Chapter Summaries

Chu Tianqing visited Teacher Cindy’s styling studio to prepare for the banquet, where she received a costly gown, makeup, and an elegant hairstyle chosen to suit Shen Xixi. She arrived at the Shen family villa and faced the memories of Shen Xixi’s privileged past as she prepared to go inside.

• Chu Tianqing arrived at Teacher Cindy’s studio and politely reintroduced herself after Cindy complained that Shen Xixi had once forgotten her.
• Teacher Cindy showed Chu Tianqing the one-of-a-kind Gabriel gown Mr. Shen had selected, and Chu Tianqing learned it cost sixty thousand euros.
• Chu Tianqing changed into the light gray gown, had it altered, and asked Cindy for natural-looking makeup.
• Cindy finished Chu Tianqing’s makeup and braided hairstyle, leaving her amazed by her appearance.
• Chu Tianqing took a taxi to the Shen family villa and walked from the gate while memories of Shen Xixi’s childhood and lavish eighteenth birthday returned.
• Chu Tianqing took a deep breath and walked toward the Shen family home.

Chu Tianqing attended the Shen family banquet and worried about Shen Bufan’s late arrival. Shen Heng escorted Shen Bufan into the hall in a dazzling entrance, leaving Chu Tianqing stunned and wanting to run.

• Jiang Youyi welcomed Chu Tianqing home, and Chu Tianqing learned Shen Bufan planned to arrive on time despite being busy with school.
• Shen Heng found Chu Tianqing hiding on the terrace, reassured her, and led her into the banquet hall.
• Chu Tianqing gradually relaxed among the guests and waited with Jiang Youyi as seven o’clock approached, while Shen Bufan was still absent.
• Shen Heng received a call and went outside to meet Shen Bufan.
• Shen Bufan entered arm in arm with Shen Heng, making a striking entrance in a glittering diamond gown and drawing every guest’s attention.
• Chu Tianqing recognized that Shen Bufan had planned a grand return and felt so overwhelmed that she wanted to flee.

At the Shen family banquet, Shen Bufan was publicly welcomed as the family’s biological daughter while Shen Yunsheng affirmed that Chu Tianqing still belonged to the family. Later, Shen Heng tried to arrange a match for Chu Tianqing, leaving her feeling unwanted as she asked why he was trying to send her away again.

• Shen Yunsheng announced that Shen Bufan was his biological daughter and had been separated from the family while growing up.
• Shen Bufan introduced herself to the guests, and Shen Yunsheng assured them that Chu Tianqing remained a member of the Shen family.
• After Jiang Youyi was called away, Chu Tianqing avoided Shen Xixi’s clique and hid from the guests.
• Shen Heng found Chu Tianqing and said he wanted to introduce her to Ye Mingchen, whom he thought could make her happy.
• Chu Tianqing told Shen Heng that she had stayed because he insisted and asked why he was trying to send her away again.

After angrily leaving a banquet where Shen Heng tried to arrange a match for her, Chu Tianqing met Ye Mingchen and reluctantly exchanged contact information with him. She later agreed to show him around Jincheng, and the chapter ended as she warned him that her inexpensive clothes showed her real circumstances.

• Chu Tianqing rejected Shen Heng's attempt to arrange a match, shoved him, and left the banquet early.
• Chu Tianqing ran into Ye Mingchen, who offered her a ride and got her contact information after she arrived home.
• Chu Tianqing reassured Ms. Jiang, Papa Shen, and Shen Heng that she was safe, then reflected that Shen Heng had helped stop people from bothering her.
• Ye Mingchen invited Chu Tianqing to sightsee, clarified that he only wanted to be friends, and she agreed to meet him on the weekend.
• Chu Tianqing dressed plainly to discourage Ye Mingchen, told him her clothes cost only three hundred yuan, and asked whether he minded her being different from the eldest miss of the Shen family.

Chu Tianqing warmed to Ye Mingchen after learning he had admired her boldness at the Deercall Club, then spent the day with him and prepared for their dinner. Their conversation at a luxury restaurant was interrupted when Shen Heng arrived with another man, leaving Chu Tianqing embarrassed to be seen with Ye Mingchen.

• Chu Tianqing learned that Ye Mingchen had been at the Deercall Club banquet and had asked her brother to introduce them because he found her brave.
• Chu Tianqing took Ye Mingchen on a duck boat and around a botanical garden, and he praised the autumn scenery and her as a tour guide.
• Ye Mingchen suggested they buy Chu Tianqing suitable clothes before dinner, but she chose and paid for her dress, shoes, and shawl herself.
• Chu Tianqing and Ye Mingchen went to an upscale restaurant, where she asked why he had come to Jincheng and learned Qiao Ruhai was there with him to help Shen Heng.
• Shen Heng arrived at the restaurant with a cold-faced man, and Chu Tianqing felt awkward when she met her brother's gaze.

