Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 721

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“What did he say?”

Hyun-sung had barely stepped inside the hospital room when Lee Soo-hyuk, as if waiting for him, immediately asked the question. Hyun-sung gave a slight shake of his head, dismissing it.

“He didn’t say anything special.”

“What? Then why did he call you?”

From Lee Soo-hyuk’s point of view, it didn’t make sense.

Dr. Choi Min-young was his attending physician. If he was calling Hyun-sung, there had to be a reason.

But Hyun-sung, fresh from the doctor’s office, claimed it was nothing. How could he simply accept that?

Lee Soo-hyuk pressed him again, his curiosity piqued.

“He didn’t say anything at all?”

“Chairman Shin.”

“Chairman Shin? Are you talking about Chairman Shin Chun-ho of Nongshim [a major South Korean food and beverage company]?”

“Yeah, that’s right. He asked about the chairman.”

Hyun-sung felt compelled to lie. He couldn’t betray the doctor’s confidence and reveal the truth, not in this situation.

Besides, he would get the full story from the doctor himself tomorrow anyway.

Lee Soo-hyuk was left speechless.

He’d assumed Hyun-sung’s summons was related to his condition. But if the doctor was asking about the former chairman of Nongshim, someone who had nothing to do with him, what could he say?

“I thought my condition had taken a turn for the worse, and that’s why he called you.”

He admitted he’d been worried when Hyun-sung was called away. Whatever the reason, Hyun-sung was here as his guardian.

“So you were scared?”

“Honestly, a little. Hehe….”

Lee Soo-hyuk scratched his head, offering an awkward laugh. Hyun-sung smiled faintly at the sight.

Hyun-sung had, in fact, entertained similar thoughts initially.

He’d wondered if the tumor had grown.

Knowing that wasn’t the case allowed him to look at Lee Soo-hyuk with a sense of ease.

“Oh, did you ask for Nurse Cha’s name?”

“Yeah, her name is Soo-bin.”

“Cha Soo-bin? That’s a pretty name.”

“Hehehe.”

Lee Soo-hyuk suddenly burst into laughter. Hyun-sung immediately inquired,

“Why? What’s so funny?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that I find myself funny.”

“Why you?”

“Well, you know, back at Wonju Hospital, they gave me a year to live. It’s just… funny that I’m here now, asking for a nurse’s name. Don’t you think?”

*chuckle*

Hyun-sung chuckled involuntarily. He had a point. Not long ago, he was desperately begging for his life. And now, he was inquiring about a nurse.

“So, isn’t life worth living? You never know what tomorrow might bring.”

“I think you’re right. To be honest, I was practically begging you to save me back in Wonju. I was terrified then.”

Lee Soo-hyuk closed his eyes briefly, lost in thought.

He truly believed the world was ending.

He felt like he was standing on the precipice of a cliff, constantly afraid of falling off.

That’s why he’d pleaded with Hyun-sung to save him.

It had only been a week since then.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the realization that he was now asking for a nurse’s name.

Lee Soo-hyuk opened his eyes and continued,

“I can laugh like this now all thanks to you.”

“There you go again… Anyway, what about your promise to Nurse Cha?”

“You mean the novel?”

“Yeah, she told you to finish it before she leaves in two years, right?”

Lee Soo-hyuk smiled shyly and nodded.

“I’ve decided to do it.”

“Did you promise her?”

“Yeah, but it’s still a bit….”

Lee Soo-hyuk trailed off, lowering his head, a stark contrast to his earlier laughter.

Seeing his change in demeanor, Hyun-sung immediately asked,

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Well… to be honest, I can’t guarantee it.”

“Can’t guarantee what?”

“Two years from now. Whether I’ll actually recover and leave this hospital in two years.”

“You son of a…!”

Hyun-sung frowned, fixing Lee Soo-hyuk with a stare. He continued,

“Hey, we already talked about this at the coffee shop. What are you doing bringing it up again? Huh?”

