ATLAS TRANSLATES

Bai Lian took the files from Secretary Xue’s hands and went inside.

In the kitchen, Gao Shu heard the faint doorbell and peeked out. “Lian Lian, are those the files from Secretary Xue? Just leave them on the table.”

Arms crossed while watching the chef cook, Gao Yan turned her head at the mention of Secretary Xue. “Is it about the theater?”

Gao Yan knew that Gao Shu’s recent progress at the theater hadn’t been great.

“It’s fine,” Gao Shu walked in to help the chef. “Teacher Xia’s student is backing me up. They’re already writing.”

She could cook. She had taken care of Jiang Fuli when he was injured as a child. During that time, she prepared all his meals herself, never letting him eat anything that hadn’t passed through her hands.

Later, when Jiang Fuli regained consciousness and gradually took control of the Jiang family affairs, she stepped back from this responsibility.

Perhaps because of this, Jiang Fuli never moved against the Gao family, and their influence continued to grow.

Gao Shu never sought repayment for her kindness, but everyone knew she was the only person in Jiang City whom Jiang Fuli truly respected.

“And there’s also Lian Lian,” Gao Yan remembered Bai Lian outside. She didn’t want to disturb Gao Shu and the chef, so she stood in the corner. “Isn’t she also writing something?”

At the mention of Bai Lian, Gao Shu smiled.

Despite her busy studies, Bai Lian still cared about the theater matters. Though Gao Shu didn’t have high expectations for Bai Lian’s work, she was still happy. “You’re right.”

Gao Shu had already planned the dinner menu. But with Jiang Fuli’s arrival, she asked the chef to add two more dishes.

After everyone finished eating and left, Gao Shu noticed Bai Lian kept watching the rehearsal DVD of “Flowers Blooming on Trees.” She packed up the disc and gave it to her. “Take it home to watch. This will be the only copy from now on.”

Bai Lian put on her cloak and accepted the DVD before leaving with Jiang Fuli.

As she turned, Gao Shu noticed the large patches of poppy flowers embroidered on the hood and hem of her cloak.

Leaning against the doorframe, Gao Shu studied the embroidery on Bai Lian’s cloak, thinking that the clothes Gao Yan would make for Bai Lian probably wouldn’t be as intricately crafted as what she was wearing.

After seeing Bai Lian off, while others were cleaning the kitchen, Gao Shu took Secretary Xue’s files back to her room.

Seeing the black text on the cover, she sat up straight.

Putting on her glasses, she carefully opened and examined it.

Looking at the sealed document envelope, there was only one piece of paper inside with a few lines: [Name: Bai Jian Gender: Unknown Age: Unknown Published works: “Drinking Bet,” “Another Autumn”…]

It could be read in one glance.

For a moment, Gao Shu thought her capable secretary must be joking with her. She took out her phone to call Secretary Xue. “Xue Na, are you serious about this information?”

On the other end of the phone, Xue Na sighed helplessly. “Boss, this person is truly mysterious. I couldn’t find anything else.”

—

In the evening after work, Director Dong’s father left the office.

The Deputy Director specifically waited at his door to greet him, asking about his wellbeing, and only let him leave after ten minutes.

“How strange,” a colleague looked at Dong’s father. “Isn’t Deputy Director Liang usually only respectful to Director Jian?”

Dong’s father also found it surprising.

Though his father was a special member of the Calligraphy Association, he was already retired.

In the Dong family, he wasn’t the most successful one. His son Dong Chuan was much more accomplished than him.

The Deputy Director was from the Liang family who had been transferred in. Usually looking down on everyone, this was the first time he had greeted him.

Dong’s father returned home with confusion, only understanding the reason when he saw the old master.

Dong Chuan and Ren Wanxuan had returned in the afternoon and personally told the old master about Jiang Fuli. Ren Wanxuan needed to return for a family dinner that evening. Originally Dong Chuan hadn’t planned to attend, but today he decided to go.

