ATLAS TRANSLATES

Even with the screening system in place this year, the topic of the top gaokao scorer still caused quite a stir.

But people like Xu Nanjing naturally didn’t pay much attention to it.

He only saw news about Bai Lian through Lu Xiaohan’s social media posts. He didn’t know much else, and he hadn’t participated in the gaokao betting pool.

The Xu family focused on developing well-rounded talent.

Since childhood, Xu Nanjing had hated how his family compared his grades with Xu Jinyi and Xu Jin. Now grown up, he didn’t become that kind of annoying parent.

He only just heard about Bai Lian being the top gaokao scorer from Lu Xiaohan.

Though there was a top scorer every year, there was only one per year. They were all extremely gifted talents. In all his years growing up, Xu Nanjing had only known one top scorer – Jiang Fuli.

That year, Jiang Fuli took the gaokao directly from first year of high school, and Jiang Xiju became second place.

Regarding this year’s gaokao, the Chen family should be paying more attention because of Liang Wuyu. Even Xu Nanjing had heard about how the Chen family was going all out to groom him, creating lots of favorable conditions early on.

Now…

“Little sister Ah Lian… perfect score top gaokao scorer?” Xu Nanjing’s impression of Bai Lian was still stuck on her ranking of 199.

Then everything made sense.

Why Principal Shi had rushed over that night when they went to the police station to find Bai Lian.

Why even Old Master Xu said it was a big deal. That night, Xu Nanjing had thought it was just because Jiang Fuli’s actions were too harsh. The Chen family was in politics and had cooperation with the Xu family.

It wasn’t until recently that he learned the entire Yunxiao district had been cleaned out from top to bottom.

Though Jiang Fuli was the catalyst, he probably only wanted to clean up those bars and clubs. As for all these people being purged… it should be related to Bai Lian.

On the terrace.

Bai Lian sat in a chair in the pavilion, arms crossed, in a relaxed pose. Her hair fell loose down her back, the strands black and fine, having grown waist-length over the past year. The breeze stirred her clothes and long hair.

Jiang Fuli methodically combed through her hair, the black strands weaving through his long pale fingers.

“Can you actually do this or not?” Bai Lian asked lazily.

The cool lights around the terrace played across her face, creating soft shadows.

“Don’t move,” Jiang Fuli calmly wrapped a section of hair around his hand. He was always composed, his tone unhurried as he styled her hair while talking to her. “I need to join the team tomorrow, might be gone for about half a month.”

This kind of research required signing confidentiality agreements from the start.

“Half a month,” Bai Lian said. “By the time you’re back, I should have started school.”

Jiangda University started registration on August 29th.

Bai Lian had quite a lot of hair. Jiang Fuli styled it into a half-updo, the white jade hairpin between his fingers appearing even more pristine and flawless.

His technique wasn’t particularly skilled, but he tidied up the loose strands around the sides. This time was much better than last time, not as messy.

It wasn’t particularly pretty, but it was neat.

The poppy flower design on the jade hairpin’s end showed strong craftsmanship, but when adorning her hair, it seemed just right.

Jiang Fuli stepped back, feeling this attempt was a huge improvement from last time. He slowly responded to Bai Lian’s words, “There, signals are blocked most of the time. I’ll be going with Director Ma.”

He told Bai Lian what he could about it.

“In Jiangjing…” Jiang Fuli recalled the bar incident last time. He paused briefly, “Try not to fight if you can avoid it. If anything happens, tell Xu Nanjing immediately. I’ve already discussed with your grandfather, he lives on the first floor…”

Jiang Fuli had been renovating the first floor for a long time.

He liked quiet and wasn’t used to sharing elevators with others. Before coming, he had bought the first three floors of the apartment building completely. Of course, he hadn’t told Bai Lian about this. Later when he found out the fourth and fifth floor owners were Xu Nanjing and Ning Xiao, he left them alone.

If he hadn’t agreed, neither of them would have been able to buy those floors.

During that time in Xiangcheng, Jiang He had been following Ji Heng the whole time.

As for Ji Heng… Jiang Fuli couldn’t tell what he lacked. He had seen those two thin pages of household registration, and after consideration, he had decorated the first floor with things Ji Heng would be familiar with.

“First floor?” Bai Lian’s radar activated. She had seen the first floor’s renovation. Hearing Jiang Fuli’s words, she lifted her head, “You bought the first floor?”

Things looked like they were heading in an unpredictable direction.

Jiang Fuli pressed down another strand of her hair that had been blown up by the wind, then smoothly changed the subject, “I gave Ning Xiao the test questions from Tongfeng class over the years. I’ve done analysis for most of them. If they don’t understand anything, you can explain it to them.”

Bai Lian wanted to get into Tongfeng class, so naturally she hoped others could get in too.

Yang Lin was focused on biology rather than class ranking. She had considered Ning Xiao, but was a bit worried about Tang Ming.

Bai Lian was about to say something else when her phone on the side buzzed. Xu Nanjing had sent her a bunch of exclamation marks and shocked pig emojis.

Realizing they had been outside for quite a while, Bai Lian smoothed her sleeves and stood up, giving Jiang Fuli a glance, “Let’s go back inside.”

She walked in front, with Jiang Fuli habitually one step behind her.

Quietly watching her casual figure walking ahead.

She had gifted him jade, and he returned with a jade hairpin.

In the private room.

When Bai Lian had just returned, Director Chen was drinking with Dean Ji and Dean Jian.

“Those were people from the Academy of Sciences just now,” Director Chen was telling Dean Ji about Academician Ma. He knew about the commotion Bai Lian had caused. “Has Miss Bai been reserved by them?”

