The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 207

As Jinhyuk’s management, SI Sports, acting as his legal representative, notified the Junior Asian Athletics Championships of their athlete’s non-participation.

The reason given was to ensure the student’s right to education.

The Athletics Federation, which had consistently argued for ‘athletic rights,’ had encountered an unexpectedly formidable opponent. They had rejected the junior national team designation, which was crucial for the athlete’s future.

– Chairman, I don’t think this is something you should decide emotionally. For the sake of the athlete’s future-.

“Hoh ho ho-. Does that sound like a threat?”

Despite her laughter, Yuseora’s voice was calm, resolute, and drier than the winter air. It was her long-standing tactic to use a strong tone at the beginning to gain the upper hand.

It was an arrogant tactic that only those with social standing could use, but if used correctly, it could prevent unnecessary time-wasting. This was especially true when dealing with opponents who acted smugly, relying on their age and experience, as was the case now.

Taking advantage of the opponent’s hesitation, Yuseora continued, her voice softening again.

“It’s a political decision made by our foundation.”

– What do you mean by that?

“Let’s see, how much money does the group, where my husband is the chairman, donate to your federation annually?”

Rustle, rustle-.

Even though no one was watching, Yuseora pretended to flip through documents while on the phone. She rubbed a memo between her thumb and forefinger.

– Ah, I am well aware that you are the largest sponsor.

“Yes, the largest sponsor. Wouldn’t there be talk of favoritism if a foundation athlete, whose foundation is chaired by the spouse of the largest sponsor’s chairman, becomes a national representative? Besides, he’s still a first-year student and quite young. Our foundation made this decision also considering your federation’s position. Ho. Ho. Ho.”

It was just a throwaway line. The fabricated laughter, like a mockery, was a bonus.

‘Damn it! I’m so upset, I won’t let our athlete go!’

… Saying it this way was much more polite. This was also a political statement, learned from her husband.

– Ah, well, Chairman, it seems you are not aware, but in track and field, such talk is impossible. It’s all about the individual athlete-.

“You make a good point. It’s all about the athlete, and it’s your federation that threatened to disqualify the athlete for leaving the training camp to take an exam, not for any misconduct. It was also the federation that threatened, citing the athlete’s future. I was merely making a very basic request on behalf of the athlete, but you kept repeating the same thing. There’s no room for negotiation with someone who doesn’t change their stance, is there?”

– Chairman, the sanctity of athletic rights is not something to be so easily dismissed-.

“Listen carefully.”

As Yuseora emphasized her words, the old, patronizing voice on the other end of the line immediately subsided. There were widespread rumors that even the First Lady had repeatedly been refused meetings with Yuseora, and it was quite bold to stand against her and insist on the federation’s regulations.

A new breath filled Yuseora’s chest after a brief pause.

Now it was time to use the impressive words she had heard from her father and husband, both chairmen.

“I believe that all policies should exist for the sake of people. If an athlete is outstanding and deserves to be selected, I think it’s necessary to change outdated ideas. We’re not asking for special treatment, are we? Is it special treatment for a student to take an exam?”

– You’re not wrong, but the regulations, our elders have all trained under the same conditions.

“I fully understand that the old athletes led the sports world while being deprived and hungry, but honestly, as someone who has one foot in the sports world, I’m not sure what the senior athletes did besides being deprived and hungry.”

Her tone and manner were calm, but the statement was likely to provoke anger in the listener.

However, they couldn’t openly express their anger. Because it was Yuseora, of all people.

“The senior members show their faces at events, give encouraging speeches from the podium. But what else have they done for their juniors? I’ve reviewed a lot of data and studied policy efforts while preparing the foundation, and while there’s data showing ‘various efforts,’ I don’t see any results.”

– Hmm-.

As the other side made a slurping sound, Yuseora delivered the final blow.

“Despite considerable investment and support from the government and various sectors of society. It seems that even the so-called elite sports haven’t benefited from it.”

It was a pointed statement, but Yuseora’s voice remained calm. As if proving herself to be a born manager, her expression was even relaxed. Even now, the corners of her lips were gently turned up. It was a benevolent smile that couldn’t be seen as the expression of someone criticizing another.

– Well, for the development of track and field and the sports world-.

He couldn’t finish his sentence again.

“Outstanding stars are wandering around TV programs to make a living and to secure funds for studying abroad. If even star athletes are like that, it goes without saying what other athletes are going through. It’s not just because coaching positions are poorly paid. Ah, by the way, how many corporate teams have you attracted? Are there any proper track and field corporate teams in our country, not abroad?”

It wasn’t just about verbally intimidating the opponent.

Although she always seemed relaxed and a bit out of it, Yuseora was a general who only went to war after thorough preparation.

“If you want to promote the development of track and field and the sports world, how about changing your way of thinking? Even now, you’ve already sent an official statement, but just by calling and repeating the same thing, I can see how you view the other party. The demand to change the chairman, even though there is a person in charge, is also very unpleasant as it seems to disregard our foundation.”

What was the difference between them and a troublemaker who came to a large corporation’s lobby and demanded to see the president, calling themselves a ‘customer’? There were assigned tasks and given authority depending on the job.

– Ah, I-.

“I am a busy person. As a chairman. I have. Personally. Responded. To your call. Please. Keep that in mind. Thank you.”

Click-.

Yuseora, who had decisively hung up the phone, leaned back in her chair as if collapsing.

It wasn’t because she wasn’t relieved.

