Lu Zhou thought he could avoid being interviewed by going to Beijing, but the second he got off the plane, he was swarmed by media reporters.
Obviously, Lu Zhou had underestimated people’s enthusiasm for virtual reality technology.
The second he walked out of the airport terminal, reporters with cameras surrounded him.
Reporter from South China Morning Post: “Professor Lu! Is Star Sky Technology’s breakthrough in virtual reality true?”
Lu Zhou: “Go check the website yourself.”
Reporter from The Sun: “Professor Lu! We heard that the Switzerland Neural Network Science Research Center has done research in the same area, and your institute poached a researcher form them two months ago. Does this not classify as academic theft—”
Lu Zhou: “You’ll have to ask Professor Lumiere and list which papers you think were involved in academic theft. I hope you can prepare better questions next time.”
BBC reporter: “Hello, Academician Lu! Is Dr. Z a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study? We noticed a month ago he published a paper on arXiv regarding virtual reality technology. Can you tell us why he has remained anonymous?”
Lu Zhou said, “I don’t know, maybe because he wants to hide from reporters like you.”
BBC reporter: “Oh.”
Under the escort of airport security guards, Lu Zhou was finally able to get in his car, escaping the crazy reporters.
Lu Zhou leaned in his seat and adjusted his collar. He then asked, “How did these people know about my flight?”
He bought his flight ticket last minute at the airport. He had no idea how the reporters knew about his flight.
Wang Peng was also confused. As someone who was personally responsible for Lu Zhou’s security and privacy, this was undoubtedly his mistake.
“Maybe something is going on with the airline… I’ll investigate later.”
Lu Zhou: “No need…”
The reporters were just doing their job, there was no reason to give them a hard time.
Wang Peng looked at the rearview mirror and asked, “Where to?”
Lu Zhou looked at the time on his watch and spoke.
“It’s still early, let’s go to Jin University.”
Wang Peng: “What about the luggage?”
Lu Zhou: “Just leave it in the car.”
Wang Peng nodded and began driving toward Jin Ling University.
…
Jin Ling University.
The end of the corridor in the mathematics department building.
When Assistant Zhao looked at the person appearing at the door, she froze.
Lu Zhou saw Zhao Huan looking at him and wondered if there was food stuck to his face. He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Is there anything wrong?”
“Nothing…” Zhao Huan shook her head and said, “I just didn’t expect… you come here today.”
Lu Zhou felt a little ashamed.
He told himself countless times that this year he would “focus his attention on teaching”. Many students signed up for his number theory course. However, after teaching the first two lectures himself, he had one of his PhD students teach the class instead.
He had no other choice. After all, he was too busy.
Lu Zhou coughed and changed the subject.
“Call the PhD students, as well as Professor Chen Yang, and ask them to come over to my office.”
Zhao Huan nodded and picked up the phone on her table.
“Okay.”
…
Everyone arrived soon after the phone calls.
The first to arrive was He Changwen. He Changwen had a laptop in one hand, draft papers in the other, and a backpack on his back. He looked like he came here in a hurry.
When he received the phone call, he was studying in the library.
When he heard Assistant Zhao say that Lu Zhou needed him for something, He Changwen immediately rushed over from the library.
He had been studying under Professor Lu for many years. Now that Professor Lu finally needed him for something, he almost started to tear up.
Finally!
This is my chance to shine!
He walked into the office and spoke emotionally.
“Professor! What do you need me to do? I’ll try my best!”
Lu Zhou looked at He Changwen and smiled.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you when the others get here.”
He Changwen froze.
“… The others?”
“Yeah,” Lu Zhou looked at him weirdly and said, “is there a problem?”
He Changwen had a reluctant smile on his face as he spoke awkwardly.
“… No, nothing.”
For some reason, Lu Zhou felt like He Changwen suddenly became less enthusiastic.
The office door opened, and Han Mengqi walked in holding a textbook in her arms. She looked at Professor Lu and asked quietly, “Did you need me?”
“There are some tasks I need you guys to do…” Lu Zhou said to Professor Chen Yang, as well as the other students in the office. He continued, “Good, now that you’re all here, we can begin.”
Lu Zhou cleared his throat and spoke in a serious tone.
“When I was researching the Riemann zeta function using the critical line approximation method, I tried to introduce a differential manifold into the complex plane, which solved the sub-problem of nontrivial zeros.
“I’m sure you all have already read the paper, so I won’t repeat it again. You should be able to see that in addition to complex analysis, partial differential equations, and differential geometry methods, I also applied algebraic geometry in the proof.”
Lu Zhou paused for a second, giving the students time to digest the information. He then continued, “In fact, speaking abstractly, I built a bridge between numbers and shapes.
“This bridge is clear in my mind, and I can even describe it. As my students, you guys should know what I’m talking about, you should at least be able to see the outline of the bridge.
“And the bridge is our goal.”
The students were baffled as Lu Zhou continued in a serious tone, “From now on, you will all have an important mission.
“The mission is related to your future, as well as the future of Jin Ling University, and even the future of mathematics…”
Lu Zhou looked at the nervous faces and spoke in a more relaxed tone.
“Don’t worry, I have a rough estimate of your abilities. I will not assign work beyond your abilities. But I do hope you try your best.
“I handed in the research proposal a few months ago, I will give you the specifics in a second.
“I will finish this research project this year.
“We will unify algebra and geometry!”
