Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 48: Pinning You Firmly to the Bench

"Look at that kid in the number 17 jersey on the sidelines. How is he even more excited than the players on the field? His enthusiasm is really something," Principal Wang remarked, his gaze fixed on Xu He near the edge of the pitch.

"Hahaha, he really is an interesting fellow. If you keep watching, you'll discover even more intriguing things about him," Tang Qing replied with a smile, also watching Xu He.

"Really? Then I should pay closer attention to this kid!" Principal Wang said, his interest piqued.

"Look, it seems he's about to come on," Tang Qing suddenly pointed out.

Sure enough, Principal Wang saw the boy run to the touchline and stand beside the fourth official, clearly preparing to be subbed in.

"Let's see just how interesting this kid can be," Principal Wang thought to himself.

At that moment, Xu He was indeed waiting at the sideline for a stoppage in play. He clenched his fists with anticipation, barely able to contain his excitement. He wanted nothing more than to dash onto the field and throw himself into the game.

"Xu He, good luck!" Suddenly, from the stands, Li Liying called out to him.

Hearing her, Xu He turned and gave Li Liying a smile and a nod, promising he would give it his all.

To be honest, he was deeply grateful to Li Liying. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't even be on Class Ten's soccer team, let alone playing in the league. He had fought hard for this opportunity, and he was determined not to waste it—to play his best, not to let Li Liying down, nor himself.

Taking a deep breath, Xu He clenched his fist tighter and encouraged himself, "Come on, Xu He, you can do it."

Xu He looked toward the field and immediately met Yang Xin's eyes. Xu He paused for a moment. In Yang Xin's gaze, he saw a fierce fighting spirit; clearly, Yang Xin had no intention of being substituted. That look seemed to say, "I won't lose to you!"

It was obvious Yang Xin didn't want to be taken off. Xu He didn't know him well; although they were classmates, Yang Xin was a transfer student who had only recently joined their class, and they hadn't interacted much before. In theory, as teammates on Class Ten's soccer team, they should have gotten along and had common ground, but whether in class or on the team, they had barely exchanged a word.

Of course, Xu He had tried to reach out, but Yang Xin always seemed to avoid him, unwilling to engage. Xu He wasn't about to force himself on someone so cold, so they ended up as familiar strangers.

Perhaps Yang Xin was just a proud person, though he didn't seem that way with others. Maybe it was the competitive dynamic between them that made Yang Xin reluctant to interact.

That look just now told Xu He everything he needed to know.

Staring at Yang Xin's back, Xu He thought, "I'm sorry, I won't lose to you either. The starting striker position—I'm claiming it."

Xu He continued to wait for his chance at the sideline.

On the pitch, Yang Xin, sensing the threat to his spot, played with even greater energy, constantly moving in the box and signaling for the ball.

In the penalty area, tall and imposing, Yang Xin stood out like a crane among chickens. The moment he raised his hand, all eyes were on him.

"Here! Back post!" Yang Xin shouted.

Honestly, Yang Xin was supremely confident. Surrounded by much shorter opponents, he felt heading the ball would be no challenge at all. Previously, the team's focus through the middle had meant he had to sacrifice his own opportunities for the sake of the team. Now, with the threat of substitution looming, he could no longer stay silent.

He didn't want to be subbed off.

He wanted to prove himself.

He wanted everyone to witness his strength.

"Over here!" Yang Xin used his body to shield the defender, signaling to Lin Xuefeng on the wing to cross.

"Wow! That kid's at our school? He can't really be just a high schooler, can he?" Principal Wang exclaimed in shock as he saw the six-foot-three Yang Xin dominating the penalty area.

Indeed, with that height, Yang Xin hardly looked like a junior high student.

Tang Qing frowned slightly, clearly sharing the same doubts.

Chang Derong, however, knew the boy well. "He's definitely one of our students. He should be in the third year of junior high, but he repeated twice, so he's still in first year."

Now it made sense. Principal Wang and the others nodded.

"But why did he repeat two grades?" Principal Wang asked.

Chang Derong smiled wryly. "Apparently, he wanted to play in the soccer league, so he repeated first year. That's why I'm against letting students keep participating in this league—it has too big an impact on the school."

He glanced nervously at Principal Wang after speaking.

Principal Wang frowned, surprised by such a reason. "And you allowed him to repeat for something so frivolous?"

Chang Derong answered, still smiling ruefully, "He brought both his parents to school, and they agreed. How could we say no?"

Principal Wang's frown deepened; this all seemed a bit too casual. He didn't pursue the matter further, but he resolved to consider the soccer league issue much more seriously.

"Look! There's a chance!" Suddenly someone in the stands shouted.

