Chapter 78
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Kim Chunsik's Contract
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That weekend, Kim Chunsik came down to Busan to observe.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice. Oh... even this early on a weekend morning, the waiting room is packed."
He was impressed the moment he stepped into the clinic. Despite it being a weekend, the waiting area was full.
"Good to see you. Why don't you observe my morning consultations first?"
It was nearly time for consultations to start, so Kim Chunsik quickly changed into his clinic attire.
And at 7 a.m. sharp, the patients headed to their assigned treatment and consultation rooms.
"Hello, Director! Long time no see! Who's the gentleman behind you?"
Some patients openly wondered about Kim Chunsik's identity.
"My neck started hurting out of nowhere three days ago... Huh?"
A fair number of first-time patients were confused, seeing the elderly middle-aged man standing right behind me and not knowing who the doctor was.
These were reactions we never got when Chu Miyoung or Hwang Sanghun tagged along. There was definitely a jarring age gap at play.
"A professor I know asked to observe. Would that be okay with you? If it's personal, we can just talk one-on-one!"
I handled it smoothly while carrying on with the consultation.
Kim Chunsik got lucky—a real mix of patients showed up.
Simple first-timers, tricky herbal consults, smooth recoveries, and stubborn no-improvers.
"I've had ten treatments, but my back's still the same. Is there no hope for someone with scoliosis as bad as mine?"
"Structural issues mean recovery's always slow. And at your age, you just don't have the energy reserves for it."
"Sigh..."
"I can feel clear changes when I examine you. Stick with it another two weeks, and you'll notice them yourself. Don't give up—keep coming."
"Got it. I'll put my faith in you, Director."
Some felt unchanged but were objectively better.
"I'm taking the meds, but nothing's different! Still wiped out in the morning, face still flushed."
"Cut back on drinking?"
"...Trying to."
"Last time, you and your son promised me you'd quit, remember?"
"I tried, but I just can't! Shouldn't the meds do something?"
Others where external factors made treatment impossible.
"Tonifiers alone help the frail. I gave you a detox for alcohol poison, but if you keep abusing your liver, what's the point? Every shot of soju adds a full day to your med course."
"......"
"I never nag about habits or exercise. I treat within what's doable. But you? No quitting booze, no real fix. I'm saying it straight: nip it now, don't wait for the crisis. Get treated right."
I spoke with genuine concern etched on my face.
Seeing the exact same look as his son—who'd earnestly begged me to look after his dad at the first visit—his resolve crumbled.
"Sigh... fine. I'll tell the boy to take every last bottle when I get home."
"Call him right here, right now."
"Here?"
"I want to help you that badly."
"Ah, alright."
Sometimes you just had to push.
Yelling like Kim Chunsik? Out of the question. But going too soft let patients walk all over you.
I stayed polite but firm, steering them toward controlling those external factors.
"Impressive. What formula? Daegin Inja? Saenggan Geonpi Tang?"
"Saryeong Daegin Inja."
Kim Chunsik spoke up the second the patient finished his call and left.
He'd been dying to ask, lips twitching the whole time.
"Oh, urinary flow wasn't smooth, then."
"Right. But you didn't trek to Busan just for prescriptions, did you?"
"Of course not. Every word, every glance—I took it all in. I get exactly what you were driving at."
Good—he'd watched the counseling, not just the herbs.
I explained in more detail for Kim Chunsik.
"Kind but firm on demand. The tougher the words, the softer the delivery. Patient pushes back? Stay kind—it builds trust."
"I see..."
"Well, that's my style."
"Hm?"
"Next up: Director Hwang."
Morning session just wrapped.
Afternoon still ahead, so since he'd come all the way to Busan, he should see another approach too.
Chu Miyoung had said it once:
"Director, you're so cool! Nothing fancy in your lines, but the charisma hits. If I were a patient, I'd swear loyalty and follow you anywhere!"
Honestly, I never saw myself as the charismatic type.
In the murim, sure—dragged non-compliant patients along by the scruff. But here? I'd always aimed for peak gentleness.
Figured my voice just carried unintended inner power.
Then I saw Hwang Sanghun's pure kindness in action and realized: my warrior life had left a high-handed edge.
So why not show Kim this side too? Help him find the sweet spot. He needed his own style anyway.
"Sanghun oppa~ Professor Kim's observing you this afternoon~."
So I tried sending Kim Chunsik Hwang's way.
"What? Me?"
That rattled? He dropped his chopsticks mid-meal.
"Haha, must feel burdensome, eh? Still, I have to ask."
"No, it's... fine."
Raised by dad and grandpa, but a senior old enough to be his father bowing? He caved on the spot.
"Thanks~ Count me in on the ask!"
Afternoon consultations.
I treated patients while extending my senses to eavesdrop on the vice director's room.
