Translator:Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor:Nyoi-Bo Studio

The two men stopped in front of a tombstone with a faded inscription that had been eroded by the elements. It was just an ordinary tombstone. Sweeping their gazes across it, they saw that the cemetery had countless other similar-looking tombstones quietly erected.

However, this particular one was distinctive because it lacked care. The white tombstone had turned to a dark grey and it looked decrepit.

This is my fathers, Dunn said as he stood in front of the tombstone.

Twain squatted down and reached out to pick out the black spots on it. He thought they were just regular spots. He had not expected the marks to penetrate the inner layers of the tombstone. It was impossible to pick them out.

I havent been here since the burial.

How long ago?

Ten years.

Twain looked up at Dunn. That was indeed long enough. The British peoples notion of a family was not the same as that of the Chinese. Children would leave their parents once they grew up and did not often stay in touch. However, to not even visit his fathers tombstone for ten years It was too much, wasnt it?

Dunn knew what Twain thought, so he said, He was my father only because he and my mother gave birth to me.

You dislike your father?

No. Dunn shook his head. its more like hatred.

Twain was speechless. It looked like ten years ago, a lot of things happened that Dunn desperately wanted to forget but ultimately could not.

Because of his drinking and smoking, they detected three types of diseases in him before his death. Each one could have killed him on its own.

Wheres your mother?

She ran off a long time ago. Long enough that I dont remember the exact time.

And she never contacted you again?

When he heard Twains question, Dunn suddenly smiled. She couldnt wait to cut all ties with this family, even to the extent of forgetting she ever had one. Her drunk of a husband and incompetent, weak son were her nightmares. How could she possibly want to contact me? Maybe shes already dead and buried in a public cemetery God knows where. I think the three of us being together was a big mistake.

Twain was dumbstruck by what he heard. He had had no idea that his own history was so complicated that it appeared to be more miserable than George Woods.

He stood up again.

Now I think I know why you were so willing to become Tang En.

Im sorry. I took your family Dunn looked down.

Twain hugged him instead. I never used to think that it was a great thing to have an ordinary nuclear family of three. I still dont think its that great. But after knowing you, I think I was lucky to have that. Youre going back to China this summer, arent you?

Yes, I told them it was my family leave.'

Say hello to the parents for me Wait, no. Dont. Twain suddenly changed his mind. When are you leaving?

Im not sure yet, but it definitely has to be after the end of the season.

Twain looked up and thought. He was thinking about Shanias plans for the summer holidays. He was not able to call the young girl now and ask about her plans for the summer, but He guessed she would be busy. She wasnt a student anymore.

See, Dunn. When the season ends, dont be in a hurry to go home just yet. Come with me to Germany.

Germany? The World Cup?

Twain nodded. To watch the entire World Cup and see if there are any cheap bargains to be had along the way. Then Ill go back to China with you.

Dunn was somewhat surprised. You want to go back too?

Well, do you remember when I met you in Chengdu? That time I tried to go back to my hometown to visit my parents. I just wanted to check in on them, because I didnt know how to explain to them why a foreigner suddenly wanted to visit them. Now the problem is solved. Im your friend. I can enter the house openly to visit our parents.

Okay Thats a good idea.

Come on, lets go back. Twain turned to leave the cemetery.

Dunn looked back at that tombstone and then turned to catch up with Twain.

Hey, Dunn.in the past, I mean before we swapped our bodies, have you ever been in love? Have you ever liked a girl?

No.

God, your life is so boring.

Now that Twain knew what Tony Twain had been like, his family background and his life, he felt the distance between him and Dunn lessen again.

He had already considered transferring Dunn to the First Teams coaching unit next season. The chap had proven his ability in the youth team. In just two seasons, he had gone from being a coach in the youth team to being its assistant manager. Everyone on the team knew that Dunn had real ability and learning. He would not encounter any obstacles in convincing Evan at this point.

After the matter was settled in his mind, Twain put it aside for the time being and devoted his energies to preparing for the final stage of the season.

On April 15th, the Forest team ushered in Tottenham Hotspur at home. They must win this game because Manchester United was close at their heels.

The Forest players performance did not disappoint Twain. They beat Tottenham Hotspur by 1:0 on their home ground.

At the same time, Manchester Uniteds away game with Sunderland was a tie at 0:0. The gap between the two teams widened to four points.

