Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin and Jiaolin County officials welcomed wave after wave of famous performers arriving to support their gala, including Liu Han, two comedy stars, Li Mengmeng, and a military troupe led by Zhou Xuguo. The arrivals left the officials stunned as the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe joined the growing list of guests.

• Jiaolin County officials led by Zhang Dongfang greeted a group of investors at the airport as passengers spotted Liu Han arriving.
• Dong Xuebin welcomed Liu Han, who offered to rehearse, but Dong Xuebin arranged for him to visit the venue without a rehearsal.
• Liu Han recognized comedy stars Teacher Feng and Teacher Qian, and Dong Xuebin welcomed them despite their concerns about their throats.
• Li Mengmeng arrived, told Dong Xuebin that Hui Lan had asked her to help, and chatted with him.
• Zhou Xuguo led thirty or forty uniformed performers from the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe into the airport, astonishing the Jiaolin County officials.

Dong Xuebin began the county leadership’s first workday in their cramped temporary offices and urged staff to endure the poor conditions while renovations continued. His focused example helped calm the office, and the chapter left him preparing for a Standing Committee meeting.

• Meng Hanmei told Dong Xuebin that staff were struggling with the disorganized, crowded workspaces, and he ordered her to reassure them and accelerate renovations at the Old County Party Committee Compound.
• Dong Xuebin told Meng Hanmei to convene a Standing Committee meeting at ten o’clock and had Su Yan summon Huo Yibang.
• Dong Xuebin returned to his windowless office, accepted the noisy conditions, and began processing documents with his door open.
• Staff saw Dong Xuebin concentrating on work, and the office gradually grew quieter as they followed his example.

Dong Xuebin and Zhang Dongfang traveled to Qingluan Mountain to inspect a possible Han Dynasty imperial tomb, which Zhang believed could help Jiaolin County qualify to become a county-level city. The site had been secured, but Qingbei Village Party Secretary Xiao Cheng warned that the mountain straddled the border with a neighboring county, which might contest ownership of the tomb.

• Dong Xuebin proposed applying again for county-level city status if the suspected imperial tomb transformed Jiaolin County's prospects, and Zhang Dongfang embraced the idea.
• Zhang Dongfang gathered additional county staff, then accompanied Dong Xuebin to Qingluan Mountain to inspect the site.
• Xiao Cheng met the leaders and reported that the Cultural Relics Protection Team had cordoned off the area and begun setting up equipment.
• Dong Xuebin and the others ate at Xiao Cheng's home before planning to climb the mountain, and Dong considered giving the capable village secretary more responsibility.
• Xiao Cheng warned that Qingluan Mountain crossed into a neighboring county and that its unclear boundary could lead the county to claim the tomb.

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 arranged for Chang Juan to join the Zhenshui County Investment Bureau and revealed that the county had approved her promotion to deputy director. Chang Juan was surprised to learn that her suspension had been erased and could choose whether to return to the Capital City or stay and take the post.

• Wang Xia and the Organization Department staff arrived at the Investment Bureau to conduct formal assessments for the promotions Dong Xuebin had secured.
• Chen Xiaomei called Dong Xuebin to thank him for helping her younger brother, Chen Yunsong, get promoted.
• Dong Xuebin met Chang Juan, who was searching for housing and worrying about her finances and suspended salary.
• Chang Juan asked whether her transfer to the Investment Bureau had gone through, and Dong Xuebin confirmed that her file and paperwork were being arranged.
• Dong Xuebin told Chang Juan that the county had approved her appointment as deputy director and that her suspension had been erased, leaving her free to return to the Capital City or stay.

Dong Xuebin used REVERSE to hold up a collapsing wall and save Liu Hanqing and Ning Shaoyang, though he became trapped beneath it. As the crowd scrambled to find a way to rescue him, he continued supporting the wall for several minutes.

