Chapter 632: The Dust Settles (Two chapters combined)
After landing in Switzerland, they went directly to the hotel arranged by the Chu couple. The awards ceremony was in the afternoon, followed by an evening party.
Other award winners usually arrive here a week in advance and are led by the embassy or other hosts to give various speeches and presentations.
Gu Yin and her group had a special situation, so they arrived a little late, but receiving an invitation was enough to prove their abilities, so there was no need to worry about being made things difficult for them.
They got off the plane in the morning, and after returning to the hotel, they washed up and rested as soon as possible. Around noon, the Chu couple called everyone up one by one.
"Get up and eat! Then choose your dresses! After that, review the procedures of previous award ceremonies to avoid any mistakes that would embarrass our country! This award ceremony and gala are especially important, as they will be broadcast on the news, so we can't afford any errors!" Yao Jinse instructed them while having the waiter bring the food.
Zhang Ge, who had initially thought he hadn't won an award and was just there to take a look, suddenly became nervous: "Sister-in-law, what do I do now that you've said that? I'm just a researcher, I don't know anything about these things. If I embarrass myself, I'll be scolded to death!"
Wang Yanzhi smiled and glanced at the others who came with him: "Don't be afraid, just follow them. Just treat it as an internship. You won't be nervous when you win the award."
Gu Yin was actually a little nervous, but mainly excited. Even if she didn't win an award this time, she had already stood in the hall of highest honor, and winning an award was only a matter of time. The main thing was that she had never thought about these things in her previous life. In this life, she had reached such a high place, and she was a little unaccustomed to it, and also a little proud.
It's not about being proud of her achievements, but about being proud to be Chinese, to stand alongside the world's most outstanding people in various fields, to look up to them, to get closer to them, to become like them, and to surpass them!
After lunch, no one went out. Apart from trying on formal attire, they watched videos of past galas.
For important occasions, men here wear French-style formal attire, while women wear all sorts of different outfits. That's fine, there are no restrictions. So everyone decided that the men would wear Zhongshan suits and the women would wear cheongsams.
The occasion was rather formal, so everyone chose black.
Zhang Ge looked at Chu Xiong and exclaimed, "Mr. Chu, how did you know my size? You even prepared so many formal dresses. The suit I prepared myself is now useless."
Chu Xiong laughed and said, "After we found out that you and A Yin had both received invitations, we asked Professor Meng Yu and arranged everything for you."
So that's how it is.
Gu Yin thought that the invitation could be used to invite relatives and friends, so she looked at Chu Xiong and Yao Jinse and said with a smile, "If you're free tonight, how about coming with us to take a look?"
Chu Xiong's eyes lit up: "Can I do it too?"
Gu Yin nodded: "Of course, invitees can bring their relatives and friends, up to a maximum of ten people!"
If it weren't for the uncertainty surrounding the number of winners this time, Gu Yin would have brought her whole family along!
Chu Xiong and Yao Jinse were surprised to find that they still had a spot available, and they immediately became excited. It was true that they had money, and they could even pay more to get a card, but opportunities to go in as family members were rare! How could they not be excited!
"I'll have someone send our dresses over right away!" Yao Jinse said with a smile as she made the call.
There are companies here, and they occasionally come over for events, so I know some custom dress studios. They have their sizes on hand, but they don't have time to make them all. However, I can still buy two dresses!
At four o'clock in the afternoon, everyone changed into formal attire and got ready to go. Zhang Ge and two people sent by the government went in this time, while Gu Yin's side was accompanied by the bodyguard captain and the Chu family couple. The others would wait at the entrance of the venue.
The awards ceremony was held at the city hall again. After handing over the invitation at the entrance, Gu Yin, Zhang Ge, and the others were led inside.
The venue has two floors. There is a stage at the front of the first floor where the award presenters, the King of Switzerland, some famous doctors, members of the Royal Society and other colleges, and members of the Nobel Foundation board will sit. The winners of this year's awards and previous winners will sit on both sides of the stage.
The ground floor is spacious and will be used to seat the people invited this time. The second floor houses the Royal Performing Arts Orchestra.
Gu Yin and her group were seated on the first floor, very close to the front. The front row was reserved for members of the royal family and last year's winners! Further back were the families of this year's winners! This arrangement made Gu Yin think twice!
Even someone as worldly-wise as Chu Xiong tensed up slightly as he leaned closer to Gu Yin and whispered, "Do you have a chance this time?"
Gu Yin shook her head: "It's not clear yet. They said there was an anomaly with the medical award quota, but it's uncertain if it's me."
