Chapter Summary: "Show a Little Restraint!"

1. Key Plot Points

• After filming, Si You declines a disingenuous dinner invitation from a production person, confident in his contract and his "backing" (Jiang Tingxu).
• Si You goes shopping and buys a ~50,000 yuan designer tie as a gift for Jiang Tingxu.
• Si You reviews variety show offers at Jiang's apartment. Jiang vetoes a survival show (due to Si You's health), leaving Si You to accept a judging role on The Strongest Stage.
• On recording day, Si You is initially ostracized by other judges. However, Xue Boyu (Bai Yu)—whom Si You previously saved—arrives as a new mentor and publicly showers Si You with enthusiastic attention.
• The Strongest Stage goes live. Si You is surprised by a group of dedicated fans ("Game Consoles") who cheer for him; he bows to them in gratitude.
• Xue Boyu's on-screen affectionate reactions to Si You go viral, sparking CP (couple) shipping frenzy online.
• The chapter ends with Jiang Tingxu seeing the fan posts and burning with jealousy, resolving to "make Si You pay" later that night.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Confident and unbothered by exclusion; comfortable with being "kept" by Jiang Tingxu; shows genuine warmth toward fans; reveals a playful, affectionate side in his relationship (gift-giving, flustered embarrassment).
• Jiang Tingxu: Protective (veto of survival show), deeply in love, and openly possessive. His jealousy over Si You's public interaction with Xue Boyu reveals a petty, passionate side beneath his composed exterior.
• Xue Boyu (Bai Yu): Loyal, simple, and straightforward. He openly respects and dotes on Si You as his life-saver, ignoring social or career consequences.

3. Significant Themes

• Possessiveness and Jealousy: Jiang Tingxu's internal reaction to Si You's viral CP moments highlights his intense, albeit somewhat "petty," love for Si You.
• Industry Politics and Social Hierarchy: Judges resent Si You's "parachuted" status; having backing (guanxi) and fan support matters more than merit alone.
• Public vs. Private Love: The contrast between Si You's quiet, intimate relationship with Jiang Tingxu and the loud, public attention from fans and Xue Boyu.
• Gratitude and Loyalty: Xue Boyu's unwavering public acknowledgment of Si You's life-saving act.

4. Character Interactions

• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Domestic, passionate, and playful—kissing, gift-giving, and casual discussions of work. Jiang is doting; Si You is affectionate and amused by his own sweetness.
• Si You & Xue Boyu: A close, brother-like bond. Xue Boyu is overly physical and vocal in his admiration, making Si You embarrassed but fond.
• Si You & Other Judges: Cold exclusion from colleagues, contrasted with warm support from Xue Boyu and fans.
• Si You & Fans: A sincere, touching moment where Si You bows to his supporters, showing humility and gratitude.
• Jiang Tingxu & the Phone Screen: Solo scene—his simmering jealousy as he watches fans ship Si You with someone else, leading to his declaration of "revenge."

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The chapter takes place during a live broadcast of The Strongest Stage, where 20 contestants compete in pairs in an elimination round.
• Si You, serving as a judge, is forced to comment on contestant Sun Zhao’s poorly executed duet. Sun Zhao, a favored newcomer with connections, has been receiving undeserved praise from other judges.
• Si You openly criticizes Sun Zhao’s performance (missed beats), which shocks the studio and sparks tension.
• Sun Zhao challenges Si You, implying Si You has no right to judge dancing unless he can outperform him.
• Si You accepts the challenge and performs using Sun Zhao’s own music, delivering an electrifying, highly skilled dance in casual clothes. The audience erupts; other judges concede the contest is no contest.
• The production team scrambles to steer the segment away, but the performance is already edited and posted online, quickly trending with fans calling Si You “my wife!!!” – indicating his sudden viral popularity.
• Si You silently threatens the production team (for goading him onstage) with a smile, then texts Jiang Tingxu: “Miss you.”

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Shows confidence, wit, and defiance. He refuses to participate in dishonest praise, accepts the challenge, and proves his immense dancing ability (likely years of training). He is strategic, playful, and unafraid of consequence, even hinting at retaliation against the production team.
• Xue Boyu: Acts as Si You’s supportive but worried friend. He recognizes Si You’s talent and feels reassured when Si You shows confidence; his earlier anxiety dissolves.
• Sun Zhao: Privileged and arrogant, he loses face after the challenge, exposing his lack of talent and entitlement.
• Jiang Tingxu: Watching remotely, he is intensely drawn to Si You’s performance, feeling possessive and aroused. His reaction reveals deep emotional and physical desire for Si You.

3. Significant Themes

• Merit vs. Nepotism: The show’s “fair” facade is contrasted with obvious favoritism and investor influence; Si You’s victory champions genuine skill.
• Perception vs. Reality: Si You’s “know a little” is a massive understatement; the judges’ bias and Sun Zhao’s arrogance are exposed when confronted with real talent.
• Performance & Seduction: Si You’s dance is described as dangerous, carnivorous, and alluring, blurring the line between art and attraction.
• Power Dynamics: Si You uses his platform to undermine the unwritten rules of the entertainment industry, understanding exactly how to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

4. Character Interactions

• Si You & Sun Zhao: Antagonistic from the start; Sun Zhao’s arrogance provokes Si You, leading to the public challenge and a definitive showdown.
• Si You & Xue Boyu: Xue Boyu warns Si You, takes his jacket, and quietly supports him; their bond shows trust and familiarity.
• Si You & Production Team/Host: The host deliberately stirs conflict for ratings; Si You later warns the directors with a smile, showing his awareness of their manipulation.
• Jiang Tingxu (off-scene): Reacts to Si You’s dance with consuming desire, wanting to make Si You dance only for him; their exchange ends via text message, showing intimacy.

Chapter Summary: Big Brother Will Send You Rockets!

Key Plot Points

1. Aftermath of "The Strongest Stage": Despite Si You humiliating Sun Zhao, Sun Zhao still dominates the contestant voting segment (nearly 50% more votes than second place). Si You's votes are insignificant.
2. Production Team's Regret: The show's crew realizes their plan backfired—instead of being embarrassed, Si You became a viral sensation. His dance opening clip (hip sway, backward glance) spawns countless edits and GIFs. Dance experts confirm he has years of training and excellent camera presence.
3. Online Fan Coordination: A fan (Liu Ying, now the biggest fan-site owner) connects with Chun Diandian (Si You's livestream moderator). They bond over their shared love for Si You, discussing his livestream kindness and the mysterious "Boss Jiang" who dominates the livestream rankings.
4. Fan Meeting: Si You encounters over a dozen fans waiting outside the production base. He signs autographs, treats them to milk tea and taxi fare via mobile transfer, and shows genuine warmth—moving the girl who organized the visit to tears.
5. Fan Callout: A fan shouts that if he feels wronged, he should go livestream horror games—"Big brother will send you rockets!" Si You is caught off guard and the fans burst into laughter.
6. Pickup by Jiang Tingxu: Jiang Tingxu arrives in an inconspicuous black van. Xue Boyu tries to invite Si You to dinner, but Si You reveals Jiang Tingxu is there. Xue Boyu's smile becomes suggestive (he's secretly a Jiang-Si shipper).
7. Car Scene: Si You and Jiang Tingxu share an intensely passionate moment in the van, with Si You ending up on Jiang Tingxu's lap. Jiang Tingxu admits he found Si You's dancing attractive. He's holding back sexually until custom-ordered rings arrive.
8. Old Master Xue's Invitation: After Xue Boyu repeatedly fails to treat Si You to dinner, Old Master Xue personally sends Si You a banquet invitation—a rare honor that reaches Yuan Fei first, deeply convincing him Si You is destined for fame.