• Dong Xuebin rushed beneath the falling wall and held it up with both hands, allowing Liu Hanqing and Ning Shaoyang to escape.
• Dong Xuebin repeatedly used REVERSE to recover as the crushing force shattered his body, but he could not move without losing his support.
• Liu Hanqing ordered people to call the Fire Brigade and demanded that the construction crew find a way to rescue Dong Xuebin.
• Feng Jie and Deputy District Governor Chu ordered a vehicle to brace the wall, but it did not take any of the weight off Dong Xuebin.
• Dong Xuebin continued holding the wall for several minutes as the crowd watched in stunned silence.

After Luan Xiaoping kicked Dong Xuebin out, he wandered through the cold and rain without money, a place to stay, or a working phone. He eventually reached Xu Yan’s residential compound, where she arranged for a guard to cover his taxi fare and invited him inside.

• Luan Xiaoping refused to let Xie Huilan give Dong Xuebin money, so he left without his wallet, identification, or car keys.
• Dong Xuebin wandered through a park, unable to decide whom to ask for help, until his phone battery died and the rain began.
• Dong Xuebin took a taxi to Nanshan District to visit Xu Yan, but admitted he could not pay the fare.
• Xu Yan recognized Dong Xuebin as her godson and told the guard to lend him the taxi fare.
• The guard paid the driver and let Dong Xuebin enter the compound to see Xu Yan.

Dong Xuebin made plans to pursue Qu Yunxuan while continuing to prove himself at work, then waited at her home and discovered her in a startling, private situation. The chapter ended with him frozen outside her partly open bedroom door, unsure what she was doing.

• Dong Xuebin spoke with his mother, reassured her about work, and kept his promotion and earnings secret until the holidays.
• He gave Li Qing and Xu Yan his detailed Guest House relocation proposal, then completed another task Xu Yan assigned him.
• Dong Xuebin decided to pursue Qu Yunxuan, bought groceries, and called to tell her he would cook dinner, but she said she was working late.
• He went to the Qu home, prepared ingredients, and fell asleep in the kitchen while waiting for her.
• Dong Xuebin woke after dark, noticed Qu Yunxuan's handbag and a light in her room, and saw her through the door crack in a compromising-looking position before he could call out.

Li Taibo investigated Dong Xuebin for Wan Sichao’s murder, but witnesses at the Discipline Inspection Committee and the restaurant undermined his suspicions. Unable to find evidence, Li Taibo pressured Xu Dabing into changing his account to support a theory that Dong Xuebin had used a double.

• Dong Xuebin denied killing Wan Sichao and warned Li Taibo not to treat him as guilty without evidence.
• Li Taibo received orders from a Public Security Bureau leader to find the murderer and punish them severely.
• Liang Xuan told Li Taibo that Dong Xuebin had returned to the Discipline Inspection Committee at twelve forty and rejected his attempt to inspect complaint letters.
• Discipline Inspection Committee staff told Li Taibo that Dong Xuebin had been at the meeting and remained there during the murder.
• Xu Dabing told Li Taibo that no one had seen Dong Xuebin leave the restaurant, while witnesses had accounted for Luo Haiting.
• Li Taibo insisted Xu Dabing had seen Dong Xuebin at twelve thirty-eight, and Xu Dabing agreed to change his statement.

Yun De Auction Company's jadeite auction pushed its assets past 30 million yuan, and Qu Yunxuan gave Dong Xuebin several jadeite gifts and an expensive watch. When Qu Yunxuan's parents arrived unexpectedly, Mother Qu proposed that the families discuss a marriage, leaving Dong Xuebin troubled by his feelings for Qu Yunxuan and Sister Xie.

• Yun De Auction Company's jadeite bangles sold for high prices, raising its assets above 30 million yuan and boosting its reputation.
• Qu Yunxuan gave Dong Xuebin jadeite jewelry and a Patek Philippe watch, while he praised her and asked for a more intimate reward.
• Dong Xuebin and Qu Yunxuan were interrupted by Mother Qu and Father Qu after they had been intimate in the dark living room.
• Mother Qu asked Dong Xuebin to have his mother come to Beijing so the families could discuss his marriage to Qu Yunxuan, but Qu Yunxuan postponed the discussion until next year.
• Dong Xuebin reflected on his feelings for Qu Yunxuan and Sister Xie and decided he could no longer delay resolving his romantic entanglements.

