Chapter Summaries

Chu Yihan tried to get closer to Su Qiao by asking about her songwriting and inviting her to join his record company. Su Qiao rejected his excuses after discovering the company did not even have a name.

• Wei Hong blocked Su Qiao and criticized her for being rude, but Chu Yihan threw him aside and apologized to her.
• Chu Yihan invited Su Qiao to dinner to discuss songwriting, but she said creators did not casually share their techniques and prepared to leave.
• Chu Yihan stopped Su Qiao and offered to make her a singer for his record company.
• Su Qiao asked for the company’s name, and Chu Yihan admitted it did not have one yet.
• Su Qiao questioned how Chu Yihan could recruit her to a company that did not exist yet.

Chu Yihan tried to persuade Su Qiao to join a record company, but she declined and went to rest. After leaving the club, he rebuked Wei Hong for insulting her and decided to visit a trading house.

• Chu Yihan improvised a plan to start a record company and asked Su Qiao to make records for him.
• Su Qiao said she had no plans to make records and could not decide for herself as a member of Xianle Mansion, then went into the dressing room to rest.
• Sister Jin asked Chu Yihan to understand Su Qiao's reserved nature, and he left, saying he would ask her out another time.
• Wei Hong belittled Su Qiao, so Chu Yihan angrily ordered him to shut up and kicked him.
• Chu Yihan told Wei Hong to drive him to a trading house instead of the casino.

Su Qiao went shopping with Nanny Wu and Yingzi, who told them that foreigners had drugged women at a banquet. As Su Qiao wondered whether the rumor was true, they heard a commotion ahead about a pregnant woman and two lost lives.

• Sister Jin gave Su Qiao money to buy clothes and fabric after the successful performance.
• Su Qiao went shopping with Nanny Wu and Yingzi, keeping a low profile while scouting the shops.
• Yingzi told Su Qiao and Nanny Wu that foreigners had drugged girls from their establishment and other women at a banquet.
• Nanny Wu condemned the foreigners and said she was relieved Su Qiao had refused to attend their banquet.
• Su Qiao asked 444 whether the rumor was true, and 444 said it would investigate.
• Su Qiao, Nanny Wu, and Yingzi heard a crowd discussing a pregnant woman and two lives lost.

Su Qiao witnessed a wealthy young man hit a pregnant woman with his car and abandon her, leaving her bleeding in the street. As she tried to help, the woman’s husband rushed to her side.

• Yingzi ran toward the commotion while Nanny Wu guided Su Qiao into a nearby clothing shop.
• Su Qiao watched through Xiao Si’s images as a fat young man struck a pregnant woman with his car and left her injured.
• The young man ignored the woman’s bleeding, threatened the onlookers, and drove away with his companion.
• Su Qiao stood up in anger, but Nanny Wu stopped her from going into the chaotic street.
• A rickshaw puller in an old white coat abandoned his vehicle and hurried to his injured wife, Xiao Mei.

After witnessing Wang Siming kick a pregnant woman and leave her bleeding, Su Qiao learned that his brother-in-law was Deputy Director Ge Zhihao and decided to pursue him. She left Nanny Wu to scout Wang Siming’s residence, postponing their visit to Manager Qian’s home.

• A rickshaw puller and bystanders rushed the pregnant Xiao Mei to the hospital after she was left bleeding by the roadside.
• Su Qiao learned that Wang Siming had kicked Xiao Mei repeatedly after his car struck a lamppost.
• 444 explained that Wang Siming acted with impunity because his brother-in-law was Deputy Director Ge Zhihao.
• Su Qiao told Nanny Wu to find out where Wang Siming lived, putting their planned visit to Manager Qian’s residence aside.

Su Qiao, Yingzi, and Nanny Wu discussed the feared Wang Siming after learning he was involved in the street incident. Nanny Wu began recounting her past encounter with him, leaving the women wary of his cruelty.

• Yingzi told Su Qiao and Nanny Wu what she had learned about Wang Siming.
• Nanny Wu warned them that Wang Siming was violent and feared throughout Haicheng.
• Nanny Wu recalled seeking work after arriving in Haicheng and joining the Wang Family as a servant.
• Nanny Wu explained that Wang Siming was known as King Yama Wang because he cruelly enjoyed watching weak creatures suffer.

Nanny Wu told Su Qiao and Yingzi about Wang’s cruel torture of animals and women, including the woman he had fed to his wolfhounds. Outraged, Su Qiao planned to investigate Wang’s home that night, but the chapter ended when Young Master Chu sent another gift.

• Nanny Wu described how Wang tortured animals and used the same cruelty on beautiful women.
• Nanny Wu recounted escaping after seeing Wang torture a woman and feed her to his wolfhounds.
• Su Qiao decided to prepare medicine and scout Wang’s house and the wolfhounds that night.
• Su Qiao took Nanny Wu and Yingzi to buy clothes and fabric, then returned home without buying medicinal herbs.
• A messenger arrived with more gifts from Young Master Chu, and Nanny Wu called Su Qiao from the bedroom.

