Chapter 15

The 9th Hanyang City Youth Football League officially kicked off on October 28th, with 16 teams from 16 schools participating. The level of attention and importance it received was no less than that of the city's school sports meet.

The 16 teams were drawn into four groups. The top two teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage.

The competition was held at four different school venues, and their school was one of them.

After Mu Zhengxi took the oath on behalf of the athletes, Xu Zizhao, who was standing behind him, exclaimed, "You really look like your mother, you're practically identical."

Mu Zhengxi gave a forced smile.

Zeng Yuan, who was on the podium, was invited to attend as a representative of the league's sponsors. The sponsorship was because of him, but Mu Zhengxi was no longer so foolish as to think it was for him.

The opening ceremony has concluded.

The opening match was between the host team and Hanyang University Affiliated High School. The affiliated high school doesn't place much importance on football; their strength is the basketball team. So there's not much to say, and their victory was expected. In order not to make the opponent look too bad, they didn't field all of their main players in the second half.

The changing room corridor.

Accompanied by school leaders, Zeng Yuan came with a gentle smile and offered them some encouragement. The people in the team could guess the relationship between the two without even saying a word, not to mention that the teacher had deliberately mentioned to him, "Do your best."

However, just three hours later, this scene of motherly love and filial piety was overshadowed by the fact that...

As soon as Mu Zhengxi arrived home, Zeng Yuan, still furious, got into the car without even glancing at her youngest son who had just won the match. The servants in the restaurant were cleaning up the mess, and Mu Zhengxi shook his head repeatedly, saying that wasting food was truly shameful.

"Dad, going out?"

That sounds rather sarcastic.

Mu Shaoqing ignored him completely, continuing to make a phone call.

Mu Zhengxi pursed his lips, as if it were nothing new.

Mu Zhengting had already gone back to England two days ago, and the house was now quiet again, with only him left.

very good.

He threw his backpack off his shoulder and sat down casually.

I'm hungry.

As the saying goes, "When the tiger is away, the monkey is king."

The Statue of Liberty rushed toward him again.

"We'll prepare it for you right away."

For families like theirs, love and harmony are merely one of the essential lessons in performing.

Jiang Wenqing said that Zeng Yuan and Mu Shaoqing's relationship was like a rare porcelain piece displayed in a glass case with a beautiful price, only good for people to admire and praise, but otherwise useless.

She is right.

Saturday's initial victory was just the first step in tightening the screws. Sunday's training was as usual, with the intensity increasing. Mu Zhengxi was not only responsible for the football team captain, but also had to prepare for the upcoming National High School Physics Competition finals.

Thanks to their performance yesterday and the effective promotion of this league, there were more people watching the training session, not only from their own school but also from neighboring schools. So no one had any objections to the intensity of the training. In the coach's words, it was like a group of male peacocks displaying their plumage.

Sitting on the grass, Mu Zhengxi was lost in thought, as if the lively stares and the undercurrents of excitement between the young men and women had nothing to do with him.

Yan Yuheng: "What's wrong with Mu Zhengxi? He seems a bit off lately."

Xu Zizhao stood idly with his arm around his shoulder, glancing around the room. "Has Ren Xin not been here for a while?"

"Tsk, what does this have to do with Ren Xin?"

It's one thing to joke around normally, but when it comes down to it, Yan Yuheng is also very clear that there's nothing between the two of them at all, and Mu Zhengxi doesn't like the other person at all.

Yan Yuheng walked over, sat cross-legged next to Mu Zhengxi, and put his arm around his shoulder. "A lot of pressure?"

"No."

"Why are you pretending with your buddies? With both a physics competition and a soccer match under pressure, how could you not be stressed?"

Xu Zizhao sat down as well. "Then physics competitions are as easy for you as eating and drinking. Our Zhengxi has enlightenment in his genes."

Mu Zhengxi threw the remaining half-bottle of water over.

Xu Zizhao, grinning as he caught the water bottle, patted his back and soothed him. "What's wrong with you? Feeling so much pressure? Worried about Thursday's game? Don't worry, we'll take care of those guys from the Foreign Language School."

