Top Student at Their Peak-Chapter 383 - 135 This Reporter is Too Bad..._2

This research direction is inherently about challenging the pinnacle of human intellect.

Many mathematicians hope for breakthroughs in this area to solve many currently unresolved mathematical problems, such as the famous Riemann Conjecture.

As the saying goes, providing new ideas, frameworks, and tools for foundational mathematics research has always been the hardest.

It’s like creating tools is far more difficult than using tools.

The theorems proved by these mathematical giants can be directly used by their successors without having to prove all those complicated processes again.

So, the first batch of fans paying attention to Qiao Yu probably really couldn’t find anything to criticize about him.

After all, mathematics is something that follows a basic set of rules. If you want to criticize it, you first need to understand it.

If you don’t understand a thing and forcefully criticize... it’s very easy to provoke ridicule.

This results in a very high threshold to criticize a mathematician on professional knowledge, unless it’s an internal dispute; otherwise, it’s really difficult.

Of course, this is also the reason why mathematics struggles to resonate with the general public.

However, after Qiao Yu turned off his Weibo, the news of his appearance on the seven o’clock news quickly became a hot topic.

Because this actually has nothing to do with mathematics, it’s just about the four words "teenage prodigy."

In the past, there were also cases of teenage prodigies being certified by official media, but most of them were through online platforms. This time is different, it’s the seven o’clock news, Huaxia’s most serious news program.

Every piece of news reported by the host has to go through multiple reviews, and any minor mistake is considered a broadcast accident.

A sixteen-year-old prodigy is always a hot topic.

However, Qiao Yu had no time to pay attention to these things now because Tian Yan just happened to call him.

"Are you still in the room?"

"Yes, Director Tian."

"Tonight, a journalist from the Huaxia News Agency stationed in Paris wants to interview you. I’ve agreed on your behalf. It will take about half an hour and start at nine in the evening. How about that?"

"Oh, but I don’t know what to say."

"No worries, the news agency’s journalist is still a professional, and I’ve also informed Journalist Zhang that this will be a pure text interview. I’ll be by your side, so don’t worry if you say something wrong. It won’t be included in the article."

"Then there’s no problem, but can’t we do it earlier?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"You forgot there’s a banquet in the restaurant on the fifth floor tonight, starting at six o’clock. This banquet is the most important one of the conference, especially since you are the opening speaker, so don’t be late. After tonight, many people will leave. Try to chat with some mathematicians and listen to their views on the development of frontier mathematics; it will be beneficial for your future."

"Got it."

"Also, don’t be easily swayed by others. In mathematics, there are always people proposing novel ideas, but remember, those ideas not tested by time often hold no value. Anyone inviting you to work on a project must ask me first.

It’s not about wasting your time; I’m afraid someone might use your reputation to endorse unrealistic ideas! Not just project collaborations, never give a firm commitment to anyone’s requests."

"Rest assured, Director Tian. Don’t forget, today Professor Frank tried to have me join his project group, and I directly refused. I’m very cautious in this respect. Let’s put it this way, until I’ve thoroughly learned the basics of mathematics, I only listen to you and Elder Yuan regarding assigned topics."

"That’s good! Also, if someone invites you to play any card game, remember to decline."

"Card game? Will there be card games at the banquet? Which game? Landlord?" Qiao Yu was curious.

"Bridge. Some mathematicians are addicted to cards, and they’ll use any occasion to expand their circle of card friends. And that includes such banquets."

"Don’t worry, Director Tian, I’m not interested in any gambling, and I don’t know how to play bridge, either."

"With your cleverness, you could learn the rules of bridge in one or two rounds since it tests probability, combination, and strategy. But it’s best not to play with them. Also, don’t drink alcohol, only juice. Strictly speaking, it’s illegal for someone your age to drink here."

"..."

"Also, unless you’re with me, absolutely do not leave the hotel."

"..."

Qiao Yu felt frustrated. Was Director Tian treating him like an underage child?

Wait, he actually was still underage... never mind then.

Just like that, over a phone call, Tian Yanzhen spent more than ten minutes explaining all sorts of precautions to Qiao Yu, completely overturning Qiao Yu’s perception of these gatherings of mathematicians. When he learned English, in the American and British TV shows he watched, banquets were just people dressed formally, holding a glass of wine, chatting around.

Couldn’t imagine a scene of old gentlemen setting up a card game at a banquet.

That seemed more like what the old gents outside his apartment in Star City liked to do.

Turns out, old gents have similar hobbies to mathematicians, only changing Landlord and Run Fast to bridge.

After hanging up the phone, Qiao Yu lost the mood to attend a report in the sub-meeting and stayed in his room to read.

After communicating with Peter Schultz, Qiao Yu also realized his shortcomings.

It’s quite embarrassing when you’re engaging in academic discussion and someone mentions a theorem assumed to be common knowledge, but you don’t know it.

Fortunately, last night was a private chat with Peter Schultz. If there had been more people, it would have been an embarrassment to his alma mater.