When the words “flying car” first appeared, people instinctively felt it couldn’t possibly be real!

“Flying cars,” “star networks,” “gaming pods”… these were things that only appeared in movies and novels, so how could anyone believe such terms appearing in a scientific paper?

“Absurd—do young people today treat science as a joke? Casually dragging in these science fiction concepts!”

“Exactly! Remember the previous flying car theory? It ended up being nothing but a joke!”

“Don’t think that just because you’ve watched some sci-fi movies or read sci-fi novels, you can create those fictional things!”

“That’s right, science advances step by step. How could there be such a quantum leap!”

“Which schools are these students from?”

“Let me see… hmm? It’s them?”

“Who?”

“Zhang Han from Peking University, Yang Zhan from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and that youngest mathematics student who won the Chern Prize, plus two other students whose names are less familiar.”

“Really? These students?”

“Let’s look at this paper. It seems to discuss the current theoretical status…”

“I’ll take a look too.”

…

Once they started reading, everyone fell silent, completely absorbed in the paper.

This paper was the result of a year’s work by several rising stars in the scientific world and a few graduate students. It presented data point by point, model after model, with clear organization.

Flying cars?

Yes, they still couldn’t build flying cars, but that didn’t mean they would never be able to!

Based on geomagnetic levitation and existing scientific theories, it wasn’t possible to create geomagnetically levitating flying cars capable of carrying people.

But the future might be different.

This paper used extensive calculations and derivations, along with various models, to envision future flying car technology with remarkable foresight.

The paper contained so many complex simulations and calculations that it was challenging to interpret, which was why after the initial wave of criticism passed, none of the senior scientists spoke up. Almost everyone was carefully going through the paper bit by bit.

Understanding and digesting a paper meant comprehending someone else’s line of thinking, which wasn’t a quick process.

Inside Tsinghua University.

School was about to start, but many people had already returned to campus.

Especially the seniors, who were busy with their graduation projects. With four years nearly over, everyone wanted to present impressive results.

Among them were Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin, who were also about to graduate.

Ever since Professor Tan rejected them, they hadn’t found any professors at top universities willing to take them on.

The mathematics departments at Peking University and Fudan University were prestigious, making it even less likely for anyone to give them attention.

As a result, the two had to settle for universities slightly less prestigious than their target schools.

They harbored resentment, but they still needed to produce something and had no time to dwell on it.

The project that Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng had refused still caught their attention—

“Hahaha, is this what they’re working on? Flying cars? Are they joking?”

“Exactly, it’s hilarious.”

“Does this Gu Xue Jiao think she can do anything just because she solved Fermat’s Last Theorem?”

…

Soon, the two frowned slightly, feeling something was off.

Zeng Bin hurriedly scrolled down, and both stared at the screen without moving. Even though they couldn’t fully understand it, they sensed that… this might be the real deal!

At that moment, their emotions became incredibly complex.

Of course, this was still manageable. The next day, they would regret it even more.

–

On the second day after the paper’s publication, the leading experts in the field gradually reached their conclusions—

This paper was of extremely high value.

Flying cars could become a reality!

In recent years, many papers with greater value than this one have been published in both mathematics and physics.

But none had created such a sensation.

If flying cars, which casually emerged from garages in science fiction movies, entered reality and became as common as the cars on the roads today, or even replaced them… that would be an epoch-making scientific breakthrough.

This wasn’t just a matter for mathematics and physics; various fields could get involved, and it would even connect with industry.

Moreover, since current technology couldn’t yet produce actual flying cars, this paper only provided partial theories.

For researchers, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the complete, mature theory came from their own hands?

Or what if they were the ones to create the flying car?

It would be a lifetime achievement, recorded in history.

The paper’s influence reached its peak almost immediately, with nearly the entire scientific community discussing it.

Countless people were studying the paper, and countless more were contemplating whether they could continue the work.

Meanwhile, Xue Jiao and the other four entered the scientific community’s spotlight.

“The new wave pushes the old,” “Promising youth,” “Dawn of science’s future”…

All kinds of praise began flowing toward the five of them, and reporters once again crowded the gates of the three universities.

“Hello, Professor Tan?” Xue Jiao answered the phone.

After hearing something from the other end, Xue Jiao froze, responding blankly: “Oh, alright…”

After putting down the phone, Lin Zhi Hua asked her: “What’s wrong?”

“Professor Tan said if I don’t want to be interviewed by reporters, I should avoid going to school for now…”

Lin Zhi Hua was also surprised, then smiled and reached out to gently pinch Xue Jiao’s cheek: “My little scientist, look at you all, always creating such a commotion.”

Xue Jiao felt somewhat embarrassed, her cheeks turning slightly red: “Not at all. This time it’s mainly Senior Zhang Han and the others who deserve the credit. I didn’t contribute as much as they did.”

“How modest of you,” Lin Zhi Hua said with resignation, then asked, “Do you want to accept interviews?”

Almost instinctively, Xue Jiao hurriedly shook her head: “No, no, no, I think I’ll go in a few days…”

She didn’t know why, but she always felt somewhat reluctant to be interviewed.

