The Terminally Ill Youngest Daughter of a Medical Dynasty Is a Genius Physician - Chapter 54

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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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Chapter 54
A few droplets of water splashed across Yeong-hwa’s Father’s cheek and sleeve.
“…….”
Oh no.
I froze as I watched his expression grow cold and hard.
‘Did I go too far?’
Without a word, Yeong-hwa’s Father wiped the water from his cheek with the back of his hand.
Then he looked down at me, steady and unflinching.
“Yeong-hwa.”
“Yes?”
“You started this.”
“……What?”
Splash!
“Ah!”
With a light sweep of his palm, Yeong-hwa’s Father sent a shower of water cascading across my cheek and bangs.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them quickly to face him.
“Father!”
“What?”
“That’s not fair!”
“You attacked first—you’ve no right to complain.”
“Fine, then. I’ll do it too!”
I cupped both hands to gather water.
But the moment I moved, Yeong-hwa’s Father quickly caught my wrist.
“Wait.”
“Why?”
“Roll up your sleeves first. And use only your fingers.”
“Why!”
“If your clothes get soaked, you’ll catch cold.”
“But you used your whole palm!”
“I don’t get sick.”
“…….”
His answer was so matter-of-fact that I had nothing to say.
“That’s not fair.”
“Adults are always a bit unfair. That’s how it works.”
“There’s no such rule!”
I rolled up my sleeves haphazardly and flicked water with my fingertips, sending it flying in all directions.
Splatter.
This time, fine droplets landed across Yeong-hwa’s Father’s jaw and collar.
A moment of silence.
I watched his face carefully, then began edging away from him across the rock.
Yeong-hwa’s Father slowly raised his head.
“Yeon Yeong-hwa.”
“W-what?”
“Come here.”
“No!”
I burst out laughing and shuffled further back along the rock.
But I didn’t get far before his hand gently caught hold of my waist.
“Caught you.”
“Father, wait!”
“A moment ago you were having such a grand time splashing me.”
“I’m sorry!”
“Too late.”
“Eek!”
I squirmed to escape his grasp but finally dissolved into delighted laughter.
“Haha, Father! That tickles!”
“You should have stayed quiet then.”
“But you splashed me first!”
“Didn’t you say you started it?”
“That’s not fair!”
After laughing for a while longer, Yeong-hwa’s Father finally let me go.
When I came to my senses, he had already drawn out a clean cloth and was gently wiping away the moisture from my face.
“Stay still.”
“I’m not cold.”
“I’ve already told you I don’t believe that anymore.”
…….
I obediently surrendered my face to his care.
He carefully dried even the water clinging to my bangs.
Then our eyes met.
Father was smiling.
Not a loud, boisterous laugh.
But I’d never seen him smile with such ease before.
The moment I saw that expression, my own laughter faded without thinking.
Had I ever played like this with Father before?
Without a single worry.
Without thinking of my illness, my family’s honor, or my next life.
Just… laughed without care.
“Why did you suddenly go quiet?”
“No reason.”
I smiled softly while smoothing back my bangs.
“It’s just fun.”
“Water games?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Playing with you, Father.”
Father regarded me for a moment.
Then he gave my hair a rough shake to rid it of remaining droplets and spoke.
“Then next time, let’s find something truly worth playing with.”
“Is there something more fun than this?”
“Plenty.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you next time.”
“Why not tell me now?”
“Because then you’ll have something to look forward to.”
I opened my eyes wide, then broke into a broad smile.
“Then it’s a real promise!”
“It is.”
Father placed his hand lightly atop my head.
“I promise.”
That was when it happened.
Rustle.
The Reed Marsh across the Lake trembled softly.
“Hm?”
As I turned my head, Father slowly shifted his gaze as well.
A round head peeked out between the reeds.
Dark eyes.
A wet snout.
A plump little body.
“An otter!”
At my exclamation, the otter startled and dove back into the water.
“Oh……”
My disappointment was short-lived.
A moment later, the otter poked its head back above the surface.
