Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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David, who was about the same height as Woo Ji-hyun but nearly twice as broad, turned around with a kind smile.
Seeing this, Woo Ji-hyun thought that Westerners really did have different builds and followed behind David.
He worked out consistently himself, but there was no helping the fundamental difference in frame.
‘I started exercising too late. You have to start taking care of yourself from a young age.’
Woo Ji-hyun muttered bitterly to himself.
David’s broad back somehow filled him with a sense of self-loathing.
“Hello?”
“Whoa.”
Soon, upon being shown to his seat, Woo Ji-hyun was genuinely surprised by the man who greeted him first.
Standing before him was someone he’d only ever seen on TV, and even then only during live broadcasts.
“Nice to meet you, Writer Woo Ji-hyun. I’ve personally wanted to meet you for so long!”
“The pleasure’s mine, Player Lee Woo-hyung. I’m a fan myself!”
“Haha! I’m a fan of yours too.”
“Pardon?”
Woo Ji-hyun was surprised once again.
He never imagined Lee Woo-hyung would be a fan of his.
“I even brought all your books to get them signed.”
“Whoa.”
Lee Woo-hyung, with a physique as solid as David’s, grinned brightly and lifted a cardboard box.
Inside were all the volumes of *Maestro on the Field* released so far.
“Oh, and thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice, even though you must have your own schedule.”
“No, not at all. How could I pass up a chance to meet Lee Woo-hyung? Especially knowing how packed your Korea trip is.”
“I appreciate you saying that. Haha. Please, have a seat.”
Realizing they’d been standing since the greetings, Lee Woo-hyung hurriedly offered him a chair.
Woo Ji-hyun sat down in front of Lee Woo-hyung, still looking awkward.
David moved to the next table over, as if giving them space.
“What would you like?”
“I’ll have a caramel macchiato. You?”
“Ice Americano for me, please.”
“Got it. Just a moment.”
No sooner had they sat than the server returned with a smile, took their order, and headed back to the counter.
She cast a subtle glance at Lee Woo-hyung as she went.
As expected of the sports star heating up Korea, even the part-timer recognized him.
But the most surprising part was that Lee Woo-hyung knew who he was.
‘I didn’t expect him to have my books.’
When Lee Woo-hyung’s agent called yesterday, Woo Ji-hyun thought it was a prank.
He might not have even picked up if they hadn’t said who they were.
There were just so many voice phishing scams, insurance pitches, and smartphone upgrade offers.
That’s why Woo Ji-hyun ignored unknown numbers altogether.
If it was urgent or something had gone wrong, they’d text.
“I still can’t believe this. Me, sitting face-to-face with Lee Woo-hyung.”
“Same here. I’d hoped to meet you someday, but I figured it might never happen. There’s that societal prejudice against writers, right? Calling them weirdos and such.”
Lee Woo-hyung continued carefully.
You could see him choosing his words deliberately.
“There is some, but not that much. I’m not sure about pure literature, though. Different genres don’t mix much. Plus, I’m on the younger side.”
“How old are you, anyway? You know my age.”
“Born in ’87 too. Same as you, Lee Woo-hyung.”
“Whoa!”
Lee Woo-hyung’s eyes went wide.
He truly hadn’t expected Woo Ji-hyun to be the same age.
But Woo Ji-hyun had known already, so he wasn’t fazed.
“Haha. It’s not that shocking.”
“That explains why I felt such a connection! Wait, why don’t we drop the formalities? We’re the same age.”
“Uh...”
Just like when he’d suddenly called to meet up, Lee Woo-hyung was utterly straightforward.
He voiced his thoughts honestly and directly.
Woo Ji-hyun found himself flustered again.
“Oh, did I overstep?”
“Sure. No downside for me in being friends with Lee Woo-hyung.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but you might be the one losing out.”
Woo Ji-hyun switched to casual speech too.
It might seem mercenary, but there was no harm in getting close to Lee Woo-hyung.
From their conversation so far, he didn’t seem like a bad guy either.
“Maybe now. Who knows later? I’m at my peak, but you writers have a longer active career than athletes.”
“Not always. If you can’t deliver or it’s no fun, you get discarded and forgotten. That’s this industry.”
“But the path you’ve walked so far doesn’t look like it’ll vanish anytime soon.”
“You’ve read my previous works too?”
Woo Ji-hyun’s eyes widened.
It sounded like he’d read them all.
“Once I finished paying for *Maestro on the Field* up to the scheduled releases, I had nothing left to read. So I went through your whole backlog.”
“Martial arts stuff must’ve been tough. It’s a high barrier for new genre readers.”
“It was tricky at first, but it got fun. Living abroad, anything in Korean feels entertaining by default. It’s nostalgic too. Korean doesn’t show up unless you seek it out.”
