Chapter 36: Eun Ga-young (2)

[Countless offers pouring in from overseas teams, where is Jeong Tae-woo’s next destination?]

[South Korea’s guardian god, Jeong Tae-woo, where will he go?]

[Offers pouring in for the 17-year-old trio, what will be their choice?]

[Yoo Hee-sung receives an offer from Manchester United, a ‘successful fan’s dream come true’.]

[Lee Tae-yang receives a call from a German club.]

The ’17-year-old trio,’ South Korea’s golden generation consisting of Jeong Tae-woo, Lee Tae-yang, and Yoo Hee-sung, was currently receiving immense attention from the global football world.

Yoo Hee-sung had proven his potential as a world-class striker by beating the most likely contender, Luca Dubois, to become the top scorer in the Olympics.

Lee Tae-yang had also captured the eyes of European teams with his powerful physique and excellent link-up play.

However, among the three, Jeong Tae-woo was receiving the most fervent interest.

The reason was not only his insane shot-stopping ability that seemed to predict the future, but also his unbelievably accurate passing skills for a goalkeeper.

Jeong Tae-woo perfectly embodied the ideal goalkeeper that modern football demands, and this was more than enough to capture the attention of European clubs.

But if there was one piece of terrible news for the European teams, it was this.

He was currently on the verge of signing a contract with Eun Gayoung, the woman who would be known as the future ‘Queen of Two Faces’ and become an object of fear among football executives.

Jeong Tae-woo’s house, the living room.

Eun Gayoung, Jeong Tae-woo, and Yoon Seo-jeong were sitting around a table.

On the table lay a revised contract with even better terms than the one she had shown me at school.

Eun Gayoung began to speak in a gentle voice.

“Currently, player Jeong Tae-woo is receiving great interest from European teams. His performance in the Olympics has earned him worldwide recognition for his potential.

I believe now is the perfect time to sign with an agent and advance to Europe.”

Yoon Seo-jeong looked at the contract with a worried expression.

“But Tae-woo is still so young…”

“That’s right. Player Jeong Tae-woo is still young.”

Eun Gayoung nodded and continued.

“That’s precisely why the European teams are even more enthusiastic. To show such skill at his age means he has the talent to become one of the best players in the world.”

Eun Gayoung glanced at Jeong Tae-woo for a moment before turning her gaze back to his mother.

“However, clubs are ultimately businesses. They always pursue profit. That’s why an agent is absolutely necessary.

We will do our best to negotiate so that player Jeong Tae-woo can gain the maximum benefit.”

“Tae-woo, what do you think?”

I stared blankly at the revised contract for a moment.

‘What are these insane contract terms…’

My eyes caught the conditions, which were incomparably better than what I had seen before.

The commission had been surprisingly reduced to 5%, and mouth-watering conditions like housing support and a language tutor for his European advancement had been added to the contract.

‘Is this the chaebol class…’

This was a no-brainer.

“Honestly, I want to sign the contract, Mom. The conditions are phenomenal… and more than anything, I want to compete with the world’s best players in a football-advanced country.”

‘Of course, I’m already the world’s best.’

“Tae-woo, if that’s what you want.”

My mother listened to me and signed the contract.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to work with you. From now on, as player Jeong Tae-woo’s agent, I will do my utmost to manage and support his career.”

Eun Gayoung said with a bright smile.

She organized the contract and continued to speak.

“First, we will begin preparations for your move to Europe.

This will include language education, physical management, and a thorough review of each club’s proposal.

We will find the optimal environment for player Jeong Tae-woo to fully display his talents.”

‘It would be best if I could go straight to Man City… but that would be difficult, right?’

To play in the Premier League, commonly known as the EPL, an Asian player needs a work permit.

To get one, you need to meet one of two conditions.

Either you must have played in over 75% of your national team’s matches in the last two years, or you need letters of recommendation from famous football figures.

But for me, at this moment, both conditions were nearly impossible.

The national team appearance requirement was difficult to meet right away due to my age and experience.

The only real possibility was a recommendation letter from a famous footballer… but that was also virtually impossible.

Who would write a recommendation letter for a young, unknown Asian player?

Even though I had a dazzling performance in the Olympics, in Europe, they would still view me as just a promising prospect with potential.

‘No, but it’s Eun Gayoung. Surely she has a way, right?’

Wasn’t she the woman who sent Yoo Hee-sung to Manchester United, of all places?

Of course, Yoo Hee-sung had built a record in the K-League before going to Europe.

But when you think about it, aren’t I in a better position right now?

‘Alright, I’ll just say it.’

“I’m personally a Man City fan. Would it be possible to transfer directly to the EPL?”

At my question, Eun Gayoung stared at me intently for a moment.

‘Ahem… it’s a bit overwhelming when a pretty face stares at you so fixedly…’

“Haha, player Jeong Tae-woo, you don’t seem to realize your own standing yet.”

“My standing?”

“Yes, EPL teams are also showing great interest in you. Your performance in the Olympics showed a value beyond that of a mere prospect.”

“Then is the work permit not an issue?”

“Of course, the work permit is an issue, but that’s something I can resolve. All you need to do, player Jeong Tae-woo, is look at the offers and let me know your wishes. Then I will negotiate the best possible terms with that team.”

Hearing Eun Gayoung’s confident voice, I finally understood.

