Chapter 25 – My Daughter, Soon-deok

Professor Olsen’s office.

“Professor, I am Kim Ji-hyuk.”

Bow—

Kim Ji-hyuk politely greeted Professor Olsen.

“Sit.”

“Yes.”

Kim Ji-hyuk carefully entered and sat down.

“Is it you again? I feel like I see you too often.”

Although his brows were knitted, Professor Olsen’s expression was bright. Judging by that, it seemed nothing was wrong.

“I am sorry.”

Ji-hyuk bowed his head in greeting.

“Hmm, I don’t know how far I should believe all this. Because I’ve never seen such a case even in Sweden.”

Tap, tap—

Professor Olsen tapped an unlit cigarette against his desk.

‘What on earth is he trying to say that he is stalling like this?’

Kim Ji-hyuk bit his lips anxiously.

“…….”

“Did you have knowledge about malignant hyperthermia?”

As expected, he had called him over the matter of Soon-deok last time.

“Just from a book…”

“Is that so? Bring that book here for once.”

Professor Olsen asked Ji-hyuk as if he had been waiting.

“Pardon?”

“Why are you so surprised? I think I need to look at that book and do some research on malignant hyperthermia as well. Could you lend me that book?”

“I-I am sorry. I lost it a while ago…”

Kim Ji-hyuk glossed over it.

“You lost it? You must have completely memorized that book. Seeing how perfectly you coped with it?”

“Just roughly from what I remembered…”

“A person who says he remembers roughly controls malignant hyperthermia so calmly? And currently in 1953, there is no treatment for malignant hyperthermia. Because even I have never seen one!”

“…….”

“So there is a high possibility that the book you claimed to have seen is also a lie.”

Professor Olsen pressed Kim Ji-hyuk with a firm face.

“It was unavoidable. I treated her by utilizing what I learned from the book as much as possible. At that time, my only thought was to save the child…”

“I am not trying to blame you.”

“Pardon? Then?”

Kim Ji-hyuk was startled by Professor Olsen’s unexpected words.

“It is none other than that research on malignant hyperthermia is also in full swing in Sweden. My colleague Eriksson is particularly passionate about researching this field.”

Tap—

Professor Olsen put down the cigarette he was holding.

“Ah, is that so.”

“So, I think your clinical experience will be of great help to him. Could you help Eriksson?”

“How could I…”

“Professor Eriksson will come to South Korea soon. When I contacted him, he readily agreed to meet you. It might be a good opportunity to study in Sweden. Eriksson has a great interest in you.”

‘No. I do not have the slightest intention of going to Sweden. No matter how high the medical level in Sweden is in 1953, could it compare to South Korea in 2024.’

“Ah, thank you for your interest, but I will decline. The war will end soon now. I have too much work to do for the country. However, if Professor Eriksson comes to South Korea, I will organize my experience and brief him so that it can help the research.”

“Hahaha, your patriotism is remarkable. Anyway, fine. From Eriksson’s standpoint as well, your clinical experience will be very important. We will discuss the matter of studying in Sweden again later…”

“Instead, I also want one thing from you, Professor.”

“From me? Tell me what it is.”

‘Give and take! Isn’t this the basic concept of capitalism?’

“Please help Soon-deok to live here.”

“Who is Soon-deok?”

“She is the child who finished surgery a while ago.”

“Ah, was that child’s name Soon-deok?”

Professor Olsen nodded.

“Yes. That is right.”

“Well, this is a hospital. The surrounding environment is also not suitable for a child to grow…”

“At least she won’t starve. It will be much better than going to an orphanage.”

“Haa, it seems you have no intention of yielding at all?”

Professor Olsen rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.

“Yes. Please let us raise the child here. We will ensure it never interferes with patient treatment.”

“I understand. I will review it positively. I will consult with Director Gustafsson.”

“Thank you!”

“Just keep in mind that raising a child is by no means an easy task. And keep in mind that giving up halfway is worse than not starting at all.”

“Yes. That will never happen!”

A few days later, the duty room.

As Olsen said, the decision was made to raise Soon-deok here at the UN Hospital.

“Hurrah! Ji-hyuk! Then are we living with our Soon-deok now?”

Kim Yun-seok was overjoyed and didn’t know what to do.

“Of course. I told you, didn’t I? Soon-deok will live with us. They said the hospital will also provide a place for Soon-deok to stay.”

“Wow! What a relief! I was so anxious about what to do if we had to send our Soon-deok to an orphanage…”

It was right at that moment.

Slam—

Shin Jung-eun kicked open the door and walked in.

“We can live with Soon-deok now??”

Her voice, full of excitement, trembled.

“Yes! We’ve decided to live together from now on! Our Kim Soon-deok!”

As Yun-seok replied in that way.

“What is everyone talking about right now? Why is Soon-deok’s last name Kim? Shin Soon-deok! Isn’t that a much more fitting name?”

“Ayy, even if I look like this, I am from the prestigious Jeonju Kim clan. Don’t you know the royal family, the Joseon royal family?”

Kim Yun-seok stammered in excitement.

‘Huh? What kind of novel nonsense is this? Joseon royal family?’

“Ridiculous. Since when did the Joseon dynasty change to the Kim clan? Anyway, I cannot yield, so everyone give up!”

In that way, the three of them were bickering.

At any rate.

Whether it was Kim Soon-deok or Shin Soon-deok, the child who survived by a hair’s breadth was able to live here at the UN Hospital.

* * *

A week later.

