Weekend.
Columbia University Medical School Community Health Program.
Adam, Iliad, and Bianca—the inseparable trio—arrived at the community clinic for their weekly medical internship.
In medicine, clinical practice is crucial, especially for doctors.
Even though the first two years of medical school focus mainly on theory, students still participate in weekly internships to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings.
After all, cadavers are different from real people.
Understanding human anatomy requires real-life references.
At the clinic, students take turns examining one another—a fundamental part of their learning process.
"Hey, Jenny."
"Hey, Adam."
"How was your week?"
"Great. What about you? I haven't been able to get you to hang out lately. What have you been up to?"
"What else? Studying, of course. You already know how tough it is for us med students."
"Don't overwork yourself. Your health is the most important thing."
"Thanks."
Adam led the way into the clinic, greeting the receptionist warmly. Their casual conversation made Iliad and Bianca, who were standing behind him, twitch their lips slightly.
"Is Dr. Tess in?"
Noticing Iliad tugging at his sleeve, Adam quickly shifted gears and got to the point.
"She is. Come with me."
Jenny, the receptionist, cast a slightly resentful glance at Adam before getting up to lead them inside.
This clinic was one of Columbia Medical School's teaching and internship sites.
Dr. Tess was the person in charge.
"This is an otoscope."
After exchanging pleasantries, Dr. Tess picked up an L-shaped medical instrument and demonstrated its use.
"You'll be using this to examine each other's heads, ears, noses, and oral cavities."
As she spoke, she inserted the otoscope's probe into Adam's nostril.
"Tilt the nose slightly upward and observe inside. You should be able to see the beautiful inferior nasal concha."
After the demonstration, she handed the otoscope to Iliad and instructed,
"Just like that—insert it properly and observe the relevant structures. Compare what you see with what you've learned from your textbooks. Unless something is seriously wrong, don't call me. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Adam, Iliad, and Bianca responded in unison.
Once Dr. Tess left, Iliad grinned, holding up the otoscope.
"Stay still. Let me take a look at your beautiful inferior nasal concha."
Adam chuckled and sat still, letting Iliad examine him.
After all, everyone had to take turns as a model—there was no escaping it.
Besides, this was for learning, a serious and professional matter.
If they were too self-conscious about this, they might as well give up on studying medicine altogether.
Modern clinical medicine is fundamentally rooted in human anatomy. The first step in medical training is studying the human body—regardless of gender. Compared to some of the more awkward procedures they would later encounter, this was nothing.
For example, when they studied gynecology, they had to practice on anatomical models.
Adam was reminded of a scene from Friends when Ross accompanied his ex-wife Carol to childbirth. While waiting, he casually picked up a speculum—a tool that looks like a duck's beak—and began opening and closing it, imitating a talking duck. He was having a great time—until Carol reminded him what it was actually used for. He immediately freaked out and threw it away.
It was incredibly awkward.
Yet here they were, a group of medical students gathered around an anatomical model, taking turns using the speculum under the professor's guidance.
Just imagine the atmosphere.
That's why medical students must develop a professional attitude.
The more awkward or unnatural you act, the more it reveals that you're thinking about something other than medicine. This can make patients uncomfortable.
And if you're not particularly good-looking, they might even suspect you of being a creep and report you.
Of course, professionalism isn't something that comes naturally—it requires training and experience.
Adam was relatively composed, but Iliad and Bianca still struggled with it.
Especially when it was Adam's turn to hold the otoscope and examine them.
Checking the head, ears, and nose was fine.
But when it came to the oral exam, both Iliad and Bianca's faces instantly turned red.
Their reaction even made Adam momentarily lose his professional mindset, as fleeting distractions flashed through his mind.
Fortunately, Adam had plenty of experience and the acting skills of a seasoned performer. To keep things from getting awkward and ensure that learning could continue, he forced himself to suppress any stray thoughts and proceeded with the examination as if nothing had happened.
This brief moment allowed Iliad and Bianca to adjust their mindsets.
Once their professionalism took over, the process felt entirely routine.
The three of them took turns examining each other, discussing their findings, and benefiting greatly from the experience.
If possible, Adam would have loved to take the otoscope back to check on Chandler and the others.
"The more samples, the broader the knowledge base, and the better the learning experience!"
Unfortunately, the equipment was fixed in the clinic and couldn't be taken home.
Buying one?
For small instruments like this, sure. But when it came to large machines that cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, was Adam really going to buy them just for extra practice?
Completely unrealistic.
From the beginning, he never considered that option. He would take opportunities as they came.
With his current level of skill and reputation, he had no shortage of chances to get hands-on experience.
Still, thinking about this reminded him of Heather, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
If Heather were still around, she could've been a professional model for his practice.
After all, anatomical models can never fully replace real human bodies.
And since real patients would be the focus of their future careers, it would be best to start practicing on real people as early as possible.
As for Iliad and Bianca, no matter how professional they were, some topics were just not appropriate to study together.
"Hmm… Juno?"
A thought suddenly struck Adam.
At first, he was delighted.
Then he remembered Karen.
His expression immediately darkened.
Juno was also a medical student, and with her personality, she'd probably agree to mutual practice sessions.
But Karen, who was always by her side?
That was another story.
She might just stab him on the spot.
Better not risk it.
"Looks like I need to find a new female friend—someone between a friend and a lover."
Adam thought to himself.
"All for the sake of learning!"
First, this person had to match his aesthetic preferences.
After all, in life, you can compromise on many things—but not on taste.
Second, she had to share his views on relationships.
That part would be tricky.
Iliad and Bianca were both attractive and ideal study partners, but from what Adam had observed, they were too inexperienced and way too serious.
After what happened with Heather, Adam had become more self-aware.
The last thing he wanted was to get involved with someone like that again.
So, he had to pass on them.
But then…
Who else was there?
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