Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 004: Breaking into the 2010 South Africa World Cup

Xu He and Li Liying left the school together, heading home side by side. Along the way, their conversation revolved around the “First Year Football League.” The more Xu He listened, the more impressed he became with Li Liying. It had been her idea to establish the league in the first place, and she had refined many of its details. She was also the one tirelessly organizing the whole event. Li Liying was truly remarkable! Xu He couldn't help but admire her.

As they approached the familiar convenience store ahead, Xu He said at once, “To thank you for your help today, let me buy you a soda!”

“Hey—” Li Liying was about to call out to him, but Xu He had already dashed inside. She could only smile helplessly and mutter, “He’s so fast.” With no choice, she hurried after him.

Xu He went straight to the counter. “Boss, one bottle of water and—”

“Wangzai Milk!” Li Liying’s voice rang out suddenly.

Xu He glanced at her, then laughed, “Yes, yes, one bottle of water and one Wangzai Milk!” He handed over the money at once.

The shopkeeper gave them both a look and handed over the drinks. Li Liying accepted the milk, turning to Xu He. “Thank you!”

Xu He replied immediately, “No, I should be thanking you! You really saved me today!”

They shared a smile and were about to leave.

“Tsubasa, shoot!”

A sudden shout startled Xu He. He stopped in his tracks and looked for the source: the television inside the shop was playing the anime “Captain Tsubasa.”

The goalkeeper, Genzo Wakabayashi, had just kicked the ball to his opponent, Tsubasa Oozora, as if throwing down a challenge.

At the sight, Xu He grew excited. He moved closer, his eyes glued to the screen. This was his favorite anime. He’d started watching it when he was very young, and had seen it countless times. It was thanks to this show that he fell in love with football.

Li Liying also paused, looking first at Xu He and then at the television. She thought to herself, “I didn’t expect he liked this show too!”

From the scene, Xu He knew it was one of the early episodes, the 26th annual match between Shutetsu Elementary and Nankatsu Elementary. Though he was already very familiar with the plot, he watched with undiminished enthusiasm, utterly absorbed.

From Tsubasa stepping in as center-back to lead his team in a staunch defense during the first half, to their courageous counterattack after falling behind; from repeated defeats at the hands of the formidable Wakabayashi, to Tsubasa’s unyielding perseverance and eventual breakthrough; from being trapped by the “birdcage” tactic and falling behind again, to his and Taro Misaki’s relentless cooperation to equalize; and finally, to the narrow escape from defeat in the last seconds—Xu He watched, blood racing, heart ablaze.

He even fantasized about being one of the players himself, striving alongside Nankatsu’s team, fighting for victory, burning with passion for his dreams…

“Tsubasa, you’re amazing!”

“One day, I’ll lead my teammates to fight with all our might for victory too!” Xu He silently made a vow to himself.

Unaware, the episode drew to its end.

Li Liying suddenly asked, “Do you really like this anime?”

Xu He nodded firmly. “Of course! It’s my favorite! Tsubasa is my idol!”

Li Liying smiled sweetly. “Then you have to be just as great as Tsubasa in our league matches!”

Xu He burst out laughing. “No doubt about it!”

“Hey, kids, it’s nearly dark. Aren’t you heading home yet?” the bearded shopkeeper reminded them.

Startled, they looked outside—the sky had already turned dark.

He panicked. “Oh no, it’s so late already? I’m in trouble now…” He turned to Li Liying. “Let’s hurry!”

Li Liying said quickly, “You go ahead! My house is just up ahead, I’ll be home soon!”

So she lived nearby; no wonder the shopkeeper had given them that look.

Xu He said, “Alright, be careful on your way!”

Li Liying smiled gently. “I will.”

Xu He waved. “See you!”

And with that, Xu He clutched his football and dashed out of the shop, running home as fast as he could, scolding himself for losing track of time.

He sprinted toward home, vanishing into the darkness.

Watching him disappear, Li Liying couldn’t help but smile. “What an interesting guy!”

She turned as well, heading home.

…

“Mum, Dad, I’m back!” Xu He burst into his house like a whirlwind, calling out loudly.

“So you still remember to come home? Do you know what time it is?” A clear, bright female voice, laced with fire, rang out from the kitchen.

Xu He jumped in fright and stuck his tongue out at his father, who was seated in front of the television in the living room.

His father, Xu Tie, was a burly man nearly one meter ninety in height. At Xu He’s arrival, he gave his son a glare, as if scolding him for coming home so late.

Xu Tie said, “Go wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”

Xu He grinned. “Yes, Dad!”

“All you know is eating—do you even know what time it is? Why are you only coming home now?” From the kitchen emerged a woman in her thirties, hair in a bun, wearing a simple dress and a sky-blue apron—a typical housewife at first glance. Yet she stood tall, her gaze was clear and her bearing graceful.

This was Xu He’s mother, Tang Qian.

