A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

Chapter 169 The Road to Prosperity

Chapter 168 The Road to Prosperity

Bie Yan's appreciation for Xiao Li actually stems from quite a few factors.

Initially, "mentoring apprentices" was just a task target.

That year, the group changed its promotion rules, requiring that leadership teams promoted from the bottom up have more grassroots qualities and skills, and not only come from the grassroots, but also have the spirit of mentoring and passing on knowledge.

Therefore, even Bieyan, who had always lived a carefree life, had to follow this rule and start mentoring newcomers.

This year, the Department of Arts and Sports only has two new members. Bie Yan initially told Zhang Zhengwen that he would only mentor one, just to get by with him, as that experience would be enough.

Those who have worked in the cultural and sports department all know that Bie Yan has strong connections and is very capable. Especially in terms of connections, if someone wants to interview a certain leader or a celebrity, they have to ask in advance if the person is available, schedule a time, and even submit an application through the administration, sending the content of the interview in writing. Only after the person approves can the interview be conducted.

But he doesn't use it.

For example, when interviewing leaders of the sports bureau, he would simply make a phone call, explain the matter, and by the afternoon he would be in the leader's office.

As a journalist, having such an impressive network of connections is itself a sign of power.

Moreover, he is top-notch in both writing skills and intuition.

Therefore, when they heard from the director that one of the new recruits in the Arts and Sports Department would be chosen to mentor Bie Yan this year, countless people in the department or unit felt that "this new recruit is really lucky."

As for Bie Yan, taking on a junior apprentice, training him casually, and then handing him over to someone else after being promoted would be the end of his task.

Well, how should I put it... these two newcomers this year have really lived up to expectations.

Having only been on the job for a few days, he's already made headlines with a lottery winner.

An exclusive interview with the first person in lottery history to win a 50 million yuan jackpot.

The front page headline of the entertainment section.

After being brought out by the two newcomers, Zhang Zhengwen took a look... these two newcomers are quite something. They even graduated from the same school, and their assessment scores were roughly equal.

So he simply stuffed it all into Bieyan's hands.

Don't think that taking care of one child is the same as taking care of two, since both children have shown potential.

So they all agreed.

To be honest, he actually favored Sui Kuan more at the beginning.

Xiao Sui was chubby and gave off a pleasant feeling. Moreover, compared to Xiao Li's slightly introverted nature, Xiao Sui's outspokenness and somewhat江湖气 (jianghu qi, a kind of chivalrous spirit) made him more compatible with him.

Xiao Sui and I seem to be more compatible.

As for Xiao Li... he felt that Xiao Li was still immature.

There's a kind of... student introversion.

Although it turned out that he had misjudged him, and that the trait Xiao Li possessed was not introversion but rather introversion... at least at the time, that was how he felt.

Especially after he first extended an invitation to relax, and Xiao Sui readily accepted while Xiao Li waved his hand in refusal, he felt even more strongly about it.

Xiao Li is not as good as Xiao Sui.

However, as they spent more time together, Xiao Sui's shortcomings gradually became apparent.

Young and impetuous.

Especially after that time when he suddenly had to go on a business trip to film the opening ceremony of "Hero", and as a reporter, he went out to play without telling him, he gradually shifted his attention to Xiao Li.

It was only then that he realized that Xiao Li wasn't introverted, but rather had a very... strange kind of introversion.

As the saying goes, "A person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance," and Xiao Li seems to embody this perfectly.

Not only is he thorough in his work and considerate in his dealings with people, but most importantly... he can keep a low profile.

For example, that cheating technique.

"Brother, I don't gamble."

"I'm just interested."

At first, Bie Yan didn't believe it.

After visiting Macau several times and observing, I found that Xiao Li was far superior to Xiao Sui in both interpersonal interactions and private self-control.

In terms of professional skills, he is among the best of the newcomers.

Personally speaking... taking Xiao Li out is really worry-free.

This child is never shy in any situation, yet he doesn't fight for anything. He's like a piece of jade... translucent from afar, warm and smooth to the touch.

So, Xiao Sui was eliminated.

He handed it over to Shang Xiaobin.

Focus on nurturing Xiao Li.

But who knew... that little Li would help me far more than I had trained him.

A piece of raw jade, in my own hands, gradually reveals its brilliance.

Being able to be with him is Xiao Li's destiny.

Good fortune.

But this kid's luck... is ridiculously strong.

Not only did he find a beautiful girlfriend, but more importantly... he always manages to create a big news story out of nowhere.

Not only is his work ability outstanding, but he also has very mature emotional intelligence.

Whether it's Zhang Jie's group of shrewd people or the older generation like Shang Xiaobin and Wu Jun, they all have a high opinion of him.

Although young, he is calm, not impetuous, and reserved but not dull.

Most importantly, he possesses a quality rarely found in recent graduates: reliability.

It seems you can trust him with anything.

That's quite remarkable.

