Chapter 538: Because, I don

Chu Yuwei's delicate body trembled.

She also froze?

She had never, in all her years, lowered herself to ask someone for help, let alone become a disciple.

In the medical circles of Jiangnan and even the whole East China region, Chu Yuwei is a red-hot genius.

Countless academicians and senior supervisors had actively extended olive branches, asking her to join their research teams—even offering her leadership of core projects—but she never felt the slightest temptation.

Thanks to her peerless talent in Western medicine, Chu Yuwei had long grown accustomed to the star‑studded treatment.

She never imagined that one day, by proactively seeking a master, she would face the possibility of rejection.

But today, she was rejected.

She was rejected by Lin Yuan, Lin Shen, with just a single sentence—so easily.

Lin Yuan's voice was calm, without a ripple.

But his words struck like a heavy hammer, slamming hard into Chu Yuwei's heart.

"What did you say?" Chu Yuwei doubted she had misheard, and instinctively asked again.

Lin Yuan replied again, "I said, you're not suited to study Chinese medicine; you'd better stick to Western medicine."

Chu Yuwei's shame and unease were instantly replaced by astonishment.

She unwillingly asked, "Lin Laoshi, I know I made mistakes before, but I truly want to change. I can set aside my preconceptions about Western medicine and start from the basics of Chinese medicine; believe me, I will surely master Chinese medicine."

She added urgently, her voice even carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

This was the first time she had ever so desperately longed for someone's approval.

Lin Yuan, however, still gently shook his head.

Lin Yuan said calmly, "Sorry, I see your determination, but I don't want to take you as a disciple."

"Why?!" Chu Yuwei couldn't believe it.

She couldn't understand: having set aside all her pride and sincerely sought guidance, why was she so bluntly rejected?

Was it because of her earlier provocation?

Or did he think she truly lacked the talent for Chinese medicine?

Countless questions swirled in her mind, prompting her to step forward: "Tell me the reason! Where am I still lacking? I can change—whether it's my character or attitude, I can change!"

The surrounding air instantly froze, and everyone's gaze focused on the two of them.

The Fudan team members also held their breath, wanting to see what reason this "Academic God" would give.

Lin Yuan looked at her eyes, reddened with agitation, without the slightest flicker of emotion.

At this moment, Chu Yuwei was indeed pitiful. Moreover, her delicate pretty face, marked by grievance and unwillingness, actually looked even more exquisitely beautiful.

But unfortunately, Lin Yuan remained unmoved.

Lin Yuan merely uttered a flat sentence, which rang clearly throughout the hall: "Because I don't like you as a person."

With a "Boom!" Chu Yuwei felt as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

She felt as if all her strength had been drained, staggering backward two steps.

This genius girl stood dumbfounded on the spot.

Her eyes widened to perfect circles, and the color drained from her face in an instant.

At this moment, Chu Yuwei had nothing left but disbelief‑pale.

Chu Yuwei had imagined countless possible reasons for rejection……

But she never imagined that Lin Yuan's answer would be so blunt and hurtful……

It wasn't lack of academic ability, nor an attitude problem……

It was simply "I don't like you as a person。"

Chu Yuwei's past glory and pride…… collapsed in an instant at this moment.

Those halos of "genius scholar" and "Western medicine rising star" became worthless in Lin Yuan's presence.

She finally understood that the medical skill and achievements she prided herself on had never been capital for earning respect……

What truly got her rejected was her innate arrogance and prejudice.

It was her contempt and disparagement of different medical systems.

Having said that, Lin Yuan turned and left.

"Lin Academic God! Please wait!" Yu Shanfeng, seeing this, reacted sharply and shouted loudly at Lin Yuan's back.

But Lin Yuan did not stop.

He had already walked out of the lecture hall.

Yu Shanfeng urgently shouted, "Lin Yuan, I, on behalf of the Fudan School of Medicine, formally extend an invitation! I sincerely invite you to join Fudan's 'Center for Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Research' as Chief Researcher！"

Hearing this, everyone present was startled.

Yu Shanfeng continued shouting, "Lin Yuan! Name your price for compensation! Research funding is unlimited, and we've even prepared a luxury apartment in Shanghai's prime district for you！"

As soon as these generous terms were announced, the crowd collectively sucked in a breath of cold air.

To set one's own compensation and add property—this is already top‑tier treatment for university faculty!

The Fudan team all showed a look of determination to win!

In their view, no one could refuse such an enticement.

Chu Yuwei also lifted her head, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes……

If Lin Yuan could go to Fudan, she might still have a chance to become his disciple.

But Lin Yuan's steps didn't pause at all; he merely waved his hand with his back to the crowd, his calm voice coming: "No need, I won't go to Fudan."

