ATLAS TRANSLATES

Bai Lian was in Academician Ma’s laboratory yesterday.

Today she didn’t go out.

After her morning run and shower, she changed clothes. When Jiang Fuli came to find her, she was standing at her desk practicing calligraphy.

In the study, she had all the traditional writing tools laid out.

She wore a simple dark gray top with a white long dress. Her black hair was held up with a white jade hairpin, her long eyelashes lowered. These traditional colors always brought out her elegant demeanor.

When she seriously practiced calligraphy, she didn’t use the formal style.

She used the Liang style.

Her brush strokes were flowing horizontally.

Jiang Fuli looked down at what she was writing. There was only one phrase—

Knowledge and Action in Unity.

The motto of Jiang University.

These days, the Calligraphy Association had many interpretations of the Liang style, emphasizing virtual and solid strokes that penetrate deeply.

Her writing was always casual, yet showed visible strength of character.

“When are you leaving?” Jiang Fuli wore a white shirt, standing casually beside her admiring her calligraphy. In the morning light, his profile was extremely smooth.

Bai Lian put down her brush. “Early. I’ll skip breakfast after I finish this. I need to go to Academician Ma’s place.”

—

Ji Mulan had given birth to a child, and the entire Xu family was very happy.

Xu En’s reputation in the Yunxiao District had risen dramatically over the past six months. Especially these past two months with Director Chen around, his status had risen even higher. Even the main Xu family branch had sent people to offer early congratulations.

Such a rapid rise made even Xu En uneasy, so this time they didn’t hold a big banquet. They only invited close relatives and business partners.

The event was held at the Xu residence.

Bai Lian and Ji Heng’s group arrived early. When they got there, Director Chen had already arrived. He was quite familiar with Xu En and knowing Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli would come, he had arranged his rare three-day break accordingly.

Ji Mulan was resting upstairs and hadn’t come down.

Grandma Xu was holding the baby. When she saw Bai Lian and Ji Heng arrive, her smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

The one-month-old baby, though premature, had gained some weight and was now plump and fair.

Ji Heng habitually held his pipe but didn’t speak, just looking at the child with a somewhat softened expression.

Jiang Fuli stood beside Bai Lian, his phoenix eyes lowered, calmly observing the child. His cold aura made Grandma Xu hesitate to approach Bai Lian with the baby, though she wanted to.

Grandma Xu kept watching Bai Lian’s expression. Bai Lian was always leisurely and casual, elegant yet unpredictable in her thoughts.

Grandma Xu sighed. She had hoped Bai Lian would like this child.

Even if she didn’t like it, she hoped Bai Lian wouldn’t hate it.

Xu Wenyao and Xu En had no blood relation to Bai Lian, and she had never been entered in the Xu family registry. Such relationships maintained only by feelings were too fragile.

Since the baby was premature, Grandma Xu handed it to the nanny while thinking these thoughts.

She had the nanny take him to the nursery upstairs.

“Uncle Ji,” Director Chen chatted with Ji Heng, “let’s go fishing tomorrow. I still have one day off.”

Ji Heng tapped his pipe with his finger, his other hand holding Jiang He’s. Director Chen was showing his initial burst of energy as a new official, and they hadn’t gone fishing together in a long time. “Good, I have fishing rods at my place.”

“In summer, let’s try a different spot,” Director Chen suggested.

Xu En poured tea for both of them, emanating scholarly grace. “I’m fine with anywhere. Come, let’s go to the back, someone just sent some tiger fish.”

After leaving Xiangcheng, Xu En hadn’t gone fishing for quite a while.

After being so busy, with Xu Corporation gradually getting on track, Xu En could finally take a breather.

All three men enjoyed fishing and went to the back to admire Xu En’s newly received tiger fish.

In the main hall, Grandma Xu took a walking stick from the butler, looking surprised at Ji Heng’s retreating figure.

She really hadn’t expected the Ji family to know about such ornamental fish.

—

Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli didn’t go see the tiger fish, as Bai Lian wasn’t particularly interested in fishing.

They went upstairs to the nursery to see the baby.

Xu Zhiyue was also upstairs, leaning over the cradle.

The baby’s name had already been chosen – Xu Siqi.

Siqi meant “aspiring to great achievements,” from the mother of King Wen.

“Such a grand name,” Jiang Fuli commented casually about the baby’s name, hands in his pockets as he looked down.

The baby in the cradle had opened its eyes. Surprisingly, it had almond-shaped eyes somewhat similar to Bai Lian’s. Jiang Fuli glanced over briefly, no longer seeming to dislike the child.

“Let’s go,” Bai Lian said to Jiang Fuli after looking at Xu Siqi once.

“Not staying for the meal?” Xu Wenyao had been leaning by the doorway without interrupting them. He only came over when he heard Bai Lian say she was leaving.

Xu Zhiyue also looked up, her eyes behind glasses.

