ATLAS TRANSLATES

At the Third Cafeteria.

It was nearly eleven o’clock. The Third Cafeteria was relatively expensive, so there weren’t many people around.

Chen Hong and Xu Wenyao stood on the steps to the left of the cafeteria waiting for Bai Lian. His gaze swept over every female student that came into view.

Both men were tall. Xu Wenyao wore a dark blue pinstriped short-sleeved shirt and held a roll of documents. His features were striking but not intimidating, appearing especially gentle with a steady demeanor.

Chen Hong made casual conversation with Xu Wenyao.

In their line of sight, the campus bus stopped at the diagonal intersection.

Chen Hong immediately stood straight and looked at Xu Wenyao, “Is she on this bus?”

Several people got off the bus, both men and women, but Chen Hong couldn’t identify which one was Xu Wenyao’s sister. Just as he was about to turn and ask Xu Wenyao, he saw the last figure step off from the back door.

The summer sunlight was dazzling, golden light cascading onto her flowing clothes creating a hazy glow, that extraordinarily beautiful face reflecting a cold glimmer.

The school bus was predominantly blue, with anime characters drawn by art students from next door decorating its body.

The moment she stepped off the back door, it was as if she had crossed over from a manga into reality.

She looked more like a celebrity from TV. Chen Hong felt she seemed somewhat familiar but didn’t connect her with Xu Wenyao’s sister. He turned to Xu Wenyao and said, “She seems even better than my goddess…”

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Xu Wenyao raise his hand slightly.

At the opposite platform, the young woman carrying a stack of books saw Xu Wenyao and walked straight over.

“You went to the library?” Xu Wenyao noticed the books in her hands were borrowed from the university library.

Two were in their original language, and two were translations.

And one seemed to be… a music book?

Xu Wenyao remembered that Bai Lian could play the guzheng. Ji Heng’s phone ringtone seemed to have a segment that Bai Lian had played, so he wasn’t surprised.

“Borrowed a few books,” Bai Lian held the books while carrying her bag.

She might have been able to enter the school as a pre-registered visitor, but without a student card, how did she get into the library?

Before Xu Wenyao could ask, Chen Hong finally realized what was happening. He suddenly grabbed Xu Wenyao’s arm, “Wenyao, this is your sister?”

“Mm, yes.” Xu Wenyao stepped aside, leading Bai Lian inside while introducing her, “Chen Hong, my roommate.”

“Hello.” Bai Lian politely greeted Chen Hong.

Chen Hong’s mind hadn’t quite processed it yet, “Ah… hello, sister.”

The cafeteria wasn’t crowded. The three found a spot near the corner.

Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong went to get the food, which had been ordered before Bai Lian arrived.

“I thought you were from the neighboring Art Academy,” Chen Hong sat across from Xu Wenyao and spoke to Bai Lian. “But what major are you planning to study? Besides the three special classes at Jiang University, biopharmaceuticals and plasma science are quite popular.”

Though no matter how he looked at it, Bai Lian’s demeanor didn’t seem to match any of these majors.

“Probably physics,” Bai Lian picked up a vegetable with her chopsticks and put it in her bowl. Quantum mechanics and plasma both belonged to the physics department.

She grabbed a Coca-Cola placed beside her, opening the tab with one hand.

Chen Hong also picked up his chopsticks, raising his eyebrows, “Then you’ll be with us, indeed our little junior sister in the physics department.”

Bai Lian didn’t talk much while eating.

Chen Hong chatted with Xu Wenyao; both would be attending the Boyuan Base summer camp during the vacation.

Boyuan’s university student summer camp was open to international students as well.

Many people applied, making it very competitive.

“Those monsters from the Tongfeng class and Boyuan class will all be there,” Chen Hong casually complained to Xu Wenyao. “They’ve already secured their graduate school spots, why not stay in their labs instead of joining the summer camp with us?”

The summer camps at Jiang University were highly valued, and good performance greatly helped with graduate school admissions and doctoral applications.

Bai Lian heard a familiar name: “Boyuan class?”

