From child prodigy to chief scientist

"Based on my understanding of you, your math skills have now basically reached the level of a second-year math major."

"But mathematics is a very profound subject. Even those of us who have studied mathematics for decades probably only understand less than the tip of the iceberg."

"I suggest you don't try to do too much at once. Start with algebra, thoroughly understand the structure, and then try your hand at scientific research..."

It's clear that Yuan Jiyang took Xu Xiao's email very seriously, replying to it on the same day with a thorough and professional response.

In addition to general advice, Yuan Jiyang also provided Xu Xiao with a very detailed reading list tailored to his individual circumstances, as well as suitable, not particularly obscure, journal articles.

Yuan Jiyang even said that he would take the time tomorrow to organize the relevant materials, pack them up, and send them to Xu Xiao's school.

After reading the entire email, Xu Xiao was basically convinced that Yuan Jiyang was her future mentor.

Xu Xiao couldn't find anything wrong with Yuan Jiyang for being so attentive to his own affairs even before he went to university.

After replying to Yuan Jiyang's email and expressing her gratitude, Xu Xiao logged out of her QQ account and locked the door to Wang Ze's office again.

In the afternoon, the gatekeeper brought a cardboard box into the classroom.

"The package containing the little prodigy seems to have been sent from Yenching University."

Xu Xiao's name and deeds are known to everyone at Yucai School.

That's why, upon receiving this package, the security guard treated it with the same level of importance as he would a package from the principal, and immediately delivered it to Xu Xiao.

"Thank you, sir."

Upon receiving the cardboard box from the courier, Xu Xiao immediately began unpacking it in the classroom.

The other students were also very curious about the package from Yenching University, and some even came closer to see if it contained an admission letter from Yenching University.

Xu Xiao opened the cardboard box and took out the books one by one.

Upon seeing these teaching materials, everyone wore a look of astonishment.

Higher Algebra (3rd edition, Department of Mathematics, Yenching University).

Abstract Algebra

Typical Problems and Methods in Mathematical Analysis.

Just by looking at the names of these textbooks, they can imagine how complex the content must be.

In fact, their learning speed was already very fast. They finished the first and second semesters of seventh grade math in just over three months and started learning the first semester of eighth grade math.

They originally thought that what they were learning was already very difficult, but compared with these textbooks, what they were learning seemed too naive.

"Xu Xiao, can I borrow your books for a moment?"

Lu Yihang was curious about the contents of these textbooks. As a top math student in the junior class, he had just won first prize in the National Junior High School Mathematics Competition and was quite confident in his math skills.

"Yeah, you see."

With Xu Xiao's permission, Lü Yihang picked up the book "Higher Algebra" and began to read.

However, Lü Yihang's face soon turned ashen.

"Linear spaces and linear transformations...symmetric matrices...Jordan standard form...wait, what are all these?"

Lu Yihang thought he would be able to understand some of it, but reality gave him a resounding slap in the face.

This forced him to admit that the mathematics they were learning was not the same thing at all.

After returning the book "Higher Algebra" to Xu Xiao, Lü Yihang quickly did a few junior high school math problems, which made him feel much better.

On the other side, after sorting through the materials sent by Yuan Jiyang, Xu Xiao couldn't wait to start studying them.

These past few days, Xu Xiao's brain has been itching for more, but reviewing the material for the academic exam has made it difficult for him to get his brain working quickly.

Sure enough, after looking at these materials, Xu Xiao quickly rediscovered the joyful and fulfilling feeling she had when she was learning mathematics.

The textbooks that Yuan Jiyang recommended to Xu Xiao were all very suitable. Most of them contained content that Xu Xiao had not studied much before, and the difficulty level was not so high that she could not understand them.

…………

Over the next few days, Xu Xiao happily swam in the ocean of mathematics, enjoying the pleasure that mathematics brought her.

Every day, Xu Xiao's math skills on the system interface improve by at least one point.

Xu Xiao was also delighted to hear good news from Yang Dun's side.

In the recently concluded CPhO, Yang Dun successfully entered the top 50 nationwide, securing a place in the university without taking the entrance exam.

Although his grades weren't as outstanding as Xu Xiao's, which resulted in a perfect score, he barely made it into the national team.

But to achieve such outstanding results at such a young age is already quite astonishing.

"How about it, Xu Xiao? I told you we'd both get guaranteed admission, right?"

The scenarios they had previously fantasized about in their dorm room have now become a reality.

"Yes. When we were talking about these things, I didn't have much hope myself, but I never expected that we would both turn out so well."

"Xu Xiao, I'm planning to choose the Physics Department at Peking University. What about you? Have you decided where you want to go?"

"It's not completely decided yet, but if nothing unexpected happens, I'll probably choose the Mathematics Department at Yenching University."

"I also think the Mathematics Department at Yenching University is a good fit for you, so let's settle on that, and then we can be in the same school again."

However, after discussing the academic exam, Yang Dun sighed helplessly.

"I can't believe that even though I've already secured a place in university through the guaranteed admission program, I still need to pass an academic exam before I can go. Isn't this just deliberately making things difficult for me?"

Unlike Xu Xiao, Yang Dun's other subjects, apart from physics and mathematics, are far from meeting the high school requirements.

That's why Yang Dun didn't even register for next year's college entrance exam, knowing that he definitely had no hope of getting into university through the exam now.

He originally thought that as long as he could get a guaranteed admission through the competition, he wouldn't have to worry about anything else.

However, Yucai did not give Yang Dun the green light directly; they still put forward a minimum requirement.

In fact, Yu Cai did not intentionally target Yang Dun; it was more of a consideration for his future.

If you haven't even mastered the most basic knowledge of each high school subject, you may find some courses very difficult when you go to university.

Even if it means Yang Dun has to stay at Yucai for another year or two, it's better than him not adapting to university life in the future.

"I really need to prepare for the college entrance exam properly for the next six months. It would be really embarrassing if I couldn't get into university because of this."

"Don't worry, with your abilities, as long as you put in a little effort, passing the academic exam will definitely not be a problem."