Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Ye Qing learns that the You couple have divorced, and their deceived nanny and driver have ended up together. He is amused by how tangled the situation became but has moved on to filming.
• At the start of Darkness of Dawn, Ye Qing meets co-stars Gu Ze and Xie Quan, who seem friendly despite industry rumors that they dislike each other.
• The production announces the cast: Gu Ze plays Lu Yan, Xie Quan plays Mo Feng, and Ye Qing plays Mo Hua, Xie Quan’s younger brother. Online reactions are mostly enthusiastic, though some question Ye Qing’s place in the cast.
• Ye Qing watches Gu Ze and Xie Quan perform their first scene and is struck by their skill, realizing how much he still has to learn. He praises Gu Ze, prompting playful “brother” banter between the actors.
• Ye Qing discovers that Yu Hang resents him because they auditioned for the same role and Yu Hang lost. Yu later corners Ye Qing, insults him, and demands that he surrender the part, offering to pay his contract penalty.
• Ye Qing refuses and mocks Yu Hang’s jealousy, openly joking that Gu Ze likes and spoils him. As Yu threatens that Gu Ze will eventually abandon him, an unidentified third person interrupts, insisting that this will never happen.

Character developments

• Ye Qing is eager to learn from experienced performers, confident enough to defend himself, and increasingly comfortable teasing others about his closeness with Gu Ze.
• Gu Ze is pleased by Ye Qing’s sincere admiration and shows a possessive, protective streak when he claims Ye Qing as “his” little brother too.
• Xie Quan comes across as warm and playful, joining Gu Ze in lighthearted rivalry over Ye Qing’s praise.
• Yu Hang is revealed as arrogant and jealous, trying to intimidate Ye Qing because he failed to win the role and envies Ye Qing’s connection with Gu Ze.

Significant themes

• Appearances versus reality: Rumors about Gu Ze and Xie Quan’s rivalry prove unreliable, as do assumptions about who deserves success.
• Ambition and insecurity: Ye Qing responds to his opportunity with gratitude and a desire to improve, while Yu Hang turns disappointment into resentment and bullying.
• Confidence and self-worth: Ye Qing refuses to be pressured into giving up his role, even when threatened.
• Affection and favoritism: Gu Ze’s special fondness for Ye Qing is a source of comfort, playful teasing, and envy.

Character interactions

• Ye Qing greets Xie Quan respectfully, and Xie Quan welcomes him warmly as his on-screen younger brother.
• Gu Ze and Xie Quan banter over which of them Ye Qing should praise, demonstrating their easy rapport.
• Ye Qing’s assistant explains Yu Hang’s resentment and warns him to be cautious.
• During their confrontation, Ye Qing trades insults with Yu Hang and refuses to surrender the role. The chapter ends as someone steps in to defend him.

Chapter Summary: “My Brother Gu Is in Trouble”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Qing is caught in a bathroom by Gu Ze after using Gu Ze’s name to intimidate Yu Hang. Embarrassed, Ye Qing explains that he was only trying to provoke Yu Hang.
• Gu Ze reassures Ye Qing that he does not mind Ye Qing borrowing his influence, as long as Ye Qing is not in the wrong. He also advises Ye Qing not to suppress his anger unnecessarily, reminding him that Gu’s family has enough power to protect him.
• Gu Ze’s support makes Ye Qing feel as though he finally has someone powerful to rely on. Their interaction becomes warmer when Gu Ze pats Ye Qing’s head and escorts him back to set.
• Ye Qing performs a scene involving his character returning home to his police-officer brother. Because the role resembles his own relationship with his older brother, he performs it naturally and completes the scene in one take, impressing the demanding Director Zhang.
• Yu Hang watches Ye Qing receive praise and becomes increasingly jealous, especially after Ye Qing knowingly smiles at him.
• Tong Ru arrives on set the following day and apologizes for being late. She is attractive, confident, and rumored to prefer younger men, causing Gu Ze to become protective of Ye Qing.
• Tong Ru reveals that she once pursued Gu Ze, but he rejected her. Ye Qing becomes curious about their past relationship.
• Later, Ye Qing notices Yu Hang secretly leaving and follows him. Yu Hang meets Tong Ru in a secluded area and proposes a disturbing plan: he has a drug that would paralyze someone while leaving them conscious, and he wants Tong Ru to drug Gu Ze.
• Yu Hang implies that he wants Tong Ru to sexually assault Gu Ze first and then allow him to participate. Ye Qing secretly records the conversation as evidence.
• Ye Qing realizes that Gu Ze is in serious danger. Meanwhile, Gu Ze suddenly senses something is wrong while filming, loses focus, and blows a take for the first time.

Character Developments

• Ye Qing: Becomes more comfortable relying on Gu Ze and is delighted by Gu Ze’s protection. His confidence also grows, as shown by his successful performance and deliberate teasing of Yu Hang. Despite his usually playful nature, he acts responsibly by following Yu Hang and recording evidence of the plot.
• Gu Ze: Shows patience, warmth, and protectiveness toward Ye Qing. He openly offers his support and encourages Ye Qing to stand up for himself. His protective instincts intensify when Tong Ru shows interest in Ye Qing.
• Yu Hang: His admiration for Gu Ze is overshadowed by jealousy toward Ye Qing. His resentment escalates into a malicious and predatory scheme against Gu Ze, revealing a much darker side.
• Tong Ru: Appears confident and somewhat flirtatious, but she does not immediately agree to Yu Hang’s proposal. Her true intentions remain uncertain, though her past pursuit of Gu Ze makes her a central figure in the plot.
• Director Zhang and the crew: Recognize Ye Qing’s strong performance, particularly because completing a scene in one take is unusual under Zhang’s demanding direction.

