Chapter 71: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

“...”

My mind is numb.

It's not just because I performed CPR for almost 15 minutes, but mostly because of the shock of my father collapsing.

I thought it was too simple.

It wasn't due to the truck driver falling asleep at the wheel.

The accident happened because of my father's sudden heart attack.

But this was something unpredictable.

‘He had a checkup recently, and everything was fine.’

That's what makes myocardial infarction so scary.

Even with a health checkup, it often isn't diagnosed early.

“Brother, what... what about Dad...”

Yuna was almost fainting, sobbing uncontrollably, and Mother was in the same state.

Both of them were so shocked that the color had drained from their faces.

If I lose it too, things will get worse.

“It's okay, Yuna. Dad will be fine. He'll come out with a silly smile, just like always, so don't worry.”

I've done all the emergency measures I could.

Now it's up to Dad's will.

He loves his family more than anyone; he won't leave us like this.

“Mother, please pull yourself together. Dad will be fine.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. He'll definitely be fine. Don't worry too much.”

Even as I said this, I wasn't sure.

I followed the aura I received to perform the emergency measures, but were they really perfect?

Did I forget something because of a memory lapse?

My head felt like it was about to explode with confusion.

A minute felt like a year, and there was still no news from the operating room.

All we could see were nurses and doctors rushing in urgently.

How much time had passed?

“Family of Mr. Jung Young-hoon?”

Finally, a doctor came out of the operating room.

“Yes!”

We quickly stood up.

“Is your father okay?”

The doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and said,

“It was a very dangerous situation, but fortunately, the surgery went well.”

“Really? So, Dad is okay?”

“Yes. He's fine. He needs to regain consciousness and recover, but... and... I heard that you performed first aid. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“You did a great job. If the first aid had been even slightly wrong, he might not have survived. You saved your father.”

Hearing that, my legs gave out.

“Hey! Brother!”

“Yun-seong!”

Thankfully, Dad survived.

It was really, really fortunate.

“Thank you, doctor.”

“Yes. I know it was tough, but now you can relax. We'll move the patient to the ICU, so please go to the reception desk and register. That's all.”

“Thank you, doctor! Brother, are you okay?”

“Ah, yeah.”

I managed to stand up.

If Dad had passed away, I wouldn't have been able to get up from here.

* * *

“Huh? My husband is going to a VIP room? No... why?”

Mother tilted her head in confusion at the reception desk.

Yuna and I felt the same way.

Before we even registered, Dad's room was already decided to be a VIP room.

And we didn't even have to pay extra, which was bewildering.

“Ah, that was my decision.”

We turned to the voice behind us.

An elderly doctor in a white coat with a "Director" badge stood there.

Yuna recognized him immediately.

“Oh! The grandfather I saw before?”

“Ha ha. It's an honor. You remembered my face.”

He was the grandfather I saved with first aid at the tteokbokki shop.

He greeted Mother and said,

“I apologize for the late introduction. You are the mother of the person who saved my life.”

“Oh, no. Hello.”

“I heard about your husband. You must have been very shocked. But fortunately, your son took good action. It's a great relief. And... I took the liberty of reserving a VIP room. I hope it's okay. I wanted to repay your kindness in some way.”

“Thank you. We're very grateful. Please treat my husband well.”

“Yes. Our medical team will do our best.”

Then, the grandfather shook my hand and said,

“I watched all the videos of you two after that incident. They were truly moving. But if you ever think the entertainment industry isn't right for you, feel free to contact me. Mr. Jung Yun-seong has outstanding talent as a doctor.”

It didn't sound like empty words.

As I shook his hand, I felt the aura he was giving off.

Though his body was old, his energy was as vibrant as any young person's.

“Yes. Thank you, Director.”

“See you again. Our staff will guide you to the VIP room.”

We followed the staff to the VIP room on the top floor.

“The first aid was very clean, and the surgery went well, so he should regain consciousness soon.”

In the room, Dad was lying on the bed with a respirator.

We sat silently in front of him, waiting for him to regain consciousness.

After some time,

“Ugh...”

