The sausage and vegetable stir-fry truly contained all the deliciousness imaginable.
Tangy bell peppers, crisp yet tender onions, savory sausage, and even ketchup.
It was a familiar yet deeply nostalgic flavor. Wondering why this taste never quite came through outside, Kim Cheolsu popped a bite into his mouth.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to eat so much of this dish. I’m really grateful they ladled it out so generously…”
Shin Seyoung admired the dish as she ate.
In the military, even officers must stick to the official serving sizes. We only received this kind of special treatment because of Hong Jino’s connections.
Seeing her delight, Kim Cheolsu said,
“They say good things happen when you live righteously. Driving the jeep all the way to the Air Force base was the right move, wasn’t it?”
“Hmm… that’s true! But how did you know Hong Jino was so seriously ill? I thought it was just a mild injury…”
“Usually, officers in the military hate sending soldiers to the hospital. I know that mentality well, so I guessed it right. Still, I’m glad we managed to bring Hong Jino to the hospital in time to start treatment. The procedure was done today, so the severe jaundice should gradually improve.”
“That’s right. The Major performed the procedure successfully, so liver function should return to normal. But the real issue is the surgery. When do you think it can be scheduled?”
Looking slightly troubled, she asked.
“I’m anxious too… but since we just did the procedure today, we have to wait until the jaundice clearly improves. That will increase the chances of a successful surgery.”
“Understood. Then I’ll personally keep close watch on Corporal Hong Jino in the ward. He needs to get better quickly for the surgery.”
“Please do. Oh, and there won’t be any general surgery consultations this afternoon. I was asked to assist in orthopedics, so I have to go there.”
“Orthopedics? What on earth is going on there…?”
Shin Seyoung listened anxiously as Kim Cheolsu recounted how he admitted Jukyung Sik.
Pouting, she said,
“The head of orthopedics really is petty. If a patient gets admitted, they should be praised for doing a good job. But making the Major uncomfortable like this…”
“It’s not really that inconvenient. They requested assistance, so I’ll just go and see the patients.”
“But how can a general surgeon handle orthopedic consultations? That’s impossible.”
“Usually, yes… but we have to at least try.”
Kim Cheolsu answered calmly, confident in a certain fallback plan.
Surprised, Shin Seyoung exclaimed,
“You really plan to see patients in orthopedics? That’s way too risky! Major, your specialty is general surgery. How can you handle another department’s cases…”
“If you’re worried, come with me. There’s no familiar nurse officer over there anyway. Help me out.”
“Well… alright. I’ll come along.”
Shin Seyoung was always sharp and efficient, but today she was genuinely worried for Kim Cheolsu.
Anyone could tell he was walking straight into the lion’s den of orthopedics, which was clearly a trap.
Just then, Kim Cheolsu, having finished eating, said,
“Hmm… I’m a bit sleepy. There’s still some time before lunch break ends, so I think I’ll nap in the clinic.”
“You’re going to sleep now?”
Shin Seyoung thought he was incredibly thick-skinned. Even with the orthopedic chief picking a fight, he wasn’t the least bit nervous and was going to take a nap? She smiled, thinking he was hopeless.
“Well, I’ll wake you at 1 o’clock. Should I come to the clinic?”
“No, when I sleep, I sleep deeply. Don’t wake me. Just go ahead and help out in orthopedics. I’ll come on my own.”
“…”
She was dumbfounded. It was his job, yet he was telling her to go ahead without him.
But Kim Cheolsu yawned without even looking at her expression and left the cafeteria.
After returning his tray and greeting the Cafeteria Lady, he walked slowly outside.
“Ma’am, Jino underwent the procedure today and is doing well. His jaundice symptoms will improve, so please don’t worry. Once he’s feeling better, I’ll secretly bring him here.”
“Oh my, thank you so much! Doctor, please take good care of Jino. He seems tough on the outside, but he’s actually sensitive… I worry a lot.”
“To be honest, I’m too busy to look after him, but our kind Lieutenant Shin Seyoung is taking good care. Don’t worry. I’m off now!”
“Yes, come again! I’ll prepare even tastier food tonight. If you get hungry, come anytime.”
“Ha ha! Thank you!”
Watching Kim Cheolsu’s shameless back as he casually mentioned himself, Shin Seyoung was at first speechless, but then quietly chuckled.
Despite his words, she knew he cared more about patients than anyone else.
Still munching on the leftover sausage on her tray, she muttered,
“By the way, the orthopedic chief is way too much. Why are they picking on our doctor? I’ll go help out. Like Major said, let’s head to orthopedics after eating.”
*****
“Hmm… I’m so tired… maybe I ate too much? Food coma is really dangerous…”
Thump thump
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion swept over him. Upon arriving at the general surgery clinic, Kim Cheolsu rested his head on the desk and fell into a deep sleep.
It was like the world in the dream he had before.
A future where you can do anything with your phone, drones flying everywhere.
In the dream, Kim Cheolsu was older than he was now, but still handsome and healthy.
He was sitting in the clinic, waiting for someone, and soon a patient arrived.
“Welcome! What seems to be the problem?”
A woman in her early forties entered, holding her right shoulder with the opposite hand, wincing in pain.
“Oh dear, I hurt my shoulder playing badminton and it hurts so much. Could you give me a steroid injection or something?”
“Ha ha, let me take a look first. You can’t just randomly give steroids in this area.”
