Chapter 31 – A Terrible Illness (6)

—Well…

“What do you mean, ‘well’? How can you say that?”

—Well, the Chairman has ordered that all details regarding the young lady’s treatment must never be leaked.

“A secret? I am Jo Dong-ki. Jo Dong-ki! How can there be a secret from me as well?”

—Would you please lower your voice? Didn’t you already give up on our young lady, Doctor?

“T-that is not it.”

—Anyway, whether it is you, Doctor, or anyone else, I have absolutely nothing to say regarding the young lady’s illness.

“Ha, this is driving me crazy. Then just tell me this one thing. Is Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk, whom I sent, even treating Miss A-yeong?”

—I cannot tell you that either.

“Damn it! Even to me, the attending physician? Are you saying this because you do not know what kind of relationship I have with the Chairman?”

Angry, Jo Dong-ki raised his voice.

—The attending physician?

And Butler Hwang’s response came back coldly.

—Ah, have I not told you yet? Starting today, our young lady’s attending physician is Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk.

“W-what? Do you think that makes any sense right now?”

—Isn’t an attending physician originally supposed to mean a doctor who takes full charge of the patient and cares for them with all their heart and soul? We cannot call someone who runs around tending to their own business in the middle of it an attending physician. In any case, it is the Chairman’s command, so do not ask me anymore. Then, I will hang up the phone now. I have nothing more to say to you, Doctor.

*Click.*

Butler Hwang coldly hung up the phone.

“What? Employing Kim Ji-hyuk as the attending physician?”

The red flush that had already started at Jo Dong-ki’s neck reached the top of his head.

‘H-how on earth is this situation turning out!’

Professor Jo Dong-ki bared his teeth in rage.

* * *

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

“Butler Hwang, is the Chairman at home?”

Unable to sit still any longer, Jo Dong-ki called Butler Hwang.

—No. The Chairman went up to Seoul as he had some business to attend to.

“Seoul? Then when will the Chairman return?”

—Well… I do not know that much either.

“I understand. Once the Chairman returns, please contact me immediately.”

“Damn it! What is the reason for treating me like this!”

Despite requesting it like that, the call from Chairman Han, which he was waiting for, did not come.

No matter how many times he tried to contact him, Chairman Han Chang-gyu did not receive Jo Dong-ki’s calls.

Furthermore, Kim Ji-hyuk also consistently feigned ignorance. Although he wanted to run inside immediately and find out what was happening, since the person who recommended Kim Ji-hyuk was himself, Jo Dong-ki could neither do this nor that, nor could he press him any further.

However, becoming so curious about what was happening in Chairman Han’s house that he was driven out of his mind, he eventually visited Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s house in person to check for himself.

“Chairman, have you been in good health in the meantime?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki assumed a low posture to the point of being servile. He was rolling his eyes to somehow figure out Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s real intentions.

“Indeed. Thanks to you, I am doing well.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu wore a lukewarm expression.

“Are you taking the vitamin supplements I sent you before?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki struggled to grasp Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s intentions using the vitamins as an excuse.

“Indeed. I am taking them gratefully.”

“It is a multivitamin imported directly from Sweden. If you take it consistently, you will not lose your vitality.”

Jo Dong-ki rubbed his hands together servilely.

“Thank you. By the way, what brings you here? I do not think I have any reason to see Professor Jo anymore.”

Ahem, Chairman Han Chang-gyu made a displeased face.

“Ah, it is nothing other than that I brought a nutritional supplement that is good for blood vessels in the brain, imported from the United States this time. I brought it to give to you. If you take it consistently, you will not have to worry about your blood vessels, Chairman!”

Professor Jo Dong-ki rustled and took a black medicine bottle out of his bag.

“Rather than something like that, do you not have any good medicine for our granddaughter?”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu bluntly snapped at Jo Dong-ki, who was holding out the medicine bottle.

“Ah… Unfortunately, a treatment for Hansen’s disease has not yet been developed. Regrettably, there is nothing I can do right now. I am truly sorry.”

At that, Jo Dong-ki flushed.

“Hmm, so you are saying my granddaughter’s disease is an incurable illness that can never be cured?”

“I am sorry. I also tried my best, but there is still no proper treatment in modern medicine.”

“Is that the case in America as well?”

“Yes. Regrettably.”

“Hmm, if even Dr. Jo, who is called the best doctor in South Korea, is like this, and it is a disease that even the United States, the world’s greatest nation, cannot handle, then there is nothing to be done. It is all due to my granddaughter’s unfortunate fate.”

“Do not worry too much. Although it is not certain, a drug to cure your granddaughter’s illness will be developed within a few years. If that happens, I will be the first to obtain that drug and treat Miss A-yeong. I swear, despite how I look, I have many connections in Sweden and the United States!”

Professor Jo Dong-ki bragged about his solid network.

“Thank you. I did not know you thought of my granddaughter so dearly, Dr. Jo.”

“Not at all. Do know how devastated I was when I heard the news that Miss A-yeong had contracted such a terrible illness?”

“Ah! Was that so?”

“Of course. Not to mention the hospital where I currently work, I pulled strings with the US military to search for medicine all the way to the US mainland, but there was none. Since then, I have not been able to sleep properly for a single day. I do not know how miserable I felt, being unable to do anything as a doctor, Chairman!”

Crocodile tears.

Professor Jo Dong-ki bowed even lower and appealed to Han Chang-gyu.

