Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 1445 sets the tone, welcoming the godparents as a family.
Fang Yan lifted the curtain of the study and saw that both Director Liao and Vice Minister Li had arrived.

Everyone else in the main hall of the house came out to greet the two.

Even the head chef in the kitchen heard the commotion and came out to take a look. When he found it was these two big shots, he quickly went back to work.

Both of these top leaders are usually quite busy, so for them to come here today is a great honor.

Of course, this is also related to the dialect and Lao Hu's identity.

Dialects are the trump card for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office to attract foreign investment. Lao Hu is an overseas Chinese businessman who has brought almost all of his wealth back home. Since these two families have become godparents, we should still show our appreciation by inviting them.

Therefore, their secretaries, Gao and Huang, had also prepared gifts in their hands.

Fang Yan quickly went to greet him, smiling and extending his hand:

"Director Liao, Minister Li! Please come in, it's windy outside."

Old Hu quickly came over and greeted them warmly: "I specially asked the chef of Yanjing Hotel to prepare a few extra dishes. You two should have a few more drinks today."

Director Liao said with a smile:

"Oh dear, that won't do! We can't drink it because of the dialect!"

Old Hu was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said:

"It's just like having tea! Your presence is already a great honor for both our families."

Director Liao held Old Hu's hand, his gaze sweeping over the red lanterns and lively scene in the courtyard. He smiled and said, "Your child is becoming a godparent. Such a joyous occasion! No matter how busy you are, you have to come and share in the happiness."

Vice Minister Li followed Fang Yan into the main hall, looked around at the room's furnishings, and nodded, saying:
"This yard is so tidy. We didn't bring anything valuable, just some practical things for the little one." As he spoke, he gestured for Secretary Huang behind him to hand over the gifts.

Secretary Huang and Secretary Gao each put down the gift boxes they were carrying. Secretary Huang explained with a smile:

"The minister specially had a baby padded jacket made, filled with pure cotton, which is warm and lightweight. He also personally wrote a calligraphy piece for the child."

"Oh, thank you, Minister Li!" Old Hu said quickly.

Secretary Gao here also said:
"Director Liao brought a set of calligraphy supplies, saying that he would have Director Fang teach his child to write when he grows up, so as to pass on traditional culture."

"You're too kind. You came all this way, and you brought so many gifts." Fang Yan quickly told his sister-in-law to put the gifts away.

"Zhu Lin and the child are in the inner room. I'll have her come out and say hello to you two."

"No, no, no need to trouble yourself." Director Liao waved his hand. "The mother and baby are the most important. We're just here to join in the fun. There's no need to make special arrangements for us."

After saying that, he pointed to the next room, towards the study:
"Your brother said you were just talking about expanding enrollment in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital?"

Fang Yan nodded and said:

"Yes, we're talking about it right now, but we've run into a disagreement."

Director Liao and Vice Minister Li exchanged a glance.

Then Director Liao said:
"We'd like to hear it too."

Vice Minister Li nodded and said:

"Yes, the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital is one of our key departments. Attracting overseas Chinese businesspeople is also a top priority in the future."

"We still need to hear your thoughts."

“Alright, let’s go over there!” Fang Yan led the two leaders to the study next door.

It's only because Fang Yan's study is large that it could hold so many people. The room was packed with people, and there was tea and pastries on the table. They were all important members of the health department, making it look like a conference room.

"It's quite lively! What were you discussing just now?" Vice Minister Li asked with a smile.

Fang Yan stepped forward and briefly recounted what had just happened.

After listening, Vice Minister Li said:
"Old Yue's idea is bold and ambitious!"

"However, Dean Cui's concerns are also very practical. The name of Peking Union Medical College Hospital carries significant weight, and every step must be taken with care."

"The matter of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital cannot be decided in just a few words. Even with the expansion of the TCM department, there are still so many problems that have not been solved. We still have to take it one step at a time."

After saying that, he looked at Fang Yan and said:

"Fang Yan, you are the person in charge of the specifics. You will still be in charge of the people in the future. Whatever suggestions others make, you will ultimately have to implement them. What is your core idea? Don't worry about what others say, just tell me."

Fang Yan picked up the conversation and said:

"My idea is simpler: first, solve the most pressing problem and get the expanded team up before the building is put into use. Otherwise, such a big building will be empty if we only have the same few people."

"My core idea remains unchanged: to combine experienced practitioners with newcomers, integrating traditional Chinese medicine practitioners with academics, to create a high ground for traditional Chinese medicine that is both profound in its heritage and full of innovative vitality."

"The goal is to make the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital a true 'living brand,' serving as a model for internal use and attracting external attention."

