A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"A book club? What's that?"

In Lao Mo's private room, while eating what could only be described as mediocre Western food, Li Mu expressed his curious doubts.

This restaurant, hailed as one of the pinnacles of Western cuisine in the hearts of many Beijing residents, seemed rather undeserving of its reputation in Li Mu's opinion. Fortunately, his conversation with Chen was quite pleasant.

The conversation started with books, then moved on to Go, then to their respective university lives, and finally, the topic drifted back to books.

She seems to genuinely enjoy reading.

However, her tastes differed from Li Mu's. Li Mu greatly enjoyed books on current affairs, the system, and history, while she was a true fan of storybooks.

She loves all storybooks, including Sherlock Holmes. She likes both Chinese and foreign books, but reads more foreign novels.

So, during their casual conversation over the Russian meal, Chen casually asked Li if he had his own book club, so they could exchange ideas sometime.

Upon hearing Li Mu's question, Chen looked surprised:

"Don't you have your own book club?"

"No, what is that?"

"It's like...everyone likes to read, and once or even a few times a month, we choose a time to get together and talk about what books we've been reading lately, sharing them with others."

Li Mu was somewhat curious:

"There are places like this?"

"Yeah, you haven't participated before?"

"No... I read books by myself. I go to the bookstore and buy a dozen or twenty at a time, then buy more after I've finished reading them."

"What if you buy a book that doesn't suit your taste, or a book that's just average?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mu held up one finger:

"If I can't get into a book the first time, or don't like it, that's my problem. But if I still can't get into it the second time, then it's the book's problem. But with so many books published every year, buying books is mostly a matter of luck for me. But... there's always more gold than dross, right?"

"That's true."

Chen nodded.

She agreed with the latter part of the other person's statement, but disagreed with the first part.

But it doesn't matter. We're all adults now, long past the age of thinking, "No, I have to convince you, you have to agree with me."

She simply extended an invitation as a matter of course:

"Would you like to join my book club?"

Seeing Li Mu's interested gaze, Chen smiled slightly and said:

"The book club I'm in isn't very big, just a few people. It was founded by a senior I knew. Originally, it was just a group of students getting together to read and exchange ideas, but gradually it started to grow as people with similar interests began to gather... Of course, it's not a huge group; many people have gone to work in other cities, and there are fewer than twenty people left in Yanjing... But we still have a meeting once a month. At the meeting, we share the books we've recently read and then distribute them to others. Then at the next meeting, we discuss our thoughts on these books, and so on. Are you interested, Mr. Li?"

"You know what, it's pretty novel. Okay, count me in then. Is this a club? Membership-only? Or...?"

"No, no, no, that's not it. It's just a group gathering based on shared interests; there's no membership system. It's just that we confirm the participants a few days in advance. For example, if five people come today, each person will prepare four books."

"I understand. So, it means buying four more copies of the books I'm currently reading and giving them to other people, right?"

"That's right. Everyone does the same. Otherwise, if we made a book list, many people wouldn't necessarily buy it, or they might forget... That's how our book club works. The organizer determines the participants in advance, then we arrange to meet at someone's house, have a meal, chat, and recommend books. Haha, to be honest, I'm particularly afraid of large gatherings. A few people are fine, but if it's a dozen or so... just carrying those dozen or so books would be incredibly heavy."

"Any subject matter for the book?"

"Of course, everyone has different preferences. The essence of a book club is to use everyone's subjective perspective to recommend their recent readings to others, so that we can all learn more about the world and enhance our understanding through books."

"sure."\

Li Mu smiled and agreed.

I must say, this kind of "book club" is quite novel.

Although I don't know how long I'll stay in Yanjing or how many times I'll be able to stay, this kind of small group sounds pretty good.

Then go and experience it for yourself.

Upon hearing his words, Chen smiled and picked up his drink:

"Well... on behalf of our book club, I welcome Li Ji to join us."

"Haha, thanks. When's the next chance?"

"Hmm, it should be mid-May. We already had a get-together on the 10th of this month~ Oh right, the gatherings were all organized at our own homes, and there was even a meal. We can try Li Ji's cooking then."

"Haha, you definitely won't be disappointed."

When it comes to cooking, Li Mu's eyes are full of confidence.

……\

The meal didn't end until almost 2 PM.

The food was so-so, but the conversation was very enjoyable.

At Old Mo's door, Chen, wearing a baseball cap and large sunglasses, said:

"Shall I deliver to Li's?"

"No need, I'll just take a taxi."

"Okay, see you next time?"

"OK."\

After a polite farewell, Li Mu hailed a taxi and returned directly to his dormitory.

After arriving at his dormitory, he patiently waited for night to fall.

His girlfriend arrives around 6 PM, but he doesn't have a key to her apartment. He'll just have to wait for her to come back.

But as everyone knows, waiting is always agonizing. He didn't know how long he waited, but finally, he received a call from his girlfriend:

"Hey, I've gotten off the plane!"

