A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

Chapter 202 Two Phone Calls, Two Styles

February has quietly come to an end before we even knew it.

Time flies, and it's already Friday.

2 month 22 number.

This month is almost over.

Just as Li Mu was considering whether or not to go see his girlfriend this weekend, he received a call from an unknown number.

"Hello, Reporter Li, I'm Zhao Wei's brother, Zhao Jian."

Li Mu was taken aback.

He subconsciously glanced at the small alarm clock on the table.

It was already 4:30 pm.

He'll be off work in half an hour.

"Feed? Reporter Li?"

Li Mu snapped out of his reverie and responded:

"Hello, Mr. Zhao, is there something you need?"

"Haha, hello reporter Li! I just arrived in Guangzhou. Are you free tonight? Let's have dinner together?"

Hearing his words, Li Mu glanced at the alarm clock again and said:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhao, but unfortunately, I have some things to attend to tonight."

"Huh? This... Is Reporter Li not free tonight?"

"Yes, I have some other things to do tonight. I made an appointment beforehand, so I can't stand you up. I'm sorry, Mr. Zhao."

"Well...no problem, let's do it another day. How about we reschedule?"

"Okay, Mr. Zhao, you go ahead with your work. I have to go to a meeting now, so I'll hang up."

"Okay, okay."

Doodle.

The call was immediately disconnected.

Li Mu casually put his phone aside.

To be honest, he didn't have any ill feelings towards Zhao Wei before selecting the "Four Little Actresses".

But... how should I put it?

If we compare the entertainment industry to a martial arts world, then in this small arena, everyone believes in showing respect in return.

Although I didn't expect this article to have such a great "power" at first, after it was published, it truly became a "benchmark" for the new generation of actresses. The article's value has been demonstrated by the overwhelming number of reposts and the audience's recognition, giving it a symbolic quality.

In my girlfriend's words, people in the entertainment industry are quick to act on rumors.

Xu Jinglei and Rong Xinda were the first to express their gratitude.

Li Mu knew that he should be humble when he needed to be, and he didn't mind even when Zhang Ziyi and Zhao Wei didn't say anything.

During the Chinese New Year, after a busy year, everyone wants to take a good rest.

understand.

But... there are some things that I've done to help you succeed, and you should always give me something in return, even if I don't need it.

But I don't want it, so can't you just give it to me voluntarily?

Putting aside the facts, is this how you treat people and social niceties?

But as it turns out, some people do seem to take him seriously.

Then there's no need for him to try so hard to get a response.

What's more, it would be fine if he hadn't witnessed how things work in the entertainment industry. But unfortunately, through his girlfriend, he saw how people in this industry rack their brains to get ahead and compete for resources, spending all their free time at home brainstorming and calculating their interests.

Unfortunately, these two got a freebie and still don't value you at all...

Then we need to talk about it.

Inviting someone to dinner is actually an art.

Putting everything else aside, let's just talk about Huang Feng.

As Zhou Xun's agent, Li Mu didn't blame her for not coming.

Because Huang Feng was very polite.

After the New Year, he called first to say that he would be going to Guangzhou in a while and asked if I was free to meet.

After receiving a positive reply, I contacted Li Mu again at least three or four hours in advance to arrange to have dinner together that evening.

Regardless of the hotel's specifications, Li Mu at least approved of this attitude.

You could feel their gratitude.

But Zhao Wei's brother's situation is completely inexplicable.

A phone call came in just before I was about to leave work, and the first thing they did was invite me to have dinner together tonight.

You wouldn't even address me as "you" (formal).

I don't need this meal, and besides, it's almost the end of February, and you're only now remembering to contact me.

The first thing they say is, "I just arrived in Guangzhou," or "Let's have a meal together..."

Do you really think everyone has to revolve around you?

So, after he hung up the phone, he didn't even save the number of this person named Zhao Jian.

It's okay, we'll see each other when things get tough.

No matter what works you have this year, or what kind of promotion you want to do, as long as you come to the South, the Southern Metropolis Daily is an unavoidable hurdle for everyone.

There's a print run of 1.2 million units.

As for who you will contact... we'll see.

Li Mu wasn't without a temper, and besides, why should he give face to someone who didn't take himself seriously?

After putting Zhao Jian's matter aside, he thought for a moment, took his other personal cell phone, walked out of the office, and dialed his girlfriend's number.

"Beep beep... Hello, Brother Li. This is Xiaomi. I'm in talks with the production team of 'Dust Settles' right now, so I can't take the call. Is there anything you need me to tell you?"

"Hmm... what was the plot of that show?"

"It's still in preparation. What's confirmed is that Sun Honglei will be the lead actress, and I'll be the second female lead. The rest seems to be still being finalized. We'll see how things go this afternoon. This afternoon is mainly for planning the filming schedule and confirming the dates so we can coordinate with the actors to adjust their schedules."

"Oh, I see. So what are your plans for this weekend? I called her last night, and she said she couldn't confirm until today... Any news?"

"Brother Li, are you referring to going to Hong Kong to meet Sammo Hung and confirming your role in the movie 'Undercover Dragon'?"

"Yes. Any news?"

