Chapter 799: All Obstacles Cease to Exist

"Watch out!"

The basketball flew over, and behind the ball, Wembanyama "flew" over at an even faster speed.

It is hard to imagine a 2.24-meter giant having such nimble and Agility-filled movements.

He was just like Rodman back in the day, his body parallel to the ground, his super-long wingspan barely touching the basketball; with a twist of his arm and a flick of his wrist, he just managed to tip the ball back.

"Boom—"

The entire Staples Center was ignited.

Such a strong fighting spirit acts as a catalyst for the audience; all their passion was instantly ignited and then exploded.

But although Wembanyama saved the ball, he himself "flew" toward the spectators nearest to the sidelines like a Superman wearing his underwear on the outside.

Directly in his path was Bai Chuzhang.

Bai Chuzhang felt that he was not facing a person, but a dump truck, whistling and carrying a murderous aura as it flew toward him.

Wembanyama's figure slammed straight into him; Bai Chuzhang's vision went black, and he felt as if he were already dead.

Looking at this guy, he seemed thin and weak, but he was truly solid.

"Bai!" Wembanyama recognized Bai Chuzhang. After climbing up from Bai Chuzhang, he patted Bai Chuzhang's body in a friendly manner, "Sorry, are you okay?"

Bai Chuzhang felt sore all over, especially his ribs.

His mind was filled with patients sent to the emergency room: multiple rib fractures, accompanied by Hemopneumothorax and Hemorrhagic Shock.

Critically ill, requiring emergency surgery.

Every breath was difficult.

"I'll buy you some rum later." Wembanyama stood up with a smile.

Behind him, Dr. Merz took the moment he was helping Wembanyama stand up to touch his Achilles Tendon Repair and knees.

If the Wembanyama of the past was made of paper, the current him was like someone wearing an Exoskeleton, full of toughness.

Watching Wembanyama move with flying speed after returning to the court—not at all like a center, not even a center of the small-ball era, but more like a guard—Dr. Merz was even more bewildered.

Wembanyama's performance had transcended the definition of the mundane; it was more like a superhero.

A Contract Year, a career-ending major injury, two consecutive surgeries, looked down upon by the team's front office and management, and traded.

An old rival with decades of accumulated hatred gave up a lot to acquire Wembanyama, and Wembanyama came to a "rebuilding" team.

He raised the banner of the Purple and Gold Legion, leading a group of second-round picks and Undrafted Players all the way from the Play-in Tournament to the Finals.

The Green Celtics, who had just sold Wembanyama, stood on the opposite side; the Yellow and Green rivalry was renewed once again.

The narrative and legendary nature were maxed out, and the ratings broke through the sky.

Yet Wembanyama did not just see the shows of a commercial league as mere shows; he was giving his all.

Ji Xiang gave him the qualification to give his all, and Wembanyama squandered his talent wantonly on the court, bringing the Lakers to a height that did not originally belong to them.

Dr. Merz watched Wembanyama flying all over the court, completely unable to believe he was a 2.24-meter big man, and completely unable to believe he had undergone two career-destroying surgeries in less than a year.

Dr. Merz no longer wanted to fight against that Great Demon King; he now only wanted to stand by the Great Demon King's side and cheer.

A slight difference in level, or even a whole tier, could be smoothed over by other advantages.

But Dr. Merz knew very well that the gap between himself and the Great Demon King was so large that he could no longer even look up to him.

Wembanyama's figure on the court was the evidence.

Points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and even steals; Wembanyama filled the stat sheet, and it was gorgeously breathtaking.

The score was tight, and sitting on the sidelines, one could clearly hear the sounds of bodies colliding.

Yet Wembanyama's body completely withstood the intense physical contact and displayed a shocking level of performance.

Relying on his presence, the Lakers finally won a difficult game, bringing the series score to 1:2.

43 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, 7 blocks, 1 steal—a gorgeous massive triple-double could not even fully display Wembanyama's performance on the court.

He was omnipresent, vividly demonstrating to everyone what talent is.

The entire audience was boiling over, reluctant to leave the arena for a long time.

Bai Chuzhang had been knocked senseless and, unable to stand the noise inside the arena, left early.

