godfather of surgery

Chapter 1334 Group Photo
As soon as the plane landed, Tang Shun and Song Ziming, dragging their suitcases and carrying a custom-made briefcase containing their medals, appeared at the exit and were immediately engulfed by the throng of people and flashing lights.

That is…

"Yes, those two!"

"Dr. Tang! Look this way!"

"Dr. Song! Tell me about your experience in Stockholm!"

"Could we take out the medal and take a picture of it?"

Why didn't Professor Yang Ping go? Is there a conflict between him and the Nobel Committee?

The microphones from more than 30 media outlets were practically poking the two men in the face.

It wasn't this exciting when the award was announced. What happened? It was completely unexpected, and Tang Shun and Song Ziming were caught off guard.

They exchanged a glance, simultaneously recalling Yang Ping's instructions—"Keep a low profile, keep things simple, and go straight back to the research institute."

So, relying on their tall stature and the physical fitness they had developed from playing basketball, they began to break through. A constant stream of social media influencers, holding up their phones, squeezed in, shouting, "Family! I met a Nobel laureate representative! Send rockets!"

"Everyone! Please make way!" Tang Shun raised his voice, "We just got off a long flight and need to rest! Please contact the hospital's publicity department for all questions—"

Before he could finish speaking, a female news anchor with pink hair and a tight dress suddenly lunged at Song Ziming, shoving her phone almost in his face.
"Family members! This is Dr. Song Ziming from Sanbo Hospital! A Nobel Prize laureate! Look at her looks! Her temperament! And she's single! Ladies, your chance has come! Whoever books a cruise ship, I'll pounce on her and give her a kiss."

Song Ziming: "..."

Tang Shun: "..."

A dozen minutes later, the two of them awkwardly scrambled into the hospital's van. The moment the door closed, the world finally became quiet.

“My tie…” Song Ziming looked down and found that his tie had been pulled crooked at some point, and there was a mark on it that looked like a lipstick stain.

"My shoes..." Tang Shun looked at the several obvious footprints on his shiny leather shoes and felt like crying.

Driver Chen glanced at them in the rearview mirror, suppressing a laugh: "Welcome home, you two doctors, but I must warn you, there are even more people at the hospital entrance."

"what?!"

“Since yesterday, a bunch of online celebrities have come to check in. Things like ‘getting some Nobel Prize good luck,’ ‘academic pilgrimage,’ ‘live streaming from where Professor Yang Ping used to work’… The security department has already arrested three guys who tried to climb over the wall into the lab.”

Tang Shun sighed, "Does the professor know?"

"Professor Yang?" Old Chen laughed. "He's been going straight upstairs from the underground parking garage all this time, so he has no idea what the main entrance looks like."

As the car approached Sanbo Hospital, sure enough, at least a hundred people were gathered in the main square. Some were live-streaming on their phones, some were posing for photos in exaggerated ways, and several internet celebrities dressed in white coats were filming short videos with dialogue so cringeworthy it made you want to dig your toes into the ground.
"Family members, today I'm in the place where two-time Nobel laureate Professor Yang Ping once fought, feeling the academic atmosphere! Look! This is the gate of Sanbo Hospital! This is... uh, this is the parking lot entrance!"

Tang Shun covered his eyes: "Take a detour, go through the logistics passage."

"Got it."

Finally back at the research institute, the two had just entered the lobby when they witnessed an even more bizarre scene.

Zhang Lin, wearing a white lab coat, was surrounded by seven or eight young people holding up their phones, and was talking non-stop:

"...Backstage at the Stockholm Concert Hall, I told Tang Shun and Song Ziming, 'Don't be nervous! Chinese scientists are like this wherever they go!' He gave a thumbs up. 'And guess what? The King of Sweden came over personally to shake hands and said 'Congratulations' in Chinese! Of course, they didn't announce this to the public; it's inside information. You just need to know it, and please don't spread it around...'"

"Zhang Lin!" Tang Shun couldn't help but call out.

Zhang Lin turned around and winked at Tang Shun, signaling them to hurry up and that he would cover them.

Song Ziming reacted quickly, grabbing Tang Shun and the two practically escaped into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Tang Shun gasped for breath, "How did Zhang Lin know what the King of Sweden was saying?"

“If he knew, I would be the Prime Minister of Sweden.” Song Ziming pressed the floor button. “But this also reminds us that for the next few days, our research institute will be like a zoo, and we will be like those two new pandas.”

"More than just a panda..." Tang Shun smiled wryly, "it's practically a panda that lays golden eggs."

As it turns out, Song Ziming's analogy was too conservative.

Less than half an hour after returning to their respective offices, Tang Shun's phone began vibrating incessantly. He glanced at it and saw over a dozen missed calls from numbers in over a dozen different countries.

The WeChat messages exploded:

Maya (USA): Honey! You're so cool! Our son Lux said he wants to come to China to see you, and I'm booking the tickets now.

