A long string of yellow certifications blinded Lu Xiaohan’s face.
Although she didn’t understand, Lu Xiaohan knew this was a big shot.
She very unladylike imitated Zhang Shize: “…My god!”
Lu Xiaohan quickly followed this Jian Zhongyou, then turned around and held up her phone screen to Bailian: “This person wants your contact information, should I give him your phone number?”
Lu Xiaohan was about to send the number to Jian Zhongyou.
Bailian was doing a problem set. Hearing this, she lifted her head, her gaze falling on the page Lu Xiaohan had opened.
Jian Zhongyou?
Academician Jian?
She lowered her head again to continue the problems, her eyes exceptionally languid: “No need.”
“Huh?” Lu Xiaohan didn’t know much about music and didn’t recognize Jian Zhongyou, but looking at his follower count, the string of certifications, the Royal Academy of Music and Jiangjing University of the Arts, she could understand how incredible this person was.
She lowered her voice, “I’ll still give it to him, this person looks…”
Bailian silently raised her head. Her eyes, no matter from what angle, were very beautiful, bright and clear. The black pupils reflected Lu Xiaohan’s clear image, like a lazy beautiful white cat sprawled on the desk.
Lu Xiaohan could never refuse. She fell silent: “…Okay, I understand.”
She painfully replied to Dean Jian: [Sorry [Sobbing] [Sobbing]]
Jian Zhongyou seemed to have been waiting for her reply.
In less than a minute, he responded–
[Okay, I’ll ask again tomorrow then.]
Lu Xiaohan silently returned to the main page and followed Dean Jian.
“By the way,” Lu Xiaohan always had her own views on short videos. She showed Bailian her notebook, “I’m preparing to make a video edit about the Dayong Dynasty (t/n: fictional), what do you think of these main points?”
Lu Xiaohan had a nimble mind. After one of her videos went viral, many teams sought her out, but she didn’t agree to any of them.
She wanted to post content she herself enjoyed.
Bailian was originally doing practice problems. When she heard Lu Xiaohan speak, her hand paused slightly.
Lu Xiaohan didn’t notice. She excitedly said to Bailian, “I edited a group portrait video of the Dayong Dynasty. I already made an appointment for the character illustrations. I’ll post it tonight, can you take a look for me?!”
Saying this, she wanted to show Bailian the edited video on her phone.
“I don’t know about these things,” Bailian paused, then continued writing, her voice betraying no emotion. “Aren’t you going to review?”
Bailian wasn’t lying. She really didn’t understand video editing.
“I’ll review while editing.” Lu Xiaohan was exceptionally excited when talking about her ideas.
But Bailian was always studying in a race against time. So Lu Xiaohan went to discuss with the entertainment committee member about which aspects to modify the video.
Chemistry class.
The teacher finished a class with a worried expression, then called out Bailian.
Zhang Shize and the others were originally joking around. Seeing the chemistry teacher call Bailian, Zhang Shize spoke up, “Her chemistry is definitely zero points, go see if it is.”
He nudged Wen Qi beside him.
Wen Qi recalled a certain day. He touched his chilled neck and replied expressionlessly, “You go, you’re the one behind her.”
The few of them argued for a while but no one dared to actually go.
Until Lu Xiaohan looked at them and said faintly: “Isn’t it good to be alive?”
Everyone: “…”
Outside.
The chemistry teacher looked at Bailian, the corners of his mouth pursed, his face angry, a few strands of hair standing up. “Student Bailian, why are you getting 70 points in biology but still 0 in chemistry? Are you isolating me?”
Bailian was startled and explained, “No teacher, it’s not that, I haven’t fully grasped biology yet…”
Physics also took her a long time. Math was alright, she had some of the original owner’s memories so learning it wasn’t too hard.
It’s just that she was biased towards physics. She didn’t really like biology and chemistry.
“Enough,” the chemistry teacher coldly interrupted her, his aura extending 2.8 meters. “You want me to beg you before you’ll deign to study, is that it?”
Bailian still wanted to explain.
“Fine,” the chemistry teacher secretly glanced around and seeing no one, he clasped his hands together and said softly: “Then what if I beg you?”
Bailian: “…”
“Teacher, I’ll try my best.”
“Mm.” The chemistry teacher placed his hands behind his back again, looking stern and cold.
