A competent doctor can cure everything

After quickly having lunch, I went to the small auditorium at the hospital, which was already bustling with people.

Hospital administrative staff were setting up the sound equipment.

Volunteer club students were checking the sound while singing and playing acoustic guitars.

Among the crowd, I spotted some familiar faces.

“Lee Joon Oppa!”

Intern Manager Lee Haet-nim was there with her twin sister Lee Dal-nim, Ye Wonil, and Ko Min-hwa.

I joined the group and asked,

“What should we do?”

“Oh, Lee Joon-hyung! Come on, come on~. For now, just familiarize yourself with the event schedule. After the rehearsal, we’ll need to organize the items in the auditorium.”

“But isn’t rehearsal usually done right before the performance? There are still a few days left until the event.”

“Hyung, I thought that was strange too, so I asked. Apparently, it was requested by the club. They want to check the sound and stage ahead of time to avoid any issues. Isn’t that super passionate?”

In response to Wonil’s words, the intern manager added,

“So today, just enjoy the event casually. On the day of the event, we probably won’t have much to do. Since it’s an event for cancer patients, we’re there mainly to be on standby in case of any emergency that might require medical staff.”

So, while our presence wasn’t absolutely necessary for the event, we were asked to be on standby just in case.

‘Interns really are the most useful…’

Since there was nothing to do at the moment, I stood with my arms crossed, watching the rehearsal leisurely.

A male student playing the guitar and singing in the center of the stage caught my eye.

He had long hair tied into a ponytail, and he was adorned with earrings, piercings, rings, and necklaces—pretty much every kind of accessory.

But more than anything, he sang confidently without showing any signs of nervousness in front of strangers, and his skills were quite impressive.

“Wow, that person sings really well. The guitar skills are top-notch too.”

“That person is the club president and majoring in practical music. You can definitely tell he’s a professional.”

It seemed everyone had a similar opinion from the murmurs I heard.

As I was absorbed in his singing and guitar playing for a moment,

Suddenly, the club president stopped singing and wrinkled his nose, as if he had caught a bad smell.

‘……??’

As everyone looked around in confusion, trying to find what was wrong,

The president’s expression grew increasingly contorted.

The club president’s eyes, tightly scrunched, closed, and his mouth widened.

At the same time, his chest expanded dramatically.

“Ugh, could it be…?”

As someone finally caught on to the situation and whispered,

“Puerto Rico!”

The president urgently covered his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a storm-like sneeze.

The sound traveled into a nearby microphone, and the words he shouted echoed throughout the auditorium.

“……?”

“What was that just now?”

As people exchanged bewildered looks, the club president sheepishly scratched his head and apologized.

“Hahaha! Oh, I’m sorry about that. My sneezing habit is a bit unusual.”

“That was a sneeze?”

“Pfft, that’s hilarious.”

With that, laughter erupted among the onlookers who finally understood the situation.

The laughter spread like an infectious disease, eventually making everyone in the auditorium laugh.

While the president himself was laughing heartily without a hint of embarrassment, the club members were turning red-faced as they smacked him on the back.

“Hahaha, the president is such a character~.”

“Yeah, he seems to have a good personality.”

“It looks like the members get along really well too.”

“Y-yeah. I’m looking forward to the healing concert…!”

Well, it seems like one person is looking forward to the concert for a different reason, but let’s just let that slide.

After that, the rehearsal proceeded without any issues.

I took the opportunity to ask Haet-nim something I was curious about.

“Haet, how’s the atmosphere in the Rehabilitation Department?”

In our hospital, interns are required to rotate through all departments for a month each over the course of a year. The schedule for the year is determined in advance.

Haet-nim was one step ahead of me in the rotation.

She was always going through the process a step before me.

“Ah, the Rehabilitation Department? Since acupuncture and rehabilitation are major fields, there are a lot of patients, which makes it a bit challenging. But it’s interesting! The professors and residents are all lively, and how should I put it, they have an ‘in-group’ vibe?”

An ‘in-group’ vibe…

As someone who is more of an outsider, I wasn’t entirely sure what that felt like, but I nodded in agreement.

“Oh, and Professor Yeon Jae-wook in the Rehabilitation Department is very interested in research, so the department members are also busy with research.”

The work of university hospital professors can be broadly categorized into three areas:

Patient care, student education, and research.

‘Research’ involves securing research projects from the government or corporations, receiving funding, producing results, and publishing papers.

“If it’s research, doesn’t Dr. Sim Ji-seob, who’s in his second year in Rehabilitation, work hard at it?”

Whether at university or the hospital, I’m generally slow to catch onto rumors and news.

The news I learn is usually already known by everyone.

However, even someone like me, who is slow to catch on, has heard of the reputation of Sim Ji-seob.

First of all, his background was unusual.

Sim Ji-seob didn’t initially enter the Oriental Medicine College. After graduating from a department like Seoul National University’s Department of Bioengineering, he re-enrolled in the Oriental Medicine College.

Perhaps because of this, he participated in various research projects even during his time as an Oriental Medicine student, showcasing his potential as a research newcomer.

“I heard he even participated in new drug development based on traditional medicine during his internship.”

And I’ve heard that this new drug is currently popular in Western medicine prescriptions.

“So, despite being an intern from another university and hospital, his passion for research must have caught the eye of the Rehabilitation Department professor, leading to his selection as a resident at Hanbit University.”

His impressive credentials overshadow the drawbacks of being from a different university.

Moreover, he’s also reportedly handsome and well-mannered, adding to his fame.

“Ah… I’ve heard that too.”

