Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 335

336. Intern?

“Chairman. How have you been?”

Tae-kyung, entering the office, greeted Kim Gun-hyung with a welcoming smile.

“Director Kim, there are so many things I want to ask you right now. Come and sit down quickly.”

“Hearing you say that suddenly makes me nervous.”

Tae-kyung took out a health drink and placed it in front of Kim Gun-hyung, then sat opposite him with a nonchalant expression.

“Nervous? Are you someone who would be nervous in front of me?”

“Of course. It’s the Chairman, not just anyone. I’d be more than nervous.”

“Even making jokes like that, you’ve become quite brazen while running the hospital.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Anyway, what exactly happened?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“What else could it be! Are you going to pretend you don’t know until the end? I’m talking about the kid in the medical office.”

“Ah~ Seung-woo?”

“What’s the story with that young child being alone in the chaotic hospital? I heard he lives with his sister. Where is she? Did she get into a serious accident? Is she in a coma, unable to tell the child?”

“No. It’s nothing like that at all.”

“It’s a relief she wasn’t hurt. Then?”

“Honestly, I don’t know the exact reason yet.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes, Chairman. It’s true that his sister was a patient at our hospital, but I can only guess why she left Seung-woo at the hospital.”

Tae-kyung explained everything that had happened with Seung-woo and Kim Sun-min to Kim Gun-hyung.

“So, the sister just left the child at a hospital with no connections and disappeared?”

“You could say that. I think she was going through a lot.”

“Goodness! No matter how much she struggled financially, how could she leave her younger sibling…? No, a young person must have been desperate to do that.”

“I think so too.”

“Alright! Let’s stop with the sad stories and get to the main point. I heard Seung-woo has autistic tendencies and savant syndrome [a rare condition where individuals with developmental disorders have remarkable abilities]. Is that right?”

“That’s correct, Chairman.”

“And of course, you knew about it?”

“That’s also correct.”

“Director Kim?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“The reason you contacted me today… it wasn’t just because you felt bad about canceling our appointment for two weeks, but because of Seung-woo, right?”

“Yes, it’s because of Seung-woo.”

Kim Gun-hyung, who was exceptionally perceptive, immediately understood why Tae-kyung had contacted him as soon as he sensed Seung-woo’s extraordinary abilities.

“Although an accurate confirmation from a specialized institution is needed, in my opinion, Seung-woo is a genius. Not just someone who excels in one field, but Seung-woo possesses genius in various fields. I wanted to help this child, and while thinking about how to do that, I thought of you, Chairman.”

“You thought of me while thinking about how to help?”

“Yes, I thought it would be more helpful for the siblings to teach them how to make bread rather than just giving them bread.”

“No, to be precise, it’s not just teaching them how to make bread, but introducing them to someone with the skills and capital to make that bread. Am I wrong?”

“No. You’re right. I thought you, Chairman, could be Seung-woo’s real Daddy-Long-Legs [a benefactor who provides support anonymously].”

“So, Seung-woo drawing pictures and playing with the human anatomy model were all planned by Director Kim?”

Kim Gun-hyung was curious if everything that had happened today was planned by Tae-kyung.

“No, Chairman. Not at all. I only created a place in the medical office so that you could see Seung-woo. That’s all I did.”

“Really? What if I hadn’t been interested in Seung-woo or hadn’t said anything to him? Then it would have been over? What would you have done then? Did you have another plan?”

“No, I didn’t have another plan. I didn’t think about it at all because I was sure that wouldn’t happen.”

“Why?”

Kim Gun-hyung asked, looking at Tae-kyung, who was full of confidence.

“Because you, Chairman, have the best eye for talent in Korea. Especially someone like Seung-woo, I thought you would recognize him immediately.”

“Haha!”

Kim Gun-hyung laughed heartily with a satisfied expression.

“You’ve become quite the sly fox. A real snake.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what! You did well. I’ve been a bit stressed lately because of company matters. But today is the first time I’ve felt so good and my heart so warm.”

“I’m glad you feel good, Chairman.”

“Seeing you wanting to help so much, it means Seung-woo has that much talent… I can’t miss out on such talent.”

“Thank you…”

“Wait!”

