Chapter 25

Today is Saturday, and there’s a Premier League match to watch. The football enthusiasts in the class haven’t gone to sleep yet, discussing the game as they watch. Wang Bo watched them chat and, quite unusually, interjected, “Actually, the team needs a good midfielder. The two freshmen are too inexperienced.”

Guanglin High School had two slightly stronger midfielders last year, who were seniors. At least they had more experience than the freshmen. After they graduated, the team was left without successors, and now the freshmen are taking the lead. The team now has eighteen players, with substitutes for the defense, forwards, and even the goalkeeper, but only two midfielders. During regular training matches, 9-on-9 games can only be played in a 3-3-2 formation, with the two midfielders fighting alone, and there’s no talk of building chemistry.

Recent events have made the class pay a lot of attention to Wang Bo, so when he spoke, it sparked a new round of discussion, which later turned into criticism of the school team’s overly simplistic tactics. Lu Guanghe got angry: “Don’t just talk big. If you’re so good, come and play. The school team recruits players every Wednesday during their open training sessions. Why don’t you come?”

Before he sent this message, Wang Bo had just posted a comment about tactics, making it seem like Lu Guanghe was specifically targeting him. The classmates, seizing the opportunity, started to egg him on, urging him to save the school team.

Actually, everyone had seen Wang Bo’s level before. He usually played as a defensive midfielder, occasionally passing or intercepting, mostly following the formation and rarely touching the ball, with no standout performances.

However, everyone overlooked one point: Wang Bo’s role on the field was to keep the formation organized, ensure smooth transitions, and reduce defensive gaps. His football IQ was naturally high, but he didn’t play often, so his skills were average. For students playing football, if you don’t have fancy dribbling and breakthroughs, you’re not even supposed to say you can play.

So the general consensus was that Wang Bo wasn’t good enough to join the school team, and they were just teasing him.

But what Lu Guanghe said was right: the school team recruits players every Wednesday, but no one ever applies. This is mainly because the team has a heavy match schedule, with games almost all year round, and training, which seriously affects studies. If you’re not passionate about football, who would want to get involved in this mess?

The peak recruitment period for the school team is usually when new students start, but even after strict selection, many drop out halfway. If it weren’t for the annual batch of football scholarship students, Guanglin High School would find it hard to maintain its past performance.

The football team’s performance has been declining, now struggling to secure a spot in the regional league, unlike the basketball team, which has been thriving since winning the national championship ten years ago and has consistently been among the top eight in the country.

A group of people were goading Wang Bo to apply, saying seemingly encouraging but actually mocking words, making him feel quite annoyed. He thought to himself: If I really go, I’ll make you all eat your words. With the exchange system, it’s just a matter of time before I make it to the top league. Even without the exchange system, I know more about how to play midfield than those two freshmen! Damn it, everyone thinks I can’t do it, well, this time I’ll show you.

“Alright, I’ll apply next Wednesday.”

This one sentence caused a strong reaction. Lu Guanghe said, “It’s not just any cat or dog that can join the school team. Don’t push yourself. Playing football isn’t just about theory.”

Wang Bo replied, “You said talking big is useless. We’ll see. And I’ll add: playing football isn’t just about physical strength; it’s also about using your brain.”

Words were not getting through, and Lu Guanghe, who wasn’t originally targeting him, now found himself in a confrontational situation with Wang Bo, neither willing to back down.

Liu Yan suddenly messaged him privately: “Are you running a fever? Going to apply for the football team?” It seemed she had noticed the chat in the group. Wang Bo replied, “Do you think I can’t do it? I have one thing to say: a man can’t say he can’t.”

She simply replied with two words: “Rogue,” not knowing what she was thinking.

The next day, at 8:30 AM, in the Guanglin High School auditorium, the preliminary performance for the Cultural Festival officially began. The order of performances was seniors first, then juniors, and finally freshmen. The judges included school leaders and grade heads, with Liu Yan’s father among them.

Although this was not the formal performance, many programs wouldn’t have the chance to appear on the formal evening show, so many students came to support, filling the auditorium.

Outside the auditorium, some participating students were practicing nervously. Wang Bo and his two partners were confidently watching the seniors’ performance from their seats. Their instruments and costumes were already prepared backstage, waiting for the seniors’ performance to end before they went backstage to prepare.

Wang Bo’s classmates around him asked what program he had prepared, guessing it might be a solo stand-up comedy act. So far, his performance was a secret in the class, known only to the three participants. He smiled mysteriously, “Just cheer loudly when it’s time.”

