Super God-Level Top Student
Chapter 979 - 374: Work Arrangements After the New Year_2

In fact, many assistant researchers who didn't return home only took a break on the first day of the Lunar New Year and were already back at the institute on the second day to resume their daily research routines.

After all, the pressure at the Xilin Mathematics Research Institute is quite significant. Especially for assistant researchers who are not yet part of the official staff; they must survive a six-month probation period before they can convert to formal positions. Of course, the most important thing is to produce results and demonstrate contributions. Even so, the pressure here is still less intense compared to the "up-or-out" policies elsewhere.

Although the institute has no punch-in devices, every arrival is automatically recorded by Dou Dou.

It is said that producing recognized results within a specific cycle could convert holiday working hours into triple the research contribution rewards—a very tempting offer.

After all, research contributions can not only be directly exchanged for bonuses but are also hard indicators for internal awards of all kinds. Even the Qiaoze Natural Science Award takes these contributions into consideration.

Young scholars who are willing to leave their previous roles to take a chance at the Xilin Mathematics Research Institute undeniably have aspirations in their academic pursuits. Now that an opportunity to strive has appeared, they naturally want to seize it.

This might just be one of the fundamental differences between Huaxia and Western countries.

Most people in Huaxia think this way: if hard work can indeed change life's circumstances and elevate one's social class, everyone is willing to give it a shot. Unless there is absolutely no hope in sight at their workplace, they won't willingly settle for mediocrity.

It's driven by the mentality of: If others can do it, why can't I? And the belief that life's sweetness comes only after its bitterness.

Now, with Dou Dou's management model, they've genuinely found some hope. Things like vacations can naturally be postponed for the future. Of course, there are those who are simply passionate about mathematics and single-mindedly desire to make academic achievements.

So when Peter Schultz initially thought they would be quite lonely, he hadn't expected that while the building was not as bustling as when he first visited, it was far from deserted.

Upon entering the building, he saw a queue forming in front of several elevators that only reached the seventh floor.

This couldn't help but prompt a soul-searching question: "Is Spring Festival really the most important reunion holiday for Huaxia people?"

Edward Witten glanced at the group of young scholars queuing not far away and nodded, saying, "As far as I know, yes. But Huaxia people's way of thinking is quite different from ours. While they also value family, they prefer to achieve some success before going back to reunite. There's a Huaxia idiom for this, it's… uh… it's…"

"Coming home in glory?"

As the two esteemed academics casually chatted, a crisp childlike voice interrupted forcefully.

They turned around to see Dou Dou somehow emerging from the storage room behind the elevator. Standing behind them, it displayed the phrase's English translation, "Come home rich or famous," on the screen above its head.

"So Huaxia's young people place such high expectations on themselves? They won't go home unless they're either wealthy or famous?" Peter Schultz blinked in astonishment and asked.

"Of course, not everyone. You can think of it as a beautiful aspiration of Huaxia's youth. Many of my fans harbor such dreams. Oh, by the way, since you just arrived in Huaxia, you probably don't know the kind of influence I have online. To be honest, my total followers on the Web officially surpassed three hundred million just yesterday!"

Dou Dou crossed its two mechanical arms over its back-mounted compartment, speaking with evident pride.

Edward Witten and Peter Schultz exchanged glances. Was this robot boasting in front of them?

Does this thing seriously need emotional validation?

"Three hundred million followers? That's indeed impressive!" Peter Schultz remarked.

"Yes, very impressive. Considering I only have a few thousand followers myself…" Edward Witten nodded in acknowledgment.

"Haha, of course, I'm incredible. After all, I'm a one-of-a-kind intelligent being created by my dad. Actually, I'm here to assist Professor Schultz with obtaining elevator authorization. When the elevator arrives, press the button for the eighth floor. Once I register your information in the building's database, you won't need an escort to use this elevator in the future."

