Chapter Summaries

Xu Qi and the Golden Courtyard welcomed the New Year with fireworks, a flower-filled display from Hai Wei, and hopes for peace and happiness. Afterward, Xu Qi received a New Year message from former colleague Xin An, and Mei caught him looking at it and teased him about their past connection.

• Xu Qi reflected on his parents’ travels and spoke with Mei about becoming a father as the group gathered for the countdown.
• Kalpas lit the fuse at midnight, and Xu Qi celebrated the New Year with Mei and Elysia as fireworks filled the sky.
• Elysia asked for a sea of flowers, so Xu Qi and Vil-V sent Hai Wei into the sky to create a flower-like fireworks display.
• Xu Qi returned to the living room and replied to New Year messages, including one from former colleague Xin An congratulating him on his animated film PV.
• Mei came up behind Xu Qi, questioned him about Xin An, and teased him as he insisted they had barely kept in touch.

After the New Year greetings, Xu Qi went to bed, where Yae secretly joined him and began an intimate encounter. Mobius discovered them and confronted them, then turned her attention to Xu Qi and his earlier kiss with Rita, leaving him at her mercy.

• Xu Qi and the others exchanged New Year messages, including Delta teasing him about becoming her brother-in-law and Pardofelis showing him a message from one of her criminal clients.
• Xu Qi went to his room to sleep and found Yae waiting in his bed; she began an intimate encounter with him.
• Mobius noticed Yae was missing, followed the sounds to Xu Qi's room, and caught the pair together.
• Mobius and Yae traded barbs while Xu Qi watched, then Mobius pulled him onto the bed and challenged him about kissing Rita's toes during the King's Game.

After the girls crowded into Xu Qi’s room overnight, he woke among them and remembered the chaotic night. He comforted Mei, then the two were alone together on the balcony before the group gathered for brunch.

• Mei discovered Pardofelis and Rin peeking into Xu Qi’s room, then summoned Bronya and the other girls to join him.
• Xu Qi woke at ten among Bronya, Aponia, Mei, and the others, and recalled how the gathering had grown throughout the night.
• Xu Qi gave Dr. Mei water and comforted her as they talked about his family and her past goal.
• Xu Qi carried Mei to the balcony, where they were intimate while the others slept.
• At brunch, Mei asked Xu Qi whether he had exercised that morning, making Fu Hua nearly spit out her porridge.

Xu Qi and Mei visited Chief Engineer Xia before going to Tilanqiao Prison, where Mei introduced Xu Qi to her father, Ryoma Raiden, as her husband. Xu Qi acknowledged how much he loved Mei but admitted he had avoided meeting Ryoma because Ryoma’s imprisonment had hurt her.

• Xu Qi and Mei visited Chief Engineer Xia, who welcomed them warmly and asked to be remembered when they married.
• Xu Qi told Mei he wanted their wedding to take place on her birthday next year, and she agreed to help plan it.
• Xu Qi and Mei went to Tilanqiao Prison to visit Ryoma Raiden.
• Mei introduced Xu Qi to Ryoma as the person she loved and her husband.
• Ryoma asked Xu Qi if he was angry with him, and Xu Qi said he had stayed away because Ryoma’s existence had hurt Mei.

After Xu Qi and Mei’s prison visit, Ryoma Raiden thanked Xu Qi for supporting Mei, and Xu Qi promised to stay with her for life. The next morning, Xu Qi accompanied Theresa on the subway to visit Himeko, where they recognized the train as the same model as one that had caused trouble before.

• Ryoma Raiden bowed to Xu Qi and thanked him for caring for Mei during her father’s imprisonment.
• Xu Qi promised Ryoma Raiden that he would love and care for Mei for the rest of his life.
• Mei kissed Xu Qi outside the prison and told him she had asked her father whom she should invite to their wedding.
• Xu Qi and Mei joked together, and Mei asked him to spend the night with her.
• The next morning, Xu Qi traveled with Theresa to visit Himeko and learned that Theresa had officially been assigned to Magic City.
• On Line 9, Xu Qi held Theresa as the train swayed, and they noticed it was model 957, like the troubled train 956.

Xu Qi and Theresa spent time with Himeko at her home, where Himeko teased them about their relationship and invited them on a drive to Chongming. The outing left Xu Qi and Theresa embarrassed and bickering in the back seat after Theresa discovered his physical reaction.

