Chapter Summaries

Plot and key events

• Wei Zhanjie’s proposal to hold a shareholders’ meeting every two years to re-elect the Wei Group CEO is accepted, despite the model being poorly suited to long-term business planning. The family-controlled nature of the company makes the proposal possible.
• Wei Zhanjie’s real aim is to keep his brother Wei Renjie occupied defending his position and competing for shareholder support, leaving him less time to threaten Wei Zhanjie’s son.
• Old Master Wei returns as chairman after nearly ten years of retirement. He hopes to supervise Wei Renjie, push him to resolve his personal troubles, and ensure he does not again damage the family’s interests.
• The various Wei relatives and outside shareholders see the leadership contest as an opportunity to gain influence and profits. Their competing ambitions help Wei Zhanjie’s plan succeed.
• Wei Zhanjie tells Wei Linxuan to enjoy his time in Hong Kong with Xiao Heng and ignore the family’s enemies. He also says he has arranged a television broadcast slot at Linxuan’s request.
• Yingdun Entertainment and two television networks announce that Miracle Doctor will premiere simultaneously on May 1. The drama is marketed aggressively around Yue Feng’s Golden Crow Award win and his rumored connection to Lu Heng. Its early release is intended to capitalize on the popularity of Great Ming Divine Doctor before that larger production airs in summer.

Character developments and interactions

• Wei Zhanjie emerges as a calculating strategist: he uses a CEO election and his family’s rivalries to shield his son while drawing opponents’ attention toward the company.
• Old Master Wei’s return shows his determination to retain control and protect the family, though he believes he can manage the danger posed by Wei Renjie.
• Wei Linxuan understands his father’s protective motives without needing them explained. Their exchange is affectionate and playful, including a joke about Father Wei’s mangled idiom.
• Yingdun’s marketing team treats controversy—whether flattering or mocking—as useful publicity for Yue Feng and Miracle Doctor.

Significant themes

• Family protection and sacrifice: Wei Zhanjie deliberately creates conflict within the company to spare his son from direct danger.
• Power and competing interests: Family members and shareholders pursue control and profit, each using the company’s leadership struggle for their own ends.
• Manipulation and misdirection: Wei Zhanjie keeps adversaries focused on the “meaty bone” of the Wei Group rather than on his broader plans.
• Commercialized publicity: The Miracle Doctor campaign embraces gossip, comparison, and even potential ratings manipulation, while the drama’s release timing reflects the realities of television competition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heng Xuan Studio, after remaining silent, responds to Miracle Doctor's provocations by releasing the trailer for Great Ming Divine Doctor on Huaxia TV and online platforms.
• Great Ming Divine Doctor's trailer announces its premiere on Huaxia TV's Weekend Theater on May 1, with two episodes airing every Saturday and Sunday night.
• The trailer showcases Great Ming Divine Doctor's superior production quality compared to Miracle Doctor, drawing significant attention.

Character Developments

• Wei Linxuan demonstrates his marketing prowess and willingness to take risks by launching a weekly drama format and moving Great Ming Divine Doctor's broadcast schedule to counter Miracle Doctor.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing challenges head-on and responding to provocations is evident in Wei Linxuan's actions.
• The contrasting production qualities of Great Ming Divine Doctor and Miracle Doctor highlight the theme of quality versus quantity and the importance of careful craftsmanship.

Character Interactions

• Wei Linxuan's actions indirectly challenge Yingdun Entertainment and Hunan Provincial Television, who had been promoting Miracle Doctor aggressively.
• Domestic media and industry insiders react to Wei Linxuan's decisions, with some criticizing his move and others supporting it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Netizens widely discuss the drama rivalry between Great Ming Divine Doctor and Miracle Doctor.
• Wei Linxuan believes Qi Jiaming orchestrated the fire at Heng Xuan Studio.
• Wei Linxuan and Lu Heng discuss plans for 'Those Great Ming Years', a popular-history program to accompany the drama.
• Great Ming Divine Doctor premieres with a 10.3% national rating, while Miracle Doctor gets only 1.1%.

Character Developments

• Wei Linxuan shows his strategic thinking and determination to counter Yingdun Entertainment's moves.
• Lu Heng supports Wei Linxuan's plans and agrees to invite more experts for 'Those Great Ming Years'.

Significant Themes

• The power of strategic planning and counterattacks in business and entertainment.
• The importance of historical research and education in entertainment.

Character Interactions

• Wei Linxuan and Lu Heng work together, discussing plans and making decisions for Heng Xuan Studio.
• Wei Linxuan acknowledges Qi Jiaming's desperation and ruthlessness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Miracle Doctor's ratings plummet to 1.1%, mostly from Hunan Provincial Television's loyal viewers and fans of the leads.
• Hunan Provincial Television remains unconcerned, having expected low ratings due to Wei Linxuan's provocation.
• Hunan Provincial Television hopes to capitalize on Great Ming Divine Doctor's weekend airing to attract viewers back to Miracle Doctor.
• Those Great Ming Years, a daily educational program, premieres on Huaxia TV, attracting viewers with its engaging content and prize quiz.

Character Developments

• The director of Hunan Provincial Television is cautious and diplomatic, aiming to maintain neutrality in the Qi-Wei family conflict.
• Wei Linxuan is portrayed as ruthless but respectful of Hunan Provincial Television's olive branch.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between families and media outlets.
• The impact of marketing tactics and viewer engagement on ratings.

Character Interactions

• The director of Hunan Provincial Television privately calls Wei Linxuan and his father to express his concerns about being caught in their conflict.
• Wei Linxuan reassures the director of his understanding but cannot guarantee Hunan Provincial Television's ratings won't suffer due to Great Ming Divine Doctor's success.