On April 17, during the 35th round of the league tournament, Nottingham Forest won by 2:1 against Birmingham City at home. Two consecutive wins at this critical moment bought Twain some time.

Although Manchester United had won this round too, the four-point lead gave him peace of mind to prepare for the Champions League semi-finals.

At the same time, while preparing for the semi-finals against Arsenal, Twain had a strange feeling that this was not the Champions League semi-finals, but just a regular league tournament game.

Why did he feel that way? Because both teams were so familiar with each other. They were in the same league and often played against each other. Twain and Arsne Wenger also had some kind of personal relationship.

He did not feel as excited about the semi-final game against Arsenal as he was about Inter Milan. He thought maybe if his opponent were switched to Barcelona or AC Milan, he would feel more excited.

At the mention of Arsenal, Twain suddenly remembered another thing. He had not taken the matter to heart before. However, now that the two teams were going head-to-head in the Champions League semi-finals, he had to re-examine it.

He went through Arsenals accomplishments for the Champions League this season.

Since they had entered the top 16, Arsenal had repeatedly scored big.

During the eighth-final game with Real Madrid, Arsenals total score for the two rounds was 4:2.

And they scored 3:2 in total for both rounds in their quarter-final game with Juventus.

Reviewing that data, Twain frowned.

It was not the same as what he had remembered.

He remembered that Arsenals ability to break into the UEFA Champions League finals this season was related to Wengers decision to take a strong defensive position. After Arsenal entered the top 16, they did not concede a single goal, which enabled them to advance into the finals. This was the best proof. At the same time, while emphasizing their defense, Arsenals offensive firepower was weakened, which was the price to pay for focusing on defense.

Twain recalled that he used to joke that Wenger had become smarter because he knew that defense was most important in the competition to win the championship.

So, what was happening here? Arsenal had not changed their usual style. Wenger still insisted on playing offense in the Champions League as always. They used swift attacks and subtle coordination to defeat Real Madrid and Juventus.

It was clear that the difference between the timeline that Twain occupied now and the timeline that he knew was widening increasingly. Arsenal did not rely on defense and yet they had advanced to the semi-finals. Their offense was still gorgeous and incisive.

Watching Arsenals game highlights on the television screen and examining at their familiar offensive routines and styles, Twain was certain that the team was indeed Arsenal. There was no doubt about it.

To tell the truth, Twain liked Arsenal like this because they were more wide-open. As their opponent, he would have more opportunities to find his opponents defensive weaknesses and loopholes when they were wide open, and then to make use of them. A football game was one that looked for the opponents weaknesses and tried every means to conceal ones own weaknesses.

If Arsenal was really different from what he remembered and they still stuck with this open play in the semi-finals, then

Another thought popped up in Twains mind.

Dunn.

Hm?

Do you have a video of Arsenals recent league matches?

Dunn stood up from the floor and walked to the front of a row of bookshelves. Although they were bookshelves, they were neatly lined with videotapes and CD-ROMs.

He stood before a shelf marked with the word Arsenal and asked, Which rounds?

Starting from the 33rd round up to the present.

Dunn took out the three videotapes that Twain needed and handed them to him.

Thank you. Can you help me put them on? Twain pointed to the video recorder.

When the footage of Arsenals latest three competition rounds came onto the television screen, Twain and Dunn watched the screen intently in silence.

After watching the three games in fast-forward, Twain stared blankly for a while.

This was totally different than what I saw in the Champions League highlights. They played defensive counterattack, defensive counterattack, defensive counterattack. Im surprised to see Arsenal play like that.

Arsenal won all the three rounds of league tournament and the scores were all 1:0 without exception.

Arsenal did not dominate the games and played under pressure by their opponents most of the time. They also did not have the upper hand in the possession of the ball. The typical Arsenal style was nowhere to be seen, or it was cleverly concealed by Arsne Wenger. Henry and the other players were as efficient as ever, seizing the few chances that they had to end these three rounds in victory.

Do you know what I think? Dunn suddenly asked.

Twain nodded. He pointed to the screen and said, Of course I know, this is classic Nottingham Forest.

Wenger spends more time studying you than you spend studying him.

Twain bit his lip.

While Wenger was still busy at his office, his assistant, Pat Rice, came in.

Its really incredible. I thought I was back in the middle of the 1990s. Im a little worried, Arsne.