Dad slowly opened his eyes, as if waking from a long sleep.

“What... Where am I...”

“Honey! Are you awake?”

“Dad!!”

“Father!”

Dad looked at us with a surprised expression.

“What... What's going on? Ow!”

He let out a short groan, perhaps from the pain of the surgery.

Mother, with tears in her eyes, slapped him gently.

“I can't live with you anymore!!”

“Ouch. It hurts!”

“Just die by hitting me, you scoundrel!”

“Ahh!”

“Ahhh. Dad!”

Mother kept hitting Dad, while Yuna, who had been holding back her tears, hugged him and cried.

I tried to hold back my own tears and sighed.

Looking at the time, it was already past 12.

Dad and Mother's last day, their wedding anniversary, had ended safely.

* * *

“I'm really fine now, okay? Haha.”

“What's fine? Your belly is still there! What if you collapse again?”

“Don't worry, Mother.”

I smiled at Dad.

“From now on, you need to exercise with me, Dad.”

“Huh? With you?”

“Yes.”

“Aren't you very diligent with exercise?”

“Yes, but I don't overwork myself. I believe in a balanced approach—resting well and exercising hard. Dad, you need to do the same from now on.”

“Hmm. I'll just go to the gym occasionally...”

I gave Mother a look, and she immediately hit Dad's back strongly.

“Don't make excuses and listen to Yun-seong! Last time, you canceled your gym membership and only went on the registration day.”

“That was because I was busy...”

“Don't worry, Dad. I'll be there to help you exercise, even if you're busy. You can manage both work and exercise.”

“...Yun-seong, you seem different.”

Dad's worried face was useless.

For myocardial infarction, losing weight and managing your diet are crucial.

“Mother, look forward to it. I'll make Dad's body even better than when he was young.”

“Ha ha. I look forward to that, dear.”

Mother patted Dad's protruding belly.

“It was fun to poke this, but I guess it can't be helped.”

“If you want, I can keep it for you.”

“Enough. Go and get abs like Yun-seong.”

“Ugh.”

Dad, who had packed his things, looked around.

“What about Yuna?”

“She's waiting downstairs.”

“Oh. Okay, let's go then.”

As we left the room to check out, the director and several doctors were waiting.

“You're leaving now.”

“Oh, Director. Thanks to you, I had a comfortable stay.”

“Ha ha. Yes, I'm glad. Take care of your health. I hope you don't have to come back to the hospital.”

“Yes. I'll take better care of myself.”

The director winked at me.

I have no interest in medicine, but he still hasn't given up.

We said our goodbyes and headed to the hospital auditorium.

“Huh? Where are we going?”

“I have something to show you.”

I led my parents into the auditorium.

As soon as we entered, piano music filled the room.

“Oh? Isn't that Yuna?”

In the center of the auditorium was a piano, and Yuna was playing and singing.

It was a song she had composed for a long time for their wedding anniversary, but she was now singing it for Dad's discharge.

There happened to be a classical concert for patients today, so we could borrow the piano.

The deep piano music and Yuna's clear voice were enchanting. My parents were mesmerized.

Anyone who heard this performance would be captivated.

Yuna's lyrics felt like they were telling my story.

I felt like it was a dream.

But maybe that's why the lyrics sounded a bit strange.

“Mom, Dad! Congratulations!”

Yuna finished her song and clapped to congratulate them.

I then brought out a cake I had prepared and placed it in front of them.

“I was going to give this on the wedding anniversary... but it ended up being a discharge gift too.”

“Huh. Did you keep the cake from the wedding anniversary?”

“Pfft! No way. You're ruining the mood.”

“Ha ha. Just kidding. So, honey. Shall we blow out the candles together?”

Dad clasped his hands and made a wish.

“Please let me live to 100 and see my adorable and loving Yun-seong and Yuna for a long time. I'll use this second chance well.”

“What? You don't want to see me for a long time?”

“Oops. I'll see my wife for a long time too.”

After making his wish, he quickly blew out the candles.

Smoke rose from the extinguished candles, as if carrying Dad's wish to the sky.