Su Qiao rejected another delivery of gifts from Young Master Chu and dismissed Nanny Wu’s concerns about Sister Jin. She learned that John had suddenly fallen ill and returned home, leaving her date with him and the possibility of recording an album on hold.

• Su Qiao refused the gifts Young Master Chu had sent, and Wei Hong took them away.
• Nanny Wu warned Su Qiao that Sister Jin might be displeased by her repeated rejection of Young Master Chu.
• Nanny Wu told Su Qiao that John had fallen into a lake, fallen ill, and returned home, postponing their date.
• Nanny Wu suggested Sister Jin might arrange for Su Qiao to release an album, and Su Qiao said she did not mind.

Chu Yihan returned home after Su rejected his gift again and faced his parents’ questions about his interest in a blind dancer. His father warned him not to bring a dancer into the Chu family, while Madam Chu tried to learn what had happened.

• Chu Yihan learned that Su had refused his gift again and blamed Wei Hong for failing to deliver it.
• Chu Yihan left Wei Hong by the roadside and returned home in an angry mood.
• Marshal Chu confronted Chu Yihan about rumors that he had taken a liking to a blind dancer.
• Marshal Chu threatened to disown or punish Chu Yihan if he brought a dancer home as his wife.
• Madam Chu calmed Marshal Chu and asked Chu Yihan whether he had been getting close to a dancer.

Chu Yihan defied Marshal Chu’s arranged engagement to Chairman Tian’s granddaughter and admitted that he had fallen for a blind dancer. Their argument escalated, leaving Chu Yihan upstairs and Marshal Chu furious below.

• Madam Chu tried to convince Marshal Chu that Chu Yihan’s care for the blind dancer meant nothing, but Marshal Chu ordered him to meet Chairman Tian’s granddaughter and settle an engagement.
• Chu Yihan refused the arrangement, and Marshal Chu insisted that he would have to accept it for the family’s sake.
• Chu Yihan mocked his father for interfering in his marriage and suggested that his eldest brother marry Chairman Tian’s granddaughter instead.
• Chu Yihan dodged Marshal Chu’s attempted slap and ran upstairs as Marshal Chu threatened to beat him.
• Madam Chu tried to calm Marshal Chu, but Chu Yihan admitted from the railing that he had fallen for a blind dancer.
• Chu Yihan accused Marshal Chu of treating him as a useless good-for-nothing and declared that he would do what he wanted.

Chu Yihan declared that he wanted to marry Su Qiao and left home after Marshal Chu angrily rejected the idea. Marshal Chu planned to bring him back and arrange a meeting with Miss Tian once he had calmed down.

• Chu Yihan realized he wanted to marry Su Qiao after reflecting on his feelings for her.
• Marshal Chu flew into a rage and ordered Chu Yihan to leave the house.
• Chu Yihan left in his car after telling Marshal Chu he would not return.
• Madam Chu calmed Marshal Chu and persuaded him not to send someone after Chu Yihan immediately.
• Marshal Chu decided to wait until Chu Yihan calmed down, then make him return, apologize, and meet Miss Tian.

Marshal Chu complained about his rebellious son, while Yingzi learned that King Yama Wang had been arrested and weighed the risks of continuing to work at Xianle Mansion. She ultimately decided that the chance of a better life was worth taking.

• Marshal Chu said a wife and children would make his son grow up, then lamented that he had not had a daughter instead.
• Yingzi told Nanny Wu that King Yama Wang had been arrested after the pregnant woman's family filed a complaint at the Police Station.
• Nanny Wu doubted the arrest would last and told Yingzi to focus on protecting herself.
• Yingzi considered quitting her work at Xianle Mansion because she feared King Yama Wang might target Su Qiao and involve her too.
• Seeing the beautiful clothes and furnishings, Yingzi abandoned the idea of quitting and decided she was willing to take risks for a comfortable life.

Su Qiao postponed her plan to act against Wang and focused on cultivating and preparing. She designed a stage costume and asked Nanny Wu to help her find recording equipment so she could practice and record songs.

• Su Qiao decided to wait before acting, cultivate for a few days, and prepare Night Clothes and medicine.
• Nanny Wu brought Su Qiao fabric, and Su Qiao gave her a design for a flowing stage costume.
• Yingzi questioned whether Su Qiao was truly blind, and Su Qiao explained that she could still draw from memory.
• Su Qiao told Nanny Wu she wanted recording equipment to practice singing and record her songs.

Su Qiao planned to buy a recording machine and music supplies herself, while Nanny Wu and Yingzi discussed whether she should ask Young Master Chu for help. Su Qiao affirmed that her talents let her earn a living without serving customers, despite her difficult circumstances.

• Nanny Wu warned Su Qiao that a recording machine and its supplies would be expensive and difficult to obtain, so Su Qiao decided to ask trading companies about them.
• Yingzi suggested that Su Qiao ask Young Master Chu for money, but Nanny Wu rebuked her for treating Su Qiao like an ordinary dancer.
• Yingzi argued that Su Qiao should accept her present life, and Su Qiao agreed that reality had to be accepted.
• Su Qiao explained that people with abilities could support themselves, and listed her singing, songwriting, musical, and language skills as reasons she did not need to flatter customers.
• Nanny Wu agreed that Su Qiao’s talents meant she did not have to drink or dance with customers.