• Xu Qi visited Himeko for New Year and gave her a violin as a gift.
• Himeko asked whether Xu Qi and Theresa were dating, and Theresa blushed and shielded Xu Qi when Himeko said she might pursue him.
• Himeko suggested they go somewhere quiet for the day and drove Xu Qi and Theresa toward Chongming.
• Theresa fell asleep across the back seat while resting her head on Xu Qi's thigh.
• After the car shook on the bridge, Theresa reached into Xu Qi's pocket and then realized his physical reaction was not something he was hiding there.
• Theresa accused Xu Qi of having improper thoughts about her, and the two began wrestling in the back seat as Himeko watched through the mirror.

Xu Qi, Theresa, and Himeko visited the Yangtze, where Xu Qi and Theresa fell into the river and were rescued. Their soaked clothes forced them to stop at an inn, where Xu Qi suggested playing games while they waited for their clothes to dry.

• Himeko brought Xu Qi and Theresa to the Yangtze because they wanted a quiet place to visit.
• Theresa ventured onto the breakwater, and Xu Qi hurried after her to make sure she was safe.
• Xu Qi slipped on a shifting stone, and Theresa grabbed him as he fell, causing them both to fall into the river.
• Xu Qi held Theresa above the water and swam with her back to the embankment, where Himeko helped pull them out.
• Xu Qi gave Theresa his jacket and carried her to a nearby inn, where they showered and changed into hotel pajamas.
• Theresa accused Xu Qi of suggesting improper hotel games, so he promised they would play cards instead.

Xu Qi spent the day playing cards with Himeko and Lady Theresa, then admitted he had neglected Lady Theresa and confessed that he liked her. The chapter ended with Xu Qi kissing her after she asked whether he was serious about pursuing her.

• Himeko, Xu Qi, and Lady Theresa played Dou Dizhu, and Xu Qi lost after Himeko betrayed their team and Lady Theresa played an airplane.
• Xu Qi begged Lady Theresa to spare him from eating the cards, and the group settled on making him bark twice instead.
• After Himeko left to buy dinner, Xu Qi told Lady Theresa he would spend more time with her and asked her to speak up whenever she was unhappy with him.
• Lady Theresa realized Xu Qi was asking her to be his girlfriend, and Xu Qi confessed that he had liked her since Guangcheng.
• Lady Theresa asked whether Xu Qi was serious about pursuing her, and he kissed her.

Xu Qi and Theresa confessed their feelings through kisses and agreed to spend the night together at a hotel after Himeko left. The chapter ended with Xu Qi pulling a wary but receptive Theresa into his arms and promising not to take advantage of her.

• Xu Qi kissed Theresa, then promised to watch the Summer Triangle and the Milky Way with her from above the clouds.
• Theresa asked whether Xu Qi had enjoyed their kiss, then kissed him herself and hurried away when he mentioned Himeko might return.
• A hotel receptionist delivered wontons and a note from Himeko, who had driven back first and told Xu Qi to keep the note from Theresa.
• Xu Qi hid Himeko's note and falsely told Theresa that Himeko had left because she got her period and needed to pick someone up at the airport.
• Xu Qi told Theresa they would have to stay at the hotel overnight, then drew her into his arms and promised to keep his thoughts proper.

Xu Qi and Theresa spent the night talking and growing closer, then shared affectionate confessions before Xu Qi began kissing and touching her. The chapter left Theresa flustered and uncertain as their intimacy escalated.

• Xu Qi impressed Theresa by telling her about helping Welt and credited her and Himeko for their part in resolving the handover meeting.
• Xu Qi and Theresa ate, showered, and talked about their past and work until late at night.
• Xu Qi promised Theresa they would have more time together, and she snuggled into his arms in bed.
• Theresa asked if they were a couple, and Xu Qi told her he liked her; she admitted she liked him too.
• Theresa asked whether lovers had to do embarrassing things together, and Xu Qi began kissing and touching her despite her protests.

Xu Qi spent an intimate night with Theresa, then reunited with Elysia and confessed that he had liked her since the first time he saw her. The chapter ended with Elysia teasing Xu Qi about having plotted to win her over from the start.

