Devil Training

When Hu Lai walked into the locker room beneath the grandstand at the school football field, he saw Mao Xiao give him a thumbs-up and say, "Good luck, Hu Lai."

Meng Xi, standing beside Mao Xiao, was also looking at him differently than before.

It was not just those two. Hu Lai could sense that the atmosphere in the locker room had changed. Before, aside from Mao Xiao and Meng Xi, who would speak to him, everyone else had basically treated him like air. But now, he had clearly become the focus of everyone's attention. Some people's eyes were even fixed firmly on him.

A weekend had passed since the last training session. On Tuesday of the new week, the football team gathered again to resume training.

This was also the first day of the special training the coach had said he would put Hu Lai through.

No one knew exactly what the special training would involve. Even Captain Chu Yifan and Vice-Captain Yan Yan, who were close to the coach, had no idea.

They had discussed it in private, but regardless of how those discussions went, they always reached the same conclusion—Hu Lai was probably doomed this time.

The head coach had not said he would kick Hu Lai off the team outright, but if Hu Lai had to do a year of basic training, he would probably be unable to endure it and quit the team on his own first.

Or perhaps that was exactly what the head coach really wanted. He would not be the bad guy; he would simply force Hu Lai to give up himself...

Of course, all of that depended on Hu Lai failing the special training—but that was practically a foregone conclusion. There was absolutely no way Hu Lai could pass the head coach's special training plan.

As soon as school ended, Li Qingqing slung on her backpack and came with Song Jiajia to the stands outside the football field. Relying on Song Jiajia's size advantage, as well as everyone's prejudice and discrimination against "greasy fat guys," they easily secured an excellent spot. They did not have to squeeze shoulder-to-shoulder and body-to-body with the people around them like elsewhere—the number of people who had come to watch training today was especially high.

"Why are there so many people?" Li Qingqing asked.

"I heard they're all here to watch Hu Lai make a fool of himself." After looking around, Song Jiajia curled his lip, his tone filled with contempt.

"To watch Hu Lai make a fool of himself?"

"Bad news travels fast. What happened last Thursday afternoon spread from one person to ten, then ten to a hundred. Before long, everyone in the school knew about it. They all want to see how the worst player on the school team is going to face the devil coach's wrath." Song Jiajia sighed, his tone carrying the weathered air of someone reflecting on how times had changed. "Sigh, I remember Hu Lai asking me before how to become a big name at school. Now he already is one..."

Li Qingqing was speechless.

After going home that night, she had subtly tried to sound out her father about how he planned to specially train Hu Lai, but her father told her he had not decided yet.

She no longer dared to show too much concern for Hu Lai in front of her father, because she had never cared this much about anyone else on the team.

So she had not gone home and confronted her father over his attitude. She had only hoped to learn something about his special training so she could warn Hu Lai in advance or help him think of a solution.

But she had not managed to get any useful information.

That was why, even today, she had been unable to help Hu Lai at all.

She wondered whether her father had been so irritable because he was dissatisfied with the team's performance in their 2–1 away win in the third qualifying round.

Dongchuan Middle School really had not played well in that match. Perhaps after beating their opponents 5–0 in the first game and 3–0 in the second, everyone had become a little arrogant and underestimated the opposition, which led to a hard-fought battle in the third qualifying round.

However, over the weekend, the team had comfortably beaten Luochuan High School 2–0 away from home, with the whole team performing well. Hopefully, that had improved her father's mood at least a little.

If Dad was in a better mood, perhaps he would let Hu Lai off the hook...

During previous training sessions, the only part Hu Lai could practice together with the team was the warm-up before training. Once the warm-up was over, he had to go off by himself to do his basic training.

He could complete juggling and dribbling drills by himself, and shooting practice did not require a goalkeeper either; he only needed to kick the ball into the goal. Passing and receiving drills were a little more troublesome. At first, Yan Yan had been assigned to work with him, but later Hu Lai had simply been told to practice passing and receiving against a wall by himself. Only during breaks in the main group's training would Li Ziqiang personally "guide" Hu Lai.

But today, with everyone watching, Hu Lai was held back by Li Ziqiang after the warm-up ended.

"I said last week that I'd give you an opportunity. I keep my word," Li Ziqiang said as he stood before Hu Lai.

Hu Lai no longer begged for mercy, because begging was useless. Besides, he still had a mission waiting for him to complete.

In truth, he did not care that much about the mission's reward. What he cared about was that completing this mission would indirectly earn him a chance to play, which meant he could claim the reward from another mission.

Even if it was only the equivalent of ten training sessions' worth of improvement, that was still better than not having even one session.

"You put down 'forward' as your position when you joined the team, right? Then I'll judge you by a forward's standards. I know you have some talent, and I know what your weaknesses are. Don't worry, I won't set training drills you have no chance of completing just to make things difficult for you. You think I'd use this opportunity to drive you away? You think too little of me," Li Ziqiang said coldly.

