Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

The association president on the dais also frowned slightly, his gaze towards Chen Ping softened considerably, and his smile faded. "Dean Liu's eagerness to cultivate talent is admirable."

"Since you recommended this young man, there's no problem with him joining the membership. He can have a regular membership."

"As for positions such as youth council members and grassroots staff, it is not feasible to arrange them for the time being."

"Association positions require matching qualifications, institutional platform, and academic achievements."

"This Dr. Chen is too young and his work unit is at a limited level. He is not yet capable of holding a position in the association. He should first focus on being an ordinary member, learning more, and accumulating more experience."

These words, though politely spoken, are actually a slap in the face.

To put it bluntly: your background is too low and your platform is too poor. Even with Dean Liu's recommendation, you are not qualified to serve in the association and can only be an ordinary member to make up the numbers.

Dean Liu's expression stiffened slightly, and he wanted to say a few more words to defend Chen Ping.

Just then, Chen Ping suddenly raised his hand and gently stopped him.

Chen Ping remained calm and composed, speaking lightly to the podium: "Thank you for your kind offer, Chairman, but it's not necessary. I won't be joining this membership."

The moment the words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Joining the provincial TCM association is a coveted position that countless young doctors would fight tooth and nail for; it's an excellent opportunity to enhance one's resume, build connections, and elevate one's status.

The president had already agreed to give out a spot, but this country doctor actually refused outright?

Everyone immediately felt that Chen Ping was ungrateful, arrogant, and shameless.

The president frowned even more, his face darkened completely, and his tone was somewhat displeased: "Young man, don't be arrogant."

"The association platform will greatly benefit your future development; don't miss the opportunity due to impulsiveness."

Chen Ping remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "When it comes to joining the association, we only look at the organization, the degree, and the seniority; we don't look at medical skills, medical ethics, or one's true intentions."

"I have no interest in joining an association like that."

With just one sentence, he silenced the entire audience.

Many people looked at him with even more contempt, thinking he was just angry because his inferiority complex had been exposed, and that he was simply throwing caution to the wind.

"As expected of someone who came from the grassroots, their vision is too narrow, yet their ambition is too high."

"He doesn't understand social etiquette and has wasted Dean Liu's recommendation."

"Youthful arrogance will inevitably lead to regret sooner or later."

The whispers resumed, this time with even greater sarcasm.

Dean Liu sighed helplessly, but there was nothing he could do but give up for the time being. However, he had great faith in Chen Ping's character and abilities, knowing that he was by no means an arrogant person.

The meeting proceeded smoothly from there.

The new members then proceed to the self-introduction and personal showcase segment.

One by one, young doctors took to the stage. They were all graduates of prestigious universities, worked in top-tier hospitals, had impressive resumes, spoke confidently, and talked about their research projects, papers, academic studies, and further education experiences.

Each person who went on stage was greeted with applause from the audience, and the board members nodded in approval frequently, creating a lively atmosphere.

Soon, it was the turn of the boy from the night market last night.

The boy stood up, straightened his suit, and walked calmly to the podium. He was upright with a polite smile on his face, and was refined and cultured. He showed no trace of the violent beating he had done the night before.

"Dear seniors and colleagues, hello everyone. My name is Gao Bowen. I graduated from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the provincial medical college and currently work in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the city's central hospital."

After a brief self-introduction, a chorus of quiet praise erupted from the audience.

"The city's central hospital! That's a top-tier tertiary hospital in the provincial capital."

"To be able to get into the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of the city's central hospital at such a young age, you have a bright future ahead of you."

"He truly deserves to be called a young talent; his resume is incredibly impressive."

Standing on the stage, Gao Bowen listened to the praise from the audience, his smile widening, his sense of superiority overflowing.

His gaze unconsciously swept over Chen Ping in the audience, a hint of sinister coldness and vengeful playfulness hidden in his eyes.

He's going to make up for the embarrassment he suffered at the night market last night, and he's going to do it all here today.

He continued to speak eloquently and fluently, citing classical texts and discussing everything from the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine to the development of modern integrated Chinese and Western medicine.

He spoke eloquently about industry trends and the responsibilities of young doctors, making impressive and persuasive statements.

The entire speech was eloquent but empty, yet remarkably intimidating.

The applause from the audience was continuous, and the board members nodded frequently, praising him repeatedly: "Not bad, not bad, young and promising, clear thinking, and sound values. He is a promising new generation of TCM practitioners."

Gao Bowen enjoyed the recognition and adulation of the audience, becoming increasingly spirited and arrogant.

After finishing his speech, he did not immediately step down from the stage. Instead, he suddenly changed the subject and said with a smile, "I just heard that Dean Liu recommended a young and talented Dr. Chen. It is truly an honor to be here with him today."

"For us practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, the most valuable things are communication, mutual learning, and pragmatism."

"Since the association has prepared a clinical case discussion session today, why don't we invite Dr. Chen to come up on stage and explain the diagnosis of one or two cases to us, so that we junior doctors can learn from Dr. Chen's superb medical skills?"

These words, seemingly a humble request for advice, are actually barbed and malicious, full of both flattery and deliberate obstruction.

All eyes immediately turned to Chen Ping once again.

Everyone knew perfectly well that Gao Bowen was deliberately stirring up trouble.

An ordinary doctor in a township health center usually sees minor illnesses and pains. How could he possibly understand the case discussions at provincial symposiums on difficult cases?

Gao Bowen wanted to force Chen Ping onto the stage in public, to make him look foolish, make a mistake, and embarrass himself, so that he could get back the face he lost last night.

The president nodded in agreement, smiling as he echoed, "Since Dr. Gao has made the suggestion, that's excellent."

"Academic exchanges have no hierarchy. Dr. Chen Ping, why don't you go up on stage and share your thoughts? It would also liven up the atmosphere of the meeting."

"Perfect timing, let's all see how skilled the doctor recommended by Dean Liu is."

Everyone was waiting to see Chen Ping embarrassed, helpless, and make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

Chen Ping merely raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm, and gently shook his head: "No, my knowledge is shallow. I practice medicine at the grassroots level and can only treat some common and frequently occurring diseases. I can't be considered to have superb medical skills, so I won't try to teach others."

He voluntarily backed down, not wanting to get the better of himself in public.

"Dr. Chen, you..." Dean Liu knew about Chen Ping's medical skills.

Chen Ping's current act of showing weakness and backing down has left him somewhat puzzled.

Chen Ping should be allowed to go on stage and demonstrate his medical skills to these people in public.

Chen Ping smiled and shook his head at Dean Liu, who then understood what Chen Ping meant.

Medical skills are for healing and saving lives, not for showing off or flaunting.

However, Chen Ping's concession was seen by everyone as a sign of guilt, cowardice, ignorance, and fear.

A chorus of soft snickers immediately rose from the audience.

"As expected, it didn't work out, so they chickened out."

"I always said that rural doctors don't have any real skills; they all rely on Director Liu's biased praise."

"The moment it comes to a real academic exchange, their true colors are immediately revealed."