A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"Li Ji, have some water."

"Phew, thanks."

Li Mu took the water from Liu Baoteng and glanced at the somewhat unfamiliar packaging.

I don't recognize Japanese characters.

It appears to be a beverage; the water is white with a slightly cloudy tinge.

I took a bite, it's very sweet...

"What kind of water is this?"

"This is called Water Special, an energy drink imported from Japan, specifically for replenishing electrolytes after exercise."

"I've learned something new."

Hearing Li Mu's words, Liu Baoteng smiled slightly, glanced at Zhang Shuang feeding Chen Qi ball by ball with pinpoint accuracy, as if she were teasing a child, and said proactively:

"Li Ji, I've found a place for dinner tonight. Would you do me the honor?"

"OK."\

Li Mu readily agreed.

Seeing that he agreed, Liu Baoteng's smile became even brighter.

It's not that Kyushu Asia-Pacific had anything to ask of this reporter, Mr. Li... In reality, they were simply exchanging information.

This reporter knew about Liu Xiaoqing's case so early on; who knows if he'll ever need that connection? That's why it's essential to build relationships beforehand.

That's exactly what the public relations department does.

Li Mu naturally understood the concept of reciprocity, so he casually asked:

"Manager Liu, what has your company been busy with lately?"

Liu Baoteng immediately understood Li Mu's meaning and smiled:

"To release new works. Our company was just established this year, so this stage is mainly about accumulating works and introducing new ones."

"If you need any help at that time, just say so. We're friends, and friends don't need to be so polite."

After saying this, Liu Baoteng's smile widened even more:

"Haha, then I'll remember what Li Ji said."

Just then, a telephone rang.

Li Mu looked around and found it was a pure white Motorola.

Liu Baoteng saw it too, and shouted:

"Teacher Chen, the phone is ringing."

"Oh? You're here."

Chen quickly waved his hand and strode over.

So, Zhang Shuang was finally able to rest a bit and slowly walked over to get some water.

Court number three experienced a brief moment of peace.

Chen took his phone and stepped aside, while Li Mu, looking at Zhang Shuang's healthy complexion, asked curiously:

"Is Teacher Zhang currently serving in the military?"

"Yes, an active member of the city team."

"Let's exchange phone numbers, you can teach me sometime?"

Zhang Shuang was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Liu Baoteng, who immediately smiled and said:

"I can't keep up with Li Ji's level. Only the city team's level is good enough to be your sparring partner."

"Please don't."

Li Muxin said, "You're exaggerating too much."

"My skill level is at best that of a beginner."

Amidst their laughter and conversation, he and Zhang Shuang exchanged phone numbers.

His plan was simple: when his girlfriend came back for the May Day holiday, he could come over and invite her along. The main reason was that these high-level practice partners could control the ball accurately to where he wanted it. Today's game... was definitely less competitive than the games with the veterans from Guangdong, but it was extremely enjoyable to play.

It's clearly all thanks to Zhang Shuang.

He figured his girlfriend would also like this "feeding" style of swinging the racket.

Then, the three sat in the rest area chatting, mostly about tennis. Zhang Shuang, as an active member of the city team, explained that everyone who makes it to the top is a highly competitive talent. She naturally offered Li Mu a lot of advice, from swing and posture to power generation and ball control.

Once they started talking, Li Mu completely opened up.

The expert's guidance gave him a feeling of... sudden enlightenment.

I got excited immediately.

Zhang Shuang, meanwhile, gestured and demonstrated, and they chatted for five or six minutes.

But Liu Baoteng kept glancing towards Chen during this time.

Chen's phone call... took a while.

This is clearly a time for everyone to "build relationships," so what's the point of you just hanging around with your phone on your hands?

It's easiest for men and women to become friends, otherwise Kyushu Asia-Pacific wouldn't have called their star performer here today... I invited you here to strengthen our bond, why are you always on the phone?

Building a good relationship with this reporter, Mr. Li, aside from anything else, means that if similar incidents happen again, he can inform the company beforehand, and who knows how much damage that could prevent.

Why don't you understand? Aren't you afraid of upsetting Reporter Li?

He was a little resentful.

But in reality, he was blinded by greed.

Chen is handsome, that's true. But... not as pretty as his girlfriend.

What's more, he's a complete noob.

Li Mu was now much more interested in Zhang Shuang than Chen Qi.

This is a master; a master can't even use up a tiny bit of their talent, even if they only leave it between their fingers.

Who has time to deal with a noob?

Time slipped away amidst this resentment, and after about ten minutes, Chen finally hung up the phone and came over.

Then, seemingly preoccupied with something, she sat down in a chair, her eyes appearing somewhat vacant.

Now, although all four of them are seated in the rest area, their positions are carefully chosen.

Zhang Shuang and Liu Baoteng shared a long bench. A table with a fruit platter was placed between them. Li Mu sat on another bench next to the fruit platter, beside Chen [name omitted], who exuded a fragrant aroma.

Seeing this, Liu Baoteng stretched his head and said:

"Teacher Chen, what are you thinking about? We've been on the phone for so long, you can't just sit there daydreaming!"

。

He was reminding Chen to hurry up and "get down to business."

