Chapter 606: Disciples All Over the World
Lin Tian glanced back at Zhao Xuefeng and discovered that he was listening to Sun Chuanrong’s speech on stage, not looking this way.
"Do you know my teacher?" Lin Tian asked.
"I’ve known him for many years. We used to be old friends. Not only did I invite him to join the Ministry of Health and got rejected, but even at summits when I asked him to sit beside me, he refused. He’s got quite a strong and stubborn personality."
Mr. Zhang wasn’t really criticizing Zhao Xuefeng, as there was still a gentle smile on his face.
"Maybe my teacher has his own principles," Lin Tian replied.
"What about you? If I invite you to sit next to me now, would you be willing?" Mr. Zhang stared at Lin Tian intensely, though smiling. His gaze seemed penetrating as if trying to read Lin Tian’s mind.
Unfortunately, despite having met countless people, Mr. Zhang couldn’t fathom this young man before him.
"It’s not about whether I’m willing or not. I can’t. Since my teacher hasn’t taken the seat, how can I overstep?" Lin Tian politely replied. With such a prominent figure, words must be chosen carefully.
You mustn’t upset him, nor embarrass him.
Zhang Zhixing nodded as if he had expected this answer. He patted Lin Tian on the shoulder and said appreciatively, "Go back then, and feel free to come to me if you need anything in the future."
Lin Tian expressed his gratitude and returned to his seat.
A director beside Zhang Zhixing looked at Lin Tian’s back and asked puzzled, "Minister, why are you trying to win over this young man? No matter how good he is, he’s too young, isn’t he?"
"How many times have I told you? You can’t judge people solely by appearances." Mr. Zhang said, disappointed: "I don’t even know how you got to be a director without understanding such a simple principle. Anyone with talent should be wooed. You never know when you might need their help."
...
Lin Tian returned to his seat, and Zhao Xuefeng was still listening attentively to the person on stage talk about the ’Annual Major Events in the Medical Community’, which refers to the significant happenings in the medical field.
By this time, Sun Chuanrong had already come off stage, replaced by someone else, but Zhao was still completely absorbed, showing his keen interest in the affairs of the medical field.
The major events were pretty much about doctors overcoming particular diseases or the emergence of advanced medical equipment.
Most of the audience were top-notch medical professionals who found all this far from dull, listening with great interest.
After Lin Tian sat down, Liou Qingcheng couldn’t help but lean in and say, "You. Wherever you go, it’s always lively, how do you manage to stir things up every day?"
Lin Tian leaned in and jokingly whispered in her ear, "Then I’ll stir you up tonight."
"Can’t you be a little serious in such a setting?" Liou Qingcheng’s face reddened slightly. She asked, "What did that little old man want with you just now?"
"Don’t say that. He’s the Associate Director of the Health Institute, not just some little old man. He just talked to me for a bit, nothing much."
Liou Qingcheng playfully stuck out her tongue.
Suddenly, Zhao Xuefeng said blandly, "No side chatter! People are talking on stage, and you’re talking below, that’s very disrespectful."
Lin Tian and Liou Qingcheng exchanged a glance and were left speechless; they dared not speak further.
As for the Medical Major Events, Lin Tian had no interest whatsoever, listening with his head down.
Bored to the point he was about to fall asleep.
Besides the major events, next came the speeches, naturally delivered by people with stature and status, like—Mr. Zhang.
Again with those long speeches, halfway through, Lin Tian reclined back in his chair and fell asleep, not snoring was already quite good.
When Lin Tian woke up, it was almost noon. Liou Qingcheng told Lin Tian that all morning, several national medical experts took the stage to share their successful surgical experiences from this year, which everyone listened to eagerly. After all, that kind of knowledge is truly useful for them, but for Lin Tian—too boring.
That whole morning, aside from Liu Mang’s outburst, nothing else piqued Lin Tian’s interest.
At least until lunchtime.
Lunch was held in the cafeteria next door to the auditorium. Although called a cafeteria, it was an upscale one.
Red cloth tables, chairs with backrests. Champagne and Maotai, hairy crabs.
All the food on the table was free, but everyone had long grown accustomed to this. Who among them wasn’t of stature and status?
Eating wasn’t important; making connections during meals was.
How to socialize? Of course, by toasting.
Over twenty tables in total, all occupied by figures in the medical field. With topics and drinks, the cafeteria soon became lively.
Granted, doctors aren’t supposed to drink, always needing to keep a clear head because no one could guarantee the next moment, those around wouldn’t fall ill.
But here, they had no such concerns.
The only worry was that there’d be speech manuscripts to listen to in the afternoon, the more valuable events of the summit. Therefore, everyone drank moderately at lunch; no one overindulged.
Zhao Xuefeng became a ’hot topic’ again, with a continuous stream of people coming to toast.
Taking this opportunity, Lin Tian and others met quite a number of medical experts.
Among those who came most frequently were Zhao Xuefeng’s students.
Having taught ancient medicine for over a decade, he could be said to have students all over the world.
Just those attending the summit numbered over twenty. Liu Wen and Liu Ze were just the most exceptional ones.
It was evident how formidable Zhao Xuefeng’s team was.
Actually, this wasn’t even too many. It’s believed that in a few years, once these experts retire from the scene, Zhao Xuefeng’s students will flourish even more at the Medical Summit.
There were still many whose skills hadn’t yet surpassed the older generations.
Among his many senior brothers, the ones Lin Tian chatted most happily with were the Liu brothers, Liu Ze and Liu Wen.
Apart from being his schoolmates, their ages weren’t that far apart, and both were medical experts, so how could they not have a lot to talk about?
"Lin Tian, since the teacher values you so much, your skills are so high, are you going to give a speech this afternoon too?" Liu Wen asked with a smile.
Lin Tian shook his head, "I didn’t submit a paper."
"Why not?" The two brothers were quite puzzled.
"Because if I went on stage, it’d be too high-profile. I prefer staying low-key."
"..." You consider that low-key?
Liu Wen chuckled, "Good thing you didn’t submit this year. Otherwise, I’d have been bumped off the list."
"What do you mean?" Lin Tian asked, confused.
"It’s like this, the order of speaking on stage is ranked according to the value of the articles. I’m ninth to go up, and Liu Wen’s just right after at tenth. If you submitted, he’d surely be bumped off," Liu Ze explained.
"What?" Sisi, with her hair tied in a bun, exclaimed, "Senior brothers, you can also go up and give a speech?"
"Yes, as students of our teacher, having graduated for so many years, it’s finally an opportunity to go on stage." Liu Ze said with some pride.
After hearing this, not only Sisi, but the other three auditors, except Liou Qingcheng, also showed envious expressions.
Being able to go on stage to present your speech manuscript, especially at a top industry summit, what an honor that is.
"What’s there to envy? In a few years, you’ll be on stage too. Students taught by the teacher aren’t lacking," Liu Wen comforted.