Especially the scissor doors of the Bugatti—they made many people’s eyes widen. Such doors were rare in the country then, and many people were seeing them for the first time.

Under the envious gazes, Zhang Yang walked straight towards the office building.

Zhang Yang noticed the expressions on everyone's faces; he could only shake his head helplessly.

If he had known it would cause such a reaction, he would have taken a taxi instead. Driving his Mercedes used to draw attention too, but it was more subdued, not as flashy as this Bugatti, which grabbed the attention of everyone, whether they understood cars or not.

“Are you sure it was a lettered emblem, starting with ‘bug’?”

Inside the guardhouse, a young security guard spoke into the intercom, and a surprised shout came back from the other end.

“I’m positive. I looked closely just now. There were many letters on the emblem—it was Bugatti, very clearly.”

The guard spoke with certainty. He enjoyed cars, but only as a casual enthusiast. He knew the famous models, or those commonly seen in the country, but he didn't recognize the one Zhang Yang was driving.

He was calling a friend who knew cars, someone who worked at an auto repair shop.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of sharp inhalation came through the phone, very distinct.

“Where are you right now? Is this at your unit?”

After a few seconds, an anxious question followed from the other end of the line.

The guard held the receiver, looking somewhat puzzled, and replied directly, “I’m at my post. Can you just tell me if you know this car? What is it, exactly?”

“If what you saw is real, that car is a limited-edition Bugatti. It sells for over four hundred thousand US dollars abroad. Even just overseas, that’s nearly four million RMB. If you bought it into the country, I estimate it would cost ten million. Wait there—I’m coming over immediately. I need to see this car up close.”

The voice on the other end spoke quickly, and then the person hung up.

The guard stood there foolishly, still clutching the intercom. He had sensed it was a fine car, but he never expected it to be worth so much. The price of four million RMB just in a foreign country was enough to stun him, let alone the astronomical price tag it would command domestically.

Ten million. That was a figure they couldn't even dare to dream about back then.

It was the late twentieth century, an era before wealth rapidly expanded. Ten million still held significant purchasing power; it was enough to buy a very nice, large villa.

While Zhang Yang’s car was creating a sensation outside, he had already entered Zhu Zhixiang’s office.

A short while later, Zhang Yang followed Zhu Zhixiang to the conference room.

More than a dozen people were already seated. When they saw Zhang Yang enter, everyone’s gaze held a hint of feverish intensity.

“Mr. Zhang, Classmate Zhang is here. We welcome you.”

Xu Wu was the first to stand up. He had intended to call him Dr. Zhang, but suddenly recalled that Zhang Yang no longer worked at their hospital, nor was he an intern, so he quickly switched to addressing him as Classmate Zhang.

All dozen or so people stood up and applauded warmly.

Zhu Zhixiang then guided Zhang Yang toward the conference table and had him sit next to himself.

He had invited Zhang Yang here this time to finalize the details of the research project. Zhang Yang was indeed the head of the project, but the entire study couldn't possibly be managed by him alone; it required assistance and cooperation from others.

Everyone present in that room shared the same ambition.

The honors associated with this project were immense; even just having their names attached would be greatly beneficial later on. Now, everyone was eager to squeeze in and claim a piece of the pie.

After sitting down, Zhu Zhixiang cleared his throat lightly and slowly began, “Everyone, I won't dwell on the great news from a while back. I believe you all understand how crucial the project approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences is for our hospital. Now that Project Lead Zhang Yang has returned to our hospital, please feel free to voice any thoughts or suggestions you have.”

After saying this, Zhu Zhixiang looked towards Zhang Yang.

As the Dean and the initiator of the project, he was on the initial list from the start, unlike others who were just trying to force their way in. He genuinely cared about the project’s success.

At this moment, his intentions were pure; he sincerely hoped to help Zhang Yang complete the research, knowing that the ultimate glory would inevitably include a portion for himself.

“The Dean is right. Classmate Zhang, the project has been completely stalled during the time you were away. Since you have returned, I think we should launch it immediately, and the hospital will offer our full support for our project’s research.”

Xu Wu chimed in next. Many others voiced their agreement. A project could involve a dozen people, sometimes dozens, and there was no conflict among them.

For them, just getting their names on the list was enough. But now, Xu Wu was already referring to it as ‘our project.’

“Director Xu is right. Classmate Zhang, during your absence, we’ve helped establish a research group for you. Here is the list of the research group members; would you like to look it over first?”

Tang Xiaojuan, the Director of Respiratory Medicine, added her voice. She and Xu Wu were husband and wife, and she was particularly enthusiastic about this matter.

As she spoke, she handed a document to Zhang Yang, placing it before him.

