Emergency Instinct - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Ji-an intended to accommodate Tae-jun appropriately.

Anyway, this man isn’t normal right now, intoxicated by medication.

“The treatment seems to be finished already, so why did you call me?”

At his distant gaze looking at her, Ji-an spoke curtly for no reason. It seemed like the one who summoned her was Seo Tae-jun, not the vice director.

“…I’m sleepy.”

Then, he could just sleep, so why did he call me?

She thought about asking more, but seeing his somehow tired face, she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

“…Close your eyes and sleep. For now, it’s best to rest.”

Ji-an spoke with her heart inexplicably churning.

“How kind.”

He chuckled softly and whispered, then closed his eyes smoothly like an obedient child.

“As expected, Hong Ji-an is only kind to patients…”

“Don’t say nonsense and sleep. Hurry up.”

“Alright. But Dr. Hong Ji-an. Ji-an…”

“What now?”

“I’m someone who clearly separates work and personal matters. There’s nothing to worry about…”

Strange words flowed from his mouth as he seemed to drift into sleep.

Though there was no other explanation, Ji-an somehow seemed to understand.

Don’t think of the contract from the PR department like the money envelope from before.

As if he knew all her thoughts. He wore a gentle smile.

While he can’t even take care of his own body, who’s worrying about whom?

She bit her lips tightly from inexplicable distress, when his low voice flowed out again.

“…You must always seize opportunities. If you miss them, you’re a fool…”

“Goodness. That’s what I want to say. That.”

Ji-an, who couldn’t hold back in the end, shot back sharply.

But he, who she expected to retort, said nothing more.

He seemed to have finally fallen asleep. With that handsome face that made her grit her teeth in frustration.

Why does this man look cool even with a haggard face and a bandage on?

She barely caught herself as her hand was about to reach out to him without realizing.

Don’t move. Hong Ji-an.

You absolutely can’t go further. Here, you must stop.

Being physically drawn was scary enough. If she went further, she would end up giving her heart too.

Not yet, not yet there was still time to escape.

Ji-an stood for a moment, looking down at him resentfully.

How long had she been standing like that?

When his deep sleeping breath became quiet, and Ji-an turned around with a heavy gaze.

As if waiting for her emotions to settle, the hospital room door quietly opened, and a middle-aged doctor entered.

It was Vice Director Kim Hyeong-taek who had summoned Ji-an.

True to his nickname as a white-haired gentleman, he spoke with a kind smile.

“You’re Dr. Hong Ji-an, right?”

“Yes, Vice Director. I’m Hong Ji-an, a second-year resident in Emergency Medicine.”

Ji-an greeted him calmly, hiding her confusion. He asked with a naturally smiling expression.

“Tae-jun seems to be asleep, shall we go out and have some tea?”

“Yes. Vice Director.”

At his expression full of curiosity, Ji-an just wanted to hide somewhere. But she had no choice but to nod.

***

The vice director’s office, which she was visiting for the first time, had many plants.

Looking at the well-grown green leaves, Ji-an sat upright and waited.

Shortly after, the vice director personally boiled water and brought tea to Ji-an.

“Try it. It’s green tangerine tea my wife made herself.”

“Thank you.”

Ji-an bowed her head deeply in greeting.

A subtle sour fragrance spread gently. But she couldn’t bring herself to taste it.

She held it in her hands and just looked at it, when he spoke first.

“You don’t need to worry about Tae-jun. He’s naturally healthy, so he’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

The vice director naturally told Ji-an about Tae-jun’s condition.

“Tae-jun has had a stubborn streak since he was young. There was an unofficial labor issue, and it seems he made rash moves in the resolution process. With what confidence, he didn’t sleep and even went on a hunger strike. There’s nothing particularly wrong in the tests. The forehead wound isn’t deep either. Once he sleeps well and wakes up…”

“Excuse me, Vice Director. I’m sorry, but just a moment.”

Ji-an, who had been listening quietly, finally interrupted him.

“Why are you telling me about the Chairman’s condition?”

When she asked carefully, the vice director looked surprised, then spoke with an understanding expression.

“No need to hide it. I know about you two’s relationship.”

“Relationship?”

“You two are dating now, aren’t you? It’s still a secret, right?”

“No! That’s not it.”

Ji-an was startled and strongly denied it.

“It’s not?”

“Yes, absolutely not.”

“Then why did Tae-jun? Oh, could it still be, what, that thing young people call ‘some’?”

