Bai Lian had listened to Jian Zhongyou’s collection before – “Mountain Snow,” “Autumn Melody,” and “Hometown Sounds.” She was familiar with all of them.
These were Jian Zhongyou’s mid-career works, with simple, steady, and warm rhythms.
So when she learned that Jian Zhongyou became famous for performing “White Robes,” yet his later compositions were as pure as Qin Jiu’s, Bai Lian was quite surprised.
“Flowers on the Tree” had a tense style with grand momentum. In the script, the rhythm towards the middle and end created a tension similar to the Empty Fort Strategy.
This wasn’t Jian Zhongyou’s usual style, and he truly didn’t have the energy to continue composing now. If he hadn’t been waiting to find the right person, he would have already retired.
That’s what Bai Lian said, but Gao Yan and Butler Xu were taken aback by her comment that “Principal Jian can’t do it anymore.”
However, they quickly caught on to what she meant.
“Ah Lian, you,” Gao Yan put down her plum blossom cake and sat up straight, “you can compose music?”
She knew Bai Lian played the guzheng but had never heard her perform.
Moreover, seeing how Principal Jian interacted with her, she knew Bai Lian must be quite skilled at the guzheng.
But composing… non-professionals couldn’t even attempt it. If it were some research competition, Gao Yan would easily associate that with Bai Lian.
Music composition was something she had never connected with Bai Lian before.
“I can compose now,” Bai Lian said, holding her folding fan as she spoke to Gao Yan. “I haven’t seen the play, so I might not be suitable, but I’ll give it a try. We can choose the best one later.”
Gao Shu would surely find others too, though they might not match up to the expert Mr. Shi.
Principal Jian had great faith in Bai Lian. Although music had no clear boundaries, the play’s theme required a rather straightforward style, and Bai Lian hadn’t quite grasped it yet.
“Ah, alright,” Gao Yan looked at Bai Lian, still processing the information. “I’ll tell Shu Shu.”
Ming Dongheng’s car was waiting downstairs. Gao Yan walked Bai Lian down.
After the car left, Gao Yan pulled her coat closer and turned thoughtfully to Butler Xu. “Butler Xu, do you think this is reliable? Won’t it interfere with her studies?”
She had heard from Xu Nanjing that Bai Lian was now the darling of the Physics Department.
“Well,” Butler Xu wasn’t sure either. “Madam, since Miss Bai said she wants to try, we should let her try.”
“Mm.” Gao Yan took out her phone and called Gao Shu.
—
At the theater, Gao Shu had already met with Shi Qingyu and Ji Yinghui. The two were indeed watching play rehearsals together.
Even the actors for “Flowers on the Tree” had taken over a year to select.
Shi Qingyu and Ji Yinghui were standing at the front, talking with a man who was the male lead, Bei Tong.
Secretary Xue whispered in Gao Shu’s ear, “They’re already discussing the singing issues with Bei Tong.”
Shi Qingyu had prepared for so long, the composition must be mostly complete. The final version would be presented to the old principal through Bei Tong’s singing.
“I know,” Gao Shu’s expression darkened as she turned to leave. “What did Teacher Xia say?”
This was her backup plan.
“He needs it by December. Teacher Xia said he doesn’t dare take on the old principal’s project,” Secretary Xue held a notebook. “He’s in North City now. Would you like to visit him?”
“North City?” Gao Shu walked upstairs, surprised at why he was there, but still said: “Pick a couple of days and prepare a plane ticket to North City for me.”
Reaching her office, she received Gao Yan’s call.
Bai Lian had said she would try composing for her.
“She said she’ll just try,” Gao Yan sighed. “I told you before, she plays the guzheng. Maybe she really can write something.”
Hearing about Bai Lian, Gao Shu’s mood improved. She sat on her desk, “Really? Then she might have something in common with Li Jiu.”
Gao Shu continued, “Whatever she writes, I’ll have someone from the theater perform it.”
