Volume One: Our Own League 108: Remember This Bitter Taste

It was over—the first season of the seventh-grade soccer league at Jinguancheng No. 17 Middle School had come to an end.

The league champion had been officially crowned.

But the champion was not Xu He’s Class Ten soccer team.

Nor was it the team universally recognized as the strongest in the league.

Instead, it was the Class Sixteen soccer team—an unexpected contender no one had anticipated before the season began.

A dark horse.

A chillingly dark horse.

Even now, after the league had concluded, many refused to believe that Class Sixteen had actually won the championship. Even many players on the Class Sixteen team found it hard to accept—they felt like it was all a dream, too surreal to be true.

They even pinched themselves hard, and only when they felt the sharp sting of pain did they realize it was real: their Class Sixteen soccer team had claimed the league championship.

Ecstasy.

The players of Class Sixteen erupted in joyous celebration.

It was no less than winning the grand lottery.

The Class Sixteen players began to revel in their triumph.

Xu He stood there, stunned, watching it all, his heart heavy with bitterness.

He had been so confident before the match. He had believed that their Class Ten team was destined to claim the championship. Everyone thought so—they had no doubt they would win.

But now, the bitter taste of defeat washed over him.

He was young and found it hard to bear; his nose tingled with unshed tears.

Yet he did not let the tears fall.

He vowed to himself to remember this moment—the sour, bitter, painful feeling—and told himself he would only endure it once in his life. There would never be a second time.

Xu He clenched his fists tightly and vowed fiercely in his heart.

Once he returned, he would train twice as hard. What was lost today, he would win back with his own hands in the future.

His gaze grew resolute; his heart hardened.

Losing was not the fear.

What was truly frightening was losing all courage after defeat.

And Xu He refused to lose his courage.

He turned to look at his teammates, seeing faces etched with confusion and pain. Clearly, none of them had expected to lose this match.

After all, they were the strongest team at Jinguancheng No. 17 Middle School. Their opponents were widely underestimated; many believed Class Sixteen had only made it to the final by sheer luck. There was no way that team could defeat Class Ten.

Yet, in the end, the winner was Class Sixteen.

Class Ten’s players were dazed, unsure how they had lost.

Of course, their hearts were heavy with pain.

They had sacrificed so much for this championship—training hard every day, playing with utmost seriousness during matches. They had even given up extra tutoring sessions and other hobbies, all for this league title.

But today, they realized all their efforts had amounted to nothing.

Their mood was understandably dreadful.

It was no wonder some could not hold back bitter tears, some struggling to accept the harsh reality.

Even Zhu Ge’s face was clouded with confusion and anguish.

Clearly, he had not expected to lose this game. He had already planned how to celebrate their victory—he had even booked a small restaurant to host a championship party for the team.

Alas, all those plans were now useless.

Class Ten had lost to Class Sixteen, losing the league title.

Bitter.

Unbearably bitter.

Zhu Ge shook his head repeatedly, staring up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, fighting back tears.

Beside him, Muyang was no better. Though his face did not show confusion, the pain was evident. He too had never imagined losing the championship.

His heart ached deeply; his mood was terrible.

Suddenly, Muyang stepped forward two paces and, burdened with guilt, said, “I’m sorry, everyone. The loss is my fault.”

Xu He and the others were stunned.

None of them expected Muyang to say that. The defeat was not his fault alone—it was all of theirs. Before the match, they had all underestimated Class Sixteen. The responsibility for the loss should not rest on Muyang’s shoulders alone.

Zhu Ge immediately snapped to attention, turning to Muyang and saying, “No, it’s not your fault. It’s mine. I was too optimistic and underestimated Class Sixteen before the match. The loss is entirely my responsibility—I failed. I’m sorry, everyone.”

After speaking, Zhu Ge bowed deeply in apology.

Xu He and the others all waved their hands, saying, “No, no! The defeat is not your fault alone. It’s the responsibility of all of us. We played the match together—it wasn’t just you.”

Muyang shook his head slightly and said, “The way the team ended up is my fault. As the interim coach, I bear a great deal of responsibility. I should be the one apologizing to everyone. I’m sorry.”

Everyone was momentarily taken aback; none had expected Muyang to acknowledge the fault lay in coaching.

That was something they had never considered.

Muyang continued, “I didn’t bring out the best in this team, nor did I devise the right tactics. Though we performed well and won many matches, most of the time it was just individual efforts that carried us through... I’m sorry, that’s all my fault.”

Looking at Muyang’s determined gaze, no one knew what to say.

