Bailian was seriously studying, unconcerned with missing out on anything.
But their glance happened to land on the book Tang Ming was casually flipping through.
Last night’s questions were from Bailian. Tang Ming asked her when he didn’t understand, and quickly grasped this problem set. He had time now to take a look at Jiangjing University Physics. Half contained integrated analysis on optics, electromagnetics and kinematics theorems.
The other half was laboratory experiment principles and findings.
Tang Ming didn’t seem as relaxed as Ning Xiao. He flipped through a bit before returning it to Ning Xiao with a frown. “I won’t read first. I’ll just look at your notes later.”
So Ning Xiao took it back.
Ren Wanxuan’s group watched the casual passing back and forth between them. There was no way they weren’t envious.
“They actually treat this book so flippantly,” her group mates said, no longer mentioning what Bailian had missed out on. Their hearts were filled with myriad emotions. “If it were mine, I would pore over it daily.”
They would definitely not be as perfunctory as Bailian’s group.
Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhe exited.
“Do they even know how important those later experiments are…” Another person’s voice was very soft.
“A cow chewing peony flowers1,” Ren Wanxuan pursed her lips.
What was Bailian thinking?
She didn’t even read it herself, yet casually lent it to others. She also refused to sell it to the Ren family?
8pm.
As usual, Bailian’s trio left together.
Only after they departed did the others look towards Bailian’s side.
They knew what Bailian possessed, but it was evident Ren Wanxuan held hostility against her. The Crown Prince Class was renowned at school. Even if they wished to get on good terms with Bailian, they didn’t dare be overt about it.
Moreover…
They too originally held antagonism against Bailian. She didn’t seem the easy to approach type either.
They had these reasons, but Zhu Jiaren was clearly in the same group as Bailian. “Jiaren, what’s going on with you? Aren’t you in the same group?”
Zhu Jiaren’s smile turned rigid.
How would she know Bailian had this book?
If she was aware earlier, during that after school group discussion she would have agreed even if she knew it meant supporting Bailian.
Bailian likely didn’t let her join because of this.
**
Milk Tea Shop
Mayor Chen watched through the window in astonishment as Jiang He flipped through an extremely thick dictionary. “Mr. Ming, what are you two doing here?”
“Young Master Jiang will arrive later,” Ming Dongheng’s expression was frosty. He had no intention of elaborating.
Mayor Chen also didn’t dare interfere in Jiang Fuli’s affairs.
Ming Dongheng had always been this icy. He wasn’t the least bit surprised.
He came today wanting to wait for Jiang Fuli’s return, but only found an empty manor.
After contacting Ming Dongheng, he learned they were here instead.
Mayor Chen looked at the simply decorated, cramped milk tea shop. This didn’t align at all with Jiang Fuli’s status no matter how he saw it.
“They’ve given up searching for your master. Chen Jingyun found Tong Pa,” Mayor Chen recalled something. He gravely told Ming Dongheng: “I know. I’m trying my best to contact Master.”
Ming Dongheng knitted his brows.
Just then, three figures wearing Xiangcheng No.1 Middle School uniforms walked over from the school gates up ahead.
Mayor Chen casually glanced over, then did a double take at the lazily walking girl beside them.
The female student wore her school bag slung over one shoulder, the other hand holding a vocabulary workbook. Strands of hair softly draped over her brow bone as she headed straight for the milk tea shop without the slightest detour.
“Ms. Bai,” Seeing her approach, Mayor Chen promptly greeted her politely.
Ning Xiao and Tang Ming didn’t recognize Mayor Chen. They merely felt this man had an imposing aura.
The two entered the milk tea shop first. Bailian lagged one step behind them. Her snowy fingertips lazily pressed on the vocabulary book. She lifted her eyes giving him a slight nod. “Hello.”
Her features had always been tranquil and she handled matters steadily without causing a ripple.
It seemed whether a beggar or king stood before her, they were possibly less important than her cell phone vocabulary app.
Only when Bailian went inside and sat beside Jiang He did Mayor Chen realize something was off.
At this time the milk tea shop should no longer be open for business.
What were those three doing going in?
While still feeling astonished, a black car slowly parked at the roadside.
Jiang Fuli emerged from behind, a slender black laptop draped on his wrist.
“Young Master Jiang.” Mayor Chen drew back his thoughts. Hands at his sides, he respectfully addressed Jiang Fuli.
Jiang Fuli halted his steps.
