Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lu Ang ran backward and stopped the ball with his right foot. Then he positioned it to the left, raised his left leg, and kicked it.
Just like that, Xia Mengyin saw from afar, an amazing shot. The soccer ball steadily entered the goal from the other half of the field.
All of a sudden, she felt a little curious about this dazed boy… He seemed weak, but his kick was firm and powerful.
Xia Mengyin asked, “Are you also used to shooting with your left foot?”
Lu Ang said, “Huh?”
Xia Mengyin said, “Because there is a player, Lu Ang, who is about the same height as you and also left-footed. From the looks of it, you look like him when you play soccer.”
Lu Ang thought, I’m done for. Don’t tell me she saw through me.
Lu Ang said, “Actually, I’m more used to my right foot. Moreover, he and I are completely different…”
Actually, Lu Ang was one of the few players who was skillful with both legs. It was just that because of his previous position, he would use his left foot most of the time when he shot, so those who watched his matches would naturally only think that he was left-footed.
Xia Mengyin said, “Ah, that’s true. He’s a little more robust than you, and you should be taller than him. He’s also very handsome, and my roommate is his fangirl.”
So I’m not handsome anymore?
Lu Ang thought.
Then, he said, “What about you? Are you?” He blurted out something he had never wanted to know from anyone before.
Xia Mengyin said, “I’m not that… crazy. It’s just that I do have some news about him. I often hear about him from my roommates. It’s quite rare to see such a handsome and young soccer player with high interest among girls.”
Lu Ang said, “That’s true. He’s handsome and a forward as well. It’s natural for him to attract a lot of attention.”
He suddenly felt less repulsed by his previously exposed self.
Xia Mengyin said, “Girls don’t necessarily pay attention to the players just because of this. Although many people pay attention to the forwards, I pay more attention to the defenders. My favorite player is Vincent Kompany. His defense is world class. Even though he’s not as handsome as the public thinks, he’s the best in my heart.”
Hearing her say that, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Lu Ang’s face. Yes, it was also because of this that he paid attention to her and was willing to speak with her now.
Lu Ang said, “Then you don’t like forwards like Lu Ang?”
Xia Mengyin said, “You can’t say that. I like a lot of players, and it’s not based on their position on the field. As long as they play well, I feel that they are very good, and I admire them from the bottom of my heart. Lu Ang is also very good at soccer, but he probably doesn’t know how to package himself. Otherwise, why is there always internal conflicts… and…” She hesitated.
As expected, the rumors had already spread. There was some disappointment on his face, but it was hidden in the darkness. “Then what do you think of him?”
Xia Mengyin thought for a while and said, “Actually, I don’t know. After all, I really don’t know him well, but he is indeed one of the rare talents among soccer players these days. From the first time he represented Zhongju Province in the Youth Soccer League when he was 18 years old, he was already the center of attention. His running speed and statistics were all wonderful, although I always felt that he wasn’t very agile. Personally, he was indeed very handsome, but I don’t know if it was because he felt that he was handsome or that he had good soccer skills. But he always looked like a cold person and never spoke at the post-match press conference, so many people said that he was acting like a big shot. Maybe he was just a narcissist. But I’m more concerned about the competitiveness of athletes as they really did play well. As for the rumors about his personal relationship, I don’t know. Anyway, it’s impossible for him to like me.”
She thought about Lu Ang’s face again. He was really handsome, but Xia Mengyin was very self-aware as well.
Lu Ang could not help but laugh again. “See, isn’t this just trouble? Just because he has a handsome face, all sorts of nonsense is going on. Without his handsome appearance, I’m afraid no one will be willing to watch him play soccer anymore.” There was some bitterness in his laughter.
Xia Mengyin said, “You can’t say that. Lu Ang played quite well. But he was indeed popular because of his good looks. That should be when I was in my first year of university. It was his first time playing in the Youth Soccer League. After he blew his nose on the field, everyone saw him smiling in embarrassment. Then, he became an emoji and became popular. Look, this is the benefit of having good looks. Even when he blows his nose, he can attract fans. But, although he has a lot of fans, there will definitely be a lot of people who pay attention to his skills.”
Lu Ang was a little touched when he heard her say that there would be a large number of people paying attention to him.
Seeing that the boy was silent, she said, “Hahaha, are you envious of him? But you can’t really blame him, since he’s really popular, hahaha.”
Lu Ang said, “Me? Envious of him? What’s there to be envious about? I’d rather play quietly.”
He was himself to begin with, so what was there to be envious about? If the news that was reported every day had nothing to do with his skills, anyone would be troubled.
