Chapter 13 (2/2)

Yongle could not recall what got into him at the time, but one fateful day, he went with Zhang Yang to watch a soccer match in his school field. It was only a qualifying match for the National Middle School Soccer Championship between Shu Ren Middle School and Kai Ta Middle School, but it changed his life.

It had been a one-sided game; the score was 5 : 0 when it ended. A classmate of his was playing the role of center back, and though he did not like the guy, the player did have skillsThe Opponent. But in the pitch, he made a clown of himself thanks to Kai Ta’s No. 11. The defender was floored time after time and he was not even able to reach the other player’s jersey to foul him; watching him pick his wretched self up, even Yongle began to feel sorry for the guy.

And then there was that No. 7, whose long shot hit the woodwork but kept the goalpost quaking for a very long time.

“They’re so good! Who are they?” Li Yongle could not stop himself from wondering.

“No. 11 is Kai Ta’s Zhang Jun, No. 7 is Yang Pan,” a voice came from behind.

Li Yongle turned to see a uniformed and bespectacled but frail-looking boy. He was also watching the game.

He climbed over to sit beside him and asked, “Who are you?”

“Zhang Lintao.”

“I’m―”

“Li Yongle, I believe?”

Li was a little shocked. “How did you know who I am?”

“Li Yongle and Zhang Yang are the top hoodlums of Shu Ren Middle School. How could I not? I can remember names very well.”

“Then, do you know them too?” Li Yongle pointed at the pitch.

“I’ve watched their game before so, I do,” Zhang Lintao began to chatter incessantly as soon as the topic shifted to soccer. “Zhang Jun is their top striker and he has scored 11 goals in four games so far. Yang Pan is a very fast attacking midfielder; his long shots are unbelievable for a third-year middle school student. You saw it too just now, right?”

Meanwhile, the Shu Ren cheerleaders were completely floored while Kai Ta’s own cheerleading team, who traveled all the way to another school were doing their best.

Li Yongle stared at the pitch thoughtfully.

…

After kicking down their last opponent, the 185-cm Li straightened his clothes and told Zhang Yang, who was beside him, “I don’t want to keep fighting like this.”

Zhang Yang did not get him. “Why?”

“I want to play soccer.”

“Soccer? You? No way!” Zhang Yang was finding the situation incredulous.

“Yes. I have a new opponent I want to defeat!” Li Yongle declared with clenched fists.

“Because of that game?”

“Yeah. When we enter high school, I’ll join the soccer team. I only hope that I won’t get in the same school as them.”

“Ah… What a teenager, such a quick change of interest!” Zhang Yang sighed.

“You’re not with me?”

“Me? Stop kidding!” Zhang Yang waved him off. “I’ve never even played!”

“I’ll teach you.”

“You?”

“I trained before when I was younger but I didn’t play much once I got into middle school. Believe me, your physical conditioning fits the bill. You’re volatile, fast, strong and fearless; it’s what soccer requires.”

“And I always thought these were only needed for brawls.” Zhang Yang kicked a Coke can into the drain in one move.

“Your kicking isn’t bad either!”

“Fine! I’ll play. But I can’t guarantee that I’ll learn it from now till September!”

“One summer is all I need.”

…

At the pitch of the high school attached to the Zhongyuan University of Science and Technology.

“Welcome to everyone who has registered to join our Zhongyuan soccer team. I don’t think there’s much to say about our team’s history; you’re here because you know. What I want to say is, our team has over 80 members―so, if you want to get into the first team, you have to train seriously! My training is intense; there are many who can’t stand it and leave every year; and I won’t protest even if you do. But, as long as you work hard in training, it will never escape my attention,” Sun Laihong, the team’s coach said seriously. “Alright now, everyone please state your name and your preferred position.”

“Li Yongle, my preferred position is defensive midfielder!”

Sun Lai Hong looked at his firm and strong 185-cm frame. It was a good build for playing football.

“Zhang Yang, I wish to play as a left back.”

Li Yongle smiled as he considered the talent that was Zhang Yang. He noticed that his friend was left-handed and as such, decided to set him on that position. However, he did not expect him to become such a fine one in just a month. Although he had refused earlier, he proved that he was a faster learner than the rest. His ferocious tackles also proved to be a very useful armament.

“Zhang Lintao, my preferred position is goalkeeper.”

Li Yongle turned to see the boy he met on the pitch that day; with his spectacles and frail appearance, Li was not expecting him to play as well. Lintao smiled at him.

…

Yongle returned to the present and kept reading. The last three pages were a report on Zhongyuan’s own match, which also introduced three of their first-year recruits.

“Li Yongle: A young star with a bright future. Although he is 185 cm tall and weighs 80 kg, this defensive midfielder played with his wits instead of his physicality―a rare trait among high-schoolers. He appeared to have great control over match rhythm; it’s hard to believe that he’s just 15 with the performance he put on in his debut. He always picked out the right position as he moved about, tackling precisely and ferociously. On top of that, he handled the ball in a calm demeanor. These are all qualities that an excellent defensive midfielder has to possess. There’s no doubt that he’ll become a star footballer with time.

Zhang Yang: A player who allegedly never had any prior experience of playing football before high school. Yet, anyone who watched his debut would never consider him a newbie. On the pitch, he incessantly roared and completely dismantled opponents’ offensive attempts with his beautifully timed challenges. As a left back, he is a one-man minefield that never permits opponents to take even half a step farther.

Zhang Lintao: No previous data of this player existed. It was only known that he went to the same middle school alongside Zhang Yang and Li Yongle. No valuable data was gathered on his debut game because he had nothing to do for large periods; Zhang Yang and Luo Bin’s defensive partnership stopped their opponents’ offensive efforts 30 m out. His foundations looked solid when he received the ball on a few occasions. One way or another, he is not to be underestimated since he was able to make the first team as soon as he joined the Zhongyuan squad. There is much to look forward for his display in upcoming games.”

Li Yongle closed the magazine. He could feel as if he was catching up to Zhang Jun; he could hear his footsteps just slightly ahead.