A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 539

Whooosh!

The golf club drew a smooth, elegant arc.

The golf ball, startled by the hit to its rear, scurried into the air. It soared across the blue sky and landed on the green.

“Director Seo, are you really playing golf for the first time?”

The Vice President of Medical Affairs approached Jun-hoo, speaking with admiration.

He patted Jun-hoo’s shoulder as if he were proud.

“Your putting stance is excellent, and you hit the ball so well!”

“I’m good at anything physical.”

Jun-hoo shrugged nonchalantly.

At the suggestion of the hospital director, a weekend golf outing was hastily arranged.

The participants were the hospital director, the Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Jun-hoo—only the most influential figures in the hospital.

“Let’s go.”

The hospital director walked ahead, followed by Jun-hoo and the Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Jun-hoo stared intently at the hospital director’s small back.

What scheme is that sly old fox up to, calling me out here?

The hospital director knew that Jun-hoo had never played golf before. Moreover, Jun-hoo’s relationship with the hospital director had been strained lately.

It probably started then.

After the successful fetal cerebrovascular surgery on the Kim Nam-joon and Seo Bo-young couple.

His petty intentions were obvious.

He must be upset that I opposed his instructions and proceeded with the surgery.

“As you all know, there will be a major personnel reshuffle soon.”

The hospital director brought up a heavy topic.

“Clearly, many things will change in the hospital. Vice President of Medical Affairs, do you have any preferred work locations or positions in mind?”

“What power do I have? I must go wherever the hospital director points and pushes me.”

The Vice President of Medical Affairs said with a servile smile.

It was a perfect answer for a superior to hear.

“Director Seo, what about you?”

“I don’t have any particular thoughts.”

“No desire to be promoted?”

“I don’t know.”

Jun-hoo’s answer was ambiguous. The hospital director, who had been walking ahead, slowed down and matched his pace with the two men.

The hospital director’s narrow eyes scanned Jun-hoo up and down.

“Perhaps you’re interested in the Incheon branch?”

“Incheon?”

“Yes. I think we need your strength there.”

The hospital director was testing Jun-hoo.

On the surface, it seemed like he valued Jun-hoo’s abilities, but beneath the surface, it was a trap.

Incheon was notoriously difficult.

Having opened less than two years ago, the hospital system was still chaotic.

The staff often had trouble working together.

“The hospital director is absolutely right. You’ve grown Busan this much; what’s to stop you from doing the same in Incheon?”

“So, you’re saying you’ll squeeze all the juice out of me and then slowly get rid of me?”

Jun-hoo threw a fastball [a direct and challenging question or statement].

The Vice President of Medical Affairs’ eyes widened in shock, while the hospital director’s eyes remained calmly fixed.

“Director Seo, you’re being too harsh with the hospital director. ‘Squeeze all the juice’ is a bit…”

“Vice President of Medical Affairs, you know it too, don’t you? If I go to Incheon, all the groundwork I’ve laid will disappear.”

“…”

“Did I misjudge you? I thought one of your callings was to improve poor medical environments.”

The hospital director feigned innocence shamelessly.

His face was as thick as iron [implying he was shameless and impervious to criticism].

“Wasn’t that why you chose Busan over the Seoul headquarters?”

“That was one reason, but it wasn’t the only reason I chose Busan.”

“Then what other reason is there?”

“I don’t think this is the place to discuss it.”

The conversation ended.

Jun-hoo and the hospital director’s gazes collided fiercely. The surrounding air became cold and tense.

Only the Vice President of Medical Affairs, caught between the two, was anxious.

“Indeed, it would be good for Director Seo to go to Incheon. The audacity to stand up to me will be essential there. I’ll talk to the higher-ups.”

“Well, what can I do when the answer is already decided?”

Jun-hoo smiled bitterly.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t anticipated this day would come.

Jun-hoo’s reputation and fame were soaring daily, threatening the hospital director. Now, to the hospital director, Jun-hoo was nothing more than a thorn in his side.

But Jun-hoo wasn’t one to be taken down without a fight.

The hospital director couldn’t have imagined it.

Jun-hoo had been dreaming of this moment since he was a resident. The moment he would become a hunting dog and cut off the unsuspecting hospital director’s breath.

