A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"Brother Bie, isn't Liu Xiaoqing's matter finally over? I've been thinking about how to thank Brother Sun... Brother, can you give me some ideas?"

"Need not."\

Inside the Accord, Bie Yan, who was driving, shook his head immediately after hearing Li Mu's words:

"It's nothing, no need for thanks."

"...This is no small matter."

"Ha, it's a big deal for us, but it's nothing to him. No need for thanks or anything, just offer him a proper toast when we have dinner together later. If you really give him a gift, he might just kick you out."

"Well...we should at least show some appreciation."

"If anyone should show their appreciation, it should be me. If you really have a lot of money, you might as well give it to me."

Bie Yan rolled her eyes again, while Li Mu started counting on his fingers.

"What are you doing?"

"Count what hobbies you have right now, bro. Let's cater to your interests~"

"leave!"\

Bie Yan rolled her eyes.

That's a harsh truth, but the fact is, he doesn't smoke or drink anymore, eats three meals a day on time, and goes to the gym twice a week... Hobbies? They don't exist. He's already incredibly lucky to be alive.

"Brother Bie, anything happening at work lately? I heard the company made a lot of money over the May Day holiday?"

"Um."\

When this was brought up, Bie Yan couldn't help but start talking:

"Everyone's acting like they're obsessed with money now. Before, people talked about who was involved in this news story, who was responsible for that one. They talked about what the news was about, what the actual situation was... But now it's all the same. Today this person landed a big order, tens of thousands of yuan. Next month so-and-so landed a huge order, making so much commission... Sigh."

He let out a long sigh:

"It's made me feel like I'm becoming an outsider."

"...Did the director put pressure on you?"

"No, he wouldn't dare. It's not like I don't have connections; we just keep to ourselves. I'm just... how should I put it, I somewhat understand Director Zhang's mindset back then. Sigh..."

He sighed again and turned to look at Li Mu:

"How are you? Worried?"

"Don't worry."

Li Mu shook his head:

"I'm a provincial-level award-winning reporter, what's there to worry about? At worst, I'll just go to the grassroots level, I've already planned it all out. I'll travel around a lot these next few months... I reckon Director Zhou will be annoyed by me, so I'll just avoid him."

"Oh? That's quite an achievement."

Don't laugh and ask:

"Where are you planning to go?"

"I'll be an entertainment reporter for a while first."

No insider dealings, trade with confidence.

So Li Mu opened up and revealed his plans:

"During this time, because of Liu Xiaoqing's affair, I've gotten to know quite a few people in the film and television industry. If I can't afford to offend them, can't I at least avoid them?"

Whether in officialdom or the workplace, it's certain that those in higher positions can have absolute power.

He wasn't in the nature to just take it all in, so he simply went away.

That's the advantage of being a sports and entertainment reporter; there's never a shortage of attention to culture and entertainment. In fact, if a newspaper runs out of space one day, entertainment news is the easiest way to fill the gaps.

"That's fine. But hiding like this isn't a long-term solution. You can't hide forever, can you?"

"Definitely. It's almost August... I'm betting, I'll take a gamble, and see if this 8/911 news story is good enough to win an award! I already have a provincial award, and if I add a national award... at the very least, they wouldn't dare bully an award-winning reporter like me, would they?"

"clever."\

I was originally planning to talk to Li Mu about this, but seeing that he had thought it through himself, I didn't say anything more, only summarizing:

"The biggest advantage of our group is its flat management structure. Even if others try to hold you back, sometimes, if you have big news in your hands, they can't say much. At most, they might say a few unpleasant things. Just pretend you don't hear them, focus on your work, excel in your profession. If you win an award, the next step is to advance your career from a full-fledged reporter to a senior position. Although today's performance evaluations are starting to link to performance, your award definitely deserves a special approval."

"...So fast?"

Li Mu was taken aback:

"I've only been in the industry for a year. How can I be a senior reporter? Do you think my employer would agree to that?"

"From a management perspective, of course not. But from a talent development perspective, your salary will definitely need to be increased. Let's say you really win the National Journalism Award… Xiao Li, if you were in management at another newspaper and heard that the *Southern Metropolis Daily* was still keeping a reporter who won the National Journalism Award after only one year in the industry at the 'regular reporter' level, wouldn't you be tempted to poach him?"

"I'll just follow you, Brother Bie, I won't go anywhere else. Wherever you go, I'll go."

"I'm saying, what if!"

Bie Yan was somewhat speechless, but the corners of her mouth did turn up when she said that.

Clearly, he really liked his younger brother's attitude of following him wherever his older brother went.

Moreover, the two are family.

Putting everything else aside, the debt of gratitude for saving my life is something that cannot be repaid with a single thank-you dinner.

"Besides, if people knew a reporter who won a national journalism award was just a regular reporter, they'd laugh their heads off. So, no matter what, as long as you win the award, you'll definitely be promoted by the end of this year. Senior reporters aren't judged by years of service, but more by their abilities. Furthermore, even if you leave me now, leave our unit, and go somewhere else, you'll still be a reporter for 9/11, the Four Little Actresses, or the Liu Xiaoqing case. That applies to both the industry and your network."

