My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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Manchester United received an enormous welcome as they landed at the airport.

A brief fan service took place, followed by a casual interview.

“How do you feel about visiting China?”

In response to the reporter’s question directed at Ronaldo.

‘Ready, Si?’

‘Of course, Wu.’

I exchanged quick glances with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I love Beijing Tiananmen. SIUUUUUU─!”

Ronaldo declared his love for Beijing Tiananmen in Chinese.

Immediately, the atmosphere at the airport, which had been welcoming Manchester United’s players, shifted completely.

“….Wow─!”

A passionate cheer began to erupt from the Chinese soccer fans, breaking the brief silence at the airport.

“Just like the club Dongfangzhou played for. They don’t just see China as a cash cow, they treat it properly!”

The friendly gazes of Chinese reporters were directed toward Ronaldo and the Manchester United squad.

“Wéidà Lǐngzhǔ Máo Zhǔxí! (Great Leader Chairman Mao!)”

As one Chinese person began to sing a children’s song, the tune titled “I Love Beijing Tiananmen” echoed through the airport.

If Koreans saw this scene, they might think that spring had come to Beijing.

“Zìyǐn Wǒmen Xiàng Qiánjìn! (Leads us forward!)”

Unlike in Korea, the perception of Beijing Tiananmen as a symbol of democracy didn’t exist in China, making this possible.

In fact, the children’s song “I Love Beijing Tiananmen” contained lyrics praising Mao Zedong and the Communist Party, to the extent that it was included in Chinese textbooks.

If I had brought up Beijing Tiananmen, it would have sparked controversy online among people humorously well-acquainted with Korean culture.

However, since I was a Portuguese who had always extended friendly gestures toward China, no such controversy existed.

Even now, a warm atmosphere was being established in the press conference room.

This was all a high-level strategy to gain favor with both Korea and China with a single statement.

‘Ah. Come to think of it, could it be that Tiananmen is used as a talisman in Korea in the future?’

Then I wouldn’t have had a problem mentioning it, right?

Well, anyway, Cristiano Ronaldo, who gained favor with Chinese reporters and the Chinese audience thanks to my advice, answered the reporter’s question earnestly.

“Hard work is valuable. Always strive hard!”

Thus, Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview came to an end.

The finale was my turn, as a fellow Asian, a beacon of Asian football, and the first Asian to win the Ballon d’Or.

The interview unfolded in a cheerful atmosphere.

Even though I did not outwardly embrace the pro-China stance like Ronaldo, the Chinese reporters and soccer fans were friendly toward me simply for being a fellow Asian.

Huh. Was the THAAD issue still a concern?

“You recently appeared on ‘Walking Man’ in Korea….”

It seemed that the ‘ban on Korean cultural imports’ hadn’t been lifted yet.

“It was my first variety show appearance, and I think it was a good experience.”

Anyway, I thoroughly answered the questions from the Chinese reporters.

Perhaps it was because the Chinese government was paying attention, but only established reporters seemed to have gathered, and there were no abrupt situations.

As a result, my mind began to drift elsewhere.

‘Huh? THAAD Rocketman Junior? This is totally….’

I quickly shook my head to regain my focus.

One slip of the tongue could lead to an experience of mysterious transformations for the human body.

Well… just kidding.

Being a world-famous sports star, I wouldn’t become enigmatic.

Instead, Manchester United might miss out on the sweet China money.

Anyway, when I abruptly shook my head, the Chinese reporters stared at me in confusion.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to concentrate due to fatigue.”

Revealing the exhaustion from the busy schedule, the reporters smiled and moved on.

Then just as the entrance interview was about to conclude in a very good atmosphere, a reporter who hadn’t even been given a chance to speak suddenly raised his hand and attempted to ask a question.

“How does it feel to visit your ancestors’ hometown?!”

I couldn’t help but retort in Korean to the strange question from the following Chinese reporter.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Then, whether by coincidence or not, I never saw that reporter again after that day.

***

[The crowd welcoming me at Beijing International Airport.]

[Son Jinho enjoys the most popularity at the Chinese airport….]

[Son Jinho, who became a pride of Asia beyond South Korea.]

[Cristiano Ronaldo says in an interview with Chinese media, “I love Beijing Tiananmen.”]

[Son Jinho expresses his gratitude to Chinese soccer fans who cheer him on.]

