Chapter 73 - 54: Going with the Flow
Chang Kai's voice wasn't loud, but it landed like a pebble in the placid waters of Gu Ming's mind, sending ripples through his thoughts.
Gu Ming was taken aback for a moment. Then, following the president's train of thought, he began to re-evaluate the situation.
He recalled something Chang Kai had once mentioned in passing: although Academician Liang Tianshi had retired from the front lines of research, he had spent recent years dedicated to discovering and cultivating the nation's next generation of top talent, especially exceptionally rare prodigies.
'So that means...'
Gu Ming's mind raced. After a moment of careful thought, he offered his perspective. "President, I understand. You're saying our university needs to demonstrate how much we value Shen Yan. That way, we'll make a good impression on Academician Liang and convince him that Yannan University is a place that truly recognizes and cherishes talent."
His thoughts grew clearer as he spoke. "In addition to the previously approved Ten Thousand Yuan team prize for winning the High Education Cup, I think the university could grant her a separate, substantial scholarship as further encouragement. This would not only motivate her but also signal our position to the outside world—especially to Elder Liang."
However, Chang Kai slowly shook his head after listening, a resigned smile gracing his lips.
"Gu, you're still thinking about this too simply." He picked up his teacup and gently blew on the floating tea leaves. "You're underestimating how much Elder Liang values a true genius, and you're also underestimating his influence."
Seeing that Gu Ming still looked like he hadn't fully grasped it, Chang Kai decided to enlighten him a bit more.
"Elder Liang's students... setting aside those who are professors at famous universities abroad, and just speaking of those in the country, several of them are big names in academic circles." Chang Kai put down his teacup, looked at Gu Ming, and slowly posed a question. "Have you heard of Feng Yunhai?"
"Feng Yunhai?"
Gu Ming instinctively sat up straighter.
Of course he knew that name!
Just a few months ago, he had gone to the Imperial Capital for a high-level domestic mathematics conference. The man who gave the keynote speech at the opening ceremony, with an impressive demeanor that drew thunderous applause from the entire audience, was none other than this very Professor Feng Yunhai!
During a coffee break at the conference, Gu Ming even had the honor of exchanging a few words with him.
Setting aside his series of titles like "Professor at the Yanbei University School of Mathematics" and "Director of the Imperial Capital International Mathematics Research Center," Gu Ming could clearly sense the profound depth of his expertise in the field of mathematics.
"I do," Gu Ming nodded. "Professor Feng's academic caliber is exceptionally high."
He asked with some hesitation, "Could it be that Professor Feng Yunhai is one of Academician Liang's students?"
"Correct." Chang Kai's reply was crisp and direct. "Elder Liang was his doctoral advisor."
Gu Ming couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Only now did he have a basic understanding of Academician Liang's status and network.
Chang Kai looked at the stunned expression on Gu Ming's face, nodded in satisfaction, and continued, "So, I suspect Elder Liang already has a plan. As long as Shen Yan's performance on the 14th meets his expectations, he will use his influence to find a way to transfer her to the School of Mathematics at Yanbei, where he can personally oversee her development."
"Transfer?" Gu Ming's brows furrowed instantly.
As the Associate Chair of the School of Mathematics, he felt a natural protectiveness toward his students. He chose his words carefully before voicing his doubts. "President, I'm afraid that wouldn't be compliant with regulations, would it? I remember a specific rule that requires a transfer student's college entrance exam score to be higher than the cutoff score for the destination school's major in their home region."
"Regulations?" Chang Kai waved his hand, a meaningful smile on his face. "Ah, Gu, you must remember, the country always makes special allowances for true geniuses. The regulations you mentioned are meant to deal with those who want to exploit loopholes... hmm..."
Chang Kai trailed off mid-sentence. He simply raised a finger and pointed discreetly upward, signaling for Gu Ming to understand on his own.
Of course, what Chang Kai didn't say out loud was that if the regulations blocked the path of transferring, "clever people" would simply find other ways.
Gu Ming was silent for a moment, still feeling unwilling to give up. He posed a second question: "Even if there are no issues with the rules, I really have high hopes for Shen Yan. She's spoken with me before about her ambition to pursue a doctorate. I was even planning to start helping her map out a five-year combined Master's-PhD program after graduation next semester. With her talent and hard work, she has a very promising future, whether she studies abroad or applies for the 'Jieqing' fund domestically. Are we at Yannan University really going to let such an outstanding student go just like that?"
After listening, Chang Kai shook his head and retorted, "Gu, everything you've said is from Yannan University's perspective. But have you tried to put yourself in her shoes and think about it from Shen Yan's personal point of view?"
"Everything you just mentioned—the combined Master's-PhD, studying abroad, applying for the Jieqing fund... do you think she can't get those things if she goes to Yanbei University?"
"Not only can she get them, but it's highly likely she'll have better and broader opportunities and platforms than she would staying here. Tell me, what student would refuse an opportunity like that?"
This series of rhetorical questions hammered at Gu Ming, leaving him speechless.
'He's right...'
Even if Yannan University's School of Mathematics was already solidly in the nation's top ten, the gap was still far too vast compared to a behemoth like Yanbei University, which had a rich heritage, perennially held the number one spot in the country, and even ranked among the top ten worldwide.
They weren't even in the same league.
"Actually," Chang Kai leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxing, "from the very beginning, I was very curious about how Elder Liang found out we had a sophomore math genius here at Yannan University. After all, even I, the president, had never heard of her. But now, there's no need to get bogged down in such minor details."
He looked at Gu Ming and finally revealed his true purpose for summoning him today.
"At this point, as long as nothing goes wrong on Shen Yan's end, it's a done deal that Yannan University will let her go. We can't stop it, and there's no need to. What I *can* do is use this opportunity to gain something else for our university."
"So, on the 14th, you'll come with me to Huaqing University for that in-person exchange."
"After the event, assuming Shen Yan's performance is up to par, the two of us will proactively approach Elder Liang. We'll take a humble stance. We'll say that we feel Shen Yan is exceptionally gifted and that staying at Yannan might hold her back. We'll ask a titan of academia like Elder Liang to help give her a better platform and ensure she receives the best possible cultivation."
A shrewd glint flashed in Chang Kai's eyes.
"By doing this, it will look like we're asking Elder Liang for a favor, but in reality, we'll be doing *him* a small one, going with the flow to grant the old man his wish."
"Besides, on the day of the award ceremony, there will certainly be no shortage of media interviews and reports. When the time comes, I'll contact a few media outlets I'm friendly with, create some buzz, and promote an image of Yannan University to the outside world as a place that 'puts its students' futures first, even if it means making a painful sacrifice.'"