Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Fang Yao is furious after Bo Miao and Bo Zhe wake her at nine every morning for five days. Their reason: they need her to attend a party and prepare outfits.
• At the event, Fang Yao is initially left in the noisy main hall, where she encounters a woman who has been making snide remarks about her. Fang Yao’s thoughts make clear she sees the woman as an insignificant “cannon-fodder” character; the woman recognizes Fang Yao’s standing and quietly leaves.
• Yang Qi escorts Fang Yao to a quieter room where the others have gathered. The group has deliberately kept her outside to test who can hear her unspoken thoughts; everyone inside can.
• Bo Zhe arrives worried that Fang Yao is missing and removes all alcohol from the party, explaining that Bo Hanmo forbade it because Fang Yao is there.
• Fang Yao privately reveals that alcohol makes her pass out and become violent. Everyone hears her, but they politely pretend not to know.
• Lü Yan excitedly tells Bo Miao she has realized Fang Yao’s thoughts belong to the story’s heroine. Bo Miao then reveals that Fang Yao considers them all—including Lü Yan—cannon fodder, shocking Lü Yan.

Character developments

• Fang Yao remains blunt, sleepy, and resentful of social obligations, though she adjusts to the gathering and enjoys the food. Her sweet outward manner often contrasts with her harsh private thoughts.
• Bo Zhe shows concern for Fang Yao, searching anxiously when she is out of sight and following Bo Hanmo’s strict rules to keep her safe.
• Bo Miao is familiar with Fang Yao’s perspective and breaks the news to Lü Yan that their role in Fang Yao’s imagined story is far less important than Lü Yan assumed.
• Lü Yan moves from excitement at identifying Fang Yao as the heroine to dismay at learning she herself is merely cannon fodder.
• Yang Qi acts as Fang Yao’s guide into the private gathering, while the others become increasingly cautious after hearing her thoughts.

Significant themes

• Private thoughts versus public behavior: Fang Yao’s polite smiles and friendly words sharply contradict her unfiltered internal commentary.
• Story roles and identity: Characters confront the unsettling idea that they are merely “cannon fodder” in someone else’s narrative.
• Care expressed through control: Bo Hanmo’s ban on alcohol and Bo Zhe’s enforcement of it show concern for Fang Yao, even as she is unaware of the full precautions.
• Social maneuvering: The party exposes the status-conscious behavior and strategic relationships among the wealthy guests.

Character interactions

• Fang Yao scolds Bo Miao and Bo Zhe for waking her and dragging her to the party; the two nervously explain themselves.
• Yang Qi escorts Fang Yao away from the crowded hall, while the group privately assesses who can hear her thoughts.
• Bo Zhe clashes with Lu You over removing the alcohol, insisting Bo Hanmo’s rules apply because Fang Yao is present.
• The guests conceal that they heard Fang Yao’s embarrassing thoughts, and Bo Miao later privately explains the “cannon-fodder” idea to Lü Yan.

Plot points and events

• Lü Yan cries after learning she is a “cannon-fodder” character destined to die, while Fang Yao’s friends mistake her sobbing for a minor mishap.
• Fang Yao is eager to investigate, apparently hoping for a fight, but Yang Qi and Bo Zhe distract her with a bottle of yogurt. Fang Yao finishes it and privately misreads Bo Zhe’s money troubles, while resolving not to embarrass him.
• The group teases Yang Qi about his childhood dream of being a chivalrous hero. His friends recount how he repeatedly mistook them for villains or bullies and tried to punish them.
• Fang Yao reassures Yang Qi that childhood ambitions are nothing to be ashamed of, revealing her own modest dream: to laze through life.
• Bo Miao arrives with Lü Yan. Lü Yan recognizes Fang Yao from a banquet and joins her, staring at her intently.
• Fang Yao recalls Lü Yan’s supposed future: the female lead will mistake her for the male lead’s lover and accuse her of being a mistress. Fang Yao’s account leaves Lü Yan visibly shaken, but she wants to hear what happens next.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao is impulsive and eager for action, but also playful and sympathetic. Her thoughts show she knows the characters’ apparent fates, though she does not seem to realize how frighteningly Lü Yan receives her revelations.
• Lü Yan moves from despair about being expendable to alarm at Fang Yao’s description of her future; the scene ends with her anxiously seeking the rest of the story.
• Yang Qi is embarrassed by his youthful “hero” phase, then comforted by Fang Yao’s acceptance.
• Bo Zhe tries unsuccessfully to placate Fang Yao with yogurt and is teased over his allowance being docked.
• Bo Miao helps bring Lü Yan to Fang Yao and notices the tension caused by Lü Yan’s staring.

