Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: Chance Encounter at a Cosplay Convention

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan returns to his dorm after eating, preparing to move out and live in his villa. His roommates—Wang Ping, Li Wencai, and Liu Qing—react with surprise when they learn he attended Lin Qingyue’s concert and even took a photo with her.
• Lin Yuan explains that he knows Lin Qingyue personally, further astonishing his roommates. Liu Qing feels deeply embarrassed and regretful because he previously accused Lin Yuan of selling him a fake concert ticket and damaged their friendship.
• While packing, Lin Yuan invites all three roommates to barbecue. Liu Qing apologizes after drinking, but although Lin Yuan accepts the apology, he recognizes that their relationship cannot fully return to how it was.
• Gu Lianyin and Ling Wanqing discuss how to conceal the truth about Lianyin’s supposed terminal illness. Lianyin feels increasingly guilty and affectionate toward Lin Yuan because of his kindness and concern.
• Lianyin tries to invite Lin Yuan to dinner as an apology, but he already has plans with his roommates. They also discuss the upcoming Campus Singing Competition. Both intend to win first and second place, though Lin Yuan is especially motivated by the system’s requirement that he take first place.
• Lin Yuan’s song, “Dawn of Tragic Love,” has become popular online. Professional musicians have praised it, and music platforms have contacted him about uploading it.
• The next day, Lin Yuan meets Zheng Xiaoqi to attend a cosplay convention. She applies his makeup and helps him dress as a popular anime villain, dramatically transforming his appearance.
• Zheng Xiaoqi cosplays a heroic female character in a red kung fu outfit. After a long journey and wait to enter, they arrive at the convention.
• Lin Yuan is fascinated by the various cosplayers and then spots a girl dressed as Rem who resembles Xiao Ke’s older sister. He also recognizes the lively child beside her, dressed as Kanna, as Xiao Ke.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Becomes increasingly independent and socially successful. He plans to leave the dorm, handles Liu Qing’s apology calmly, and continues building connections through music, celebrity relationships, and new experiences.
• Liu Qing: Shows remorse for previously mistrusting and insulting Lin Yuan. His drunken apology suggests he wants to repair their friendship, but the chapter makes clear that some damage is permanent.
• Wang Ping and Li Wencai: Demonstrate genuine concern for Lin Yuan by helping him pack and arranging a farewell barbecue. Their friendship remains supportive and uncomplicated.
• Gu Lianyin: Develops stronger feelings for Lin Yuan and feels guilty about deceiving him regarding her illness. She decides to apologize and treat him to dinner.
• Zheng Xiaoqi: Acts as Lin Yuan’s guide into the cosplay world, skillfully handling his makeup and costume while showing excitement about the convention.
• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin: Their playful competition over the singing contest reflects growing familiarity and mutual motivation.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Liu Qing’s mistake demonstrates how quickly mistrust can damage a friendship, even when forgiveness is later offered.
• Regret and reconciliation: Liu Qing and Gu Lianyin both feel guilty about how they have treated Lin Yuan and seek ways to make amends.
• Personal growth and independence: Lin Yuan’s move from the dorm symbolizes his changing circumstances and increasing distance from his former life.
• Talent and recognition: His song’s viral success brings outside attention, contrasting with his initially modest and low-profile personality.
• Identity and transformation: The cosplay setting emphasizes appearance, performance, and the possibility of seeing familiar people in unexpected roles.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan reunites awkwardly with his roommates, especially Liu Qing, while Wang Ping and Li Wencai openly support him.
• Liu Qing apologizes at the barbecue, but Lin Yuan’s polite acceptance does not erase the emotional distance between them.
• Gu Lianyin and Ling Wanqing discuss Lin Yuan’s kindness and Lianyin’s growing affection for him.
• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin exchange competitive messages about the singing finals, strengthening their playful bond.
• Zheng Xiaoqi takes charge of Lin Yuan’s transformation and accompanies him to the convention.
• The chapter ends with Lin Yuan recognizing Xiao Ke at the convention, creating anticipation for an unexpected reunion and for the identity of the Rem cosplayer.

Chapter Summary

Plot and events

Lin Yuan attends an anime convention with Zheng Xiaoqi, who has tricked him into wearing a Black Knight cosplay. He initially hopes to remain unnoticed, but convention-goers mistake him for an impressive cosplayer and repeatedly ask to photograph him. Embarrassed, Lin Yuan keeps fleeing while Zheng Xiaoqi chases him with a plastic spear, turning the situation into a spectacle that attracts the entire convention.
Zheng Xiaoqi eventually recruits several muscular men to corner and capture him. Lin Yuan’s Grandmaster Combat Technique allows him to evade and repel them with remarkable ease, making the encounter look like an impressive martial-arts performance. However, as more people join the pursuit, he escapes and hides beneath a stall. Zheng Xiaoqi calls him and falsely promises not to let anyone catch him. Believing her, Lin Yuan comes out and is immediately surrounded by dozens of men. Unable to overcome their numbers, he is forced to pose for photographs. His humiliation worsens when Xiao Ke and her older sister recognize him in the crowd.

Character developments

Lin Yuan’s desire for privacy and dislike of cosplay-related attention are emphasized. Although reluctant and increasingly irritated, he demonstrates extraordinary agility, strength, and combat skill. His cautiousness briefly gives way to gullibility when he trusts Zheng Xiaoqi’s promise, leading directly to his capture.
Zheng Xiaoqi is shown to be playful, energetic, mischievous, and determined to have fun at Lin Yuan’s expense. She manipulates the crowd and recruits others with ease, revealing her popularity within the convention community. Xiao Ke remains cheerful and observant, while her sister reacts with pleasant surprise upon seeing Lin Yuan.

Significant themes

The chapter centers on public embarrassment, mistaken identity, and the contrast between private reluctance and unwanted fame. Lin Yuan’s exceptional abilities attract even more attention when he tries to avoid it. The events also highlight playful deception and the consequences of trusting someone known for trickery.

Character interactions

Zheng Xiaoqi repeatedly provokes and pursues Lin Yuan, while Lin Yuan alternates between pleading, fleeing, resisting, and finally surrendering to the crowd. Their chase becomes entertainment for convention-goers, who record and amplify the spectacle. Lin Yuan’s eventual meeting with Xiao Ke and her sister adds another layer of embarrassment, as they witness him at the height of his humiliating cosplay ordeal.

Chapter 43 Summary: Lin Yuan Went Viral

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan attends a comic convention with Zheng Xiaoqi and becomes overwhelmed by the attention surrounding his Black Knight cosplay. After Zheng Xiaoqi finishes taking photos, he meets Xiao Ke, who reveals that her older sister is the famous faceless Station B streamer Xue Tiantian.
• Xiao Ke repeatedly embarrasses her sister by offering Lin Yuan her contact information and even promising to secretly copy her sister’s private photos and unreleased performances. Xue Tiantian angrily drags Xiao Ke away.
• Lin Yuan and Zheng Xiaoqi leave the convention after eating together. Although he agrees to attend another convention with her, Lin Yuan privately vows never to return and even considers blocking her.
• While Lin Yuan sleeps, a video of his Black Knight cosplay spreads across the internet. The footage shows him skillfully fighting off several large men, making him appear extremely cool and powerful.
• Viewers recognize him as the same high school student who recently became famous for singing “Dawn of Tragic Love.” As a result, Lin Yuan becomes an overnight internet celebrity.
• Gu Lianyin calls him and teases him after seeing the viral video. Lin Yuan is mortified that his embarrassing convention experience has been exposed and shuts off his internet to avoid the attention.
• The next day, Lin Yuan finds countless messages about his sudden fame. Zheng Xiaoqi tells him the video has millions of views and ranks among the platform’s top three trending videos.
• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin resume their playful rivalry over the upcoming singing competition. Lin Yuan bets that if he wins, she must call him “Daddy” for a month; Gu Lianyin counters that if she wins, he must wear women’s clothing to school every day.
• Two days later, the final round of the school singing competition begins. The event has attracted nearly the entire school, outside spectators, media coverage, and professional singers as judges because of Lin Yuan’s growing popularity.
• The competition is now down to three contestants, with the winners to be determined. The first performer is a talented female campus singer who performs her original guitar-and-vocal song, “Meeting an Old Friend in a Foreign Land.”

