Chapter 194
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Nylon Patients at Empire Hospital
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Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital was the largest hospital in the Korean medicine world.
No matter the metric—number of branches, number of employed doctors, revenue, name recognition—it held the top spot.
But the problem lay with that name recognition.
It would have been great if it were known as a place for excellent treatment...
"The perfect spot for so-called nylon patients to lie low."
People who fake illness to scam insurance payouts or extort money are called "nylon patients"—not real patients, get it?
The hospital admitted everyone without distinguishing real from fake, provided hotel-like services, and billed more than anywhere else.
Especially for auto accident patients whose treatment costs were covered by the at-fault driver's insurance.
Even if they weren't faking, there were tons of patients with pain that showed no signs on tests.
So it was good to keep an open mind during consultations.
...But as Hwang Seoyeong had told her, there were plenty of cases impossible to mistake.
Like patients who checked in claiming pain, refused treatment, and snuck out to the club.
At the Gangnam main branch where Hwang Seoyeong worked, they weeded those out ruthlessly, but honestly, it wasn't exactly "no smoke without fire."
"Grandfather took pride in our hospital contributing to public health and spreading Korean medicine worldwide. But Uncle's various measures to boost revenue have twisted that original intent."
"Ah..."
Hwang Jihun spoke calmly.
"So Grandpa didn't try to stop it?"
It might come off as rude, but she was genuinely curious.
She'd heard Hwang Seoyeong call him a massive control freak countless times.
"Of course he instructed thorough management. But sprains or muscle tension pain often don't show up on tests, right? In the end, you rely on patient statements, so the doctor's diagnosis is key. But standardizing that 100% is tough."
"No fixing it now, anyway. Can't exactly refuse traffic accident patients just to avoid some flak."
"Truth is, promoting traffic accidents as a key treatment area at Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital was Uncle's doing. It's damaged the reputation, but we actually see way more genuinely hurt patients, and our treatments outperform Western medicine in effectiveness."
Hwang Jihun added a nuance of acknowledging Director Jeong Suhwan appropriately, but Hwang Sanghun showed open hostility.
"Anyway, I get what you mean, bro. I really don't mind, so go ahead and work as hard as you want."
Wanting to stick it to Uncle, right?
Hwang Sanghun nodded.
"Thanks..."
"Thank you! Director's decision will greatly help curb Uncle's unethical management that's eroding trust in Korean medicine and draining insurance funds."
Uh, um, well.
It wasn't that grand a decision.
Interrupted, Hwang Sanghun shot Hwang Jihun a fierce glare.
'He's impressive, alright.'
Hwang Sanghun must have tried persuading him too.
Last time he offered a chance, it fell on deaf ears.
If he'd begged as family, he'd have been told to get lost since they were already cut off.
"Don't worry about us and help him without hesitation. If the handover's just a week, I'll see more patients or consult Director Lee and hire another scheduler."
Same here.
How could she refuse after hearing that?
She accepted Hwang Jihun's request straightforwardly.
After discussing with Yi Areum, they decided the two of them would handle Hwang Sanghun's patients for the time being.
It was more comfortable than having new people coming and going.
"I'm fine with a bit more work! I've been seeing the fewest anyway, so I felt guilty."
Yi Areum's enthusiasm was a huge relief.
"Ah, Changwon? Yeah, not too far."
One patient even planned to commute by car from Changwon for a while.
"Director Jeong Suhwan, huh."
Shed been curious since hearing the name, but expanding clinic hours to six days delayed a proper slot until a few days later.
'Director of the Ilsan Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital branch?'
A quick search showed he'd held the director position there since the Ilsan branch opened over 30 years ago.
Wow, over 20 Korean medicine doctors? That's top-tier among Korean medicine hospitals.
'Sanghun oppa's dad... ah.'
The Yongsan branch, originally inherited by Hwang Sanghun's father, had been larger, but Ilsan had grown past it.
The Gangnam main branch was different—new building and direct Emperor oversight.
'Is this his aunt? Director Hwang Jeongyeon?'
No full family tree like chaebol groups, but close enough to family-run that browsing the staff page let her piece it together easily.
'Director Hwang Jeongyeon heads education at Ilsan. Supporting Director Jeong Suhwan.'
Those two had teamed up to expand Ilsan massively.
'Sanghun oppa's mom... yeah, she ran off abroad after an affair.'
The eldest son's marriage was effectively over.
His management skills didn't measure up to Director Jeong Suhwan's either.
The Emperor had pitted son against son-in-law, and ability had decided the winner.
Then suddenly pivoting to "I like the grandson"...
From Director Jeong Suhwan's view, no way he'd hand it over easily to a green kid nephew.
- Aren't they playing dirty?
When she brought it up to Hwang Seoyeong, she brushed it off.
