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Chapter 257: I Am Emotionless
🕑 Added 2025-05-08 02:06:01 +0000 UTC*New York.*
*Medical Center.*
As one of the teaching hospitals affiliated with Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, this facility offers clinical internship opportunities for medical students.
---
"I'm so nervous."
Iliad mumbled uneasily, "This is our first time facing real patients. What if I mess up? What if they ask questions I can't answer? What if they refuse to let us examine them...?"
Beside her, Bianca began to fidget, tugging at her white coat. "It feels like a costume. Are we really about to meet patients as doctors?"
"Relax."
Adam reassured them, "This is a teaching hospital. The patients we examine have been informed in advance, and there will be instructors supervising us. Just be bold and perform the exams. There's nothing to worry about."
"Right!"
Iliad breathed a sigh of relief, "And Adam goes first anyway. We’ll watch him first."
Adam shot her a sideways glance, internally muttering, Coward!
With that level of mental fortitude, she wasn't even a contender. Even Alice and William over there were way stronger than her.
Her previous display of competitiveness was likely just a facade—like Little Red Riding Hood pretending to be the Big Bad Wolf.
---
"Ethel Hoffman, let me introduce you."
Their supervising physician entered the room with an extremely obese middle-aged African American woman and gestured towards Adam, "This is Adam Duncan."
"My memory isn't great, dear, but I'm sure this is your first time here, right?"
Ethel extended her hand to shake Adam's.
"Yes."
Adam shook her hand, smiling warmly.
"Hah! I knew it."
Ethel chuckled, "With a handsome doctor like you, I wouldn't forget, even if I had amnesia."
"Alright then."
The supervising physician also laughed and explained, "Ethel, you'll be spending most of your time with Adam. He'll talk with you about the issues you’ve been experiencing since your cough, then conduct a physical exam. Is that okay?"
"Sounds great. Normally, I couldn't get this level of care no matter how much I paid."
Ethel joked.
Adam just smiled.
In another setting, he might’ve fired back with a witty remark.
But here, he knew she meant no harm. She was just using humor to ease her nerves.
The suffering brought on by illness could drive some people mad, while others became more lighthearted and carefree.
Ethel was clearly the latter.
---
"First, I'd like to discuss the issues you've been experiencing with your cough, and the reason for your visit. Then, I'll perform an examination, starting with your back. Please take off your top and put on this gown."
Adam spoke clearly and calmly, "The gown has an opening in the back, so no need to change your skirt. Please come this way."
"I don’t have to be naked?"
Ethel glanced around the room, joking, "You all want to see these old bones?"
"No, no."
Iliad and Bianca quickly explained, "We’ll pull the privacy curtain."
"Haha."
Ethel laughed heartily, taking the gown and heading behind the curtain to change.
---
"First, I’ll check your vital signs."
As Adam spoke, he began the examination. He measured her pulse manually, then moved behind her and gently tapped her back a couple of times before using a stethoscope to listen to her lungs.
He relayed his findings to the supervising physician, sharing his thoughts and observations.
"Very good."
The supervising physician gave high praise.
This lifted Iliad and Bianca's spirits. Watching Adam go through the steps, it didn’t seem so difficult. They felt they could do it too.
Then, when the next patient arrived and it was their turn, they were immediately thrown off balance.
Because not every patient was as good-natured as Ethel.
---
"I don’t want this person examining me. Get this unprofessional person away from me!"
"Sorry, sir, this is a teaching hospital. As doctors, we have the right to let students perform initial examinations."
The supervising physician maintained a professional demeanor, "If you don’t agree, we’ll have to ask you to leave."
Faced with this, the patient grumbled but begrudgingly allowed Iliad to proceed with the examination.
Iliad grew even more anxious, stuttering through her questions, which only prompted more snide remarks from the patient. By the time she was finished, her forehead was damp with sweat.
"Don’t take it to heart. Patients are like this. They always want the best and most professional treatment but don’t realize that without giving medical students hands-on experience, how would there ever be top-tier doctors?"
The supervising physician smiled, trying to comfort her.
"That’s nonsense!"
The patient scoffed, "Only us poor folks have no choice. Why don’t you let these students practice on rich people? Using us as guinea pigs to train your students while giving the rich the best care—you’ve got some nerve to say we’re all treated the same!"
"In teaching hospitals, it doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor. If you come here, you’re just a patient—no other status."
The supervising physician responded with a smile.
Adam nodded in silent approval, noting that this was a good approach to handling such situations.
---
In the East, medical outcomes were valued above all else, and bedside manner wasn't considered as important.
But in the U.S., a doctor’s attitude toward patients was crucial—sometimes even more important than medical skills or outcomes. Conflicts with patients were to be avoided at all costs. Follow the procedures, and whether the patient gets better or not is a separate issue.
Is this good or bad? Opinions vary...
But Adam reminded himself once again to adapt to local customs. This was just a job—don’t get too emotionally invested. I am a professional. I am emotionless!
---
Meanwhile, in a cabin deep in the woods...
As the dose of tranquilizers was gradually reduced, Amazing Amy began to regain faint control over her body, rekindling her hope for survival.
Then she immediately regretted it.
She should have just given a brief overview earlier. Why did she share so many details?
Especially since Juno and the others had left right after hearing her shocking confessions. Clearly, they were now discussing what to do with her.
“Damn it!”
If she were Juno, knowing how calculated and vindictive Amy was, she would definitely be extremely cautious.
Considering the diary she wrote about Adam, her upcoming move to New York, and her vengeful nature towards her ex, would Juno and the others really let her live, given their bizarre attachment to Adam?
---
She regretted speaking too much, revealing her hand. If she hadn’t confessed, they might’ve just been trying to scare her. Otherwise, why didn’t they do anything yet?
“No! I can’t just wait to die! I still have a chance! I am Amazing Amy!”
The skies cleared, and her optimism returned. She believed she could still turn things around.
*(End of Chapter)*
