Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin celebrated Jiaolin County’s one-billion-yuan investment achievement and learned that his wife, Xie Huilan, was coming to Baohong City. He arranged a countywide celebration banquet for that evening, where he expected to see her.

• Dong Xuebin reviewed the investment report and was pleased that Jiaolin County had secured one billion yuan in investment.
• Xie Huilan called Dong Xuebin and said she was leading a delegation to Baohong City, with plans to arrive that evening and visit him.
• Dong Xuebin told Su Yan to arrange a large celebration banquet in the city, invite the county’s contributors and their families, and pay for it himself.
• Zhang Dongfang praised Dong Xuebin’s work and offered to help transfer Xie Huilan to Jiaolin County, but Dong Xuebin said her situation was special.

Dong Xuebin arranged a lavish celebration banquet for Jiaolin County’s successful investment promotion, paying for it himself to avoid using public funds. The banquet began with county officials and their families, while Xie Huilan was still on her way from the airport.

• Zhang Dongfang offered to help transfer Dong Xuebin’s wife, but Dong explained that the arrangement was difficult and changed the subject.
• Zhang Dongfang warned that an extravagant banquet could attract criticism, so Dong Xuebin decided to pay the expenses privately.
• Jiaolin County officials and their families arrived by chartered buses at Baohong City’s Longde Hotel for the celebration banquet.
• Dong Xuebin joked that he would say two words, then ended his speech after exactly two sentences.
• Zhang Dongfang announced that Dong Xuebin had paid for the buses and banquet hall, and Dong urged everyone to enjoy the meal while joking about explaining the expense to his wife.

Dong Xuebin hosted an extravagant celebration banquet for the county officials and promised overtime pay at five times the usual rate. His wife, Xie Huilan, arrived late after dining with municipal leaders, stunning the banquet guests with her beauty.

• Dong Xuebin ordered lavish food and Feitian Maotai for the celebration banquet, overruling Zhang Dongfang and the other leaders’ objections.
• Dong Xuebin toasted the attendees and announced that their overtime would be paid at five times their normal salary.
• Zhang Dongfang learned that Municipal Party Secretary Qian Litao and a Xiaxing City delegation were dining in a nearby room.
• Dong Xuebin called Xie Huilan, who said she had arrived at the hotel and would come over shortly.
• Xie Huilan entered the banquet hall, apologized for being late, and sat beside Dong Xuebin as the guests realized she was his wife.

Dong Xuebin welcomed a delegation from Xiaxing City, only for the Jiaolin County officials to discover that his wife, Xie Huilan, was leading it as the city's Municipal Party Secretary. Her status and the visiting officials' deference to Dong Xuebin left the county officials wondering what kind of background the couple had.

• Dong Xuebin arrived late and asked Su Yan to prepare for a visiting delegation from Xiaxing City.
• Su Yan arranged reception and lunch after reporting that the delegation, led by Xiaxing City's Municipal Party Secretary, would arrive at eleven.
• Dong Xuebin, Zhang Dongfang, and Wei Zhixuan welcomed the delegation at the compound.
• The Jiaolin County officials were stunned when Xie Huilan emerged from a city car and identified herself as Xiaxing City's Municipal Party Secretary.
• Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebin greeted each other formally, while the delegation showed Dong Xuebin exceptional respect and treated Zhang Dongfang more coolly.

Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan toured the Jiaolin County compound with visiting Xiaxing City officials, whose deference revealed their awareness of her position and her relationship with Dong. At lunch, the guests resolved an awkward seating question by placing the couple together at the seat of honor, while Jiaolin County officials sat behind them.

• Dong Xuebin invited Xie Huilan and the Xiaxing City delegation to look around the county compound.
• Jiaolin County officials learned that Xie Huilan was the Municipal Party Secretary of Xiaxing City and reconsidered Dong Xuebin's influence and connections.
• Dong Xuebin had his secretary prepare lunch, and the group went to a restaurant across the street.
• Xie Huilan took the seat of honor, while Dong Xuebin initially offered to sit farther back.
• Xiaxing City officials urged Dong Xuebin to sit beside Xie Huilan, and he joined her at the head of the table.
• The visiting city cadres sat in the front rows, while Zhang Dongfang and the other Jiaolin County officials sat behind them.

Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan reunited at his home in Jiaolin County, where they argued over his ambitions and wagered on whether he could reach deputy department level. They planned a day together before Xie Huilan returned to work, and the chapter ended with them bathing together.