Significant Themes

• Protection and dependence: Ye Qing, who has been largely on his own in the entertainment industry, begins to see Gu Ze as a powerful protector and emotional support.
• Power and reputation: Gu Ze warns Ye Qing to use influence only when he is justified, while also emphasizing that powerful connections can shield people in the entertainment world.
• Jealousy and rivalry: Yu Hang’s jealousy of Ye Qing develops from irritation into a dangerous attempt to harm Gu Ze.
• Trust and vigilance: Ye Qing’s decision to follow Yu Hang and preserve evidence contrasts with Yu Hang’s secretive manipulation.
• Consent and abuse of power: Yu Hang’s plan introduces a serious threat involving incapacitation and sexual violence, sharply darkening the chapter’s tone.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye Qing and Gu Ze: Their relationship becomes closer through reassurance, teasing, physical affection, and mutual concern. Gu Ze’s gentle support makes Ye Qing feel secure.
• Ye Qing and Yu Hang: Their rivalry intensifies. Ye Qing uses Gu Ze’s backing to provoke Yu Hang, while Yu Hang’s jealousy worsens.
• Gu Ze and Yu Hang: Gu Ze warns Yu Hang to avoid causing conflict or damaging the production’s reputation.
• Gu Ze and Tong Ru: Their past is revealed: Tong Ru pursued Gu Ze, but he rejected her. Gu Ze remains wary of her interest in Ye Qing.
• Ye Qing, Yu Hang, and Tong Ru: Ye Qing secretly witnesses and records Yu Hang’s attempt to recruit Tong Ru into a plot against Gu Ze, setting up the chapter’s cliffhanger.

Key events

• Gu Ze repeatedly falters during filming, prompting the director to call a break. He apologizes and arranges afternoon tea for the crew.
• Ye Qing overhears Yu Hang proposing that Tong Ru help him get close to Gu Ze so they can drug and exploit him. Tong Ru declines to commit and, once Yu Hang leaves, tells her partner about his disturbing plan.
• Ye Qing returns to Gu Ze, excited to share what he heard. He plays a recording of the conversation, which confirms Yu Hang’s intentions. Gu Ze pretends to hear it for the first time.
• An assistant briefly opens the lounge door while Ye Qing is leaning over Gu Ze to put on earphones. The angle makes them look as though they are kissing, but Ye Qing does not realize the misunderstanding.
• Gu Ze decides Yu Hang must be removed from the production. Since the drama belongs to Gu Corporation, he can dismiss him, though Yu Hang’s scenes will need to be reshot.
• Gu Ze and Ye Qing confront Yu Hang. Ye Qing announces he has been fired, and Gu Ze presents a breach-of-contract notice. Yu Hang denies wrongdoing until Ye Qing plays part of the recording, leaving him exposed. Yu Hang then brings up Gu Ze’s past connection to the actor Xia Yuhe.

Character developments and interactions

• Ye Qing is protective of Gu Ze and delighted to bring him the evidence. He also shows confidence in confronting Yu Hang directly.
• Gu Ze stays composed despite knowing what Yu Hang intends, acts decisively to protect the production and cast, and continues teasing Ye Qing as his “younger brother.”
• Tong Ru proves more vulnerable and cautious than her polished public image suggests. Her private reaction makes clear she does not intend to help Yu Hang.
• Yu Hang is revealed as manipulative and predatory; his confidence collapses once the recording is played.
• The accidental-looking lounge scene fuels the assistant’s mistaken belief that Gu Ze and Ye Qing are romantically involved, while their own relationship remains framed as close and teasing.

Significant themes

• Trust and protection: Ye Qing’s warning allows Gu Ze to act before Yu Hang can harm anyone.
• Power and accountability: Gu Ze uses his authority over the production, while the contract provides grounds to remove Yu Hang.
• Public image versus private character: Tong Ru’s private fearfulness contrasts with her professional persona; Yu Hang’s schemes are likewise exposed beneath his outward conduct.
• Misunderstanding and subtext: The apparent “kiss” and Gu Ze’s concealed prior knowledge create comic tension amid the serious threat.

Key plot points and events

• Yu Hang recounts how, early in his acting career, two more established actors bullied him and tried to have him replaced. When Gu Ze intervened and later encouraged him, Yu Hang regained hope and dedicated himself to acting.
• Yu Hang explains that his gratitude gradually became romantic obsession. He mistook Gu Ze’s past kindness for proof that Gu Ze liked him and became jealous of Ye Qing’s closeness to him.
• Ye Qing challenges Yu Hang’s assumptions, pointing out that helping someone does not imply romantic interest and questioning how sincerely Yu Hang loves Gu Ze if he would share him.
• Gu Ze clarifies that Ye Qing earned his role through his own ability. He says he once respected Yu Hang’s hard work, but Yu Hang’s actions have betrayed that promise.
• Rather than simply removing Yu Hang from the production, Gu Ze takes him to the police station to establish how he obtained the sedative. The incident leads the director to give the crew a day off.
• Outside the station, Ye Qing asks whether Gu Ze regrets helping Yu Hang. Gu Ze says he does not: his past choice was sincere, and Yu Hang’s later actions do not make everyone unworthy of help.

Character developments

• Yu Hang: Reveals the path from a bullied, determined actor to someone whose gratitude became possessiveness. His belief that Gu Ze’s kindness proved romantic affection shows how he has distorted the past to justify his actions.
• Ye Qing: Defends himself and Gu Ze, firmly separating compassion from romantic love. His thoughtful response to Gu Ze’s answer reassures Gu Ze of his character.
• Gu Ze: Responds with compassion but clear judgment. He accepts responsibility for his choice to help Yu Hang without blaming himself for Yu Hang’s later transformation, and remains confident that kindness is still worthwhile.

Significant themes

• Kindness and responsibility: Helping someone does not make the helper responsible for that person’s later choices.
• Gratitude versus entitlement: Yu Hang turns a generous act into a supposed claim on Gu Ze’s affection.
• Love and possessiveness: Ye Qing contrasts genuine love with Yu Hang’s jealousy and willingness to use others.
• Perseverance and corruption: Yu Hang’s early hard work earns respect, but the pressures and moral compromises of the entertainment industry change him.

Character interactions

• Yu Hang recounts his history to Gu Ze and Ye Qing, presenting his past as evidence of a special bond with Gu Ze.
• Ye Qing directly disputes Yu Hang’s interpretation and exposes the inconsistency between his professed love and his behavior.
• Gu Ze corrects Yu Hang’s claim that Ye Qing owes his role to him, then condemns Yu Hang’s present actions without denying his former perseverance.
• Ye Qing seeks reassurance from Gu Ze afterward; Gu Ze’s answer affirms both his belief in personal responsibility and his trust in Ye Qing.

