Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 12: Everyone Needs a Goal

Mu Yang stared at Xu He for a long time, then sighed and said to Zhu Ge beside him, “The problem is serious.”

Zhu Ge, also watching Xu He, was taken aback by this, then nodded slightly.

Indeed, Xu He’s issues were significant.

This was quite different from what he’d previously imagined; Xu He was not as formidable as he’d believed, and his shortcomings had been glaringly exposed during today’s training match.

Mu Yang spoke coolly, “That’s enough for today. Dismissed!”

Without waiting for a response, he turned decisively, walked over to the goalpost, picked up his backpack, and strode away.

Clean and efficient, without a trace of hesitation.

Cool!

Even Zhu Ge, who was familiar with Mu Yang, was surprised by his swift and resolute manner.

He gave a wry smile, turned and asked, “Hey, you’re leaving now? We’re going to play Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 later, aren’t you coming?”

As a football enthusiast, Zhu Ge was naturally a devoted fan of Pro Evolution Soccer. Recently, KONAMI had just released the 2010 edition.

Zhu Ge had already arranged with some teammates to play together after practice, and he’d intended to invite Mu Yang as well.

Mu Yang didn’t reply or look back, simply raised his right hand and waved it from side to side, leaving everyone with a cool silhouette.

Seeing that stylish figure, Zhu Ge chuckled, “That guy…”

Xu He was utterly amazed, “So cool! That’s just too cool!”

Hearing this, Zhu Ge frowned slightly and thought to himself, “This boy still has the energy to admire others? Looks like I need to have a word with him!”

With that in mind, Zhu Ge walked toward Xu He.

Xu He’s issues were indeed serious, and as team captain, Zhu Ge felt it necessary to give him a reminder.

“Lin Xuefeng, here, have some water!”

Just as Zhu Ge approached Xu He, a crisp and urgent voice rang out, and a figure dashed past him so suddenly that he was startled.

Who was that? So fierce?

Zhu Ge focused his gaze and saw a slender, tall girl with twin ponytails, wearing a school uniform, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola in both hands as she hurried to Lin Xuefeng, her large, sparkling eyes fixed on him, filled with shining stars.

Behind her, a group of girls followed eagerly, crowding around Lin Xuefeng.

This flock of lively girls surrounded Lin Xuefeng, chattering away, “Lin Xuefeng, you’re amazing! I adore you, we’re your fan club. Lin Xuefeng, keep it up, keep it up!”

Zhu Ge glanced at the girls, then at Lin Xuefeng, and sighed inwardly, “No wonder he’s the idol of all the girls in the school!”

Of course, Xu He was green with envy.

Lin Xuefeng was exceedingly popular with the girls.

Xu He stared intently at the ponytailed girl, a thoughtful expression on his face. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was Xia Xinyi, the host at the freshman welcoming ceremony.

And she had just started the first year of junior high.

It was said that at the affiliated elementary school of Jingan City No. 17 Middle School, she was already a prominent figure.

He hadn’t expected someone so outstanding to be part of Lin Xuefeng’s fan club.

At that moment, Xia Xinyi, her bright eyes fixed on Lin Xuefeng, handed him the Coca-Cola with poise, saying, “Lin Xuefeng, please have some water!”

Lin Xuefeng was not surprised to see Xia Xinyi. He looked at the Coca-Cola in her hands, then at his teammates, seeming a bit hesitant.

Xia Xinyi seemed to sense his dilemma and immediately turned to the football team, saying, “Everyone come over here! Our Lin Xuefeng fan club is treating everyone to water. Go over there to get it!”

Everyone looked in the direction Xia Xinyi pointed and saw two crates of drinks set out—one crate of Coca-Cola, one of mineral water.

Clearly, Xia Xinyi had come well-prepared.

Zhong Haokun immediately said, “Hahaha, thanks to Host Xia and Xuefeng! I won’t be polite. Come on, brothers, let’s go for a drink!”

With that, Zhong Haokun walked over, grabbed a bottle of Coca-Cola, and started gulping it down.

The other players swarmed over as well, grabbing the drinks they preferred and thanking Xia Xinyi.

After all this, Xia Xinyi turned and looked at Lin Xuefeng with her sparkling eyes.

Lin Xuefeng gave a wry smile, took the Coca-Cola from Xia Xinyi, twisted it open, took a sip, and said, “Thank you!”

With that, Lin Xuefeng said his farewells and prepared to leave.

Zhu Ge immediately called out, “Hey, Lin! Join us for Pro Evolution Soccer later!”

Lin Xuefeng shook his head slightly and said, “Not today. My family signed me up for a math class, I have to go. You guys play.”

With that, Lin Xuefeng waved to Xu He in farewell.

Seeing Lin Xuefeng leave, Xia Xinyi quickly caught up and said, “I think I’m in that class too. Let’s go together!”

