Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Senior's Visit
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"This time it won't happen, Senior."
-What are you talking about?
"I met a pretty good investor. Oh, not an investor, actually. He said he's building an animal hospital himself. Anyway, it looks like the kind of animal medical center you and I have always wanted is going to get built."
-Pfft.
Instead of a reply, laughter came through the phone. Mocking laughter, at that.
Then came the silence.
It wasn't a long time, but it was enough to tell how the other person felt about what Lee Jun had just said.
-That investor or whatever must've said they'd prioritize treating sick animals above all, and run an ethical practice. Oh, and they probably promised to make it as animal-friendly as possible. Spacious wards to reduce stress, right?
"Something like that."
-Yeah, I bet. Everyone says that at first. Then once it opens, everything flips 180 degrees.
There wasn't a hint of expectation in his dry tone.
"You might be right, Senior, but this guy seems different. He sponsors 'Our Yard Shelter' and even volunteers there himself."
-Really?
"Yeah. He's a client at our hospital, but I ran into him at Our Yard Shelter yesterday."
Lee Jun told his senior about everything that had happened.
-Hmm, something feels off.
"What do you mean?"
-Come on. He suddenly shows up at your animal hospital and buys treats? Crazy expensive ones. Then he turns up at Our Yard Shelter, where you volunteer. Doesn't everything fit together a little too perfectly?
"Come on, Senior. You're overthinking it. I can guess what you're imagining, but that's not it."
-No, my gut says otherwise. Gut feeling. That Namgung Construction CEO probably started by offering you a scouting deal.
"Wow, Senior. You been meditating in Yangju or something? How'd you know?"
There was no need to hide anything between the two of them.
-I know you better than that. Plus, you're not the only senior who's tried to scout you.
"Hahaha, keep praising me like that and my ego's gonna get even bigger."
-As if! Anyway, bottom line: that CEO guy's suspicious.
"It could be, but even if it is, it's not a bad thing, right? Wouldn't it be great if he built that animal medical center he wants?"
-Sure would.
"Exactly. Why don't you meet him? He seems like a good guy to me, but if you meet him and don't like him, just turn it down."
-True enough.
"So think of it as stopping by to see your junior's face."
-I should check out your animal hospital sometime anyway. How's business?
"Going alright."
-Well then, Mr. Hotshot Junior, I'll swing by to see your fancy hospital. And check out this guy who's willing to throw money at the ground.
"You say that like you have time. With nothing on your plate. Come up tomorrow."
-What are you saying? You know how busy I am.
"Yeah, yeah. Unemployed folks are the busiest. Your idle junior will wait eagerly for busy Senior."
-Hmm, I'll think about it.
"I'll be waiting."
-Don't.
"There's this pork place near Our Yard Shelter with amazing raw liver, Senior. How about a drink there?"
-Hmm...
"The cheonggukjang's killer too. Su-ho says it's way better than that spot in Jongno..."
-Su-ho? Kwak Su-ho's in town?
"Yeah."
-He came for your opening, huh. That guy's loyal. If Kwak Su-ho vouches for it... Fine, I'll make time. Kill two birds: celebrate your opening and all.
The two chuckled as they ended the call.
Lee Jun smirked at his darkened phone screen.
"You're coming tomorrow anyway..."
***
The next evening.
Just as Lee Jun predicted, his senior showed up at Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
"Wow, our Lee Jun's made it big."
"Haha, what do you mean, 'made it big'?"
"You have. Your name's right up front on an animal hospital. Anyway, the vibe's spot on."
His senior looked around Meongmeong Animal Hospital, clearly impressed.
"Yeah, this is it. The kind of place animals would feel good coming to for treatment."
"That hits nice."
"You can tell at a glance. This painting—Kwak Su-ho did it, right?"
His senior pointed to the painting Kwak Su-ho had made.
"Yeah. Pretty good, huh?"
"Nice. And this one's from an owner, yeah?"
He pointed to the painting of Mongi beaming happily.
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Anyone who painted that had to be super grateful to you. It's obvious. Looks great."
"Yeah. I like it too."
The painting held a lot of meaning for Lee Jun.
'Haenguni Mongi spoke up so we could fix it quick.'
