Chapter Summaries

After escaping the hospital ruins, Dong Xuebin returned to Guangming Street to reassure his family and colleagues, rescuing a trapped shopkeeper along the way. He arrived at the temporary shelter just as officials were mourning his supposed death, leaving them stunned by his sudden appearance.

• Dong Xuebin left the hospital ruins, changed into a cleaner suit, and learned that residents were living in temporary shelters while rescuers searched for his remains.
• Dong Xuebin rode toward the Guangming Street Office and heard television reports claiming the search for him was nearing its end.
• Dong Xuebin rescued a shopkeeper trapped beneath debris and accompanied her to the Guangming Park shelter.
• Geng Xinke and the other Guangming Street officials mourned Dong Xuebin and planned to visit the ruins the next day to see him off.
• Dong Xuebin arrived at the shelter with the rescued shopkeeper, and the officials stared in disbelief as he greeted them.

After Zhou Changchun returned to the General Office, his former subordinates distanced themselves, assuming he had fallen from favor. When Zhou revealed that Director Yan had asked him to recommend a deputy director candidate, Dong Xuebin realized he still had a chance to compete for the position.

• Dong Xuebin considered visiting Zhou Changchun, but Tan Limei warned him to keep his distance because Zhou might be under investigation.
• Zhou Changchun returned to the General Office, where Guo Panwei and the others treated him coldly and refused to help him.
• Zhou Changchun asked Guo Panwei to come into his office, but Guo refused and claimed he had a document to deliver.
• Zhou Changchun called Director Yan and recommended Xiao Gao for the deputy director position, while saying the General Office staff still needed more training.
• Guo Panwei and Guo Shunjie regretted turning Zhou away, while Dong Xuebin secretly recognized a new opportunity and used BACK to return himself.

Trapped beneath the hospital ruins, Dong Xuebin survived his wounds by waiting for midnight and using REVERSE, but he began running out of air. The chapter left him holding an empty oxygen tank as he tried to find a way to escape suffocation.

• Dong Xuebin woke beneath the collapsed hospital and realized he was trapped in a small gap with serious wounds.
• After hallucinating about his loved ones, Dong Xuebin resolved to stay alive and endure until midnight, when his REVERSE time would replenish.
• At midnight, Dong Xuebin used REVERSE on his body and healed his wounds, then shouted for help without reaching anyone.
• Dong Xuebin began suffocating as the rubble cut off the air, and he searched the cramped space for something that could help.
• Dong Xuebin found an oxygen tank, discovered it was empty, and commanded REVERSE one second.

Huo Yibang brought his sick child to 301 Hospital, where Liu Xuemei arranged prompt treatment through Dong Xuebin’s connection. Meanwhile, Dong Xuebin bought watches for Fang Wenping and himself, astonishing the boutique’s customers with his wealth despite his muddy clothes.

• Huo Yibang called Liu Xuemei as Dong Xuebin had instructed, and she sent staff to receive his family at 301 Hospital.
• Liu Xuemei personally examined Huo Yibang’s child and arranged tests, admission to a private room, and a free stay at a partner hotel.
• Dong Xuebin chose a 100,800-yuan Omega watch as a gift for Fang Wenping and asked the saleswoman to size it to his wrist.
• The saleswoman recognized Dong Xuebin’s Patek Philippe as genuine, and customers watched him pay for the Omega watch without hesitation.
• Dong Xuebin also bought a 660,000-yuan Omega pocket watch for himself, leaving the boutique customers and staff stunned.

Hu Hanbin arrived with reinforcements and moved to arrest Dong Xuebin for assaulting police, while ignoring the black-car driver's alleged extortion and the Big Man's role. Dong Xuebin challenged the officers' apparent bias as they closed in to take him away.

• Hu Hanbin hurried to the scene with the Big Man and learned that two officers had been injured, though neither was in life-threatening danger.
• The Big Man identified Dong Xuebin as the man who had beaten him, and Hu Hanbin led the officers toward Dong Xuebin with an officer carrying a cocked gun.
• Su Yan warned Dong Xuebin that Hu Hanbin was influential, but Dong Xuebin remained unbothered.
• Dong Xuebin accused Hu Hanbin's Police Station of openly siding with criminals by arriving alongside the Big Man and ignoring the black-car driver's alleged extortion.
• Hu Hanbin dismissed Dong Xuebin's objections and ordered the officers to arrest him, without addressing Dong Xuebin's question about the others.

Dong Xuebin defeated the men who had harassed Fang Wenping and returned with her to his courtyard. He discovered Fang Wenping had cooked lunch, though the food tasted awful, and they ate together.

• Dong Xuebin knocked down five men who had attacked Fang Wenping, sparing the one who had tried to stop the fight.
• Dong Xuebin returned to the courtyard with Fang Wenping and told the neighbors she was a relative of his.
• After talking with the neighbors, Dong Xuebin went inside and found Fang Wenping cooking lunch.
• Fang Wenping served two vegetable dishes and ordered Dong Xuebin to get the chopsticks.
• Dong Xuebin criticized the food but ate it with Fang Wenping, wondering if she had cooked because he helped her.

