Chapter 2 Junior High School

  Jade City is a seaside town located in the south by the sea.

  This small town does not have any unique energy resources; nor does it have breathtaking natural scenery; no world-renowned celebrities were born here; nor has any earth-shattering historical event occurred.

  Is this small city not enough for its people to have something to brag about?

  But the kind of peaceful and comfortable life rhythm that comes with birth in a small town, as well as the fresh and natural living environment, is something that many big cities can't experience.

  Feicui City Fourth Middle School is one of the middle schools in Feicui City with a relatively good reputation.

  It has cultivated a group of talents who have made great contributions to the society, such as Chen XX and Li XX. Of course, except for being recorded in the school's honor room or mentioned in the speech at the new student opening ceremony, basically no one knows who they are.

  However, the Fourth High School, as one of the only two provincial key high schools in Feicui City, is a good place for many parents in Feicui City to provide their children with a good learning environment.

  Because Lin Xiaoyu's home is closer to Feicui No. 4 Middle School, Lin Xiaoyu and Li Jingru both entered Feicui No. 4 Middle School together.

  13-year-old Lin Xiaoyu looks very delicate, with a childish face and a pair of big, bright eyes that occasionally flash with the cleverness of a child. Her cheerful personality makes Lin Xiaoyu full of energy and vitality all day long.

  A set of school uniforms two sizes larger than her size hung loosely on Lin Xiaoyu's body, making her already not-so-tall figure look even thinner. This was the uniform size ordered by Lin Xiaoyu's mother, who told Lin Xiaoyu that it was because junior high students grew quickly and clothes that fit well would soon become too small, so she had ordered a larger size.

  Lin Xiaoyu originally liked the two sets of sky blue and white new school uniforms issued by the school, but after receiving them, she found that this new uniform on her body was two sizes larger than herself, which made Lin Xiaoyu feel very uncomfortable.

  In the winter, Lin Xiaoyu's long-sleeved school uniform made her sleeves look as long as those of an opera singer. Although the cuffs were narrow elastic bands that fixed the sleeves to her wrists and didn't give her a theatrical effect, the folds accumulated on her wrists due to their excessive length made Lin Xiaoyu very uncomfortable.

  The summer school uniform shirt is short-sleeved, which makes Lin Xiaoyu no longer worry about the length of the sleeves. However, the clothes are too wide and long, and after Lin Xiaoyu puts them on, the hem of the uniform almost covers her knees. This makes it look like Lin Xiaoyu is wearing a dress.

  You can imagine the trouble that two sizes too big pants caused Lin Xiaoyu, Lin Xiaoyu's new school uniform pants basically took on the role of dragging on the ground, because the pant legs were always dragging on the floor as she walked.

  Lin's mother, in order to help Lin Xiaoyu who often misplaces things recognize her school uniform, embroidered the three characters "Lin Xiaoyu" on the collar of each new uniform with needle and thread.

  Facing a school uniform two sizes larger than herself, Lin Xiaoyu wished she could grow up two sizes immediately to fit this uncomfortable uniform. But wishes are still wishes, and reality is still reality. Lin Xiaoyu had no choice but to wear the oversized uniform with a sense of grievance as she started her junior high school life.

  As she grew older and was restricted by more and more rules, Lin Xiaoyu's habit of being mischievous and playful in her childhood gradually decreased, but her lively nature still existed. It's just that the carefree feeling is gone.

  After entering junior high school, Xiaoyu Lin and his partner in crime Chen Yi went to Feicui City First Middle School together. This was a major reason why Lin Xiaoyu became quieter. After all, one hand can't clap, even if doing bad things needs a partner in crime to have motivation. So in the new environment, Lin Xiaoyu became relatively quiet and went to school normally.

  Due to Lin Xiaoyu's consistently good grades, and the disappearance of those bad behaviors that were unacceptable to teachers, it wasn't long after the start of school that Lin Xiaoyu became a small class cadre - math representative. This small position satisfied Lin Xiaoyu's small vanity.

