A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 507

The Martial Surgeon – Episode 507

Chapter 99: Challenge (3)

“Shall we get ready? It seems they’re on their way.”

Jun-hoo rotated his neck 360 degrees as he spoke.

“Coming? Who’s coming?”

“Who else could it be? It’s the VIP.”

“It’s not the appointed time yet. They usually arrive right on schedule.”

“Doesn’t seem like it today, though?”

Jun-hoo shrugged.

About ten seconds later, things turned out exactly as Jun-hoo had predicted.

Creak.

The door to the room opened, and the VIP appeared. The hospital director was quite surprised by Jun-hoo’s shaman-like prediction.

*This guy has had a knack for startling people since he was a resident.*

The hospital director hurriedly rose from his seat as the VIP entered.

He wore an uncharacteristically servile smile.

He bowed his head respectfully.

“You’ve arrived, Vice Director.”

“Nice to see you, Hospital Director. It’s been a while.”

Her words were friendly, but the vice director’s tone and expression were icy. This was Vice Director Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

A woman in her early forties, she looked like she was only in her early thirties.

Her deep double eyelids and sharp eyes were striking.

She was one of the heirs to the Shinwon Group, but quite far from the line of succession.

“You must be Director Seo Jun-hoo? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Vice Director.”

Jun-hoo exchanged greetings with Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

The three of them took their seats.

Just then, a server entered the room, brought in the Korean beef, and began to grill it.

Sizzle, the meat cooked.

The browned meat looked tender. A mouthwatering aroma filled the room.

However, the conversation didn’t quite sizzle like the meat.

The air was awkward.

The atmosphere was heavy.

It wasn’t until after the server had finished grilling the meat and left that the conversation really began.

“We’re all busy people, so there’s no need to beat around the bush, right?”

“Indeed, Vice Director. You’re so straightforward.”

“I heard you’re planning a new project?”

“Yes. Director Seo here is taking charge of it. Why don’t you hear him out?”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong and the hospital director turned their gazes to Jun-hoo.

Jun-hoo cleared his throat lightly.

To be honest, he wasn’t thrilled with this situation.

The epilepsy project was originally within the hospital director’s purview [area of responsibility or authority].

But what do you know?

The hospital director had irresponsibly passed his work on to Jun-hoo.

-This isn’t a small-scale project. We need Vice Director’s approval. I’m leaving the persuasion up to you.

That’s what the hospital director had told Jun-hoo before Jeong Hyeon-jeong arrived.

The reason was obvious.

If the massive project failed, the aftermath would be terrifying.

In short.

The hospital director didn’t want to take responsibility.

He was connecting Jun-hoo and Jeong Hyeon-jeong directly and removing himself from the equation.

If the project succeeded.

He’d probably sneak his foot back in.

The fact that he had dragged his feet for a season or so after hearing Jun-hoo’s proposal was all because of this.

That sly old fox.

When it came to being cunning, the hospital director had already reached the realm of Hyeon-gyeong [a high level of mastery or enlightenment, often used metaphorically].

“I was thinking of establishing an epilepsy clinic in the neurosurgery department and bringing in a robot dedicated to epilepsy surgery.”

“What about profitability?”

“We can recover the principal [initial investment] in at least ten years.”

“Ten years… that’s too long, isn’t?”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong frowned.

Wrinkles appeared on her forehead.

“You know that Busan Shinwon University Hospital’s finances aren’t in great shape, right?”

“That’s why we should proceed. If there’s no profit, we need to invest to create a source of income.”

“I hate wasting money.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong continued in a prickly voice.

“Hospitals are places that deal with people’s lives, but they can’t run without money. Especially in a capitalist society.”

“…”

“People even buy lives with money. Money can be more important than a person’s life.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong’s voice was as cold and harsh as a winter wind.

It wasn’t just something she was saying as the vice director of the Shinwon Foundation.

It seemed like Jeong Hyeon-jeong genuinely believed it.

“I looked into Director Seo on the way here. I heard you’d do anything for your patients.”

“You’ve seen right through me. I chose neurosurgery because I wanted to save people in the first place.”

“It’s hard to believe that someone like you is talking about business, investment, and profit.”

A sneer appeared on Jeong Hyeon-jeong’s lips.

She was openly expressing her distrust of Jun-hoo.

Perhaps that’s why.

Jun-hoo felt a wall between Jeong Hyeon-jeong and himself.

How should he overcome that wall?

How should he break it down?

If he gave up here, Jun-hoo’s ambition couldn’t move on to the next stage.

Epilepsy patients would continue to suffer, and taking control of the department would be a long road.

So, there could be no giving up.

“Shall I rephrase what you said, Vice Director?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said that money can be more important than a person’s life, right?”

“Yes. I said that clearly and distinctly.”

“According to that logic, it also means that you can save people if you have money, right?”

Jun-hoo’s unexpected retort widened Jeong Hyeon-jeong’s eyes.

The hospital director, who had been silent, narrowed his eyes and stared at Jun-hoo.

He had guessed what Jun-hoo was about to say.

*That guy is so cunning.*

“If I can save patients with money, I’m willing to become Scrooge [a reference to Ebenezer Scrooge, a character known for his miserly ways]. Would you think differently if I were that kind of person?”

“Hmm… I hadn’t thought of that. You caught me off guard.”

“It just means I’m as serious about money as you are, Vice Director.”

“Still, a ‘let’s just do it and see’ attitude won’t work. You’ve got the wrong person.”

“…”

“If you want to persuade me, you need to present a concrete profit model.”

Jun-hoo confidently retorted.

“Why can’t I?”