Xia Mengyin poked his shoulder. “Hey, if you’re envious, just say it. Don’t worry, as long as you practice properly, someone will find out about you sooner or later. Come to think of it, Lu Ang hasn’t appeared in the competition for more than a month.”
Lu Ang said, “Yeah. Didn’t you hear the rumors? Things like falling out with the coach.” He only repeated some of the rumors he had heard.
Xia Mengyin patted his shoulder and said earnestly, “The most important thing for an athlete is his competitiveness level. Everything else is secondary. You’re a soccer player like him, so you should pay more attention to how to play well. Don’t keep thinking about rumors. Furthermore, Lu Ang doesn’t seem to have spoken in public. As for the rest, who knows if it’s true.”
Lu Ang did not expect such a young girl to be so good at teaching. Although she nagged, he found it quite interesting. Moreover, what she said was true. He had indeed never spoken publicly, and those rumors were indeed untrue.
Lu Ang wondered if he should comfort her as well. “Well, the most important thing for the media is to report the truth. You have to work hard too. There are many opportunities to change your biases.”
Xia Mengyin replied, “You can do it too. As long as you’re alive, there will be hope. I really hope that I can see you playing soccer on the field with your sports glasses.”
Those words were like the words on the key ring that seemed to be a gift from heaven. That made Lu Ang feel better about her again. He didn’t realize that his palms were already sweating from nervousness.
That night, Lu Ang was determined to play soccer no matter what the future held. He also began to look through the members of various clubs to find out which club he should choose.
…
That night, Xia Mengyin returned to her dorm and realized that her roommates were still awake.
Wang Yiyi said, “Yinyin, you went to the soccer training field again?”
Xia Mengyin smiled and patted her head. “Oh no, I forgot to ask for his name.” She was actually quite happy at night. She had never chatted so happily with a boy before, and their coordination at the field was not bad either. In school, no one had ever played with her before.
Zhang Yu came over, asking, “Huh? Who was it? Did something good happen?” She could feel Xia Mengyin’s excitement.
Xia Mengyin waved her hand. “No, no. I just felt a sense of comfort that I haven’t felt in a long time.”
Lin Yunai said, “It’s over. Don’t tell me you’re going to complain about how cruel society is to Papa Xia? Oh no, Papa Xia is so pitiful.”
The reason why her roommates felt this way was because although Xia Mengyin was a very upright person, she liked to talk to people when her negative energy was overflowing. However, she knew that her roommates didn’t like to listen to others’ nagging, so she would always complain to her father.
Xia Mengyin felt that the boy was different from all the boys in school. At least he was willing to listen to her. However, when he coordinated with her, she felt that he did a good job. He was actually not chosen to join the team. It seemed that Coach Wang Tie was really strict.
At that moment, Zhang Yu was laughing heartily.
Xia Mengyin asked, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you still not asleep and laughing?”
Zhang Yu said, “I’ll show you a passer-by interview and send you a link.”
Xia Mengyin opened it and saw that it was an investigation on Lu Ang’s popularity.
The host said, “It’s been a long time since Lu Ang, known as the most handsome young player in Zhongju Province, appeared on the field. So today… he still hasn’t appeared on the field. Should we interview the passersby whether they know who he is? Our location is at Andong City Sports Center today. The question is, do you watch soccer? Do you know Lu Ang?”
Andong City has the soccer club that had the most ‘sparks’ with Lu Ang.
Xia Mengyin thought.
Passerby A was a beautiful girl. She said, “I don’t really watch soccer, but I do know Lu Ang. I think he should be a model.”
Passerby B was a boy who had just ended a soccer game. “I’m a fan. Of course I know who Lu Ang is. He’s our grassroots representative. I heard that he’s injured.”
Passerby C was another young lad. “Lu Ang? Isn’t he the amateur player who became popular in the field?” As he spoke, he even made a gesture of blowing his nose. “I just want to ask those young ladies, am I handsome like this? I don’t know if you guys are going to watch the game or look at my face.”
What a troll.
Xia Mengyin thought to herself.
Passerby D was an old man. “I watched soccer more than 20 years ago. I’ve never heard of Lu Ang, but if he’s a young player, we should encourage him.”
Passerby E was a greasy middle-aged man. “I watch soccer, but I don’t know much about Lu Ang. I’m telling you, such kids don’t work. There’s no need for a competition like the Youth Soccer League to exist. The players shouldn’t have been chosen to join the national team…”
Gradually, the comments on Lu Ang turned into discussions on the Youth Soccer League. How should she put it? Xia Mengyin felt that she could not comment on whether this competition was good or bad, but there were indeed some players who walked out of it. At least, this gave a grassroots youth player a chance.