Character Developments

• Si You: Shows genuine kindness to fans (paying for their milk tea and transportation, promising to remember refreshments next time), remains composed and unbothered by Sun Zhao's smugness, and displays vulnerability during his intimate moment with Jiang Tingxu.
• Jiang Tingxu: Fully assumes control of Jiang Corporation (business side). Reveals his "dominant and possessive" nature in his bones, restrained in daily life but unleashed privately with Si You. Patiently waiting for custom rings before going further physically.
• Xue Boyu: Persistent and enthusiastic about befriending Si You, paying off his gratitude debt. Known in Old Master Xue's household as the precious grandson whose feelings matter.
• Sun Zhao: Still smug and victorious despite his humiliation, relishing his fan vote dominance.
• Liu Ying: Grows from a fan who initially wanted to catch Si You making mistakes in his livestream to his biggest and most dedicated fan-site operator.

Significant Themes

1. Fan-Idol Dynamics: The novel explores the modern fandom ecosystem (fan-sites, support groups, rankings, organizing physical appearances) and contrasts cold transactional celebrity culture with Si You's genuine care for his fans.
2. Appearance vs. Reality: The production team's schemes to humiliate Si You backfire and make him more popular—a commentary on audience agency and authenticity resonating.
3. Power Dynamics: Sun Zhao has "backing" but cannot challenge Xue Boyu's status. Jiang Tingxu's quiet authority (the unfamiliar black van, restrained presence) is more formidable than public display. Status is demonstrated through who gets to receive what invitations.
4. Duality of Passion: Jiang Tingxu is half-making-fierce-passion, half-restraining-it—romantic tension framed by waiting for the "proper" gesture (rings).
5. Unexpected Success: Si You's counterintuitive rise—fans who came to catch him failed, or came to hate-watch, ended up genuinely devoted.

Character Interactions

• Si You × Fans: Warm, generous, approachable—actively reverses expectations of aloof celebrity behavior.
• Si You × Xue Boyu: Playful, close; Xue Boyu half-jokes about his own face being more important, showing their easy rapport.
• Xue Boyu × Jiang Tingxu: Xue Boyu is deferential and eager ("Brother Jiang") yet bold (tries to invite himself into the car); Jiang Tingxu is polite but firm, physically guiding him out and refusing to share his evening.
• Si You × Jiang Tingxu: Private intimacy that contrasts sharply with Si You's public persona; Jiang Tingxu's straightforward "truth bomb" ("Mm") about being conquered by Si You's charm hits Si You directly.
• Qian Su: Endures the ride with an earbud and fixed gaze, a practiced professional.

Summary: "All-Around Defense"

Key Plot Points

1. Visit to the Xue Household: Si You is invited to the Xue family home as thanks for saving Xue Boyu's life. Yuan Fei had secured the opportunity without prior discussion, at the suggestion of Bai Yu's grandfather.
2. The Full Family Welcome: Unlike the casual appearance Si You expected, the entire Xue family is present—Old Master Xue, Father and Mother Xue, Xue Boyu, eldest brother Xue Baining (head of an entertainment division), second brother Xue Baiqing, and Xue Ling.
3. Si You Declines Rewards: Old Master Xue offers Si You anything within their power. To their surprise, Si You sincerely claims he needs nothing, having saved Boyu out of genuine care rather than expectation. Xue Baining gives Si You his business card as a standing offer of future help.
4. Flower Connection: Old Master Xue and Si You bond over the notoriously difficult Snake-Ring Orchid. Si You's expert knowledge impresses the old man, who had killed over a dozen pots. Si You shares detailed cultivation advice.
5. Xue Baiqing's Advance: Xue Baiqing, intrigued by Si You, asks to add him on WeChat with clear romantic interest. Si You hesitates, and the moment is interrupted by Jiang Tingxu's sudden arrival.
6. Si You's Reaction to Jiang Tingxu: Si You physically recoils from Xue Baiqing, dramatically removes the petal from his hair, gives Xue Baiqing a "we're in this together" look, then turns an obedient, innocent smile toward Jiang Tingxu.
7. Final Revelation: Xue Baining finally remembers whose scent that rare perfume was on—implying a known relationship between Jiang Tingxu and Si You.

Character Developments

• Si You: Continues his strategic social networking—humble, sincere, and impressive. His unexpected expertise in orchid cultivation reveals depth beyond his celebrity persona. His extreme reaction to Jiang Tingxu's arrival shows he is actively maintaining loyalty in their relationship, with his "all-around defense" being his guarded, transparent behavior.
• Old Master Xue: Initially wary of Si You's true motivations, he becomes genuinely fond of him, impressed by both his character and knowledge.
• Xue Baiqing: Shows open romantic interest in Si You, emerging as a potential rival/obstacle. His refined, coolly elegant demeanor contrasts with his opportunistic pursuit.
• Xue Baining: Observant and pragmatic, he pieces together the connection between Si You and Jiang Tingxu through the perfume, suggesting a level of familiarity with Jiang Tingxu.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude vs. Hidden Motives: The chapter explores whether kindness is genuine or transactional—Si You impressively demonstrates sincerity while still building valuable connections.
• Strategic Social Navigation: Si You uses charm, humility, and knowledge to win over a powerful family without appearing calculating.
• Possessiveness and Loyalty: Jiang Tingxu's sudden appearance (seemingly tracking or monitoring Si You) and Si You's instinctive defensive reaction reveal the unspoken dynamics and boundaries of their relationship.
• The Power of Reputation: The contrast between Si You's scandal-ridden online image and his genuine, composed behavior in person.
• Appearances and Instincts: Xue Baiqing's false assumption that Si You is available versus Xue Baining's recognition of the established connection.

Character Interactions

• Si You & Xue Boyu: Warm, established brotherly dynamic; Xue Boyu is delighted and proud to host him.
• Si You & Mother Xue: Mutual warmth; she adores him, and he charms her with playful compliments.
• Si You & Xue Baining: Formal but building respect; Xue Baining offers future backing and recognizes Si You's connection to Jiang Tingxu.
• Si You & Xue Baiqing: Tension; Xue Baiqing's flirtation is halted by Jiang Tingxu's arrival, and Si You's warning "glance" promises shared consequences.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Implied significant relationship; Si You instantly shifts to obedient loyalty, maintaining his "all-around defense" in front of his partner.

Chapter Summary: "The Picture's Not Bad"

Key Plot Points

• Jiang Tingxu unexpectedly visits the Xue household, having guessed that Xue Baiqing (the second young master) has taken an interest in Si You
• Xue Baining reveals that Si You and Jiang Tingxu share the same private-blended perfume, exposing their relationship to the Xue family
• Jiang Tingxu confirms the implication, and Old Master Xue realizes why he suddenly came to visit
• Jiang Tingxu cares for Si You openly (taking away the ice, giving him strawberries) while the Xue family now understands what they're seeing
• Si You accidentally shows Jiang Tingxu an explicit fan-drawn image from their CP super topic while trying to hide it; Jiang Tingxu reacts by calmly saying "The picture's not bad" and memorizing the artist's ID
• The two leave together, taking potted roses and orchids; Jiang Tingxu sends his own car away so they must share a van
• At dinner, they get private rooms for Linzi and Huahua, then a separate room for themselves, where the chapter ends with Jiang Tingxu pressing against Si You

Character Developments

• Si You: Nervous about Jiang Tingxu's possessiveness; tries to stay low-profile around Xue Baiqing; deeply embarrassed by the fan art; describes his calm as "malfunctioning intermittently" around Jiang Tingxu
• Jiang Tingxu: Calm, possessive, and deliberate; reveals the relationship subtly but effectively; handles the explicit fan art without flinching; tells Old Master Xue his grandfather doesn't know yet but that he believes the old man will like Si You
• Xue Baiqing: His crush dies quickly upon realizing Si You is with Jiang Tingxu; he's melancholic and later recalls that Jiang Tingxu once stole first place in grade rankings from him in middle school
• Xue Boyu: Revealed as a fan of the "Jiang-Si" ship; thrilled that the CP he shipped is real
• Xue Ling: Amused, observant, quietly pleased; tells Si You "Don't panic. My second brother isn't a match for him"

Significant Themes

• Possessiveness and jealousy: Jiang Tingxu's intense but controlled possessiveness; Si You's awareness of it; Xue Baiqing's failed pursuit
• The social dynamics of celebrity–wealthy relationships: Common, gossiped about, but kept within certain circles; Xue family immediately understands and accepts boundaries
• Fan culture and CP shipping: The explicit fan art scene highlights how fan-created content can be simultaneously thrilling and mortifying for the real people involved; Xue Boyu's fandom as a parallel
• Private intimacy vs. public restraint: The couple communicates in coded gestures and subtle actions in front of others