Key plot points and events

• Ye Qing wonders why Tong Ru rejected Gu Ze despite seeming to like him. Gu Ze says they get along well privately, but leaves the details of her personal life to her.
• Since Ye Qing has a rare day off and doesn’t want to go home, Gu Ze suggests visiting a pottery studio. Ye Qing agrees, excited to try something new.
• At the quiet Li Ji Pottery Studio, Gu Ze demonstrates how to make a cup. Ye Qing struggles to control the clay, and his first attempt collapses.
• Gu Ze reassures him and offers to help. Standing behind Ye Qing, he guides Ye Qing’s hands around the spinning clay.
• The close contact and Gu Ze’s soft voice distract Ye Qing. His thoughts turn suggestive, and Gu Ze appears to hear them: startled, he loses focus, and the cup’s rim collapses.

Character developments

• Ye Qing is curious and eager to try pottery, but quickly discovers he lacks the skill for it. His thoughts also reveal growing awareness of the intimacy between him and Gu Ze—and embarrassment about the suggestive ideas he has picked up.
• Gu Ze is patient and considerate, answering Ye Qing’s questions and encouraging him when he struggles. His careful, gentle manner becomes especially noticeable during the hands-on lesson.
• Tong Ru remains a point of curiosity. Gu Ze hints that her private personality differs from her professional one, while respecting her privacy.

Significant themes

• Growing intimacy: A pottery lesson becomes charged with closeness through touch, proximity, and Gu Ze’s gentle guidance.
• Patience and encouragement: Gu Ze reassures Ye Qing that the activity is about having fun, not making a perfect cup.
• Private selves and boundaries: Gu Ze distinguishes Tong Ru’s public and private sides but declines to reveal personal details.
• Embarrassment and unspoken thoughts: Ye Qing’s suggestive inner monologue contrasts with the innocent activity, while Gu Ze’s startled reaction hints that he may be aware of it.

Character interactions

• Ye Qing asks Gu Ze about Tong Ru, and Gu Ze answers without betraying her confidence.
• During the drive and visit, Gu Ze patiently responds to Ye Qing’s questions and guides him through the unfamiliar studio.
• When Ye Qing’s attempts fail, Gu Ze comforts him, then physically guides his hands from behind. The resulting closeness unsettles Ye Qing and ultimately distracts Gu Ze as well.

Key plot points and events

• During a pottery session, Gu Ze guides Ye Qing’s hands as they shape a cup. Ye Qing’s teasing remark about “playing” makes Gu Ze blush and lose focus, leaving the cup’s rim uneven.
• Gu Ze repairs the rim, but Ye Qing likes its imperfection, saying nothing in life goes perfectly smoothly. They decorate their cups: Ye Qing makes a simple cat, while Gu Ze’s dog is much more polished.
• They leave the cups at the shop for firing and plan to collect them later.
• As filming approaches, Ye Qing is unusually nervous about acting opposite Gu Ze. Gu Ze encourages him.
• In the scene, Ye Qing’s character Mo Hua attends a class karaoke outing, worries about his absent older brother, and is accosted by a flirtatious man outside the restroom. Mo Hua rejects the man’s advances, but the stranger slips him a business card bearing the name Lu Yan.
• The scene ends successfully. Ye Qing is surprised by Gu Ze’s convincing, roguish portrayal of Lu Yan—and admits internally that it makes Gu Ze more attractive.

Character developments and interactions

• Gu Ze is increasingly flustered by Ye Qing’s suggestive inner thoughts, though he tries to respect their privacy and not dwell on them. He reassures Ye Qing about his pottery and his acting.
• Ye Qing shows a relaxed appreciation for imperfection and enjoys making something for himself. Despite being generally confident, he becomes nervous around Gu Ze and is startled by their on-screen intimacy.
• Mo Hua and Lu Yan meet through a brief, provocative encounter: Mo Hua is wary and irritated, while Lu Yan is bold, teasing, and persistent.
• Tong Ru notices Ye Qing’s unusual nervousness and jokes with him, reflecting the growing familiarity among the cast.

Significant themes

• Imperfection and acceptance: Ye Qing values the flawed cup as it is, rather than insisting on perfection.
• Boundaries and private thoughts: Gu Ze recognizes that Ye Qing’s thoughts are private, even as they affect him.
• Attraction and performance: Gu Ze’s transformation into Lu Yan blurs the line between acting and Ye Qing’s growing fascination with him.
• Concern beneath ordinary life: Mo Hua’s worries about his missing older brother linger even during a casual student outing.

Plot points

• Ye Qing notices that Screenwriter Bai, despite being credited with the drama, did not actually write it. The real author is Xia Luan, the young man beside him.
• Gu Ze learns the truth from Ye Qing’s thoughts and privately recognizes that the production must uncover proof, while pretending to know nothing.
• Xia Luan’s history explains the theft: as a teenager, he showed his story to Bai, a family friend who had supported him and his mother. Bai adapted it and claimed credit, persuading Xia Luan to accept the arrangement because an unknown writer would struggle to sell the work.
• As Xia Luan matured and studied screenwriting, he tried to stop Bai from using his scripts. Bai retaliated by threatening him through his mother. Xia Luan’s mother repeatedly revealed where she was hiding, allowing Bai to find her and keeping Xia Luan afraid to act.
• Ye Qing begins asking Bai detailed questions about the script in front of the crew. Bai’s weak, evasive answers attract attention. When Bai tries to move their discussions to his room, Ye Qing refuses and continues asking publicly.
• With the crew now noticing Bai’s inconsistency, Ye Qing confronts him: if he wrote the script, why does he seem unfamiliar with it?

Character development and interactions

• Ye Qing turns his outrage at plagiarism into a deliberate strategy. He acts like an earnest admirer of Bai’s work, using persistent questions to expose the gap between Bai’s claims and his knowledge.
• Gu Ze remains a discreet ally, understanding Ye Qing’s plan and occasionally asking questions himself to strengthen the pressure on Bai.
• Xia Luan emerges as a talented but long-silenced writer. His gratitude and concern for his mother once kept him compliant, but he is now considering exposing Bai.
• Screenwriter Bai shifts from confident public acclaim to irritation and unease as Ye Qing’s questions reveal his ignorance.
• Xia Luan and his mother are at the center of his dilemma: he wants to reclaim his work, but her refusal to acknowledge Bai’s abuse—and her repeated disclosure of her whereabouts—has helped keep him under Bai’s control.
• The crew initially praises Bai and his “apprentice,” but Ye Qing’s public questioning gradually makes them suspicious.

