Tao Hua's face went pale. He looked at the person in charge of registration, filled with a rage he dared not voice. He could only complain inwardly, 'What does this have to do with you? Even Zhao Yuan hasn't said anything, so what are you getting involved for?'
He was terrified, but faced with his teacher's questioning, he didn't dare hold anything back and stammered through a retelling of the recent events.
After hearing the story, Qiao Zhixue's expression turned grim, and he immediately launched into a harsh lecture. Tao Hua didn't dare argue; after all, he knew he was in the wrong. He could only lower his head and admit his mistake. "Teacher, I was wrong..."
Before he could finish, Qiao Zhixue cut him off. "What are you apologizing to me for? You should be apologizing to Zhao Yuan!"
"Yes, sir." How could Tao Hua possibly refuse? He obediently walked over to Zhao Yuan and, with a miserable expression, said, "Zhao Yuan, I'm sorry. I was blind not to recognize your importance. I offended you, and I sincerely apologize!"
Hua Xiangyang then turned to Xu Qiu with a grim face. "What are you standing there gawking for? Get up there and apologize! Do I have to order you to do it?"
Xu Qiu hurried over to Zhao Yuan and apologized sincerely.
After a moment's hesitation, the rest of the group also came forward to offer their apologies. Although their own professors weren't present, they knew Qiao Zhixue and Hua Xiangyang were close with them. If word got back that they had messed up and just slipped away, they'd be totally screwed.
Faced with their apologies, Zhao Yuan was magnanimous, waving a hand dismissively. "It's fine. It was just a small misunderstanding. It's all in the past."
Qiao Zhixue sighed in admiration. "For someone so young, Zhao Yuan is remarkably broad-minded."
Hua Xiangyang, however, took the opportunity to lecture Tao Hua, Xu Qiu, and the others. "Look at him, and then look at yourselves. You should learn from his example."
"Yes, sir," Tao Hua, Xu Qiu, and the others replied dejectedly. Each one of them looked so miserable they were on the verge of tears. Being scolded in the middle of a busy hotel lobby, with people constantly coming and going, was utterly humiliating.
As they spoke, Zhao Yuan's registration was completed. The person in charge of the desk held out the room key, pass, and the Level A invitation with both hands, presenting them respectfully to Zhao Yuan.
Just then, Ma Guotao, the president of West Hua Medical University, along with experts like Yang Jingbo and Qiu Haogu, received a call from the registration staff. Learning that Zhao Yuan had arrived, they all came down to the hotel lobby to welcome him.
Seeing Zhao Yuan standing with Qiao Zhixue, Hua Xiangyang, and their group from a distance, they couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
"Isn't that Old Qiao and Old Hua's group?" Ma Guotao said.
Yang Jingbo adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Yes, that's them. But wait a minute, what are they doing surrounding Zhao Yuan?"
Qiu Haogu's expression darkened, and he gasped. "Don't tell me they failed to poach him last time and are trying the same old trick again?"
At these words, everyone's expression changed!
"That's right. Old Qiao has a history of this. I bet the bastard has been waiting in the lobby all day just to corner Zhao Yuan," Yang Jingbo said through gritted teeth.
He and Qiao Zhixue were usually on good terms, but right now, his eyes were filled with nothing but anger as he looked at him.
"Daring to poach someone from our West Hua Medical University, and Zhao Yuan of all people... This is intolerable!" Ma Guotao quickened his pace, practically running until he was in front of Zhao Yuan, physically separating him from Qiao Zhixue and Hua Xiangyang's group.
Yang Jingbo, Qiu Haogu, and the others also ran over, panting for breath.
Qiao Zhixue was startled by their sudden appearance. "Whoa, what's going on with you lot?" he blurted out. "Training for a marathon? If you want to practice, go outside. Aren't you afraid of bumping into people in the middle of the lobby?"
Ma Guotao reached out, pulled Zhao Yuan behind him, and glared at Qiao Zhixue. "Old Qiao, don't think I don't know what you're up to! Trying to poach Zhao Yuan for your university? Dream on! Let me tell you, Zhao Yuan is the pride of West Hua Medical University, and no one is going to lure him away!"
In the past few months, Zhao Yuan's performance had brought great honor to West Hua Medical University. Moreover, even a fool could see that as Zhao Yuan continued to develop, his future achievements would only grow more impressive! West Hua Medical University had to protect such a genius at all costs and not let another university snatch him away!
Qiao Zhixue was stunned for a second before he understood why the group from West Hua Medical University was so agitated, even glaring at him with such hostility. He wasn't angry. If he had a genius student like Zhao Yuan, he would undoubtedly treasure him just as fiercely.
He chuckled and said, "If I told you I just happened to run into Zhao Yuan in the lobby, would you believe me?"
"What do you think?" Ma Guotao shot him a look and said irritably, "What is this, a romantic comedy? A 'chance encounter'? How could it be such a coincidence?"
"It really was a chance encounter," Zhao Yuan spoke up, explaining on Qiao Zhixue's behalf. He didn't want his own professors getting into a conflict with Elder Qiao's group.
Hearing his words, the group from West Hua Medical University finally relaxed a little, and the tense, confrontational atmosphere immediately eased.
Off to the side, Tao Hua, Xu Qiu, and the others were completely dumbfounded. It was only now that they snapped out of their daze, all of them thinking the same incredulous thoughts. 'Are you kidding me? You're all renowned experts and professors in the medical field, people of status and prestige, yet you're fighting over a student like jealous rivals? If Zhao Yuan hadn't stepped in to explain, you probably would've started a brawl, wouldn't you?'
At the same time, they were also filled with extreme envy for Zhao Yuan.
They thought about themselves—even as graduate and doctoral students, they would have to move heaven and earth just for a chance to get a job at the university. But Zhao Yuan? He was being fought over by two different universities! Why was the difference between people so vast?
Tao Hua and Xu Qiu's hearts were filled with bitterness, but they had no one to vent to. The feeling of frustration was indescribable.
Just then, another group of people approached.
The one in the lead was none other than Kobayashi Haruo's senior, Kawashima Haruhiro!
Upon seeing the elderly Japanese man, Ma Guotao, Yang Jingbo, and the others instinctively moved to shield Zhao Yuan behind them. This time, it wasn't because they feared poaching; they were afraid Kawashima Haruhiro meant to harm Zhao Yuan.
The younger generation, like Tao Hua and Xu Qiu, might not have known about the relationship between Kawashima Haruhiro and Kobayashi Haruo. But the older professors had dealt with Kawashima Haruhiro and his master, Genji Doju, before, so they were well aware of their lineage.
Qiu Haogu whispered an introduction to Zhao Yuan, "This man is Kobayashi Haruo's senior apprentice and Genji Doju's head disciple. Be careful. He's definitely here to cause trouble!"
Just as he finished his introduction, Kawashima Haruhiro walked right up to them.
Seeing Ma Guotao and Yang Jingbo shielding Zhao Yuan, he sneered. "I heard Mr. Kobayashi speak of a Mr. Zhao, and I had imagined some great hero. I never thought you'd be a coward hiding behind others. What, do you not even have the courage to face me?"
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