“I was thinking the same.” Gao Yan smiled, the two thinking alike.
Gao Yan had just mentioned it casually. Gao Shu made a note of it, but since even Principal Jian didn’t dare take on the song, she didn’t expect Bai Lian would compose anything significant.
After hanging up, she worked with Secretary Xue to arrange the North City trip.
—
Shanhai Apartments.
When Bai Lian got out of the car, she saw workers busy in Unit 103’s yard, installing transparent glass on the yard walls and roof.
“Miss Bai, winters in Jing City are cold,” Ming Dongheng opened the car door and got out, explaining from behind her. “With glass, it can be used as a sunroom.”
Winters in Jing City were indeed cold. Bai Lian nodded slightly, though it was much better than before. In the past, Jing City winters were truly cold, like a small ice age.
In Unit 103, Ji Heng and Lance weren’t around. The old friends had gone fishing together in the afternoon.
In another month, they could go ice fishing in Jing City.
She returned to Unit 303. Only Zhang Shize and Tang Ming were doing homework. Lu Xiaohan wasn’t there – she went with Ji Heng and others to film the fishing scene. Ning Xiao had been called away by Zhou Wenqing to help.
In the Tongfeng class now, speaking of the most outstanding students, it wasn’t really Gao Yuan and his group.
Bai Lian was in a league of her own. Below her wasn’t Liang Wuyu and Gao Yuan, but Ning Xiao, followed by Tang Ming and Gao Yuan.
With such high-quality students in Tongfeng class, Zhou Wenqing had some thoughts. He preferred Bai Lian, but being in the same Physics Department, after reflecting on Dean Huang and Academician Ma’s unusual behavior these two months, he didn’t dare call for Bai Lian.
“Sister Lian,” seeing Bai Lian return, Tang Ming raised the draft paper in his hand, “you haven’t done this challenge problem yet?”
Bai Lian walked over to look – it was a math problem.
She took off her coat, grabbed the remote control, sat on the sofa, and searched for plays on TV. “It’s the same type as Boyuan class’s questions. It’s on my desk.”
Tang Ming pushed open the door to Bai Lian’s study.
Her study’s bookshelf was full of books, mostly not university level. Besides books, there were also many historical records.
Tang Ming walked to her desk, where neatly stacked A4 papers were arranged. On the far left were the ones Bai Lian had just translated for them two days ago.
He flipped down and saw something like a Chinese script.
Thinking it was Yan Lu’s script, Tang Ming flipped another page before finally finding Boyuan class’s test papers. He pulled them out and closed the door.
Bai Lian was already lazily leaning on the sofa watching plays. Tang Ming glanced at it but couldn’t appreciate it without artistic talent.
Downstairs, the fishing group had returned.
Tang Ming received a message from Shen Qing and went down to get fruit.
The glass roof in the yard was almost installed. The workers were well-trained, working with almost no sound.
“I’ll take this too,” Tang Ming saw sunflower seeds on the table and took another stack. “Sister Lian is watching plays, let her have some seeds to snack on.”
Nearby, Principal Jian, who was looking at fish with Lance, heard the key words and paused. “She’s watching plays?”
Principal Jian went up to Unit 303 with Tang Ming.
Bai Lian held a black remote in her right hand, lazily leaning against the sofa, her legs casually propped up, calmly watching TV.
Principal Jian looked at the TV – it was a classic family drama.
He sat to Bai Lian’s left. “Why suddenly watching plays?”
Bai Lian’s finger tapped the remote, her tone unhurried. “Want to try.”
“Flowers on the Tree?” Principal Jian actually had a premonition.
“Yes.”
“Plays have categories,” Principal Jian was a theater enthusiast. Hearing Bai Lian say she wanted to try, he was overjoyed. “I’ll recommend several plays with similar style to Flowers on the Tree.”
Bai Lian shook her head. “I might not be able to write the style you want.”
