Chapter 609 - Chapter 609: Ji Heng arrived in 238, a gift from the Ma Institute scholar (first update)_1
Chapter 609: Ji Heng arrived in 238, a gift from the Ma Institute scholar (first update)_1
The manager respectfully led Xiao Bingwen inside.
He had just gone downstairs to prepare the cake and, upon entering, immediately saw Jiang Fulai’s face, blurred by the lighting. The relaxed smile on his face vanished, “Mr. Jiang.”
He greeted Jiang Fulai.
Jiang Fulai lazily tilted his head, displaying an air of indolence. His pale eyes briefly swept over Xiao Bingwen. The usually imposing phoenix eyes were much softer today. He gave a slight nod to Xiao Bingwen and then continued to watch Bai Lian being photographed.
Xiao Bingwen tensed up, not daring to look around anymore.
He just sat next to Xu Nanjing and asked in a low voice, “Why are they all in Jiangjing?”
Xiao Bingwen was asking about Pu Xiaohan and her friends.
“They all got into schools in Jiangjing,” Xu Nanjing heard from Pu Xiaohan, who said she was accepted into Media University.
“How come they all study so well?” Xiao Bingwen was astonished.
The Xu Family had recently been busy with the old master’s birthday. Xiao Bingwen hadn’t had a break with all the recent collaborative cases. He was only able to take some time off today to help plan for Bai Lian’s birthday.
The two were still talking.
Jiang Fulai glanced at his phone beside them. Ji Shaojun texted that they had arrived.
He switched off his phone and opened the door to go out.
Xu Nanjing also stood up and said quietly, “It seems Alian’s grandfather has arrived.”
As soon as Jiang Fulai stepped out, Xiao Bingwen let out a sigh of relief and also stood up, looking toward the door of the private room, “Miss Bai’s grandfather, huh.”
**
It wasn’t long before the door to the private room opened again.
A group of people came in from outside.
Leading the way were two elderly men, one with a hand behind his back, the other carrying a smoking pipe, chatting together as they walked in.
Behind them followed the composed Ji Shaojun, as well as Shen Qing, who barely dared look around.
Jiang Fulai was speaking to the manager with his head down.
Xu Nanjing watched Ji Heng, then turned his eyes to Dean Jian, who seemed to be having a delightful conversation with Ji Heng. It took him a moment to recognize them.
He knew Dean Jian.
His mother had barely managed to set it up through Old Master Chen, and eventually, Bai Lian knew him personally.
A representative of traditional Chinese music.
So the man next to him must be Bai Lian’s grandfather, right?
How come he seemed so familiar with Dean Jian?
The two chatted and laughed as if they were kindred spirits, resonating like a high mountain stream meets an understanding friend.
It was not until they approached that Xu Nanjing came to his senses. He set down his wine glass, “Dean Jian, Grandfather Ji, Uncle Ji, Auntie, hello, I’m Xu Nanjing.”
The lights in the private room were bright enough.
Bai Lian, who had been coordinating with Jiang He for Pu Xiaohan to take pictures, also seemed to notice something and looked over, immediately spotting Ji Heng and Shen Qing among the group.
She had left Xiangcheng at the end of June and hadn’t seen Ji Heng for a month and a half. Their communication was mostly through video calls.
They had a call just the night before, and Ji Heng was still at the familiar courtyard.
She didn’t expect to see him in Jiangjing today. Bai Lian stood up, “Grandfather?”
At her call of “Grandfather,” Pu Xiaohan turned around in surprise, and upon seeing Ji Heng, she immediately dropped her camera and ran over excitedly, “Grandfather, Grandfather, how come you’re here!”
“Yes.” Ji Heng, always serious, allowed a rare smile to cross his face. He greeted Pu Xiaohan and then turned to look at Bai Lian. She hadn’t lost weight, and she looked well.
He nodded his head.
Lastly, he looked down at Jiang He beside Bai Lian and smiled again: “You’ve grown taller.”
Tang Ming and Ning Xiao, after not seeing Dean Jian and Ji Heng for some time, greeted, “Grandfather, Dean Jian.”
Compared to the more reserved Bai Lian, the sunny and outspoken Pu Xiaohan hugged Ji Heng’s unoccupied arm, “Grandfather, how long will you stay this time? Do I have a chance to get the Warring States Robe now?”
“The Warring States Robe?” Ji Heng looked at her with some interest.
“I want to make a video with Dean Jian, and we need the Warring States Robe,” Pu Xiaohan explained. “I’ve been unable to find what I want online.”
As she spoke, Dean Jian added from the side, “That’s right.”
The group gathered and casually started chatting.
Next to Xu Nanjing, Xiao Bingwen finally snapped out of it. He didn’t recognize Ji Heng, but…
“Nanjing,” he said, looking at the senior, whose back was to him, with a dignified stance and an artistic aura about him, commanding respect without anger: “That’s Dean Jian, right?”
He was acquainted with Leng Shuhe, and naturally, he knew of Dean Jian.
His impression was that even Leng Shuhe faced a strict attitude from Dean Jian. Dean Jian had very high expectations for his students, and although the three students were carefully selected by him, he was not entirely satisfied and remained impartial.
Aside from attending classes, his disciples could not dream of inviting Dean Jian to a meal.
What was he doing here today?
“Yes,” Xu Nanjing had met Dean Jian before and was not surprised. What puzzled him was why people like Ji Heng and Pu Xiaohan seemed to be so familiar with Dean Jian, “Alian plays the guzheng well; she and Dean Jian have a friendship transcending age differences.”