“You’re an unusual guy.”
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled.
His first impression held: nothing ordinary about him.
Lee Woo-hyung beamed, taking it as a compliment.
“Living in France, your books gave me real comfort. And insight too. I didn’t have a system blessing like the protagonist in *Maestro on the Field*, but his hard work motivated me big time. Helped me rehab successfully, perform well in the league, and transfer to my current team.”
“I had no idea there was that backstory.”
“That’s why I had to meet you. If you’re writing soccer novels, you must love the sport. So I wanted to thank you in person and chat.”
“Amazing.”
The more Lee Woo-hyung spoke, the more Woo Ji-hyun felt sheer wonder.
Because in the future he remembered, Lee Woo-hyung didn’t exist.
In other words, like a butterfly effect, Woo Ji-hyun writing *Maestro on the Field* had changed the future.
“A miracle. I was just another prospect, but I ended up joining Borussia Dortmund, a Bundesliga powerhouse. Same position as the protagonist too.”
“Central midfielder mainly, but you can play defensive or attacking mid too.”
“My most comfortable spot is central midfield on the third line. So, when do I get those signatures?”
The cool demeanor from TV was gone; Lee Woo-hyung wore a puppy-like expression as he held out the cardboard box.
The very one containing *Maestro on the Field*.
“Your drinks are here.”
“Thank you.”
Right then, the coffee arrived.
Perfect timing from the part-timer.
As she set them down, she subtly offered paper and a pen.
“Um, if it’s not too much trouble, could I get an autograph?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you!”
“Want a photo too?”
Spotting Woo Ji-hyun grab the black Sharpie, Lee Woo-hyung grinned widely and spoke up.
The woman’s smile stretched ear to ear.
“That’d be amazing.”
“Haha, go ahead.”
Lee Woo-hyung nodded encouragingly at her enthusiastic bobbing and beaming.
She snapped a pic with her smartphone, then Lee Woo-hyung signed the fresh white paper—another autograph for the day.
“Thank you!”
“No problem.”
He flashed a relaxed smile at the part-timer, who bowed deeply with delight.
Once more, he felt his changed status.
The looks were worlds apart from his days on a Ligue 1 bottom-feeder.
‘But the higher you climb, the more humble you stay. Keep the tadpole days in mind.’
His position had flipped dramatically, but falling was always easier than rising.
And faster.
So Lee Woo-hyung vowed to himself again and again.
Never forget the past, cherish the present love and attention.
“Whew, my arm.”
“Ten books isn’t that many. Why complain?”
“Doesn’t come up often. Only done it for friends and family.”
“Really?”
Lee Woo-hyung brightened.
That meant they were extra rare.
He personally loved limited editions.
“But you read on Kakao Page—why buy the physical books?”
“Just *Maestro on the Field*. These are for collecting. And buying them lets me get personalized signatures like this.”
“I appreciate it, but still surprising. What’s so special about a signature from a writer like me?”
“What’re you talking about? You’re incredible. Got a talent I don’t. You influence more people, in a way. Look at me—I read your stuff and made this comeback. There could be more ‘second Lee Woo-hyungs’ out there.”
Woo Ji-hyun’s chest warmed at Lee Woo-hyung’s earnest gaze, utterly free of bias.
He felt an unfamiliar emotion.
A sense of exaltation.
“So don’t say that. Least of all you—you changed me.”
“Hearing that from you feels great. Alright, this coffee’s on me!”
“If you’re buying, make it drinks. More worthwhile.”
“Booze in broad daylight? I’m a writer, but no daytime drinking. You’ve got a schedule too.”
Woo Ji-hyun glanced out the window at the bright sun.
Too early for alcohol talk.
“Ad shoot and magazine interview. Won’t wrap till after midnight, probably. Wish I could ditch ’em and grab a drink with you. Truth is, I don’t have many real friends. Most ‘friends’ are rivals in disguise. Got some ball-busting buddies, but weirdly, you give off their vibe.”
“Purebred writer here. Different world from yours.”
“Doesn’t matter. We click—that’s key. And you’re a writer I respect!”
Woo Ji-hyun recoiled at Lee Woo-hyung’s oddly clingy stare.
It felt disgustingly off.
“Hey, cut that look. Feels gross.”
“Kukuku! For the record, I like women. No weird thoughts.”
“Dodged a bullet. Me too.”
“Come on, pic before we forget. Gotta have proof. With your signed copies.”
Lee Woo-hyung smirked, pulling out his smartphone and leaning in.
Woo Ji-hyun took out his too.
Each for their own shot.
“One each, take turns?”
“OK.”
“Can I post this on my Instagram?”
“Go for it. Was gonna ask the same.”
Lee Woo-hyung, who’d clearly been about to ask too, got an easy nod from Woo Ji-hyun.