"Bai Chuzhang, what did Ji Yisheng Xiang say when you called him just now?" Tang Chenghua asked with a chuckle.

He was very certain that Ji Xiang would definitely come.

As long as it took 1-3 months, just by showing his face at Massachusetts General Hospital, he could let him finish his Doctor of Philosophy.

Extraordinary treatment, an extraordinary person; Tang Chenghua felt it was all worth it.

Wembanyama, Zhao Dali, and Neymar, who displayed their talent on the court after surgery, were all proof.

And that damn Dr. Merz had actually proposed it earlier than him; Tang Chenghua felt a slight regret.

"Professor Tang, there might be a small problem." Bai Chuzhang clutched his left hypochondriac region, as if every breath brought piercing pain.

"Hm? What small problem? 1-3 months, is Ji Yisheng Xiang still not satisfied?" Tang Chenghua asked in astonishment.

"Xiao Ji said he cannot go abroad."

"!!!"

"!!!"

Not only Tang Chenghua, but even Dr. Merz was stunned.

What does this mean?!

"Actually, I don't understand it either." Bai Chuzhang communicated in broken English, also very confused, "But Ji Yisheng Xiang insists, and I have no good way to handle it; his stubbornness on this point is hard to understand."

After his initial bewilderment, Tang Chenghua became somewhat angry. Just as he was about to say something in his fury, he suddenly felt his arm being pulled.

Seeing out of the corner of his eye that it was Lin Jiuze pulling him, Tang Chenghua suddenly realized something.

But before he could speak, Dr. Merz suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Bai, of course Ji Yisheng Xiang doesn't have to come. To be my Doctor of Philosophy student, I will personally go to your hospital to provide the training."

Bai Chuzhang's eyeballs nearly fell to the ground.

To study for a Doctor of Philosophy at Harvard Medical School, not only does one not go to Boston, but the professor even has to fly personally to the Second Affiliated Hospital to "teach and educate."

What kind of treatment is this?

What kind of treatment is this!

In any case, for so many years, Bai Chuzhang had never heard of a similar example.

Dr. Merz is being too unreserved!

As an Expert and professor at Harvard Medical School, even if he doesn't care about his own reputation, he should at least leave a shred of dignity for Harvard Medical School.

But Dr. Merz's words, while a little hesitant at the beginning, became more and more fluent, as if he had completely compromised.

"How could one treat a genius the same as an ordinary person? I will tell Dr. Ji Xiang right now that I will fly over, and his Doctor of Philosophy will definitely be finished in 2 months. Don't worry about those guys at Harvard Medical School; no matter who raises an objection, I will definitely shove last night's trash right into their mouths."

As Dr. Merz was speaking, he suddenly felt dizzy and stood there stunned.

His impassioned words came to an abrupt halt.

Lin Jiuze took the phone and handed it to Tang Chenghua.

"Xiao Ji, this is Tang Chenghua, long time no see." Tang Chenghua laughed heartily, the questioning from just a moment ago completely gone, faster than a face-change.

"It's no problem if you can't come, don't worry, it's just a Doctor of Philosophy degree, it's not like it's anything amazing."

Hearing this, Bai Chuzhang almost raised his hand to cover his eyes.

Dr. Merz and Tang Chenghua had actually accepted Ji Xiang's "rude" request.

Is there any justice left!

Is there any law left!!

This actually worked!

Bai Chuzhang had previously always felt that it would take at least 2-3 years for Ji Xiang to be eligible for the Outstanding Youth selection.

Yet the most difficult red line had been broken through just like that, and this was under the premise that Ji Xiang stubbornly refused to go abroad.

Truly f*cking hell.

Am I dreaming?

Bai Chuzhang looked at Dr. Merz before him in a daze, his ears filled with the sound of Tang Chenghua and Ji Xiang talking on the phone.

At this very moment, even the noisy clamor of the Staples Center was automatically muted.

The world went quiet all at once.

Dr. Merz lost his elegance and composure, and he even lost the knightly demeanor he had always prided himself on, snatching the phone from Tang Chenghua.

"Ji, a Doctor of Philosophy in Radiology will cause you countless troubles in your future; I can bring you a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sports Medicine! You must believe me, you need to make the right choice!"

Dr. Merz had already gone mad; his voice almost drowned out the cheers of the fans at the Staples Center.

