Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 183

#183 Taking a Step Forward (6)

As I perked up my ears, Professor Pung looked at me, seemingly dumbfounded.

“Wow, look at that excited expression. Are you really a fanboy of Professor Baek?”

…Well, I am a fanboy.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

The legendary surgeon, Professor Baek Euishin.

He was someone I had always admired, so it was only natural that I would want to meet him.

I pressed Professor Pung, urging him to tell me more.

“So, where is Professor Baek?”

“I don’t know the specifics. I just heard that he came back to Korea.”

Professor Pung took a cookie from my plate and said,

“Professor Baek is such a maverick… He left Korea without saying much. I doubt anyone even knows he’s back.”

Well, that’s understandable.

He’s been out of the public eye since his retirement.

The news and articles that once hailed Baek Euishin as a national hero have become hard to find recently.

Professor Pung lowered his voice and said,

“This is just my guess, but I think he might be considering returning to practice. He retired a bit early, after all.”

“Returning?”

My ears perked up.

Returning to practice… That’s a possibility.

Professors usually retire at the age of 65.

But Professor Baek Euishin isn’t even 60 yet.

That means he could easily work for a few more years.

“Well, it’s just speculation, but if he does return, wouldn’t he come to Yonsei University Hospital? There’s no reason for him to go to another hospital.”

Professor Pung stopped there and pretended to zip his lips.

“Oh, and don’t go spreading this around! This is off the record.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And congratulations on deciding to become a thoracic surgeon! Now we’re alumni of the same department!”

Professor Pung put his arm around me with his characteristic playful expression and continued,

“Big guy, shorty, and… what department did that idol you were flirting with go to?”

“Flirting… Big guy went to pediatrics, shorty went to radiology, and the idol went to internal medicine.”

“They all went to places that suit them. But you seem to have lost weight since I last saw you?”

“When does an intern have time to gain weight?”

“Eat your fill of delicious food here, you rascal. You’re coming to the after-party later, right? I need to have a late-night drink with Professor Heo Junim for the first time in a while.”

Seeing him call Professor Heo Junim by his first name so casually, they must have been close in the past.

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t touch alcohol unless it was top-shelf whiskey?”

“You have a good memory, kid. Always the smart one.”

He chuckled and ruffled my hair before disappearing.

It was a brief reunion with Jang Pung, the hidden master of Gokdam [a fictional martial arts style or organization].

‘So, Professor Baek Euishin might return to Yonsei University Hospital…’

If that becomes a reality, it would be a major issue in the Korean medical community.

It would be a hot topic that the media would focus on.

Of course, what’s more important is that I would be able to work in the same place as someone I respect.

‘…I really hope that happens.’

I looked out the window at the city’s night view.

A single star shone brightly above the skyscrapers that night.

Like the North Star, Professor Baek Euishin had been a guide in my life.

Could I really meet him at the hospital?

As I was lost in thought, I heard a sorrowful song from the hall.

Where should I go, sir~ Is this your first time with a crying customer~ [This is a lyric from a popular Korean trot song, often sung in karaoke settings.]

The singing contest was still in full swing.

The participants were wearing masks, but that voice was definitely Teacher Ahn Gyeongshik.

The wipers squeak nervously in the rain… Separation… *sniff!*

I heard he was dumped by his girlfriend recently?

Maybe that’s why Ahn Gyeongshik’s song was so full of soul.

He might even be crying behind the mask. He’s such a soft-hearted person.

“Wow~ Ahn Gyeongshik is a good singer?”

“He’s good at everything except his job.”

Some residents laughed as they passed by.

It was a subtle evaluation that was hard to tell if it was a compliment or not.

That day, Teacher Ahn Gyeongshik became the final winner of the singing contest, and the year-end party came to an end.

* * *

Christmas.

Some spend a warm night with their lovers, others with their families.

But everyone is treated equally in the face of a packed intern schedule.

On the night that Christmas began, a small party was held in the interns’ lounge.