Dong Xuebin secured the Inspection Team’s floating nomination quota for Guangming Street Office, taking it from Peace Street Office. The district accepted the change, while Chu Qinghua and Peace Street Office were left furious.

• Dong Xuebin and Chu Qinghua argued over their rivalry as they left the district government building.
• Dong Xuebin joined the Inspection Team’s visit to Guangming Street Office and told Zhou Yanru and Guo Mingfeng to arrange lunch and rooms for the inspectors.
• Cheng Yandong told Shen Fei that the Inspection Team had awarded Guangming Street Office its floating nomination quota after finding its conditions commendable.
• Shen Fei called Dong Xuebin and instructed him to secure the quota, signaling the district’s approval.
• Dong Xuebin announced the news at Guangming Street Office, while Chu Qinghua threw a document to the floor in anger at Peace Street Office.

Dong Xuebin welcomed Luo Haiting as she joined Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office One as his deputy, and she thanked him for helping her escape a career crisis. They discussed the office’s personnel and Liu Hanqing’s influence before Luo Haiting playfully teased Dong Xuebin during their private conversation.

• Dong Xuebin returned to his office after the welcome banquet and struggled to remember the many municipal officials he had met.
• Luo Haiting visited Dong Xuebin, thanked him for helping secure her transfer and promotion, and resumed her role as his subordinate.
• Dong Xuebin asked Luo Haiting about Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office One, and she described Liu Hanqing’s control over its daily affairs and his wealthy background.
• Dong Xuebin praised Luo Haiting’s appearance, and she brought him water while secretly rubbing her foot against his leg.
• Luo Haiting thanked Dong Xuebin for treating her better than her husband did, leaving him flustered.

Dong Xuebin celebrated Jiaolin County’s billion-yuan investment achievement and learned that his wife, Xie Huilan, was coming to Baohong City on an official exchange visit. He arranged a countywide banquet in the city for that evening, where he expected to see her.

• Dong Xuebin reviewed the Investment Bureau’s report and was pleased that Jiaolin County had attracted one billion in investment, exceeding its goal.
• Xie Huilan called Dong Xuebin and told him she was flying to Baohong City to lead a delegation studying investment promotion, with plans to see him that evening.
• Dong Xuebin asked Su Yan to arrange a large celebration banquet in the city and offered to pay the expenses himself.
• Zhang Dongfang praised Dong Xuebin’s work and offered to help arrange a job for Xie Huilan in Jiaolin County, but Dong Xuebin declined, saying her situation was special.

Dong Xuebin protected Old Master Xie and the others from a malfunctioning fireworks launcher by deflecting its rockets and stopping it from causing damage. He emerged unharmed, leaving the family and guards stunned and relieved.

• Dong Xuebin rushed in front of Old Master Xie and knocked aside the first Small Fireworks with his bare hand.
• Dong Xuebin deflected the next rockets while Xie Guoyue moved Old Master Xie and the others out of danger.
• Dong Xuebin continued batting away the rockets, even stepping on one and narrowly dodging another that passed close to his face.
• Dong Xuebin straightened the launcher and let it fire its remaining Small Fireworks safely into the sky.
• Dong Xuebin checked that everyone was safe, and the elders scolded him for taking such a risk while the guards marveled at his skill.

Dong Xuebin and pregnant Xie Huilan returned home after a long day of inspections, and he refused a County Leaders’ dinner so she could rest and avoid being treated merely as his wife. They shared dinner and an intimate evening at home, leaving their relationship affectionate and playful.

• Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan returned home after visiting people and conducting inspections without eating.
• Dong Xuebin declined Secretary Meng and his wife’s dinner invitation so Xie Huilan could rest and avoid a subordinate place at the gathering.
• Dong Xuebin cooked five dishes and soup, and Xie Huilan praised his cooking and kissed him.
• After dinner, Dong Xuebin washed the dishes and found Xie Huilan changed into a nightgown and watching the news.
• Xie Huilan mentioned her pregnancy-related backaches, and Dong Xuebin carried her to bed, where they began an affectionate encounter.

After the investigation team withdrew, Dong Xuebin saw provincial news praise Jiaolin County’s response and ignored newspapers criticizing the demolition. At the temporary offices, county staff treated him with greater respect, recognizing that he had turned a political crisis to his advantage.

• Dong Xuebin watched a provincial TV commentator praise his decision to demolish the County Party Committee Compound and Jiaolin County’s handling of the scandal.
• Dong Xuebin bought newspapers on the way to work and dismissed criticism of the demolition, reasoning that it had been necessary to protect himself and the county.
• Dong Xuebin arrived at the temporary offices and noticed that county officials, including some Zhang faction members, greeted him more respectfully than before.
• Dong Xuebin’s actions in the crisis showed Jiaolin County officials that he could reverse seemingly hopeless political situations to his advantage.

Dong Xuebin spent the evening with pregnant Zhai Yunxuan at the Zhai residence after a tiring day handling matters in the ministries, and they discussed his work, their relationship, and their coming daughter. Zhai Yunxuan left to return to her mother, while Dong Xuebin cherished their final moments together and prepared to return to work.

