Chapter 25

Dean Sun was breaking out into a cold sweat.

Old Han, Old Han, you really made a mess. It’s such a big event, with media outlets from all over the city and the province, it’s a total log jam. You put this kid out for display.

As things stood, they could only take it one step at a time.

Dean Xia, along with Secretary Luo, left with their entourage since it was now the second half of the press conference.

They were ready to wrap things up, but the journalists were fired up and insisted on interviewing the surgeon. Mayor Li made a phone call giving instructions: positively portray such a noble act. Secretary Luo figured they should comply, let the journalists have their field day, digging up content to uphold the selfless dedication of medical professionals.

Yang Ping stood up and picked up the microphone. The journalists looked at him, so young? This greenhorn, they’d have to dig deep for some substantial news.

Secretary Luo and Dean Xia, being old hands at political maneuvering, spoke in such official tones, not leaving any openings for journalists to exploit.

The guy from the PR department was a professional, he could fend off anything the journalists threw his way. Deriving anything unique from him was harder than cracking open a bank vault.

So they set their sights on this greenhorn.

None of the journalists were not rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Yang Ping faced the roomful of journalists, with a composed demeanor that seemed incongruous with his age experience.

Thinking about tricking me? Dream on!

Yang Ping snickered inwardly and calmly stated, “The sacred duty of doctors is to save lives. At the time, our only thought was how to save the patient. We had no time for anything else. When a plane is in danger, the pilot’s duty is to do everything in their power to control the aircraft, not to be distracted by unrelated matters.”

The room was in an uproar!

Under such circumstances, he should at least depict the fierce and painful internal struggle, how the surgery was nerve-wracking, how dire the consequences of failure could be, how he was haunted by the Hippocratic Oath, and finally making the most difficult decision.

He didn’t think of anything at all? He just brushed off the question with a few words, this kid wasn’t playing by the rules.

“From what I understand, this surgery is extremely difficult, especially the part where a toe is used to reconstruct a thumb. Most people in the field believe that it shouldn’t have been done as an emergency procedure. What drove you to take such a risk? Was it just for fame?” The female journalist was clearly unsatisfied with the prior answer and proceeded to ask a follow-up question.

Who asks a question like that? Was she deliberately trying to sabotage this? The director of public relations felt things were spiraling out of control and internally groaned.

The question was sharp, Old Han was regretting it, he had a paper in his hand outlining which outlet would ask what kind of questions and the appropriate responses. Wasn’t it supposed to go according to this? He looked for a while, couldn’t find it! The question — clearly crossed the line.

“Let’s use the analogy of flying a plane again, how do you get a plane in the sky? For you, it might be difficult, even impossible. But for a pilot, it’s just their daily work, there’s no difficulty involved.”

“You still haven’t answered my question. What exactly were your considerations?” The woman reporter was pressing.

“There’s no need for a reason. Let’s say you take a flight, would you ask the pilot why they are flying the plane? Isn’t that what they do every day? Saving lives is our job, when a patient comes, we have to treat, we have to save. As long as there’s hope, we have to take action. Would you say a pilot is flying a plane to post on their moment?”

This response left the journalists speechless and the female reporter a bit disheartened, extremely unsatisfied. This guy, can’t get a word out of him, seems like a novice, but he’s actually clever, always deflecting, never falling for their tricks.

Things were in disarray!

Next one, next one! The director of public relations hurried to wrap this up as soon as possible.

“Hello, I am a reporter from Doggy.Net.” A tall, thin, slightly hunched over gentleman, who adjusted his black-framed glasses, was clearly not an ordinary individual.

The director of Public Relations quickly looked him over, which media outlet was this, Doggy.Net? Who gave him the microphone?

Doggy.Net? Just by the name they could tell it was no small fry. Then look at their video camera, the longest one in the room. It was set up like an anti-aircraft gun, if you didn’t have a bit of mental fortitude, you wouldn’t dare look at it straight.

Yang Ping glanced at the massive camera and calmly waited for the question.

“From what I understand, Dr. Yang used to work at the G City People’s Hospital and only recently joined this hospital. A young talent like yourself, most hospitals would try their best to retain. What really happened that caused you to leave G City People’s Hospital? For example, were you ostracized? Was there a love issue? Or something else –”

Forced out, clearly leading! Inducing!

Old Han felt like slamming his hand on the table, a real paparazzi, this guy. Heck, it’s actually prying into his private matters. What’s it got to do with him anyway? But with all these media outlets around, even if he gritted his teeth, he had to be patient.

There certainly was someone stirring things up. Dean Sun quickly started approach the front of the seating area so he could make arrangements, they couldn’t let this continue, it was going to spiral out of control.

Yang Ping kept his composure and said: “Could you repeat the question? I didn’t hear the question clearly just now, sorry.”

