Surgery Godfather-Chapter 1988 - 1348: Professor Su’s Pride (2)

Academician Sun took over the conversation. He was an old expert from Xiehe Hospital, nearly eighty years old, with a head of silver hair. He spoke slowly but with weight: "Secondly, it’s not just about theory; clinical contributions must be visualized. The Engineering Academy here places more emphasis on whether technology can be implemented and save lives. That K Therapy from Yang Ping has already cured many patients, like that girl Sisi with osteosarcoma, hasn’t it? The little girl should be in junior high by now, right? Are there any recent follow-up images or life photos? These cases are not stories; they are evidence. We need to show that this is not just theory on paper; it’s about lives pulled back from the brink."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "I’ve been involved in evaluations for thirty years now, and the hardest currency is always living patients. Whoever has the real skills to save lives cannot be overshadowed."

The meeting room was quiet for a few seconds.

Vice President Zhou broke the silence: "Mr. Sun is right. We initially considered things too academically. The clinical case side can indeed be more impactful. Sanbo has a complete follow-up archive. I’ll ask the Publicity Department to help organize a set of imaging materials, not for public release, exclusively for evaluation reference."

Academician Sun nodded: "That’s precisely what I meant."

Director Liu spoke again: "Thirdly, the lineup of recommenders. Five from the Engineering Academy, five from the Academia. This combination needs careful design, not necessarily the most authoritative but those with credibility and representation. We need old academicians from Beijing, Shanghai, and Nandu, as well as key figures from the younger generation; people from basic research fields and from clinical frontlines; those familiar with Yang Ping’s work, and those purely impressed by academic achievements."

He looked at Su Qingyun: "President Su, as his close relative, it’s appropriate for you to abstain. But before we came, Elder Chen specifically instructed that he would personally coordinate the recommenders. He’s already contacted Elder Xiang by phone and has informed Academician Wang. For the remaining few, the division will arrange it, so you don’t need to worry too much."

Su Qingyun felt a warmth in his heart; Elder Chen, at eighty-three, was still personally making calls for this matter.

"Thank Elder Chen." He said.

"Elder Chen says it’s no trouble at all." Director Liu smiled, "He said, ’If we don’t worry about our own affairs, who will?’"

The meeting lasted nearly two hours. They went through each agenda item: the prioritization of representative works, the organizational logic of attachment materials, the recommended list of peer review experts, and the mock exercises for presentations and defenses. Su Qingyun reviewed each item carefully, occasionally asking questions, but mostly he just listened quietly.

When discussing "possible points of inquiry," Academician Sun suddenly asked a question:

"What is Yang Ping’s attitude towards applying for Academician status?"

The meeting room fell silent, with everyone looking at Su Qingyun.

Su Qingyun was silent for a moment.

"He’s not very proactive." He said, "But he doesn’t avoid it either."

Academician Sun nodded and did not pursue further. Some answers do not need to be too explicit.

When the meeting ended, Director Liu and Academician Sun needed to catch an afternoon flight back to Beijing. Su Qingyun accompanied them to the elevator.

Director Liu shook hands with him, lowered his voice: "President Su, Elder Chen asked me to convey a message."

"Please go ahead."

"Elder Chen said, this matter should be done well not for Yang Ping personally, but for the scientific enterprise of our country." Director Liu paused, "Elder Chen’s exact words: ’Please, Comrade Su Qingyun, ensure this is done well.’"

The elevator doors opened, and Director Liu and Academician Sun stepped into the elevator, turned around, and nodded at him.

Su Qingyun stood where he was, watching the elevator doors slowly close.

Upon returning to his office, his phone vibrated.

Incoming call: Daughter.

"Dad, are you coming home for dinner tonight?" Xiao Su’s voice came through the receiver, filled with familiar warmth, "Yang Ping came back early today, and Xiao Shu misses Grandpa too."

"I’ll be there!" Su Qingyun said without hesitation.

After hanging up the phone, he realized it had already gotten dark outside. The lights in the office building began to flicker on, enveloping the campus in a warm orange glow. He closed the window, tidied up his desktop, and put the two application materials with white and blue covers into his document bag before putting on his coat.

