Yang Ping’s hometown, Qingshan County, Qingshan Town, Yang Family Village.

This is a typical southern village, nestled by mountains and rivers, with white walls and black tiles. In front of the village is a small river with a stone arch bridge, said to have been built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The bridge is narrow, allowing only one vehicle to pass through.

Now, next to the old stone bridge at the village entrance, a brand new concrete bridge has been built, twelve meters wide, allowing several sedans to pass side by side. The bridge railings are stone carvings with lotus and auspicious cloud patterns, looking elegant in the sunlight. At the bridgehead stands a stone monument with three large characters: "Yangping Bridge."

Not only was a bridge built, but also a newly paved asphalt road, four lanes, shiny black, with many streetlights on both sides. This road extends from inside the village to the provincial road outside, making travel much more convenient for the villagers and surrounding people, who all smile from ear to ear.

Yang Ping’s family’s house, a courtyard, with white walls and black tiles, upturned eaves, and flying corners, is a typical southern style. The courtyard gate is a black wooden door, simple and understated, with no plaque on the lintel, and two bronze door rings polished shiny.

Pushing the door open, a courtyard faces you. The ground is paved with bluestone, with a small pond dug in the middle, harboring a few koi, and a few lotus flowers floating on the water surface. Surrounding the courtyard is a verandah connecting all the rooms. The main building is the living room, with wing rooms on the left and right, and the kitchen and storage room at the back. The entire courtyard is not very large but intricately laid out, with every step offering a new view, exuding the distinctive meticulousness and attention to detail of southerners, perfectly combining modern architecture with the classic courtyard.

The money for building this courtyard came from the prize money Yang Ping received from winning the Nobel Prize for the first time, which Huang Jiacai and Cheng Liquan handled.

Yang Ping is straightforward: regardless of high-profile or low-profile, he just wants his parents to live comfortably.

He knew from a young age that his parents had a hard life. His father worked as the village doctor, weathering wind and rain, and rode that old motorcycle for decades. His mother managed the household chores, living frugally, and brought him and his sister up. Now, he has the ability to allow his parents to live in a nice house, to have a good life, so why not?

As for high-profile or low-profile, he doesn’t care.

Having won the Nobel Prize, what’s there to be afraid of being high-profile?

But Yang Ping didn’t go back this time.

It’s not that he didn’t want to go back, but he couldn’t. His research project had reached a critical phase. Besides, he didn’t like the fuss. He knew, if he returned, the scene would definitely be uncontrollable.

The facts proved him right.

About one or two weeks after Yang Ping won his second award, Yang Deming and his wife Liu Huifang were basking in the sun in the courtyard of their new home when they suddenly heard a commotion. The sound grew louder and louder, as if a large group of people was approaching.

They walked to the door and were stunned.

On the new asphalt road leading to the village, a long line of cars was approaching in a grand procession.

Leading was a police car with flashing lights and a siren, clearing the way. Following was a black Audi with a small red flag on the hood. Behind it was a white business van with "Qingshan County TV Station" printed on its body. Further behind were several black sedans, one after another, forming a long line.

Yang Deming counted, totaling eighteen vehicles.

Which leader is visiting the countryside? Such a big scene?

Sure enough, the motorcade stopped right at the courtyard entrance. Car doors opened one after another, and people poured out, standing in a group.

Out of the leading Audi emerged County Magistrate Zhou, the magistrate of Qingshan County, whom Yang Deming knew, as he had been here once before, though not with such a grand arrangement. From the van behind emerged reporters and cameramen from the county TV station, carrying cameras and aiming their lenses at the courtyard.

But Yang Deming didn’t recognize the people from the cars behind.

A middle-aged man in a dark blue suit walked over, and County Magistrate Zhou quickly introduced: "Mr. Yang, this is Vice Mayor Li from our city, who came specially from the city!"

Yang Deming paused for a moment, then quickly extended his hand: "Hello, Mayor Li."

Vice Mayor Li shook his hand warmly, saying, "Mr. Yang, congratulations! Your son Yang Ping has brought glory to our country, to our city! I am here today on behalf of the municipal party committee and government to visit you specially!"

Yang Deming nodded and said calmly, without arrogance or humility, "Thank you, Mayor Li, you are too kind, please come in and have a seat."

He turned sideways to let the guests into the courtyard, speaking in a calm tone, with a natural demeanor, as if he were greeting ordinary neighbors.

Liu Huifang stood next to him, with a gentle smile on her face, saying nothing, but that smile made people feel cordial.

Vice Mayor Li paused for a moment. He had seen too many elders rendered helpless by unexpected scenes, but the two in front of him were very composed, as if they were meeting not high-ranking officials but a few distant relatives. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The group of people poured into the courtyard, and although the courtyard was quite large, it was crowded to the brim.

Vice Mayor Li stood in the center of the courtyard, looked around, and exclaimed, "What an exquisite courtyard! White walls, black tiles, small bridges, flowing water, Mr. Yang, you must be comfortable living here?"

Yang Deming nodded: "Comfortable, the kids have been thoughtful."

County Magistrate Zhou leaned over and whispered, "Mayor Li, shall we take a group photo?"

Vice Mayor Li nodded: "Alright, let’s take a photo."

Thus, everyone started arranging their positions in the courtyard for the photo. Vice Mayor Li stood in the middle, with Yang Deming and Liu Huifang on either side, and the other people lined up on the sides according to their official ranks. Secretary Wang of the county committee stood to Vice Mayor Li’s left, County Magistrate Zhou to the right, and beyond that were the deputy magistrates, directors, town mayors, hospital directors, school principals...