Hyun-sung’s voice rose despite himself. They had settled this issue at the coffee shop.

It was a conversation they’d had just 30 minutes ago. But Hyun-sung felt a surge of annoyance at his renewed doubts.

Lee Soo-hyuk hesitated again.

“Hyun-sung, it’s just….”

“It’s just what?”

“I’m still not sure. To be honest, I don’t know if the new drug is working yet. They said it costs 200 million won [approximately $150,000 USD] per injection. Shouldn’t I be feeling something by now? But no matter how hard I try, I don’t notice any change.”

“So you’re worried?”

“Yeah….”

His voice had shrunk, revealing his fragile mental state.

Hyun-sung stared at him in silence for a moment.

The bright, cheerful expression from moments ago had vanished.

Perhaps it was a natural reaction.

He understood that it was a feeling only the person experiencing it could truly grasp.

As he pondered, Hyun-sung recalled his conversation with Dr. Choi Min-young.

Hyun-sung called out his name.

“Hey, Lee Soo-hyuk!”

“Huh? What is it?”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s voice trembled slightly, as if startled by Hyun-sung’s sudden question.

“What’s up?”

“How are you feeling right now?”

“How am I feeling right now?”

“Yeah, how does it compare to a week ago?”

“Hmm….”

Lee Soo-hyuk paused, lost in thought, before continuing.

“To be honest, I don’t feel much different.”

“So, you’re saying you don’t feel any better?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Lee Soo-hyuk nodded. Hyun-sung pressed on, as if he’d been waiting for this.

“Then let me ask you this: has it gotten any worse?”

“You mean, does it hurt more?”

“Yeah, does your head hurt more than before, or have you lost consciousness at all?”

“Hmm….”

Lee Soo-hyuk fell silent, deep in thought.

After a moment.

Lee Soo-hyuk spoke again.

“It feels the same. No, wait, now that I think about it, I haven’t lost consciousness.”

“You haven’t lost consciousness, but the pain is the same?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then, if we just focus on the fact that you haven’t lost consciousness, there’s definitely been an improvement, right?”

“Huh? Oh, now that I think about it, that’s true.”

Lee Soo-hyuk couldn’t help but agree.

When he first arrived, he was losing consciousness at least once a day. On bad days, it happened two or three times.

But since starting the new drug, he hadn’t lost consciousness at all.

“That alone means the new drug is working, right?”

“Oh, now that I think about it….”

“Now, let’s talk about the pain. You said yourself that the pain is the same as before, right?”

“Yeah, I don’t notice any difference in the pain.”

“Exactly. That’s proof that you’re seeing the effects of the new drug.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Lee Soo-hyuk could only tilt his head in confusion.

He’d clearly stated that there was no change in the pain. Yet Hyun-sung was claiming that this was proof the drug was working.

What was going on?

“Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“No, what are you talking about? I clearly said there’s no change in the pain. But you’re saying that’s proof the drug is working. How does that make sense?”

“Of course it makes sense. Let me ask you again!”

Hyun-sung’s voice grew stronger, signaling his confidence in his explanation.

The reason was simple.

He’d discussed this very point with Dr. Choi Min-young earlier.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Soo-hyuk, if someone is in pain, how does that pain usually progress over time?”

“It gets worse and worse.”

“That’s right, that’s the normal progression, right? Especially in your case?”

“That’s true. In my case, that’s to be expected… Oh? Wait a minute!”

Lee Soo-hyuk stopped talking and instinctively placed his hand on his head, a habit he had when deep in thought.

After a moment, he looked at Hyun-sung, as if a realization had dawned, and said immediately,

“So, you’re saying that the fact that my pain is no different from the beginning means that I’m seeing the effects of the new drug?”

“Do you understand now?”

“Yeah, now that I think about it, you’re right. The pain should be getting worse over time, but in my case, there’s no change. So, that means the new drug is preventing the pain from getting worse. So, I am seeing the effects of the new drug. Am I right?”

