A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

Zhang Zhengwen worked at *Men's Wear* magazine for less than six months before being transferred to *Caijing* magazine.

There's an extra spot on the editorial board over there.

Although not a behemoth like the *Southern Metropolis Daily*, *Caijing* holds a similarly strong position. While its circulation certainly can't compare, in terms of authority, the newly established *Caijing* was positioned by the group as a high-end financial publication nationwide.

Being appointed to the editorial board here is, strictly speaking, already a promotion.

As the saying goes, good fortune brings joy, and this family feast, meant to express gratitude, was naturally enjoyed to the fullest.

Faced with the old director's somewhat tipsy gratitude, Bie Yan remained nonchalant.

Even when Zhang Wei offered tea instead of wine, they managed to stop her from standing up.

No need.

No one doubts the old director's competence.

That's where integrity lies.

It can exert its light and heat wherever it goes.

At the dinner table, everyone talked about the past, the present, and their workplaces… but they didn't talk much about the current "profit-driven" atmosphere at the Southern Metropolis Daily.

The old director was making the cuts, and I didn't want to upset him.

Let's just take it easy and see how things go.

Finally, Li Mu, who had drunk half a jin of liquor, and Bie Yan got up to say goodbye.

This family dinner has now come to an end.

Before leaving, Bie Yan even made a joke:

"Weiwei, remember, hurry up and hold the engagement party, and remember to send me invitations."

"Me too!"

Li Mu chuckled and raised his hand.

Zhang Wei was speechless again, but still nodded:

"Don't worry, if we're really getting engaged, it'll definitely happen. Brother Bie, don't forget to get your health checked out. Call me before the middle of this month, and I'll make the arrangements."

Zhang Wei studied medicine and works at the Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.

However, they are not responsible for clinical work; their role is administrative.

Check it out; don't say you can arrange it yourself. But that's how it has to be said.

"Okay, I'm leaving."

After leaving the Accord, Bie Yan took Li Mu, who, despite only drinking half a jin of liquor, appeared somewhat listless, perhaps due to fatigue from the long journey, home.

After Li Mu returned home, he quickly went into the bathroom.

No, Guangzhou is too hot, I can't stand it.

He slept fitfully until dawn, then grabbed his racket and went straight to the court.

Upon seeing several familiar elderly men, he flashed a bright white grin.

Come on, let's fight to our hearts' content!

I'll beat you to death!

……\

June is drawing to a close.

For Li Mu... this year really felt like it went by incredibly fast.

It feels like just yesterday that the new year began, and now it's already the middle of the year.

After spending a day at home to recover, he finally arrived at work on time on the 2nd.

Because they had offended the abbot, both he and Sui Kuan kept a low profile.

Although everyone, including Shang Xiaobin, greeted the two familiarly upon seeing them, and the atmosphere in the office seemed unchanged... they were still called out during the morning meeting.

Zhou Long personally convened the morning meeting, glanced in the direction of Li Mu and Sui Kuan, and said:

"Let's all work harder this new month. Don't slack off, especially those of you covering the news. Go to the scene when you need to, but don't disappear. Otherwise, you'll be getting paid without doing any work, and those idlers will be criticized during the year-end performance review. Furthermore, if it affects our department's overall performance evaluation, then everyone's interests will be at stake. Our Arts and Sports Department can't afford to have such a black sheep."

It's not heavy.

At least Bie Yan, who was next to him, seemed completely oblivious, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Li Mu and Sui Kuan didn't react much, even though they knew the words were directed at them...

Besides... what you said is truly human language.

The news about Liu Xiaoqing is still hanging on that crooked tree.

How did I become an idle person...?

Li Mu observes the nose with his eyes, the mouth with his nose, and the heart with his mouth.

After the morning meeting ended, he plopped down on a stool and exchanged a glance with Sui Kuan.

Fatty Sui... has a rather straightforward personality.

He mouthed a classic Chinese curse:

"His is spicy Gobi..."

Li Mu pretended not to see it.

Then... after a whole day of sitting in the office, when it was time to leave, Sui Kuan called out to him:

"Let's go, have a meal with Li Wei and the others, and find out what's been going on lately?"

"You go ahead, I won't go."

Li Mu shook his head:

"It's no use asking around. Let's just keep a low profile. I'll contact Huayi Brothers and their entertainment companies to see if there are any news reports about us recently. And... don't go looking for Brother Bin, understand? If Brother Bin still takes us under his wing, then everything will remain the same. If he doesn't... that's normal too. He needs to avoid suspicion, he should be aware of that."

"I know."\

Sui Kuan responded:

"Even without Brother Bin, we wouldn't starve just by making a living in the film and television industry."

