Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin learned from Xie Jing about the decades-long feud between the Xie and Fang Families and why she believed Xie Ran could not marry Fang Shuiling. When Fang Shuiling joined him in the kitchen, she reflected on Dong Xuebin’s reputation and remained fascinated by the man who had married Xie Huilan.

• Xie Jing told Dong Xuebin that the Xie and Fang Families had been political enemies for over twenty years, making a marriage between Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling unlikely.
• Dong Xuebin challenged Xie Jing’s double standard about family responsibilities, but she insisted she was entitled not to be friendly with Fang Shuiling.
• Fang Shuiling entered the kitchen and helped Dong Xuebin prepare the vegetables after Xie Jing left.
• Fang Shuiling wondered how Xie Huilan, whom she considered exceptionally beautiful and capable, had chosen Dong Xuebin.
• Dong Xuebin joked about his looks, and Fang Shuiling told him she knew what he was capable of and considered him a legendary figure.

Dong Xuebin hosted Xie Ran, Fang Shuiling, Xie Jing, and Xie Hao for lunch, gave Xie Ran advice about adapting to grassroots work, and lectured Xie Jing about getting along with her leaders. The family recognized the irony of his advice, since Dong Xuebin himself had repeatedly clashed with and beaten leaders.

• Dong Xuebin served lunch with help from Fang Shuiling and the Xie siblings, and Fang Shuiling thanked him for giving her one million yuan.
• Dong Xuebin urged Xie Ran to adapt to county-level grassroots work, while Xie Hao joked that Xie Ran could not copy Dong Xuebin because of his poor physical condition.
• Dong Xuebin asked about Xie Jing's work and told her to get along well with her leaders.
• Xie Jing and the others silently dismissed Dong Xuebin's advice because they knew he had recently beaten someone at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Xie Ran sought Dong Xuebin’s support for his relationship with Fang Shuiling, but Dong avoided taking sides because the Xie and Fang families had been enemies for decades. Their tea gathering was interrupted when Fang Wenping arrived and demanded that Fang Shuiling open the gate.

• Xie Ran praised Fang Shuiling and tried to persuade Dong Xuebin to support their relationship.
• Dong Xuebin dodged the request and changed the subject after learning Fang Shuiling’s aunt was Fang Wenping.
• Xie Jing and Fang Shuiling joined the group for tea, while Fang Shuiling quietly noticed that Dong had not agreed to help.
• A woman pounded on the courtyard gate and called for Fang Shuiling to open it; Fang Shuiling recognized her aunt, Fang Wenping.

Fang Wenping arrived at the Courtyard House after learning that Fang Shuiling was dating Xie Ran, and the family discussed her notorious history of investigating her own relatives and sending her husband to prison. Xie Ran told Fang Shuiling to open the door, and Dong Xuebin was surprised by how beautiful Fang Wenping looked when she entered.

• Fang Wenping pounded on the door and demanded that Xie Ran open it for running off with someone from her family.
• Xie Ran and Xie Jing told Dong Xuebin that Fang Wenping had investigated three members of the Fang family's faction and later imprisoned her husband for bribery after catching him having an affair.
• Xie Ran decided that Fang Shuiling should face her aunt, and Fang Shuiling opened the door.
• Fang Wenping strode into the courtyard despite Fang Shuiling trying to stop her.
• Dong Xuebin saw Fang Wenping and was surprised by her elegant beauty.

Fang Wenping confronted Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran over their relationship, demanding that Fang Shuiling break things off and return with her. Dong Xuebin finally grew angry as Fang Wenping argued and insulted his family in his home.

• Fang Wenping arrived in the courtyard and scolded Fang Shuiling for dating Xie Ran because of the old feud between their families.
• Fang Shuiling protested that she was an adult and had the right to choose her partner, while Fang Wenping admitted she had someone follow her.
• Xie Ran, Xie Hao, and Xie Jing tried to defend the couple, but Fang Wenping dismissed them and insisted that the relationship could not continue without her approval.
• Fang Wenping grabbed Fang Shuiling and ordered her to leave with her, but Fang Shuiling refused and declared that she would marry Xie Ran.
• Dong Xuebin became fed up with Fang Wenping's insults and silently resolved to confront her.