* * *

Jun-hoo’s one-sided explanation continued for nearly 30 minutes.

Contrary to expectations that he would be clueless about finance and business as a surgeon, he presented various data and calculated profitability quite professionally.

Non-insured, so the surgery price is high.

Other hospitals already have full surgery schedules.

The surgery time is short, so the surgery turnover rate is excellent, and so on.

However, the core of this project.

That was the cost of introducing a robot dedicated to epilepsy surgery.

One robot cost a whopping 3 billion won [approximately $2.3 million USD].

It was outrageously expensive.

But Jun-hoo insisted on introducing not one, but two robots.

“Director Seo, don’t push too hard. How about we start with one robot on a trial basis?”

The hospital director said in a flexible voice.

Jun-hoo’s persuasiveness was working on Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

So, he had to leave the impression that he was also involved in this matter.

“One robot won’t be able to cover the patients. Other hospitals are proceeding with one robot, but surgeries are delayed by seven months.”

Jun-hoo continued in a frustrated voice.

“People’s average lifespan is constantly increasing. Inevitably, the number of epilepsy patients will continue to increase.”

“…”

“The initial investment cost is high, and the payback period is long, but profits are guaranteed.”

Jun-hoo added the additional benefits that could be obtained from epilepsy robot surgery.

1) The title of being the first hospital to operate two epilepsy robot surgery systems will raise the hospital’s profile.

2) As a result, patients from all over the country will flock to the hospital. Not only the neurosurgery department but also other departments will enjoy spillover benefits.

Jun-hoo gave a passionate speech for once.

It was the first time his soul had been ignited by business talk rather than treating patients.

“I’ve heard what you’ve said, but I’m still not sure.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong took a sip of water.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of raising a hospital’s profitability through surgery.”

“If you can accomplish that difficult task, your position will also rise, Vice Director.”

“Don’t bring me into this unnecessarily. You’re doing it for yourself anyway.”

“I said it in the sense that it would be good for both of us.”

“Where are you planning to get the robots from?”

“Through Mayu. They say they’ll give us a discount of about 700 million won [approximately $530,000 USD] if we bring in two at once.”

“Really? As much as 700 million won?”

The hospital director, who had been silent, opened his mouth wide.

His gaping jaw didn’t seem to close easily.

“Is that possible?”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong asked with narrowed eyes.

“Do you think I’ve only made them 1 or 2 dollars? Surgeries there cost tens of millions of won as a base.”

“…”

“Then calculate the profits I’ve brought them during the seven years I’ve been earning the title of Grand Master.”

Jun-hoo finally pulled out his trump card.

Linkage with Mayu.

Plus, a discount on robot surgery costs!

In negotiations, you shouldn’t reveal all your cards from the beginning.

Like men and women playing hard to get.

You had to seduce the other party by releasing important information little by little.

“It seems like it would only hurt your ears to say more, Vice Director. Please make a decision soon.”

Jun-hoo looked at Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

The hospital director’s gaze also rested on Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

No matter what anyone said, the final decision-maker was Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

Busan Shinwon University Hospital was in her grasp.

“Okay. My decision is…”

* * *

After the meeting with Jun-hoo.

Jeong Hyeon-jeong returned to her mansion.

She had only been sitting at the dinner table for about an hour, but she felt exhausted.

It felt like a vampire had sucked all her blood.

By a vampire named Seo Jun-hoo.

“You’re back, Miss.”

“Yes. I’m tired today, so I’ll go straight in.”

The housekeeper greeted Jeong Hyeon-jeong at the entrance.

Jeong Hyeon-jeong entrusted her bag to the housekeeper.

As she passed through the grandly spacious living room, her father was sitting on the living room sofa for once.

Jeong Hyeon-woo.

The CEO of Shinwon Foods and the chairman of Busan Shinwon University Hospital.

Her father was a bookworm.

The frames of the reading glasses he was wearing sparkled in the light.

“I’m back, Father.”

“Yes. Did the meeting go well?”

“Yes. Nothing special happened.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong said as she sat on the sofa next to her father.

Coincidentally, the book her father was reading looked familiar.

“You’re reading Dr. Seo Jun-hoo’s book? I just met Dr. Seo today.”

“Weren’t you supposed to meet the hospital director?”

Her father took his eyes off the book and looked at Jeong Hyeon-jeong.

“He was there too. He said he wanted to push forward with a project.”

“That’s unexpected.”

“Yes. He wants to introduce robot surgery dedicated to epilepsy and operate an epilepsy clinic in earnest. It’s nonsense.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong’s voice was laced with a snort.

At the meeting that had just ended.

Jeong Hyeon-jeong had asked for about a week to make a decision.

But her mind was already made up.

In the direction of not doing the project.

Originally, rejections weren’t made directly at the meeting.

Because then the other party would feel resentment.

“Was it viable as a business?”

“It wasn’t bad. No, it was actually good. But that made me even more suspicious. Scammers are usually more meticulous.”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong shrugged.

“After reading the book, he doesn’t seem like someone who would scam.”

“It wouldn’t be a typical scam. It would be a scam to rip off the hospital for the sake of patients.”

“Is that so?”

“Don’t tell me to pass the project just because you’re reading Dr. Seo’s book. You’ve decided to leave the hospital’s affairs entirely to me, haven’t you?”

“My thoughts haven’t changed.”

Her father’s smile was gentle.

“But there’s one thing this father is curious about.”

“What is it?”

Jeong Hyeon-jeong asked with a tense expression. Since she was young, her father’s questions had always troubled her.

The fact that the book he was reading was Seo Jun-hoo’s book was also ominous.

“About Dr. Seo Jun-hoo. Still…”