A genius? I just love studying.

Chapter 169 Why is this great Buddha here?
Children speak without restraint, and it's naturally hard to refuse a request from a sixteen-year-old.

In the end, Yuan Xinyi stayed and had the meal with everyone.

"Grandmaster, this roast duck is delicious! It's just as good as roast duck in Beijing, no, I think it's even better!"

"of course!"

"The Nanjing roast duck originated from the folk cuisine of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and has a long history, while the Beijing roast duck was just a royal dish of the Ming Dynasty."

Tian Yang proudly raised his head. If someone else had said this, he would have thought that person was flattering him, but hearing it from Chen Hui made him particularly happy.

"No wonder it has crispy skin and tender meat, and it's not as greasy as Peking duck in Beijing. It's delicious!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Tian Yang laughed like a child, "You're quite the food connoisseur, aren't you!"

"But let me tell you, when it comes to Nanjing roast duck, the duck itself isn't the most important thing. You can usually tell if it's roasted well just by looking at its appearance. The real connoisseurs look at the bag of red brine that the restaurant serves!"
In traditional Chinese roast duck, water must be poured into the duck cavity before roasting. The duck is then simmered inside while roasting on the outside. Once the duck is cooked, this packet of juices becomes incredibly flavorful. While still hot, the fermented rice wine and honey broth are poured into the sauce, then topped with caramelized sugar, rice vinegar, and salt. For a more refined touch, a drop of soy sauce can be added. Only then can the authentic red broth be served!

The office was filled with the cheerful laughter of the old man and the young man. The meal lasted for about forty minutes before they parted. Chen Hui ate three large bowls of rice, though his eating manners weren't exactly graceful. But Tian Yang liked it more and more as he watched.

Before leaving, Tian Yang pulled Chen Hui aside and said, "Come to my place before you go back to Jiangcheng. I'll prepare some Nanjing roast ducks for you to take back and eat. I know a chef from Nanjing, and only his ducks taste authentic. Ducks from other places are not as good."

"Several are too many, I can't finish them all, and they'll spoil if left for too long. One is enough."

Chen Hui did not refuse.

Tian Yang waved his hand, "Of course these aren't just for you to eat alone. You can take them back and share them with your classmates and roommates!"

“I’m not worried about your studies, but you need to get along well with your classmates at school. Jiangcheng University is not like Yanbei. In Yanbei, I could protect you, but at Jiangcheng University, I can’t help you much. You’ll have to rely on yourself.”

At this moment, Tian Yang no longer resembled the dignified academician; instead, he looked like an ordinary old man taking his grandson to school.

Yuan Xinyi, standing to the side, felt a pang of sadness. He hadn't received this treatment back then, and these words seemed to be directed at him. He could only listen silently.

It wasn't just because of Chen Hui's current achievements; Tian Yang genuinely liked the little guy more and more the more he looked at him.

Just like the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren in ordinary families, even someone like Academician Tian Yang is not immune to this.

After leaving Tian Yang's office, it was already past 1:40. Chen Hui's defense was at 2:30 in the afternoon, so there was plenty of time.

The defense was held in the tenth conference room of the administration building, which is only a ten-minute walk from the School of Mathematics.

As soon as Chen Hui stepped out of Zhihua Building, he saw a young man carrying a large bottle of mineral water and eating a steamed bun in his hand walking towards him.

"God Wei!"

Chen Hui recognized the famous genius at a glance, but the other party seemed to be thinking about something. Although he was walking, his eyes were still unfocused and he did not notice Chen Hui and the other person.

In the end, Chen Hui did not go up to greet them. As a fellow researcher, he knew how rare it was to be in this situation.

When we arrived at the administration building, it was already past two o'clock. The tenth conference room was already packed, and a young professor, who looked to be in his thirties, was already speaking eloquently on the stage.

After Yuan Xinyi sat down in the last row, Chen Hui went backstage to prepare.

There were already more than a dozen people sitting in the backstage preparation room. They were all intently staring at their computers, reviewing their PowerPoint presentations and preparing for their presentations later.

The Excellent Young Scientists Fund is one of the "Four Little Young Scientists" and is aimed at young scholars under the age of forty. The preparation room was filled with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

"Chen Shen!"

As soon as Chen Hui entered the preparation room, his youthful face attracted a lot of attention. A man in his thirties came up to greet him with a warm smile.

"Hello."

Chen Hui felt a little embarrassed to be called a god by someone of his uncle's age.

"Hello, I am Geng Yukun from the Department of Theoretical Mathematics at Yanbei University."

Geng Yukun extended his hand very enthusiastically.

"Chen Hui."

You can't hit someone who's smiling, so Chen Hui extended his hand to shake hands with him.