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Becomes increasingly famous due to both his singing and his impressive cosplay performance. Despite his growing popularity, he remains socially awkward, private, and embarrassed by public attention. His competitive and mischievous side is also highlighted through his wager with Gu Lianyin.
• Zheng Xiaoqi: Treats Lin Yuan as an entertaining companion and enthusiastically photographs him at the convention. She remains eager to attend future events with him, seemingly unaware of how uncomfortable he is.
• Xiao Ke: Is shown to be playful, innocent, and mischievous. She adores Lin Yuan and enjoys teasing or setting up her older sister.
• Xue Tiantian: Her identity as a popular but anonymous streamer is exposed through Xiao Ke. She is protective of her privacy and becomes visibly furious when Xiao Ke reveals personal information.
• Gu Lianyin: Continues her teasing, competitive relationship with Lin Yuan. Her amusement at his embarrassment contrasts with her strong interest in his activities and upcoming performance.

Significant Themes

• The unpredictability of fame: Lin Yuan becomes famous not through a deliberate performance, but because a bystander’s video captures his cosplay combat.
• Public image versus private personality: Online viewers see Lin Yuan as a cool, talented, almost heroic figure, while he experiences the event as humiliating and wishes to escape the spotlight.
• The power of the internet: A single video connects Lin Yuan’s two identities—singer and cosplayer—and rapidly expands his audience.
• Friendly rivalry and social bonds: Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin’s exaggerated wagers show their playful closeness and competitive relationship.
• Privacy and exposure: Xue Tiantian’s hidden identity and Lin Yuan’s discomfort with viral attention both emphasize the difficulty of maintaining personal boundaries in the age of online fame.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan has a warm, affectionate exchange with Xiao Ke, who asks to pet his squirrel and tries to trade her sister’s private information for access.
• Xiao Ke’s antics create conflict with Xue Tiantian, who scolds and physically drags her away.
• Zheng Xiaoqi enjoys Lin Yuan’s cosplay and later celebrates his viral success, while Lin Yuan privately resents being recorded and publicized.
• Gu Lianyin mocks Lin Yuan over the viral video, then exchanges playful threats with him concerning the singing competition, setting up their next confrontation.

Chapter 44 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• A talented singer performs an original folk song, “Meeting an Old Friend in a Foreign Land,” earning enthusiastic applause and establishing herself as a strong contender for first place.
• Gu Lianyin performs next. Although her singing is technically excellent and emotionally soothing, her lesser-known, non-original song makes a weaker impression than her rival’s original composition.
• Feeling unable to defeat the previous contestant, Gu Lianyin places her hopes in Lin Yuan.
• Lin Yuan performs his original folk song, “That Girl.” With its beautiful lyrics, mournful melody, and polished performance, the song deeply moves the audience.
• The competition’s livestream attracts an enormous audience because of Lin Yuan’s previous online popularity. Viewers praise him as a future superstar, and even celebrity Lin Qingyue is impressed by his talent.
• After Lin Yuan’s performance, Gu Lianyin becomes jealous of the girls admiring him. She deliberately links arms with him to signal that he is already “taken.”
• Seeing herself as an embarrassment beside Lin Yuan because of her deliberately unattractive appearance, Gu Lianyin decides to stop disguising herself and reveal her true beauty.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan further establishes himself as an exceptionally gifted singer-songwriter. His performance greatly increases his popularity and attracts widespread admiration.
• Gu Lianyin shifts from insecurity and lack of confidence to possessiveness and determination. Her jealousy reveals stronger romantic feelings for Lin Yuan, and she resolves to change her appearance publicly.
• Lin Qingyue becomes more interested in Lin Yuan after witnessing his talent, recognizing that he surpasses many young idols.
• The unnamed rival singer is presented as a serious threat in the competition due to her emotional original song.

Significant Themes

• Talent and recognition: Lin Yuan’s performance demonstrates how exceptional ability can quickly bring fame and public attention.
• Romantic jealousy and possessiveness: Gu Lianyin’s reaction to the attention Lin Yuan receives shows her growing affection and fear of losing him.
• Appearance versus true identity: Gu Lianyin has been intentionally making herself look unattractive, but she now decides to reveal her real appearance and stop hiding behind her disguise.
• Competition and confidence: The contestants’ performances highlight the importance of originality, emotional impact, and self-belief.

Character Interactions

• Gu Lianyin encourages Lin Yuan before his performance, relying on him to surpass the stronger contestant.
• Lin Yuan reassures her confidently and later accepts her possessive gesture without objection.
• After his performance, Gu Lianyin clings to Lin Yuan in front of other girls, openly marking their closeness.
• The chapter ends with Gu Lianyin preparing to publicly redefine herself as Lin Yuan’s beautiful deskmate—and girlfriend.

Chapter Summary: “I’m Her Boyfriend”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin decides to stop disguising herself as unattractive. Motivated by her feelings for Lin Yuan, she plans to reveal her true beauty and become his girlfriend.
• The judges evaluate the three finalists in the Campus Singing Competition, considering originality, lyrics, vocal ability, technique, and song difficulty.
• Lin Yuan wins first place with his original song, while the folk singer takes second and Gu Lianyin places third.
• Lin Yuan receives a 10,000-yuan scholarship, though he is more interested in the system rewards: God-Tier Singing Technique, God-Tier Voice, and advanced skills for the game Honor of Kings.
• After the competition, reporters interview Lin Yuan about his singing and songwriting. He claims to be self-taught and says he wrote both songs casually after becoming inspired.
• When a reporter asks about his relationship with Gu Lianyin, Lin Yuan confidently declares, “I’m her boyfriend!”
• Gu Lianyin is secretly overjoyed, interpreting his statement as a public confession.
• She expects Lin Yuan to use his bet-winning request to ask her to become his girlfriend. Instead, he asks her to recharge twenty yuan of phone credit for him.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Gains confidence after winning the competition and securing the valuable system rewards. He openly identifies Gu Lianyin as his girlfriend, though his casual attitude suggests he does not realize how emotionally significant the declaration is to her. His practical, somewhat oblivious nature is emphasized by his trivial request after the competition.
• Gu Lianyin: Becomes more determined to reveal her real appearance and pursue Lin Yuan openly. Her excitement and nervousness grow when he calls her his girlfriend, but she hides her happiness behind playful denial. Her romantic expectations clash humorously with Lin Yuan’s mundane request.
• The folk singer and judges: Recognize Lin Yuan’s clear superiority, especially the originality, quality, and meaning of his song.

Significant Themes

• Self-acceptance and appearance: Gu Lianyin’s decision to stop making herself look ugly reflects her desire to reclaim her identity and be appreciated for her true appearance.
• Recognition of talent: Lin Yuan’s victory validates his musical ability and demonstrates the importance of originality and quality.
• Romantic misunderstanding: Gu Lianyin interprets Lin Yuan’s words as a heartfelt confession, while he treats the situation casually, creating comedic dramatic irony.
• Ambition and reward: Lin Yuan values the supernatural abilities gained from winning more than the monetary prize, showing his focus on long-term advantages.

Character Interactions

• The judges discuss and compare the contestants’ performances before ranking them.
• Reporters question Lin Yuan about his music and his relationship with Gu Lianyin.
• Lin Yuan publicly calls Gu Lianyin his girlfriend, surprising both her and the reporter.
• Gu Lianyin teasingly challenges his claim, reminding him of their bet and expecting a romantic request.
• Lin Yuan instead asks her for a twenty-yuan phone recharge, undercutting her romantic expectations and ending the chapter on a humorous note.

