Volume One: Our Own League 124: Is Muyang Leaving Class Ten’s Football Team?

Walking home after school, Xu He was still brimming with excitement. He had thoroughly enjoyed the match today and felt his own performance had been truly stellar. This gave him a genuine shot at securing a starting position; after all, his direct competitor, Yang Xin, had performed abysmally today and was simply no match for him. Even in the league finals, Yang Xin’s performance had paled in comparison to his own.

Initially, no one thought Xu He could threaten the starting spots held by Yang Xin and the others. But as the league progressed, Xu He’s rapid improvement had seen him gradually catch up to Yang Xin, and now, he had even begun to subtly surpass him. Xu He could feel it himself, which was the reason for his intense excitement. He felt that in the new season, he should be a starter for the Class 10 football team, forming a forward duo with Zhang Zhen. He was full of anticipation.

Seeing Xu He’s excitement, Li Liying’s lips curled into a smile. "Congratulations, Xu He! You all played so well today and secured the victory!"

"Thank you!" Xu He replied.

Li Liying continued, "Your performance today was truly amazing. I’m almost becoming one of your little fans; you are just too good."

Xu He chuckled. "While I know you’re telling the absolute truth, we still need to stay humble, stay humble!"

Li Liying burst into a giggle; Xu He really knew how to get ahead of himself. She suddenly asked, "It seems you’re all prepared, then?"

Xu He was taken aback. "Prepared for what?"

"For the school team tryouts, of course!" Li Liying retorted. "Don't tell me you haven't prepared at all yet?"

"Are the school team tryouts really starting?" Xu He asked, pleasantly surprised.

Li Liying nodded slightly. "Didn't Principal Wang announce it at the Monday staff meeting? The school will be starting the selection process very soon!"

Xu He nodded. Principal Wang had indeed mentioned it, and he and his teammates had been filled with anticipation. He frowned, however, and asked, "Didn't Principal Wang say we had to wait until a head coach was appointed before starting the tryouts? Has the school already secured one? Is it still Coach Song Yu? Wasn't there an issue with him earlier? Has he agreed now?"

Xu He had too many questions, and his excitement made him want to ask them all at once. Li Liying immediately shook her head. "From what I understand, it’s not going to be Coach Song Yu!"

Hearing this, Xu He’s mood suddenly plummeted. If the coaching issue hadn't been resolved, when would these tryouts even take place? Even if they held them now, would the selected players fit the new coach's tactical arrangements and preferences once they finally arrived? Would they just have to hold another round of selections later? His mood soured instantly. He felt the school team tryouts might fall through, perhaps even the school team itself—a prospect he was unwilling to accept.

"If there’s no coach, how can we even hold tryouts?" Xu He asked, disappointed.

"Who said our school doesn't have a head coach?" Li Liying replied immediately.

Xu He was startled, a flicker of hope rising in his heart. "We’ve finalized a head coach? Who is it?"

Li Liying looked at him. "Didn't you see today?"

"See what?" Xu He asked, confused.

Li Liying rolled her eyes at him. "Did you not see Principal Wang in the stands today? And did you not see the person accompanying him?"

Xu He’s eyes widened, his heart racing. He had indeed seen Principal Wang in the stands, and there had been a middle-aged man with him. Could that man be the head coach of the school team? Who was he?

"You mean that middle-aged man is our school’s head coach?" Xu He asked.

Li Liying gave a slight nod in confirmation. Xu He was overjoyed. With the head coach confirmed, surely the tryouts were imminent. He couldn't wait; he desperately hoped to make the school team before the end of the semester.

"The man accompanying Principal Wang today was recommended by Coach Song Yu," Li Liying explained. "They say he’s Coach Song’s junior schoolmate, and it seems he has already agreed to come to our school as the head coach!"

Xu He was naturally delighted. If that was the case, the tryouts were truly just around the corner. He was eager to join the team.

