Chapter Seventy-Two: Generous Rewards

“Thank you, leaders, for your care. I will give it my all and accomplish the mission without fail!”

Rewards—these, the more the better. An unexpected windfall is always a delight, and Wu Tong’s smile deepened further. The burdens she bore were heavy, and genuine monetary rewards could never be too much.

The leaders, ever busy in service of the people, had taken time out of their packed schedules to offer encouragement. With that done, the government officials and representatives from the Chinese Mathematical Society took their leave.

The only ones left were the journalists waiting to conduct interviews, along with the dean and professors from the School of Mathematics—people she could consider her own.

Wu Tong answered the journalists’ questions simply, sharing her thoughts and discussing her studies. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the university’s platform, resources, and her teachers. Thus, the interview came to an end.

A group of professors watched on. It was clear to all that even if the journalists had any intention of pressing her, they wouldn't dare—everyone knew how fiercely Peking University protected its own.

“Come now, Wu Tong, all the outsiders have gone. Let’s chat in the office!” Pan Wenhua called out to Wu Tong with a smile. “The city officials came rather suddenly today, but at least they didn’t put on a show of empty gestures.”

Wu Tong’s achievements had been reported by the official state newspaper, and the China Youth Daily had elevated her as a role model, drawing the attention of both city and district leaders. Such a stir was only to be expected.

“The city has been generous—they’ve given you three household registration quotas. Your own registration can be transferred directly to Beijing, and if your parents wish, theirs can be moved here as well.”

To have nurtured such an outstanding child, and given Wu Tong’s family circumstances, the city must have looked into the possibility of relocating her parents to Beijing too.

At sixteen, Wu Tong had already achieved so much, touching the heights reserved for top scholars. To secure such talent with a few household registrations—what a bargain!

This policy would be enforced the moment Wu Tong achieved another remarkable result. True top talents are always in high demand.

“As for other things—interest-free talent loans, low-interest mortgages, and so on—once you decide to settle in Beijing and purchase a property, you can look into these. The city is also granting you a reward of half a million yuan. The university, too, has arranged something for you. Would you like to know what the school’s reward will be?”

Facing Wu Tong, Pan Wenhua, usually so stern, now seemed the picture of a kindly old grandfather.

But none of the other leaders or professors in the office found this odd. After all, they could hardly outdo the dean in their attitude!

After all, who wouldn’t be overjoyed to have a child like Wu Tong? How could anyone bear to keep a straight face?

“No matter the amount, I must thank the university first. My achievements are possible only because the school was open-minded, allowed me to study early, and made its resources available to me.” Wu Tong’s gratitude was sincere. Even with natural talent, without resources, it would have all been for nothing.

Outside resources were not so easily found, nor as comprehensive and rich as those provided by the university. The cost of collecting such resources was far beyond what a student from an ordinary family like her could afford.

“The university is proud to have a student like you!” A child who knows gratitude always warms the heart. “Take the rewards you deserve, and set an example for your senior classmates. If even a junior like you can shine so brightly, how could they dare slack off?”

“The university’s SCI rewards are based on the impact factor of the journal. But in our mathematics department, even the top journals have low impact factors, which is unfair. For a proof like yours, we can’t use ordinary standards. After discussion among the university leadership, it has been decided to grant you a talent award of one million yuan!”

Pan Wenhua joked with a smile, “And the prize is after taxes!”

“One million?” Another million—Wu Tong blinked in astonishment.

A second million—Peking University was truly rich! She suddenly felt she had discovered the secret to wealth. If she kept researching and proving more conjectures, might she soon achieve financial freedom?

“That’s right, one million. In fact, with your achievements, you’d probably receive an even higher reward abroad. But here, things are a bit tougher. Even this million must be reported to higher authorities and approved by the Ministry of Education.”

“So, considering your needs, the university is arranging for you to live in a newly completed apartment in the Yan Garden Community—two bedrooms and a living room, so don’t mind if it’s a bit small. For a researcher, a quiet space is essential, and it also protects your research.”

A special student like Wu Tong was no longer suited to sharing a crowded student dormitory.

“This is more than enough. I feel like I’ve already benefited so much from the university!” Wu Tong replied with an embarrassed smile. She felt like a sheep being sheared for all it was worth—these two million yuan in rewards were heavy in her hands. In her small hometown, it would be enough to last a lifetime.

She suddenly felt so wealthy—her modest goals no longer seemed difficult to attain.

Pan Wenhua waved his hand, as if to say, this was just the beginning! The rise of a great nation is never simple. Since the country set its strategy to rejuvenate through science and education, no effort has been spared to retain top talent.

“I’ve heard you’re studying the twin prime conjecture? If you manage to prove that one too, another million awaits you—heck, I’d even give you my own house!”

Pan Wenhua made his bold promise: if Wu Tong dared to tackle the problem, he’d spare no effort to secure her the best treatment.

“Dean, I don’t think I’ll need your house to give it my all!” Wu Tong’s eyes sparkled with the symbols of money at the thought of another million. Who could blame her for being so practical, when the university was so generous?

Solving conjectures, earning rewards, taking full advantage of the university, and bringing honor to the nation—there was nothing shameful in that!

“Haha… Our little genius is quite the little moneygrubber! Dean, you’ve lived in your house for so many years—the child isn’t interested!” Professor Zhou laughed, teasing Wu Tong and poking fun at his old boss.

His playful remark kicked off a bout of banter in the meeting room. Soon, the office was filled with lively back-and-forths among the directors and professors.

“If I solved a world-class problem, I’d be tempted too! Don’t poke fun at the child, Professor Zhou—that’s not fair!”

“That’s right, Dean, you’d better prepare those rewards. I’m going to take a shot at some of these world problems myself!”

“Haha, if any of you manage to solve one, the reward’s on me! I’ll storm the president’s office with a kitchen knife if I have to, to get your bonus!” Pan Wenhua laughed, slapping the table in assurance. “To attract great talent, we must be generous. Let’s see who among us can move fastest—don’t let Wu Tong take the lead again and leave us all in the dust!”

The office erupted in laughter.

Yet, deep down, everyone felt a bit uneasy. They couldn’t deny the possibility—apart from degrees and life experience, this young girl’s knowledge of number theory was by no means inferior to theirs.

(End of this chapter)