Arc 5Downfall and Golden Pearls

Dong Xuebin lost his position after Guo Shunjie framed him, then uncovered evidence that brought down Zhou Guoan and regained his post. He pursued a fortune through pearl gambling and rescued Qu Yunxuan from a dangerous assignment, ending by confronting the newspaper office over her demotion.

  • Dong Xuebin took responsibility for the doctored meeting documents, then traced the sabotage to Guo Shunjie and lost the Party School training slot before saving Old Lü and winning it back.
  • After Dong Xuebin returned from Party School, Zhou Guoan removed him from his post and Guo Shunjie took over his office, prompting Dong to confront them both.
  • Dong Xuebin broke into Zhou Guoan’s apartment and found records of bribes, then passed the evidence to Xu Yan and Song Shoujie.
  • The Discipline Inspection Commission took Zhou Guoan and Guo Shunjie away at the appointment meeting, and Xu Yan reinstated Dong Xuebin and granted him leave.
  • Dong Xuebin used Back to collect large Golden Pearls, fashioned them into a necklace, and left it with Hanhai Auction House for a quick sale.
  • Dong Xuebin rescued Qu Yunxuan and Cao Ping after their tour guide and driver assaulted them, then learned Deputy Director Gong had demoted Qu Yunxuan for rejecting his younger brother.
  • Dong Xuebin confronted the newspaper office after the Chief Editor dismissed his complaint and Deputy Director Gong threatened Qu Yunxuan, then called Xie Huilan.
Chapters 107–131 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 107Taking It All On!

After dessert pictures appeared in Political Commissar Zhou's meeting documents, Dong Xuebin was blamed for the mistake and summoned with the General Office staff. He took responsibility for printing and organizing the materials himself, promising Zhou Guoan a report before the end of the workday.

  • Xu Yan and Li Qing called Dong Xuebin to criticize him after Political Commissar Zhou found dessert pictures in his meeting folder.
  • Dong Xuebin questioned the General Office staff, but Tan Limei and Chang Juan insisted they had checked the documents and that every copy had been identical.
  • Zhou Guoan accused Dong Xuebin and the General Office of poor work and demanded to know who had delivered and printed the materials.
  • Dong Xuebin admitted that he had delivered, printed, and organized the documents, shielding Tan Limei and Chang Juan from blame.
  • Dong Xuebin promised Zhou Guoan a self-criticism and detailed report before the end of the workday, moving the General Office staff.

Ch. 108[I’ve Been Framed!]

Dong Xuebin took responsibility for the faulty meeting documents to protect Chang Juan and Tan Limei, but he realized Zhou Guoan’s personnel decisions could put Guo Shunjie on track to replace him. After questioning his colleagues, Dong Xuebin became nearly certain that Guo Shunjie had tampered with the documents to frame him.

  • Dong Xuebin reassured Chang Juan and Tan Limei after taking the blame for the meeting documents.
  • Zhou Guoan’s successor was announced as Cheng Haimei, and Guo Shunjie received the coveted district Party school training slot.
  • Dong Xuebin feared Zhou Guoan was preparing to promote Guo Shunjie and place him in charge of the General Office.
  • Dong Xuebin questioned Chang Juan, Tan Limei, and Lao Yan about who had access to his office after the documents were checked.
  • Lao Yan recalled that Guo Shunjie had been alone in the office, and Dong Xuebin concluded that Guo Shunjie had framed him.

Ch. 109Political Life Is Over!?

Dong Xuebin tried to stop Guo Shunjie from attending Party School after realizing the training could help him become Full Director, but Yan Liang refused to intervene without solid evidence. The chapter left Dong Xuebin with only one day to reverse his political downfall and no clear way forward.

  • At the bureau, colleagues warmly congratulated Guo Shunjie on his Party School training while avoiding Dong Xuebin.
  • Dong Xuebin summoned Guo Shunjie and accused him of switching Political Commissar Zhou's meeting documents, but Guo demanded evidence and left confidently.
  • Dong Xuebin learned the Party School class would report the next day and decided to seek Yan Liang's help before Yan's final day in office ended.
  • Dong Xuebin told Yan Liang that Guo Shunjie had framed him and urged him to revoke Guo's training slot, but Yan insisted on solid evidence and sent him to Political Commissar Zhou.
  • Yan Liang received word that Minister Lü had arrived, while Dong Xuebin left wondering whether his political career was over.

