Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 14: Am I Really About to Be Left Off the Starting Roster?

Diligence in his studies was not just an idle thought for Xu He.

In fact, Xu He had always been a conscientious student; his last poor test result was an anomaly, a mere slip-up that didn't truly reflect his abilities. Now, however, he felt he needed to be even more serious about his studies. If not, he would inevitably end up in remedial classes—how would he find time for football and the leagues then?

The next day, Xu He was especially attentive in class.

He would not allow his academic performance to lag behind.

During the last period of the day, Ye Ziqing announced, “You all need to prepare—next weekend we’ll have a math unit test. I hope you all do well. That’s all for now, class dismissed!”

A collective groan rose from the class.

It was only first year of middle school, yet the frequency of tests was overwhelming. It truly felt like every week brought a quiz, and every month a major exam.

Ye Ziqing ignored their complaints and walked straight to Xu He’s desk, reminding him, “Xu He, you won’t have any problems this time, will you?”

Xu He replied with a serious expression, “I won’t, teacher. I promise I’ll do well this time!”

Ye Ziqing nodded with satisfaction. “I believe in you. Good luck,” she said, then turned and left.

Watching her depart, Xu He’s eyes shone with unwavering resolve.

This time, I must do well on the exam.

This time, I must score over 100.

My good friend, I will bring you back to my side.

Yes, Xu He believed his chance to reclaim his football had finally come.

So when the afternoon extracurricular activity period began and the other students left, Xu He stayed behind in the classroom, diligently working through math problems.

He was so absorbed that he didn’t notice his friend Li Jie approach.

“Xu, when did you become so studious?” Li Jie exclaimed in surprise.

The sudden voice made Xu He jump.

He looked up and glared at Li Jie, grumbling, “Why do you have to sneak up on people like that? You nearly scared me to death!”

Li Jie rolled his eyes, as if to say, “Who’s really the jumpy one here?”

Xu He gave a sheepish grin. “Heh, you just startled me, showing up out of nowhere.”

Li Jie glanced at the math problems spread across the desk and exclaimed, “I never would’ve guessed you’ve been working so hard lately!”

Xu He replied, “I’ve always worked hard, thank you very much.”

Li Jie smiled slightly, conceding, “Alright, you’ve always been this diligent.”

Xu He, dissatisfied, questioned, “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you doubting me?”

Li Jie rolled his eyes again. “Alright, enough chatting. We need to get to practice. If we’re late, there’ll be trouble!”

At that, Xu He’s heart skipped a beat, the stern face of Mu Yang appearing in his mind.

From his expression alone, Mu Yang was not someone to cross. He’d said before that he hated lateness most of all, and those who were late would face harsh punishment. If Mu Yang called it severe, Xu He dared not test it.

Xu He immediately stood up, packed away his materials, and said, “Let’s go, Li!”

In a flash, he dashed out of the classroom, leaving Li Jie standing alone in the wind.

Only after Xu He’s presence faded did Li Jie come to his senses. “Xu He, you traitor…”

…

On the field, several teams were already training hard.

Class Ten’s football team remained the most unique. While others started with intra-squad matches, they focused on a long series of ball-free drills.

Moreover, Mu Yang’s standards for these drills were exceptionally strict.

This filled Xu He’s mind with questions.

Wouldn’t it be better to spend this time practicing shooting or playing scrimmages? Why did they have to run and jump endlessly? Anyone who knew would recognize them as footballers, but to an outsider, they might look more like a track team.

Several times, Xu He wanted to ask Mu Yang for an explanation, but at the sight of his cold, imposing face, he gave up.

So he could only follow his teammates and complete the ball-free drills with earnest effort.

Truth be told, Xu He wished he could dedicate this time to improving his shooting—he was painfully aware of his own shortcomings and wanted to make progress as quickly as possible.

After the ball-free drills, they finally moved on to training with the ball.

These sessions included dribbling through cones, passing drills, shuttle runs with the ball, and reverse runs ending with a shot on goal.

Xu He was amazed by the variety and complexity of drills. He never imagined football training could be so intricate—completely unlike when he practiced alone.

He threw himself into the exercises, though truthfully, he still craved the thrill of a training match.

After all, football is about playing matches.

