Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae - Chapter 212



212 – Extra Story: Chae Yeojin

212

Beep, beep, beep—!!

As the referee’s whistle signaled the end of the game, the crowd’s emotions were in turmoil.

“Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!! Finally!! Finally, South Korea has achieved the unprecedented feat of winning the World Cup, the golden trophy!! We’re really… really proud of our players! Really…”

The commentator’s voice was trembling with excitement.

Although it was true that the commentator’s emotions were more intense because he had seen the achievements of the younger generation as a national team player from 2010 to 2020, broadcasting was broadcasting.

Fortunately, a more composed caster took over from the commentator, who was on the verge of tears.

“Yes, our commentator, Kim, is overwhelmed with emotion at the moment. It’s truly a historic moment. This will go down in the history of Korean and Asian football.”

The World Cup, which had been the exclusive domain of European and South American countries, had finally been won by an Asian country.

It was unimaginable that an Asian player would set foot on the European football stage, the center of world football, half a century ago.

Even in the 21st century, when Asian players began to make their mark on the European stage, it was hard to imagine, or rather, impossible to imagine, that an Asian player would become the top scorer in the English Premier League, the world’s best league.

The impossible had become a reality.

The 2038 FIFA World Cup winner was South Korea.

As the World Cup trophy was presented, and Korean captain Joo Ji-tae lifted the trophy, that moment became a legend in football history.

The post-victory interview was also impressive.

“We didn’t win solely because of our individual strengths. We were able to lift the trophy as a team.”

The main characters of the interview were three.

Jang Gi-seok, who led Korea to World Cup victory and became a legendary coach, and ‘Goalkeeper of the Century’ Jo Jae-sin, who set a new record for World Cup goals and became the MVP of the tournament.

And although he didn’t win the MVP, captain Joo Ji-tae, who recorded an incredible 6 goals and 4 assists as a center-back, was also present.

Among the remaining spectators who stayed to listen to the interview of the world’s top sports star, who had won three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, was Chae Yeojin.

Although she was far away, watching on the giant screen from a distant seat, she still managed to captivate the atmosphere and attention of those around her, making it feel like a scene from a movie.

So, the gazes of the surrounding spectators wandered between the giant screen and Chae Yeojin, especially the men’s gazes, which were quite blatant.

But Chae Yeojin didn’t seem to mind.

The four men sitting around her, who were staring at her, were like characters from a thriller or war movie.

If Chae Yeojin made it feel like a romantic movie scene, the men around her made it feel like a scene from a thriller or war movie.

However, there was a difference: if Chae Yeojin was the protagonist of a romantic movie, the men around her would be the villains.

Chae Yeojin, who was watching Joo Ji-tae’s face on the giant screen, suddenly felt something was off.

Joo Ji-tae, who was usually fluent in his interviews, suddenly stopped talking and started to hesitate.

[…….]

He, the master of the microphone, who was known for his eloquence, wore an unfamiliar, worried expression, one that only she knew.

[I thought about it, but now I have to say it. When I lifted the championship cup, the first person who came to mind was someone. The person who has always been silently by my side. There’s a saying in Korea: “Don’t forget the preciousness in familiarity.” Maybe I forgot how precious it was because I was too familiar with it.]

Chae Yeojin realized.

Today, this moment, is the time.

The sound of reporters murmuring could be heard beyond the LED screen, and Joo Ji-tae, with a calm expression, dropped a bombshell.

[Today will go down in football history. It’s the day an Asian team wins the World Cup, and the captain proposes to his girlfriend during an official interview. I think I should officially propose to my girlfriend now. Oh, goddess, let’s get married!]

Although the last sentence was in Korean, the moment it ended, the press conference room and the stadium erupted in cheers.

A public proposal is always an event that brings applause from people.

While everyone was cheering, Chae Yeojin sat expressionlessly, staring at the LED screen.

Marriage.

It’s finally come to this day.

But it’s okay.

Really, it’s okay.

I expected it from the moment I got engaged… no, even before that. I knew I wasn’t the kind of woman who could stand by someone’s side.

Because I’m a monster who can’t have a normal family.

A subtle smile appeared on Chae Yeojin’s face, which was stroking her belly.

* * *

From noble mtl dot come

On the surface, Chae Yeojin seems to be a woman with no lacks.

No, she’s a woman who has everything people could want. She has a perfect body, with a height of 174cm and a stunning figure that’s hard to ignore. Her face? It’s the best, comparable to a famous visual actress. In fact, her beauty is in a league of its own.

And as for education, which is a must-have for Korean women in their 20s?

She’s a scholarship student at Korea’s top university.

And as for wealth?

She already owns a building in her name, with assets worth tens of billions.

With her beauty, wealth, and exceptional academic talent, Chae Yeojin has all the external conditions that people could want. She’s truly a woman with everything, the queen of queens.

That’s why people think Chae Yeojin must always be happy.

“Wow, if I looked like that, I’d be happy every day.”

“She’s a university student in Korea, and she has everything.”

“She owns a building in Gangnam, and she’s really living the high life. Look, she’s always smiling, and that’s why people are happy.”

No.

The idea that she’s happy is a misconception.

Being beautiful, smart, and rich doesn’t mean you’re happy.

Those things may not make you unhappy, but they don’t guarantee happiness either.

Happiness is subjective.

Chae Yeojin realized this by looking at Jo Ye-rin.

Unlike herself, who habitually wears a mask of laughter, Jo Ye-rin is a child who always laughs brightly, with a pure heart that’s hard to find.

It’s a heart that can deeply move others.

“Unnie~~!! You’re here!! I’ve been waiting for you!!”

So when she opened the door and saw Jo Ye-rin rushing towards her, Chae Yeojin could smile naturally, without any awkwardness, just like usual.

So—

“Yes, let’s go. It’s your wedding.”

It’s okay.

The child in the wedding dress looks perfect, with not a single speck of dust on the pure white wedding dress.

However—

When the congratulatory speech began.

The one couple that shone brighter than anyone else, receiving everyone’s blessings as they held their wedding ceremony.

Chaeyeon, who was watching the ceremony with a subtle smile, realized her emotions were getting the better of her.

It wasn’t envy or jealousy.

It wasn’t even a feeling of congratulations or happiness.

It was—

Yes.

‘I’ll go first.’

A sense of satisfaction.

A distorted sense of satisfaction.

So, she didn’t have any thoughts of interfering with the two people’s happy married life.

On the contrary, she cheered them on. She hoped the two of them would have a beautiful, happy, and pure married life.

That way—

“Uh, uh, is that Fernandinho? You’re too close to the groom, so please step aside and let the friends and family take over… Ah, geez. Why can’t you understand? Can’t speak Korean? What? Can’t do it? But why are you here? Ah, I don’t know. Let’s just do it this way! Ready, set, go! One, two.”

Click.

A subtle smile spread across Chaeyeon’s lips, standing right behind Jo Yeoshin.

‘I can be happy too.’

Even if it was a distorted happiness.

The intense passion of the World Cup had finally subsided, and the season that had started with high expectations had finally come to an end.

Summer had returned once again.

It wasn’t just the weather that was hot.

‘Jo Jitae, 2nd Generation Imminent! Will He Become the Pillar of the Football World, Inheriting the Blood of Global Football Star Jo Jae-shin and National Brother?’

‘Jo Jitae’s Sudden Move to the US, Aiming for a Foreign Birth?’

‘Jo Jitae “I Never Planned for a Foreign Birth. I’ll Give Birth to a Son or Daughter in Korea”’

As news of Jo Yeoshin’s impending childbirth spread like wildfire across Korea.

A new life was born in the US.