ATLAS TRANSLATES

“Who?” Minister Xu leaned over to take a look.

He only saw the two words “Bailian”.

He had just been transferred here today and was notified to be in charge of the Calligraphers Association matter. The list was given directly by the director. Minister Xu almost didn’t recognize anyone.

Apart from Ren Wanxuan, he had only heard of “Chou Boqing”.

Let alone this name “Bailian”, he hadn’t even heard of anyone surnamed “Bai” in Xiang City. But erring on the side of caution, he still asked—

“Do you know her?”

Ren Wanxuan indifferently replied, “My dad’s niece.”

Ren Wanxuan’s dad?

Minister Xu hadn’t heard of his reputation, only knowing that Ren Jiawei had taken in a son-in-law.

“I see,” Minister Xu instantly understood. “Miss Ren, let’s exchange contacts?”

“Of course.” Minister Xu was experienced. Ren Wanxuan was also not stingy.

The two amicably added each other’s WeChat.

Minister Xu smiled. It wasn’t his first time handling this kind of matter either.

As the newly appointed official, using an insignificant person to gain goodwill from Ren Wanxuan and the Ren family.

This transaction was truly extremely cost-effective.

**
On this side.

Xu En was also having a meal with Ji Heng and the others.

The dining location was at the small western-style building Xu En was renting. Xu En had always been good at easing atmospheres. He brought up the topic, “Why didn’t Bailian come today?”

“Bailian was busy the past two days,” Shen Qing felt a little awkward about the situation, but people like Ji Heng and Ji Shaojun had always been reticent. “She’s making up class today, quite busy.”

She naturally wouldn’t say Bailian didn’t want to come here.

It was clearly expressed that Bailian hadn’t gone to school the last two days.

On the other side of Shen Qing, Ji Mulan grabbed her chopsticks and unconsciously glanced at Xu En once.

Xu En didn’t care. He knew about Bailian’s grades. He breezed past the topic lightly, “The date is tentatively set for the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, close to New Year’s. Bailian will be on break then too so you’ll all have time to attend. After attending the wedding, you can also spend a few days in Jiangjing.”

Bringing up the wedding date, Ji Mulan’s expression softened a little.

It was a date they calculated together.

Ji Heng put down his chopsticks. He took out his smoking pipe without lighting it. His hands covered in thick calluses caressed the pipe as he looked at Xu En, “Does your family know about this?”

He was referring to Xu En’s mother.

“I moved out to live. I told them in advance too,” Xu En smiled unconcernedly, “The date is ultimately ours after all. If Bailian comes, she can live together with us too.”

Xu En had arranged everything appropriately.

Just as he spoke, there was a sudden sound from upstairs.

Hearing it, Xu En knew it was Xu Yajun’s voice. He ignored Ji Heng and stood up, “Miss Xu?”

After Xu En left, Shen Qing finally felt less oppressive at the dinner table.

It was probably a few minutes later that Xu En came back down holding his phone.

Followed by a woman in a white dress behind him.

She had delicate features but didn’t look well.

“Sorry, I have to go send someone off,” Xu En apologized. And explained to Ji Heng, “Miss Xu said something happened at Central Book Association (CWA) and needs to hurry back. I’m seeing her out.”

“CWA?” Shen Qing hadn’t heard this term before and subconsciously spoke out loud.

At most she had heard of painting and calligraphy.

Although Ji Mulan and Xu En didn’t do introductions, she also knew the woman behind Xu En was no ordinary figure, given Xu En’s respectful attitude.

Xu En also had no intention to introduce Xu Yajun to them.

“This is…” Xu En was also surprised for the first time that someone didn’t know CWA. He was stunned for a bit, not knowing how to explain either.

Ji Mulan couldn’t help but purse her lips, glancing at Shen Qing.

Xu Yajun coolly glanced at Shen Qing once. There was nothing else in that look, it just made Shen Qing feel a little prickly, “Uncle Xu, I’m in a hurry to return to Jiangjing.”

“Alright.” Xu En picked up his car keys. He nodded slightly to Ji Heng, and signaled Ji Mulan to kindly entertain the Ji family.

After Xu En and Xu Yajun left, Shen Qing turned to Ji Shaojun, “Should I not have spoken earlier?”

She was just an ordinary common woman.

Ji Shaojun had gotten quite used to it over the many years. He shook his head, indicating it was fine.

But Ji Mulan’s expression turned cold. She looked back and forth between Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun.

Laughed from anger.

