Chapter 134
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Schedule Shifts and Soccer Moms
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Just before Seol Yuhee requested to shorten her working hours.
The employee with the shortest hours at our clinic was Jin Minjeong.
She had firmly stated from the start that she couldn't do night shifts because she had to look after her kids in the evenings.
"Balancing work and childcare must be tough, right? And since you can't even do PT sessions, Minjeong, your stamina must really take a hit."
Gong Nari said.
Jin Minjeong's eyes widened round as if to say, what are you talking about?
Hmm, whatever she wanted to do, it probably wasn't about stamina.
If we were talking pure innate physical prowess, even including me, Jin Minjeong was the best here.
"Not at all. Actually... I've wanted to increase my hours a bit for a while now. But since someone else would have to cut back if I took on more, I couldn't bring it up."
"Oh my, you should have said so sooner! Having an extra pair of hands during the busy times would be great!"
Jin Minjeong scratched her head.
"Night shifts are okay too? What about picking up the kids?"
"Yes. They both started taekwondo together, so my husband picks them up after work, and it all lines up perfectly. And since my incentives have been better than expected... he even brought it up first. He said he'd handle dinner if needed."
"Ahh."
Her husband was a civil servant, right?
If she ramped up her hours like Seo In-ae and added night shift bonuses, she might even out-earn him.
We had raised the base pay in the job posting, but the incentive pay based on patient numbers was almost never capped.
"It's all thanks to you, Director. My son has gotten so much more energetic since taking the Gyeongokgo. I thought he'd quit taekwondo after a week when he first wanted to try it."
"That's great. If he's even getting into the fun of it, he'll grow up even more responsible."
"Ahh, I hope so!"
At that moment, Seol Yuhee, who had been listening anxiously from the side, chimed in.
"Then Minjeong can just cover the hours I'm cutting?"
"I'd love to, if the director approves."
"No reason not to. It's way better than having a newcomer adjust—Minjeong's already doing great."
"Thank you!"
"I'm the thankful one."
And just like that, in perfect harmony, we wrapped up the staff schedule adjustments.
The start of the new system.
To avoid confusion, I posted a notice on the elevator directing people to different floors based on their appointment facts and doctors.
I guided Hwang Sanghun and Lee Areum, as well as the staff, on the new routes and took every precaution against mix-ups.
But unexpected issues could always pop up.
So I decided to come in even on my days off for a while.
Especially since Lee Areum, new to treating patients solo, might have urgent questions for me.
"Hmm, she struggled a bit with deep ligament injections... Wonder if there's an easier way to explain it?"
I had planned to casually play some games and relax, but once at the clinic, that went out the window.
After getting feedback from Jeon Minji and Lee Areum on the manuals, I wanted to supplement the parts that weren't clear enough.
With more people now, summarizing our study sessions would be helpful too.
Ah, and next week it's my turn to present again?
"Maybe I should write a book?"
It'd be better if more people could reference it, not just us.
Sometimes materials compiled for training in other networks got turned into books.
Some targeted Korean medicine doctors unfamiliar with specific conditions, others were for patients.
"Oh."
Whipping up a table of contents on the spot, it actually looked pretty solid.
Time to push this forward.
Choo Miyeong and Kim Chunsik contributed a lot too, so I should ask if they want to be co-authors next time.
Before I knew it, time had flown by while working.
I headed upstairs and peeked in.
Hwang Sanghun was fine, no worries there.
But how was Lee Areum doing?
"Huh?"
The waiting room was packed with female patients.
Our clinic always had its share of grandmas, but seeing about ten women in their 30s and 40s lined up was a rare sight.
"Where are they from?"
I quietly asked Jin Minjeong at the desk.
"Jeong Jihwan's here, right? He runs a soccer academy, and these are members of the women's soccer team."
Jeong Jihwan—the guy with the torn ankle ligament?
"Oh, so they're all brought by Jeong Jihwan? Was there a match today?"
"Not exactly... Seems Lee Areum got friendly with him and joined the team. They're all specifically requesting her and waiting."
"Wow."
"Not just any E-grade, huh?"
"Nope..."
I seriously hadn't expected her to pull in patients right away!
Once you're used to it, you can handle consultations efficiently with just the essentials, but beginners get swept up in patients' stories.
Needling alone takes two or three times longer at first.
So I'd planned to ease her in by passing only walk-ins who saw the sign, building her patient load slowly.
But if she's bringing them in herself, what can you do?
I was surprised when Hwang Sanghun brought one from the gym, but ten? Incredible.
'Should I have joined an early morning soccer league myself...'
Thinking back to the early days when location issues had us scrambling for patients, my jaw dropped.
"Aigoo, Jiseon, your back hurts like this? How did you run around today? I'll take good care of you!"
Hmm, she's doing fine—better not interrupt.
I quietly headed back downstairs to focus on organizing materials.
She'll call if she needs me!
Two Wednesdays later.
On the day Lee Areum and I were both working, Jeong Jihwan came in.
[Jeong Jihwan has been seeing Director Lee, so switch his primary doctor.]
They'd gotten close enough for her to join soccer, and his records showed he wanted her treatment, so I approved the change.
[He wants Director Han today, then Director Lee from next time.]
