Chapter 130 A New Beginning in 2022...
2022 marked a new beginning, seemingly a time of great promise. The new cycle for the 2026 Winter Olympics officially began. Lin Shan resumed training, planning to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics before retiring. She shared her thoughts with Ren Xiyao and the team during the off-season. The day she received the news, Ren Xiyao sat alone in her study for a long time. After the Beijing Winter Olympics, she too had considered retiring at 28. She was already a veteran, and few athletes continued to compete at the highest level, so she too needed to start making new plans.
She had previously completed her master's degree in art history and had always wanted to pursue further studies. From the moment she chose art history and theory in university, she had harbored the idea of conducting academic research. Now, it was time to put that on the agenda. However, for athletes, taking a new step always takes time, and besides, she always felt she could still give it her all. Therefore, at the start of the new season, she returned to her club for continued acclimatization training.
Of course, this ice rink sees many come and go; after each Olympics, it becomes a huge crossroads. Some stay, but many others choose to start a new life. For example, Kim Suk-yeon announced a hiatus from competition until she completes her technical adjustments, and then there are Lee Eun-jung and Rita. Rita is 30 years old this year, so she had already decided before participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics that this would be her last Winter Olympics.
As for Lee Eun-jung, she has also suffered from constant injuries over the years. The infighting within the South Korean team has been fierce, and she has struggled to maintain her balance. Now, in her words, it's about time to embark on a new chapter in her life. The day after the competition, the four of them chatted for a long time in the Olympic Village cafeteria. It felt like they had returned to their carefree, spirited youth. Back then, their words were filled with anticipation, and they radiated youthful energy. It was the confidence of youth.
Now, time and experience have taken away youthful arrogance, leaving behind composure, resentment, and unavoidable injuries. In the end, everyone left with regrets; only those involved truly understand that in competitive sports, no one can achieve true perfection. The familiar faces on the ice are dwindling. The time spent with close friends is also running out. Even though Ren Xiyao doesn't consider herself a sentimental person, this sense of loss occasionally creeps into her heart when she's alone.
However, Ren Xiyao has no plans to participate in the 2022-2023 season. She has suffered numerous injuries over the years, and is also getting older. Whether she competes for the 2026 Winter Olympics or not, she will need time to recover. Lin Shan, on the other hand, has participated in domestic elite leagues. However, she has not returned to the national team.
As winter approached, leaves trembled on the branches, and the ground was carpeted with withered yellow. Ren Xiyao returned to her alma mater in Beijing and met with her mentor. An idea had been brewing for a long time.
"Come in." The professor's voice came from inside the door. Ren Xiyao straightened her clothes and pushed the door open.
When Professor Zhang looked up, his glasses slipped down to the tip of his nose. After recognizing the person, he smiled and said, "Oh, an Olympic champion has graced us with his presence."
"Teacher." Ren Xiyao couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. She placed her paper on the table and said, "I came here today to discuss something with you."
"Visiting scholar?" Professor Zhang glanced at the documents on the table, pushed up his glasses, and the steam from the teacup in his hand blurred his lenses. "I thought you would apply for a PhD directly."
Ren Xiyao sat across the desk, her fingers unconsciously stroking her bag strap, reminding her of the nervousness she felt as a child waiting for the coach to announce the selection list. She was actually a little apprehensive. This was the decision she had made recently.
"I haven't decided whether to continue skating yet." She said honestly, "The visiting scholar position can give me some time to think it through."
Professor Zhang flipped through her thesis page by page until he reached the last page. After tidying up the papers, he pulled out a form from his drawer: "Professor White of the Art History Department at NYU is collaborating with me. He asked about you last year."
Ren Xiyao was taken aback. He had recommended her undergraduate thesis to an international academic conference. She had been genuinely surprised at the time.
“But visiting scholars need an institution’s recommendation.” Professor Zhang tapped the form: “As for the national team…”
"I'll go and file a report."
The ginkgo leaves outside the window fluttered down. Ren Xiyao recalled that when she left Las Vegas in 2016, she had said the same thing to Kwon Ji-yong: "I'm going to compete."
This time, however, the finish line was blurred.
On the last day of 2022, snowflakes began to fall slowly in Seoul, making this year's first snowfall a little late. YG Entertainment, one of the three long-established entertainment giants, has experienced numerous ups and downs. It seems like a long time has passed since its former glory. Three years have passed since Kwon Ji-yong's discharge from the military. And his long-planned decision is quietly beginning to be implemented at this time.
