Majo Heart Center (4)
“Ha… This is it.”
Lucas wiped the corner of his eyes with the back of his hand, and Leon barely looked like he could hold back his sadness.
The two people also had the same feelings as Choi Ki-seok.
How could it be easy to watch a colleague leave on a long journey?
As the long silence continued, Choi Ki-seok spoke first.
“I’m glad though. It seems like Professor Pullman is preparing well for the remaining time.”
“That’s true. If Pullman had been suffering so far, we would have been even more upset.”
Lucas finished speaking and picked up the book.
“Breath of the Wind… It’s a Pullman-like title.”
“I think it would be helpful to read Head Chief as well. Professor Pullman’s reflection is deep.”
“Yes. You must see it.”
“And I would like to take this opportunity to tell you something.”
Choi Ki-seok changed the topic.
“Professor Pullman passed me some new spinal surgery data. I’d like to give it to the Head Chief.”
“to me?”
Lucas tilted his head.
“If Pullman chose you, wouldn’t it be right for you to present to the academic world? I think Pullman would have wanted that too.”
“We already had a phone call about that a while ago. Professor Pullman also agreed.”
Choi Ki-seok had no intention of being in the spotlight with his new spinal surgery method.
His goal is to become the best cardiothoracic surgeon.
It is foolish to hold in your hands a surgical technique that you will not perform. It was right to disclose the surgical method as soon as possible to alleviate the pain of patients.
“I understand if you and Pullman agree.”
“Yes. I will send you the data later today.”
“It’s raining just now.”
Lucas’ eyes turned to the window. Just as he said, heavy rain was falling.
The clear weather when I woke up turned mischievous, like a lie.
“Then get up quickly. Mr. Choi is getting ready to go out with me.”
Lucas stood up first.
* * *
That afternoon.
The dark cloudy sky poured down heavy rain.
Choi Ki-seok was attending the funeral wearing a suit.
Today is Fried’s funeral.
The funeral could not be held because the police insisted on an autopsy, but there was no reason to do so now.
First, the corruption of Matthew and the police chief was revealed to the world.
In addition, the number of witnesses who saw Fried being assaulted by the police increased to two.
It was revealed that the police were at fault in the incident.
Choi Ki-seok felt uncomfortable the entire time he was attending the funeral.
The Fried incident was one of the aspects that clearly revealed the absurdity of this society.
An unjust assault that resulted from racial discrimination.
There is even a secret backroom deal between doctors and police officers.
Why can’t people think?
That the people around you deserve the same respect as you.
If I had respected others as much as my fingernails, this incident would not have occurred.
And Choi Ki-seok learned once again from Matthew.
This means that doctors should focus on patients, not on their own reputation and interests.
If even doctors who are responsible for human life become corrupt, the world will become even darker.
After the funeral, Choi Ki-seok and Lucas approached their guardian Jane.
“Jane.”
Choi Ki-seok barely spoke.
“I should have saved Freed, but I couldn’t. It’s because my skills are lacking. I’m really sorry.”
“No. Dr. Choi did his best. No one can blame you.”
“But…”
“Doctors are not gods. There are situations that cannot be helped. Just like my husband.”
Jane bit her lip.
“Because of Dr. Choi, my husband’s name was cleared. It’s not something to be sorry about, it’s something I should be thankful for.”
“….”
“My husband. We can be happy in the other world, right?”
Jane burst into tears that she had been holding back, and Choi Ki-seok comforted her pain by lightly hugging her.
Everything alive hurts.
A realization from a long time ago came flooding back to my whole body.
“You will be happy, I guarantee it.”
“Yes. I definitely will.”
Choi Ki-seok left his meeting with Jane and returned to the clinic with Lucas.
The weather was still dark and the rain was getting heavier.
I wonder if the sky is also saddened by Freed’s unfair death.
“Mr. Choi. Are you okay?”
Lucas asked with a worried look.
“…Yes. It’s okay.”
“It’s always difficult to let a patient go. It’s better than getting nails stabbed in the chest. But you have to overcome it. It’s paradoxical, but the more deaths a doctor experiences, the stronger he becomes.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Yes. You will understand what I mean.”
While we were having this conversation, we arrived at the clinic.
After breaking up with Lucas, Choi Ki-seok visited the general surgery ward.
“Kiseok!”
“You’re here.”
Jeong Seol-hwa and Jeong Jin-myeong welcomed him warmly.
“How are you feeling?”
“Very good. So much so that I can come back and defend myself right away.”
“Father, I understand how you feel, but you need to get plenty of rest. I think it’s worth considering taking a complete break from work.”
“If I stop working, who will take care of Seolhwa and my wife?”
“I have to feed them.”
Jeong Seol-hwa’s cheeks blushed at his words, and Jeong Jin-myeong smiled faintly. While receiving treatment at Meijo, he completely opened his heart to Choi Ki-seok.
“When you say that, I have nothing to say.”
“I’m sorry if you felt uncomfortable talking about retirement, but… I really said this out of consideration for your father. He must have been under a lot of stress and pressure while preparing for the lawsuit.”
“Let’s take this opportunity to think seriously.”
“thank you.”
“But why are you wearing a suit?”
Jeong Seol-hwa changed the topic.
“After going to the funeral. You know Freud’s patient, right?”
“Ah… I see. You must have had a lot of trouble… Thank you for your hard work.”
Seolhwa Jeong gently held his hand. The warmth I felt from her hand made me feel calm.
“Dad, I’m going to go now.”
“Yes. You had a hard time following me to America for no reason.”
“Don’t say that.”
Jeong Seol-hwa waved her hand and hugged Jeong Jin-myeong tightly.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you until the end. Get treatment well and come back.”
