Heading to Princeton

In July, Shen Qi began packing his things; he wouldn't stay at Yenching University for more than a week.

Shen Qi's dormitory room was crowded with people. His three roommates, Zhou Yu'an, Cai Qing, and Luo Ji, formed a human wall to block the door and maintain order.

Zhou Yu'an is back; he will stay in the dormitory with Shen Qi for the last week.

"Who wants 'Topology'?" Shen Qi asked, picking up a well-worn mathematics textbook.

"I want!"

"Give it to me! Give it to me!"

Outside the dormitory, Mathematics Department students eagerly raised their hands, begging for the book—it was the textbook used by the brilliant Shen Qi.

"Li Zhenqiang, you better behave yourself! Take three steps back!" Zhou Yu'an, the security captain, shouted angrily, holding a broom and looking menacing.

"Squad Leader Zhou, give me a chance, please give me a chance! I'll treat you to dinner tonight!" Li Zhenqiang pleaded desperately.

"Squad Leader Zhou is upright and incorruptible, wealth and honor cannot corrupt him. Li Zhenqiang, you despicable man, leave at once!" Luo Ji said sternly.

Shen Qi is about to go abroad, and the position of class monitor of the Mathematics Department has been officially handed over to Zhou Yu'an.

As the class monitor of the most core major in the School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhou Yu'an is now a person of status and position.

Moreover, Zhou Yu'an's academic performance was second only to Ou Ye's, and he had a certain prestige in the Mathematics Department.

In reality, Zhou Yu'an's connections, prestige, and organizational skills far surpass those of Ou Ye.

Because apart from her relationship with Shen Qi, Ou Ye basically had no other social activities.

Ou Ye didn't interact with the other boys in her class; she only occasionally exchanged a few words with Zhou Yu'an.

Without a doubt, Zhou Yu'an will become the core figure in the class for the next year or two. There is only one girl in this year's Mathematics Department, and the boys still make the decisions in most matters.

Asking for books is understandable, but rules must be followed. Zhou Yu'an stood at the door with a broom across his hand, like a god of war.

"Old squad leader, I love topology the most, can you give me your copy of 'Topology'?" Seeing that the newly enthroned emperor of the Mathematics Department was not easy to talk to, Li Zhenqiang went directly to the retired emperor Shen Qi for help.

"Li Zhenqiang is a good classmate with a strong thirst for knowledge. Here, take the 'Topology' textbook." Shen Qi waved the "Topology" textbook in his hand.

Luo Ji understood immediately. He walked up to Shen Qi, took the book "Topology" with both hands, and returned to the door to hand it to Li Zhenqiang.

Li Zhenqiang accepted the book with both hands reverently and exclaimed, "Thank you, thank you, old squad leader, for the book!"

Li Zhenqiang left Shen Qi's dormitory as if he had found a treasure. He flipped through the book "Topology" that Shen Qi had read and was deeply moved and touched.

No one was more diligent than Shen Qi. This copy of "Topology" was so old that it was impossible to tell. It was clear that Shen Qi had studied it many times and read it very carefully. At key points, there were lines of small notes left by Shen Qi, which were his reading notes.

Although he couldn't understand what Shen Qi had written, Li Zhenqiang was greatly encouraged. The reason why the King of Show Offs was the King of Show Offs was not only because of his talent but also because of his hard work. Shen Qi had the right to be pretentious; he had shed more sweat than others.

"Who wants 'Real Analysis'?"

"Who wants <Algebraic Curves>?"

"Who wants Partial Differential Equations?"

Shen Qi handed out one math book after another that he had read, all of them old books.

The most valuable items are the old books, especially those used by the Mathematics Department's King of Show Offs.

All the students in the Mathematics Department benefited; everyone got a share, and our class monitor, Mr. Shen, made sure everyone was treated equally.

After the book giveaway ended, Shen Qi closed his dormitory door and pulled out several treasured books from under his pillow.

These books are the most fundamental textbooks for the Mathematics Department: Advanced Algebra, Mathematical Analysis, and Analytic Geometry.

Zhou Yu'an's eyes lit up with a green light. He was an expert and knew that these basic textbooks were genuine A-grade products.

The person who had the most contact with Shen Qi was Zhou Yu'an. He had known Shen Qi before he went to university; they were teammates on the Olympic Math national team.

Several years ago, when he was competing in the UK, Shen Qi was studying these university mathematics textbooks.

Zhou Yu'an and Shen Qi shared a room during their competition in England, and he recognized these books.

There are three books in total: Mathematical Analysis I-III; two books in total: Advanced Algebra); and only one book in Analytic Geometry.

These six basic mathematics textbooks had been with Shen Qi for the longest time. Among them, the cover of the Advanced Algebra textbook was missing, and the title page was yellowed, as if it had been stolen from an ancient tomb.

"Let's not stand on ceremony, the four of us. Pick whatever you like," Shen Qi said to his three roommates.

Zhou Yu'an chose the two volumes of Advanced Algebra, Luo Ji selected Mathematical Analysis I-III, and the kind-hearted Cai Qing took the volume with the fewest Analytic Geometry.