“Eh? Is that so? Other doctors have no problem giving me steroid shots…”
The older Kim Cheolsu spoke kindly to the surprised woman,
“If you inject steroids under the acromion of the shoulder, the rotator cuff…”
That was the end of the dream. He tried to continue speaking but was suddenly awakened.
Back in 2001, Kim Cheolsu gasped in surprise, catching his breath.
“Huff… huff… that dream again. This time it was a very detailed consultation. But why exactly shouldn’t I give the steroid injection? I don’t understand.”
Though orthopedic knowledge had entered his mind, that didn’t mean he could make all the correct clinical decisions.
No matter how much knowledge he had, he lacked clinical experience in orthopedics.
Simply put, he had very little experience in orthopedic consultations.
In that sense, the recent dream consultation was helpful, but it was a pity he couldn’t hear the whole conversation.
Clicking his tongue, Kim Cheolsu checked the clock and saw much more time had passed than he realized.
“2:50 PM? I’ve been asleep for almost two hours? Department Head Jang Gihoon must be furious. Can’t be helped. It’s impossible to see patients properly when half asleep, so I should drink a cup of instant coffee first.”
Since Lieutenant Shin Seyoung wasn’t there to make his coffee, Kim Cheolsu slowly dragged himself up and brewed a cup.
Inhaling the rich coffee aroma, he drank slowly.
“Hmm, not as good as Lieutenant Shin’s, but coffee is the best for waking up. I’ll take my time finishing it and then head down. Going from the second floor to the first is a breeze anyway.”
*****
Meanwhile, Jang Gihoon, the orthopedic department head who had called in Lee Youngcheol from general surgery to complicate things for Kim Cheolsu, was fuming.
Kim Cheolsu had said he was coming back after lunch, but over two hours had passed with no sign of him.
“3:20 PM? When is that guy coming? And they sent a nurse officer with him for nothing? This is ridiculous. Military discipline is a mess! Hey, Lieutenant Shin Seyoung! Do you know where Major Kim is?”
“… No, I don’t.”
Honestly, Shin Seyoung was flustered too. She knew Kim Cheolsu was bold, but she never imagined he’d break a promise to the head of another department.
Still, she didn’t tell them that Kim Cheolsu was asleep in the clinic.
If Jang Gihoon or Lee Youngcheol went there and saw him napping, she feared how angry they’d be.
She was subtly protecting Kim Cheolsu but hoped he’d hurry back.
Footsteps –
Footsteps –
Footsteps –
At that moment, Kim Cheolsu appeared, wearing his white coat over his military uniform, strolling leisurely into orthopedics.
The first and second consultation rooms, where other doctors were seeing patients, were packed.
Kim Cheolsu stepped inside where many patients were lined up and said,
“There are always many patients in orthopedics. Thank you for your hard work, Department Head Jang Gihoon. Where should I set up?”
Lee Youngcheol from general surgery snapped at Kim Cheolsu, who had shamelessly shown up just now and was looking for his spot.
“Hey! What the hell have you been doing? The two department heads waited for you for two hours! Two hours! Where the hell were you until now?!”
But Kim Cheolsu calmly responded,
“Please step aside, Doctor Lee. I’m here at the request of the orthopedic department head. Department Head Jang Gihoon, may I leave now? Since Doctor Lee is here, he can cover the consultations instead.”
“Oh, I forgot about that.”
Jang Gihoon had forgotten he called Kim Cheolsu in place of Lee Youngcheol and had only thought about embarrassing him in front of everyone.
But seeing Kim Cheolsu try to leave, Jang Gihoon smiled kindly and reassured him.
“Ahem! Doctor Lee, please calm down. Major Kim, Doctor Lee is busy and has to leave now. So as promised, you handle the remaining patients.”
“Understood. I’ll begin the orthopedic consultations.”
At that moment, Kim Cheolsu’s previously dull eyes sharpened, transforming into those of a wild beast as he entered the vacant third consultation room in orthopedics.
“Lieutenant Shin Seyoung, send in the patients. We’ll see everyone lined up until the last patient is seen! I’ll continue consultations past 4 PM if necessary.”
“… Yes! Major!! Understood!”
Murmurs –
He’s really going to see everyone? That’s a relief. I was worried they’d just send us back to the base.
Major Kim Cheolsu? I’ve never heard that name before, but he sounds like a good guy… Additional consultations in a military hospital? Never heard of that!
Hey guys, they say the third consultation room will see patients until the end! Really? No way!!
In military hospitals, when the patient line gets long, many don’t get consultations because military doctors leave promptly at 4 PM.
The soldiers had been anxious, wondering if they’d have to return to the base without treatment, but Kim Cheolsu’s decision brought cheers.
Then Shin Seyoung called out cheerfully,
“Patients, please line up in front of the third consultation room as well. Major promised to see everyone, so don’t worry if you haven’t been seen yet. He’ll take care of everyone here until the end.”
Wow!! Is it really true? Amazing!! Hurry to the third consultation room! Get in line fast!!
As the crowd surged forward, Shin Seyoung’s gloomy face brightened, while Jang Gihoon and Lee Youngcheol looked helpless.
Trying to escape early from orthopedics was pointless now… he intended to see every last patient?
Even a seasoned orthopedic specialist with extensive clinical experience would find that difficult.
How would he diagnose and treat all these patients with different ailments?
Muttering in surprise, Department Head Jang Gihoon said,
“He’s late, so he’s doing extra consultations to see all the patients? Major Kim Cheolsu… I have to admit, his dedication as a doctor isn’t bad.”