Chapter 234
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: Noodle Shop Reunion
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This anchovy noodle shop was the place I visited most often back when I lived in Yeju.
That said, I didn't eat out all that frequently, so the actual number of times wasn't huge.
Even so, I'd exchanged greetings with the owner grandma during my regular visits back then, but I never imagined she'd still remember me after nearly ten years.
"Ah, right! I lived around here until high school."
"That's right! Goodness, why didn't you say anything? You were just gonna slip away like that?"
The grandma was thrilled to see me.
"Haha, I didn't think you'd remember me."
"You'd come in every few months and always polish off a double serving. You showed up alone more often than with family. How could I forget?"
Was that true? Yeah, I do remember scraping together my meager allowance to come here solo more often.
My aunt's family had brought me a few times, but they ate out among themselves even more.
Man, back then I thought this place had the best food in the world.
"Remember the game machine at that stationery store up front? After eating, you'd stare at it so intently that I felt bad and gave you 500 won to play. But you cleared the whole thing without dying once—on just 100 won."
"Ah..."
I didn't remember it super clearly, but her memory was probably spot-on.
I always came with exactly enough for noodles, after all.
Come to think of it, that was around elementary school when I got into retro arcade games?
Ha, I must've watched others play intently enough to clear it on one coin.
From my perspective now, with over thirty years passed, my school memories feel blurred—like I only studied in middle and high school.
Hearing stories from even younger days made my face heat up.
"I guess that happened, huh."
"My grandson would blow through whatever money I gave him in five minutes and throw a fit for more, so I had no idea anyone could clear it like that. When you said you were heading to Korea University, I thought, 'Wow, smart kids really are different.'"
"Ahaha, you even remember college."
"How many kids from this neighborhood go to Korea U? Do you think I'd forget that? How've you been?"
The grandma warmly took my hand.
"Haha, I graduated from Korea U's Korean Medicine College and opened my own practice in Busan."
"Goodness! You've made it! That's incredible! Don't just stand there—sit down and catch up!"
She insisted I was her last customer anyway and pulled out a chair for me.
She fussed over my success and congratulations, so I scratched my head and smiled.
"Who was that cool-looking lady earlier? The boss? Oh, right, you said you opened your own place. The old boss? Want a shot of soju?"
"No, she's just a senior I ran into by chance while she was here volunteering. Can't drink anyway—I've got to drive."
Free soju? Was this grandma always this generous?
She'd given me 500 won for games, so maybe.
...Though I vaguely recall asking for two candies and getting turned down.
Looks like she only remembers the good stuff.
"If I'd stayed nearby, I'd have visited more often. Your noodles are still the best, Grandma."
"It's just plain noodles. You make them taste the best. Glad you came before I close up shop!"
"Ah, you're shutting down?"
"I'm getting old, you know."
How old was she? Mid-to-late sixties, maybe early seventies?
Thinking back, she was in her fifties when we first met—not a grandma yet.
Now... plenty of folks in their seventies work, but it's still tough at that age.
"I want to keep going, but my health's not great. Worried something big might happen."
"What's wrong? Shoulder? Wrist? Back?"
Running a restaurant means carrying heavy trays of dishes, lifting pots, and tons of washing up.
After decades, it'd be weirder if her shoulders, back, elbows, wrists, or fingers didn't hurt.
"Nah, those are just nagging issues everyone deals with. Neighborhood spot like this doesn't keep my arms aching constantly."
"Then what?"
"I'm exhausted all the time, and I've been losing weight like I'm gonna drop dead any day. Every time I weigh myself, it's a few kilos lighter—scares me half to death."
"What? How much?"
"About 8 kg?"
Sudden weight loss is a red flag, especially in the elderly.
If it's poor digestion and absorption, that's the best case. Could be endocrine issues like diabetes or thyroid, mental health problems like that Im Juwon case recently—or worst of all, cancer.
"You eating properly? Been to the hospital?"
"I eat fine—more than before, even. Ah, could you check my pulse real quick?"
"Sure thing."
I placed my fingers on her wrist right away.
My master would've snapped an intruder's arm if they reached for his pulse uninvited... but I'm used to it anywhere, clinic or not.
Plus, I was genuinely worried about her.
"How's it feel?"
But against expectations, her pulse wasn't weak at all.
For an elderly person drained of energy and shedding weight, qi and blood deficiency is standard—pulse should be faint.
What strength would make a strong heartbeat?
"It's too fast. Heart rate's gotta be over 100."
Yet her pulse was stronger than average and way too rapid.
Normal adult resting heart rate is 60-100 bpm; elders trend slower.
Hers felt like more than twice per second... easily over 100, probably 120+.
"Any meds you're on?"
"Joint pain pills, only when it flares up? Not today."
