A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 462

Chapter 90. Getting Away (3)

My teacher’s grumbling went on for a long time.

Like waiting an hour in line at a popular restaurant.

Throughout the story.

Jun-hoo wore a smile.

It was the first time that day that his teacher had talked so much on his own and complained about his troubles.

Not in a suit…

My teacher in the past, wearing a doctor’s gown, wasn’t like this.

My teacher always neatly organized what he had to say in a smart way. He was more of a good listener than a talker.

But that teacher had changed.

He’d become a bit of a chatterbox.

Was this a negative change?

No, Jun-hoo was sure it was a positive one.

His teacher was reborn from a surgeon to a member of the National Assembly [South Korea’s unicameral legislature] and was adapting to a new environment and new people.

Perhaps the aspect he was showing now.

It would be an essential virtue in living as a member of the National Assembly.

Sometimes, people needed to make a fuss.

That’s because other people will know that they are having a hard time.

Even if a medical doctor needs to act like an indestructible iron man, a member of the National Assembly needs to show how hard he is working on his parliamentary activities.

“You’re enjoying listening to other people’s stories.”

My teacher said with a sulky look.

He noticed Jun-hoo’s smile late.

“There’s no way that could be true.”

Jun-hoo took a sip of coffee and continued.

“I liked seeing my teacher change. Is there any bill currently being legislated?”

“We are proposing a bill that would require all university hospitals to have pediatric specialists.”

“You’re approaching pediatrics first.”

“It’s the same in any country. Because children are the future.”

Jun-hoo nodded at his teacher’s words.

Pediatrics was a major that was as demanding as surgery.

Children were usually more difficult to examine than adults.

Among the adults who came with them as guardians, there were many who deserved the title of troublemaker.

However, medical fees were at the very bottom.

Doctors were increasingly avoiding specializing in pediatrics.

Anything that is neglected has one thing in common: it is difficult and doesn’t make money.

When you think about it, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, hand surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology were all the same.

“I’m thinking of working on laws related to pediatrics first and then moving on to surgery.”

“You made a good decision.”

“The bill itself is so good that everyone should agree with it, but it’s surprisingly difficult to get help.”

My teacher continued, sighing.

The wrinkles on my teacher’s forehead hadn’t disappeared since earlier.

The coffee was slowly running out.

Every time he talked, he seemed to be thirsty and upset.

“Some lawmakers say that it isn’t fair to other majors. There were also lawmakers who said that this isn’t an important issue right now.”

“…”

“I could overcome it to some extent if I was good at it in the hospital, but not in the National Assembly.”

“But you can’t lose.”

Jun-hoo’s voice was firm.

“If my teacher fixes the system, we can enjoy our lives and see patients.”

“That’s right. You’re right. I had forgotten about it all along. That I’m not alone.”

My teacher’s eyes softened.

This was the look that Jun-hoo had been familiar with for a long time.

A teacher with this look never backed down.

“Anyway, shall we talk about you now?”

My teacher changed the subject.

“Now that you’ve been discharged, you need to decide where to go. I’ve subtly told Jewon University about good conditions.”

“…”

“Since you have experience, I thought it would be good to have the position of head of neurosurgery, but what do you think?”

Jun-hoo paused for a moment at his teacher’s words.

Head of Neurosurgery at Jewon University.

It would definitely be the best position for Jun-hoo right now.

Jewon University was the hospital where his teacher worked and was one of the Big 5 hospitals [the five most prestigious hospitals in South Korea].

It was also a place that competed fiercely with Shinwon University Hospital.

As his teacher had worked there until recently, the professors and staff would also be of a high standard.

Even if he was treated as the head of the department, there was nothing more to wish for.

But why?

Jun-hoo couldn’t readily say he would go.

He couldn’t get his mouth open.

Something was holding Jun-hoo back and wouldn’t let go.

Jewon University Hospital vs. ‘That Place’

A fierce battle broke out in Jun-hoo’s heart.

“Huh… you’re more thoughtful than I thought. I thought you would say yes, of course.”

“Teacher.”

“Yes. Tell me honestly.”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a week, but I think I should go to another hospital.”

“Where is it?”

“The place I want to go is…”

At Jun-hoo’s answer, his teacher raised his eyebrows to the top of his head. His mouth was open like a fool, and his legs were shaking slightly.

“Did you check properly and make the right choice? That place is in the tiger’s mouth.”

“If you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger’s den [idiom meaning to take great risks to achieve a goal].”

There was no hesitation in Jun-hoo’s voice.

* * *

That afternoon.

Jae-hyun returned to his office and sat at his desk. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

He felt refreshed after chatting with Jun-hoo for the first time in a while.

In fact, since becoming a member of the National Assembly…

He had been extremely reluctant to meet people around him.

He judged that it was dangerous to be influenced by those around him or to influence those around him.

However, if he was a truly trustworthy person, it would be good to have an open conversation like today.

Jae-hyun still felt the weight of the National Assembly badge.

‘Anyway, I got hit hard.’

A smile appeared on Jae-hyun’s lips.

The place Jun-hoo chose, rejecting the neurosurgery position at Jewon University that Jae-hyun had proposed, was unexpected.

The fact that he chose Shinwon University was within the expected range, but…

He never thought he would go down to Busan.

That’s right.

Jun-hoo’s destination was Busan Shinwon University Hospital.

Of course, Jae-hyun didn’t have any ill feelings towards Shinwon University or Busan.

The reason Jae-hyun disliked Busan Shinwon University was because of the hospital director there.

The hospital director was a snob to the bone.

He was busy taking care of his own interests and regarded the staff as disposable items like gauze.

If the hospital director was like that.

You didn’t even have to watch a video to know how the hospital was run.

In fact, the rumors he heard were all ominous.