Ch. 110Sudden Incident!

Dong Xuebin faced a career crisis as Guo Shunjie prepared to attend Party School, but Minister Lü’s sudden asthma attack gave him a chance to change his situation. The chapter ended as Dong Xuebin realized he might be able to turn the incident to his advantage.

  • Yan Liang and the branch bureau staff welcomed Minister Lü and accompanied him on a walk through the area.
  • Guo Shunjie taunted Dong Xuebin about attending Party School, and Tan Limei, Chang Juan, and Zhuangzi reacted angrily.
  • Minister Lü developed a severe asthma attack, and Yan Liang realized he had left Lü’s medicine in his office.
  • Yan Liang called the branch bureau for the medicine while Guo Shunjie tried to summon an ambulance, but neither could arrive in time.
  • Dong Xuebin realized the emergency could give him a chance to turn his career crisis around.

Ch. 111A Great Reversal!

Dong Xuebin used Back five times and raced to a pharmacy to get medicine for Old Lü, who was suffering a severe asthma attack. He returned in time with the needed medicines, but Old Lü’s heart condition also worsened.

  • Dong Xuebin rewound time by five minutes and ran to Golden Elephant Pharmacy for asthma and heart medicine.
  • Dong Xuebin returned just as Old Lü was losing consciousness and gave Yan Liang the asthma medicine.
  • Old Lü used the inhaler, and his breathing gradually steadied, but he began suffering heart pain.
  • Dong Xuebin produced Quick-Acting Heart-Relieving Pills, but Old Lü said he needed Musk Heart-Protecting Pills instead.
  • Dong Xuebin handed over Musk Heart-Protecting Pills, stunning Yan Liang and the others with how much medicine he had brought.

Ch. 112Omnipotent Little Director Dong!

Dong Xuebin saved Old Lü during an asthma and heart attack emergency, earning Yan Liang’s gratitude. Yan Liang replaced Guo Shunjie with Dong Xuebin for the Party school training slot, while Zhou Guoan raged over the reversal and Dong gained a new nickname.

  • Dong Xuebin’s medicine helped Old Lü recover, and Yan Liang thanked Dong Xuebin for saving him.
  • Yan Liang agreed that Dong Xuebin should receive the Party school slot and returned to the bureau with him.
  • Yan Liang called Zhou Guoan and gave the slot to Dong Xuebin instead of Guo Shunjie.
  • Zhou Guoan became furious and ordered someone to investigate why Yan Liang had changed his decision.
  • The bureau learned that Dong Xuebin had saved Old Lü, and colleagues began calling him Omnipotent Little Director Dong.

Ch. 113Party School Slot Secured!

Dong Xuebin secured Guo Shunjie’s Party School slot after saving Minister Lü, while Zhou Guoan’s attempt to hold him responsible backfired. The chapter ended with Dong preparing to attend the training course despite knowing Zhou Guoan would retaliate.

  • Chang Juan, Tan Limei, Lao Yan, and Guo Panwei congratulated Dong Xuebin on winning the Party School slot and praised him for protecting his subordinates.
  • Dong Xuebin learned Guo Shunjie had stormed out after losing the slot, then ordered him to return to work on Monday.
  • Dong Xuebin requested two weeks of leave from Li Qing, who praised him, and Xu Yan called to advise him to keep a low profile.
  • Dong Xuebin left the bureau as colleagues kept their distance, fearing Zhou Guoan would retaliate over the lost slot.
  • Dong Xuebin resolved to attend Party School and face whatever came next, reflecting that he had defeated Zhou Guoan twice.

Ch. 114Legs (Third Update!)

Dong Xuebin visited Qu Yunxuan and learned that a persistent suitor had tracked her home, then told her about his upcoming cadre training. Their awkward conversation turned intimate when Qu Yunxuan let him touch her legs, leaving their relationship still undefined.

