Fantasmas de la tumba antigua

Capítulo 13

He Jihong always had a sharp eye and a clear mind. She thought that if Wang Danyang hadn't been so hasty and arrogant—she and Jiang Boyu's personalities would have been a perfect match! Both of them were somewhat childlike and quite straightforward. But if they clashed head-on, the sparks that flew probably wouldn't have been love.

That day, He Jihong went to find Wang Danyang to return the captain's armband.

It was past six o'clock in the evening when she and Qian Xiaoxia went to Wang Danyang's dormitory. Jiang Boyu was studying English in the lecture hall at that time.

Wang Danyang was the only one in the dormitory. She didn't look like she had eaten, and her eyes were red.

After sitting down, Wang Danyang launched into a tirade. She said, "Why? Why did he treat me like that? He's just a junior coach, what right does he have to do that…?"

He Jihong listened silently without interrupting. After she finished venting and calmed down, she handed over the team leader armband and said, "Don't take it to heart, Danyang. He was just trying to help us. Boys aren't very good at expressing themselves, and he's a freshman, so it's understandable."

Wang Danyang chimed in, "Hmph, that's right! Tell me, which man would dare to treat me like this? If it were anyone else, I wouldn't let him off so easily."

Wang Danyang still refused to accept the captain's armband.

"No way! I'm not going! If I go, he'll laugh me to death! It'll be like I'm begging him!"

Wang Danyang spoke rapidly and loudly, and when he glared with his upturned phoenix eyes, his face was full of menacing energy. Qian Xiaoxia was so frightened that she didn't dare to utter a sound while sitting to the side.

The atmosphere in the dormitory became quite awkward for a moment.

"He Jihong, I think you should be the team leader. Since he said that, he must have a good impression of you." Wang Danyang changed the subject, directly targeting He Jihong. Her tone was quite sarcastic.

He Jihong smiled slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Everyone wants to play well in the competition, right? It doesn't really matter who the captain is. But you are the only one who can be the captain. First, you invited Jiang Boyu. Second, there's only a week left before the competition, and we can't keep changing captains like a revolving door. Especially the captain position, you've always done a great job, and everyone respects you! You know, I'm not good at management! I'm used to doing things my own way."

Wang Danyang turned her face away and refused to speak.

Qian Xiaoxia whispered, "Why don't we have Jiang Boyu apologize to him?"

Wang Danyang retorted angrily, "Who cares! Give him a needle and he'll treat it like a radish. We shouldn't have invited him in the first place."

He Jihong knew exactly what Wang Danyang was thinking. As long as she was there between her and Jiang Boyu, the proud Wang Danyang would never go back.

He Jihong has never liked getting involved in messy situations. She also doesn't like meddling in other people's business. If it weren't for being the class's Youth League Secretary, she wouldn't bother with these things at all. It was only because Wang Danyang practically dragged her into the department's football team—she figured she could play, even though He Jihong, who loved watching the NBA, wasn't particularly passionate about football.

“Okay, Wang Danyang. I have enough on my plate, both in class and personally. I won’t join your team. I’ve always wanted to. Is that alright? As for Jiang Boyu, Qian Xiaoxia and I will talk to him and get him to apologize. You’re the senior member, so please be understanding. We’ll have normal training tomorrow.”

Wang Danyang sat on the bed with her head down, not saying a word. Qian Xiaoxia, sitting to the side, opened her mouth in surprise.

"Alright, it's settled then." He Jihong placed the armband on the table, stood up, and walked out. Just before leaving, she added, "Play well, bring honor to our department, and win the championship!"

After finding Wang Danyang, He Jihong and Qian Xiaoxia finally found Jiang Boyu, who was reading in the lecture hall.

It was He Jihong's withdrawal that prompted Wang Danyang to lower her guard and block Jiang Boyu at the dormitory entrance.

Jiang Boyu was unaware of the trouble his impulsive decisions on the court caused He Jihong.

But He Jihong didn't want to complicate what should have been simple classmate relationships. Whether it was between her and Wang Danyang, between her and Jiang Boyu, or between Wang Danyang and Jiang Boyu, she hoped to maintain harmony.

But this world is not so simple because of love and being loved, and because of the desires and rejections that arise from love. Everyone living in it finds it difficult to truly be themselves, and it's hard not to compromise for their own personality and principles—even a girl as proud as He Jihong has to compromise to avoid the open and covert struggles before her—but who can say that this is necessarily a wise decision? Things always change over time.