At that moment, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xu He, not with anger, but with a quiet authority that made him shrink back like a mouse before a cat.

Xu He offered a careful smile. “Mum, I’ll be home earlier next time!”

Tang Qian snorted. “You even remember to come home? Do you know how long your brother and sister have been waiting for you to eat? Where’d you go this time to mess around?”

Xu He glanced at the two little ones sitting across the table; they were making faces at him. He glared back, but instead of intimidating them, it only made them giggle.

He muttered under his breath, “Silly kids…”

Tang Qian’s gaze shifted to the football in his arms, her tone icy. “Were you out playing football again? How many times have I told you—there’s no future in football. Your only path is to focus on your studies, understand?”

Xu He hugged his ball tighter and lowered his head.

Xu Tie, eyes still on the TV, sighed deeply and tried to mediate, “Alright, enough. Let the kids eat first, they’re hungry.”

Tang Qian looked at Xu Tie, her expression softening with a trace of regret. She sighed, “He’s like this because you spoil him. All right, everyone, wash up and eat!”

With that, she turned her attention to the two seven-year-olds, helping them with their meal.

Xu He, feeling as if he’d been granted amnesty, shot his father a grateful smile and hurried to the kitchen to wash his hands.

As Xu He disappeared into the kitchen, Tang Qian sighed again, then turned to Xu Tie. “See? He’s like this because of you. All he does is play, never studies—what will become of him?”

Xu Tie smiled patiently. “He’s still young. It’s normal to be a bit playful. When I was his age, I climbed trees for bird eggs and fished in the river. He’ll grow out of it…”

But before he could finish, Tang Qian’s energy flared. “How can his generation be compared to yours? If he keeps goofing off, will he ever get into a top high school or university? You think everyone can be like you—”

Xu Tie’s tone suddenly turned cold. “Like me how? What’s wrong with being like me?”

Tang Qian faltered, realizing she’d gone too far. She looked at him apologetically and said, “No matter what, he has to study hard.”

Xu Tie nodded. “I agree with that.”

Tang Qian smiled sweetly and glanced at him. “Let’s eat.”

Just then, Xu He emerged from the kitchen and called out, “Dad, dinner’s ready!”

Xu Tie smiled back. “Alright, time to eat.”

He stood up from the sofa, leaning heavily on his left leg, which was lame. Xu He rushed over to help him, but Xu Tie waved him off. “No need—my leg may be a bit crippled, but it’s not useless yet.”

Tang Qian turned away, dabbing at her tears.

Xu Tie continued, “Don’t try to butter me up, kid. It won’t help you! Your mother is the boss here. If you want to win someone over, go try with her.”

Tang Qian burst out laughing, even shooting him a glare.

She scolded, “What are you teaching him all day? Nothing but nonsense!” She turned her stern gaze on Xu He. “Don’t pick up your father’s bad habits. Your main job is to study, understand?”

Xu He nodded at once. “I understand, Mum!”

Satisfied, Tang Qian said, “Good. Eat.”

Only then did they sit down at the table.

During dinner, the television in the living room was broadcasting, and the famous football commentator Chang Yunxiang’s voice echoed through the room: “Central Television, Central Television, good evening, friends and football fans! You are watching CCTV Channel Five. I am your familiar commentator Chang Yunxiang, and with me is renowned football analyst Huang Lu. Today, we present to you the playoff match of the 19th World Cup—the 2010 South Africa World Cup Asian qualifiers. It’s our national men’s football team versus Saudi Arabia’s national team. This is the second leg; the first ended in a goalless draw. Now, back on our home ground, if we win just 1-0, we’ll eliminate Saudi Arabia and fight the fourth-ranked team of the North American qualifiers for a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!”

At that, Xu He shot up from his seat and rushed to the living room sofa, eyes glued to the television.

“What are you doing? Get back here and eat!” Tang Qian was instantly furious, her eyes fixed on Xu He.

He shivered but remained on the sofa, staring at the TV.

Tang Qian was furious.

Suddenly, a large hand reached out to pull her back. “Let him watch. It’s only once every four years.”

Though her anger did not subside, when she saw Xu Tie also struggling to his feet to watch with his son, her heart softened, tinged with sadness.

She muttered, “I really don’t get what’s so great about football. Both father and son are obsessed!” Then she called, “Xiao Yi, Xiao Fei, come! Let’s eat in our room and leave those two to it.”

The two kids obediently nodded, each taking her hand as they headed to the bedroom.

Tang Qian bent down and kissed each of her little treasures, murmuring tenderly, “My good children, you know how to care for Mum. Mum loves you both!”

Meanwhile, Xu He and his father were oblivious to everything else, their attention fixed on the television.

“This is the closest our national team has come to the World Cup since 2002. Let’s hope our boys do well, defeat Saudi Arabia, and break into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!” Chang Yunxiang roared with excitement.

Xu He echoed silently in his heart, “Make it to the World Cup!”