Evening.

Medical Center Cafeteria.

"Adam, how are you so amazing?"

Christina couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer. "Meredith and I just teamed up to head to the library and look up the cause of the illness, but you already figured it out. How did you do it?"

"I looked it up in a book too."

Adam tapped his temple. "I was just lucky to find it right away."

"Are you saying you memorized everything?"

Christina was in disbelief. "All of it?"

"Of course not."

Adam shook his head.

"Phew, I knew it."

Christina let out a breath of relief.

She was a genius herself, holding dual doctorates at a young age, but she didn't have a photographic memory. Her memory relied on comprehension and hard work.

Medical knowledge was vast like an ocean. Memorizing common cases and treatments was enough to be competent.

Being more knowledgeable meant having read about more cases, remembering the general details, and being able to recognize a condition when encountering it—then looking it up and applying the right treatment. That was considered excellent.

But remembering massive amounts of information, fully understanding it, instantly recalling it when faced with a problem, and integrating that knowledge into practical application? That was beyond what an ordinary genius could do.

That kind of skill was what made Dr. House, that legendary physician from New Jersey, stand out. It's why he could lead a team of elite specialists, each an expert in their own field, solving the most complex cases.

He practically had all medical knowledge stored in his brain. A single, seemingly insignificant movement from a patient—one that other doctors wouldn't even notice—was enough for him to deduce the likely illness.

With his vast medical knowledge and extensive experience, he had already thought of every possible diagnosis.

If you were standing on the first floor of medical knowledge, he was on the fifth.

The modern medical system, with its increasing specialization, seemed irrelevant to him.

He was practically a master of all disciplines.

That was why he was so ridiculously brilliant.

After the surgery, Adam had looked into Dr. House's background and became even more convinced that this was the kind of protagonist you'd only find in a TV show or novel.

Because in real life, people like that simply don't exist.

Christina was ambitious. She knew all about legendary doctors like House. So when Adam mentioned recalling books in his mind, she instinctively made the connection. Seeing Adam shake his head, she finally relaxed.

If Adam truly had House's level of genius, then no matter how confident she was, she wouldn't even be able to compete with him. What would be the point?

She might as well just follow behind him and chant "666" in admiration.

Adam understood Christina's mentality well. That's why he deliberately left out the part where he could actually recall everything he read and that he had read far more books than most.

If he said it outright, he had a strong suspicion he'd lose a lot of friends.

"You're really lucky," Christina said enviously. "Opportunities like that are so rare."

"Actually, this might not be a bad thing for you."

Adam smiled.

"Oh? How is this a good thing?"

Christina rolled her eyes. "Go on, enlighten me."

"It's simple. If you and Meredith had found the cause instead of me, who would have performed the surgery? The OR only has limited space. Dr. Shepherd wouldn't have let both of you in."

Adam pointed out, "And if only one of you could go, that would definitely affect your friendship."

"Meredith already said she wouldn't go."

Christina refuted, "So there was never a conflict."

"Heh."

Adam chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?"

Christina was annoyed.

"You really believe that?"

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Christina is telling the truth," Meredith's distinct voice rang out. "I had already said I'd step aside."

"Alright then."

Adam shrugged. "I believe you."

"..."

Meredith's lips twitched.

Could you be any more dismissive?

"Meredith really would give it up."

By this point, Christina was well aware of Meredith and Dr. Shepherd's complicated situation. She trusted Meredith completely and couldn't stand Adam's skepticism. Ignoring Meredith's protests, she leaned closer and whispered the whole story to Adam.

"That's it?"

Adam remained unfazed.

(Read the full, unedited version on 69Shuba!)

A surgical intern getting involved with the attending surgeon, who was also the boss's boss and their teaching physician? Adam had seen it all before.

It was standard practice. This wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last.

If this had happened before he had gained his photographic memory and his ability to visualize complex medical data in his mind, he might have been more bothered by it.

After all, Meredith was a "medical aristocrat," with the department head looking out for her from above and a boyfriend in a senior position giving her preferential treatment below. She was bound to take opportunities that could have been his.

But now? With his exceptional talents, physical advantages, and extensive accumulation of knowledge, Adam was far beyond the level of a typical intern.

Whenever an opportunity arose, he could seize it outright with undeniable skill. Even if Meredith wanted to use connections, she wouldn't have the chance.

After all, they still had to maintain the illusion of fairness.

"That's not a big deal?"

Christina was stunned.

"You've never been in love, have you?"

Adam looked at her oddly. "Couples bicker all the time. Do you really think it means anything? A little sweet-talking, and it's all forgotten."

"Unless Dr. Shepherd is a total robot or plans to cut ties with Meredith completely, do you honestly think he'd risk her holding a lifelong grudge by giving this rare surgical opportunity to you instead?"

"…"

Christina was speechless. She felt an existential crisis creeping in as she looked at Meredith differently.

As someone who prioritized logic over emotions, she truly had never been in love.

Of course, that didn't mean she lacked certain experiences.

In that sense, she and Adam were actually quite alike.

They both kept relationships in a space that was more than friendship but never truly romantic.

Back in Harvard Med, she had even lived with a professor she admired for two or three years.

But when he proposed, she felt nothing and chose to leave.

So in this area, she had very little awareness. It never even crossed her mind that this could be a possibility.

But now? Thinking about it, it made too much sense.

Sure, Meredith might say she was done with Dr. Shepherd, but he was handsome, authoritative, and practically a dream guy. How long could she really keep up the act?

One bright smile from him, and Meredith would probably melt.

And once she did—what choice would she make?

Her rational mind already had the answer.

"I…"

Meredith opened her mouth to argue, but under Adam's knowing gaze, she hesitated.

Because deep down, she realized Adam had a point.

If that moment came, her emotions would push her to keep her promise to Christina.

But logically, as a surgeon, she knew she couldn't afford to pass up an opportunity like this.

When emotion and reason clashed—who would win?

She didn't know.

Or rather, she didn't want to think about it.

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