Chapter 170
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: The Older Brother's Visit
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Hwang Sanghun's eyes trembled like never before as he spoke of his mother.
"Want to grab dinner together tonight?"
When emotions run high, being alone only digs you deeper into an endless pit.
I invited Hwang Sanghun to eat.
"Ah, sure."
He accepted right away.
While I often checked on Lee Areum, I rarely ate alone with Hwang Sanghun.
We'd all gone out for lunch as a group sometimes, but... this was probably the first time since I'd shown up empty-handed in Busan?
"My mom is a bit... like Lee Heewon's husband in some ways."
I'd heard bits and pieces of Hwang Sanghun's family situation without meaning to.
To borrow Hwang Seoyeong's words, Director Hwangje was a control freak who wanted Hwang Sanghun to become a professor at Korea University.
His father had followed those orders strictly, making his son repeat exams up to three times.
Even after cutting ties, he'd still reached out, so he must be somewhat close to his older brother, though I didn't have much info.
They'd worked out together during his third round of exams, and he'd used Grandma's death anniversary as bait to try pinning him down this time?
And I'd never heard a thing about his mother.
"Uh, by any chance..."
The only common point with Lee Heewon's husband—whose name I didn't even know—was that he'd cheated.
"She left to find true love."
"Ah..."
Hwang Sanghun slowly opened up about his family.
His parents had married for family status and lived decently for over ten years, raising two sons.
But when Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital opened a branch in the US, his mother—who was in the global business division—went abroad on a long-term assignment.
That's where the affair began.
She demanded a divorce right away, but his father refused.
She filed for divorce citing excessive interference from in-laws, but lost the case.
Unlike Western countries that recognize divorce if one side wants it due to a broken relationship, Korea doesn't grant it if only the at-fault spouse demands it unilaterally.
His father kept persuading her to change her mind even now, while she insisted she'd never have married if she'd known this was love.
"They fought for days, and in the end, she went back to the US without divorcing. She's probably still with that guy. Back then, I clung to her crying, begging her not to go, but..."
Hwang Sanghun trailed off.
What came next was even more shocking.
Unlike young Hwang Sanghun, his older brother had tried earnestly persuading their father, but the father insisted on not making a big fuss—in exchange for occasional appearances at family events—and even kept sending money.
"What? Grandpa was that against divorce?"
They'd been so happily married that he marked their anniversary even after she passed, but still.
"He values family, but honestly, you might not fully get it even after hearing this."
"So it's just Dad's values?"
"Dad's values... and he's overly worried about Grandpa too. When Uncle—Seoyeong's dad—said he wanted to live freely, Grandpa blew up, saying he wouldn't leave a dime in the will. He's always favored my brother most among the relatives, so he's anxious that this might mess up inheriting the hospital."
Hwang Sanghun's father was the eldest son but hadn't fully earned Grandpa's approval, so he wouldn't get 100% succession.
Among the kids, he'd deemed the eldest daughter most capable and given her nearly half the shares.
But among the grandchildren, he saw Hwang Sanghun's brother almost as his own flesh and blood, wanting to pass everything to him.
Any potential obstacle had him on edge, trying desperately not to defy him.
"So when your brother said he'd quit after internship, Dad told him to hand everything over and go?"
"Yeah. To Dad, not getting the inheritance is the worst."
"People always judge others through their own lens..."
Even a peaceful thanks could end if they didn't like it.
His father probably couldn't understand his younger brother or second son's choices.
Of course, the reverse was true too.
"I used to feel sorry for Dad and wanted to do whatever he wanted. I even hoped he'd divorce and be free. But now... well, if both Mom and Dad are fine with it, whatever. They're better off than me anyway."
"Good thinking."
"Must've hit me hard seeing that patient, even after deciding that."
Hwang Sanghun grimaced bitterly.
Some people make snap decisions with the slightest trigger, but stubborn ones who never budge are far more common.
Cases like Lee Heewon were rare.
"Talking it out like this feels refreshing. Thanks for listening. I've never told anyone else."
Hwang Sanghun said even Jo Haneul, Kim Mingyu, Lee Cheoljin, and Hwang Seoyeong didn't know.
I'd heard some seriously deep stuff.
"Talk anytime."
He already knew what he needed to do.
I just patted him, saying he'd lived well so far.
"Let's keep doing great—cheers!"
"Yeah, I'll contribute even more to the clinic from now on. Cheers."
"No, not some self-intro line for a resume!"
"...As a friend, I'll try to be someone you can rely on... Nah, forget it."
Hwang Sanghun brushed it off with a smile.
And not long after, I met one of his family members in person.
"Hello."
"Oh... Hello, Mr. Hwang Jihun."
The name on the chart didn't ring any bells.
Common name.
But seeing the man's face, my eyes flicked back to the chart involuntarily.
No mistake? Right, Hwang Jihun.
'The brother who chased after him like crazy last time?'
Had to be.
With that face and name, definitely family. Why would some other cousin come to our clinic?
