Jillian, Chloe, and Clara knew they couldn't let Megan's rumors spread unchecked. The damage could be irreversible if their professors or hospital mentors started doubting them.
That evening, they gathered in their apartment, frustration simmering between them.
"This isn't just jealousy," Chloe said, pacing the living room. "She's deliberately trying to ruin us."
Clara leaned against the table, arms crossed. "We need to find proof. If we accuse her without evidence, it'll only make things worse."
Jillian, deep in thought, finally spoke. "We don't need to play dirty like her. We just have to expose her lies with the truth."
The next day, they went about their routine as usual, but this time, they paid closer attention. They listened in on whispered conversations, noted who was avoiding them, and observed who was spreading Megan's rumors the most.
Then, during an open discussion in the lecture hall, Jillian saw an opportunity.
"Megan," Jillian said casually, turning to her with a polite smile. "You've been talking a lot about favoritism. Do you really believe we're getting special treatment?"
Megan blinked, not expecting to be called out so directly. A few students turned their heads, sensing tension.
"I just think it's… interesting how much attention you three get," Megan replied, feigning innocence.
Chloe didn't let her off the hook. "If we're getting special treatment, why don't you ask our professors? Dr. Liang, Dr. Jiang, and Dr. Wu are fair. Or do you think they'd risk their reputations on three students?"
The room went silent.
Megan hesitated, her confidence faltering. She hadn't expected them to confront her so openly, and now all eyes were on her.
Then Jillian delivered the final blow. "The truth is, we work hard. We don't cheat, we don't bribe, and we definitely don't need shortcuts. If you think otherwise, feel free to check our records. Or better yet—try to beat us fair and square."
The professor, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "If anyone here believes in rumors over hard work, perhaps they're not suited for this field."
Megan's face turned red, and she quickly looked down, saying nothing.
From that day on, the rumors faded. Megan and her supporters still held grudges, but their words held no power anymore. Jillian, Chloe, and Clara had defended their integrity—and won.
*****
Three years had passed in the blink of an eye. What once felt like an insurmountable challenge had now become second nature. Late-night study sessions, intense lectures, and sleepless nights spent preparing for exams had shaped Jillian, Chloe, and Clara into strong, capable medical students. Now, they stood at the threshold of a new phase—their first hospital attachment without their professors' direct supervision.
Their destination: West China Hospital in Chengdu, one of the most prestigious and advanced medical institutions in China. Known for its cutting-edge technology, renowned specialists, and high patient turnover, it was both an exciting and intimidating placement.
Jillian sat at their shared dining table, flipping through her notes while anxiously tapping her pen against the wooden surface. "This is it. No more safety nets. No more professors watching over us. We're going to be handling real patients, real cases… What if we mess up?"
Chloe, leaning against the kitchen counter, crossed her arms and smirked. "That's why we've been grinding for three years, Jill. We won't mess up. We just have to trust what we've learned."
Clara, ever the practical one, took a sip of her tea before adding, "Besides, we'll still be under supervision. It's just not our professors this time—it'll be the hospital's senior doctors. We just need to prove we can handle the responsibility."
Despite their words of encouragement, they all knew the weight of what lay ahead. This wasn't just another class or controlled practical session. It was the real world—real patients, real emergencies, and real consequences.
Their first day at West China Hospital would set the tone for the rest of their training. With their white coats freshly pressed and ID badges clipped onto their pockets, they were ready to step into the unknown. Their journey at Tingshua University had prepared them well, but now, the real test was about to begin.
The following morning, the morning air was crisp as Jillian, Chloe, and Clara stepped through the towering glass doors of West China Hospital, one of the most prestigious medical centers in Chengdu. The sheer size of the facility, with its endless hallways, bustling nurses, and doctors moving with precision, made it clear—they were no longer students in a controlled university setting. This was real.
Their white coats, though fresh and uncreased, felt heavier than ever. Jillian clutched the strap of her bag as she took in the organized chaos around her. Patients on stretchers, beeping monitors, and hurried conversations filled the corridors. This was what they had spent years preparing for, but suddenly, the reality of it all was overwhelming.
A senior administrator led them to a briefing room, where their supervising doctors waited.
Dr. Liang, Jillian's professor and mentor, nodded as she entered. "You'll be working in the cardiology department under my supervision. Your main task is to assist in patient assessments, observe surgical procedures, and present your case analyses. We expect discipline and precision."
Jillian exhaled, nodding firmly. This was her passion—cardiology was her calling. She was ready.
Next, Chloe was introduced to Dr. Jiang, head of the neurosurgery department. He was a stern-looking man with sharp eyes, scanning her like an X-ray. "Neurosurgery is not for the faint-hearted. You'll observe high-risk operations and assist in post-op care. Mistakes are not an option. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Chloe responded, feeling the weight of expectation settle in.
Finally, Clara stood before Dr. Wu, head of orthopedic surgery. He handed her a tablet with patient reports. "You'll start in pre-operative evaluations before moving into surgical observation. We need steady hands and sharp minds. I assume you're both?"
Clara smiled confidently. "Yes, Dr. Wu."
After the briefing, they were handed their schedules and directed to their respective departments. As they parted ways, reality set in—this was no longer just studying from books. They were stepping into life-or-death situations where their skills, knowledge, and instincts would be tested daily.
Jillian, standing outside the cardiology ward, took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
It had begun.
The hospital buzzed with activity as Jillian, Chloe, and Clara prepared for their first real assignments. Though they had spent years studying and observing, nothing compared to the weight of actual responsibility.
Jillian – The Heart's Hidden Struggle
Jillian followed Dr. Liang into the cardiology ward, where a middle-aged man, Mr. Zhang, lay in bed, his face pale, his breaths shallow. His medical records revealed a history of heart disease, but the exact cause of his recent deterioration remained unclear.
"Ms. Smith, take his vitals and review his latest test results," Dr. Liang instructed.
Jillian's hands were steady as she checked his pulse and blood pressure. She noted an irregular heartbeat and quickly scanned his echocardiogram report. Something wasn't adding up. She hesitated before speaking.
"Dr. Liang, could this be a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? His ECG shows left ventricular hypertrophy, and his family history suggests a genetic link."
Dr. Liang raised an eyebrow, then checked the report. "Interesting observation. We'll do further tests, but you might be onto something. Good work."