Professor Tan’s proud yet secretive expression was truly infuriating, at least to Professor Liu, who instinctively retorted, “Then tell us who else?”

Professor Liu’s voice carried an angry tone, clearly feeling that Professor Tan was talking without understanding the difficulties.

Professor Tan revealed a half-smile, looking profound but saying nothing.

The department head suddenly had a revelation and remembered someone: “Gu Xue Jiao.”

This person had been specially noticed by the school when classes started and was even the freshman representative of this class.

But she had been too low-profile later on, and everyone had overlooked her.

Some students even spread rumors that she had become ordinary, indistinguishable from others.

Professor Liu nearly slammed the table as he stood up: “Tan Zhongying, you have the nerve to mention Gu Xue Jiao? She initially won first prize in mathematics, showing remarkable talent. But look at her now—she’s even skipping classes, Professor Tan. What kind of teaching is this?”

“Skipping classes?” Professor Tan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. Professor Ke and the dean also looked over.

Professor Liu continued angrily: “Indeed! At the end of last semester, she skipped two sessions of Ideological and Moral Cultivation. Fortunately, she got a perfect score on the exam, otherwise…”

He was actually just temperamental by nature but very good to students and attentive to promising talents. This news about Gu Xue Jiao skipping classes had been mentioned by another teacher during a casual chat, which made him very angry.

Professor Tan’s expression immediately relaxed: “But she got a perfect score, didn’t she? Missing two classes might have been for something important.”

Others didn’t know, but he did.

That period was probably the critical verification phase for Xue Jiao.

Two Ideological and Moral Cultivation classes…

Could they compare with Fermat’s Last Theorem?

“You, you, you, you—” Professor Liu glared at Professor Tan, fuming.

The dean smiled and looked at Professor Tan: “Professor Tan, what did you mean earlier? Has Gu Xue Jiao achieved something significant?”

Professor Tan continued with his enigmatic smile: “You’ll find out in due time.”

Dean: “…”

Professor Liu: “…”

The news about the paper being published came more than a month after school started. During this period, Xue Jiao was focusing on her studies.

Yes, focusing on her major courses.

Although her performance last semester had been good—ranking third in her major—it was still far from what she had aimed for.

Just the Ideological and Moral Cultivation course she had missed had cost her quite a few credits compared to others.

There were too many outstanding people at this university and even more who excelled at exams. Xue Jiao was determined not to perform like that again this semester.

When she learned that the paper had been published, Xue Jiao’s first reaction was shock.

Professor Tan immediately called her from his end.

“Congratulations, Student Gu Xue Jiao, hahaha!” He seemed very excited, standing up with his hands on the desk, laughing heartily.

Xue Jiao responded blankly: “Professor.”

“The school will know this news very soon. Whether to accept interviews or not is your decision.”

“Ah? There will be interviews?”

“Of course, this is a tremendous honor. If you don’t want to accept interviews, you can go home and rest for a couple of days.” Professor Tan offered sincere advice.

Xue Jiao hesitated: “Then about taking leave…”

“I’ll help you with that. Just go home and rest, but be careful.”

In Professor Tan’s eyes, Xue Jiao was now a treasure, a treasure that needed to be kept safe and protected from any harm.

Xue Jiao: “Alright.”

Since it was the weekend, she simply decided not to stay at school and took a taxi home.

Meanwhile, Professor Tan was extremely excited. Despite his age, he jumped up and down several times in his office before catching his breath from the excitement.

Then, with a brilliant smile, he posted a message in the group chat, his tone seemingly calm:

“Warmly congratulate our school’s student Gu Xue Jiao on publishing her paper about the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem in Annals of Mathematics.”

What a simple sentence, a sentence without even punctuation.

But…

It was like dropping a depth charge.

Professor Liu was chatting with Gao Yuan.

“So you still need to work hard. Although your achievements are impressive at our school, our vision should be set further.” Professor Liu said this with a very meaningful look.

“Further?” Gao Yuan was taken aback.