Reporter Li is right next to you, try to build rapport and have a chat.

After regaining his senses, Chen seemed not to have reacted yet. He glanced at Liu Baoteng and said:

"Manager Liu, have you read the script adapted from 'The Girl Next Door'?"

Li Mu was taken aback.

Liu Baoteng was also taken aback.

But he quickly realized what was happening and laughed:

"I've seen it. Hey, let's talk about this later. Today's just for exercising and relaxing, let's not discuss this anymore."

"Well……"\

Chen paused for a moment, then quickly recovered, seemingly realizing that this wasn't the right occasion to discuss business, and nodded with a smile... But just then, Li Mu spoke:

"That Taiwanese comic? The one with... 'Heartthrob' and 'Marriage Maniac'?"

"...Li Ji has read it?"

Liu Baoteng was somewhat surprised, but little did he know... Li Mu was even more surprised.

After thinking for a moment, Li Mu asked:

"You bought the copyright to this comic?"

Liu Baoteng nodded:

"Yes, in our area. Has Li Ji also read this story?"

"...I've seen it, and I quite liked it. Are you planning to make it into a TV series? Has the script been completed yet? Are you still looking for investors?"

"ah?"\

Seeing Li Mu suddenly become so enthusiastic, Liu Baoteng was momentarily stunned.

I wondered if this person was a die-hard fan of "The Girl in the City"?

But in reality, he was wrong.

Li Mu had never even read the comic, and the reason he said those things, expressing his desire to "invest," was quite simple.

"The Girl in the Rainbow," no, it should be called... "Pink Lady"?

Yes, that's the name!

This is a project that "Frowning Guy" particularly regrets missing out on during the early stages of his entrepreneurial journey.

The two met for the second time in a dream. When Frowning Guy told him how he started his career with a TV series called "Soldiers' Assault," he also mentioned some projects he had missed out on over the years.

Regarding the TV series "Pink Lady," his original words were:

"You and Wang Jinghua can get along well. Back then, my personal relationship with her was actually quite average. After all, she knew about my relationship with Fan Bingbing, and she was quite unhappy about it. She felt that I had taken away her cash cow."

In the latter half of 2002, she would take Fan Bingbing to a drinking party in Shanghai. At the party was a man named Wu Kebo, who had a project called *Pink Lady*, which was based on a Taiwanese comic book called *Shy Lady* from the 1990s. Note that the "shy" in *Shy Lady* doesn't refer to pornography, but rather to something bittersweet. It featured characters like a charming woman and a marriage fanatic.

You should try to get to know Wu Kebo and see if you can find an investment opportunity. I didn't think much about it back then and missed out on this project.

The production cost of this film was less than seven million, but you definitely won't need that much. Wu Kebo also invested in that project, so I estimate it will only cost a maximum of three million. But its returns are astonishing.

This show, from its premiere in 03 to 04, generated over ten million yuan in profit for Wu Kebo. Damn it, thinking about it now makes me grit my teeth in regret.

Back then, over ten million was an astronomical figure…

These are the exact words of "Frowning Guy".

He missed out on many good projects.

Especially in the early stages of starting a business when money is most scarce.

Furthermore, money is only part of the equation; most importantly, a good film investment company needs good works to back it up.

For example, the Kyushu Asia-Pacific region right now.

The company was only established in February, right after the Chinese New Year, but its boss was Xu Xiaofeng, the former president of Warner Music's Asia-Pacific region. And when Jing Pengju introduced himself on his first phone call to Li Mu, Li Mu immediately recognized him as the distributor of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

The reason is simple: after founding his company, Xu Xiaofeng secured the domestic distribution rights for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Even though this film is two or three years old, it still holds a place in the DVD movie market.

Furthermore, profit isn't actually important; what matters most is reputation.

Even if Liu Baoteng goes out saying "I'm from Kyushu Asia-Pacific," it's not certain that people outside the entertainment industry will recognize him.

But if he introduces himself:\

"I am the public relations manager of Kyushu Asia-Pacific Entertainment Co., Ltd., the film distributor of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'..."

Even if others don't know Kyushu Asia, they still know Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

And this is what's known as a business card or endorsement.

Therefore, Li Mu, who holds millions of NetEase shares, is not short of money for the time being. However, if he wants to "make money" in the film and television industry as "Frowning Brother" suggests, he needs these renowned works to back him up.

Therefore, he showed great interest at that moment.

"Is Reporter Li interested?"

"Um."\

Li Mu nodded:

"I really love that comic. Haha, I never imagined it would be adapted into a TV series... Um, Manager Liu, although I know your company is a big company, I still want to ask if I could invest? I really love this show and I really want to see it on the big screen."

Liu Baoteng thought to himself... What does liking this comic and wanting to see a live-action version have to do with investing?

But... he didn't say.

I'm just thinking.

Thinking of using a small portion of a film's investment to exchange for the friendship of a journalist... oh wait, not just any ordinary journalist.

Or rather, a journalist who can get involved in film and television investment is no ordinary person.

He thought about it and finally decided to go back to the company to investigate. He then smiled and said:

"Then I'll go back and ask about the show's progress? We can get in touch then?"

"OK."\

Li Mu smiled so brightly.