Study Monster Cultivation System-Chapter 303 - 302 Learn, learn, still...

Li Zheng came to the Academy, doing only three things.

Study.

Study.

And still studying in front of his mom.

An office with three people, arranged in an isosceles triangle formation.

In Feng Shui terms, this must be what they call a dead end.

Li Zheng was okay though; he could study anywhere after all.

He was, after all, the man who had once learned advanced mathematics in the school restroom in just a quarter of an hour.

Lin Yujing, however, was not adjusting well. She needed to get up and move around after studying for a while, but with one person busy at work and the other diligent in studies... She couldn’t possibly just whip out a gaming console to play...

It was like putting a cat in a completely flat, smooth horizontal plane, where no matter how much it ran, it could not find a space to leap and bounce.

It was quite despairing.

And Shen Tinglan, amidst her work, would occasionally glance at Li Zheng.

Even for her, it was the first time in her life seeing someone so steadfast; he seemed to operate on a different time flow from others. He didn’t grow irritable from long periods of focus on minimally effective studies; rather, he seemed more energized the more he studied.

Besides, Li Zheng would organize any questionable points every day and ask them all at once after work.

When Shen Tinglan instructed him, he generally understood everything instantly. For the concepts not immediately understood, she would just point him to a theorem or recommend a reference book or paper, and soon enough, he would get it.

This suddenly made Shen Tinglan think that staying at the academy as a teacher wouldn’t be so bad.

Of course, this was assuming all students were like Li Zheng.

On the other hand, Lin Yujing never brought up any questions.

This didn’t mean she understood everything at first glance. In fact, some of the deeper textbooks would probably be indigestible even to their authors; they weren’t exactly speaking in human language.

Lin Yujing also faced things she didn’t understand. She would try to grasp them a few times, and if she still didn’t understand, it definitely wasn’t her fault. She would then leave the problem there, and one day, she would understand it out of the blue.

The two of them, though both high achievers, had completely different mindsets and paths.

Shen Tinglan sometimes wondered why these two paths converged.

Was it a symbiotic relationship or a master-slave dynamic?

Intuitively, it was probably the latter...

So, that’s probably why they spent all day like this, ostensibly vying for a dominant or submissive role...

After all, who doesn’t want to be fed with a spoon and then just leave after finishing?

In this intense period of study, half a month quickly passed; with the overtimes and doubled efforts of half of the Aerospace Systems team, The Sixth Institute presented an engine improvement plan, and the expert group had also started the Reset review, which would be completed by early October.

Once completed, the new engines would be manufactured immediately, with each one tested as they were made.

In the best-case scenario, the new Yellow 2 would be assembled by the beginning of next year, ready for launch around the Spring Festival.

During this time, Li Zheng not only systematically completed his studies in aerospace engineering, thoroughly outpacing Chen Wei in all-around knowledge, but he also casually joined a biology competition’s experimental assessment, entering the provincial team as the second-highest-ranked participant from Jijing.

Although he had only reviewed for a few days, his theoretical scores were, as usual, tens of points higher than the second placer. It was only in the experimental section that he was starkly unprepared, forcibly applying his chemistry lab skills to biology, which left him in a slight disadvantage, relegating him to second place.

On September 28, Li Zheng took a half-day leave to rush to the information competition.

It must be said, for a senior programmer, this really was a bit of a waste of time.

Once he came out of the exam hall, he skillfully sent away the Competition Committee teacher, then hopped on a borrowed scooter, ready to head back to the Academy for another afternoon of study.

When he took out his phone to start the navigation, he noticed he had missed seven or eight calls, all from the same person.

Teacher Fu Xuefeng!

Li Zheng’s eyes widened in panic.

Damn, he had been too happy studying and forgot to cancel his participation in the training selection.

This year’s training was still hosted by Zhang Tao and Fu Xuefeng at Jinghua.

Li Zheng quickly returned the call.

Teacher Fu’s scolding came thundering down.

"What’s the situation, it’s already this late and you still haven’t checked in? I called the school saying you two were interning, and they said they couldn’t disclose where you were interning, are you two playing 007 here?!"

