Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu dine with Cheng Yan, the owner of the photo studio Cheng Lang plans to renovate into a themed milk tea shop.
• Cheng Yan explains that although his father, Cheng Xingwang, owns the Chengyi Restaurant empire, he has never wanted to become a chef. He dislikes Suzhou cuisine and dreams of pursuing photography and art instead.
• Cheng Yan worries that his father intends to pass the family business to him, despite his lack of culinary interest and his poor relationship with the restaurant’s traditional, inflexible chefs.
• Over dinner and several beers, Cheng Yan becomes drunk and begs Cheng Lang to preserve the photo studio’s carefully designed sets during the renovation. Cheng Lang agrees, recognizing that the sets will benefit the milk tea shop’s “internet-famous” aesthetic.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu put Cheng Yan in a taxi, contact his family, and arrange for them to retrieve him. Cheng Yan drunkenly declares that he will never submit to the restaurant business or wield a kitchen knife.
• Qin Mu arrives in a Rolls-Royce to pick up Cheng Lang. He gives Cheng Lang milk tea to sober up, though Shen Huaiyu is left to find his own water.
• After dropping Shen Huaiyu at school, Cheng Lang walks around the track with Qin Mu. Because of the day’s trending controversy, people continue asking Cheng Lang about the situation. Cheng Lang responds calmly that the truth depends on the paternity-test results and stresses that citizens should follow the law.
• Qin Mu gives Cheng Lang an investigation report on Chang Mingfeng. The report reveals that twenty years earlier, she had an affair with the owner of Chengyi Grand Hotel, was publicly exposed by his wife, and became estranged from her family. After leaving X City and later returning with an infant, she unsuccessfully attempted to use the child to enter the hotel owner’s family. She eventually left the baby with Jiang Feng, director of an orphanage.

Character Developments

• Cheng Yan is shown to be conflicted and insecure. He resents his family’s expectations, feels inadequate compared with Cheng Lang, and fears being forced into a career he hates. His emotional attachment to the photo studio reveals that photography is not merely a hobby but an important part of his identity.
• Cheng Lang remains pragmatic, supportive, and socially adept. He comforts Cheng Yan without becoming entangled in the family dispute, agrees to preserve the studio’s sets, responsibly handles Cheng Yan’s drunkenness, and gives measured public responses about the paternity controversy.
• Shen Huaiyu is friendly and considerate toward Cheng Lang but remains somewhat overlooked, especially when Qin Mu gives Cheng Lang a drink and ignores him. He also shows independence by walking back to school and finding his own water.
• Qin Mu continues to support Cheng Lang quietly and efficiently. His arrival, care for Cheng Lang, and delivery of the investigation report demonstrate his protective and dependable role.
• Chang Mingfeng is revealed to have a scandalous and troubled past, including an affair, family rejection, and abandonment of a child.

Significant Themes

• Family expectations versus personal ambition: Cheng Yan’s struggle reflects the pressure to inherit a family business despite wanting a different life.
• Identity and self-worth: Cheng Yan measures himself against Cheng Lang and believes he lacks talent, while Cheng Lang reassures him that management ability can matter more than technical expertise.
• Preserving the past while building the future: The plan to retain the photography sets symbolizes Cheng Lang’s attempt to transform the studio without erasing Cheng Yan’s creative labor.
• Law, truth, and public judgment: Cheng Lang refuses to make premature claims about the paternity scandal and emphasizes waiting for evidence and following legal standards.
• Care expressed through actions: Qin Mu’s quiet assistance and Cheng Lang’s efforts to protect Cheng Yan show affection and responsibility through practical behavior.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Yan confides in Cheng Lang about his family problems, while Cheng Lang offers reassurance and avoids probing into private matters.
• Cheng Lang and Cheng Yan reach an understanding about preserving the studio’s sets during renovation.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu cooperate in taking care of Cheng Yan after he becomes drunk.
• Qin Mu and Cheng Lang display an easy, intimate dynamic, with Qin Mu caring for Cheng Lang and Cheng Lang playfully responding to him.
• The chapter ends by shifting from Cheng Yan’s personal crisis to the more serious mystery surrounding Chang Mingfeng and the abandoned child.

Chapter 85 Summary

Key plot points and events

Cheng Lang and Qin Mu discover that the former Chengyi Grand Hotel—associated with Cheng Lang’s past—is now the Chengyi Restaurant, creating an unexpected connection to the Cheng family. Qin Mu asks whether Cheng Lang wants him to deal with the woman claiming to be his mother, but Cheng Lang decides to use the situation to his advantage rather than confront her directly.
The next morning, Cheng Lang visits the relevant authorities to learn how to establish an orphan-aid fund. Drawing on his own painful childhood and abandonment, he explains that he wants to help children who lack parental protection. He contributes one million yuan to create the fund, with the X City Orphanage—where he once lived—as its first beneficiary.
The news quickly spreads online, shifting public attention away from the woman’s claims and toward Cheng Lang’s charity and business achievements. As the school term ends and business slows, Cheng Lang begins mobilizing his company for its next stage of development.

Character developments

Cheng Lang demonstrates his strategic intelligence by transforming a potential scandal into positive publicity. Although he presents the fund as an altruistic response to his past, he also deliberately uses it to protect his reputation and Forest Style Milk Tea from attacks by competitors. His actions reveal a mixture of genuine compassion, pragmatism, and calculated self-protection.
Qin Mu remains attentive and protective, offering to handle the troublesome woman. His playful interaction with Cheng Lang—fiddling with his tie while Cheng Lang drives—shows their growing intimacy and comfortable rapport. Cheng Lang’s staff, including Shen Huaiyu, increasingly admire and trust him, accepting both his moral character and business judgment.

Significant themes

The chapter explores turning adversity into opportunity, as Cheng Lang converts a personal attack into a charitable initiative. It also examines public image and moral authority: Cheng Lang realizes that the safest defense against moral blackmail is to establish himself publicly as someone acting ethically. Other themes include the lasting effects of childhood abandonment, the importance of social support, and the tension between genuine kindness and strategic manipulation.

Character interactions

Cheng Lang and Qin Mu share teasing, affectionate moments in the car while discussing the Cheng family and the woman’s attempted exploitation. Cheng Lang later explains his charitable motivation to government staff, who are moved by his account and help him establish the fund. Shen Huaiyu praises Cheng Lang’s kindness and believes in his plans, while Cheng Lang privately mocks the exaggerated praise from hired online commenters. Their conversation also confirms that Cheng Lang’s publicity strategy is working: public discussion has shifted from his alleged family scandal to his charity, career, and business ventures.

Chapter 86 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang introduces the company’s new headquarters, a rented four-story photography studio located conveniently near X University and public transportation.
• He outlines his renovation and business plan:
  • The first two floors will serve as offices and reception areas.
  • The third and fourth floors will become themed, semi-enclosed milk-tea restaurant spaces for customers, publicity, and business communication.
• The marketing manager worries that allowing customers into the headquarters could create security risks and expose company secrets. Cheng Lang reassures everyone that the formulas are already processed outside the city and that access to the back kitchen will be restricted.
• His humorous explanation eases the staff’s concerns, and Zhao Ming remarks on the novelty of working in a photography studio. Cheng Lang jokes that the employees will experience many more “firsts,” including receiving stock dividends, which excites everyone.
• Meanwhile, Cheng Yan’s parents panic over Cheng Lang’s growing influence and suspect that he may be seeking revenge or trying to claim part of the Cheng family’s property.
• Cheng Yan unexpectedly arrives home and learns that Cheng Lang is his younger half-brother. He is shocked but immediately rejects his parents’ suspicion that Cheng Lang deliberately approached him for ulterior motives.
• Cheng Yan explains that their friendship and business connection arose naturally: Cheng Lang needed a larger workspace, and Cheng Yan’s photography studio happened to be available and conveniently located.
• Cheng Yan defends Cheng Lang, emphasizing his difficult childhood as an abandoned illegitimate child raised in an orphanage and praising his determination in entering X University and building Forest Style Milk Tea.

Character Developments

• Cheng Lang demonstrates strategic thinking and business confidence. He balances practicality, publicity, customer engagement, and confidentiality in designing the company headquarters. His humor and promise of future benefits also strengthen employee morale.
• Zhao Ming and the employees become more enthusiastic about the company after Cheng Lang mentions potential stock dividends, suggesting growing loyalty and investment in the business.
• Cheng Yan’s mother is increasingly fearful and hostile toward Cheng Lang. She views him as a dangerous outsider who might retaliate against the family or threaten Cheng Yan’s inheritance.
• Cheng Xingwang, Cheng Lang’s biological father, remains silent and uncomfortable, clearly burdened by guilt over the past.
• Cheng Yan undergoes a major revelation upon learning Cheng Lang is his brother. Rather than reacting with jealousy or fear, he responds with sympathy and loyalty, defending Cheng Lang against his parents’ accusations.

