69novels Chapter 25 Extracurricular Reading
Chapter 25 Extracurricular Reading
After exchanging pleasantries, Qi Chuqin asked with curiosity, "Xiao Geng, you're still a college student, how do you know so much about the business models and pain points of the dating industry?"
"I have a relative who works as a matchmaker," Geng Zhi continued, his face impassive. "I also have a relative who has a PhD, is thirty-six years old, and still hasn't settled down in his personal life. The more I hear and see, the more I naturally understand."
"Oh—I see, that explains it." Qi Chuqin nodded. "So, how do you plan to operate this project going forward?"
"The project's founder and CEO is Ma Chunmei, and the COO is Hao Pengxiang. I will provide some technical support and will gradually withdraw to focus on my studies."
His straightforward words are exactly the same as what he said during the roadshow.
He's about to start his graduate studies under Professor Qi, so it's definitely inappropriate for him to openly mention starting a business now. He should at least wait until he's accepted before bringing it up.
Qi Chuqin showed a knowing expression, but didn't delve any further, only muttering, "What a pity."
"Professor Qi, you mean...?" Geng Zhi asked curiously upon hearing this.
"The reason Professor Gou gave your presentation a high score is not only because your project was well presented, but also because Professor Gou has an older niece... and he wants to use your project to help her find a partner."
"Oh……"
There was a silence that lasted seven or eight seconds.
As Geng Zhi had anticipated, with this preamble, Professor Qi was now poised to delve into today's main topic:
Examining basic professional knowledge, inquiring about research interests, and discussing academic issues... it's nothing more than the classic routine of "Why do you want to pursue graduate studies?", "Why did you choose my research direction?", "What literature have you read?", and "What is your opinion on a certain theory?"
However, Qi Chuqin did not play by the rules.
"Xiao Geng, the basic score requirements for the re-examination of engineering majors at Jiaotong University are at least 50 points in English and Politics, and at least 90 points in Mathematics. You know these three subjects well, and you can be sure you'll pass, right?" Qi Chuqin asked.
The postgraduate entrance examination consists of four subjects: Politics and English, each worth 100 points; Mathematics (major one) and major course (major two), each worth 150 points, for a total score of 500.
Unlike the college entrance examination, the postgraduate entrance examination requires not only a passing total score to enter the re-examination, but also that each individual subject must reach the minimum score set by the university you are applying to.
The cut-off scores for individual subjects in regular universities may be lower, such as forty-something for politics/English, seventy or eighty for mathematics/major courses, or even lower in some cases.
However, as a top university, National Chiao Tung University has very strict requirements, with individual subject scores comparable to those of Tsinghua and Peking Universities. Any weakness in any subject will result in immediate rejection, regardless of the total score.
"Yes, I'm confident in all these courses, no problem," Geng Zhi replied without hesitation.
Regardless of whether you are confident or not, you must demonstrate sufficient assurance at this moment.
In his previous life, he published many English papers during his doctoral studies, often collaborated with overseas teams while working at the Chrysanthemum Factory, and was even sent to work in Europe for several years. His English reading, writing, and communication skills were always excellent, so he had no problem coping with the postgraduate entrance examination.
As for math, after the "warm-up" with that probability problem last night, his confidence has returned. He believes that as long as he reviews systematically for two or three months, getting back into form shouldn't be a problem.
What troubled him most was politics, which was the simplest thing for others, mainly because there were just too many scattered pieces of knowledge to memorize...
"At worst, I'll hang myself from the rafters and prick my thigh with an awl, memorizing it until I die," Geng Zhi secretly resolved.
"It's good that you're confident." Qi Chuqin nodded, then added, "Just focus your preparation on these three subjects and aim for 200 points."
Ok?
Geng Zhi didn't immediately grasp the meaning behind Professor Qi's words, but he still nodded earnestly.
After asking about these three basic courses, Professor Qi should now examine the professional courses, right?
The postgraduate entrance examination score is more of a reflection of a student's comprehensive ability and test-taking ability. The difference between a score of 340 and 360 or 380 may not be that big.
Compared to grades, computer science professors value students' professional coursework abilities more.
Supervisors typically oversee funded research projects, and the majority of those working on these projects are their own doctoral and master's students. Supervisors only need to provide their students with a monthly stipend of a few hundred yuan.
There is no more cost-effective labor force than one's own students, which is why graduate students generally refer to their supervisors as "boss".
