Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin struggled with office politics while writing a Party Membership Application to improve his promotion prospects. After he submitted it to Li Qing, Li Qing assigned Zhou Changchun a speech draft for Director Yang, leaving the General Office staff visibly uneasy.

• Dong Xuebin wrote a lengthy Party Membership Application and asked Tan Limei who handled applications in their Party Branch.
• Li Qing arrived at the General Office, and Dong Xuebin handed him his application.
• Li Qing gave Zhou Changchun the material for Director Yang’s upcoming speech and urged him to make it better than the last draft.
• Tan Limei, Guo Shunjie, Guo Panwei, and the others looked troubled by the speech assignment, while Dong Xuebin and Zhuangzi wondered what made it so difficult.

Dong Xuebin saw an opportunity to prove himself when the General Office failed to produce a speech draft that satisfied Deputy Director Yang Yizhong. Zhou Changchun let him try his hand at a replacement draft, though he had little confidence in the newcomer.

• Zhou Changchun assigned Tan Limei, Guo Panwei, Guo Shunjie, and Chang Juan to draft speeches for Yang Yizhong, and they reluctantly agreed.
• Tan Limei told Dong Xuebin that Yang Yizhong was demanding and had recently scolded the General Office over its drafts.
• The staff submitted their drafts, but Yang Yizhong rejected them, and Tan Limei returned in tears.
• Zhou Changchun told the staff that the city bureau meeting had been moved up and demanded a revised draft that day.
• Dong Xuebin volunteered to write a speech, and Zhou Changchun allowed him to try.

Dong Xuebin used Back to undo his disastrous meeting with Yang Yizhong, then figured out the deputy director needed a simple speech he could read. Yang praised Dong’s draft and assigned him to write all his future speeches.

• Dong Xuebin gave Yang Yizhong an ornate draft, and Yang angrily rejected it after misreading a character.
• Dong Xuebin used Back to return to before handing over the draft and pretended it was unfinished.
• Yang Yizhong privately revealed that his limited education made it difficult for him to read uncommon characters.
• Dong Xuebin wrote a straightforward draft while the other General Office staff failed to satisfy Yang.
• Yang Yizhong praised Dong’s speech, told Zhou Changchun the office was capable, and assigned Dong to handle his future drafts.
• Dong Xuebin kept Yang’s literacy problem secret, and Zhou Changchun praised his ability to solve the crisis.

Dong Xuebin used Back after seeing Da Qin Railway plunge, then warned Zhou Changchun to sell before the stock fell further. Zhou Changchun later asked Dong to help him look at stocks, bringing them closer.

• Dong Xuebin arrived at work to praise from his coworkers after his contribution the previous day.
• Guo Panwei brought stock charts to Zhou Changchun and spent half an hour in his office.
• Dong Xuebin delivered a document to Zhou Changchun and watched Da Qin Railway fall sharply.
• Dong Xuebin used Back to return to the moment before the plunge and warned Zhou Changchun that Da Qin Railway would fall below nine yuan before noon.
• Zhou Changchun called Dong Xuebin over at lunchtime and asked him to help look at stocks the next day.

Dong Xuebin endured another slight from Guo Shunjie before using Back to predict Hainan Rubber’s sudden rebound. Zhou Changchun followed his advice and bought the stock, leaving him impressed by Dong Xuebin’s apparent skill.

• Tan Limei and Chang Juan teased Dong Xuebin about dating, and he declined Chang Juan’s offer to introduce him to someone.
• Guo Shunjie told Dong Xuebin to mop the office again, and Dong Xuebin cleaned with Zhuangzi despite his anger.
• Zhou Changchun summoned Dong Xuebin to help choose a stock and dismissed Hainan Rubber when it was at its limit down.
• After Hainan Rubber began surging, Dong Xuebin used Back to rewind time and urged Zhou Changchun to buy it before the rebound.
• Zhou Changchun bought Hainan Rubber, watched its price climb, and praised Dong Xuebin for predicting the rise.