"Ah... Teacher Fu, let me explain…" Li Zheng hurriedly explained, "We really are interning at Aerospace First Institute now…"

"Which institute?"

"China Rocket Technology Research Institute, Aerospace Systems Engineering Research Institute."

"Wait... say that again, but slower..."

"China Rocket..."

Fu Xuefeng fell into a long contemplation upon hearing this.

"I can tell you’re not joking, but I still don’t believe it. Hold on, let me ask Fei Fei... ask Teacher Tao..."

After a while.

"Are you and Fei Fei teaming up to play a joke on me?"

"I could send you my work ID..."

"No need, listen to me," Fu Xuefeng immediately advised, "You might not fully understand the significance of the IPHO, but you and Lin Yujing both have the potential to compete for the world championship. With this, you could easily enter most of the top universities worldwide with full scholarships, right from undergraduate studies."

"I’ve already signed with Ji University..."

"Oh, that kind of signing is worthless, it has no legal effect. Look, as soon as the new policy was released, we invalidated those provincial contracts without even blinking."

"Teacher Fu, I can’t leave the country anymore..."

"Don’t start with that; I have many classmates in the aerospace system. It’s not that you can’t leave the country at all, secrecy is also tiered, and besides, what are two interns to them anyway? I’ll get the Competition Committee to send an application to the Rocket Academy."

"Ah... actually, the institute had already issued a letter for both of us to the Competition Committee ahead of time, it’s been in my hands, I just kept forgetting to send it..."

"What letter? Read it to me."

"Just a moment... uh, I’m reading it now."

"Physics Association High School Physics Competition Committee:"

"Comrades Li Zheng and Lin Yujing have been interning at our institute since September 1, 2019, playing key roles in major projects and are core members of our young staff."

"Since 2009, our institute has been in charge of the overall development of the Yellow River-2 Launch Rocket and is currently in a critical phase of concentrated effort. Objectively, we require the participation of Comrades Li Zheng and Lin Yujing in our work. Subjectively, both comrades are also willing to stay in the country to be involved in the Yellow-2 project advancements."

"Additionally, Comrades Li Zheng and Lin Yujing have been approved for entry into the national key talent pool, and unless there are specifically articulated special reasons in relevant policies, they should not go abroad."

"We hope your committee will understand our work arrangements and respect the decision of Comrades Li Zheng and Lin Yujing to withdraw from participating in the international competition, and support their approval."

"Sincerely,"

"China Rocket Technology Research Institute"

"September 23, 2019"

"Cough... I’ve finished reading."

"..."

After a long silence, Li Zheng felt that Fu Xuefeng had lit a cigarette on the other end, and then heavily exhaled.

"Fuck..."

It eventually turned into a single word, "Fuck."

"Was it really a subjective decision?" Fu Xuefeng asked, "If they pressured you, just tell me; the Competition Committee can definitely arrange for you to go abroad."

"It really was a subjective decision," Li Zheng replied, "Teacher Fu, neither of us needs the title of competition champion anymore."

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"Oh, so where are you now?"

Li Zheng glanced at the large banner nearby for the information competition: "I..."

"You think I don’t know you’re in an information competition?" Fu Xuefeng sighed and asked, "Are you really in charge of the competition as high school students?"

"It seems so..."

"So who are you following there? I have a classmate in the First Institute, he’s quite a senior official; maybe he could look after you."

"We are under Chief Designer Shen Tinglan, but strictly speaking, we’re directly managed by Director Chen Hongbing."

"..."

"Teacher Fu, are you still there?"

"Ah... uh... what exactly is the situation with Yellow-2? Is it as announced in the news?"

"Sorry, that’s classified information. The announcement on the First Institute’s website has made it very clear."

"Just hint a little bit."

"I can’t, Teacher Fu, this is a matter of principle."

"Ah..." Fu Xuefeng sighed, "I can’t stand it... you said you were studying well, learning while dating, even maintaining protection, then suddenly you’re building rockets... and how did you even become a key member in rocket building..."

"Fate, indescribably mystical."

"Alright alright, I wish Yellow-2 a successful launch soon, just send me the letter, I need to explain it to the leadership."