Fang Wenping came to the Xie family courtyard to force Fang Shuiling to end her relationship with Xie Ran, but Dong Xuebin intervened and clashed with her. The chapter left Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping still trading insults as Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran tried to separate them.

• Fang Wenping demanded that Fang Shuiling return with her and rejected Xie Ran’s promise to win his parents’ approval for their relationship.
• Fang Jing accused Fang Wenping of breaking up a loving couple, but Fang Wenping insisted that no one could change her mind.
• Dong Xuebin slammed the stone table and confronted Fang Wenping for causing a scene in his home.
• Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping exchanged profane insults and dared each other to start a fight.
• Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran tried to pull them apart, but the two continued cursing at each other while Xie Hao cheered Dong Xuebin on.

Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping spent an hour trading insults at the Xie family home, alarming Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran as their argument threatened to worsen tensions between the families. When Fang Wenping ordered her security guard to attack Dong, Dong effortlessly knocked him down twice, leaving everyone convinced he was far beyond the guard’s ability.

• Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping resumed their heated argument after Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran pulled them apart, while the younger pair tried to protect their families’ relationship.
• Fang Wenping’s security guard arrived, and she ordered him to take Dong Xuebin down despite Fang Shuiling’s protests.
• Dong Xuebin flicked the guard away with one hand, stunning Fang Wenping and Fang Shuiling.
• The guard charged again, but Dong knocked him down a second time without standing up or putting down his teacup.
• Dong warned the guard that even ten men like him would not be a match, and Xie Ran, Xie Jing, and Xie Hao knew Dong’s reputation made the claim believable.

Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping nearly came to blows in the courtyard before Fang Wenping left for work. Their feud deepened, leaving Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling worried that their hoped-for marriage would become even harder to arrange.

• Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping traded insults as Fang Shuiling, Xie Ran, and Xie Jing tried to keep them apart.
• Fang Wenping received a work call and announced she had to leave, then warned Dong Xuebin that they would meet again.
• After Fang Wenping left, Dong Xuebin continued denouncing her and declared that their conflict was not over.
• Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling worried that the confrontation had further damaged the chance of a marriage between their families.

After Fang Wenping left, Dong Xuebin remained angry and lonely, then called his partners one by one hoping someone would visit him. When none of them could come, he invited Luo Haiting to his courtyard for dinner.

• Xie Ran, Fang Shuiling, Xie Jing, and Xie Hao left Dong Xuebin’s courtyard after reassuring Fang Shuiling that the argument would not affect his opinion of her.
• Dong Xuebin paced and cursed in the courtyard, then slept until evening and woke feeling lonely and restless.
• Dong Xuebin called Xie Huilan, Qu Yunxuan, Zhang Longjuan, Xu Yan, Geng Yuehua, Jiang Fangfang, and Yu Meixia, but none of them could come see him.
• Dong Xuebin called Luo Haiting, who had just finished a meeting, and invited her to his courtyard for dinner.
• Dong Xuebin gave Luo Haiting his address, then felt conflicted about having invited her so abruptly.

Dong Xuebin invited Luo Haiting to his courtyard for dinner while struggling with his anger at Fang Wenping and his attraction to Luo. Luo arrived and began cooking, leaving Dong Xuebin increasingly tempted as he watched her.

• Dong Xuebin regretted inviting Luo Haiting over because he feared crossing a line with his married former colleague, then tried to convince himself it was only dinner.
• Dong Xuebin continued cursing Fang Wenping over their argument earlier that day until Luo Haiting arrived at his courtyard.
• Dong Xuebin showed Luo Haiting his private courtyard, and she was surprised that he lived there alone.
• Luo Haiting noticed Dong Xuebin's bad mood, but he refused to explain what had upset him.
• Luo Haiting offered to cook, and Dong Xuebin followed her into the kitchen to help before watching her chop vegetables and struggling to control his attraction.

