June 15 arrived. Only five days remained until Li Qiwei's graduation defense.
As the grand finale, he had been scheduled for the final defense. At the end of June would come the college's graduation ceremony and degree conferral.
Inside the dean's office at Trinity College, Sanders, Professor Keith, and Li Qiwei were chatting and laughing together.
Sanders looked radiant as he leaned comfortably back in his chair, smiling. "Bruce, Professor Keith thinks very highly of your graduation thesis."
"Barring any surprises, this year's graduation defenses should become a landmark event for Trinity College."
"Then we'll let those arrogant Oxford fellows see who Britain's true number one university is. Hahaha."
Li Qiwei inwardly exclaimed, Well, damn. An ordinary graduation defense had somehow been turned by Sanders into a chance to show off and slap faces.
Professor Keith chimed in as well. "Bruce, I've read your thesis through three times. It truly is exceptionally well written."
"Most importantly, you explained the entire history of research into light with remarkable clarity. Especially that final conclusion—it is simply astonishing."
"I can hardly wait to see your defense presentation. Let me tell you a secret: I've prepared a few questions too."
Li Qiwei smiled, though his expression remained calm. He had grown numb from all the praise; the threshold required to stir his emotions had become far too high.
"Professor Keith, you flatter me. I simply believe that it is time to reach a conclusion about the nature of light."
"I will bring this debate to an end."
Those simple yet domineering words made Professor Keith shudder, admiration rising in his eyes.
The debate over whether light was a wave or a particle had lasted for centuries, with no final verdict even now. Yet Li Qiwei had made such a bold declaration.
Sometimes Professor Keith