"I know him, the famous genius!"

Geng Yukun, with an overly familiar demeanor, said sincerely, "I heard that the topic you're preparing for this time is the Yang-Mills equations?"

"Ah."

"He is truly a genius!"

Geng Yukun's face lit up with even more joy. "Do you have an idea now?"

"not yet."

"Great!"

Geng Yukun was overjoyed.

"Haha, sorry, you know I'm not very good at this, and there are limited spots this time. If you weren't my competitor, my chances of being selected as an Outstanding Young Scientist would be much greater."

"hey-hey!"

The selection of outstanding young talents is not much different from career promotion. Everyone knows the approximate ratio in advance. For example, if there are 200 candidates this year and the ratio is about 10%, then 20 people will be selected.

Then they started ranking these two hundred people and finally estimated their own ranking.

Unfortunately, Geng Yukun felt that he was only in his twenties.

Chen Hui is naturally a terrifying presence in the top ten, or even the top five or top three. Unfortunately, Chen Hui chose a topic that is impossible to complete, which means that Chen Hui may not be able to pass this defense. Therefore, his chances have greatly increased, and we should thank Chen Hui.

Chen Hui didn't know how to describe Professor Geng, who was in his thirties, in front of him; he felt that Professor Geng was more like a child.

Although the other party's words and intentions were not pleasant, strangely enough, Chen Hui did not feel any ill will towards him.

"Don't be discouraged. You're still young. Maybe you'll have an idea next year. With your level, you'll definitely be a National Outstanding Young Scientist, let alone an Excellent Young Scientist. It's just a matter of time. Let's give the opportunity to us old folks this year."

"You know, those of us who do theoretical mathematics, if it weren't for government funding, we wouldn't even be able to afford food at home."

Geng Yukun patted Chen Hui on the shoulder, "I believe that one day you will really be able to solve the Yang-Mills equations!"

"real!"

His expression was sincere, not feigned.

Chen Hui nodded, "Yes, thank you, I believe it too!"

The preparation room fell silent, and everyone looked at Chen Hui.

Those who are here are naturally the pride of heaven, but at this moment, they are still blinded by Chen Hui's confidence.

Soon, Geng Yukun walked towards the front desk.

The PowerPoint presentations were all copied to the computer on the podium beforehand; all he needed to do was go up there.

The defense time for Outstanding Young Scientists Fund is 7+5 minutes: seven minutes for presenting the PPT and five minutes for questions.

Perhaps feeling confident of victory, Geng Yukun spoke fluently and answered questions well. He looked smug as he walked backstage after his defense.

"Go for it!" Geng Yukun gave Chen Hui a fist bump as encouragement. According to the defense agenda, Chen Hui was scheduled to be right after him.

"Thank you."

Chen Hui strode towards the front desk.

……

Yanbei University, East Gate
Xing Jiguang hurriedly walked out of the East Gate, turned right onto Chengfu Road, and headed straight for the Affiliated Primary School of Yanbei University.

His son got into trouble at school again, and the teacher called him to come in.

Originally, he planned to go and see that young guy's defense of his excellent young doctoral dissertation. After all, it was the Yang-Mills equation, and he was really fearless, daring to apply for the excellent young doctoral dissertation with the Millennium Problem. He really wanted to see how far that young guy had come.

Unfortunately, every family has its own problems.

Xing Jiguang sighed and walked forward.

Suddenly, he stopped and looked at the west gate of Tsinghua University across the street.

There, an old man and a young man walked out of the west gate of Tsinghua University, crossed the road, and headed towards the east gate of Yanbei University.

Given the geographical location of the two schools, it is common for students and professors to visit each other frequently.

But that old man...

Xing Jiguang stood there, staring at the two men until they walked into the east gate of Yanbei University. He even thought he was hallucinating.

The young man was naturally Yun Wei, and the old man was Qiu Chengwu, the only Fields Medal winner in China at present!
Since that incident twenty years ago, the hatred between the mathematics departments of Tsinghua University and Yanbei University has been deep-seated, and Professor Qiu has never set foot in Yanbei University again.

But today, he actually saw Professor Qiu go to Yanbei University!
What is Old Qiu going to do?
A strong sense of curiosity arose in Xing Jiguang's heart, and his body involuntarily turned around, following the two people back into the East Gate.

My son's education is important, but he can be taught tomorrow. If he misses this momentous occasion today, he might regret it for the rest of his life.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Xing Jiguang regained his light steps and followed the two at a distance.

Old Qiu was getting on in years and didn't walk very fast, so Xing Jiguang could easily keep up.

After entering the campus of Yanbei University, the two walked straight towards the administration building.

"It really is an Outstanding Young Scientists' dissertation defense!"

