Chapter 635: Chapter 196: The Opening Ceremony’s Award Ceremony (Part 2)

Many years later, Qiao Yu realized that the feeling of being overwhelmed with excitement was nothing more than the rush of adrenaline.

A grand occasion with thousands of people, thunderous applause, and numerous cameras capturing the awardee’s walk to the stage amidst everyone’s blessings…

This is both a grand celebration of the science of mathematics and a major vanity fair. After all, an award means recognition by peers worldwide.

As for those laymen who don’t quite understand mathematics…

It’s well known that there’s a towering wall between mathematics and ordinary people, with a standard pyramid shape inside. This means that for those outside the mathematical wall, all they can see is the small group of people at the very top of the pyramid.

Without a doubt, mathematicians who can receive awards at the quadrennial International Mathematicians Conference are those who have a place at the top of those pyramids.

An award might not directly create greatness, but it certainly means more resources and opportunities.

In this era, having more resources and opportunities means greater achievements.

But at this moment, Qiao Yu wasn’t thinking that much; he simply liked the atmosphere and the feeling of being in the spotlight…

It could be understood as Qiao Yu being too young.

But to be honest, isn’t this what others are competing for as well?

Qiao Yu was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice that the Gauss Prize, Chen Shengshen Prize, and Nevanlinna Prize had already been awarded.

Among these prizes were familiar faces, like Pan Jingyuan and Danis, whom he had collaborated with…

They were awarded for their work on proving the Langlands Conjecture!

It turned out his judgment was correct; the first Fields Medal winner today was none other than Jack Thorn, sitting beside him.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference hall clearly elevated, with applause erupting like spring thunder.

Jack Thorn, full of smiles, stood up, bowed to those around him, and received their words of congratulations.

Even though he knew he had already fought hard to win the world’s most prestigious mathematics award, there was still some uncertainty until the moment the president of the International Mathematical Union announced it publicly.

At this moment, the dust settled.

“Congratulations, congratulations!” Qiao Yu said absentmindedly, not caring whether the guy could hear it or not.

After all, it’s hard to say how sincere he was.

Since he wasn’t the first one announced to go up and receive the award, Qiao Yu felt targeted by the old man on the stage…

He wondered if he should note down the president on his little blacklist. But then he thought it might be because he solved the Riemann Conjecture, so they chose him to go last as the grand finale?

Which actually makes a bit of sense.

If he went up first, at the age of seventeen, overshadowing these thirty-something guys around him, they might not be able to laugh.

Alright, not recording it for now.

If he weren’t the first or the last to go on stage, Qiao Yu felt he must note that old man on his list and teach him later what it means not to underestimate the young.

Fortunately, Pierre L. Lion, the president on stage, didn’t disappoint Qiao Yu.

Afterward, the three other Fields Medal winners of the year successively went on stage, received the medals personally awarded by Pierre L. Lion, and delivered their acceptance speeches.

As many in the audience began to wonder, Pierre L. Lion spoke again.

“Alright, please be quiet. Because next, I will announce today’s final Fields Medal winner.”

With that one sentence, the thousands in the conference hall fell completely silent. Many already had a hunch in their hearts, and even those who knew the results in advance still found it hard to believe at this moment!

After all, the person in their minds was only seventeen this year! In most countries, he wasn’t even of legal age! Ninety-nine point nine-nine percent of kids this age are still in high school.

What concept is this?

The age limit for winning the Fields Medal is still nearly twenty-three years away! He improved the record for the youngest Fields Medal winner by a full ten years!

Even when expanded to global academic prizes, including the Nobel Prize, he improved by eight years! This is already a legend, but what’s even more legendary is the reason he could win the Fields Medal at such a young age!

“Well, in fact, when I speak of his achievements, everyone should already be clear. This awardee’s understanding of mathematics is unparalleled, leaving everyone in awe.

For example, he once keenly discovered a flaw in the proof of the Geometric Langlands Conjecture and helped the Geometric Langlands Conjecture proof team improve their proof in later work…”

When the president on stage said this, Frank, sitting below the stage, couldn’t help but have a gloomy look on his face.

In fact, when he saw his former team members Danis and Pan Jingyuan go on stage to receive their awards, he was already in a bad mood!

He had already put in all his effort to maintain a smile on his face and clap for his former teammates.

At this moment, hearing Pierre L. Lion on stage count this as Qiao Yu’s achievement made it really difficult for him to manage his facial expressions.

For instance, his mouth twitched unconsciously.

But honestly, you can’t blame him.

Who could understand? At that time, Qiao Yu just pointed out a small flaw in his work, pulling him out of this great work, and went up himself…