After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

After the thrilling defeat at Stamford Bridge, the packed schedule finally granted Arsenal a few precious days of respite.

The intensity of training within the team has decreased, and the atmosphere at the Kearney training base has become more relaxed.

Yan Yuan had just finished a recovery training session and was changing clothes in the locker room when his phone suddenly vibrated.

The word "Dad" was displayed on the screen.

"Hello, Dad?" Yan Yuan answered the phone.

"Son, is training over?" Yan's father's voice sounded as steady as ever, but today it seemed to carry an unusual interest.

"Just finished, what's wrong? Is something the matter?" Yan Yuan walked to the stool, sat down, and said while eating a banana.

"I have something quite interesting to discuss with you." Yan's father paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "The producers of 'Peaky Blinders' have contacted me through several channels."

"Peaky Blinders?" Yan Yuan's tone unconsciously rose a little; this was a show he had been following for years.

"What do they want from me? Do they want to use my goal highlights as background music?"

Mr. Yan laughed on the other end of the phone: "No, that's not it. They want to invite you... to play a cameo role."

"A cameo role?" Yan Yuan was stunned, not reacting for a moment. "Me? You want me to act? Dad, are you kidding me? All I know how to do is play soccer."

"It's absolutely true, don't worry. It's not a complicated role, it can't even be called a role, it's just one shot and a few lines."

Their production team needed a young, attractive, and influential Chinese actor to play a young Chinese businessman from London who had business dealings with the Peaky Blinders, and to have a brief scene with Tommy Shelby,” Yan's father explained.

"They felt your background, image, and current global popularity were a perfect fit. Besides, you grew up in Birmingham, so you must have heard about that period of history, right?"

Yan Yuan's heart began to beat slightly faster.

Birmingham, the Razorfen Downs, the Shelby family...

These words instantly awakened his childhood memories.

Although the series is an artistic creation, Yan Yuan had heard plenty of those hardcore legends about the Birmingham industrial area since he was a child.

When I was a kid, playing with the kids in the neighborhood, we all loved to say the classic phrase "by order of..."

What's more, Peaky Blinders is his favorite British TV series, bar none!

Its cool color palette, brilliant soundtrack, complex characters, and dramatic plot all fascinated him.

Even just a moment's access to that world would be enough to stir his heart.

"You really assigned me lines? And Dad, filming this won't take too long, will it?" he asked, his voice already brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

"The filming location is in the East End of London, so the schedule is convenient and won't take up too much of your time. I've checked the schedule, and you can go on the next training day. It will only take half a day at most." Yan's father had clearly thought everything through for him.

"I'll accept! I absolutely have to!" Yan Yuan answered with a smile almost without hesitation. "That's so cool! Tell me the time and place, and I'll ask the professor for leave!"

When Professor Wenger heard the request, his gray eyebrows twitched in surprise, then he gave a knowing yet slightly teasing smile.

"Going to film 'Peaky Blinders'? Hmm... Looks like our supercars not only want to conquer the football field, but also the screen?" He patted Yan Yuan on the shoulder.

"Go ahead, kid, enjoy different experiences. It's part of life. Use this day to relax. Go home and rest after the shoot."

"Thank you, Professor!" Yan Yuan was so happy he almost jumped for joy.

……

On the day of the shoot, Yan Yuan, accompanied by his father, arrived on time at a large photography studio in East London.

This place has been carefully transformed into a Birmingham street scene from the 1920s, with narrow streets, mottled brick walls, damp cobblestone streets, old gas lamps, and a faint smell of smoke and paint in the air.

These sets instantly transport you to that chaotic yet captivating era.

Yan Yuan was led to the dressing room by the staff.

The stylist brought him a well-tailored vintage three-piece suit.

Dark gray pinstripes, vest, pocket watch chain, plus a heavy-looking black wool trench coat.

The makeup artist did a simple haircut for him and slightly enhanced his facial features, making Yan Yuan appear more angular under the lights, with a touch of the coldness and sharpness of that era between his brows.

When he came out of the dressing room, the staff around him couldn't help but take a few more glances.

This outfit seemed tailor-made for Yan Yuan, perfectly blending his excellent physique with the mystery brought by his Eastern face, making him look exactly like a young and extremely imposing Eastern businessman who stepped out of a historical painting.

"Wow, Yan, your look is amazing!" the producer exclaimed as he walked over. "You have such great charisma!"

Just then, a figure walked out from the lounge next door.

He was wearing Tommy Shelby's signature suit coat, a newsboy cap, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and his eyes were deep and weary.

This person was none other than Cillian Murphy himself.

"Hi, Killian, this is Yan," the producer introduced.

When Cillian Murphy saw Yan Yuan, he smiled sincerely and extended his hand.

"Hello Yan, I'm a fan of yours. That goal against Chelsea in the last game was incredible."

Yan Yuan quickly stepped forward to shake his hand, feeling somewhat excited.

"Mr. Murphy, hello! I'm a fan of yours! I watch every season of 'Peaky Blinders,' your performance is just too amazing!" He was absolutely telling the truth.

"Just call me Killian," Murphy said with a smile, patting his arm. "It's great to have you here. Relax, this scene is simple, you'll do a great job."

Two top figures from different fields have a wonderful connection through a TV series, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Filming is about to begin.

The scene was set in a private club room with luxurious interior decoration but a cold and austere atmosphere.

Cigar smoke swirled slowly in the air as director Steven Knight personally instructed Yan Yuan on the scene.

"Yan, you'll be playing the role of a young, well-connected Chinese businessman from London named Li. You're in Birmingham to discuss a very important business deal with Tommy Shelby."

