After returning to the past, Xie Chen refused to accept blame for Xie Ran’s staged fall and walked away from the Xie Family. He accepted a spot on the controversial variety show Transform, Freaks!, then encountered the award-winning actor he had insulted on television.

• Xie Chen remembered that Xie Ran had framed him before and that Xie Zhenting had once arranged to have his leg broken.
• Xie Chen refused to apologize, threw Xie Zhenting’s phone out the window, and left the hospital.
• Xie Chen accepted Lu Fei’s offer to join Transform, Freaks! and told him to seek more work and resources.
• Xie Chen evaded angry fans protesting outside his company over his past comments about an award-winning actor.
• Xie Chen entered the elevator and came face to face with the actor, who greeted him as “miracle doctor Xie.”

Chapter Summary: "My Kidneys Are Weak!"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Xie Chen—reborn after completing a quick-transmigration system—runs into actor Huo Wenye in an elevator, immediately recognizing him as the man he'd just publicly slandered on a variety show (implying he was a dissipated playboy with kidney deficiency).
• Xie Chen goes to his agency to sign a contract, but Lu Fei (his best friend/college classmate) tells him the Xie Family's eldest son, Xie Zhenting, is threatening to pull his investment unless the company shelves him.
• Xie Chen reveals he has cut ties with the Xie Family and produces a black card, telling Lu Fei to tell the executives he'll cover any amount Xie Zhenting withdraws.
• When Lu Fei asks where he got the money, Xie Chen jokes that he's "already found a sugar daddy."
• President Chen walks in to introduce the company's new shareholder: Huo Wenye, who has overheard the sugar daddy remark.
• Huo Wenye asks directly, "You want a sugar daddy? What do you think of me?"
• Xie Chen panics internally—realizing the kidney-deficiency rumor he started now has him squarely in the crosshairs.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Revealed as a former child "adoption" who was effectively worked as free labor by the Xie Family; deeply calculating, determined to take revenge on the Xie Family, and unbothered by their attempts to ruin his career. Shows a sharper, more confident side than his "past life."
• Huo Wenye: Introduced as cold, dangerous, and obsessive ("a complete lunatic" who destroys whatever he sets his eyes on). His immediate, deliberate interest in Xie Chen sets up an aggressive pursuit from the start.
• Lu Fei: Loyal and fiercely protective, provides emotional support and comic relief.

Significant Themes

• Rebirth/Revenge: Xie Chen's second life is defined by his goal of taking down the Xie Family.
• Power Dynamics: The Xie Family tries to financially crush him; Xie Chen counters with equal financial leverage.
• Rumors and Consequences: The "kidney deficiency" lie Xie Chen spread comes back to haunt him immediately.
• Dangerous Attraction: Huo Wenye is framed as a threat Xie Chen explicitly wants to avoid—setting up the central tension.

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen & the assistant: Hostile; the assistant accuses Xie Chen of following Huo Wenye to spread rumors; Xie Chen retorts bluntly.
• Huo Wenye & the assistant: Huo Wenye silences him with a single cold glance, showing his authority.
• Xie Chen & Lu Fei: Warm, trusting dynamic; Lu Fei is indignant on Xie Chen's behalf.
• Xie Chen & Huo Wenye: Tagged in the elevator (Huo Wenye's gaze "sticks" to him with intimidation); their encounter ends with Huo Wenye's provocative proposition.
• President Chen: Unwittingly delivers the final blow by revealing Huo Wenye's new role as shareholder.

Chapter Summary: "Leave Those Xie Family Dogs to You"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Huo Wenye's surprise investment: Film Emperor Huo Wenye dramatically arrives at the entertainment company's office and announces he's investing in the variety show Xie Chen is set to join—unexpectedly solving Xie Chen's funding problem. Xie Chen had prepared his own private savings to fill the gap left by Xie Zhenting's threatened fund withdrawal, but Huo Wenye's investment means he doesn't have to.
• President Chen's warning: After Huo Wenye leaves, President Chen warns Xie Chen this is his last chance to regain popularity or he'll be shelved.
• Backstory revealed via flashback: Xie Chen was adopted by the Xie Family. When their biological son Xie Ran was found, Xie Ran jealously stole all of Xie Chen's resources and sabotaged his career. The Xie Family forced him to turn down work, bought shares in his company to restrict him, and hired trolls to smear him online—causing his fall from fame.
• Xie Chen's preparation: He returns to his secretly-purchased apartment, blocks Xie Zhenting's call, and checks Weibo.
• Weibo trending scandal: Multiple trending topics attack Xie Chen as an "adopted son occupying the magpie's nest" who profited off the Xie Family name, plus accusations he's bootlicking Huo Wenye for fame.
• Xie Chen's defiant response: He logs into his main account and replies to the hottest comment: "The cuckoo has moved out of the magpie's nest. Leave those Xie Family dogs to you."—stunning netizens with his audacity to insult the powerful Xie Family publicly.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Revealed as strategic, resilient, and financially cautious (believing "everything is fake; only money is real" due to his orphan background). He's consciously cutting ties with the Xie Family, has hidden resources (private apartment, savings), and is done playing the victim—ready to fight back publicly. He shows physical confidence and a sharp, fearless tongue.
• Huo Wenye: Mysterious and powerful; his motives for investing in Xie Chen remain unclear, but he appears to be deliberately helping Xie Chen. His teasing comment toward Xie Chen hints at a personal connection or interest.
• Lu Fei: Loyal manager who still believes in Xie Chen but is subdued under President Chen's pressure.
• President Chen: An opportunist who kowtows to power and has no genuine loyalty. He once praised Xie Chen effusively but has since turned contemptuous.

3. Significant Themes

• "Cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest": The core narrative frame—Xie Chen is cast as an outsider/interloper who "stole" the Xie son's life, but the story reframes this: he was an innocent child, and the real injustice is the Xie Family's cruel favoritism toward Xie Ran.
• Found family vs. biological family: Blood ties are portrayed as worthless in the Xie Family; Xie Chen's real bond is with Lu Fei (his classmate/manager).
• Financial security as self-protection: Xie Chen's obsessive saving and secret assets symbolize his understanding that only money is reliable in a world of fake relationships.
• Fighting back against abuse: Xie Chen's public defiance marks a turning point from passive victim to active resister.
• The ruthless entertainment industry: How celebrity status is weaponized, and how companies and families collude to control artists.

4. Character Interactions

• Huo Wenye ↔ Xie Chen: Huo's teasing remark ("Leave those Xie Family dogs to you"—this is actually the line Huo Wenye delivers, which Xie Chen later repurposes online) and his silent gaze unsettle Xie Chen; there's clearly history or interest beneath the surface.
• President Chen ↔ Xie Chen: Antagonistic; President Chen mocks and threatens him, while Xie Chen responds with sarcastic indifference and even physically dominates him (nearly collapsing him with a slap on the shoulder).
• Lu Fei ↔ Xie Chen: They share an easy rapport ("Later, Lu"); Lu Fei is protective but also confused by Xie Chen's sudden change in demeanor.
• Xie Chen ↔ Xie Zhenting (implied): Xie Chen hangs up on him and blocks the number—a decisive symbolic rejection of the Xie Family's authority.
• Xie Chen ↔ Netizens: His internet reply is a provocative public challenge designed to shock and reclaim the narrative.

