Please Don't Do This to Me

Recently, Shen Qi's keyword has been: academic papers.

Based on Sun Erxiong's 36 problems in Advanced Algebra, Shen Qi completed 5 papers, one of which was co-authored with Ou Ye.

All five papers have been submitted. The one submitted to the Journal of Mathematical Research (Series A) has been finalized, and we're just waiting for the sample copy to arrive.

Based on Lu Guozhen's legacy work on numerical analysis, Shen Qi has started from scratch and is currently collecting a large number of references.

Writing a thesis is not a simple matter; an author writes more than just one article.

Writing a paper means researching and solving a problem, and expressing it in the form of a paper. The article is just a vehicle; the problem is the core.

Shen Qi wrote five papers in just a few months, which is a considerable output.

Most undergraduates only write one paper in their entire lives, namely their graduation thesis.

Good news kept pouring in. Editors from two domestic mathematics journals, Sun Yat-sen University's * Mathematical Innovation Herald * and Tongji University's * New Journal of Mathematics *, sent emails to Shen Qi with similar messages. "Shen Qi, your paper has entered the peer review stage. Please revise the paper according to the opinions of your peer experts."

The paper co-authored by Shen Qi and Ou Ye, "Two Types of Analysis in Linear Combination Algebra," has also entered the peer review stage of the Journal of Algebra, a core journal with a relatively low impact factor of 0.183.

"Why did you submit to <Journal of Algebra>? Journals that only publish in algebra definitely don't have a high impact." Shen Qi invited Ou Ye to have drinks at a coffee shop outside the school, each of them getting a glass of warm water.

"I don't really understand, I'm sorry." Ou Ye took two pills with plain water and apologized.

Never mind, Ou Ye has it tough too, writing her thesis while sick.

Shen Qi admitted that he hadn't been very strict in his review. Before submitting "Two Types of Analysis in Linear Combination Algebra," he told Ou Ye, "Just submit it to any core journal you like," and then left everything else to Ou Ye.

After researching, Ou Ye found that the Journal of Algebra * was very professional in publishing papers on algebra, so she submitted her work to that journal.

"It doesn't matter anyway, we mathematicians don't care about IF statements. But Xiao Ou, I still have to say a few words. If we have the opportunity to collaborate on new projects in the future, please make sure to communicate with me in a timely manner regarding important milestones such as finalizing the manuscript and submitting it," Shen Qi said.

"Oh," Ou Ye said, then asked, "What projects are we doing next?"

"Hey, you're addicted to writing papers?" Shen Qi laughed.

"A little." Ou Ye nodded, and said haltingly, "I'm not in good health, people can't understand me, I can't do anything else, I can only write papers."

Shen Qi asked, "What if one day you win a major award for your paper and have to be the speaker?"

"Then you can be my speaker," Ou Ye replied without hesitation.

"If our collaborative project wins an award, I can represent our team as the speaker. But if you win an award for a major project you completed on your own, you must be the speaker yourself. This is out of respect for the awarding organization; otherwise, they won't award you any more prizes." Shen Qi thought about it and realized it was a serious issue. If Ou Ye really won a major mathematics award and went on stage to give her acceptance speech, she might just say "Oh, thank you," take the trophy and leave, and then the awarding organization would block her.

"We'll talk about the future later," Ou Ye said.

"I do have a new project coming up, I'm currently researching one of Professor Lu's topics, but it's not suitable for you. It's not that I don't want you to do it, it's just really not suitable for you, it's too difficult."

"Oh." Ou Ye was slightly disappointed. She took out the medicine bottle and poured out two pills.

"Don't you take your medicine three times a day? It's only been a few minutes, and you're taking it again?" Shen Qi asked in surprise.

Ou Ye said expressionlessly, "If you're not feeling well, you should take your medicine."

Oh my god, is Ou Ye angry?

She gets angry if I don't give her a research topic, and when she gets angry she takes medicine. She takes medicine at the slightest disagreement, and she even takes medicine in front of me!

Shen Qi snatched the pills from Ou Ye's hand and carefully soothed her, "Do it, do it. I'll give you a new project to work on. I didn't realize, Ou Ye, that a girl like you with no personality could have such a temper?"

Shen Qi used his phone to send Ou Ye a PDF, a paper titled "Analysis of Generalized Nonlinear Complementarity Problems with Linear Inequality Constraints".

"Ou Ye, I've submitted the paper you just received to the * Mathematical Herald *, which is a journal run by Peking University. In this paper, I've provided an analytical method for the generalized nonlinear complementarity problem. Go back and think about whether there are second or even more analytical methods," Shen Qi said.

"Oh." Ou Ye understood immediately. Based on the same mathematical problem, a new solution could become a new paper. Shen Qi was helping her, but also testing her. This paper was quite difficult.

"Actually, I can complete one of the solutions in <Analytical Problems of Generalized Nonlinear Complementarity with Linear Inequality Constraints> thanks to you, Ou Ye. That day in the cafeteria, you gave me the inspiration. Do you remember 'discontinuous differentiability'?"

"I remember." Of course Ou Ye remembered. That day she said, "Staying up all night for several days in a row is not advisable." Shen Qi understood the concept of "discontinuous differentiability" and then he ran away like a madman.

"So you have the right to develop a new paper based on my paper. Of course, you'll need to study some literature yourself to find a new solution. I'll send you some materials when I get back to the dorm." Shen Qi called the waiter to pay the bill and then escorted Ou Ye to the girls' dormitory.