"Yes, Sammo Hung and my sister have arranged to meet tomorrow morning. Several investors from mainland China will also be there. From what my sister said, the script seems pretty good. It seems like they're going to film a movie first, then a TV series, all connected. But the schedule isn't confirmed yet. After tomorrow's meeting, my sister has to do voice-over work for 'The Lion Roars' the day after tomorrow. Cecilia Cheung only has the day after tomorrow and the day after that available."

"Oh, this..."

Upon hearing this, Li Mu knew that there was no chance of the two of them meeting this week.

And... my girlfriend might be very busy this year.

He'd heard from his girlfriend about a drama called "Dust Settles Down." It was a promotional project, not just about showcasing national unity, but also about highlighting the scenery and landscapes of the snow-covered region. Filming was scheduled for the summer.

Furthermore, Sister Ding's connections... are quite strong.

Originally, the second female lead in this drama was someone else, but she changed it to her girlfriend with just one sentence.

As for Sammo Hung... as soon as Sister Cheung intervened, he immediately offered him a role in the film...

If it's just a movie, that's fine, but the combination of a movie and a TV series... it feels like it will take at least two or three months.

Tsk.

"Okay, I got it. That's all. Tell her later that I won't be going to see her this week... Are you flying to Hong Kong tomorrow?"

"No, the flight is at 8 PM tonight, it will fly directly there."

"...Okay, I got it. That's all. Thanks for your hard work, Xiaomi. Bye."

"Okay, Brother Li, goodbye."

After the call ended abruptly, Li Mu, who hadn't seen his girlfriend for almost a month, was filled with regret.

But there's not much we can do.

But he could more or less understand why the two of them were "rarely together" as the frowning guy had described.

With his mind preoccupied, he returned to his office, only to be reminded by Sui Kuan:

"Hey, you have a phone. You've called several times."

Who is it?

"I glanced at it; it was an unfamiliar phone number."

As Sui Pangzi spoke, Li Mu picked up his phone and saw three missed calls... but none of them were from Zhao Jian.

Instead, it was another unfamiliar number.

He then sent two more text messages.

New information:

"Hello, Ms. Li, this is Chen Rong, Zhao Wei's agent. I'm sorry to bother you with this call, are you available now?"

"I apologize for bothering you, but I mean no other than to thank you for your concern regarding Zhao Wei's situation. Please reply to me when you have time."

Chen Rong?

Zhao Jian's wife?

What's going on with this couple?

One was extremely rude, while the other was overly polite.

Li Mu thought for a moment, then took the phone and went outside.

Since everyone is being so polite, I'll reply politely in return.

So he dialed the other party's number.

The call was connected very quickly.

"Hello, Ms. Li, this is Chen Rong, Zhao Wei's agent. I apologize for bothering you."

A female voice, at least not as harsh as usual, came from the phone.

Li Mu responded politely:

"Hello, Manager Chen, this is Li Mu. I was busy with other things and didn't see my phone. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes, I understand. It's almost time to get off work, and tomorrow is the weekend, so Reporter Li must be very busy. I apologize for bothering you, and I hope it hasn't taken up too much of your time."

?

Li Muxin said, "Is this person... so polite?"

He was the complete opposite of Zhao Jian.

He found out from his girlfriend that Zhao Wei's agent was her brother Zhao Jian and sister-in-law Chen Rong.

But this is the first time we've dealt with each other.

Since the other party was being so polite, he naturally wouldn't put on airs.

Interpersonal relationships are reciprocal.

So he said:

"Manager Chen, you're too kind. It is indeed our evening meeting time right now. We have two meetings a day, one in the first half hour of the morning and one in the last half hour of the evening. During these two periods, we usually keep our phones on silent, since it wouldn't be appropriate for my phone to suddenly ring when the boss is speaking."

"Oh, I see. Has Reporter Li finished with her work yet?"

"...Well, I'm done with work now, Manager Chen. If you need me, please feel free to speak your mind."

"Well... Reporter Li, to be honest, I'm quite embarrassed to say this. It was indeed our oversight. Here's the thing, Zhao Wei and I are in Hong Kong right now. On the 25th, the 8th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards ceremony was being held here. Zhao Wei and I went to Taiwan on the 8th of the lunar month and stayed until today..."

"Manager Chen, may I interrupt for a moment?"

He couldn't be bothered to listen to excuses:

"Just tell me what's wrong. I'm a straightforward person, so please don't mind. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well……"

Chen Rong paused for a moment, then asked:

"Mr. Li, could we arrange to meet on Monday evening? Zhao Wei should definitely visit you, but she's in New York for a magazine shoot on Monday. As her sister-in-law, I hope you could do me the honor of inviting me to dinner to express our gratitude. A face-to-face meeting would also make it easier for us to have a proper conversation, is that alright?"

Look at that.

That's where the difference comes in.

The former is "I just arrived in Guangzhou, let's have a meal together."

The latter is "Please do me a favor" or "If Zhao Wei can't come, I, as her sister-in-law, will come in her place."

It's the same thing, but it sounds completely different when you say it.

Furthermore... it can be said that Chen Rong's attitude has already been very humble.

Li Mu didn't try to figure out what the couple was really up to, or whether one was playing the good cop and the other the bad cop... Thinking even deeper, she was trying to cover it up...

It doesn't matter.

That's just how things are in the world of martial arts.

He thought about it and agreed.

"Okay, see you then."