Chapter 669: Chapter 600 Friends Chapter 669: Chapter 600 Friends The Germans were both curious and skeptical about this new technology.

Often, something too advanced proves to be its own stumbling block. The development of new technology usually undergoes an iterative process, from inception, to development and maturity, tending to ascend spirally.

That process is not led by an individual, but by a group of people or several generations.

So, any new technology has a trajectory, but it seems that this new technology didn’t have a rational one. It just suddenly appeared and went straight for clinical trials.

This left the audience puzzled, with a lot of unanswered questions in their minds.

However, given the forty successful cases that they knew about, there was no room for skepticism.

No matter how medical science evolves, it is still a practical science. The effectiveness is in the practice. The technology proven to be safe and effective.

Miraculously, a 176-degree scoliosis was gradually corrected to normal within three months with the use of the external fixation frame.

Professors Lloyd, Rambo, and William carefully analyzed the process of osteotomy elongation and found that almost every step required a new theory to support it, from the distribution of the osteotomy to the design of the external fixation frame. The entire technology architecture was precise and mature.

This clearly could not be achieved by one generation.

“Gentlemen, how much do you know about the application of Ilizarov’s theory to spine deformity correction?”

Professor William felt that he had hardly seen any articles on this subject. The cutting-edge research barely entered animal experiment stage, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in failure.

Given the high complexity of the technology, Ilizarov’s theory has been stuck in limb orthopedics and had not yet touched upon the spine.

This remained unexplored even as a conceptual technology.

“Even the Russian Ilizarov Trauma Repair and Orthopedic Science Reconstruction Center, renowned for its cutting-edge research, has not really entered the spine. There were animal experiments, but because of various reasons, they failed. Essentially, they haven’t even scratched the surface, let alone other research teams.”

Professor Lloyd couldn’t think of any progress this technology has made in the field of the spine.

Professor Rambo pinched the bridge of his nose, “I’ve also never seen any significant breakthroughs in this field in any paper. Now, it’s right in front of us.”

“Markus, can you tell us about the origins of the technology?”

Lloyd wanted to trace the source.

Markus just shook his head, “Mr. August said it was confidential.”

Confidential again. Did they invite us here today just to demonstrate this new technology, without telling us anything?

Soon, Markus added, “But I can tell you all, the inventor of the new technology is Mr. August’s mentor.”

Mentor?

Who?

Who could possibly be August’s mentor?

As much as these guys always belittle August, they had to admit that August was one of the best spine surgeons in the world.

The number of people who might serve as a mentor to August could be counted on one hand.

The only one from their group was Professor William since August had completed his training under him. And regarding the two seniors from the United States and France who were titled “CD”, they don’t have the knowledge about the spinal external fixation frame technology.

So, who could it be?

Everyone racked their brain for the top-notch names in spinal surgery who had the ability to mentor August, and surprisingly, they failed to think of a single person they know or recognize. How could that be possible?

Everyone looked towards Professor William who coughed a few times, “Alright, no need to look at me. I’m at a loss, too. Let’s resume our discussion on the cases. We will only find out what this cunning fellow is up to when he gets back,” said Professor William.

What was supposed to be a meeting turned into a platform for August to demonstrate this technology.

“The young duke’s problem is not only the spine but the spine is the primary hurdle. We also have to consider the issue of his heart. It has no potential for compensation. Any mishap would be devastating for his heart.”

Leading the discussion, Professor William transferred the topic back to the case itself.

“Yes, even if the deformity can be corrected, the issue of the heart is insurmountable. During the correction process, various unexpected complications can arise. We don’t know where or when a landmine will explode. It’s better to give up on the surgery. Even though the new technology can solve the problem of the spine, it can’t solve the problems with the heart.”

Lloyd was initially opposed to the proposition of this case, considering it insolvable.

Once the external pressure is removed, the circulatory system’s load changes, and the heart that has no potential will be forced to wait for its end.

“We are not dealing with an isolated problem, but a human engineering problem.”

Rambo stood on the same side as Lloyd.

Teams funded by the Duke Foundation are spread all over the world, yet not one was able to untangle this knot.

As for August’s mysterious mentor, they scoffed! What does he have that allows him to surpass so many teams all by himself.

—
Sanbo Hospital Comprehensive Surgery Department.

Yang Ping was making arrangements to go to Germany. Given the current development state, she will frequently go abroad for surgeries.

August, Takahashi, and Robert sat in Yang Ping’s office. The full set of manga that Takahashi had ordered had already been shipped from Japan.

Everyone was engrossed in the manga, which, besides the usual exaggerated plots and character depictions, often showed clear inspirations from the real-life stories of Yang Ping and Sanbo Hospital.

As for who was really running the show behind the scenes, that was a mystery.