  This small class cadre position not only brought spiritual joy to Lin Xiaoyu, but also unexpectedly surprised her in a material way.

  Lin's father and mother learned that their son had become well-behaved in school and even became a class cadre, which was unprecedented for Lin Xiaoyu in elementary school. They couldn't help but secretly congratulate themselves on finding a good middle school for their son. Lin's father and mother were so happy that they bought the latest mountain bike as a reward for Lin Xiaoyu. This mountain bike made Lin Xiaoyu so excited that he didn't sleep well all night.

  Lin Xiaoyu gained a double harvest of spiritual and material wealth, and then had the motivation to learn. As a result, she also began to focus in class.

  Li Jingru is in Class 1 of Grade 7 at Feicui Middle School.

  Thirteen-year-old Li Jingru, however, did not have the same problem as Lin Xiaoyu with her new school uniform. Li Jingru's slender and tall figure looked very matching in the slightly loose-fitting sky blue and white new school uniform.

  Li Jingru is slender and elegant, with fair skin, delicate features, a gentle temperament, and a tall figure, a typical little beauty. Due to her outstanding grades and multiple talents, Li Jingru was chosen by the class teacher as the class monitor and art committee member as soon as she entered Class 1 Grade 1.

  Feicui City Fourth High School has always been ranked second among all high schools in Feicui City.

  Feicui Fourth Middle School has also been stuck in the second place for many years. It's not that Feicui Fourth Middle School is content with being in the second place, but rather the strength of Feicui City First Middle School, which ranks first, is too overwhelming.

  And with this title of the first middle school, it's not something that an ordinary middle school can shake off, so Feicui Fourth Middle School is also content to stand in second place. After all, it's still one of the top two schools in Feicui City.

  But in recent years, Feicui No. 4's second place has been somewhat precarious.

  A newly built experimental middle school in the city has a strong momentum. Whether it is the school environment, teacher strength, or teaching conditions, they are all very strong, and there is a tendency to surpass Emerald Fourth Middle School. This makes the current principal of Emerald Fourth Middle School, Principal Qiu, feel very uneasy.

  Qiu principal took over as principal for four years, and after ten years of being a vice principal, he finally got rid of the "vice" prefix. He thought that becoming the real principal would bring him peace and ease, but then the city suddenly came up with an experimental middle school, which threatened his newly taken-over old-brand school, Feicui No. 4 Middle School. Rumors outside said that the experimental middle school's strength had already surpassed Feicui No. 4 Middle School, ranking second.

  This shocked Principal Qiu, who had just taken office as the principal of a school that was about to fall to third place. This was absolutely unacceptable for both the school and himself. Therefore, Principal Qiu made up his mind to convene a school representative conference to thoroughly rectify the academic style and comprehensively improve the school's level. He shouted out the slogan "Everything can be lost, but not the second place" to rectify the school. At the same time, Principal Qiu also spent money to renovate the school thoroughly, from the stadium to the teaching building, and even the baton in the hand of the school gatekeeper was brand new.

  Thanks to Principal Qiu's efforts, Feicui Fourth Middle School managed to maintain its second-place position. However, the Experimental Middle School continued to vie for the second spot, leaving Principal Qiu exhausted and worried about school affairs. The hair on his already thinning head gradually fell out, giving him a Mediterranean appearance.

  It was during the World Cup craze that groups of people playing football appeared on empty spaces both inside and outside the campus. Perhaps the football fever had swept into the hearts of the school leaders. The Experimental Middle School held its first "New Spirit New Look Cup" campus football series tournament.

  The competition was well-received by all parties. After the news reached Principal Qiu's ears, Principal Qiu decided overnight that Feicui Middle School would immediately hold the first "Moral Intelligence and Physical Development Cup" school football match. It was announced externally as a sports activity aimed at promoting the comprehensive development of students' moral intelligence and physical fitness, not to let Experimental Middle School be the only one to shine.

