Chapter Ninety-One: The Proposal

“Next, we bring you our station’s live coverage of an interview with Wu Tong!”
The screen shifted, showing footage from that afternoon when Wu Tong had been interviewed. Before the emblem of Peking University, all viewers found themselves unusually attentive—no one paid heed to anything else; everyone’s focus was drawn wholly to the young girl at the center of the screen, Wu Tong.

“Wu Tong, may I ask how you feel about your recent achievements...?”

“My feelings... Well, I suppose I haven’t wasted my time, and I’ve accomplished what I set out to do... Being able to use what I’ve learned to bring honor to my country is a privilege, and it’s what people like us strive for!”

“I’ve only done some fairly ordinary things... There are so many greater people and deeds in this world...”

“So I wish... that we cherish our youth and grow our abilities! Our peaceful days are only possible because others bear the weight for us... To be the best version of ourselves!”

“…I’ll give myself this achievement as a birthday gift!”

“In ten days, Wu Tong will turn seventeen. On behalf of the television station and our nation, I’d like to wish Wu Tong a happy birthday in advance, may you achieve even greater heights and fulfill your dreams! …Next news item…”

From the moment the IMO report appeared on the evening news, and the live footage and interviews were aired—with Wu Jingzhong, Jin Xin, and Jin Yuan recording messages amid the trembling excitement of those present—Wu Tong’s family held their breath, silent and motionless, watching with exhilaration. Only when the next news segment began did voices erupt.

“Oh my, my precious girl is on the news!” Grandma Jin beamed with joy. After years of watching national affairs on television, seeing her beloved granddaughter featured brought her overwhelming excitement and pride.

“My darling granddaughter is truly remarkable, more accomplished than everyone in the family combined!” Jin Yongqing praised with a broad smile. “Tomorrow morning, Grandpa will head to the market for a big fish and keep it fresh in the tank; when Tong comes home, she’ll have fish soup!”

“Let’s all gather at home tomorrow and give Tong a proper celebration!” Just listen to how well-spoken she is. Teacher Jin Yu covered her mouth and nose, nearly weeping with happiness.

This past year, Tong had brought them so many surprises and shocks. To have a child like her—they must have accumulated countless blessings over generations!

Tong’s silly father and uncle could only grin foolishly, joined by their equally dazed son. The whole family broke into synchronous laughter, their joy barely able to express the surging emotions flooding their hearts…

As the Wu and Jin families were swept up in jubilation, viewers across the country—those who habitually watched the news—found themselves equally stirred. Oh, how was this girl raised to be so exceptional, so outstanding that she inspired awe?

At sixteen, she had accomplished feats that many at sixty never achieve! Countless parents glanced at their own unruly children and sighed—there’s no comparison, none at all. The disparity was enough to induce heart attacks; for the sake of their own lives, perhaps it was best to empty their minds and refrain from comparisons!

Otherwise, they’d be risking their own lives!

Online, scores of netizens had already launched lively discussion threads.

[Our goddess claims to be an academic underachiever? Boldly attempt a reading comprehension—if she doesn’t get a perfect score, she’s the “underachiever” among underachievers?]

[Her brilliance illuminates our nation! Goddess, goddess, may you climb ever higher!]

[The commenter above is mad, but I’m just as crazy for her—tonight, we all celebrate together!]

[Once again amazed—a sixteen-year-old reigning on the international stage. At thirty-six, I’ll redouble my efforts; this year I’ll pass the CPA, so as not to shame our goddess!]

[Wishing our goddess a happy seventeenth birthday—may her youth bloom forever, and wisdom always accompany her!]

…

In a distant base in the Western Continent, people too were habitually tuned in to the evening news. In the communal dining hall, their rare moments of relaxation coincided with the broadcast—the news was their best window to the outside world.

When the IMO segment showed a group of vibrant, proud young contestants, someone couldn’t help but remark, “Another batch of outstanding kids—I wonder if any might someday join us here at the base.”

As the broadcast continued and the content became clear, these researchers found themselves raising their eyebrows in astonishment.

“My goodness, are today’s kids really this amazing? Ordinary math problems can’t even challenge them anymore—they’re tackling world-class mathematical conjectures? The Zhou conjecture, the Twin Prime conjecture—did I hear right? Both proved by this sixteen-year-old? Our Chinese girl is truly extraordinary!”

Though most weren’t mathematicians by trade, they knew of those conjectures—their difficulty meant that even a trace of ease would have seen them solved long ago.

“Come now, extraordinary and remarkable—surely you can use more elegant words for this girl. Intelligence, wisdom—are those not better?”

“Get out of here. With your language scores, did you ever pass? Don’t try to teach me; you’ll just lead me astray!”

Children these days were truly something else! Their achievements easily outshone those of the older generation.

“Heh… Chief Lu, Peking University is your alma mater, isn’t it? Such a talented child—shouldn’t we try to recruit her?” someone addressed the man behind them, dressed in ordinary attire yet still possessing an air of distinction.

This chief was their chief designer, not the head of some commercial enterprise.

Their institute was undergoing intensive computational work and urgently needed exceptional talent in this field. Age mattered little—this young woman’s abilities were exactly what they needed. “Why don’t we make a move—like Liu Bei’s three visits to the cottage!”

After years immersed in materials science, their minds were filled with molecular structures and formulas; language skills had long since been returned to their teachers.

Lu Xiao pinched his brow, a faint smile lingering at his lips. She truly was an impressive girl! He had merely offered a casual suggestion, unworthy of her gratitude.

From the Lantern Festival to now, barely half a year had passed, and Wu Tong had completed proofs of the Twin Prime conjecture, along with the Zhou conjecture. Remarkable, indeed!

He opened his laptop, deftly querying and downloading Wu Tong’s two papers. The unique beauty of mathematics unfolded before his eyes.

Rigorous deductions, meticulous logic—he couldn’t help but admire her work. Outsiders saw the spectacle; insiders saw the substance. Only those in the field could truly appreciate the impact.

Her formidable computational ability—while reading, Lu Xiao completed the calculations in his mind, verifying her results directly. None were surprised; Chief Lu’s computational prowess had earned him the nickname “Walking Supercomputer,” and the title fit.

Resting his chin in his hand, Lu Xiao turned his head, pondering. He had always leaned toward physics, mechanics, and engineering, with mathematics as the foundation that propelled his work, vastly expanding his computational edge.

Truth be told, in terms of mathematical talent, even the praise he had once received paled beside this young woman.

Perhaps he could look forward to this student bringing progress—and perhaps some surprises—to their work?

…

(End of chapter)