The Dong family’s old master and Dong’s father personally saw the two off. Then the old master turned to his son, “Has the Calligraphy Association and Cultural Bureau decided on the exchange representatives for this year’s ‘Sea of Ink and Brush’?”

“Sea of Ink and Brush” was a four-nation calligraphy exchange meeting.

It was held every three years and was always very grand. The entire Cultural Bureau would attend, and Old Master Chen would personally host the event, with media from all four nations present.

There would be a calligraphy culture promotion event targeting youth and elder artists, specifically writing in the Liang style.

It would be broadcast on official channels.

Held in the Cultural Square, hundreds of thousands watched online and offline each year.

“Not yet. They originally recommended Xu Yajun from the Calligraphy Association for the youth group, but she was over the age limit by six months. They’re planning to hold open auditions,” Dong’s father caught the old master’s meaning. “You mean…”

“This time, the Calligraphy Association shouldn’t refuse. Tell Wanxuan to practice her copying well. She’s also graceful and shouldn’t be camera shy when facing official media.” The old master nodded slightly.

This was about showcasing their calligraphy heritage, representing more than just the Calligraphy Association.

It needed to be carefully, very carefully considered.

—

At the Mu family home.

When Ren Wanxuan and Dong Chuan returned, the four red lanterns outside the gate were already lit.

In the dim light, they could see Ji Shaojun talking to someone.

Butler Lou stood behind Ji Shaojun.

As they approached, both Ren Wanxuan and Dong Chuan very politely and respectfully greeted Ji Shaojun. Ji Shaojun was usually indifferent to them, merely nodding slightly before continuing his conversation with the young man.

When talking to that young man, his expression was clearly much warmer.

Dong Chuan instinctively looked at the person opposite. The young man appeared quite young, wearing only a black fleece hoodie. His whole demeanor was gentle and easygoing, like an artist who could sketch at any time.

His temperament was very distinct.

Surprisingly compatible with Ji Shaojun. Ren Wanxuan’s relationship with Ji Shaojun had always been average. Seeing this, Dong Chuan thought this young man seemed more like Ji Shaojun’s nephew.

“Who is that?” he asked Ren Wanxuan.

Ren Wanxuan gave Xiao Qi a cold look. Ji Shaojun’s warm attitude toward Xiao Qi made her uncomfortable – being better to an outsider than to his own niece. “A hoodlum from Qingshui Street.”

Someone who used to hang around with Bai Lian.

She naturally had no good feelings toward Xiao Qi, and now even less so.

“Is that so?” Dong Chuan thoughtfully withdrew his gaze. His demeanor didn’t seem like a hoodlum’s.

Outside the gate.

In the gentle lamplight, Xiao Qi smiled very politely. “Uncle Ji, please feel free to use it. If it breaks, there are more. It’s fine to use it for flower arranging. It was originally meant for Sister to arrange flowers, but at that time Mr. Ming had already given Sister a vase, so our boss didn’t send it over.”

The vase being so precious, Butler Lou still mentioned it to Ji Shaojun, who then called Ning Xiao.

Xiao Qi came personally to explain.

Hearing it was originally meant for Bai Lian, Ji Shaojun was half-believing. “Well then, Xiao Qi, would you like to stay for dinner?”

“Thank you, but I need to go back to watch the place.” Xiao Qi politely bid farewell to Ji Shaojun.

He left in his car.

Ji Shaojun watched Xiao Qi leave. Behind him, Butler Lou said softly, “You seem to like Miss Bai’s friend very much.”

“He just feels familiar somehow,” Ji Shaojun replied.

—

In the car, Xiao Qi sent a message to Bai Lian, explaining everything clearly.

At Mountain Sea Apartments.

Bai Lian had just gotten home. While replying to Xiao Qi, she opened the sandalwood box on her desk.

Inside was a small black seal, smooth and delicate to the touch.

Black as lacquer, oily as grease.

An exquisite black jade seal with a dragon-turtle knob.

She picked up the seal, held it up to the study room light, then went out to Room 103.

