Chapter 47: Jiang Zhe actually came to my house?

"Professor Hua Yunfeng?"

Jiang Zhe was taken aback.

He hadn't expected a big shot like him to contact him through Professor Feng.

Wang Lin had explained it to him during a break earlier.

The professor rankings in this world.

Bronze-tier Professors were well-known within their own city.

Silver-tier professors were well-known in major cities across the country.

And Gold-tier professors, like someone of Professor Zhuang Zhou's stature, were household names nationwide.

Above Gold-tier were International Professors, the kind of figures who frequently appeared at the Nobel Prizes.

Jiang Zhe didn't know why this world categorized professor titles this way; it felt very strange to him!

"Mr. Jiang, are you listening?"

"Yes, I'm listening; but I refuse."

Professor Feng wasn't as surprised as one might expect.

If Jiang Zhe were to publish such a theory himself, it would significantly boost his fame.

Professor Feng simply wanted to take the opportunity to let young domestic scientists enter the international stage under the guidance of the older generation of scholars.

But since Jiang Zhe had refused, it naturally wasn't appropriate to say anything more.

"Don't you want to ask why I refused?"

Jiang Zhe checked his task progress while on the call.

"Of course. You proposed it, so we have no right to do anything on your behalf."

"That's not the reason."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Professor Feng's curiosity was immediately piqued.

Jiang Zhe responded expressionlessly:

"Some things can't be explained for the time being."

"I would prefer if you didn't release any information about me abroad—at least, not to the general public. It's okay for a few individual scholars to see it."

"Then how is that any different from working behind closed doors?"

Jiang Zhe's tone grew stern. "Professor Feng, just remember that some things will happen in the future. Whether they are theoretical scholars or practical ones, they all have nationalities—and I am no exception."

"Naturally, I will look after the land beneath my feet, rather than those foreigners abroad."

Since ancient times, the phrase 'those who are not of our kin are sure to have a different heart' had been etched into his mind.

The so-called 'Universal Harmony' was nothing more than a high alignment of interests and temporary peace for the people.

There was no such thing as true [peace]!

To Professor Feng, these words were somewhat half-understood.

He felt that Jiang Zhe was hiding something, but he could only nod. "I understand."

"However, Professor, you can cooperate with me."

"Cooperate?"

"Yes. I might propose new theories in the future—theories that have never appeared in our world. I can't worry about the details every time, so I'll have to trouble you and your colleagues for the follow-up."

"By the way, regarding the solutions to paradoxes—my requirements aren't high. At the very least, before certain events occur, I want the people of our country to be familiar with how to solve paradoxes."

Many paradoxes involve science and various other disciplines.

Without introducing new theories, many paradoxes in this world would be difficult to solve.

This includes the 'Ship of Theseus' he wanted to talk about, which also involves science and philosophy!

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before he agreed, "Alright, I look forward to our cooperation!"

He hung up the phone.

Jiang Zhe looked out the window and sighed:

"It's not that I don't want to help the country open up the international scientific market, but these things involve the fate of the nation."

The system had warned him—when the task progress reaches 100%, bad news will descend.

He could even imagine that an instance based on [Space-Time] paradoxes would result in the sacrifice of countless timelines and casualties.

Jiang Zhe was even less certain whether the person selected for the paradox instance would be random or designated.

If it were designated, it might be fine, as he could lead by example. But if it were random, and it picked some ignorant playboy...

Then...

Letting a playboy control the fate of Xia Country and inadvertently erasing countless people?

He really couldn't live with that on his conscience!

Without the system's warning, Jiang Zhe would have just lived out his life like this.

But he bore a heavy responsibility, and since scientists have nationalities, he naturally didn't want to tilt resources toward other countries!

...

Inside the auditorium of the Kyoto University of Science.

Many scientists in suits had already gathered here.

Most were astronomers called over by Professor Feng and Professor Hua Yunfeng, all of whom were professors at the university.

They had worked through the night to construct Jiang Zhe's theory and framework, publishing a report online late at night to restore his reputation.

They thought that by doing this, they could win Jiang Zhe's favor, then have Professor Hua Yunfeng sign for Kyoto University and publish it internationally to make other countries take notice—Xia Country isn't without brilliant minds; you just haven't seen them.

But unfortunately, they saw Professor Feng hang up the phone with a dejected expression.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh.

They had already considered this possibility; why would someone else's theory be published under Kyoto University of Science?