“You really don’t want to go to Incheon?”

“As of now, I have no intention of going.”

“If you desperately want to, I might be able to let you stay in Busan.”

The hospital director made an unexpected offer.

It was an offer to kneel and obey again.

It was a ploy to tame Jun-hoo.

Jun-hoo didn’t respond to the hospital director’s words and changed the subject.

“What will happen to you during the personnel reshuffle, Hospital Director?”

“Me? Come to think of it, I haven’t told you my story.”

The hospital director smiled wickedly.

“I’m scheduled to take office as the director of the Seoul headquarters.”

“Oh! Congratulations, Hospital Director. Going to the Seoul headquarters is such an honor!”

“After rolling around in Busan this much, it’s time to go to the Seoul headquarters. It’s all thanks to your support in many ways.”

The hospital director took all the credit, leaving Jun-hoo out.

It was entirely Jun-hoo’s achievement that had brought Busan Shinwon University, overshadowed by Busan Jewon University, to where it was today.

Jun-hoo deliberately didn’t join the conversation.

It was amusing to see them patting themselves on the back and getting ahead of themselves.

Golf resumed upon reaching the green.

The hospital director made a bogey [one over par]. The Vice President of Medical Affairs made a double bogey [two over par].

Jun-hoo conspicuously finished the first round with a birdie [one under par].

The hospital director frowned at Jun-hoo’s tactless performance. The Vice President of Medical Affairs also subtly criticized him.

But the reception was over.

All that remained was war.

* * *

Sunday morning.

Jun-hoo was watching TV with Ah-young in the living room.

Jun-hoo’s hand was stroking Ah-young’s bulging belly.

It had already been several months since they learned about the pregnancy. The baby was growing rapidly, clearly making its presence known.

Since quitting the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ah-young’s skin had become as smooth as silk. She had also gained some weight and looked healthier than before.

“Stop touching it. It’ll wear out if you keep doing that.”

Ah-young joked.

“How can I not touch it?”

“Do you feel anything when you touch it?”

“If I use my inner energy.”

Jun-hoo occasionally used his inner energy to check on the baby’s health. Then, the baby’s squirming movements were vividly transmitted.

It was always a mysterious experience.

“How’s the Department of Neurosurgery doing these days?”

“It’s running very well.”

“Even though you’ve drastically reduced your work?”

“There are no problems because I set up the system well.”

It was a little embarrassing for Jun-hoo to say it himself, but it was true.

If a leader leads an organization with a great vision, the organization is bound to succeed.

Because the members work wholeheartedly, not grudgingly.

“I heard there will be a personnel reshuffle for executives soon.”

Ah-young changed the subject.

“Where did you hear that?”

“The Department of Thoracic Surgery. I still contact them often. What’s going to happen to you, Jun-hoo?”

“I have to stay in Busan. I don’t want to work in another city, leaving Ah-young here.”

A gentle smile appeared on Jun-hoo’s face.

In the past, Jun-hoo only had the role of a surgeon. So, he rushed to wherever there were patients, regardless of the circumstances.

Now, the situation had changed.

Jun-hoo had added the roles of husband and father.

He couldn’t ignore his new responsibilities.

“You’ve become much softer.”

“I guess no one can beat time.”

“It’s still good, though. I never thought the day would come when we could leisurely enjoy the weekend together.”

“Tell me about it.”

Jun-hoo and Ah-young looked at each other with loving eyes.

They were both grateful for each other’s existence.

People can cause despair, but people can also bring salvation.

“Didn’t you say you had an appointment today?”

“I should get going soon. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Where’s the appointment?”

“Seongsu-dong.”

“There’s a place there that makes delicious bread pudding. Buy me bread pudding; I’ll give you the address.”

“Ah-young, you must have been a gunslinger in the Wild West in your past life.”

“Suddenly?”

“Bang, bang, bang. You only know bread.”

Ah-young burst out laughing as Jun-hoo playfully mimicked shooting a gun.

* * *

Leaving the house, Jun-hoo took a taxi to KTX Busan Station [Korea Train eXpress, a high-speed rail system]. He boarded a train bound for Seoul.