The vice director, who had been lost in thought for a moment, muttered as if talking to himself.

“No. Vice Director, it’s a misunderstanding. It’s not like that.”

“If it’s not, then why did Tae-jun say he wanted to see Dr. Hong Ji-an? He kept asking me to call you?”

That can’t be.

“No, why on earth would he say such things to you, Vice Director…”

Ji-an’s heart came out of her mouth without realizing.

“Ha, hahaha! Well, this is something.”

Fortunately, the vice director laughed heartily and let it pass. Instead, he gave Ji-an a difficult instruction.

“Since it’s come to this, Dr. Hong Ji-an will take charge as the attending physician.”

“But how could I…”

“This isn’t a request, it’s a work order. Tae-jun’s hospitalization is kept secret even from his parents. It’s completely classified both inside and outside the hospital.”

Classified.

At the unfamiliar word, Ji-an’s body stiffened.

“Dr. Hong knows Tae-jun’s position too. It’s nothing serious, but articles could come out. There’s nothing good about unnecessary talk spreading here and there.”

Indeed, Seo Tae-jun lived in a different world from her.

“Tae-jun was just appointed as managing director a few days ago. Companies are places where stock prices fluctuate even with rumors about key personnel’s health issues, so it’s especially good to be careful now.”

Ji-an didn’t know about stock price issues. When she was sick, she usually worried about work the next day.

But he had to be careful about articles regarding health rumors.

The man called Seo Tae-jun, whom she heard about through the vice director’s mouth, definitely had a different weight than what she had vaguely felt was different.

“Most importantly, if Tae-jun’s current condition becomes known outside, it’ll be a bit troublesome for me. So, keep the surroundings well controlled and Dr. Hong Ji-an take charge. You understand what I’m saying, right?”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Though long, it ultimately meant to keep it from everyone.

Ji-an answered with a deepening sigh and stood up.

Meanwhile, Hyeong-taek watched Ji-an turning to leave with interest.

“That Tae-jun kid, I thought he only worked and got married. He’s doing everything he should. Hehe.”

He smiled contentedly.

He happened to have a dinner appointment today with Tae-jun’s father, an old friend.

As promised with Tae-jun who came as a patient, he couldn’t reveal the hospitalization. Since it wasn’t a serious condition, there was no need to create problems unnecessarily.

Instead, he planned to subtly hint to his friend. Probably that your son seems to have feelings for a hospital resident.

However, meddling in the name of friendship ended up creating an unexpected problem.

***

Whatever had happened through the night, time had passed and morning had dawned.

Ji-an, having finished her shift, hurriedly left the Emergency Room. She was off for the next 24 hours.

But according to the Vice Director’s instructions, Ji-an had to keep watch over Seo Tae-jun.

“Hong Ji-an! Wait up!”

Kyung-seok, who had pulled an all-nighter with her, came running after Ji-an and called out.

When she turned around, Kyung-seok smiled and said.

“Let’s grab breakfast. There’s a place right up ahead…”

Ding!

“Ah, senior. Just a moment.”

Ji-an checked the phone message that had just chimed.

Seeing Seo Tae-jun’s name, Ji-an was startled and looked up at the CCTV mounted on the hallway ceiling.

Is he really watching me from somewhere?

I don’t understand how he always contacts me at such precise timing like this.

Suspicion naturally arose, and then messages chimed again in succession.

Ji-an calmly checked the contents.

[When are you coming?]

[Is it okay to make your patient wait like this?]

“Hah…”

After reading the messages, Ji-an let out a breath of disbelief.

How on earth is he already awake?

Last night, she had been able to check his chart with the Vice Director’s permission.

Given the amount of sedatives administered, she naturally thought he wouldn’t regain consciousness until morning.

‘Dr. Hong Ji-an. When Tae-jun wakes up, he’ll immediately say he’s discharging himself. Don’t remove the IV and keep him here until tomorrow. That guy is overworked. He’s a workaholic with high stress levels and insomnia too. Make him sleep no matter what.’

Make Seo Tae-jun sleep.

That was the order the Vice Director had given Ji-an when leaving at dawn after his shift.

Unlike his usually relaxed appearance, Seo Tae-jun was a sensitive patient.

It was surprising that he was a workaholic, but to think he even had insomnia.

He didn’t already remove the IV, did he?

She remembered that there wasn’t much time left before the IV needed to be changed. He also needed to eat breakfast if he was going to take medication.

I should go check before any trouble happens.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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