“Try it,” Principal Jian said this, but his tone was confident. “It’s also my first time composing for a play.”
—
Jiang Fuli returned late.
Tomorrow was Monday, with a group meeting. Everyone in their group was equally hardworking. Jiang Fuli organized the past two weeks’ experimental progress and returned at ten.
After spending a day in the lab, he planned to shower before checking on Bai Lian and others in 303.
But the small light in 302’s hall was on.
Jiang Fuli reached out to take off his coat, hanging it on the rack nearby. His cold gaze fell on the lit lamp, and after a moment’s pause, he walked toward the music room.
The music room door wasn’t fully closed, leaving a small gap, but the soundproofing was excellent – even standing by the door, no sound could be heard.
He gently pushed open the door.
Inside, the air conditioning was on, with only a small lamp lit, not very bright.
Unlike usual, Bai Lian wasn’t sitting on the piano bench. Wearing simple home clothes, she sat lazily on the thick black carpet, the instrument casually resting on her legs. Several white papers were scattered nearby, some with writing, some blank.
Oh, and there was a lighter.
She seemed somewhat lazy, her slender fingers too idle to pluck the strings, so she picked up the lighter nearby, pressing it on and off aimlessly.
Jiang Fuli had a slight obsession with cleanliness.
She only brought a lighter.
The blue flame reflected in her deep black eyes, casting long shadows from her eyelashes.
Probably noticing someone pushing the door, she turned back, sitting up slightly. Her hair was casually tied up, with a few strands falling on her brow bone. She put down the instrument and stood up: “Seems I stayed too long, you’re already back.”
“Had something at school. What did you eat for dinner?” Jiang Fuli walked closer, bending down to pick up the scattered papers one by one, with elegant and clear manners.
A new batch of graduate students was about to start, and the school actually wanted to ask if he would take two more group members, but no one dared to bring it up.
To be under his supervision, unless one had talent like He Wen, few could keep up with his pace. The young master Jiang truly found looking at slow learners even once too much.
“Grandfather and others’ caught fish. Today Commissioner Chen cooked. Aunt left you two fish, and tomorrow she’ll bring you soup too,” Bai Lian was still playing with the lighter, watching him organize things neatly on the nearby bookshelf.
“Good.” Jiang Fuli didn’t have much interest in most things.
Though from a prominent family, he lived more simply in the lab than Academician Ma. He was indifferent to everything, and even Ming Dongheng and the Jiang family couldn’t freely enter such a confidential place as his lab.
They had opened a special access for him, but he closed it himself, finding it troublesome.
Only in Xiangcheng, during that time eating dinner with Bai Lian and Jiang He, had Jiang Fuli not eaten at the lab. Ming Dongheng had arranged dinners for a while then.
But now, Shen Qing and Ji Heng would always have Jiang Fuli bring food boxes to the lab. Most were Shen Qing’s stewed soups and dishes.
“My aunt added something to the soup…” Bai Lian lazily stood beside him, watching him organize the bookshelf, her tone pausing slightly when mentioning the addition.
Jiang Fuli turned sideways, reaching around her waist, fingers tightening, lowering his head slightly, only dropping his gaze, asking at close distance: “What was added?”
“Tang Ming and Ning Xiao drank it.” Bai Lian looked towards the door, wondering if Jiang He might suddenly return.
Jiang Fuli lowered his head, against the backlight, and kissed her.
His arm bent around her waist, though appearing cold, the tense arm was powerful. With sleeves half-rolled up, one could see slightly protruding veins.
“What are you thinking about,” after a long while, Jiang Fuli spoke in a deep voice, looking calmly at the door, “Little Bird Jiang’s fingerprint isn’t recorded.”
Unit 302 only had his and Bai Lian’s fingerprints.
“In January, I have a half-month break,” Jiang Fuli reached out to brush the hair falling on her neck behind her ear, “Let’s go to the snow mountain, there’s also a relic site there.”
