The Internship Assessment That Amazed Everyone!

"What?" Leaf Manman asked in confusion.

"In a hospital, wearing perfume? Are you trying to cover up body odor?" the man retorted sharply, his eyes flashing with cold contempt. "Or... do you think this is a nightclub?"

"Mr. Huo, I... I'm sorry. I won't do it again," Leaf Manman stammered, swallowing her humiliation. "I've even interacted with your sister before. I hope you'll give me this opportunity."

Huo Xingzhou frowned in distaste. Hearing "Mr. Huo" from her mouth felt unpleasant, especially knowing what she had done to Qiao Xi.

"Director Wu, bring me the interns' profiles. I'll choose myself."

"Yes, right away!"

Director Wu, his large belly wobbling, hurriedly fetched a stack of profiles and placed them in front of Huo Xingzhou.

The room fell into an awkward silence, with Leaf Manman standing stiffly to the side.

"This one, Qiao Xi—ranked first every year and quite good-looking. Director Wu, why didn't you bring her?"

Leaf Manman clenched her fists, her lungs burning with anger.

It's Qiao Xi again!

"Understood. I'll call her now," Director Wu replied quickly, wiping the sweat from his forehead before fetching Qiao Xi.

As Qiao Xi entered the room, the man lifted his gaze slightly, a faint smile curving his lips. "She is indeed quite pretty."

Qiao Xi held back her laughter, watching him feign seriousness.

So this is what he meant by "legitimacy."

Unwilling to concede, Leaf Manman spat, "She's just a general worker with no mentor. How can she take responsibility for someone as distinguished as you?"

"Enough!" Director Wu warned, visibly displeased.

"Qiao Xi." Huo Xingzhou's dark eyes gleamed with faint amusement as he glanced at Leaf Manman. "This lady's perfume is overpowering. Use some alcohol to disinfect her."

"Got it," Qiao Xi replied, feeling a subtle sweetness in her chest. She grabbed the alcohol and liberally sprayed it on Leaf Manman.

"Qiao Xi, you—"

Cheap woman! Always seducing men!

"Everyone leave. She stays," Huo Xingzhou ordered firmly.

"Understood. Leaf Manman, hurry up and go!" Director Wu dragged her away. How could she be so foolish, wearing perfume in a hospital? Was she desperate for male attention?

As the door closed, Qiao Xi couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Enjoyed that?" he asked lazily.

"Mm!" she nodded, still smiling. "Mr. Huo, were you standing up for me?"

"What else?" He leaned back against the bed, his hospital gown slightly open, revealing fair skin. "If I weren't here, they'd bully you to death."

"They wouldn't. I'll beat her in the assessment next Monday."

"Then I'll wait and see."

Outside the ward, Leaf Manman vented her frustration in the class group chat:

"Qiao Xi has sunk so low, seducing a wealthy and powerful patient at the hospital. She must've found herself a new sugar daddy. Rumor has it, he's even from the Huo family..."

"She's been pretending all this time! Who knew she was so trashy in private?"

The group chat quickly filled with more mocking messages.

"She's climbed the ladder so high, she even left the group."

"I heard Chen Xu's family is going bankrupt. Is that true?"

Leaf Manman typed furiously, her anger bubbling:

"Probably her sugar daddy's doing. If I were Chen Xu, I'd make her pay!"

Relieved after her rant, she felt vindicated seeing others join in the insults.

Next Monday's assessment would be the perfect chance to kick Qiao Xi out of the hospital!

At the Huo Family Residence

Huo Beiting double-checked the news from the hospital. "Organ failure? Only a month to live?"

"Yes, absolutely."

Huo Beiting's face lit up with excitement.

"So, Huo Xingzhou thought he could fool me with food poisoning?"

The idea of no one left to challenge him for the inheritance sent a thrill through him.

"I'd love to see the look of despair on his face," he sneered. "Send him an invitation to the groundbreaking ceremony. Make sure he attends."

He wanted Huo Xingzhou to witness his moment of triumph.

"Understood."

"Stop monitoring the hospital; we don't want him getting suspicious."

"Got it."

"Oh, and..." Huo Beiting smirked. "Contact Jin Kai, the project manager for Tianyuan Group. Let him know I've signed the wager agreement!"

He was putting 20% of the company's shares on the line to bet on the "Future City Project." Once it succeeded, Huo Corporation would soar to new heights. Any failure would rest solely on Huo Corporation—but failure was out of the question.

Satisfied, Huo Beiting popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Life had never been better.

Monday arrived swiftly—Internship Assessment Day at the City Hospital.

Rumors about Leaf Manman and Qiao Xi's bet had spread throughout the hospital. With Leaf Manman's dedicated mentor and excellent performance, everyone believed she was destined to win.

In contrast, Qiao Xi had no mentor and spent her days running errands.

The outcome seemed inevitable.

"Hospitals aren't like schools; you can't just ace it by memorizing a textbook," someone scoffed.

"She's just overconfident," Wu Yachun added with jealousy. "Always hanging around Room 2106, acting all cozy. I wouldn't be surprised if she's aiming to share the patient's bed."

"And that's not all. Rumor has it, there's hugging and cuddling involved. Once she loses today, she'll have to slink back to school in shame."

Standing silently in the corner, Qiao Xi blocked out the chatter.

The assessment began promptly at 9 a.m.

Two examiners, Dr. Yan and Dr. Li, arrived.

Dr. Yan, known for his strict demeanor, stood at the podium, his expression stern and voice cold:

"The Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Department is one of the most renowned in the city. Those who fail today will leave the department."

Rumor had it that Dr. Yan had once collaborated extensively with Grandfather Cheng during his younger days, adding to his authoritative reputation.

By contrast, Dr. Li was far more amiable but still deferred to Dr. Yan.

The interns grew visibly nervous.

"I can see every move you make," Dr. Yan warned. "Begin the assessment."

"Locate the Waiguan Point."

"The Lieque Point, Houxi Point..."

"The Xiahe Point, Bamai Jiaohui Points..."

As the points became increasingly difficult and the pace faster, many interns broke into cold sweats, their hands trembling as they inserted needles into the practice dummies.

Even Leaf Manman, despite her confidence, struggled to keep up.

But one intern stood out—her expression calm, her movements precise and efficient.

Her needle placements were flawless, her technique fluid and practiced.

Dr. Yan, his sharp eyes scanning the room, immediately noticed her. His stern face softened as he walked over.

"Fengchi Point. Zhongfu Yunmen," he called, raising the difficulty.

A collective groan echoed through the room—those points were beyond their training.

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, steady and composed as she continued her work.

Leaf Manman glanced over, her face filled with shock and disbelief.