“No,” Bai Lian stood up straight and walked downstairs. “I have things to do today, and Dean Huang is also looking for me.”

Hearing it was Dean Huang, Xu Wenyao didn’t insist on making Bai Lian stay. He walked her downstairs.

After Bai Lian and Jiang Fuli left, Xu Zhiyue was still leaning on the iron railing, watching Bai Lian’s car leave. She finally spoke her first words: “How could sister leave so quickly?”

“You didn’t speak when Lian was here,” Xu Wenyao looked down slightly.

Xu Zhiyue hadn’t let go of the railing, stammering: “I… I didn’t dare speak.”

Now she regretted it.

Xu Wenyao indicated there was nothing he could do. He went back to entertain other relatives. Xu Zhiyue stood at the doorway for a while, and just as she was about to leave, she noticed a child squatting by her legs.

He held a Rubik’s cube, squatting nearby, methodically turning it.

White T-shirt, overalls, with cabbage pockets sewn on both sides.

Xu Zhiyue knew this was the child who often followed Bai Lian. Seeing Jiang He not leaving, thinking he was working on the Rubik’s cube, she squatted opposite him and took the cube from his hands.

To help him solve it.

Ten minutes later.

Jiang He expressionlessly reached out to take back the Rubik’s cube from Xu Zhiyue’s hands.

Under Xu Zhiyue’s gaze that questioned her status as a academic genius, he solved the cube.

Xu Zhiyue: “…”

She took out her phone and sent exclamation marks to Bai Lian.

—

At Mu Yining’s temporary residence in Yunxiao District, she looked at Dong Xiaobai sitting on the sofa, “Her and Dong Chuan?”

Dong Chuan was Dong Xiaobai’s brother’s son. The two got together because of Dong Xiaobai, and during National Day, they invited Ren Wanxuan to the Dong family.

Coincidentally, also on the second.

The Dong family was a scholarly family. Mu Yining never imagined these two could get together.

“I just found out too,” Dong Xiaobai was also troubled, “She wants to go to the Dong family, and you know my father quite admires her. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t go, so I’ll have to see your grand-uncle another day.”

“Alright, then she probably can’t go today either.” Mu Yining looked at her phone. Little Jie was already waiting downstairs with Ji Shaojun.

She picked up the gift box and her bag and went downstairs.

Dong Xiaobai walked her down. “How is the old master’s health?”

“He never leaves the ancestral hall. The family doctor says his condition is similar to the one in the Chen family,” Mu Yining walked into the elevator. “The medical summit is in Jianjing, researchers from MTR and WMA will be there, we’ll see then.”

Dong Xiaobai sighed and didn’t ask more, seeing Mu Yining to her car.

Today Little Jie was driving, with only Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun in the car. Mu Yining handed the gift box to Little Jie and sat in the front passenger seat.

The car headed towards Mingfeng District.

Mingfeng District mostly consisted of marginal families. Neither Little Jie nor Mu Yining paid much attention.

At eleven o’clock.

The car arrived at the Xu family’s main gate, in an ordinary villa district.

Assistant Xu had been waiting early by the iron gate to welcome Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing. He was somewhat surprised to see Mu Yining, dressed in professional attire, getting out of the driver’s seat.

Looking at Ji Shaojun, he asked, “Mr. Ji, this is…?”

Ji Shaojun briefly introduced Mu Yining.

“Hello, Director Mu.” Assistant Xu bowed and invited them in. “The old master and others are watching tiger fish in the back. Would you like to go there first?”

“Alright.” Ji Shaojun nodded to Assistant Xu.

Shen Qing immediately spotted Jiang He squatting with Xu Zhiyue and went to find the two.

Little Jie followed behind Mu Yining, somewhat puzzled that no one from the Xu family came out to greet Mu Yining and Ji Shaojun, making them go to the back to find the others instead.

Quite arrogant.

He thought to himself.

Beside him, Ji Shaojun and Mu Yining were discussing some business matters.

By the artificial pond in the backyard, Director Chen held a lit cigarette, pointing at a tiger fish swimming in the pond, turning his head to tell Ji Heng, “This one’s appearance is indeed quite good.”

The smoke was somewhat hazy.

Catching sight of Ji Shaojun from the corner of his eye, Director Chen waved to him, “Brother Ji, you came at the right time. I was just discussing tomorrow’s fishing with Uncle Ji and the others. Are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Ji Shaojun walked closer, greeted Xu En, and introduced Mu Yining beside him, “As I mentioned before, today’s guest, my cousin Mu Yining.”

Xu En hadn’t met Mu Yining before.

But Director Chen had attended countless banquets at the Chen family and naturally had seen Mu Yining. He stubbed out his cigarette in the nearby ashtray.

He smiled politely at Mu Yining, also surprised: “Miss Mu, I didn’t expect you to be Brother Ji’s cousin.”

Since Director Chen knew her, Mu Yining was naturally more familiar with Director Chen, this politician who recently often appeared in Yunxiao District headlines.

