Xiao Tong wasnt the only one surprised at the popularity of her Econometrica thesis; Lu Zhou was also surprised. He had just returned to his hometown, preparing to cut off connection with the outside world and focus on solving Riemanns hypothesis. However, before his holidays were even over, his mailbox was filled to the brim with emails.

Some of them were sent from his old friends in Princeton, others were sent from people he didnt know, but it seemed like they were all scholars in the fields of macroeconomics and computational economics research. Many of them were quite famous.

These emails were how Lu Zhou found out that his mathematical model was gaining attention in the economics field. Apparently, there were several economics seminars held around the world regarding his mathematical model.

The general consensus of the economists aligned with Krugmans viewpoints, which was that they all hoped that Lu Zhou could continue researching the Lu Bewley model and bring macroeconomics and computation economics to a higher place.

Unfortunately, Lu Zhou wasnt interested.

In the beginning, Lu Zhou politely replied to the emails. But later on, more and more emails were coming on, so he asked Xiao Ai to handle them.

After that, Lu Zhou finally had some time to continue researching his mathematical model, the hyperelliptic curve analysis method.

The day before Chinese New Year, noon time in London.

Xiao Tong was packing her bags while video calling Lu Zhou on WeChat. She told him about being invited to do a PhD under Krugman.

After Lu Zhou heard Xiao Tongs exciting announcement, he paused for a second and said, Xiao Tong.

Yeah?

Xiao Tong was busy stuffing her clothes into her suitcase.

Lu Zhou paused for a second then continued, Theoretically speaking, can an economics model accurately predict the future?

Lu Zhou nearly forgot what Krugman told him a couple of days ago, but Xiao Tongs sudden mention of Krugman made him remember what the Nobel Prize laureate had said to him.

Predicting the future

Predicting future social activities and even macroeconomic political patterns

Is that possible?

Xiao Tong paused for a second, tilted her head, and answered in a serious manner, Its not impossible But the use of economics isnt just for predicting.

Lu Zhou: Then whats it for?

For efficient allocation of social resources Or, I guess, developing a better future?

Xiao Tong sounded a little uncertain. After all, she only received her masters a month ago. She still had a long way to go.

Oh, I see

Lu Zhou nodded thoughtfully and didnt say anything.

Xiao Tong stared at the screen. Her brother seemed to be contemplating, so she curiously asked, Brother, arent you researching Riemanns hypothesis? Why are you asking me this?

Suddenly, she happily asked, Are you interested in economics?

No, of course not, someone just asked me an interesting question, Lu Zhou said. He smiled and changed the subject. Speaking of which, when are you coming back?

Even though this could be an interesting research project, it wasnt fascinating enough for Lu Zhou.

After all, the so-called predicting the future was nothing but a conjecture; even Professor Krugman wasnt very confident when he mentioned it to Lu Zhou.

Of course, he would gladly use his quantum computer to try and predict future economic activities.

Of course, he wouldnt use it to make money; it was purely to satisfy his curiosity

Xiao Tong happily said, Im flying back tomorrow! Ill land in Shanghai first, stay for two days, then take the train back home!

Lu Zhou nodded.

Okay, well talk when you get home then Oh yeah, do you have enough spending money?

Hey, I dont need your money, I get paid handsomely for my HSBC consulting work, at least a lot higher than when you were working part-time Oh yeah, are you back home already?

Xiao Tong was a little immature, but she didnt like to ask others for help, just like Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou smiled and replied, Yeah, I got here yesterday.

Ah, Im so jealous Im going to get some lunch, talk to you later.

Okay, see you soon.

After the video call ended, Lu Zhou looked at his watch and thought that his mom was going to ask him to eat dinner soon.

But just as he was about to get up and walk into the living room, a text bubble popped up on the lower right corner of his computer screen.

Xiao Ai: [Master, Xiao Ai received a special email. Shall Xiao Ai reply? (^ ^ *)]

Lu Zhou looked at the message and paused for a second.

What do you mean by special?

Xiao Ai: [It came from a woman named Vera.]

Vera?

Lu Zhou paused for a second and said, Ill reply myself.

[Okay!]

Lu Zhou was curious about how Xiao Ai was able to classify this email as special. The artificial retard seemed to have gained some amount of emotional intelligence.

Just as Lu Zhou was about to open the email, he heard a knock on his door.

Son, someone is looking for you.

Lu Zhou remembered that he didnt have any plans, so he asked, Looking for me?

Yeah! You, apparently theyre from Jianghe University, all professors! One of them is an academician! Theyre so polite; they waited outside and told me to ask you first.

His mothers voice was full of joy.

Not only was her son a successful scholar, but her son was being visited by other big name scholars. How could she, as a mother, not feel ecstatic!

Not to mention, Jianghe University was a famous university in Jiangling!

However, after hearing his mothers words, Lu Zhou felt something was off.

He suddenly realized that it was unrealistic for him to avoid academia contact during the holidays.

I guess things arent going according to plan

Xiao Ai: [( ??)]

Fang Mei: Son?

Nothing, Im coming.

Lu Zhou stood up and walked toward the door.

Why do I feel like

Im not going to have a relaxing new years at all