Summary: "Not Quite in Character for Someone as Detestable and Freakish as Me"

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Key Plot Points

1. Showdown at the Xie Family Villa – The morning after the hospital incident, Xie Chen returns home, ignoring his adoptive parents' attempts to confront him about attacking his younger brother Xie Ran.
2. Confrontation and Severing Ties – When Mother Xie grabs him and accuses him of ingratitude, Xie Chen (a reincarnated protagonist) coldly rebuffs her, recalling how in his previous life the family forced him to give up a kidney to Xie Ran, imprisoned him, and drugged him. He packs his belongings, declares he's cutting ties with the Xie Family forever, and leaves despite Father Xie's threats.
3. Father Xie's reaction – Furious and dismissive, Father Xie believes Xie Chen will fail without the family's support. The parents then rush off to the hospital to check on Xie Ran.
4. Introduction of Transform, Freaks! – A malicious variety show designed to "reform" notorious celebrities. The promotional video reveals each guest's scandalous reputation:
   • Li Jingfei: Tardy, sharp-tongued actress
   • Wei Mingqi: Reckless host with no filter
   • Luo Mingyu: Rowdy, womanizing singer
   • Li Sifan: Arrogant, mute rapper
   • Xie Chen: "Freakish dark horse" who created a viral insulting catchphrase
5. Livestream begins – Millions watch; public outrage centers mostly on Xie Chen, who is accused of piggybacking off "Brother Ye" (an earlier character). All guests are running late, annoying the director.
6. Xie Chen arrives early – When a staff member complains about tardiness, Xie Chen sarcastically quips: "Oh, I'm still early. Not quite in character for someone as detestable and freakish as me." — instantly provoking the livestream audience.

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Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Reveals his rebirth (implied) and his calculated, unyielding revenge against his abusers. He is strategic (leaving before his brothers retaliate), caustic, and deliberately weaponizes his bad reputation to unsettle others.
• Father Xie & Mother Xie: Shown as biased, gaslighting parents who favor their biological son Xie Ran and dismiss Xie Chen's grievances. They believe he is worthless without their name.
• Xie Ran (mentioned): The "black-hearted white lotus" who framed and exploited Xie Chen in the previous life. Recuperating in the hospital.
• The variety show cast: Introduced as social outcasts in the entertainment industry, each with a marketable scandal.

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Significant Themes

• Revenge and self-liberation: Xie Chen breaks free from toxic familial bonds and chooses isolation over submission.
• Ingratitude as a weapon: The family's core accusation ("gratitude") is subverted—Xie Chen rejects it entirely as a manipulative tool.
• Public shaming as entertainment: The show commodifies the guests' flaws, reflecting the brutal, voyeuristic nature of social media culture.
• Identity vs. reputation: Xie Chen embraces the "freak" label rather than fight it, a strategic inversion of the family's contempt.

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Character Interactions

• Xie Chen vs. Father Xie: Verbally defiant; ignores paternal authority; laughs at threats.
• Xie Chen vs. Mother Xie: Physically shakes her off when she grabs him; coldly rejects emotional manipulation.
• Father & Mother Xie: United in favoritism toward Xie Ran, clueless about Xie Chen's trauma.
• Director & assistant: Comedic stress over the guests' tardiness amidst high public anticipation.
• Livestream viewers: Actively hostile toward Xie Chen, setting up his low public standing before the show begins.

Chapter Summary: "A Dead Meme Suddenly Attacked Me?"

Key Plot Points & Events

• First day of filming for the variety show Metamorphosis — all guests are collectively late.
• Xie Chen arrives first and immediately acts defiant, adopting an "obnoxious" persona instead of his former submissive one.
• Confrontation with Director Li: The director threatens to kick Xie Chen off the show; Xie Chen counters by threatening to terminate the contract and demand compensation. The director tries to argue Xie Chen's lateness is a breach, but his assistant reveals there is no lateness clause in the contract — the director is forced to back down.
• Live-stream comments flood in, revealing backstory: Xie Chen was kicked out of the Xie Family after the "real" young master Xie Ran (abducted at age 3) returned. Viewers accuse Xie Chen of latching onto Best Actor Huo Wenye for resources.
• Wei Mingqi arrives late with a flimsy excuse (nanny van broke down), and joins Xie Chen on the sofa.
• Wei Mingqi eagerly gossips about a previous incident where Xie Chen allegedly said Huo Wenye had kidney deficiency and anorectal problems (implying anal sex).
• Huo Wenye himself arrives and overhears Wei Mingqi saying "of course he's a bottom."
• Huo Wenye coldly asks, "What is a bottom?" — Wei Mingqi panics and throws Xie Chen under the bus, claiming Xie Chen was the one who said Huo Wenye had an anal fistula.
• Xie Chen is internally confused, insisting he never said such a thing about Huo Wenye.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Undergone a sudden, drastic personality change. Formerly described as obedient, quiet, and a wallflower who never defended himself, he is now sharp-tongued, cocky, and openly defiant toward authority. Unbothered by public opinion or the director's pressure.
• Director Li: Usually shrewd and domineering, but caught completely off guard by Xie Chen's transformation. Fumbles and loses the argument due to a contractual loophole.
• Wei Mingqi: A gossipy, impulsive host who talks before he thinks. Quickly abandons loyalty to save himself when Huo Wenye appears — a classic "self-preservation" crowd-pleaser character.
• Huo Wenye: Cold, arrogant, powerful — clearly the big investor of the show. His presence alone makes everyone uncomfortable. Fixates on the "bottom" question, showing his direct, blunt nature.

Significant Themes

• Identity & persona change: Xie Chen's sudden shift suggests either a hidden side finally surfacing or a calculated strategic move — provoking questions about who he really is.
• Power dynamics: The show runs on contracts, compensation clauses, and investor status. The director bows to Huo Wenye, Wei Mingqi cowers before him, and Xie Chen weaponizes the contract rules against the authority.
• Public perception vs. reality: The live comments show how quickly internet opinion turns based on partial information (Xie Family drama, "coattail riding" accusations), while the actual truth (like Xie Chen's never having said the anal fistula comment) is more complicated.
• Miscommunication & gossip as comedy: The entire second half is driven by Wei Mingqi's loose tongue escalating into a dangerous misunderstanding.

Character Interactions

• Director Li vs. Xie Chen: A verbal duel — Director tries to assert dominance, Xie Chen coldly outmaneuvers him, leaving the director defeated and humiliated.
• Wei Mingqi & Xie Chen: Bickering, playful dynamic. Wei Mingqi is clearly used to being scolded by Xie Chen but still can't control his gossip habit.
• Wei Mingqi & Huo Wenye: Wei Mingqi goes from cocky gossip to shaking, stumbling over his words, and instantly betraying Xie Chen.
• Huo Wenye & Xie Chen: Minimal direct interaction — mostly Xie Chen's internal panic ("Why is Huo the Madman here?!") and his shock at being blamed for something he doesn't remember saying. Their history remains mysterious but loaded (Xie Chen allegedly made public comments about Huo's body before).