Dong Xuebin and Luo Haiting cooked and ate together, and their close interaction while chopping vegetables stirred his desire. After Luo Haiting’s husband called to check on her, Dong Xuebin invited her to sit inside with him, and she agreed.

• Dong Xuebin watched Luo Haiting chop vegetables, then let her guide his hand as they cut together from behind him.
• Dong Xuebin and Luo Haiting shared a bottle of red wine and thanked each other over dinner.
• Luo Haiting’s husband called to check on her, and she told him she had finished dinner and planned to return Monday or Tuesday.
• Dong Xuebin invited Luo Haiting inside to sit for a while, and she agreed.

Dong Xuebin invited Luo Haiting to stay the night and made advances after she lingered in his bedroom. Luo Haiting showered and shared his bed, and the two had sex before the chapter ended.

• Dong Xuebin made tea for Luo Haiting and learned she was free the next day, while her husband called to check on her.
• As Luo Haiting prepared to leave, Dong Xuebin put an arm around her and kissed and touched her, then asked her to stay the night.
• Luo Haiting said she would shower, and Dong Xuebin waited for her in bed.
• After showering, Luo Haiting entered Dong Xuebin's bedroom in a bath towel and got into bed beside him.
• Dong Xuebin pulled Luo Haiting close, and they had sex in the dark.

Dong Xuebin and Luo Haiting spent the morning together after waking up at the hotel, and he apologized for the bruises he had left on her the previous night. They went shopping on Wangfujing, where Dong Xuebin insisted on buying her things despite her reluctance.

• Luo Haiting answered a call from her husband while Dong Xuebin woke up beside her.
• Dong Xuebin saw the red marks on Luo Haiting's body, apologized, and learned she expected them to fade soon.
• Dong Xuebin and Luo Haiting were intimate again, with him promising to be gentler and not leave new marks.
• Dong Xuebin left the Courtyard House first, then picked Luo Haiting up and drove her to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street.
• Dong Xuebin encouraged Luo Haiting to buy clothes for herself and her family, but she refused to spend his money.
• Dong Xuebin ignored Luo Haiting's objections and took her into stores selling top-tier brands.

Dong Xuebin took Luo Haiting shopping in Wangfujing Shopping Mall and insisted on buying her expensive clothes, shoes, and other gifts despite her objections. They left with their hands full of shopping bags, and Luo Haiting worried about how she would explain the purchases back home.

• Dong Xuebin ushered Luo Haiting into several luxury stores and watched for the clothes she liked.
• Dong Xuebin picked out a skirt and top Luo Haiting admired, insisted she try them on, and bought the outfit for 78,800 yuan.
• Luo Haiting protested the expense, but Dong Xuebin took her to a shoe store and bought her high heels as well.
• Dong Xuebin bought Luo Haiting more gifts, including a phone, handbags, perfume, and leather goods.
• Luo Haiting worried about explaining the purchases, and Dong Xuebin suggested she claim they were knockoffs or paid for with a work bonus.

Dong Xuebin arranged a driver to take Luo Haiting back to Fenzhou City, then reported to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection as the Open Day Event preparations got underway. He briefed the Second Office staff on staying presentable, then invited them to take tea from his office.

• Zhang Dongliang told Dong Xuebin that the Open Day Event visitors were expected that morning and asked him to arrive early.
• Dong Xuebin obtained Old Han’s number and arranged for the driver to take Luo Haiting back to Fenzhou City.
• Dong Xuebin arrived at the compound and Yin Cheng'an told him to keep the Second Office staff alert because visitors and media would arrive around ten.
• Dong Xuebin reminded the staff to act seriously if visitors passed their offices, then joked that they could resume games or chatting once they had minimized their screens.
• Han Fei followed Dong Xuebin into his office to get tea leaves for herself and her colleagues.

