Chapter 193 Midlife Crisis
Of course, it was impossible for Qiao Yu to know that a group of big guys had held a meeting just for him. After all, the members of the Fields Review Committee are kept strictly confidential every year, at least in name...
I'm just afraid that someone will have a wrong idea.
There are people in this world who don’t care about winning awards, but there are also people who dream of winning one. And there are very few of the former and many of the latter.
After all, as long as you get one of any of the top world awards, you will basically have enough food and clothing for the rest of your life.
Whether it’s science or something else.
But even if Qiao Yu knew about this special meeting, he would probably feel that it was as it should be.
After all, he solved the Riemann Hypothesis!
However, he once again received an official invitation letter from the organizing committee of the International Congress of Mathematicians.
Just as Tian Yanzhen had inspired him before, he was officially qualified to give the opening report at the conference.
Of course, this invitation letter could be sent directly to his email, which also shows that after this period of discussion, Tian Yanzhen and Yuan Zhengxin agreed to his participation in the World Congress of Mathematicians held in Philadelphia.
However, Tian Yanzhen specifically told him that when he went to Philadelphia to attend the conference, he would only be able to stay for two days before returning to China.
In Qiao Yu's understanding, it was just a special trip to show off and then run away.
But it doesn’t matter. Anyway, Qiao Yu mainly wanted to go there and get all the bonuses.
Although Qiao Yu didn't know that the Fields Medal Review Committee had held a meeting specifically for him, but since the Riemann Hypothesis was solved, Qiao Yu guessed that he would definitely be awarded this year's Fields Medal.
Even if those mathematicians are really embarrassed not to award him an award this year, at least he will definitely get the bonus from the Clay Mathematics Institute this time.
There is precedent for this. The Clay Institute also planned to award the prize directly to Perelman at the World Congress of Mathematicians.
After all, giving out bonuses on such a big occasion can maximize publicity.
Qiao Yu is not Perelman, and he can treat millions of dollars as if they are nothing. Not to mention that he was making extra money.
Especially those who make money abroad and spend money at home. In a sense, Qiao Yu feels that he can be regarded as a national hero.
Qiao Yu always remembered his grandfather's words, no one can take advantage of Americans. After all, those people have taken advantage of the world.
There was one thing that Qiao Yu didn't even know about. Under his influence, some people wanted to come back.
……
Princeton is full of green in July, and the whole town seems to be covered in green and full of vitality.
Although it is summer, the temperature in Princeton is actually not too high. It is generally between 20 degrees to 30 degrees, and extreme temperatures are rare.
In particular, Princeton University, which has a long history, is an open university and is directly integrated into the entire town. Although there are fewer students during the summer vacation, the tourists who come here make the school less deserted.
At this time, in the quaint office building on campus, Lot Dugan was still working in his office.
Like Chinese university professors, the vast majority of American university professors will choose to continue working during winter and summer vacations.
Especially those professors who are research-oriented. Summer vacation time is quite precious, after all, there is no interference from teaching tasks.
Every winter and summer vacation is a prime time for writing and revising academic papers and books, and applying for research funding.
Not to mention that Lot Dugan currently also serves as the editor-in-chief of the Annals of Mathematics.
But he wasn't the only one in the office today, there were visitors. What made him most regretful was that this visitor still came to resign.
"Zhang, can't I change your decision?" Lot Dugan sat on the sofa, looked at Zhang Shuwen, and asked with regret.
"Professor Dugen, I thought about it for nearly half a year before finally making up my mind." Zhang Shuwen smiled and replied.
"But Princeton can also help China train many students. And it's easy to go back, it only takes one day." Lott Dugan advised.
This sentence was somewhat self-deceiving. Zhang Shuwen could only shake his head and insisted: "I still want to go back."
"So, is it because of Qiao Yu?" Lot Dugan asked.
Zhang Shuwen thought for a while, then nodded and said: "It's partly his reason."
Lot Dugan sighed and said: "I originally planned to invite Qiao Yu to Princeton for a period of exchange at the World Congress of Mathematicians. But instead you came to submit your resignation. Zhang, you know, I have always hoped to Let Qiao Yu come to Princeton.”
After Zhang Shuwen was silent for a moment, he replied: "When I get back, I will help you mention this matter to Qiao Yu. But I think it must at least wait until he officially studies for a Ph.D."
Lot Dugan complained: "This is exactly what I can't understand. In what capacity do they plan to let Qiao Yu give the opening report at the International Congress of Mathematicians? An undergraduate who has not graduated yet?"
Hearing this question, Zhang Shuwen smiled and did not answer.
In fact, he knew the answer to the question. After all, he had been in contact with Yuan Zhengxin.
According to Yuan Zhengxin, Qiao Yu had almost obtained the credits for his undergraduate degree. Tian Yanzhen originally wanted Qiao Yu to graduate directly this summer.
It's just that Qiao Yu thinks it's too early, and he plans to wait until he reaches adulthood next year.
