Chapter 19

Where am I going right now?

Where is Master Beom?

“You’re going to fall like that! I told you not to run!”

A gunshot wound, seriously?

In Yeonwoo’s mind, she suddenly imagined Sajun bleeding after being shot in Sutarn.

That’s why he was late. And she hadn’t even realized it.

Now, having finally grasped the reason he hadn’t contacted her, Yeonwoo ran to the second floor where the head surgeon’s office was located.

All she could think about was seeing him with her own two eyes to confirm the truth.

Yeonwoo climbed the stairs to the second floor, glancing around in search of Sajun.

“Dr. Ryu, is something wrong?”

A nurse who spotted the breathless Yeonwoo asked with concern.

“Huff… um, the department head…?”

“He’s seeing a patient right now. Is it urgent?”

“Oh… he’s in with a patient…”

“Yes. If it’s an emergency, shall I tell him?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Well, at this hour, he should’ve already come out of the office anyway.

Yeonwoo gave a polite bow and stepped back out.

Where could he have gone?

Panting, she searched everywhere he might be, but there was no sign of him.

Did he overwork himself in surgery and hurt his leg?

She could deal with him being the hospital director’s son, but a gunshot wound?

She had no idea. And yet, she’d been so upset that he hadn’t shown up.

Running all the way out to the bench near the emergency room, Yeonwoo glanced around, still panting.

In the distance, under a large poplar tree, a man came into view.

Sajun had just finished a call and was putting away his phone as he silently met Yeonwoo’s gaze.

He slowly brushed his hair back and looked her straight in the eyes. Yeonwoo walked toward him.

The distance between them gradually closed.

He casually slipped his phone into his pocket and gave her a crooked smile.

Like someone looking at a long-lost slave?

His gaze slowly scanned her face as if savoring it, and Yeonwoo instinctively took a step back.

She had no right to be angry over the gunshot wound.

So getting all worked up like this was a bit much.

“Hey.”

Sajun greeted her with such nonchalance that all her pent-up frustration vanished.

Stay calm. Just ask.

She already knew why he was late. There was nothing to confront him about.

“I’m sorry. I was really late, huh?”

Why’d you have to get shot like an idiot?

“So you do realize you should apologize.”

Yeonwoo forced a smile and tried to sound like she was joking.

Still, she keenly examined his body. Though he looked a bit thinner, his muscular build and upright posture remained the same.

But knowing how serious gunshot wounds could be and how long-lasting the aftereffects were, she couldn’t relax.

How much pain had he been in?

“I do have a conscience, you know.”

Whether he knew what was going through her mind or not, Sajun joked lightheartedly, and Yeonwoo answered in kind.

“Someone with a conscience would at least send a message. I came here on my own, sure, but still—you could’ve called.”

“You’re right. I didn’t think of that.”

Liar.

He might’ve said it playfully, but she knew better than anyone just how responsible and dedicated Sajun was.

Even in Africa, no matter how exhausted he was after long surgeries, he never once postponed or avoided a procedure.

Yeonwoo still clearly remembered.

How he would lie down sideways on the floor, unable to even take off his bloodstained scrubs, grabbing a quick nap.

So if he hadn’t contacted her, it meant the injury wasn’t minor.

He probably didn’t want her to worry.

“You totally could’ve contacted me. You probably figured you had a loyal slave waiting and felt all secure, huh? Isn’t that right?”

Yeonwoo stuck out her lip and said something completely different from what she was actually thinking.

“How’d you know? Smart girl.”

Seriously. I should just stop talking.

A short silence passed between them.

In the end, unable to hold back her worry any longer, Yeonwoo cautiously asked,

“…Your leg. How is it?”

“As you can see, it’s perfectly fine.”

He smiled gently as he answered.

Yeonwoo’s eyes drifted down to his legs, standing firm on the ground.

“I heard you were shot. Are you really okay? Did you get hurt anywhere else?”

“Ah, so you found out.”

He chuckled awkwardly.

Yeonwoo bit her lip.

Judging from his reaction, it hadn’t been a minor injury—it had been serious.

The thought that he could’ve died hit her late, and her legs gave out.

She slumped to the ground and buried her face in her hands.

She must’ve haunted Cheongbong like a ghost for years, just waiting.

The mere thought was horrifying.

“I never imagined you’d get shot, Master.”

As she muttered while crouched on the ground, Sajun gently helped her to her feet.

“Ryu Yeonwoo.”

When he brushed her hands away from her face, his intense black eyes pierced hers.

Lowering himself slightly to meet her gaze, he said slowly,

“The surgery went fine. Rehab went well too. There’s nothing wrong with me now.”

Hard to believe—but she wanted to believe.

“Really?”

To her half-doubtful question, Sajun smiled faintly and added,

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“Tch. Just because you can talk.”

Yeonwoo let out a chuckle. It wasn’t a genuine laugh, but she couldn’t help but smile with relief.

He wasn’t the kind of fool who’d lie and say he was fine if he wasn’t.

Yeonwoo decided to trust him.

“I thought maybe you’d gotten married or something.”

“What? Hahaha!”

When Yeonwoo made a playful jab with a pout, Sajun burst into loud laughter.

She liked the sound, and it made her laugh too.

All the heavy weight in her heart melted away like snow.

“Don’t laugh. I’m still mad, okay?”

“Forgive me. I’ll work you extra hard from now on.”

“Work me?! What do you mean by that?!”

“You did great today. Really well.”

He stretched out his arm and gently tousled the crown of her head.

His large, warm hand covered her small head completely, making her flinch.

“You’re such a tiny princess.”

Sniff.

Feeling awkward, Yeonwoo wiped her nose with the back of her hand and stood still.

She liked his touch.

Thud thud thud thud—BANG BANG BANG!

A loud stomping noise echoed from the distance.

Yeonwoo immediately guessed who it was.

Seo Jiwoong and Choi Mansoo.

No doubt about it.

“Hey, is Yeonwoo getting scolded? That’s what this is, right?”

“Come on, man. Let’s go.”

“Wait, let me go! She’s totally getting scolded—head down and everything.”

“Sigh… idiot. No wonder you’re single. No sense of subtlety.”

“Says the old bachelor. Let me go!”

Jiwoong shouted as Mansoo tried to pull him away. Their voices were loud and clear.

Still, Mansoo seemed to have slightly better social awareness.

“You seem to be getting along well with the hospital crew.”

Sajun asked as he glanced over his shoulder at the two disappearing figures.

“Oh, yeah. I’m great at adapting, you know?”

“I know that better than anyone.”

The time they’d spent in Sutarn flashed through her mind.

Though brief, her time with Master Beom was now wrapped in a rosy glow, full of nothing but good memories.

“You’re coming to the dinner later, right?”

“Yes. I’ll be there.”

“Good. Then go get ready. I’ll see you later.”

“You’re not going to disappear again, are you?”

“Nope. My precious protégé is here—how could I leave? I’ll raise you right.”

“I’m already grown up! Any more growth would be a medical condition.”

“You’ve still got a long way to go.”

“You really promise you’re not going anywhere?”

“I promise.”

Only after hearing that final confirmation did Yeonwoo feel safe leaving him behind to head back to the ER.

Master Beom Sajun was truly back!

Yeonwoo felt like cheering.

Unable to contain her joy, she started running toward the ER.

Her heart pounded wildly.

As she ran, Sajun’s voice rang out behind her.

“Don’t run! You’ll trip.”

“No, I won’t!”

Yeonwoo shot back, and Sajun let out a low chuckle.

Beom Sajun had truly returned to Cheongbong, to Cheongchun-ri.

And a beaming smile spread across Yeonwoo’s face.