Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 920 - 921 Professor Song

Chapter 920: Chapter 921 Professor Song

The university semester began. Song Xiaodong arrived at Ningjian Medical University on Friday. It was his first time stepping onto the campus, but not as a student—he was here as a professor.

He first went to Chen Qingming’s office, where Chen Qingming immediately stood up warmly to greet him.

"Mr. Song, here are your professor materials. From now on, you’ll be a visiting professor of traditional Chinese medicine at our university. Due to procedural issues, the formal paperwork for the full professor position will take some time. The way our country evaluates professors can really give people headaches—requirements for papers, this and that. It’s easier for researchers to meet these demands, but real doctors simply don’t have that kind of time. Recently, we even had some scandals about fabricated papers. While those were individual problems, the issues with the system are quite serious too."

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Being a visiting professor is fine; there’s no need for official bureaucracy. You know my purpose is to nurture talent, not to seek fame or profit. I don’t lack those things anyway."

Chen Qingming praised him, saying, "Mr. Song, you truly have lofty morals. Being able to invite you to our university as a professor is simply an honor for us. I’d like to make an important announcement and have you give a lecture. What do you think?"

Song Xiaodong quickly replied, "That’s not necessary. I don’t like to draw attention to myself, especially since I don’t want others to know my identity as the Patriarch of the Su Family. It wouldn’t benefit my teaching. The students I want to cultivate not only need to have strong abilities but, most importantly, good character. If they knew about my background, I fear it might affect their motivation to learn."

Chen Qingming admired him even more and said, "Mr. Song, from this moment on, at our medical school, you are simply a professor! Simply a scholar!"

"Exactly so!" Song Xiaodong nodded with a smile.

Chen Qingming continued, "Dean Wen has scheduled your class for 1:30 PM every Wednesday. It’s a two-hour lecture straight through. Is that alright for you, Mr. Song?"

"No problem at all, the timing works perfectly. After class, I can still make it back in time."

"Great, then it’s settled. It’s almost noon now—let me treat you to lunch."

"No need. I’ll have lunch in the school cafeteria. To be honest, Principal Chen, I’ve never attended university in my life, and I can’t help but feel a hint of regret. Experiencing university life now can make up for that regret a bit."

"Haha... fine, then! Let me treat you at the cafeteria."

The two of them left the principal’s office together, chatting as they headed toward the nearby cafeteria. Along the way, they encountered several teachers and students, who all curiously watched Song Xiaodong and Principal Chen.

Inside the cafeteria, the place was already buzzing with people—all faculty. There were teachers of all ages, sitting together in small groups of threes and fives. Thankfully, there wasn’t a long line for food.

"Ah, I forgot to get you a meal card for the cafeteria. Today’s on me," Principal Chen said with a laugh.

Song Xiaodong laughed as well. "Then I’ll have to trouble Principal Chen to spend some money."

The two of them got their meals and found a seat together, chatting as they ate. Before long, Dean Wen joined them with his own food, exclaiming in surprise, "Professor Song, you’re already here."

Other teachers in the cafeteria glanced over and simply assumed that the person dining with Principal Chen must be one of his relatives or something. No one suspected that he was a new faculty member.

After all, it was unheard of for Principal Chen to sit down for a meal with any of the teachers. But when Dean Wen, with his booming voice, called him "Professor Song," multiple people nearby perked up, staring wide-eyed.

What was going on? The person having lunch with Principal Chen—a professor? And so young, too?

In the medical school, there were plenty of professors, but they were all over forty years old at the very least.

Song Xiaodong, on the other hand, seemed to be only about twenty-five or twenty-six—barely the age when one finishes undergraduate studies, let alone graduate school. How could he possibly be a professor?

Smiling, Song Xiaodong said, "Dean Wen, didn’t you say my class is on Friday? Of course, I’m here."

Dean Wen seemed quite excited. "Haha, fantastic! Professor Song, I’ve been looking forward to this day—I even want to sit in on your lecture."

"If you’re interested, I don’t mind at all," Song Xiaodong replied with a smile.

Oh, come on!

The surrounding teachers’ eyes grew even wider. Not only had Dean Wen just addressed him as "professor," but now he wanted to attend his lecture? What was going on?

Everyone knew that Dean Wen was a very traditional figure in the hospital. There weren’t many people he genuinely admired, and he certainly didn’t feign politeness. For him to speak with such respect, the young man must truly be extraordinary.

Still, if the person sitting there had been in their forties or older, it would’ve made sense. But this young man? In the field of medicine, unlike other professions, it takes years of accumulated experience to achieve mastery. No "young genius" could skip that step, let alone become a professor.

The sudden appearance of Song Xiaodong had instantly ignited the curiosity of every teacher present.

At this point, Principal Chen said, "Old Wen, lower your voice. Professor Song doesn’t like being in the spotlight."

"Oh, right. I got a bit carried away." Dean Wen hurriedly apologized before adding, "Professor Song, that server from last time went in for a check-up, and sure enough, not a single issue remained. Your acupuncture technique is truly miraculous."

Principal Chen couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Old Wen, come on—Professor Song is the Divine Needle himself. How could it not work?"

"It’s not that I didn’t believe it. But when the patient came back, I obviously wanted to check the results myself." Dean Wen showed no embarrassment and, with eagerness in his eyes, said, "I was serious earlier. Professor Song, may I sit in on your lecture?"

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "If a dean sits in on the lecture, the students might feel pressured. Besides, what I’ll cover in the beginning will probably be things you’ve already learned. If you’re truly interested, we can always have private discussions. Also, our hospital’s He Wenbai has received a lot of guidance from me. If you have frequent exchanges with him, you might gain even more."

"Wonderful! I’ve met He Wenbai before; he’s indeed an excellent doctor." Dean Wen nodded repeatedly.

After the meal, both Principal Chen and Dean Wen wanted to accompany Song Xiaodong further, but he declined. He preferred to explore the campus on his own and savor the atmosphere of university life.

Not long after he set off, a few people followed him—it was the same teachers who had been eating in the cafeteria earlier.