boyutpedia Chapter 321 Chen Jingrun's Trip to the United States
Chapter 321 Chen Jingrun's Trip to the United States
Two days later, Lin Yan stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his top-floor office, overlooking the bustling view of Victoria Harbour. Hearing the door open, he turned around and saw Lin Er leading a thin, middle-aged man in.
Chen Jingrun was wearing a slightly oversized Zhongshan suit, his fingers unconsciously curled up, his eyes somewhat unfocused, carrying the shyness and awkwardness unique to scholars.
Lin Yan smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Mr. Chen Jingrun, it's an honor to meet you."
Chen Jingrun paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on Lin Yan's face before quickly looking away. He hesitated, then reached out and gave her a slightly stiff, gentle handshake, his fingertips cool to the touch.
Lin Er stepped forward and introduced, "Professor Chen, this is my younger brother, Lin Yan. He has always admired your knowledge and would like to have a chat with you. Is this convenient for you?"
"It's convenient," Chen Jingrun replied softly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of his clothes.
Lin Yan gestured for him to sit down in the reception area. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft glow on Chen Jingrun's slightly pale face.
"Mr. Chen, please don't be so formal," Lin Yan said gently. "Although I am young, I have some knowledge of number theory. I heard you've been studying Goldbach's Conjecture recently?"
Upon hearing his familiar field of expertise, Chen Jingrun's eyes lit up slightly, and his tense shoulders relaxed a little.
Seeing Chen Jingrun's nervous expression, Lin Yan softened his tone: "When I was studying at Wharton Business School, I put in some effort in both applied and theoretical mathematics. However, I'm not here to discuss mathematical problems with you today."
Seeing Chen Jingrun become even more flustered upon hearing this, he gently patted the other's shoulder: "I happen to be going to the United States in three days. If you'd like, I can help you apply to the mathematics department at Princeton University—a mecca for mathematicians worldwide."
Chen Jingrun's eyes suddenly lit up, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, but then quickly dimmed again. He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of his old Zhongshan suit, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Comrade Lin, I...I don't want to betray the country. America...I still won't go."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan laughed loudly and casually patted Chen Jingrun on the shoulder. The pat had just the right amount of force, both friendly and not offensive.
"Mr. Chen, you've misunderstood." He walked to the window, the shimmering waters of Victoria Harbour reflecting in his eyes. "I sent you to Princeton so you could learn real skills, not so you could change your allegiance."
As he turned, his eyes shone brightly: "Back then, Wei Yuan proposed 'learning from the barbarians' superior techniques to control them.' Now, you are taking the wisdom of Chinese students to learn from them. When you return, you will bring back the world's most cutting-edge mathematical achievements."
Chen Jingrun slightly widened his eyes, his fingers unconsciously twisting together.
"Ten years." Lin Yan held up his index finger. "For these ten years, you can focus solely on your studies. I've already arranged an English tutor, and you'll have someone to take care of you. We'll help translate your research findings into English and publish them in top journals like the *Annals of Mathematics*."
He walked to his desk and lightly tapped the surface with his fingertips: "We must let the whole world see that the wisdom of Chinese scholars is top-notch, even at Princeton."
Chen Jingrun's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes behind his glasses gradually brightened. He opened his mouth, but ultimately only uttered two words: "Thank you."
Lin Yan stood by the study window, his divine sense piercing through thousands of miles: "Alexander, how's the matter of buying the airplane I asked you to do going?"
"Young Master, everything is taken care of." Alexander's voice immediately rang in his mind. "It's a Boeing 707, with interior modifications made according to your requirements. The crew is also fully equipped and consists of reliable veterans."
"Great, arrange a plane to pick me up in Hong Kong. I need to go back to the United States."
"Understood, young master. I'll immediately notify the crew to apply for the flight route and prepare for the flight." Alexander paused, then added, "Do you need me to arrange airport pickup?"
"Just proceed as usual."
Three days later, the Boeing 707 belonging to the Lin family landed smoothly on the runway of Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport. After two more days of preparation, Lin Yan and his entourage arrived at the airport, ready to depart.
Xiao Qi, entering the airplane for the first time, was completely captivated by this enormous "metal room." It broke free from Lin Yan's arms and lightly jumped onto the aisle, sniffing and scratching here and there, its amber eyes filled with wonder. It even tried to pounce on the planes on the runway outside the porthole, making excited "woof woof" sounds in its throat, its tail wagging like a little whirlwind.
It was also Chen Jingrun's first time flying, but he appeared incredibly reserved. He practically tiptoed into the cabin, carefully making his way in, as if afraid of soiling the soft carpet. Guided by Lin Gang, he stiffly sat down in a window seat, his hands neatly placed on his knees, his back ramrod straight, even his breathing becoming shallow. He didn't look like he was on a plane; he looked more like he was sitting inside a highly sophisticated scientific instrument.
Lin Yan walked straight to the sofa and casually picked up a copy of the New York Times. Wang Yuling, seeing Xiao Qi's excitement, couldn't help but smile, then gently called it back to her side to avoid disturbing the tense Professor Chen. Lin Gang, meanwhile, expertly checked all the preparations in the cabin to ensure everything was in order.
A deafening roar of engines filled the air as the plane began to accelerate down the runway. Little Qi instantly bristled, leaping back into Lin Yan's arms, but stubbornly turning its head towards the window, watching the ground recede into the distance, the buildings turning into blocks. It let out a low bark, a mixture of fear and excitement.
The moment the plane took off, Chen Jingrun tightly closed his eyes, gripping the armrests of his seat so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Only when the plane entered the stratosphere and became stable did he dare to slightly open his eyes and tentatively look at the sea of clouds outside the window. For the first time, such a vast scene was reflected in his eyes, which were focused on the world of mathematics, and a trace of shock and bewilderment flashed across them.
Looking at Chen Jingrun's tense profile, Lin Yan softened his voice, "Professor Chen, there's no need to be so nervous. It's a twenty-hour flight from here to America; sitting like this is too tiring for you."
He nodded slightly to Lin Gang: "Prepare some tea and snacks for Teacher Chen. And pour a glass of champagne."
Lin Gang immediately went to the serving area and quickly brought out an exquisite dessert stand. When the glass of golden liquor, bubbling with tiny bubbles, was gently placed in front of Chen Jingrun, he awkwardly pushed up his glasses: "This... I never drink..."
"Consider it medicine," Lin Yan chuckled, raising his glass to the window. "Look, even the clouds are making way for us. This height is perfect for contemplating Goldbach's Conjecture."
Xiao Qi curiously leaned closer, her nose almost touching the wine glass, when Wang Yuling gently pulled her away. Chen Jingrun gazed at the surging sea of clouds outside the window, and finally carefully picked up the wine glass. The pale golden liquid swayed slightly in his hand, reflecting the glow of the sunset high above the porthole.