In Yuan Zhengxin's words, no one knows what the little guy has in mind.
It's just that in the opinion of Tian Yanzhen and Yuan Zhengxin, there is no need to worry about such trivial matters with Qiao Yu, and they can naturally let him be happy.
It doesn't matter whether you graduate this year or not, it's just a graduation certificate in name only. What Qiao Yu does now is no different from a scientific research professor.
All I can say is that you can really do whatever you want.
"Okay, now that you have decided, I will approve it. Thank you for your contribution to Princeton over the years."
After complaining, Lot Dugan gave the final answer.
Although he had never heard of the saying that a tough melon is not sweet, he also knew that there was no need to keep a mathematics professor whose mind was no longer at Princeton.
"Thank you, Professor Dugen." Zhang Shuwen greeted with a smile.
"When do you plan to return to China?" Lot Dugan asked.
"After attending the International Congress of Mathematicians, I will go back with the Chinese delegation." Zhang Shuwen replied.
Lot Dugan nodded, this was the most suitable arrangement. After all, the International Congress of Mathematicians is only half a month away.
This conference will definitely be very lively. At least Chinese and Chinese-origin mathematicians will definitely go there as long as they have time.
The youngest Fields Medal winner in the world would be famous even in the United States, let alone the first Fields Medal winner in China.
Although there have been Chinese descendants who have won this award before, such as Yuan Zhengxin and Tao Xuanzhi, the former had already been naturalized in the United States when he won the award, and the latter was simply born in Australia.
Lot Dugan even knew that this was a point where many people criticized the Chinese education system.
There are many achievements in various Mathematical Olympiad competitions, but very few scientists have actually won world awards.
So Qiao Yu has made history.
Not only is it a zero breakthrough, but it is also a breakthrough once it is achieved. It's like a certain country has never won an Olympic gold medal, and immediately breaks the world record as soon as it gets it.
"Okay, that's enough time. I hope you can achieve great success after returning to China."
Lot Dugan stood up and shook hands with Zhang Shuwen.
This is also the way to see off guests.
It was definitely not a good mood for Lot Dugan.
The attempt to attract Qiao Yu failed, but instead a very capable Chinese professor was brought out first.
A few years ago, he might have tried to persuade him more, but now that Zhang Shuwen feels that he can achieve better development by returning to China, he doesn't want to persuade him any more.
No matter how slow you are in your perception of the external environment, you still know that the situation now is completely different from what it was more than ten years ago.
At such a time, a stunning mathematical genius like Qiao Yu suddenly appeared in China, which actually made Lot Dugan feel a lot of emotion.
Whether America can be great again is a big question. He always feels that God is abandoning America.
……
It's night in Berkeley. "Frank, do you need to talk?" Frank was about to go to bed when his wife suddenly asked.
"What's wrong?" Frank asked subconsciously.
"You've been in a bad mood lately." said the woman who had just laid down on the bed next to her.
"Is there any?"
Frank frowned. Well, although he has been worried about a lot lately, he feels like he doesn't show it too much when he's at home.
It can only be said that these women are too sensitive.
"Selen's grades have never been very good. You were very patient before. But now you scold him easily. This is wrong!"
The woman said seriously.
Frank suddenly realized.
Seren is naturally his son, and he also has a daughter named Ellowen. I don’t know why, but both of them had poor grades.
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
My sister, Ellowyn, is just that. After all, he is still in the first grade of elementary school, but Salem is different, he is already in the fourth grade.
You must know that these two children are not in the kind of public schools that promote happy education. But the best private school nearby. The kind who attaches great importance to teaching.
Salem's grades were at the bottom of his grade. If Frank could still tolerate Salem before, now every time he thinks of Qiao Yu, he can't bear it anymore.
Not to mention that Chinese Americans value education more, and their family is considered a scholarly family. And although there are no public magnet schools that offer special courses in Berkeley, if you want to go to a good private high school, applicants will be rigorously screened.
The most important thing is that, just like in China, tuition fees for good private middle schools are very expensive, nearly 30,000 US dollars per year.
But just like in China, if you are a student with particularly excellent grades, there are many financial aid programs. You can even get a full tuition fee exemption. If your grades are bad, you will be in trouble.
For example, the tuition fee will be higher, and it will even require him to use a lot of resources. Schools in this country are really good at making full use of the various resources of students' parents, especially private schools.
On the one hand, the school will allow parents to invest in the school through various donation plans.
On the other hand, parents’ professional background, personal network and other resources will also be evaluated, and some projects will be carried out through parents to expand their social influence.
If Salem's grades are very good, it will naturally save him a lot of trouble. Maybe he wouldn't have had such an idea before.
After all, Frank still attaches great importance to his two children.
But now that someone's child has been stuck in my heart like a thorn, my thoughts are naturally different.
So much so that when news of Salem's recent poor grades reached his ears, Frank could not help but think about how he could have given birth to such a stupid son...
