Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 067: Xu He Was Disciplined Thoroughly

By now, the group stage of the first-year football league had come to a complete close.

The two teams advancing from Group A were Class Sixteen and Class Six. Today, the matches in Group B also reached their conclusion.

Topping Group B was Class Ten, who finished undefeated with three wins from three matches, amassing nine points. They were the only team to finish the group stage with a perfect record, which spoke volumes about their strength.

No wonder there had been rumors circulating earlier that Class Ten was the strongest contender in the first-year football league.

Naturally, Class Ten was now the overwhelming favorite to win the championship.

Many believed that the title was already as good as theirs.

Taking second place in Group B was the combined team of Classes Five and Eight, who ended with two draws and a loss, earning two points but leading the other two teams on goal difference. Third was Class Three, with the same record—two draws and one loss, two points—but with a slightly better goal difference than the last-place team.

Bringing up the rear was Class Nine. Their record was also two draws and a loss, two points, but after suffering a crushing one-to-five defeat at the hands of Class Ten in the final round, they plummeted from second to last.

Class Nine’s fate was indeed unfortunate.

At one point, they were poised to advance and seemed likely to secure second place in the group.

But after that disastrous last match, they fell from second to dead last—it was truly a fall from grace.

It was a shame for Class Nine.

They were, in fact, a very capable team.

Unfortunately, fate had them face Class Ten in the final round, and even worse, they ran into Xu He at the peak of his form.

Xu He’s performance in that last match was nothing short of spectacular. It was as if he had been transformed—his shots were sharp and accurate, every attempt seemed destined for the net, leaving a deep impression on all who watched.

Perhaps it was Xu He’s sudden brilliance that led to such a lopsided defeat for Class Nine.

The players of Class Nine must surely despise Xu He now.

Had it not been for him, would they have lost? Without Xu He, they had even led Class Ten one-nil.

Without him, they would have advanced.

Damn that Xu He.

One man’s poison is another man’s honey.

The players of the combined team of Classes Five and Eight, on the other hand, were extremely grateful to Xu He. In their eyes, he was their savior.

Without him, they would not have been so lucky to advance.

After the match, the players of the Five-Eight team all thanked Xu He for sending them to the league’s semifinals. One even gifted him a snack in gratitude.

Now, the treats Xu Yi and Xu Fei were munching on came from this very player.

Recalling this, Xu He couldn’t help but smile; that player was truly adorable.

And so, the four semifinalists of the first-year football league were determined: Class Sixteen, Class Six, Class Ten, and the combined team of Classes Five and Eight.

The composition of the final four became a subject of much discussion.

Even Xu He himself found it quite unexpected.

Most surprising was Class Sixteen. To this day, many claimed their success was down to sheer luck—they had snatched two one-nil victories with last-minute goals to top their group. If not for their string of lucky finishes, they would never have advanced.

Moreover, many believed that Class Sixteen was truly weak.

Their defensive prowess, however, was widely acknowledged. Their captain, Zhuo Jun, was formidable, but even he couldn’t carry the entire defense alone.

The real issue was their lack of attack.

Those last-minute victories owed much to fortune.

Even in their final group match, their late equalizer against Class Fourteen was considered lucky.

This was a team that had advanced on luck alone.

Everyone agreed they were the weakest of the final four—some even thought they lagged behind the Five-Eight team.

They were almost universally seen as having no chance of reaching the final.

Xu He, too, acknowledged Zhuo Jun’s talent, but he agreed that Class Sixteen’s overall strength was lacking. Still, they weren’t entirely without hope—especially since their semifinal opponent was the Five-Eight combined team.

Indeed, the semifinals would see Group A’s top team face Group B’s runner-up, and vice versa.

Thus, Class Sixteen would play the Five-Eight team, while Class Ten would face Class Six.

The Five-Eight team wasn’t especially strong either. They bore similarities to Class Sixteen, both sides priding themselves on defense while lacking firepower up front.

The Five-Eight team’s most notable player was Liu Peng, nicknamed the Shaolin Monk, who was formidable in aerial duels—but otherwise, the team was quite ordinary.

With two defense-oriented teams clashing, the outcome was truly hard to predict.

Most observers, however, gave a slight edge to the Five-Eight team’s offense.

Nevertheless, Xu He still believed Class Sixteen had a chance, albeit a slim one.

Class Sixteen was certainly fortunate to be matched with the Five-Eight team. Had they drawn Class Three or Class Nine, especially Class Three with their potent offense, their prospects would have been grim.

