Deception

Wang Yi had originally planned to treat Chen Hao to a meal after using the laboratory, but it had somehow turned into a gathering with the school's big names. Instead of hosting, he ended up being treated.

Still, he had borrowed the school's laboratory, they had used their Official Weibo to back him up, and this was his Alma Mater. Wang Yi could not bring himself to refuse again.

"Eat, eat."

"It's good that you don't drink. That stuff is bad for your health."

"Professor Wang, you're young and accomplished. Are you seeing anyone?"

"..."

At first, Wang Yi thought these old professors wanted to persuade him to give another lecture or something. But he soon realized that was not the case at all.

After a round of concerned questions, these dignified professors and even academicians seemed as kind and genial as the old grandpas next door.

And once they took on that attitude, Wang Yi immediately sensed the subtle difficulty behind it.

Because this was purely a contest of age and seniority, and his youth was an absolute disadvantage.

They had forcibly created a certain atmosphere.

Still, as long as it was not anything troublesome, Wang Yi did not mind. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young was a tradition. If he could lend his Alma Mater a hand, then he would.

"Little Yi, we've already seen the email you posted. We're all quite gratified by what you said and the choice you made."

Academician Li spoke with some emotion, but then changed the subject.

"However, regarding some of those invitations to give talks, if you have the time, I think you should still attend them."

"Academician Li, do you think these talks are better abroad than at home? I thought you'd want me to give one at the Science Institute."

Wang Yi was genuinely a little surprised.

But after hearing Wang Yi's words, Academician Li fell silent. Only after a moment did he sigh.

"Though I don't want to admit it, the center of global academia is currently in the West. Even journals we publish ourselves need English editions if they are to gain recognition. This isn't something one or two awards can bring back."

After saying that, he looked at Wang Yi and smiled.

"It's good that you think that way. Just as we said in our statement, this time when you go abroad, you'll be going on an expedition..."

Wang Yi paused at Academician Li's words, then broke into a bright smile.

"Alright, then it's an expedition. If we go on enough expeditions, sooner or later we'll conquer it, won't we?"

"Haha! Then we'll have to rely on young people like you. As for us, I'm afraid we won't live to see it."

The more one worked in academia, the more one understood the West's influence over scholarly fields. The translations of many journals were inaccurate and imprecise, and some did not even have translations at all.

So, to keep up with the latest developments as soon as possible, one needed a sufficiently solid foundation in professional English.

This was not something that had developed overnight, nor was it something one or two outstanding individuals could change.

But when Wang Yi said that enough expeditions would eventually conquer it, he was not merely talking big.

With the body of knowledge born from the collision of two civilizations, coupled with his overclocking ability, perhaps one or two papers on number theory would not change much.

But as papers involving genuinely cutting-edge technologies began to emerge, appearing more and more frequently and making up an increasingly larger share, they would eventually and gradually change habits.

Of course, for now, Wang Yi would not casually draw attention in sensitive fields. Nor could such changes happen overnight. He could only begin by gradually introducing some Chinese terms into English journals and slowly changing a habit. Otherwise, a sudden sweeping change might split the global academic community apart.

At the very least, Wang Yi still valued the opinions and inspiration of elites from all sides.

Only the collision of minds could create enough sparks!

There was plenty of time. There was no need to rush...

In the end, the meal was quite pleasant.

No one had anything else to say about Wang Yi borrowing the biology laboratory and such.

After all, while mathematics itself had some limitations, mathematicians were very welcome when they switched to other fields.

Wang Yi was originally from the Computer Science Department anyway. He could do whatever he wanted, and it would not really cost much.

For genuine geniuses and true high-tech talent, sufficient tolerance was essential.

"Haha, Little Yi, you're now our Honorary Professor. If you go abroad on an expedition, we'll reimburse all your expenses and even assign an assistant to accompany you and handle the trivial matters."

As they left after the dinner, an elderly professor winked at Wang Yi.

"Alright. If I really go abroad, I'll borrow the Science Institute's name then."

"That's exactly what we'd wish for."

After another brief exchange, Wang Yi's relationship with his Alma Mater had become more harmonious, and they had developed a greater mutual understanding.

The invitations in Wang Yi's emails proved that he could still take off even without the Science Institute's support. Even if some rigid-minded people wanted to trip him up, they would have to consider whether they could bear the blame if they drove him away.

