Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• President Shen Meiyu reveals the university's financial situation and asks Chen Zhao for help in raising funds.
• Chen Zhao agrees to set up a bookstore and negotiate profits from Sand Binder for the university.
• The College of Literature takes first place in the tree-planting event, surprising the Artificial Intelligence College and New Energy College.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao shows willingness to help the university financially and takes on the responsibility of managing the bookstore.
• President Shen Meiyu demonstrates her leadership and resourcefulness in managing the university's finances.

Significant Themes

• The university's financial struggles and the various sources of its funding.
• Competition and unexpected challenges, as seen in the tree-planting event.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and President Shen Meiyu collaborate to find solutions for the university's financial needs.
• Students from the College of Literature, Artificial Intelligence College, and New Energy College interact, with the latter two expressing frustration at the College of Literature's unexpected success.

Key Plot Points

• The College of Literature wins the tree-planting competition by a wide margin, planting 21,000 more trees than the Artificial Intelligence and New Energy Colleges combined.
• The award ceremony is held, but the prizes are not yet revealed, disappointing the College of Literature students.
• Chen Zhao does not attend the ceremony, instead waiting for Grigory at the Red Roof Cafe.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao's popularity increases online due to the College of Literature's victory.
• Su Ni, the owner of the Red Roof Cafe, expresses interest in Chen Zhao, but he politely declines as he has a girlfriend.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and hard work (College of Literature's victory despite initial disadvantages).
• The power of determination (Chen Zhao's influence on the College of Literature's success).

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with Su Ni at the cafe, leading to a brief romantic moment before he declines her advances.
• Chen Zhao waits for Grigory, expressing his urgency through messages.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Grigory accidentally runs over a stray cat and performs a ritual to appease its spirit.
• Chen Zhao and Grigory bury the cat and return to the café.
• Grigory presents Chen Zhao with a contract for their business partnership.
• Chen Zhao signs the contract using Grigory's luxurious Montblanc pen.

Character Developments

• Grigory shows unexpected compassion and superstition, contrasting with his past actions.
• Chen Zhao is surprised by Grigory's extravagant pen and ink set.

Significant Themes

• Superstition and its influence on people's actions.
• The contrast between wealth and everyday life, highlighted by Grigory's luxurious items.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Grigory's friendship deepens as they work together on their business venture.
• Grigory's respect for Chen Zhao's technology is evident in his eagerness to sign the contract.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao decides to pass all his students directly, avoiding final exams.
• News of Chen Zhao's decision spreads rapidly through Lop Nur University, enhancing his reputation.
• Chen Zhao focuses on planning the bookstore, scouting locations, and developing a unique business model.
• He visits President Shen Meiyu to discuss the bookstore, finding her ill with a cold.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his unconventional teaching methods and entrepreneurial spirit.
• President Shen Meiyu shows understanding and support for Chen Zhao's ideas, despite her illness.

