Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 46 - Changed
Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Changed
Chapter 46 -46 Changed
To prove himself, Old Man Bai took Zheng Fa and another into a separate room.
This room’s door was closed all year round, and Zheng Fa had never been inside before.
It wasn’t a large room, about ten square meters, and against the wall was a row of tall bookshelves with books placed very chaotically.
On the floor and the chairs were also several books that were open halfway.
One could tell at a glance that this messy study belonged to the slovenly old man.
The only thing different was the desk by the window corner.
Aside from a stack of thick paper and a pen holder full of pens, there was nothing else on it.
Most peculiar was that this stack of draft paper was piled neatly, looking like a block of tofu cut very smoothly.
“Is this your new book?” Tang Lingwu also noticed the pile of peculiar drafts.
Old Man Bai became modest: “It’s just an idea of mine, been writing it for several years.”
He turned his head toward Zheng Fa and said, “I really don’t have that much time.
I promised someone I’d write this book before I retired, but now it’s been five or six years since retirement and it’s still not finished.”
“The publishing house is actually calling to rush me, I’m not bragging…” Under Zheng Fa’s skeptical gaze, he muttered: “At most, I exaggerated one or…
five, six, seven, eight times.”
Zheng Fa looked at the obviously different desk and nodded, “You really value this book.”
“To say I value it might be too much; like I said before, I’m old news in mathematics.” Old Man Bai stroked the papers on the desk, thought about it, and asked Zheng Fa, “You know why I’m not willing to teach you?”
“Because I learn slowly?”
“Er, being dumb is indeed one of the reasons.” Old Man Bai was always straightforward in his disdain for Zheng Fa’s intelligence.
“Because I’m now preparing for the college entrance examination?” Zheng Fa guessed again.
“There’s that reason too, but the main reason is that you’re not the type of person for math.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, not quite understanding why the old man would say that.
“I’m not saying you, kid, have a problem with your character, but one shouldn’t have too strong of a purpose in doing mathematics.
And you…” Old Man Bai looked at Zheng Fa: “Do you want to learn topology?
Or is it for those weird talismanic diagrams?”
Zheng Fa furrowed his brow.
“What’s wrong with being practical?” muttered Tang Lingwu.
“What is mathematics?” Old Man Bai suddenly asked.
“Ah?”
“Mathematics fundamentally studies things that don’t exist.” Old Man Bai told them, “Do imaginary numbers exist, or even natural numbers – do they exist in nature?
Can you find points, lines, and planes from geometry in the natural world?”
Zheng Fa didn’t speak.
He still didn’t understand what the old man was trying to say, but Old Man Bai seemed to find the feeling of being a university professor:
“Mathematics is essentially an abstract, non-existent axiomatic system.
To some extent, you can see it as a purposeless set of game rules invented by humans, which just so happens to be able to explain some things in this world.” He spoke continuously.
“That’s why many theoretical mathematicians look down on applied mathematicians.
Saying all’s well when everyone is the mother of science, how come you all bend over like a…” Seeing the young faces of Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu, the excited Old Man Bai forcefully swallowed the indecent word on his lips and changed to say: “A fallen woman.”
Seeing Zheng Fa still didn’t understand, Old Man Bai explained more clearly: “If you’re learning topology for those diagrams, then I ask you, have you ever considered whether topology can really analyze all of those diagrams?”
Zheng Fa nodded.
“This is the trickiness of science; being right a million times cannot confirm you’re correct, but if you’re wrong once, then you’re truly wrong.
At that time, would you still want to learn topology from me?”
Zheng Fa understood his meaning now.
The old man was, in a roundabout way, advising him not to miss the forest for the trees.
“I want to learn, even if it’s slow.” Zheng Fa spoke slowly; even without those talismanic diagrams, he was still very interested in knowledge about this world.
“Then I suggest you study properly with me.” Old Man Bai saw the determination in his expression, not seeming to be lying, and his expression was a bit relieved.
