pertwk Chapter 5 Grand Blueprint
Chapter 5 Grand Blueprint
In the cramped little house, an old wooden table, weathered by time, was propped up.
Several mugs, each with a different shape and not even enough to form a complete set, are bubbling with tea leaves that cost 9.9 yuan including shipping.
Su Zhe, Gu Jin, and Shen Yuxuan sat around the table, the atmosphere strangely heavy.
In a corner not far away, Su Hao was patiently taking care of his younger sister, Su Hui.
Taking advantage of the break, Lin Wan boiled a kettle of water on the worn-out gas stove.
"I'm really sorry there's nothing much to offer you at home."
"Teachers, thank you so much for making the special trip to this humble place for my son, Su Hao."
Lin Wan wiped her hands on her faded apron and said hesitantly.
In the cramped space, everyone was frantically racking their brains for polite words, and the scene became a little awkward.
"Waaah—"
The steam from the kettle suddenly burst out, emitting a sharp boiling whistle, and the sound of boiling water bubbling and splashing broke the silence.
Gu Jin turned to look at Shen Yuxuan, desperately signaling him with her eyes to get to the point.
However, this usually charismatic and authoritative lecturer on the podium seemed to be frozen in place, staring intently at Su Hao not far away, unable to break free from his reverie.
The moment he glimpsed Su Hao's true appearance, it was as if an invisible hammer had suddenly fallen from the sky, the impact of which was so great that his eyelids were twitching at an extremely subtle but uncontrollable frequency.
Finally, Gu Jin couldn't bear the suffocating silence any longer and forced herself to speak.
"Su Hao's mother, let me tell you the truth."
Children like Su Hao, I've been teaching for so many years... No!
Even before becoming a teacher, I had never seen anything like it in my entire life!
You two know that Su Hao is a very special child, right?
Lin Wan blinked, momentarily speechless.
She certainly thought her child was smart, but that was just a mother's instinct.
She never dreamed that her son could attract such a well-dressed, arrogant big shot from the big city to this dilapidated house.
In her simple mind, all she wanted was for her son to get into a good university and save up more tuition fees.
"Is our Su Hao...more capable than those kids in big cities?"
The simple couple looked at Gu Jin cautiously, their expressions a mixture of anticipation that "my child has made something of himself" and worry about "how much will the training fees cost?"
He looked like he was frantically agonizing over whether or not to sell everything he owned to send his son to study in a big city.
"Yes, that's the kind of reaction most parents would have."
Gu Jin let out a silent sigh in her heart.
But how the hell are we supposed to explain this to these completely unaware, ordinary parents?
Explain that your family has a monster that could turn Newton and Gauss up in their graves?!
Gu Jin struggled to find the right words:
"Ah... Su Hao's mother."
Our visit today is not simply because Su Hao's grades are better than those of children in big cities who have been attending advanced tutoring classes since childhood.
"So what do you mean...?"
Gu Jin found it hard to say something as ridiculously cheesy as, "Your son has the potential to become a great man who will be remembered in history."
Just as she was stammering and tongue-tied, Shen Yuxuan finally broke free from his near-trembling, disoriented state and interrupted her in a low, hoarse voice, speaking so fast it was like chanting a spell:
"Good at studying, smart... Su Hao no longer belongs to this low-dimensional evaluation system!"
While the specific situation remains to be seen, at present, looking at the world...
No! Even in the entire history of humankind over the past fifty years, I believe that no one can compare to Su Hao in mathematical talent!
At least among her peers, there is absolutely none!
When he mentioned "fifty years", Shen Yuxuan's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
Only he knew that this was already an extremely conservative and restrained figure!
In fact, he couldn't even imagine that in the long past of this planet, there had existed a monster even more outrageous than the seven-year-old child in front of him!
"what?"
Su Zhe and Lin Wan were both stunned, and exclaimed in unison in bewilderment.
Immediately afterwards...
Hahahaha!
"Oh my! Teacher, why are you making such a serious face when you're joking? It's so funny, hahaha."
The couple were so happy they slapped their thighs and laughed for a long time.
However, Shen Yuxuan remained like an emotionless machine, not even a twitch of his facial muscles. He stared intently at them.
Seemingly sensing that something was off about the strange atmosphere, the couple's laughter subsided as if they were ducks being strangled.
"I'm not joking," Shen Yuxuan said quietly.
The air in the room seemed to have been sucked out instantly, becoming subtle and heavy.
Lin Wan and Su Zhe's smiles froze on their faces. They exchanged a glance and carefully sat up straight.
"Now that you're parents, you should understand the truth. This is for Su Hao's own good."
Shen Yuxuan's tone took on the authority of a renowned teacher.