“Yes. You’re outstanding among undergraduates at our school, so you should compare yourself with graduate students, with students from Peking University.” These words were forceful, then his tone shifted, “But don’t pressure yourself too much, after all…”

Before he could finish, the phone placed nearby kept ringing.

“Ding ding ding ding.”

Professor Liu looked back but ignored it, continuing: “After all, in our class…”

“Ding ding ding ding.”

The only group chat he had notifications enabled for was the one with a bunch of old fellows, and this group was usually very quiet.

Professor Liu took a deep breath, wondering why these old guys were so active today, especially that Tan guy he particularly focused on—why wouldn’t he stop chattering?

He picked up his phone while continuing: “In our class, you are the most outst—”

Professor Liu scrolled through the messages, and after a moment, his pupils contracted, his fingers froze, and the word “standing” couldn’t come out.

He stared at the screen, shocked, with veins protruding on his forehead, his lips trembling, and suddenly stood up.

“How is this possible?”

Gao Yuan also quickly stood up, trying to support him: “Professor Liu, what’s wrong?”

He anxiously moved forward to help Professor Liu, but the latter pushed him away, grabbed his phone, and strode out with big steps.

Not showing his age at all.

When Professor Liu rushed to Professor Tan’s office, the dean, department head, Professor Ke, Professor Deng, and others were already there. He was the last to arrive.

“Did Gu Xue Jiao publish a paper?”

Professor Tan’s expression was quite calm, appearing unfazed: “Of course, there will be reports in a couple of days.”

Professor Liu held his breath. This was such wonderful news! It was the glory of the school’s younger generation, representing the never-fading brilliance of mathematics.

But seeing Professor Tan’s “calm face,” he couldn’t feel happy.

The dean and other professors were discussing excitedly, full of joy. At this moment, Gao Yuan, Peking University—none of that mattered.

We have Gu Xue Jiao!

Professor Liu held his anger for a long time, finally unable to restrain himself, and shouted:

“Tan, why didn’t you tell us about such good news earlier? Were you just waiting to see me make a fool of myself?”

Tsinghua University freshman Gu Xue Jiao published a paper in the Annals of Mathematics.

Within about two days, everyone who followed such things knew about it.

Tsinghua.

“Ahhhhh, she’s bringing glory to our school!”

“The master is too incredible!”

“I want to worship her!”

“No wonder she’s been so low-profile this semester, she was preparing this major move!”

“Awesome!”

Peking University.

“Damn, damn, she published in Annals of Mathematics! This Gu Xue Jiao is truly a master!”

“Is it real?”

“You still don’t believe it? It’s been reported in newspapers, go check the official website.”

“Did she write it herself?”

“Of course, she’s the first author, with her professor, Tan Zhongying, as the second author. But in Tsinghua’s official video, Professor Tan said the entire paper was written by Gu Xue Jiao; he only helped revise some parts and gave some advice.”

“This is truly incredible.”

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“Yang Zhan, is this right?” A senior student asked.

No response.

“Yang Zhan?” Several people looked at the silent Yang Zhan, confused.

He was holding his phone, looking up with a complex, inscrutable expression.

“Yang Zhan, what’s wrong?”

Yang Zhan took off his gloves and slowly placed them aside: “No need to calculate anymore.”

“Hm?”

“Tsinghua’s Gu Xue Jiao has already figured it out. The paper has been published in Annals of Mathematics.”

“What?” A chorus of shocked voices.

Yang Zhan was also shocked, but fortunately, their project had just started, and they hadn’t invested much time yet.

For researchers, the further along you are, the more precious time becomes.

“Yang Zhan, let me see, let me see!” A senior student rushed over, still disbelieving.

Another asked blankly, “Who is Gu Xue Jiao?”

He was a graduate student, and always focused solely on research, so he had never heard of Gu Xue Jiao.

“Last year’s college entrance exam top scorer. She participated in the mathematics competition with me, also winning first prize,” Yang Zhan explained.

He was also working on proving Fermat’s Last Theorem because of that mathematics competition, but now Gu Xue Jiao had surpassed him.

