CHAPTER 633: CHAPTER 195: THE OPENING CEREMONY’S AWARD CEREMONY (PART 1)_3

Qiao Yu really doesn’t boast about these people.

The whole world knows he researches at the fastest speed. Even if those big shots have been working on their projects for two or three years. But since they came to him for help, it clearly indicates that the path they took before isn’t working.

There’s nothing to be afraid of then.

No one who can defeat him in his specialized field has been born yet.

This confidence is not unfounded; it’s given by these very people.

After all, if they truly had the ability, what were they doing before? Is it being modest? Are they afraid the seniors will pick all the low-hanging fruits from the apple tree and leave nothing for the juniors?

So they deliberately leave unresolved problems like the Riemann Conjecture, N-S equation, P=NP problem, Hodge conjecture, and so on for the later generations of mathematics?

Yes, that’s how the confidence builds up.

When Qiao Yu first started learning mathematics, he thought those foreign big shots were really impressive.

But after more experiences, Qiao Yu felt that those big shots weren’t as impressive as he once thought.

Even for some proofs that seemed obvious to him, he had to explain in great detail to make those big shots understand his train of thought.

This is how confidence gradually builds. Of course, one could also say Qiao Yu is flying a bit high.

But it cannot be denied that, as the world’s youngest Quasi Fields Medal winner, Qiao Yu truly has the capital to feel boastful.

"Alright, Shu Wen, don’t worry. Even though Qiao Yu is still young, having his own opinions is a good thing. We’ll discuss the project further when we get back. Rest assured, Qiao Yu, as long as it’s a good project, I can still lend a hand. Let’s see who can turn a blind eye this time!"

Yuan Zhengxin practically gave full support unconditionally.

Zhang Shuwen smiled.

He certainly knew what it meant for someone of Yuan Zhengxin’s status to make such a clear statement.

At Yuan Zhengxin’s level and stature, even when making promises, he would naturally leave some room.

Just like when persuading him to return to the country for development, he only asked him to look after Qiao Yu, without mentioning specific conditions for his role.

Moreover, Zhang Shuwen was very aware that such a statement from Elder Yuan was already quite rare.

But comparisons are the most to be feared. With Qiao Yu, it seemed like they were willing to provide any assurance, which was truly enviable.

Fortunately, this also bolstered Zhang Shuwen’s confidence.

The youngest Fields Medal winner, plus having two nearly unconditional supporters by his side. His choice to return home this time is highly likely to witness history repeatedly.

"Thank you, Grandpa. By the way, it’s almost dinner time. Let’s go eat first? You must be tired from the flight. Eat and rest well, the conference starts tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, yes, an early rest today is necessary. Let’s go eat first! Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, the Central Media consulted about the broadcasting rights of the opening ceremony of the International Mathematical Union’s conference this time! Do you understand? Haha..."

Yuan Zhengxin said enthusiastically.

"Huh?" Qiao Yu paused slightly, then instantly understood the old man’s implication, feeling a bit surprised...

Central Media is so well-informed? He didn’t say anything at all!

...

July 23, 2026, Philadelphia, clear skies.

Even though Qiao Yu felt he was used to big events, when he walked out of the hotel and saw the surge of people around him, he realized he might have underestimated this group of mathematicians.

There were just too many people!

Especially today, entering the Pennsylvania Convention Center, apparently, there’s a security check, so mathematicians and students waiting to enter truly crowded the entrance.

Fortunately, as an invited speaker of the conference, Qiao Yu didn’t need to squeeze in with others, and the organizing committee prepared a special channel.

Of course, big figures in the front rows of the conference, like Elder Yuan and Director Tian, also could use this special channel to enter early.

It’s unavoidable since many Fields Medal winners are quite elderly. For example, Elder Yuan is almost eighty. It’s not appropriate to have such seniors squeezed with young people.

But Qiao Yu was an exception. So along the way, he mostly saw familiar faces. Those who could use this channel were mostly the people he met yesterday.

When Qiao Yu greeted people while walking into the conference hall, it was already a sea of people, bustling endlessly.

Qiao Yu found his seat, and noticed that his position wasn’t arranged beside his mentor or Elder Yuan, even though their seats were also at the front. Even Zheng Xiweng was seated behind him.

"Hi, Qiao Yu. Hello, I am Jack Thorn. Professor at the University of Cambridge."

As Qiao Yu was looking around, a man in his thirties beside him took the initiative to greet him.

Qiao Yu withdrew his gaze from searching for Huaxia’s photographers, looked at the person beside him, thought for a moment, and said: "Jack Thorn? Huh? This name sounds familiar, I must have read your paper."

"Haha, I’m honored. My main areas of work are in Number Theory and Representation Theory, especially the number theory-related issues involved in the Langlands Program," Jack Thorn said with a smile.

Qiao Yu instantly understood why this name sounded so familiar and why the organizing committee arranged the seating this way.

Evidently, this person, most likely like him, is also one of this year’s Fields Medal winners or a winner of some other award.