Chapter 73
Chapter 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: New Equipment Satisfaction
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ever since opening Meongmeong Animal Hospital, Lee Jun had been living a deeply satisfying life.
The environment that allowed for early diagnosis was especially gratifying.
Examining the physical conditions of animals that came in for simple preventive care, like vaccinations or heartworm treatments, was exactly what he'd hoped for.
And after gaining the ability to converse with animals, his satisfaction level hit an all-time high.
The difference between information from guardians and what he heard directly from the animals themselves was like night and day.
Because of that, he'd never really felt the lack of proper diagnostic equipment up until now.
Plus, there hadn't been any major cases.
But after handling that traffic accident case not long ago, Lee Jun had truly felt the absence of advanced tools.
"Big Brother, you're bringing in a C-arm, right?"
"Yeah, I think we need one."
"Makes sense. Gotta have it for surgeries."
"And I'm thinking about getting a LigaSure too."
"LigaSure? You mean the thing that seals vessels right after you cut?"
"Exactly. If we'd had that, we could've stopped the bleeding way faster."
"With the speed you tie off vessels, I doubt it'd make much difference."
As Go Gi-jin said, Lee Jun's surgical speed was incredibly fast. And precise.
"Still, it minimizes tissue damage, and recovery's quicker."
"Fair point. So, Big Brother, how thick a vessel does it handle?"
"Up to 7mm in diameter."
"Whoa, that's impressive."
While Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin were chatting, the equipment supplier arrived.
"Director Lee, long time no see."
"Hello, President Shin. You're coming in person? Aren't you busy?"
"Haha, when Director Lee calls, how could I not?"
"You've got a real talent for making people feel good."
Lee Jun chuckled as he replied.
"Haha, glad to hear it. This place always feels so cozy, no matter when I visit. No wonder the guardians love it. Speaking of which, where are those Haenguni Pockets stars...?"
President Shin scanned the hospital. His gaze settled on one spot, and a smile bloomed on his face.
"Oh! There they are."
He hurriedly opened his bag and pulled something out.
Holst treats.
Holding the treat pouches in both hands, President Shin headed toward the cat tower.
"Gray, Shadow, Uncle brought these just for you!"
The cats, who had been eyeing the new arrival, perked up.
But their gazes soon shifted to Lee Jun.
He nodded and said,
"Go ahead and eat. He's a good guy."
The moment he spoke, the cats leaped down and approached President Shin.
"Wow, they're even cuter and prettier in person than on MeTube."
That was when it happened.
The cats let out a sharp hiss.
"Huh? Hey, what's wrong, kids? These are your favorites!"
Sensing their displeasure, President Shin panicked.
"They like being called cool and awesome."
"Oh, right! The Haenguni Pockets fans mentioned that."
He quickly corrected himself.
"Gray and Shadow, you two look so cool and awesome."
Meowrowr!
Gray and Shadow snatched the treats from his hand, then rubbed against his legs.
"Cu— I mean, so cool!"
President Shin asked Lee Jun,
"Could I trouble you for a photo?"
"Sure, one sec."
Lee Jun immediately checked with the cats.
Meow!
Meowrowr!
They were thrilled, so he snapped a picture of President Shin with them.
"Were you hoping to meet them and get a photo, President Shin?"
"Haha, can't deny it. The staff all wanted to come, but I insisted."
He smiled at the cats.
"All my employees are Haenguni Pockets fans. When they heard about your order, Director Lee, it was chaos—everyone fighting to come. No one would yield, so I came to keep it fair. Hahaha."
"Doesn't sound all that fair."
"That's why I ordered coffee and snacks for them to sneak out. Glad I did, though. Anyway, this goes in the surgery room, right?"
"Yes. Is it the same model I used before?"
"Oh, the image quality's been upgraded a bit. Much clearer now. This is like the one from your old hospital..."
President Shin turned on a tablet and showed Lee Jun footage of the C-arm in action.
"Yeah, definitely sharper."
"Right? All the directors who've switched recently say it's a huge improvement."
"Good to know. Go ahead and install that one, and show me the LigaSure too."
"Got it."
"And maybe a laser therapy unit."
Lee Jun ordered surgical tools and treatment devices that wouldn't take up space.
***
Three days later, all the new equipment Lee Jun wanted was fully installed.
Go Gi-jin marveled as he stroked Gray, who lay on the treatment table receiving laser therapy.
"There's so much great stuff out there these days. Who'da thought even these little guys could get laser treatments?"
"It works on large animals too."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Surgeries are tougher on big animals. It's great for ones with severe skin damage or bad arthritis."
"Oh! I should tell Dad about this."
Wearing protective glasses to block the laser, Go Gi-jin closely observed Gray lounging comfortably.
Just then, a pleased rumble escaped Gray's throat.
[Feels real good!]
"Does it? How so?"
Lee Jun, who'd always been curious about laser therapy's effects, asked Gray.
[The stinging's all gone.]
Lee Jun's brow furrowed slightly at Gray's words.
"You mean the surgical site?"
