Chapter 182: This Is Neglecting One

When Xu Xu Qingzhou wrote down the final step, the seminar officially ended, as Professor Maynard and the others had no new ideas at that moment.

The mathematicians discussed as they left the lecture hall; for many of them, while interested in primes, this was not their own research field.

With the seminar over, some scholars attending their first mathematics conference wore visible excitement on their faces. Day one had been this thrilling—and there were six more days just like it! The Indian guy's already dark face grew darker; he silently packed his things and walked out of the lecture hall—jealousy truly distorts one's appearance.

Academician Xu Xu Shihui came over with Zhao Zheng and two professors from Xia Country, greeting Professor Maynard. Xu Xu Qingzhou wasn't surprised they knew each other—in academic circles like mathematics and physics, though vast, the very top tier were always just those few people.

"Academician Xu." Xu Xu Qingzhou greeted.

After exchanging pleasantries with Academician Xu Xu Shihui and the others, Professor Maynard turned back to Xu Xu Qingzhou and said, "Xu, I sincerely invite you to join my research project."

"Sorry, I have other projects to work on," Xu Xu Qingzhou replied with a smile.

Xu Xu Qingzhou offered an apologetic smile, sipped his coffee, and exhaled. "I've run into a tricky problem."

Read! {

"You're daydreaming while drinking coffee with a beautiful woman," came a plaintive voice, pulling Xu Qing back to reality.

"Sure."

"Want to have coffee together?" Keshalin asked with a smile.

Keshalin said, "When you called, you were completely different from how you were on stage, lost in math problems—so tender, the kind of tenderness only one shows to someone they love."

Xu Xu Qingzhou said, "A physics experiment in quantum mechanics."

Seeing Qingzhou sit down, Keshalin asked, "Girlfriend?"

It was past four in the afternoon here; it should be nearly midnight in Beijing.

Regarding the twin prime conjecture, he planned to hold back for now—opening champagne too soon wouldn't do.

"Good night."

"Professor Maynard, the bounds of the Riemann zeta function's zeros are not my research direction. I'm certain you'll find someone more suitable."

A beautiful girlfriend, and a cat.

"A physics experiment?"

He smiled, shook his head, and turned back toward the café entrance.

Xu Xu Qingzhou traced his finger along the coffee cup, pondering the seminar's content—Professor Maynard's results suggested that if he continued refining Zhang Zhang Yitang's mathematical method, he might achieve even greater results.

"Obvious?" Xu Xu Qingzhou asked in return.

He stood up with his phone, walked down a side path, and answered the call.

Xu Xu Qingzhou suppressed his inner restlessness and nodded with a smile: "Sure, nearby."

"If it's about primes, I'm afraid I can't help—you're the expert there," Keshalin paused, then added, "If you're thinking about taking me out for a drink tonight, I can give you some suggestions."

He was about to say there was a furniture store near Jingda when a faint "meow" suddenly drifted into his ears.

Professor Maynard froze—he saw Xu Xu Qingzhou as belonging to mathematics.

"Have I ever told you you're sometimes terribly ungentlemanly?" Keshalin grumbled.

Did this girl realize how alluring her voice was?

"Nothing," Xu Xu Qingzhou shook his head and smiled. "I've been overworking my brain lately—hallucinating. I swear I just heard a cat meow."

When Qingzhou stepped out, he found Keshalin hadn't left—she was waiting outside for him.

Meanwhile, Academician Xu Xu Shihui introduced Xu Xu Qingzhou to the two mathematicians from Xia Country: "Xiao Xu, this is Professor Han Chongqian from Fudan, and this is Professor Qian Xicheng from Jin Ling University."

Xu Xu Qingzhou began imagining his bright future, but the dream was quickly shattered by the cool breeze—he didn't even have a girlfriend or a cat.

"Mm, wait until you get back to see."

Yes, even though he felt he was about to catch the tail of inspiration, research sometimes makes you think you're close—when in truth, you're still ten thousand miles away.

Song Yao asked, "What's wrong?"

Xu Xu Qingzhou: "Did you get back to the neighborhood?"

Ding~ At that moment, Xu Xu Qingzhou's phone vibrated.

"Other projects? Maybe we can collaborate."

"No, just taking a break," Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled, glanced at the time, then asked, "Are you about to sleep?" "Sorry, I need to take this call."

After two minutes of small talk, everyone dispersed to find experts in their own fields—such opportunities were rare, and no one wanted to waste time.

Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded; he'd been looking for a quiet place to reflect on the seminar's insights.

"Busy?" came a melodious voice from the receiver.

Xu Xu Qingzhou still shook his head.

Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded: "Of course."

After hanging up, Xu Xu Qingzhou's expression turned strange—he thought she was unusually cold today, barely said anything before hanging up.

The two didn't stay in the lecture building but went directly to a café beside Cambridge University.

Professor Maynard understood—but such a gifted person dabbling in damn physics? This is neglecting one's proper duty! He thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Xu, please consider this carefully—we can offer you an associate professor's position."

"She's the person I love."

Song Yao: "I came over to tidy up. Hmm~"

Professor Maynard obtained Xu Xu Qingzhou's contact information and hurried off to organize today's findings.

Now, even he was beginning to doubt whether he was right.

Xu Xu Qingzhou: "Alright, good night."

On the other end, the woman seemed to stretch, yawning, dragging out a suggestive, lingering tone.

Professor Han Chongqian studied Xu Xu Qingzhou and praised, "The younger generation is formidable—so young, yet your achievements have long surpassed us old folks."

!.

Xu Xu Qingzhou: "."

Perfect!

"Old Han speaks the truth," Professor Qian Xicheng chuckled. "At your age, we were still struggling with mathematical analysis."

Huh? Xu Xu Qingzhou looked around—no cat. Beside him sat an elderly couple with gray hair, supporting each other as they strolled slowly through the warm sunlight.

Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded: "Mm, cute. If you want, once we move out, we can get one too."

Song Yao said: "Almost. I'll read a bit on the sofa, then sleep."

Academician Xu Xu Shihui smiled and explained: "Xu Xu Qingzhou is simultaneously earning degrees in mathematics and physics at Jingda."

Song Yao: "I remember you like cats?"

Outdoor café, brilliant sunlight filtering through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the grass. In the distance, two young people sat reading on the lawn; residents were camping with their children.

At this kind of mathematics conference, beyond sharing results, the most important thing is meeting the big names.

On the other end, the woman fell silent, and a rustling sound came through—the kind Xu Xu Qingzhou assumed was her putting away books—then she continued: "I'm going to sleep."

Xu Xu Qingzhou politely greeted: "Professor Han, Professor Qian."

"I see."

Song Yao said: "When you get back, let's go to the furniture store together—buy two desks."

"That's too bad," Professor Maynard sighed helplessly as Xu Xu Qingzhou remained firm. "Xu, may I have your contact information?"

"You're putting me under a lot of pressure," Xu Xu Qingzhou said helplessly.

Xu Xu Qingzhou shrugged: "Sorry to disappoint you—it's about primes."

Could love really change?

Beijing, Yandongyuan Community.

"Huh~"

Song Yao sat cross-legged on the sofa, patting the cat on her lap. "Er Miao, do you know you almost gave us away? Don't meow again next time—we're planning a surprise for him, understood?"

"Meow~"

(End of Chapter)