A competent doctor can cure everything

“Hello, Dr. Seon-Joon. I’m here.”

It has been two weeks since Myung Gyu-beom, the medical director’s son, started his treatment.

Gyu-beom has been diligently visiting the pediatric oriental medicine clinic.

He still prefers not to go out alone during the day, so he comes with his mother.

“I think I’ll be able to come to the hospital alone soon. I think I can do it.”

While getting acupuncture in the treatment room, Gyu-beom said with a bright face.

Whenever Gyu-beom comes, the medical director sometimes makes an appearance.

The once awkward relationship between father and son seems to be becoming more affectionate with each visit.

‘The medical director’s attitude has really changed.’

There are times when Gyu-beom shows tic symptoms during his treatments.

If it were the old Myung Director, he would have frowned and his face would have turned red.

Even though they are medical professionals, they are still his colleagues, after all.

But now, the director is able to hide his expressions quite well. For someone with such strong pride, this is a great improvement.

“Thank you. It was really fortunate that I met you that night.”

Director Myung says that all of this is thanks to him.

It feels a bit awkward hearing “thank you” every time I see him.

Meanwhile, although the views are still low, Gyu-beom continues to diligently post his novel every day.

“What is this?”

However, while reading the latest chapter, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The summary of the content is as follows:

[The protagonist narrowly escapes after almost losing a battle with Zeus.
They hide in a cave, where they meet a fairy who becomes their ally.
– What? The prophecy saying I would harm my father was a lie?
Through the fairy, the protagonist learns that the prophecy was incorrect from the start.
With the fairy’s help, the protagonist recovers and sets off again to resolve the misunderstanding with his father, Zeus.]

…So, am I the fairy?
“I wish he had made me something cooler than a fairy.”

Anyway, if we continue with the treatment like this, there should be good results for Gyu-beom as well.
‘Things are going smoothly with Morgan too.’

The youngest patient in the ward, Morgan, is also recovering well.

On one particular night, after hearing my words, the guardian seemed to have realized something.
‘The next evening, the husband came to visit the hospital.’

After that, the atmosphere between the mother and son definitely changed.
Especially, Morgan not only began eating well, but his personality also brightened up a lot.
Occasionally, he throws little tantrums or acts fussy, which now looks like typical child behavior.
And… finally, the CEBQ questionnaire results scored over 100 points.

“You’ve worked hard during the treatment. From now on, you’ll just need to visit the outpatient clinic.”
This meant that Morgan’s discharge day was approaching.

A rolling suitcase and a bag were neatly placed next to the bed.

“Doctor, thank you. I can’t even believe it, seeing Morgan eat. Before, I would struggle with him for hours at every meal.”
Morgan’s mother bowed her head and clasped her hands in gratitude.

Morgan was sitting on the bed, swinging his legs back and forth.

Morgan’s mother glanced at her humming son and added in a soft voice.

“I’m embarrassed, but I didn’t realize Morgan was under so much stress. I had this bad habit of complaining in front of him without thinking. My husband also decided to reduce work and focus more on parenting.”

“That’s good.”

“If it weren’t for you, Dr. Seon-Joon, I wouldn’t have realized any of this. I’m so glad we decided to have him hospitalized for treatment.”

They had even extended the hospitalization, so I’m relieved to see the guardian is satisfied with the results.

While I was looking at Morgan with a satisfied expression, Morgan’s mother suddenly took something out from among the bags.

“Doctor, my husband asked me to give this to you.”

“…?”

“He said that acupuncturists often use this.”

What Morgan’s mother handed over was a white paper box.

As soon as I recognized what it was, I almost shouted out loud.

“This is a new portable ultrasound device that my husband’s company just released.”

“No, I can’t accept something so expensive.”

The box had the logo of the number one medical equipment company in the country.
On the top of the box, there was a photo of the portable ultrasound device.

‘I heard her husband works for a company related to health, but I didn’t know it was a medical equipment company.’

Honestly, I was tempted, but I immediately rejected it.

However, the guardian said something that made it hard to refuse.

“It’s not just a gift. He wants you to evaluate the new product. Since it’s for promotion, you don’t have to feel burdened.”

“Ah…”

As I hesitated, the hem of my gown was suddenly tugged.

Before I knew it, Morgan had gotten out of bed and was holding onto the hem of my gown.

“Doctor, what’s this?”

“Hmm, it’s a machine that can look inside your body.”

“Why do you need to look inside?”

“To help heal sick people.”

“Wow! It’s something you really need, doctor!”

Morgan hugged my legs and looked up at me with a big smile.

“…I guess so.”

I chuckled softly and patted the child’s head.

“Then, I’ll use it gratefully.”

“You made a good decision. Please use it to help many patients, doctor.”

As I changed my mind, Morgan’s mother smiled brightly and handed over the box.

‘Well, this worked out nicely.’

I had been wishing I had some equipment to take with me for the Blue Whales business trip, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Oh, there’s one more thing that has changed since Morgan’s discharge.

“Teacher Seon, you’re as amazing as they say. Now I see why everyone praises you.”

I can feel the difference in Professor So Cheong-yeon’s attitude.

“If it weren’t for you, Morgan’s treatment would’ve taken at least twice as long. Your treatment plan hit the mark, and now we’re seeing such dramatic results. Even I’m really enjoying watching this.”

It seems like he’s even more impressed now, given the high-risk changes to the plan.

“At first, I thought it might be hard for you to show your skills in our department, but I was wrong. Seeing how Morgan and Gyu-beom both follow you, I realize I was mistaken. The whole ‘bunny ears’ thing wasn’t even necessary.”

“……”

More than anything, I was glad to be free from the endless talk about bunny ears.

“Professor, Teacher Seon doesn’t need animal headbands. Kids usually pay more attention to faces.”

