godfather of surgery

Chapter 1277 Lurker

The next day, in Yang Ping's office.

Jiang Jitong stood in front of the door again, his state of mind completely different from a few days ago. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Please come in," Yang Ping's voice came.

Jiang Jitong pushed open the door and entered. Professor Yang, who was browsing emails, saw him and gave a knowing smile.

"Professor, I apologize for disturbing you." Jiang Jitong's voice was steady and clear.

"Please sit down, Dr. Jiang." Yang Ping closed his email and looked at him gently. "Judging from your complexion, you stayed up late again last night?"

"Thank you for your concern, Professor Yang. I do have some new thoughts I'd like to share with you." Jiang Jitong sat down in the chair, his back straight, his hands resting naturally on his knees.

"Oh? Is it about your thoughts after the salon, or about the project?" Yang Ping asked with great interest.

“Yes, all of them,” Jiang Jitong said frankly. “Professor Yang, first of all, I want to apologize to you for my previous hesitation and lack of confidence. Entrusting me with such an important project is an affirmation of my abilities, but I fell into self-doubt and even tried to step down. This was actually a questioning of your vision and a lack of responsibility towards the project.”

Yang Ping waved his hand: "No need to apologize. Self-reflection is a virtue. The fact that you can see Chen Xiao's strengths and sincerely recommend him is itself a responsible act. I arranged the salon not to negate your doubts, but to help you see your true abilities within a broader frame of reference."

“Yes, Professor.” Jiang Jitong nodded emphatically. “The salon helped me understand a lot. I heard about cutting-edge developments from all over the world, but what shocked me even more was that I found that I was not unfamiliar with many of the core concepts, technical difficulties, and even future trends they discussed. In fact, I could understand them even more deeply. At first, I was confused, but then I realized that the source of my knowledge was you, the learning I had done by your side during this time, and the practice of solving real problems in the X-2 project. What you taught us was not a collection of scattered knowledge points, but a set of thinking, knowledge systems, and methodologies that you integrated and elevated, and that are at the forefront of the discipline.”

His tone became excited and sincere: "The equipment I use may not be as luxurious as some foreign laboratories, but we use it to solve one of the most challenging problems in the world. The research methods and problem-solving abilities we have, especially the ability to make creative breakthroughs under constraints, are, after this salon comparison, I am convinced that they are top-notch. I have always been in a world-class research environment, but I just didn't realize it myself."

Yang Ping smiled with satisfaction: "It's more valuable that you figured this out yourself than if I told you directly. True confidence comes from an objective understanding of your own abilities. So, what are your thoughts on taking charge of the X-2 project going forward?"

Jiang Jitong met Yang Ping's gaze without flinching, his voice firm and strong: "Professor Yang, I've thought it through, and I'm ready. I should take on this responsibility, and I'm confident I can do it well. I'm familiar with every detail of the project, understand its core scientific logic, and have experienced its most difficult phase. I understand our team even better, and I know how to unleash everyone's potential. Before, I worried that I lacked strategic vision and the ability to handle more complex situations, but now I understand that these abilities are not innate, but rather learned and honed through taking on responsibilities. With your guidance and the support of our entire team, I shouldn't, and can no longer, back down."

Yang Ping listened attentively, his eyes filled with growing admiration. Jiang Jitong finally built up solid self-confidence.

“Very good.” Yang Ping said slowly. “You analyze problems very objectively, which is what we often call seeking truth from facts. This is the most important quality of a scientific researcher. I did not misjudge you, Jiang Jitong. In fact, from the very beginning when you joined our project, I paid close attention to you. I found that you have many advantages, which can help you become an excellent scholar.”

"Thank you, Professor Yang!" Jiang Jitong said, his heart pounding with emotion.

“However,” Yang Ping’s tone shifted, becoming more serious, “you must remember that confidence is not complacency. While recognizing your strengths, you must also be constantly vigilant about your weaknesses. Chen Xiao’s international experience and certain cutting-edge insights are still things you need to humbly learn from and leverage. I have given you a systematic understanding of cutting-edge knowledge, but cutting-edge is relative; it becomes outdated over time. The only way to stay ahead is to constantly pay attention to the dynamics of international scientific research and read papers every day. I have only led you into the door; the rest of the journey is up to you.”