"As for the specific implementation, I currently agree more with Professor Yue's view: first, let professors and graduate students from the nearby Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine work part-time here, just like at Xiyuan Hospital."

"Let's get the hospital up and running first, then we can talk about other things."

"We can't just leave such a big outpatient building empty, can we?"

"Regarding the cooperation model that Elder Yue mentioned, we should still consult with Peking Union Medical College Hospital. After all, Peking Union Medical College Hospital also has its own school, it just doesn't have a Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's better for us to let Peking Union Medical College Hospital make the decision."

Fang Yan's idea, simply put, is that no matter how the two schools are pulling in different directions, he wants to expand the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine first to solve the immediate problems and connect with these titles. In fact, it's more of a matter between the schools.

After listening, Vice Minister Li clapped his hands and said, "Yes, that's how it should be done! Focus on the core issues and solve the immediate problems first. We can discuss the coordination between the schools slowly. Don't let these things delay the building's opening."

He turned to look at Cui Jingyi:
"Dean Cui, Fang Yan's approach is very pragmatic. Does Peking Union Medical College Hospital have any objections? Professors taking on part-time jobs and students doing practical training are all for the purpose of running the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine well. It does not involve affiliation and will not affect the reputation of Peking Union Medical College Hospital."

Cui Jingyi breathed a sigh of relief; she was just afraid that the leaders would agree without consulting them.

He quickly nodded and said, "No objection! As long as the TCM department can be established and patients can benefit, we will fully cooperate. We will try our best to come up with a detailed plan as soon as possible and implement it before the building is completed. We will not hold back."

“That’s right!” Director Liao chimed in. “When doing things, we have to focus on the key points. Let’s get the outpatient and inpatient buildings up and running first, and we can discuss other things later.”

He looked at Yue Meizhong and his senior colleagues:

"Professor Yue, please do your best to help the dialect at your school." "Oh, Director Liao, you're too kind. We will definitely support the dialect with all our might. Besides, the graduate program needs a place for practice. It's a win-win situation."

Liu Duzhou, Fang Yaozhong, and others also expressed their willingness to personally hold consultations or to recommend reliable colleagues in the industry, and the atmosphere in the study room suddenly became lively.

Director Liao nodded in satisfaction as he watched this scene: "Good, this is what it means to work together as one! For traditional Chinese medicine to develop, it needs the guidance and mentorship of senior practitioners like you, and the support of young people to take over the reins."

Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw this. They had almost gotten into an argument earlier, but now that the leader had been there for a while, the matter was basically settled. Fang Yan then talked to them about the compensation, and it was almost lunchtime.

Then everyone moved into the main hall.

Cold dishes were already laid out on the table, all freshly made by the chefs of Yanjing Hotel.

Considering that today's guests come from all over the country, when ordering the menu, Fang Yan selected at least one dish from each region, so that everyone who comes today can taste the flavors of their hometown.

This stumped the state banquet chefs, as they weren't all as proficient in everything as Fang Yan. In the end, they had to find a way to get two state banquet chefs to come over before they could get the dishes ready.

After everyone was seated, Lao Hu went to bring his wife and child over. Huang Huijie and her child were still in their postpartum period, but since her daughter was recognizing Fang Yan Zhu Lin as her godparents today, they still had to make an appearance.

Fortunately, the weather is pretty good today, and the room is warm, so there shouldn't be any problems.

It's been more than half a month since Huang Huijie gave birth, and she's recovering quite well. Her complexion is rosy, and she's even gained some weight.

Their daughter is perfectly healthy and is fast asleep in her swaddling clothes. The noise outside has no effect on her at all.

This girl's name was chosen by Lao Hu himself; it's Hu Yue.

The name also has a simple meaning: to wish the child happiness forever.

Zhu Lin also came out of the room at this moment, and even took a big hug from little Fang Chengze.

The little guy is fast asleep too.

After everyone was seated, Old Hu cleared his throat, walked to the center of the main hall, cleared his throat again, and said:
"First of all, welcome friends, leaders, and shareholders to witness this ceremony today. In front of all our relatives and friends, I am formally recognizing Fang Yan and Zhu Lin as my daughter Hu Yue's godparents!"

At this moment, Fang Yan and Zhu Lin also stepped forward and walked to Lao Hu and Huang Huijie's side. Fang Yan took out a longevity lock with "May you live a long and healthy life" engraved on one side and "Peace and happiness" engraved on the other side, and put it around Hu Yue's neck.

This is a redesigned version. The gold one that Zhu Lin gave me before was too heavy and I couldn't wear it at all.

