Ten Years

"Zhou Yu'an, you 'National First Prize. How far has your research progressed?" Shen Qi asked Zhou Yu'an.

"It's still the same as always," Zhou Yu'an said.

Shen Qi immediately became displeased. "What do you mean by 'the same old way'? Show me some results! Is it really that difficult to accurately characterize the Gauss-Bonnet Theorem for nonlinear Partial Differential Equations?"

Shen Qi was quite familiar with the Partial Differential Equations project that Zhou Yu'an initiated after returning to China, and he was also very concerned about the progress of Zhou Yu'an's project, because among so many Mathematical Research, Zhou Yu'an was the only one who had not published any research results.

Li Zhenqiang, another classmate of Shen Qi's in undergraduate class, came to the Center Mathematics Department last November and published a mathematics paper last month.

Li Zhenqiang's situation was rather special. When he came to the center, his project was already half completed, so he was able to produce results relatively quickly.

However, in reality, of the eight Mathematical Research, only Zhou Yu'an failed to obtain any results.

Zhou Yu'an was also furious. In the entire center, and even in the entire Yanda University, he was the only one who dared to confront Shen Qi to his face. "What are you howling about? Shen Qi, just because you have one hand, you think you can do whatever you want? Tyrant!"

Snap!

Shen Qi was furious. He slammed his fist on the table. "Zhou Yu'an, you bastard! All my efforts for you have been in vain! You've disappointed me so much!"

"Disappointed? I'm the one who's disappointed! Shen Qi, you've completely changed since you came back to China!" Zhou Yu'an was very eloquent; he was known for his talkativeness in the Mathematics Department when he was an undergraduate.

The brothers who once slept in bunk beds traveled together across Europe, America, and Asia. They were teammates when competing in the UK, alumni when studying in the US, and now, back in China, they have a superior-subordinate relationship.

The two brothers started bickering. Zhou Yu'an was so eloquent that Shen Qi couldn't out-argue him in the end.

"Shen Qi, have you forgotten your original aspirations?"

"When you were a professor at Princeton University, you were a simple person, a scholar focused on academics."

"The reason you are so popular in the United States is precisely because of your academic integrity. You are respected by American scholars, and your academic standing in the United States is deeply rooted."

"After you came back and became a director, you changed. Your desire for political power intensified day by day."

"You couldn't wait to sell the patent; you started pursuing material enjoyment."

"You say you're tired, I say, you deserve it!"

Zhou Yu'an was very excited. He didn't drink water or pause, leaving Shen Qi unable to continue.

Shen Qi was initially annoyed, then calmed down, and finally laughed, "Zhou Yu'an, we met when we were 17, and went to England together for the IMO. We're both 27 this year. Ten years, a full ten years."

"What, want to sing?" Zhou Yu'an was tired of cursing and had vented his anger. He sat down on the sofa and poured himself a glass of water.

Shen Qi walked over to Zhou Yu'an, sat down, put his arm around Zhou Yu'an's shoulder, and said with deep feeling, "Brother, you're the only one in the entire Yanda University who dares to scold me like this. Even the principal has never been so disrespectful to me. You're absolutely right, it's all the truth. Thank you, you're my mirror."

Zhou Yu'an shoved Shen Qi away. "You really think you're the emperor? That's exactly how Li Shimin evaluated Wei Zheng back then."

"Indeed, I manage too many things. I even have to worry about allocating staff housing for my employees. It's exhausting, really exhausting. This isn't what I originally wanted to do." Shen Qi's exhaustion was evident.

"Allocating staff housing is a major issue, concerning the vital interests of employees. I understand your concern, but I'm referring to other non-academic matters. Of course, given the national situation, politics and research cannot be completely separated, and you have your reasons." After finishing his rant, Zhou Yu'an realized that his remarks had been somewhat excessive and might have caused some harm to Shen Qi.

After feeling relieved, Zhou Yu'an felt guilty. She poured a glass of water and handed it to Shen Qi, saying, "I'm sorry, Boss Shen. I couldn't finish my thesis and I was anxious. My attitude wasn't good. Please forgive me and let it go."

Shen Qi took the water glass and asked, "So, we've made up?"

Zhou Yu'an laughed it off, "We never really made a fuss, so there's no question of reconciliation."