Kim Gun-hyung, who urgently cut off Tae-kyung’s words as he was about to express his gratitude, continued with a strange expression.

“It’s not over yet, so it’s too early to receive thanks.”

“…?”

“Director Kim. I’m still a businessman, aren’t I? Do you know what the characteristic of business people is?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s that they would never do a deal that loses them money. There has to be something to give and take to be fair. If I help Seung-woo, what will you do for me?”

“I will do whatever you want, Chairman.”

“Whatever I want? Are you saying you’ll give me a wish ticket or something?”

“Of course. I’ll give you as many as you want.”

Tae-kyung was sincere. It wasn’t the first time Kim Gun-hyung had helped him whenever he needed it.

He was a famous tycoon that everyone in Korea knew, but Kim Gun-hyung was different from other tycoons.

He didn’t flaunt what he had, and he didn’t look down on people.

There was much to learn from him, and above all, he gave practical advice on managing the hospital without holding back, so it was worth granting him whatever he wanted.

“Really? Then you’re saying you’ll listen even if I talk about a hospital merger here?”

“…”

For a moment, Tae-kyung was stunned by Kim Gun-hyung’s serious expression. He never expected him to bring up the merger.

“Don’t be so surprised. I’m just joking, joking! This isn’t child’s play or buying something at the supermarket. You can’t proceed with a merger like this.”

“Chairman, my heart really dropped.”

“Your expression was quite a sight. The merger was a joke. Would you be willing to have the interns from Saehee Mang Hospital train at our hospital for a certain period when they are doing their residency?”

“Yes? Interns?”

Tae-kyung was more surprised by the unexpected words than the merger story and asked back.

“I’m not saying we’ll send the interns right away. I’m talking about when our hospital and Saehee Mang Hospital have a good relationship in the future.”

“Saehee Mang Hospital is larger than our hospital, has better facilities, and has many excellent doctors. Would there be anything to learn here?”

“Of course, it has good facilities and many skilled doctors. But my hospital doesn’t have Kim Tae-kyung. Someone who only thinks about patients, guides juniors to grow into real doctors, and is fair to all patients regardless of whether they have money or not. We need a true mentor like you. There are many doctors these days, but not many real doctors. And no matter how good the machines are or how good the facilities are, I think the best machine for a surgeon is ultimately the doctor’s own hands. In my opinion, Kim Tae-kyung has the best hands in Korea as a surgeon.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

“I’m stingy with praise. Everything I just said is sincere. How about it, will you listen?”

“Yes, if a good relationship really develops as you said, Chairman, then I will help you.”

“Director Kim, really? Promise you’ll keep your word.”

“Yes, I will definitely keep it.”

“And that sister… I’ll take a look…”

Just as Kim Gun-hyung was curious about Seung-woo’s sister,

Click-

“…Director!”

Team Leader Choi, with wide eyes, burst into the office.

“Team Leader, what’s wrong?”

“Director, something has happened.”

“Something?”

“Yes. You need to come out for a moment.”

“What is it?”

Tae-kyung asked as he got up from his seat.

“That alien, no, the ‘Mom is an Alien’ people have come in droves.”

“What are you saying?”

“Anyway, please come out quickly.”

Tae-kyung followed Team Leader Choi, who was stuttering in surprise, towards the main entrance.

“Look at this, Director. This is all ‘Mom is an Alien’.”

Outside, two one-ton trucks were parked in front of the hospital.

One was a refrigerated truck filled with Seung-woo’s favorite single-cup ice cream, and the other was loaded with a refrigerator and two human anatomy models like Kevin’s that you would see in an ice cream shop.

An hour ago, the secretary who received a call from Kim Gun-hyung asked the young employees in the secretary’s office what ‘Mom is an Alien’ was.

Immediately, they went around to stores and bought ice cream, then went to a human anatomy model company and bought the most elaborate and best ones right away.

“Isn’t this like an Earth invasion? Did you order this, Director?”

“I did it.”

Kim Gun-hyung answered nonchalantly from behind Tae-kyung, who was about to deny it with a surprised expression.

“Chairman?”

