Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin joined Xu Yan and Yu Meixia for an afternoon nap and, after Xu Yan acknowledged what had happened before, had sex with both women while they were sober. The chapter ended with the three of them together in bed.

• Xu Yan invited Yu Meixia to nap with her and jokingly challenged Dong Xuebin to join them.
• Dong Xuebin entered the bedroom, but Xu Yan initially told him to sleep on the sofa while she and Yu Meixia talked about their children and living alone.
• Dong Xuebin climbed under the covers, and Xu Yan said they should stop pretending and accept what had happened.
• Xu Yan gave Dong Xuebin a box of condoms, and he had sex with her and then Yu Meixia.
• Dong Xuebin switched between Xu Yan and Yu Meixia and finally brought them together on the bed.

After spending the afternoon with Xu Yan and Yu Meixia, Dong Xuebin asked Xu Yan for advice on advancing his career. She told him a direct promotion to Zhengchu Level was unrealistic and recommended a substantive grassroots post, preferably in another province, as a step toward future advancement.

• Dong Xuebin, Xu Yan, and Yu Meixia agreed to keep their afternoon together secret, and Xu Yan told him to make dinner.
• After Yu Meixia went to shower, Xu Yan asked Dong Xuebin about his plans for the coming leadership reshuffle.
• Dong Xuebin said he hoped to advance to Zhengchu Level, but Xu Yan explained that his recent promotion and limited seniority made that impossible for now.
• Xu Yan recommended that Dong Xuebin seek a substantive Fuchu Level grassroots post, preferably outside Fenzhou City, to gain experience and build seniority.
• Dong Xuebin accepted Xu Yan's advice and decided to consider transferring to a grassroots post in another province.

Dong Xuebin discussed seeking a grassroots post in another province with Xie Huilan, who supported the plan if it came with a meaningful leadership position. Xu Yan then found him a chance to treat a deputy minister of the Provincial Organization Department, which could help secure his transfer.

• Dong Xuebin called Xie Huilan to discuss transferring to a grassroots post in another province, and she advised him to seek a county or district standing committee position.
• Dong Xuebin wondered how he could connect with Provincial Organization Department leaders, and Xu Yan offered to ask someone she knew.
• Xu Yan learned that a deputy minister of the Provincial Organization Department was suffering from severe migraines and needed a doctor.
• Xu Yan told Dong Xuebin that helping the deputy minister could make his transfer ninety percent certain, and Dong agreed to try treating him.
• Xu Yan gave Dong Xuebin Vice Minister Jia's home phone number and told him to go to the provincial capital as soon as possible.

Dong Xuebin traveled to the provincial capital to treat Provincial Organization Department Vice Minister Jia Miao, leaving Xie Huilan at home. He arrived at Jia Miao’s residence and learned that Jia Miao had suffered worsening pain for two months, while Madam Jia also had a painful back strain.

• Dong Xuebin woke beside Xie Huilan, made breakfast, and told her he was going to the provincial capital on important business.
• Dong Xuebin drove to the Provincial Organization Department Family Compound and gained entry after calling Jia Miao’s home.
• Madam Jia welcomed Dong Xuebin but questioned his qualifications because he was young and did not work at a hospital.
• Madam Jia described Jia Miao’s persistent right-sided pain, which had worsened despite medication, hospital visits, and acupuncture.
• Dong Xuebin noticed Madam Jia’s difficulty sitting and learned that she had strained her lower back.

Dong Xuebin used his REVERSE ability to cure Madam Jia’s lower back pain, earning the family’s trust. When Vice Minister Jia’s severe headache flared up, Dong treated him as well, and Jia found that the pain had eased.

• Dong Xuebin persuaded Madam Jia to lie down and treated her back with a forceful twist followed by REVERSE.
• Madam Jia stood, bent, and squatted without pain, then praised Dong Xuebin’s medical skills.
• Vice Minister Jia suffered a severe headache while the elderly Chinese medicine doctor’s acupuncture failed to help.
• Dong Xuebin massaged Jia Miao’s head and used REVERSE, easing the headache.

Dong Xuebin treated Jia Miao’s severe migraines with his Chinese Massage and Reverse ability, earning Jia Miao and Madam Jia’s trust. The chapter left them celebrating after Jia Miao remained pain-free past the hour when his attacks usually began.

