CHAPTER 640: CHAPTER 197 YES, IT’S ALL TRUE!_2

Yanbei University is really inconsiderate. They knew Qiao Yu was invited to receive an award this time, but before he left, they still didn’t solve his degree issue. They could have at least given him an undergraduate diploma or arranged a master’s-PhD program. Let him come back, write a paper casually, and graduate quickly!

Hearing Yu Yanjiang freely criticize here, the elder just smiled and said, "These are small matters that can be discussed when they return.

In fact, the main reason I invited you over was to discuss with you scientists how to properly reward the first Fields Medal that Huaxia has ever won?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Yanjiang felt mixed emotions inside. Age is truly the most significant factor in this era.

If Qiao Yu were a thirty-something professor, or even in his twenties, it probably wouldn’t be so difficult for people.

Seventeen years old? Even winning the Fields Medal twice wouldn’t be too surprising. But precisely because he’s so young, the rewards require careful consideration.

Give too little honor, and it may leave the kid unsatisfied. Give too much, what happens when he achieves even greater accomplishments or contributions later?

How would people feel if a seventeen-year-old received an honor that many people devote their entire lives to and never achieve?

The Riemann Conjecture is undoubtedly significant! But is a flash of genius from a mathematics prodigy truly greater than someone else’s decades of diligent work?

If it were merely an academic contribution, it would be easy to handle. But what Qiao Yu is doing also has great potential in application, and that’s something he’s actively reported.

Not to mention, with the media coverage clearly intending to promote Qiao Yu as a model for young scientists, this dilemma falls right onto his lap...

After pondering for a while, Yu Yanjiang straightforwardly said, "How about leaving the honors aside. Having just won the Fields Medal, Qiao Yu probably doesn’t care much about these things, and he’s already been in the news several times! Better to reward him with something practical."

"Practical?" The elder repeated, then gave a knowing smile, "It seems this kid’s thoughts are right out in the open!"

"Who would argue otherwise? Today’s young people think completely differently from when we were their age. And you surely understand Qiao Yu’s situation; it is indeed quite unique.

His childhood experiences stir sympathy when heard. Besides, his love for money isn’t for the sake of luxury. At least, I can understand his reasons."

At this point, Yu Yanjiang solemnly said, "But we can’t let him achieve his dream too quickly; at least, we should wait until our lunar project succeeds first."

"Haha, with what you’ve said, I have a general understanding now. Thanks for making this special trip. It’s getting late, so I won’t delay your return to rest any longer."

"Then I’ll take my leave first. Take care of yourself."

...

United States, Philadelphia.

The lively cultural performance marked the perfect end of the opening ceremony.

The attending mathematicians and students began to leave one after another. It was lunchtime next.

Most people went straight to the conference center for the buffet, but Elder Yuan had specifically told Qiao Yu yesterday that they would have lunch together at the hotel restaurant to celebrate his achievement.

Frankly, for Huaxia people, although the organizing committee prepared a quite diversified buffet for mathematicians, Qiao Yu really found it unpalatable.

Especially the salads and sandwiches. He tried them once on the first day he arrived, and after eating, he just wanted to cry.

He couldn’t understand why some people insist on coming to this dreary place.

To eat pig feed?

Having gone abroad after so much effort, why suffer this? After eating, it felt like not eating at all. Anyway, since then, Qiao Yu hadn’t entered the restaurant specially prepared by the organizing committee.

Perhaps receiving the award was very exciting, even though he didn’t do anything in the morning, Qiao Yu still felt really hungry.

Just that he encountered some trouble when leaving the venue. It seems the resourceful reporters anticipated his exit, directly blocking him at the passageway...

Not just him, but also Elder Yuan, Director Tian, and Qiao Xi who had joined him. Fortunately, there were Zheng Xiweng and Zhang Mingyu, who placed him in the middle.

It let Qiao Yu experience what being the center of attention offline felt like.

"Qiao, Qiao, as the youngest Fields Medal winner in the world, what was your feeling when you first found out about the win?"

"Didn’t I just say that in my acceptance speech? Didn’t you get in?" Qiao Yu replied in fluent English.

The main thing is that this question was too boring, so Qiao Yu retorted casually.

"Dr. Qiao, we’ve learned that although you’ve achieved tremendous success in mathematics and became a Fields Medal laureate, you’re still pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Huaxia.

In fact, you already have at least the qualifications to become a professor at any university in the world. So what do you think is the root cause of this situation?

For instance, is it caused by the overly rigid educational system in Huaxia?"

"Huh? What does this have to do with the Huaxia educational system? The school wanted me to graduate a long time ago. It’s me who doesn’t want to graduate!"

Qiao Yu immediately responded.

One must admit these reporters are very good at stirring the pot.

Although he didn’t particularly want to pay attention to these reporters, the question involved his alma mater, so he felt it necessary to clarify for Yanbei University.

Evidently, this answer left the reporter dumbfounded, instinctively asking, "Why? You don’t want to graduate?"

"Hey, uncle, I’m only seventeen! Can’t I enjoy a couple more years of college life? You want a seventeen-year-old to start working? Is hiring child labor legal here? Believe me, even the notorious landlords of the old times back home weren’t this harsh!"