Summary: "The Stench of a White Lotus Was Overpowering!"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Netizens harass Xie Chen online, accusing him of slandering Movie Emperor Huo Wenye over a rumor that twisted "hemorrhoids" into "anal fistula"
• Huo Wenye dramatically appears live as the show's commentator, confirming earlier leaked rumors and sending viewership into the tens of millions
• The three remaining guests arrive late: sharp-tongued Best Actress Li Jingfei, hot-tempered playboy Luo Mingyu, and chuunibyou rapper Li Sifan—all complaining about the cheap production
• Xie Ran (the "real" young master who caused Xie Chen's death in his past life) arrives late, having been forced into the show by his father Xie Zhenting pressuring upper management—to Director Li's frustration
• Xie Chen verbally attacks Xie Ran, rejects any brotherly connection, insults the Xie Family, and leaves to board the bus, declaring the place "smells like a white lotus" (a jab at Xie Ran's fake innocence)
• The three villain guests are all stunned, each realizing Xie Chen outdoes them in their own signature traits (out of control, sharp-tongued, arrogant, chuunibyou)

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Now fully embraces his post-rebirth rebellious persona. Unafraid to publicly attack his enemies, uses biting sarcasm (calling Xie Ran's acting "Oscar-worthy"), and refuses to play victim—he's the provocateur now.
• Xie Ran: Initially confident in his pitiful act, he is caught off guard by Xie Chen's drastic change. He internally believes this is just a scheme for attention, but he disingenuously plays the victim on camera for his brothers' sympathy.
• Huo Wenye: Established as the unpredictable, high-status figure whose mere presence shifts the show's power dynamic; initially dismissive of Xie Chen but shows a slight, nearly imperceptible hesitation when addressed.
• The three new guests (Li Jingfei, Luo Mingyu, Li Sifan): Introduced as archetypal "villains"—condescending, status-obsessed, and arrogant—yet all become quieted by Xie Chen's sheer audacity.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and rebirth: Xie Chen acts on knowledge from his past life, targeting Xie Ran preemptively rather than waiting to be wronged again.
• The "white lotus" trope: Xie Ran weaponizes innocence and vulnerability as manipulation; Xie Chen explicitly names and rejects this performance.
• Rumor and public perception: The livestream amplifies online hate, showing how quickly narratives spiral—contrasted with Xie Chen's refusal to explain himself (knowing it would look like "protesting too much").
• Family rejection and identity theft: The Xie Family's abandonment of Xie Chen vs. their favoritism toward Xie Ran remains the central wound driving the conflict.
• Villainous authenticity: The show casts all guests as "freaks/villains," but Xie Chen's genuine edge outdoes their performative villainy.

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen vs. Xie Ran: Hostile confrontation. Xie Chen refuses the term "brother," mocks Xie Ran's pitiful act, insults the Xie Family ("scumbags"), and dismisses him entirely—leaving Xie Ran flustered and humiliated mid-sentence.
• Director Li vs. upper management: Forced to accept an unwanted guest; his assistant is visibly on the verge of tears from the pressure.
• Director Li vs. Huo Wenye: Inconsistent treatment—stern and irritated with the guests, sycophantic and respectful toward Huo Wenye.
• The three guests: United by their ironic mutual shock at Xie Chen; their pretense of gang-like alliance is immediately broken by his exit.

Summary of Chapter: "Are You Trying to Make Me Sick on Purpose?"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Phone confrontation: Xie Chen receives a call from his second brother, Xie Yuchen, who orders him to take care of Xie Ran on the variety show and act as his foil. Xie Chen refuses, telling him he will instead destroy Xie Ran, then hangs up.
• Boarding the bus: The guests board a bus heading to a remote mountain village for the first season of the show Freaks, Go Farm!.
• On the bus: Luo Mingyu complains about the journey and insults a drowsy cameraman. Xie Ran tries to defend the cameraman to appear kind, but Luo Mingyu sharply dismisses him. Li Jingfei also refuses to help Xie Ran save face.
• Arrival: The bus arrives at a poor, dilapidated village at night. Director Li announces the guests will stay in a communal dormitory; accommodations will be assigned the next day based on performance.
• Final exchange: Xie Ran asks to stay with Xie Chen, who responds with disgust: "Are you trying to make me sick on purpose?" – the chapter's titular line.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Fully embraces his role as a villain. He is confident, blunt, and openly hostile to the Xie family, having decided to stop playing the obedient orphan. He finds pleasure in threatening and mocking them.
• Xie Ran: Shown as a manipulative "white lotus" who uses fake kindness to win public favor. His schemes fail repeatedly against blunt opponents, and he is visibly unsettled by Xie Chen's new attitude.
• Luo Mingyu: Portrayed as an openly rude, foul-mouthed spoiled young master who has no patience for pretense. He calls out Xie Ran's act directly.
• Li Jingfei: Aloof and dismissive; she refuses to play along with Xie Ran's drama, indicating she sees through him.

3. Significant Themes

• Villain protagonist arc: Xie Chen intentionally acts as a villain, rejecting the "obedient adopted child" role forced on him.
• Toxic family dynamics: The Xie family treats Xie Chen as a tool and threatens to cut him off, sparking his rebellion.
• Performative kindness vs. raw honesty: Characters like Xie Ran perform for cameras, while others (Luo Mingyu, Xie Chen) break social niceties, creating tension.
• Reality show spectacle: The variety show is designed to provoke conflict; the guests' unrestrained malice promises viral entertainment.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Chen ↔ Xie Yuchen: Confrontational call. Xie Yuchen threatens him; Xie Chen mocks him and declares his intent to harm Xie Ran.
• Xie Chen ↔ Xie Ran: Xie Ran tries to act friendly; Xie Chen coldly distances himself, mocking and dismissing him.
• Luo Mingyu ↔ Cameraman: Luo angrily scolds the cameraman for being half-asleep during the livestream.
• Luo Mingyu ↔ Xie Ran: Luo sees through Xie Ran's act and verbally attacks him, leaving Xie Ran embarrassed.
• Xie Ran ↔ Li Jingfei: Xie Ran seeks her help; she refuses to engage, further isolating him.
• Xie Chen ↔ Xie Ran (final): Xie Chen responds with disgust to Xie Ran's request to share lodging, delivering the chapter's pointed closing line.

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points

• The variety show Metamorphosis begins, with the cast of "blacklisted" celebrities arriving late. Director Li scolds them, emphasizing the show is meant to reform them.
• The village chief announces the first task: gathering livestock manure from all households for fertilizer. The pampered guests react with disgust; Luo Mingyu and Li Jingfei want to quit to avoid the work.
• Xie Chen takes charge, asking for the task details and then cleverly volunteers Xie Ran to help everyone, twisting Xie Ran’s offer of assistance against him.
• Bullet comments show divided online opinions: some sympathize with Xie Ran’s tragic past, others accuse him of being fake ("white lotus bitch").
• Li Sifan openly calls Xie Ran out for crying and stirring drama, criticizing his manipulative behavior in front of the camera.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Emerges as dominant, sarcastic, and unapologetic. He refuses to play victim and uses Xie Ran’s own words to trap him, showing strategic thinking and a willingness to lead.
• Xie Ran: Continues his victim act, deliberately invoking his trafficking past to gain sympathy. His tears and helplessness are revealed as calculated, though some viewers still buy it.
• Li Sifan: Shows sharp instincts, unwilling to tolerate Xie Ran’s manipulation. His bluntness wins approval from netizens.
• Luo Mingyu: Confirmed as a pampered, immature playboy, physically repulsed by farm work and quick to suggest quitting.
• Director Li: Enforces rules harshly, relishing the guests’ discomfort as part of his "take them down" strategy to create dramatic content.

