Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 9: The Footsteps of the First Year Football League

When Li Liying mentioned helping him, Xu He’s eyes widened in excitement. To participate in the league was something he had longed for. Xu He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, “Wouldn’t this be too much trouble? I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

Though he was eager to join, Xu He didn’t want to cause Li Liying any inconvenience.

Li Liying shot him a glare. “You just focus on preparing for the league. Leave the rest to me!”

Xu He nodded gratefully.

At that moment, Zhu Ge, who stood beside Li Liying, raised his brows, sensing something. Li Liying noted his reaction and spoke at once, “Stop frowning. As you’ve guessed, I want our class team to accept Xu He. He’s got real skill!”

Xu He immediately understood what was going on. So that was it.

He glanced at Zhu Ge, captain of the Class Ten football team, and it was clear Zhu Ge was reluctant—there was even a trace of displeasure on his face.

Li Liying saw this too and added, “You won’t be put on the spot. Xu He is a strong player!”

Xu He’s close friend, Li Jie, chimed in, “That’s right, Zhu Ge. Xu He is really good!”

Xu He looked at both Li Liying and Li Jie, his eyes full of gratitude.

After glancing at the two, Zhu Ge spoke with some difficulty, “President, this puts me in a tough position. Our team was carefully selected. If we add someone now, I’m afraid the others won’t accept it…”

Indeed, the Class Ten team wasn’t made up solely of students from that class. It was built using Class Ten as a base, then picking the best from other classes—a team assembled to win the championship.

It was not easy to simply add someone to such a team. It wouldn’t be fair to those who made it or to those who were cut.

So Zhu Ge truly felt conflicted.

Hearing this, Xu He immediately said, “Captain Zhu Ge, I’m willing to do a tryout. I have confidence in myself—I won’t be a burden!”

Zhu Ge scrutinized Xu He, still troubled.

Li Liying spoke again, “I’ve seen him play—he’s got what it takes!”

Seeing Zhu Ge’s hesitation, Xu He felt a bit disappointed, but he couldn’t blame Zhu Ge. From his perspective, Zhu Ge was right.

Xu He was deeply grateful to Li Liying. She had done so much for him.

As Zhu Ge hesitated, a familiar voice rang in Xu He’s ear, “Captain, let him join. I’ve played with him—he’s very good!”

Xu He immediately looked up to see a strikingly handsome face. It was Lin Xuefeng, the idol of all the girls at school.

To think that Lin Xuefeng from Class Four had also joined the Class Ten football team.

Xu He believed Zhu Ge’s words—the team was indeed carefully selected.

Zhu Ge was taken aback by Lin Xuefeng’s high praise for Xu He. He trusted Lin Xuefeng, so with that endorsement, Zhu Ge stopped hesitating.

He said to Xu He, “Since Xuefeng says so, I have no objection to you joining the team.”

Xu He breathed a sigh of relief, joy washing over him.

At last, he could play in the league!

He couldn’t hide his smile.

Li Liying and Li Jie were relieved as well, happy for Xu He.

Xu He immediately thanked Zhu Ge, “Thank you!”

Zhu Ge responded, “Don’t thank me yet. I agree to let you join, but I have one condition.”

Xu He’s heart skipped a beat, “What condition?”

Everyone turned their eyes to Zhu Ge, who smiled, “Don’t worry, it’s simple and won’t trouble you.”

The others relaxed a little, but still watched Zhu Ge closely.

Seeing their skepticism, Zhu Ge continued, “My condition is that Li Jie must also join our team. His skills are strong, and we need him!”

So that was it, and everyone was relieved.

Xu He was thrilled—he could play in the league alongside his best friend. What could be better?

But he didn’t rush to answer. He looked at Li Jie—this was for him to decide.

Li Jie smiled, “I was planning to join the second round, but since you’ve invited me and I can help my friend, how could I refuse? I agree!”

Xu He, overcome with excitement, hugged Li Jie, exclaiming, “Fantastic, amazing! Old Li, we’ll fight in the league together!”

Li Liying, seeing this, smiled as well.

At last, everything was resolved.

After celebrating with Li Jie, Xu He turned to Li Liying and Lin Xuefeng, “Thank you, thank you both!”

They responded politely. Li Liying added, “If you really want to thank me, show us what you can do on the field!”

Xu He replied confidently, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down!”

Zhu Ge spoke up, “Since you’re both on the team now, here’s the plan: tomorrow afternoon during extracurricular time, meet at the field. We’ll have a brief meeting, get to know each other, and then start our first team practice. This weekend, we’ll have a warm-up match to prepare fully for next week’s league kick-off!”

