Volume 1: Our Own League 106: Class 10 Football Team Pushed to the Edge of the Cliff

Xu Donglai stood in front of the goal, confidently slipping on his gloves, and watched the penalty spot with quiet composure. There, Li Jie bent over and adjusted the football with focused determination. His movements carried an air of quiet confidence, free of any hesitation or hesitation.

The students from Class 10 on the stands erupted into applause. They saw the same unwavering spirit in Li Jie that had once promised them the league title. On the sidelines, Principal Wang felt a surge of emotion. This single kick could settle everything. With the match point already in their grasp, Class 10 only needed one more successful shot to claim the championship. In that victory, Song Yu would finally become the head coach of their school’s team, and the entire student body would celebrate.

Principal Wang smiled with genuine delight. He turned to Song Yu and asked, “Now do you still believe Class 16 has any chance of winning?”

By this point Song Yu had stopped feeling nervous. The futility of tension had become clear; he had already made peace with whatever outcome lay ahead. He offered a gentle smile. “I don’t know if Xu Donglai can save it. But I still believe in him. I still support him.”

Principal Wang’s brow furrowed. He had not expected Song Yu to remain so steadfast. After a long pause he replied, “Then we shall simply wait and see.”

The decisive moment had arrived. This one shot could break the game open.

The players on Class 10’s team were tense, yet their hearts raced with hope. They longed for Li Jie to send the ball into the net and seal the season’s victory. They could barely contain their impatience and yearned to rush onto the pitch.

The Class 16 players were equally tense, even more so. Every effort they had poured into the season now rested on this single kick. They stood with fists clenched, eyes locked on the field, their hearts hammering against their ribs.

Suddenly someone could endure no more. He turned his back on the goal, unable to watch. The pressure had grown unbearable. Others felt the same. Yet they remained where they were, standing shoulder to shoulder with their teammates, offering silent support to Xu Donglai.

The atmosphere on the field reached its highest pitch.

The two men most consumed by tension were the goalkeeper and the striker themselves. But Xu Donglai appeared completely at ease. He stood on the goal line, calm and steady, watching Li Jie exactly as he would during ordinary practice.

Song Yu gave Xu Donglai a thumbs-up. “This kid has a bright future ahead.”

Li Jie, the penalty taker, remained equally composed. After placing the ball, he fixed his gaze on the referee, as though silently urging the whistle to sound.

Xu He could not help but cheer. Li Jie was truly extraordinary.

In his heart he roared, “Old Li, come on! Take down Xu Donglai!”

The referee blew the whistle. The second penalty kick of the sixth round began.

Li Jie inhaled deeply, then launched into a powerful run-up. Xu Donglai leaned forward, ready to dive.

The moment of contact was at hand.

Li Jie struck the ball with ferocious force. It flew toward the upper right corner like a thunderbolt. The speed was blinding, yet Xu Donglai was faster. He launched himself forward, soaring through the air like a great eagle, and flung himself toward the same upper right corner of the goal. His hand stretched straight out, perfectly sealing the dead angle.

Song Yu leaped to his feet, face flushed with excitement.

A sharp crack echoed across the field. The Class 16 players exploded into celebration, jumping and shouting as though they had already won. Their joy looked almost delirious.

“Beautiful save! It really was Xu Donglai! You’ve got it in you!” Song Yu roared in pure delight.

Principal Wang stood stunned, unable to grasp what had just happened. The Class 10 players fell silent. They had not expected Li Jie to miss. Even Zhu Ge admitted the shot had been well placed—powerful, accurate, and perfectly aimed—yet it had been saved.

Xu Donglai was a devil.

Zhu Ge shook his head repeatedly, his heart sinking. The dream of winning the championship this season suddenly felt impossibly distant.

He turned to Zhong Haokun, eyes filled with worry. Zhong Haokun met his gaze and said coolly, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” Then he walked forward with resolute steps.

The Class 10 players watched him, moved by his courage. Zhong Haokun was truly a MAN.

The sixth round ended in a 3-3 tie. A seventh round would now be necessary.

The tension in the air was unbearable. Many players turned away, unable to watch. They wanted to see the outcome yet feared it at the same time.

Li Jie walked back, head bowed in shame. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I disappointed all of you.”

Xu He ran to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. “Old Li, you did great. That shot was high quality. This isn’t your fault. Xu Donglai is simply too strong.”

Zhu Ge and the others quickly joined in, offering comfort.

Yet Li Jie’s shoulders remained heavy with self-reproach. His sense of responsibility was fierce.

Xu He stayed close, arm around his friend’s shoulders, trying to steady him.

Principal Wang forced a wry smile. “It seems your judgment is excellent. Xu Donglai is no ordinary player. It appears our school has no chance with him.”

At that moment Principal Wang’s own certainty wavered. The victory scale seemed to lean heavily toward Class 16.

Song Yu gave a bitter laugh. “Anyone could win this match.”

He could not predict the outcome himself. All he could do was wait in silence.

The seventh round was about to begin.

Wang Xu stood ready at the penalty spot, filled with confidence. The miraculous save he had made earlier had given him a boost. He felt invincible, certain he could deny every striker.

He turned to the Class 16 number-seven player and declared, “You don’t need to waste your time. No matter how you shoot, I will save it. Today you won’t score.”

The number-seven player looked up at him and smiled. “Is that so? If you’re that strong, why are we still tied?”

Wang Xu’s brows snapped together. The number-seven was deliberately provoking him. “I’ll make you feel what true despair tastes like,” he thought.

The player remained calm. He prepared the ball, then stepped backward, retreating to a safe distance.

He glanced at the referee, clearly impatient.

The whistle blew. The seventh round began.

Without hesitation the number-seven player accelerated and struck the ball with full power. It rolled low and fast toward the lower right corner of the goal.

Wang Xu reacted instantly. He judged the trajectory and side-stepped out, hand stretched straight, sealing the angle.

Slap!

He blocked the shot.

But the ball glanced off the post and clanged into the goal.

4-3.

The number-seven player had scored. Class 16’s players erupted in screaming jubilation, leaping and hugging one another as though the match were already won.

Zhuo Jun roared, “Fantastic! Han Jun, you’re our hero!”

The entire Class 16 team surged forward, surrounding Han Jun in a wild celebration.

In front of the goal, Wang Xu stood stunned with rage and frustration. He had clearly saved the ball, yet luck had turned against him. He rose, kicked the post in fury, and vented his anger.

He hated that post. He hated himself even more.

That shot had been within his reach. He had simply missed his chance.

He yanked off his glove and slammed it into the turf, trying to release the tension.

Zhu Ge and the others sighed deeply, their hearts heavy with pain.

Wang Xu had played brilliantly—side saves of unmatched accuracy. Today he had shattered his own record. His talent had reached new heights. Unfortunately, his luck had been just a fraction too thin, and he had faced an unstoppable force in Xu Donglai.

Zhu Ge turned immediately to Zhong Haokun. The last hope of Class 10 now rested entirely on him. If Zhong Haokun missed, the team would lose the match and the championship.

Zhong Haokun’s pressure was crushing—far heavier than Li Jie’s had been. Missing this kick meant certain defeat. Living or dying depended solely on his shoulders.

Class 10 had been pushed to the very edge of the cliff.

Zhu Ge kept a straight face, saying nothing. He refused to add any more pressure on Zhong Haokun. At that moment only the player’s own inner strength mattered. Any outside word or gesture would only increase his burden.

Zhu Ge and the others simply stood by, silently supporting him.

Zhong Haokun took a deep breath and walked toward the penalty spot.