A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

【Cassilin Watch Shop】

[Mike Used Cars]

[For a refreshing, non-greasy feel, this is the perfect choice for you.]

[30% off, don't miss out today!]

Inside the taxi, Li Mu looked at everything on the roadside... GG signs, promotional slogans, shop names.

Look at them one by one.

These English words, which he couldn't understand before without careful thought, are now as familiar to him as eating and drinking, becoming a given.

No need to think, no need to recall.

He already knew the meaning when he saw these English words.

It's as if... he's a native of this place.

Clearly, like the conman, some of Fatty's "skills" remained in his body after that dream.

Just then, a male voice came from the taxi radio:

The Pentagon has confirmed that the attack has resulted in at least 25 casualties...

Upon hearing this, the driver said speechlessly:

"Damn it... what the hell is this?"

Li Mu thought for a moment and asked in English:

"A tough day, huh?"

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror and nodded.

"Yeah, it was a tough day. First the Empire State Building, then the Pentagon—what's going on with all those planes flying in the sky?"

"How's the situation in Manhattan?"

"I don't know, there are many blocks over there that you can't go. Sir, I can only drop you off as close to the address as possible. If they don't allow you to get close, you'll have to get off."

Okay, I understand.

Li Mu responded with a sound of agreement and then fell silent again.

It was a little past 4 p.m., not quite 5 p.m. The sky was still clear, but Li Mu wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but it seemed like there were fewer cars on the road.

Especially as we get closer to Manhattan, there are fewer and fewer cars.

But gradually, fire trucks replenishing water and ambulances and police cars speeding by could be seen on the roadside.

Finally, three blocks away from the Twin Towers, Li Mu had to pay the fare and get out of the car.

Police cars have already set up a cordon, so taxis can't get through.

So, Li Mu got out of the car and dialed the phone number that Brother Bie had sent along with the address.

The call was answered quickly:

"hello?"

Upon hearing that it was in English, Li Mu responded in English:

"Hello, this is Wood Lee, a reporter for the Southern Metropolis Daily. My supervisor gave me your contact information and asked me to contact you. I've arrived at the Atlantic Road Motel on Atlanta Road outside the Twin Towers, but I can't get in; it's cordoned off. What should I do now?"

"...Chinese?"

Upon hearing this, the other person immediately switched to Mandarin.

"Uh...yes, hello."

"Southern Metropolis Daily, reporter Li Mu, right? Hello, this is Qin Kai, head of the Chinese community's New York bureau. Are you at the Atlantic Motel? Did you bring your press pass?"

"Hello, Professor Qin, I didn't bring my press pass."

"...Okay, then wait for me at the traffic light intersection in front of the hotel, and I'll have someone come out to meet you."

"OK."

Li Mu responded and then hung up the phone.

Then he sent a message to Bie Yan:

"Brother Bie, I've already contacted the Chinese community. The person who answered the phone is Qin Kai, the person in charge here. Is there anything I need to be careful about later?"

Bieyan replied very quickly:

"Be careful not to be impolite. Qin Kai is specifically in charge of UN news, so just cooperate with him. Also, keep your phone accessible; you have at least four live interview assignments today, so prepare in advance."

"Okay, Brother Bie, I understand."

Bie Yan didn't reply, while Li Mu went to the intersection where the police tape had been put up, politely nodded to the police officers on duty, and waited to the side.

About ten minutes later, a Toyota drove up.

One person got off the bus.

He was a young Chinese man, probably around 30 years old. After getting off the bus, he immediately spotted Li Mu standing at the intersection and quickly asked:

"Is this reporter Li Mu?"

"Oh, it's me. And you are?"

"My name is Zhang Linjie, a reporter for the Chinese community in New York. Hello, hello..."

After the two shook hands across the police tape, the other person quickly pulled out a press pass entirely in English and handed it to the police officer.

"These are reporters from our Chinese community; this is their work certificate..."

After speaking with the police, they let me go.

Reporters have the right to conduct interviews. Although an outer cordon has been set up, this cordon is for ordinary citizens and does not restrict reporters.

So, after Li Mu crossed the cordon, he got into the car directly with Zhang Linjie.

"Teacher Zhang, how's the situation at the Twin Towers?"

"……well."

Zhang Linjie suddenly sighed:

"You'll know once you take a look... By the way, were you there when this happened? Did you take those photos too?"

Li Mu didn't know which photos he was referring to, but he nodded nonetheless:

"I was definitely there. And... to be honest, if I hadn't skipped breakfast and been eating taco at a food truck here, I might have been among those corpses."

"..."

Zhang Linjie's lips twitched.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

All I can say is... she's incredibly lucky.

He drove quickly, passing two intersections in a row, and finally arrived at the outer perimeter of the Petronas Towers, the place where Li Mu took photos during the day.

Then... Li Mu was dumbfounded.

"What...are those?"

Looking at the long, white bags surrounding the building surrounded by various vehicles, he already knew what they were, but he still couldn't help but ask himself a question.

What are these...?

Could it be...?

"The corpse."

Zhang Linjie gave the answer, then sighed helplessly:

"The body is waiting to be transported away so that the family can identify it."

"..."

Li Mu instantly lost the ability to speak.

His eyes were glazed over as he stared blankly at the workers in protective suits, one at the head and one at the feet, carrying body bags onto the vehicle. His mind went completely blank.

Why are there so many people?

How could so many people have died?!

"How... can there be so many!?"

Hearing his murmur, Zhang Linjie slowly parked the car next to a van-style news truck, turned off the engine, and said:

"This is only a part. These are mainly from the collapsed Building 2. As for Building 1, apart from those buried in the rubble, the ones that could be found... have already been taken away."

"...Only Building Number Two!?"

Li Mu subconsciously raised his voice.

Zhang Linjie nodded:

"Yes, just Building No. 2."

His tone was calm, but combined with the scene before Li Mu's eyes, a...unspeakable coldness completely swept over him.