1 Chapter 1: There's No Need to Be Too Normal as a Medical Student, Right? (Cute Little Hands Begging for Favorites Online!)_1

Shanhe Medical University.

Early September, just after the summer break.

Chen Gong, contented, walked out of the library, his arms full of a large stack of books.

"Thank you, teachers!"

Before leaving, Chen Gong did not forget to thank the several teachers profusely.

The library staff wore a mixture of crying and laughing expressions; they were genuinely impressed—having seen people who squat at the supermarket entrance waiting for the opening rush sale and those who queue overnight for the latest phone release...

But it was their first time seeing someone stake out the library right after the start of the semester!

And to top it off, this guy was just a sophomore!

The library was supposed to be officially back at work tomorrow. Everyone came in today for a bit of tidying up, and this guy... just followed them in and borrowed books.

"What's gotten into this kid? The summer break just ended, and he's already here to borrow books."

"Yeah, did you see what kind of books he borrowed? 'The Electron Transfer Effect of the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle'—this book has been in the library for years without anyone even flipping through it. Can a sophomore even understand it?"

"I can't figure out today's youth—why would a sophomore borrow so many senior and postgraduate exam materials? It's kind of abnormal..."

...

Chen Gong hadn't walked far and naturally heard everyone's conversations.

However, this was followed by a series of system notification sounds.

[Ding! Unusual Points +10.]

[Ding! Unusual Points +20.]

...

Chen Gong frowned when he heard the sounds; he could actually receive Unusual Points for this?

"Is it really that abnormal to preview senior and postgraduate materials as a sophomore?"

"Back in high school, my classmates even studied calculus and even advanced mathematics ahead of time..."

And what's wrong with keeping an eye on the library?

Isn't that normal?

The Medical University's long summer break and no homework assigned?

Don't they know that they are training the support for the people's health?

And being able to read books for just eight hours a day without classes, wouldn't the yearning for knowledge be overwhelming?

I heard that the libraries of top universities are open all night, not to mention during holidays.

Ah... these leaders are hard to deal with!

Chen Gong sighed and continued on his way out.

As for the System, it was just activated during the summer break but Chen Gong always felt there was something wrong with its moral compass.

[Unusual System: You will gain points every time you receive an abnormal evaluation.]

[Current points: 6290.]

[Points can be used for drawing lots, exchanging skills, exchanging relevant knowledge or literature... etc.]

Chen Gong had a deep grudge against the System; he always felt he was a very normal person, so why did he keep receiving abnormal evaluations?

If it weren't for the fact that the points could be exchanged for some useful study materials, papers, journals, and some skills, he really would have forcibly uninstalled it.

But well, let it be!

Thinking of the sophomore courses, which he had already previewed during the summer break after high school and which were about to start, Chen Gong began to look forward to them.

This year's classes were truly thrilling!

Rumors on the street:

Physiology and biochemistry, one's bound to fail!

Systemic anatomy, utterly baffling!

And those lovely little mice, little frogs, little bunnies...

Tsk tsk tsk...

Just the thought was exhilarating!

Moreover, anatomy had practical classes, where one could get hands-on experience.

Chen Gong couldn't help but get excited; after all, what's medical science if not hands-on?

As for this lousy system, out of sight out of mind, just turn it off!

In the midst of speaking, he glanced at the time and headed for the dormitory; all of his roommates had returned today, and they planned to dine together that evening.

As soon as he entered, he heard everyone's complaints.

"Chen Gong, you're finally back; everyone's been waiting for you to eat."

"Just after the semester begins, everyone has money to spend, and if we go to the restaurant late, there won't be any vacant seats."

Chen Gong neatly placed the borrowed books on the table, took a glance at the time, and apologized with an embarrassed smile: "Isn't there still five minutes?"

"That's just in time!"

Ji Chao rolled his eyes: "It's almost a kilometer away, can you make it in five minutes?"

Chen Gong matter-of-factly said, "Run there, of course!"

"Back in high school, we used to run to get our meals."

"Hmm... even had to run to the toilet, or else there would be no holes left to claim..."

No sooner had he said this than the others raised their middle fingers in unison.

"You jerk, you're not normal!"

"Exactly, all of you coming out of high school aren't normal."

"Right, maybe your educational methods weren't correct; otherwise... wouldn't we all be attending the same university?"

The disappointment of the college entrance exam wasn't much of a blow for Chen Gong; he believed that whomsoever the heavens wish to assign great duties to, they first test their will... Hence he began pre-studying university courses as soon as he received his acceptance letter.

At that moment, Song Hongwen, who hadn't spoken much, asked, "So, what were you up to before the term started? Why have you brought back so many books?"

Chen Gong earnestly replied, "Most of these are reference books that we're certainly going to need."

"Physiology and biochemistry are really difficult!"

That was the truth; for instance, the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle in biochemistry, something he didn't understand when revising before graduating high school. He consulted numerous sources and then found Professor Martin Brown's book from abroad which, to his surprise, was in the library, so he borrowed it.

"Dude, being too studious can cost you friends, you know?" Peng Wei fiddled with the computer, playing Love Apartment.

Chen Gong earnestly said, "These are all necessary materials for the postgraduate exams, physiology, biochemistry; having a strong foundation is crucial."

Ji Chao laughed and commented, "You could go tomorrow; was there a need to be so vigilant?"

"Oh no, wait... Why are there so many postgraduate study materials in these books?"

As he said this, the atmosphere in the room became peculiar.

The others looked at Chen Gong with a mix of fear and amazement.

Chen Gong's smile faded: "I've heard that this year's seniors are frantic about the postgraduate exams, and there are many more candidates than last year."

"I wouldn't have been able to borrow them if I went later."

"And moreover..."

