The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 166

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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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Chapter 166

 

Jeong Inseong and Min Juyeon came to the clinic on the scheduled date.

 

Thanks to the disappearance of her hives and significant improvement in her folliculitis, Min Juyeon was greatly excited.

 

Just from her footsteps coming in and her facial expression, you could feel her cheerfulness.

 

“It’s gotten so much better, really. Thanks to you, Clinic Director, I’ve been reborn! I’ve become a different person from a month ago!”

 

Min Juyeon said with great excitement.

 

“That’s fortunate. Let’s continue treatment at this pace until we finish. We just need to wrap up the remaining folliculitis.”

 

When the first medication is effective, composing the second medication isn’t too difficult.

 

You can repeat the same prescription, or in this case, remove the herbs that were added for the hives and itching.

 

Since the pus formation has almost disappeared, it should be fine to reduce them.

 

“Yes!”

 

After hearing my explanation, she smiled brightly.

 

Jeong Inseong, who accompanied her, also nodded along.

 

Nod nod nod nod, his movements choppy like a robot.

 

…Why is he so frozen like this?

 

“Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

 

“N-no, no, not at all.”

 

“Your shoulders are too tense though?”

 

Is there something stressing him out? Like Seol Yuhui not keeping up with the pace?

 

I got up from my seat and checked the tension in Jeong Inseong’s trapezius muscles.

 

It wasn’t stiff like patients who come with shoulder pain, but rather tense from current nervousness.

 

“Gasp!”

 

In his hand as he was startled, I caught sight of his phone that was turned on.

 

He kept glancing at it even while I was consulting with Min Juyeon.

 

Was he perhaps in contact with someone else?

 

“What’s this?”

 

It was a Hangul document with black text on a white background.

 

No, to be precise, there were also some red and blue text.

 

Red bold for important parts, blue with Q marks for expected questions scattered throughout?

 

It looked like important parts summarized for reading before an exam.

 

“Are you doing some kind of study group with a professor during vacation?”

 

Doing this kind of thing from sophomore pre-med year?

 

While it’s not uncommon for people to form study groups when they become upperclassmen due to the overwhelming prospect of going into clinical practice.

 

Wasn’t Jeong Inseong busy with his academy part-time job and many tutoring sessions?

 

“Oh, it’s nothing!”

 

He tried to hide it, but my dynamic visual acuity was much faster than his speed of hiding the phone.

 

“These are skin-related medicinal herbs? How are you studying… Ah!”

 

I had said it would be good to study this once a month ago, hadn’t I?

 

No, I thought about it, but I didn’t actually tell him to do it?

 

To be precise, I was about to say it but stopped and kept my mouth shut because it seemed too much like something a professor would do.

 

“It’s nothing much. I wanted to seriously think about what I would do, and compare it with the profess… I mean, the Clinic Director’s decision.”

 

Oh my, he prepared so diligently even though I didn’t ask him to?

 

He was much better than my past self who was obsessed with exam grades and only did preview for the next semester.

 

“Then would you like to present it once?”

 

Since he prepared so much, I should listen – it’s only natural!

 

“Huh, I didn’t prepare it in presentation format…!”

 

Jeong Inseong was startled, but.

 

“Why don’t you try? You memorized it thoroughly thinking he might ask, didn’t you?”

 

Seeing that even Min Juyeon knew about it, he must have really prepared hard.

 

Oh my, what would have happened if I hadn’t noticed.

 

“Then, once…”

 

Jeong Inseong gulped.

 

As if he wanted to look one last time, I noticed him glancing at the Hangul document on his phone.

 

“Feel free to look at it while talking. It’s not like you’re taking an exam or anything. Should I put it up on the screen for you?”

 

“I didn’t prepare a PowerPoint!”

 

We can just put up the Hangul document, what’s the big deal.

 

I kindly received the file transfer, put it up on the screen, and listened attentively to Jeong Inseong’s story.

 

“I briefly looked into the disease overview, the prescription I thought of, and its rationale.”

 

Is it because he has experience as an academy instructor?

 

Although he didn’t prepare it in presentation format, he delivered what he wanted to say in a clear and organized manner.

 

The disease overview wasn’t difficult since you can find plenty of information with an internet search.

 

The three prescriptions he suggested were all worth at least 80 points.

