Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 47: Xu He’s Second League Match Approaches

Yes, even as a substitute, Xu He prepared himself meticulously and with the utmost seriousness. He cherished this hard-won opportunity.

Watching his teammates re-enter the pitch and sing the national anthem once more, Xu He was filled with excitement and emotion. He pumped his fist and shouted encouragement to his team, as if he himself were out there on the field.

“Li Jie, go for it! Zhu Ge, go for it! Lin Xuefeng, go for it! Class Ten Football Team, go for it!” Xu He was practically the cheerleader of the substitutes’ bench, throwing himself into his cheers with such fervor that his voice nearly drowned out even the most enthusiastic girls in the stands.

Many around him cast their gaze his way, but Xu He remained oblivious. His eyes were fixed intently on the field, all his attention devoted to the game, channeling his energy in support of his team.

Wang Jingkai was also drawn to him, stealing a few more glances than usual.

With a laugh, he remarked, “Look at that kid, he’s really into it. You can tell he truly loves football and his team.”

Tang Qing nodded slightly. “This boy is indeed quite special and has a lot of potential.”

Previously, Tang Qing had watched a match with Xu He, seated right behind him, so he had come to know the boy a little. To be honest, Tang Qing thought highly of Xu He; he believed Xu He was a remarkable child, and if he continued on this path, a bright future surely awaited him.

Hearing Tang Qing speak so, Wang Jingkai gave Xu He another two glances.

By now, the match had begun.

Perhaps because the school principal and other leaders were present in the stands, both teams played with a certain caution, holding back and not letting themselves go, resulting in a somewhat ragged contest.

This match was between Class Ten and Class Three. Class Ten wore the white jerseys of the Huaxia national team, while Class Three sported the sky-blue kits reminiscent of the Japanese squad. The scene was much like a clash between Huaxia and Japan.

There were, in fact, many mistakes on both sides—understandable, given the pressure. Yet Class Ten held the upper hand, their strength slightly superior. In particular, their player Mu Yang played with exceptional composure, unfazed by the occasion, and his outstanding performance suppressed Class Three’s efforts.

“Beautiful! What a brilliant shot! Vice-captain, you’re amazing!” Xu He leapt up from the sidelines, roaring his approval like the most devoted of fans.

Just moments before, Class Ten’s vice-captain Mu Yang had received a return pass from Yang Xin at the edge of the box. Without pausing to settle the ball, he unleashed a thunderous long-range strike.

With a boom, the ball shot out like a cannonball. The explosive sound and sheer speed startled even Wang Jingkai in the stands—was this really the shot of a fourteen-year-old?

Such power! Wang Jingkai even worried for the Class Three goalkeeper’s well-being; if that ball struck him, wouldn’t he end up in the hospital?

“Ah, what a pity!” Xu He clutched his head in disappointment.

Mu Yang’s rocket shot had flown just over the crossbar and out for a goal kick—Class Ten missed their chance to score.

But Mu Yang showed no trace of regret. He merely glanced coolly at Class Three’s goal before turning back to defend.

It seemed Mu Yang’s strike had awakened Class Three. As the match progressed, they began to shake off their nerves and play with increasing confidence, making fewer and fewer mistakes.

Xu He watched with growing anxiety, fearful his team might make a fatal error.

“Hey, the wing—the wing! Watch the defense on the wing, Jin Yubin!” Xu He suddenly shouted in alarm.

On the field, Class Three’s midfield core Wang Jun suddenly carried the ball down the wing.

Class Ten’s defense on that side was thin; Jin Yubin had just lost his focus, and Wang Jun seized the moment, pushing the ball past him with a long stride and cutting inside with the ball.

Danger—real danger.

Class Three’s forward Tang Jike surged forward, racing for the near post.

Xu He knew Tang Jike very well—perhaps even better than Yang Xin. After all, Tang Jike was also a classmate from Class Eleven. Tang Jike was fast and had a knack for scoring. In gym class, Xu He often partnered with him up front; Tang Jike was always outstanding, scoring goal after goal.

However, Xu He didn’t get along well with Tang Jike. The latter was rather arrogant, looking down on his Class Eleven peers, dismissing their football skills and refusing to play with them. When Class Eleven first tried to form a team, both Li Jie and Xu He had personally invited Tang Jike to join. Tang Jike had merely sneered, his disdain undisguised.

Xu He had been furious. Later, word spread that Tang Jike had joined another class’s team—now, he played for Class Three.

