The Glamorous Comeback of the Ousted Heiress

Chapter 512: 204 Bai Lian’s score, as if she wants to be the top scholar (second update)_1
 

“`

Bai Qiming knew very well that Song Min was extremely outstanding.

Not only was he excellent in his studies, but he was also very sensitive to finance, and with Song Min’s grandfather being from Jiangjing, he had access to different resources from an early age compared to those in Beicheng.

He had mentioned more than once to Bai Shaoqi that she was unlucky this year to be in the same cohort as Song Min.

The headmaster of Beicheng High School naturally thought of Bai Lian.

Ever since they discontinued the joint examinations, they had no idea about Bai Lian’s exact performance. Song Min had made significant progress, yet they didn’t know how Bai Lian had fared, “I hope our school can once again win the provincial champion.”

Bai Qiming felt there was an undertone in the headmaster and class teacher’s words, but he didn’t think much about it.

As long as Bai Shaoqi could get into Jiangjing University, that was enough. After dinner, he sent the two of them off and returned to the Bai Family residence, where he shared the good news with the Bai Family Clan.

“I said it, these two siblings have potential,” an authoritative uncle from the Clan declared. “I will notify the people in the village right away, and when the college entrance examination results come out, we will celebrate at the ancestral hall.”

Aside from the New Year, the Clan seldom opened the ancestral hall.

Last year, they had opened it once for Bai Shaoke when he became the provincial champion, but they only opened the side door. The central door was not to be opened easily unless there was a significant contribution.

This was the most exciting time for the Bai Family Clan in the past few years.

Bai Qiming, speaking with the Clan members, could not hide his pride on his usually stern face.

Glorifying the ancestors was something no one could refuse.

**

June 1, Saturday.

Bai Lian and Ning Xiao were preparing for the college entrance examination, and since Beicheng High School did not close for the holiday, she did not visit Zhang Shize today.

Jiang Fulai went with Chi Yundai instead.

Without Bai Lian around, Zhang Shize became even more unapproachable, and the two prison guards dared not get too close to him.

Chi Yundai, upon entering, immediately adopted an expression that could send someone away for ten years.

After escorting the two to the visiting room, the prison guards exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the room.

Zhang Shize had been waiting there. Seeing Jiang Fulai and Chi Yundai, he was startled for a moment before standing up and speaking in a muffled voice, “Brother Jiang, Teacher Chi.”

Chi Yundai tossed the keys to Zhang Shize.

Zhang Shize bowed his head and used the keys to unlock the handcuffs.

Chi Yundai glanced over and commented, “Quite skilled, aren’t you?”

Zhang Shize placed the handcuffs down, loosened his wrists, and followed Jiang Fulai’s instructions for a while. Without Bai Lian there, Jiang Fulai’s patience was limited.

Even He Wen got scolded for making mistakes in front of Jiang Fulai. Seated across from Zhang Shize, his white shirt sleeves rolled up neatly, his delicate features frosted over, He Wen asked, “Are you the one applying for the University of Political Science and Law?”

Chi Yundai watched for a while and his brow twitched, “Let me handle this, Young Master Jiang.”

Jiang Fulai coldly stood up, pulling at his collar.

An hour later, Chi Yundai calmly asked, “Would you mind spending another ten years in here?”

Zhang Shize: “…”

Without Bai Lian present, it would have been good even if Senior He Wen was there, yet why did two King Yamas have to come today?

The lengthy prison visit finally ended.

Zhang Shize would rather go back and spend another ten days inside. As he was leaving, Jiang Fulai handed him two items.

Zhang Shize took them and looked.

He opened the red banner first, “What’s this?”

As he unfolded it, he soon saw the words written on it—

[Take a picture with Zhang Shize (a good man)]

Zhang Shize: “…”

At this moment, he turned his attention to the other item, a photograph. It was a picture of Bai Lian and the others with this banner, and as he looked at it, he vaguely remembered, “They’ve all taken their graduation photos already, huh. They’re graduating.”

He treasured the photograph, storing it as if he too had participated in the graduation photo shoot from afar.

“Right, Brother Jiang.” Zhang Shize took out a letter he was holding and handed it to Jiang Fulai, “Please give this to Sister Lian to pass on to Lu’s mom when the time comes.”

This was Zhang Shize’s letter to Lu Lingxi.

**

Evening.

The courtyard at Ji Heng’s.

Since the graduation outfits for class 15 were completed, he had some free time to work on his own small items. Jiang He had been with Ji Heng during this period; like Ji Heng, he didn’t talk much and was different from other kids his age.

He was smart and independent, yet he wasn’t a conversationalist and tended to be hard on himself.

Strangely enough, he got along very well with Ji Heng.

Usually one would be drawing while the other would be embroidering, passing the days quietly.

When Xu En arrived carrying a bunch of gifts, the courtyard gate was open, and he immediately noticed Jiang He sitting leisurely at the stone table with his paintbrush.

Ji Heng looked up, saw Xu En, and was somewhat surprised, “Why did you suddenly come back?”

He stood up.

Xu’s assistant followed Xu En, also carrying a lot of items, “Chairman Xu was worried about disturbing Miss Bai’s exam preparation and didn’t inform you in advance.”

“I don’t plan to stay long, just came to see you and Alian. Alian has her exams, so I have to rush back tomorrow.” Xu En placed the heap of gifts in the living room, pausing when he saw the TV there, “You bought a television?”

He had thought Ji Heng didn’t enjoy watching TV, so he had not considered buying one for them.