Geng Zhi thought that instead of passively waiting for Professor Qi to ask questions, he should take the initiative and steer the conversation in a direction where he was better prepared and could score points more easily.
So he planned to take out the printed collection of papers and ask a few insightful questions in person.
This demonstrates that he has carefully studied the professor's works and also shows his interest in and thoughts on GIS.
However, just as he bent down to take out the collection of papers from his bag, Qi Chuqin also turned around and picked up the textbook he had just marked on the table.
Their eyes met, and the collection of papers in Geng Zhi's hand and the textbook in Qi Chuqin's hand collided in mid-air.
Seeing this, Geng Zhi quickly put the collection of papers he was holding back into his bag and politely let Professor Qi speak first.
"Xiao Geng, this is a computer science textbook that I helped write years ago." Qi Chuqin said, handing over the book and the green highlighter along with it. "When you're tired of studying for your postgraduate entrance exam, you can flip through it as extra reading to refresh your mind. Maybe it'll give you some inspiration."
Geng Zhi was clearly taken aback for a moment.
This script is quite different from what he expected.
As extracurricular reading material?
Need a change of perspective?
Good grief, does Lao Qi mean... he skipped the interview and just highlighted the key points for the professional exam?
Seeing Geng Zhi staring blankly, Qi Chuqin worried that the child was too honest and straightforward to understand the implied meaning, so he pointed again:
"Some of the points I highlighted in green are quite interesting; you can take a closer look."
Geng Zhi was secretly delighted: This wasn't just a hint, it was practically being fed openly! It seemed Professor Qi was quite satisfied with him.
"Okay, okay! Thank you, Professor Qi! I will definitely study hard!" Geng Zhi immediately put on an excited expression, nodding his head like a chicken pecking at rice.
Seeing that Geng Zhi had understood his meaning, Qi Chuqin smiled knowingly and nodded in satisfaction.
"Study hard. Once you get into Jiaotong University, come here to build a solid foundation. In the future, you can go directly to my key laboratory and work on plenty of national-level projects."
"Yes, Professor Qi! I will do my best!" Geng Zhi replied resolutely.
Qi Chuqin's gaze returned to Geng Zhi's bag. Recalling the little incident earlier, she asked, "By the way, what was that stack of papers you took out of your bag and then put back...?"
"Oh, that?" Geng Zhi feigned realization. "I've read a few of your papers on GIS before, and there were some parts I didn't quite understand, so I've compiled a few questions and would like to take this opportunity to ask you."
"Oh?" A genuine look of surprise crossed Qi Chuqin's face, and his tone became even more amiable. "Really? Let me see it. What's the problem?"
He had seen many students who came early to "pay their respects," but most of them had a clear purpose—to sound out the situation and ask about the key points.
It's rare to see someone as straightforward as Geng Zhi, who approaches discussions with such academic questions.
After all, for postgraduate entrance exam students, just coping with the exams takes all their energy, so who has the energy left to tackle difficult professional papers?
Geng Zhi once again pulled out the neatly bound collection of papers from his bag and flipped to the pages he had carefully annotated. He then posed several "questions" he had prepared regarding navigation and positioning, and 3D geographic modeling, in a progressively deeper manner.
In fact, these so-called "problems" were not problems for him at all; they were purely social tools for showcasing his abilities and building relationships.
At first, Qi Chuqin answered the questions patiently, his expression remaining normal.
However, as the discussion deepened, Qi Chuqin's brows furrowed slightly without his noticing.
He suddenly realized that Geng Zhi's understanding of certain specific knowledge and the extended thinking he put forward far exceeded the scope of a normal undergraduate student, and was even more insightful than the graduate students he was currently supervising.
"Undergraduate education is all general education, there shouldn't be any special GIS courses... Could it be that I underestimated Lanzhou University's teaching level?" Qi Chuqin wondered to himself.
After a longer, more in-depth conversation, Qi Chuqin finally couldn't help but ask directly, "Xiao Geng, does your Lanzhou University offer any specialized courses related to navigation technology at the undergraduate level?"
"No, Professor Qi."
"Then how come you've studied this part so deeply?" Qi Chuqin asked, even more curious, his gaze behind his glasses filled with inquiry.
"Professor Qi, it's purely out of interest," Geng Zhi replied earnestly.
Upon hearing this "jack-of-all-trades" answer, Qi Chuqin, who had seen countless people, subconsciously retained a hint of doubt, but his face remained expressionless.
