That day, just after finishing evening self-study and returning to the dormitory, someone came knocking at the door.

Two boys knocked and opened the door. “Which one of you is Jason Bolton, Paul Young?” The one in the lead wasn’t tall, but his voice was loud and clear.

Paul Young put down his book and stood up. “I’m Paul Young. May I ask what this is about?”

The two visitors’ eyes lit up, and they stepped into the dorm, circling around Paul Young and sizing him up.

“Tsk tsk! As expected... Look at his right leg, it’s so thick! No wonder he can shoot such amazing goals!”

“Yeah, yeah! He’s just like Carlos!”

“This is talent! We could never reach his level in our whole lives...”

“...Hey, hey, what exactly do you guys want?” Paul Young was both amused and exasperated by the two.

“Oh, oh! We forgot the main thing!” the short guy in the lead exclaimed. “My name is Eugene Gray, I’m the captain of U University’s soccer team, and this is Oscar, the vice-captain. We’re here to invite the five students from Dorm 701 to join the school team.”

“Join the school team?”

“That’s right! The selection matches for the Anhui division of the National College Soccer League are at the beginning of next month. U University lost in the semifinals last year and didn’t make it to the East Division finals. I heard the school specially recruited five students with soccer talent this year, but I didn’t expect that Jason Bolton and Paul Young would be among them! If you two can join us, that would be perfect!”

“Jason Bolton?” Paul Young turned to look at Jason Bolton.

Jason Bolton smiled. “Besides soccer, what else can we do? We’re here as soccer talent students, after all!”

Paul Young looked at the other three. “What about you guys?”

“No problem, we were recruited to join the school team anyway, right?” Frank Bolton answered on behalf of the other two.

Paul Young turned back to Eugene Gray and said, “No problem, we all agree to join the school team!”

“That’s great!” Eugene Gray was excited. “Oscar, bring the notebook, let’s register them! It’s fantastic to have you join! This year we might just make it to the East Division finals!”

As the five of them wrote their names and positions in the notebook, Eugene Gray added, “In a few days, there’s a traditional U University event, the annual ‘Freshman Cup’ soccer tournament. Only new students can sign up, by department. Your History Department will participate too, right?”

“Freshman Cup? We haven’t seen any notice!”

“Hehe! The posters will only go up tomorrow. I’m telling you in advance to hear your thoughts. The tournament starts in three days, so time is tight. There aren’t many boys in your History Department, do you have enough people? We play nine-a-side on a small field.”

“Nine-a-side should be fine, we’ll sign up.” Paul Young was already acting like a captain.

“That’s good. With you guys, the Freshman Cup will be even more exciting! Our school team will come and cheer you on!”

Paul Young thanked them, but he knew perfectly well: they say they’re coming to cheer, but really, aren’t they just coming to scout their abilities?

The next day, sure enough, a Freshman Cup registration poster appeared on the bulletin board.

Jason Bolton was looking forward to the Freshman Cup. After all, he hadn’t played a proper match since winter break. In the new campus, as long as there’s soccer, he has everything he needs.

The History Department’s roster was quickly submitted, and the team captain was also decided. The class sports committee member, Dorm 701’s head Paul Young, was the obvious choice.

Historically, the History Department had always been the worst team, but this year everything would change. Just look at the two names on the roster—having two such players in a college amateur match is enough to decide the outcome.

Freshman Cup Soccer Tournament:

First match: History vs. Mathematics

Mechanical vs. Biochemistry

Will be held today (October 12) at 3:30 PM at the East Field.

Student Union Sports Department

October 12, 2002

Looking at the poster, Jason Bolton muttered, “This afternoon... that’s fast! We only registered the day before yesterday...”

“Three thirty in the afternoon?” Sophie frowned at the poster.

“I remember you have class, right?”

“Hehe! I’m not going!” Sophie stuck out her tongue.

“...Isn’t that not so good?”

“What’s the problem? Hmph! That bearded guy who teaches Aesthetics just rambles on in class, I’m not going to listen!” Sophie pouted and shook her head.

“But you’re the vice class monitor!”

“Yeah! I’m in charge of attendance records for the class, hehe! That makes things much easier!”

“...”

“What? You’re not happy? I’m skipping class to watch your match, you know!” Sophie frowned.

“No, no!” Jason Bolton quickly waved his hands. “I mean, you’re the vice class monitor, and, um, setting a bad example... isn’t that not so good?”

“No! I have to watch Jason Bolton’s match, I won’t miss a single one!” Sophie said firmly.

There were quite a few people at the field that afternoon. After all, it was a U University tradition and still had some popularity. Many people came to watch. Naturally, the school team members wouldn’t miss it either, since the History Department was playing today.