"Wait!" Yu Shanfeng, his face flushed red with urgency, as if throwing caution to the wind, shouted again: "Compensation can be increased! Double! No…… whatever Zhijiang University offers, we at Fudan will give five times! Ten times! As long as you're willing to come, you can name your terms—we won't go back on our word！"

Yu Shanfeng shouted unwillingly!

Such top-tier talent, he must think of every way to poach him to Fudan.

"Yu Shanfeng! You're going too far!" Luo Renhai exploded in an instant, slamming the table!

Luo Renhai rushed to the stage, pointing at Yu Shanfeng and shouting angrily, "This is Zhijiang University's academic exchange venue, not your Fudan's talent-poaching event! You're digging corners right in front of me—do you really think Zhijiang has no one?!"

"Dean Luo, you can't say that." Yu Shanfeng stuck out his neck and retorted, "Academic talent seeking a better development platform is only natural! Someone like Academic God Lin, staying at Zhijiang would be wasting his talent!"

"You're full of shit!" Luo Renhai's veins bulged with anger as he stepped forward to shove Yu Shanfeng.

Luo Renhai snapped, "How has Zhijiang been wasting talent? Lin Yuan is the Academic God we nurtured—what right do you have to criticize?"

Several Fudan teachers immediately stepped forward to block Luo Renhai.

In an instant, tensions flared and spit flew everywhere.

This group of top medical professors looked like they were about to start fighting.

"Everyone stop!" Lin Yuan's voice suddenly rang out, not loud but with tremendous penetrating power, instantly suppressing the chaos.

Lin Yuan stopped, turned to look at the crowd…

His gaze swept over the Fudan people, then settled on Yu Shanfeng. He spoke solemnly, "I stay at Zhijiang, never for money."

The entire venue fell silent in an instant.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for his next words.

Yu Shanfeng also froze, unable to comprehend what could be more attractive than ten times the salary.

"Ten years ago, my mentor Dong Lao, in order to speak up for my family's Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was framed by the Western medicine camp as 'pseudoscience,' and ultimately died holding a grudge."

Lin Yuan's voice carried a barely perceptible choke, he scanned the crowd, and spoke solemnly, "I stay at Zhijiang to fulfill his dying wish—for him, and for all who uphold Traditional Chinese Medicine, to clear our name!"

Those words struck like a heavy hammer, hitting hard in everyone's heart.

Luo Renhai's eyes reddened; he had personally witnessed Dong Lao's ordeal back then.

Upon hearing Lin Yuan's words, Luo Renhai felt even more deeply empathetic.

Luo Renhai patted Lin Yuan's shoulder, his tone heavy: "Dong Lao's regret, we at Zhijiang will certainly help you fulfill it."

Yu Shanfeng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately lowered his head in shame.

Chu Yuwei stood where she was, her beautiful eyes wide with shock, dazed.

Her previous contempt for Traditional Chinese Medicine was nothing but a continuation of the harm done to Dong Lao back then.

Lin Yuan gave Luo Renhai a slight nod, didn't look at anyone else, and turned to leave resolutely…

Sunlight streamed through the corridor windows, falling on him and stretching his shadow long…

At this moment, he is the Academic God, he is Lin Yuan.

And also… Lin Shen!

With Lin Yuan's departure, the silence in the auditorium was completely broken,

The faculty and students of Zhijiang University instantly erupted!

"So Lin Laoshi is the Academic God from ten years ago! I thought the Academic God had long retired!"

"Goodness, our Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Lin Laoshi is actually this legendary!"

"To fulfill his mentor's dying wish and stand firm at Zhijiang, Lin Laoshi is truly admirable!"

The news spread like wings, centering on the auditorium and quickly reaching every corner of Zhijiang University…

In the teaching building, students put down their books and eagerly discussed Lin Yuan's deeds;

In the lab, researchers paused their work and shared the shocking scene from just now's academic exchange;

In the faculty office, teachers also spoke proudly of this "Academic God hidden among us."

"I just asked Lin Laoshi a basic Traditional Chinese Medicine question last week, and he patiently explained it for half an hour—now I realize I actually had a close encounter with the Academic God from ten years ago!"

"Lin Laoshi cured my grandmother's old cold leg with acupuncture—I thought it was just ordinary TCM, never expecting it to be a god!"

"Before, someone said Lin Laoshi was a 'part-time slacker,' now his face must be swollen from the slap!"

That afternoon, the topic "Zhijiang University's Academic God from ten years ago is actually the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Lin Laoshi" shot to the top of the local hot-search list.

On the campus forum, related posts instantly surpassed ten thousand…

Students eagerly posted photos with Lin Yuan, class notes, and someone even compiled a "Complete Record of Academic God Lin's Legendary Deeds," detailing his past proposals of century-defining problems and clinical cures of difficult diseases.

