Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Right-Hand Resolve
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Stagger!
My body lost its balance and shook violently. I nearly tumbled to the floor right then and there, but I barely managed to steady myself and avoid disaster.
"CEO!"
Jo Yi-ruk's face paled beside me. I waved my hand dismissively to signal I was fine.
"You're in such a rush. You could get seriously hurt."
"I'll be careful."
Even as I said that, I hurried along on my crutches.
"You could've gone ahead. I only asked for a ride earlier because things were so hectic."
"No, I was worried too."
"I just hope the surgery went smoothly."
I muttered under my breath as I strode down the hospital corridor. Patients in gowns passed by me, and the unmistakable hospital scent tickled my nose.
And when I finally reached the room I'd heard about...
Even after rushing so much, I hesitated before opening the door.
I was afraid of what horrific sight might await me. I had no idea just how bad the car accident had been.
I squeezed my eyes shut tight, then snapped them open before cautiously turning the handle.
Swoosh.
The door swung open, revealing Lee Hyung-bae propped up halfway in the nearest bed.
"Owner!"
He was leaning against the raised backrest of the bed, his left hand wrapped in a splint and bandages.
Even the exposed parts were swollen puffy compared to his other hand.
On top of that, his forehead and cheek bore scrape wounds from the crash.
"Oh man, CEO, you've come."
Lee Hyung-bae greeted us with a broad smile.
Beside him sat PD Kim Hee-sung in a chair, looking a bit fatigued.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. They said the surgery went well. The anesthesia hasn't fully worn off yet, so it doesn't even hurt. Haha."
Watching him laugh heartily made my chest tighten with frustration at how nonchalant he was being.
Now I could somewhat understand how Baek Jae-ha and Hyun Ye-won must have felt. This was probably the mood.
"No, seriously, how did the accident even happen?"
"The other driver was dozing off at the wheel. It was a truck, so I could've been in real trouble. I'm lucky it was only this bad."
I wasn't sure if you could call this lucky, but whatever—optimistic or positive, take your pick.
His reaction made me feel like an idiot for rushing over here like a bullet.
"You're saying that, but this isn't a light injury."
PD Kim Hee-sung chimed in.
"They said a major nerve in the wrist got damaged. Even with steady rehab, he might barely manage daily life."
"Huh?"
No, this wasn't the time to be so carefree.
'If daily life is iffy, then delicate work like gripping sushi is out of the question.'
I looked at Lee Hyung-bae in shock, but he continued with his usual affable smile.
"That's what they said."
"Owner..."
"And of all things, it's my left hand. All that practice was for nothing."
"......"
The heavens could be so merciless. I recalled how excited he'd been just earlier, talking about his second life, and bitterness filled my mouth.
'It was just starting to take shape with the sushi.'
All that effort down the drain. The past month of his diligent hustle—pouring in at least six hours a day, up to ten—wasted just like that.
An indescribable sense of futility washed over me.
I clamped my mouth shut, unsure what to say, when he ended up comforting us instead.
"No need for the long faces. With good rehab, daily life won't be a big issue, and look—this right hand's perfectly fine."
He exaggeratedly raised his right hand.
"I'll grip the sushi with this one."
"......"
"It's actually a blessing in disguise. If I'd been a sushi master of ten years, I'd be pissed. But I'm just a beginner of one month. Hahaha."
He was laughing, but his heart surely wasn't in it.
Still, how could I say anything else to someone forcing a brave front? I finally composed myself.
"You're right. Gripping sushi? We can practice again. For now, focus on recovering—take it easy."
"Well... I plan to check out tomorrow."
"Huh?"
What kind of nonsense was that? Surgery today, discharge tomorrow?
"The doctor said since the surgery went well, it's not impossible. As long as there's no excessive swelling or pain."
"No..."
"As long as I come back regularly for outpatient visits, it's fine."
"Owner. Why are you so set on leaving early?"
He clearly needed more bed rest to recover. Why was he being so stubborn?
I stared in bewilderment, and then PD Kim Hee-sung slapped his knee and burst out.
"See? I told you to stay a few more days and monitor things! What if the surgical site gets infected after you leave?"
His tone suggested he'd already tried talking him out of it several times.
"I'm discharging tomorrow. I've already arranged it."
Lee Hyung-bae stated firmly.
"Tomorrow, I'll practice gripping sushi with my right hand."
"Huh?!"
I yelped in surprise. Had I heard that right?
"See, even the CEO's shocked. Owner, you need to rest up for now."
Kim Hee-sung added in exasperation.
"Owner. What are you talking about? You're not seriously saying you're checking out to practice sushi? In this situation?"
When his left hand might end up permanently impaired. Sushi, of all things?
Talk about misplaced priorities—way off base. With me joining in, Kim Hee-sung pressed harder, emboldened.
"You think the CEO's that inflexible? He told you to practice for a month to show your dedication, not to martyr yourself while injured!"
"Yeah, yeah. We'll put the one-month deal on hold. Once you're recovered, we pick it back up."
I always kept my word, but I wasn't about to be stingy with someone whose life had hung in the balance.
I'd already seen his sincerity and planned to help him personally even after the show wrapped.
Right now, recovery trumped sushi practice.
That's what I tried to convince him of... but Lee Hyung-bae thought differently.
"No. I'm checking out."
"Owner!"
I let out an involuntary gasp. He nodded and continued.
"Yeah, I know. It's my pigheadedness. But please, just this once—let me have my way."
His gaze was calm, resolute, as if he'd already made up his mind. Meeting his eyes, I swallowed the "No" on my lips.
"I know it's reckless. But..."
He knew best as the one living it—his condition, the best way forward.
And yet, despite everyone urging him otherwise, he was digging in his heels. There had to be a reason.
"If I don't do this, I'll regret it."
He spoke plainly, but the weight of his struggles seeped through.
"Honestly, when you first suggested switching to another menu... my resolve wavered right then."
Who wouldn't?
If he'd agreed back then, he wouldn't be suffering like this.
He'd just learn the recipes I taught him and practice till they stuck. Way easier than standing six hours a day gripping sushi.
"But then I thought of my wife. The way she savored it..."
Instead, he'd chosen the thorny path over the easy one.
"When we meet in heaven someday, I should treat her to a spread of handmade sushi for all the hardship I put her through."
His beaming smile made it seem like he was already picturing that joyful moment.
For him, it must be an unimaginable happiness—envisioning his wife blissfully eating the sushi he'd made.
"Maybe that's why I applied for this show. Why I got picked. Why I met you. Maybe she was pulling the strings because she wanted to eat it."
"......"
"So... I really want to make it happen."
He seemed aware of how stubborn he was being, flashing an awkward grin.
But it wasn't remotely annoying.
Who could resent that kind of determination? Even Kim Hee-sung stood silently, sharing the sentiment.
"If I hustle from now on, I can still get mackerel sushi on the table without being late."
"Man..."
I shook my head.
"When you put it like that, how can I say no?"
Sure, I was a ruthless businessman without blood or tears, but even I didn't need to be cold here.
"Fine. But promise me this."
I stuck out my pinky.
"Only to the extent it doesn't strain your body. And if the hospital says stop, you stop immediately."
"......"
"I'm not budging on this."
I glared, and he chuckled softly, extending his hand.
"Yeah. I promise."
Good. That secures the bare minimum safety net.
"Don't worry, Owner."
I grinned.
"I'll make sure mackerel sushi graces your wife's memorial table next year, come hell or high water."
By any means necessary.
At my bold vow, Lee Hyung-bae broke into a cold sweat, sensing something amiss.
"......Huh?"
But it was too late.