Significant themes

• Plagiarism and stolen credit: The chapter condemns the appropriation of creative work and the erasure of its true author.
• Power and exploitation: Bai uses his reputation, past generosity, and influence to control Xia Luan.
• Family loyalty and betrayal: Xia Luan’s wish to protect his mother conflicts with the fact that her actions have repeatedly undermined him.
• Truth through scrutiny: Ye Qing uses public, specific questions to make deception visible to the people who had previously accepted Bai’s reputation.

Key plot points and events

• Ye Qing continues questioning Xia Luan about the script, gradually winning private time with him despite Screenwriter Bai’s constant supervision.
• In Gu Ze’s dressing room, Ye Qing tells Xia Luan he knows Xia Luan wrote the scripts Bai has been claiming as his own. Xia Luan is wary, but admits he wants credit for his work and fears for his mother’s safety.
• Ye Qing reveals his family has useful connections, and Gu Ze promises the production will act if the theft can be proved. Gu Ze also offers a safe place for Xia Luan’s mother.
• With no drafts or other evidence—Bai always took Xia Luan’s work—Ye Qing proposes secretly recording Bai. They settle on a plan to livestream a call if Bai contacts Xia Luan.
• Xia Luan goes public with his accusation and shares a recording. Online opinion is divided. Bai responds by listing the financial help he gave Xia Luan’s family, prompting many viewers to suspect Xia Luan is trying to extort him.
• Bai’s people send Xia Luan his mother’s address, frightening him. Ye Qing reassures him that she is protected. Xia Luan posts records showing he repaid Bai’s money, but then faces a new blow: his mother becomes the source of his despair.

Character developments and interactions

• Ye Qing acts with growing determination to help Xia Luan. His performance when telling Gu Ze the news is unconvincing, yet he trusts Gu Ze to support him.
• Xia Luan shifts from suspicion to cautious hope, choosing to expose Bai despite the risks to his mother. His vulnerability remains tied to his family’s safety.
• Gu Ze backs Ye Qing and Xia Luan, agreeing to support action against Bai if they can prove the plagiarism and offering protection for Xia Luan’s mother.
• Screenwriter Bai maintains a benevolent public image while deflecting the plagiarism charge by emphasizing his financial support, turning public sentiment against Xia Luan.
• Ye Qing and Xia Luan form a cautious alliance; Gu Ze quietly supports their plan, while Bai’s control over Xia Luan’s family continues to threaten it.

Significant themes

• Exploitation and stolen credit: Xia Luan’s authorship has been hidden behind Bai’s fame and influence.
• Trust and solidarity: Xia Luan’s wariness is challenged by Ye Qing and Gu Ze’s support.
• Public opinion and image: A carefully framed response can sway online audiences before the truth is established.
• Family as leverage: Xia Luan’s concern for his mother is both his greatest vulnerability and the main obstacle to speaking out.

Key plot points and events

• Public opinion turns against Xia Luan after his mother, Jiang He, posts a video claiming that Screenwriter Bai did not plagiarize him. She apologizes publicly for her son’s accusation, and the video quickly goes viral.
• Xia Luan is devastated by the betrayal. He realizes Jiang He has been helping Bai and suspects this explains how Bai repeatedly anticipated his plans.
• On a phone call, Jiang He says Xia Luan should not have spoken out because the dispute is harming everyone. She urges him to stop writing scripts and come home, dismissing his claim that he is the victim.
• Bai then calls Xia Luan, taunts him, and admits he threatened Jiang He—using their sexual relationship as leverage. He also warns Xia Luan that exposing the truth could leave his mother vulnerable to public abuse.
• After the call, Xia Luan is sickened and collapses. Gu Ze and Ye Qing stay with him. Ye Qing says he believes Xia Luan and that evidence could prove the plagiarism, but warns that Jiang He may suffer if they proceed.
• The chapter ends with Xia Luan facing a choice: continue fighting and risk consequences for his mother, or back down and lose his chance to keep writing scripts.

Character developments

• Xia Luan moves from determination to profound shock and grief as he confronts both his mother’s rejection and Bai’s cruelty. He is left to decide whether justice is worth the personal cost.
• Jiang He publicly sides with Bai and prioritizes ending the dispute over supporting her son. Her call reveals that she does not intend to stand with Xia Luan.
• Screenwriter Bai is exposed as manipulative and threatening, openly boasting that he coerced Jiang He and intends to keep Xia Luan writing for him.
• Ye Qing offers Xia Luan genuine support, believing him despite being relatively new to the situation, while also urging him to consider the risks to his mother. Gu Ze likewise remains present and supportive.

Significant themes

• Betrayal and loyalty: Xia Luan’s deepest wound comes from his mother’s public denial, while Ye Qing’s belief offers a contrast.
• Truth versus self-preservation: Pursuing proof may expose the truth but could bring harm to Jiang He; backing down protects her at the cost of Xia Luan’s career and dignity.
• Power and coercion: Bai uses reputation, public opinion, and threats to keep control over Xia Luan and Jiang He.
• Isolation and support: Xia Luan feels abandoned by family and the public, yet finds belief and companionship from Ye Qing and Gu Ze.

Key plot points and events

• Torn over whether to expose his mother’s role in the plagiarism dispute, Xia Luan decides to tell the truth, concluding that his mother’s past care does not excuse her actions.
• Ye Qing admits he recorded Xia Luan’s earlier phone call without permission, hoping it could help prove his innocence. Xia Luan is untroubled: he has his own recording of Screenwriter Bai, along with dated drafts, character profiles, and notes.
• Xia Luan waits several days before posting the evidence, hoping his mother might reconsider and support him. Instead, she stays silent while he faces online abuse and tells him it will “all blow over.”
• Xia Luan publishes the recording and his writing materials, which shift public opinion and establish that he—not Screenwriter Bai—was telling the truth.
• His mother calls to criticize him for harming “Uncle Bai” and embarrassing her. Xia Luan calmly points out that he suffered the same consequences when she refused to defend him. He promises to send her money but asks to keep contact to a minimum.
• With the dispute resolved, Gu Ze says the production will end necessary contracts and replace staff. He plans to bring Xia Luan onto the project as a screenwriter, with guidance.
• Ye Qing is happy to have helped. Gu Ze asks why he entered the entertainment industry; Ye Qing says he likes it and does not need fame or money, then hints at another, amusing reason.