"Dr. Merz, what I want is a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Urology Department."

Ji Xiang's words drifted out.

The voice was very light, but it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

Whether it was Dr. Merz or Tang Chenghua, or even Lin Jiuze and Bai Chuzhang, all were stunned.

Was Ji Xiang being a bit too excessive?!

But being excessive was deserved; Wembanyama's performance just now, no matter which surgeon it was placed upon, should be a source of pride.

"But it doesn't matter, a dual Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sports Medicine and the Radiology Department seems okay too. I can learn the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Urology Department slowly on my own."

"..."

"..."

Ji Xiang had agreed, but he hadn't rejected anyone.

Dr. Merz looked at Tang Chenghua, and the two fell silent at the same time.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to rest; I have 5 surgeries tomorrow." Ji Xiang yawned.

Sigh.

Bai Chuzhang vaguely heard everyone's sighs.

The hardest problem in his eyes seemed like nothing to Ji Xiang; everything was taken for granted.

"Bai!"

A deep, booming voice came over.

It was Wembanyama.

He did not leave through the player tunnel, but instead found Bai Chuzhang.

"Where is Dr. Ji? Why didn't he come?"

"He cannot go abroad," Bai Chuzhang said helplessly.

"Oh, I remember him saying that, the mud truck, he is simply too cautious." Wembanyama laughed heartily, "Right, he must be watching the live broadcast, right!"

Live broadcast?

Ji Xiang was sleeping.

Bai Chuzhang muttered to himself, but a smile appeared on his face, "Yes, I just contacted Dr. Ji Xiang, he has been watching your game; you must play well and win another championship for the Lakers."

Wembanyama clenched his fists and let out a low roar.

A thick scent of hormones wafted over; Bai Chuzhang's perfunctory words seemed to have given Wembanyama a shot of Epinephrine.

"I will give the championship ring to Dr. Ji to express my gratitude. Not a replica, it's the championship ring the league gave me!" Wembanyama said, almost shouting.

Bai Chuzhang understood the feelings of a "Patient" very well.

But the patients he dealt with were all in the Surgery Department, and they rarely communicated with the doctor once they were hospitalized, unless the surgery was done exceptionally well, the kind who woke up the day after surgery.

He never expected that Wembanyama would actually say he would give the championship ring to Ji Xiang.

Watching the mountain-tall figure walk away into the distance, with Dr. Merz and Tang Chenghua whispering to each other nearby, Bai Chuzhang's mood was somewhat complicated.

"Xiao Bai, we are returning to the country," Dean Shen said suddenly.

"Huh?!" Bai Chuzhang was stunned for a moment.

"Watching one game of the finals and experiencing the atmosphere on-site is enough; there's no need to watch more," Dean Shen said indifferently.

"Understood, leader."

"After we go back, there are still some things to handle. After all, Ji Xiang is too young. As far as I know, the youngest person to be selected as an Outstanding Youth should be Liu Ying, a Doctoral Supervisor at Peking University. She became a doctoral supervisor at 29 and was only selected as an Outstanding Youth at 34."

"Leader, you mean..."

"Once the Harvard Doctor of Philosophy certificate is in hand, I will go contact the medical school; he must at least be a Master's Supervisor," Dean Shen said very firmly.

"..."

Bai Chuzhang was speechless in his heart.

Ji Xiang hadn't even shown his face, yet he had already secured a dual Doctor of Philosophy degree from Harvard Medical School, and Dean Shen even wanted to apply for him to be a Master's Supervisor.

Could it be that the concentration of hormones at the Staples Center during the finals was too high, and Dean Shen had lost his head?

"No, that's not right!" Dean Shen said in a deep voice, "A Master's Supervisor isn't enough; it must be a Doctoral Supervisor. Back then, Professor Liu Ying had all the hardware requirements to apply for Outstanding Youth, yet it was still dragged out for several years."

"She only became eligible after she was selected as an International Research Scholar at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the United States in 2017, filling in the final short board. Sigh, why won't Xiao Ji go abroad? If he just came to Massachusetts to live for half a year, all the procedures wouldn't be a problem."

Bai Chuzhang sighed in his heart.

