Chapter 153 Finding a Breakthrough

Having lived two lives, Li Mu possessed a much deeper understanding of many things than the average person. Yet, politics remained a blind spot. He hadn't understood it in his past life, and he still didn't understand it in this one.

When he said he didn't understand, he meant he was clueless about the true operational laws of politics. He didn't even know what circumstances had to align for a civil servant to truly embark on a political career, nor did he hold any genuine personal interest in such matters.

Creating 3321 had been nothing more than an accidental spark for Li Mu. Had Liu Naina not lamented the difficulty of finding part-time work that day, the flash of inspiration to build 3321 would never have occurred. Consequently, when he set 3321 into motion, his mind was occupied solely with the practical significance it could generate, never once pondering its political implications.

Song Liang had not expected Li Mu to be so mature in every other aspect while remaining somewhat oblivious to politics. A heaven-defying student startup project like 3321 fundamentally aligned with China's mainstream values at a conceptual level. Not only did it cater to the tastes of leadership, but it also suited the preferences of mainstream media. More valuable still, beyond its conceptual alignment, its scope for practical execution was immense and deeply grounded in reality. Once launched, it would naturally appeal to the masses. Opportunities that checked every single box so favorably were exceedingly rare, yet 3321 happened to be one of them.

And so, Song Liang delivered a thorough political lesson to Li Mu.

"If 3321 achieves a certain degree of success, it will first become the darling of the media. I can tell you this: most media outlets have quotas related to mainstream values. Within every specific cycle, they must find ways to promote these values, so they actively hunt for similar deeds to heavily publicize. Sometimes, trivial matters can be blown up until they are known nationwide. You can imagine that once a model like 3321 succeeds, it will undoubtedly become the media's pet."

Li Mu readily agreed with Song Liang's perspective. Although he didn't understand politics, he had watched plenty of television and news. Thinking about it now, 3321 did indeed closely follow the overarching direction of mainstream values without the slightest deviation.

Song Liang continued, "3321 targets students—specifically, those at Beijing's top universities. The presidents of these institutions hold vice-ministerial ranks, so you can imagine their standing in the eyes of the state. Your 3321 is rooted in higher education and education itself. Not only does it provide part-time employment opportunities for college students, but it also contributes talent and effort to the cultivation of future higher education graduates. On this point, you've scored top marks. If your 3321 can successfully mobilize part-time work for students across these Beijing universities, you'll score a hundred out of a hundred. If you can expand 3321 nationwide, out of a hundred points, you'll get ten thousand! By then, you might even become an honored guest in various ministries and commissions."

Li Mu experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment. Viewed from another angle, 3321 possessed such profound political significance.

Song Liang sighed softly, "Brother, if you enter politics in the future, a magnificent career path lies right before you."

Li Mu smiled faintly and shook his head. "Let's forget it. I'm fine tinkering with the internet and doing a bit of business. My brain just isn't wired for political games, and it's too exhausting. Better to make good money and become a successful business figure in the future."

Song Liang chuckled. "I figured you wouldn't care for politics. No matter, though. 3321 is your protective amulet to roam unhindered through the educational system. If you grow it big enough, you can walk sideways through the entire educational hierarchy."

Li Mu pondered this and laughed. "If that day really comes, even if I fail every single one of my exams, I suppose I'll still manage to get my degree."

"More than just a degree," Song Liang said. "A student with your kind of halo—if you want to pursue postgraduate studies, schools and advisors will fight over you."

Li Mu's mind cleared completely. What Song Liang said made total sense. If 3321 grew strong and influential, he truly would be able to do as he pleased within the educational system. To say the least, Renmin University would never place any restrictions on him in the future.

Having finished his crash course in politics from Song Liang, Li Mu settled on a time to sign their contract. Song Liang had to accompany Ye Tianming's father to a meeting the next day, but he would be free the day after to meet Li Mu, sign the agreement, and have his finance department wire the funds upon his return.

Knowing that Song Liang was always decisive in his actions, Li Mu finalized the appointment for the day after tomorrow and said no more.

On his way back to the dormitory, Li Mu kept mulling over Song Liang's words. Compared to someone like Song Liang who had spent years navigating the complexities of society, he still had a significant gap to bridge. For instance, when looking at problems, his perspective was sometimes too simplistic, and at other times overly complicated, lacking the ability to pierce straight to the essence of a matter.

Recalling Zhang Qing's abnormal behavior earlier that day, Li Mu felt even more strongly that there was some hidden trickery at play that he couldn't quite fathom. Still, not understanding it yet didn't matter; by searching for a breakthrough, he might just find some progress.

When he reached the dorm, the other five were already back. As soon as Li Mu stepped through the door, he asked, "Lads, do any of you know anyone close to Zhang Qing?"

"Zhang Qing? The guy you fought with earlier?" Xue Jianfeng asked curiously.

Li Mu nodded. "I want to find someone he trusts and is close to."

Xue Jianfeng spread his hands. "I don't know anyone on the university swimming team."

Sun Jian chimed in awkwardly, "Me neither. Not a single person."

Hu Zhengdao thought for a moment and said, "I have a fellow townsman, two years senior to me. We aren't very close, but I once saw him playing football on the sports field with Zhang Qing's crowd."

Li Mu immediately said, "Let's go with him. Help me set up a meeting with him tomorrow noon."

Hu Zhengdao agreed instantly. "No problem. Should we meet on campus or outside?"

"Outside. Let's go to Xiangweilou. My treat for the two of you."

Hu Zhengdao suggested, "In that case, I won't mention your name upfront. I'll just say I'm treating him to a meal."

"Sounds good."

