Chapter 151
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Rome Clinic Plans and Roberto's Secret
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"It's not some secret technique or anything. It's all stuff they teach in school."
I waved my hand dismissively.
No mysterious Eastern arts here! My diagnostic methods don't stray far from standard Korean medicine practices.
...Well, it's not like there aren't any at all, but I can't exactly teach how to manipulate qi.
"Of course, we'll share simplified manuals and know-how with all the branch directors. We're aiming for consistent, high-quality medical care anywhere in the country... no, the world. If that doctor is serious about opening a Rome branch, we have to make sure they can provide the best treatment possible."
Chairman Ricci beamed brightly.
"That way, you and your son can get Korean medicine treatment anytime in Rome. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
It was quite a meaningful prospect.
Sure, there were predecessors who'd advanced acupuncture research even in Italy, but expanding my network overseas was a whole different level.
"But is this just your idea, Chairman? Does that doctor really want to open a branch? Is there demand for a Korean medicine clinic run by a doctor?"
"Hmm, they said it would probably be like a clinic-style Korean medicine practice in Korean terms."
According to Chairman Ricci, unlike in the U.S. where there are separate acupuncture certifications, Italian law apparently restricts acupuncture to licensed doctors only.
So, they planned to combine Western medical diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
"Ahh."
"And they said not to worry about promotion at all, since you'd handle it."
"That's very reassuring."
If he was speaking so confidently, it didn't seem like empty words.
He must have researched and planned it out, and with hundreds of hotels under his belt, he probably had real confidence.
We'd iron out the details later, but this was a chance to expand into Europe.
"As you know, graduate programs focus on research, not clinical diagnosis and treatment in Korean medicine. Since they haven't completed a Korean medical education program or obtained a Korean medicine license, it'll take more time and effort from both sides than training a deputy director."
I explained the Korean medical university curriculum.
Of course, Chairman Ricci wasn't expecting hands-on clinical training in a graduate program.
Medical school PhD programs aim to produce researchers, not practicing physicians, after all.
"I'm in Busan, but our Seoul branch director happens to be a former professor. I haven't talked to him yet, but if they come to study Korean medicine from overseas, I'm sure he'd help out. They could pursue their degree while studying there separately, and I'd assist as needed."
Still, if they visited Busan when I had time, I could teach them plenty.
"If it's already decided, don't worry about it. If not, I can recommend a lab at Korea University."
Separate from hands-on clinical training, I didn't oppose graduate school.
Having a degree matters a lot, anywhere in the world.
And if they'd been involved in papers since their student days, they must have real passion for research—unlike me.
Chairman Ricci was thrilled, of course.
He'd been hoping for advice on whom to contact anyway.
"If you give me their email, I'll reach out directly."
I wondered what kind of person they were. Someone who loved Eastern medicine as much as Chairman Ricci?
If the three of us ever met, it might get pretty lively.
In any case, Chairman Ricci firmly expressed his intent to proceed with the Rome branch opening and promotion.
And I agreed to provide recommendation letters and all necessary support to both the doctor and Chairman Ricci.
The other directors back in Korea would be shocked when I told them.
With that settled, we moved on to other topics.
"If you've come to Italy, you have to see an opera before you go."
We'd already hit the famous tourist spots, but he recommended must-sees too.
"Korean opera? Hmm... I'm no expert on performances. I've heard friends talk about going to traditional Korean musicals, but next time you visit, I'll ask around and let you know."
We chatted about Korean tourist spots and fun things to do.
"Whoa, I never thought I'd end up doing translation like this."
Minjeong said that as we finished eating and headed out.
True enough, it was amazing how a simple interpreting gig for one treatment had led to all this.
She even said she'd like to work at that doctor's clinic once it opened.
"Enjoy your meal?"
"Yeah. Did you have a good time with Roberto?"
We rode with Minjeong to meet up with Hwang Seoyeong.
"No... He wasn't there today. Must be his day off."
"Bummer."
"But I did get gelato!"
She said that, but disappointment was written all over Hwang Seoyeong's face.
Next up: shopping.
"It's way cheaper than in Korea. I've never bought any myself, but my friends always ask me to bring it back when they visit Korea."
Famous luxury brand stores lined the street.
In novels, this was where characters flaunt piles of designer goods, but one look at the price tags had me backing away.
Cheaper than Korea didn't mean cheap.
Hwang Seoyeong bought a few outfits and a bag.
I tagged along with her and just got a wallet as a souvenir.
"Thanks for the interpreting and guiding."
"No, I got paid by the chairman for the translation!"
"You brought your car and hung out with us for days."
"That was just us having fun together! I enjoyed it too...!"
"I want to give you a gift! Because I like it!"
I also got one for Minjeong, who'd put up with us for days.
She politely refused several times, but eventually picked out a card wallet.
"I got recommended this opera..."
"Oh, let's go, let's go!"
After shopping, we talked about the recommended opera, and luckily, there were seats available.
Do they perform almost every day? Amazed, we picked seats near the front from what was left.
"......"
Sung in Italian, I couldn't understand a word.
There were English subtitles off to the side, but reading them was a hassle, so I just felt it in my heart.