3. Significant Themes

• Fake innocence vs. genuine behavior: The show contrasts Xie Ran’s performative fragility with Xie Chen’s blunt honesty, questioning what is real in reality TV.
• Power dynamics and manipulation: Xie Ran tries to weaponize his trauma, while Xie Chen subverts it. The group dynamic shows how alliances and accusations form quickly under pressure.
• Class and privilege: The guests’ discomfort with manual labor highlights their detachment from ordinary life; the village chief’s focus on "green" farming adds a social commentary layer.
• Public perception and mob mentality: The livestream bullet comments demonstrate how quickly audiences pick sides, with some falling for emotional manipulation and others seeing through it.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Chen vs. Xie Ran: Open hostility. Xie Chen berates Xie Ran, rejecting his act. Xie Ran fights back with tearful martyrdom.
• Li Sifan vs. Xie Ran: Li Sifan interrupts Xie Ran’s act, accusing him of stirring trouble and insulting the audience’s intelligence.
• Director Li vs. all guests: He dismisses their drama, refocuses on rules, and relishes assigning humiliating tasks.
• Village chief: Acts as a neutral, folksy figure, explaining the task and trying to market his village’s organic produce.
• Xie Chen’s trap: He publicly announces that Xie Ran volunteered to help everyone, forcing Xie Ran into a corner he cannot escape without losing face.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points

• The chapter reveals Xie Ran's rural adoptive parents were kind, never made him do hard labor, and genuinely wanted him to succeed — meaning his earlier claim of being experienced at farm work was a lie to gain sympathy
• Xie Ran is tasked with transporting manure via ox cart for Luo Mingyu; he panics and tries to make it a group effort
• Director Li refuses to intervene, allowing the bullying dynamic to play out for entertainment
• Xie Ran attempts to drive the ox cart but gets knocked over and shrieks, exposing his complete ignorance of farm work
• The livestream audience turns on him, calling him a "pretentious green tea" and uncovering his deception
• Xie Zhenting changes his message, asking Huo Wenye to protect Xie Ran but is publicly siding with Xie Chen
• Huo Wenye defends Xie Chen, revealing that the Xie family never spent a single cent on him after adopting him, and tells Xie Zhenting that Xie Ran can quit the show if he can't handle it
• Huo Wenye hangs up on Xie Zhenting, who furiously slams his fist and asks, "Is the Huo family really that great?!"
• Xie Ran finishes the manure collection, then vomits by the roadside

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Plays a calculated long game — letting Xie Ran dig his own grave by "performing" for the cameras; his evil smile suggests he knows exactly what he's doing
• Xie Ran: Exposed as a liar; his tragic backstory is revealed to be fabricated for sympathy; selfish and unwilling to work when the task benefits someone else
• Xie Zhenting: Shows extreme favoritism toward Xie Ran; believes Xie Chen "owes" the family a debt of gratitude simply for being adopted; arrogant but cowed by people with real power (Huo Wenye)
• Huo Wenye: Steps up as an unexpected protector of Xie Chen; sharp, decisive, and unwilling to tolerate Xie Zhenting's manipulation

Significant Themes

• Deception and exposure — Xie Ran's manufactured persona collapses under the spotlight of the livestream
• Family favoritism — The Xie family's unequal treatment of blood-related vs. adopted children is laid bare
• Public opinion as justice — Netizens provide the pushback that Xie Ran cannot escape on camera
• Power dynamics — Even Xie Zhenting must swallow his anger when faced with someone above him in the hierarchy

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen ↔ Xie Ran: Taunting, antagonistic; Xie Chen forces Xie Ran to commit to his lie, then watches him fail
• Xie Ran ↔ Director Li: Xie Ran seeks intervention but is denied; the director deliberately fosters conflict
• Xie Zhenting ↔ Huo Wenye: A tense, one-sided confrontation where Xie Zhenting requests special treatment and gets firmly shut down, learning for the first time that Huo Wenye has aligned himself with Xie Chen

Summary of Chapter: Who Says Anyone Has to Put Up with Anyone?!

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The variety show tasks the contestants with collecting farm manure. Xie Ran, unable to handle the stench, vomits on camera.
• Xie Chen and actress Li Jingfei end up doing the heavy lifting, collecting manure from villagers’ homes.
• Xie Chen stops halfway, insisting that he and Li Jingfei get first pick of the shared dorm as compensation for their work—a proposal that gains support from Luo Mingyu and Wei Mingqi.
• Xie Ran objects, arguing for equal sharing, but Xie Chen mocks his lack of contribution and suggests he quit the show.
• In the observation room, Director Li complains to special observer Huo Wenye about Xie Ran, who was forced into the show by the wealthy Xie family. Huo Wenye seems troubled by Xie Ran’s presence.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Confident, sharp-tongued, and unapologetically assertive. He no longer plays the obedient role expected by the Xie family, openly challenging Xie Ran and bargaining for perks.
• Xie Ran: Entitled and physically weak, repeatedly failing the task. His resentment toward Xie Chen grows, but he is unable to back up his complaints with action.
• Li Jingfei: Pragmatic and results-oriented; she respects competence and appears impressed by Xie Chen’s strength.
• Huo Wenye: A powerful observer whose attention is drawn to Xie Ran’s unexpected participation, hinting at a personal connection or concern.

3. Significant Themes

• Merit vs. Entitlement: The episode contrasts Xie Chen’s hard work with Xie Ran’s failure, questioning who deserves rewards.
• Confrontation & Conflict: The show thrives on open hostility rather than polite teamwork—everyone speaks their mind.
• Power Dynamics: Xie Chen subtly flips the social hierarchy, treating the wealthy Xie Ran with contempt instead of deference.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Chen & Xie Ran: Openly antagonistic. Xie Chen calls Xie Ran “bronze” and mocks his excuses; Xie Ran is shocked that his once-obedient brother now speaks with “barbs and gunpowder.”
• Xie Chen & Li Jingfei: Initially wary, they form a pragmatic alliance. She asks for his help politely; he agrees, and they negotiate for shared perks.
• Xie Ran & the group: He tries to claim teamwork, but Wei Mingqi and Luo Mingyu side with Xie Chen, isolating him.
• Director Li & Huo Wenye: The director grovels while Huo Wenye remains coldly observant, focused specifically on the matter of Xie Ran’s participation.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• Xie Chen quickly completes the manure-fertilizer task, working without complaint while Li Jingfei is visibly nauseated.
• The guests arrive at the village’s old guesthouse; Li Jingfei claims the only ground-floor room with an ensuite, and Xie Chen lets her have it, choosing the equivalent room upstairs.
• Xie Ran privately suspects Director Li has been favoring Xie Chen and that the room choice was prearranged.
• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan argue over sleeping arrangements; Xie Chen shows up eating a pancake, mockingly encourages them to actually fight, and says, "When you can throw hands, don't just argue." The two immediately stop fighting and drop the issue.
• Off-screen, Xie Zhenting and Xie Yuchen hire internet trolls to spam the livestream with anti-Xie Chen comments, hoping to force him back to the Xie family.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen is revealed as practical, unfazed by dirty work, and socially sharp—he defuses the dorm conflict by provoking it rather than mediating.
• Xie Ran grows increasingly resentful and convinced that Xie Chen is receiving special treatment.
• Li Jingfei shows a pragmatic, self-preserving side, focused on her beauty routine and politely deferring to Xie Chen.
• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan are easily manipulated by Xie Chen’s reverse psychology, showing they are more bark than bite.

Significant Themes

• Authenticity vs. performance: The reality show manufactures conflict, while online commenters are paid to distort public perception.
• Unconventional conflict resolution: Xie Chen stops a fight not by persuading, but by encouraging it—exposing that the quarrel was mostly posturing.
• Survival in a cutthroat industry: Characters scheme, position, and use media manipulation to control narratives.

Character Interactions

• The other villains ignore Xie Ran’s passive-aggressive comments and respect Xie Chen’s competence.
• Xie Chen teases Wei Mingqi about the dormitory being haunted.
• Li Jingfei asks Xie Chen for permission to take the better room, showing a slight deference toward him.
• Xie Chen’s one-liner dismantles the Luo Mingyu / Li Sifan argument, leaving both confused.
• Director Li watches the chaos happily, while Huo Wenye’s expression shifts subtly—hinting at interest or wariness toward Xie Chen.