Among the eliminated teams, many were considered unfortunate casualties—Class Three, Class Fourteen, and the combined team of Classes One and Seven, for instance.

This semifinal was expected to be a closely fought affair.

Xu He couldn’t quite call the outcome, but his sympathy for the underdog made him root for Class Sixteen to win and reach the final.

Of course, few shared his opinion.

Xu He’s main concern was his own semifinal—Class Ten’s clash with Class Six.

He was very familiar with their opponents, having played a warm-up match against them before the league began.

He knew Yang Hao’s abilities all too well.

They had beaten Yang Hao’s Class Six team in that friendly.

Class Six was a strong side, widely considered favorites to top Group A. Yet their major flaw was an overreliance on Yang Hao—he bore the team’s burdens almost single-handedly.

As long as they could neutralize Yang Hao, Class Ten should win comfortably.

However, after witnessing Yang Hao’s display in the final group match, Xu He was no longer so sure.

Yang Hao’s performance had been astonishing—unstoppable, mowing down all opposition.

If he maintained that form in the semifinal, things could get tricky for Class Ten.

Still, Xu He was confident in his team.

Their midfielders, Mu Yang and Zhong Haokun, were both defensively solid and physically imposing. Yang Hao, with his slight build, would struggle against them and should have few chances.

Yes, Xu He’s mind was now entirely consumed by thoughts of the semifinal.

Suddenly, a childish, indignant voice broke his reverie: “Big brother, you played the wrong note.”

Xu He snapped out of his daze and looked at the pouting, slightly annoyed Xu Yi in front of him. He recalled that he really had made a mistake.

He apologized at once, “Sorry, little one. I was distracted just now.”

Xu Yi stared at him, “You’re not even as good as me. I don’t want you to teach me anymore.”

Xu He was momentarily speechless and quickly retorted, “You think I want to teach you? I’ve got plenty of things to do myself. If it weren’t for our mother insisting, do you think I’d—”

Before he could finish, Xu Yi turned and shouted toward the door, “Mom! Big brother says he doesn’t want to teach me piano anymore, and he won’t teach me ever again—”

Xu He hurriedly clapped a hand over Xu Yi’s mouth, glaring fiercely at him.

But Xu Yi showed no fear; his black eyes sparkled mischievously, clearly plotting some mischief.

Xu He threatened, “If you dare shout again, I’ll tan your hide.”

After the warning, Xu He slowly released his hold on Xu Yi’s mouth. No sooner had he let go than the child opened his mouth wide, clearly about to shout again—so Xu He quickly covered it once more.

He glared at Xu Yi, but the boy remained unfazed.

At his wit’s end, Xu He asked, “What do you want so you’ll stop yelling?”

Before Xu Yi could answer, Xu Fei, who had been playing with her dolls nearby, jumped up, eyes gleaming, and said, “I know! Second brother wants chocolate, and so do I!”

At these words, Xu He looked at Xu Yi.

The little one nodded vigorously, his head bobbing like a pecking chick—clearly, he was craving a treat.

Xu He glanced at the two little ones, muttering, “All these snacks and you’re still not satisfied. You two are insatiable.”

They didn’t quite grasp the meaning of “insatiable,” but when they saw Xu He’s exasperated expression, both broke into delighted giggles.

Xu He was truly helpless. “Fine, next time I’ll bring you chocolate. But you can’t shout anymore, understand?”

Xu Yi nodded eagerly.

Xu He really had no way to deal with him and could only agree to sign such an unequal, disgraceful treaty.

Once released, Xu Yi really did keep quiet.

Xu He was left speechless.

Though Xu Yi claimed not to want Xu He’s instruction, the moment Xu He stopped, the little one would prod him with his chubby fists to continue playing, leaving Xu He no choice but to comply.

It was even more vexing than doing homework.

Fortunately, their mother soon called them to dinner, finally freeing Xu He.

No sooner had they sat at the table than Tang Qian inquired about his latest exam results. Luckily, Xu He had done well this time, ranking fifth in his class; otherwise, he would have had a miserable meal.

Tang Qian nodded in approval. “You did well, but you must keep working hard, understand? Strive to come first next time—only then will you have a chance to get into a top high school, do you hear?”

Xu He sighed. “Understood, Mother.”

Seeing this, Xu Tie interjected, “Alright, don’t put too much pressure on him. Let’s eat. As long as he does his best with his studies, that’s enough.”

Tang Qian was about to protest, but catching Xu Tie’s glance, she noticed how tired Xu He was and her heart softened. She said no more and instead began piling food onto Xu He’s plate...