TFLGD 116

Chapter 116

A gentle warmth spread across the face of Kim Seok-hoon, Professor of Trauma Surgery, Lee Ji-hyuk.

“Thank you, Dr. Nam. For protecting our interns today.”

“I just judged based on what I saw. There’s no need to thank me, Professor.”

Even with the professor standing right in front of him, Yeon-hwi—as Nam Tae-wan—kept his tone simple and calm.

Rather…

‘He probably doesn’t even know why he covered for the interns.’

There was no logical reason for Nam Tae-wan to step in and protect the lead actor and the interns during the conference.

It was pure instinct.

Just like how he suddenly moved inside the ambulance to save the young patient—
this time too, perhaps it was loyalty toward colleagues who had fought just as hard to save a patient.

That was how Yeon-hwi interpreted Nam Tae-wan’s behavior and acted accordingly.

Of course, the premise was that Tae-wan himself did not consciously realize that reason.

“I heard you even spoke directly to my professor. I should be the one thanking you.”

But Professor Lee Ji-hyuk shook his head.

Because Tae-wan had defended the interns, Professor Lee had personally called the anesthesiology professor.
He apologized for the trouble caused by the interns.

As a result, the anesthesiology professor had gotten what he wanted politically,
and he had no reason to corner Nam Tae-wan further.

“You don’t need to worry about getting OR access.”

“That’s reassuring. More importantly…”

After taking a slow breath, Professor Lee calmly brought up his next question.

“Dr. Nam. Have you ever considered working on the same team as me?”

“You mean the Special Team.”

“That’s right.”

The “Special Team Project,” led by Professor Lee Ji-hyuk—
a central team in the hospital director and chairman’s initiative to reduce in-hospital mortality.

Professor Lee would be in charge of the surgical division.
He had chosen Nam Tae-wan as the anesthesiologist for that team.

There was simply no anesthesiologist in the hospital who could keep up with Professor Lee’s fast hands.
The only exception was the anesthesiology professor, but he had long drifted away from fieldwork.

Thus, Professor Lee had set his sights on Nam Tae-wan.

But—

“I… don’t think I’m suited for that team, Professor.”

A clear rejection, though hesitantly delivered.

Yet Professor Lee responded as if he had expected this.

“Because of your father, is it?”

“……”

For a moment, Nam Tae-wan’s expression faltered.

Knock, knock—

Just then, the actors playing interns entered the professor’s office.

“Okay, let’s cut here.”

Raising her hand, PD Shin Seong-ah approached Kim Seok-hoon, who was slowly easing out of his immersion.

“Seok-hoon sunbaenim, that calm but weighty tone was great. It made me feel—‘this man has a story.’”

“If you’re complimenting me this much, it’s scary. What are you about to ask for this time?”

Kim Seok-hoon smiled, and PD Shin matched it.

“You’ll do well anyway. Just add a bit more of: ‘Only this person can do it. Underestimate him at your own risk.’ That kind of energy.”

“A cautious, heavy presence… Got it. Ah, our PD really squeezes me dry.”

“It’s because I trust you. Fighting~”

Smiling mischievously, Kim Seok-hoon returned his eyes to the script.

PD Shin then looked toward Yeon-hwi.

“Yeon-hwi, make the refusal a bit harder this time. There should be a sense that it’s not easy for him to walk away.”

“Should I delay the answer?”

“That might drag the scene. Try another way.”

Yeon-hwi nodded, steadied his breathing, and lifted the script.

“We’ll change the blocking and film up to the point after the interns enter.
Don’t stop until I call the cut.”

The camera rolled again.

In Kim Seok-hoon’s next take, Professor Lee’s voice carried gentle generosity tinged with deeper regret.

‘Better to show it through expression.’

At the suggestion to join the Special Team, Yeon-hwi—as Nam Tae-wan—let his eyes tremble faintly.

As if he were trying hard to push away something he actually wanted.
Even the slight exhale added more to the sorrowful impression.

