126: Chapter 126 Information 99+

In stark contrast to the noisy outside world, Chen Youhua had muted his phone and fallen asleep early.

After waking up the next day, he rubbed his temples and switched his phone back from silent mode.

The screen lit up instantly, and the bright red "99+" on the top right corner of the WeChat icon was particularly conspicuous.

He tapped it to take a look.

Sure enough, the message list was packed full of various congratulations and exclamations.

There was a bombardment of memes from Wang Zhe and Li Wei in the lab.

"【I bow to the master.jpg】", "【I'm on my knees.jpg】", "【God Chen! You looked incredibly handsome on the News Broadcast!】".

There was a long, emotional message from Professor Zhang Zhenhua: "Youhua! I really didn't expect you to reach the summit in the field of pure mathematics as well! The Navier-Stokes Equation! You've brought glory to the country! I am honored by this! Take care of your health!"

There was one from his high school teacher: "Chen Youhua! When I first saw you, I knew you wouldn't be ordinary! Such a big achievement! Well done! Your teacher is proud of you!"

There were also many enthusiastic congratulations and cautious probes from friends he hadn't spoken to in ages.

"Professor Chen, congratulations! That's amazing!"

"Brother Youhua, I saw you on the news. You really kept a low profile! Are you in Z City recently? Have time to meet up?"

There were even some red packets of varying amounts mixed in, all with notes like "A small token of appreciation, congratulations to Professor Chen on conquering the difficult problem."

Chen Youhua sighed softly, swiped his finger, and began to reply one by one.

To those sincere congratulations, he replied briefly.

"Thank you for your concern and encouragement!"

"You're too kind, it's still in the verification stage."

For those probes that were clearly purposeful, he gave a uniform reply.

"Thank you, I've been quite busy recently."

As for the red packets, he didn't open a single one.

Just after replying to a few rounds, the phone screen lit up impatiently.

This time, it was a call.

Looking at the "Mom" flashing on the screen, Chen Youhua immediately pressed the answer button.

"Youhua! Youhua! Are you awake?!"

His mother's voice came from the other end of the line, excited to the point of distortion, and in the background, there seemed to be his father's voice, whispering words of comfort.

"Last night! The News Broadcast! Was that you? Was it really you? Your dad and I didn't sleep all night!

The phone was almost blown up by your aunt, uncle, Maternal Uncle, and your dad's old colleagues! Everyone was asking about you! Oh my goodness..."

Chen Youhua could imagine his parents' excited and flustered state at this moment, and he smiled helplessly.

"Mom, it's me. It happened a bit suddenly; the TV station notified me for an impromptu interview.

Plus, I've been busy with the project, so I didn't have time to tell you in advance."

He tried his best to keep his tone relaxed and casual.

"Sob... my precious son..."

His mother's voice suddenly became thick with nasal tones; she was clearly crying.

"You are so promising... Even though Mom doesn't understand what difficult problem you solved, you were on the News Broadcast... Mom knew... Mom knew you'd made something of yourself.

You must take good care of yourself out there, eat well and stay warm, don't work too hard, you know? Mom... Mom just feels for you..."

By the end, she was choked up, barely able to form a sentence.

Hearing his mother's tearful nagging, Chen Youhua felt his own nose sting and quickly comforted her.

"Mom, don't cry, don't cry. Look, isn't your son doing just fine?

This is a good thing that brings glory to the country; you should be happy."

"Mom knows! Mom is happy! I'm crying because I'm happy!"

His mother tried hard to control her emotions, saying through sobs.

"Yesterday I heard from your uncle that the difficult problem you solved... called something-s... the thing that foreigners haven't figured out for hundreds of years.

Mom is proud of you! Really proud of you! My son... is a top-notch scientist!"

Just after saying this, she couldn't help but sob again.

A steadier voice came from the other side of the phone as his father took over the receiver.

"Youhua, don't worry about your mom. She's just too excited; it's an old habit of hers, crying when she's happy. As long as you're okay, that's what matters."

"Dad, I'm fine, I'm doing great."

Chen Youhua said quickly.

"It was just a small problem, I solved it, that's all. Don't make too much of it."

"You brat!"

Father Chen laughed and scolded on the other end of the line.

"Everything is good, but this modesty of yours is over the top! Your mom doesn't understand, but don't I? Is something that hasn't been solved in hundreds of years just a 'small problem'?

