September, the start of the school year.
Although summer vacation had ended, the heat lingered.
Scorching sunlight baked the earth, and the news of Jiang Fuyue winning an award was like pouring another bucket of fuel onto this sweltering midsummer fire.
It set the entire country boiling, especially the medical community.
The Lasker Award, formally known as the Albert Lasker Award, is another top-tier prize in the fields of physiology and medicine, second only to the Nobel Prize.
It is intended to honor scientists, physicians, and public service workers who have made outstanding contributions to medicine.
The award is divided into the Basic Medical Research Award, Clinical Medical Research Award, Public Service Award, and Special Contribution Award. The first two are specifically awarded to scientists, while the latter two are mostly group awards.
Each year, 25 outstanding scientists from around the world form the review committee. After a strictly confidential, fair, and impartial review and selection process, the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation announces the list of award recipients in September.
When the Chinese name “Jiang Fuyue” appeared next to “Basic Medical Research,” the global medical community was shocked.
Domestically, it went without saying, when the news broke, many people didn’t even dare believe it.
“Is this real?”
“No mistake, right?”
“A prank?”
“The official relationship announcement was too high-profile, someone’s targeting Jiang Fuyue?”
“…”
Until screenshots of the award list from the Lasker official website were posted,
“Holy sh*t! It’s real! Sister Yue won an award, and it’s Basic Medical Research!”
“Can you stop flexing English and say something everyone can understand?”
“Basic Medical Research, Basic Medical Research Award! Oh my god, does Sister Yue dare to be even more badass?”
“What’s so special about the Basic Medical Award? Is it really that impressive?”
“First of all, the Lasker Award itself is insanely impressive. Among them, the Basic Medical Research Award is the fighter jet of bad*ssery. To put it this way, so far only Professor Tu from China has won a Lasker Award, but not the basic one, she won the Clinical Medical Research Award.”
“Next comes the difference between basic medicine and clinical medicine…”
As everyone knows, the Lasker Award is also called the “weathervane of the Nobel Prize” in the medical world.
Statistics show that 48% of recipients of the Lasker Basic Medical Research Award later went on to win the Nobel Prize, while this percentage among Clinical Medical Research Award recipients is only 28%.
Simply put,
After winning the Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, the probability of later winning the Nobel Prize is higher.
“My god! Then after Sister Yue gets this award, does that mean she can win a Nobel?!”
“Not necessarily. It can only be said that there’s hope.”
“Unlikely! Sister Yue is too young.”
“Yeah, a twenty-year-old Nobel laureate, that’s indeed very hard.”
“So what if she’s young? As long as there are achievements, who cares about age? Those singing doom are just jealous, right?”
“Tsk, recently there seem to be quite a few high-level antis disguised as fans, waving the banner of ‘protecting Sister Yue’ while actually sparing no effort to damage her image.”
“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time, taking ignorance as confidence and bravery as an excuse, running wild all the way. It’s honestly painful to watch.”
“Can only say, when the forest gets big, all kinds of birds appear.”
“People fear fame like pigs fear fat. Sister Yue breaking out of her circle attracted a bunch of younger fans jumping on the bandwagon, shouting ‘Sister Yue is awesome’ while not understanding her spirit at all.”
“Old fan here. I started liking Sister Yue for her looks, respected her talent, and stayed for her character.”
“Same as an old fan. What I see is Sister Yue’s fearless drive, her never-give-up spirit. Some people only see her glamorous surface and the honors she carries, so shallow.”
“Sister Yue isn’t a celebrity. She doesn’t need traffic hype or promotional marketing. Don’t bring entertainment-industry tactics into academia. Scientific research must not be profaned, and it’s not some tool for so-called fans to show off.”
“Those who like Sister Yue just to chase trends can disperse, go back obediently to your fandom circles.”
However, how could those being criticized swallow this?
Immediately, across the screen, they slammed their keyboards and launched a counterattack,
“Heh, first time I’ve learned that being a fan depends on age. What’s wrong with being young? Did being young offend you?”
“Just because we refuted your claim that being too young means you can’t win a Nobel, exposing certain people’s jealousy, you couldn’t help jumping up in rage?”
“I seriously doubt whether those so-called ‘old fans’ are black or white. After all, professional antis are everywhere these days.”
“So what if you’re an old fan? You’re older, so you get to be smug? Just liking Jiang Fuyue, look how full of yourselves you are, acting all superior. What are you even?”