Chapter Summary: “Feelings”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Great Ming Divine Doctor concludes its weekly run, Huaxia TV’s ratings continue climbing, while Hunan Satellite TV’s competing drama Miracle Doctor collapses from 1.1% to 0.78%.
• Viewers and media harshly criticize Miracle Doctor for its rushed production, historically inaccurate costumes and sets, absurd plot, poor acting, inadequate battle scenes, crude editing, and mismatched dubbing.
• A group of idol fans who discovered Ming Dynasty history through Great Ming Divine Doctor and Those Great Ming Years creates a detailed online comparison of the two dramas. They document Miracle Doctor’s flaws and argue that idol actors can perform well when given proper preparation and guidance.
• The fans blame Miracle Doctor’s poor quality on its rushed two-month production schedule and the cast’s frequent absences for commercial work, endorsements, and appearances.
• Although intended as casual fan activity, the online discussion draws renewed attention to Miracle Doctor, humiliating Yingdun Entertainment rather than helping it.
• Wei Linxuan’s broader cultural strategy succeeds: interest in Ming Dynasty history and traditional culture spreads nationwide. The popularity of Great Ming Divine Doctor and Those Great Ming Years is even recognized on the national evening news as a positive cultural phenomenon.
• State and mainstream media criticize companies that prioritize profit, plagiarism, and competition over cultural quality and national image. Yingdun Entertainment’s reputation falls dramatically.
• At an Yingdun Entertainment-owned club, Qi Jiaming reacts furiously to newspapers featuring Wei Linxuan and violently crumples the paper while cursing him.
• By the approach of summer vacation, Great Ming Divine Doctor sets a yearly ratings record for its time slot, reaching 26.22%.
• Golden Weekend Theater, initially created as a temporary countermeasure against Miracle Doctor, proves successful and demonstrates the commercial potential of weekly dramas.
• Other television stations and entertainment companies study Huaxia TV and Heng Xuan Studio’s model—combining weekly dramas with quizzes, educational programming, and online interaction—and begin preparing their own weekly drama slots.
• As weekly drama programming spreads nationwide, viewers jokingly complain that Great Ming Divine Doctor has ruined them by making them crave more frequent drama releases.

Character Developments

• Wei Linxuan emerges as a highly successful strategist whose planning promotes both Heng Xuan Studio and broader public interest in Chinese history and culture. His success directly contributes to Yingdun Entertainment’s downfall.
• Qi Jiaming is shown as enraged, humiliated, and powerless. His violent reaction to Wei Linxuan’s media success reveals the depth of his resentment and frustration.
• The idol fans develop beyond ordinary entertainment followers. Through exposure to the dramas, they become enthusiastic beginner historians and informed cultural critics.

Significant Themes

• Quality versus opportunism: The contrast between the carefully produced Great Ming Divine Doctor and the hastily assembled Miracle Doctor shows the consequences of prioritizing profit and speed over craftsmanship.
• Cultural influence through entertainment: Television and online fan activity successfully stimulate public interest in history, traditional customs, and cultural education.
• The power of audiences and fandom: Fans become active participants in shaping public opinion, researching content, and exposing production failures.
• Innovation and industry change: Huaxia TV and Heng Xuan Studio’s weekly-drama model transforms television scheduling and marketing nationwide.
• Justice and backlash against plagiarism: Yingdun Entertainment’s attempt to imitate and exploit another company’s success ultimately damages its own reputation.

Character Interactions

• Idol fans collectively support their favorite actors while praising Heng Xuan Studio’s production standards and criticizing the Miracle Doctor team.
• Media outlets and the public repeatedly compare the two dramas, amplifying Wei Linxuan’s success and Yingdun Entertainment’s failure.
• Qi Jiaming’s reaction to Wei Linxuan’s newspaper coverage highlights the antagonism between the two sides.
• Television stations and entertainment companies respond to Heng Xuan Studio and Huaxia TV’s success by studying and adopting their methods.

Chapter 466 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Netizens launch a widespread online manifesto condemning Heng Xuan Studio and Huaxia TV for their weekly drama arrangement, accusing them of ten “unforgivable crimes.” Though intended as criticism, the controversy generates another wave of publicity for Great Ming Divine Doctor.
• Viewers revisit earlier episodes while continuing to watch the series, and the arrival of summer vacation brings a massive surge in student viewership. The drama surpasses ten billion views on Huaxia Video Network within one week, causing a major uproar across the entertainment industry.
• The record demonstrates the enormous promotional and financial potential of online broadcasting. After Heng Xuan Studio reveals the extremely high sponsorship fees for the first thirty seconds of each episode, producers and television companies begin recognizing online platforms as valuable distribution channels.
• More production companies seek simultaneous television and online releases, while Heng Xuan Studio, Huaxia TV, and Huaxia Video Network handle the resulting business arrangements without needing Lu Heng or Wei Linxuan’s direct involvement.
• After Sword Ban finishes filming, Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan plan to rest during the summer. However, director Mai Chengliang brings Lu Heng a script through personal connections.
• The script is a suspense drama featuring Lu Heng as a highly intelligent, psychologically disturbed serial killer. Wei Linxuan worries that the role is excessively dark and emotionally dangerous for Lu Heng, especially given his previous depression during Operation A.
• Wei Linxuan also hopes Lu Heng will next choose a lighter, more commercial project, since his recent films have been artistic works with limited box-office potential.
• Lu Heng is attracted to the challenging role but worries that focusing too heavily on art films may restrict his career and place too much pressure on Heng Xuan Studio. He wants to contribute more actively and stand beside Wei Linxuan rather than continually relying on Wei’s protection.
• Mai offers two possibilities: Lu Heng can meet the script’s director, Chen, if interested, or Heng Xuan Studio can consider investing in the production instead.

Character Developments

• Lu Heng shows growing maturity and responsibility. Rather than choosing solely according to his artistic preferences, he considers his career balance and the financial needs of Heng Xuan Studio. He also becomes increasingly determined to support and protect Wei Linxuan.
• Wei Linxuan remains highly attentive to Lu Heng’s mental and emotional health. His concern reflects lingering fear from Lu Heng’s earlier depression and shows that he prioritizes Lu Heng’s well-being over career opportunities.
• Mai Chengliang acts as the intermediary for the new project. He recognizes the closeness between Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan and reacts humorously to their unconscious displays of affection.
• Heng Xuan Studio evolves from an individual production company into an influential force capable of reshaping industry practices and benefiting from online distribution.