Yan Yuheng dropped his playful expression and looked at him sharply, "But what's wrong with you lately? I can't find you on weekends. Where do you go?"

That really hits the nail on the head.

“I…” Mu Zhengxi hesitated, “…wander around.”

"Where are we going?"

"Just... taking a casual stroll."

Yan Yuheng was a little angry at Mu Zhengxi's evasive and evasive answer, and his words were unconsciously sparking with anger. "Mu Zhengxi, don't keep things bottled up by yourself. Speak up and we'll solve them together as brothers, unless you don't consider us brothers." After he finished speaking, he no longer looked directly at Mu Zhengxi, and his words seemed to show that he was also hurt by the distance that had arisen because they didn't know each other's secrets.

The smile on Xu Zizhao's face gradually disappeared, and he lowered his head in silence. He wasn't oblivious to what Yan Yuheng had said.

"I-"

This is too complicated to explain. Even Mu Zhengxi himself finds it confusing. Anyone who hears it would think it's a fantasy.

Xu Zizhao, who always insisted on saying "South is South," also expressed his dissatisfaction with his dawdling attitude, saying, "Just say it, and we'll solve it together."

But there might be exceptions. They might believe what you say unconditionally, even if it's nonsense, and choose to be just as crazy as you.

"I'll let you know in a while."

When was that?

Mu Zhengxi pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "Wait until we get to the finals."

Xu Zizhao then stood up as well, "Okay, it's settled then."

Mu Zhengxi kicked Yan Yuheng, who was not moving.

Yan Yuheng said coldly, "You're the captain, don't let us down."

"I definitely won't."

Xu Zizhao: "What are we having for dinner?"

Yan Yuheng: "Eat shit."

Mu Zhengxi: "Then go by yourself."

...

The figures, playfully fighting side by side, cast a black silhouette across the playground.

"Class monitor, I've cleaned the blackboard for you."

Zhang Chao waved a rag on the podium as a gesture.

"Okay, thanks!"

"You're welcome, it's nothing. I'll go play ball now."

"good."

Sitting on her desk, swinging her legs and waiting for Jiang Jiawei to finish cleaning, Chen Jingyu chewed on a straw and looked at Zhang Chao, who had suddenly become very attentive lately. After he left the classroom, she grabbed Jiang Jiawei's arm and said seriously, "Jiang Jiawei! Zhang Chao doesn't owe you money, does he?"

"How could Zhang Chao owe me money? He's so rich."

Everyone in the class knows that Zhang Chao's family owns a supermarket.

The person who had gone out turned back and said, "Class monitor, I'll take the trash downstairs for you to take out too."

Chen Jingyu's mouth was slightly open, but she couldn't say anything for a long time.

"Holy crap!! Is Zhang Chao pursuing you?!"

Jiang Jiawei seemed to have anticipated her thoughts, and without changing her tone, she replied lightly, "No."

"Then why has he been hanging around you every day lately!"

Chen Jingyu jumped off the table.

"That's because I let him copy my homework three times, and I also helped him cross out the late attendance list twice." Jiang Jiawei counted on her fingers, "And I even took attendance for him when he skipped music class."

Chen Jingyu didn't believe it. "You used to help him with these things too. Why didn't he used to be so attentive and always by your side?"

Jiang Jiawei put the cleaning tools away in the corner, and the two walked out of the classroom.

Chen Jingyu concluded once again, "Zhang Chao is definitely pursuing you, he definitely likes you."

"Okay, actually he and Xu Yue have made up."

"What???! When?! How come I didn't know?!"

Jiang Jiawei raised her hand and covered Chen Jingyu's mouth.

"Shhh."

Sensing the juicy gossip, Chen Jingyu immediately nodded vigorously.

"Mmm mmm mmm mmm."

"Don't tell anyone about what happened last week."

Xu Yue's mother is their grade's biology teacher, a typical "shrew" in every school, but Xu Yue's mother is the most representative of all such "shrews".