What’s with that vague reaction?

When I looked at him, puzzled, the intern manager cautiously began to speak.

“I thought he would be as deeply immersed in research as the Rehabilitation Department professor, but it seems not.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It seems like he finds research a bit tedious and difficult…”

Suddenly, I recalled Sim Ji-seob’s cold reaction from our encounter in the Chuna Room and subtly asked.

“Still, I heard he’s kind and a nice person. Maybe he’s just overwhelmed with work.”

“Yeah… he is kind.”

Again, the same vague response as before.

“Did something happen?”

“No, no! Not at all. He’s just as gentle and helpful as I heard. It’s just… he feels a bit difficult to approach.”

Did they also sense something odd?

“Oh, by the way, it feels like Joon and Ji-seob sunbae have somewhat opposite vibes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well~. Ji-seob Sunbae has a soft and refined first impression, but he seems hard to get close to. Oppa, on the other hand, seems cold and scary at first but is actually not that scary once you get to know him?”

“……?”

Not understanding the intern manager’s clear explanation, I furrowed my brow, and Ye Wonil chimed in.

“Oh~ I get it. When asking for something, Ji-seob Sunbae seems like he would gently and kindly decline, while Joon Hyung might let out a sigh before agreeing?”

“Oh, that’s right, that’s exactly the feeling.”

I don’t quite understand what they’re talking about.

How rational and straightforward I am.

…At that moment, I realized that I was here doing this volunteer work because I was asked to.

I was about to argue but quietly kept my mouth shut.

* * *

Day 3 of Park Young-jin’s hospitalization.

Since this is a patient for whom I’ve taken on the role of primary physician, I am more interested.

*On the first day, the patient didn’t react well when they heard I was just an intern.*

However, as I treated them with sincerity, it seems that a rapport is gradually being built.

Today, I visited the patient’s room for their afternoon treatment.

The patient has been taking herbal medicine to treat irritable bowel syndrome and receiving moxibustion therapy.

They also tried Chuna for correcting a forward head posture and seemed quite pleased.

They even asked if it could be done daily, but I explained that Chuna is typically done 2-3 times a week, so they were a bit disappointed.

“Patient, how is your stomach today?”

“Since being hospitalized, the frequency of bathroom visits has significantly decreased. I don’t go more than two or three times a day, so it’s very comfortable.”

“That’s good to hear. I will place the needles today. Please lie down on the bed.”

I began moxibustion therapy to alleviate irritable bowel syndrome.

The selected acupuncture points included ‘Hegu, Taichong, San Yin Jiao, Zusanli, Tianchü, Quchi, Zhongwan, and Xiawan,’ which are known to significantly improve abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

I also applied moxibustion to abdominal points such as Tianchü, Zhongwan, and Xiawan.

During the treatment, the patient suddenly expressed their concerns.

“But what if it gets worse again after discharge?”

“Don’t worry too much already. This condition is heavily influenced by stress.”

“Y-yeah, I suppose?”

“If you continue treatment as an outpatient and manage your diet well, you should be fine. Avoid carbonated drinks, sugar, coffee, beans, and cabbage.”

The patient seemed somewhat touched by my reassurance and advice.

“There’s never been a teacher who explained things this thoroughly before… Thank you.”

Then the patient cautiously began to speak.

“Doctor, may I ask you something else?”

“Go ahead.”

“This is something I’ve been curious about. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

What could be so important that they’re hesitating like this?

“Why do acupuncture and moxibustion work? It’s quite fascinating…”

“Well, in the case of the moxibustion therapy we’re doing now, it helps by inhibiting the expression of serotonin receptors in the intestines and the peptide called substance P, which prolongs the colon transit time and improves diarrhea.”

“I see… But why don’t you use traditional Oriental medicine terms?”

“Oh.”

I realized what the patient was getting at.

“Of course, it can be explained that way too. You have spleen Qi deficiency and a cold deficiency in the large intestine, so we’re using warming and tonifying treatments.”

“Huh?”

“See, this is why.”

Seeing the patient’s puzzled expression, I smiled and explained.

“Traditional Oriental medicine terms are quite complicated. Although Western medical terms are difficult too, you can get a general idea of what they mean, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“So, when communicating with patients, I prefer not to use complex traditional medicine terms. It can lead to misunderstandings.”

“Misunderstandings?”

Noting the patient’s interest, I continued.

“For example, in traditional medicine, ‘excess heat’ refers to inflammation in Western medicine, not actual temperature.”

“Oh, I see. So terms like Qi and blood don’t actually mean there’s literal Qi and blood?”

“Haha. They’re just ways to describe bodily phenomena. It’s not like some kind of mystical power.”

“I see.”

The patient nodded thoughtfully and then asked another question.

“Excuse me, doctor. One more thing. Comparing Oriental and Western medicine, which is better? Don’t you usually go to the hospital when you’re sick?”

Although the question might seem a bit rude, the patient seemed genuinely curious, so I calmly shared my thoughts.

“Well, the important thing, regardless of Oriental or Western medicine, is what is best for the patient.”

“!”

“Some conditions may be better treated with traditional medicine, and others with Western medicine. There are also conditions where a combination of both can provide a synergistic effect.”

“That’s why I came here, too…”

“That’s why I consider studying both Western and traditional medicine important. I need to understand both to recommend the best options for my patients.”

“I see.”

Seeing the patient’s impressed reaction, I asked, “By the way, why are you interested in these things?”

“Oh… I have a friend who doesn’t know much about this stuff.”

Seeing the meaningfully smiling Park Young-jin, I tilted my head in confusion.