Using his backpack and water-bottle to act as the "goal post", Yifan repeatedly kicked the ball between the gap. Sometimes he was successful, but more often than not, the ball went wide, or even rolled into the lake! Luckily, the lake wasn't too deep, so he could use a wooden stick to fish the ball.
In this manner, Yifan practiced his kicking ability, not the least bothered by his sweat soaked school uniform or dirty shoes. From his enthusiasm, it was clear this was a regular occurrence.
Time passed slowly. Only the ever setting sun marked the passage of time. As the shadow stretched across the river bank, only when the darkness covered half the field did Yifan finally stop.
He stared at the sky, feeling inspired by the beautiful sunset. The scarlet hue casting a vibrant scene, one that was worthy of taking a picture. He sighed a breath, shaking his head ever so slightly. He picked up his backpack, tidied his clothes before preparing to set home.
"What's your name!"
A voice shouted, causing Yifan to freeze. He looked up, finding a girl leaning against the bridge railing.
She was… dazzling. Like his whole world was set alight like a fiery flame. A spark was lit.
"Xu… Xu Yifan!" He shouted back, his eyes fixed, not wanting to look away.
She nodded slightly, her long wavy hair fluttering in the wind.
"Which School?"
"Guangzhou No.1 High School."
"Grade?"
"1st year. C class."
The girl had an raised eyebrow. Then a smile escaped her lips. "Ok. See you tomorrow!"
Yifan was confused. He looked at the location, then pointed at the river bank. "Here?"
She chuckled, even her smile was enough the make him blush. "You'll see!"
Saying that, she turned around. Yifan could still feel his heart beating wildly. By the time he finally calmed down, he realised he didn't even ask for her name! He dashed up the riverbank, his eyes scanning the bridge, but she was long gone, not even a shadow was left.
Yifan could only stand on the spot, feeling like a silly goose!
After an unknown amount of time, Yifan snapped out of his daze. His rumbling belly reminded him he had to get home. Even as he ran, his mind still couldn't hlep but linger on that beautiful girl.
"What was that?" He whispered.
Yifan lived near the outskirts of the city. He neither lived close, nor far. The awkward distance where taking the bus wasn't justified. Yet walking was also too far. Eventually, under the pretence of saving money. Yifan had to walk to and from school every day for an hour.
By the time he finally arrived, the last ray of sunlight was just in the horizon. Only a few minutes before the sun fully set. "I'm home!" He shouted whilst entering, throwing his backpack on the floor. His shoes and socks tossed hastily on the shoe rack before rushing upstairs.
In the kitchen, Xu Guangtou, his dad, felt a vein pop. "Damn brat. No running in the house!"
"Yes, yes yes…." Yifan shouted down the stairs, but the rapid footsteps betrayed his lies. His dad bit his lips, he considered teaching his son a lesson through a few slaps, but thought better of it. "Brat!" He cursed before started chopping vegetables.
Back in his room, Xu Yifan jumped on his computer, and expertly navigated the internet before arriving at a video posting platform. Unlike the other peers his age, his recommendations were all related to football.
The first thing Yifan did was to open the European football league's official streaming account, and watch all match highlights! Here, all his favourite players appeared one after another, countless big name players showed their moments of magic: The Portugal Mr Champions League, the Argentine Little Magician, and even the King of South Korea!
He didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually under the repeated nagging by his dad and the threat of beating him until his bottom turned into a juicy red peach. Yifan hurried downstairs.
At the dinner table, a simple scrambled eggs with tomato was the main dish, accompanied by some steamed pork. Of course, rice was also served.
Yifan licked his lips, ready to dig in. But Xu Guangtou gave him a stare.
"Uh. Fine!" Yifan ran into the bathroom, washed his hands in lightning speed, before returning to the dinner table. His dad wanted to again tell him not to run, but just gave up— his son never learn.
So under the florescent light, the two family member sat at the dinner table, devouring the food. Halfway through the meal, Yifan stared at his dad, but quickly looked away.
"You did it again…" he said barely above a whisper.
Xu Guangtou, eating the same meal, of course realised what his son was referring too. However, he could only act thick skinned. "Every grain is precious. You mustn't waste food."
"How could you mistake salt for sugar? Not once, but every time you cook?!"
Xu Guangtou bit his lips. "Brat! You want to complain! Then cook your own meal! Your dad will never cook you dinner again."
"Hmph. Fine."
"And you have to buy your own ingredients, cook it yourself. And pay back the lunch money I gave your for the past 10 years, as well as the snacks I put in your backpack everyday. Can you do that?"
"Ehh.."
"Then shut up and eat!"
Saying this, Xu Guangtou scooped a large mouthful of scrambled eggs. But less than a second later, he spat it out. Coughing like a mad dog, he rushed to the kitchen sink to pour himself a glass of water.
"Damn… It's really salty."
Yifan laughed silently.
Xu Guangtou was leaning against the sink, wanting to reply with something clever, but couldn't think of anything. So, he just gave up and smiled. He changed the subject.
Sitting back down, the atmosphere was somehow different. The father and son was locked in a staring contest, and Yifan was the first to break.
"What's wrong?"
The old man scratched his bold head. "Your shoes are always muddy when your come back after school. Can't you be more considerate for an old man like me? It hard for me to keep cleaning your shoes everyday."
Yifan could only lower his head.
Shaking his head, Guangtou finally revealed why he brought this up. Walking to another room, he came back with a plastic box, immediately catching Yifan's curiosity.
He handed it over. "There was a good deal at a second hand shop. So I bought it."
Intrigued, Yifan curiously opened the box. Inside, there was a paid of boots. A pair of football boots!
Yifan was frozen, staring at the pair of shoes with complicated feelings. His family was poor. And they always saved money however they could. Life is tough for his dad, especially if there's only one parent around.
For all his life, his dad always acted like a money pinching miser. Whenever he asked for anything. Say the latest video game or toy, Guangtou would always reply with the same thing— "no money!"
Even on his birthdays, his dad would buy something school related under the pretence of a gift. For his 8th birthday, he received a backpack. For his 10h birthday, he received a pencil case. For his 12th birthday, he got a fountain pen! And so on.
It was because of this that Xu Yifan never bothered asking his dad for anything. Even when his birthday came around, he didn't thought much of it. Yet unexpectedly, his dad got him a pair of football shoes out of nowhere.
Yifan clutched the shoes tightly. Even when the leather was worn, and there was a few holes in the sole, Yifan didn't dare let it go, afraid it was just a dream and his dad would take it away.
A tear dropped down his cheeks, and snot came out his nose. Guangtou scratched his head, even though he had not an inch of hair. He took a deep breath, secretly pleased with his son's expression.
Guangtou smiled softly. "Early birthday gift, brat."
"Thanks. Dad." Yifan managed between sniffs, hugging the boots tightly around his arms.
Picking up his chopsticks, Guangtou nudged at the food. "Eat. Dinner's getting cold."