Soon-deok’s recovery speed was extremely fast.

“Soon-deok! Daddy is going to work, so play with your toys, okay?”

“Yes!”

“Kiss Daddy!”

“Yes. Kiss!”

Smack—

Soon-deok left quite a wet kiss on Ji-hyuk’s cheek.

“Heh, you left a really wet one.”

Hehe, even though his cheek was covered in spit, Soon-deok was the most lovable child in the world.

Around the time he was coming out after saying goodbye to Soon-deok.

“Doctor Kim Ji-hyuk, here you are?”

Nurse Park stood in front of Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Yes. Is something the matter?”

“Professor Cho Dong-gi is looking for you right now.”

‘Sigh, what kind of fault is he trying to find again.’

“Ah, I see. I will go right away.”

‘It’s annoying from the morning.’

Hmph, Kim Ji-hyuk headed to Professor Cho Dong-gi’s office with a displeased expression.

* * *

Professor Cho Dong-gi’s office.

“Sit.”

‘What on earth is bothering his mood again today?’

“Yes, Professor.”

“Would you like a cup of ginseng tea? Some just came in.”

‘While citizens are starving to death during the war, ginseng tea… Is he in his right mind? How many meals could be solved with this single cup of tea? This is why you are no good.’

Kim Ji-hyuk stared at Professor Cho Dong-gi with contemptuous eyes.

“No. I am fine.”

“You will regret it.”

Professor Cho Dong-gi showed a despicable smile.

“I have a ginseng allergy.”

“Oh? It is a tea made from the famous Kaesong ginseng. It is a precious taste that we won’t see again once the war ends soon, so it’s a pity.”

“…….”

“Well, then coffee perhaps?”

“I am fine. That aside, the reason you called me…”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked in an irritated voice.

“What is the rush? I called you to share a chat between fellow Korean compatriots.”

‘Think carefully about whether you have the right to call yourself a Korean compatriot.’

“…….”

“You did quite a major thing this time too. Your great exploit will soon be reported to Gyeongmudae as well. The war will end soon, and all of this will be of help to you.”

‘I decline such interest.’

“…….”

“Anyway, I feel a bit bad about being a bit harsh on you last time. I take this opportunity to apologize.”

Unlike before, Professor Cho Dong-gi took a low posture.

“It is fine.”

“Ayy, it doesn’t seem fine though?”

Professor Cho Dong-gi glared at Kim Ji-hyuk with crossed legs.

‘What kind of trick is he trying to pull now…’

“No. Professor, I am sorry, but there are many patients outside so I think I must leave.”

It was Kim Ji-hyuk not wanting to exchange words with Cho Dong-gi any further.

“You are raising that child named Soon-deok here?”

“Yes. I received the Director’s permission.”

“Ah, do not misunderstand. I am not scolding you for that. I know very well that your kind heart is remarkable. Yes, my talk went on too long. Let’s get to the point.”

Cho Dong-gi spoke while looking intensely into Kim Ji-hyuk’s eyes.

“Nice. Have you heard of Hanchang Textile?”

At that time in the 1950s, it was the top conglomerate in the country and a large enterprise that monopolized the cotton spinning industry.

A monopoly enterprise that achieved infinite growth under Syngman Rhee’s protection.

After liberation, it was branded as a pro-Japanese enterprise and referred to the Special Committee for Anti-National Activities for arrest, but was released with Syngman Rhee’s help.

As a representative collusive enterprise between politics and business that secured all kinds of concessions in return for supplying Syngman Rhee’s political funds, it was a conglomerate that dominated an era, owning numerous affiliates such as Hanchang Industry, Hanchang Fabrics, and Hanchang Trading.

Later, when the military regime led by Park Jung-ui came into power, it was fined a colossal retrieval amount of 1.2 billion won, unimaginable at that time; due to that incident, the Hanchang family donated their entire wealth to the state and naturalized in Japan.

It was an evil enterprise that accumulated wealth by squeezing the lifeblood of citizens suffering after the war, but since it had disappeared long ago, there was no way it would be engraved in Kim Ji-hyuk’s memory.

‘Hanchang? I am not a historian, how would I know such a thing?’

“No. I do not know well.”

“Uh-huh! How can you not know a rich man whom even a passing stray dog would know? Do you really not know Chairman Han Chang-gyu of Hanchang Textile?”

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Cho Dong-gi clicked his tongue as if frustrated.

“Yes.”

“You are a smart fool who is only interested in medicine. Hm, hm, anyway, Chairman Han Chang-gyu has a granddaughter whom he particularly cherishes, and that child is a bit sick.”

“Yes?”

“Well, they sent a message to me. Asking if I could treat that granddaughter.”

‘What on earth are you trying to say? If you received a request for treatment, you can treat her yourself, can’t you?’

“I see.”

“But what can I do? I am quite busy, aren’t I? I have to wait on the Yankees, I am constantly dragged into the operating room to assist, and besides, I have to go down to the Gwangju Artillery School this week.”

“Gwangju Artillery School?”

“Yes. I heard it’s a mess because dysentery is rampant there. Since it’s a place with backward medical facilities, I think I must go take a look.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Well, I was going to look after that child, but it became unavoidable. You must look after that child in my stead. Probably, if you just cure that child’s illness, changing your fortune is only a matter of time! Of course!”

Professor Cho Dong-gi wore a fishy smile on his lips.

‘What kind of illness is it…’

Kim Ji-hyuk narrowed his eyes with a slightly anxious expression.