Key Character Interactions

• Jiang Tingxu & Xue Baiqing: A wordless confrontation—Jiang Tingxu's guarded gaze, the perfume reveal, and his direct stare leave Xue Baiqing silently defeated; no words are exchanged directly
• Jiang Tingxu & Si You: Caretaking through small gestures (ice, strawberries, a look that says "don't run around"); later, the fan-art incident and the ride home, ending in physical intimacy
• Xue Baining & Xue Baiqing: Sibling dynamic—Xue Baining tries to redirect his brother's attention, then cruelly reminds him he lost the grade rank to Jiang Tingxu fairly; asks "Are you really my brother?"
• Xue Boyu & Si You: Fan-boy moment; Xue Boyu excitedly tells Si You to check the Jiang-Si super topic
• Jiang Tingxu & Old Master Xue: A respectful conversation during chess; Old Master Xue cautions him about his grandfather, and Jiang Tingxu responds with confidence that his grandfather will like Si You

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• Si You and Jiang Tingxu share a private dinner after a brief intimate moment, where Jiang asks whether Si You would have added Xue Baiqing’s contact if he hadn’t shown up. Si You admits yes, but says he can handle such people—prompting Jiang to promise he’ll work harder so Si You can afford to offend anyone.
• The next day, Si You is extremely busy: two endorsement shoots, a press conference, and an evening dinner with Xinsheng company executives.
• During the second shoot, another artist’s team takes over the studio, and Si You calmly agrees to shoot outdoors instead. Yuan Fei argues on his behalf but Si You stays composed, prioritizing not being late for the press conference.
• At the press conference, reporters keep pressing him about his past immature behavior; Si You handles it with smiles.
• In a brief phone call, Si You tells Jiang Tingxu he won’t drink at dinner; Jiang teasingly says if Si You were in front of him, he wouldn’t let him catch his breath.
• At the dinner, executives trap Si You into discussing contract renewal. The vice president offers a five-year deal, mixing rewards with a veiled threat that leaving Xinsheng could ruin a career.
• Si You avoids committing by claiming he wants to enroll in a film academy to improve—an obvious dodge delivered with polished corporate-style empty promises.
• Si You then initiates a heavy drinking battle, using his surprising ability to maintain reason while drunk. Yuan Fei joins in to help drink the executives under the table.
• Afterward, Si You and Yuan Fei end up squatting on the curb outside the hotel, drunk, having a nonsensical conversation about ants. Linzi arrives to find them unmasked and completely wasted.

Character Developments

• Si You: Shows remarkable maturity and self-control. He is no longer the reckless novice; he handles conflicts calmly, shields his team, and strategically avoids the contract trap without openly offending the executives. He also refuses to rely on Jiang Tingxu for every problem, wanting to shoulder what he can himself.
• Jiang Tingxu: Warm, possessive, and supportive. Though his public image is cold, in private he is clingy and deeply attached to Si You, encouraging him and promising to back him up.
• Yuan Fei: Transforms from a cautious manager into a loyal ally. He goes from being frustrated with Si You’s easygoing attitude to willingly drinking executives under the table in solidarity, showing genuine care and respect.
• The Xinsheng executives: Revealed as manipulative and self-interested—they try to pressure Si You into renewing with both rewards and threats, showing they see him as an asset to control.

Significant Themes

• Autonomy vs. corporate control: Si You must navigate a company that wants to own his career while he secretly plans to move to Ninghe Media (Jiang Tingxu’s company) once his current contract ends.
• Love as refuge and strength: Jiang Tingxu’s presence gives Si You emotional safety, but Si You also insists on independence rather than using his boyfriend as a shield.
• Loyalty and trust: Yuan Fei’s growing loyalty shows how genuine relationships form in a cutthroat industry.
• Appearance vs. reality: Si You appears compliant and harmless but is actually calculating and resistant. His drunken ant talk contrasts sharply with his sharp strategic maneuvering earlier.

Character Interactions

• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Intimate, playful, and mutually supportive. Jiang is the more clingy one; Si You is confident and affectionate.
• Si You & Yuan Fei: Their relationship deepens—Yuan Fei moves from worrying about Si You’s career to actively fighting alongside him.
• Si You & executives: A battle of wits disguised as a dinner toast. Si You verbally sidesteps, then out-drinks them to escape the pressure.
• Si You & Linzi/Huahua: They remain loyal and professional; Linzi arrives to rescue the drunk pair at the end.

Chapter Summary: "Brother, Come Give Me a Hug"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Jiang Tingxu calls Si You three times with no answer; a fourth call reaches Linzi, who reports that Si You and Yuan Fei are drunk outside a hotel.
• Jiang Tingxu drives over and finds the two men sitting on steps, arms around each other's shoulders, singing incoherently and rambling.
• During their drunken talk, Yuan Fei teases Si You about still being a virgin; Si You retorts that he'll "sleep with Jiang Tingxu someday" and that "Jiang Tingxu comes first" when Yuan Fei warns him to focus on his career.
• Jiang Tingxu overhears this and is visibly stirred. He takes Si You home; Linzi takes Yuan Fei.
• At home, Si You locks himself in the bathroom to vomit, ashamed of being disgusting in front of Jiang Tingxu. Jiang Tingxu finds a key, gives him stomach medicine, and massages his abdomen for half an hour until he falls asleep.
• Jiang Tingxu calls Wen Rui, the boss of New Victory Media (Xinsheng), to confront him about executives pressuring Si You to drink. Wen Rui, eager to maintain his connection with Jiang Tingxu, is furious and calls the offending executives one by one that night to discipline them.
• The next day, both Si You and Yuan Fei are hungover. Yuan Fei tells Si You to rest and that he'll adjust his schedule.
• Si You reveals to Jiang Tingxu that President Zhang threatened to renew his contract over the drinking; Si You drank to avoid renewing, as he wants to join Jiang Tingxu's company, Convergence, to "make money for you."
• Jiang Tingxu remains cold but has clearly been doting on Si You all morning (arranging flowers, lingering in the bedroom). Si You asks for a hug — twice — and Jiang Tingxu gives in, kissing him deeply.
• The drama Journey is set to premiere at the end of October, generating buzz; behind-the-scenes clips keep countering haters, to fans' amusement.
• Si You sleeps through the afternoon; Jiang Tingxu wakes him in the evening with honey water and his favorite foods (soup-soaked rice, roujiamo, seafood).
• The chapter ends with Si You privately reflecting that he "must have done good deeds in a previous life" to deserve meeting Jiang Tingxu.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Displays complete vulnerability and trust when drunk, instinctively relaxing the moment he recognizes Jiang Tingxu. His priority is made explicit — he chooses Jiang Tingxu over his career and openly declares his intent to join Convergence to support him. He is shamelessly affectionate and clingy with Jiang Tingxu, unafraid to ask for what he wants.
• Jiang Tingxu: Shows his love through concrete acts of care — driving out late, giving medicine, massaging Si You's stomach, buying his favorite food, and quietly intervening behind the scenes with Wen Rui. His anger at Si You's drinking is undermined by his persistent doting; he physically cannot stay away from Si You's side.
• Yuan Fei: Even drunk, demonstrates genuine concern for Si You's career, warning him not to ruin his fan base over romantic pursuits.
• Wen Rui: Newly introduced as the head of New Victory Media, a wealthy heir who values his connection to Jiang Tingxu and is willing to discipline his own people to keep it.

3. Significant Themes

• Love as action over words: Jiang Tingxu rarely says how he feels, but his care is evident in everything he does — from massage to meals.
• Vulnerability and trust: Si You's drunken state strips away his defenses; he trusts Jiang Tingxu to take him home and cares for him, and his instinctive relaxation at Jiang Tingxu's presence shows deep psychological safety.
• Career vs. love: Si You explicitly prioritizes Jiang Tingxu over professional pragmatism (refusing the contract, wanting to join Convergence), highlighting his devotion.
• Power dynamics in the entertainment industry: The chapter exposes the ugly side of industry drinking culture, contract coercion, and internal corporate politics — and the way personal connections (Jiang Tingxu's influence) can sometimes shield an artist.

