Chapter 4: Brute Force Labor

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Three sharp whistles sounded, signaling the end of the match. The final score was Team C 1, Team B 3. In the closing moments, the Team B center-forward had headed home another goal, extending their lead.

Still, Wei Lai was happy. At the very least, they hadn't been slaughtered this time. They had successfully contained Guo Fan, Team B’s most dangerous player.

*Huff! Huff! Huff!*

Both Guo Fan and Wei Lai lay on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Are you crazy?" Wei Lai gasped. "We’ve got the Class A promotion match tomorrow, why were you playing like your life depended on it?"

Guo Fan retorted, "You’re the one who’s crazy! Are you playing football or just playing a game of man-marking? You were glued to me all match! I didn't have a single moment to control the ball easily in the second half."

Wei Lai grinned. "Exactly!"

Guo Fan turned his head to look at Wei Lai. "Still, you played really well. This match helped me realize my own weaknesses. Next time, I’ll dribble past you like you’re nothing!"

"That’ll be a year from now," Wei Lai replied. "You’re moving up to Team A!"

"Finally, something sensible came out of your mouth," Guo Fan laughed. "I’ll take that as a good omen!"

Guo Fan pushed himself up by his knees and extended a hand. "Let’s play again sometime. Let’s train together!"

Wei Lai stared blankly at the offered hand. This was something that had never happened in his memory. He had always been chasing, yet he had never been able to catch up to these geniuses.

A smile touched Wei Lai’s lips as he reached out and took the hand.

"Deal."

...

The match over, both teams stood in two lines. Their eyes were fixed on Old Man Chen, each with a different look. On the Team B side, eyes flickered with anxiety; despite the win, someone might still be relegated. On the Team C side, faces were filled with anticipation, all of them hoping for a promotion spot.

After a moment, Old Man Chen looked up. "No nonsense. I’m announcing the promotion and relegation list."

Everyone held their breath.

Old Man Chen spoke slowly. "First, the relegation candidate..."

His gaze swept toward the Team B players, who all lowered their heads, afraid to meet his eyes. Finally, his gaze settled on the very end of the line.

"Xue Kai!"

The boy named Xue Kai went pale. His face tightened, and though he tried to hold it in, it was clear he was on the verge of tears. He walked out of the line in silence and joined the Team C group.

Old Man Chen continued, "Next, the promotion candidate!"

The boys of Team C looked on with bated breath. Old Man Chen scanned the crowd once more before announcing the answer.

"Wei Lai!"

Wei Lai’s head snapped up. He looked at Old Man Chen in disbelief.

Old Man Chen looked down at his notebook. "Here are Wei Lai’s stats from this match: Five physical challenges, five successes. Three aerial duels, three successes. Five successful tackles. Two successful interceptions."

"Defensive contribution: the highest on the team..." He paused, then closed the notebook. "And he successfully initiated the attack that led to Team C’s only goal."

The Team C players, who had been feeling disgruntled moments ago, all lowered their heads. There was no arguing with those numbers. They had to accept it.

"Wei Lai, report to the Team B training ground tomorrow! That concludes the promotion and relegation assessments for today. Everyone, dismissed!"

...

"This kid’s name is Wei Lai. He’ll report to Team B next semester. I want you to mold him into a defensive midfielder," Old Man Chen said.

In the coaches' canteen, he pushed a notebook and a sheet of statistics toward the man sitting across from him. The man, around thirty, was named Zhao Xiaotang. His name sounded feminine, but he was every bit a man. He was currently in charge of the U15 Team B.

Zhao Xiaotang took the papers and asked, "Master, the promotion match for Class A is tomorrow. What about the situation with Guo Fan?"

"Looking for a shortcut?" Old Man Chen’s eyebrows bristled. "You know what I’m like!"

"I know, I know!" Zhao Xiaotang said quickly. "But Xiao Fan has great talent. He could definitely play at the Class A level, which would be better for his growth. What do you think..."

"Tell him to earn his spot on the pitch! What kind of nonsense is that?" Old Man Chen scoffed. "Talent? Is his talent comparable to Xiao He’s? Didn't Xiao He still have to earn his way up? He doesn't amount to anything yet!"

With that, he pointed at Zhao Xiaotang. "If you keep blathering, I’ll smack you! Don't think just because you’re thirty, I won't do it. Back in my day..."

"Alright, alright!" Zhao Xiaotang begged for mercy. "Calm down, please. Don't go back to 'your day.' I don't want to reminisce about those times! I’ll stop talking, okay?"

"Hmph!"

Old Man Chen snorted and tapped the table. "Back to the point: this kid, Wei Lai—I want you to dig deeper into him."

"Dig into what?" Zhao Xiaotang asked.

"His potential! What else?" Old Man Chen said with a hint of annoyance. He glared at him, then added, "There’s something strange about this kid."

"What’s strange?"

Old Man Chen folded his arms, his brow furrowed. "His physical talent, you can see it at a glance—it’s not particularly outstanding, but..."

He tapped his head.

"This kid is sharp up here. He’s only fifteen, but he understands how to play the game... It’s like... it’s like..." Old Man Chen struggled, searching for the right words. After a moment, he said, "Like an adult playing in a children's match."

"Huh?" Zhao Xiaotang was baffled.

Old Man Chen waved a hand. "Anyway, just dig into him. You might just find something."

With that, Old Man Chen stood up. "That’s all. I’m heading back to the office to prepare for tomorrow’s assessment."

"Aren't you going to eat a bit more?" Zhao Xiaotang asked.

"Can't. Today’s match left a bad taste in my mouth."

Zhao Xiaotang: "..."

Old Man Chen walked out of the canteen, turned a corner, and headed toward the office building. Just then, he caught sight of a figure moving on the sports field.

Bathed in the setting sun, the boy was drenched in sweat, running as he gasped for air. It was clear his footsteps were heavy, yet he kept pushing forward.

Old Man Chen frowned slightly and couldn't help but grunt.

"Foolish effort."

He turned and walked into the office building without looking back.

Wei Lai kept running. Even though his legs felt as heavy as lead, he kept running. He didn't want to repeat that past experience. He didn't want to dwell in dark corners, reflecting on what could have been.

He wanted to embrace the future. He wanted to embrace the sunlight. He wanted to keep pace with those people; he wanted to stand on the stage of glory alongside those radiant youths.

And the only thing he could do was work hard. That was exactly what he was best at.

Even if his legs felt like lead. Even if his chest burned like fire. Even if his head spun and his vision blurred. He would grit his teeth and finish it.

This was the only path he could take. This was the only choice that led to his dream.

*Don't fall behind.*

*Don't fall behind.*

Every time he felt he couldn't go on, Wei Lai reminded himself, and that was enough to keep taking another step.

From dusk until nightfall, Wei Lai kept running. And running. Until the sun had set. Until everything before his eyes turned to darkness.

He was still running.