Rest assured, Pat. Wenger stopped his work and took off his glasses to put them on the table. Im not George Graham. Todays Arsenal is not the Arsenal of yesteryear.

George Graham was a Scotsman who had brought brilliant success to Arsenal and created a real invincible army. But he was also a manager hated by countless Arsenal fans because their supporters were tired of his 1:0 doctrine and dreary football. Although Arsenals tradition was to be tough and never compromise, the tradition, which lasted for almost one hundred years, had reached another extreme and people began to tire of it.Their playing was ugly to watch, and they played a football match like it was a military mission.

Until this Frenchman had appeared.

Arsne, we all like this Arsenal now.

I like it too, Pat. But sometimes we need to make changes. Of course, its only temporary. Pat, you know what were up against this season. During the final stages of the league, we need to compete against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool for the last spot in the Champions League, and at the same time, were now in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Do you want to end up empty-handed? Wenger opened up his hands.

No, I dont.

Neither do I. No one does.

But, Arsne, we stuck to our guns and broke into the semi-finals. I dont think we need to start changing to another style two weeks ahead.

The boys are doing well, Wenger answered, changing the subject slightly. Im amazed at the speed with which they adapted to the new tactics, and Im proud of them.

Dont change the subject, Arsne.

Wenger shrugged and then pointed to the computer monitor, Come, Pat. Take a look.

Rice walked over and found a WORD document on the screen. In addition to a couple of long paragraphs of text, there was an image of Tony Twain.

Oh no Youre still studying him? Are you infatuated with him, Arsne? There are only going to be two semi-final games Rice covered his face.

When Wenger first came to London, he was very low-key and led a hermit-like lifestyle. He was touted as a homosexual by the English media. The impact of that incident on Wenger was that he would never accept any media interviews and completely hid his personal life.

If it were only just two games, it certainly would not be worth putting in so much effort. But Rice, the contest between us and him will not end with just two games. I have to fully understand this person before I can understand his team. In this season and every season in the future, were going to keep competing. Theres a good saying from the East: if you want to defeat your opponent, you have to fully understand him first.

He said, Wenger pointed to the image of Twain on the monitor, He doesnt care which method to use, whether they play beautifully, or if their playing is ugly to watch, it doesnt matter to him. He only cares about one thing, and thats victory. Tell me, Pat, who comes to mind?

Rice froze for a moment, and then said, George, George Graham.

Take a look at their performance this season, especially in the Champions League, where the most typical example of them was in the quarter-finals with Inter Milan. The entire team retreated and compressed every inch of space and every second of time in their backfield, so that they were in a highly pressurized situation with their opponents. The game was suffocating and ugly, but they won. Wenger spoke frankly and with confidence. Twain likes to play aggressive teams the most. He prefers to lie in wait quietly, patiently searching for his opponents loopholes and mistakes; and then he strikes! Wengers hand suddenly reached forward and startled Pat Rice.

It will make him very happy if we launch a large-scale attack. I believe hes quite familiar with Arsenals style. He must have devised a set of tactics to deal with our style, just like he did with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Real Madrid. So, we cant act according to his expectations. We have to surprise him.

But, Arsne. weve won three uninteresting games with this set of tactics. Do you think that Twain wouldnt figure it out by now?

Then let him have a taste of what its like to deal with his most commonly used tactics. Wenger shrugged.

Pat Rice stayed for a while. He had to admit that Wenger was right. Tony Twain was such a fellow. All right, Arsne. Our ranking in this seasons league is really terrible. I hope we can make it up in another competition arena. A historical entry to the semi-finals is not enough, we also have to advance to the finals and make history by holding the championship trophy in our hands!

Wenger smiled and said, I just read Twains words to you just now and you said it made you think of George Graham, the manager who would score a victory by all means. But I have to correct you. Twain is not like Graham. He does insist on the results, but his football is not as boring as Grahams. He assimilates a lot of things and knows when to make adaptations. I think if we want to achieve a historic breakthrough, we also need to make some adaptations and incorporate things that are advantageous to us.

I understand, Arsne. Ill make a move first.

Goodbye, Pat. As he watched his assistant manager leave his office, Wenger put on his glasses again and gazed at the image of Twain on the LCD monitor.

Meanwhile, Twain was still bothered by his problem.

Wenger, you wily old fox!