• Dong Xuebin stopped Jia Miao’s headache and explained that several more treatments could keep the attacks away for at least half a year.
• The old Chinese medicine practitioner left after learning Dong Xuebin had no medical license, while Jia Miao and Madam Jia invited Dong Xuebin to stay for lunch.
• Jia Miao suffered another migraine after lunch, and Dong Xuebin quickly relieved it with his massage.
• Dong Xuebin used Reverse for several minutes while treating Jia Miao and assured the couple that the headaches would not return within half a year.
• Madam Jia asked Dong Xuebin to stay through the afternoon, and Jia Miao remained pain-free past his usual attack time at four o’clock.

Dong Xuebin cured Jia Miao’s illness and refused payment, then revealed his identity and discussed his career plans with the provincial Organization Department leader. Jia Miao promised to ask around about a grassroots post for him, leaving Dong Xuebin hopeful that his transfer would go through.

• Madam Jia offered Dong Xuebin a consultation fee of fifty thousand yuan, but he refused because he had no medical license and had not intended to charge them.
• Jia Miao and Madam Jia recognized Dong Xuebin and praised his public-service work and medical skills.
• Dong Xuebin told Madam Jia that Xie Huilan was his wife, and Jia Miao reminded her that Dong’s family had legally obtained assets worth over a hundred million yuan.
• Jia Miao asked about Dong Xuebin’s work plans, and Dong Xuebin explained that he wanted to gain experience at the grassroots level.
• As Dong Xuebin left, Jia Miao promised to ask around about a suitable grassroots post for him.

Dong Xuebin learned that the Organization Department was arranging his transfer to a grassroots post for experience, a step expected to lead to another promotion. As news spread, he prepared to leave Fenzhou City and reassured Xie Huilan that he would return as soon as he could.

• Zhu Zhu told Dong Xuebin that Wen Shixiang and the Organization Department were assessing him, and Wen later confirmed that the higher-ups were considering sending him to the grassroots.
• Wen Shixiang spoke with Dong Xuebin about the transfer, while staff across Fenzhou City learned of the assessment and speculated about his next promotion.
• Dong Xuebin told Xie Huilan that Vice Minister Jia had helped arrange the transfer, and she urged him to take the opportunity despite their coming separation.
• Dong Xuebin told Liu Dahai that he planned to return to Yantai County to see his old colleagues and grandmother before leaving for a distant post.
• Friends, relatives, colleagues, and former rivals called Dong Xuebin to congratulate him as word spread that he was leaving Fenzhou City.

Dong Xuebin visited Yang Zhaode and Luan Xiaoping before his transfer, spending time with his daughter and discussing how to handle his departure from Fenzhou City. Yang Zhaode advised him to maintain relationships at home and start cautiously in the remote area where he would be sent, though the destination remained unknown.

• Dong Xuebin told Luan Xiaoping and Yang Zhaode that his transfer would take him far away, and Yang Zhaode encouraged him to seize the opportunity while Luan Xiaoping worried about him leaving.
• Dong Xuebin picked up Xiao Qianqian and cheered her up by carrying her around the room, then brought her to dinner.
• Dong Xuebin learned Yun Xuan was working a night shift and agreed to attend dinners with his Fenzhou City contacts before leaving, following Yang Zhaode's advice to preserve relationships for Hui Lan.
• Yang Zhaode told Dong Xuebin that his likely destinations were distant national-level impoverished areas and advised him to keep a low profile, think carefully, and rebuild his connections from scratch.

Dong Xuebin prepared to leave for his new post, saying goodbye to his family and colleagues. Before departing, he recommended Luo Haiting to succeed him as Director of Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office One and urged her to seek Xie Huilan’s support if needed.

• Luan Xiaoping came to see Dong Xuebin off, packed his belongings, and cried as she worried about him moving far away.
• Xie Huilan teased Dong Xuebin about returning soon to meet their child, then lent him her Land Rover after he kissed her.
• At the Discipline Inspection Commission, Zhan Guiping asked Dong Xuebin for his opinion on candidates to replace him as director.
• Dong Xuebin recommended Luo Haiting, and Zhan Guiping agreed to submit her name for consideration.
• Dong Xuebin said goodbye to his colleagues and told Luo Haiting that he and Zhan Guiping supported her candidacy, while Xie Huilan could also speak up for her.

