Chapter 31: Chen Jingrun's Mysterious Training

As a professional talent arranged to go to Xiangjiang, Chen Jingrun naturally had to undergo strict training before going.

From Huaguo to him personally, and even the Xiangjiang side, meticulous preparations had to be made.

From identity cover to financial support, from contact arrangements to academic preparation.

And what he himself needed to do was to accept training.

Theoretically, the training included five aspects: academic preparation, language training, social and cultural adaptation, practical skills, and safety training.

Among them, academic preparation was for Chen Jingrun to prepare himself. If he couldn't get into the top fifty, it would be a joke.

Not only did he have this confidence, but Hua Luogeng also had it. Fifty places absolutely could not be missed.

Don't say fifty, even if there were only five, Chen Jingrun could pass. This is the confidence of a top mathematician.

So the only things left to train were the other four aspects.

Since three months ago, he had been sent to Yangcheng to participate in training.

"Xiangjiang is a special place. You have to be prepared and cannot make any mistakes."

First, Hua Luogeng greeted him, and then someone told him in a conference room that was airtight.

Among them, language training went more smoothly than expected, because he already knew English. What needed to be trained was nothing more than spoken language.

The teacher responsible for teaching English used "English for Scientists" to train Chen Jingrun, and it took less than a week to go from being slightly unfamiliar to proficient in daily usage.

However, the Cantonese class really gave him a headache. The old gentleman who taught him was transferred from Guangdong, and his voice was hoarse: "Hello is 'neihou', sorry is 'mgoisai'!" Chen Jingrun learned in a sweat, but thinking of those strange Cantonese signs on the streets of Hong Kong, he gritted his teeth and insisted, practicing in front of the mirror every day until he could stumble out a few sentences to ask for directions.

In the simulation scene, he was required to play a Xiangjiang citizen and order food in a tea house.

"I want a cup and two pieces," he said in stiff Cantonese, which resulted in the laughter of the old Cantonese around him.

Miss Lin, who was responsible for teaching him, corrected: "It's 'yatchungleunggin', don't rush, take your time." Chen Jingrun blushed, but made up his mind that he must not be embarrassed in Xiangjiang.

In the last month before departure, Chen Jingrun was taken to the simulation training ground to learn practical skills for living in Xiangjiang.

An instructor named Zhao handed him a map of Xiangjiang, pointed to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and said: "Remember, the tram goes from east to west, the ferry crosses Victoria Harbour, and the rent is not cheap."

Chen Jingrun learned how to count Hong Kong dollars—those colorful paper notes made him dizzy. He also simulated renting a house, facing the "landlord's" embarrassment, he clumsily bargained in Cantonese: "Can it be cheaper?" Instructor Zhao nodded on the side: "It looks like something."

Every day after the training, he would stand in front of the map and memorize the streets: Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Central... These names were strange and mysterious, as if calling him into another world.

In the last week before departure, Section Chief Zhang's eyes were as sharp as a knife.

"Comrade Jingrun, Xiangjiang is different from the mainland. The English are watching, and kmt also has eyes and ears." Section Chief Zhang handed him a small booklet, which contained codes and emergency contact methods.

"If there is an emergency, go to the tea house in Central and order a pot of Longjing. The waiter will take you to see someone."

Chen Jingrun was required to learn to cover his identity, pretend to be a local student in Xiangjiang, and even practice how to deal with questioning.

"Where are you from?" Section Chief Zhang simulated and asked. "I am from Xiangjiang, grew up in the New Territories," Chen Jingrun replied in Cantonese, his voice trembling a little.

Section Chief Zhang also taught him how to use newspapers to pass information: fold it into a triangle, clip it in a specific book page, and throw it at a designated place.

He sweated in his palms while practicing, thinking: "Is this a mathematician's job?"

After three months of training, Chen Jingrun stood at the Yangcheng Wharf Railway Station, ready to go to Xiangjiang.

His suitcase was filled with mathematical notes, an English dictionary, and a few old clothes, but his heart was full of complex emotions. He was excited to be able to discuss with Professor Lin, but also felt uneasy about the unknown journey.

Hua Luogeng's encouragement was still in his ears: "Jingrun, show your talent, don't lose face for the country."

Section Chief Zhang's reminder also echoed in his heart: "Remember, keep a low profile and safety first."

July 1, 1960

The sky in Xiangjiang was as blue as a wash, and the light wind blew from Victoria Harbour, mixed with the salty taste of seawater and the whistle of ships in the distance.

On the campus of Xiangjiang University, the air was filled with a tense and excited atmosphere. On the lawn at the school gate, a bright red banner fluttered in the wind, with the words "Warmly welcome Professor Lin Ran to Xiangjiang University" written on it. The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, obviously from the hand of a local calligraphy master in Xiangjiang.

The students were in groups of three or five, either whispering with books in their hands or stretching their necks to look, their eyes full of expectation for this internationally famous mathematician.

It was mainly because he was handsome, young and handsome.

Before coming to Xiangjiang, the group photo of Lin Ran, Yang Chen-ning, and Tsung-Dao Lee published in the "Overseas Chinese Daily News" had already been widely spread in Xiangjiang newspapers.

Young students, especially female students, were very much looking forward to Lin Ran's arrival.

Young, handsome, talented, and it is said that he has no girlfriend, and he is rich. Xiangjiang newspapers even dug out Lin Ran's annual salary of over 30,000 dollars. The girls at Xiangjiang University were eager to try Lin Ran.

It's like Tang Seng falling into the Pan Si Cave, coveted by people.

At 3:00 PM sharp, a black Austin sedan slowly drove into the school gate, and the wheels rolled over the gravel road, making a slight rustling sound.

The car door opened, and Lin Ran walked down, wearing a private custom-made dark gray suit arranged by John Morgan, his tie was tied meticulously, and a gentle smile was on his face. Although the journey was exhausting, his eyes were still as bright as stars.

His appearance instantly ignited the atmosphere at the scene, and the crowd burst into warm applause. The female students present even excitedly waved the notebooks in their hands.

Xiangjiang University President Sir Lin Ken took the lead to greet him. He was wearing a black academic robe, his silver hair shining in the sun, his steps were steady, and his face had a professional kind smile.

Sir Lin Ken was an English person of Australian descent. He had served as the president of Xiangjiang University since 1949 and thus received the Order of the British Empire and a knighthood.

Following him was a group of guests: Mathematics Department Chair Professor Zhang, a thin, tall, middle-aged Chinese man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and several members of the Board of Directors, also wearing suits and leather shoes, with extraordinary bearing.

In addition, reporters from major media were holding notebooks, and they had long been unable to suppress the impulse to interview.

Sir Lin Ken reached out his hand and spoke first in fluent English: "Professor Lin, welcome to Xiangjiang University. Your arrival is a milestone in our academic circles." ===== CHAPTER 32 =====