** Noon.
A bunch of people from Class 15 gathered together to eat.
Lu Xiaohan got her food and sat down beside Yang Lin. She saw the banner hanging in the cafeteria, “Who is this President Liu? He actually donated scholarship money to our school!”
Besides the Chen family, very few people would donate to the school.
Lu Xiaohan was quite surprised.
Bailian held her chopsticks, leaning slightly against the chair back. She seemed languid all day, her mood low.
Her tone was unhurried: “Don’t know him.”
“I know, I know,” Zhang Shize was very excited and explained to Lu Xiaohan: “One of the shareholders of Shiguang Entertainment. This time he came to Xiangcheng with Sister Yan. He’s Sister Yan’s boss and also a philanthropist who has donated to many orphanages!”
There were many media reports about President Liu’s charity work.
“Shiguang Entertainment, isn’t that Manxi’s company!” Wen Qi grinned.
Zhang Shize glanced at him, “What Manxi, she’s not as good-looking as my Sister Yan. Why don’t you be a fan of Sister Yan?”
“Yan Lu?” Wen Qi shook his head, “No way, she’s several tiers below Manxi. Manxi is A-list now, your Sister Yan is eighteenth-tier…okay okay, third-tier, third-tier, is that okay? Can they even compare? Plus, Manxi is recognized as a goddess in the entertainment industry, with great acting skills and singing ability…”
“My Sister Yan is clearly better looking!” Zhang Shize wouldn’t concede.
The two of them started arguing about who was better looking.
“No need to keep arguing,” Lu Xiaohan slapped the table, declaring with finality, “Neither of them are as good-looking as Sister Lian.”
Zhang Shize and Wen Qi both touched their noses.
This was indeed irrefutable.
“Sis,” Zhang Shize suddenly picked up his chopsticks and said to Bailian, “You should enter showbiz and trample Manxi. Her fans blindly hype her goddess looks every day. A bunch of ignorant people, you go open their eyes to what real goddess looks are!”
Wen Qi cursed at him, “Yan Lu can’t beat our family’s idol so you’re looking for outside help? Sister Lian is going to dominate the academic world, Zhang Erbi you better be careful, the principal will climb on your headboard in the middle of the night!”
“Ooh ooh ooh, you’re scared, you’re scared, bleh bleh bleh.”
Lu Xiaohan was used to it.
She shrugged at Bailian, “That’s how rabid fans are.”
“Yan Lu saved your life before, right? That’s why you like her so much?” Wen Qi muttered, unable to out-curse Zhang Shize.
Zhang Shize leaned back and raised an eyebrow, “That’s right.”
Wen Qi: “…?”
“When I was little, I fell into a river and was about to be swept away,” Zhang Shize said to the people at the table for the first time, “It was Sister Yan who jumped in to save me.”
Wen Qi: “…”
No way, you’re for real??? ** West City, Cemetery.
The old gatekeeper watching TV noticed the woman in a black dress had been standing at the foot of the mountain for a long time. He poked his head out, “Miss, are you here to pay respects to someone? Forgot the way?”
Yan Lu took off her sunglasses. She turned her head and smiled at the old man, “No.”
The old man looked at Yan Lu, feeling she looked a bit familiar. “Then you should leave soon, the yin energy is heavy here.”
“Okay,” Yan Lu lifted her chin, the warm sunlight shining on her exceptionally brilliant face. “Grandpa, how much is a grave here?”
“Here, it’s 12,000 yuan each,” the old man changed the channel. There weren’t many people he could chat with so he latched onto Yan Lu to talk more. “Miss, are you preparing one for an elder? Then you need to hurry, the price is going up next month.”
12,000 yuan, not expensive.
Yan Lu thanked him, “I’ll buy one before then.”
As she turned to leave, the old man suddenly remembered who she was. “I remember now, aren’t you that celebrity Yan, Yan…”
Yan Lu paused. She was just an 18th-tier actress who rarely needed to wear a mask when going out.
She didn’t expect anyone to recognize her. “Yan Lu,” she said.
“Right, Yan Lu,” the old man was a bit excited. “My granddaughter especially likes you. She has a lot of your photos in her room. Could you give her an autograph?”
He took out a pen and paper.