Next came the formal recognition ceremony, which usually involves kneeling and bowing. However, since the child was so young, Fang Yan and Zhu Lin could only take the child, hug him, and pat his head as a symbolic act of kinship.

Then Lao Hu said auspicious words to the dialect group:

"I'm entrusting the child to you from now on. Please take good care of her and teach her how to be a good person!"

Zhu Lin and his colleagues replied with the following:
"Don't worry, she'll be my own daughter from now on, and I'll definitely love and protect her!"

These are all rules that their mother, who speaks in the local dialect, taught them; otherwise, they wouldn't know them.

After doing this.

Next, we invite respected elders and leaders to come up and say a few words of blessing.

As Fang Yan's mentor and the most senior member of the group, Lu Donghua was naturally the first to stand up.

He stroked his gray beard, his gaze sweeping over the two couples and two sleeping children before him, his face full of a gratified smile: "Today is a joyous day. Old Hu's Yue'er has recognized Fang Yan, and Zhu Lin has become her godparents. This is a wonderful thing, making our family even closer!"

"Fang Yan is a reliable and kind-hearted child. His medical skills are excellent, and his character is beyond reproach. Zhu Lin is gentle and virtuous, and she takes excellent care of the family and the children. Lao Hu, Hui Jie, I, as your mentor, am at ease entrusting the children to them!"

He paused, looked at the two children, and without caring whether they understood or not, said with a smile:
"Yue'er, Chengze, from now on you are siblings. You must support and look after each other. Godfather and godmother should cherish their goddaughter, and biological parents should not forget to cherish their godson. Only when both families live in harmony and happiness can life become more and more prosperous!"

Finally, he raised his voice and said, "I wish the two children a long and healthy life, peace and joy; I wish Fang Yan and Lao Hu's friendship to be as solid as a rock; and I wish our cause of traditional Chinese medicine to flourish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause rang out in the main hall, and Lao Hu and Huang Huijie thanked Lu Donghua repeatedly.

After Lu Donghua sat down, Director Liao was invited to join him. Among the leaders present, he had the closest relationship with Fang Yan Lao Hu.

He thought for a moment and said, "What Elder Lu said earlier is very true. The two families are becoming even closer through marriage. This is not only a private matter, but also a beautiful story in our circle!"

"Dialects are the backbone of our TCM community, and Lao Hu is a role model for patriotic overseas Chinese businessmen. The two of you working together, developing medical services and attracting foreign investment, are both contributing to the country. Now that the children have recognized each other, you should help each other even more in the future and turn this friendship into motivation for doing things!"

He looked at Hu Yue and said with a smile, "This little girl is so lucky. She has so many elders who care about her since she was born, and she also has such great godparents to protect her. She will definitely grow up to be a successful person. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the little one a healthy growth, and I wish the expansion of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital a smooth process. Finally, I wish our country's TCM cause and the introduction of foreign investment can reach new heights!"

Applause once again resounded throughout the courtyard.

Vice Minister Li then added a few words, offering blessings to the child and affirming the friendship between the two families; his words were concise yet sincere.

The ceremony is now officially complete. Old Hu quickly greeted everyone:

"Thank you for your blessings, elders and leaders! The food is getting cold, everyone please pick up your chopsticks and try the culinary skills of the chef from Yanjing Hotel. We must eat and drink well today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the chefs of Yanjing Hotel began to serve dishes one after another, with the spicy aroma of boiled pork slices, the light fragrance of poached chicken, the rich flavor of braised sea cucumber with scallions... all kinds of aromas from all over the country intertwined together, making everyone's mouths water.

These elaborate dishes are rarely seen by people on a regular basis.

No one stood on ceremony and started eating.

The children were taken back to the inner room and looked after by the nurses.

Fang Yan, holding a teacup, walked over to Lao Hu and gently touched it to his lips.
"Old Hu, from now on we're family."

Old Hu smiled and agreed:
"That is!"

"Once my yard is finished, we'll put a gate in the middle, and this place will feel bigger!"

Fang Yan nodded, and Director Liao, who was standing nearby, heard this and said:
"This is great! With a door in the middle, it'll be convenient for the kids to visit each other. If family members want to have tea or chat, they can just walk over. It'll be so lively!"

Lao Hu said:

"Haha, Director Liao, you're close to us too. When the time comes, I'll turn my yard into a garden, plant some flowers and plants, and build a grape trellis. You can come here to cool off in the summer, and life will be so comfortable."

Director Liao said with a smile:

"Haha, sure, I'll definitely be there!"

P.S.: There will be more this afternoon.

(End of this chapter)