“Okay, those on duty should fill up with water or cola~ Let’s have a toast among those who are feeling down. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas!”

“Cheers~!”

Paper cups clinked together.

Under Joongwon hyung’s [hyung is a Korean term used by males to address older male friends or brothers] leadership, several interns gathered for a chicken party.

This must be a memory that can only be experienced during the remaining intern life.

“Everyone worked hard this year!”

“But are all the people here single?”

“Everyone should date next year. I’m tired of seeing each other’s faces.”

“Who are you to talk?”

“Hey, hey, everyone, date as much as you want before you get married! It’s over once you get married!”

Those were the words of encouragement, or not, from the interns.

Geunwook, Yeonseo, Sodam, Misun noona [noona is a Korean term used by males to address older female friends or sisters], etc….

Some interns became so close that they couldn’t get any closer.

Since everyone will be going their separate ways next year, gatherings like today will be remembered even more fondly.

“But Sunhan, why is it so hard to see you these days? Isn’t the pathology schedule easy?”

“He’s been studying alone in the dorm these days.”

“What? Studying? What’s he studying when the exams are over?”

“He’s looking at something like Congenital Heart Disease.”

I tore open the wooden chopsticks, mixed the green onion chicken, and replied,

“Because I’ve completely decided on thoracic surgery now.”

“Wow, you’re so dedicated. So you’re preparing from now?”

There’s a reason for my studying.

Transposition of Great Arteries [a congenital heart defect].

In the future I saw, the baby will undergo surgery for this disease.

So, if I want to be of any help, I have to at least understand it perfectly.

However, there were various surgical methods for this disease. It wasn’t the kind of disease that you could understand simply by looking through books for a few days.

That’s why I couldn’t put down the book even after the Specialist Exam was over.

“Okay, let’s cut to the chase. Did anyone bring gifts? Let’s open them all.”

Joongwon hyung changed the mood.

The theme was The Most Useless Gift.

Everyone was supposed to bring a gift that was useless for less than 10,000 won [approximately $8 USD].

A calendar from two years ago.

Paving stones.

Children’s cosmetics.

Pictures of politicians from other countries.

etc….

It’s a moment where all kinds of creativity are unleashed.

Among the gifts, there was also a set of IV fluids including 1L of Hartmann’s solution [an intravenous solution used for fluid replacement].

“Who brought the IV fluid?”

“Hey, I’ll give the person who receives this a special IV.”

“How can I trust you to put a needle in my body?”

The interns laughed among themselves.

Besides that, all sorts of items appeared and were returned through a raffle.

“Is it Yeonseo’s turn next? Where’s gift number 5?”

A Noisy Rolling Hoop.

I wondered who would have chosen such a useless gift, but it was me.

“Yeonseo, Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you. I was lonely and bored, but I’ll have to play with this!”

Yeonseo hung the hoop around her neck with a sulky expression, and everyone bent over laughing.

But the highlight was the gift that Geunwook received.

“No, what am I supposed to do with this!”

“Puhaha!”

It was a T-shirt with Joongwon hyung’s face printed on it.

I wouldn’t even use it as pajamas because I’d be afraid of having nightmares.

Besides, it was even funnier because the size was small compared to Geunwook’s muscular body.

“Hey, how precious is a T-shirt with my face printed on it? Treasure it like a treasure….”

“Geunwook, put it on!”

“Heuaap!”

As Geunwook forced the T-shirt on, the face print was torn to the left and right.

“No, my handsome face!”

“Puhaha!”

Everyone was laughing and talking as the night deepened.

“Hey, but did you guys hear that rumor?”

Joongwon hyung, the information source of Yonsei University Hospital, opened his mouth.

“What rumor?”

“Radiology’s Choo Geundeok is moving to another hospital.”

Choo Geundeok, huh.

It’s been a while since I heard that name.

He was the radiologist I had a weakness on [relied on heavily].