Dong Xuebin grew increasingly fed up with Guo Shunjie’s bullying and refused to fetch water for him. After Guo Shunjie left in anger, Zhou Changchun arrived and called Dong Xuebin into his office.

• Dong Xuebin considered stock trading but decided it was too risky, and he continued analyzing stocks for Zhou Changchun.
• Guo Shunjie ordered Dong Xuebin to sweep the office, and Tan Limei and Zhuangzi helped him while Guo Panwei and Chang Juan stayed out of it.
• After Dong Xuebin finished sweeping, Guo Shunjie ordered him to replace the empty water jug, but Lao Yan objected and Dong Xuebin refused.
• Guo Shunjie threatened Dong Xuebin and left to deliver documents, while Dong Xuebin said he would not change the water.
• Zhou Changchun arrived and asked Dong Xuebin to come to his office.

Dong Xuebin watched the market with Zhou Changchun and saw Da Qin Railway surge to its limit after appearing to plunge. He rewound time, persuaded Zhou Changchun to buy shares, and watched the stock hit limit up, leaving them with a rapid profit.

• Dong Xuebin joined Zhou Changchun in the office and offered a fabricated explanation for his stock-picking method.
• The market opened lower, and Radar alerts showed Da Qin Railway receiving large sell orders and plunging.
• Dong Xuebin and Zhou Changchun saw an alert that Da Qin Railway had hit limit up, so Dong Xuebin rewound time.
• Dong Xuebin urged Zhou Changchun to buy Da Qin Railway, and Zhou Changchun bought three thousand shares despite his doubts.
• Da Qin Railway surged from a loss to limit up, and Zhou Changchun celebrated the rise.

Dong Xuebin returned to the General Office after impressing Zhou Changchun with his stock predictions. When Guo Shunjie confronted him over the empty water dispenser, Zhou intervened and forced Guo to carry the water himself.

• Zhou Changchun praised Dong Xuebin’s stock analysis and personally poured him a cup of water.
• Dong Xuebin returned to the outer office, where Guo Shunjie confronted him for not replacing the water jug.
• Dong Xuebin let Guo Shunjie believe his important task had taken priority over the water, prompting Guo to criticize him.
• Zhou Changchun came out and revealed that he had summoned Dong, then rebuked Guo for grabbing a colleague and demanding water.
• Guo Shunjie carried in and replaced the water jug while the office watched, and Dong Xuebin enjoyed his embarrassment.

Dong Xuebin tried to build relationships at work and watched Guo Shunjie keep his head down after angering Zhou Changchun. When Changhong Warrant suddenly surged tenfold, Dong Xuebin realized an unexpected trading opportunity had appeared.

• Li Qing praised Dong Xuebin's recent performance, offered him a cigarette, and encouraged him to learn to smoke.
• Dong Xuebin bought a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes to keep on hand for workplace interactions.
• Guo Shunjie cleaned the office and handled his own work rather than risk provoking Dong Xuebin again.
• Dong Xuebin checked Changhong Warrant and saw it had fallen to 0.002 yuan before its final trading day, so he dismissed the idea of buying it.
• Dong Xuebin noticed that Changhong Warrant had jumped to 0.020 yuan after the afternoon market opened and realized its price had risen tenfold.

Dong Xuebin used BACK to return to the start of the afternoon trading session, bought Changhong cwb1 at 0.002 yuan, and sold it during its sudden surge, turning 2,000 yuan into 20,000. He hid his trading from his coworkers and declined Zhou Changchun’s request for another stock pick, then felt overwhelmed by what the money would mean for his family.

• Dong Xuebin used BACK to return to the opening of the afternoon session and transferred 2,000 yuan into his stock account.
• Dong Xuebin bought Changhong cwb1 at 0.002 yuan, and its price surged as large buy orders poured in.
• Dong Xuebin placed a sell order at 0.020 yuan and sold his shares before Changhong cwb1 rapidly fell.
• Dong Xuebin concealed his trading when Lao Yan, Tan Limei, and Chang Juan noticed his sweat.
• Zhou Changchun asked Dong Xuebin to recommend another stock, but Dong Xuebin urged him to wait until the market improved.
• Dong Xuebin checked his account and saw that his 2,000 yuan had grown to 20,000, thinking of how it could help him and his mother.

