Yang Ping smiled and didn’t reply.

He knew that’s just how Robert was. Enthusiastic, lively, a bit of a chatterbox, but genuinely respectful and grateful to him. Over the years, Robert had helped promote many of his techniques in North America and introduced numerous collaborations. Whenever someone asked why he was so dedicated, he would say, "This is my teacher’s business. If I don’t help, who will?"

Even more exaggerated was that during Yang Ping’s academic rise, he faced suppression from certain international forces several times, and Robert stood firm and clear, unhesitatingly defending and speaking out for his teacher, sometimes even at the expense of his own career.

The group started buzzing again.

Robert posted a screenshot of his chat with Yang Ping, highlighting the phrase "two millimeters" and captioned it: "See? This is my teacher, the best doctor in the universe. His words are priceless, and I’m giving them to you for free today. You’re welcome."

August replied: "Can’t you be a bit more low-key? The professor isn’t only your teacher."

Robert replied instantly: "But I’m the only direct disciple in North America, the only one! Direct! The professor’s first direct disciple abroad, the first one! Direct! Do you understand its value?"

Griffin posted a facepalm emoji: "I don’t know this person."

"I am the professor’s first direct overseas disciple, okay? I arrived at Sanbo Hospital a week before you for advanced study." Takahashi immediately said.

Robert wouldn’t allow his identity of "professor’s first direct overseas disciple" to be contested: "You? Do you think advanced study means direct teaching? Naive! I served tea to the teacher, and you didn’t, so you’re just an advanced student, while I’m a direct disciple? Understand?"

Takahashi was almost dizzy with Robert’s assertiveness but couldn’t refute because it seemed true. At the time in the doctor’s office, many people watched as Robert seemingly brewed a cup of tea, held it with both hands to serve Professor Yang, and even tried to kneel, but Professor Yang stopped him. In the end, under his insistence, Professor Yang accepted the tea and drank it.

Others in the group also started to emerge, some laughing, some speechless, some rolling their eyes. Amidst the teasing, Robert remained composed, continuing with his proud expressions.

Yang Ping watched the group’s antics and suddenly remembered what Robert was like during his advanced study at Sanbo.

Back then, he wasn’t such a "drama king." He followed behind every day, watching seriously, asking seriously. Occasionally speaking a few words of Chinese, he’d feel embarrassed and scratch his head. Once, he followed Yang Ping during rounds, and an elderly woman asked him, "Young man, you’re a foreigner, right? Your Chinese is really good." He blushed and stammered, "Still okay."

As he got more familiar, he gradually opened up. Once Yang Ping treated him to dinner, he ordered a table full of Sichuan dishes, sweating profusely from the spiciness, yet kept saying "It’s delicious." Yang Ping asked, "Can you handle spicy food?" He said, "No, but I want to try. In China, if you don’t eat spicy, you haven’t really been here. I want to experience everything; three months is too short; I want to use every minute and second."

Those three months, he really used every moment to learn. During the day he followed the surgeries; at night, he’d go back and organize notes; on the weekends, he’d visit other departments, chat with people, and practice speaking. Before leaving, he showed Yang Ping a thick notebook full of his handwritten notes, all in Chinese, with surgical steps, technical points, and every important word Yang Ping had said. On the inside cover, he wrote: "A teacher is someone who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts. Thank you, teacher."

Yang Ping continued to review the materials Robert sent, then replied with a detailed voice message, explaining the critical points of the surgery again. After sending it, he put down his phone and continued with his work.

The next night, his phone buzzed again, it was Robert.

This time it wasn’t a message but a photo. In the picture was his operating room, the lights already on, various instruments set up, and a doctor in scrubs preparing. The caption read: "Professor, everything is ready. I remembered your two millimeters. Awaiting my good news!"

Yang Ping replied with a "Good luck" emoji.

Three hours later, Robert’s second message arrived. It was a photo of him and the patient, the patient lying on the operating table giving a thumbs-up, while Robert stood beside also giving a thumbs-up. The caption read: "Surgery successful! Thanks to my teacher!"

The group buzzed again. August posted a clapping emoji, Woodhead sent a flower, and others also sent their congratulations. Amidst likes, Robert proudly proclaimed: "Another perfect day."

August couldn’t stand it any longer: "Robert, can’t you be less high-profile every time?"

Robert replied: "This is called gratitude, got any issues?"

Woodhead sent a laughing-crying emoji: "Can both of you stop fighting in the group every day?"

Robert responded: "This isn’t fighting, it’s academic exchange. August is jealous, and I’m teaching him respect for teachers." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The group was filled with ellipses.

Yang Ping watched them, feeling a bit emotional inside.

Robert’s phone rang; it was the hospital calling. A patient had post-operative complications, and the on-duty doctor wasn’t sure, requesting him to take a look. Without hesitation, he hung up and headed out.

At the door, he glanced back at the photo on the office wall taken during his advanced study at Sanbo. Yang Ping stood in the middle, with him on the side, smiling brightly. It’s his most cherished photo and has been hung in the most conspicuous spot in his office since he brought it back from China.

Whenever someone asked who that is, he would say: "My teacher, Professor Yang Ping from China, the best doctor in the world."

The patient’s post-operative situation was not serious. After handling it, it was already seven in the evening. When he returned to his office, he turned on his phone and saw that the group was still lively. Someone posted a news link about today’s surgery, titled "NBA Star’s Knee Surgery Success, Chief Surgeon Attributes to Chinese Technology."

He put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Yang Ping: "Professor, today’s surgery was a success. Thank you."

This time he didn’t send a voice message or emoji, just a simple line.

Yang Ping replied after a while with three words: "Got it, you said it before."

He suddenly remembered, yes, it seems like he already said it.

The next morning, Robert appeared in the group again as lively as ever.

He posted a photo of breakfast, a plate of Nandu rice rolls. Caption: "Today’s breakfast, authentic Nandu rice rolls, New York exclusive. Anyone interested, sign up, and I’ll send you some."

August was the first to reply: "Did you make this yourself?"

Robert answered confidently: "Of course not; my wife made it, she learned from me."

August sent a facepalm emoji: "Your wife?"

Everyone knew Robert was a non-marriage advocate, having had dozens of girlfriends. How could he have a wife?

"Yes, my wife."

"You’re married?"

Everyone was surprised.

"Can’t have a wife without marriage? Does one have to be married to have a wife? Is there a direct link between having a wife and being married?"

Everyone was speechless, realizing Robert simply used the term "wife" to refer to his current partner.

"I just like the term wife, is that not okay?"

"Okay, okay, calm down!"

"Is your wife Chinese?"

Robert said: "No, she’s American, but I taught her how to make rice rolls, a mentee excels a mentor, understand?"

The group was once again filled with ellipses.

Yang Ping saw these messages, smiled, and didn’t reply.

He understood that this was Robert, always lively, always active, constantly mentioning his status as "Yang Ping’s student." But truly serious, truly hardworking, genuinely trying to perform each surgery to the best.

Such a person is worth being friends with.

The phone rang again, it was a message from Robert: "Professor, what I said about the rice rolls is true. When you come to New York, I’ll have my wife make them for you, guaranteed authentic."

Yang Ping replied: "Sure, will do when I get the chance."

Robert replied immediately: "It’s a deal then! I’ll be waiting for you! When you come, I’ll have the entire New York Knicks bow to you! Have those Hollywood stars present flowers to you!"

Yang Ping didn’t finish reading, just smiled and put the phone aside.

This Robert, really leaves him helpless.