What stood before them now could be called a happy outcome for everyone.

"Wang Yi."

But after saying goodbye at the restaurant entrance, Wang Yi heard a familiar, crisp voice. Turning around, he saw his ex-girlfriend standing by the roadside and looking at him.

Her black, cinched-waist dress outlined her exquisite figure, while her delicate oval face and refined features suited the look perfectly, making her seem like an elf in the night.

It looked like she had deliberately come to wait for him. A short distance away from her stood a tall, handsome young man. Wang Yi vaguely remembered him—he had been the student union president when Wang Yi was in school, and he had always pursued Qian Yayan. He was one of the few people who could invite her out for meals.

But judging by the distance between them, why did it feel as though they had gone backward instead?

"Senior, long time no see."

Wang Yi smiled and raised a hand in greeting. They had broken up peacefully, after all. There was no lingering grudge between them.

Hearing how Wang Yi addressed her, Qian Yayan clicked her tongue, feeling her teeth itch slightly.

"Are you free?"

"You're dangerous today. I'm not free."

Wang Yi cast her a wary glance. This girl had far too many schemes.

That answer instantly drove Qian Yayan mad. What kind of answer was that? What did he think she was?

Damn it! It had been three years—how did he still remember so clearly? Was his brain really that good? Could he see through her with one glance?

"Hey, Wang Yi, how are you talking to Junior Qian? Show some respect."

Xu Yong felt as though ten thousand arrows had pierced his heart. Damn it! After all these years, he had not even touched her hand, yet what kind of nonsense was this guy saying?

"Senior Xu, I have something to say to A Yi. You've already escorted me here, so you don't need to worry about any danger on the way. You can go back now."

Before Wang Yi could speak, Qian Yayan impatiently waved him off.

Qian Yayan was also highly goal-oriented. It was not that she considered herself particularly lofty, but for a greater goal, she could keep herself on track.

Being a little manipulative did not matter, but no rich family's child would like someone promiscuous. So she had maintained her boundaries very carefully. Aside from Wang Yi, that bastard who never played by the rules, the limit she had kept was eating meals and watching movies together.

Xu Yong came from an excellent family and was a high-quality backup option. But now, in the face of a true potential stock like the one before her, Qian Yayan felt that family background was nothing but clouds.

A family's wealth and power could be squandered away, but ability was entirely different!

Even being a concubine would be better than choosing some useless Second generation.

The reason Qian Yayan had fallen for Wang Yi in the first place was his attitude when he focused on studying, as well as his decisiveness.

Now that he was beginning to show results, she realized she had been far too conservative back then.

After finally finding out where he was, Qian Yayan would never give up this opportunity.

A trace of resolve flashed through her eyes. Like a black elf in the wind, she strode over to Wang Yi in high heels, then wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in without hesitation.

They were familiar with each other already, and such movements had once been natural to them. Since she had taken the initiative, Wang Yi was not about to push her away. He felt that familiar sensation.

Mm... It seemed much more unfamiliar now...

Only after a long while did Qian Yayan pull away. She turned and swept Xu Yong with hazy eyes, speaking in an odd tone.

"Senior Xu, I advised you to leave for your own good. What, do you still want to keep watching?"

"Waaah—"

The tall young man looked like an abandoned hundred-pound dog. He ran off crying and shouting.

"Senior, you really are cold-blooded."

"Not as cold-blooded as you. Isn't setting him free a good thing?"

Qian Yayan wrapped her arms around Wang Yi's waist and buried her head against his chest as she muttered.

Wang Yi sniffed the fragrance of her hair. This actually surprised him somewhat. Qian Yayan was not love-struck; she was very realistic. It was quite decisive of her to cut off such an excellent backup option on the spot.

But unfortunately, Wang Yi was even more realistic. Romance was far too much of a waste of time and energy.

Just as Wang Yi prepared to leave, however, she hooked her arm through his. A seductive chuckle sounded beside his ear.

"Let's go~ I take the pill, you know."

"Heh, you're lying."

First update~

Readers who have read the previous two books should know that I won't spend much time on romance scenes now. I'll generally only mention them occasionally. If you have any suggestions in that regard, feel free to say so; I'll consider them comprehensively.