Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 121: He Was Born to Be a Striker

Sensing Zhuo Jun’s sudden lunge, Xu He’s eyes lit up with a spark of opportunity. This was a prime moment! Seizing the moment as Zhuo Jun’s footing wavered, Xu He swiftly used the heel of his right foot to flick the stationary soccer ball backward. The ball darted swiftly between Zhuo Jun’s legs, rolling behind him.

Zhuo Jun was taken aback, realizing the imminent danger. As expected, Xu He immediately turned and charged forward, chasing after the ball. The players of Class Ten’s soccer team all cheered inwardly—this was an excellent chance! Xu He had completely shaken off Zhuo Jun; if he caught up to the ball, it would be a one-on-one showdown with Xu Donglai. Was this not a golden opportunity?

The players of Class Ten seemed to already envision Xu He scoring. Meanwhile, Xu Donglai stood ready before the goal, waving his hands to command the defense to quickly close in and block Xu He’s path. But Xu He paid no heed to the other defenders from Class Sixteen; they simply could not stop him. Once he shook off Zhuo Jun, it would be a direct face-off with Xu Donglai.

In his mind, Xu He knew this was a prime chance he must seize. He thought, “Zhuo Jun, this time you won’t stop me—I will score!”

Suddenly, with a thud, Xu He stumbled, losing his balance and falling forward onto the turf. The referee blew his whistle immediately and rushed over.

“Foul! Class Sixteen committed a foul!”

The players of Class Ten were furious; this was their perfect chance, and it had been ruined. Their hearts burned with anger.

“You damn scoundrels, play fair!” Zhu Ge leapt up and sped toward the scene, pressing the referee to issue a red card and send Zhuo Jun off. That foul from behind was extremely dangerous and demanded severe punishment.

Xu He, lying on the ground, was equally enraged. That despicable Zhuo Jun had no scruples—he had gone straight for Xu He’s ankle! Was he trying to cripple him?

Xu He sprang up and charged at Zhuo Jun, roaring, “Are you trying to ruin me? Is this playing football?”

Zhuo Jun’s face was apologetic as he quickly replied, “I didn’t mean to! I was careful—I had no intention of hurting you. You know I couldn’t let you get past!”

He was honest—he admitted to the foul but insisted he never meant to cause injury and had been measured enough not to harm Xu He.

In truth, Xu He was unscathed.

Yet, the anger among Xu He and his teammates was palpable. Zhuo Jun’s underhanded tactic had destroyed an exceptional scoring opportunity—one they were almost certain to convert. Naturally, they were furious.

Still, there was little they could say. Fouls were common in football; players often committed them to defend. Even Xu He and Zhu Ge themselves had used such tactics. So, no one had grounds for complaint.

Zhuo Jun quickly said, “Sorry, Xu He! I didn’t do it on purpose or aim to hurt you. You know I respect you and hope you join our team—how could I ever foul you deliberately?”

Zhu Ge’s anger flared instantly. “You damn well fouled him, and now you’re trying to poach my players right in front of me? You really don’t take me seriously.”

Zhu Ge glared at Zhuo Jun with a fierce expression, as if ready to devour him.

Realizing the tension, Zhuo Jun smiled nervously at Zhu Ge. “I didn’t ignore you—I just wanted to clarify I had no intention to injure Xu He.”

Upon hearing this, Xu He’s rage subsided. Indeed, Zhuo Jun had no reason to hurt him. Moreover, the foul was within the rules; if the roles were reversed, Xu He himself would have committed a foul rather than letting the opponent pass.

So, Xu He said nothing more and turned to enter the penalty area, refocusing on the attack.

But Zhu Ge remained deeply displeased. He glanced at Zhuo Jun, then pressed the referee, saying, “Referee, that foul from behind was dangerous—a reckless challenge. It deserves a red card. And once Xu He gets past, it’ll be a one-on-one with Xu Donglai, the last defender. Isn’t that a red card offense?”

Zhu Ge was pushing hard for the red card.

Zhuo Jun immediately retorted, “Referee, don’t listen to his nonsense—he didn’t see it clearly. Yes, I committed a foul, but it was a routine one, hardly dangerous. And I’m not the last defender, so how can it be a red card?”

Their heated exchange went back and forth.

The referee finally blew his whistle sharply to halt the argument before it dragged on all afternoon.