But Jun-hoo insisted on Busan Shinwon University Hospital.

Jae-hyun’s persuasion did not work.

Stopping Jun-hoo, who had made up his mind, was as difficult as stopping a car with broken brakes.

So Jae-hyun asked bluntly.

Why did you choose such a difficult place?

Isn’t Jewon University Hospital a good place to pursue your dreams?

At least you should go to Seoul Shinwon University Hospital.

Jun-hoo’s answer was a masterpiece.

Even now, just thinking about that answer.

He was on the verge of bursting into laughter.

It seemed that a lot of time had passed.

Jun-hoo was no longer the Jun-hoo that Jae-hyun used to know. Jun-hoo had already been reborn as a full-fledged ‘warrior’.

If I improve the medical environment.

If Jun-hoo plays an active role as a star surgeon, neurosurgery can stand up again.

It’s impossible alone.

It would be possible if we were together.

Right now, the answer is to believe in that dream and move forward.

Jae-hyun drew a rosy blueprint on the ceiling he was looking up at. He reached out and grabbed it.

* * *

That evening.

Jun-hoo arrived at Ah-young’s house with boxes of red ginseng in both hands.

There was only one thing he wanted.

It was approval for their marriage.

He had missed the timing for marriage because he had trained at Mayo for seven years and then immediately served as a military doctor [mandatory service for South Korean men].

But he couldn’t postpone the marriage any longer.

Ah-young was Jun-hoo’s lifelong partner and soul mate.

He had no choice but to be busy all this time, but now he wanted to wake up in the same house as Ah-young and eat the same food.

“You’re coming very early.”

Her father glared at Jun-hoo with his arms crossed.

He seemed very unhappy with Jun-hoo.

“I’m sorry. I should have visited you sooner.”

Jun-hoo bowed his head and answered.

He had nothing to say even if he had ten mouths.

“If you like being a doctor so much, marry the hospital. Why are you trying to marry our Ah-young?”

“Honey. Why are you saying that?”

Her mother scolded her father.

“Did I say anything wrong? Jun-hoo, this friend, Ah-young was always secondary because of his hospital work.”

“…”

“Is there any guarantee that you won’t do that in the future?”

“Well, he’s busy studying and doing surgery. Ah-young is also very busy.”

“No matter how much, this friend was too much.”

Her father clicked his tongue.

Her father continued to scold Jun-hoo, and Jun-hoo nodded quietly, feeling like he was dead.

He couldn’t help but understand her father’s feelings.

It was a fact that Jun-hoo didn’t take care of Ah-young as much as other couples.

Jun-hoo was too busy running towards his dream of becoming the world’s best neurosurgeon.

Was it a sack full of things that had piled up?

Her father lectured Jun-hoo for nearly an hour, and then a table was set with alcohol.

“You. Do you know that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“People, you know. When alcohol reaches the top of their heads, their true nature is revealed. So I have to check your true nature today.”

Her father held up a bottle of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor].

Pour, pour.

Jun-hoo held the glass with both hands and received the drink. Then he poured alcohol into her father’s glass as well.

“Drink until your nose becomes your mouth and your mouth becomes your nose today. If you want to be with Ah-young, be prepared for that.”

“Honey. You can’t do this to your friends these days.”

“It’s okay. If this is how my father can relieve his resentment.”

“This person is a heavy drinker… he drinks 3 bottles of soju in one sitting. Seo Seo-bang [term for son-in-law] won’t be able to handle it.”

“I drink a little too when it comes to alcohol. Mother-in-law, you can rest with Ah-young.”

When Jun-hoo persuaded her, her mother-in-law and Ah-young went into the room with an unavoidable expression.

Jun-hoo drank with her father until 2 a.m.

Who in the world wouldn’t have a story?

Her father had buried his second son, who had passed away a long time ago, in his heart.

So, Ah-young’s younger brother, who died of a heart disease.

“I might as well have killed Seong-hyun. When that young child said his chest was stuffy, I should have taken him to the hospital quickly.”

“…”

“I pretended not to know that I was saving a few pennies on treatment costs.”

Her father finally burst into tears.

According to what Jun-hoo heard from Ah-young, when her younger brother was alive.

Ah-young’s family was in terrible financial shape.

He heard that her father’s business failed and they moved from one small room to another.

“It’s not your fault, Father-in-law. There are things in the world that can’t be helped. I’ve lost someone precious too.”

“You too?”

“Yes.”

Jun-hoo looked down at his health bracelet and made a sad expression. He suddenly thought of Seong-ho, who had died of brain death.

When Jun-hoo told Seong-ho’s story, her father’s expression softened slightly.

Pain that can be shared creates a sense of connection.

The drinking session ended at 2 a.m.

Jun-hoo laid the fallen father-in-law on the living room sofa and went to sleep in Ah-young’s younger brother’s room.

Maybe it was a misunderstanding.

It seemed like Ah-young’s young brother appeared in his dream.

It seemed like he asked him to take good care of Ah-young.

The next morning.

“You look very tired?”

Ah-young returned to the room and handed him honey water. Jun-hoo drank the honey water that Ah-young handed him with a face that was ten years older.

“I’m dying.”

“Didn’t you say you could blow away the alcohol with your inner strength? I think I heard that at the university OT [Orientation Training] too?”

“I can, but I didn’t. I wanted to have an honest conversation with my father-in-law.”

Jun-hoo answered, massaging his throbbing temples with his index finger.

He was suffering from a hangover.

He didn’t regret yesterday’s decision.

Because Jun-hoo wanted to treat her father-in-law with sincerity.

How much time had passed?

Jun-hoo had breakfast with Ah-young and her parents.

Her father ate the milky dried pollack soup and said nonchalantly.

“Please take good care of our Ah-young.”