Chapter 67

During the halftime break, Coach Zhang began to instruct Team One's tactics, emphasizing a defensive midfield, particularly focusing on closely marking Wang Bo. However, he allowed for appropriate forward runs by Xue Zhichao to draw him into Team One's half. Once the ball was regained in the back, it should be quickly passed to the wings, and the two wingers should boldly make long passes, avoiding giving Lei Hu any chance to press.

This strategy meant that Team One would completely abandon the center of the field, focusing their attacks on the wings. With this arrangement, since Team Two had no full-backs, their wing defense was under significant pressure. The two wing midfielders had to frequently retreat, leaving only Wang Bo and Yan Weiming in the front, making their attacks noticeably weak. As a result, the initiative of the game returned to Team One.

After several crossing attempts, the center forward Hao Bin completed a spectacular header, changing the score to 2:1, which remained the final score of the match.

Coach Zhang's goal of testing the tactics was largely achieved. If the team had a more complete lineup, the effect would likely be even better. After experimenting with several strategies, Coach Zhang felt more confident about the away match against Yimin Middle School on the weekend.

After the match, Wang Bo was deeply impressed by Lei Hu. He felt that Lei Hu could be an important piece for the team, and he couldn't help but have some thoughts. So, after the team was dismissed, Wang Bo stayed behind and asked Coach Zhang, "Coach, is there any way to get the school to lift Lei Hu's disciplinary action?"

Coach Zhang had already considered this question, so he answered without hesitation, "One way is to wait until the disciplinary period is one year, after which the student can apply for the removal of the disciplinary action. The school will decide whether to approve the application based on the student's performance over the year. Another way is through an exception. If the student has made significant outstanding contributions before the one-year period is up, the school's vice principal can propose a review at a principal's meeting, and if the review is passed, the disciplinary action will be lifted."

"Who is the vice principal?"

"Of course, it's the head of the student affairs office," Coach Zhang said. "In any case, this is not a simple matter. We can only wait until next semester when Lei Hu's disciplinary period is up, and then have him submit an application. We must also ensure that he doesn't cause any more trouble during this time."

Wang Bo thought to himself that with Lei Hu's appearance, even if he didn't want to cause trouble, others would still pick fights with him because his looks were just too off-putting.

"Alright, Coach, I'll think of some more ways. Could you also talk to Mr. Liu to see if there's a more moderate solution? I feel that the team really needs a player like Lei Hu. The school football team has a glorious tradition, and we can't let the record of continuous participation in national competitions end with our generation, right?"

Coach Zhang deeply agreed, but unfortunately, he was powerless in this matter. The head of the student affairs office, "Liu Dapao," was a stubborn man who only cared about school rules. Convincing him to compromise for the school's sports honor was almost impossible. As he put it, the school rules were specifically designed for these energetic and physically gifted athletes to prevent them from thinking they could do whatever they wanted and cause trouble outside, tarnishing the school's reputation!

Moreover, Mr. Liu was not a football enthusiast. He thought that if the team couldn't perform well without one player, what were the other players and the coach for? Coach Zhang had already endured a lot of frustration trying to communicate with him. However, he still agreed to Wang Bo's earnest request.

After leaving the field, Wang Bo went back to the classroom to get his backpack and then walked out of the school. He was stopped at the gate.

Xue Zhichao and Lei Hu were waiting for him at the school gate, insisting on treating him to a meal. Unable to refuse, Wang Bo finally agreed. Lei Hu found a small restaurant on the street, where they cooked dishes inside and had a barbecue stand outside. He ordered three dishes, three skewers, and three bottles of beer, and then they started chatting.

"Bro Bo, thank you today. You must have spoken up for me to the coach, right? Don't worry, I'll remember this."

"Don't mention it. The coach is also very concerned about you," Wang Bo said. "After training, we discussed ways to help lift your disciplinary action."

"Oh, really? Is there a way?" Lei Hu's eyes lit up, and he became enthusiastic, clearly very concerned about this matter.

"Not yet, but don't lose heart," Wang Bo consoled him. "Where there's a will, there's a way. I'll do my best to help you get it lifted early."

Xue Zhichao chimed in, "Tiger, that's great! With Bro Bo's help, I'm sure we can make it happen!" He was the current starting midfielder of the school team. If Lei Hu returned, along with Wang Bo, he would likely lose his position, but he didn't care about that. He sincerely hoped Lei Hu could return to the team.