Both Zhu Ge and Zhuo Jun calmed down, eyes fixed intently on the referee.

The referee then pulled a yellow card from his pocket and flashed it at Zhuo Jun—a warning.

Zhuo Jun grumbled his dissatisfaction, convinced the foul warranted a red card and found the referee’s call too lenient. The referee motioned for Zhu Ge to step back, threatening a yellow card if he persisted. Reluctantly, Zhu Ge withdrew but still grumbled as he joined the attack.

The referee awarded Class Ten a direct free kick just outside the penalty area—a favorable position within shooting range.

Lin Xuefeng, skilled at free kicks, prepared carefully. The Class Sixteen players guarded cautiously, fully alert.

Zhuo Jun stuck close to Xu He by his side, whispering, “Sorry, I really didn’t mean it earlier.”

Xu He nodded slightly but ignored him, fully focused on the game. Using his body, Xu He pushed Zhuo Jun outward, then dashed swiftly toward the far post. Zhuo Jun reacted quickly, chasing him like sticky glue.

Lin Xuefeng stood before the goal, and the crowd of young ladies erupted with cheers and applause, some even breaking into dance to support him. This bolstered Lin Xuefeng’s confidence immensely.

Surveying Xu Donglai’s positioning, Lin Xuefeng took a deep breath, accelerated, and struck the ball fiercely with a powerful kick.

The ball rocketed toward Class Sixteen’s goal at tremendous speed, curving around the leaping wall of defenders toward the upper left corner.

The Class Sixteen players tensed, sensing danger.

With a sharp clap, goalkeeper Xu Donglai dived swiftly to the side, parrying the ball away with one hand.

He had saved it!

The Class Sixteen crowd leapt up in joy, shouting Xu Donglai’s name.

Suddenly, Zhuo Jun screamed in frustration.

All the Class Sixteen players stared wide-eyed and pale, fixated on a ghostly figure just outside the small penalty area, thinking, “It’s over. We’re finished.”

Meanwhile, Class Ten’s players were thrilled, silently exclaiming, “Xu He is incredible!”

Indeed, at the moment Xu Donglai deflected the ball, Xu He ghosted forward, reaching the edge of the small penalty box and shedding Zhuo Jun entirely.

Zhuo Jun faltered, his mind momentarily blank. This was Xu He’s instinctive sharpness near goal and indomitable desire to score overcoming him. After all, Zhuo Jun was a defender, not an attacker; in this, he was outmatched.

Xu He didn’t know if the ball would find the net or if Xu Donglai would save it, but as a striker, his primal urge to score propelled him forward.

And so, he seized this perfect scoring chance.

Xu He accelerated like a startled hare, leaving Zhuo Jun behind as he charged toward Class Sixteen’s goal. As he reached the edge of the small penalty area, Xu Donglai’s deflected ball came directly to him.

Without hesitation, Xu He swung his leg and sent a precise shot toward the far upper corner.

Yes, Xu He chose the angle farthest from the fallen Xu Donglai, unwilling to give the goalkeeper any chance to recover. He aimed for a spot Xu Donglai could not save.

Even now, Xu He remained wary of Xu Donglai’s prowess. That man’s reflexes were lightning-fast; during the last final match, Xu Donglai astonished everyone with three consecutive saves, wiping out Class Ten’s prime scoring chances.

Though Xu Donglai lay sprawled on the grass, no one knew if he was still capable of a miracle save.

To guarantee a goal, Xu He took the best angle and struck decisively.

After the ball left his foot, Xu He roared silently in his heart, “Xu Donglai, this time you have no chance!”

“This time, I will score!”

“I will break through the goal you guard!”

His eyes never left the flying ball, tracking its trajectory. As the ball crossed the line into the net, Xu He leapt up, shouting with exhilaration, “Goal! I scored! Class Ten will surely win!”

One to zero!

With a sharp follow-up shot, Xu He sent the ball into Class Sixteen’s net, finally breaking through Xu Donglai’s defense in open play and putting their team ahead.

Class Ten’s players erupted in joy and excitement, rushing to Xu He and embracing him tightly, their voices full of congratulations and delight.

Their excitement was palpable!

Xu Donglai rose to his feet, eyes fixed on Xu He. After a long moment, he sighed softly and shook his head. He had to commend Xu He—his hunger for goals was relentless. Xu He was truly a natural-born striker.