“That works too. The reporters won’t block you; they’ll probably coordinate with the school. Just wait for the school’s arrangements.”

Xue Jiao nodded, her expression blank.

Lin Zhi Hua smiled, his eyes full of joy, as he took Xue Jiao’s hand: “Come on, let’s take our little scientist to get some nourishment. You’ve only gained one pound since before the New Year. Have you been secretly studying at night again?”

Xue Jiao shrank her neck slightly, feeling guilty.

Lin Zhi Hua glared at her, wrapping her in a down jacket while chattering away.

Then he took her hand. Xue Jiao’s hand was hidden in her sleeve, and Lin Zhi Hua wrapped the sleeve and all in his palm as they walked out.

The tall and short figures walked out together.

–

Xue Jiao wore the hood of her down jacket, covering half her face, as she headed straight to Professor Tan’s office.

“Haha—” Professor Tan laughed when he saw her appearance. “There are no reporters anymore. Why are you still so afraid?”

Xue Jiao shook her head and explained helplessly: “It’s not because of the reporters.”

Professor Tan looked puzzled, but Xue Jiao didn’t explain further.

It wasn’t just reporters; it was also her fellow students.

Since entering university, Xue Jiao has only published two papers. One had brought her great honor, and the other had brought even more prestige.

As a result, ever since the value of the paper had been continuously interpreted by various people, Xue Jiao had been receiving countless messages—all self-recommendation letters hoping to join her for the next project.

But… she didn’t know what the next project would be.

Xue Jiao felt somewhat troubled. A group photo of her with Zhang Han and the others had appeared on the official website again, along with her individual photo when clicked.

She felt… to avoid trouble, it might be better to keep her face hidden.

“You all have done something significant. I’m afraid you won’t even have to wait until university graduation for your achievements to surpass us old-timers!” Professor Tan said, his eyes full of satisfaction and joy.

Xue Jiao looked helpless: “Professor, you’re joking.”

How could they possibly be compared to someone like Professor Tan? Nevertheless, Xue Jiao harbored a small wish in her heart—hoping that one day, her achievements would be no less than Professor Tan’s…

However, academic work required a foundation, and hers was still shallow.

“I genuinely hope you’ll become more accomplished than me. You’re all still young with unlimited possibilities ahead. Be bold in your dreams and efforts, but guard against arrogance and impatience.” Professor Tan said as he stood up.

Xue Jiao quickly said: “Professor, I’ll get the water myself!”

She stood up, took a paper cup, poured herself some water, and refilled Professor Tan’s cup.

Professor Tan smiled even more broadly: “You’re certainly quick-witted…”

Xue Jiao playfully blinked her eyes, then sat down across from him again. With a serious expression, she continued to listen to Professor Tan’s guidance.

“Gu Xue Jiao, your achievement this time is significant. In future flying car research, your paper will serve as the foundation, becoming the source and starting point for research. Such achievements and reputation are beyond what many professors can accomplish.”

Xue Jiao opened her mouth to say something, but Professor Tan raised his hand to stop her.

He continued: “Look now, the entire mathematics and physics community is interpreting your paper. Many of your professors are also studying it, carefully interpreting it. I’m studying it too. After two days, I’ve only reached the third page of your detailed content.”

Xue Jiao followed his hand and saw their complete paper printed out. The fine notes on it showed Professor Tan had been reading it very carefully.

“You’ve won a major award that many mathematics researchers can’t achieve in a lifetime, and you’ve published this paper. In the future, even if you do nothing else, these achievements alone would be enough for you to make a living in the mathematical community…”

Professor Tan’s voice became concerned: “But you’re still young. Your future might be more brilliant than I can imagine, and your steps can’t stop here. Now that this project is over, if you don’t want to continue with it, shouldn’t you shift your gaze from the current glory?”

Perhaps only someone who truly cares about you would remind you, when honor arrives, to keep moving forward.

To bid farewell to the current applause and glory, to continue moving forward, to climb higher mountains, and to pursue greater achievements.

“Gu Xue Jiao, those who only see the immediate glory will remain stagnant. I hope you continue to work hard, continue to chase your dreams. The broader, more unknown world ahead still needs you.”

Xue Jiao looked at him earnestly, and slowly nodded, her gaze resolute.

Professor Tan smiled: “So what are your plans next?”

Xue Jiao answered without hesitation, stating her next arrangements: “I want to learn more mathematics. My foundation is still weak.”

Hearing her words, Professor Tan couldn’t hide the approval and satisfaction in his eyes.

“In a few days, I’ll take you to meet my teacher.”

Xue Jiao’s eyes lit up. She didn’t know who Professor Tan’s teacher was, but anyone who could be Professor Tan’s teacher was naturally someone worthy of respect.

Professor Tan picked up his cup and took a sip of water, his gaze relaxing, “Gu Xue Jiao, after a year, you’re finally returning to the field of mathematics.”

Xue Jiao stood up, chest out, back straight, and said with a smile—

“Gu Xue Jiao, reporting for duty.”