Surgery Godfather-Chapter 1917 - 1321: You Guys Split It Up_2

"I understand, thank you." Yang Ping appreciated the benefits involved, "We will be ready, but we won’t put on a show on purpose. We’ll present science as it is."

"Thank you." Manstein said with relief, "Alright, go back and take care of the kids. Say hello to Xiao Su and Xiao Shu for me."

Manstein let out a sigh of relief. He was really afraid Professor Yang would lose interest in the Nobel Prize and decline his offer. Now it seemed Professor Yang didn’t refuse.

Hanging up the phone, Yang Ping stood in the corridor for a moment. The cries of children and the chatter of parents filled his ears once more.

He walked back to the observation ward, and Xiao Shu was already asleep. Xiao Su softly asked, "Whose call was it? Is something wrong?"

Yang Ping took his son in his arms, looked at his innocent and peaceful sleeping face, and said in a low voice, "Professor Manstein, he told me the system regulation theory has been nominated for the Nobel Prize."

Xiao Su’s eyes widened, she covered her mouth, and after a while finally said, "Oh my.... is this... is this true? Winning the prize again?"

"It’s just a nomination, and it’s a very preliminary stage." Yang Ping repeated, as if reminding himself, "But the committee will come to inspect next month. I’m a bit busy and actually hope not to be disturbed."

Xiao Su looked at him, suddenly smiled, "You don’t seem particularly excited?"

Yang Ping thought for a moment and also smiled, "I really don’t want to be disturbed; however, I also don’t want to dampen the enthusiasm of peers, so I’ve decided to let Tang Shun and Song Zimo deal with the inspection." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

He lowered his head and kissed his son’s forehead, "Right now, I’m more concerned about whether his temperature will rise at night, if the vaccine reaction is strong or not. These are the real-life issues."

Xiao Su held his hand, her eyes filled with understanding, "Whether or not there is a prize, you and your team have already changed so many lives, that’s what’s most important, right?"

"Right."

...

At nine in the evening, Xiao Shu had a mild fever due to the vaccine reaction, but slept fairly well. After coaxing his son to sleep, Yang Ping began pondering over his research topics in the study again.

The next day, he gathered the core team members—Tang Shun, Song Zimo, Xu Zhiliang, Lu Xiaolu, Jiang Jitong, Chu Xiaoxiao, and others. The small meeting room was packed.

"Everyone, there’s something I need to tell you." Yang Ping got straight to the point, "Professor Manstein has nominated the system regulation theory for the Nobel Prize. The committee will visit us next month for an assessment."

The room fell silent for a full five seconds, and then—

"Nobel Prize?!" Chu Xiaoxiao was the first to jump up, the hoodie flipped over her head, "Professor... I, I didn’t hear wrong, did I? This is your second time winning the prize."

Even Tang Shun, who was used to major events, dropped his pen on the table. He picked it up and said, "Professor, don’t worry, leave it to me to handle."

He was afraid Yang Ping might refuse such a good thing out of concern for the trouble. Winning the prize twice, maybe some of them could follow the wake and win it too. Even if not, it was still great for the professor to win again.

Lu Xiaolu had already started flipping through a notebook, "What materials do we need to prepare? Backups of original data, lists of independent verification papers, access to patient follow-up databases..."

Yang Ping raised his hand to signal for quiet, "Hear me out. We don’t need any special preparations. We’ll present science as it is. No decorations, no exaggerations, no performances."

He looked around at the team members, whose faces were filled with shock, excitement, and a hint of bewilderment, "More importantly, I want to use this opportunity to ask everyone: if... I’m saying if... the theory really wins the prize, what do you hope it brings?"

After a moment of silence, Chu Xiaoxiao was the first to speak, her voice still trembling slightly from excitement, "I hope... I hope winning can convince more young people that doing such patient and persistent research is worth it! My parents always think I should go to a pharmaceutical company to make big money..."

Tang Shun continued, "I hope there will be more research funding, although we already have a lot, who would complain about having too much money, right?"

Lu Xiaolu adjusted his glasses, "I hope the award will promote academic exchanges. There are still some experts in traditional fields who don’t understand us, thinking that systems medicine is not rigorous, too advanced, and unrealistic. The authority of the Nobel Prize could break these prejudices."

When it was Zhang Wei’s turn, he rubbed his hands, his gaze drifting slightly, "I... I hope after winning, those companies selling health wristbands won’t latch on to the hype anymore. But..." he paused, his voice lowered a little, "if they’re willing to pay me to act as a scientific consultant to help improve their algorithms, I think... maybe not impossible to consider."

Song Zimo laughed out loud, "Dr. Zhang, are you hooked on being an undercover?"

"I’m just using a roundabout way to serve my country!" Dr. Zhang straightened his back, "Use their money to conduct genuine research, and ultimately open-source the results for everyone to use!"

Yang Ping shook his head with a smile, finally looking at Song Zimo, "And you?"

Song Zimo thought for a moment, "Professor, I think the most important thing is to stay true to our original intentions. Winning the prize might bring a halo, but also pressure, jealousy, and high expectations. We must remember why we started, not for the awards, but to find better ways to treat and save people. As you often say, the end goal of medicine is not papers, but better lives for patients."

Yang Ping nodded, "You’re right, which is why today’s meeting is to get everyone to think about this in advance. Whether the committee comes or not, whether we win or not, our work remains unchanged, our pace remains unchanged, our direction remains unchanged, winning is just a byproduct."

He stood up and walked to the whiteboard, writing down several large characters:

The Core Values of the System Regulation Theory: Respect for the wisdom of the body; Understanding the context of diseases; Designing personalized regulations; Pursuing sustainable health; Establishing equal dialogues between doctors and patients.

"These are the values we set out with, and they are the principles we must uphold no matter how far we go." Yang Ping turned around, "During the committee’s visit, we’ll show these, not to showcase glory, but to show real work, real challenges, real progress."

After the meeting ended, the team members left one after another, each deep in thought.

Chu Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment as she walked to the door, then turned back and asked, "Professor... if, I mean if, we really win the prize, will you go to Stockholm to receive it?"

Yang Ping smiled, "To be honest, I really don’t want to go."

Tang Shun immediately picked up, "Professor, you don’t have to worry, absolutely no need to worry. I can go to receive the award for you."

Chu Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up, "Remember to take me along."

Dr. Zhang slowly came over at the end and whispered, "Professor, um... my wristband analysis report is actually already 80% complete. When the committee comes, can I do a demonstration? Just as... a case of system thinking applied to exposing commercial scams?"

Song Zimo, suppressing a laugh, looked at Dr. Zhang’s "I’m doing serious research" expression, "Do you think they’re interested in your wristband research?"

"Understood!" Dr. Zhang scratched his head.

This kid has no sense of severity, Song Zimo thought to himself.

After Dr. Zhang left, Song Zimo and Tang Shun stayed back. They saw Professor Yang’s face showed little joy, and they understood that Professor Yang feared matters unrelated to his research; he was not adept at handling such things.

Song Zimo said, "Professor, don’t worry. With Tang Shun and me here, everything will be handled perfectly."

Yang Ping patted his shoulder, "Thanks a lot. If possible, if we do win, you two and the team should split the award."

"No, no... Professor, if it really can be split, I’d like a share too, but it can’t be. If we do win, just let us accept the award on your behalf." Tang Shun looked expectant.

After Song Zimo and Tang Shun left, Yang Ping remained alone in the meeting room for a while, resting. His phone vibrated, it was a message from Xiao Su: "Xiao Shu didn’t have a fever today and is playing well. Are you done with the meeting? Come back early for dinner."

He replied, "Heading back now."