Significant Themes

• Family secrets and consequences: Past betrayal and abandonment resurface, threatening to destabilize the Cheng family.
• Nature versus circumstance: Cheng Yan stresses that Cheng Lang did not choose to be born illegitimate or abandoned, challenging the family’s tendency to judge him for his origins.
• Self-made success and resilience: Cheng Lang’s achievements are presented as the result of perseverance despite lacking parental support.
• Trust versus suspicion: Cheng Yan trusts his personal experience with Cheng Lang, while his parents interpret the same relationship as a calculated act of revenge.
• Workplace innovation and openness: Cheng Lang’s headquarters blurs the boundaries between office, restaurant, and promotional space, reflecting his unconventional but customer-focused business philosophy.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Lang reassures and entertains his employees while presenting his headquarters plan, establishing himself as a capable and approachable leader.
• The marketing manager challenges his plan over security concerns, prompting Cheng Lang to explain his reasoning.
• Cheng Lang and Zhao Ming exchange lighthearted remarks about the company providing new experiences, culminating in the mention of stock dividends.
• Cheng Yan’s parents argue anxiously about Cheng Lang’s intentions and the danger he poses to the family.
• Cheng Yan confronts their assumptions, insists that Cheng Lang is his friend, and criticizes them for viewing him as a threat rather than recognizing the hardship he endured.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Yan defends Cheng Lang, arguing that Cheng Lang has consistently helped others and never initiated conflicts. He suggests Cheng Lang may not know his true parentage and likely views his biological parents as irresponsible strangers, especially since Cheng Lang has shown hostility toward Chang Mingfeng and even considered suing her for abandonment.
• Cheng Yan challenges his family’s fear that Cheng Lang might seek revenge or covet Chengyi Restaurant. He points out that Cheng Lang would have more reason to resent his biological parents than the Cheng family.
• Cheng Yan accidentally realizes that his parents already knew Cheng Lang existed and asks them directly. His mother admits the truth.
• Twenty years earlier, Chang Mingfeng had an affair with Cheng Xingwang while pursuing wealth and status. After Cheng Xingwang’s wife exposed the affair, Chang Mingfeng was ostracized by both the Cheng and Chang families and forced to leave X City.
• A year later, Chang Mingfeng returned with baby Cheng Lang, claiming he was Cheng Xingwang’s son. She asked the Cheng family to raise him because she could not support him, promising to leave and never interfere again.
• Cheng Xingwang was willing to accept the child, but his wife firmly refused. She feared raising her husband’s illegitimate child and suspected Chang Mingfeng might later use Cheng Lang to pursue the family’s inheritance.
• When Chang Mingfeng appealed to Cheng Xingwang’s parents, they wanted to take in their grandson. However, Cheng Yan’s mother threatened divorce and promised to take Cheng Yan with her if the child was accepted. Her powerful brothers also supported her, forcing the Cheng family to abandon the idea.
• Enraged, Chang Mingfeng declared that she did not want Cheng Lang either. She left him at an orphanage and departed X City. The Cheng family later considered persuading Cheng Yan’s mother to bring him home, unwilling to let their bloodline remain in an orphanage.

Character Developments

• Cheng Yan is revealed as perceptive, fair-minded, and unexpectedly sympathetic toward Cheng Lang. Although he initially speaks innocently, his reasoning exposes the family’s self-centered assumptions and forces his parents to reveal their secret.
• Cheng Yan’s mother is shown to be forceful, controlling, and fiercely protective of her marriage and son. Her jealousy and fear of losing family resources lead her to reject Cheng Lang, despite knowing he is part of the Cheng bloodline.
• Cheng Xingwang appears weak and morally compromised. Though willing to acknowledge and raise his son, he ultimately submits to his wife’s demands and allows Cheng Lang to be abandoned.
• Chang Mingfeng is portrayed as manipulative and desperate, but also as a mother unable or unwilling to raise Cheng Lang after being rejected by the Cheng family.
• Cheng Lang, though absent from the events, becomes central to the chapter as the abandoned child whose current success and personality contrast sharply with the adults’ past choices.

Significant Themes

• Abandonment and parental responsibility: The adults repeatedly prioritize pride, marriage, and status over Cheng Lang’s welfare.
• Family, bloodline, and inheritance: The Cheng family values Cheng Lang as a blood relative but rejects the actual responsibility of raising him.
• Prejudice and misplaced suspicion: The family assumes Cheng Lang may seek revenge, while Cheng Yan argues that his resentment would be understandable.
• Consequences of past wrongdoing: The affair and the family’s decision to abandon Cheng Lang continue to threaten their present security.
• Moral contrast between actions and reputation: Cheng Yan emphasizes Cheng Lang’s history of helping others, challenging the family’s portrayal of him as vindictive.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Yan debates his mother, defending Cheng Lang and questioning the family’s fears.
• He indirectly confronts Cheng Xingwang by suggesting that Cheng Lang may view him as an irresponsible parent.
• His questioning forces his parents to confess that they knew about Cheng Lang’s existence.
• The flashback shows the conflict between Chang Mingfeng, Cheng Xingwang, his wife, and his parents over whether Cheng Lang should be accepted into the family.

Chapter 87 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Yan’s mother reveals why Cheng Lang was never brought into the Cheng family. She distrusted the director of X City Orphanage, believing the woman—who was Chang Mingfeng’s friend—might use Cheng Lang to create trouble or manipulate the family.
• Cheng Xingwang secretly sent money to the orphanage when Cheng Lang was an infant, but his wife discovered this and accused him of having an affair with the widowed director. Fearing further conflict, he stopped providing support.
• Cheng Yan’s mother admits that she deliberately cut off the Cheng family’s connection to Cheng Lang. She acknowledges that her actions were unfair and that Cheng Lang would have every reason to resent the family.
• Cheng Yan is shocked by the truth. Although he understands that his mother acted to protect him, he also accepts that Cheng Lang would be justified in seeking revenge. He asks only that Cheng Lang not target him personally.
• Worried that Cheng Lang may retaliate against Cheng Yan, Cheng Yan’s mother decides she must speak with Cheng Lang.
• Meanwhile, Cheng Lang plans to use the publicity surrounding Tomorrow’s Starlight and Star Entertainment Media to promote Forest Style Milk Tea.
• He chooses to release Meng Tianye’s debut single on the day of the show’s national finals livestream, maximizing exposure. The song is backed by Qin Dynasty Records and produced by renowned rock producer Zhao Mingyue.
• The song, “Wild Growth,” reflects Meng Tianye’s struggles after moving to X City and his decision to pursue music rather than compromise with an ordinary life.
• After withdrawing from the competition, Meng Tianye gains clarity and rewrites the song in three sleepless days. Zhao Mingyue is deeply impressed and agrees to produce it personally.
• Cheng Lang funds the song’s music video through Forest Style Milk Tea. The video features Meng Tianye performing before a massive cheering audience, fulfilling his dream of singing onstage.
• Cheng Lang and Zhao Mingyue briefly disagree over whether the music video should include overseas filming. Cheng Lang favors a more commercially polished approach, while the project’s artistic direction is still being negotiated.

Character Development

• Cheng Yan’s mother is shown as fearful and highly protective rather than simply malicious. She made harsh decisions to shield Cheng Yan, but now recognizes the moral consequences of abandoning Cheng Lang.
• Cheng Yan demonstrates compassion and moral honesty. Despite his loyalty to his mother, he does not deny Cheng Lang’s legitimate grievances and refuses to blame him if he seeks revenge.
• Cheng Xingwang appears passive and intimidated by his wife, unable to continue supporting Cheng Lang after her accusations.
• Cheng Lang continues to display strategic business judgment, combining entertainment promotion with Forest Style Milk Tea’s marketing campaign.
• Meng Tianye undergoes an artistic breakthrough. By withdrawing from the competition and rejecting compromise, he rediscovers his authentic musical voice.
• Zhao Mingyue reaffirms his dedication to genuine rock music and recognizes Meng Tianye’s talent.