The driver was already waiting downstairs, and he got into the car.

The car drove into the night, with the city lights flowing like a river outside the window. Su Qingyun leaned against the seat, resting with his eyes closed, his fingers gently brushing the materials in the document bag. He knew every data point, every evaluation, and every detail inside, not because he was involved in the writing, but because as a father-in-law, he had already read every paper Yang Ping published countless times.

He rang the doorbell, and it was Yang Ping who opened the door.

"Dad, you’re here." Yang Ping stepped aside to let him in, taking the document bag from his hand.

"Is Xiao Shu asleep?" Su Qingyun asked.

"Just fell asleep. He played too much in the afternoon and got sleepy before finishing dinner." Yang Ping placed the document bag on the entryway cabinet and added, "He kept calling for Grandpa before going to sleep, knowing you were coming."

A smile spread across Su Qingyun’s face. He quietly tiptoed to the children’s room to take a look. Xiao Shu was lying on the small bed, one foot sticking out of the blanket, a hint of drool at the corner of his mouth, sleeping soundly. He gently tucked the little foot back under the blanket, stood there for a few more seconds, and then softly closed the door as he left.

In the living room, Xiao Su was setting the tableware. There were four dishes and a soup on the table, all light flavors that his father loved.

"Dad, wash your hands and let’s eat." Xiao Su called out.

Su Qingyun sat down at the dining table. Yang Ping sat across from him, silently serving soup. He had always been the quietest person at the table, yet never made others feel uncomfortable. There was a kind of steady, dependable strength in his quiet demeanor.

"I reviewed the materials," Su Qingyun said, taking the bowl of soup, "The school’s working group did a meticulous job. I have some modification suggestions, which I’ll have my secretary send to you tomorrow."

Yang Ping nodded: "Thank you, Dad."

Just three simple words. Yet, to Su Qingyun, they conveyed everything.

"Regarding recommenders," Su Qingyun continued, "Director Liu and Academician Sun made a special trip from Beijing today for the meeting. Elder Chen personally inquired about it too. The Academic Committee will have a suggested list, and you can make your own decisions. In recent years, the evaluation direction of the two academies has increasingly valued research integrity and talent cultivation in addition to academic contributions. The young members of your team, like Tang Shun, Song Zimo, and Chu Xiaoxiao, all show promising prospects. This point is already reflected in the materials and can be emphasized further in the presentations."

"Okay." Yang Ping again just nodded.

Xiao Su, sitting on the side, picked food for her father on his plate and quietly said: "Dad, you’ve been worrying too much. He, you know him well, has never been concerned about things like this."

Su Qingyun put down his chopsticks and looked at Yang Ping.

"Actually, higher-ups are more concerned than I am." He said, "Elder Chen has already made several calls urging me, afraid I might slack off. Today, Director Liu even brought a message, saying that Elder Chen asked me to ensure this matter is done well."

Yang Ping looked up.

"And thank Elder Chen too." He said. After a pause, he added: "Thank you, Dad."

Su Qingyun picked up his teacup, gently blew away the tea leaves floating on top, and took a sip.

"This shows the country’s emphasis on talent." He said, "The research environment is getting better and better now, whether it’s in hardware or software."

The night grew deeper outside, and the community grew quiet.

Xiao Shu turned over in the bedroom, mumbling incoherently in his sleep.

Xiao Su softly said, "I’ll go check on him." She got up and went into the inner room.

Only the father-in-law and son-in-law remained in the living room.

Su Qingyun looked at the young man opposite him. He was still the same, not saying much, but with a calm gaze that conveyed a strong sense of confidence.

Their conversation grew more animated as they discussed academic issues.

Xiao Su came out from the inner room and gently said, "Xiao Shu woke up again; he insists on Daddy putting him to sleep."

Yang Ping stood up and briskly walked into the inner room. Through the door, Su Qingyun could hear him clumsily comforting his son, his voice low and gentle: "Daddy is here, Daddy is here."

Xiao Su looked at her father: "Dad, why don’t you stay over tonight? The guest room is ready, and I’ve already told Mom."

"Alright." Su Qingyun said.