4. Character Interactions

• Jiang Tingxu & Linzi: Brief but reveals the chaos Linzi is struggling to manage; Jiang Tingxu quickly takes charge.
• Si You & Yuan Fei: Drunken comic banter mixed with genuine concern — Yuan Fei teases Si You about his virginity but also warns him to protect his career.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: The emotional core of the chapter. Si You is clingy, openly affectionate ("brother, give me a hug"), and heartbreakingly candid about wanting to join Convergence for Jiang Tingxu. Jiang Tingxu is gruff and reprimanding on the surface, but his kisses and care reveal the depth of his feeling. Their kiss scene marks a moment of warmth and playfulness.
• Jiang Tingxu & Wen Rui: An off-screen but significant exchange — Jiang Tingxu leverages his influence to protect Si You, and Wen Rui scrambles to make amends, revealing the real-world stakes of their relationship.

Summary

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• After a heavy drinking feast, Si You and Yuan Fei recover over three days. Si You is especially lazy, and Jiang Tingxu carries him around; Si You often naps on the bay window, and Jiang secretly takes many photos of him.
• Jiang Tingxu’s mother calls, notices he seems unusually happy; he promises to visit and says he’ll explain later.
• Si You sees fans enthusiastically promoting his drama Journey, especially top fan-site manager “Liu Ying” (real name Zhu Ying). Touched, he decides to hold a fan meeting.
• Yuan Fei calls to apologize about the earlier drinking banquet. He reveals that another artist, Lu Ming, schemed with President Zhang to trap Si You into a harsh contract renewal. Yuan Fei was furious; Si You, however, has already decided not to renew—he had discussed it with Jiang Tingxu.
• Si You announces the fan meeting on Weibo.
• Jiang Tingxu hints at wanting to have sex (“eat meat”). Si You asks if he knows how; Jiang says he needs to prepare things, and they agree to try.
• During the following week, Si You is busy with work; at night the couple shares tender, clingy moments.
• On the fan meeting day, the venue is packed. Si You signs autographs and personally thanks Zhu Ying, writing an extra blessing on her poster. She is socially anxious but delighted, saying idols should keep distance from fans.
• After the event, a fan falls into the lake. Security guards react slowly, so Si You strips off his jacket, dives in, and rescues her. Yuan Fei panics and yells at Si You, but everyone is safe.
• Half an hour later, the incident goes viral on trending searches. Jiang Tingxu, checking Weibo expecting cute photos, sees the news and is shocked/dismayed.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Shows genuine care and gratitude toward fans; impulsive and brave in emergencies, diving in to save a fan despite limited swimming skill. Also increasingly warm and playful with Jiang Tingxu.
• Jiang Tingxu: Deeply in love, possessive, and protective; takes constant photos of Si You, expresses desire for physical intimacy, and is clearly shaken by Si You’s dangerous rescue at the end.
• Yuan Fei: Loyal and protective manager; apologizes for past mistakes, warns Si You about company scheming, and is terrified when Si You risks his life.
• Zhu Ying / “Liu Ying”: Devoted, hardworking fan; socially anxious but genuinely supportive of Si You; touched by his recognition.

3. Significant Themes

• Fandom and gratitude: Si You’s relationship with his fans, especially the dedicated fan-site manager, highlights mutual appreciation and the emotional weight of fan support.
• Underlying industry scheming: Lu Ming and President Zhang plot to trap Si You with an exploitative contract, showing the cutthroat entertainment business.
• Risk and heroism: Si You’s impulsive rescue underscores his willingness to put himself in danger for others—and foreshadows Jiang Tingxu’s concern.
• Romantic intimacy and devotion: The couple’s affectionate daily life and plan to become physically closer show deepening trust and desire.

4. Character Interactions

• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Tender, clingy, playful; kissing, sleeping together, exchanging promises, and planning a romantic/sexual step forward.
• Si You & Yuan Fei: Manager-artist trust; Yuan Fei apologizes and warns about contract traps; Si You reassures him.
• Si You & Zhu Ying: Warm fan-artist interaction; Si You publicly acknowledges her hard work and gives her a personal blessing.
• Jiang Tingxu & his mother: Brief conversation hints at Jiang’s happiness and future reveal of his relationship.
• Si You & fans/security: Chaos at the venue; fans panic during the lake accident; Si You acts decisively while security fails to react in time.

Summary: Tied Around the Neck

Key Plot Points and Events

• At his first fan meeting, Si You jumps into a freezing autumn lake to save a female fan who fell in, despite his own poor health.
• A panicked bystander's video goes viral, sparking trending commentary—mostly praise for Si You's heroic reaction.
• Yuan Fei (Si You's manager) refuses to take down the trending topic, noting it's free positive publicity.
• Si You asks the rescued girl's condition at the hospital; she's confirmed unharmed but tries to downplay her distress.
• An online hater accuses Si You of staging the rescue; Si You responds with a sharp public rebuttal, and the hater deletes his comment.
• Jiang Tingxu, away on business, sees the news, sends Si You a four-word text: "Wait for me to come back."
• Jiang Tingxu flies back, meets Si You at a sky restaurant overlooking the ocean, and checks him over.
• Back at home, Jiang Tingxu notices a bruise on Si You's waist from the rescue and tends to it.
• The chapter ends with flirtatious banter about a "leather collar" tied around Si You's neck, giving the chapter its title.

Character Developments

• Si You: Shows courage, quick reflexes, and genuine concern for others—he claims "the person matters" over reputation. He also grows bolder in defending himself against haters, no longer tolerating attacks.
• Jiang Tingxu: Reveals deep worry beneath his composed exterior; he notes tiny details (like the bruise) only because he truly cares. His private tenderness contrasts with his usual cool public image.
• Yuan Fei: Remains pragmatic and loyal—protective of Si You but also savvy about the publicity windfall.

Significant Themes

• Heroism vs. public scrutiny: A genuinely selfless act becomes fodder for both praise and cynical accusations.
• Privacy in a public life: Si You and Jiang Tingxu must navigate their relationship amid public chaos and paparazzi.
• Communication and trust in relationships: Jiang Tingxu chooses to see Si You in person rather than argue from afar; Si You waits rather than texting empty reassurances.
• Class/status dynamics: Si You relies on Jiang Tingxu's black card to access the upscale restaurant, subtly highlighting the imbalance in their relationship.

Character Interactions

• Si You & Yuan Fei: Warm, teasing rapport; Yuan Fei mutters "don't wrong yourself," showing quiet support.
• Si You & the drowning fan: Si You is conscientious and insists she get proper medical attention.
• Si You & online haters: Direct confrontation—he publicly fires back at the "staged rescue" accusation.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Tender and intimate reunion. Jiang Tingxu doesn't scold Si You for his heroism (he says he would have dealt with him if Si You hadn't jumped in), but admits he was scared. The physicality—kisses, checking the bruise, playful collar talk—shows their deepened closeness and trust.

Here is a concise summary of the chapter:

Key Plot Points & Events

• Jiang Tingxu gives Si You a custom-made ring, revealing he had a matching pair made in a neighboring city. He puts his own on a chain and both wear them as a symbol of commitment.
• Their physical relationship is fully consummated for the first time, spanning several days and nights. The encounter is intense and exhaustive for Si You, who repeatedly tries to escape or end things but cannot.
• During this time, Si You's agent Wei Chen and Yuan Fei repeatedly try to contact them. Jiang Tingxu answers the phone and tells Wei Chen not to contact them, announcing that he and Si You are together.
• After several days, Si You finally wakes up properly, initially furious with Jiang Tingxu, throwing a pillow at him. He later strains a thigh muscle trying to stretch.
• Jiang Tingxu proposes taking Si You to a friend's manor gathering with barbecue to lift his spirits, knowing Si You is restless from being cooped up.