The light grey windbreaker made him appear even more chilled. Gaze tranquil, it settled on Mayor Chen. “What else is lacking?”
Mayor Chen reported on official matters: “Wang Youfeng appeared on Heishui Street today. He was shot earlier so only dared to surface now. It’s basically confirmed the MT-035 minerals are in his possession. That wily old fox is probably waiting for several firms to bid.”
As a world renowned mineral tycoon, seeing Wang Youfeng wasn’t easy.
MT-035 minerals were a critical component of thrusters.
Currently detectors could only reach Mars. Successfully taking samples and returning to Earth was no simple feat. The aerospace sector was striving in that direction.
They had already drafted probe schematics last year. They only lacked materials before being able to file for project commencement.
“Price isn’t an issue,” Jiang Fuli stood at the milk tea shop entrance, long lashes half-lowered with brows and eyes obscured in shadows. His voice was light: “If you can’t handle him, get someone else to replace you.”
Young Master Jiang only concerned himself with designing blueprints and research. These miscellaneous tasks generally didn’t warrant his involvement.
If he still had to handle this himself, the Chen Consortium and Aerospace Department would probably get collectively chewed out by him.
“The only one familiar with them is Beixuan. But she’s overseas recently. I can urgently summon her if necessary.” With Jiang Fuli’s assurance, Mayor Chen gained the resolve to bid.
It was just…trying to meet with Wang Youfeng to negotiate prices…
Not to mention him, even Mayor Chen or Chen Beixuan showing up might not necessarily succeed.
Unable to even meet, how could they discuss bids? Mayor Chen deliberated over international connections, or spending a fortune on the black market for intel. Money makes the world go round. The Jiang family was only left with money.
Just as he was pondering this, he saw Jiang Fuli sweep aside the curtain and enter the milk tea shop.
Expressionless Jiang He coldly got up. Arms wrapped around the massive dictionary, he moved to sit at a table farther back.
Jiang Fuli casually took his vacated seat.
Mayor Chen’s brow fiercely jumped.
He couldn’t help pressing a palm to his temple, revisiting his earlier attitude when interacting with that girl, reflecting over and over.
He…he should have been fine, right?
His phone rang, interrupting Mayor Chen’s thoughts.
He walked to his car, connected bluetooth and took the call. It was Chen Gang.
“Mayor Chen,” Chen Gang’s voice was cautious. “Are you free these days?”
Mayor Chen started his car, eyes glancing at the milk tea shop. “I have several cases to handle. Help me keep an eye on the black market and Heishui Street situation. Contact me about any news.”
Black market intel was abundant yet chaotic. Mayor Chen needed more local snakes to tail them.
On the other end of the phone, Chen Gang promptly responded: “Good, good.”
“What’s the situation?” In a Wanhe Lou private room, Ren Qian anxiously asked about the outcome.
They were both quite disappointed last time for failing to help Mayor Chen.
Chen Gang reiterated Mayor Chen’s intent.
Heishui Street was after all in Xiangcheng. They were undoubtedly more knowledgeable than Mayor Chen about it. Secretary took one look at Ren Qian before swiftly issuing orders downstairs.
They didn’t know Mayor Chen’s auction house connection last time.
This time they absolutely could not let Mayor Chen down again.
Any Wei didn’t participate in their political matters, merely raising a brow at the private room door: “Why hasn’t Dr. Gao arrived yet? Isn’t he half an hour late?”
“Researchers encounter sudden incidents more often. We need to be understanding,” Ren Qian was neither arrogant nor impatient, reminding Any Wei: “Remember to be respectful later. Don’t take the same attitude as you do at the company.”
Any Wei leaned against her chair back, phone in hand coordinating tomorrow’s schedule with her assistant. She casually nodded.
Then recalled something. She told Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhe: “I spent 30 million on this meal. Don’t let me waste my money. You two better get Dr. Gao’s contact info.”
She invested 30 million in Gao Qianchen’s research project, spending a fortune.
Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhe exchanged a look with each other.
Seated beside Ren Qian, Chen Gang suddenly remembered something. Puzzled, he asked: “Oh right, Chen Zhe said your family has a relative in training class too. How come she didn’t come along?”
The Rens didn’t have anyone Ren Wanxuan’s age.
But the Jis on the other hand…
Any Wei promptly straightened. She placed her phone on the table and tilted her head looking at Ren Wanxuan: “Bailian is in training class? Didn’t you say her grades were very poor?”