Significant Themes

• Family secrecy, abandonment, and the long-term consequences of past decisions.
• The conflict between protection and injustice: Cheng Yan’s mother acted for her son’s sake but harmed Cheng Lang.
• Moral responsibility and the legitimacy of revenge.
• Authenticity versus compromise, especially in Meng Tianye’s musical journey.
• The relationship between art, personal conviction, and commercial promotion.
• Strategic use of media exposure and entertainment to advance business interests.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Yan confronts his mother’s confession with shock but responds sympathetically, acknowledging both her motives and Cheng Lang’s pain.
• Cheng Yan’s mother’s fear of Cheng Lang drives her decision to contact him directly.
• Cheng Lang works with Qin Dynasty Records, Lü, and Zhao Mingyue to launch Meng Tianye’s career.
• Meng Tianye’s personal transformation inspires Zhao Mingyue, whose confidence in the song leads him to produce it himself.
• Cheng Lang and Zhao Mingyue clash mildly over the creative and commercial direction of the music video.

Chapter 166 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Tianye leaves the creative direction of his debut single largely to Cheng Lang, believing he has already received significant help and can repay him only through his music.
• After the milk tea promotional song becomes a major online hit, Cheng Lang decides Meng Tianye’s debut MV must be spectacular and worthy of his talent.
• Zhao Mingyue argues that Meng Tianye’s greatest strength is his live performance and fan interaction. She proposes filming the MV as a concert to establish him as a powerful rock performer.
• Cheng Lang agrees and personally oversees the lighting and stage design, creating a lavish concert-style MV in a venue designed to evoke a ten-thousand-person superstar performance.
• The MV for “Wild Growth” is released at noon on the same day as the national finals of Tomorrow’s Starlight, which is being held at the same gymnasium that evening.
• The MV becomes a sensation. Its grand visuals, explosive rock vocals, and roaring crowd atmosphere make it appear far more polished and exciting than the live finals performances.
• Viewers begin comparing Meng Tianye’s flawless MV with the contestants’ nervous, uneven performances. The contestants struggle with the larger venue, weak live vocals, technical issues, and an unenthusiastic audience.
• Qin Dynasty Records and Forest Style Milk Tea heavily promote the MV, further amplifying its popularity and allowing Meng Tianye to overshadow Tomorrow’s Starlight on its most important night.
• Cheng Lang adds fuel to the conflict by livestreaming during the finals and sarcastically criticizing the production team’s lighting, microphones, and other technical failures while praising the contestants themselves.
• Furious organizers attempt to attack Cheng Lang by bringing up his dispute with his biological parents, particularly accusations that he is cold and unfilial.
• Cheng Lang responds with a viciously humorous retort, challenging the commenter to take in the abandoned parent themselves. His response delights viewers and further strengthens his reputation for sharp, fearless comebacks.

Character Developments

• Meng Tianye is presented as humble and grateful, focusing on repaying Cheng Lang through music rather than demanding personal rewards. His debut establishes him as a charismatic, high-impact rock performer.
• Cheng Lang demonstrates both loyalty and ambition. He rewards Meng Tianye generously, personally crafting the MV’s grand presentation, while also using strategic publicity and public criticism to undermine a hostile production team.
• Zhao Mingyue shows strong insight into Meng Tianye’s artistic identity, recognizing that his appeal depends on the energy and emotional connection of live performance.
• Cheng Lang’s response to attacks about his family conflict reinforces his aggressive, witty public persona and his refusal to accept moral criticism from strangers.

Significant Themes

• Live performance versus manufactured entertainment: The chapter contrasts Meng Tianye’s convincing concert atmosphere with the contestants’ inability to adapt from studio recording to a large live venue.
• Strategic publicity and competition: Releasing the MV during the finals allows Cheng Lang and his allies to exploit public attention and directly challenge Tomorrow’s Starlight.
• Loyalty and repayment: Meng Tianye wants to repay Cheng Lang through his talent, while Cheng Lang returns that loyalty by investing heavily in Meng Tianye’s career.
• Public image and power: The MV is designed not merely as a song promotion but as the deliberate construction of Meng Tianye’s superstar persona.
• Family, morality, and public judgment: Cheng Lang’s exchange with the commenter highlights how easily outsiders judge complicated family matters and how he uses sarcasm to reject imposed moral expectations.

Character Interactions

• Meng Tianye and Cheng Lang share mutual gratitude and professional trust.
• Zhao Mingyue persuades Cheng Lang to prioritize Meng Tianye’s live-performance strengths, and Cheng Lang ultimately supports her vision.
• Cheng Lang’s livestream directly antagonizes the Tomorrow’s Starlight production team by exposing its weaknesses.
• The production team attempts to retaliate by attacking Cheng Lang’s family dispute, but he turns the accusation against them in front of an amused audience.

Chapter 88 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tomorrow’s Starlight concludes its national finals successfully despite live-broadcast problems and underwhelming performances.
• The show’s popularity greatly benefits both:
  • Meng Tianye’s debut single MV, which sells over six million copies in twenty-four hours, generating more than thirty million yuan and prompting Qin Dynasty Records to consider a physical album.
  • Forest Style Milk Tea, whose official store gains 100,000 followers overnight and whose new Milk Tea Paste and Milk Tea Powder sell an additional 200,000 bags. The company successfully establishes itself in the domestic FMCG market.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu shift their focus toward expanding Forest Style Milk Tea offline, planning directly operated branches throughout X City rather than relying on franchises.
• Staff at the flagship store become highly motivated after learning they may be promoted to store managers, viewing the company as a path toward better salaries and long-term careers.
• Cheng Lang receives an unexpected call from Cheng Yan’s mother, who wants to discuss his relationship with the Cheng Family and asks him not to take revenge on Cheng Yan for past events.
• Cheng Lang rejects her implied accusations and warns her that any legitimate dispute should be handled through legal channels. He also threatens legal action for defamation if her unsupported suspicions damage his reputation or Forest Style Milk Tea’s brand.
• He argues that her supposedly conciliatory phone call is actually a form of provocation, since she assumes he intends revenge despite his having taken no action against her.
• Cheng Yan’s mother admits that she is genuinely afraid of Cheng Lang’s influence, particularly after hearing about his dealings with First Milk Tea and his ability to manipulate the capital market.

Character Development

• Cheng Lang appears increasingly confident, powerful, and business-focused. He remains emotionally detached from the Cheng Family’s history but is highly protective of his reputation and company.
• He demonstrates a firm commitment to using legal and commercial methods rather than acting on personal revenge, while also showing that he will respond aggressively to perceived provocation.
• Cheng Yan’s mother is shown as cautious, fearful, and politically astute. Though she maintains outward courtesy, her call reveals deep anxiety over Cheng Lang’s potential retaliation and her own past decisions.
• The flagship employees gain ambition and loyalty as they see opportunities for promotion and advancement within Forest Style Milk Tea.
• Meng Tianye experiences a major breakthrough, moving from talent-show contestant to commercially successful recording artist.

Significant Themes

• Success and commercial momentum: Media exposure can rapidly transform an artist and a new consumer brand into major market successes.
• Reputation and public perception: Both Cheng Lang and Forest Style Milk Tea must protect their public image as their influence grows.
• Law versus personal revenge: Cheng Lang emphasizes legal procedures and evidence, rejecting emotional retaliation while warning others not to abuse accusations.
• Power and social hierarchy: Cheng Yan’s mother’s deferential attitude reflects Cheng Lang’s growing economic and social power.
• Opportunity and upward mobility: The flagship employees’ potential promotions show how the company’s expansion creates new possibilities for ordinary workers.
• Fear created by past actions: Cheng Yan’s mother’s anxiety suggests that unresolved family history continues to shape her relationship with Cheng Lang, even though he personally feels detached from it.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Lang and Cheng Yan’s mother: Their phone conversation is tense and confrontational. She presents herself as fearful and asks him to spare Cheng Yan, while Cheng Lang rejects her assumptions, demands evidence, and warns her against defamation. Their exchange highlights the contrast between her defensive anxiety and his controlled, intimidating confidence.
• Cheng Lang and the Forest Style Milk Tea employees: Though not shown in a direct scene, the company’s expansion plans and promotion opportunities strengthen their enthusiasm and connection to him as an employer.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu: Their shared preference for directly operated stores demonstrates a cautious, quality-focused approach to business growth.

Chapter 89 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang confronts Cheng Yan’s mother over her past actions and recent attempt to damage his reputation.
• He deduces that nineteen years earlier, she abandoned an infant—her husband’s illegitimate child—to protect her own lifestyle and her biological son’s inheritance.
• Cheng Lang accuses her of projecting her fear and guilt onto him, assuming he would retaliate against Chengyi Restaurant and the Cheng family after learning the truth.
• He argues that while she had the right to protect her interests, she must accept the consequences of having harmed an innocent person and cannot demand that he spare her son.
• To illustrate the difference between protecting one’s interests and oppressing a weaker party, Cheng Lang compares her actions with another woman who forced her cheating husband to undergo a vasectomy.
• After the call, Cheng Lang remains calm and confident, refusing to be morally manipulated or intimidated.
• At the office, he learns that First Milk Tea is receiving a large number of orders from major supermarkets. He instructs Shen Huaiyu to continue developing distributor relationships and learn from established industry leaders—while privately planning to recruit their employees.
• With New Year’s Eve approaching, Cheng Lang announces that he plans to return home for the holiday.