Yan Lu looked at the pen and paper for a while before signing her name. In a low voice, she said, “Please thank her for her support on my behalf.”
**
In the evening.
After spending the day at the hospital, Ji Heng was at home, frowning as he designed robes for Lansing.
Bailian originally planned to take the bus to the hospital.
Before she even reached the bus stop, she saw a car parked by the roadside.
She opened the passenger door and got in.
In the backseat, Jiang He, who was fiddling with a Rubik’s cube, couldn’t help but glance at Bailian before dejectedly lowering his head and continuing to play with the cube.
Jiang Fuli sat in the driver’s seat, his left hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, his aura especially cold. He slightly turned his head to look at Bailian, his fingertips tapping the black steering wheel nonchalantly.
Bailian greeted him lazily, as if nothing was different from usual.
He seemed pensive.
Bailian figured Jiang Fuli must know she was going to the hospital, otherwise he wouldn’t be waiting for her here. But after she got in the car, he didn’t say anything for a long time.
He just rested his hand on the steering wheel, gazing out the window, only showing her his very aloof side profile.
“What are you spacing out for?” Bailian opened an app to check new questions while leisurely returning his previous words to him.
Jiang Fuli was wearing a white casual shirt, half leaning against the car door. Hearing this, he looked over at her. “Thinking about a question.”
“What question?” Bailian asked casually.
“Why do you always drink cherry-flavored fruit tea?” Jiang Fuli stretched his body and started the car.
Bailian carefully studied the question. “Because it tastes good, of course.”
“Oh.” Jiang Fuli responded expressionlessly.
Just when Bailian thought the topic had ended, he suddenly said, “I thought it was because your ex-fiancé also liked it. Guess not.”
His tone was as calm as ever, with a hint of aloofness, chillingly cold.
But it sounded a bit odd.
Bailian felt annoyed whenever Song Ming was mentioned. She sat up straight and warned Jiang Fuli, “Don’t taint my milk tea.”
Jiang Fuli drove onto the main road. After glancing at Bailian, he immediately retracted his gaze, lazily saying, “You think I want to bring him up? I’d rather curse Jiang Xiaoyu.”
In the back seat, Jiang He: “…”
When Jiang Fuli parked the car in the hospital parking lot, Director Chen got out of the car across from them, humming a tune as he carried a basket of fruit.
After taking just one step, he sensed an icy gaze.
He paused and slowly looked up.
Seeing someone with one hand in his pocket, casting him a cold look, Director Chen quickly stood at attention and shut his mouth.
“Director Chen.” Bailian greeted him in a friendly manner.
Director Chen was very cautious. “Miss Bai.”
“Xiao Jiang, Yongkun, you’re all here.” In the hospital room, Ji Shaojun was wiping Shen Qing’s hands. He instructed Bailian, “Ah Lian, pour them some water.”
Bailian nodded and took the kettle to get water outside.
Director Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly put down the fruit basket.
“Miss Bai,” he reached out to take the kettle from Bailian’s hand, “let me, let me!”
With no Mao Kun around, no one fought Director Chen for it.
Director Chen took the kettle outside with a hint of smugness.
Jiang He glanced at Director Chen, not understanding what was so gratifying about getting water.
Shen Qing looked at Jiang Fuli and Bailian, blinking to indicate to Ji Shaojun that she wanted to remove the oxygen mask and straw. She still couldn’t eat and was relying on nutrition fluids.
Bailian routinely felt Shen Qing’s pulse. “Uncle, why don’t you go find the doctor? I think Auntie can do without these now.”
Jiang Fuli glanced at her.
Bailian slowly withdrew her hand.
Ji Shaojun also felt that with Shen Qing not eating for so long, she had lost a lot of weight. He got up to find the doctor. “I’ll go ask the doctor.”
The doctor quickly came to examine Shen Qing.
The chief physician, who was usually talkative, rarely lifted his head today due to Jiang Fuli’s presence. He only dared to say a few words when Ji Shaojun asked.
Shen Qing’s oxygen mask was finally removed. Blinking, she could finally speak.
“Cough, cough,” Shen Qing’s voice was very hoarse. She looked at Ji Shaojun proudly, her first words being: “Two million, I didn’t even ask for it. I listen to you very well, don’t I?”
Ji Shaojun pursed his lips. He didn’t speak for a long while before saying, “You can accept it next time.”
