Volume One: Our Own League 043: Excluded from the Starting Lineup

Although Xu He knew that their league was likely doomed, he still persisted in his training, investing himself wholeheartedly. Xu He had thought it through clearly: whether or not there were matches to play, he needed to improve his football skills. For he had once promised himself—he would one day lead the Huaxia men's soccer team to the World Cup. Therefore, he could not afford to slack off for even a moment. Even if their league truly ended up being banned, he would still keep practicing, still keep playing football.

Thus, in these recent days, Xu He had trained with extraordinary diligence and enthusiasm. To many, he was simply a training machine. Naturally, this irritated some people. They thought Xu He was just showing off. With the league about to be canceled, who was he working so hard for? Was he that desperate to be noticed? Some felt uncomfortable around him. Yet, many more admired and respected Xu He. His tireless, positive spirit and determination to better himself touched them deeply; they could see he truly loved football.

Even Mu Yang couldn’t help but glance at Xu He a few more times. Zhang Zhen, too, was full of admiration for Xu He—this guy was relentless, almost cruel to himself, his training downright draconian. Zhang Zhen knew he could never reach that level. He walked up to Xu He, gave him a thumbs-up, and exclaimed sincerely, “You really go all out. Your self-discipline and tenacity are amazing. Impressive, really impressive!”

In Zhang Zhen’s eyes, Xu He was a veritable training machine. However, Xu He himself felt his teammates’ praise was a bit much. He wasn’t actually the hardest worker. The real paragon of effort was the short kid on the sidelines wearing the Huaxia team’s white number 47 jersey. Whenever Xu He saw him on the field, that kid was always practicing, always honing his football skills. Even after school, his extra sessions outstripped Xu He’s own. In terms of sheer effort, Xu He knew he couldn’t compare.

Xu He had immense respect for that short kid. Although the boy could barely play and his footwork was terrible, Xu He firmly believed that, one day, he would become a skilled footballer—maybe even make the high school or university team. To be honest, the boy’s drive gave Xu He motivation of his own. In his heart, Xu He was grateful to Lu Yiming, that determined little teammate.

Xu He kept practicing his shooting—over and over again, tirelessly, never bored, even when his teammates watching him had grown weary of the sight. Some people truly thought he was just seeking attention and felt annoyed. But Xu He paid no mind, continuing to train with the same energy.

At that moment, Li Jie approached Zhu Ge and asked, “Captain, should we play tomorrow’s match?”

The reason for his question was that, though the school leadership had criticized them for this at the Monday staff meeting, they never explicitly forbade the football league, leaving the players uncertain about whether to go on. Zhu Ge looked at Li Jie and replied, “We played on Tuesday, and the school leaders didn’t interfere. I doubt they will on Friday, either. So yes, we’ll definitely play tomorrow.”

Li Jie nodded, reassured. Zhu Ge added, “Get ready, everyone. Tomorrow’s match will go ahead.”

With the answer he needed, Li Jie breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe their league wasn’t finished after all? In any case, they would focus on playing well tomorrow.

Truthfully, Zhu Ge himself had little confidence in what he’d just said. He knew something of the school leadership’s real attitude. That very day, Li Liying had approached the first-year head, Director Chang Derong, but Chang insisted on their decision: to ban students from organizing a football league. This was hardly good news. Worse still, according to Li Liying, even the principal was against the league and intended to dissolve it.

All this left Zhu Ge feeling downcast. Still, he hid his feelings, not wanting his teammates to be affected and thus distracted from tomorrow’s match. Even if the league was destined to die, he would stand firm until the end. Even if tomorrow was their last match, they would play it earnestly, leaving themselves with a beautiful memory.

That day, the players trained a little better than the day before, but their spirits remained low. To them, with the league essentially over, what was the point of training? Was it really necessary? Seeing their state, Mu Yang was naturally frustrated, but he had promised Zhu Ge to rein it in—though his cold, stony expression said it all. A strange tension hung over the team, but outwardly, everyone went about their business as usual.

At the end of practice, as was customary, the coach announced the starting lineup for the next day’s match. Xu He was full of anticipation, his eyes fixed on Mu Yang, hoping to secure a starting spot—his recent performances had been excellent, and he felt he deserved it. His rival, Yang Xin, thought the same. He’d performed better in training, his strengths more obvious, and complemented Zhang Zhen on the forward line. He’d even done well as a substitute in the last game, so he believed he deserved the starting spot over Xu He.

Thinking this, Yang Xin even turned to look at Xu He, eyes blazing with fighting spirit. “This starting spot is mine, Xu He, don’t even think about it!” Yang Xin was brimming with confidence, just waiting for the coach to announce the lineup.

Xu He, too, was confident, but also nervous, eyes glued to Mu Yang. With an icy tone, Mu Yang read out name after name, but neither Xu He’s nor Yang Xin’s was among them. As the remaining spots dwindled, both grew anxious—would they make the starting lineup?

Xu He breathed rapidly, tense. Li Jie reassured him, “Relax, you’ll start for sure, old friend—you played really well last game.” Xu He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, turning to Li Jie with a grateful smile. “Thanks, buddy.”

On the other side, Yang Xin stared intensely at Mu Yang, his eyes full of longing and determination. As name after name was called, the starting lineup gradually took shape. Xu He grew more nervous—would the last starting spot be his? Yang Xin, too, refused to yield. His gaze seemed to plead: “Pick me, I won’t let you down, I promise!”

Perhaps it was this fierce, yearning look that swayed Mu Yang, for the final name he called was—Yang Xin.

Xu He narrowed his eyes and let out a long breath. Truth be told, he’d seen this coming. He wanted to be magnanimous and congratulate his rival, but he couldn’t quite manage it. He felt a pang of disappointment—the spot should have been his. He was downcast, while Yang Xin was elated, pumping his fist in celebration and winking at Xu He in a provocative, taunting gesture.

Xu He, however, paid no heed to these antics. Inside, he thought, “It’s just that I’m not strong enough yet. I need to train harder, improve myself, and reclaim my spot in the starting lineup.”

“You okay?” Li Jie asked, giving Xu He a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Xu He’s heart warmed. “I’m fine,” he replied quietly.

“Are you sure?” Li Jie pressed, still concerned.

Xu He smiled. “Really, I’m fine. It’s just the starting lineup—I can still play, you know. Don’t worry, I’ll get my chance in this match.”

Li Jie nodded in understanding.

Though Xu He hadn’t made the starting eleven, he remained full of expectation for the next day’s match. He imagined coming off the bench in the second half, seizing his chance to grow and improve. Naturally, the rest of the Class Ten team was eager for the match as well, wishing the next day would come sooner. Still, they were worried—how would the school leaders react if they found out the league continued? Would they be punished harshly?

Yes, the players were anxious—but above all, they were excited.

Before the league resumed, they had exams to take—the monthly assessments. That day, they had finished the first round. Xu He felt he’d done quite well in the Chinese and math exams; he was confident his scores wouldn’t be bad. He was equally sure of a good result in the next day’s exams.

Indeed, the English exam the next morning was easy for Xu He; the questions were simple, and he was sure he’d score high. In the afternoon, he performed well in history and politics, confident that his results would please his parents and keep them from interfering with his football.

Xu He’s mood soared.

Friday dawned bright and breezy—a perfect day for football. Though Xu He would be waiting for his chance on the bench, he was brimming with anticipation, ready to give his all for the love of the game.

Soon, the first match of the day began: the football team from Class Nine, Block B2, versus the team from Class Five-Eight, Block B3. The match between their own Class Ten and Class Three would follow right after.