Reassured by his older brother's words, Li Mu chuckled and said:

"Could you promote me directly to deputy editor-in-chief...?"

"..."\

Bie Yan's lips twitched, and she rolled her eyes:

"I might as well make you the president. Editor-in-chief, no less..."

"Then, Brother Bie, you'll be the chairman?"

"Get out!"

The older brother shook his head, both amused and exasperated:

"Want to be an editor-in-chief? You'd better be patient. The path from intern to full-time reporter to senior reporter isn't actually that complicated. The capable rise to the top, and the capable do more work. But reaching the editor-in-chief level really requires a lot of hard work. Have you ever heard of a newspaper... not to mention tabloids and gossip, which public institution would dare give a department editor-in-chief position to a greenhorn in his early twenties? Do you understand the policies from above? Can you interpret them convincingly? Can you accurately assess the current situation?"

"...Tsk, that really is a subject of study."

"Study hard. Want to be editor-in-chief? Lin Naichen got there fast enough, she was 31 and that was only because of connections within the group. Work hard and strive to be editor-in-chief by 30. Editor-in-chief, director, editorial board member... When you become an editorial board member, or can independently shoulder the responsibility of a department, that's when you've succeeded."

Although it was just casual conversation, Li Mu kept his older brother's words firmly in mind.

boil?\

Don't be afraid.

I'm afraid I won't see any hope.

Moreover, his numerous awards give him an extra layer of prestige compared to others.

And all of this... depends on August!

He thought to himself.

Next, the Accord drove into a residential area.

Bie Yan dialed Zhang Zhengwen's number:

"Director, we've arrived..."

Following Zhang Zhengwen's instructions over the phone, Bie Yan parked the car, and then heard a voice shout from above:

"Don't say that, this."

The two looked up and saw Zhang Zhengwen.

"Oh, Li's here too."

"director."\

Li Mu quickly greeted them.

Then, the two quickly went upstairs, and the person who opened the door was Zhang Wei, whom they had met once before; she was Zhang Zhengwen's daughter.

Li Mu had to admit that this Sister Weiwei was indeed a beauty.

She's even prettier than the last time we met.

If you went out there and said you were a celebrity, people would believe you.

Upon seeing the two of them, Zhang Wei smiled and said:

"Brother Bie, Xiao Li, come in quickly."

"Weiwei, it's been a long time."

"Hello, Sister Weiwei."

After exchanging greetings, the three entered the house and saw Zhang Zhengwen, wearing an apron, making dumplings with another middle-aged woman. This woman was clearly Director Zhang's wife.

"Haha, Bie Yan, guess what we're having for dinner tonight?"

"Huh, shrimp dumplings?"

Looking at those huge shrimp on the dumpling filling, don't pretend you already know the answer.

"By the way, Xiao Li, have you ever tried homemade shrimp dumplings?"

"without."\

Li Mu also shook his head...

Do people in the Guangdong region really make shrimp dumplings at home?

This was the first time he had heard of it.

"Then have a good taste later. Please sit down, Weiwei, entertain them. We'll start eating as soon as the dumplings are steamed."

So Zhang Wei invited the two of them to sit down.

Zhang Zhengwen's home is quite large, about 100 square meters, with a strong sense of home life, and even quite a few books.

Li Mu had only met Zhang Wei twice and wasn't very familiar with her, so it was mostly Bie Yan and Zhang Wei who did the talking:

"Weiwei, how's it going? When are we getting married?"

"..."\

Zhang Wei seemed quite speechless:

"Brother Bie, it's been so long, why are you immediately pressuring me to get married?"

"Of course we have to urge them. When I saw you at the beginning of the year, the director said you had a boyfriend."

"No rush. I'm not in a rush, why are you in such a hurry, Brother?"

As soon as Zhang Wei finished speaking, Zhang Zhengwen, who was making dumplings, chimed in:

"I'm worried for you, Brother! Don't tell me, she treats every guy like a thief, completely guarding against everyone. She knows nothing about him… I told her to at least bring him along so we can see what kind of handsome guy he is… but no. You should talk to her properly; how can she be more old-fashioned than us?"

"Haha, okay."

Bie Yan chuckled and responded with a "heh heh."

Zhang Wei remained speechless.

"Weiwei, tell me, what does the guy do? How old is he? How tall is he? What's his education level...?"

"Brother, if you keep this up, I'm leaving..."

"Hahaha……"\

Amidst the laughter and chatter, the shrimp dumplings were quickly cooked, and several other home-style dishes, including stir-fried lettuce with black bean dace, were served.

The banquet thus began.

Don't say you don't drink; let Li Mu do it.

"Director, let's have a toast to you and Teacher Jin."

"Haha, okay."

Zhang Zhengwen smiled, raised his glass, looked at the spirited young man, and offered his assessment:

"Xiao Li, you're doing great. Keep up the good work, you'll definitely succeed!"