Chapter 171
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Changwon Branch Crisis
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"Have some tea first, then let's talk."
"Yes, thank you."
Hwang Jihun accepted the paper cup with both hands and bowed his head.
"Make it quick."
"I'll wrap it up in under ten minutes. You won't listen if I keep it short anyway."
"……."
"There's trouble at the Changwon branch. Lee Soo-hyung and Jeong Young-il, the top two earners among the doctors there, both quit."
"So? There should be a line of people dying to work there anyway."
Finding Korean medicine doctors in the provinces isn't always straightforward, but Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital was an exception.
They couldn't even accommodate everyone who wanted to stay on as department heads after finishing their internships and residencies there.
"It's not just the two of them. They poached the nursing director, the administrative director, the general affairs head—all the key staff—and opened a new Korean medicine hospital nearby. Now everything's falling apart."
"Ah."
"What's the problem, exactly?"
"Everything. The new doctors aren't performing like the old ones, so the hospital director's cracking down hard, leading to more quits. Insurance claims from admin are a mess, and sales are completely tanked."
Even without a dedicated sales department, it seemed the admin and general affairs teams handled business development.
They partnered with general hospitals to take on post-surgery rehab patients, built connections with sports groups, local organizations, delivery companies, and more.
With the admin director and others jumping ship, some of those connections went with them.
"And the biggest issue? Those Western-trained doctors over there had some weird personalities from the start. But Korean medicine hospitals struggle to hire MDs, so we just... made do, you know?"
"Hm."
"When they were in a bad mood, they'd snap at the nurses, but the former nursing director kept things balanced. Of course, the new one got into a huge fight with a doctor and quit. The second hire bailed to avoid it, and now the other nurses are quitting in droves. Word's spread, and they're having trouble hiring anyone new."
And just like that, the Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital's Changwon branch system had collapsed.
The hospital director, already running in the red, reached out to headquarters for help.
It was one thing to keep things afloat by hiring one or two people at a time when needed, but rebuilding from a mass exodus was a whole different story.
In a large medical corporation like Hwangje, the branch directors just drew a salary.
The corporation bore the losses, so they scrambled for solutions.
"So what does that have to do with me?"
Hwang Sanghun asked.
He got the picture—one branch in crisis—but it didn't spark any urge to rally and save the hospital from ruin.
"I want you to go to Changwon and fix it."
Surprisingly, that was exactly what Hwang Jihun wanted.
"What are you talking about? How am I supposed to just waltz in there?"
"Grandpa told me to handle consultations there for a while and sort this out. If I strongly recommend you, it'll happen."
Hwangje's fix? None other than Hwang Jihun himself.
He was the rehab department head at the Gangnam HQ, grooming as the successor.
"Will they even listen to me? Bro, we're worlds apart. I'm not even board-certified, never did internship or residency at Hwangje—let alone a department head gig. What, am I some external consultant now?"
"I'll go with you. You just help out. Heck, we can say you solved most of it. Wouldn't it be great to get some recognition this time?"
Wow, scouting with the CEO right there?
Bold move.
"No thanks."
Hwang Sanghun shot it down flat.
"……After I went on like that."
"Short or long, same answer. Not interested."
"Think about it. Nail this, and..."
"I don't care about recognition from Grandpa or Dad. No interest in non-clinical work, no confidence I'd be good at it."
"You could start by shadowing me, learning on the job. Recognition aside, you'll have to handle management someday, right?"
"Don't need to. I'll be vice director here for life."
Hwang Jihun tried a few more times, but Hwang Sanghun stood firm.
"For... life?"
Hwang Jihun glanced at me, startled.
He had to double-check if we'd really promised lifetime employment.
"Works for me. Long as you don't bail first, I'm happy to keep you."
"Well... yeah, but."
Not many vice directors stuck around forever.
Department heads at big Korean medicine hospitals pulled salaries on par with mid-range private practitioners, or more with incentives—plus stability and prestige. Plenty stayed till retirement.
But at a small clinic? The title and pay were iffy. Eventually, they all branched out.
"Handle your gig, get all the glory. Leave me out."
"……You sure you won't regret it?"
"Nope."
Hwang Sanghun didn't hesitate.
A far cry from his panicked stare at me when his brother showed up.
"Fine, if you're set against it."
Hwang Jihun finally threw up his hands.
Unlike my worries, he didn't force it—true to his word.
No need for me to intervene physically.
"Still, I'll be nearby for a bit, so let's hang out sometimes."
"Ugh."
At his brother's bright smile, Hwang Sanghun grimaced in utter disgust.
