YBD 46

Chapter 46

It seemed they had already talked at length—Father Hyuncheol wore a face like a long-lost son had finally returned home.

“Welcome. Have a seat.”

Sitting at the head of the table, Hyuncheol gestured to the seat across from him for Igwon.

Unlike the upright and dependable-looking Igwon, Sajun lounged lazily in his chair, propping his chin on his hand. There was no need to ask why Ryu Igwon had come to Cheongbong—it was obvious.

An extreme case of sister-complex, wasn’t it?

“But your name is rather unique. By any chance, is your grandmother still alive?”

Apparently, the background check wasn’t over yet. Hyuncheol now asked about the grandmother, who wasn’t even listed in the family register.

“Yes, she’s still in good health.”

“Ha ha, is that so? May I ask her name?”

“Sung. Sung-ja Hee-ja.”

“Wahaha!”

For a second, Sajun wondered if his father had lost his mind.

He had always been fond of trot music and was known for his high energy, but he had never so brazenly offended someone to their face before.

Even Igwon, who had looked at Sajun like an enemy until moments ago, now glanced at him with eyes pleading for help.

“Father, if you laugh like that…”

“Haha, I’ve made a terrible faux pas. Forgive me. But I was just so delighted, I couldn’t help it.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Hyuncheol finally reined in his laughter and looked at Igwon with the warmth of a man who’d just been reunited with a resurrected son.

“You said your younger sister is Ryu Yeonwoo, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What a small world. Your grandmother, Madam Sung, was an old friend of my father’s.”

“Ah… I see.”

Now Sajun understood why his father had been so pleased.

Igwon, on the other hand, still looked utterly confused as to what was happening.

“They promised to become in-laws. The only granddaughter mentioned must be Miss Ryu Yeonwoo, yes?”

As expected, Sajun’s hunch was right.

He rubbed his lips, suppressing a laugh.

He’d cursed his father for being greedy, but now that very greed had brought about this amazing coincidence.

“I was worried since she has three older brothers. But to think she has such a fine and handsome one—it’s a relief. And Ryu Yeonwoo, of all people. She’s more than enough for our Sajun. Don’t you think?”

“Ah, well…”

“Am I getting ahead of myself? Hahaha.”

Igwon’s eyes darted rapidly between Hyuncheol and Sajun.

“If you haven’t heard anything yet, allow me to explain. I just had a hunch, that’s all. Imagine—the woman destined to become my daughter-in-law was already working at our hospital!”

Hyuncheol was jumping far ahead in the conversation, but Sajun saw no reason to stop him.

After all, they were bound to grow even closer—close enough to consider marriage.

“I’ll… look into it.”

Igwon’s eyes screamed ‘Absolutely not!’ but his lips obediently said otherwise, putting on a show worthy of an award.

“Yes, yes. No need to rush. We’re practically family already—what’s the hurry? Take your time.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then let me personally introduce you to the hospital. Let’s go.”

“You’ll do it yourself, sir?”

“Of course. You’re going to be my in-law—I should do it personally.”

Suppressing his distaste, Igwon rose to his feet.

His pupils trembled.

Not even Sajun could control his father’s enthusiasm.

Pretending not to notice, Sajun rose as well and followed them.

“You go handle your own business.”

And with that, Hyuncheol issued his son a dismissal order.

Apparently, he planned to boast about his only son while golfing with Igwon.

“I’ll be heading out now. Talk to you later.”

Even if it might backfire since Igwon already knew everything, it didn’t matter.

Sajun was simply curious how Yeonwoo would react once she found out.

✦

“Oh? Director, what brings you here?”

Intern Dongmin exclaimed in surprise.

Yeonwoo, who had been waiting for CT results to be uploaded, turned her head at the noise and looked toward the entrance.

…Oppa?

Ryu Igwon was walking into the emergency department station—with the hospital director.

She had no idea why Igwon, who’d jokingly said they’d see each other soon before heading back to Seoul, was here—especially with the director. A bad feeling began to creep up her spine.

“Dr. Ryu Yeonwoo?”

“Yes, Director.”

Hearing her name, Yeonwoo quickly rushed over.

Igwon gave her a warm smile, like he was looking at the most precious thing in the world.

Yeonwoo could only stare silently at the director, whose face bore a striking resemblance to Sajun’s.

“I heard you’re the granddaughter of Madam Sung Sung-ja Hee-ja.”

Why was her grandmother suddenly being mentioned?

“Yes, she’s my paternal grandmother.”

“Hoho, no wonder. You really resemble her.”

When Yeonwoo was little, her mom would tease her by saying, “Oh my, Mother, did you just get back from school?” whenever she came home.

She really did resemble her grandmother a lot.

She didn’t know how the director knew her grandmother, but when she looked at Ryu Igwon’s face, she realized—he wasn’t smiling.

“Hahaha, I suppose it’s true what they say—‘You can’t see what’s under the lamp.’ Dr. Ryu Igwon told me all about it today.”

Yeonwoo turned to Igwon with a questioning look.

Seeing the conflicted look on his face, she sensed there was more to the story.

This wasn’t the doting big brother she was used to.

“But… how did you end up here, Oppa—”

“Oh dear, I almost forgot. Everyone, gather around!”

Even before the director finished shouting, the ER staff were already watching closely.

“Come on, everyone!”

The staff quickly gathered.

First was Seyoung, second was Jiwoong.

Looking resentful about coming in second, Jiwoong glared at Seyoung.

Seriously—why were they competing over everything?

The ER staff curiously glanced at Ryu Igwon.

“As you all know, our hospital currently lacks an NS (neurosurgery) department. I’ve brought in a new brain for Cheongbong. Dr. Ryu Igwon, please introduce yourself.”

…Ah.

Yeonwoo looked up at Igwon in disbelief.

He had constantly joked via text about quitting and moving to Cheongbong—and now he’d actually done it.

This wasn’t just brotherly affection—it was practically a medical condition.

Yeonwoo’s eyes began to narrow.

“Hello, I’m Ryu Igwon, a neurosurgery specialist. I’m also Dr. Ryu Yeonwoo’s second older brother. I look forward to working with you.”

After his simple introduction, applause broke out.

“Wow, our Yeonwoo has such a cool brother?”

“Welcome, Doctor!”

As everyone welcomed him, Seyoung came over and tapped Yeonwoo’s shoulder, asking what was going on.

Yeonwoo just slowly shook her head.

“Well, everyone, back to work. And Dr. Ryu Yeonwoo.”