I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 21 Talent

Tang Lingwu cherished the last sip of her milk tea, thoughtfully held the now-empty cup, and after a moment of contemplation, stuffed it into her backpack. Then she led Zheng Fa upstairs.

"I’ve drunk your milk tea, so this matter is on me!"

She almost thumped her puffed-out chest for emphasis.

When they reached the fourth floor, she stopped and pointed at a reinforced security door. "My teacher lives here. Wait for me while I go in and talk to him."

She knocked on the door. When it opened, Tang Lingwu gave Zheng Fa a signal to wait outside. She slipped through the narrow gap and lightly shut the door, leaving it ajar.

Zheng Fa stood behind the door, listening to the muffled voices inside.

"Professor Bai, I need to ask you a favor!" Tang Lingwu’s voice was crisp and sweet.

Zheng Fa smirked. That voice is a little too sugary.

"I’ve brought you another student!"

"You’re dating now?" The old man’s voice suddenly rose.

"Dating? No way! I mean, I have a classmate who has some questions for you."

"A studious one? Boy or girl?" The old man clearly doubted her claim.

"A boy... But we’re not dating!"

It was clear that for the price of a milk tea, Tang Lingwu was pulling out all the stops.

"Bah! I know what you youngsters are thinking. Studious young men are rare. The lecherous ones, however, I’ve seen plenty. I won’t agree."

The old man apparently saw Tang Lingwu as a junior under his care, harboring a natural hostility toward any males near her.

"Professor Bai, aren’t you a university professor? You’re supposed to guide and teach all students without discrimination!"

The old man snorted, "I’m retired! Understand? Retired. Teaching students before retirement and after? What’s the point of retirement, then?"

Clearly, this old man had some grievances with his past job—simply put, he was lazy.

"But teaching me or teaching one more person isn’t much of a difference, is it?"

Tang Lingwu was persistent, her voice sweet to the point that even Zheng Fa outside felt chills down his spine. It was hard to imagine that such a coquettish tone came from someone with a slightly aloof demeanor.

"You’re different. Your mother... gave too much—No, I mean you have great talent in math! You’re brilliant!"

"But you haven’t even seen him. Maybe he’s talented too!"

"Mathematical talent, huh? Let me tell you, it’s quite accurate to look at someone and say they don’t have it."

"…So you really can’t do it?"

"I can’t!"

---

Tang Lingwu walked out dejectedly, an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry, he doesn’t want to see you."

"It’s fine. You’ve already done your best."

Listening outside, Zheng Fa could easily imagine how Tang Lingwu must have been pleading and coaxing inside, her voice brimming with effort.

Besides, the milk tea was meant as a token of gratitude for her willingness to take him there. From what he overheard, Tang Lingwu’s family had spent a lot of money securing this teacher for her. Twenty-eight yuan multiplied a hundredfold might not cover it.

He wasn’t naïve enough to think one cup of milk tea could persuade the teacher to guide him.

"How about…" Tang Lingwu glanced at her backpack, hesitating as she spoke, "I buy you another cup of milk tea to make up for it?"

"No need. If you feel bad about it, you can just answer my questions in the future. If I can’t ask the teacher, asking a student isn’t too different."

"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help!"

"Help my foot! You’re letting him get to you over a cup of milk tea!"

An old voice called out from behind, full of exasperation.

Zheng Fa watched as a familiar head of white curls peeked out from the door.

Looking at that familiar old face, Zheng Fa suddenly realized why the voice had seemed so familiar.

---

Inside the house, the three of them sat on the living room sofa. The atmosphere was slightly awkward.

Zheng Fa and Professor Bai—the curly-haired old man he had previously met in the park—both seemed unsure of how to start the conversation.

Tang Lingwu, still a bit confused, glanced between them as though wondering how all three of them had ended up inside together.

"Er… Young hero…"

"Just call me Little Zheng or Zheng Fa," Zheng Fa quickly interjected, his sense of shame skyrocketing at being called "young hero," especially in front of Tang Lingwu.

"All right, Zheng Fa. No need for formalities. You can call me Old Bai or Professor Bai," the old man continued. "So, you’re the one she mentioned?"

"Yes. I came across some diagrams and wanted your opinion."

"No rush. Were you hoping for tutoring from me?"

"I wouldn’t dream of becoming your student. Even asking a couple of questions would be more than enough." Zheng Fa recalled the professor’s resolute refusal earlier and felt a bit embarrassed.

"Don’t say that! After some thought, I realized that after a lifetime of teaching, suddenly retiring leaves this heart of mine yearning to teach again!"

Tang Lingwu’s expression was filled with question marks.

That’s not what you said earlier!

Zheng Fa was equally stunned, staring at the old man’s sincere face.

"So… Professor Bai, you mean to say…"

"What I mean is, as someone who works in mathematics, I’m always on the lookout for students with potential. You, young hero—no, Zheng Fa—don’t martial arts sects also seek out talented disciples for their secret techniques?"

"Uh?"

"From what I see, your aptitude for math is quite extraordinary!"

Realizing what was happening, Zheng Fa grinned. "And I can see that Professor Bai’s foundation is truly unparalleled!"

Tang Lingwu stood to the side, her expression one of utter bewilderment.

It looked like the two men had just completed a shady transaction right in front of her.

---

Looking at the diagrams Zheng Fa handed over, Professor Bai frowned, his face turning serious. Gone was the playful demeanor; now, he exuded the air of a true university professor.

He traced his fingers over the diagrams, his brow furrowing deeper.

"Is this all?"

"Yes."

"Well, I can’t make much of it." Professor Bai set the papers down. "Maybe you should take them to a fortune teller. They might divine their meaning."

Zheng Fa: "…"

"But if you’re asking about patterns, there’s something here."

"Do tell."

"This one, this one, and this one," Professor Bai pointed to three diagrams hesitantly, "from the perspective of mathematical topology, they’re the same shape."

"Topology… what now?"

"This involves a basic and simple topology concept called homeomorphism…" As he dove into his professional domain, Professor Bai’s enthusiasm soared, his hands gesturing animatedly.

After a long explanation, he paused to ask, "Got it?"

"…"

Zheng Fa felt like a little knowledge imp was trying to pry open his skull, but alas, it seemed he had unknowingly mastered the Iron Head Technique.

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