“Hyung, what in the world did you make this time?”

Crunch—

In that instant, Sama Hyeon’s eyes shot open. Seeing her brother’s stunned expression, Sama Hye popped one into her mouth as well.

Crisp—

“Woo… Wooow…”

“Delicious, right?”

“Yeaaah…”

It was a violent assault of flavors—sweetness, savoriness, and saltiness all competing for dominance. On top of that, the cheese stretching from the bite added an element of playful texture. When meeting family after a long separation, street food is the best.

Jin Cheon-hee’s heart warmed as he watched the siblings’ blissed-out expressions.

Of course, I don’t have a family here. But dramas always have scenes like this. Families huddled together, eating fish cakes or spicy rice cakes.

Then, suddenly adopting an exaggerated expression of concern, he stood up. “Oops, we’re out of tea. I’ll go get some more,” he lied, beginning to rise with theatrical slyness.

It was obviously the clumsy consideration of an adult trying to fade into the background to give them space. But Sama Hyeon and Sama Hye grabbed Jin Cheon-hee simultaneously, their reflexes in perfect sync without even exchanging a glance.

“Where do you think you’re going, Hyung!”

“Benefactor! You can’t leave! You make something this delicious and try to slip away by yourself?”

As expected, both were quick on the uptake. Since they had already resolved the emotional weight of their sibling reunion, they simply wanted to chat with Jin Cheon-hee. Eventually, yielding to their grip, he sat back down.

Sama Hyeon asked, “Hyung, come to think of it, the servants already brewed tea. What were you actually going to do?”

“Hmm… I was going to fry more of these.”

Hot dogs.

Sama Hyeon narrowed his eyes, analyzing the food.

Jin Cheon-hee smiled. “Still, isn’t it worth it?”

“…It is worth it. It’s surprisingly simple to make, too. But the meat inside… the texture is peculiar.”

“Think of it as processed meat stuffed into pig intestines. I don’t know what to call this here yet.”

“Just name it, Hyung.”

“Sausage. Sausage.”

“Hmm. So that’s the word…” Sama Hyeon rolled the pronunciation around his tongue a few times, mimicking his brother, before nodding as if he had filed it away in his memory. “With this method, it won’t spoil easily. It looks excellent for preservation, doesn’t it?”

“Ooh, you figured that out just by eating it? Amazing.”

“Can I ever miss the scent of coin?”

Saying this, Sama Hyeon made a circle with his thumb and index finger—the universal sign for money. Sama Hye giggled continuously, finding her brother’s mercantile instincts amusing.

They exchanged stories about the world, the three of them chatting amicably until Jin Cheon-hee finally shifted the tone.

“Originally, I thought about calling you separately to discuss this, but since the mood is right, I’ll tell you in advance.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Many Senior Physicians are recommending you as the Branch Leader for the White Qilin Medical Pavilion’s Second Hangzhou Branch.”

“Pardon?”

The air left the room. Sama Hye was merely an Intermediate Physician. For Senior Physicians to compete in recommending someone of her rank was truly unprecedented.

Sama Hyeon narrowed his eyes again, protective instincts flaring. “Hmm~ Hyung, are you perhaps trying to dump a bothersome job on her because you don’t want to do it?”

“Umm, I can’t say that’s entirely untrue,” Cheon-hee admitted with a sheepish scratch of his cheek. “But Hye-ah knows well that it’s a position many covet.”

“Yes, yes. That is true. But why…?”

There were several reasons. She hesitated before asking, “Is it perhaps because I’m from here?”

“Well, the people from the slums support you overwhelmingly. Thanks to that, the operation of Hangzhou Branch No. 2 is running smoothly, which is a fact. But that’s not all.”

Jin Cheon-hee raised a finger.

“First, you made a great contribution with the cowpox method this time. Most of the statistics related to cowpox passed through your hands, and the Senior Physicians evaluated that diligence highly. Plus, the medical treatise on comminuted fractures you wrote before was also high-level. Once the two treatises pass review, you will become a Senior Physician. You would be the first to rise to that rank so quickly.”

Though a few administrative procedures remained, Sama Hye was practically confirmed as a Senior Physician. The sentiment among the leadership was unanimous: ‘Let’s promote her quickly and have her help with the workload.’ Especially since it was a request from the Orthopedics Senior Physicians, it was only a matter of time. That was how high the level of her scholarship was.

Jin Cheon-hee continued.

“The second reason is exactly that regional specificity. Due to its nature, a Branch Medical Pavilion cannot operate without the support of the locals. It is true that you serve as propaganda. This is the dark ulterior motive of adults.”

At those words, Sama Hye laughed, covering her mouth as if finding the honesty amusing.

“Growing up in the slums of Hangzhou, receiving treatment from the Young Pavilion Master of the White Qilin Medical Pavilion, rising from a Junior to an Intermediate Physician, and finally returning home to become a pillar in blocking smallpox? This story brings tears even to the eyes of high-ranking officials.”

People of this era were particularly weak to stories related to Grace and Connection. It was an era without immunity to media narratives, and people still believed in romance.

Sama Hye fell into thought as Jin Cheon-hee pressed on.

“And the last, third reason. Your political skills are better than expected.”

“Political skills?”

“Yes. Your negotiation skills are sharp, and your ability to mediate between patients and physicians was highly evaluated. Surprisingly, this is more important than the previous two, Hye-ah.”

At those words, Sama Hyeon looked genuinely surprised.

“…”

He couldn’t even say congratulations, merely looking back and forth between Jin Cheon-hee and Sama Hye. It was a rare occurrence for Sama Hyeon to be speechless. To him, she was always his little sister. He probably never imagined such a child would grow up like this—respected by everyone, capable of handling her own affairs, and navigating politics.