“Professor Yang, there’s someone outside looking for you. She says she’s your friend, Ning Qi.” A nurse reported at the door.

Ning Qi, Yang Ping had arranged to meet with her for Ning Yu’s follow-up.

“Professor Yang –”
Ning Qi wore a white dress, her tall figure curvaceous, her black hair draped behind her, exhibiting a poised and elegant demeanor.

Contrasting with her usual professional persona, Ning Qi now looked like a primary school teacher, graceful and dignified.

Behind her stood Ning Yu, her hair completely grown out about two or three centimetres long. Although she no longer had her wavy long hair, her artistic demeanor remained.

In Ning Qi’s hands were cookies that she baked herself. “May I come in?”

“Retreat!”

Robert pulled at the clothing of his two companions. The three kept their eyes on Ning Qi while quietly exiting the office.

Placing the cookies on the desk, Ning Qi elegantly bowed slightly. “Thank you, Professor Yang! This is just a small token of my gratitude.”

This box of cookies was the result of several days and many failed attempts by Ning Qi. The female CEO usually had guards and drivers when she went out, several maids at home, and even her coffee was prepared by a secretary at the office.

For several days, Ning Qi avoided the office and stayed in her villa baking cookies. She completed every step herself without any interference from the cooks, even nearly burning her fingers in the process.

The maids initially thought she was making them for her younger brother, but when Ning Yu reached for the most successful batch of cookies, he was met with a slap from his elder sister.

The brother could only eat the cookies she deemed reject ones. Of course, the rejects weren’t burnt or blackened, but the quality just wasn’t as good as the ones in the box now.

From morning till night, with nearly burnt fingers and over several days, she finally produced this box of superb cookies.

Early this morning, she didn’t let anyone touch it. She carried it herself and placed it on her thigh during the car ride all the way to the Sanbo Hospital.

“Professor Yang, I heard you’re planning to go to Germany soon. I’ve arranged a private jet for you. You can leave at any time.”

Ning Qi owned a large Airbus private jet that was usually parked at the Nandu airport. This private plane was typically for Ning Qi’s exclusive use.

“That’s not necessary, I’m fine with taking a commercial flight.”

To Yang Ping, a private jet seemed over the top. He wasn’t accustomed to such extravagance, even from a close friend.

Ning Qi disagreed, “No, if you consider me a friend, from now on, I’ll arrange the private jet whenever you travel for surgery or meetings. Besides, you have traveled to Japan to perform surgery on Ning Yu. You deserve the best. Besides, time is your most precious commodity. A private jet can save a lot of time. It’s better than leaving it idly in the airport.”

In Yang Ping’s heart, Ning Qi was already a good friend. She was the very first to fund his research.

“Fine then.” Yang Ping found it hard to refuse the goodwill from Ning Qi.

Having a private jet would save a lot of time. That made sense given how valuable his time really was.

Yang Ping took Ning Yu to the clinic for a simple examination. Nothing abnormal was found. He asked Ning Yu some post-surgery questions about his lifestyle, which were all very good.

Then he arranged for a head MRI scan to check for any signs of tumor reoccurrence.

Meanwhile, Robert and the other two doctors huddled together, whispering among themselves in the doctor’s consulting room.

“Who was that girl?” August asked, showing an unusual interest in gossip.

Takahashi was familiar with Ning Qi. “She’s a powerful CEO! A friend of the professor.”

“Isn’t Su the professor’s friend in the operating room?”

August rubbed his chin, not quite understanding.

“She is the professor’s girlfriend, while Ning Qi is just a good friend. Understand?” Robert gave August a look.

The word ‘friend’ had quite a complex meaning; it often differed according to the context.

“People say that professor Yang and Su are dating, but now Ning Qi too? That’s really puzzling.”

Although August was fluent in Chinese, he wasn’t as fluent as Robert and Takahashi and often got confused, especially when it came to the labyrinth of semantics.

“Professor Yang and Su are dating. Ning Qi is just a friend but not dating. Understand?” Robert was getting impatient with August’s slow comprehension.

“If they are already friends, how could they not date? And if they are not dating, how are they friends?” The German, strong in his logic, questioned back.

Takahashi tried to explain further, “This friend is different from that friend. One is his girlfriend, and the other is just a friend.”

“Let me put it this way, do you understand? In the future, Su will marry the professor and have children; Ning Qi will not marry the professor or have his children, they’re just ordinary friends.” Robert’s hand rested on August’s shoulder.

If he still didn’t understand after this explanation, then his talent for Chinese was really lacking.

August finally nodded affirmatively, “I understand, I understand it all!”

Su was the friend who was to be married, his lover, while Ning Qi was just a friend to hang out with.

Seeing August’s strange smile, Robert wondered, did the German really comprehend?