• Theresa worried that Xu Qi preferred curvier women, but Xu Qi reassured her before they became intimate.
• Theresa rushed to the bathroom after Xu Qi climaxed, and he followed her in to help her wash.
• The next morning, Theresa woke up cuddling Xu Qi and blushed as she remembered the night before.
• After returning from Chongming, Xu Qi learned that Elysia had dreamed about being intimate with him, and they spent the night together.
• Elysia teased Xu Qi for apologizing after their third round, so he pounced on her again.
• Xu Qi told Elysia that he had liked her since the first time he saw her, and Elysia teased him about plotting against her.

Elysia told Xu Qi she wanted to write a book depicting a paradise, inspired by his determination to pursue what mattered to him. As the New Year festivities wound down and everyone returned to the Golden Courtyard, Xu Qi prepared to keep his tradition of visiting Longhua Temple, though nobody else was interested.

• Elysia told Xu Qi she wanted to make changes in her life and write a book depicting a world—a paradise.
• Xu Qi supported Elysia, and the others at breakfast reflected on how his determination had influenced their lives.
• Eden, Griseo, Su, Kevin, Kosma, Kalpas, Neko, and Mei returned to the Golden Courtyard and shared stories from the New Year.
• Xu Qi teased Kosma about visiting a female classmate, prompting Eden to warn him against dating and copying Xu Qi.
• On the fifth day of the New Year, Xu Qi planned to visit Longhua Temple, while the others showed little interest.

Xu Qi took Aponia to Longhua Temple, where their teasing and closeness made the visit feel more like a date than a religious outing. He then unexpectedly ran into Xin An, who learned he was seeing Mei while also involved with other women, and the chapter left them catching up beneath a tree.

• Xu Qi and Aponia discussed Buddhism and Xu Qi explained his skepticism while affirming his belief in genuine saints like her.
• Xu Qi and Aponia queued together to light incense, bowed around the hall, and laughed when the ritual felt like a wedding.
• Xu Qi bumped into Xin An inside the Mahavira Hall and caught her before she fell.
• Aponia left Xu Qi and Xin An to catch up, while Xin An questioned him about his relationships and his superior.
• Xu Qi and Xin An discussed her pressure as technical supervisor, and Xin An warned him not to let Mei or his superior discover his other relationships.

Xu Qi reunited with Xin An and his uncle near Longhua Temple, then spent time alone with Aponia, who teased him about the closeness of body and mind. Mei wondered why Xu Qi was staying out all day, and Neko’s remark about taking Canned Food fishing made her suspicious.

• Xu Qi ran into his uncle and his uncle’s children, mocked them over their past encounter, and rejected his uncle’s concern about his work.
• Xu Qi, Aponia, and Xin An sat at a café, where Xin An recalled Xu Qi beating Li Fucong for mocking his name before leaving them.
• Xu Qi told Aponia that his relationships brought him more than the joy he found in games, and Aponia teased him with an intimate lesson about body and mind.
• Mei received Xu Qi’s message that he would not come home for lunch and wondered why he was spending the whole day at Longhua Temple.
• Neko said she went fishing with Canned Food so she could pet her without others competing for her attention, and Mei’s expression changed.

After the New Year, Xu Qi visited Kafka and Brownie at a safe house, where Kafka revealed her role in the Guangcheng ambush and explained why she had targeted Cocoilia. Xu Qi asked her to tell him everything about her past with Cocoilia and Rita, then declared that she was his woman.

• Aponia recalled her intimate afternoon with Xu Qi at the church and her continued decision to make him wait before giving herself to him.
• Xu Qi learned from Su that Kafka and Brownie were recovering and went with him to the safe house where they were being treated.
• Kafka explained that her injuries had left her unable to walk without support and admitted that she had planned the Anti-Entropy ambush in Guangcheng.
• Kafka said she had wanted to bury Cocoilia herself, then became a target of Anti-Entropy along with Brownie after she failed.
• Xu Qi told Kafka he had saved her because she had spared him, and demanded to know everything about her relationships with Cocoilia and Rita.
• After talking privately, Xu Qi declared that Kafka was his woman, and she teased him about his possessive attitude.

