Legend (1)
“Mr. Choi. Why is this happening all of a sudden?”
“Oh… no.”
Choi Ki-seok looked as nonchalant as possible. Then, by chance, I made eye contact with Pullman.
The moment I met his brown eyes, my heart ached.
“It’s none of my business, but Professor Pullman. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go to the emergency room? You’re coughing so bad.”
“Hahaha. Are you thinking of me already? Thank you, but not to that extent.”
“The way I see it, it doesn’t seem like something you can just ignore. These days, aren’t you having difficulty breathing and coughing often? Your chest is also hurting.”
“How does Mr. Choi know that?”
Pullman looked like a surprised rabbit.
“You just coughed so hard that I made my own prediction.”
“Well, it’s great that you were able to pinpoint the symptoms, but I’m really fine. I’m just not in a good condition these days.”
“Pullman. I also agree with what Mr. Choi said. As a doctor, you actually have to take care of your own body.”
“But…”
“Listen to me. As soon as you leave the office, go to the emergency room. This is an order. Do you understand?”
“If the manager says so… I understand.”
Pullman seemed to agree, but Choi Ki-seok’s expression was still dark.
The moment he realizes his disease, his life will change completely.
How much time has passed?
After finishing talking with the two people, Choi Ki-seok returned to the dormitory.
I tried to watch Pullman receive treatment, but I couldn’t because Pullman refused. It was unfortunate, but considering his position, it was completely understandable.
It is natural to feel burdened when a resident you see for the first time today, who is not a family member, is chasing you around for treatment.
‘I can’t help it.’
I changed into casual clothes in the dormitory and got into the car I borrowed from Morgan. Since Song Myeong-jin drove the car to the branch, the teacher’s car could not be used for the time being.
Eventually, we arrived at a Korean restaurant we had a relationship with in the past.
As I went inside, the smell of kimchi fried rice tickled my nose.
Because it was late, there was only one table with a customer, and it looked like he was wearing a Korean hat.
“Oh my teacher, are you here?”
Kim Tae-hwan, who was in the kitchen, ran over and grabbed his hand.
“Hello, boss. I’ve been busy lately so I haven’t been able to come.”
“That could be true. Isn’t the hospital so busy? By the way, I can’t see Director Song today?”
“He went to the affiliated hospital a few weeks ago. He will probably return sometime this week.”
“I see. Let’s sit down first. Would you like that to be the menu?”
“Yes. Please.”
Choi Ki-seok sat down and stared at the TV. It was amazing to see a Korean entertainment program after a long time.
Actually, I barely watched TV even when I was in Korea.
“Dujin. Is it delicious?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. But mom, can’t I eat it?”
“Mom, it’s okay because you ate a lot while you were taking lessons.”
I heard the hat behind me talking.
Choi Ki-seok, who was watching TV, suddenly became focused on their story.
Gurgling.
“Mom, why is my stomach making noises after I ate?”
“I guess I ate too much and got sick.”
“This is the sound you make when you’re hungry. You lied again. I’m full, so eat this.”
I heard the sound of a child pushing a bowl.
“Mom, I’m really fine. I’m full just looking at my son eating deliciously.”
The sound of dishes being pushed was heard again.
“I’m going to make some ramen. Eat it quickly.”
“…okay.”
“By the way, Doo-jin. How’s your finger hurting?”
“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”
“You know you can’t hide it when you’re sick, right? The more you endure anything, the sicker it becomes.”
“huh.”
After a short conversation, silence came.
Even though Choi Ki-seok had a water bottle, he deliberately went to the water purifier and got some water. Then, he used the Eye of Hippocrates on a boy who looked to be about ten years old.
“Mr. Choi. The food is here.”
Kim Tae-hwan placed a plate containing stir-fried pork on the table.
“Please eat more and tell me if it’s not enough.”
“Boss, please give me a moment.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
Choi Ki-seok took Kim Tae-hwan, who looked puzzled, and distanced himself from the mother and son.
“What kind of people are they?”
