Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 87: Xu He’s Future Is Surely Promising

Boom!

A deafening roar split the air like thunder.

A leg, which did not appear especially strong or powerful, struck the soccer ball standing quietly on the turf with fierce force. Green blades of grass flew up in its wake as the ball shot forward like a wild stallion freed from its reins.

It flashed like lightning!

With a whistling sound, the ball soared straight into the top right corner of the goal.

Clap, clap, clap!

“What a beautiful shot!” chimed a voice as clear as a warbler’s song.

“You're already this amazing, yet you’re still practicing your shots here? Aren’t you a bit too diligent, Xu He!” The pleasant voice rang out again.

Indeed.

That leg, which seemed far from strong, belonged to Xu He, who was practicing his shots.

Whenever he had spare time, Xu He practiced.

Nearly every day.

He was quite satisfied with his last shot, but he knew he still had a long way to go. As he pondered how to improve further, crisp applause and that melodious voice sounded behind him.

He turned around at once, and the sight that greeted him was Li Liying.

Li Liying was still dressed in her school uniform, but even the somewhat loose, sporty outfit couldn't mask her sharp and capable aura.

Every time, Xu He was struck by her presence—it was truly unique.

He had rarely, if ever, seen such a quality in his peers.

Smiling, Li Liying met his gaze. Xu He said, “My shooting skills are absolutely awful. If I don’t keep practicing, I won’t have a spot next season.”

“How can you say that? Last week your performance was nothing like what you’re claiming. If it weren’t for you, our Class Ten soccer team would have been eliminated. You’re being far too modest,” Li Liying replied.

He knew himself best.

Last Friday's match had indeed gone well for him, but Xu He was clear about his own abilities—his shooting still had a lot of room for improvement.

That was why he trained so diligently.

“I’m really not being modest,” Xu He insisted. “Last week I was just in great form—everything I tried worked. That’s not my true level. Luck played a part.”

“That doesn’t sound like you at all,” Li Liying said with surprise.

“Of course, I, Xu He, have strong overall ability. I’m definitely among the top at this school, no doubt about that. But as for shooting, I’m still lacking. Still, I believe it won’t be long before I become the best at Jinguancheng Seventeenth Middle School.”

There it was—this was the same Xu He as always.

Still brimming with blind confidence, perhaps even a bit melodramatic.

Li Liying laughed, “Hearing you talk like that, I’m reassured—this is definitely the same Xu He, still as cocky as ever.”

Xu He waved a hand. “That’s not arrogance, it’s confidence!”

“Confidence? More like blind confidence!” Li Liying retorted.

Xu He didn’t want to argue the point. Instead, he asked, “So what have you been busy with these past couple of days? You weren’t even at last Friday’s all-important semifinal.”

Li Liying handed him a bottle of water. Xu He took it and gulped it down.

Watching with concern, Li Liying said, “Slow down, there’s no one fighting for it.”

Xu He grinned. “No worries—even if someone tried, they wouldn’t beat me to it.”

She gave him a look, then glanced at the bottle in his hand and rolled her eyes again. He’d already drunk more than half in one go—the water was nearly gone.

“You’re always like this,” she scolded gently. “I’ve told you so many times—drink more slowly, especially after intense exercise. Rushing it down like this isn’t good for you at all…”

Li Liying, usually so composed, seemed about to start nagging. Xu He quickly conceded, “Alright, alright, next time I absolutely won’t do this, I promise!”

She gave him a skeptical look. She’d heard the same promise last time, and yet, here they were again.

Seeing she was about to make a point of it, Xu He hurriedly changed the subject: “Hey, you still haven’t said what you’ve been busy with lately.”

Li Liying knew he was deflecting, but let it pass.

“I’ve had a lot of student council work recently—really busy,” she replied.

Xu He was surprised. “Have you really been helping them set up the table tennis league?”

She shot him a look. “Is that all you think the student council does?”

He laughed sheepishly—she had a point.

Li Liying shook her head, exasperated. “The principal has been consulting me about the new season.”

“The new season?” Xu He echoed, surprised.

She nodded slightly. “The school is preparing to take over the league, forming a full-school soccer league. You’ve heard about this, right?”

Xu He nodded—he had indeed heard.

He and his classmates were filled with anticipation for the coming season. Not long ago, Zhuo Jun had even tried to recruit him for the Class Sixteen soccer team because of it.