While gazing blankly at the scenery passing by outside the train window, Jun-hoo was lost in thought.

After today’s meeting, Jun-hoo’s life would enter its second act.

And the development of the second act would be completely different from the first act.

It would be a lie to say that he had no regrets about the first act.

Jun-hoo wanted to save patients with his own strength.

But it was arrogant to think that he could overcome the neurosurgical patients in Korea with his own strength alone.

It was also a far-fetched ideal.

Then it was right to rise to a higher position, train future generations, and reform the hospital system.

That was a realistic and future-oriented solution.

Arriving at Seoul Station, Jun-hoo took the subway to Seongsu Station. It was the weekend, and it was a trendy area these days, so it was crowded with young people.

The meeting place was an unexpected gallery.

“I’m Seo Jun-hoo. I have a tea time appointment with the chairman.”

“This way, please.”

Guided by the desk staff, he arrived at a classic reception room. Paintings and sculptures that Jun-hoo couldn’t understand filled the reception room.

He sat on a leather sofa and waited for about 10 minutes.

Right on schedule, an old man entered the reception room. He was small in stature, but his eyes were lively, and his gait was energetic.

It was the chairman of the Shinwon University Hospital Foundation.

“Hello…”

“Sit down and greet me.”

The chairman stopped Jun-hoo, who was trying to stand up.

“Yes, Chairman. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a while. It’s already been over a year since I had surgery from Director Seo.”

“How’s your health?”

“I’m perfectly fine, thanks to you.”

The chairman sat on the sofa opposite Jun-hoo, talking to him. The accompanying secretary placed tea on the table.

White steam danced above the teacup.

The savory and acidic aroma of coffee filled the reception room.

It seemed to be a trendy specialty coffee these days.

“Does the chairman own the gallery?”

“Why? Does it not suit me?”

“No, it’s not that. I just didn’t think you’d be interested in art. I thought you’d be too busy with management.”

“Not having time is an excuse. That’s what slaves of time say. ‘Real’ people dominate time.”

The chairman smiled and took a sip of coffee.

Jun-hoo also followed the chairman and drank coffee. The flavor of the coffee was unique. A floral scent lingered in his nose and mouth.

“In that sense, it’s very interesting that you’ve borrowed my time.”

“I’ll get straight to the point. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

Jun-hoo explained the situation.

The chairman listened silently.

“A little disappointing, isn’t it? Aren’t you wasting the opportunity I gave you on something too small?”

“This is the conclusion I came to after careful consideration. And the turning point in my life is right now.”

“I appreciate you saving my life. But I don’t intend to cherish that gratitude more than necessary.”

The chairman said in a firm voice.

“So, you can only receive my help once. Will you still use it?”

Jun-hoo didn’t answer.

He took out his wallet from his pants pocket and placed the business card he had received from the chairman a long time ago on the table.

The transparent plastic business card stuck to the table.

As if it were connected to Jun-hoo’s will.

“I have no regrets. Even if I could turn back time, I would make the same choice.”

* * *

One month later.

The hospital director, who had been pacing anxiously in his office, received a phone call.

It’s finally here.

The hospital director connected the call with a bright expression.

“Yes, Director. What were the results of the board meeting?”

-That’s the thing…

Director Son hesitated as if he were in trouble.

Somehow, the feeling wasn’t good. Suddenly, his skin felt itchy.

“Is there something wrong?”

-Don’t be shocked when you hear this. The executive personnel reshuffle has been completely messed up. Director Seo has become the director of Busan Hospital, and you have become the director of Incheon Hospital.”

“…”

A conclusion he had never imagined in his dreams!

The hospital director said something, but his voice didn’t come out.

His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.

As if he had been anesthetized, the sensations in his entire body felt dull.

“D… Director. Didn’t you clearly say that I would become the director of the main hospital?”

-I naturally thought so too. The vice chairman pushed you. It seems that someone higher up intervened.”

“If it’s someone higher up than the vice chairman…”

The hospital director swallowed hard, thinking of one person. If it was that person’s decision, even the vice chairman couldn’t reverse it.

But why, why did this catastrophe happen?

The hospital director was too confused.

His vision was white, and his head was spinning.