“Taking such a long break,” Bai Lian looked at him, “You’re not researching dark matter anymore?”
“No rush,” Jiang Fuli smiled, looking down at the instrument still on the ground, “Why are you in the music room so late today?”
He recalled Bai Lian’s schedule – Yan Lu was in North City preparing for a new play, with no plans for new songs.
“Want to try composing for a play.” Bai Lian replied.
Jiang Fuli thought of Gao Shu and slightly narrowed his eyes.
—
Monday.
Early morning. Mu Yining woke up early. She lived in an outside house and only steamed some breakfast with Dong Xiaobai in the morning.
Dong Xiaobai put down milk for her, and they discussed Saturday’s matters. “How many honored guests?”
“Not many,” Mu Yining sat beside him, took a sip of milk before speaking, “The Gao family won’t come, Uncle Chen and Chairman Xu will arrive on time, along with my business partners.”
That was about right – Mu Yining’s business partners were currently among Jing City’s top circles.
Though not as grand as Old Master Xu’s birthday celebration, many people still wanted to squeeze in.
“These crab roe buns are really good. Dong Chuan and Wanxuan will go together.” Dong Xiaobai said.
Dong Chuan, Dong Xiaobai’s nephew, whose mother was from the Jiang family, had an iron-clad position as the next generation heir of the Dong family.
He held significant weight in the Dong family, otherwise Dong Xiaobai wouldn’t have accompanied Ren Wanxuan back to the Dong family last time.
Hearing this, Mu Yining sat up straight. “He’s coming?”
Dong Chuan didn’t mix in these circles, his status higher than other Dong family members, always noble. He shouldn’t be interested in Mu family branch matters, so why would he come?
“Wanxuan requested it,” Dong Xiaobai held his chopsticks, “She’s returning to the clan and asked Dong Chuan to accompany her appearance.”
“This Ren Wanxuan, she really is lucky,” Mu Yining sighed. With Dong Chuan appearing, even the Mu family’s legitimate direct line wouldn’t dare say a word about Ren Wanxuan. “Since Dong Chuan is coming, we should notify Butler Lou. He’s not just anyone after all.”
“Dong Chuan is influenced by his mother. Last time he dated was also an artistic girl,” Dong Xiaobai said, suddenly remembering something, “Isn’t Wanxuan transferring her household registration this Wednesday?”
Once transferred, she’d truly be a Mu family member. The Mu family’s vast enterprise had countless properties just left for them.
“Together with Mu Lan.” Mu Yining also picked up some crab roe buns.
Taking a bite, the juice burst open – the crab roe was delicious, the crab meat tender, the soup rich. Even Mu Yining, who had eaten so much fine food, was particularly impressed.
Last time Mu Youjin visited the Mu family, she started complaining about the crabs the Mu family ate this season.
Each year, Jing City provided only so much to this circle, whether food or tea snacks. The Mu family actually hadn’t gotten their share these years. The Gao family, backed by mountains, could still get some.
After Mu Youjin brought them, Mu Yining only left one for the old master and sent one to Ji Heng.
Now eating these crab roe buns, she was quite surprised. Such quality crab roe buns were rare even in her childhood during the Mu family’s peak.
After breakfast, while the housekeeper cleaned, Mu Yining got in the car and called Butler Lou to ask about the source of the crab roe buns.
Learning they were sent by Ji Heng, Mu Yining was very surprised.
The Ji family people were becoming increasingly strange to her.
—
Wednesday.
Bai Lian was still eating in the cafeteria when she received Xu En’s call.
“Ah Lian, good morning.” Xu En was driving, his voice carrying a smile. After greeting Bai Lian, he told her about Ji Mu Lan’s household registration transfer.
Xu Sixing was registered under the Xu family household. Old Madam Xu wouldn’t allow him to transfer.
But for such a big matter as transferring household registration, Xu En still informed Bai Lian.