"I believe Su Hao possesses extremely amazing potential."
Human history, especially the history of science, has always been driven forward by a very small number of geniuses chosen by heaven.
Su Hao is undoubtedly one of that very few people.
Shen Yuxuan stared intently at the ordinary couple before him. He felt as if he were standing on the banks of the surging river of history, watching a giant wave about to overturn the era brewing under this simple roof.
"We're actually quite confused by what you're saying all of this so suddenly."
Su Zhe swallowed hard and rubbed his hands together.
"To be honest, please don't be angry, but we still find it a little hard to believe..."
Seeing this, Gu Jin quickly interjected:
"Su...Su Hao's father! You may not know this teacher, but he's definitely not the kind of person who talks nonsense! He is..."
Shen Yuxuan raised his right hand, coldly interrupting Gu Jin.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he unzipped his briefcase and pulled out a stack of yellowed documents.
Those were memories sealed deep in the attic of his house, memories he had always wanted to forget, memories that had once shone so brightly they were almost blinding.
I brought this just in case, but I never expected it would actually come in handy with these ordinary parents!
The first thing that catches the eye is a newspaper clipping.
The image above shows Shen Yuxuan in his younger days, looking somewhat naive, with a gleaming gold medal around his neck and a bright, sunny smile.
The bold, black-font title is visually striking:
[Great news! Shen Yuxuan, a 17-year-old student from the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, has won a silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad!]
In addition, there are countless certificates and medals, so many that they make your eyes dizzy!
Everyone firmly believed that this exceptionally talented young man would shine brightly in the future!
"Ordinary people might not pay much attention, but I was once a star student on whom high hopes were placed."
Shen Yuxuan expressionlessly peeled back his scars, his tone chillingly calm.
"Each country can only send six people to the national team for the International Mathematical Olympiad."
Although I was the last in that national team, not only Tsinghua and Peking University, but almost all the world's top universities extended offers to me.
"Wow, I didn't know you were this amazing!"
Su Zhe's hand trembled, and he quickly picked up the document, staring wide-eyed as he carefully examined the news report.
Gu Jin also held her breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, staring at Shen Yuxuan.
However, Shen Yuxuan smiled.
It was a bitter, desolate smile born from having witnessed the true path and deeply feeling one's own insignificance.
I'm not saying this to show off.
On the contrary, I felt ashamed because I had failed and had not achieved my dreams.
Shen Yuxuan's voice carried a sense of desolation born of experience.
I'm sharing these things to convince you that every word I said about Su Hao is true!
The entire room fell silent.
Shen Yuxuan's voice possessed a peculiar, chilling quality.
After a long while, Su Zhe, who had finally recovered from his shock, asked Shen Yuxuan in a trembling voice:
"If what you said is true, teacher, what should we do? Should we send our child to a big city?"
As the saying goes, "People strive to rise higher, while water flows downhill."
This is an unshakeable iron law of the mortal world.
However, Shen Yuxuan shook his head decisively.
"You don't need to do anything."
"What?" The couple was dumbfounded.
"There's no need to show off everywhere, and there's no need to go to school in a big city."
That will only add unnecessary psychological burden to the child.
"So... we're just going to leave it like this?"
"As parents, yes. You just need to take care of his daily needs."
Shen Yuxuan pushed up his glasses.
"Of course, I will do what I should do. I just looked at his little bookshelf and found that he has a certain imbalance in his math studies."
Much of it focuses on topology. Probably to solve the four-color theorem...
However, in the long run, it is useless to only study topology.
The classical era when topology alone could solve all problems is long gone!
At this point, Shen Yuxuan paused, his tone taking on a condescending, professional scrutiny:
Number theory, algebra, analysis, combinatorics, geometry...
On the surface, they seem like completely different fields, but the theorems and theories that truly shake the world must combine the essence of these branches in order to truly break free from their shackles.
"Like Wiles?"
Gu Jin finally heard a point of knowledge that she could barely grasp, and casually asked a question.
"That's right." Shen Yuxuan glanced at her and nodded.
"How many theories do you think Professor Wiles used when proving Fermat's Last Theorem?!"
Algebraic geometry! Number theory! Modularity theorem! Galois representation! Fry curves! Liebert's theorem! Diophantine equations...
These massive and profound gears of logic must mesh together perfectly to unleash the power to solve the age-old problem!
Therefore, even geniuses like Euler or Gauss, given the limited tools available to them in their time, could not possibly solve the problem—this is perfectly understandable!
This barrage of top-tier academic terms, like a machine gun firing, exploded like heavy bombs in the cramped rented room.
Gu Jin was so shocked that he could only nod repeatedly, as if he were pounding garlic.
