Chapter Twenty-One: Xi'an Hope Football School

“Did you overhear the conversation between your mother and me yesterday?” After a long pause, as his emotions calmed, Long Yuyun finally remembered why his son knew that it was difficult for the family to support his football pursuits.

Seeing his son nod, Long Yuyun smiled warmly. “It's alright, son. I've been meaning to quit smoking for a while now—the stuff isn't good for your health, and how could your father, a scout, get by without good stamina? Smoking only hurts your strength. As for money, you don't need to worry about it. Your mother and I will find a way. Besides, when you go to college, your expenses won't be any less than now. It all adds up to about the same. Since you've set your sights on your future, you must walk this path wholeheartedly. Do you understand?”

Long Bisheng remained silent. He really didn't want his decision to play football to make life difficult for his parents—he had thought that playing football wouldn't cost the family any money. Didn't Azati play without his family spending a penny? He had even heard that after a couple of years, Azati would earn a training stipend!

Long Yuyun didn't quite know how to explain the difference between the football academy and the Yun Jia Tianyu youth squad: the former aimed to generate income, while the latter existed to cultivate reserve talent. The costs were different; naturally, the arrangements were different too. All he could do was reassure his son, insisting he truly wanted to quit smoking. He wouldn’t stop watching football with friends, just that it would be their turn to pay—hadn't he treated them enough times? It was about time they contributed. Besides, both parents lived on the military base, so day-to-day expenses were minimal. In short, sending Long Bisheng to the football academy would hardly affect the family's standard of living—if at all, the impact would be negligible.

It took a great deal of effort, but Long Yuyun finally convinced Long Bisheng to let go of his sweet yet worrisome idea.

Long Yuyun, relieved, had no idea his words had not fooled Long Bisheng at all. Although Long Bisheng sometimes seemed slow, he was by no means stupid. He understood perfectly well that his father was encouraging him to pursue his goal, and he knew exactly what was happening.

Long Bisheng was not nearly as simple-minded as he appeared in his studies; in fact, he was more mature than many of his peers, though he struggled to express himself. True, he had little talent for academics, which made him seem less intelligent to others.

Fools are much alike, but clever people all have their own ways of being clever. Some excel in all aspects, others only in one. For the latter, once they find their strength, their unique talents shine forth.

Still, Long Yuyun’s words were not without effect. Long Bisheng had indeed abandoned the idea of giving up football. In its place grew a fierce determination to play well—not only was football success said to bring wealth, but he wanted to provide his parents with the best possible life, and when they retired, to give them the highest comforts in a big city.

Half a month later, with ten thousand yuan—the family’s entire savings—in his pocket, Long Yuyun set off with Long Bisheng on the journey to the football academy.

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Four years prior, he had also traveled with his father to attend the selection for the Bayi Team, but Long Bisheng’s mood was entirely different this time.

The last time, he hadn’t felt that the journey would have any impact on his future. He liked playing football and watching matches, but he hadn’t thought about entrusting his future to that small leather ball. He was more excited by the scenery along the way.

But now? Long Bisheng didn’t yet know the meaning of “burning the boats,” but that was exactly the feeling in his heart—I must enroll! Once enrolled, I must play well! Only then will my parents’ sacrifices not be wasted.

For Long Bisheng, not yet ten years old, what lay ahead was one of the most important choices of his life—a choice that others might not face until they were about twenty. Of course, life always brings such pivotal moments; the difference is only in when they arrive. In some ways, Long Bisheng was lucky, for even if he chose wrong, he would still have enough time to correct his mistakes.

This was a much longer journey. After a night and a day on the train, they reached Lanzhou, and without even a moment’s rest, they boarded another train from Lanzhou to Xi’an.

Compared to last time, this journey seemed much smoother.

Long Yuyun and Long Bisheng quickly found the football academy, located on the outskirts of Xi’an. Despite having carefully inquired about the address beforehand, it still took considerable effort to find it.

Xi’an Hope Football Academy—that was the name of the school.

Long Yuyun and Long Bisheng had assumed enrollment wouldn’t be easy—certainly not something you could do just by paying the fees—but when they finally met the headmaster, they learned that no admission test was required at all.

“Our football academy boasts a long history and tradition,” the chubby headmaster said to Long Yuyun, his face beaming, without mentioning that the school had only opened its doors the previous year. “Every year, professional teams come here to pick promising young talent for their youth squads. Young players are in high demand these days!”

He proudly patted several large photos hanging on the wall behind him. At first glance, they were impressive, with the headmaster appearing beside many famous players seen often on television. “Our fees are the lowest among similar schools: tuition is fifteen hundred per term, monthly board is five hundred, books, equipment, uniforms, and such come to three hundred a month, and lodging is two hundred a month. It’s hardly more expensive than an ordinary elementary school.”

“Five hundred a month for board?” Long Yuyun said, surprised.

“Yes,” the headmaster replied matter-of-factly. “Football burns up a lot of energy. Our meals are highly nutritious, so the children grow strong quickly. Without a good physique, how could they play?”

Long Yuyun calculated silently: just as the headmaster said, the monthly cost was a thousand. If there were any other miscellaneous fees, his wife’s estimate had been conservative, and his salary might not be enough to cover Long Bisheng’s expenses!

ps: Recruiting background characters… If interested, write your name, position, and birthplace in the pinned post in the review section. Unless your name is too outrageous, you’ll have a chance to appear. Brothers, go for it!