Two figures in the distance watched the two shadows under the streetlamp not far away, also whispering to each other in a desultory conversation: "Ah... when will these boring days ever end?"
"You're getting lazy?"
"How am I getting lazy? I just can't figure it out. What dangers could there be inside a university in the heart of Huaxia, not to mention he spends all day inside a building. Sending the whole team over here, if you ask me, is a waste."
"That just shows how important he is."
"Ah, I know, but I just don't fit in with university life; every day here I feel like hitting someone!"
"Are you jealous because you didn't go to university?"
"Jealous my ass? I'm just bored, that's all!"
"A mission is a mission, there's no room for boredom. Besides, I think the atmosphere here is great."
"I think you'd make a great friend for him, you're both such a bore."
In any corner of the world, whenever a meeting ends, the information quickly finds its way into the ears of those interested.
Huaxia is no exception.
When the sun rose the next day, many people across various major universities and research institutes throughout the country learned of the Department of Mathematics and Physics' plans to set up a Qiao Algebra research group.
It was said they were even planning to form a permanent research team.
The aim was to perfect and develop the entire set of Qiao Algebra theory, turning this new theory into a field of academic research.
In this respect, Huaxia was behind because Princeton had already started working on this, even yesterday Qiao Ze had interacted with the opposing side from a distance.
And apparently, this research group was going to have high standards.
Some said a member of the Department of Mathematics and Physics' leadership would head it, while others said the centenarian Yang was considering coming out of retirement to lead it...
But none of these mattered.
Because it was said the deputy head would be Qiao Ze.
Just as Xu Dajiang had analyzed, this indeed made many professors eager.
Especially for those researching theory, the chances of their academic results making it into textbooks were slim. But if they could ride the wave of Qiao Algebra, they might yet have hope.
Many physics professors at CERN were spreading the word, and numerous renowned professors conducting research there were hoping to collaborate with Qiao Ze.
With the recognition from Princeton and the endorsement from the general solution to the Yang-Mills Equations.
This was enough to indicate that the new algebraic structure proposed by Qiao Ze had an extremely broad prospect for development. At least, it was highly recognized by the current academic world.
For countless researching professors and researchers, this new direction was a blue ocean indeed.
If one were to overlook Qiao Ze's age, he was certainly a big shot.
And there's a tradition of big shots leading the way.
Now, who in Huaxia's academic circles didn't know about this amazing student who had single-handedly pushed his own mentor to the position of a Jieqing?
A brand-new field of mathematics that drew widespread attention in the science community, leaving much research to be done.
If one wanted to, they could write a paper on the process of proving each theorem.
So quickly, the chat groups became lively.
A group of people started to inquire and exchange news.
"Director Liu, I heard the Department is starting a new algebra research group?"
"Yeah, just had the meeting last night."
"How many spots are there in the research group? Are there any specific requirements for applying to join, like age or position?"
"Nothing's been decided yet. No, Professor Wen, are you planning to apply?"
"Just asking for a friend."
"Oh, I see; well, tell your friend that I heard there are no specific requirements to apply, but to get in, there will probably be an exam."
"On superspiral algebra, of course. I heard Qiao Ze is setting the questions; they'll select the best."
"Huh? Director Liu, whose idea was this?"
"Heh, what do you think? Anyway, that's the situation. Plus, they say it's going to be based in Xilin. So, if someone doesn't have the time or can't afford to lose face, I think it might be worth letting students give it a try. Young people pick up new things quickly."
"Alright, thanks, Director Liu."
Those attending the meeting included the fragrance bun seller, but it was Li Jiangao's side that became the focal point again, unable to play dead even if he wanted. This time, there was no group discussion – everyone was just direct messaging him.
"Professor Li, what's the deal with that Qiao Algebra research group? Come on, tell me."
"What research group? I don't know anything about it."
"Come on, how could you not know? That special Qiao Algebra research group spearheaded by the Department of Mathematics and Physics, Qiao Ze is set to be the deputy head, didn't he tell you?"
"He really hasn't mentioned it. Since we've decided on his graduation thesis topic, Qiao Ze hasn't approached me."
"And it's already decided?"
"Uh... then you should take more care of the kid. I heard that to get into the Qiao Algebra research group, you have to take an exam. Your student will set the questions. I estimate in a couple of days, many will come to you for help."
"What use is coming to me? My research direction is unrelated to this."
"But you're Qiao Ze's mentor. He can surely not keep the questions from you?"
"Honestly, Qiao Ze would've been the same without a mentor like me; he could've easily taken a special route. What guidance could I provide him?"
"That's even more proof of his respect for you."
"Then I should be even more careful not to tarnish the kid's reputation. Thanks, old Xu, if you hadn't told me, I'd have been unaware. I'll uninstall WeChat right now and change my number, then switch it back when this whole thing blows over."
"Yeah. If nothing else comes up, I'll just uninstall WeChat."