Significant themes

• Fate and genre roles: Characters worry about being doomed to serve as disposable figures in someone else’s story.
• Embarrassment and acceptance: The friends laugh at Yang Qi’s past, but Fang Yao treats youthful mistakes kindly.
• Comic contrast: Fang Yao’s casual, humorous assumptions clash with Lü Yan’s genuine fear about her future.

Key plot points and events

• Lü Yan returns home distressed after a private gathering, but pain prevents her from explaining what happened; whenever she tries to speak, her words turn into gibberish and her chest hurts.
• The chapter flashes back to the gathering, where Fang Yao secretly tests whether Lü Yan can hear her thoughts. Fang Yao thinks that Lü Yan’s eldest brother is about to be killed by falling rebar, expecting Lü Yan to react.
• Lü Yan panics and tries to call her brother, but Shao Ya and Xi Meng stop her because they think she is trying to cheat at their agreed-upon bet.
• Bo Zhe arrives and reveals that his brother, Bo Hanmo, had called Fang Yao and that Lü Yan’s brother is with him—safe. This both prevents a misunderstanding and inadvertently disrupts Fang Yao’s test.
• The group realizes Fang Yao may have suspected Lü Yan could hear thoughts. However, Fang Yao concludes she was overthinking it, and the friends avoid being exposed.

Character developments and interactions

• Lü Yan is shown to be intensely protective of her eldest brother. She reacts impulsively to the danger she hears in Fang Yao’s thoughts, despite her friends’ efforts to keep her calm. Back home, her frustration grows as she is mysteriously unable to explain the incident.
• Fang Yao is wary and observant, using a deliberate false thought to test whether anyone can hear her. Once Bo Hanmo’s call gives her an ordinary explanation for the interruption, she dismisses her suspicion.
• Shao Ya and Xi Meng try to restrain Lü Yan, believing she is breaking the rules of their bet; their actions unintentionally prevent her from revealing that she heard Fang Yao’s thoughts.
• Bo Zhe clears up the danger by explaining where Lü Yan’s brother is, then scolds the group for losing their composure and risking a confrontation with his intimidating brother, Bo Hanmo.
• The Lu family worries about Lü Yan’s sudden misery. Lu Mom comforts her, while Lu Dad’s joke about her allowance draws Mom’s glare and hints at his secret spending money for her.

Significant themes

• Secrecy and suspicion: Fang Yao tests whether her private thoughts are accessible, while Lü Yan and her friends try to conceal that they may be.
• Miscommunication and comic timing: A false alarm, a bet, missed calls, and an inconveniently timed arrival create confusion that is resolved by coincidence.
• Family and friendship: Lü Yan’s fear for her brother shows her devotion, while her friends’ attempts to manage the situation reflect their closeness—even when they misunderstand her motives.

Plot points and events

• After leaving Fang Yao, Lü Yan heads home laughing at the certainty of her predicted death and resolves to avoid it so she can live to a hundred. Her family suspects she has lost her mind.
• Fang Yao’s system scan confirms it is working normally, reassuring Fang Yao that Lü Yan’s odd reaction poses no danger.
• Fang Yao calls Bo Hanmo, who invites her to meet his friends. She declines because she is tired and asks him to transfer her share of their profits.
• Bo Hanmo warns her not to spend recklessly or he will confiscate the money. Fang Yao threatens to break up unless he takes it back. He quickly backs down and retreats to a private room to finish the call.
• His friends tease him for becoming a “henpecked” husband and speculate about Fang Yao’s beauty and martial-arts skill. Bo Hanmo returns and says Fang Yao will meet them another time. One friend, Lu Shang, falls asleep from jet lag.

