Chapter 545: Chapter 545: Professor Kong
Dean Li smiled and said, "The professors are certainly satisfied. He lectures better than some of our veteran professors. To encourage and thank him, Dean Qian invited you to lunch with Advisor Xu this afternoon."
Dean Sun laughed heartily, "I won’t attend the lunch banquet. Make sure to accompany Dr. Xu well; don’t neglect him."
After hanging up the phone, Dean Li instructed Director Zhao, "Wait for Dr. Xu outside the classroom after his class. Take him to the Yu Hai Pavilion Grand Hotel. Dean Qian, the professors, and I will go there first and wait for you at the usual spot."
Next to the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the upscale Yu Hai Pavilion Grand Hotel. Most small hotels in the school cater to students, so naturally, the dean would choose a higher-end hotel for dining.
In the VIP room at Yu Hai Pavilion, the professors had already arrived, playing poker while waiting for Director Zhao and Xu Xiangbei.
Joining the meal, apart from Dean Qian, were several veteran professors from the school. Two were older, with graying hair, alongside a middle-aged Professor Kong who had just rushed back from out of town.
Professor Kong Qingfeng was considered one of the school’s outstanding talents, with extensive expertise and good connections. In his forties, he had already been promoted to full professor, though most people at that age were at most associate professors.
Professor Kong had been out of town lecturing for a week and had just returned today. Being familiar with Dean Li, he heard there would be an important guest at lunch along with good wine, so he came to enjoy the drinks.
In his forties, Professor Kong was at the peak of his career, full of confidence with a ruddy complexion and a stout figure. He curiously asked, "Dean Li, who is the important person we’re having here today? Do I know them?"
An older professor next to him smiled and interjected, "He’s a visiting professor introduced by Dean Sun from Di Hai Renmin Hospital, named Xu Xiangbei. Dr. Xu, you just returned from out of town, so you probably haven’t met him yet."
Upon hearing that he was a doctor, Professor Kong became interested and laughed heartily, "Which famous medical university did he graduate from? Is he our alumnus?"
Professor Li smiled mysteriously, "I won’t say—you surely wouldn’t know. He’s not a medical university graduate, nor has he even attended university. However, his medical skills are superb, and he’s a Chinese medicine consultant at Jiangcheng Renmin Hospital. Dean Sun speaks highly of him."
Hearing that he wasn’t from any renowned medical university and hadn’t even gone to university, Professor Kong showed a skeptical expression, "Jiangcheng Renmin Hospital, there’s a Zhang Xuesong who was my classmate, he’s very skilled. Xu Xiangbei? Never heard of him."
Noticing Professor Kong’s skepticism, Dean Qian introduced to Kong Qingfeng, "Advisor Xu was recommended by Dean Sun. He’s not only an incredibly skilled doctor but also the CEO of the Thunderbird Group, having donated over a million to our school. He’s quite a talent. When he arrives, I’ll help introduce you."
Upon hearing that Xu Xiangbei was the CEO of the Thunderbird Group and had donated over a million to the school, a barely noticeable knowing smile appeared on Professor Kong’s lips.
There are plenty of wealthy people who, in the name of donations, take on honorary professorships at universities. But generally, they go to business schools, Earth Sea University, those kinds of schools as honorary or visiting professors. It’s the first time I’ve heard of someone coming to the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
However, everyone has their dreams. If you want to spend money to buy a title, it doesn’t matter where you go.
The sound of Xu Xiangbei and Director Zhao talking came from the hallway. Dean Qian filled with a smile, "Speak of the devil! Here comes Dr. Xu."
As soon as Xu Xiangbei entered the room, Dean Qian enthusiastically stood up, "Dr. Xu, today’s lecture was excellent. I’ve already reported to Dean Sun. He couldn’t make it today because of other commitments and asked that you drink a couple more glasses."
Xu Xiangbei chuckled, "Dean Qian, although I can handle my drink, I dare not drink too much. If I overdrink, I won’t be able to participate in the afternoon activities. I just promised the students to join them in a community healthcare event."
Dean Qian was taken aback, "What community healthcare event?"
Director Zhao smiled and explained, "Starting from last month, every Saturday, fourth-year students go to nearby communities to provide free clinical services to prepare for their internships. After class, the students gathered around Dr. Xu, wanting him to join, and he couldn’t refuse, so he agreed."
Professor Li smiled and said, "Since there’s an event, just drink a little, no need for Dr. Xu to act personally. He can just supervise from the side."
Only then did Dean Qian understand there was such an activity. He laughed, "It’s just an extracurricular activity, not anything serious, drinking a little is fine."
Most of the professors present were indifferent, "It’s a small event, I’ve attended it too. Sometimes, no one comes the whole afternoon. Those community residents see our students are too young and generally don’t consult them. They go to the hospital for doctors when they’re ill."
Xu Xiangbei glanced around at the people present. Most of them had attended his morning lecture, except for one middle-aged man he was meeting for the first time, who was staring at him in surprise.
He smiled and asked, "It seems this is the first time I’ve met this professor. May I know your name?"
Professor Kong looked at Xu Xiangbei in surprise, exceedingly astonished. He thought this visiting professor would be at least middle-aged but was as young as his students.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei actively asking about him, he straightened his back and said in a loud voice, extending his hand to Xu Xiangbei, "My name is Kong Qingfeng. I’m a professor of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture at the school. I’m pleased to meet you."
Despite saying he was pleased to meet Xu Xiangbei, Kong Qingfeng’s gaze carried disdain and contempt, only shaking hands with Xu Xiangbei with an attitude of keeping his distance.
Kong Qingfeng secretly thought, the school’s atmosphere has been worsened by these wealthy individuals. This Xu Xiangbei seems young; he must be a rich second generation. Allowing such a person to be a visiting professor, Dean Qian is indeed too financially driven, true to his name.
Seeing Professor Kong’s indifference towards him, Xu Xiangbei didn’t mind. As long as he maintained surface courtesy, there’s no need to make others like him. He courteously smiled at Kong Qingfeng.
Yet Xu Xiangbei’s courtesy led Kong Qingfeng to perceive it as weakness, lack of confidence, and ingratiation, causing him to further look down on Xu Xiangbei.
During the banquet, Kong Qingfeng noticed that Dean Qian was particularly appreciative of Xu Xiangbei, constantly raising his glass in toasts to Xu Xiangbei and repeatedly praising his exceptional medical skills, making him feel ignored.
He quietly sneered, thinking that people often honor newcomers more. A rich second-generation buying his way to fame, no need to be so courteous to him.
A trace of a mischievous smile flashed across his face, and he also raised a glass with a smile toasting, "Dr. Xu, I’ve heard you’re a Chinese medicine consultant at Jiangcheng, may I ask which medical university did you graduate from?"