“The school’s three special classes,” Xu Wenyao explained to Bai Lian. “Boyuan class, Tongfeng class, and the preparatory class.”

“They’re like three genius camps, full of monsters,” Chen Hong put down his chopsticks, showing respect when mentioning these three special classes. “Most of them are special talents directly recruited from national teams, they don’t need to take the college entrance exam. The Tongfeng class is especially intense, requiring a second written test and interview.”

“For regular students like us who took the college entrance exam, getting into these classes requires passing a second round of admissions. Getting into Jiang University is just an entry ticket.”

National teams, provincial teams – Bai Lian hadn’t heard of these before.

When she was in Xiangcheng, she knew there was a huge gap in student resources and information between Xiangcheng and Jianjing, but only now did she realize just how large that gap was.

“The Tongfeng class is already the ceiling for international quantum physics, one of Jiang University’s three pillars,” Chen Hong said while looking to Xu Wenyao across the table for confirmation. “It’s especially hard to get in. None of us know any students from the three special classes, right?”

Chen Hong was correct – students in these classes were Jiang University’s top talents.

When Xu Wenyao heard this, he seemed to recall something and fell silent.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Chen Hong wondered why Xu Wenyao hadn’t responded this time.

At the entrance of the Third Cafeteria.

A black car pulled up.

There weren’t many cars allowed into Jiang University. At this hour there weren’t many people at the Third Cafeteria entrance, but several people looked over.

Shi Yu got out from the back seat, wearing a dark gray coat. He walked to the cafeteria entrance, his gaze sweeping across the cafeteria.

The cafeteria wasn’t crowded, and he almost immediately spotted the three people in the left corner, his gaze falling on the woman in cyan.

She was the only one in the entire cafeteria wearing a cyan long dress.

He walked directly toward that direction.

Not far away, someone had already recognized Shi Yu and softly exclaimed.

Xu Wenyao’s group had almost finished eating. Chen Hong casually wiped his face with a paper from the table. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw the naturally imposing Principal Shi.

“Is that the principal?” Chen Hong’s eyes widened as he looked carefully again, confirming it was Shi Yu.

Shi Yu’s speech at last year’s opening ceremony had gone viral online, reaching millions of views.

However, he rarely appeared in public. Chen Hong had only seen him at the opening ceremony, mostly viewing Shi Yu’s ID photo on the school website. The principal was busy, and most professors and lecturers could only see him at meetings.

Jiang University’s principal had students all over the world, and those who associated with him were all school higher-ups.

There were quite a few students at Jiang University who admired him.

Now seeing Shi Yu, Chen Hong crumpled the paper into a ball, lowering his head to control his excitement, and quietly introduced to Bai Lian: “Sister, that’s our Jiang University principal. You’re so lucky to see him on your first visit!”

Bai Lian also slowly pulled out a paper.

Hearing the word “principal,” she looked up.

Beside her, Chen Hong was still discussing with Xu Wenyao, “Why did the principal come to the Third Cafeteria today?”

Xu Wenyao also stood up, “Don’t know.”

As they spoke, Shi Yu had already walked to their table.

Shi Yu had seen Bai Lian’s profile – her face was highly recognizable.

With a wooden hairpin in her hair, she was immediately identifiable.

“Student Bai Lian,” he stopped at Bai Lian’s table, his gaze sweeping over the dishes on the table. “Your teacher should have mentioned it to you – have you decided on a major? Shall we discuss it in detail in my office?”

Lu Lingxi had mentioned a bit about Jiang University’s agreement to Bai Lian.

Bai Lian also wanted to ask Principal Shi about the Tongfeng class, “Alright.”

She first gave her books to Xu Wenyao for safekeeping, said goodbye to him, and left with Shi Yu.

Shi Yu also casually greeted Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong. Chen Hong stiffly raised his hand to bid farewell to the principal.

Bai Lian and Shi Yu quickly left the Third Cafeteria, while Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong remained standing in place, like weathered stones.

Only when the cafeteria aunty asked if they were finished eating did the two snap out of it.

