Chapter Summaries

Liu Gang was confronted with evidence that he had followed Xu Yan, and he claimed he had only been tracking Dong Xuebin for a news story. Xu Yan ordered him detained and investigated for espionage after learning he had met foreigners and traveled to America.

• Liu Gang denied following Xu Yan until surveillance footage showed his car tailing hers for an hour.
• Liu Gang claimed he had followed Dong Xuebin for a report and had mistaken Xu Yan's car for his route.
• Xu Yan revealed that she knew Dong Xuebin from her former role as his superior at National Security and said he had never entered her car.
• A young man reported that Liu Gang had met foreigners and traveled to America, prompting Xu Yan to order an investigation into possible espionage and intelligence leaks.
• Liu Gang panicked at the accusations and blamed Dong Xuebin for setting him up.

Xu Yan’s State Security team arrested Liu Gang and Pang Dabing over Liu Gang’s surveillance of Xu Yan, presenting evidence that exposed a trap arranged with Dong Xuebin. Pang Dabing realized the evidence could implicate them both, and the interrogation continued.

• Xu Yan ordered Liu Gang taken into custody and told the Third Division Chief to establish who had instructed him.
• Pang Dabing waited at Nanqi Morning News for Liu Gang, planning to use any damaging information about Dong Xuebin in an article.
• State Security officers arrested Pang Dabing at the newspaper and searched his office and Liu Gang’s desk.
• At the bureau, the Third Division Chief confronted Pang Dabing with Liu Gang’s statement that Pang had directed him to investigate Dong Xuebin.
• The officers showed Pang footage of Liu Gang following Xu Yan and photographs of her taken with his camera.
• Pang concluded that Dong Xuebin and State Security had set Liu Gang up, leaving them unable to explain away the evidence.

After Pang Dabing and Liu Gang were detained, Dong Xuebin confronted Nanqi Morning News President Dong Haitao over repeated attacks and the surveillance of him. Fearing State Security would implicate the newspaper, Dong Haitao convened its leaders, who voted to dismiss Liu Gang and suspend Pang Dabing.

• Xu Yan told Dong Xuebin that Pang Dabing and Liu Gang had been taken into custody, and Dong Xuebin planned to make sure they could not retaliate after their investigation.
• Dong Xuebin called Dong Haitao and angrily accused Nanqi Morning News of repeatedly framing him and having Pang Dabing send Liu Gang to surveil him.
• Dong Haitao contacted the Municipal State Security Bureau and learned that Pang Dabing and Liu Gang were suspected of espionage and had been arrested.
• Dong Haitao warned the newspaper’s senior leaders that Pang Dabing and Liu Gang’s surveillance of Xu Yan and Dong Xuebin had been confirmed.
• Chief Editor Lao Zhou proposed dismissing Liu Gang and suspending Pang Dabing, and the newspaper’s leaders approved the measures.

Dong Xuebin answered State Security’s questions about the surveillance incident and learned that the Nanqi Morning News had dismissed Liu Gang and Pang Dabing. After confronting both men, he suspected Xue Qingrong had directed the campaign against him and said he was ready to face him.

• Dong Xuebin told State Security that he had met Xu Yan but had not gotten into her car, then asked to confront Liu Gang and Pang Dabing.
• Dong Haitao told Dong Xuebin that Liu Gang and Pang Dabing had been dismissed and that Liu Gang’s expulsion from the Party had been submitted.
• Dong Xuebin told Liu Gang about his dismissal and taunted him over the surveillance and the Morning News articles.
• Dong Xuebin questioned Pang Dabing about who had directed him, but Pang Dabing accepted responsibility and warned that the Nanshan District Discipline Inspection Commission was investigating Dong Xuebin.
• Dong Xuebin suspected Xue Qingrong was behind the campaign and told Pang Dabing to pass on that he would be waiting.

Dong Xuebin heard that the District Discipline Inspection Committee might be investigating him, but he stayed calm and chatted with Qu Yiqiang about cigarettes. News then spread that State Security had detained reporter Liu Gang and newspaper deputy president Pang Dabing, leaving Guangming Subdistrict staff convinced that Dong Xuebin had once again made his enemies suffer.

• Dong Xuebin asked Qu Yiqiang about rumors that the District Discipline Inspection Committee was investigating the Nanqi Morning News report, then gave him two cartons of cigarettes.
• Zhou Yanru came to warn Dong Xuebin about the investigation and a possible follow-up report, but left after hearing he was calmly discussing cigarettes with Qu Yiqiang.
• News spread that State Security had detained Liu Gang after he mistakenly followed and photographed Director Xu, and had also arrested Pang Dabing.
• Nanqi Morning News dismissed Liu Gang and Pang Dabing, and staff at Guangming Subdistrict wondered whether Dong Xuebin had caused their downfall.
• Zhou Yanru recalled Dong Xuebin's prediction that the newspaper would not be able to fabricate another report, and his nickname, Gold Shines Everywhere, began circulating in Nanshan District.

