"The solution to the NP problem is like knowing that our foundations are extrely stable, and that anything we build on this ground won’t easily collapse..."
Qiu Chengwen talked a lot about the NP problem and helped journalists and TV audiences understand its significance.
His last comnt was, "This would be a great achievent!"
"But for Zhao Yi, it’s just one more feather in his cap of nurous mathematical triumphs."
"I believe congratulating him in advance is the right thing to do."
Next, the reporter asked about Fan Lei, mainly because the gathering of so many mathematicians was sowhat boring, and Fan Lei seed to have so interesting qualities worth exploring.
Qiu Chengwen comnted, "Fan Lei is a very proud young man. I think Zhao Yi saw his potential, which is why he let him represent him and present the report."
"He is proud and has great potential..."
Just as Qiu Chengwen was about to add more comnts, he felt a tug at his sleeve and looked at Zhou Li with confusion.
Zhou Li whispered, "Professor Qiu, didn’t I just say not to talk about Fan Lei?"
"Why not?"
Qiu Chengwen frowned, and it wasn’t appropriate to call out Zhou Li in front of the journalists, so he quickly made an apologetic gesture and took Zhou Li back to their seats.
Then he looked around, didn’t spot Fan Lei, and imdiately wondered, "Where’s Fan Lei?"
"He left."
"He left? He really has character!" Qiu Chengwen’s opinion of Fan Lei improved, and he laughed, "If it were , at his age, in this kind of situation, I would definitely stay put."
Zhou Li forced a smile, "I think the most likely reason is that he’s afraid of being asked questions he can’t answer and feeling embarrassed."
"How can you say that?"
Qiu Chengwen frowned, disapprovingly, "Professor Zhou, there are things I’ve been keeping to myself, but now, I must speak up."
"Ah?"
Qiu Chengwen beca serious, "I know that you and Fan Lei—I an, the fact that Fan Lei is here to present the report instead of you probably bothers you, right?"
These words struck a chord with Zhou Li, who subconsciously nodded, then listened as Qiu Chengwen continued, "But that doesn’t justify blatantly slandering soone. Look at Fan Lei, barely in his twenties, yet able to shine at the Mathematicians’ Congress, even if only presenting on behalf of Zhao Yi. That is an extraordinary experience.
"This might even motivate him to work harder and devote himself more diligently to his mathematical research upon returning ho."
"Such a young talent is the future of mathematics!"
"You shouldn’t keep slandering others just because you didn’t get to present on behalf of Zhao Yi. How old is Fan Lei? How old are you? To be blunt, at our age, when it cos to research, we’re old news!"
"..."
Zhou Li was at a loss for words after being reprimanded, eventually resigning to a bitter smile and trying to explain, "Professor Qiu, really, you have to believe , Fan Lei, he’s not even involved in mathematical research. No, he has nothing to do with mathematics at all, that’s why I was trying to remind you..."
"Enough!"
Qiu Chengwen cut him off, annoyed, "Anyway, as seniors, we must give young people more support, more opportunities." Essentially, he was criticizing Zhou Li—instead of withholding opportunities from the youth, he was trying to take them away and even deliberately defaming them?
Zhou Li opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.
Elsewhere.
After leaving the central hall, Fan Lei quickly returned to his hotel, sharing Zhou Li’s concern of being asked questions he couldn’t answer and feeling miserable.
It was the kind of thing best avoided if possible.
But so things are inescapable, because journalists were conducting live interviews, with both international and dostic audiences following the broadcast, drawing attention to Fan Lei.
Foreign netizens started saying, "This guy who represented Zhao Yi in the proof presentation, he’s got real character!"
"Amazing, he didn’t say a word the whole ti, just transcribed. Did you see that indifferent look? It’s like he’s saying if you get it, good for you; if not, too bad, I’m doing it my way!"
"Impressive!"
"Is he another young top-tier mathematician besides Zhao Yi?"
The dostic comntary was much livelier, with many netizens joining the discussion during the live TV broadcast, "This guy delivering the proof presentation...so indifferent!"
"Mathematicians are all pretty indifferent, right?"
"He really has character, maintaining such a stoic face on such a high-profile stage!"
"Impressive!"
"He looks so calm, with a disdainful gaze the entire ti. He must be looking down on everyone at the venue!"
"I really want to get to know this indifferent, cool, and smart guy!"
"Such a cool vibe!"
"I get it, this is the best way to act cool while studying, I’ve really learned sothing!"
"..."
Because the proof presentation was truly boring, Zhao Yi didn’t continue watching the live broadcast but returned to his dorm room. After it ended, he turned on his computer to check and then noticed an abundance of comnts related to Fan Lei.
Reading through them, he felt baffled.
"Fan Lei? A genius mathematician? An indifferent scholar? The best way to play it cool while studying?"
"This..."
"This guy really does have sothing, huh!"
Zhao Yi couldn’t help but marvel at Fan Lei’s ’impressiveness’—just stepping in to give a silent presentation in his place, and he could make others think he was a math genius?
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