Summary: "Could You Join This Show Without Being Vicious?"

Key Plot Points

• After a rushed overnight arrival, the production crew and guests settle in at a remote countryside filming location for a "villain" variety show.
• Xie Chen, possessing prior knowledge of the show's filming from a past life, had already secured food from the village chief and slept well, while other guests went hungry.
• The next morning, Director Li announces a 10-minute gathering deadline; only Xie Chen arrives on time.
• Director Li presents two breakfast-task choices (A: wake everyone and work together; B: find breakfast vouchers and exchange labor). Xie Chen interrupts and blindly chooses B, which visibly frustrates Director Li.
• Xie Ran arrives late, claiming stomach trouble, and chooses option A—presenting himself as selfless by refusing to abandon the others.
• Xie Chen leaves to complete his task, and the director orders a split-screen camera to follow him, confident the hidden vouchers won't be found.
• While walking, Xie Chen encounters a mysterious, dignified figure from the capital (an observer), and the scene feels strangely familiar to him.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Demonstrates confidence, shrewdness, and defiance toward authority. His exceptional memory and foreknowledge give him a strategic advantage. He is dismissive of others, particularly Xie Ran, calling him out for "acting."
• Xie Ran: Portrays a benevolent, caring image by choosing the group-oriented task, but Xie Chen (and the narrative) implies this is manipulative behavior. His pale face and apology suggest calculated victimhood.
• Director Li: Struggles to assert authority over Xie Chen, who repeatedly undermines him. His confidence in hidden challenges hints at a competitive dynamic between production and guests.

Significant Themes

• Performance vs. authenticity: The show is explicitly a "villain" format, raising questions about genuine behavior versus crafted personas (e.g., Xie Ran's "kindness" vs. Xie Chen's bluntness).
• Power struggles: Xie Chen challenges Director Li's control, foreshadowing conflicts between contestants and production.
• Strategic advantage through knowledge: Xie Chen's past-life memory grants him an edge, suggesting themes of foresight and survival.
• Isolation vs. cooperation: The A/B task contrast highlights individualistic versus collective approaches, with moral judgments attached.

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen vs. Director Li: Confrontational; Xie Chen interrupts him, disregards instructions, and physically takes the option slip, leaving Director Li fuming.
• Xie Chen vs. Xie Ran: Hostile; Xie Chen accuses Xie Ran of faking illness and putting on an act, while Xie Ran responds with feigned hurt—creating public sympathy through the livestream.
• Xie Chen vs. the mystery observer: An intrigued, slightly flustered reaction from Xie Chen, implying a prior or future connection that is not yet explained.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Chen encounters Huo Wenye, who offers to find breakfast vouchers together, suspecting Xie Chen knows their location.
• Xie Ran attempts to wake Wei Mingqi by throwing water on him, angering Wei Mingqi.
• Xie Ran tries to wake Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan, but they are difficult to deal with.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Shows caution and strategic thinking when dealing with Huo Wenye.
• Huo Wenye: Behaves unusually proactive and talkative, hinting at possible interest in Xie Chen.
• Xie Ran: Reveals cunning and malice, targeting the weakest guest, Wei Mingqi, first.
• Wei Mingqi: Shows anger and drama when awakened rudely.
• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan: Display difficult personalities, making it challenging for Xie Ran to wake them.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation (Xie Ran's actions, Xie Chen's caution with Huo Wenye).
• Perception and reality (Huo Wenye's fans' reactions vs. his actions, Xie Ran's true nature vs. his innocent appearance).

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen and Huo Wenye: Tension and suspicion, with Huo Wenye showing unusual interest.
• Xie Ran and Wei Mingqi: Conflict, with Xie Ran targeting the weakest guest.
• Xie Ran and Luo Mingyu/Li Sifan: Difficult interactions, revealing the guests' challenging personalities.

Chapter Summary: "Did You Enjoy It? I Sure Did!"

Key Plot Points

• Xie Zhenting's decision: After his father calls about the variety show incident, Xie Zhenting watches the livestream replay and sees Xie Ran being hit with a pillow. Angered that his long-lost younger brother is being bullied, he decides to arrange for their third brother (a renowned pianist) to join the show as protection, believing the entertainment industry needs music talent and that the Luo and Li families will yield to the Xie Family's influence.
• The breakfast task: Xie Chen (the reborn third brother) wanders the village aimlessly with Huo Wenye following him. Huo Wenye unexpectedly hints that the breakfast voucher is buried beneath the Chinese elm tree at the village entrance. Despite having known this all along, Xie Chen pretends to be surprised when he finds it.
• Xie Ran's failed task: Xie Ran returns drenched and dejected after Wei Mingqi retaliated by splashing a basin of water over him—payback for Xie Ran splashing water on Wei Mingqi's bed during the wake-up task.
• Director Li's shock: The director is stunned Xie Chen found the deeply buried voucher, unaware Huo Wenye gave the hint.

Character Developments

• Xie Zhenting: Shows fierce protectiveness toward Xie Ran, willing to leverage family connections and business pressure to intervene in the entertainment industry.
• Xie Chen: Pragmatic and wary from his second life experience. He views the Xie family as "scumbags" and the elites as dangerous, but accepts Huo Wenye's help when beneficial—showing he prioritizes survival over pride.
• Huo Wenye: Deliberately helps Xie Chen despite his cold, detached reputation; the cameraman notices he seemed to be waiting for Xie Chen rather than encountering him by chance.
• Xie Ran: Portrayed as hypocritical—splashing Wei Mingqi without hesitation but not daring to confront him afterward, only crying and complaining.

Significant Themes

• Family protection vs. dysfunction: The Xie family mobilizes resources to protect Xie Ran, while Xie Chen (their actual relative) opposes them, highlighting fractured family bonds.
• Power and capital in entertainment: Hiring trolls, leveraging family influence, and business relationships control public perception and show outcomes.
• Retaliation (eye-for-an-eye): Wei Mingqi's direct, silent revenge provides a satisfying contrast to Xie Ran's hypocritical behavior.
• Rebirth/pragmatism: Xie Chen's second-life perspective makes him adaptable and uninterested in fame; he sees through schemes but plays along when convenient.

