Wang Guohai understood the reasons Zhang Yang had given. He chuckled, speaking directly into the phone, "I know you're at an event.

Where are you? I've already gotten off the highway and arrived in Shanghai.

I'm coming to find you right now!" "You're in Shanghai?" Zhang Yang's brow twitched slightly. He had anticipated the Third Hospital's high regard for him, but he hadn't expected them to send a department director personally to Shanghai to look for him.

"Yes. Hurry up and tell me, I haven't eaten yet.

We'll grab a bite together later!" "How about this, come over to where I am. I'm having dinner with my classmates right now.

Just come directly here. The location is..." After a moment's thought, Zhang Yang told Wang Guohai the restaurant's address.

He had a rough idea of where Wang Guohai was in Shanghai; it was only about a half-hour trip from there. They hadn't even ordered the main dishes yet, so he should be able to wait.

Regardless, Wang Guohai had taken good care of him when Zhang Yang was at the Third Hospital, and he was one of the few people there he genuinely clicked with. Hanging up the call, Zhang Yang returned to the private room.

The waiter stood there helplessly. As soon as Zhang Yang entered, he immediately looked toward him.

"Zhang Yang, you should order the food. You are our biggest contributor today.

Don't worry, the school is treating us to this meal!" Zhu Daoqi quickly said to Zhang Yang. After learning that Zhang Yang's proposal had been approved and witnessing the experts' fervor, his attitude toward Zhang Yang had naturally shifted.

The strong and the capable are respected everywhere they go. Zhu Daoqi no longer viewed Zhang Yang as merely a student.

"There's no need for the school to spend the money this time. Wait until we achieve results as a collective, then it will be time for the school to arrange things.

Professor Zhu, rest assured, I can afford to treat you to a meal!" Zhang Yang smiled slightly, then beckoned the waiter again. If this continued, he didn't know when they would ever get to ordering.

Even if he had to wait a little for Wang Guohai, there was no need to just sit there idly. "Let's start with a plate of braised pork belly.

I remember Gao Fei quite likes this, and the braised pork belly here is excellent!" Zhang Yang glanced around casually and spoke softly as the waiter hurriedly jotted down the order. Gao Fei paused slightly, then a flicker of excitement crossed his face, mixed with gratitude and pride.

He hadn't expected Zhang Yang to remember his preference. He had always assumed he had the worst relationship with Zhang Yang among their peers that day.

They hadn't even exchanged many words. Liking braised pork belly—he thought he had only casually mentioned it while eating yesterday.

He hadn't expected Zhang Yang to remember. If Zhang Yang had said this yesterday, he would have felt at most a small amount of gratitude, certainly not excitement.

But today was different. Zhang Yang’s performance was utterly surprising.

Coupled with the accolades from the experts, everyone naturally stopped seeing Zhang Yang as just an ordinary classmate. If even Zhu Daoqi felt this way, what about them?

"And this, plus this!" Zhang Yang continued ordering slowly and unobtrusively, ensuring all five others were accounted for. By the time Zhang Yang finished ordering, the expressions on the faces of the five people had subtly changed.

(ShuShuWu) For someone who had reached the level of a university professor, this was not difficult to grasp. One could discern the rewards of his ordering process just by looking at the five people's eyes.

Sometimes, small gestures can win hearts immensely. Zhang Yang had known this for a long time.

Many of the students he had taught in his previous life would notify him first, no matter what achievements they attained. Zhang Yang had also made arrangements regarding Professor Zhu, ensuring he wasn't left feeling awkward as a mere teacher in this setting due to Zhang Yang’s sudden prominence.

With Zhang Yang’s deliberate coordination, the atmosphere at the dining table immediately livened up. "Zhang Yang, honestly, I'm very curious.

How exactly did you start researching a topic like this?" Before the food arrived, Yin Yong held his water glass and asked Zhang Yang softly. If Zhang Yang hadn't orchestrated the mood just now, he wouldn't have dared to ask such a question.

Come to think of it, this might have been the first time he and Zhang Yang had spoken. Zhang Yang offered a gentle smile and replied softly, "It was actually quite accidental.

I had done some prior research on this disease. I just happened to encounter a specific case, so I shared some preliminary findings with the Third Hospital!" He recounted meeting Su Shaohua and the subsequent reactions from the hospital.

There was nothing truly hidden here; what everyone didn't know was that this disease had actually been truly conquered before. But that was in Zhang Yang's previous life, and it wasn't solely his credit.

No one else would ever know about this, and no one would investigate it. Hearing that such a monumental proposal stemmed from what sounded like routine medical consultation, even Zhu Daoqi was deeply moved.

"It would have been wonderful if this proposal had originated at our university!" After hearing Zhang Yang's description, Zhu Daoqi immediately interjected, voicing his true feelings. "I didn't think that far ahead this time.

In the future, if I have the opportunity, I will certainly prioritize our university and my classmates!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly, and his words immediately warmed the hearts of those around him. Securing such a proposal already proved Zhang Yang's capability—this was a topic potentially worthy of a Nobel Prize nomination upon success.