Character Development

• Cheng Lang: Demonstrates his sharp reasoning, ruthless business mindset, and strong resistance to emotional or moral coercion. Though he claims not to be moralistic, he maintains a clear principle: people who harm others to protect their own interests must accept the consequences. His confidence and strategic ambition remain undiminished.
• Cheng Yan’s mother: Becomes flustered and defensive when Cheng Lang exposes the selfish motives behind her past and present actions. Her inability to respond effectively suggests that she feels guilt but still struggles to acknowledge wrongdoing.
• Shen Huaiyu: Shows concern for Cheng Lang after the confrontation and supports him by bringing him milk tea. Their relaxed exchange reflects growing familiarity and warmth.
• First Milk Tea’s business team: The company is gaining momentum, with major supermarkets placing orders, though it still needs to strengthen its offline distribution network.

Significant Themes

• Self-interest versus morality: The chapter examines whether protecting one’s family or material interests justifies harming an innocent person.
• Consequences and accountability: Cheng Lang insists that those who make self-serving choices cannot demand immunity from retaliation later.
• Moral coercion: Cheng Yan’s mother attempts to portray Cheng Lang as dangerous and immoral, but he rejects her attempt to control him through guilt and public reputation.
• Power and vulnerability: The contrast between strong and weak parties appears both in family conflict and business competition.
• Ambition and competition: First Milk Tea’s expansion shows Cheng Lang’s pragmatic approach to business: cooperate and learn publicly while pursuing aggressive competitive strategies privately.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Lang and Cheng Yan’s mother: Their phone conversation is the chapter’s central confrontation. Cheng Lang forces her to face the consequences of abandoning the infant and later slandering him, while she repeatedly denies intending harm.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu: Their post-confrontation conversation is gentler and more casual. Shen Huaiyu worries about him and offers him milk tea, while Cheng Lang discusses business and teases him about having holiday plans.

Chapter 169 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shen Huaiyu tells Cheng Lang that Huaiyuan’s mother has invited them to her home for the New Year. Cheng Lang declines, and Shen decides instead to visit Wojin in the hospital, hoping family company will aid his recovery.
• Cheng Lang offers to spend New Year’s Eve with Shen at the office, since he assumes the Qin Family may not welcome him. Qin Mu overhears and becomes visibly jealous and displeased that Cheng Lang might spend the holiday with Shen rather than with him.
• Qin Mu insists that Cheng Lang accompany him to the Qin Family’s ancestral residence. Cheng initially worries that Qin Mu’s father will object to him bringing a man home, but Qin Mu assures him that his grandfather is broad-minded and that his father’s opinion is irrelevant.
• Cheng agrees to attend the Qin Family’s New Year celebration. Qin Mu, pleased, offers to cook dinner for him.
• What begins as a plan for seafood noodles turns into an elaborate seafood feast: cheese-baked lobster, garlic scallops, spicy crayfish, drunken crab, and noodles. Cheng Lang and Qin Mu shop for ingredients together and prepare the meal as a team.
• The following morning, on New Year’s Eve, Qin Mu wakes Cheng Lang before dawn so they can reach the ancestral residence in time for the auspicious hour of ancestor worship. He promises Cheng Lang can sleep during the journey.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu displays possessiveness and jealousy more openly than usual. Though normally reserved, he strongly objects to Cheng Lang spending New Year’s Eve with Shen Huaiyu and makes clear that he wants Cheng Lang beside him.
• Qin Mu also demonstrates increasing domestic affection. He enjoys cooking for Cheng Lang and values even mundane activities, such as washing ingredients and dishes together, as expressions of intimacy.
• Cheng Lang begins with reluctance toward family holidays and domestic chores, but he gradually accepts Qin Mu’s invitation and finds unexpected comfort in their shared routines. Although he claims not to enjoy housework, he recognizes that doing it with Qin Mu feels meaningful and satisfying.
• Cheng Lang remains concerned about family acceptance, especially from Qin Mu’s father, revealing his awareness of the social and emotional implications of their relationship.
• Shen Huaiyu shows continued concern for Wojin, believing that family interaction may help him recover, while also accepting Cheng Lang’s decision not to attend the Huai family gathering.

Significant Themes

• Belonging and chosen family: Cheng Lang initially feels like an outsider during traditional family celebrations, but Qin Mu’s insistence shows that he considers Cheng Lang part of his family.
• Domestic intimacy: Shopping, cooking, cleaning seafood, and sharing meals become important demonstrations of affection and partnership.
• Jealousy and possessiveness: Qin Mu’s reaction to Shen Huaiyu highlights his emotional investment in Cheng Lang and his desire to be Cheng Lang’s primary companion.
• Tradition versus personal choice: The Qin Family’s ancestor worship and New Year customs contrast with Cheng Lang’s discomfort, yet he agrees to participate because of Qin Mu.
• Care expressed through actions: Qin Mu’s cooking, concern for Cheng Lang’s safety, and promise to let him sleep in the car reveal tenderness beneath his emotionally restrained exterior.

Character Interactions

• Qin Mu and Cheng Lang’s exchange over New Year plans exposes Qin Mu’s jealousy and Cheng Lang’s uncertainty about being accepted by the Qin family.
• Their joint supermarket trip and meal preparation show them settling naturally into a domestic partnership. Qin Mu repeatedly worries about Cheng Lang being injured by the live seafood, while Cheng Lang insists on helping.
• During dinner, Qin Mu continues caring for Cheng Lang by offering to serve him noodles and accommodating his preferences.
• Qin Mu’s satisfaction after Cheng Lang admits that doing housework together is pleasant is symbolized by his secretly wagging tail, revealing how deeply he values their shared domestic life.

Chapter 90 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang travels with Qin Mu to the Qin Family Ancestral Residence, sleeping in the car while Qin Mu thoughtfully provides him with a pillow and blanket.
• Upon arrival, Qin Wenyu criticizes Qin Mu for openly treating Cheng Lang well, implying that bringing a male partner home disgraces the family.
• Qin Mu retaliates by hinting that Qin Wenyu himself may have been cuckolded and that Xu Manyi’s unborn child may not be his.
• Xu Manyi panics and denies the accusation. Qin Mu insists that the child’s paternity can be confirmed after birth.
• Qin Wenyu threatens to order a DNA test immediately after the New Year and vows to cast Xu Manyi out if the child is not his.
• Cheng Lang deliberately worsens the conflict by pointing out that prenatal DNA testing could endanger Xu Manyi and the baby, contrasting Qin Mu’s caution with Qin Wenyu’s apparent lack of concern.
• Satisfied after provoking the couple, Cheng Lang enters the ancestral residence with Qin Mu.
• In front of the entire family, Qin Mu introduces Cheng Lang as his “beloved,” publicly affirming their relationship.
• Old Master Qin questions Cheng Lang about his willingness to accept a lower status within the family. Cheng Lang jokingly explains that if he cannot become Qin’s son, he can become his grandson, presenting himself as a filial descendant.
• Although the family is confused and Old Master Qin is speechless, the old master chooses not to challenge the relationship because of Qin Mu’s past grievances and recent accident.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu demonstrates increasing boldness and protectiveness toward Cheng Lang. He refuses to hide their relationship, confronts Qin Wenyu, and publicly identifies Cheng Lang as his chosen partner.
• Cheng Lang remains sharp-tongued, shameless, and highly adept at manipulating tense situations. He supports Qin Mu while effortlessly provoking Qin Wenyu and Xu Manyi.
• Qin Wenyu is exposed as insecure and suspicious. Qin Mu’s accusation causes him to lose control and turn aggressively against Xu Manyi.
• Xu Manyi becomes frightened and desperate, recognizing that her position and security depend entirely on Qin Wenyu despite his cold treatment.
• Old Master Qin appears troubled but restrained. He understands Qin Mu’s resentment toward the family and avoids escalating the situation.
• The Qin family reacts with shock and embarrassment, revealing its concern with reputation and traditional expectations.

