Chapter 177: Arrival in Jianqiao

On the blue pickup truck.

Xu Xu Qingzhou called Professor Gu Zhi to report his safety; the old man was even more anxious than Xu Xu Qingzhou himself, fearing he might get lost in a foreign land.

After Xu Xu Qingzhou finished his call, Zhao Zheng came up to discuss his recent gains.

"Foreign scholars are adept at using advanced computational tools and data analysis techniques to deeply uncover the internal patterns of a system, then construct a perfect one."

"This area, Academician Xu Xu Shihui is also a top expert," Xu Xu Qingzhou said.

Zhao Zheng's tone carried a hint of pride: "Heh, my teacher is among the very best. But I remember you're also skilled in functional analysis—have you considered coming to my teacher for your graduate studies?"

"I'll decide about graduate school after I finish my undergraduate degree."

Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled inwardly, thinking: No wonder he's Academician Xu's favorite student—even chatting, he can't help trying to poach talent for his boss.

Zhao Zheng glanced at Xu Xu Qingzhou and assumed he was awed by Jianqiao's beauty, then sighed: "I was completely stunned when I first came to Jianqiao."

Read!

The blue pickup had stopped in front of a grand hotel; most attendees of this conference were staying here.

After helping Xu Xu Qingzhou settle in, Zhao Zheng said: "Young brother, the teacher is still in academic exchanges with others. I'll take you to grab something to eat first, then I have to attend the conference myself—I'll show you around later."

!.

Song Yao: Good night.

Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded with a smile; his presentation was scheduled for the morning of April 2nd, about 60 minutes long.

Upon entering the city, Xu Xu Qingzhou messaged Song Yao to say he had arrived.

At 8 p. m. local time, Xu Xu Qingzhou returned to the hotel, took a shower, and didn't plan to sleep—he pulled out his materials on the twin prime conjecture and soon sank into complex calculations.

"I was just going to introduce you to some new friends."

The two left the hotel and headed toward the nearby restaurant.

So, I still need to trick this girl into becoming mine. Xu Xu Qingzhou: Sleep well, good night.

"Your presentation is on the 2nd. For the rest of the time, if no talks interest you, feel free to explore Jianqiao."

"At night… I need to adjust to the time difference."

Just after sending the message, his phone screen lit up.

Overall, it's very free—you go if you're interested, or sleep in the hotel if you're not; no one cares.

Academician Xu Xu Shihui nodded, paused, then sighed: "We're all old folks now, our bodies and minds can't keep up anymore."

Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled and shook his head: "You go ahead—I just arrived, need to adjust my time zone."

The next morning.

Song Yao: Good. You're tired from the day—rest early.

"Academician Xu," Xu Xu Qingzhou called out.

"I'll just wander around after eating," Xu Xu Qingzhou shook his head; he was already somewhat familiar with the place.

"Young brother, let's go out and have fun!" Zhao Zheng exclaimed excitedly.

In the restaurant, Xu Xu Qingzhou met Academician Xu Xu Shihui; the old man looked around sixty, his hair slightly gray but his spirit vigorous, his voice gentle.

At 6 p. m. local time, the pickup slowly entered the city with its English scenery.

Jianqiao has a typical temperate oceanic climate; at this time, all life was beginning to revive.

Along the River Cam stood centuries-old academic institutions and classic architecture: exquisite campus buildings, solemn churches, and brick houses draped in ivy.

After parking, Zhao Zheng led Xu Xu Qingzhou into the hotel, presented the invitation, checked in, and received the room key.

Before leaving, Zhao Zheng warned: "Young brother, call me if you need anything."

He finished washing up, saw the message from Zhao Sheng. Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded; Zhao Zheng didn't delay, turning and walking away.

For their first meal, Zhao Sheng insisted on treating him; Xu Xu Qingzhou didn't refuse, and since they were pressed for time, they ate pasta, agreeing to have a proper feast later when they had time.

Xu Xu Qingzhou woke at 7 a. m., pulled back the curtains, and sunlight streamed through the glass onto his skin—comfortable. Gazing far into the distance, the ancient city appeared before his eyes.

Jianqiao and Jingda are two entirely different styles.

10:30.

Watching the scenery recede outside the window, Xu Xu Qingzhou felt a pang of nostalgia—he remembered his last visit to Jianqiao was the year before his death, when he'd been invited to a quantum conference.

Although this conference was smaller than the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), held every four years, it was the Jianqiao Institute of Advanced Mathematics's annual number theory meeting, and its reputation remained high.

Completely foreign compared to Xia State.

During their conversation, Xu Xu Qingzhou gained a general sense of this senior brother: carefree and a bit like Xu Xu Zhengyang; both seemed "wild," but this senior brother actually lived it, while Xu Xu Zhengyang only talked big.

Zhao Zheng was disappointed but realized Xu Xu Qingzhou had just arrived and needed rest—he didn't press, promising to take him out for real fun next time.

Xu Xu Qingzhou strolled slowly through the city, world-renowned for natural sciences, took a few casual photos, and sent them first to Song Yao.

Who would have thought, returning here again, everything remained but the people had changed.

"Fine, just a bit sleepy."

Zhao Zheng thought it made sense and nodded: "Alright, let's go eat first—the Western restaurant next to the hotel has great food."

Xu Xu Qingzhou: Did I wake you? Song Yao: No, I'm just getting ready to sleep.

"You flatter me. On the path of mathematics, us young people must learn from elders like you," Xu Xu Qingzhou replied humbly.

Like Zhao Zheng and the others, he stayed on the 8th floor.

"No matter how hard we try, it's still up to you young people to lead us—to show us that things can be done this way. The future of Chinese mathematics rests on you."

Academician Xu Xu Shihui asked kindly: "Have you adjusted to the time difference?"

Zhao Zheng hesitated, still uneasy about letting Xu Xu Qingzhou wander alone—Professor Gu had called yesterday, asking them to look after this junior from the Math Department. Xu Xu Qingzhou said: "My English is fine—I can communicate and find my way. Even if I run into trouble, I've got your number, right?"

Looking at Song Yao's message, a warm feeling rose in Xu Xu Qingzhou's heart—having someone care about you felt good.

Just as Xu Xu Qingzhou was about to get ready for bed, there was a knock at the door—it was Zhao Sheng.

"I've long wanted to meet the prodigy of our Math Department—today, finally, I see you," Academician Xu Xu Shihui said with a smile.

"Alright, young brother, let's get serious—want to go out tonight and have some fun? There are plenty of pretty girls."

The environment was excellent; from the hotel window, one could see the distant cityscape.

At this hour, Song Yao was probably asleep; he didn't wait for a reply and kept wandering.

Besides the official sessions in the lecture hall, attendees could set up two blackboards, call out, and showcase their work or discuss academic problems with others.

After a full day of flying and adjusting to the time difference, Xu Xu Qingzhou collapsed onto the bed and slipped into unconsciousness; low snores filled the room.

He was told to go directly to the restaurant on the first floor.

"Hmm, you're all young—your bodies adapt well."

So many big names in number theory had come—like Peter Sarnak and Harry Furstenberg—figures Xu Xu Qingzhou had seen in papers and books.

Academician Xu Xu Shihui said with mild exasperation: "You should learn from Professor Gu—1 is 1, 2 is 2. Stop learning so much empty fluff. Excellence is excellence; no need to be overly modest."

"I'm telling the truth," Xu Xu Qingzhou replied, looking slightly innocent.

Academician Xu smiled and nodded, pleased with Professor Gu's student—possessing a calmness most young people lacked.

Hmm, very impressive—no wonder the department says this kid has the potential for a Fields Medal.

(End of chapter)