The conference room of Baekje Medical Center was filled with tension. The overhead lights cast a sterile glow over the long, polished table where the hospital’s top surgical staff sat. Uncertainty flickered in their eyes, and hushed murmurs spread across the room.
At the head of the table stood Kang Do-hun, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. His sharp gaze swept over the gathered doctors, silencing their whispers before he even spoke.
He placed both hands on the table and spoke in a controlled tone.
“Oneulbuteo sae chejega sijakdoemnida.”
(오늘부터 새 체제가 시작됩니다.)
“Starting today, a new system will be implemented.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room.
A doctor leaned forward, brows furrowed.
“Saeroun inryeok?”
(새로운 인력?)
“New personnel?”
Another surgeon exchanged looks with his colleagues.
“Museun tteusiji?”
(무슨 뜻이지?)
“What does that mean?”
Sitting at the far end, Kang Min-jae let out a quiet scoff. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Byeongwonjang-irado doen jul ana bone.”
(병원장이라도 된 줄 아나 보네.)
“You act like you own the hospital.”
Do-hun barely spared him a glance before continuing.
“Moduui hyeobjoga piryohamnida. Jojeongeun jeuksi irujeil geosimnida.”
(모두의 협조가 필요합니다. 조정은 즉시 이루어질 것입니다.)
“I expect full cooperation from everyone. Adjustments will be made immediately.”
A senior surgeon cleared his throat, pushing his glasses up.
“Kang baksanim, inryeok byeongyeongeun i-sahoe seungini piryohamnida.”
(강 박사님, 인력 변경은 이사회 승인이 필요합니다.)
“Dr. Kang, staffing changes require board approval.”
Do-hun’s lips curled ever so slightly.
“Imi seungineul badat-seumnida.”
(이미 승인을 받았습니다.)
“It has already been approved.”
There was silence across the board room.
Min-jae exhaled through his nose, shaking his head in disbelief. He pushed his chair back abruptly, the screeching sound echoing through the room.
“Usuwo.”
(우스워.)
“Ridiculous.”
His voice was calm, but the tension in his clenched jaw betrayed his anger.
“Hyung, gyesok ireon sig-euro gamyeon eotteohge doeneunji bojago.”
(형, 계속 이런 식으로 가면 어떻게 되는지 보자고.)
“Hyung, let’s see where this game of yours takes you.”
With that, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Do-hun remained unmoved.
Everything was going exactly as he had planned.
Later That Evening – Han River Park
The city lights shimmered over the water, casting a soft glow over the restaurant terrace where Kang Min-jae and Yoon Hye-jin sat across from each other. The river breeze was cool, but not as cold as the distance between them.
Hye-jin, dressed in an elegant red dress, smiled warmly at him.
“Orenmaniya, Min-jae ssi.”
(오랜만이야, 민재 씨.)
“It’s been a while, Min-jae.”
He gave her a polite nod, barely lifting his eyes from his drink.
She tilted her head slightly, watching him.
“Neo, wae ireohge joyonghae?”
(너, 왜 이렇게 조용해?)
“Why are you so quiet?”
Min-jae let out a small breath.
“Hal mari eopseo.”
(할 말이 없어.)
“There’s nothing to say.”
Hye-jin chuckled softly, resting her chin on her hand.
“Wollae geuraetji. Neon hangsang joyonghaesseo.”
(원래 그랬지. 넌 항상 조용했어.)
“You’ve always been like this.”
She reached for her wine glass, swirling the red liquid.
“Uri cheot mannam gieokhae?”
(우리 첫 만남 기억해?)
“Do you remember our first meeting?”
Min-jae finally looked up, his expression indifferent.
“Abeoji samusil-eseo yeotji.”
(아버지 사무실에서였지.)
“It was at my father’s office.”
She nodded.
“Geuttaedo mal hanmadi-do an haetjana.”
(그때도 말 한마디도 안 했잖아.)
“You barely spoke to me then, either.”
He didn’t respond.
Hye-jin sighed and looked out at the river.
“Jaebeol jibankkiri jeongryak gyeolhoni heunhadago hajiman… ireohge chagaun gibuni deuneun ge majeulkkayo?”
(재벌 집안끼리 정략 결혼이 흔하다고 하지만… 이렇게 차가운 기분이 드는 게 맞을까?)
“They say arranged marriages like ours are common among chaebol families, but… I wonder if it’s really supposed to feel this cold.”
Min-jae pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Siryongjeogiya. Uri gajokhante ideugi doe-jana.”
(실용적이야. 우리 가족한테 이득이 되잖아.)
“It’s practical. Our families benefit.”
She let out a small laugh, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Neon hangsang ireohge nollijeogiya.”
(넌 항상 이렇게 논리적이야.)
“You’re always so logical.”
Min-jae took a sip of his drink.
“Geuge nahante deo joha.”
(그게 나한테 더 좋아.)
“It’s better that way.”
Hye-jin turned her gaze back to him, her smile softening.
“Hajiman naneun neol joahae, Min-jae.”
(하지만 나는 널 좋아해, 민재.)
“But I like you, Min-jae.”
He stilled for a moment. His fingers tightened around the glass.
She continued, her voice quieter.
“Neol saranghaedalago yoguhaneun ge aniya. Geunyang… algo isseojwosseumyeon hae.”
(널 사랑해달라고 요구하는 게 아니야. 그냥… 알고 있어줬으면 해.)
“I’m not asking you to love me back. I just… want you to know.”
Silence settled between them.
Min-jae finally looked at her, really looked at her. Her eyes held sincerity—something he wasn’t used to seeing in these kinds of arrangements.
He exhaled slowly.
“I gwangye, swipji anheul geoya.”
(이 관계, 쉽지 않을 거야.)
“This won’t be easy, Hye-jin.”
She smiled faintly.
“Ara.”
(알아.)
“I know.”
Min-jae leaned back in his chair, looking up at the night sky. The weight of expectations pressed against his chest. Things were more complicated than she thought.
To be continue.
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