Orion Crest, Series_1

Chapter 14: Thesis Submission

　　What's Orion doing now? He's sleeping, obviously. After a long night's work, his mobile phone had run out of battery, and it was 7am when he got back to his room. He plugged his phone into the charging cable, climbed into bed and fell asleep.

　　When Orion woke up, it was already afternoon.

　　Feeling hungry, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and yawned, then went downstairs, heading straight to the canteen.

　　Ordered a side of mashed potatoes and sat in the corner, Orion took out his mobile phone and was just ready to check his facebook. Suddenly, he found that Professor Tang had called him a dozen times on his office line.

　　"Could it be that the thesis has been corrected? Just this ...... doesn't need to make so many calls." Orion quickly finished his dinner, put them in the collection trolley, and rushed in the direction of the experimental building.

　　......

　　"I've been calling you all day, what the hell have you been doing all day, kid?" 

　　"Oh, the phone ran out of battery, and I forgot to switch it on." Orion scratched the back of his head.

　　He didn't intend to tell the professor about the part-time job, for one thing, the university didn't allow freshmen to stay out at night as a matter of principle, and secondly, he didn't want it to get to the counsellor and then eventually to his dad's ears, making his family worry about him.

　　It was good that Old Tang didn't ask any further details, took off the presbyopic glasses on his nose, unplugged the USB stick from the laptop, and put it on the table, "Your paper is good, there aren't many parts that need to be revised, and I won't let you add my name to the article."

　　"How can that be? Without your guidance ......"

　　Professor Tang raised his hand and interrupted Orion: "if that bit of academic discussion can get the co-signing criterion, wouldn't the papers signed with my name have to be in the thousands? Teaching is my job, I don't care what habits other professors have, but this kind of negative behaviour can't start with me. If you really feel that I have done you a great favour, there is no need in this way, just do something else for me."

　　To be honest, just one SCI publication, it's nothing for Professor Tang. But for Orion, an independently published paper was extremely valuable. Orion said sincerely, "If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know."

　　"Oh, it's not a big deal, don't worry, it's only good for you." Tang said slowly, "For the National College Student Mathematical Modelling Competition starting in September, our College is going to collaborate with the College of Software to set up a team, and after discussing with your Director Lu, I've decided that you'll participate."

　　National Mathematical Modelling Competition? Orion was slightly surprised in his heart. It's mid-June now, and there are only three months left until the end of September. Is it really okay to get ready in three months?

　　Orion whispered, "Can I go back and think about it?"

　　Professor Tang's eyebrows shot up and he reached out and pressed his hand on the flash drive, "What? You still want to think about such a good opportunity? Fine, you can go back and think about it first, put the flash drive here, and come back for it when you've thought about it!"

　　Looking at Old Tang's irrational behaviour, "But, I haven't participated in this kind of competition at all, you're asking me to represent the college to compete, if I'm screwing you over ......"