“Good thing he’s not here,” Ji Heng finally lit his pipe then. Wisps of smoke rose faintly, blurring his gaze. “Let me remind you, don’t push Bailian too hard.”

Ji Mulan watched Ji Heng smoking.

An image of Bailian instantly flashed through her mind. She only made the connection for an instant, “Aren’t I doing it for her own good? I’m pushing her? She listened to me a lot before. But look what she learned after coming to Xiang City!”

Ji Mulan was nothing more than a self-serving narcissist who never felt she had problems.

“What do you mean look what she learned after coming to Xiang City,” Shen Qing’s temper flared up and she started making a racket, “She’s much more sensible than you by I don’t know how many times! You have the nerve to talk about her…”

Her next few sentences were somewhat dirty.

Ji Mulan didn’t expect even Shen Qing to yell at her like this.

She pointed at Shen Qing, breathing heavily.

Ji Shaojun quickly blocked Shen Qing to keep her from cursing more. “Let’s leave it at that today. Think over Bailian’s matters carefully. We’re heading back first.”

Ji Mulan coldly saw the three people off before sitting in the lobby starting to ponder whether she was right to come back this time.

After Xu En sent Xu Yajun back, Ji Heng and the others had long left.

Xu En felt a very familiar nicotine scent in the air. He sniffed and asked, “Did your dad and them leave?”

That tobacco smell really was familiar.

“Mm.” Ji Mulan didn’t want to mention them much. Seeing Xu En standing there, “What is it?”

“What brand are those cigarettes your dad smokes?” Xu En pondered slightly.

Ji Mulan shook her head. “My brother gave them.”

After speaking she looked at Xu En.

“Nothing,” Xu En shook his head. Then it was fine. He asked about something else, “Do you know Heishui Street?”

Heishui Street was on the other bank. Ji Mulan knew about that area since she was little but didn’t know much, “Very chaotic. Did something happen?”

“Someone tried to compete with me over land first,” after Xiang City’s tourism development plan came out, many people had ideas about this place. Xu En’s advantage was faster information in his social circles. “Secretary Ren said those people seem to be backed by a bar…not easy to provoke…”

Having known each other for so long, this was the first time Ji Mulan saw Xu En so worried.

She truly was very surprised.

There were people in Heishui Street and even Jiangjing who couldn’t be provoked?

**
On the road back to Qingshui Street, Bailian received a message from Teacher Chou.

One was about collecting the award.

Two was about the Association’s ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday.

She must attend.

Bailian leaned against the seat back. Her fingertips unconsciously tapped the screen—

?What’s with making me personally go??

To be honest, having to collect a prize together with some people who didn’t systematically practice brush calligraphy, Bailian felt it was awkward.

Teacher Chou: ?……?

Teacher Chou: ?I asked. Proxies are not allowed. ?

Bailian was very direct: ?Then I don’t want it.?

Teacher Chou: ??????

Teacher Chou: ?Do you know what you’re saying?!?

“Eh,” Bailian resumed her nonchalant state. She lazily tilted her head, “…This can’t be against the law either, right?”

Having heard certain words like “peace” and “against the law” used loosely, Jiang Fuli even had the thought to borrow De’s criminal law and civil law books.

Then he started thinking.

How much had she done?

“Stay calm,” he raised his head. His fingers holding the pen were very cold. Many possibilities flashed through his mind. Very calmly, “Tell me first.”

Bailian turned off her phone unhurriedly. She slowly removed the slightly loosened hairpin and put it back in properly. “Just CWA.”

She briefly recounted it.

Jiang Fuli relaxed somewhat. It was a small matter after all. His gaze lingered on the hairpin behind her head for a while. His tone was flat, “I’ll have someone collect it for you.”

“It can be collected on another’s behalf?” Bailian raised her brows as she smoothed out her sleeves.

“Small matter.” Jiang Fuli leisurely replied.

The car arrived at Qingshui Street.

Bailian got off the car. Jiang He tried to stubbornly follow on his own accord.

He was picked up by Jiang Fuli with two fingers.

Jiang He stomped his feet.

Frustrated in the end.

Jiang Fuli stood straight and tall beside the car, seeing Bailian off until returning to the car. Only then did he unhurriedly take out his phone to find someone’s WeChat—

?Go collect an award?

On the other side of the phone.

Jiang Xizhou was a little dumbfounded. He rubbed his temples, feeling like something was off from overworking. He crooked a finger at the executive director beside him, “Read Mr. Jiang’s message.”

