Chapter 40: Apricot Blossoms, Spring Rain, Jiangnan
On a high rooftop at Hong Kong University, the two policemen from earlier had not gone far. Thomas was holding a telescope, continuing to stare at the door of the lecture hall where Lin Ran and Chen Jingrun were, sweat constantly sliding from his fat face down to his neck.
The Chinese man beside him was also drenched in sweat:
“Boss, do we really need to be so polite to him? He’s just an America professor; no matter what, he can’t affect us, right?”
The fat White Person Thomas turned his head and patted his head: “If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you. Randolph Lin is a Columbia University professor and Professor Horkheimer’s disciple.
Now in the House of Lords, Horkheimer can directly contact at least one-third of the congressmen; in the House of Commons, at least two-thirds.
Maybe he can’t help me succeed, but he can definitely cause me trouble.
I want to return to London early; I don’t want to stay in this damn place any longer.
Besides, he’s a globally famous mathematician; if he mentions us casually to the media, we won’t be able to handle it.
In your Chinese people’s words, it’s called ‘bite off more than you can chew’.”
Thomas felt quite smug inside, thinking there were still many things for him to learn from me.
At this point in time, Hong Kong’s economy had not yet taken off, so all the White People who came here wanted to go back, especially senior inspectors like those with positions; in their view, London was much better than here.
Precisely because of this, Thomas taught the other without reservation.
On the other hand, Chen Jingrun packed the academic journal into his bag and left the classroom. Before leaving, he turned to Lin Ran and said, “Professor Lin, thank you.”
Lin Ran waved his hand: “Go ahead.”
After returning home
“This is good news”
“You’ve essentially cleared your suspicion”
“Professor Lin is indeed cautious enough in his actions”
“But now the pace is completely in his hands”
“This isn’t good for us”
“See if you can find an opportunity to invite him to a coffee shop for a chat at the coffee shop we specify”
Section Chief Zhang was outwardly talking to Chen Jingrun about applying for a job at the plastic factory today, but actually chatting with Chen Jingrun about his experiences today.
Section Chief Zhang had already taken the alias Chen Ruhai and found a job at Li Chaoren’s plastic factory. He would move out later, and come find Chen Jingrun again only in emergencies.
On the weekend, at Hong Kong Radio, Lin Ran brought the music cassette specially recorded for him by Meng Xiaodong to accept an interview from Hong Kong Radio.
“Good morning, listeners and friends. Welcome to the special interview program on Channel 1 of Hong Kong Radio. I’m Announcer Deng Huixin. Next, please welcome our special guest, Randolph Lin, Professor Lin.”
Hong Kong Radio is RTHK, a public radio station established in the 1930s, a veteran station. At present, it has Channel 1 and Channel 2, with Channel 1 mainly in Cantonese and Channel 2 mainly in English language.
Deng Huixin is a famous Cantonese announcer at Hong Kong Radio, but she switched to Mandarin Chinese because she was interviewing Lin Ran.
And Hong Kong Radio had already done pre-promotion through newspapers before the interview, and this interview would be replayed repeatedly by Hong Kong Radio.
At this time, most households did not yet have radios; people listened to the radio more in places like teahouses and restaurants, which were equipped with public broadcasts.
“Madam Deng, hello.” Lin Ran and Deng Huixin sat facing each other.
“It’s an honor to be the first media in Hong Kong to interview Professor Lin, and thank you Professor Lin for your strong support to Hong Kong Radio.
Professor Lin, shall we start our interview with Fermat’s Conjecture? I believe Hong Kong citizens are all very curious about how you came to start with Fermat’s Conjecture?”
Lin Ran said, “When we do mathematics, we generally prepare many problems at hand and advance them simultaneously. Fermat’s Conjecture is too famous, so it has always been lying in my problem list.”
“So you cracking this problem was actually a coincidence?” Deng Huixin asked.
Lin Ran said, “That’s right. Actually, at the beginning, it was just with the idea of giving it a try. After persisting for several years, I completed it. After completing it, I verified it myself a few times and felt there were no major issues, so I held an academic conference.
I think everything went quite smoothly without experiencing any setbacks.”
“You’re too modest. It’s your outstanding talent in the field of mathematics that allowed you to solve this difficult problem that has plagued the mathematics community for centuries.
After you learned that your paper was recognized by academia, what was your mood at the time?”
Lin Ran smiled and said, “I knew I was right. Mathematics isn’t physics; whether people recognize it or not doesn’t affect its correctness.
So I didn’t have too many thoughts; I just simply thought Columbia University should give me a higher salary.”
Deng Huixin immediately asked, “So Professor Lin, can you reveal your current annual salary? Is it as much as the rumored one million Hong Kong Dollars?”
Lin Ran explained, “Not that much. I’m not too clear on the exchange rate. Priced in US Dollars, it’s about 100,000 US Dollars.”
Deng Huixin was stunned. “That’s already close to one million Hong Kong Dollars. Hong Kong newspapers say your annual salary is 30,000 US Dollars, but rumors say one million Hong Kong Dollars. Why is there such a big gap?”
Lin Ran didn’t want to discuss this topic too much: “That’s because I have some other part-time jobs. Some foundations give me academic sponsorship.”
Deng Huixin joked, “Hong Kong Women listening to our broadcast should hurry up; opportunities for a rich son-in-law in Hong Kong are rare.”
Then she continued:
“Professor Lin, you are a giant in the mathematics community and have taught Hong Kong youths for half a month in Hong Kong. What are your thoughts, and do you have anything to say to Hong Kong youths?”
Lin Ran answered, “My remedial class started with 50 students, now there are 8 students left, which is already beyond my expectations. Those who can persist are already quite many.
What I want to say is that basic science is like tree roots; a tree without roots, no matter how lush its flowers, fruits, and leaves, will eventually wither. And scientific research is not romantic adventure; it requires facing the dull blackboard day after day.
But if you can feel the beauty in it, the laws of mathematics may be even more beautiful than a budding girl.”
Deng Huixin sighed, “I hope Hong Kong youths with talent can devote themselves to mathematics with the same enthusiasm.”
Then she continued to ask, “Earlier, Professor Lin, you showed considerable Chinese culture accumulation, including your Mandarin Chinese being very standard, even more standard than mine.”
Lin Ran interrupted, “Of course. I am an American, but I am even more of a cultural Chinese Person.”
“So do you have plans to serve China?”
After a moment of silence, Lin Ran said, “When I was in America, Chinese people often asked me similar questions.
My answer is always that I am a cultural Chinese Person, but I have no plans to return to China. That land is completely unfamiliar to me.
Images of apricot flowers, spring rain, and Jiangnan often linger in my heart. The rain on the ancient Chinese land falls from legends to the present in Chinese culture traditions, from drizzling to pouring, from eaves dripping to rivers and seas.
But I don’t plan to go back; I am completely unprepared emotionally.”
