Top Student at Their Peak
Chapter 78 - 78 67 I'm Sorry I'm Not Skilled Enough_2

78: Chapter 67: I’m Sorry, I’m Not Skilled Enough…_2 78: Chapter 67: I’m Sorry, I’m Not Skilled Enough…_2 Qiao Yu looked at Lan Jie in surprise.

Because this problem was indeed very difficult, arguably the hardest equation-solving problem he had encountered since seriously studying mathematics.

So when he explained it, there was a bit of a show-off intention, and he was quite detailed.

But the good guy said he didn’t understand?

“Phew…

As I said, I didn’t put much effort into algebraic geometry and number theory in university.

If it’s just basic stuff, it’s fine, it’s only the content I learned during my undergraduate.

The deeper number theory…

In my master’s degree, I focused on combinatorial mathematics, which is the study of the combinatorial properties of discrete structures like permutations, combinations, graphs, sets, sequences, that kind of stuff…

And once I started working, high school mathematics, you know…

As for the content related to this in the Olympic Competition, it doesn’t go deep, it only involves the most basic parts of advanced algebra and number theory.

It mainly cultivates the ability to solve problems using elementary mathematics methods.

So…”

Facing Qiao Yu’s probing gaze, Lan Jie explained hesitantly.

Well, it’s indeed saving face.

After all, mathematics as a discipline is divided into countless directions…

and number theory is obviously the direction that requires the most talent.

Not understanding it is actually quite normal.

The key is Qiao Yu’s age and experience are quite concerning.

“Oh, I see…

I understand, this is a matter of specialization, these aren’t just the areas you’re skilled in,” Qiao Yu said considerately, even using respectful language again.

Lan Jie opened his mouth but said nothing.

This child had already given him enough face, saying more would seem like making excuses, which would be pointless.

Having admitted not understanding, it was better to be a bit more straightforward about it.

So Lan Jie raised his hand, patted Qiao Yu’s shoulder, and said, “Don’t worry, trust me, one day in the future, those big shots on the forum will be honored to be invited to your report meetings!

If you remember me then, invite me to sit in the front row, and let my mentor sit beside me.”

Qiao Yu didn’t understand, so he asked, “What is a report meeting?”

Lan Jie was really patient at this point, because he knew there wasn’t much more he could teach this kid in front of him.

“For instance, if you solve a difficult mathematical problem that no one else has, like finding the numerical solution to this equation.

You write a paper, it’s recognized, then some famous universities or mathematical research institutions will invite you to share your problem-solving thoughts and ideas with mathematicians in the same field.”

After he finished speaking, Lan Jie paused, then continued, “Of course, the limit of mathematics is that there is no limit.

The harder the problem you solve, the more famous it is, the higher the level of the report meeting!

Moreover, not just solving a difficult problem, if you can invent some new mathematical tools and gain widespread recognition, you’ll be invited to some very important math conferences to report as well.”

After hearing this, Qiao Yu looked thoughtful.

As if Lan Jie thought of something, he added proactively, “That…

don’t always think those advanced mathematics conferences would invite you to report, offering lots of money!

When you reach that level, you’ll understand, just getting to sit in that reporting spot will naturally lead to money, broaden your scope.”

“Oh!

I understand!” Qiao Yu nodded, looking as if he had been taught.

But whether he really took it in, Lan Jie couldn’t tell.

However, he was too lazy to worry about it.

Given Qiao Yu’s current level of intelligence, when he actually reaches that level, he’ll naturally understand, maybe even better than him.

“Rest assured, Teacher Lan, if one day I really get invited to the kind of report meeting you mentioned, there will definitely be two empty seats in the front row every time, and you can bring whoever you like.

You don’t have to bring your mentor every time,” Qiao Yu enthusiastically promised.

It’s probably only during these moments of boasting that this kid displays a hint of youthful arrogance.

Lan Jie could only smile wryly…

Who else can he bring to listen to a mathematics meeting if not his mentor?

Honestly, following his mentor to listen is purely for face.

It’s not like he really wants to listen to these things.