"I'm leaving now!"

"Uh, no, it wouldn't be good if someone saw us."

"It's okay, I'll get to Modern City now, park the car, and wait for you in it. Once you get home... I'll grab my luggage and come over!"

"……Um."\

My girlfriend's response was as gentle as a kitten's.

Longing feels tangible.

Li Mu didn't hesitate any longer. He carried the box downstairs and drove his old Santana, which had been used by who-knows-how-manufactured people, straight to SOHO Modern City.

It was already past seven when he arrived, but Fan Bingbing hadn't shown up yet. So, Li Mu got out of the car and ordered some dishes at a small restaurant near the entrance of Modern City… He didn't have his keys, so he couldn't even cook.

Tonight is clearly going to be a tough battle; we can't go without food.

And just before 8 o'clock, he finally received a message from his girlfriend:

"We're home. Xiaomi's gone. Come on up."

Upon seeing this message, Li Mu didn't even bother to reply. He got out of the car, picked up the groceries, and carried his suitcase, finishing in one go.

In less than five minutes, he saw the slightly ajar front door.

As soon as I pushed the door open, I heard the sound of rushing water.

have to.\

What else did you say?

Almost the instant the door closed, he took off his coat, and in a few strides, like a suicide squad member who had drunk talisman water, he rushed straight into the bedroom.

Soon, a soft, coquettish voice echoed from the bathroom door, which was not closed:

"Hey, what's the rush..."

Li Muxin said, "Why are you yelling?"

You're even more anxious than I am.

See, everything was prepared long ago...

……\

"...You've lost weight."

Sitting on the sofa in front of the coffee table, Li Mu looked at his girlfriend, who was only wearing a large T-shirt and athletic shorts, and was sitting cross-legged on the carpet. He spoke softly.

Fan Bingbing, her hair still wet, nodded as she ate:

"Yes, I've lost six pounds."

"...So many?"

"I think it's not enough. It's great, you lose weight while filming."

"Is filming finished?"

"Yeah, it's just post-production. I've already talked to Brother Jinbao, we'll finish it when I get back from Guangzhou. Filming there starts in ten days, I need to get there quickly."

"Tsk."

Li Mu looked helpless:

"Sometimes I feel like I'm a statue waiting for my husband to return home."

"..."\

Fan Bingbing paused in her act of picking up food.

She glanced cautiously at her boyfriend, who was still complaining, and tentatively said:

"Are you angry?"

"No, it's just that being an actor, director, or investor is simply inhuman. Staying in one place for one or two months at a time...it's just too tough."

"Hehe... I'm sorry."

She, who had originally planned to eat on the carpet, immediately got up and squeezed next to her boyfriend.

She rested her head on his shoulder and said softly:

"I won't go anywhere else these next few days, I'll just stay with you, okay?"

"Hmph, at least you have a conscience."

Li Mu hummed in response, gesturing for her to continue eating.

But Fan Bingbing shook her head:

"I'm not eating anymore, it's too oily. I'll just have a few bites as a token gesture. I only have ten days until filming starts, and if I get too fat, it won't look good on camera."

"...How many bites did you actually eat?"

"That's plenty. Three pieces of braised pork, two bites of cumin lamb, and a small bowl of rice... that's enough."

Li Mu's eyes were filled with helplessness.

I thought to myself, even rabbits eat more than you.

But he didn't pressure him anymore; instead, he sped up his eating.

Fan Bingbing stopped interfering and simply sat beside him, watching him wolf down his food with a sweet smile in her eyes.

"Shall I take you to play ball tomorrow?"

"No...I'm a little tired, I want to sleep in your arms until I naturally wake up."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and suddenly said:

"Oh right, baby, I want to tell you something."

"What's wrong?"\

"Wait a minute..."

She quickly got up, went to her large tote bag, and with a rustling sound, took out her notebook, found a page, and handed it to Li Mu:

"Look."

Li Mu stared at the human figure sketch above, paused for a moment, and then said:

"What is this?"

"Remember those stirrup pants we got cut in Guangzhou? Didn't I put together an outfit for myself?"

"...Hmm, isn't this sketch based on the outfit you put together that day?"

"Yes, that's what I wanted to tell you... Haven't you noticed? These pants are perfect for layering."

The big star sitting on the sofa had a slight glint in his eyes:

"Wear it as leggings; it's versatile and really flattering. Right?"

"Um."\

Li Mu looked at the faceless female silhouette sketch, noticing how the legs appeared particularly thin, perhaps due to the overly loose clothing on the upper body. He subconsciously nodded.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

"I want to work in the clothing industry!"

"..."\

Meeting his girlfriend's eyes, which suddenly blazed with light, Li Mu's lips twitched.

Okay.

He acts on a whim.

Why would a successful actor give up being a big star to sell clothes?

What were you thinking?