As expected, Hwang shook off the pressure and kept smiling, even before this venerated senior.
"Now I get why young Korean medicine docs are killing it..."
He'd shared thoughts after mine, but Hwang's left him speechless.
"Nothing special compared to Yeowon."
"No, it was special. Haha... gotta learn that smile first."
I left Hwang scratching his head and brought Kim Chunsik back to my room.
Pulled out the contract.
"No hard sell. You've seen enough—you can fix your issues solo now."
Stepped back to let him choose.
"Nah. I'm not that spineless."
He'd come with his mind made up.
Just confirmed it matched the provisional terms and revenue split I'd sent ahead, then stamped it fast.
"You should at least hear what I'll expect before signing."
"How do I win your trust haggling like that?"
Kim Chunsik declared proudly.
"Character, skills—checked. These years weren't wasted."
Dead certain he wasn't wrong.
Same here.
A little polishing, and Kim Chunsik would be a life-saver and a legend.
I stamped too.
And with that, Seongsu Clinic's third branch director was set.
Kim Chunsik memorized my manual in no time.
Originally made for Chu Miyoung, beefed up post-Hwang hire with diagnosis and treatment at core. Recruiting Kim added first/repeat scripts plus complaint handling.
"What's a patient?"
I hammered in the mindset—brainwashing levels.
Customer? Royalty.
Patient?
"Frail, timid souls. Gotta cradle 'em gentle, guide 'em right."
...Never said that. Where'd the Shaolin DLC come from?
Close enough—let it slide.
Lots of mock consults via manual.
Two-day Busan weekend: me and Hwang swapped patient duty, drilled him.
What's left?
Live fire, of course.
Had Kim rig clinic cams—full upper body for gestures.
Pet cams ordered on the spot. I burned a day off remotely observing.
"Kid sits still? Don't just chat parent! Clinic spooks 'em—home med refusal kills continuity!"
- Whoops. Careful next time.
Screen-gazing, I nitpicked away.
"Eyes off computer! Face the patient!"
- How type blind...
"Practice!"
Every line, habit I flagged—he hustled to fix.
- Wrist barely budged...
- Real rough, huh. Steady visits like yours? Turnaround soon.
- Oh no! Always consistent, but shoulder this better? All you, Director. So grateful always.
- Th-thanks. Wrist next, promise.
Guy's got real chops?
Chronic case, but enough visits? Treatment flawless.
Praise plus pointers anyway.
"Opener solid, but that thanks? Too knee-jerk."
Mid-remote coaching, familiar face popped up.
Elbow guy who'd stormed out post-tirade.
- Ahem. Hello.
Figured him gone for good, but back he was.
- Sorry for snapping last time. How's it now?
- ...Worse. Maintained okay here, though. That's why.
No face cam, but voice flat as hell.
Kim stayed cool.
- Overworked that ligament nonstop, yeah.
No "damn!" rage-face this time—pure worry lines.
- Ah, y-yeah...
Patient blinked—sudden honorifics, softened eyes.
- Not just forced weekend rounds, right? One-offs a week don't tank it this bad.
- Hm, yeah. Truth? Daily screen swings weekdays too. Hooked bad.
- Get it. Me too, hobby like that. Fun one's a godsend, drains life's spark? No sell.
Patient gaped, nodded.
- All more reason: treatment mode full throttle. Push it, inflammation locks chronic, tears mean surgery. Acu and herb shots can fix—give exactly one month. Deal?"
Kim unleashed a torrent. Night-and-day from snap-rage days ago.
- ...Deal.
Patient bought in.
Golf hiatus incoming. Month later? Night-and-day better.
Right doc, right care.
"Revenge match: flawless win! Zero nitpicks!"
- Re... venge what?
"Perfect!"
- Haha, all you.
Days stacked, efforts hardened to habit.
Revisit rate climbed from trash-fire. SNS first-timers spiked.
Outsourced blog? Now self-run with my tips. Chu's Insta got Songpa launch blast too.
Less than a month later: waits at Kim's clinic.
- Truly grateful. Peace of mind now, thanks to you. Month ago, closing loomed... Heartfelt thanks.
Screen flooded with bows to me, Chu, Hwang.
Offered online study to eager learners Chu and Hwang.
- Love it!
- Thank you. Honored.
Chu and Hwang jumped.
Weekly video pow-wows?
...So they teach each other, pad my cut?
No-brainer accept.
You sure? Holidays nuked for study?
- Haha, regular meetups it is! Need me anytime—holler!
Kim's grin beamed confident over feed.
- Can't wait.
Hwang beamed—buffet of lessons ahead.
Chu looked... thrilled? Nah.
- Uh, one thing to run by everyone? Meant to tell Director Han soon anyway—might as well now we're all here!
Some Daegu worry brewing? Chu seized the moment.