Character Interactions

• Xie Zhenting & father: Brief call revealing the family's intent to protect Xie Ran; father expresses heartache.
• Xie Zhenting & third brother: Arranges the brother's appearance on the show to guard Xie Ran.
• Xie Chen & Huo Wenye: Awkward, wordless wandering; Huo gives a deliberate hint; Xie Chen suspiciously accepts it and finds the voucher.
• Xie Chen & Director Li: Director confidently assumes Xie Chen failed, then is shocked when he produces the voucher.
• Xie Chen & Xie Ran: Xie Chen mockingly asks why Xie Ran took a "bath with clothes on," needling him about the humiliation.
• Wei Mingqi & Xie Ran: Off-screen retaliation—Wei Mingqi silently dumps water over Xie Ran's head, an act celebrated by viewers.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens by contrasting wealthy celebrities Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan, both of whom can afford to behave recklessly because they have family fortunes to rely on. Luo is openly flamboyant and notorious, while Li is quiet and reserved—except when Luo provokes him. The two were former neighbors who frequently fought, though they now pretend not to know each other on camera.
• After the previous morning’s failed breakfast task, Xie Ran remains visibly miserable after being soaked with water. Xie Chen, however, has already completed his individual task and is eating breakfast.
• Li Jingfei wakes late and complains that breakfast was not delivered to her room. Director Li explains that she and the others lost their meal vouchers by gathering late, while Xie Ran’s failed group task prevented him from earning breakfast for everyone.
• Li Jingfei blames Xie Ran for choosing a group task he could not complete. Her harsh criticism sparks divided reactions from the audience: some sympathize with Xie Ran, while others accuse him of acting like a “green tea” on a villain-themed variety show.
• Director Li retreats behind the scenes with observer Huo Wenye. He suspects Huo may know how Xie Chen found his breakfast vouchers but is too intimidated by Huo’s status and silence to ask.
• The day’s main assignment is announced: the guests must transport harvested rice to the town market, sell it above the ordinary market price, and use the money to purchase fertilizer for composting.
• The production team provides a tractor to transport the rice. The guests are shocked by the old-fashioned vehicle, and Luo Mingyu questions whether it is really meant for them to ride.
• Xie Chen explains that everyone’s rice has been divided according to the number of participants, creating competition over who can sell their portion at the highest price.
• When the group learns they must drive the tractor themselves, Xie Chen volunteers. Xie Ran questions whether he is capable of doing so, prompting Xie Chen to mock him with the chapter’s central line: “If you can do it, step up. If not, shut up.”

Character Developments

• Xie Chen continues to display confidence, competence, and indifference to the show’s discomforts. His ability to complete tasks independently and his willingness to drive the tractor reinforce his self-reliant, assertive personality.
• Xie Ran is portrayed as well-meaning but ineffective. His attempt to help the group backfires, leaving him humiliated and vulnerable to criticism. His questioning of Xie Chen also reveals his continued sensitivity and antagonism toward him.
• Li Jingfei remains blunt and unapologetically sharp-tongued. Although she herself missed breakfast, she redirects the blame toward Xie Ran rather than showing sympathy.
• Luo Mingyu appears outwardly arrogant and argumentative, but internally he sympathizes with Xie Chen because of the mistreatment Xie has endured from the Xie family. His hostility toward Xie Ran is partly motivated by this private sense of justice.
• Li Sifan is established as Luo Mingyu’s longtime rival and frequent fighting partner, though their on-camera relationship is deliberately concealed.
• Director Li becomes increasingly confused by the guests’ behavior, especially Xie Chen’s unexplained success, but avoids confronting Huo Wenye out of respect and fear.
• Huo Wenye remains silent and unreadable, creating suspicion that he may have influenced events behind the scenes.

Significant Themes

• Competence versus empty criticism: The chapter emphasizes that people who question others should be prepared to prove they can do better themselves.
• Public image versus private reality: Luo and Li hide their history from the cameras, while the celebrities’ carefully managed personas are contrasted with their real personalities.
• Class privilege and security: Several characters can behave recklessly because wealth protects them from failure, highlighting the influence of family background in the entertainment industry.
• Cruelty and entertainment: The show deliberately places flawed, antagonistic personalities together, while viewers debate whether Xie Ran’s apparent kindness is genuine or performative.
• Independence and resistance: Xie Chen’s refusal to seek approval or assistance symbolizes his rejection of the Xie family’s judgment and mistreatment.

Character Interactions

• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan: Their tense, combative history is introduced; they habitually fight but pretend to be strangers during filming.
• Li Jingfei and Xie Ran: Li openly criticizes Xie Ran for failing the breakfast task, while Xie Ran silently absorbs the humiliation.
• Luo Mingyu and Xie Chen: Luo challenges Xie Chen verbally but privately admires his boldness and feels sympathy for his treatment by the Xie family.
• Xie Ran and Xie Chen: Their rivalry remains central. Xie Ran questions Xie Chen’s ability to drive the tractor, and Xie Chen responds with a blunt dismissal that exposes their antagonistic dynamic.
• Director Li and Huo Wenye: Director Li suspects Huo knows more about the breakfast incident but is too intimidated to press him for answers.

Chapter Summary: “Is This the Legendary Indiscriminate Attack?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Ran argues that someone else should drive the tractor for safety, but admits he cannot drive it himself. Xie Chen mocks him as useless and takes the driver’s seat.
• Xie Ran assumes Xie Chen is merely showing off for the cameras and expects him to fail. Instead, Xie Chen drives aggressively, accelerating and braking so suddenly that Xie Ran falls and nearly injures himself.
• Xie Chen openly admits that he caused the incident intentionally and warns everyone to hold on. He then speeds along the forest path, making the tractor ride feel like a dangerous race.
• The guests, cameraman, livestream viewers, and even nearby villagers are overwhelmed by the violent ride. After arriving at the marketplace, several guests climb off and dry-heave.
• Li Jingfei reprimands Xie Chen for endangering everyone. He justifies his behavior by claiming that dramatic moments are necessary to improve the show’s ratings and secure future opportunities.
• Xie Chen quickly leaves to begin selling goods. Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan argue over who is an “idler” and challenge each other to a sales competition.
• Xie Ran tries to mediate, but both men angrily reject his involvement, producing the chapter’s comic “indiscriminate attack.”
• The guests follow Xie Chen to the marketplace, where viewers discover that he has already managed to sell something.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen is established as reckless, provocative, highly confident, and unconcerned with social restraint. He deliberately humiliates Xie Ran and uses danger and conflict to create entertaining footage. Despite his abrasive behavior, he is also portrayed as decisive, energetic, and effective.
• Xie Ran attempts to preserve an image of gentility and reasonableness, but his resentment and competitiveness become increasingly obvious. His plan to appear sensible backfires when others refuse to support him.
• Li Jingfei reveals her practical priorities: although disturbed by Xie Chen’s recklessness, she recognizes the importance of publicity and screen time for reviving her career.
• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan demonstrate a volatile, combative relationship. They trade insults almost immediately after sharing a frightened embrace during the tractor ride.
• The other guests show growing distrust of Xie Ran and tacitly align themselves with Xie Chen’s momentum by following him rather than engaging with Xie Ran.

Significant Themes

• Entertainment versus safety: Xie Chen treats danger and chaos as necessary tools for improving ratings, exposing the exploitative logic of reality television.
• Public image versus true personality: Xie Ran tries to appear considerate and well-mannered, while Xie Chen behaves openly and aggressively. The chapter suggests that audiences may prefer authenticity—even unpleasant authenticity—to carefully managed politeness.
• Competitiveness and social hierarchy: The guests constantly compete for attention, status, and future opportunities, whether through driving, arguing, or selling goods.
• The power of audience perception: Livestream comments actively judge, mock, and reinterpret the cast members’ behavior. Xie Ran’s “good intentions” begin to look irritating, while Xie Chen’s reckless actions unexpectedly attract attention and even potential fans.
• Comedy through conflict: Insults, failed mediation, physical discomfort, and mismatched personalities turn the group’s tension into entertainment.

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen humiliates Xie Ran by taking over the tractor and intentionally causing him to fall.
• Li Jingfei confronts Xie Chen, but his ratings-based explanation partially wins her over.
• Luo Mingyu and Li Sifan turn their shared fear into a quarrel and sales rivalry.
• Xie Ran attempts to mediate their argument and redirect criticism toward Xie Chen, only to be attacked by both men.
• The livestream audience becomes an active commentator, laughing at the group’s chaos, criticizing the production, and beginning to reconsider their negative opinions of Xie Chen.