As Dong Xuebin prepared to leave Fenzhou City after his promotion, nearly two thousand people he had rescued and their families gathered to thank him and see him off. He left the Municipal Party Committee Courtyard with the crowd walking behind his Land Rover for two kilometers before they finally dispersed.

• Dong Xuebin said goodbye to his colleagues and tried to drive out of the Municipal Party Committee Courtyard.
• A large crowd blocked the gate, alarming city officials until Dong Xuebin recognized many of the people he had rescued and learned they had come to see him off.
• An elderly woman thanked Dong Xuebin on behalf of the crowd, and the citizens praised him, thanked him, and wished him a safe journey.
• The crowd opened a path, but thousands followed Dong Xuebin's Land Rover as he drove away, continuing to see him off for two kilometers.
• Dong Xuebin thanked the citizens and felt that his past efforts and risks had been worthwhile.

Dong Xuebin explored Zhenshui County before taking up his new post and was struck by how poor and isolated it was. While eating breakfast, he unexpectedly recognized the stall owner’s daughter, Yao Cui, as his university classmate.

• Dong Xuebin drove into Zhenshui County and surveyed its rough roads, sparse traffic, and severe poverty.
• He parked his Land Rover in a residential complex to avoid drawing attention and walked to a breakfast stall.
• Dong Xuebin ordered milk and eggs, then learned from the owner, Boss Yao, that his daughter worked at the county government office.
• Yao Cui came out to help clean the stall, and she and Dong Xuebin recognized each other as university classmates.

Dong Xuebin reunited with his college classmate Yao Cui after being assigned to Zhenshui County, and she invited him to her home. They reminisced about college and discussed their work and lives, leaving Dong Xuebin welcomed by Yao Cui’s family as they caught up.

• Yao Cui recognized Dong Xuebin at her father’s breakfast stall and introduced him as her former college classmate.
• Yao Cui and her father invited Dong Xuebin to their home for lunch, where he met her younger brother, Yao Li.
• Yao Cui showed Dong Xuebin her home and explained that she had returned to the county after college to stay near her parents.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui reminisced about eating Yu Xiang Rou Si together during college and discussed his long-term posting in Zhenshui County.
• Yao Cui described her low-level county government job, and Dong Xuebin told her he had married the year before last.

Dong Xuebin reunited with his college classmate Yao Cui and spent the day at her family’s home in Zhenshui County. After drinking and sleeping off the alcohol, he stayed for dinner and continued chatting with Yao Cui late into the night.

• Dong Xuebin brought local specialties from his car and gave them to Yao Cui’s parents before joining the family meal.
• Yao’s Father asked whether Dong Xuebin was married, and Yao’s Mother urged him to introduce an unmarried college classmate to Yao Cui.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao’s Father drank heavily, and Yao Cui helped the unsteady Dong Xuebin settle into her room to sleep.
• Dong Xuebin woke after eight in the evening and ate reheated food with Yao Cui, reminiscing about their college classmates.
• Yao Cui invited Dong Xuebin to stay at her home, and they chatted beneath the same quilt before she offered to show him photos of Ru Hua.

Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui reminisced about college and made a bet that she would be promoted within a week. After they accidentally fell asleep together, they hid where Dong Xuebin had spent the night from Yao Cui’s family, then prepared to spend the day together in Zhenshui County.

• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui discussed former classmates and Yao Cui’s stalled career in the county government office.
• Dong Xuebin bet that Yao Cui would be promoted within a week, and she agreed to treat him if he was right.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui chatted late into the night and accidentally fell asleep in opposite directions on her bed.
• Dong Xuebin woke to find his foot against Yao Cui’s stocking-clad thigh, and both of them awkwardly got up.
• Yao Li came to call them for breakfast, so Yao Cui told him Dong Xuebin was still asleep in his room.
• Dong Xuebin messed up Yao Li’s blanket to support their cover story, then washed up beside Yao Cui.

Dong Xuebin arrived in impoverished Zhenshui County to take up his new post as a deputy county chief and resolved to establish himself through his work. He was welcomed by County Chief Jiang Fangfang as the county prepared to announce his appointment.

