Chapter 64 – Actress of the Century (3)

“Look here…”

Marilyn Monroe, who pulled away the blanket, moved her lips. Her pale face was devoid of blood, making her look even more wan.

“What is the matter, Miss Monroe?”

The soldiers approached and asked her.

“Where is this right now?”

“It is a Korean hospital.”

“Hmm, then is this the place where the doctor who saved me works?”

“Yes. It is Dr. Kim Yun-seok, a surgeon working in this hospital. The weather is cold, so please cover yourself with the blanket quickly, Miss Monroe.”

“No. In that case, could I share a conversation with that doctor?”

“That is…”

The US military side looked troubled.

“I would really like to do so. Please, I beg you.”

“I… I understand.”

“Which one is Dr. Kim Yun-seok?”

The US soldier, having received Marilyn Monroe’s request, looked around the surroundings.

“I am Kim Yun-seok.”

“Hmm, please come this way for a moment. Miss Marilyn Monroe is looking for you.”

“Yes. Understood.”

A moment later.

Kim Yun-seok approached Marilyn Monroe, and seeing his appearance, Marilyn Monroe made a faint smile on her lips.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“N-No. I didn’t do anything special, you know.”

Kim Yun-seok waved his hand with a face turned red as a tomato.

“That can’t be! If Dr. Kim hadn’t been in that place… It’s too terrible to even think about it now! I don’t know how to repay this favor.”

Marilyn Monroe let out a short sigh.

“You are a patient, and I am a doctor. It seems the word favor is not logical.”

Kim Yun-seok slowly shook his head.

“Oh! As expected, you are wonderful, just as I thought!”

“It was a matter of course to do as a doctor!”

“If so, will Dr. Kim take responsibility for me until the end?”

“Of course. Since a doctor is someone who treats patients.”

Kim Yun-seok smiled broadly.

“Reassuring! Please let Dr. Kim handle all of my treatments!”

‘As expected of grandfather!’

“You saw, right? Now it seems we have to lead the patient?”

Kim Yun-seok, who naturally induced Marilyn Monroe’s consent. Kim Ji-hyuk spoke to the US soldiers in a low voice.

“…”

“Would you please make way?”

Ahem—

“Hand over the patient!”

The US soldiers had no choice but to hand over Marilyn Monroe to Kim Ji-hyuk’s party.

“Patient, we will move you to the ward.”

“Alright.”

Slide—

Kim Ji-hyuk, Kim Yun-seok, and the residents pushed the gurney and entered the hospital.

* * *

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s research office.

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson of the Far East Command Medical Battalion visited Professor Chung Ki-ryeo regarding Marilyn Monroe’s treatment.

“Nice to meet you. I am Lieutenant Colonel Anderson.”

In South Korea right now, there was no place with authority and power as mighty as the Far East Command.

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson introduced himself to Professor Chung Ki-ryeo with a high-handed attitude.

“I am Chung Ki-ryeo. First, please sit.”

“Thank you for cooperating with the procedures regarding the patient’s treatment.”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson said as he sat down.

“Did you say cooperating just now? I don’t know well what the Lieutenant Colonel’s words mean… And before that, I would like to receive an apology for visiting like this without prior contact. I don’t think this is polite to our hospital and me.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo said with a look of displeasure.

“Ahem, since the matter was so urgent… First, since it was discussed with the Director, I thought you had also been contacted, Professor. I am sorry.”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson apologized to Professor Chung Ki-ryeo reluctantly.

“Yes. I see. By the way, cooperating? What cooperation are you talking about?”

“I will speak simply. All expenses incurred for Miss Marilyn Monroe’s treatment will be fully covered by the Far East Command.”

“That part seems to be something you can discuss with our hospital’s admissions office. It seems to be a matter you don’t necessarily have to speak to me about, does it?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo shrugged his shoulders.

“Ahem, first, I heard the person in charge is Professor Chung Ki-ryeo, so I visited… I will handle it in that way as you said.”

Anderson had an awkward expression.

“Then I must leave now. Since I didn’t receive contact in advance, I have work to do!”

“Wait a moment! I would like to request additional cooperation regarding Miss Monroe’s treatment.”

As Professor Chung Ki-ryeo was about to rise from his seat, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson stopped him.

“Cooperation? You keep saying cooperation from earlier, but it seems you have some misunderstanding. Miss Monroe is our hospital’s patient, and treating the patient is up to me and our hospital’s doctors. If it is cooperation, shouldn’t it be logical that your medical battalion does it for our hospital?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo showed his displeasure with a straight face.

“Hahaha, it seems you have a great misunderstanding, Professor. We are only trying to lease your hospital facilities short-term, it doesn’t mean we will leave Miss Monroe’s treatment to your hospital!”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson laughed loudly, as if it were absurd.

It was a humiliating proposal to the National Medical Center, the medical institution representing South Korea.

“If so, we cannot accept the patient either!”

“What?”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson asked in surprise at Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s unexpected response.

“Don’t you think it is rude? I think this is an act of ignoring me, our hospital’s doctors, and furthermore, South Korea. Therefore, I do not want to discuss this issue any further. Please take the patient and return.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo snapped in a firm tone.

