Chapter 338: 130 prestigious families, a fortunate encounter _2
“Dr. Gao, does this mean that we are still unable to perform general computing, and can only tackle specific problems? Where is quantum superiority manifested?”

Gao Jiachen glanced at Liang Wuyu, gestured for him to sit down, and said, “Its principle isn’t much different from the photoelectric effect…”

“Dr. Gao…” Ling Ziyao in the middle also wanted to ask a question.

Without looking back at Ling Ziyao, Gao Jiachen continued his lecture, which discouraged others from speaking up with their questions.

Just then, someone knocked twice on the classroom’s front door.

Gao Jiachen frowned and looked at the door with an unpleasant expression. Everyone’s attention was drawn to it.

The door opened.

It was an old man wearing a black velvet hat, only the white hair at his temples visible. His dark eyes bore the weight of years, and his face, crisscrossed with deep lines, exuded authority.

“Academician Ma?” Gao Jiachen recognized the elder, his displeasure vanished, and he was very excited, “Are you here to attend my lecture?!”

Upon hearing Gao Jiachen’s words,

The quiet classroom instantly erupted.

As previously mentioned, the highest honor in the country is the title of academician. Having an academician means being a first-rate school, but even among first-rate schools, there are differences. Academician Ma was a standout among them, his achievements not even needing mention.

Within the elite circle of academicians, he was top-tier; many coveted the chance to participate in his research projects but could not.

Present students like Song Min and Ning Xiao, still unfamiliar with the scientific research community, did not know who Academician Ma was, but they could infer his significance by observing Gao Jiachen’s attitude towards him—a scion from a well-known family.

Academician Ma looked at Gao Jiachen, “No problem, you keep on lecturing, I’m just wandering over here for a casual visit.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the class.

In the entire classroom, there were only two female students, one of which was Xu Zhiyue in the middle, wearing glasses and dressed in her affiliated high school’s uniform.

Academician Ma turned his attention to the second girl.

She too was looking at him. In her hand, she twirled a pen, while her left hand lazily rested on a printed document.

No need to think, it must be her.

Academician Ma took note of the empty seat next to Bai Lian and calmly sat down behind her, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Because of Academician Ma’s presence, Gao Jiachen lectured with renewed passion.

The four-hour-long lecture ended swiftly.

Academician Ma left five minutes early. As soon as he left, Gao Jiachen also hastily packed up his things and followed out, “Our first academic seminar is in six days; if you have any questions, find me at my temporary office. Academician Ma, please wait for me.”

Once both their figures had disappeared, the classroom buzzed anew.

“It’s Academician Ma, I actually saw him in person!” exclaimed a student from the affiliated high school, “Even my grandfather has never spoken to Academician Ma, and I was sitting in the same classroom with him.”

Ling Ziyao’s face was flushed with excitement, “Today, Dr. Gao lectured on quantum computing. Did Academician Ma come to listen to Dr. Gao’s lecture?”

“I didn’t expect Dr. Gao to be held in such high esteem by Academician Ma. So, does that mean he is better than Senior He Wen?”

“…”

These were all top students from the affiliated high school, with inherently good conditions. From their first to the third year, the school had organized many events at Jiangjing University, and, having relatives engaged in scientific research, they were quite familiar with the university’s celebrities.

In contrast, Ning Xiao, Wang Xu, and Song Min were less informed. At the moment, Wang Xu was asking his aunt about Academician Ma while Tang Ming searched online.

Students from the four major cities also burst into heated discussions.

Bai Lian looked down at her lit-up phone.

Academician Ma: [Publicity Department]

Bai Lian thought he had just wandered this way and came to see her by chance.

Bai Jian: [1]

She packed her things and went to the Publicity Department to find Academician Ma.

Seeing that Bai Lian was leaving early, Wang Xu quickly spoke up, “Where are you going? Join us for lunch at the cafeteria, and we can discuss academics while we eat.”

“I’m looking for someone,” Bai Lian thought for a moment and then told them, “Just save me a spot, I’ll be back very soon.”

“Looking for someone?” After Bai Lian left, Wang Xu rubbed his head and looked to Ning Xiao and Tang Ming, “Do you guys know people here in Jiangjing, too?”

Ning Xiao bowed his head and started to pack up his things.

Song Min watched Bai Lian’s retreating figure. Knowing that Ji Mulan had married into Jiangjing, he assumed Bai Lian went to find someone from the Xu Family.

**

The Publicity Department was near the entrance.

By the time Bai Lian arrived, she had just passed Gao Jiachen on the main road.

He was proud and aloof, looking down on even Liang Wuyu, fearing only the Liang Family’s clout. As for the others, he didn’t even spare them a glance, so naturally, he did not recognize Bai Lian.