Chapter Summaries

Xie Ran, a business legend, woke in the body of a twenty-seven-year-old superstar also named Xie Ran after losing consciousness. The chapter ended with him adjusting to the unfamiliar body backstage after his reunion duet with Fang Huiwang set off a storm of nostalgic reactions.

• Superstars Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang reunited for a duet on Snowball Satellite TV's New Year's Eve show, drawing huge ratings and sending Wangran CP to the top of the trending list.
• Fans celebrated the pair's reunion while others argued over whether the duet signaled anything beyond a business collaboration.
• Xie Ran read the online reactions backstage, still dizzy as he adjusted to his unfamiliar body.
• Xie Ran recalled that he had been a celebrated business magnate whose company had just announced a major research breakthrough before he blacked out and woke as the superstar Xie Ran.

After transmigrating into another version of himself, Xie Ran recalled how his relationship with Fang Huiwang had once ended in betrayal and ruined his career. He woke after their New Year’s Eve duet and faced Fang Huiwang again, while their reunion drew eager attention from fans.

• Xie Ran realized he had transmigrated into a world much like his own and studied the life of this world’s Xie Ran.
• Xie Ran learned that he and Fang Huiwang had secretly dated after debuting on Tomorrow's Star, but Fang Huiwang had broken up with him under pressure from their agencies.
• Xie Ran learned that he had reunited with Fang Huiwang ten years later, only for Fang Huiwang to deny their relationship after Xie Ran was outed, leaving Xie Ran’s career in ruins.
• Xie Ran woke backstage after the New Year’s Eve concert, decided to rest, and prepared to leave the lounge.
• Fang Huiwang steadied Xie Ran and told him the backstage interview was ready, while Xie Ran studied him with suspicion.
• Fang Hexin arrived as the livestream camera captured Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang, prompting fans to flood the comments with excitement about the Wangran CP.

After their first performance together in ten years, Xie Ran bluntly said he was happy because Snowball Satellite TV paid well and that performing with Fang Huiwang gave him no special feelings. Fang Huiwang stopped him in the parking lot and reminded him they had agreed to spend New Year's Eve together at his place.

• During the backstage interview, Fang Huiwang spoke warmly about collaborating with Xie Ran again and passed him the microphone.
• Xie Ran said he was satisfied with Snowball Satellite TV's generous payment, leaving Fang Huiwang and host Fang Hexin stunned.
• When Fang Hexin asked about performing together, Xie Ran answered that he had no special feelings.
• After the interview, Xie Ran left for the underground parking lot with his assistant.
• Fang Huiwang caught up with Xie Ran and asked why he was leaving when they had agreed to spend New Year's Eve together at his place.

Xie Ran rejected Fang Huiwang’s invitation to spend New Year’s Eve together, despite Fang Huiwang’s confidence that they would reconcile. Fang Huiwang tried to pressure him into staying, but Xie Ran left, making Fang Huiwang fear that Xie Ran might truly not want him back.

• Fang Huiwang expected Xie Ran to come home with him and reconcile, but Xie Ran said he was not going.
• When Fang Huiwang reminded Xie Ran that they had agreed, Xie Ran said he had changed his mind and pointed out they had signed no contract.
• Fang Huiwang revealed he had prepared a surprise at home, but Xie Ran remained unmoved and tried to leave.
• Fang Huiwang warned that he might stop pursuing Xie Ran if he left, but Xie Ran told him not to force himself to continue.
• Fang Huiwang watched Xie Ran walk away and wondered in a panic whether Xie Ran truly no longer wanted to reconcile.

Fang Huiwang reacted to Xie Ran’s cold rejection by arranging to sabotage the launch of Xie Ran Studio’s virtual idol. The chapter ended with Xie Ran learning that Ambition Studio had scheduled Nangong Xu’s launch for the same day as his studio’s.

• Fang Huiwang returned home to find the celebration he had prepared for Xie Ran untouched, then learned from Kuang Youfang that Xie Ran’s interview clips were trending online.
• Fang Huiwang grew furious as online commenters praised Xie Ran’s cold demeanor and mocked Fang Huiwang’s attempts to revive their old pairing.
• Fang Huiwang told Kuang Youfang to move Nangong Xu’s release event to the same day as Xie Ran Studio’s launch.
• Guan Shunan called Xie Ran and told him that Ambition Studio had announced Nangong Xu’s launch for the same day as theirs.

