My absurd experiences in North America over the years

Spring arrived quietly in 2007.

The oak trees in Nashville are sprouting new buds, the lawns have turned from withered yellow to light green, and the waterbirds on the riverbank are gradually becoming more active.

Li Fu's life was like a ship with a set course, smooth and quiet, occasionally turbulent on some inconspicuous wave, but quickly returning to its own rhythm.

He exercised extreme restraint in his foreign exchange trading.

Most of the time, I turn on my computer every morning, check the euro-dollar exchange rate, review my account holdings, then turn off the computer and do other things.

He doesn't need to operate frequently; the closer it gets to 2008, the more likely he is to make mistakes with unnecessary actions.

As profits accumulate, he occasionally buys more euros and sells dollars when prices are low.

The position size should always be kept between 5% and 10%. This safety line cannot be crossed, even for a time traveler like him.

The fluctuations in financial markets are too unpredictable.

He only knew the general direction; many details of market fluctuations had long since disappeared into the dust of history twenty years later, and no one would have recorded them.

Therefore, he was unaware of those fluctuations.

He needs enough self-control to proceed smoothly.

Only with sufficient stability can one avoid being completely devoured by the cruelty of the financial market.

Because he no longer needed to constantly monitor the market, he had a lot of free time. In addition to exercising and practicing his marksmanship, he began to focus his attention on the East and West Coasts.

The economic development of the United States is actually more distorted than that of China.

Their economic focus is primarily concentrated in areas with large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

The central and southwestern regions are relatively underdeveloped and poor.

New York has Wall Street, Los Angeles has Hollywood, and Chicago has the futures market.

It can be said that, apart from Chicago, most of the high-quality industries are concentrated on the East and West Coasts, centered around New York and Los Angeles.

Li Fu naturally needs to pay attention to those two sides when making investments.

In fact, the Forrest family's private hospitals are most concentrated on the East and West coasts, but their headquarters are in Nashville.

However, Li Fu would sometimes shift his gaze from North America to the other side of the ocean.

As a time traveler who has experienced the next twenty years.

He knew better than anyone that the next twenty years belonged to China, and if the goal was to maximize the returns on investment, then this period of rapid growth could not be missed.

In May, based on market research and his memories from his past life, he used more than five million US dollars to register two investment companies in Shenzhen and Hong Kong respectively.

The original owner's identity information was used during registration.

At that time, the country was actively attracting investment and offered many preferential policies, which saved him a lot of red tape.

Li Fu finally selected several technology companies that he was familiar with from his previous life and wrote their names down in his notebook.

It's certainly not the right time yet; these companies haven't started fundraising, and some haven't even been established yet.

But he wasn't in a hurry at all.

No one understands the domestic economic trend better than him.

Even the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) has to admit defeat in this regard.

Lucy is much busier than him.

Thomas entrusted her with the public bidding process, and she spent nearly three months sorting out, evaluating, and listing more than ten commercial real estate projects owned by the Forrest family in Florida and Tennessee.

After the tender documents were sent out, companies from all over the United States participated in the bidding, and she personally reviewed the qualifications of all the bidding companies.

At the end of May, the last project was completed and handed over.

The transaction price was 12 percent higher than the appraised value and nearly $18 million higher than Cole's initial estimate.

Lucy finished compiling the report and personally delivered it to Forrest Manor for her father to review.

Thomas didn't even look at it, but he did praise Lucy to her face, which was quite unusual.

Of course, his praise actually focused more on other aspects.

After he reminded her, his daughter behaved very restrained.

In the old father's view, at least his daughter's relationship with Li Fu was not made public.

This is what makes him feel gratified.

Lucy's fear stemmed from her father's decision to expel Li Fu from Nashville.

At the same time, they also had to consider the family's reputation.

This world has its own rules, and the same applies to powerful families across the United States.

You can question whether such a rule is unreasonable or inhumane, but you cannot ignore its existence.

After becoming involved in the family's business operations, Lucy's understanding of this issue deepened.

Both she and Li Fu need to grow further.

Whether it's ability or fame.

On the other hand, the market value of Big Machine Records, which Li Fu acquired, increased rapidly in a short period of time.

The reason, of course, is the future superstar.

Taylor Swift's debut album, "Taylor Swift," demonstrates a strong, long-lasting appeal.

When the album was first released last October, sales were not explosive, which even made her feel insecure. During the album's release period, she even went to subway entrances to perform.

