Chapter Summaries

After transmigrating into the body of the Shen family’s premature-born young son, Shen Xinde remembered the tragic fate of Gu Zhuoling, the second male lead from the novel he had been reading. When his parents chose a home for their return to China, Shen Xinde steered them toward Orchid Garden, where Gu Zhuoling lived.

• Shen Xinde woke as a young child and realized he had transmigrated into a book, with his memories limited by his infant body.
• He recalled his life as a gifted painter and how he had planned to draw Gu Zhuoling a happy ending before fainting.
• Shen Xinde’s memories revealed that he was the cherished son of the Shen family, born prematurely and raised abroad for treatment.
• His mother and father came to his bedside, and Shen Xinde happily called them Mommy and Daddy.
• When his parents discussed where to live after returning home, Shen Xinde spotted Orchid Garden and pointed it out because Gu Zhuoling lived there.
• His father agreed to consider Orchid Garden, and Shen Xinde resolved to meet Gu Zhuoling.

Gu Zhuoling, a quiet boy whose parents had learned he had psychological issues, showed interest in meeting the new neighbors’ son, Shen Xinde. After the boys met, Gu Zhuoling invited Shen Xinde to the garden, and their mothers agreed to let them play together under supervision.

• Mrs. Gu invited Gu Zhuoling to meet the new neighbors, and he put down his shovel and agreed to go.
• Zhou Jingyi and Xia Wanqing recognized each other as former university classmates when they met in the Gu family’s sitting room.
• Shen Xinde greeted Zhou Jingyi and met her son, Gu Zhuoling.
• Gu Zhuoling said he wanted to go to the garden with Shen Xinde, and Zhou Jingyi asked him to look after the boy carefully.
• Gu Zhuoling gave a slight nod, agreeing to watch over Shen Xinde.

Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde played together in the garden, and Gu Zhuoling grew fond of the younger boy. Shen Xinde asked to visit again the next day, leaving Gu Zhuoling eager to learn what Shen Xinde meant by calling him “Dolly.”

• Gu Zhuoling led Shen Xinde to the garden, where they dug soil and prepared pots for sunflowers together.
• Gu Zhuoling cleaned mud from Shen Xinde’s legs, and Shen Xinde kissed his cheek to thank him.
• Xia Wanqing and Zhou Jingyi found the boys in the garden, teased them about the kiss, and invited Shen Xinde to visit again.
• As Xia Wanqing and Shen Xinde prepared to leave, Shen Xinde asked to come play at Gu Zhuoling’s house the next day.
• After they left, Gu Zhuoling looked up “Dolly” in an English dictionary, and Zhou Jingyi explained that Shen Xinde meant he was a doll.

Gu Zhuoling eagerly waited for Shen Xinde to visit, then welcomed him when Xia Wanqing brought him over that afternoon. As the boys headed to the toy room, Gu Zhuoling offered to hold Shen Xinde’s hand and walk him upstairs when he grew tired.

• Shen Xinde reflected on his growing friendship with Gu Zhuoling before falling asleep.
• Gu Zhuoling got up early and waited by the front door, but Zhou Jingyi told him Shen Xinde was unwell and would visit that afternoon.
• Xia Wanqing brought Shen Xinde to the Gu home, where he greeted Zhou Jingyi and met Gu Zhuoling.
• Shen Xinde grew tired on the way to the toy room and asked Gu Zhuoling to carry him.
• Gu Zhuoling said he could not carry Shen Xinde, then offered his hand and slowly walked upstairs with him.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling played together, shared snacks, and grew closer after Gu Zhuoling accidentally bit Shen Xinde’s finger. Their mothers arrived and arranged for the boys to visit each other again.

• Gu Zhuoling invited Shen Xinde to work on a map puzzle, and Shen Xinde happily helped him find the pieces.
• Shen Xinde spotted the afternoon tea and ate a bread roll, then offered Gu Zhuoling a cherry tomato.
• Gu Zhuoling accidentally bit Shen Xinde’s finger while taking the tomato, apologized, and gently blew on it when Shen Xinde asked.
• Zhou Jingyi and Xia Wanqing came upstairs and found the boys together, while Shen Xinde explained that Gu Zhuoling had wiped his dirty hand.
• Xia Wanqing and Zhou Jingyi joked about the boys visiting each other often as they prepared to leave for dinner.