"How did you know that!"

“I saw them together at the bookstore, and Zhang Chao told me to keep it a secret.” Jiang Jiawei shrugged. “And then, I inexplicably became their love matchmaker.”

Chen Jingyu said with a hint of jealousy, "No wonder I was wondering why you've been going to the class next door so often lately."

Jealousy exists in all emotions, regardless of category.

"Don't do that..."

Jiang Jiawei wrapped her arms around Chen Jingyu's shoulders and rested her head on her shoulder.

"I'll treat you to a grilled sausage!"

"Your dad really always gives you a lot of pocket money."

“I was paid by Zhenzhen, who works at her shop next door, during my summer vacation.”

At this restless age, any extra words exchanged between boys and girls can be considered a sign of early romantic relationships.

But Jiang Jiawei was an exception. She maintained good relationships with most of the boys in her class, partly because of her position as a class committee member, and partly perhaps because of Jiang Weichao. Jiang Weichao never defined Jiang Jiawei's circle of friends based on her grades, nor did he label her as "puppy love"—a Pandora's box that teachers and parents would avoid at such a young age—just because she interacted with the opposite sex. Moreover, her family ran a breakfast shop near the school gate, and many students were their customers. With so many students coming and going, many of them were quite familiar with Jiang Weichao.

Thanks to this, Jiang Jiawei has good relationships with the opposite sex in her class, which is why she was elected with a high number of votes after participating in the class representative election.

The two walked out of the school gate.

Chen Jingyu: "I'll come find you after dinner, then we can go to the bookstore and then rush back to evening self-study. We should have enough time."

"OK."

"Eat faster."

Chen Jingyu, still worried, reminded Jiang Jiawei again of her well-known eating speed.

"knew."

The leaves on the trees along the roadside rustled.

Chen Jingyu said, "Ugh, I have to wear a jacket tonight. Oh no, I wonder if my mom washed the school uniform jacket I gave me."

"They don't check school uniforms during evening self-study."

"Yes, you remember to wear a coat too."

"Okay, see you in a bit."

See you later.

Autumn has arrived in Changqing.

The leaves on the trees were bathed in golden light under the orange streetlights.

People started asking for hot milk tea.

However, the shaved ice shop is still doing very well. The out-of-season food seems to be a little bit of resistance from the nagging of adults at this young age.

Mu Zhengxi took off the jacket he wore in Hanyang, leaving only his blue denim shirt as he entered Changqing. Under his black baseball cap, the abrasion on his left cheekbone near his temple was even more noticeable under his short, trimmed hair, a bright red and sharp wound.

Like the last vestiges of summer, bright and vibrant light slipped past the window as Jiang Jiawei saw him push open the door of the shaved ice shop.

"You...how did you get here?!"

"Why couldn't I be here? Who knew I'd run into you here just as I was coming back and passing by?"

They lie through their teeth without batting an eye, and they even act like it's their own business.

Jiang Jiawei sat by the window, acting as a sentinel, with homework still on the table.

Mu Zhengxi peeked over and asked, "So focused, what homework are you doing?"

"English."

After sitting down and stretching, the person requested, "Since it's such a coincidence, treat me to a shaved ice." (Jiang Jiawei)

"Okay, what flavor do you want?"

"Hmm..." Mu Zhengxi looked up at the menu and tapped the table, "Mango milk flavor."

"Boss, I'd like a mango milk flavored one!"

Large or small portion?

Jiang Jiawei looked at him questioningly.

Large portion.

"Large portion!"

"OK."

"Your face is injured?"

"Yeah, isn't he handsome?"

"Won't this leave a scar? That would be disfigurement."

"What disfigurement? Jiang Jiawei, this is a man's medal!"

Mu Zhengxi pointed to his face with considerable pride; anyone who didn't know better would think he had deliberately injured himself to show others.

Oh, you won the soccer match?

"How did you know~" The last syllable of his voice rose as he said this, his expression revealing his undisguised smugness and pleasure.

