Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 39: The Football League Was Destroyed by the Schools

Just an hour ago, Li Liying was in Director Chang’s office, reporting on the first-year football league. Li Liying hoped Director Chang could recognize how football contributed to a young person’s development.

Football, as a team sport, first and foremost cultivates and enhances players’ awareness and ability to cooperate, teaching them the importance of teamwork. It also provides a platform to hone their social skills and ability to navigate interpersonal relationships. Moreover, football is invaluable for the development of adolescent character.

Organizing a football league strengthens young people's fighting spirit and their desire for victory and honor. During matches, they face countless challenges and setbacks, which help sharpen their minds and resilience. Ultimately, football makes adolescents more positive, optimistic, and energetic.

Of course, these were merely fragments Li Liying gleaned from her father; in reality, football in schools holds far more benefits for youth. Unfortunately, Li Liying was not her father. But for a girl of about fourteen, achieving all this was already remarkable.

Li Liying had also prepared additional materials, aiming to show Director Chang and the school leadership that football greatly benefited young people's growth. The league did not violate school regulations nor disrupt academic performance, but instead fostered students’ development. Why, then, must the school ban first-year students from organizing a football league?

Seeing Director Chang carefully study her materials, Li Liying felt hopeful. Her confidence grew stronger. She believed the school leaders would agree, given the many advantages of football in school.

Yet Director Chang remained silent, absorbed in her documents, making Li Liying a bit anxious. After a long while, he finally looked up and sized her up. He seemed surprised. Then he bent his head again, continuing to browse at a deliberate pace, examining every detail.

When Director Chang finished reading, he set the materials aside. Li Liying grew tense—this was the moment of truth. Her heart raced.

Director Chang looked at her with a hint of admiration and said, "I have a question for you."

Li Liying was momentarily startled, then quickly responded, "Please ask."

Director Chang noticed her nervousness and reassured her, "There's no need to be anxious; this is just an ordinary conversation."

Li Liying took a deep breath and tried to relax. Director Chang smiled gently at her gesture—this girl was indeed quite endearing.

Once Li Liying had composed herself, he asked, "Did you prepare all these materials by yourself?"

Li Liying nodded, replying, "Yes, they’re just some immature ideas of my own."

Director Chang could hardly suppress a chuckle. This little girl was unexpectedly impressive; the phrase “immature ideas” was used so cleverly—was she well-versed in workplace language? Perhaps she’d watched too many dramas.

Even so, Director Chang felt genuine admiration for Li Liying. If she really had put all this together herself, she was truly extraordinary.

In truth, Director Chang had never really understood football before.

Due to the negative coverage and criticism of national football in the media, Director Chang had long been resistant, even hostile, to football. He didn’t want to bring such a “tainted” thing into the school.

Yet, after reading Li Liying’s materials, his perspective shifted. He realized he’d never truly considered the sport, and now, seeing these arguments, he recognized his own bias. He also felt he was aging—unable to embrace new things or those he had no interest in, even instinctively rejecting them. He resolved to change this flaw lest he become obsolete.

Director Chang exclaimed, "You’re excellent! These are far from immature ideas; they are actually very mature."

Hearing his praise, Li Liying was overjoyed.

She eagerly asked, "So, does that mean our first-year football league can continue? Can we play matches on campus?"

She was astonished. She had never expected Director Chang to be so agreeable; many seniors had warned her he was a stubborn old man, and persuading him was nearly impossible. But now, it seemed their opinions were merely prejudices.

Li Liying was excited—their efforts had finally been recognized by the school leadership, which meant their hard work hadn’t been in vain. She was truly happy.

Director Chang noticed her delight and felt a pang of sympathy.

Yet he shook his head and said, "I appreciate your ideas; they’re very good. Football does indeed benefit youth development, and I should not so hastily dismiss it."

Li Liying grew even more excited, her cheeks flushed.

Director Chang’s heart softened, but he continued, "However, your first-year football league must still be halted."

A bolt from the blue.

For Li Liying, this was a devastating blow. She was stunned, unable to comprehend how such a “however” could arise.

She looked at Director Chang in confusion, her eyes brimming with tears. This pained him deeply.

Honestly, he hated to hurt such a young girl, but rules were rules, and the school was the school.

Li Liying pleaded, "Why? Football is so beneficial for our growth—why can’t it continue? Director Chang, all our participants promise it won’t affect our academic performance!"

Director Chang replied, "We believe you on that."

Li Liying stared at him, bewildered.

He explained, "But that has little bearing on the league’s prohibition."

Li Liying watched him closely, desperate for the reason.

Director Chang continued, "Our school doesn’t ban sports; we know how beneficial they are for youth development. We hold sports days and basketball tournaments, and will continue to do so in the future."

If such activities are encouraged, why not football?

He went on, "As for football, perhaps we’ll host matches in the future, but not now. We don’t know much about the sport; we haven’t conducted risk assessments, and organizing football matches is too time-consuming for both the school and students."

Li Liying frowned, her mood sinking. Even at fourteen, she could tell these were merely excuses.

Her heart plummeted.

It seemed her ominous premonition before arriving had come true.

Director Chang added, "Have you considered what impact your football league might have on the school and its students?"

Li Liying shook her head—she hadn’t.

Director Chang said, "Your league has just started and already caused a sensation. Nearly every student is paying attention, which is disrupting their studies and damaging the learning atmosphere."

Li Liying was stunned.

He continued, "Perhaps football benefits those who participate, but it affects others’ mindset and distracts them from their studies. More students are focusing on your league rather than their academics."

Li Liying felt a pang of guilt—he was right.

Seeing her expression, Director Chang said, "I think you understand now—you’re a smart girl. You’re diligent, thoughtful, and capable. If you devote all your energy to studying, you’re sure to get into Qingmu or Yanda."

Yes, Director Chang believed Li Liying ought to prioritize her studies.

Li Liying responded, "I will work hard academically, but our league..."

Director Chang waved his hand, "We understand how you feel, but I must insist—the league must be stopped. Of course, we won’t forbid students from playing football, and perhaps the school will organize matches in the future."

That last line was more a consolation.

It weighed heavily on Li Liying. She hadn’t expected that after all her efforts, the outcome would still be this. Her spirits were low.

Was this Director Chang’s fault?

No.

Li Liying knew he was acting for the good of the school and its students; he wasn’t wrong.

But she was deeply upset and couldn’t recall how she left Director Chang’s office.

To see her carefully built league vanish so suddenly was agonizing. She couldn’t bear to watch her creation disappear.

She would not give up.

So, once she came to herself, she headed straight to the sports field to find Zhu Ge and Xu He, to discuss whether there might be another way.

They were determined to protect the league at all costs.

They hoped it would survive.

When Xu He and the others heard the news from Li Liying, their faces turned ashen.

Was their hard-won league really going to vanish like this? They couldn’t accept it; their spirits were heavy, and their mood low.

But the silver-haired elder who had been nearby said, "You need not be so pessimistic. I believe football greatly benefits young people. Perhaps, after Director Chang and the school leaders discuss it, the league will be allowed to continue."

Xu He and the others thought the elder’s words unlikely, but deep down, a tiny sliver of hope flickered.

What if, by chance, the league survived?