While he spoke, Ji Chao suddenly turned to grab a piece of paper and wrote down with a serious expression, "There are 1,233 days left until the postgraduate entrance exam!"

"The seniors are too insane, we must prepare early!"

The others were startled by this revelation!

"Not crazy, not crazy, they're not as crazy as you!"

"Don't come over here!"

"Ahhhh... my eyes, you've blinded my dog eyes!"

"What sins did I commit to meet someone like you!"

"Get rid of it, get rid of it..."

[Ding! Unusual Points +30!]

[Ding! Unusual Points +40!]

...

There are many restaurants around the university town, and Ma's Hot Pot and BBQ City is the most famous, always packed during holidays.

Ji Chao, the dorm leader, had reserved seats in advance, and led by Chen Gong, a group of somewhat embarrassed people rushed over, lucky to have caught them, or else they'd have to queue all over again.

Once the group sat down, they ordered food and started to chat casually.

Just as Chen Gong was about to speak, everyone stared at him in unison, "Shut up; don't talk; you're not normal!!!"

Chen Gong muttered to himself: Can studying really be considered abnormal?!

"Heh heh, this summer, I moved up from Silver to Gold," Shou Weixiang chuckled while showing photos on his phone, "and I even scored double pentakills twice!"

"Damn, you play games without calling me, sneakily leveling up behind our backs, your character is questionable!" Peng Wei looked at him with disdain.

"By the way, what did you guys do over the summer?"

...

Chen Gong was listening to everyone chatting, but soon got distracted by the conversation of a few seniors at the next table.

"Hey? Yang, isn't your lab recruiting new members?"

"Yeah, we're about to start internships, and there's the postgraduate exam to prepare for, so lab work will definitely need to be handed over to newcomers."

"Man, you're so lucky, having published a national-level paper even before graduating from college; you'll definitely have an advantage in the entrance exams."

"What's so special about me? Let me tell you guys, Liu Yuxiao from Class 2 got recommended for postgraduate studies directly by Professor Yang Guangye, the dean of the Basic Medical College at our university. She doesn't even need to do her internship this year and has already joined Professor Yang's team. She's guaranteed a faculty position after graduating from her master's program. I'm just ordinary in comparison."

"That awesome?! Damn... doesn't our university now require a doctorate to get a job?"

"You think they just hang out for no reason in his lab? Cough cough, let me tell you something, don't spread it around, but I got a verbal promise from Professor Qin. If I pass the written exam, the interview is definitely mine!"

"Damn, you're the man... You're buying us dinner tonight!"

"Exactly, so cool... We still have to desperately strive."

"By the way, how did you even join the lab in the first place, you didn't even mention it."

"Ah, it wasn't really a big deal, just that in my sophomore year, Professor Qin noticed me during the anatomy practical because of my performance, and he invited me to try working in the lab."

...

Hearing this conversation, Chen Gong perked up immediately.

Anatomy practical?

Professor Qin?

The lab!

Apparently, their anatomy teacher was called Qin Xuehai, was it him?

But... what exactly was required during the anatomy practical to win Professor Qin's approval?

"This Professor Qin, aside from being our teacher, also holds a position in the surgical department of the affiliated hospital; what he values most is practical skills and a good foundation in anatomy."

Just then, Chen Gong overheard this line from a senior at the next table and something clicked in his mind.

Practical skills?!

A good foundation in anatomy?!

Chen Gong understood the anatomy part, but how could one enhance their practical skills?

Suddenly, Chen Gong thought of something and quickly opened the Unusual System.

He remembered seeing something about practical skills within the system.

[Lottery: 1000 points per draw, 10,000 points for ten consecutive draws, guaranteed to receive a green practical skill reward.]

[Exchange: Surgical operation skills: Locked, please continue to explore.]

After reading this, Chen Gong was invigorated.

Ten consecutive draws?!

He then looked at his own points, 6,500 points.

Soon.

But before attempting to increase his points, he could completely focus on improving his knowledge in anatomy.

Soon, the pot arrived, it was a spine hot pot, and after finishing, it could be used for table grilling.

"Oh, the one thing I missed the most this summer was Ma's spine hot pot, I've finally had it!"

"Quick, quick, let's finish and go out for a game."

Chen Gong shook his head, "I'll skip it, I need to go back and study."

"No way! Today you have to come... it's been so long since we've all been together, we must play; otherwise our team will be one player short."

"Exactly, you can't fall too far behind the team!"

Chen Gong shook his head helplessly, well, studying... doesn't depend on the location.

The meal was energetic and lively. In the hot summer day, hot pot and barbecue coupled with some beer was just too enjoyable.

"Hey? Chen Gong, what are you doing with our leftover bones?"

Chen Gong's face was serious, "I've noticed a problem, look... this sheep's spine development seems abnormal, check out the height of these spinal processes, this should be lumbar vertebrae, and this one, thoracic."

"Usually, thoracic vertebrae have long and slender spinous processes that slant backward and downward in an overlapping arrangement, whereas lumbar spinous processes are horizontally oriented and plate-like."

"But this is strange!"

"It could be due to congenital spinal curvature!"

"Also, look at this wide noodle, doesn't it somewhat resemble pork tapeworm?"

Creamy white, flat and long like a ribbon, thin, slightly translucent, narrower at the front, gradually widening towards the back..."

No sooner had his voice faded that a wave of disgust rose from the next table.

[Ding! Unusual Points +20.]

[Ding! Unusual Points +30.]

...

ps: Pale, delicate hands online seeking a pat.

Hehehe, I'm back to meet all of you!

I've missed you to death!

The new book is online, my grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts, elder brothers, elder sisters, handsome guys, and fairies... as always, I ask for your support!!!