It was clear Zhu Ge had a detailed plan—this was indeed a team determined to win.

Joining such a team, Xu He felt both honored and pressured.

He replied earnestly, “Understood, Captain!”

Zhu Ge was pleased with Xu He’s attitude, patting him on the shoulder, “Don’t be late tomorrow!”

With that, he left.

Lin Xuefeng gave Xu He a fist bump, cheering him on, and then left with Zhu Ge.

Li Liying approached Xu He. “Give me your height and weight. I’ll record them and handle the jerseys.”

Xu He and Li Jie immediately provided their details. Li Liying nodded and left after bidding them farewell.

After everyone had gone, Xu He felt as if he were dreaming.

He couldn’t believe it!

Before coming to the field, he’d never imagined he could join a team and play in the league. Yet in just a short while, his life had changed dramatically.

It was a wonderful surprise.

Li Jie gave Xu He a playful slap and said, “Stop daydreaming and get back to class—it’s almost time!”

Only then did Xu He realize class was about to begin. He let out a yelp and dashed back. The next period was math; if he was late and Ms. Ye Ziqing told his mother, he’d be in real trouble.

Naturally, Xu He dared not be late and sped off to class.

Li Jie burst out laughing.

All day, Xu He was bubbling with excitement. The thought of playing in an official league made him giddy; he’d sometimes break into a silly grin for no reason and even got caught by the teacher, who made him stand for ten minutes.

That night, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep—just thinking about joining the team and playing in matches made his blood surge. In the end, he didn’t even know when he fell asleep, and nearly overslept the next morning.

He was sluggish all Tuesday morning, but by afternoon, he was full of energy.

Their team’s first practice was about to begin—he could hardly contain himself. He wanted to shout to the world that he was going to play in the league.

Thankfully, he resisted that urge, or else the entire school would know Class Eleven had produced a lunatic.

Finally, it was time for extracurriculars. Xu He dragged Li Jie to the field, worried about being late.

Li Jie tried to calm him, “Relax, take it easy!”

Even so, they weren’t the first from their team to arrive; Lin Xuefeng and Zhu Ge were already there.

Of course, a group of girls had gathered as well—all there for Lin Xuefeng.

Seeing them, Lin Xuefeng and Zhu Ge greeted the two.

Xu He responded, “Hello, Captain! Hello, Vice Captain!”

He’d learned from Li Liying the day before that Lin Xuefeng was the vice captain. The fact that a student from Class Four could hold such a position spoke to his skill and popularity. Xu He dared not underestimate him.

Zhu Ge said, “Wait here a bit. Once everyone arrives, we’ll start the meeting.”

Xu He and Li Jie agreed and chatted as they waited.

Soon, all the players arrived.

It was Xu He’s first time meeting his future teammates.

The Class Ten team had sixteen members—eleven starters, five substitutes. Only eight were from Class Ten; the rest were from other classes, all outstanding players, or they wouldn’t have made the team.

Among them, Xu He spotted a familiar face—Zhong Haokun, Lin Xuefeng’s “uncle” teammate from a few days before.

Clearly, this team was formidable. Zhong Haokun had left a deep impression on Xu He.

Zhu Ge had everyone introduce themselves, so the team could get acquainted.

To be honest, Xu He didn’t remember most of their names. But that wasn’t important—he’d learn them in time.

However, when it was his turn, he could distinctly feel several hostile, resentful gazes. Xu He was surprised—he didn’t recall having met them before. Why were they looking at him that way?

Soon after their meeting began, Li Liying arrived.

She addressed the team, “The jersey issue is settled. Two sportswear shops agreed to sponsor us—one is the Xtep store near the school, the other is a sports equipment shop.”

Xu He looked at Li Liying with admiration.

She was incredible!

Li Liying continued, “We got the jerseys at a very low price. By Friday, all team kits and gear will be ready, so next week’s league opener won’t be affected. Let me fill you in on the details…”

She explained that their team would wear the white kit of the China national team; Class Three would wear Japan’s sky-blue kit; Class Six, Italy’s blue; Class Nine, Czechia’s white; Class Five-Eight, Argentina’s blue and white stripes; Class One-Seven, AC Milan’s blue and black stripes; Class Fourteen, Brazil’s yellow; and Class Sixteen, Portugal’s deep red.

Hearing this, Xu He was thrilled—everything was falling into place. The middle school football league was nearly upon them.

Next Tuesday, the league would officially begin!