novelraw Chapter 95 The Research Topic
Chapter 95 The Research Topic
Bang!
The moment he heard that name, Jiang Ran shot up from his chair as if electrified.
Well, well.
[Quantum Tunneling].
The culprit that would eventually send Professor Zhang Yang to prison had appeared!
He had thought Zhang Yang would only begin researching this root of disaster after this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics was announced.
Who would have guessed…
that fate’s footsteps had already begun to coil around him so early.
“No, no.”
Jiang Ran waved his hands urgently.“Not this. Professor Zhang, I’m not researching this.”
“Huh?”
Zhang Yang was surprised. His beloved disciple had agreed so readily just now — why such a strong reaction upon hearing the project name?
“I knew you were well-read and knowledgeable — you must already understand quantum tunneling!”
At that thought, Zhang Yang’s gaze toward Jiang Ran gained an extra trace of admiration.
“Then you should know this theory has tremendous potential. To be honest, I don’t even understand why the Nobel Prize in Physics hasn’t been awarded to it after all these years.”
“Trust me, Jiang Ran — this research will shine brilliantly in the coming years. As my chief disciple, I would never harm you!”
“No, no.”
Jiang Ran’s tone was resolute.
“Professor Zhang, absolutely not. This thing has no future. Its prospects are pitch black.”
“I have zero interest in the quantum field. I will never touch this. And I advise you not to research it either. How should I put it… quantum mechanics is too… mystical. It’s very easy to [lose your way].”
Although Jiang Ran knew Zhang Yang would not abandon his research because of a few casual words, he still had to try. If there was a chance to dissuade him, he would take it.
“Fine, fine.”
Zhang Yang waved dismissively.
“If you don’t like quantum-related topics, we’ll switch. Let me think… how about sterile neutrinos?”
Jiang Ran blinked blankly.
What was that?
He didn’t even understand the words.
“Not interested.”
He shook his head, masking ignorance with indifference.
“You don’t like microscopic things, is that it?”
Zhang Yang remained respectful.
“All right then… Lee Cronin’s assembly theory — what people call ‘assembly theory.’ I’m not fond of that translation myself. Interested?”
Jiang Ran stared at him.
This time he didn’t even recognize the name.
So naturally—
“Not interested.” He feigned composure.
Professor Zhang narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious.
He slowly straightened his back, regulating his breathing.
Very good.
As expected of the unparalleled genius Academician Gao Yan had praised so highly.
Truly extraordinary.
Proud.
Arrogant in talent.
What a treasure he had picked up.
Suddenly Zhang Yang felt a flicker of regret. His earlier suggestions had probably been too mediocre — surely disappointing to this great disciple.
Of course.
The other party was a super genius who had made even Professor Gao bow in admiration…
How could he possibly be satisfied with such “second-rate” topics?
A miscalculation. A miscalculation.
Zhang Yang felt sweat bead in his palms.
It was his first time supervising a graduate student — and from the start, such a prodigious genius. The pressure was real.
On one hand, he feared he might not be able to command Jiang Ran.
On the other, he wanted to maintain his dignity as an advisor.
No.
He had to bring out something formidable.
Otherwise… Jiang Ran would surely look down on him, this “newly appointed advisor.”
“Fine.”
He nodded.
“I understand. Those topics may lack challenge for you. Boring, perhaps. Let me offer something more demanding. Something epoch-making.”
He proposed several more extraordinarily difficult projects.
Without exception—
Jiang Ran shook his head instantly each time.
“Not interested.”
Zhang Yang wiped his forehead.
“What about mathematics? Professor Gao hinted your mathematical talent is exceptional. Let me suggest a few directions there.”
More world-class problems.
He even brought up challenges comparable to Goldbach’s Conjecture.
Jiang Ran’s response remained unchanged.
“Not interested.”
“Not interested ×2.”
“Not interested ×3.”
Zhang Yang frowned.
He finally realized.
Jiang Ran was playing him.
Because he only ever said “not interested.” Not once had he offered his own opinion.
Normal academic discussion should be two-way.
If you’re not interested in my proposal, you should explain your own direction, your own inclination.
This one-sided rejection — what did it mean?
Was this some ritual of a new student asserting dominance over his advisor?
“Then you say it.”
Zhang Yang slapped the desk.
“You say it! What direction do you want to research?”
“I haven’t thought it through yet.”
Jiang Ran clasped his hands pleadingly.
“Professor Zhang, you’re asking me to decide on the spot. I really can’t think of anything immediately. There’s still time — can I go back and consider it carefully, and give you an answer during summer break?”
“No!”
Zhang Yang was genuinely irritated now.
Hadn’t thought it through?
That was clearly an excuse.
If he truly hadn’t considered it, how could he have dismissed every proposal instantly without a second’s hesitation?
That meant Jiang Ran already had something in mind.
“You don’t need details. But today, you must at least give me a general direction.”
This was the first exchange between master and chief disciple. Zhang Yang would not retreat.
“If you were an ordinary student, I wouldn’t push you like this. But you’re a genius. I can’t apply ordinary standards to you.”
“Stop pretending. My chief disciple… you’ve already helped the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences solve major project problems. Surely you know what you want to research.”
“Tell me the truth. What’s your direction?”
