Chapter 55: Autumn (3)

"Right now?"

Lee Hyun-jong, who had just told him to write it here, looked quite surprised at the topic.

After all, even Lee Hyun-jong, who considered himself a great genius, had never written a paper this way during his residency.

It was only after he became a professor and a bit more time had passed that he could do such things.

Until then, the English and grammar used in papers were almost entirely unfamiliar to him.

Can a resident do that?

It was hard to believe.

"Yes."

But the face of Su-hyuk, who was sitting in front of him, was brimming with confidence.

'No way... No, no. It's possible.'

If it weren't for Lee Hyun-jong being here, he might have gotten angry.

Who in the world can just write a paper like that?

But Lee Hyun-jong is a genius, isn't he?

'If this kid is smarter than me, it's possible. Besides...'

Lee Hyun-jong had always thought of himself as a great genius.

In fact, he even wondered if he might be the smartest person in the world.

Most of the people he met were not as smart as him, so it was natural to think that way.

But that thought started to change after meeting Su-hyuk.

He began to think that maybe Su-hyuk was even smarter than him.

"Really? Then, write it quickly."

So instead of getting angry, he decided to watch how a real genius writes a paper.

'Are you ready?'

Su-hyuk nodded and called Baruda.

[Yes, I'm perfectly ready.]

While Baruda was reaffirming the structure of the paper, he replied confidently.

Then, Baruda started to display the sentences Su-hyuk needed to write, one by one, in his mind.

Each sentence was composed of words and phrases from the papers Su-hyuk had read.

[Considering anatomical variations in coronary angiography is extremely important for patient outcomes.]

Each sentence was entirely made up of words, phrases, and structures used in academic papers.

Thanks to this, Lee Hyun-jong's face softened as soon as the first sentence was written.

'Good.'

Most people, when asked to write a paper for the first time, rarely actually write a proper paper.

They usually bring something that just looks like a paper.

Most residents had excellent reading skills in English but zero writing skills, so many brought non-English sentences.

Some managed to write in English but in a non-academic format.

But the sentences and structure of the paragraphs Su-hyuk was writing were nothing short of the gold standard for English academic papers.

'Isn't the language a bit stiff?'

[Think about the papers Su-hyuk has read.]

'Really... He read a lot.'

[All the sentences in those many papers are like this.]

'Is that so?'

[Yes.]

'Now that I think about it, it does seem that way.'

Su-hyuk was still unsure.

He had indeed read countless English papers, but since Baruda had translated them in real-time, it was hard to say he had actually read them in English.

'He's really amazing.'

But no matter how conflicted Su-hyuk felt, to Lee Hyun-jong, it was simply perfect.

His surprise only grew as Su-hyuk wrote more.

At first, he was amazed by the English, but now he was amazed by the content.

'There's a clear structure. And... the logic is perfect. If this continues, it could really be published in NEJM.'

Honestly, when he mentioned NEJM earlier, it was half a joke.

But watching him write, he felt a strong desire.

'Who's the editor these days?'

He even started thinking about who would review the paper if he submitted it.

Of course, Su-hyuk had no idea about Lee Hyun-jong's facial expressions or gestures.

He was completely focused on typing the English sentences Baruda was dictating.

"Huh."

About 15 minutes later, Su-hyuk lifted his head with a shallow sigh.

"I'm done."

Upon hearing this, Lee Hyun-jong's face turned into one of uncertainty, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

He immediately looked at his watch upon hearing that Su-hyuk was done.

'A paper in 15 minutes?'

Who would believe this story if he told it?

Shin Hyun-tae, who trusted Su-hyuk as much as Lee Hyun-jong?

Cho Tae-jin, who was determined to bring Su-hyuk to hematology-oncology?

'They probably wouldn't believe it.'

They would likely find it hard to believe, given that they also thought Su-hyuk was exceptional.

Even Lee Hyun-jong, who had always believed in Su-hyuk, found it hard to believe what he was seeing with his own eyes.

"What... is wrong?"

Su-hyuk, sensing the disbelief on Lee Hyun-jong's face, spoke up.

[Something seems off. Lee Hyun-jong is confused.]

Of course, after hearing Baruda's advice.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong."

Lee Hyun-jong waved his hand and pulled the notebook Su-hyuk was using towards himself.

Although he had read it while Su-hyuk was typing, he wanted to check it again.

"Huh."

But even after reading it two or three more times, there was nothing to correct.

'A bit scary, isn't it?'

Lee Hyun-jong finally understood why his seniors and professors had called him a monster.