"My back and waist hurt. I bend over a lot, so I manage it carefully, but it still knots up sometimes. This flare-up's been two days."
"No disc issues or stenosis?"
"No."
Flexion-extension range check, palpation, etc.
Standard exam for low back pain.
"Erector spinae tension. Muscles prone to weakening, but yours are in great shape from regular exercise. Overuse caused some tightness, but acupuncture will fix it quick."
"Yes, that's what I thought."
Hwang Jihun, who'd recited his symptoms stiffly, smiled at 'erector spinae'.
...He looks a bit like Hwang Sanghun when he smiles?
Did Hwang Jihun smile like that during consults too?
"But bro, wouldn't it make more sense to see Director Hwang on the fourth floor?"
Hwang Jihun startled at my question.
"How'd you know? Did Sanghun tell you?"
"It's written on your face."
"Pardon? Never thought we looked alike. Sharp eyes you have."
"Brothers always say that."
Not really a joke, but Hwang Jihun smiled again.
"No other motive. I have something to say, but I really came for treatment and registered."
"Sure. No suspicions here."
With Hwang Sanghun storming off like that, his brother would naturally wonder where he was and what he was doing.
A bit late after over a year, but whatever.
Was Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital spying on our clinic? Neighborhood places including Chu Miyeong get suspicious visitors sometimes, but I didn't care.
If there was something to learn, great.
"Driving's tough with this, so I really want it fixed. Preferably by the head director."
Hwang Jihun sounded just like a regular patient.
They'd ask at the desk who the director was and request them if possible.
He was a patient, technically... Curious about my skills?
"Whatever works. You came to Busan to see Sanghun oppa?"
"Yes. Important talk."
I didn't pry.
Sanghun would tell me if it mattered.
I just followed the routine: needled the erector spinae, loosened his back.
Bonus: cleared the stagnant qi clusters.
"Oh!"
After treatment, bending and straightening, Hwang Jihun looked very satisfied.
"Impressive skills. My brother has a lot to learn."
Praise, but it felt off.
Didn't seem like a pure patient.
"You timed it for closing, right? Wait in the lounge?"
"Thanks for the offer. But by the elevator's fine—no need to worry."
My last patient hadn't backed up, but his seemed to fill closing time.
I shut down the third floor—computer, machines, lights—locked up, and headed up.
Hwang Jihun, who'd been standing quietly by the elevator, followed me up and stopped midway on the stairs between third and fourth.
"...You'll wait here?"
"Don't mind me."
Just not going in together?
Shy around staff greetings?
I tilted my head and went to the fourth floor.
Last patient finished paying and left.
"Good work~"
Exchanged goodbyes with staff.
Seo Inae and Jin Minjeong, waiting by the door, headed out.
As Hwang Sanghun tried to leave...
Thud.
Hwang Jihun blocked the door with both arms.
"...?"
"Gahhh!"
Hwang Sanghun jumped like he'd been electrocuted.
"Can't run here."
He wasn't just waiting—he'd been hiding?
Challenging to a deathmatch right outside? That only happened in murim, right?
In the past, tricky situations like this cropped up occasionally.
Martial artists with injuries would stay days in treatment halls like the Tang Family Estate's.
They'd scattered enemies everywhere in the Central Plains, and word got out through channels that they were at the Sichuan Tang medical hall.
No one dared storm the Tang Family Estate demanding someone, though.
So foes lurked nearby, waiting for their enemy to emerge.
'But he's the brother—I figured it'd be a natural talk...!'
Should I have messaged Sanghun to run beforehand?
Never expected one chasing and one fleeing.
"Sanghun, we need to talk."
"What're you doing at my workplace? Phone works fine!"
"It's important."
"Important to you maybe!"
Maybe from that past betrayal.
Hwang Sanghun was super defensive.
'Help?'
I mouthed and signaled, but he didn't get it.
"Hey, let the staff who's still here go, please."
I got Gong Nari out first.
She wasn't panicking cluelessly—she eyed it like entertaining spectacle, sparkling.
Even disappointed when Hwang Jihun let her through.
"Take care!"
Staff took the elevator down.
Just me, Hwang Sanghun, and Hwang Jihun left in the clinic.
"Yeowon, uh, see..."
"Long talk? Taking him somewhere?"
Hwang Sanghun tried excusing, but I asked Hwang Jihun directly.
If forcing him, I'd have to intervene physically.
"Of course not. Won't drag if he doesn't want. Ten minutes tops. Came in person since calls blocked."
"...Sorry for blocking and forgetting, but use another phone."
Hmm, he had blocked him.
Some misunderstanding probably.
"Oppa, ten minutes okay? I'll head out first—chat short here?"
Hwang Sanghun shot me a betrayed, pitiful look.
Ah, not that either?
Not that close with bro?
He reached to grab my arm—don't go—but swiped air and pulled back.
"Tch."
Hwang Jihun clicked his tongue.
"Thanks for lending the space. If it's okay with Director, I don't mind you staying."
Considering his brother hated being alone with him, he offered me.
...If you could call it consideration.