godfather of surgery

Chapter 1271 The Tongue That Can Never Return
Yang Ping's gaze fell on a thick stack of documents on the desk.

The research on X-2 has stabilized, and all that's left is to proceed along the planned route. There won't be any more fundamental problems, and he feels a sense of peace that has been settled.

As for issues like commercialization, those are not Yang Ping's concern; those are Huang Jiacai's business.

Yang Ping only wanted to be a doctor; he had no interest in being a boss. His initial purpose in acquiring Ruixing was simple: to have a physical entity that could turn his ideas into reality. These ideas could be medical devices or drugs. Obviously, no hospital could create such an entity. No matter how big a hospital is, its preparation room can only produce some simple "drugs" that can only be used within the hospital. Therefore, to realize his ideas, he needed a company, and that company is now Ruixing.

What Yang Ping didn't expect was that when he handed the company over to Huang Jiacai, Huang actually grew it into such a large company that it could now compete with multinational giants.

Let him arm wrestle if he wants; Yang Ping has no interest in it anyway. He's only interested in being a doctor; healing the sick and saving lives is the happiest thing in life.

A knock sounded at the door, and Yang Ping snapped out of his reverie: "Come in!"

The office door was gently pushed open, and Tang Shun led Jiang Jitong in.

Jiang Jitong was a little uneasy when the professor suddenly summoned him. Dr. Tang, who brought him, did not tell him why the professor wanted to see him.

"Professor, are you looking for me?"

Jiang Jitong strode to the desk and stood there, his eyes quickly scanning the stack of conspicuous documents, his heart involuntarily racing.

My mind raced, searching through the experimental modules I'd recently been responsible for. Which part of the data had gone wrong? Or were the results of a repeat experiment less than ideal? The professor's expression was so serious; could it be that the project had encountered some problem I hadn't yet noticed?

Yang Ping did not speak immediately, but instead calmly scrutinized the young man in front of him with a critical gaze.

Of course, Jiang Jitong was about the same age as Yang Ping, but Yang Ping had far more experience in medicine than him.

Jiang Jitong possesses a solid foundation, quick thinking, and, more importantly, an indomitable spirit. Especially during the difficult period of dealing with technological blockades and urgently needing to find alternative resources and adjust experimental protocols, Jiang demonstrated unexpected coordination abilities and a tenacious spirit. He frequently led his team to work overtime comparing data and contacting various domestic and international partners, managing to break through the seemingly impenetrable blockade and ensure the continuation of the experiment. During that time, he visibly lost weight, but his eyes became even sharper and more determined.

Yang Ping saw this composure and sense of responsibility.

"Sit down and talk," Yang Ping said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.

Jiang Jitong looked at Tang Shun beside him. Tang Shun sat down first, and only then did Jiang Jitong sit down with peace of mind, leaning forward slightly to maintain a respectful posture and be ready to listen to instructions.

Yang Ping gently pushed the stack of documents in front of him forward, almost touching Jiang Jitong's hand resting on the edge of the table.

“The X-2 experiment is on track, and the follow-up work is more about proceeding step by step.” Yang Ping’s voice was steady and clear. “I usually have to balance clinical work and scientific research, and my time is limited. After careful consideration, I have decided to entrust you with the full responsibility for the subsequent management and execution of this project.”

Yang Ping paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, if you have any questions or encounter any major problems that you can't make a decision about, you can come to me anytime, and I will still provide you with technical support."

Jiang Jitong seemed frozen in place, his whole body slumped in the chair, his eyes slightly wide open, as if he couldn't understand the meaning of those words for a moment.

He'll be in charge?

To be fully in charge of such a major project as X-2?
This was a scene he could only dream of. The project embodied so much of the professor's hard work, represented the world's top level, and its potential influence and value were immeasurable.

He originally thought that being able to participate as a core member was already a great fortune and a valuable experience, and he never expected to be able to stand on his own and take on the role of a leader.

A tremendous surprise and an equally immense pressure instantly filled Jiang Jitong's mind, leaving him momentarily overwhelmed.

"Professor Yang, I...I...can I do it?" Jiang Jitong's voice trembled with nervousness. He even subconsciously adjusted his glasses, as if to confirm that he had not misheard.