“Because of your father, is it?”

At the mention of his father again, Nam Tae-wan froze.

Then—

Knock, knock.

Two interns entered.

After greeting Professor Lee, they glanced nervously at Nam Tae-wan and placed documents on the table.

Incident reports.

“We brought what you asked for, Professor.”

Ida-hyun and Intern Jung Yi-seo’s calm voices accompanied the papers.

The reports detailed the procedure sequence, changes in patient condition, triage updates, number of chest compressions, and so on.

Professor Lee looked at the two stepping back.

“You look like you have something to say.”

“No, Professor.”

Despite their denial, both Ida-hyun and Jung Yi-seo sounded dissatisfied.

Meanwhile Chae Gyo-hwan and Intern Na Jae-heon lowered their heads silently.

“……”

Even Professor Lee said nothing.

In that silence, Nam Tae-wan slowly stood up.

“I’ll get going now, Professor.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

As he passed the interns—

Intern Na Jae-heon bowed deeply.

“Th-thank you for earlier, Dr. Nam!”

“M-me too! Thank you, Dr. Nam!”

Jung Yi-seo quickly bowed as well.

“……”

Nam Tae-wan paused, watching them silently.

Then he glanced toward Professor Lee.

But Professor Lee merely shrugged with a smiling gaze.

“I wasn’t protecting you.”

With a blast of cold air trailing behind him, Nam Tae-wan left.

After the door shut, Jung Yi-seo muttered softly:

“Even when someone thanks him, does he really have to be like that…?”

“Hey! We’re in front of the professor.”

“……”

Jung Yi-seo quickly stopped complaining and folded her hands politely.

Na Jae-heon also stood quietly beside her as Professor Lee reviewed the reports.

And then—

“Go after him.”

“Huh…? Professor, I—”

“You submitted your reports. Unless you have more to say?”

“N-no, sir! Excuse us!”

The interns exchanged glances, then hurried out of the office.

Now alone, Professor Lee opened the reports.

“An intern can perform intubation this well…?”

His gaze softened as he flipped through the pages.

“Okay. That was great.”

PD Shin returned to the actors.

“The timing and expressions during the report hand-off were good.
Gyo-hwan, give yourself a little more confidence next take.
Even as an intern, you should have the nuance of ‘I was right.’”

“Yes, PD.”

“Da-hyun, loosen up just a bit.”

“Yes, PD!”

Filming continued with multiple cues.

The actors’ breathing, the slow zoom-ins, the close-ups of the incident reports—all recorded again.

‘This scene connects to the hallway scene.’

Behind the monitor, Yeon-hwi watched the actors leave the professor’s office.

The next scene was the hallway scene leading directly from this one—

Where the two interns run ahead to stop Nam Tae-wan.

‘Even when they thank him, he feels awkward. No—he keeps his distance. Just like he avoids getting close to the doctors in the department.’

Why did Nam Tae-wan keep his distance?

When he threw himself desperately into saving dying patients.

Was he simply bad at forming relationships? Or did he not dislike people—just didn’t know how to connect?

‘No. This reaction… it’s someone with a wounded heart.’

It wasn’t the reaction of someone who found people difficult.
It was the reaction of someone who avoided people because they disliked being around them.

‘I want to know his story, but…’

There must be a reason the production team never explained the details.

While thinking this, Yeon-hwi heard the AD’s shout:

“Hallway scene, get ready!”

He adjusted his doctor’s gown and stood at the hallway entrance.

Behind him, the lead actors were positioning themselves to run in.

“Going right away. Ready—! Go!”

At PD Shin’s cue, the red recording light came on.

To maintain the emotional flow from the professor’s office, filming moved quickly.

As Nam Tae-wan walked down the hallway, fast footsteps approached from behind.

“Wait—! Just a moment—!”

“Huff… huff… Dr. Nam, your walking speed is insane. Huff—”