There is never a definitive answer to right and wrong!

Wang Danyang quickly found a replacement for He Jihong.

According to the intelligence Duan Youzhi gathered for Jiang Boyu, this person was called "O'Neal," but not Shaquille O'Neal of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. She was given this nickname simply because of her dark, shiny skin and tall, strong build.

Shaquille O'Neal's real name is Zhang Guifang—Duan Youzhi said that seeing her would make you forget about the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms! She's a girl from a rural area in Heze, Shandong. In terms of physique, she's definitely more imposing than He Jihong. Thick arms and legs, almost as tall as Jiang Boyu. Standing there, she's like a stone pillar.

When Wang Danyang introduced her to Jiang Boyu, her eyes were filled with pride. "Look, she's a real talent. One is worth two. And Guifang even went to a sports school in middle school and practiced Taekwondo. She's a blue belt, level one!"

Zhang Guifang casually extended her hand and said, "Please give me your guidance."

Jiang Boyu didn't say anything, but let her take He Jihong's place and participate in training directly.

Zhang Guifang has good speed and stamina. During practice, as long as she controls the ball, no one dares to approach. She can truly make a deep run and break through the enemy camp. But Jiang Boyu also noticed the problem—her stamina and tackling are fine, but her reaction speed and agility are far inferior to He Jihong's.

During a break, Jiang Boyu told her, "You know, you have to use your brain when you play football! You need to be aware of your position on the field, and you also need to keep an eye on the other players. What if someone marks you so closely?"

Zhang Guihua waved her hand dismissively and said, "Don't worry, I'll just use my back kick and see who dares to come."

Jiang Boyu was truly at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

The women's soccer tournament of the Golden Autumn Arts Festival has finally kicked off.

Wang Danyang and her team from the Class of '97 Clinical Medicine Department were placed in Group B. Because several classes didn't register, there were only three teams in Group B: the Class of '97 Stomatology team and the Class of '97 Advanced Nursing team. According to the competition rules, a win earns two points, a draw earns one point, and a loss earns no points. There is no overtime, and the team with the highest score advances.

Wang Danyang said, "It's a piece of cake. Those two teams are clearly a ragtag bunch. They don't train as hard as we have!"

Jiang Boyu glared and said, "Arrogance leads to defeat! No opponent should be underestimated!"

Wang Danyang said sullenly, "Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Wang Danyang could tell that ever since He Jihong left the team, Jiang Boyu seemed to have lost his soul. Although he was still dedicated to his duties during training, during breaks, his usual hearty laughter was no longer heard, nor was he seen joking around with his teammates. He always had his lips pursed and a tense expression on his face. He would silently drink water or sit on the grass, lost in thought.

Wang Danyang could also sense that Jiang Boyu was consciously keeping his distance. He only spoke to her about training, and his tone was polite to the point of being cold. As for the knee pads she had given him, they never appeared on his legs.

But Jiang Boyu never argued with her again. At least on the surface, the two still appeared to be on good terms.

The first match was against the Class of '97, Department of Stomatology. As it was the school's first ever women's soccer match, there were more male spectators than female spectators, including Shen Wei and Duan Youzhi. Shen Wei even said to Wang Danyang, who was warming up before the match, "Senior sisters, play well! I'll be cheering you on from the stands by doing a belly dance."

He Jihong was not among the crowd. This disappointed Jiang Boyu, who felt that the stubborn girl had been too heartless. But as soon as the referee blew the whistle to start the game, he quickly became enthusiastic and took on the role of coach. He walked back and forth along the sidelines, shouting loudly and gesturing vigorously with his hands in the air.

This was a match with no suspense whatsoever. Zhang Guifang was unstoppable on the court, contributing almost both of the first half's points. During halftime, Shen Wei and a few other guys stripped down to their shirts in the stands, waving their clothes rhythmically at Wang Danyang and her friends. Even Jiang Boyu grinned from ear to ear—so this was what they called belly dancing! Someone even shouted, "O'Neal, I love you!" drawing laughter from the entire arena. Zhang Guifang's face flushed, but she looked quite pleased with herself.

With twenty minutes left in the match, He Jihong finally arrived. She stood on the other side of the football field, facing Jiang Boyu directly. Wearing a backpack, she exuded a strong student-like aura, and her smile brightened as the game neared victory.

