Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 17: Sometimes Luck Matters More Than Skill

Li Jie knelt on the ground in a daze, his face full of disbelief.

He never expected Yang Hao to risk a hard fall and forcefully kick the ball out. Nor did he expect Yang Hao, at the critical moment, to push off with both hands to avoid crashing to the ground, then use the momentum to leap forward like a cheetah.

This series of actions completely bewildered him.

He hadn’t known Yang Hao’s resolve could be so unwavering!

Yang Hao had taught him a valuable lesson.

Beside him, Zhong Haokun was equally stunned; he too had not anticipated any of this and was deeply shaken. Yang Hao’s spirit, growing stronger with every setback, his relentless determination to charge forward, sent chills through Zhong Haokun’s soul.

No wonder people say many geniuses are obsessives.

Yang Hao’s tenacity bordered on terrifying.

The players of Class Six were delirious with excitement. They surged around their hero, lifting Yang Hao high. In that moment, Yang Hao was their king.

Watching all this, Xu He was struck with awe. Yang Hao’s performance had shaken his confidence, making him doubt himself.

Until now, Xu He had always considered himself exceptional, believing there were few in the school who could match him. But today, Yang Hao taught him that there is always someone better—true genius transcends.

He realized he had been the frog at the bottom of the well.

“Xu He, what are you standing there for? Get ready to play!”

“Xu He, are you scared?”

“Xu He…”

The sudden voices jolted Xu He out of his trance. He turned to see the cool Mu Yang waving him over, signaling him to take the field.

Trailing one to three, with little time left, Mu Yang, unwilling to lose, was ready to take a gamble.

A substitution—another striker.

Now, it was Xu He’s turn.

Hearing this, Xu He was filled with excitement.

Finally, it’s my turn!

I’m finally going to play!

Lin Xuefeng and Yang Hao? You’re nothing—watch out, your nemesis Xu He has arrived.

Xu He tore off his jacket, revealing his number 17 jersey, and charged toward the sideline, ready to enter the game.

There wasn’t much time left, but he was confident he could make a difference.

I will lead the team to victory.

Absolutely!

Yes, Xu He knew exactly what he needed to do at this moment.

As Xu He prepared to enter, Li Liying suddenly called out, “Xu He—go for it!”

Xu He turned and looked at Li Liying, nodding resolutely.

He silently cheered himself on: “Go, Xu He!”

He high-fived Jin Yubin, who was coming off, and dashed onto the pitch—Xu He was finally in the game.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he sprinted up to the front line, ready to help the team conquer.

But Zhu Ge said, “Xu He, go to the right wing. You’ll play as right midfielder—try to feed the forwards!”

Mu Yang and Zhu Ge, knowing Xu He’s strengths and weaknesses, hoped he’d use his speed and ball control to create opportunities up front. After all, Xu He’s shooting skills were abysmal; they had no faith he could score.

Xu He paused, surprised and puzzled, but took up the right midfield position.

As long as he could play, he didn’t care where. He was the team’s utility brick, ready to be moved wherever needed.

Seeing Xu He on the field, Li Jie shouted, “Old Xu, give it your all!”

Xu He nodded firmly, telling himself, “Today, I must score!”

Yang Hao paid no attention to Class Ten’s substitution.

Perhaps, in his eyes, the only threat to their victory was himself. As long as he stood, no matter who the opponent sent on, Class Six would win.

So Yang Hao didn’t even glance at Xu He.

Contempt!

No, it was outright disregard.

Competitive as ever, Xu He was furious.

He vowed to make the arrogant Yang Hao regret it.

Xu He threw himself wholly into the game, determined to prove he was no mere underling.

As the match resumed, Xu He was highly active on the flank, sprinting up and down, tearing through the defense, searching for openings.

Yet, Class Ten’s main attack continued on the left.

With a thud, Zhu Ge sent the ball to Lin Xuefeng’s feet. Amid shouts from the girls, Lin Xuefeng split man and ball, bypassed the defender, and charged into the box.

Drawing out the central defender, he instantly made a cutback pass, sending the ball to the center of the penalty area.

Zhang Zhen, at the near post, hesitated, letting the ball slip by. Mu Yang, unmarked, swung his leg in a thunderous shot, the ball whistling into the net.

Two to three!

Mu Yang’s cannon scored a goal.

After scoring, Mu Yang remained calm, raising a hand in celebration before waving his teammates to hurry back to their half for the restart.

They were still trailing.

Xu He wanted to join the celebration but, seeing the gesture, returned to his half.

The game resumed, and Yang Hao began his solo performance.

Now, no one dared let their guard down.

