Chen Zhuo now didn’t have much curiosity towards Ren Wanxuan anymore.

“Alright, let’s go then.”

Ever since their head teacher mentioned Bai Lian’s matter two days ago, he had been very silent with much less interaction with Ren Wanxuan.

Ren Wanxuan didn’t mention the matter of the sword.

She nodded and went upstairs with Chen Zhuo.

The school leaders had gotten up very early today.

They convened a morning meeting at 6AM.

Inside the school, security guards could be seen all the way on the road. Every detail had to be without mistakes.

When Chen Zhuo and Ren Wanxuan arrived at the principal’s office, several top leaders were there in formal attire seriously discussing something.

Seeing the two come in, the principal smiled kindly at Ren Wanxuan, “Ren, you’re here? How has your calligraphy been recently?”

Saying so, he made way for her to see the stationery behind him, “Take a look first and see if these feel good to use.”

When that lord arrives, Ren Wanxuan still needs to perform.

The other leaders also amiably greeted the two students.

When Ren Wanxuan was trying the wolf hair brush, someone lightly leaned towards the principal and lowered his voice: “Where are Ning Xiao and Bai Lian?”

To welcome Master Chen, they must show their best side.

Chen Zhuo and Ren Wanxuan were students with both good grades and conduct.

Ning Xiao had always been a genius on par with Chen Zhuo’s fame while Bai Lian rose abruptly. Recently the teachers had heard about them.

“Both weren’t available.” The principal sighed.

The leaders didn’t understand. “You didn’t explain clearly to them? Such a rare opportunity to see Master Chen, and I’m even meeting him in person for the first time. Those two really rejected?”

They hadn’t considered that anyone would give up this kind of opportunity. Who wouldn’t scramble at the chance to welcome them?

How could it be not explaining clearly? The principal smiled helplessly.

If said out loud, perhaps no one would believe it.

But Ning Xiao had always ignored them, fleeting like a glimpse of a dragon1.

As for Bai Lian, she could be found but rejected with neither humility nor arrogance.

Lu Lingxi was even more direct, directly calling to tell him to not disturb her precious students’ studies with these miscellaneous matters.

What could he do?

As for Bai Lian, she could be found but rejected with neither humility nor arrogance.

Lu Lingxi was even more direct, directly calling to tell him to not disturb her precious students’ studies with these miscellaneous matters.

What could he do?

**

On this side, Jiang Puli temporarily cancelled his lab schedule to come to No. 1 Middle School with Jiang He.

Upon receiving Jiang Puli’s message, Chen Ju woke up and rushed over to his residence.

Right now he was respectfully holding out a ticket to Jiang Puli, bowing as he asked: “You really won’t come with me? The school side prepared a separate seat for you, quiet with no one disturbing you.”

Chen Ju couldn’t imagine Jiang Puli’s icy expression sitting below with a bunch of students.

He didn’t need a ticket himself. When he asked the school for tickets, they were greatly surprised.

Chen Ju was also helpless; could he command Young Master Jiang?

Jiang Puli’s fair fingers hooked on a black mask to put on a black snapback hat. His expression was aloof and arrogant: “No need.”

He glanced at Jiang He, as noble and detached as always.

The shallow eyes held no emotion at all.

Jiang He climbed into the car.

Chen Ju didn’t dare look more and just stood there respectfully seeing the car drive off before daring to lift his head and deeply exhale, asking the servant beside him: “What’s wrong with Young Master Jiang today?”

Why was he so terrifying? Chen Ju didn’t even dare meet Jiang Puli’s eyes from start to finish.

Bai Lian was waiting for Ji Heng.

She asked Lu Xiaohan to pick up Jiang He first.

Ning Xiao and Lu Xiaohan were waiting for Jiang He at the school entrance. The black car stopped. Lu Xiaohan raised a hand, about to call out “little bird brother” when she saw the black slender figure alighting from the car.

She hadn’t seen his face but couldn’t get that “little bird brother” out at all.

The alarm bells going off in her mind now made her forget about the notoriously unsociable Ning Xiao beside her. She hurriedly turned and anxiously grabbed Ning Xiao’s arm.

“Sch…School god— “

Then she discovered—

Ning Xiao who had been aloof with a hand lazily tucked into his pocket beside her abruptly pulled out his hand with both hands hanging by his pant seams, his stance suddenly becoming apprehensive.

Lu Xiaohan: “……?”

