Volume 1: Our Own League 107: The Seventh-Grade Soccer League Champion Is Born

Zhong Haokun was extremely serious, as if the final decisive battle had arrived. On the stands, the students from Class 10 sent their applause to Zhong Haokun, cheering and motivating him. At this moment, all the students from Class 10 stood together with Zhong Haokun. They wanted to give him confidence. Xu He and his teammates stood shoulder to shoulder, eyes fixed on Zhong Haokun’s back, cheering in their hearts: “Zhong Haokun, fight on! Zhong Haokun, you’re the best! Zhong Haokun, you can definitely do it!” All the players from Class 10’s football team cheered for Zhong Haokun in this way. Zhong Haokun, who was slowly walking toward the penalty spot, could also sense the encouragement from his teammates. He steadied his steps and advanced toward the penalty spot. Even if you are Xu Donglai, what does that matter? Today our Class 10 football team is going to claim the championship!

The massive Zhong Haokun reached the penalty spot, which instilled a powerful sense of oppression in the players from Class 16’s football team. Covered in muscles and with a rough, wild appearance, his intimidating presence was overwhelming, leaving some players from Class 16’s football team unable to meet his gaze. Yet Xu Donglai paid no attention. He seemed utterly unafraid of Zhong Haokun, ignoring his build and muscles as he stared quietly at his opponent, his eyes brimming with confidence. Xu Donglai’s confidence today had reached its peak. Suddenly Principal Wang heard Song Yu say, “Even if the national youth team’s chief striker from Fiji were standing at the penalty spot, Xu Donglai would remain unmoved and still utterly confident.” He had seen that Xu Donglai was unbeatable today. Principal Wang was momentarily stunned, never imagining Song Yu would utter such praise. Was Song Yu’s assessment of Xu Donglai too high? He turned his head at once to gaze at Xu Donglai on the field. Indeed, Xu Donglai was remarkably confident. He suddenly smiled bitterly and said, “As expected, the outsider is the outsider. I cannot compare to you. It seems this wager was mine to lose. Xu Donglai truly is impressive!”

Song Yu glanced at Principal Wang without a word. In truth, he wished the match were still undecided and that Xu Donglai might not save Zhong Haokun’s penalty, yet he held his tongue. Deep down he hoped to prevail himself and still believed in Xu Donglai. In this match Xu Donglai would surely win. Song Yu kept his gaze locked on the field, watching Xu Donglai. The penalty shootout had been intensely thrilling; both goalkeepers and players had delivered outstanding performances, turning the contest into a roller-coaster of suspense that left spectators breathless. This shootout had been far more exciting than the regular time. The match had been truly worth every ticket. With the second goal of the seventh round about to begin, everyone’s attention centered on Zhong Haokun. They watched him, eager to see if he could score for Class 16.

Xu Donglai continued to stare quietly at Zhong Haokun and suddenly said, “Come on. Let me see your strength!” Zhong Haokun raised an eyebrow, taken aback. Of course his inner calm remained untouched. He knew this was Xu Donglai trying to rattle him and would not fall for it easily. Instead he quietly observed the main referee, wondering when the whistle would sound. At that moment Zhong Haokun had already decided in his heart. He had a clear plan for his shot, though he did not glance at the goal. He had made his choice and waited for the referee’s whistle. Seeing Zhong Haokun’s confident stance, Xu He’s heart filled with joy; this ball had one. Xu He cheered for Zhong Haokun inwardly, certain that he could score. He knew full well that Zhong Haokun possessed a formidable long-range shot. Moreover, Zhong Haokun’s power was immense and his strike unyielding; this shot was bound to score. He had simply not shown it much in matches, so many still regarded it as a secret. Perhaps Xu Donglai and the Class 16 players were unaware. Thus Zhong Haokun had a strong chance of scoring. Xu He believed Zhong Haokun would score, no matter how fiercely Xu Donglai guarded the net. He stared tightly at Zhong Haokun, cheering him on.

Suddenly the main referee blew his whistle. The kick sounded and the stadium fell instantly silent. Everyone watched the field, every eye fixed on Zhong Haokun. The pressure was palpable. Yet Zhong Haokun appeared relaxed. He glanced lightly at the referee, then at Xu Donglai in front of the goal, before beginning his run-up toward the ball. Everyone frowned; what was Zhong Haokun doing? Suddenly he accelerated, charging toward the ball with lightning speed. A change of rhythm! Zhong Haokun had altered his pace, aiming to surprise Xu Donglai. Xu Donglai’s brow furrowed slightly. He had not expected this move and had not anticipated it, but it did not unsettle him greatly. He prepared to accelerate for a side save, eyes locked on Zhong Haokun. “Come on! No matter what you do, you cannot break the goal I guard!” Xu Donglai roared confidently within himself.