As he recalled the urgency of that time and patted his chest in relief, his senior changed the subject.
"Anyway, how's Our Yard Shelter? Lots of adoptions?"
"Some go out, more come in."
"What about our Cutie Pies?"
At Our Yard Shelter, the Jindo-lookalikes like Nureongi were Mongchied together as Cutie Pies.
It was a nickname born from wanting to at least call the hard-to-adopt ones cute.
"The Cutie Pies are doing fine. Or whatever."
His senior hadn't been to Our Yard Shelter in half a year now. Meaning no Cutie Pies had been adopted in that time.
"I see."
Lee Jun and his senior wore the same bitter expression.
"We gotta make bank and build them a big playground to run around in."
"That'd be great."
The two didn't voice their wish for the Cutie Pies to get adopted.
They knew better than anyone it wasn't realistic.
"So that's why you should meet that Namgung guy. He mentioned running a large-dog rehab center too."
"You think building that helps Our Yard Shelter dogs?"
"Depends on how you handle it, Senior. Gotta collect data before opening, right? Use your director authority to rehab a ton of them then. Who's gonna argue with 'for safety'?"
"True, that alone would rehab a bunch."
As he spoke, his senior eyed Lee Jun steadily.
"You're the boldest one here, in a way. Reckless, even."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nah. One thing I know: you've never compromised on animal treatment since day one, rules be damned. Even Professor Hwang threw up his hands with you."
"Really?"
"What's the point of saying it? Just wears out my mouth. How's Professor Song doing?"
"Same as ever. Oh yeah, when I visited to say I'd opened up, he asked what you were up to. 'What's Han Na-hyuk doing? Still holed up in Yangju? Tell him to come work here.'"
-...You should've said I was busy.
"I did. Told him everyone else is busting their asses, but Senior's living the good life like a bum."
"Hey, you!
Han Na-hyuk glared at Lee Jun for a split second, then continued.
"So you're introducing me to someone because you hate seeing your senior so comfy?"
"Not exactly. Anyway, you meeting Namgung or not?"
"Let's eat first and think."
"That place I mentioned on the phone?"
"You kidding? That's why I'm here."
***
At the restaurant, Lee Jun ordered.
"Senior. Start with three servings of pork belly?"
"Sure."
"Three pork belly, rice, one cheonggukjang. And one egg custard."
"Drinks?"
The server asked about alcohol.
"Cola, please. You're having some, Senior?"
"Nah, cola for me too."
"You too?"
"Drinking alone ruins it."
Lee Jun smiled at his senior's reply.
He knew it was really to accommodate him, since he had clinic the next day.
"Thanks. If you're free, I could buy you a drink Saturday... Oh, no can do. Gotta go to Our Yard Shelter Sunday."
"Weren't you just there?"
"Yeah, but one of the Cutie Pies, Nureongi. I neutered him, but he's so wary I need to handle the follow-up myself."
"That aggressive?"
"Kwon Senior couldn't manage him."
"Min-jun couldn't?"
"Yeah."
"Kid's got a knack for work, that's for sure."
"Better than playing around."
"That's aimed at me?"
"Nah, not really..."
The food arrived just then, cutting their chat.
Lee Jun smirked and said,
"Senior, the egg custard's good here too. Try it."
It reminded him of Gray.
'That Gray guy came to our side for this stuff. Haven't seen him lately, though.'
You don't miss what's there, but you do when it's gone.
Seeing the guy every day made his absence noticeable.
With full stomachs, the two resumed talking.
"Namgung Construction CEO, right?"
"Yeah. Don't know much else, but he can build one hell of a facility."
"Not renting a floor or two—building a whole new one?"
"Has the land, so probably."
"Makes it weirder. Why build an animal medical center that won't make money? So many profitable options out there."
"It's his dream. A place where animals can get treated comfortably."
"That's what makes it weirder."
"Just think of it as a rich guy's hobby. What can't they do with overflowing cash? Like building an epic vacation home."
"True, the ultra-rich have money beyond imagination."
"Speaking of which, if I had that kinda cash, I'd build a 300,000-py shelter right now. Free the bears in those tiny cages, make a playground for our Cutie Pies to run wild."
