Awakening Elementary School System in University

Chen Lin considered it carefully. Principal Chang Kai’s proposal was undeniably sincere, and the expectations he had of him were perfectly reasonable. He could hardly find a reason to refuse.

Just as he was considering how to phrase his acceptance, Chang Kai once again demonstrated his tactful maneuvering.

He gave a thoughtful wave of his hand, his smile as warm as a kindly elder’s. "Chen Lin, you don’t need to make a decision so quickly."

"I know that Elder Liang must also hold you in high regard. Once the event in the hall concludes, he will certainly seek you out for a talk. For a young man, it never hurts to listen to different perspectives and explore your options."

Chang Kai’s tone was full of understanding and generosity. "Listen to the advice Elder Liang gives you, then consider the plan I’ve just provided. Compare the two, and choose the path that is most beneficial for your personal development. No matter what you ultimately decide, the university will support you."

His words were flawless. They not only showed respect for the academic titan but also highlighted Yannan University’s open-mindedness and generosity. More importantly, he completely handed the decision back to Chen Lin, adopting an incredibly humble stance.

Of course, what Chang Kai didn’t tell Chen Lin was that behind this strategic retreat lay his confidence in his own judgment.

He surmised that Liang Tianshi would have a hard time presenting an offer more attractive to Chen Lin.

This wasn’t because Chang Kai was arrogant enough to believe Yannan University had deeper pockets than Huaqing University or Yanbei University.

But Chang Kai possessed one enormous advantage that Liang Tianshi couldn’t possibly match: the direct power to allocate resources.

While he didn’t rule Yannan University with an iron fist, as the principal and top leader, he held enormous sway over the allocation and preferential distribution of campus resources.

If he said a special task force should be formed, the legal aid center would have to assign its top students and professors. If he said the university-enterprise platform should invest, the investment committee would have to hold a meeting to discuss the funding amount and plan.

Liang Tianshi, in contrast, was undeniably a man of great prestige with former students scattered far and wide. But he had, after all, been retired from his leadership post at the National Academy of Sciences for many years.

If Chen Lin wanted to pursue an academic career, it would be a simple matter for Liang Tianshi to pull some strings and get him into the Yanbei School of Mathematics.

For Yanbei University, the cost of cultivating a genius like Chen Lin was negligible, but his future academic output would be immeasurable. It was a windfall, a huge bargain for free. The university leadership would welcome him with open arms.

But supporting Chen Lin’s entrepreneurial ambitions after graduation was an entirely different matter.

That would require a substantial investment of cold, hard cash and social capital.

On that front, Liang Tianshi’s influence was far more limited.

Yanbei University certainly had far more funding than Yannan University, but that massive pie had already been sliced up and claimed long ago.

The campus was full of top-tier professors, brilliant students, national key laboratories, and strategic national research projects, all like hungry chicks crying out to be fed, their eyes fixed on every last cent the university leadership controlled.

How could Yanbei’s leadership possibly disrupt the long-established resource allocation structure for a newly transferred mathematical genius? How could they place a huge bet like Chang Kai had, snatching resources from the mouths of well-established academicians and professors?

Impossible.

Even Liang Tianshi’s own protégé, Feng Yunhai, who was now the director of the International Mathematical Research Center at the Yanbei School of Mathematics—even if he were willing to help Chen Lin, how many resources could he really offer?

He had so many professors and researchers to support, not to mention a large cohort of his own doctoral and master’s students. By the time they all carved up the funds allocated by the Yanbei School of Mathematics, how many scraps would be left for an outsider like Chen Lin?

A university has never been a pure Ivory Tower. It is also a complex society of personal connections and a battlefield of competing interests.

Chang Kai understood this profoundly, which was why he could be so confident.

...

Just as Chang Kai finished speaking, an aged but still loud and powerful voice drifted over from the entrance of the hall.

"Principal Chang, you certainly move fast!"

The three of them turned at the sound of the voice to see Liang Tianshi approaching at a slow pace. He was flanked by Feng Yunhai and Gongtan.

