Chapter 408 Refusing to Spread Rumors

Chapter 408: Shutting Down Rumors

Ye Xiaoxiao joked, "Yeah, can’t I have expertise in other areas too?"

Qiao Yunhu replied, "Of course you can. I’m just shocked."

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "Let’s go in first. I came today to share insights and learn from others."

The conference hall was already packed with attendees. The organizers made a point to find Ye Xiaoxiao and asked her to take the stage later to encourage more discussion and learning.

Ye Xiaoxiao agreed.

Besides, she also noticed Director Li and Director Jiang in the crowd.

Director Li felt a little disappointed.

If Ye Xiaoxiao had been willing to guide their hospital in surgical techniques, tumor removal might have become one of their hospital’s standout specialties.

But now, with knowledge being shared openly, their hospital no longer held such a significant advantage.

Of course, Director Li only lingered on this briefly. After all, the practice of medicine was about benefiting all of humanity—that was what truly mattered.

At the conference, some attendees, seeing how young Ye Xiaoxiao was, dismissed her outright. Some even doubted whether she had written the paper on her own.

"Someone so young—could she have paid someone else to write the paper for her?"

"It’s not impossible. Remember those rumors a few years back about female students and their advisors? Who knows what connections she might have used."

Qiao Yunhu, standing beside Ye Xiaoxiao, felt deeply uncomfortable hearing these remarks.

Yet, Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t even flinch.

"Aren’t you upset? What they’re saying is way out of line."

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. "No."

Though she claimed not to be angry, she marched right over to the two middle-aged men who had been running their mouths.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, may I ask who you are and which hospital you’re from?

"You seem like such experts on academic matters—could it be that you’ve done something like this before?

"And one more thing… if you doubt my medical expertise, then when it’s my turn to speak later, plug your ears."

Her voice wasn’t quiet—at least half the room could hear her.

The two men, who had been running their mouths like busybodies just moments ago, now flushed red, unable to meet Ye Xiaoxiao’s gaze.

Still, one of them stubbornly retorted, "Where did this kid come from? She has no respect for her seniors, and eavesdropping on others is downright rude."

Ye Xiaoxiao smirked mockingly. "People who gossip behind others’ backs have the nerve to call someone else rude? The world truly has no shame anymore."

"You—you’re utterly insufferable!"

The man, accustomed to being a department head at his hospital, had never been confronted so boldly before. Humiliated by Ye Xiaoxiao’s questioning and rebuttal, he lost his temper.

Qiao Yunhu stepped forward beside Ye Xiaoxiao. "Dr. Ye is 100% right. If you two seniors find this conference meaningless, feel free to walk out now."

The argument had drawn the attention of the organizers, including Xitan Hospital’s dean.

Xitan Hospital is also one of the most advanced hospitals in China for tumor treatment.

Director Zhou walked over and looked at the two middle-aged doctors, clearly recognizing them.

"Dr. Qian, Dr. Hu, both of you know what this academic conference is for. Whether the attendees are older or younger, I hope you can show basic respect."

Getting scolded at their age, the two doctors felt embarrassed.

Apologizing to a young doctor was out of the question for them.

Director Zhou was deeply disappointed by their attitude. "I hope you can apologize to Dr. Ye. If you refuse, you won’t be welcome here anymore."

Their heads snapped up at this.

This wasn’t just any ordinary academic conference—it was a major industry-organized event.

If they were kicked out, losing face would be the least of it; being ostracized in the industry would be far worse.

So, despite their reluctance, the two pasted on stiff smiles at Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Sorry, Dr. Ye. We’re old, and sometimes what we say isn’t pleasant for young people to hear. Don’t take it to heart," said balding Dr. Hu shamelessly.

As he spoke, he elbowed his colleague beside him.

Only then did the bespectacled Dr. Qian grudgingly mutter "sorry."

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head. "Did I hear that right? You were just making shady remarks about me. If that’s a joke, why don’t you joke like that with your own wives?"

Dr. Hu’s fake smile turned to stone.

The more hot-tempered Dr. Qian snapped angrily. "This is too much! Director Zhou, you heard her just now—this young woman has no respect. Are you still going to defend her?

"At such a young age, she’s this arrogant. She won’t last long. I advise you not to bank on her. Do you really expect her to move our field forward?"

With that, Dr. Qian turned and left, adding before he went, "I’m walking out—nobody’s kicking me out."

Director Zhou knew exactly what was going on.

It was nothing more than bullying the new blood.

Who knew this newcomer would be so fierce, calling them out to their faces?

Director Zhou had done his research beforehand, and the more he looked into it, the more astonished he became. Despite her young age, Ye Xiaoxiao had successfully treated many complex cases.

Even her tumor removal surgeries weren’t flukes—both had been successful.

So he decided to trust Ye Xiaoxiao and stand firmly by her side.

"Dr. Hu, do you want to leave as well?"

Dr. Hu immediately forced a sycophantic grin. They were representing their hospital—leaving now would reflect badly on them.

Understanding Director Zhou’s stance, Dr. Hu offered a slightly more sincere apology this time.

"Dr. Ye, we’re truly sorry. We were talking nonsense earlier. Please don’t hold it against us and forgive us."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded half-heartedly. Forgiveness was impossible, but she could at least write them off from now on.

"Director Hu, let's discuss what we'll say later."

Director Hu smiled and said, "Sure, we can go to the lounge first."

Ye Xiaoxiao and Qiao Yunhu left together, and the chatter only started up again after they left.

"Who is that young girl anyway? Is she really that impressive?"

"Shh! Do you know Zhou Ziran? I heard she cured his eye problem."

"Don't joke around. Wasn't Mr. Zhou's eye condition treated by Mr. Song?"

"You're way out of the loop. Ye Xiaoxiao is Mr. Song's disciple—they've already done the whole master-disciple ceremony. Our director even attended the banquet."

"Really? Mr. Zhou hasn’t taken on a disciple in years. Did he find her in the countryside?"

"Who knows... Just don't cross her, simple as that."

Dr. Hu listened to the whispers around him and was stunned.

A disciple of Song Guangjing!

Is that true?

Wait... Mr. Song is a TCM doctor—how's his disciple this good at surgery?

If he had known her identity earlier, he wouldn't have run his mouth like that!