Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan arrives at Sun Yi's room, filled with BDSM-themed items.
• He discovers a healed wound on his Grand CEO Soul Puppet.
• A video in the guild chat shows a wall fissure healing rapidly.
• Sun Yi emerges from the bathroom, wearing a Valkyrie Armor Set, and tries to engage Wen Nan in her BDSM theme.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan remains calm and collected, showing no reaction to Sun Yi's advances.
• Sun Yi becomes more assertive and confident in her role as a dominatrix.

Significant Themes

• The theme of power dynamics and control is emphasized through Sun Yi's BDSM setup and her attempts to dominate Wen Nan.
• The healing wall fissure hints at the map's self-repairing mechanism or a mysterious force at play.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Sun Yi's dynamic shifts as Sun Yi tries to assert dominance, while Wen Nan remains indifferent.
• Wen Nan's calm demeanor frustrates Sun Yi, leading her to try harder to engage him.
• Wen Nan's responses are sarcastic and non-committal, further provoking Sun Yi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan and Sun Yi engage in a BDSM-themed role-play, with Wen Nan unexpectedly becoming the dominant one.
• Wen Nan successfully raises Sun Yi's affection level to 99%, completing the mission.
• Wen Nan is invited to dinner at Zhang Beibei's place, where he discovers that the food is takeout, not homemade as Zhang Beibei initially claimed.

Character Developments

• Sun Yi: Develops feelings for Wen Nan and becomes more submissive to him.
• Wen Nan: Shows proficiency in BDSM activities, indicating hidden skills and experiences.
• Zhang Beibei: Revealed to have lied about her cooking skills, hinting at a possible secret.

Significant Themes

• Role-playing and power dynamics in relationships.
• The contrast between appearance and reality, as seen in Zhang Beibei's cooking skills.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Sun Yi: Their interaction is playful and dominant-submissive, with Wen Nan taking control.
• Wen Nan and Zhang Beibei: Their interaction is more reserved, with Wen Nan becoming suspicious of Zhang Beibei's true intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan's system detects that Zhang Beibei is in a special state, making it impossible for him to read her mind.
• During dinner, Zhang Beibei attempts to poison Wen Nan, but he dodges, and Yu Shujun intervenes, injuring Zhang Beibei and pursuing an unknown assailant.
• Wen Nan learns from Gu Jinxing that Zhang Beibei was the target of the new guild member's Soul Puppet skill.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan demonstrates his combat prowess and quick thinking, protecting himself from Zhang Beibei's poison attack.
• Zhang Beibei reveals her malicious intent towards Wen Nan, confirming her as the antagonist.
• Yu Shujun shows her loyalty and skill, immediately pursuing the unknown assailant.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Zhang Beibei's betrayal highlights the theme of trust being fragile and easily broken.
• Power dynamics: The incident emphasizes the power imbalance between Wen Nan and Zhang Beibei, with Wen Nan ultimately gaining the upper hand.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Zhang Beibei: Their interaction reveals Zhang Beibei's true colors and her attempt to harm Wen Nan.
• Wen Nan and Yu Shujun: Their interaction shows Yu Shujun's loyalty and quick response to protect Wen Nan.
• Wen Nan and Gu Jinxing: Their interaction via the guild chat helps Wen Nan piece together the events surrounding Zhang Beibei.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Junior Sister Zhang Beibei is controlled by an unknown assailant using Soul Threads, a technique called "Rebellion Against Heaven."
• The assailant is after an item in the Secret Laboratory, suspected to be another Divine Staff Fragment.
• Wen Nan receives a message from Guan Ailin, inviting him out on the weekend.
• Wen Nan asks Qiqi to help him rehearse a date with Guan Ailin, treating Qiqi as a difficult-to-please Grand CEO.
• Wen Nan confesses his feelings to Yu Shujun, expressing that he will miss her if they can't meet again.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan: Becomes more proactive in pursuing Guan Ailin and expresses his feelings for Yu Shujun.
• Yu Shujun: Struggles with her feelings for Wen Nan, ultimately not reciprocating his confession but also not rejecting it outright.
• Qiqi: Agrees to help Wen Nan rehearse his date with Guan Ailin, playing the role of a difficult-to-please Grand CEO.

