Chapter 161
Chapter 161: Chapter 8 To Qi Qi Chapter 161: Chapter 8 To Qi Qi “That person is called Lin Xian, right?”
Liu Feng swallowed the food in his mouth and drank half a bowl of porridge in one gulp, recalling the name Lin Xian:
“Judging by his accent, he doesn’t sound like he’s from around here, probably ran over from some southern province or city.”
“That’s true, sounds like he’s from somewhere around Su Hang.”
Li Qiqi nodded:
“I had a roommate in college who was from Su Hang, and her accent was somewhat like Lin Xian’s.
Hey, what do you think brought Lin Xian all the way to Shanxi?
He’s not here just to see you, is he?”
“That would definitely not be the case.”
Liu Feng laughed softly, looking down:
“I’m not some famous scientist, and the research I’ve done all these years has ultimately proven to be wrong… so while I appreciate Lin Xian’s goodwill, you can’t accept a reward without merits.
I can’t just take a theory that’s been proven wrong and deceive people for funding, can I?”
“Besides, Teacher Qi Yan was right all along.
Even if ‘Introduction to the Cosmological Constant’ were proven to be correct… what would it matter?
It’s a theory that has no practical application in reality and not much use on a cosmic scale either.”
“Back then, Teacher Qi even joked, saying my research was too ahead of its time, and we could wait until mankind could leave the Milky Way Galaxy to research the cosmological constant.”
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“Actually, I still really want you to continue researching the cosmological constant,” Li Qiqi said in a soft voice, watching Liu Feng wolf down his food:“I feel that such a beautiful derivation can’t possibly be wrong.
Maybe if you stick with it a bit longer, you could prove it’s right.”
Liu Feng sighed and shook his head:
“Math research isn’t like running a marathon.
There’s no such rationale as ‘stick with it and it’ll be right’…”
“Math is so absolute, right is right, wrong is wrong.
If even one method can prove the derivation is wrong, then it’s undeniably wrong.”
“Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore.”
Liu Feng put down his bowl and chopsticks, turned around, took Li Qiqi’s hand, and said with a smile:
“I checked the latest astronomical forecast today, and on December 14th this year, there will be a Geminid meteor shower with as many as 150 meteors per hour!
Most importantly, the moonlight will be very dim that night, so there won’t be any bright moonlight interfering with the observation.”
“Although… this meteor shower is still far from what you imagined, it is still the biggest and most spectacular one in these years.
Take good care of yourself, and we’ll go watch the meteors from somewhere at a higher altitude when the time comes!”
Li Qiqi managed a wry smile.
“December 14th, huh…
That’s the end of the year.
The doctors all say I won’t live until…
”
“Don’t listen to the doctors,” Liu Feng cut her off, wiping away the moisture that instantly gathered at the corners of her eyes with his thumb:
“You can make it.
Maybe this meteor shower is just for you, Qi Qi.
Don’t give up.”
“Mm.”
Li Qiqi answered softly, holding Liu Feng’s hand tightly.
…
𝗇𝗈𝘃𝗴𝘰.co
The next day, morning.
Liu Feng put on a neat and tidy uniform, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and mounted his motorcycle to head out, ready to teach a private lesson.
“Hey, good morning.”
When he looked up, he saw Lin Xian leaning against the low wall at the courtyard entrance, greeting him.
“Lin Xian.”
Liu Feng looked at the tall young man in front of him, scuffing the ground, moving his motorcycle out of the way:
“Do you live around here?”
“No.”
Lin Xian shook his head:
“I came especially to find you.”
“Are you planning to visit me three times?”
“Don’t say it like that.” Lin Xian chuckled:
“What if it gets settled in two tries?”
“I really appreciate that you hold me in such high regard, but… I’ll just tell you the truth,” Liu Feng said, looking up at Lin Xian:
“‘Introduction to the Cosmological Constant’ is wrong, fundamentally wrong.
Just like how 1+1 can’t possibly equal 3, there’s no scenario in which it can be proven correct… not one.”
“I know you want to support me out of kindness, and I really would like to continue working on mathematical research.
But… with the current situation, I’m sorry, my conscience won’t allow me to accept your support.”
“Besides, although it’s tiring, Qi Qi now… actually doesn’t need to spend much money anymore.
The doctors have told her to go home for treatment, you must understand what the situation is.
After everything we have been through these years, for me, for both of us… no change is better than accepting the status quo.”
“You’re wrong, Liu Feng.” Lin Xian looked at Liu Feng seriously:
“1+1 can equal 3 in many cases.”
“Are you joking?” Liu Feng had a complex expression on his face.
