ATLAS TRANSLATES

Ji Mulan’s relationship with the Bai family wasn’t good.

When news about Bai Shaoqing came out, the Bai family didn’t care that Ji Mulan personally went to invite him back. She had always been proud, yet she faced setbacks in both marriage and children.

This weighed heavily on her mind.

And now with the Bai family’s attitude…

Ji Mulan thought about the college entrance exam. She knew Bai Lian might have done better than expected, but surely not well enough for the Bai clan leader to call?

“Ah Lian?” Ji Mulan’s hand stopped, maintaining her composure: “Why are you looking for her?”

She knew Bai Lian had transferred her household registration under Ji Heng’s name, but didn’t know Bai Lian had been removed from the family genealogy.

“Back then with Shaoqing’s matter, Qiming and others acted inappropriately. It was fate’s doing, but now you’ve married into a good family, turning misfortune into blessing,” the Bai clan leader gently persuaded. “I know the Xu family is prominent, but Bai Lian still carries the Bai surname, flowing with our Bai family blood…”

The Bai clan traditionally favored sons over daughters. When Bai Lian was born, if not for Ji Mulan’s support, she wouldn’t have even made it into the family genealogy.

Now for her sake, the Bai clan leader had learned to be subservient.

“She won’t take pride in your Bai family blood,” Ji Mulan sneered. “When you drove her out, I didn’t see any of you going to Xiangcheng to find her. What’s different now? Suddenly remembering she’s part of the Bai family? Forget it. She doesn’t even want to join the Xu family, let alone return to the Bai family.”

How shameless.

She didn’t wait for a response, hanging up and blocking the number.

Then staring at the screen, she picked up her phone to call Ji Heng.

They rarely talked much. When Ji Heng received the call, he remained silent. After Ji Mulan came to Jiangjing, she grew increasingly distant from Ji Heng and Bai Lian.

With new hopes, thoughts of Bai Lian had diminished.

She didn’t say much, only warning Ji Heng that the Bai family would come looking. After a pause, she asked, “Her… what was her college entrance exam score? Why are the Bai family looking for her?”

Even opening their ancestral gates to welcome her?

“Her?” On the other end, Ji Heng’s voice was casual, “She’s the national top scorer.”

“What?” Ji Mulan’s fingers froze, her eyes growing wide. Even Xu Zhiyue only scored 725.

“National top scorer. Look up Xiangcheng news.” On the other end, Ji Heng heard someone knocking at his door, so he briefly told Ji Mulan before hanging up.

Ji Mulan stood there stunned.

Inside the house, the Xu family butler cheerfully called Ji Mulan in for dinner.

Ji Mulan entered in a daze.

Old Madam Xu glanced at her but paid no mind, continuing to look at the list.

She pointed at a name with her prayer beads, turning her head to instruct, “Make sure to invite the Qi family, especially Shuqiong.”

The butler nodded, “Rest assured.”

Xu En had just washed his hands and came out, seeing Ji Mulan’s unusual state, “What’s wrong?”

“I…” Ji Mulan sat down holding her teacup, looked up, voice dazed, “Dad said Ah Lian is the national top scorer, full… full marks…”

Across from her, Old Madam Xu, who had been pointing at the list, suddenly looked up.

** Xiangcheng.

Ji Heng hung up the phone and went to open the door.

Three people stood outside. Ji Heng recognized Bai Lian’s homeroom teacher Lu Lingxi, puzzled: “Teacher Lu, this is…?”

His gaze turned to the two people beside Lu Lingxi.

The person on the left wore a dark gray coat with a crew cut, had sharp features, and kept one hand behind his back, carrying an imposing presence.

Lu Lingxi’s expression was serious as she slightly turned to introduce him to Ji Heng, “This is Principal Shi, he’s the president of Jiangjing University.”

Many people wanted to inquire about Bai Lian.

Lu Lingxi didn’t know why these people hadn’t found Bai Lian’s home address, but she hadn’t disclosed it either.

However, the Jiangjing University president was different. Lu Lingxi knew Bai Lian wanted to attend Jiangjing University.

Those classmates visiting in the afternoon was one thing, but now seeing even Jiangjing University’s president coming, Ji Heng: “…”

He began to seriously consider whether Bai Lian’s claim about high school pressure and wanting to relax after exams was just an excuse.

“You’re saying Bai Lian went out?” Shi Yu heard the news about Bai Lian and anxiously stood up, “Where did she go?”

Was she arranged to go traveling by other schools?

Ji Heng made tea for everyone, “She should be arriving in Jiangjing now.”