Whenever I called, Choo Geundeok had to rush over to read the images, even in the middle of eating.

I had used him frugally and usefully several times.

“Why? Wasn’t that guy trying to become a professor at Yonsei University Hospital?”

“A private life issue broke out.”

“You don’t mean an affair?”

“Yeah. The rumor spread to work, so he’s practically being kicked out.”

Rumors spread quickly like they have legs [idiom for spreading quickly].

Choo Geundeok’s private life issue, who was even married, spread like wildfire in the hospital.

He was already known as a person with bad behavior in many ways, so he couldn’t stay at Yonsei University Hospital after all.

“I heard he came to work yesterday with a blue bruise on his face?”

“Did his wife beat him up?”

“That’s the prevailing theory in academia.”

“Puhah, serves him right!”

A bruise on his face….

After all, the future I saw hasn’t changed.

I listened quietly and nodded with satisfaction.

“In the end, he was given a true education with his wife’s frying pan. He got what he deserved.”

Everyone looked at me with puzzled expressions at my words.

“Frying pan?”

“Ah, I’m just saying. I just felt like he was hit with that.”

I laughed to myself.

Unlike other people, I saw that vivid scene with future sight.

It was a scene as exciting as a soap opera.

I didn’t know the story after that, but he’s moving to another hospital….

There couldn’t be a cleaner ending than this.

“So that’s why Sodam’s expression has been good lately?”

“Yeah. That’s a relief.”

Sodam, who will be going to radiology next year, nodded with a happy expression.

I felt good seeing that expression.

Now I don’t have to be wary of Choo Geundeok’s abuse of power, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment.

Of course, it’s a little disappointing that the person I can control as I please is gone….

‘Goodbye, Choo Geundeok.’

I used you well in the meantime.

I’ll pray for your broken front teeth.

In that way, another doctor disappeared beyond memory….

Before the year changed, Yonsei University Hospital had only the last event of the year left.

* * *

End of December.

Ryoo Myungin was staring at the cell phone on his desk.

The personality that can’t stand not being first was greatly influenced by his parents.

Son, no one remembers second place! Do you know what I mean? [Common saying emphasizing the importance of being the best].

Ryoo Myungin had always lived up to his parents’ expectations.

Because he had never missed first place in the group while living.

Valedictorian.

Top graduate.

So, compared to other interns, Ryoo Myungin was more sensitive about the upcoming event.

Year-end Awards Ceremony.

Professor of the Year.

Resident of the Year.

Nurse of the Year.

etc….

It is an awards ceremony that selects one person from each field among the employees of Yonsei University Hospital every year and gives them an award.

Realistically, not all employees can attend, so it is said to be broadcast live through the company’s intranet.

Among them, what Ryoo Myungin is aiming for is Intern of the Year.

It is the highest honor that an intern can enjoy, and it is awarded to the person who ranks first in intern performance among 100 interns.

Who will receive this award?

While everyone is curious, Ryoo Myungin naturally thought that he would be the intern in first place.

Because that’s how the universe works.

‘But… why haven’t I heard from them yet?’

The awards ceremony is tomorrow.

Ryoo Myungin was biting his nails and staring intently at the cell phone placed on his desk.

“It’s time for the Training Department to contact me….”

“Hey, stop shaking your legs. I feel like the whole room is shaking because of you!”

“Why haven’t I heard from them yet?”

“Oh, someone take that guy away.”

The roommate lay on the bed and turned his back as if he was tired of it.

Ting!

At that time, the cell phone vibrated with an alarm.

Ryoo Myungin reacted at the speed of light and looked at the cell phone screen.

(Advertising) Sunhan Card

Dear Ryoo Myungin. We are the No. 1 Sunhan Card in the industry. Continue to receive benefits until the end of February and use a short-term card loan.

“Oh, damn it… No. 1? Why Sunhan Card of all things?”

Smack!

Ryoo Myungin, who was already feeling competitive with Shin Sunhan, threw his cell phone onto the pillow.