Chapter 136
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Study Group and Prenatal Consultation
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"…So, I believe that distinguishing between substance and form is incredibly important."
-Oh, there are definitely many aspects we can utilize!
-Thanks again for today's study session!!
A study session via video conference, where all the branch directors of the network gathered.
They always said there was no need for everyone to attend, but oddly enough, no one had ever missed it without an unavoidable reason.
"Right, how about we compile the manual and our study notes into a book?"
I brought up the idea I'd had in mind as soon as the study wrapped up.
- Sounds great.
- I'm fine with it.
- Are you planning to organize it all yourself, Director?
Fortunately, Hwang Sanghun, Kim Chunsik, and Chu Miyoung—who had been there from the start and contributed a lot—nodded in agreement.
- !
Yi Areum clapped excitedly from across the screen.
I'd already shared the entire manual with them anyway. The study materials were going to be 100% open within the network, no need to hoard them.
I answered Chu Miyoung's question first.
"Right?"
- I'll help you out!
"Sure, I'd appreciate the help, but no need to push yourself when you're so busy. The materials are already solid. I'll make sure to list all co-authors properly."
- Come on, you're the busiest one! Let me do it!
- I'll join in too.
- I might not be much help, but... I can handle the design and layout! Let me know if you need illustrations!
Huh? I hadn't expected this many volunteers.
Chu Miyoung and Hwang Sanghun made sense, but even Yi Areum was stepping up to help with anything.
She must be swamped just adapting to her own work.
Hmm, turning down their offers too much might be rude.
"Thanks, everyone. Director Yi, feel free to pitch in once you're settled. It'll take a while to put the manuscript together anyway."
- Got it!
"Great job today, as always. Nothing else to report?"
We'd covered the study and handled the agenda item I'd planned to bring up.
I could end the call now with no issue, but everyone seemed reluctant—no one moved to hang up.
- That patient I mentioned last time, Shin Heeju? She finally came to our clinic, and her complexion was so much better! She even said her periods are back!
Chu Miyoung jumped in eagerly, mentioning a patient who'd given her headaches for a while.
She was the one with the eating disorder we'd eventually transferred to me after much deliberation.
Guess she stopped by for treatment since Daegu was close.
"That's wonderful news."
- Director Han, could you share some tips on convincing patients without appetite? If she'd come to me, I might've lost my temper and broken my usual restraint...
"It's not exactly my specialty either, but if you want, I can tell you what worked for me."
- Thanks. ...Oh, right! I have a dilemma too. Remember that patient from last time? The artist Cheonwonil. He offered me a painting as a gift—should I accept?
Huh? That didn't sound like a dilemma; more like bragging.
Ahem, I'd gotten one too, after all.
"What's the problem? We're not public servants."
- He could probably whip one up casually, but he's famous for selling them at high prices. Feels burdensome.
"Oh?"
I paused mid-conversation with Kim Chunsik.
Right.
Even as a newcomer, Seongmyeongin was one thing, but Cheonwonil was a hugely famous painter.
"...That's a problem. I already said yes without thinking."
- He offered you one too? That makes me feel a bit better.
No, didn't that mean I should back out too?
Grandma Heo Sun-nam had asked if it was okay to give me one, and I'd said of course!
She'd even said she'd bring it up to Seoul in her car next time, and I'd agreed.
Had I given it zero thought?
- How's branch 4 doing~?
As my mind spun with thoughts of the painting, Chu Miyoung changed the subject.
Come to think of it, was it going well? Their SNS was active, and franchise fees were the highest among branches... but were they actually profiting?
- Haha...
Yu Kyung-hun, who'd been unusually quiet today, let out a sigh as his branch came up.
"Director Yu, got something on your mind? Not as many patients as expected?"
The answer came from Jeon Minji.
- We've got plenty of locals now. But tourists are overwhelming—way more than we thought. Even Chinese and Japanese lately?
- You're charging full price, right?
- Travelers don't qualify for insurance anyway, so yes. Constitution check and 10-min consult for 50,000 won, acupuncture 50,000 won. And they're still flooding in!
"Really?"
Foreigners willing to shell out 100,000 won just for a consult and treatment...?
People do spend freely on overseas trips, but still pricey.
Well, opportunities for health advice from the Heavenly Demon don't come often.
- That's tricky. Hard to turn them away.
Kim Chunsik tried to empathize with their plight, but...
- So I'm wondering if I should learn Chinese.
- ...?
Yu Kyung-hun's concern was something else entirely.
- Minji knows a bit of Japanese, but neither of us speaks Chinese. They're not just casual tourists—they're serious about consultations. Having a guide translate every time wastes half the appointment, and it's embarrassing. But who knows how long the Chinese influx will last...
Ah.
Got it. That made sense.
"Can't hurt to learn."
- Heh, hehe... How about the main branch? All good?
"Eh, nothing special."
- We're still adjusting to the new setup. No major issues.
- You're busy teaching me! I'll work hard!
"Oh, we do have one unusual patient. Asked for prenatal tonics."
Not big news, but we often shared cases like this, so I mentioned the one that came to mind.
As expected, Kim Chunsik's eyes lit up.
- Oh! Rare these days—nice! Maybe one or two a year. Back in the day, pregnant women prepped Bul-su-san ahead of time.