  • Dong Xuebin returned to his building and found a man with roses looking for Qu Yunxuan, who later explained that the man was her coworker’s brother and an unwanted suitor.
  • Dong Xuebin spotted adult videos in Qu Yunxuan’s download list, but she hurried him away from the computer and made an embarrassed excuse.
  • Dong Xuebin told Qu Yunxuan that he would attend a half-month district party school training class and mentioned that he had offended the political commissar to secure the spot.
  • While they watched television, Dong Xuebin held Qu Yunxuan’s hand and asked her to date him, but she avoided answering and asked about his dirty clothes.
  • Dong Xuebin began touching Qu Yunxuan’s thighs, and she scolded him while covering herself between the legs, allowing him to continue touching her legs.

Ch. 115A Kiss

Dong Xuebin attended his first day at the Party school, then visited Qu Yunxuan and kissed her for the first time. Qu Yunxuan revealed that it had been her first kiss too, and the two secretly shared a passionate kiss before Mother Qu called her out.

  • Dong Xuebin attended the opening ceremony and classes at the Xicheng District Committee Party School.
  • Dong Xuebin visited Qu Yunxuan and ate dinner with her and Mother Qu, who urged Qu Yunxuan to meet a prospective match.
  • Qu Yunxuan told Dong Xuebin she planned to delay dating until she had saved enough money to start a business and rejected the idea that he was suitable for her.
  • Dong Xuebin kissed Qu Yunxuan despite her protests, and she told him it was her first kiss.
  • Qu Yunxuan grabbed Dong Xuebin's hair and kissed him repeatedly, then they stopped when Mother Qu called her to watch the stock commentary.

Ch. 116Framed Again!

Dong Xuebin learned that someone had framed him by signing a report accusing Zhou Guoan of corruption, and Zhou used the fallout to appoint Guo Shunjie as deputy director of the General Office. Dong was left without a leadership post and resolved to fight back.

  • Dong Xuebin spent his tenth day at the Party School studying and texting Huo Yunxuan, who said she might return the next day or the day after.
  • Chang Juan told Dong that an accusation against Zhou Guoan had been submitted to the municipal Discipline Inspection Committee under Dong’s name, and she suspected Guo Shunjie had set him up.
  • Dong tried to reach Xu Yan while the Party Committee meeting continued, then finally got through and denied writing the report.
  • Xu Yan told Dong that Zhou Guoan had appointed Guo Shunjie deputy director of the General Office and would leave Dong without a leadership position when he returned.
  • Dong clenched his fists and vowed that Zhou and Guo would not remove him from his post so easily.

Ch. 117He Hit Someone! (Sixth Update!!)

Dong Xuebin returned to the Chengxi Branch Bureau after learning he had been removed from his position and confronted Guo Shunjie, who had taken over his office. Dong Xuebin beat Guo Shunjie until coworkers restrained him, leaving Guo Shunjie badly injured.

  • Dong Xuebin returned to the Chengxi Branch Bureau as coworkers whispered that he had lost his position and Director Zhou would target him.
  • Dong Xuebin entered the General Office and learned that Guo Shunjie had moved into his former office.
  • Dong Xuebin accused Guo Shunjie of reporting Director Zhou under his name, but Guo Shunjie denied it and ordered him to surrender his work ID and move his belongings.
  • Guo Shunjie swept Dong Xuebin's belongings into the trash and smashed his cup, prompting Dong Xuebin to punch and kick him.
  • Zhuangzi, Tan Limei, and the others rushed in and restrained Dong Xuebin as Guo Shunjie lay bleeding and missing several teeth.

Ch. 118Evidence? Then I'll Give You Evidence!

After reversing time to beat Guo Shunjie, Dong Xuebin confronted Zhou Guoan about being framed and stripped of his post. Zhou dismissed his defense and challenged him to produce evidence, leaving Dong determined to do just that.

  • Dong Xuebin left Guo Shunjie's office after warning him that their conflict was not over.
  • Dong Xuebin went to Zhou Guoan's office and argued that Guo Shunjie had tampered with the meeting document and written the anonymous letter to frame him.
  • Zhou Guoan suspected the letter might have come from political enemies or Dong Xuebin, but insisted that the transfer was an organizational decision.
  • Dong Xuebin challenged Zhou Guoan's decision to remove him from his post while he had only five days left at the Party School.
  • Zhou Guoan ordered Dong Xuebin out and told him to bring evidence if he reported someone, prompting Dong to resolve to give him evidence.

