godfather of surgery

Chapter 1363 The Lively Hometown
Yangping's hometown is Yangjia Village, Qingshan Town, Qingshan County.

This is a typical southern village, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with white walls and black tiles. A small river flows in front of the village, spanned by a stone arch bridge, said to have been built during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. The bridge is very narrow, only wide enough for one vehicle to pass at a time.

Now, a brand-new cement bridge has been built next to the old stone bridge at the village entrance. It is twelve meters wide and can accommodate several cars driving side by side. The bridge railings are carved from stone, with lotus and auspicious cloud patterns, which look elegant and beautiful in the sunlight. There is also a stone tablet at the bridgehead with three large characters engraved on it: "Yangping Bridge".

Not only was a bridge repaired, but a new four-lane asphalt road was also built, gleaming black, with many streetlights on both sides. This road runs from the village all the way to the provincial highway outside the village, making it much more convenient for villagers and people in the surrounding area to go out. Everyone is all smiles.

Yang Ping's house is a traditional courtyard house with white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves, typical of southern style. The gate is a simple, unassuming black wooden door with no plaque above it and two polished brass door knockers.

Pushing open the door, you're greeted by a courtyard. The ground is paved with bluestone slabs, and a small pond has been dug in the center, where several koi carp swim and a few water lilies float on the surface. A covered corridor surrounds the courtyard, connecting the various rooms. The main building is the living room, with side rooms on either side, and the kitchen and storage room at the back. The courtyard isn't very large, but its layout is exquisite, with beautiful scenery at every turn, revealing the meticulousness and sophistication characteristic of southerners, perfectly blending modern architecture with the classic courtyard house style.

The money to build this courtyard house came from the prize money Yang Ping received when he first won the Nobel Prize, and it was handled by Huang Jiacai and Cheng Liquan.

Yang Ping is simple: regardless of whether he is high-profile or low-profile, he just wants his parents to live comfortably.

He knew from a young age that his parents had a hard life. His father was a village doctor, braving wind and rain, riding that old motorcycle for decades. His mother took care of the household chores, saving every penny to raise him and his sister. Now that he was capable, he could provide his parents with a nice house and a good life, so why not?
As for being high-profile or low-profile, he doesn't care.

Having already won the Nobel Prize, what's there to be afraid of in being high-profile?
But Yang Ping did not go back this time.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go back, it was that he couldn't; his research project had reached a critical stage. Besides, he didn't like getting involved in crowds. He knew that if he went back, things would definitely get out of control.

As it turned out, he was right.

About a week or two after Yang Ping won his second award, Yang Deming and his wife Liu Huifang were sunbathing in the courtyard of their new home when they suddenly heard a commotion. The noise grew louder and louder, as if a large group of people were coming their way.

They walked to the door and were stunned.

A long line of cars drove in on the newly paved asphalt road at the entrance of the village.

Leading the way was a police car, flashing lights and sirens. Behind it followed a black Audi with a small red flag on its hood. Next came a white minivan with the words "Qingshan County TV Station" printed on it. Following that were several black sedans, one after another, forming a long line.

Yang Deming counted them; there were a total of eighteen.

Which leader is going to the countryside? Why such a big entourage?

As the convoy drove along, it suddenly stopped in front of the courtyard house. The car doors opened one after another, and people got out and stood on the ground in a flurry.

The person who got out of the lead Audi was County Chief Zhou, the county chief of Qingshan County. Yang Deming recognized him; he had come once before, but not with this much fanfare. The person who got out of the van behind him was a reporter and cameraman from the county TV station, carrying long lenses and cameras, their lenses pointed at the courtyard house.

But Yang Deming didn't recognize the people who got out of the cars behind him.

A middle-aged man in a dark blue suit walked over, and County Chief Zhou quickly introduced him: "Mr. Yang, this is Vice Mayor Li from our city. He came all the way from the city!"

Yang Deming was taken aback for a moment, then quickly extended his hand: "Hello, Mayor Li."

Vice Mayor Li shook his hand and said warmly, "Mr. Yang, congratulations! Your son, Comrade Yang Ping, has brought honor to our country and our city! I am here today on behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government to visit you!"

Yang Deming nodded and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Thank you, Mayor Li. You're too kind. Please come in and have a seat."

He stepped aside to let the guest into the courtyard, his tone calm and his demeanor natural, just like greeting an ordinary neighbor.

Liu Huifang stood beside him with a gentle smile on her face. She didn't say anything, but her smile made people feel warm and friendly.

Vice Mayor Li was taken aback. He had seen too many elderly people caught off guard by sudden events, but these two were very calm, as if they were not high-ranking officials, but just a few distant relatives.

A group of people rushed into the courtyard, which was quite large, but it was still packed with people.

Standing in the center of the courtyard, Vice Mayor Li looked around and exclaimed, "What an exquisite courtyard! White walls and black tiles, a small bridge and flowing water. Mr. Yang, are you comfortable living here?"