“Bai isn’t here yet,” Ning Xiao emotionlessly led them towards the auditorium, the gloomy school god now turned guide. “I’ll take you to see the viewing area first.”

“Thanks for the trouble.” Jiang Puli spoke.

With Jiang Puli today, Ming Dongheng didn’t personally protect Jiang He.

The group entered the school gate.

Jiang Puli’s noble and aloof temperament, especially the low pressure that could be felt from two meters away today, allowed the gatekeeper by the entrance to recognize him instantly.

From afar, he respectfully bowed to their group.

Jiang He wore a white casual shirt with black suspender pants, striving to keep up with Jiang Puli’s steps.

The contrast of big and small attracted countless gazes as they walked.

At the big auditorium entrance, the student council members checking tickets were about to greet Lu Xiaohan with a smile when they caught sight of the people ahead and quickly held it in.

Inside the auditorium, Lu Xiaohan didn’t dare follow Ning Xiao in either.

Only after seeing Ning Xiao lead Jiang Puli’s group in did she relax.

“Who was that?” The student council members dared to speak now. Someone affirmatively said: “Must be a VIP invited by the principal.”

Why didn’t the principal and Chen Zhuo’s group come?

Lu Xiaohan waited for Bai Lian by the entrance.

A short span of time.

The school celebrations started at 8AM. At 7:40, Bai Lian arrived with Ji Heng.

She attracted all gazes tightly the moment she appeared.

Today Bai Lian wore an off-white crossover-collared surcoat with wheat vines embroidered on the collars in wheat color. The skirt below was a gradient of light green and off-white with vivid clusters of Four Seasons peonies embroidered along the hemline.

Knowing she had a performance, Ji Heng specially added a silky six-meter trains made of sheer silk gauze for an ethereal and beautiful effect.

Her hair was still loosely pinned up simply with a plain wooden hairpin.

No other hair accessories.

Walking step by step with the back facing the rising sun, lightly swaying to reveal the blooming Four Seasons peonies along the hem. She resembled an elegant white tiger leisurely treading through endless bones and blood.

The colors of this world were nothing compared to her grace.

Most of the passersby stopped.

Lu Xiaohan suddenly recalled that line “Don’t provoke the mundane peach blossoms”2.

“Lu Xiaohan?” Not hurried or slowed, Bai Lian steadily tapped at her phone screen. Seeing Lu Xiaohan absentminded for a while, she quirked a brow.

“Oh,” Lu Xiaohan’s face instantly flushed. She quietly greeted Ji Heng, “Hello Grandpa, I’m Lu Xiaohan.”

Then she looked towards Bai Lian’s grandpa.

Grandpa wore black changshan3 with stern features, holding a tobacco pipe in hand but with no tobacco inside the pouch.

Lu Xiaohan led Bai Lian and Ji Heng inside.

There were many people in the auditorium today with most students without seats, standing in the large open space behind while some rows of seats were placed in front for teachers and school leaders along with some student council members to sit.

Ji Heng was older so the student council prepared a seat nearer the back for him.

Class 15 had gathered in a spot towards the back to stand. When Bai Lian went over, she saw the aloof Jiang Puli standing out from the crowded auditorium. Despite the severe overcrowding, he had somehow created a three-person distance around himself.

Only the noise-hating Jiang He was glued to Jiang Puli’s side.

“Ah, Teacher Jiang would you like to wait backstage instead?” Bai Lian languidly tapped on vocabulary words on her phone.

Dressed in classical clothing for the sword dance today, she lazily held a Huawei phone in contrast.

When the corners of her lips lightly curved up, it gave an odd clash of ancient and modern.

Seeing the elegance through the mist, casual yet refined.

Jiang Puli lightly pressed down his snapback and lowered his head to look at her. He endured the irritation as the corners of his lips faintly pressed together: “No need.”

Jiang He didn’t even know Bai Lian’s performance order.

Jiang Puli’s expression turned colder.

**

Principal’s Office

Ren Wanxuan put down her brush and showed Chen Ju the quatrain she had just practiced writing.

At a glance, Chen Ju saw that line “The green tassel enters the Hall of Glory”4.

During the auction, Ren Wanxuan had taken photos. She couldn’t capture the true writing itself but she would practice copying it every day.

She had also captured ten to twenty percent of its form.

The principal and Chen Zhuo earnestly looked it over. Everyone present had seriously studied the regular script so even the principal couldn’t help praising: “Ren is only seventeen yet can write such beautiful words.”

