CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 158: REVISITING THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY BUILDING

"Xiao Chen, I’ve always felt that young people need enough experience to take on great responsibilities. Yes, Nanjin University nearby is indeed good, because we established our faculty later, and their foundation in mathematics is a bit better than ours.

However, you must consider that the competition at Nanjin University is also intense. There are more returning PhDs over there, many of whom have been trained by big names. Will they truly value you if you go there?

Yes, maybe you could get an associate professorship right away; perhaps they really do have flexible slots they can offer you directly. But have you thought about what to do when you want to go further?

It’s difficult, Xiao Chen! But we know your potential is far from fully tapped, you’re just a step away from a real breakthrough. If you stick it out at Jinda and complete your transformation, you can achieve far more than just an associate professorship in the future.

Our competition is less intense, and resources can be directed toward you. In the future, you could apply for major projects, even the Outstanding Young Scientist or Changjiang Scholars programs, and maybe even become an Academician.

Think about it, doesn’t this make sense? We can gather the strength of the entire faculty to propel you forward, but when it comes to Nanjin University, will they have so many resources to pile on you?"

...

You have to admit that Zhang Guohong didn’t become vice dean by fluke. He at least understands how to manage an organization.

Especially when he opens with a set of sincere apologies, while also smoothly figuring out why Chen Zhuoyang is considering breaking his contract, before moving on to painting a rosy picture.

You could say it’s a big and round picture, even mentioning an Academician, which left Chen Zhuoyang a bit dazed.

After all, in some sense, what Dean Zhang said does make sense.

The School of Mathematics at Nanjin University is certainly better than at Jinda, that’s undeniable. But this also means that the competition at Nanjin University is definitely more intense.

Honestly, if things hadn’t been so unpleasant when he first came to the school, Chen Zhuoyang might have believed him.

But hearing Dean Zhang say such things now, Chen Zhuoyang only felt like he was being treated as a naive fool.

Yes, if Jinda really does put the entire faculty’s efforts into supporting him, he could likely rise higher than he would at Nanjin University.

But is that possible?

From his previous treatment, it’s evident that the internal competition for resources at Jinda might be even fiercer.

The talk of gathering all the faculty’s resources to recommend him is something to listen to but believing it would be too naive.

But what frustrated Chen Zhuoyang the most was that Dean Zhang wasn’t even willing to offer an associate professorship to keep him, unlike the other side...

This made the usually calm Chen Zhuoyang feel like he might really need to blow up.

"Well... Dean Zhang, let me be honest, a fantasized prospect indeed looks lovely, but no matter how beautiful, it can’t fill you up if it’s just drawn. Don’t you agree?

And, giving all the faculty’s resources to me, what about your future students? So it might be better, while I haven’t used much of the school’s resources and don’t have many projects now, to part on good terms. Our faculty doesn’t really need a local PhD like me.

But rest assured, I will definitely finish this term’s courses with guaranteed quality, and I will be responsible to the students. So... shall we leave it like this today? I need to rest as well."

Though he spoke courteously, taking the conversation to this extent rather than saying he would consider it, was actually quite firm.

But the greatest confidence came from Qiao Yu.

After a professor from Nanjin University had a talk with him, Chen Zhuoyang asked Qiao Yu about it on WeChat.

Qiao Yu’s reply was very straightforward.

"Really? Do you even need to ask me? If they’re willing to offer you an associate professorship directly, but you still don’t go, even the big shots at Jinda would think you’re incredibly foolish! How could they not treat you like a fool in the future?

Unless Jinda offers better terms, otherwise, I’ve already started writing my resignation letter. They’re putting you in a tough spot, and you’re still hesitating to leave?

Moreover, Director Tian already knows you’re unhappy at Jinda, probably just because you’re still there, Director Tian can’t vent their anger, but if you leave, there’d be no more constraints!

Really, back when we were at Yanbei, I never found you this straightforward! Listen to me, run, every second you wait is a disservice to yourself!"

Yes, seeing this message, truly made Chen Zhuoyang deeply moved.

He’s no spring chicken, and yet, not only has he fallen behind a sixteen-year-old in research, he can’t even see things as clearly.

Damn... what a prodigy!

...

The 2025 Huaxia Mathematics Society Annual Meeting has finally concluded successfully. This conference has also left many with deep reflections.

Undoubtedly, Qiao Yu became the most prominent rising star at this annual meeting, especially considering Qiao Yu’s age, which made many feel a sense of being outdated.

Many have even forgotten who won the Chen Shengshen Prize and the Hua Luogeng Award this year, but they vividly remember Qiao Yu.

After all, before everyone could even form an impression of the award winners, several Fields Medalists abroad, as if in agreement, publicly praised his various achievements.

Plus, Qiao Yu is highly memorable, being only sixteen, still technically a minor! Yet, he has already taken the stage twice at top conferences to deliver keynote speeches.

Moreover, this time it was a report on groundbreaking research.

And Qiao Yu’s achievements truly inspire the theoretical mathematics community.

After all, these days things are quite impetuous.