“Mm, I understand.” Bai Lian swiped her card, picked up breakfast, and handed the card to Tang Ming beside her.
Tang Ming respectfully took Bai Lian’s card with both hands, not daring to even look at the three characters “Jiang Fuli” on it.
Ding Wenyang had perfectly integrated into their group.
Whenever Bai Lian was at school, they all followed her to share meals.
Seeing Tang Ming so respectful towards a card, he was puzzled. “Brother Tang, you’re now a player with 2 million points!”
For a top student of Jiang University’s Tongfeng class to be so reverent towards a card.
“Brother Ding, you don’t understand.” Tang Ming thought about Monday morning when Young Master Jiang gave him a “hmph” expression upon hearing about his points, and spoke heavily.
Tang Ming swiped the meal card.
Ding Wenyang looked at the balance on the card, made an “ah” sound, then realized—
Right, being respectful to the God of Wealth, isn’t that normal?
The two got their food and sat opposite Bai Lian and Yang Lin.
Ding Wenyang saw two foreign language books beside Bai Lian, which he often saw, so wasn’t surprised.
His gaze fell on the paper above, with strange symbols that Tang Ming had already explained were called “reduced character notation.”
“What’s the boss doing lately?” Ding Wenyang bit into a bun and asked Tang Ming beside him.
“Seems to be researching plays,” Tang Ming ate his bun, then complained, “This bun isn’t very tasty. I’ll just eat one, let’s trade for an egg pancake.”
Ding Wenyang forgot about Bai Lian’s matters and said incredulously, “Our cafeteria’s meat buns are famous in Jing City. Do you know how many internet celebrities come to our cafeteria to borrow meal cards and check in buying buns?”
Jiang University’s cafeteria food was indeed famously good.
Many food bloggers became popular online by featuring Jiang University’s food.
Tang Ming silently ate his bun, “…I’ll bring you better ones next week.”
—
Jing City Public Security Bureau, Xu En parked the car.
He saw Butler Lou waiting at the entrance.
“Chairman Xu, Miss Mu Lan,” Butler Lou smiled and introduced the people beside him, “This is Miss Wanxuan, this is Young Master Dong Chuan.”
Both parties had heard of each other.
Dong Chuan was tall and straight, wearing a windbreaker, his features appearing deep. “Chairman Xu.”
“Young Master Dong.” Xu En had heard about Dong Chuan from Mu Yining – not only was he the Dong family heir, but his mother’s family was also not to be trifled with.
Xu En was very polite.
Ji Mu Lan had recovered well after two months of recuperation, though today she wasn’t wearing high heels, just a goose-yellow coat and a ceremonial hat, dignified and graceful.
Her gaze passed over Ren Wanxuan and fell on Dong Chuan, also very polite. “Young Master Dong.”
The Public Security Bureau staff had been arranged by Butler Lou and Mu Yining, with specific people leading them to queue.
Transferring household registration, taking photos.
In less than half an hour, everything was transferred.
Ren Wanxuan looked down at the household register in Butler Lou’s hands, remembered something, and asked him, “Bai Lian didn’t come?”
“Miss Bai?” Butler Lou’s expression softened at mentioning Bai Lian, “She’s not transferring her registration.”
“I see.” Ren Wanxuan didn’t care anymore – Bai Lian not transferring registration was good news for her.
Beside her, Dong Chuan had been accompanying her. Hearing her mention Bai Lian, he didn’t ask further. He knew the Mu family had gained several relatives, but apart from Ren Wanxuan, he hadn’t paid attention to any of them.
In a car not far away.
Ji Mu Lan looked in the rearview mirror, “This boyfriend she found has good bearing. I hear his mother’s family connections aren’t simple.”
It was visible that even Butler Lou was very respectful towards Dong Chuan.
“Not bad.” Xu En started the car, evaluating seriously, but suddenly thought of Jiang Fuli.
