Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 34: The Junior High Soccer League on the Brink of Collapse

School-wide assemblies were almost always the same, monotonous affairs without novelty. The routine was familiar: school leaders and grade directors offered brief summaries and laid out the week’s work, delivered safety education, and conveyed directives from higher authorities. In the end, all the students would perform calisthenics together, a display meant to reflect the school’s spirit.

Today was no different. Principal Wang Jingkai spoke a few words, followed by each grade director. The only departure from the norm came when Chang Derong, the director for the first-year students, took the stage.

Chang Derong’s expression was stern as he declared, “Recently, we’ve observed some extremely troubling phenomena emerging outside the school, so much so that ‘appalling’ might be an understatement.”

His fury was palpable—when he spoke, his voice thundered through the microphone, painfully shrill. Students winced, covering their ears to shield themselves from the onslaught. Chang Derong, undeterred, continued his tirade: “A school, as its name suggests, is a place for learning, not for games and frivolity. Lately, some students have been behaving recklessly, treating the school as a playground and plunging our environment into chaos.”

The school leaders on stage all frowned, their faces growing more severe. According to Chang Derong, this was no trivial issue.

Xu He, still oblivious that Chang Derong’s words were directed at him and his friends, wondered who could be so bold as to turn the school upside down. Who was this mysterious figure? He was genuinely eager to see such a person.

Chang Derong pressed on: “I cannot fathom what possesses some of you to organize such nonsense as a football league in a place meant for learning. Are you students or professional athletes? Our school’s mission is to educate intellectuals, not to train professionals…”

Principal Wang Jingkai’s eyebrows knitted together. What football league was this? It was the first he’d heard of it. If Chang Derong hadn’t brought it up, he would never have known such a thing existed at their school.

Wang Jingkai looked at Chang Derong with mounting suspicion. Other leaders on the stage also fixed their eyes on him, curiosity plain in their gaze.

The students below were stunned.

What? Someone at their school had actually started a football league? Who could have come up with such a brilliant idea?

Curiosity buzzed through the crowd; students craned their necks, eager to spot the mastermind.

Xu He was utterly shocked. He hadn’t realized that the “genius” Chang Derong referred to was their own group. Judging by Chang Derong’s tone, the school was about to crack down on their football league, and calamity seemed imminent.

Xu He’s heart sank; he was deeply worried about their league. Li Liying and Zhu Ge were even more anxious—they never expected the school’s reaction to be so severe. After all, their league was neither illegal nor harmful. It enriched students’ extracurricular lives, fostered teamwork, and promoted health—surely a good thing.

Why, then, had Chang Derong and the school responded so harshly?

Even Li Liying, usually so composed and mature, was bewildered and at a loss.

The others fared no better. Many who participated in the league lowered their heads, avoiding Chang Derong’s gaze. Some even feared that their parents might be summoned.

A dark cloud loomed, threatening to engulf them. Heavy and anxious, the football league participants felt the weight of impending doom.

Chang Derong continued his tirade: “What possesses you to entertain such absurd notions? Is your workload too light, your homework insufficient, leaving you with energy to squander? Have you ever considered your parents’ perspective? They spend so much to send you here—do you think it’s for you to play?”

Thousands of students fell silent as if under a spell.

Chang Derong pressed on: “Your parents work tirelessly to give you the opportunity to learn, doing everything possible to create a good environment. They sacrifice so much for you. How do you repay them?”

Xu He was taken aback. He had never considered the issue from this angle. Now doubt crept in—had they truly erred?

Chang Derong continued: “Let me reiterate: you are students, and your primary task is to study. This is a place for learning, not for games. You must mind your words and actions.”

On stage, Wang Jingkai and the others felt Chang Derong was going too far.

Chang Derong continued, “I’m not someone who insists you must study to the exclusion of all else. Physical activities are allowed; we organize sports events, and occasionally school basketball games. All these are arranged by school leadership. These matters are our responsibility, not yours. Your energy should be directed toward learning, understood?”

Xu He pursed his lips. Yes, the school organized sports days and basketball matches, but never football. If there were football matches, why would they need a league?

Chang Derong spoke earnestly, “Children, you are still young, not yet able to discern right from wrong, nor to see things fully. By creating this football league, you’re not only hindering your own studies, but also affecting your peers and the entire school’s academic atmosphere.”

This was Chang Derong’s true concern: if the league persisted, it could draw all students’ attention, leaving little energy for study.

Chang Derong concluded, “I bring this up not to punish or criticize, but to urge those who organized the league to reflect on your reckless actions, to pull back before it’s too late, to dissolve the league, and devote yourselves to learning. You owe it to your parents—and to yourselves.”

Principal Wang Jingkai nodded, thinking Chang Derong had handled matters well. The other leaders agreed.

Chang Derong continued, “I hope students involved with the league will reconsider and correct their course. Let this football league end here; may it never reappear at our school.”

With that, he moved on to emphasize safety for the new week.

But Xu He and his friends could not concentrate. Chang Derong’s words echoed in their minds, filling them with anxiety for the league they had worked so hard to establish.

Was this the end for their football league?

Though Xu He felt some of Chang Derong’s points were valid, he still didn’t want the league to die. He hoped they could keep playing. He believed that football and study were not incompatible. Hadn’t he, in fact, become more diligent thanks to the league?

It hadn’t harmed his studies—it had helped. Why did Chang Derong insist football would inevitably undermine learning? Why dismiss the league without understanding it?

Xu He was deeply troubled, so much so that he barely heard the rest of Chang Derong’s speech.

The others were likewise distressed. Even during the “Youth in Motion” calisthenics, they moved absent-mindedly, making errors—Xu He, notably, stumbled with mismatched hands and feet.

Xu He worried incessantly for their league.

Finally, the calisthenics ended. Xu He and Li Jie rushed toward the Class Ten football team, eager to discuss what to do next.

Was their league truly doomed?

Zhu Ge’s brow was furrowed, his acne-ridden face betraying worry. He asked urgently, “Li Liying, what should we do?”

The other team captains and class sports representatives gathered around, their eyes fixed on Li Liying, pinning their hopes on her. Yes, in this crisis, it was Li Liying, the quiet girl, who held their confidence.

Clearly, she had earned immense respect among the captains.

Li Liying’s delicate brows knit together as she pondered.

Seeing her silent for so long, Zhu Ge grew anxious. “Is our league really about to end just like this?” he cried.

Unwilling—deeply unwilling. The league was their painstaking creation, their passion and spiritual anchor. They’d only played one match last week, but the experience was unforgettable, filled with eager anticipation. They loved it, cherished it, and could not bear to see it vanish.

So they were anxious and deeply worried. Some even had misty eyes.

Xu He stared at Li Liying, hoping she would come up with a solution to save their league.

Li Liying lifted her head and said, “No, it won’t! Our league will not end here!”

Zhu Ge and the others were overjoyed. “You’ve found a way?” they asked excitedly.

Li Liying shook her head—no. Their spirits fell, weighed down with heavy hearts.

She said, “Though I haven’t thought of a solution yet, we cannot give up so easily. We will find a way. Our league will not die here.”

Xu He nodded firmly, trusting her. So did the others.

Li Liying continued, “As long as we stand together, I believe we can overcome these difficulties and protect our league.”