Chapter 638: Chapter 196: The Opening Ceremony’s Award Ceremony (Part 2)_4

At this moment, even the trending topics on Weibo are dominated by mathematics. There might be some other factors involved, but undeniably, whether people care about this topic or not, today it’s impossible to avoid the name Qiao Yu—there’s just no escaping it.

Some people on Weibo even joked that Qiao Yu should perhaps thank “Brother Feng” for releasing a new rock song today, as if it’s been released to support Qiao Yu’s award win.

Then, they got roasted into silence… When cultured people start to criticize, they might not use any foul language, but every sentence hits home.

…

Inside the venue, the applause finally gradually subsided.

At this moment, Qiao Yu had already walked onto the stage and received the golden medal that now belonged to him from Pierre L. Lion.

“Congratulations, of course, it’s well-deserved,” Pierre L. Lion said with a smile.

“Thank you, but as you said, it is indeed well-deserved!” Qiao Yu also replied with a smile.

Not very humble, but Qiao Yu felt that if he were to be humble in such a situation, it wouldn’t match the persona he’s always built, and there might be a risk of it collapsing!

The same saying goes, as long as the moral baseline he usually exhibits is low enough, he’ll never have the possibility of collapsing that persona.

“Haha, you’re different from other mathematicians in Huaxia, but I like young people like you! Alright, you may speak now. This is a stage specially reserved for you. Enjoy it to the fullest!”

Pierre L. Lion succinctly said.

Indeed, by this time, the other three awardees had already left the stage, leaving the entire stage solely for Qiao Yu.

This was arranged by the organizing committee because after Qiao Yu delivered his acceptance speech, there would be a segment for the Clay Research Institute to award a prize to Qiao Yu.

At this moment, no other awardees would want to be on the stage.

Qiao Yu picked up the microphone, did not speak immediately, but instead picked up the medal to take another look at it, then scanned the audience below.

As expected, it was crowded, just as he had imagined before; beyond the first three rows, the people in the back almost became just a blur…

“Today, I am extremely happy. It brings back many memories. I remember when my mentor Tian Yanzhen first introduced me to the Fields Medal, I specifically looked it up and found out, wow, the prize money is so little! It’s even less than the Nobel Prize. Aren’t mathematicians worthy of a higher prize?”

Before he even finished speaking, it sparked a burst of laughter from the audience below.

Alright, the advantage of youth is clear again. It’s just because Qiao Yu is still a seventeen-year-old boy; had he been over twenty, he probably wouldn’t have been so forgiven.

Qiao Yu paused for a moment, waiting for the laughter to subside before he continued, “However, when I truly delved into mathematics, I realized my understanding was wrong, seriously wrong!”

“It’s not that mathematicians are unworthy, but that most mathematicians besides me possess more noble character. Because mathematics is the language of science, the thought of philosophy, the structure of art, and moreover, the starting point for all disciplines to explore unknown truths!”

This time, no one laughed, and thunderous applause erupted once again.

After all, this speech genuinely pleased everyone present!

Even those attending this conference, like physicists, usually have considerable proficiency in mathematics.

The scholars were very polite, and this applause lasted only over ten seconds before it stopped.

“So, I am honored to have come so far on the road of mathematics, and to have gained recognition from many people. I want to thank my mentor, as well as my grand-mentor Professor Yuan Zhengxin, and also many who have accompanied me along the way.

People like my teacher Lan Jie, and teacher Xue Song, who guided me step by step onto the road of mathematics. But I must express my greatest thanks to my mother. When I was smug over some small achievements, she told me I should set my sights on the highest peak!”

“Because only by standing atop the summit can you appreciate the most beautiful scenery! Clearly, I didn’t let her down! She guided me to see that highest peak, and then I climbed it! And now I present this view before you! I must say, this sight is indeed beautiful.”

Saying this, Qiao Yu raised the medal in his hand again, drawing another round of cheers.

This time, mainly from the young people at the back.

To those young people aspiring to engage in mathematical research, Qiao Yu at this moment is like a beacon.

“Finally, I also want to thank the many collaborators and reviewers who have helped me. Oh right, and the Clay Research Institute. You may not believe it, but besides my mother, the Clay Research Institute also played a major role in focusing my attention on the Riemann Conjecture.

They selflessly offered a huge bounty to make up for the Fields Medal’s monetary inadequacy! Just like an academic bank, there’s a prize inside, and you only need to find the unlocking code to withdraw it! Fortunately, I found one of the codes.

And now there are still five codes remaining, and I hope and believe that in the not-too-distant future, all these codes will be solved with our combined efforts! Finally, thank you all once again!”

After finishing, Qiao Yu slightly bowed towards the audience below…

As the tsunami-like applause erupted again, Qiao Yu was just about to leave the podium, but was directly called back by Pierre L. Lion…

“Qiao Yu, wait a moment, don’t you remember you haven’t picked up the money today yet?”

“Uh?”

“Next, let’s welcome Randall Crewe, one of the founders of the Clay Research Institute, to present the Millennium Prize Problem award to Qiao Yu!”