I Just Wanted to Play Soccer, But I Became a Hollywood Heartthrob

David Beckham—the golden boy of English football, a Manchester United legend, and one of the most recognizable faces in sports history.

Truth be told, Beckham wasn't the most skilled player of his era, but when it came to looks and marketability, he was untouchable.

Kaká was handsome, sure, but he lacked Beckham's fashion sense.

Roque Santa Cruz was a good-looking guy, but he wasn't an elite footballer.

And most importantly—Beckham had his signature move.

Back in 1996, during a Premier League match between Manchester United and Wimbledon, a 21-year-old Beckham shocked the world with a 60-yard lob goal—securing his place in football history.

His passing was insanely precise, and his free kicks—especially his trademark 'Bend It Like Beckham' curve—were legendary.

That was all he needed.

Even though his dribbling was mediocre and he wasn't a flashy player, Beckham's one standout skill, combined with his movie-star looks, made him a global icon.

By 2010, Beckham was already in the twilight of his career.

Having played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and now AC Milan, he was 35 years old—still a huge name, but past his prime.

A left ankle injury in club competition had kept him out of England's 2010 World Cup squad, leaving him frustrated but free to make money through endorsements.

Even in his declining years, Beckham's commercial value was still higher than most A-list actors and musicians—even more than his wife, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham.

Arrival at the Beach

When Beckham yawned and stepped onto the sandy shores, a crew member instantly set up a lounge chair for him.

The moment he lay down, another assistant popped open a massive umbrella, shading him from the sun.

This man wasn't just a football star—he was royalty.

Nearby, five tall, athletic footballers were warming up, clearly extras brought in from the English Championship (second division) to support Beckham in the shoot.

Gu Ran, holding a cup of questionable coffee, furrowed his brows.

"Wait… why are there other players? Aren't they filming that legendary 'bin shot' commercial?"

At that moment, a director-looking guy scurried up, hunched over as he respectfully briefed Beckham on the shoot.

But Beckham waved him off, his signature soft-spoken voice sounding annoyed—

"I need a coffee… I can't get into the mood without one."

The director immediately panicked, shouting—

"COFFEE! GET BECKHAM HIS COFFEE! NOW!"

Suddenly, the entire crew scrambled in a frenzy, with assistants sprinting off to fetch coffee.

Gu Ran glanced at the coffee cup in his hands and instinctively hid it behind his back.

This was no ordinary coffee anymore. There was NO WAY he could let Beckham drink it.

Unfortunately—

Beckham noticed him.

"Wait… isn't there already coffee right there?" Beckham pointed at Gu Ran's cup.

Gu Ran froze.

Before he could react, the director rushed over, snatching the cup from Gu Ran's hands—

"Hand it over! Who do you think you are, drinking coffee before Beckham?!"

"Wait, no! That coffee is—"

Too late.

Beckham took the cup and smirked—

"Perfect! I've always preferred cold coffee. If it were hot, I wouldn't even drink it!"

OH SH*T.

Gu Ran panicked.

"Wait! That coffee is… really bitter!"

Beckham laughed again—

"How did you know I love bitter coffee? Real English gentlemen drink it black, no sugar!"

OH SHT OH SHT OH SH*T.

Gu Ran desperately tried again—

"No, seriously, don't drink it! That coffee is—"

Before he could finish, Beckham chugged the entire cup in one go.

"Ahhh, amazing! So rich, so bold!" Beckham looked rejuvenated.

"This is real coffee! I swear, I even taste a hint of mutton stew! It's so much better than that Italian espresso crap!"

He turned to Gu Ran and grinned—

"My friend, this was fantastic. I won't take your coffee for free—I'll sign something for you. Oh, right, what were you about to say?"

Gu Ran sighed—

"Forget it… you already drank it. It's better if I don't say anything."

Beckham chuckled—

"No, no, tell me! I want to know everything about this coffee. Hell, I might even drink three more cups like this!"

Oh. My. God.

Gu Ran figured—screw it.

Might as well get a free skill bubble out of this.

So he calmly said—

"Well… I was just going to say—"

"I already drank from that cup."

Beckham didn't even flinch—

"So? I may be a celebrity, but I'm still a footballer. I'm not some high-maintenance movie star."

The director instantly started sucking up—

"See? Beckham is so humble! You won't find a more down-to-earth football legend in the world!"

Gu Ran nodded—

"Oh, right. I also found it too bitter, so… I spit it back into the cup."

Beckham smiled.

"That's not a prob—"

Then froze.

His world-class smile immediately vanished.

The director, still licking Beckham's boots, enthusiastically continued—

"Beckham truly is a man of the people! There's no other legend as—"

"—URK… URK—"

Beckham suddenly doubled over, dry heaving into the sand.

The director finally realized what had happened and also started gagging.

Gu Ran shrugged.

"See? I told you not to drink it."

Ding~

"You have received 65 points of Negative Emotion Value from David Beckham. Skill Bubble generated…"

Ding~

"You have received 41 points of Negative Emotion Value from James Dolores. Skill Bubble generated…"

Ohohoho~

Gu Ran's eyes gleamed.

Beckham's negative emotion value was insanely high!

Then again, what football legend wouldn't be furious after drinking someone else's spit?

And this James Dolores guy… must be the director who had been sucking up to Beckham.

Hehe.

Wonder what kind of directing skill he'd get from that?

As Beckham and the director continued dry-heaving, Gu Ran casually tapped the two skill bubbles with his foot.

Both bubbles burst into radiant streaks of light, merging into his body.

Ding~

"You have acquired Directing Communication +1. Daily pickup progress: 2/10."

"Skill Effect: Improves ability to communicate with actors from a director's perspective. Works better at night. Higher levels increase persuasion power."

"WARNING: This skill works on both male and female actors. Use with caution."

…Wait. What the fk did I just unlock?**

Was this Directing Communication or Director's Special Privileges?!

…Hold up.

Did that explain why the advertisement crew brought in five tall, muscular footballers?

This director… had a story.

Gu Ran shook his head.

"Whatever. More skills never hurt."

But now for the real prize—Beckham's skill.

"C'mon, Golden Boy, don't disappoint me."

Ding~

(End of Chapter)