Chapter 356: 136 Top Gaokao Scorers Betting Market_3
 

Academician Ma was very friendly with Bai Lian online, and after meeting her in person, apart from thinking she was exceptionally attractive—perhaps too much so for someone serious about research—he only had one impression of her—

This girl looked very demure.

The Academician Ma, who just discovered Bai Lian might have a rebellious streak, said, “…Fine.”

He was a bit silent.

Now wearing a down jacket, Bai Lian only revealed the snow-white collar of her shirt underneath. Academician Ma looked at her for a while and said, “You remind me of someone, but she’s from a completely different era.”

“Who?” Bai Lian asked, stuffing the event ticket into her large pocket.

“The head senior,” Academician Ma said nonchalantly, “When you get into Jiangjing University next year, you’ll meet her. Each year when exams roll around, a bunch of people go to her for last-minute luck… Alright, you should head back now.”

He waved her off.

It would be hard to explain if someone saw her here later.

Bai Lian had no idea who the head senior he mentioned was and, after bidding farewell to Academician Ma, left the place.

Behind her, Academician Ma watched Bai Lian’s retreating figure, muttering to himself, “There are 167 days left until the college entrance exam, and over 240 days until the start of school. I wonder when Jiangjing University will start this coming year.”

It will be lively when she comes to Jiangjing.

Some time after she left, Director Huang returned. He had just gone to check Bai Lian’s records.

Many professors had already looked up Bai Lian’s information on the spot.

“Her math is truly impressive,” Director Huang exclaimed, “No wonder He Wen sought her out for modeling. If only her science comprehensive was a bit stronger, then I’d know about her. But it’s okay, we have the Wen Chong plan.”

Liang Wuyu and He Wen excel in all areas.

If Bai Lian’s science scores were better, she might compare with Liang Wuyu and Xu Zhiyue.

Academician Ma stood by without saying a word, not revealing to Director Huang that a certain someone insisted on getting in on her own merit.

But with this year’s bets surrounding the college entrance exam top scorer… many people might be up for a rude awakening.

Suddenly thinking of something, he took out his phone and forwarded a video sent to him by the Boyuan Base’s person-in-charge to Jiang Fulai.

**

On the other side, with his phone.

Jiang Fulai received Academician Ma’s message just as his assistant brought over ten event tickets.

Although Academician Ma’s lecture was abrupt, it still caused quite a stir, sweeping up grad students, PhDs, and even professors.

Some even rushed back from abroad.

Event tickets were limited, and Jiang Fulai received ten tickets sent over by Academician Ma.

He looked down at his phone.

Student Bai: “[Image]”

Student Bai: “[Academician Ma just gave this to me]”

Him: “[…]”

Going back, he opened the video from Academician Ma. The video was a full-screen recording by Boyuan Base, from the first to the last group, lasting two hours.

Jiang Fulai cut out all other segments except for the final group’s presentation before saving it.

Next to him, Jiang He, who observed his actions very clearly, said nothing.

Jiang He slowly withdrew his gaze, his fingers leisurely undoing and redoing the button knot in the middle of his clothes.

It was a sign of his anxiety.

Another half-hour passed before Jiang Fulai finally glanced down at him with an indifferent tone, “She needs to study.”

Jiang He was sitting cross-legged on the couch, back to him.

Poking at his watch.

Jiang Fulai continued reading his documents. He was also busy at the end of the year, especially since he needed to carve out a day to visit the Xu Family, making his schedule even tighter.

His phone lit up again.

Student Bai: “[My grandpa said, if you’re busy, just bring Jiang He over to his place]”

Teacher Jiang: “[And me?]”

“[You have withdrawn a message]”

Teacher Jiang: “[Oh]”

Student Bai: “[You focus on your work]”

Teacher Jiang: “[…]”

Was he not quick enough with his fingers?

**

Noon, Xu Family Cafeteria.

Taking advantage of the free morning, Xu En brought Ji Heng, Ji Shaojun, and Shen Qing for a tour of the entire Xu Family building, letting everyone in Xu Family know that he was Xu En’s future father-in-law.

Ji Mulan’s face was filled with evident joy.

Xu En had planned to take them out for lunch, but Ji Heng didn’t let him; he said the company cafeteria was just fine.

The group walked toward them, running into Director Wang and his party.

Director Wang caught a glimpse of Ji Heng holding a smoking pipe, smiled slightly, and knew who they were, “President Xu, congratulations in advance on your wedding. It’s a shame I have to fly abroad tomorrow.”

He sighed.

By Xu En’s side, Ji Mulan understood the subtext of Director Wang’s words.

If it were someone else, if Xu Wenyao were marrying Qi Shuyun, Director Wang would make the effort to clear a day to attend the wedding, even if he were busy.

Ji Mulan cared too much about others’ opinions and could hardly stand any negative ones. Her expression faded.

And when she saw that Shen Qing wasn’t wearing the elegant hat she had given her but still that terribly unfashionable velvet cap, Ji Mulan’s smile began to freeze.

She anticipated that 80% of Xu Family’s upper echelons wouldn’t show up for the wedding.

“Zhang—”

The uplifting surge of the guzheng sounded.

The tense atmosphere was broken. By Xu En’s side, Ji Heng switched the hand holding his smoking pipe, digging out an elderly cell phone from his pocket, “Xiaojiang, are you there?”