Chapter 8

Over the next two days, Wang Hao devoted all his energy to refining his papers.

First, he organized the content of the papers and translated them into English bit by bit.

Then, he studied the requirements of the journals he intended to submit to.

Slowly making changes and gradually improving, he spent two days and over ten hours of effort to finally complete the three papers.

"Mission accomplished!"

He sent the papers to the submission email of the journal, along with a brief explanation and a suggestion for review.

Subsequently, he relaxed his entire body.

It was a thorough relaxation.

Since he had arrived in this world, Wang Hao had been busy all the time, preparing lesson plans, writing research reports, and later summarizing knowledge and writing papers.

And so on.

He had been constantly busy, and a significant reason was that he was unsure whether he could stay.

Suddenly becoming a mathematics Ph.D., carrying the stigma of a tainted research record, and obtaining the 'Professor X System,' staying at the university was definitely the best choice.

With the results related to 'Fourier Transform' submitted to top-tier journals, although it was uncertain whether they would be accepted, he was 100% sure that he could stay.

Because, the results were there.

Even if 'Journal of Computational Mathematics and Information Engineering' did not accept them, he could submit to other journals. As long as the results were genuine, the publication of the papers was only a matter of time.

The algorithmic results related to 'Fourier Transform' were not world-class, but information technology had high requirements for algorithms, and algorithmic results would have considerable influence and significant practical value.

This level of achievement was enough to support his stay.

Even if, for other reasons, Xihai University did not renew his contract, other universities would definitely be interested and hope to sign him.

...

Friday.

He had two tutorial classes in the afternoon and evening, but the morning was free.

Wang Hao decided to take a short break. He sat in the office, leisurely drinking coffee, browsing news websites, and chatting with others.

Over the past few days, he had gotten to know the people in the office.

The one he was most familiar with was Zhu Ping, who had a master's degree in information science and had stayed at the university as a lecturer a few years ago, responsible for the computer basics course in the School of Information.

Zhang Zhiqiang, a Ph.D. in information science, taught undergraduate courses in the School of Information and worked in the computer laboratory. He had been working for two and a half years and was reportedly about to be promoted to associate professor.

Yan Jing, a Ph.D. in applied physics, was also a new hire in the School of Science.

She was petite, just over 1.5 meters tall, with a braid, and looked frail and cute. She was only three years older than Wang Hao.

Yan Jing and Wang Hao were both new hires and the youngest in the office, so they were naturally closer.

Seeing Wang Hao looking so relaxed, Yan Jing curiously said, "Weren't you always busy? Why are you so relaxed today? Even reading the news."

"Finished."

"Research done?"

"Yep."

"Written the papers?" Yan Jing asked curiously. Papers were very important, summarizing the research. Influential papers were crucial for promotion and could help in applying for research projects.

Wang Hao nodded, "Submitted. Now just waiting for a response."

"Oh~~~"

Wang Hao had been busy in the office, and others knew he was working on the application of Fourier Transform, but they didn't know the specifics.

They subconsciously thought it was a small research project.

If it were a big project, it wouldn't have been completed in just a few days. A small project that could result in a paper was still a small achievement.

After hearing their conversation, others joined in, mostly complaining about the difficulty of writing papers.

Zhu Ping was the most straightforward, saying, "You're all Ph.D.s, I'm just a regular master's degree holder. What can I research? I just want to compile a few teaching papers, nothing too difficult."

Zhu Ping was the most envied.

She had stayed at the university after graduation and signed a regular employment contract, effectively entering the system with no hard requirements.

Of course, due to her educational limitations, it was unlikely she could be promoted further.

Others, including Zhang Zhiqiang, who was reportedly about to be promoted to associate professor, were still temporary employees. 'Non-promotion means departure' was not just a saying; without significant achievements within a few years, they would have to leave with regret.

Wang Hao was the worst off, with only a one-year contract, and everyone thought he was unlikely to stay.

