A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

Chapter 335 Group Leader

Li Mu stayed in Yanjing for another three days, during which time the couple took him to visit the home furnishing market in Yanjing.

In fact, Li Mu's original intention was to hand this matter over to Hai Ge.

If you need any furniture or anything, just mention it to Hai Ge and that's it.

But Fan Tao refused to allow it no matter what.

The house, Xiao Li bought it.

If you don't renovate your own home, then you really can't justify it.

However...

Well, how should I put it?

Li Mu didn't quite approve of the couple's taste.

I always felt it was a bit "outdated".

But he didn't say anything. Anyway, his girlfriend would be back in the middle of the month. He'd let her handle it then.

On the 13th, unaware of the beatings he would face upon returning to China, Xiao Fan embarked on his journey home.

Li Mu has already returned to his unit.

The 13th is the finale of the 39-episode TV series "Pink Lady".

This drama aired on Guangzhou TV on July 18th, and it finished airing on the 13th of this month, excluding other programs airing on Saturdays and Sundays.

Around 10 p.m., Li Mu had been waiting for news from Liu Baoteng.

It was just past 10:30 when the other party called.

As soon as Li Mu answered the call, he heard his extremely excited voice:

"Li Ji! It's out! The finale, episode 39, averaged 19.68% viewership, peaking at 20.01%, ranking first nationwide in its time slot! We've broken 20!!!!"

"ha."

Li Mu immediately burst out laughing:

"Congratulations, Manager Liu."

This data signifies the overall success of the TV series "Pink Ladies." Whether it's the role of "Wan Ren Mi" that propelled Chen Yi to even greater fame, or the roles played by Liu Ruoying and others, this successful series will undoubtedly elevate their fame to new heights in the future.

But this only applies to the actors.

For Li Mu, who owns 30% of the shares, this film represents a steady stream of income for at least the next two years.

A TV series with a peak viewership rating of over 20, even if it's only 20.01, is still a genuine 20+ rating. In the lower-tier market and in terms of DVD revenue, that would be a game-changer!

"Congratulations! Li Ji!!! Haha, with this achievement, we don't have to worry about anything! The highest offer from local TV stations is already 850,000, but we haven't sold! We're just waiting! Now, without a million, they can forget about getting the second round of broadcasting rights!"

Liu Baoteng's words represent real income.

Let's set the second round at one million. Putting everything else aside, there are so many TV stations across the country. If we sell five, that's five million in revenue.

And what about the third round? Assuming 60%, that's still 600,000. There might not be many TV stations that would spend 1 million to buy the second round of broadcasting rights, but spending 500,000 to 600,000 to buy the third round of broadcasting rights is not a big burden for local stations.

If there are ten companies, that's six million. And that's followed by a fourth round, a fifth round...

It's safe to say that for at least three years, "Pink Lady" will provide the production company with a steady stream of revenue.

No wonder Frowning Guy is so fond of this movie.

At first glance, this money might only seem like a few million, but considering the return on investment, this show... is really damn profitable!

Otherwise, so many people would want to be investors.

That's incredibly profitable!

"Li Ji, the company will settle accounts after the second round of sales. Do you have time to attend the celebration banquet?"

"Haha, of course there are."

"Okay, see you at the banquet then, hahaha!"

Li Mu hung up the phone with a happy smile, and his first thought was to share it with his girlfriend.

However, considering that the other party was on a plane, I had no choice but to send a message.

Then I fell asleep immediately.

On the afternoon of the 14th, Sui Kuan finished writing a report on the ratings of "Pink Lady" and submitted it.

It should be published in the newspaper tomorrow, which will definitely add fuel to the fire for this drama.

Just as Sui Kuan submitted the news to Lin Naichen, he saw Bie Ge walk into the office.

The two locked eyes.

"Xiao Sui, Xiao Li, come to my office."

"OK."

Sui Kuan responded, and Li Mu, hearing the noise, also stood up from his workstation.

The two exchanged a glance, and could roughly guess what it was about.

After entering Bieyan's office together, they saw the older brother making tea.

"You're here, have a seat."

Bie Yan pointed to the sofa and gestured for the two of them to sit down.

Then he said:

"I just finished a meeting at the company. I've already submitted the editorial team list for this project. You're both here."

Upon hearing this, Sui Kuan nodded subconsciously:

"When are you leaving?"

"It's not certain yet. After the list is submitted to Guangming Daily, they'll need to handle some administrative procedures. Xiao Sui, what about you..."