The new star promoted by the Chen family.

Not to mention Mu Yining, just between the Xu family and Chen family, countless people wanted to take this opportunity to participate in banquets related to Chen Yongkun.

Mu Yining hadn’t expected to see Director Chen in a place like Mingfeng District, so even she was stunned for a moment before recovering: “Director Chen, it’s an honor.”

The two were very formal.

Ji Heng still stood by the railing, looking down at the tiger fish, occasionally turning his head to speak with Director Chen.

Mu Yining stood nearby, listening in shock. Given Chen Yongkun’s current status in the Chen family, comparable to Chen Beixuan, how could he be so respectful to Ji Heng?

Especially…

Calling him “Uncle Ji” and “Brother Ji”?

Mu Yining could naturally see that Director Chen’s respect for Ji Heng came from the heart.

The Mu family was in decline, now far from comparable to the Chen family. How did Ji Heng know Chen Yongkun, and why was the other party so polite to him?

And Xu…

Xu En, the new noble of Yunxiao District.

—

At the Research Institute.

In the second-floor conference room, Dean Huang took out yesterday’s answer sheet and handed it to Bai Lian, “Miss… Student Bai Lian, why are you writing the Boyuan class test paper?”

Bai Lian looked down to see it was marked “100” points.

“Ah, sorry,” she admitted her mistake, “It won’t happen again.”

Dean Huang wanted to say something more but looked at Jiang Fuli beside Bai Lian, hands in pockets and expression cold, and he swallowed his words.

Can’t offend the God of Wealth.

Otherwise, his teacher would expel him.

And he couldn’t lecture little junior sister either, as her status with their teacher was definitely higher than his.

After thinking it through, Dean Huang could only silently take Bai Lian to see the newly arrived quantum magnetometer.

Today Jiang Fuli not only came himself but also had someone bring the quantum magnetometer. Ming Donghen from the Academy of Sciences’ research room couldn’t enter, so he stopped at the Academy’s gates after escorting the equipment.

Returning to Jiang Fuli’s side, he handed him a sealed document, “MTR’s report.”

Jiang Fuli didn’t bother entering the quantum information laboratory. He pushed his glasses up and walked to the nearby break room, lowering his eyes to scan the report after opening it. It was the blood test he had sent.

Ming Donghen looked at the outer cover.

It wasn’t English or French. Looking at those unfamiliar symbols, it should be Hebrew.

At least Ming Donghen hadn’t studied it.

He stood silently beside Jiang Fuli.

Jiang Fuli was full of resentment about Academician Ma not letting Bai Lian rest even during National Day. The researchers on Academician Ma’s floor were on edge all day, taking detours to avoid passing by the break room door.

At five in the afternoon, Bai Lian finally finished examining the quantum magnetometer.

Academician Ma let her leave.

Jiang Fuli took the car keys and went to the parking lot with her.

Bai Lian sat in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, maintaining her usual casual manner: “You seem very happy today.”

Jiang Fuli drove out. Today everyone around Academician Ma wanted to stay eight hundred meters away from him, even Ming Donghen didn’t dare get too close, only she would say such things, “A bit.”

The car slowly drove out of the research institute. In the evening, the wind blew into the passenger side.

It dispersed the cool scent inside the car.

Today Ji Heng wasn’t at Mountain Sea Apartments, and that fellow Jiang He wasn’t there either. Jiang Fuli took her to eat at Kangyu Tower, in a small private room on the top floor. Opening the windows revealed the prosperous ancient city.

The lights on the ancient city’s rooftops flickered.

After speaking with the manager outside about some dishes, Jiang Fuli pushed the door open again to find Bai Lian casually leaning by the window watching the neon lights below.

Her features were softened by the gentle light, very tender. Her long eyelashes cast shadows on her eyelids. As she looked at the world, she finally didn’t place herself outside of it, but had finally landed on this piece of earth.

The soil of her homeland was right under her feet, and the most desperate thing was the time that could never be returned to.

“Why don’t you come in?” Bai Lian had one hand across her chest, the other resting on the window. Without turning around, she continued to lean lazily by the window.

The area below used to be the imperial city.

Jiang Fuli closed the door and walked unhurriedly to her side, looking down at her hand on the window, “My parents died early, and for relatives, I only have one aunt. In the future, I’ll probably still work at the Dark Matter Research Institute, semi-free, and my health should be in a relatively good state.”

He spoke slowly.

Outside the window, thousands of lights fell on Jiang Fuli’s face. Looking at Bai Lian’s eyes as she turned to him, he sighed somewhat murmuringly: “I seem to have nothing, but, Bai Lian.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Fuli looked down at her, his long, strong palm resting on her waist, his slightly cool hand temperature, his noble and cold face made mysterious by the lights. His other hand put his glasses aside. He lowered his head slightly, a somewhat restrained kiss approaching her lips, “I may not have a home, but, would you still like to go see the snow mountains with me?”