Chapter 153
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Clinic Runs Like Clockwork
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Hwang Sanghun handled everything smoothly even without Han Yeowon around.
"Director, thank you again today! It feels so refreshing. Thanks to you, my trapezius is improving day by day!"
"There's definite improvement even during palpation. Visual changes should show up soon."
"Yes, I think so!"
Take Kim Hye-young, for example, who was receiving treatment for trapezius knots.
She had been coming in daily lately and was initially troubled to hear Han Yeowon would be on vacation for a week, but she soon grew satisfied with Hwang Sanghun's care.
"Aigoo~ Our Director Han always knows exactly where to press without me saying a word! Right here, right here~!"
Of course, some patients still missed her.
But if they kept coming back despite the complaints, it couldn't have been that bad.
"Director, I need to adjust my schedule because of Yu-hee's mock exam. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Just let me know who'll cover for you, and I'll calculate the pay and leave it ready."
"Thank you."
"Director! The insurance company sent a payment hold fax, and the date is..."
"I'll give them a call."
He not only managed the usual consultations but also filled the gaps in billing, HR, and other non-clinical tasks.
Back when he was hired, she never imagined he could handle it all.
How do you set up the facilities? How do you recruit staff?
But thanks to Han Yeowon trusting him, teaching him bit by bit, and sharing most of the operations, he now had a rough idea of how the clinic ran.
'Does that mean I should go open my own place?'
Opening his own clinic was a whole different story, though.
He kept insisting he'd work as vice director for life, but sometimes he suspected she was dropping hints for him to leave.
If he had to open one...
'Maybe in the countryside? The grannies seem to love me the most.'
If it was too far, they'd only see each other via video calls.
He couldn't open a network clinic right nearby either.
...Who knows. He just wanted to stick around.
He'd have to talk it out openly when she got back.
"Oh, Director Han Yeowon isn't here?"
"No, she's on vacation through this week and will be back next Monday. Just the male director today."
"Ahh, bad timing on my part."
Three days before Han Yeowon's return, on Friday.
Another patient arrived, referred to her.
'How does she keep getting these nonstop? I could never.'
Treating handoffs smoothly was one thing; getting patients to bring their own connections was another level.
Sure, he had some like that too, but none like Han Yeowon.
"Since I'm here, I'll see you anyway."
Having come from afar, this patient agreed to let him treat her.
He was used to routine cases by now, but referrals to Han still made him nervous.
They'd expect miracles, and if he disappointed them...
"Hello. I'm here for postpartum tonics. Do you know Nam Hyun-jeong? She got prenatal and postpartum meds here and raved about them."
Nam Hyun-jeong's referral, no less?
He hadn't met her personally, but that KR VP had such a heavy presence even just sitting in the waiting room.
The slight anxiety in his chest doubled.
Of course, every patient mattered equally.
But his hands trembled a little anyway.
"I see. How long ago was the birth?"
"Just two weeks."
"Ah, congratulations. You must have had it rough."
"Oh."
Despite the nerves, the words flowed naturally.
He'd seen plenty of postpartum cases, and it was one of the smoothest processes.
"Any discomforts since delivery? Fatigue, joint pain, depression, nausea—anything?"
"Everything's fine except the joint pain. My fingers and toes ache like crazy."
Hwang Sanghun regained his composure and nodded.
"During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin loosens joints and ligaments to help with birth. But it can linger postpartum and cause pain."
"Ahh."
"Since you came all this way, I'll prescribe something to ease the pain and support a healthy recovery."
"Yes, thank you!"
Thankfully, she responded well.
He calmly checked her symptoms, then showed the fee chart.
"Costs vary by deer antler part and amount..."
"Russian split antler is the best, right? Use as much as needed~."
Deer antler powder: 300g.
One month: 1.2 million won.
"I'll try a month first, and if it's good, do a few more."
"...Yes. We'll decide next month after follow-up."
The patient left the room very satisfied.
"What a gentle lady."
"Yeah. I was a bit scared since it was Nam Hyun-jeong's referral, but she's so friendly."
"She looked tense coming in, but you must've put her at ease."
"I didn't do anything special..."