• Dong Xuebin drove Xie Huilan home and discussed Jiaolin County’s prospects of becoming a county-level city with her.
• Dong Xuebin insisted he could prove himself within four months, and he and Xie Huilan wagered on his promotion to deputy department level.
• Dong Xuebin introduced Xie Huilan to neighbors, then cooked dinner for her at home.
• The couple discussed Xie Huilan’s work and planned to explore the county together the next day before her flight.
• Dong Xuebin joined Xie Huilan in the bathroom after she finished showering, and they began fooling around.

Dong Xuebin learned that Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling wanted to get engaged, but the Fang Family had not yet responded. The Xie family chose him to approach them and discuss the marriage, leaving him to decide when he could return to the Capital City.

• Dong Xuebin made breakfast for Xie Huilan, then received a call from Han Jing about Xie Ran.
• Xie Huilan told Dong Xuebin that both families had discovered Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling's relationship and that Xie Ran's parents initially opposed it.
• Xie Ran brought Fang Shuiling home and argued for their relationship until Old Master tacitly approved it and his parents stopped objecting.
• Xie Huilan explained that the Xie family had tentatively accepted Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling's engagement, but the Fang Family had not responded.
• Xie Huilan told Dong Xuebin that the family had chosen him to discuss the engagement with the Fang Family, and he considered when to return to the Capital City.

Dong Xuebin returned to the Capital City to help Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling discuss their marriage with the Fang family. After the Xie family entrusted him to represent them, he prepared to find out whether the Fang family would accept the engagement.

• Dong Xuebin flew to the Capital City after Xie Huilan's family asked him to help with Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling's marriage.
• Dong Xuebin called Fang Wenping, but she did not answer, then went to Old Master's villa and met Xie Ran, Fang Shuiling, and the others.
• Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling told Dong Xuebin that the Fang family had not discussed their relationship with them, while Xie Ran's parents had reluctantly accepted it.
• Dong Xuebin joined the elders inside, where Xie Guoliang and Xia Yanzhen explained that they wanted him to speak to the Fang family on their behalf.
• Dong Xuebin agreed to visit the Fang family and handle the engagement discussions and related arrangements.

Dong Xuebin agreed to represent the Xie Family in asking the Fang Family to accept Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling’s marriage, though he expected the proposal to face resistance. Before heading to the Fang Family that afternoon, he checked on Old Master Xie, who urged him to rely on his own persuasive ability.

• Dong Xuebin reasoned that the Xie Family would welcome the marriage alliance, but the Fang Family might resist because of pride and its history with the Xie Family.
• Xie Guoliang told Dong Xuebin to visit the Fang Family that afternoon, and Dong Xuebin agreed to make the proposal on the family’s behalf.
• Xie Ran thanked Dong Xuebin for taking on the task, while Fang Shuiling chatted with the Xie elders and tried to make a good impression.
• Xie Guobang sent Dong Xuebin upstairs to call Old Master Xie for lunch and check on his health.
• Dong Xuebin checked Old Master Xie’s pulse and helped restore his vitality, then asked for advice about approaching the Fang Family.
• Old Master Xie told Dong Xuebin to adapt to the situation and reminded him that he had once persuaded Old Master Xie to accept his own marriage to Hui Lan.

Dong Xuebin went to the Fang Family estate to propose marriage on behalf of the Xie Family, but the guards refused him entry while Fang relatives voiced opposition to Xiao Ling marrying Xie Ran. He found his way inside and came face to face with Old Master Fang, who recognized his abilities.

• Dong Xuebin drove to the Fang Family estate after saying goodbye to the Xie Family and received the address from Fang Shuiling.
• The Fang Family guards denied Dong Xuebin entry, and his calls to Fang Wenping went unanswered.
• Inside, Fang relatives criticized the proposed match between Xiao Ling and Xie Ran, while Fang Wenping said she would stay out of the discussion.
• Old Master Fang told his security officer to ignore Dong Xuebin, but Dong Xuebin entered the room despite the estate's security.
• Old Master Fang stopped his security officer from reaching for his gun and acknowledged that the villa's guards could not keep Dong Xuebin out.

Dong Xuebin visited the Fang family to propose marriage between Xie Ran and Fang Xiao Ling, but Old Master Fang rejected the match, saying Xiao Ling was still a student and not ready for marriage. Dong Xuebin argued that she was old enough and mature enough, leaving the discussion unresolved.