Significant Themes

• The rising power of online media: The drama’s ten-billion-view milestone proves that online platforms can rival or surpass traditional television in publicity, audience reach, and advertising revenue.
• Unintended publicity: Public criticism of the drama paradoxically increases its popularity, showing how controversy can strengthen public attention.
• Artistic ambition versus commercial responsibility: Lu Heng must weigh his interest in complex, award-oriented roles against the need to support his studio financially and broaden his commercial appeal.
• Emotional recovery and psychological risk: The proposed serial-killer role raises concerns about the dangers of Lu Heng’s immersive acting style and the importance of recovering emotionally after difficult productions.
• Mutual protection and partnership: Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan’s relationship develops into an equal partnership, with Lu Heng wishing to share Wei’s burdens rather than remain only the one being protected.

Character Interactions

• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan privately discuss the script and reach an unspoken understanding about its risks and benefits. Their concern for each other is expressed indirectly, creating an affectionate but understated dynamic.
• Wei Linxuan’s protective reaction contrasts with Lu Heng’s desire to prove his independence and usefulness to the studio.
• Mai Chengliang observes their close relationship and jokingly reacts to their unconscious romantic affection, while still presenting the practical options of acting in or investing in the project.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mai Chengliang reveals that his university classmate, Hollywood director Chen Jian’an, wants Lu Heng to star in—and Heng Xuan Studio to invest in—a dark suspense film.
• Chen is famous for large-scale Hollywood action movies, but this script would be a major departure from his usual commercial style. Because he lacks experience in suspense and literary filmmaking, he has struggled to attract investors and major stars.
• Chen asked Mai to approach Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan first because he felt embarrassed to make the request directly.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan do not give an immediate answer. Since Chen is still filming in Hollywood and will not be available until August or September, Lu Heng has time to consider the offer and discuss the investment privately with Wei.
• Mai strongly recommends the project, believing its unusual structure and complex male lead could help Lu Heng achieve an artistic breakthrough.
• Mai also emphasizes that working with Chen could expose Lu Heng to Method acting, an area in which Chen is reportedly highly knowledgeable.
• Mai asks Lu Heng to support the promotion of his own film by recording a VCR and reposting promotional material on Weibo. Lu Heng agrees, and Mai jokingly promises to treat him to a meal if the film performs well.
• The conversation shifts toward the worsening state of Hong Kong and Bend Province’s film industries and the growing importance of the mainland Chinese market.

Character Developments

• Lu Heng is shown as thoughtful and professionally ambitious. He does not reject Chen’s unconventional offer, recognizing that it might broaden his acting range, but he intends to carefully evaluate both the artistic and financial implications.
• Wei Linxuan remains protective of Heng Xuan Studio’s interests and reacts warily when Mai suggests that Lu Heng pursue the project, reflecting his concern about the risks of investment and Lu Heng’s career choices.
• Mai Chengliang acts as both intermediary and mentor. He sincerely believes in Chen’s script and hopes it will benefit Lu Heng artistically, while also seeking practical promotional help for his own film.
• Chen Jian’an is characterized as a talented, internationally successful director whose career has been built through persistence. However, his unfamiliarity with suspense filmmaking has made it difficult for him to secure backing for this personal change in direction.

Significant Themes

• Artistic growth versus commercial security: Lu Heng must weigh the opportunity to attempt a challenging new genre against the financial risks of backing an unproven project.
• Industry transformation: Rising production costs, inflated celebrity salaries, and audience demands for Hollywood-style spectacle are making filmmaking increasingly difficult in smaller markets.
• The importance of market size: The mainland’s enormous audience gives it a decisive economic advantage over Hong Kong and Bend Province, whose limited markets can no longer support escalating production expenses.
• Professional networks and mutual support: Chen relies on Mai’s friendship, while Mai depends on Lu Heng’s influence to promote his film, showing how personal relationships shape entertainment-industry opportunities.
• The northward shift of talent: As regional industries decline, entertainers and filmmakers from Hong Kong and Bend Province increasingly turn toward the mainland for investment, audiences, and income.

Character Interactions

• Mai and Lu Heng: Mai respectfully but persuasively pitches Chen’s film, framing it as both a worthwhile artistic challenge and a learning opportunity. Their friendly relationship is highlighted by Lu Heng’s teasing about Mai’s “stinginess.”
• Mai and Wei Linxuan: Wei’s wary look suggests he views Mai’s encouragement as potentially dangerous to the studio’s finances or Lu Heng’s schedule, while Mai tries to reassure him by emphasizing the educational value of the project.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan: Their need to discuss the offer privately shows their close professional partnership and shared responsibility for Heng Xuan Studio’s investment decisions.
• Mai and Chen Jian’an: Although Chen does not appear directly, Mai’s willingness to act as his intermediary demonstrates their longstanding friendship and Chen’s dependence on Mai’s connections.

Chapter 468 Summary

Plot and events

Director Mai Chengliang visits Beijing to promote his new big-budget film through Huaxia’s television and online programs. During the visit, he reflects sadly on the decline of the Fragrant City Film Festival and the broader deterioration of Hong Kong’s film industry. After a brief conversation with Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan, Mai leaves to attend a press conference and other promotional events.

Lu Heng’s reflections and career concerns

Lu Heng considers the entertainment industry’s increasing focus on profit over artistic quality. He feels fortunate to have entered the industry at a time when meaningful, classic productions were still possible, but worries that such opportunities will become increasingly rare. His attention returns to Director Chen Jian’an’s unconventional script, whose male lead strongly appeals to him. Although he is interested in discussing and perhaps investing in the film, he respects Chen’s creative authority and does not intend to interfere.