The praises were endless.

Chen Ju’s expression was rather calm on the other hand. If it were before, seeing such writing from someone so young, his expression would be similar to the principal’s.

But—

The writing that had been auctioned back was in Jiang Puli’s collection room!

Chen Ju had gone to appreciate it many times before, he had even done video calls with the old master to admire it together!

Even the modest gentleman Luo Yuanming, as the national preceptor of ages, was unwilling to—and instead committed “stealing chickens and dogs” (petty theivery)—to steal the writing that was going to be burnt, unbearable to part with it.

It showed the excellence of that writing.

After being spoiled by fine works these two days, now seeing Ren Wanxuan’s writing left Chen Ju feeling it was lackluster.

Chen Ju had his hands clasped behind his back as he slowly evaluated: “The writing style is decent but lacks some bold spirit. Need more wrist strength which girls tend to lack naturally. Writing to this level is already very impressive.”

Expecting to be praised, Ren Wanxuan was a bit surprised.

She paused before lowering her head: “Wanxuan understands, thank you Master Chen for the pointers.”

Ren Wanxuan had grown up pampered since she was little. She worked hard enough and was clever enough. At her age being able to write like this, even teachers had said there were promising successors. It was unavoidable she would be arrogant with the school’s leaders and elders frequently praising her.

She found Chen Ju’s evaluation hard to accept.

Chen Ju naturally could tell Ren Wanxuan was somewhat dissatisfied with his evaluation.

He only smiled without comment. It couldn’t be denied Ren Wanxuan’s writing at seventeen exceeded most peers.

But that writing in Jiang Puli’s collection—

Their ancestor Bai Xiangjun had been only fifteen when he wrote it!

Not to mention all the poetry written before fifteen. Just that writing alone, Ren Wanxuan studying ten more years might not achieve that kind of bold spirit.

For the Bai family’s people, even the Chen family was like crazy blind fans. You can write well but if you compare with a Bai, sorry, you can launch a rocket and still not match their ancestors!

Forget comparing with the ancestors, even the current Xu Yajun of Jiangjing wrote better than Ren Wanxuan.

Chen Ju didn’t seem that awed.

The school side naturally discovered it. Flustered, they quickly took Chen Ju to see the celebrations. Chen Ju was also curious what Xiangcheng’s current students were like.

The group headed for the big auditorium. By the time they arrived, it was already 7:55AM.

The principal led a group inside.

The student council members checking tickets at the entrance saw the principal closely following some middle-aged man and couldn’t help letting their mouths drop open.

Wasn’t that esteemed guest invited by the principal earlier?

The front row of seats in the auditorium were reserved for school leaders.

As Chen Ju walked in, he discreetly observed the crowd. He knew Jiang Puli was also here today. He finally spotted someone standing in the auditorium crowd and got a fright.

He really came?

He wasn’t unavailable?

“Master Chen?” The principal was baffled.

Chen Ju hurriedly looked away, “It’s nothing.”

He pondered—could Miss Bai be performing?

**

Every class was serious about their celebration program.

The school leaders sitting in front didn’t even leave, especially since there was a heavyweight like Mount Tai in the middle.

To protect that esteemed figure, there were practically bodyguards every 10 meters. A tense atmosphere permeated the entire auditorium.

It was about to enter the finale at 11AM.

The performers of the last few programs went backstage to prepare. Lu Xiaohan accompanied Bai Lian and the cultural committee member back there.

“You’ll be okay…” Lu Xiaohan calmed her wildly beating heart and tried to soothe Bai Lian.

When she lifted her head, she saw Bai Lian striding along seriously reviewing vocabulary words.

The “Zhang” word she was about to utter got swallowed back in.

Fine, big bros didn’t need to get nervous.

Bai Lian had her own clothes so no need for changing.

“Big Sis, help touch up our makeup!” Lu Xiaohan pushed Bai Lian towards the makeup lady.

The makeup lady backstage froze with a powder puff in hand staring at Bai Lian’s face. After quite a while, she eerily asked Lu Xiaohan: “You aren’t thinking of getting me to use this powder puff on a beauty as a joke right?”

The overly nervous Lu Xiaohan: “……”

She calmed herself—she needed to not get so nervous.

The cultural committee member went to retrieve the sword.

When the cultural committee member rushed in from outside panic-stricken and face drained of color, Lu Xiaohan’s heart that had finally settled went suspended once more!

She shoved through crowds and ran into the storeroom.