Ch. 119Search the House!

After Zhou Guoan stripped him of his position, Dong Xuebin decided to find evidence of the director’s corruption in his home. He escaped the guards using Back and left with the contents of a hidden bribery ledger memorized.

  • Dong Xuebin asked Xu Yan and Song Shoujie whether conclusive evidence could bring Zhou Guoan down, and Xu Yan indirectly pointed him to Lao Yan for Zhou’s address.
  • Lao Yan secretly gave Dong Xuebin Zhou Guoan’s address in the Branch Bureau Family Compound: Red Brick Building, Unit Five, 202.
  • Dong Xuebin tricked the guards into letting him into the compound and broke into Zhou Guoan’s apartment through a second-floor window.
  • Dong Xuebin searched the apartment and found a savings account showing 1.75 million yuan under Li Yan’s name and a black notebook listing officials, numbers, and dates.
  • After the guards exposed his lie and broke into the bedroom, Dong Xuebin used Back to escape and wrote down the ledger details he had memorized.

Ch. 120Evidence! (!)

Dong Xuebin returned to Xu Yan and Song Shoujie with evidence that Zhou Guoan had accepted bribes through another person’s bank account. Xu Yan accepted the evidence and planned to pass it to higher-ups, while she and Song Shoujie wondered how Dong had found it so quickly.

  • Xu Yan and Song Shoujie discussed how to counter Zhou Guoan, and Xu Yan said she would approach Cheng Haimei while Song handled Yang Yizhong.
  • Dong Xuebin returned and told Xu Yan and Song Shoujie that he had found evidence against Zhou Guoan.
  • Dong gave them a list showing bribes deposited into Li Yan’s account and said a black ledger was hidden beneath the mattress in Zhou’s bedroom.
  • Xu Yan judged the evidence sufficient, kept the list, and told Dong to stay quiet and wait for news.
  • After Dong left, Xu Yan and Song praised his ability and wondered who had provided the information.

Ch. 121Sudden Change!

Dong Xuebin feared he would lose his post as the bureau prepared to announce Guo Shunjie's appointment, but Xu Yan urged him to attend the meeting. The city bureau Discipline Inspection Commission then took Zhou Guoan and Guo Shunjie away, and Dong Xuebin became known throughout the branch bureau for bringing Zhou down.

  • Li Qing told Dong Xuebin to return to the bureau and hand over his office and Deputy Director work ID before Guo Shunjie's appointment meeting.
  • Xu Yan ordered Dong Xuebin to attend the meeting, hinting that he should not miss the show.
  • Guo Shunjie proposed transferring Dong Xuebin to the Archives and later tried to order him around at the meeting venue.
  • The Discipline Inspection Commission arrived with Zhou Guoan and took both Zhou Guoan and Guo Shunjie away.
  • Zhou Guoan glared at Dong Xuebin and Xu Yan, while Guo Shunjie realized Dong Xuebin might have uncovered evidence against them.
  • Word spread through the bureau that Dong Xuebin had brought down Zhou Guoan, and staff began calling him omnipotent.

Ch. 122About to be Promoted to Fuke Level!

After Zhou Guoan’s bribery case led to his removal, Dong Xuebin was reinstated and Xu Yan promised to pursue his Fuke Level promotion. With a few days of leave, he decided to travel to Jiangzhe Province and gamble on pearls to grow his savings toward one million yuan.

  • Dong Xuebin told Luan Xiaoping that work was going well and transferred her a few thousand yuan, though he hid his recent troubles.
  • Xu Yan informed Dong Xuebin that Zhou Guoan’s appointment had been voided, Dong Xuebin was reinstated, and Zhou Guoan and Guo Shunjie would not return to the agency.
  • Xu Yan granted Dong Xuebin several days of leave and promised to try to secure his promotion to Fuke Level after he returned.
  • Dong Xuebin called Qu Yunxuan, learned she would travel to Jiangzhe Province, and hoped to see her when she returned.
  • After checking that he had 440,000 yuan, Dong Xuebin read about pearl gambling and decided to go to Jiangzhe Province to open oysters and pursue his million-yuan goal.

Ch. 123Pearl Clam Opening! (Second Update!)