Chapter Summary: “Gu Lianyin’s Stunning Entrance, Going on a Date”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin expects Lin Yuan to confess his feelings, but he initially jokes that his request is for her to top up twenty yuan of phone credit.
• Feeling disappointed and offended, she turns away and refuses to speak to him. Lin Yuan quickly apologizes and changes his request, inviting her to dinner instead.
• Gu Lianyin accepts, interpreting the dinner invitation as a possible romantic confession. Lin Yuan, meanwhile, genuinely plans to confess his feelings that night.
• After school, Lin Yuan prepares carefully: he buys earrings as a gift, changes into a nicer outfit, purchases flowers, and reserves a private room for a candlelit dinner.
• Gu Lianyin prepares equally carefully. She decides to stop hiding behind her deliberately unattractive disguise and dresses elegantly for the date.
• With Ling Wanqing’s help, she chooses a white slip dress, applies light makeup, ties her hair into a ponytail, and enhances her naturally striking beauty.
• Lin Yuan offers to pick her up, but Gu Lianyin refuses because she wants to surprise him with her true appearance.
• Ling Wanqing asks to come along, but Gu Lianyin refuses, worried that her friend might interrupt an intimate moment. Ling Wanqing secretly decides to follow them anyway.
• During the journey, both Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin anticipate surprising each other. Gu Lianyin arrives at the restaurant and enters, setting up her dramatic entrance.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin: Her affection for Lin Yuan becomes increasingly obvious. She is initially sulky and embarrassed when his joke ruins her expectations, but she quickly becomes hopeful when he invites her to dinner. Her decision to reveal her true beauty shows growing confidence and trust in him.
• Lin Yuan: He realizes that Gu Lianyin took his joke seriously and tries to make amends. His elaborate preparations demonstrate that he sincerely cares for her and intends to confess his feelings.
• Ling Wanqing: She remains a supportive but mischievous friend. Although she encourages Gu Lianyin and helps her choose an outfit, she secretly plans to follow the couple and observe the date.

Significant Themes

• Romantic anticipation: Both characters expect the dinner to become a turning point in their relationship and prepare for a confession.
• Miscommunication and playful teasing: Lin Yuan’s harmless joke briefly causes emotional tension because Gu Lianyin is already hoping for a confession.
• Revealing one’s true self: Gu Lianyin removes her unattractive disguise, symbolizing her willingness to be honest and vulnerable with Lin Yuan.
• Affection expressed through preparation: Their efforts to dress well, arrange surprises, and plan the evening reveal their mutual feelings even before either confesses.
• Friendship and comic interference: Ling Wanqing’s support and secret decision to spy on the date add humor and foreshadow possible complications.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan teases Gu Lianyin, then apologizes and invites her to dinner, creating a flirtatious but emotionally charged exchange.
• Gu Lianyin and Ling Wanqing discuss her outfit and appearance, with Ling Wanqing enthusiastically supporting the date.
• Gu Lianyin rejects Ling Wanqing’s request to accompany her, fearing that her friend might witness an intimate moment.
• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin exchange messages while traveling, each hinting at a surprise and building suspense for their meeting at the restaurant.

Chapter Summary: “Lin Yuan’s Choice”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin, newly eighteen, arrives at a restaurant dressed in her true, exceptionally beautiful appearance. She has been disguising herself as unattractive since the start of school as part of a bet with her best friend, Ling Wanqing.
• She approaches Lin Yuan, excited to surprise him and reveal that the “ugly” girl he knows is actually beautiful.
• Lin Yuan already knows her true identity, but pretends not to recognize her so that he does not expose himself. He performs shock and disbelief when she reveals herself.
• Ling Wanqing secretly follows Gu Lianyin into the restaurant and records the reunion, imagining that she might later show the video at their wedding. She also considers revealing her own beauty to their classmates someday.
• Gu Lianyin happily explains her disguise, believing Lin Yuan will be delighted to discover that she is beautiful. However, Lin Yuan responds seriously rather than enthusiastically.
• He accuses her of lying to him and questions whether she deceived him simply for amusement. Gu Lianyin apologizes but explains that the disguise began as a bet and allowed her to discover that Lin Yuan genuinely liked her.
• The system reappears and gives Lin Yuan two choices:
  1. Accept Gu Lianyin’s true appearance, forgive her, and confess to her, earning sapphire earrings and ten million yuan in dating funds.
  2. Refuse to accept her current behavior and withhold forgiveness for five days, earning ten Future News Events and 10% of Soaring Holdings.
• Although the second option could severely damage his relationship with Gu Lianyin, Lin Yuan had already decided to take that path before the system presented the choice.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin: Gains confidence by revealing her true beauty and expects the revelation to strengthen her relationship with Lin Yuan. However, she fails to understand the seriousness of deceiving him, suggesting emotional immaturity and a need to learn accountability.
• Lin Yuan: Demonstrates strong self-control by hiding that he already knew Gu Lianyin’s identity. Rather than being distracted by her beauty, he focuses on the dishonesty behind her disguise and chooses discipline over romantic indulgence.
• Ling Wanqing: Acts as an amused observer and supportive friend, secretly recording the encounter. Her thoughts hint that she, too, may be hiding her true appearance and could eventually reveal it dramatically.

Significant Themes

• Appearance versus reality: Gu Lianyin’s beauty contrasts with the false identity she presented, emphasizing that appearances can conceal important truths.
• Honesty and trust: The central conflict is not Gu Lianyin’s disguise itself but her decision to deceive Lin Yuan and treat the situation as entertainment.
• Love and acceptance: Lin Yuan must decide whether genuine affection means accepting Gu Lianyin unconditionally or confronting her flaws for her own growth.
• Temptation and sacrifice: The system’s more valuable reward tempts Lin Yuan to risk his relationship, forcing him to choose between emotional security and personal principles or greater power.
• Maturity and responsibility: Lin Yuan believes that forgiving Gu Lianyin too easily could encourage selfish or spoiled behavior, while Gu Lianyin must learn that affection does not erase the consequences of dishonesty.

Character Interactions

• Gu Lianyin approaches Lin Yuan playfully and enjoys watching his staged surprise.
• Lin Yuan carefully performs confusion and astonishment while privately knowing the truth.
• Gu Lianyin proudly reveals her disguise, expecting praise, but Lin Yuan instead confronts her deception.
• Ling Wanqing observes and records their interaction from nearby, treating it as humorous romantic entertainment.
• The chapter ends with Lin Yuan facing a decision that could either deepen his relationship with Gu Lianyin or place it in serious danger.

Chapter 48 Summary: Lianyin Wept, Wanting to Be Forgiven

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin reveals her true, beautiful appearance to Lin Yuan, expecting him to be pleased.
• Instead, Lin Yuan reacts with anger and disappointment. He tells her that he liked the lively, innocent girl she had pretended to be—not the cold, manipulative person who repeatedly tested and deceived him.
• Lin Yuan says he cannot accept the “current” Gu Lianyin and asks her to give him back the person he originally liked. He then leaves, saying they should end things there.
• Gu Lianyin is devastated and chases after him, crying and apologizing. Outside the restaurant, she embraces him from behind and begs him not to leave, but Lin Yuan remains cold and refuses to respond.
• Passersby criticize Lin Yuan for appearing heartless toward a beautiful girl, but Ling Wanqing intervenes and disperses them to protect Lianyin’s reputation.
• Lin Yuan ultimately walks away without looking back, leaving Gu Lianyin heartbroken.
• Back with Ling Wanqing, Lianyin admits that Lin Yuan was hurt by her deception and fears that he will never like her again.
• She sends him apologetic messages and calls him, but he neither replies nor answers. Convinced that their relationship may be over, she asks Ling Wanqing for advice.
• Ling Wanqing consults friends, who suggest various ways for Lianyin to regain Lin Yuan’s forgiveness, including making him breakfast, folding paper hearts, pretending to be ill, or simply ignoring him.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin: Her confidence collapses after Lin Yuan rejects her true identity. She recognizes that her repeated tests and deception genuinely hurt him and becomes desperate to repair the relationship. Her tears and pleading show how deeply she has fallen for him.
• Lin Yuan: He presents himself as deeply wounded and unforgiving, emphasizing his hatred of deception. Although he admits internally that his reaction is partly deliberate punishment, he still believes Lianyin must face the consequences of manipulating him.
• Ling Wanqing: She remains protective of Lianyin, tries to comfort her, shields her from public embarrassment, and actively seeks relationship advice to help reconcile the pair.