Significant Themes

• Innovation and unconventional thinking in education and business.
• The power of reputation and word-of-mouth marketing.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with President Shen Meiyu, presenting his bookstore plans and receiving her approval.
• Students react enthusiastically to Chen Zhao's decision to pass them directly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu discuss the bookstore's business model, with Chen Zhao proposing a new-style bookstore combining elements from Eslite Bookstore and Tsutaya Bookstore.
• They divide tasks: Shen Meiyu handles location, permits, and budget (up to 20 million), while Chen Zhao manages renovation, inventory (books, art, and merchandise), and staffing.
• Chen Zhao decides to approach Su Ni, the café owner, to run the bookstore's food and beverage section.
• Chen Zhao visits Su Ni's café, explains the bookstore plan, and offers her a job with a base salary of 200,000 yuan and 20% of the food and beverage revenue.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao: Shows confidence in his business plan and is willing to invest 30 million yuan. He demonstrates trust in Su Ni's capabilities by giving her free rein over the food and beverage operations.
• Shen Meiyu: Initially skeptical about Chen Zhao's plan, she agrees to support it and divides tasks based on her strengths.
• Su Ni: Initially reluctant to leave her successful café, she accepts Chen Zhao's offer after hearing the terms, showing ambition and a willingness to take risks.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Delegation: Chen Zhao trusts Shen Meiyu and Su Ni with significant aspects of the bookstore's operations, demonstrating his confidence in their abilities.
• Risk and Reward: Both Chen Zhao and Su Ni are willing to take risks for potential rewards, with Chen Zhao investing a large sum and Su Ni leaving her successful café to join the bookstore project.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu: They work together, dividing tasks based on their strengths and showing mutual respect for each other's expertise.
• Chen Zhao and Su Ni: Chen Zhao approaches Su Ni with a business proposal, and they negotiate terms for their collaboration. Su Ni shows curiosity about Chen Zhao's personal life, hinting at potential romantic interest.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao works tirelessly to prepare for the bookstore's opening, exhausting himself with a 997 schedule.
• He realizes he's short on funds, needing around five million yuan for renovations, bookshelves, employee wages, and liquid funds.
• Chen Zhao decides to borrow money from Deng Zixin, calling her "Sis" initially.
• Deng Zixin agrees to lend him money but makes him call her "wife" instead of "Sis," transferring one million yuan after he calls her "wife" four times.
• Chen Zhao continues to call her "wife" to get more money but is told to say something sincere and touching instead.
• He uses a line from Wang Xiaobo's Love You Like Love Life to make Deng Zixin happy, earning five hundred thousand yuan.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao: Shows determination and hard work in opening the bookstore, but also displays a willingness to adapt and use unconventional methods (like calling Deng Zixin "wife") to secure funds. He also demonstrates resourcefulness by using a famous love line to make Deng Zixin happy.
• Deng Zixin: Shows affection towards Chen Zhao, enjoying his sweet talk and willing to lend him money. She also displays a playful side, teasing Chen Zhao about calling her "wife."

Significant Themes

• Love and affection: The chapter explores the dynamics of Chen Zhao and Deng Zixin's relationship, with Deng Zixin expressing her affection through her actions and Chen Zhao reciprocating with sweet words.
• Determination and hard work: Chen Zhao's dedication to opening the bookstore highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving one's goals.
• Resourcefulness: Chen Zhao's use of a famous love line to make Deng Zixin happy shows his ability to adapt and use available resources to his advantage.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Deng Zixin: Their interactions in this chapter primarily revolve around Chen Zhao borrowing money from Deng Zixin, with Deng Zixin teasing Chen Zhao about calling her "wife" and Chen Zhao using sweet talk to make her happy. Their playful banter showcases the affection and comfort they have with each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao finalizes renovation details and construction begins on the bookstore.
• The renovation is estimated to finish on the day before final exams, coinciding with the bookstore's trial opening.
• A rival bookstore, Fragrant Rice Bookstore, starts construction three intersections east of Chen Zhao's bookstore, with a larger size.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao feels a sense of crisis and urgency upon learning about the rival bookstore.
• Shen Meiyu shows concern and determination to help Chen Zhao's bookstore succeed.

Significant Themes

• Competition and survival in the business world.
• The importance of gaining a competitive edge from the beginning.
• The influence of customer habits on business success.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu visit the construction site of Fragrant Rice Bookstore together.
• They discuss strategies to gain an advantage, such as distributing VIP cards to College of Literature students.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu learn that Fragrant Rice Bookstore has distributed buy-one-get-one-free promotional flyers to students across Lop Nur.
• Chen Zhao receives a side quest from the System Ring, "Bookstore Supremacy," which tasks him with annexing large bookstores in Lop Nur, including Fragrant Rice Bookstore, to achieve a monopoly.
• The quest rewards include the title "Great Book Overlord," +10% Personal Charm, and one mysterious gift pack.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates strategic thinking and quick problem-solving when faced with the Fragrant Rice Bookstore's promotional campaign.
• Shen Meiyu shows concern for the bookstore's financial stability when considering Chen Zhao's countermeasure.

