Chapter Sixty-Four: Pride

Wang Haiyang dared not speak; at first, he had his doubts—this was a graduate-level problem, and Professor Li had asked a young girl, who looked barely old enough, to help him. Wasn’t that too perfunctory? Yet, before he could voice his concerns, he was utterly humbled by the girl’s demonstration. Her depth of understanding left him speechless.

Her explanation was as thorough as a professor’s, yet far more patient and meticulous. He felt as if he had been given several years' worth of instruction in a single afternoon. When this prodigy entered Capital University, she would undoubtedly become a figure of renown.

Meanwhile, Li Yisheng sighed quietly; truly, outstanding people excel in everything they do. Wu Tong’s first paper was already well-written; her translation was excellent as well. He could find no major flaws, only adjusted a few specialized terms to better suit Western academic review.

“Is your problem solved? If so, Wang Haiyang, you may go,” Li Yisheng, pressed for time, dismissed Wang Haiyang without considering how the student might feel. Then he beckoned Wu Tong closer, guiding her through the submission process to the Mathematics Annals website.

“Submit your paper to the Mathematics Annals inbox, then rest in my office for a while. I need to visit Professor Zhou Wenping.”

After connecting the device and printing the manuscript, Li Yisheng, clutching the warm pages, made his way to the Mathematics Research Center at Capital University.

Professor Zhou Wenping was a leading authority in number theory and fluid mathematics, the cornerstone of Capital University’s mathematics department, a celebrated Yangtze Scholar of China, and a top candidate for academician in the coming years. As deputy director of the research center and deputy dean of the department, he had tirelessly laid the mathematical foundations, established the link between the Doi-Onsager model and the macroscopic Ericksen-Leslie model, studied relationships across various models at different scales, and developed unified frameworks for describing complex phase and dynamic behaviors. He was a true leader among mathematicians in China.

“Professor Zhou!” Li Yisheng knocked gently on the office door, entering after a brief announcement.

“Yisheng, please come in! What brings you here today?” Zhou Wenping was bent over his desk, but upon seeing Li Yisheng, he rose with a smile. Over the past few years, Li Yisheng had worked extensively in number theory, so the two were quite familiar.

He led Li Yisheng to the reception area. “Just yesterday, a student gifted me some pre-Qingming Longjing tea—let’s try it together.”

Li Yisheng, anxious, had no mind for tea. He and Professor Zhou weren’t strangers, and in terms of number theory, Professor Zhou was almost like a mentor to him. He went straight to the point: “Thank you, Professor Zhou, but I have something to trouble you with—a student’s paper in number theory. I need your guidance.”

“You’re not sure about it?” Zhou Wenping raised an eyebrow. Professor Li’s knowledge of number theory was respectable, though not his main field; he could certainly teach students. What kind of paper would leave him unable to comment?

“Yes, and I’m not embarrassed to admit it—this student’s level in number theory might surpass mine.” Li Yisheng handed over the Chinese manuscript. “You’ll see.”

“A proof of the Zhou Conjecture?” Zhou Wenping’s brows knitted as he adjusted his glasses. “Yisheng, are you joking with me?”

The Zhou Conjecture was a world-class unsolved mystery, and Li Yisheng claimed a student had solved it, bringing the proof to him. Was this some elaborate prank? Even if Li Yisheng himself had solved it, Zhou would find it hard to believe, let alone a student!

Li Yisheng smiled wryly. “Professor Zhou, please look carefully. I witnessed the proof myself, reviewed it on the spot, and found no logical errors or gaps.”

Hearing this, Zhou Wenping grew serious. Li Yisheng was not one to joke—his mathematical acumen was solid. If even he could not spot any flaws, Zhou had to pay close attention.

Suppressing his skepticism, Zhou Wenping began his review in earnest. He quickly became engrossed, pulling over scratch paper and a pen to verify calculations, no longer bothering with formalities.

Li Yisheng, meanwhile, quietly settled in, rereading the English version of the paper, savoring the brilliance of its reasoning, the beauty of mathematics woven through each line. Though he had already verified the proof once, he could not resist revisiting it—such work was a mathematician’s delight.

After a long while, Zhou Wenping finally breathed out in satisfaction, his spirits soaring, and exclaimed, “Marvelous! Perfectly rigorous—such an elegant proof! This student’s mathematical foundation is exceptionally solid, and their logical reasoning is formidable.”

A problem that had remained unsolved for nearly twenty years was conquered by a student of Capital University—what pride and joy! The future of Capital University truly lies with these young talents. Is this your doctoral student? This paper is enough for early graduation! Has it been submitted? It must go to one of the four major journals. Let me know when the defense is scheduled!

Yisheng, you have cultivated a top talent for Capital University—the school should thank you! After graduation, does the student wish to remain here? I’ll recommend them to join our Mathematics Research Center!

Li Yisheng barely had time to respond, as Professor Zhou’s praise rolled on. When Zhou finally paused, Li Yisheng smiled helplessly, “Professor Zhou, I’m afraid your recommendation might not be needed.”

“What, does the student wish to study abroad? No problem—Princeton, Stanford, MIT? Whichever top university they choose, I’ll write a recommendation letter. These institutions would eagerly welcome our student—Capital University would be proud to send them!”

Professor Zhou was deeply proud. Although many talents sent abroad rarely return, on the international stage, they still shine and their origins remain Chinese. If any do return, they are most warmly welcomed!

Li Yisheng rubbed his forehead. “Dear Professor Zhou, let me finish. Don’t misunderstand—this student has no intention of studying abroad; she’s firmly ours at Capital University. But, to be honest, I am embarrassed to call myself her teacher. She’s not even formally my student yet.

The one who proved the Zhou Conjecture is this year’s top scorer in the CMO, Wu Tong—she is only sixteen, set to officially enroll in September, and currently just an incoming freshman. You know I was on the CMO grading team this year, which is how I met her during our recruitment for Capital University. You can’t imagine how exceptional her talent is—even then, she could effortlessly solve graduate-level problems!”

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(End of chapter)