Scholar's Advanced Technological System

[Dear Professor Lu, I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule!

[I know that before you’ve finished reading this letter, you’re already planning on rejecting me. I beg you not to make a decision yet.

[Solving the problem of social resource allocation has always been one of the most important propositions in economics. The 21st century of computers and mathematics opened a new door for our research. However, it is rare for scholars from other disciplines to take an interest in economics. It’s very rare to see great scholars like John Nash who were willing to venture into economics!

[I’ve tried to study these equations in the past, but unfortunately, due to my age, things aren’t the same as before anymore.

[I know you’re not interested in helping, probably tired of hearing from me. However, I’m still grateful that you’re reading my letter.

[In two weeks, there will be an international macroeconomics conference in Shanghai. If you have time, it’d be great for you to come.

[I want to talk to you in person, and for you to see the impact your research has made.

[I look forward to meeting you!]

Is this guy stalking me?

He really never gives up, he should just be a salesman.

Lu Zhou was sitting in the conference hall lounge. He was in his suit, sitting in his chair with his makeup being done as he read the letter.

“Um… can you hurry up?”

For a guy like him, putting on makeup was torture.

Sitting in front of the mirror with someone else fiddling his face…

The young lady knew Lu Zhou would say this, so she put on a professional smile and spoke softly.

“Please be patient, Academician Lu, we’re almost done.”

F*ck, almost?

Lu Zhou wasn’t happy to wait any longer.

“I think I’m handsome enough, this will do.”

The young lady snorted and nearly dropped her eyebrow pencil.

“Y-you’re kidding…? Of course, you’re handsome, but for a formal occasion like this, you have to follow proper grooming and makeup standards.”

Lu Zhou didn’t want to argue with the lady, so he quietly muttered, “I never put on makeup for conferences.”

“This isn’t an academic conference,” Director Li from the State Administration for National Defense said. He smiled and walked over. “Academician Lu, you’re the face of our country, so we have to make you look presentable.”

Lu Zhou looked at the old man walking through the door and spoke.

“You put on makeup as well?”

Director Li smiled.

“A little bit.”

Lu Zhou frowned and stared for a while.

“How come I can’t see it?”

“Just covered up some wrinkles… I’m getting old, it’s not the same anymore.” Director Li cleared his throat and put on a more serious expression. “Are you ready? You’re the first to speak.”

Lu Zhou adjusted his tie and smiled.

“I’ll be fine, I’m used to it by now, and it’s not like this is the United Nations.”

“You want to attend their conference? I can try.”

“It’s fine… I was just kidding.”

Lu Zhou wasn’t interested in the United Nations’ conferences.

He wasn’t a politician anyway.

What was the point of going there just to show his face?

“Okay.” The makeup lady put down her pencil and took a step back as she smiled and said, “Academician Lu, you look great; do you want me to take a photo?”

“No, it’s fine.” Lu Zhou looked at his watch and said, “I think I look better without makeup.”

Makeup lady: “…”

…

There was a huge crowd in the conference center.

Physicists, aerospace engineers, and high-level politicians from all over the world were sitting in this hall.

There were also young students that were abandoned by their supervisors and were trying to fit in.

There was still ten minutes before the opening ceremony, so people took this opportunity to gossip with one another.

“Guess who I saw when I walked in?”

“Who?”

“NASA Director Carson!”

“No way, Director Carson is here?”

“I’m 100% certain it’s him!”

“I can’t believe it… Looks like it’s not just the physics community, the aerospace industry will also be affected.”

“Are you living in the 18th century?”

“… What do you mean?”

“How do you not know the aerospace industry is going to be affected?”

Suddenly, the stage lights turned on.

People stopped talking and looked toward the stage.

The chattering gradually subsided.

Lu Zhou walked on stage in a suit.

He adjusted the microphone and spoke in a clear voice.

“Hello, everyone, I’m glad to see you here.”

A lot of people looked curiously at Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou raised his voice and continued, “Seeing you all here means we have reached somewhat a consensus on many issues, so that’s a great thing.

“This is one of the rare conferences that doesn’t contain any academic content.

“I believe that politics, economics, culture, and scientific research are all connected. We’re all from different fields, different professions, different countries, but we’re here for one reason…”

Lu Zhou looked around the quiet venue and slowly spoke.

“That is to tackle the future issues together.”

His speech was almost over.

The opening ceremony was only two and a half minutes long.

Now that the opening words were over, it was time for Lu Zhou to deliver the real content of his speech.

Lu Zhou cleared his throat and looked at the notes in his hand. He then said in a steady and calm voice, “On behalf of the Chinese academic community, we would like to present to the world the Lunar Hadron Collider project vision.

“I hope we will all prosper together.”

The venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Lu Zhou gave a slight bow and walked off the stage.