Significant Themes

• Competition and strategy in business.
• The power of perception and marketing in influencing consumer behavior.
• The value of free items and discounts in attracting customers.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu discuss the situation and potential solutions, with Chen Zhao taking the lead in strategizing and Shen Meiyu providing input and expressing concerns.
• Chen Zhao interacts with the System Ring, receiving a quest and rewards that could significantly impact his bookstore business.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao decides to distribute free-book vouchers and VIP cards to attract customers to his bookstore, Youlu Bookstore.
• He visits book wholesalers to select cheap yet valuable books for giveaways.
• The VIP cards and free-book vouchers are distributed to students and parents in Lop Nur.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates strategic thinking and generosity in his business decisions.
• Shen Meiyu shows concern for the financial health of the bookstore.

Significant Themes

• The power of giveaways and promotions in attracting customers.
• The importance of customer service and creating a positive image for the bookstore.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu discuss the distribution of VIP cards and free-book vouchers.
• Parents and students discuss the benefits of the complimentary book vouchers and compare them to Fragrant Rice Bookstore's promotion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Finals week at Lop Nur University.
• Chen Zhao takes his final math exam, expecting difficulty but finding the paper surprisingly easy.
• He finishes the exam in just five minutes and leaves, leaving his peers stunned.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his exceptional speed and proficiency in exams.
• Other students show their struggle and despair with the exam.

Significant Themes

• The pressure and stress of exams.
• The disparity in academic abilities among students.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts briefly with the exam proctor.
• The other students react in shock and disbelief as Chen Zhao finishes and leaves the exam.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao inspects the store's readiness for opening, finding it clean and well-managed under Su Ni's supervision.
• Shen Meiyu arrives and approves of the store's condition, except for the empty bookshelves.
• The ordered books arrive, and Chen Zhao uses his photographic memory to direct their placement, impressing the employees.
• The first customers arrive: three students who redeem a free book voucher and make additional purchases, followed by two elderly men who buy rare books.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his exceptional memory and business acumen, earning respect from employees and customers.
• The employees show initial awe and respect for Chen Zhao but also some wariness, as seen in their whispers about him.
• The three students and two elderly customers represent different types of customers, with the students being casual browsers and the elderly men being serious book collectors.

Significant Themes

• Expertise and Knowledge: Chen Zhao's photographic memory and understanding of the book market are showcased, highlighting his expertise.
• Customer Service: The employees' initial pushy sales tactics contrast with Chen Zhao's more considerate approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding and catering to customers' needs.
• First Impressions: The store's transformation from empty to fully stocked creates a strong first impression on the customers, influencing their perception and spending.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with employees, providing guidance and correction, and with customers, offering assistance and hospitality.
• The employees interact with each other, expressing their initial impressions of Chen Zhao and discussing their observations of his abilities.
• The customers interact with each other, sharing their excitement and appreciation for the store's offerings, which influences their purchasing decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao, the bookstore owner, uses high-end, rare books to attract wealthy customers.
• He successfully sells a set of Yongle Encyclopedia for 1.2 million, having bought it wholesale for 210,000.
• Throughout the day, Chen Zhao fleeces customers, selling expensive books and drinks, making a significant profit.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his business acumen and persuasiveness, exploiting customers' love for books to make high-profit sales.
• Shen Meiyu, the assistant, learns from Chen Zhao's tactics and is amazed by his ability to fleece customers.

Significant Themes

• The power of persuasion and manipulation in sales.
• Exploiting customers' passions (in this case, love for books) to make high-profit sales.
• The high-end market's potential for significant profits.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with various customers, using his sales skills to convince them to buy expensive books.
• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu work together, with Shen Meiyu observing and learning from Chen Zhao's sales techniques.
• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu discuss their earnings and strategies at the end of the day.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Youlu Bookstore's trial opening is a massive success, with a turnover of 2.12 million yuan in a single night.
• The next day, both Youlu Bookstore and Fragrant Rice Bookstore open simultaneously, marking the beginning of their rivalry.
• Youlu Bookstore attracts a large number of customers, while Fragrant Rice Bookstore struggles initially.
• On the fifth day, Youlu Bookstore's customer traffic drops significantly, and Chen Zhao discovers that Fragrant Rice Bookstore has hired an influencer, "Egg Sister," to attract customers.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his exceptional memory and analytical skills by counting customers and predicting Fragrant Rice Bookstore's counterattack.
• Shen Meiyu remains skeptical of Chen Zhao's caution regarding Fragrant Rice Bookstore's counterattack.

