The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 369

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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 369

This is so unfair.

“Haha, Clinic Director, really. Just because it’s Italy doesn’t mean mafia members will come as patients.”

“Did you watch too many noir films and get too impressed? Those are usually made in the United States anyway.”

Sandro laughed awkwardly.

And Hwang Sanghun treated me like someone who was overly immersed in movies!

“Just because you run a traditional Korean medicine clinic in South Korea doesn’t mean K-pop idols come as patients, haha. Mafia members probably go to hospitals somewhere too, but that would be very rare…”

“They do come though?”

“What?”

“If you run a traditional Korean medicine clinic in South Korea, idol patients come too. There are autographs over there, aren’t there?”

It wasn’t immediately visible from the waiting room, but I pointed my finger toward where the autographs and photos were.

Veteran idol Hyeon Jumi had come, and rookie idols Ha Dohyeon and Kim Jooho had visited too!

Ha Dohyeon probably saw them at the Songpa branch too, right?

“Uh… well, that’s true. But that’s because you’re so exceptional, Clinic Director, so word got around. Just because I open a clinic in Rome doesn’t mean I’ll meet a mafia boss, right?”

No, they will come.

I don’t know about other professions, but mafia members will definitely come.

Even when I opened in South Korea, they came all the way from Italy, so if you open in Rome, there’s no way they won’t come!

‘Ugh!’

But even though I felt wronged.

I couldn’t bring myself to reveal the true identity of the nice Robert.

“…It’ll be too late if you think about how to handle it when they come.”

Instead, I clasped my hands together to support my chin.

And just spoke seriously about general principles.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

I glared at Hwang Sanghun, who was being particularly nitpicky today.

“I told you not to interrupt, but you interrupted, didn’t you? I guess Director Hwang Sanghun wants to show us a demonstration.”

“Ah, no, I’m…”

“Hurry up and change into the gown.”

“Even the gown…”

“Quickly!”

He stubbornly resisted changing places, but it was already too late.

Show Sandro a good example.

I thoroughly prepared him for all the amazing patients that could possibly appear on the European continent.

Mafia bosses, movie actors, kings from neighboring countries, and even wizards.

“Wizards aren’t real though!”

* * *

After giving Sandro plenty of final teachings like that.

I contacted President Ricci’s secretary.

While using the free service available at all Ricci Hotel locations.

I coordinated the timing to see if a direct call with the president would be possible.

Unlike when we met last time, my English skills had improved dramatically, so this time I could have a smooth conversation without an interpreter.

How satisfying.

– Oh, Dr. Han!

As soon as the call connected, President Ricci welcomed me enthusiastically.

– I’ve been looking forward to this! How have you been? I’m so happy to have a direct conversation with you like this, Clinic Director! Actually, I wanted to surprise you! I even bought textbooks to study Korean with Paolo, but I was too busy and couldn’t study at all!

It felt different from hearing him babble in what sounded like alien language through an interpreter.

Even though we’re talking after a long time, it doesn’t feel awkward at all.

Is this a businessman’s conversational skills? Or is his MBTI EEEE?

“I’ve had many foreign patients lately, so somehow my English skills improved a bit. It seems like meeting you opened up good fortune for me overseas.”

– Fortune opened up? What does that mean? I heard Sa-Ju doesn’t change!”

“There’s something called personal fortune… no, never mind. I don’t know much about that either. How is Paolo doing?”

I could feel intense interest through the phone.

His love for Eastern culture is still going strong.

Afraid that I might end up giving lectures on fortune-telling in addition to the five elements theory, I quickly changed the subject.

– He’s doing very well! His tics haven’t recurred even once! He’s made quite a few friends, and they even threw him a party for his last birthday. He’s become more active like his father, so I hope he’ll run for student representative when he becomes an upperclassman!

“Haha, I’m glad he’s healthy.”

– I also heard news about Dr. Lucarelli! He finally became a doctor, right? Oh, what a difficult process that must have been! Even though I got my MBA relatively easily, it was still very hard. I want to see his thesis soon and receive his treatment. My body feels heavy – I think my energy might be blocked!

“Your son is healthy, but you’re having a hard time, President.”

– I have to work hard for my family and for the company!

President Ricci brought up Sandro’s story first, which was my main topic.

Seeing how he even said he wanted to receive treatment soon, his interest in traditional Korean medicine hadn’t diminished at all.

“Thank you for caring despite being busy. I’m thinking of starting to prepare for opening the Rome branch – how much help can you provide?”

– Of course I should help with everything I can! Dr. Lucarelli even went abroad to study at my suggestion, and Dr. Han gave permission to use the brand too!

Even to my direct question, President Ricci readily promised his help.

It’s not empty words – it seems he has concrete plans in mind.

“As soon as I heard the news, I started looking for a clinic location. I had several buildings I own in mind, and there’s one where the first-floor contract is ending soon! Oh… your traditional medicine clinic used two floors, right? It seemed a bit larger than one floor area! About 1.5 times bigger?

“Oh, you’ve already looked at locations? I think that would be sufficient, but are general clinics in Rome usually that size?”

– General clinics are often even smaller! But since it’s a traditional medicine clinic, you’ll need to place more than ten beds, and you might bring in additional equipment, so it’s better to have plenty of space. Oh, what about the interior? Would it be burdensome to put up lots of Eastern paintings? Is clean white the best for a hospital-like feel? Oh my, I’ll definitely need to consult with an expert on this matter!

He’s even scouted locations and says he’ll find interior design companies for us?

If it’s a building owned by hotel tycoon Mr. Ricci, it must be in the center of Rome.

