Awakening Elementary School System in University
Chapter 22 - 21: The Well-Rounded Principal

Chapter 22: Chapter 21: The Well-Rounded Principal

May 19th, Thursday.

9:30 AM.

Yannan University, top floor of the administration building, the principal’s office.

The office was decorated in an elite, corporate style.

A massive mahogany desk shone so brightly you could see your reflection in it. Behind it stood a wall-to-wall bookshelf, but it wasn’t filled with abstruse academic tomes. Instead, it held management classics like *In Search of Excellence* and *Built to Last*, along with corporate biographies of famous alumni.

The principal of Yannan University, Chang Kai, was leaning back in his spacious leather chair, his brow slightly furrowed. He spoke into the phone, "Old Jin, I know this might create a PR risk, but we can’t just grant her a graduate school recommendation because she wants one. That would be planting an even bigger landmine for the university..."

"I know, I know. How about this? We can find a way to polish her resume so she can apply for a master’s or Ph.D. program at another university..."

"Give her some trivial award. Yes, yes, ’Outstanding Thesis’ would be good..."

"Right, right, okay. Just like that. You guys look into it some more..."

His tone was steady, and as he spoke, he was constantly weighing, considering, and judging.

Chang Kai was not a traditional academic principal. After getting his doctorate from Peking University, he dove headfirst into university administration. Relying on his extraordinary shrewdness and management skills, he had risen through the ranks.

To him, a university was like a company. Academics were the core product, but what he was truly skilled at, and proud of, was packaging, promotion, fundraising, and networking.

Under his leadership, Yannan University had indeed flourished in recent years.

He had cultivated a vast and vibrant network of elite alumni, launched numerous successful "industry-academia-research" integration projects, and fostered frequent academic exchanges with top-ranked foreign institutions. Consequently, Yannan University’s international ranking had risen steadily.

Hanging up the phone, Chang Kai rubbed his temples and picked up the teacup on his desk, preparing to close his eyes and rest for a moment.

Just then, his second phone, the one he kept beside his desk, rang abruptly.

Chang Kai instantly tensed up.

This was the phone he used exclusively to communicate with his superiors, top-tier entrepreneurs, and those heavyweight alumni.

Anyone who could get through on this number was someone he had to handle with care.

He picked up the phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was an unknown number.

Chang Kai was a bit surprised, but his expression quickly switched to one of warm enthusiasm. He cleared his throat, pressed the answer button, and spoke in a voice that was gentle yet befitting his status, "Hello, who is this?"

A voice, aged but full of vigor, came from the other end. "Is this Principal Chang Kai of Yannan University? My name is Liang Tianshi."

Liang Tianshi?!

Chang Kai’s back snapped straight, and he almost shot up from his chair.

In the country’s academic circles, especially in the field of basic sciences, that name was legendary—a veritable titan!

An academician of the National Academy of Sciences. Although he had long since retired from the front lines of research, his students and old acquaintances were spread throughout major research institutes and top universities, giving him immense influence.

Chang Kai’s mind raced. He was certain he had no connection to this giant of a man. ’Why would he call me personally? And on this number?’

But his verbal response was astonishingly fast, his tone instantly filling with the respect and eagerness of a junior toward a senior, even tinged with just the right amount of excitement. "Oh! Elder Liang! It’s an honor, sir! This is young Chang! I never imagined I’d receive a call from you. You’re the titan of our academic world! I’m always telling the young teachers at our university at various conferences that they should look to you as a role model!"

The string of flattery flowed out smoothly, without a single stutter.

Liang Tianshi on the other end was clearly accustomed to such pleasantries. He just chuckled lightly. "You’re too kind, Principal Chang. I took the liberty of disturbing you. I had to ask an old friend at the Ministry of Education to get this number."

"Not at all! Please, if you have any instructions, just say the word! It would be my honor!" Chang Kai adopted an extremely humble posture.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chang Kai finally, carefully, broached the main topic. "Elder Liang, I was wondering, is there something Yannan University can do for you?"

"It’s not a matter of ’doing something for me’," Liang Tianshi’s tone was calm. "Although I’m retired, I still worry about the cultivation of mathematical talent in our country. I happened to hear recently that your Mathematics Department at Yannan University is doing an excellent job, and that quite a few promising young talents have emerged."

Chang Kai’s interest was piqued. He immediately replied, "You’re too kind. Our colleagues in the field flatter us. It’s true that our Math Department has recruited several outstanding young scholars in recent years, and the academic atmosphere is quite good."

"Mm," Liang Tianshi hummed, pondering for a moment before finally revealing his purpose. "Principal Chang, I just want to ask a favor of you. If your university discovers a mathematical genius who is... hmm, ’breathtakingly brilliant,’ could I trouble you to notify me at the earliest opportunity?"

He deliberately emphasized his words. "Especially a freshman or sophomore. They’re more malleable, with a solid foundation. That way, their future path can be much longer."

Chang Kai was stunned.

He understood the meaning behind Liang Tianshi’s words.

’I can’t believe it. This titan of the academic world is actually coming to me about an undergraduate student.’

’There’s something strange about this whole affair.’

But Chang Kai didn’t hesitate for a second, immediately agreeing wholeheartedly. "Absolutely! Absolutely! Elder Liang, you can rest assured. This is a matter of concern for our nation’s future! Yannan University will cooperate fully! As soon as we find such a promising talent, I will report to you immediately!"

"Good. Thank you very much."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chang Kai said respectfully, "Elder Liang, you must take care of your health. I will certainly seek your guidance more often in the future!"

After hanging up, the smile on Chang Kai’s face slowly faded, replaced by a look of deep contemplation.

He couldn’t figure it out. Why would a giant like Liang Tianshi suddenly take an interest in a lower-level undergraduate at Yannan University? And why be so formal about it? ’There must be some inside story I’m not aware of.’

Just then, there was a soft knock on the office door.

"Come in."

The man who walked in was around forty, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a scholarly and refined air. It was none other than the vice-dean of Yannan University’s Mathematics Department, Gu Ming.

Gu Ming was a young scholar whom Chang Kai had personally promoted. With a doctorate from a prestigious overseas university, strong academic abilities, and a sharp, perceptive mind, he was someone Chang Kai was grooming for a greater role.

"Principal, you were looking for me?"

"Gu, perfect timing. Come, sit." Chang Kai beckoned him over, motioning for him to take the chair opposite his desk.

Chang Kai recounted the contents of the phone call he had just received to Gu Ming, word for word, making sure to emphasize Liang Tianshi’s identity and status.

"...So, Gu, this is no longer just an academic matter." Chang Kai’s fingers tapped lightly on the desk as he summarized, "This is a task assigned personally by Elder Liang. We must give it the utmost importance and handle it flawlessly. Help me analyze this. What do you think is going on here?"

After listening, Gu Ming also felt a sense of unease. He certainly understood that while his patron, the principal, wasn’t a top-tier academic, his talent for being smooth and sophisticated, for handling all sorts of relationships perfectly, was the key to Yannan University’s great success in recent years.

’A task from the boss must be taken seriously.’

He frowned, carefully mulling over the words Chang Kai had relayed.

"Sophomore, mathematical genius, breathtakingly brilliant..."

A few keywords swirled in his mind.

Suddenly, a name popped into his head.