“Oh dear, you must have gone through a lot of mental suffering in the meantime.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu shot a contemptuous look at Professor Jo Dong-ki.

“Do not say that. My suffering is nothing compared to the pain Miss A-yeong is receiving.”

“I see. But since it seems you will not have to go through that trouble from now on, live with a comfortable mind now.”

Ahem—

Chairman Han Chang-gyu cleared his throat.

Since he had been clinging to Professor Jo Dong-ki with the feeling of grasping at straws until recently, Jo Dong-ki could not understand Chairman Han’s current behavior from his perspective.

“Pardon? W-what do you mean by that?”

At Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s words, Jo Dong-ki slightly raised his head.

“I mean that our A-yeong has recovered from her illness like a miracle.”

“What? Miss A-yeong has recovered?”

Startled, Jo Dong-ki sprang up from his seat.

“Why is your expression like that?”

“Ah, no. I am just so happy to hear that she recovered…”

Since it was something that could absolutely not happen from Professor Jo Dong-ki’s perspective, he could not help but be flustered.

“Thanks to the doctor you introduced, our A-yeong was brought back to life.”

“A-are you speaking of Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk?”

Moreover, to think that it was Kim Ji-hyuk!

“Yes. As you said, Dr. Jo, the young doctor was extraordinary. Since our A-yeong’s illness was completely cured in just a single week. What on earth happened here? Isn’t it a terrible illness that even the great United States cannot touch yet?”

“T-that is…”

“Why is your facial expression like that? Are you sick somewhere?”

“Ah, no. Setting that aside, are you really saying Miss A-yeong’s disease has been treated?”

“Hahaha, strange. It seems you are not happy that our granddaughter’s illness has cured. I thought you would be the happiest, Dr. Jo.”

“O-of course I am happy! However… that is not a disease that easily cures…”

Professor Jo Dong-ki was so flustered that he even broke out in a cold sweat.

Chairman Han Chang-gyu spoke while glaring at Professor Jo Dong-ki.

“Would you like to check it with your own eyes?”

Then, Chairman Han Chang-gyu scanned Professor Jo Dong-ki’s expression.

‘There is no way. Based on my common sense, such a thing can never happen. Hansen’s disease being cured? Never, absolutely never. This guy Kim Ji-hyuk must have played some trick…’

Around the time Jo Dong-ki was muttering with a flushed face.

“Grandfather!”

A young girl’s clear voice was heard from the second floor. That girl was surely the child who had been groaning with the leper’s disease called the heavenly flower until half a month ago.

“Come quickly, A-yeong!”

When Han Chang-gyu beckoned, A-yeong ran to him in a single breath.

“Careful, careful! What if you fall like that?”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu sprang up from his seat and welcomed the child, lest she get hurt.

‘W-what? There are no scars on her face? How did this happen?’

Jo Dong-ki fixed his gaze on the girl’s face and hands. Just as Chairman Han said, the hideous rashes attached to A-yeong’s face were nowhere to be seen.

Rather, was her face not full of life?

‘D-does this make sense? How can such a thing happen?’

*Tremble.*

Professor Jo Dong-ki’s pupils trembled wildly as he looked at A-yeong.

“Look here, Dr. Jo! Look at our A-yeong’s skin. Originally, our A-yeong took after her mother, so her skin is as soft as silk.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu sat his granddaughter on his lap.

The appearance of the child smiling brightly was just that of an ordinary, healthy teenage girl.

‘I-it makes no sense! How on earth can such a thing happen? Medical nonsense…’

It was right at that moment.

“Oh, Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk! Please come in. Even without that, I was waiting anxiously for Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk’s arrival!”

While Professor Jo Dong-ki was in panic, Butler Hwang entered the parlor with Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Professor, have you arrived?”

As Professor Jo Dong-ki’s figure was seen, Kim Ji-hyuk greeted him politely.

“Y-yes. Have you arrived.”

It was still difficult for Professor Jo Dong-ki to calm his trembling heart. Since his face had turned red like a tomato and even his hands were shaking.

“Yes. By the way, what brings you to this place?”

Kim Ji-hyuk feigned ignorance even though he already knew the reason Professor Jo Dong-ki had come here.

“Ah, t-that is… I just came for a greeting.”

“Hahaha, Professor Jo Dong-ki came here because he was worried about our granddaughter’s health. So I told him she has fully recovered thanks to Dr. Kim.”

“Ah, is that so. This is all thanks to the Professor here.”

“I see! Indeed, Professor Jo’s teachings must have been excellent.”

Chairman Han Chang-gyu deliberately bantered.

At that.

“Oh my! I forgot that I have urgent business! Since I have confirmed that your granddaughter’s illness has cured, I think I must go now. Since much time has already passed…”

Professor Jo Dong-ki looked at his wristwatch and hurried.

“Oops, that would not do. I understand. Go attend to your business quickly.”

“Yes, yes. Then I shall take my leave now. Let’s see each other at the hospital later, Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk.”

“Yes, Professor!”

“Then, goodbye…”

Professor Jo Dong-ki hurriedly got up from his seat. He rushed out of Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s house as fast as his legs could carry him.

A moment later.

Once Professor Jo Dong-ki went outside like that, Kim Ji-hyuk adjusted his posture and sat up.

“Chairman, how did what I requested turn out?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked Chairman Han Chang-gyu with glowing eyes.