Chapter Summaries

Shen Xinde started kindergarten at Orchid Pavilion with Gu Zhuoling beside him, and the two boys reassured each other before separating for class. Shen Xinde settled in calmly, introduced himself, and met Jiang Nan, who announced that he liked pretty people.

• Xia Wanqing chose Orchid Pavilion Kindergarten for Shen Xinde and took him to school with Gu Zhuoling and Zhou Jingyi.
• Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde arrived in matching uniforms and kitten charms, then walked through the school gates holding hands.
• Gu Zhuoling reassured Shen Xinde outside junior class one and told him he could come find him if he missed home.
• Moon Teacher welcomed Shen Xinde, who introduced himself confidently while most of the other children cried on their first day.
• Jiang Nan introduced himself as a four-year-old who liked pretty people and hoped the pretty children would be his friends.

Shen Xinde spent his first kindergarten morning playing with Jiang Nan, who became his friend after receiving chocolate from him. When Gu Zhuoling saw them together, he grew quietly jealous, then learned Shen Xinde had saved the last piece of chocolate especially for him.

• Shen Xinde shared chocolate with Jiaojiao and Jiang Nan, and Jiang Nan asked to be his friend.
• Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan played together through the morning and grew closer.
• At lunchtime, Shen Xinde left the classroom with Jiang Nan to find Gu Zhuoling and Zhuang Xingye.
• Shen Xinde introduced Jiang Nan to Gu Zhuoling and Zhuang Xingye, while Gu Zhuoling grew unsettled seeing Jiang Nan hold Shen Xinde's arm.
• Shen Xinde told Jiang Nan to play with Zhuang Xingye and gave Gu Zhuoling the chocolate he had saved for him.
• Gu Zhuoling learned Xia Wanqing had packed the chocolate to help Shen Xinde make friends and agreed to eat his piece in secret.

After playing with Jiang Nan and Zhuang Xingye, Shen Xinde struggled with the idea of napping alone at kindergarten, but Gu Zhuoling comforted him until he agreed to go. Gu Zhuoling then followed Sun Teacher upstairs, openly agreeing that Shen Xinde was cute.

• Shen Xinde was struck in the nose by one of Zhuang Xingye's balls, then joined Jiang Nan in pelting Zhuang Xingye until he begged for mercy.
• When the teachers called the children in for naps, Shen Xinde told Gu Zhuoling he did not want to sleep alone and asked to skip his nap.
• Gu Zhuoling refused to let Shen Xinde skip the nap and promised to bring him a familiar doll the next day, then exchanged kisses with him.
• Moon Teacher came to fetch Shen Xinde, who reluctantly entered the classroom after Gu Zhuoling encouraged him to be good and nap.
• As Gu Zhuoling walked upstairs with Sun Teacher, he confirmed that Shen Xinde was his little brother and told her that Shen Xinde really was cute.

Shen Xinde enjoyed his first day at kindergarten, making a new friend in Jiang Nan and receiving a drawing from him. Gu Zhuoling felt jealous of Jiang Nan’s picture but was cheered when Shen Xinde invited him to sleep over and see his art room.

• Jiang Nan saved Shen Xinde a spot at naptime, and Shen Xinde thanked him and began calling him Nan Nan.
• Shen Xinde drew roses for Jiang Nan during art class, while Jiang Nan drew the two of them.
• Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan left kindergarten hand in hand, and Gu Zhuoling noticed the picture Jiang Nan had given Shen Xinde.
• Shen Xinde showed the drawing to Shen Qiming and Gu Zhuoling, and Gu Zhuoling recognized Shen Xinde by the mole on his nose.
• Shen Xinde promised to help Gu Zhuoling if anyone had bullied him and invited him to sleep over and visit his art room.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling shared a sweet bedtime routine, and Gu Zhuoling asked Shen Xinde to paint him a picture. The two went to sleep holding hands, with Gu Zhuoling promising to bring Shen Xinde more candy.

• Gu Zhuoling secretly gave Shen Xinde an apple-flavored candy as a reward for being good.
• Gu Zhuoling asked Shen Xinde to paint a picture especially for him, and Shen Xinde agreed.
• When Shen Xinde said he would keep Gu Zhuoling’s painting in his room rather than his studio, Gu Zhuoling worried that Shen Xinde did not like him, but Shen Xinde explained he wanted to see the gifts every day.
• Gu Zhuoling helped Shen Xinde brush his teeth and promised to bring him another candy next time.
• Gu Zhuoling told Shen Xinde that he had put the doll beside Shen Xinde’s schoolbag, and Shen Xinde held Gu Zhuoling’s hand as they went to sleep.

