Chapter 20 Let's Adapt to the Environment
After a lively lunch, several professors were ready to head back to the hotel.
Qiao Ze's future was already settled, so staying on didn't make much sense. Feeling a bit dizzy from the drinks, it wasn't appropriate to attend the conference; better to go back to sleep.
Li Jian Gao and Yu Chenggong planned to escort Qiao Ze and Lu Xiuxiu, naturally bringing Xiao along as well.
Yu Chenggong also wanted to chat with Lu Xiuxiu about Qiao Ze taking the independent admission exams at school. Although everyone knew Qiao Ze didn't really need to take the exam, the necessary procedures still had to be followed. On the other hand, he had promised to get Lu Xiuxiu a position in the dormitory management department at the school, which meant he needed to pick up some of her basic information to help facilitate the process.
To ordinary people, official procedures can seem complex, but they are not hard for those who know how to handle them.
Considering that five people in one car would be too cramped, Yu Chenggong simply called for two cars.
In the end, Li Jian Gao took Lu Xiuxiu and Qiao Ze in the lead car and left first, while Yu Chenggong got into another car with Xiao.
"Teacher Yu, is that Qiao Ze really so talented? I'm thinking, not only does he not have to spend money on his studies, he can even make money, right?"
"Hehe..."
Yu Chenggong, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the back seat of the car, opened his eyes, smiled proudly, and said, "Can't help it. You saw it yourself today, students who can make a group of doctoral advisors from 985 universities confide trustingly are not common, right? Let me tell you this, a genius that surpasses the general meaning of the word, you might not find one in a hundred years."
Having said that, Yu Chenggong added meaningfully, "For universities, sometimes a child's talent is worth more than money!"
"That's strange, I always heard that his grades were poor." Xiao stroked his head, speaking with confusion.
Yu Chenggong casually explained, "Haha, if he had shown his potential earlier, it wouldn't have been our turn, Xilin University of Technology. He would have already been snatched away by those two universities in the Capital! With the level Qiao Ze has demonstrated in front of the professors, he is more valuable than any high school top scorer or mathematical Olympiad champion!"
After finishing, as if realizing something, he then smiled and said, "Of course, Mr. Xiao, your son isn't bad either. Xiao Chenglong, right? He is definitely a talent. Saying he's once in a decade is just pure flattery for you, but if you randomly pick a thousand people, he is certainly among the best. That's talent! Got it?
Let me put it this way, out of 1.4 billion Huaxia people, take away three zeros, that's 1.4 million! Just think about it, your son's starting point is already higher than 1.3986 billion Huaxia people. He also has a bright future! Definitely stronger than you or me."
Yu's polite words finally lightened Xiao's originally complex mood.
He hurriedly responded with courtesy, "Not at all, not at all, when I get back I have some fine tea that an old friend of mine gave me recently; please take it to enjoy. And in the future, please take care of my son."
"Ah, Mr. Xiao, you are too polite! Let's add each other on WeChat later. By the way, Ms. Lu won't be able to start her job at the school until at least mid-August this year, so I'm going to have to trouble you to look after her during this period!"
"Look at what you're saying. Don't worry, with Xiuxiu working at the supermarket, she's just like family to us!"
...
In the other car.
Li Jian Gao was also discussing matters related to Qiao Ze with Lu Xiuxiu.
"Ms. Lu, I've talked to Teacher Yu just now, and it's certain there's no problem with you taking up a position at the school, but you probably won't be able to make it this semester. We also have the issue of continuity in dormitory management, and it's not good to change dorm supervisors suddenly without a serious reason, so the earliest you could officially start would be around mid to late August this year.
But considering Qiao Ze's situation, I think there's no need for him to continue staying in a high school environment. So, my idea is that when I go back, I'll simply take him with me, letting him start getting accustomed to the university environment in advance. I believe a child's growth still requires communication with others who can keep up with his way of thinking."
Furthermore, I do hope that he can become more outgoing. At the very least, he should be able to have normal interactions with others and possess certain life skills to take care of himself. Otherwise, even in the relatively simple world of academia, he could face obstacles in the future. As for the high school, there's no need for you to worry, Yu will take care of all the procedures."
Lu Xiuxiu looked at Qiao Ze, who was staring out the window in a daze, with a tender and slightly reluctant gaze before responding, "Professor Li, as you probably have realized, I'm just a housewife with no particular insight, and I don't understand those grand principles. But I know you truly have my child's best interests at heart, so I have no objections. I'll go along with your arrangements."
"Okay, then it's settled. I originally booked a ticket to return to Xilin the afternoon after next. I might as well have Yu cancel it and rebook two tickets for the morning of the day after next. The afternoon after next, Yu and I will come to pick up Qiao Ze. Why don't you take a couple of days off too and spend more time with your child at home?"
"Okay, Professor Li, I really can't thank you enough."
"Don't mention it. Have you forgotten what I said to you on WeChat? If anything, I may need to thank you in the future for raising such an exceptional child!"
Li Jiangao said with a wry smile.
There was no helping it; he remembered the words Qiao Ze had just said at the dinner table.
Only this time, the professors at the table didn't laugh. Instead, they stared at him with gaze sharp enough to cut.
These people... truly believed a child could accomplish such a feat. Who could he even reason with?
...
During the conference the next day, Li Jiangao got a taste of just how vengeful these professors could be.
He didn't get a moment's peace.
It wasn't just at meal times; even during the breaks between presentations, known and unknown professors would sidle up, ask him curiously in secret, "Hey, aren't you the Professor Li from Xilin University of Technology? I heard you discovered an incredible student? Could spot errors in the proofs on 'Mathematics Annual' at a glance?"
What could Li Jiangao do?
He could only respond with a forced smile, "While that child is indeed talented, it was really just a coincidence."
This would elicit a knowing look, "Haha, Professor Li, you're too modest. If Huaxia and Yanbei knew about such a kid undiscovered by them, they'd probably choke with envy. Heh, Professor Liu and Professor Zhang have gone so far as to claim that if the kid doesn't become a Yangtze River Scholar by twenty-five, they'll perform a feat of breaking stone slabs with their chests at future conferences!"
Li Jiangao: "?"
So on the third day of the conference, he decided to skip and stayed in the hotel to read papers instead.
Anyone who understands would know what it's like to be treated like a rare animal by one's peers.
He stayed in the room until four in the afternoon, just about to go with the now-available Yu Chenggong to pick up Qiao Ze from the hotel, when unexpectedly, Lu Xiuxiu had already arrived at the hotel with Qiao Ze in tow.
"Professor Li, Yu, I entrust Qiao Ze to you both during this time."
"Don't worry, Ms. Lu, without boasting, there's one thing I can assure you about Xilin University of Technology—the cafeteria chefs do have a few exceptional skills. The only thing you might need to worry about, when you visit the school in August, is that your child might gain ten pounds. Haha..."
The sharp-witted Yu Chenggong lightened the mother's bittersweet departure with a single sentence.