Bad News

The shorter the sentence, the most meaningful it was.

After the International Theoretical Physics Conference at Brussel, Lu Zhou had predicted that Professor Frank might have something to say.

He quickly replied.

[I'm available any time. When are you free?]

He waited for a while but Professor Frank did not reply.

Lu Zhou looked at the time and guessed that Frank was probably asleep. Lu Zhou got up and took a shower before calling it a night.

They did not speak again that night.

The next morning, Lu Zhou got out of bed and turned off his alarm. He then checked his inbox and saw a reply.

[I'm going to Stony Brook University the day after tomorrow, and I'll stay there for around three days. If you are available, we can meet there.]

Lu Zhou looked at the calendar.

He had to do a lecture in two days, but he had already asked Professor Deligne for a vacation.

He then replied.