There had been no news about her for half a year, so when he started his project, he hadn’t thought of her.

But in reality, the champion who had been silent for half a year had begun to reveal her strength.

Now, no one could ignore her.

Fudan University.

“Damn, damn, damn, that’s too incredible!”

“The most incredible thing is her appearance.”

“Tsk, tsk, there were no photos leaked last year, but this year there’s finally a portrait photo.”

“I think there were some last year too.”

“She’s beautiful even in a portrait photo.”

“Yu Ge, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Hah, Yu Ge has always kept a distance from girls.”

“Yu Ge, you’re wasting your face.”

“Yu Ge must have someone in his heart.”

“What kind of girl is even beyond your reach, Yu Ge?”

“Yeah, with Yu Ge’s abilities and looks, even a goddess wouldn’t turn him down, right?”

Beside them, Yi Tianyu looked at the young woman on the screen, reaching out to touch it with trembling fingers.

His eyes gradually reddened, deaf to the voices around him.

She had always been dazzling, hardworking, and wonderful.

There might be more beautiful people in this world, but no one could be as good as her.

She lived with clarity and kept moving toward her goals, never stopping.

Yi Tianyu trembled slightly. He had gone to find her last year and went again later.

But she was walking together with that man who was so excellent that Yi Tianyu could only look up to him in this lifetime. She smiled so happily, so blissfully.

It was the same smile she had when he was by her side years ago.

Satisfied and happy.

That day, Yi Tianyu didn’t appear, and Xue Jiao would never know he had been there.

Professor Tan had said it would cause a sensation, but Xue Jiao hadn’t paid much attention at the time. After all, publishing a paper wasn’t like the college entrance exam; it didn’t get as much attention.

But in reality, it brought significant changes to her life.

Many media reporters wanted to interview her, but Xue Jiao routinely declined.

Then some tried to interview her through various channels, planning to write her life as an inspirational story.

Xue Jiao thought, I’m not even twenty years old in this lifetime, how is this a “life” story?

At best, it’s the first fifth of a life.

She declined these too.

More ridiculously, there were even variety shows inviting her.

Xue Jiao: “…”

She didn’t accept any of them, only participating in a few necessary interviews arranged by the school.

The subsequent impact was basically that wherever she went, people would stare at her like they were looking at a monkey, with fervent gazes, and some would even take photos.

“Genius, genius, how do I have such a roommate? It’s so damn discouraging!” Mai Jiajia hooked her arm around Xue Jiao’s neck, jumping on her back from behind, looking excited.

“Ouch, you’re so heavy!” Xue Jiao lightly patted her hand, but her face bore a smile.

Mai Jiajia got down and stopped weighing her down, saying with a brilliant smile: “I don’t care, you must be my friend for life, no friendship breakups allowed!”

Xue Jiao laughed at her joke: “If you keep talking nonsense, let’s break up our friendship right now.”

Mai Jiajia hugged her, not letting go.

“Congratulations, your achievements at this age are truly hard to surpass. Gu Xue Jiao, you’re impressive,” Ding Qi praised.

Mai Jiajia made an exaggerated face: “Oh my goodness, our young lady knows how to praise others now! Not being sour anymore? Good, good!”

“Mai Jiajia!”

“Don’t shout so loudly, I’m not deaf.” Saying this, she turned to look at Xue Jiao. “Recently, a lot of people have been asking about you. Some too many people admire you, and many are asking when you’ll organize a project.”

“Ah?” Xue Jiao was taken aback.

Mai Jiajia poked her: “Silly, did you use all your intelligence on mathematics? You’re now the school’s darling, a small icon of our university. If you do another project, the school will give preferential treatment. Besides, your current achievement proves your ability, so of course everyone wants to join your project!”

Xue Jiao nodded: “Oh, there’s no rush. I don’t have any ideas yet.”

Fermat’s Last Theorem was something she had always wanted to prove. Now that it was done, she hadn’t planned what to do next.

“Jiao Jiao, congratulations.” Shu Lan gave a thumbs up, smiling as she congratulated Xue Jiao.