Chu Xiong pondered for a moment and said, "It's alright. If it doesn't work this time, we'll try again next year! If anyone tries to bully you at the party, don't panic. Just fight back. We have the country behind us, so we're not afraid of them!"
Gu Yin nodded: "Don't worry, I've made all the necessary preparations for any unforeseen circumstances. Don't panic."
Seeing that she was in a stable mood, Chu Xiong smiled and sat down. He had worried too much. This girl had seen all kinds of storms, and she probably wouldn't back down from "swearing".
People arrived one after another. Some were surprised to see Gu Yin and her group. It was quite surprising to see a few Asians in a hall where 90% of the people were white, especially since the awards here were not for literature or economics, but for chemistry, physics, physiology and medicine.
Some people who knew the inside story didn't find Gu Yin's arrival unusual, but they would occasionally glance at Gu Yin, seemingly unable to believe that such a young woman had reached such a height.
Once everyone had arrived, the important figures on the stage took their seats, followed by the King's speech. After the speech, a director of the foundation presided over the meeting, recounting the discoveries and contributions of the first laureate.
After the presentation, the person in charge gave the certificates and gold medals to the King, who then distributed them to the winners.
After awarding the prizes in Chemistry and Physics, it was time for the Medicine prize.
Each award can be awarded to a maximum of three people. This time, two people have already won the medical award, which is not the case as Zhang Ge said, that no one has won it!
At this point, Gu Yin's mood calmed down.
Zhang Ge and the others became increasingly nervous.
Some of the people on stage who already knew the result were looking at Gu Yin.
The person in charge also looked at Gu Yin and said in a deep voice, "The number of places for this medical award has given us a headache. Our award is fair and just and follows the rules, but because of our love for talent, this is the reason for this trouble."
Many foreign professors who knew Gu Yin looked at her upon hearing this.
Gu Yin remained calm. Until the very last second, no one knew the outcome.
"We discussed it for a long time and finally decided that the third recipient of this year's medical prize is Dr. Carrar, who was born in the United States."
Zhang Ge was stunned, while the Chu couple looked at Gu Yin. Gu Yin smiled and shook her head: "It's okay. I fell behind a bit this year. This award will definitely be mine next year. Just consider it an opportunity to broaden my horizons."
Gu Yin genuinely believed this; she was certain she would win the award, and no one could take it away from her. If she didn't win it next year, the award would lose its credibility. So she wasn't disappointed; she just had a feeling that she had expected this.
The person in charge on the podium continued, "Although Professor Karal has passed away, his discovery has indeed influenced a generation. Therefore, after several discussions and votes, this award has been given to Dr. Karal. Please invite Dr. Karal's family to come up on stage to accept the award on his behalf."
Some people who were originally planning to watch the show were immediately disappointed.
Gu Yin had no idea that Dr. Karal had already passed away.
Zhang Ge sighed, "No matter what, we can't beat them for this spot." The person is gone; how can we compete?
After the awards ceremony, the Royal Orchestra on the second floor began to play music.
There will be a party later, and Gu Yin is looking forward to it, having heard that the food at the banquet is delicious.
After that, the award winners gave speeches, and it wasn't until 7 p.m. that everyone moved to the adjacent Blue Hall, where the evening's banquet would be held.
Because Gu Yin's evening gown required a particularly formal design to be allowed entry, Gu Yin and Zhang Ge, both dressed in representative gowns, were stopped at the entrance of the banquet hall. Gu Yin explained to them that these garments were indeed very formal and representative in their country. The person then reported to their superior, and Gu Yin and Zhang Ge passed the inspection.
According to tradition, the King and Queen first entered the main table in the center of the banquet hall, followed by specially invited guests and award winners and their families. Gu Yin and Zhang Ge were specially invited guests and followed them to the main table. After the people at the main table were seated, the others entered and took their seats.
A long table was covered with flowers and champagne, looking very luxurious. I heard that the tableware was specially designed, very extravagant and grand.
None of the award winners spoke for two minutes on stage, and then the banquet began.
Duck aspic rolls, fried truffle turbot, chanterelle mushrooms, and truffle oxtail gravy are tonight's dinner menu—a set of three dishes that the Nobel Foundation has kept for its dinners since 1901. (Source: Baidu Encyclopedia)
After taking a bite, Zhang Ge nodded and said, "It's really delicious, better than our roast duck."
Gu Yin also thought the taste was very good, but the portion was too small.
After the dinner, everyone moved up to the upstairs hall, where it was more relaxed and attendees could freely chat and make friends.
Once they arrived here, Chu Xiong and Yao Jinse completely relaxed; this was practically their home turf.
