Jiang Fuyue suddenly raised her eyes to look at Xie Dingyuan—
“I actually don’t believe P necessarily equals NP. Although many computer scientists and mathematicians are now working toward proving this equality.”
Such a view could hardly be described as merely “bold”; it bordered on madness.
It was like someone suddenly proclaiming, “I think there’s something wrong with Newtonian mechanics.”
This stance clearly opposed the mainstream and was unlikely to win favor.
That’s why when Xie Dingyuan had asked her about it earlier, Jiang Fuyue had kept silent, unwilling to explain further.
But now she’d changed her mind.
After witnessing his dedication and professionalism in scientific research, she became curious about his response to an academic paradox.
To be honest, Jiang Fuyue wasn’t overly optimistic.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, it was clear Xie Dingyuan was highly independent and had a distinct perspective.
The pride in his character meant he was somewhat “self-reliant and decisive,” and such people tended to be stubborn, rarely swayed in their opinions of established ideas.
This is why many scientists, especially those with high academic standing and remarkable achievements, are often seen as eccentric and difficult to approach.
Yet, surprisingly, Xie Dingyuan’s reaction was much calmer than she had anticipated; after hearing such a nearly “heretical” idea, he didn’t even show a hint of surprise.
“If P doesn’t equal NP, that would mean not all problems can be solved with automated methods,” he said.
Jiang Fuyue nodded, her gaze sharp, catching every nuance in his expression.
In that moment, the focus in her eyes once again made his heart beat faster.
However, his voice remained steady and controlled: “That’s okay,” he said. “Knowing which tools aren’t effective still helps us find more effective ones, doesn’t it?”
Jiang Fuyue was struck by the breadth of his vision.
Accepting those who are similar to oneself can be praised as open-minded; but to embrace those who are different indicates an ambition beyond the ordinary.
Would God concern Himself with ants fighting?
No.
Because His perspective focuses on the world as a whole—seeing the vastness of life and the diversity of humanity.
What are ants, after all?
Why should their fights matter?
Xie Dingyuan: “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Jiang Fuyue snapped back to reality, a faint smile spreading across her lips. “I suddenly realized something interesting.”
“Can I know?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“…Oh.” He sounded a little disappointed.
Xie Dingyuan: “If you intend to prove P ≠ NP, you’ll have to prove there’s no algorithm that can solve certain NP problems—even those yet to be discovered. In reality, proving something can’t be done is extremely challenging, even if it’s not logically impossible[1].”
Jiang Fuyue: “Since it’s not impossible, that suggests it’s achievable, right?”
And therein lay the allure of scientific research.
After all, when Einstein suggested that Newtonian mechanics had limitations and applied only to low-speed motion, relativity was born.
Xie Dingyuan nodded, a spark of admiration and something more flickering in his eyes.
“One last question,” Jiang Fuyue met his gaze, her eyes bright as if they could see through everything. “If you agree with my view, and you’ve seen my approach, even expanding upon it, why don’t you attempt the proof yourself?”
From the start of the conversation, Xie Dingyuan had subtly guided her toward solving this problem.
“Why?” Jiang Fuyue asked again.
He didn’t answer directly, only saying, “Let me tell you a story.”
“?”
A psychologist conducted an experiment with a mathematician as the subject.
The mathematician was locked in a small wooden cabin with kindling on the ground, a table, and a bucket of water on the table.
The psychologist then lit the kindling on the ground.
The mathematician picked up the bucket of water from the table and put out the fire.
The psychologist repeated the experiment, but this time he placed the bucket of water on the ground next to the kindling before setting it alight.
Xie Dingyuan: “What do you think the mathematician would do?”
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. “Put out the fire?”
He shook his head. “The mathematician picked up the bucket and placed it back on the table, then waited. The psychologist and his colleagues barely managed to rescue him from the soon-to-collapse cabin and angrily asked, ‘Why didn’t you put out the fire like before?!’”
Jiang Fuyue also pondered the question.
