Chapter 76
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Long-Term Stay and New Connections
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Ah, no thoughts on opening a branch?
Well, unlike Chu Miyeong who still calls me for help now and then, Hwang Sanghun would do just fine running his own clinic solo.
In that case, no need for him to pay network franchise fees.
It was a bit disappointing. When the network idea first came up, I thought he was interested since he seemed excited!
"I'm not telling you to do it~ I was just curious about your thoughts! It's totally fine to open independently without joining the network!"
I emphasized that I had no intention of pressuring him into a branch just to make his time as deputy director comfortable.
But the more I said that, the darker Hwang Sanghun's expression grew.
"...You want me to stay one more year before leaving?"
"Huh? You want to stay another year? That's great for me!"
Deputy director contracts at Korean medicine clinics are basically for one year.
I'd written a one-year term in the contract to stress filling it out fully, but even with open-ended full-time contracts, most deputies aim to leave after a year once retirement pay kicks in.
From the head director's perspective, long-term deputies are ideal, but most come in to learn techniques and systems from various clinics before opening their own.
Of course, some deputies settle in for the long haul at a decent workplace without rushing to open their own.
'Isn't it a waste? He'd make at least three times more opening his own.'
I hadn't expected Hwang Sanghun to want to stay.
I was worried he'd quit the moment he objectively assessed his skills.
He fidgeted with his lips before speaking up.
"If you're okay with it, I'd like to stay on longer."
"Longer?"
"Yeah. Unless I fall short of expectations..."
"No way! You've been doing amazing, bro! Of course it's best if you stay!"
Stay on longer?
Of course, people can change their minds by next year even after saying that, but there was no need to push him out now.
It's been months since he started treating patients—had he still not grasped the meta yet?
No, he's no fool; he knows he'd make way more money on his own.
Yet he wants to stay long-term—does that mean he doesn't want to run his own business?
Come to think of it, that wasn't strange. If he loved money that much, he'd have stuck with his family scraping by on handouts instead of opening a clinic.
"Alright, since we're at it, should we draw up a new contract? Switch to full-time?"
Either way, an S-grade deputy sticking around longer was pure profit for me.
I immediately dropped the branch talk and focused on holding onto Hwang Sanghun.
'Seoul branch? That'll sort itself when the right person shows up!'
He was thrilled at the idea of staying 10 or 20 years.
A few days later.
I got a call from my two friends in Seoul.
[Yeowon, you haven't done your continuing education yet, right?]
Disappointingly, it wasn't about opening a branch—they wanted to attend the Seoul continuing education together.
Continuing education provides periodic updates on changes to qualifications after obtaining technical certifications.
For Korean medicine doctors, the first year post-graduation is exempt, but afterward, you need 8 points annually, with 4 mandatory in-person.
Of course, no need to go to Seoul for it.
Busan has sessions every 1-2 months.
'Still, should I go?'
It had been ages since I'd seen my friends last—a trip wouldn't hurt.
[Sounds good~ Let's do it~]
Perfect, it was on a Sunday, so I could head up after Saturday clinic and make it back fine.
I signed up via the link Big Sis Gwa sent.
Sunday.
I arrived at the continuing education venue a bit early and ran into a familiar face.
It wasn't Hwang Seoyeong or Big Sis Gwa, whom I'd planned to meet.
"Student Han Yeowon? Long time no see. Or should I call you Director Han now?"
"...Long time no see, Professor."
It was none other than Professor Lee Minseok.
What? He was the lecturer?
Continuing education is sometimes run by academy board members or guest professors.
I hadn't checked the title or instructor since I figured it was just filling a seat.
"Oh? Yeowon got here first? Hi, Professor~!"
Big Sis Gwa came in shortly after, carrying flowers—they must have known.
"Is this seat taken?"
"N-No! Please sit!"
Dozens of Korean medicine doctors filled the seats right on time for the lecture.
It started immediately, so no long chats with friends or the professor.
The topic was musculoskeletal ultrasound—upper extremities.
Hwang Sanghun, who trained at Korea University Affiliated Korean Medicine Hospital, must have learned from this prof too; the emphases matched up nicely.
"...This way, you can inject pharmacopuncture even into risky spots while watching the ultrasound. What's that nerve on the screen?"
"Uh, suprascapular nerve?"
But Professor Lee Minseok kept directing questions at me in the front row during the lecture.