Chapter Summary: “Because I Want to Win, Idiot!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Using knowledge from his previous life, Xie Chen quickly identifies the best buyer for the guests’ rice and sells his entire supply almost immediately.
• The buyer, a livestream seller, returns after confirming the rice’s quality and asks to purchase more.
• Luo Mingyu attempts to sell his group’s rice to the buyer, but Xie Chen reveals that he has already secured a two-way exclusive agency agreement. The buyer can only purchase rice from Xie Chen, while Xie Chen’s rice can only be sold to him.
• This effectively gives Xie Chen a monopoly over the buyer and prevents the other guests from selling their rice directly.
• Xie Ran accuses Xie Chen of deliberately sabotaging the others and maliciously monopolizing the market.
• Rather than defend himself or preserve his public image, Xie Chen openly admits that he acted maliciously because he wants to win, bluntly calling Xie Ran an idiot.
• Worried about going hungry and suffering punishment from the show’s director, Wei Mingqi proposes selling his rice to Xie Chen for resale. The other guests quickly follow.
• Xie Chen agrees to help everyone except Xie Ran, rejecting Xie Ran’s attempt to portray him as secretly kind-hearted.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen: Demonstrates his reborn advantage, business instincts, ruthlessness, and changed attitude. Unlike his former self, he no longer seeks approval from his adoptive family or the public. He openly embraces competition and refuses to tolerate Xie Ran’s manipulation.
• Xie Ran: Continues using seemingly innocent accusations and moral pressure to turn the others against Xie Chen. His strategy falters when Xie Chen refuses to explain or apologize. He becomes visibly anxious when the others choose to work with Xie Chen.
• Luo Mingyu: Shows his opportunistic and impatient side by immediately trying to take advantage of the buyer’s demand. He is angered and frustrated by Xie Chen’s contract.
• Wei Mingqi: Acts pragmatically, prioritizing food and survival over pride. He is the first to suggest working with Xie Chen, prompting the others to do the same.
• The other guests: Initially resent Xie Chen’s monopoly but quickly recognize that cooperating with him is their best chance of selling their rice and avoiding punishment.
• The middle-aged buyer: Is impressed by the rice’s quality but feels bound by the exclusive agreement and declines the others’ offers to avoid legal and reputational trouble.

Significant Themes

• Competition versus cooperation: Xie Chen’s aggressive strategy initially divides the guests, but practical necessity leads them to cooperate with him.
• Power through preparation and information: His foreknowledge allows Xie Chen to act faster and secure an advantage before anyone else understands the market.
• Rejecting social expectations: Xie Chen abandons the expectation that he must appear virtuous, likable, or self-sacrificing.
• Manipulation and public image: Xie Ran relies on moral accusations and an innocent façade, while Xie Chen openly acknowledges his motives instead of engaging in image management.
• Winning on one’s own terms: Xie Chen values the result above fairness as defined by others, making his determination clear in the line, “Because I want to win, idiot!”

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen and the other guests clash over the buyer’s demand for more rice, with Luo Mingyu especially resentful of Xie Chen’s exclusive contract.
• Xie Chen and Xie Ran engage in a direct ideological confrontation: Xie Ran condemns Xie Chen’s tactics, while Xie Chen refuses to justify himself and exposes Xie Ran’s manipulation.
• Wei Mingqi changes the dynamic by proposing that the guests sell their rice through Xie Chen, leading the others to seek his help.
• Xie Chen accepts the others’ rice but pointedly excludes Xie Ran, leaving Xie Ran isolated and undermining his attempt to appear magnanimous.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Chen deliberately lowers the selling price of the rice so that all the guests can complete their sales quickly. Although Xie Ran protests that this is unfair and targeted, the other guests accept the deal and transfer their goods to buyers.
• The guests successfully sell the rice at a price close to the original acquisition cost, satisfying the task’s rules. Their buyers immediately leave with villagers to collect the goods.
• Xie Chen and the other guests return to the village by tractor, but Xie Ran blocks their way, insisting that they cannot leave before helping him finish selling. After the production staff confirms there is no rule requiring them to stay, Xie Chen drives away, leaving Xie Ran behind.
• Xie Ran attempts to gain sympathy from the cameraman and audience, but the cameraman bluntly tells him to start selling instead of complaining. Xie Ran becomes resentful and privately accuses Xie Chen of receiving preferential treatment.
• Director Li is shocked when the guests return so soon. He discovers that they have sold all of the village’s stored rice in less than an hour, ruining his carefully planned sequence involving prepared buyers and livestream sales.
• After watching the replay, Director Li struggles to understand Xie Chen: Xie Chen appears ruthless for monopolizing the sales, yet also helps the other guests and secures a fair price for the village. He is even more bewildered when he notices Xie Chen casually eating watermelon with juice smeared across his face, prompting the humorous thought that the aloof “Buddha of Beijing’s elite circle” might secretly enjoy being a comedian.
• Meanwhile, Xie Ran makes almost no progress at the market. He rests frequently, claiming his recently sprained ankle prevents him from walking much. The cameraman grows frustrated and criticizes his lack of initiative.
• Xie Ran manipulates the situation by asking whether filming him is not the cameraman’s job, causing viewers to turn against the cameraman. The livestream audience is then startled by the appearance of Xie Jinran, Xie Ran’s famous pianist brother, suggesting that a confrontation or intervention may follow.

Character Developments

• Xie Chen demonstrates strategic intelligence, decisiveness, and a ruthless but effective approach to problem-solving. He manipulates the market to ensure everyone completes the task while also helping the village sell its stock.
• Xie Ran is portrayed as increasingly self-pitying, entitled, and manipulative. He complains about unfairness, relies on others to assist him, avoids actively selling, and uses his injury and innocent demeanor to gain sympathy.
• Li Jingfei and the other guests readily cooperate with Xie Chen once they realize the arrangement benefits them. Their willingness to accept the lower price undermines Xie Ran’s objections.
• Director Li becomes frustrated and confused because the guests unexpectedly derail the production team’s plans. He begins to view Xie Chen as unpredictable and difficult to categorize.
• The cameraman loses patience with Xie Ran’s passive behavior and openly challenges him, though Xie Ran successfully redirects public criticism toward him.
• Xie Jinran is introduced at the end as a powerful new presence, likely connected to Xie Ran and potentially prepared to defend or support him.

Significant Themes

• Sincerity versus manipulation: Xie Chen’s direct, practical strategy succeeds, while Xie Ran’s attempts at moral pressure and victimhood become increasingly transparent.
• Subversion of reality-show expectations: The guests refuse to follow the dramatic script expected by the production team, completing the task far more efficiently than planned.
• Public perception and livestream culture: Both Xie Ran and the cameraman attempt to influence viewers’ interpretations, showing how easily audiences can be guided by selective performances.
• Power and social privilege: Xie Ran suspects that Xie Chen’s success comes from hidden connections, while Xie Chen’s behavior suggests that influence and competence may be working together.
• Comedy through contradiction: Xie Chen appears cold and intimidating but behaves absurdly and casually, especially while eating watermelon. His unexpected humor contrasts with his elite reputation.

Character Interactions

• Xie Chen and Xie Ran: Their rivalry intensifies. Xie Chen efficiently solves the sales problem while deliberately excluding Xie Ran from the benefits, and Xie Ran responds with anger, suspicion, and resentment.
• Xie Chen and the other guests: He effectively leads them to complete the task, and they support his plan despite Xie Ran’s objections.
• Xie Ran and the cameraman: Their conflict exposes Xie Ran’s passive behavior and his talent for shifting blame. The cameraman’s frustration clashes with Xie Ran’s insistence that he is merely doing his job.
• Director Li and Xie Chen: Director Li is stunned by Xie Chen’s unexpected success and cannot determine whether he is selfish, clever, or helpful.
• Xie Ran and the livestream audience: Xie Ran’s calculated vulnerability wins temporary sympathy, but the arrival of Xie Jinran promises to change the balance of attention and power.