The bespectacled elder gentleman crinkled his brows slightly with helplessness but had to repeat: “Dr. Yang used to work at G City People’s Hospital and only recently joined this hospital. A young talent like yourself, most hospitals would try their best to retain. What really happened that caused Dr. Yang to leave G City People’s Hospital? Were you ostracized? Was there a love issue? Or something else—”

This time the question wasn’t as underhanded, the instigation was faded, he merely restated his question verbatim.

“This is an excellent question asked by the gentleman. The professionalism is impressive and I find it great that this question hits right at my heart. Yes, there indeed was a reason and it was difficult for me to express. But seeing how inquisitive you are today, I’ll make an exception and share.” Yang Ping’s face was solemn, his expression seemed mournful as if it triggered some painful memory.

This journalist was too wicked, Yang Ping played along and carried on with his narrative, pretending to be hurt.

Old Han Frowned, Goodness spend, his eyes really changed! Could it be that it really touched his soft spot and he’s about to reveal his heart?

After Yang Ping praised him, the spectacled elder gentleman felt instantly swell with pride. Being commended publically with so many cameras around, this was a first in his forty some years.

The entire venue was eerily silent. Crunch time had arrived and anyone who dare fart would attract instant mob justice.

“Ahh…” Yang Ping gave a long sigh.

So, come on and spill the beans! Today’s audience and netizens love this sort of thing. Are you feeling oppressed? Just the mere mention of it is tantalizing. Emotional issues? Or could there be more clandestine secrets? Good lord, a love triangle? A pentagonal love affair? The deeper I think, the more intriguing it gets.

“Ahh, ahh…” And two more long sighs.

Old Han shivered, “Stop sighing and speak up, damn it. You’re driving me nuts with suspense!”

Everyone else was echoing the sighs, not daring to make a fuss, fearful that any louder noise would startle him. It was like a fish on the verge of biting the bait on the hook, with you not wanting to scare it away.

“Maybe I shouldn’t say it. It’s too painfully heartbreaking, even despairing.” Yang Ping’s eyes were filled with sorrow, stirring compassion in everyone present.

The bespectacled man perked up and reassured, patting his chest: “We empathize with you. It’s okay, speak your truth. We can help you, we can seek justice for you.”

“You can help?”

“Yes!”

“Then I won’t be afraid. I will speak.”

Afraid? Involving some forces? The deeper this gets, the more interesting it becomes. We must dig, dig to death. The website traffic for this year depends on it, and annual bonuses are at stake here.

Be it the gossip sites or even the legitimate TV station and daily newspaper reporters, everyone, including the big-bearded cameraman, were all eyes and ears. Even if they didn’t report themselves, the human nature to pry into others’ secrets was evident.

But after waiting for a long time, the young man just wouldn’t speak.

It was exasperating! People were anxious and sweating: the big fish was playing with the bait but would not bite, you would understand how frustrating it could be.

The bespectacled man pulled out a tissue to wipe his sweat: “Go on, speak up, speak up!”

And this was the chorus of the crowd.

“Alright, since everyone’s so eager to encourage me! So concerned about me, I’ll speak.” Yang Ping gathered courage, appearing as if he made a very important decision.

So, the big fish finally took the bait! Bloody hell, it was hard work, even my decades of experience with the gossip website wasn’t able to deal with you.

Yang Ping arranged the microphone in position and everyone held their breaths yet again.

“I’ve worked for several years at the People’s Hospital and still haven’t managed to get a girlfriend. Don’t you find that discouraging? Heartbreaking? Torturous? Do I have to remain single if I don’t switch environments?”

Damn, this guy! The bespectacled man almost spat out blood and collapsed.

You beat around the bush just for this? I thought I’d unearthed some explosive scoop.

“Thanks for offering help. As human beings, we must be honest.” Yang Ping remarked, looking towards the bespectacled man.

“Sure thing, definitely.”

You bastard, you fooled me. I thought there was some real scoop. I almost planned out how to spend the year-end bonus, and you tell me this.

Yang Ping chuckled inwardly. Are there more questions? I haven’t even started messing with you yet, and you think I’m a fool?

The PR Director breathed a sigh of relief; that was horrifying.

Among the crowd, an older reporter popped a heart pill into his mouth and pulled at his shirt in anxiety. It’s better not to attend such press conferences in the future; they can literally kill.

Next one, next one!

Still want to ask?

Everyone exchanged nervous glances. If they pressed on with the questions, they risked landing into a trap and making fools of themselves.

This guy is even trickier to deal with than the oily officials. At least they only play around the bush avoiding the issues.

But this boy here, if you’re not careful, he turns the tables on you. Worse still, you risk public embarrassment and end up worse off.

Not a single reporter dared ask another question.

Next one, next one, next one!

Yang Ping evoked a smirk and took a sip of water as he returned to his seat.

“No more questions?”

“I’d like to thank all the journalist friends–”

Grabbing the microphone, the PR Director quickly announced the end of the session.