At kindergarten, Shen Xinde arrived sleepy but happily spent the morning with Gu Zhuoling and Jiang Nan. When Chen Ming pushed Jiang Nan while cutting in line at the slide, Shen Xinde stood up for his friend, and Gu Zhuoling watched as the other children helped.

• Gu Zhuoling walked Shen Xinde into kindergarten, where Jiang Nan joined them and praised Shen Xinde’s doll.
• Moon Teacher announced that the classes would take turns having picnics at a nearby park, and Shen Xinde cheered up by planning to finish a drawing for Gu Zhuoling.
• Jiang Nan took Shen Xinde to play on the slide, where Chen Ming pushed him after cutting in line.
• Shen Xinde steadied Jiang Nan and demanded that Chen Ming apologize, while the nearby children backed them up.
• Chen Ming shouted an apology and left, and Shen Xinde comforted Jiang Nan as Gu Zhuoling and Zhuang Xingye watched.

Shen Xinde prepared for his class outing and parted from Gu Zhuoling, who would not see him for the rest of the day. As the children boarded the minibus, Jiang Nan and Chen Ming traded mocking faces.

• Gu Zhuoling washed Shen Xinde's face, then reminded him to behave at naptime and rewarded him with a kiss.
• Shen Xinde told his parents about the outing, and they agreed to buy snacks for him to share with the children.
• Shen Xinde packed a bag full of snacks for the outing, while Gu Zhuoling reminded him to stay with the group and listen to the teachers.
• Gu Zhuoling walked Shen Xinde to his classroom and left after seeing him surrounded by children sharing snacks.
• The junior classes lined up to board the minibus, and Jiang Nan and Chen Ming made faces at each other before Chen Ming boarded.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling shared affectionate calls and playful moments as Shen worked on a picture for his big brother. The chapter ended when Gu Zhuoling learned that Shen Xinde had gotten into a fight at kindergarten.

• Shen Xinde called Gu Zhuoling from the park and challenged him to guess the flowers he had found.
• Shen Xinde began drawing a picture for Gu Zhuoling during his first private art lesson.
• Gu Zhuoling teased Shen Xinde over his bulging backpack and refused to let him eat more snacks on the drive to kindergarten.
• Gu Zhuoling guessed that the park flowers were hydrangeas during a call with Shen Xinde, who agreed to be picked up with him that afternoon.
• Gu Ruize received a call and changed course for Orchid Pavilion Kindergarten, where Shen Xinde had gotten into a fight.

Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan were taken to the kindergarten office after fighting with Chen Ming, whose father arrived and tried to hit them. The chapter ended as a man confronted Chen Ming’s father, asking who he was to teach his child a lesson.

• Jiang Nan stayed with Shen Xinde after class while they waited for their guardians.
• Chen Ming tried to attack Jiang Nan, and Shen Xinde stepped in; the three boys fought until a teacher separated them.
• The teacher took Shen Xinde, Jiang Nan, and Chen Ming to the office and called their guardians.
• Chen Ming’s father arrived, blamed the other boys, and tried to slap Jiang Nan.
• Shen Xinde shielded Jiang Nan as Chen Ming’s father raised his hand, and a man challenged him.

Gu Ruize and Gu Zhuoling confronted Chen Ming's father after Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan were hurt, while the teacher explained Chen Ming had started the conflict. Assistant Lu arrived to take Jiang Nan home and exposed Chen Ming's father's financial and legal troubles, leaving the adults to discuss the bullying.

• Gu Ruize and Gu Zhuoling entered the office and found Shen Xinde with red marks on his arms.
• Gu Ruize checked Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan for injuries and challenged Chen Ming's father over his son's claim that he had been bullied.
• The teacher explained that Chen Ming had cut in line days earlier and attacked Jiang Nan to get revenge.
• Gu Ruize joked that Chen Ming's father was skilled at tossing a wok, and Gu Zhuoling explained the joke to the children.
• Assistant Lu arrived to take Jiang Nan home and revealed that Chen Ming's father had taken money from his ex-wife and was embroiled in a lawsuit.
• Assistant Lu asked Chen Ming's father to discuss his son's bullying now that the parents were present.