Tang Shun, who was standing next to him, patted him on the shoulder to encourage him, telling him not to get so agitated and to speak properly.

Seeing his expression, Yang Ping's serious face softened, revealing a gentle and affirming smile: "What's wrong with that? Abilities are honed through practice. During this period, especially when dealing with particularly difficult times, didn't you manage the coordination of the entire project team, the integration of resources, and the control of the experimental progress very well and complete the tasks exceptionally well? I believe in your abilities and sense of responsibility, and you should also believe in yourself."

Looking back on those busy yet fulfilling days, Jiang Jitong realized that under immense pressure, he was forced to grow and handle many tasks he had never encountered before. It turned out that it wasn't just a task, but also a test and training exercise by the professor, whether intentional or not.

A surge of emotion welled up within him, a mixture of gratitude, excitement, and a strong sense of mission. Jiang Jitong abruptly stood up, the chair scraping slightly as he moved so quickly. He straightened his back and solemnly said, "Professor, thank you for your trust! I will do my utmost to ensure the successful completion of the project's follow-up work and will not let you down."

"Okay." Yang Ping nodded in satisfaction. "Take all the materials back and study them carefully. We'll hold a project team meeting next week to formally announce this arrangement. At that time, you'll need to give a report on the specific work plan for the next phase. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can talk to Dr. Tang directly."

Tang Shun is the administrative director of the entire laboratory. He not only has his own research projects, but is also responsible for the management and coordination of various laboratories and research groups.

"Yes, Professor, I understand!" Jiang Jitong took the heavy stack of documents with trembling hands.

"If there's nothing else, shall we head back?" Tang Shun stood up.

Yang Ping nodded.

Watching Jiang Jitong, clutching the documents, follow Tang Shun out of the office with slightly stiff steps, Yang Ping let out a soft sigh. Handing over the X-2 project was a well-considered decision. He needed to free himself from these increasingly burdensome tasks, allowing more precious time to contemplate and research the deeper medical challenges that had long lingered in his mind.

Thinking about these questions requires extreme focus and a lot of uninterrupted time.

At the same time, Yang Ping deeply understands that inspiration for medical research must never be separated from the richest treasure trove of clinical practice. No matter how perfect the data in the laboratory is, it ultimately needs to be validated on real patients; and the bizarre cases encountered in clinical practice, as well as the unexpected reactions that occur when drugs or devices are used, are often the living source of scientific inspiration.

In order to maintain close contact with the forefront of clinical practice, Yang Ping made a decision: to open a general practice clinic within the research institute, where he would personally see patients.

This way, his workload isn't too heavy, he has time to think about some issues, and he doesn't detach himself from clinical work.

Thanks to Dean Xia's bold support, the research institute itself has a strong generalist nature.

Its research topics are not limited by traditional specialties, and it can freely cross the barriers of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, focusing on the human body as a whole.

With the development of medicine, medical specialties are becoming increasingly refined, and doctors often only have expertise in their own "small area".

For ordinary doctors, energy is limited, so specializing in a particular specialty is an inevitable choice. But for Yang Ping, who has the support of a system and far more time resources than the average person, the general practice model can better leverage his advantage of integrating knowledge, allowing him to find unique paths to solve complex problems through the collision of knowledge from different specialties.

The first floor of the research institute has long been designated as a general practice clinic, and the clinic is equipped with top-notch facilities.

Yang Ping had never used this general practice clinic before. Now that he has decided to open it, his intention is to do so discreetly and not make a big fuss.

However, Dean Xia and Director Han didn't want Professor Yang to be so low-key. Dean Xia practically slammed his fist on the table, excitedly telling the hospital office, "Professor Yang's clinic is a golden brand for our hospital, no, for our Academy of Medical Sciences! We must pay attention to it and support it!" Director Han went even further, personally going to the clinic to direct the staff to adjust the layout and lighting of the consultation room, even meticulously checking whether the stationery on the desk was complete and convenient.

Immediately afterwards, the directors and deputy directors of various departments, who were temporarily free, all "passed by" the outpatient area on the first floor and greeted Yang Ping warmly, ostensibly to "learn and observe".

More resident physicians, graduate students, and nurses spontaneously gathered in the corridor outside the outpatient area, craning their necks and looking on with curiosity and excitement on their faces.

