A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"Does she also stay in the VIP building?"

"Um."\

"Oh, I understand."

Around 10 p.m., after briefly conveying in a text message that she understood her boyfriend's hint, Fan Bingbing didn't press further or express any of her current, not particularly dramatic, thoughts.

Indeed, she guessed that the matter was related to Liu Xiaoqing, and that Liu Xiaoqing was probably in tax trouble.

But without a deeper understanding, even just a hint from her boyfriend, she couldn't achieve the so-called "feeling of unease."

She simply said:

"How about I take a day off on the 18th to spend time with you?"

"Don't take leave. The work here is very unpredictable. One second you might be free, the next you might have to leave. I need to make sure I'm always on the front lines."

"Okay... then I'll speed things up and try to finish filming while you're still in Yanjing, so I can spend more time with you."

"Hmm, are you tired?"

"Tired, want to sleep..."

After chatting for a while, Fan Bingbing, unable to resist sleepiness, said goodnight.

But... Liu Xiaoqing sobered up.

For the staff who had just eaten roast goose, poached chicken, and char siu, it was clearly going to be another sleepless night.

……\

Time flies, and it's already the 16th.

Liu Xiaoqing has been staying in the VIP building for five full days.

Li Mu, from an outsider's perspective, witnessed the psychological transformation of a potential criminal.

Compared to her initial state of constant anxiety, Liu Xiaoqing's mindset has noticeably improved in the past few days.

He ate and slept well, and chatted and laughed with Ah Feng.

She even frequently contacts a friend surnamed Li, someone she must have known since she was a nobody. Despite being surrounded by distinguished guests, she still drives a small Alto.

His name is Li Zhiping, and he runs a small business.

He and Liu Xiaoqing are from the same hometown.

He drives his little Alto every day, taking Liu Xiaoqing and Afeng out for fun.

And there were several attempts to shake off the following vehicles with that Alto...

It's like they've lost their minds.

In Zhu Lingjun's words:

"Liu Xiaoqing has now entered the second stage. Her wishful thinking is increasing, and her daily outings are actually sending a signal to the outside world that she is innocent and nothing has happened to her. It's nothing more than self-deception."

Li Mushen agreed, because indeed, this top female star's recent antics revealed a clear attempt to cover up her true intentions.

But it doesn't matter.

On the afternoon of the 16th, Li Mu received a call from Qin Liyan:

"Li Ji, the article and photos have passed the review and can be published."

"!"

Instantly, Li Mu perked up:

"Okay, I understand! I'll get started right away."

"Um."\

After hanging up the phone, Li Mu quickly contacted Fatty, who had already returned to Yanjing:

"Fatty, I just got a message! The article and photos have passed the review and can be published! Where are you?!"

"Holy crap! I'm in my dorm! It really works? I'm going to send the fax right now!"

"Don't rush... Let me ask Brother Bie first whether this article should be published in Guangzhou or Yanjing."

"Okay, then hurry up, or you won't make it into the paper tomorrow!"

"Um."\

Li Mu quickly dialed Bie Yan's number:

"Hey, Brother Bie, the local tax bureau has approved it; it can be published in the newspaper now."

"Oh? Looks like they've uncovered another round of crimes."

Bie Yan was somewhat surprised, and then Li Mu asked:

"Brother Bie, where should I post this article?"

If the message is sent from the Yenching branch, then the credit belongs to Yenching. But if it's sent from Guangzhou, then the credit belongs to Guangzhou.

Although it's a single unit, there's still a comparison to be made.

"Let Sui Kuan go find Editor Wu. This news about Liu Xiaoqing will take at least a month or two to finish, and you guys will probably be staying there for quite a while."

Upon hearing this, Li Mu understood...

The older brother is now showing respect to both himself and Sui Kuan.

Editor Wu refers to Wu Han, the chief editor of the Yanjing branch of the Southern Metropolis Daily, who was in charge of the entire branch.

"Okay, I understand. So... Brother Bie, do you need me to do you any favors? If so, Fatty and I can pay a few more days later."

"Ha, I don't need that. Hurry up, don't delay the layout."

"clear!"\

After hanging up the phone, Li Mu immediately notified Sui Kuan.

Fatty Sui rushed out of the dormitory.

Then, around 4 PM, I called Li Mu back:

"Hey, Mr. Wu just pulled me aside for tea. He's already sent this news back to our unit. He keeps asking what happened."

"What did you say?"

"I just said whatever came to mind. He asked me where I got the news from, and I said it came from you. You're still following up on it, that's why you couldn't come back. I definitely can't mention Brother Bie, that would be like selling him to Zhou Long, wouldn't it?"

"Hmm, and then?"

"Then he asked where this relationship came from, and I didn't know. But you have a wide network of connections; the news about 9/11 introduced you to a lot of people."

"...Hmm, that's enough to get by. Anything else?"

"We actually talked quite a bit, but mostly about the progress of the cases. I told him that this is a series of cases, and I can't disclose the current progress, but I have indeed obtained information about Liu Xiaoqing's illegal and criminal activities. Jing Jun has already been detained, hasn't he?"

