Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 25: At This Moment, I Represent China

Many people around were still immersed in the miraculous match that had just taken place, but Xu He was not among them.

Inside, Xu He was filled with excitement and longing. The first league match of his life was about to begin. His entire body was trembling—not from nerves, but from exhilaration.

Just like Xu He, Li Jie and the rest of Class Ten’s football team members were also visibly stirred. They had been looking forward to this day for so long. Now, finally, it had arrived. Their hearts raced with anticipation, and they brimmed with hopes for the coming match.

As the team captain, Zhu Ge took a deep breath, then turned and addressed everyone in an even tone, “Alright, it’s finally our turn to play. Let’s keep our spirits up and play seriously. Today, we have only one goal, and that’s victory!”

Before the others could respond, the usually reserved Zhong Haokun unexpectedly bellowed, “Victory!”

The group echoed his cry, though the scene was a little awkward. Yet Zhong Haokun didn’t feel awkward in the least. Instead, he raised his fist high and shouted again, “Victory!”

Only then did Xu He and the others come to themselves and join in enthusiastically, “Victory!”

Lin Xuefeng was not to be outdone, pumping his fist and shouting as well.

Naturally, this roused the excitement of the girls at the sidelines, who screamed with delight, chanting Lin Xuefeng’s name. Especially Xia Xinyi, standing at the very front, who seemed about to shout herself hoarse.

Everyone was in high spirits, except for Mu Yang, who looked unenthusiastic and even a little drowsy. Zhu Ge became concerned and asked, “What’s wrong, didn’t sleep well last night?”

Mu Yang shook his head coolly and said nothing.

Seeing this, Zhu Ge didn’t press further.

When the referee signaled, Zhu Ge immediately waved for the players to line up and prepare for the entrance ceremony.

Despite the modest scale of their league, the entrance ceremony was still observed.

Xu He and the others quickly formed a column behind Zhu Ge, waiting, excited and expectant, for what was to be the first entrance ceremony of their lives—a moment both worth anticipating and commemorating.

At the sidelines, Li Liying took out her camera, which she had prepared long in advance, snapping away at the unfolding scene. At the same time, she signaled her assistant to record with the video camera, capturing this memorable moment: Class Ten’s football team making their debut in the league.

Zhu Ge, Mu Yang, Lin Xuefeng, Zhong Haokun, Li Jie, Xu He…

As each face flashed past the lens, a sweet smile appeared on Li Liying’s lovely features.

“Go for it, everyone!” she cheered for them silently in her heart.

Just then, the referee waved his hand, signaling both teams to take the field.

Xu He took a deep breath—the sacred moment had finally arrived. He was meticulous and solemn, afraid that any untoward action might mar the sanctity of this instant, so he maintained extra caution.

The other players were much the same; even the usual jokesters among them grew serious at this moment.

To them, this was a moment of utmost solemnity.

Both teams lined up beside the referees, forming a single file and waving to the fans in the stands.

Suddenly, a harmonious chorus rose from the stands—the national anthem.

The sound struck Xu He and the members of Class Ten’s football team like a thunderclap. Their faces took on an expression of deep solemnity; each one stood tall and straight, heads held high.

They were wearing the national team’s white jerseys, after all.

Hearing the anthem, they were suddenly seized by a sense of honor, as if representing their country.

“Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves…” On the stands, Xia Xinyi led the girls, all dressed in white, in a dignified rendition of the national anthem.

Their voices were solemn, their strength no less than any man’s, giving the song a unique power that struck the hearts of Xu He and his teammates.

In that moment, Xu He and the others felt a sense of responsibility. Today, they must give everything to win this match.

Xu He’s eyes shone with determination.

Their opponents, too, felt the same upon hearing the anthem; they made up their minds to give their all.

Now, the match was no longer just an ordinary game.

Both sides were fully committed.

Originally, the entrance ceremony was simple: a wave to the fans, and then the teams would prepare for kickoff. But the unexpected national anthem changed everything. The referees, too, stood solemnly and proudly, waiting for the song to end before signaling the ceremony’s conclusion and allowing the teams to prepare.

This was undoubtedly the most special and exhilarating entrance ceremony of the first round of the league. Both teams drew boundless strength from it and valued the match all the more.

Xu He and his teammates were deeply grateful to Xia Xinyi and the other girls, who had made the match so much more significant.

