A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"How long has Teacher Luo been a member of this book club?"

Although they bought the same books, the two were still considered "familiar." Hearing Li Mu's words, Luo Xiang shook his head:

"This is my second time. Before, I only participated in the school's reading group. Then one of my seniors graduated, and he knew Yu Feihong. Since I was also about to graduate, he pulled me into this group."

graduate?\

Li Mu was a little puzzled. After glancing at the guy's face and guessing his age, he asked:

"Are you a graduate student?"

"right."\

Which school?

"China University of Political Science and Law."

Li Mu was somewhat surprised, thinking to himself that this person's academic performance was truly excellent.

"I see. I'm from the Journalism Department at Sun Yat-sen University."

"Ha, hello, hello."

Luo Xiang extended his hand again, and after they shook hands, he asked:

What were your thoughts after reading this book?

"A rare book that isn't crooked."

Li Mu gave his evaluation.

"Paris 1919" is one of the few books on Western historical perspectives he has read recently that offers a fair assessment.

"Unlike some books, perhaps because the authors themselves are Westerners, they tend to embellish their own country or the entire Western class to some extent. Instead, they use a very fair perspective to judge the history of that time, neither avoiding the fact that the partition of the Ottoman Empire by Britain and France had imperialist and colonial tendencies, nor placing all the blame for World War II on the Treaty of Versailles... I think it's really quite good."

Upon hearing Li Mu's insights, Luo Xiang unconsciously nodded in agreement, and then added:

"Yes, that's what I think too. And the impression Chinese people have of the Paris Peace Conference is often stuck in the context of the May Fourth Movement; they like to understand it from our own perspective. But in reality, from an observer's point of view, this conference, which influenced almost half a century, was more like an idealistic self-discovery. For example, Wilson came to Paris full of idealism, hoping to change the world through his Fourteen Points..."

"In reality, this group painstakingly signed a series of useless treaties, and then, in what I see as perfunctory, drew conclusions about certain perceptions without any scientific investigation. Especially regarding the handling of the Balkans… perhaps they themselves couldn't have imagined the immense impact this conference would have on the world. The bloodshed caused by the conflicts arising from those arbitrarily drawn maps alone is enough to make the West re-examine the failure of their solipsistic ideology."

"That's right..."

Clearly, he agreed with Li Mu's words.

The two walked and talked, picking up these things as they went. He had clearly been here before, as he led Li Mu directly to a building and pressed the elevator button.

At this moment, Li Mucai broke free from the discussion of the books and asked curiously:

"Was this the same place last month?"

"Yes, this is Yu Feihong's home. She likes to invite everyone over. I heard from a senior that when he met Yu Feihong, their gatherings were also held at her house."

"I see."\

Li Mu nodded. Although he had never met Yu Feihong before, it didn't diminish the slight goodwill he felt towards her at that moment.

And this slight goodwill was mostly thanks to Luo Xiang.

His original intention in joining the book club was that he found this way of communicating with "strangers" through books and having everyone express their own opinions quite interesting.

On his first appearance, he was wearing the same outfit as a club member.

But it was precisely because they wore the same clothes that they were able to build a connection through their shared and differing views on books.

Even though we only exchanged a few words, I still had a good time.

And to offer one's home, especially as a public figure, for others to gather and chat over.

This kind of person is definitely not bad.

Have you read the book "Personal Account of the Paris Peace Conference"?

"No, judging from the title, it was written by someone who experienced it firsthand?"

"Yes, James Shotwell, a member of the American delegation. Do you want it? If so, I can lend it to you. I don't know if that book is still available."

"sure."\

Li Mu readily agreed.

"Then let's exchange phone numbers."

"Okay, you tell me, I'll write it down."

Luo Xiang took out his phone.

It was exactly the same Nokia 3310 that Li Mu used when he first joined the company.

However, his phone looked rather old, practically from a different generation than the Nokia 1100 in Li Mu's hand.

Li Mu's phone was brand new, while his 3310 had developed a patina from being handled so much.

After exchanging phone numbers, the two exited the elevator.

Luo Xiang knocked on the door, and soon footsteps came from inside.

The door opened, and a face that frequently appeared on television came into Li Mu's view.

"Sister Yu."

Luo Xiang called out.

"Hello, Professor Luo, it's been a long time."

Hearing this address, Li Mu was taken aback.

So young?

professor?\

? ? ? ? \

Isn't he still a master's student?

While Yu Feihong was pondering this, she saw Li Mu, who quickly introduced himself:

"Hello, Teacher Yu, I am Li Mu."

"Ah!? Haha, I know, welcome, welcome. I'm Yu Feihong, please come in. Here are some slippers."

After taking out two pairs of disposable hotel slippers, Yu Feihong smiled and stepped aside, her gaze falling on the books the two were carrying, then she paused, surprised.