Conflict between ambition and protection

Wei Linxuan worries that Chen’s demanding directing style could push Lu Heng into the same dangerous level of emotional immersion associated with a tragic Hollywood actor’s role. He admits that, since becoming Lu Heng’s lover and manager, he has deliberately selected challenging but emotionally safer scripts for him. This has allowed Lu Heng to demonstrate his acting ability without risking his mental and physical well-being.

Character interactions and development

Lu Heng reassures Wei Linxuan that he never truly intended to accept Chen’s film. He explains that he wants to take a comedy after appearing in two serious arthouse films and would rather continue learning directing from Director Wu on the Sword Dance set. Wei Linxuan recognizes that he may be limiting Lu Heng’s artistic freedom and apologizes. The couple comfort each other through an affectionate embrace and kiss.

Themes

The chapter explores the decline of artistic standards under commercial pressure, the rarity of genuinely memorable roles, and the tension between artistic ambition and personal happiness. It also emphasizes the couple’s deep mutual care: although Wei Linxuan’s protectiveness is somewhat selfish, Lu Heng willingly prioritizes his loved ones and family over complete devotion to acting. Lu Heng’s past as a martial arts stuntman has also given him a comparatively grounded attitude toward fame and performance.

Chapter Summary: “Stimulation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Heng decides to reject a demanding acting script. Although he enjoys challenging roles, he prioritizes Wei Linxuan’s peace of mind and admits that he is exhausted after months of nonstop filming.
• The couple begins discussing a summer vacation, joking about traveling to Hawaii, when Wei Linxuan receives an urgent call from his father.
• Wei Linxuan’s grandfather, Old Master Wei, has suffered a heart attack and is undergoing emergency surgery at Yanjing City First People’s Hospital.
• When Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan arrive, they find the hospital surrounded by reporters and paparazzi. The media is attempting to enter the hospital and report on the crisis, creating disorder outside.
• Using his familiarity with the hospital—gained during an earlier internship—Lu Heng avoids the main and back entrances, which are being watched by reporters. He directs the driver through a secluded alley near the medical-waste yard and leads Wei Linxuan into the hospital through an employee passage.
• Outside the operating room, they find Father Wei, Mother Wei, Wei Renjie’s family, and numerous Wei Group shareholders and executives waiting anxiously.
• The assembled business figures react awkwardly to Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan arriving together, reflecting ongoing gossip about their close relationship and possible romantic involvement.
• Wei Linxuan ignores the speculation and immediately demands an explanation. Father Wei silently looks toward Wei Renjie, while Fang Yuqing privately explains the background of the crisis.
• The chapter provides context about the Wei Group’s internal power struggle. After Wei Renjie’s replacement as CEO, Old Master Wei returned from retirement to stabilize the company and support him.
• Although Old Master Wei initially resented Father Wei for supporting outsider Wei Pangjie, he recognized that Wei Pangjie’s business proposals benefited the company. His support for those plans helped restore shareholder confidence, even as Wei Renjie’s previous decisions had caused serious losses.

Character Developments

• Lu Heng: Demonstrates maturity by putting Wei Linxuan’s feelings above his own ambition. He also acts decisively and resourcefully during the hospital emergency, using his knowledge of the building to protect them from the media.
• Wei Linxuan: Shows immediate concern and emotional vulnerability over his grandfather’s condition. He remains focused on family matters and refuses to be distracted by rumors about his relationship with Lu Heng.
• Old Master Wei: Though absent from the scene physically, his heart attack exposes his importance to both the Wei family and the company. His earlier decisions reveal him as pragmatic: despite personal resentment, he supports policies that benefit the Wei Group.
• Wei Renjie: Appears confused and vulnerable while the family and executives gather at the hospital. His earlier failures as CEO remain a major source of tension within the family.
• Wei Pangjie: Is portrayed as a capable outsider whose business plans have earned shareholder approval, intensifying the conflict over leadership of the Wei Group.

Significant Themes

• Love versus ambition: Lu Heng’s decision to reject the script reflects his willingness to sacrifice career opportunities for Wei Linxuan’s security and happiness.
• Family crisis and responsibility: Old Master Wei’s heart attack forces the divided Wei family and company leadership into the same place, revealing their competing loyalties and anxieties.
• Public scrutiny and privacy: The media frenzy highlights the lack of privacy surrounding powerful families and celebrities, while Lu Heng’s careful route into the hospital shows their efforts to avoid public exposure.
• Power and succession: The Wei Group’s leadership struggle centers on whether loyalty to family should outweigh competence and the company’s long-term interests.
• Pragmatism in business: Old Master Wei’s willingness to support Wei Pangjie’s beneficial proposals, despite personal resentment, emphasizes the importance of putting the company above individual grievances.

Character Interactions

• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan share an affectionate, intimate exchange before the emergency call interrupts their vacation plans.
• Wei Linxuan speaks urgently with his father about Old Master Wei’s condition.
• Lu Heng takes charge of navigating the media blockade and physically guides Wei Linxuan into the hospital.
• At the operating room, Wei Linxuan confronts his parents for information, while Father Wei’s glance toward Wei Renjie implies blame or suspicion.
• Fang Yuqing privately briefs Wei Linxuan on the Wei Group’s political and financial circumstances.
• The shareholders and executives silently judge Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan’s closeness, adding social tension to the family emergency.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei Renjie, after being removed as CEO, serves as his father's assistant, vowing to reform.
• Wei Renjie, with Old Master Wei's support, outshines Wei Pangjie, the new CEO, securing major deals for the Group.
• Wei Pangjie, feeling threatened, sets a trap for Wei Renjie, catching him in a compromising position with a male assistant.
• Old Master Wei suffers a heart attack upon witnessing the scene.

Character Developments

• Wei Renjie: Initially focused on personal gain, he reforms under Wei Zhanjie's pressure and proves his capabilities, only to revert to old habits.
• Wei Pangjie: Confident in his abilities and family backing, he seeks to remove Wei Renjie and Old Master Wei from power.
• Old Master Wei: Struggles with the infighting among his sons and their impact on the Group, ultimately suffering a health crisis due to Wei Renjie's actions.

