Chapter 78 - Rising Dragon (2/2)
The referee sounded the whistle and Dingding released the ball from the middle. The game resumed once more.
Perhaps the Rising Dragon was not big enough to be an eliminating factor. When Dingding made its move, its attacks were even stronger.
Shu Guang was forced to play on the defensive throughout the last three minutes due to Dingding’s strength. Even the top-ranking Zhang Jun had to return to the midfield to defend.
…
“Fan Cunjie, want to join the soccer team?”
“Of course!”
“Hehe! I told you! Having a partner to dominate the country together isn’t going to be a mere dream anymore!” Bin Fei held Fan Cunjie’s shoulder as he said these words in front of a poster. It was a poster of Dingding’s soccer team recruiting new players and it had attracted a lot of attention.
…
“Bin Fei suddenly shoots from the penalty zone! The ball flies over Lin Xiaofang’s head towards the goal!”
Because Lin Xiaofang was blocking his sight, An Ke’s view was hindered. So, he used his foot to block the ball from the bottom line.
“So close! A corner kick!”
…
“My name is Xia Bo. I’m from Class 4.”
“What a beautiful save! Xia Bo, you can be Dingding’s main goalkeeper!” Liu Wei patted Xia Bo on his slender shoulders. His thin body bore Dingding’s entire defensive line and he continued to do so for three years. When he first entered the team, who would have thought that a small-sized goalkeeper like him would win the title of “Best Goalkeeper” in his first year?
…
Fan Cunjie took a corner kick. Shu Guang’s penalty area was almost overcrowded as it was filled with players from both teams. Even Dingding’s goalkeeper, Xia Bo had rushed in.
Fan Cunjie made an opening with the ball and the penalty area suddenly felt like a stone that fell into water.
An Ke jumped ahead, wanting to snatch the soccer ball directly. However, someone jumped higher than he did!
“It’s Xia Bo!”
Xia Bo jumped, but unfortunately he was still in front of Li Jieguang. He could not reach the ball with his head. Realizing that the ball was going to fly away from his sight into An Ke’s arms, he suddenly extended both of his arms and hit the ball.
An Ke was shocked by Xia Bo’s move. He was immobilized as he watched the soccer ball fly into the goal behind him.
At the same time, the referee sounded his whistle. “Dingding’s No. 1, handball foul! Invalid goal!”
As Xia Bo fell, the referee ran over to him and flashed him a yellow card. The handball was done on purpose. It was reasonable to say that the red card would not have been excessive either. However, the referee took into consideration the fact that this game was Xia Bo and Dingding’s last chance. So, he was merciful towards him. Failure was failure, but he did not want Xia Bo to carry the stain of a red card in the match.
After Xia Bo looked at the yellow card in the referee’s hand, he silently turned and walked back. When he turned, Fan Cunjie noticed that he was wiping his face with his sleeve. However, no one knew if he was sweating or tearing up.
“Haha! He’s such a moron! Using his hands to attack! Did he think that he was still guarding the goal? Using both hands to attack? Haha!” Zhang Yang laughed boisterously.
But Zhang Lintao shot him a glare. “What’s so funny? If we fall behind, I would do the same as him too!”
Zhang Yang did not laugh this time.
…
“Fan Cunjie, I want to talk to you about something. Is tomorrow the semi-final?” his father placed the plates on the table as he talked to Fan Cunjie, who was currently watching the news.
“Yes.” Fan Cunjie nodded. He did not take his eyes off the television.
“If you still don’t sail into the National Championship this year, you have to stop playing soccer. You have to focus on your studies since your college entrance examination is near.”
Fan Cunjie turned and looked at his distressed father.
“Sure, sure, if you make it to the National Championship, it would be good news of course! You can then continue playing soccer, we won’t stop you!”
Fan Cunjie looked at his father silently. In order to help his own child to study, he had to be careful with his words. Fan Cunjie understood his parents. They paid so much for him to play soccer, but he never expressed a word of gratitude. Compared to other kids who had to drop soccer because of their parents, he was considered very lucky. They were not wrong in wanting him to focus on his studies, and enter his ideal college. It was only for his own good.
“Alright”—he nodded—”if we don’t succeed, I won’t play soccer anymore and I’ll concentrate on my studies.”
…
“The referee is looking at his watch! Dingding is running out of time and the team is still one goal away! Fan Cunjie takes the lead and this may be Dingding’s final attack!”
“He dribbles pass Li Hao! In the brink of such desperation, there is no trace of panic in his body and his actions are still steady! As expected of Fan Cunjie!”
“He takes a shot!”
An Ke rushed out and tackled it. However, the strength of the ball was too great and it bounced, flying towards the goal!
“The ball is about to go in! Dingding is adamant on equalizing the score!”
Chen Bo rushed over and forcefully swept the ball out!
*Beep! Beep! Beep!*
“The game has come to an end! Shu Guang High School is the first to reach the final round, which will be held in one week’s time!”
“Regretfully, Dingding High School has to say its goodbyes. The team played excellently in this game, but there can only be one victor. At the end of the day, Shu Guang High School played better. Sadly, Dingding’s days to the National Championship have been delayed yet again.”
Fan Cunjie stood on the line of Shu Guang’s penalty area—the place where he launched his shot. His force was great and he had most likely used up all his strength. But it did not occur to him that the ball would be saved by An Ke and Chen Bo. He wondered why he did not collapse onto the grass when the referee blew the final whistle, or turn into a crying mess like Xia Bo.
He would have to bid farewell to soccer forever and focus on his studies. Why could he not cry when he was being separated from his dearest partner? He wanted to win the game, but he was calm now that he had lost.
He thought back to the time he lost to Zhongyuan High School in the semi-final. He cried, needing his coach to help him up and walk again. Without realizing, it had already been three years since he grew up. Maybe it was because he had become numb.
Fan Cunjie began to help his teammates, who were lying on the ground crying. He got them on their feet and they lined up to thank their fans. For the past three years, their fans had been their most loyal supporters, regardless of the outcome of their matches.
Liu Wei watched Fan Cunjie pulling the players up and patting them on their backs. He allowed them to line up before Dingding’s cheerleading team to thank them.
He was the one about to leave soccer, so was he not supposed to feel the saddest? Despite that, he could still stand as a responsible captain. He remembered the time when he first entered the team. He bowed politely as he said, “I hope my coach will provide me with more guidance and care!” But, who was really the one to provide care for the past three years? Without Fan Cunjie, Dingding would have never had the influence they possessed in the present high school soccer world. Perhaps, he should have been the one who said this to Dingding’s captain, the No.10 player.
Li Yongle stood up. “Let’s go. We have to hurry and train. It’s our turn tomorrow.”
“You don’t want to watch?” Zhang Yang pointed at the celebrating field. The Shu Guang team was surrounded by reporters, who were constantly flashing their cameras.
Li Yongle turned to watch Zhang Jun, who was being surrounded in the middle. He laughed. “Wait till we win, then we’ll really enjoy it.” He walked away after he was done with his speech.
Zhang Yang turned back to the field, but he could not find Zhang Jun amid the lively scene. He shook his head and spun around to follow Li Yongle.
“That Rising Dragon…” Zhang Lintao said.
“There will be a way. There’s no such thing as an invincible move in this world…” Li Yongle turned to watch the lively stadium.