Chapter 326 - 177: Letter of Challenge (Part 3)

Chapter 326: Chapter 177: Letter of Challenge (Part 3)

"We’re submitting this paper to Princeton."

Li Jianming’s voice was steady, filled with an unquestionable authority.

"You gave us the breakthrough cohomology group mapping, and you just laid out the introduction that carves out its academic territory."

Li Jianming pointed to the first name on the list on the screen.

"You’re the only one who deserves to be first author. Wu Tao was responsible for the main derivations and proofs, so he’ll be second author. I’ll just be the corresponding author."

Li Jianming looked at Chen Zhuo.

"And that’s final."

Wu Tao leaned against the desk, looking at the author order on the screen without any objection.

He knew full well that in the world of mathematics, it was only natural for the person who provided the core inspiration to be the first author.

Chen Zhuo looked at his name on the screen.

He didn’t wave his hands humbly like a typical undergraduate, saying, "No, no, I’m not worthy." Nor did he deliberately affect a noble air of indifference to fame and fortune.

Chen Zhuo straightened up slightly, one hand in his pants pocket.

He looked at Li Jianming, then glanced at Wu Tao.

The corners of his mouth slowly curved into a composed, almost playful smile.

He didn’t refuse.

"Teacher Li."

Chen Zhuo spoke, his tone calm, imbued with a natural, matter-of-fact confidence.

"Since you put it that way, I’ll shamelessly accept the first author credit for this *Mathematical Annals* paper."

He accepted the honor openly and without reservation.

But then, Chen Zhuo changed his tune.

He leaned forward slightly, looking at Li Jianming with a glint of cunning in his eyes.

"However, we need to get a few things straight beforehand."

Chen Zhuo pointed his finger at the email address listed after the corresponding author’s name.

"The corresponding author’s email is yours, after all."

Chen Zhuo looked at Li Jianming, his tone holding the roguish confidence of someone who knew they were in the right.

"The gauntlet has been thrown down. From now on, whether it’s dealing with reviewer comments from Princeton or handling the tedious emails replying to all sorts of tricky questions from those big shots in topology, that’ll be your and Senior Brother Wu’s headache."

Chen Zhuo spread his hands, his smile gentle, but his words were another matter entirely.

"I’m not one for hassles. I’m just lending my name; I take no responsibility for any follow-up ’after-sales service’."

The office was silent for two seconds.

Then, seeing Chen Zhuo’s audacious expression—as if he’d just scored a massive bargain but was still complaining about the trouble—Li Jianming couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

Shaking his head, he pointed a finger at Chen Zhuo from across the room.

"You kid..."

Li Jianming cursed with a laugh.

"The opportunity of a lifetime falls into your lap, and to hear you tell it, it sounds like Wu Tao and I are the ones taking advantage of you!"

Li Jianming turned back to the computer screen.

"Alright, enough playing coy after getting such a sweet deal. You don’t need to worry about the reviewer emails. Go on, get back to your Alchemists."

The old professor gripped the mouse, moving the cursor over the "Send" button in the top-right corner of the email client.

Without hesitation.

His index finger clicked down.

The progress bar for the sent email flashed across the screen.

A crisp notification sound, signaling the email had been sent successfully, rang out in the office.

This forty-page final draft, carrying the lifeblood and countless sleepless nights of three people, transformed into a stream of data and flew across the ocean to Princeton.

Hearing that notification sound,

Wu Tao’s body suddenly swayed.

As if the last ounce of strength had been drained from his very bones, he slid down along the edge of the desk and collapsed into the old sofa nearby.

"It’s over..."

Wu Tao tilted his head back, staring at the slightly yellowed fluorescent lights on the ceiling, his voice so faint it sounded as if it were drifting up from underground.

’I’m going back to my dorm. I’m going to sleep for three days and three nights.’

Wu Tao closed his eyes, muttering to himself.

’Even if the sky falls, even if the Mathematics Building explodes, don’t you dare wake me.’

Li Jianming leaned back in his wicker chair and picked up his cup of now-cool tea, taking a slow sip. He couldn’t hide his own exhaustion, but his eyes showed a profound sense of relief.

Chen Zhuo stood up straight and pushed the chair he had pulled out back into place.

"Teacher Li, I’ll be going then."

Li Jianming waved his hand dismissively.

"Go on."

Chen Zhuo turned and walked toward the office door.

Just as he reached the door, Chen Zhuo paused.

He looked back at Wu Tao, who was sprawled on the sofa, his chest rising and falling faintly, looking as if he could pass out and sleep like the dead at any second.

A slight curve appeared in Chen Zhuo’s handsome features.

He spoke unhurriedly, his voice soft, but just loud enough to drift into Wu Tao’s ears.

"Senior Brother Wu."

Chen Zhuo’s tone was as gentle as a debt-collecting demon’s.

"Sleeping for three days and three nights is no problem."

"But before you pass out, shouldn’t we settle our tab first?"

Chen Zhuo looked at Wu Tao, whose eyes were squeezed shut.

"Half a month ago, on the morning after we pulled that all-nighter... when do you plan on making good on those two meat buns you owe me?"

On the sofa, Wu Tao’s brow, which had been smoothing out as he drifted toward sleep, furrowed in pain.

He didn’t open his eyes. He just rolled over, buried his face in a sofa cushion, and let out a muffled groan.