  I heard that the school is going to hold a football match and Lin Xiaoyu was very happy.

  Lin Xiaoyu was not clear why the school suddenly wanted to hold a football match, but having a football match made Lin Xiaoyu extremely excited. After all, studying life for a lively child like Lin Xiaoyu was a bit dull. Having a football match to play made Lin Xiaoyu feel like a long-awaited refreshing rain.

  In the past, when Lin Xiaoyu was in elementary school, she also joined the football team of her class, and the team was named "Shenlong Fighter Football Team". Just hearing this name already fully explained to outsiders the tender age and technical level of the members of this team.

  Lin Xiaoyu, who had just entered junior high school, enthusiastically joined the crowd of people playing football, and this also allowed Lin Xiaoyu, who was full of energy and had nowhere to vent, to find a great outlet.

  Every afternoon after school, Lin Xiaoyu and a group of friends would go to the stadium to find an empty space, pile up their backpacks as goalposts, and start sweating profusely.

  Every time after playing football, Lin Xiaoyu would follow his companions to the school's small shop to buy a bottle of orange soda for 50 cents each to quench their thirst. The feeling of the icy, sour and sweet orange soda flowing through their parched throats made Lin Xiaoyu feel extremely delighted. Lin Xiaoyu loved experiencing this indescribable joy.

  Lin Xiaoyu's football skills inherited the glorious tradition of Chinese football, that is, footwork is extremely good.

  Although Lin Xiaoyu had experience playing soccer in elementary school, her ball skills still didn't impress anyone. However, Lin Xiaoyu wasn't bothered by her lack of skill; the thrill of running back and forth on the field was already making her very happy.

  Although Lin Xiaoyu's footwork was very poor, among a group of kids who were not good at kicking the ball, Lin Xiaoyu's skills were still considered to be pretty good. As a result, Lin Xiaoyu naturally became the mainstay of the class team.

  Lin Xiaoyu is now in the second half of her first year. Through the first semester and playing football with her classmates, Lin Xiaoyu also knows some characteristics of the players in her class.

  The football talent in Lin Xiaoyu's class is incredibly abundant. Using the word "football talent" to describe it may be a bit inaccurate, it should be said that they are football geniuses.

  Chen Zhi-xin, who bears the heavy responsibility of being a defender, can often be seen wandering around the opponent's goal in most parts of the game. This is one of the team's attacking characteristics and also a huge loophole; Fortunately, the other three defenders have a hobby of clearing the way, although their ball control skills are not good, but their attitude of kicking the ball with one foot as soon as they see it is very suitable for playing the role of defender.

  This destructive clearing kick is a counterattack from the backfield if it hits, and a good defense if it misses. Destroying the opponent's attacking ball is the specialty of the No. 1 Class 3 defender group. This ensures that the gate will not be easily broken by the opponent.

  As for the last line of defense in the restricted area, the goalkeeper position was guarded by Yang Tianxiao, who was the best at playing basketball in the class.

  Although Yang Tianxiao had never kicked a football before, he still managed to be a decent goalkeeper. After all, goalkeepers and basketball players both use their hands. However, when Yang Tianxiao threw the ball forward with his foot, everyone was too afraid to compliment him.

  Yang Tianxiao has a strong physique and is full of energy, and his powerful kicks are impressive. However, due to his lack of football experience over the years, almost all of his kicks are so powerful that they fly straight up into the air, and it's not until half a day later that everyone is shocked to discover that this incredibly powerful kick has been flying for half a day without even leaving the penalty area.

  Yang Tianxiao's passing style often put the team's backfield in danger. Everyone unanimously deprived him of this short-sighted passing method and strongly demanded that he change to throwing the ball out of the penalty area by hand.

  This is the chaotic defensive system of Lin Xiaoyu's football team.

  The football team in Lin Xiaoyu's class is good at offense. To be exact, they advocate for offense.

  From the team's defensive core Chen Zhi-xin, it can be seen that he is old and stays in front of the opponent's goal. The team's playing style is an imitation of the classic 4-3-3 all-out attacking and defending formation.

