Chapter 34

"What's going on? Who is this young man, and why is he sitting in the judges' seat?"

"Isn't that Ye Bufan? Has he gone crazy? How did he end up sitting up front?"

Today, there were about a dozen students from different schools participating in the examination, including a few from Jiangnan Medical University who knew Ye Bufan.

Everyone was confused; how did a student who was supposed to take the exam suddenly end up sitting in the judges' seat, and in the center position at that?

Ma Wenbo was completely stunned, even stopping his texting. He couldn't understand what Ye Bufan was up to.

Han Shuai was also shocked speechless. What was going on with the third brother? Was he suffering from severe delusions, really thinking he was a judge?

"Silence!"

Xie Donglin's authoritative voice echoed in the hall, and the audience, recognizing him as the dean of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, immediately quieted down.

He said, "I am Xie Donglin, the dean of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Welcome, everyone, to today's intern doctor examination. Now, let me introduce the members of today's judging panel.

"This is Dr. Zhang Bai, and this is Mr. Cao Xinghua, a renowned TCM expert in Jiangnan City. And this is Dr. Ye Bufan, the head of today's judging panel."

When he mentioned the first two, everyone clapped, but when he mentioned Ye Bufan, everyone was stunned.

Han Shuai's mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg. Holy cow, it turns out what the third brother said was true; he really is a judge today!

Zhu Linlin and her companion were even more incredulous. They had just mocked him for not even having the qualifications to take the exam, and then tried to use connections to get him kicked out. Now, he had transformed into a judge, and even the head of the panel.

Ma Wenbo pinched his thigh hard, the sharp pain making him wince and almost cry out, confirming that he wasn't dreaming.

Xie Donglin said, "Alright, let's begin the interview. The first candidate, Zhu Linlin, please come forward."

There were only three spots available, and Ma Wenbo had already smoothed things over with Zhang Bai to ensure Zhu Linlin would go first and pass, to avoid others taking the spots.

But they never expected that the dean, who usually didn't bother with such trivial matters, would personally preside over the event, and that the judge would be changed from Zhang Bai to Ye Bufan.

Despite their frustration, Zhu Linlin still walked to the front and bowed to the three judges.

Cao Xinghua asked, "Candidate, let me ask you the first question. How do you interpret the phrase 'No one sees the preparation, but the heavens know the heart'?"

As a traditional TCM practitioner, he placed great importance on medical ethics, which is why he hung this couplet at the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

"I... I..."

Zhu Linlin's academic performance was never great, and she had been told that this was just a formality, and she would definitely be accepted, so she hadn't prepared at all.

She had never heard of the phrase Cao Xinghua mentioned, so how could she answer it? Her face turned beet red with anxiety.

Zhang Bai shook his head and said, "Mr. Cao, the college doesn't teach much about medical ethics. Why don't we try a different question, something more professional?"

Ye Bufan immediately understood that Zhu Linlin's connections were with Zhang Bai.

Cao Xinghua frowned and said, "Alright, tell me the difference between Bai Zhi and Bai Zhu."

Bai Zhi and Bai Zhu are two very common Chinese herbs with similar appearances and effects. If not careful, they can easily be confused, so he chose this as a question.

"This..."

Zhu Linlin was once again at a loss. Although she was a TCM student, she knew very little about Chinese herbs and had no idea about the difference between Bai Zhi and Bai Zhu.

Seeing the situation about to go south, Ma Wenbo kept signaling to Zhang Bai from the audience, urging him to help.

Zhang Bai, feeling helpless, said, "Mr. Cao, they haven't graduated yet. This question might be too specialized. Why don't we try a simpler one?"

Cao Xinghua's face darkened, clearly seeing that Zhang Bai was speaking up for the woman.

At this moment, Ye Bufan said, "Dr. Zhang, what kind of question do you think is simple? How about the 'Tangtou Song'? As a TCM practitioner, this should be the simplest, right?"

Zhang Bai felt embarrassed and said awkwardly, "That's fine."

Ye Bufan said coldly to Zhu Linlin, "Then recite the 'Tangtou Song'."

He knew this woman all too well. When they were together, he had repeatedly urged Zhu Linlin to memorize the 'Tangtou Song', but she ignored him, preferring to focus on eating, drinking, and having fun.

Back then, their relationship was good, and he indulged her, not minding. Now, it was clear that she had a habit of being lazy and gluttonous.

"I... I..."

Zhu Linlin bit her lip and struggled to say these few words.

At that moment, she hated Ye Bufan. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be in such an awkward situation.

Cao Xinghua said angrily, "You can't do this or that, and you don't know anything. I don't know what you've been learning in medical school, but what gives you the nerve to come here for the exam?

"You have failed this examination. Go back and study your professional knowledge."

"This..."

Seeing Cao Xinghua give a definitive judgment, Zhang Bai, despite his reluctance, said, "Mr. Cao, I think this female student has a good image. If she stays in the hospital, she can be further cultivated."

He was in a difficult position. Last night, he had promised Ma Wenbo, and if he failed, he would lose face in front of his nephew.

Moreover, the Ma family was wealthy, and he was planning to have his sister buy him a car.

He thought that Ye Bufan and Cao Xinghua would at least give him some face, but when he spoke, Cao Xinghua immediately became angry.

"Dr. Zhang, what do you mean? Are we holding a beauty pageant or recruiting interns?

"How can a good image be a reason to pass? What about the other students who have studied hard? Is that fair to them?"

Xie Donglin, sitting nearby, had been reluctant to interfere with the judges' work, but he couldn't stand it anymore. He said coldly, "Zhang Bai, do you know what you're doing?

"From now on, you will no longer serve as a judge. The selection process will be handled by Dr. Ye and Mr. Cao."

"Yes, Dean."

Zhang Bai said dejectedly. He had thought the dean and Cao Xinghua would give him some face, but he had clearly overestimated himself.

Ye Bufan looked at Zhu Linlin with a playful expression. "This student, your evaluation result is不合格 (unqualified). You may step down."

Seeing the situation go from certain to ruined, Zhu Linlin lost control of her emotions and said angrily, "Ye Bufan, this is all your doing!"

Cao Xinghua said disapprovingly, "What are you saying, little girl? You don't know anything, and you're blaming others."

"I don't accept it."

Ma Wenbo, the young master, lost his temper and stood up, pointing at Ye Bufan and shouting, "He's just an ordinary student from Jiangnan Medical University. What qualifications does he have to sit here as a judge?"