“It’s not ignoring you, isn’t that reality? Do you think the current medical system of Korea is normal? Also, do you think you have the capability to treat the patient? How can we trust the medical level of South Korea?”

“I won’t say the cliché that when in Rome do as the Romans do, but it is difficult to accept your remarks demeaning South Korea’s medical level. So please withdraw immediately. Of course, if Miss Monroe wishes to remain in our hospital, we will respect that wish and treat her with all our sincerity.”

“I don’t understand. Don’t you know who Miss Monroe is? If you just cooperate with us, you can gain fame and wealth, Professor. I don’t understand why you make such a foolish decision. It would also be of considerable benefit to this hospital?”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson tilted his head as if he could not understand.

“They say when Gandhi, the leader of India, died, he left only a spinning wheel. I am not interested in such wealth and fame. In the past and now, I am only a doctor, and if there is a patient who needs me, I just treat them regardless of race and rank. Miss Monroe is no different. I intend to do my best to treat her as a doctor.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo calmly expressed his thoughts.

“Hmm… I understand. For now, I know your thoughts, and I will discuss the subsequent procedures with Director Lee Tae-soo.”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who visited Professor Chung Ki-ryeo as a matter of formality. He thought Professor Chung Ki-ryeo would follow his thoughts easily, but since he showed an unexpected reaction, he seemed displeased.

“If you have nothing further to say, may I leave now? Since it is time for me to see patients. I cannot neglect my patients because of you, can I?”

Sigh—

“…”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson blushed with a look of displeasure.

“And… to give you one more piece of advice. I am a doctor. Therefore, I don’t have the leisure to chat idly while leaving my patients. So in the future, please contact us in advance or receive permission before entering this room. Of course, Miss Monroe is an important patient, but other patients admitted to the hospital are equally precious. I don’t have the leisure to spend my time like this!”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo scolded Lieutenant Colonel Anderson in a firm tone.

* * *

Director Lee Tae-soo’s office.

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo, who finished his interview with Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, visited Director Lee Tae-soo’s office upon his summons.

“Sit down, Professor Chung.”

“Yes.”

Director Lee Tae-soo guided him to a seat with a heavy expression.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Professor Chung.”

Director Lee Tae-soo moved his lips with difficulty after hesitating for a moment.

“Yes. Please speak.”

“Did Lieutenant Colonel Anderson meet you?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me to wash my hands of Miss Monroe’s treatment, as they would handle it.”

“Hmm… So what did you say?”

Director Lee Tae-soo asked with a serious expression.

“I said it was impossible.”

“Hmm, as expected, it is a thought worthy of you, Professor Chung.”

“Pardon?”

“I have the same thought as you, Professor Chung. Yes, you did well! No matter how much it is America, isn’t this a bit too much? Far from ignoring South Korea’s medical staff, this is also a serious blow to our nation’s dignity. Indeed! It is impossible. Why should our hospital suffer such humiliation for some American actress?”

Director Lee Tae-soo flared up, spitting.

“Then?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo was a bit flustered by Director Lee Tae-soo’s unexpected reaction.

“What do you mean, then? Treat her! If she is a patient who entered our hospital, we must treat her. Why should we leave our patient to another doctor? Miss Monroe! I want you to be at the center, Professor Chung, and treat her with all your sincerity!”

“What do you mean by that? Lieutenant Colonel Anderson’s words…”

“I settled the agreement. So do not worry and treat her according to your conviction, Professor Chung.”

“Is that true?”

“Oh dear, do you look down on me too lightly, Professor Chung? Well, you are not the only one with pride as a doctor. Where do those Yankees come from to barge into our hospital and tell us what to do? It is impossible. Besides, I heard the doctor who saved Miss Monroe is our hospital’s doctor?”

“Yes. That is correct. It is Dr. Kim Yun-seok.”

“See. If so, wouldn’t it naturally be right that we treat her? Do not worry about anything and do your best to treat her.”

“I… I understand.”

“However!”

“Please speak.”

“You must cure Miss Monroe’s illness. That way, I will also have something to say to Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and the Far East Command Medical Battalion, won’t I? Having boasted like this, if we fail to treat her properly… Sigh, it makes me dizzy just thinking about it. I don’t know what kind of trouble I will get into if I am summoned to Gyeongmudae.”

Director Lee Tae-soo shrugged his shoulders and bantered.

“…”

“I hope you do your best for our hospital, and furthermore, for the medical community of South Korea. Since I will act as a shield for you and our medical staff.”

“Thank you, Director! I will do my best to treat Miss Monroe so that she can make a full recovery.”

“Yes. I will only trust you, Professor Chung.”

Director Lee Tae-soo held Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s hands tightly.

* * *

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s research office.

“Both of you, listen to me carefully from now on.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo summoned Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok to his research office.

“Please speak.”

“Yes, Professor!”

“From today, we decided to take full charge of Miss Monroe’s treatment. There is no need to give special treatment just because she is Marilyn Monroe. Just treat her the same as other patients. I hope you two will do your best so that the patient can recover as quickly as possible!”

“Yes!”

“Yes. We will do our best.”

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok looked at each other with bright faces.

Finally, the two were able to treat Marilyn Monroe directly.