Chapter Summaries

Su Qiao’s writing made her a celebrated young literary talent before Butler Lu brought her to meet Zhang Jingyu, Zhang Ruohan, and Lin Qiuchi. Zhang Ruohan pleaded with his elder brother to let him marry Qiu Ci, and Zhang Jingyu asked Su Qiao what she thought.

• Su Qiao’s stories and essays stirred public debate and won praise from prominent cultural figures, making her famous as “Listening to Rain.”
• Butler Lu summoned Su Qiao to the mansion, where she met Zhang Jingyu, Zhang Ruohan, and Qiu Ci.
• Zhang Ruohan declared that he and Qiu Ci loved each other and asked Zhang Jingyu to let them be together.
• Zhang Jingyu asked Su Qiao for her opinion, and she calmly studied him while thinking Zhang Ruohan had kept last night’s events secret.

Su Qiao agreed to let Lin Qiuchi join the Zhang family, but Zhang Ruohan rejected the arrangement and demanded that Su Qiao divorce him. Su Qiao then challenged Lin Qiuchi’s claims about pure love, leaving the dispute over the marriage unresolved.

• Su Qiao agreed to let Lin Qiuchi enter the Zhang family, and Zhang Jingyu turned to Zhang Ruohan and Lin Qiuchi for their response.
• Zhang Ruohan refused to accept the arrangement, defended his love for Lin Qiuchi, and threatened Su Qiao unless she signed the divorce papers.
• Zhang Jingyu rebuked Zhang Ruohan and reminded him that he had agreed to the marriage arranged by their father.
• Su Qiao told Zhang Ruohan and Lin Qiuchi she would keep living quietly in her little building, then questioned whether Lin Qiuchi’s love was truly pure if she cared about becoming the legal wife.

Su Qiao refused to consent to Zhang Ruohan's divorce demand, and Zhang Jingyu confronted his younger brother over abandoning his family and responsibilities. Zhang Jingyu had Zhang Ruohan confined to his room, while Butler Lu asked Su Qiao to stay for a meal.

• Lin Qiuchi understood Zhang Ruohan's proposal, pulled away from him, and left the mansion.
• Zhang Ruohan announced he wanted to divorce Su Qiao, but she cited the marriage laws and refused to sign without compensation.
• Zhang Jingyu scolded Zhang Ruohan for neglecting the family, leaving Su Qiao to face humiliation, and abandoning his duties after their father's death.
• Zhang Jingyu ordered Butler Lu's men to take Zhang Ruohan to his room and keep him confined until he reflected.
• Su Qiao prepared to return to her Little White Building, but Butler Lu respectfully invited her to stay for a meal.

Su Qiao accepted Zhang Jingyu’s invitation to dine with him and asked for money to buy art supplies and dresses, which he readily provided. After she left, Butler Lu told Zhang Jingyu that Su Qiao was well educated and talented despite her birthmark.

• Zhang Jingyu invited Su Qiao to join him for dinner, and she agreed.
• Su Qiao asked Zhang Jingyu for money to buy imported paints, brushes, and two dresses, explaining that she wanted to improve her appearance.
• Zhang Jingyu ordered Butler Lu to give Su Qiao one hundred silver dollars and told her she could ask Butler Lu for anything she needed.
• Su Qiao left to walk in the rear courtyard while Zhang Jingyu wondered whether she had always been so talkative and sharp-tongued.
• Butler Lu explained that Su Qiao had been educated by her grandfather and father and was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Butler Lu told Zhang Jingyu that Su Qiao had been sending letters to newspapers, and Zhang Jingyu allowed him to help her send them. Su Qiao spent most of her money on foreign-language books and clothes, then Zhang Jingchen demanded the silver dollars back and insisted she use only his money.

• Butler Lu told Zhang Jingyu that letters to newspapers had been appearing in the mansion's mailbox and were from Su Qiao.
• Zhang Jingyu told Butler Lu to help Su Qiao send the letters.
• Su Qiao visited a bookshop, bought foreign-language books and two Western-style outfits, and returned home with only a little over ten silver dollars.
• Zhang Jingchen interrupted Su Qiao's reading, offered her three hundred silver dollars, and demanded the hundred silver dollars she had received.
• Su Qiao handed Zhang Jingchen the silver dollars she had left, and he warned her not to use anything belonging to another man.

