Clear Objective

"Ah? They'd arrived in Shudian?"

Wang Yi was rather surprised when he received a call from his former Alma Mater counselor.

He had expected his Alma Mater to contact him sooner or later. After all, his identity was not difficult to look into.

Wang Yi still had some affection for his Alma Mater. Setting everything else aside, he was still using his student account to look up materials.

However, back when he had only that little cheat that enhanced his learning ability, he could not afford to waste time if he wanted to achieve his goals. Other than studying and recharging, he had barely left anything behind.

Even getting a girlfriend had been for the sake of balancing work and rest while saving time.

"Alright, I'll come over."

Now that teachers from the school had come all the way here with his counselor, Wang Yi would naturally go and speak with them.

The Science Institute itself carried considerable influence, and its various support programs could be helpful.

Unfortunately, he was destined to use an Offshore Company, and his secrets ran too deep. There would inevitably be certain limits to any cooperation.

They met at the Guesthouse of Welcome in Shudian, an establishment that looked somewhat old-fashioned yet imposing.

They had even booked a small conference room separately.

There were not many people: his counselor Chen Hao, Professor Liu from the School of Computer Science and Technology, whom Wang Yi knew, and Academician Li from the School of Mathematical Sciences.

There was also an ordinary-looking middle-aged man Wang Yi did not recognize, his expression utterly meticulous and stern.

Yet, due to some of his experiences in the other world, Wang Yi could roughly tell that the man had likely served in the military and was probably a veteran.

"Young people truly are formidable. You're remarkable, young man. Chen Hao told me that mathematics was not even where you used to devote most of your energy."

Academician Li looked deeply moved.

Since he had led the delegation here, it was apparent that, in the dispute between the two schools, the School of Computer Science and Technology had ultimately yielded to the School of Mathematical Sciences.

After all, this was unquestionably an international mathematical problem, one certain to earn the highest award. It was more appropriate for the School of Mathematical Sciences to take the lead.

"You flatter me, Academician Li. Number theory is indeed merely a tool I need for the direction of my own goals."

Seeing that this man had led the delegation, Wang Yi could roughly guess their intentions. Thus, he immediately set some boundaries with his very first words.

Of course, he did not mind cooperating with his Alma Mater, but he certainly was not going to devote himself to researching mathematical problems. He did not need others telling him what to do.

"You really are a highly pragmatic young man. Don't worry. Since we came to you of our own accord, we have naturally learned a certain amount about you. Our tolerance for people with genuine ability exceeds your imagination."

Academician Li did not mind Wang Yi's words. Or rather, they had been mentally prepared before coming. Otherwise, the School of Computer Science and Technology might not have yielded this time.

"However, research requires cutting-edge equipment, direction, funding, and policy support. We can provide all of that."

He already knew Wang Yi was the sort who would not act without seeing a benefit first, so the old scholar directly put forward their greatest attractions.

Given the Science Institute's background, applying for supercomputer access was no problem. They could offer sufficiently generous treatment in every respect.

Do not be fooled by how domestic news was filled with celebrities and idols, along with their supposedly enormous incomes.

In reality, policy support for top talent was virtually limitless.

Yes, the actual cash they received might not be much, but once one reached that level, one would discover that money was no longer really necessary...

The media rarely reported on them, and many people did not even know their names. To a certain extent, that was also a form of protection, keeping them from being disturbed.

True scientific research required the ability to settle down and focus. Take Wei Shen as an example. He was properly dedicating himself to mathematics, yet some people chasing traffic still went to bother him. That was completely counterproductive.

What researchers needed most was a quiet environment.

As for their actual status, it was even less something so-called celebrities could compare to. They were not even on the same level.

Of course, some talented researchers at the bottom could still be overlooked. Before research produced results, it was difficult to quantify it specifically. Thus, even though people constantly claimed not to judge solely by papers, it was still hard to escape that standard in the end.

But Wang Yi had already proven the Goldbach Conjecture. He had already presented results, completely bypassing that possibility!

"Of course I hope to cooperate with my Alma Mater, and of course I hope to receive such assistance. But I am an ordinary man. I do not have any spirit of selfless dedication, and in the future, my sights may be set internationally."

Wang Yi looked seriously at the old professor, whose face was full of expectation, and stated his position bluntly.

He practiced magic. At least for now, he could not expose any of that. This was not a matter of trust or distrust. He simply would not test human nature!

Thus, although the prospect of using the school's laboratories, materials, and eventually even supercomputers tempted him, Wang Yi still had the resolve to refuse.

However, seeing the old professor's slightly disappointed expression, Wang Yi smiled and added,

"But as long as my country does not revoke it, my nationality will forever be Huaxia."

Wang Yi needed to gather sufficient resources and talent to achieve his goals. In the future, he would inevitably embark on the path of becoming a true oligarch. Combined with the factors related to his magic, his greatest backer could only be himself.

At the same time, he possessed the most basic sense of attachment to his homeland. As long as it was within his ability, he would not mind lending a hand. But that would have to wait until after he had grown strong enough to possess bargaining power. He would not accept outside forces dictating his actions.

In any case, whether Wang Yi's answer was consolation or mere courtesy, Academician Li still revealed a trace of gratification.

"You young people... Forget it. You all have your own ideas. This old man won't lecture you. But if you want to borrow laboratories or equipment, contact us directly. We are preparing to apply for an Honorary Professor position for you."

Academician Li and the others had come with several flexible goals in mind. For now, they were preserving a bond of goodwill.

Just as Academician Li had said at their meeting earlier, if they did not offer it here, there were plenty of foreign universities eager to do so!

"It would be my honor."

Wang Yi naturally would not refuse benefits that required no real contribution from him while providing practical conveniences.

For some tests that did not rely on magic, he could indeed make use of the Science Institute's laboratories.

That would save him an enormous amount of money.

The funding needed to build certain high-performance laboratories was an astronomical figure. Moreover, even with money, one might not be able to buy the necessary equipment. At least, Wang Yi could not consider such things in the early stages.

"Oh, right. This is Comrade Zeng Ke. He has a few questions he would like to ask you. Just answer as you see fit; this is not an interrogation. We are very tolerant of high-tech talent."

Academician Li then introduced the middle-aged man Wang Yi did not recognize.

Hearing that, Wang Yi could more or less confirm that he was a security specialist.

The man had remained expressionless all this time, but upon hearing Academician Li's words, he suddenly adopted a gentle smile.

"Teacher Wang Yi, don't be nervous. I'm merely asking routine questions. To put it bluntly, even if someone as talented as you truly received support from overseas forces, that would be normal. It's fine even if you don't say anything."

The most cutting-edge technology today was in the Beautiful Country. It could be said that the very best experts would inevitably have some connection to that side. And for Huaxia, as long as they could be put to use, who cared about their past?

What Zeng Ke was actually most concerned about was Wang Yi's trip abroad three years ago, as well as his disappearance over the past three years.

It seemed they believed Wang Yi might have encountered something during that trip, and that spending those three years in some foreign laboratory was perfectly normal.

As for espionage?

They had not considered it at all. Spies would not act so conspicuously.

And taking ten thousand steps back, even if he really was a spy, they still wanted him!

Naturally, Wang Yi simply let them imagine whatever they wished. His trip to the Beautiful Country had been tourism, and over the past three years, he had been deceived into a pyramid scheme. Believe it or not.

His earlier proof was his greatest protection.

Still, it was good that they had specifically asked about it this time. It was equivalent to putting everything out in the open...

Second Update~

This was roughly the protagonist's personality and way of handling things. Feel free to offer suggestions. They may not necessarily be adopted, but they will definitely be read...