Seeing their eager looks, Gu Yin smiled and said, "The two family members are free to move around as they please. You can talk in my name. I hope you can get something out of it!"
Zhang Ge, standing nearby, wasn't stupid either. This was the best time to expand one's network. Everyone here was a top figure, and if they revealed even a little something, it would be enough to make a family glorious for a lifetime!
The person assigned to him next to him also looked at him, and Zhang Ge nodded: "Go, do your best! Strive to bring back as many projects as possible for our country!"
Gu Yin observed the Chu couple and noticed that when they greeted people, the other people were initially puzzled, but after a while, they started chatting enthusiastically. When they left, they even exchanged business cards. The two continued to wander around the venue, finding targets to talk to. Chu Yan still has a lot to learn from this skill!
"Miss Zhou, it's been a long time."
A familiar voice sounded from behind. Gu Yin turned around and saw Professor Smith.
Gu Yin smiled and extended her hand: "Professor Smith? It's been a long time. We lost contact after we parted ways in Myanmar. Last time, I had to rush back to China overnight due to an emergency at home and didn't even have time to say goodbye. You're not angry, are you?"
Smith gave a perfunctory handshake and laughed, "So it was a family emergency. I thought Miss Zhou looked down on me and rushed back to China overnight!"
Gu Yin was surprised: "You can't say that. You are my senior. How could I be so rude? As you know, our country has always treated people with courtesy!"
After Smith was stopped by Wu Ye's men last time, he knew that his plan to persuade her to go to his country had failed. Now, he was unwilling to engage in any pretense with her.
Smith sneered, "Everyone thought Miss Zhou would win this time, but it turns out a deceased person got the spot. If Miss Zhou had agreed to go to our country in the first place, the spot would definitely have been yours. How about it, regret it now? You were just a runner-up, aren't you ashamed?"
Gu Yin chuckled: "If your country could control the Nobel Prize, I should have seen Professor Smith receiving the award on stage just now. As for being a runner-up, so what? I only ran for the first time, while you have been a runner-up for decades. You are not ashamed, so why should I be ashamed? Besides, I will definitely be standing on that stage next year. Instead of spending your time mocking me, you should go back and do more research. Otherwise, what if it becomes a regret? After all, Dr. Karal received the Nobel Prize after his death, while you will die without even being nominated. That would be shameful."
Smith's face turned pale, then green, and finally black. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the directors of the Nobel Foundation and Guo Wangchao walking over, and his angry expression immediately returned to normal.
Gu Yin scoffed, "This face-changing is even more impressive than our country's national art, face-changing! I'm impressed."
After saying this, he ignored Smith's trembling face and smiled at the Nobel Prize-winning board members and the King who were walking towards them.
The king and the directors walked up to Gu Yin and greeted her with smiles.
The King said, “I am so glad to finally meet the genius of China. Your age and beauty amaze me, and your achievements are even more astonishing! Welcome to Switzerland. I hope you have a wonderful time in the coming days.”
The director also smiled and said, "When your information was first submitted, no one believed it. It took a very long time to finally confirm that your results were true. You are so young! The youngest nominee in the history of the Nobel Prize!"
Gu Yin was surprised: "Nominated?"
The board member nodded: "Yes, you were indeed nominated, but in the end, after considering that Dr. Doucaral would no longer have the opportunity to win the award, we decided to give the award to him. After all, you are still young, and there is much more to come in the future. We also know that you are researching cancer targeted drugs without side effects. After discussing it, we all felt that your research was better than the previous one, so we thought we would give you the award after your research was completed. Also, Professor Zhang Ge's targeted drug for AIDS, don't you Chinese people say that good things come in pairs? We hope to see both of you on the award stage next year!"
I didn't expect they already knew about this. Gu Yin smiled and nodded, "I admire Dr. Karal very much. Everyone is contributing to the future of humanity. I have no complaints. The Nobel Prize is fair. I look forward to seeing you here again next year, and I hope to receive the certificate and gold medal from the King next year." Hmm, and there are several million in prize money.
The king and the board members smiled kindly, and after encouraging Gu Yin and Zhang Ge, they left the venue.
Smith, who had been waiting for a chance to say hello, was ignored from beginning to end. He stopped looking at Gu Yin and left the venue angrily. In his anger, he bumped into someone else, who was also an award winner. It seemed that the two were mortal enemies. Smith immediately lost his temper, and the two started fighting.
Gu Yin was stunned! Then she couldn't help but laugh. Tomorrow the whole world will be reporting on today's events; the United States has lost face big time!
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