Super God-Level Top Student

The professors were frustrated.

Because they truly hadn't expected Yu Chenggong to be so well-prepared.

He even had the independent college admission agreement and Xilin University of Technology's financial aid contract for impoverished students in his bag at all times.

As soon as Lu Xiuxiu nodded, he immediately took out the contracts.

Without waiting for Yu Chenggong to go through the contracts item by item to explain them, Qiao Ze directly took the contract and pen, signed his name, and even stamped his fingerprint.

Then, he handed the contract to Lu Xiuxiu.

Since her son had signed, as a mother, she naturally didn't hesitate to sign her own name in the guardian's section.

The entire signing process was smooth and efficient. By the time the cluster of professors, who were still trying to understand the school's independent admission rules, returned to the office, the signing procedures had practically been completed here. All that was left was for Yu Chenggong to mail the contracts back to the school so that with the official school seal, they could take effect.

"Unfilial, absolutely unfilial!"

"Ah... In the future, when we spot good candidates, we must involve the admissions office staff."

"The future? Dream on! Do you think you can find another kid like this? Do you really think that the admissions teams of Huaqing and Yanbei are pushovers?"

"Jian Gao, you are not being honest!"

"Hehe..."

Even though the professors were deeply disappointed, they couldn't show too intense emotions in front of Lu Xiuxiu and Qiao Ze. They could only speak a few sour words.

Even so, Lu Xiuxiu was already scared out of her wits.

My god, offending so many professors at once, and high-ranking university professors at that, had truly exceeded her imagination.

After all, this ordinary mother had never thought that she would have the opportunity to intersect with these high-level intellectuals in her lifetime.

After wrestling with her thoughts for a long time, she could only timidly say, "Thank you to all the great professors for your fondness of Qiao Ze. How about I treat everyone to lunch at noon?"

"Ah... how could we let you do that? So, dear professors, today it was little Yu who got ahead. I'll arrange lunch, and I kindly ask everyone to grace us with your presence," Yu Chenggong, who was adept at social interaction, said with a smile as he slipped the contracts into his bag, promptly taking over from Lu Xiuxiu's offer.

"Hmm, then I must attend this meal. Let me tell you, I'm usually not picky about these things, but today I must pick the best restaurant in Xingcheng for lunch. Oh, and I want to drink Maotai."

"Heh, although I can't eat seafood, we must have the most expensive seafood for lunch today."

"Haha, sure, no problem. Recruitment aside, social relationships aside, we'll certainly fulfill the professors' requests! I'll go make a reservation right now. Hey, Boss Xiao, why don't you come along, too, if you're free at noon. It's also a way to say thanks for all the care you've given to Ms. Lu and Qiao Ze over the years, and today for providing such a great venue," Yu Chenggong said with a smile.

"This... can I really come?"

"Haha, it's just a simple meal, no worries! It's all about making friends!"

Of course, he wasn't genuinely inviting friends. Yu Chenggong invited Boss Xiao purely to prevent Lu Xiuxiu from feeling too nervous dining with a bunch of strangers; he deliberately invited someone she was familiar with.

That's called investing in emotional details.

Yu Chenggong wasn't afraid that Qiao Ze and Lu Xiuxiu wouldn't understand these tactics, as long as Li Jian Gao could get it.

The cunning Yu Chenggong could tell from the ride over to the supermarket that Qiao Ze's trust in Li Jian Gao was tinged with a bit of dependence.

If these two made it big in the future and even regarded him with a hint of fond memory, that would be a win.

...

At noon, the Ice and Fire Building.

Although it certainly couldn't be considered the best restaurant in Xingcheng, it was still a mid-to-high-end establishment.

A big table of dishes was ordered, and two bottles of liquor were served, Maotai.

But it was clear that the professors actually weren't very hungry.

However, Yu Chenggong's attention wasn't on these professors at all, but rather on Lu Xiuxiu.