Character developments and interactions

• Lü Yan shifts from panic toward amused determination, though her family remains baffled by her mood.
• Fang Yao is confident, blunt, and firmly in charge of the money dispute; she prioritizes rest over socializing.
• Bo Hanmo tries to act tender and protective but quickly yields when Fang Yao pushes back, revealing a softer, more submissive side with her.
• Bo Hanmo’s friends playfully tease him and take Fang Yao’s side, while their banter—especially between Lü Mu and Gong Luo—keeps the gathering lively.

Significant themes

• Marriage as mutual adjustment: Bo Hanmo’s friends joke that marriage has transformed him, while his exchange with Fang Yao shows their familiar, teasing power dynamic.
• Confidence and independence: Fang Yao asserts control over her finances and choices without hesitation.
• Comic contrast: The family’s bewilderment at Lü Yan and the friends’ astonishment at Bo Hanmo’s gentleness provide much of the chapter’s humor.

Plot points and events

• Fang Yao leaves an outing early because she is tired, tells Bo Zhe and Bo Miao to behave, and goes home to sleep.
• Later, a noisy barbecue in the garden beneath her window wakes her. She angrily scolds Bo Zhe and Bo Miao, then complains that they could have held the party farther away.
• Bo Hanmo arrives unexpectedly, draws Fang Yao away from the window, and helps her dress more warmly before inviting her downstairs to eat.
• The group enjoys the barbecue. Bo Zhe and Lu You bicker, while Xi Meng and Shao Ya’s mock quarrel ends as soon as the food is ready.
• At dinner, Fang Yao reflects that the people around her seem destined to be “cannon fodder” whose wealth will ultimately go to the story’s leads. Her thoughts coincide with everyone suddenly falling silent and motionless.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao is shown as exhausted, short-tempered when woken, and comfortable enough with the group to scold them openly. She also remains privately aware of the story’s broader plot.
• Bo Hanmo acts protectively and attentively toward Fang Yao, fetching her clothes and looking after her comfort. His composure slips in private as he admits how strongly attracted he is to her, while his jealousy is stirred by seeing her at the window in pajamas.
• Bo Zhe and Bo Miao are playful and unapologetic, though both immediately freeze when Fang Yao confronts them. Their teasing and bickering add to the group’s lively atmosphere.
• Yang Qi gently stops Bo Miao from grabbing uncooked food and humors her antics. Bo Miao’s appetite also resolves Xi Meng and Shao Ya’s staged argument.
• Lu You and Bo Zhe turn a joke about Bo Zhe eating too much into a brief chase; Xi Meng and Shao Ya exchange affectionate teasing.

Significant themes

• Domestic intimacy and care: Bo Hanmo’s practical attentiveness contrasts with his usually aloof image.
• Playful found-family dynamics: Scolding, teasing, food, and minor squabbles reveal the group’s closeness.
• Story-aware humor and fate: Fang Yao’s “cannon fodder” reflection suggests that she recognizes how the larger narrative may disadvantage the people around her.

Chapter Summary: “One Step Closer to the Goal!!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a barbecue, Bo Zhe and the others jokingly complain about Fang Yao’s presence, calling themselves “cannon fodder” and hinting at their fear of being punished by Bo Hanmo.
• Fang Yao briefly senses killing intent from the group, but Bo Hanmo distracts and comforts her with food. He then silently intimidates Bo Zhe and the others for directing hostility toward his wife.
• A joking argument over allowances and Yang Qi’s former girlfriend nearly turns into a fight. Bo Hanmo immediately stops it, especially preventing Fang Yao from joining in.
• Bo Hanmo privately says something to Fang Yao that cheers her up, then takes her back inside to rest, proudly presenting their closeness to the others.
• Bo Hanmo and Fang Yao prepare for bed. Fang Yao laughs while using her phone, while Bo Hanmo watches her fondly after showering.
• Elsewhere, Old Master Bo and Old Madam Bo relax together at the beach after deliberately leaving the younger generation behind. They discuss whether Bo Hanmo has made progress in his marriage and speculate humorously about whether he and Fang Yao have become a real couple.
• Bo Hanmo sneezes, assuming his grandparents are talking about him. He hides the fact that their marriage remains only nominal.
• While showering, Fang Yao questions why she is becoming irritated and emotionally affected by Bo Hanmo. She denies being in love with him, claiming she only values his money.
• Bo Hanmo overhears her thoughts and realizes she may be developing feelings for him. Delighted, he privately celebrates, believing that liking his wealth may be the first step toward liking him personally.

