Top Student at Their Peak

Chen Zhuoyang suddenly realized, having a rough grasp of the logic within, and also understood why everyone's attitude had become so smooth these two days.

The "Qianqing" Zhou Yang spoke of was a former habitual name. In fact, it had been changed to the Overseas Youth Program, also selected and implemented by the National Natural Science Foundation Committee.

Generally, application materials are submitted at the beginning of the year, and results are announced around September.

The most crucial point is that this project usually only accepts three applications. If all three applications fail, chances are slim.

Coincidentally, Chen Zhuoyang's mentor, at least in the eyes of many outsiders, does have the qualifications to decide whether an applicant in the mathematics field can receive the project.

"Is Dean Zhang so petty? Besides, his student's application didn't pass, what does it have to do with me? It can't be that my boss was the one reviewing it, right?" Chen Zhuoyang said, feeling speechless.

Zhou Yang patted Chen Zhuoyang on the shoulder and laughed: "Haha, there are even pettier ones! You'll know after staying here a while. In our school, those who are genuinely capable are truly capable, while those who are just coasting are really just coasting.

Attend a few classes and you'll understand. Professors who teach well are truly impressive. I feel immensely benefited after listening, but as for the mediocre ones, haha... Let's just say that the disparity in teaching standards among professors is quite severe.

However, there's nothing Dean Zhang can do. Our college has gained quite a few titles now — Changjiang, Distinguished Youth, Excellent Youth, which has marginalized his faction. It's hard to push a student through.

As for those slogans shouted at meetings, like how in five years the School of Mathematics should be developed to be within the top ten, just take them with a grain of salt. They began shouting those slogans five years ago. To be fair, there have been some developments over these years."

Chen Zhuoyang detected a slight hint of complaint in Zhou Yang's tone, but he just nodded and remarked, "In hindsight, it's more comfortable staying in Yanbei."

Knowing why he was targeted today surprisingly made him feel much better. At least it wasn't because he was inherently unlikeable.

"Haha, if you really were to be sent back to continue your PhD, you definitely wouldn't agree. Here we are, this is the Twelve House, its flaming beef dices and pork cheek salad are excellent. You should try them later."

...

Chen Zhuoyang had a meal that lasted over an hour with this Senior Brother Zhou, who had arrived earlier. They drank a little, not much.

The main focus was on chatting.

After all, as fellow alumni from Yanbei, there was a natural closeness. Chen Zhuoyang also learned a lot from Zhou Yang about various happenings within the academy.

For instance, who had left and who had joined the academy in recent years, what achievements the probability team had made, and so on...

Regardless of what Zhou Yang's intentions were, Chen Zhuoyang was quite grateful, as he not only cleared his doubts but also gave a deeper understanding of the work environment.

As they were about to finish eating and Chen Zhuoyang planned to excuse himself to get back to work, Zhou Yang suddenly asked, "By the way, your Junior Qiao recently took on a big project?"

Surprised, Chen Zhuoyang nodded and said, "You already know?"

"It's been discussed at meetings, how could I not know? I heard it was voluntarily withdrawn. If it were truly evaluated, who knows what kind of stories would spread. After all, your Junior is only sixteen, right?" Zhou Yang commented.

Thinking of Dean Zhang's attitude at the meeting today, Chen Zhuoyang nodded in agreement.

"Yes, but don't underestimate him. Let's just say Qiao Yu has changed my perception of genius. Sometimes I feel he ends up being a bit wronged by just being a student of my boss."

He spoke his mind spontaneously, and then suddenly felt it was somewhat inappropriate, quickly adding, "I'm not saying Director Tian isn't qualified to teach Qiao Yu, but rather that even someone like Tao Xuanzhi probably isn't qualified to teach him."

Mentioning Tao Xuanzhi, Chen Zhuoyang happened to recall the email screenshot Qiao Yu had posted in the group during their recent meeting.

This big shot was trying to find an intermediary to express interest in collaborating with Qiao Yu but was straightforwardly rejected by his Junior, which says it all.

"Do you have such a high opinion of him? To be honest, the paper he published in Ann.Math, and his questioning and supplementation of the Geometric Langlands Conjecture, were those really done by him alone?" Zhou Yang inquired out of curiosity.

Chen Zhuoyang nodded and replied, "I understand you might think it's unbelievable, but it truly was done by him alone. When I was still there, Qiao Yu lived just below me, really, I saw every move he made."

Zhou Yang immediately followed up, "So, how's your relationship with him?"

Hesitant for a moment, Chen Zhuoyang then nodded and replied, "It's quite good, generally interact a lot, and we often chat."

"You mustn't lose touch with him. Keep in good communication with Qiao Yu, in case he has a project and is willing to include you, your future prospects would be much better than just staying here and teaching honestly."

Zhou Yang commented thoughtfully.

Chen Zhuoyang smiled and then nodded.

It seems Senior Brother Zhou only heard about Qiao Yu applying for a major project and withdrawing, without knowing about the research team members.

But that's also normal.

It's quite usual for rumors to spread, but it would be abnormal if all the details were disclosed.

However, today's experience and this meal further solidified Chen Zhuoyang's resolve to stay close to Qiao Yu.

Although his little Junior is just sixteen, in the mathematics circle, strength is respected, and there's no shame in clinging to the strong.

Upon this thought, Chen Zhuoyang suddenly felt an urge to hurry back and strive.

"Professor Zhou, why don't we call it a day? The semester is about to start, and I need to prepare for my classes when I get back. Since Dean Zhang isn't very pleased with me right now, I can't give him any further mistakes to seize upon during classes."