Chen Hong came to his senses and looked at Xu Wenyao in disbelief, hesitantly asking: “Wenyao, that was the principal, right?”

He was just an ordinary student at Jiang University, at most knowing a few student council members and being somewhat familiar with his department’s advisors and lecturers, which was already rare.

He didn’t even know many of Jiang University’s famous professors, let alone the principal.

“Yes,” Xu Wenyao was much calmer than Chen Hong. He thought for a moment and explained to Chen Hong: “The principal looking for her probably has to do with signing an early agreement.”

“Why would the principal himself look for her?” Chen Hong knew about the school’s procedures, but these were mostly handled by the admissions office.

At most, they would have professors talk to desired students.

“Well,” Xu Wenyao also pulled out a paper, slowly wiped his hands, then looked up and dropped a bombshell, “She’s this year’s national college entrance exam top scorer.”

In the principal’s office.

Bai Lian lowered her head to review the agreement drafted by Principal Shi, which mainly covered scholarships and a ten-day international trip.

Her fingertip tapped the table idly as she quickly scanned through it.

Principal Shi watched Bai Lian. She was very young, with a casual and lazy demeanor, appearing unusually calm in front of him and the director.

He really couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

Shi Yu was somewhat surprised.

“So, do you have any thoughts about which major?” Shi Yu put down his teacup and introduced the middle-aged man in the office to Bai Lian, “This is Director Jia, Professor Jia, who teaches quantum mechanics. You can choose any major you like.”

Director Jia knew she was this year’s perfect score top scorer and smiled as he greeted Bai Lian, “Hello, Student Bai.”

Bai Lian closed the document, which listed all of Jiang University’s majors except for the three classes Chen Hong had mentioned. She didn’t sign it, twirling the black pen between her slender fingers: “I want to join the Tongfeng class.”

She had just looked it up.

Academician Ma, Ma Tongfeng.

This class was established by Academician Ma.

Hearing Bai Lian mention the Tongfeng class, Shi Yu was stunned and leaned back: “Student Bai, I can arrange any other class, including the preparatory class and Boyuan class, but… the Tongfeng class isn’t possible. It requires a second round of internal school admissions, though for you, Student Bai, it certainly wouldn’t be difficult.”

Next to Shi Yu, Director Jia wasn’t surprised when he heard Bai Lian’s words.

Academician Ma’s Tongfeng class – not to mention Academician Ma’s transcendent status in the physics world, just this major had surpassed foreign schools in the past two years, becoming the top quantum physics program.

Most Tongfeng class students were from national teams, with very few college entrance exam students getting in over the years.

“Alright,” Bai Lian gripped the black pen she had been twirling and smiled carelessly, “Then I’ll participate in the recruitment after enrollment.”

After speaking, she lowered her eyes and casually selected the physics department on the agreement.

Then she returned the agreement to Shi Yu.

Finally securing this year’s top scorer, Shi Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

He sat back down in his chair after seeing Bai Lian out.

“Tongfeng class,” Director Jia picked up the agreement, looking at the neat signature on it, and couldn’t help but sigh, “I knew this year would be lively at school. Seems like both she and Liang Wuyu want to test for the Tongfeng class. Wonder how they’ll compare to those specially recruited students.”

The internal second round of admissions wasn’t as simple as the college entrance exam.

This was truly a battle of titans. The second round didn’t focus on students’ comprehensive abilities – like the national team, it was extremely intense, testing only mathematics and physics.

Getting into the Tongfeng class was basically equivalent to securing graduate school admission. Going abroad or entering top domestic companies or laboratories afterward was just a matter of time.

With even better luck, one might become a disciple under an academician.

Becoming a disciple of a super faction.

“No need to worry about that, as long as she’s our school’s student,” Principal Shi stood up, a rare smile appearing on his face, “If she can’t get into the Tongfeng class, the Boyuan class and preparatory class are waiting for her.”

Bai Lian came out of the office.

Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong were waiting for her downstairs.

“All signed?” Xu Wenyao handed her the books.

“Signed.” Bai Lian reached out to take the books, seeing the materials in Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong’s hands, “Are you doing mathematical modeling?”

