24 – Unintended Expansion of the Clinic (2)
On my treatment desk after the treatment, there was a contract.
『Merger Contract.
Kim Cheol-soo’s free clinic absorbs Matthew’s clinic.
1. Matthew’s clinic will pay 90% of its monthly income to Kim Cheol-soo’s free clinic.
2. Matthew will treat Kim Cheol-soo as his lord and serve him faithfully.
…(omitted)…』
It was a contract that Catherine had elegantly written as soon as the treatment ended.
At a glance, it was a slave contract that rivaled the Treaty of Ganghwa.
I was just dealing with desperate patients, and suddenly, this Matthew person came and offered his clinic!
“Please accept my loyalty, Kim Cheol-soo!”
“Wait, just a moment. Matthew, why would you specifically come under my wing…?”
“Because you are the one who will save me, Kim Cheol-soo!”
“Save?”
“Yes!”
Matthew said that he desperately needed to run his clinic under me to make money.
‘He wants to make money under my name. But our clinic provides free treatment, right?’
If he comes under my wing, he won’t be able to make money, right?
As if to answer this question, Matthew banged his head on the floor and shouted.
“Just lend me your name! Allow me to charge for treatment too!”
So, he wants to do business by selling my name.
“Hmm… Am I really that famous?”
To be honest, there was quite a buzz in the capital.
With so many patients coming even from the Count Roland’s estate, I thought I had gained some notoriety.
But I never expected people to be borrowing my name.
“If I do this well, maybe Kim Cheol-soo’s name will become a franchise like Hyegja Dosirak’s Kim Hye-ja.”
Why, it’s like the franchises that pop up all over the country, like GS25 or CU, Starbucks or Angel-in-Us.
I might become a presence like them.
Franchise Kim Cheol-soo!
“So, you want me to become Franchise Kim Cheol-soo.”
“Fr-Franchise? What’s that?”
“Well, it’s nothing at all. But are you okay with that? Even if you use my name, patients won’t stop coming.”
Honestly, I think the success of my clinic is due to the fact that it’s free.
Since they don’t have to pay, patients come comfortably.
If I start charging, won’t patients stop coming…?
“I’m doing better than now. There hasn’t been a single patient in the past three days!”
…”
This is truly heart-wrenching.
I felt a surge of compassion rising within me.
“Ah, given the circumstances… This Kim Cheol-soo. As a clinic director like Mr. Matthew, I can’t simply overlook the difficulties of my neighbors. I will sign!”
The pitiful situation of Mr. Matthew moved my heart!
I forced back the tears welling up and signed the contract.
I did hesitate a bit, but if it’s the already doomed Matthew Clinic, I can show some mercy by lending my name!
“Oh, thank you!”
Once again, Mr. Matthew bowed his head to the ground!
Isn’t bowing one’s head a gesture of respect in the West?
Anyway, it was the moment when John, Viscount’s Matthew Clinic transformed into the “John Viscount Kim Cheol-soo Paid Clinic.”
* * * *
The foreign nobles who came to seek Kim Cheol-soo found two clinics with similar names.
One, Kim Cheol-soo Free Clinic (Count Roland, Director Kim Cheol-soo)
Two, John Viscount Kim Cheol-soo Paid Clinic (John Viscount, Director Matthew)
Naturally, most people headed to Count Roland’s Kim Cheol-soo Free Clinic, but since Count Roland’s clinic was so crowded, some went to John Viscount’s.
“John Viscount Kim Cheol-soo Clinic? Hmm… The director is Matthew, but if Kim Cheol-soo lent his name, wouldn’t it be good?”
This was the mindset of the patients.
Kim Charles was already a well-known therapist in the area.
If Kim Charles’s name was on it, wouldn’t Matthew do well too?
With such thoughts, they went to John Viscount’s!
They didn’t hesitate to pay for treatment.
Assistant Director Matthew welcomed the first prosperous period of his life!
“Ha ha ha ha! So many patients, what a blessing. Line up! Everyone, please line up!”
Smiling broadly at the crowded patients, Director Matthew.
No more closing the clinic doors now!
“Kahaha! Patients, please come in. Jessica! Accompany the patients.”
“Got it.”
Moreover, Matthew succeeded in grabbing hold of Jessica, who was about to leave.
With many patients, I guess I can finally get paid now, Jessica thought.
There’s also a considerable amount of affection between Director Matthew and Jessica, who have worked together for years.
All thanks to Mr. Kim Cheolsoo!
Hehe~
At that moment, a magnificent carriage led by four horses approached the clinic.
The banner on the carriage bears the name of Viscount Roland.
It’s a carriage from Viscount Roland.
“I’ve come to see how you’re doing.”
More precisely, it’s a carriage from Mr. Kim Cheolsoo’s free clinic.