Zhang Yang was the principal investigator, yet he remained unpretentious and composed. Even Zhu Daoqi felt a great deal of affection for him.

Li Yaohua hadn't introduced the wrong person this time. Who knew there was such a latent dragon hidden in the Department of Clinical Medicine—no, this was no longer a latent dragon, but a giant dragon already taking flight.

Zhu Daoqi was certain that Zhang Yang's future achievements would be immeasurable. "Director Wang from the Third Hospital will be here shortly, but everyone can start eating first!" Once the food arrived, Zhang Yang said with a smile, and everyone paused again.

"He’s here about this proposal, isn't he?" Zhu Daoqi tentatively inquired, now feeling extremely envious of the Third Hospital. "Most likely.

I’m not entirely sure; he called me just now, but he didn't elaborate on the details!" Zhang Yang explained and began encouraging everyone to eat. Wang Guohai would take some time to arrive, so there was no need to wait endlessly for him.

This wasn't a dinner specifically hosted for Wang Guohai. He was just joining midway.

Waiting for him indefinitely would show respect and politeness to him, but it would be impolite to Zhu Daoqi and Zhang Yang's classmates. It would make them seem like mere attendants, waiting specifically for Wang Guohai.

Zhang Yang proactively urged them to start eating, which subtly warmed everyone's hearts. They hadn't eaten for long when Wang Guohai arrived.

His driver was familiar with Shanghai routes, having traveled there often, so he hadn't wasted any time. Zhu Daoqi knew Zhu Zhixiang from the Third Hospital but had never met Wang Guohai.

This was their first introduction. Seeing so many people present, Wang Guohai exchanged a few pleasantries before sitting down to join the meal without ceremony.

This gathering allowed Zhao Qiang and the other classmates to clearly understand the Third Hospital's attitude toward Zhang Yang. It turned out Zhang Yang left the Third Hospital on his own accord, and now the hospital was eager to have him return.

Wang Guohai could even make any promise on behalf of the hospital director. Before leaving, Zhu Zhixiang had granted Wang Guohai the authority to make decisions on many matters.

This astonished them further and solidified their conviction regarding Zhang Yang's dominance over this research proposal. Zhu Daoqi, however, began to develop a slight understanding of the Third Hospital's zealousness.

The Third Hospital was renowned, but only locally in Changjing. Compared to the Provincial Hospital and other major medical centers, there was still a gap.

Otherwise, more people wouldn't prefer the Provincial Hospital over the Third. For such a hospital, acquiring this proposal was arguably the most significant in its history.

If handled well, their hospital could soar to prominence and truly become nationally famous. Given this context, it was no wonder they were so invested.

If he were in their position, he would act the same way. Since there were many people, Wang Guohai did not dwell on other matters.

In the end, he went with Zhang Yang and the others to the hotel; fortunately, there were still rooms available. He took one, effectively staying there.

Upon returning to the hotel, the experts had also settled down to rest. They had experienced a surge of excitement once, but they wouldn't maintain that frenzy constantly.

They were all people of status; they had been stunned by the news yesterday, fearing others might seize the advantage, but after calming down, that impulse had subsided. This allowed Zhang Yang to breathe a small sigh of relief.

After a night of rest, everyone woke up early the next day. Zhang Yang couldn't even find a chance to go out and exercise alone; he could only take Zhao Qiang and the others for a short jog first.

At breakfast, Zhao Qiang and the others held their heads high, filled with proud self-satisfaction. Many people from other schools were now proactively greeting them, a stark contrast to yesterday when they weren't nearly as popular.

Today, the number of people initiating greetings was at least doubled. This also caused Zhu Daoqi to sigh in admiration, understanding that all this prestige was brought by Zhang Yang.

Wang Guohai was also present. He entrusted Zhu Daoqi to speak on his behalf, asking if he could attend the exchange event, regardless of the capacity—he just wanted to get into the venue.

Yesterday, he had asked Zhang Yang to return, but Zhang Yang had refused. Zhang Yang had just accepted a mission and couldn't leave Shanghai for the next half-month; naturally, he couldn't go back, as doing so would mean directly abandoning a Level Five mission, which carried a significant penalty.

Since Zhang Yang wasn't returning, and Wang Guohai heard that the topic Zhang Yang was presenting at the event was this very research, he had even less reason to leave. After consulting Zhu Zhixiang, he decided to stay put.

At least staying here made him feel more secure. He would try to persuade Zhang Yang to return after the current event concluded.

Breakfast proceeded smoothly. None of the Jinling University contingent provoked any conflict this time, though Liu Kai and a few other students glared fiercely at Zhang Yang's group.

Their eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment. The conflict between these two universities, much like the regional animosity, had become irreconcilable.

The bus took everyone to the small auditorium. One person was missing today—Guo Weiya from Jinling University was not in the group.

However, there was one addition: Wang Guohai from the Third Hospital sat alongside the experts. With Zhu Daoqi's assistance, Wang Guohai secured a place among the expert cohort to participate in the activity.

………… Starting the extra 100 chapters update; 99 chapters remaining. To be continued.

.RT