After traveling all the way to Xiangcheng only to learn Bai Lian went to Jiangjing, Shi Yu let out a long breath. He took out his phone to send a message, immediately arranging the nearest transportation to Jiangjing.

Shi Yu put his phone back in his pocket and lowered his head to drink the tea Ji Heng had made.

The tea was clear with a lingering aftertaste.

Exquisite.

After finishing, he looked at the courtyard’s arrangement, then back at the tea, feeling something was off. But being focused on student Bai, he didn’t think much of it: “Mr. Ji, could you give me Bai’s contact information? I’d like to discuss her professional development direction in detail.”

** Meanwhile.

A car from Beicheng stopped at Xiangcheng First High School’s gate. Bai Qiming got out from the back seat.

This was his first time in Xiangcheng.

His gaze fell on Xiangcheng First High’s unremarkable entrance. At first glance, the teaching buildings and library inside weren’t impressive either. The outer wall showed signs of age. His eyes moved to the banner above the main entrance—

[Congratulations to our school’s student Bai Lian for achieving first place in the national college entrance exam science track!]

The Bai clan leader got out from the front, asking the school security guard about Bai Lian.

Many people had come to Xiangcheng First High these days, some even taking photos with the school.

The guard looked at Bai Qiming and others, smiling, “You can ask Teacher Lu, she’s Bai’s homeroom teacher, but you probably won’t find her now. You can come early tomorrow to wait for her.”

“Where did she go?” Bai Qiming withdrew his gaze, frowning.

The Bai clan leader passed over a thick red envelope.

“I’ll only tell you this,” the guard put a hand by his face, lowering his head mysteriously, “She took Jiangjing University’s president to student Bai’s home.”

“Jiangjing University’s president?”

“Yes.” The guard stopped there, refusing to tell the Bai family anything else.

The Bai clan leader walked heavily back to the car, trying to call Ji Mulan again but couldn’t get through, “Bai Qiming, look at what you’ve done!”

If at first being hung up on by Ji Mulan and blocked by Bai Lian made the Bai clan leader somewhat angry—

He’d never been so disregarded as the clan leader before. When other Bai family members went to invite Bai Shaoqing back then, Guo Yueqing had been very polite to them.

But now… hearing that Jiangjing University’s president personally came to find Bai Lian, the Bai clan leader only felt regret.

National top scorer, Jiangjing University’s president personally coming to Xiangcheng.

Such talent might not appear in the Bai family for another hundred years. He had already realized this.

Bai Qiming got back in the car, turning his head to look at the Bai clan leader, dejected: “What’s the use of saying this now? Let’s wait and see. Her character isn’t good. Shaoqing works so hard at school, his future achievements might not be worse than hers. How many people have you seen enter labs in their second semester? He’s about to attend the Boyuan Summer Camp. At this time… you decide what to do.”

Continue pursuing Bai Lian, and Bai Shaoqing would surely be disheartened.

He was also hard-won by the Bai family, another choice to make.

The Bai clan leader looked up, saying nothing.

“Only top students domestically and internationally can attend Jiangjing University’s summer camp. It’s useful for recommended graduate admission and direct PhD admission, possibly entering key labs in the future.” Bai Qiming lowered his voice, “You know about Shaoqi’s guzheng, and Shaoqing has good relations with the Jian family.”

** Jiangjing Airport.

Jiang Fuli and Bai Lian got off the plane.

Ming Dongxing had taken their luggage to Jiangjing ahead of time. Jiang Fuli traveled light, and Bai Lian only carried a black bag.

Ming Dongxing had arrived early and was waiting at the airport. Jiang He leaned against the business car’s window watching them.

Jiang Fuli fell several steps behind Bai Lian.

Ming Dongxing sat in the driver’s seat, looking back, “Where are we going?”

Just as Jiang Fuli was about to speak, Bai Lian gave an address.

Ming Dongxing searched it—an apartment complex very close to Jiangjing University.

Xiao Qi and Xue Chun had been in Jiangjing for several months, they had arranged the place.

Her phone rang with a WeChat notification. Bai Lian looked down to see Ji Heng had recommended a contact card to her. She quickly messaged Ji Heng that she’d arrived in Jiangjing before adding the person.

Shanhai Apartments was next to Jiangjing Avenue on Siyang Road, just two stops from Jiangjing University, not far at all.

A two-bedroom layout.

The living room was small, and Xue Chun had designed one bedroom as a study for Bai Lian.

Everything was complete, ready for immediate move-in.

Jiang Fuli gently placed her guqin to the side, then walked around the entire apartment. His face showed no other expression, only casually commenting: “Small.”