Speaking of presence, in all these years, he hadn’t seen anyone with presence comparable to Young Master Jiang.
—
North City.
After several busy days, Gao Shu finally found two days to visit Teacher Xia in North City.
Secretary Xue had already contacted Teacher Xia’s current address. Hearing this address, Gao Shu was very surprised: “Time Light Entertainment?”
Teacher Xia used to compose for opera and large films, leaving many famous pieces, then composed for national orchestras, and hadn’t composed for a long time.
Such artists had no connection with the entertainment-focused showbiz industry.
How could he be at Time Light Entertainment?
Gao Shu was puzzled as the car drove to Time Light Entertainment.
Learning she was coming, the Deputy Director of Jing City National Theater alarmed the Time Light Entertainment president, with executives up and down all standing at the entrance to receive Gao Shu.
The scene was quite grand.
There was no choice – to find Teacher Xia in such a short time, Secretary Xue had to use simple and direct methods, necessarily disturbing these people.
North City was warmer, and Gao Shu wore only a simple windbreaker as she got out of the car.
“Director Gao,” Time Light Entertainment’s president respectfully led Gao Shu to the president’s private elevator, “Teacher Xia is training Yan Lu in singing, 29th floor, I’ll take you to the rest room.”
Yan Lu?
Gao Shu had an impression, she had also watched “Great Yong.”
In the rest room, Teacher Xia came in rolling up a music score, “Director Gao, since you came personally, I won’t say much. I’m old and have lost passion for composition. I’ve seen ‘Flowers on the Tree,’ but there is one person I recommend to you. Thinking it over, I feel only she is most suitable.”
“Who?” Gao Shu quickly stood up.
Teacher Xia tapped the music score, sighing: “The composer of ‘Gambling Wine,’ Bai Jian.”
Gao Shu had also played this song on repeat.
But she wasn’t familiar with the entertainment circle and didn’t know about the waves “Bai Jian” had caused online. “Such a composer that you admire, where is this master now?”
“Don’t know,” Teacher Xia was very direct, “For a year, no paparazzi in the entertainment circle has uncovered her. Inside and outside the circle, do you know how many people want to find her to compose but have no way? She only favors Yan Lu, composes for Yan Lu. Perhaps there’s a slight chance if you let Yan Lu sing the theme song.”
“Finding her isn’t realistic,” Teacher Xia finally looked at Gao Shu and suggested, “Let my disciple compose for you, it will be presentable.”
Gao Shu understood – it seemed truly difficult when even an artist like Teacher Xia had to tutor Yan Lu in singing to try to contact this Bai Jian.
“She must not lack money,” on the way, Secretary Xue analyzed with Gao Shu, “And her background isn’t small. I’ll try to help you collect information about Teacher Bai.”
After returning to Jing City, Secretary Xue used many connections to collect information about this online master.
—
Saturday, early morning.
The Mu family was decorated with lanterns.
Butler Lou could see red lanterns hanging on tree tops all along the way – the Mu family hadn’t been this lively for twenty years.
He walked with his cane all the way to the old master’s courtyard, crossed the intersection, lifted the curtain, and waited outside the small Buddha hall. “Master.”
Inside was still the sound of wooden fish.
Mu Xianguang’s voice was light, “Today is the day they return to the clan?”
Though in the Buddha hall without seeing daylight, he still remembered today.
Butler Lou respectfully bowed, “Yes, many people are coming today. Miss Wanxuan is also bringing Young Master Dong Chuan.”
Inside only “mm’ed,” the wooden fish sound not stopping.
“Also,” Butler Lou lowered his gaze, “The young miss asked me to tell you, today, Miss Bai will also come.”
Miss Bai, Bai Lian.
The one Mu Yining had mentioned countless times to him, this year’s college entrance exam top scorer who took Jiang University by storm.
The wooden fish sound stopped.
Three minutes later, Mu Xianguang’s voice came out, “Bring my coat in.”
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