Significant Themes

• Love and relationships: Wen Nan's pursuit of Guan Ailin and his confession to Yu Shujun highlight the theme of love and relationships in the game world.
• Regret and missed opportunities: The conversation between Wen Nan and Yu Shujun about potentially never meeting again if they leave the game world touches on the theme of regret and missed opportunities.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin: Wen Nan receives a message from Guan Ailin, suggesting she wants to go out with him on the weekend.
• Wen Nan and Qiqi: Wen Nan asks Qiqi to help him rehearse his date with Guan Ailin, treating her as a difficult-to-please Grand CEO.
• Wen Nan and Yu Shujun: Wen Nan confesses his feelings to Yu Shujun, expressing that he will miss her if they can't meet again. Yu Shujun is taken aback but does not reciprocate or reject his confession.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Shujun and Wen Nan have an awkward encounter on the balcony, where Wen Nan attempts to practice his romantic gestures on her, but she rebuffs him.
• Wen Nan has a meeting with Wang Jialing at a fast-food restaurant, where he successfully increases his affinity with her by buying her a plush toy.

Character Developments

• Yu Shujun: She remains indifferent and unimpressed by Wen Nan's attempts to woo her, showing no signs of romantic interest.
• Wen Nan: He continues to practice his romantic techniques, trying to impress Yu Shujun and later successfully increasing his affinity with Wang Jialing.
• Wang Jialing: She expresses her feelings for Wen Nan, understanding that companionship is the most important form of love for her.

Significant Themes

• Romantic Pursuit: Wen Nan's attempts to woo Yu Shujun and his date with Guan Ailin highlight the theme of romantic pursuit and the various strategies one might employ.
• Companionship: Wang Jialing's understanding of love as companionship emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and shared experiences.

Character Interactions

• Yu Shujun and Wen Nan: Their interaction on the balcony is tense and awkward, with Yu Shujun showing no interest in Wen Nan's advances.
• Wen Nan and Wang Jialing: Their meeting at the fast-food restaurant is warm and friendly, with Wen Nan successfully increasing his affinity with Wang Jialing by showing thoughtfulness and care.

In the Ailin Group headquarters, Huang Yan, a low-level employee, discovers a hidden door leading to Guan Ailin's secret space. Guan Ailin emerges, scolding Huang Yan for trespassing. Wen Nan arrives, saving Huang Yan, and takes Guan Ailin to his office for a late dinner. Meanwhile, Qiqi, disguised as a delivery girl, attempts to use her [Understanding] skill on Guan Ailin but fails due to Guan Ailin's high level. Later, Wen Nan and Guan Ailin have a late dinner together, but Guan Ailin must attend a conference call, leaving Wen Nan to wait. During this time, Wen Nan receives a new side quest from the system, "Office Scenery of Amorousness," challenging him to make Guan Ailin gasp aloud in extreme restraint for five minutes during the call.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A side quest is triggered, requiring heavy breathing for five minutes during a conference call.
• Players discuss the quest's inappropriateness and potential loopholes.
• A mysterious Silver Thorn assassin is spotted, sparking curiosity and speculation.
• The stream is blocked due to sensitive content, and viewers discuss the assassin's identity and the potential reasons for her presence.
• Inside the CEO's office, Guan Ailin faces investor threats and a technical director's accusation of a bug related to her.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan, the player, is silent and shocked by the side quest's requirements.
• Guan Ailin, the CEO, is under pressure from investors and faces accusations from her technical director.