"It’s hard on you, Teacher Fu. I’ll send it right now."

"Ah, what a pity..." Fu Xuefeng said offhandedly, "the professor was actually at the university today, had heard about the national team training, and was teaching the students..."

"!!!" Li Zheng really widened his eyes this time.

Jinghua has many professors.

It could be Professor Zhang, Professor Li, or Professor Zhou.

But there is only one professor who can be referred to simply as ’the professor’ and everyone immediately understands who is being spoken of without disagreement.

That individual can only be the professor among professors, the unique professor.

"Teacher Fu, are you talking about Academician Yang Zhenhua?"

"Who else? You wouldn’t recognize the others if I told you, anyway, our Jinghua Physics Department only really competes with your Ji University for students because of his renown."

"Don’t rush to inform the leaders, I will go there first, is it still that same building?"

"Ah? You’re going to deliver the letter yourself?"

"Yes, but first I’ll hold on to it for a while and hand it over after the professor has left."

"...Okay, I understand, who in physics wouldn’t want to meet the professor in person... but I feel like he’s about to leave, I’m not sure if you can make it in time if you start now."

"I’m going for it, I’ll speed!"

Without another word, Li Zheng turned on his GPS and immediately shattered his own under-40KM/H safety driving rule, forcefully speeding up to 60KM/H!

Don’t go, professor, please don’t go!

At least leave the Academic Fortune behind before you leave!

...

For most people, the most famous physicist is Stephen Hawking; when Hawking died, those media chasing trends even called him "the greatest physicist after Einstein" to satisfy the trend-chasing personality of their followers, conveniently putting in a R.I.P. as well.

But if the choice were up to physicists themselves, to vote on who is the greatest physicist after Einstein.

Then Mr. Yang Zhenhua...

Actually still falls just a bit short.

No way around it, Feynman is just too supreme.

But then again, if it were about who is the most outstanding physicist of our time.

Then Mr. Yang Zhenhua truly deserves that title.

He’s not as famous as Hawking, but that’s because his theories are just too difficult to understand, so much so that even undergraduate physics students might not be able to comprehend them.

Most people only know that he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the ’violation of parity in weak interactions’, but among all his academic achievements, that’s not even one-tenth of what he’s accomplished.

Of course, the ’most people’ referred to here are merely the majority within physics enthusiasts, while the broader public focuses more on his late private life, as those gossips are easier to understand than spending ten years understanding the Yang-Mills theory before making a judgment.

Today, even though the professor, nearly a hundred years old, had long retired, he still frequents Jinghua University’s School of Physics. No one has the right to ask him to do this, not even the right to request it.

But he still does so.

Not due to some grand notion of obligation, but simply because he wants to.

This day, the professor visited the national team’s training camp, spoke some words, taught half a class, took a group photo with the students, and overall, felt quite good about it.

If his vigorous exchanges with various physicists and mathematicians during his prime were like mental boxing.

Then now, gently and unhurriedly sharing some basic physics and life experiences feels more like a session of mental massage.

There’s no helping it; who at nearly 100 years old would still be able to box?

Yet the professor still very much enjoys this phase; he knows that the large tree of physics has already branched out into fifty limbs and sprouts, and these children before him are the most likely to bloom flowers at the buds.

His brief acquaintance with them can’t possibly convey much wisdom or inspiration, but it’s enough to give them memories that they will cherish for a lifetime, which, in moments of fragile despair, may become their ultimate source of willpower.

Those physics matters have long been written down on paper, existing possibly for half a century now.

And himself, this old man of poor condition, living in the memories of these children is the only thing he can still achieve.

The professor even remembered some names, like Du Zicheng, like Qi… Qi what was it... never mind.

With a few clicks, the final photo-op was completed, the photographer gave the professor priority to view the photos, and the professor smiled very happily, as happy as he appeared in the photos.

He’s eager to take pictures with people, though the reason is somewhat amusing.

More than half a century ago, when he was a postdoctoral fellow, he had met Einstein a few times but...

out of too much nervousness, he never dared to ask for a photo.

