Time flew by, and Sunday arrived.
At ten in the morning, Yu He, dressed in a white silk qipao, and Granny Yu, in a dark green qipao, were driven by Qiao Wei from their residential area to the Imperial First Hotel in the capital.
The luxurious, grand, and elegantly decorated lobby was filled with distinguished guests, their conversations and the clinking of glasses filling the air.
The arrival of the two women attracted unusual glances from many of the guests.
Everyone present was either wealthy or of noble birth, adorned in designer clothing and watches, and arriving in luxury cars.
Yet, these two women, despite their qipaos being of good quality and cut, were not from any major brands. To make matters worse, they had arrived in a Volkswagen car worth a mere hundred thousand yuan.
In the eyes of these affluent individuals, a hundred-thousand-yuan Volkswagen was akin to arriving by taxi.
"Did these two people come to the wrong venue?"
"Isn't that the 'Immortal Doctor Yu' who was trending online a while back? The one with the grand opening of her clinic."
"If she could afford such a grand opening, why is she dressed so plainly?"
"A grassroots immortal doctor, probably attending such a high-society event for the first time and not knowing how to dress up."
"I heard these two were living in the mountains before. Just coming out of the wilderness, they haven't seen such a grand occasion."
Many guests whispered and speculated amongst themselves.
Then, they saw the two women, not greeting the hosts or networking, but heading straight for the buffet area and indulging in the food. The disdainful whispers grew louder.
"Tsk tsk, did they not eat before coming?"
"Since they're here, might as well eat their fill before leaving. You can't taste the delicacies of the Imperial First Hotel just anywhere."
"If it weren't for Miss Qi inviting them, they probably wouldn't have the right to step into the Imperial First Hotel in their lifetime."
"Exactly. The Imperial First Hotel, under the Qin Group's umbrella, isn't a place for just anyone to afford."
"..."
Qi Yuanyuan, wearing a form-fitting red qipao and a vibrant red cape, her long hair cascading down, moved through the guests with a glass of champagne, smiling and chatting.
When she saw Yu He being pointed at and discussed at the buffet, a flicker of mockery crossed her eyes.
This was the stark difference.
One was showered with attention, the other, scorned.
Qi Yuanyuan let out a silent scoff, held her head high, and continued greeting guests, basking in their effusive praise.
At this moment, Julie approached to inform her that distinguished guests had arrived. Qi Yuanyuan's face immediately lit up, and she hurried to greet them.
"Master Qin Fourth, Sister Hong, Mayor Hu, Director Duan, President Xiang, President Huang, Director Luo, welcome, welcome."
The arrival of this group of esteemed guests, the highlight of the event, once again made Qi Yuanyuan the center of attention.
Master Qin Fourth, the Qin family's heiress Qin Xinhong, Beijing's Mayor Hu, Director Duan of the Drug Administration, President Xiang Tianrui of the Chinese Medicine Association, President Huang of the Western Medicine Association, Director Luo of the Health Bureau – all were influential figures, holding high positions, and represented the authorities in China's medical field.
Following them was a line of禮儀小姐 (etiquette ladies) holding banners.
"Angels of Light, Doctors Who Save Lives."
"Noble Character Warms Hearts, Exquisite Skills Spread Far."
"Miraculous Hands Heal, Noble Character."
"Three Divine Needles Unblock Meridians, A Pair of Marvelous Hands Cure Upon Arrival."
...
Each compliment was the highest recognition of Qi Yuanyuan's medical skills.
The surrounding guests were filled with excitement.
"Excellent! Exquisite medical skills, truly worthy of the Nameless Divine Doctor."
"Nameless Divine Doctor, you are the pride of China! A legend in the field of Chinese medicine!"
"Nameless Divine Doctor yyds!"
"Will the special effective drug developed by the Nameless Divine Doctor win a Nobel Prize?"
...
Qi Yuanyuan listened to the praise with a beaming smile, "Thank you all for your recognition and support. I will continue to work hard."
At this moment, the host on stage reminded everyone to be seated, as the banquet was about to begin.
Qi Yuanyuan glanced towards the entrance, not seeing Qin Beiting. She quietly asked Qin Xinhong, "Sister Hong, Seventh Master Qin he..."
"Don't worry, Seventh Master will definitely come today," Qin Xinhong assured her, patting her hand.
Qi Yuanyuan breathed a sigh of relief and turned to go onto the stage, followed by the line of etiquette ladies holding banners.
She held the microphone and said, "Thank you all for coming, and thank you to the mayor, directors, and presidents for your recognition. At this exciting moment, I have two announcements to make to everyone.
"The first announcement is that I declare that the special effective drug for various difficult and complicated diseases, which I have painstakingly developed, has passed the review of the Drug Administration. It has been named 'Shenyao' and is officially launched today!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the venue erupted in applause, and the media's camera flashes flickered incessantly.
At this moment, a foreigner with blond hair, dressed in a white doctor's coat and appearing to be around fifty years old, walked onto the stage, followed by an etiquette lady holding a golden angel trophy.
Qi Yuanyuan, upon seeing the newcomer, exclaimed in shock, "Professor Grant!"
This was the President of the International Medical Information Society, a recipient of prestigious medical awards like the Nobel Prize, an authority in the international medical community, and her idol!
"Nameless, it's finally found you. The evaluation results for the special drug for difficult and complicated diseases that you sent to the foundation are out. Congratulations, you have won this year's Lasker Award for Medical Research."
Grant spoke in fluent English.
The applause from below instantly intensified. After all, the Lasker Award is known as the "weather vane for the Nobel Prize" in the medical field, as its winners usually receive the Nobel Prize within the following year!
Qi Yuanyuan had initially found it strange, as she hadn't submitted the special effective drug for evaluation to any foundation. However, upon hearing about the Lasker Award, this strangeness was instantly replaced by immense joy.
She had won the Lasker Award!
This was an honor second only to the Nobel Prize in the medical world!
No one in her Qi family for generations had received such a prestigious award!
She had created this miracle!
Looking at the thunderous applause, Qi Yuanyuan's heart surged with pride. This was a peak moment she had never experienced before!
Not only her, but also the Qi family members present, the mayor, the presidents of various medical institutions in China, and the media were all exhilarated.
The Lasker Award was presented only once a year, and to date, the number of recipients per year had never exceeded three!
There were so many outstanding medical professionals in the world; only those at the pinnacle of the medical field could receive the highest honor.
And this honor belonged not only to the recipient but also to their family, region, country, and even the entire medical community!
All the guests in the venue were filled with excitement and tears of joy.
This was truly the pride of China!
"Grant, why hasn't your prosopagnosia been cured yet?"
At this emotionally charged moment, a clear, cold female voice suddenly sounded from the speakers.
Grant, who was about to present the trophy to Qi Yuanyuan, paused upon hearing the voice.
The excited guests below suddenly fell silent, looking around. Then, in a corner closest to the buffet area, they saw a girl standing up.
The girl, with ice-like skin and jade-like bones, walked gracefully towards the stage. She was dressed in a white silk qipao, her beauty captivating.