Wasn't it agreed that mixed-race people would be better? !
Really, let alone catch up with Qiao Yu. Even if Salem was only half as smart as Qiao Yu, he could easily attend any middle school in the country. Even top schools like Horace Mann School and Phillips Exeter Academy.
You must know that being able to enter these top private schools is basically equivalent to getting a pass to enter those top universities.
The worst thing is that the classmates around me are all the future pillars of this country. After all, the students in these schools are either rich or noble.
Well, to put it bluntly, Frank now unconsciously compares Salem and Qiao Yu. After being extremely disappointed, it is difficult to control your emotions.
He may think it's nothing, but in the eyes of his family, he will naturally feel different.
After Frank was silent for a moment, he explained: "You know, Salem has grown up, so naturally I have to be stricter with him."
Obviously this excuse did not convince the women around him.
"That's not the case, Frank! Don't you feel it? Ever since the problem with Geometry Langlands's subject, I think your whole person has changed and you spend less and less time at home.
And when I get home, I either say nothing or lose my temper! Both children are now afraid of you! They don't even want to share things at school with you. And do you remember how long it’s been since we last met?
I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time, but you kept pushing me away. But today I feel like I can’t go on like this! We have to talk. ”
The woman's question silenced Frank again.
What could he say?
It can only be said that hiding something in his heart puts too much pressure on him.
Especially when he unconsciously compares his current son and daughter to Qiao Yu, and compares the women around him to Qiao Xi.
The higher Qiao Yu's achievements are, the worse his mentality becomes. So much so that he really couldn't control his temper at all.
Really, many times he wants to divorce the woman. Maybe this way he can feel more relaxed.
Frank believed that if he really took the initiative, the woman would simply agree. But he had too many concerns.
On the one hand, his career also needs the support of the girl’s parents.
On the other hand, although California law promotes no-fault divorce, and the court will not consider the fault party that caused the breakdown of the marriage, there is an issue of spousal support.
Especially after having their second child, my wife quit her job and mainly took care of her two children at home.
This means that once divorced, not only will the distribution of family assets be biased towards the woman, but he will also have to pay a large amount of alimony every month, at least not to reduce the woman's living standard too much.
Moreover, the two have been married for more than ten years, which is a long-term marriage in the legal sense.
Therefore, the court is likely to determine that he needs to pay alimony for a long time, and the payment may not be stopped until the woman remarries or finds a good job.
Especially since he is of Chinese descent. Frank could think with his toes that if the divorce really happened, the court would definitely not support him.
The most frightening thing is that even if the woman asks for a divorce, the court will still rule it that way.
Don't ask Frank how he knows so much. As a cautious person by nature, when he first had this idea, he asked a professor at Berkeley Law School to study some cases carefully.
You must know that Berkeley’s School of Law is also one of the top law schools in the country, ranking among the top ten for a long time.
So for Frank, not only did he not dare to mention the word divorce at all, he was even afraid of women mentioning the word divorce to him.
After all, the no-fault divorce principle pursued by California means that only one party needs to declare that the marriage is irretrievable, and there is no need to provide any evidence or reasons at all to start the divorce process.
So when the woman firmly wants to have a good talk with him, Frank now doesn't even dare to say no!
So Frank took a deep breath, then took the initiative to hold the woman's hand, and then began to apologize sincerely.
"Sorry, dear, you know, since the work on the geometric Langlands conjecture was disproven, I have been under too much pressure! I need some time. Trust me, it will be fine after a while!"
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"Why is there so much pressure? Didn't Pop-Pop help you?"
"In fact, Pop-Pop has been helping me, but because of this, I am under greater pressure. If I never produce decent results, I will be even more sorry for the many things Pop-Pop has done for me."
Frank suppressed the helplessness in his heart and said.
This is indeed the case.
Although Lucas Eisen has always been a good parent at home, Frank knows exactly what kind of person his wife's grandfather is at work.
Once you offend this person, it's a matter of course whether you recognize him as your grandson-in-law or not. He couldn't say these words to a woman, otherwise it might be considered as instigating the relationship between family members...
"Okay, why don't we go on vacation after the World Congress of Mathematicians? Europe or Hawaii. You should also take a good rest for a while. I'll go talk to Pop-Pop for you. It can just repair the relationship between you and the children. relationship.”
The woman thought for a while and said.
Today, she was thinking that if Frank still treated her with the same perfunctory attitude as before, she was planning to divorce.
After all, Frank not only neglected her during this period, but also had an impact on the two children.
But today Frank's attitude was very sincere, and she decided to give him another chance. After all, who doesn’t have stressful times? Maybe it will be fine after adjusting.
"Well..." Frank hesitated for a moment. He wanted to say that he might still be busy after the conference, but when he saw the woman's expression, he swallowed it back.
"Okay, after the conference is over, I will arrange things and we will go on vacation. As for where to go, it is up to you to arrange it. I can do it. I will accompany you well then."
(End of chapter)