I didn't know much, but it was grand and awesome anyway.
"Great work today! Enjoy your dinner~!"
After the opera, Minjeong headed home for dinner.
We went back to the hotel.
"Wanna do ramen? I could go for some refreshing broth."
"Ooh, yeah."
We could've eaten out, but after days of rich food, instant ramen hit different.
Time to finally crack open the cup ramen I'd packed just in case.
"I need cola with my ramen... Does the hotel have a convenience store?"
Hwang Seoyeong said.
Cola should be easy to find in Italy, but not at the hotel, apparently.
"I think I saw a market in the alley on our way out yesterday. Not sure if it's still open."
"Let's check on the way back."
Unlike Korea, most shops closed early.
Just one alley off the main street, and it was pitch dark.
Hwang Seoyeong shivered and hugged her arms.
Maybe I should've told her to head to the hotel first.
"Where was it again...?"
Hwang Seoyeong looked around, while I pulled up the map app.
"Uh......"
A rustle and a small groan came from somewhere.
"Huh?"
"What's up?"
"I think there's someone over there?"
"People walk by sometimes, y'know."
As I approached, Hwang Seoyeong grumbled but followed.
It wasn't impassable, but something felt off.
"Oh my god!"
Up close, Hwang Seoyeong gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
A man was clutching his side, blood pouring from it.
"......"
I instinctively looked behind me.
It was just like a scene from that fantasy novel on the plane—a gladiator fleeing, bleeding, into a back alley.
But behind me stood perfectly modern 21st-century buildings.
And the man in front of me was no dream or hallucination.
Stark reality.
"Are you okay?!"
I snapped to attention.
Hwang Seoyeong checked his breathing and pulse.
His energy felt steady—no immediate life threat—but he'd lost a lot of blood.
"Ugh, uugh......"
"Wait, Roberto?!"
"You...?"
Someone whose face and name I knew.
How the hell did this happen?
"Stabbed in the side? We need to stop the bleeding now!"
"Ugh... Y-yeah."
"Don't just stand there—lie down!"
I laid a shopping bag under his waist and elevated the wound above heart level.
"Something for hemostasis..."
No gauze.
Clean cloth.
"Use this!"
Hwang Seoyeong tore open clothes from a shopping bag and handed them over.
"No, don't do it like that. I'll apply pressure."
I pried Roberto's awkwardly clutching hand away from his side and started direct pressure hemostasis.
He knew he needed to press but was scared of the pain, it seemed.
"Th-thank you."
"Looks like no internal organs hit, luckily. What happened? Did you call an ambulance?"
I pressed firmly to staunch the bleeding and asked Roberto.
Is Italian public safety this bad? Random street stabbing?
In the martial world, I'd seen this countless times.
In back alleys, even mountainsides—it happened whenever you let your guard down.
Back then, I'd have applied wound salve along with pressure like this, burned anesthetic incense for disinfection, and sutured it myself.
In Sichuan, I might've handed him off to another doctor.
Mainstream Korean medicine wasn't strong on surgical procedures, but the Tang family of Sichuan excelled in trauma care beyond anywhere in the Central Plains.
Not quite brain surgery like Hua Tuo boasted to Cao Cao, but they could extract and detoxify poisoned arrows like Guan Yu's.
They even saved martial artists stabbed in the gut.
- Where'd you learn suturing like that?
- It's a secret family technique passed down for generations.
That one line made anything possible in wuxia worlds.
The Tangs never questioned its origins, but I was curious.
No prior surgeon transmigrator, it seemed.
Eventually, meeting Potala Palace folks from Tibet cleared it up.
Tibetan medicine was advanced in surgery—suturing wounds, reconnecting bones, etc.
Sichuan being west of the Central Plains and near Tibet, maybe the Tang ancestors exchanged knowledge.
Anyway, that was martial world stuff.
Considering infection risks, he needed an ER for proper suturing.
"No!"
Roberto, who'd been lying still, shrieked at the mention of an ambulance.
"Shock?"
Hwang Seoyeong startled, but Roberto, catching "shock," denied it.
"Anyway, you haven't called one? Seoyeong, can you call?"
With both hands pressing, I asked her to do it.
"No police, absolutely not!"
His pale, blood-drained face repeated it desperately.
"No police, then. Just an ambulance..."
"No ambulance either. They'll ask how I got hurt at the hospital, and the doctor will report it."
He even reached out to snatch Hwang Seoyeong's phone.
"...? Are you a criminal?"
What could make him resist this hard?
Wanted man?
Hwang Seoyeong recoiled in shock at my words.
She grabbed my arm like she wanted distance from him.
Still, we had to stop the bleeding.
"......!"
Whether shocked by the criminal question,
or the wound,
or just the stabbing pain,
Roberto's face twisted in agony.
"I'm not a criminal......"
"Then what? Explain convincingly! As medical professionals, we have to treat you properly!"
As Hwang Seoyeong pressed again, he bit his lip hard.
If not a criminal, what reason? Super expensive medical bills in Italy?
"I'm... not a criminal, but......"
Roberto's follow-up was shocking.
"My father... he's a mafia boss."
......What?