Chapter 70: A Confident Man!

The large conference room was thick with smoke as Qin Luo sat quietly in a corner.

It was his first time attending a major departmental meeting since he’d joined the University of Traditional Medicine as a teacher; all thirty-some faculty members from the department were present.

Although Director Guo didn’t smoke, a few of the faculty were habitual smokers.

Guo Renhuai frowned, tapped the table with his finger, and said, “Gentlemen, please put out your cigarettes. There are ladies present. Let’s be considerate.”

No one dared ignore the director’s words. The more senior teachers pressed their half-finished cigarettes into the ashtrays.

Pleased with this display, Guo opened the notebook before him, cleared his throat, and began, “I've called everyone here today to discuss two matters. First, the delegation from Tiansen University in the United States will soon visit our school. The university administration is overseeing their reception, but the delegation specifically requested to tour our College of Traditional Medicine. They may even want to sit in on one of our classes.”

“Will the foreigners even understand Chinese?” one teacher questioned.

“Even if they understand Chinese, they won’t understand traditional medicine,” someone else said with a laugh.

“Exactly. Bring them into any classroom and they'll be completely baffled.”

Director Guo shook his head gravely. “That’s where you’re mistaken. The head of this delegation, Dr. Jack, is a renowned American neurologist who speaks fluent Mandarin. More importantly, he’s done significant research on traditional Chinese medicine.”

“It was Dr. Jack himself who suggested touring our college. So, comrades, we can’t let our guard down. If we embarrass ourselves in front of the Americans, where will we put our faces? Our superiors would criticize our performance, and someone might even be held responsible.”

After this, the laughter faded; everyone realized the foreigners were coming well-prepared.

“Let’s hear your thoughts. Which of you is confident enough to teach a class and ensure we don’t lose face?” Director Guo took a democratic approach, smiling as he spoke.

“I teach ‘Fundamentals of Traditional Medicine.’ I’m confident I can teach it well, but it’s hard to showcase the strengths of our discipline to Americans with this subject,” one teacher explained, distancing himself from the tricky assignment.

“I lecture on ‘Febrile Diseases.’ That’s not very practical for a demonstration.”

“I’d love to give them a real eye-opener, but my course is ‘Theories of Various Schools.’”

Teacher Zhu glanced at Qin Luo before speaking: “I think young Qin’s course is quite representative. ‘Diagnostics in Traditional Medicine’—he could perform a live diagnosis for our guests. That would surely impress them.”

Zhu’s recommendation was hardly out of goodwill. He knew this kind of task was all effort with no reward. If you didn’t meet the Americans’ expectations, punishment from the university was likely.

Worst of all, the Americans were notoriously picky and blunt. If they weren’t satisfied, they’d tell your superiors directly. If the administration lost face in front of foreign guests, you could be sure you’d suffer for it as well. In the past, teachers had tried to seize this opportunity to shine before foreigners, but every attempt had ended in disaster.

“That’s right. Qin is a good choice. He gave the entire class a diagnostic session when he first arrived. His skills are impressive.”

“Yes, young Qin is talented and capable. He can handle such an important task.”

“I agree Qin should be the presenter.”

Director Guo looked calmly at Qin Luo and said, “Qin, consensus seems clear. Everyone recommends you to give a practical demonstration for our American guests. Do you have any objections?”

Qin Luo glanced around the room, then met Director Guo’s gaze and smiled, “Since no one else is willing, I’ll do it.”

As the ancients said: Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself.

Qin Luo saw through their little schemes. They pushed him forward for something they themselves wouldn’t touch—a rather despicable move.

“Qin, that’s not fair. Who wouldn’t want to present in front of foreign guests? The problem is, if we give a long theoretical lecture, they won’t understand a word of it.”

“It’s not that we’re unwilling. We’re more than willing—just letting the younger generation have a chance, that’s all.”

“Exactly. Young people should seize opportunities.”

Qin Luo grinned. “I get it. It’s not that you’re unwilling, but that you’re unqualified. In that case, I should thank you all for your support.”

“What do you mean by that? How dare you, as a newcomer, speak to your seniors like this?” Zhu’s face flushed with anger.