Xu Wenyao was curious about which major Bai Lian had chosen, but since she didn’t say, he didn’t ask, “Yes, for the Boyuan Base summer camp. Group modeling, we’re planning to sign up together.”

Chen Hong had just printed the materials, which were quite advanced.

Even sophomore students might not understand them, yet Bai Lian identified their mathematical modeling at a glance. Chen Hong assumed Xu Wenyao had mentioned it to her before, “Junior sister, if you go to the preparatory class, you’ll definitely have mathematical modeling competitions in the future. Feel free to ask me and your brother if you don’t understand anything.”

Hearing this, Bai Lian smiled at Chen Hong.

She didn’t speak, just looked ahead.

Xu Wenyao was about to ask what she was looking at when he saw a tall figure under the tree ahead, clearly with excellent posture.

Pure white shirt, wearing a black baseball cap pulled low, standing against the light, only showing a jade-like jaw.

As if sensing people in this direction, he stood straight and looked over.

Even from two or three hundred meters away, Chen Hong could still feel the pressure when the other person’s gaze swept over. Compared to this, what his teachers said in class was nothing.

“I’ll head back first.” Seeing Jiang Fuli, Bai Lian said goodbye to Xu Wenyao.

Jiang Fuli typically didn’t pay much attention to others, and Bai Lian didn’t try to introduce him to Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong.

Xu Wenyao knew Jiang Fuli’s personality. Though they were the same age, the other person always had an naturally imposing presence. He stood in place, watching Bai Lian leave: “Alright.”

Bai Lian walked to Jiang Fuli’s side with her books.

He reached out to take her bag, “Met with Principal Shi?”

“He said there needs to be a second round of admissions.” Bai Lian walked beside him, feeling the hot day cool down, lazily talking to him.

Hearing this, Jiang Fuli knew she wanted to test for the Tongfeng class.

Young Master Jiang just gave her a depressed: “Oh.”

Behind them, Chen Hong watched that departing tall figure, finally calming down, “He’s finally gone. Wenyao, who was that?”

“Someone my sister knows,” Xu Wenyao sensed that Jiang Fuli wasn’t ordinary, but didn’t know exactly who he was, so he changed the subject, “Let’s go back, Qi Jun will start talking soon if we’re any later.”

Three people were needed for mathematical modeling, and they were all excellent students in their class.

Mentioning Qi Jun, Chen Hong frowned.

Evening.

Shanhai Apartments.

Xu Nanjiu tossed his car keys to the security guard and stood at the bottom of Bai Lian’s building, talking on the phone with Gao Yan.

“I told you she spends all day in the library, don’t worry.” Xu Nanjiu looked up at the floors above, speaking unhurriedly.

On the other end of the phone, Gao Yan scolded him, “I’m not worried, you are.”

“…I’ll ask her later,” Xu Nanjiu remembered something, “Also, Little Bird said her birthday is in August, prepare something.”

“Who’s Little Bird?”

“He.” Xu Nanjiu looked away and nodded at the person beside him, continuing.

Gao Yan wasn’t too concerned about why Jiang He had become a bird, only said, “Alright, I’ll prepare something. Ask her again, I’ve already made advance reservations with Director Jian.”

At the mention of Director Jian, Xu Nanjiu became thoughtful.

Beside him, the middle-aged man saw he had finally finished his call and spoke respectfully yet flatteringly, “The first, second and third floors were all sold two days ago. We couldn’t find out who bought them. Young Master Xu, if you’re interested, the fourth floor is still available.”

“You don’t know who bought them?” Xu Nanjiu glanced at the man.

The middle-aged man didn’t dare speak. Xu Nanjiu looked away again and said unhurriedly, “Fine, handle the fourth floor as you see fit.”

After Xu Nanjiu entered the building, the middle-aged man finally looked up, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Boss,” beside him, the assistant carefully asked, “Why are so many big shots buying apartments at Shanhai recently?”

The middle-aged man hadn’t figured it out either. He looked up at the apartment building.

