Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 2: Worthy of Their Reputation and Second to None

Bang!

Just as Xu He lifted his leg, an immense force struck him from behind, causing him to lose his balance in an instant. He staggered, forced to quickly drop his raised right foot onto the grass, barely managing to steady himself and avoid falling.

Thud!

Before Xu He could regain his footing, a leg darted out behind him, poking the ball away from in front of him. The football shot rapidly toward the arms of the Red Team’s goalkeeper.

“Brilliant, Zhong Haokun! Fantastic defense!” Lin Xuefeng shouted excitedly.

Startled, Xu He turned, his suspicions confirmed.

It was that “uncle” in the red vest again—so his name was Zhong Haokun.

The name sounded ruthless, almost like Chen Haonan.

This guy was relentless.

Every critical moment, it was always this man who defended perfectly, ruining Xu He’s chances.

Strong, solid, dependable—a truly remarkable defensive midfielder.

Zhong Haokun had him completely under control.

The previous time, at the edge of the penalty area, this same man used his strength to forcibly edge Xu He away, taking the ball.

And now, once again!

The opponent was formidable—Xu He felt the pressure.

Yet he did not shrink back nor hesitate. Instead, his fighting spirit burned brighter, his focus deepened.

Come on, let’s battle!

Xu He turned to plunge into the next fight.

Meanwhile, as soon as the Red Team goalkeeper caught the ball, he sprinted out of the penalty area and hurled a powerful throw toward the left wing.

Xu He was taken aback.

A swift counterattack!

The Red Team launched a ferocious counter, the ball flying at blistering speed toward Lin Xuefeng on the left.

The young women on the sidelines grew excited, bouncing and calling out like larks, “Come on, Lin Xuefeng! You’re so handsome!”

Because Xu He’s side had pressed too far forward, their defense lay exposed. Lin Xuefeng seized the ball and tore down the wing, moving as if the field were his alone.

Xu He was stunned—so fast!

Lin Xuefeng’s speed was astonishing, and his ball control was superb; every touch, every burst was perfectly measured. Most remarkable of all, he was a left-footer.

That was rare indeed.

Faced with a sliding defender, Lin Xuefeng, sprinting at full tilt, used the inside of his left foot to flick the ball sharply sideways, sending it racing behind him toward the center—an inside cut and a change of direction!

With an audacious flourish, Lin Xuefeng’s inside flick left the sliding defender completely outplayed.

The girls on the sidelines were beside themselves at his dazzling move, screaming wildly.

Now, confronted with the last defender, Lin Xuefeng’s feet danced over the ball, weaving back and forth—three lightning step-overs that left the defender utterly disoriented.

Taking advantage, Lin Xuefeng shifted direction, leaving the defender behind with ease.

One-on-one with the goalkeeper.

As the keeper charged out, Lin Xuefeng feinted a shot with his left, cut inside, deceived the keeper, and rolled the ball effortlessly into the empty net.

One-nil!

Xu He’s eyes widened as he stared, dumbfounded.

Good heavens!

Was he truly this good?

He was, indeed.

Lin Xuefeng’s ability was clearly a cut above the rest.

Xu He couldn’t help but glance to the sidelines, looking at Li Liying, the expression on his face saying: “So this is Lin Xuefeng. His reputation is well deserved!”

After scoring, Lin Xuefeng cockily waved to the girls, causing another commotion—some nearly stormed the field just to hug him.

Despite the deficit, Xu He’s confidence did not waver. He did not give up.

He turned, clapping to encourage his teammates, shouting, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

As the match restarted, Xu He played with renewed vigor, running tirelessly up front, seeking every opportunity.

But the muscular Zhong Haokun shadowed him relentlessly, breaking up two of his attacks in quick succession.

This began to weigh on Xu He’s spirits.

At that moment, Lin Xuefeng, near the edge of the penalty area, changed direction and was brought down by an outstretched leg, earning a direct free kick.

There was no stopping Lin Xuefeng without a foul—he was simply too strong.

The Red Team was awarded a direct free kick.

Lin Xuefeng stood over the ball and, with his golden left foot, curled a perfect banana shot, sending it arching around the wall and keeper, straight into the net.

Two-nil!

Lin Xuefeng had scored a brace, increasing the lead.

The girls on the sidelines cheered ecstatically, “Lin Xuefeng, I love you!”

Xu He watched it all, sighing inwardly, “No wonder he’s the school heartthrob, the football prince—Lin Xuefeng truly lives up to his reputation!”

Beyond the two goals, Lin Xuefeng left an indelible impression.

For a high schooler, his footwork was extraordinary, his skills dazzling, his flair unmatched. Coupled with his handsome looks, it was little wonder he was everyone’s idol, the football prince.

Xu He fixed his gaze on Lin Xuefeng, his chest brimming with fighting spirit.

“Fight on, Xu He!”

He rallied himself and signaled his teammates to press forward.

Xu He continued searching for openings up front, always able to spot a gap in the opposition and appear in the most dangerous positions, putting immense pressure on the Red Team’s defenders.