Gu Zhuoling worried that Shen Xinde might still be upset after being bitten, but Shen Xinde came to the Gu home the next morning to play. The chapter ended with Gu Zhuoling getting ready while Shen Xinde waited patiently in his room.

• Gu Zhuoling asked Zhou Jingyi whether Shen Xinde would come again, and Zhou Jingyi reassured him that Xinde had forgiven him and suggested he ask Xinde to play if needed.
• Zhou Jingyi arranged for the servants to notify Gu Zhuoling if Shen Xinde came over, while Xia Wanqing planned to return to work and arranged for Shen Qiming to care for Xinde.
• Shen Xinde agreed to go to work with Shen Qiming but asked whether he could play with Dolly, leaving Shen Qiming jealous and Xia Wanqing amused.
• Xia Wanqing brought Shen Xinde to the Gu home, where he asked whether Gu Zhuoling was still asleep and went upstairs to see him.
• Gu Zhuoling was surprised to find Shen Xinde beside his bed, then got up and set him up with a doll and a cartoon while he got ready.

Shen Xinde spent the morning with Gu Zhuoling, who looked after him and tried to set boundaries after Shen Xinde kissed his cheek. Gu Zhuoling gradually warmed to Shen Xinde’s chatter, and the chapter ended with them sharing lunch at the Gu house.

• Gu Zhuoling invited Shen Xinde to keep him company while he ate breakfast, and Shen Xinde asked for a small glass of milk.
• Gu Zhuoling took Shen Xinde to play in the garden, where Shen Xinde kissed his cheek and Gu Zhuoling blushed and told him to ask permission before kissing.
• When Shen Xinde went quiet, Gu Zhuoling apologized and admitted he was shy, then helped him play in the dirt.
• Shen Xinde listed things he saw around the garden while Gu Zhuoling answered each one with an encouraging “mm.”
• After they freshened up, Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde sat down to lunch, and Gu Zhuoling felt less alone at the large table.

Shen Xinde spent the morning with Gu Zhuoling and asked to stay at his house for a nap. Gu Zhuoling agreed, and the two boys fell asleep holding hands.

• Gu Zhuoling made Shen Xinde stop eating when his belly began to bulge.
• Shen Xinde told Xia Wanqing about his day and asked to sleep at Gu Zhuoling's house.
• Gu Zhuoling quickly agreed to let Shen Xinde sleep in his bed.
• Gu Zhuoling helped Shen Xinde brush his teeth and prepared a pillow for him.
• Gu Zhuoling held Shen Xinde's hand and called him Haohao until he settled down to sleep.

Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde grew closer as they played together, and their families agreed that Shen Xinde could visit often. The next day, Shen Xinde planned to accompany Xia Wanqing to work before the families met for dinner at the Gu home.

• Gu Zhuoling woke Shen Xinde from his nap, then took him downstairs for afternoon tea before they continued their puzzle.
• Xia Wanqing asked Gu Zhuoling if Shen Xinde could come play often, and Gu Zhuoling happily said he could come every day.
• Gu Zhuoling's parents teased him about caring for Shen Xinde and agreed to prepare towels and toys for him.
• Shen Xinde began calling Gu Zhuoling with his phone watch before visiting next door, where Gu Zhuoling waited for him.
• Shen Xinde chose to accompany Xia Wanqing to her university the next day, and Xia Wanqing reminded the family about dinner at the Gu home.

Shen Xinde invited Gu Zhuoling to join him and Xia Wanqing at school, and Gu Zhuoling eagerly prepared snacks for the trip. At school, Shen Xinde explained that “Dolly” was his special name for Gu Zhuoling, and Gu Zhuoling quietly accepted it while wishing to stay by his side forever.

• Shen Xinde called Gu Zhuoling and invited him to come with him to school the next day.
• Shen Xinde and Xia Wanqing picked up Gu Zhuoling, who brought snacks to share with Shen Xinde on the drive.
• At Xia Wanqing’s school, Shen Xinde introduced Gu Zhuoling as his favorite “Dolly” when the teachers asked about him.
• Shen Xinde told Gu Zhuoling that “Dolly” was a special name only he could use for him.
• Gu Zhuoling held Shen Xinde’s hand and agreed, feeling that he wanted to stay with him forever.

Xia Wanqing let Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling explore Z University while she taught, and Gu Zhuoling looked after Shen Xinde throughout their outing. The boys waited for Xia Wanqing at a coffee shop, where Shen Xinde shared cookies with Gu Zhuoling.

• Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling asked Xia Wanqing to let them explore campus, and Gu Zhuoling showed her their plan.
• Gu Zhuoling led Shen Xinde around the botanical garden and took him to the souvenir shop when the heat made him sweat.
• Gu Zhuoling bought Shen Xinde a university headband and cat charms, and Shen Xinde shared a photo with two students.
• The boys waited at the coffee shop, where Gu Zhuoling ordered Shen Xinde cookies and milk and agreed to arrange watermelon juice for him.
• Xia Wanqing found Shen Xinde sharing cookies with Gu Zhuoling after class.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling spent the day together with their families, and Gu Zhuoling asked Shen Xinde to stay overnight because he wanted more time with him. Shen Xinde agreed, leaving the parents surprised that Gu Zhuoling had invited him himself.

• Shen Qiming picked up Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling after work and brought them to the Gu family home for dinner.
• Xia Wanqing and Zhou Jingyi introduced their husbands, and the two families shared a meal while Gu Zhuoling cared for Shen Xinde.
• After dinner, Gu Zhuoling asked Shen Xinde to stay the night, and Shen Xinde agreed after learning he simply wanted to keep playing together.
• Shen Xinde told the parents he would stay at the Gu house, and Zhou Jingyi and Gu Ruize were surprised that Gu Zhuoling had invited him.

Shen Xinde spent the night at the Gu home, where he and Gu Zhuoling bonded over matching pajamas, a doll, and goodnight kisses. The next morning, they met Zhuang Xingye, whom Shen Xinde recognized as the original novel’s male lead.

• Xia Wanqing left Shen Xinde with the Gu family, and Gu Ruize and Zhou Jingyi went to their rooms after reminding Gu Zhuoling to look after him.
• Gu Zhuoling arranged for a maid to help Shen Xinde bathe, then set him up with a cartoon and put on matching puppy pajamas.
• Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling teased each other over a boy doll, exchanged goodnight kisses, and fell asleep together.
• Gu Zhuoling woke first, comforted Shen Xinde when he woke feeling clingy, and told him shrimp dumplings were waiting for breakfast.
• Grandpa Butler announced Young Master Zhuang’s arrival, and Zhuang Xingye entered the dining room in sunglasses and a dramatic pose.
• Shen Xinde realized the chubby boy was Zhuang Xingye, the male lead of the original book, and struggled to believe it.

Shen Xinde befriended Zhuang Xingye and joined him and Gu Zhuoling at the playground. When two older boys bullied them and insulted Gu Zhuoling and Zhuang Xingye, Shen Xinde defended his friends.

• Zhuang Xingye met Shen Xinde at breakfast and complained that Gu Zhuoling would not let him call Shen Xinde Haohao.
• Zhuang Xingye invited Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling to the playground, where the three played together and took turns on the swing.
• Two older boys demanded that Zhuang Xingye give up the swing and insulted him and Gu Zhuoling.
• Gu Zhuoling slapped away one boy's hand when he tried to shove Zhuang Xingye.
• Shen Xinde angrily called the two bullies a bamboo pole and a fat pig.

Shen Xinde defended Gu Zhuoling from two boys, then encouraged him to smile more and looked forward to seeing their lisianthus together. The next day, as a storm approached, they rushed outside to protect the flower from the coming rain.

• Gu Zhuoling shielded Shen Xinde from two boys, who backed away after Shen insulted them.
• Shen Xinde told Gu Zhuoling he should talk back when people insulted him, and Gu Zhuoling thanked him for defending him.
• At the Gu residence, Gu Zhuoling promised to show Shen Xinde their blooming lisianthus the next day before Shen left with Xia Wanqing.
• After Shen's checkup, he visited Gu Zhuoling, who cared for his sore hand and listened to him recount his day.
• When thunder sounded and the wind picked up, Shen remembered the lisianthus, and he and Gu Zhuoling hurried to the garden to protect it.

Shen Xinde helped Gu Zhuoling carry a lisianthus pot inside during a downpour, and Gu Zhuoling worried that the rain would make him sick. After they bathed, Gu Zhuoling apologized for scolding him, and the two made up over dinner.