 

“You researched well. But since you haven’t taken the herbal medicine class yet, it’s a bit fragmentary. Diaphoretic medicines aren’t necessarily just for colds, you know~.”

 

However, the prescription analysis explaining why each medicinal ingredient was included in the prescription was somewhat disappointing.

 

I kindly provided feedback, leaving the content that should be included and reference books in green text for the incorrect parts.

 

“Ah, sorry. Was it a bit boring?”

 

Min Juyeon was the one who actually came for a prescription, but I had focused too much on Jeong Inseong’s presentation, so I turned to look at her.

 

“Kup… No, Clinic Director. It was so interesting!”

 

Min Juyeon seemed to find her boyfriend’s presentation very interesting as she clenched her fists and trembled with excitement.

 

She was on the verge of rolling on the floor, unable to contain her laughter.

 

“Thank you for your feedback! Next time, I’ll read various books and prepare more diligently!”

 

Jeong Inseong still spoke nervously like a new employee.

 

“Next time?”

 

“Ah, if there’s an opportunity! After getting a job or something…”

 

He’s overflowing with enthusiasm?

 

“Whew, that’s still a long way off, you know? Should I give you homework?”

 

“Uh, um.”

 

Suddenly, I remembered a story the sect leader of Huashan Sect had told me before.

 

The head disciple he had obtained possessed exceptional martial talent, worthy of being called the greatest promising talent under heaven.

 

The sect leader had to neglect other disciples relatively while transmitting secret techniques to his head disciple and other Plum Blossom Sword practitioners who had shown brilliance from a young age.

 

At some point, unlike those who had fallen into political games, he discovered a disciple who consistently repeated training as instructed by the sect leader and elders every day, thirsting for teachings.

 

He said he couldn’t express how sorry he felt for not being able to pay attention to that disciple.

 

– Please, please save him! If something happens to this child, I… Huashan will…

 

Haven’t I made a similar mistake?

 

While prioritizing studies with the clinic directors who were currently seeing patients, wasn’t Jeong Inseong frustrated because he wanted to study but the school curriculum was too slow?

 

He came to consider Korean medicine as a career path because of me, and he’s a very sincere friend who could achieve great things, yet I’ve been neglecting the cultivation of future students!

 

“Ah, but you must be busy, Clinic Director…!”

 

“I’m fine! I’ve been coming to the clinic on my days off anyway because of organizing books lately. I can make time anytime! You can visit or text me with questions!”

 

To think he couldn’t say anything all this time out of consideration for me, worried I might be busy.

 

My mistake was great in assuming that at his age, he would want to play during vacation.

 

“Thank…”

 

Jeong Inseong opened and closed his mouth.

 

“…you!”

 

He was moved to tears by my proposal.

 

* * *

 

As I told Jeong Inseong, I had been coming to work 1 or 2 days out of the 3 weekend days recently.

 

Besides books, I had many things to do, such as thinking about whether there were more areas to improve in the clinic system, preparing for studies, and organizing research materials.

 

The Italy branch was also progressing steadily.

 

I had exchanged emails several times with the doctor Chairman Rich introduced, and he was very proactive as the chairman had promised.

 

I explained the characteristics of Korean University professors’ labs as he requested.

 

I guided his choice by emphasizing the advantages he could gain by going to Professor Lee Minseok.

 

Of course, I also asked Professor Lee Minseok himself for permission to let the foreign doctor graduate student audit undergraduate classes.

 

As expected, the professor answered that he would welcome it wholeheartedly.

 

Since we had even conducted a simple video interview, contact was already established.

 

Basic documents like study plans and graduation certificates wouldn’t be difficult at all.

 

Since Chairman Rich himself had stepped forward to be the financial guarantor, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that admission was guaranteed if he just obtained Korean language proficiency certification.

 

Although we’re still communicating in English, he said he’s been studying since we last contacted, and with nearly half a year remaining, language should be sufficient.

 

I don’t know what branch number it will be, but wouldn’t it be very rewarding to have an overseas branch?

 

After finishing my weekend tasks and arriving home today.

 

[Hello~ This is the landlord. I’m contacting you to confirm whether you’re extending since there’s one month left on the contract~]

 

There was a text from the landlord of the studio apartment I’m living in.

 

The same text came around this time last year, and it was the first contact in a year after I replied “Yes, I’ll extend~”.