- Not hiding it. Just no interest. Winners are our side~!
"Yeah? I hope Jihun hyung wins anyway."
- Well, Jihun oppa's got principles. Strict, but not weird like Uncle.
"Weird?"
- You know, posting sales rankings in every break room to shame the bottom performer. Bonuses for the top.
"He does that?"
Why did it sound more horrifying the more she heard?
Not like school honor rolls from decades ago—what the hell?
- It's famous. You didn't know?
No clue.
A hospital runs like that?
"Why don't they quit?"
- Pays well...? Avoid last place, hit performance bonuses higher than most private practices.
She shook her head.
Tsk. No good for patients or doctors.
Tsk, she clicked her tongue.
Unless it was like old Haneul Clinic right next door, there wasn't much she could do.
"Hope Sanghun oppa helps well."
Always giving his best wherever he was.
She cheered on her fellow graduate in her heart, believing he'd do the same.
Were some hospitals monopolizing patients?
Traffic accidents were common, but she rarely saw them.
Not never, but maybe three or four a month? Mostly referrals from places where treatment failed.
"Accident two weeks ago. Started at Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital— no improvement. Orthopedics said nothing they could do, so went to Sowon General for MRI... they recommended here."
Kim Ju-hyeok, 30. Lived pretty far.
Referral like usual, but unusual path.
Sowon General sent patients via MOU sometimes, but orthopedics referring musculoskeletal? First time.
"Admitted to the Busan branch? Tell me the accident details first."
"Yes, so on the highway to Daejeon..."
Maybe from repeating it at every hospital?
Kim Ju-hyeok explained the bad memory logically.
Kim Ju-hyeok was in a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend in Daejeon.
Early days, so no matter how busy, he visited twice a month.
Train if tired, but he loved driving, so usually his car.
That day too.
Friday, left work on time, hit the road following traffic rules meticulously.
Crosswalk ahead.
Light red.
Kim Ju-hyeok stopped naturally.
KWAAAAANG!
Something slammed hard from behind—like a landslide hitting rock.
"Kuhk!"
Leaning back waiting for green, his body lurched forward.
Then snapped back.
Unthinkingly, Kim Ju-hyeok clutched his neck.
'Not broken?'
Broken neck means death?
Silly thought as his head spun.
"Ughhh!"
Felt like puking.
Vision shook.
'Traffic accident? Right?'
Somehow limbs wouldn't move straight.
Flailing, he barely opened the door.
Crawled out, collapsed on pavement.
"Urk, urkk!"
No vomit.
Nauseous and dizzy like this?
"Ah~ Sorry. You okay?"
Male voice; he looked up.
...Thug?
Instinct screamed bad news.
Maybe bias, but cartoonish blond tanned thug stood there.
"Oppa! What the hell!"
"Babe, sorry~ Front car didn't move! Geez, couldn't see the crosswalk was empty?"
Already queasy, voice alone pissed him off.
Red light stop and this guy rear-ends?
Curse nearly slipped, but Kim Ju-hyeok stayed calm like a civilized man.
In cases like this...
"Forget it, call your insurance. Need hospital now."
Dizziness easing a bit.
No need for 119?
"Hey, mister. No need to complicate—settle quick? Not that bad a hit. Lying down gets you zilch these days~."
"Call them."
"Just a scratch, what!"
Scratch? That hard hit!
Kim Ju-hyeok circled his car.
'...'
Perfectly fine.
License plate loose, bumper scratched but popped back.
He called his insurer and police.
Opponent finally called theirs reluctantly.
"Ugh. Ack."
Neck hurt bad.
Still dizzy.
Couldn't move car to shoulder, sat on curb till police arrived.
Police cleared traffic; insurers showed soon after.
"No biggie, settle! 500k? Covers plate and more?"
"Mister, really bothering everyone over nothing?"
Driver and passenger still bullshitting.
"It's not about the car!"
Kim Ju-hyeok finally yelled.
"You were pretty shaken."
At least his insurer was on his side.
"Don't worry. Even if they drag it out, full personal injury claim. We'll cover treatment, bill their company later. I'll handle them—head to hospital and focus on healing."
Agent super kind.
Perfectly understood his feelings.
"No issues, right?"
"Red light stop, rear-end. 100-0 fault. Personal claims always pay in these cases. Zero worries."
Agent handed a card.
Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital Busan branch. 24-hour admissions.
"Thank you."
Kim Ju-hyeok headed straight there.
Always positive on Korean medicine; friend recovered at one post-accident.
"Aw, must've been terrifying. If you can take sick leave, admit for 5 days at least. Post-accident symptoms can linger."
Manager and doctor super friendly.
So he admitted immediately.
5 days rest and treatment should fix it.