Chapter 10: Future Plans

“What’s going on?”

“Hey, are you pretending to be clueless? What’s with this junior? Comes with a research project before even joining the group?” A senior sitting in the back row kicked Qiu Yan’s chair irritably.

“Oh, you mean Zhou Yun? He already reported to Professor Deng during the last interview. But since I’m not in his field, I don’t know the details.”

“Who is he, anyway?” They recalled how nervous they were at their very first group meeting, terrified of giving a poor report. Even presenting a paper was daunting, let alone reporting on research progress.

Even now, when the professor asks them to report on their progress, they still feel a bit uneasy.

“No idea, but judging by his ID, he’s a fresh graduate. Maybe he had a professor guiding him during undergrad?”

“Yeah, right. If he had that kind of mentorship, would he come to our school?”

Usually, students with such backgrounds are from top domestic universities — double first-class or at least 211 — who would come from a non-key university?

“No clue. But what’s your attitude? Having a brilliant junior isn’t a bad thing, is it? Didn’t you say your own paper hasn’t been published yet?”

“If this junior is really capable, you could ask him for his code and build on his work. Publishing a paper would be a breeze.”

Several seniors who hadn’t published yet perked up. “Yeah!”

While they whispered among themselves, Zhou Yun’s report was nearly finished.

“That’s my progress from last week. Professor, any questions?”

A faint smile appeared on Deng Yonghua’s face.

Qiu Yan, sitting beside him, stared in surprise.

He smiled! He actually smiled!!!

From the very first group meeting until now, they had never seen the professor smile in these sessions.

And today, he smiled?!

Qiu Yan blinked to make sure he wasn’t imagining things.

Yes, the professor really did smile.

Though Zhou Yun’s report was hard for Qiu Yan to grasp, judging from the professor’s reaction, this junior was no ordinary talent.

“I haven’t delved deeply into AI research, so I don’t see any issues for now. But since you’ve already begun experiments, I trust you’re clear on things. When you have a draft of the paper, send it to me for review.”

“Understood, Professor.” Seeing no further questions, Zhou Yun ended the screen sharing.

He had long anticipated that Professor Deng wouldn’t offer much help in his research area, but that didn’t matter. With his current abilities, he was capable of conducting independent research.

The choice to work with Deng Yonghua was simple: connections and resources. So far, that part was going well.

Besides, research and writing papers are two different things. Good experiments don’t always result in good papers. This isn’t about intelligence.

Though he had published papers in a previous life, there was still a gap compared to an experienced veteran like Deng Yonghua. He still needed guidance in writing.

Deng Yonghua grew increasingly satisfied with Zhou Yun, then glanced at the lively group behind him and sighed.

What else could he do?

They were his chosen students; he had to guide them until graduation, no matter what.

The reports from Chang Chengxuan and Shao Shi, finally, returned to the usual freshman level, covering one of the papers they had sent earlier.

Their reports were hesitant and stumbling, silenced by the sudden questions from the professor.

After struggling for a moment, they could only say, “Sorry, Professor, I didn’t notice that point.”

Deng Yonghua still showed patience with the freshmen. After all, everyone has a first time and not everyone can be like Zhou Yun.

This was the so-called probation period for newcomers.

But if next time or the time after that they showed no improvement, he wouldn’t be so lenient.

After all, the bigger the research group and the more resources, the greater the pressure.

Before the meeting ended, Deng Yonghua asked with a hint of expectation in his voice, “Who among you wants to come to school early? I can arrange it.”

Though he asked the three of them, he was really asking if Zhou Yun wanted to come early.

Chang Chengxuan and Shao Shi thought it over and declined.

Zhou Yun considered it and decided to go, but not immediately: “Professor, can I come in a few weeks? By then, the draft should be almost ready.”

“That’s fine. Just let me know before you come.”

And so, the first group meeting ended.

Actually, Zhou Yun had his own reasons for going to Hangzhou early; he had already planned his future.

From what he could see, he had some talent in research. His future would likely follow an academic path, and Hangzhou was an excellent city for that.

Besides academic research, he also planned to start a tech company. Making money was secondary.

Once one’s academic standing reached a certain level, money would no longer be an issue. Any academician in our country commands resources that, if measured by money, would be astronomical.

After all, no matter how powerful private capital is, it can’t rival the state apparatus.

The main purpose of starting a tech company was to nurture talent. While the advancement of cutting-edge technology depends on a small group of the world’s top talents, implementing these technologies relies on a large number of competent “ordinary” people.

Of course, if he could make some extra money to improve his family’s life, that would be even better.

In the following weeks, Zhou Yun’s daily life was very regular: research, study, exercise, and occasionally playing games to relax.

Though busy, he didn’t feel tired; rather, he experienced an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

He was very satisfied with this lifestyle—but not everyone was.

“Zhou Yun, you’re always at home and never go out. When are you going to find a daughter-in-law for me?”

Yes, this was Zhou Yun’s mother.

Just as he expected, in the first few days after returning home, he was still her beloved son. But after just a few weeks, she began calling him by his name directly.

Judging by his experience, it wouldn’t be long before she started calling him a “rascal.”

“Mom, why the rush? I’m just in my early twenties.”

“You’re in your early twenties! Back then, kids our age were already running errands. Look at Aunt Wang next door—her son is twenty-five this year and about to get married. And you? No news at all.”

Zhou Yun rolled his eyes helplessly. “Alright, alright. I’ll bring a daughter-in-law home next year.”

“You’re just good at fooling me. You never go out and don’t even leave the house. People might think you’re an unmarried girl.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll go to school in a few days, okay?”

“When? School hasn’t even started yet! So soon you’re leaving?” Zhou Yun’s mother instantly changed her expression.