Chapter 45
Smiling like that everywhere he goes, no wonder our Yeonwoo is so smitten.
Seriously, he’s too handsome.
“It’s been a while. Are you two heading to work together?”
“Yes. How’s your health, sir?”
“As you can see, perfectly fine.”
He shrugged his shoulders with a graceful air, as if to prove he was the kind of man even bullets couldn’t harm.
“I got the recruitment text last night. I look forward to working with you.”
“And I with you.”
“Yes, sir! Slave No. 2 will do his best.”
He joked half-playfully, but strangely Slave No. 1 stayed quiet.
When I turned, Yeonwoo’s face was red and she was fidgeting in such a mess.
The way she tapped the ground with the tips of her shoes, restless and awkward—it wasn’t even funny anymore.
Do you really like him that much?
It was the first time I’d ever seen Ryu Yeonwoo like that. Strange, new… and fascinating.
“Ryu Yeonwoo.”
Master Beom’s voice softened like honey as he called her name.
He didn’t bother to hide or restrain his feelings just because I was standing there.
“Yes?”
“Your bike folds, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Let’s put it in my car.”
“Oh, it’s fine, you don’t need to…”
What do you mean fine?! He’s offering you a ride—take it immediately!
“Really? Then you’ll give us a lift? That’s perfect! Honestly, I had no idea how long it would take to get to the hospital.”
Yeonwoo shot me a glare as if I were being annoying, but still, she reluctantly fiddled with the bike to fold it up.
“W-why isn’t this working?”
With her struggling and grunting, Sajun stepped up smoothly, folded the bike in half with practiced ease, and stowed it in the trunk.
I’d bet anything Yeonwoo had never once folded that bike in her life.
“Now get in.”
I gave Yeonwoo a little push into the back seat.
Sliding in next to her, I cooled off in the refreshing air conditioning.
Sajun’s eyes flicked to Yeonwoo’s reflection in the rearview mirror, so tender they were on the verge of melting.
Did I just make a mistake by tagging along?
In this sweltering summer heat, my friend’s love was about to ignite like wildfire.
And her crush was none other than Master Beom.
I shook my head.
Then, as if noticing, Sajun’s eyes met mine through the mirror. His sharp, masculine gaze softened slightly.
It wasn’t the alluring gaze he gave to captivate women—it was a clean, honest one.
But that same gaze turned again toward Yeonwoo, heating into something entirely different. The contrast was scorching.
Oh boy.
They were in that dizzying stage.
Youth in full bloom.
And me? What was I even doing with my life?
At least I could cheer for my friend’s happiness.
And somehow, that alone made me feel happy too.
Leaving Seoul had been the best decision of my life.
After some time driving, a three-story red brick building glowed in the morning sun.
Cheongbong Sarang Hospital.
If there was ever a place for young men and women to fall in love, this was it.
I prayed that love would find me someday too, and my eyes sparkled with anticipation.
As for Ryu Se-gwon—I had resolved in my heart to let him go.
***
“Yeonwoo, is she also from Africa?”
“Yes.”
Yeonwoo answered Jiwoong curtly.
From the very first day, Seyoung had impressed everyone—white coat fluttering, darting back and forth across the emergency room.
I knew exactly what was driving her.
It was her way of clinging to life, proving she was determined to survive and thrive here.
But still, moderation wouldn’t hurt.
After months of hardship at Korea University Hospital, Seyoung had developed max-level social intuition.
She’d already charmed Head Nurse Park, the long-time queen of the ER.
Now she worked as though she’d been at Cheongbong for ten years.
When an elderly patient was rushed in with dehydration, Seyoung handled the treatment herself and even managed the family consultation flawlessly.
She might’ve been overdoing it—no, she definitely was—but she was so good at it that Yeonwoo couldn’t help but feel proud.
It seemed only a matter of time before Seyoung became the star of Cheongbong Sarang Hospital.
Meanwhile, Jiwoong, once again pushed to the sidelines, trailed after her with disbelief written all over his face.
“Wow, I think I’ve fallen for her.”
Smack!