Bailian sat on the edge of the hospital bed, one hand propping herself up lazily. Hearing Ji Shaojun’s words, she looked at Shen Qing like this, the corner of her lips curving up. In a casual tone, she said, “That’s right, Auntie. You go ahead and accept it. Leave the rest to me.”
Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing both laughed, taking it as a joke.
Only Director Chen, sitting on the sofa behind them: “…”
He glanced at Jiang Fuli, who seemed as if he hadn’t heard anything, still noble and looking down on all things. He thought to himself-
Oh, now it’s really over.
**
The next day, Tuesday.
As soon as Bailian arrived at Class 15, she heard excited discussions.
“It blew up!”
“This time it really blew up!”
“After a millennium, when we played the Bai family’s military card, these people still had no solution…”
“…”
Everyone was discussing it, even Zhang Shize was very excited.
Even Yang Lin was exceptionally holding her phone, looking at it for a while.
Bailian lazily returned to her seat with her schoolbag, taking out her books one by one.
“Lian-jie,” Zhang Shize knew Bailian rarely looked at her phone. She seldom even replied to messages. “Did you see the video Lu Xiaohuan made? It’s really amazing! It topped the hot search overnight!”
Bailian was quite calm today.
She leisurely put her schoolbag underneath, her features cold and beautiful, her whole being casual yet charming. “Oh, I didn’t see it.”
“I told you, she definitely didn’t watch it.”
“I win.”
A few people had been betting earlier.
After all, Bailian was different from them. She rarely looked at her phone or played games.
Lu Xiaohuan arduously turned around from the crowd and quickly sat next to Bailian with a stool.
A group of Class 15 students still wanted to pester Lu Xiaohuan.
They looked at Lu Xiaohuan, then at Bailian.
Bailian raised her head from the book. Her eyes were dark, her posture slightly lazy. Without doing anything, she just looked at this group of people with a puzzled raised brow, still giving off the air of a good student.
“Swish—”
The crowd dispersed.
Lu Xiaohuan grabbed Bailian’s wrist. “Wuwuwu Lian, you’re so amazing.”
“What an accomplishment,” Bailian commented on her. “Your Teacher Jiang is more amazing.”
Lu Xiaohuan: “Ah… he probably doesn’t count as human, right?”
Suddenly feeling that what she said wasn’t quite right, Lu Xiaohuan spat and quickly changed the subject, “Oh right, Dean Jian came to find you again.”
She opened her app.
Because there were too many messages in the backend, her phone lagged for a moment before she found the private messages from followed accounts. She opened it and handed it to Bailian to see.
Bailian glanced at it.
Jian Zhongyou: [Will she be willing to give me her contact information today?]
Bailian replied on behalf of Lu Xiaohuan: [1]
After replying, she returned the phone to her.
Lu Xiaohuan quietly watched from the side. When she got her phone back, she typed to explain to Jian Zhongyou-
[The thing is, her “1” generally means “got it, you may leave”-]
After typing, Lu Xiaohuan deleted it character by character-
[Hello, this “1” actually means she’s unwilling.]
Bailian didn’t care what she was typing. She just propped her chin with her hand, squinting at the window. In all this time, she had read many books of this era.
The only one she hadn’t flipped through was the history book.
She was afraid of seeing an introduction like [Bai Chongyu, Dayong years 4-32].
She was afraid that a casual sentence in a history book would end their lives.
…
Bailian faced the morning sun outside the window and stretched out her hand, letting the light shine on her palm. She gently clenched her fist.
It was warm.
She thought, she was truly and really alive.
“Let me see,” she said.
“What?” Lu Xiaohuan didn’t understand.
Bailian looked at her phone and said softly, “The video you made.”
“Oh, okay.” Lu Xiaohuan never dared to mention this video. She vaguely felt that every time these things were brought up, there was always an inexplicable sadness about Bailian.
But today, her sadness seemed much better than yesterday.
Lu Xiaohuan opened the video she posted last night and handed the phone to Bailian.
Bailian lowered her head and watched quietly. The black screen, accompanied by music and rising opera vocals, slowly revealed the color of ink-
“Dong-“
With a loud drumbeat, an arrogant line of white text suddenly appeared-
[Just how impressive was the Dayong Dynasty era?]
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