"Professor Zhao, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you say hello?"
"Really, we had no idea, wouldn’t have known if we hadn’t suddenly bumped into you... Apologies for the lack of hospitality!"
"Youjin, Professor Zhao ca to see you right? Are you collaborating on so research? You could at least tell us, so we know that Professor Zhao is here!"
"Yes, exactly!"
"Where are you off to, let’s go together, it’s just lunchti, Academician Qiu is there..."
"No thanks!"
Zhao Yi started off smiling, but as soon as he heard the words ’Academician Qiu’, he imdiately winced, holding his forehead. Everyti he t Qiu Chengwen, their inevitable topic of conversation was an invitation for him to join the Mathematics Science Center.
The subject gave him a headache.
He had no intention of leaving Yanhua University to work at the Mathematics Science Center. Wasting ti discussing this matter was completely unnecessary.
Zhao Yi plainly stated, "I ca specifically to visit Professor Zhou this ti, please do not publicize this. We are just discussing mathematical issues. Professor Zhou’s unique approach to topology research is very inspiring for ."
"I see."
The two professors looked at each other, and finally said, "Why don’t we all go and have lunch together? We won’t disturb you otherwise."
There was no way to refuse this.
Just as the group was about to leave together, the middle-aged teacher finally caught up. He was rather embarrassed to see Zhao Yi and everyone else felt awkward on his behalf.
They still did not understand.
The middle-aged teacher’s na was Zou Guangyuan, a na with a lot of aning. Zou Guangyuan had stood in the distance for quite so ti, feeling awkward just standing there, his mind replaying the words he had ’scolded’ Zhao Yi with.
"Whether in academics or elsewhere, I advise you to stay pragmatic. You can’t rely on giving gifts or networking."
This statent would have been righteous, but it felt very odd when directed at Zhao Yi, especially since Zhao Yi did not refute it, just laughed it off.
Now, in facing Zhao Yi again, Zou Guangyuan felt the impulse to find a hole to crawl into. However, he managed to suppress his embarrassnt, laughing awkwardly as he said, "So it was Professor Zhao, I didn’t recognize you in the hallway."
"It’s okay."
Zhao Yi cavalierly waved it off, finding the situation rather amusing. He was rather fond of Zou Guangyuan, and thought what he did wasn’t wrong. Scolding a student for giving gifts was appropriate, the only problem was not recognizing him.
Such misunderstandings were rare now.
Not the ’students giving gifts’ part, but the ’not recognizing him’ bit. Especially in the capital’s academic circles, unless one deliberately dressed up, it was difficult not to be recognized. Thinking about it was rather funny.
Zou Guangyuan decided to join the ’dinner’ group as well.
The al was fairly low-key. The entire ti, Zhou Youjin and Zhao Yi were conversing, while everyone else just listened.
To each his own craft.
The field of mathematics has too many sub-disciplines, and too much knowledge. When it ca to advanced topics in topology, if one was not a researcher in the sa field, it was basically impossible to participate in the conversation.
The afternoon turned out to be less tranquil.
As the group re-entered Shuimu University, they saw three people approaching them. Zhao Yi imdiately recognized one of them as a professor from Shuimu University. The other two young n were introduced as scholars from the Mathematics Science Center.
Just by seeing the formation you could tell what was going on.
As expected!
"Professor Zhao, since you’ve co all this way, why not visit the Mathematical Center? Academician Qiu even cancelled his afternoon eting upon hearing you were here."
"Yes, go take a look!"
"After all, this afternoon..."
"No!"
Zhao Yi quickly interrupted and said, "I have sothing important to do this afternoon."
Everyone knew this was an excuse, but they continued to persuade him anyway.
Zhao Yi shook his head and said, "I was able to co today because I do not have classes this morning. I’ve also basically finished my discussion with Professor Zhou. In the afternoon, I have classes."
"I am a faculty mber of the School of Sciences and I am responsible for a course. I cannot set a bad example for my students. The classes that need to be taught must be taught."
Having said this, he quickly left.
Watching Zhao Yi’s figure receding, everyone was left dumbstruck. They had thought of many reasons but didn’t expect this refusal.
Teaching classes?
Zhao Yi?
Zhou Youjin was the first to smile wryly, "What an excuse. It’s truly one of a kind!"
"Indeed!"
"I’m speechless after hearing this."
The others could only smile bitterly as well.
As a professor at Yanhua University and also a student at the College of Life Sciences, Zhao Yi held dual roles. Wouldn’t it be natural for him to take full course loads and set a good example for his students?
...
The next day.
Zhao Yi went to see Zhou Youjin, but not at Shuimu University. Instead, he visited him at his ho.
This felt safer.
Zhou Youjin and Zhao Yi spent the entire afternoon discussing topology and related research. For a mathematical discipline, an afternoon was far too short. He just outlined the basics, explained so interesting and important aspects, and gave Zhao Yi two books and three research manuscripts.
These manuscripts were very valuable, all being research that Zhou Youjin had conducted and written by hand.
Zhao Yi gained a lot from this.
Through his interaction with Zhou Youjin, or rather the explanation Zhou Youjin gave him, he gained a new understanding of topology and his knowledge increased significantly.
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