Jiang Boyu didn't greet her, partly because they were far apart, and partly because he was busy mobilizing his troops and simply didn't have the time. But he would always manage to glance at her a few times during a break. He didn't notice that Wang Danyang, who was taking a break after being substituted, was standing not far from him. Wang Danyang saw everything. And as the match neared its end, her face gradually darkened.

The referee blew the whistle, and cheers erupted from the crowd. The Class of '97 Clinical Medicine team won the match 3-0. Shen Wei and his team danced their belly dance with even more gusto.

Jiang Boyu was so engrossed in gesturing and exchanging excited words with his teammates that when he remembered He Jihong, he turned around and squeezed out of the crowd to look towards the football field, only to find it deserted. At that moment, Qian Xiaoxia ran over and asked him, "Have you seen Wang Danyang? We can't find him anywhere. Shen Wei from your dorm is pestering us to treat him to a meal."

The Class of '97 Nursing is an unexpectedly strong team. This dark horse also utterly defeated the Class of '97 Stomatology team, with a score of 3-0. The outcome will depend on their next match.

Jiang Boyu was filled with anxiety. If they failed to qualify, he would lose face big time. He wanted to ask He Jihong to return to the team, but he held back and didn't say anything. He was hoping that Zhang Guifang seemed to be in good form and that one or two people might not be able to stop him.

The opponents were indeed formidable. Their formation clearly indicated a defensive-oriented approach, with a deliberate strengthening of the flanks. Zhang Guifang was immediately marked – not by one, but by three! Zhang Guifang's agility was already poor, and her attempts to break through defenses were futile. In her panic, she kicked the ball haphazardly. Before twenty minutes had even passed, she received another yellow card.

Fortunately, Wang Danyang's defense was strong, preventing a major backline crisis. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

During halftime, O'Neill looked dejected. Jiang Boyu comforted her, saying, "It's okay, their stamina won't last until the end. There's still a chance." Then Jiang Boyu adjusted the tactics, increasing the strength of the forwards and midfielders, and pressing forward with all his might. It was a risky move, but Jiang Boyu had no other choice but to take the plunge.

The opposing team scored the first goal, and Jiang Boyu was extremely anxious. He momentarily doubted whether his command had been flawed. The defense was much weaker than in the first half, but if they didn't win this match, Wang Danyang and her team would definitely not advance.

But his prediction was absolutely correct; the Class of '97 Nursing Team was clearly exhausted, and O'Neill began to unleash her power. Dribbling, passing, shooting—she was like a tiger descending a mountain, eliciting cheers from the stands once again. Goal! The score was now 1-1.

Jiang Boyu secretly prayed that he could score one more goal! But with the final whistle, the game ended.

Shen Wei, standing in the stands, shook his head helplessly; he would never have the chance to perform belly dancing again.

Jiang Boyu understood that both sides now had three points and a goal difference of four. Therefore, adding an extra match was inevitable! The referee had already informed them in advance that if the score remained tied, a penalty shootout would be the only option.

Jiang Boyu approached Wang Danyang and said, "We need to make a substitution for the striker! Let He Jihong play instead!"

Wang Danyang did not express any objection. She only said, "I'm afraid she won't come. Last time she was the one who suggested leaving."

Jiang Boyu quickly replied, "No, she said she would come back if the department needed her."

Wang Danyang looked up at him. "You went to see her?"

"I contacted her last week. I wanted to ask her why she quit."

"Why did she say that?" Wang Danyang stared intently into his eyes.

"Just as you said."

Silence. Both of them seemed preoccupied.

Finally, Wang Danyang spoke. "Okay, I'll go find her." Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

He Jihong arrived. Two days later, on the football field, the decisive match for qualification ignited a fierce battle!

Jiang Boyu wasn't happy at all. His "strategist" had given him a tip an hour before the match: the referee was supposedly the boyfriend of a female student from the 1997 Nursing Class. But demanding a change of referee was impossible—the reason wasn't sufficient, and there wasn't enough time.

Fortunately, He Jihong was there. Jiang Boyu had also taken precautions beforehand; he had Shen Wei borrow a Sony portable camcorder from his fellow villager. He told Shen Wei, "Record the whole thing for me. You can't be too careful."

O'Neal came off the bench this time. She stood next to Jiang Boyu and kept muttering, "You have to give me a chance."