Dong Xuebin sent his mother money and spent the evening with Qu Yunxuan, shopping for groceries and sharing dinner. Afterward, Qu Yunxuan agreed to take him to the mall to buy clothes.

• Dong Xuebin transferred three thousand yuan to his mother and told her to buy a coat and new clothes.
• Dong Xuebin arranged to meet Qu Yunxuan after work and pick up groceries with her.
• Qu Yunxuan left Jingcheng Daily with Dong Xuebin, and they shopped together while she talked about her failed company and hopes of starting a business again.
• Qu Yunxuan sent Dong Xuebin home to shower, then cooked dinner for him at her apartment.
• After dinner, Dong Xuebin asked Qu Yunxuan to help him shop for clothes, and she agreed to take him to the mall.

Dong Xuebin went shopping with Qu Yunxuan, who bought him a new set of clothes, and he decided to buy her an iPhone 4 in return. The chapter left them at the phone counter as he ordered two iPhone 4s.

• Qu Yunxuan chose a suit and other clothes for Dong Xuebin at Yansha Friendship Shopping Center.
• Qu Yunxuan paid for Dong Xuebin's clothes before he could stop her, leaving him determined to buy her something in return.
• Dong Xuebin and Qu Yunxuan went to Suning Appliance to look at phones.
• Qu Yunxuan admired the iPhone 4 but hesitated over its price.
• Dong Xuebin told the clerk to get two iPhone 4s.

Dong Xuebin bought Qu Yunxuan an iPhone 4, and they returned home sharing affectionate moments. When he tried to confess his feelings, he lost his nerve, but Qu Yunxuan hurt her neck and agreed to let him massage her.

• Dong Xuebin insisted on buying Qu Yunxuan an iPhone 4, and she eventually accepted it and chose accessories and media for the phone.
• Qu Yunxuan happily used her new phone at home, took selfies with Dong Xuebin, and linked arms with him.
• Dong Xuebin tried to tell Qu Yunxuan that he liked her but stammered and failed to confess.
• Qu Yunxuan mistook his stammering for a request to wash his clothes and picked up his socks and underwear.
• Qu Yunxuan's neck hurt as she dodged Dong Xuebin, and she agreed to lie down so he could massage her.

Dong Xuebin tried to confess his love to Qu Yunxuan while massaging her, but she rejected him because he was not her type and disliked his unkempt appearance. He rewound time before the confession, cleaned himself up, and left Qu Yunxuan impressed, planning to confess again later.

• Dong Xuebin massaged Qu Yunxuan and confessed that he loved her, asking her to be his girlfriend.
• Qu Yunxuan rejected Dong Xuebin, saying she thought of him as a younger brother and preferred men who looked clean and fresh.
• Dong Xuebin used his rewind ability to return to before his confession and stopped massaging Qu Yunxuan.
• Dong Xuebin shaved, trimmed his nails, restyled his hair, and put on his new suit.
• Qu Yunxuan praised Dong Xuebin's neat appearance and called him handsome, while he planned to confess again.

Dong Xuebin went to work in a new suit and watched Zhou Changchun assign trusted staff to important duties instead of him. The chapter left him determined to earn Zhou Changchun's trust, while Tan Limei and Chang Juan were sent to handle two sensitive documents.

• Dong Xuebin arrived at the bureau, where Tan Limei teased him about his appearance and urged Zhuangzi to be more outgoing.
• Tan Limei admired Dong Xuebin's new iPhone 4 and repeatedly borrowed it to examine and use it.
• At a General Office meeting, Zhou Changchun chose Guo Panwei and Guo Shunjie to accompany him on an assignment.
• Zhou Changchun assigned Tan Limei and Chang Juan to receive two important documents and take them to the Confidential Office, warning them not to leave the documents unattended.
• Dong Xuebin realized Zhou Changchun still trusted the office veterans more than him and resolved to keep working toward that trust.