The next day, Xu He shared the news with Li Jie, Zhu Ge, and the others. They were equally thrilled and filled with anticipation for the selections. Everyone was now waiting for the process to begin. However, they were also deeply concerned about Mu Yang. They hadn't seen him at training for a long time; he would head home immediately after class, never lingering at school, let alone joining the practice sessions. This surprised the members of the Class 10 football team and caused a stir. If the vice-captain wasn't showing commitment, did that mean he was leaving the team?

Rumors had been swirling recently. It was said that the defending champions, the Class 16 football team, were aggressively pursuing Xu He, trying to poach him. Other teams were also eyeing their players, and word was that some had already been contacted privately. Normally, they wouldn't have been tempted, as the Class 10 team was the strongest in the Jinguancheng 17th Middle School and highly likely to win the title next season. Leaving would make a championship far harder to come by, as no one else had the luck of the Class 16 team. But with Mu Yang absent, their resolve was wavering. If the vice-captain was planning to leave, what was the point of them staying? The team was falling apart, so they might as well join a new club where they might be more valued.

Many in the team were trying to find information about Mu Yang. Zhu Ge noticed the shifting atmosphere and, unwilling to see the team dissolve—and even hoping to recruit more talent to make them stronger—went to find Mu Yang. Xu He and Lin Xuefeng tagged along to get to the bottom of things.

Zhu Ge had a good relationship with Mu Yang, so he took the lead in asking. When they found him, Zhu Ge got straight to the point, asking why he hadn't been at training. The cool-headed Mu Yang simply stated he didn't have the time—a short, clipped response that fit his personality perfectly.

Zhu Ge, naturally, pressed for more details. How could he not have time? Mu Yang gave a simple explanation: there were matters at home. When Zhu Ge asked what kind of matters, Mu Yang remained silent; it was clear he didn't want to talk about his personal life. Zhu Ge didn't push, only asking, "Are you still a member of the Class 10 football team? Do you intend to keep playing?"

"Of course," Mu Yang replied coolly.

Hearing this, Xu He and the others breathed a sigh of relief. They had feared that Mu Yang’s absence meant he was leaving. As long as he stayed, the rest didn't matter. Mu Yang noted that the season was over and the league wouldn't resume until the next semester, so training together wasn't strictly necessary. With his family affairs, he couldn't be on the training ground.

Zhu Ge and Xu He understood; family came first. Zhu Ge asked again if there was anything they could do to help, hoping Mu Yang would open up so they could support him. But the reserved Mu Yang said nothing. Even if his family was facing a major crisis, he wasn't the type to ask for help. He didn't need it. He simply stated he would be back next season and walked away.

Lin Xuefeng was unhappy with Mu Yang’s reaction. "Who does he think he is? We only asked because we wanted to help. And since there's no league right now, we could use the time to train and improve. If we do that, we’re guaranteed to be champions next season. But with him acting like this..."

It was clear Lin Xuefeng was dissatisfied. Xu He looked at him; he hadn't realized Lin Xuefeng cared so much about the team. It seemed the loss of the championship this season had hit him hard, and he was determined to put in more effort.

Zhu Ge looked at Lin Xuefeng and said, "Don't talk about Mu Yang like that. You had personal issues at home when you left too, and you didn't say a word about it, did you?"

Lin Xuefeng froze. It was true. During the critical semi-finals, he had suddenly left the team and the school due to family matters, almost missing the final entirely. Xu He and the others had asked him what happened, hoping to help, but he had never said a word.

Xu He looked at Lin Xuefeng, wondering if he would open up this time. Lin Xuefeng offered a bitter smile. How could he have forgotten that? He wasn't willing to share his own business, so what right did he have to demand it of Mu Yang? He was being hypocritical.

Seeing Xu He and Zhu Ge staring at him like spectators at a show, Lin Xuefeng shook his head. "Forget I said anything." He turned and walked away. It was clear he wasn't about to share what had happened to his family either.

Xu He and Zhu Ge exchanged a wry smile, but they wouldn't force the issue. They let it go and began discussing the upcoming school team tryouts, their excitement returning. They were filled with curiosity about the new coach—who was this junior of Song Yu’s? How much of Song Yu’s skill did he possess? And when would the tryouts finally begin? They truly couldn't wait.