Without thinking, I leaned forward.
“How adorable……”
Father’s hand immediately braced my waist.
“You’re about to fall in again.”
“I won’t!”
“Just watch.”
Then Father quietly raised his hand.
“Father?”
In that instant.
Ripples spread across the surface of the lake.
Rustle.
The Reed Marsh swayed here and there.
One.
Two.
Three.
Round-bodied otters emerged one by one from behind the rocks, between the water plants, and from deep within the Reed Marsh.
Chirp, chirp.
With soft cries, the otters swam toward us.
My eyes widened.
“Father! Did you call them here?”
“I did.”
“How?”
My father watched the otters swimming across the water.
“Those born with the Power of Hyeonmu can achieve a certain Resonance with the beasts and Spirit Beings of the waterside.”
“Resonance?”
“Yes. You can faintly sense their presence and emotions, and convey simple intentions to them.”
“Wow…….”
I stared at the otters with my mouth open.
I’d seen otters many times since becoming close with Yeoul, but this was the first time I’d watched so many gather at once.
Splash, splash.
Then one otter swam all the way beneath the Rock.
It floated on its back in the water, paddling its front paws eagerly.
“Chirp, chirp! (I like you!)”
The sight of it suddenly expressing affection with bright eyes was so endearing my heart ached.
“How adorable……!”
At that moment.
“Chirp-oooo!”
A familiar cry echoed from somewhere.
“Huh?”
I didn’t even have time to turn my head.
Splash!
Something came rushing through the water beyond the Reed Marsh with tremendous force.
“Chirp! Chirp-ooo!”
“Yeoul?”
The moment Yeoul spotted me, she flapped her paws even more excitedly.
She swam straight to the Rock and suddenly launched herself out of the water.
Bound!
“Oh!”
A wet, soft body crashed directly into my arms.
I caught Yeoul instinctively.
“Yeoul! You can’t just jump out like that!”
“Chirp-oo!”
Yeoul paid no mind, burrowing deeper into my embrace.
She gripped my collar firmly with her front paws and rubbed her small face vigorously against my cheek.
“Chirp, chirp-oo! Chirp!”
“All right, all right. I’ve missed you too.”
“Chirp-oong!”
My father, watching this, raised an eyebrow slightly.
“That one seems to follow you particularly well.”
“Mm.”
I paused, my hand stilling on Yeoul’s fur.
My father looked at her with curiosity.
“Otters don’t usually become this affectionate with humans. Have you known this one long?”
“Well…….”
I trailed off.
Where should I even start?
From when Yeoul brought me your letter?
Or from when, at some point, her voice began to sound like human speech?
‘Wait.’
The question struck me suddenly.
Father had said he was born with the Power of Hyeonmu.
Then could it be that Father also……?
I looked down at Yeoul, who lay draped across my arms making soft chirping sounds, and ventured a careful question.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
“Can you understand what those children are saying too?”
“No.”
His answer came with absolute calm.
I blinked.
“……Pardon?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“But you just said you could use Resonance…….”
“Resonance and understanding speech are different things.”
Father explained as he gazed at the otters.
“I can sense their presence and emotions, communicate simple commands like come here or go back. That is all.”
“So what those children are saying…….”
“I don’t know.”
“Not at all?”
“Not at all.”
I closed my eyes slowly, then opened them.
Then I looked down at Yeoul nestled in my arms.
“Chirp?”
Yeoul tilted his head, wondering why I was staring.
‘……Then what is this?’
I had always believed that anyone with the Power of Hyeonmu could do the same.
That Father would be capable of it too, just as I was.
But I was wrong.
“Yeong-hwa?”
Noticing me lost in thought, Father called my name.
I hesitated, my lips parting slightly.
Should I tell him?
Yet there was no reason to hide it from Father.
More than anything, I wanted to understand what this power truly was.
“Actually…….”
I opened my mouth carefully.
“I can hear them.”
“Hear what?”
“What those children are saying.”
Father’s eyes widened.
“……What?”

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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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