Chapter 168
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: The Root of the Illness
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Even after a year as an intern at the university-affiliated Korean medicine hospital, and now over a year as vice director, it wasn't an exaggeration to say he'd more than settled in.
There weren't a few patients who sought out Hwang Sanghun specifically.
Yet he still didn't understand why the patients liked him so much.
He couldn't lead with the charisma and skill of his colleague and chief director, Han Yeowon.
Was it a lack of experience? Incomplete studies? He was cautious about distinguishing or guaranteeing cures for conditions that could be definitively healed.
He gave his all in treatments, rejoicing and sighing in relief each time a patient improved.
Unlike the new director, Lee Areum, who connected with every patient person-to-person and built rapport easily, small talk wasn't his forte either.
He simply did his best in the moment and tried to always be kind.
But his smiles and words sometimes felt mechanical.
Even so, there were always patients who liked Hwang Sanghun.
"You've dressed up nicely today."
Grandmas who lightened the burden of small talk with simple lines like that were plentiful.
"Oh, there's a little event in the neighborhood~."
He'd often learn what role she played in the local festival, how long she'd been doing it, and even what company her fellow grandmas' grandsons worked at.
Lee Heewon was one such patient.
"Aigoo~ My shoulders are so knotted up~."
She first came in for muscle pain, which cleared up after just two sessions.
Then a few weeks later, she returned with similar symptoms.
It was a common pattern for office workers and those with jobs prone to tension.
"Director~ Could you do some abdominal acupuncture today? My digestion's been off~."
One day, she requested gastrointestinal treatment.
"Your shoulders tense up often, and your overall tension seems high."
Reviewing her chart on the follow-up, Hwang Sanghun conducted a full physical exam.
He kneaded her shoulders, palpated the trapezius, and while she lay down for abdominal diagnosis, he pressed Danzhong, a key point for emotional disorders.
"Ugh."
"Looks like you're under a lot of stress."
It was a routine remark.
Just acknowledging it brought them a bit closer.
But Lee Heewon teared up at those words.
"Actually, my husband's cheating again~."
Hwang Sanghun was utterly flustered.
Usually, they'd just nod along, but he hadn't expected such a personal revelation.
"That must hurt deeply. Betrayal from a spouse... I can only imagine the pain."
"Yeah... After decades together, there's still more hurt to feel~."
Hwang Sanghun fumbled his response.
He offered awkward words of comfort and silently handed her tissues.
Yet the patient smiled gratefully.
"Truth is, he cheated twice when we were younger. The first time, he swore it was nothing, so I pretended not to know. But the second... I saw it with my own eyes."
And after that, Lee Heewon occasionally opened up about her personal life.
"I went to his mistress and talked her down nicely~. She has an elementary school kid and a family, so I asked her to end it. Thankfully, she listened, and my husband begged forgiveness~. Things were quiet for a few years after. Sure, trust as husband and wife was gone, but I figured we still had camaraderie for raising the kids safely."
"You say that, but your heart must have burned... ."
Of course, he couldn't fully understand.
But he tried.
Considering her age in her sixties, forgiving infidelity or deciding on divorce would have been worlds apart from today.
"I thought he'd settled down since no one else would have him. Retired now, so I figured we'd enjoy hobbies together sweetly! But no, he started cheating again in a hiking club?"
Sometimes she'd pound her chest in frustration.
"That must have been so hard. ...No words of mine will comfort you."
"Ayu~ Thanks for listening. I'm just being dramatic~."
"Please, speak freely. I'll do everything I can to help you live as comfortably as possible."
"Thank you. Loosen up my neck and shoulders today~. Headache too."
Her complaints shifted often.
Usually neck and shoulders, headaches, or poor digestion.
Some days it worsened to shortness of breath and palpitations.
Not full-blown panic like anticipatory anxiety, but her health was visibly deteriorating.
"What have I even lived for~ What's my life even about... ."
Depression was severe.
Food didn't go down well, she said.
"Would medicine help?"
Eventually, she asked for herbal consultation first.
"Symptoms will ease, but with ongoing stress, relapse or worsening is likely. I'm sorry I can't promise a full cure."
Hwang Sanghun was straightforward.
"I know. I don't expect total recovery... Please take care of me."
Thankfully, the herbs worked quickly.
