I am devoted to scientific research, but you want to trick me into having a love relationship?

Chapter 599 You call this being bad at debating?

"Hello, dear Mr. Xu, we meet again."

Seeing the astonishment on Xu Qingzhou's face, the woman's eyes revealed a mischievous smile.

Xu Qingzhou snapped out of his reverie and shook hands with the other person: "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. However, Miss Catherine, if I remember correctly, this is a physics seminar. Why are you here?"

Yes, the woman in front of me is Catherine, whom I met many years ago at a seminar at Cambridge University.

When Xu Qingzhou left Cambridge, she was the one who took him to London Airport, and she even gave him a taste of what it meant to be fast-moving.

But Katharine should be engaged in mathematical research, right?

“I’m happy to explain.” Catherine glanced at the documents in Xu Qingzhou’s hand and said with a smile, “It seems Professor Xu is ready. If you don’t mind, let’s head to the auditorium first and talk as we walk.”

"Ok."

The two went downstairs and walked north along St Aldate's to the Carfax intersection.

"It's quite simple to explain. Just three years ago, I joined the superconducting qubit experiment group at the Oxford Quantum Computing Centre."

"After I found out you were on the list of invited speakers, I volunteered to be your assistant," Katharine said. "After all, you still owe me a drink."

Xu Qingzhou suddenly realized that this explained why Catherine was here.

He wasn't too surprised.

After all, as Descartes said: mathematics is the tool of knowledge and the source of other tools of knowledge; all sciences that study order and measurement are related to mathematics.

It is not uncommon for mathematicians to switch to other fields, especially physics and chemistry.

The two walked west along Broad Street for about 150 meters, passed through the Bodleian Library at Oxford University, and turned left onto Parks Road.

"The superconducting quantum bit experimental group, the one led by Jamie Hellick?"

Oxford University is a global leader in quantum computing hardware, superconducting materials, algorithm theory, and industry-academia collaboration. Some of the technologies in China's "Micius" quantum satellite were developed in collaboration with Oxford University.

"Yes."

Catherine nodded and turned to look at Xu Qingzhou: "Professor Xu, although I am not interested in other people's husbands, I must say that you seem to be more charming than you were four years ago."

Looking at the more mature face beside her, Catherine still felt a pang of emotion.

Four years ago, Xu Qingzhou demonstrated his unparalleled mathematical talent at a conference in Cambridge, and even boasted that he could solve the twin prime conjecture.

At that time, people were still questioning whether this young man could really solve the twin prime conjecture, betting that his bold statement would become history or a joke.

After that, the twin prime conjecture, the Polignac conjecture, and even the Riemann Hypothesis, hailed as the pearl of mathematics, were solved.

"Miss Catherine has become even more beautiful."

Xu Qingzhou also offered a compliment.

"Thank you."

Catherine smiled sweetly, "In your Xia country's terms, we're just doing mutual flattery. I heard you're doing research in the field of batteries, is there any good news?"

"As you know, both lithium dendrites and the shuttle effect are incredibly troublesome things. At least for now, there's nothing I consider a breakthrough worth celebrating," Xu Qingzhou sighed.

After walking for about 15 minutes, the Clarendon Laboratory Auditorium came into view.

Just as the two were about to walk over, a middle-aged man walked towards them.

Xu Qingzhou could tell from the other person's gaze that he was coming for him. Xu Qingzhou was helpless; he searched his memory for everyone he had ever met, but unfortunately, he had absolutely no information about this middle-aged man.

Sure enough, the middle-aged man stopped in front of them.

"Xu Qingzhou, I will prove to you that your theories are just like a politician's rhetoric—they are utterly useless!"

"."

The middle-aged man defiantly raised his chin at Xu Qingzhou.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Xu Qingzhou said with a faint smile.

The case is solved; it turns out it was due to supersymmetry theory.

As far as he knows, there are indeed quite a few scholars criticizing his theory of analytic number theory.

“I’m almost there and I’ll soon expose your lies.”

"I'm sorry, that's not my concern."

Xu Qingzhou remained calm; he wasn't foolish enough to actually fall into a self-proving trap.

You think there's a problem? Okay, find it out.

The middle-aged man suddenly felt as if he had punched cotton, experiencing a sense of powerlessness, and angrily turned his head away.

Catherine turned to Xu Qingzhou and asked, "You should know who he is, right?"

"Do I need to know?"

Xu Qingzhou thought for a moment, but still couldn't remember who the other person was.

Then, he saw the middle-aged man, who hadn't gone far, suddenly freeze in his tracks.

"."

Catherine explained helplessly, "He is Professor Charles Holloway, who teaches the history of mathematics in the Department of Mathematics at Oxford University."

Hearing what Catherine said, Xu Qingzhou finally felt a little bit of influence. He seemed to have seen this person on a math forum before. He was a huge hater who regarded his subversive theories as the behavior of an academic thug.

"Some impression."

In the distance, Holloway froze again.

Katharine continued, "I've studied your theory, and it's very interesting. It's a pity I haven't found a good way to verify it, but I remain optimistic. You don't seem to be trying to defend yourself in the face of Professor Holloway's questions."

"I am a mathematician, not good at debating, but better at letting the facts speak for themselves."

Xu Qingzhou spread his hands, saying helplessly.

Catherine's expression was strange. "Professor Xu, you're not good at debating. I think you don't have a clear understanding of your own position."

She saw how Xu Qingzhou had infuriated Professor Holloway with just a few words.

Is this what you call being unskilled in debate?
Led by Catherine, Xu Qingzhou signed in at the lobby and entered the auditorium.

Catherine had other things to do, so she said goodbye to Xu Qingzhou and left first. Xu Qingzhou then wandered around the auditorium and found the seats of the Peking University professors.

Xu Qingzhou greeted several professors from the Department of Physics at Peking University.

"You look a little tired. Haven't adjusted to the time difference yet?" an elderly professor with slightly gray hair but a sprightly demeanor asked with a smile.

Professor Ma Xuan from the School of Physics is an expert in condensed matter physics, specializing in the optical response of surface states in topological insulators. This old man has been frequently visiting the research institute these past two months, ostensibly for academic exchange, but really just looking for excuses to use their equipment.

"Kind of."

Xu Qingzhou nodded. He had woken up several times last night and his sleep quality was poor.

Looking at Xu Qingzhou's dark circles, Professor Ma Xuan couldn't help but say, "Professor Xu, you should pay attention to your health when you're young. Health is the foundation of everything."

"Don't worry, I'll pay attention."

Having experienced sudden death himself, Xu Qingzhou is extremely experienced in this regard.

I couldn't sleep last night, simply because of jet lag and being a light sleeper. I usually sleep with my sweet and soft Song Xiaohua in my arms, so this sudden business trip was a bit of a shock.

"Come on, let me introduce you to a few people. They've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

(End of this chapter)