Li Liying continued, “The principal intends for the school to fully support and develop campus soccer, using the league to select players for the school team, hone everyone’s skills, and establish a solid foundation to vie for the national tournament.”

The national tournament!

Xu He’s heart leapt. He hadn’t imagined Principal Wang harbored such grand ambitions.

Of course, Xu He wholeheartedly supported him—he too wanted to compete at nationals and match his skills against peers from across the country.

Just the thought of the national tournament made his scalp tingle—a thrilling feeling.

“This is great news!” Xu He exclaimed at once.

Li Liying nodded in agreement. Why else would she be so busy lately?

She elaborated, “Recently, Principal Wang has been focused on recruiting a head coach for the school team—he takes this very seriously. And, since I was the main advocate for establishing this league, he’s been seeking my input and discussing plans for the new season.”

Xu He nodded, his admiration for Li Liying deepening.

Look at that—the same age, yet how extraordinary she was. He rarely even saw the grade director, while Li Liying was in daily face-to-face discussions with the principal. That was the difference.

Xu He gave her a thumbs-up, silently thinking, “Remarkable.”

Li Liying rolled her eyes. “The new season may be extremely challenging—you’d better be prepared. Your hard work now is right on target, a good way to get ready.”

Xu He frowned slightly. “Will there be big changes next season?”

Li Liying nodded. “Yes. According to the principal, all first- and second-year students will participate, and even third-years may join. Do you know what that means?”

Xu He nodded—he understood.

She said, “Exactly, you’ll be playing up against older students.”

That would be tough.

After all, middle schoolers vary immensely in size at that age. Most first-year students averaged about 1.5 to 1.6 meters tall, but by second year, many reached 1.7 to 1.8 meters or even taller.

That was a huge gap.

Playing up against older, bigger students—no wonder it would be tough.

Xu He was startled but undaunted. Even if he faced second- and third-years, he was confident he could defeat them and claim victory.

Besides, the Class Ten team was strong—against other second-year teams, they still had a good chance.

“It will have an impact, of course,” Xu He said, “but for us, it’s not insurmountable. Don’t worry, our goal for next season remains the championship.”

Li Liying was not so optimistic. The new season would be unpredictable, and the older students’ skills couldn’t be underestimated.

She pressed, “I know you’re good, but can’t you be a little humble? You’ll be up against older students—it’ll be hard. If you’re not mentally prepared now, don’t lose your nerve when the time comes.”

Xu He smiled confidently. “Don’t worry, we’ll be the ultimate winners.”

His confidence, coupled with his relentless hard work, gradually convinced Li Liying.

“Just be sure to prepare well,” she said. “Next season will be crucial. Our school’s very first youth team will be selected from this league. Take it seriously—strive to make the squad.”

Xu He nodded firmly. Joining the school team was important to him—he wanted to compete at nationals.

“We’ll take it seriously,” he promised.

Li Liying nodded, dropped the matter, glanced around, and asked, “Has Lin Xuefeng still not returned to training?”

Xu He shook his head. “No, not only has he not been at practice, he hasn’t even come back to school. I don’t know what’s happening at home—it’s been days.”

Xu He was worried.

Lin Xuefeng was vital to their team—if he’d been there for the semifinals, things wouldn’t have been so difficult. They might have dispatched Class Six with ease, but Lin Xuefeng’s family troubles had kept him away.

Li Liying nodded gravely. “That sounds serious. I hope he’s alright.”

Xu He nodded in agreement.

Then, setting up the ball at his feet, Xu He sprinted forward and unleashed another powerful shot. The ball flew like lightning toward the goal, but this time it sailed over the crossbar.

He turned with a wry smile. “See? That’s my real level. If I don’t keep working, there really won’t be a spot for me next season.”

He wasn’t joking—he felt real pressure. With Zhang Zhen and Yang Xin ahead of him, Xu He would have to train hard to surpass them and secure his starting spot.

Li Liying studied him for a moment, then said, “You’re right. Keep training, then—I’m off to find Zhu Ge and the others, I have something to discuss with them.”

Xu He nodded, waved goodbye, and threw himself back into his practice, focused and absorbed. Watching him, Li Liying nodded unconsciously. She was certain that Xu He would someday become an exceptional player.