Dong Xuebin left Zhenshui County for the Capital City to seek central funding, leaving Yao Cui behind to coordinate county work. He departed with Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei, whose loyalties to Secretary Meng made the journey tense but quiet.

• Dong Xuebin explained to Yao Cui that she needed to stay in Zhenshui County and coordinate work while he was away, and she agreed to handle minor matters and contact him about major ones.
• Dong Xuebin packed his belongings and met Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei, who were accompanying him to seek funding in the Capital City.
• Dong Xuebin traveled with Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei to the airport in a county car, exchanging little conversation along the way.
• Dong Xuebin thanked driver Lao Li and wished him a safe trip before entering the small airport.

Dong Xuebin explained to Xie Guojian that he had rescued his goddaughter Qian Qian from pirates, and Xie Guojian arranged for him to leave the warship without attracting media attention. Navy Deputy Commander Xiong Liping reinforced the orders to protect Dong Xuebin’s identity, leaving the senior colonel convinced that Dong Xuebin had special status.

• Dong Xuebin spoke with Xie Guojian, who scolded him for risking his life and then praised him for killing twenty-one pirates.
• Dong Xuebin asked Xie Guojian to inform Hui Lan that he would return in a few days and keep his name out of the media.
• Xie Guojian told the senior colonel to let Dong Xuebin leave the ship when he wished and then speak with the captain.
• Xiong Liping ordered the senior colonel to give Dong Xuebin and Qian Qian better accommodations, keep Dong Xuebin out of media coverage, and conceal details from unauthorized people.
• The senior colonel apologized to Dong Xuebin and treated him more deferentially after learning of his connections and special status.

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.

After the Nanqi Morning News published a damaging report about Dong Xuebin, he blamed Liu Haibin for manipulating Dong Haitao and ordered a renewed investigation into Liu Haibin. Dong Haitao realized he had been deceived by Liu Haibin and was suspended, while Dong Xuebin began deciding how to handle the fallout.

• Dong Xuebin discussed the Nanqi Morning News report with Xie Huilan, who offered to help manage the public reaction, but he insisted on handling it himself.
• Geng Yuehua told Dong Xuebin she would have Dong Haitao pack his things within two days, and Dong Xuebin thanked her.
• Dong Xuebin ordered Liu Hanqing to investigate Liu Haibin’s entire record and report any findings directly to him.
• Liu Guowei called Dong Haitao and berated him, revealing that Liu Haibin had falsely claimed his father approved the report.
• Ma Li informed Dong Haitao that the District Party Committee had suspended him, leaving him to realize he had made another grave mistake.

The Chengxi Branch Bureau Party Committee discussed several bureau matters and approved relocating its Guest House before turning to a contested personnel appointment. The meeting ended as Pang Bin argued for Guo Panwei, while Zhou Guoan’s efforts to secure the deputy director post left Guo Panwei’s prospects uncertain.

• The Party Committee began its meeting with all ten members present and debated whether to relocate the Guest House.
• Yan Liang called for a show-of-hands vote, and the proposal to relocate the Guest House passed despite opposition and an abstention.
• The committee discussed several other proposals, which passed with differing levels of support.
• Pang Bin presented Guo Panwei, Guo Shunjie, and Dong Xuebin as candidates for deputy director of the General Office.
• Pang Bin backed Guo Panwei on the grounds of seniority and experience, while Cheng Haimei stayed silent and Zhou Guoan’s support for securing the post became apparent.

Dong Xuebin decided to take Wu Er’s yacht and head toward the Japanese blockade to help the Republic’s stranded fishing boats. Xie Huilan stayed behind because she was pregnant, while Xie Hao, Xie Jing, and Sun Kai prepared to sail with Dong Xuebin.

