Awakening Elementary School System in University

"Second, Yannan University and the Science and Technology University—the Huaxia University of Science and Technology, that is—are currently working on a joint research project on solid-state batteries for new energy vehicles. The project is halfway complete, but it’s hit a snag with a key mathematical problem.

"On Professor Gongtan’s recommendation, the project lead has great confidence in your abilities and is willing to formally commission your Yanhai Company to solve this problem. As for compensation, it will be at the same rate as your previous two projects with Era of Creation and Huanrun Pharmaceutical."

Hearing this, Chen Lin’s eyes instantly lit up!

’This is way more tangible than some professorship!’

’The more business for the company, the better!’

’Besides, the clients this time are two of the country’s top-tier universities. This will be amazing for future marketing!’

He quickly composed himself, stood up, and gave Dean Zhuang and Director Guo a sincere bow.

"Thank you, Dean. Thank you, Director Guo. I appreciate the university’s support and guidance!"

Dean Zhuang smiled in satisfaction at his reaction and waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t mention it. You’ve earned this yourself."

Seeing that the conversation was wrapping up, Director Guo, who was sitting to one side, said to Chen Lin, "Alright, it’s getting late. You just got back from your trip home today, so you should head back and get some rest."

"Alright."

Chen Lin didn’t linger. He said his goodbyes to the professors and quickly made his exit, pulling the door closed behind him.

The smile on Dean Zhuang’s face slowly faded as he watched the door swing gently shut. He picked up the cup of tea Senior Brother Ni had just poured, blew lightly on the surface, and remarked with a sigh, "He’s a true talent."

"He is." Professor Gu Ming sighed, his voice tinged with regret. "It’s a shame, though. Running a company is bound to divide his attention. If only he could focus solely on mathematical research."

Dean Zhuang, however, shook his head and offered a different perspective.

"I don’t see it that way."

Professor Gu Ming looked at him, confused. "His talent in mathematics is the greatest I’ve seen in all my years, bar none. If he were willing to devote himself completely to academia, his future would be absolutely limitless."

"Gu, you’re still a bit naive," Director Guo Qizhi spoke up this time. He patted Gu Ming’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Engaging in academic research doesn’t mean one has to be high and mighty, completely detached from worldly affairs.

"A true genius won’t be shackled by these so-called ’mundane affairs.’

"You can lock some people in an Ivory Tower, give them the best resources, and they still won’t produce a single decent result in their entire lives.

"But then there are people like Chen Lin. Even in the middle of a bustling city, when inspiration strikes, they can still achieve things that shake the academic world. I believe he’s exactly that kind of person."

Dean Zhuang nodded in agreement and added, "Guo is right. Times have changed. We can’t keep judging today’s young people by old standards. Sometimes, letting them grow and shine in the ways they see fit can lead to the most wonderful surprises."

Gu Ming fell into a long silence after listening to the two leaders.

He had always subconsciously believed that the only proper path for a genius like Chen Lin was to end up at a top global institution like MIT or Princeton, pursuing the purest pinnacle of academia.

So, when he found out Chen Lin had chosen to graduate early to stay in the country and start a company, a part of him had been genuinely heartbroken at the thought of such a genius wasting his talent.

But now, after hearing what Dean Zhuang and Director Guo had to say, his deeply ingrained convictions seemed... to be wavering.

’Maybe... I really was wrong?’

...

Chen Lin returned to his rented apartment and collapsed onto the soft sofa, letting out a long sigh.

Everything that had happened in Professor Gu Ming’s office tonight was a lot to take in; he was feeling a bit overloaded.

’The title of Special Professor, the joint project with the Science and Technology University and Yannan University, and Dean Zhuang mentioning Terence Tao’s opinion of him...’

He was rubbing his temples, debating whether or not he should even show his face at the office tomorrow, when the phone on the pillow next to him buzzed.

Chen Lin picked it up and saw a WeChat notification on the screen.

The message was from Academician Liang Tianshi.

Chen Lin wasn’t entirely surprised, even though he hadn’t expected the academician to reach out first. After all, by sending the paper to Academician Liang in the first place, he had been prepared for a follow-up conversation.

He tapped open the chat, and Academician Liang Tianshi’s warm, encouraging words filled the screen.

Liang Tianshi: [Chen Lin, I’ve read your paper carefully. It’s absolutely brilliant! I’d heard from Gongtan and Principal Chang Kai that you’ve been busy with your company lately, and I was concerned it might affect your academic research.]

[It seems my concerns were unfounded. Not only have you not fallen behind, but you’ve managed to produce such a significant result. I’m both surprised and deeply impressed!]

The sincere appreciation and relief in his words were almost palpable, practically radiating from the screen.

Chen Lin’s heart warmed as he read the message. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he quickly typed out a reply.

Chen Lin: [Academician Liang, you’re too kind. I’m truly flattered. I’ve only been able to focus on research that interests me thanks to the great support from the university and the School of Mathematics.]

The moment he hit send, a second message from Academician Liang Tianshi came through, so quickly it was as if he’d been waiting by his phone.

Liang Tianshi: [There’s no need for modesty. True talent will always shine through. By the way, there’s something else I wanted to tell you. I took the liberty of sharing your paper with an old friend of mine at Huaqing University, Professor Qiu Chengtong.]

[Professor Qiu read it and had nothing but praise for your work. He was also incredibly impressed by your mathematical talent. He mentioned that he’ll be attending the International Congress of Mathematicians this winter and hopes to have the chance to speak with you in person.]

Professor Qiu Chengtong...

Chen Lin read the name and remained unfazed, merely nodding calmly to himself.

After all, this was all within his expectations.

While Chen Lin didn’t have deep inside knowledge of the academic world, he had thoroughly reviewed everything related to Differential Geometry when he was first choosing a topic for his thesis.

So naturally, he hadn’t overlooked Qiu Chengtong.

His original plan, after finishing the paper, was to send it to Liang Tianshi. He had hoped that this titan of academia could help get his research in front of a figure of Qiu Chengtong’s stature. This would bring recognition, accelerate the spread of his findings, and put him in the running for next year’s Fields Medal.

However, after Director Guo Qizhi laid out a more direct path for him—"publish in JAMS first, then present at the conference"—he had temporarily shelved that initial plan.

Therefore, sending the paper to Academician Liang this time was more about fulfilling an earlier promise—a sort of progress report.

Whether or not Professor Qiu Chengtong saw it, and how he might react, no longer seemed that important.

But plans are no match for reality. He hadn’t expected Academician Liang to facilitate this after all.

Still, receiving recognition from a luminary of the mathematical world was definitely something to be happy about.