"Recent trends in academia show that the boundaries between different fields are being broken down, and there has even been talk of 'fusion mathematics' that brings all schools of thought together."
Bombarded by a barrage of unfamiliar and seemingly incomprehensible technical terms, the couple felt their heads spinning and their vision blurring.
Shen Yuxuan seemed to realize he was too excited, and suppressed his emotions, explaining in a gentle tone:
"The core is to have a comprehensive grasp of all areas of mathematics."
I can help with that; I'll send all the books that Su Hao needs to read to him.
And then there are the most cutting-edge and important papers.
"Is that enough?" Su Zhe scratched the back of his head.
Compared to the oppressive atmosphere at the beginning, which felt like a major threat, it doesn't seem like such a big deal now, does it?
It's nothing more than the books I used to buy randomly being picked out by this impressive big-city teacher with a stellar resume.
"Su Hao was originally a genius child who could master university-level mathematics through self-study."
As long as he is shown the right direction and provided with enough ammunition, he can completely crush everything in his path on his own!
If there are any questions he really doesn't understand, I can always tutor him over the phone or via video.
"Then we can just continue sending him to school as usual."
"That's right. That's how it is in elementary school."
"And then what?" Lin Wan pressed.
Shen Yuxuan's gaze gradually deepened, as if piercing through the dilapidated ceiling and looking into the distance.
"I know a mathematician named Ilya Cronin."
The couple looked puzzled when a strange, exotic name suddenly appeared.
But Shen Yuxuan completely ignored their reactions and continued talking to himself.
"At the age of thirteen, he won the International Mathematical Olympiad with a perfect score."
He earned his master's degree at sixteen. At twenty-three, he was hired as a full professor at Princeton University, one of the world's top universities!
There is no Nobel Prize in mathematics, but there is the Fields Medal, which is awarded only once every four years.
Ilya won this prestigious award at the age of twenty-nine! Over the years, he has single-handedly solved countless problems, and now… he's reportedly tackling the Millennium Prize puzzle!
"The Millennium Grand Prize Problem?" Su Zhe asked, puzzled.
"This is the ultimate problem published by the Clay Mathematics Institute, led by mathematicians from Harvard University."
In 2000, after discussions among several leading figures in the global mathematics community, seven unsolved mysteries were selected that were expected to make significant contributions to the mathematics community in the 21st century!
Solving just one of the puzzles would earn you a million US dollars, which is equivalent to several million RMB. However…”
Shen Yuxuan's eyes turned fervent.
"More important than money is the moment the problem is solved; at that moment, my name will be forever etched in the history of world mathematics—no, in the history of all human civilization!"
The topic suddenly shifted from "the normal act of sending kids to school" to "the entire history of human civilization" without warning. Su Zhe, standing to the side, was so shocked that he kept shaking his head, his scalp tingling.
"Is...is there really anyone who can solve this?"
"Of course! In fact, one problem has already been solved."
This feat was accomplished by a Russian mathematician named Grigory Perelman!
"Then...then..."
"That's right." Shen Yuxuan took a deep breath and pointed to Su Hao not far away.
"I hope Su Hao will grow into a mathematician who can tackle the Millennium Prize problem single-handedly!"
The room was so quiet that only breathing could be heard.
Perhaps feeling parched, or perhaps needing to calm her racing heart, Lin Wan picked up her cup and downed the cooled tea in one gulp.
Click.
The cup slammed heavily onto the table.
"So what should we do? Teacher, didn't you just say to just let things take their course?"
Hearing that their son might be a once-in-a-lifetime genius who could etch his name into human history, what parent in the world would refuse to help!
"I have an excellent eye for people, and I think Su Hao is in no way inferior to Ilya Cronin."
When Ilya was young, his elite parents, who were both doctors and teachers, gave him their wholehearted support.
But even if Su Hao were born into poverty, even without these advantages, he could still crush that genius!
Those trivial auxiliary tasks can be done by myself!
Lin Wan's mind raced, quickly calculating her future plans: "When I'm thirteen..."
"No, a year earlier... a year earlier than Ilya Cronin, breaking the record for the youngest math Olympiad champion, how about that?"
At this moment, an extremely strong emotion appeared on Shen Yuxuan's face.
That's greed.
Greed for extraordinary geniuses and the desire to be remembered in history!
"I will stay with him until he turns twelve!"
After that, whether you go to Tsinghua or Peking University or go abroad is up to you.
My personal opinion is that developing your career in the United States might be a smoother path.
You don't need to worry about any expenses.
Those top universities would absolutely beg him to come over like a pilgrimage!
If it really comes to the worst, I can sponsor it in full.
Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a renowned teacher in the industry, money is no object...