[Yeah.]
"Has it been hurting the whole time?"
[No. It stings a little when water falls from the sky.]
He meant rainy days.
And it had rained pretty hard the night before.
"It was fine otherwise?"
[...Yeah.]
Gray lay sprawled, basking in the warm laser glow with a relaxed expression.
Shadow followed, lying under the laser.
Wearing glasses to shield his eyes, Shadow freaked out.
[Oh no! I can't see!]
"Take 'em off and you can. See?"
Lee Jun removed the glasses, and Shadow sighed in relief.
[Phew, I'm alive. Thought I went blind again.]
"As if. But Shadow, keep your eyes closed while wearing these. Got it?"
[These are glasses? Okay.]
Shadow loved the treatment too.
[Warm and toasty. Nice.]
The cats, hooked on the laser, would plop under it whenever they could, begging Lee Jun to turn it on.
They even bragged about it to visiting animal friends.
[Put on glasses and lie down—gets all warm here.]
[Yep. Fixes the pokey pains after.]
[Shadow's right. No more hurt here.]
[I used to ache there sometimes, but not anymore.]
Gray pointed to his leg, Shadow to his back.
[No pain? For real?]
Ttangkongi perked up at their talk.
[Yep.]
[Oho, wonder if it'd fix mine.]
Ttangkongi eyed his front leg.
Overhearing while chatting with Ttangkongi's guardian, Lee Jun went over and sat by him.
"Ttangkongi, does it hurt here?"
He pointed to the front ankle.
[Yup.]
"A lot?"
[Not really. Just pokes after rain like yesterday.]
"Want to try the laser, Ttangkongi?"
[Sounds good.]
Lee Jun had just been discussing the laser therapy unit with Ttangkongi's guardian.
The guardian had seen the explanatory video playing on the waiting room monitor and asked about it.
Noticing Ttangkongi occasionally lifting his front leg, wondering if it hurt.
"It's a trial period right now, so give it a go."
Jang So-ra chimed in from nearby.
"Really?"
"Yes. Director set it as a one-month trial. Just book appointments, and Ttangkongi can get two sessions a week."
"Oh..."
Ttangkongi's guardian beamed at Lee Jun.
"Thank you, Director."
Lee Jun smiled back.
He'd chosen a one-month trial for a simple reason.
Laser therapy didn't produce dramatic results from just one or two sessions.
It wouldn't make a disc patient jump up and run, nor heal torn skin perfectly overnight.
Treated animals would feel less pain and itch, of course.
But Lee Jun wanted to hear it straight from them.
Vivid testimonials. That's what he craved.
And he had another hope, voiced by Jang So-ra.
"If Ttangkongi sees results, please spread the word."
"Oh, of course. Absolutely."
Even the best treatment was useless without the animals' cooperation.
Depending on the site—back, shoulders, ears, front legs, rear legs, neck—positions varied to target the laser precisely.
It didn't hurt, but they had to stay still for 5 to 10 minutes.
At Meongmeong Animal Hospital, that was possible.
No need to restrain them forcibly.
"Amazing. He hates anyone touching his ears, but he just lies there with glasses on while we zap them."
The guardian laughed, holding the finished pup.
"Ours too—hates showing his belly. But look at him now, totally relaxed."
Another guardian chuckled at the monitor nearby.
Word-of-mouth from regulars seeing results brought a surge of new patients to Meongmeong Animal Hospital, busier than usual.
The quiet, orderly atmosphere remained.
Even rowdy newcomers settled quickly after a word from the cats or resident animals.
It stayed peaceful unless something major happened.
Go Gi-jin peered out the window.
"Rain keeping folks away? Extra quiet today."
"It's always quiet."
"True, but quiet with cute critters around ain't the same as empty and echoey."
"Fair."
Rain had started that morning, so Gray and Shadow holed up in the cat tower's hiding house, sleeping.
"Days like this, quiet's nice."
Jang So-ra walked up beside Lee Jun, gazing out the window.
"Yeah, more bad comes with customers in this weather."
"Definitely. On downpours like this, better to call it a wash and chill."
Lee Jun approached the cats. Gray peeked out once, then buried his head again.
Shadow did the same.
"Want laser?"
[Lemme sleep.]
[Not now.]
The ones who'd normally bolt for it didn't even lift their heads.
"Fine, sleep then."
Lee Jun petted them and headed to the exam room.
"Come on, Teacher Go. Let's watch some surgery footage."
To help Go Gi-jin, who lacked small animal experience, Lee Jun shared recorded surgeries, explaining techniques whenever possible.
"Righty-o."
Go Gi-jin followed.
That was when—
Gray and Shadow bolted up from the hiding house, yelling.
[Someone's coming!]
[Running!]
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin dashed to the door together.
"Emergency!"
"Emergency?"
Go Gi-jin flung the door open.
A drenched man rushed in.
"P-please check our Mongsil. I think his leg's broken."
At the same time—
Yelp! Yelp... Eeee!
The tiny pup in his arms shed tears like chicken droppings, screaming in pain.