Complaining was just complaining, but one could see Dean Shen's intention to help Ji Xiang successfully apply for Outstanding Youth this year.

Lin Jiuze suddenly leaned over.

"Bai Chuzhang, I have something I'd like to discuss with you in a moment."

Bai Chuzhang had a bit of a headache; talking to Lin Jiuze was truly painful. But although Bai Chuzhang hated doing so, he held the most basic respect for Lin Jiuze.

Nodding, Bai Chuzhang and his group left Staples first.

Looking back, the Staples Center was full of cheering fans, as if a carnival were taking place.

A new king had already emerged.

"The NBA is just a show," Lin Jiuze said to Bai Chuzhang. "It's a commercial league; naturally, the more legendary, the more story-driven, and the more resonant it is, the better. Add in strong performance and all kinds of media promotion, and the entire league will benefit from it."

"Before the draft, countless teams tanked for him, having a bright future, even being able to covet a spot in the Pantheon, being able to look at those two people at the peak of the gods from afar."

"Then, during the draft, he was picked by a strong team with extremely low probability, immediately plugged in and used, becoming the core player of a strong team, only to encounter an injury sufficient to destroy his professional career."

"Just when the team, the front office, and the management gave up on him and put him on the trading block to exchange for half a team's worth of immediate combat power, he led a group of Second-round Picks to start in the Play-in Tournament and finally won the championship."

"Could there be anything more exaggerated than this? Could there be a more legendary experience than this?"

"Heh, your surgeries won't be mentioned," Bai Chuzhang looked at the ground in front of him, not even letting his peripheral vision fall on Lin Jiuze. "However, those who care will always know the truth, and they will receive greater benefits in the future."

"Bai Chuzhang, I actually don't know why Ji Yisheng Xiang wants to strive for Outstanding Youth," Lin Jiuze said truthfully. "But since you all want it, I have a way."

"Oh? Tell me," Bai Chuzhang raised an eyebrow.

"Teacher Tang doesn't need to go to the Second Affiliated Hospital."

Bai Chuzhang didn't speak, just listened quietly. Lin Jiuze was steady as a rock; since he sought him out to talk alone, he must have already thought through the causes and consequences.

"I know that Doctor Liu Ying was selected as an International Research Scholar at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the United States in 2017 and was elected as an Outstanding Youth two years later. If Outstanding Youth is an option for recruiting returning Elites, then Teacher Tang staying in Massachusetts to establish an international research center is the best choice."

"!!!"

Bai Chuzhang understood the implication behind the words.

There were many things Bai Chuzhang couldn't think of, not because he lacked the capacity, but because his world was limited to the Second Affiliated Hospital and the Provincial Hospital; he simply didn't have the energy to realize them.

Having reached the age of knowing one's destiny, Bai Chuzhang wouldn't daydream.

"An International Scholar at an international research institute is just a reputation. If it's very important, one can completely establish an international research institute. As for the name, we can think about it later; calling it International Scholar is fine, or we can even name this surgical technique after Ji Yisheng Xiang."

"Good!" Bai Chuzhang agreed without hesitation.

This path cleared all obstacles in front of Ji Xiang.

Returning Elite, Doctor of Philosophy degree, Chief Physician—all of these would no longer be hindrances.

"Bai Chuzhang, why must it be the title of Outstanding Youth? I always feel it's unnecessary."

"Xiao Ji cannot go abroad, so he will eventually have to become an Academician," Bai Chuzhang said. "I can't see decades into the future, but I can see the next three years. If you don't work hard when you're young, when you're in your thirties and have nothing, how can you become an Academician?"

"It's not much trouble either; if you can apply, you might as well do it while you're at it. It's better than being busy later and missing many items, only to be criticized by others."

Lin Jiuze was slightly startled, "Bai Chuzhang, would a Foreign Academician of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States be helpful?"

"What?"

"Wembanyama will definitely win the championship this year," Lin Jiuze said without hesitation.

Bai Chuzhang didn't refute; this was a commercial league, and everything was only for profit.

Moreover, the heavy bets on the Sports Betting side were all on the Green Celtics; from any angle, Wembanyama was a good sickle for harvesting leeks.

