Chapter 84
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Frequent Colds
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"Is something wrong with your son?"
"Ah, it's nothing major. He just seems to catch colds way too often. The kid's so frail—every year, without fail, he gets sick five or six times."
"How old is he?"
"My second one's in second grade."
I thought it was something serious when she started getting all dramatic. Turns out it wasn't a big deal.
Still, five or six colds a year for a second-grader was a bit much. If he were just starting kindergarten, it'd be normal while his immune system builds up, but...
"Bring him in sometime. I'll ask some questions, check his pulse, and prescribe something if needed."
"Oh, thank you! Is this weekend okay?"
"Of course. Anytime during business hours works, or even after if it's busy!"
"Got it. I'll bring him next weekend. Sorry for holding you up!"
"No worries~ Alright, everyone, dismissed! Grab a family gift with your bonus on the way out!"
"Thanks for all your hard work!"
The four staff members scattered with more cheer than ever.
"Yeowon, you had the most back-and-forth with everyone. What're you up to today?"
"Me? Logging into the game for the first time in ages. They helped out a ton over there too."
"Ah... Have fun."
"You too, oppa~."
Is Hwang Sanghun heading to the gym? No idea what he does on days off since he doesn't game.
Anyway, I logged in after forever and showered them with gifts.
[Whoa~ Thanks, Alliance Leader!]
[Long live the Divine Physician!]
[lol don't toss stuff like this around, just come back!!!]
[No time for dailies...]
Yun Hanbyeol still called me Alliance Leader, but I'd handed the class president spot to Cheongpunggong, and with my logins way down, no need to hoard resources anymore.
With rewards distributed, things wrapped up.
That's when I met Oh Jihoon, Jin Minjeong's son.
"Jihoon, come here! No! Don't touch that! Mom said to behave at the clinic!"
The boy started fiddling with the pamphlets Seo In-ae had on display the moment he entered the clinic.
Curious and mischievous personality, but he was small and skinny, with super thin arms and legs.
His sister, tagging along, was sturdy—like a mini Jin Minjeong.
"Jiyeong, you sit here for a bit."
"Can I watch NewTube?"
"Fine. Watch quietly. Jihoon, come on! We need to talk to the doctor!"
I got why she brought them after hours.
Her daughter was fine, upper elementary, but the little one must be tough to wrangle while working.
"Hi, Jihoon~!"
I greeted Oh Jihoon, whom Jin Minjeong had finally plopped in a chair.
"Hi!"
"Say 'Hello, Doctor' properly!"
"Hello, Doctor!"
Way easier to consult with than kids who clam up in fear.
"Jihoon catches colds a lot, so the doctor's gonna make you strong. I'll ask a few things—can you answer well?"
"Yes!"
The boy nodded vigorously.
"Jihoon, do you eat well? Get excited for lunch?"
"Jihoon..."
I waved off Jin Minjeong. Wanted to hear it from him.
"I like lunchtime! But I hate when teachers make me finish everything."
"How much do you eat when you get your food? Can't finish a full bowl?"
"Even when I ask for half, the lunch lady heaps it on!"
Appetite and portion aren't huge.
"Do you digest okay? No tummy aches?"
"Yeah. Just a little diarrhea when I get a cold?"
He tilted his head as he answered.
"Does your nose stuff up a lot with colds? What color's the mucus?"
"Sometimes it does, sometimes not. Clear stuff just keeps dripping."
"Headaches or fevers?"
"Varies, but not much!"
With time to spare, I checked sleep, bathroom habits, sweat, hot/cold sensations, cold patterns—everything.
"Let me see your hand."
After questions, I took his pulse and let Jin Minjeong speak.
"My daughter's healthy and tall, but this one's so scrawny and short—worries me sick. Catches colds from the slightest chill or overexertion."
"Weak immune system?"
"Exactly. I've barely had a cold in my life—could count 'em on one hand. Daughter hasn't been sick once since elementary. But he takes after his frail dad, always wheezing."
Jin Minjeong sighed deeply.
No major illness, but parents would fret anyway.
"Jihoon, doctor's giving you herbal medicine to get healthy. Can you take it?"
"Don't like bitter stuff!"
"Hey!"
"It's fine. What I'm giving won't be bitter."