“Yeah, exactly. The fact that the pain isn’t getting worse and there’s no change is, in fact, the effect of the new drug. And that’s why you haven’t lost consciousness either. Can you believe that you’re definitely seeing the effects of the new drug?”

Lee Soo-hyuk nodded, his expression completely transformed.

“Oh, yeah! I think I get it now. I thought it wasn’t working because there was no change in the pain, but that was my mistake. Wait a minute, if that’s the case, that means the pain might decrease a little more in the future. Right?”

“I think so. They said they’re going to inject the new drug for the second time in a month, so I think the pain will be a little less than it is now.”

“If I get the new drug a few more times, the tumor will get smaller and smaller. Right?”

“Okay, that’s it. Then….”

“In two years, I’ll be completely healed and leave this hospital. Wow! This is….”

Lee Soo-hyuk suddenly spread his arms wide and began pacing around the hospital room.

After circling the room once or twice, Lee Soo-hyuk suddenly rushed towards Hyun-sung.

*Whack!*

Lee Soo-hyuk embraced Hyun-sung.

*Tap tap.*

Hyun-sung returned the gesture, lightly patting him on the shoulder, sharing in his joy.

It was a relief.

If he hadn’t spoken with Dr. Choi Min-young earlier, Hyun-sung wouldn’t have understood that the stable pain level was a positive sign, just like Lee Soo-hyuk.

If that were the case, he wouldn’t have been able to witness Lee Soo-hyuk’s happiness.

He felt grateful for his conversation with Choi Min-young.

“How do you feel now?”

Hyun-sung asked as soon as Lee Soo-hyuk released him.

“I feel like I’m flying. To be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to say it, but I was worried about it all alone. I thought it wasn’t working because there was no change in the pain. But now that I know that’s not the case, I think every day will be fun.”

Lee Soo-hyuk continued.

“I think I can write novels better now. Hyun-sung, can a person’s mind really change so quickly?”

“That’s just how people are.”

“I guess so. I was worried just a little while ago, but now my heart is as vast as the Pacific Ocean. I feel so comfortable, like I can do anything.”

Hyun-sung could easily imagine his mental state from Lee Soo-hyuk’s expression.

Hyun-sung, still watching him, asked again.

“What time did you say you’re starting the tests tomorrow morning?”

“8 o’clock. They said there are a lot of tests to do tomorrow.”

“You’ll know for sure after the tests tomorrow.”

“I guess so. But there won’t be any problems, right?”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s expression seemed a little anxious. Hyun-sung pressed on.

“What? Where did that happy look from a moment ago go? Are you getting anxious again?”

“Hyun-sung, it’s just… I can’t help but feel this way. Now that I’m going to have a thorough examination tomorrow….”

Hyun-sung nodded, understanding.

Perhaps it was a normal reaction.

It was an emotion that only the person experiencing it could truly understand.

“Soo-hyuk, I completely understand how you feel. But don’t worry too much. I really think you’re getting better.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yeah, as you know, it’s been proven just by the fact that you haven’t lost consciousness. So, just take it easy until tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay….”

Lee Soo-hyuk’s response was weak. But there was nothing more Hyun-sung could do. This was a problem that would resolve itself after tomorrow’s tests.

No matter what he said now, his anxiety wouldn’t completely disappear.

Hyun-sung looked out the window.

It was raining.

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?”

“It’s raining.”

“Huh? Rain?”

Lee Soo-hyuk looked out the window and asked again.

“Where are you going in the rain?”

“Ji-soo likes the rain. I’m going to the lounge to make a phone call.”

“Oh, okay, I understand.”

“You should call your father too.”

“Father?”

“Yeah, I heard your father’s health isn’t good either. You haven’t been able to take care of him because you’ve been sick, but I think you should check in on him now. It’s been a long time since you talked to your father, right?”

“Now that I think about it, that’s right. Okay, I understand. I should call him now.”

As soon as Hyun-sung left the hospital room, Lee Soo-hyuk picked up his cell phone.