They're already in university, and the primary school system is only just starting out?

"Principal," Gu Ming pushed up his glasses and said tentatively, "if I had to name the most outstanding student in the first and second years of the mathematics department, the first person that comes to mind would be Shen Yan."

"Shen Yan?" Chang Kai didn't recognize the name.

"Yes, she's a sophomore majoring in mathematics, and she's consistently ranked first in her class," Gu Ming explained. "This girl is not only smart, but she also has a strong obsession with mathematics. A while ago, I gave her a research topic that was originally intended for graduate students, and asked her to study it on her own. Instead of backing down, she studied it with great enthusiasm."

Chang Kai's eyes lit up.

"Oh? Is that so?" He immediately became interested. "Then do you think the person Old Master Liang is looking for might be this Shen Yan?"

"Very likely," Gu Ming nodded. "But how did Elder Liang know about her?"

"That's easy." Chang Kai made a quick decision, pointing to Gu Ming's phone, "Call her now, put it on speakerphone, and let me hear it. Don't ask too directly, try to find out indirectly."

"it is good."

Gu Ming opened WeChat, found Shen Yan's profile picture, and made a voice call.

The phone rang a few times before being answered, and Shen Yan's cool voice came through.

"Hello, Professor Gu, you wanted to see me?"

"Hehe, Shen Yan, I hope I didn't disturb your studies?" Gu Ming greeted her in a relaxed tone.

"No, Professor, please speak."

"Well," Gu Ming organized his thoughts and asked, "I was just asking casually, have you encountered any special people or things related to your math studies lately? For example, have you met anyone outside of school through math?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Shen Yan found the question baffling.

Her life revolves around the dormitory, the cafeteria, and the library or study room. How could she possibly have the chance to meet anyone outside of school?

Just as she was about to blurt out "no," a picture of Chen Lin's salted fish shop guy, Yannan University's admission notice and transcript suddenly flashed through her mind.

Oh, does that count?

So she answered somewhat uncertainly, "I don't have any friends outside of school. However, I occasionally take on math tutoring jobs on Xianyu (a second-hand marketplace app) in my spare time, as a way to relax."

After he finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the office.

Chang Kai and Gu Ming exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of amusement and a sense of sudden realization in each other's eyes.

Want to relax?

Use math problems to relax?

"Ahem," Gu Ming cleared his throat, forcibly steer the conversation back on track, "It's fine, it's fine, a good balance between work and rest. Okay, I was just asking casually, you can continue with your work."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Ming looked at Chang Kai with a complicated expression: "Principal, what do you think..."

"No mistake!" Chang Kai slapped his thigh, a confident smile spreading across his face. "The one Old Master Liang is looking for is definitely this Shen Yan!"

Although the process was a bit convoluted and bizarre, the result matched!

"Then how do we introduce Shen Yan to Professor Liang?" Gu Ming asked. "We can't just tell Professor Liang directly, 'We've found her, would you like to come and meet her?'"

"Of course not, that would be too deliberate." Chang Kai waved his hand, pondered for a moment, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. "We need to find a natural stage that can fully showcase her talent. Xiao Gu, do you have any good ideas?"

After a moment's thought, Gu Ming quickly came up with an idea: "Principal, Shen Yan is participating in the National Undergraduate Mathematical Modeling Contest, and she's the absolute core of her team. Judging from the quality of their submitted papers, winning a national first prize is a sure thing. After the competition results are announced, there will be a regional exchange and sharing session, and we can..."

"Excellent!" Chang Kai clapped his hands in approval. "This plan is brilliant! It allows us to legitimately showcase her mathematical genius while also demonstrating our school's commitment to nurturing talent. We can then formally invite Professor Liang as a special guest to the sharing session on behalf of the school—everything will fall into place perfectly!"

He looked at Gu Ming with satisfaction: "Gu, I'm leaving this matter to you. Keep a close eye on the modeling competition; let me know as soon as there are results, and I'll contact Professor Liang!"

"Yes, Principal." Gu Ming nodded in agreement.

Watching Gu Ming's departing figure, Chang Kai leaned back in his chair, picked up the tea that had already cooled down, and took a leisurely sip.

........

May 20th, Friday, 5 PM.

At the entrance of Yannan University, the flow of people has gradually increased.

Many students who didn't have afternoon classes were already carrying their bags and walking out of the school gate in twos and threes, their faces beaming with relaxation and anticipation for the upcoming weekend.

However, a thin, travel-worn figure walked somewhat awkwardly into the campus, going against the cheerful trend.

Sun Yu stood under the school gate archway with the four gilded characters "Yannan University" engraved on it, and let out a long breath, trying to expel the fatigue and anxiety he had brought from Shanghai.

On Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, he nervously sent several messages to "CL," the math genius on Xianyu (a Chinese online marketplace).

However, the other party only replied curtly on Wednesday morning: "Sorry, I only provide online services."

And then, that was it.

Sun Yu was not surprised by this result.

In his mind, geniuses of this caliber are mostly aloof and detached from worldly affairs. Their tendency to ignore ordinary people like him who come seeking cooperation is in line with their established persona.

While it was understandable, the task assigned by General Peng felt like a mountain weighing on my mind.

"If you can convince this 'CL' to maintain a long-term cooperative relationship with him..."

The boss's gleaming eyes seem to still be right before my eyes.

Sun Yu dared not harass the other party with the salted fish information anymore.

If he really angers this expert and gets blocked, then forget about the generous year-end bonus; he might even lose the job he just got.

After much deliberation, he gritted his teeth and asked his team leader for a few days' business trip. He bought the earliest high-speed rail ticket to Tianjin and decided to visit them in person to show his sincerity through his actions.

Although it was like finding a needle in a haystack, he had no other choice.

He stood at the school gate, watching the energetic college students coming and going, and felt a little lost for a moment.

Where should we start?

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and began to analyze.

The product description provided by the expert included a photo of an admission letter from Yannan University. Judging from the style of the letter and the year of enrollment, the recipient is likely a sophomore.

Secondly, the opponent's mathematical ability is terrifying.

Finally, the fact that the other party openly offered services at marked prices on Xianyu (a Chinese online marketplace) indicates that he desperately needed money, or rather, that he had a strong drive to make money.

Sun Yu felt he had a clear goal and calmed down a bit.

His gaze swept through the crowd, finally settling on three girls who were chatting and laughing, preparing to leave the school.

These three girls seem very lively, not the aloof type who would directly refuse to talk to strangers.

Sun Yu mustered his courage, strode forward, and forced out what he thought was the kindest and most harmless smile on his face.

"Excuse me, students, may I interrupt?"

The three girls stopped and looked at him curiously.

The man in front of me was wearing an ill-fitting casual suit, his hair was a bit messy, and his eyes were sunken. He looked like he had been beaten down by society and was completely out of place with his surroundings.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" asked a girl on the left, dressed in a stylish dress and with exquisite makeup, her tone fairly polite.

Sun Yu quickly waved his hand and explained, "It's like this, I'd like to ask you about someone. Our company is looking for a technical consultant, and I've heard that your school has a very talented math genius, and also that this guy seems to enjoy making money through his own abilities."

Upon hearing the words "mathematical genius," the fashionable girl almost blurted out, "A math genius? That's Shen Yan! Our school's undisputed academic goddess. I heard she's already been noticed by Professor Gu Ming and is studying graduate-level material with him. She's incredibly amazing!"

Sun Yu's eyes lit up instantly!

It matches! It absolutely matches!

His excitement was almost palpable, and he was about to ask for more information about Shen Yan when the girl in the middle, who wore black-rimmed glasses and looked rather quiet, frowned and retorted:

"I don't think it's her. First, they asked about a boy, and Shen Yan is a girl. Besides, I heard her family is very well-off; she doesn't seem like someone who needs to earn money."

Sun Yu's newly ignited enthusiasm was instantly extinguished.

Yes, I'm looking for a guy.

"Then it probably isn't her."

The girl on the right, with her neat short hair and cheerful appearance, thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped her hands: "Could it be Chen Lin?"

Sun Yu's eyes lit up again in an instant!

The short-haired girl continued, "If we're talking about the person in our school who's best at making money and loves making money the most, it's definitely him! I heard that since he entered university, he hasn't stopped working part-time—delivering food, picking up packages, running errands on campus…he does everything!"

Sun Yu was overjoyed!

It's him! It's definitely him!

However, before he could even enjoy his happiness for three seconds, the girl with glasses in the middle ruthlessly shattered his illusion once again.

"No, no," she pushed up her glasses, looking at her companion with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot, "They asked about a math genius, Chen Lin is a Chinese Language and Literature major, which has nothing to do with math. Besides, I've never heard of him being good at math, I've only heard that he almost failed his general education math course because he was trying to make money."

Sun Yu: "..."

His mood went through two dramatic ups and downs within a minute, and now he has completely sunk to the bottom.

"Then it probably isn't him either." He sighed, looking completely dejected.

The three girls looked at him and exchanged bewildered glances.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

"Um... I'm sorry, we don't think we can be of much help." The fashionable girl smiled apologetically.

"It's nothing, thank you all." Sun Yu waved his hand weakly.

The three girls exchanged glances, seemingly finding the person in front of them both pitiful and amusing. Without lingering, they silently turned and walked away.