A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 56

Martial Doctor 56

Chapter 10: Surgical Constitution (1)

Restaurant street on the 2nd basement floor of the hospital.

A-yeong didn’t realize how time was passing while eating.

Not because she was hungry.

Nor because the food was so delicious.

It was because she enjoyed having everyday conversations with Jun-hoo.

It was strange.

A-yeong was more of a listener than a talker.

-A-yeong, how have you been lately? Tell me about yourself too. I feel like I’ve been talking for 30 minutes straight?

-Thank you. I feel a little better because you listened.

A-yeong often heard these conflicting remarks from people around her.

This was because she was introverted and didn’t have the knack for telling her own stories in an interesting way.

However, A-yeong could chatter on and on in front of Jun-hoo.

It was a mysterious thing.

The fact that her disposition could change in front of Jun-hoo.

After finishing their meal, A-yeong and Jun-hoo left the restaurant.

Among the passing pedestrians, women, in particular, couldn’t take their eyes off Jun-hoo.

Considering Jun-hoo’s handsome appearance, it was only natural.

But Jun-hoo himself didn’t seem to care much.

“A-yeong.”

“Yeah.”

“Come to think of it, I forgot to apologize.”

“What apology?”

“When I chased away the staff who were hitting on you earlier, I grabbed your hand without permission. You know it wasn’t intentional, right?”

“…….”

“I thought he was like a leech, so I had to do that to chase him away.”

“Of course, I understand.”

A-yeong nodded shyly.

A-yeong had already known the intention hidden behind Jun-hoo’s sudden action.

And to tell the truth.

The sensation when their hands touched was a little fluttery.

“Jun-hoo, what’s your ideal type?”

A-yeong changed the subject.

“Suddenly?”

“It’s been almost five years since we became close, and I’ve never seen you date.”

“…….”

“Seeing that you’re not dating, I think your standards might be high.”

“Ideal type and dating issues…….”

Jun-hoo stroked his chin and continued.

What kind of answer would Jun-hoo give?

It was a brief moment, but A-yeong’s curiosity grew like a snowball.

“I don’t really have a specific ideal type, but I’d like someone who is calm.”

“A calm person? Like who?”

“Like you, A-yeong?”

Jun-hoo looked at A-yeong and smiled.

A-yeong was confused because she couldn’t tell if Jun-hoo’s answer was sincere or a joke. But she felt a little good, though.

“But it’s funny to get this question from you, A-yeong. Aren’t you similar to me?”

“…….”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you date either?”

Of course, we’re not similar at all.

You weren’t looking anywhere else, but I’ve been looking at only one place all along.

……A-yeong held back what she wanted to say.

She couldn’t reveal her true feelings yet.

“I haven’t dated either. I guess that’s why the saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ exists.”

“What’s your ideal type, A-yeong?”

“Someone reliable and dependable. Like you, Jun-hoo?”

“We’re both too businesslike.”

As they left the restaurant street and got on the escalator, Jun-hoo held his phone in his hand.

He was on a call with someone.

“Is that a call from the emergency department?”

“No. It’s the patient I paid the hospital bill for earlier. He said he’s sorry he can’t send the money right away, so he wants to treat me to a meal.”

“…….”

“I’m off today, so I’m going to go out for some fresh air. You worked hard filming, let’s see each other again next time.”

Jun-hoo lightly tapped A-yeong’s shoulder and headed to the first-floor lobby.

A-yeong stared blankly as Jun-hoo walked away.

* * *

Jun-hoo was looking at the map app and walking through an unfamiliar residential area. He was looking for the house where the elder and Hae-na lived.

He had guessed their family situation since they said they didn’t have enough for the medical bill.

The neighborhood was run-down.

Old villas and outdated row houses were densely packed together.

Construction workers were building new villas everywhere.

‘Is it here?’

Jun-hoo opened the iron gate and entered the house.

The elder and Hae-na’s house was a basement room.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

When he knocked on the iron door, it opened soon after.

The elder, whom he had seen in front of the emergency room’s cashier, greeted Jun-hoo with a bright smile.

“Doctor. You really came? Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful for being invited. But I hope I didn’t come without intruding?”

“Oh, don’t say that. I’m the one who invited you. Come in quickly.”

Jun-hoo took off his shoes at the entrance and stepped on the linoleum floor.

The coldness was transmitted through his socks.

The weather was chilly, but they hadn’t turned on the heating.

The room had two sections, but the house was small.

The furnishings looked meager.

Old kitchenware and miscellaneous items were attached to the house as one.

“Hello, Doctor.”

Hae-na, who was in the room, came out and greeted Jun-hoo.

“Hae-na. Hello? Is the doctor keeping the gift Hae-na gave him safe and sound?”

Jun-hoo took out Hae-na’s drawing from the pocket of his doctor’s gown and shook it.

The drawing was already coated.

To prevent damage to Treasure No. 1.

He had stopped by the stationery store at the hospital and had the picture coated [laminated].

Hae-na smiled brightly, seemingly happy to see Jun-hoo’s sincerity.

“Doctor. I’m really sorry. I was going to return the hospital bill right away, but I couldn’t take out the living expenses.”

The elder lowered his head and said, feeling ashamed.

“You don’t have to return it. If you’re really worried about it, you can give it to me little by little when you have the money.”

Jun-hoo said sincerely, not just paying lip service.

When the family is in financial difficulty.

A high medical bill is a huge burden.

It goes beyond threatening their livelihood and reaches the level of threatening their lives.

They can’t earn money because they’re sick.

They can’t get healthy because they can’t earn money.