Character Developments

• Si You: Initially overwhelmed and resentful, he gradually accepts the deepening bond. His "backbone" moments reveal his stubbornness, but he is ultimately soothed by Jiang Tingxu's care (feeding him porridge, chicken soup). He is left physically exhausted but emotionally more attached.
• Jiang Tingxu: His possessive, devoted nature becomes fully visible. He transitions from aloof Movie Emperor to a man who is caring, attentive, and unapologetically dominant. His line "I'm an animal" shows he's aware of his own intensity and owns it.
• Wei Chen: Emotionally overwhelmed, she breaks down, feeling she's lost control of Si You's career and life. Her tough exterior cracks, showing her vulnerability and her realization that Si You is now "the Movie Emperor's person."

Significant Themes

• Commitment and Belonging: The rings symbolize a formal, almost binding commitment. Jiang Tingxu views Si You's acceptance as a permanent bond.
• Power and Possession: The dynamic is highly unequal during the intimate scenes—Si You pleads and faints, while Jiang Tingxu controls everything. Their relationship is framed as both tender and consuming.
• Public vs. Private Life: The contrast between Jiang Tingxu's composed public image and his private intensity is highlighted. The agents' frantic calls underscore how personal choices impact professional lives.

Character Interactions

• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: The core dynamic is a push-pull of resistance and surrender. Si You complains, curses, and cries, while Jiang Tingxu answers with gentleness, humor, and relentless persistence. Their banter ("You're not gentle anymore" / "Mm-hm, I'm an animal") shows the playful, affectionate core beneath the intensity.
• Wei Chen & Yuan Fei: Their phone call is comic but underscored by Wei Chen's genuine despair. She refuses to explain what happened, only expressing her feeling of doom.
• Jiang Tingxu & Wei Chen: Off-screen, Jiang Tingxu is dismissive and matter-of-fact with his agent, casually dropping the relationship news and ignoring her concern. His tone conveys that Wei Chen's management is no longer a priority.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• Zhao Linxiu invites Jiang Tingxu and Si You to a gathering at his mountain estate in the suburbs; Jiang Tingxu unexpectedly accepts and brings Si You along.
• Si You is still physically recovering from their recent intimate encounter—weak, sore, and limping—and is annoyed with Jiang Tingxu, though the latter dotes on him throughout the drive (buying him coconut water).
• At the estate, Zhao Linxiu has assembled a group of wealthy heirs and minor celebrities, including Wu Sucheng, a third/fourth-tier actor.
• Wu Sucheng approaches Si You and repeatedly probes about his relationship with Jiang Tingxu; Jiang Tingxu returns and coldly dismisses him with a veiled threat.
• During a mahjong game, a drinking buddy of Zhao Linxiu makes a crude remark about entertainment-industry people being expendable. Jiang Tingxu responds by ruthlessly teaming up with Zhao Linxiu to bankrupt and get him so drunk he's carried away.

Character Developments

• Jiang Tingxu: Shows a softer, attentive side with Si You (helping him dress, fetching honey water and food), but remains cold and dangerous toward outsiders who disrespect Si You. His protectiveness is visibly possessive.
• Si You: Though physically weakened, he maintains a calm, collected public front. His internal narration reveals dry humor, mild resentment toward Jiang Tingxu, and an instinct to share things he enjoys with him.
• Zhao Linxiu: Initially complacent, he gradually realizes the true depth of Jiang Tingxu and Si You's relationship and is shocked by how differently Jiang Tingxu treats Si You compared to everyone else.
• Wu Sucheng: A social climber who oversteps boundaries; quickly silenced by Jiang Tingxu's ice-cold warning.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Si You: Intimate, caring, and slightly tense—Jiang Tingxu is attentive and apologetic; Si You occasionally gives him attitude but accepts his care and even shares his drink with him.
• Wu Sucheng ↔ Si You: One-sided probing; Si You sees through him immediately and gives deadpan, evasive answers before dismissing him.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Wu Sucheng: A cold, sharp rebuke exposing Wu Sucheng's background as a kept lover; effectively cutting him down.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Zhao Linxiu: Old friends with unspoken rapport; Zhao Linxiu follows Jiang Tingxu's lead in humiliating the rude guest.

Significant Themes

• Protection and possessiveness: Jiang Tingxu's care for Si You is private and outward, but any disrespect toward Si You is met with swift, silent retaliation.
• Power and hierarchy in the entertainment industry: Status determines who can speak and how; Jiang Tingxu leverages his power to defend Si You without overt confrontation.
• Public persona vs. private self: Si You hides his physical discomfort behind composure; Jiang Tingxu's tone shifts dramatically between private softness and public coldness.
• Social face and gamesmanship: The mahjong scene becomes a covert battleground where insult is repaid through calculated humiliation.

Chapter Summary: "The Scent of a Kindred Spirit"

Key Plot Points & Events

1. After a meal at an outing, Si You steps outside and encounters Peng Zhu—a young man who'd previously asked for his contact info when Si You was selling apples during filming of Spring Action—arriving with a group on a mountain bike and a Maserati.
2. Among Peng Zhu's party is Fang Jin, a pale, serpentine man in a white suit who immediately scrutinizes Si You with unsettling intensity and rudely demands to know who Si You came with.
3. Jiang Tingxu appears, pulling Si You behind him, and reveals he knows Fang Jin. Zhao Linxiu makes it clear Fang Jin was not invited; he's an interloper crashing the gathering.
4. Backstory revealed: Fang Jin once became obsessively fixated on Lu Jiatang, heir to Chengzhou Technology and a dear friend of both Jiang Tingxu and Zhao Linxiu. Lu Jiatang rejected him, but Fang Jin pursued him relentlessly with extreme methods, including threatening suicide by jumping into the sea. Lu Jiatang was eventually forced to nearly destroy the Fang family to escape and fled abroad.
5. The group awkwardly tries to socialize together. Peng Zhu and Fang Jin appear to be closer than others realize—Peng Zhu may have been helping Fang Jin probe for information about Lu Jiatang's return to China.
6. Si You is deeply shaken by the Fang Jin story, revealing he has his own buried trauma—a memory his mind deliberately repressed.
7. Si You asks Jiang Tingxu a hypothetical: what if he someday became unstable and made suicidal threats? Jiang Tingxu coldly replies, "Then don't even think about getting out of bed"—a possessive, darkly humorous non-answer.
8. At the chapter's end, Fang Jin watches Si You and senses something unsettling: he can smell "the scent of a kindred spirit" on Si You, implying Si You shares a dark, obsessive nature with him.

Character Developments

• Si You: Revealed to have hidden depths of darkness. The Fang Jin story triggers a visceral reaction, hinting at past trauma or behavior his brain has suppressed. His calm exterior masks a capacity for extreme actions he once imagined himself capable of.
• Jiang Tingxu: Shows his fiercely protective, possessive side. His loyalty to Lu Jiatang and his rejection of Fang Jin reveal his moral code—he despises people who use self-destruction to manipulate. His response to Si You's question shows both his love and his firm boundary-setting.
• Fang Jin: Introduced as a dangerously obsessive man who "never learns, and never remembers pain." His sensitivity to Si You's hidden nature suggests he's perceptive and that Si You is more like him than anyone realizes.
• Peng Zhu: Clearly harbors romantic interest in Si You. He appears to be Fang Jin's ally or tool, possibly helping him investigate Lu Jiatang's return.

Significant Themes

• Obsession vs. love: Fang Jin's story illustrates how love can curdle into something destructive; Jiang Tingxu's response shows a healthier but still possessive form of attachment.
• Hidden trauma and buried memory: Si You's intense reaction implies repressed past experiences that may mirror Fang Jin's story.
• "Kindred spirits" in darkness: The title underscores this—Fang Jin recognizes a similar capacity for obsession/darkness within Si You.
• Boundaries and territory: Jiang Tingxu's aggressive posturing, Peng Zhu's testing of their relationship status, and Fang Jin's intrusion all revolve around claims and boundaries.

