Chapter Summaries

Xu Qi challenged Aponia’s belief that he alone had freed her from fate, reminding her that her choices had shaped her life and that she had once saved him. Aponia began to reconsider her feelings, while Xu Qi promised to win her love again, leaving her flustered and asking him to stop.

• Xu Qi watched as a worried mother sought Aponia’s help about her son’s poor grades, and Aponia advised her to ask what her son wanted rather than treat one exam as his whole future.
• Aponia told Xu Qi that he had opened her cage by making the fates around him uncertain, but Xu Qi said he wished he had never appeared if that meant she would surrender her own agency to fate.
• Xu Qi argued that Aponia had changed her own fate through her choices, just as believers ultimately changed their own lives despite her guidance.
• Xu Qi reminded Aponia that she had sealed away his painful memories after the 956 Incident, making her his hero and giving him a new life.
• When Aponia said she might not like him as much if she accepted his view, Xu Qi promised to make her fall in love with him again, and she blushed and covered his mouth.

Xu Qi and Aponia confessed their love and became lovers, then resumed their work at the church. Their next visitor was Bronya, Xu Qi’s boss, leaving him stunned by the unexpected meeting.

• Aponia kissed Xu Qi and told him she liked him, and they confessed their love to each other.
• Aponia said she had invented the doctrine forbidding nuns from loving, and Xu Qi promised to stay by her side forever.
• Aponia and Xu Qi returned to their work, and she kept his hand tucked against her while pretending to warm it.
• Aponia called in the next visitor, who introduced herself as Bronya and asked for advice about her troubles.
• Xu Qi recognized Bronya as his boss, and Aponia gave him a teasing glance.

Bronya sought advice from Aponia about worrying that Xu Qi might resent her for taking their new relationship slowly, while Xu Qi secretly listened from inside the Tree Hollow. Aponia reassured Bronya through Xu Qi’s unspoken feelings, then confronted Xu Qi about his own relationship with her, leaving their closeness unresolved.

• Bronya told Aponia that she and Xu Qi had become lovers the previous week, but she feared he might dislike her because they had not gone further.
• Xu Qi secretly listened from inside the Tree Hollow and worried that Bronya misunderstood his feelings.
• Aponia asked Bronya what Xu Qi was like, then reassured her that he valued mutual respect and understanding more than rushing their relationship.
• Bronya left after hearing Aponia’s advice, while Aponia continued teasing Xu Qi inside the Tree Hollow.
• Aponia asked Xu Qi whether his relationship with her was like his relationship with Bronya, and Xu Qi admitted that their feelings made their intimacy difficult to dismiss as a sin.

Xu Qi and Aponia shared a tender moment at the church, while the approaching Alahato SEED PV1 deadline pushed Xu Qi and his team into an intense production sprint. The chapter ended with Xu Qi asking President Bronya to give Seed Studio the National Day bonuses originally intended for two fallen colleagues.

• Aponia purified Xu Qi’s sin, and Xu Qi promised to marry her after marrying Mei in the church when Mei came of age.
• Bronya reminded Xu Qi that he still had to accompany her home to play Gal, while Aponia and Eden discussed the upcoming PV1 release.
• Xu Qi and the Alahato SEED staff worked through a heavy workload as the PV1 deadline tightened to September 29, leaving them only twelve days to finish.
• Xu Qi promised Chief Qian that PV1 would air on schedule and told Rita he would ask Bronya to allocate additional National Day bonuses to Seed Studio.
• Xu Qi sat down with President Bronya and requested that the bonuses intended for Liu Yizhi and Director Yang go to Seed Studio.

Xu Qi argued with Bronya over Seed Studio's National Day bonuses, then honored their Wednesday date as she took him home. Bronya told him she no longer felt their relationship needed physical intimacy to prove their love, and they settled in to play games together.

• Xu Qi asked Bronya to increase Seed Studio's National Day bonuses, but she rejected his request because it would come at other departments' expense.
• Xu Qi loudly told the office he would go home with Bronya on Wednesday, embarrassing her and earning teasing from his coworkers.
• On Wednesday, Bronya dragged Xu Qi from the production office while Rita and Delta watched.
• Bronya asked Xu Qi whether he liked her more affectionate side, and he reassured her that he did.
• Bronya explained that she had realized their love did not depend on becoming physically intimate, and Xu Qi told her he could feel her love.
• At Bronya's villa, Xu Qi and Bronya sat together with snacks and beer and prepared to play a game.