Anna (Russia): Dear Tang! I saw you on the news! Nobel Prize! You're amazing! I'm coming to China next month, can we meet? I'd love to hear your stories about Stockholm!

Masako (Japan): Thank you, Jun-kun! I watched the awards ceremony live, and you looked so cool on stage! Professor Fukunaga also said he was proud of you. I'm planning a trip to Southern Metropolis Daily, please, please make time for me.

Sofia (Italy): Caro Tang! You're on TV! My mom recognized you! Remember those nights in Venice? I've booked tickets for next week, we can relive them—

Tang Shun read these WeChat messages from his "international friends" to himself.

"Revisit what?" A calm female voice came from the doorway.

Tang's hand jerked, and the phone almost fell to the ground.

Dr. Li Yingtong—his wife—was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, her face bearing a half-smile.

Tang Shun suddenly realized that he was a married man and had forgotten something so important.

"Wife! Let me explain!" Tang Shun stood up instantly. "You know, these friends are all from the past..."

"Oh?" Li Yingtong walked in, picked up Tang Shun's phone, and slowly scrolled down, "Maya from the United States, Anna from Russia, Masako from Japan, Sofia from Italy, Claire from France, Leona from Brazil... Dr. Tang, your place is more lively than the United Nations. Do you still maintain academic exchanges?"

Tang Shun broke out in a cold sweat: "Please rest assured, wife, the academic exchange was terminated long ago. I don't know why..."

"Okay!" Li Yingtong took out her phone and opened a group chat. "Since all these girls are coming, we can't be impolite. I created a group and added them all."

"Wh...what?!" Tang Shun's eyes widened.

Li Yingtong showed him the screen and said, “I told them that I am grateful for everyone’s concern for Shun. As his wife, if you come to China Southern Metropolis Daily, I will definitely treat you all well on Shun’s behalf. We can go shopping and have tea together and exchange experiences. Shun has been working so hard during my pregnancy, so I must ask you all to let him relax. I am very grateful.”

“Look, I’m so enthusiastic, but they all say ‘no need to bother,’ ‘we’ll talk about it next time,’ and ‘I wish you happiness.’”

Tang Shun: "..."

Li Yingtong patted her husband on the shoulder, "Actually, you don't need to be nervous when you encounter these problems in the future. Just report to me in time, and I will handle it well. I will definitely not neglect your friends, understand?"

Tang Shun nodded mechanically, "Got it! Got it!" "Oh, right." Li Yingtong walked to the door, then turned back, "Remember to come home for dinner tonight."

The door closed, and Tang Shun slumped into his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Marry Li Yingtong... Her intelligence, emotional intelligence, magnanimity, and decisiveness... But... Professor, you've misled me!

Composing himself, he messaged Song Ziming: "How are things on your end? Are you being bombarded by your ex-girlfriends?"

Song Ziming replied instantly: "? Where did I get an ex-girlfriend? I've been single since birth until I got married, okay?"

Tang Shun: "...I'm sorry, I forgot that you are the pure and innocent Young Master Song, and that you only have Tang Fei in your heart."

But Song Ziming's troubles are actually more surreal.

At 2 PM, Song Ziming went to check on the patients in the ward. As soon as she entered the doctor's office, she sensed that something was wrong.

At this time of day, the office would normally be piled high with medical records, and doctors would be bustling about. But today, the office was unusually tidy, with a dozen or so young female doctors on duty. Some were familiar faces, some were unfamiliar, some were PhDs, some were Masters, and some were interns.

"Hello, Teacher Song!" they said in unison, their smiles sweet.

Song Ziming: "...Hello." It feels weird.

He began his rounds, followed by a dozen or so additional doctors in addition to the regular resident physicians and interns, forming a large and impressive procession that drew the attention of patients' families.

When they arrived at an old man's bedside, the old man took Song Ziming's hand and said, "Dr. Song, my granddaughter graduated with her master's degree this year and works in investment banking. She's very beautiful. Here's a picture..."

Song Ziming: "Grandpa, please take good care of yourself first..."

As I moved to the next bed, an older woman approached me mysteriously: "Dr. Song, my niece is a professor at Nanjing University, thirty years old, has never been in a relationship, and only likes doctors..."

Song Ziming: "..."

The next patient was a woman in her fifties who said directly, "Dr. Song, my daughter works at a TV station. Would you like to meet her? She's very beautiful. You two look so good together! A perfect match!"

After checking all the properties, Song Ziming received introductions to at least five "high-quality female resources," three slips of paper with contact information, and countless meaningful glances.

Back in his office, he had just sat down when a female graduate student brought in a cup of coffee: "Dr. Song, you've worked hard. Have something to drink."

"Thank you." Song Ziming accepted it.

"Why are you all following me? Get to work!" Song Ziming looked at the dozen or so female students standing beside him and realized something was wrong. Why were all these female students following him?

A resident doctor next to me whispered, "Professor Song, since yesterday, our hospital's internal forum and the campus network of Nandu Medical University have been talking about you. There's even a post called 'A Reason to Marry Song Ziming Every Day,' which has already reached three thousand replies..."