As expected, the sword wasn’t here.

Everyone backstage knew how important today was. Now the student council members all began searching.

Hearing the news, Zhou Shize in the crowd went ghostly pale and rushed backstage.

**

Backstage

Almost everyone was present.

Zhou Shize seized Class 8’s collar, the one who just came in, “Didn’t you say you would pass it along to Chen Zhuo!?”

Class 8 was also shocked.

Sensing Ren Wanxuan nearby, his eyes unconsciously darted to her side. He realized the other party clearly hadn’t told Chen Zhuo anything.

“I-I couldn’t find Chen Zhuo…” He didn’t dare offend Ren Wanxuan either.

“You—!”

Bai Lian had closed her phone screen since Zhou Shize entered with eyes tepidly leaning against the wall watching that Class 8 boy.

“So the sword isn’t even at school?” Lu Xiaohan almost fainted upon hearing this. Still looking for the sword, she cried: “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have been so careless…”

“It’s mine!” Zhou Shize fiercely punched the wall.

Chaos backstage. The problem was too big for students so someone soon went to call upon a school leader seated in the audience stands.

He wore a suit with a dark expression as he walked in: “What are you doing, what is everyone doing? The celebrations haven’t ended yet and look at the mess!”

Only Ren Wanxuan sat on a lounge chair taking out her outfit.

“What happened? Someone explain.”

Everyone stood backstage avoiding gazes without anyone daring to speak.

The leader swept his gaze before settling on Ren Wanxuan and softened his tone: “Ren, what’s going on?”

“Class 15’s prop sword went missing.” Eyes still on her phone screen, Ren Wanxuan stated flatly without lifting her head.

Class 15 was next.

The principal had personally overseen preparations for today’s celebrations with top school leaders present, not relaxing one bit. They had even invited a bunch of security today precisely to prevent anything unexpected during the celebrations.

No one had anticipated this critical moment when a prop for Class 15’s performance went missing.

The leader’s face instantly darkened like a storm cloud.

“Chen Wei took it.” Zhou Shize frowned and explained.

“So what?” The leader roared and cursed at him: “Do you not have a record? Such a small matter for the celebrations yet you can’t handle it well? What can you even accomplish in the future?!”

Who Chen Wei was, even the leader knew—he couldn’t afford to provoke Chen Wei either.

So he could only vent it out on Class 15 and the student council.

“How was the program arranged?” The leader asked darkly.

“Class 15 is next. It’s too late now even if we went to retrieve another sword,” the student council president also hurried over to explain to the leader after a quick glance. “The last two programs: after Class 15’s sword dance ends then it’ll be Ren’s piano performance.”

The atmosphere was coldly repressive.

The song from the previous program could faintly be heard. It was nearly the end.

With the last two programs, there was no time left to find another sword now.

The leader coldly glanced at Class 15 asking: “Ren, given the current situation, I can only trouble you to go change first.”

Class 15 was going to be taken off the roster.

Ren Wanxuan said nothing but gave a coldly mocking smile. She picked up her outfit but didn’t immediately go change right away.

“On Class 15’s behalf, thank you Ren,” Lu Xiaohan spoke up from the side. It was her own oversight.

Ren Wanxuan looked at Bai Lian and crossed both arms, “Bai Lian, do you have nothing you want to say to me?”

Bai Lian didn’t look at Ren Wanxuan.

Ren Wanxuan nearly laughed now. Fine.

She turned and faced the leader directly: “My apologies but my outfit isn’t ready yet.”

“Bai…” Hearing Ren Wanxuan’s meaning, the leader frowned and turned to Bai Lian.

Bai Lian only faintly tilted her head. Grabbing a student council member with coldly wan fingers, the ends of her eyes downcast. The corners of her lips very slowly curled into a smile, like a blood-colored mandala leisurely blooming in endless hell. Faintly lowering her head while clutching that person’s collar, she slowly asked: “Schoolmate, is there a guzheng5?”

  1. An idiom meaning to barely catch sight of something remarkable. ↩︎
  2. ???????: A line from a Chinese poem meaning don’t get involved in complicated mundane affairs and romantic entanglements. ↩︎
  3. A traditional Chinese men’s robe worn for formal events, typically worn by people of status. Here’s how the changshan looks like. ↩︎
  4. From a line of the famous Tang calligrapher Chu Suiliang. The Hall of Glory refers to the imperial court. ↩︎
  5. An ancient Chinese string instrument like a zither. ↩︎

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