Welcome, Let's Do a Problem First

Shen Zhishan arrived in the Capital that evening, father and son reunited.

The next day, Shen Zhishan treated Teacher Tian to lunch. Afterwards, Teacher Tian returned to Nangang City, while father and son continued to stay in the Capital.

"Shen Qi, can you give me a clear goal, tell me which university you want to go to, so I can talk to them."

"Domestically, Shuimu or Yanjing, one of the two. Internationally, I haven't decided yet."

"So, is it domestic or international?"

"Don't pressure me, Dad. This is a big decision, you have to give me a few months to think about it. I still have a year before I graduate from high school."

"I won't pressure you. Whatever your choice, I will support you. Alright, I get it. We'll stall for now. We won't offend Shuimu or Yanjing, nor will we curry favor with them. We'll stall for a few months."

In the afternoon, the Yanjing University admissions office found Shen Qi and his father, extending a formal invitation and hoping Shen Qi would sign with Yanjing University immediately as a special recruit.

"My son wants to study mathematics. He's been good at math since he was little. His teachers say he's a math prodigy," Shen Zhishan said calmly, sipping his coffee.

The head of the Yanjing University admissions office vowed, "Mr. Shen, there's no problem with that. As long as Shen Qi signs with our Yanjing University, he can choose any major he wants. Furthermore, our Yanjing University's mathematics department is ranked first in the country. Some institutions are just across the street from our Peking University, but the cultural heritage and strength in science and engineering are more than eight streets apart. They train nothing more than senior technicians, while we at Yanjing University train academic masters."

Shen Zhishan didn't answer. Instead, he asked Shen Qi, "Shen Qi, focusing only on mathematics, which university in the world ranks first?"

Shen Qi: "Princeton."

"Second?"

"MIT."

"Third to fifth?"

"ENS Paris, Stanford, Cambridge."

"Sixth to tenth?"

"Oxford, UC Berkeley, Harvard..."

As Shen Qi and his father exchanged questions and answers, the complexion of the Yanjing University admissions officer, Director Tang, grew increasingly grim. He sensed something was off; the Shen father and son's approach was unconventional.

"Seventeenth, seventeenth. Our Yanjing University's mathematics department ranks seventeenth globally," Director Tang finally said directly, deciding to be upfront. He couldn't resist adding, "Shuimu University's mathematics department ranks forty-second globally."

"Have a broader perspective. Don't always compare yourselves to Shuimu University," Shen Zhishan said, standing up. He turned to Shen Qi, "Let's go. I'll take you to report to the Math Olympiad national team."

Shen Qi mentally gave his dad a double thumbs-up. There were probably very few people in all of China who could speak to the Yanjing University admissions office like that. Shen Zhishan was one of them.

After Shen Qi and his father left, Director Tang was left alone in a coffee shop in Wudaokou, his mood unsettled for a long time.

Director Tang took out his phone and dialed a number: "Shen Qi, the gold medalist with a perfect score in this year's Math League National Final. This kid is full of spirit, a rare talent. Listen to me, you must get Shen Qi to Yanjing at all costs! Can you think of some way, play the family card, the friendship card, or something?"

"The honey trap? Screw you! He's still a child! Do you know Shen Qi has already been selected for the Math Olympiad national team? He's very likely to represent China in the IMO. We don't have much time. We absolutely cannot let Shuimu get him! I'd rather Shen Qi go to Fudan than see him go next door. We can't afford to lose face like that!"

Before going to the headquarters of the Chinese Mathematical Society, Shen Zhishan took Shen Qi to a mall to buy a pile of food, drinks, clothes, and necessities. He also gave him a supplementary card for a dual-currency credit card.

"Shen Qi, you've never been away from home alone for so long. Take care of yourself. Actually, it's good for you to go out alone and get some experience. In short, be safe."

"Don't worry, I'll come home safe."

"Do you miss home?"

"Yes! I really miss coming home to show off. It's boring not being able to show off to my friends back home in person. Also, I miss Mom. Why isn't she here?"

"Your mom's hospital is too busy, she can't come. Shen Qi, wait here for a moment. I'll go buy you some fruit. The climate is dry in the north, you need to eat more fruit."

"Dad, please don't buy tangerines, or I'll cry. I can't stand sour."

Shen Zhishan took Shen Qi to the Chinese Mathematical Society and then immediately rushed to the airport to go home.

On the plane, Shen Zhishan thought it over and over, feeling something was wrong. He came to the Capital but didn't accomplish anything significant for Shen Qi. He didn't sign him with either Shuimu or Yanjing.

Perhaps Shen Qi had truly grown up. He had his own ideas. All parents could do was probably prepare his tuition fees...

Headquarters of the Chinese Mathematical Society.

Shen Qi arrived to report, alone, without any companions.

Half of the belongings he carried were daily necessities, and the other half were books.

The person who received Shen Qi was a young man, around twenty years old. He was an intern at the Chinese Mathematical Society, Xiao Wen.

"Shen Qi, right? Come, let me help you with your luggage." Xiao Wen took Shen Qi's suitcase. "Wow, it's heavy! What's in the suitcase?"

"Books." Shen Qi carried a backpack and a bag in his hand. He had quite a bit of luggage.

"No wonder it's so heavy. Knowledge is weight." Xiao Wen led Shen Qi into the headquarters building of the Chinese Mathematical Society.

"Brother Wen, where are we going now? Is the accommodation here? I want to put my luggage down first, I have too many things." Shen Qi looked around. This was an administrative office building; he didn't know where the accommodation was. He had already moved out of his dorm at Shuimu University and had nowhere to stay temporarily.

Xiao Wen: "The dormitories for your training team are not far. I'll take you there. I'll briefly tell you about the team situation. Including you, there are twenty-one people in this Math Olympiad national training team. After fifteen days of training, six of you will represent China in the IMO. The IMO is always held in July. This year's IMO will be held in the UK, starting at the end of July. I'm just an assistant, responsible for your daily life, passports, visas, and other routine matters. The professional training regulations within the team will be explained by the coach."

Shen Qi nodded: "Understood, thank you, Brother Wen."

Xiao Wen led Shen Qi into an office where a middle-aged man with sparse hair and a square face was sitting.

"Cadre Liu, this is Shen Qi, here to report to the training team." Xiao Wen handed Shen Qi over to Cadre Liu and then left the office.

"Cadre Liu, we meet again, what a coincidence." Shen Qi recognized Cadre Liu the moment he saw him. Wasn't this the invigilator from the National Final?

"Shen Qi, well done. Getting a perfect score in the National Final is not easy. I graded your exam paper." Cadre Liu had graded Shen Qi's paper two days ago and suddenly had a heart attack. He might still be recovering, as Cadre Liu didn't look well today.

"Then I have to thank Cadre Liu. You gave me a perfect score."

"No need to thank me. Getting a perfect score is about skill."

Cadre Liu opened a drawer, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Shen Qi: "As one of the coaches for the training camp, I warmly welcome you to this session's national training team. Here, try a problem first to get familiar with the environment."

Shen Qi: "..."

This was certainly a unique way to be welcomed. It was just as expected from the national math Olympiad team.