First, a high school math teacher doesn’t need to understand so many flashy things; second, even as a math teacher, listening to math problems he doesn’t understand is just as sleep-inducing.

This is something that doesn’t change with human will.

“Alright, keep it up!

I look forward to that day from now on,” Lan Jie said earnestly.

…

For the rest of the high-speed train journey, the two fell quiet again.

Qiao Yu, full of confidence, continued scrolling on his phone, but he didn’t bother to look at the forum comments from those big shots.

Lan Jie’s words genuinely removed a layer of filter regarding those so-called big shots, making Qiao Yu even less worried.

Those guys seemed very impressive, but it was just because they lived ten or twenty years longer than him.

The most important thing is, after Qiao Yu found that despite earnestly explaining to Teacher Lan, the good guy still admitted he didn’t understand, he confirmed the value of this equation.

No wonder those professors all thought he was a graduate student, and one specialized in number theory at that.

Generally, even after hearing the solution process, a math undergraduate might not fully understand it, so how could those professors suspect he was just a junior high school graduate?

So now he felt secure enough to soar.

He was quite experienced in this regard.

In elementary school, using this trick, he averaged earning two to three thousand yuan per month!

Qiao Yu considered himself very understanding of adults’ confidence in always maintaining skepticism.

In elementary school, some envious kids complained to teachers that he was writing for others, helping them cheat in exams, but the teachers never believed them…

How could a guy who only scored ten or twenty marks in exams, whose performance was poor in every aspect, help other students with such things?

Even if the teachers were half-skeptical, without actual evidence, it always ended without a resolution.

So as long as he didn’t log into the forum in front of those professors, those big shots would probably never suspect him.

Without this worry, Qiao Yu only felt a sense of relief.

He simply continued watching videos on his phone.

Meanwhile, Lan Jie beside him entered a daze state.

He really couldn’t look at his phone anymore.

Previously, he wanted to test Qiao Yu’s level limit, but everything that just happened made him realize that the previous idea was a bit ridiculous.

Honestly, he really couldn’t comprehend why someone without any systematic learning in algebra and number theory could solve such a difficult equation by hand.

Really, he already had a high regard for Qiao Yu, but he found now that he still underestimated this kid.

This self-learning ability…

Lan Jie thought of what his mentor once commented during a group meeting, saying: there’s a type of genius who can see the essence of abstract problems at a glance.

What they can understand in a day might take you three years, so you better work hard!

At that time, this comment was about a young doctoral student from the University of California, Berkeley, who came to their school for exchange.

Lan Jie remembered that this Irish guy was about his age, but he was already doing his doctorate, while Lan Jie had only just passed his graduate school exams not long ago…

Now it seems, he’s found such a treasure, whose abilities are perhaps even more exceptional.

At this moment, a very strong desire also rose in Lan Jie’s heart to show off Qiao Yu to his mentor…

If he could point to Qiao Yu in his mentor’s office and say: “Teacher, look, this is my student, specifically brought here for you to test,”

That feeling, just thinking about it, feels amazingly satisfying.

And speaking of it, Xiao Zhou isn’t actually that far from Linhai, and if he could persuade Qiao Yu to visit his alma mater, Shuangdan University…

The thought just flashed across his mind when Lan Jie suddenly felt he was being rather disgraceful!

The principal had entrusted him with an important task, hoping for Qiao Yu to win an IMO gold medal for Railway First Middle School, exposing the child so early would likely attract a bunch of professors trying to snatch him, which would probably interfere with Qiao Yu’s mindset.

Not to mention, those professors are all very sophisticated, and with a few contacts, they could probably figure out Qiao Yu’s character, then it would be genuinely dangerous…

There’s no way around it; this kid’s vulnerability is just too obvious.

Lan Jie even suspected that Qiao Yu deliberately displayed an endless desire for money to tempt those adults interested in him to invest as much as possible in him.

So it’s better to wait a bit.

Just a year or so…

Wait until Qiao Yu has won a gold medal in the world competition and gained guaranteed admission to Huaqing and Yanbei, and then talk about it!