Character developments and interactions

• Xia Luan moves from painful indecision to a firm choice to defend himself. He still acknowledges his mother’s upbringing and plans to support her financially, but establishes a boundary because he cannot forgive her betrayal.
• Ye Qing supports Xia Luan, apologizes for recording him without consent, and steps back from monitoring his mother once it is no longer needed. He also reflects on the unfair expectations placed on children in parent-child relationships.
• Gu Ze supports the principle that one wrong does not excuse another and offers Xia Luan a chance to work on the production. His conversation with Ye Qing turns from the case to Ye Qing’s motivations.
• Xia Luan’s call with his mother crystallizes their estrangement: she worries more about Bai’s consequences and her own reputation than about her son’s abuse.

Significant themes

• Accountability and justice: Family ties do not erase responsibility for wrongdoing.
• Parent-child boundaries: Gratitude and financial support can coexist with distance when trust has been broken.
• Silence and complicity: Xia Luan’s mother’s refusal to support him deepens the harm.
• Truth and public judgment: Evidence overturns online assumptions, though public opinion is shown chasing each new twist.
• Support and opportunity: Gu Ze and Ye Qing help Xia Luan move from defending himself toward rebuilding his professional future.

Key plot points and events

• Ye Qing tells Gu Ze that he entered the entertainment industry to help people who are talented but oppressed, powerless, or unable to speak the truth. Gu Ze calls the ideal brave rather than naive, and his warmth visibly affects Ye Qing.
• Filming resumes after the issue with screenwriter Bai is resolved. While on set, Ye Qing sees a woman and a young boy arrive to meet actor Xie Quan. He reacts with disgust, but does not explain what he has learned.
• Ye Qing confirms that Xie Quan supports charitable causes, then discovers that one recipient is an orphanage.
• During a break, Ye Qing invites Gu Ze to visit the orphanage with him. They bring a large amount of supplies to the small, remote institution.
• The director explains that the orphanage receives limited donations and that children’s medical expenses leave little money for upkeep. Ye Qing and Gu Ze look around, then spend time with the children. At the chapter’s end, Ye Qing shows them a photograph and asks whether they recognize the person in it.

Character developments

• Ye Qing shares his personal, idealistic motivation for the first time. Gu Ze’s acceptance strengthens their growing trust. His concern for the children leads him to investigate and help in person.
• Gu Ze reveals a more tender side, encouraging Ye Qing and gently stroking his hair. He is curious about Ye Qing’s suspicions concerning Xie Quan and is eager to support him, though he initially does not know how to ask to join.
• Xie Quan is shown to have ties to charitable work, including support for the orphanage, though the chapter leaves the circumstances involving the visiting woman and boy unexplained.
• The orphanage director is portrayed as devoted to the children despite scarce resources.

Significant themes

• Compassion and the responsibility to help people who are vulnerable or overlooked.
• The contrast between idealism and cynicism: Gu Ze once shared Ye Qing’s convictions but grew wary of getting involved.
• Trust and emotional closeness, shown through Ye Qing’s candor and Gu Ze’s supportive response.
• Hidden truths: Ye Qing appears to have learned something troubling about Xie Quan, but the chapter withholds the details.

Character interactions

• Gu Ze validates Ye Qing’s ideals, and their conversation deepens their bond.
• Ye Qing and Gu Ze coordinate a visit to the orphanage and bring supplies together.
• Ye Qing wins the children’s trust by playing with them, while Gu Ze stays more reserved.
• Ye Qing’s final question about the photograph suggests he is trying to connect the children—or the orphanage—to the mystery surrounding Xie Quan.

Key plot points and events

• At the orphanage, Ye Qing shows the children a photo of Gu Ze and asks how he behaves with them. They say he visits often, brings snacks, plays games, teaches them, and only pats their heads.
• Ye Qing brings his lively group of children to join Gu Ze, who has been quietly telling a story to a shy group. Gu Ze calms the newcomers and continues with an engaging, expressive performance.
• In the warm afternoon, Ye Qing falls asleep with his head on Gu Ze’s thigh. Gu Ze shifts to cushion him, continues the story more softly, and covers Ye Qing’s ear while the children grow quiet.
• On waking, Ye Qing absentmindedly squeezes Gu Ze’s thigh, making him groan. Gu Ze hides that his leg has gone numb, claiming he wants to look around longer until Ye Qing leaves to play with the children.
• The two stay until sunset, promise to return, and then head back to the film set. The chapter ends by hinting that unusual news is about to spread.

Character developments and interactions

• Ye Qing is affectionate, curious, and at ease with Gu Ze. His nap and sleepy, awkward behavior show growing comfort and trust.
• Gu Ze is patient and attentive with the children, and especially considerate toward Ye Qing—letting him sleep, softening his storytelling, and protecting his ear. He conceals his discomfort to avoid embarrassing himself.
• The children respond warmly to both men: they are boisterous with Ye Qing and more reserved with Gu Ze, but become absorbed in Gu Ze’s story. They are sad to see the pair leave.

Significant themes

• Gentleness and care: Gu Ze’s patient storytelling and quiet attention reveal his kindness.
• Comfort and closeness: Ye Qing’s unselfconscious nap beside Gu Ze suggests an easy intimacy between them.
• Small moments of happiness: Sunlight, storytelling, play, and companionship make an ordinary afternoon feel “just right.”
• Trust and safety: The children describe Gu Ze’s respectful conduct, reinforcing the chapter’s emphasis on care and appropriate boundaries.