After the seniors’ performance, everyone saw Wang Bo, Liu Yan, and Jin Xiaoli enter the backstage. They were still puzzled, thinking Wang Bo was supposed to do it alone, but now three people were going.

Half an hour later, it was finally the turn for Class 7. The announcer said, “The next performance is from Class 7, Grade 2: Martial Arts: Ten Ambushes. Performers: Wang Bo, Liu Yan, and Jin Xiaoli. Welcome!”

The audience erupted in excitement. No one had seen martial arts performed at the Cultural Festival before. Chinese martial arts have a long and rich history, a traditional art form beloved by the Chinese people. This program, amidst a sea of dance and song performances, was a pleasant surprise.

However, while the students of Class 7 were excited, they were also worried about Wang Bo: Can this guy really do it? Don’t come out with a set of military boxing and call it a martial arts performance; that would be embarrassing.

As the announcer left the stage, the two girls came on first. Liu Yan and Jin Xiaoli were wearing plain cheongsams with light green patterns, looking fresh and elegant. The cheongsams were well-tailored, accentuating their figures, and their slim waists and full hips swayed gently, igniting cheers from the audience as soon as they appeared.

They were not the first to appear on stage, but their stunning entrance was unmatched. After bowing to the audience, they took their seats at the instruments.

The auditorium fell silent as the two girls began to play. As the prelude sounded, a figure in a blue Tang suit ran out from backstage, performing a side handstand and a forward flip, landing steadily. Then, with a move called “White Crane Spreads Its Wings,” Wang Bo made a grand entrance!

“Great!” Cheers echoed throughout the auditorium. The powerful and continuous music created a vivid image of a fierce battle. Wang Bo danced in the center of the stage, like a brave warrior charging into the enemy ranks. His moves were clean and decisive, moving left and right, up and down, leaving the audience spellbound.

At the climax of the music, he portrayed a scene of being surrounded by enemies, refusing to yield. The music of “Ten Ambushes” sounded like a death knell around him, and the audience felt as if they were right there, their blood boiling, and the cheers never stopped.

As the music changed, Wang Bo’s movements slowed, creating a tragic atmosphere of being heavily wounded. Finally, amidst another intense burst of music, Wang Bo seemed to face the enemy’s final charge, surrounded on all sides. He let out a loud cry, made a gesture of drawing his sword, and, in the final note of the music, knelt and committed suicide, lowering his head in defiance.

“Great!” Another round of cheers, louder than ever, filled the auditorium. All the students stood up and applauded, genuinely impressed by the stunning martial arts performance. Whether it was the live music or Wang Bo’s brilliant choreography, the program provided a thrilling experience.

Even the judges were moved. The principal pushed up his glasses and said to the head of the education department, Mr. Liu, “Old Liu, your daughter’s performance is of high quality.”

“Not really,” Mr. Liu humbly replied, “It’s just a side act, not suitable for a grand stage.” Despite his words, his face was flushed with pride, and his eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

Wang Bo and the two girls bowed and left the stage, receiving another round of enthusiastic applause. In the backstage, the two girls hugged each other, laughing and jumping, “We did it! We did it! See, everyone is hyped up. The atmosphere is so intense!”

Wang Bo, now with wet hair, admitted that he was a bit nervous on stage, but his familiarity with the routine helped him avoid any mistakes.

At this moment, a notification sounded in his mind: “Task 1 completed. Reward: 100 points. Additional rewards pending confirmation.” Wang Bo gratefully said, “Thank you, for helping me complete this performance!”

Completing this task allowed him to take on other tasks, and his excitement was evident. He couldn’t help but hug the two girls, whispering, “Thank you, thank you!”

Liu Yan and Jin Xiaoli were stunned. Jin Xiaoli was the first to react, pushing him away, “What are you doing, taking advantage of the situation?”

Liu Yan, who had been dazed, also came to her senses, pushing Wang Bo away, her face red as she fixed her hair, “You can thank us, but you don’t have to hug us. There are so many people watching.”

Indeed, the excitement had drawn many people to the backstage exit, and their exit naturally drew attention. Wang Bo’s act of hugging the two girls was seen by everyone, and many boys were envious, cursing him for getting beaten up by the girls. But he got away with it, and the girls let it slide, making them both envious and resentful.

“Sorry, I was too rash,” Wang Bo said with a smile, “But I’m truly grateful. Words can’t express it. How about this: I’ll treat you to a private dinner at Dongjia Restaurant tonight as a celebration. I hope you’ll join me.”

Liu Yan looked at her friend, asking if she would go. Jin Xiaoli said, “Of course! Why not? We’ll order a few more dishes; we can’t let him get away with this!” She straightened her chest, which had been pressed down.

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