Bai Lian ignored him, just handed him her suitcase, telling him to arrange her books in the study.

Ming Dongxing was moving the sofa to a suitable position, seeing Jiang Fuli’s tall, cold, and somehow gloomy figure.

He lowered his head, not daring to say anything.

Jiang He sprawled on Bai Lian’s sofa, hugging her small cabbage pillow, eyes bright.

Jiang Fuli was in the study, methodically arranging the bookshelf.

Most of the books Bai Lian brought were recommended by Academician Ma, along with thick stacks of printed papers. The bookshelf was on the left when entering, with a small desk on the right.

Jiang Fuli arranged the books, his light phoenix eyes looking at the apartments on both sides, slender fingertips tapping on the black book cover.

He seemed lost in thought.

Taking out his phone, he deliberately sent a message to Jiang Xiqu.

** Sixing Club.

It was still Xiao Bingwen’s gathering.

In the private room, Xiao Bingwen looked at Qi Shuqiong beside Liu Shuhe, “Your sister ranked third in this year’s college entrance exam?”

Qi Shuqiong instinctively softened her movements. Their Qi family was at most scholarly, and Xu En’s family were just wealthy merchants, quite different from these noble circles, “Yes, Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Bingwen was surprised, “Then she’s very impressive. This year’s college entrance exam was quite frightening.”

Even Liang Wuyu was surpassed, drawing much attention.

Xiao Bingwen had participated in the betting pool and knew about this, but strangely, he couldn’t find specific information about this person.

Xu Nanjing sat beside Xiao Bingwen, lowering his head to swirl his wine glass.

The dim light fell on his face as he casually scrolled through his phone, soon finding a friend’s Moments post—

One Bowl: [[Image]]

A screenshot of her chat with Bai Lian, one in Xiangcheng, one in Jiangjing.

Xu Nanjing paused, commenting: [Bowl sister, is little sister Ah Lian in Jiangjing?]

He only added two of Bai Lian’s classmates, Ning Xiao and Lu Xiaohan. Bowl sister was a nickname Wen Qi gave Lu Xiaohan, though Xu Nanjing didn’t know why someone named Lu Xiaohan would have the nickname “Bowl sister.”

A minute later, One Bowl replied: [1]

Everyone had learned the “1” technique.

Xu Nanjing stood up, picking up his keys from the side. Without looking back, he told Xiao Bingwen: “Little sister Ah Lian seems to be in Jiangjing, I’ll go find her.”

“She arrived so early?” Xiao Bingwen was surprised, standing to see Xu Nanjing off.

Everyone sitting rose as well.

“Shuhe, who was Third Young Master talking about?” Someone asked Liu Shuhe, who was familiar with Xiao Bingwen. They hadn’t caught the name but could tell from Xu Nanjing’s attitude that this person was significant.

“Don’t know,” Liu Shuhe observed Xiao Bingwen and Xu Nanjing’s attitudes, thinking briefly, “But Third Young Master… doesn’t even show this attitude toward the Second Young Lady.”

“Second Young Lady?” Qi Shuqiong wasn’t familiar with their circle.

She only knew of Yu Hongyi.

Liu Shuhe glanced down at her, then explained quietly, “In our circle, only the Xu family’s lady can be called Second Young Lady, Miss Jinyi. Just don’t offend her and you’ll be fine.”

The Xu family had recently risen with favorable winds. Though Xu Jinyi was Xu Jueming’s daughter, everyone knew that Xu Jueying’s wife Gao Yan had no daughters and treated Xu Jinyi as her own.

And Gao Yan…

She was the best friend of that Jiang family young madam, her position in the Jiang family incomparable to others.

Thus, Xu Jinyi held considerable influence among Jiangjing’s young masters and ladies.

Everyone addressed her as “Second Young Lady.”

Mentioning the Xu family, Qi Shuqiong roughly understood which “Xu” it was.

Qi Shuqiong watched the direction Xu Nanjing left, finally confirming this was Old Madam Xu’s target, the Jiangjing Xu family.

** Shanhai Apartments.

When Old Madam Xu and Xu En arrived, Bai Lian had just come downstairs.

The old madam turned her prayer beads, looking at the neighborhood’s environment, scolding Xu En, “The environment here is so poor, how could you let her live here?”

Knowing Bai Lian had arrived, the old madam couldn’t sit still and had Xu En bring her to find her.

Ji Mulan followed behind Xu En, looking at Bai Lian, somewhat dazed.

