n

nChapter 152

nSuhyuk visited a series of hospitals in Stockholm to brief about his research on stem cells.

nNumerous reporters followed him there, and those doctors present at his briefing session were busy taking notes of, and even recording what he said.

nAt last he completed all the lectures he had to, and was able to find his own free time.

nHe could have returned to Korea after the ceremony, but he did not.

nHe spent his vacation with Hana in Stockholm.

nThey took pictures in front of famous buildings and had delicious food.

nSmiles never disappeared from their faces.

nHolding their hands, both walked along the streets during the night.

nIt was no exception today.

nHolding a cup of coffee, they took a leisurely tour of the busy thoroughfare crowded with foreigners.

n“Looks like they are not tired,” said Hana.

nAt her remarks Suhyuk looked back slightly.

nStout guys with a strong build, in black suits and wearing gla.s.ses.

nThey were the bodyguards a.s.signed to protect them.

nFrom morning till night they guarded both of them without any rest.

n“You feel rather uncomfortable because of them, right?”

nAt Suhyuk’s asking Hana made a bitter smile.

n“Well, as they’re keeping an eye on us, I do feel like that…”

nSuhyuk suddenly quickened his pace, along with Hana holding his hands.

nSurprised by their sudden act, the bodyguards began following them quickly.

nHowever, both of them already disappeared into the crowds.

n“Haaaah… haaah…”

nBoth of them were now crossing a long bridge over the water.

nAfter running away from the bodyguards, they came to a stop soon.

nThough they were short of breath, they did not lose their smiles.

nSuhyuk looked back at the road they had come from, and then looked at Hana.

n“Looks like we gave them the slip finally.”

nHe was right. Though they felt sorry about the bodyguards, Suhyuk and Hana wanted to spend their valuable time just between themselves during their stay in Stockholm.

nAll this would be a good memory about which they could reminisce together later.

nHolding their hands again they walked on the bridge slowly.

nSuhyuk then asked her suddenly,

n“Hana, what is your dream?”

n“Me? Well…”

nShe, hesitant to answer, just looked down at the water, sweeping up her long straight hair.

nHer dream already came true at this place.

n“How about you?”

nAt her asking Suhyuk just smiled and said,

n“Well my dream is…”

nWhen the wind blew, the trees nearby shook, with the leaves scattering away like snowflakes.

n“Yes, this is the Lee Suhyuk I used to know,” said Hana.

nWhen Hana raised her thumbs, Suhyuk hugged her carefully.

nShe became red in the face, and his soft voice became brighter.

nBoth of them spent more time together than yesterday.

n—–

nAfter he returned to Korea, Suhyuk reported to work without fail.

nHe did not visit the cardiothoracic surgery department.

nAs there were so many patients, he saw them in the office that was just opened under his name.

nThose in the waiting room let out a sigh after confirming their names on the patient’s list.

nIt was at least 20 minutes wait for any patient to see Dr. Lee for a checkup.

nSome of them complained, but they soon understood why after seeing him.

nSuhyuk’s explanation was very thorough.

nThey even came out of the office with a correct understanding of the disease they thought they understood just by common sense.

nJust like a recipient of the n.o.bel Prize, he was a true doctor.

nEven though they came to see him because they were sick, he did not give prescriptions as easily as they expected. Because they did not need to take any medicine, it made them trust him all the more.

nThe hospital, and its director were rather nervous about it.

nAlready Daehan Hospital was becoming Lee’s private hospital because of so many patients coming to see him.

nEven some other hospitals sent their emissaries to Daehan Hospital, disguising them as patients to see Suhyuk.

n“We’re going to pay you five times as high as what you receive at Daehan’s as annual compensation.”

n“No thanks.”

n“In addition to the salary, we’ll offer you a newly built apartment overlooking the Han river…”

n“I’m rich and I have a good house. I’m sorry.”

nSuhyuk rejected their offers without any hesitation.

nWhatever lucrative offer they gave to him, Suhyuk’s reply was consisent,

n“I’ve got so many patients waiting to see me now. So, please go out.”

nThey had to turn back after hearing Suhyuk’s resolute and unemotional request for them to leave.

nSoon the business hours of the day was over.

nRising from his seat, Suhyuk stretched himself lightly.

nHe could not think of how many patients he saw today.

nHe only moved when he felt he needed to go to the restroom.

nStill he felt good all along because the patients trusted and came to see him.

nSuhyuk headed to the desk.

nAt that moment he ran into Binna who held a chart in her arms.

n“Hi, doctor.”

nWhen she bowed her head, so did Suhyuk and said,

n“You look like you are on call today.”

n“Yes, I a,…”

n“Did you already have dinner?”

n“No, not yet. I’m going to in a minute…”

n“Don’t skip your meals!”

n“Thanks, you too, sir,” said Binna.

nShe then quickly pa.s.sed by him.

nWatching her walking with short and quick steps, Suhyuk let out a sigh of relief.

