Chapter 347 - 170: Award Presentation

Chapter 347: Chapter 170: Award Presentation

The private dining room was elegantly and warmly furnished, and soft light spilled onto the dining table.

Sitting furthest inside was a middle-aged man with graying temples—He Jintang, the father of He Youwei and He Dangdao. The other woman, who had aged gracefully, was naturally their mother, Li Jingwan. Her face was already overflowing with unconcealable joy and gratitude.

The moment she saw Jiang Miao walk in, Li Jingwan greeted him warmly, "Professor Jiang, you are our family’s great benefactor!"

He Jintang also nodded repeatedly, tears welling up in his eyes. If it weren’t for Jiang Miao, his two children’s futures definitely wouldn’t be so worry-free. This prompted a rare display of true emotion from He Jintang, a man who seldom let his feelings show.

"Professor Jiang, don’t just stand there. Please, have a seat."

"Hello, Mr. He, Ms. Li."

After everyone was seated, Li Jingwan personally poured Jiang Miao a glass of soda water. She had heard from her daughter that he disliked most beverages when out, only occasionally drinking a little soda water. Beaming, she said, "Our children’s recovery is all thanks to your meticulous treatment and patient guidance. Jintang and I have had this weight on our hearts for years. If it weren’t for you, I truly don’t know what we would have done."

He Jintang added, "Professor Jiang, words are not enough to express our gratitude. If there’s anything you need in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask. As long as I am able, I will certainly see it done for you."

"Professor Jiang, please, don’t stand on ceremony. Try some of this fish." Li Jingwan separated a piece of the sweet-and-sour squirrelfish, spooning a large portion into Jiang Miao’s bowl.

Jiang Miao smiled and waved his hand. "It was my duty. Seeing Youwei and He Dangdao healthy again brings me great relief as well. At least I didn’t fail to live up to your trust in me."

Throughout the meal, Li Jingwan continuously served Jiang Miao food, while He Jintang kept expressing his thanks.

They had also specially prepared an exquisite gift for Jiang Miao.

"Uncle Miao, this is a gift I prepared especially for you." He Dangdao opened the box directly, revealing a yellowed document.

It was a manuscript of a dozen or so pages, bearing the signatures of various distinguished scientists from the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project. Clearly, these were original manuscripts left by those very scientists.

He Jintang said with a smile, "I asked a few friends at the Academy of Sciences to help me collect these. I figured you might not have much need for other gifts, Professor Jiang, so I took the liberty of presenting something more meaningful."

"I love this gift. Thank you for going to such trouble, Mr. He." Jiang Miao accepted the dozen or so pages of antique manuscripts, which held great commemorative value.

This had actually been He Youwei’s idea.

Having been around Jiang Miao for over half a year, she had some understanding of his personality and preferences. She guessed that ordinary things like gold, jewelry, or antiques wouldn’t catch his eye.

As for other luxury goods, money, or assets, with Jiang Miao’s current net worth in the tens of billions, those were also unsuitable gifts for him.

After thinking it over and over, He Youwei recalled a visit to Jiang Miao’s home where she had seen various spacecraft models in his study. From this, she guessed that he might be interested in outer space.

Although she found it a bit strange that Jiang Miao, who was clearly a biologist and an agronomist, was fond of the starry sky and aerospace.

But that didn’t stop He Youwei from catering to his interests.

Once they had eaten a fair amount, Li Jingwan poured Jiang Miao another glass of soda water. Then, she asked with some uncertainty, "Professor Jiang, in your opinion, will Youwei and He Dangdao be able to marry and have children someday?"

At his side, He Jintang’s heart leaped into his throat. He watched Jiang Miao quietly, waiting for his answer.

"From a genetic health standpoint, as carriers of genes associated with lupus, it wouldn’t be advisable for them to have children, but..."

"But? Is there another way?" Li Jingwan cut in anxiously.

He Youwei sounded a bit resigned. "Mom! It’s okay even if I don’t get married or have children."

Jiang Miao, however, spoke frankly. "If their partners don’t carry genes for lupus or similar genetic diseases, and they go through artificial screening of sperm and eggs, it’s possible to have healthy children."

"Screening? Is the technology safe?" Li Jingwan asked quickly.

Jiang Miao smiled and explained, "It’s essentially an extra step of sperm and egg screening added to the in-vitro fertilization process. This is used quite a lot in cattle breeding, and it can be used for human embryos as well."

"Cattle breeding? Professor Jiang, can you perform this procedure?" Although Li Jingwan felt a bit squeamish about using a technique from cattle breeding on humans, she didn’t want her two children to spend their lives alone.

He Jintang had some knowledge of cutting-edge technology. "I’ve heard about the related techniques in cattle breeding. With Professor Jiang’s skill, it shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, He Dangdao is still young. In another ten years or so, the technology will likely be even more mature and safe."

"That’s good, that’s good." Li Jingwan’s anxious heart was finally put at ease.

He Youwei, on the other hand, was rendered speechless by her mother, but she didn’t say anything. ’It’s the kind of technology that even I could master quickly after a short internship at a cattle breeding center.’

’But I definitely won’t be having children myself. It’s not that I don’t like kids; I know my own body’s condition. The special medication I’m taking now controls the illness and lets me live like a normal person, it’s true.’

’But if I got pregnant, with the abnormal hormone secretion and the fact that I can’t take medication freely during pregnancy, it would very likely trigger another lupus flare-up. Even though I trust Jiang Miao’s skills and medical expertise, I don’t want to risk my own health.’

’My brother, on the other hand, doesn’t have this risk. He doesn’t have to get pregnant. As long as his wife is healthy and they screen the sperm and eggs, there should be basically no problem.’