“I understand, Professor Yang. I will definitely try my best,” Jiang Jitong solemnly promised.

“Okay.” Yang Ping stood up, walked to Jiang Jitong, and patted him on the shoulder. “Then go for it. You’ll chair the project team meeting next week to formally announce the upcoming work arrangements and the new collaboration model. I’ll be there to support you. Remember, the institute and I will always be your strongest backing.”

"Yes, Professor!" Jiang Jitong also stood up, he had never felt so full of energy.

“I will make other arrangements for Dr. Chen Xiao,” Yang Ping added.

Yang Ping already has four key talents in the lab: Tang Shun, Lu Xiaolu, Jiang Jitong, and Chen Xiao. He will continue to discover and cultivate more talents in the lab.

On the clinical ward side, there are currently two key figures, Song Ziming and Xu Zhiliang. Xia Shu is still developing, and Li Guodong is also a promising talent, but he lacks work experience and needs time to hone his skills.

……

Shortly after Jiang Jitong left, Section Chief Qiu arrived at Yang Ping's office, carrying a simple kraft paper document bag.

"Professor Yang, I apologize for disturbing you." Section Chief Qiu said in a low voice as he walked to the desk.

Yang Ping didn't know what Section Chief Qiu wanted to talk to him about: "Sit down and let's talk."

Section Chief Qiu sat down, placed the leather bag on his thighs, and straightened his back: "Professor Yang, there is something I have not told you for a long time because I was afraid of interfering with your work, but now I have to say it."

"Say it!"

In fact, Yang Ping guessed what he wanted to say; the man was looking for him with nothing more than security or confidentiality issues.

"We discovered a mole in the lab some time ago, but we weren't sure who it was, so we kept the news under wraps. I'm sorry, I didn't even tell you this."

Section Chief Qiu said slowly.

Yang Ping waved his hand: "Please don't say that. You're doing this for our own good, to avoid disrupting morale." "Now the truth has come out, the chain of evidence is complete, and the clues are clear." Section Chief Qiu's face showed no ease at solving the case; instead, his brows were furrowed, as if the result was also difficult for him. "The people involved are rather special, and it may require your personal decision."

"Who?" Yang Ping asked directly.

Section Chief Qiu took a deep breath and uttered three words: "He Zijian".

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

A look of disbelief flashed across Yang Ping's face, followed by deep suspicion. "He Zijian? Old He?" he repeated subconsciously, as if he hadn't heard clearly, or hoped he'd misheard. "Section Chief Qiu, are you sure? Is there some mistake? How could He Zijian possibly be..."

He Zijian was Yang Ping's college classmate, and they later studied at the same university for graduate school. They maintained a good relationship.

In everyone's eyes, he is a somewhat taciturn but absolutely reliable workhorse, an indispensable cog in the research institute's operation. It can be said that among all the members of the research group, he is the person Yang Ping knows best.

Could such a person be a mole? Yang Ping's first reaction was that it was absurd.

“Professor Yang, I understand your feelings. When we first started focusing on him, I checked everything repeatedly, even hoping there might be a mistake or another explanation.” Section Chief Qiu’s tone was professionally calm, but also tinged with helplessness. “However, all the electronic logs, access records, network access traces, and the results of the external investigation all corroborate each other. This is a partial summary of the records of data he transmitted to the outside world using a non-work encrypted channel over the past three months. The time and content match the abnormal leaks we have detected perfectly.” He opened the file bag, pulled out the top few pages, and handed them to Yang Ping.

Yang Ping took the report, glanced at it, and put it down: "What's the motive? Why would He Zijian do this?"

Section Chief Qiu then took out another, thicker document from the file bag, which included some photocopies of bank statements (although they were heavily disguised, the traces of large and unusual inflows of funds were obvious), analysis of residual fragments of anonymous overseas communications, and key parts of a background investigation report.

