Chapter 82: The Assessment

Faced with such changes, Yan Yuanqing remained utterly calm. If even he couldn’t pass this kind of assessment, then the people in the Medical Association must be truly extraordinary!

First came the written test, which would eliminate more than half the candidates. Only those who passed would proceed to the interview, where the final results would be determined.

The exam format stirred a sense of nostalgia in Yan Yuanqing—it had been so long since he last filled out a test paper, he could hardly remember when it was.

But after glancing over the questions, the corners of his mouth lifted in a subtle smile. He barely needed to think. Picking up his pen, he began answering rapidly, his hand flying across the page.

In just a few minutes, Yan Yuanqing turned to the next page.

The sound of turning paper immediately attracted the attention of those around him. Some wore stunned expressions, clearly not expecting anyone to finish so quickly. But when they saw it was the young man they’d noticed earlier, their faces shifted to one of understanding.

“That guy must just be here to make up the numbers. Each page should take at least fifteen minutes—he’s already turned the page? He probably didn’t even read the questions!”

“How envious I am of people with connections. Such a rare opportunity, and he’s just wasting it. What a shame!”

Some people around couldn’t help but think this to themselves. A few even shook their heads in resigned protest at Yan Yuanqing’s behavior.

But none of these reactions could shake Yan Yuanqing’s composure.

In the end, while the others hadn’t even completed half their papers, Yan Yuanqing had already finished his answers.

When the chief examiner saw Yan Yuanqing approaching with his test paper, he assumed there was a problem and that Yan had come to ask a question. But when he realized Yan Yuanqing was handing in his paper, he was visibly shocked.

“Wait!” Just as Yan Yuanqing placed his paper down and was about to leave, the examiner called out to stop him, his expression a little displeased.

“Young man, let me ask you—are you saying you’ve finished?” the examiner said coolly.

Yan Yuanqing nodded slightly. “Of course. If I hadn’t finished, I wouldn’t be handing it in.”

The examiner’s face fell, unable to mask his irritation. He slammed his hand on the table, drawing the attention of many others still busy with their exams.

“Who recommended you for this? Do you realize how important this competition is for joining the association? And you dare stand here and claim you’ve finished the whole test? If you want to show off, this isn’t the way to do it! I bet you haven’t even answered half the questions, have you?”

Seeing the examiner’s anger, Yan Yuanqing was momentarily taken aback, unsure what had gone wrong. Then it dawned on him: this man had simply assumed that anyone submitting so early must be trying to show off in front of the others.

“Sir, will you really make such a judgment without even looking at my paper?” Yan Yuanqing replied, now a touch displeased himself.

“There’s no need to look. I’ve been chief examiner here for several years, and the earliest anyone has ever finished was at least half an hour later than this! You just enjoy being in the spotlight, don’t you?”

“Would it really waste that much of your time to take a look?”

“That’s enough. You can go now. You’ve already succeeded in making a show of yourself—no need to waste such a valuable opportunity. I’d rather let someone else try. This is just disappointing. I can’t believe the quality of recommended candidates has sunk so low!”

The chief examiner shook his head, looking both exasperated and deeply disappointed.