[After being asked a rude question by a Chinese reporter, Son Jinho says in an interview with another reporter, “I am pure Korean. Changing one’s root is something that cannot happen in Confucian cultures, and I believe that it is a very rude act.”]

└ These bastards are not just revamping the Northeast Project, now they’re going after the Hubei Project too, damn it.

└ Hubei Project?

└ It’s saying that Son Jinho is actually a descendant of Chinese people, nonsense.

└ I once saw a post claiming he was a descendant of the Monkey King, lolololol.

└ Wasn’t that just a joke?

[Son Jinho, after the rude question from the Chinese reporter, in an interview with another journalist…. “I am pure Korean. And changing one’s roots is something that cannot happen in Confucian cultures, and I believe it is a very rude act.”]

└ What was the Chinese reaction?

└ They’re apologizing on SNS saying they’re sorry to Son Jinho.

└ ??? Why is that the normal reaction?

└ He’s been on the news too often as the town idiot, but there are actually quite a few people with common sense.

└ By the way, seems like the Chinese journalist is quite serious too.

└ Journalists make money from views, so they’re probably trying to get more sensational lately.

***

[Title: Son Jinho’s Education of the Chinese Reporter Video .avi]

While the video of Manchester United’s entry interview was heating up online with the title of “Son Jinho’s Education of the Rude Chinese Reporter,” time flew by quickly.

After finishing our sightseeing with a commemorative photo at Beijing Tiananmen, we headed to the Beijing National Stadium, where the game against the Chinese All-Stars would take place.

Over 80,000 fans filled the stands to see us.

[China, people flocking to see the match between Manchester United and the Chinese All-Stars. Record-high ticket prices….]

The ticket prices just to get autographs from the Chinese fans were beyond imagination.

“Chris.”

“Why are you calling me, Son Jinho?”

“Today, you can freely unleash Ronaldo.”

I decided to release Cristiano Ronaldo from his seal for the best match before the game started.

I thought that nothing could beat Ronaldo in terms of fan service at the birthplace of Shaolin Soccer.

And it also served as a form of safety measure.

Though most people say that Shaolin Soccer is too rough, in front of Ronaldo, they would just be mere commoners.

“?”

Cristiano Ronaldo had a puzzled expression at my sudden unleashing.

“Son Jinho, I’ve told you time and again that conversations need flow.”

Though he started to grumble, I lightly ignored him and gathered my thoughts.

‘Let all the aggro go to Ronaldo!’

Then shortly afterwards.

With the whistle of the Chinese referee, the match began with the kickoff from the Chinese All-Stars.

I panicked for a moment at the unheard maneuver (mental attack) of the Chinese player hopping from one foot to another on the spot.

But I quickly regained my composure and succeeded in lightly tackling the ball.

“Jino!”

Along with the successful tackle, I heard Ilkay Gündoğan’s voice.

The counterattack that started at my toes connected through Ilkay Gündoğan to Cristiano Ronaldo.

“SIUUUUUU─!”

Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly finished the pass aimed at him, scoring the opening goal just three minutes into the game.

‘Got it. Now all aggro is directed toward Ronaldo!’

As Ronaldo celebrated the goal with his “hoo” celebration, I secretly clenched my fist in joy.

From now on, all the aggro would be directed at Ronaldo.

While Ronaldo was tanking the Chinese players, I just had to coordinate with my teammates to score additional goals.

In reality, after the first goal, the Chinese All-Stars began to play Shaolin Soccer more seriously.

But strangely, contrary to my expectations.

The concentrated focus of the Chinese players was directed not at Ronaldo, who had just scored, but at me, a fellow Asian.

They started pulling at my uniform and throwing me onto the ground.

Even pretending to clear the ball, they began kicking at my legs.

‘What is this? Is it because I’m an Asian that they think I’m an easy target?’

The fact that they underestimated me began to fill me with growing anger.

As the continued rough play from the Chinese players increased my anger levels, I erupted at a foul where a Chinese player collided roughly with me from behind, regardless of the ball.

“Chāonǐmā! Nǐ qīpāile ma?”

I unleashed the biggest swear I could muster in Chinese and swung full contact at the barren mountain passing by.

Crack─!

Then, I froze upon seeing the figure of the person whose uniform I had knocked off.

Oh.

No way.

“Damn it.”

It was the referee.