Chapter 187 - 139: You Still Have to Rely on Yourself
Director Guo’s tone was tinged with disdain. "Is the history of mathematics short on young prodigies who appeared out of nowhere? Galois founded group theory at twenty. Ramanujan had almost no formal education and relied on what he claimed was divine inspiration, yet didn’t he still come up with thousands of formulas?
"As for that so-called ’unnamed math professor from a top domestic university’ mentioned in the article, I’m one hundred percent certain the author just made him up! The words attributed to that supposed professor are nothing more than the author’s own ignorant fantasies!"
His words prompted many of the professors present to nod in deep agreement.
At this point, Director Kong from the Academic Affairs Office, who had been mostly silent, offered a suggestion. "Principal Chang, perhaps we could arrange an exclusive interview with a few mainstream, reputable media outlets and have Chen Lin personally address these controversies?"
Principal Chang Kai shook his head again, rejecting the proposal.
"There’s a delicate problem right now," he explained. "The article and the discussion it’s sparked are still confined to a relatively small circle. If we make a big deal out of an official interview now, a lot of people who weren’t paying attention will get curious and go look for the article to read.
"If that happens, we’d essentially be helping our opponents expand their reach, and the whole public narrative could truly spiral out of control."
"The principal is being very thorough."
Dean Zhuang, who had remained poised and composed, finally spoke up slowly. He nodded in agreement.
"We absolutely have to respond. But it has to be strategic. We only need to strike at the critical points."
Dean Zhuang’s gaze swept across the room before finally resting on Principal Chang Kai. "As for Chen Lin’s mathematical abilities, we don’t actually need to go to the trouble of proving them ourselves. As it happens, isn’t there a perfect opportunity to put them to the test right now?"
Dean Zhuang reminded them in a calm, measured tone, "Hasn’t Chen Lin officially joined the joint new-energy solid-state battery research project, the one formed by our university and the Science and Technology University?"
He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"We don’t have to do a thing. We just wait. We wait for Chen Lin to help the project team solve that critical mathematical problem they’re facing. Once he does, all we need to do is ask the project leader at the Science and Technology University to issue an official project update. In that announcement, we’ll have them specifically highlight the crucial contributions made by Chen Lin."
"At that point, no one can possibly claim that Yannan University has enough pull to get the Science and Technology University to play along with our fabrication, can they?"
"Even if the slanderers remain stubborn and refuse to admit they were wrong, the vast majority of ordinary people online will be able to tell right from wrong. And with that, our goal of setting the record straight will be achieved."
"Brilliant!" Principal Chang Kai’s eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh, the grave expression on his face completely vanishing. "Dean Zhuang, you’ve really thought of everything!"
’No need for the university or Chen Lin to get down in the muck and wrestle with those rats hiding in the gutters. They could use the sterling reputation of the Science and Technology University to give Chen Lin the most authoritative, irrefutable endorsement imaginable!’
"Excellent! We’ll do it just like that!"
Principal Chang Kai made the decision on the spot and immediately started assigning tasks. "Publicity Department, draft an official announcement at once. Academic Affairs Office and School of Mathematics, you’ll cooperate to provide the necessary materials. Legal Department, send cease and desist letters to Weibo’s parent company, that Official Account, and the most influential bloggers involved! Everything must be carried out before the end of the day!"
...
...
「At the same time, in the Yanhai Company office.」
Chen Lin was sitting in front of a high-end desktop computer, lines of dense Python code scrolling rapidly down the screen.
He was continuing to teach himself how to program large-scale AI models.
Late last night, Principal Chang Kai had personally called to tell him to sit tight. The university was holding an overnight meeting to decide on a PR strategy, and he urged Chen Lin not to respond through any personal channels in the meantime.
These instructions aligned perfectly with the lie-low strategy Chen Lin and his friends had already agreed on, so he naturally had no objections.
So now, he was quite calm, simply waiting for the university’s final decision.
The office was unusually full today.
Sun Yu and Huang Yiyi, being official employees, were there as a matter of course.
To fully grasp the data from Professor Lu and translate its complex problems into pure mathematical language, Shen Yan would likely be spending every day of the week at the office.
Yunqing had also arrived bright and early.
In her own words, "These are extraordinary circumstances. I’m part of this company too, so I have to do my part to help!"
And so, the arduous task of monitoring online public opinion naturally fell to her, the former head of the Student Union’s external relations department.
According to Yunqing’s report, the article’s spread and the resulting discussion had yet to truly break into the mainstream.
Mainstream sentiment toward Chen Lin and Yanhai Company remained quite positive.
This matched Chen Lin’s own experience.
At least, so far, his parents hadn’t called asking a million questions.
Among the few WeChat groups he was active in, only Fatty Zhao had forwarded the article’s link to their "Dorm 406: Crouching Tigers" group chat. The guys had all rallied together to denounce the author, venting some steam on Chen Lin’s behalf.
Aside from that, everything was quiet.
Chen Lin finished typing another line of code.
Just then, the phone on his desk suddenly began to vibrate. BUZZ... BUZZ...
He picked it up. A WeChat voice call request from Principal Chang Kai had popped up on the screen.
’It’s time.’
Chen Lin took off his headphones and swiped the screen to answer.
On the other end, Principal Chang Kai’s voice sounded robust and energetic, showing no signs of fatigue. He got straight to the point. "Chen, the university’s meeting is over, and we’ve decided on a plan. Let me tell you about it."
"Okay, Principal, I’m listening."
"First, this afternoon, the university’s official website and official Weibo account will release a formal announcement." Principal Chang spoke at a measured pace, but every word was clear and firm. "The announcement will primarily clarify two points. First, that your JAMS paper is your own, independently created, original work, and is free of any academic misconduct like fabrication or fraudulent claims of authorship.
"Second, that the academic environment at Yannan University is fair and impartial, and that there is absolutely no systemic suppression of female scholars. The university welcomes public oversight from all corners of society. Any issues can be reported directly to the university’s Disciplinary Inspection Commission or to higher authorities such as the Ministry of Education. We are prepared for inspection at any time."
Principal Chang paused, then added, "Oh, and the announcement will also briefly mention that your conduct as a student has been exemplary, with no record of any misconduct."
Hearing this, a warmth spread through Chen Lin’s chest. He said quickly, "Thank you, Principal. I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble for the university."
"Don’t say that." Principal Chang Kai chuckled. "This is just the first step. The next and most critical step is up to you."
He then concisely summarized Dean Zhuang’s plan for Chen Lin.
"...So, the best thing would be for you to solve that mathematical problem for the joint research team as quickly as possible. When they achieve a milestone and release their findings, we’ll coordinate with the project leaders beforehand and have them strongly emphasize your contribution in their announcement."
"Once that happens, all the controversy about your mathematical ability will collapse on its own. And if anyone online continues to attack your character with malicious speculation and slander, you don’t need to be afraid. The university’s legal aid center will give you its full support in defending your rights!"
"I understand. Thank you again, Principal, for your and the university’s support!"
After listening to the plan, Chen Lin once again expressed his sincere gratitude to Principal Chang before hanging up.
The moment he hung up, he instinctively looked up, his gaze traveling past his monitor to a quiet corner of the office.
Shen Yan was there, wearing white headphones, her attention completely fixed on the complex data and formulas on her screen.
She was completely absorbed in her own world, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings.
Chen Lin watched her quietly for a few moments, looking pensive.
After a moment, he drew his gaze away and turned his attention back to his own computer screen.