Actually, Xihai University's system wasn't that harsh. Because the university could attract limited talent, and the number of Ph.D. hires was small, as long as there were some achievements, one could be directly promoted to associate professor.

For example, Zhang Zhiqiang.

In two and a half years, he wasn't outstanding compared to others, but with some achievements, the university was willing to promote him.

Generally, newly hired Ph.D.s, unless they performed poorly, could stay without issues.

While discussing papers and promotions, someone pushed the door open and called out, "Wang Hao, someone's looking for you!"

Wang Hao got up and went to the corridor, where he saw a man in a suit waiting outside.

"Are you Wang Hao? I'm Zheng Yaogun. Professor Zhou Qingsheng recommended you to me."

Zheng Yaogun said with a smile.

"Oh~~~"

Wang Hao responded, still unsure of the man's intentions.

Zheng Yaogun enthusiastically pulled Wang Hao, saying, "Let's go, it's almost lunchtime. I'll treat you."

Wang Hao checked the time.

Since someone was treating him, he followed along.

On the way, Zheng Yaogun explained his purpose. He was an associate professor in the School of Science and had a national research fund project on 'Fully Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations,' for which he had secured 100,000 yuan in funding.

The province had provided an additional 50,000 yuan, and the university had given 20,000 yuan in subsidies...

In total, 170,000 yuan.

Wang Hao felt that Zheng Yaogun was showing off his project, talking about the funding he had secured all the way.

Of course, securing over 100,000 yuan for a mathematics research project was indeed something to envy.

Unlike other types of projects, mathematics research had almost no 'costs,' and the funding would be spent on buying professional books, attending academic conferences, etc.

Anything related to research could be directly reimbursed.

Once they found a seat in the restaurant, Zheng Yaogun got to the point, "I'm going abroad to attend a mathematics conference."

"This trip will take a week, but I have two classes for first-year graduate students. I originally thought of rescheduling, but the subsequent classes have conflicts. You know, missing a class in differential equations can put a lot of pressure on students later on."

"I asked others, but they either had course conflicts or were too busy. It's a coincidence that several of them were unavailable..."

Zheng Yaogun shook his head in frustration.

Wang Hao found this a bit strange and, after some thought, understood.

This guy had extremely low emotional intelligence!

His relationships were very poor!

On the way, Zheng Yaogun had been boasting about his national research fund project and the funding he had secured, probably doing the same to others countless times.

Others would naturally envy his ability to secure so much funding, and he kept boasting about it.

Then, he actually thought it was a 'coincidence' that everyone refused?

"Professor Zhou recommended you to me, saying you can teach first-year differential equations," Zheng Yaogun said finally, his eyes full of expectation.

Wang Hao felt uneasy under his gaze. He didn't want to get involved with Zheng Yaogun but then thought...

Differential equations?

He was struggling with the slow progress in his 'partial differential equations' research. It was like someone was offering a pillow when he was sleepy.

He hesitated for a moment, pretending to be reluctant.

"Alright!"

Zheng Yaogun bit his lip and made a decision, "I won't let you do this for free. I'll pay you 500 yuan per class, 1,000 yuan for two classes."

"Alright, then!"

Wang Hao nodded, reluctantly agreeing.

Zheng Yaogun beamed, called the waiter to add a dish, and ordered two bottles of beer to celebrate.

The meal was enjoyable for both.

At the stairwell.

Two girls were hiding and watching, Gu Youyou and Li Qian.

Gu Youyou said in surprise, "See, I knew it! He actually knows Professor Zheng and is treating him to a meal!"

"Maybe he's trying to get the differential equations homework answers!"

"See!"

"Today he'll arrange to run into us and help with the differential equations homework!"

Li Qian nodded thoughtfully, enviously saying, "I thought it was a coincidence last time. He's really going to such lengths to pursue you..."

"How about it, Youyou, consider it?"

Gu Youyou blushed, feeling a bit secretly pleased, but pretended to be indifferent, rolling her eyes at Li Qian, "Get lost!"

She then turned and walked away.