Significant Themes

• Power struggles within the Wei family and the Wei Group.
• The consequences of past actions and the difficulty of reform.
• The impact of family dynamics on business and personal decisions.

Character Interactions

• Wei Renjie and Wei Zhanjie: Their rivalry prompts Wei Renjie's initial reform, but Wei Zhanjie remains uninvolved in the Group's power struggles.
• Wei Pangjie and Wei Renjie: Their conflict escalates, with Wei Pangjie resorting to underhanded tactics to remove Wei Renjie.
• Old Master Wei and Wei Renjie: Despite his initial support for Wei Renjie's reform, Old Master Wei is ultimately shocked and hurt by his son's actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei Linxuan learns the full story from Mother Wei about Wei Renjie's affair and its consequences.
• The eldest uncle, Wei Renjie, is disheveled and panicked due to the old man's sudden illness and the exposure of his affair.
• Old Madam Wei arrives at the hospital, having seen the news, and blames Wei Pangjie and the shareholders for the old man's condition.
• A shareholder defends the group's actions and counters the eldest aunt's accusations.

Character Developments

• Wei Linxuan begins to suspect that the affair might not be a simple coincidence.
• Wei Renjie's disheveled appearance shows his panic and loss of composure.
• Old Madam Wei shows concern for her husband's health and disapproval of the current situation.
• The eldest aunt displays her sharp tongue and protective nature towards her husband.

Significant Themes

• Power and Greed: The shareholders' actions are driven by their desire for power and control within the Wei Group.
• Family Loyalty vs. Ambition: The conflict between Wei Pangjie and Wei Renjie highlights the tension between family loyalty and personal ambition.
• Consequences of Actions: The affair and its exposure have severe consequences, including the old man's illness and the family's public scandal.

Character Interactions

• Wei Linxuan and Mother Wei share a quiet conversation, hinting at a closer relationship.
• Wei Renjie's interaction with the man who exposed his affair reveals his discomposure.
• Old Madam Wei's arrival and interaction with the eldest aunt showcase their differing views and priorities.
• The shareholder's interaction with the eldest aunt demonstrates the growing tension and division within the Wei family and the Wei Group.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Madam Wei scolds the Wei family and shareholders for their greed and recklessness in leaking Wei Renjie's scandal, which could harm Wei Group's reputation and stock price.
• She proposes removing Wei Pangjie from his position as executive president due to his involvement in the scandal.
• The shareholders argue against this, suggesting that Wei Pangjie should be given a chance to rectify the situation and that the Zhao family could help.
• Old Madam Wei proposes that Wei Linxuan temporarily manage the group's affairs until the chairman recovers, to stabilize the situation.

Character Developments

• Old Madam Wei demonstrates her authority and displeasure with the current state of the Wei Group.
• Wei Pangjie shows resilience and determination in defending his position.
• Wei Linxuan remains calm and collected, refusing to be swayed by emotions and instead considering the group's best interests.

Significant Themes

• Family vs. Professional Management: The debate over whether the family-run model is still suitable for Wei Group, given its current scale and issues.
• Greed and Power Struggles: The family members' desire for power and control, leading to underhanded tactics and harming the group's interests.
• Responsibility and Accountability: The characters' differing views on who should take responsibility for the current crisis and how to address it.

Character Interactions

• Old Madam Wei asserts her dominance over the other family members and shareholders.
• Wei Pangjie and his father stand their ground against Old Madam Wei's proposals, hinting at their alliance with the Zhao family.
• Wei Linxuan remains independent and analytical, refusing to be swayed by Old Madam Wei's emotional appeal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei Linxuan suggests that an outsider could temporarily manage Wei Group to stabilize the situation, shocking the family and shareholders.
• Old Madam Wei opposes this idea and asks Wei Linxuan to step in to reassure investors and the media, with Wei Renjie handling the group's daily management.
• Shareholders criticize Old Madam Wei for favoritism and lack of evidence against Pang Jie, the former CEO.
• Wei Linxuan's father, Father Wei, intervenes to calm everyone down.
• Lu Heng asks about the old man's condition, and Father Wei reassures everyone that the surgery is going well.
• Wei Jiayi and Wei Linxuan argue about Lu Jiayi's academic performance and Wei Linxuan's closeness with Lu Miaomiao.

Character Developments

• Wei Linxuan shows maturity and responsibility, considering the group's best interests despite his family's opposition.
• Old Madam Wei reveals her bias towards Wei Renjie and her willingness to use her influence to protect him.
• Wei Jiayi demonstrates her jealousy and resentment towards Lu Miaomiao and Wei Linxuan's closeness.
• Father Wei shows his diplomatic skills, trying to maintain peace among the family and shareholders.

Significant Themes

• Family dynamics and power struggles within the Wei family.
• The tension between personal feelings and business decisions.
• The importance of evidence and fairness in business and legal matters.

Character Interactions

• Wei Linxuan and Old Madam Wei clash over the group's management.
• Shareholders confront Old Madam Wei about her intentions towards Pang Jie.
• Wei Jiayi and Wei Linxuan argue about Lu Jiayi's academic performance and Wei Linxuan's relationship with Lu Miaomiao.
• Father Wei mediates between Old Madam Wei and the shareholders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Master Wei undergoes a successful heart surgery.
• The lead surgeon, a disciple of Ye Fengqi and a close friend of Lu Heng, briefs the family on post-operative care.
• The Wei family visits Old Master Wei in the hospital, and Old Madam Wei, Wei's eldest uncle, and Father Wei have a private conversation in the elevator.

Character Developments

• Old Master Wei: Still unconscious after surgery, his health remains fragile.
• Old Madam Wei: Concerned about her husband's health, she warns her sons to behave and not upset him.
• Wei's Eldest Uncle: Shows remorse for his actions but maintains his ambition for the Wei Group.
• Father Wei: Assertive and protective of his son Lin Xuan, he warns his brother against using their father's illness for personal gain. He also suggests hiring professional management for the Wei Group.