And they can’t earn money because they’re not healthy.

Jun-hoo had already experienced this vicious cycle in the Murim world [a world of martial arts cultivation].

After the Murim Father passed away.

The Seo Clan was driven to the brink of ruin.

To make matters worse, Jun-hoo had even been seriously injured.

The reason why Jun-hoo couldn’t ignore the elder and Hae-na.

The reason was probably largely due to his desire not to see the sorrow of that time again.

He realized it then.

The second most heartbreaking thing in the world is being sick.

And the most heartbreaking thing in the world is not being able to receive treatment because you are sick and don’t have money.

Jun-hoo pushed away the bitterness of past memories and focused on the present.

He had a late lunch with the elder and Hae-na.

The various side dishes of seasoned vegetables were simple but delicious.

Thanks to that, he was able to finish a bowl of rice, even though he had already had lunch with A-yeong.

Where are Hae-na’s parents and what are they doing?

Jun-hoo was curious throughout the meal but didn’t ask.

Because he thought there might be a heartbreaking story in the answer.

But even though he didn’t ask, he was able to hear the backstory naturally.

The elder was also frustrated with the current situation.

He recited the family’s circumstances in detail.

Hae-na’s father, the elder’s second son, had lost his life in an accident while working at a construction site.

Hae-na’s mother, the daughter-in-law, had left home.

Naturally, Hae-na’s upbringing became the elder’s responsibility.

“I don’t care if I’m poor and struggling, but I’m worried about Hae-na. What sin did this young child commit?”

The elder clicked his tongue and stroked Hae-na’s head, who was sitting next to him.

“No. I’m happy to be with Grandma.”

Hae-na’s answer was mature, and Jun-hoo’s heart ached even more at the sight.

He saw the shadow that an adult who started working in society would show in a 9-year-old child.

He realized that Hae-na had already grown up too soon.

Children need to be childlike…….

Jun-hoo’s heart grew heavier as he listened to the family’s story.

He also wondered what he should do to make the two people happy in the future.

He knew that he couldn’t save everyone in the world.

But Jun-hoo wanted at least the people in front of him to be healthy and happy.

“I’m sorry, Doctor. I brought up a heavy story for no reason.”

“…….”

“That’s not why I invited you.”

“It’s okay. You must have been so frustrated that you told me this story.”

“You’re a very polite and sociable young man.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jun-hoo looked straight ahead, feeling embarrassed.

A poster was visible through the crack in Hae-na’s wide-open door.

It was a poster of the idol group Optimum, whom Jun-hoo had performed a talent show at a medical school orientation for in the past.

Is this also fate?

I never thought I’d see that face here again.

“Hae-na, do you like idols?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like singing too?”

“Doctor, would you like to hear our Hae-na sing? They say she’s as good as a singer!”

The elder suddenly joined the conversation in a lively voice.

“I just sing sometimes. I’m not very good.”

“Hae-na. Sing a song for the doctor. You can do it well.”

“I’m shy…….”

Jun-hoo didn’t want to force her because it seemed like Hae-na didn’t like it, but he soon changed his mind.

If Hae-na really sings well, as the elder said.

A new path might open up for the family.

“Will you sing just one verse? The doctor is asking you.”

“Then…… I’ll try.”

Hae-na got up from her seat and started singing hesitantly.

What to do, what to do, please don’t do this~

A woman’s heart is like a reed.

Hae-na’s song choice was Jang Yun-jeong’s ‘What to Do’ [a popular trot song].

I thought she would sing an idol song, but it was a bit unexpected.

It seems that she often listens to the songs that the elder listens to.

Also, she often sang trot songs to make the elder happy.

This is it!

Jun-hoo felt a thrilling sensation as he listened to Hae-na’s song.

He recognized Hae-na’s potential at a glance.

When he was a warrior in the Murim Alliance.

Jun-hoo knew a colleague who used sound techniques.

Sound techniques, as the name suggests, are about unfolding music like martial arts.

Using sound techniques could destroy the opponent’s eardrums or manipulate their psychology.

The important thing was that he felt the same strange sensation from Hae-na that he had felt from the song sung by the master of sound techniques.

A tone that is differentiated from others.

The resonance of a voice different from others.

Hae-na seemed to be able to succeed in music.

“As expected, our Hae-na is amazing when it comes to singing.”

“No. I’m not very good.”

Hae-na sat down, feeling embarrassed by the elder’s praise.

“Hae-na. Have you ever thought about becoming a singer?”

Jun-hoo asked, his eyes sparkling.

“Me?”

“There are a lot of trot prodigies on TV these days, you can do it too.”

“I’m not that good.”

“The doctor has an ear for music, and Hae-na, you have enough talent and more.”

Jun-hoo’s voice was already excited. Because he saw a ray of light that would lift up Hae-na’s family.

“I’ll create an opportunity for you, so try auditioning.”

Jun-hoo grabbed his phone without asking any questions.

The person he was calling was Ji-ae.

A middle school classmate who participated in the CPR competition together in high school.

She is now establishing herself in the acting world.

It’s been a long time since they saw each other, but they still keep in touch.

-Seo Jun-hoo. Long time no see?

“Well, it’s been almost a hundred years. Is it okay to talk?”

-It’s okay. I’m on my way to the set.

Ji-ae chuckled at Jun-hoo’s joke.

“Ji-ae.”

-What? Why are you suddenly setting the mood like this?

“Please do me a favor, as if you’re saving someone’s life.”

-That’s unusual. A doctor asking an actress to save someone’s life.

“You’ll understand if you hear the situation. The favor is…….”

Jun-hoo continued in a calm voice.