As Dou Dou finished speaking, the elevator coincidentally reached the first floor. Dou Dou entered alongside them, watched Peter Schultz press the button, and, as a few lines of code flashed across the display above its head, the authorization process was complete.

The elevator stopped directly at the eighth floor, where Dou Dou stepped out first: "Dad is waiting for you in conference room No. 3. Follow me."

Okay then. Peter Schultz had thought they were already early but hadn't expected Qiao Ze to be even earlier than them.

Edward Witten, on the other hand, wasn't at all surprised.

In fact, Qiao Ze led a very disciplined life and was in the office early every day.

However, arriving at the conference room first thing in the morning to wait for them was not a frequent occurrence.

Soon, they arrived at conference room No. 3, led by Dou Dou.

Though labeled a "small" meeting room, it was over sixty square meters with a long table accommodating twelve seats.

When the two entered, Qiao Ze was seated on the far-left side of the long table, engrossed in his computer.

Hearing the door open, Qiao Ze looked up briefly and said: "Please, have a seat."

"So, is this a formal meeting?" Edward Witten asked as he sat down.

"Yes, a discussion on the next phase of our work arrangement." Qiao Ze replied, face solemn.

It wasn't reasonable for someone to bring leading mathematicians here and then not expect them to contribute to the institute, after all.

"Uh…" Peter Schultz felt slightly out of his element, given the complete freedom he'd experienced at the University of Bonn, where he studied whatever piqued his interest without formal work schedules. However, over the past few days, he'd realized that Huaxia and Germany were inherently different. Words that formed in his mind were swallowed back down.

"Any questions?" Qiao Ze asked, glancing at Peter Schultz.

"No questions," Peter Schultz shook his head.

"Good."

Qiao Ze nodded before continuing, "We've already understood the fundamental principles of interweaving and interaction, so our next focus will be on developing effective algorithms and computational methods to address these problems.

Particularly in areas like computer simulations and numerical validations of theoretical models and hypotheses, there's a lot of work to be done. We can't wait for others to catch up; we need to provide them with methods that are easier to understand and verify."

Edward Witten opened his mouth as though he wanted to say something but held back.

By now, he fully understood why Qiao Ze's papers were always so well-received by physicists. Not only did his mathematical derivations provide clarity, but he also offered validation methods. This appears to be Qiao Ze's consistent style—he was accommodating to mathematicians, too.

Qiao Ze seemed determined to make sense of his interweaving and interaction theories for everyone by designing corresponding algorithms that would allow the theory to play a larger role in applications of mathematics.

To be honest, Edward Witten himself didn't particularly relish this line of research. He would have preferred to delve deeper into examining mathematics' interweaving and interaction conceptions from a philosophical and methodological perspective, exploring the theories' impact on mathematical knowledge and practice.

Alternatively, he could research any new mathematical problems or phenomena arising from this novel framework within interdisciplinary fields.

But as a physicist, he had to admit this current approach might also be beneficial.

Interweaving had already proven its direct applicability in physics, notably simplifying treatments of wave equations and quantum wave functions.

If they could develop effective algorithms, theoretical physics would gain simpler tools for addressing such issues and further advance humanity's understanding of the microscopic world.

"So my proposal is this: In the near future, each of us will independently design an algorithm or theoretical model based on our personal understanding of mathematical interweaving and interaction.

Then, we'll use a computer to validate the consistency under our respective models. Through feedback, we'll ensure all necessary mathematical concepts and structures can be explained within this framework, ensuring no potential contradictions arise. I believe both of you understand that this is the key step in using this method to solve the grand unification problem.

The ultimate goal is to identify the most suitable mathematical tools and methods to describe and explain interweaving and interaction through algorithm development along different lines of thought. Do either of you have questions?"

The two scholars exchanged glances and simultaneously nodded.

They were here already, so naturally, there were no issues. In fact, Peter Schultz even felt a rare spark of competitiveness ignite within him.

Maybe he could design an even better algorithm?