Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 46

46. The Value of Life

“Okay, stop it if you’re joking.”

Choi Mona thought it was a joke, but then she heard a completely unexpected answer.

“Majang-dong burlap sacks.”

“Majang-dong burlap sacks?”

“Yeah.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Since his residency, he apparently bought 100 20kg burlap sacks and always kept one in his hospital locker.”

What was Majang-dong, and why was he carrying around burlap sacks? Lee Chan-hee was just telling more and more incomprehensible stories.

“Why?”

“Whenever he had time during his residency, he would take it and run to the Majang-dong Livestock Market.”

“Livestock Market? Why there?”

“Why else? He went there to buy 20kg of every part, like pig liver, skin, and trotters, in burlap sacks.”

“Wait! Are you saying he practiced sutures with that?”

Lee Chan-hee nodded silently.

“Ha! Are you serious? Doctors aren’t that free, and who would go that far?”

It was a statement that even cynical and indifferent Choi Mona found outrageous. Well, the reaction was natural.

“Right. It’s possible.”

When Lee Chan-hee first heard this story at Shinhwa University, he naturally thought it was a lie. But an anesthesiologist who had driven Tae-kyung home actually witnessed the scene, and the rumor became a fact.

“Really…?”

“You saw it too. Dr. Kim’s surgery.”

If such an absurd story was true, then his surgical skills from earlier seemed to make sense. Choi Mona couldn’t really argue.

“Of course, natural talent and a good brain also play a part, but I guess this is what happens when a genius puts in the effort.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“I initially thought he was crazy. He’s been doing that for years. How amazing is that person? That’s why I respect and admire our Dr. Kim Tae-kyung.”

Now Choi Mona understood why Lee Chan-hee was so happy, like a dog finding its owner, when Tae-kyung said he was coming.

“Choi, you should watch and learn from him. Honestly, you can learn just by watching.”

Choi Mona’s expression changed very subtly at Lee Chan-hee’s words.

“Am I right?”

“Well…”

Others might think it strange, but Choi Mona didn’t think it was weird to move hospitals often.

It’s not my hospital anyway, and what if I don’t like the employer? I have no choice but to move.

‘What are you talking about? She always has a sulky face, and her tone is so stiff. We get the most complaints about her.’

Considering what she had heard in the bathroom before and the increasing number of complaint cards, she thought she would have to resign from this hospital soon too.

“Anyway, let’s work hard and become great doctors.”

“You work hard.”

Even at this point, Choi Mona didn’t realize that her thinking was changing.

Rrrrrrrr

While Choi Mona’s emotions were fluctuating, the medical office phone rang.

“Yes, Lee Chan… Now? No. Yes. I’ll be right there.”

Hanging up the phone, Lee Chan-hee stood up with an excited expression.

“Emergency patient?”

“Not really. Choi, call me if an emergency patient comes.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to assist in surgery for an abdomen penetrating injury patient.”

“What! Are you re-operating on Choi Sun-hae? Is it an emergency?”

“No. If I had to say, it’s for an invisible man.”

“What are you talking about?”

Leaving behind her curious expression, Lee Chan-hee left the medical office for training.

* * *

“You can lift your head now, patient.”

The ward nurse approached Choi Sun-hae, who had been lying down for several hours after the spinal anesthesia.

“It must have been hard.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Since the surgery ended in the early morning hours, Choi Sun-hae had fallen asleep as soon as he returned to his hospital room.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Please tell me anytime if you feel uncomfortable.”

“Nurse, can I move now?”

“Of course. Slowly lift your head and get up.”

“Yes.”

Choi Sun-hae, who had gotten up after a few hours, went to the bathroom and quietly left the hospital room.

* * *

Clang-

“Senior! Can I come in?”

With his work clothes on, Ui-jin burst into Tae-kyung’s office.

“Our Dr. Jung is leaving work, I see.”

“Ha!”

Ui-jin let out a hollow laugh at the nonchalant reply. Seeing Tae-kyung still wearing his surgical gown, it seemed like he had no intention of leaving work today either.

‘Seriously, what’s wrong with him! Is he a hospital ghost or something.’

It was good to care about patients and work hard for the hospital. But still, this wasn’t it.

‘That’s why he was called a slave at Shinhwa University.’

Doctors are people too. To take good care of patients, it’s right to take care of one’s own health while working. Ui-jin kept worrying about Tae-kyung, who was working like a stubborn bear.

“Senior, are you planning to set up a home in the hospital?”

Feeling frustrated, Ui-jin puffed out a breath and walked to the desk, plopping down in a chair.

“That wouldn’t be bad, would it?”

“I really don’t know what to say.”

“Dr. Jung, would you like something to drink? Shall I give you a real chocolate fondue that’s even richer?”

“……!”

“Just kidding, would you like some juicy watermelon juice?”

“……”

“If not, then drink some cassia tea, which is good for the eyes. It’s savory and good.”

Listening to the puns that were impossible to find a point of laughter in, Ui-jin threw a fastball.

“Senior, are you using loan sharks by any chance?”

“Cough! Keheok!”

“Senior?”

Tae-kyung choked on the cassia tea he was drinking at the completely unexpected remark.

“Keheok!”

“Are you okay? I tried joking once too.”

Also surprised, Ui-jin stood up and patted Tae-kyung’s broad back.

“No. I’m okay.”

He wasn’t okay at all, and it didn’t sound like a joke either.

Tae-kyung, who had been struggling with loan shark debts until recently, felt uneasy. For a moment, he even thought, ‘Is this why a woman’s intuition is scary?’