"I left some information, but I was careful not to reveal how much factual information we had. I just said that we were the two of us handling the entire case, but there was a confidentiality agreement preventing us from saying anything... Oh right, he asked a question that I think I need to take seriously."

"What?"

"He asked...Did Liu Xiaoqing discover this by accident? Or was it used as a case study, or did he hear some rumors about it?"

"..."\

Li Mu narrowed his eyes, then said:

"What did you say?"

"I said, 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' The country attaches great importance to this; they want to make an example of someone first."

The subtext is: Liu Xiaoqing is a typical example, used as a warning to others.

"What did Editor Wu say?"

"They asked me if there was any follow-up. I said I wasn't sure, but according to the saying in Guangdong, if you see one cockroach in your house, there's definitely a whole nest out of sight."

"...Hmm, that works too. That answer is indeed correct."

"That's all I said. I only left after drinking two pots of tea. Speaking of which... if it's in the newspaper tomorrow, does that mean this matter no longer needs to be kept secret?"

"Of course! Our names are in the newspapers, the whole country knows. When everyone knows the government is investigating Liu Xiaoqing, it won't be a secret anymore."

"Then I guess I have something to talk about with Feng Yuan now..."

"Are you crazy? We can't talk about the progress of the case."

"I know, I was just talking about what was in the article. We only wrote a rough outline; can't we just gossip about the details?"

"..."\

For a moment, Li Mu was speechless.

I thought to myself, "You're really very open and honest with people."

It's not even close to happening yet.

Can you two confirm your relationship before talking?

Then, the call ended.

Everything depends on tomorrow's newspaper.

As a nationally renowned top female celebrity, Liu Xiaoqing's story clearly deserves a front-page headline.

That's for sure.

As for how much trouble this front-page headline will cause... that's none of Li Mu's business.

He's a journalist; he should just report the facts.

To his surprise... around 8 p.m., Wang Jinghua called him.

It started with a text message: "Li Ji, I've received some messages. Would it be convenient to talk on the phone?"

After Li Mu replied that he could, Wang Jinghua quickly called back and asked tentatively:

"Mr. Li...is it convenient for you to talk now?"

"That's convenient, Sister Hua. Just tell me what's up."

Sitting in his room, Li Mu looked out at the night view through the VIP building window, his tone relaxed.

"It's like this... A few days ago... didn't Bingbing remind us about celebrities doing commercial performances and gigs?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"...Li Ji, I heard...Liu Xiaoqing is under investigation?"

The moment Li Mu heard this, one name popped into his mind: Wu Han.

This news isn't 100% certain, since articles still need to go through the editorial board's review process before being approved.

But...90% of the time, he was the one who spread it.

Tsk, that old guy's got some nerve, using my information to curry favor?

He was somewhat moved, but didn't feel anything particularly strong.

It'll be in the paper tomorrow; I only got notified a day in advance... What's the use of such a favor when it's already too late?

The sooner you hear news, the better you can prepare.

On the other hand, you, as the editor-in-chief, only received the news today, while I, a mere reporter, received it a week ago…

It's obvious who's more capable.

Fortunately, Brother Bie didn't need these "favors," otherwise, how would Wu Han have gotten his turn?

But... speaking of which... what exactly is Brother Bie's background?

He found it increasingly difficult to understand.

As he pondered this, he said:

"Sister Hua's connections are really good! She got wind of this news as soon as it was mentioned?"

"Uh... haha, if it were anyone else, I would definitely have tacitly agreed. But with Li's company, I wouldn't dare say I'm well-informed. If you hadn't reminded us, we might still be in the dark."

After subtly expressing that she could distinguish between "primary" and "secondary" matters, she continued to ask:

"Li Ji...where are you now?"

"I can't say."

"...Understood. Well...Li Ji, when's a convenient time for us to get in touch? It's been so long, we should have a good drink together."

"Haha, okay. I'm busy here, so I'll talk to you later."

"Uh-huh."\

Beep beep.

The call ended.

Wang Jinghua looked at the two brothers, Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, sitting opposite her, and remained silent.

All three of them were like that.

After a moment, Wang Zhongjun asked:

"Who is this person?"

Wang Zhonglei shook his head:

"They said he was just an ordinary reporter."

"How could an ordinary reporter get the news earlier than us... Besides, I already inquired about it when Sister Hua mentioned it. How did he know something that nobody else knows? I bet many people at the local tax bureau are still confused after seeing this news..."

"..."\

"..."\

No one responded.

I can't figure it out.

have no idea.\

Unbeknownst to many, a mysterious wind had begun to blow around the name "Li Mu."

The wind blows gently.

I don't know where it came from.

I don't know where to go.

Blow, blow, blow...

On April 17th, when the Southern Metropolis Daily placed the news of "Liu Xiaoqing under investigation for suspected tax evasion" on its front page...

Below the headline, [Reporters: Li Mu, Sui Kuan]...\

This trend has swept through the entertainment industry.