Chu Tianqing was caught having dinner with Ye Mingchen by Shen Heng, then joined them at Minghua Club, where Ye Mingchen danced with her and Shen Heng watched before stepping outside to smoke. Chu Tianqing followed him to apologize, but their tense exchange ended with her catching her heel and falling toward him.

• Shen Heng and Qiao Ruhai found Chu Tianqing dining with Ye Mingchen and joined them at the table.
• After dinner, Shen Heng suggested Minghua Club, where Ye Mingchen invited Chu Tianqing to dance.
• Chu Tianqing noticed Shen Heng had left their seats and went looking for him when he did not return.
• Chu Tianqing found Shen Heng smoking in the garden and tried to apologize, but her explanation irritated him.
• Shen Heng flicked Chu Tianqing's forehead, and she turned to leave before her heel caught between the stones and she began to fall.

Chu Tianqing and Shen Heng argued after he steadied her when she nearly fell, then discussed her meeting with Ye Mingchen and her strained relationship with the Shen family. As Shen Heng drove her home, Chu Tianqing asked him to reject Ye Mingchen on her behalf, leaving Shen Heng exasperated.

• Shen Heng caught Chu Tianqing when she stumbled, and she complained that he kept criticizing her apology and her choices.
• Shen Heng advised Chu Tianqing to dress more warmly and encouraged her to give Ye Mingchen a chance at dating.
• Chu Tianqing questioned Shen Heng about whose side he would take if she and Ye Mingchen fought, then grew irritated when Shen Heng urged her to visit their parents and promised she would not see Bufan.
• Chu Tianqing left with Shen Heng after the gathering, and he scolded her for creating an awkward situation with Ye Mingchen.
• Chu Tianqing asked Shen Heng to reject Ye Mingchen for her because she could not bring herself to turn down such a nice person, leaving Shen Heng stunned.

Chu Tianqing and Shen Heng discussed Ye Mingchen’s pursuit, while Shen Heng concealed his own feelings about the matter. Chu Tianqing visited the Shen family home for dinner and reunited with her parents and Shen Heng, who immediately teased her about the soup.

• Chu Tianqing guessed Shen Heng would not reject Ye Mingchen on her behalf, and Shen Heng encouraged her to give Ye Mingchen a chance.
• Chu Tianqing kept busy to avoid Ye Mingchen’s invitations, but they exchanged occasional messages while he worked with Shen Heng.
• Shen Heng told Chu Tianqing to come home for dinner on Wednesday, and she arranged the visit with Jiang Youyi.
• Chu Tianqing brought Jiang Youyi white roses, helped prepare dinner, and made Chinese yam and pigeon soup at the Shen family home.
• Papa Shen and Shen Heng arrived for dinner, and Shen Heng teased Chu Tianqing about whether she was willing to share her soup.

At dinner, Chu Tianqing helped ease Shen Heng’s frustration over work by bringing warmth back to the family gathering. Later, she invited him to walk her dog, but their outing began with Shen Heng objecting to the puppy’s name, Baogang.

• Father Shen and Jiang Youyi advised Shen Heng to be patient as he struggled to build connections in Jincheng, and Chu Tianqing lightened the mood by serving him soup.
• The family finished dinner and chatted together before Shen Heng drove Chu Tianqing home.
• Chu Tianqing told Shen Heng she had opened a restaurant with friends, and he criticized the timing before apologizing for his earlier frustration.
• Chu Tianqing comforted Shen Heng and invited him to walk the dog with her, and he agreed.
• At Chu Tianqing’s home, Shen Heng objected to the puppy being named Baogang and threatened to stop paying support unless she changed it.
• Chu Tianqing took Baogang outside anyway, and Shen Heng followed while insisting she should no longer ask him for support.

Chu Tianqing noticed Shen Heng acting unusually friendly with strangers and suspected he was bottling up his feelings. She arranged a golf outing with Shen Heng and their friends, and he agreed, smiling at her cheerful reply.

• Chu Tianqing urged Shen Heng to visit Aunt Jiang, but he said it was difficult to grow close to her after spending so little time together as a child.
• At the park, Shen Heng chatted warmly with Lili's grandfather while Baogang played, then began taking Baogang out regularly and calling him Rocky.
• Chu Tianqing asked Ye Mingchen whether Shen Heng had any unusual behavior, and Ye Mingchen said he had noticed nothing beyond Shen Heng's usual cold demeanor.
• Ye Mingchen told Chu Tianqing that Shen Heng enjoyed golf, so she arranged a group outing with Ye Mingchen and Qiao Ruhai.
• Shen Heng reluctantly agreed to join the golf outing, then smiled when Chu Tianqing sent him a cheering emoji.

