Chapter 138: First Research (1)

Hong Changgi walked behind Suhyuk and Shin Hyun-tae like a puppy following its owner. Although he was not yet a full professor but merely an associate professor, it felt strange to describe someone of his age as ‘puppy-like’. Nonetheless, Hong Changgi truly resembled a puppy trailing after them.

“Pfizer is indeed quite large,” Baruda remarked with a slight disapproval when thinking about Hong Changgi’s comment.

Suhyuk did not react critically since he had a general understanding of Pfizer’s size. It involved numerous funds and collaborations between prestigious research labs. Initially, the term “making money hand over fist” might have been appropriate when they were raking in profits from Viagra sales, but now that their spending matched Zheng Sheng’s extravagance, no one could criticize Pfizer’s financial practices. Currently, Pfizer was recognized as one of the leading contributors to medical advancements.

Currently, Pfizer was considered one of the groups making the most significant contributions to medical advancements.

“Here it is, Professor Hong.”

Shin Hyun-tae adjusted his pace to match Suhyuk’s stride and pointed at a door between two hospital rooms.

Despite being designated as a manager, many professors shared research labs with others except for those from Internal Medicine. This department was relatively small but had numerous responsibilities, necessitating even having their own secretary - a gesture of respect.

“A-ah, yes. It’s Manager An’s office.”

“You called me ‘hyung’ earlier, now you’re calling me ‘manager.’ Can’t make up your mind?”

“I’ll address you however you prefer, sir.”

Hong Changgi displayed a cheeky demeanor, completely different from when he interacted with patients, bending respectfully towards Shin Hyun-tae.

Shaking his head, Shin Hyun-tae patted him on the back. “Then, outside work, call me hyung. And with Dr. Choi, I’m also just ‘hyung’…”

As he opened the door, Taejin Jo grabbed him with his bear-like hand.

“Hyung. Where are you going?”

“Ah, stop calling me hyung here. This is a hospital.”

“I heard everything from Hyunjong earlier. Suhyuk’s eyes seem strange.”

“What? What do you mean by that?” If it was about a patient or some interesting event, Shin Hyun-tae might understand, but something about Suhyuk’s eyes? Involuntarily, Shin Hyun-tae turned to look at Suhyuk, who appeared perfectly normal as usual.

‘Well, if someone says they seem unusual, I can’t dismiss it easily…’

While Shin Hyun-tae pondered this, Taejin Jo forcefully pulled him inside with his massive grip. Despite not being small himself, Shin Hyun-tae couldn’t match Taejin Jo’s strength.

“Come on, you too. Don’t think about having any secret talks without me.” With his other hand, Taejin pulled Suhyuk as well.

Suhyuk already had difficulty with one leg, and he couldn’t resist Taejin Jo’s strength. There were rumors that if wrestling remained popular, Taejin would have become a renowned wrestler.

“Eh.”

“Hey, dude. You’ll fall!”

“No… I can manage myself.”

Taejin smiled reassuringly at Shin Hyun-tae’s concerned gaze while completely dragging Suhyuk inside the research lab.

“Hmm, wait a moment.”

Before Hong Changgi could follow them, Taejin closed the door.

“What ar…are you doing?” Shin Hyun-tae asked, surprised, as he observed Hong Changgi knocking on the door through the glass partition.

Although the view was blurry, making it hard to discern Changgi’s expression fully, Hyun-tae could guess. It likely conveyed disbelief or confusion.

“I am disappointed, hyung.”

Taejin Jo responded indignantly to Shin Hyun-tae’s question. Moreover…

“You too, Lee Suhyuk.” Taejin Jo even addressed Suhyuk by his full name instead of just ‘Suhyuk’, as he usually did.

This was quite unusual.

“Did I do something wrong?” Baruda was extremely nervous.

‘Indeed, what happened?’

Lee Suhyuk had no idea why this occurred. Similarly, Shin Hyun-tae stared wide-eyed at him, equally puzzled.

Bang bang!

Meanwhile, Hong Changgi frantically knocked on the door outside. Concerned that the door might break, Shin Hyun-tae leaned his heavy body against it and continued speaking.

“You know how sensitive Dr. Choi is?”

“Yes…I kn-know?”

The phrase ‘feeling good’ might sound unscientific, but it was actually used frequently by internal medicine doctors, who were more scientifically oriented than other physicians. In some cases, it could even be considered a compliment.

“So that’s why… Is this also true for Suhyuk?”

“Suhyuk…?” Shin Hyun-tae inadvertently turned towards Lee Suhyuk.

Lee Suhyuk shrugged since he had no idea what they were discussing.

“What nonsense is this?” Baruda echoed his sentiment with equal confusion, relieved nobody else could see him as his expression clearly showed.

Shin Hyun-tae nodded vigorously, almost excessively so.

On the other hand, Suhyuk blinked, as he had just learned that his head moved oddly when his eyes were closed.

[Sigh… I told you to close your eyes…]

It was Baruda’s reprimand.

“Usually, this happens when observing patients… Does he also do it before presenting research or topics?”

“Eh… Did hyung see him doing it earlier?”

“I think he was sulking in the middle of the intensive care unit because he didn’t want to attend the meeting.”

As the director, Lee Hyunjong should have been attending meetings, not sulking due to annoyance. It seemed inexplicable, but both Shin Hyun-tae and Suhyuk found it plausible given Lee Hyunjong’s eccentricities.

He was indeed peculiar. Except for not seeing patients, Suhyuk could be convinced about anything else.