Song Ziming closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and waved his hand: "Everyone, let's go back to our positions."

The people reluctantly dispersed, followed by whispers and laughter.

He messaged Tang Shun: "I think I need to apply to join the medical team in Africa, immediately."

Tang Shun: "???"

Xu Zhiliang stayed in the ward performing surgeries every day and didn't go anywhere else, but now he's gotten himself into trouble.

When I got home from get off work, my wife, Wang Qingru, had prepared a delicious meal and, unusually, even opened a bottle of red wine.

"Old Xu, you've worked hard today." Wang Qingru poured him a drink, her tone gentle.

Xu Zhiliang was flattered and became even more incoherent: "It's...it's...okay. You...you...why are you..." His wife usually didn't allow him to drink, but today she actually poured him a drink herself.

“I just wanted to ask,” Wang Qingru blinked, “does your research institute… get a lot of visitors these days?”

"Yes, yes... Ah! Internet celebrities, media, all sorts of mess."

“Then…can we go for a visit too?” Wang Qingru looked at him expectantly. “Just take a picture. My colleagues in the department all know that my husband works at the Nobel Prize winner’s institution, and he’s also an important member of the team that made this Nobel Prize. They all want to see it…I won’t take many pictures, just one with the medal, is that okay?”

It would be even better if I could take a photo with Professor Yang!

However, Professor Yang has refused to take photos with leaders, entrepreneurs, and media personnel from all sides. The director of the Education Department, where Wang Qingru works, personally went to Nandu Medical University and Sanbo Hospital to offer his congratulations. He hoped to take a photo with Yang Ping, but... he was refused. It is said that he did not even see Yang Ping. Everyone in the department knows about this. Professor Yang is just that tough. He does not take photos with anyone or have any contact with anyone.

Xu Zhiliang was in a dilemma, but looking at his wife's expectant eyes, he couldn't bear to refuse.

"I...I want to ask...I want to ask...our professor..." he stammered.

"Don't trouble Professor Yang!" Wang Qingru quickly said. "He's so busy. I just want to go to work with you. If I can't take a picture with the medal, I can take a picture at the entrance of your lab. I promise I won't touch anything or reveal any secrets!"

After hesitating for a long time, Xu Zhiliang finally nodded.

The next day, taking advantage of the quieter lunch break, he quietly brought his wife into the research institute. As soon as they entered the lobby, they bumped into Yang Ping, who was on his way to lunch.

"Professor... Professor!" Xu Zhiliang's face turned pale.

Yang Ping looked at him, then at the nervous Wang Qingru beside him, and suddenly smiled: "Dr. Xu, is this your wife?"

"Yes, yes, she just wanted to take a picture..." Xu Zhiliang was an honest man; Yang Ping didn't ask him anything, and he told him everything.

“Go ahead and take the picture!” Yang Ping said generously. “Here’s the honor room. The medals were just put there today, and the background there is even better.”

Wang Qingru was so surprised she couldn't speak. What she really wanted to photograph was the medal, preferably with him and Xu Zhiliang standing together, with the medal in the background.

Yang Ping personally led the way to the newly decorated Hall of Honor. Two Nobel Prize medals were displayed in a specially made bulletproof glass case, gleaming under the soft light.

“Let’s take the picture here,” Yang Ping said. “Dr. Xu is the core of our team’s clinical work. Without his work, the theory wouldn’t have reached the point of clinical application. He deserves credit for this medal. You are his wife and have always silently supported his work. I want to thank you properly. Taking a picture is nothing. Take it however you want. Do you want me to be your model for a photo?”

Xu Zhiliang's eyes were a little wet: "Professor..."

Wang Qingru was so excited she couldn't speak. She had heard that Yang Ping was reluctant to take photos with others, but now he had taken the initiative to ask to take a photo with her and her husband, which had exceeded her expectations.

Afterwards, Wang Qingru took several satisfactory photos, and before leaving, she bowed deeply to Yang Ping: "Professor Yang, thank you! It is an honor for our whole family for Lao Xu to work in your team!"

Yang Ping smiled and said, "It is our honor to have a partner like Dr. Xu."

Somehow, word got out. The next day, an additional note appeared in the institute's administrative announcement:
"Given the reasonable expectations of the team members' families, the institute's honor exhibition hall will be open to the public every Saturday morning from 9 to 11:00. Professor Yang can take photos with everyone, but advance reservations are required. This is limited to immediate family members of the team and each visit will not exceed 15 minutes."

The announcement caused an uproar in the institute's family chat group.

The well-dressed and orderly family members, led by Li Yingtong, quietly toured the exhibition hall, took photos with Professor Yang and the medal, and then left quietly. The entire process took no more than 15 minutes, and not a single piece of paper was left on the ground.

As everyone knows, many leaders, entrepreneurs, and media figures have wanted to take photos with Professor Yang, but he has refused them all.