Fu Bing followed Elder Jiang to the competition base on the evening before the contest. Each competitor was allowed to bring two staff members, as stated in the competition guidelines. If she didn’t bring Xiaomei, Xiaomei would be on tenterhooks back at the villa. It was better to have her by her side to gain some experience. The competition was fraught with danger, and bringing Mu He along would also protect her and the other team members.
When they were about a kilometer from the base, Elder Jiang switched cars. Fu Bing and her two companions continued towards the base.
The trio first checked in at the hotel lobby.
A mocking female voice came from behind, "The Film Empress really knows how to make an entrance, bringing two people with her. Do you need help even when treating patients?"
Fu Bing looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall, beautiful woman standing about ten paces away. The woman was young but exuded a powerful presence. An undeniable arrogance emanated from her eyes and brows. If she hadn’t been praised and spoiled from a young age, she wouldn’t have developed such a temperament and air.
Fu Bing smiled faintly. "You seem to have quite an issue with me. However, next time you decide to provoke me, remember to introduce yourself first."
"You think you’re worthy?" Bai Zhirui said coldly.
"What? In your eyes, do those who save lives have different ranks?" Fu Bing, seeing that the check-in was complete, turned and left, showing no interest in her provocateur.
Too many people challenged her. Her celebrity status could be advantageous in some areas, but in fields requiring solid, tangible skills, it was often a detriment. Take her medical practice, for instance. Most people assumed she was merely dabbling, with no real accomplishments. Some even questioned if she was using traditional Chinese medicine as a gimmick to win favor. She couldn’t possibly explain herself to everyone. All she could do was to answer these doubts on the competition stage with integrity and honor.
Bai Zhirui watched coldly as Fu Bing’s figure disappeared.
Mo Qiang approached from a distance. "Why did you provoke Fu Ying? Have you forgotten how much the captain dislikes infighting among teammates?"
"I just can’t stand her. She couldn’t cut it in show business, so she’s stooped to dabbling in medicine. Does she think the medical field is some kind of dumping ground?"
"Except for a few highly specialized, cutting-edge professions, every other field is essentially a dumping ground for rejects," Mo Qiang stated.
Bai Zhirui was taken aback. "Sister Qiang, are you taking Fu Bing’s side?"
"Whose side I’m on isn’t important. What matters is winning the competition. Every team member has been rigorously selected by the country and the captain; there’s no reason Fu Bing would be given special treatment. You need to learn to put aside your prejudices. Otherwise, you’ll be at a disadvantage when you encounter someone truly talented."
Bai Zhirui turned her head away haughtily, refusing to listen. Mo Qiang understood her temperament and said no more.
As the vice-captain, it was her duty to assist the captain in fostering team unity. She likely knew the ten competing team members better than anyone else. The captain was elusive, rarely seen. She was the one who had been managing the pre-competition training. However, every step was meticulously arranged according to the captain’s directives. The final spot on the team had remained open until the last moment; it was only confirmed three days ago. When she saw the last name was Fu Bing, it didn’t immediately register that it was *the* Fu Ying. Only after reviewing Fu Bing’s personal file did she confirm it was truly her.
Mo Qiang went upstairs and knocked on the team captain’s door.
A voice came from inside. "The door isn’t locked."
Mo Qiang pushed the door open and entered. Qin Jinhai was still wearing his mask.
Mo Qiang said, "The last team member has completed check-in. There are less than eighteen hours until the official competition. When will you hold the pre-competition motivational meeting?"
"Haven’t you already held one?"
Mo Qiang shrugged. "My rally isn’t as impactful as yours. If you just stand there without saying a word, everyone gets fired up."
"Are their spirits that weak?" Qin Jinhai glanced at his phone. "Instead of trusting outsiders, they should trust the skills they’ve honed day and night. Inform them the meeting is in the small banquet hall at eight tonight."
Mo Qiang nodded. She tried to hold back but couldn’t resist asking, "Captain, why Fu Bing?"
"You don’t trust Professor Jiang’s choice?"
"It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s just..." Mo Qiang hesitated, then decided to speak her mind. "There are so many excellent reserve doctors, many with more experience than Fu Bing. They’ve all been working hard, eager to bring glory to the country in the Grand Competition, yet an outsider took the spot. Without a compelling reason, it will significantly impact our team’s cohesion."
"Cohesion?" Qin Jinhai cut to the heart of the matter. "You’re just upset because she used to be a celebrity."
"I don’t deny it. Her reputation in show business wasn’t even good. Having failed to make it there, she then used connections to snatch an important spot directly tied to the nation’s image. It’s hard for people to accept that."
Qin Jinhai gave her a cold glance. "You’ve been influenced by Bai Zhirui."
Mo Qiang was inwardly shocked. "I’m sorry."
"You don’t need to apologize to me. You should be apologizing to yourself. You’ve worked hard for so many years, yet you’re no better than you were ten years ago. Don’t you think you’re stuck in some kind of rut?"
"Years of medical practice are indeed important. Why is there a minimum requirement? Because for most, extensive accumulation and practice are necessary. We can’t gamble with lives; gradual, steady progress is the best approach for the public’s sake. But the medical field has never shunned geniuses or those with exceptional insight. Such individuals are the ones who expand the horizons of medicine, pushing its boundaries in both breadth and depth."
"But what makes you think Fu Bing is one of them?"
"Because she possesses an insight others can’t hope to match. The country invested heavily in your training, Mo Qiang, providing countless cases to shape you into the doctor you are today. Fu Bing achieved much in a very short time. If you had seen her practice, you would have confidence in her."
Mo Qiang still felt unconvinced.
Qin Jinhai clearly had no intention of explaining further. "You may leave now," he said.
Mo Qiang returned to her room. The moment Bai Zhirui heard movement outside, she poked her head out. "What did the captain say?"
Recalling the captain’s praise for Fu Bing, Mo Qiang’s expression soured slightly. "Focus on preparing and cut the gossip."
Bai Zhirui whispered, "I just saw Sister Linxing go into Fu Bing’s room."
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Mo Qiang’s expression changed. "Which room? I need to go see."
"Wouldn’t it be better if someone dealt with Fu Ying?" Bai Zhirui suggested. "If she can’t compete tomorrow, we still have reserve members."
"The captain handpicked her and has sung her praises. His meeting is at eight. If anything happens to her before then, we’ll all be in trouble."
Bai Zhirui’s face paled. "Really? I don’t get it. Why is everyone so taken with Fu Bing? Is it just because she’s pretty?"
Mo Qiang didn’t answer, already rushing towards Fu Bing’s room. Just as she arrived, Fu Bing was opening her door to let Shen Linxing inside.
"Wait a moment!" Mo Qiang called out.