Xu En had brought a bunch of gifts this time, including tobacco as well as clothes and accessories prepared for Bai Lian.

“`

“Alian bought it,” Ji Heng brewed two cups of tea and asked them to sit down. After a long wait without anyone else showing up, he pondered for a moment, “Has Mu Lan not come back?”

Xu En placed the items down and replied, “Xiangcheng is far, and the doctor said her pregnancy is not stable, so I didn’t let her come back.”

Ji Heng glanced at Xu En as he lit his tobacco pipe, “You don’t need to explain for her.”

What Ji Mulan was thinking, Ji Heng knew very well.

Even if the journey wasn’t so long, Ji Mulan hadn’t even phoned to ask about Bai Lian’s high school exam results.

Now, as long as she didn’t coerce Bai Lian, Ji Heng preferred not to get overly involved in Ji Mulan’s affairs; he was aware that Ji Mulan’s attention was solely on the unborn child within her.

Ji Heng lowered his head and took a puff of smoke.

His gaze was heavy.

Bai Lian had returned with Jiang Fulai.

When the two arrived, Xu En was in the hall talking to Ji Heng.

Seeing Bai Lian and her companion return, Xu En couldn’t help but stand up. He went outside to greet Bai Lian, his eyes pausing briefly on Jiang Fulai.

Jiang Fulai wore a white shirt today, and under the lights, all of his usual sharpness seemed to be hidden away.

Yet, those light-colored eyes that glanced over still felt very oppressive.

Xu En pondered deep down, wondering exactly who Mr. Jiang was.

Jiang… surname Jiang…

Xu En pondered for only a moment before shifting his thoughts. He reached out and handed a gold ‘top of the list’ pendant to Bai Lian, “Your high school exams are in a couple of days. I wish you success in leaping through the dragon’s gate in advance.”

He had the pendant specially made by a goldsmith, and both Xu Zhiyue and Bai Lian had one.

Beside him, Xu’s assistant chimed in with auspicious words, “Miss Zhiyue said that with Miss Bai’s math skills, you will surely make it to the top of the list.”

“Thank you,” Bai Lian said humbly, accepting the pendant.

**

Jiangjing.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xu Family old house.

Xu Zhiyue was still at school; only the old Madam Xu Wenyao and Ji Mulan dined together.

“I’ll be sending Zhiyue to the exams on the day of her high school exams,” the old lady held chopsticks in her right hand while turning Buddha Beads in her left, “Wenyao, you’re busy with school, so there’s no need to rush back especially.”

Xu Wenyao nodded in agreement.

With the high school exams approaching, the old Madam Xu was also anxious. After having a few bites, she suddenly remembered something, “What about your father?”

“He’s gone back to Xiangcheng,” began Xu Wenyao, “Alian also has her high school exams, so he went back to visit them in advance.”

The old Madam Xu knew about Bai Lian’s exams.

But she never expected Xu En to make a special trip back for it.

She looked at Ji Mulan across from her, thinking it odd that while the child’s own mother didn’t return, he, on the other hand, made sure to rush back.

The old Madam Xu refrained from further comment.

After finishing the meal, the old lady still went to the temple at the back to offer incense to the Buddha, praying for Xu Zhiyue’s exam results.

“Madam,” the butler respectfully reported at her side, “according to the news, Miss Qi seems to have met the third young master Xu.”

The third young master Xu, a character of renown among the Xu Family Clan.

Xu Jin and Xu Jinyi were both overshadowed by the third young master Xu, and many people said that the next Clan leader of the Xu Family should bypass the older generation and fall directly to the third young master.

“Are you serious?” the old Madam Xu opened her eyes wide, the murk in her eyes giving way to a sharp glint.

Although she had no privilege to meet the third young master’s group, it didn’t stop her from always tracking their movements.

The butler replied, “Most likely.”

The old Madam Xu hung the Buddha Beads on her wrist and clasped her hands together, “In a few days, I’ll make a trip to the Qi Family.”

**

June 4th.

At Ji Shaojun’s place, after finishing a day’s worth of classes, Ji Shaojun and the house butler among others voiced their intention to return to Xiangcheng.

And they were planning to go back early tomorrow morning.

“The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up,” the house butler looked at Ji Shaojun, disagreeing with his decision to go back, “I was planning to take you to meet the old master, why are you heading back to Xiangcheng at this time?”

Ji Shaojun poured himself a cup of tea without looking up and didn’t hide his intentions from the house butler, speaking at a leisurely pace, “Going back to see my dad and Alian.”

“You can see people anytime,” the house butler set down his teacup, his fingers etched with deep lines, “The old master has taken time out to meet you now.”

“House butler,” Shen Qing joined the conversation to explain, “It’s different, Alian has her high school exams, Shaojun and I plan to go back and send her off.”

She sat next to Ji Shaojun, no longer as awkward as when she first arrived in Jiangjing.

High school exams?

The house butler paused, remembering Bai Lian indeed had her exams this year.

And send off…

He knew of Bai Lian, who lived with Ji Heng and attended Beicheng High School.

With a stern expression, the house butler wondered, “I understand your care for her, but is a high school exam so significant that you need to go back especially to send her off?”

He knew Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun always cared for Bai Lian, but it seemed that they were placing too much importance on Bai Lian’s exams. He could understand paying a bit more attention, but was it really necessary to make the long trip back to Xiangcheng just for this?

Why were Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun so agitated, as if she were vying for the top scholar position?

**

(It’s a holiday today, so let’s ask for monthly votes to update more~)