In 103, Jiang Fuli had already taken off his coat and was standing at the table in the living room, backlit, his eyes deep and profound, arms folded across his chest, looking at Ji Heng’s new clothing design for Lance.

Beside him, Jiang He sat at the small table drawing. He had attended art class all day and was now working on homework assigned by his teacher.

Ji Heng was drawing intently. Jiang Fuli was the first to notice Bai Lian’s arrival.

He made space for Bai Lian, letting her see Ji Heng’s design drawings.

Lance lay opposite Ji Heng, pointing at the design. “Here, here should also have flowers.”

Ji Heng ignored his strange requests.

After Ji Heng finished drawing, Bai Lian showed the black seal to Ji Heng. “Grandfather, did he send the right thing?”

Only then did Jiang Fuli’s gaze fall on Bai Lian’s hands. Her fingers were long and slender, white as jade in the lamplight, making the four-centimeter square seal appear even blacker.

He looked at the seal, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.

“Oh, that?” Ji Heng glanced at the seal in Bai Lian’s hand, saying casually, “Just play with it. It’s not much use now anyway. You can sell it later if you want.”

So casual.

Bai Lian held the black jade seal, tossing it in her palm. “Alright.”

—

Time passed quickly in winter.

By late November, the cloak Ji Heng was making for Lance was nearly complete.

Bai Lian had also finished writing the theme song for “Flowers Blooming on Trees.” With heating in this season, Room 302’s heating was very adequate. She sat in the music room wearing only a single layer, shoes off on the warm carpet, using one hand to convert the simplified notation into staff notation.

After confirming there were no mistakes, she sent it to Director Jian.

As usual, she composed while Director Jian arranged. She had time to learn staff notation, but knew little about modern instruments. These matters were best left to professionals.

At the Cultural Bureau.

Jian Zhongyou was arranging the “Sea of Ink and Brush” exchange meeting, currently the only international event in Jiang City.

“So we’re arranging with the Calligraphy Association for Miss Ren…” Deputy Director Liang was reporting beside him.

Just then, Jian Zhongyou received Bai Lian’s message.

It was a translated score with the same title as the play – “Flowers Blooming on Trees.”

It was Bai Lian’s composition, from October to November, over a month of composing. This was the most serious work Jian Zhongyou had seen from Bai Lian since knowing her.

Jian Zhongyou was stunned for a moment, then stood up directly, saying to the Deputy Director: “I don’t understand the Calligraphy Association matters. Just coordinate well with their people.”

With that, he hurriedly left.

After he left, several bureau staff looked at each other. “What did Director Jian see?”

Working together for so many years, they had never seen Director Jian so excited.

As a guzheng player, the overall tone of the song leaned more towards guzheng. Director Jian went straight to the Jiang Music recording studio, taking a guzheng to play “Flowers Blooming on Trees” according to the staff notation.

The musical style was calm yet carried surging waves and hidden killing intent.

Director Jian, who had never understood the military strategy “flowers blooming on trees,” now had a magnificent picture in his mind. After playing, he couldn’t calm down for a long time.

Even the recording staff came forward to ask, “Director Jian, what piece was that?”

Director Jian took a deep breath, not answering her, but called Bai Lian instead.

Getting straight to the point, “Transfer to Jiang Music School.”

“Huh?” Bai Lian had returned to the study in Room 303, startled, then realized Director Jian must have recreated her entire piece. She replied unhurriedly, “I just happen to be good at this style.”

“This isn’t about being good at it,” Director Jian’s voice trembled with excitement. “Do you know how much weight this piece carries with me?”

Director Jian, the benchmark of classical music.

“Didn’t you say to take it seriously?” Bai Lian opened the printer to print her thesis. Her eyes lowered, “I did. Now it’s your turn.”

Flowers blooming on trees – borrowing circumstances to arrange forces, using small power to create great influence.

This method of putting up a false front to intimidate enemies—

Was also Bai Xiangjun’s usual approach.