The eyes of the others immediately showed renewed longing. This so-called research group was essentially the list of project researchers, and their names were all on that paper.

This was what they had already discussed and decided amongst themselves.

However, for this list to be established, they needed Zhang Yang’s approval. Zhang Yang, as the lead, was not just a figurehead.

Zhang Yang glanced at everyone, then suddenly chuckled. After laughing, he slowly began, “Everyone, please rest assured. I have confidence in the research of this project.”

Zhang Yang, with over a decade of work experience at the Third Hospital, clearly understood the motives these people held.

He had worked at the Third Hospital for a time, and he recognized most of the people in front of him. These dozen or so individuals were either leaders or cadres, some even administrative staff, who knew absolutely nothing about the disease he was researching for this project.

Adding people like them would only serve to divide the credit; they wouldn’t contribute anything else.

“We all believe Classmate Zhang will surely find a way.”

Immediate responses of agreement rose from below, and many faces broke into smiles, assuming Zhang Yang had approved the list. Even Xu Wu and Tang Xiaojuan were wearing broad smiles. If Zhang Yang agreed, they wouldn't just become project researchers; they would be very important members.

“It’s good that you trust me. Regarding the matter of the research group, I need to consider it carefully. After all, I’ve just returned. I will let everyone know the result once I have thought it through clearly,” Zhang Yang replied with a smile, putting away the document placed before him, and then he stood up.

“I have just returned and still have quite a few things to attend to, so I won’t stay to keep you company. If there is anything, please contact me through Dean Zhu. I need to go organize some preliminary data now to facilitate future research.”

Zhang Yang said again, and without waiting for their reaction, he left the conference room.

Zhang Yang was gone, leaving behind the stunned leaders staring blankly at each other. Before leaving, Zhang Yang hadn't said he accepted the list, but he hadn't completely rejected it either; he only said he would consider it.

No one knew how long his ‘consideration’ would take.

Outside the conference room, Zhang Yang’s smile immediately vanished, and his expression turned utterly icy.

The document he carried out, he didn't even look at it before crumpling it into a ball and tossing it into the waste bin. These people wanted to join his research group? It was a pipe dream.

Zhang Yang not refusing them on the spot had already been a gesture of respect. Making him stay and talk to them would be worse than going back to the university to teach classes.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Yang headed towards the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.

Just because he didn't want these people didn't mean Zhang Yang was abandoning the project. The research needed to proceed; it was a good deed that benefited the nation and its people, and an opportunity to win glory for the country. Zhang Yang would not abandon it because of his emotions.

If it was to move forward, he certainly needed helpers. Zhang Yang couldn't do everything himself.

His true helpers needed to be people he was familiar with. Wu Youdao no longer worked at the Third Hospital. Among everyone at the Third Hospital whom Zhang Yang had a good relationship with, there was only one person he could truly trust.

There were many staff in Obstetrics and Gynecology, mainly because they dealt with a high volume of births. It was currently the busy season for the obstetrics ward.

Zhang Yang’s goal in coming to O&G was naturally Wang Guohai.

Wang Guohai wasn't a specialist in respiratory systems, but Zhang Yang didn't need him to be exceptionally capable in that area. This project was something he had successfully researched in his previous life; this time, it was just going through the motions.

He only needed Wang Guohai to help him maintain the research group and report the findings to the Chinese Academy of Sciences regularly.

Simply put, Zhang Yang wanted to hire him as a ‘steward.’

A ‘steward’ like this, Zhang Yang believed, no one would refuse. Anyone short of a complete fool would understand the tremendous benefit of being included in such a project team.

When he went to Wang Guohai's office, Zhang Yang learned he wasn't there; Doctor Zheng was currently holding a consultation in the duty room for a critically ill patient.

Wang Guohai was considered a rare hard worker among the directors at the Third Hospital. Whenever a slightly serious patient was admitted, he would show up, even if he wasn't directly responsible, offering his input to others.

This demonstrated his high sense of responsibility, which was one of the reasons Zhang Yang sought him out.

Leaving Wang Guohai’s office, Zhang Yang headed straight for the duty room on the first floor.

He was hardly a stranger to that place; he had worked there for a period, making it the area he was most familiar with in the Third Hospital.

“Wait a moment.”

As Zhang Yang walked down a corridor, he suddenly turned back and called out to two nurses who had just reached the other end of the hall. The two female nurses simultaneously turned around.

Seeing Zhang Yang, they were clearly stunned. They both recognized him. One of them even showed a look of surprised delight.

“Dr. Zhang, you’re back,” the nurse with the pleasant surprise called out softly. Zhang Yang smiled and nodded. He had specifically wanted to stop this young woman.

...

Addendum: One hundred chapters added. Seventy-six chapters remain in the story. // .RT

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