Yang Deming nodded: "That's nice, the children are so thoughtful."

County Chief Zhou leaned closer and whispered, "Mayor Li, shall we take a picture together?"

Vice Mayor Li nodded: "Okay, let's take a group photo."

So, the group began to arrange their positions in the courtyard. Vice Mayor Li stood in the middle, with Yang Deming and Liu Huifang on either side of him. The others were arranged in order of rank, from left to right. County Party Secretary Wang stood to Vice Mayor Li's left, County Head Zhou to his right, and further to the sides were deputy county heads, bureau chiefs, town mayors, deans, principals…

It took three whole rows to finally get everyone in.

The cameraman stood in front, holding up his camera, and shouted, "Everyone, look at the camera! Smile! One, two, three!"

With a click, this group photo was later published in the city's newspaper with the headline: "Leaders at the city, county, town and village levels cordially visit the parents of Nobel laureate Yang Ping."

After taking the photos, Vice Mayor Li took Yang Deming's hand and sat him down on a bamboo chair in the courtyard.

"Mr. Yang, your son, Comrade Yang Ping, has made tremendous contributions to the country, which is the pride of all the people in our city. If you have any difficulties, please let us know. If you have any requests, please feel free to make them. We will do our best to resolve them."

Yang Deming thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for your concern, Mayor Li. There are no difficulties. The country is developing so well now, and people are living prosperous lives. Everything is good, except..."

He paused, then looked at Vice Mayor Li.

Vice Mayor Li quickly asked, "Mr. Yang, do you think it's alright?"

Yang Deming said, "It's still not very convenient for the elderly in the village to see a doctor. I'm an old man, I can still go for a few more years. What will they do when I can't go anymore? I beg Mayor Li to help..."

Vice Mayor Li listened attentively, nodded, and turned to Director Zhao of the Health Bureau behind him, saying, "You need to study this issue. We must attach importance to the development of the village doctor team. In particular, we must ensure that the elderly in remote mountainous areas can access medical care and afford it."

Director Zhao quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, we will definitely study it and come up with a solution as soon as possible."

Liu Huifang was serving tea to the guests, brewing tea leaves picked from the hill behind her own house. She carried the tea tray and handed them out one by one, saying, "Have some tea, it's home-dried."

Director Zhang from the county government office took the tea, took a sip, and her eyes lit up: "Auntie, this tea is really delicious! It's fragrant and sweet, much better than the tea we buy."

Liu Huifang said with a smile, "Drink more if you like. No pesticides, no fertilizers, it's all-natural and green."

Director Zhang said, "Auntie, you have such a good attitude. So many leaders are here, and you're not nervous at all."

Liu Huifang smiled: "Why are you nervous? They're all guests. It's only right to serve tea to guests."

Meanwhile, Yang Deming continued chatting with Vice Mayor Li.

Vice Mayor Li asked, "Mr. Yang, how many years have you been a village doctor?"

Yang Deming said, "It's been forty years."

Vice Mayor Li exclaimed in surprise, "Forty years! How old are you this year?"

Yang Deming said, "Seventy."

Vice Mayor Li remarked with emotion, "For forty years, you have been rooted in the grassroots, serving your neighbors. Mr. Yang, you are the true unsung hero."

Yang Deming waved his hand: "What hero? This is just what I do. If someone in the village has a headache or fever, someone has to take care of them." Vice Mayor Li nodded and asked, "You must have put a lot of effort into training Professor Yang?"

Yang Deming thought for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his face.

"He was quiet and reserved since he was a child. He didn't like to talk and just loved to read. We didn't have time to manage him, so we just let him be. Later, he got into university. Actually, we didn't really provide any training; it was the country that trained him."

Just then, another commotion came from outside, and another car drove up.

It was a minivan with the words "Provincial Television Station" printed on its side. The door opened, and several reporters carrying cameras and a host holding a microphone got out.

County Head Zhou quickly went to greet them: "Oh dear, the reporters from the provincial TV station are here too! Welcome, welcome!"

The host smiled and said, "County Chief Zhou, we came here specifically to interview Professor Yang's parents. Could you make arrangements for us?"

County Chief Zhou nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course, this way please."

So Yang Deming and Liu Huifang were pulled into the courtyard again to be interviewed by the provincial television station.

The host handed the microphone to Yang Deming: "Mr. Yang, what are your thoughts on your son winning the Nobel Prize?"

Yang Deming thought for a moment and said, "My feeling... is happiness. If he's happy, I'm happy."

The host then asked, "So, what do you think contributed to Comrade Yang Ping's success?"

Yang Deming said, "Well... I don't know either, it's mainly due to the country's support."

The host followed up, "So what are your expectations for him?"

Yang Deming said, "I hope... you eat well and don't stay up late..."

The host paused for a moment, then smiled.