However, as time went by, her music showed an amazing vitality.

Sales have been steadily increasing and have never stopped.

By the summer of 2007, the album had sold over one million copies, earning platinum certification.

This number has exceeded everyone's expectations for an 18-year-old newcomer to country music.

Big Machine Records hosted a grand celebration banquet for her.

The event took place at a private club in downtown Nashville and invited more than twenty guests.

The group included record company executives, radio DJs, music critics, other country singers, and several media personnel who flew in from New York.

The banquet lights were dimmed, and the crystal chandelier reflected tiny specks of light onto the champagne in everyone's hands.

Taylor Swift, dressed in a light blue evening gown, moved nervously and excitedly through the crowd like a little peacock that had just learned to spread its tail feathers.

At this point, she was still a little inexperienced in handling such situations.

Scott Pochetti, CEO of Big Machine Records, was raising a glass and beaming as he boasted to several media representatives who had flown in from New York about the album's "long-term miracle."

Others were happy to flatter him.

The scene was very harmonious and lively.

Of course, everything he said was true.

This album will continue to be a long and successful release in the future.

Until sales exceeded seven million copies.

That must have been after 2009.

At the height of the celebration banquet, the previously noisy venue suddenly quieted down.

The crowd parted as if by an invisible tide, automatically making way for a man in a dark gray bespoke suit who walked in.

Unlike the others who talked and laughed loudly, he simply nodded slightly and walked steadily through the crowd.

Scott immediately went to greet him.

His smile was even brighter than before, and it also carried a greater sense of respect.

Taylor Swift froze on the spot when she saw who it was.

If she wasn't mistaken, the person who came was a neighbor in the community she was relatively familiar with, who had helped her complete the song "Love Story" a few months ago.

She wanted to express her gratitude, but the other party was not home each time she visited.

Look at Scott's attitude towards him...

Could he be... the boss behind the record company?

Scott Pochetti was the first to go forward.

"Mr. Li, you've arrived," he said, bowing slightly and gesturing for them to enter.

Li Fu nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over Scott's shoulder, across the room, and finally landing on Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift stood there, clutching the fabric of her skirt in both hands, her knuckles white, looking somewhat lost.

At that moment, she felt a buzzing in her head, as if someone had plucked a bass string in her ear.

Who is the financial backer behind the acquisition of Big Machine Records?

Or was it that young neighbor who helped her perfect the score?

Li Fu stopped in front of her, with about half a meter between them.

"Congratulations. I think you'll experience moments like this many more times," he said in a steady and friendly voice.

Just like that drizzly dusk.

Taylor Swift opened her mouth, managing to utter the words "thank you."

But what she really wanted to ask was, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

And are you willing to help me because you're my boss?

But the words were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't get any of them out.

Li Fu took a glass of champagne from the passing waiter's tray and lightly clinked it against the glass in her hand.

A crisp "ding" sounded, like a small pebble being tossed into a calm lake.

"Did you move?" Taylor Swift gathered her thoughts and asked slowly, "I went to find you later to express my gratitude, but you weren't home."

"Sometimes I get home very late, and when I do, I'm all alone anyway," Li Fu shrugged.

He spends most of his time in the office, gym, and shooting range, and often goes back to his place to sleep late at night.

Sometimes it's simply in a hotel.

During this period, they barely had time to date Lucy. The storm of 2008 was coming, and they both had to prepare.

"I see, that's really unfortunate," Taylor Swift said with a hint of regret.

Her family education was very strict; she was not allowed to go out too late.

In general, both she and Lucy came from traditional white families and had some similarities in their family education.

However, she comes from a middle-class family; her parents originally ran a farm, and now her father has switched careers to become a stockbroker.

Lucy, on the other hand, comes from a truly wealthy and prestigious family.

"There's nothing to regret," Li Fu said, handing his business card to Taylor Swift. "You can call me anytime if you need anything."

Taylor Swift took the business card, saw the title on it, and took a deep breath.

She tried to make her voice sound normal.

"You...are you really the owner of Big Machine Records?"

"Yes, you might not believe it," Li Fu said, taking a sip of champagne. "I wasn't originally very interested in the music industry. The reason I acquired Big Machine Records wasn't because I wanted to start a record company, but because you were one of their signed artists."

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze as if something had come to it.

