2:00 AM.
After a grueling fourteen-hour giant tumor removal surgery, the procedure was finally complete.
Aside from one life-threatening crisis in the middle, everything went relatively smoothly.
"Great job, everyone."
Dr. Sheptor gave his usual words of affirmation after the surgery: "We saved a life!"
The team was both exhausted and elated.
Saving lives was always a rewarding experience.
"You're a total freak."
Christina massaged her wrist and stretched her waist. Watching Adam effortlessly handle everyone's compliments without a trace of fatigue, she couldn't help but remark.
She knew better than anyone else about Adam's inhuman stamina.
Just thinking about how he had held up a massive tumor with both hands for eight to nine hours, then supported it with one hand for another four to five hours, all while looking completely at ease, sent chills down her spine.
"Heh."
Adam merely chuckled without responding.
At work, he had to be confident and assertive, but outside of work, modesty and humility were necessary for social interactions.
Otherwise, he'd end up like Sheldon.
That would make him an easy target for resentment.
Sheldon had survived purely because of his inexplicable luck.
Adam didn't want to rely on luck.
"Wanna grab a drink at the bar later?"
Christina invited, "Everyone's going."
"You mean Joe's Bar across from the Medical Center?"
Adam asked.
"Yeah."
Christina nodded, "That's our medical staff's go-to bar. A lot of colleagues like to stop by after work. The owner, Joe, is a great guy. You haven't been there yet, have you? Come with us tonight—Joe's been looking forward to meeting someone as famous as you."
"Alright."
Adam didn't refuse.
Places like that were great for networking.
Plus, skipping out would make him seem antisocial.
---
Changing Room.
Everyone took off their white coats and blue scrubs, changing into their casual clothes.
Since they were all doctors, there wasn't any special effort to separate the men and women.
Alex, who usually acted like a cheeky flirt, sneakily glancing around whenever he could, was unusually dejected. He sat slumped in an empty corner, changed his clothes in silence, and slipped away without saying a word.
It was obvious—he had probably just been assigned two straight weeks of rectal exams.
"Photographic memory? Are you serious?"
While chatting as they changed, Meredith and Liz were stunned when Christina mimicked Adam's sincere tone while recounting his words.
"That kind of ability actually exists?"
"Yeah."
Adam nodded, "It's not that rare. I have a friend who has it."
"What does your friend do?"
Meredith asked curiously.
Adam briefly described Sheldon's accomplishments.
"A freak's friend is also a freak."
Liz teased.
"Christina, don't you also have two PhDs?"
Meredith turned to Christina, "Can't you do it too?"
"..."
Christina didn't want to talk about it. She shoved her white coat and blue scrubs into her locker and slammed the door shut. "Let's go drink!"
Damn it!
Comparing yourself to others is just infuriating!
---
Across from the Medical Center.
Joe's Bar.
"Our superstar finally decided to show up."
As soon as they walked in, a tall, burly man came forward with a big smile. "I heard you saved a life tonight—that's exactly why I love hanging out with doctors. Being around you guys makes me appreciate the meaning of life. First round's on me!"
"Thanks."
Adam expressed his gratitude and found himself liking the bar owner.
Not because he was offering free drinks, but because his demeanor was genuinely welcoming and comforting.
It made sense.
The Medical Center was in a bustling area, and there was no shortage of bars nearby.
If the service wasn't great, this place wouldn't be so popular among doctors.
Adam and the others lined up at the bar.
Joe, who was both the owner and bartender, quickly served their drinks after they placed their orders.
They chatted casually.
But due to their professional habits, the conversation kept circling back to medical cases.
"Liz, you're not mad anymore?"
Christina took a big sip of beer and looked at Liz. "Performing open-heart surgery right there in the ward—that must have been incredible!"
"Of course, I'm still mad."
Liz rolled her eyes. "You guys can't imagine what I was feeling at that moment. Mr. Harper's chest cavity was filled with large blood clots, and he was on the brink of death. Aside from me, the nurses couldn't reach a single doctor.
I had never even seen that kind of surgery before, let alone performed it.
But the nurses told me that if I operated, the patient might die, but if I didn't, he'd definitely die sooner.
My mind went blank as the nurses dressed me in surgical gear. Under their guidance, I cut the stitches on Mr. Harper's chest and opened his ribcage."
"That's why it's important to have good relationships with nurses."
Adam smiled, "There's a saying—doctors diagnose, nurses treat. It's not a joke. Experienced nurses can be a huge help to rookie doctors."
"I know."
Liz sighed. "If it weren't for them, Mr. Harper would have died—maybe even by my own hands."
"Nurses aren't doctors, though."
Christina interjected, "In the end, you were the one who saved him. We didn't spend four years in medical school for nothing."
She had a strong admiration for skilled professionals and fully accepted the medical hierarchy where doctors outranked nurses.
It wasn't just nurses.
Back when they had a party at Meredith's house, Liz had invited pediatricians and psychiatrists. Christina's attitude toward them had been blatantly condescending.
If she didn't have such distinct South Asian features, Adam might've mistaken her for someone from Japan.
Before, Adam's performance gave her a sense of competition, but she was still confident.
However, during today's surgery, they had worked together from start to finish.
Adam's freakish physical endurance and unparalleled medical expertise had completely shocked her.
It felt like they weren't even on the same level.
Adam was undoubtedly a powerhouse.
Admiring and gravitating toward the strong was in her nature.
That's why she had suddenly invited him to the bar.
"At that moment, Mr. Harper had no pulse, his heart rate was erratic, and I had to remove the blood clot immediately."
Liz continued, "But I was too inexperienced to do it quickly.
Seeing that he was about to die, I gritted my teeth, put down the instruments, and reached into his chest cavity with my bare hands to remove the blood clot. Oh my god, you guys should have seen how massive it was. The feeling..."
As Liz recounted her harrowing experience, Adam was no longer listening.
Because in his mind, he heard the system's notification sound.
Ding!
+3 Intelligence Points!