  Striker and team captain Zhang Zhilin can be said to be the leader of the team.

  His excellent physical condition and good skills made him stand out among a group of children. It was also his existence that made the Class 3 football team of Lin Xiaoyu's junior high school transform from an unimpressive motley crew into a somewhat impressive motley crew.

  The forward who partnered with Zhang Zhilin is Li Feng.

  Li Feng's characteristic is his speed, when he runs it's like a gust of wind that makes the opponent's defensive players unable to guard against.

  But this speed like a gust of wind is only reflected in Li Feng's body, and not on the ball at his feet.

  Every time Li Feng picks up the ball, he seems to be like a typhoon that wants to blow away a big mountain. Li Feng has already run out ten meters away, but the ball stops halfway, and this situation is not uncommon.

  But Li Feng's ability to seize opportunities in front of the goal is worthy of praise, often when both sides are fighting fiercely in front of the goal, it is always Li Feng who unexpectedly kicks the ball into the net.

  The forward at the tip of the arrowhead among the three forwards is called Li Chunqing. This name looks a bit like a girl's, but he has thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a strong masculine aura. When kicking the ball, it's also very powerful.

  Li Chunqing, who is obviously stronger than his peers, often kicks the opponent's defender to the ground. This makes many defenders who know him dare not defend against him closely. So everyone unanimously puts him in the most forward position and lets Li Chunqing intimidate the opponent's defender mentally.

  Lin Xiaoyu serves in midfield.

  The midfield position on a football field is a very important position, which is both the engine of the offense and the first line of defense.

  But in Lin Xiaoyu's eyes, these amateur players who can't even be considered amateur, the meaning of midfielder is that wherever the ball goes, people will run there.

  So the energetic Lin Xiaoyu was also very fond of playing in midfield. Chasing after the football all day, sprinting around the entire field, so it's often possible to see scenes on the field like 'autumn waters sharing a boundless sky, Xiaoyu and the football flying together'.

  The midfielders on either side of Lin Xiaoyu are Siyan and Lu Ping.

  His name is Chen Jianfeng, but because he played soccer with glasses, the nickname "Four Eyes" replaced his real name.

  He is of the typical type of military strategist who excels in theoretical discussions on paper.

  Always fond of pointing out the shortcomings of every teammate, but turn a blind eye to their own three-catty technique. Talking about football tactics is like a river, but when it comes to playing games, they are busy and confused, not knowing where to stand or what to do.

  However, due to a relatively rich understanding of football, the awareness of football among these first-year students is also top-notch. Four Eyes occasionally still managed to pass one or two good balls. So the right midfielder position was handled by Four Eyes and played fairly well.

  The left flank was led by Chen Yongkun, a southpaw.

  Chen Yongkun is very dedicated to his position on the left flank. He's even a bit overzealous about it.

  It's as if the left sideline is the rail of Chen Yongkang's train, inseparable no matter where he is, even when he picks up the ball on the right road, Chen Yongkang will always bring the ball to the left road along the sideline.

  That football was always advancing precariously along the left sideline under his feet. Everyone's eyes were about to pop out, and that ball was rarely taken out of bounds, which made people admire his superhuman technique on the left route. However, once Chen Yongkun drove the ball near the opponent's baseline, he stopped moving forward like a train at its terminal point until he lost the ball. This left Lin Xiaoyu and others feeling very puzzled.

  Chen Yongkun has a major characteristic, which is that his passing and shooting are even beyond his own control.

  The ball that was supposed to be passed out often flew straight into the opponent's goal with only the goalkeeper, and Chen Yongkun would kick the ball into a crowd of people far away from the goal whenever there was an opportunity.

  Thus, Lin Xiaoyu joined a group of children who loved football and formed the first-year third-class football team. With great enthusiasm and confidence, they participated in the First "Moral Intelligence Physical Comprehensive Development Cup" Football Match at Feicui Fourth Middle School.