Character Developments

• Bo Hanmo becomes increasingly protective and openly affectionate toward Fang Yao. His intimidating reaction to the others’ hostility reveals how seriously he regards her as his wife. He also shows a playful, excited side when he discovers her conflicted feelings.
• Fang Yao begins to experience jealousy, irritation, comfort, and happiness connected to Bo Hanmo, suggesting that her emotional attachment to him is growing despite her repeated denials.
• Bo Zhe and the others remain comic figures who fear Bo Hanmo’s authority, particularly the possibility of losing their allowances. Their teasing also highlights how clearly they recognize Bo Hanmo’s affection for Fang Yao.
• Old Master and Old Madam Bo act as amused observers and unofficial matchmakers. Old Madam is optimistic about the couple, while Old Master remains skeptical of Bo Hanmo’s romantic progress.

Significant Themes

• Romantic development: The chapter marks an important emotional turning point, with Fang Yao unknowingly moving closer to falling in love.
• Protectiveness and affection: Bo Hanmo’s threatening behavior toward anyone who upsets Fang Yao contrasts with his gentle treatment of her.
• Denial versus genuine feelings: Fang Yao insists she only cares about Bo Hanmo’s money, but her inner thoughts reveal that she is emotionally affected by him.
• Family teasing and interference: The Bo family’s jokes and speculation create both comic relief and pressure on the couple’s relationship.
• Public marriage versus private intimacy: Although the marriage is technically only in name, their increasingly natural interactions suggest a genuine relationship is forming.

Character Interactions

• Bo Hanmo intimidates Bo Zhe and the others after hearing their hostile jokes, while Fang Yao remains unaware of the danger because she is focused on eating.
• Fang Yao tries to join the others’ potential fight, but Bo Hanmo firmly stops her and takes her inside.
• Bo Miao and Shao Ya jokingly comment on Bo Hanmo’s obvious marital pride.
• Old Master and Old Madam Bo debate Bo Hanmo’s progress, revealing their investment in the couple’s relationship.
• Fang Yao worries over Bo Hanmo’s sneeze, showing concern for him, while Bo Hanmo secretly enjoys the implication that his grandparents are discussing his romantic shortcomings.
• Bo Hanmo overhears Fang Yao’s private thoughts and interprets her confusion and happiness as evidence that she is beginning to fall for him.

Plot points and events

• Bo Miao is stuck at home because her eldest brother fears the man who betrayed her may seek revenge. Someone from an equally powerful family has helped him avoid consequences.
• Fang Yao teases Bo Miao about once having defended the man, then discovers Bo Miao wants to go out. She tries to refuse, but Bo Miao chases her through the house until Fang Yao agrees.
• Fang Yao offers to take Bo Miao out if she starts exercising with her the next day. She sweetens the deal: if Bo Miao brings her second brother, friends, and his friends along, she can stay out past curfew.
• Bo Miao eagerly accepts. Fang Yao catches her before she falls during their rush to leave, and the two seal the agreement with a high-five.
• Elsewhere, Bo Zhe and his friends are playing pool, unaware that Bo Miao has effectively volunteered them for Fang Yao’s exercise plans. They all sneeze at once and worry that trouble—or Fang Yao’s interest in their gossip—may be coming.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao is observant, teasing, physically energetic, and persuasive. She turns Bo Miao’s wish for a night out into a chance to get a group workout organized.
• Bo Miao remains frustrated about the man who wronged her, but she is also eager for company and fun. She readily trades exercise for freedom to go out.
• Fang Yao and Bo Miao share a playful, affectionate dynamic: Fang Yao needles her, Bo Miao begs and chases her, and Fang Yao ultimately looks after her by catching her before she hits the floor.
• Bo Zhe, Yang Qi, and Lu You trade jokes and grow uneasy at the possibility that Fang Yao’s plans may involve them. The servants, meanwhile, warmly credit Fang Yao with bringing happiness to the household.

