A competent doctor can cure everything

The intern kept talking to me.

“What turn are you on next week, Lee Joon-oppa?”

“I’m in Gastroenterology.”

“Oh, I was in that department for my last turn. Want some tips?”

“Sure, that’d be great.”

“Well… it’s currently a half-hospice unit.”

For the first time, she furrowed her brows in concern, which was unusual for her always-smiling demeanor.

Hospice care is focused on relieving the pain of terminally ill patients and providing palliative care for the remainder of their lives.

“What does that mean?”

“There are usually many patients with chronic conditions there, right? They often have digestive issues or stomach pains.”

In my previous turn in Acupuncture and Pain Management, which focused primarily on musculoskeletal issues, recovery often happened relatively quickly.

However, Gastroenterology deals with diseases that have lasted for years, sometimes even decades, which means the treatment periods are also much longer.

“But right now, there’s a stage 4 stomach cancer patient admitted. It’s been two months already.”

“Aren’t you going to the hospice ward?”

“That’s… the patient refused. They want to continue treatment until the end. So they’re staying here while collaborating with Western medicine.”

Lee Haet-nim gave a weak smile.

“But after seeing that patient for a whole month, I think I got so stressed out and heartbroken that I developed reflux esophagitis.”

“Oh, really? What are the symptoms?”

Wonil, who had been silently listening, suddenly joined the conversation.

“Yeah, it’s just typical GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) symptoms. Acid reflux and heartburn.”

GERD is a condition where the lower esophageal sphincter becomes loose, allowing stomach acid to flow into the esophagus.

“Hey, shouldn’t you get that treated quickly? What happens if the doctor is sick?”

“Yeah, I was thinking of trying traditional medicine.”

“For esophageal and gastric mucosal damage, Banxia Xiexin Decoction is the best. A recent paper I read revealed that Banxia Xiexin Decoction alleviates esophageal ulcers through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.”

Suddenly, Wonil became very enthusiastic.

“Is that so? I should probably get a prescription for Banxia Xiexin Decoction. Thanks.”

“Hehe, don’t mention it. You probably already knew all this, and I just blabbed.”

“No, Wonil. I’m really grateful for your concern.”

Um… I was about to add something to their conversation but decided against it.

The term “insurance medicine” refers to 56 types of traditional Oriental medicine powders (granules) recognized for health insurance benefits by the government.

Since it’s covered by health insurance, its advantage is its low price, around 3,000 won per day.

“Let’s just leave it.”

Since it’s covered by insurance and Banxia Xiexin Decoction is a representative remedy for GERD, trying it for a few days should be fine.

“And since Wonil suggested it, it wouldn’t be right to just dismiss it.”

After chatting for a few more hours, the drinking session ended.

While one person took care of the bill, the others gathered outside the store and chatted loudly.

“Wonil.”

I called out to ask if he wanted to share a taxi ride.

However, Wonil did not respond, whether he didn’t hear me or something else.

He laughed and talked with other interns before leaving with them.

Usually, he would be the one to approach first, calling me “hyung” (older brother).

No, he wouldn’t normally just leave without even saying goodbye.

“Maybe he has something urgent?”

I was momentarily puzzled but soon brushed off the thought.

* * *

And the next day, Saturday.

Most of the interns were off, and only a few, including Haet-nim and me, remained in the ward.

The interns spent a quiet day in the intern education room, working on their tasks except when on call.

I too was about to wrap up a peaceful day—almost.

That was until I received a call from Mika on Saturday night.

[Patient Moon Deok-soon]

Suddenly, my phone vibrated, and the caller’s name appeared on the screen.

I had a premonition that my ears would burn and furrowed my brow for a moment before answering the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Hello? Why are you speaking so calmly right now?”

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“Hmph! How could this happen!”

“Well, the situation is…”

“Hmph! Forget it! We’ll settle this next time!”

Mika shouted angrily and abruptly hung up the phone.

I removed the phone from my ear and shook my head.

“Isn’t that like a villain’s retreating line?”

The next day, Sunday evening, two things happened.

First, a conversation with the intern director.

I asked Haet-nim, whom I met in the hallway, about something I was curious about.

“Are you taking that medicine? How’s the heartburn?”

“Oh, you mean Banxia Xiexin Decoction? Well, it got much better yesterday, but today it’s not so good again.”

“Really?”

The change in symptoms that Haet-nim described was just as I had expected.

“Then, how about trying this?”

A look of confusion appeared on the intern director’s face.

“Really? But wouldn’t that make the heartburn worse?”

However, her response to the follow-up explanation was one of admiration.

“Oh, I see! I’ll try that. Thank you, Oppa.”

Second, a call from Min-hwa.

Suddenly, a phone call came on Sunday night.

“Oppa…! I just wanted to thank you for the great performance…!”

Min-hwa began to enthusiastically recount the details of the performance.

‘Wow, his voice can get this fast and loud.’

Lost in thought, I snapped back to attention when my name was mentioned.

“So, Joon, I heard you were looking for a place that day…”

“Oh? Ah, yes, I was.”

“Well, my place isn’t very big, but it’s a two-room apartment. I was wondering if you might be interested in moving in…”

“Hmm? I’d be fine with it, but are you okay with that?”

Having lived in a dormitory throughout my six years in college due to financial constraints, I was used to living with someone else.

But since he might not feel the same way, I wanted to make sure.