Your dad was in technology too! The news even said it—a Millennium Problem! Is that something to be taken lightly? Really... well done!"

There was undisguised pride in his tone, but then the subject shifted, starting the eternal topic of an old father.

"But Youhua, no matter how important work is, you have to consider your personal life too.

You're not getting any younger. If you meet a suitable girl, you must seize the opportunity!

While we're still in good health, settle down early, have a child, and we can still help you raise them..."

Chen Youhua immediately felt a headache coming on. Sure enough, no matter how much he achieved, in his parents' eyes, once you reach a certain age, you have to get married.

He quickly interrupted.

"Oh Dad, this can't be rushed. Let's talk about it when fate arrives, let's talk about it then!

Uh, I have a work call coming in, it's quite urgent, I'll hang up now! You and Mom take care of yourselves!"

Not waiting for his father to nag any further, he quickly ended the call.

Just as he let out a sigh of relief, the phone rang obstinately again.

He looked—it was his aunt.

As soon as he connected, he was met with his aunt's extremely piercing voice.

"Youhua! My great nephew! You've made it! You were on the News Broadcast! And it was an exclusive interview!

Your aunt was so excited last night I didn't sleep a wink! You've brought honor to your ancestors! When are you coming back? Your aunt will kill a chicken and make soup to nourish you!"

Following that were his uncle, Maternal Uncle, cousin... one call after another came in, all with similar content: excitement, congratulations, and inquiries about how he was doing.

Chen Youhua patiently responded to the care and joy of his relatives one by one.

The calls had just quieted down for a moment when a familiar, long-absent name popped up on the screen: Li Qiang.

This was his best friend from junior high.

Chen Youhua pressed answer.

"Hello... hello? You... Chen... Professor Chen?"

On the other end of the line, Li Qiang's voice was noticeably awkward and tentative, even stuttering a bit.

Chen Youhua laughed as soon as he heard that form of address.

"Qiang Zi, why are you acting like a stranger with me? 'Professor Chen'? Are you itching for a beating?"

He used the familiar tone from when they used to skip class to play video games together.

The other end of the line was clearly stunned for a moment, followed by Li Qiang's relieved laughter and the faint sound of jeering from the side.

"Hahaha! I told you! Youhua is still the same Youhua! He hasn't changed!"

Lin Wei's crisp laughter and scolding immediately came from the background.

"Damn Qiang Zi, making you nervous for nothing!"

And Sun Xiaopeng's signature shouting.

"Youhua! Awesome!! The News Broadcast! I have so much face when I go out and brag to others!"

As well as Fatty Wang's honest and excited voice.

"You... Youhua! Nothing else to say! Waiting for you to come back! Fatty is treating! All the beer you can drink! All the barbecue you can eat! We must celebrate!"

Listening to the noisy, familiar, and affectionate chatter on the other end of the line, it felt like he had instantly returned to his youthful days.

That intangible sense of distance that might have been brought about by time and achievement was instantly washed away by this unreserved clamor.

The smile on Chen Youhua's lips deepened, and he replied loudly into the microphone.

"Alright! Qiang Zi, Xiaopeng, Fatty Wang, Wei Wei! Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll definitely come back! Barbecue and beer, not a single thing can be missing! Fatty Wang, get your wallet ready!"

A greater burst of cheers and laughter erupted from the other end of the line.

After hanging up on his best friends, the smile on Chen Youhua's face hadn't yet fully faded when his phone vibrated again.

The name displayed on the screen this time made his expression tighten slightly.

Academician Zheng.

He immediately connected: "Old Zheng."

"Youhua,"

Academician Zheng's voice was as steady as ever, but it carried a sense of relief.

"I just communicated with the higher-ups. Your appearance on the News Broadcast this time was very successful! The top leadership is very satisfied! The impact is extremely positive!"

"The leadership has explicitly instructed that your decision to hold the special meeting on the Navier-Stokes Equation at Z University will be fully supported! They will provide personnel and funding; it must be organized into a grand event that showcases our country's scientific research strength and open-mindedness!"

Academician Zheng paused, his tone carrying a hint of gratified laughter.

"It's good now; those speculations and noises on the internet about the project and your identity have been completely suppressed."

"You are now, purely, the radiant mathematician Chen Youhua!"

"This identity is the best cover and amulet for you, for enlightenment, and for Spark."

"Prepare your report well, and let the world see what true Eastern wisdom is!"

"Understood, Old Zheng."

Chen Youhua replied.