“Yeah, I guess so. You and I should just keep doing our best with whatever we have.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Professor So Cheong-yeon and Heo Son-hwi’s playful conversation.

I’m starting to think pediatrics is quite fun.

* * *

Before I knew it, it was mid-September. Chuseok ( a traditional holiday in Korea) was approaching.

Most of the medical staff would be enjoying the holiday with their families, but someone still had to stay at the hospital.

Normally, a duty schedule is made uniformly, but during long holidays like Chuseok, volunteers are sought in advance.

However…

“There were almost no volunteers this time, so we’ve arranged this event.”

The intern training room was buzzing with activity.

Intern Leader Lee Haet-nim stood before the interns to explain the situation.

The unfilled spots would be decided by consensus among the team members.

And that “consensus” usually meant…

“We’ll decide by drawing lots.”

Everyone swallowed nervously as the intern leader started the lottery on the computer.

I, too, crossed my arms and stared at the monitor screen.

‘I really don’t want to do the Chuseok shift.’

It’s fine to take the shift, but I’m worried about leaving my grandmother alone during Chuseok.

But something tells me this won’t go well.

The intern leader started calling out the names of the selected people.

“…Kang Woo-shin, and finally, Seon-Joon. I’ll submit the names like this.”

The intern leader finished the announcement, looking apologetic.

“Hyung.”

“Hyung-nim….”

At the same time, Wonil and Min-hwa looked at me with sympathy from both sides.

Since both of them know my situation, I’m sure they’re thinking the same thing, even if they don’t say it.

“It can’t be helped.”

I shrugged my shoulders, signaling that it was fine.

I’m a little worried about my grandmother spending Chuseok alone, but what can I do?

“This time for the Chuseok shift… it looks like only you, hyung, were selected.”

“Yeah, that’s true. We’re the only ones you’re close with.”

“……”

That’s true, I can’t argue with that.

The only people I’m close to enough to call friends are these two guys, and maybe the intern leader.

“It’s fine. It’s not like we’re out to have fun. Why does it matter if we’re close at work?”

Wonil glanced back and whispered.

“But of all people, Kang Woo-shin got picked too. I think he sees you as a rival.”

“Isn’t it that hyung is always first in the intern rankings, and Woo-shin is second?”

Interns are evaluated by the department head at the end of each rotation.

The evaluation considers practical skills, personality, reputation, etc.

It’s divided into grades A, B, and C, so technically speaking, there isn’t really a strict 1st and 2nd place.

“Maybe the talk of 1st and 2nd place is just something the rumors have made up.”

Intern performance is important.

Later, it will be combined with the written exam and interview scores to select residents.

I glanced at the short-haired guy standing at the back.

“Does Kang Woo-shin see me as a competitor?”

No way, what could the royal intern possibly want with me?

I snorted and lightly brushed off Won-il’s words.

So, after the intern duty roster was finalized, I was walking around the ward when a soft voice came from behind me.

“Teacher, are you also on the Chuseok shift?”

When I turned around, a brown-haired man was standing straight as usual.

It was Shim Ji-seop, a second-year in the Oriental Medicine Rehabilitation Department.

“Yeah.”

“Well, that works out. I’m on it too. We can work on the statistics for the paper then.”

Spending Chuseok writing a paper with Shim Ji-seop. Looks like it’s going to be a productive holiday.

I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad, but someone quietly interrupts the conversation.

“Our ward’s handsome guys are all here.”

The red-rimmed glasses and lips coated with an even brighter red lipstick catch my attention.

It’s Nurse Supervisor of the Oriental Medicine Ward, also known as “Soo-ssam.”

She manages not only the nursing department but also all the major and minor affairs of the ward, like a mother figure to the staff.

“Hehe. You two are close. But if Dr. Seon-Joon goes to the Rehabilitation Department, it might be a problem.”

“Excuse me?”

“If word gets out that the Oriental Rehabilitation Department chooses people based on their looks, it might cause trouble.”

What is she talking about?

Forcing a smile, I noticed Soo-ssam changed the subject as she grinned.

“I didn’t come here just to chat. Dr. Seon-Joon, are you on the Chuseok shift?”

“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”

“The duty roster keeps changing. Who’s actually on duty?”

“?”

Soo-ssam lifted her glasses and looked at the duty roster paper she handed me.

“Ah.”

My name, printed in regular font, was marked with a few lines drawn with a pen.

Underneath, in crooked handwriting, it said “Ye Wonil.”

But even that was crossed out, and beneath it, it said “Go Min-hwa.”

“I’m actually on duty.”

I gave a forced smile and corrected the situation to Soo-ssam.

What is this, some kind of old fairytale “The Benevolent Brothers”?

I immediately went to find those guys.

“Rilla hyung! I said I’ll do it!”

“No, no… I’ll do it!”

Finding them wasn’t difficult.

They were arguing in the ward’s treatment room.

“Who decided this?”

“Ugh!”

As soon as they saw my face, they both started making excuses at the same time.

“Hyung! No, if I rest during Chuseok, I’ll be dragged to the countryside. It’s better to stay at the hospital.”

“Hyung-nim, I… my parents want me to go on a Southeast Asia trip, but I’ve been there several times already…”

I raised my hand to stop them.

“Enough. I’ll take the shift.”

“But…”

“If you keep insisting, I’ll feel uncomfortable.”

I said firmly, and the guys lowered their heads and started looking at me for cues.

It’s not like they’ve done something wrong, so why are they acting like this?

I quickly smiled at them.

“I appreciate the thought.”

Only then did they all smile sheepishly.

Most patients usually discharge before Chuseok, so the ward would be quiet.

‘I guess I’ll write a paper while on shift.’

But at that moment, I didn’t know.

I didn’t know that I’d receive the news of a death during Chuseok.