Zhong Haokun reached the ball and immediately swung his leg. His right foot struck the ball with ferocious force. Xu He’s eyes sparkled; a powerful long shot indeed! From such a distance he seemed to hear the whooshing sound of Zhong Haokun’s leg, and the sheer power of the cannon was unmistakable. The ball was certain to score! Xu Donglai’s pupils contracted sharply, a wave of shock passing through him. He felt the explosive force behind Zhong Haokun’s shot; it was an overwhelming heavy cannon. His heart jumped with worry. He sensed the shot’s immense power and feared it might harm him. Yet he still threw himself forward fearlessly, arms outstretched to intercept the lightning-fast ball. It was incredibly fast—too fast!

Song Yu on the stands stared wide-eyed. He could not believe a junior high school student had launched such a powerful shot; his mouth hung open in disbelief. What monsters these students were! The power of this shot was rarely seen; no player on the national youth team could strike with such force. Song Yu began to fear for Xu Donglai, terrified he would be injured. The ball was lethal. At that moment he wished Xu Donglai would leave the ball alone and simply let it score, without getting hurt. Others shared this thought, including Zhuo Jun. When he saw the shot, Zhuo Jun grew worried about Xu Donglai, even wanting to shout that he should abandon the ball and not dive. Yet he knew Xu Donglai’s character; even if he called out, Xu Donglai would still charge. So Zhuo Jun stayed silent and simply watched anxiously.

With a resounding crash, fearless Xu Donglai dove at the ball. The football’s overwhelming power smashed him into the goal, and the ball rebounded out immediately. “Crash!” Xu Donglai’s body was hurled deep into the net. The sound alone told how painful it was. Zhuo Jun and the others felt no joy or relief; they stared worriedly at Xu Donglai lying in the goal. They had watched and heard clearly; it had been terrifying and dangerous. Zhuo Jun and his teammates rushed to the goal, to Xu Donglai. “Donglai, how are you? Are you all right?” Zhuo Jun’s face drained of color, nearly pale with worry. He feared Xu Donglai had suffered an injury. Xu Donglai lay in the goal, writhing in pain and unable to rise for a long time. Zhuo Jun realized the injury was severe. The Class 16 players ran over frantically, all concerned. At the same time the medical staff from the sidelines rushed forward, fearing any harm. Song Yu on the stands locked his brows and rose to his feet. “He should not have touched that ball. Let it in instead? No need, no need!”

Although Song Yu felt Xu Donglai had not acted rationally, even foolishly, he still admired him deeply and admired his quality greatly. The qualities Xu Donglai had shown were rare. If Xu Donglai had been on the national youth team back then, Song Yu was confident he could have led them to the final. That team had lacked Xu Donglai’s qualities. Song Yu was deeply moved. Principal Wang sighed with a bitter smile; who could have foreseen the match ending this way? In the end he had lost—not only to Song Yu, but far more to Xu Donglai. Zhong Haokun seemed to lose all strength at once; his knees buckled and he knelt at the penalty spot, face filled with bewilderment, wondering why he had missed. Bitter, so bitterly bitter. He had given his all, yet still could not help his team win the league title, even causing them to lose and forfeit the championship. He suddenly felt he was useless. The hard man Zhong Haokun buried his face in the grass, shoulders trembling. Xu He stared blankly at the scene, his stunned expression still rigid. He had not expected such an outcome; he had believed the ball would score. Yet fearless Xu Donglai, who treated death as home, had changed everything. Xu He’s heart was heavy with bitterness; the season’s efforts had been wasted. He felt lost and pained. Yet he also felt endless admiration for Xu Donglai; this Xu Donglai truly deserved the championship. Xu He did not know whether to laugh or cry. He stood motionless, frozen in place. The Class 10 players were equally dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. They had never imagined such an ending; how could the championship slip away? Why was this happening? They could not understand. Zhuojun was also bewildered, staring blankly, unsure what to say. As captain he still bore responsibility. He steadied himself, walked to Zhong Haokun, and patted his back. “This is not your fault. It is my fault. I underestimated Class 16’s football team. As expected, arrogance leads to defeat! I was wrong. I have failed you all!”

The end. The first season of the junior high school football league had concluded, and the league champion had been crowned!