This has become one of his few lasting regrets to this day.

Therefore, to prevent today’s youngsters from having the same regret, he often takes the initiative to ask if they would like a photo together.

Amid the delightful blessings of the children, the professor waved his hand and walked toward the sedan with his assistant.

Just then, a young teacher suddenly rushed over and supported the professor’s arm from the other side.

The professor could feel that he was very nervous, his hands trembling.

"You are... Fu Xuefeng, right?" the professor asked, "It’s alright, just speak your mind."

"Professor... um..." Fu Xuefeng scratched his head, "Could we... sit for a while longer... ?"

Before the professor could respond, the young male assistant frowned first.

"Teacher Fu, the professor should go back to rest now, he still has to take three different medications later."

"I know... but..." Fu Xuefeng, with a red face, scratched his head, "Actually, the two most outstanding contestants haven’t arrived yet, but one of them should be here soon... "

"You want the professor to wait for a contestant?" the assistant exclaimed in surprise, his eyes wide, "Are you crazy?"

"Ah... this..." Fu Xuefeng became even more flustered, "That contestant begged me, insisting on meeting the professor no matter what... "

The assistant said with even less understanding, "Teacher Fu... not to brag, but there’s no one in the world who is so important that the professor needs to wait for them."

"Ah... this..." Fu Xuefeng let go of his hand in panic, not knowing what else to say.

"Wait a moment..." the professor suddenly raised his hand, his cane also planted in the ground, and said thoughtfully, "I remember, last year there was a female contestant named Wu Shu, who had very broad ideas."

As he spoke, he turned and asked, "And what about this year’s contestant?"

"Um..." Fu Xuefeng pondered, "This year’s contestant is hard to compare with Wu Shu; he is more of a polymath. Not only is he first in physics nationwide, but he has also won first place in a national chemistry competition before, and later joined the provincial team for a biology competition. He’s late today because he had an information technology test. Right... his current role is as a key youth member at the Rocket Academy, deeply involved in the Yellow-2 project, and it seems he hasn’t spared engineering either... "

On hearing this, the assistant exclaimed, "Is it that Li Zheng?"

"You know about him?"

"I read about his deeds on some call..." the assistant swallowed, then turned to the professor, "Professor, if there’s only one person who can be called a genius in my knowledge, it is probably him."

The professor hummed and asked, "What’s the latest I can go back and take my medication?"

"In another half hour... "

"Then let’s stay a bit longer," the professor said, slowly turning back.

No sooner had he turned around than shouts were heard.

"Stop the car! Stop the car quickly!"

Looking in the direction of the voice, two security guards were chasing a white sedan on electric scooters towards them.

"..." Fu Xuefeng immediately realized something and faced it fiercely waving his hand.

The small white car quickly stopped following his directions.

The man, his eyes red, rushed out of the car.

Then he was restrained by the security guards!

One security guard scolded, "We said you just had to fill out a form to get in, was there a need for this?"

"I’m sorry... it really was a matter of minutes." Li Zheng looked at Fu Xuefeng pleadingly.

Fu Xuefeng could only helplessly step forward, "I’m sorry, gentlemen, this is my student... he rushed here wanting to meet the professor."

The two security guards turned their heads, indeed seeing the professor’s kind smile.

"Oh, no wonder..."

"Just fill out the registration when leaving."

The two glared at Li Zheng and then rode away on their electric scooters.

"You saved me, Teacher Fu, you really did." Li Zheng hurriedly straightened his clothes.

"It’s more than saving you, I went all out." Fu Xuefeng glanced at his watch, "Just sit here for a quarter of an hour… If it weren’t for Fei Fei’s sake... "

"A hundred years of good partnership, may you have a son soon." Li Zheng fixed his collar and then turned around, his eyes widened, unabashedly fixated on the professor.

The professor had already fixed his gaze on him too.

But in that moment of eye contact, the professor suddenly felt something.

This student… had an extremely intense sense of purpose in his eyes… as if he definitely came to do something...

Definitely not something as simple as a photo…

It seemed he wanted to take something away…

Why… why…

There was an illusion of being sucked away…