A monster that he could hardly imagine was right in front of him.

He couldn't understand how this was possible.

Even if he were a lifelong expert in this field, it would be hard to believe.

But Su-hyuk is just a first-year resident.

"Yes?"

And a first-year resident who seemed quite ordinary, despite his keen observation.

To write a paper in 15 minutes...

It was almost chilling.

Lee Hyun-jong, without realizing it, looked at his goosebumps and nodded.

'Interesting. This kid must be nurtured at all costs.'

One fortunate thing was that Lee Hyun-jong was not like other petty people.

He was full of the desire to nurture, not to stifle, the budding talent.

Of course, his extensive experience and age also contributed to this.

But at the core was Lee Hyun-jong's excellent character.

"No, it's well-written. No need for revisions."

"Th... Thank you."

Su-hyuk almost said it was obvious, thanks to Baruda, but managed to get through it.

[If I wrote it, there shouldn't be any need for revisions, Su-hyuk.]

Baruda was still boasting non-stop.

"Of course, I'm a genius for thinking of writing a paper right after seeing this."

Not only that, but Lee Hyun-jong also started boasting, leaving Su-hyuk with no choice but to sigh.

'Why are all the people around me and even the AI narcissists...?'

[Baruda is not a narcissist; he's just stating facts. From my judgment, Lee Hyun-jong is also stating what he believes to be true.]

'Well, I am a genius, aren't I?'

[That statement was a bit...]

'What?'

[No, Su-hyuk is quite smart, yes. Let's leave it at that.]

While Su-hyuk was being scolded by Baruda, Lee Hyun-jong chuckled and sent the file somewhere.

Su-hyuk noticed this when an internet window popped up on the notebook screen.

"Huh?"

"Oh, this. I submitted it to NEJM."

"NEJM? Not the conference?"

"Who sends the original paper when applying for a conference presentation? Just a Korean abstract is enough."

"Uh..."

"Why are you so nervous? Submitting is easy. What matters is getting accepted."

Lee Hyun-jong, having submitted numerous papers to NEJM, patted Su-hyuk's shoulder with a seasoned expression.

Then, before Su-hyuk could say anything, he picked up the phone.

Fortunately, it didn't seem like he was calling NEJM.

If it were, he would have spoken in English and wouldn't have taken such a domineering stance.

"Hey, it's me. Lee Hyun-jong."

The person on the other end seemed to be a professor in charge of the academic affairs for the upcoming conference.

'Who was it?'

[The academic affairs chair for this year's internal medicine conference is Professor Woo Chang-yoon.]

'Ah...'

Coincidentally, it was Woo Ha-yoon's father.

'Destiny?'

[It's a coincidence.]

'What does a can know about human relationships?'

[Enough to know.]

While they were bickering, the conversation between Lee Hyun-jong and Woo Chang-yoon continued.

"No, not me. One of our residents."

"Oh... I see..."

Woo Chang-yoon's voice immediately softened upon hearing that it was a resident's abstract, not Lee Hyun-jong's.

He didn't seem to be the type to hide his emotions.

"Do you know Lee Su-hyuk?"

"Lee Su-hyuk? Yes, I know him. But he's just a first-year, right?"

"Yeah, but he's amazing. The paper could be published in NEJM."

"Really?"

But as soon as Su-hyuk's name was mentioned, his voice grew louder again.

It seemed more out of surprise than excitement.

Of course, it was rare for a first-year to give a conference presentation.

And for the director to announce it himself?

It might be the first time in the history of the conference.

"Anyway, I'll submit it as an abstract. Can you assign a larger lecture hall?"

"What's the title...?"

"Confirmation of a new coronary anatomical variation."

"New? A presentation on something that hasn't been seen before?"

"Yeah."

"Is this the first time it's being presented at our conference?"

"Yeah, but it's Lee Su-hyuk. No need for formalities."

"Ah... What...?"

Woo Chang-yoon couldn't hide his confusion even after hanging up.

Of course, he had known for a while that there was an outstanding first-year named Lee Su-hyuk at Taehwa Medical Center.

He had seen his presentation and heard about him from his daughter.

But to give a presentation of this level?

'No, the nuance is... Lee Su-hyuk wrote the paper, not Professor Lee Hyun-jong...?'

Is that even possible?

It seems impossible.

But if it's true?

'What conditions can Asan Hospital offer?'

Woo Chang-yoon decided to find out, just in case.

At that moment, Lee Hyun-jong was thinking similarly.

While looking at Su-hyuk.

'This presentation will cause a stir. I must keep this kid at Taehwa.'