Over the years, almost every student who wants to apply to his graduate program says, "I am very interested in your research area."
Catching the fleeting doubt in Qi Chuqin's eyes, Geng Zhi calmly continued his explanation:
"As I said during my roadshow, mobile internet is the future. As long as there is 'mobility,' there will inevitably be changes in location. I predict that the demand for high-precision maps and location services will experience explosive growth in the future. I am very optimistic about the potential of this field."
His explanation clearly struck a chord with Qi Chuqin, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
Taking advantage of the situation, Geng Zhi played the emotional card:
"I was already interested in this field, but I was fortunate enough to read your paper, which was like finding a guiding light. The more I studied it, the more I liked it. That's why I decided to apply for your graduate program and continue my studies. It is my honor to be able to learn from an expert like you."
"Good! Very good!" Qi Chuqin was even somewhat moved by her words, nodding emphatically. "Xiao Geng, it's rare to find someone with such vision and enthusiasm. Once you come to Jiaotong University, you can directly enter my key laboratory. Your research path will surely be limitless!"
"I'm not here to work for you, I'm here to make money..." Geng Zhi thought to himself.
"Thank you, Professor Qi! I will definitely live up to your expectations!" Geng Zhi said excitedly again.
Seeing that the time was right, Geng Zhi took the opportunity to make a practical request: "Professor Qi, in order to better prepare for the exam, I plan to stay in Shanghai and stay at Jiaotong University to study. I would also like to experience the academic atmosphere here in advance."
"Oh?" Qi Chuqin adjusted his glasses. "That's a good idea, to get used to the atmosphere here beforehand."
"Yes, I'd like to study at the Jiaotong University library, but I don't have a student card. Professor, would you be so kind as to suggest if it's possible to get a temporary library card or campus card?"
Qi Chuqin pondered for a moment, then tapped his finger lightly on the table: "I can ask around for you. I'll contact the administrative staff in the college to see which temporary pass is the most convenient."
He had just picked up the landline phone on his desk when he suddenly realized, "Look at my memory, it's Golden Week now, all the administrative staff are on holiday."
"Okay, Xiao Geng. I'll find a PhD student to mentor you and help you find a quiet study room to settle in temporarily. Once the holiday is over, I'll immediately ask about the library pass for you. What do you think?"
"Okay! Thank you so much, Professor Qi! I'm sorry to have troubled you!" Geng Zhi quickly stood up and bowed sincerely to express his gratitude.
Actually, there are more than one way to get a temporary campus card or rent one privately.
But he chose to speak to Qi Chuqin.
Beyond indicating that this is a "legitimate channel," the deeper intention is to proactively create opportunities to "be helped."
This is somewhat similar to the "Franklin effect" in psychology—once you've helped someone, you're more inclined to continue helping and acknowledging them to prove that your initial help was worthwhile.
Professor Qi helped with this small favor, thus completing a psychological "investment."
From then on, in his heart, Geng Zhi was no longer an ordinary visitor or examinee, but a "promising disciple whom I had taken care of".
The relationship grew closer quietly and without anyone noticing.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Geng Zhi left Professor Qi Chuqin's office and breathed a sigh of relief.
What I expected to be a slightly stressful visit turned into a relaxed and enjoyable one.
He eagerly flipped open the "extracurricular reading material," and upon seeing its contents, he burst out laughing.
This is definitely not an ordinary textbook. It is a comprehensive textbook that integrates subjects such as data structures, operating systems, computer networks, and computer organization, all of which are subjects for postgraduate entrance examinations!
The parts circled in green highlighter look more like the key points the teacher highlighted before the exam.
After quickly flipping through this "extracurricular reading," Geng Zhi was confident that he could easily score 130 out of 150 in his major course.
To pass the re-examination, you only need to score 200 more points in the three subjects of mathematics, English, and politics.
As Geng Zhi walked downstairs, he sorted out the tasks to be done next.
With the professional courses sorted out, the burden of preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam has been greatly reduced. All I need to do now is return to Lanzhou University, bring my study materials to Shanghai, rent an apartment near Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and focus on my studies.
Once your academic affairs are sorted out, the next step is your career.
He needs to register two companies as soon as possible: one is Ma Chunmei's Jiaotong University matchmaker, and the other is a studio. He needs to find a distant relative to hold the shares on his behalf.