Chapter 24: Learning 2

"A master's thesis?" Yi Chunji’s voice was filled with incredulous suspicion. "Old Lu, are you certain?" He instinctively looked toward Lu Guocai, seeking confirmation.

Lu Guocai wore a complex, self-deprecating smile. "Ahem, it’s embarrassing to say, but the story... is a bit convoluted." He cleared his throat and recounted how he, Professor Xia, and Professor Zong had "dug a hole," how they had underestimated Li Yifei, and how they had set the nearly impossible task of a master's thesis as a playful, testing challenge.

As he spoke of their initial intention to "wait and see the kid retreat in the face of difficulty," Lu Guocai’s old face couldn't help but flush.

Standing nearby, Li Yifei felt the corners of his mouth twitch uncontrollably. So that was it! No wonder the three professors had such strange expressions and mischievous glints in their eyes back then.

It turned out that from the beginning, those three "old coots" never expected him to produce anything substantial; they were merely toying with him, treating him like an ignorant little pawn in an academic game. A mixture of helplessness and irritation at being fooled quietly crept into his heart.

After listening to Lu Guocai, Yi Chunji was stunned, then shook his head and laughed, pointing at Lu. "You three old geezers... really..." He couldn't find the right words, eventually letting out a sigh of exasperation. "That’s truly heartless! The boy was a newborn calf, full of enthusiasm, and you three joined forces to dig such a huge pit for him?

"It’s to his credit that he has such a firm will; he didn't just fill it, he filled it so... brilliantly!" When he looked at Li Yifei again, the scrutiny in his eyes faded, replaced by genuine appreciation and a subtle hint of apology.

But appreciation aside, Yi Chunji’s doubts had not fully dissipated. This report carried too much weight; the issues involved were too sensitive and far-reaching. He had to personally verify the caliber of the young man before him.

"Student Li Yifei," Yi Chunji’s voice returned to its usual steady tone, but his gaze was as sharp as a scalpel. "The report mentions that over the next year, as major economies shift toward tightening monetary policy, the reversal of international capital flows will be the greatest 'gray rhino' shock for emerging markets. What is the core basis for your judgment? How does your quantitative model support this conclusion?" His first question struck directly at the report's core logic and data foundation.

Li Yifei hadn't expected the Dean to question him so abruptly. His mind went blank for a moment, and his heart leapt into his throat.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Every detail, every chain of logic in these questions had been run through his mind countless times, as if etched into his very bones.

"Dean," Li Yifei said, lifting his head to meet Yi Chunji’s gaze. Although his voice still carried a trace of tension, his words were clear. "There are three main bases..." He began to systematically delineate the historical data patterns supporting his core judgment, the abnormal fluctuations in current leading indicators (such as the rapid rise in the short-term external debt-to-foreign exchange reserve ratio in specific countries, and the quiet widening of CDS spreads), and the results of stress tests on future capital flow based on an improved VAR model.

He cited data series numbers with precision, explaining the rationale behind the key variables in his model and the results of his sensitivity analysis. The dry numbers and complex models became clear and logical as he spoke.

Lu Guocai listened, his eyes widening. He knew Li Yifei was talented, but he hadn't expected his grasp of such arduous data and models to be this profound—far exceeding his expectations for a freshman!

Yi Chunji nodded calmly, his eyes focused, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. He followed up with a second and third question, each more penetrating and tricky than the last, involving the extended implications of the report: the potential paths of crisis transmission, the feasibility of building firewall mechanisms, and the potential impact on domestic macroeconomic policy combinations (specifically exchange rate flexibility and capital account management) under this forecast.

Li Yifei had fully entered the zone. The initial nervousness was replaced by a focus and excitement born of immersion in his professional field.

He spoke with eloquence, tight logic, and keen thinking. Although, out of caution, he did not reveal the more visionary and shocking predictions from his future memories (such as the chain-reaction trigger points for debt crises in specific regions or the impact of the rise of digital currencies on traditional capital controls), the insights he displayed and his grasp of the dynamic correlations within the economic system were already three to four years ahead of mainstream academic understanding.

The sunlight outside had shifted from one side of the window to the other. The hands of the wall clock quietly ticked past the hour. In the office, there was only the sound of Li Yifei’s clear, forceful articulation, the occasional follow-up question from Yi Chunji, and the increasingly undisguised look of amazement from Lu Guocai.

This hour of high-intensity intellectual collision and top-tier mental tempering was worth more to Li Yifei than countless routine classes.

From the Dean's seemingly inquisitive, yet actually guiding words, he caught a glimpse of the grand perspective and meticulous logic used by top-level decision-makers. This was, for him, like opening a door to a whole new realm.

Finally, Yi Chunji leaned back into his large leather chair. He was silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Li Yifei. His expression was complex—wonder, appreciation, a sigh at the greatness of the next generation, and a trace of gravity regarding the coming waves of the future.

"Good! Very good!" Yi Chunji said slowly, his voice carrying the solemnity of a settled matter. "The next generation is to be feared; that saying is true!"

He picked up the manuscript again and tapped his fingertip next to Li Yifei’s name on the cover. "I will process this report for submission with the highest priority. Student Li Yifei, your name will be at the very front of this report."

He turned to Lu Guocai, his tone resolute. "Old Lu, you must guide this child well! Not just well—cultivate him with all your might! His talent and insight are the makings of a true national treasure! All the resources of the college and the university must be prioritized for him!"

Yi Chunji’s gaze returned to Li Yifei, as solemn as if he were entrusting something of extreme importance. "Li Yifei, maintain this sharpness and clarity, but above all, stay steady. The road ahead is long; the country needs eyes and minds like yours."

Lu Guocai, unable to hide his excitement, nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, Dean Yi! I still have enough discernment to know what I’m looking at. This time, I will never let such a pearl be covered in dust!"

Walking out of the stern administrative building, the midday sun poured down, causing Li Yifei to squint slightly. The tall buildings behind him cast long shadows, but the road ahead was bathed in a dazzling light.

Professor Lu patted his shoulder firmly, his smile broader than ever. "Kid, get ready. Your brand-new life only truly begins today!" His tone held the immense satisfaction of a successful "find," and an infinite anticipation for the magnificent journey about to unfold.

Li Yifei looked up at the clear, vast blue sky. The Dean’s heavy expectations seemed to echo in his ears. The subtle feeling of having been "toyed with" by the "old coots" had long been replaced by a grander, more surging sense of mission.

He knew that the heavy door leading to the true stage had been pushed open a crack by his own hand today. The scenery behind the door was now clearly visible.