"Although it's just a commercial league, the viewership and public recognition are high enough. Added to that is the quarterback Tom from the football league, and more and more top professional athletes returning and reaching their peak again, the National Academy of Sciences has only one reason not to bring out a title of Foreign Academician."

Only one reason; Bai Chuzhang knew what was going on.

However, this wasn't something he could think about. Bai Chuzhang was very clear that for Ji Xiang, a Foreign Academician could only be the icing on the cake.

Ji Xiang was very strange; his ambitions didn't lie there.

"If there are no problems, shall we talk to Ji Yisheng Xiang after we go back and strive for his consent?"

"Xiao Ji should agree; as long as he doesn't have to go abroad, he doesn't care about anything else," Bai Chuzhang smiled. "Thank you, Professor Lin."

"I am the leader of the research group; the research group is currently under my name," Lin Jiuze shrugged helplessly.

If he hadn't brought it up, Bai Chuzhang would have already forgotten about this.

"Teacher Tang told me that the National Academy of Sciences in the United States is already interested in our project, and perhaps with the opening of the World Cup, I will be selected for the new National Academy of Sciences."

"!!!"

This was something Bai Chuzhang hadn't thought of at all.

"I don't want to either; although I've watched hundreds of surgeries, I still haven't learned how the surgery is done."

"Laymen watch the spectacle, experts watch the technique," Lin Jiuze sighed deeply. "I count as an expert, yet I can't see the technique at all. So, doing my best to help Ji Yisheng Xiang can also be considered getting myself a protective amulet."

What he said was simple and honest, instantly dispelling the tiny, deep-seated concerns in Bai Chuzhang's heart.

It was good to have needs; the people most feared were those who did a lot of things but never mentioned what they needed.

"Alright, are you going back with us? Or will you stay in the United States for a while to see old friends? Although your team has many surgeries, you shouldn't be short on this bit of time," Bai Chuzhang asked.

"Going back together," Lin Jiuze gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Bai Chuzhang, I have very few friends, as you know."

Bai Chuzhang nodded; how could someone like Lin Jiuze possibly have friends?

"Besides, there are some people I'm familiar with academically whom I simply dare not meet," Lin Jiuze sighed deeply again. "There's a guy who likes American football and is Tom's most loyal fan. Ever since Tom came back after the surgery, he's practically become Tom's personal doctor."

"Tom's recovery speed and level surprised him. I receive emails from him almost every day, asking me all sorts of strange and bizarre questions. All kinds of questions, even ones I, as a professional Doctor, couldn't think of."

"I don't know how to answer them."

Hearing Lin Jiuze's complaints, Bai Chuzhang almost laughed out loud.

He had experienced similar feelings back in the day.

When he was still an Attending Physician, Bai Chuzhang had wanted to skip levels to challenge the threshold surgery of neurosurgery—Aneurysm Resection.

He went to the Imperial Capital for advanced studies and watched the big shots perform it countless times at Tiantan Hospital; at the time, his dreams were filled with the many details of Aneurysm Resection.

However, it was completely useless.

He had watched it, simulated it, and could even dream about performing Aneurysm Surgery.

But when he encountered a Patient with decent conditions, he still couldn't do it, and didn't even dare to do it.

It wasn't until several years later that he suddenly had a breakthrough and finally mastered the surgery.

He hadn't expected that top-tier Experts and professors would have similar thoughts; no wonder Xiao Ji didn't care at all about others coming to steal his techniques or learn his craft.

This is a crushing gap in levels, Bai Chuzhang thought with a smile.

After agreeing on the time to return to the country together, Bai Chuzhang returned to the hotel.

Sleeping until dawn, what woke Bai Chuzhang up was a phone call from Ji Xiang!

Jet lag, damn jet lag.

Bai Chuzhang thought to himself.

He did not answer the phone immediately, but took a moment to compose himself, trying his best to be more alert and to be as clear-headed as possible when communicating with Ji Xiang.

In Bai Chuzhang's heart, Ji Xiang's status had rapidly risen from a Standardized Training Student, and his attitude toward answering Ji Xiang's calls was now similar to receiving a call from Dean Shen.

After pausing for a few seconds, Bai Chuzhang felt a bit more awake and answered the phone.

"Bai Chuzhang, I'm at the Emergency Department, and there's something I'd like to trouble you with."

(End of this chapter)