Chang Kai’s reaction was stunningly quick. The smile on his face instantly shifted to one of perfectly measured respect.

He strode forward to greet him, bowing slightly. "Elder Liang, you’re finished. I had a rather urgent matter to discuss with Chen Lin, so I pulled him away. I hope we didn’t disturb you? Is the event over?"

Liang Tianshi glanced at him, his weathered eyes betraying no emotion. His expression was placid. "Yes. All that’s left are the judges’ speeches and the award ceremony. I won’t be participating, so I’m leaving a bit early."

As he spoke, his gaze traveled past Chang Kai and landed squarely on Chen Lin.

"Chen Lin," Liang Tianshi’s voice was level, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority. "It isn’t convenient to speak here. If you have the time, I’d like to invite you to my office for a private conversation."

In that instant, the atmosphere became a little delicate.

Chen Lin instinctively exchanged a glance with Chang Kai.

Chang Kai understood immediately. He gave Chen Lin a nearly imperceptible nod.

Chen Lin felt a little more at ease.

He turned to Liang Tianshi and replied respectfully, "Of course, Elder Liang. It would be my honor to receive your guidance."

...

「Half an hour later, inside an office building at the Mathematical Sciences Center of Huaqing University.」

In Liang Tianshi’s spacious and bright office, sunlight streamed through enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the fine dust motes dancing in the air.

Tall bookshelves surrounding them were crammed with hefty academic tomes, and the air was filled with the scent of old paper and rich wood.

"So, you’ve decided not to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate?"

Liang Tianshi sat behind his wide desk, his voice tinged with disbelief and an almost imperceptible note of disappointment.

"Yes." Chen Lin, sitting on the sofa across from him, nodded without hesitation.

Although seeing the elderly man’s expression made him feel a bit uneasy, he decided it was best to rip the band-aid off and be direct.

Transferring to the Yanbei School of Mathematics and pursuing a master’s and then a doctorate after graduation would be a golden, life-changing opportunity for 99.99% of the world’s students.

’But for me, the bearer of the "Little Mathematician" title, it would be a complete waste of time.’

’Therefore, accepting Principal Chang Kai’s proposal—starting the company as soon as possible and implementing my initial plan to rapidly accumulate capital—is the optimal choice.’

Hearing Chen Lin’s firm "yes," Liang Tianshi slowly closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and fell silent for a long moment.

’He finally understood. He knew now why a man as shrewd as Chang Kai had been so comfortable letting him speak with Chen Lin alone.’

’As soon as he’d learned Chen Lin was preparing to start a business, he had immediately offered tangible financial support.’

Elder Liang heaved a long, internal sigh.

’Chang Kai’s judgment truly is wickedly sharp.’

’Forget Yanbei University—even at Huaqing University, where I once served as vice principal, I now have no influence when it comes to matters of funding.’

’Originally, I had thought that if Chen Lin was struggling financially, I could have paid out of my own pocket. A hundred or two hundred thousand would have been more than enough to see him all the way through a postdoctoral fellowship.’

’But entrepreneurship... that’s a bottomless pit. Startup capital alone can easily run into the millions, with subsequent investments being inestimable. It’s far beyond what I can personally provide.’

Elder Liang slowly shook his head, a profound sense of helplessness washing over him.

’What a cruel twist of fate!’

’After retiring from the front lines, I dedicated myself to discovering and nurturing mathematical talent for the nation. I finally found a rare genius like Chen Lin, yet I’m powerless to guide him onto what I believe is the most glorious and righteous path—the pursuit of truth and knowledge.’

The atmosphere in the office grew heavy.

Chen Lin saw the unconcealed dejection on Elder Liang’s face and felt a pang of sympathy. He thought for a moment before offering some comfort. "Elder Liang, please don’t be too disheartened. Although I’ve decided to start a business, I’ve also accepted the position of ’Special Appointed Researcher’ at Yannan University that Principal Chang arranged for me. As my time and energy permit, I will still take part in academic research."