Chapter 5, Dongzhou University Medical College

The Pioneer Cup is an initiative recently established by the medical school, allowing undergraduate students to engage in research experiments during winter and summer breaks. Each year, all students from various majors compete for a spot, but only 60 individuals can qualify. The participants are divided equally between the five-year and eight-year programs, with professors selecting the best candidates to form 12 small groups, each consisting of 5 members

Uh. Cai Zixuan rubbed his shoulder in pain and said with a sigh, "Everyone thought you had dropped out, some even said you died suddenly in a bar, others said your family went bankrupt... Sigh, let's not mention it, it's good that you're back. If you need to retake exams this summer, I can lend you my notes."

His name is Cai Zixuan, one of Gu Jun's roommates. Both belong to the 3rd class of the 8-year clinical program. They used to get along quite well; one could say that Cai Zixuan is an honest person who has often been "bullied" by Gu Jun. While Gu Jun was off goofing around, Cai Zixuan would cover for him and lend him his notes to copy.

Is it the pillar? Gu Jun couldn't help but laugh, "Old man, you must be a member of the East University bragging group, right?" "Old man, you are exaggerating. Actually, uh..."

Thank you. Gu Jun felt a warmth in his heart

"Young man, are you a student at Dongda?" the old man asked. Seeing him nod in affirmation, he immediately gave him a hearty thumbs up, "Studying medicine is great; studying medicine can cure diseases and save lives. This is a significant contribution, you are all the pillars of the nation"

The old man, despite his age and completely white hair, still had quite nimble hands and feet, and his spirit was truly good. While he was wrapping the filling, he smiled and said, "Young man, let me give you a bit more filling."

The old man, with his broken and worn-out teeth, praised without reservation: "No exaggeration, the person I admire the most is the doctor; studying medicine is truly commendable"

"Some things happened, and I took a leave of absence from school. I am back today," Gu Jun said with a smile, stepping forward to give his friend a playful punch on the shoulder

Fate. You know that I am quite skilled at administering medication to mice. Cai Zixuan is the type of person who enjoys reflecting on everything. Then, when Professor Gu needed assistance with his research on photodynamic therapy for tumors, he brought me on board. Fate.

"To be well-versed in knowledge and to uphold benevolence in serving the world." Gu Jun gazed at the grand school gate in the distance, murmuring the school motto once more before striding forward.

Before long, the old man finished making the pancakes and enthusiastically handed them to him, saying, "Eat them while they are hot."

Moreover, to test whether those medications are effective, it is necessary to return here

"Alright, I want it all," Gu Jun nodded and said, feeling even warmer inside. "What about you? Not going home for the summer vacation, did you fail any courses?"

This must be the taste of home, even though there are turbulent currents outside, returning to Dongda feels like coming home

The young man spoke pleasantly. The old man laughed and said, "I will give you a fried dough stick!"

At midnight today, the task list has been refreshed again. However, due to environmental constraints, it is very difficult to complete all of them. He currently has no tasks on him, so he will discuss it again when he returns to school, as there are sufficient environmental conditions at the school and the affiliated hospital

He speaks without reservation, neither boasting nor fearing to hurt Gu Jun's feelings, because the wealthy Jun simply does not care about the Pioneer Cup

Five-year programs require research recommendations, eight-year programs require reputation and qualifications, and everyone seeks scholarships

What? Gu Jun questioned

Cai Zixuan immediately felt invigorated, and his appearance seemed to rejuvenate by a few years, "I have made it to the finals of the Pioneer Cup! Following Professor Gu."

After parting ways with the old man, he continued to walk towards the school gate while munching on a fried dough stick. Upon entering the campus, he headed in the direction of the experimental building, where there were more people on the way, including students, tourists, and parents with children

Gu Jun took a big bite of the pancake; it was warm and quite hot, but truly delicious. It seemed that the gourmet food prepared by the cruise ship's chef could not compare.

As he walked towards the northern area of the campus, and while there was still some distance to cover, Gu Jun suddenly heard someone calling out to him in surprise: "Gu Jun?"

Alright. Gu Jun took out his phone to scan the code and made the payment, watching the old man start making the pancakes

"Hey." Cai Zixuan smiled happily, recalling something, "Oh right..." This must be what Gu Jun would care about, he lowered his voice and said, "There is a situation in our group that I think I need to tell you about"

This is the third day of the deep-sea incident. Yesterday, the cruise ship docked in the Maldives, and he immediately took the fastest flight back to Dongzhou City, Huaxia.

In addition to the development of personal abilities and interpersonal relationships, completing a thesis and achieving a ranking brings numerous benefits to participating students.

"Every profession produces its own outstanding talent." Gu Jun finished a whole pancake and praised, "Old man, your pancakes are truly delicious."

On the street next to the school gate, there are always several mobile vendor carts selling various snacks. It is only a little past 7 o'clock, and Gu Jun has not had breakfast yet. He walks up to a stall selling local snacks from Dongzhou City and asks the vendor, "Sir, could I have a pancake? Can I pay via WeChat?"

The pillar of the nation. Gu Jun conveyed the old man's praise to his friend, and Zi Xuan truly deserved this compliment

The scorching July is very hot, and Dongzhou City remains the same Dongzhou City

Because he requested confidentiality from the affiliated hospital of Tokyo University at the time of his diagnosis, very few people at the school were aware of his illness. Only a few doctors in the neurosurgery department of the affiliated hospital were informed, and they were even unaware that he was a student of Tokyo University

Wow! Gu Jun exclaimed exaggeratedly, genuinely feeling excited for his friend, "Congratulations, congratulations"

But in reality, this guy is only 21 years old, and his head merely exhibits the typical symptoms of "medical dog syndrome": a look of premature aging under immense stress

It has been nearly three months since I left here, and returning now brings with it a completely different sentiment

The person is neither tall nor short, with a noticeably receding hairline that is quite striking, a haggard face, lifeless eyes, and heavy dark circles under the eyes, giving the impression of being around 40 years old, not much younger than the vendor from earlier.

"Yes, yes," the old man pointed to a small QR code payment sign hanging at the front of the cart, his weathered face full of a simple smile, "Each pancake is 5 yuan"

There are many student activities during the summer, so students can still be seen everywhere on campus, along with passing citizens, vehicles, and tourists

The Medical College of Dongzhou University is located in the bustling Qinyun District in the northern part of Dongzhou City, adjacent to the broad and picturesque "First Mountain of Dongzhou," Qinyun Mountain, and has a history of over a hundred years. It boasts first-class teaching facilities and a top-notch faculty, and it cultivates first-class medical talents.

Although Cai Zixuan does not mess around with him, their friendship is genuine and solid

Gu Jun smiled as he took the fried dough stick, but still paid with a scan, one yuan, feeling that he had been tricked by the old man

He turned his head and saw a man quickly approaching while pushing a bicycle. "It really is you. I haven't seen you in a few months. You haven't replied to WeChat or phone calls."