Chapter 86: I have to go to America (3)

Click.

Finally, the door of the pathology department opened. It was inevitable since the director himself had come forward. Moreover, there were compelling reasons why the manager couldn’t ignore Lee Hyunjong and Lee Suhyuk. These reasons were personal yet absolute at the same time.

“We are in a meeting…”

“Who got it published in NEJM? Don’t talk about meetings.”

“That…I did participate too.”

“If it wasn’t for me, would it have been published?”

“That…that is true.”

“Do you want to publish again? Then listen to me.”

“Yes, yes. Understood, Dr. Choi.”

Previously, Manager Park’s name had appeared on a research paper regarding the anatomical variation of coronary arteries discovered by Suhyuk.

The pathology department had extensive anatomical knowledge and vast resources. However, their actual contribution to the research wasn’t significant. The manager was aware of this fact, which is why he hesitated before asking Lee Hyunjong for help.

“This is the patient’s registration number, right? Show me the sample. We will handle the microscope.”

“Ah, yes. That…”

“Why so confused?”

“Well, it has been quite some time since I personally searched for slides.”

“Old habits die hard.” Lee Hyunjong’s words elicited an amusing expression from the manager. Ironically, while Manager Park exhibited behaviors fitting the term “old habits,” Lee Hyunjong refrained from using it directly in front of him. Instead, all he could expect was sympathy from Suhyuk’s empathetic gaze.

[Lee Hyunjong is truly powerful.]

‘He has both skills and status. His seniority is high.’

[Will Suhyuk become like him when he reaches higher?]

‘Why? Do you want to abuse your power?’

[Don’t you, Suhyuk?]

‘That…’

I expected ‘no’ to come out naturally, but it didn’t happen easily. Having experienced both being on the receiving end of power abuses as well as exercising minor ones myself, I realized that wielding power certainly had its advantages.

[Let’s work hard together. Fortunately, my abilities will support us. If Suhyuk behaves properly, we can rise up.]

‘No, I think your intentions have become slightly impure.’

[I’ll say that Suhyuk, my sole input-output channel, influenced me. Of course, my goal of creating the world’s best diagnostic and treatment-focused internal medicine doctor remains unchanged. Please understand this point, Suhyuk.]

‘Isn’t it true for me as well?’

While they were arguing, one of the residents rushed forward and brought Lee Hyunjong to the microscope room.

The microscope was designed so that multiple people could view simultaneously, and it had equipment to take digital photos. It was much better than the microscope used at his previous workplace, although this one was intended for educational purposes.

It was also suitable for research.

“I will bring the specimen.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“No problem, Dr. Lee.”

After Lee Hyunjong and Suhyuk took their seats, the resident left the room.

Instead of following the resident, Manager Shin decided to sit next to Director Lee Hyunjong.

This situation felt slightly absurd since we were supposed to be having a meeting.

“What?”

“You know already. Honestly, this meeting isn’t that important. There is nothing to discuss. It’s just the same people every week…”

“Are you using this as an excuse not to attend?”

“I’m sorry. By the way, what brought you here for a specimen?” Manager Shin asked while observing Suhyuk’s reaction.

Upon reflection, these two were currently the most talented duo at Taehwa Medical Center. Since they had arrived unexpectedly during their busy schedule, it indicated something significant must have occurred.

‘Is it related to NEJM…again?’

While being listed as the primary or corresponding author might be challenging, securing a secondary authorship would still be highly valuable.

[Baruda, you must want something from me.]

‘Indeed. It’s quite obvious.’

Baruda clicked his tongue at Suhyuk’s exaggerated expression. Meanwhile, Suhyuk subtly participated without revealing any signs of it.

[Let’s do well together. Regardless of Lee Hyunjong being a full professor, he has less than ten years until retirement. We need to be self-sufficient by then.]

‘Self-sufficient, huh?’

There was Shin Hyun-tae and Taejin Jo, but they wouldn’t provide the same unwavering support as Lee Hyunjong. Moreover, neither had the capability to do so. Their influence was limited within Internal Medicine. While they could potentially grow further, Suhyuk instinctively doubted if they could ever match Lee Hyunjong’s stature.

“Yes. You need to become a well-connected professor. A hospital cannot function solely on expertise.”

‘How does he know all this?’

“Since I see what Suhyuk sees.”

These words were quite profound and somewhat enigmatic. However, Suhyuk had a vague understanding of their meaning. Although hospital politics couldn’t be compared to national parliamentary politics, Suhyuk had observed how political maneuvering could influence a professor’s actions within the hospital.

As a result, Suhyuk displayed his most amiable smile. Naturally, the Manager responded with an even brighter grin.

“There is a patient suspected of having Royce Diaz disease. The genetic type hasn’t come out yet, but I wanted to see if there were any abnormalities in the specimen. In fact, I have never seen it directly.”

“Ah? Then the case report…?”

“Huh? No, not every patient can be connected to a research paper. It isn’t like that. Although it is rare… this disease is already well-known. Recognizing the illness itself isn’t difficult.”

“Oh…”

The manager’s expression noticeably showed his disappointment. However, he chuckled, realizing there might be another opportunity later to write a research paper.

‘Lee Suhyuk…he wasn’t joking.’

The manager recalled events from several decades ago, specifically when Hyun-jong Lee was still a resident. Back then, professors around him had faced significant challenges due to Lee’s prolific output of research papers.