If it’s the first floor of such a place, we wouldn’t have to worry about foot traffic.

The rent… I wonder if he’ll give us a little discount?

“Yes, Sandro’s opinion is most important first, and let’s look at the specific details slowly. Should I think of it as you helping with all aspects outside of medical treatment?”

– Of course! Leave everything in Rome to me! I can find experts in every field!

His bold promises really made me feel reassured.

And my ears were ringing.

I should have reduced the volume by half from the start, so why am I only thinking of this now?

“Yes. Then if there are any parts where you need my opinion as we proceed, please email me anytime. I’ll reply as soon as I check it. I think I’ll visit once around the time of opening, so it would be nice to meet in Italy if there’s an opportunity.”

– I’ll make time somehow! Oh, it would be better to meet at the clinic itself. I’ll continue receiving care from Dr. Lucarelli, but since you’re coming to Rome anyway, please let Dr. Han check my pulse too!

We exchanged final greetings at an appropriate volume.

Mr. Ricci seemed to have many more things he wanted to talk about, but fortunately he had other appointments.

Thanks to that, even though the conversation couldn’t objectively be called long, I was very tired when I hung up the phone.

How could just a phone call make me feel as exhausted as if I’d been in a martial arts duel?

It was like small talk mixed with countless sharp attacks flying at me…

I briefly recorded the important points mentioned in our conversation.

Then I began my breathing exercises.

* * *

Since we had the call during Korean evening hours due to the time difference.

I only shared this story with Seo Inae after coming to work the next day.

“Since that’s how things turned out, it looks like you’ll need to make a business trip to Rome.”

“Me?”

Surprisingly, Seo Inae was startled.

“Since Mr. Ricci said he’d get us experts, it shouldn’t be difficult. If there are options, I think Director Sandro will choose while proceeding with contracts, so you’d just need to advise on any parts that don’t seem right.”

I thought one dragon painting would be okay.

But after hanging up, the possibility occurred to me that it might not be just one.

Someone needs to keep watch right beside them.

Even aside from such concerns, there would be parts requiring someone who knows clinic operations well.

“If Manager Seo could go along, I’d really feel at ease! It would be troublesome, but I’d like to ask you too.”

Sandro also hoped for Seo Inae’s accompaniment.

Though she hadn’t been directly involved in his affairs, just spending a few days together at the clinic built trust.

Moreover, I’d watched her go on a business trip to the Gwangju branch to resolve Seon Nayeon’s situation, so my confidence in her was very high.

“Ahem, if you put it that way…”

The corners of Seo Inae’s mouth turned up slightly.

Was she playing hard to get once because she was happy, not because she didn’t want to go or felt burdened?

“Go leisurely and do some sightseeing in Rome too.”

“I couldn’t do that. As the first overseas expansion of the Seongsuhaneui-won Network, I’ll prepare perfectly.”

Of course, since it’s none other than Seo Inae, I don’t think she’d do the work carelessly.

She tied her hair back tightly and immediately got to work.

She told Sandro to share anything he was concerned about.

From then on, whenever contact came from Rome, Sandro shared every matter with Seo Inae.

“I think it would be better to change the flow like this.”

“If there’s budget and space, it would be better to create partition walls from the interior design stage rather than curtains to clearly separate treatment spaces.”

With Seo Inae also actively giving opinions.

Sandro thoroughly proceeded with preparations for both medical and non-medical aspects.

* * *

Attending graduate school graduation isn’t mandatory.

But Sandro took photos with Kim Chunsik and Lee Minseok before flying to Rome.

Seo Inae traveled on the same flight, and Mr. Ricci’s secretary came to meet them at the airport.

Everything after that proceeded swiftly.

Sandro completed the actual contracts that had been coordinated in advance from Korea.

For parts that needed visual confirmation, he prepared for opening while checking directly with Seo Inae.

Though I’ve done it myself, opening a clinic involves countless things you only learn when you actually face them.

Business registration, medical facility permits, fire safety inspections, etc…

Since this was Sandro’s first opening, and neither I nor Seo Inae knew overseas medical systems well, there would have been many difficulties without Mr. Ricci’s help.

[We have to unpack all these boxes.]

As they proceeded, the two sent updates occasionally.

Since it was a new opening rather than taking over an existing practice, they were frantically purchasing and arranging everything new – equipment, furniture, accessories.

[We really would have been in big trouble if Manager Seo hadn’t come.]

Reports were generally about what problems arose and how they solved them.

Fortunately, things seemed to be proceeding without major setbacks.

[We’ve created SNS pages. Please check them too, Director.]

It seems that in Italy, like Korea, clinics distribute flyers or hang banners when opening.

But we weren’t specifically targeting only patients from that area.

Since we aimed to serve all of Rome – maybe even patients coming from farther away – who had needs for traditional Korean medicine, we decided to start with online marketing first.

Finishing various registrations, reports, contracts, and so on.

Filling up the empty clinic.

And completing the most important staff hiring.

[I’m so nervous… I thought I had prepared a lot, but now that the opening is right in front of me, I feel like I don’t know anything.]

“It’s your first time officially facing patients as a doctor, so it’s natural to feel that way. You’ll do well.”

Finally, even the exact opening date was set.

I was too busy to think during the preparation, but now that the opening was approaching, he seemed nervous.

“I’ll be there soon too, so don’t worry too much.”

I decided to visit Rome the day before the opening and stay for about a week.

For other domestic branches, I could get a general feel after observing for about a day.

But since this was Rome, Italy of all places, there were too many unexpected situations I could anticipate.

And so, after a few days that must have been both fearful and exciting for Sandro.

I boarded the airplane to Rome.

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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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