Princeton University.
The café on the second floor of a building along the tree-lined avenue was where many professors liked to have a drink in their spare time, discuss academic matters with colleagues, quietly read a book, or simply enjoy the peace of the afternoon.
Ever since settling down at Princeton, Edward Witten had become a regular here.
Students held heartfelt respect for this physicist who had once won the Fields Medal and stood only a step away from a Nobel Prize. Many would warmly greet him when they saw him, or ask him about Physics problems that were too obscure and difficult for beginners to understand.
Whenever such things happened, the old professor was always happy to answer.
At Princeton, where brilliant minds gathered, he and Professor Fefferman were among the few masters who were approachable and carried none of the airs of great figures.
One day, after finishing his class, Professor Witten came here as usual. He ordered a coffee, sat by the window, and opened the notes he had taken from his pocket—only to unexpectedly see someone he had not expected coming up the stairs.
"Angus?" Witten's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He closed the somewhat worn notebook spread across the table and teased Professor Angus as he approached. "My friend, why are you back so soon?"
"Because I got the answer I wanted." Professor Angus leaned his cane against the table and slowly sat down across from Witten. After a long pause, he said, "You were right. Though my conversation with him lasted less than an hour, I truly gained a great deal from it."
Professor Witten smiled. "Oh? Would you share what you gained with me?"
"Scholars of their generation are more optimistic than we are, and their ideas are quite unique. I once pessimistically