Xing Jiguang had already suspected this, and now it was confirmed.

After walking for about half an hour, the three of them slowly arrived outside the administration building. It was already 2:23 PM.

Suddenly, looking in another direction, Xing Jiguang felt his hair stand on end and almost cried out in surprise.

It's true what they say, enemies are destined to meet!
Unexpectedly, Tian Yang was also walking from the direction of Zhihua Building toward the administration building, and the two groups happened to meet right downstairs at the administration building.

How could it be such a coincidence?

How are we going to handle this?

Xing Jiguang was so anxious that sweat was pouring down his forehead. He was a witness to the incident twenty years ago, so he knew that although the two were master and disciple, they had completely broken off relations and become the greatest enemies.

However, Tian Yang and Qiu Chengwu only glanced at each other before continuing to walk into the tenth conference room as if nothing had happened.

Hatred cannot disappear into thin air, but it can temporarily recede in the face of a greater dream.

Upon entering the conference room, the two walked to the first row from either side of the corridor.

Xing Jiguang felt a chill run down his spine again. There was only one seat in the middle of the first row, and if the two elderly people started arguing over it, the scene would probably be very unsightly.

But he soon put his worries aside.

Because there was someone sitting in the middle of the first row!

Although he was no longer worried, Xing Jiguang was already in a state of shock, as if struck by lightning, and stood frozen at the back of the conference room.

Because the person sitting in the middle of the first row was none other than Yang Zhenning!

Although this big shot is controversial among ordinary people, he is undoubtedly a top figure in academic circles.

As a Nobel laureate, his academic standing in the international academic community has earned China a greater voice and attracted top scholars from around the world to collaborate with China. Even though his contributions to cutting-edge research are now limited, the impact he has had is immeasurable.

In the Chinese academic community, this person is a great figure, the kind who is worshipped wherever he goes!
Why is this person here at the small-scale thesis defense for outstanding young scientists?

Could it be because of that kid Chen Hui?

So shocked was Xing Jiguang that his mind went blank.

But he still didn't understand. Even if Chen Hui's research topic was the Yang-Mills equation, it shouldn't have alarmed Professor Yang. Could it be that the kid had really done something extraordinary?
He suddenly felt a little excited.

Step forward and walk.

There were some seats at the back of the conference room, but he wanted to get closer so he could see things more clearly later.

"Old Yang!"

Even someone as proud as Chiu Cheng-wu greeted Yang Chen-ning before sitting down.

"Professor Yang." Tian Yang also took the initiative to greet him, and sat down on either side of Yang Zhenning with Qiu Chengwu.

It wasn't that they were arrogant for arriving so late; they simply hadn't expected Yang Zhenning to arrive so early.

Shortly after Qiu Chengwu and the other man sat down, Chen Hui finally came out from backstage.

Seeing his mentor and two other elderly people, Chen Hui was not surprised. It was expected that his mentor would come to support him during his defense, as he had anticipated it during lunch.

He recognized the two elderly men next to him, but since they didn't have name tags, he didn't recognize them at first. However, since they were sitting in the same row as his mentor, they must at least be academicians.

After a brief discussion, Chen Hui opened his PowerPoint presentation and began to introduce himself.

Yes, for the entire seven minutes of his speech, Chen Hui only introduced his past academic achievements, because he really didn't have much of an idea about the Yang-Mills equation, and there was really nothing to say about it.

He wasn't the only one like this; many outstanding young scientists who participated in the defense also had this situation. However, the defense of outstanding young scientists originally placed more emphasis on past academic achievements, which was essentially a reward for past achievements, so his preparation in this way was understandable.

"I've long heard that Jiangcheng University has produced a young genius, and he certainly lives up to his reputation!"

During the Q&A session, Zhang Jiping, an academician of the School of Mathematics at Yanbei University and deputy director of the Yanbei International Center for Mathematical Research, who served as the chairman of the review committee for this outstanding young scientists' dissertation defense, said with a smile, "Looking at the series of papers on the PPT behind Chen Hui, I can't help but sigh from the bottom of my heart."

But he quickly changed the subject, "However, I didn't introduce your research topic this time. Since you don't have any ideas yet, have you thought about changing your research topic?"

Chen Hui didn't introduce his research topic, so he naturally had nothing to ask. However, given Chen Hui's resume and background, directly asking about PaaS was indeed inappropriate.

"I disagree!"

Before Zhang Jiping could finish speaking, Yang Zhenning interrupted without turning his head, saying, "If you already have an idea, why apply for a research grant?"

"Since it's a research grant application, it's natural that we need to conduct the research!"

"Everyone, do you agree that this makes sense?"

After speaking, Yang Zhenning slowly turned around and glanced at the judges' panel.

(End of this chapter)