Su Qiao teased Zhang Jingchen, who bit her in retaliation and then kept interrupting her work to demand her company. The chapter ended with Su Qiao giving in and brewing tea for him.

• Su Qiao pocketed Zhang Jingchen’s three hundred silver dollars and pretended to have a stomachache, angering him when she admitted she had played him.
• Zhang Jingchen bit the corner of Su Qiao’s mouth, then offered to let her bite him back when he saw she was upset.
• Su Qiao sat down to write her novel, but Zhang Jingchen snatched her pen and insisted that she pay attention to him.
• Su Qiao explained that writing was serious work and that she wanted to fulfill her incarnation’s wish to become a famous writer.
• Zhang Jingchen refused to let go of Su Qiao’s hands, so she went downstairs, brought up tea supplies, and brewed tea for him.

Su Qiao shared tea with Zhang Jingchen, who admitted he had decided to like it because she did. After he threatened to blind Zhang Ruohan for attracting her attention, Su Qiao took control of the conversation and promised to treat him well if he behaved.

• Zhang Jingchen praised Su Qiao's tea despite having never drunk tea before and said he would start liking it because she did.
• Zhang Jingchen questioned whether Su Qiao had dressed up for Zhang Ruohan, and she said she wanted her man to like her.
• Zhang Jingchen threatened to blind Zhang Ruohan, dismissing the fact that he was his biological younger brother.
• Zhang Jingchen pulled Su Qiao into his arms and warned her not to make him angry.
• Su Qiao pressed Zhang Jingchen onto the carpet and promised to treat him well if he behaved and listened to her.

Su Qiao and Zhang Jingchen flirted while he clung to her, and Zhang Jingchen asked about the mark on her face. When he sensed Zhang Jingyu was coming, he hurried back to avoid being exposed.

• Zhang Jingchen teased Su Qiao about falling for his charms, and she tried to deny that his flirting affected her.
• Zhang Jingchen questioned Su Qiao about the coffee-colored mark on her face, but she said it was a secret.
• Zhang Jingchen declared that Su Qiao belonged to him and told her to keep him in her thoughts.
• Zhang Jingchen sensed Zhang Jingyu was coming out, then rushed back and told Su Qiao to miss him.

Zhang Jingchen admitted to Zhang Jingyu that he had set his sights on the woman living in the Little White Building. Zhang Jingyu revealed that she had independently figured out that they shared one body, leaving Zhang Jingchen shocked and worried about whether she had been afraid.

• 444 walked away after Little Master teased it about not having a love life.
• Zhang Jingyu confronted Zhang Jingchen in the back garden and warned him to stay away from the woman.
• Zhang Jingchen admitted he liked her and insisted that she was his, while Zhang Jingyu told him not to hurt her.
• Zhang Jingyu explained that the woman knew they were different and had guessed they shared one body.
• Zhang Jingchen shouted in surprise and asked whether the woman had been scared.

Zhang Jingchen warned Zhang Jingyu to stay away from Su Qiao, while Su Qiao planned to open a Fashion Workshop to help women and earn money. That night, Zhang Jingchen stayed past his usual time and told Su Qiao that Zhang Jingyu had figured out he visited her at night.

• Zhang Jingchen bragged that Su Qiao had not been frightened by him and threatened Zhang Jingyu not to make him disappear or approach her.
• Su Qiao wrote an essay encouraging women to overcome their fears and decided to open a Fashion Workshop.
• Su Qiao planned her finances and hurried to finish her novels while Zhang Jingchen visited her every night.
• When Zhang Jingchen remained on Su Qiao’s sofa after ten, she asked why he had not gone back yet.
• Zhang Jingchen took Su Qiao’s book, played with her fingers, and said Zhang Jingyu had realized he came to see her at night.

Su Qiao sent Zhang Jingchen away and tried to calm Aunt Liu after he threatened her. She planned to divorce Zhang Jingyu and leave Zhang Manor, and Aunt Liu agreed to go with her.