Xie Dingyuan paused for two seconds before smiling, “The mathematician replied, ‘I’ve reduced the problem to a previously solved scenario.’”
At that moment, a voice called out in the distance, “Sister Yue—”
It was Fan Ye, Gao Zhaoming, and Huang Hui coming over.
Xie Dingyuan gave her a deep look. “I’ve already reduced the P/NP problem to a familiar scenario, so I won’t be getting involved again. But to you, I think it’s still fresh and alluring.”
“Finally, congratulations on winning with a perfect score. I hope even better news follows soon.”
With that, he turned and left.
Jiang Fuyue stood there, momentarily stunned—
What did he mean by “reduced it to a familiar scenario,” “still fresh to you”?
Was that his way of teasing her for not being as fast as he was?
She felt a wave of his confident superiority wash over her.
Just wait!
“Hey, is that the man who designed the questions?” Fan Ye whispered, glancing in Xie Dingyuan’s direction.
Huang Hui nodded. “Sure looks like it.”
Gao Zhaoming agreed, but the three didn’t dwell on it, still brimming with excitement after learning their scores, their faces full of delight.
Fan Ye: “Sister Yue, we really rocked it, didn’t we?”
She looked up, seeking some praise.
“Yes,” Jiang Fuyue couldn’t help but pinch her cheek gently. “You did amazing.”
“Hehe… just a little. Though I can’t compare to you, I’m already thrilled!”
For context, no one from Duofu Island had ever competed in any academic contest before, let alone won an international award.
Gao Zhaoming laughed at her, “Thick-skinned, huh?”
“Ahem!” Huang Hui coughed loudly, reminding him to mind his manners.
Fan Ye scoffed, raising her chin. “Not thicker than yours.”
True enough; Gao Zhaoming was a little on the chubby side!
To celebrate their group achievement, that evening Jiang Fuyue treated them to steak at the hotel’s pay-to-dine restaurant.
The three insisted on splitting the bill, but Jiang Fuyue silenced them with, “Who’s the team leader?”
Directly asked until they were left speechless: “…You.”
“Then listen to me.”
“Okay.”
The steak was authentic filet mignon, complete with appetizers, the main course, and dessert.
Needless to say, the taste was miles ahead of the mass-produced food in the buffet area.
After eating and drinking to their heart’s content, it was still early. The four of them shared a cab to the city center.
That’s right, it was time to buy souvenirs again.
Naturally, everyone got a matryoshka doll. Gao Zhaoming thought it wasn’t enough and went back to grab two more: “Hehe… for my two little cousins. Almost forgot…”
And how could one visit Country E without buying vodka?
Due to weight considerations, Jiang Fuyue only bought two bottles.
She remembered that Jiang Da liked drinking.
But he wasn’t addicted—he would sip occasionally, sometimes even sharing a drink with Han Yunru.
It was one of those rare moments of romance and intimacy between husband and wife.
At dusk, after they had purchased everything they needed, the four took a cab back to the hotel.
They had a restful night.
The next morning, the sunlight in Kos dispelled the night’s chill, and the earth returned to light.
At 9 a.m., the award ceremony was held in the university auditorium.
Jiang Fuyue, as the top scorer with a perfect score, went up on stage first, personally receiving a bouquet and a gold medal from Xie Dingyuan.
“This is the second time,” he said.
The first was at the domestic physics competition award ceremony. Back then, she was so arrogant that she didn’t even glance at him when walking by, acting like she was above it all.
If she had a tail, it would definitely have been pointing skyward.
But now, she seemed much more agreeable. Maybe it was because… they could be considered acquaintances now?
Jiang Fuyue remarked, “Professor Xie can not only be a guest of honor at the physics competition, but also come up with the final question for the informatics competition. Truly versatile.”
Xie Dingyuan replied, “I’m capable of much more.” Completely serious.
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
“Of course,” he added, “you’re not bad either.”
“…Oh.” Expressionless.
Was she supposed to thank him for the compliment?
Xie Dingyuan: “?” Did I say something wrong again?