Chu Tianqing joined Shen Heng, Ye Mingchen, and Qiao Ruhai for indoor golf, where Shen Heng vented his frustrations and his friends speculated about what was troubling him. After lunch, Shen Heng pulled Chu Tianqing into an empty lounge.

• Chu Tianqing arrived at the indoor golf facility with Shen Heng, Ye Mingchen, and Qiao Ruhai, and Ye Mingchen taught her how to swing a club.
• Shen Heng played aggressively while Ye Mingchen and Chu Tianqing laughed together, leading Qiao Ruhai to realize Shen Heng was in a foul mood.
• Chu Tianqing told Ye Mingchen and Qiao Ruhai about Shen Heng’s recent strange behavior, and they guessed he might be secretly in love with his assistant, Fang Ke.
• Shen Heng continued playing with Ye Mingchen, while Chu Tianqing and the others treated him with unusual concern.
• After lunch, Shen Heng grabbed Chu Tianqing’s arm and pushed her into an empty lounge.

Shen Heng confronted Chu Tianqing about her plan with Ye Mingchen and Old Qiao, then admitted their concern had helped him regain his spirits. Later, Jiang Youyi told Chu Tianqing that Aunt Liang wanted to match Shen Heng with Yan Ruyu, leaving Chu Tianqing stunned.

• Shen Heng pressured Chu Tianqing to reveal what she and Ye Mingchen and Old Qiao were planning, and Chu Tianqing explained they wanted to cheer him up.
• Shen Heng teased Chu Tianqing by ruffling her bangs, then said he would speak with Ye Mingchen and Old Qiao himself.
• Shen Heng played at the golf center with Chu Tianqing and appeared to be in better spirits.
• Ye Mingchen visited Chu Tianqing's restaurant, where Jiang Lean suggested he would make a good match for her, but Chu Tianqing denied having feelings for him.
• Jiang Youyi told Chu Tianqing that Aunt Liang wanted to set Shen Heng up with Yan Ruyu, and Chu Tianqing was stunned.

Chu Tianqing agreed to attend a matchmaking dinner for Shen Heng and Yan Ruyu, then accompanied Jiang Youyi to Aunt Liang’s home. There, she and Yan Ruyu agreed to keep the peace for the evening.

• Jiang Youyi told Chu Tianqing that Shen Heng wanted to meet a suitable girlfriend in Jincheng and asked her to attend Aunt Liang’s dinner party.
• Chu Tianqing tried to gauge Shen Heng’s reaction by sending him a photo of Baogang, but he only said he would take Rocky out again when he had time.
• Chu Tianqing dressed for the dinner and rode with Jiang Youyi to pick up food and a cake before arriving at Aunt Liang’s house.
• Aunt Liang explained that Yan Ruyu did not know the dinner was meant to be a matchmaking occasion, while she and Jiang Youyi joked about Chu Tianqing finding a boyfriend.
• Yan Ruyu arrived, spotted Chu Tianqing, and quietly asked for a truce; Chu Tianqing agreed to get along that evening.

At a matchmaking dinner, Chu Tianqing watched Shen Heng speak with Yan Ruyu and worried that he might be pursuing her while loving someone else. After she confronted him, she drank too much and woke in a daze aboard a moving boat beside an unfamiliar man.

• Shen Heng arrived at the dinner, and Yan Ruyu recognized him as the man who had rescued Shen Xixi from her before.
• At tea, Yan Ruyu played the piano, then spoke with Shen Heng, while Chu Tianqing wondered whether he was a scumbag for flirting with her if he loved Fang Ke.
• Shen Heng pulled Chu Tianqing aside and challenged her after noticing her disapproving stare.
• Chu Tianqing warned Shen Heng not to marry Yan Ruyu for her family background while giving his heart to another woman, but backed down when he pressed her for evidence.
• Shen Heng told Chu Tianqing not to interfere and walked away, leaving her upset.
• Chu Tianqing drank several glasses of red wine, passed out, and later awoke on a moving boat beside an unfamiliar man.

Shen Heng brought the drunk Chu Tianqing home, where she tearfully confessed her devotion to him and later learned she had thrown up on him. The next day, she noticed Shen Heng and Fang Ke’s close rapport, then received a visit from Yan Ruyu, who asked her to arrange a date with her brother.

• Shen Heng carried the unconscious Chu Tianqing to her apartment and looked after her and Rocky.
• After falling off the sofa, Chu Tianqing clung to Shen Heng, called him her god, and insisted she could not bear to see him make a mistake.
• Chu Tianqing woke the next morning, learned she had thrown up on Shen Heng, and accepted his offer of coffee instead of apologizing again.
• Fang Ke brought Shen Heng clean clothes, and Chu Tianqing watched the two interact like a married couple but decided not to comment on his relationships again.
• At the renovated restaurant, Chu Tianqing learned to use the new register before Yan Ruyu arrived and asked her to arrange an outing with Shen Heng.