 

But unlike last time when I replied immediately after receiving the text, this time I suddenly felt conflicted.

 

“Should I… move?”

 

There were no particular problems with the house, to the extent that I never needed to contact the landlord.

 

It wouldn’t be a problem to just keep living here.

 

“I’ve been focusing too much on just the clinic…”

 

But suddenly I felt the desire to expand my living space.

 

Hadn’t I been putting all the money I earned into the clinic?

 

I was busy buying buildings, doing interior work, and purchasing various medical equipment and herbal decoction facilities.

 

I did go on trips, but they were only for a few days.

 

My housing situation hadn’t changed from when I was still carrying a heavy practice opening loan.

 

‘The staff probably feel uncomfortable that I keep coming to work on holidays too, right?’

 

As my heart leaned toward moving, several reasons to justify it came to mind.

 

Since the clinic examination room was more comfortable than my studio apartment, I would come to work when I had business, but the staff seemed to be mindful even when I said to ignore my presence.

 

During lunch time, they would ask if I wanted to order delivery together, and sometimes they would bring me coffee without me asking.

 

‘If I had multiple rooms, there wouldn’t be a reason to come to work unnecessarily.’

 

Whenever I went to Seoul, Hwangseoyeong would let me stay at her place.

 

If the number of rooms increased, I could work from home and introduce friends over.

 

Should I move to the apartment where Chu Miyoung used to live?

 

Or… maybe a spacious countryside house altogether?

 

If I lived in a house, that chipmunk could come visit from time to time, right?

 

Tap tap.

 

I tapped my phone and pondered for a moment, then replied that I would think about it for a few more days before letting them know.

 

[Yes, understood~. We’ll consider the contract tacitly extended for now, but I’ll put the room on the market as you requested. Please let me know right away if you decide to move out~.]

 

The landlord wrapped up the conversation neatly.

 

‘Thanks to them, I lived well.’

 

Although I had said I would think about it, my heart was already leaning heavily toward moving.

 

* * *

 

The next day, as soon as I got to work, I shared my thoughts from the previous day with the staff.

 

“I’m considering moving.”

 

“The clinic? You mean your house, Clinic Director?”

 

“Oh, yes. My house. The apartment is getting cramped, so I’m thinking of expanding a bit.”

 

“What? You’re still living in an apartment?”

 

Had I never mentioned it before?

 

Gong Nari and Jin Minjeong were very surprised.

 

“Are you planning to buy a house? Now is the perfect time. Only the metropolitan area is noisy, but provincial cities are relatively quiet, and there won’t be much supply for at least the next 3 years. Plus, construction costs have risen a lot, so even after that…”

 

Meanwhile, Seo Inae, who knew the general situation from our deep conversations during the early days of opening the clinic, perked up.

 

“Haha, I haven’t decided on buying yet.”

 

“Of course, since you run a business, Clinic Director, you don’t need to invest in real estate, and I know monthly rent can be processed as expenses, but…”

 

She talked about the real estate market as if she had been waiting for this topic.

 

How had she been holding back from wanting to discuss this?

 

“You’re only talking about apartments, right? Teacher Inae, do you have any complexes you’re interested in?”

 

“I already bought one.”

 

“Huh? Really?”

 

“Wow, when did you get your own place? Amazing!”

 

I found myself asking back without realizing it.

 

The other staff members didn’t know either, as Gong Nari was also surprised.

 

“Well, you work so much and even have side jobs…”

 

As Jin Minjeong said, it did seem like Seo Inae could buy a house anytime.

 

“You didn’t ask, and it would be weird to bring it up randomly. Thanks to you raising my salary so much, Clinic Director, I was able to purchase earlier than expected.”

 

What was she saying when she had been working more than enough?

 

“I see. Congratulations, though it’s late. Can I ask where you bought it?”

 

I hadn’t decided on buying, but I didn’t particularly want to stick to monthly rent just for expense processing purposes.

 

If I was going to buy anyway, it would be better for the purchase price to rise rather than fall.

 

Seeing her recommend apartment purchases so enthusiastically, did she have a good house to recommend?

 

When I asked casually.

 

“If you’re going to live in Busan, Clinic Director, you absolutely must go for an ocean view!”

 

Seo Inae listed several important conditions.

 

Ocean view?

 

…Would it be nice to see the ocean from home?

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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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