America 1982-Chapter 602 - 132: I’m Home_3

"So you also don’t know that my mentor is Winton Sev, right."

"Do I need to know?" Sophia looked at Quinn seriously and asked, "I mean, I truly don’t know."

Quinn’s face broke into a smile, "No, not everyone knows him. The only thing I have to brag about to outsiders is that I work at Stanford University and I am a student and team member of Winton Sev."

Sophia looked puzzled at Tommy, who began to explain:

"Our mentor, Winton Sev, is a Stanford University Mathematics graduate, who is now a tenured professor of Computer Science at Stanford and more than a dozen other universities. He’s a true genius. In high school, he was invited by NASA to participate in the software development for the F-1 engine as part of the Apollo Program. In 1974, he wrote the world’s first TCP protocol and is referred to by us newcomers as ’The Father,’ the father of the Internet."

"For Quinn, an undergraduate student, being asked to do menial tasks like fetching coffee, which she self-deprecatingly calls gender discrimination, is actually a highly sought-after easy job that countless doctoral students from other prestigious schools can’t get. So, in fact, she has been showing off how favored she is; not just anyone is qualified to serve coffee for Professor Sev, you understand?"

Upon hearing about the other party’s mentor, Sophia wasn’t too shocked; she was immune to most gossip, having been personally involved in the establishment of Tommy Actor Company during her college days. She had also heard from Odelia and Stephen about that bastard Tommy serving as a temporary Prime Minister for a country and pressuring the United States for debt repayment in high school.

Spending too much time with the bastard, another high school student’s legendary experience in participating in the U.S. Apollo Program to help develop software for engines didn’t seem so unbelievable anymore.

However, she looked at Quinn with suspicion and asked:

"He doesn’t have a high degree, only a bachelor’s certificate in Computer Science, I mean, why would that genius professor choose an undergraduate or doctorate student? Why pick Tommy? His grades are excellent, but they are not ranked first."

"He just said that I am the woman with the lowest educational level around the mentor, what he didn’t mention is, before he graduated, he was the man with the lowest educational level around the mentor." Quinn flicked off some ash, propped one hand on the steering wheel, and leaned back in her seat as she spoke:

"A higher degree is certainly better, but it is not a must-have at Stanford University. You know Jason, right? Jason didn’t even get his diploma, but it doesn’t prevent many Stanford professors from employing him for related research work."

"We’re here." Quinn said as she gestured for Sophia to look at the buildings ahead.

Sophia looked forward, and the buildings in front were coated in red-gray, looking no different from the red research buildings commonly seen at Stanford University.

There, Quinn had parked the golf cart by the roadside and then took a work ID card from the glove compartment and tossed it to Tommy: "Put this on, so you don’t get caught wandering around by security, forcing me to waste time explaining. In the two years since you graduated, all the guards have been replaced, security level is now on par with the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, so don’t expect them to recognize you."

Sophia glanced at the work badge Tommy caught in his hand; it was simple in design, with a younger photo of Tommy Hawk from a few years ago, followed by an introduction to his identity:

Researcher at Stanford National Supercomputer Center, Tommy Hawk.

Issuer: Chief Director of Stanford National Supercomputer Center, Winton Sev.

Standing in front of the voice-interactive screen at the entrance of the five-story building, Tommy Hawk, in a floral shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops, properly wore his work badge, took off his sunglasses, and revealed a bright smile to the screen: "Hello, my Stanford family, I’m home."