Significant Themes

• Deception and trust: Lin Yuan’s strongest grievance is not Lianyin’s appearance but the fact that she concealed her identity and repeatedly tested him.
• Love versus idealization: Lianyin learns that Lin Yuan loved the personality and innocence she displayed, not simply her beauty.
• Consequences of manipulation: Her attempts to test Lin Yuan’s feelings backfire, threatening the relationship she wanted to secure.
• Vulnerability and regret: Lianyin’s pride gives way to fear and desperation once she realizes she may lose him.
• Public judgment versus private pain: Onlookers judge Lin Yuan based only on appearances, misunderstanding the emotional betrayal behind the conflict.

Important Character Interactions

• Lianyin and Lin Yuan: Their confrontation forms the chapter’s central conflict. Lin Yuan condemns her deception, while Lianyin repeatedly apologizes and begs him to stay.
• Lianyin and Ling Wanqing: Ling Wanqing comforts and protects her friend, though she initially misunderstands the cause of the argument. She later helps Lianyin plan ways to regain Lin Yuan’s trust.
• The couple and the passersby: Strangers assume Lin Yuan is cruel for rejecting a beautiful crying girl, highlighting how little outsiders understand about their relationship.

Chapter Summary: Forgive Me, Lin Yuan

Key plot points and events

Gu Lianyin seeks advice from Ling Wanqing on how to regain Lin Yuan’s forgiveness after deceiving him. She decides to demonstrate her sincerity by making him food. She spends the night preparing pastries and brings them to school, but Lin Yuan coldly refuses them, claiming he dislikes pastries. He continues ignoring her throughout the day, causing her to skip lunch and lose focus in class. The next morning, she prepares multigrain porridge, but Lin Yuan again rejects it and moves it to her desk. However, after explaining that his hatred of deception comes from his mother’s painful experience with his biological father, he indirectly reveals that he may be willing to reconsider. When he mentions that her pastries looked appealing and asks whether they taste good, Gu Lianyin eagerly promises to bring them again.

Character developments

Gu Lianyin shows unusual determination and humility. Despite being a wealthy, admired heiress, she personally works through the night to make pastries and repeatedly tries to earn Lin Yuan’s forgiveness. Her fear of losing him makes her willing to learn cooking and prepare his breakfast every day. Lin Yuan maintains a hard exterior, pretending to be indifferent, but he is deeply affected by Gu Lianyin’s exhaustion and sadness. His internal conflict reveals that he still cares for her, even while believing she must prove her sincerity. He also opens up about his traumatic family history, explaining why betrayal is especially painful to him.

Significant themes

The chapter explores sincerity, repentance, trust, and the difficulty of forgiveness. Genuine remorse is shown through actions rather than words, while Lin Yuan emphasizes that betrayal cannot be erased with a simple apology. The chapter also highlights the contrast between outward appearances and inner feelings: Lin Yuan acts cold despite caring deeply, while Gu Lianyin’s deliberately unattractive appearance hides her beauty and social status.

Character interactions

Ling Wanqing advises Gu Lianyin to use food to express her apology. Gu Lianyin repeatedly approaches Lin Yuan with pastries, porridge, and heartfelt pleas, while he responds with deliberate rejection. Their strained relationship becomes visible to classmates, who gossip that they have broken up. The most important interaction occurs when Lin Yuan explains his resentment toward deception and then cautiously expresses interest in trying the pastries, giving Gu Lianyin her first real sign of hope.

Chapter Summary: “Forgive Me? No.”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin continues trying to apologize to Lin Yuan after betraying his trust. She asks whether he has forgiven her and promises to make amends, even offering to cook for him and do whatever he asks.
• Lin Yuan does not immediately forgive her. Instead, he tells her he will observe whether her apology is sincere, though he allows them to resume limited conversation.
• Through their conversations, Gu Lianyin learns about Lin Yuan’s difficult childhood and the responsibilities he carried while growing up with his mother. This makes her feel even more guilty about hurting him.
• Determined to prove her sincerity, Gu Lianyin buys ingredients and spends much of the night baking pastries for Lin Yuan.
• Lin Yuan enjoys the pastries and praises them, but notices how exhausted she is and orders her to rest rather than continue making things for him.
• Gu Lianyin then stays up late folding hundreds of heart-shaped notes, each containing an apology or affectionate message for Lin Yuan.
• The next morning, she presents the box of notes and asks him to forgive her. Lin Yuan bluntly answers, “No,” ending the chapter on a humorous cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin becomes increasingly remorseful and determined to regain Lin Yuan’s trust. She resolves never to lie to him again and expresses her feelings through sincere, labor-intensive gestures.
• Lin Yuan remains hurt and cautious, refusing to forgive Gu Lianyin immediately. However, his concern for her health—especially when he tells her to rest—shows that he still cares about her despite his anger.
• Ling Wanqing acts as a concerned friend and questions whether Gu Lianyin’s devotion is excessive. She also encourages her to accept help, but Gu Lianyin insists on handling the apology herself.

Significant Themes

• Sincerity and rebuilding trust: Lin Yuan wants proof that Gu Lianyin’s remorse is genuine rather than accepting a quick verbal apology.
• Love expressed through actions: Gu Lianyin demonstrates her feelings by cooking, baking, and crafting personal notes.
• Honesty: Her refusal to let Ling Wanqing help reflects her promise not to lie to Lin Yuan again.
• Care beneath conflict: Although Lin Yuan is still upset, his concern for Gu Lianyin’s exhaustion suggests that affection remains between them.

Character Interactions

• Gu Lianyin repeatedly apologizes to Lin Yuan, while he maintains emotional distance but continues speaking with her.
• Lin Yuan accepts and enjoys her pastries, then reprimands her for neglecting her health.
• Ling Wanqing challenges Gu Lianyin’s intense attachment to Lin Yuan, but Gu Lianyin firmly declares that she only wants him.
• The chapter concludes with Gu Lianyin offering Lin Yuan hundreds of handmade apology notes—and Lin Yuan rejecting her request once again.

Chapter Summary: “Lianyin Fell Ill”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan becomes angry with Gu Lianyin for ignoring his advice to rest and staying up late to fold heart-shaped notes for him.
• He tells her that the best apology would be to go home and sleep properly, and he refuses to accept the notes.
• Although Gu Lianyin initially feels disappointed, she realizes Lin Yuan’s anger comes from concern and becomes happy when she notices him secretly smiling.
• Gu Lianyin returns home at noon and falls into a deep sleep. She misses the afternoon classes and does not answer Lin Yuan’s messages.
• When she finally answers his call, she claims that she merely overslept, hiding the fact that she has a high fever and is seriously unwell.
• Worried by her weak voice, Lin Yuan leaves school despite classes having started. When the security guard stops him, he vaults over the gate and rushes to her home.
• Lin Yuan finds Gu Lianyin feverish and alone. She collapses into his arms after opening the door.
• He carries her toward the hospital, eventually persuading a passing driver to take them there.
• The driver refuses repayment and encourages Lin Yuan to help someone else in need as compensation. Lin Yuan remembers the driver’s license plate before taking Lianyin to see a doctor.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin: Her determination to earn Lin Yuan’s forgiveness leads her to neglect her health. She remains self-sacrificing and hides her illness because she does not want to worry him, revealing both her vulnerability and emotional dependence.
• Lin Yuan: His anger is shown to be rooted in genuine concern. Once he realizes Lianyin is sick, he acts impulsively and decisively, risking punishment and disregarding school rules to help her. His protective feelings toward her become increasingly clear.
• The driver: Though only briefly present, he reinforces the chapter’s message of kindness by helping without expecting repayment.