• Dong Xuebin announced that he would take Wu Er’s yacht to the blocked waters despite Wu Er and You You warning him about the danger.
• Xie Huilan trusted Dong Xuebin’s judgment and offered to accompany him, but he insisted that she stay behind because she was pregnant.
• Xie Hao, Xie Jing, and Sun Kai insisted on joining Dong Xuebin, while Xie Ran objected to the risky plan.
• Xie Huilan agreed to let them go after Dong Xuebin promised to bring everyone back safely and she ordered them to follow his instructions at sea.
• Dong Xuebin, Xie Hao, Xie Jing, and Sun Kai began preparing to depart, leaving Wu Er stunned by their plan.

Dong Xuebin tried to trade for a 46mm Dwarf Lion’s Head, but another buyer got it first, and he was left with walnuts from a stall. When the stall’s mislabeled green peels turned out to contain Dwarf Lion’s Heads, the sellers refused to honor the deal, and Dong Xuebin used his ability to turn back time.

• Dong Xuebin chose four pairs of Big Chicken Heart green peels and asked the stall owner to open them quickly while he watched the high school student with the 46mm Dwarf Lion’s Head.
• A buyer traded with the high school student first, giving him Big Chicken Hearts in exchange for the Dwarf Lion’s Head.
• Dong Xuebin asked the stall owner to open only two walnuts, but the owner refused to refund him, so Dong Xuebin told him to open all eight.
• Dong Xuebin and the onlookers discovered that the supposed Big Chicken Hearts were Dwarf Lion’s Heads from a basket the stall owner’s son had mislabeled.
• The stall owner’s son said Dong Xuebin had paid for only one pair, and both sellers insulted him when he objected.
• Dong Xuebin smiled coldly and activated his ability, saying, “...back.”

Dong Xuebin gave up the newly available Discipline Inspection Committee apartment so Luo Haiting could have it. The chapter ended with Luo Haiting cleaning his office while he struggled to keep his attention on his work.

• Dong Xuebin arrived at work and learned that Liu Hanqing had taken sick leave.
• Gao Wenrong offered Dong Xuebin the key to a two-bedroom apartment in the Discipline Inspection Committee Dormitory.
• Dong Xuebin refused the apartment and asked Gao Wenrong to assign it to Luo Haiting, who had a family and nowhere to live.
• Luo Haiting accepted the apartment key and thanked Dong Xuebin.
• Luo Haiting began cleaning Dong Xuebin’s office, and Dong Xuebin found himself distracted while she wiped his desk.

After Huang Shizhong refused to make his daughter apologize or accept punishment, Dong Xuebin abandoned his attempt to settle the dispute and made several calls. Huang Shizhong then watched the police let Dong Xuebin walk away and realized he had badly misjudged the situation.

• Qian Dong and the No. 1 High School Principal left the office and wondered whether Huang Shizhong knew who Dong Xuebin was or was pretending not to.
• Dong Xuebin learned that Huang Shizhong had rejected the proposed settlement, and he told Yu Qianqian that it was too late to let the matter go.
• Dong Xuebin called Duan Zheng'an to complain about Huang Shizhong, then made several more calls to address the Education Bureau's conduct.
• Dong Xuebin took Yu Qianqian out of the infirmary and ignored the police officers who had come to investigate.
• Huang Shizhong saw the officers fail to stop Dong Xuebin and realized that something was wrong.

Dong Xuebin organized the Investment Bureau’s preparations for the upcoming Investment Conference and dealt with Li Hong’s angry confrontation at the office. The next morning, Deputy Captain Feng called to tell him that Li Hong was dead.

• Dong Xuebin assigned the Investment Bureau departments tasks for the conference and ordered them to work overtime.
• Li Hong argued with Lu Dafa, then insulted Dong Xuebin in the hallway, prompting him to call security.
• Dong Xuebin called Xie Huilan and learned that she had dined with Cheng Keliang and would be away at a meeting for two days.
• Dong Xuebin went home, fell asleep thinking about the conference and Xie Huilan, and dreamed of bringing in over a billion in projects.
• Deputy Captain Feng woke Dong Xuebin with news that Lu Dafa’s wife, Li Hong, was dead.