Inside the laboratory, many of the old folks were slumped over the tables, fast asleep, with snores echoing in the air.
"Divine Doctor Ye, we'll take our leave now." Some people left, in stark contrast to the old folks who couldn't even muster the effort to move, eager to find somewhere comfortable to rest.
"Divine Doctor Ye, you're our hero. Without you, I'm afraid our achievements wouldn't amount to much. Saving patients and eradicating the virus would be nothing but a pipe dream." Han Guoqing bit his tongue, trying his best to stay awake.
"Director Han, you're too kind. It's the result of everyone's hard work, not just mine alone." Ye Fan said lightly.
"Divine Doctor Ye, you're too humble." Han Guoqing suggested tentatively, "I plan to publicize your contributions so all patients know you're their savior. Also, I want to apply for a generous reward for you. I hope you'll kindly accept this as a token of our appreciation, and do not refuse it, Divine Doctor Ye."
"No need. I appreciate your kind gesture." Ye Fan replied.
"Master, he doesn't care about money. No need for this." Lu Xiangxiang interjected while yawning.
"Divine Doctor Ye's medical ethics are unparalleled, simple and pure, indifferent to fame and fortune. It makes us ashamed." Han Guoqing said sincerely, "If there's any opportunity in the future, I hope Divine Doctor Ye will let me know, and I'll certainly do my utmost."
Outside the laboratory, Doctor Wu and the nurses stood dumbfounded as they watched professors sleeping over their chairs, and others dragging themselves to their offices without wanting to move an inch.
The professors had worked so hard, and they could see it, but this scene still deeply shocked them.
"Don't just stand there, get moving! Call all idle nurses and doctors over here." Doctor Wu snapped out of it, shouting at the dazed nurses beside him.
"Ah, oh, yes." The nurses woke up as if from a dream and started moving.
Han Guoqing supervised Doctor Wu and the others as they tended to the patients. Ye Fan and Lu Xiangxiang walked away.
"Legs are sore, neck stiff, and the back even more painful." Lu Xiangxiang twisted mechanically, trying to get her joints moving.
Half an hour later, all tasks were completed, and the patients' physical functions gradually stabilized.
In a peaceful state, the joy of surviving the ordeal was evident on every patient's face, as well as on their families' faces.
The professors who developed a way to eradicate the virus were all fast asleep. Everyone in the laboratory, except Ye Fan, succumbed to sleep in various places and positions.
In the hospital cafeteria, Ye Fan and Mengyao sat opposite each other, exchanging smiles, the reason for which was naturally Lu Xiangxiang.
Lu Xiangxiang, with a mouthful of food not yet chewed and swallowed, had already slumped over the table fast asleep.
Lu Xiangxiang had declared she would rest after eating, but finally couldn't resist the sleepiness and fell asleep without a care in the world.
Mengyao looked at Lu Xiangxiang's slightly open mouth, with visible grains of rice, and smiled helplessly, speechless in the end.
"Exhausted, aren't you?" Mengyao looked at Ye Fan tenderly, speaking with concern.
"It's nothing. My physique is good, so this bit of fatigue is nothing." Ye Fan responded with ease.
"Sometimes I wonder if your body is made of iron, you can endure so much. I heard one of the professors in the laboratory fainted, others were half-dead with exhaustion. Looking at Lu Xiangxiang's condition, I know you've exerted much effort. Yet, seeing you appear unaffected, I realize you're only slightly tired." Mengyao said helplessly, "Isn't your body a bit too strong?"
"They call me Divine Doctor. If I were like those old folks, collapsing in the laboratory, the title of Divine Doctor would be just an empty name, wouldn't it?" Ye Fan said lightly, his expression relaxed like never before. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel(ꜰ)ire.net
"Those professors have had it hard too. How can you call them old folks like Lu Xiangxiang does?" Mengyao laughed softly, a hint of reproach in her voice.
Ye Fan spoke sincerely, "Those old folks are quite remarkable too, collaborating to quickly cultivate something to eradicate the virus, they really gave it their all. It's truly admirable."
"If it weren't for your presence, they'd be clueless, desperate beyond help, and too discouraged to strive tirelessly." Mengyao said weakly, "You're their spiritual pillar, at least in terms of virus eradication, you're their medical mentor. Congratulations, you've gained quite a few old folks as disciples out of nowhere."
"Calling them old folks is disrespectful." Ye Fan advised, playfully intrigued.
"Well, I learned that from you." Mengyao joked.
Ye Fan and Mengyao chatted casually, and Ye Fan's mental fatigue dissipated. After returning to the country, he hadn't had the chance to be alone with Mengyao in such peaceful conversation.
Though this moment wasn't the best timing, it was still the perfect chance for a little gathering.
Not long into their conversation, a stout man came to visit—Luo Tianyou, the big man of Dongfang City, Director Luo. Previously, while Ye Fan was executing tasks with Zhang Lu, he was aware of both the murderous intent from Blood Rose and the assassins from Poisonous Spider. Although he hadn't shown up in front of Ye Fan, he always monitored Ye Fan's activities.
Director Luo's personal visit helped maintain order in the hospital. Otherwise, it would surely have resulted in chaos.
"President Chu, Mr. Ye, how do you do? I apologize for the disturbance." Luo Tianyou smiled slowly, politely saying, "Captain Zhang Lu instructed me that if Mr. Ye is available, she hopes Mr. Ye could meet her. She mentioned there's a significant matter to discuss."
"Alright." Ye Fan said calmly.
"Alright? No, it's not alright." Mengyao said unwillingly, "No matter how important the matter is, you need to rest."
"Haha." Ye Fan smiled blissfully.
Luo Tianyou felt awkward, standing in place speechless.
"Director Luo, don't you agree? People need food to be strong. If someone's health deteriorates and something happens, would you compensate me for the loss? Moreover, can you afford it? Look at Lu Xiangxiang or inquire about Han Guoqing and the others, see how exhausted they are now." Mengyao expressed dissatisfaction toward Luo Tianyou for interrupting.
"President Chu is absolutely right. Han Guoqing and others are dog-tired. Mr. Ye does indeed need to rest a bit. I shall wait." Luo Tianyou smiled embarrassedly and finally sat far away.
He was well aware of Han Guoqing and others' current state.
It's truly thoughtless to ask Ye Fan for assistance at such a time.
But he had no choice.
The situation is urgent.
"Stop smirking. Eat fully and drink enough before you attend to your matters. I know Zhang Lu must have an important task for you, but I won't allow you to go around hungry." Mengyao said slowly.
"Exactly, eating is paramount. Nothing is more important than a meal." Ye Fan chuckled.
After eating well and drinking well, Ye Fan then departed.