Significant Themes

• The game's inappropriate and unexpected side quests.
• The mystery surrounding the Silver Thorn assassin and her potential motives.
• The power dynamics and internal struggles within Ailin Group.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan interacts with other players in the livestream chat, discussing the side quest and the assassin.
• Guan Ailin interacts with her investors and technical director, facing threats and accusations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guan Ailin and Wen Nan engage in a passionate kiss during a high-level meeting, with Guan Ailin's microphone unmuted, broadcasting the intimate moment to the attendees.
• Wen Nan completes a side quest, 'Office Scenery of Amorousness,' earning attribute points and a 'Status Lock Card' reward.
• Wen Nan reviews a video from a previous infiltration of a Secret Laboratory, discovering a potential clue related to the inconsistency in key item verification between main quests.

Character Developments

• Guan Ailin: Shows a rebellious side by engaging in a public display of affection during a meeting, challenging the expectations of her investors and colleagues.
• Wen Nan: Demonstrates his determination to uncover the truth behind the key item inconsistency, showing resourcefulness and persistence in his investigation.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and rebellion: Guan Ailin's actions challenge the authority of her investors and the expectations placed upon her as a young, inexperienced CEO.
• Investigation and discovery: Wen Nan's pursuit of the truth behind the key item inconsistency highlights the theme of uncovering hidden information and solving mysteries.

Character Interactions

• Guan Ailin and Wen Nan: Their passionate kiss during the meeting demonstrates their growing intimacy and willingness to defy societal norms together. Wen Nan's support and encouragement enable Guan Ailin to assert her independence and challenge the expectations placed upon her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan discovers anomalies in the security footage, suggesting the administrator's items might be company-issued.
• Guan Ailin wakes up early and shares her concerns about the world's reality with Wen Nan.
• She predicts future events accurately, revealing her ability to see recurring patterns in people and events.
• Guan Ailin confesses her struggle with her ability and her belief that something is wrong with the world.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan: Shows empathy and understanding towards Guan Ailin's plight, becoming more invested in her problems.
• Guan Ailin: Opens up to Wen Nan about her abilities and fears, showing vulnerability and trust in him.

Significant Themes

• Reality vs. Illusion: Guan Ailin's doubt about the world's authenticity raises questions about the nature of reality.
• Trust and Intimacy: Guan Ailin's confession to Wen Nan deepens their bond, exploring the theme of trust in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin: Their conversation leads to a deeper understanding and connection between them, with Guan Ailin sharing her secrets and Wen Nan offering support and acceptance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The new member is freed from the Soul Threads using Mr. Horn, a creature that eats metal.
• The new member tries to warn the group about the missions but is silenced by a system warning.
• Main Quest 3 ends, and Main Quest 4 begins, titled "Use Mr. Horn to resolve The Crux of the Disease."
• The group prepares to complete the mission using Mr. Horn on the classified document, but the President stops them.

Character Developments

• The new member shows gratitude and a desire to help but is silenced by the system.
• Yang Mingzhong demonstrates ingenuity in using Mr. Horn to free the new member.
• Gu Jinxing shows foresight by predicting the next main quest.
• Wen Nan reflects on Guan Ailin's doubts about the world and his affinity rating with her.

Significant Themes

• Communication and Understanding: The new member's struggle to communicate highlights the importance of understanding and being understood.
• Trust and Doubt: Guan Ailin's doubts about the world and Wen Nan's reflection on them emphasize the theme of trust and doubt in relationships.
• Time Pressure: The short mission duration in Main Quest 4 adds tension and pressure to the characters' actions.