Significant Themes

• Love versus family reputation: Qin Mu openly chooses his relationship with Cheng Lang despite the family’s belief that it brings disgrace.
• Hypocrisy and double standards: The family condemns Qin Mu’s same-sex relationship while overlooking deeper betrayal and scandal within its own household.
• Power and insecurity within marriage: Xu Manyi’s dependence on Qin Wenyu reveals how vulnerable she is, especially when her social status rests on his acceptance.
• Public declaration and defiance: Qin Mu’s use of “my beloved” marks a deliberate rejection of secrecy and traditional family control.
• Manipulation and truth: Both Qin Mu’s accusation and Cheng Lang’s remarks destabilize the family by exposing hidden doubts and exploiting existing tensions.

Character Interactions

• Qin Mu and Qin Wenyu clash over Qin Mu’s relationship with Cheng Lang, with Qin Mu turning the accusation of disgrace back on his father.
• Qin Mu confronts Xu Manyi indirectly by challenging the legitimacy of her unborn child.
• Cheng Lang joins the conflict by criticizing Qin Wenyu’s willingness to risk Xu Manyi’s health through prenatal testing.
• Qin Mu publicly introduces Cheng Lang to Old Master Qin and the extended family, while Cheng Lang responds to the old master’s challenge with humor and shameless filial rhetoric.
• Old Master Qin silently tolerates the relationship, prioritizing Qin Mu’s feelings and emotional stability over the family’s discomfort.

Chapter 91 Summary

• Plot and events: The Qin family quietly abandons the idea of Qin Mu bringing a male partner home for New Year. While the men perform the lengthy ancestral rites, Cheng Lang waits in the main hall with the young women of the family. Afterward, he briefly encounters Third Uncle Qin, who asks Cheng Lang to help him make money through stock trading. Cheng Lang agrees in principle but reminds him that investing involves risk, causing Third Uncle to hesitate. Cheng Lang then returns to the dining table, where everyone waits for Old Master Qin before beginning the meal, reflecting the family’s strict hierarchy and rules.
• Character development: Cheng Lang openly and confidently defends Qin Mu, insisting that beneath his cold and distant exterior, Qin Mu is attentive, dependable, and caring. He privately takes pride in their relationship and humorously tries to keep Qin Mu’s affectionate domestic side hidden from others, though he repeatedly ends up boasting about him. Cheng Lang also demonstrates his intelligence and caution when dealing with Third Uncle, subtly recalling Qin Mu’s earlier dealings with him and refusing to promise easy profits. The young women’s opinion of Cheng Lang shifts as they see him as friendly, humorous, capable, and an appealing romantic partner.
• Character interactions: The Qin family girls tease Cheng Lang about loving someone as cold and unapproachable as Qin Mu, even suggesting that Cheng Lang himself would make a better boyfriend. Cheng Lang responds playfully but sincerely, explaining that genuine care is shown through actions rather than sweet words. His defense of Qin Mu reveals his intimate understanding of Qin Mu’s personality. His later conversation with Third Uncle is polite on the surface but carries an undercurrent of negotiation and restrained mockery.
• Themes: The chapter contrasts outward personality with genuine character, emphasizing that quiet, seemingly aloof people may express love through practical care rather than verbal affection. It also explores romantic partiality—Cheng Lang sees Qin Mu’s virtues because of their close relationship—and the tension between personal warmth and the Qin family’s rigid traditions. Family hierarchy, gender discrimination, social expectations, and the importance of financial caution are also highlighted.

Chapter 172 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Qin Mu attentively pours Cheng Lang tea and lets him warm his hands, publicly revealing how considerate he has become toward his partner.
• Third Uncle Qin jokes that Qin Mu has matured after falling in love and mentions Qin Mu’s deceased mother. Cheng Lang responds warmly and begins addressing him as “Third Uncle.”
• Cheng Lang openly offers to help Third Uncle Qin invest, exposing the investment proposal Third Uncle had privately made earlier. The family immediately becomes suspicious of Third Uncle’s motives or carelessness.
• Old Master Qin returns and frames the matter as one of family solidarity, allowing Third Uncle Qin to save face while encouraging everyone to support one another financially.
• During dinner, Cheng Lang becomes the center of attention:
  • The women question him about his relationship with Qin Mu.
  • The men focus on his financial expertise, especially his successful short-selling of First Milk Tea, which earned him six hundred million in one week.
• The Qin family members are tempted to seek Cheng Lang’s investment advice but hesitate because of their poor relationship with Qin Mu and fear that Cheng Lang might retaliate against them through the market.
• The family reflects on Cheng Lang’s dramatic change in status. He was once a low-status resident singer and performer whom even Qin Mi could ridicule; now he is Qin Mu’s partner and a powerful, wealthy financial player whom the family cannot afford to offend.
• After a peaceful New Year’s Eve dinner, the family divides into various activities: card games, phone entertainment, the Spring Festival Gala, and opera with Old Master Qin.
• Qin Mu takes Cheng Lang for a walk in the snowy back garden. They discover the blooming plum grove, and Cheng Lang admires the scenery before joking that the fresh blossoms would be ideal for making plum blossom cakes.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu: Becomes more openly affectionate and attentive toward Cheng Lang, demonstrating that their relationship has softened and matured him. He also confidently presents Cheng Lang within the family.
• Cheng Lang: Gains social authority and respect through his relationship with Qin Mu and his financial success. He remains composed, humorous, and socially skillful, openly revealing Third Uncle Qin’s proposal without appearing confrontational.
• Third Uncle Qin: Attempts to use Cheng Lang’s investment ability for financial gain and quickly takes advantage of Old Master Qin’s words to portray his plan as an act of family unity.
• Old Master Qin: Maintains control over the family atmosphere, defusing the awkward investment dispute by emphasizing collective prosperity and family cooperation.
• The Qin family: Their attitude toward Cheng Lang shifts from condescension to caution and respect because of his wealth, influence, and potentially dangerous market strategies.

Significant Themes

• Power and social status: Cheng Lang’s rapid rise demonstrates how wealth and ability can transform someone’s position within an elite family.
• Economic power shaping relationships: The family’s politeness is shown to be motivated largely by self-interest and fear of Cheng Lang’s financial influence.
• Family unity versus personal motives: Old Master Qin speaks of mutual support, but Third Uncle Qin’s behavior reveals how family rhetoric can conceal opportunism.
• Romance and personal growth: Qin Mu’s tenderness toward Cheng Lang signals the emotional development of their relationship.
• Changing perceptions: The family’s treatment of Cheng Lang changes dramatically once his success makes it impossible to dismiss him.

Character Interactions

• Qin Mu and Cheng Lang display growing intimacy through small gestures, especially Qin Mu’s care with the tea and their private walk together.
• Cheng Lang and Third Uncle Qin exchange friendly remarks, though Cheng Lang’s public disclosure of the investment discussion places Third Uncle under scrutiny.
• Old Master Qin intervenes diplomatically between Cheng Lang and Third Uncle Qin.
• The wider family discusses Cheng Lang as both Qin Mu’s lover and a formidable investor, revealing their mixture of curiosity, envy, admiration, and fear.
• The chapter ends on an affectionate, relaxed note as Qin Mu and Cheng Lang enjoy the plum blossoms together.

Chapter 92 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Mu suggests having the kitchen make plum blossom pastries for the next morning after he and Cheng Lang walk through the snowy back garden.
• The family warns Cheng Lang that the plum grove belongs to Old Master Qin and is strictly off-limits. Qin Mu nevertheless declares that he wants the blossoms, and everyone accepts this because of his privileged position as the eldest legitimate grandson and heir to the Qin Family’s main branch.
• Qin Mi and the other younger relatives resent Qin Mu’s special treatment and his habit of siding with outsiders, but they are powerless against his influence and Old Master Qin’s favoritism.
• During the New Year’s Eve vigil, the family eats prepared dumplings at midnight. Cheng Lang enjoys both the meat and vegetarian varieties.
• When the servants do not know where to place Cheng Lang for the night, Qin Mu calmly announces that Cheng Lang will stay in his room, provoking suggestive curiosity among the relatives.
• In Qin Mu’s room, Cheng Lang showers while Qin Mu reviews financial news and market trends despite the holiday.
• Cheng Lang teases Qin Mu for working during New Year’s and drapes himself over him, prompting affectionate concern from Qin Mu when he notices Cheng Lang has not dried his hair.
• Their playful exchange becomes increasingly intimate when Qin Mu suddenly pins Cheng Lang against the bathroom counter, revealing his usually restrained composure giving way to desire.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu: His authority and favored status within the Qin Family become clear. Although outwardly cold and controlled, he openly prioritizes Cheng Lang and shows increasingly obvious tenderness and physical attraction toward him.
• Cheng Lang: He remains confident, playful, and shamelessly flirtatious. His comfort with teasing Qin Mu and staying in his room demonstrates the growing intimacy and security in their relationship.
• Qin Family relatives: Their jealousy and resentment toward Qin Mu intensify, especially because his influence makes them appear less important. They are also intrigued by his relationship with Cheng Lang but cannot openly challenge him.