“Hoo-. I’m shaking. Hong Gijun says he talks like this to politicians almost every day?”

My husband is amazing.

Before sending the official letter, Yuseora had sought advice from her father, Yoo Myung-sun, who had stepped down as honorary chairman.

– Are you looking for your father who came down to the countryside, even though you have a genius strategist by your side?

– “So, you don’t like it?”

– No, it’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that Gijun is better than me.

– “Okay, I’ll hang up.”

– No, you-.

Click.

What? It’s telling me to ask my husband.

So, she did as Hong Gijun had told her.

Support the athlete as they wish.

At first, she thought it was nothing much.

It was something that could be resolved if one side yielded.

“What a joke. Isn’t skipping the final exam a good thing?”

However, Jinhyuk’s stubbornness was unwavering.

The Athletics Federation, which only insisted on ‘athletic rights’ and regulations, was equally uncooperative.

Yuseora was the only one who was drained between the child and the adults who kept repeating the same thing.

But she couldn’t just slump down.

If she had given up because things weren’t working out, Yuseora wouldn’t have received the department store or the hotel from Chairman Yoo Myung-sun.

“Those punks are messing around. I’m Yuseora! Okay, next-.”

She was flipping through the pages to review the Asian Games regulations when she tilted her head. Unusually, her eyes narrowed.

Sigh-.

“These punks aren’t using me, are they?”

That couldn’t be.

Yuseora was definitely not someone who could be used.

Even if they did, it didn’t matter.

After all, Yuseora also needed to use Jinhyuk’s skills and her husband’s position.

“Ehehe-, no one makes money with my money-.”

She hummed as she shuffled through the documents.

There was no better way to promote the foundation than through international competition results.

To do that, they needed a star player, the star that Hong Gijun had thrown out as bait when he first introduced the idea of a sports foundation and management.

If that athlete won a prize, major overseas sports companies would offer sponsorship deals. There would also be advertising offers. Even if they didn’t come, it wasn’t a problem. Even just a couple of advertisements for Sein Electronics would bring in money, so what was there to worry about? The plan to use her husband was precisely with advertising revenue in mind.

‘What a lucky charm.’

After consulting with experts in Germany and the United States, they received a response that Jinhyuk’s growth was beyond what was expected of a junior athlete from the East.

From his starting motion to his finishing posture, there was nothing to criticize.

As her husband had said, he needed to grow without any constraints or interference.

Because he was the bluebird that would bring Yuseora honor.

***

There is no such thing as absolute in this world.

And it’s best to use a legal representative for matters that are difficult to handle directly.

“Yes. It’s been resolved well.”

Jinhyuk nodded lightly as he received the update from Min Yongrak. He was sweating all over from the aftermath of his intense training.

If he had been selected for the national team and then left the training camp for the exam, he would have been expelled. There had been quite a few athletes like that in the past.

There was no need to cite real cases; the logic that governed organizations and groups was like that. They demanded the unilateral sacrifice of individuals to protect the organization. Even if Jinhyuk had lived a secluded life, how could he not know such a principle?

But since he hadn’t participated in the first place, he didn’t have to worry about being expelled.

‘It’s better this way.’

He had been unsure of what to do, but Yuseora had actively advocated for Jinhyuk’s position, and Hong Gijun had provided appropriate support.

– Oppa! When you go to the army, I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to bring all my friends who do kendo, boxing, and taekwondo and punish you! Got it?

Grrr-.

She was supposed to be going through puberty, but she was more like an angry cat.

If Hong Sujeong hadn’t suddenly called and told him about her parents’ conversation along with her threatening words, the fact that Hong Gijun was behind Yuseora’s awakening would have been buried.

“You look tired, should we talk again after your workout?”

Min Yongrak asked worriedly, seeing Jinhyuk’s chest heaving.

“Whew-, it’s okay. I’m used to it.”

He replied, rinsed his mouth with water, and then gestured to Min Yongrak.

“The competition regulations state that athletes who have passed the qualifying record can participate even if they are not national representatives. According to the data sent by the competition committee secretariat here-”

「······ who have achieved ······ record can participate even if ······ not from the national team.」

The words were blurry due to his heavy breathing and exhaustion, but he could grasp the gist. Besides, Min Yongrak was already pointing out the key points.

“‘The best record of the season is the qualification for the competition.’ Ah, you know this too, right? It’s not that only national representatives can participate. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen such a regulation. It’s to give opportunities to as many athletes as possible, and it suddenly changed from the previous competition regulations.”

Jinhyuk rubbed his eyes and looked at the part Min Yongrak’s finger was pointing at.

「Athletes who have achieved the qualifying record can apply to participate regardless of their nationality, religion, or beliefs, based on the spirit of sportsmanship. However, all costs are to be borne by the individual.」

The reason why athletes who were skilled but couldn’t participate if they didn’t receive support from the country or association was in the appendix.

‘The costs would be airfare and accommodation, and the athletes who need to focus on their condition would be exhausted from handling all of that themselves.’

A chuckle escaped him.

Of course, Jinhyuk had someone to take care of the costs and schedule management, so it wasn’t even a hurdle for him. It was almost as if the regulations existed for him.

“The chairman seems to think it’s a good thing. Because she can make the federation look like a duck out of water.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Huh? Weren’t you going to participate as a free agent?”

Jinhyuk shook his head.

“It shouldn’t look like a power struggle, and I shouldn’t look like a victim.”