In YG's recording studio, after listening to Kwon Ji-yong's new demo, Taeyang frowned so deeply he could have trapped a mosquito: "Your song... is too straightforward."
Kwon Ji-yong fiddled with his lighter and said casually, "Anyway, they wouldn't understand metaphors. Besides, they probably wouldn't even be able to post them. And does it really make a difference to them? As long as it makes money and has commercial value, I reckon they'd post it even if it was written more bluntly."
"Are you really sure? The company won't let you go so easily." Taeyang's tone was full of worry. They were in the same industry. The methods in the entertainment industry are really dirty. To keep someone, they'll do anything. The entire industry has been in a slump these past few years. It's not easy to have even one artist who can carry the show. Not to mention their company, which has experienced so many ups and downs over the years. It can't withstand too much more turmoil. With a pillar like Kwon Ji-yong, YG Entertainment will not let him go easily.
Kwon Ji-yong, on the other hand, simply hummed indifferently.
Seeing him like this, the sun sighed softly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Because of music... or... because of her?"
Kwon Ji-yong looked at the calendar on the wall: "Because of everything."
This includes whether he can freely buy a plane ticket, whether he can freely go where he wants to go, and even the romantic scandals that the company has orchestrated and manipulated over the years, and even... including the number he has saved in his phone for six years but has never dialed.
"Can't we wait a little longer? Now..."
"Three years after three years, how many more three years will there be? After my military service, I really wanted to start over. In these three years, no one dared to make any rash moves, and I also sought stability by renewing my contract. What did I get in return? A barrage of scandals and an inescapable bond. Did they ever truly respect me for even a moment? Youngbae, I'm really afraid of living like I did back then."
A silence spread between the two. Each was lost in their own thoughts.
The silence was broken when the lawyer knocked and entered. Kwon Ji-yong snapped out of his daze and handed the contract on the table to the lawyer: "Article three, no."
The lawyer glanced at the contract, wiped his sweat, and said, "The board insists on retaining the song's copyright..."
"Let them write their own songs." Kwon Ji-yong twirled the dark jade ring on his left ring finger, a ring he hadn't taken off since his discharge from the military. Now, he truly didn't care what others thought. Five years had passed in the blink of an eye, and he was increasingly unable to suppress his feelings.
“Tell them I can keep the ‘YG producer’ title, but the music copyrights must belong to me.” Kwon Ji-yong twirled the jade ring on his left hand: “Also, the overseas tour rights for the group’s comeback will not be exclusive.”
The lawyer's forehead was covered in sweat as he spoke: "This... is too forceful."
"What kind of contract termination is it if you don't take a firm stance?"
Footsteps suddenly echoed down the corridor. Kwon Ji-yong snatched the documents from his lawyer and quickly flipped to an unrelated page. The door opened, and it was Park, the head of the publicity team: "Ji-yong, MBC wants to make a documentary about you..."
"I'm busy," Kwon Ji-yong smiled. "I'm preparing a new album."
After Minister Park left, the lawyer asked in a low voice, "Are you really going to start your own firm?"
The sun witnessed the entire process. It merely sighed softly. Both it and Kwon Ji-yong had been with this company since they were thirteen or fourteen, staying for over twenty years. Twenty years is a long time; even broken bones are connected by tendons, and separation isn't easy. This was the company's biggest bargaining chip. His new company also had intricate connections with YG. Even so, his contract termination wasn't smooth sailing, let alone Kwon Ji-yong's. It probably wouldn't be easy either. But it also knew that Kwon Ji-yong had likely had enough over the years. This time, even if it meant suffering greatly, he was leaving. It was all it took for him to succeed. The sun could only silently pray for him.
The New Year's clock struck. Time had passed unnoticed, and it was now January 2023, with occasional bursts of fireworks in the distance. Ren Xiyao finished her application report for visiting scholar position in the school library, while the howling north wind and bare branches outside the window created a desolate winter symphony.
They are still separated by contracts, studies, and unresolved decisions.
At the end of her report, Ren Xiyao wrote: "Proposed application period: April 2024 - March 2025".
Kwon Ji-yong was repeatedly revising the content of the contract termination and negotiations.
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Author's Note: I've seen many comments asking when they'll get together; there should be about five or six more chapters. [Heart emoji] Also, if anyone has a specific theme they'd like to see, please leave it in the comments section. It'll give me some inspiration for side stories. [Heart emoji][Heart emoji] Enjoy reading! Thank you everyone!
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