Jiang Boyu smiled slyly and said, "Yes, I will. Don't worry!"

The opponent's playing style remained unchanged: primarily defensive, relying on a drawn-out, drawn-out battle. Surprisingly, Jiang Boyu included both He Jihong and O'Neal in the starting lineup.

Before going on the court, Wang Danyang opened her mouth as if to ask a question, but then remained silent. However, she quickly figured out the situation. The opposing team still used three key players to defend the tall and strong O'Neal, leaving He Jihong as the free agent.

In less than half an hour, He Jihong had already easily scored a goal, and by the time the opposing team realized what was happening, they were in complete disarray.

But the short, wiry referee named Hu Tianjun seemed to be subtly manipulating the game. Qian Xiaoxia received two yellow cards for tackles in midfield. "This referee is too strict," several substitute players muttered discontentedly. Jiang Boyu frowned slightly; he wasn't afraid of strictness, but rather of unfairness. Fortunately, they were still leading by a large margin.

The score remained 1-0 throughout the first half.

During halftime, Shen Wei ran down from the stands with his camera and said to Jiang Boyu, "I can't film anymore! The more I film, the angrier I get! I really want to punch that son of a bitch, does he even know how to blow the whistle?" He then patted Jiang Boyu on the shoulder and said, "Brother, things look grim!"

In the second half, the opposing team adjusted their formation and intensified their attack. In this crucial match, they were going to fight tooth and nail. Jiang Boyu only made some adjustments to the defense. But he felt the referee's whistle was becoming increasingly off. He had turned a blind eye to two obvious fouls by the opponent, drawing boos from the stands.

In the 15th minute of the second half, the Class of '97 Nursing team finally scored a goal, making the score 1-1. In the 20th minute, Jiang Boyu noticed that O'Neal's old habit of not using his brain on the ball had resurfaced, so he substituted O'Neal with a substitute. O'Neal stood beside Jiang Boyu with a look of shame, not uttering a word.

The match between the two sides was getting increasingly heated. These girls hadn't been playing football for very long, and as the game progressed, their play became increasingly disorganized, eventually turning them into mere "people chasing the ball." The spectators in the stands were laughing so hard they were doubled over; they were there for the spectacle, some even there specifically to see the girls, not caring who won or lost.

With five minutes left in the game, the score remained unchanged at 1-1. The referee's penalties against the Class of '97 Clinical Medicine students were becoming increasingly harsh, with one player already sent off with a red card. Now it was ten against eleven—an even more unfavorable situation. The opponents were resorting to almost unreasonable tactics—if I can't score, neither can you. They'd rather foul than let the ball go unpunished.

Suddenly, He Jihong dribbled the ball out of the encirclement and charged straight towards the opponent's penalty area. "Good!" Jiang Boyu shouted, clenching his fist.

A beautiful banana kick curved past the goalpost and flew into the goal.

At this point, there was less than a minute left in the game. But the referee gestured that the goal was disallowed—offside! He Jihong and her teammates began arguing with the referee.

Jiang Boyu's eyes were almost red. His jaw was clenched, and his face was gloomy. You could even see the bulging veins in his neck and hear the cracking sound of his knuckles as he clenched his fists.

No one noticed that he rushed onto the field like a whirlwind and ran to the side of the referee, Hu Tianjun.

"Who said we were offside? We have video footage! We have proof!" Jiang Boyu's voice boomed like thunder. The girls around him fell silent instantly, dozens of eyes fixed on him.

"Who are you, and what are you saying?" Hu Tianjun looked Jiang Boyu up and down.

"That was a valid goal, you made a mistake! I swear on my honor!" Jiang Boyu stared directly into Hu Tianjun's eyes.

"Then why don't you be the referee? If I say it's invalid, it's invalid!"

Before Hu Tianjun could finish speaking, he was punched hard in the left eye.

A chorus of screams erupted from the surrounding area.

Hu Tianjun was also enraged, and the two quickly began to fight. Jiang Boyu was taller and stronger than him, and easily flipped him over, straddling him and starting to beat him. Hu Tianjun was completely powerless to fight back, and Jiang Boyu's fists rained down on him.

Chaos erupted on the court. Shen Wei and He Jihong eventually pulled Jiang Boyu away.

Jiang Boyu's sleeve was torn, but Hu Tianjun had a black eye, blood streaming from his nose, and looked utterly disheveled. He clutched his stomach, groaning and unable to get up.