“Yes. I didn’t know if ‘Mom is an Alien’ was something to eat, but it was ice cream. I prepared it because I wanted to give it to Seung-woo. Director Kim, is it okay to keep this in the medical office for a while?”

“Of course. But Chairman, this is too much for Seung-woo to eat alone.”

“Our hospital staff can eat it together.”

“Still, it’s too much. And there’s only room for one refrigerator in the medical office.”

“Really? Team Leader Go. Then send the rest to Saehee Mang Hospital so our employees can eat it as a snack.”

“Yes, Chairman, I understand. You’ve always been cool, but you’re even cooler today. How did you think of this?”

“It’s not a big deal, why are you making such a fuss.”

“Thank you so much, Chairman.”

“Director Kim, why are you making me feel embarrassed? Compared to what I have, this is not a difficult task. You shouldn’t be stingy with your money for people who really need it and are having a hard time.”

After that, the medical office was filled with a refrigerator full of ‘Mom is an Alien’ and Kevin’s new friends took their places.

“Wow~~~!!”

The person who was most surprised by Kim Gun-hyung’s surprise gift was Seung-woo.

“This is all for Seung-woo.”

“Really? All of it?”

A smile spread across Seung-woo’s usually indifferent face as he looked at the mountain of ice cream and the new human anatomy models.

“Wow! Wow!”

The child, who rarely showed emotions on his face, was happy enough to show emotions on his face.

“Of course. It’s all Seung-woo’s. This grandfather is giving it to Seung-woo as a gift.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“Grandpa is giving it to you because Seung-woo is brave and pretty.”

Kim Gun-hyung stroked Seung-woo’s head with a warm smile, as if looking at his grandson, and continued.

“Seung-woo. Can I make a promise with Grandpa?”

“A promise?”

“Yes. A promise. Seung-woo said that there are many children at school who don’t listen to Seung-woo and hate him for no reason, so he’s sad.”

Seung-woo nodded.

“Grandpa has lived in this world longer than our Seung-woo, so I know. There are people in the world who hate you for no reason, but on the contrary, there are also many people who like you for no reason. For example, Seung-woo’s loving sister, Director Kim Tae-kyung here, the people who work at the hospital, and me.”

“Gorilla Uncle also likes Seung-woo a lot.”

Team Leader Go, who was next to him, added, mentioning the nickname Seung-woo had given him.

“See! Gorilla Uncle here also likes Seung-woo. So, I hope Seung-woo doesn’t feel sad because of those friends or people. Just live happily with good people. Do you understand what Grandpa is saying?”

“I think I know.”

“Okay. Thank you for playing with Grandpa today. Let’s see each other again soon.”

“Yes, see you again. Gorilla Uncle, goodbye too.”

Seung-woo cheerfully greeted the two people leaving the medical office and showed interest in his new Kevin friends.

“Hello, friends.”

* * *

Apartment complex-

“Oh, I’m tired.”

The security guard, who entered the security office, sat down on the chair, patting his back.

“Why do you keep going on patrol when your back isn’t good?”

He was the security guard who gave rice balls to Kim Sun-min, receiving nagging from his colleague.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend], is something wrong?”

“What could be wrong with me?”

“But you asked Mr. Lee to switch the night patrol with you today. You never switch your workdays, Hyung.”

“I just switched because Mr. Lee seemed to want to switch.”

“I don’t think so…”

“Think what you want and let’s eat dinner before it gets too late.”

“We should eat. I’m craving something spicy today. How about jjambong [spicy seafood noodle soup]? A new Chinese restaurant just opened in front, and their spicy jjambong is amazing.”

“Really? Then order two. I’ll pay.”

“Oh, really? You’re the best, Hyung. I’ll order right away.”

“Excuse me.”

While his colleague was taking out his phone from his pocket, a young man knocked on the security office door.

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

“The delivery service said they left a document here.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Mr. Lee Young-hoon, 150 building, 2xx, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I’ll find it for you right away.”

While his colleague was looking for the document, the security guard, who was about to call the Chinese restaurant, naturally received a greeting from the man who came inside.

“Hello.”

“Yes. Hello…”

The security guard, who received the greeting, also greeted him and raised his head. At that moment, his pupils dilated greatly when he saw the man’s face.

“…!”