He leaned back, arms crossed, watching Jiang Ran with interest.
Let’s see.
What earth-shattering project will this super genius declare?
Could it really shock him?
Jiang Ran watched Zhang Yang’s temper begin to rise and felt miserable inside.
Clearly—
he had angered him.
And most likely because he appeared arrogant and disrespectful.
What injustice!
If anyone in this world respected Zhang Yang the most, Jiang Ran would rank first.
Their teacher-student bond had already formed in the prison of 2045. Gratitude akin to father and son.
But…
a dozen “not interested” responses had indeed provoked him.
It wasn’t that Jiang Ran refused to engage.
It was that he had never even heard of those topics.
If he pretended interest and Zhang Yang pressed further—
his identity as an “academic fraud plus weakling” would be exposed instantly.
Right now—
if he refused to name a direction, Zhang Yang wouldn’t let him leave.
But if he named one, Zhang Yang would surely probe deeply.
What to do?
What to do?
What to do?
Was there a way… to muddle through, avoid probing questions, and preserve the façade of a “super genius capable of proving Goldbach’s Conjecture”?
Hmm?
Suddenly—
an idea flashed in Jiang Ran’s mind.
Brilliant.
A divine weapon.
Perfect for this predicament.
He smiled faintly, confidence spreading across his face.
Zhang Yang straightened again, hands on his knees, bracing himself.
“Professor Zhang, you’re right.”
Jiang Ran leaned back, crossing his arms.
“You have sharp insight. I do have plans. I’m willing to devote my life’s light and energy to this research. If I do not conquer it, I shall never return. It is my lifelong pursuit. The reason I didn’t mention it earlier is that it’s too advanced. I was afraid you might not accept it.”
“Nonsense!”
Zhang Yang scoffed.
“What topic could I not accept? No matter how difficult or niche, just say it. My expectations of you are high.”
“In fact, your current attitude reassures me. You are a genius beyond ordinary people — your thinking must be extraordinary.”
“Speak boldly. I will fully support you. Don’t underestimate me. I may be a first-year advisor, but I’m not incompetent.”
“Tell me. What is your ultimate dream?”
Jiang Ran inhaled deeply.
Zhang Yang held his breath.
With solemn expression, Jiang Ran declared:
“The topic I want to research is—”
“[Spacetime Shuttle].”
In that instant, time froze.
The world fell silent.
Outside the window, sparrows chirped on willow branches. Students whispered in the corridor.
Summer sunlight struck the glass, illuminating dust motes drifting aimlessly.
Yet inside the room—
there was no warmth.
Air conditioning seeped coldly into collar and cuffs, chilling more than flesh — freezing even the soul.
“You…”
Zhang Yang blinked.
“What did you just say?”
“Spacetime Shuttle.”
Jiang Ran repeated calmly.
“A machine that allows people to travel through spacetime and return to the past.”
“Have you lost your mind?!”
Zhang Yang slammed the desk and stood.
“As your teacher, I must educate you. This is too much!”
“I am seriously discussing research directions with you. And you say ‘Spacetime Shuttle’? Is that legitimate research?”
“I am serious.”
Jiang Ran rose as well.
“This is my lifelong pursuit.”
Yes.
This was the perfect solution.
Any conventional research would expose his incompetence.
But something no one understood, with no precedent, no data, no standard, no foundation—
that was ideal.
First, since no one understood a Spacetime Shuttle, no one had the authority to question him. There was no correct answer.
Second, such a grand, unsupported idea could not produce results quickly. Even if he achieved nothing for years, it would be understandable.
After all—
a Spacetime Shuttle, capable of altering history, even the slightest theoretical progress would be epoch-making.
Failure would not prove incompetence.
It would merely show ambition.
“No!”
Zhang Yang waved fiercely.
“Absolutely not!”
“Why not?”
Jiang Ran shot back.
“Precisely because no one studies it, I want to! What’s the point of following others? I want something epoch-making!”
Zhang Yang spread his hands helplessly.
“My chief disciple! This is absurd. The proposal would never pass!”
“Think about my face!”
“This is my first year supervising. Everyone is watching us, expecting achievements.”
“I take back what I said. I apologize. I pushed too hard. Go back and think carefully. But choose something normal.”
“How is this not genius?”
Jiang Ran insisted.
“It’s because I’m a genius that I should study this!”
Wasn’t that logical?
Lu Yu was a recognized super genius — and the Spacetime Shuttle was highly likely his invention.
If a real super genius could research it, why couldn’t a fake one?
“If Academician Gao heard my proposal, he would support me.”
Zhang Yang burst into incredulous laughter.
“You think the President of the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences would support you researching a time machine?”
Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.
“Wouldn’t he?”
“Oh, he absolutely would!”
Zhang Yang snapped sarcastically.
“Perhaps I should call you teacher from now on?”
He was furious.
“If Academician Gao supports you researching a Spacetime Shuttle—”
[Fine! If he truly agrees, I’ll stop researching quantum tunneling! I’ll call you senior brother and be your junior disciple, and I’ll research the Spacetime Shuttle with you!]
This was the first time the famously mild-tempered Zhang Yang had lost composure with a student.
He believed—
after speaking so harshly, the student would surely retreat.
But—
the next second—
Jiang Ran answered instantly:
“Deal.”
“Agreed.”