Significant Themes

• Care expressed through anger: Lin Yuan’s scolding is not rejection but concern for Lianyin’s well-being.
• Self-sacrifice and vulnerability: Lianyin pushes herself too far to obtain forgiveness and tries to conceal her suffering.
• Romantic affection: Their mutual smiles, emotional sensitivity, and concern suggest their relationship is becoming a tender summer romance.
• Kindness and paying it forward: The driver’s advice emphasizes that good deeds should be continued rather than repaid directly.
• Loneliness and dependence: Lianyin’s illness reminds her of the family support she once had and highlights how alone she feels without them.

Chapter Summary: “Gu Lianyin’s Mother Arrives”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin is hospitalized after developing a severe fever. Lin Yuan brings her to the hospital, completes the admission procedures, contacts their teacher for leave, and arranges for her roommate Ling Wanqing to be informed.
• Because Lianyin’s phone is locked, Lin Yuan visits her residence and leaves a note explaining that she is in the hospital.
• Lianyin’s fever decreases, but doctors require her to stay overnight for observation.
• While caring for her, Lin Yuan changes her fever-reducing towels and removes her makeup. Her natural appearance surprises both him and a nurse, revealing that Lianyin is far more beautiful without makeup.
• Lianyin’s mother calls, initially believing Lin Yuan may have harmed her daughter. After he explains the situation, she rushes to the hospital.
• Ling Wanqing arrives first and angrily confronts Lin Yuan, accusing him of being insensitive toward Lianyin despite all the effort and care Lianyin has devoted to him.
• Lin Yuan calmly states that he will “take responsibility” for Lianyin, silencing Ling Wanqing and creating an emotionally suggestive moment.
• Lianyin’s mother arrives soon afterward. Her commanding presence intimidates both Lin Yuan and Ling Wanqing.
• She questions Lin Yuan about his relationship with Lianyin, while he insists that he is only her classmate and deskmate.
• While asleep, Lianyin apologizes to Lin Yuan in her dream, saying that she was wrong, suggesting that their earlier conflict still weighs heavily on her.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Demonstrates responsibility and concern by caring for Lianyin throughout the night. His guilt over having treated her harshly deepens, and he resolves to forgive her and take responsibility for her.
• Gu Lianyin: Remains unconscious for most of the chapter, but her fever and exhaustion reveal how much she has overexerted herself. Her sleep-talking apology shows her continued emotional attachment and remorse.
• Ling Wanqing: Acts as Lianyin’s protective friend. She openly criticizes Lin Yuan for failing to recognize Lianyin’s sacrifices, showing both her loyalty and frustration.
• Lianyin’s mother: Is introduced as strong-willed, direct, and intimidating, but her expression softens when she sees her daughter. Her concern suggests a protective relationship with Lianyin.

Significant Themes

• Care and responsibility: Lin Yuan’s actions contrast with his earlier emotional distance, showing a shift toward genuine concern.
• Unrecognized sacrifice: Ling Wanqing reveals that Lianyin has quietly spent considerable time and effort caring for Lin Yuan, despite receiving little acknowledgment.
• Appearance versus reality: Removing Lianyin’s makeup exposes her natural beauty and symbolically hints that her true feelings and efforts have also been hidden beneath an outward disguise.
• Misunderstanding and reconciliation: The chapter moves toward repairing the conflict between Lin Yuan and Lianyin, though she has not yet regained consciousness.
• Protective relationships: Both Ling Wanqing and Lianyin’s mother act defensively toward Lianyin, each demanding that Lin Yuan recognize her value.

Important Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Lianyin: His bedside care and internal regret reveal a growing emotional attachment. Her sleep-talking apology reinforces their unresolved feelings.
• Lin Yuan and Ling Wanqing: She confronts him harshly about Lianyin’s sacrifices, while his promise to take responsibility unexpectedly defuses her anger.
• Lin Yuan and Lianyin’s mother: Their first meeting is tense. She scrutinizes him and questions whether he is truly “only” Lianyin’s classmate.
• Ling Wanqing and Lianyin’s mother: Ling Wanqing is visibly nervous around her, suggesting that Lianyin’s mother commands considerable authority.
• The nurse and Lin Yuan: The nurse is surprised when Lianyin’s appearance changes after her makeup is removed, providing a brief humorous moment.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin sleep-talks that she is pregnant, alarming her best friend, Ling Wanqing, and her mother, Qin Liyun.
• Qin Liyun demands to know who Lin Yuan is. Lin Yuan openly admits that he and Lianyin are dating.
• He explains how their relationship began, including Lianyin’s disguise as an unattractive student and their argument after he discovered her true appearance.
• Lin Yuan tells Qin Liyun that Lianyin became ill and was hospitalized because she overworked herself trying to earn his forgiveness.
• Although initially suspicious, Qin Liyun recognizes that Lin Yuan’s feelings are not based solely on Lianyin’s beauty.
• Qin Liyun warns Lin Yuan that youthful love may not survive after graduation and asks whether he is worthy of her daughter.
• Lin Yuan promises to remain with Lianyin through university and vows to prove before graduation that he can give her a good life.
• Qin Liyun allows them to continue dating but forbids excessive intimacy, including kissing or sleeping together. She gives Lin Yuan nearly a year to prove himself, promising that he must leave Lianyin if he fails.
• Qin Liyun then calls her husband, Gu Hai, and falsely tells him that Lianyin is pregnant and two months along to force him to leave work and come to the hospital.
• Gu Hai rushes to the hospital in fury, believing someone has impregnated his daughter. Qin Liyun reveals the pregnancy claim was a lie and criticizes him for prioritizing work over their daughter.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Shows unusual honesty, confidence, and determination. Rather than denying the relationship, he confronts Qin Liyun directly and accepts her challenge to prove his worth.
• Gu Lianyin: Though unconscious for much of the discussion, her relationship with Lin Yuan is revealed to be emotionally serious. Her fever and hospitalization demonstrate how deeply she was affected by their conflict.
• Qin Liyun: Initially suspicious and protective, she gradually respects Lin Yuan after hearing that he values Lianyin beyond her appearance. However, she remains strict and sets clear boundaries to protect her daughter.
• Ling Wanqing: Acts as Lianyin’s advocate, confirming Lin Yuan’s account. She admires his courage but becomes intimidated when Qin Liyun challenges her idealistic claims about accepting hardship.
• Gu Hai: Is shown to be deeply protective of Lianyin but overly focused on his career. His extreme reaction to the false pregnancy reveals both his concern and his lack of awareness of his daughter’s condition.

Significant Themes

• Parental protection versus young love: Qin Liyun questions whether teenage romance can endure future uncertainty, while Lin Yuan insists that commitment must be proven through action.
• Love beyond appearance: Lin Yuan’s feelings gain credibility because he loved Lianyin before learning that her unattractive appearance was only a disguise.
• Proving sincerity: The relationship is placed under a trial period in which Lin Yuan must demonstrate that he can prevent Lianyin from suffering.
• Family responsibility: Qin Liyun’s confrontation with Gu Hai highlights the importance of parents being attentive to their children rather than focusing only on work.
• Honesty and manipulation: Lin Yuan’s blunt honesty contrasts with Qin Liyun’s deliberately deceptive pregnancy claim, which she uses to get Gu Hai’s attention.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Qin Liyun engage in a tense but respectful confrontation over his relationship with Lianyin.
• Ling Wanqing supports Lin Yuan but is silenced when Qin Liyun exposes the difficulty of the sacrifices she claims she would accept.
• Qin Liyun establishes a conditional agreement with Lin Yuan, allowing the romance to continue under strict rules.
• Qin Liyun and Gu Hai’s exchange shifts from panic to marital criticism when she reveals that the pregnancy was fabricated to make him prioritize their daughter.