Dong Xuebin learned that Zhou Changchun might resent how he had handled his clash with Guo Shunjie, while struggling to earn trust and prove himself at work. The chapter ended when a fire broke out in the Gray Building.

• Tan Limei warned Dong Xuebin that Zhou Changchun might have taken offense because Dong had put him in a position where he had to reprimand Guo Shunjie.
• Dong Xuebin tried to volunteer for a task for Director Yan, but Li Qing chose Zhuangzi instead.
• Zhou Changchun asked Guo Panwei and Guo Shunjie about Dong Xuebin, and both criticized him as immature and impetuous.
• At lunch, Li Qing wondered whether he had unplugged the faulty Electric Kettle in his office, where important documents remained.
• People outside the cafeteria shouted that the Gray Building was on fire.

A fire engulfed Li Qing’s office, putting two irreplaceable documents at risk and prompting Director Yan to threaten the General Office with resignations. Dong Xuebin soaked himself with water and plunged into the burning office, leaving his fate unknown.

• Dong Xuebin realized the fire was in Li Qing’s office and rushed to the Gray Building with Tan Limei and Zhuangzi.
• Director Yan confronted Li Qing after learning that the two important documents he had been asked to deliver were still inside the burning office.
• Guo Shunjie kicked the office door open, and Guo Shunjie and Guo Panwei retreated when they saw the entire room engulfed in flames.
• Tan Limei and Zhuangzi brought fire extinguishers as Director Yan blamed Li Qing and Zhou Changchun and ordered them to submit resignation letters.
• Dong Xuebin poured a basin of water over himself and plunged into the burning office while everyone watched in shock.

Dong Xuebin risked his life to retrieve Li Qing and Zhou Changchun’s missing documents from a burning office, using BACK after his first escape attempt ended in death. He escaped through a second-floor window with the papers, and the leaders praised his courage while ordering him to submit a self-criticism.

• Dong Xuebin entered the burning office to search for the documents, but a fallen bookcase blocked the exit and he found the papers in a desk drawer.
• Dong Xuebin was overcome by smoke and fire, so he shouted “BACK” and rewound time to the moment he opened the drawer.
• Dong Xuebin grabbed the documents, smashed a window, and jumped onto the bicycle shed canopy to escape the fire.
• Li Qing, Zhou Changchun, and the staff found Dong Xuebin injured outside, and he showed them the recovered documents.
• Director Yan postponed Li Qing’s resignation letter but ordered him to submit a self-criticism, while Zhou Changchun and Li Qing praised Dong Xuebin for saving the papers.

While recovering in the hospital after rescuing documents from a fire, Dong Xuebin received visits from his leaders and colleagues. Li Qing and Zhou Changchun told him that the bureau had approved his exceptional admission to the Party, leaving him delighted by the unexpected reward.

• Dong Xuebin received treatment for his burns, sprains, and cuts, and the General Office’s leaders and colleagues came to visit him that evening.
• Li Qing and Zhou Changchun urged Dong Xuebin to stay in the hospital and assured him that his leave and expenses were handled.
• Dong Xuebin’s colleagues praised his courage, while Guo Shunjie and Guo Panwei privately doubted his explanation for entering the fire.
• Li Qing announced that the bureau had approved Dong Xuebin’s admission to the Party through a special front-line procedure.
• Dong Xuebin thanked the leaders and celebrated privately after the visitors left.

Dong Xuebin’s injuries from rescuing a document in a burning office led Qu Yunxuan to discover he was hospitalized and rush to his bedside. She stayed to care for him, leaving him grateful for her concern as he recovered in the hospital.

• Qu Yunxuan called Dong Xuebin after he spent the night away, and he admitted he was hospitalized after being burned in a workplace fire.
• Qu Yunxuan arrived at the hospital, scolded Dong Xuebin for taking such a risk, and tearfully checked his injuries.
• Dong Xuebin told Qu Yunxuan he was about to become a Party member, and she warned him that his life mattered more than any achievement.
• Qu Yunxuan took five days of leave and decided to stay at the hospital with Dong Xuebin while he recovered.