ATLAS TRANSLATES

When Dean Jian arrived at Shanhai Apartments, Bai Lian was upstairs talking with Qi.

Qi was telling her about the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall and the medical clinic.

The foundation ointment from Xingyi Martial Arts Hall had successfully broken through from the small business circle. He Zhiwei had also taught several resident doctors about acupuncture for myopia, which had now spread throughout Xiangcheng.

Xuankang had become a national chain enterprise and joined the Jiangjiang Chamber of Commerce.

In just one year, despite pressure from Luo Pharmaceutical and the traditional medicine market, they had broken through to become a chain pharmacy in the sinking market. Qi’s contributions were invaluable.

The only treatment that hadn’t caught on was acupuncture, as it required a long course of over two months.

Many people had an inherent distrust of traditional Chinese medicine, making it difficult to promote in Jiangjiang and other places.

Qi wanted to spread this technique worldwide. He sat at the small tea table in Bai Lian’s study, deliberately pouring himself a cup of tea. The tea here was always excellent. “Has Dr. Lance’s myopia completely recovered?”

Bai Lian looked through the report before handing it to Qi. “What are your thoughts?”

After finishing his tea, Qi said, “I want to invite Mr. Lance for a tour of Xuankang Pharmacy.”

“He’s in Room 103. You can discuss it with him,” Bai Lian knew that both Qi and Mao Kun knew Lance, who was initially introduced by Mao Kun.

They left the study together.

Outside, Zhang Shize sat at the table. Today he wasn’t doing practice problems but reading a heavy law book, his eyelashes lowered, looking completely serious, unlike his usual casual demeanor.

When he heard the sound, he crossed his legs, finally showing a bit of his usual irreverent manner. Seeing Bai Lian about to leave, he looked slightly worried: “Sister Lian, where are you going?”

“The theater,” Bai Lian picked up her cloak before leaving.

Zhang Shize watched her leave, thinking about how to get through Jiang Fuli’s questioning in the afternoon without Bai Lian present, all while under Ming Dongheng’s expressionless gaze.

When Bai Lian was around, Jiang Fuli could still tolerate his foolishness.

Once Bai Lian left, Jiang Fuli would have only one look— Are you sure you want to go spread nonsense at the University of Political Science and Law?

— At the theater.

Xue Na, wearing a thick long down jacket, was waiting at the theater entrance ten minutes early.

The Jiang family’s cars all had special numbers, including the commercial vehicle Ming Dongheng usually drove. From across the street, she could spot that distinctive Jiang family car in the traffic flow.

Xue Na had heard that all of Jiang Fuli’s cars were specially modified, with bulletproof glass in every window.

As she thought about this, she went forward to greet them.

The back door opened automatically.

Bai Lian stepped out with her cloak.

Her hair was half-tied up, and as she bent down, the black strands fell to her chest.

Since she didn’t need to walk outside today, she wasn’t wearing a cotton jacket. Instead, she wore a white silk diagonal-lapel top embroidered with light gold patterns that flowed with a luxurious sheen, paired with a crimson pleated skirt.

In the sunlight, she reflected a cold light like that bouncing off snow.

The ultimate in color coordination.

As soon as she got out of the car, she casually draped the cloak over her shoulders with a wave of her hand, every movement showing noble breeding. She greeted Xue Na, “Secretary Xue.”

Wearing a crimson cloak matching her pleated skirt, embroidered with flowers and blue butterflies with spread wings that gently fluttered in the wind.

Both brilliant and restrained elegance.

A very special presence.

Due to the nature of her work, Secretary Xue had seen many beautiful women.

But even having seen Bai Lian several times before, she was still stunned for a moment before coming back to her senses, “Miss Bai, it’s cold outside, let me take you in.”

She led the way, noting the black CD in Bai Lian’s hand.

The theater’s exterior walls were covered in a layer of snow, with clearly defined layers on the entrance pillars.

Outside, there was still a huge poster advertising “Flowers on the Tree” showing at 7 PM on Saturday.

It was clear that the theater took this play very seriously.

The theater was closed for maintenance this afternoon and not open to the public. Secretary Xue took Bai Lian directly through the backstage to the hall, which was an arc-shaped expansive space.

A grand staircase connected directly to the second floor.

On the stage in front, staff were setting up, about to start rehearsal. Gao Shu was chatting casually with a man in his early thirties on the left side of the stage.

“This is a junior from the family,” Gao Shu introduced Bai Lian to the man beside her.

The man hurriedly greeted Bai Lian.

Gao Shu then explained the man’s identity to Bai Lian in a low voice, “This is Mr. Xia’s student, who came specially to Jiangjiang to compose for ‘Flowers on the Tree.’”

Bai Lian nodded, she had heard about this from Gao Shu before.

As they were talking, the old dean also arrived. His hair was graying, he wore reading glasses, and had a very dignified presence.

He sat in the middle, and Gao Shu went to greet him.