Unlike school, with many 50s and 60s docs here, I was the easy target he knew.
"What do you see in this image? It's tricky."
"Ganglion cyst?"
"Correct."
"Ooh!"
I nailed every question.
I'm no ultrasound master after just months of use, but experience makes all the difference.
The four-hour lecture wrapped up.
"Young folks these days are impressive. We've gotta step up to keep pace."
"Haha, I use it in clinic, so."
"Should I get one too? Seems tough to master..."
Senior docs in their 50s and 60s took interest watching our Q&A.
I strongly recommended it to everyone who asked—gotta buy to practice anyway.
Then, heading to my friends—
"Impressive without one-on-one training like residency. We need more students like you at the research forefront for Korean medicine."
"Thanks for the praise."
"If you're interested in a part-time PhD for degree purposes, come to my lab."
"Sure, I'll let you know if I get interested."
Professor Lee Minseok grabbed me.
Grad school talk was over ages ago! I bolted and hid behind Hwang Seoyeong.
"Nice meeting you. We have plans, so we'll head out..."
"You came all this way—join the after-party?"
But somehow, I ended up at the after-party.
Why an after-party for continuing ed?
Usually you bolt after clocking in hours, but with many knowing the prof personally, a dinner got set up.
"Lots of our cohort and juniors showed? I thought he wasn't popular 'cause he's scary."
"Still nice to see him outside class~."
I naturally joined my peers and juniors at a table.
About a dozen attendees; half Korea University alumni—his students—the other half from his alma mater, Umyeong University.
Not exactly intergenerational bonding, so tables split, prof hopping between pouring drinks.
"Ah, you opened in Busan, right? Did Teacher Hwang Sanghun go there too? Already have a deputy—must be swamped with patients."
I was the main convo partner at our table.
Thankfully, no more grad school push.
"Yeowon's amazing, right? Even opened a branch in Daegu!"
"Oh? Doing franchises?"
"Yeah, kinda happened that way. Just the second one so far."
"Any specialty focus?"
"Nah~ We see everything!"
Instead, Professor Lee Minseok grilled me on my updates.
Makes sense—I'd be curious too. Late 20s, fresh grad, skipping deputy phase to build a network.
"Scouting a third branch?"
"Not rushing. But I'd welcome a good match."
"Set protocols like Haneul Clinic?"
"Not really 'do this formula for that.' Our second branch director requested study sessions for months before opening. Skilled ones probably don't need it? Still, case-sharing exchanges would be good."
We had manuals for Chu Miyeong and Hwang Sanghun, but hardly network policy.
Just winging it among acquaintances.
I answered Professor Lee Minseok's questions on the fly.
"How about marketing?"
"I don't do any. Second branch does blog and Instagram. Central marketing maybe with more branches...?"
"Whoa, Yeowon's place is packed without that. Over 100 patients daily."
"Ho. Lots of referrals, huh."
"Right? Haha. Why ask? Got a junior to recommend?"
No way Professor Lee Minseok, decades from retirement, wanted in.
Peers would call me direct, so probably a junior?
"Not a junior."
Professor Lee Minseok shook his head.
"Come over here a sec."
He led me to the Umyeong alumni table.
The intro was to the eldest-looking gentleman there.
"This is Director Han Yeowon. Top of last year's Korea University grads, runs the Seongsu Clinic network."
"Hello...?"
Clueless, I bowed anyway.
"This is Professor Kim Chunsik, retired from Umyeong last year. Opened in Songpa with family nearby, now looking into networks—thought I'd introduce you."
"Oh, pleased to meet you."
A middle-aged man offered a handshake.
Prof retirement at 65? Mid-60s then, but name and looks aged him 20 years ahead.
Not quite mortal 80s, of course.
'Daoist elder...?'
He had that benevolent, kindly Daoist sect elder vibe.
'Make him third branch director? He's older than my master.'
Sichuan Tang medical hall took disciples older than me. But I was already Divine Physician then, and they were 30s-40s max.
I could handle it, but would they take a young head director?
"Heh, embarrassing, but no knack for business—struggling. Impressive resourcefulness at your age. Care to help?"
But Kim Chunsik welcomed the intro warmly.
60s, prestigious prof background.
Admitting shortcomings and seeking help openly isn't easy.
Most would frown at my youth first.
His attitude melted my biases; I shook his hand.
Need to hear details, but could be a great connection.