Jin Cheon-hee leaned forward.

“Now then, that wraps up the summary. Finally, only your intention remains. The most important thing is the ambition to do it. Being a Branch Leader is not an easy job. You have to want it yourself. It is absolutely not a position others can create for you. Indeed.”

“…Benefactor.”

“Hye-ah. Many Senior Physicians recommended you for the three reasons above, but there are definitely those who oppose it, though not the majority. It is unconventional, and there are conservatives who don’t want to listen to a young child.”

“…”

“It will be hard. As Hyeon said, there will be days you want to be a crybaby. Even so, do you want to do it?”

Sama Hye fell silent. She stared blankly at the three empty hot dog sticks and the cooling cups of tea. She looked out the window once, watching the world outside, and then at the ceiling.

Eventually, she opened her mouth.

“…Would I look selfish if I said I want to do it?”

“What does that matter? It’s not a position you can climb to just because someone tells you to.”

“…No matter how much I think about it, I seem really lucky… but is this a position I’m allowed to take?”

Did she think of the old days? Suddenly, tears welled up in Sama Hye’s eyes.

“Yes. Of course.”

“I want to do it. Really. I want to take this position.”

She had always shown a mature and calm demeanor, but in truth, she always had ambition.

“Seeing the people of my hometown acknowledge me… it felt even better than I imagined. I started wanting to climb higher. I know this is lust for power, but…”

Sama Hye wanted to be a star.

Jin Cheon-hee smiled gently. “Hye-ah, lust for power itself isn’t bad. It’s not like you’re committing corruption. There must have been parts of the Medical Pavilion you wanted to change when you saw them, right?”

Even running for class president required a desire for power. Or was it student council president these days? Regardless, one couldn’t judge good or evil based on ambition alone. More important was what one did with that position.

Sama Hye nodded slowly. “Umm… Honestly, there are many things I want to change. The Hangzhou Branch has many aspects more unique than other regions. But since it’s hard to speak about those parts as a subordinate, I stayed quiet.”

“Hmm… Keep thinking about that. Though, wait until after receiving education at the main mountain and seeing the budget.”

Jin Cheon-hee didn’t dissuade her. To become a Branch Leader, she had to go to the White Qilin Medical Pavilion headquarters and receive relevant education from A to Z; her head would likely break in that process. Nevertheless, if she could fix the system, he supported that too. Change was always welcome.

Sama Hye wiped her eyes. “Adult calculations or whatever—I like it! I want to do it!”

“Okay. Now I know your intention. Right. Hyeon-ah, what do you think of your sister’s success?”

“Ha… Hahahaha.”

Sama Hyeon laughed as if losing his mind, then shook his head with a grin. “If I let my guard down, I’ll fall behind, won’t I?”

At those words, Hye-ah’s chest swelled proudly. Being acknowledged by her brother meant the world to her.

“Good, good. Then I’ll go back to preparing documents now.”

“Benefactor!”

“Hyung!”

As expected, the two siblings tried to grab him again.

“I’m not trying to leave you alone, you rascals. Since I’ve asked Sama Hye’s intention, I have actual work left to do. Should I not send the message?”

At those words, Hye-ah spoke urgently. “No. Please go. Young Pavilion Master!”

“Aigoo, calling me Young Pavilion Master instead of Benefactor suddenly makes me feel a bit distant?”

“Hehehehe.”

“You grew up well. Hye-ah.”

Saying this, he finally stood up.

“Your friend and many other physicians joined forces to catch smallpox this time. Now I’ve integrated almost all the data obtained that way. I have to list the names of contributors, too. And send it to each clan and the Imperial Family.”

“Hmm? Benefactor… Surely you aren’t planning to inform other places about the smallpox prevention method?”

“Of course I am. It’s not hard to copy anyway. Things like this are better released for free.”

Both Sama Hyeon and Sama Hye showed surprised expressions at Jin Cheon-hee’s words.

In this world, medicine was a realm of secret transmission from master to disciple. To not monopolize the prevention method of smallpox, a groundbreaking discovery rare in history, was unthinkable to them.

Jin Cheon-hee explained, “I told you. Anyone who wants to know will find out easily anyway. And… I can say I’m alive thanks to people like this, too. I owe them a debt.”

Thanks to two scientists who released the polio vaccine for free in the past, humanity was able to eradicate the disease.

One of them had famously said, “Could you patent the sun?”

Some people said this remark was controversial. There was still much debate about which of the two scientists’ vaccines was better, and the two remained rivals until the end. Still, thanks to the goodwill created by those people, humanity could be safe.

Well, wasn’t it like that? How convenient would it be if people were divided strictly into black and white? But someone you cursed at today might contribute to the world tomorrow. And that debt circulated and arrived across dimensions, landing right here.

“In a way, I’m alive thanks to large and small good wills, so I’m just releasing a part of that good will to the world too.”

“Hyung…”

“And I’m not the first discoverer either. I just spread the knowledge others knew a little wider.”

He simply possessed the knowledge of Earth. He couldn’t say that much, but even in this world, didn’t the elderly whisper amongst themselves that those who had cowpox never caught smallpox? It was enough to confirm to the world that it was a fact.

Sama Hye looked at him with shimmering eyes. “Benefactor is an amazing person… but somehow I feel you could show off a bit more.”

“You’re starting to resemble Hyeon, Hye-ah.”

Sama Hye turned to her brother. “Oppa, you protect Benefactor.”

“Of course~ I will definitely protect him.”

“Yeah. Trust Oppa.”

Jin Cheon-hee blinked. What misunderstanding did the two siblings have? They were looking at him with eyes reserved for a legendary chivalrous hero, unaware that he was just paying forward a debt from another world.