Character Interactions

• Si You ↔ Peng Zhu: Friendly but wary; Peng Zhu is eager and bashful, clearly still interested in Si You. He tests the waters by asking about Jiang Tingxu's relationship status with Si You.
• Si You ↔ Fang Jin: Immediate tension—Fang Jin's first exchange with Si You is demanding and rude, like a snake sizing up prey.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Fang Jin: Existing animosity. Jiang Tingxu is openly hostile and protective, pulling Si You away physically.
• Zhao Linxiu ↔ Peng Zhu: Half-joking scolding—"guests aren't supposed to bring guests"—making the breach of etiquette clear.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Peng Zhu: Competitive—Jiang Tingxu deliberately holds Si You's hand in front of Peng Zhu, asserting ownership.
• Si You ↔ Jiang Tingxu: Intimate and playful, but with an undercurrent of unspoken tension. Si You's question about hypothetical instability and Jiang Tingxu's chilling response reveal both vulnerability and the unspoken rules of their relationship.

Chapter Summary: "Angering Fang Jin"

Key Plot Points

• Si You plays mahjong with Zhao Linxiu and others, winning repeatedly and provoking Zhao Linxiu.
• Conversation turns to Lu Jiatang's imminent return from overseas, prompting discussion of Fang Jin's dangerous nature.
• Zhao Linxiu recounts a traumatic memory: Fang Jin once watched him drown without intervening, smiling as Zhao nearly died. Lu Jiatang ultimately rescued him and punched Fang Jin.
• Si You confronts Fang Jin privately in a corridor, bluntly dissecting Fang Jin's psychology and giving him harsh advice about Lu Jiatang and his own self-destruction.
• Fang Jin leaves the gathering that night; Si You returns to Jiang Tingxu.
• The chapter ends with the couple preparing for Si You's recording of The Strongest Stage the next day.

Character Developments

• Si You: Reveals he shares a dark side with Fang Jin—a capacity for extreme behavior—but has overcome it and now embraces life. He demonstrates insight into Fang Jin's psychology, recognizing their similarities but asserting his crucial differences. His hidden shadows are hinted at through unexplained nightmares and sealed memories.
• Fang Jin: Exposed as obsessive, psychologically disturbed, and dangerously possessive of Lu Jiatang. Shown to have a history of harming those close to Lu Jiatang. His jealousy and inability to be "normal" are laid bare. Si You's words visibly unsettle him, touching a rare vulnerability.
• Zhao Linxiu: Backstory reveals his near-death experience and lingering fear of Fang Jin. Acts as a protective friend to Lu Jiatang.
• Jiang Tingxu: Perceptive of Si You's lingering shadows but trusting him without pressing.

Significant Themes

• The mirror image: Si You and Fang Jin are "kindred spirits"—both have darkness within—but Si You's arc shows redemption while Fang Jin remains trapped in destruction.
• Concealed darkness vs. bright exterior: Si You's cheerful demeanor hides a painful past; Fang Jin's cold exterior hides his twisted obsession.
• Humanity vs. inhumanity: Si You implies Fang Jin's willingness to let someone die makes him less than human; Si You, despite his darkness, chose a different path afterward.
• The limits of unconditional love: Si You asserts that Jiang Tingxu would never leave him, even if he changed—contrasting with Fang Jin's fear-driven possessiveness.

Character Interactions

• Si You & Zhao Linxiu: Competitive banter over mahjong; Zhao's wariness of Fang Jin is revealed to Si You, who rationalizes Fang Jin's abnormality.
• Si You & Fang Jin: A tense, psychological confrontation. Fang Jin probes Si You's hidden darkness; Si You disarms him, telling Fang Jin he will never be able to keep Lu Jiatang with his current behavior ("You're not far from self-destruction yourself"). Fang Jin's expression twists with jealousy when Si You claims Jiang Tingxu's loyalty.
• Jiang Tingxu & Si You: Intimate and comfortable; Jiang Tingxu notices Si You's long absence but does not interrogate him, trusting him implicitly.
• Zhao Linxiu & Fang Jin (flashback): Fang Jin's cold indifference to Zhao's drowning and Lu Jiatang's violent reaction cement the backstory of that love triangle.

Summary of "Rebellious Streak Itching"

1. Key Plot Points

• Si You arrives at the talent show recording with improved treatment, now having a private dressing room.
• He interacts with a fan/makeup artist, learning his signed posters are being scalped for triple the price and selling out instantly.
• The competition uses a 10-to-6 elimination format with "pending" status and revival rounds.
• Contestant Sun Zhao is notably more subdued this time after his previous poor showing.
• Si You goes against production instructions and supports two underdog contestants: Zhao Ningqian and Wang Lie.
• Zhao Ningqian's music "mysteriously" malfunctions during her performance (sabotage by rival Zhang Yu's backing).
• Si You volunteers to accompany her on guzheng; Xue Boyu joins on drums/electronics.
• The impromptu joint performance is a massive success, likely shifting the vote in Zhao Ningqian's favor.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Shows his rebellious streak by defying production manipulation. Demonstrates genuine talent (expert guzheng) and compassion. His redemption arc continues, actively supporting unfairly-treated contestants rather than just performing.
• Xue Boyu: Shows solidarity by volunteering to accompany without hesitation. Portrayed as exceptionally capable and willing to risk his reputation for fairness.
• Zhao Ningqian: Goes from panic to emotional triumph. Her determination to give her best despite sabotage is strengthened by Si You's encouragement.
• Zhang Yu: Implied to be the saboteur, revealed through Si You's observation of her smug smile when the music fails.
• Jiang Tingxu: Works behind the scenes (has been "putting in a word" to protect Si You).

3. Significant Themes

• Fairness vs. Industry Corruption: The entertainment industry's manipulation of competition outcomes, contrasted with Si You's refusal to cooperate.
• Meritocracy vs. Connections: Talent (Zhao Ningqian) being overlooked for backing (Zhang Yu), and the attempt to level the playing field.
• Artistic Collaboration: The successful fusion of guzheng + drums + dance as a spontaneous, organic creative moment.
• Redemption and Sincerity: Fans noticing Si You's genuine change of character.
• Fans' Devotion: The fan's declaration that she'll be buried with the signed poster highlights parasocial intensity.

4. Character Interactions

• Si You & the makeup artist/fan: Playful banter; Si You signs the poster five times after learning it was scalped, briefly joking she can resell it. The fan seriously warns him not to make mistakes again.
• Si You & Xue Boyu: Mutual respect; silent communication through exchanged glances during the performance. Xue Boyu's snort-smile shows warmth.
• Si You & Zhao Ningqian: Mentoring moment — he comforts her, tells her to treat them as "human speakers," gives a moving speech about not accepting defeat in silence.
• Si You & production staff: The director is forced to accept the improvisation; the assistant director yells "Let him speak!!!" in excitement when Si You stands.
• Zhang Yu vs. Zhao Ningqian: Antagonistic; Zhang's smirk at the sound failure reveals the sabotage.

Chapter Summary: "Two Parties Decline"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Ningqian's victory and sabotage exposed: After her standout dance performance, an insider reveals her sound system was deliberately cut by Zhang Yu’s uncle (President Zhang) to eliminate her. The show’s production team quickly distances itself, fires the sound staff, and the leak is revealed to have been orchestrated by a business rival of President Zhang.
• Results: Zhao Ningqian advances; Zhang Yu goes into the pending category. Si You and Xue Boyu’s impromptu collaboration is hailed as the best performance so far.
• Backstage interview: Si You and Xue Boyu are caught together by cameras; both deliberately keep their distance to avoid fueling shipping rumors.
• Gift exchange: Xue Boyu gives Si You two boxes of ginseng as thanks from his family.
• Home with Jiang Tingxu: Si You eats late-night snacks, learns Jiang arranged a major brand ad opportunity for him.
• Intimate night: Si You initiates sex; the scene confirms their physical relationship has become routine and satisfying.
• Next morning: On the way to a shoot, Si You claims his “hemorrhoids are acting up”; Yuan Fei suggests surgery, while Linzi looks knowingly uncomfortable.
• Final scene: At the location, Si You looks up and sees Shen Chuan watching him.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Continues to rise in popularity while staying wary of public opinion. He is firmly committed to Jiang Tingxu, avoiding any fake romance narrative with Xue Boyu. Privately, he is playful, vulnerable (hemorrhoids), and increasingly comfortable with intimacy.
• Jiang Tingxu: Acts as a supportive boyfriend—arranging career opportunities, preparing food, and engaging in a now-normalized sexual relationship.
• Fang Jin: Obsessed with Si You, simultaneously admiring and despising him. He sees Si You as a “kindred spirit” whose mask he wants to break, and envies the fan affection Si You receives. His monologue reveals a twisted, predatory mindset.
• Xue Boyu: Maintains clear boundaries to protect his own image and relationship; remains friendly but guarded.
• Yuan Fei: Pragmatic and protective manager, focused on Si You’s long-term career and health.

