Chapter Eighteen: Return to the A-Rank Team

After the match, some were joyful while others were disheartened.

Those who made the starting lineup could represent Willy Football Academy in the "Future Stars Cup."

As for the substitutes, they could only endure this period and keep working hard.

“Are we playing a match this afternoon? A small field is fine too!” Wei Lai said enthusiastically.

After this game, Wei Lai felt in great form, still eager for more.

Guo Fan grinned and said, “Do you want to get a reprimand? We have classes this afternoon!”

“Classes?”

Wei Lai paused, suddenly realizing, “Oh right! We have classes!”

At Willy Football Academy, besides training, they also had academic lessons.

Though training took up most of their time, their studies couldn’t be neglected.

Wei Lai suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Studying was not his strong suit.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The sound of a car horn echoed.

Everyone turned their heads to look.

A bus marked with the “Willy Football Academy” logo slowly drove into the campus.

They noticed many school leaders standing at the entrance, including the elusive academy director, Liu Chengyun, who stood at the forefront.

Liu Chengyun, director of Willy Football Academy and general manager of Jiaozhou Willy Football Club, was a figure wielding real power.

For him to come out personally meant something significant was happening.

“They’re back!” Guo Fan said in a low voice.

Wei Lai turned to ask, “Who?”

Guo Fan replied, “The U15-A team!”

The bus stopped near the gate, and a group of boys wearing Willy Football Academy training gear stepped off one after another.

They were noticeably sturdier than their peers—taller, darker-skinned, and stronger.

Their sun-kissed skin spoke of countless outdoor matches.

The moment they appeared, all eyes were drawn to them.

Then, a boy stepped out of the bus.

About 170 centimeters tall, lean and upright, with thin lips, a prominent nose bridge, and large bright eyes.

Most distinctive was his ponytail, swinging rhythmically as he walked.

Though Willy Football Academy had no strict dress code, forbidding dyed hair and such, geniuses often had their privileges.

This boy was the academy’s superstar, the golden generation’s top player—He Chaoyue!

“Show-off!” Guo Fan curled his lips. “With that ponytail, what else could he be?”

Wei Lai looked at Guo Fan, amused by the envy in his tone.

Still, He Chaoyue’s features were sharp and masculine, even as a youth. The ponytail gave him an extra touch of freedom and style.

He held a trophy in his hands, presenting it to Liu Chengyun amid applause.

Liu smiled, patting He Chaoyue’s shoulder, radiating pride.

After the trophy handover, some reporters rushed forward for interviews.

He Chaoyue handled the questions with ease, showing no sign of nervousness.

Wei Lai’s gaze lingered on He Chaoyue from afar.

He was the target he had to catch up to.

“It’s a pity we didn’t win the championship. Compared to individual honors, I value team glory more,” He Chaoyue said confidently.

“Rather than being the top scorer, I want the championship trophy. But our strength was just not enough…”

He spoke candidly to the cameras, unaware of some teammates’ uneasy expressions nearby.

“Tch! What a show-off!” one boy muttered under his breath.

Another nudged him gently, signaling to keep quiet.

“I’m not wrong!” he whispered. “He got the top scorer but we lost the championship—that’s just a fancy way of saying we’re not good enough!”

“He’s straightforward, not a bad guy.”

“I just can’t stand his bragging!”

At that moment, a slow voice sounded.

“He has the right to show off. Unlike some people who let in three goals and left the midfield defenseless, yet still have the nerve to complain!”

Hearing this, the boy’s face flushed red as he whispered, “Yang Fan, who the hell are you talking about?”

Yang Fan turned his head, looking at the boy with a scornful smile. Taking a deep breath, he suddenly shouted:

“I just look down on losers like you!”

The interview scene abruptly froze; everyone turned in shock to look at Yang Fan.

He was pointing angrily at the boy’s nose.

“I’ve had enough of your excuses. Don’t you know how badly you played?”

“How did we lose this game? Aren’t you clear about that?”

“At the first goal, you just threw up your hands and complained. Who’s gonna tolerate this bad habit?”

“Old He didn’t want to embarrass you in public, but you even blame him? You’re nothing!”

The boy’s face reddened as he said, “Yang Fan, don’t go too far!”

“So what? I’m scolding you. What can you do about it? Hey He, don’t stop me—I’m gonna beat some sense into this guy… uh…”

Yang Fan turned to see He Chaoyue shaking his head slowly.

Behind him stood an elderly man, hair gray and sparse, eyes narrow, face lined but commanding respect without anger.

“Old Chen?”

Old Chen grabbed Yang Fan’s ear with a firm grip.

“Come with me!”

At that moment, a leader from the academy appeared, smiling at the reporters.

“Sorry you witnessed this farce. The loss weighs on the kids’ hearts, but it shows their fighting spirit. We’ll redo the interview, so please delete the earlier footage...”

What was meant to be a triumphant ceremony had turned into an embarrassing mess.

...

“Now, let’s move on to the next article. Everyone turn to the next page, first…”

The teacher lectured at the podium while students studied quietly.

Warm sunlight poured into the classroom, accompanied by a gentle breeze that fluttered the white curtains.

The summer cicadas chirped incessantly outside.

Wei Lai sat by the window, resting his chin on his hand, gazing down at the playground.

The newly returned U15-A team was undergoing adaptive training.

Fourteen players gathered, practicing passing drills.

The movements were steady, smooth, and swift—Wei Lai’s immediate impression.

Almost all passes were one-touch; they faced pressure calmly, and every pass was precise and logical.

Coaches around them observed and recorded data; Wei Lai spotted several foreign coaches among them.

Yet, Yang Fan was nowhere to be seen.

Wei Lai smirked.

Yang Fan was the golden generation’s starting right-back.

Hot-tempered and prone to fights, only He Chaoyue could rein him in, known as He Chaoyue’s top enforcer.

But beyond that, Yang Fan was remarkably skilled—fast, strong defensively, and an excellent crosser.

He not only defended well but also acted as a spearhead during counterattacks.

“Famous before meeting, he really is a powder keg!” Wei Lai shook his head. “Just one spark and he blows!”