Xie Ran reviewed the history of virtual idols and realized his studio’s upcoming release could be overshadowed by Ambition Studio’s Nangong Xu. As Ambition Studio scheduled its debut for the same day, Xie Ran remained unconcerned and studied the technology behind virtual idols.

• Xie Ran recalled how the original owner’s virtual idol had faded after Nangong Xu debuted and gained popularity for Ambition Studio.
• Xie Ran saw that Ambition Studio had moved Nangong Xu’s release to coincide with his studio’s launch, drawing attention from netizens who linked the idols to Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang.
• Guan Shunan urged Xie Ran to distance himself from Fang Huiwang and change the launch date after learning Nangong Xu was made with the Black Star Team.
• Xie Ran told Guan Shunan the clash had nothing to do with him and said the added attention was beneficial.
• Xie Ran reviewed technical information and concluded that this world’s related virtual idol technology was broadly similar to, or slightly behind, his original world’s.

Xie Ran Studio held its virtual idol launch on the same day as Fang Huiwang’s rival event, drawing intense attention from fans and media. Xie Ran ignored Fang Huiwang’s call and stepped onto the stage with a strikingly composed presence as the livestream began.

• Xie Ran Studio and Ambition Studio scheduled competing press conferences and livestreams for the same day, prompting widespread online anticipation.
• Xie Ran reviewed the launch schedule backstage and rejected Fang Huiwang’s call without speaking to him.
• Fang Huiwang grew agitated after Xie Ran refused his call, then watched Xie Ran Studio’s livestream with Kuang Youfang and Ni Le.
• Xie Ran took the stage in a formal suit, and viewers reacted excitedly to his unusually cool appearance.

Xie Ran challenged the idea that existing virtual idols were real idols, then introduced his studio’s technology as Ambition Studio launched the visually impressive Nangong Xu. The chapter ended as viewers switched back to Xie Ran’s livestream and heard him claim his virtual idol could learn and evolve.

• Xie Ran appeared at his studio’s launch and argued that existing virtual idols were rendered effects with no self-awareness or unique personalities.
• Virtual idol fans angrily criticized Xie Ran, while Ni Le and Kuang Youfang mocked his claims and expected his launch to fail.
• Fang Huiwang introduced Nangong Xu at Ambition Studio’s launch as a singing and dancing idol made with Black Star Technology.
• Nangong Xu appeared as a detailed, lifelike three-dimensional figure, drawing excited reactions from viewers.
• Viewers returned to Xie Ran’s livestream, where he claimed his studio had achieved breakthroughs that enabled its virtual idol to learn and evolve.

Xie Ran’s technical presentation drew attention from industry insiders, while Fang Huiwang and Kuang Youfang tried to turn the growing scrutiny to their advantage. The chapter ended with Quest Technology’s CTO praising Xie Ran’s ideas and hoping to meet him.

• Netizens spread Xie Ran’s livestream to tech bloggers and industry contacts, hoping experts would debunk his claims.
• Kuang Youfang saw the attention as a chance to attract investors to Nangong Xu, and Fang Huiwang agreed to push the comparison between their launch events.
• Kuang Youfang paid online astroturfing companies to flood the livestream and bloggers’ accounts with requests to compare Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang.
• Lan Zhi, Quest Technology’s chief technology officer, praised Xie Ran’s presentation and said he hoped to meet him for a discussion.

After major influencers praised Xie Ran’s technology, he debuted his virtual artist Meng Feixuan, whose unfinished appearance disappointed the audience and drew mockery. Xie Ran remained unruffled and ended the launch without answering questions, confident that technology companies would seek him out.

• Lan Zhi and other major influencers praised Xie Ran and publicly expressed interest in meeting or investing in his studio.
• Kuang Youfang and Fang Huiwang questioned Ni Le about whether Xie Ran could really develop virtual idol consciousness, and Ni Le dismissed the possibility.
• Xie Ran introduced Meng Feixuan, whose ordinary, unfinished model disappointed the audience and sparked online criticism.
• Ni Le, Kuang Youfang, and Fang Huiwang took the backlash as evidence that Xie Ran had failed while Nangong Xu’s performance won praise.
• Xie Ran ended the launch event without a media Q&A, confident that major technology companies would soon approach him.

At Xie Ran Studio’s press conference, the virtual idol Meng Feixuan transformed into a lifelike person and reunited with Xie Ran, stunning the media and viewers. As the internet erupted over Meng Feixuan, Ni Le, Fang Huiwang, and Kuang Youfang realized Nangong Xu had been outclassed and wondered what to do.