Chu Tianqing arranged a gathering at the Deercall Club to give Yan Ruyu a chance to spend time with Shen Heng, then went downstairs with Jiang Lean. There, Xiao Junyi confronted her over Shen Xixi’s past insult and demanded she drink three large glasses of whiskey, leaving Chu Tianqing wondering if she could endure it.

• Yan Ruyu threatened Chu Tianqing’s restaurant until Chu Tianqing agreed to arrange a chance for her to see Shen Heng.
• Chu Tianqing asked Ye Mingchen to host a gathering at the Deercall Club, where Shen Heng politely greeted Yan Ruyu and chatted with her.
• Chu Tianqing thanked Zhao Weizhong and Zhang Kunze for helping get her out of the police station, then took Jiang Lean downstairs for ice cream and pool.
• Xiao Junyi recognized Chu Tianqing, mocked her, and confronted her over Shen Xixi’s past rejection and insult.
• Chu Tianqing apologized and agreed to drink three glasses, and Xiao Junyi ordered a bottle of whiskey and three large glasses.

Chu Tianqing was pressured to drink by Xiao Junyi until Shen Heng arrived and took her away. After she was brought home, Shen Heng went to her apartment late at night and asked her sleeping form whether she had felt his affection for her.

• Chu Tianqing drank whiskey at Xiao Junyi's insistence until Shen Heng arrived and stopped her.
• Shen Heng apologized to Xiao Junyi for his sister, then tried to take Chu Tianqing home when she fell asleep on the floor.
• Ye Mingchen carried Chu Tianqing away, and Shen Heng arranged for Jiang Lean to accompany them.
• After receiving Ye Mingchen's message that Chu Tianqing was settled in, Shen Heng went to her apartment and entered with the familiar password.
• Shen Heng sat beside Chu Tianqing's bed, touched her face, and asked whether she had felt his affection for her.

Chu Tianqing’s restaurant began its soft opening, but her first day was complicated by Xiao Junyi’s pursuit and Ye Mingchen’s rival interest. Shen Heng warned her about Xiao Junyi but refused to intervene, and the next morning a bouquet from Xiao Junyi arrived at the restaurant.

• Chu Tianqing handed out flyers for the restaurant and ran into Xiao Junyi, who teased her and persuaded her to buy him milk tea.
• The restaurant’s soft opening drew customers, and Ye Mingchen visited to congratulate Chu Tianqing and her business partners.
• Xiao Junyi returned after closing to ask Chu Tianqing out, and Ye Mingchen stepped in, prompting the two men to declare they would compete for her.
• Chu Tianqing went home exhausted, where Shen Heng warned her that Xiao Junyi was a player and advised her to make her intentions clear, but declined to handle the situation for her.
• The next morning, Jiang Lean asked Chu Tianqing whether she preferred Ye Mingchen or Xiao Junyi, and a delivery worker brought her flowers from Xiao Junyi.

Chu Tianqing accepted Xiao Junyi’s dinner invitation in exchange for a week without flowers or further pursuit, and they shared a meal before running into Brother Bao. Xiao Junyi claimed Chu Tianqing was his girlfriend and confronted Brother Bao just as the man attacked.

• Xiao Junyi brought Chu Tianqing red roses and invited her to dinner, and she agreed after he promised not to send flowers or bother her for a week.
• Chu Tianqing told Jiang Lean she planned to put up with Xiao Junyi because she could not afford to offend one of Jincheng’s four young masters.
• Xiao Junyi took Chu Tianqing to a clay pot restaurant, where they discussed his reputation and an embarrassing story about her older brother.
• Chu Tianqing recognized Brother Bao in an alley as the man she had struck with a mop while working in a restroom.
• Xiao Junyi told Brother Bao that Chu Tianqing was his girlfriend and threatened him, prompting Brother Bao to curse and swing at them.

Xiao Junyi defended Chu Tianqing from Brother Bao’s gang, then returned after a week away and took her out for yakitori. After he brought her home, Shen Heng confronted her in the lobby and asked who had escorted her.

• Xiao Junyi beat Brother Bao and his men after they harassed Chu Tianqing, then ran with her when the police sirens sounded.
• Xiao Junyi took Chu Tianqing home and watched her enter, stirring up complicated feelings as she remembered Jiang Lean’s warning about him.
• Xiao Junyi stayed away for a week while Ye Mingchen continued chatting with Chu Tianqing, who resolved to be honest with Ye about her feelings.
• Xiao Junyi returned and counted down the exact seven days since their last meeting, and Chu Tianqing left work early with him.
• Xiao Junyi took Chu Tianqing to a yakitori restaurant and agreed to make appointments rather than expect her to come whenever he called.
• Shen Heng was waiting in Chu Tianqing’s lobby with the dog and asked who had brought her home.