They were all good brothers from the same dormitory, Luo Ji felt bad about it, so he shared a portion of his three-point share with Cai Qing.

Each of the three roommates was overjoyed to receive two copies of Shen's Secret Collection of Classical Texts.

After arranging everything, Shen Qi hugged Luo Ji, Cai Qing, and Zhou Yu'an one by one to say goodbye.

"The future of the Mathematics Department is in your hands," Shen Qi said to Zhou Yu'an, his tone particularly solemn.

"Take care." Despite having a thousand words in her heart, Zhou Yu'an ultimately only uttered two words, tears welling in her eyes.

The brothers have said goodbye, so of course my girlfriend needs special care.

Shen Qi carried a box full of paper and handed it to Ou Ye.

The box contained all of Shen Qi's manuscripts from his time at Yenching University.

Ou Ye wiped away her tears; she knew this day had finally come—her boyfriend was leaving.

Shen Qi took out a personal item—his notebook for recording inspiration.

"This little notebook might be useful to you." Shen Qi handed the notebook to Ou Ye.

Ou Ye burst into tears, her body trembling, and she hugged Shen Qi, unable to speak.

By giving away everything he could, Shen Qi was essentially leaving the country with nothing.

Shen Qi gently stroked Ou Ye's long hair and softly comforted her, "Don't cry, don't cry. I'll be waiting for you at Princeton. During my graduate studies, if there are any long holidays in the US, I'll come back to see you."

"Over there... be careful," Ou Ye said, her voice choked with emotion.

"I owe you two gifts: Switzerland trip and a number theory paper," Shen Qi said apologetically, then promised, "I will definitely fulfill those promises in the near future."

"Don't worry about it." Ou Ye wiped away her tears, looked into Shen Qi's eyes, and said with happiness and gratitude, "Meeting you is the best gift God has given me."

Although Shen Qi invited Ou Ye to Nangang City, Ou Ye ultimately did not go to Shen Qi's house.

Shen Qi returned to Nangang alone. He will stay at home for a while to spend time with his parents before departing from Nangang Airport for the United States on August 15.

"Where's your girlfriend? Didn't you bring her back?" Shen Zhishan, slightly disappointed.

"She will also be studying in the United States, and we will come back together then," Shen Qi explained.

"Do you have a photo of her? What's her name?" Fan Yunxia asked.

"There's a photo. Her name is Ou Ye. Ou is the Ou in Euler, and Ye is the Ye in Fourier." Shen Qi took out his phone and sent the photo of him and Ou Ye by Weiming Lake to his Mom.

"This girl is so fair and delicate." Shen Zhishan had a very good first impression of Ou Ye, praising her highly. "Refined, gentle, with a beautiful nose and eyes, she's a good match for Shen Qi."

"Her double eyelids... have she had surgery?" Fan Yunxia zoomed in on the photo, examining it closely.

"Mom!" Shen Qi exclaimed, both amused and exasperated. "Are you having an occupational hazard? I assure you with my professional expertise, not a single part of Ou Ye's body is fake."

Time spent at home always seems too short.

On August 15th, Shen Qi reluctantly bid farewell to his parents and embarked on his journey to study overseas.

The flight, which lasted more than ten hours, was very tiring.

Shen Qi arrived at New York's Kennedy Airport.

Princeton's original name was the College of New Jersey. The campus was located in Elizabethtown and Newark before finally moving to Princeton, New Jersey, where it was officially renamed Princeton University in 1896.

Princeton is not far from New York City, and Shen Qi arrived in Princeton that same day.

Princeton is a Xiao Cheng, and its most famous tourist attractions are probably Princeton University and the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study.

Princeton University is nestled in a beautiful rural setting.

Shen Qi dragged his large suitcase to the main gate of Princeton University, stopped, and did not continue.

"They're here, they've finally arrived."

Aside from everyday necessities, Shen Qi did not bring a single math-related book to the United States.

Starting from scratch, a new challenge.

Shen Qi enjoys this kind of challenge.

Bringing reference books from China is actually useless, as most of the textbooks and literature used in the Princeton Mathematics Department's graduate program are written by the students themselves and are only distributed after they register.

Princeton University's main entrance is not the kind of lavish, opulent design; it looks much like the entrances of other universities.

This door has a name: the Fitz Randolph Gate.

Standing Fitz Randolph Gate, Shen Qi could see the main building on campus Nassau Hall.

The Princeton motto is inscribed on the Nassau Hall: "Dei-sub-numine-viget."

This Old Latin phrase means. "She prospers by the power of God."

Shen Qi, who had come from afar in the East, stood Fitz Randolph Gate for ten minutes without stepping inside.

Shen Qi had long heard of the legends surrounding Princeton.

Princeton students have only two opportunities to enter and exit this school gate: once for enrollment and once for graduation.

If you skip class halfway through, you won't graduate.

Princeton University does not officially acknowledge this legend, but it is widely circulated throughout the United States and even the world.

Shen Qi turned and gazed into the distance; that was the East, the direction of his motherland.

Then Shen Qi stepped into the Princeton campus, the legendary temple of mathematics, here I come!