“And that so-called Yue Family Army, so funny. What era is this, still doing small cliques? Feels like a pyramid scheme.”
“I think it’s more like a cult!”
“…”
True fans were so furious at those arrogant remarks that smoke nearly came out of their heads. This was no longer a simple war of words, slapping labels like pyramid scheme and cult was clearly aimed at Sister Yue.
Any seasoned internet surfer could tell someone behind the scenes was guiding public opinion.
At this moment, it was time for the Yue Family Army to step in,
“First of all, we have no organization; we all act individually. As for why one appears and the rest follow, can’t help it, Sister Yue is just too popular. It’s hard not to see related news and trending topics. Everyone sees it and naturally gathers together. So we absolutely dare not wear the labels of pyramid scheme or cult [smile].”
“Second, to those trying to smear Sister Yue behind the scenes, don’t think hiring a few antis to pretend to be fans can incite everyone. True Yue fans have eagle eyes and super-strong anti-anti detection abilities. Thank you.”
“Lastly, about ‘too young, hard to win a Nobel’, note that we said ‘hard,’ not ‘impossible’! Please read clearly before arguing, and don’t casually swap concepts.”
“As for why it’s hard, below we invite professionals to present the data!”
“Here it comes, according to statistics, from 1901 to 2050, the Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded a total of 140 times. The average age of all winners is 58.0 years, with male winners averaging 57.7 years and female winners 63.5 years.”
“Now do you understand why it’s hard? The reality-based evidence is right here. Anyone still wanting to jump around, come out and take a look.”
“Sister Yue taught us to seek truth from facts. We don’t care for fake fans’ awkward hype.”
“You really think everyone wants to be like entertainment-industry actresses, wishing fans would worship them to the skies? Sister Yue’s excellence never needs exaggerated praise to prove itself. Whether a flower is fragrant or not doesn’t require words, those who pass by will know.”
“By the way, Professor Xie has also won this award!”
“Really?”
“At age 23, he and the chronic myeloid leukemia assistance foundation he founded won the Lasker Basic Medical Research Award and the Public Service Award, two awards at once.”
“Amazing! But my Sister Yue is even more amazing, she got it before turning twenty!”
“Wuwu… after reading so many novels, I finally see an evenly matched, shoulder-to-shoulder love in real life.”
“These two are simply a perfect match!”
“Actually, I’m kind of curious, between Professor Xie and Sister Yue, whose IQ is higher?”
“Right now, probably Sister Yue. She’s young, her brain’s more flexible.”
“I suspect you’re subtly shading Professor Xie…”
Some CP fans dug up the award list published on the Lasker official website back then, cropped out the name “Xie Dingyuan,” put it together with Jiang Fuyue’s, and then used photo-editing software to add a big pink peach heart.
Caption: The best academic couple!
“Ah! I’m dead! Died of sweetness!”
“Don’t save me, I want to drown in this jar of candy.”
“Never thought one day I’d be shipping a CP on an academic awards website, two words: totally hooked~”
“If Professor Xie and Sister Yue could go on stage together to receive the award, I’d ship until I puke.”
…
The news of Jiang Fuyue winning the award spread back to Ming University, and the entire campus was exhilarated.
Li Chen put down his phone, his eyes still a little dazed, and after a long while muttered, “…As expected of her.”
Liang Jingzhou was scrolling through the comments. Hearing this, he said, “There’s nothing Jiang Fuyue can’t think of, and nothing she can’t do.”
Gu Huaiyu clicked his tongue lightly. “If one day it’s said Jiang Fuyue won the Nobel, I wouldn’t even be surprised.”
Cheng Lian straightened his cuffs. “With this award, our school’s ranking this year is secured.”
Liang Jingzhou: “Actually, I’ve always had a question. Didn’t Jiang Fuyue attend the Peiya class just like us? Why could she develop the A+ vaccine and discover F active enzyme, but we can’t?”
Gu Huaiyu: “Maybe… same class, different brains?”
Cheng Lian: “I don’t know whether others can develop the A+ vaccine or discover F active enzyme, but someone who asks this kind of question definitely can’t.”
Liang Jingzhou: “?” Is he mocking me?
…
Girls’ dormitory, Building A, Room 4-3.
Aside from Jiang Fuyue, Cen Qiaoqiao, Huo Fanjin, and Liu Sisi had all returned to campus.
They had just seen the news online.
“Holy cr*p! Holy cr*p! Sister Yue leveled up again.”