Su Qiao reflected on the uncertainty of the future and discussed Young Master Chu’s persistent gifts with Nanny Wu and Yingzi. She then went with Nanny Wu to the club to prepare for her performance, which included several different kinds of songs.

• Nanny Wu encouraged Su Qiao not to look down on herself, noting how much the world and women’s opportunities had changed.
• Su Qiao reflected that Xianle Mansion and its powerful figures might not remain secure, especially with war ahead and Third Master Zhu already part of her plans.
• Nanny Wu asked Yingzi whether she had kept any of Young Master Chu’s gifts, and Yingzi said Su Qiao had returned them all.
• Nanny Wu warned Yingzi to follow Su Qiao’s instructions and decided to stop interfering in Yingzi’s choices.
• Su Qiao discussed outfit details with Nanny Wu, then went to the club early to prepare for a performance featuring English songs, love songs, rock, and a traditional-style song.

Su Qiao drew a larger crowd to Xianle Mansion with her singing and dancing, while Sister Jin prepared better-fitted performance outfits. As Su Qiao left the stage, Chu Yihan surprised her with a bouquet of roses and said her growing popularity was starting to scare him.

• Sister Jin arranged a range of fitted performance outfits for Su Qiao.
• More curious customers, including students and people from the music and literary worlds, flocked to Xianle Mansion to see Su Qiao perform.
• Su Qiao sang and danced successfully, gaining more fans, while her influential supporters deterred people with bad intentions.
• Young Master He avoided causing trouble after realizing he had targeted someone he should not have touched.
• Chu Yihan offered Su Qiao a bouquet of red roses, and she accepted it after he urged her to save his face.
• Chu Yihan told Su Qiao that her growing popularity made him a little scared, but she did not hear him clearly.

Chu Yihan sought Sister Jin's advice on how to win over Su Qiao after she rejected his gifts and left before he could confess. Sister Jin agreed to speak with Su Qiao, and Chu Yihan arranged to invite her to lunch the next day.

• Chu Yihan returned to Xianle Mansion after Su Qiao left before he could speak with her backstage.
• Chu Yihan told Sister Jin he had failed to win over Su Qiao despite sending her gifts, and wondered whether she would accept a house and a car.
• Sister Jin offered to talk to Su Qiao and promised Chu Yihan good news.
• Chu Yihan asked Sister Jin to invite Su Qiao to lunch at Alice Western Restaurant the next day, with a car to pick her up.

Sister Jin visited Su Qiao and found her designing an elaborate feathered performance outfit. She told Su Qiao that Chu Yihan planned to prepare a house and car for her, then urged her to stop keeping him waiting and accept her circumstances.

• Chu Yihan left after Sister Jin assured him Su Qiao would go later.
• Sister Jin found Su Qiao drawing a blue-and-white feather dress and matching wings, and praised her design.
• Sister Jin told Su Qiao that Chu Yihan planned to prepare a house and car for her.
• Yingzi overheard the news, reacted with surprise, and left after Sister Jin rebuked her.
• Sister Jin advised Su Qiao to stop delaying Chu Yihan and to look ahead rather than dwell on her past.

Sister Jin warned Su Qiao that her status and blindness made marriage into the Chu family impossible, and urged her to get money from the man pursuing her. Su Qiao agreed to meet him at Alice Western Restaurant, privately determined to make the impossible happen.

• Sister Jin told Su Qiao that women in their position could not escape society's judgment and should focus on making money.
• Su Qiao asked how far the man would go for her, and Sister Jin said she could never marry or become a concubine in the Chu family.
• Su Qiao smiled at Sister Jin's claim that joining the Chu family was impossible and resolved to prove otherwise.
• Sister Jin advised Su Qiao to secure a house and car from the man and said he had invited her to lunch at Alice Western Restaurant the next day.
• Su Qiao agreed to meet him, saying it was time they formally met.

Su Qiao accepted Sister Jin’s help with her designs while using the dancing-girl identity as cover, and reassured Nanny Wu that Chu’s gifts of a house and car would not tempt her. She recalled her comfortable upbringing in the Cheng family’s home as Yingzi learned about her privileged past.

• Sister Jin took Su Qiao’s finished design drawings and told Nanny Wu and Yingzi to dress Su Qiao properly for the next day.
• Su Qiao dismissed concerns about Sister Jin taking most of her earnings, saying she needed the identity as cover and would find a way to make Sister Jin repay her.
• Nanny Wu warned Su Qiao that accepting Chu’s house and car could make her his lover or mistress, but Su Qiao said they were not enough to tempt her.
• Su Qiao told Yingzi that she had grown up with servants and cars at Chairman Cheng Wenmo’s home alongside his son, Cheng Zihan.
• Yingzi heard about Su Qiao’s privileged upbringing and felt indignant as she thought of her own poverty and hardship.