Director Chen was born and raised in Jiangjing. Though he followed the military officer path, he understood what he needed to.

“With talent like hers, she should be contributing to the country,” Ji Heng held his wine glass, refilling his own then pouring for Dean Jian and Director Chen. “It’s only right.”

When he said “only right”, there was always a hint of melancholy in his tone.

Pride mixed with an inexplicable sense of loneliness.

Director Chen nodded, raising his glass to talk with Ji Heng, “Miss Bai is just getting started…”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Ji Shaojun and noticed his expression seemed a bit off, “Brother Ji?”

Ji Shaojun snapped out of it, “It’s nothing.”

He picked up some food with his chopsticks and said slowly, “Ah Lian should come back often. Just look at young Jiang.”

While they were talking over there.

On the other side, Xiao Bingwen and Xu Nanjing were still staring at Bai Lian, “Sister Wan said you’re the top gaokao scorer?”

“Mm.” Bai Lian sat casually beside Lu Xiaohan, asking about the test questions for Ning Xiao.

Xu Nanjing opened his mouth, “Why didn’t you ever mention this?”

“What’s the point of mentioning it?” Bai Lian leaned back slightly, raising her eyes. Those pitch-black orbs made Xu Nanjing’s voice falter.

Her attitude suggested that her perfect gaokao score was just an ordinary matter, merely one goal among many in her life journey, so there was no need to bring it up.

Xu Nanjing fell silent. He thought about how if his mother knew she was the top gaokao scorer, she would definitely throw elaborate banquets all over Jiangjing.

Even in the Xu family’s ancestral hall, there was only one triple crown scholar from several hundred years ago.

Bai Lian tapped the table and looked toward Ning Xiao and Tang Ming, “Have you two looked over the questions?”

Ning Xiao looked up to answer, “Browsed through once, overall difficulty is okay.”

He and Tang Ming were already discussing the questions together.

Bai Lian occasionally commented from the side, while Jiang Fuli leaned slightly on the armrest beside her, sometimes lowering his head to coolly glance at Ning Xiao’s questions.

Lu Xiaohan was reviewing playback on the camera beside them.

Yellow Hair and Red Hair couldn’t understand the discussion, so they took out a board to play Five-in-a-Row. After Red Hair lost, he went to pull Jiang He from Ji Heng’s side to oversee their game.

Sometimes they even asked Bai Lian to help make a move.

Bai Lian leaned against the sofa, her white dress spread beside her, playing with a chess piece in her hand. From three meters away, she casually flicked it onto the board.

The piece landed steadily in the key position.

Her features were exquisite, though using the word “beautiful” seemed too general.

She had a relaxed yet composed air of commanding from on high. Beside her, Lu Xiaohan occasionally turned to show her scenes on the camera.

Jiang Fuli only spoke a few words with Ning Xiao and Bai Lian.

Among them, even Lu Xiaohan with the lowest grades was going to the Communication University. As for Ning Xiao, he was even more outstanding than the students from Fu Zhong. And Bai Lian didn’t even need mentioning.

Even Liang Wuyu, who had received much attention these two years, had become her stepping stone.

Watching this group, Xiao Bingwen finally understood why Xu Nanjing hadn’t invited those young masters and ladies from their circle to liven things up. This group of young people’s circle was far more brilliant.

This group of young people was vibrant, full of stylish spirit. Xiao Bingwen couldn’t help but let out a breath.

“Nanjing,” Xiao Bingwen watched Bai Lian in the center of the crowd and spoke up, “I feel like these people aren’t so simple…”

People in Jiangjing always said Xu Nanjing and Jiang Xiju’s circle was hard to enter.

Looking at it now, he felt the truly difficult circle to approach in the future would be Bai Lian’s circle.

“It’s not just them,” Xu Nanjing was more familiar with Bai Lian than Xiao Bingwen. He recalled Lu Xiaohan’s words, “There should be several others, Sister Lu probably, though I haven’t met her. And another good person, I’ve only heard about.”

“Good person?” This was the first time Xiao Bingwen had heard of this.

“Was in Xiangcheng Prison since third year of high school,” Xu Nanjing bit down on a cigarette, glancing at Xiao Bingwen. “Chi Lu personally handled the case, still got sentenced to a year. During that time, Brother Jiang tutored him personally.”

Really was a tough guy.

Even now Xu Nanjing didn’t know what that good brother’s name was.

Xu Nanjing pressed down the lighter, blowing out a smoke ring, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed.

Lu Xiaohan had just said four people got into Jiangda University, and another was Yang Lin.

Yang Lin, who could calmly arrange the scene despite severe blood loss, who had raised a knife wanting to kill her father. Xu Nanjing didn’t know what drive she had inside her, but people who broke free from such family backgrounds had the same tenacity as that good brother.

Listening to this, Jiang Fuli personally going to prison to tutor, and even Chi Yundai?? Asia’s top legal team? Xiao Bingwen tapped his knee, looking at Bai Lian and the others.

Jiangjing was really getting lively.

August 29th.

Jiangda University’s new student registration day.

Shanhai Apartments, first floor.

Ji Heng held a watering can in one hand watering succulents and Chinese cabbage (the Chinese cabbage had grown very tall), and his phone in the other hand, talking to Ji Shaojun, “No rush, we’re right next to Jiangda, there’s plenty of time.”

On the other end of the phone, Ji Shaojun hung up.

He picked up his packages ready to leave. Shen Qing rarely stayed here now, often going to Bai Lian’s place.

He opened the door to see the building manager and Little Jie.

It was Sunday, no work today. The building manager knew Ji Shaojun was always self-disciplined, so came to discuss the banquet matters.

Seeing him with packages, they were puzzled, “Where are you going? Shall we take you there?”