"I never thought that, Coach. Even if I fail your test, I'll willingly do a year of basic training. I'm not just talking tough. That's what I really think." This time, Hu Lai did not lower his head when facing the coach. Instead, he raised his head, looked straight at the head coach, and frankly stated what he thought.

The others were secretly startled by this scene, because Hu Lai had never spoken to the head coach like this before. In fact, forget Hu Lai—there were only a few people on the team who dared to speak to the head coach so bluntly, with an attitude that was almost equal. Luo Kai might have been one of them, but he had the ability to back it up.

What about Hu Lai? How could he possibly have that kind of standing?

Yet that was exactly what he did, facing the head coach with complete composure and calm.

Thinking about it now, this change had probably happened after the day he sprayed spit all over the head coach's face, hadn't it?

Li Ziqiang had not expected Hu Lai to speak to him with that kind of attitude either. He gave a cold snort. "Whether you're talking tough or not, we'll find out soon enough."

Then he gathered the team. "Next, we'll do set-piece attacking drills. Pay attention: this drill can only be completed inside the penalty area. Once the ball leaves the penalty area, the drill ends and starts over."

Then he handed Hu Lai a yellow training bib and said to Chu Yifan, "You'll be in charge of taking the set pieces."

Chu Yifan nodded. "Okay, Coach."

Li Ziqiang then called out the names of three players. "Meng Xi, Yan Yan, Mao Xiao. You three are the defensive group. You're responsible for defending."

Among the three players he had chosen were one goalkeeper and two defenders.

They were all starting players for Dongchuan Middle School.

"You three have only one task: stop him from scoring."

Hearing the head coach say that, everyone, including Luo Kai, was shocked.

Even setting goalkeeper Meng Xi aside, it was still two men defending against one...

Sending the two starting center backs of the school team to defend a rookie ranked dead last in ability, while the one guarding the goal was the team's starting goalkeeper—who had conceded only one goal in four qualifiers so far.

Ignoring the players' surprise and confusion, Li Ziqiang turned to Hu Lai beside him. "Your task is simple: score one goal without committing a foul. As long as you score one goal, you'll have passed the special training. If you can score once during training today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, the special training will end. Then I'll give you a chance to play in a match."

Whoosh!

A stir broke out among the team, but it quickly died down.

Everyone merely looked at Hu Lai with complicated expressions of surprise and sympathy.

"Any objections?" Li Ziqiang asked Hu Lai.

Hu Lai asked, "If I say I do, will you listen, Coach?"

Li Ziqiang shook his head. "No."

"Oh, then I have no objections," Hu Lai said.

"Good. Then we'll train like this. Get in position!" Li Ziqiang blew his whistle.

Li Qingqing and Song Jiajia, standing in the stands, could not hear what was being said by the goal and still had no idea what the special training specifically entailed.

But when Li Qingqing saw the players' positioning on the field, she was stunned.

In front of the goal, aside from the goalkeeper, there were two players in red bibs standing before Hu Lai.

Other than that, there was no one else in the penalty area—no additional defenders, but no other attacking players either.

That meant Hu Lai would have to face two starting center backs from the school team and a starting goalkeeper all by himself in this special training.

This... Dad was being way too harsh, wasn't he?

A one-versus-two situation might have been manageable for Luo Kai.

But this was Hu Lai. How good was Hu Lai? Could Dad possibly not know?

It seemed Dad was determined to make Hu Lai spend another year on basic training...

Although Li Qingqing agreed that Hu Lai currently needed more basic training, publicly crushing him like this to make him settle down and train... wasn't this method a little too extreme?

Song Jiajia, beside her, could not quite make sense of it. He asked, "Li Qingqing, what are they doing?"

"They're probably making Hu Lai face two defenders by himself..." Li Qingqing explained.

"One against two? Is Hu Lai really that good?"

Li Qingqing shook her head.

Clearly, he was not that good.

The onlookers also understood what Li Ziqiang intended to do. Similar discussions buzzed along the sidelines.

Li Zhiqun, standing among the crowd, did not join the others' discussion. Instead, he looked at the isolated Hu Lai in the penalty area and sneered.

No matter what, you can't escape your fate of becoming a joke!

"I'm telling you, don't even think about going easy during training. Treat this training like an official match. Otherwise, you can go do a year of basic training with Hu Lai. Until you've completed that year, don't even think about playing in a match!" Li Ziqiang said before training began.

Hearing this, Meng Xi shrugged at Hu Lai.

As the goalkeeper for this special training, his performance would be crucial if Hu Lai wanted to score.

It was not as though he had not considered deliberately leaving an opening during training, easing up a little so Hu Lai could score. He and Hu Lai were not really friends, and the only reason he had thought of doing so was because his good friend Mao Xiao supported Hu Lai so strongly.

But clearly, the head coach had seen through his little scheme long ago...

Li Ziqiang blew the whistle, and the special training officially began.

The moment the whistle sounded, Chu Yifan kicked the football toward the goalmouth, as though taking a set piece. From a forty-five-degree angle to the goal, he lofted the ball diagonally into the area.

And almost at the same moment the whistle sounded, Hu Lai sprinted diagonally toward it.