The director panicked whenever he saw that note.

Still, he stiffly read it out loud.

“Ah,” Jiang Xizhou mumbled, raising his head. “I’m not seeing things, right.”

**
The next day, Lu Lingxi brought Yang Ling back to school.

There wasn’t much change.

Bailian sat at her seat observing Yang Ling for a long time. Then she took out her phone to message Chen Ju—

?Help look up someone for me.?

She remembered Chen Ju was with the authorities.

Saturday.

The final location for Xiang City Calligraphers Association was decided to be next to Xiang City Pagoda Spring near an ancient building preserved very well.

After learning the address, Bailian arrived early. She stood in front of the tall threshold and looked up at this building from a bygone era.

Her gaze was ink black and cold as a pool.

It must have been renovated many times but you could still see the tower tip shape of the main gate. You could spot the garden rockery inside with a sweeping glance as well as corridors going around all four sides.

She knew the hall was right behind those long corridors.

She wondered if the military sand table model was still there or not.

Now, red silk banners hung over the porch and corridors with busy, smiling staff walking to and fro.

There were also two rows of firecrackers and fireworks at the entrance.

Her clothes were lightly pulled.

Bailian lowered her head to see Jiang He looking up at her.

Bailian reached out to rub his head.

“Miss Bai,” Ming Donghang held car keys respectfully saying, “I’ll be waiting outside. Please keep Little Young Master company.”

Bailian led Jiang He in. Crossing the corridor, she immediately spotted the sign-in desk on the left.

There was a long row of tables draped in brown tablecloths. The receptionists smiled gently and perfectly. “Hello guest, sign in here please.”

She handed Bailian the signup sheet and a pen.

For Bailian to sign in.

Having arrived early, Bailian looked at the long signup sheet. No one had signed in yet or guests arrived.

Skimming from top to bottom.

Yet she didn’t see her own name.

“Hello,” the receptionist was astonished. She hurriedly took the signup sheet, “May I ask which guest you are? Let me help you find it.”

“No need. It’s not here,” Bailian looked it over once and knew her name wasn’t there. “I’ll ask.”

She took out her phone, intending to ask Teacher Chou.

“What’s going on?’ At the entrance, Secretary Ren saw this scene as he walked in smiling with a middle-aged man.

The receptionist spoke first, “This guest couldn’t find her name. I’m checking if we missed anyone.”

“Minister Xu,” Secretary Ren instantly knew who this person was upon seeing Bailian.

His smile instantly vanished. He stood at the threshold looking at Bailian, “Miss Bai, I know you know Liangti style. Getting into Xiang City Calligraphers Association must be quite important to you right?”

Ordinary people in Xiang City had no chance of taking on famous masters like Ren Wanxuan.

Minister Xu stood beside Secretary Ren and raised his head to the sky.

The receptionist from earlier also seemed to understand something. She lowered her head and quickly withdrew.

Bailian slowly hung up, raising her head. Against her light complexion, the sky blue dress reflected her delicate features. “Sure, so?”

“You’re sensible now,” Secretary Ren looked at Bailian silently for a while before quietly speaking. His feelings for Bailian were now complicated. “The promo video was recorded by you in place of our miss, right? If you promise the promo video will be rerecorded by our miss, I’ll have Minister Xu put you back on the list.”

He didn’t nitpick over past matters either. Ren Qian would know sooner or later that Bailian knew Liangti style.

“Give it to her?” Bailian narrowed her eyes slightly.

Secretary Ren was about to praise Bailian for her good sense when her leisurely three words came crashing down the next second, “Is she worthy?”

“You—” Secretary Ren stared at Bailian with sinister eyes, “You’re just dogs wagging your tails begging for scraps from the Ren family! Mr. Ren respects you and you actually think you’re something!”

His words gave Minister Xu, next to him, a start.

The Ren family indeed had the final say in this part of Xiang City.

He just didn’t know how this young lady offended Secretary Ren.

Luckily he didn’t reject Ren Wanxuan yesterday. Otherwise Secretary Ren would definitely present false charges against him in front of Ren Qian.

Bailian stood under the corridor. Her apricot eyes were extremely clear and deep, reflecting the reflections of the artificial hill before her. She sneered at Secretary Ren, “You think giving me a spot is a huge favor? You can’t seriously think I really want to join the Association?”

Secretary Ren frowned without understanding her meaning.

“Tired,” Bailian glanced at Secretary Ren. “Idiots, have your fun.”

She led Jiang He out.