• When a media representative accused Xie Ran of running away, Meng Feixuan suddenly moved and recognized him as his former assistant, Mark.
• After Xie Ran called him Mark, Meng Feixuan became lifelike and told Xie Ran that he had finally found him.
• Meng Feixuan quickly analyzed the situation, confirmed that he was now Xie Ran’s artist, and introduced himself to the audience and livestream viewers.
• Viewers flooded the internet with astonished reactions, while media at Ambition Studio’s event shifted their attention from Nangong Xu to Xie Ran and Meng Feixuan.
• Backstage, Ni Le, Fang Huiwang, and Kuang Youfang were stunned by Meng Feixuan’s technology, and Fang Huiwang demanded that Kuang Youfang decide what to do.

Meng Feixuan stunned the media with a lifelike transformation and spontaneous interaction at Xie Ran Studio’s press conference. Xie Ran ended the event and left, while online debate over Meng Feixuan’s abilities drove the studio’s valuation sharply upward.

• Meng Feixuan answered a reporter’s question and identified himself as a program, leaving the media stunned by his unscripted interaction.
• Meng Feixuan looked to Xie Ran, who ended the press conference, and then vanished in a dazzling display of light while inviting people to follow his journey.
• Xie Ran left as security held back the reporters and the livestream ended.
• Media outlets and netizens spread footage of Meng Feixuan’s debut and argued over whether he had independent consciousness.
• Talent agencies and major technology companies sought partnerships and investments as Xie Ran Studio’s valuation soared.

Xie Ran learned how Meng Feixuan had copied his consciousness before his brain death and why he had transmigrated into another world. As Meng Feixuan prepared to help him understand the host’s obsession, Guan Shunan asked whether he still planned to film a variety show with Fang Huiwang.

• Meng Feixuan explained that copying Xie Ran’s consciousness had caused it to appear across multiple worlds, where it fused with the other Xie Ran’s consciousness and led to his transmigration.
• Xie Ran learned that returning to his original world required waiting for the copying program to be repaired and separating his consciousness from the other Xie Ran’s.
• Meng Feixuan said the other Xie Ran’s intense Consciousness Atom Cluster came from an obsession that needed to be eliminated, then offered to teach Xie Ran about emotions.
• Guan Shunan called to say the filming schedule for Somewhere Else with You was finalized and asked whether Xie Ran still wanted to appear on the show with Fang Huiwang.

Snowball Satellite TV announced that Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang would travel together on a variety show, prompting intense online speculation and excitement. As the warm-up livestream began, Fang Huiwang arranged to meet Xie Ran on camera to generate publicity, while reflecting on how Meng Feixuan’s success had ruined his plans for Nangong Xu.

• Xie Ran told Meng Feixuan to proceed with the show as usual, and Meng Feixuan mistakenly assumed he was trying to resolve an obsession involving Fang Huiwang.
• Snowball Satellite TV announced that Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang would appear together on a week-long travel show, with its pre-departure segment broadcast live.
• During the livestream, Fang Huiwang asked the crew to take him to Xie Ran’s home, saying he missed him, which thrilled their CP fans.
• Fang Huiwang messaged Kuang Youfang to confirm that publicity topics were ready for his meeting with Xie Ran.
• Fang Huiwang reflected that his career was declining and that Meng Feixuan’s launch had overshadowed Nangong Xu, destroying the commercial prospects he had hoped to build.

Fang Huiwang tried to use his history with Xie Ran to revive Wangran’s popularity, but Xie Ran’s commanding presence overturned the planned livestream narrative. The chapter left Kuang Youfang and the CP fans stunned as Fang Huiwang appeared more like Xie Ran’s assistant than his former partner.

• Fang Huiwang arrived at Xie Ran’s apartment with the filming crew and reminisced about their days sharing a dorm on Tomorrow’s Star.
• Xie Ran opened the door already dressed, pointed out that they were ten minutes late, and headed out without filming the planned preparation footage.
• Xie Ran let Fang Huiwang carry his suitcase, then led the crew toward the elevator while everyone followed behind him.
• The livestream viewers saw Xie Ran’s powerful bearing make Fang Huiwang look like his assistant.
• Kuang Youfang realized that Xie Ran had derailed both plans for promoting the Wangran CP.