Xu Qi and Bronya teased each other while choosing a game, then played Persona 5 Royal and discussed Xu Qi’s many romantic entanglements. After Bronya admitted that Xu Qi’s earlier coldness had hurt her, they reconciled with kisses and affectionate teasing.

• Bronya said she did not feel like gaming, and Xu Qi explained that he was tracking her cycle so he could take care of her.
• Bronya called Xu Qi “hubby” to win his forgiveness, and they chose Persona 5 Royal to play.
• Bronya questioned Xu Qi about his relationships, and he listed Mei, Yae, Elysia, Mobius, Fu Hua, Aponia, Bronya, Rita, and Theresa.
• Xu Qi played while Bronya teased him, and they joked about fusing Personas for strength rather than appearance.
• Bronya told Xu Qi that his cold behavior at the office had hurt her, and they made up with kisses before she invited him to “eat Big Duckie.”

Bronya and Xu Qi shared an affectionate morning after spending the night together, while Xu Qi later focused on creating value at work. He proposed raising Seed Studio’s National Day bonuses in advance of a publicity campaign, and Bronya heard his case as he promised Alahato SEED’s PV would surpass the company’s past publicity records.

• Bronya woke beside Xu Qi, reflected on his restraint the night before, and cuddled with him until she nearly smothered him with her breasts.
• At the office, Rita teased Xu Qi about spending the night with Bronya, then kissed him and responded to his advances in his former private office.
• Xu Qi asked Qian Chen to support extra benefits and higher National Day bonuses for the Publicity Department, and Qian Chen agreed.
• Xu Qi and Qian Chen presented the bonus proposal to Bronya, who asked Xu Qi to explain his reasoning.
• Xu Qi argued that bonuses should recognize value creation and presented data to support his guarantee that Alahato SEED’s PV would surpass the company’s previous publicity records.

Xu Qi secured a 20% National Day bonus increase for Seed Studio and the publicity department, then found himself the subject of workplace rumors. That night, after spending time with Elysia, Mobius, and Fu Hua, he visited Mei, who was studying for the bar exam.

• Xu Qi and Qian Chen agreed to forfeit their bonuses if they failed to deliver, and Bronya approved a 20% increase dependent on the PV's release and quality.
• Xu Qi announced the raise to Seed Studio, whose employees celebrated and began working harder.
• Xu Qi learned that coworkers believed he had endured a humiliating encounter with Bronya to win the increase.
• At the Golden Courtyard, Xu Qi complained about the rumors while Elysia, Mobius, and Fu Hua discussed his work and Mei's bar exam preparations.
• Around one in the morning, Xu Qi brought flower tea to Mei as she studied, and she looked up in surprise.

Mei broke down as she remembered studying alone after her father was imprisoned, and Xu Qi comforted her by promising to be her support. After waking to find him at work, Mei urged the others to let him rest, while Xu Qi later called her and asked Rita to come with him.

• Mei cried while recalling how alone she had felt studying late in high school, and Xu Qi held her and promised to be her eternal harbor and support.
• Xu Qi comforted Mei to sleep, then reflected on how much she meant to him before falling asleep beside her.
• Mei woke at eleven and found Elysia keeping her company; Elysia told her Xu Qi had gone to work and changed her into her pajamas.
• Mei asked Elysia to tell the sisters not to seek out Xu Qi so he could rest, and joked that he wanted to marry them all.
• Xu Qi spoke affectionately with Mei on the phone at work, then told Rita to come with him, prompting her to warn that she would not go to the bathroom.

Xu Qi reassured Rita that he loved and understood her, while Rita admitted she was hiding something from him but promised she would not leave. They then joined Bronya at the recording studio, where Xu Qi coached Shigure Kira on voicing Lacus, though he still felt something was missing.

• Xu Qi told Rita he loved her for who she was and promised to stand by her, and Rita kissed him in response.
• Rita confessed that she was hiding something from Xu Qi, and he showed that he understood without blaming her.
• Rita promised she would not leave Xu Qi, and they hurried to the recording studio together.
• Xu Qi and Rita arrived late, and Bronya asked what had delayed them.
• Xu Qi coached Shigure Kira through Lacus's lines for the PV, and Bronya praised the improved take, but Xu Qi still sensed a problem.