3. Significant Themes

• Media manipulation and public relations: The sabotage plot, corporate warfare, and the production team’s blame-shifting show how easily narratives can be engineered.
• Fake shipping vs. real relationships: Both Si You and Xue Boyu actively avoid manufactured romantic tensions, highlighting the contrast between their genuine lives and entertainment-industry expectations.
• Obsession and envy: Fang Jin’s fixation on Si You represents a dark, possessive form of admiration, rooted in his own self-loathing.
• Intimacy and trust: Si You and Jiang Tingxu’s domestic and sexual interactions reveal a deepening, unguarded bond.

4. Character Interactions

• Si You & Xue Boyu: Cooperative but deliberately distant; they deflect the host’s attempts to create a CP narrative.
• Si You & host: Si You gives bland, professional answers, clearly uninterested in fan-service.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Warm and playful at home; Jiang teases Si You (“Get lost!”) but also cares for him. Their night scene shows mutual satisfaction and growing comfort.
• Si You & Yuan Fei: Casual manager-client banter; Yuan takes Si You’s hemorrhoid complaint seriously.
• Si You & Linzi: Linzi’s knowing glance implies he is aware of the real cause of Si You’s discomfort.
• Si You & Shen Chuan: A wordless, ambiguous ending—Shen Chuan appears watching Si You, leaving his intentions unclear.

Summary: "What Kind of Ill-Fated Connection Was This?"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Si You encounters Shen Chuan at an overlapping outdoor shoot location—both have taken Huai'an Jewelry endorsements.
• Tensions flare: Shen Chuan's assistant Zhou Wen makes snide remarks about Si You; Si You's assistant Huahua confronts him loudly.
• Shen Chuan sends chilled mangosteens as an indirect apology via a staff member; Si You accepts gracefully but does not approach in person.
• Si You completes his advertisement shoot despite the intense heat, showing professionalism.
• The shoot's person in charge insists on hosting a dinner at a top nightlife venue; Yuan Fei blocks all alcohol on Si You's behalf.
• At the dinner, a "big shot" is introduced—revealed to be Fang Jin, who locks eyes with Si You.

Character Developments

• Si You: Fully detached from his past obsession with Shen Chuan; handles the situation with composure, humor, and grace. Shows sharp protectiveness over his team ("No one gets to bully my people"). References Jiang Tingxu repeatedly as his genuine emotional anchor. Feels content with his improved life and career.
• Shen Chuan: Still conflicted but not petty; recognizes Si You's transformation ("reborn") and disapproves of his own assistant's behavior. The mangosteen gift suggests openness to a fresh start.
• Yuan Fei (agent) : Loyal, protective, and impressed by Si You's maturity; earlier trauma over Si You's disappearance (due to Jiang Tingxu) referenced.
• Huahua (assistant) : Fiercely defensive of Si You; contrasts with her past misery under a bullying female artist.
• Fang Jin: Arrives in a visibly bad mood; recognizes Si You with a raised eyebrow—their history is strained (Fang Jin is presumably the original novel's male lead).

Significant Themes

• Reinvention: Si You's clear break from the original owner's behavior; others slowly noticing his genuine change.
• Protective loyalty: The team's collective defense of Si You; reciprocal caretaking.
• Class & industry hierarchy: Entitlement of bigger stars' staff, status games, and "important people" culture.
• Ambiguous pasts: The lingering weight of the original owner's history; unresolved tensions hinted at (with Shen Chuan, Fang Jin, and implicitly Jiang Tingxu).

Character Interactions

• Si You & Yuan Fei: Easy rapport; Yuan Fei teases about Si You's feelings for Shen Chuan; Si You casually dismisses Shen Chuan by comparing him to Jiang Tingxu ("That's a free point").
• Si You & Shen Chuan: Silent awareness; no direct conversation—communication happens indirectly through staff and gifts.
• Huahua & Zhou Wen: Verbal confrontation; Huahua wins; Shen Chuan shuts Zhou Wen down.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu (off-screen) : Si You messages him about the dinner and asks when he'll be home; no reply yet—Jiang Tingxu is busy, but his looming presence dominates Si You's thoughts (and the fandom's "Jiang-Si Super Topic," which Si You reads).
• Si You & Fang Jin: Wordless mutual recognition; a charged, ominous meeting that hints at future tension.

Summary: "Hot-Tempered Mr. Fang"

Key Plot Points

• Si You and Fang Jin attend a business banquet as endorsers for a jewelry partnership between Yuelin Group and Huai'an Jewelry
• Fang Jin, who holds a grudge against Si You, deliberately pressures him to drink alcohol despite his low tolerance
• The two engage in a drinking contest, downing over ten glasses; Si You becomes increasingly intoxicated
• Si You leads Fang Jin outside, confronts him about his unresolved feelings for Lu Jiatang, and shares a deeply personal story about his abusive mother
• The chapter ends with Si You impulsively dragging Fang Jin to climb a mountain to visit a temple, with Fang Jin reluctantly following despite his irritation

Character Developments

• Si You: Reveals his traumatic childhood—his mother beat and belittled him, then abandoned him emotionally after having another child when he was twelve. He shows surprising insight into Fang Jin's psychology and offers him genuine, hard-won wisdom about self-reliance
• Fang Jin: Displays a vulnerable side beneath his cold, sarcastic exterior. He's visibly shaken by Si You's words and unknowingly seeks connection, following Si You despite his protests. His obsession with Lu Jiatang is revealed as an idealism born of loneliness

Significant Themes

• Trauma and survival: Both men carry deep wounds; Si You's abuse parallels Fang Jin's emotional isolation
• Self-reliance: Si You's core message—"tie the rope around yourself"—emphasizes that external salvation is impossible
• Misunderstanding and connection: Two people who initially appear as enemies find an unexpected, visceral understanding of each other
• Appearances vs. reality: The "cold-blooded" Fang Jin is actually the most idealistic; the "shameless" Si You is genuinely perceptive

Character Interactions

• Si You & Fang Jin: Their dynamic shifts from open hostility to a strange, grudging camaraderie. Si You refuses to be intimidated, matches Fang Jin's intensity, and ultimately pierces through his defenses by speaking from shared experience
• Yuan Fei (Si You's agent): Protective and worried, but ultimately trusts Si You's judgment
• Shen Chuan: Observes the tension between Si You and Fang Jin with confusion, sensing their dynamic isn't simply professional rivalry

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points

• After a night of drinking, Si You and Fang Jin end up climbing a mountain together in the middle of the night — an impulsive, almost absurd decision born from Fang Jin’s emotional vulnerability.
• Fang Jin tries to send Si You back, but Si You insists on staying.
• To scare Si You into leaving, Fang Jin mentions ghosts in the mountain forest.
• Si You pretends to see a ghost — a little girl in a red dress with a split-open head — and terrifies Fang Jin, who is secretly afraid of supernatural things.
• Fang Jin receives a phone call from Jiang Tingxu, who is worried after discovering Si You is missing.
• Si You’s fake terror escalates until Fang Jin panics; he later realizes it was all an act.
• Si You admits he was “playing along” after Fang Jin first tried to scare him.
• Fang Jin angrily chases Si You down the mountain with a wooden stick.
• Jiang Tingxu arrives at the foot of the mountain and catches Si You as he runs into his arms.
• Fang Jin warns both of them to stay away from him, then leaves in irritation.
• Yuan Fei, Si You’s manager, arrives panicked and witnesses Si You affectionately kiss Jiang Tingxu.