Character Interactions

• Yang Mingzhong and Gu Jinxing work together to free the new member and complete the mission.
• The group works together to prepare for the new mission.
• The President's intervention creates tension and mystery, as they seem to have different plans for the mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan solves the Main Mission 2 puzzle by finding and removing the 'Crux of the Disease' (a unique pen) using Mr. Horn.
• He completes Main Mission 4 by sharing the results with his team.
• The team successfully completes Main Quest 4 and begins Main Quest 5, which involves 'eradicating the root of the disease' and 'achieving the great harmony of life with Ailin'.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills and leadership, earning his team's absolute faith and trust.
• The team members show loyalty and respect for Wen Nan, acknowledging him as their 'President'.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Leadership: Wen Nan's team trusts his judgment implicitly, highlighting the theme of strong leadership.
• Problem-Solving: The chapter emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and adaptability in overcoming challenges.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and His Team: The team interacts with Wen Nan with utmost respect and admiration, following his orders without question.
• Wen Nan and the System: Wen Nan interacts with the system, understanding its rules and exploiting them to his advantage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan receives a new main quest to find and destroy a hidden furnace to completely cure Guan Ailin's illness.
• The root cause of Guan Ailin's illness is revealed to be a black marker pen.
• Wen Nan decides to investigate the pen further before attempting to destroy it.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan demonstrates his dedication to helping Guan Ailin, prioritizing her needs even above the main quest.
• Guan Ailin's character is shown to be more complex, as she sends suggestive messages to Wen Nan while simultaneously attending a management meeting.
• Yu Shujun expresses concern for Wen Nan's focus on the main quest, revealing her dedication to their mission.

Significant Themes

• The theme of love and romance as a driving force in the game world is further emphasized.
• The importance of careful investigation and consideration before acting is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin's relationship deepens as Wen Nan prioritizes her well-being.
• Wen Nan and Yu Shujun have a mentor-student interaction, with Wen Nan educating Yu Shujun about the game's priorities and Yu Shujun expressing concern for Wen Nan's focus.
• Wen Nan interacts with Huang Yan, Guo Xiaofu, and Yang Mingzhong, delegating the map-scanning task to them while he investigates the marker pen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan attends a meeting to find clues from Yang Jingyuan, prioritizing this over map-scanning duties.
• Wen Nan declares his intentions to date and hook up, leaving Yu Shujun bewildered.
• Wen Nan meets Yang Jingyuan in a car, where they engage in a flirtatious and playful exchange.
• Wen Nan uses a black marker during their interaction, hinting at a previous experiment.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan: Shows determination in pursuing Yang Jingyuan, using a playful and confident approach. He also displays a strategic mind, prioritizing his romantic pursuits over other tasks.
• Yang Jingyuan: Reveals a flirtatious and playful side, teasing Wen Nan and reciprocating his advances. She also shows a competitive streak, wanting to please Wen Nan.
• Yu Shujun: Exhibits confusion and concern over Wen Nan's romantic pursuits, especially his interest in a female ghost.

Significant Themes

• Romance and flirtation: The chapter emphasizes the romantic tension and flirtatious banter between Wen Nan and Yang Jingyuan.
• Priorities: Wen Nan's actions highlight the importance he places on his romantic pursuits, even over survival tasks in the game.
• Trust and understanding: Yu Shujun's reaction suggests a lack of understanding or trust in Wen Nan's approach to the game and his relationships.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Yang Jingyuan: Their interaction is playful and flirtatious, with both parties enjoying the exchange. They tease each other, with Yang Jingyuan trying to please Wen Nan and Wen Nan using a marker in a suggestive manner.
• Wen Nan and Yu Shujun: Wen Nan's declaration leaves Yu Shujun confused and concerned, highlighting a potential rift in their understanding or trust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan and Yang Jingyuan's initial encounter turns hostile when she kicks him after he touches her.
• Wen Nan uses his skill, Mind Reading, to learn about a hidden entity within Yang Jingyuan.
• The entity, a previous soul, reveals its disdain for Yang Jingyuan and its desire for violence.
• Wen Nan tries to probe Yang Jingyuan about The Furnace, causing the entity to react violently.
• Wen Nan realizes that Yang Jingyuan is possessed by another soul.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan demonstrates his agility and alertness in dodging Yang Jingyuan's attack.
• Yang Jingyuan's dual personality is revealed, with the new soul showing hostility and violence.
• Wen Nan shows understanding and patience in dealing with Yang Jingyuan's sudden change in behavior.

