Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 93: Lin Xuefeng Under Close Scrutiny

The sun was sinking in the west, and a gentle breeze drifted through the air. Principal Wang invited Song Yu to sit on the rostrum and watch the match. Song Yu was filled with anticipation for the game he was about to witness; he was genuinely curious to see what this student-organized league would look like.

However, upon arriving at the scene, disappointment crept into his heart. All the signs pointed to the league being organized by the school. The elaborate setup, the opening ceremony, the speech from the leadership before kickoff—was this really a student-initiated league?

It couldn’t be, could it?

Song Yu smiled bitterly to himself, realizing how much effort Principal Wang had invested. Before the start, Principal Wang even tried to imitate certain European top leagues by inviting Song Yu to participate in some opening ritual on the field. Song Yu refused outright, nearly feeling the urge to rise and leave.

Wasn’t this just deceiving him? They had promised a student-organized league.

Disappointed, Song Yu sat on the rostrum, his gaze fixed on the pitch, lost in thought.

Principal Wang, seeing Song Yu’s expression, could only smile wryly in his heart. How could someone who became principal not be clever? Reading Song Yu’s face, Wang instantly understood that Song Yu had misunderstood him. At that moment, regret welled up inside him. He had only wanted to honor Song Yu, to show how much the school valued him, but somehow it had all backfired.

Principal Wang wanted to explain, but he knew that further explanations at this point would do little good, and might even provoke a stronger reaction. So he decided to let things be.

Sometimes, inaction is better than action.

Now, Principal Wang hoped only that the two teams in the final would play well and display their abilities, enough to impress Song Yu.

It seemed that was the only thing that might change Song Yu’s opinion.

Principal Wang awaited the start of the final with hope.

Many fans in attendance were equally eager for the match to begin, already cheering to welcome the players from both sides. They had waited long for this contest, yearning for the championship.

Most of the fans were students from the two competing classes. The match represented their class’s honor, so of course they came to cheer for their own teams. Many had been organized by their homeroom teachers, since the principal valued the event and so must they.

Beyond these two classes, many students from other classes had come as well. Though not formally organized, they trickled in after their teachers mentioned the match, urging those who were free to come and add to the numbers. The crowd was substantial, filling the field.

It gave the impression that the school’s football culture was truly vibrant.

Even among the spectators were some adults—real football fans from the neighborhood, drawn to the school for the match and the excitement.

Also present were proprietors from nearby sporting goods stores, invited as guests since they could be considered sponsors of the league.

The players’ kits and gear had been supplied and sponsored by these merchants, and the back of the jerseys bore the addresses of two shops.

Seeing the lively atmosphere and the size of the crowd, the sponsors felt their investment was worthwhile—the advertising was exceptional.

This made it clear to the invited merchants why Li Liying had called them here; surely it was about sponsorship for next season.

The scene was so enticing that many were tempted. Before coming, Li Liying had hinted that the school would strongly support the football league in the new season, and the school team would aim for the national tournament. There was even the possibility that their team might appear on the national stage.

Most importantly, the national tournament’s main rounds would be broadcast live.

Li Liying said the country was highly committed to promoting campus football, and the national tournament would be televised live on the Central Sports Channel.

If Jinguancheng No. 17 Middle School made it to the national tournament, their advertisements would be seen by the whole country, making the sponsorship truly worthwhile.

Just this prospect was enough to stir the merchants’ interest.

Now, seeing the scene, they were even more eager. They were considering negotiating with Li Liying as soon as the match ended about next season’s sponsorship terms.

Some of the larger sports chain brands were planning to sponsor the kits and equipment for free, just to secure the advertising space.

Of course, some still hesitated. The advertising seemed promising, but would it really bring sales and profit? They were still pondering.

Just then, the young women on the stands, led by Xia Xinyi, began performing a cheer dance, waving glow sticks and shouting loudly, “Go Lin Xuefeng! Lin Xuefeng is the best! Lin Xuefeng, awesome, awesome, awesome!”

