Chapter 132 - Supercomputing Center
However, what one gained from theory was always shallow; true understanding came from practice.
In his previous life, Su Yuanshan had, of course, done experiments — but they were all in the field of integrated circuits, mostly related to design validation, which was vastly different from the nanometer-level condensed matter physics he was dealing with now.
He needed to systematically study the experimental procedures and protocols of condensed matter physics in order to produce credible results.
He also remembered very clearly that even in the 21st century, when the discoverers of graphene tried to publish their findings, they were initially rejected twice by Nature — on the grounds that their work "did not provide sufficient advancement to science."
They later submitted to Science, and only after substantial revisions and additions suggested by a "merciful" editor did the paper finally get accepted.
In other words, getting published in top journals like Nature and Science wasn't as simple as just peeling tape and measuring some electrical properties.
Fortunately, Su Yuanshan still had time.
He could overwhelm them by throwing a mountain of results at Nature and see just how blind they really were.
Since he had promised his father to take care of his health, Su Yuanshan stayed away from the lab for the time being and obediently stayed home.
On New Year's Day, Su Yuanshan and his father visited several old professors in their building to exchange greetings.
Calling it "New Year's visits" was an overstatement — it was more like casual door-to-door chats.
When they knocked on Li Gaoliang's door, it was his daughter, Li Xiao, who opened it with a smile.
She resembled her mother — petite, and now, after learning how to carry herself, had grown into a standard beauty.
"Happy New Year, Uncle Su," she greeted sweetly.
"Happy New Year, Xiaoxiao.
Is your father home?"
"He's waiting for you."
Hearing the conversation at the door, Li Gaoliang chuckled and came over to welcome Su Xinghe and Su Yuanshan inside.
Following them in, Su Yuanshan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist.
"Hiss—"
He inhaled sharply and turned around, only to see Li Xiao grinning mischievously.
"Xiaoxiao, is this how you welcome your little brother?"
"You didn't even come to visit during the break," Li Xiao said, giving him a shove.
"Come on, let's chat in my room."
Su Yuanshan was very familiar with Li Xiao's room —
though the last time he had been in there was during last year's New Year's visit.
He closed the door behind them.
Li Xiao sat in her chair, while Su Yuanshan plopped onto the bed.
After some playful banter, they chatted about the time Su Yuanshan got a cold reception at Peking University.
During his trip to Beijing for "the summons" with his father, his father had left early, and Su Yuanshan stayed behind.
Li Xiao had shown him around the Peking University campus.
When the local physics students heard that he was from UESTC's physics department, the nicer ones had simply smiled politely, while the more arrogant ones suggested he should either retake the entrance exam or settle for a vocational school.
Luckily, Su Yuanshan, with his middle-aged patience, had only smiled humbly, saying he "wasn't very capable and accidentally filled out the wrong application."
"Did you ever tell them later how amazing you actually are?" Li Xiao asked.
"Nope.
Aren't you the one who likes keeping things low-profile?" Su Yuanshan teased, stretching out on the bed.
"But I never expected you to choose physics," Li Xiao said, lying across her chair's backrest and smiling at him.
"My dad says your skills in integrated circuit design are already untouchable."
"Don't listen to your dad's nonsense.
He probably wants me as a son-in-law," Su Yuanshan said casually.
"Bah!"
Li Xiao flicked his forehead lightning-fast.
"So, Sister Xiaoxiao, any feelings in that direction?" Su Yuanshan joked, leaning back on his hands.
Li Xiao smirked,
"Get lost.
I still remember you running around in split pants crying your eyes out.
Sorry, but I have a psychological shadow."
Su Yuanshan burst into laughter.
After laughing, he became serious.
"Sister Xiaoxiao, I actually wanted to discuss something with you."
"What's up?"
"What are your plans after graduation?"
Li Xiao was slightly startled.
After thinking for a moment, she said,
"Probably studying abroad.
My dad supports it.
I'm majoring in inorganic chemistry.
There aren't many opportunities here for that field; better chances overseas."
Su Yuanshan nodded slowly,
"Mainly, I'm lacking a partner with expertise in physical chemistry.
I want to push lithium battery development — you've heard about it, right?"
Li Xiao's eyes widened slightly,
"Yes, I heard Sony made a big breakthrough this year."
"Exactly.
Lithium batteries belong to the energy industry.
If Sony's projections are correct, they could revolutionize mobile communication devices."
Li Xiao bit her lip and nodded,
"I can ask around and see if any of my senior classmates are interested — in battery research, right?"
"Right, especially polymer-based."
"No problem —
or maybe next year, I'll come intern with you?"
"You'd be more than welcome."
Li Xiao smiled at him, then sighed,
"I really didn't expect it...
You turned into a genius after a few years.
Did you secretly practice some martial arts?"
Su Yuanshan feigned shock,
"Don't talk nonsense!
I was born a genius!"
"Yeah, right!"
Li Xiao rolled her eyes.
"I still remember what a little crybaby you were."
Just then, they heard a commotion from the living room, followed by knocking at the door.
"President Zhou, are you suggesting we establish a supercomputing center?"
Su Yuanshan was surprised to see the unexpected visitor —
President Zhou Zhenzhong of UESTC.
"It's not just our initiative," Zhou said with a smile.
"The provincial government also has the same intention."
As president, he should have been home, waiting for subordinates to visit him for New Year greetings.
But he had business on his mind — and knowing Su Xinghe and Su Yuanshan were visiting Professor Li, he came directly from another building.
Compared to doing research, advancing the greater cause was far more important.
"The new provincial leadership is eager to accomplish things.
They've quickly accepted our recommendation to promote science and technology,
deciding to increase investment in the high-tech zone and support the computer industry."
Su Yuanshan nodded slowly.
After a moment's thought, he said,
"Indeed.
The province is geographically isolated, deep in a basin.
Oil and gas resources exist, but extraction and transportation are difficult.
Developing heavy industry would be even harder.
If we want real growth, we have to focus on high-tech.
Especially computers."
Zhou smiled proudly.
The 'Science and Technology Prosperity' policy had been his idea.
As the president of the university that had nurtured Yuanchip, Zhou had kept a close eye on Yuanchip's development these past two years.
Many of his decisions were inspired by Yuanchip.
However, Su Yuanshan immediately frowned.
"But a supercomputing center...
that's a power hog."
"Don't worry.
We'll just build another power plant."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1