After the anthem, the girls cheered and then chanted Lin Xuefeng’s name in unison, lending their support. Their bright voices drew envy from all, and some even began to feel a twinge of jealousy toward Lin Xuefeng.

The girls’ sweet yet dignified singing attracted more students, who turned their attention to the football match unfolding on the field. Many, out of curiosity, stayed to watch, including some older students from the upper grades.

At that instant, the match’s audience swelled, and the atmosphere on site became almost packed to bursting.

For Xu He and his teammates, this only heightened their excitement. None of them had anticipated that their first match would cause such a stir. They resolved to give their best, determined not to let themselves down.

Wearing the white number 17 national team jersey, Xu He stretched near the center circle, warming up as he awaited the start of the match. He could hardly wait.

He wished the game would start at once.

At that moment, captain Zhu Ge came over and called all starting players together. “Let me repeat myself,” he said. “We have only one goal for this match—victory. I want to see one hundred percent from each of you. With so many people watching, don’t embarrass me, understood?”

With his face covered in youthful acne, Zhu Ge was dead serious—no hint of a joke.

Xu He and the others nodded in earnest. “Understood, Captain.”

Zhu Ge was satisfied with their response. He trusted his teammates—victory for Class Ten’s football team was in their grasp.

In his view, Class Ten’s team was the strongest in the league. As long as they made no mistakes and stayed united, the league championship would be theirs.

Zhu Ge extended his right hand, signaling the others to do the same.

Xu He reached out, placing his hand with the others, and heard the captain say, “When I shout ‘Class Ten,’ you respond with ‘Victory,’ got it?”

They all nodded in agreement.

Zhu Ge scanned his teammates with a stern gaze, then shouted with full voice, “Class Ten…”

Xu He and the others roared in unison, “Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

In that moment, the players of Class Ten football team became one.

Afterwards, Xu He moved to the center circle, where his teammate Zhang Zhen, his strike partner for this match, stood beside him.

Zhang Zhen appeared calm, his face betraying no emotion—a quality Xu He deeply admired. Zhang Zhen truly possessed the composure of one who would remain unruffled even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

Xu He gave him a thumbs-up, then fixed his gaze on the goal of their opponents, the United Team of Class Fifty-Eight.

Yes, today’s adversary was the United Team of Class Fifty-Eight.

Xu He knew nothing about this team—their strength, their players, he was utterly unfamiliar. The only thing he knew was that they wore blue and white Argentina national jerseys; he had seen them himself.

Nevertheless, Xu He brimmed with confidence. He believed victory was certain.

He cheered himself on silently.

Suddenly, Xu He noticed the referee glancing at his watch. He realized the game was about to begin. His excitement spiked—his heart pounded, his face flushed.

The whistle blew.

But as the referee signaled the start of the match, Xu He was instantly calm, his heartbeat steady.

Zhang Zhen nudged the ball forward and sprinted rapidly into the opponent’s half.

Xu He swept the ball out wide with a cross-field pass to Lin Xuefeng, who was already moving swiftly down the flank. Xu He himself spun and sprinted into the half of the United Team of Class Fifty-Eight.

It had begun!

Xu He’s first league match had truly commenced.

The girls at the sidelines erupted into screams once more, though their cheers were all for Lin Xuefeng, who now had the ball at his feet.

Whenever Lin Xuefeng, the school heartthrob, touched the ball, the girls could hardly contain themselves.

The atmosphere on the field soared.

The United Team of Class Fifty-Eight played with utmost caution. They knew Lin Xuefeng’s reputation and skill, and they dared not take him lightly. They closed ranks and defended tightly, giving him no space.

But Lin Xuefeng, on the left wing, deftly switched direction, easily dribbling past two defenders. The United Team’s players were stunned—was Lin Xuefeng really this good?

Their amazement only fueled the girls’ excitement, and their screams grew louder.

“Here, Lin Xuefeng! Back post!”

Xu He, making a rapid run into the penalty area, called out for the ball, having shaken off his marker and found a wide open space at the far post.

It was a golden opportunity, and Xu He shouted for the ball.

Lin Xuefeng spotted the opening and swept the ball across the grass, sending it skimming past the defenders toward the gaping space at the back post.

All the United Team players cried out in alarm, “No! We’re done for!”

The ball rolled swiftly toward the unmarked Xu He.

As the ball sped to him, Xu He surged forward and swung his leg—meeting the ball with a powerful shot.

At the sidelines, Li Liying stood up, eyes shining with anticipation as she watched the field.

Boom!