• Meng Yiguang warned Dong Xuebin that Zhenshui County was poor and short of resources, while Dong said he liked its honest, simple people and planned to make a name for himself within half a year.
• Meng Yiguang and Dong Xuebin arrived at the dilapidated County Party Committee compound, where local cadres gathered to welcome them.
• The cadres were surprised by Dong Xuebin's youth and knew little about the achievements listed in his file.
• Jiang Fangfang arrived, welcomed Dong Xuebin, and explained that Secretary Meng was away seeking provincial funding.
• Meng Yiguang led the county leaders and Dong Xuebin to the Conference Room to announce Dong's appointment.

Dong Xuebin began his work as Zhenshui County’s executive deputy county chief and met County Chief Jiang Fangfang, who discussed his investment work and delayed other assignments until Secretary Meng returned. Ma Bin showed Dong his office and residence arrangements, while Dong remained curious about Jiang’s unusual first look and wondered why Yao Cui had been absent.

• After welcoming Dong Xuebin, Meng Yiguang left the county compound, and Jiang Fangfang invited Dong to her office for a meeting.
• Jiang Fangfang learned that Dong had worked in investment promotion and assigned him to take charge of attracting investment, postponing other work assignments until Secretary Meng returned.
• Ma Bin introduced himself as director of the County Government Office and escorted Dong Xuebin to his office.
• Ma Bin gave Dong the Family Compound Key and explained that the county had too few official cars for him to have one readily available.
• Dong Xuebin wondered why Jiang Fangfang had stared at him when they first met and noted that he still had not seen Yao Cui.

Dong Xuebin settled into his rundown apartment and recognized that his Executive Deputy County Chief appointment gave him a rare chance to advance his career. After County Chief Jiang Fangfang unusually lent him her car to retrieve his luggage, he visited his sick classmate Yao Cui, whose leader called during dinner.

• Dong Xuebin inspected his apartment and reflected that the harsh conditions in Zhenshui County made his promotion an important opportunity.
• Jiang Fangfang found Dong Xuebin waiting for a bus and directed her driver, Lao Wang, to take him to retrieve his luggage.
• Lao Wang told Dong Xuebin that Jiang Fangfang had never lent her car to anyone before, leaving Dong puzzled by her special treatment.
• Dong Xuebin collected his suitcases and went to visit Yao Cui, who was home sick with a cold.
• Yao Cui's phone rang during dinner, and she recognized the caller as her leader, Director Ma Bin.

Yao Cui refused Ma Bin’s dinner invitation because she was sick, and Dong Xuebin also declined Ma Bin’s call to join the meal. Angry that both had rebuffed him, Ma Bin set off with Section Chief Cai to confront Yao Cui at home.

• Ma Bin summoned Yao Cui to dinner with visiting officials, but her family urged her to stay home because she was ill and they feared Ma Bin’s behavior.
• Yao Cui called Section Chief Cai to report that she could not attend, and Section Chief Cai scolded her before agreeing to inform Ma Bin.
• Dong Xuebin told Yao Cui she would be promoted soon, then declined Ma Bin’s invitation and directed him to discuss work with other county officials.
• Ma Bin learned that Yao Cui had stayed home and became furious, then walked with Section Chief Cai toward her house to bring her to dinner.

Dong Xuebin shared dinner with Yao Cui and her family, then saw Director Ma arrive to force Yao Cui to attend a work dinner despite her illness. After Ma Bin recognized Dong Xuebin, he abruptly backed down and left, while Yao Cui remained puzzled and worried about the consequences at work.

• Yao Cui's parents asked Dong Xuebin to help Yao Li find a job, and Dong Xuebin agreed to ask around.
• Ma Bin and Section Chief Cai arrived at the Yao family home and ordered the sick Yao Cui to accompany them to a dinner.
• Dong Xuebin silently made his presence known, and Ma Bin recognized him as County Chief Dong and became visibly frightened.
• Ma Bin changed his tone, told Yao Cui to rest, and hurried away with Section Chief Cai.
• Yao Cui and her parents wondered whether Ma Bin would retaliate at work, but Dong Xuebin assured them he would not.