Chapter Summary: “It’s Over, It’s Over Again”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Hai learns that his daughter, Gu Lianyin, has a boyfriend, Lin Yuan. Although surprised and emotionally distressed by the idea of his “little girl” dating, he does not object openly.
• Qin Liyun explains that she has not broken the couple up because she wants Lianyin to experience emotional setbacks and mature. She has challenged Lin Yuan to prove himself before the end of his senior year, though she considers the demand nearly impossible for a high school student.
• Gu Hai questions Lin Yuan about his background, family, and relationship with Lianyin. Lin Yuan explains that he is a local, an only child raised by his mother, and that he and Lianyin are classmates and desk mates.
• At lunch, Qin Liyun directly asks how Lin Yuan intends to earn her approval. Lin Yuan admits that words alone will not be enough and vaguely attributes his financial success to advice from knowledgeable online friends, concealing the existence of the system.
• He claims that these friends helped him identify a profitable stock, through which he and Lianyin made money. Qin Liyun remains skeptical and views him as immature and overly idealistic.
• During the meal, Lianyin calls Lin Yuan from the hospital. Qin Liyun insists that he answer on speakerphone.
• Lianyin, unaware that her parents and best friend can hear everything, apologizes to Lin Yuan and openly confesses that she likes him. She then sweetly asks him to forgive her “just a little,” causing Lin Yuan to panic under her parents’ hostile stares.
• The chapter ends with Ling Wanqing realizing that Lianyin’s affectionate and revealing behavior has once again made the situation disastrous.

Character Developments

• Qin Liyun: Remains strict, perceptive, and skeptical. She sees Lin Yuan as an immature boy and believes Lianyin should eventually marry someone socially and personally worthy of her. However, she is willing to let the relationship continue temporarily as a test.
• Gu Hai: Is protective and sentimental toward his daughter. Though he questions Lin Yuan, he avoids challenging Qin Liyun, recognizing that she ultimately makes the family’s decisions.
• Lin Yuan: Tries to appear honest and responsible while hiding the system behind a fabricated explanation involving online friends. He cares deeply about Lianyin and wants to stay near her, but becomes increasingly nervous around her parents.
• Gu Lianyin: Shows strong affection and dependence on Lin Yuan. Her apology and playful pleading reveal her emotional attachment, but her lack of awareness about the speakerphone creates another embarrassing crisis.
• Ling Wanqing: Acts as an anxious observer and friend, silently praying that Lianyin will not say anything inappropriate. Her reaction confirms that Lianyin’s behavior has caused a familiar disaster.

Significant Themes

• Parental protectiveness and letting go: Gu Hai and Qin Liyun struggle with Lianyin growing up and entering a romantic relationship.
• Proving love through actions: Qin Liyun demands tangible evidence that Lin Yuan is worthy of her daughter rather than accepting romantic promises.
• Secrets and deception: Lin Yuan must disguise the system’s role in his success, creating potential complications.
• Social status and worth: Qin Liyun believes Lianyin deserves a partner of equal standing and doubts that Lin Yuan can meet that standard.
• Embarrassment and comic tension: The speakerphone call turns Lianyin’s private affection into a public confession, intensifying the conflict between the young couple and Lianyin’s parents.

Important Character Interactions

• Qin Liyun and Gu Hai discuss Lianyin’s relationship, with Gu Hai deferring to his wife’s judgment.
• Gu Hai conducts a cautious, fatherly interrogation of Lin Yuan.
• Qin Liyun challenges Lin Yuan to explain how he will earn her approval.
• Lin Yuan attempts to justify his financial achievements while concealing the system.
• Lianyin unknowingly confesses her feelings and begs Lin Yuan’s forgiveness in front of her parents, leaving him trapped between comforting her and avoiding further angering them.

Chapter Summary — “I’m So Touched”

Key plot points and events

• Lin Yuan receives a phone call from Gu Lianyin, who sweetly begs him to forgive her. Qin Liyun and Gu Hai overhear the conversation, creating an awkward and tense atmosphere.
• Lin Yuan, Qin Liyun, Gu Hai, and Ling Wanqing return to the hospital to visit Gu Lianyin after her fever improves.
• Gu Lianyin introduces Lin Yuan to her parents as her classmate, deskmate, and tutor, while insisting that they are only good friends.
• Qin Liyun and Gu Hai privately confront Lianyin about her relationship with Lin Yuan and her disguise at school. After learning that she genuinely likes him, Lianyin fears her parents will separate them.
• Instead, Qin Liyun accepts the relationship, warning Lianyin not to neglect her studies. Lianyin is delighted and relieved.
• Once Lianyin’s fever subsides, she is discharged. Her parents return to their work commitments, leaving Lin Yuan to escort Lianyin and Ling Wanqing home.
• The next morning, Lin Yuan visits Lianyin despite having taken leave from school, bringing groceries and volunteering to care for her.
• He buys her favorite fruit, watermelon, but the chapter ends humorously when they discover that it is unripe.

Character developments

• Gu Lianyin becomes more open about her feelings, admitting that she loves Lin Yuan and courageously defending their relationship. She remains shy and easily embarrassed, but her happiness and trust in Lin Yuan are clear.
• Lin Yuan demonstrates patience, affection, and responsibility by caring for Lianyin, arranging her school leave, visiting her at home, and preparing food for her recovery.
• Qin Liyun and Gu Hai reveal their concern and guilt as parents who have been absent because of work. Qin Liyun’s initial anger gives way to understanding and acceptance.
• Ling Wanqing acts as a supportive observer and helps Lin Yuan understand Lianyin’s preferences, such as her love of watermelon.

Significant themes

• Parental guilt and reconciliation: Lianyin’s parents recognize that their career-focused lives have caused them to neglect her, and they try to make amends through concern and acceptance.
• Young love and trust: Lianyin’s relationship with Lin Yuan becomes acknowledged by her family, strengthening its legitimacy.
• Care expressed through actions: Lin Yuan’s willingness to take leave, visit Lianyin, cook, and buy her favorite food shows his affection more powerfully than words alone.
• Embarrassment and comedic romance: The overheard phone call and failed watermelon purchase create humor while highlighting the couple’s affectionate dynamic.

Character interactions

• Qin Liyun and Gu Hai tease and question Lianyin after overhearing her affectionate phone call with Lin Yuan.
• Lianyin anxiously confesses her feelings to her parents, expecting opposition, but Qin Liyun reassures her.
• Lin Yuan comforts Lianyin by stroking her head and telling her to rest, then surprises her by arriving at her home the next morning.
• Lianyin happily welcomes Lin Yuan’s care and jokes with him about whether the watermelon is ripe, leading to the chapter’s comic conclusion.

Chapter Summary: A Man and a Woman Alone in a Room

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Lianyin jokes about the melon Lin Yuan bought, only for them to discover that it is unripe. Her delight at the mishap breaks the initial awkwardness between them.
• Lin Yuan prepares an elaborate lunch, buying carp, an old hen, ribs, vegetables, and medicinal ingredients. Because Lianyin has recently recovered from a high fever, he refuses to let her help in the kitchen and instead takes care of everything himself.
• While waiting for the food to cook, the two play Honor of Kings. Lianyin plays the support hero Yao, while Lin Yuan uses Hou Yi.
• Lin Yuan dominates the match through strong positioning, accurate ultimate attacks, and excellent game awareness. He repeatedly protects Lianyin, defeats the enemy team, earns MVP, and leads them to victory in several consecutive matches.
• Lin Yuan then cooks sweet-and-sour carp, braised old hen, medicinal pork ribs, and other dishes.
• During lunch, Lianyin repeatedly serves food to Lin Yuan as an excuse to receive similar attention from him. He eventually feeds her some meat, prompting her to enjoy the romantic intimacy.
• The chapter ends with Lianyin asking Lin Yuan to reach food for her. He teasingly points out that they are “a man and a woman alone in a room” and asks whether she wants to do something to him, leaving her startled and flustered.

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin: Her affection for Lin Yuan becomes increasingly obvious. She is openly happy around him, admires his cooking and gaming abilities, and longs for him to officially confess. She remains shy and playful, using food and indirect requests to seek his attention and affection.
• Lin Yuan: He demonstrates his considerate and protective nature by caring for Lianyin’s health, preparing nourishing food, and handling the household tasks himself. He also becomes more confident and mischievous, deliberately teasing her after recognizing her romantic expectations through his special ability.