This young man was truly reckless, showing no respect for his elders.

Seeing tempers flare, Director Guo clapped his hands on the table. “Quiet, please. We’re here to discuss, not argue.”

Once the room settled down, he continued, “Since everyone agrees Qin will be the presenter, and he himself has no objection, it’s settled. Qin, you must prepare thoroughly. The college leadership may attend as well—this is a great opportunity to make an impression.”

Qin Luo smiled briefly, then lowered his head to study the lines on his palm.

“The second matter concerns the National Traditional Medicine Symposium. This annual symposium is a major event for our field. Attendees include not only faculty from top institutions nationwide, but also some of the most skilled practitioners from outside academia.”

Guo’s eyes swept over the teachers seated around the conference table, and he said with a smile, “Our college has once again been invited, with two spots allotted to us—one of which must prepare a formal speech.”

Whispers broke out, teachers murmuring about the qualifications for participation. It was clear this was an exceptional opportunity: to attend a national medical conference and speak before the country’s top traditional medicine peers was an honor in itself.

Moreover, ministry officials would be present. Impressing them could make promotion and advancement a breeze.

Everyone who thought they had a shot began plotting their strategy.

Only Teacher Zhu sat quietly, head lowered. He’d already spoken to Director Guo before the meeting, and the director had promised him a spot.

Guo tapped the table again, smiling. “Let’s settle the nominees. I’ll propose someone, but everyone is welcome to speak their mind.”

At this, all eyes turned eagerly to him.

Qin Luo, too, looked up, curious to see whom the director would name.

“Teacher Zhu is one of our most senior faculty, with many years of experience and a strong research background. I recommend him as a delegate. Any objections?”

Everyone knew Zhu and Guo were related, and Guo often showed him special favor. Zhu, emboldened by this, was quietly arrogant in the office.

“No objections. Teacher Zhu is the obvious choice,” said Teacher Ding, ever the flatterer.

“Yes, Zhu’s research into the ‘Inner Canon’ is deep. He’ll surely deliver a high-level speech on our behalf,” added Teacher Li, one of Zhu’s closer allies.

“We have no objection to giving Zhu a spot,” agreed Deputy Director Liao Yufeng.

With the director’s strong recommendation and the deputy director’s consent, the matter was essentially decided. The rest, no fools, quickly chimed in to show support.

“Good. The first delegate is settled—Teacher Zhu,” said Guo, clearly satisfied. “There’s still one place left. Any other suggestions?”

“I propose Teacher Li, the most senior faculty member in our college.”

“I suggest Teacher Ding. Didn’t he publish a paper in a national journal recently? That could be his speech.”

“I nominate Teacher Cai. His ‘Classical Medical Texts’ course was praised by Minister Li. He deserves a spot.”

Voices overlapped in disagreement; the second nominee remained undecided.

Director Guo glanced at Deputy Director Liao, expecting him to voice his choice. After all, Liao had openly supported Zhu’s nomination earlier—it was only fair to return the favor.

“Any other opinions?” Guo surveyed the room.

“Yes,” Qin Luo responded firmly.

Guo’s frown deepened, but he quickly composed himself. This young man was a thorn in his side—he disliked Qin Luo, yet couldn’t do without him. His manner was abrasive, petty, and most importantly, untamable—not the ideal subordinate.

“Qin, do you have a nominee?” Guo asked.

“I do,” Qin Luo replied.

“Who is it?” Guo thought, Whatever name you put forward, I’ll shoot it down. I won’t allow you to build your own faction here.

“I nominate myself,” Qin Luo said earnestly, with no hint of jest.

“Teacher Zhu has a solid theoretical foundation, but so will many conference attendees. It’s unlikely he’ll stand out. In fact, when people drone on about theory, the audience is half-asleep.”

Ignoring Zhu’s murderous glare, Qin Luo continued, “But I’m different. I’m the best teacher in the college, with outstanding practical skills. No one disputes that. I can present something innovative and useful. If I’m given the spot, I won’t let the leadership down—I’ll bring honor to Capital Medical University.”

Everyone stared, dumbfounded.

They’d seen shamelessness before, but never on this scale.

While others exchanged compliments, he had gone straight to singing his own praises.