Significant Themes

• Family dynamics: The Wei family's complex relationships and power struggles come to the forefront.
• Health vs. Ambition: The family must balance Old Master Wei's health needs with their business ambitions.
• Power and Inheritance: The future of the Wei Group and who will lead it remains uncertain.

Character Interactions

• Old Madam Wei, Wei's Eldest Uncle, and Father Wei: Their tense conversation in the elevator reveals their differing views on the Wei Group's future and Old Master Wei's health.
• Lu Heng and the Lead Surgeon: Their friendly interaction hints at Lu Heng's professional connections and potential influence within the hospital.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chief surgeon announces that Old Master Wei’s operation was successful and that he is out of danger, easing the tension among the Wei family and shareholders.
• Wei Pangjie, the new CEO of Wei Group, leaves the hospital after speaking with his father. He announces plans for a press conference to address the scandal and insists that Uncle Wei attend and explain his involvement.
• Old Madam Wei agrees that the press conference is necessary but demands that the PR department prepare a statement for her approval first. This gives her control over how much Uncle Wei will be allowed to say.
• Old Madam Wei continues to suspect that Wei Pangjie deliberately engineered the “catching an adulterer” incident to damage his rivals, though he did not anticipate that Old Master Wei would suffer a heart attack.
• The shareholders leave after offering polite assurances to Father Wei, revealing their concern about the group’s unstable stock and their desire to maintain ties with the family.
• Uncle Wei and Father Wei argue over who should remain at the hospital. Uncle Wei suspects Father Wei wants to prevent him from speaking freely to their father, while Father Wei claims he is concerned about Uncle Wei’s appearance and performance at the press conference.
• Old Master Wei regains consciousness later that night. After doctors confirm that he is fully out of danger, the family finally relaxes.
• Father Wei and Mother Wei stay at the hospital to care for him, while the others prepare to leave. Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan, starving after missing meals all day, eat congee and send food back to the hospital.
• When Lu Heng returns home, he finds his older brother Lu Chi waiting in the living room. Lu Chi has temporarily moved into Lu Heng’s apartment to escape their mother’s relentless attempts to pressure him into marriage.

Character Developments

• Wei Pangjie presents himself as cooperative and concerned with Wei Group’s reputation, but his calculated behavior and apparent lack of remorse reinforce the impression that he is a dangerous political schemer.
• Old Madam Wei remains suspicious, sharp, and protective of her family’s interests. Although she accepts the need for a press conference, she carefully tries to control the narrative and limit Uncle Wei’s influence.
• Uncle Wei becomes increasingly defensive and distrustful, believing that the family may try to silence or manipulate him.
• Father Wei demonstrates concern for both his father and the company’s public image. His argument with Uncle Wei shows the continuing hostility between the two brothers.
• Old Master Wei survives the operation and wakes up, temporarily stabilizing the family crisis.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan share a moment of ordinary companionship after the stressful hospital ordeal, caring enough to send food to their parents.
• Lu Chi is introduced as successful but temporarily displaced by his mother’s marriage pressure, adding a lighter family-comedy element after the tense hospital events.

Significant Themes

• Family power struggles and manipulation: The Wei family’s concern for Old Master Wei is inseparable from disputes over authority and succession.
• Public image versus private motives: The proposed press conference is framed as protecting Wei Group, but it also serves as a weapon against rivals.
• Suspicion and hidden ambition: Wei Pangjie’s harmless appearance contrasts with his calculating nature, emphasizing that outward gentleness can conceal ruthless intentions.
• Filial duty and political maneuvering: Even decisions about who stays at the hospital are influenced by distrust and concerns over control.
• Relief amid crisis: The chapter shifts from corporate and family conflict to the simple relief of Old Master Wei’s recovery and the young men’s late-night meal.

Character Interactions

• Wei Pangjie and Old Madam Wei engage in a polite but hostile exchange over the press conference and Uncle Wei’s role.
• Old Madam Wei indirectly accuses Wei Pangjie of causing the crisis, while he remains outwardly calm and unconcerned.
• Uncle Wei and Father Wei clash over hospital responsibilities, revealing deep mistrust between them.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan cooperate closely, staying through the crisis and caring for their parents.
• Lu Heng reunites with Lu Chi at home, setting up a more personal and potentially humorous family interaction.

Chapter Summary: “Cats and Dogs War”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Chi, originally planning to move into a renovated house, stays with Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan because he enjoys Lu Heng’s cooking. He takes over Lu Heng’s room, forcing Lu Heng to sleep next door with Wei Linxuan.
• Lu Chi discovers that after news of Old Master Wei’s heart attack and hospitalization caused Wei Group’s stock price to fall, an unidentified party began secretly buying Wei Group shares.
• The buyer has used numerous accounts to disguise the purchases as ordinary retail-investor activity and appears to have a professional team behind them.
• Lu Chi suspects the same person may have leaked the news about Old Master Wei’s condition, profited by shorting Wei Group stock, and then begun acquiring shares at the reduced price.
• Rather than buying directly from major shareholders, the mysterious investor is purchasing scattered shares, suggesting they are deliberately concealing their identity. Lu Chi believes they may be attempting to obtain a controlling stake in Wei Group.
• Wei Linxuan confirms that Old Master Wei’s surgery was successful and that he has regained consciousness.
• Lu Chi advises Wei Linxuan and Lu Heng to watch Huaxia Group carefully, warning that the hidden investor may be preparing a dramatic revenge scheme or an attack on the Wei family’s business interests.
• Lu Chi is less concerned about Heng Xuan Studio because it is privately held by only Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan and is difficult for outsiders to manipulate.