After returning to his dormitory, Shen Qi sent Ou Ye a compressed file containing more than 100 Chinese and English papers and a list of related reference books.

When Shen Qi was writing <Analysis of Generalized Nonlinear Complementary Problems with Linear Inequality Constraints>, he used this compressed file, and now he is sending it to Ou Ye.

Men and women think differently; perhaps the same reference material can yield new inspiration in Ou Ye's hands.

Before New Year's Day, students in the School of Mathematical Sciences finished two final exams: Advanced Algebra and Computer Science.

Shen Qi got a perfect score on his Computer Science exam and didn't take the final exam for Advanced Algebra because he had already completed the Advanced Algebra credits.

Physical education classes are supposed to have exams, but because of the cold weather outdoors, the PE teacher will use the students' usual performance as the final grade.

Shen Qi excelled in running, jumping, throwing, and pull-ups during regular physical education classes, earning him full marks from his PE teacher.

The first-year students in the mathematics department only have one exam left: mathematical analysis.

The math exam will be scheduled for mid-January, after New Year's Day, followed by winter break.

Shen Qi reviewed his academic performance in the first semester of his freshman year: Analytic Geometry score in analytic geometry, Military Theory, College English, Computer Science, let's assume perfect score in Advanced Algebra, perfect score in physical education, and 97 points in Marxist Philosophy.

My grades were pretty good; I got full marks in all courses except Marxist Philosophy.

All four of them in the dorm were admitted to Peking University through math competitions, and their grades in the first semester were all quite good.

Shen Qi continued researching in his dormitory, preparing for his new thesis, determined not to fight an unprepared battle.

A while later, Zhou Yu'an returned. He was in a good mood; he had scored full marks on his Advanced Algebra exam, proving he was a top student.

Then Cai Qing came back. He scored 95 points in Advanced Algebra and Analytic Geometry score in analytical geometry. He was a top student, just like everyone else.

"Cai Qing, so early?" Shen Qi hadn't seen Cai Qing return to the dormitory this early in a long time; it was only a little past eight o'clock in the evening.

"Yes, I quit my tutoring job, so I'm feeling a bit more relaxed lately." Cai Qing transferred 5,000 yuan to Shen Qi via WeChat and said gratefully, "Thank you, Shen Qi. Here's the money back; I'll never forget your life-saving kindness."

"Don't be so formal." Shen Qi accepted the five thousand yuan Cai Qing returned for his medical expenses, and he was happy for Cai Qing.

Shortly after the start of the semester, Cai Qing drank himself into a stomach hemorrhage due to a breakup. Shen Qi took him to the hospital and paid for his treatment.

Now that Cai Qing has completely emerged from the shadow of heartbreak and is full of fighting spirit, this is a good sign.

"Cai Qing, you've struck it rich? You quit tutoring and still earn so much?" Zhou Yu'an's eyes gleamed with envy.

Cai Qing said, "Tutoring doesn't earn much money. To put it bluntly, it's just manual labor, and the return on investment is too low."

Zhou Yu'an asked, "Cai Qing, do you mean you earn more by writing code for outside companies?"

"Not many, just programmers." Cai Qing smiled faintly.

"I've realized everyone in our dorm is amazing! Shen the King of Show Offs is one thing, but Cai the Boss is incredible too—he's good at making money, he's good at studying, and he even got a perfect score on his Analytic Geometry test. I'm the worst one here!" Zhou Yu'an was disheartened. He looked towards the dorm door. "Why isn't Luo Ji back yet? He's the only one I can keep up with in this dorm."

Speaking of Luo Ji, Luo Ji arrived.

Luo Ji carried a package into the dormitory.

"Luo Ji, you're going to the music academy every day, have you managed to flirt with any musicians?" Zhou Yu'an asked.

"Who said I was going to flirt with girls? Flirting with girls is so boring." Luo Ji placed the package on Shen Qi's computer desktop and said, "Shen Qi, your package is downstairs, I brought it up for you."

"Thank you." Shen Qi nodded, and while looking for scissors to open the package, he asked Luo Ji, "A female musician who sings popular or folk songs?"

"I really didn't go flirting with girls!" Luo Ji cried out, refusing to explain why he had gone to the music academy.

"So... does that mean... Luo Ji, you went to flirt with a guy? A male musician?"

"You bunch of gays are terrifying!" Luo Ji strongly condemned. He went to the Central Conservatory of Music every day, and he never failed any of his exams; he passed them all.

Amidst laughter and conversation, Shen Qi opened the package. His eyes lit up – it's here, it's finally here.

The package contained a copy of the "Journal of Mathematical Research" and 30 reprints of "A Solution for Three-Dimensional Hypercomplex Numbers".

Shen Qi flipped through the Journal of Mathematical Research, where his paper, "A Solution for Three-Dimensional Hypercomplex Numbers," had been published.

System: "New achievement! Congratulations to the host for publishing a paper in a national core journal. The basic reward is 10,000 Academic Excellence Points, multiplied by the Mathematics Talent Coefficient of 2.0, resulting in a final reward of 20,000 Academic Excellence Points. Remaining balance: 110,789 Academic Excellence Points. Please confirm."

The other three roommates immediately gathered around, eagerly scrutinizing Shen Qi's paper published in a core journal.

"Here, everyone get one." Shen Qi handed out copies of "A Solution for Three-Dimensional Hypercomplex Numbers" to his three roommates.

A reprint is when a journal editor prints out a single paper and sends it to the author along with the journal's sample copy. Industry practice usually involves sending 30 reprints so the author can use them to show off.