Arc 1A Childhood Friendship Takes Root
Shen Xinde reunited with Gu Zhuoling as a child and grew close to him through visits, shared play, and a bout of illness. As they started kindergarten and Shen made a new friend in Jiang Nan, Gu Zhuoling remained his closest companion, and the two ended the stretch looking forward to more time together.
- Shen Xinde woke as a child after transmigrating into a book and persuaded his parents to consider moving to Orchid Garden, where Gu Zhuoling lived.
- Shen Xinde met Gu Zhuoling, and they began spending their days gardening, playing, and visiting each other’s homes.
- Gu Zhuoling invited Shen Xinde to stay overnight, and the boys grew closer as Gu Zhuoling cared for him and called him Haohao.
- Shen Xinde met Zhuang Xingye and defended him and Gu Zhuoling when two older boys bullied them at the playground.
- Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling rushed to protect the lisianthus in a storm, after which Shen Xinde developed a high fever and Gu Zhuoling anxiously cared for him.
- After Shen Xinde recovered, Gu Zhuoling brought him food and a preserved lisianthus flower, and Zhuang Xingye visited him too.
- Shen Xinde started kindergarten with Gu Zhuoling, befriended Jiang Nan, and shared chocolate and play with him while Gu Zhuoling felt unsettled by their closeness.
- Gu Zhuoling gave Shen Xinde candy and asked him to paint a picture for him, then helped him get ready for bed as they held hands and fell asleep.