Dong Xuebin drove Xu Yan to Beijing to visit her son, but learned the boy had gone out with his father and Xu Yan, so he brought her back to his apartment. There, he used REVERSE during a massage and made Xu Yan six months younger, leaving her pleased with the result.

• Dong Xuebin learned that the Guangming Street Office had been selected as a Model Unit and that his nickname, the Plague God, was well known in Nanshan District.
• Dong Xuebin picked up Xu Yan and drove her toward Beijing while she explained that Pang Dabing and the others were still being interrogated.
• Xu Yan learned by phone that her son had gone to the Summer Palace with his father and Xu Yan, so Dong Xuebin took her to his apartment instead.
• Xu Yan told Dong Xuebin that his earlier massage had kept the wrinkles from returning, and he offered to try another session.
• Dong Xuebin used REVERSE for three minutes during the massage, making Xu Yan six months younger, and she noticed that her fine lines had faded.

Dong Xuebin worried that his Reverse ability was rejuvenating Xu Yan’s entire body, so he claimed his massage could restore her skin and offered to treat her body as well. After he secretly used Reverse during the massage, Xu Yan noticed her skin had become younger and was pleased with the results.

• Dong Xuebin realized Reverse had been turning back the age of Xu Yan’s whole body, not just her face, and feared she would discover the changes.
• Dong Xuebin told Xu Yan that acupoint massage could restore vitality and elasticity throughout her body, and Xu Yan agreed to let him try.
• Dong Xuebin massaged Xu Yan’s face, arms, back, waist, feet, and legs, then used Reverse while working on her thigh.
• Dong Xuebin canceled Reverse and told Xu Yan to check the results in the mirror.
• Xu Yan touched her arm and thigh, saw the changes in the mirror, and smiled.

Dong Xuebin spent the day caring for Xu Yan, whose appearance improved after his Reverse ability turned back her age, and massaging her again while they discussed an investigation into allegations that he had hit someone. Xu Yan offered to help him investigate and decided to stay the night at his home.

• Dong Xuebin and Xu Yan ate lunch at his home, and he cleaned up while she admired the changes to her skin and face.
• As the heat worsened, Xu Yan asked Dong Xuebin to massage her again, and he agreed.
• During the massage, Xu Yan asked about the report accusing Dong Xuebin of hitting someone and warned that the District Discipline Inspection Committee was investigating him.
• Dong Xuebin said he was close to district party secretary Wang Anshi, and Xu Yan offered to help investigate if trouble arose.
• After the massage, Xu Yan asked to stay the night, and Dong Xuebin offered her the inner room while he slept on the sofa.

Dong Xuebin spent the morning with Xu Yan before calling Wang Anshi’s home to check on his health. That evening, Xu Yan warned him of a rumor that he might be sent to the Municipal Party School, leaving him alarmed that someone in the district was moving against him.

• Dong Xuebin found Xu Yan still asleep, made breakfast with her, and drove her to meet her son.
• Dong Xuebin called Madam Yan and learned that Wang Anshi had been feeling better after Dong’s massage treatment.
• Dong Xuebin slept through the afternoon and later returned Xu Yan’s missed calls.
• Xu Yan told Dong Xuebin that a rumor said he might be sent to the Municipal Party School.
• Dong Xuebin grew alarmed and decided to look into the possible transfer.

Dong Xuebin learned that the district had ordered him to attend a month-long Party School training program, leaving Geng Xinke to oversee Guangming Street Office and claim credit for the Model Unit award. When Dong confronted Geng Yuehua, she revealed that Secretary Wang Anshi had proposed sending him away, leaving Dong shocked that the man whose life he had helped save was behind the decision.

• Dong Xuebin noticed his colleagues acting strangely, then received a summons from the District Committee Organization Department.
• Xue Qingrong told Dong that he had been assigned to a month-long Party School program and that Geng Xinke would take over the office and receive the Beijing commendation.
• Dong rejected the decision and worried that his absence would weaken his control of the office and let Geng Xinke take credit for the Model Unit achievement.
• Dong confronted Geng Yuehua about the timing of his training and the reassignment of the commendation work.
• Geng Yuehua told Dong that Secretary Wang Anshi had proposed sending him to the Party School, and Dong was stunned by the revelation.

