Chapter 142: The Invitation

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After a wonderful night’s sleep, Wu Tong rose early as usual for her morning exercise, refreshed and brimming with energy.

After breakfast, she first went to the library to return all the books she had borrowed. Before entering the final phase of her challenge, she had already studied, absorbed, and mastered every one of them. They had fulfilled their purpose.

“Back to return books again? What would you like to borrow today? I can help you find them!” the library staff member greeted her with a smile. They knew Wu Tong far too well.

Over the past six months or so, Wu Tong’s frequent visits to the library, combined with her remarkable achievements, had made her familiar to everyone there.

In fact, they were the people who had witnessed most directly every bit of effort and growth Wu Tong had put into her time at Peking University. The books she had studied could have filled an entire storeroom.

A child who worked this hard was bound to succeed. If someone like her did not, then who would? As longtime employees of Peking University, they especially liked students who loved learning and treasured the knowledge contained in books.

If another student had borrowed so many books, they might have wondered whether the student was merely making a show of things. But when it came to Wu Tong, they had no doubts at all. They were always happy to help her locate whatever books she needed.

“No, thank you. I have a few things to take care of today, so I won’t borrow anything yet. Would you mind keeping an eye on my suitcase? I’ll take it with me when I come back for the books.” Wu Tong had thought about her plans for the day. It would be inconvenient to drag the suitcase around, so she asked the staff member for a favor.

“Of course not. Just leave it here!” The staff member immediately took the suitcase and placed it securely against the wall beside the service desk.

“Go ahead and take care of your business, Wu Tong. The library closes late. I’ll explain everything to my colleagues when my shift ends. Whenever you need it, just come and pick it up. Everyone knows you!”

“Thank you!”

After expressing her gratitude, Wu Tong left the library and headed for the dean’s office of the School of Mathematics.

Knock, knock, knock.

Wu Tong tapped politely on the door and entered only after receiving permission.

“Wu Tong, it’s becoming quite difficult to see you these days!” Pan Wenhua was reading some documents. When he looked up and saw Wu Tong entering, he rose with a smile and welcomed her, teasing her lightly.

“Your words make me feel rather ashamed.” As a mathematics student, she really did seem to have neglected her proper duties. For the entire month since the beginning of the academic year, she had been spending her time in the School of Materials Science. Apart from the class meeting and the opening ceremony, she had barely appeared in the School of Mathematics at all.

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Wu Tong assured him, “I’ll try to spend more time studying in our school from now on.”

Pan Wenhua waved his hand with a smile. “There’s no need to worry. As long as you remember that your heart belongs to the School of Mathematics and that you are one of us, that’s enough.”

Recently, he had been especially reluctant to see that smug old tree bark of Professor Cheng’s.

“No matter where you are, the School of Mathematics will always be your home.” Pan Wenhua was not the sort of person to make things difficult for a student over a trivial matter, so he readily gave himself an exit.

Wu Tong truly could not learn much more in the School of Mathematics. As long as she did not forget mathematics, he was willing to let her do whatever she pleased.

What he had never expected was that Wu Tong’s talent in materials science would be as dazzling as her talent in mathematics. She had only just entered the field of materials science, yet she had already caused a sensation, taking charge from the outset of a major classified national project.

Although he had not inquired into the details, given his position and level of security clearance, he had managed to learn a little of the basic information.

“Contributing to the country is always a good thing. You don’t need to have any reservations, Wu Tong.”

Pan Wenhua took an invitation and a certificate from his desk drawer and handed them to Wu Tong with a smile.

“Congratulations on becoming a member of the Chinese Mathematical Society. We also welcome you to attend the Chinese Mathematicians Conference, which will be held at the Beijing Conference Center on October 6.”

In fact, when Wu Tong proved Zhou’s Conjecture, they had already planned to recommend her for membership in the Chinese Mathematical Society after she officially enrolled. Given her level of mathematical ability, failing to invite her would have reflected poorly on the society itself.

Unexpectedly, before they could even make the recommendation, Wu Tong had undertaken one major project after another in July, proving two great conjectures in succession. Then, in August, she had delivered a full-hour lecture at the International Congress of Mathematicians.

The Chinese Mathematical Society could no longer sit still. As soon as they returned from Hydra, they set aside all concerns about Wu Tong’s young age and immediately sent an invitation to her through Peking University, even granting her an honorary seat on the board.

If they still refused to admit Wu Tong, the question would no longer be whether she was qualified to join. It would be the authority of the Chinese Mathematical Society itself that came under scrutiny.

With Peking University’s assistance, all the procedures were completed, and the matter was formally settled.

They had always wanted to create an opportunity to present everything to Wu Tong personally. Unfortunately, she had entered the classified project at the beginning of the month and had been working nonstop ever since. They could not find a suitable chance to meet with her formally, and in the end, both amused and helpless, they had to ask Yisheng to notify her to come and collect the documents when she had time.

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“I’ve run into some difficulties in materials science recently, so I’ve been spending more time on them.” Wu Tong smiled sheepishly as she accepted the document folder from Pan Wenhua with both hands. “Will I need to do anything at the Chinese Mathematicians Conference?”

“Your achievements this year have been extraordinary. They would like you to give a one-hour lecture. Just explain your proof involving infinite groups in detail. There’s no need for you to go to the trouble of producing another world-shaking result.” Since time was limited, Pan Wenhua made a point of clarifying that she did not need to shut herself away again and urgently come up with some sensational new achievement.

As for preparation, Wu Tong had already delivered a one-hour lecture at the International Congress of Mathematicians and had experienced a far grander occasion. There was no need for her to begin preparing long in advance.

“Understood, Dean Pan. I’ll prepare properly.” Wu Tong nodded.

That would be easy enough. If they had asked her to produce a new mathematical result, she really would have had to rack her brains and work hard at it.

All her recent achievements had been in materials science. She could hardly discuss materials science at a mathematics conference. Besides, apart from the theoretical model, nothing else could be disclosed.

“Go on, go on. Get back to your work. I know you’re pressed for time, so I won’t keep you.” Pan Wenhua waved with a smile. His business was finished. In truth, he could have had someone deliver the documents to Wu Tong, but handing them over personally showed greater regard. Besides, he had wanted to maintain contact with her and spend a little time speaking with her face-to-face.

“Let me wish you a happy National Day in advance. I’ll be going now.” Wu Tong did not stand on ceremony. She truly had something to do. Her teacher had spoken obliquely the day before, but it seemed that the project team had received feedback on the data. She needed to go and see the details for herself.

“Good morning, Goddess Wu!”

From the moment Wu Tong swiped her card and entered the laboratory, everyone who saw her greeted her with smiles and deep respect. No matter how young she was, after taking part in two projects, the laboratory had come to regard Wu Tong as a junior boss. The person in charge treated her with respect, and the nickname “Goddess Wu,” which had initially embarrassed her, had long since become something like a code name. Everyone used it.

After hearing people call her that so often, Wu Tong gradually began to treat it as though they were simply calling her by name. She had grown accustomed to it and could now face it calmly and naturally, without any lingering embarrassment.

“Professor.”

Wu Tong first went to Professor Cheng’s office to announce her arrival. Only then did she return to her own office, turn on her work computer, and log into the system.

End of chapter

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