Huo Fanjin silently closed her mouth, which had fallen open in shock. “…It’s actually the Lasker!”
Liu Sisi didn’t know about this award and looked it up online, then said, “…Yeah, she’s always been this badass.”
As long as Jiang Fuyue wants to do something, she always succeeds in the end.
At this moment, Huo Fanjin’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. “I’ll take a call…”
After speaking, she moved to the balcony and swiped to answer.
“Hello.”
“Have you decided?” On the other end came Lin Shumo’s calm voice.
Huo Fanjin pressed her lips together.
Back then, the two of them had come to Ming University only as temporary students. While completing first-year coursework, they were also taking language classes and preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE for studying abroad.
Now, a year had passed, and it was time to make a choice.
Huo Fanjin: “What about you? Have you decided?”
Lin Shumo: “The school’s already decided, Stanford. Don’t tell me that at this point, you’re still hesitating between leaving or staying.”
Huo Fanjin: “…”
Lin Shumo: Got it! I hit the mark!
“You didn’t agree with your family back then that you’d only study for one year?”
Huo Fanjin: “That was the plan, but plans can’t keep up with changes.”
Lin Shumo frowned. “What changes?”
Huo Fanjin: “Don’t you think Ming University’s academic atmosphere has been improving? This year’s domestic university rankings will definitely move up, and there’s also Jiang Fuyue…”
“So that’s why you don’t want to go abroad anymore?”
A flash of struggle passed through Huo Fanjin’s eyes. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I’m just torn and can’t make up my mind for the moment.”
“I think it’s necessary to remind you: although Ming University is gradually getting better, and this year’s rankings are very likely to rise significantly, you need to know that going from bad to good is a process. It takes time and patience to wait. Do you think you can wait until Ming University stands shoulder to shoulder with B University and Q University? Not to mention catching up to world-renowned universities like Stanford and Cambridge.”
Lin Shumo: “When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ascend in one step is right in front of you, you’re hesitating over whether to start from scratch with that group at Ming University to build a ladder to the sky? In the end, you might be exhausted, and the height you manage to build won’t even compare to an office building in the city center, let alone reaching the heavens?”
“I’ve said everything that needs to be said. Make your decision as soon as possible. Many schools will close their application portals by the end of this month. Once they close, you’ll have to wait another year.”
“Think it through.”
Lin Shumo rarely spoke so much in one breath. It was clear how much he disapproved of Huo Fanjin’s “hesitation” and “struggle.”
Did this even need choosing?
In terms of future personal development, overseas elite universities were definitely superior to Ming University!
That night, Huo Fanjin couldn’t sleep.
She lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the pitch-black ceiling, her thoughts a tangled mess.
At two in the morning, thinking Cen Qiaoqiao and Liu Sisi were both fast asleep, she couldn’t help turning over again.
Suddenly…
“Can’t sleep?”
Liu Sisi spoke out of the blue. Huo Fanjin froze. “…Sorry, did I wake you?”
Liu Sisi had always been a light sleeper. In the past, it was to guard against her drunk, abusive father; now, it was to stay alert against enemies who might show up at any time to take her life.
“No, I wasn’t asleep either.”
Huo Fanjin let out a sigh of relief. “Then I won’t move. You go to sleep.”
“Want to talk? Did you run into something troubling?”
After a long silence, a soft “mm” came from the darkness. “Yeah, it’s pretty troubling.”
“If you don’t mind, you can tell me. I might not be able to help much, though.”
Huo Fanjin briefly explained the situation about studying abroad: “…My family is letting me decide for myself now, stay or leave, it’s up to me. What do you think I should choose?”
Liu Sisi: “It depends on whether you’re willing to walk a road where you can see a bright future, or whether you’re willing to blaze a new route. The former has low risk, you reach for the stars, and the future is promising. The latter has high risk, if it doesn’t work out, it’s a dead end; if it does, you get to embrace the moon.”
And how could stars ever compete with the bright moon?
Huo Fanjin: “Isn’t that gambling?”
Liu Sisi: “It is gambling, a huge gamble.”
“Uh… isn’t that playing it a bit too big?”
“But the payoff is substantial too.”
Huo Fanjin fell into thought.
The next day, she called home first.
Mother Huo: “…Have you decided?”
Huo Fanjin: “Mm.”
“No regrets?”
“No regrets.” Even if she really did regret it, it was her own chosen path, she would have to crawl through it if she had to.