The scene was truly spectacular, almost like a pop idol event.

If people didn’t know that Lin Xuefeng was one of the players on the pitch, they might have thought he was a newly debuted celebrity.

Witnessing this, the sponsors’ eyes sparkled.

There was real potential here!

The atmosphere was electric, even before the match began.

Song Yu on the rostrum also noticed the cheering girls. Seeing their enthusiasm, he was astonished. He turned to Principal Wang and asked, “Principal Wang, who is this Lin Xuefeng? Did your school invite a celebrity to boost the league?”

If that were the case, Principal Wang would be going too far.

Song Yu would definitely leave, seeing it as nothing but superficial showmanship and not worth his attention.

Principal Wang was delighted at Song Yu’s question. He worried Song Yu would say or ask nothing, but now his curiosity about the league was evident. As he learned more, perhaps he’d be swayed.

Principal Wang quickly replied, “Coach Song, you misunderstand. This is a football match, not a pop concert or school anniversary. We wouldn’t invite any celebrities or entertainment idols.”

Song Yu’s mood improved: “Then, who is Lin Xuefeng?”

Principal Wang answered immediately, “Lin Xuefeng is a seventh-grade student at our school, and he will play in this match. He’s quite talented and has a devoted group of fans at school—all of them here to support him.”

Song Yu nodded slightly, surprised but not entirely so. He was amazed at Lin Xuefeng’s popularity, but not shocked, remembering that in his own school days there were handsome boys and princes adored by the girls—but they had never been as wildly idolized as these young girls were now, openly chasing stars at school.

Naturally, Song Yu was curious about the much-admired Lin Xuefeng.

He continued, “Is it just his looks that attract the girls?”

Principal Wang laughed, “That’s one reason, but besides being good-looking, he’s also a strong student, and most importantly, he’s a skilled footballer. He’s the absolute mainstay of Class Ten’s team in today’s final. Coach Song, you should watch him closely and see for yourself how capable he is.”

Song Yu nodded and turned his attention to the pitch.

He seemed to be searching for Lin Xuefeng’s figure, so Principal Wang pointed him out, helping Song Yu recognize him.

Song Yu exclaimed, “He really is handsome—a spirited young man.”

Indeed, Lin Xuefeng was strikingly attractive; even Song Yu was impressed. Such a young man would surely be popular among the girls, no wonder he had such a following at school.

But was his football talent as remarkable as Principal Wang claimed?

Song Yu looked forward to the match, and to Lin Xuefeng in particular.

Yet he didn’t expect to be amazed. No matter how skilled Lin Xuefeng was, he had never been formally trained, and Song Yu had coached the national youth team, seeing the very best in the country at that age. However talented Lin Xuefeng might be, there was a vast gap between him and those elite players.

There is always a significant difference between professionals and amateurs.

One should never compare a hobby to someone else’s profession—it’s nothing but asking for humiliation.

Still, Song Yu was eager for the match.

He wanted to gauge the current level of campus football in the country, to see just how much it differed from the professional game.

In truth, Song Yu had little understanding of campus football, and today would provide him a clear sense of its standard.

He said, “Since you speak so highly, Principal Wang, I shall watch Lin Xuefeng closely and see just how strong he is.”

Principal Wang nodded, saying nothing more. He hoped Lin Xuefeng and his teammates would perform well and display their abilities, hoping to impress Song Yu, and ideally win his admiration so that he would stay and become the school team’s head coach. Only then would all his previous efforts not be in vain, and the school team would have a future.

Boys, the path has been laid for you. Now it’s up to you—go for it!

Principal Wang’s eyes shone as he watched the pitch, awaiting the match.

At that moment, the players didn’t fully grasp what the match meant. They simply wanted to perform well in front of the famed coach Song Yu and win the league championship.

Xu He was especially excited, eager to rush onto the field and show his skills to Song Yu.

Just then, the referee signaled both teams to get ready—the final was about to begin.

Everyone was filled with anticipation.