Dong Xuebin arrived in Zhuji with all 440,000 yuan of his savings to find valuable pearl clams and use BACK to make a profit. At a breeding farm, he watched a batch being opened and waited for a top-quality pearl before using BACK.

  • Dong Xuebin learned about pearl gambling from a restaurant owner and hired a taxi to take him to a breeding farm where clams were being harvested.
  • Dong Xuebin showed the farm boss his suitcase of money and persuaded him to let him watch the clam opening.
  • The workers opened a series of clams, finding pearls but none larger than 1.4 centimeters until the eleventh clam produced a flawless 1.5-centimeter Golden Pearl.
  • Dong Xuebin shouted BACK as soon as the valuable Golden Pearl was revealed.

Ch. 124Gambling on Pearls!

Dong Xuebin used Back to rewind time while selecting Pearl Clams that contained large, flawless Golden Pearls. After spending nine uses to collect nine clams, he used his final rewind to claim two more clams before they were opened.

  • Dong Xuebin bought a plump Pearl Clam for six thousand yuan and used Back after the boss found a 1.7-centimeter pearl.
  • Dong Xuebin rewound time and bought clams containing large Golden Pearls, rejecting pearls that were too small, white, or irregular.
  • Dong Xuebin used most of his Back attempts to collect nine clams containing eleven Golden Pearls measuring 1.4 to 1.7 centimeters.
  • After the worker found three large pearls in one clam, the boss discovered another large pearl in his own clam.
  • Dong Xuebin used his last Back and, in the rewound moment, took both clams before the boss and worker could open them.

Ch. 125A Pearl Necklace in Hand!

Dong Xuebin spent nearly all his money buying Golden Pearls and his own Pearl Clams, then paid a processing shop to rush them into a necklace. By evening, the finished necklace left him confident he could earn a million yuan at auction.

  • Dong Xuebin bought eleven Pearl Clams and fifteen additional Golden Pearls, bringing his total to thirty necklace-sized pearls.
  • Dong Xuebin spent 441,000 yuan on the clams and pearls, then took them to a cheap hotel to open the clams.
  • Dong Xuebin recovered fifteen Golden Pearls from the clams and arranged all thirty pearls into a necklace shape.
  • Dong Xuebin took the pearls to a Zhuji processing shop and paid with one hundred other pearls and an extra thousand yuan for same-day work.
  • The processing shop finished Dong Xuebin's glittering Golden Pearl necklace that evening, and he expected it to sell for a million yuan at auction.

Ch. 126Aunt Xuan Is in Trouble!

Dong Xuebin learned that Zhai Yunxuan had been demoted and sent undercover to investigate illegal tour guides. When the guides exposed her and Sister Cao as reporters and seized them, Dong Xuebin rushed to find them and feared for Aunt Xuan’s safety.

  • Dong Xuebin called Zhai Yunxuan and learned from Sister Cao that Zhai Yunxuan had been demoted and reassigned to the Reporter Department.
  • Dong Xuebin spoke with Zhai Yunxuan, who brushed off his questions about her demotion, and he arranged to meet her in Suhang the next day.
  • Dong Xuebin waited near Mount Daming while Zhai Yunxuan’s tour group was diverted to another mountain and the guide demanded that tourists pay extra fees.
  • The illegal guide and driver discovered Zhai Yunxuan and Sister Cao’s reporting notes, accused them of being reporters, and dragged them off the bus as the call disconnected.
  • Dong Xuebin took a taxi south, showed the driver his National Security ID, and called the police while repeatedly trying to reach Zhai Yunxuan.

Ch. 127Dong Xuebin's Fury!

Dong Xuebin arrived as Qu Yunxuan and Sister Cao were being attacked by the tour driver and guide, but the driver knocked him down. He used Back to rewind time and turned the driver’s kick against him, then struck him with a large stone, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

  • Dong Xuebin found Qu Yunxuan and Sister Cao being assaulted by the tour driver and female guide, who took Qu Yunxuan’s bag and destroyed her notebook.
  • Dong Xuebin charged the driver, but the driver kicked him down while holding Qu Yunxuan by the hair.
  • Dong Xuebin used Back to return to the moment before the driver’s kick and timed his own kick to strike the driver’s shin.
  • Dong Xuebin grabbed a large stone and hurled it at the injured driver, knocking him down and leaving him bleeding.