Chapter Summary: “Is He Here to Cause Trouble?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Ran’s older brother, Xie Jinran, arrives at the variety-show marketplace in a conspicuously elegant white suit.
• Xie Ran immediately acts weak and mistreated, implying that he failed because Xie Chen intentionally sabotaged him.
• Jinran believes Xie Ran’s account and openly blames Xie Chen, promising to protect his younger brother.
• Jinran reveals that he used information gathered before joining the show to locate the buyer arranged by the production team.
• However, he mishandles the sale by demanding an absurdly high price—double what Xie Chen had previously offered—and insists the buyer purchase all the rice.
• The grain dealer angrily refuses and leaves, ruining a potential business relationship for the village and production team.
• Xie Chen mocks Jinran as an “idiot,” while Director Li and the other guests silently agree.
• Jinran assumes that Xie Group’s investment in the program will protect him from consequences.
• Director Li introduces Jinran coldly as a famous pianist, composer, and singer, then announces lunch as a reward for the guests who completed the task.
• When Jinran and Xie Ran try to join the others, Director Li bars them from lunch because they failed to complete the assignment—and because Jinran disrupted the buyer arrangement.

Character Developments

• Xie Ran: Presents himself as helpless and wronged, manipulating Jinran’s protectiveness and using his arrival to regain an advantage over Xie Chen. Internally, he is pleased that Jinran’s support may expose the other guests’ supposed hostility.
• Xie Jinran: Arrives with confidence and genuine concern for Xie Ran, convinced that Xie Chen has mistreated him. Despite his accomplishments in music, he proves naïve and incompetent in practical business matters. His arrogance and belief in the Xie family’s influence quickly turn his intervention into a disaster.
• Xie Chen: Remains calm and observant, sarcastically dismissing Jinran’s failed attempt. His earlier rice-selling offer is implicitly shown to have been reasonable and competent.
• Director Li: Becomes increasingly frustrated with Jinran for damaging the show’s business prospects. He responds by humiliating Jinran and Xie Ran through their exclusion from lunch.
• Other Guests and Staff: Their lack of enthusiasm toward Jinran suggests that they recognize his disruptive behavior and do not accept his assumption that he deserves special treatment.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and family favoritism: Xie Ran exploits Jinran’s affection and the family’s bias toward him, reinforcing the conflict between Xie Ran and Xie Chen.
• Privilege versus competence: Jinran relies on his family’s status and influence but lacks the practical knowledge needed to negotiate the sale successfully.
• Appearance versus reality: Jinran’s glamorous appearance and prestigious career create an impressive image, yet his behavior reveals poor judgment. Xie Ran appears vulnerable while secretly enjoying the chaos.
• Consequences of entitlement: Jinran expects the production team and buyer to accommodate him, but his arrogance leads directly to failure and punishment.
• Public image and livestream scrutiny: Every interaction is observed by viewers, making Jinran’s arrival, favoritism, and failure part of a public spectacle.

Important Character Interactions

• Xie Ran and Xie Jinran: Xie Ran performs vulnerability, while Jinran responds protectively and condemns Xie Chen on his behalf.
• Xie Jinran and the grain dealer: Jinran’s unreasonable demand causes the dealer to abandon the transaction.
• Xie Jinran and Xie Chen: Jinran treats Xie Chen as a malicious rival, while Xie Chen responds with detached mockery.
• Xie Jinran and Director Li: Their conflict escalates when Jinran assumes his family’s investment gives him authority, but Director Li retaliates by denying him lunch.
• Director Li and the production team: The staff are visibly frustrated because Jinran’s actions jeopardize both the task and the village’s future business relationship.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Jinran angrily confronts Director Li after learning that the guests must complete farm work to earn lunch. He argues that Xie Ran has a stomach condition and should not be allowed to go hungry.
• Director Li criticizes the brothers for joining a rural variety show while refusing to participate in its activities. He reveals that they can eat only after completing a remedial task.
• The brothers are assigned to feed pigs. Xie Jinran initially refuses because of the smell and unsanitary feed, while Xie Ran also finds the task unpleasant but forces himself to endure it.
• Online viewers mock the brothers’ entitled behavior. Paid commenters hired by the Xie family attempt to defend them by claiming the show is scripted, but their efforts largely fail because the brothers’ conduct is so unreasonable.
• Concerned about Xie Ran, Xie Jinran eventually feeds the pigs despite his disgust. His elegant suit and shoes contrasting with the pigsty become a trending image.
• In the cafeteria, the brothers receive only tofu soup and rice because they failed the main task, while the other guests receive a much better meal.
• Xie Jinran demands that Xie Chen give up his seat and food to Xie Ran. Xie Chen refuses and insults him.
• When Xie Jinran tries to slap Xie Chen, Huo Wenye intervenes, restrains him, and warns him that he cannot behave as though he still controls the Xie household.
• Xie Chen supports Huo Wenye’s criticism. Xie Ran pretends to take responsibility for the conflict, but Huo Wenye sharply rejects his attempt at familiarity, saying, “Don’t call me Brother Ye. It makes me sick.”

Character Developments

• Xie Jinran: His protective feelings toward Xie Ran are emphasized, but so are his entitlement, temper, and inability to accept the production team’s rules. His refined public image collapses as he complains, loses his temper, and attempts to use force.
• Xie Ran: He presents himself as weak, considerate, and self-sacrificing, repeatedly claiming he can endure hunger or discomfort. However, his reluctance to eat and carefully timed emotional display suggest manipulative behavior designed to provoke Xie Jinran’s protection and sympathy.
• Xie Chen: He appears increasingly confident and unwilling to tolerate the Xie brothers’ mistreatment. He prioritizes enjoying his meal, openly mocks Xie Jinran, and refuses to surrender his food or place.
• Huo Wenye: He acts decisively to defend Xie Chen and establishes his distance from Xie Ran. His cold rejection of being called “Brother Ye” reveals deep resentment or disgust toward Xie Ran.
• Director Li: He enforces the show’s rules without indulging the brothers’ status or complaints, treating them like ordinary participants rather than privileged guests.

Significant Themes

• Entitlement versus accountability: The Xie brothers expect special treatment because of their family status, while the production team insists that all guests earn their meals through work.
• Public image and exposure: The livestream reveals the contrast between Xie Jinran’s polished reputation and his spoiled, aggressive behavior.
• Manipulation and favoritism: Xie Ran’s helpless persona continues to inspire Xie Jinran’s excessive protectiveness, while his behavior also intensifies conflicts with Xie Chen and Huo Wenye.
• Power reversal: Xie Chen, formerly treated as subordinate within the Xie family, now resists Xie Jinran, while Huo Wenye openly protects him.
• Alienation and rejection: Huo Wenye’s declaration that Xie Ran’s familiar address “makes [him] sick” signals a severe breakdown in their previous relationship.

Character Interactions

• Xie Jinran clashes with Director Li over the food restrictions and Xie Ran’s treatment.
• Xie Ran repeatedly calms and influences Xie Jinran by appearing vulnerable and self-sacrificing.
• Xie Jinran confronts Xie Chen over the cafeteria seating and food, leading to a physical altercation.
• Huo Wenye intervenes on Xie Chen’s behalf and publicly rebukes Xie Jinran and Xie Ran.
• Xie Chen and Huo Wenye briefly align against the Xie brothers, strengthening the impression that Xie Chen is no longer isolated or defenseless.