Xu He hadn’t recovered his composure even after Lin Xuefeng and Xia Xinyi had left.

At some point, Zhu Ge appeared beside Xu He and said, “Hey, wake up, what are you staring at?”

Xu He snapped out of it and, seeing it was Zhu Ge, immediately said, “Captain, you wanted to see me?”

Zhu Ge nodded, “Yes.”

Xu He asked, “Captain, what do you want with me?”

Zhu Ge didn’t answer right away, but looked in the direction Lin Xuefeng had left and said, “Do you want to be like Lin, the idol of all the girls in school?”

Xu He was confused, “Huh?”

Zhu Ge rolled his eyes, “Don’t hide it, there’s nothing wrong with admiring Lin! Plenty of people envy him!”

Xu He paused, realizing he did envy Lin Xuefeng.

However, it wasn’t Lin Xuefeng’s status as the school’s heartthrob that he admired, but the recognition Lin received for his abilities. He wished for his own strength to be acknowledged and celebrated as well.

Seeing Xu He’s reaction, Zhu Ge patted his shoulder, saying, “It’s good to admire him!”

Xu He looked at Zhu Ge, who continued, “Everyone needs a goal. Only then can you push yourself to improve and become a better version of yourself.”

Xu He was somewhat bewildered, not quite understanding.

Zhu Ge snorted, “Hopeless!”

Xu He exchanged a bewildered glance with Li Jie beside him; both were lost.

Zhu Ge said, “Alright, enough about that. Xu He, what are your thoughts on today’s training match?”

At this, Xu He grew serious.

Thinking back to the match, his mood grew heavier.

He said, “Captain, this match made me realize I have many shortcomings. My skills are still lacking.”

It was the truth; the game had truly shown him the gap between himself and his teammates.

Xu He’s attitude pleased Zhu Ge, who said, “Do you know what your biggest issue is right now?”

At this, Zhu Ge was very serious.

Xu He’s gaze darkened. “Yes, my shooting skills are terrible!”

Zhu Ge nodded; it seemed Xu He was quite self-aware.

Zhu Ge said, “That’s right. Your shooting is really poor right now. You need to practice more. You know our goal is the championship. If your shooting isn’t up to standard, you’ll barely get a chance to play!”

Xu He grew even more serious. “Don’t worry, Captain, I’ll work hard to improve my shooting!”

Zhu Ge nodded. “That’s best.”

With that, Zhu Ge prepared to leave.

Some things only needed a hint; there was no need to go into detail, especially as he and Xu He weren’t particularly close.

After a few steps, Zhu Ge stopped, turned, and said to Xu He and Li Jie, “Haokun and I are going to play Pro Evolution Soccer. Want to join?”

Li Jie looked at Xu He, who immediately shook his head. “Captain, I’ll pass. I want to stay and practice my shooting.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ge’s eyes lit up with approval.

He said to Xu He, “Good! Keep practicing. I believe you’ll succeed!”

Zhu Ge didn’t offer excessive praise; his gaze said it all.

Xu He said, “Thank you for the encouragement, Captain. I’ll do my best!”

Zhu Ge nodded, then looked at Li Jie.

Li Jie said, “I’ll stay and practice with Xu for a bit. I have to go home for tutoring later; my mom arranged it for me.”

Seeing Li Jie’s response, Zhu Ge didn’t press further.

He added, “Don’t practice too late, or you’ll affect tomorrow’s training.”

Xu He and Li Jie replied, “Okay, Captain, we won’t let tomorrow’s training be affected!”

Zhu Ge nodded and waved goodbye before leaving.

He hadn’t gone far when Xu He said to Li Jie, “Come on, Li, practice shooting with me a bit longer!”

Li Jie replied, “Let’s do it!”

Li Jie walked to the goal, ready to act as goalkeeper and ball boy.

Having placed the football, Xu He took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing the steps of shooting. When he’d gone through the process in his mind, he started his run-up, mimicking the actions he’d imagined, and struck the ball hard.

“Go, this time it’s the bottom left corner!”

With a boom, the ball shot off swiftly—toward the top left corner!

And it soared high over the crossbar.

Xu He frowned. How could this be?

He’d followed the shooting technique he’d seen from the stars on TV, so why was the angle so off? Why couldn’t he shoot where he wanted?

Xu He was utterly baffled.

Seeing Xu He so downcast, Li Jie shouted, “Xu, don’t lose heart! Let’s keep practicing. Once you find the feeling, it’ll come naturally!”

Li Jie really was worried Xu He would lose confidence.

But Xu He wasn’t so easily defeated; he shouted with renewed enthusiasm, “Right, let’s try a few more times. I’ll master the trick for sure. Come on, Li, let’s keep fighting!”

With that, Xu He began a new round of shooting practice…