• Dong Xuebin and Zhai Yunxuan rested together after an intimate encounter, and he told her that his work in the ministries had mostly been taken care of.
• Dong Xuebin teased Zhai Yunxuan about acting cute, and she playfully indulged him before telling him to rest while she handled the dishes.
• Dong Xuebin and Zhai Yunxuan discussed how they would raise their unborn daughter, with Dong Xuebin saying he wanted to spoil her.
• Zhai Yunxuan said she had to return to her mother that evening but would visit Dong Xuebin again the next day.
• Dong Xuebin carried Zhai Yunxuan to the balcony, where they watched the sunset and enjoyed their remaining time together.

Dong Xuebin secretly visited Xie Huilan’s home, prepared a candlelit dinner, and spent the evening growing more intimate with her. The night left him embarrassed when Xie Huilan teased him by giving him the clothes she had just taken off.

• Xie Huilan told Huang Li that she and Dong Xuebin were dating and explained that she trusted him to keep their relationship secret.
• Xie Huilan gave Dong Xuebin the keys to her apartment and invited him over to talk and have dinner.
• Dong Xuebin bought groceries, roses, and candles, then entered Xie Huilan’s apartment and prepared dinner before she returned in the rain.
• Xie Huilan showered and changed into clothes Dong Xuebin brought her, then accepted his roses and praised the meal he cooked.
• While they watched television after dinner, Xie Huilan took Dong Xuebin’s hand, and he touched her thigh as their evening became more intimate.
• Xie Huilan handed Dong Xuebin a bag containing the clothes she had taken off, teasing him about his earlier use of her stockings.

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.

Dong Xuebin reunited with pregnant Qu Yunxuan at the Qu Family home and spent the evening teasing and doting on her. After he told her about trouble in Nanshan District, Qu Yunxuan agreed to make an exception and be intimate with him.

• Dong Xuebin picked Qu Yunxuan up downstairs after she slipped out of her parents’ home and drove her to their apartment.
• Qu Yunxuan told Dong Xuebin that the doctor had revealed they were expecting a girl.
• Dong Xuebin fussed over Qu Yunxuan and teased her, while she warned him to be gentle because she was pregnant.
• In bed, Qu Yunxuan asked Dong Xuebin whom he had offended in Nanshan District, and he complained about Xue Qingrong and others.
• Qu Yunxuan took the initiative and agreed to be intimate with Dong Xuebin, telling him not to be too rough.

Dong Xuebin learned that Zhong Lizhen, Han Jing’s close relative and a defense researcher, had been confined in America after making a major breakthrough. The family and higher-ups wanted her brought home, and Xie Guojian asked whether Dong would attempt the rescue, while Xie Guobang firmly opposed putting him in danger.

• Dong Xuebin rushed to the Xie family home, where Han Jing and Xie Guobang told him something had happened.
• Han Jing explained that Zhong Lizhen was a close family friend who had gone to America and become a leading defense researcher.
• Han Jing and Xie Guojian said America had confined Zhong Lizhen and cut off contact after she sought to return home with her research.
• Xie Guojian told Dong that the higher-ups had ordered Zhong Lizhen brought back safely and asked how confident he would be about going.
• Xie Guobang opposed sending Dong on a dangerous rescue mission and warned that Xie Huilan would be furious if she learned of it.

Dong Xuebin drove Wang Yuling, Zhou Yanru, and Zhou Yanru’s daughter Chengcheng to Beijing, where he treated them to Qianmen snacks and helped Chengcheng learn about the city. He gave Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru the rest of the day off and lent them his Cayenne, leaving official business for tomorrow.

• Dong Xuebin loaded luggage into his Cayenne and agreed to take Zhou Yanru’s daughter Chengcheng to Beijing with them.
• Wang Yuling drove the group to Beijing while Dong Xuebin chatted with Chengcheng about the city and learned she hoped to attend high school there.
• Dong Xuebin took the group to Qianmen for Beijing snacks and explained the area’s history and local food to Chengcheng.
• After lunch, Dong Xuebin postponed their official business until the next day and told Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru to enjoy the day off.
• Dong Xuebin lent Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru his Cayenne and sent them off to explore Beijing.

Dong Xuebin brought Xie Huilan to meet his family, where she quickly won everyone over with her warmth and thoughtfulness. Luan Xiaoping approved of their relationship, and the chapter ended as Xie Huilan came outside while Dong Xuebin was bragging to his mother.

• Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan arrived at the Luan family home with gifts and greeted his relatives.
• Xie Huilan chatted warmly with the family, and Tang Jin arrived and asked how she and Dong Xuebin had gotten together.
• Xie Huilan told the relatives that she had pursued Dong Xuebin and explained how they first met.
• Luan Xiaoping asked Xie Huilan about her family and marriage plans, and Xie Huilan gave her a diamond-set platinum necklace.
• After dinner, Luan Xiaoping told Dong Xuebin she approved of Xie Huilan, while he boasted that Xie Huilan always listened to him.
• Xie Huilan came out and asked what Dong Xuebin and Luan Xiaoping had been discussing.

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.