Mother Huo: “Alright then. Anyway, your father and I are reluctant to let you go so far away to study. If something happens, there wouldn’t even be anyone around to look out for you. You’re a girl, if you’re not going to be a professor, why rack up such high degrees…”
Huo Fanjin thought to herself: Who says girls can’t be professors? Is Jiang Fuyue air?
As it turned out, Mother Huo immediately added, “Except for that Jiang Fuyue in your dorm, of course. You absolutely can’t compare yourself to her, you’d just feel inferior.”
Huo Fanjin: “……” Oh.
After ending the call, she thought about it and decided to let Lin Shumo know.
After all, he had proactively called to ask.
Huo Fanjin dialed his number. After a few rings, the call connected. Before she could speak, he said first, “You’ve thought it through?”
Huo Fanjin paused slightly. “…Mm.”
Lin Shumo: “Alright, then I’ll package all the materials for Stanford and the other top-ranked universities and send them to you…”
“Lin Shumo, um…”
“What is it? Go ahead.” There was a rustling sound on the other end; he was probably looking for documents.
“Um… I’m really sorry, but I’ve already decided to stay at Ming University.”
The other end suddenly went silent. After a few seconds….
Bang.
The call was hung up.
…
Now, turning to Xie Yunshu’s side.
Previously, because she had voiced a few doubts about Jiang Fuyue, she ended up being harshly reprimanded by the old madam in front of several sisters, completely losing face.
After leaving the old residence that day, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
She even cried after returning home.
She had been thinking wholeheartedly for Little Nine’s sake, yet not only did everyone fail to understand her, they went all out praising that Jiang Fuyue.
“Mom hasn’t even met Jiang Fuyue face to face, and she’s already speaking up for her, and even scolding me? If she really ends up with Little Nine in the future, won’t the whole family have to fawn over her?”
“You really brought this on yourself, didn’t you? Why meddle in what kind of girlfriend your brother chooses? If you ask me, this was never something you should’ve interfered in.” Her husband tried to reason with her patiently.
“I’m his sister, how can I not care? What if Little Nine runs into a girl with ulterior motives and hidden agendas?”
“You’re underestimating Ah Yuan too much. Do you really think he wouldn’t be able to see through that?”
Only the women of the Xie family treated Xie Dingyuan like a little brother to be protected. Outside, who didn’t treat him with the respect due an elder?
“This isn’t concern, you’re just being nosy. You’ve got nothing better to do!”
Xie Yunshu shot him a glare. “What do you know?”
“Yes, yes, I don’t know, but I do know one thing: you definitely can’t make decisions for Ah Yuan.”
Xie Yunshu choked.
“Not even the old madam can control him. Since that’s the case, why bother worrying about it? You work hard, get no thanks, and offend people, when you get down to it, you’re just worrying for nothing!”
Xie Yunshu angrily shoved him. “Who are you even helping? Why are you always siding with outsiders?”
“Ahem, I stand on principle, not on kinship.”
“Fine, you’re impressive! You’re noble! I think you’re just itching for trouble!”
“Hey, gentlemen use words, not fists! Why are you swinging your fists now? Oof! You, you, trying to murder your husband?”
“That’s for your sarcastic remarks… that’s for mocking me…”
“Alright, alright, I’ll shut up, okay?”
Xie Yunshu: “Hmph!”
“Okay, Yunshu. You’ve made a fuss, you’ve fought, your anger should be gone by now, right?”
“…I don’t actually have any other intentions. I just think the two of them aren’t suitable for each other, and as for Jiang Fuyue’s academic achievements, I maintain a reserved attitude.”
“A reserved attitude? What do you mean?”
“I don’t believe Little Nine didn’t help at all. I don’t believe she could complete all that research on her own.”
However, in just a few short days, the news that Jiang Fuyue had won the Lasker Basic Medical Research Award spread back to the country.
Xie Yunshu froze. “She won an award?!”
“Yes, didn’t you know? She and Professor Xie are a couple. You, as the older sister, really aren’t paying much attention.” A few ladies she usually socialized with couldn’t help teasing her with smiles.
That piece of news was like a resounding slap across Xie Yunshu’s face.
With guests present, she had no choice but to force a smile.
When her husband came home that evening, the first thing he said was, “So, are you still saying her research results are questionable?”
Did she think the Lasker review committee was just for show?
Xie Yunshu clenched her teeth, only feeling her cheeks burn.
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