Significant Themes

• Growing romantic intimacy: Domestic activities, shared gaming, and eating together create the atmosphere of a couple already living like partners, despite their relationship remaining unofficial.
• Care expressed through actions: Lin Yuan’s cooking, concern for Lianyin’s recovery, and insistence that she rest show affection more clearly than direct declarations.
• Playfulness and teasing: Their banter helps ease awkwardness and reveals their mutual attraction.
• Everyday companionship: Simple activities—playing games, preparing food, and sharing a meal—strengthen their emotional bond.

Character Interactions

• Gu Lianyin laughs at Lin Yuan’s failed melon purchase and teaches him how to select better melons.
• Lin Yuan cares for her while cooking, while she watches admiringly and secretly wishes he would confess.
• They cooperate closely during the game, with Lianyin supporting Lin Yuan and Lin Yuan carrying the team to victory.
• At lunch, Lianyin repeatedly places food in Lin Yuan’s bowl to encourage him to reciprocate. He eventually serves her and tells her to eat more.
• Their final exchange shifts from innocent domestic affection to overt romantic teasing, with Lianyin becoming embarrassed by Lin Yuan’s suggestive implication.

Chapter Summary: “I Understand, I Know”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan explains to Gu Lianyin that he has realized her earlier anger and strange messages were tests to determine whether he could be trusted with her family situation.
• Gu Lianyin admits she was afraid information about her transfer and family problems might be leaked to hostile relatives. Lin Yuan reassures her that he understands and is not angry, resolving the tension between them.
• After eating together, Gu Lianyin persuades Lin Yuan to stay and watch a horror movie. They choose The Cabin in the Woods and turn off the lights to create a more frightening atmosphere.
• Gu Lianyin becomes frightened by the movie’s jump scares and repeatedly clings to Lin Yuan. Lin Yuan finds her reactions amusing and begins wanting to hold her hand, but stops himself because of his promise to her mother, Qin Liyun, and his concern about crossing boundaries.
• Ling Wanqing returns home and misunderstands the intimate-looking scene of Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin sitting close together. Gu Lianyin hurriedly insists that they were only watching a movie.
• Ling Wanqing teases Gu Lianyin, leading to playful physical roughhousing between the two friends. Wanqing wins both rounds, despite Gu Lianyin’s insulting joke about her being flat-chested.
• Afterward, Wanqing questions Lin Yuan about his visit. He explains that he brought food because Lianyin is physically weak and needs nourishment.
• Wanqing envies Lianyin for having someone as considerate as Lin Yuan and reflects on her bad mood after classmates mocked her appearance. She again considers abandoning her deliberately “ugly” disguise and remembers that Lianyin still owes her a month of Michelin-star meals.

Character Development

• Lin Yuan: Demonstrates patience, emotional understanding, and restraint. He recognizes the reason behind Lianyin’s suspicious behavior, forgives her, and continues caring for her studies and health. Although he feels increasingly close to her, he deliberately controls himself out of respect for her mother’s agreement.
• Gu Lianyin: Reveals her insecurity and fear of being harmed through leaked family information. Once reassured, she becomes more relaxed and affectionate, openly seeking Lin Yuan’s company. Her frightened yet enthusiastic reactions during the movie expose a playful, vulnerable side of her.
• Ling Wanqing: Continues acting as a teasing, mischievous friend while also showing envy toward Lianyin’s relationship with Lin Yuan. Her frustration with being mocked by classmates strengthens her desire to stop pretending to be unattractive.

Significant Themes

• Trust and vulnerability: Lianyin’s “test” reflects how fear and past family conflict make it difficult for her to trust others. Lin Yuan’s reassurance repairs their relationship.
• Emotional restraint: Lin Yuan’s attraction to Lianyin is clear, but he consciously respects boundaries and his promise to her mother.
• Romantic tension and misunderstanding: The dark room, physical closeness, and movie scenes create an increasingly intimate atmosphere, which Wanqing immediately misinterprets.
• Friendship and playful rivalry: Lianyin and Wanqing’s mock fight shows their close friendship, expressed through teasing, competition, and exaggerated insults.
• Appearance versus reality: Wanqing’s deliberate unattractive appearance contrasts with her true feelings and beauty, while her classmates’ insults push her closer to revealing her real self.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Lianyin reconcile through an honest conversation and share a warm meal.
• During the movie, Lianyin repeatedly grabs Lin Yuan for protection, while he quietly enjoys her dependence but restrains himself from becoming more intimate.
• Wanqing’s arrival interrupts the romantic atmosphere and leads to teasing, denial, and a physical comedy routine between the two girls.
• Wanqing questions Lin Yuan about his motives, and his sincere explanation that he is caring for Lianyin leaves her feeling envious and emotionally dissatisfied.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After losing their “who can look uglier” bet, Gu Lianyin agrees to treat Ling Wanqing to Michelin meals for a month, though they decide to finish the leftover lunch food first and dine out the next day.
• Ling Wanqing invites Lin Yuan to stay and play Honor of Kings with them. The three form a team.
• Gu Lianyin chooses Da Qiao, Ling Wanqing plays Zhong Kui, and Lin Yuan selects Hou Yi.
• Ling Wanqing and Gu Lianyin repeatedly use Da Qiao’s teleportation circle and Zhong Kui’s hook to drag the enemy Han Xin—and later his Blue Buff—back to their fountain. This ruins his jungle progression and causes him to complain angrily.
• Lin Yuan quietly farms while using Hou Yi’s ultimate with remarkable accuracy, helping Yang Jian secure kills.
• Their team dominates the match, but a disastrous team fight occurs when Ling Wanqing accidentally hooks Zhong Wuyan, a powerful enemy fighter, into their group. Gu Lianyin then mistakenly teleports several teammates back to their fountain, causing them to lose the fight.
• The team’s jungler initially blames Gu Lianyin and Lin Yuan, but Ling Wanqing’s sweet voice softens him. Gu Lianyin also uses voice chat, and the jungler quickly changes his attitude, blaming the male teammates instead.
• Despite the mishap, the team later wins and destroys the enemy crystal. The jungler attempts to add the two women as friends, but they have disabled friend requests and ignore his invitations.
• Lin Yuan, Gu Lianyin, and Ling Wanqing continue playing several more matches, laughing throughout the evening.
• After nine o’clock, Lin Yuan leaves. Gu Lianyin walks him downstairs and remains outside watching and waving after he departs.

2. Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Demonstrates strong gaming ability, especially with Hou Yi’s precise ultimate attacks. He is modest about his skill and becomes increasingly comfortable and happy in Gu Lianyin and Ling Wanqing’s company. His emotions toward Gu Lianyin deepen as he admires her beauty and feels reluctant to leave.
• Gu Lianyin: Shows her playful, mischievous side through the repeated Blue Buff trap. She is cheerful and enjoys spending time with Lin Yuan, becoming visibly reluctant when he leaves. Her playful use of voice chat also reveals her teasing personality.
• Ling Wanqing: Appears competitive, mischievous, and highly entertained by tormenting the enemy jungler. She enjoys playing with Lin Yuan and subtly envies Gu Lianyin’s closeness with him, wondering what it would be like to have a boyfriend like him.
• The enemy jungler: Shifts from furious and insulting to sympathetic and flattering once Ling Wanqing and Gu Lianyin speak in sweet voices, highlighting his obvious favoritism toward female teammates.

3. Significant Themes

• Playful companionship: Gaming becomes a way for the three characters to bond and enjoy one another’s company.
• Romantic attraction: Lin Yuan’s feelings for Gu Lianyin continue to grow, expressed through his admiration of her appearance and his reluctance to part from her.
• Gender-based double standards: The jungler blames the women at first but quickly excuses their mistakes once they use feminine, apologetic voices, instead blaming Lin Yuan and Yang Jian.
• Humor and lightheartedness: The chapter focuses on comic teamwork, trolling opponents, exaggerated reactions, and the lively friendship among the characters.
• Emotional attachment and farewell: Gu Lianyin’s lingering goodbye and Lin Yuan’s final glance back emphasize their growing mutual affection.