“Well… I’m fine with it too. Living alone has been a bit lonely… I think I could get along well with you…”

After thinking for a moment, I suggested an alternative.

“How about trying it for just a month first? To see if we’re compatible.”

“Sounds good! By the way, I have something else to tell you…”

Min-hwa, who had been laughing, suddenly lowered his voice.

I too listened closely to the phone.

“Well, I’m worried I might be overstepping, but…”

“What is it?”

Min-hwa hesitated before speaking.

“Um, is it possible that Wonil is being suddenly cold toward you…?”

“……! How did you know?”

“Ah, well… It seems like Wonil might be jealous of you…”

“What? Why would he be jealous of me?”

“Well… I think Wonil might have feelings for Haet-nim.”

It’s surprising news, but how does that concern me?

It seemed Min-hwa guessed my thoughts and started explaining calmly.

“That day… at the bar, Wonil kept leaning towards Haet-nim… Even when Haet-nim spoke to you, his expression wasn’t good… And when we were going home that day… he deliberately ignored you when you spoke…”

“But how did you notice that?”

“I… I’m always attentive to people’s moods, so I’m quick to pick up on these things.”

I don’t understand why someone with your physical traits would be so observant of others’ feelings, but…

“Alright, I understand. Thanks.”

I rubbed my temple and ended the call.

* * *

At 26, Intern Ye Wonil could be described as a “round person.”

With his round face, curly hair, and a rich emotional side with a friendly and approachable personality.

Therefore, it was natural for Wonil to look after his senior in the club, “Seon Joon,” who joined later.

Despite Wonil’s concerns, Joon quickly adapted to the intern life.

Far from lagging behind, rumors about him spread quickly within the hospital.

They said that Seon Joon received praise from the professor, beat a third-year student, and remarkably helped patients.

However, Wonil felt neither jealousy nor hostility towards Joon.

No, he actually felt proud.

His fair and clean skin, dark blue hair, and the glasses he always wore gave him an intellectual look.

His long limbs were aesthetically pleasing.

When he, who usually spoke little, smiled occasionally, it felt like they had grown closer, which made him proud.

It was subtly satisfying to know that such a cool older brother was closest to him.

However, for the first time during the company dinner, he felt negative emotions towards Joon.

It was jealousy.

And he knew the cause.

It was because of the girl who had gradually caught his eye during the internship, Haet-nim.

Haet-nim, just like her name, was always smiling and brightening up her surroundings.

Wonil had deliberately lingered and left work late, wanting to walk with her to the dinner location.

After always seeing her in scrubs and a doctor’s coat at the hospital, seeing her in casual clothes was surprisingly refreshing.

Her style of dress was pure and airy, which suited her well.

When he successfully sat next to her naturally at the bar, Wonil was thrilled.

However, she seemed more interested in his older brother across from her rather than him.

It was miserable.

At that moment, Wonil’s evaluation of Joon completely changed.

The pale face with glasses looked prickly and sensitive.

His towering height made him look only presentable on the outside.

His occasional smiles seemed more like sneers, which was unpleasant.

The negative feelings didn’t fade away even after the weekend.

On Monday morning, things worsened even more when Wonil witnessed Joon handing Haet-nim an apple in the intern training room.

The two talked for quite a while, and Haet-nim even smiled, making the atmosphere seem pleasant.

‘That older brother wouldn’t do that without a reason.’

Does the older brother have an interest in Haet-nim?

Did they become close over the weekend shift?

Wonil’s feelings were twisted.

At that moment, as if sensing Wonil’s gaze, Joon looked over.

Just as Wonil was about to turn his head with a displeased expression, Joon gestured towards him.

‘……?’

Approaching with a sullen expression, Joon said:

“Haet-nim, could you explain?”

And then he discreetly walked away.

‘What’s going on?’

Unable to make sense of the situation, Haet-nim smiled brightly and began to speak.

“Wonil, I didn’t know either, but it turns out GERD doesn’t always use Banxia Xiexin Decoction.”

“……? Is that so?”

“Yes. Banxia Xiexin Decoction is good for excess stomach acid, but if the acid is low, another medication is needed. GERD isn’t necessarily about excess stomach acid; it’s more about the looseness of the lower esophageal sphincter regardless of acid levels.”

“So, does that mean Joon gave you the apple because…”

“Yes. If eating an apple on an empty stomach improves symptoms, I likely have low stomach acid, so he suggested switching to Xianyuanzhuo Decoction.”

The explanation was that Banxia Xiexin Decoction might initially show effects for low stomach acid but could later worsen the symptoms.

Haet-nim conveyed that for patients with weakened digestive motility and insufficient digestive enzyme secretion, Xianyuanzhuo Decoction is better.

“…….”

Is this what they mean by knowing one thing but not the other?

Wonil felt very embarrassed about boasting to Haet-nim with references to papers in front of Join.

But the fact that Joon chose to relay this information through Haet-nim instead of telling him directly…

‘Does he know that I’m interested in Haet-nim?’

Realizing why Joon had avoided him made Wonil’s face flush even more.

“I also just learned this time. There’s still so much to learn, right? Oh? Wonil, do you have a fever?”

Seeing Haet-nim’s worried expression, Wonil quickly waved his hand.

“Oh, no. Uh, Haet-nim. I have something to say to Joon…”

“Oh, really? Go quickly.”

As Wonil hurried out of the room, he returned to his usual amiable demeanor.