Chapter Summary: “Turmoil”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Quan arrives at the film set and immediately senses that people are treating him with suspicion and disgust.
• His agent tells him to check the news, where he discovers that he is the top trending topic on Weibo.
• A video features the director of the Welfare Home Xie Quan has visited for years. The director accuses him of molesting the children there, claiming that multiple children reported being touched inappropriately.
• The children are interviewed, and—without their faces being shown—they point to their legs when asked where Xie Quan touched them. The public largely accepts the accusations, believing that children would not lie.
• Xie Quan’s fans defend him but are attacked online as well. The scandal threatens not only his reputation but also his career and personal life.
• His agent begins searching for evidence and attempts to contact the Welfare Home director, but the director maintains the accusations. Since Xie Quan usually visited alone, there is little immediate proof to support his innocence.
• Xie Quan suspects the scandal was orchestrated by someone connected to a person he previously rejected or walked away from. He refuses to identify the person directly, suggesting he may understand who is responsible.
• Although devastated, Xie Quan insists that neither he nor his agent should admit to something he did not do. He recognizes that simply leaving the entertainment industry would not make the accusations disappear.
• With his agent’s permission, he posts a cautious message on Weibo to thank and reassure the fans who continue to support him.
• A photograph connected to a painful relationship or memory is sent to him, worsening his emotional state. Shortly afterward, a younger colleague messages him with encouragement and promises to help find evidence.
• The chapter ends by revealing that Gu Ze and Ye Qing have also publicly posted messages, though their statements are not yet shown.

Character Developments

• Xie Quan: He is shaken, exhausted, and deeply hurt by the betrayal of the Welfare Home and the weaponization of the children’s claims. Despite feeling powerless, he remains rational enough to reject any false admission and draws strength from the people who believe him. His suspicion that the scandal comes from someone close to a former connection shows that he is beginning to confront the consequences of past relationships and conflicts.
• Xie Quan’s agent: She becomes fiercely protective and proactive, immediately investigating the accusations and preparing for possible legal action. Although worried that the lack of evidence could destroy Xie Quan’s career, she encourages him not to give up.
• The younger colleague: This character demonstrates loyalty by openly believing Xie Quan and offering practical help, giving him a small but important source of hope.
• The Welfare Home director: He shifts from a trusted, welcoming figure into Xie Quan’s accuser. His public anger and use of the children’s statements make the allegations appear credible and intensify the sense of betrayal.
• Gu Ze and Ye Qing: Their decision to post about the scandal suggests that they may become important allies—or otherwise influential figures—in the developing conflict.

Significant Themes

• Public judgment and reputation: The chapter shows how quickly public opinion can turn against a celebrity based on emotionally powerful accusations rather than verified evidence.
• Betrayal and manipulation: People and institutions Xie Quan trusted are used against him, suggesting that the scandal is carefully designed to make him appear guilty.
• Powerlessness against misinformation: Even though Xie Quan knows the accusations are false, proving his innocence is difficult because he often visited the Welfare Home alone and lacks direct evidence.
• Loyalty and support: The faith of his fans, agent, and younger colleague contrasts with the hostility of the public and gives Xie Quan the motivation to continue fighting.
• Emotional isolation: Xie Quan faces the crisis largely alone, and the photograph connected to his past emphasizes his unresolved pain and vulnerability.
• The danger of weaponized innocence: The children’s testimony is treated as automatically truthful, making it especially effective as a tool for destroying Xie Quan’s reputation.

Character Interactions

• Xie Quan and his agent discuss the scandal, the lack of evidence, the possibility of legal action, and the suspected person behind the attack.
• Xie Quan communicates with his fans through Weibo, attempting to reassure those who still support him.
• The Welfare Home director speaks to reporters and presents himself as a protector of the children while accusing Xie Quan.
• A younger colleague reaches out privately, expresses faith in Xie Quan’s innocence, and offers to search for evidence.
• Gu Ze and Ye Qing publicly respond to the crisis, setting up their likely involvement in the next stage of the conflict.

Plot points and events

• Gu Ze publicly reposts Ye Qing’s defense of Xie Quan, making his support unmistakable. The post draws attention—and new followers—to Ye Qing.
• Ye Qing thanks Gu Ze, who explains that he joined in because Ye Qing had said he wanted to help people. Gu Ze says he trusts him, deeply affecting Ye Qing.
• Since Xie Quan has not spoken publicly, Ye Qing and Gu Ze return to the Welfare Home to gather clearer evidence. Ye Qing questions the children who had accused Xie Quan.
• The children reveal that Xie Quan only patted their heads; the director instructed them to claim he touched their thighs, supposedly to make him more famous.
• Gu Ze notices that many children have injuries on their arms and suspects the director is abusing them. He and Ye Qing call the police.
• They send the recording to Xie Quan’s studio rather than posting it themselves, so it can be released through the proper channel and avoid putting the children at further risk. At the same time, Xie Quan receives an anonymous video.

Character developments and interactions

• Gu Ze goes beyond publicly supporting Xie Quan: he actively helps Ye Qing investigate and protects the children by urging caution. His trust and warmth leave Ye Qing flustered.
• Ye Qing follows through on his wish to help others, gently gaining the children’s confidence and uncovering the fabricated accusations. He trusts Gu Ze’s judgment when Gu Ze spots signs of abuse.
• The children clarify that they were coached by the director, shifting suspicion away from Xie Quan and toward the person responsible for manipulating them.
• Ye Qing and Gu Ze work closely as partners, balancing the need to clear Xie Quan with the children’s safety.

Significant themes

• Trust and solidarity: Gu Ze’s belief in Ye Qing—and his public support for Xie Quan—strengthens their efforts.
• Truth versus manipulation: The director has allegedly coached children to create a false accusation.
• Protecting the vulnerable: The characters prioritize the children’s safety over the quickest way to clear Xie Quan’s name.
• Public reputation and responsibility: A celebrity’s endorsement can shape public opinion, but evidence must be handled carefully.

Key plot points and events

• Still hurt by the scandal, Xie Quan is heartened by Gu Ze and Ye Qing’s support and by an anonymous video exposing the director being beaten. He decides not to publish the video, wary of involving an unknown person.
• Xie Quan apologizes to the director for leaving work earlier, then returns to find fans waiting outside the hotel. Their kind, orderly support moves him; he thanks them and buys them warm drinks and clothes.
• After Gu Ze confirms that the police have found signs of abuse at the welfare home, Xie Quan posts a recording, disguising Ye Qing’s voice. The evidence clears him, and the online backlash turns into apologies and renewed support.
• Police uncover videos of children being abused by welfare-home staff, while the director watched rather than abusing them himself. They also find that he embezzled donations. The children are transferred to another home, and authorities later issue an official statement.
• Gu Ze and Ye Qing remain at the home to assist the investigation. As they leave the police station that night, Ye Qing asks whether his efforts make any difference.

