#Chapter 13
“I told you to go home, didn’t I!”
Jiwoong ran off as if he couldn’t stand being near Yeonwoo for even a second longer.
Tap tap tap tap.
Once Jiwoong left, silence once again settled over the area.
Shhhhhh—
The rain was getting heavier.
It was really time to go home now.
“This is a place where you can practice medicine the way you want. A place where you’re not bound by hierarchy and can devote yourself entirely to your patients.”
The Cheongbong Sarang Clinic, the only hospital in this small village.
Just like Sajun had said, it was a place where Yeonwoo could fully demonstrate her abilities—but of course, it wasn’t completely satisfying.
Because Master Beom wasn’t here.
There were so many techniques she wanted to learn!
“Ugh, where is he and what is he doing…”
She could’ve just asked her second-oldest brother, Igwon, to find out the contact information—but the fuss that would follow held her back.
Still, if she waited too long, she’d have no choice.
She had to ask.
She at least wanted to know whether he was alive or dead.
Though he seemed like someone who could survive even on a battlefield, a stray bullet was always a possibility.
…Unless—what if he fell for some woman and just settled down?
Knowing Master Beom, who could probably dodge bullets, that might be the more likely case.
He was a heartthrob even in Sutarn.
And now, Yeonwoo was like an abandoned duck egg floating alone on the Nakdong River.
She looked up at the rainy sky with a silly grin, as if a screw were loose.
“Yeonwoo? What are you doing out in this rain?”
Jiwoong, who had left earlier, came back dragging Mansoo with him.
“Oh, I was just watching the rain. Anyway, I’ll be heading off now.”
Yeonwoo bowed as if nothing was wrong, trying to play it cool.
How embarrassing.
“Yeonwoo, if you’re not feeling well, just take a day off. I’ll cover your shift.”
“I’m fine.”
Leaving Mansoo’s concerned voice behind, Yeonwoo fled the scene.
She hadn’t meant to cause any fuss, but ever since the day she arrived here, odd rumors kept piling up.
***
“How much money do you think he lost?”
“Hard to say…”
“Maybe thousands?”
“That might not even be about money. Wounds from people don’t heal easily.”
“He still seems hung up and looking for someone. I’m worried. He won’t just abandon us and run, will he?”
“He better not. So stop slacking and do your job right.”
“I always do well. And besides, I’m an expert at finding people. If Dr. Ryu runs away, I’ll track him down to the ends of the earth.”
“Enough with the nonsense. Let’s head in. The weather’s looking rough.”
“Yup.”
Once everyone was gone, the world turned quiet.
The smoking area, a bit removed from the emergency room’s back entrance, was rarely used.
Click.
Lighting a cigarette, Sajun took a drag and chuckled through the smoke.
“Princess… you’re doing well.”
Just as he had hoped, Yeonwoo was thriving at Cheongbong.
Admirable.
He could’ve returned earlier, but a gunshot wound in Africa had delayed his plans.
How could he show up all beat up after acting so cool and confident before?
A month ago, Sajun had moved into the house right next to Yeonwoo’s. He planned to return to work soon.
His rehab was almost finished, so working wouldn’t be a problem.
Sajun slowly opened and closed his eyes as he looked up at the night sky.
If there was one decision in his life he’d never regret, it was sending Yeonwoo back to Korea.
Just seeing her safe and doing well at Cheongbong made it easier to breathe.
Getting shot had made him realize: if he’d kept Yeonwoo by his side in Sutarn like she had wanted, that stray bullet might’ve hit her instead.
The fear and pain of that gunshot—he never wanted to recall it again.
Hoo…
Sajun took another long drag, thinking of Yeonwoo’s bright face.
“Master Beom, I trust you. I’ll go to Cheongbong. But wrapping things up in Seoul will probably take until January.”
“Perfect. I’ll be back then, too. Let’s meet in January.”
They had promised each other—sworn to it.
And yet, look at this mess.
He couldn’t say a word to defend himself now.
Yeonwoo’s perseverance was incredibly admirable.
Just wait a little longer.
I’ll make it up to you properly.
Sajun’s gaze deepened.
Why had Yeonwoo come to mind when he was on the brink of death?
That question still had no answer.
But he figured he’d understand one day.
Hoo…
His smoke spread low into the rain.
Unlike the constant gunfire in conflict zones, he rather liked the peace here.
Time to head in.
Limping slightly, Sajun hobbled toward the hospital on his crutch.
He’d rented a hospital room and was shuttling between home and hospital for rehab. The moment he could ditch the crutch, he planned to show himself to Yeonwoo.
His wounded left leg always ached worse when it rained.
Now, the rain poured hard enough to make umbrellas useless.
It was the summer’s first heavy rainfall.
***
After a normal day of work, Yeonwoo went home and took a shower before preparing dinner.
Normally, she’d be too lazy to even set out the side dishes sent by her parents and would just eat instant noodles—but she remembered the fresh lettuce and peppers Mrs. Yang had dropped off a few days ago.
Feeling unusually motivated, she set the table, and it actually looked pretty nice.
The cool breeze flowing in through the open balcony window made it even better.
Now this was healing.
She started playing a movie on her tablet and was just about to eat when something felt missing.
Clack.
Setting her chopsticks down, Yeonwoo rushed to the fridge.
No use searching—it’s not like booze would magically appear.
She checked the time and confirmed the corner store wasn’t closed yet. Grabbing her wallet, she stepped outside.
The village’s only store was about 200 meters from her house.
As a VIP customer, Yeonwoo grabbed the bicycle parked by her yard and headed out.
The sparsely placed streetlights lit up the road clearly.
Screech.
She had just placed her foot on the pedal when the old green gate of the house next door creaked open.
Clack.
A silver crutch touched the ground first as someone stepped out.
For some reason, Yeonwoo paused, watching and waiting for the man to fully appear.
Her heart started pounding.
This was her first time seeing him this close. She was curious about what kind of face he had.
So far, the man had lived so quietly that it was like he didn’t even exist.
According to the store grandma, he was an even bigger spender than her—which may have triggered a bit of competitive spirit.
Or maybe… he just looked oddly familiar.
Of course, there was no way it was Master Beom—but something about his aura felt strangely similar, which made her pay more attention.
Bang!
Just as Yeonwoo waited in excitement for him to appear, the gate slammed shut again, leaving her staring in disappointment.
What? He went back inside?
Hey, excuse me—
Yeonwoo let out an awkward laugh, caught off guard.
Meanwhile, Sajun had paused just outside the gate when he sensed someone nearby.
The sound of a bike stopping right outside his gate.
At this hour, it had to be either Mr. Jeong from the rice cake shop up the hill—or Yeonwoo from next door.
If it were Mr. Jeong, he wouldn’t be quiet like this.
Where was Yeonwoo going at this hour?
Sajun had only stepped out for a short walk, but now he feared revealing himself and letting Yeonwoo discover his identity too soon.
So he pulled his crutch back inside and quickly closed the door that had been open about three hand spans.
The old gate made a loud noise as it shut.
After the bang, silence returned.
The wall between their homes was only shoulder height, so Sajun turned away from it quickly.
Yeonwoo’s voice floated over the wall.
“…Um, hello?”
Normally, she would’ve passed by without a word, but today, for some reason, she stopped and greeted him.
Her voice was still kind and soft.
“…”
When no response came, she stood on tiptoe, trying to peek over the wall.
Sajun pulled his cap lower over his face.
Even as he did so, he wondered—was this really the right thing to do?