"One or two a year? First one since I opened."
- Prenatal tonic patient? Haven't seen one lately. Who referred her?
Hwang Sanghun asked curiously.
"A friend of actress Park Se-seon. Hasn't come yet—next Monday, she said?"
- Friend of Park Se-seon? A celebrity? Should we clear the third floor...? Name?
"Nam Hyun-jung, I think. No special requests."
Even if there were, emptying a whole waiting room during clinic hours would be overkill.
Maybe after hours for extra fee.
- ?!
- ?
- ?
- ????
Suddenly, everyone's mouths dropped open.
Their faces practically screamed, "What did you say?"
Ah, seriously—do some research on celebrities!
I pulled out my phone and searched the name.
"KR Hotel vice president? KR... Korean Air?"
Up popped the chaebol second-gen from the massive conglomerate with hotels and airlines.
- I-is that the Nam Hyun-jung? Common name—sure it's not a doppelganger?
Yi Areum's eyes trembled.
If it were just any referral, you'd assume that, but...
"The referrer's chaebol too."
Park Se-seon's friend—had to be her.
Monday.
Nam Hyun-jung—the exact one from the portal search—arrived right on time for her appointment.
"Hello!"
"Hello. Se-seon referred me."
I greeted her warmly as always, but her expression was stiff as a board.
She looked like she'd stepped straight out of her ID photo.
The black dress made her seem even paler than the picture.
"I wasn't planning on kids, but it happened suddenly. I'm thrilled, but as a geriatric pregnancy, I'm worried."
Her words conveyed emotion, but her face didn't twitch.
Geriatric? Chart said full 40 years old. Even with trends of later first births, that qualified.
"Must've been tough coming all the way here at full term."
I almost asked how she made it to Busan, then stopped.
What did distance matter to someone with private jets?
"Had to. You need to check my pulse anyway."
Nam Hyun-jung extended her hand smoothly.
Hmm, straight to pulse— that type.
I closed my eyes briefly and took her pulse.
As I'd mentioned last weekend, pulses revealed quite a bit.
"Sluggish pulse. Soft and even, but a bit slow."
"No major issues?"
"Normally, no. Shows up when you're healthy, illness isn't severe, or energy's low. But in pregnancy, you should have fetal pulse—springy and unbroken even under pressure, like a lively slippery pulse. The baby pressing on the uterus causes it."
"Oh my."
"Your energy is very—very—deficient. Feeling fatigued subjectively? You look fine outwardly."
Her lips finally twitched upward slightly.
"Something like that. I push through what I can, but as the person in charge, I can't fully rest."
"Nine months and you've been working? You need absolute bed rest!"
"Just essential remote work."
"Sigh... Okay. Maximize bed rest. I'll prescribe stronger tonics than standard prenatal formulas to boost your energy."
"Please do. My limbs feel completely limp."
Qi and blood dual deficiency from overwork.
Childbirth already drains massive energy and blood; starting deficient like this was rough.
I wanted to lecture, but she didn't seem the type.
Not critical, so this would do.
I explained what meds could help.
"Standard prenatal formulas exist. Dal-saeng-san and Bul-su-san—heard of them?"
"Yes. My mom and aunt took them. Dal-saeng-san shortens labor a lot for first-timers, I hear."
Dal-saeng-san (Reaching Birth Powder), or Suk-tae-eum (Fetus-Reducing Decoction), lived up to its name: smooth, quick delivery for the last month.
Mainly supplements qi/blood, reduces swelling in mother and fetus.
Obvious you need qi/blood for strength; prevents narrow birth canal from fat/edema, helps fetal swelling in amniotic fluid.
"You've done your homework."
I'd prepped explanations, even citing studies: average first-time labor 7h15m vs. 4h22m with Dal-saeng-san.
"Mom insisted. I want to avoid dystocia too. Safe for my constitution?"
"Childbirth drains everyone; no real contraindications. Base formula with additions/subtractions."
She nodded.
"What about Dan-nok-yong-tang? I hear doctors prefer it over Bul-su-san."
Another formula name.
Thorough research.
"Bul-su-san uses danggui and chunggung for smooth contractions. Dan-nok-yong-tang is intense deer antler decoction for explosive strength. You need both—not choose one. Was going to suggest adding lots of nokyong to Bul-su-san anyway."
Bul-su-san (Buddha's Hand Powder): like Buddha gently pushing for easy birth—classic.
Dan-nok-yong-tang: single-ingredient deer antler, boiled strong. Drink a 5-day dose at once for major boost.
"Top rec: amp ginseng/white atractylodes in Dal-saeng-san, add nokyong; prep ahead, then Bul-su-san w/nokyong. Appetite low?"
"...Yes. Se-seon ate everything during hers; nothing appeals to me."
"Definitely amp it up. I'll help maximize energy pre-birth. Issue: cost varies by nokyong amount."
I pulled out the decoction price list.
Usually flat rate regardless of ingredients, but nokyong's different.
Too pricey, varies by part (antler base vs. tips).
Recommend full, but cut back if budget issue.
"Don't worry about money—best meds possible."
But Nam Hyun-jung didn't glance at the list.
Calmly waved it off, face blank as when she arrived.
Ah, right—chaebol.