Even the owner Xiao's efforts couldn't completely ease her nerves; she likely wasn't used to such high-end places that emphasized service, and she seemed a bit intimidated by the enthusiastic waitstaff. Meanwhile, Qiao Ze didn't require any worry, as he remained calm.

So Yu Chenggong immediately started to liven up the mood. "Come on, I'll toast everyone first to show my gratitude to all the professors. And, Ms. Lu, since you don't drink, have some juice, no worries, we're all friends here, we're not so formal. Right, Boss Xiao, don't be shy! Today we aren't talking titles, we're all friends."

After the first drink, the meal finally livened up.

"Well, Teacher Yu, today you really showed us something. There's truth in every line of work! Looking at your age, you've been a recruitment teacher for quite a while now, right?"

"Haha, Professor Zhang, you flatter me. It's true, I've been doing this for over a decade. I don't have any big ambitions; this job suits me well."

"Are you interested in working at our school? I could recommend you."

"Ah...Thank you so much. Let's swap numbers later. If I think about moving, the first thing I'll do is call you."

That's how it goes at the dining table; once a topic opens up, it's hard to rein it in.

Li Jian Gao was mainly taking care of Qiao Ze, while Yu Chenggong jested with the professors, and also looked after Lu Xiuxiu. Whenever he noticed that Lu Xiuxiu liked a certain dish, he deliberately rotated the table to bring that dish closer to her.

He always kept the atmosphere at the table very pleasant.

And it was obvious that these math professors didn't really hold their liquor well; each ended up drinking less than 150 milliliters, and then the professors really couldn't stop talking.

"Qiao Ze, going to the School of Mathematics at Xilin University of Technology is fine, but remember, the academic circle is a mixed bag, it has all sorts of people! Undergraduate studies are one thing, but once you start graduate school, unless your advisor is Jian Gao, you'll have to be cautious. These days, not every advisor is a good person."

"Come on, Liu, why be so cryptic? Let me tell you, Qiao Ze, it's rare for advisors to plagiarize student work, but it does happen. Especially for a student like you, be very wary of unscrupulous advisors! Whether they try to pity you into it or force you, don't be scared! Tell your Uncle Li; we'll have your back."

"Also, regardless of who your advisor is, with your capabilities, you absolutely should not be led around by the nose. Whatever project or topic he suggests, ignore it. Remember, just work on your own topics. If you bite, whatever achievement you make will just be for someone else's benefit. Trust me, you have enough capital to negotiate conditions with your advisor.

If they dare to trouble you, just apply to the school to change advisors."

"Right, we mathematicians value the idea that a teacher can lead you to the door, but the learning is up to the individual. Don't really think your academic advisor can teach you that much. When it comes to the latest research directions, at least half the Ph.D. advisors haven't studied it themselves. At best they can only offer you an idea. But, don't forget about your advisor's resources."

"Haha, speaking of which, I'll teach you a trick. Whenever you can, flip through your advisor's contacts and memorize the impressive seniors' contact details. Then, on the pretext of your advisor's name, strike up a conversation, and later keep in touch under your own name; who knows when these might become resources you can use."

"Heh... Xu, that's going too far! You're teaching the kid bad tricks! But indeed, you should utilize your advisor's resources. If Xilin University of Technology doesn't pile on resources for you during your Ph.D., just come to Jiang University; I'll give you all the resources I've accumulated throughout my life!"

...

Hearing this off-key advice, Yu Chenggong looked at Qiao Ze instinctively.

Thankfully, the boy still looked indifferent.

He breathed a sigh of relief, damn, he wished they hadn't drunk.

If Qiao Ze took this all in, wouldn't he become a lord returning to the school?

But to everyone's surprise, Qiao Ze actually responded. His voice was young but firm, and paired with his words, the atmosphere at the table paused for a moment.

"Thank you all, but in the future, I will definitely follow Uncle Li. I want to become a Yangtze River Scholar with Uncle Li and then become an academician together."

"Haha, good, ambitious! Let's drink to the future double-academicians," said Yu Chenggong as he immediately raised his glass.

...