Zhong Haokun also began to feel the threat.

He even felt his rhythm lagging behind Xu He’s.

Lin Xuefeng, too, was impressed, turning to Zhong Haokun, “Xu He’s football IQ is off the charts! He always spots the gaps and finds opportunities—so impressive!”

Zhong Haokun nodded, “Good thing his teammates aren’t strong enough to get the ball to him accurately. Otherwise, this match would be a real struggle!”

Lin Xuefeng agreed wholeheartedly.

Indeed, every time Xu He created a chance, his teammates failed to deliver the ball on time and with precision—that was why they hadn’t scored yet.

But Xu He didn’t blame his teammates.

Instead, he cheered them on, encouraging everyone.

Li Liying’s eyes sparkled as she watched from the sidelines.

“Come on! We can do it!” Xu He shouted, lifting his teammates’ spirits.

The whole team threw themselves into the match, playing with greater energy and determination—everyone fighting for this game.

“Brilliant! Great interception!” Xu He gave a thumbs-up to his defender.

They had just taken the ball from Lin Xuefeng—fantastic.

Xu He was thrilled, and his teammates’ confidence soared.

Seeing the turnover, Xu He immediately turned and sprinted forward, charging toward the Red Team’s penalty area.

From midfield, the defensive midfielder who had won the ball saw Xu He’s surge and launched a long pass in his direction.

It was a golden counterattack opportunity!

Xu He’s entire team was electrified—their chance had come.

The Red Team’s players tensed—danger!

“Oh no!” Li Liying cried out from the sidelines.

The pass was too long!

It was going to roll over the goal line.

Xu He would never reach it—they’d wasted their chance!

Many spectators felt a pang of regret.

The defensive midfielder blamed himself bitterly.

Lin Xuefeng shook his head, “What a pity.”

Almost everyone thought the chance was lost—except for one person, who refused to give up.

Xu He.

Gritting his teeth, Xu He chased after the ball with all his might, legs pumping as if flying on wheels of wind and fire.

No, I can’t give up!

I can catch it—I must!

The desperate Xu He shot off like a bolt of lightning, leaving the crowd stunned.

“My god, how can he be so fast? Is he Usain Bolt?”

Li Liying gasped, “He…he caught up with the ball! Unbelievable!”

Indeed, just as the ball was about to cross the line, Xu He slid in, stretching his right leg to hook the ball back into play.

Brilliant!

Unbelievable!

Everyone was awe-struck by Xu He’s spectacular effort.

But Xu He wasn’t done—he sprang up, brought the ball into the Red Team’s box, and charged at their goal.

The Red Team’s defenders finally woke up, scrambling in a panic to stop him.

But it was too late.

A clear shot!

Xu He went one-on-one with the keeper.

The Red Team’s keeper moved swiftly, closing down the angle.

Xu He swung his leg, feinting a powerful shot.

Alarmed, the keeper dove with all his might to block the corner.

He’d done everything perfectly.

But it was all in vain.

Xu He hadn’t shot at all—it was a feint. He completely fooled the goalkeeper, then rolled the ball into the wide-open net.

His feint was so convincing that both the keeper and the defenders were left in the dust.

Xu He calmly slotted the ball home.

Two to one!

Xu He’s team had pulled a goal back, and it was Xu He who scored.

His teammates erupted, charging forward and surrounding him. Black Glasses was first to reach him, wrapping Xu He in a big hug and exclaiming, “You’re incredible, absolutely amazing!”

Everyone joined in the celebration.

Xu He’s blood was aflame, and he roared with excitement, “Come on! We still have a chance! Fight on, young men!”

The match restarted, with the Red Team launching a fierce assault.

Lin Xuefeng crossed from the wing, and their tall striker’s header missed just over the bar.

Two minutes later, Lin Xuefeng, after a series of breakthroughs on the flank, exchanged passes with the advancing Zhong Haokun, broke into the box, and fired a right-footed shot just wide.

The Red Team’s attack was relentless, placing Xu He’s side in grave danger.

But at that moment, Xu He's team launched a rapid counter.

Xu He and Black Glasses combined on the wing, executing a quick one-two that brought them to the edge of the Red Team’s box.

The defenders panicked, Xu He’s pressure immense.

Their attention was fixed on him.

Xu He received the ball in the box, surrounded by defenders—he seemed trapped.

“There’s no way—Xu He can’t score from here!” Lin Xuefeng thought.

But the game changed in a flash.

Sensing all eyes and bodies converging on him, Xu He faked a struggle for space, as if desperately seeking a way through. In truth, he was laying a clever trap.

Just as the Red Team piled on, convinced they were about to win the ball, Xu He gently knocked the ball sideways.

It rolled through a gap in the defenders, and Black Glasses, unmarked, smashed it toward goal.

Clang!

The ball crashed against the post and bounced back into the crowd—right to Xu He’s feet—then ricocheted into the net.

Two all!

Xu He scored, leveling the match.

It happened so fast that the Red Team’s players hadn’t even realized what had occurred.