Of course, Xu He watched Muyang anxiously. Even so, he didn’t believe it was Muyang’s fault. Muyang had already taught them so much. Let’s not forget, Muyang was barely older than them, and he had done remarkably well.

This was definitely not on Muyang.

Xu He immediately said, “Muyang, this isn’t your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault alone. The loss is the responsibility of all of us.”

At last, a faint smile appeared on Muyang’s cold face, but Xu He and the others could not smile back.

Muyang said, “I failed to lead the team well—that’s the truth, and it’s my responsibility. No one can deny that.”

Hearing this, everyone looked at Muyang with concern.

Muyang apologized sincerely: “I’m sorry for not leading everyone to the championship we should have won. This is my responsibility. So I think, starting today, I will no longer serve as the team’s coach.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Watching Muyang’s uncharacteristic behavior, everyone felt heartbroken.

Usually, Muyang was a man of few words, cool and composed. But now, he had spoken so much, and on his face there was no trace of his usual coolness—only endless pain and despair.

Xu He and the others were deeply moved.

Looking at that lonely figure, Xu He suddenly shouted, “Muyang, this isn’t your fault!”

Muyang’s body trembled slightly, then he quickened his pace and left the field.

Everyone’s mood was heavy.

But none of them blamed Muyang—indeed, this loss was not his alone; it was the responsibility of all of them. They even felt somewhat sorry toward Muyang. He had taught them so much, but they had not fully learned or demonstrated it. Had they done so, the championship would surely have been theirs.

It wasn’t Muyang who had let them down—it was they who had let Muyang down.

Li Jie approached and embraced Xu He.

Neither spoke.

Yet they both felt the shared weight of sorrow.

Meanwhile, they saw the Class Sixteen players celebrating wildly—joyful like children, jumping and shouting.

At that moment, Xu He noticed Xu Donglai.

His hand seemed to be slightly injured, wrapped in bandages.

Yet his face bore no pain, only boundless joy. He ran across the field, sprinting alongside his teammates, ecstatically rejoicing.

It was clear the injury wasn’t severe; otherwise, he would have gone to the hospital.

Beside him, Zhuo Jun was also visibly excited and elated.

Perhaps they too had not expected to win, which explained their overwhelming excitement.

Soon, the awards ceremony began.

Unlike professional soccer, the runner-up at Jinguancheng No. 17 Middle School did not go on stage to receive any awards. There were no prizes for second place. This ceremony was solely for the champions; others were barely involved.

Moreover, in this inaugural seventh-grade league season, there were no awards for top scorer, best player, most assists, or best team—only one prize existed.

Yes, it was that simple.

Yet, despite the simplicity, Xu He and his peers had poured their hearts and souls into this league, offering sweat, effort, joy, and bitterness.

Xu He stood quietly to the side, eyes fixed on the podium, filled with envy.

He longed to stand on that stage, lifting the championship trophy.

Alas, this season it was impossible.

On stage stood Principal Wang and former national youth team coach Song Yu, clearly today’s award presenters.

At this moment, Xia Xinyi was hosting the ceremony.

The young girl radiated brilliance, commanding the event with remarkable poise.

Yet, no one noticed the sorrow beneath her composure—the pain for her idol Lin Xuefeng, who had not won the championship.

Today, they had come to support Lin Xuefeng, even coordinating their outfits, choreographing cheer dances, and shouting encouragements, hoping to see him ascend to the highest podium. But Lin Xuefeng’s team had lost.

They did not blame Lin Xuefeng; they only felt deep pity for him.

However, during the ceremony, Xia Xinyi showed no hint of these emotions, flawlessly hosting the entire event.

On stage, Song Yu and Principal Wang handed out championship medals and bouquets to Class Sixteen’s players, offering their congratulations and blessings.

When it came to Zhuo Jun and Xu Donglai, Song Yu lingered in conversation, openly expressing his admiration for them.

Xu He and the others watched with unabashed envy.

They all knew that Zhuo Jun and Xu Donglai had left a deep impression on Song Yu—it was possible these two might even be selected for the national youth team in the future.

Pure envy. Naked envy.

Then Xu He saw Song Yu pass the championship trophy to Zhuo Jun.

Surrounded by his jubilant teammates, Zhuo Jun raised the symbol of their victory high above his head.

The Class Sixteen players chanted in unison, “We are the champions! We are the league champions!”

Seeing this, Xu He’s heart filled with bitterness.

At the same time, his resolve hardened.

He vowed to train twice as hard when he returned, determined to stand on that podium next season and claim the league championship himself.