Bie Yan suddenly looked at Sui Kuan:

"You might be a bit busy these next few months. I'll be giving you the news about film and television awards for the second half of the year, as well as news about major conferences and the like. From now on, submit your articles directly to me as soon as you finish writing them. Even after you get there, I'll continue this approach. I'll try to get you enough substantial articles published by the end of the year, and then, taking advantage of the new unit's establishment, I'll promote you to senior reporter. Any questions?"

"!"

Sui Kuan's eyes lit up instantly:

"No problem, Brother Bie!"

"Okay, go find Shang Xiaobin now and prepare for your business trip to Beijing. The emblem for the 08 Olympics will be released the day after tomorrow; go get the on-site report. I've already spoken to him. Once you get to Beijing, just find Wu Han; everything's arranged for you!"

"OK!"

Sui Kuan stood up instantly:

"Thanks, Brother Bie, I'll go right now!"

"Okay, go ahead."

Without even taking a sip of tea, Fatty Sui left in a flurry.

After he left, the water boiled.

Bie Yan started brewing tea.

Soon, a cup of warm, mellow Dancong tea was placed in front of Li Mu, and Bie Yan said directly:

"Regarding the editorial department's structure, the group will continue to operate according to our established methods, covering politics, economics, culture, sports, and local affairs. However, I have already proposed a new department called the Online New Media Editorial Department. Its purpose is to combine the current mainstream operational approaches of online media."

"!"

Li Mu's eyes lit up.

Seeing his younger brother's excited expression, Bie Yan shook his head:

"Don't be too happy yet, let me finish."

"Well……"

"The division of responsibilities within this department is also very clear. First, all news is produced by other departments. This department is only responsible for compiling it onto the website that's yet to be developed. As for the website's operational status, it's actually hard to say right now. It depends on whether Guangming Daily will compete with us. After all, more and more privately-run newspapers are starting to do online news, so if they compete... we'll give way, understand?"

"...I don't quite understand."

"Our goal is to avoid taking on too much work. First of all, neither you nor I have much practical experience in website operation; we're just feeling our way in the dark. If Guangming Daily thinks it should be an administrative job, then we don't need to actively seek it out. We just need to keep the MMS message you mentioned."

"Understood."

"Well, the second thing is the staffing. As I said, this department doesn't have a dedicated news gathering and editing system; all the news comes from other departments. Therefore, its staff and editorial structure won't be very large; it's just a small department. Of course, although the department is small, the rank is the same as everyone else's. I'll be the department head. But..."

At this point, Bie Yan shook his head:

"This department won't have a deputy director or an editor-in-chief. Having a deputy director would mean that resources would have to be redistributed. That's the main reason why I insist that its editorial structure shouldn't be too large. I'll be the director, and the editorial staff under me... or rather, the people who know computer technology, will form a team, and you will be the team leader."

"..."

Seeing Li Mu's surprised look, the older brother explained his intention again:

"So, in this department, I'll be the only leader, and you'll be a leader too, though your official position will be the same as a senior reporter. The team leader position is nominal, and if you don't perform well, I'll have to close this department, and you'll have to go to the arts and sports department to gain experience. This is a way to protect you. But if you do well, like you said, something about a 'blue ocean'... then I'll apply for expansion, and then, you, the only one with management experience, will naturally be able to take over the position of deputy director. Understand?"

"Oh~~~~"

Now Li Mule finally understands how his older brother plans to "play" him:

"I understand, it's a matter of whether I can advance or retreat!"

"right."

Bie Yan, holding a teacup, smiled at Li Mu and said:

"After all, if this newspaper doesn't turn out well, you can't go years without publishing any news, right? That wouldn't look good on your resume. But let's make this clear first, I have absolutely no idea about new media or anything like that. And I only went to Yanjing during my busy schedule. In fact, you were the one who encouraged me to set up this department, so you're on your own, good or bad. Don't expect me to give you any advice. I'm an outsider too; computers and stuff like that are for you young people."

Regardless of whether this is an attempt to shift blame or something else.

Li Mu knew perfectly well that his elder brother had already laid out the unpleasant truths upfront.

Delegate authority.

True decentralization.

This department is essentially his personal fiefdom.

If this isn't handled well...

"Ha, Brother Bie, don't worry."

Li Mu also raised his teacup and offered it to his elder brother:

"I have confidence in myself!"

"That's fine then."

The older brother nodded:

"Do it well."