You represent a new force that he doesn't want to offend easily. You are young, but extremely confident, even somewhat arrogant, because you have enough capital to back you up.

You don't need to be afraid of the Razor Shields; you are equal partners, and you may even have a slight advantage.

Director Knight explained in detail,

"Yan, you only have one line, which is to respond to Tommy's question, but that one line needs to showcase your presence and authority. Can you do that?"

Yan Yuan took a deep breath and nodded.

He closed his eyes, trying to imagine the mindset that people of that era and status should have.

He recalled his father's composure at the negotiating table when facing different opponents, and his own confidence when facing strong rivals on the sports field, and then mixed and refined these impressions.

"Action!"

The sound of the clapperboard fell.

The camera was focused on the table in the center of the private room.

Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby, sits in the main seat, his eyes sharp as an eagle's beneath his hat brim. He slowly exhales a smoke ring, his voice deep and Birmingham-accented.

"...So, Mr. Li, our friends in London, do you acknowledge our 'sincerity'?"

Yan Yuan, or rather, Mr. Li.

Mr. Li sat opposite Tommy.

He leaned back slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the smooth tabletop, his face expressionless.

He stared back at Tommy with a calm yet powerful gaze, as if he could see through everything.

The pause lasted just the right amount of a second, creating a slight tension in the tension.

Then, Mr. Li spoke.

The voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear and calm, carrying a special aura, even with a subtle, condescending tone.

"Mr. Shelby, in London, our measure of sincerity... is quite different from that in Birmingham."

He finished delivering his lines.

There were no superfluous movements or exaggerated expressions, but the powerful confidence and sense of control hidden beneath the calm surface were precisely conveyed through the screen.

"Cut!" Director Knight's voice was filled with surprise. "Excellent! Perfect! It felt just right! Let's keep that take, and then do another one!"

Another video was filmed as a backup.

Both performances were unexpectedly mature and spot-on.

"Perfect! That's a wrap!" the director announced. "Yan, you're a genius! Your camera presence is superb, and you delivered that line with such feeling!"

The entire set applauded Yan Yuan.

Killian Murphy also came over and shook hands with him.

"You acted brilliantly! Yan, very convincing. Maybe you could consider Hollywood after you retire?"

Yan Yuan smiled sheepishly, "Thank you, sir! This experience was unforgettable!"

After filming ended, Yan Yuan, along with Cillian Murphy, the director, and the main members of the crew, took a group photo.

In the photo, Yan Yuan, dressed in a retro suit, stands next to Tommy Shelby without any sense of incongruity, as if he belongs to that world.

A few days later, the Premier League resumed.

Arsenal will host West Ham United at home.

Thanks to Yan Yuan's goal and assist and the team's consistent performance, Arsenal easily won 2-0 and continued their strong climb up the leaderboard.

After the match, Yan Yuan returned home in the evening and snuggled up on the sofa with Lin Jianwei, watching TV together.

That night was the day the new episode of Peaky Blinders aired.

The familiar opening music begins, and a series of somber yet powerful images flash by.

The plot unfolds with tension.

When Tommy Shelby arrives in London to expand his business, he meets with a representative of a mysterious new force...

The scene shifts to a luxurious club room.

"Wow! Yan Yuan! Look, look, you're out!" Lin Jianwei exclaimed in surprise, grabbing Yan Yuan's arm tightly.

"Easy, easy, Weiwei, just look at how handsome I am in a bit, and that's it." Yan Yuan gently patted Lin Jianwei's arm.

His image appeared on the screen.

A retro suit, a meticulously styled haircut, and a cool and confident expression.

He sat opposite Cillian Murphy, and his presence was in no way inferior.

When Tommy Shelby raised the question about "sincerity," the camera focused on Yan Yuan in a close-up.

His face, still impeccable on the big screen, with its steady gaze, delivered that line:

Mr. Shelby, in London, our measure of sincerity... is somewhat different from that in Birmingham.

Tone of voice, pauses, eye contact...

Everything was just right, calm yet sharp, confident yet understated, perfectly blending into the atmosphere of the series.

"No, no, I have to take a picture! You played this role so cool!" Lin Jianwei excitedly took out her phone and took a picture of Yan Yuan on the screen.

"There's nothing I can do about being handsome, hahaha..." Yan Yuan rarely showed off his good looks.

……

That night, countless fans of Peaky Blinders and football fans were stunned.

After the latest episode aired, social media exploded.

"Wait! Who did I just see?! Was that Yan?! Arsenal's Yan?!"

"OMG! Yan Yuan makes a cameo appearance in 'Peaky Blinders'! It's so natural! He's from Birmingham, he definitely knows about the Peaky Blinders!"

"That line was so cool! 'In London, our measure of sincerity... is a little different from Birmingham.' The production team really knows what we want to see!"

"He actually managed to hold his own against Cillian Murphy?! Even though it was only one line, the performance was absolutely perfect!"

"Birmingham boys guest star in the British drama 'Peacekeeper'! I'm blown away by this crossover!"

"Is Yan Shen aiming for success in both arts and sports?"

"Is my brother going to enter the entertainment industry?"

"Could the Sherlock production team also ask Yan Shen to make a cameo appearance?"

Soon, the hashtag #YanYuan'sBloodyGangGuestAppearance# trended on Twitter.

His line has been turned into various memes and short videos, spreading wildly across various social media platforms.

This unexpected crossover collaboration has received unprecedented praise, and many people who are both Premier League fans and TV show enthusiasts have been greatly satisfied.

Watching your favorite sports stars act in your favorite dramas is a kind of enjoyment in itself.