• Gu Zhuoling tried to move the flowerpots inside alone, but Shen Xinde joined him to carry the blooming lisianthus through the rain.
• Grandpa Butler found both boys soaked, and Gu Zhuoling made sure Shen Xinde dried off and took a hot bath first.
• Gu Zhuoling worried about Shen Xinde's fragile health, then found him waiting beneath the covers and checked whether he felt unwell.
• Shen Xinde complained that Gu Zhuoling had been mean, and Gu Zhuoling apologized and coaxed him out to eat.
• With both sets of parents delayed at work, Gu Zhuoling picked food for Shen Xinde at dinner, and the two ate in harmony.

After a stormy night, Gu Zhuoling discovered that Shen Xinde had developed a dangerously high fever and stayed by his side while their parents called a doctor. The adults took over watching Shen Xinde, and Gu Zhuoling reluctantly went to sleep after his mother promised he could keep him company in the morning.

• After dinner, Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling worked on puzzles, exchanged goodnight kisses, and fell asleep together as a storm raged outside.
• Gu Zhuoling woke to thunder, noticed Shen Xinde was burning with fever, and rushed to alert Zhou Jingyi and Gu Ruize.
• Zhou Jingyi cared for the unconscious Shen Xinde while Gu Zhuoling brought water and watched anxiously.
• The family doctor measured Shen Xinde's temperature at 39.5 degrees and gave him medicine, explaining that he was too frail for an injection.
• Shen Qiming reassured Gu Zhuoling that he had taken good care of Shen Xinde, while Gu Ruize and Zhou Jingyi persuaded him to rest.
• Zhou Jingyi carried Gu Zhuoling to bed, promising he could watch Shen Xinde in the morning; he eventually fell asleep still murmuring Shen Xinde's name.

After Shen Xinde recovered enough to return home, Gu Zhuoling visited him with porridge and shrimp dumplings. Seeing Shen Xinde wake and comfort him, Gu Zhuoling stayed to feed him and felt reassured that he was getting better.

• Shen Qiming and Xia Wanqing took Shen Xinde home after his fever eased, and Gu Ruize told Gu Zhuoling he could visit after breakfast.
• Gu Zhuoling hurried through breakfast, then brought Shen Xinde homemade millet porridge and shrimp dumplings.
• Xia Wanqing let Gu Zhuoling into Shen Xinde’s room and told him that Shen Xinde was glad they had protected the flowers together.
• Gu Zhuoling watched Shen Xinde sleep, held his hand, and cried as he realized how much he cared about him.
• Shen Xinde woke, hugged Gu Zhuoling, and said he felt better.
• Gu Zhuoling propped Shen Xinde up and fed him porridge and shrimp dumplings.

While Shen Xinde recovered from his illness, Gu Zhuoling stayed by his side, and Shen Xinde realized how sensitive and selfless the boy was. After they slept together, Xia Wanqing and Shen Qiming helped care for Shen Xinde, who still had little appetite at lunch.

• Gu Zhuoling washed his face with the puppy towel Shen Xinde had picked for him, then agreed to sleep beside the sick Shen Xinde.
• Gu Zhuoling gently cared for Shen Xinde as they lay together, and Shen Xinde decided he should be twice as kind to Gu Zhuoling.
• After they woke, Xia Wanqing came in and carried Shen Xinde downstairs while Gu Zhuoling helped with his blanket.
• Shen Qiming checked on Shen Xinde, and Gu Zhuoling sat beside him at lunch after Shen Xinde asked him to.
• Gu Zhuoling coaxed Shen Xinde to eat a little more, then finished his own meal so they could go rest in the living room.

Gu Zhuoling worried that he could not return Shen Xinde’s affection, but Shen Xinde reassured him that being loved did not require equal repayment. Gu Zhuoling gave Shen Xinde a preserved lisianthus flower, and their quiet visit was interrupted by Zhuang Xingye, who arrived to see Shen Xinde and ask for lunch.

• Gu Zhuoling admitted that he felt he was not good at showing kindness, and Shen Xinde told him that taking care of himself would make the people who loved him happy.
• Gu Zhuoling promised to take care of Shen Xinde, and the two exchanged a kiss and thanks.
• Gu Zhuoling brought Shen Xinde a lisianthus flower preserved in glycerin, delighting him with the gift.
• Xia Wanqing announced that a friend had come to visit, and Zhuang Xingye rushed in, upset that no one had told him Shen Xinde was sick.
• Zhuang Xingye hugged Shen Xinde too tightly, then asked if he could have some of Xia Wanqing’s lunch.