His reaction was so quick that Mao Xiao and Yan Yan had not expected it, allowing Hu Lai to seize the initiative.

Hu Lai successfully reached the ball before the two defenders. He did not try to keep dribbling or take a few more touches to adjust. Instead, he fired the football directly at the goal!

But just as he shot, a long leg stretched out and blocked the ball over the end line!

"Ah, what a pity!" Li Qingqing nearly jumped up in the stands.

In her eyes, although Hu Lai had done nothing but basic training over the past month, he had still improved greatly. His movements connected much faster and more smoothly than before. That was the purpose and effect of basic training: through repeated drills, it built muscle memory.

For example, when the ball came, his body could instantly react and know how to control it.

Only after controlling the ball properly could he think about what to do next.

If he could not even control the ball well—if his first touch sent it ten meters away—what was there left to connect?

He would lose possession immediately, wouldn't he?

Another thing that made Li Qingqing feel Hu Lai had performed well was that after receiving the ball, he had not continued dribbling or tried any feints to shake off his marker. Instead, he immediately followed up with a shot. It had been an extremely decisive strike.

That was a striker's instinct.

The only regret was that Mao Xiao, the center back, reacted faster. He got there in time and blocked Hu Lai's shot with his leg.

Mao Xiao, who had blocked Hu Lai's shot, gave him a thumbs-up. "Not bad, Hu Lai. You reacted a little faster than I expected."

Hu Lai curled his lip. "Still not faster than you. You just wanted an excuse to praise yourself, didn't you?"

Mao Xiao gave him an honest smile. "No, you're overthinking it."

Hu Lai did not argue with him. He had felt hope in that attack just now. If training continued like this, he thought he still had a chance to score within three days.

But just as Hu Lai was feeling good about himself, he suddenly heard Li Ziqiang's shrill whistle. "Stop, stop, stop! What are you doing?!"

Then Li Ziqiang strode angrily into the penalty area and stopped before the three of them. Glowering at Mao Xiao, he said without any politeness, "This is how you defend? Do you remember what I said would happen to anyone who went easy?"

Mao Xiao, who had been quite pleased with himself just moments ago, panicked and hurriedly explained, "But Coach, I didn't go easy on him. I blocked his shot..."

"Oh? Is that so? Should I praise you, then?" Li Ziqiang sneered. "But don't forget what your performance would have looked like in an official match. You shouldn't even have let him get the ball! You let this rookie striker receive the ball freely right in front of you, and you even gave him room to shoot! You call that good defending?!"

Li Ziqiang pointed at Hu Lai.

Under the coach's criticism, Mao Xiao lowered his head, unable to say a word.

He admitted that the head coach was right. His mindset just now had been completely different from how he would approach a match. In a match, he would have been far more aggressive, but just now, he had not even made physical contact with Hu Lai...

"And you, Yan Yan!" After criticizing Mao Xiao, Li Ziqiang turned his ire on the vice-captain. "Two defenders against one attacker, and one of you was just standing there watching? Where was the cover? Where did all the things you practice every day go? Do you spend the whole match watching from the sidelines when you defend too?!"

Faced with the head coach's merciless rebuke in front of so many people, Yan Yan's face reddened. "Sorry, Coach..."

"What did I say before? Treat training with the mentality of an official match! Remember, this is not training. This is an official match! Do exactly what you would do in an official match!"

Then he turned and walked out of the penalty area, blowing his whistle again. "Again!"

This time, Yan Yan barged Hu Lai as soon as he received the ball, knocking him off balance. Mao Xiao immediately intercepted the ball, and the attack was over.

Even someone who knew nothing about football could see that Mao Xiao and Yan Yan were taking it far more seriously than before.

But the coach was still dissatisfied. His sharp whistle cut off Chu Yifan before he could send the ball in again.

Li Ziqiang walked over and shook his head at the two defenders. "I'll show you what physical confrontation is."

With that, he beckoned to Chu Yifan. "Pass!"

Chu Yifan sent the ball over, and Hu Lai ran toward where it would land.

At the same time, Li Ziqiang, who had been positioned on the inside, moved as well. Like Hu Lai, he ran toward the ball's landing spot.

With the ball in the air, Hu Lai jumped to challenge for the header. Li Ziqiang jumped too, launching himself toward both the ball's landing spot and Hu Lai.

Then came a dull thud.

Li Ziqiang slammed hard into Hu Lai's ribs, sending his whole body flying sideways...

Hu Lai felt as though he had been struck by a speeding car, as if all his internal organs had shifted out of place. By the time he came to his senses, he had already hit the ground five meters away.

He stared blankly at the coach. Having landed, Li Ziqiang stood with his back to him as he spoke to Mao Xiao and Yan Yan. "That is physical confrontation! Follow that standard! If you can't do it, I'll count it as going easy!"

Only then did he turn around and look down coldly at Hu Lai, who was still sitting on the ground. "You want to play? Let me tell you, kid—this is the treatment you'll get on the field."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the penalty area, addressing everyone. "Again!"

Behind him, Hu Lai slowly climbed to his feet.