From the carriage came a smiling Kim Cheolsoo and Catherine!
Matthew greeted them with joy.
“Oh, please come in!”
Kim Cheolsoo is the benefactor who made his current prosperity possible.
There’s no way not to welcome him!
Matthew tried to temporarily halt the treatment and get up from his seat, but Kim Cheolsoo shook his head.
“Treatment comes first. Don’t worry about us and continue your work.”
Kim Cheolsoo’s attitude prioritizing patients.
Matthew was slightly amazed.
While entering into a merger agreement, Kim Cheolsoo became Matthew’s lord, and it would be understandable if Kim Cheolsoo wanted to be treated well.
But Kim Cheolsoo didn’t seem to have such intentions.
‘Foolish of me to have anticipated that.’
The influx of patients to Kim Cheolsoo’s free clinic wasn’t just because it was free.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Of course, I will do as you say!”
Matthew nodded.
After the treatment, Matthew hosted Catherine and Kim Cheolsoo.
Kim Cheolsoo’s paid clinic (formerly Matthew’s clinic) was decorated with various symbols of temples, giving it a temple-like atmosphere.
‘Heh, so this is how the Uru religious medical facilities are.’
It was the first time Kim Cheolsoo had seen a different clinic.
Being stuck in the Viscount Roland’s store, he hadn’t had the chance to see other hospitals and clinics.
‘A bit of a small temple vibe?’
He might understand why medieval hospitals were called religious places.
Usually, hospitals don’t have prayer rooms, but Kim Cheolsoo’s paid clinic had one.
Kim Cheolsoo found it intriguing.
“Hahaha, if you want anything, please take it.”
Kim Cheolsoo entrusted the clinic, which was so precious to Matthew.
Matthew was willing to give Kim Cheol-su anything he wanted.
“Oh, it’s okay. These are all used.”
“If Kim Cheol-su wants anything, I can provide it!”
“Oh.. I appreciate the thought, but really, it’s fine.”
Kim Cheol-su declined.
It’s not in the basic etiquette of Koreans to refuse twice!
“Adding something more to our clinic would be nice.”
Even at a glance, Matthew’s Kim Cheol-su Clinic seemed financially struggling.
Taking anything more from here would feel like sucking the blood out of a flea.
Kim Cheol-su chuckled and shook his head.
“Just treat me to a meal when you earn a lot of money later.”
“Oh, it’s possible even now!”
“Have your meal and come back, today is fine. So, how would you like to proceed with the treatment?”
“It’s all thanks to Kim Cheol-su!”
Matthew knelt down on both knees and bowed his head to the ground!
Kim Cheol-su was taken aback.
“Why are you being so formal and burdensome!”
It’s not that he feels bad, but as a commoner, Kim Cheol-su is not accustomed to such excessive courtesy!
“Please get up! Oh, where did you learn such manners?”
“Ah, this? I learned it’s used by Eastern merchants to express utmost gratitude.”
“Oh, please don’t. At least not to me. It’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Haha, I’m just so grateful.. Anyway, thank you very much.”
“Well, it’s fortunate that things are going well.”
Honestly, Kim Cheol-su didn’t have high expectations when lending his name.
It’s as obvious as daylight that once you put a price tag, those who used to see you for free will disappear like smoke.
However, surprisingly, Matthew’s business thrived.
“Are patients seeing me in a good light?”
Kim Cheol-su felt proud.
It seemed like all his efforts were not in vain.
“If I do really well, could this turn into a franchise like Hyujaseonsaengnim?”
Maybe it will work out if I retire from being a therapist and start a business?
Kim Cheol-su harbored expectations!
* * * *
At the same time, in the same place, a young man returning after receiving treatment was trembling.
“How, how could they be so cruel…!”
He was Danie, a therapist and a member of the Western Hospital Association.
Danie had a hobby of exploring Western hospitals and clinics.
Perhaps to see if he could add new members to the Western Hospital Association.
He had visited Matthew’s clinic once, hearing that it had changed its name and was doing well, only to witness a shocking scene of Matthew kneeling before Catherine and Kim Cheol-su.
Matthew was so grateful to Kim Cheol-su that it seemed like Daniel saw Kim Cheol-su forcing Matthew to kneel down!
“Kims Charles…! I thought of you as a clean therapist of the walls, but to treat a fellow therapist in that way!”
Even absorbing Matthew’s clinic was not enough.
Treating Director Matthew like a slave!
Truly revealing one’s true colors.
Of course, it was done voluntarily by Matthew.
Daniel, who didn’t know this, felt anger and threat.
“Where’s the next target, Kims Charles…! Surely, you won’t be satisfied with just one Matthew Clinic. Will you swallow a hospital next time!”
Daniel’s imagination was running wild.
If Kim Cheol-su had heard, his eyes would have rolled with injustice.