Xue Jiao sighed and sat down beside her.

“How have you been recently?”

“Pretty good.” Shu Lan smiled faintly, looking relaxed, but with dark circles under her eyes.

Ding Qi raised an eyebrow: “Good my ass! Yu Cheng is about to leave, and she can’t even see him now. She’s been sleepless night after night.”

Xue Jiao reached out, holding Shu Lan’s hand, patting it gently, silently supporting her.

But in her heart, she wondered: could love without family support endure?

—

The paper affair didn’t fade for a long time. Xue Jiao’s entire paper was posted on the bulletin board, with people coming to look at it every day.

Xue Jiao, meanwhile, hugged her books, continuing to immerse herself in the profound world.

“Gu Xue Jiao,” a familiar voice called.

Xue Jiao turned around, her eyes brightening: “Chu Sheng!”

High school classmates who enter the same university become even closer. Plus, the two had always been complex rivals, always appreciating each other.

However, Xue Jiao had been too busy last semester and had hardly seen him.

Chu Sheng ran over, first giving her a thumbs up: “I’ve just been in seclusion for a while, and when I come out, the legend of Genius Gu is already spreading throughout the school!”

Xue Jiao scratched her head embarrassedly: “Not really.”

“Don’t be modest. It’s posted outside, isn’t it? Recently, have many professors been seeking you out for heart-to-heart talks?” Chu Sheng made a rare display of facial expressions.

Xue Jiao: “…”

That was indeed true. Many professors had been seeking her out for talks, not just professors from Tsinghua, but also from Peking University, Fudan, and others.

Although she was studying under Professor Tan, graduate school was at another level entirely. At that point, she would truly join a mentor’s academic lineage.

Xue Jiao was currently still unaffiliated, and those trying to poach her weren’t just from her own school but from others as well.

“By the way, are you also here to read books?” Xue Jiao asked Chu Sheng, as they were both now at the library entrance.

Unexpectedly, Chu Sheng shook his head, saying, “I came to find you.”

“Hm?” Xue Jiao was taken aback.

“Take a look at this—a plan I’ve made.” Chu Sheng handed her a thick booklet.

Xue Jiao accepted it in confusion.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, the reason I chose to study physics. I wasn’t planning to start yet, but you inspired me. I don’t want to wait anymore. Gu Xue Jiao, would you like to join this project?” Chu Sheng asked seriously.

Xue Jiao didn’t respond immediately, opening the first page: “Magnetic Levitation.”

“Hmm, isn’t the magnetic levitation project too broad? Besides, it’s not realistic for us to research this at our current stage.” Since Chu Sheng had invited her, Xue Jiao gave a straightforward reply.

Chu Sheng smiled and turned to the second page for her: “Yes, that’s why I plan to take a theoretical approach—Magnetic Levitation Theory.”

“You’re from the physics department asking me, someone from mathematics?” Xue Jiao asked with a half-smile.

Chu Sheng objected: “First, theoretical research involves a lot of calculation, with high mathematical requirements. Also, as you read on, you’ll understand that I need your help. Furthermore, Gu Xue Jiao, your physics isn’t bad. The gap between mathematics and physics isn’t as big as you think, and I trust your abilities.”

By the end, Chu Sheng was smiling.

“Alright, I do like physics. However, the theory of magnetic levitation is already quite well-developed, with many experts working on it. I don’t feel it has enough appeal to make me commit to it.” Xue Jiao was about to close the booklet.

Chu Sheng reached out to stop her, then turned another page: “I knew you’d say that, but what I want to work on is geo-magnetic levitation theory. Gu Xue Jiao, I’m not interested in existing electromagnetic levitation, not in following the footsteps of predecessors, but in blazing a new trail. I want to try geo-magnetic levitation, to understand the capabilities of our Earth. If possible, I believe the flying car conjecture isn’t just a dream.”

Xue Jiao was stunned.

The flying car conjecture was a recent paper without much technical substance, not published on any reputable site.