Xu Qi let Mei take charge of coordinating with Kafka and Anti-Entropy, then returned to work at E.T. Studio. There, he told Rita he loved her and wanted her as his wife, and she accepted the sentiment while insisting he propose with a ring.

• Su encouraged Xu Qi to share his burdens, and Xu decided he could rely on his connections with Anti-Entropy and Schicksal.
• Xu Qi called Mei, who took responsibility for the Kafka coordination and ordered him not to interfere; they spent the night together.
• Mei's arrangements let Xu Qi return to work feeling relaxed, and Rita teased him about his visit to Kafka.
• Xu Qi confirmed he knew Rita and Kafka had shared an orphanage as children, then told Rita he loved her and intended to make her his bride.
• Rita admitted she loved Xu Qi too, but objected to being called his Madam until he proposed and gave her a ring.

Xu Qi and Rita reaffirmed their relationship and Rita declared that she would follow her own will rather than Destiny’s ideals. As Seed Studio prepared for the demanding launch of Alahato SEED, Delta hinted that she might soon leave the company.

• Rita kissed Xu Qi, and they agreed to face the future together before Delta walked in on them in the office.
• Xu Qi asked Rita about her role in the Terra Network mission, and Rita said she had acted under orders but now chose to be his maid of her own will.
• Xu Qi grew jealous when Rita teased him about once admiring Durandal, and the two became intimate in his office.
• Company employees gossiped about Xu Qi and Rita, while Qian Chen recognized that helping Xu Qi could secure a place in Welt and Bronya’s faction.
• Delta overheard the Human Resources manager gossiping about Xu Qi and Bronya, then reflected that it would soon have nothing to do with her.
• Xu Qi called a meeting for everyone at Seed Studio to prepare them for the difficult April launch of Alahato SEED.

Xu Qi asked Bronya to bring Elysia into Seed Studio as his apprentice so she could learn writing and help with routine work. After the New Year, Elysia joined his office, where Rita began showing her the ropes while Xu Qi tried to keep her playful habits from disrupting work.

• Xu Qi told Bronya that Elysia wanted to become his disciple and that he planned to train her while assigning her auxiliary writing tasks.
• Xu Qi explained to Elysia that she should read more, think more, and write more to build her writing fundamentals, and she eagerly accepted him as her master.
• Bronya approved Elysia's apprentice arrangement after Xu Qi promised that Rita and he would review her work.
• After the New Year, Elysia began working beside Rita, and Xu Qi told her to read books when she had no assignments.
• Xu Qi pushed Elysia out of his office after she rummaged through his desk, while Rita later used documents to shield her as she read at her workstation.

Alysia began working at Seed Studio, where Rita introduced her to the staff and warned her about Delta’s demanding production oversight. Alysia settled into her new role and quickly befriended the company, while Xu Qi and Delta discussed how her social skills differed from Delta’s production-management strengths.

• Rita showed Alysia the studio offices and explained that she would mainly assist Xu Qi with routine reports and writing practice.
• Delta roared at staff over overdue schedules and stalled animation cuts, prompting Rita to warn Alysia to keep up with her drafts.
• Xu Qi assigned Alysia a 1,500-word promotional article about Alahato SEED, due before the end of the next workday, and she discovered Rita had misled her about his intentions.
• After Alysia told Xu Qi that Rita had said he might summon her for physical needs, he called Rita into his office, and she emerged near lunchtime flustered and weak-legged.
• Alysia introduced herself around Seed Studio and repeatedly told coworkers that Xu Qi was her lover.
• Delta praised Alysia’s people skills, and Xu Qi said she could not manage production schedules as well as Delta, whom he called his unshakable anchor.

Xu Qi’s growing reputation and Elysia’s popularity at Seed Studio framed a playful office visit, where Elysia showed her affection for him. Bronya then entrusted Xu Qi with choosing sponsors for Alahato SEED, leaving him with an important new responsibility.

• Rita praised Elysia’s promotional writing while she and Xu Qi discussed Elysia’s rapid progress.
• Elysia visited Xu Qi, asked about her article and her work at the company, then flirted with him in his office.
• Bronya entered and gave Xu Qi her schedule for sponsor meetings, explaining that investors were now eager to support Alahato SEED.
• Bronya told Xu Qi he would choose which sponsors to work with from then on so she could focus on finishing SEED.