This wasn't just because they had grown up together. It was also because he had been present when Lei Hu violated the school rules. At the time, he was being extorted by a few thugs, and Lei Hu, who happened to pass by, stepped in and beat them up. One of the thugs, though insignificant in the group, had some influence, and he managed to bring the matter to the school's attention. The school ultimately determined that Lei Hu had engaged in a fight outside the school and imposed a disciplinary action.

Xue Zhichao was very afraid of trouble. He was not only afraid of the thugs' retaliation but also of being implicated and losing his place on the team, so he did not come forward to testify at the time. Although he apologized to Lei Hu, who understood his concerns and did not distance himself, Xue Zhichao still felt guilty and hoped that Lei Hu's disciplinary action could be lifted as soon as possible.

After the dishes arrived, the three of them started eating and chatting. Wang Bo said, "Lei Hu, I asked the coach. He said that if you have outstanding performance, the school might consider lifting your disciplinary action early."

"I know that," Lei Hu nodded. "But besides playing football and fighting, I don't have any other skills. What other opportunities do I have to show myself?"

"That's what we need to figure out," Wang Bo said. "I need to talk to more people. We can't guess what the school considers outstanding performance. We should ask the relevant teachers, and maybe we can find a breakthrough from there."

Hearing this, Lei Hu felt a surge of hope. With a senior's help, it seemed that there was a chance. He immediately raised his glass, "Bro Bo, no more words, it's all in the drink. Just for your words, I'll toast to you, regardless of whether it works out or not!"

Xue Zhichao was also happy but more concerned about the details, "Bro Bo, which teacher do you want to ask? Not Mr. Liu, right? I heard he has a bad temper. Don't provoke him; it won't be good for you."

"Mr. Liu..." Wang Bo thought for a moment, "Sometimes he can be reasonable. My classmate is his daughter, the one who sat next to Lei Hu during the exam. If I ask her to help, I think Mr. Liu will be willing to explain in detail."

"That's great!" Xue Zhichao said, "Bro Bo, you're really something. Here, I'll toast to you too." In return, Wang Bo had to drink two glasses while they each had one.

After drinking, Wang Bo wiped the foam from his mouth, "Take it easy, the barbecue isn't here yet..."

Xue Zhichao flattered him, "Bro Bo, you're a hero, and you drink so well. You must have a great capacity. Don't worry, drink as much as you want today. If it's not enough, we can order more! Right, Tiger?" Lei Hu nodded, urging, "Eat, eat, don't just talk."

The three of them chatted and ate happily, eventually finishing ten bottles of beer. Wang Bo, flattered by Xue Zhichao's compliments, drank three bottles more than he should have. By the time they parted, his face was red, and he looked a bit tipsy, but he could still walk straight, so his two juniors let him go home alone.

Wang Bo, with a flushed face, passed the school gate and was just seen by Xu Wushuang, who was finishing grading papers and about to return to her residence. "Stop!" Xu Wushuang, seeing her student in a drunken state, couldn't help but assert her authority.

"Huh?" Wang Bo looked up and saw his angry homeroom teacher. He stopped, confused, "Hello, Teacher Xu, are you just getting off work?"

"Don't try to be friendly with me," Xu Wushuang stepped forward and tapped his head, "You reek of alcohol. Where have you been? You should go home right after school, not go out drinking. You're getting more and more out of control, aren't you?"

She had been annoyed for a few days because of Wang Bo's indecision about his subject choices, and it was her special time, making her even more irritable. Finding this opportunity to scold him, she didn't let him off easily, reprimanding him harshly at the school gate.

After all, she was the homeroom teacher, and with him drunk, scolding him a bit was reasonable, and others wouldn't say anything.

Wang Bo, hit on the head, felt the alcohol rush to his head and became a bit angry. He thought, "Hey, a few days ago, you were trying to hook up with me, and now you're being so cold? You're too fickle!"

He impatiently waved her hand away, "Stop bothering me. Mind your own business." This sentence immediately set Xu Wushuang off. She pointed at him and shouted, "What do you mean by that? I'm your homeroom teacher! Can't I manage you?"

Wang Bo glanced at her sideways and snorted, the meaning clear: you know what I mean.

Xu Wushuang felt a deep sense of frustration. Thinking about being abandoned by her husband and losing her property, and now being looked down upon by a student who knew her situation, her eyes welled up with tears. But she stubbornly didn't want to cry in front of him, so she suddenly covered her mouth and sobbed, turning and running away.