Chapter 26 – A Terrible Illness (1)

“Mm… By the way, what is the name of that child’s illness?”

A doctor cannot choose their patients. Moreover, since refusing would mean enduring endless torment in the future, Kim Ji-hyuk had no choice but to accept Professor Cho Dong-gi’s proposal.

However, that was not the sole reason.

Half with worry and half with curiosity, Ji-hyuk was curious about what Professor Cho Dong-gi would say.

“The name of the illness? It is not detailed yet, but well… you will know once you examine her yourself.”

‘Does that make any sense right now? Aren’t you a doctor?’

At Professor Cho Dong-gi’s absurd answer, Ji-hyuk’s brows knitted of their own accord.

“Anyway, it is a family that holds and shakes our country’s economy with one hand, so do well. If you cure Chairman Han’s granddaughter’s illness this time, you might enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of your life.”

‘The more I think about it, the stranger it is. Why would this greedy man hand over such a good opportunity to me? If it is such an amazing person and opportunity, wouldn’t it be better for him to treat her directly? Why on earth is he offering such a golden opportunity to me? No. He’s throwing it to me because it’s not gold.’

There was no way Kim Ji-hyuk would not know Professor Cho Dong-gi’s inner thoughts.

“Mm, yes. I understand. First, let me take a look at the patient. Have them bring the patient to the hospital.”

“No. With someone of that status, we must go directly to their house. Isn’t our hospital too shabby?”

Professor Cho Dong-gi waved both hands roughly.

“Go to their house? For that, we must get the hospital’s permission…”

“Uh-huh! Don’t worry about such things. I will take care of it myself.”

He wielded immense power within the hospital.

Soon, once the war ended and the Swedish doctors returned to their home country, his tyranny was highly likely to become even more severe.

“Ah, yes.”

“You! Really consider this as a stroke of incredible luck falling into your lap. Since it’s a heaven-sent opportunity, make sure to grab it. You are a lucky man, a lucky man! Ah, I forgot, there is one thing I must request of you.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s keep this a secret known only to you and me. Since it is also Chairman Han’s request.”

‘Damn it, what is this uneasy feeling? What on earth is he trying to say?’

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good! Save Chairman Han’s granddaughter no matter what. Then the road to success will open wide for you.”

Hahaha, Professor Cho Dong-gi laughed brightly, showing his uvula.

“…….”

Watching Professor Cho Dong-gi like that, Kim Ji-hyuk sensed an indefinable anxiety.

And that evening.

“Yun-seok, by any chance, do you know Hanchang Textile?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked Yun-seok.

“Of course! Who in our country wouldn’t know Hanchang Textile? It is the best textile company in our country. Although it is during the war, Chairman Han of Hanchang Textile probably has the most cash in South Korea.”

Yun-seok spoke, making a money shape with his fingers.

“I see.”

“Although the factories in Seoul were all burned down and destroyed during this war, Hanchang factories are everywhere across the eight provinces of Joseon, so their power is still the same. Besides, he is very close to President Syngman Rhee, so once the war ends, they will make a huge comeback. But why ask that?”

“It is nothing. Just a bit curious.”

Kim Ji-hyuk shook his head.

“How trivial. Anyway, it seems our Soon-deok is growing rapidly day by day. Right?”

“Yes. It seems so.”

“Hehehe, I really live for the pleasure of watching our Soon-deok! This war must end quickly so we can hold Soon-deok’s hand and go on a picnic.”

Kim Yun-seok smiled brightly.

‘Grandfather also had days like this. I thought my grandfather was solemn from the moment he was born…’

It was Kim Ji-hyuk staring blankly at Kim Yun-seok.

‘Even if history changes, if it changes positively, there is nothing bad about it. Now that everything has become clear, I must not be dragged passively in this turbulent era. The fact that I possess future knowledge is a blessing, not a disaster, for me and South Korea. Utilizing all of this, I will live through this era.’

Unlike the past days that were chaotic, it was a moment when the Republic of Korea in the 1950s—which was a new world although he had gone to the past—approached Kim Ji-hyuk with expectation and excitement.

‘Yes. From now on, I will build it one by one. Hmm, at any rate, I must meet Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s granddaughter quickly. What kind of illness is it that Professor Cho Dong-gi behaves like that?’

Although it was uncomfortable, Kim Ji-hyuk could not help but feel his curiosity as a doctor triggered.

That night, Kim Ji-hyuk could not sleep at all due to all sorts of complex thoughts.

* * *

A few days later, Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s mansion.

‘Such a grand mansion in the midst of war…’

‘Wow!’

The chauffeur from Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s house came to pick up Kim Ji-hyuk, driving a black GM Chevrolet passenger car.

Seeing the shiny, polished car, Kim Ji-hyuk let out an exclamation in spite of himself.

“Please get in.”

‘To think I would ride in such a car. I wonder how much a classic car like this would fetch if put up for auction.’

“Yes.”

Kim Ji-hyuk, who had indulged in wild imaginations for a moment, got into the car and headed to Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s mansion.

“Whoa!”

A moment later, arriving at Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s mansion, Kim Ji-hyuk could not help but let out exclamations once again.

It was an immense house, or rather a mansion, that one would only see in movies.