"Your two books..."

"What a coincidence, we recommended the exact same books this time."

"Oh? What a coincidence?"

Yu Feihong was slightly surprised, then smiled and said:

"Great minds think alike! Come in, I've made some tea, and the others will be here soon."

Clearly, the two of them were the first to arrive.

Li Mu changed into slippers and entered the house. He looked around; the house, which looked to be at least 150 square meters and even larger than the living room of Mingya Garden… and it had a certain understated elegance about it. The most striking feature was the wall of bookshelves behind the sofa.

There are four floors in total, from lowest to highest.

However, there's still a noticeable gap: about one-fifth of the first floor remains blank.

And the length of this bookshelf... Li Mu estimated it to be at least four or five meters.

"Please have a seat, I'll make some tea... Haha, don't mind that this place is empty. I didn't put any decorative books here; instead, I plan to read one and put it away, intending to spend ten to fifteen years filling this bookshelf."

As Yu Feihong was greeting the guests and inviting them to sit down, he noticed that Li Mu was staring intently at the wall of bookshelves, so he smiled and explained.

Li Mu snapped out of his reverie, smiled, and nodded.

Indeed, this wall of bookshelves is long and wide. If we follow her logic of reading one book and putting it away, then fifteen years would be a conservative estimate.

Assuming you read one book a week, that's only about fifty books a year. In ten years, that's five hundred books... Hmm, is five hundred books enough to fill a pile?

He didn't have a particularly specific concept.

But I definitely felt one thing: this actress has a very nice personality, with a refined and elegant beauty that comes from inner knowledge and refinement.

Then, after pouring tea for the two of them, Yu Feihong said:

"Which of you two can cook?"

Luo Xiang shook his head subconsciously. Li Mu asked:

"Do you need any help?"

"I'm so glad I could help! I have some side dishes to prepare quickly."

She didn't act awkward despite it being their first meeting; instead, she greeted the guest with a very familiar tone:

"Could you do me a favor and lend a hand?"

"good."\

Li Mu responded, asked for directions to the restroom, and then went to wash his hands.

The guest bathroom looked clean, suggesting it wasn't used frequently. After washing his hands, Li Mu went straight to the kitchen.

"Just kidding~"

He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

This kitchen...it's so professional!

"Lexin ovens?"

He was somewhat astonished, staring at the enormous toy, which was far larger than a regular oven…

You'd only find these things in Western-style kitchens in China, right? Who, as an ordinary person, would spend tens of thousands of yuan on an oven?

"Oh, you understand?"

Yu Feihong's eyes lit up.

"Hmm, I know a little..."

Li Mu responded, glancing at the not-so-obvious "LOTUS" logo on the gas stove...

Well, Lotus's gas stove costs tens of thousands again.

And those heavy-looking enamel pots, and all sorts of other items... this kitchen alone could buy a small apartment in Beijing.

"Teacher Yu's cooking skills must be excellent."

"Uh...hehe."

Yu Feihong smiled and shook his head:

"It's generally a personal hobby. I started cooking for myself gradually because I couldn't get used to the cafeteria food while studying abroad… Oh right, do you like Western food? Of course, not in the traditional sense, but I learned all my cooking skills there. I can cook Chinese food too, but it's not as good as Western food."

Li Muxin said, "You've really run into trouble," then glanced at the ingredients she was planning to process and the spice bottles arranged on the Italian-style shelf, and laughed:

"I'm not a picky eater. Tell me what's on the menu today so I can prepare."

"Wow? So professional! Just reciting the menu is enough?"

"Ha, yes."

"Today I'm making Provençal fish soup, oxtail stew, Valencian paella, and apple pie for dessert."

Is oxtail Italian or French?

While both French and Italian oxtail stews are cooked in red wine, their preparation differs. The French method involves pan-frying, while the Italian method involves roasting with olive oil and herbs, resulting in distinct flavors.

"!"

Instantly, Yu Feihong became even more certain that this person was truly a professional, and so she said:

"If you know how to make it, you can try it out. I haven't decided yet. Anyway, all the ingredients are ready."

"good."\

"I'll take care of the ingredients for the fish soup first. You don't need to worry about the seafood, just get me the oxtail and apple slices."

"OK."

Li Mu responded, looked at the cut oxtail on the table, and picked up a kitchen knife.

At this moment, Luo Xiang walked over:

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Haha, you can't even cook, what can you do? No need, just help me greet the guests later."

"All right……"\

He was a complete newbie to the book club, but somehow ended up cooking halfway through. And just then, his nose twitched…

"Teacher Yu, the cookies in your oven are too hot, they're going to burn."

"ah?"\

Yu Feihong was taken aback, then immediately rushed towards the oven:

"oops!"\

Chaos erupted in the kitchen.