Flying cars, as the name suggests, are cars that fly in the sky. This paper had been heavily criticized, and Xue Jiao had seen it in the graduate student office.

There was light in Chu Sheng’s eyes: “I may not be able to create a flying car in my lifetime, but I can provide direction for future generations. Even if I can’t find the right direction, I can tell them which directions are wrong. Gu Xue Jiao, we won’t take the old path, but a brand new one. Are you interested? Give me a year or two. If we don’t see hope within two years, you can leave anytime.”

Xue Jiao silently looked at him.

Chu Sheng’s eyes showed madness and obsession. Every researcher is like this; between genius and madness, there’s only a thin line.

But such obsession is the light of the future, of technological advancement.

“Alright.”

—

They talked for a long time. Chu Sheng eagerly went to prepare his work, while Xue Jiao flipped through the thick booklet, her gaze serious.

She thought she was already quite persistent, but Chu Sheng had been working so many years just for a childhood fantasy.

This booklet had been conceived since his high school years.

And today, he had finally presented his blueprint to Xue Jiao.

She was the first to see it, but certainly not the last.

Xue Jiao didn’t know if they were doing something futile, but at this moment, she was willing to follow her heart. She wanted to do this.

Her hands gently turned the pages, reading carefully one by one.

Only when Professor Tan’s message came through did Xue Jiao put away the booklet and head to the office with her bag?

Arriving at the office door, she knocked.

“Professor Tan, you were looking for me?”

Inside sat not only Professor Tan but several other professors as well, with Gao Yuan beside Professor Liu.

“Hello, Professor Liu, Professor Ke, Professor Xu, Professor Deng.”

“Student Gu Xue Jiao is here, please sit down.” Professor Tan smiled, beckoning her.

Xue Jiao sat down in front of Professor Tan under the gaze of all the professors, feeling very nervous.

“Professor Tan, is there something you need?”

Professor Tan smiled and said: “It’s like this. Previously, Yang Zhan formed a team to verify Fermat’s Last Theorem—”

“Ah?” Xue Jiao looked completely confused.

The other professors all laughed, and Professor Ke interjected: “Yes, you beat them to it, haha! So they changed direction and decided to work on the Riemann Hypothesis.”

Professor Tan nodded: “That’s right. And today they extended an invitation to our school, hoping you would join them.”

“I join?” The information was overwhelming, and Xue Jiao was still processing it.

Yang Zhan wanted to research the Riemann Hypothesis, had formed a team, and invited her to join.

“Yes, I think this is an excellent opportunity. The Riemann Hypothesis has always been a challenging problem. Since Yang Zhan and his team are tackling this, they must be well-prepared. Joining would benefit you, and you’d also get to interact with the best of the new generation in mathematics. I strongly recommend you participate.” Professor Tan said with a smile.

The other professors chimed in from all sides:

“Student Gu Xue Jiao, this is a good opportunity. You can learn a lot by joining.”

“That’s right, you’ve truly brought honor to Tsinghua this time. They wanted to work on Fermat before and didn’t even invite us!”

“Hahaha, so Student Gu Xue Jiao proved it before they could!”

“After joining, Student Gu Xue Jiao got along well with them.”

“Yes, yes, but don’t let them bully you either.”

Professor Liu raised his voice: “Student Gu Xue Jiao, could you please bring Gao Yuan along? Not to participate, he couldn’t help much anyway, just to do some odd jobs, to broaden his horizons.”

They seemed certain that Xue Jiao would join Yang Zhan’s team.

Xue Jiao suddenly spoke up: “Professor Tan, can you contact Yang Zhan?”

“Ah?” Professor Tan was momentarily stunned, then said, “I can contact his professor. Do you want to communicate with Yang Zhan?”

Xue Jiao nodded.

The other professors exchanged glances, assuming Xue Jiao just wanted to ask more about the project, so they didn’t pay much attention.

But after two phone calls and finally connecting with Yang Zhan…

Xue Jiao asked:

“Senior Yang Zhan, I have a project here. Are you interested?”

Professor Tan: “…”

Professor Ke: “…”

Professor Liu: “…”