2. Character Developments

• Fang Jin: Experiences a rare moment of vulnerability. He realizes he wasn’t searching for validation but for a “way out” of his emotional barrenness. His cool, intimidating exterior cracks when he shows genuine fear of ghosts, and by the end he feels lighter despite his anger.
• Si You: Shows his bold, playful, and fearless side. He is street-smart, theatrical, and good at reading people — using Fang Jin’s fear against him. His drunkenness lowers his guard, and he seeks comfort and closeness from Jiang Tingxu.
• Jiang Tingxu: Displays his protective, dependable nature. He tracks down Fang Jin’s number, comes to retrieve Si You, and calmly manages the situation, though he retains a slight wariness of Fang Jin.

3. Significant Themes

• Fear and Performance: Si You’s ghost act blurs the line between real terror and theatrical play, highlighting how people perform roles even in intimate moments.
• Finding a “Way Out”: Fang Jin’s internal struggle shifts from wanting approval to seeking an actual escape from his emotional isolation.
• Vulnerability and Connection: The chaotic night forces Fang Jin to reveal weakness, while Si You and Jiang Tingxu’s reunion shows trust and intimacy.
• Absurdity of Nighttime Confessions: The setting — a dark mountain road — mirrors the emotional chaos and impulsive honesty of drunk, sleepless moments.

4. Character Interactions

• Fang Jin & Si You: Their relationship moves from tense distance to teasing, scaring, and chasing — a strange bonding experience that leaves Fang Jin both exasperated and more open-minded.
• Fang Jin & Jiang Tingxu: Antagonistic but civil; Jiang Tingxu’s presence is steadying, and Fang Jin ends the interaction with a clear boundary: stay away.
• Si You & Jiang Tingxu: Intimate and affectionate — Si You crashes into his arms, kisses his chin, and finally feels sleepy and safe.
• Yuan Fei & Si You: Comedic relief — Yuan Fei is frantic and overwhelmed by Si You’s reckless behavior, especially after witnessing the kiss.

Summary: Chapter 25

Key Plot Points

• Yuan Fei is stunned to witness Jiang Tingxu's genuine care for Si You, realizing he misjudged the relationship as a casual "boss-actor" arrangement; Linzi reveals she knew all along and criticizes Yuan Fei and Wei Chen for misreading it.
• Jiang Tingxu brings drunk Si You home, bathes him, and puts him to bed, calling him "my baby."
• Si You wakes up hungover and receives the whole day off from Yuan Fei (who misinterprets the situation).
• Si You streams a horror game while Jiang Tingxu works nearby in the study, multitasking and watching the stream on mute.
• When Jiang Tingxu chokes on water, Si You rushes to him; viewers hear the exchange, but Si You lies that it was his "little nephew," hiding the relationship.
• With Journey's premiere approaching, online fandom warfare erupts: Sun Wenzhu's and Gao Jin's fans clash over billing, then turn on Si You over his Huai'an Jewelry endorsement and trailer screentime.
• A fake "insider" claims Jiang Tingxu disliked acting with Si You and enjoyed Gao Jin instead; Gao Jin's fans try to ally with Jiang Tingxu's fans (Ginger Powder).
• Jiang Tingxu posts two rare Weibo updates in a row: exposing the fake insider's confidentiality breach and publicly stating he "enjoyed acting with Si You" and is "looking forward to Journey," shocking fans and embarrassing Gao Jin's camp.

Character Developments

• Jiang Tingxu: Shows deep, protective affection for Si You (constant care, calling him "my baby"); quietly monitors Si You's stream; publicly defends him despite normally being inactive on social media — reinforcing his commitment beyond private intimacy.
• Si You: Remains playful and evasive when drunk (blames Fang Jin); lies smoothly to protect the relationship's secrecy; is devoted to Jiang Tingxu (immediately checking on him); stays unbothered by online attacks.
• Yuan Fei: Experiences a delayed realization/acceptance about the real romance; comically concerned (misinterpreting Si You's hangover); becomes more generous with time off.
• Linzi: Reveals she was perceptive all along, contrasting with Yuan Fei's obliviousness.

Significant Themes

• Public vs. Private Reality: The stark contrast between the fan-driven narrative (Si You as "resource-backed," disliked by the lead) and the actual loving relationship hidden from the public.
• Online Fan Culture and Toxicity: Realistic portrayal of fandom wars, fake insider leaks, and weaponized speculation in the entertainment industry.
• Protection Through Action: Jiang Tingxu prioritizes defending Si You publicly despite his usual reclusiveness, showing love through action rather than words.
• Misperception and Clarity: Yuan Fei's arc demonstrates how outsiders repeatedly misread the relationship.

Key Character Interactions

• Yuan Fei ↔ Linzi: Comedic back-and-forth about the relationship; Yuan Fei's "I'm straight" excuse, Linzi's eye-rolling exasperation.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Si You: Tender domestic moments—bathing, bed, hair-drying, forehead kiss; playful banter ("You're already sick of me?" / "Sleep!"); Jiang silently watching Si You stream while working.
• Si You ↔ Viewers: Charming streamer interactions, including his improvised "nephew" lie; his concern for Jiang Tingxu nearly exposing them.
• Jiang Tingxu ↔ Online Fans/Gao Jin's fans: His two Weibo posts act as a decisive public rebuttal, causing the Ginger Powder to reject Gao Jin's fans and fanning shippers' excitement.

Summary of "Lu Jiatang" Chapter

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Tingxu publicly defends Si You online against a fan-led attack by Gao Jin fans over an endorsement, effectively freezing the criticism and prompting the original leaker to delete their account.
• The backlash boomerangs: Gao Jin fans become the focus of ridicule, while Sun Wenzhu's studio issues a statement praising Si You, turning the "crusade" into a farce.
• Si You attends a business cocktail party with Jiang Tingxu, meeting Su Ya and her patron Gu Zherui.
• Si You meets Lu Jiatang for the first time and instantly perceives the fundamental incompatibility between Lu Jiatang's limited tolerance and Fang Jin's obsessive nature.
• Fang Jin arrives; Si You mocks him into silence with a wordless standoff, preventing a scene.

2. Character Developments

• Si You: Stays calm under public attack; exposes his sharp observational skills by diagnosing the Lu Jiatang–Fang Jin dynamic. He moves through elite society with ease and acts as the only character who can deflate Fang Jin.
• Jiang Tingxu: Shows protective devotion to Si You, both online and in person. Shifting from acting to business, he is comfortable and assertive in informal social settings.
• Lu Jiatang: Introduced as courteous, cool, and reserved, but revealed through Si You's analysis to be morally rigid—his tolerance has a hard ceiling that Fang Jin can never break through.
• Fang Jin: Remains obsessed with Lu Jiatang, but is visibly restrained and internally conflicted: he wants to possess Lu Jiatang but fears destroying his "light." Si You cuts through his posturing with a single look.

3. Significant Themes

• Online mob culture and backlash: The chapter critiques fan-driven harassment, showing how the tide can turn quickly when public figures like Sun Wenzhu refuse to participate.
• Tolerance with limits vs. unconditional obsession: Lu Jiatang embodies order and boundaries; Fang Jin embodies reckless, consuming desire. Their mismatch is presented as insurmountable.
• Power dynamics in social circles: Status, money, and alliances (Jiang Tingxu, Gu Zherui) shape interactions and protection in the entertainment/business world.

4. Character Interactions

• Jiang Tingxu & Si You: Affectionate and united; Jiang Tingxu openly touches and kisses Si You, signaling confidence in their relationship.
• Si You & Su Ya: Friendly and casual; Su Ya treats Si You warmly, and their connection is leveraged through the Huai'an endorsement deal (with Gu Zherui).
• Si You & Lu Jiatang: Polite but loaded with Si You's silent psychological evaluation; Lu Jiatang senses his penetrating gaze.
• Si You & Fang Jin: A wordless contest of wills ending in Si You's victory ("Hmph!" vs. "Ha ha")—establishing Si You as Fang Jin's shadow antagonist.