Shigure Kira struggled to perform Lacus’s love for Kira until Xu Qi’s advice helped her find the emotion, while Bronya noticed how personally Kira took his guidance. Back at the Golden Courtyard, Xu Qi comforted Griseo after Eden confronted her over a poor math score, and he began examining her test paper.

• Xu Qi and the dubbing director told Shigure Kira that her performance needed to convey Lacus’s love for Kira, but her repeated attempts missed the mark.
• Shigure Kira insisted on trying again, and Xu Qi advised her to imagine speaking to someone she admired but could not confess to.
• Shigure Kira recalled Xu Qi’s praise and used her respect for him to prepare for the scene, while Bronya noticed her intense gaze toward him.
• Xu Qi returned to the Golden Courtyard and found Eden scolding Griseo over her monthly exam; he calmed Eden and comforted the tearful Griseo.
• Xu Qi reviewed Griseo’s marks, praised her Chinese and English scores, and then examined her 54-point math paper.

After Griseo failed her math test, Xu Qi learned that her new teacher’s fast, confusing lessons were the problem and arranged for Dr. Mei to tutor her during the October holiday. That night, after settling Griseo to sleep, Xu Qi embraced Aponia and told her he had secured Mei’s approval to spend the evening with her.

• Eden scolded Griseo over her poor math score, but Xu Qi learned that Griseo could not follow her new teacher and disliked his red color, so Eden apologized.
• Xu Qi asked the villa residents to teach Griseo math, but none could offer the right combination of knowledge and teaching ability.
• Xu Qi called Dr. Mei, who agreed to visit during the October holiday and give Griseo a few lessons.
• Dr. Mei replayed the recorded call in her dormitory and cried as she listened to Xu Qi’s voice.
• Xu Qi comforted Griseo until she fell asleep, then hugged Aponia and told her he had persuaded Mei to let him spend the night with her.

Mei studied for her exams after sleeping with Xu Qi in the kitchen, while Xu Qi spent the evening with Aponia. Aponia and Xu Qi grew closer, but she became jealous after hearing about Bronya and Shigure Kira, and the chapter ended with her seeking to “purify” her anger through him.

• Mei studied for her upcoming exams and wondered why her thoughts felt unusually clear after her encounter with Xu Qi.
• Xu Qi carried Aponia to her room, where they played at intimacy while respecting her choice not to let him go further.
• Xu Qi and Aponia bathed together, and he told her that Bronya had hugged, kissed, and nibbled on him after a recording session.
• Xu Qi explained that he had helped Shigure Kira perform a line by asking her to imagine speaking to someone she admired.
• Aponia guessed why Bronya was angry, admitted that she was jealous too, and pulled Xu Qi close.

With the PV deadline threatened by a coloring artist’s illness, Xu Qi rallied the team and searched for outside help. Susana found a skilled former classmate, Cirin, leaving the studio with a possible solution and less than ten days to finish the PV.

• Rita told Xu Qi that Teacher Mo had fallen ill, leaving the coloring team short-handed.
• Bronya ordered Xu Qi to finish an excellent PV before the National Day holiday or lose his position and bonuses.
• Xu Qi rallied the production staff, asked Rita to distribute labor-protection supplies and medicine, and arranged for Teacher Ran to take on coloring inspection.
• Susana rushed in and told Xu Qi she had found Cirin, a renowned all-rounder from M.H. Studio who was available to help.
• Xu Qi entrusted Susana with coordinating Cirin’s work and noted that fewer than ten days remained before the PV’s release.

Xu Qi and the Seed Studio team worked late to finish Alahato SEED’s first public PV, which Bronya planned to approve before its Mid-Autumn Festival release. Bronya comforted Xu Qi in his office and tried to persuade him to experiment sexually with her, but he resisted because he feared hurting her.

• Xu Qi oversaw the final V Editor work as Seed Studio prepared to deliver the master footage on the twenty-eighth and release the PV on the twenty-ninth.
• Bronya visited Xu Qi’s office, where he said Rita was supervising the V Editor and expressed confidence in the finished product.
• Bronya locked the office door, praised Xu Qi’s work, and told him she had always been his woman.
• Xu Qi and Bronya kissed and teased each other, and Bronya revealed she had considered trying a sexual act Xu Qi had never experienced.
• Xu Qi refused because he worried about hurting Bronya, but she urged him to try and promised to call out if it hurt too much.