I suspected side effects first, but she tilted her head.
Unlikely for joint meds to spike heart rate like this.
"Maybe feeling extra hot and sweaty? Hands shaking?"
"How'd you know!"
I listed the hallmark symptoms of the top suspect, and she clapped.
"My hands shake so bad when I chop—makes me so anxious. Dropped a dish last week and had to pay for the customer's dry cleaning. Always hot, sweaty, eyes bulging like they're gonna pop."
"And you're wiped out, losing weight, but appetite's up?"
"Exactly!"
"Grandma, when was your last blood test?"
"Hmm... five years ago?"
What? That's forever. Health checks aren't mandatory... for business owners, apparently.
"Monday, head straight to internal medicine for a full blood panel, including thyroid function. You'll need meds."
I was suspicious—no, certain.
Classic hyperthyroidism.
Excess thyroid hormone ramps up metabolism; symptoms hit like you're sprinting at rest.
Racing heart, sweating, heat, hunger, fatigue—just like this.
"Thyroid? Isn't that the neck swelling thing? My late dad had that..."
"That's from an overstimulated, enlarged gland. Plenty of hyperthyroidism without goiter. And late-onset in your age group isn't rare."
Most cases diagnosed 20s-50s.
Couldn't pinpoint when hers started, but after decades in and out of hospitals for other stuff, unlikely she'd miss it for years.
Probably hit in the last 1-2 years.
In elders, it often shows vague symptoms like fatigue and appetite loss.
Easy to miss—blame stress or age.
"Goodness, never crossed my mind... I'll go Monday for sure."
She clutched her neck, face full of worry.
"Meds will regulate it—no need to fret."
"Sigh, thought rest and tonics would fix it."
I'd thought the same at first.
"At your age, cardiovascular complications are risky, so start with Western anti-thyroid meds. Once stabilized, I'll prescribe tonics for lingering symptoms."
Treat as qi-yin deficiency for herbal side.
In the murim world, no anti-thyroid drugs, so I'd done herbals solo.
But with easy access here, no need to risk it.
Control hormones with Western meds, then herbs for the rest.
"Thanks. You saved me from letting it get worse."
Tell me about it. If she hadn't held me back, I'd have missed it too.
I handed her my business card.
"Get that bloodwork Monday, start meds, and let me know if symptoms improve. I'll send a real prescription."
"No! I wasn't asking for freebies!"
"Consider it interest on that 500 won from back then."
She politely declined a few times, but didn't seem upset.
Pretending to give in, she took the card and promised to call.
"Ah, kept you too long. Time to close up. Head out."
It was past 8 p.m. already. As expected, I was the last customer.
I helped tidy a bit before heading to my reserved lodging.
Hotel in name only—a motel, really.
'Hmm... Tomorrow, swing by the old neighborhood, school... Theme park? Museum? Lots of new stuff.'
No big sightseeing plans, so I kept it simple.
Loop the house and school, then back to Seoul.
[Seoyeong-ah, free tomorrow? Dinner?]
I texted Hwang Seoyeong first about evening plans.
Usually I'd schedule ahead, but this was a laid-back, no-plan trip.
[Huh??? On vacation with Roberto]
Yep, that's the charm—things falling apart.
But no biggie.
If Seoyeong's out, I had backups.
Guess straight to that place, then.
There was somewhere I swore I'd hit next time in Seoul.
Too busy lately to make the event deadline, but thanks to Hwang Sanghun and Lee Areum's consideration, I could swing it.
[Everyone, I'm hitting the popup store tomorrow too!!!]
That place: the Jungwon Online popup store.
Selling game character figs, acrylic stands, keychains, card techs, posters, mouse pads—tons of merch. Plus a special commemorative guidebook.
Over 50k won? In-game cash coupons and exclusive effect skins.
Merch is whatever, but that effect? Must have.
Mancheon Hwa-u's flowers felt plain; with effects, perfection! Alt character at minimum.
[Whoa??? Coming to Seoul?]
Qingfeng Young Master had shown up day one with the effect, bragging nonstop.
My turn for the limited effect soon.
[Yeah, probably afternoon tomorrow]
[I'll go too!!!]
[? Qingfeng already went?]
[?? Can go again]
But he replied wanting to tag along.
[Was debating the pen but passed; gonna grab it now. Send one to rkwrkw too?]
Popup once already, yet again...? Well, why not.
[Me too! I'll go!! Wanna see Alliance Leader!]
[Rkwrkw coming?]
[Daddy's coming!]
Then Busan's rkwrkw jumped in after hearing.
[Can I come?]
[Whoa, guild meetup?]
Even casual guildmates post my Alliance Leader days showed interest.
[If you come, dinner's on me.]
Was gonna go solo quietly.
How'd it turn into this?