Oh, that's a new face.
"Where do you live? We could crash at your place..."
"Studio apartment. No room, and hell no—so get a proper place in Changwon. I'll unblock your number, but never come to my work again."
"Sorry about that."
Hwang Jihun calmly owned the rudeness and apologized to me too.
"Sorry for the hassle. And thanks for fixing my back."
"Wait, you got treated?"
Hwang Sanghun, too busy to check charts, exploded upon hearing it now.
"At first, I planned to drag you along somehow—this was a golden chance. But after treatment, I changed my mind."
"Pardon?"
Was it that effective?
I'd just loosened his multifidus.
"I looked you up—treated celebs like actress Hyun Jumi, expanded on your own. Figured it was mostly hype, but meeting you? I get the buzz now."
"You're too kind."
"As a doctor and manager, I respect you personally. Hope my brother learns a ton here."
His earlier praise felt half-hearted, but this? Sincere enough to make my shoulders lift.
Ahem, not really. It just happened this way.
"Take care. Let's grab dinner next Sunday."
"Scram. I work Sundays."
"Saturday then."
Hwang Jihun bulldozed the plans, stood, and left.
Exactly ten minutes.
He bowed at 45 degrees and glided down the stairs.
"What a whirlwind."
Still dazed, I muttered. Hwang Sanghun clawed his hair, apologizing.
"Ha, Yeowon. Really sorry."
"No need. He got treated, said his piece, and left."
"Sorry for inflicting him on you."
Hwang Sanghun looked mortified, but I was intrigued.
Hospitals dealt with drama like that?
Sure, if he opened nearby and poached our nurse, we'd struggle too.
But big operations? Staff shortages hit harder.
"Could've been a good experience, checking it out."
"If I play along for some forced achievement, the whole family will watch me like a hawk. I know he's thinking of me, but I don't need it."
Hwang Sanghun was resolute, as before.
"……."
Cold to his brother, but he hesitated before me.
"You want me to go?"
"No, no—going full-time there? Nah. But shadowing the cleanup could help if you ever open a big hospital?"
Hiring nurses and admins en masse was worlds from a small clinic.
Would've been useful experience, but I'd already opened mine.
If Hwang Sanghun did a stint like his brother and helped me out... my wishful thinking.
Forcing it would make him a pawn, like the Hwangje director—ignoring his own will.
Blood ties or not, who was I to demand that?
"……."
Still, Hwang Sanghun pondered seriously.
"No, no! You're the one who wants to stay vice director, not manage—so don't go for my sake. Do what's best for you."
"It's not just... anyway, thanks."
But he stuck to his guns.
Apologized again for his brother's imposition, then headed home.
The next day.
Heading to the treatment room down the hall, I spotted a familiar face at the desk getting registered.
"Mr. Choi Gwijae, Ms. Park Sunyoon! Long time no see?"
Park Sunyoon had brought Chairman Choi Gwijae after ages.
"Hello!"
"It's been a while. Oh, Director, you moved? Houses are the best, right?"
Choi Gwijae spotted me and greeted warmly.
Ooh, I'd bragged to Park Seseon once, and it spread?
This family was tight-knit.
"Yeah, loving it."
"In a few months, those trees might overwhelm you. If you need a gardener, I'll hook you up—just say the word."
"Thanks. I'll try managing solo first, then ask if needed."
I was decent at pruning, but appreciated the thought.
"What's bothering you today? Don't tell me... a relapse?"
I didn't say urinary incontinence outside the exam room, but he caught on.
"Haha, brought him for some tonics."
"Sunyoon mentioned it—lately, his limbs feel weak when he tries to exercise. Better to act before it hurts, right?"
"Ah, good call. At his age, energy drains fast. But patients are backed up today... mind waiting a bit?"
"All a retired old man's got is time."
Choi Gwijae grinned and settled in the waiting area.
I had to hit the treatment room; she chatted with her grandpa.
After clearing the backlog...
"Ready for the follow-up now?"
Checking with the desk as I opened the exam room door.
"Ah, don't ya know. My back was bent over like this, all crooked, then it straightened right up—bam! My son was shocked silly."
"Really? Even advanced stenosis responds like that."
"Other places said no way. What brings you here?"
"Last time, inner thigh strain and incontinence. This time, tonics."
"Ah, tonics rock! Give 'em regular to my boyfriend—works wonders!"
"Boyfriend?"
"Don't misunderstand. Been widowed fore~ver."
"No misunderstanding. Same here."
Sometime in there, Chairman Choi Gwijae and Grandma Heo Sunnam had hit it off.