• Su Qiao accused Zhang Jingchen of breaking his promise, but he said Zhang Jingyu had figured things out himself and assured her he had warned him not to hurt her.
• Su Qiao pushed Zhang Jingchen out of her room and warned him not to speak again, so he went downstairs in anger.
• Zhang Jingchen frightened Aunt Liu with a threat, and Su Qiao hurried downstairs to reassure her and explain that he wanted her to divorce his brother and marry him.
• Aunt Liu suggested Su Qiao marry Zhang Jingchen, but Su Qiao said she would divorce Zhang Jingyu and leave Zhang Manor before deciding what to do next.
• Su Qiao asked whether Aunt Liu would leave with her, and Aunt Liu promised to stay by her side.

Su Qiao reassured Aunt Liu that she would keep paying her salary and discussed with 444 how her actions might affect the First Personality. The next day, Su Ying confronted Su Qiao for upsetting Qiu Ci, and Su Qiao denied ever agreeing to divorce.

• Su Qiao promised Aunt Liu she would maintain her salary and told her she trusted her to keep the gentleman's affairs secret.
• 444 urged Su Qiao to use the situation to get closer to the First Personality, and Su Qiao considered that his two personalities were still one person.
• Su Ying rushed over and shoved Su Qiao, accusing her of making Qiu Ci cry and refuse to eat.
• Su Qiao brushed off Su Ying's anger and said she had only promised to think the matter over carefully.

Su Qiao challenged Su Ying’s demand that she leave the Zhang family, reminding the Second Concubine that she had begged her to marry into the family for Su Ying’s education. The Second Concubine tried to placate Su Qiao after learning she might return to the family house.

• Su Ying called Su Qiao stubborn and backward for refusing to leave the Zhang family, while Su Qiao thought about the hardship and public ridicule she would face if she divorced.
• The Second Concubine arrived, scolded Su Ying for insulting her sister, and told her to apologize.
• Su Qiao reminded the Second Concubine that she had begged her to marry into the Zhang family so Su Ying could attend a foreign-run school.
• The Second Concubine pinched Su Ying and asked how Su Qiao could return to their poor home if she left the Zhang family.
• Su Qiao said she cherished her memories of the family house and pointed out that its deed was still in her name.
• The Second Concubine hurriedly put on an ingratiating smile as Su Qiao suggested she would return home.

Su Qiao rebuked Su Ying for helping outsiders and refused to keep supporting Second Aunt’s family. Zhang Jingyu arrived as Second Aunt hurried away, leaving Su Ying behind to keep Su Qiao company.

• Su Qiao told Second Aunt to teach Su Ying how to behave after Su Ying defended herself.
• Second Aunt slapped Su Ying and scolded her for taking advantage of Su Qiao’s support.
• Su Qiao told Second Aunt she would no longer give her money.
• Zhang Jingyu appeared, and Second Aunt pushed Su Ying toward Su Qiao before leaving.
• Su Ying tried to act coy toward Zhang Jingyu, but he kept his gaze fixed on Su Qiao.

Zhang Jingyu visited Su Qiao to offer his support and apologize, but his awkwardness made him leave before asking about his illness. Su Qiao returned to the Little White Building, while Su Ying's attempt to encounter Zhang Jingyu came to nothing.

• Zhang Jingyu told Butler Lu to keep the Su family away unless they had urgent business, then asked Su Qiao whether they had mistreated her.
• Zhang Jingyu offered to help if anyone troubled or threatened Su Qiao, and apologized for his earlier behavior.
• Su Qiao said she was not angry and described the incident as a child's game, leaving Zhang Jingyu embarrassed.
• Zhang Jingyu left before asking whether his illness could be treated, and Su Qiao wondered why he was so afraid of her.
• Su Qiao returned to the Little White Building and learned that Su Ying had wandered around the back garden, apparently hoping to encounter Zhang Jingyu.

Su Qiao received payment for her writing, but Zhang Jingchen grew jealous when he learned Zhang Jingyu had visited and praised her work. The chapter ended with Zhang Jingchen reading Su Qiao’s essays and serialized novel.

