Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 36: Reveal the True Purpose of Your Visit

Whether or not to continue playing in the upcoming matches, Xu He still couldn’t make up his mind. He would have to wait for news from Li Liying and see what the school leaders thought about the situation; there was simply no way to make a decision based on guesswork alone. For now, Xu He had to take a step back.

Nevertheless, he was definitely going to watch this afternoon’s football league match. There was something important he needed to discuss with Zhang Zhen. Regardless of whether the league would continue or not, there was one thing he had to do—ask Zhang Zhen for advice on shooting techniques.

Xu He’s shooting skills were truly poor at the moment and desperately needed improvement. In fact, during the team’s collective training yesterday afternoon, he had already wanted to consult Zhang Zhen, but everyone had been left bewildered and in low spirits after that morning’s school assembly, so the matter had slipped his mind. Today, he couldn’t afford to forget.

The day’s classes were mainly review sessions. After all, the first thing every subject teacher mentioned upon entering the classroom was the upcoming monthly exam at the end of the week. In order to prepare well, the teachers naturally wanted to help everyone revise thoroughly. The monthly exam was ranked across the entire school, and there was competition not only among homeroom teachers but also among teachers of the same subject. Each hoped their students would achieve top marks.

The day passed quickly, and soon afternoon arrived.

According to the tradition at Jinguancheng No. 17 Middle School, the third and fourth periods on Tuesday and Friday afternoons were reserved for extracurricular activities. Xu He and his peers had claimed this time for the football league. That afternoon, the second round of group matches for the first-year football league was set to begin. The two scheduled matches for Group A were: first, Class Six’s team (A2) versus Class Fourteen’s team (A3); second, the joint team of Classes Seventeen (A4) against Class Sixteen’s team (A1).

With the matches about to start, Xu He found Li Jie and they headed to the pitch together.

On the way, Xu He asked, “Old Li, how do you think Li Liying’s discussion with the school leaders is going?”

Li Jie replied helplessly, “How should I know?”

Xu He thought to himself, that’s true—Li Jie had been with him the whole time, so how could he know anything?

Xu He continued, “Then do you think the school will allow us to continue with the league?”

At this, Li Jie’s mood sank. After a long pause, he said gloomily, “I think it’s... unlikely.”

Just as Xu He had expected. It seemed their football league was truly about to be cut short.

Xu He’s mood instantly darkened.

Both of them felt as if they were wilting eggplants, utterly deflated. However, Li Jie recovered quickly and said, “Alright, let’s not dwell on things that haven’t happened yet. We should just enjoy the match while we still can.”

Xu He nodded slightly in agreement.

The two hurried to the field and headed for the stands. When they arrived, both were stunned—there were far more people there than they had expected.

Could it be that Director Chang’s words at yesterday’s assembly had drawn these students’ attention, bringing them all out to see the football league?

Li Jie and Xu He exchanged wry smiles.

Had yesterday’s incident not occurred, they would have been overjoyed and excited to see such a crowd. Increased interest from their peers in the football league would have been a tremendous achievement, something to be proud of.

But now, after Director Chang had singled them out for criticism, they were supposed to keep a low profile. Suddenly attracting such a large audience, creating a spectacle, was tantamount to openly defying Director Chang—a reckless move that would only bring trouble.

For the league, this was nothing short of disastrous, perhaps even fatal.

Xu He’s spirits sank even further, tinged with sadness. It seemed their league really was about to disappear.

He and Li Jie exchanged a sigh, then made their way to where the Class Ten team was gathered in the stands, greeting their teammates as they arrived.

Zhu Ge waved to them, saying, “You’re here? Sit down and watch the match.”

Xu He could see Zhu Ge’s mood was equally low, his eyes filled with worry.

Clearly, Zhu Ge didn’t have high hopes for the league’s future either.

Xu He nodded at Zhu Ge and the others, then went straight to sit beside Zhang Zhen.

The others glanced at Xu He but quickly lost interest; everyone’s mood was subdued, and no one felt like paying attention to anything else.

Only Li Jie and Yang Xin gave Xu He a long, meaningful look—as if they had guessed his intentions—but said nothing.

As soon as Xu He sat down, he greeted Zhang Zhen.

Zhang Zhen nodded in response but said nothing.

Xu He didn’t mind; he was used to this. There were two players on their team who spoke very little, almost invisible when they weren’t playing—Zhong Haokun was one, and Zhang Zhen was the other.