Significant themes

• Friendship and companionship: Fang Yao agrees to help Bo Miao break out of her boredom and isolation.
• Banter and affection: Teasing, exaggerated reactions, and comic physical antics convey the characters’ closeness.
• Consequences and lingering resentment: Bo Miao has not forgotten the man who betrayed her, and his powerful rescuer prevents the matter from being resolved easily.
• Comic foreboding: Bo Miao’s friends are unknowingly drawn into the deal, while their simultaneous sneezing hints at the trouble ahead.

Key plot points and events

• Fang Yao explains that she wants Bo Miao and the others to exercise so they can survive danger, though she complains privately that she has no special power and is surrounded by people she must protect. Bo Miao misreads the moment emotionally but agrees to gather everyone for training.
• Fang Yao says Steward Liu will oversee the training, while Bo Miao doubts Fang Yao will wake early enough to participate.
• Bo Miao learns that Bo Hanmo is coming to the mall. At first she thinks he is coming for her, then realizes he is there primarily to spend time with Fang Yao and feels left out.
• Fang Yao is delighted that Bo Hanmo will pay for their shopping. At the mall, he takes her hand and later carries her to a dessert shop when her feet hurt.
• Chen Qing approaches Bo Miao and deliberately ignores Fang Yao, then sits on Fang Yao’s lap by mistake. Bo Miao immediately pulls her away and checks on Fang Yao, angering Chen Qing.
• Chen Qing tries to regain Bo Miao’s favor, asking whether she has done something wrong and offering to apologize.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao remains candid and humorous, balancing her affection for Bo Hanmo with anxiety about protecting those around her. She takes charge of arranging physical training and shows little patience for Chen Qing’s act.
• Bo Miao is emotionally sensitive and increasingly loyal to Fang Yao. She accepts Fang Yao’s training plan, becomes jealous when her brother focuses on his wife, and then openly prioritizes Fang Yao over Chen Qing.
• Bo Hanmo shows affection through attentive gestures, taking Fang Yao shopping and carrying her when she is tired. His devotion makes Bo Miao feel neglected.
• Chen Qing appears calculating: she seeks Bo Miao because she needs access to the Bo family, and she resents Bo Miao’s changed loyalties. Her attempt to play innocent does not fool Fang Yao or Bo Miao.

Significant themes

• Family loyalty and shifting relationships: Bo Miao’s allegiance moves toward Fang Yao, while her closeness with Chen Qing weakens.
• Protection and preparedness: Fang Yao’s plan to train the group reflects her fear that she cannot keep everyone safe alone.
• Romantic attention versus sibling jealousy: Bo Hanmo’s affection for Fang Yao delights her but leaves Bo Miao feeling displaced.
• Appearance versus intention: Chen Qing’s polite apology masks deliberate behavior and self-interest.

Key plot points and events

• Chen Qing confronts Bo Miao, but Bo Miao turns the tables and angrily scolds her. Fang Yao watches rather than intervening.
• Bo Hanmo returns with milk tea just as Chen Qing tries to play the victim and throw herself into his arms. He dodges her and rushes to Fang Yao, leaving Chen Qing to fall in front of onlookers and flee in embarrassment.
• Fang Yao finishes her drink, and Bo Hanmo sweetly drinks the last sip for her. Bo Miao watches their affectionate exchange with mock exasperation.
• While shopping, Fang Yao and Bo Hanmo encounter actress Lin Yuqing arguing with Yuan Jiajia over a dress. Lin accuses Yuan of claiming a dress she has not bought; Yuan suspects Lin deliberately came to purchase it first. Lin’s cryptic remarks suggest their dispute may concern more than clothing.
• Fang Yao and Bo Miao sneak closer to watch the confrontation, while Bo Hanmo lets them enjoy the spectacle. Other shoppers and sales staff gather to watch as well.