Character Developments

• Lu Chi demonstrates strong financial and investigative knowledge. He quickly interprets the unusual stock activity and recognizes that the purchases may be part of a larger takeover or revenge plan.
• Wei Linxuan becomes increasingly concerned about the threat to his family and immediately connects the stock purchases with the leak about his grandfather’s illness.
• Lu Heng remains playful and physically affectionate with his brother, but he is also deeply invested in the financial mystery. His insistence that Lu Chi finish his unfinished thought shows both curiosity and anxiety.
• Old Master Wei survives his surgery, reducing the immediate medical crisis, though the financial danger to Wei Group remains unresolved.
• Lu Chi’s presence continues to create a humorous but disruptive domestic dynamic, especially because he has effectively displaced Lu Heng from his own room.

Significant Themes

• Hidden enemies and corporate warfare: The mysterious investor’s actions suggest that personal hostility, financial manipulation, and a possible takeover are connected.
• Suspicion and strategic thinking: The characters must interpret incomplete information and anticipate the enemy’s next move.
• Family loyalty and protection: Lu Chi uses his expertise to safeguard Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan, while Wei Linxuan remains focused on protecting the Wei family.
• Humor amid tension: Domestic teasing and sibling antics offset the seriousness of the stock-market crisis.
• Unfinished information and uncertainty: Lu Chi deliberately leaves his conclusion incomplete, frustrating the others and reinforcing the chapter’s atmosphere of suspense.

Character Interactions

• Lu Chi and Lu Heng interact like mischievous brothers, trading insults and joking about video games, physical strength, and inheritance.
• Lu Heng’s playful attack on Lu Chi’s back briefly turns the financial discussion into comic chaos.
• Wei Linxuan and Lu Heng respond together to Lu Chi’s warning, showing their shared concern and partnership.
• Lu Chi acts as both an older-brother figure and a strategic adviser, teasing the younger pair while giving them serious business advice.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Heng jokes with Lu Chi about revenge and face-slapping story formulas, prompting Lu Chi to send him to bed in the neighboring room.
• The next morning, Zhao Miao arrives unexpectedly at Lu Heng’s home after returning to Beijing. Lu Chi answers the door and claims that he now lives there.
• Zhao expects Lu Heng to make his usual breakfast, but Lu Chi explains that Lu Heng is still asleep. When Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan emerge from the study in pajamas, Lu Chi quickly covers for them by claiming they stayed up all night gaming.
• Zhao investigates the study and finds two quilts and the characters’ laptops, but the computers are shut down. The evidence nearly exposes that Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan spent the night there, though Zhao accepts their explanation.
• Zhao discovers a script titled Two-Faced Murderer, which Lu Heng received from Director Mai as an intermediary for Director Chen. Lu Heng declined the project because of its highly artistic and niche nature, leaving the script at his home.
• The script concerns a psychopathic murderer with dissociative identity disorder. Wei Linxuan jokes that directors always approach Lu Heng for abnormal roles.
• Zhao becomes interested in the script, revealing that he wants a more substantial role after being criticized for taking commercial work and for failing to receive major arthouse opportunities.
• Lu Heng praises the script but explains that he is avoiding another psychologically intense role after developing depression while filming Fang. He plans to focus on comedies and commercial films instead.
• Zhao envies Lu Heng’s extensive awards and upcoming projects, then complains humorously that respected directors never consider him for complex villainous roles.

Character Developments

• Lu Heng remains playful and quick-witted, skillfully helping Lu Chi conceal the truth about the overnight arrangement. He also demonstrates professional maturity by recognizing the quality of Two-Faced Murderer while honestly assessing its psychological risks.
• Lu Chi continues to act protectively and discreetly toward Lu Heng. He improvises an excuse to shield him and Wei Linxuan, maintaining a dignified exterior despite the awkward situation.
• Wei Linxuan serves as Lu Heng’s accomplice, supporting the cover story and teasing Director Mai for repeatedly associating Lu Heng with disturbing characters.
• Zhao Miao is energetic, trusting, and impulsive, but beneath his joking manner he is insecure about his career. He wants recognition as a serious actor and is frustrated that his post-Flower and Sword work has not earned him prestigious roles.
• Zhao Miao’s comparison with Meng Yi reveals his growing competitiveness and anxiety about being left behind professionally, despite his outwardly carefree personality.

Significant Themes

• Secrecy and improvised deception: Lu Heng, Lu Chi, and Wei Linxuan cooperate to hide the circumstances of their night in the study.
• Career ambition and artistic recognition: Zhao’s interest in the script reflects his desire to prove himself as a serious actor rather than being viewed as someone who only pursues money.
• The psychological cost of acting: Lu Heng’s past depression after portraying a disturbing character shows the emotional dangers of immersive, psychologically demanding roles.
• Commercial versus arthouse cinema: Lu Heng’s decision to pursue commercial films contrasts with Zhao’s longing for challenging artistic projects and highlights different stages of their careers.
• Friendship and teasing: The characters’ jokes, comfortable familiarity, and willingness to cover for one another create a warm, humorous group dynamic.

Character Interactions

• Lu Heng and Lu Chi share a playful but protective sibling-like relationship, with Lu Chi controlling the situation while Lu Heng follows his lead.
• Lu Chi and Zhao Miao interact warmly, though Lu Chi must manage Zhao’s impulsive behavior and curiosity.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan work together seamlessly to maintain their cover story.
• Zhao’s conversation with Lu Heng shifts from casual curiosity to a candid discussion of professional insecurity, allowing Lu Heng to encourage him while giving practical insight into the script and its demands.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Heng and Zhao Er Miao discuss a potential film project, "Cats and Dogs War."
• Zhao Er Miao reveals he wrote the script himself and wants Lu Heng to play one of the male leads.
• Lu Heng expresses concerns about the script's logic and plot holes.

Character Developments

• Lu Heng: Shows exasperation with Zhao Er Miao's script but considers its potential.
• Zhao Er Miao: Eager to work with Lu Heng, reveals his dedication to the script, and displays his business acumen.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and collaboration: Lu Heng and Zhao Er Miao's bond is tested as they discuss working together on a project.
• Professionalism vs. personal favors: Lu Heng struggles with the idea of altering a script for personal reasons.

Character Interactions

• Lu Heng and Zhao Er Miao: Their playful banter and mutual respect are evident as they discuss the script and their potential collaboration.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan: They exchange a look, hinting at a shared understanding or amusement.

