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Kang Chan couldn't help but wonder who jumped off a building this time.
No, it doesn’t matter. Just survive. Wake up with your own memories intact.
The empty blood bag soon filled up to the top.
As Yoo Hun-Woo prepared to remove the needle, Kang Chan voiced his thoughts, “Is that really enough?”
“Any more, and it may wear you out.”
"I'm fine, so let's do it one more time. It’s not like donating more blood will kill me," Kang Chan asserted.
“You could still experience shock. It hasn't been too long since your injury.”
Despite his warning, Yoo Hun-Woo hesitated to remove the needle due to Kang Chan’s insistence.
“There's no difference between shedding blood due to a stab wound and donating blood. Let's do it again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kang Chan.”
An anxious agent tried to intervene, but Seok Kang-Ho waved him off, restraining him. The nurse swiftly took the plastic blood bag filled with Kang Chan's blood and left the room. Shortly afterward, the second bag was filled.
"Doctor! The patient shows no abnormal symptoms from the blood," the nurse reported, rushing over to Yoo Hun-Woo.
Yoo Hun-Woo handed her the freshly drawn blood and instructed, "Transfuse as well quickly."
"Let's lie down a little longer, okay?" Yoo Hun-Woo suggested, pressing a cotton ball to Kang Chan's forearm and preventing him from getting up. Kang Chan couldn't help but let out a faint laugh at the feeling of being babied.
After about three minutes, Kang Chan finally rose from the bed.
Yoo Hun-Woo thanked him several times, then took the elevator to go straight up to the upper floors.
“Do you think it’s because you recover quickly?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.
“Yeah. Since my body is unique in some ways, Director Yoo once said that a transfusion with my blood could be helpful to patients in dire conditions.”
"Well, if that turns out to be true, it's not necessarily something to be entirely pleased about. Families of severely ill patients might swarm to you if word gets out,"
Kang Chan hadn't considered that perspective. Seok Kang-Ho's point seemed valid.
“I'm sure Director Yoo will handle it well. Anyway, I'm curious about the person who jumped. I wonder if they'll be reborn in a strange body like we were.”
“Phuhu.”
Kang Chan opened the door to their ward and settled down. He didn't notice any issues with his body.
“Perfect, this means we need to have to eat meat for lunch again,” Seok Kang-Ho half-joked.
“Ugh. I'm starting to get a bit tired of meat.”
“Tsk tsk! You need to eat properly whenever you have the chance.”
Although he was no longer a teenager in the middle of a growth spurt, Seok Kang-Ho remained adamant about indulging in meat at least once a day. He excitedly hummed to himself as he scanned the menu.
“By the way, I’m going to get discharged on Monday,” Kang Chan announced.
“Let’s do that. I can just stay at home then,” Seok Kang-Ho replied.
“Don’t you have to stay here a little longer?”
“All they do is change my bandages once a day and give me shots. I can just visit the hospital for that. I don’t want to be stuck alone in a hospital ward.”
That was understandable. He was probably bored out of his mind for having to stay in a hospital room for over a week. Moreover, as he said, it would be better for him to stay at home with his family. What would he do alone in a hospital ward?
“I choose you! This one looks good. Let’s fill our stomachs to the brim with braised short ribs.”
“Order some for the agents outside too.”
“They said they’re not allowed to eat when they’re on duty. They couldn’t have any of the kimchi wraps with pork that I got them last time.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, I know,” Seok Kang-Ho agreed.
After eating lunch, the two leisurely lounged around.
Kang Chan felt as if he was putting on pounds after doing nothing but lying down and indulging in food for about a week.
They spent the entire afternoon watching TV.
While Seok Kang-Ho dozed off, snoring loudly, Kang Chan watched the news broadcasts and the occasional kdrama.
To be honest, it was boring. However, thinking of the hardworking actors and crew at D.I., he compelled himself to watch and ended up finding a few dramas that were interesting. He probably wouldn’t take time out of his own schedule to watch them, though.
"Ahhhh!" Seok Kang-Ho stretched his arms and let out a hoarse grunt. He got up from his bed and dragged his drip stand over to sit next to Kang Chan.
“Urgh! I’m sleepy even if I do nothing but sleep.”
“It’s probably because your body is trying to recover.”
"You're right. Good Lord, life is just a never-ending cycle of pain. I get sleepy after a meal, and then I wake up hungry again. What should I have for dinner today?" Seok Kang-Ho asked loudly.
It was ridiculous. Kang Chan glanced incredulously at the guy who, immediately after waking up from a lengthy nap, was now meticulously scrutinizing the menu.
Just as Seok Kang-Ho glared at the menu like a hunter sizing up his prey, the door slid open. Yoo Hun-Woo entered the room accompanied by a nurse.
“How are you feeling, Mr. Kang Chan?”
“Fine.”