“Ah, Doo-jin and Doo-jin’s mother, Jin-hee? Doo-jin is a friend who became famous as a genius pianist in Korea. She was the youngest and the first in Asia to enter Berklee College of Music in the U.S. with a full scholarship.”
“How old is Dujin?”
“In Korea, he is twelve years old. Although he is young, he is a proud friend. He is surviving life in the United States solely with his passion for the piano.”
“Thank you for your words.”
Choi Ki-seok returned to his seat and started eating stir-fried pork.
After hearing the mother and son’s story, I couldn’t get my food to go down well.
Normally, I would have eaten one bowl and ordered another, but today it was difficult to digest the amount.
“Dujin, have you eaten everything?”
“Yes. I’m full.”
“Then let’s go.”
The moment the mother and son got up from their seats, Choi Ki-seok spoke to them.
“Excuse me. My name is Choi Ki-seok, and I am a resident training student at Mayjo Clinic. Could we have a quick chat at a nearby cafe?”
“Yes? Why?”
Jinhee Lim frowned and asked back.
“I think I can help you both.”
“Don’t be weird. I’m sick of being scammed by Koreans.”
“Dujin’s mom. Teacher Choi is not that kind of person.”
Kang Yun-jeong, who was cleaning up the kitchen, came out.
“Dr. Choi is a good doctor who went out of his way to treat me when I had shingles. There is no need to be so cold.”
“…Can I really trust you?”
“If you trust me, you can trust Teacher Choi.”
Lim Jin-hee’s sharp appearance softened at Kang Yun-jeong’s words.
“If it’s just a moment, I’ll give it a try.”
“Thank you. Shall we go out then? Boss. It was a good meal.”
Ki-seok Choi paid for the food and settled down with his mother at a nearby cafe.
Lim Jin-hee crossed her arms and made an expression that said if she had something to say, say it, while Kim Doo-jin fiddled with her hands with an anxious expression.
“First, let me apologize. I unintentionally overheard everything you said earlier.”
“So?”
“I’ll tell you straight away. Dujin needs treatment.”
Lim Jin-hee blinked with a puzzled expression at Choi Ki-seok’s words.
“Treatment?”
“Yes, Dujin. You didn’t speak honestly to your mother earlier, did you?”
“….”
“Your fingers hurt a lot. If you keep holding on, you might not be able to play the piano in the future.”
“Tongue… how does your brother know that?”
Kim Doo-jin’s voice trembled slightly.
“Because you’re a doctor.”
When Choi Ki-seok placed the Mayjo Clinic employee card on the table, the two people looked down at the employee card as if they were curious.
“It’s natural to be suspicious when someone you meet for the first time says you’re doing them a favor. But I’m not a fraudster. Do you know why?”
“No. I don’t know.”
“Because Dujin won’t ask his mother to lend him money. Wouldn’t that be enough?”
Lim Jin-hee burst into laughter at Choi Ki-seok’s joke.
“Dujin. Would you like to give your brother a hand?”
“It’s okay. Just do as the teacher says.”
Only after receiving Lim Jin-hee’s permission did Kim Doo-jin stick out his finger.
Ki-Seok Choi fiddled with his fingers a few times and Doo-Jin Kim bit his lip.
“There’s no need to force yourself to endure it. I know you’re in pain.”
“No, I’m not sick.”
“I told you not to lie to your mother, but you still lie. Don’t you think so?”
At his point, Kim Doo-jin quickly withdrew his hand and averted his gaze.
“Dujin’s mother. Dujin suffers from trigger finger syndrome. It is a disease that mainly occurs in people who use their fingers a lot. If left untreated, the pain will worsen and eventually require surgery.”
“….”
“I need treatment right now.”
“I know what you’re saying, but there’s no way to raise money for treatment right away…”
Lim Jin-hee’s voice became quiet like the sound of a mosquito.
“It’s okay! I can play the piano while holding back.”
“Dujin.”
“There is nothing that cannot be done with will. I can do it.”