The originally planned quiet outpatient area suddenly became bustling with people, and Yang Ping was deeply moved by this scene.

Perhaps one day, when he is old, he can open a small clinic in a picturesque town with his wife, surrounded by waiting patients. That kind of life wouldn't be bad.

Not long after the outpatient clinic opened, the internal phone rang urgently, and Dr. Li Min, who was accompanying patients, quickly went over to answer it.

"Hello, this is Professor Yang's clinic... um, um... what? The tongue can't be retracted?" Li Min's voice was clearly surprised. He subconsciously glanced back at Yang Ping, then continued into the microphone, "Okay, I understand. Let's get ready and send the patient over directly."

After hanging up the phone, Li Min quickly walked to Yang Ping's side and reported in a low voice: "Professor, it's a call for help from Director Xiong of the emergency department. They said there's a patient whose tongue is sticking out but can't be retracted. The situation is quite strange. They've consulted with the dental department but still haven't found the cause, so they'd like to ask you to take a look. Director Xiong is currently directing the rescue of a seriously injured patient with multiple injuries and can't get away. He specifically called to explain, saying that otherwise he would have personally brought the patient over."

Yang Ping nodded slightly, indicating his understanding. Old Xiong was the head of the emergency department, a forthright and righteous man with a touch of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry). Whenever Yang Ping was asked to consult, Old Xiong would personally accompany him and explain the patient's condition in detail, as long as he was available. Yang Ping knew of this respect and enthusiasm. This time, however, it seemed that the situation was indeed special.

"The tongue can't retract?" Several graduate students who were observing the consultation looked at each other, their faces showing disbelief.

They had studied medicine for many years and had seen many strange and unusual symptoms, but the situation of "the tongue sticking out and not being able to retract" was truly unheard of and unseen before.

"What kind of strange illness is this? Muscle spasms? Is there a problem with nerve control?" a graduate student muttered quietly.

"Could it be psychological? Hysteria?" another guessed.

The people whispered among themselves, all filled with curiosity about the upcoming patient.

Soon, hurried footsteps and the sound of wheels scraping the ground came from outside the outpatient clinic. Doctors and nurses from the emergency department pushed a stretcher, bringing the patient to Yang Ping's general practice clinic. Following closely behind the stretcher was a young woman with an anxious face and red eyes; she was clearly a family member of the patient.

All eyes instantly focused on the patient on the stretcher.

The patient was a man in his thirties, his face flushed red with pain and embarrassment, and his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat.

His most striking feature was his bizarre tongue, which, just as described on the phone, stretched out of his mouth, stiffly lodged at the edge of his lower lip, unable to retract. Because it had been exposed to air for so long, the tongue appeared somewhat dry, and its color was a deeper than the normal pale red, slightly cyanotic. He tried to forcefully close his lips, but his protruding tongue prevented his mouth from closing, allowing him to only make some indistinct "hoarse" sounds, while a trickle of saliva uncontrollably dribbled from the corner of his mouth.

"Doctor! Professor Yang! Please save him! What... what happened?" The patient's wife pleaded, her voice trembling as she nearly collapsed in front of the examination table. "He said his tongue felt a little uncomfortable when he woke up this morning, so he stuck it out in front of the mirror to check it, and then... and this is what happened. He can't pull it back in no matter what he does. It's been almost an hour, it's terrifying."

The emergency room doctor who brought him in quickly added to the report: "Professor Yang, we checked his vital signs, and they are basically stable. The X-ray shows no problem with his temporomandibular joint. We tried to relax him and give him local massage, but it didn't work. We ruled out obvious signs of acute cerebrovascular accident, but we are not sure what the cause is. Director Xiong instructed that he be brought here to you immediately."

Yang Ping stood up and walked to the stretcher, his face calm and composed, showing no surprise or disgust at the patient's unusual symptoms. He first spoke gently to the patient's wife, "Don't panic, calm down. Now that we've taken this case, we will do our best to find out the cause."

Then, he gestured to Li Min and the nurse to help him lift the patient up and lay him on the examination bed.

"Don't rush." ​​Yang Ping's voice was calm and powerful, with a calming magic. "Let's find out the specifics first, then check it out, and figure things out before we talk about it."