Dong Xuebin prepared the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's Second Office for an inspection during the open day. At the crowded cafeteria, he collided with Fang Wenping, and their old hostility erupted into a public exchange of insults.

• Dong Xuebin coordinated preparations for the inspection group and received reminders from Yin Cheng'an to ensure everything went smoothly.
• The inspection group arrived late, and Dong Xuebin led his colleagues to the cafeteria for lunch as reporters and foreign visitors moved around the compound.
• Dong Xuebin spotted Fang Wenping in the cafeteria, and the two exchanged cold looks without speaking.
• Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping collided in the crowded cafeteria, spilling both their trays onto the floor.
• Fang Wenping and Dong Xuebin began cursing at each other, stunning the nearby Central Commission for Discipline Inspection staff.

Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping erupted into a public shouting match in the cafeteria during the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s open day, alarming staff and reporters. Secretary-General Wu ordered them to his office, and Dong Xuebin insisted he would accept the consequences rather than apologize.

• Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping traded insults after arguing over a collision and a spilled food tray.
• Central Commission for Discipline Inspection staff and reporters watched as colleagues tried to separate and calm the two.
• Secretary-General Wu arrived, ordered Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping to his office, and left as colleagues pulled Dong away.
• Dong Xuebin’s coworkers warned him that Fang Wenping was powerful and that the public scene could jeopardize his position.
• Yin Cheng'an reprimanded Dong Xuebin over the open-day scandal, but Dong Xuebin said he would still curse Fang Wenping even if he were dismissed.

After his fight with Fang Wenping, Dong Xuebin faced calls from his mother-in-law Han Jing and Fang Shuiling, but refused to reconcile with Fang Wenping. News of the clash spread throughout the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, leaving the two notorious officials at the center of attention.

• Yin Cheng'an warned Dong Xuebin to admit his mistakes before meeting with leadership, and Dong received an angry call from Han Jing about the public fight.
• Fang Shuiling called Dong Xuebin to apologize and offer to speak with her aunt, but Dong said the feud with Fang Wenping was not over and hung up.
• Fang Shuiling confronted Fang Wenping, who told her to stay out of it and said she could not stand Dong Xuebin.
• Fang Shuiling reflected that Fang Wenping and Dong Xuebin were similarly stubborn and seemed unable to get along.
• News of the fight spread through the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, where staff and visiting foreign officials discussed the clash between the two notorious officials.

Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping faced Secretary-General Wu after their public clash, but both insisted they were right and continued trading insults. Unable to discipline them because of their powerful family backgrounds, Wu decided to wait for instructions from above.

• Dong Xuebin brushed off Xie Ran’s concern and went to meet Secretary-General Wu, who was already containing the incident’s fallout with calls to reporters and officials.
• Fang Wenping arrived, and Secretary-General Wu reprimanded her for arguing with a colleague in front of domestic and foreign reporters.
• Fang Wenping and Dong Xuebin defended their actions and resumed trading barbs while Wu tried to make them take responsibility.
• Secretary-General Wu recognized that Fang Wenping’s and Dong Xuebin’s family connections limited how severely he could punish them, so he decided to await orders from above.

After the media incident was contained, Secretary-General Wu demanded Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping apologize and submit self-criticisms, but both refused to apologize. Dong Xuebin later received an Administrative Warning Punishment and was sent home to reflect, where he left the story expecting to return after a short break.

• Secretary-General Wu learned that the media would not report on the incident and ordered Dong Xuebin and Fang Wenping to submit self-criticisms and apologize to each other.
• Fang Wenping and Dong Xuebin both refused to apologize, so Secretary-General Wu sent them away without resolving their dispute.
• Dong Xuebin returned to the Second Office, reassured his coworkers that the media situation was settled, and ate food Han Fei brought him.
• Yin Cheng'an told Dong Xuebin that he and Fang Wenping had both received Administrative Warning Punishments and were to go home and reflect.
• Dong Xuebin handed over his work, packed his belongings, and left, expecting to return after half a month or a month.