Chapter 89:

Qin Chaoyu deliberated for a week before finally deciding to accept Professor Wei’s invitation to participate in the “Medical Exchange Competition.”

Given her personality, if she was going to participate, she would aim for the best—she was determined to win the championship!

She wasn’t the least bit worried about being eliminated in the domestic selection process—this confidence stemmed from her belief in her own abilities.

Speaking of which, for a global competition like this, the candidates representing the country wouldn’t be decided lightly. First, top-tier medical universities in the country would nominate three students each, meaning an initial internal screening would take place to recommend the most outstanding talents from each institution. Then, the government would organize further assessments to select the six most capable individuals to participate.

After these two rounds of selection, the final candidates would essentially be the brightest rising stars in the country.

When Wei Bolan learned that Qin Chaoyu had agreed to participate, he breathed a sigh of relief—he had genuinely been worried she might refuse.

To prevent her from changing her mind and to finalize the list as soon as possible, Wei Bolan submitted Qin Chaoyu’s name on the very day she confirmed her participation.

In the field of medicine, experience and time matter greatly. While there are indeed prodigies who can achieve in a year what takes others years of effort, those recommended for such competitions are all exceptional talents in their field. And when talent is equal, what sets individuals apart is time and dedication.

As a result, those who ultimately represent the country in such competitions are typically doctoral candidates with at least seven or eight years of medical study and research under their belts.

It was easy to imagine that recommending a second-year undergraduate to represent the country in a global competition would be met with skepticism—unless one was out of their mind. If Wei Bolan hadn’t been fully aware of Qin Chaoyu’s capabilities, he certainly wouldn’t have nominated her.

But he also knew that not everyone was privy to her abilities.

Sure enough, as soon as his recommendation was submitted, it was met with immediate opposition from the university.

**In the conference room:**

Vice President Fan Shanxiang’s face twisted in discomfort, nearly blurting out, *”Are you out of your mind, old man?”* Fortunately, his rationality prevailed—he knew better than to disrespect a titan of traditional Chinese medicine like Wei Bolan. Swallowing his words, he instead asked diplomatically, “Professor Wei, why would you recommend a second-year student? You’re not… joking, are you?”

Wei Bolan remained solemn and resolute. “This concerns the nation’s reputation. How could I possibly joke about it? I recommended this student for one reason alone—because she is worthy. She has the ability to justify my recommendation!”

A professor from the clinical medicine department sneered internally, convinced that Wei Bolan’s advanced age had dulled his judgment, leading him to spout such absurdity.

*”She has the ability?” What ability—flattery? Deception?* He had heard the rumors—Professor Wei was unusually fond of this female student, even arranging an internship for her at Yuzhou Hospital.

*Pathetic. An old man being led around by a young girl.*

Wei Bolan was unaware of the professor’s thoughts, but even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared. Throughout his life, he had always acted according to his conscience, unburdened by others’ opinions. If he had spent his days worrying about what people thought, he would have long succumbed to frustration.

Still, he knew that without irrefutable evidence, his recommendation of Qin Chaoyu would never be approved. Scanning the room, he suddenly asked, “Have any of you heard the rumors circulating among Yuzhou’s elite over the past year?”

The abrupt shift left the attendees bewildered. Weren’t they discussing the female student? What did this have to do with anything?

Wei Bolan continued without waiting for a response. “Over a year ago, a medical prodigy emerged in Yuzhou. She cured Old Master Gu’s coronary heart disease, treated the postpartum hemorrhage of the Xiong family’s matriarch, and restored the leg of the Lian family’s heir. Each of these cases had stumped us for years!” he remarked with a sigh.

This was the truth.

Many in the room were distinguished professors like Wei Bolan—practicing physicians who occasionally lectured. Each had decades of experience in medicine, yet even they encountered incurable cases. The three patients Wei Bolan mentioned were familiar to some, and even those who hadn’t treated them had heard of their miraculous recoveries. Many had even admired the mysterious healer, hoping to meet them someday.

But why was Wei Bolan bringing this up now?

Unless…

The quicker-witted attendees immediately grasped his implication, their expressions shifting to disbelief. Sure enough, Wei Bolan declared, “That’s right—that person is this student!”

The room erupted. Despite being a gathering of elderly scholars, their uproar rivaled that of rowdy youths, turning the conference room into a clamorous marketplace.

“Professor Wei, this isn’t a joking matter!”

“Old Wei, surely you misspoke? How could a twenty-year-old girl possess such medical prowess?”

“If you’d said the healer was in their fifties or sixties, I’d believe it. But a second-year student? Impossible!”

…

“Believe it or not!” Wei Bolan’s voice boomed, silencing the room. “Why would I lie? If you doubt me, verify it yourselves. Ask the Gu, Xiong, or Lian families—you’ll get your answers.”

“Or visit the specialist clinic at Yuzhou Hospital.” His sharp gaze swept across the room before he added gravely, “Some of you already know I arranged for her to intern there. Perhaps some even muttered behind my back, calling me a senile fool for pulling strings to get a second-year student into Yuzhou Hospital. Well, I *did* pull strings—but without shame, because she proved herself. Now, she runs a specialist clinic there, treating countless patients daily. Her reputation in Yuzhou Hospital is no secret—go and see for yourselves.”

A few attendees shifted uncomfortably when Wei Bolan mentioned the “senile fool” remark, avoiding his gaze.

Wei Bolan ignored them, asking instead, “Now, who still opposes?”

The room fell silent. What could they say? Wei Bolan had laid out his case so thoroughly that any further objections would lack credibility.

None suspected him of lying. First, his character was unimpeachable—he was the most respected figure in the room, known for his integrity. Second, at their age, reputation was everything. No one would risk their legacy on a lie so easily debunked.

Fan Shanxiang wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. The earlier chaos had left him paralyzed—unable to mediate between two factions he couldn’t afford to offend. Now, with Wei Bolan’s speech concluded and the others subdued, it fell to him to smooth things over.

“Both sides have valid concerns,” he said placatingly. “Ultimately, we all want what’s best for our country—to recommend truly capable individuals. Let’s discuss this calmly and decide whether to endorse this student, shall we?”

His words eased the tension slightly, offering a face-saving exit for the opposition.

Wei Bolan snorted but relented. “Fine. I’ll arrange for you to meet her. Then you can decide for yourselves.”

Almost petulantly, he added, “Though I suspect you’ll end up begging to recommend her.”

Fan Shanxiang nearly groaned. *Professor Wei, your ability to provoke is unmatched. I just calmed things down, and now you’ve stirred them up again!*

But there was nothing to be done. He could only soldier on, mediating as best he could.

In the end, thanks to Fan Shanxiang’s diplomatic efforts, a compromise was reached: they would meet Qin Chaoyu for an informal discussion—effectively an assessment.

Wei Bolan found the idea insulting to someone of Qin Chaoyu’s caliber, but he understood that words alone wouldn’t convince skeptics. They needed to witness her skills firsthand.

The meeting was scheduled quickly—for that Sunday afternoon—as the submission deadline for the competition list was approaching, leaving little time for delays.

When Qin Chaoyu received Wei Bolan’s message about meeting university faculty, she immediately understood the situation. They doubted her abilities and wanted to test her.

She reassured the guilt-ridden Wei Bolan. To her, this was only natural—she’d have been skeptical too in their position.

And she wasn’t afraid. With over a decade of knowledge, experience, and the backing of her sect’s centuries-old legacy, what challenge could possibly unsettle her?

If anything, *they* were the ones who should brace themselves.