Shen Qi put his arm around Zhou Yu'an's shoulder again and said sincerely, "Old Zhou, help me relieve some of the pressure, especially with math. I haven't been feeling well lately and need to rest and recuperate."

Zhou Yu'an expressed his heartache. "Zhuge Liang was so wise he was almost supernatural. How did he die? He died from overwork! The saying 'Zhuge Liang was so wise he was almost supernatural' may have some fictional elements, but it's true. You should have taken care of yourself a long time ago."

Shen Qi was pleased. "You'll be treated as Associate Professor as soon as you come back. Hurry up and finish your paper and send it out. Then I'll recommend you for promotion to full professor, and you'll be in charge of the Mathematics Room's operations. You'll be the head of the Mathematics Room."

"I will do my best," Zhou Yu'an said solemnly, a promise to his brother.

Zhou Yu'an's complete takeover of the Mathematics Room is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Zhou Yu'an has his advantages. His PhD in mathematics from Princeton University is the most prestigious, and Zhou Yu'an bold, resilient, and adaptable personality makes him suitable for being groomed as a manager.

Zhou Yu'an is not as versatile as Shen Qi and his Doctoral Supervisor Faltings, in academics; he is only proficient in two or three branches of mathematics.

To manage PhDs like Xiao Junlong and Ma Chaofan, who are both individualistic and have specialized expertise, Zhou Yu'an needs to first enhance his own academic cultivation and breadth of knowledge, and second, fully utilize his wisdom and interpersonal skills—in other words, continuously improve his emotional and intellectual intelligence.

Although Shen Qi manages the center well and the team atmosphere is harmonious, he knows in his heart that managing this group of highly educated elites is not an easy task.

Regardless, Shen Qi believed that Zhou Yu'an was the most suitable candidate. If one day he needed to leave for a period of time due to uncontrollable factors, the only person who could possibly stay in the central town was Zhou Yu'an.

With a successor already chosen, Shen Qi entered a period of rest and recuperation.

So-called rest and recuperation does not mean being a hands-off manager and ignoring everything.

Shen Qi focused on key tasks, while Zhou Yu'an and Tang Yuan gradually took over the routine scientific research work.

Shen Qi calmed down and studied books and documents on various subjects, including chemistry, biology, history, geography, philosophy, and poetry.

For Shen Qi, any field that doesn't involve mathematics or physics is a way to relax and relieve stress.

Shen Qi spent even more time studying fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical principles, and toxicology.

Simply researching and pondering, without linking it to scientific research tasks, won't bring any mental pressure.

Shen Qi would also attend lectures.

The lectures he recently attended included: "Organic Synthesis Route Design", "Cell Autophagy Mechanism", "New Lectures on Toxicology", "Kant and Classical Philosophy", and "Miscellaneous Talks on the Late Yuan Dynasty".

The speaker was a master in the relevant field both domestically and internationally. Shen Qi listened to the lecture in a relaxed state of mind and also collected some cutting-edge and useful information.

Shen Qi himself also gave a lecture, which did not focus on complex and profound academic theories, but rather on interesting anecdotes from the modern and contemporary mathematics and Physics Community, and was well received by teachers and students.

Maintaining physical exercise is necessary; Shen Qi has stopped long-distance running and switched to jumping.

On the basketball court at Yanda University, Shen Qi played with the undergraduates. He played inside, jumping and jumping and constantly grabbing rebounds, becoming the rebounding king.

On the track and field, Shen Qi learned hurdling techniques. He hurdled and hurdled and hurdled, having a lot of fun.

The sandpit was the main battleground; Shen Qi practiced long jump and triple jump.

Studies have shown that jumping helps men maintain and restore their vitality, including sexual vitality.

More than a month later, Shen Qi felt that he had fully recovered his energy.

The doctor is right. By not smoking, not drinking, not staying up late, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, letting go of mental burdens, and jumping around more, men will be full of energy and happy.

"The doctor said it would take three to four months to recover, but I feel like I've regained my energy now." Shen Qi felt that his body's recovery ability was quite strong, which was great.

"I will follow the doctor's orders." Ou Ye wouldn't Shen Qi to touch her; she said they could only be intimate after at least two months.