...

At noon the next day, Li Mu had already secured a private room at Xiangweilou. A little past twelve, Hu Zhengdao walked into the room accompanied by another male student. Upon seeing Li Mu, the student's expression instantly flickered with surprise.

Li Mu recognized him as well. Back when he had brawled with Zhang Qing and his gang on the sports field, this student had been one of those playing football with them. However, Li Mu distinctly remembered that this person hadn't actually joined in the physical fight.

Unaware that the two had already met and left an impression on each other, Hu Zhengdao took a seat and introduced them to Li Mu. "This is my fellow townsman, Yu Xingjie."

Li Mu nodded with a smile at Yu Xingjie, extended a hand, and said, "Hello, my name is Li Mu."

Yu Xingjie was certainly familiar with Li Mu's big reputation. When Li Mu had fought four men single-handedly, Yu Xingjie had stood off to the side, watching coldly as Li Mu laid several people, including Zhang Qing, flat on the ground. Seeing Li Mu here now, he felt a flicker of surprise, but he quickly guessed that Li Mu was hosting today's meal and grew immensely curious about his true motives for inviting him.

Earlier, Hu Zhengdao had privately filled Li Mu in on Yu Xingjie. As it turned out, Yu Xingjie came from the same town as Hu Zhengdao, though from a different village. Hu Zhengdao had previously been classmates with Yu Xingjie's younger sister, but the two boys had no real friendship. In all the time Hu Zhengdao had been at Renmin University, he had only seen Yu Xingjie once—and that was because Yu Xingjie hadn't gone home for the summer, so Hu Xingjie's sister had asked him to bring some local specialty products from home.

On that occasion, Yu Xingjie had thanked Hu Zhengdao profusely and insisted on treating him to a meal, only to drag him down to the university cafeteria. Once inside, the two of them ordered less than twenty yuan worth of food. Hu Zhengdao had foolishly and politely offered to pay, and Yu Xingjie hadn't bothered to decline. Left with no choice, Hu Zhengdao had gritted his teeth and footed the bill. Ever since then, Hu Zhengdao had concluded that Yu Xingjie lacked integrity, never sought him out again, and Yu Xingjie had never looked for him either.

That morning, Hu Zhengdao had taken the initiative to visit Yu Xingjie's class and invite him to lunch. Yu Xingjie had accepted without a moment's hesitation, and the moment class ended, the two met up and headed over together.

Not long after Hu Zhengdao and Yu Xingjie arrived, the waiter brought out the cold dishes. Hu Zhengdao tried to urge Yu Xingjie to have a glass of beer, but Yu Xingjie declined adamantly on the grounds that he had afternoon classes.

Li Mu didn't immediately bring up Zhang Qing with Yu Xingjie. Instead, while urging him and Hu Zhengdao to help themselves to the food, he quietly observed Yu Xingjie.

As Hu Zhengdao was eating, his phone suddenly rang. Wang Nairan sent him a text asking what he was having for lunch, and Hu Zhengdao casually replied that Li Mu was treating him to a meal.

After sending a quick reply, Hu Zhengdao set his phone aside and continued eating. Meanwhile, Yu Xingjie kept his eyes stealthily fixed on Hu Zhengdao and the brand-new Nokia 8250 sitting beside his hand.

Li Mu noticed that Yu Xingjie's gaze was quite peculiar—flashing between envy and sullen anger. And all these shifting expressions had been triggered simply by Hu Zhengdao pulling out that 8250.

Suddenly, Li Mu realized he had found his breakthrough.

He pulled out his own Ericsson T39, easily one of the most expensive phone models on the market at the moment. Yu Xingjie recognized the model at a glance, and the envy in his eyes intensified a notch. Yet, strangely, Li Mu noticed that Yu Xingjie did not hold the same sullen resentment toward him as he did toward Hu Zhengdao.

Deliberately, Li Mu said to Yu Xingjie, "Brother Yu, Zhengdao has always told me you're a great guy, and since you're fellow townsmen, I wanted to get to know you. How about we exchange phone numbers?"

"This..." Yu Xingjie hesitated for a moment, a flush of embarrassment crossing his face as he said, "My phone got lost..."

Li Mu looked genuinely surprised. "How did you lose it? Was it stolen?"

In truth, Yu Xingjie didn't even own a phone. Like Hu Zhengdao, he came from a nationally designated impoverished county. Hu Zhengdao's father had at least some trade skills and could earn a bit of extra cash during his spare time to supplement the household, whereas Yu Xingjie's parents were ordinary farmers who farmed year-round and barely scraped together enough to cover their food rations, let alone earn extra cash—especially with a younger sister at home. Providing him with basic living expenses was already a massive stretch; there was simply no spare money to buy him a phone.

However, seeing Li Mu casually pull out a phone worth three thousand yuan and ask such a question, Yu Xingjie was far too ashamed to admit he didn't have one. He could only invent the story about losing it to salvage a shred of pride. He never expected Li Mu to keep probing, forcing him to continue weaving the lie: "I went mountain climbing with some classmates a while ago, and after coming down, I found out the phone was gone."

Yu Xingjie spoke without any conviction, feeling that his excuse sounded rather far-fetched. Yet Li Mu merely nodded with an understanding smile and said, "Losing a phone in the mountains really leaves you helpless. There's nowhere even to look for it."

Yu Xingjie forced an awkward laugh and chimed in, "Yeah, impossible to find."

Li Mu looked at Yu Xingjie, as if struck by a sudden flash of inspiration. He placed his own phone on the table in front of him and said, "Brother Yu, how do you find this phone of mine? Do you want to take it and use it?"