Character developments

• Fang Yao remains sharp, amused, and eager for gossip. She trusts Bo Miao to handle Chen Qing and enjoys her growing intimacy with Bo Hanmo.
• Bo Hanmo shows firm loyalty to Fang Yao, avoiding Chen Qing’s staged embrace. His attentiveness—including finishing Fang Yao’s drink—reveals his affection.
• Bo Miao is openly fed up with Chen Qing and supports her brother and Fang Yao.
• Chen Qing loses control of her carefully performed victim act when Bo Hanmo rejects her.
• Lin Yuqing and Yuan Jiajia are introduced as rivals whose argument hints at a complicated personal history.

Significant themes

• Loyalty and trust: Bo Hanmo’s actions reassure Fang Yao that he will not entertain Chen Qing.
• Public embarrassment and performance: Chen Qing’s calculated show of vulnerability backfires in front of a crowd.
• Romantic affection and comedy: Fang Yao and Bo Hanmo’s small gestures prompt Bo Miao to tease them for flaunting their relationship.
• Gossip and spectacle: The characters—and bystanders—treat the boutique argument as entertainment, while its deeper meaning remains unclear.

Character interactions

• Bo Miao confronts Chen Qing; Fang Yao observes and comments privately.
• Chen Qing seeks Bo Hanmo’s sympathy, but he chooses Fang Yao instead.
• Bo Hanmo and Fang Yao share an affectionate milk-tea moment, which Bo Miao playfully resents.
• Fang Yao and Bo Miao bond over watching Lin Yuqing and Yuan Jiajia’s heated dispute, with Bo Hanmo accommodating their curiosity.

Plot points and events

• Fang Yao listens in on a dispute between Lin Yuqing and Yuan Jiajia, while Bo Hanmo and Bo Miao eavesdrop on Fang Yao’s gossip-filled thoughts.
• Fang Yao recounts Lin Yuqing’s past with actor Xie Jiaxi: she left him for career opportunities abroad, later returned after her life and career went badly, and now resents his wife, Yuan Jiajia, whom she sees as having taken the life she deserved.
• Despite Lin Yuqing’s attempts to rekindle their relationship—including once slipping into his bed—Xie Jiaxi has rejected her advances.
• In the store, Lin Yuqing tries to claim an expensive dress from Yuan Jiajia, insisting Yuan cannot afford it. Lin’s card is declined, and she realizes Xie Jiaxi may have frozen it. Yuan turns the humiliation back on Lin, suggesting that what she gave up is no longer hers.

Character developments

• Fang Yao is amused and outspoken in her private commentary, condemning Lin Yuqing’s entitlement and joking about disowning any man who calls her an unforgettable first love.
• Bo Hanmo enjoys the gossip until Fang Yao’s remarks make him feel implicated; he is especially disturbed by the suggestion that a wife might be treated as a stepping stone.
• Bo Miao shares Fang Yao’s contempt for Lin Yuqing and briefly suspects her brother could resemble the men being criticized, prompting his annoyed glare.
• Lin Yuqing is exposed as entitled and desperate to reclaim both Xie Jiaxi and her former prospects, while her apparent financial dependence leaves her vulnerable.
• Yuan Jiajia stays composed during the confrontation and gains the upper hand when Lin’s payment fails.

Significant themes

• Consequences of past choices: Lin Yuqing chose her career over Xie Jiaxi, but now blames Yuan Jiajia for the life she forfeited.
• Entitlement and accountability: The chapter condemns Lin’s belief that an old relationship gives her a right to reclaim someone else’s happiness.
• Public humiliation and appearances: Lin tries to maintain her pride in front of onlookers, even as her declined card undermines her status.
• Gossip and uncomfortable truths: Fang Yao’s commentary entertains the group but also makes Bo Hanmo and Bo Miao question their own assumptions.

Character interactions

• Fang Yao’s internal narration draws Bo Hanmo and Bo Miao into the gossip, prompting teasing looks and defensive reactions between the siblings.
• Lin Yuqing attempts to belittle Yuan Jiajia over money, but Yuan answers with calm confidence.
• The sales associates try to enforce store rules and verify payment, inadvertently making Lin’s financial trouble public.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Yuqing cannot pay for the dress: her own funds are insufficient, and the card she tries to use is declined. Yuan Jiajia mocks her for relying on someone else’s husband’s card.
• Yuan confronts Lin about an earlier scheme: Lin had lured her to a drinking party where men pressured her to drink, hoping Xie Jiaxi would catch her in a compromising situation. Yuan escaped by hiding until Xie arrived, but Lin later blamed the men and continued to receive Xie’s attention.
• Lin calls Xie and his assistant for help but gets no useful response. She then insults Yuan, assuming that as a housewife Yuan cannot afford the dress.
• Yuan pays with a supplementary VIP card. Lin recognizes it as the card she had seen in Xie’s wallet and is shocked that Yuan has it. Yuan insists that a wife is entitled to her husband’s supplementary card.