• Su Qiao opened the newspaper office’s envelopes and found an editor’s reply and a check for six hundred silver dollars.
• Zhang Jingchen arrived, took Su Qiao’s check, and asked what Zhang Jingyu had said to her.
• Su Qiao told Zhang Jingchen that Zhang Jingyu had offered to protect her, and Zhang Jingchen accused him of trying to drive a wedge between them.
• Zhang Jingchen became jealous after finding out Zhang Jingyu had praised Su Qiao’s writing, and Su Qiao scolded him for implying it was undeserving of praise.
• Zhang Jingchen read Su Qiao’s essays and serialized novel, then asked about the meaning of her pen name, Listening to Rain.

Su Qiao kept writing while Zhang Jingchen read her novel and criticized its characters for leaving enemies alive. Later, she drugged Su Ying and sent her to Zhang Ruohan’s room, then was summoned to the mansion hall the next morning.

• Su Qiao warned Zhang Jingchen not to disturb her as she wrote, and he praised her novel while criticizing its characters’ choices.
• Su Qiao told Zhang Jingchen that killing the characters as he suggested would end the story, and he agreed to let them live longer.
• After Zhang Jingchen left, Su Qiao worked until nearly midnight, then learned that Zhang Ruohan was still drinking heavily.
• Su Qiao changed into black night clothes, drugged Su Ying unconscious, and sent her to Zhang Ruohan’s room, claiming she was honoring her Second Aunt’s wishes.
• The next morning, Su Qiao was summoned to the hall of the mansion.

Su Qiao brought the distraught Su Ying home after learning she had spent the night with Zhang Ruohan. She urged Su Ying to marry into the Zhang family or move on, but Su Ying refused to interfere with Zhang Ruohan and Lin Qiuchi’s relationship.

• Su Qiao found Su Ying crying at the Zhang family residence while Zhang Ruohan was absent, and Butler Lu explained that Su Ying and Zhang Ruohan had ended up together after he drank too much.
• Su Qiao took Su Ying back to the Little White Building and let her cry before asking what she planned to do.
• Su Qiao suggested that Su Ying marry Zhang Ruohan, but Su Ying refused because she believed that would destroy his relationship with Lin Qiuchi.
• Su Qiao told Su Ying she could pretend nothing had happened and still find love in the future.

Su Qiao turned Su Ying’s own advice back on her until Su Ying broke down and left Zhang Manor. After arranging for Su Ying to be taken home, Su Qiao went to Zhang Jingyu’s study, where he calmly offered her books to read.

• Su Qiao reminded Su Ying that she had slept with her younger brother and repeated Su Ying’s past advice about finding another man and leaving town.
• Su Ying trembled, begged Su Qiao to stop, then ran out of Zhang Manor in tears.
• Su Qiao asked Butler Lu to send someone to take Su Ying home, and Xiao Wu caught up with her and put her in the car.
• Butler Lu told Su Qiao that Zhang Jingyu wanted to see her, and she followed him to Zhang Jingyu’s study.
• Zhang Jingyu offered Su Qiao any book from his shelves, and she picked one and sat across from him.

Su Qiao and Zhang Jingyu discussed the previous night and her younger sister’s refusal to enter the Zhang family. Zhang Jingyu learned that Su Qiao wrote popular essays and novels under the pen name Listening to Rain, then told her his Second Personality had recently grown stronger.

• Zhang Jingyu offered Su Qiao money and tea, but she declined his offer to send her a jar of tea.
• Zhang Jingyu asked what Su Qiao planned to do about the previous night, and she said her younger sister refused to become a third party in Second Young Master Zhang and Lin Qiuchi’s relationship.
• Zhang Jingyu showed Su Qiao newspapers containing her popular writings and asked whether she was Listening to Rain.
• Su Qiao confirmed the writings were hers and asked Zhang Jingyu how he blocked his Second Personality’s perceptions.
• Zhang Jingyu said his Second Personality had recently grown stronger, and Su Qiao wondered whether something had stimulated him.