Bronya and Xu Qi shared an intimate moment in his office before discussing how E.T. Studio might temporarily bring Sirin in to help. Rita then reported that V Editor had finished, and Bronya prepared to review the work before the chapter ended with a brief exchange of battle cries and questions.

• Bronya and Xu Qi role-played in the office, and Xu Qi briefly broke his promise by entering her before stopping.
• Xu Qi helped Bronya get dressed, and they talked about his overtime and Sirin's work at M.H.
• Bronya suggested that E.T. Studio borrow Sirin temporarily, and Xu Qi agreed the arrangement might be possible.
• Rita told Xu Qi that V Editor had finished, so Bronya stood up to conduct the final review.
• Kira and Aslan exchanged lines about conviction and strength before asking how the war could be brought to an end.

Bronya approved the Mobile Suit Alahato SEED PV, and Xu Qi returned home after discussing holiday plans with her and Rita. There, he reunited quietly with Mei and spoke with Rin and Kevin, while the National Day break approached.

• Xu Qi praised the PV, and Bronya approved it for handoff to Qian Chen and the publicity department.
• Xu Qi offered to drive Bronya and Rita home, and they agreed to visit the next day during the holiday.
• Xu Qi returned home after one in the morning and kissed the sleeping Mei, who woke briefly after he left.
• Rin asked Xu Qi to take her and Yae out during the National Day holiday, and he agreed to join them.
• Xu Qi found Yae and Elysia asleep in his bed, then left them undisturbed.
• Xu Qi shared a late-night drink and conversation with Kevin about work and how much Kevin and Su enjoyed their jobs.

Xu Qi and the Golden Courtyard residents showed their care for one another as Pardofelis returned from her night shift, and Xu Qi spent the night with her. The next day, Xu Qi prepared to take Elysia and Mei to meet his parents for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but Mei confronted Elysia over the plan before he arrived home to find them wrestling.

• Kevin checked that Neko had returned safely, while Xu Qi reflected on how the Golden Courtyard had become his family.
• Xu Qi welcomed Pardofelis home, took her sack to her room, and shared her bed after she said she missed sleeping together with him.
• Xu Qi finished handing the PV work to Qian Chen and said he planned to watch its broadcast over the holiday.
• Xu Qi called Elysia to confirm they would visit his parents that day, and Mei overheard the conversation.
• Mei pounced on Elysia in jealousy, and Xu Qi returned home to find the two wrestling.

Xu Qi brought Mei and Elysia to meet his parents, leaving Mei nervous about being introduced as his girlfriend and Xu Youde displeased to learn his son had brought home two girlfriends. Lin Lai welcomed both women warmly and began asking about their relationships.

• Xu Qi apologized to Mei for planning to bring only Elysia home and invited Mei to meet his parents too.
• Mei and Elysia changed into similar outfits, then rode with Xu Qi to his family home while both women fretted about the visit.
• At the Xu family home, Xu Youde questioned Mei about her relationship with Xu Qi, while Lin Lai was delighted to meet her.
• Xu Youde tried to scold Xu Qi, but Lin Lai stopped him and sat beside Mei to make her feel welcome.
• Lin Lai asked about Mei and Elysia, and Elysia explained that Mei had been Xu Qi's girlfriend first.

Xu Qi told his father that he intended to marry both Mei and Elysia, and the family spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together. Mei discovered Xu Qi’s hidden photo album chronicling their years together, and he revealed that he had kept another album at the Courtyard.

• Xu Qi told Xu Youde that Mei was his girlfriend before Elysia and that he planned to marry both women, while Xu Youde urged him to treat them responsibly.
• Xu Qi explained that Mei was eighteen and still had two years before she could legally marry, and told his father she was studying at East China University of Political Science and Law.
• Mei nervously joined Xu Qi, Elysia, and his parents for dinner, then relaxed on the sofa and playfully bantered with them afterward.
• Xu Qi showed Mei his childhood bedroom, where she pulled an old metal box from under his bed and found a photo album filled with pictures of herself and Xu Qi.
• Mei cried as she looked through the album, and Xu Qi said he had preserved their memories and kept another album at the Courtyard.