Shanhai Apartments wasn’t a high-end residence. The security, landscaping and environment were all average, and the layouts weren’t very marketable, mostly rented to graduate and doctoral students.

The high pricing was solely due to the location advantage.

Why were so many people buying apartments here recently? And they were buying several floors at once.

Upstairs.

When Xu Nanjiu arrived, Jiang He opened the door.

Jiang Fuli was in the study.

Bai Lian was on the balcony making a phone call, wearing Bluetooth earphones, talking to Xiao Qi.

She lazily took a bag of cabbage seeds from the balcony, then tore open the bag and took out five seeds with two fingers to sprinkle in the flower pot.

“He came by this morning.” She stood up straight, looking at the seeds in the pot before picking up the watering can beside her to water them.

Xiao Qi’s voice was still gentle and refined, “When are you coming to check out the place? You haven’t been to the bars in Jianjing yet.”

“Mm, in a few days.” Bai Lian watered the plants lazily.

After finishing with Xiao Qi, she pressed her earphone to switch to the thesis.

In the living room, Xu Nanjiu leaned back on the sofa with his legs crossed, slowly peeling an orange. Seeing she had finished her call, he looked up: “My mom knows you’re in Jianjing now, she’s been wanting to treat you to dinner. She also has a teacher she wants to introduce you to.”

He was very familiar with Bai Lian now.

Not to mention the motorcycle incident, the auction house invitation later had also been a big help to Xu Nanjiu.

Bai Lian walked to the table and poured herself a glass of water, her cold white fingertips slowly tapping the glass as she turned slightly: “Alright, find a time.”

She had added Gao Yan on WeChat.

The other person didn’t talk much, just reminded Bai Lian to bring an umbrella when it rained and would send encouraging messages when she had exams. Though they didn’t communicate much, Bai Lian knew Gao Yan must be following the weather in Xiangcheng.

So Gao Yan would remind her every time the weather changed.

Xu Nanjiu suddenly sat up straight. He stuffed the orange in his hand into Jiang He’s mouth and took out his phone to message his mom—

[Get ready, Sister Ah Lian agreed]

In the study.

Jiang Fuli sat at the desk, installing software on Bai Lian’s computer.

The phone to his left was lit up, showing Academician Ma’s forehead. He had just taken off his coat and sat down at his own computer, “You’ve all returned to Jianjing?”

Jiang Fuli lazily installed software for Bai Lian, “Mm.”

Ma Tongfeng was clearly in a good mood. He logged into the school backend, “She didn’t even tell me she was back. I still want to show her my laboratory. She’s going to test for the Tongfeng class, right?”

Having claimed the international quantum physics No.1 title last year, Ma Tongfeng was clearly confident in himself.

Young Master Jiang found it annoying and hung up the call.

The sudden blackout didn’t anger Ma Tongfeng. Instead, he looked up at Director Huang in his office, “She’s finally here.”

Director Huang knew who he meant and paused before tentatively asking: “My little junior sister?”

Ma Tongfeng took off his glasses and slowly wiped them, not denying it.

Director Huang took a deep breath.

From when his teacher went to the Boyuan Base to see a group of high school seniors, he should have been able to guess who would become his teacher’s closed-door disciple: “She wants to test for the Tongfeng class?”

Many wealthy and powerful families in Jianjing had sent people to Ma Tongfeng, but he hadn’t accepted a single one.

Ma Tongfeng put his glasses back on and smiled, “Yes.”

“How will her results be?” Director Huang speculated, “Little junior sister must be excellent at mathematics.”

Ma Tongfeng just gave him a look.

The internal second round only tested mathematics and physics, which wasn’t friendly to most college entrance exam students but suited national team students well.

So the principal and director guessed Bai Lian wouldn’t do very well, but they didn’t know—

In this mathematical and physical pit, there were always a few gods flying around chaotically.

Bai Lian was one of them.

Her subjects were extremely unbalanced. Biology and chemistry started at “0,” and for other subjects, she had some danger of losing her top spot. But for just mathematics and physics, Ma Tongfeng thought—

Jiang University’s students would have to live under her shadow for a long time.