Significant Themes

• The power of influencers and online marketing in attracting customers.
• The importance of reputation and customer retention in the success of a bookstore.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu work together to manage the bookstore and keep an eye on their rival.
• Chen Zhao and Shen Meiyu discuss the sudden drop in customer traffic and Fragrant Rice Bookstore's counterattack.
• Customers at both bookstores discuss their experiences and share their thoughts on social media.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao reveals he owns Youlu Bookstore to Little Bamboo Shoot.
• Fragrant Rice Bookstore hires Egg Sister for promotion, causing a surge in customers.
• Chen Zhao asks Little Bamboo Shoot to make a promotional video for Youlu Bookstore.
• Little Bamboo Shoot agrees on the condition that she becomes a librarian at the store.
• Little Bamboo Shoot posts her promotional video, which immediately gains more likes than Egg Sister's.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao: Shows his true identity as the owner of Youlu Bookstore and is willing to hire Little Bamboo Shoot to help the store.
• Little Bamboo Shoot: Reveals her disdain for Egg Sister and agrees to help Chen Zhao out of loyalty, setting conditions for her employment.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and friendship: Little Bamboo Shoot helps Chen Zhao despite his past rejections, showing her loyalty as a friend.
• Power dynamics: Little Bamboo Shoot uses her influence to help Chen Zhao's store, highlighting the power of social media influencers.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Little Bamboo Shoot: Their friendship is tested and strengthened as they work together to promote Youlu Bookstore. Little Bamboo Shoot teases Chen Zhao, and he reluctantly agrees to her conditions.
• Little Bamboo Shoot and Egg Sister: Their rivalry is hinted at, with Little Bamboo Shoot looking down on Egg Sister's influence and popularity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fragrant Rice Bookstore has a dismal start on its second day, with no customers despite opening early.
• Li Siwen discovers that Youlu Bookstore hired an internet celebrity, Little Bamboo Shoot, who has nearly ten million followers, causing the customer influx to shift.
• Li Siwen calls Egg Sister, who reveals that Little Bamboo Shoot is working at Youlu Bookstore, causing Li Siwen to despair.
• Chen Zhao receives a call from Li Siwen, who invites him to hold a signing event at Fragrant Rice Bookstore. Chen Zhao declines, revealing that Youlu Bookstore has already invited him.
• Chen Zhao receives a message from Deng Zixin, who tells him that Fragrant Rice Bookstore has contacted her for a business partnership.

Character Developments

• Li Siwen: Desperate to keep his bookstore afloat, he tries various strategies, including inviting influencers and authors for promotions. He becomes increasingly desperate as Youlu Bookstore counters each of his moves.
• Chen Zhao: Confident in his bookstore's success, he remains calm and composed, even when faced with Li Siwen's invitation. He uses this opportunity to learn about Fragrant Rice Bookstore's next move and gains insight into his mission progress.

Significant Themes

• Competition and Rivalry: The intense competition between Fragrant Rice Bookstore and Youlu Bookstore is a central theme, highlighting the characters' determination and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
• The Power of Influence: The hiring of internet celebrities to promote bookstores underscores the influence these individuals hold and the impact they can have on businesses.

Character Interactions

• Li Siwen and Chen Zhao: Their phone call reveals the desperation of Fragrant Rice Bookstore and the confidence of Chen Zhao, who uses the opportunity to gain information about his rival's next move.
• Deng Zixin and Chen Zhao: Their conversation reveals Deng Zixin's growing popularity and her consideration for Chen Zhao's feelings, as she consults him before making a business decision.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao receives a mysterious gift pack containing the "World's Greatest Magic Book" from the System.
• The book allows Chen Zhao to see through any magic trick.
• Chen Zhao learns about the Magic Arena, a global magic competition where Asian magicians have never won or even placed in the top four.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao's interest in magic is piqued by the new book.
• He feels a sense of national pride and a desire to clear the name of his country's magic scene.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and understanding (Chen Zhao's new book allows him to see through magic tricks).
• National pride and representation (Chen Zhao feels compelled to defend the honor of his country's magicians).