"Yeah. It's not lack of heart—it's lack of money."
"Exactly. Money's the enemy. So meet the guy. Seems decent."
"How do you know after a few meetings?"
"I might not know much, but I can tell if someone's genuine with animals. And he is—with them."
That day at Our Yard Shelter, while treating animals, Lee Jun had asked them about Namgung Hyun.
If he was just there for show, or truly from the heart.
Animals don't lie.
They just express what they see and feel.
Every animal that met him praised him without exception.
A good man.
"Really?"
"Even if it's for corporate image, fine. At least he won't chase profits like crazy."
"True. Alright, I'll meet him."
"Cool. I'll set it up."
Lee Jun texted Namgung Hyun right there.
His phone rang almost immediately.
"Haenguni's owner's line! Figured you were busy, so I texted."
-I was just heading home. When can I meet that vet?
"Oh, he's here with me now?"
-Is he? Can I come now?
"Hang on."
Lee Jun asked his senior.
'Senior, Namgung's asking if now works?'
'Guy's got drive. I'm good.'
Lee Jun replied.
"He says yes?"
-Then I'll head over.
True to his word—on his way home—he joined them in under 20 minutes.
"Namgung Hyun."
"Han Na-hyuk. You're planning an animal medical center?"
"Yes."
"What's the scale? And upfront: profits aren't as big as they look from outside. What comes in goes right back out."
"I know. Think of it like this: my company sponsors in various areas. This is one of them."
Lee Jun and Han Na-hyuk's eyes met in the air.
'See?'
'Still don't buy it. Could be a slick-talking scammer.'
Businessmen move for big money.
Investing in something unprofitable?
Han Na-hyuk was skeptical.
If it was about making money off a hospital, it'd mean nonstop treatments.
Unnecessary surgeries and tests as standard.
That's why he'd bolted from the last medical center director gig.
No desire to repeat that.
"You might wonder why a construction firm—not pharma or research—would sponsor an animal medical center."
Han Na-hyuk, who'd been suspicious, nodded.
Seeing it, Namgung Hyun smiled faintly and continued.
The more Namgung Hyun spoke, the more Han Na-hyuk leaned forward.
He liked the vision.
Lee Jun felt the same.
"Your ideas align with mine somewhat. Someday, I want to turn Our Yard Shelter into something like Germany's Tierheim."
Tierheim—meaning "animal home"—was known as the world's most advanced shelter.
"I figured. Impressive folks."
"Not really. We volunteers at Our Yard Shelter don't talk about it, but we share the goal."
"Makes sense. You can't see those kids and not think that way."
Before long, the three shared a vision and planned ahead.
"You're liking this more than me, huh?"
"It's great. An animal medical center like that would be awesome. Stress levels for the animals would drop big time."
"Right? That's exactly what I want to build. By the way, I looked into it: this director's unmatched at endoscopy?"
"Spot on. Our Director Lee's exceptional."
"No, plenty better than me."
Lee Jun waved it off.
Han Na-hyuk beamed at him proudly.
"You did your homework. Director Lee's not just endoscopy—surgery too, top-notch."
"Haha, really? Makes me want him even more."
Namgung Hyun, hungrier for Lee Jun, racked his brain. Make it happen.
He leaned in.
"Director Lee, what if you headed the endoscopy center just one day a week?"
Namgung Hyun couldn't let go and asked again.
"Hmm..."
"Crass, but I'll make it worth your while."
"Jun-ah, that's good. If you join, it'd be great."
"Senior, you're considering his offer?"
"If you come aboard, yeah. Working with you again after so long..."
"One day a week? I'll think about it."
"For real?"
"Seriously?"
Han Na-hyuk and Namgung Hyun asked at once.
"It's all about saving lives. But I have a condition."
He'd scouted for likability, but turns out top talent too.
Namgung Hyun's eyes lit up, eager to keep ties.
"Name it. I'll meet most demands."
"Our Yard Shelter. You saw: every volunteer trip, I haul equipment. And the surgery room's inadequate."
Lee Jun grinned at Namgung Hyun.
"So here's the deal: build an animal hospital next to Our Yard Shelter."