So Xu He was unfazed by Zhang Zhen’s reaction.

Just as Xu He took his seat, the first match was about to begin.

The two competing teams were Class Six and Class Fourteen, each with their distinctive style—almost polar opposites.

Xu He was all too familiar with Class Six, having played against them before. Their entire approach was to rely on Yang Hao’s individual prowess. Yang Hao’s abilities were exceptional, probably among the top three in the school, but his flaws were glaring. Whether it was due to his personality or the lack of skill among his teammates, Yang Hao placed his trust only in himself.

As for Class Fourteen, their team was all about cooperation. There wasn’t a single standout player; everyone’s skills were average, nothing special. But their teamwork was seamless—they played as a true unit.

Their forward trio’s coordination was especially sharp and in sync. Sometimes, they seemed to be of one mind, their thoughts and actions perfectly aligned, making their play as smooth as flowing water.

Because Class Fourteen wore yellow Brazil jerseys, people couldn’t help but compare their forward trio to Brazil’s legendary “Three Rs.” Of course, none of them matched that level of individual skill; even within Jinguancheng No. 17, their technical abilities weren’t particularly remarkable.

This was truly a classic clash between individual heroics and teamwork.

To be honest, Xu He was looking forward to the match, but his attention was fixed on Zhang Zhen. He wasn’t here just to watch—he had come to learn.

Xu He glanced at Zhang Zhen, hesitated for a long moment, then asked, “Old Zhang, which team do you think will win?”

Old Zhang?

Zhang Zhen was baffled by the address, taking a moment to process it before he gave a wry smile. “Old Zhang? Are you talking to me?”

Xu He was a bit taken aback.

“Of course I’m talking to you,” he replied. “Is there anyone else here named Zhang?”

Zhang Zhen looked around, realizing he was the only Zhang present. “Oh,” he replied.

Xu He asked, “Has no one ever called you that before?”

Zhang Zhen shook his head slightly. “No.”

“Then what do people usually call you?” Xu He pressed.

Expressionless, Zhang Zhen replied, “Thunderchild.”

“What?” Xu He was surprised.

“They usually call me ‘Thunderchild,’” Zhang Zhen said, fixing Xu He with a steady gaze.

Xu He sucked in a breath, then laughed lightly. “Thunderchild?”

Zhang Zhen didn’t answer, only nodded firmly.

Xu He asked, “Why do they call you that?”

Zhang Zhen waved dismissively. “How should I know?”

Xu He looked Zhang Zhen up and down. “Do you like being called that?”

Zhang Zhen rolled his eyes. “Does it matter whether I like it or not?”

Seeing Zhang Zhen’s reluctant, helpless expression, Xu He couldn’t help but laugh. Indeed, our happiness so often rests on the suffering of others.

Zhang Zhen watched Xu He quietly. Once Xu He’s laughter subsided, he asked, “Did you come here just to make fun of me? If so, congratulations—you succeeded.”

Xu He quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare.”

Zhang Zhen gave him a look that said, “You’d better not,” then asked, “So what did you come to see me about?”

Xu He nodded toward the field. “I just wanted to know your opinion—which team do you favor? Who do you think will win?”

Zhang Zhen said nothing, just stared at Xu He until Xu He began to feel uneasy.

After a while, Zhang Zhen said quietly, “There’s no need for all this roundabout talk. Just say what you want.”

Xu He was startled, even embarrassed by the amusement in Zhang Zhen’s eyes. So he’d seen right through him from the start—while Xu He had been busy trying to build rapport, Zhang Zhen had already guessed his intentions.

Thinking back, Xu He couldn’t help but feel like a fool.

Who knew this usually silent, almost invisible teammate had such a side? If he hadn’t come today, he’d never have discovered it.

It seemed Xu He didn’t know his teammates as well as he thought. Perhaps they all had sides he’d never seen.

Xu He gave a wry smile. “Alright, you caught me. I really did come to ask for your advice on shooting techniques. I hope you won’t hold back. I’d be truly grateful.”

Zhang Zhen chuckled. “Now you’re finally being honest?”

“Well, you saw right through me,” Xu He said. “Why bother pretending? You know, you’re sneakier than you look—acting all innocent while you watch me jump through hoops.”

“I didn’t. I’m not. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zhang Zhen replied.

Xu He rolled his eyes. “Come on, after that performance, you at least owe me a ticket. You have to teach me today, no matter what.”