• Dong Xuebin entered Old Master Fang's room, and Old Master Fang sent the guard away and summoned the Fang family.
• Dong Xuebin apologized for entering without permission, greeted the family, and announced that he had come to propose marriage between Xie Ran and Fang Xiao Ling.
• The Fang family questioned Dong Xuebin's authority and suitability, while he enthusiastically praised the match and brought up betrothal gifts.
• Old Master Fang thanked Dong Xuebin but rejected the proposal, saying Xiao Ling was still pursuing her doctorate and was not ready for marriage.
• Dong Xuebin countered that Xiao Ling was legally old enough and mature, and said Xie Ran could support and care for her.

Dong Xuebin pressed the Fang family to accept Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran’s engagement despite their polite refusal. Old Master Fang left the decision open, while Fang Wenping warned the family not to let anything happen to Xiao Ling.

• Dong Xuebin ignored the Fang family’s rejection and argued that Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran should get engaged before their careers became more demanding.
• When the Fang family tried to send him away, Dong Xuebin accepted their polite offer of tea and went downstairs by himself.
• Old Master Fang asked Fang Wenping for her view, and she warned the family she would turn against them if Xiao Ling suffered irreparable harm.
• Fang Shuiling’s father worried that she would react badly to the decision, while Old Master Fang said they should wait and see.
• The Fang family members left the room and found Dong Xuebin leisurely drinking tea in the living room.

Dong Xuebin stubbornly stayed at the Fang family home all afternoon despite repeated hints that he should leave, hoping to secure their approval for Xiao Ling to marry into his family. When Second Sister-in-law demanded that a meat pie fall from the sky before she would agree, Dong Xuebin used his ability to make one appear, leaving the family stunned.

• Dong Xuebin told Xie Ran over the phone that the Fang family had welcomed him and was discussing TV dramas with him, even though they had been trying to get him to leave.
• When Xiao Ling's Mother said everyone needed to rest, Dong Xuebin stayed to watch television and eat sunflower seeds, then spent the afternoon chatting and playing cards with a young Fang family girl.
• After Dong Xuebin was still there when the family gathered for dinner, Second Sister-in-law asked if he planned to eat with them, and he cheerfully said he would accept anything simple.
• Second Sister-in-law declared that Xiao Ling would not marry into Dong Xuebin's family unless meat pies fell from the sky, and Dong Xuebin asked whether she could make that decision for the family.
• Dong Xuebin snapped his fingers, made a meat pie fall from above, and caught it on a plate as the Fang family stared in shock.

Dong Xuebin staged a pie falling from the sky to turn Second Sister-in-law’s challenge into supposed proof that Xiao Ling and Xiao Ran were destined to marry. Old Master Fang welcomed him to dinner, but Second Sister-in-law remained trapped by her promise and the Fang family did not answer.

• Dong Xuebin used Stop to retrieve a leftover pie and made it appear to fall from the sky after Second Sister-in-law said one would have to fall before Xiao Ling and Xiao Ran could get engaged.
• Xiao Mei and other younger Fang family members recognized Dong Xuebin from a magic performance, while he insisted the pie proved Heaven had arranged the marriage.
• Old Master Fang laughed at Dong Xuebin’s performance and invited him to eat with the family.
• Dong Xuebin seated himself at the dinner table and called the Fang family his own, irritating Second Sister-in-law.
• Dong Xuebin reminded Second Sister-in-law that she had promised to allow the engagement if a pie fell from the sky, leaving her and the Fang family speechless.

Dong Xuebin used Second Sister-in-law’s earlier promise and his drunken act to pressure the Fang family over Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran’s marriage. Old Master Fang agreed to let Third Brother Fang discuss their engagement with Dong’s family, leaving Dong Xuebin to report the decision and discuss betrothal gifts.

• Second Sister-in-law claimed her promise about a pie falling from the sky had only been an expression, but Dong Xuebin reminded her that she had agreed on behalf of the Fang family.
• Second Brother rebuked his wife, and Old Master Fang urged Dong Xuebin to eat while Xiao Ling's Mother concealed that Fang Shuiling was with Xie Ran.
• After dinner, Dong Xuebin pretended he was too drunk to leave, insisting that the marriage proposal could be discussed the next day.
• Old Master Fang arranged a car for Dong Xuebin and said Third Brother Fang would discuss Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran’s engagement with Dong’s family.
• Dong Xuebin immediately sobered up, accepted the decision, and said he would tell his family and discuss the betrothal gifts.