Ren Wanxuan never mentioned this to the Ren family. She only told the secretary about wanting that book.
Everyone present understood the implications of being in training class.
Even Ren Qian was unaware Bailian had joined.
He only heard from Ren Wanxuan that Bailian scored 85 for science.
“I only know she scored 110 for science this time,” Ren Wanxuan lowered her gaze. She didn’t elaborate further.
Beside her, Chen Zhe pressed his lips glancing at her. Bailian scoring 110 for science was one thing, but being praised by the principal and exceptionally admitted to training class meant she definitely had exceptional talent. That was why he mentioned it to Chen Gang after returning home.
Since Ren Wanxuan left it out, Chen Zhe didn’t bring it up either.
Dr. Gao was a connection the Rens made.
Ultimately he still stood by Ren Wanxuan’s side.
“110?” Chen Gang withdrew his gaze. He didn’t inquire further.
**
Final Day
At training class, the Class 8 teacher collected the assignments from yesterday.
He rolled up the answer sheets then started playing today’s screen recording: “Everyone watch an hour of footage. I’ll finish grading today’s questions and announce the totals after adding up your overall scores at 8pm.”
Today’s footage completely deviated from previous knowledge points, mainly focusing on quantum mechanics.
“So quantum entanglement refers to particles simultaneously existing in two states. We’re all aware of Schrodinger’s cat. To explain it here, before you open the box the cat exists in both ‘dead’ and ‘alive’ states. When you open the box, it will collapse into one of those states. If you see a live cat, then the you in a parallel world will open the box to find a dead cat…”
Bailian always maintained immense interest in this concept so she listened very attentively.
In the past everyone would concentrate on the lectures.
But today with the selections about to be publicized, apart from Bailian’s trio, no one else could focus on the screen recording.
Most glanced at the clock every few minutes.
Zhu Jiaren had no mindset to watch the lecture.
She sat by Ren Wanxuan’s side holding paper and pen. On the final day she fully realized there was no possibility of blending in with Bailian’s group, so she went to find Ren Wanxuan instead: “Classmate Ren, will I be able to take a look later too?”
Many shared the same thought as her.
Ren Wanxuan’s two groupmates swiftly refuted: “We’ll definitely get to see it first. Alright?”
“Ren Wanxuan, can we line up?” Training class students discussed among themselves.
Ren Wanxuan indifferently said: “Whatever, but no extended loans. Arrange the times yourselves.”
“Classmate Ren, you’re so generous…”
Pen in hand, Ren Wanxuan’s gaze was fixed on the screen yet she wasn’t actually listening attentively at all.
Even if she obtained an uncertain answer, Zhu Jiaren grew extremely excited.
The training class teacher already had mental stipulations over the vacancies.
The daily scores didn’t fluctuate by much. Today’s outcome aligned fairly well with his expectations too.
Before 8pm he finished grading the answer sheets. He then added up the totals and printed out the rankings.
Holding the score sheet he pushed open the door entering training class.
The sound of the opening door was by no means loud, yet most had noticed. Their hushed discussions instantly ceased altogether.
Their gazes converged onto him in a sweeping motion.
The Class 8 teacher saw Bailian’s trio still seriously listening to the lecture. He shifted sideways checking the time left on the footage, still 20 minutes remained.
So he patiently found a seat to sit and wait for the video to end.
This action caused the other students to feel as anxious as sitting on pins and needles.
Ren Wanxuan narrowed her eyes, scanning Bailian’s three people. Lips pressed tight, she appeared extremely displeased.
“Why are those three still here?” Those seated around also couldn’t wait any longer.
“They can’t obtain the spots anyway so of course they’re in no rush.”
“……”
8pm.
The recording stopped.
The Class 8 teacher brought a stack of papers to the lectern. The students in class stared at him intently.
With one hand propped on his glasses and the other holding the list, the Class 8 teacher surveyed the room. “I will now announce everyone’s cumulative scores.”
Those in front of and behind Ren Wanxuan softly offered premature congratulations: “Wanxuan, Zhe, congratulations in advance…”
Just at that exact moment, the Class 8 teacher’s voice sounded: “Ning Xiao 175 points, Bailian 160 points, Chen Zhe 157…”
The congratulatory words instantly screeched to a halt mid-sentence.
He lifted his head, gaze filled with sheer incredulity fixed on the lectern.
- “A cow chewing peony flowers” (????) is a Chinese idiom meaning someone who does not understand the value of something precious that is wasted on them. ↩︎
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