Kim Doo-jin’s voice grew louder.
The sight of a child standing up for his mother made Choi Ki-seok sad.
I guess he’s too desperate for his age.
Actually, no matter how much you pamper me, it’s not enough.
“As I said earlier, I am a doctor who works at Mayjo Clinic. If a friend of mine receives treatment, I can receive a discount on treatment costs, so the burden will be less.”
“In that case… I’ll discuss it with my father.”
Jinhee Lim nodded slightly.
The talk about treatment ended and everyday conversation continued.
Choi Ki-seok could tell that the mother and son were having a difficult life in the United States.
Not only in financial terms, but in many other aspects.
After a moment of silence, Jinhee Lim changed the topic.
“Mr. Choi, I was really sorry about earlier. Actually, I was scammed by a Korean before. From then on, I started to be suspicious of anyone who was Korean.”
“It’s okay. I completely understand.”
“I had a firm belief that the other people would be considerate of us, but those people… I didn’t know they would be that way.”
Jinhee Lim bit her lip.
“Mom, it’s okay. I’m here. I’ll become successful as a piano player and buy you a nice house to show off to those people.”
“Yes, thank you, my son.”
“But didn’t your mom call?”
Kim Doo-jin pointed to Lim Jin-hee’s bag with his index finger.
“I’ve got a call from my husband. Just a moment.”
As Lim Jin-hee left, only Choi Ki-seok and Kim Du-jin remained at the table.
Kim Doo-jin, perhaps feeling awkward about being left alone, avoided his gaze and pretended to play the piano.
“Dujin, do you like the piano?”
“Yes. It’s the best in the world. No, after mom and dad.”
“Isn’t it difficult to take classes with older brothers and sisters?”
“There are people who argue, but I can tolerate it. Mom and Dad are putting up with it a lot because of me.”
Kim Doo-jin’s gaze suddenly became fixed on one place.
A couple was eating ice cream.
“Do you want to eat ice cream? Should you buy it for me?”
“It’s okay. I can bear it.”
“Dujin. There’s no need to hold back like that.”
Choi Ki-seok gently stroked Kim Doo-jin’s head and ordered ice cream.
However, even when ice cream was served, Kim Doo-jin did not lift his spoon.
“What’s wrong? You’re not going to eat?”
“Yes. I can bear it.”
Choi Ki-seok looked embarrassed at Kim Doo-jin’s stubbornness. Then, I first picked up a spoon and ate the ice cream deliciously.
gulp.
Kim Doo-jin’s uvula began to flutter.
Two sparkling eyes focused on the ice cream.
“Wow! It’s so delicious. I have to eat it all.”
“Tongue… bro. Ha… It’s okay to just eat one bite, right?”
“As you wish.”
As Choi Ki-seok ate a large scoop of ice cream, Kim Doo-jin lifted the spoon.
Kim Du-jin ate the ice cream late.
Choi Ki-seok pretended not to be and watched the child closely.
“How is it?”
“.. ..”
“Du-jin?”
“It’s so delicious.”
Kim Du-jin lowered her head.
“I’ve been wanting to eat it for a long time… but I couldn’t say anything because I knew my mom was having a hard time because she didn’t have money.” ”
….”
“It’s so delicious.”
Kim Doo-jin lowered her head and shed thick tears.
Choi Ki-seok sat next to the child and patted her shoulder. She
started living abroad only by playing the piano.
I could fully understand how difficult it must have been for Kim Doo-jin. “
You have done well and you will continue to do well. So, in that sense, Doo-jin eats all the remaining ice cream?”
“Yes.”
When the ice cream was about to run out, Jin-hee Lim returned to the cafe.
“Teacher. You may think it’s shameless now, but please ask. Please treat Dujin. We’ll cover the medical expenses.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to hear that.”
Choi Ki-seok talked with his mother a little more and then parted ways.
As he watched the two people walking away, the bridge of his nose turned cold.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late at night. There’s one thing. “I have a favor to ask you.”
Choi Ki-seok called someone.