I stopped her from scolding. Forcing meds daily would be exhausting.
"Minjeong-ssi, grab a stick of Kyungokgo?"
"Oh, prescribing Kyungokgo?"
"Yes. Best for Jihoon."
Jin Minjeong fetched the stick-pack Kyungokgo from the fridge. I opened one and handed it to Oh Jihoon.
"Squeeze it out? Like jelly?"
"Yep. Lots of honey—should taste good."
I smiled gently.
Kids think herbs are bitter, but unless it's real bitters like goldthread, it's tolerable.
Kyungokgo has no bland ingredients. Pricey, but some want it for flavor alone.
"How's it? Okay?"
"Eung, it's sweet!"
Oh Jihoon wrinkled his nose but downed the whole stick.
"Can I have another?"
"No, it's medicine."
Ginseng can taste bitter to kids, but he lit up—hooked.
Won't run away from it!
"One every morning when you wake up. Food'll taste better, you'll run great in school soccer, fewer colds. Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
"Promise the doctor!"
"Promise~."
Got his promise, then swapped him with Jin Minjeong.
Basic manners, but explained Kyungokgo anyway.
"Could do direct cold meds long-term, like Galgeuntang or So-cheongryongtang."
Jin Minjeong knew them—stocked for occasional cold patients under insurance.
For constant sniffles from allergies, 2-3 months would've been ideal.
"But better than cooling fevers and drying mucus—he needs to build resistance himself. Tonics it is."
"Yes, yes."
"Kyungokgo's a tonic, but targets lungs in the five viscera—respiratory specialist. Unlike those cold meds, it moistens dry chronic lungs, improves breathing issues. Boosts immunity, basically."
Plus aids digestion for appetite, relieves physical/mental fatigue, builds base stamina, supports growth...
Donguibogam says it "tonifies original qi, rejuvenates the elderly, cures all diseases."
Always in top three famous herbs. (First: Gongjindan; third usually Cheongsimhwan, sometimes Gwiryongtang or others.)
"Got it. He's frail, especially to colds—perfect fit."
Jin Minjeong nodded understanding.
"I'll add extra honey for tasty takes. But eat meals properly?"
"Yees!"
"Oh, Director. Family discount on Kyungokgo too, right?"
"Yep. One pouch mornings."
"Thanks."
Consult done, we left the exam room.
Staff gone, so Jin Minjeong handled payment at desk.
"What're you doing at the clinic?!"
Out in waiting area, she clutched her neck.
Her big daughter had hooked her phone to the desk TV and was dancing.
"You said I could watch NewTube?"
"On your phone! Don't touch the TV!"
"It's just Bluetooth."
"Eh, it's fine. No one's here. Turn it off when done."
I'd heard from the exam room, didn't mind, but Jin Minjeong fidgeted.
She quietly handled grunt work. Busiest in heavy treatment room, shielded Set Yuhee or Gong Narang from tough patients as senior.
Even she struggled with bouncy kids? Refreshing.
"Sorry, Director. Shouldn't have brought her..."
"No biggie. She's good—great moves. Take your time settling up."
"Be quick. Whew, driving me nuts. Sent her to dance academy begging to be an idol, now regional event frenzy?"
Jin Minjeong sat blushing at desk. Payment and daily close—five minutes?
"Practice till song ends~ What event? Contest?"
"Park thing. Our dance team's opening act."
"Cool! What's sis's name? Grade?"
"Oh Jiyeong! Fifth grade!"
"...Jiyeong."
Oh Jihoon and Oh Jiyeong answered together.
Brother mimicked beside her; sister kept perfect steps mid-chat.
As an I-type MBTI, baffling kids.
No talent or interest in dance—unlike martial forms. Freshman welcome horrors...
"When'd you twist your ankle? Treat it before going?"
Spotting her right ankle off while watching, I tossed it out.
"..."
She froze mid-step.
Jin Minjeong's head snapped up from desk.
"Jiyeong, sprained again?"
Ah... Hiding it?
"No. Fine. Totally okay."
"Okay my foot! Dancing on a fresh injury?! Rest now!"
"What?! It doesn't hurt at all!"
"Lie once more, academy's cut!"
Oops, poked a sore spot.
Oh Jiyeong glared daggers.
Sorry, kid. But injuries need fixing.