"Come on, you're the trouble-killer. Even the notorious ones from nearby hospitals get won over after seeing you."
"Coincidence."
The staff praised him, but Hwang Sanghun was baffled.
This one wasn't particularly picky, but tricky patients did tend to warm up to him.
He just couldn't pinpoint when the shift happened.
And two days later, another postpartum patient showed up.
'No complaints or refunds, I hope?'
Something heavy sat on his chest.
The meds had just arrived—no effects or side effects yet?
Deer antler powder cost a fortune at wholesale; exchanges would be a nightmare...
"You were so kind and thorough the other day! I brought my husband and daughter for tonics too!"
But against his fears...
She'd brought referrals.
"Consistency is key for growth tonics, right?"
Plus, she prepaid a month's worth for her husband and six months for her daughter.
"I'll prescribe the best fit."
"You seem so reliable! Please take good care of us~. My daughter barely eats, so I'm worried sick."
* * *
"Oh, so that's why yesterday's sales topped ten million."
Over seven million in non-insured? He thought it was a zero input error.
Double-checked with Seo In-ae and Hwang Sanghun.
Seven million in herbal meds?
One family: six million prepaid, plus two more treatments.
Even during Hyun Ju-mi's promo boom, days like this were rare.
"Deer antler powder won't net huge margins. Six months prepaid..."
Still.
After a week off, seeing more than her Europe spending in the ledger?
She couldn't help but grin.
"Impressive... Do they even need me?"
At this auto-farm level, she could travel and just collect revenue.
"She's your referral originally. Without you, new patients would dry up."
Yeah, just daydreaming.
Not a total cutoff, but a CEO vanishing long-term? No company survives.
In mid-tier clans, the heir slacking lets the trusted second stab them in the back—old news.
"Oh, since it's your referral, we can skip it from your incentive."
"What nonsense! You consulted and prescribed!"
"They came expecting you... Oh, haven't prescribed yet—want to do it?"
Why the sudden confidence drop mid-stride?
Who debuffed him?
"What's up? Tough case?"
She checked the chart he was subtly pushing her way.
Textbook skinny girl, poor appetite, short for her age.
"Started with Boah Tang as base—low appetite, so ginseng; constipation, more angelica. Didn't want laxatives like rhubarb on a kid."
"Good call. Boah Tang's excellent."
What's the issue with a solid script?
Boah Tang boosted digestion with licorice, atractylodes, poria, citrus peel, etc., plus vitality from astragalus, goji, longan, angelica.
"Maybe simple Guirong Tang..."
"Hm, that's a gem too."
Guirong: equal dong quai and deer antler boiled.
These days, not so rare, but minimal ingredients can outperform complex ones sometimes.
"Oppa, no one 'right' answer for growth."
Can't compare A vs. B heights precisely.
No one knows max genetic potential or what it'd be without meds.
"True..."
That's why growth tonics were easy yet stressful.
"Look at the big picture. Chart shows way below genetic height formula, weight low too? These cases show changes with weight gain first."
Parents' heights: boys +13, girls -13, divide by 2 for estimate.
Growth charts show required cm now for target; big shortfall means external factors stunting.
Boost appetite if poor; teach nutrition.
Sleep issues? Fix root.
Treat diseases first, of course.
"Deer antler powder's top-tier—prescribe confidently."
"...Yeah. You taught me everything last time, but the big prepay's intimidating."
Not much different from priors, but he shrank anyway.
Cut ties now, but rich kid background—lavish spender? Why so timid?
"Great chance to track six months closely. Fighting!"
"Thanks. Not probation anymore, should handle solo, but sorry for asking so much."
"Nonsense. Ask anytime, any patient—no pressure!"
Hwang Sanghun teared up, touched.
...Why, really. Away too long?
"Oh, and video call tonight? You tired from subbing?"
"I'm fine, but you're jet-lagged—flew in yesterday."
"Not studying, just updates."
She'd done morning meditation—fresh.
Faint mafia-rich mental fatigue? Vanished at ledger.
Hm, she saw nothing.
Mafia black card? Not in modern Korea.
Italy: just tourism, business.
"I'll explain all at once later."
More eager to gush about Ricci's sponsored Italian doc—mouth itching.