Chapter 84: Awarded the Nobel Prize

The “Divine Arrow” fighter jet had been successfully developed. With this, Li Fu, Chen Bin, Yu Liang, Cao Haitao, and Yang Yiping all concluded their period of seclusion in Tianfu. Each of the five received enthusiastic invitations from national research institutions, offering highly favorable terms. After all, each of them now bore titles such as Academician of China, aerospace expert, and more—a group in high demand, and the state attached great importance to them.

Li Fu, however, declined without hesitation. He had his own plans in mind. The main reason he had thrown himself into researching plasma propulsion this time was to gain fame, to show everyone his value—something that would greatly benefit his future development.

Now, with so many prestigious titles to his name, Li Fu found that many things had become much more convenient. Coupled with the immense merit he had achieved, the treatment he received was naturally on a whole new level.

To Li Fu’s surprise, Chen Bin, Yu Liang, Cao Haitao, and Yang Yiping also turned down the national institutions’ offers outright. He had assumed that at least a few of them would be recruited away, and that it would be quite good if even one or two stayed by his side. Yet, all four simply chose to continue following him.

They understood deeply that, without Li Fu, they would still be struggling graduates worried about finding jobs—perhaps working in sales, toiling day and night to make ends meet. They could never have achieved what they had now, let alone taken part in national-level research projects.

Not only had they made great accomplishments, but they were now able to attend banquets in the Great Hall and take commemorative photos with national leaders. At such a young age, they had already earned the title of Academician of China. In less than a year, their lives felt like a surreal dream.

They knew full well that all of this had come from Li Fu—from his training, his guidance, his brain-training methods that had revolutionized their thinking. Everything they had achieved was thanks to him.

“I’ll follow Brother Fu for the rest of my life!”

Usually a man of few words, Chen Bin’s single sentence conveyed the thoughts of all four. They knew that joining a national research institution might look impressive, and working for a private individual like Li Fu might seem to lack prospects. But the experiences of the past year had shown them that only by following Li Fu could they have an unimaginable future.

Li Fu, generous as always, gave Chen Bin and the others a half-month vacation. Months of intense research had left them little time for rest or contact with the outside world, and it was high time for a proper break. Li Fu himself planned the same, flying straight from Tianfu to the Imperial Capital to spend time with Wang Yun.

At the international airport of the capital, the moment Li Fu appeared at the exit, Wang Yun flew into his arms like a swallow, showering him with kisses. It was a reunion sweeter than a honeymoon.

“Congratulations! You’re now an Academician of China—the youngest in history.”

Clinging to Li Fu’s arm, Wang Yun’s face was flushed. Remembering her bold display just now, she blushed even deeper, embarrassed at having kissed Li Fu in front of so many passersby.

“Haha, I missed you so much. How about another kiss?”

Li Fu grinned, still savoring the sweetness of their reunion.

“There are too many people here. Let’s go home first.”

With Li Fu’s teasing, Wang Yun’s cheeks grew even redder. She buried her face in her hair, and with a sharp pinch to Li Fu’s waist, made her feelings known.

“Ouch! That hurts. Are you trying to murder your own husband?” Li Fu feigned pain, but his hand held hers tightly.

Laughing and chatting, they returned to Unit 901 of Building 8 in Huaxia Gardens, the apartment Li Fu had bought next to Yanhuang University.

With a kick, Li Fu slammed the door shut, swept Wang Yun into his arms, and carried her straight to the bedroom, where she responded passionately to his kisses.

Life in the capital was blissful for Li Fu. He spent every day inseparable from Wang Yun, as if making up for all the longing of their time apart, leaving all other concerns far behind.

Meanwhile, news of Chen Bin, Yu Liang, Cao Haitao, and Yang Yiping being named Academicians of China had spread. Although Li Fu had given them extended holidays, they couldn’t avoid returning to their alma maters.

At Hongdu Institute of Technology, the news that Chen Bin and Yu Liang—still students—had become the youngest ever Academicians seemed unbelievable at first. Only after repeated confirmation did the school’s leadership accept that their students, through participation in major national research projects and outstanding contributions, had been so honored.

The whole campus erupted in celebration. The school leaders were elated; after all, to have not just one, but two Academicians, still undergraduates, was a historic event worthy of extensive publicity. It would do wonders for the university’s reputation. The school quickly invited Chen Bin and Yu Liang back, and since it was the final semester for graduating seniors, they decided to hold a grand celebration.

Time slipped by, and October arrived. Far away in Sweden, the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute was in the final stages of selecting this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

“There’s no doubt about it. Li Fu from China, through his outstanding contributions in the new field of biological virology, and his development of a drug to treat AIDS, is unquestionably this year’s laureate for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,” declared the elderly, white-haired Geoffrey to the assembled judges. This year’s selection process was the easiest in memory; no other scientist’s achievements could compare to Li Fu’s.

In previous years, the judges often disagreed, and a vote would decide the laureate. This time, however, there was complete consensus. Li Fu, with his pioneering work in biology and medicine, had not only founded a new field but also developed a drug capable of saving millions of AIDS patients worldwide.

Either of these achievements alone would have made him a worthy recipient. Together, they left no room for competition.

The other judges nodded in agreement. Nobel’s original intent was to honor those who made great contributions to humanity in their fields. While the prize had occasionally been marred by controversy or injustice, it had largely remained true to Nobel’s vision.

In the past, the Nobel committee had viewed China with a measure of prejudice. Despite China’s population accounting for one-sixth of the world, only two Chinese laureates had ever been awarded: Mo Yan in literature and Tu Youyou in physiology or medicine.

It was true, of course, that China had long lagged behind in science and technology. Yet in some fields, Chinese scientists had made contributions well worthy of recognition, though various reasons had often kept them from being honored.

But now, Li Fu’s achievements were undeniable and indisputable: his work in virology and his development of an AIDS treatment. Even the most prejudiced of the Anglo-Saxon judges could not deny his merit.

To do so in the face of such overwhelming achievement would call into question the Nobel’s commitment to fairness and tarnish the sanctity and prestige of the award.

On October 2, 2018, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Li Fu, born in Jiangnan, China, and now twenty-two years old, had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work in virology and his development of an AIDS treatment.

The news, eagerly awaited by the global media, spread instantly across the world. As everyone had expected, the prize was awarded to Li Fu, the twenty-two-year-old who had become the youngest Nobel laureate in history.

The impact of the Nobel Prize was immense. In China, the announcement became headline news. The nation had longed for such a triumph—a young Nobel laureate in the sciences, carrying immense prestige.

Previously, China’s only laureate had been in literature, which, while honorable, did not reflect strength in the sciences. Tu Youyou’s award had been based on work from decades ago, not current research. Li Fu’s win filled this gap.

As news headlines put it, this marked the rapid rise of China in the realm of science and technology, and heralded the beginning of China’s full-scale renaissance.