"Yes, and besides, there's Brother Bie too."

"Um."\

After discussing it, the two went about their own business.

But... karma struck in the office much faster than they expected.

On Friday, the logistics staff came to the cultural and sports department's office and gave everyone a notice to tidy up their work areas.

Everything, including manuscripts and personal belongings, was packed away in the desk; the office is going to be under construction this weekend.

Li Mu didn't take it seriously at first.

The building where the Southern Metropolis Daily is located is actually also...

It's quite old; the water pipes at the Ministry of Current Affairs even burst a couple of days ago.

But when he arrived on Monday, he suddenly discovered that everyone's desk in the office had an extra network cable...

It turns out that the construction work was done by the telecommunications company to install network cables.

And it was installed in all offices.

Therefore, it is clear that, to date, GG's revenue for the Southern Metropolis Daily is indeed quite good.

Installing network cables in older buildings can cost a lot of money.

Network cables are so expensive!

but……\

"Do you have an interface?"

Hearing Sui Kuan's question, Li Mu shook his head slightly.

All the desks had ports, but... his and Sui Kuan's didn't.

After thinking for a moment, Li Mu walked to Lin Naichen's desk:

"Editor-in-chief, Sui Kuan and I don't have network cable ports on our desks."

"?"

Lin Naichen was taken aback:

"No?"\

"Yes, no."

"???"

Lin Naichen looked genuinely bewildered, and even wandered around their workstations searching for something...

It was confirmed: everyone's desk had a network cable, but on these two desks... there wasn't even a port; several network cables were simply running under the desks.

"..."\

He frowned, thought for a moment, and said:

"I'm not entirely sure about that. Why don't you ask the logistics staff?"

That's what they say.

Because installing network cables during renovations is indeed not his responsibility.

But in reality, everyone, including those who overheard that the two men's desks didn't have network cable ports, knew perfectly well what was going on.

This includes Li Mu and Sui Kuan.

Why is there no interface?

It's simple.

It was an oversight.

What's wrong?

Would someone deliberately make things difficult for you two?

So Li Mu nodded and went directly to the logistics department's office.

Upon reporting this situation, the logistics personnel gave a very simple explanation:

"When we were installing the network cable, you two didn't fill in your workstation numbers. Without the proper paperwork, we didn't run the cables. No problem, just fill them in, and we'll handle it."

This answer sounds perfectly normal.

The two were away on business for several months and weren't present when filling out these forms, which was an oversight on their part.

But the problem is when will it be replenished... the logistics staff haven't given a definite answer.

Maybe tomorrow.

It could also be... many tomorrows.

As soon as Sui Kuan stepped out of the logistics department, his face turned cold:

"Damn it, is this how you play the game? This big director has no shame! Openly making things difficult for you!"

"Shh!"\

Li Mu interrupted his complaints and pulled him directly to the door to smoke:

"You should think about something else now."

"What?"

"If we have a wired internet connection, we'll definitely need a computer. Otherwise... we might not even get to use the computer."

"..."\

Sui Kuan's lips twitched.

My first reaction: It's okay, I have a laptop. It cost 28,000 yuan, Huayi Brothers bought it for me.

But my second reaction was...

"That's fucking outrageous!"

As he spoke, he pulled a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket.

Li Mu reached out and asked for one, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"This is just the beginning, nothing at all."

"...Damn it. I was a big shot in Yanjing, how come I'm suddenly a nobody here? Damn it!"

"..."\

Li Mu remained silent, watching the cigarette in his hand slowly burn, savoring the bitter taste in his mouth, and shook his head slightly.

"It doesn't matter."

The company has more money now; they're providing internet access and computers.

Not bad, looks pretty good.

But... I don't need it myself. Besides, if I really need to publish something, I can just borrow the internet connection.

"When will this ever end?"

Sui Kuan complained.

Li Mu remained silent.

But I know perfectly well what's going on in my mind...

That day won't be far off.

And just like that, after finishing their cigarette, the two returned to the office as if nothing had happened.

Then, on Wednesday, a team arrived at the company, carrying boxes with the "LENOVO" logo and starting to unload goods.

Li Mu and Sui Kuan watched as the boxes were carried into the office and piled up to one side.

Although they hadn't opened it yet, just looking at the "Lenovo computer" label, the two of them already knew what was inside.

So, Sui Kuan stretched his head and began to count.

One, two, three...

The office, excluding the two directors, has a total of 37 workstations.

There were only thirty-five computers.

"Thirty-five."

Upon hearing his words, Li Mu nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed.

Thirty-five it is then.

Why dwell on something you foresaw?