Chapter 21
“You can look forward to it. Next instructor?”
Sajun flashed a small smile, his gaze shifting to Yeonwoo.
And with that, the curious stares of the others followed.
Yeonwoo endured the heat rising in her cheeks and greeted in a calm voice.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryu Yeonwoo from the ER. I look forward to your guidance.”
“Yes. Nice to see you again. Let’s get along well.”
A simple exchange of greetings.
But Yeonwoo was certain.
Here in Cheongbong, in Cheongchun-ri…
There would be times just as intense and rewarding as Africa.
In other words, she was about to dive into hardship again.
Sajun’s eyes glinted mischievously.
Just from the meaningful smile he directed at her, she could tell.
“Well, now that introductions are done, let’s eat!”
Now that she thought about it, this was the first gathering she’d attended since coming to Cheongbong.
Everyone loosened their belts and began eating and drinking with gusto.
Yeonwoo was no exception.
Today, the alcohol tasted especially sweet.
✦✦✦
The sun had set and the starlit night arrived, but the air was still stifling.
Perhaps it was the early arrival of the tropical night due to climate change.
Or maybe it was the alcohol.
Yeonwoo, who could drink several cans of beer without batting an eye, had gone with somaek (soju and beer mix) tonight.
Jiwoong had mixed it, and it was delicious.
Senior Mansoo, who didn’t know Yeonwoo’s drinking capacity, played the “black knight” and drank some of her alcohol, but once she was on a roll, no one could stop her.
“Second round, anyone?”
The tipsy crowd excitedly moved to the next place.
Jiwoong and Mansoo were no exceptions.
But Yeonwoo quietly slipped out and distanced herself from the group.
Left alone, she looked around for someone.
He was in her line of sight just a moment ago, but Instructor Beom was nowhere to be seen.
Maybe he went along to the second round?
It felt a bit disappointing to part ways after reuniting, so she lingered, scanning the area.
“…So much for loyalty. Said he had a conscience. Ha…”
Yeonwoo muttered and sighed.
He was probably dragged along by the department heads to the second round.
She was secretly disappointed—but what could she do?
He was too good a man to monopolize for herself.
It’s complicated being a disciple serving such a fine mentor.
Well, there’d be another chance to catch up later.
Letting out a self-mocking laugh, Yeonwoo turned to leave.
At this hour, calling a taxi might be necessary, but she wanted to walk.
So, maybe just a short walk.
As she strolled along the country road lined with lush greenery, the now-familiar calls of birds greeted her ears.
Under the sparse streetlights, mayflies buzzed fiercely, and the sky above twinkled with stars that looked like they could fall any moment.
It was nice. Really nice.
At first, walking these dark rural roads was scary, as if something might leap out, but now it felt like strolling through her own backyard.
She had enough liquid courage for boldness.
Should she listen to some music?
As she reached into her bag for her earphones, heavy footsteps echoed behind her.
The rhythm was oddly familiar, and she turned to look.
Sajun, whom she thought had gone to the second round, was striding toward her.
“You’ve already walked so far. Why are you so fast?”
“…Uh, didn’t you go to the second round?”
“Of course I slipped away.”
As he came up beside her, he offered a gentle smile to her dazed expression.
What the—he knows how to make someone emotional?
Yeonwoo’s mood lifted instantly, and she smiled brightly.
On the breeze, a scent both familiar and nostalgic tickled her nose.
It was Beom Sajun’s scent.
The way he brushed his bangs back was exactly the same as she remembered—making her eyes sting.
Wiping the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, she looked up again and met his cool gaze.
Fueled by alcohol, Yeonwoo mustered her courage and decided to hug him, even if it made her seem crazy.
She’d wanted to do this for a long time.
She wanted to welcome him back warmly.
She knew she’d regret it tomorrow and smack her own head, but it didn’t matter.
Just like when she was little, waiting all day for her older brothers to come home from school—when they walked in the door, she’d run and hug them without a word.
Yeonwoo embraced Sajun with that same longing.
“Welcome back.”
“…!”
He flinched in surprise at the sudden hug, but soon relaxed and wrapped his arms around her.
In his broad chest, Yeonwoo let out a long sigh of relief.
It felt good. So good.
Sajun’s embrace was as generous and reassuring as her father’s or her older brother’s.
Or… maybe not.
Her heart pounded and her face flushed—it felt a little different.
Pat, pat.
His large hand slowly patted her back, warmth radiating through.
“You’ve become such a clingy little thing.”
“No, I haven’t!”
Yeonwoo quietly slipped out of his arms and looked down.
She could feel his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks, but she pretended not to notice.
“Why’d you drink so much?”
His voice turned slightly stern.
Yeonwoo, still embarrassed, looked up and met his eyes.
“Uh, I’ve always been a good drinker. Didn’t you know?”
“Not to this extent. You had six somaeks.”
When had he counted them?
The more she saw him, the more fascinating he became.
“But my family doesn’t know. That I’m a good drinker.”
“No wonder. Ikwon never mentioned it.”
“So the real master’s back, huh. You’re even bringing up my brother.”
“You’ll start to feel it from now on.”
Yeonwoo pouted and glared at him.
“Cute. Want to walk a bit to sober up?”
She’d heard that line endlessly from her brothers, but somehow it felt different now.
She felt like she had become an actually cute woman—her hands and feet curled in embarrassment.
“Ahem. But is your leg okay?”
“No problem.”
“Tell me if it hurts. I’ll carry you.”
She acted a little extra brave and energetic on purpose.
“Carrying is a bit much, but I’d appreciate if you held my hand.”
His hand? Hold Beom Sajun’s hand?
Even though she knew he meant it to steady himself, her face flushed hot.
“S-sure, of course.”
Yeonwoo casually extended her hand.
He clasped hers with his large one.
Yeonwoo’s face turning bright red was a secret.
“Then shall we go?”
“Yes!”
Backlit by the streetlamp, he started walking slowly.
Yeonwoo matched his pace.
The moonlight poured down on them.
After walking for a while…
Sajun glanced down at Yeonwoo, who was still holding his hand tightly.
The moonlight illuminated her lovely face.
Her cheeks, flushed from the alcohol, caught his eye.
“Doctor.”
Noticing his gaze, Yeonwoo called him softly.
“Yeah?”
He looked into her eyes.
“You could’ve told me sooner.”
Her clear eyes held a bit of resentment.
What could he say besides “I’m sorry”?
“It was embarrassing.”
His response made Yeonwoo raise an eyebrow in disbelief.
That expression reminded him of Yeonwoo back in Africa, and he chuckled.
“Imagine telling people you got shot. How embarrassing is that?”
“What’s embarrassing about it? But did you ever think about how I felt, waiting without a clue? Who did you leave behind in Cheongbong, again?”
“I’m sorry. I kept up with your news.”
“Ugh, I should’ve known. Then you know I’ve basically taken over the ER?”
“Of course I do.”
He proudly shrugged.
“Guess the mentor raised a fine disciple.”
“Yup. I think so too.”
“But are you sure I’m a disciple? Not a slave?”
“You know I’m not that bad.”
“Yeah, yeah. Still, thank goodness it turned out like this.”
