Super God-Level Top Student

After hanging up the phone, Li Jiangao put down the documents in his hands.

What he was actually looking at was Qiao Ze's paper too, but it was the unpolished, original version.

But in fact, it's these manuscript-like documents that make it easier to understand the author's thought process in solving the problem.

The only problem is, Qiao Ze's thought process was a bit too leaps-and-bounds, making such manuscripts tiring to read.

The call from Xu Dajiang also started a self-deprecating monologue in Li Jiangao's head.

Why was he still studying mathematics?

He might as well become Qiao Ze's spokesperson; maybe he could contribute just a little more than if he focused solely on mathematics.

Li Jiangao also felt that Qiao Ze was pretty good in every aspect, except that for professors wanting to pursue academia, it was a bit too much of a blow.

Li Jiangao used to be quite confident in himself.

Not that he was certain to become an academician or anything, but he always believed that by the time he retired, he certainly would have made some contributions to the progress of world mathematics.

But after being in contact with Qiao Ze for a while, Li Jiangao's views on academic research had become quite complex.

To sum it up, it was an endless cycle of shifting between full of ambition, striving hard, and feeling utterly disheartened, which was quickly making him a bit neurotic.

Qiao Ze had been at the school for three months.

In these three months, inspired by the student, Li Jiangao had closely read 23 papers, figured out three problems that had troubled him for a long time, and was beginning to feel capable again, with the faint idea of proposing a new thesis, only to have the manuscripts Qiao Ze showed him the day before yesterday make Li Jiangao feel like he might not be cut out for theoretical mathematical research.

What was even more annoying was that he had asked for it himself.

So, for the entire day yesterday, Li Jiangao pondered over a philosophical question: whether a person should calmly accept their own mediocrity.

And he also indulged in a lot of online "chicken soup for the soul."

Although Li Jiangao knew that "chicken soup" literature was essentially just drivel, he had to admit that when one felt lost, it actually did some good.

Those who can calmly accept their mediocrity often possess great wisdom...

Look at how well these people talk; they make lying flat feel like blooming in joy.

So today's Li Jiangao had a very Buddhist mindset; he had come to realize that if he simply treated mathematics as a hobby, it was quite nice.

He had grown lazy in chasing after academic achievements.

It wasn't necessary.

Rather than that, it was better to prepare for classes properly, reorganize the teaching plans, and teach earnestly. When the interest struck, ponder over a math problem; even if it didn't contribute to the mathematics community, at least the thrill of solving it in the moment was enjoyable.

Moreover, if his students excelled, that would also count as indirectly contributing to the progress of math in the world.

The thought process was clear.

So when Xu Dajiang called, Li Jiangao calmly put down the manuscript in his hands and walked out of the workroom rented by Su Mucheng.

...

"Jian Gao, oh Jian Gao, you've been keeping me in agony; Qiao Ze has already made contact with Princeton, and you didn't even say a word to me. This won't do. We need to keep each other informed."

Li Jiangao had just arrived near the new laboratory building when he ran into Xu Dajiang.

They had agreed on half an hour, but Li Jiangao habitually walked fast and arrived five minutes early. Little did he expect that Dean Xu would also be there, already starting to grumble upon seeing him.

"Ah? What about making contact with Princeton?" Li Jiangao was surprised.

He had only suggested that Qiao Ze submit his paper to Princeton's "Mathematics Annual"; he hadn't inquired about what happened afterwards.

"You didn't know?" Xu Dajiang asked in astonishment.

"I just know that Qiao Ze submitted a paper, and I think he'll definitely pass. But submitting a paper shouldn't involve the university, should it?" Li Jiangao explained.

Xu Dajiang suddenly realized and then repeated the news he had gotten from his protégé, Liu Chenfeng, to Li Jiangao.

After finishing his story, he suddenly felt like Xianglin's Wife from a classic literary work.

He couldn't help feeling a bit melancholic, but he still had to praise the young associate professor before him, "Well, that's the situation. These days people don't think about the school's feelings when they're poaching talent. They just go ahead and poach, but thank goodness you raised the kid well, otherwise we'd be in trouble."

"No, no, no, that's Qiao Ze's mom's good upbringing. It has nothing to do with me." Li Jiangao quickly declined.

"Don't be modest. Oh, Zhou has decided to retire, so hurry up and prepare your materials. Report to the department before the tenth; I'll file it for you, and we'll secure the position first. The school's faculty title review will be held a month early, probably in mid-November, and we'll resolve your senior professional title this year."

After some small talk, Xu Dajiang dropped another bombshell.

"Ah? Senior professional title? No, Dean Xu, I'm just a third-level associate professor right now. Isn't it inappropriate to go straight to senior level? Others might object." Li Jiangao was bewildered; he wanted to lay low, so why was everyone pushing him to advance?

"Let whoever has objections come to me! That's the thing, Jian Gao, sometimes you care too much about others' idle talk. With everyone from me to the president backing you up, what are you afraid of? A senior title is nothing— the school has already begun to line up resources for you to apply for Jieqing.

Are you still fretting over a senior professional title?" Xu Dajiang gave Li Jiangao a serious piece of his mind.

Li Jiangao fell silent; if it weren't for Xu Dajiang's reminder, he would have nearly forgotten that he also had to apply for Jieqing this year...