“Not just equaling 3, but in fact, 1+1 can equal any number,” Lin Xian said with a smile:
“How many pounds of water do you get when you add 1 kilogram of water to one pound of water?”
“How many ends are there when you add one line segment to another line segment?”
“There are many similar situations.
It’s not that I want to forcefully argue just to contradict you.
I just want to say… the correctness of anything isn’t that absolute.
Perhaps something that’s fundamentally wrong can turn out to be right from a different perspective.”
“You don’t understand math, I don’t want to waste words on you.” Liu Feng turned his head away, ready to put on his helmet and leave.
Slap.
Lin Xian’s hand landed on Liu Feng’s shoulder:
“What if the cosmological constant isn’t a math problem?”
“What else could it be?” Liu Feng looked at Lin Xian, irritated:
“Could it possibly be a philosophical question?”
“Not necessarily impossible.”
Lin Xian stared into Liu Feng’s eyes:
“Have you calculated the answer to the cosmological constant?”
“No.”
“What do you think the answer to the cosmological constant should be like?”
Liu Feng thought for a moment and said softly:
“According to Einstein, it should be a very small number, so small that it is almost non-existent.
Even on the scale of the entire universe, spanning billions of light-years, it would be an insignificant fraction without any variation.”
“What do you think?” Lin Xian continued to gaze at Liu Feng:
“Einstein ultimately denied the existence of the cosmological constant, but that was seventy or eighty years ago.
Knowing that Einstein had rejected it, you still insist on researching the cosmological constant…
doesn’t that mean that you don’t agree with Einstein’s idea, that you have your own understanding of the cosmological constant?”
Liu Feng also stared at Lin Xian, quite surprised.
The other party was clearly well-prepared.
He found it unbelievable:
“Lin Xian, is the cosmological constant that important to you?
I’d like to ask you…
When the whole world thinks the cosmological constant is wrong, even knowing that Einstein himself thought it was wrong…
why are you so sure that the cosmological constant is correct?”
“Because, I know the answer.”
Lin Xian smiled:
“I know the answer to the cosmological constant.”
“That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard in years.” Liu Feng turned away, not bothering to look at Lin Xian:
“If you really knew the answer, why would you come looking for me?”
Liu Feng was indeed very clever, instantly spotting the contradiction.
“For safety reasons, I can’t tell you the details and the final answer right now.
But please believe me, I wouldn’t have traveled halfway across China just to amuse you.”
“I know you’re preoccupied with Li Qiqi’s situation right now, but if you really care about Li Qiqi, you should consider what Qiqi most wants to see, what she most hopes to see.”
Lin Xian moved closer to Liu Feng, taking two steps to stand in front of him:
“The two of you are like the characters in O’Henry’s ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ striving in the wrong direction.”
“What Qiqi hopes for the most is to see you pull yourself together and return to your research.”
“You know very well that constantly tutoring and delivering food isn’t really changing anything.”
“Easy for you to say.” Liu Feng scoffed, twisting the throttle and riding his motorcycle past Lin Xian:
“Then tell me, what else can I do?
Can I cure Qiqi’s illness or give her a meteor shower?
Do you know how long the doctors say Qiqi has left to live?”
“You’re the one who hopes I continue my research, not Qiqi.
If continuing my research could bring Qiqi a meteor shower, I’d do it for a lifetime.
But what can math do for me right now?
Besides making idle remarks, what else can you help me with?”
Lin Xian sighed, looking at Liu Feng:
“Why does she want to see a meteor shower?”
“Because she’s loved them since she was young; it’s her biggest dream in life.”
“Is that all?”
“What else?” Liu Feng glared at Lin Xian.
Lin Xian didn’t say anything…
It seemed Liu Feng didn’t know the real reason Li Qiqi wanted to witness a meteor shower…
she just wanted to make a modest wish for Liu Feng before she died.
What a pity.
From the handwriting on that card from 600 years in the future…
Until Li Qiqi left this world, she never got to see that meteor shower.
“Alright, it’s just a meteor shower.”
Lin Xian lifted the lid of the delivery box on the back seat of Liu Feng’s motorcycle and then threw the document bag, heavy with ten bundles of money, into the delivery box.
“What are you doing?”
Seeing this, Liu Feng prepared to take the money out.
However.
Lin Xian’s arm pressed directly on the delivery box, looking up at Liu Feng:
“Don’t go tutoring or delivering food these days; I’ve bought your time.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Spend these days at home, keeping Qiqi company.
And wait for my call.”
“Wait for what?”
Lin Xian smiled slightly, raised his index finger, and pointed to the warm sun in the sky:
“Wait for me to give Qiqi…”
“The next real meteor shower!”