Palpitations vanished soon, digestion improved noticeably.
With meds and acupuncture every day he worked, her condition steadily bettered.
"Feels about 70% better."
Just days after celebrating the recovery...
"Now he's openly staying out! He knows I'm pretending not to know even though I do!"
Lee Heewon bit her lip, venting her rage.
Her symptoms had regressed to near the starting point.
'Just get a divorce.'
The words rose to the tip of his tongue.
Even if alimony was meager, with their long marriage, property division could buy a small place.
He'd heard they'd each bought a studio in their names for retirement.
Rent from those plus part-time work should make ends meet.
Of course, that was Hwang Sanghun's view.
There were surely many reasons why Lee Heewon hadn't decided on divorce.
Others' stares might scare her more than her rotting heart watching her cheating husband.
Or unspoken financial issues.
'I told friends easily, but... .'
Once, his college buddy Kim Mingyu's ex had cheated, and everyone urged breakup.
But as doctor to patient, how far into private life could he intrude?
'Should I say something?'
To approach person-to-person sincerely...
Suggesting divorce, or at least separation, felt right.
'No, just treat the physical symptoms.'
But he couldn't be 100% sure divorce was best now.
And as her doctor, wasn't it overstepping to advise?
After agonizing alone, Hwang Sanghun...
"Part of me wants to say just divorce... but is it okay to even suggest that?"
...consulted Han Yeowon.
"Ah, this is really a tough one."
What kind of bastard is that?
Even cursing like that felt awkward, let alone suggesting divorce.
Not only was resolution unlikely from a doctor's words, but it could shatter rapport if she took offense.
"No right answer, but I'd say it."
Regardless of outcome, if there was a way to improve, I'd push it—that was her style.
Multiple chronic issues compounded by external physical and mental stress.
Uncontrollable factors dominated.
Like grief from a family death—nothing to do there.
Quitting, independence, divorce—all hard to tackle easily.
But surely better than sharing a home with the anger's source—divorce for freedom.
"He's acting that way because she sees him as a joke... Tsk, gather evidence and ambush when least expected."
"But she's never directly said she wants divorce. Maybe she just wants to vent."
"Could be, but then no need to listen to the venting."
"Ah?"
Knowing medical history and social background was key for treatment.
But endlessly listening wasn't a doctor's job.
A Korean medicine doctor's tools were limited.
Even psychiatrists' meds had bounds.
Counseling was cognitive behavioral therapy—accepting emotions, correcting behaviors—not just listening.
Pouring sincerity to help a bit was good, but honestly, with ongoing infidelity, big change was unlikely.
"Say it outright; if she chooses to stay, nothing more to do. Just keep treating symptoms maximally, like before."
"...I see."
"If too awkward, say something like 'To heal, divorce might be needed, but I can't strongly recommend it' and gauge reaction. Start that way when suggesting leave or resignation."
"Got it. Thanks."
Whew, just hearing it pissed her off.
Thought he was just shy, but with that backstory.
Hope she decides.
"Ah, want me to say it? Send her to me saying you're busy, and I'll build rapport."
"No, can't burden you that much. It's my hurdle to cross... and she's relying on me now, so I should talk."
True enough.
She'd come matching his schedule for months; unlikely to open up to others easily.
"Alright. Talk it out well. Honestly, even if serious, she might just laugh it off without offense."
Hwang Sanghun nodded.
And a few hours later.
Lee Heewon showed up as usual.
Normally, she wouldn't check upstairs visitors.
But curious, I pulled up her chart and drummed the desk.
Meanwhile, in the fourth-floor treatment room.
"Hello, how's the headache today?"
Hwang Sanghun started as usual, asking about symptom changes and condition.
"Was fine, but husband's got me furious again. Irritates me even seeing him, and overnight stays make it worse."
Lee Heewon's response was sharper than ever.
Hwang Sanghun steeled himself and spoke.
"I've thought a lot, and I hesitate to say this."
"Oh, yes, go ahead."
"To get better, don't we need to eliminate the root of the anger?"
He worried about her reaction even as he spoke.
"Kill my husband?"
Hers was far more intense than expected.
"Ah, no. Divorce."
"Oh, oh, right! Divorce! ...Sorry. I was imagining pounding him down! Ah, just imagination, of course!"
...Thought she was fragile, but she was plenty angry.