She turned the microphone towards Liu Huifang: "Auntie, what about you? Is there anything you'd like to say to your son?"

Liu Huifang thought for a moment and said, "Tell him not to overwork himself and to take care of his health."

After the interview, Vice Mayor Li suggested taking a walk around the village.

So, a large group of people poured out of the courtyard and walked along the newly paved asphalt road into the village.

Yang Deming didn't want to go at first, but County Chief Zhou said, "Mr. Yang, you are the main character, you have to accompany him."

He had no choice but to follow.

Along the way, Vice Mayor Li nodded frequently: "This road is well-built! These osmanthus trees are planted well! This village has a bright future!"

County Chief Zhou chimed in from the side: "Yes, yes, yes, we plan to develop Yangjia Village into an 'Academician Village,' develop rural tourism, and help villagers get rich. This mountain area can be developed into a tea plantation."

Vice Mayor Li said, "Great! This is a good idea! We must implement it as soon as possible!"

Village Party Secretary Lao Wu followed behind, listening with great delight.

In the days that followed, Yangjia Village was as lively as a market day.

Every day, strangers come into the village, some in cars and some in buses, but they all have the same goal: Yang Ping's house.

Every day, people take photos in front of that traditional southern courtyard house with its white walls and gray tiles. Some stand in front of the black wooden door making a peace sign, some lean against the courtyard wall taking selfies, and some even peek through the crack in the door, trying to see what the Nobel laureate's parents are doing at home.

Liu Huifang was not used to it at first, but later she found that these people were just taking pictures, and she gradually got used to it.

Sometimes, when she's picking vegetables in the courtyard and someone takes a picture at the door, she'll look up, smile at them, and continue picking her vegetables.

Sometimes, while she's hanging clothes out to dry, someone at the door will call out, "Auntie! Look over here!" She'll turn around, ask them to take a picture, and then continue hanging her clothes out to dry.

Once, a young woman stood at the door and asked timidly, "Auntie, may I come in and take a look? Just for a moment."

Seeing that she looked kind, Liu Huifang waved her in and said, "Come in."

The girl was so excited she almost jumped for joy. She carefully walked into the courtyard, looking around and exclaiming repeatedly, "It's so beautiful! This is the legendary courtyard house! Auntie, you're so lucky!"

Liu Huifang smiled and said, "You're so lucky, so lucky. Please sit down and have a cup of tea?"

The girl waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no, I'm just looking around, I'll leave when I'm done."

She took more than a dozen photos and left satisfied. Before leaving, she bowed to Liu Huifang and said, "Thank you, Auntie!"

Yang Deming didn't care. Every day, he rode his tricycle to make house calls as usual. If there was a crowd blocking the entrance, he would honk his horn, and people would automatically make way. He would chug past without looking back.

Once, a tourist from out of town stopped him and asked, "Sir, are you Professor Yang's father?"

Yang Deming nodded.

The tourists' eyes lit up: "Can I take a picture with you?"

Yang Deming said, "Let's go for it."

The tourist handed his phone to his companion, stood next to Yang Deming, and snapped a picture. After taking the photo, he asked, "Sir, your son won the Nobel Prize, how do you feel?"

Yang Deming thought for a moment and said, "It feels... pretty good. If he's happy, I'm happy."

The tourist then asked, "Is there anything you'd like to say to him?"

Yang Deming said, "Yes, tell him to eat properly and not stay up late."

After saying that, he sputtered and rode away on his motorcycle.

The tourists stood there, stunned, unable to process what had happened for a long time.

One day, he even saw someone setting up a stall in front of his house, selling bottled water, popsicles, and grilled sausages. The stall owner was from the same village, and when he saw Yang Deming come out, he greeted him warmly: "Dr. Yang! Want a grilled sausage? It's on me!"

Yang Deming waved his hand: "No need, no need, you go about your business."

The elderly couple were broad-minded and hospitable. They welcomed everyone who came and didn't try to stop anyone from leaving.

Later, the villagers also benefited. Some opened agritainment businesses, some sold local specialties, and others set up a small stall at the village entrance to sell water and snacks. With more tourists, business improved, and everyone's pockets filled up.

One day, Village Party Secretary Lao Wu came to see Yang Deming and said, "Brother Dehou, our village is really doing well now, all thanks to Yang Ping. Look, Boss Huang and Boss Cheng not only helped build schools, roads, and bridges, but they're also planning to invest in a tea plantation on a mountain. They invited professors from the Agricultural Research Institute to investigate, and they said there's a variety that's perfect for our area. The two bosses said that all the profits from their investment will go to the village. Oh, we're so grateful to Yang Ping; he always keeps the villagers in his heart. The village has discussed it and wants to put up a big sign at the village entrance that says 'Hometown of Nobel Prize Winner Yang Ping.' What do you think?"

Yang Deming thought for a moment and said, "If it's good for the village, then let's establish it!"