“okay.”
The father and daughter said goodbye.
Soon, Choi Ki-seok got into the car with Jeong Seol-hwa and headed to the Minnesota airport.
Jeong Seol-hwa’s annual leave ends tomorrow.
So I had to go back to Uijindae today.
“It’s a shame. I came to Minnesota after a long time, but I don’t think we spent much time together.”
“That’s right. My father was treated, and a lot of big things happened to me.”
“How can that be?”
Jeong Seol-hwa smiled and continued speaking.
“what?”
“Kiseok, your daily life is so turbulent. There was a case of a patient with Freed and a surgery to separate conjoined twins. You are going through something at the same time that other people might experience at least once in their lives.”
“I can’t deny it. Would Seolhwa take some of my work clothes?”
“I can’t do that. I don’t have the same ability as you. I think the reason you go through such difficult times is because you have the ability to overcome it.”
“Hmm… after hearing it, it sounds convincing.”
Choi Ki-seok continued speaking slowly.
“Then it must be the same reason why I met such a kind, pretty, and true Seolhwa. Right?”
“I don’t know. You idiot.”
Jeong Seol-hwa was shy and avoided her gaze, and Choi Ki-seok found the sight so endearing that he couldn’t bear it.
“Oh, by the way. Have you calculated the treatment fee already? When I went to deposit it, they said there was nothing to deposit.”
“I paid for everything two days ago. Your father can just be discharged from the hospital.”
“When I return to Korea, I will deposit your medical expenses. You also received treatment for a middle-aged person, so the amount is a lot of money. I can’t make you pay it alone.”
“It’s a snowflake.”
While the car stopped at a traffic light, Choi Ki-seok stared at Jeong Seol-hwa.
“I’ve only received your love for so long. So now it’s your turn to receive my heart. Don’t feel burdened, let’s just get over this.”
“But no. This is not a matter of the heart.”
“I was planning on talking about it later, but I guess now is the right time.”
Ki-Seok Choi explained the story of winning the Super Bowl. Without talking about the items over time, it was like accidentally buying a lottery ticket and winning.
“Really? You won the Super Bowl?”
“It may be hard to believe, but it’s true. That’s why my father’s medical expenses are not burdensome.”
“Wow. I feel like I’m dreaming right now.”
“Me too. If we didn’t have the goal of becoming the best thoracic surgeon, we probably would have spent our whole lives traveling abroad.”
Choi Ki-seok drove the car again.
“Does your family know you won?”
“I haven’t told you yet. My family’s situation isn’t difficult right now, so there’s no need to tell me already.”
“Well, if the rumor spreads, you’ll be tired. I’ll just pretend that I didn’t hear about today’s story. I think it would be better.”
“As expected, it’s a folktale. Anyway, this medical expenses issue is just going to be overlooked?”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
While we were talking, we arrived at the Minnesota airport.
“I’ll call you when I get there. I love you.”
After kissing Jeong Seol-hwa on the cheek, she headed toward the gate, and Choi Ki-seok watched her behind.
The last busy vacation was coming to an end.
* * *
Neurosurgical training continued.
Ki-Seok Choi consistently filmed neurosurgery videos. And based on this, we worked on training room training and PVP mode training.
Thanks to this, I was able to surpass Leon and complete my mission in just 4 months of training.
The mission reward was 500 P.P.
and the number of PVP mode entries increased to 3.
After some time, Lucas promoted him early and he moved to the plastic surgery department.
The most important thing in plastic surgery is suturing skills.
Choi Ki-seok showed off the suturing skills he had honed over the years.
Even though he was a new resident, he showed off fellow-level meticulousness and suturing speed.
Even at plastic surgery, there were people trying to take him down, but they didn’t. Just like we did with Matthew and other characters, we gave them a so-called reverse tour.
He has raised his political power and charisma stats to level 8 each.
There was no one who could block his path.
The total rotation period required for thoracic surgery is 5 years.
Choi Ki-seok left an unprecedented record of being promoted early every time he moved through the department.
Time passed and three years had passed since I came to Meijo.
The fruit of the long wait has arrived before our eyes.
Choi Ki-seok landed in the last department of rotation, orthopedics, and was guaranteed early promotion through faithful treatment.
The last day of orthopedic training arrived.
Thoracic surgery is now just around the corner.
* * *
K Rosette.
The orthopedic staff was holding a final briefing before the surgery.
“The patient is 42 years old. The diagnosis is avascular necrosis of the femoral head and artificial joint replacement surgery is scheduled. “The surgical process is…”
Choi Ki-seok continued his explanation.
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
This is a disease in which blood flow is blocked at the upper end of the thigh bone in contact with the pelvic bone and bone tissue dies.
If this is left untreated, the necrotic area will collapse. Damage to the hip joint could occur.
In Korea, famous rock singer Kim Kyung-oh became a hot topic when it was revealed that he was suffering from this.
“…I will conclude the briefing.”
“Okay. Let’s scrub and go in.”
At the words of Finch, the surgeon, the staff lined up and started scrubbing their arms with brushes.
Buck. Buck. Buck. Buck.
“It’s a shame. Today is the last surgery with you.”
Finch’s gaze turned to Choi Ki-seok.
“I’m sad too. I learned a lot from the Head Chief…”
“Really? If it’s so disappointing, why don’t you change your specialty to orthopedics right now?”
“I’m sorry, but that won’t work.”
“I knew that would happen. “You’re such an idiot who only knows thoracic surgery.”
Finch smiled and entered Rosette, and the staff followed behind him.
‘This is the last surgery of my surgical rotation. I’ll finish it cleanly.’
Choi Ki-seok strengthened his resolve and stood in the position of first assistant.