Yoo Hun-Woo carefully observed Kang Chan’s complexion, eventually looking relieved. He then turned his attention to Seok Kang-Ho.
“Let’s change your bandages, Mr. Seok.”
“Right now, doc?”
“Yes. Your condition is different from Mr. Kang Chan's. Your wounds are still in the process of healing, so we have to change your bandages regularly. Please put that down and prepare accordingly.”
Seok Kang-Ho’s treatment took approximately twenty minutes. Judging by his tired expression, it was evident that he would insist on having a hearty meal of meat to replenish his energy after enduring such horrible discomfort.
“What is the current condition of the patient you told us about earlier?” Kang Chan asked.
"The patient is still in critical condition, but it's nothing short of a miracle that the student is still alive. We are all holding onto hope for the patient’s recovery," Yoo Hun-Woo replied, removing his latex gloves and massaging the back of his neck wearily.
At that moment, Seok Kang-Ho looked up from the menu and asked, “Director, I'm curious. Why do you personally care for every single patient in the hospital?”
“I don't personally care for every single patient, but the student has been a frequent visitor to our hospital, so I felt a special empathy towards them.”
“Didn’t you say the kid jumped off a building?” Kang Chan interjected.
“Well, I shouldn't discuss personal details about our patients, but since you have assisted us and possibly played a role in saving the patient's life, I suppose I can share this information. This student has endured injuries and immense stress since the beginning of last year due to bullying at school. Since he dropped out of school, the patient has been receiving therapy sessions at our hospital. And, well, you know the rest.”
Damn all those school bullies!
Kang Chan’s eyes immediately blazed with anger.
“Mr. Kang Chan, when you first arrived at our hospital, you mentioned that you had to be discharged because you had to attend to students who were being bullied. Do you recall?”
Of course, Kang Chan remembered.
He nodded, then replied, “Yes.”
“One of the reasons why I couldn’t bring myself to make you stay was because of this particular patient. Both of the student’s parents are genuinely good people, but…gosh. It’s truly unfortunate.”
“Hm? Director, is the student you’re talking about right now a girl? It was a Shim something…oh! Shim Su-Jin!” Seok Kang-Ho exclaimed, and Director Yoo Hun-Woo’s startled expression confirmed he was correct.
Kang Chan was even more surprised, though. How did this punk remember something that happened last year? He and Seok Kang-Ho were reborn at the same time, so how did Seok Kang-Ho know that?
“That’s weird. Su-Jin's parents informed us back then that she would be transferring to another school,” mused Seok Kang-Ho.
“She couldn’t adjust at the new school either. She had to find a way to overcome the mental trauma on her own, but it seems she was unable to.”
“Haah!” Seok Kang-Ho sighed noisily while Kang Chan sat in front of him, completely bewildered.
Tsk!
Still confused, Kang Chan suddenly felt a burst of annoyance. “Which son of a bitch harassed her so much that they pushed her to this point? Since it happened last year, they’re still attending the same school, aren’t they?”
“Well…”
“Who is it?!”
“Heo Eun-Sil and Lee Ho-Jun. They were in the same class as Shim Su-Jin last year.”
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Motherfucker!
Kang Chan gritted his teeth.
“Are you a teacher at Su-Jin’s former school, Mr. Seok?”
Yoo Hun-Woo leaned closer to Seok Kang-Ho, seemingly wanting to verify the truth himself, but he quickly adjusted his posture when they made eye contact.
“Director Yun, do you think it would be of any help if the perpetrators come forward and sincerely apologize to her?” Kang Chan asked.
“I’m not sure. It may not provide immediate relief, given her current unconscious state,” Director Yun thoughtfully replied.
“Well, please do let me know when she regains consciousness. I’d like to visit her myself.”
“You, Mr. Kang Chan?”
“As you already know, I have my own experience with jumping off a building. Even while unconscious, in the darkness, I could hear the voices of those around me. It would be unjust for her to leave this world feeling wronged. I hope she can have some closure and have some peace of mind before it’s too late.”
“Getting closure is considered an effective form of therapy by psychiatrists, but how will she get closure by simply receiving an apology?”
Kang Chan grinned at Yoo Hun-Wo.
“I beat some sense into Lee Ho-Jun and Heo Eun-Sil, just enough so they wouldn’t die. Wouldn’t she feel less wronged if she faces her end after hearing their outcome?”
Yoo Hun-Woo looked astounded.
“Those little shits have truly reflected on their behavior and are earnestly striving to turn over into new leaves. If I tell them to come and apologize, they’ll apologize genuinely,” Seok Kang-Ho added, supporting Kang Chan’s suggestion.
Yoo Hun-Woo nodded with a contemplative expression, weighing the options.
“Hmm. I will discuss this matter with her parents first. While there is a possibility of positive results, Su-Jin's condition remains critical, and I cannot make any guarantees.”
The three all sighed simultaneously.