The Glamorous Comeback of the Ousted Heiress

Chapter 163: 062 Lan Jie’s slick moves, approachable nuclear Mr. Jiang_2

Bai Lian had just pulled out her phone when she leisurely began to fetch her earphones, ready to listen to an English audio lesson.

“Can’t come out?” Bai Lian looked up, the black earphones still in her hand. The girl wore a snow-white top, her eyes slightly lifted, dazzling in the noon sunlight that cast a luminous yet overly vivid glow on her cool, jade-like features.

The golden threads of her skirt’s hem reflected a cold light.

Vice President Qian, “You can, but… you finished in just ten minutes?”

Such a serious competition, occurring once every three years and involving the Traditional Calligraphers Association’s slots, even Xie Jinyun would consider carefully to ensure not a single mistake.

Who finishes in just ten minutes?

“Uh-huh,” Bai Lian put the earphones in her ears and glanced sideward, “I’m catching a flight, and I have classes tomorrow.”

Vice President Qian,

He’s leaving for Xiangcheng today?

No, could your move be any smoother?

He felt somewhat tired at heart, but then he thought, it made sense; Bai Lian wasn’t here to win a prize, and lingering in Jiangjing was of no use to her, “Then you should go back, just be careful on your own.”

Vice President Qian waved her off without trying to keep her.

He watched Bai Lian leave, and only after she had gone did someone from South City ask in surprise, “She’s with you?”

“Yeah, just here for the excitement,” Vice President Qian said with a smile, refraining from discussing Bai Lian further: “Just to gain some experience.”

His gaze was fixed on the building, waiting for Jian Rong and Qiu Boqing to come out.

Meanwhile, Bai Lian returned to her hotel to pick up her backpack.

She took a flight back to Xiangcheng.

A black car was already waiting quietly not far from the hotel. Inside, Jiang He sat expressionless in the backseat, a pile of medicine beside him.

Bai Lian got into the car.

She glanced at Jiang He, “Where’s your brother?”

Jiang He hugged a pillow, listless, “At the Jiang Family.”

Bai Lian nodded without further questions; she and Jiang He headed back to Xiangcheng first.

They still landed in Danping City, and Ming Dongheng came to pick them up because Jiang He had just seen a doctor and was emotionally unstable, so Bai Lian accompanied him back to the manor.

In the great hall, Director Chen had been waiting for Ming Dongheng’s return.

Seeing Bai Lian, he didn’t dare to ask much, simply greeted her carefully, then inquired about some trifles.

After keeping Jiang He company for a while, Bai Lian planned to go back and have dinner with Ji Heng.

“Miss Bai, I’m actually heading back as well,” Director Chen stood up in a timely manner, “I need to rest early tonight because I have to pick someone up first thing tomorrow.”

He seemed to be calculating nicely, offering her a ride along.

“Who are you picking up?” Ming Dongheng asked coldly, looking at Director Chen.

He couldn’t tell if Director Chen was really going to pick someone up or if it was just an excuse.

Director Chen, however, was not frightened; his excuse was not entirely false, just the timing was off. Picking up Xu Yajun tomorrow—changing it to tonight—did that count as a lie?

“Xiao Xu, ah, she just finished her competition and wants to experience the history in Xiangcheng.”

Ming Dongheng narrowed his eyes, failing to recall who that was.

“That one who came last time!” Director Chen helped him remember.

Although talking to Ming Dongheng, Director Chen didn’t forget Bai Lian and turned to calmly explain to her, “Miss Bai, this Xiao Xu is Xu Yajun from the Traditional Calligraphers Association. Yesterday, she met with President Xue and the old master. The old master said her Liang style was written exceptionally well. She should shine in the Orchid Pavilion Award this time…”

He paused midway, noticing Bai Lian’s calm face.

He quickly changed the subject, wiping the cold sweat on his forehead and wondering to himself why he was discussing this with Miss Bai.

“Miss Bai, I’ll drive you back!” He picked up the car keys.

“Thank you,” Bai Lian gathered her backpack.

And left with Director Chen.

Meanwhile, in Jiangjing.

The Traditional Calligraphers Association.

The Orchid Pavilion Award, held once every three years, is always a significant event for the Traditional Calligraphers Association.

This year was no exception.

The morning exams had just concluded, all works were sealed, and in the evening, they were all delivered to the evaluation room.

There were seven judges participating in the scoring. This year, because President Xue had a student participating, he recused himself to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

At this moment, he was at home drinking tea.

Then he got a phone call and suddenly stood up, “What?”

“Teacher,” Xu Yajun got startled by her teacher’s reaction and also stood up, “What happened?”

President Xue, middle-aged, grabbed his coat, not having time to explain in detail, “That person actually showed up at the Traditional Calligraphers Association. Didn’t he refuse to be a judge? How did he suddenly…”

President Xue hurriedly left.

Xu Yajun quickly followed, “Teacher, who are you talking about?”

“It’s nothing,” President Xue shook his head, “I have to go to the Calligraphers Association. I’ve arranged for you in Xiangcheng already; you go ahead.”