Chapter 1094 Price Is Just One of the Reasons

After the lecture, Lu Zhou spent around ten minutes answering the students questions. He then put away the textbook and left the classroom.

Perelman, who was sitting at the back of the classroom, stood up and followed Lu Zhou out of the classroom.

He had a pensive look on his face as he suddenly spoke.

That was a normal lecture.

Lu Zhou smiled and said, Its only a class for undergraduate students.

Perelman: Why do you teach undergraduate students?

Lu Zhou: Because revisiting what makes the obvious, obvious, can help us understand what makes the complex, complicated In fact, this is what Fermi thought as well, and I agree with him. Maybe some of my students will become Fields Medalists, that will be very fulfilling.

Perelmans expression didnt change.

His attitude toward mathematics was always a pursuit of purity. Therefore, he did not resonate with Lu Zhous words at all.

He thought for a while and spoke.

What makes the complex, complicated.

Yeah Lu Zhou nodded and said, For example, motive theory and the Langlands program, these seemingly easy theorems explain less obvious principles. What is the essence of numbers? Our civilization has been thinking about this problem ever since the existence of mathematics. Great mathematicians are often theologians or philosophers.

Perelman: Are you a theologian?

Lu Zhou: Unfortunately, Im a materialist This is my office.

Lu Zhou opened the door and turned on the lights.

Normally, there would be people here, but today was a Saturday. His three assistants left after four oclock. While he did not require his students to come in on the weekends, most of them spent their weekends in the library.

Help me move the whiteboard from the corner.

Okay.

Perelman walked forward and dragged the whiteboard out of the corner while Lu Zhou took out a marker from his desk drawer.

Lu Zhou walked up to the whiteboard and was about to answer questions from his foreign friend when he suddenly heard footsteps outside of his office. An acquaintance of his knocked on the door and walked in.

Academician Lu, sorry to bother you Wait, are you Professor Perelman? Dean Qin said as he looked at Perelman standing next to Lu Zhou.

He had just come back from his meeting and wanted to discuss with Lu Zhou on how to deal with this matter. He didnt expect to see this big fish standing in Lu Zhous office.

Perelman looked at the old man and nodded.

Yeah Is there a problem?

No, no problem, I just didnt expect you to be here, Dean Qin said as he tried to contain his excitement. You should have told us in advance, we can give you a visit around the campus.

Perelman looked at him strangely and said, Im just here to ask Professor Lu questions, do I have to apply in advance?

No, no, I didnt mean that, Im just saying

Dean Qin awkwardly tried to explain as Lu Zhou shook his head and spoke first.

Its fine, Perelman.

Dean Qin sighed in relief and said, Okay then Ill talk to you later.

Dean Qin left the office and closed the door.

Perelman was confused. He looked at Lu Zhou and asked, What was that about?

Nothing. Lu Zhou smiled and looked at the whiteboard as he said, Lets continue.

Perelman was obviously prepared for his visit to China.

He even carried around a little notebook, filled with commonly used Chinese phrases, as well as notes he made when he was reading Lu Zhous paper.

Honestly, Lu Zhou had a hard time answering Perelmans questions. He could only answer around 60% of them.

Thats an interesting question, but thats all I can answer. I might have to get back to you after I finish my research.

No worries. Perelman closed his notebook and shook his head as he said, I thought we could discuss these questions together, I didnt expect you to answer so many of them

Lu Zhou:

The f*ck.

Why didnt you tell me that earlier!

Lu Zhou thought Perelmans questions came from reading the paper. However, he didnt expect the problems to be unrelated to the paper.

Lu Zhou smiled and spoke humbly.

Judging from your questions, clearly youre also interested in the Grand Unified Theory. It just so happens that my research group still needs people I dont know if youre interested.

Lu Zhou did not have a lot of hope. After all, Perelman was infamous for his introverted temperament.

However, Perelmans answer surprised Lu Zhou. Perelman spoke without any hesitation.

If you think I can be of help, please let me join.

Lu Zhou was speechless. Perelman frowned and spoke.

Is there a problem?

Nothing, I just didnt expect you to agree so readily.

Lu Zhou snapped back to reality and said, Of course you can be of help, we can build this mathematical tower together Welcome, partner.

Lu Zhou turned around to his desk and took out a document from his drawer. He glanced at the document and made sure he had the correct one before handing it to Perelman.

This is a visiting and exchange document, it has already been stamped. Just sign your name, youll be able to receive a long-term visa with this.

Also, Im assuming you dont have a place to stay. The newly-built dorms at the Jin Ling University apartments are pretty good, theyre around 90 square meters, located near campus, close to the mathematics department buildings and library. I can apply a visiting scholar status for you, you just have to sign this document

Perelman paused for a second and interrupted him, Wait a second, what is a visiting scholar?

Lu Zhou: Like the name implies, youll be working at Jin Ling University with an equivalent role of a distinguished professor.

Perelman said, I dont want to work, Im not interested in teaching. Im leaving here after we finish the Grand Unified Theory of algebra and geometry. I can sleep on the sofa if needed, I dont need an apartment.

Lu Zhou shook his head and said, No, we cant do that. Even if you want to sleep on a sofa, you need a roof to sleep under.

Perelman shrugged and said, I heard Schultz say your house is pretty big.

Lu Zhou said, Forget about it, no one outside of my family has slept in my house before.

Perelman:

Seeing how Perelman was hesitant, Lu Zhou said, You dont have to worry about teaching. Being a distinguished professor doesnt mean you have to teach. Of course, if you want to, Im sure the students would be grateful for your generosity. Youll also receive more salary.

Perelman said, Its not that I dont like teaching, I just dont want to waste time on trivial matters.

Lu Zhou: Im not forcing you.

Okay, thank you.

No worries. Lu Zhou smiled and reached out his hand as he said, Its an honor to work on this great project with you.

Perelman shook Lu Zhous hand and smiled.

However, he quickly realized something as he spoke.

I need a favor.

Lu Zhou smiled and spoke.

Go ahead.

Perelman coughed and spoke.

90 square meters is too big, can you get me a smaller apartment, maybe 20 square meters I feel uncomfortable in large spaces.

Lu Zhou looked at him strangely and said, I thought you lived in a small apartment because its cheap.

Perelman spoke.

The price is only one of the reasons.