Bai Lian wore simple clothes, her black hair lightly pulled back, a strand of hair against her snow-white face. Under the street lights, her skin was like ice and jade, almost nothing like Ji Mulan remembered.

“Ah Lian has her own ideas,” Xu En glanced at the old madam, telling Bai Lian, “You arranged with Wenyao to see Jiangjing University, right?”

Bai Lian nodded, greeting Xu En but not looking at Ji Mulan. As for Jiang Fuli, she had left him to tidy up the room.

Old Madam Xu glanced at Bai Lian – going to see Jiangjing University?

That made sense. People who came to Jiangjing typically liked to see the school first.

Old Madam Xu wasn’t surprised. Bai Lian was from Xiangcheng, so being excited about getting into Jiangjing University was natural.

Close to eight o’clock.

Jiangjing University had heavy foot traffic. At this time, many college entrance exam students were taking photos at the entrance. Xu Wenyao was waiting at the school gate and raised his hand when he saw Bai Lian’s group from afar.

“Sister Ah Lian,” seeing Bai Lian, Xu Wenyao also felt dazed. He had just learned that Bai Lian was this year’s national top scorer. “Let me take you to the celebrity statue plaza first.”

As someone from the school, he just needed to register to bring in family members.

Walking past the main path, they saw the statues in Jiangjing University’s plaza – two rows, dozens of people in total.

From a hundred meters away, Bai Lian could already see the bronze statue at the front.

In the twilight, you could see the bronze statue had been well maintained. The statue had one hand behind its back, the other holding a book, head lowered reading, clothes creating a fold as if blown by wind.

Ethereal and immortal-like, as if about to ascend to heaven at any moment.

This was Liang Zewen.

Seeing these statues, even Old Madam Xu solemnly pressed her palms together in devout worship.

Near finals, many students came to carefully pay respects to these statues, as well as the giant stone at the back.

“These are all statues of famous people, as you probably know.” After paying respects, Xu Wenyao specifically introduced to Bai Lian, “This is Senior Sister.”

Old Madam Xu looked at the first statue, her eyes filled with uncontrollable enthusiasm and envy. “People with the Liang surname must be so proud seeing this statue.”

Beside her, Ji Mulan also stared at everything in a daze.

All around, the country’s top students came and went. This was sacred ground – everyone who passed by would involuntarily pay respects, reminiscing about the era when Senior Sister and others were in their prime, remembering the era when the Imperial Teacher commanded from behind the curtain.

Glancing aside, she saw the giant stone behind the statues, with lights shining around it.

Ji Mulan saw many names carved on the stone, not biographies or introductions, and unconsciously asked, “What is this?”

Old Madam Xu looked over, saying softly, “This is Jiangjing University’s elite gathering ground.”

“Yes, this is the dream of everyone who enters Jiangjing University,” Xu Wenyao walked over, pointing at one of the names, his expression somewhat excited. “The last person added was Senior He Wen. Though he was a student from Xicheng, he’s the only name added in recent years. If your contributions are great enough, they can also rebuild a bronze statue to place at the back, though that’s even harder.”

When he said this, he was very serious, clearly having great respect for He Wen.

Ji Mulan looked at the names above, unable to hide her shock. This was her first time being so close to these people.

“It’s incredibly difficult to stand out among top talents from around the world. Forget about statues,” Old Madam Xu looked at these names, sighing. “Just for names on this stone, our family has only produced three people in nearly a hundred years.”

“I think Sister Ah Lian has a good chance,” hearing this, Xu Wenyao turned to Bai Lian beside him. “Sister Ah Lian broke through the mist from Xiangcheng, getting into Jiangjing University with first place. I think…”

Xu Wenyao paused for quite a while at this point.

In these two days, Bai Lian had already left the impression of a demon king among this year’s Jiangjing high school students.

He felt that after graduation, Bai Lian should be able to have her name appear on this stone like Senior He Wen. Jiangjing seemed about to get lively.

Old Madam Xu also looked at Bai Lian, her hands gripping her prayer beads tightly, clearly realizing this point as well.

Bai Lian’s phone vibrated once – it was Xu Nanjing asking where she was. She casually replied with the address.

Hearing Xu Wenyao’s words, she didn’t respond, her gaze falling on the statue beside Liang Zewen that Xu Wenyao had specifically introduced, slightly raising her head.

The statue was a side view of someone holding a long spear, mysterious and dangerous.

The lights cast a cold glow on the statue.

Breaking through the mist?

It wasn’t breaking through the mist – she was just returning to her rightful place.

Jiangjing University’s spirited Senior Sister had finally returned.