Ch. 128Beat the Bastard Senseless!

Dong Xuebin rescued Qu Yunxuan and Cao Ping from an illegal tour guide and her driver, then used his work ID to avoid being detained after beating them. As Qu Yunxuan left for the Capital City, she promised to explain why she had been removed from her position, while Dong Xuebin reflected on how BACK had helped him fight.

  • Dong Xuebin beat the driver who had attacked Qu Yunxuan and knocked the female tour guide unconscious when she tried to intervene.
  • After the police arrived, Dong Xuebin showed his work ID, and an older officer let him pull the driver's hair before taking everyone to the station.
  • Dong Xuebin, Qu Yunxuan, and Cao Ping left the station, and Dong Xuebin checked Qu Yunxuan's bruises while Cao Ping thanked him for rescuing them.
  • Qu Yunxuan promised to explain her removal from her position after they returned to the Capital City.
  • Qu Yunxuan and Cao Ping left in a van with their newspaper colleagues, while Dong Xuebin planned to take the train and considered how BACK had helped him fight.

Ch. 129Auction Company

Dong Xuebin took his large golden pearl necklace to Hanhai Auction House, hoping to sell it quickly to raise money for Aunt Xuan. He agreed to put it in a small auction scheduled for the next day and left the necklace with the auction house.

  • Dong Xuebin went to Hanhai Auction House in Liulichang and asked to auction a pearl necklace.
  • Teacher Sun examined the necklace and was astonished by its large golden pearls, though he noted its chain was rough.
  • Teacher Sun offered to replace the chain and recommended waiting for a major auction, but Dong Xuebin insisted he needed a quick sale.
  • Teacher Sun estimated the necklace would fetch at least 1.2 million yuan and proposed a starting price of 500,000 yuan.
  • Dong Xuebin signed the agreement, left the necklace with Hanhai for refinishing, and went home to wait for the auction.

Ch. 130Aunt Xuan's Trouble

Dong Xuebin reunited with Qu Yunxuan, kissed her, and learned that Deputy Director Gong had punished and pressured her for refusing to date his younger brother. When Gong said his brother had gone to Qu Yunxuan’s home and hinted that dating him could restore her position, Dong Xuebin grabbed the phone and threatened Gong.

  • Dong Xuebin returned home and found Qu Yunxuan cleaning his apartment and washing his clothes.
  • Dong Xuebin hugged and kissed Qu Yunxuan, and she warned him not to tell anyone about their intimacy.
  • Qu Yunxuan explained that Deputy Director Gong had transferred her after she refused to date Gong’s younger brother and had arranged for a client to complain about her.
  • Qu Yunxuan told Dong Xuebin that Gong had sent her on the dangerous undercover assignment and that she might resign if he kept targeting her.
  • Gong called Qu Yunxuan and said his younger brother was at her home, suggesting that dating him could help her return to the Advertising Department.
  • Dong Xuebin took Qu Yunxuan’s phone and threatened Gong.

Ch. 131Making a Scene at the Newspaper Office!

Dong Xuebin went to the Jingcheng Times Newspaper Office to confront its leaders over Deputy Director Gong’s treatment of Qu Yunxuan. After the Chief Editor dismissed his complaints and Gong threatened to demote Qu Yunxuan again, Dong Xuebin made a scene and called Xie Huilan for help.

  • Dong Xuebin ignored Qu Yunxuan’s request to stay home and went to the newspaper office to report Deputy Director Gong’s misconduct.
  • Cao Ping directed Dong Xuebin to the Chief Editor, but staff repeatedly delayed him, and the Chief Editor dismissed his complaint after he waited two hours.
  • Dong Xuebin followed the Chief Editor to the Reporter Department and saw Deputy Director Gong berate Qu Yunxuan and threaten to assign her to operate an elevator.
  • The Chief Editor ordered security to remove Dong Xuebin, so Dong Xuebin kicked over a desk, denounced the Chief Editor and Deputy Director Gong, and showed his police ID.
  • Dong Xuebin called Xie Huilan after declaring that he would get an explanation from the newspaper office.
Arc 5 of 82