Super God-Level Top Student

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Zhang Hongcai glared at Wu Chengze.

"What do you mean by 'breaking down'? Where did I break down?"

"Did I say any curse words? Did I lose my temper? Did I?"

"You just keep agreeing with his nonsense. If you continue reasoning his way, maybe you'll even prove that matrix theory has noncommutative geometric properties in background fields. Then shouldn't your physics community rush to give him an award?" Zhang Hongcai pointed at the reply on the computer screen and said.

"Well, it's not impossible. Didn't you also say that the kid is quite fond of physics? What is there to argue about, really? Qiao Ze didn't say you were wrong, just offered you a new method, which I think is pretty good, you could take it and verify." Wu Chengze said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, it's quite good. Then maybe..." Zhang Hongcai had a bellyful of words he wanted to say, but the sound of his phone ringing once again interrupted his train of thought. Irritated, he glared at his old friend again before picking up the phone: "Hello?"

"Zhang, are you busy?"

"Actually, kind of busy, what's up?" Zhang Hongcai said, his mood not too cheerful.

"It's nothing much, I just wanted to ask if that student from Xilin University of Technology named Qiao Ze is planning to apply for the 'experts database'?"

"He is, you're just finding out now?"

"Well, not just finding out, it's just that, well, it's just..."

"Can you stop beating around the bush? If you have something to say, spit it out, Professor Xu. That's not like you, is it?"

"My point is, why don't we just let him in ahead of the usual procedures?"

"No, Professor Xu, what's this sudden call about? What's the matter? Did Xilin University of Technology offer you some kind of benefit?"

"Zhang, what are you talking about? What benefit could they offer me? If they were to offer benefits, they would look for you, right? I was just thinking that Qiao Ze has had papers published in 'Mathematics Annual', and they're even announced on the official website. You know, not many professors from Yanbei get this kind of treatment."

Listening to the hesitant tone on the other end of the phone, Zhang Hongcai got even more irritated.

Just as he was ready to rebut, his gaze inadvertently fell on the email from Qiao Ze on the screen, causing a flicker of doubt in his mind. The words he was about to say got stuck and were retracted, and his tone became more suspicious.

"Professor Xu, tell me the truth, did Qiao Ze send you an email saying something?"

"Ah? How did you know? Well... he did chat with me about some stuff, just some normal academic discussion"

Zhang Hongcai fell silent instantly.

A few moments later, he said listlessly, "Oh, I get it."

Then, without waiting for a response from the other end, he hung up the phone.

Yet his earlier high spirits had suddenly turned gloomy.

It turns out he wasn't the only one involved in the discussion. They really must look down on people!

"What's wrong?" Wu Chengze asked knowingly.

He was sitting right next to Zhang Hongcai and naturally could feel his friend's sudden mood change immediately.

Although Zhang Hongcai hadn't used speakerphone while taking the call, Wu Chengze could still guess what had happened from what Zhang Hongcai had said on his side of the conversation.

No matter how long this kid named Qiao Ze had prepared for this, he must have something up his sleeve.

"Nothing. Let's talk about it another time. I need to call a few students for an emergency group meeting." Zhang Hongcai said expressionlessly, issuing an eviction notice, then bowed his head and started typing a message on WeChat in a group chat.

"C'mon, Zhang, that's too much. What time is it already? You're tormenting people, aren't you? I've waited for you until now and haven't eaten dinner yet! There won't be anything left to eat in the canteen at this hour." Wu Chengze grumbled discontentedly.

"What? I need your permission to work my students? Am I not allowed to call a few over and pick at some faults to give them a good talking-to because I'm in a bad mood? Anyway, eat whatever you like. I'm not hungry tonight anyway." Zhang Hongcai pointed to the office door and said.

Wu Chengze decisively packed his bag and stood up to leave.

How to put it, he knew Zhang Hongcai well enough to say that most of the time he was very reasonable.

Otherwise, he couldn't have gotten to where he is now on his own strength without much support.

Today's situation just meant that talented people tend to be more serious, I suppose.

Now was not the time for Wu Chengze to probe into a sour mood.

But Wu Chengze didn't leave.

Right next to Zhang Hongcai's office was an empty meeting room.

Wu Chengze leisurely strolled into the meeting room, opened a window, and then used his phone to order takeout.

Then he pulled out a pen and began scribbling some ideas from the email onto papers in the meeting room.

Not that he wanted to stay and enjoy the drama—his main purpose today was to discuss official business with Zhang Hongcai, and he hadn't yet spoken about it. He certainly didn't want to make another trip tomorrow.

After Zhang finished the group meeting with the students and had likely calmed down, Wu planned to discuss the official business then.

True to his expectation, when the food arrived and he casually went downstairs to pick up the takeout, he overheard stern reprimands drifting from the neighboring office through the open window.

"...What are you doing every day, huh? What?! Have I not told you to consider your weekly reports as an accumulation of daily thought? What day is it today? Thursday, right? You present this two days early, and this is what I get?

"Do you really think you're just brushing me off by hastily writing something on Friday? Do you actually believe these reports are for me? Do you know every time I have to open your submissions, I need to mentally prepare myself to not lose it? The fact that our institute hasn't had a casualty all these years is because I can take it, understand?