In this epic moment, when the blood is boiling and it feels like we're about to set off for the stars and the sea, we are filled with excitement.
Suddenly, a discordant, even somewhat childish, voice came from behind.
"I do not want."
*Splat*
The grand plan in Shen Yuxuan's mind was instantly shattered.
It was like a bucket of ice water at zero degrees Celsius being poured over a fire.
Gu Jin's hand trembled, and she almost dropped the teacup on the ground.
Lin Wan was so frightened that she jumped up and turned her head sharply to look at Su Hao.
"Haohao! What nonsense are you talking about? Your teacher is doing this for your own good..."
But Su Hao spoke faster than she did, his clear eyes showing no reverence for authority whatsoever.
"I never studied math to participate in some stupid competitions and win awards, nor to solve any difficult problems that others had set out to solve."
"Go to America?" Su Hao frowned slightly.
My parents have lived in their hometown their whole lives. Is it realistic for them to just leave their hometown so easily?
If it's really like what this strange guy said, and I'm treated like a problem-solving machine, being led around the world by the nose, then I definitely won't even have time to play with Su Hui anymore!
I won't do it!
The usually well-behaved son surprisingly started talking back, leaving the couple stunned and embarrassed.
"Sigh... I knew this would happen."
The expected resistance.
Shen Yuxuan rubbed his sore eyes, looking exhausted, and sighed deeply.
"Thank you for your kindness." Su Hao curled his lip, looking at the strange man with disdain.
"But I can learn math on my own."
Perhaps because the first impression was so bad, Su Hao's still somewhat immature face was filled with rebellion and wariness.
In this child's clear eyes, what is Shen Yuxuan?
He was just an uninvited guest who inexplicably barged into his peaceful life and spouted nonsense.
"Fine." Shen Yuxuan's face darkened. "You don't necessarily have to go to America. It's okay if you don't want to do as I say."
Seeing that the other party backed down so quickly, Su Hao was stunned for a moment and showed a puzzled expression.
But then he heard Shen Yuxuan's next words, and he froze on the spot.
"Six years of primary school, three years of junior high, and three years of senior high. A total of twelve years."
"Twelve years?" Su Hao asked, puzzled.
At this moment, an unnamed karmic fire of jealousy and anger was gushing out of Shen Yuxuan's chest!
Does this unfortunate child even understand anything?!
To be able to breathe freely in the realm of genius, a realm that ordinary people like him could never reach even after a lifetime of painstaking effort, is an unparalleled blessing from heaven!
"You'll have to continue receiving this idiotic education, which is even worse than that tattered encyclopedia in your room, wasting twelve years of your life!"
"what?"
boom!
Shen Yuxuan suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a piercing scream.
He strode over, bent down, placed his hands on Su Hao's small shoulders, and whispered in a low voice, like a devil:
"Come, look me in the eyes and tell me the truth."
Those elementary school classes you usually take with Teacher Gu, with stuff like "what does one plus one equal?", must have been incredibly boring, right?!
"You're going to endure those days that insult your intelligence for a full twelve years?!"
"Clearly, if you take even the smallest step now, the outside world is full of great challenges, as dazzling as stars, waiting for you to conquer!"
If we can unravel these mysteries, it's possible to completely overturn the lives and history of all humanity, and change the very laws governing the world!
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and his saliva almost sprayed onto Su Hao's face.
How much progress has humanity made since Newton discovered the law of universal gravitation?!
Without Einstein's theory of relativity, what gives humanity, such a tiny species, the audacity to venture beyond Earth and into the universe?!
"Holy crap... there's something wrong with this guy's eyes! Is he a lunatic?"
Su Hao was terrified as he watched Shen Yuxuan's eyes bulge out and his face contort in a frenzy as he unleashed a barrage of grand pronouncements.
"Hiss—" Su Hao gasped.
"Your mind may hold the ultimate key to solving a problem that has baffled humanity for thousands of years!!"
Shen Yuxuan shook Su Hao violently.
You're actually planning to just leave it there to mold?!
Just so you can stay home and play with your younger sister?!
The Earth, humanity, and all of history could potentially move forward because of you!!!
Shen Yuxuan's pupils dilated suddenly, and the whites of his eyes were surrounded by terrifying blood vessels as he stared intently at the boy in front of him.
That wasn't looking at a child at all, but rather at a god trying to abandon humanity!
His fingers spasmed from extreme emotional agitation, digging into his clothes and squeezing Su Hao's shoulder until it ached.
Finally, the immense pain and the fear of facing the madman overwhelmed everything.
"Wow—Mommy!"
Shen Yuxuan, a former IMO silver medalist, still managed to scare Su Hao to tears!