Dong Xuebin learned that Wang Anshi had arranged his transfer to Party School and confronted the secretary’s office, but was turned away. Wang Anshi explained to Wang Yuling that he had sent Dong away to appease Xue Qingrong and protect his political interests.

• Dong Xuebin realized Wang Anshi had arranged his Party School transfer and went to demand an explanation.
• Secretary Zang blocked Dong Xuebin from entering Wang Anshi’s office, and Dong concluded that Wang Anshi had targeted him.
• Wang Yuling confronted her uncle, Wang Anshi, and argued that Dong Xuebin deserved gratitude for treating his appendicitis.
• Wang Anshi told Wang Yuling that Dong Xuebin had brought the transfer on himself by hitting someone and dismissed her objections.
• Wang Anshi reflected that sending Dong to Party School would ease Xue Qingrong’s resentment and benefit Geng Xinke and Wang Yuling.

Dong Xuebin learned that Wang Anshi had sent him to the Party School to appease Xue Qingrong, leaving Geng Xinke temporarily in charge of the Street Office. As Dong prepared to report the next day, he faced the loss of his authority and the credit for the Respect-the-Elderly Model Unit work.

• Madam Yan questioned Wang Anshi about sending Dong Xuebin to the Party School, but Wang defended the decision as a way to placate Xue Qingrong and avoid damaging his ties with Geng Yuehua's side.
• News spread through Guangming Street Office that Dong Xuebin would attend the Party School and Geng Xinke would temporarily oversee the office's work.
• Dong Xuebin returned to his office, realized Wang Anshi had sacrificed him to appease Xue Qingrong, and lamented that his efforts to build a relationship with Wang had been repaid with punishment.
• Wang Yuling apologized to Dong Xuebin and offered to hand the Respect-the-Elderly work to Director Zhou, but Dong told her to carry out her assigned duties.
• Geng Xinke came to discuss the handover, and Dong ordered him to submit the month's work summary before taking over; Geng privately welcomed the chance to gain authority and credit from Dong's predicament.

Dong Xuebin faced being sent to the Party School and, after Wang Anshi rejected his attempt to reconcile, decided to stop accommodating Nanshan District’s leaders. He called Yang Zhaode to explain the situation, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Qu Yiqiang, Zhou Yanru, and Wang Yuling left Dong Xuebin’s office after failing to find a way to prevent his Party School assignment, while Meng Senguo stayed away from work.
• Dong Xuebin considered asking Xie Huilan or her aunt for help, but decided those approaches could damage his position further.
• Dong Xuebin called Wang Anshi and tried to invite him to dinner, but Wang Anshi dismissed him and ended the call.
• Dong Xuebin decided to confront the district leaders rather than keep seeking their favor, then called Yang Zhaode for help.
• Yang Zhaode asked about the Party School assignment, and Dong Xuebin explained how the district had added him to the training class at the last minute.

Dong Xuebin returned to Guangming Street Office instead of reporting to the Party School, openly defying the district’s decision. The news spread across Nanshan District, leaving officials waiting to see how Wang Anshi would respond.

• Geng Xinke arrived at the Street Office expecting to take charge while Dong Xuebin attended the Party School.
• Dong Xuebin drove into the compound, greeted the staff, and settled into his office instead of going to the Party School.
• After learning Dong Xuebin had stayed at work, Zhou Yanru urged him to reconsider, but he calmly asked her for the community work report.
• Geng Xinke told an acquaintance in the district Organization Department that Dong Xuebin had ignored the order, while Yu Rongfeng and Peng Gang discussed the consequences.
• Xue Qingrong informed Wang Anshi that Dong Xuebin had not reported to the Party School, and Wang Anshi became furious.
• News of Dong Xuebin’s defiance spread throughout Nanshan District, and officials waited to see how Wang Anshi would deal with him.

The Municipal Party School rejected Dong Xuebin’s training-class application, preventing Nanshan District from punishing him for refusing to attend and revealing Yang Zhaode’s backing. Dong Xuebin declined Yang Zhaode’s offer to transfer him, choosing to remain at Guangming Street Office despite the district leaders’ resentment.

• Wang Anshi and Xue Qingrong agreed to suspend Dong Xuebin until Secretary Zang reported that the Municipal Party School had returned only Dong Xuebin’s name.
• Nanshan District leaders and cadres learned that the city had blocked Dong Xuebin’s Party School slot, and Geng Xinke realized Dong Xuebin could continue working at the Street Office and claim the upcoming award.
• Yang Zhaode told Dong Xuebin that he had arranged the rejection because he was the Municipal Party School’s principal, and warned him that his conflicts with district leaders would make his work difficult.
• Yang Zhaode offered to transfer Dong Xuebin to a Street Office position in Xiping District, but Dong Xuebin refused and insisted on staying at Guangming Street Office.