The woman in front of me was not just a simple agent.

She was the human embodiment of competence, a person who made the impossible a reality.

Of course, it was only possible because of the plays I had shown.

“Then I will organize the offers that have come in and send them to you. Please rest well for now.”

She bowed her head towards my mother in greeting.

“Mother, I’ll be taking my leave.”

As Eun Gayoung was leaving, I followed her out and called her name.

“Agent-nim.”

“Do you have any more questions?”

A look of curiosity was in Eun Gayoung’s eyes as she looked at me.

“I was wondering if it would be possible to film a variety show before I transfer.”

“A variety show?”

Football was important, but my mom was more important right now, so I wanted to make her happy by appearing on the variety show I had resolved to do before the Olympics.

“Yes, I’d like to appear on a show called ‘Star Mission: Grand Operation’.”

“Hmm…”

She asked cautiously.

“Is there a particular reason?”

“If I go to Europe, I won’t be able to see my mom for a while.

Before I leave, I want to appear on her favorite variety show and leave her with a good memory.”

Hearing my words, Eun Gayoung’s gaze softened.

“I understand. I’ll look into it and try to arrange it.”

“Yes, thank you!”

I couldn’t hide my joy and smiled.

“Your love for your family is very beautiful. Don’t ever lose that heart.”

“Please get home safely.”

“Yes, I’ll be going then.”

***

“What a warm family.”

The words that left my mouth echoed with emptiness.

The gentle gaze I had for Jeong Tae-woo had vanished, and in its place, loneliness settled in.

The warm relationship between Jeong Tae-woo and his mother pained a corner of my heart.

Their image showed a familial warmth that I had never experienced, and likely never would.

Born as the youngest daughter of the SC Group, I grew up always in the spotlight, but no one knew the loneliness hidden behind that glamour.

“Ma’am, where should I take you?”

“Please take me to the main house.”

“The main house?”

A tone of surprise was evident in the driver’s voice.

Has it been four months since I last went to the main house? Time has flown by so fast.

“Yes, I feel like visiting after a long time.”

As the silhouette of the grand mansion began to appear through the window, my chest felt even tighter.

This huge house was filled only with splendor and authority; warmth was nowhere to be found.

No, it was actually far too cold.

‘Why did I say I would come here?’

Did I come here hoping to find the warmth I felt at Jeong Tae-woo’s house?

Or was it just to isolate myself further?

The car stopped in front of the mansion, but I couldn’t bring myself to get out easily.

It felt as if the moment I stepped into this cold space, even the small glimmer of hope inside me would freeze solid.

Knock, knock-

A knock on the window broke through my thoughts.

When I opened the window, a familiar face stood there, the woman who had practically raised me.

“Miss Gayoung, it’s been a long time.”

Mrs. Kim’s warm voice reached me.

A smile spread across her wrinkled face.

Mrs. Kim, who had taken care of me since I was a child, was the only source of warmth in this cold mansion.

“Mrs. Kim…”

Her presence alone seemed to melt the ice in my heart, little by little.

As I got out of the car, Mrs. Kim gently hugged me.

“You look so tired. Why don’t you come inside for a warm cup of tea?”

At Mrs. Kim’s words, I nodded.

Perhaps, even in this cold mansion, I could find a small bit of warmth.

But that, too, was merely my delusion.

The vast hall was still cold and empty.

Silence filled the space under the brilliant chandeliers.

“My father is…”

“He’ll likely be late again today.”

A hint of pity laced Mrs. Kim’s reply.

No matter how much I looked back at the past, I had no memory of being loved by my father.

One would think the youngest child would receive some affection, but what came my way was not love, nor dislike, but simple indifference.

That indifference was, perhaps, more painful than hatred.

“He only ever called me for parties or when he needed me, and after that, he wouldn’t even show his face.”

Behind the title of ‘youngest daughter of the SC Group’, I was just a lonely girl.

Perhaps that’s why.

Why I vowed to build a successful business and make my father finally see me.

“What, what are you doing here?”

When I followed Mrs. Kim to the dining room, there was already a guest.

The person drinking coffee and reviewing documents, dressed in a fancy suit, was none other than my second older brother and the president of SC Electronics, Eun Seong-jun.

Seong-jun’s sharp gaze turned towards me.

His presence alone seemed to freeze the air in this cold house even further.

“Brother…”

He was one of the people I least wanted to encounter at the main house.

If my eldest brother and father were indifferent to me, my second brother always tormented me mentally.

Seong-jun put down his coffee cup with a cynical smile.

“I heard you started APEX Agent? How trivial.”

“It’s not trivial. I can make it a success.”

“Someone like you? Hah~ Go ahead and try. It’s bound to fail anyway.”

Ugh!

My brother brushed past me, bumping my shoulder on his way out.

‘What did I do so wrong?’

We are bound by the name of family, but is a relationship this cold and distant truly normal?

Does my very existence anger them?

A suffocating feeling washed over me, and I felt I couldn’t stay in this house any longer.

“I should be going.”

“Miss!”

I ignored Mrs. Kim’s worried voice from behind me and quickly left the main house.

The cold outside air brushed against my cheeks, but for the first time, it felt like I could finally breathe.

Looking up at the sky with tear-filled eyes, I made a vow once more.

“I will succeed, no matter what, and make them see me in a new light.”