Two Geniuses and a Weak Link?

On Saturday afternoon, after finishing his mathematical analysis exam, Lu Zhou handed in his paper early as usual and headed to Old Tang's office.

To his surprise, quite a few people were there when he walked in.

Besides Professor Tang, Director Lu was there, as was Professor Zhang Zhongjie, head of the Computer Science Department at the Software Institute. Professor Zhang was a giant in the field. Lu Zhou had heard of him even though he had never taken one of his classes.

There were also two young people, a man and a woman.

The man wore glasses and was of average height, with an ordinary face and nothing particularly striking about him. Yet just standing there, he gave off an unmistakable "I'm a top student" aura.

This must be the genius Professor Tang had mentioned. He had won first prize in the National High School Computer Design Competition while still in high school—not once, but twice in a row!

Now that was a real top student!

Lu Zhou marveled inwardly.

As for the young woman, he had overlooked her entirely.

Partly because the man beside her had such a strong presence, and partly because she radiated the air of a weak link.

To Lu Zhou's surprise, though, she was the first to greet him.

She smiled naturally. "Hi! You're that genius from the mathematics department, right?"

"I wouldn't call myself a genius," Lu Zhou said modestly. "There are plenty of brilliant people in the School of Mathematics."

Only then, as they spoke, did he take a proper look at her.

Her hair was swept into side bangs, and she wore light makeup. She was attractive enough—more than a six out of ten, though not quite a seven. A simple white floral dress fell to her ankles, with a pair of white canvas shoes beneath it.

They're standing pretty close. Is she this top student's girlfriend?

Man, even someone who looks that plain has a girlfriend. How annoying...

Lu Zhou sighed to himself.

Professor Tang smiled and chided him. "You're too modest, kid. If you ask me, there's no one better than you in your year. I wrote the Advanced Mathematics 2 exam for the entire School of Mathematics, and you were the only one who got a perfect score. If you can ace a paper I set myself, I really will have to write a separate one for you next semester!"

"You're joking, sir. Please go easy on me," Lu Zhou said with a smile.

A perfect score was what he had expected. He had guessed as much when he finished the exam, so the news did not come as much of a surprise.

The two students beside him, however, were astonished. Even the computer science genius, who had seemed to look down on him a little, raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Being good at mathematics was one thing. His own grades in the subject were decent, too.

But getting a perfect score was another matter entirely.

"Wow, you're amazing!" The young woman blinked her long lashes and looked at Lu Zhou with open admiration. Then she held out her hand. "I'm Lin Yuxiang. I do student affairs work at the School of Computer Science. Could I ask you for help with math problems sometime?"

"Lu Zhou. Of course." He gave her hand a brief shake and quickly let go, looking a little stiff.

"Haha, I've nothing against you discussing math, but save it until we're done here!" Director Lu cleared his throat. "Let me make the introductions first. This is Wang Xiaodong, and this is Lu Zhou. And this..." He hesitated for half a second when he reached Lin Yuxiang.

Director Zhang picked up where he had left off with a smile. "This is Lin Yuxiang. She's a first-year student too, and I believe she's the vice president of our school's Student Union. She came with Wang."

In other words, he had not invited her.

Professor Tang and Director Lu exchanged odd looks, but neither said anything.

"Hello."

"Hello."

The exchange between the two top students was refreshingly straightforward.

"Here's the situation. I believe Professor Tang and Director Zhang have already explained the details, so I won't repeat them. This is mainly about forming a team for the National Mathematical Modeling Contest." Director Lu smiled warmly, then cleared his throat again. "Director Zhang and I discussed it yesterday. I think we should aim not only for this year's national contest, but also for the Mathematical Contest in Modeling next February. You're the best students in the Software Institute and the School of Mathematics respectively, and I believe you have what it takes. Of course, while we look ahead, we must keep our feet on the ground. I hope you can earn an honor for yourselves—and for our school and university—in this September's Mathematical Modeling Competition."

"Professor Lu, I've looked into the rules for the College Student Mathematical Modeling Competition. Teams need three members." Wang Xiaodong pushed up his glasses and spoke before Director Lu could continue. "For the remaining spot, I'd like to recommend Lin Yuxiang. She does student affairs work, so she can cover the presentation portion, which isn't my strength. She's also the vice president of the literary club, so writing the paper shouldn't be a problem for her."

That's a huge problem. You can't treat literature and academic papers as the same thing just because both involve writing.

And besides...

Lu Zhou sighed inwardly.

This guy's even worse at reading the room than I am...

Sure enough, Director Lu and Director Zhang both looked faintly uncomfortable.

The College Student Mathematical Modeling Competition encouraged students to form teams freely in principle. But once Wang Xiaodong had agreed to join the university-backed team, he ought to follow its arrangements to some extent. The school was providing the advisor, training materials, and training venue—all the best it had to offer.