Though Xu He admired Tang Jike’s skills, he didn’t care for the boy himself. Seeing Tang Jike reach such a dangerous position, Xu He felt a knot in his chest. He jumped up and shouted to his teammates, “Watch out, watch out! Keep an eye on their number 9! Don’t let them get to the near post!”

Too late!

As Xu He called out, Tang Jike had already darted in, outpacing the defenders and reaching the near post. The Class Ten defenders had underestimated him, failing to pay enough attention.

As Tang Jike arrived, Wang Jun’s low cross zipped in. Timing was perfect.

Sliding to the ground, Tang Jike stretched out a leg and stabbed the ball inside the near post of Class Ten’s goal.

Goalkeeper Wang Xu dived instantly but couldn’t get a touch.

One-nil!

Class Three took the lead.

Xu He felt a pang of disappointment, but he didn’t blame his teammates. Instead, he rallied them: “It’s alright, there’s still plenty of time! We’re stronger than they are—one goal down is nothing, let’s get it back! Come on, come on, come on!”

He clapped his hands to draw the team’s attention, hoping they would feel his encouragement.

At this moment, Xu He’s behavior on the sidelines was nothing like a substitute, nor even a cheerleader—he was more like the coach of Class Ten.

The players on the field waved back to Xu He, signaling their understanding.

Naturally, Tang Jike, who had scored, was far from pleased with Xu He. He sprinted to the sideline and, right in front of Xu He, performed a knee-slide celebration, coming to a stop just before him. Had Xu He not stepped back, he might have been knocked over.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Looking for trouble?” Xu He’s fellow substitutes were incensed and rushed over, yelling at Tang Jike.

Tang Jike was being unbearably arrogant, provoking and humiliating their teammate—of course they were angry and wanted to stand up for Xu He.

Xu He quickly held them back. “Don’t get worked up, he didn’t mean anything by it.”

The school leaders were watching from the stands; a brawl would do no one any good.

Truth be told, even Wang Jingkai felt worried and angry at the sight, and Chang Derong was about to lose his temper as well. Fortunately, Xu He was rational enough to restrain his teammates, preventing any incident.

Wang Jingkai nodded at Xu He in approval. “This Xu He really is impressive.”

Chang Derong also gave Xu He a few more glances, nodding in agreement with Wang Jingkai.

Still, the substitutes on Class Ten’s bench continued to curse Tang Jike, who paid them no heed. He shot Xu He a contemptuous look, said not a word, and walked away.

Naturally, this only deepened the Class Ten players’ resentment. Deng Ning turned to Xu He and complained, “Who does that kid think he is? Scoring a goal isn’t a big deal—who hasn’t scored before? Show-off!”

Xu He patted Deng Ning on the shoulder. “Don’t take the bait. He just wants to provoke us.”

Deng Ning and the others looked at Xu He in confusion.

Xu He explained, “He knows full well his team isn’t as strong as ours. If they want to win, they have to resort to tricks. By trying to rile us up, he hopes to throw us off our game, maybe even get us sent off with a red card.”

Deng Ning and the others nodded in understanding.

Deng Ning glared fiercely at Tang Jike. “What a sneaky bastard.”

On the pitch, the match resumed, with Class Ten clearly ramping up their attack, laying siege to Class Three’s defense, desperate to equalize.

Xu He shouted from the sidelines, “Right wing! Get the ball to the right wing!”

A while later, he roared again, “The byline’s open—great chance!”

Soon after, he jumped up once more, yelling, “Cross to the back post! Yang Xin’s open at the back post!”

…

Xu He was completely absorbed, doing everything he could to help his team from the sidelines.

Class Ten created several opportunities, but still couldn’t find the net.

Then Zhu Ge called out from the pitch, “Xu He, start warming up! You’re going on in five minutes!”

Xu He froze in surprise.

Was he really about to go on? At last, his turn had come.

He clenched his fists and whispered to himself, “Xu He, don’t let this chance slip by. Play your heart out and lead the team to victory!”

Xu He, go for it!

He immediately turned and began his warm-up.

As he moved along the sideline, he felt his blood begin to boil, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

It wasn’t nerves.

It was pure exhilaration.

At last, he would get his chance to play.

This time, he would make the most of it.

Xu He warmed up with total focus, as if he were already on the pitch.

Five minutes later, his preparations complete, Xu He stood at the sideline, waiting for his substitution.

Xu He’s second league match was about to begin.