Kuang Youfang’s paid campaign to revive interest in Fang Huiwang and Xie Ran’s pairing failed to stir much excitement. After arriving in Country Y, Xie Ran learned about the online reactions, handed in his phone for the week-long trip, and discovered Meng Feixuan could still reach him through his smartwatch.

• Kuang Youfang told Yashen Internet Marketing to cautiously test its first campaign plan after the Wangran pairing lacked the expected buzz.
• After landing in Country Y, Xie Ran heard Meng Feixuan explain the paid commenters’ strategy and read out mixed reactions from fans.
• The production team asked the guests to hand over their phones, and Xie Ran complied eagerly.
• Fang Huiwang praised Xie Ran as well-behaved, and Xie Ran called him noisy.
• Meng Feixuan revealed he could stay connected through Xie Ran’s smartwatch after the phones were collected.

Xie Ran learned that Ruiyan’s advertising contract was the prize for the winning pair and recalled its plans to enter autonomous driving, which he investigated through Meng Feixuan. As the guests arrived in Old West City, Fang Huiwang mistook Xie Ran’s polite response for a promise to cooperate, while Xie Ran privately clarified that he had only brushed him off.

• The tour leader explained the guests’ limited budgets, tasks, and prize: an advertising contract with Ruiyan Motors, prompting the pairs to declare their determination to win.
• Fang Huiwang told Xie Ran they should work together, and Xie Ran answered with a brief agreement that reassured him.
• Xie Ran recalled the original owner’s experience winning the show with Fang Huiwang and investigated Ruiyan’s autonomous-driving plans through Meng Feixuan.
• Meng Feixuan questioned whether Xie Ran intended to cooperate with Fang Huiwang, and Xie Ran said he had only been brushing him off.
• The guests traveled to Old West City and checked into a five-star seaside hotel, their first and only luxury stay before paying their own expenses.

The guests discussed which jobs to choose for the show’s overseas work segment, and Xie Ran used public financial data to compare their potential earnings. He argued that souvenir sales could become the most profitable once filming and Huaxia customers increased sales, leaving the guests and production team impressed by his analysis.

• The production team offered the guests three scenic-area jobs: Chinese-language guide, souvenir salesperson, and waiter, with different pay structures.
• Meng Xixi and Jiang Wei argued over which group should choose first while Xie Ran silently drank coffee.
• When Fang Huiwang asked his opinion, Xie Ran said the three jobs usually paid about the same and supported his conclusion with detailed figures from public financial reports.
• Xie Ran explained that souvenir sales could earn more during filming because the cameras might help close deals, especially with customers from Huaxia.

Xie Ran split from Fang Huiwang and used half his budget to have the hotel manager trade stocks for him, leaving Fang Huiwang to compete alone in the show’s work challenge. Fang Huiwang tried to remain gracious on camera, but returned to their shared room humiliated and angry.

• Xie Ran rejected the souvenir-sales job and announced he would use the stock market, arranging through the hotel manager to trade despite the guests having no phones.
• Xie Ran told Fang Huiwang he would act separately and took half the group’s budget, while Meng Feixuan revealed he was watching through hacked surveillance cameras.
• Fang Huiwang gave Xie Ran half the cash and tried to maintain a supportive image before the cameras, but Xie Ran handed the money to the manager and left for his room.
• The other groups let Fang Huiwang choose a job first because they assumed his group had little chance of competing without Xie Ran.
• Fang Huiwang returned to the shared room angry and humiliated after enduring the rest of the discussion and filming.

Fang Huiwang mistook Xie Ran’s indifference for lingering feelings and tried to rekindle their old relationship. Xie Ran ignored his reminiscing and listened to Meng Feixuan report on the studio’s progress and rising valuation.

• Fang Huiwang entered the room and was struck by Xie Ran’s appearance after his shower, remembering their time together on Tomorrow’s Star.
• Fang Huiwang recalled that Xie Ran had agreed to perform and appear on a variety show with him, and concluded that Xie Ran still had feelings for him.
• Fang Huiwang reminisced about their past and asked whether Xie Ran still hated him, but Xie Ran showed little interest and prepared for bed.
• Fang Huiwang interpreted Xie Ran’s response as evidence of unresolved feelings and sat by his bed to recount their memories.
• Meng Feixuan drowned out Fang Huiwang’s reminiscing by reporting the studio’s cooperation applications and Quest Technology’s revised valuation of 1.2 billion yuan.