“Ah… Yawning…”

“At that moment, Suhyuk closed his eyes and started to see strange things. Huh? What is this… This thing, what is it? Yes, spiritual energy. Like someone with spiritual energy.”

“Don’t mock Suhyuk like that…”

“In any case, you know? That thing.”

“I do know.”

Shin Hyun-tae’s expression became more complicated as he looked at Suhyuk. Each time disappointment crept into Shin Hyun-tae’s eyes, Baruda’s rebuke intensified:

“If you’re going to act like this, better keep your eyes open. You keep uttering ‘spiritual energy’ while doing these actions.”

It couldn’t be helped. Baruda, a pinnacle of modern science, was being mistaken for ancient superstition.

Of course, Suhyuk had his own response to this.

‘If only you could converse in a more sophisticated manner.’

[Sophisticated? Sophist…cated? You dare utter such words now?]

‘Well, why not? Use brain overclocking or something. Stop time and talk with me then.’

[Crazy…]

Baruda was well aware of what Suhyuk was referring to based on various sources. For nearly a year, whenever Suhyuk slept, Baruda sifted through everything stored in his mind.

[Don’t bring up comic book nonsense.]

‘It’s not possible? Why not?’

[Brain overclocking? What kind of… turbo engine is it supposed to be?]

‘If it’s not possible, just live with it without complaining. It’s because you can’t do it.’

[Wah… You’re trying to pin this on me. Instead of studying medicine as required, you keep focusing on these things.]

‘What are you talking about? Who came up with the idea for this research?’

[Huh.]

Although Baru found Shin Suhyuk’s words infuriating, they were correct. As Baru wasn’t completely shameless, he couldn’t find any further retort.

Thanks to this distraction, Suhyuk could once again concentrate on the conversation between Shin Hyun-tae and Taejin Jo. Occasionally, Hong Changgi knocking at the door from outside was somewhat disruptive, but currently, no one paid attention to it.

“Hyunjong hyung mentioned that by then, all patient diagnoses had already been made, and treatment was underway.”

“It should be around the time when Hyunjong hyung had to attend a meeting… Hmm… That’s right.”

“Considering Suhyuk’s personality, he wouldn’t have been thinking about diagnosing patients… Judging by his immediate move to the research lab, it seems he deemed this as part of his research.”

“Ah, Hyunjong hyung…”

Even if someone was intelligent, there should be limits to their cleverness. How could they predict such things just to avoid attending a meeting? Shin Hyun-tae shook his head incredulously and continued, “So why did you come here?”

“I came because you called me. You said I needed to listen in since you couldn’t make it to the meeting. Luckily, I didn’t have any outpatient appointments today.”

“Are you his guardian?”

“G-Guardian? I am clearly Suhyuk’s guardian. Thus, I have the right to be present during this research discussion.”

“Guardian…?”

“Yes, indeed. When he went to the United States, I even gave him pocket money.” Taejin Jo looked at Suhyuk as if seeking confirmation of his claim. With his chin slightly raised, it seemed like he was boasting.

“This fellow is quite ridiculous too.”

‘He did give me some.’

“A lot, actually. But still…”

Suhyuk recalled when Taejin Jo had called him separately the day before leaving for the US and handed him $1,000. Although referred to as “a thousand dollars,” it equated to over one million won in South Korean currency, a significant amount.

Although Taejin Jo was quite wealthy, it wasn’t an amount he would casually give to someone he barely knew. This suggested that the notion of him being Suhyuk’s guardian might not be entirely far-fetched after all.

“Yes, he gave me a lot.”

“Did he give you anything else besides what the department provided?”

“Yes, another thousand dollars.”

“A thousand dollars? Hey, isn’t that considered bribery?” Shin Hyun-tae flushed, thinking about how some professors might resort to bribing students like Suhyuk.

However, Taejin Jo remained composed and unapologetic.

“Well, Hyunjong hyung actually gave more than that, if I recall correctly.”

“He did?”

“Eh… Still, that guy went too far with Dr. Choi, don’t you think, hyung?”

“Hah.”

Everyone kept referring to each other as ‘hyung’ or elder brother. The director supposedly treated residents like his own children and showered them with money.

With this generation, won’t Taehwa Medical Center’s Internal Medicine department be doomed?

Shin Hyun-tae felt dizzy at this thought.

“Manager Shin. By the way…won’t you discuss research?”

“Oh. Suhyuk.” Ironically, hearing Suhyuk amidst all the chaos instantly calmed him down.

Yes, there’s always him. As long as he’s here…

No matter how foolishly others acted, Taehwa Medical Center would never fail due to Suhyuk’s overwhelming abilities. Even minor shortcomings could be overlooked when one possessed exceptional skills.

It was similar to how Taehwa Medical Center’s cardiology department remained the best in the world despite Lee Hyunjong’s eccentric personality.

“We… need to talk. Yes, umm. Let us sit over there.”

“Yes, haha.”

“Taejin Jo… why are you sitting?”

“I also should listen. Haha.”

Shin Hyun-tae hesitated briefly before looking at Suhyuk. He thought it crucial to consider Suhyuk’s opinion since this idea originated from him.

“Having Professor Taejin Jo assist will make things faster.”

“Hmm, yes. Then, please take a seat.”

“As expected of Suhyuk. You’re the best!”

With Suhyuk seated, they could finally discuss their research project.

“Hey! Open the door! Taejin Jo! Open up!”

Hong Changgi’s shouting echoed like background noise amidst their conversation.