The news quickly spread from campus to the whole city…

Medical colleges in surrounding cities such as Shanghai and Suzhou heard about this, and many students and teachers called Zhijiang University to verify.

By evening, the news "Zhijiang University's Academic God has returned" had already spread throughout the province…

Even media from outside the province rushed over specially to interview this legendary Academic God.

Therefore, Lin Yuan could only hurriedly escape through the school's back gate, fearing being entangled by media reporters.

……

Night, by the banks of the Qianjiang River, before the floor-to-ceiling window.

Qin Bore held a glass of red wine in her hand, standing by the window.

She looked at the various media opinion messages on her phone.

They were all about the Academic God Lin Yuan.

"So much public opinion, this isn't a good thing, huh." Qin Bore looked at the messages on her phone, lightly pursing her red lips.

At this moment, Secretary Lin Yun'er stepped forward and reported, "Miss, the hot search about Academic God Lin Yuan… has been up for a day already, and people from the Western Medicine Association have started subtly reposting it… the tone is full of sarcastic skepticism!"

"Are the people of Western medicine preparing to make a move?" Qin Bore's beautiful eyes darkened.

Qin Bore's fingertip slid across the screen, her eyes instantly turning icy.

She had always cared about Lin Yuan, so Qin Bore understood better than anyone… the hostility of Western medicine toward Traditional Chinese Medicine.

She also understood why Western medicine was eager to wipe out Lin Yuan's family's Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Lin Yuan achieved precise cancer killing through acupuncture, which directly smashed the rice bowls of those who relied on targeted drugs to monopolize the market.

"Immediately contact the platform's legal department; all hot searches, topics, and videos related to the Academic God must be taken down within half an hour!" Qin Bore's voice was pressed extremely low, yet carried an unquestionable ruthlessness.

"The reason will just be 'academic results unverified, to avoid misleading the public'; later Zhijiang University will issue an official statement to cover it."

Female Secretary Lin Yun'er exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, are you trying to protect Lin Yuan?"

Qin Bore said blandly, "Nonsense? My man, if I don't protect him, who will?"

Sometimes, suppressing public opinion is actually protecting a person.

Lin Yuan's current identity needs to stay low-key; he cannot be heavily publicized.

Too much sharpness will instead harm him, attracting even more enemies.

Therefore, Qin Bore will help him suppress public opinion.

"But wouldn't suppressing the hot searches now be too troublesome? The students have already posted on-site videos, and it's spread… suppressing public opinion now would require great authority." Lin Yun'er hesitated a bit.

"No matter how great the authority, we must act; no matter how much money it costs, suppress the public opinion and keep Lin Yuan's identity secret!" Qin Bore said coldly.

The silver moonlight outside the floor-to-ceiling window shone on her face, making her look even more stunningly beautiful.

"Lin Yuan now, his wings are not yet full; it's not yet the time to reveal his sharpness. Traditional Chinese medicine still needs to continue building up strength, so we must protect him." Qin Bore said softly.

Secretary Lin Yun'er nodded solemnly, "Yes, I understand! I'll contact the team right away to suppress the public opinion news!"

……

Late at night, Lin Yuan had already returned to his single apartment; he sat on the bed, somewhat worriedly looking at the various "Academic God" public opinion news online.

At this moment, Lin Yuan already felt some regret.

He regretted that he had acted impulsively during the day, revealing his Academic God identity.

This is not a good thing for him.

Now online, it's all about his public opinion.

Lin Yuan is very worried that the enemies from the Western medicine community will come to his door because of this.

As a surviving descendant of the Lin family, those people in the Western medicine community will not let him go.

But just as Lin Yuan was worried, he suddenly noticed that the public opinion online was being removed item by item…

Lin Yuan was scrolling through a news report about the Academic God…

As a result, that news suddenly turned blank, and then the content was 404'd?

Immediately after, several other news items were also all 404'd and taken down…

This scene left Lin Yuan astonished?

What is going on?

Is someone secretly helping him suppress public opinion?

Lin Yuan's biggest worry is his identity being exposed online.

As a result, the information online at this moment was suddenly all 404'd, blocked and disappeared?

This, exactly who is secretly helping him??

Lin Yuan became increasingly curious and doubtful?

Moreover, being able to suppress the entire internet's public opinion news in such a short moment—what tremendous ability is that!!

……

The next day, it was Sunday.

According to the course schedule, Lin Yuan today is to give an elective lecture on "Acupuncture Clinical Application" to third-year students of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

At eight in the morning, Lin Yuan wore a simple white shirt, drove that Tesla car, and arrived on time at Zhijiang University campus. Car

The car had just come to a stop in the parking lot beside the teaching building when Lin Yuan's motion of pushing open the car door froze…

The sight before him left him completely dazed.

The entrance of the entire No. 3 Teaching Building was blocked by a sea of people, impenetrable!