nWhen he saw her boyfriend at the department store the other day, his impression was so good to him. Above all, there was some kind of warmth in his eyes looking at her.

nTaking his eyes off from her, he began walking.

nThen Binna came back urgently, offering something.

n“Take this…”

nWhat she took out from her pocket was a wedding invitation.

n“When is it?”

n“Next weekend, sir.”

nWith a smile, Suhyuk replied, “I’ll surely be there.”

nShe smiled big, forming her signature dimples on her cheeks.

n“I wish you can come by all means, sir.”

n“Of course, I will.”

nNodding her head, she turned back and left.

n***

nSuhyuk visited Prof. Han Myungjin.

nThough it was late at night, he was still in his office.

nGreeting him gladly, Han said,

n“You look busier than before these days.”

nSmiling awkwardly, Suhyuk took a cup of coffee to his lips.

nThough he was busy, it was not true that he was busier than before.

nPutting down the cup, he opened his mouth,

n“Professor…”

nWhen he was about to say something, Han’s cellphone buzzed.

n“Wait a minute.”

nTaking the call, his facial expression changed every moment.

nThe call was not that long.

n“Can you wait here a moment? A patient is complaining about pain in his abdomen.”

n“Let me go with you.”

nWhen Suhyuk stood up, Han shook his head, saying,

n“No, it’s not a big deal. Just stay here a moment.”

nAfter Han left the office, he sat back again.

nHow much time pa.s.sed?

nSeated on the sofa, Suhyuk fell asleep.

nThough he had a great time in Stockholm, it was inevitable that fatigue overtook him due to the jet lag.

n—–

nAll the world around him was white.

nWhat he could see was just that.

nThough it was a very familiar place, he could not recall it well.

nAt that moment Suhyuk, looking around, opened his eyes wide.

nHe saw a black shade walking toward him from the distance.

nA man in a surgical gown and a mask.

n“You must be…”

nNow Suhyuk felt he could recognize who he was.

nHe was none other than the man he had met in his dream when he was young.

nHe formed wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes.

nHe was smiling.

n“You did better than I expected.”

n“What do you mean? And who are you?”

n“It’s not easy to treat the patients, but you did it very well.”

n“Who are you?”

nAt a glance he seemed to be more than 50 years old.

n“I’ll see you soon.”

nAs soon as he said that, Suhyuk heard a thump.

nSuhyuk’s eyes opened when the office door was opened.

nIt was a dream.

n“Did you wait long? Some patients likes to feign illness so much.”

nBack in the office, Prof. Han shook his head, with a smile.

nAnd he suddenly cast a suspicious look at Suhyuk.

n“Are you feeling hot in here?”

nHe saw beads of sweat on Suhyuk’s forehead.

n“I’m alright, sir. I think I took a nap, and dreamed a weird dream.”

n“Look at those cold sweats, man. Taking rest is part of your work. You can treat a patient when you’re healthy. Take a medical checkup when you can. If you keep going like that, you might burn out soon.”

nSuhyuk nodded his head at his sincere advice.

n“Got it, sir.”

n‘Just do it with your parents one of these days.”

n“Yes, sir.”

n“Why don’t you bring them over here sometime next Monday? Okay?”

nAt that moment Han had another call.

n“Yes, this is Prof. Han.”

nA nurse’s voice was heard immediately,

n“Professor Han. Prof. Jung Jisuk’s condition is not normal.”

nHanging up the phone, Han rose from the seat quickly.

n“Is he a patient?”

nNodding his head, Han went out of the office without any word.

nThat meant that the patient’s condition was very grave.

nHan pressed on the elevator b.u.t.ton quickly.

nApproaching him, Suhyuk said,

n“What kind of patient is he, sir?”

n“In a vegetative state right now. He is my mentor, too.”

nInside the elevator Han pressed the b.u.t.ton for the top floor.

nIt was where the VIP rooms were located.

nHan’s face hardened tightly enough to make Suhyuk surprised.

nHe has never seen Han making such an expression before.

nGetting off the elevator, Han began to run toward the patient’s room.

nHe went into the room, and so did Suhyuk.

nInside there were many medical staff gathered before the patient.

nEverybody wiped of their sweat with a sigh of relief.

n“What happened?”

nWhen Han approached, they cleared the way.

nOne of them opened his mouth, “His condition is back to normal now.”

nWatching the monitor checking the patient’s’ condition, Han let out a long breath.

nSometimes the vital signs of his mentor were violent like this.

nEverytime it happened, his heart sank.

nBefore he was struck by cerebral infarction, he was a cheerful doctor who liked to play jokes or encourage the medical staff.

nLooking at the patient, Han shook his head and said,

n“Sir, if you keep making fun of me like this, you’re really killing me.”

nThen Suhyuk approached him.

nThe patient lying in bed with an oxygen respirator on, looking in his late 50s.

nStrange enough, his face was familiar to him.

nWhile Suhyuk was thinking like that, he felt he had been struck by a thunderbolt.

nHe was the very man he saw in his dream.

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