Significant Themes

• Privilege and family hierarchy: Qin Mu’s status grants him freedoms denied to other family members, exposing the rigid power structure within the Qin Family.
• Resentment and exclusion: The younger relatives feel overshadowed by Qin Mu’s position and angered by his alliances outside the family.
• Intimacy beneath restraint: Qin Mu’s calm exterior contrasts with his growing emotional and physical responsiveness to Cheng Lang.
• Tradition versus personal desire: The New Year customs and ancestral residence emphasize family tradition, while Qin Mu and Cheng Lang’s relationship introduces a private, unconventional intimacy into that setting.

Character Interactions

• The relatives tease Cheng Lang and Qin Mu about their long walk in the cold, while Qin Mu remains impassive and Cheng Lang responds openly.
• Qin Mu protects Cheng Lang’s wish for plum blossom pastries despite the family taboo.
• Qin Mu publicly establishes that Cheng Lang will share his room, silently asserting their closeness before the entire family.
• In private, Cheng Lang flirts with Qin Mu by clinging to him, praising his physique, and teasing him about drying his hair. Qin Mu answers with practical concern before turning the exchange into a passionate physical encounter.

Chapter 174 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang and Qin Mu spend the night together, ignoring practical concerns such as drying their hair or sleeping.
• The next morning, Cheng Lang is awakened by what sounds like firecrackers. Qin Mu explains that the Qin Family’s butler is playing a recording because fireworks are prohibited in X City, while Old Master Qin insists on preserving the New Year tradition of using firecrackers to ward off evil.
• The recording keeps the entire household awake, leaving most of the family exhausted at breakfast.
• Qin Mi publicly mocks Qin Mu, implying that he slept late because he had been occupied with Cheng Lang.
• Qin Mu turns the accusation back on him, invoking the Qin Family’s rules and questioning how Qin Mi’s disrespect toward an elder should be punished.
• Qin Mi argues that Qin Mu is abusing his position as the eldest-branch heir and claims that members of the same generation should not be forced to treat him as superior.
• Second Madam Qin joins the dispute, criticizing Qin Mu’s mother and suggesting that the family should reconsider the rule granting inheritance to the eldest grandson of the eldest branch.
• Qin Mu calmly exposes the second branch’s dissatisfaction with the family hierarchy and pointedly remarks that Qin Wenyu’s inability to have more children prevents them from changing their branch or inheritance prospects.
• His remark reveals Qin Wenyu’s past vasectomy, performed after Qin Mu’s mother discovered his infidelity. Qin Wenyu becomes furious and redirects his anger toward Second Madam Qin.
• Second Master Qin reprimands his wife, while she appeals to Old Master Qin for protection.
• Old Master Qin refuses to punish Qin Mu, stating that disrespect from juniors is a consequence of elders behaving improperly.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu remains composed and verbally dominant. He demonstrates his authority as heir and shows that he is willing to exploit the family’s rules and hidden scandals to defend himself and Cheng Lang.
• Cheng Lang is comfortable and intimate with Qin Mu, and his presence at breakfast makes him the target of Qin Mi’s insinuations. He witnesses Qin Mu’s control over the family confrontation.
• Qin Mi reveals resentment toward Qin Mu’s status and his own position in the second branch. His attempt to humiliate Qin Mu quickly backfires.
• Second Madam Qin openly exposes her hostility toward Qin Mu’s mother and her desire to overturn the inheritance arrangement. Her spite and ambition intensify the family conflict.
• Qin Wenyu is shown to harbor deep resentment over the consequences of his past affair. His inability to confront Qin Mu directly leads him to lash out at Second Madam Qin.
• Old Master Qin reinforces Qin Mu’s authority by refusing to punish him and recognizing that the second branch provoked the confrontation.

Significant Themes

• Family hierarchy and inheritance: The breakfast dispute reflects the struggle over who will control the Qin Family and the Qin Group.
• Respect and hypocrisy: The family demands that juniors respect elders, yet Old Master Qin acknowledges that elders who behave maliciously cannot expect unquestioning obedience.
• Verbal power and hidden wounds: Qin Mu uses long-suppressed family secrets—especially Qin Wenyu’s vasectomy—to silence his opponents.
• Tradition versus adaptation: The recorded firecrackers humorously show the family preserving old customs despite modern restrictions.
• Prejudice against same-sex relationships: Qin Mu’s relationship with Cheng Lang is treated by some relatives as evidence that the eldest branch cannot continue, making it part of the inheritance conflict.

Character Interactions

• Qin Mu and Cheng Lang share a warm, intimate relationship, contrasting with the hostility of the family breakfast.
• Qin Mu and Qin Mi engage in a battle of insults, with Qin Mu overpowering Qin Mi through calm authority.
• Qin Mu directly challenges Second Madam Qin’s attacks on his mother and her ambitions for the inheritance.
• Qin Wenyu intervenes defensively, rebuking Second Madam Qin and exposing the bitterness surrounding his failed marriage and past infidelity.
• Old Master Qin ultimately sides with the principle behind Qin Mu’s response, allowing the confrontation to end in Qin Mu’s favor.

Chapter 93 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Mu sharply rebukes the Qin family’s second aunt for insulting his deceased mother, insisting that “the dead deserve respect.” Old Master Qin reprimands him for speaking disrespectfully to an elder, but Qin Mu remains silent and serves Cheng Lang congee.
• The family is surprised by Qin Mu’s cutting remarks, having long viewed him as taciturn but dangerously sharp-tongued when provoked.
• Cheng Lang jokes that Qin Mu should become his “straight man” in crosstalk. Qin Mu’s unexpected flicker of disappointment leaves Cheng Lang wondering whether he was actually interested in the idea.
• Old Master Qin has the kitchen bring out specially prepared plum blossom cakes because Cheng Lang had mentioned wanting them. Cheng Lang enjoys them, and Qin Mu thoughtfully places another cake in his bowl, privately deciding to learn how to make them himself.
• After breakfast, the family accompanies Old Master Qin on a walk through the garden. Seeing the plum grove reminds him of Qin Mu’s mischievous childhood.
• Old Master Qin reflects on how Qin Mu changed after his parents’ marriage collapsed and his mother took him away. Qin Mu became cold and withdrawn, though he later proved highly capable in managing the family businesses.
• Concerned about Qin Mu’s future, Old Master Qin considers warning him against relying on Cheng Lang, whom he sees as unreliable and overly glib. However, he decides not to interfere, fearing that pressing Qin Mu would only make him more stubborn and damage their relationship.
• He humorously regrets not making Cheng Lang his godson earlier, since that might have prevented Cheng Lang and Qin Mu from becoming romantically involved.

Character Developments

• Qin Mu: Demonstrates his fierce protectiveness toward his deceased mother and his unwillingness to tolerate disrespect. Beneath his reserved exterior, he shows tenderness and attentiveness toward Cheng Lang, especially through small acts such as serving him food and planning to recreate his favorite dessert.
• Cheng Lang: Discovers that Qin Mu is much more verbally formidable than expected. His teasing remains playful, but he is also increasingly aware of Qin Mu’s subtle emotional reactions and affection.
• Old Master Qin: Reveals deep affection and concern for Qin Mu. He recognizes that Qin Mu’s cold personality developed from childhood upheaval and isolation, and he worries that Qin Mu has no dependable family support or future heirs. Despite his doubts about Cheng Lang, he chooses restraint to preserve his bond with Qin Mu.
• The Qin family: Becomes cautious around Qin Mu after witnessing his sharp response to the second aunt, reinforcing the family’s awareness that his silence should not be mistaken for weakness.

Significant Themes

• Respect for the dead and family loyalty: Qin Mu defends his mother even after her death, showing that family loyalty remains important despite estrangement and past scandals.
• Emotional wounds and personality formation: Qin Mu’s childhood separation from his mother and the breakdown of his parents’ marriage explain his later reserve and emotional distance.
• Love expressed through actions: Qin Mu rarely speaks openly, but his care for Cheng Lang appears through food, attention, and practical gestures.
• Generational concern versus personal autonomy: Old Master Qin believes Qin Mu should prioritize long-term security, family, and heirs, while Qin Mu quietly insists on choosing his own life.
• Humor amid family tension: Cheng Lang’s jokes and the family’s humorous observations about Qin Mu ease the seriousness of the conflict and highlight the growing intimacy between the two men.