Character developments and interactions

• Xie Quan moves from hurt and self-reproach toward resolve: he chooses to defend himself while acting carefully and ethically. He and his fans show mutual care—he appreciates their support and makes sure they leave warmly dressed.
• Gu Ze continues to support Xie Quan and helps ensure the welfare-home abuse is investigated.
• Ye Qing, newly involved, helps expose the truth. Learning how young and thoroughly manipulated the children were intensifies his anger and leaves him questioning the value of his work.
• Xie Quan and Gu Ze share close, dependable support; Xie Quan and Ye Qing develop trust through their shared effort. The fans’ reassurance also counters the public accusations that had isolated Xie Quan.

Significant themes

• Abuse and exploitation: Adults weaponize children’s trust, while the director exploits both the children and charitable donations.
• Public judgment and accountability: Online opinion reverses when evidence emerges, though the chapter questions the value of belated apologies.
• Mutual care and solidarity: Xie Quan’s fans support him, and he responds with genuine concern for their wellbeing.
• Doing good amid uncertainty: Ye Qing’s final question captures the emotional strain of trying to help in a corrupt system.

Plot points and events

• Ye Qing confides in Gu Ze that constant exposure to disturbing events has made him doubt whether the world can ever be beautiful, despite his desire to help people.
• Gu Ze comforts him by pointing out the beauty in the moonlit scenery, then takes him through a lively street where Ye Qing notices small acts of kindness and everyday happiness.
• Ye Qing realizes he has been focusing too narrowly on suffering and now appreciates the ordinary details that make life beautiful. Gu Ze tells him good and evil coexist.
• Because it is late and they are far from their hotel, they book a suite with separate bedrooms. After showering, Ye Qing is captivated by Gu Ze’s muscular physique and asks how he stays in shape.
• Ye Qing declines Gu Ze’s invitation to exercise together. Later, claiming he is bored and not sleepy, he goes to Gu Ze’s room to chat. Gu Ze is still shirtless, and the chapter ends with him wondering whether they should talk while lying in bed.

Character developments

• Ye Qing moves from discouragement and a one-sided focus on cruelty toward a more balanced view of the world. He remains compassionate but recognizes that everyday kindness and happiness also deserve his attention.
• Gu Ze acts as a patient, perceptive source of comfort. He guides Ye Qing toward a new perspective through questions and observation rather than simply dismissing his worries.
• Ye Qing’s fascination with Gu Ze’s appearance introduces a playful, potentially romantic tension.

Significant themes

• Good and evil coexist: Neither side can be erased from the world.
• Everyday beauty: Small, ordinary acts of kindness can offer hope alongside painful events.
• Perspective and emotional balance: Paying attention only to suffering can distort one’s sense of the world.
• Helping others without losing hope: Compassion is important, but recognizing goodness helps sustain it.

Character interactions

• Ye Qing opens up emotionally, and Gu Ze responds with empathy, leading him through experiences that help him rethink his outlook.
• Their closeness is also shown physically: Gu Ze takes Ye Qing’s hand in the crowd and later comforts him with a hand on his head and shoulders.
• Their hotel-room conversation turns light and flirtatious as Ye Qing openly admires Gu Ze’s physique, then seeks him out again—setting up an intimate, awkward moment.

• Plot points and events: Ye Qing and Gu Ze lie down together to talk. Ye Qing eventually asks to feel Gu Ze’s abs; Gu Ze agrees, though the attention makes him tense. Ye Qing falls asleep before Gu Ze can move him, so Gu Ze lets him stay. By morning, Ye Qing has ended up in Gu Ze’s arms and is embarrassed and confused, while Gu Ze conceals how affected he is. At the set, Xie Quan warmly thanks them both and seems less troubled than before. Filming resumes, reaching the story’s stage where Mo Hua and Lu Yan have become close friends. A flashback begins: Mo Hua is attacked by muggers on his way back to the dorm, refuses to submit when they demand more than money, and is injured despite knowing some martial arts.
• Character developments: Ye Qing’s curiosity and impulsiveness show in his direct request, but he is careful not to overstep once Gu Ze agrees. His exhaustion soon catches up with him. Gu Ze recognizes how difficult it is to refuse Ye Qing and how strongly he wants to protect him; sharing a bed feels new to him, and he is relieved when Ye Qing leaves before noticing his reaction. Xie Quan appears to be recovering emotionally.
• Character interactions: Ye Qing and Gu Ze grow more physically comfortable with each other, sharing a bed overnight even though they initially keep their distance. Their exchange is playful, but Gu Ze’s concern and restraint suggest deeper feelings. Xie Quan hugs and thanks them, then offers to treat them to a meal. In the filmed story, Lu Yan’s attentiveness, gifts, invitations, and rescue help earn Mo Hua’s friendship.
• Themes: The chapter plays curiosity and comedy against growing intimacy, showing affection through patience and care. It also emphasizes the importance of trust and support: Xie Quan is healing, while Mo Hua’s loyalty and refusal to be coerced lead into the danger that first brings him closer to Lu Yan.

Key plot points and events

• Mo Hua is attacked by men who are after something other than money. Lu Yan arrives and helps him fight them off; both are injured, and Lu Yan has a knife wound. They go to the hospital, where Mo Hua treats Lu Yan.
• Lu Yan asks Mo Hua to repay him by becoming his friend. Mo Hua initially refuses, wary of Lu Yan’s wealth and their different backgrounds, but Lu Yan’s persistence and considerate behavior gradually win him over.
• Mo Hua’s life becomes more fulfilling, and he is pleased to hear from his older brother, who warns that work will soon keep him out of contact again. Separately, a criminal leader is told that moving shipments has become more difficult.
• Lu Yan invites Mo Hua to his birthday party. Mo Hua feels uncomfortable among the guests and waits in a room. After eating noodles brought by a maid, he blacks out and wakes bound in an unfamiliar room.
• His kidnappers demand that he call Lu Yan for ransom. Mo Hua denies being close to him and refuses to cooperate. When the kidnapper dials Lu Yan himself, a familiar voice appears at the scene, startling Mo Hua.