Wang Anshi grew angrier over Dong Xuebin’s challenge and resolved to deal with him later, but his appendicitis suddenly flared up. At the hospital, he insisted on Chinese massage, hoping to repeat the treatment he believed Dong Xuebin had given him.

• Wang Anshi called city leaders to learn who was protecting Dong Xuebin, then concluded the backing was probably too weak to arrange Dong Xuebin’s transfer.
• Wang Anshi vowed to punish Dong Xuebin in the future and became angry again while inspecting the District Committee building.
• Wang Anshi’s appendicitis attack left him doubled over in pain, and Secretary Zang and other staff rushed him to the First Hospital of Nanshan District.
• Wang Anshi refused surgery and an IV drip, demanding Chinese massage instead, so the hospital called Doctor Xu.
• Doctor Xu explained that appendicitis massage usually targeted foot reflex zones, and he massaged Wang Anshi’s feet and abdomen at Wang Anshi’s insistence.

Wang Anshi’s appendicitis flared up, and several doctors failed to ease his pain after he refused surgery and insisted on Chinese Massage. When Wang Anshi asked Dong Xuebin to treat him again, Dong refused and hung up.

• Doctor Xu and several visiting experts failed to relieve Wang Anshi’s pain, and they advised him to find the skilled massage doctor who had treated him before.
• Wang Yuling visited Wang Anshi but refused to ask Dong Xuebin for help because Wang Anshi had previously moved against him.
• Zhou Yanru told Dong Xuebin that Wang Anshi’s appendicitis had flared up and that he was hospitalized.
• Secretary Zang called Dong Xuebin on Wang Anshi’s behalf and asked him to provide another massage treatment.
• Dong Xuebin refused to treat Wang Anshi and hung up on Secretary Zang.

Dong Xuebin refused to treat Wang Anshi after the district secretary was hospitalized, deepening their conflict and leaving local officials guessing about his political plans. Over dinner, Dong asked Yang Zhaode whether the Party School still had an opening for him.

• Wang Yuling called Dong Xuebin to ask him to treat Wang Anshi, but he refused because Wang Anshi had previously turned against him after he helped.
• Dong Xuebin declined to join Wang Anshi's faction and went to dinner with Za Xiaoping and Yang Zhaode.
• Geng Xinke and Yu Rongfeng concluded that Dong Xuebin's connections only secured his Party School slot and speculated he would turn to Geng Yuehua's camp.
• Dong Xuebin asked Geng Xinke to represent their office in visiting Wang Anshi, but Geng Xinke refused and suggested sending Director Zhou instead.
• Dong Xuebin asked Yang Zhaode whether another person could be added to the Party School starting the next day.

Dong Xuebin returned to the Street Office after his clash with Wang Anshi, then arranged for Geng Xinke to attend the Municipal Party School in his place. The chapter ended with the news spreading through the office as staff wondered how many more people Dong Xuebin intended to offend.

• Dong Xuebin arrived at the Street Office and dismissed Meng Senguo's attempts to curry favor after he had avoided Dong during his troubles.
• Zhou Yanru told Dong Xuebin that Wang Anshi had undergone surgery, remained in intensive care, and taken a month of sick leave while District Governor Yuehua acted in his place.
• Dong Xuebin called a meeting and told Zhou Yanru not to notify Geng Xinke.
• Geng Xinke learned that Dong Xuebin had held a Party and Government Work Committee meeting without him, then received a Municipal Party School order to report for cadre training.
• The Street Office staff learned Geng Xinke was being sent to the Party School and reacted with shock at Dong Xuebin's escalating conflicts.

Dong Xuebin returned to Guangming Street Office with the Respect-the-Elderly Model Unit honor, but the fallout from his recent actions had strained his standing with district leaders. He arrived at the district government for an investment promotion meeting and found that everyone was avoiding him.

• Dong Xuebin offered to help Father Geng with his bicycle, but Father Geng and Mother Geng rejected him coldly.
• Dong Xuebin announced the award at a staff meeting and decided to display the trophy and certificate in a case in the Administrative Service Hall.
• Shen Fei praised Dong Xuebin briefly and summoned him to the district's Investment Promotion Work Conference.
• Dong Xuebin drove his Porsche Cayenne to the district government, where cadres and staff avoided him because they feared his reputation and the district leadership's reaction.