4. Character Interactions

• Gu Lianyin and Ling Wanqing share an established, mischievous friendship, coordinating their in-game tricks and laughing at the enemy’s frustration.
• Ling Wanqing invites Lin Yuan into their gaming session, and the three quickly develop an entertaining team dynamic.
• Lin Yuan supports the team quietly through farming and accurate attacks while the women create chaos.
• The teammates argue after the failed team fight, but the conflict is defused when Ling Wanqing and Gu Lianyin use sweet voices to gain sympathy.
• After the gaming session, Gu Lianyin personally walks Lin Yuan out. He strokes her hair, says goodbye, and later turns back to find her still waiting and waving, creating the chapter’s most romantic moment.

Chapter Summary: “Recording for Song and Youth”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan returns to the riverside villa and finds a note from Xiao Ke asking him to help her pet the small squirrel he has befriended.
• He adds Xiao Ke’s contact information and agrees to take her to see the squirrel when he has time.
• Xiao Ke sends Lin Yuan private cosplay photos and a video of her older sister singing while playing guitar. Her sister discovers this, scolds and spanks Xiao Ke, and demands that Lin Yuan delete the material. Before the messages can be recalled, Xiao Ke’s sister deletes Lin Yuan from her contacts.
• Later that night, Lin Qingyue contacts Lin Yuan after seeing his viral singing video. She tells him she has secured him an opportunity to appear on the television program Song and Youth, with an initial appearance fee of one hundred thousand.
• Lin Yuan is initially uninterested in becoming famous, but the system presents him with two choices:
  • Participate in the program and receive Complete Life Skills.
  • Refuse and receive only Home Appliance Repair Skill.
• Motivated by the generous payment and the much broader reward, Lin Yuan agrees to participate.
• He contacts the program director, reaches an agreement, and prepares to sign the contract and await recording arrangements.
• The system grants him Complete Life Skills, giving him extensive practical knowledge, including appliance repair, computer use, fishing, driving, tea service, and other everyday abilities.
• Lin Yuan informs his mother and Gu Lianyin about the opportunity. Gu Lianyin reacts enthusiastically and promises to watch the program when it airs.

Character Development

• Lin Yuan remains practical and composed, but his attitude toward public performance shifts. Though he is not personally eager for fame, financial incentives and the system’s reward persuade him to accept the opportunity.
• His high emotional intelligence is emphasized through his tactful, playful messages to Lin Qingyue, which strengthen their friendly relationship.
• Xiao Ke is portrayed as affectionate and impulsive. Her eagerness to share her sister’s private material leads to trouble, revealing her childish lack of judgment.
• Xiao Ke’s sister is protective of her privacy and strict with Xiao Ke, but she ultimately stops punishing her because she cannot bear to hurt her too much.
• Lin Qingyue acts as Lin Yuan’s supporter and intermediary, using his viral popularity to help him secure a television appearance.
• Gu Lianyin demonstrates strong personal support, reacting with excitement and encouragement rather than jealousy or hesitation.

Significant Themes

• Opportunity and ambition: Lin Yuan’s viral singing performance opens the door to professional exposure, even though he is not actively seeking fame.
• Practical choices and rewards: The system frames Lin Yuan’s decision as a choice between different forms of personal development, highlighting his tendency to evaluate opportunities rationally.
• Trust, privacy, and boundaries: Xiao Ke’s careless sharing of her sister’s private photos creates conflict and underscores the importance of respecting personal boundaries.
• Social intelligence: Lin Yuan’s polite and humorous communication helps him maintain relationships and make others feel appreciated.
• Support and friendship: Several characters contribute to Lin Yuan’s progress, particularly Lin Qingyue, who creates the opportunity, and Gu Lianyin, who offers enthusiastic encouragement.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Xiao Ke: Their exchange is warm and sibling-like, centered on the squirrel and Xiao Ke’s desire to spend time with him.
• Xiao Ke and her sister: Their interaction reveals a strict but affectionate sibling relationship. The sister disciplines Xiao Ke for sharing private content but remains protective and forgiving.
• Lin Yuan and Xiao Ke’s sister: Their brief interaction is indirect and tense; she demands that he delete the material, then removes him from her contacts.
• Lin Yuan and Lin Qingyue: Their conversation combines professional opportunity with playful familiarity. Lin Qingyue helps him obtain the program slot, while Lin Yuan responds appreciatively and jokes about treating her to meals.
• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin: Their relationship is supportive and close. Gu Lianyin is delighted by his chance to appear on television and immediately promises to watch him.

Chapter Summary: “A Small Gift”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan tells Gu Lianyin that joining a television show would require him to take extended leave from school, meaning they would no longer see each other every day.
• Gu Lianyin becomes upset at the thought of being separated from him, revealing how emotionally dependent she has become on their daily companionship.
• Lin Yuan teases her about being clingy, and their playful exchange turns into an argument when he jokes about sitting with Shang Yiyi instead. Gu Lianyin becomes visibly jealous but denies it.
• To make peace, Lin Yuan promises Gu Lianyin a “small gift” the next day, immediately improving her mood and allowing her to sleep happily while anticipating it.
• Lin Yuan receives a worried message from his mother, Lin Xianglan, who fears he may have been scammed by the television program. He reassures her but decides to return home the following weekend to explain everything in person.
• Lin Yuan reflects on his determination to improve his mother’s life. He also hopes the show will help him prove to Gu Lianyin’s mother that he is worthy of being with her daughter.
• The next morning, a suspicious woman approaches Lin Yuan outside school. She claims to be Gu Lianyin’s second sister-in-law and hints that Gu Lianyin has been hiding a secret about her true appearance.
• Lin Yuan refuses to be provoked or drawn into the woman’s schemes and walks away, choosing not to tell Gu Lianyin about the encounter.
• At school, Gu Lianyin eagerly asks for her promised gift. Lin Yuan tells her to hold out her hand, then simply takes it in his own, making physical affection itself the “small gift.”

Character Developments

• Gu Lianyin becomes increasingly aware of how deeply she relies on Lin Yuan. Her sadness at the possibility of separation and her jealousy toward Shang Yiyi show that her feelings for him are becoming stronger and more possessive.
• Lin Yuan remains playful and affectionate with Gu Lianyin but also demonstrates maturity and protectiveness. He keeps the family confrontation secret to prevent her from becoming distressed and is determined to support both her and his mother.
• Lin Xianglan is portrayed as hardworking, cautious, and deeply devoted to her son. Her immediate fear that Lin Yuan has been deceived reflects both her financial concerns and her desire to protect him.
• The second sister-in-law is introduced as arrogant and manipulative. Her attempt to create suspicion between Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin fails because Lin Yuan refuses to engage with her.

Significant Themes

• Emotional dependence and romantic attachment: Gu Lianyin’s life has become brighter through Lin Yuan’s companionship, making the idea of losing him frightening.
• Jealousy and insecurity: Her reaction to Shang Yiyi reveals her fear that another girl might take Lin Yuan away.
• Family responsibility: Lin Yuan is motivated by his promise to give his mother a better life and to earn Gu Lianyin’s family’s approval.
• Protection through secrecy: Lin Yuan hides troubling information from Gu Lianyin because he wants to preserve her happiness.
• Manipulation versus genuine affection: The sister-in-law attempts to exploit hidden family tensions, while Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin’s relationship is built on playful, sincere interaction.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin exchange affectionate teasing about her clinginess and his closeness with Shang Yiyi, ending with a reconciliation through his promised gift.
• Lin Yuan and his mother have a concerned but loving phone conversation, with him reassuring her that the television opportunity is legitimate.
• Lin Yuan dismisses the second sister-in-law’s provocation and refuses to discuss Gu Lianyin’s alleged secret.
• The chapter ends with a tender moment between Lin Yuan and Gu Lianyin as he takes her hand, fulfilling his promise in a simple but intimate way.