But today, their intra-squad match lasted just over twenty minutes, leaving Xu He dissatisfied.

He hadn’t even gotten into the rhythm, and the match was already over.

He’d hoped to prove himself today, but barely had any real chances to do so.

Xu He felt a wave of disappointment.

His eyes unconsciously drifted to Zhang Zhen, a look of admiration in his gaze.

In just twenty minutes, that quiet Zhang Zhen had already scored twice—a stellar performance.

But what Xu He admired most was his shooting ability.

It was truly remarkable.

Xu He couldn’t help but wonder, “When will my shooting be as good as his?”

Just then, Mu Yang’s cool voice rang out: “The captain has something to say!”

With that, he stepped aside, efficient and direct as always—a style well known to all.

Zhu Ge, unfazed, nodded to Mu Yang and stepped confidently to the front of the group. He surveyed the team and announced, “The team uniforms have arrived. I’ll distribute them now.”

Xu He’s eyes lit up with joy.

Now they truly looked like a proper football team.

The others were just as delighted and eager.

Zhu Ge took in their reactions with satisfaction. “Each of you gets one match uniform and one training vest. Don’t take more than you should, understood?”

The team chuckled, knowing he was teasing them.

At that moment, Li Liying and Xia Xinyi, her hair in twin ponytails, arrived with the uniforms.

Xu He and the others rushed over to help.

Seeing the pristine uniforms, Xu He was overwhelmed with excitement—it felt as though they were now an official squad.

Li Liying nodded to Xu He, then turned to Zhu Ge. “Here are your uniforms. Check them over.”

Meanwhile, Xia Xinyi gazed at Lin Xuefeng with starry-eyed admiration, unable to hide her adoration.

Many teammates looked on with envy.

Xu He, too, was envious.

He clenched his fists. “I want to get better too. I won’t lose!”

As Xu He’s closest friend, Li Jie could read his thoughts easily. He whispered, “Are you thinking you’ll train hard, become as skilled as Lin Xuefeng, and one day have a bunch of fangirls?”

Xu He replied coldly, “And why not?”

Li Jie said, “You’d better give up on that.”

Xu He raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

Li Jie looked him up and down, then declared, “Even if you reach Lin Xuefeng’s skill, you’ll never have fangirls.”

Xu He scowled.

Seeing his expression, Li Jie began to hum, “Little friend, do you have lots of questions?”

Xu He glared. “Out with it!”

Li Jie responded immediately, “Because your looks… don’t qualify! Hahaha…”

He couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Xu He realized he was being teased and punched Li Jie lightly. “I knew it—you’re trouble.”

Just then, Li Liying came up to Xu He. “Xu He, here’s your uniform!”

All thoughts of Li Jie forgotten, Xu He’s heart soared as he received the jersey.

This would be his battle armor from now on.

Looking at the large number 17, Xu He thought, “One day, I’ll change this to number 7!”

Number 7 was his favorite—his idol was Beckham.

For now, he wasn’t worthy of the number 7 jersey, as it belonged to Lin Xuefeng. But he firmly believed that one day, he would wear it and truly deserve it.

“One day, I will wear number 7. Definitely!”

Xu He vowed to himself.

With the uniforms distributed, Zhu Ge claimed number 10, Mu Yang took number 8, Zhang Zhen got number 9, and Zhong Haokun chose number 23.

When all was done, the ever-cool Mu Yang stepped forward again, drawing everyone’s attention.

His expression unchanged, he announced, “Tomorrow, we have a warm-up match. You all know this.”

Xu He and the others nodded; they’d been preparing for this, eager to earn a spot in the starting lineup.

Xu He stared at Mu Yang, hoping desperately for his name to be called, but nervous all the same.

“Yes, we know!” the team chorused.

Mu Yang nodded, still cool as ever. “Now, I’ll announce tomorrow’s starting lineup!”

At these words, everyone held their breath, the atmosphere tense.

They all hoped to hear their own names; Xu He’s longing was especially intense.

He listened anxiously as Mu Yang recited name after name—Lin Xuefeng, Mu Yang, Zhu Ge, Li Jie and others—but his own was absent.

Xu He’s anxiety grew, his heart pounding as the final name approached.

Was he really to be left out of the starting lineup?

Mu Yang glanced at Xu He, then said…