A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

Back at his workplace, Li Mu immediately sought out Bie Yan.

After handing over two boxes of N95 masks and a large bottle of hand sanitizer, Bie Yan said, puzzled:

"Little Li... I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but are you using this to test your cadres?"

He was truly speechless.

I thought to myself, even if you really do give me a gift, little brother, at least give me something new and interesting...

Why bother with all this?

Li Mu couldn't help but laugh:

"Hehe, these are all local specialties from my hometown. They're just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept them, brother."

"..."

Bie Yan's lips twitched.

I thought to myself, "Wow, your local specialties are definitely certified by the National Health and Family Planning Commission."

After giving his younger brother a disapproving look, he asked directly:

"Speak, what do you want from me?"

"That's how it is..."

Li Mu repeated the general outline of the matter once again.

Then, Bie Yan frowned.

After thinking for a moment, his gaze fell on the bottle of hand sanitizer on the table.

Now he understood that he had to accept the "gift" no matter what.

Furthermore, he understood the unusual nature of Director Zhong's words.

Putting everything else aside, this year's Lunar New Year's Eve is January 31st.

The Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner, and the year-end bonuses will be distributed in a couple of days... But whether it's the flu or anything else, this has never happened before.

But now...

Are you confident you can win?

"have no idea."

Li Mu shook his head honestly, but his gaze was firm:

"But I think it's still necessary to popularize some basic prevention knowledge, isn't it?"

"...So how should this article be written? Do you have any ideas?"

"Yes, it's almost Chinese New Year, so I'm writing a guide on preventative measures against infectious diseases before the holiday. The official reason is to prevent cross-infection of various diseases during the Spring Festival travel rush and when visiting relatives. But... as for the layout, Brother Bie, I hope it can be placed at the top of the page."

"...Okay. Your article has a good structure. Here's what you'll do: you write it. The requirement is that the protective measures must be based on scientific evidence. Is that alright?"

"No, I have the phone number of Director Chung's student; I can ask him about the information there."

"Okay, bring it to me within two days. Today is the 13th, so give it to me before the 16th. Any questions?"

"no."

"Okay, go ahead. But remember, there can be no bias. Just promote things like frequent handwashing and ventilation; just provide general science information, understand?"

"OK."

……

On the 15th, the Southern Metropolis Daily published its Spring Festival work schedule.

Li Mu's name was prominently listed.

Looking at the schedule, Li Mu sighed inwardly.

It looks like I won't be able to go back for Chinese New Year this year.

Then, he called home and told them that he couldn't go home for the Chinese New Year this year.

Li Dajiang was initially reluctant, but it was indeed the company's schedule, and there was nothing he could do about it. He simply asked Li Muchu when he would be back and planned to leave the fried meatballs and other New Year's goods that the family had prepared for their son.

Then, on the 16th.

[With the Spring Festival travel rush approaching, don't bring the virus home - Spring Festival disease prevention handbook] This article, written by reporter Li Mu and verified by Bie Yan, was published in the health column of the arts and culture section.

That evening, Fan Bingbing finally returned to China.

"Hey, baby, I'm home..."

Having been away from her homeland for so long, she was clearly still jet-lagged and ended up chatting with Li Mu for over two hours.

We talked about everything from rented shops in New York, to the company, to raw material processing plants and pattern making, and then an invitation came through:

"I'll stay home for two days, finish up my work at the company, and then come find you. I'll spend a few days with you before heading back to my hometown."

Li Mu didn't think much of it, assuming that the "company matters" she mentioned referred to Fan Li.

He readily agreed.

"Sure, when are you planning to come?"

"How about after the Lunar New Year, I can spend a couple of days with you? Then I'll try to get out of here as soon as possible after the New Year this year."

"OK."

then……

She couldn't come.

Li Mu didn't let her come over.

January 27th, four days before the Lunar New Year.

The annual meeting has been held and year-end bonuses have been distributed. All staff members of the Southern Metropolis Daily are still on duty and show no signs of slacking off.

On that day, Zhou Long looked at the protection guidelines issued by the province to various newspapers, and finally, his gaze fell on Li Mu.

"Xiao Li, I remember you published an article a couple of days ago, and it was even based on popular science information from experts. So, I'll entrust this frontline work to you. Starting today, you can be stationed at the First Affiliated Hospital and send back first-hand clinical data via the internet every day."

"!"

Bie Yan frowned, about to speak instinctively.

Are you trying to push my little brother into a fire pit?

But Li Mu was even faster than him.

"Understood, Director."

Li Mu's answer was calm; he had known things would turn out this way.

Judging from the current situation, this matter is far from simple. His professional ethics as a journalist prevented him from hiding in the background and turning a blind eye to this situation.

So, without Zhou Long saying anything more, this was also his plan.

Seeing Li Mu agree so readily, Zhou Long was also taken aback...

The two newcomers next to Li Mu stared at him with wide eyes.

This Mr. Li... truly lives up to his reputation as a reporter who risked his life to cover 9/11.

He's a ruthless person.

Next, Li Mu packed up his camera and memory card, and then went to find Wang Hai.

I borrowed a modified Toyota Prado from Hai Ge.

This is the vehicle that Wang Hai used when he went off-road camping with his friends. The two of them had talked about it when they were having dinner before, saying that this vehicle could be used as a mobile home as long as the back seats were folded down.

Li Mu really didn't plan to go home. In this special time, staying home was a responsibility to himself and others.

After driving the car out, he stuffed a bunch of luggage inside, including pillows and blankets, and once everything was ready, he drove the car directly into the parking lot of the hospital.

He didn't tell his girlfriend anything about going to the front lines, and he didn't want her to worry.

As for Bie Ge and Sui Kuan's attempts to dissuade them... it's too late now, and it's pointless.

However, when Guan Yi was processing Li Mu's temporary pass, he saw the Prado and the luggage in it, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes despite wearing a mask and protective goggles.

But he didn't say much more.

At this moment... there's no need to say anything.

Li Mu spent New Year's Eve in his car.

Like the frontline staff at the hospital, he ate fish balls he had packed from the cafeteria, sat on the hood of his Prado, and listened to the firecrackers outside, his gaze calm.

……

February 9th, [Debunking Rumors: Fumigating with white vinegar cannot cure diseases...], Reporter: Li Mu, Photo: Li Mu.

February 10, [Interview with expert: It's not necessarily chlamydia...] Reporter: Li Mu, Photo: Li Mu.

March 4th, [First Release, Southern Metropolis Daily reporter bravely ventures into the ICU...] Reporter: Li Mu, Photo: Li Mu.

3月19日、4月2日、4月13日……5月3日……6月7日……

In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

(This chapter is a bit short, only 2k words, mainly because... so I'll skip it quickly. It's time for our Little Li to go!)