Ch. 121Does President Jiang Envy Me?
Chapter Summary: "Does President Jiang Envy Me?"
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- The aftermath of Zhou Song's beating: The chapter opens in a private room where Si You, Jiang Tingxu, and Lu Jiatang (joined by Fang Jin) unwind after Lu Jiatang attacked Zhou Song for insulting Fang Jin at an event. Zhou Song was hospitalized with serious injuries. Lu Jiatang dismisses concerns about retaliation from the Zhou family, saying he's only afraid they won't come. Jiang Tingxu offers to intervene but is refused.
- Fang Jin stays over: Lu Jiatang brings Fang Jin to his city-center apartment for the first time. Lu Jiatang openly admits he prepared everything in advance — matching toiletries, a bathrobe in Fang Jin's size, citrus-scented body wash — driven by an "urgent hope" that they would reunite. A tender (implied) intimate scene follows.
- The business meeting: The next day, Lu Jiatang attends an investment meeting with visible facial injuries but is unnaturally cheerful, approving every proposal enthusiastically. Jiang Tingxu shares the same dismissive attitude, and the two decision-makers quickly finalize plans.
- Confession of envy: Lu Jiatang tells Jiang Tingxu that his injuries are "for the one I love" and asks if Jiang Tingxu envies him. Jiang Tingxu is baffled by this logic, pointing out Lu Jiatang merely got beat up. Lu Jiatang leaves smugly.
- Si You's new project: Si You signs a contract for the variety show Into the Jungle, a dangerous outdoor survival show, with filming beginning on Sunday. Fans learn he'll join 12 other guests, including popular talent show alumni Lin Danming and Sun Yuemeng.
- Jiang Tingxu's plan: To respond to fans' expectations before potentially retiring, Jiang Tingxu plans to join a variety show — a decision that exasperates his agent Sister Chen.
- The show begins: On filming day, Si You arrives at a partially developed mountain range for the livestreamed show. He adopts a gentle, modest persona for the camera, while his fans ("Game Consoles") flood the chat, knowing his innocent act is misleading. His appearance causes a noticeable spike in the show's traffic.
2. Character Developments
- Lu Jiatang: Deeply committed to Fang Jin. He reveals he furnished his home for Fang Jin before they reconciled, and reflects painfully on his past rejections of Fang Jin, now feeling they are "blades" in his heart. He is tender, protective, and quietly guilt-ridden. His smug pride over his injuries shows his simple joy in openly loving someone.
- Fang Jin: Previously resilient during his school years (he didn't even glance at Zhou Song at the event), he now appears softer and more settled. He's lazy by nature and enjoys a quiet domestic life. He sends Si You constant photos of Lu Jiatang's home and cooking — playful, affectionate teasing.
- Jiang Tingxu: Acts as a pragmatic counterpoint to Lu Jiatang's romantic sentimentality. He responsibly plans to address his fans' investment in his career before retiring from the industry.
- Si You: Hardworking and worn down by a busy schedule, but supported by Jiang Tingxu's quiet caretaking. He's gentle and attentive with Fang Jin. His fans are revealed to be fiercely loyal and aware of his deceptive on-camera persona.
3. Significant Themes
- Second chances and reconciliation: Lu Jiatang and Fang Jin rebuild their relationship. Lu Jiatang's prepared home symbolizes his long-held hope — not certainty, but urgent wishing.
- Regret and retroactive pain: Lu Jiatang reflects that his clearheaded past decisions to distance himself from Fang Jin now feel like self-inflicted wounds. The question "Why hadn't he treated him better back then?" haunts him.
- Domesticity as love language: Small gestures — matching cups, a bathrobe in the right size, poorly made breakfast — carry profound emotional weight. Fang Jin's teasing photos of ugly food are acts of intimacy.
- Public vs. private personas: The variety show context highlights how celebrities perform for cameras. Si You's fans know his "obedient" smile is a facade.
- Boundaries crossed: Fang Jin's history of never entering Lu Jiatang's private space (he used to escort the drunk Lu Jiatang home but stop downstairs) makes this domestic entry emotionally significant.
4. Character Interactions
- Si You & Lu Jiatang: Easy banter. Si You praises Lu Jiatang's beatdown of Zhou Song, calling it "pretty handsome."
- Jiang Tingxu & Lu Jiatang: Comic friction. Jiang Tingxu alternates between bemused tolerance and inner exasperation at Lu Jiatang's smugness. Lu Jiatang proudly claims Jiang Tingxu is "envious" of his love-life heroics.
- Lu Jiatang & Fang Jin: Tender and careful. Lu Jiatang asks about Fang Jin's preferences (scent), carries him to bed, and reflects on his past mistakes. Fang Jin is obedient in the present but clearly used to fending for himself emotionally.
- Fang Jin & Si You: A texting friendship. Fang Jin sends photo strings of his domestic life with Lu Jiatang; Si You responds with praise, careful not to disappoint him.
- Jiang Tingxu & Si You: A quiet caretaking dynamic — Jiang Tingxu bathes an exhausted Si You and leaves breakfast before working on the weekend.
- Si You & his team (Linzi, Huahua): Warm rapport. Huahua's enthusiasm for Si You is contrasted with prior bad experiences working with temperamental celebrities.