Principal Wang and the others immediately looked back to the field to see what was happening.

There, inside the penalty box, Yang Xin leapt high above everyone else, ready to head the ball at goal. Two defenders jumped alongside him, but they only reached his armpits and posed no threat.

The crowd collectively gasped.

Xu He's pupils dilated as he watched, shocked by Yang Xin's dominance.

Yang Xin was truly formidable—at least among this group of players, his natural advantages were overwhelming, nearly unassailable.

Yang Xin soared in the air like a king, looking down upon all. As the ball came flying toward him, he regarded his opponents with utter disregard, powerfully heading the ball toward the goal. The ball shot like a bullet at the keeper.

The goalkeeper for Class Three was helpless, unable even to react.

The ball flew straight into Class Three's net.

One to one—Class Ten had equalized.

As the ball hit the net, Yang Xin landed and leapt up again, punching the sky in celebration, his imposing presence awe-inspiring.

Xu He felt as though he could read Yang Xin's unspoken words: "I, Yang Xin, am the strongest."

Class Ten's players were ecstatic, rushing to surround Yang Xin in a jubilant group celebration.

Zhu Ge, even more excited, exclaimed, "Yang Xin, that was amazing! Fantastic header!"

Yang Xin hugged Zhu Ge and replied, "If we'd played like this sooner, I'd have scored already—they can't stop me!"

Zhu Ge hesitated for a moment, recognizing the note of dissatisfaction in Yang Xin's words—he clearly disagreed with the team's earlier tactics. Still, Zhu Ge didn't argue. He knew their previous approach had sidelined Yang Xin's strengths, making the game much harder.

Zhu Ge clapped Yang Xin on the shoulder. "Don't worry, from now on we'll play to your strengths. We'll use our advantages."

This pleased Yang Xin greatly, and he nodded gratefully at Zhu Ge before turning to look at Xu He on the sideline with a hint of pride and, more than anything, self-assurance in his gaze.

Clearly, Yang Xin believed Xu He could never be his equal.

But then Yang Xin froze, momentarily bewildered.

He had expected Xu He to look dejected, but instead Xu He seemed even more animated than before, jumping and clapping wildly on the sideline, even shouting, "Brilliant, that was brilliant! What a fantastic goal!"

Yang Xin was thrown off. What was going on?

Aren't we direct competitors? I just scored and forced you to stay on the bench—why are you so happy? Why?

Yang Xin couldn't wrap his head around it and began to wonder if Xu He was a little unhinged.

Xu He, oblivious to Yang Xin's confusion, enthusiastically hugged his teammates on the bench, shouting, "Class Ten is the strongest! Victory for Class Ten! We will win! We will win!"

Xu He was by far the most passionate, the most invested among the substitutes.

He even ran to the touchline to high-five the returning players, congratulating each one with, "You played great! Keep it up!"

Yang Xin smiled wryly—was Xu He's heart really that big? Didn't he realize that the better Yang Xin played, the less likely he was to get any time on the pitch?

Yang Xin found Xu He harder and harder to understand.

Zhu Ge, running over, looked at Xu He with guilt. He gave him a hug and apologized, "Sorry, Xu He, you might not get to play today."

Xu He, who had just been celebrating, was momentarily stunned.

Wasn't he supposed to be subbed in?

Now they weren't making the change?

Xu He looked at Yang Xin on the field and instantly understood. A wave of disappointment swept over him.

Still, he quickly replied, "It's okay! As long as the team wins, I don't mind at all. Go for it, Captain. Bring home the victory—we'll be cheering for you from the bench."

Xu He's words struck Zhu Ge deeply; he felt he was letting Xu He down. Zhu Ge looked at Xu He, wanting to explain, but no words would come.

Xu He gave a sunny smile and reassured him, "It's all right, Captain, I understand. It's all for the team. All for victory. As long as we win, that's all that matters!"

Zhu Ge was stunned, guilt weighing heavier in his heart.

As the game was about to restart, Xu He gave Zhu Ge a push. "Captain, get back out there. The match is about to begin. Go! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines!"

Seeing Xu He's radiant smile, Zhu Ge felt a surge of energy. He nodded to Xu He with determination. "Xu He, we'll bring home the victory."

With that, he gave Xu He a firm pat on the shoulder and ran back onto the field.

But the second Zhu Ge turned away, Xu He's smile was replaced by disappointment.

What player doesn't want to be on the field?

But Xu He quickly composed himself, calling out loudly, "Let's go, Class Ten!"

Hearing Xu He's shout, Zhu Ge, running back onto the pitch, raised his fist high and roared, "Let's go, Class Ten!"

The rest of the team paused for a moment and then joined in unison, "Let's go, Class Ten!"