Character Interactions

• Qin Mu confronts the second aunt, while Old Master Qin attempts to maintain family hierarchy by reprimanding him.
• Cheng Lang teases Qin Mu about performing crosstalk, and Qin Mu’s subtle disappointment suggests he may genuinely enjoy Cheng Lang’s playful companionship.
• Qin Mu and Cheng Lang share a quiet, affectionate moment over the plum blossom cakes.
• Old Master Qin reminisces with Qin Mu about his childhood, though his memories lead into unspoken worries about Qin Mu’s loneliness, relationship, and future.

Chapter 176 Summary

Plot points and events

• During the Lunar New Year at the Qin residence, Old Master Qin reminisces about Qin Mu’s mischievous childhood. He regrets not recognizing Cheng Lang earlier, while Cheng Lang enjoys hearing the stories.
• Qin Mu explains one childhood incident involving Wei Purple, a koi fish that ate the orchids and chives Old Master Qin had raised for food, insisting that his actions had been well-intentioned.
• The family returns indoors because of the harsh winter weather. They spend the morning drinking tea, listening to opera, chatting, and playing cards.
• Cheng Lang withdraws to call Shen Huaiyu, who is staying at the hospital with his unconscious younger brother, Shen Wojin. Shen Wojin’s condition has improved: he appears more aware of his surroundings, and doctors encourage Shen Huaiyu to communicate with him to help awaken his will to live.
• Shen Huaiyu shares that Luo family members visited and brought food and support. Cheng Lang reassures him that the Qin family has treated him well and reminds him not to neglect his own health.
• After making New Year calls and messages to various contacts, Cheng Lang returns to Qin Mu, who thoughtfully brings him tea.
• Instead of playing cards, Cheng Lang teaches Qin Mu how to play a mobile game. The two spend their time exploring the game world together rather than focusing on competition.
• Cheng Lang asks whether Qin Mu would be willing to leave his current life behind someday and experience a richer, freer life with him. Qin Mu initially misunderstands this as a discussion about virtual reality games, but eventually realizes Cheng Lang means traveling and living together.
• Qin Mu agrees without hesitation, even considering early retirement and a long honeymoon. He decides he needs approximately three years to arrange successors and secure control of the Qin Group, Weng Group, and Qin Dynasty Group before giving up his current responsibilities.

Character developments

• Qin Mu reveals a playful, considerate, and deeply devoted side. Though normally focused almost entirely on work, he is willing to reorganize his life and retire early for Cheng Lang.
• Cheng Lang continues to act warmly and affectionately toward Qin Mu while maintaining concern for his friends, particularly Shen Huaiyu. He begins imagining a future in which he and Qin Mu share more experiences outside their current social and business world.
• Shen Huaiyu remains devoted to caring for Shen Wojin but receives emotional and practical support from the Luo family and Cheng Lang. His concern about whether the Qin family accepts Cheng Lang shows his protectiveness toward his friend.
• Old Master Qin is nostalgic and affectionate when recalling Qin Mu’s childhood, though he privately regrets having failed to recognize Cheng Lang sooner.
• Qin Mi remains irritated by Qin Mu and Cheng Lang’s affectionate behavior, viewing the holiday atmosphere with sarcastic resentment.

Significant themes

• Love and commitment: Qin Mu’s willingness to abandon his highly structured life for Cheng Lang demonstrates the depth of his devotion.
• Family acceptance and belonging: Cheng Lang’s warm reception by the Qin family and Shen Huaiyu’s concern about it highlight the importance of being accepted by loved ones.
• Care and responsibility: Shen Huaiyu cares for his brother while others care for him, emphasizing mutual support during hardship.
• Freedom versus duty: Qin Mu must balance his desire for a life with Cheng Lang against his obligations as the head of several major groups.
• New experiences and emotional growth: The simple act of playing a game together symbolizes Qin Mu gradually opening himself to leisure, spontaneity, and a life beyond work.

Character interactions

• Old Master Qin entertains Cheng Lang with stories about Qin Mu, while Cheng Lang teases Qin Mu affectionately.
• Qin Mi observes their closeness with annoyance.
• Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu share a supportive New Year conversation focused on Shen Wojin’s recovery and Huaiyu’s wellbeing.
• Qin Mu quietly shows consideration for Cheng Lang by bringing him tea.
• Cheng Lang introduces Qin Mu to mobile gaming, and their shared exploration leads to a serious discussion about traveling and building a future together.
• Qin Mu responds by promising to prepare his business affairs within three years so he can devote more time to Cheng Lang.

Chapter 94 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Lang reflects that the original story’s ending is still roughly two or three years away, giving Qin Mu time to mentally prepare for eventually leaving this world and returning with him to the System Space.
• He jokingly suggests that Qin Mu try becoming an actor, imagining that acting might help him become more expressive. Qin Mu is confused, and the suggestion is ultimately deemed impractical because of his reserved personality.
• Cheng Lang decides there is no need to force Qin Mu to change immediately. Once they return to the System Space, Qin Mu will have a year of training and can gradually become accustomed to missions.
• The two remain at the Qin ancestral residence until after the Lunar New Year before returning home for work.
• Inspired by Cheng Lang’s comment about acting, Qin Mu unexpectedly attempts “role-playing” through an intimate game involving matching doctor-style clothing. Cheng Lang realizes this is not what he meant, but ultimately participates enthusiastically.
• The next morning, despite their late night, Qin Mu wakes on time and prepares an elaborate breakfast, reaffirming his promise to ensure Cheng Lang has three proper meals whenever he is home.
• Cheng Lang suggests that Qin Mu learn self-defense, combat, and other professional skills in preparation for their future work as transmigrators. Qin Mu misinterprets the advice as possible dissatisfaction with his abilities and begins silently planning which skills to acquire.

Character Developments

• Cheng Lang shows increasing confidence in their future together. He thinks seriously about helping Qin Mu adapt to life in the System Space but is careful not to pressure him. He also appreciates Qin Mu’s domestic care and wants him to prepare physically and mentally for future missions.
• Qin Mu remains outwardly stoic but demonstrates initiative and affection in unconventional ways. He takes Cheng Lang’s suggestion about acting seriously, adapting it into role-playing, and continues to express love through practical actions such as cooking. His private reaction to Cheng Lang’s advice reveals insecurity and a strong desire to meet Cheng Lang’s expectations.
• Their relationship is portrayed as increasingly comfortable, playful, and intimate, with Qin Mu becoming more direct about his feelings.

Significant Themes

• Preparation for the future: The couple must eventually leave the current world, and Cheng Lang is already considering Qin Mu’s emotional and professional readiness.
• Love expressed through actions: Qin Mu communicates affection by cooking, maintaining routines, and trying activities he believes Cheng Lang wants.
• Miscommunication and humor: Cheng Lang’s innocent suggestion about acting leads to an unexpected interpretation, creating much of the chapter’s comedy.
• Personal growth without coercion: Cheng Lang recognizes that Qin Mu cannot be forced to become expressive and prefers gradual adjustment.
• Partnership and mutual support: Their shared future as transmigrators requires physical skills, emotional resilience, and trust.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Lang proposes acting; Qin Mu responds with bewilderment before later taking the idea literally in an intimate role-playing context.
• Cheng Lang participates despite his initial disbelief, deepening their romantic and playful bond.
• Qin Mu prepares a lavish breakfast, while Cheng Lang gently suggests simplifying their routine because he worries Qin Mu is overexerting himself.
• Cheng Lang advises Qin Mu to develop combat and professional skills. Qin Mu says little outwardly but internally resolves to improve, mistakenly assuming Cheng Lang may be dissatisfied with him.

Chapter 178 Summary

Plot and major events

After breakfast, Qin Mu drives Cheng Lang to work, continuing their routine since Cheng Lang moved into Qin Mu’s home. At Forest Style Milk Tea, the staff remain enthusiastic about the company’s promising future and the relaxed leadership of Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu. However, the atmosphere changes when Shen Huaiyu discovers that Family Mediation, a program on X City TV, plans to interview Chang Mingfeng, Cheng Lang’s estranged biological mother. A promotional clip shows Chang Mingfeng claiming that she regrets abandoning Cheng Lang and wants to reconcile before her death from cancer.

Public backlash and media manipulation

The teaser rapidly trends online. Public opinion becomes divided: some viewers condemn Chang Mingfeng for abandoning Cheng Lang, while others argue that her illness and impending death justify forgiveness. Some commenters pressure Cheng Lang to financially support her, threatening to boycott Forest Style Milk Tea if he refuses. The discussion then expands to Chang Mingfeng’s past affair with Chengyi Restaurant’s owner, Cheng Xingwang, and speculation that Cheng Lang may be their illegitimate son and potential heir to a considerable fortune. Online voices begin urging him to sue Cheng Xingwang as well, seemingly steering the narrative toward conflict with the Chengyi Restaurant family.