Chapter Summary: “What Man Can Accomplish”

• Script dispute and revision: Zhao Miao asks Lu Heng to help fix logical problems in Cats and Dogs War, arguing that commercial films do not need perfect details. Lu Heng’s insistence on quality leads to the conclusion that the script must effectively be rewritten from the beginning, jeopardizing Zhao Miao’s planned year-end production schedule.

Character developments

• Lu Heng remains committed to artistic and professional standards, refusing to accept a flawed script despite not being a screenwriter himself. His reputation for appearing only in high-quality productions is treated as something that must be protected.
• Zhao Miao is revealed as pragmatic, commercially minded, and comically shameless. Although he initially prioritizes profit and efficiency, he becomes anxious about damaging Lu Heng’s spotless career record and tries to shift responsibility for the rewrite onto Lu Heng and Heng Xuan Studio.
• Wei Linxuan defends Heng Xuan Studio’s careful approach, arguing that film professionals have an ethical responsibility to audiences and to the broader cultural influence of Huaxia’s entertainment industry. However, he ultimately reveals that protecting Lu Heng’s reputation is also his main practical concern.
• Lu Chi displays his intimidating, domineering personality during breakfast, forcing the others to accept his poorly prepared “Western food,” including overly sweet fried eggs.

Character interactions

• Zhao Miao uses exaggerated pleading and flattery to persuade Lu Heng to revise the script, while Lu Heng responds with deadpan impatience.
• Zhao Miao criticizes Wei Linxuan for being too principled and urges him to produce occasional low-quality but profitable dramas. Wei initially gives a lofty speech about artistic ethics, then undercuts it by emphasizing the danger of Lu Heng being mocked for a career decline. Zhao Miao is so embarrassed and exasperated that he ends the conversation.
• The breakfast scene provides comic relief as Lu Chi intimidates the two wolfdogs and kitten into eating his unconventional meal.

Major themes

• Artistic integrity versus commercial pragmatism: Zhao Miao prioritizes making money and meeting schedules, while Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan believe quality and responsibility matter more.
• Professional ethics and public influence: Wei argues that entertainment carries cultural values and must give audiences work worthy of their trust.
• Reputation and legacy: Lu Heng’s flawless career makes even one poor project potentially damaging, emphasizing the pressure placed on established artists.
• The limits of human planning: Zhao Miao’s tightly organized schedule collapses because the script must be remade, leaving him uncomfortable with the sudden empty time and uncertainty.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Er Miao proposes that Heng Xuan Studio become the producer and distributor of Cats and Dogs War, believing Zhao Miao Studio lacks the experience and resources to create a truly high-quality film.
• He suggests a partnership in which:
  • Heng Xuan Studio handles production and distribution.
  • Zhao Miao Studio contributes funding and production support.
  • Lu Heng serves as an assistant director and later directs Unit B.
  • Zhao Miao and Lu Heng split the profits equally.
• Zhao enthusiastically imagines securing hundreds of millions in investment, hiring Hollywood special-effects companies, obtaining a major summer release, and using Huaxia Cinema Circuit’s support to guarantee strong box-office results.
• Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan take the project more seriously than Zhao initially intended, prioritizing the script’s quality and long-term reputation over simply making quick money.
• After breakfast, Zhao learns that the script’s rewrite will delay filming. He immediately turns his attention to another opportunity and asks Lu Heng to inquire whether Directors Mai and Chen have found a male lead for their serial-killer film.

Character Developments

• Zhao Er Miao: Reveals that he originally entered the film industry mainly to earn money and had little ambition beyond producing his first screenplay. However, his envy of Lu Heng’s artistic reputation suggests he secretly wants greater recognition. He is energetic, opportunistic, practical, and quick to pursue new work when one project is delayed.
• Lu Heng: Is positioned as a potential future director. Zhao’s plan would give him practical experience as an assistant director and unit director, while the project’s possible success could establish his reputation as a rising seventh-generation director.
• Wei Linxuan: Demonstrates professionalism and high standards by helping assess the project’s production needs and recognizing Heng Xuan Studio’s superior resources.
• Lu Chi: Continues to entertain himself through complicated financial analysis, monitoring suspicious purchases of Wei Group shares and anticipating the company’s crisis-response press conference. His intelligence and unusual interests distinguish him from the others.
• Zhao Er Miao’s attitude toward Lu Chi: Zhao is openly impressed by Lu Chi’s intelligence and imagines “joining” him whenever he shows off, adding a humorous, admiring dynamic.

Significant Themes

• Commercial success versus artistic ambition: Zhao initially values profit and practical experience, while Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan insist that a potentially important film deserves serious artistic treatment.
• Professional standards and reputation: The chapter emphasizes that major studios must consider script quality, production design, special effects, distribution, and long-term credibility—not merely box-office returns.
• Ambition and self-deception: Zhao claims not to care about prestige, but his envy of Lu Heng and excitement over the film’s possible success reveal deeper ambitions.
• Friendship and collaboration: The proposed partnership reflects trust between Zhao and Lu Heng, with both hoping to develop their careers and profit together.
• Humor through contrasting personalities: Zhao’s nonstop enthusiasm, Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan’s seriousness, and Lu Chi’s sophisticated financial “entertainment” create a comic contrast.

Character Interactions

• Zhao appeals to Lu Heng and Wei Linxuan at breakfast, trying to persuade them to take over production of Cats and Dogs War.
• Wei questions why Heng Xuan Studio is needed when Zhao Miao Studio has already submitted the film for approval.
• Zhao openly pitches his business plan, including Lu Heng’s future as a director, while Lu Heng reacts with helpless amusement.
• Lu Chi remains detached from the filmmaking discussion, focusing instead on the Wei Group’s stock-market crisis; the others humorously compare his financial analysis to ordinary gossip.
• Once his main project is delayed, Zhao immediately asks Lu Heng to help him obtain a role in another film, demonstrating his relentless drive and opportunism.