The night before the college entrance exam results were released, I redeemed my Peking University ad

With only two days left until the verification conference, the buzz on the internet has already reached its peak.

The related topic remained firmly stuck at the top of the trending search list, and clicking on it revealed a flood of excited comments from netizens:

"48 hours to go! I've already saved the live stream link and set three alarms; I'm not going to miss a single second!"

"Having lived for thirty years, this is the first time I've seen our country host a world-class academic conference of this caliber! Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!"

"So exciting!!"

"The Holy Son Ji Bai attains enlightenment at the pinnacle of the Forbidden City!"

"A legendary scene of ten thousand immortals paying homage is predicted!"

"The homeroom teacher has already announced that the entire grade will be watching the live stream during evening self-study that day!!"

……

Everyone was immersed in excitement and anticipation.

However, at that moment, a gust of wind suddenly arose.

Someone is... stirring up trouble!

The first to launch an attack was a leading education influencer, @陶知行言, who has 20 million followers.

He published a long article late at night titled "Young geniuses, don't let your brilliance ruin your future."

"With the globally anticipated verification conference just around the corner, this should be a time for us to focus on our studies and wait for the results. But there are some things I have to say, and I have to get them off my chest."

Ji Bai's talent is beyond doubt. At the age of eighteen, he successively solved several world-class problems, which can be called a miracle in the entire history of academia.

But beyond his talent, what I'm more worried about is his character and vision.

From initially publishing papers on social media in a high-profile manner, to joking about international academic conferences and teasing the global academic community with the phrase "must undergo military training"; from forcing IMU to repeatedly change the schedule, to creating momentum and gaining popularity across the internet.

What we see is not a scholar who is dedicated to his studies, but a young man who is sharp-tongued and arrogant.

We often say that young people should strive to be self-reliant.

Self-reliance is never arrogance, disrespect for elders, or disregard for rules.

Older scholars often say, "To study, one must first cultivate one's mind." True masters are always humble, modest, and composed.

A child who has not yet been formally recognized by the academic community has been elevated to a pedestal by online traffic and has become unrestrained in his words and actions, treating international academic exchanges as a joke and ignoring the advice of senior scholars.

This is not the spirit of a genius, but youthful arrogance and the restlessness of someone unworthy of their position.

What's even more worrying is the prevailing social atmosphere.

When society as a whole is chasing after "early fame and unbridled arrogance", when children think that as long as they have talent, they can disregard rules and lack humility, where will our academic community go in the future?

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

The higher you stand, the more you must know how to bow your head.

I only hope that this young man can tone down his arrogance before the conference, show more reverence for academia, and more respect for his seniors.

Otherwise, the faster you climb, the harder you'll fall.

……

The article left the entire internet stunned.

Regardless of whether what you said is right or wrong, is this the right time?

"Not a buddy? A big meeting is about to start, and you're holding a denunciation session here?"

"So, someone forced a foreigner to submit through sheer strength, and you call that arrogance?"

"They've solved a four-century-old problem, and you're here lecturing them on how to be a decent human being?"

Before normal netizens could say much, a large number of paid troll accounts had already flooded in, instantly inundating the comment section with messages bearing the same message:

"Finally, someone is telling the truth! They've been exaggerating these past few days, and I thought I was the only one in the world who thought Ji Bai had a problem."

"Teacher Tao is absolutely right! I've always felt he was too arrogant and lacked the composure that a young person should have."

"Old Fan is right, I support rational expression!"

"Those whose virtue does not match their position will surely suffer calamity! Those with talent but no virtue are destined not to go far."

"I really dislike this trend of using academic research as a means to gain popularity and hype. Can't we just focus on doing good research instead of constantly trending on social media?"

"So arrogant at such a young age, daring to mock even the international academic community, he will only bring shame to the country."

"I support Teacher Tao! Young people these days just lack discipline; they get a little success and then they become arrogant and overconfident."

"A child prodigy, huh? He doesn't even understand the most basic respect for teachers. No wonder so many foreigners criticized him for being arrogant."

"The conference is about to start, and I'm really afraid that he will say something shocking again and make a fool of himself internationally, making us a laughing stock for the whole world."

"These days, the internet is full of praise for him. If you say anything negative, you'll be called a hater. Lao Fan dares to stand up and speak the truth at this time. That's what a true educator is like. He doesn't pander to popular tastes or cater to others."

The narrative spiraled further and further off course, turning what was initially a hopeful public opinion arena into a complete mess.

Many uninformed passersby were led astray, muttering, "It seems a bit ostentatious," and "Young people should indeed be more low-key"...

……

Organizing Committee of the Four Major World Hypothesis Verification Conference

The sign had only been up for two days when the office was already so busy that the lights were on and everyone was working non-stop.

After picking up Charles and his entourage at the airport, Academician Wang rushed into the coordination meeting without even having time to drink some water.

"The 16 simultaneous interpretation devices at the main venue must complete three rounds of full testing tonight, and there can be no mistakes in any language."

"Global media live broadcasts use three independent dedicated lines, and the signal from the Great Hall of the People cannot be interrupted for even a second."

"The guest seating has been rearranged according to academic level, with Fields Medal and Abel Prize winners all arranged in the front row core area. No scholar who has come from afar can be neglected."

"Security levels have been raised to the next level, with comprehensive control both inside and outside the venue to ensure absolute safety."

Each instruction was clear, forceful, and resounding.

From venue setup to media reception, from academic agenda to logistical support, he handled everything with remarkable efficiency.

This is not an ordinary academic conference; it is a battle for the reputation of the Chinese mathematics community for the past century, and there is no room for error.

Just then, a graduate student rushed over, phone in hand, looking rather grim.

"Mr. Wang, please...please take a look at this."

Academician Wang took the phone, scanned the long article "Young Geniuses, Don't Let Your Brilliance Ruin Your Future," and then read through the comments below, which were all stirring up trouble. His brows furrowed instantly, and he slammed the phone on the table.

"This is utterly ridiculous! What kind of time is this to be stirring up trouble?! Are you just trying to create chaos?!"

He looked up and instructed his assistant, "Connect me to the Council of State. Suppress this malicious and misleading rhetoric. The conference is approaching; we absolutely cannot let public opinion destabilize the morale of the troops!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a laugh came from behind him.

"Hey Lao Wang, the authority the Council of State gave us is for shaping the nation's destiny, not for managing these petty squabbles!"

"You've alarmed the Senate over such a trivial matter? What do you take the Senate for?"

Academician Wang turned around and saw Academician Li walking in slowly with his hands behind his back, a slightly dismissive smile on his face.

"Old Li, this is no small matter."

Academician Wang frowned and explained, "Ji Bai is only eighteen years old and is about to be in such a big event. Now that someone has splashed dirty water on him and stirred up trouble, what if it affects his mentality? This conference cannot afford the slightest mistake."

"Alright, alright, it's no big deal."

Another aged voice came from the doorway.

Academician Zhou, vice president of the Chinese Mathematical Society and an academician of Wuhan University, strolled in with a pigeon-toed gait, carrying a thermos in his hand, and slowly said:

"Young people need to experience more hardships. They can't hide behind us old folks their whole lives. If they can't even withstand a few idle words, how will they ever stand at the top of the world?"

Academician Wang was stunned, looking at the two old friends blocking his way, and was a little taken aback.

Academician Zhou waved his hand at the graduate student: "Alright, go back to your work. Leave the young people's affairs to them."

"If he can't even withstand this bit of public opinion storm, then he doesn't deserve to be the one to prove these four conjectures."

Academician Wang looked at the two of them, remained silent for a few seconds, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.