Character developments

Cheng Lang remains calm and observant rather than emotionally reacting to the accusations. He recognizes that the controversy is likely a deliberate attempt to damage Forest Style Milk Tea and manipulate him into taking legal action. He also notes that no paternity test has confirmed Chang Mingfeng and Cheng Xingwang as his parents, making the certainty of the online discussion suspicious. Shen Huaiyu shows loyalty and concern, assuring Cheng Lang that she and the company will support whatever decision he makes.

Character interactions

Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu discuss the developing scandal at the office. Cheng Yan’s mother then calls Cheng Lang, anxiously denying that she exposed his background and insisting she has no reason to antagonize him. Cheng Lang believes she is probably telling the truth, judging that she lacks both the ability and influence to orchestrate such a sophisticated media campaign. He recalls information from Qin Mu indicating that Cheng Xingwang—not his wife—is the true authority at Chengyi Restaurant, serving as its respected head chef while his wife manages the business.

Significant themes

The chapter explores the manipulation of public opinion, the tension between blood ties and personal responsibility, and the exploitation of illness and family trauma for publicity. It also highlights Cheng Lang’s composure and strategic thinking as he recognizes that the controversy may be part of a larger scheme targeting both his reputation and his possible connection to the Cheng family.

Chapter 95 Summary

Key plot points and events

• Cheng Yan’s mother realizes that if Cheng Lang sues Cheng Xingwang and his wife for abandoning him, Cheng Xingwang could be imprisoned.
• Such a scandal would weaken the Cheng Family’s influence over Chengyi Restaurant. Since Cheng Xingwang and his wife own only 33% of the shares, the other shareholders could call a meeting, choose a different successor, and remove the family from management.
• Cheng Yan is already viewed as an unsuitable heir because he lacks cooking ability, business experience, and the support of the shareholders.
• After speaking with Cheng Lang, Cheng Yan’s mother angrily blames Cheng Xingwang for the situation. Cheng Xingwang, however, shifts blame onto Chang Mingfeng, claiming Cheng Lang might not even be his biological son.
• Cheng Yan’s mother suggests consulting a lawyer and arranging a paternity test, hoping the absence of a test will help Cheng Xingwang avoid legal responsibility for abandonment.
• Cheng Xingwang proposes negotiating with Cheng Lang and possibly giving him half of the restaurant shares if he is confirmed as his son. He reasons that Cheng Lang’s financial talent could benefit the business, while Cheng Yan does not want to inherit it.
• Cheng Yan’s mother vehemently rejects the idea, insisting that Chengyi Restaurant must belong to Cheng Yan. She warns Cheng Xingwang that bringing Cheng Lang into the family could be dangerous and might still lead to his imprisonment.

Character developments

• Cheng Xingwang is shown to be cowardly, self-serving, and deeply regretful. Rather than accepting responsibility for abandoning Cheng Lang, he questions Cheng Lang’s paternity and blames Chang Mingfeng.
• Cheng Yan’s mother becomes increasingly desperate and calculating. Her initial shock at Cheng Xingwang’s reasoning gives way to relief when she sees a possible legal loophole, but her possessiveness over Chengyi Restaurant ultimately dominates her judgment.
• Cheng Lang, though absent from the direct scene, gains greater leverage. His threat of legal action exposes the Cheng Family’s vulnerable position and forces them to consider both legal defense and appeasement.
• Cheng Yan is indirectly characterized as incapable or unwilling to manage the family business, making his mother’s insistence on his succession appear driven by favoritism rather than merit.

Significant themes

• Responsibility and denial: Cheng Xingwang refuses to confront his past actions, using uncertainty about paternity to justify abandoning Cheng Lang.
• Power, inheritance, and ownership: The restaurant is presented as a collective enterprise rather than private Cheng Family property, emphasizing the conflict between family entitlement and shareholder rights.
• Parental favoritism: Cheng Yan’s mother prioritizes securing the business for her son, even at the risk of legal and financial disaster.
• Consequences of past wrongdoing: Cheng Xingwang’s affair and abandonment now threaten his freedom, his marriage, and the Cheng Family’s control of the restaurant.
• Blood ties versus capability: The discussion questions whether biological connection should determine succession when Cheng Yan lacks ability and Cheng Lang may be more competent.

Character interactions

• Cheng Yan’s mother unsuccessfully attempts to plead with Cheng Lang, recognizing that he has no reason to sympathize with her.
• After the call, she turns on Cheng Xingwang, blaming him for creating the crisis.
• Cheng Xingwang responds defensively by attacking Chang Mingfeng’s character and questioning Cheng Lang’s legitimacy.
• The couple briefly cooperate around the idea of using a lawyer and paternity test, but quickly clash when Cheng Xingwang suggests giving Cheng Lang shares.
• Their argument reveals the fundamental divide between Cheng Xingwang’s desire to protect himself through compromise and Cheng Yan’s mother’s determination to preserve the business exclusively for Cheng Yan.

Chapter 96 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Xingwang decides to offer Cheng Lang half of Chengyi Restaurant’s shares in exchange for Cheng Lang’s forgiveness and help avoiding imprisonment. He argues that accepting the shares would demonstrate their father-son relationship and protect both him and Cheng Yan from losing control of the business.
• Cheng Yan’s mother is furious. She realizes Cheng Xingwang is prioritizing his own survival over her and Cheng Yan’s inheritance. She considers allowing him to go to prison while transferring the family’s assets and shares to Cheng Yan.
• Remembering an earlier story Cheng Lang told her about an abandoned first wife, Cheng Yan’s mother suspects Cheng Lang may be deliberately forcing Cheng Xingwang to experience the pain of betrayal and familial estrangement. This possibility tempts her to retaliate against her husband.
• Meanwhile, Cheng Lang gives an interview to First Business Opportunity. He discusses Forest Style Milk Tea, financial markets, and his successful short-selling attack against First Milk Tea.
• He also addresses the controversy surrounding his biological mother, Chang Mingfeng. Cheng Lang says that if the paternity test confirms their relationship and she truly has a terminal illness, he will fulfill his legal duty to support her—but he will still pursue her criminal responsibility for abandoning him.
• When asked whether public opinion might condemn him for prosecuting a dying woman, Cheng Lang argues that people are often overly demanding toward victims while forgiving perpetrators too easily. He insists that bystanders have no right to forgive an offender on behalf of the victim.
• At the end of the chapter, the television program Family Mediation, featuring Chang Mingfeng’s case, begins airing at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, drawing widespread public attention.

Character Developments

• Cheng Xingwang reveals his selfish and fearful nature by trying to use Chengyi Restaurant’s shares to secure Cheng Lang’s forgiveness and protect himself from prison.
• Cheng Yan’s mother shifts from defending her husband to considering his downfall and focusing entirely on protecting Cheng Yan’s inheritance. Her resentment toward Cheng Xingwang deepens, and she begins to understand Cheng Lang’s motives more clearly.
• Cheng Lang remains calm, strategic, and uncompromising. He separates legal responsibility from personal sympathy and refuses to let Chang Mingfeng’s illness erase the harm she caused.
• Chang Mingfeng remains at the center of the public controversy, with her illness creating pressure for Cheng Lang to forgive her despite her alleged abandonment of him.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus forgiveness: The chapter challenges the idea that illness or impending death automatically erases a person’s crimes.
• The rights of victims: Cheng Lang emphasizes that victims, not outsiders, should decide whether perpetrators deserve forgiveness.
• Family, inheritance, and self-interest: Cheng Xingwang’s offer exposes how family relationships are entangled with wealth and power.
• Public opinion versus the law: Cheng Lang rejects emotional or hypothetical judgments and insists that legal accountability should not depend on public sympathy.
• Abandonment and identity: Cheng Lang acknowledges that he did not personally experience the original owner’s suffering, but therefore believes he has no authority to forgive those who caused it.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Xingwang pressures Cheng Lang indirectly by presenting the restaurant shares as proof of paternal acceptance and as a way to protect the family.
• Cheng Yan’s mother internally turns against Cheng Xingwang, interpreting his actions as betrayal and considering how to secure Cheng Yan’s future without him.
• During the interview, the reporter tries to warn Cheng Lang about possible public backlash, but Cheng Lang firmly defends his decision to pursue Chang Mingfeng legally.
• Cheng Lang’s statements publicly frame the coming Family Mediation broadcast, setting up a confrontation between emotional public sympathy and his demand for justice.