Today they were rehearsing the opening segment. Theater was a very direct form of performance. Bai Lian sat to the side, watching this segment of the rehearsal intently.

The play featured a character based on Chen Ye, with some scenes including the actor playing Bai Chongyu.

She watched very attentively.

The first half was only an hour long, and after it finished, the two lead actors didn’t take a bow.

Music started playing.

This drum-based music pulled Bai Lian out of her emotions. She looked up at the stage—

The male and female leads were singing the theme song.

Beside her, Ji Yinghui was talking to the old dean, “Dean, this is the theme song Teacher Shi composed for ‘Flowers on the Tree.’ We originally wanted to ask Dean Jian to arrange it, but he didn’t have time. Please have a listen.”

The old dean sat up straight with interest as soon as he heard the prelude.

This theme song matched the rhythm of “Flowers on the Tree” well, with tense plot development. It was clear there had been research into new theater styles.

After listening to the whole song, the old dean nodded. He looked at Shi Qingyu and nodded slightly: “This theme song is very interesting, not bad.”

Coming from the strict old dean, this was already very high praise.

After listening to Dean Jian’s demo and then this theme song, Bai Lian didn’t have much reaction.

She glanced at Ji Yinghui, thinking this must be the one who had competed with Gao Shu for people mid-way.

Beside her, Mr. Xia’s student listened to the end, then stood up and silently left through the backstage. Gao Shu immediately followed, gesturing for Secretary Xue to show Bai Lian around the theater.

Bai Lian asked a few questions about Ji Yinghui and Shi Qingyu’s situation.

Secretary Xue mentioned a few small conflicts between the two, and Bai Lian appeared thoughtful.

— It wasn’t until Gao Shu was almost finished with her work that Secretary Xue took Bai Lian to the second-floor rest room and made her a pot of tea.

Secretary Xue waited outside the rest room, and when Gao Shu came up from downstairs, she anxiously asked, “What did he say?”

She was asking about Mr. Xia’s student.

“He said his composition couldn’t compare to Teacher Shi’s, and left early. I had Old Li take him to the airport,” Gao Shu pressed her brow, quite helpless.

She had also heard Mr. Xia’s student’s work, and indeed, it couldn’t compare with Shi Qingyu’s.

Shi Qingyu had prepared for this opportunity for so long, it wasn’t something an ordinary work could compete with.

Even the old dean had praised it repeatedly.

The first performance would officially begin next Saturday, and the day after tomorrow was the old dean’s final deadline.

Nearby, Ji Yinghui, Shi Qingyu, and the two lead actors walked down from the end of the corridor. These people were quite lively: “I’ve reserved a private room at Qingxin Tower for six o’clock. The dean will be there later, you all must come.”

“Teacher Shi, don’t worry, I’m still in contact with Dean Jian. He’s busy lately, but we’ll definitely have a chance to collaborate on the next piece,” passing by Gao Shu, Ji Yinghui still smiled and greeted her, “Deputy Dean Gao, I won’t be working overtime today, I’ll head out first.”

Shi Qingyu knew Ji Yinghui could really contact Dean Jian, so he didn’t feel guilty at all facing Gao Shu now.

The group left.

“Boss,” Secretary Xue asked, “Should we still have Bei Tong and the others practice the theme song?”

“Forget it,” Gao Shu pushed open the door to the rest room, “Let them go eat. We’ll give up on this theme song. He can even invite Dean Jian to arrange music, what else can I say?”

Even with Li Jiu’s relationship, she couldn’t get him to come out of retirement.

“Are we really giving up?”

After working so hard for several months, at this crucial moment Secretary Xue really couldn’t say the word “give up.” If Deputy Dean Ji really took over, Gao Shu would truly be marginalized.

But the gap was there – even Mr. Xia’s student had automatically conceded and left Jiangjiang.

Secretary Xue sighed, picking up her phone to notify Bei Tong and Qin Si that they didn’t need to stay late to practice singing.

In the rest room.

Bai Lian was taking Ji Heng’s call, asking if she would be home for dinner.

“I’ll be back,” seeing Gao Shu come in from the corner of her eye, Bai Lian stood up, “Little Ming is already waiting downstairs.”

Bai Lian picked up her cloak and hung up the phone.

“You’re leaving now? I’ve already called the chef to come,” Gao Shu put aside her thoughts, her voice still gentle when speaking to her, “Don’t go back, I’ll make you one of my specialties today.”

Bai Lian didn’t answer, just handed the CD in her hand to Gao Shu.

“What’s this?” Gao Shu was puzzled.

For over a month, Gao Shu had been communicating with Mr. Xia’s student, who frequently discussed details with her, while Bai Lian had never asked Gao Shu anything. Gao Shu had forgotten that Bai Lian was also writing a theme song for “Flowers on the Tree.”

“The theme song for ‘Flowers on the Tree,’” Bai Lian smoothed her slightly wrinkled sleeves, adjusted her cloak properly, looked up, and smiled calmly: “I think you probably won’t have time to cook these next few days.”