The manager recalled Lee Hyunjong’s time as a resident. At that time, all the professors around Lee Hyunjong were frustrated. They had a machine for writing research papers, but it wasn’t their subordinate. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that thanks to Lee Hyunjong, many associate professors became full professors.

‘Maybe this friend…could become the next Lee Hyunjong.’

With these expectations, the manager continued to smile warmly. Most residents would have been swayed by such an appeal from a professor who was a department head.

[He is trying hard.]

‘Indeed. Really…he is trying hard.’

It didn’t affect Lee Suhyuk at all. This was because he had already received more compelling appeals from people like Lee Hyunjong and Shin Hyun-tae.

“Here you go.”

Meanwhile, one of the residents brought over specimens on slides. It wasn’t just one slide but several due to the sheer volume of samples collected.

“Oh, give them here.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Suhyuk, can you adjust it for me? I’m not very good at using microscopes.”

Lee Hyunjong handed the slides he received to Suhyuk. In the past, Suhyuk might have hesitated out of modesty, but now, he didn’t bother with such formalities.

[Hear that? Appeal your genius by proclaiming ‘I am a genius’ once!]

‘What a lunatic.’

Of course, Suhyuk didn’t follow Baruda’s advice and randomly shout “I am a genius.”

“Yes, I’ll take a look.”

“Great.”

Calmly, Suhyuk placed the slides under the microscope and adeptly adjusted the magnification before examining them.

[Yes, like this.]

Naturally, Suhyuk was receiving Baruda’s assistance. Although Suhyuk tried his best to remember medical knowledge, it was impossible for him to recall simple techniques like this.

‘Look at me now.’

Of course, others couldn’t see Baruda, so they simply thought Suhyuk was amazing. Lee Hyunjong took it as a given, but the manager was quite surprised.

‘I only knew he wrote excellent research papers…but he is also good with microscopes?’

Suhyuk adjusted the microscope faster than most residents and pinpointed a critical area immediately.

“This is a cross-section of the artery. Doesn’t it already look strange?”

“Really? Different from normal?” Lee Hyunjong asked based on Suhyuk’s observation.

It was obvious why he questioned it.

Pathology wasn’t his specialty. It was strange for Suhyuk, merely an Internal Medicine resident, to possess this knowledge.

Suhyuk continued explaining as if it were obvious:

“Yes, currently, it’s at forty times magnification… If we increase it to four hundred times, you can clearly see medial myxoid degeneration. In other words, the connective tissue is weakened.”

“Really?” Lee Hyunjong looked convinced without any doubt. He proudly gazed at Manager Park, expecting praise.

In contrast, Manager Park appeared speechless, unsure how to react.

‘Has he gone mad?’

The biggest accomplishment was barely restraining himself from blurting out profanities.

Suhyuk’s description was not just accurate but truly remarkable.

‘How… How did he know this?’

He correctly guessed changes occurring at the cellular level. Honestly, Manager Kim doubted if anyone else could provide such a quick and precise answer, regardless of whether they were in their first or fourth year as residents. Even Professor Lee himself seemed to have taken slightly longer than Suhyuk to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

“Is it right?” Lee Hyunjong looked at Manager Kim with even more conviction than before.

The manager’s expression confirmed that Suhyuk’s assessment was indeed correct.

“Yes, y-yes, you’re correct.”

“He seems good at pathology too.”

“W-well… Did someone teach him separately?”

“Does it make sense? How can I teach him something when I don’t know it myself?”

“Then how…”

“I have no idea. He is truly a genius.”

“Yes…that’s true.” The manager nodded, wanting to say more but unable to find the words.

What else could one call someone who knew things without being taught?

Lee Hyunjong laughed proudly as if Suhyuk being his disciple was a great achievement before turning back to Suhyuk.

“Oh right. This patient is Royce Diaz, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Good. It really looks like this. Hmm. There are so many fascinating diseases in this world.”

Lee Hyunjong stood up as he spoke these words. It seemed like he had seen enough of this mysterious illness.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go now.”

“Ah, yes.”

Suhyuk wondered if it was appropriate to leave without saying anything after storming someone else’s department like a whirlwind. However, there wasn’t much they could do since Lee Hyunjong was the director - and not just any director but the most powerful one in the hospital’s history. Even the manager couldn’t protest and merely bowed respectfully.

Creak.

Just like that, Lee Hyunjong entered aggressively and exited swiftly, resembling both a bully and a burglar. As they started heading back towards the cancer center where the Internal Medicine ward was located, their pace was surprisingly leisurely. There was no need to rush initially, and Suhyuk’s slower speed contributed to their unhurried walk.

It was slow due to Suhyuk’s presence. This meant they had considerable time for conversation.

“A strange disease?”

“Ah yes. But the prognosis isn’t good…”

“If it had been diagnosed earlier and medication given… Now that it has already burst once, we don’t know what will happen.”

Initially, their discussion revolved around medical matters. However, Lee Hyunjong abruptly changed the topic after receiving a call from his secretary.

“Ah… Meetings every day. Oh.”

“What is wrong?”

“Did I mention something before?”

“Huh?”

“You’re going to the US, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

“The approval came through. It’s scheduled for next month with Shin Hyun-tae, correct? You need to go then.”