A Japanese-style mansion built in a two-story structure with a vast garden.

Considering the current circumstances where it was common for about ten people to barely lay down in a collapsing shack, piled up like bean sprouts, this place seemed like a different world, another universe.

‘Is it really possible to live in a house like this in the middle of a war? It makes no sense. It would absolutely be impossible through normal business.’

Kim Ji-hyuk looked around and wore a bitter smile.

“Please go inside. Butler Hwang is waiting for you.”

The chauffeur guided Kim Ji-hyuk inside.

“Pardon? Ah, yes.”

Kim Ji-hyuk, who had been dazed for a moment, walked into the mansion under the chauffeur’s guidance.

“Doctor, please wait here for a moment. I will go bring the butler.”

“Yes.”

A moment later, the person called Butler Hwang came out to the reception room and sat opposite the sofa where Kim Ji-hyuk was sitting.

In a mansion of this scale, even a butler seemed likely to enjoy considerable authority.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I hope you did not experience any discomfort.”

Butler Hwang asked Ji-hyuk.

He was roughly in his fifties or sixties, a neat elderly gentleman with graying hair, wearing a bow tie and a suit.

“Yes. Thanks to the car you sent, I traveled comfortably.”

Ji-hyuk was still looking around, failing to adapt to reality.

Everything looked unfamiliar to his eyes.

“That is fortunate. I have heard a lot about you from Doctor Cho Dong-gi. He said you are a very competent doctor. Professor Cho Dong-gi praised you to the skies.”

“No. I am not at that level. You flatter me. I am still just a resident.”

Kim Ji-hyuk shook his head slowly.

“No. If you are a doctor recommended by Doctor Cho Dong-gi, you are trustworthy. Our Chairman also has high expectations.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Please just cure our young lady’s illness. If you do, the Chairman has promised to grant whatever you wish.”

‘What on earth is the illness for them to go this far? Could it be cancer? If it is cancer, there isn’t much I can do either…’

Kim Ji-hyuk had a slightly worried expression.

“Yes. I will do my best. By the way, where is the patient?”

Ji-hyuk, who wanted to see the patient’s condition as soon as possible, asked while looking around.

“The young lady is waiting on the second floor.”

Butler Hwang pointed to the second floor with his finger.

“I see. Then first, from the patient’s condition…”

Kim Ji-hyuk was starting to feel impatient little by little.

“No. Before that, I have a few things I must request of you.”

As Kim Ji-hyuk tried to stand up, Butler Hwang raised his hand.

“Please speak.”

“First, from this moment on, you must not leak any details about the young lady to the outside. Absolutely!”

Butler Hwang spoke with a completely stiff face.

‘Professor Cho Dong-gi as well, and this person too, why are there so many secrets? I wish they would just show me the patient quickly.’

“Of course. Protecting the patient’s personal information and maintaining confidentiality are a doctor’s duties.”

Ji-hyuk replied bluntly with a face full of dissatisfaction.

“Thank you for your understanding. Second, if you cure the young lady, we will give you five million won as a reward. Besides that, the Chairman has promised to give you whatever you want, whether it be fields, lands, or a house.”

‘Five million won? How much would five million won in 1953 be in terms of 2020 value? I know it’s a huge sum of money, but honestly, I have no sense of it. Just how valuable is it.’

Based on 1956, South Korea’s per capita GDP was 66 dollars, and as of 2021, the per capita GDP was 44,567 dollars; estimating the difference as roughly 675.3 times, five million won was about 3.3 billion won.

Since it was currently during the war and inflation was massive, it was not accurate, but at any rate, the sum of five million won was clearly an enormous fortune.

‘Just what kind of illness is it…’

Kim Ji-hyuk became even more curious about the illness the patient was suffering from.

“I don’t know much about those things, and a doctor cannot guarantee a patient’s complete cure. It is something that must be decided after seeing the patient’s condition…”

“No. You must save the young lady no matter what!”

At that, Butler Hwang cut off Kim Ji-hyuk mid-sentence.

And with a resolute expression.

“Pardon?”

Kim Ji-hyuk had an displeased expression.

“Since you have stepped foot in this place, you must cure the young lady’s illness. Otherwise…”

“Are you saying you will kill me?”

“Pardon my language, but that might inevitably be the case. The Chairman is someone who can do anything. Save the young lady by all means. That is the only…”

“You are insane! Are you threatening me right now? I will leave immediately.”

‘What kind of nonsense is he talking right now?’

Ji-hyuk jumped up from his seat with a displeased expression.

“Doctor! It is not a threat, but an earnest plea. Please, save our young lady.”

At that, Butler Hwang suddenly began to plead pathetically.

“…….”

“To be honest, it is not your life, but my life and the lives of those who work here that depend on this. Please save us.”

Butler Hwang bowed his head toward Kim Ji-hyuk and pleaded.

“Save you?”

“The lives of all the household members here depend on you. If we cannot cure the young lady’s illness this time either, we will all die. Please, cure the young lady’s illness.”

The people who were completely terrified and trembling in fear. They were the people working here.

‘Whew, it certainly seems I’ve gotten completely tangled up in something bad…’

It was Ji-hyuk who could not help but feel an anxious vibe.

“Just how is the situation turning out right now?”