Professor Hua Yunfeng noticed Professor Feng's strange expression and asked, "What happened?"

Professor Feng thought for a moment. "I don't know how to put it, but Jiang Zhe's reply had nothing to do with the Theory of Cosmic Circulation."

"Tell us the details."

A group of people crowded around.

Professor Feng carefully recounted his conversation with Jiang Zhe.

A moment later.

Everyone fell into deep thought, analyzing it sentence by sentence.

"He really doesn't take this theory to heart. Other scientists would be desperate to see their theories flourish, but he doesn't care at all!"

"Yes, for a young fellow like Jiang Zhe, proposing a theory seems as simple as eating or drinking. I've barely had a few theories in all these years, and even then, they weren't anything prestigious."

"If what you say is true, Old Feng, then what Jiang Zhe said seems to be related to something like fate."

"What exactly could it be that makes Jiang Zhe treat it so seriously?"

"I don't know, but he's right about scientists having nationalities. I agree with that."

"..."

The discussion yielded no results, and everyone turned to look at the contemplative Professor Hua Yunfeng.

Professor Hua Yunfeng looked at the crowd and explained:

"To be honest, I'm also a bit confused, but he seems willing to let more people know the solutions to certain paradoxes. It's somewhat similar to our Paradox Department's curriculum."

"Jiang Zhe doesn't seem like the type to flatter those in power. He'll just find an opportunity to soar and showcase his talents."

"He didn't treat us as stepping stones. What he said sounded more like a disaster, but I really can't imagine what kind of disaster could be linked to paradoxes."

In the end, this brief discussion came to nothing.

...

Noon, the Television Station's dormitory building.

Wang Lin came to find Jiang Zhe for a free meal.

But he found that no matter how hard he knocked, there was no answer, so he asked the neighbor, Xiao Shiyi.

Xiao Shiyi said Jiang Zhe had gone out in the morning without saying where he was going, and he wouldn't be back until evening.

What they didn't know was that Jiang Zhe had taken advantage of his break to go to the apartment complex in Su City where he had lived in his previous life.

At this moment, in Su City, inside the Maple Leaf Garden apartment complex.

Jiang Zhe stood at the door of room 1114.

He stared at the familiar dark red door in front of him, his heart filled with unease.

Even the black shoe rack at the door was exactly the same as in his previous life.

"In my past life, I read many web novels. So many transmigrators go to parallel worlds—did they never think about visiting the place where they used to live?"

He murmured softly, trying to comfort himself, but in reality, he was nervous to death.

If he knocked on the door and saw another version of himself, that would be problematic!

Just as his thoughts were racing, the door was suddenly pushed open from the inside.

A young man living alone, over 180 cm tall and wearing a long white shirt and black trousers, walked out.

He had sharp features, a playful expression, and a handsome face. He was curiously sizing up Jiang Zhe.

"Brother, you've been standing at my door for five minutes. I've been watching you through the peephole for a long time. Are you interested in this house, or are you interested in me, the man inside?"

Jiang Zhe was stunned, then asked what was on his mind: "It's not what you think. I wanted to ask a question—did you buy this apartment?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?"

"I want to buy it."

"Not for sale. No matter how much money you offer, I won't sell. This 100-square-meter apartment was left to me by my parents after they passed away."

"I'm sorry. Hearing that, I'll leave right away."

But just as he turned to leave, the other man called out to him:

"I know who you are. Jiang Zhe, the very popular host on the Television Station these past few days, the one who turned the tide single-handedly. You're also the variable of this world."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhe turned back curiously. "Why do you say that?"

The person opposite him shrugged. "That's what your fans online are saying."

This made it clear that not everyone who watched popular science programs was a fan of Jiang Zhe or liked him.

"By the way, you still haven't explained why you're here. I'm quite curious—what purpose brings you alone to a stranger's doorstep? Do you really want to buy the house?"

"Yes, but since you're not selling, I won't press the matter."

"I'm very sorry for disturbing you."

After saying that, he turned and walked away.

After watching Jiang Zhe take the elevator downstairs, the owner of room 1114 curled his lips slightly. "Is that really it?"

The owner of the house, Officer Su Cheng, also turned and went back inside, locking the door as if nothing had happened.

This encounter left Jiang Zhe feeling unsettled and extremely awkward.

"The transmigrators in those web novels from my past life were right—who would go looking for their old home for no reason!"

..."}],