Character developments and interactions

• Mo Hua is cautious and independent, but gradually lets Lu Yan into his life. He remains composed and defiant under pressure, despite being frightened and physically abused.
• Lu Yan is persistent, playful, and unusually considerate toward Mo Hua. He uses his rescue as an excuse to seek friendship, but respects Mo Hua’s boundaries and does not look down on his modest circumstances.
• Their friendship grows through banter, shared danger, and Lu Yan’s practical support. The kidnapping puts that new bond—and Mo Hua’s trust in Lu Yan’s world—under threat.
• Mo Hua’s older brother remains an important source of reassurance, though his dangerous work keeps him absent.

Significant themes

• Class differences and prejudice: Mo Hua distrusts wealthy people, while Lu Yan challenges his assumptions through his behavior.
• Friendship and obligation: Lu Yan frames friendship as repayment for saving Mo Hua, but their connection develops beyond that initial bargain.
• Vulnerability and danger: Mo Hua’s ordinary student life intersects with violence and organized crime.
• Trust and betrayal: The drugged noodles and abduction make the birthday gathering feel unsafe, while the unexpected arrival at the end raises questions about who can be trusted.

Key plot points

• Mo Hua discovers that Lu Yan—the friend and benefactor he trusted—arranged his kidnapping to use him as leverage against his brother, Mo Feng. Lu Yan had also staged their first meeting and hired the thugs who harassed him.
• Lu Yan refuses to let Wang Laosan hurt Mo Hua, citing both his usefulness and a business deal. He says he plans to leave the country after the hostage situation is resolved.
• Lu Yan’s eldest brother confirms the extent of Lu Yan’s deception. Although Mo Hua had suspected some of it, hearing the truth deepens his sense of betrayal.
• While held captive, Mo Hua finds his restraints loosening and receives a note saying the guards are reduced. He considers escaping but cannot risk being caught.
• A maid secretly helps him and gives him a small knife. Mo Hua urges her to leave and tells her that his brother’s name will protect her. She explains that she helps because Mo Hua was the first person to treat her with respect.
• On the day of the exchange, Mo Hua watches the scenery and tells Lu Yan he is happy because he will soon be home.

Character developments

• Mo Hua moves from shock and hurt toward quiet resolve. Though betrayed and powerless, he remains considerate of others and chooses not to let his captivity endanger his brother or the people around him.
• Lu Yan is revealed as manipulative: he cultivated Mo Hua’s trust to reach Mo Feng. Yet he does protect Mo Hua from Wang Laosan, leaving his motives and feelings complicated.
• The maid emerges as a compassionate ally, risking herself to help Mo Hua in return for the respect he showed her.

Significant themes

• Betrayal and trust: Mo Hua’s genuine friendship is exposed as part of Lu Yan’s plan.
• Respect and kindness: A small act of respect gives the maid reason to help Mo Hua.
• Family and sacrifice: Mo Hua worries that his rescue could harm his brother’s standing or put others at risk.
• Hope amid danger: Despite his captivity and disappointment, Mo Hua still believes good people outnumber bad ones.

Character interactions

• Mo Hua confronts Lu Yan about his motives, but Lu Yan offers little explanation; their conversations become largely one-sided.
• Wang Laosan threatens Mo Hua, while Lu Yan invokes his influence and business leverage to make him back down.
• Lu Yan’s eldest brother tells Mo Hua about the staged events, confirming suspicions he had already formed.
• Mo Hua and the maid share a quiet exchange rooted in gratitude and mutual concern.
• During the journey to the hostage exchange, Mo Hua speaks to Lu Yan again, calmly emphasizing his relief at going home.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Yan brings Mo Hua to the exchange site and apologizes for keeping him captive. He says Mo Hua can go home after the shipment is handed over.
• Lu Yan admits that although he originally arranged their meeting, he genuinely valued Mo Hua’s friendship and hopes they might meet again. Mo Hua reminds him that they are on opposite sides and that he never wants to be kidnapped again.
• Mo Feng arrives to retrieve his brother. While Lu Yan keeps Mo Hua from crossing over, Mo Hua talks at length with Mo Feng, praising him and reassuring him that he will soon be safe.
• Mo Hua reveals that he has learned where the exchange is taking place: an abandoned factory north of the city. He then stabs himself in the heart, hoping to prevent Lu Yan’s group from using him as leverage—and betting that Lu Yan’s feelings for him will lead him to return Mo Hua to his brother.
• Gunfire erupts. Lu Yan cradles the wounded Mo Hua, but his outnumbered group retreats with him. Mo Hua dies after seeing Mo Feng run toward him.

Character developments

• Mo Hua shows resolve and courage, turning his capture into a chance to protect others and expose the shipment’s location. Despite his affection for Lu Yan, he chooses duty and his brother over the possibility of staying close to him.
• Lu Yan reveals that his friendship with Mo Hua was sincere. Mo Hua’s injury shatters his composure: he is horrified by the blood and desperately tries to save him.
• Mo Feng is fiercely protective of Mo Hua. His grief turns into self-blame, as he feels that his experience as an officer should have enabled him to save his brother.

Significant themes

• Duty versus personal attachment: Mo Hua and Lu Yan care for each other, but their opposing allegiances make a future friendship impossible.
• Sacrifice and responsibility: Mo Hua accepts a fatal risk to disrupt the shipment and protect others from being threatened through him.
• Grief and helplessness: Mo Feng’s inability to save his brother underscores the limits of even a capable and dedicated protector.

Character interactions

• Mo Hua and Lu Yan share a sincere but bittersweet farewell, acknowledging that their happy days together cannot erase the conflict between them.
• Mo Hua’s warm, unusually extended conversation with Mo Feng reassures his brother while delaying the exchange and concealing his intention.
• Mo Feng confronts Lu Yan over Mo Hua’s safety, but once Mo Hua falls, their earlier tension gives way to Mo Feng’s desperate grief and Lu Yan’s stunned anguish.