Gu Ruize and Assistant Lu dealt with Chen Ming and his father after Chen Ming bullied Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan, while Gu Zhuoling remained upset with Shen Xinde for fighting. The boys parted without fully resolving their tension, and Xia Wanqing carried Shen Xinde home.

• Chen Ming blamed Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan, but Assistant Lu and Gu Ruize exposed his behavior and made his father admit fault.
• Gu Ruize let Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan decide the consequence, and Chen Ming apologized to both boys.
• Mrs. Jiang arrived, teased Jiang Nan about his sore bottom, and took him away with Assistant Lu.
• In the car, Gu Zhuoling checked Shen Xinde's bruises and questioned why he had fought, then remained silent despite Shen Xinde's attempts to make peace.
• Xia Wanqing carried Shen Xinde away after Gu Zhuoling gave no clear answer about visiting Haohao's house.

After Shen Xinde returned home from a school fight, Gu Zhuoling came to check on him and the two made up. In the dark, Shen Xinde discovered that Gu Zhuoling was crying and reassured him that they would always be together.

• Shen Xinde told his parents what had happened at school, and they understood he had been defending a classmate.
• Shen Xinde tried to repair the drawing he had made for Gu Zhuoling, then lay in bed feeling upset that Gu Zhuoling was angry with him.
• Gu Zhuoling came to Shen Xinde’s room, checked his injuries, and said he was no longer angry.
• Shen Xinde explained that he understood Gu Zhuoling had been worried he would get hurt, and they went to bed holding hands.
• Shen Xinde noticed Gu Zhuoling was crying and promised they would always be together, while Gu Zhuoling worried that Shen Xinde had many other friends.

Shen Xinde reassured Gu Zhuoling that they were the best friends in the world, easing Gu Zhuoling’s fear of being replaced. Gu Zhuoling admired the picture Shen Xinde had made for him, and they ended the night promising to share their worries and happiness with each other.

• Shen Xinde told Gu Zhuoling that they were the best friends in the world and promised no one could be closer to either of them.
• Shen Xinde revealed that he had fought Chen Ming because Chen Ming had stepped on the picture he was drawing for Gu Zhuoling.
• Shen Xinde showed Gu Zhuoling the picture of the two of them saving flowers, and Gu Zhuoling said he loved it.
• Gu Zhuoling thanked Shen Xinde, gave him two kisses, and went back to bed beside him.
• Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling promised to tell each other about things that made them unhappy and share their happy moments.

After Chen Ming apologized, Shen Xinde went to find Gu Zhuoling and cheer him up, then encouraged him to befriend Jiang Nan. Gu Zhuoling walked with Shen Xinde and promised to make more friends, while privately deciding that he and Shen Xinde would remain the best of friends.

• Gu Zhuoling received chocolate from Shen Xinde and went to class, while Chen Ming came to apologize to Shen Xinde and Jiang Nan.
• Jiang Nan told Shen Xinde to cheer Gu Zhuoling up, and Shen Xinde decided to visit him during lunch.
• Sun Teacher led Shen Xinde to Gu Zhuoling's classroom, where Gu Zhuoling left with him after Zhuang Xingye finished eating.
• Shen Xinde teased Gu Zhuoling about not holding his hand, and Gu Zhuoling took it as they went downstairs.
• Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde saw Chen Ming run away, and Zhuang Xingye declared that he would protect Shen Xinde if Chen Ming bullied him again.
• Shen Xinde asked Gu Zhuoling to be friendlier with Jiang Nan, and Gu Zhuoling agreed to make more friends.

Shen Xinde agreed to join Gu Zhuoling and their families on a National Day trip to a hot spring resort, insisting that he share a room with Gu Zhuoling. After sharing laughs and exchanging drawings, the two boys ended the day together as Shen Xinde admired Gu Zhuoling’s picture.

• Shen Xinde slept until noon, then woke to find Gu Zhuoling waiting for him.
• At lunch, Xia Wanqing invited Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling’s families to spend a couple of days at a mountain hot spring resort, and Shen Xinde agreed on the condition that he share a room with Gu Zhuoling.
• After lunch, Xia Wanqing sent Shen Xinde to Gu Zhuoling’s house while she packed, and Gu Zhuoling told him about Gu Ruize preparing several identical outfits.
• Zhou Jingyi and Gu Ruize reflected on how Shen Xinde had helped Gu Zhuoling become more cheerful, before Zhou Jingyi ordered Gu Ruize back onto his chair.
• Gu Zhuoling showed Shen Xinde the drawing he had made of the two of them beneath lisianthus, and Shen Xinde praised it and said he would display it in his room.

Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde spent a day at the hot spring resort, growing closer as they explored the grounds and bathed together. Shen Qiming thanked Gu Ruize for helping ruin Chen Ming’s father financially, while Gu Ruize said he liked Xinde.

• Gu Zhuoling and Shen Xinde admired the scenery, napped together, and later ate dinner with their families.
• The boys walked hand in hand after dinner, while Zhou Jingyi and Xia Wanqing remarked on their closeness.
• At the hot springs, Shen Xinde blushed over wearing only swim trunks, and Gu Zhuoling followed him after Shen Qiming teased and splashed him.
• Shen Qiming thanked Gu Ruize for trapping Chen Ming’s father and making him lose his remaining money, and Gu Ruize said he liked Xinde.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling sneaked out to see a hotel art exhibition, where a painting reminded Shen Xinde of Gu Zhuoling’s painful fate in the original book. They promised to protect and support each other, leaving the exhibition hand in hand with plans for their future.

• After Xia Wanqing agreed to let Shen Xinde visit the exhibition, he teased Gu Zhuoling until Gu Zhuoling kissed him and asked to come along.
• A young attendant led Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling to the hotel’s small art exhibition.
• Shen Xinde studied the painting “Devouring” and wondered if Gu Zhuoling had once felt threatened by the dark sea in the original book.
• Gu Zhuoling said he was not afraid because Shen Xinde would protect him, and Shen Xinde promised to stay by his side.
• Shen Xinde said he would become an artist and paint pictures for Gu Zhuoling, while Gu Zhuoling promised to earn money to support him and hold an exhibition for him.

Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling spent the morning together at the resort, where they borrowed art supplies to draw the scenery from the observation deck. They finished with Shen Xinde drawing a bright forest and Gu Zhuoling adding little birds.

• Shen Xinde woke tired and clung to Gu Zhuoling before heading to breakfast with him and their mothers.
• Shen Xinde eagerly shared the soup dumplings with everyone, and Gu Zhuoling ate whatever he recommended.
• After breakfast, Shen Xinde and Gu Zhuoling went to the observation deck and admired the autumn forest.
• Shen Xinde asked a young woman for paper, and Gu Zhuoling arranged juice for her and her friend in thanks.
• Shen Xinde drew an orange-red forest while Gu Zhuoling drew little birds beside him.

Shen Xinde caught a cold and fever after playing with water in the winter, so he stayed home from kindergarten. Gu Zhuoling visited him after class, bringing a paper rose and milk from his classmates, and left pleased when Shen Xinde praised him.

• Shen Xinde got wet while playing with a water gun by the residential fountain and came down with a cold that night.
• Shen Xinde developed a fever and stayed home from kindergarten, and Gu Zhuoling hurried to visit him after class.
• Gu Zhuoling checked Shen Xinde's temperature and scolded him gently, while Shen Xinde apologized and offered him a lemon-flavored babao candy.
• Gu Zhuoling gave Shen Xinde a paper rose he had folded in class and another rose from Zhuang Xingye.
• Gu Zhuoling brought Shen Xinde the milk Jiang Nan had saved for him, then said he would save his own milk for Shen Xinde the next day.

After recovering from his cold, Shen Xinde returned to kindergarten on Christmas Eve and decided to buy apples for his family and friends. He and Gu Zhuoling bought six gift-boxed apples, agreeing that each would pay for half and give one to the other.

• Gu Zhuoling bundled Shen Xinde up for kindergarten, where Shen reunited with Jiang Nan and gave him chocolate.
• Jiang Nan told Shen Xinde that he planned to buy Christmas Eve apples for his parents, prompting Shen to count the people he wanted to give apples to.
• After school, Shen Xinde asked the driver to take him and Gu Zhuoling to a fruit shop, keeping his plan secret from Gu Zhuoling.
• At the shop, Shen Xinde chose six Christmas Eve apples for Dolly, his parents, Uncle Gu, and Aunt Zhou, while Gu Zhuoling teased him about wanting one for himself.
• Gu Zhuoling suggested they split the cost and each give the other a Christmas Eve apple, and Shen Xinde happily agreed.