Free Web NovelChapter 930: Chapter 474: Truly a Math Genius!_2
He added to himself, "Even if I went... they wouldn’t want me anyway!"
...
The group arrived at the venue.
Fan Lei made a round of the main hall to check out the presentation and award-receiving area, then followed Qiu Chengwen, Zhou Li and others for a bit before realizing it wasn’t interesting to him.
The main reason was... it was too exhausting!
The others were always discussing mathematical problems, and he couldn’t understand any of it.
If it was a group of young and pretty girls, even if they were discussing how to look good in clothes, he could listen with vigor and even feign an ’I’ve learned something’ air.
But a bunch of middle-aged and old men?
"Forget it!"
Fan Lei quickly excused himself due to fatigue and returned to the hotel. For the following days, he never even left the hotel, as it had a gym and a swimming pool, and the atmosphere was very comfortable with very friendly staff. There was nothing more comfortable than staying in the hotel.
It wasn’t until the day before his presentation that Fan Lei communicated with the organizers’ staff about the details of the talk, "The NP problem," he said outright.
Zhao Yi had specifically instructed him to disclose it only the day before, partly to preserve a sense of mystery and prevent too many people from knowing, and partly to reduce the pressure on Fan Lei.
If a lot of people knew Fan Lei was going to give a talk on the NP problem, he wouldn’t have a moment’s peace; sure enough, many would approach him for more information.
On the other hand, if no one knew what Fan Lei was going to talk about, not even the organizers or the Mathematical Union, and he kept a tight lip, no one would come to ask.
Fan Lei had underestimated the sensational impact of this news. He had only told the staff about the NP problem, and although the staff kept confidentiality as part of their duties and only informed the main hall’s person-in-charge as well as the union committee, it immediately caused a stir internally.
"The NP problem! It’s actually the NP problem!"
"We all guessed wrong!"
"Impossible, right? Is it really the NP problem? How could Zhao Yi suddenly solve this problem?"
...
The news spread quickly.
Fortunately, by the day before the presentation, when the news had just gotten out, Fan Lei had no time to be disturbed, yet it still sparked a great deal of discussion.
Everyone was talking about the topic and eagerly anticipating the proof in the presentation.
The central hall.
More than an hour before the presentation, the central hall was already packed to capacity. Everyone was waiting for Fan Lei to appear, looking forward to the report he would give in place of Zhao Yi, and speculating whether the NP problem would be resolved.
Some were optimistic, others not so much.
This was already quite impressive. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Although Zhao Yi had many achievements and great fame, recognized as one of the world’s most accomplished mathematicians, the NP problem was the first of the Millennium Prize Problems, and despite the many mathematicians who had researched it, there had been no progress to speak of.
The news that circulated was only that Zhao Yi’s presentation was on the NP problem. Whether he had solved the NP problem, just part of it, or whether the work extended to related issues stemmed from the NP problem, was uncertain.
This was when the media became very active.
Due to Zhao Yi’s strong chances of winning the Fields Medal, and rumors that his proxy would be presenting significant results the day before the award ceremony, local TV stations purchased broadcasting rights to live stream both Zhao Yi’s presentation and the award ceremony.
The pre-presentation interviews were also unavoidable. Fan Lei, waiting backstage to go on, was definitely out of reach for interviews. Instead, reporters caught up with Qiu Chengwen and others. Facing the media cameras, Qiu Chengwen expressed his expectations for the presentation, "Yesterday, there was news that Zhao Yi’s proof was on the NP problem. However, I learned the precise information from Professor Zhou at Yanhua University..."
He smiled mysteriously and affirmed, "I can assert beforehand that Zhao Yi’s work is indeed a proof regarding the NP problem, and that he has completed it."
"But whether the NP problem will be resolved, we’ll have to wait until the presentation is over to be sure."
Regarding Fan Lei, who would be delivering the presentation, Qiu Chengwen said, "He’s a very talented young man, you could say he’s a rising star in the national mathematical community."
"Through our interactions over these past few days, I am convinced that he will be the future of mathematical research in our country. He has great potential, which is why he’s giving the presentation in place of Zhao Yi..."
"Zhao Yi is remarkable, but at the same time, we should not overlook other potentials..."
Professor Qiu went on at length.
Meanwhile.
In a small conference room at Yanhua University College of Science, dozens of professors and teachers, including Zhao Yi, were all watching the live broadcast of the Mathematics Congress.
When they saw Qiu Chengwen being interviewed on TV, praising Fan Lei for his incredible talent and as the future of mathematical research in the country, several who knew Fan Lei were dumbfounded.
Zhao Yi himself was completely stunned, looking around at the others and asking, "Is there anyone else named Fan Lei who’s attending the Mathematics Congress?"
... "I don’t know."
"There shouldn’t be, right?"
"Even if there is, Professor Qiu must be talking about our Fan Lei, right?"
...
As the group exchanged glances, not knowing how to react, someone finally couldn’t suppress a laugh, "Qiu... Qiu Chengwen actually said Fan Lei is a math genius... hahaha..."
"Fan Lei, a math genius..."