“Why did you suddenly mention loan sharks?”

“No, it’s just because you work so hard every day. I just said it once.”

“By the way, why did Dr. Jung come to my room instead of going home?”

“Ah, that’s because I have a favor to ask of you, Senior.”

“A favor?”

“Yes. Please grant it. Definitely.”

The brown eyes contained in the large eyes were earnestly directed at Tae-kyung.

“You’ll grant it, right? No, you have to say you’ll grant it.”

“Okay. You’re saying it this far, I have to grant it. What is it?”

“Buy me food. Food!”

“Food? That’s what you call a favor? I was going to buy you food and drinks anyway.”

“No. Right now. Right now.”

“Now?”

“Yes. It’s already past quitting time anyway.”

It was quitting time for the hospital staff, but it was time for others to go to work. He didn’t think the restaurants would be open yet.

“Is there a restaurant open at this hour?”

“Of course. There are many restaurants open 24 hours these days. And the restaurant I’m going to closes in the morning, so we have to go now.”

It was a lie. Ui-jin was just making up an excuse because she wanted Tae-kyung to go home and rest a bit.

“That place is such a great restaurant.”

The single Tae-kyung, who had no idea about Ui-jin’s feelings, actually had no intention of leaving work today either.

“A great restaurant…”

“Senior, but you weren’t planning on not leaving work today again, were you?”

“I can’t say I wasn’t.”

“That’s enough. Go and get some rest for an hour or two and come to work.”

“It’s comfortable to sleep here too…”

“Get up quickly. You said you’d grant my favor.”

“Okay, I got it. Let’s go. Let’s go.”

In the end, Tae-kyung got up, unable to resist the pressure. Actually, it’s hard to refuse her request.

“Really?”

“I said so.”

Ui-jin is someone who is attractive to anyone. Moreover, she’s friendly and has a good, easygoing personality. It was difficult to easily refuse a request from such a junior.

“Then I’ll go to the bathroom, so get ready and come out.”

“Okay.”

* * *

Knock knock-

Less than two minutes after Ui-jin left, there was a knock.

“Just a moment.”

Knock knock-

Despite saying to wait, Tae-kyung opened the door to the continued knocking and saw an unexpected figure standing there.

“You went to the bath…”

Choi Sun-hae was knocking on the office door, pulling an IV stand.

“Doctor.”

“Patient Choi Sun-hae? Are you in pain?”

Tae-kyung asked with a surprised expression because the patient who had surgery a few hours ago had come directly.

“Are you in pain?”

After instinctively asking, he realized that Choi Sun-hae’s fifth vital sign hadn’t changed.

“No. I’m not in pain. I have something to say to you, Doctor.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a moment?”

“Of course. I have time.”

Tae-kyung, who naturally opened the office door for Choi Sun-hae, saw Ui-jin returning from the bathroom behind him.

“Patient, please go inside for a moment.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Tae-kyung brought Choi Sun-hae into the office and approached Ui-jin.

“Dr. Jung, what should I do?”

“It’s okay. More than that, is something wrong with patient Choi Sun-hae?”

“That’s not it. I’m sorry, Ui-jin.”

“It’s a patient’s matter, what can you do? I’m okay, so don’t worry about it.”

“I’m grateful that you say that. Go in carefully and see you later.”

“Yes, Senior, get some sleep too.”

Ui-jin wasn’t upset at all by this situation. She was a doctor herself, so she fully understood.

“What can I do? That kind of appearance is also charming.”

“Who’s so charming?”

Nurse Im Jung-sook suddenly appeared in front of Ui-jin, who was walking coolly down the hallway with regret.

“Ah! You scared me!”

“Our Dr. Jung must have been really surprised.”

“I was just muttering to myself. Nurse Im, are you on duty today?”

“Yes, Dr. Kim isn’t leaving work again today?”

“It seems like he can’t today.”

“He should go home. I think I should set a date and talk to him properly.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea. Nurse Im, please say something strong.”

“If he only works like that, women won’t like him…”

“That’s what I’m saying. Who will live with him?”

“Our Dr. Jung can live with him.”

“Yes?!”

Ui-jin’s pupils rapidly expanded and contracted at the sudden connection.

“N, Nurse, what are you saying? I have absolutely no interest in Dr. Kim! Tae! Kyung!, not even a tiny bit.”

“I was just joking because you two are close.”

“And I’m not attracted to men who only work like that. Then I’ll be going.”

Watching Ui-jin, who was strongly denying it and leaving the hospital, Nurse Im Jung-sook wore a strange smile.

* * *

“What did you want to say to me…”

“I wanted to apologize to you, Doctor.”

Choi Sun-hae looked at Tae-kyung with a rather apologetic expression.

“Apologize?”

“Yes, Doctor. I’m sorry that I thought about ending my life in a hospital that saves people. I’m sorry.”

He was ashamed of his actions, having had bad thoughts due to a momentary impulse, in front of the medical staff.

“Patient, I’m okay, so don’t worry about it. However, I hope you apologize to yourself.”

There is nothing more precious in this world than a person’s life. Especially Tae-kyung, who lives as a doctor, deeply sympathizes with that statement more than anyone else.

Moreover, having lived after dying, he knew deeply how great the value of life is.

Even at this current moment, someone wanted to live so much and it would be a precious life that they desperately wished for. That’s why he wanted Choi Sun-hae to know that his life was precious.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”

Choi Sun-hae’s shoulders trembled slightly. He kept apologizing to Tae-kyung, but it was as if he was apologizing to himself.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”