"Just because of me?" Taylor Swift was quite surprised.

Her father was a minor shareholder in Big Machine Records, holding a very small number of shares.

She also learned from her father that Big Machine Records was being acquired for as much as ten million US dollars.

This amount sounds enormous to her now.

At the beginning of the year, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Big Machine Records was a small workshop.

There are many in Nashville.

Nobody would offer ten million dollars.

Is all of this because of her?

"Of course, I'm optimistic that you'll become the hottest global superstar in the next ten years," Li Fu nodded seriously.

Few people can truly deserve the title of global superstar.

Taylor Swift, holding a glass of champagne, was completely stunned.

She looked at the man in front of her, whom she had known for several months but had never truly understood.

The other person seemed to know her very well.

They barely crossed paths, so much so that she remembered every single moment clearly.

The unexpected humming she overheard, the melody that helped her perfect the score, the door she couldn't open despite repeated knocking, and her unexpected appearance at the celebration party.

That seems to be all.

But why?

Why does his demeanor and tone make it seem like he's known me for a long time?

Also, why are the expectations for her so high?

Even now, she feels like she's in a dream.

Even though he himself felt he might not be able to achieve it, his eyes were filled with such certainty.

Will that day really come?

Taylor Swift doesn't know why, but she started to believe him.

At least that heart-fluttering telepathic connection was real, wasn't it?

"Of course, that day won't be too far off," Li Fu downed his champagne in one gulp. "Next time you need to see me, remember to call me first, and I'll be back in advance."

He was about to leave.

The purpose of my visit today was to help his new talent transform into a superstar more quickly and to give her some encouragement.

Taylor Swift nodded, stood still, and watched him disappear around the corner at the end of the corridor.

She wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

In the days following the celebration party, Big Machine Records seemed to be on fast-forward, and began to fully promote Taylor Swift's music.

After finishing up her real estate business, Lucy began to keep her promise, taking the newcomer to various fashion events and music festivals as the eldest daughter of the Forrest family.

It wasn't just a simple attendance; it was being introduced to everyone, seated at the head table, and treated as an important person.

In this area, almost no one would refuse to give her face.

When Taylor Swift first participated in a major music festival in Tennessee, Lucy specially arranged a prime-time performance for her.

Her musical talent is undeniable; given a platform, she can immediately shine.

The show's successful performance almost immediately attracted the attention of Universal Music.

Indeed, Lucy played a significant role in it.

However, Taylor Swift's musical talent is equally indispensable.

With Lucy's help, Universal Music and Big Machine Records quickly reached a cooperation agreement.

Universal Music will leverage its global channels to fully promote Taylor Swift's music.

This means that her album will be released simultaneously in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and her songs will appear on radio stations and streaming platforms in more countries.

In Li Fu's memory, Taylor Swift's second album, "Fearless," was released at the end of 2008.

Her single "Love Story" propelled her to mainstream success, making her a globally renowned star.

In this timeline, the moment of breaking into the mainstream seems to have come even earlier.

Before 2008 even arrived, Taylor Swift had already begun receiving interview requests from the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Her name appeared on some music charts she had never heard of before. The little princess of country music in Nashville is becoming a nationally renowned singer and even gaining global recognition.

As a result, the market value of Big Machine Records naturally began to rise.

Let alone ten million dollars.

I'm afraid even 30 million wouldn't be enough to buy this record company.

Cole shook his head as he looked at the entertainment section of the newspaper, which was full of reports about superstar newcomers from Big Machine Records.

He really couldn't understand what kind of magic Li Fu possessed.

Is it really possible to predict the future?

Li Fu, on the other side, naturally knew that all of this was just the beginning.

He didn't take it to heart at all. What bothered him these past two days was that one of his assistants, Thompson, had taken three days of personal leave and still hadn't reported for duty when the leave ended.

Out of concern, he called to inquire, but the other party said that there had been a major change in their family situation and they were probably unable to work for the time being.

Thompson was Lucy's carefully selected assistant, and he was diligent and hardworking.

If we were to hire another person, it would be difficult for them to have the same mindset.

Furthermore, he said that in his previous life, he died suddenly due to the 996 work schedule and therefore harbored deep hatred for unscrupulous capitalists.

He can no longer become the person he hates.

So he decided to go to Thompson's house to see if he could help solve anything that wasn't too difficult.

It was during this trip that he truly witnessed the horrors of cults.