” Ji Shaojun paused slightly, “I’d like to have her over for a meal.”
Bai Lian had done very well on the college entrance exam. Originally Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing were going to return to Xiangcheng, but unexpectedly Bai Lian came directly to Jiangjing after the exam. Though confused, they decided not to travel back and forth.
Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun wanted to cook personally, but since this was the residence arranged for Ji Shaojun by the Mu family, they needed to ask the estate manager first.
Bai Lian?
The manager was startled, remembering that Ji Shaojun had returned to Xiangcheng recently for Bai Lian’s exam: “She’s coming to Jiangjing so early?”
“Yes, Ah Lian she…” Shen Qing had just started to speak.
The manager nodded, interrupting her words, “Just her alone?”
“Not just her,” Ji Shaojun thought for a moment, “Young Jiang should be coming too.”
The manager stood up with his cane, nodding, “Even if you’re hosting her, don’t forget your studies.”
**
Bai Lian hadn’t told others about coming to Jiangjing – she’d been afraid of receiving calls lately. Director Jian and Academician Ma still didn’t know.
But Ji Heng had already notified Ji Shaojun and Xu En, since he couldn’t accompany Bai Lian to Jiangjing this time and was worried.
The Xu residence.
Old Madam Xu was preparing to host guests – although Xu Zhiyue hadn’t gotten second place nationally, third place was still good.
The location was set at the Xu family’s old residence.
Old Madam Xu still held prayer beads in her left hand as she spoke to the butler, “Has the news about Zhiyue getting third place been sent to the main family?”
In such a large family clan as the Xu family, there were countless younger generations – who would pay attention to one year’s college entrance exam?
If they didn’t specifically relay the news, the Xu family wouldn’t know about it at all.
“Don’t worry,” the butler nodded, “It’s been transmitted to the clan members. Several people have explicitly said they’ll come.”
Old Madam Xu turned the dark prayer beads and looked at Xu En, smiling, “Bai Lian and the others have arrived in Jiangjing, right? Invite them over too. Take a few days off work, don’t always be busy with business. Monthly’s achievement is a great joy for the Xu family.”
“Oh right,” Old Madam Xu remembered Bai Lian and looked at Xu En and Ji Mulan, “How did Bai Lian do on her exam this year? Does she have a chance to get into Jiangjing University?”
Ji Mulan’s expression froze – she didn’t know.
Xu En picked up his teacup, “She did very well.”
Xu Zhiyue had done very well, but when Xu En called Ji Heng he hadn’t specifically mentioned Xu Zhiyue’s score.
It would have been too showy to tell Ji Heng that Xu Zhiyue got third place nationally, so Xu En had only said Xu Zhiyue did quite well.
And Ji Heng had only said Bai Lian did very well.
Both were polite and hadn’t bragged excessively.
Ji Mulan stood up – no matter how well she did, it couldn’t compare to Xu Zhiyue.
Ji Mulan planned to go outside for some air.
Just as she reached the door, her phone rang – it was a number from Beicheng. She paused and answered.
“Mulan,” it was an elderly voice on the other end, “I’m the Bai family clan leader, you should have met me before.”
“Clan Leader Bai?” Ji Mulan walked to a flowering bush. She held her phone in one hand while stroking her belly with the other, eyes narrowing as she spoke in a less than friendly tone, “What do you want?”
The other side wasn’t surprised by her attitude and spoke somewhat pleadingly, “Mulan, it’s like this – do you know where Ah Lian is staying? We’ve come to Xiangcheng but her phone isn’t connecting and we can’t find her. She still has our Bai family blood flowing in her veins. We hope you can tell her that if she’s willing to return to the Bai family, the ancestral hall’s central doors will welcome her. Whatever demands she has, our entire Bai clan will agree to them.”
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