Character Interactions

• There are no direct character interactions in this chapter, as Chen Zhao is alone when he receives the book and learns about the Magic Arena.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao learns the registration process for Magic Arena, which involves uploading a magic video with no post-production editing.
• He discovers Antoine's video, which receives 1.2 million likes, featuring a simple levitation trick using rubber bands and lighting.
• Chen Zhao watches over fifty videos on the official site, finding most magic tricks basic and outdated compared to his previous life's standards.
• He decides to enter the competition and plans to perform a unique Chinese-themed magic trick.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao's confidence grows as he realizes the low level of magic in this world compared to his previous life.
• He feels motivated to win the Magic Arena championship to bring glory to his country and prove the worth of Chinese magic.

Significant Themes

• The power of confidence and self-belief in one's abilities.
• The importance of cultural representation and innovation in magic.
• The impact of technology and media (like the internet and video sharing platforms) on magic competitions and popularity.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with the Magic Arena website and its users through video watching and registration.
• He mentally interacts with Antoine, the top magician, by analyzing and criticizing his video.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao, a participant in the Magic Arena program, uploads his audition video showcasing his unique ability to detach his head from his neck.
• He edits the video, adding music and subtitles, and uploads it to the official Magic Arena website.
• Chen Zhao uses his influence to promote the video by posting about it on his major accounts, gaining support from various notable figures and organizations.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao demonstrates his confidence and charisma in promoting his video, showing that he's well-liked and influential.
• Deng Zixin, a friend of Chen Zhao, initially doubts his magical abilities but is later shocked and impressed by his video.

Significant Themes

• Influence and Connections: Chen Zhao's ability to rally support from prominent figures highlights the power of his network and influence.
• Perception vs Reality: The Falling Head People's legend is initially dismissed as a myth, but Chen Zhao's video reveals the truth, challenging people's perceptions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao interacts with various influential figures, showing his connections and their support for him.
• Chen Zhao and Deng Zixin's conversation reveals their friendship and Deng Zixin's initial skepticism, which turns into shock and admiration after watching his video.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao's video on Magic Arena gains an astonishing number of likes, rapidly climbing the rankings.
• Overnight, Chen Zhao's video likes surpass Antoine's, making him the first contestant to reach over four million likes and secure the top spot.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao: Shows his popularity and influence, demonstrating his ability to rally support.
• Antoine: Initially confident and dismissive of Chen Zhao, he is later dismayed by Chen Zhao's sudden rise to first place.

Significant Themes

• Popularity and influence: Chen Zhao's fame and reputation outside the magic world help him gain votes.
• Competition and rivalry: The magicians in the Global Magic Enthusiasts Group feel threatened by Chen Zhao's rapid rise.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and the internet users: Chen Zhao's video receives overwhelming support from netizens, propelling him to the top of the rankings.
• The Global Magic Enthusiasts Group: The magicians in the group discuss Chen Zhao's rise, initially dismissive but later dismayed and frustrated by his success.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zhao waits for Deng Zixin at the airport, but they don't meet due to paparazzi.
• Chen Zhao learns about a successful deal for his Sand Binder company.
• Chen Zhao asks Deng Zixin to fulfill a wish, which she initially refuses.
• Deng Zixin cooks dinner for Chen Zhao, and they go shopping together.

Character Developments

• Chen Zhao: Shows eagerness to meet Deng Zixin, is persistent in asking for his wish, and is shocked by Deng Zixin's purchase at the supermarket.
• Deng Zixin: Initially angry at Chen Zhao's wish, she later forgives him and buys the item he requested.

Significant Themes

• Trust and honesty: Chen Zhao emphasizes the importance of trustworthiness when asking Deng Zixin to fulfill her promise.
• Relationship dynamics: The chapter explores the dynamics of their relationship, with Chen Zhao being persistent and Deng Zixin initially resistant but eventually giving in.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhao and Deng Zixin: Their interaction is playful and teasing, with Chen Zhao pushing for his wish and Deng Zixin initially refusing but later giving in.
• Chen Zhao and Grigory: Grigory calls Chen Zhao to share the success of their company, but Chen Zhao is more focused on his relationship with Deng Zixin.