Super God-Level Top Student

So now, the only thing I can do is to explain to a group of professors in the chat that they shouldn't have too high expectations for this paper.

"Everyone, stop @ing me and no more private messages, I'll respond here. I'm aware that Qiao Ze's paper is confirmed for publication in 'Mathematics Annual', and indeed I've read it, but it really hasn't reached the level of needing a preemptive announcement.

You've also seen the title and parts of the abstract, mainly it's about addressing a problem in the non-Abelian gauge fields through Riemann space.

There's some innovation, and the most valuable part probably lies in the two theorems he summarized. You'll know the specifics when it's published in October. As for now, let's not overhype Qiao Ze. He's still just a kid, and elevating him too much isn't good for his growth."

It must be said, after Li Jian Gao spoke up, the professors and researchers in the group indeed fell silent for a moment.

However, it wasn't long before a professor, who had been lurking in the group without ever making a splash, spoke up.

"@Li Jian Gao, from the way you talk, I think you might not be aware of the fact that Qiao Ze emailed the National Natural Science Foundation and the Science and Technology Committee, applying to be included in the expert review database, did you?"

Seeing this message, Li Jian Gao was instantly stunned.

He subconsciously typed a "?" and sent it straight out. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

Not just him, many professors in the group probably just found out too, a bunch of "?"s lined up neat and tidy.

"Stop asking, I want to know what Qiao Ze is thinking too. Jian Gao, you might as well go ask him. Honestly, this is indeed quite... I don't know how to describe it."

The group quieted down for a moment but then quickly became lively again.

"Alright, I'm not a member of the expert database, but I think I can understand Qiao Ze's application. After all, he has the level."

"Yeah, if it were me, I think I would also vote for Qiao Ze."

"Suddenly remembered the third time I applied for Jieqing, three major reviewers gave three opinions, and then I failed. If Qiao Ze gets selected, and I happen to encounter him next year for my application, Jian Gao brother, would you be able to lend me a hand?"

"Thinking about that scene, it's indeed quite artistic. When you apply next year, Qiao Ze will be nineteen, right? If you really run into him during your defense, wouldn't it be like grandma or grandpa, or both grandparents, bringing their grandson to evaluate your project?"

"Let me give you a suggestion. You could totally agree to Qiao Ze's application, and then just keep him in reserve in the expert database. Anyway, the reviewers are selected randomly from the database each year, right Jian Gao?"

"No, haven't you guys sensed the flavor here? Why would Qiao Ze suddenly apply for expert status? @Li Jian Gao, you're applying for the Jieqing award this year, right?"

This statement exploded the group.

"I... this works too?"

"Got it. I was wondering why I couldn't get on with it. Turns out I didn't have the right student. Thinking about it, those students I mentored, what are they even good for? I also want to win without effort."

"I've heard of paving the way for one's mentor, but to go this far, surely there hasn't been such a case in ancient or modern times, domestically or abroad?"

"Jian Gao, Qiao Ze is so young yet already making decisions on your behalf; what will it be like in a few more years? Take my advice, you can't keep a student like that. I can, however, take him off your hands for a few years, teach him some life lessons for you."

...

After reading a few messages, Li Jian Gao immediately shut down WeChat.

He couldn't read any further, his dao heart was almost unsettled.

As if in telepathy, just as he closed WeChat, a call came through immediately.

Li Jian Gao's emotions were a mess and he was inclined not to answer, but after hesitating for two seconds upon seeing "Jiang University's Zhang Chunlei" on the caller ID, he still answered.

"Hello, Professor Zhang."

"Good morning, Academician Li."

The casual teasing left Li Jian Gao at a loss for words.

Fortunately, Zhang on the other end didn't expect a response and took the initiative to continue, "Haha, I can probably understand how you're feeling right now. I told you before, you're still too young, you can't control a kid like Qiao Ze. Look, it's become true, hasn't it? Haha...

Last time Zhang Hongcai called me, I still said that Qiao Ze's level was about the same as mine. Reflecting on that now, I must admit I was a bit cheeky! How do you actually cultivate that kid? His level has risen too fast in these three months, right?"

Li Jian Gao thought for a moment, then said self-deprecatingly, "As for cultivation? Hmm... Qiao Ze assigned me a hundred papers before the summer break, and I've only managed to finish reading just over thirty."

The candid confession from the young associate professor left the battle-hardened old Zhang momentarily speechless.

There was a long silence before he spoke again "Ah well, Jian Gao. Let me tell you, having a student like this, you should just prepare to enjoy it. It's not bad to do what you want to do. Every one of them is being sarcastic with you, but deep down, they all wish they were you.

People, huh, who can escape convention? You'll see through it when you reach my age. Most people, they resent heaven, resent earth, resent everything, but in the end, they're just jealous of what others have that they don't. You should think this way - your current luck is something you've earned with your sincerity.

If they had been the first to come across Qiao Ze, whether they would have given that kid a chance is still a question. So, the next time someone gets sour with you, you can confidently hit back. Instead of envying and resenting, they should shut their doors and cultivate their own students."

It must be said, Zhang Chunlei knew how to comfort someone.

His words, part criticism and part comfort, really did clear up some of the unease in Li Jian Gao's heart, and he sincerely thanked him, "Thank you, Professor Zhang."

"Thank what? Ah, but on the other hand, your luck really is against the heavens, isn't it? How on earth is Qiao Ze's brain constructed? How much has he self-studied anyway? Algebra, geometry, he must have mastered the basics to have his own understanding of Group Theory and noncommutative geometry, and now it seems he's even doing research in partial differential equations.