CHAPTER 501: CHAPTER 159: NEVER FORGET WHY YOU STARTED, AND YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH YOUR MISSION_4

Qiao Xi laughed, but it was a bit cold, which meant the PUA attempt wasn’t very successful.

Then Qiao Xi sat up straight, casually patted the spot next to her on the sofa, and said, "Come, sit here, I’ll explain it to you properly."

Qiao Yu casually closed the door, pulled a chair far away from Qiao Xi, and then said, "Let’s forget about it this time. Considering you had a tiring train ride today, I won’t make it a habit."

"Haha... So why did you run over here?" Qiao Xi didn’t bother with Qiao Yu anymore.

They were too familiar with each other.

Qiao Yu knew very well that once Qiao Xi showered and lay on the sofa, she wouldn’t move unless it was to go to bed.

"Remember last time I told you I went to the Chemistry Institute’s lab as a consultant, solved a problem for them, and they gave me two million in consultancy fees?"

Qiao Xi nodded, Qiao Yu had bragged to him in the middle of the year about how rich he was, so of course, he remembered.

"That Brother Liu asked me again. It’s another cross-project, but this time the problem is even more complicated. I’ve been in the lab until now and thought since it’s close to Huaqing, might as well stay at your place."

"Oh, have you solved the problem?" Qiao Xi asked.

Qiao Yu shook his head and said, "This time it’s a bit tricky, not that easy to fix. Plus, I feel like they haven’t even found the right direction yet, they’re too impatient."

Qiao Xi thought for a moment and said, "Hmm... You weren’t going there just because they haven’t found the right direction, were you? Want to earn another consultancy fee?"

"Why can’t it be because of friendship with Brother Liu?" Qiao Yu retorted.

"Haha..." Qiao Xi chuckled lightly, glancing at Qiao Yu as if her eyes could see through everything.

So Qiao Yu confidently admitted, "Alright! I admit I had the thought. But shouldn’t I earn consultancy fees? Unless I’ve gone mad! It’s legitimate income. Given the current economic situation, you can’t miss such money-making opportunities.

Besides, as I told you, their lab has competition this time as well. The client entrusted not only them but also another institute, using two different approaches.

It means if the other side gets results first, all the work Brother Liu and his team have done would be in vain! So if I can help, the consultancy fee might be even more."

Qiao Xi frowned and said, "Don’t we have enough money now? Elder Yuan and Director Tian have high hopes for you, shouldn’t you focus on research? Can’t you wait to make money until you’re older?"

Qiao Yu blinked, looked at Qiao Xi, and said in confusion, "No way? Aren’t you the one who always encouraged me to stand on top of the mountain and look down at all? I’m pursuing my ideals, don’t hold me back mentally!"

Qiao Xi was silent for a moment, then said seriously, "Qiao Yu, is it possible that I wished for you to stand on top of the mathematics peak? Besides, if you become someone like Elder Yuan, would you need to worry about making money?"

Qiao Yu seriously retorted, "No no no, Comrade Qiao Xi, you need to understand one thing: top mathematicians don’t lack money, but that doesn’t mean they’re rich.

In fact, even top mathematicians, even if they win the Fields Medal, are only authorities in the academic world. It doesn’t mean they have substantial power to allocate resources.

But money or capital is different. At the peak of mathematics, I can only use my influence to decide certain things, like planning future research directions.

But if at the same time I were rich, or even controlled capital, there’d be much more I could do. Like, have you heard of any genius mathematicians with private planes, private yachts?

Fine, even if you don’t care about those things. Let’s talk academics, if one day I find math could be monetized, would I lose the chance to invest just because I have no money?

So the true pinnacle surely isn’t just achieving in mathematics. Maybe one day my influence can build a mathematics center because someone’s willing to invest in my achievements. But I can’t use my mathematical influence to get someone to build a community, right?

Moreover, if I don’t hurry and think about how to earn more money now, what if I become a math big shot and am tempted by all those research funds?

You should know making money as a consultant is legitimate, misusing allocated research funds is criminal and has high costs. So to become an upright and noble mathematician, naturally, I need to earn more while I’m young, don’t you think?"

"You..."

After saying "you," for a moment, Qiao Xi didn’t know what to say. Even though she thought Qiao Yu was spouting nonsense again, she didn’t know how to refute it.

However, Qiao Yu continued, "Actually, it’s simple to understand this issue. Please recall why I chose to study mathematics in the first place? Wasn’t it because Teacher Lan told me learning math well could earn lots of money?

So math research is just a means, making money is the goal. Only after earning what I consider enough might I change the goal, doesn’t this make the future clearer for you?

Our life’s path is still long. There’ll be many sights and temptations along the way, like warmth, like satisfaction! So it’s crucial to always remember the original goal to avoid getting sidetracked, don’t mix up the primary and secondary purposes! Remember the saying, never forget the initial intent, to reach the goal."