“Based on our in-depth investigation and information from some special channels,” Section Chief Qiu lowered his voice, “Dr. He Zijian had a year-long overseas visiting scholar experience during his studies at Institute K in a certain country. During that time, He Zijian was likely targeted, evaluated, and ultimately recruited as a long-term undercover agent. What they valued was probably his solid academic background, his calm and unassuming personality, and the natural trust you had as classmates. They offered very generous compensation and promised to provide him with a superior research position and green card overseas after his mission was completed.”

Section Chief Qiu pointed to a string of complex numbers on the bank statement: "These funds, under various pretexts, were transferred through offshore companies and underground banks, and ultimately ended up in accounts opened in the names of his distant relatives in China. Although they were secretive, they were not entirely untraceable."

As Yang Ping listened, a chill slowly crept up his spine. The camaraderie among classmates, the everyday moments spent working together, He Zijian's always honest smile, his reminders to be careful, his help adjusting the equipment... all seemed so natural and seamless compared to the cold, hard evidence before him and the meticulously planned long-term infiltration.

"Did he offer any explanation? Have you been in contact with him?" Yang Ping's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"There has been no formal contact yet, so as not to alert him. But we have been monitoring him closely without disturbing him. He is currently behaving as if nothing is wrong," Section Chief Qiu replied. "Based on the existing evidence and our judgment, he is engaging in these activities soberly and autonomously, not under short-term coercion. The other party is offering him wealth and status that he may never be able to achieve through his own academic abilities."

A long silence fell over the office.

Yang Ping leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Countless images flashed through his mind: studying late into the night together in the library during undergraduate and graduate school, discussing problems, helping each other both academically and financially…

Later, when he applied for a research position at the Sanbo Institute, he wasn't even notified in advance, and he didn't use his connections.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, the initial shock, heartache, and even anger replaced by calmness and sharpness. He was the head of the research institute, the soul of many top-notch projects, and he had to be responsible to the entire institute, to the projects, and to the country.

"Who else knows about this right now?" Yang Ping asked, his tone already back to its usual calm.

"Besides myself and the two absolutely reliable investigators I personally lead, there's only you. All original and backup evidence has been sealed, and the investigation process is strictly confidential," Section Chief Qiu replied.

"Just do what you need to do, don't worry about my feelings," Yang Ping said calmly.

"Professor Yang, actually..." Section Chief Qiu wanted to explain something, but hesitated.

Yang Ping raised his head: "Speak freely."

"Actually, you might not understand if you're not in our line of work. The real people in this industry are definitely not like the tall, handsome 007s in the movies, doing all sorts of car chases, fighting, gunfights, and showing off. In reality, they are all very ordinary. They are inconspicuous in a crowd, and no one will remember them or suspect them. On the other hand, someone like 007 would probably be exposed as soon as he gets off the plane in real life. There would be no chance for him to perform."

“He Zijian is usually very honest and hardworking. He doesn’t have any outstanding features in appearance or personality. He doesn’t attract much attention in the lab. This is the real high-quality undercover agent.”

Yang Ping sighed and said, "He was very ambitious and hardworking when he was in school, and his character was excellent. We were actually quite close. He didn't even tell me he was coming to our research institute. I didn't know he was coming. I was quite surprised when I saw him during the interview. I hadn't offered him any help. How could such an honest, hardworking, and upright person..."

"People always change. They change with time, environment and conditions. Very few people can persevere in the face of various temptations. From the perspective of such a long history, such people are very few. So it has nothing to do with how honest a person is, how good their character is, or how good their grades were in the past. It is just human nature."

Section Chief Qiu offered Yang Ping comforting advice from a professional perspective.

"In fact, in our eyes, everyone around you is a potential candidate. It's not that we don't trust them, but that's the nature of our work. If we prejudge who is the most likely and who is the least likely, we will be blinded. Our responsibility is to supervise everyone without selection, to supervise comprehensively without any subjective judgment. Only in this way can we be effective."

“I understand, thank you, Section Chief Qiu.” Yang Ping took a deep breath.