Significant Themes

• Possession and dual personalities.
• The struggle between the new soul and Yang Jingyuan's original personality.
• The mystery of The Furnace.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Yang Jingyuan's initial interaction is marked by confusion and hostility.
• Wen Nan's calm and understanding demeanor helps to stabilize Yang Jingyuan's emotions.
• The possessed Yang Jingyuan shows hostility towards Wen Nan, while the original personality is apologetic and affectionate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan meets Yang Jingyuan, who invites him into her car to talk, but he declines.
• Wen Nan meets Yu Shujun in the elevator, and they discuss their arrangement.
• Wen Nan receives a message from Guan Ailin, prompting him to visit her office.
• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin have a brief conversation before she leaves for a meeting.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan (Ye Jiu): He shows restraint and maturity in handling his interactions with Yang Jingyuan and Guan Ailin. He also demonstrates strategic thinking in his quest to find the hidden item.
• Yang Jingyuan: She shows concern for Wen Nan's well-being and tries to engage him in conversation, but he declines.
• Yu Shujun: She expresses disinterest in Wen Nan's "official business," hinting at her desire to maintain distance from his work.
• Guan Ailin: She seems to have begun awakening, as hinted by her behavior and thoughts earlier in the day. However, she doesn't bring up this topic when she meets Wen Nan again.

Significant Themes

• Relationships: The complexity of relationships is explored through Wen Nan's interactions with Yang Jingyuan, Guan Ailin, and Yu Shujun.
• Awakening: Guan Ailin's potential awakening raises questions about the nature of the characters' consciousness and the dungeon's rules.
• Strategy and Planning: Wen Nan's approach to finding the hidden item demonstrates his strategic thinking and determination.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and Yang Jingyuan: Yang Jingyuan tries to engage Wen Nan in conversation, but he declines, showing restraint and maintaining his focus on the quest.
• Wen Nan and Yu Shujun: They discuss their arrangement, with Yu Shujun expressing disinterest in Wen Nan's work, and Wen Nan acknowledging her preference for maintaining distance.
• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin: They have a brief conversation before Guan Ailin leaves for a meeting. Wen Nan seems eager to discuss their earlier encounter, but Guan Ailin doesn't bring it up.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yang Mingzhong finds Mi Xiaoxiao and follows it to a hidden door leading underground.
• The Steady Win guild members successfully open the door and begin exploring the tunnel, but are forced to retreat due to extreme heat.
• Guan Ailin confesses her fears about losing her memories of Wen Nan to him.

Character Developments

• Yang Mingzhong demonstrates perseverance and resourcefulness in finding the hidden entrance.
• Guan Ailin shows vulnerability and desperation in her fear of losing her memories of Wen Nan.
• Wen Nan remains calm and reassuring, promising to take Guan Ailin away.

Significant Themes

• Memory and Forgetting: Guan Ailin's fear of losing her memories of Wen Nan highlights the theme of memory as a fragile and precious thing.
• Trust and Reassurance: Wen Nan's promise to take Guan Ailin away shows his commitment and trustworthiness, while Guan Ailin's actions demonstrate her trust in him.

Character Interactions

• Yang Mingzhong and Mi Xiaoxiao: Yang Mingzhong's interaction with Mi Xiaoxiao shows his patience and understanding of the cat's unique behavior.
• Wen Nan and Guan Ailin: Their intimate moment in the office reveals their deep connection and Guan Ailin's reliance on Wen Nan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Steady Win Guild discovers a secret passage leading to an underground Furnace beneath the Ailin Group headquarters.
• The Furnace's high temperature makes direct approach impossible for players.
• Wen Nan suggests using the "welfare item" to withstand the heat.
• Gu Jinxing inflates the item, revealing it to be a highly defensive and heat-resistant airbag.
• The guild members prepare to infiltrate the Furnace using the airbags.
• Wen Nan suspects an ambush and warns the guild not to leave the spawn point.
• Silver Thorn, controlled by the Ghost Tamer Alliance's Guild Leader, ambushes Guo Xiaofu at the spawn point, stealing his inflated airbag.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan demonstrates strategic thinking and quick decision-making in responding to the threat.
• Gu Jinxing shows resourcefulness in discovering the airbag's use.
• Guo Xiaofu's airbag is stolen, highlighting his misfortune and the importance of his welfare item.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and communication among guild members.
• The importance of welfare items and their unexpected uses.
• The threat posed by other guilds, such as the Ghost Tamer Alliance.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan communicates with the guild through messages, providing guidance and warnings.
• Gu Jinxing and Hu Jiayao work together to test and use the airbag.
• Yang Mingzhong protects Guo Xiaofu from Silver Thorn's ambush.
• Guo Xiaofu's misfortune brings the guild together to ensure his safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Wen Nan equips the "Safety Airbag" welfare item.
2. They discover the hidden tunnel leading to The Furnace.
3. Wen Nan and Qiqi wait at the entrance while the others scout the path.
4. Wen Nan realizes the marker pen's significance and tries to remove it from the dungeon using Mr. Horn, but fails.