Besides, their goal was not just this year's national contest, but next year's Mathematical Contest in Modeling too. It was not that they could not bring in an outsider, but surely anyone he recommended should have some relevant achievements?

The Student Union?

A club?

How did those count?

"Director Lu, Director Zhang, Professor Tang, please forgive me for making such a bold request." Lin Yuxiang lowered her head slightly, her expression and voice sincere. "I know I'm far behind these two geniuses, but I'll work hard to keep up with them! Please believe in me and give me a chance to prove myself."

Director Lu and Director Zhang hesitated, exchanging a glance.

They had still been considering candidates for the third spot. With a mathematics genius and a computer science genius joining forces, they were aiming for a national first prize this year, then a first prize—or even a grand prize—in next February's Mathematical Contest in Modeling.

Director Lu had originally planned to assign them a student with outstanding academic writing skills.

But now...

To be honest, he did not have much confidence in this young woman.

Just then, the computer science genius spoke again. "Sir, I'd actually planned to team up with her before the school contacted me. I think... rather than work with someone I don't know, I'd have a better chance with someone I'm familiar with."

Lu Zhou shook his head inwardly.

Do you even know what you're doing? You're pressuring the department heads...

Do you think a competition is a picnic you can take your girlfriend on? Do you think being a top student means you can do whatever you want? Even if you don't care what the school thinks, shouldn't you at least discuss it with your other teammate?

Lu Zhou could not even be bothered to take offense at Wang Xiaodong's obvious disregard for him.

Sensing the awkwardness, Professor Tang, who had been silent until now, smiled and stepped in. "Let the young people sort out their own affairs. We old fellows are just here to bring them together. As for writing the paper, Lu Zhou has some experience with that. By the way, how's the review of your SCI paper coming along?"

"It's been accepted," Lu Zhou said with a bashful smile. Then it occurred to him that Old Tang might think such a quick acceptance meant he had submitted it to AMC, so he hurriedly added, "By Communications in Mathematics and Applications, as you recommended."

"It was accepted? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I only found out today," Lu Zhou quickly explained. "I came here intending to tell you."

Now it was Director Lu's turn to be surprised. "Communications in Mathematics and Applications? That's impressive. Isn't it a journal of New York University's Institute of Mathematical Sciences?"

Professor Zhang Zhongjie also gave Lu Zhou a surprised look. "An SCI paper in a core journal while you're still a first-year student? Not bad, young man."

"Of course. Just look who taught him." Professor Tang took a sip of tea, his eyes crinkling with delight.

That was the kind of man the old professor was.

Flatter him ten times and he might still be displeased. Praise one of his students, though, and he would be happy for quite a while.

"That's incredible... I thought you were a senior. I can't believe you're a first-year student like me." Lin Yuxiang's mouth fell open in surprise, and she made no effort to hide her admiration.

Wang Xiaodong said nothing, though from his expression, he seemed to have gained some respect for his new teammate. Lin Yuxiang's attitude toward Lu Zhou made him faintly unhappy, but he kept that to himself.

"You're too kind, sir. I owe a lot to Professor Tang's guidance," Lu Zhou said modestly.

Professor Zhang Zhongjie nodded approvingly at Lu Zhou's humility. Then he thought of the genius from his own school and could not help shaking his head inwardly.

There was nothing wrong with youthful confidence. Arrogance and complacency were another matter.

He still falls a little short...

"Then we'll settle this year's national contest team for now. As for next year's Mathematical Contest in Modeling, we'll see how things go." After hearing that Lu Zhou had published an SCI paper, Director Lu raised no further objection. He simply smiled. "And what about you, Lu Zhou? Any objections to this new teammate?"

Lin Yuxiang looked at Lu Zhou and blinked, her doe-like eyes full of pleading.

How naive. Do you think I'll give in just because you're acting cute?

Lu Zhou thought for a moment, then shrugged.

"I... have no objections."

He was not entirely happy with the third teammate, but the computer science genius could make up for his own shortcomings in programming. Given Wang Xiaodong's attitude, the team probably would not come together if Lu Zhou refused.

Weighing the pros and cons, two geniuses carrying one weak link was better than finding two weak links on his own. Besides, she might yet prove useful. The presentation required someone to speak, and he was not sure he would be any good at that.

Ever since Old Tang had told him the university would award prize money for the competition, Lu Zhou had made up his mind.

He was going to win first prize at the national contest!

Wang Xiaodong breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Yuxiang broke into a triumphant smile and gave Lu Zhou a grateful look.

Lu Zhou smiled back without saying anything.

Director Lu clapped his hands. "Then it's settled. Professor Liu Xiangping will be your advisor. Meet in Room 104 of Teaching Building A at eight tomorrow morning. Teacher Liu will give you a brief introduction. It's getting late, so go get some rest."