But he came down to the third floor.
"Aigoo, sorry. Time slipped away. Thanks to you, Director, my ankle's so much better. Wanted to tell you personally today."
"Ah~ Got it. I'll treat you well today. Ankle seems wrap-up ready—next time something acts up, don't hesitate to see whoever's most comfortable! Director Lee's amazing too."
"Yes, yes. Thank you."
He brought muffins as a thank-you gesture, got treated, and left.
At lunch, I shared the muffins with the staff and told them the story.
"Ah... I chatted a bit too much, so they came on my day! Sorry!"
"What for? Returning patients are a win for me. Bring tons more and build that load~ You play soccer too?"
"Yep! While treating him, he mentioned the women's team and said my sisters would love it, so I went to check it out and ended up joining!"
"Perfect. Must've been boring in Busan with no team ties."
"Meeting patients outside..."
"No issue at all. Do what feels right."
Some workplaces ban that, but ours? I wasn't one to talk.
"Good thing your off days are Mon/Wed/Fri. Matches are those days too, right?"
Off days at the soccer academy, hanging with the crew...
"Records show their issues vary a lot? Great chance—treat 'em well. Hit a snag anytime, just say."
"Yes!"
No need to push; Lee Areum dove in with full passion for the soccer academy patients.
Naturally, some moved from gratitude to awe, and a few brought friends.
[Director Lee is so thorough. Went when busy, no rush or annoyance—she really empathized. Dermatologists just slap on meds and push 10 management sessions. Here, she even recommended shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis. Acne cleared up tons on the meds too...]
One even left a long blog review.
Thanks to that, patients piled up fast.
Lee Areum settled into Seongsu Clinic way quicker than I'd figured.
"Um, Director."
But unknowns always crop up.
"Yes, what's up?"
One day, during a lull, Lee Areum sought me out.
"Could you teach me iliopsoas deep needling?"
I'd felt a twinge of jealousy at how well she handled things solo, but everyone has their sticking points!
"Of course! But why the iliopsoas? Tough patient not improving?"
She'd asked about specific conditions before, but suddenly deep muscle needling? Kinda out of left field.
"Yes! Kim Jiseon, from the soccer team. Thomas test positive, so iliopsoas issue fits, but my needling's off—hasn't budged after a few sessions. ...Should I pass her to you?"
"Nah. If she's on the team, she knows you're new, right?"
"Yes, I told her it's my first job..."
Lee Areum nodded.
If she knows the experience gap, showing her I'm learning too is fine.
"Then tell her to come around closing. I'll demo on her."
"That okay?"
"If she's cool with it! If not, pass her over—no biggie."
"Yes! Thank you! I'll ask!"
Kim Jiseon.
She was a 34-year-old mom of two kindergarten boys, married young.
Her sons were hyper non-stop.
Vacation meant morning soccer camps then afternoon regular classes—she was all-in on soccer.
Boys that age go nuts for soccer anyway, so Kim Jiseon didn't mind.
If anything, they came home drained—bonus.
"Mom, play soccer with us!"
"Mom's not gonna."
"Tae-young and Jin-su's moms play! Moms' group in morning camp!"
But one day, the boys started begging her to join.
"No tantrums!"
"Aww, but we want Mom with us!"
"Win the kindergarten English speech contest, and I'll play!"
Never done sports.
Obviously refused at first.
"..."
"Might as well join in, honey. Good for you to exercise with the moms?"
The second son actually won a prize.
So she reluctantly started soccer.
"Pass!"
"Hey, hey! Here!"
"Whoa, Ji-hoon's mom, first time? You're a natural!"
Surprisingly fun?
Heard her son was soccer whiz—maybe it ran in the blood?
Running, sweating, cheers—it felt amazing.
She hit every class and even popped into after-parties.
"Ah, Jin-su's mom on parental leave?"
"Yep~ Back next year!"
"Tae-young's mom worked too?"
"Kinda? Not as solid a career as Jin-su's mom~ Just mart part-time!"
"Aigoo, with two kids? Impressive!"
"Part-time's manageable. Ji-hoon's mom, why not try?"
"Me?"
Kim Jiseon's work history? Just a brief convenience store gig in her early 20s.
Mart similar? Cashier seemed doable...
"Maybe?"
Intrigued, she followed Tae-young's mom into mart part-time.
Three hours a day—not too bad!
Total miscalculation.
"37,900 won."
"Forgot the razor."
"Eek, sorry! One moment!"
"Why's this line so slow?"
"Sorry! Self-checkout available~!"
"Who're you to boss me on self?"
Three hours felt like a breeze? Nope—peak hours.
No sitting, constant frenzy for Kim Jiseon.
"Ugh... Whew!"
Shelving easier?
Better than cashier chatter, but constant lifting wore on her back.
Nothing super heavy, age maybe?
No issue in her 20s!
"Ow ow..."
"Work tough?"
"I'll adjust. Ugh, honey, rub my back."
Few days, it'd pass. Adjust.
So she thought.
But every lift twinged back, now groin too?
Time for a hospital? Debating.
"Hello~ I'm Lee Areum, joining Mon/Wed/Fri starting today!"
A newbie arrived at the soccer academy.