Dong Xuebin persuaded the Fang Family to accept Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran’s relationship, and both families agreed to meet the next day to discuss their engagement. The Xie Family celebrated the news when Fang Shuiling returned, and Dong Xuebin came home to report that his mission had succeeded.

• Dong Xuebin secured Old Master Fang’s agreement to a meeting between the families the next day to discuss Fang Shuiling and Xie Ran’s engagement.
• Fang Shuiling’s mother called and told her that Old Master Fang had approved the relationship after Dong Xuebin’s visit.
• Fang Shuiling told the Xie Family that her family had agreed, and Xie Ran took her upstairs to tell Old Master Xie.
• The Xie Family gathered to discuss the happy news, and Dong Xuebin returned and confirmed that the Fang Family had agreed.

Dong Xuebin returned home after persuading Fang Shuiling’s family to agree to her engagement with Xie Ran, and the family learned how he had endured their hostility and used his antics to win them over. With a private meal between the families arranged for the next day, the chapter ended with Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling promising to honor Dong Xuebin’s help and treat Xie Guoliang and Xia Yanzhen well.

• Dong Xuebin told the family that a private meal with Fang Shuiling’s parents had been arranged for the next day, and Xie Guoliang and Xia Yanzhen confirmed they could attend.
• Fang Shuiling explained that her family had agreed after Dong Xuebin endured her Second Aunt’s hostility and made a pie fall from the sky.
• Fang Shuiling described Dong Xuebin’s shameless efforts to stay at her family’s home, prompting Xie Jing and Xie Hao to laugh.
• Xia Yanzhen apologized for Dong Xuebin’s treatment, while Fang Shuiling apologized on behalf of her family and he reassured them.
• Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling bowed to Dong Xuebin to thank him, and he urged them to be filial to Xie Guoliang and Xia Yanzhen.

Dong Xuebin spent a leisurely morning at his villa before arriving late for lunch at Old Master's home, where the family joked about wedding gifts. Xie Ran returned from discussing his engagement looking upset, and Xie Guoliang revealed the trouble concerned the bride price.

• Dong Xuebin received Han Jing's invitation to lunch and promised to arrive before noon.
• Dong Xuebin swam and fell asleep on a pool float, then rushed to Old Master's home after waking past twelve-thirty.
• Dong Xuebin ate leftovers with Han Jing, Ci Lifen, Xie Jing, and Xie Hao, who pressed him for a future wedding gift and a promised car.
• Xie Guoliang and Xia Yanzhen returned with Xie Ran from the engagement discussion, and Xia Yanzhen complained about Xiao Ling's parents.
• Xie Guoliang told the family that the dispute was about the bride price.

After the Fang family demanded an expensive villa and a large cash bride price before Xie Ran and Xiao Ling could marry, Dong Xuebin offered them his villa and a bank card with twelve million. Han Jing made Xie Ran accept the gifts, and he prepared to tell Xiao Ling that they could proceed with the engagement.

• Xia Yanzhen explained that Xiao Ling's mother had presented a strict bride-price list and refused to allow the wedding unless every demand was met.
• Xie Hao read the demands, which included a detached villa of at least three hundred square meters and at least ten million in cash.
• Dong Xuebin offered Xie Ran his villa at Si Ji Qing Bridge and an ICBC Platinum Card containing around twelve million.
• Xie Ran, Xie Guoliang, and Xia Yanzhen tried to refuse the gifts, but Han Jing insisted that Xie Ran accept them.
• Dong Xuebin urged Xie Ran to tell Xiao Ling that the bride price was ready, and Xie Ran agreed to call her.

Xie Ran told Fang Shuiling that Dong Xuebin had provided the money and villa needed to satisfy her family’s bride price demands, clearing the way for their marriage. At dinner, Old Master Xie approved plans for Xie Ran’s wedding and announced a lavish one-hundred-day celebration for Dong Zhong.

• Fang Shuiling argued with her parents over their demand for a villa and ten million yuan in bride price, while Fang Wenping comforted her.
• Xie Ran called Fang Shuiling and explained that Dong Xuebin had supplied a villa and twelve million yuan to meet her parents’ demands.
• Fang Shuiling told her parents the bride price was ready, and Fang Wenping confirmed Dong Xuebin had declared assets of more than a hundred million yuan.
• Xiao Ling's Mother agreed to let Fang Shuiling marry Xie Ran after learning the bride price had been prepared.
• At dinner, Old Master Xie told Xia Yanzhen to begin planning Xie Ran’s wedding and said Han Jing would arrange a lavish one-hundred-day celebration for Dong Zhong.