Chapter 141 - 123: Teacher Shen Arrives at School
With the competition just around the corner, the atmosphere at the university had changed.
You could see how seriously the university was taking it everywhere you looked.
For instance:
The tree trunks along the paths had been repainted white, and the fallen leaves were being swept up by a cleaning lady again and again and again.
The cleaning lady was like: ’These damn leaves, they just keep falling! How am I ever going to finish sweeping them all up!’
In the cafeteria, the quality of the food had skyrocketed. It was now in that legendary phase where the food was delicious and the ladies serving it weren’t stingy with the portions.
Even the security guard at the gatehouse had changed into a new uniform, his posture unusually ramrod straight.
The campus broadcast system wasn’t playing pop songs anymore, just a rotation of light music and the university’s history.
All along the path from the university gate to the Clinical Skill Center, several large, red silk banners were stretched across the way:
[Warmly Welcome Provincial Department Leaders to Our University for Guidance and Inspection!]
[Wishing the South China Region Clinical Skill Competition a Resounding Success!]
Jiang He walked along the path, leaning on his crutch.
’The campus feels a little *too* clean today,’ he thought.
’Hmm... those few stray dogs that are usually sunbathing at the entrance of Cafeteria Two are being lured away by one of the groundskeepers with a sausage. It’s actually kind of cute.’
As he passed through the first-floor lobby of the administration building,
he noticed a line of female students trying on matching custom-made red qipaos, with sashes draped diagonally over their shoulders.
Jiang He spotted Lin Yue standing at the end of the line right away.
Lin Yue stared ahead with a blank expression, her hands folded properly in front of her.
Zhou Yang stood a short distance away, holding a bottle of mineral water, obediently keeping her company.
The reason Lin Yue had been asked to be an usherette wasn’t just because she had the right look. More importantly, the university leadership knew she was a girl who would absolutely not say anything out of line.
Lin Yue: "?"
Turning at the intersection, Jiang He headed for the Clinical Skill Center.
The advanced class had been told to assemble this afternoon on short notice.
He pushed open the door. Everyone in the class was already there.
Professor Wang Xiaoqing stood at the lectern, with some new clothes placed beside her.
Seeing Jiang He enter, Pan Wen quickly stood up and pulled out a chair in the front row for him. This was a job he had now assigned himself.
’Official Title: Committee Member for Pulling Out Jiang He’s Chair.’
After greeting Jiang He, Wang Xiaoqing said, "I’ve called everyone here today mainly to distribute the team uniforms. The competition is tomorrow. Because it’s being held at our university and it’s a very high-profile event, the university has ordered new custom white coats for the representative team."
The box was opened, and the students in the front row helped pass out the clothes.
Jiang He took one in his hands.
It was indeed different from the usual rough-fabric school-issued white coats.
This was an improved design.
The cut was more tailored, and the fabric was crisp.
The Southern Medical University emblem was printed on the left breast, and on the back was black embroidery:
Southern Medical University Representative Team, with the individual’s name below it.
In the classroom, everyone started trying on the new coats.
"Looking sharp," Pan Wen said after putting his on, checking his reflection in the windowpane.
Xu Chen, sitting on the other side, also put on his coat.
His good friend next to him said, "Brother Bing, you look pretty sharp."
Xu Chen smacked him. "Get lost!"
Jiang He looked at his own white coat.
One glance and he was speechless.
Because on the white coat in his hands, the embroidery on the back for "Southern Medical - Jiang He" was in gold foil...
The golden thread even faintly glinted in the sunlight...
Jiang He stared at the coat for two seconds, then turned to look at Wang Xiaoqing on the lectern.
"Teacher Wang, what is this?"
Wang Xiaoqing replied, "You’re the ace of our university’s team. The school leadership specifically requested it from the logistics department and had a special version made just for you. What do you think? Doesn’t it look prestigious?"
Jiang He: "..."
He was silent for a moment.
Then he asked, "Teacher Wang, is wearing this uniform absolutely mandatory?"
Wang Xiaoqing: "You have to. It’s a rule from the organizing committee. Besides, the department director and academicians will be in the stands. A uniform dress code is basic discipline."
Jiang He: "...Alright."
Wang Xiaoqing: "Everyone try on your coats. We’ll start class in ten minutes and do one last theoretical review of thoracentesis and paracentesis. Jiang He, do you want to listen in?"
Jiang He: "No, thanks. I have something else to take care of, so I’ll be going."
Wang Xiaoqing didn’t stop him.
Outside the Skill Center, the wind had picked up a bit.
Jiang He was leaning on his crutch, having just reached the tree-lined avenue, when his phone vibrated.
He pulled it out. It was a message from Lin Han.
Lin Han: [I heard your school produced a monster this year. Published a paper in a top journal like LNR, performed life-saving surgery as the lead surgeon in the ER, and even pioneered a new surgical approach. You must know this person, right? Do you think he’s as amazing as the rumors say?]
Jiang He: "..."
’I’m probably being used as a cautionary tale or a hypothetical rival.’
Lin Han had an extremely meticulous and stubborn personality.
’He’s probably chomping at the bit to face off against me in the competition.’
Jiang He was quiet for a moment, then typed: [To be honest, I don’t think he’s that amazing. A lot of what people are saying is a bit of an exaggeration.]
Lin Han: [I see. Understood.]
Jiang He shoved his phone back into his pocket and kept walking.
’Why are so many absurd things happening today?’
’No wonder it hasn’t rained at Southern Medical lately. I’ve been rendered so speechless that the weather probably has too.’
「Night fell.」
In the coffee shop, Jiang He was holding his usual class for his project team members.
Cheng Xiyao was taking notes diligently, while Yi Xiangwan carefully analyzed the parameters Jiang He had provided.
Just then, a sudden cry of alarm came from the corner:
"Holy shit!"
Everyone immediately turned their heads to look at Chen Hao, who was sitting in the corner.
Chen Hao was staring at his phone screen.
His expression was extremely complicated...
Jiang He put down his pen. "What’s wrong?"
Chen Hao met Jiang He’s gaze and clearly hesitated.
In the end, he chose to put his phone away, grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair, and stood up.