Not to mention... if it weren't for Xiao Li, that tumor in his stomach...

We've been through thick and thin together.

But that's just how people are sometimes.

Once you have a lot, you'll want more.

He always felt that Xiao Li was too mature and too composed, lacking a bit of the youthful vigor that belongs to young people.

Why are you so cautious in everything you do?

Can't we take a step back?

You always stop when you've said something.

You always do things at just the right time...

But the problem is you're only 21 years old, why are you making yourself look like a 30-year-old man?

He was ultimately somewhat regretful, regretting that Xiao Li didn't have the same chivalrous spirit as Xiao Sui, even though in other aspects, Xiao Li was far superior to Xiao Sui, including his sister, brother-in-law, and other relatives who all spoke highly of him.

But ultimately... something was missing.

It is precisely because of this "little bit" that it would be perfect.

Now, when he heard the article about the "Four Little Actresses of the New Century," he finally felt fulfilled.

In the past, Xiao Li was like a cat with a calm and quiet temperament.

And now, he finally saw a glimmer of potential in the title of this article.

It was as if the young tiger was letting out its own roar into this mountain forest for the first time.

Although it was still young... it was finally clear that it wasn't just a big orange cat with brown and yellow fur, but a little tiger.

With seven parts relief and three parts surprise, he smiled and nodded:

"Hmm, that's a good title."

This wine has power.

Upon hearing this, Li Mu knew that Brother Bie had approved of the name.

but……

"Isn't that too definitive? I have a few other titles, such as 'A Review of the Four Little Actresses After the Millennium,' or..."

"No, this is fine."

Seeing that his reserved demeanor was beginning to reappear, Bie Yan shook her head, going along with her own preferences:

"This one is pretty good."

He then handed the article back to Li Mu:

When are you planning to release it?

"Going to work tomorrow?"

"Well……"

Bie Yan thought for a moment and looked at the calendar hanging on the wall.

This year's Spring Festival falls on January 24th.

New Year's Day.

The Little New Year falls on January 17th.

Normally, the holiday should have started on January 14th and 15th.

"Wait until the day after tomorrow. I'll be at work then, and you can submit it. Then we'll send it out after the 14th."

Li Mu was taken aback:

"Isn't the Little New Year on the 17th? Brother, when do we usually get our holidays?"

"Usually it's three days before the Lunar New Year. And every year before our holiday starts, the company publishes a batch of summary articles. But in our line of work, there's no strict Spring Festival break; it's more like working shifts... Haven't you been home at all?"

"Uh...yes."

"That's alright, you won't be on duty this year. Actually, according to tradition, the duty shifts during the Spring Festival are usually done by the newcomers in their first year. But... you haven't been home for half a year, so it's fine to go back and rest for a few days. As for your article, it will be directly counted in the annual summary of the abridged publication. You can start working overtime this week. The Spring Festival travel rush will start in a few days, so don't rest, work overtime, and then you can go back and rest well during the Spring Festival."

After deciding with a single sentence whether his apprentice would have to work during the Spring Festival, Bie Yan continued:

"Your article would be perfect for the summary section. During the Chinese New Year, our newspaper will also be in smaller print. And from a visual perspective, smaller print articles are actually more likely to attract attention. It would be a good fit here."

"it is good."

Seeing that Brother Bie had made all the arrangements, Li Mu naturally wouldn't object.

As long as this article can be published, that's fine.

"Okay, remember to choose good-looking photos for these four people. Or ask their companies for artistic photos... I'll give you their company's contact information later, you can ask them yourself. Try to keep their attire consistent, like those artistic photos with black dresses. It looks more dignified."

"OK."

Li Mu quickly wrote it down.

This article about the "Four Little Actresses" has been completely arranged.

Just as I jotted this down in my notebook, Sister Dong brought over two cups of tea.

After Li Mu politely thanked him, he heard Bie Yan say again:

"By the way, our boss called me yesterday. The company has already reported your name to the group."

Li Mu subconsciously looked up:

"?"

Seeing his puzzled look, Bie Yan smiled and shrugged:

"It's almost the end of the year, and the internal awards are about to begin. And your 9/11 news report... if nothing unexpected happens, you should have no problem winning an award."

Li Mu was not surprised by his words.

After all... as arguably the biggest news of the year, at least 70% of the news reports around the world covering 9/11 used his photos and on-site reports.

It would be a shame if such a big news story didn't win an award.

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard his older brother say another sentence:

"What the boss means is that the group will also report your name to the provincial authorities at the beginning of the year."

"...Guangdong Journalism Award?"

"Yes. To me, you're a strong contender for the grand prize. And..."

At this point, a hint of sigh appeared in Bie Yan's eyes:

"Once you win an award at the provincial level, the next step is for the province to report it to the national level. Do you know what that means?"

"..."

Li Mu was taken aback, then subconsciously pursed his lips.

He swallowed hard, his throat twitching slightly.

How could he not know?

mean……