Li Jie and Zhong Haokun were on high alert. Zhong Haokun abandoned central defense entirely, focusing on Yang Hao’s side.

This left the center open, giving Class Six’s other attackers space and opportunity.

Unfortunately, Yang Hao ignored it all, choosing to go solo.

He first used rhythm to beat one defender, then executed a step-over to bypass another, charging straight at Li Jie. As Yang Hao prepared his next move, Zhong Haokun closed in, using his powerful physique to block Yang Hao outside, and Li Jie quickly stepped up, booting the ball away.

Against the exceptionally strong Zhong Haokun, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage; his body couldn’t hold up.

Seeing the ball intercepted, Yang Hao frowned, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Li Jie’s clearance sent the ball flying toward the right flank.

Xu He immediately shielded the defender behind him.

His physique was decent—not as monstrous as Zhong Haokun or Mu Yang, but capable enough for resistance.

His opponent clearly lacked defensive skill, stretching a leg from behind to disrupt the play. Xu He seized the opportunity, before the ball touched down, flicked it behind himself, sending it flying backward.

Xu He spun, shaking off the off-balance defender.

The flank was wide open.

Xu He accelerated and chased the ball, racing down the wing.

After two strides, he spotted Zhang Zhen in space at the far post.

Without hesitation, Xu He swung his right leg, aiming for a lofted cross to Zhang Zhen’s head at the far post.

Unfortunately, the ball came out as a waist-high floater and drifted straight toward the opposing goal—a cross that turned into a shot.

But the shot lacked speed, wobbling gently, seemingly harmless.

The opposing goalkeeper relaxed, certain the ball was his.

He reached out to gather it.

But at that instant, a silhouette burst from the side. Just as the keeper was about to catch the ball, a long leg stretched out and kicked it.

With a thud, the ball rocketed into Class Six’s net.

Three to three!

Class Ten had equalized!

The goal belonged to Zhang Zhen!

Zhang Zhen’s sense for goal was uncanny—he could finish even accidental balls like this, truly impressive.

Xu He was filled with admiration.

Zhang Zhen gave Xu He a thumbs-up, praising the pass for its subtlety, which caught the defenders off guard and allowed him to rush in for the finish.

Seeing that thumbs-up, Xu He blushed.

Yet, he was genuinely happy—the team had drawn level.

Xu He punched the air toward Zhang Zhen, congratulating him.

Li Jie charged up from defense, leaping onto Xu He’s back, roaring in excitement, “Amazing! Old Xu, you’re incredible—you’re our team’s savior, incredible!”

Xu He felt a bit embarrassed.

Other teammates rushed over, even Zhu Ge gave him a thumbs-up, which made Xu He blush even more.

Should he tell his teammates that he’d actually meant to cross to the far post, and that the pass had been mishit?

Xu He shook his head—better not, that would be too humiliating.

Regardless of his intention, the assist was real, so Xu He was proud of his contribution.

Xu He turned toward Yang Hao in a provocative manner, only to find Yang Hao ignored him completely.

It was like punching cotton.

Xu He snorted, “You’re really arrogant!”

He turned back to the fray, determined that with persistent training and improvement, one day no one would overlook him.

“Xu He, go for it! Try to score!”

Xu He cheered himself on.

With little time left, both teams pressed forward, desperate to win.

But Class Six faced serious trouble.

Yang Hao, exhausted from constant physical battles with Class Ten’s defenders, saw his breakthrough rate plummet, losing his threat.

Class Ten seized the moment, attacking relentlessly.

In the final minutes, the game was one-sided. Under Zhu Ge and Mu Yang’s direction, Class Ten players besieged Class Six’s goal, which was under dire threat.

Xu He was relentless, charging at the opponent’s goal.

But his shooting was poor—a close-range shot in the box struck the post and bounced out for a goal kick.

Xu He felt guilty about it.

Still, his attitude remained unaffected; he kept attacking, looking for every chance, determined to score.

Time was running out and he still hadn’t found a scoring opportunity; he felt regretful.

But he never gave up, always striving.

As the match drew to its close, Lin Xuefeng dribbled down the wing, feinting left and right to beat two defenders, creating space for a shot. He drove his leg in a powerful strike.

With a clang, the ball slammed the inside of the near post and rebounded sharply toward the right wing.

It struck Xu He’s knee, who was waiting near the right edge of the penalty area, and rolled into Class Six’s net.

Four to three!

Xu He, in a muddled moment, had scored the winning goal!

Seeing the ball resting in the net, Xu He was both amused and helpless, thinking, “Sometimes, luck matters more than skill!”