Mansu whacked Jiwoong on the back of the head.
“You idiot, even with water there’s an order to drink it. Watch yourself.”
Mansu slicked his bangs back, his greasy hair oddly glinting in the light, eyes gleaming strangely.
You too, senior? Seriously? This is Jung Seyoung we’re talking about. Don’t you know her?
Yeonwoo sighed softly and stood.
Seyoung looked strong, but her stamina was actually terrible.
At this pace she’d collapse with a fever in no time.
Best to get some food into her.
“We’ll grab lunch first.”
Yeonwoo excused herself to Mansu, then went to Seyoung.
Seyoung, finishing a chart entry, glanced up.
“What? Got something for me to do?”
“No, let’s eat. The cafeteria food here is good.”
“Really? Perfect timing—I was starving.”
Gathering her things, Seyoung rose, and Yeonwoo guided her toward the cafeteria.
Da-da-da-da!
Of course, Jiwoong and Mansu scurried after them.
“What about the ER?”
“They said we could take a break. It’s her first day—we should all eat together.”
They’d be shocked, for sure.
“…Alright then.”
Watching their eager faces, clearly plotting how to impress Seyoung, Yeonwoo just kept walking silently.
It was still a little early.
The cafeteria wasn’t crowded.
Seyoung returned with a tray stacked so high with rice and side dishes that even a grown man would’ve struggled to finish it.
Mansu blinked in disbelief, forcing a crooked smile.
He looked genuinely confused whether this was really the same fragile Jung Seyoung he knew.
There is no delicate Seyoung here, my friend.
“Thank you for the meal!”
Seyoung announced cheerfully, then began shoveling food into her mouth without even chewing properly.
“Mmm, delicious.”
She even added a little refrain afterward.
“You—you’ll get indigestion eating like that.”
Jiwoong was more shocked than Mansu, trying to stop her, but Seyoung didn’t hear a word.
“Drink some water with it.”
Yeonwoo slid a cup of water to her.
“Thanks.”
Downing it in one gulp, Seyoung dove back into her “battle meal.”
Jiwoong and Mansu’s eyes went wide as saucers, and an odd silence settled over the table.
Cute, friendly, hardworking—they’d been completely charmed.
But they clearly hadn’t expected this kind of appetite. Now they just stared, dumbstruck.
They didn’t understand yet: when your heart is empty, you eat to fill it. Seyoung was going to eat like this every single day.
“If you’re not eating your meatballs, can I?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
Yeonwoo slid her meatball onto Seyoung’s tray.
“Wait… are you a mukbang YouTuber? I swear you are.”
Jiwoong narrowed his eyes at her.
“Me? No way.”
“I swear you are.”
“…”
“Ah, found it! Isn’t this you? Okay, only the bottom half of the face shows, but it looks just like you. I’m subscribed.”
Jiwoong held up his phone eagerly.
“I don’t even have the time for that. It’s not me.”
“Come on, it’s you. Look—‘Goddess of the Land.’”
He shoved the phone closer, until Yeonwoo grabbed his arm and yanked it back.
“That’s rude. Stop it.”
“Oh… r-right. Ha ha. But I’m telling you, it’s her…”
Jiwoong’s gaze at Seyoung had already cleared of any infatuation.
Honestly, that was for the best.
Both Jiwoong and Mansu were decent people, but for Seyoung? Not a chance.
“This cafeteria food is amazing. They serve dinner too, right?”
“Of course.”
“Wow, I’m so glad I transferred hospitals. But… why isn’t anyone else eating?”
“…We’re eating.”
“Ha ha, yeah. The food here is good.”
They both answered in awkward tones.
“Yeonwoo, there’s a snack shop here, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Later I want to grab some sausages for dessert. Want me to buy you some bread too?”
“Sure, thanks.”
The rest of the meal continued under a strange hush.
Jiwoong and Mansu looked like their souls had left their bodies.
***
Summoned to the hospital director’s office, Sajun bowed a greeting to Ryu Ikwon, dressed smartly in a suit.
In just a day’s gap, first Seyoung, and now Ikwon had arrived at Cheongbong.
