Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#51

“Good to see you, Professor. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed it has. You’ve been well, I trust?”
“Thanks to the Director, we’re doing wonderfully as always.”
Ha had forged his connection with Eun Kyung’s family back when her grandfather was still alive, and now served as her most dependable subordinate.
It would be fair to say that Ha handled virtually all of Eun Kyung’s affairs.
“You’ve come to see the Director, I presume?”
“Yes, is she in?”
“Cha Dae Seung is visiting at the moment.”
The two of them were truly unchanged—seeing each other every day at home, yet somehow finding so much to discuss that they’d trek all the way to the Hospital.
“He does seem to visit quite frequently.”
“Yes, well. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
Ha stepped around the desk and walked toward the entrance of the Director’s Office.
Knock, knock.
He rapped lightly on the door, then eased it open to announce the visitor’s arrival.
“Please, go on in.”
Cha Tae Moon nodded to Ha before stepping through the doorway.
Both of them were seated on the sofa, tea in hand.
“There you are, son.”
While Eun Kyung greeted her son warmly, Cha Dae Seung offered a gruff reproach in his gruff voice.
“Why are you always poking around here? This is where your mother works.”
Though he spoke as though in jest, Tae Moon knew his father’s devotion to his mother ran far too deep for it to truly be a joke.
“I came to see my mother, as it happens.”
Tae Moon answered with a smooth parry and settled into the sofa across from them.
Seeing his father dressed immaculately in a vest despite the heat made him laugh inwardly.
Cha Dae Seung, who maintained his grooming and physique solely to impress his wife, possessed such fine proportions that from a hundred meters away he’d still pass for a bachelor.
Having inherited his father’s blood, Tae Moon himself wasn’t known for being unremarkable in appearance, but lately he’d begun to understand his father’s dedication to his looks.
He found himself standing before the mirror for longer stretches, all to look good for Bom.
It seemed that single-minded devotion to one’s woman ran in the blood.
“Now look here, look. There’s definitely something going on.”
Lost in thoughts of Bom and smiling to himself, Tae Moon quickly schooled his expression at his father’s remark.
Cha Dae Seung’s eyes narrowed as he studied his son.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
When Tae Moon arched an eyebrow in question, Dae Seung turned to Eun Kyung with a knowing smile.
“The boy’s been acting suspicious lately. I’m almost certain he’s got a woman somewhere—you don’t know anything about it?”
“A woman? Where would Tae Moon find time for one? I wish he would.”
Eun Kyung gave her son a skeptical look.
If only he seemed half as consumed by work as he did.
“You just don’t notice. But from the way he’s been carrying himself, I’m certain of it.”
Though Tae Moon felt a sting at his father’s keen observation, he maintained an impassive expression throughout.
The feelings were beginning to bloom in rosy hues, progressing steadily, but he couldn’t afford to let it slip now.
If he admitted to seeing someone, both his parents would leap ahead at once, already imagining grandchildren.
“Let’s not talk nonsense. I’m busy—what about lunch, by the way?”
Tae Moon cut the conversation short with a decisive deflection.
“See? Cold as ice. What woman would stay with someone like that? They’d take one look at his face and bolt.”
Eun Kyung spoke with absolute certainty. For now, it was better to let her believe it.
“Mother, never mind that—have you considered increasing security staff in the Emergency Room? The drunks have been overflowing.”
At Tae Moon’s words, Eun Kyung’s expression grew serious.
“We’ve been getting complaints about that, actually.”
“Then increase them. How much longer are you planning to let our doctors get hurt?”
“I’ll handle it as soon as possible. Did someone we know get injured?”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t been briefed on that. Who was it?”
“Someone did. So please—pay attention to this matter yourself.”
“……All right.”
“And please purchase additional Da Vinci units. I’d like them dedicated to pediatric surgery, if possible.”
“A robot? I thought you said those were incredibly expensive?”
Cha Dae Seung asked Cha Tae Moon a question.
“Even if it’s expensive, we should buy it if we need it. Or perhaps Father could donate it to the Hospital.”
“Right, let me look into the budget and we’ll get it. That way your mother will be more comfortable, won’t she?”
Honey dripped from Cha Dae Seung’s eyes as he gazed at his wife.
Cha Tae Moon let out a soft chuckle and rose from his seat.
“Please get up. Let’s go get some food.”
“You’re going out dressed like that?”
Eun Kyung frowned at Cha Tae Moon, who was wearing hospital scrubs over his gown.
“We’ll eat at the In-Hospital Cafeteria.”
“Ha ha, I knew it. We’ll go out and eat, so you go ahead and eat all you want. Dear, get up. I’ll take you somewhere nice.”
Cha Dae Seung spoke with a hearty laugh.
He’d probably planned it that way from the start.
“Very well. I’ll be going then.”
The moment Cha Tae Moon stepped out of the Director’s Office, he pulled out his phone and called Bom right away.
If she’d already eaten, there was nothing to be done about it, but when he had time like this, he wanted to see her face, even if just for a moment.
-Yes, Professor.
After a brief pause, Bom’s voice came through.
“Have you eaten?”
A smile spread across Cha Tae Moon’s lips.
-Not yet. Have you, Professor?
“Then shall we eat together?”
-Yes, I’d like that.
“We don’t have much time, so we can’t go far. How about the Hospital Cafeteria?”
-Then shall we meet in front of the Main Building Cafeteria?
“Sure, I’ll be right there.”
-Yes, Professor.
Bom ended the call with the courteous, proper tone of a model Resident.
Cha Tae Moon stared at the disconnected phone, his smile laden with meaning.
He hadn’t told his parents intentionally, but perhaps the Hospital staff ought to start knowing by now.
In a den of wolves like the Hospital, wasn’t it only right that he protect his woman?
Cha Tae Moon smiled and stepped into the elevator.