He offered Zheng Fa rare consolation: “Being slow is fine, you haven’t fully mastered high school knowledge yet, topology is a course in the second year of undergraduate studies at Beijing University, you need at least the knowledge reserve of a freshman to truly get the basics.
It’s actually normal to be slow now.”
Old Man Bai meant well, but Zheng Fa still refused:
“But I still want you to help me analyze those diagrams.”
Zheng Fa was clear, he was interested in mathematics, but only as a tool.
Just like Old Man Bai’s brain.
“I really don’t have that time!”
Zheng Fa turned to look at Tang Lingwu on the side and pointed at her, asking, “I remember you said, she’s already learned up to the college courses?”
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“Since I have to start from high school, why don’t I just learn from her?”
There’s no problem that can’t be solved with a brain; if that fails, borrow another one.
Tang Lingwu was taken aback for a moment, pointing at herself: “Me?”
“I’ll teach you martial arts, and you teach me math, okay?”
Tang Lingwu hesitated a bit and looked towards Old Man Bai.
Old Man Bai furrowed his brows but didn’t deny Tang Lingwu’s capability: “That could work.
If there’s anything you can’t teach, just ask me.
In fact, teaching him will greatly enhance your own understanding of those knowledge points, it’s just that it will take up your time…”
“I’ll teach!
I want to learn martial arts!”
“Didn’t you not want to?” Old Man Bai hummed.
Tang Lingwu didn’t say anything, just pursed her lips and smiled.
Zheng Fa was beaming as he took out those draft notebooks: “So, which one should we start with today?”
Old Man Bai was stunned.
He pointed at Tang Lingwu: “She has become your teacher and can also practice martial arts.”
“Right.”
“In the future she won’t scold you, I can’t scold you, and not only will you no longer be scolded, but you also get a pretty young lady as a teacher, along with me who’s working for you.”
Zheng Fa smiled: “Seems like it.”
“And I, not only have to work for you, but also lose the joy of scolding you?”
This line of reasoning was so impeccable that it left Old Man Bai with a look of despair.
“At least you’ve learned your lesson,” Zheng Fa patted Old Man Bai’s shoulder.
“Next time, don’t threaten to drop out so easily.”
…
Since Old Man Bai had to teach Tang Lingwu how to practice, his house was no longer spacious enough.
The few of them went to the small clearing where Old Man Bai had watched Zheng Fa begin the Songhe Stance.
Old Man Bai continued to practice Songhe Stance with a rather serious expression, much more earnest than before.
Zheng Fa stood in front of Tang Lingwu instructing her stance.
They were very close, the tips of their noses tickled by each other’s hair, and a faint fragrance wafted from the young girl.
He wasn’t affected much and quickly focused, and then noticed the difference in this world—after mastering the Spiritual Crane Body, once he activated the Qi Force within him, he could feel a force in the void resonating with him in the Xuanwei Realm.
But this world had none!
The difference made Zheng Fa can’t help but speculate.
“Zheng Fa, you…
smell so nice!”
Hmm?
Tang Lingwu seemed to feel that her comment was a bit lewd, her gaze flitting about.
Zheng Fa’s eyes were sternly fixed on her, probing as if trying to see another familiar face through her:
…Gao Yuan, is it you?
…
“Zheng Fa!
I’ve discovered something strange!” As Gao Yuan saw Zheng Fa, he jogged over to him, his head leaning towards Zheng Fa as if he wanted to pass on some secret.
“Stop, keep your distance from me.” Zheng Fa closed his eyes.
“?”
“I’m not used to you suddenly becoming so ugly.”
Gao Yuan touched his own face, which was filled with confusion, but quickly put aside his puzzlement and whispered, “I haven’t changed, it’s Seventh Young Master who has changed!”
“Changed?
Changed into what?” Zheng Fa became curious upon hearing this.
“Become…” Gao Yuan seemed to struggle with his description, scratching his head: “Became, a little like me.”
…How coincidental, I happen to know someone who’s also become a little like you.