Character Developments

1. Wen Nan shows concern for his team's safety and marks the way back for them.
2. Qiqi demonstrates her fierce protectiveness towards Wen Nan.
3. Wen Nan exhibits analytical skills and determination in trying to remove the marker pen.

Significant Themes

1. Trust and Teamwork: Wen Nan's team works together to navigate the dungeon, showing trust in each other's abilities.
2. Curiosity and Determination: Wen Nan's curiosity about the marker pen drives him to try and remove it from the dungeon, showing his determination to uncover the truth.

Character Interactions

1. Wen Nan and Qiqi: Wen Nan shows affection towards Qiqi, and she in turn shows unwavering loyalty and protectiveness towards him.
2. Wen Nan and the others: Wen Nan waits for the others to return from scouting, showing concern for their safety and trust in their abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wen Nan and his team discover the entrance to The Furnace, a massive pit filled with magma.
• They decide to destroy the mysterious metal shard found in the Marker Pen by throwing it into the magma.
• The countdown for the final main quest is over three hours, indicating they will complete the mission early.

Character Developments

• Wen Nan shows determination and caution in handling the metal shard.
• Yang Mingzhong, Huang Yan, and Qiqi display bravery and loyalty by accompanying Wen Nan despite the extreme heat.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and camaraderie: The team works together to overcome the challenges posed by the Furnace.
• Trust and responsibility: Wen Nan takes charge of the metal shard, showing trust in his abilities and responsibility towards his team.

Character Interactions

• Wen Nan and his team members support each other as they venture into the Furnace.
• Huang Yan and Yang Mingzhong express their eagerness to leave the dungeon once the mission is complete.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Shujun confronts Silver Thorn at the foot of the mountain, suspecting she's behind the anomaly in the map.
• Silver Thorn reveals she's been manipulating events to ensure Ye Jiu completes the quest, not to sabotage it.
• Silver Thorn uses her hair to trap Yu Shujun, intending to hold her back from interfering with Ye Jiu's quest completion.

Character Developments

• Yu Shujun: Starts confident but becomes increasingly suspicious and concerned about Silver Thorn's true intentions. Her resolve to protect Ye Jiu is tested.
• Silver Thorn: Reveals her bitterness and resentment towards being tamed and used as a pawn. Her actions are driven by a desire for revenge and rebellion against her controllers.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Both Yu Shujun and Silver Thorn are being controlled by external forces (Ye Jiu and the Ghost Tamer Alliance, respectively), leading to their conflict.
• Identity and agency: The characters struggle with their identities and sense of self, influenced by their controllers and the circumstances they're in.

Character Interactions

• Yu Shujun and Silver Thorn: Their interaction is marked by hostility, suspicion, and a complex history. Silver Thorn's revelations challenge Yu Shujun's understanding of their shared past and present situation.
• Silver Thorn and her controllers: Silver Thorn's resentment towards the Ghost Tamer Alliance is evident, highlighting the power dynamics and manipulation in their relationship.
• Yu Shujun and Ye Jiu: Though not physically present, Ye Jiu's influence on Yu Shujun is significant, driving her actions and decisions throughout the chapter.