Although they suffered an injury in Thursday's game against the Foreign Language Middle School, they managed to hold on and win by two goals.

"Didn't you say it was a medal?"

"Wow, Jiang Jiawei is so smart."

It's obvious they want someone to say that, and then they'll praise the other person for guessing correctly. Jiang Jiawei suspects that Mu Zhengxi is only five years old this year.

"Hello, this is your mango milk shaved ice."

"Thanks."

Jiang Jiawei pushed the mango shaved ice in front of Mu Zhengxi.

"Do you want some?" The person who asked the question then realized, "Oh, you can't eat them, you're allergic to mangoes."

How did you know I'm allergic to mangoes?

"Ah, last time, that last time, I heard it from Jiang Jiayi, your brother." Mu Zhengxi licked his lips, buried his head and scooped up a big spoonful and stuffed it into his mouth. He could practically spit out a mouthful of dry ice from that.

He noticed that Jiang Jiawei's ponytail wasn't braided and had become shorter.

"You got a haircut?"

“Yes.” Jiang Jiawei touched the ends of her hair and said proudly, “My dad cut it for me.”

Why cut it?

"It's too long, it's inconvenient to wash."

"Okay." Mu Zhengxi's eyes showed regret, then he said to himself, "I got a haircut too." He asked, "Didn't you notice?"

"I noticed. But is your face really okay? Don't you need to apply any medicine?"

Instead of beating around the bush, Mu Zhengxi went with the flow and made a reasonable request, "Then you and I will go to the pharmacy to buy it later. I don't know where your pharmacy is." Without waiting for a reply, he simply agreed, leaned over, looked at the melting snow that resembled the top of Mount Fuji, and asked, "What kind of ice is this?"

"Iced milk".

"Oh~" Looking at Jiang Jiawei's test paper, she said smugly, "Do you know how to write it? Do you want me to teach you? I'm also very good at English."

Jiang Jiawei then readily pushed the test paper in front of him, saying, "Then you can write this essay for me."

Mu Zhengxi was dumbfounded.

"...Hey, I meant I'll teach you."

Jiang Jiawei emphasized, "I can write it. I've written it many times. I don't want to write it again."

Mu Zhengxi tapped the table and adopted a teacher's posture to educate her, "Jiang Jiawei, you need to have the right attitude towards learning."

"Okay, then I'll have my brother write it when we get back."

Jiang Jiawei put the test paper back into her bag.

"...I'll write it for you."

Jiang Jiawei immediately took it out.

"I don't care if the characters are different."

Mu Zhengxi believes this is a reward for the mango milk ice, not to mention that Jiang Jiawei said she can write it, and educational theory says that children's learning should be guided in a relaxed yet balanced way.

"It's okay, this is a classroom test, our teacher doesn't grade it."

Mu Zhengxi imitated the girl's delicate English handwriting, writing this essay with ease. "Jiang Jiawei, what university do you want to apply to?"

"Hmm... I want to get into a really prestigious university."

What university is that?

Jiang Jiawei, biting her spoon, thought for a while, "I haven't decided yet."

"Then start thinking about it now."

As the chosen one, Mu Zhengxi felt it was very necessary to act as the guide and put the pen cap back on.

"It's written, but don't do it again."

One second they're acting like adults, the next they're like children, asking expectantly, "What are we going to do later?"

Jiang Jiawei's eyes lit up with excitement, "Let's go watch our class's basketball game. Today it's Class 5 of the Science stream playing against Class 3. Lots of people will be watching."

"Why?"

"Because there are more boys than girls," Jiang Jiawei said in a low voice. "Many girls like the sports representative of Class 3."

Mu Zhengxi's smile froze upon hearing this. Isn't the basketball court the place where male hormones attract girls, the place where illusory love is most easily born?

Stirring the spoon, he said casually, "Actually, I'm pretty good at basketball, you know?"

Jiang Jiawei, who was eating a smoothie, looked up and said, "Yeah, I know."

After a while.

She said, "My brother told me about it."