***

Bom had barely hung up with Cha Tae Moon when she bit her lip, stifling the laughter that threatened to escape.
Even though they were eating at the Hospital Cafeteria, it was no different from a date.
Bom thought she ought to apply lip balm and was rummaging through the drawer in the Doctor’s Room when she felt a prickling at the back of her head and turned around.
Ji Moon had stopped what he was doing and was staring at her intently.
“What?”
“Who are you meeting in front of the Main Building Cafeteria?”
“Oh, um…… Professor Cha.”
“Your brother? He’s buying you dinner?!”
Ji Moon sprang up from his seat with sudden interest.
“Possibly.”
“Let’s go, I’m so hungry I could die.”
…….
When Bom said nothing and only stared at him, Ji Moon began urging her to hurry.
“Come on, what are you doing? Your brother hates waiting.”
Bom’s eyes darted about, then she nodded and left the Doctor’s Room with Ji Moon.
“While we’re at it, should we call Soo Ho too?”
“Soo Ho?”
“No, he’s probably eaten by now.”
Do what you want.
Bom had decided to be satisfied with seeing Cha Tae Moon’s face.
But perhaps heaven was on her side after all.
Ji Moon’s phone began ringing loudly.
“It’s Administrative Affairs. Damn! I haven’t finished entering my charts yet. Never mind. You go eat without me.”
Ji Moon answered the call and rushed back into the Doctor’s Room.
“I keep telling you to input your charts in advance……”
Bom muttered to herself with a wry smile.
I can always buy her some bread later.
Bom quickened her pace, her heart light and trembling with anticipation.
The elevator stopped at every floor to pick up passengers, moving so slowly that taking the stairs down would have felt faster.
By the time she finally arrived at the Basement Level 1 Cafeteria, weaving through the crowded car, the place was packed with people.
There he is!
Bom spotted Cha Tae Moon at once among the cluster of white coats.
Distinct in presence wherever he stood, he was exchanging brief greetings with passersby while he waited for her.
“Professor, I’m here!”
At the sound of Bom’s voice, he turned slowly, and Cha Tae Moon’s face came into full view.
“You made it?”
Why did he seem to glow more than usual today?
He wore nothing out of the ordinary—the same blue surgical scrubs with his professor’s coat—yet he seemed to shine as if a white reflector had been angled just toward him and him alone.

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