Character developments

• Yuan Jiajia is revealed as perceptive and resourceful: she recognized Lin’s trap, escaped it, and now confronts Lin confidently in public.
• Lin Yuqing appears manipulative and entitled. Her past guilt and present dependence on Xie’s money undermine her attempts to keep up appearances.
• Fang Yao reacts to the unfolding drama with sharp internal commentary and emphasizes the value of financial independence.
• Bo Hanmo admires the importance of standing by one’s spouse and is inspired to give Fang Yao a supplementary card, though her preference for earning her own money frustrates his plan.

Significant themes

• Trust and loyalty in marriage: The chapter criticizes Xie Jiaxi for failing to support Yuan properly after Lin’s scheme.
• Financial independence and security: Fang Yao’s reflections contrast relying on a partner’s card with having one’s own money.
• Manipulation and accountability: Lin’s earlier attempt to frame Yuan resurfaces, exposing the harm behind her schemes.
• Public image versus reality: Lin’s confidence collapses when her card fails and Yuan proves she has both the means and the marital standing to pay.

Character interactions

• Yuan and Lin trade accusations and insults, with Yuan turning the confrontation toward Lin’s past actions.
• Fang Yao follows the revelations through her thoughts, while Bo Miao and Bo Hanmo react to them.
• Yuan’s use of Xie’s supplementary card directly challenges Lin’s assumptions—and prompts Bo Hanmo to consider doing the same for Fang Yao.

Key plot points

• Yuan Jiajia reveals she has a supplementary card for her husband Xie Jiaxi’s account, undermining Lin Yuqing’s belief that a card she once had meant he still cared for her.
• Jiajia sends Xie a photo of a dress and asks what he thinks. He replies immediately, praises her, and tells her to change it if she wants—even if the store must be paid to hurry.
• Jiajia pretends she might give the dress to Yuqing. Xie firmly tells her not to: Jiajia is the one who suits it, and Yuqing should be ignored.
• Jiajia repeats this to Yuqing, who imagines herself slapping Jiajia—but the outburst is only in her head. Fang Yao notices Yuqing is becoming unstable and redirects the scene by calling the sales associate back to work.
• Jiajia leaves, pointedly saying her husband is waiting at home for dinner. Yuqing is left burning with jealousy.
• Fang Yao realizes Bo Hanmo owns the mall and thinks she can shop without paying. Hanmo offers her a supplementary card; Bo Miao complains that he is neglecting his sister.

Character developments and interactions

• Yuan Jiajia proves composed and self-assured, using Xie’s devoted response—and pointed teasing—to get under Yuqing’s skin without losing control.
• Lin Yuqing is increasingly consumed by jealousy and resentment over Xie’s marriage. Though she appears close to snapping, she restrains herself in reality.
• Xie Jiaxi shows attentive, affectionate support for his wife, making clear where his loyalty lies.
• Fang Yao enjoys the confrontation, keeps an eye on Yuqing, and steps in before matters escalate. Her thoughts also turn quickly to the financial perks of Hanmo’s position.
• Bo Hanmo indulges Fang Yao and flirts with her; Bo Miao playfully resents being sidelined.

Significant themes

• Marriage and loyalty: Xie’s actions contrast with Yuqing’s lingering hopes and confirm his commitment to Jiajia.
• Jealousy and insecurity: Yuqing’s imagined slap reveals how close she is to losing control.
• Social performance and power: Jiajia uses a public setting, her husband’s attention, and subtle taunts to assert her position.
• Comedy and romance: Fang Yao’s irreverent inner commentary and the teasing between her and Hanmo lighten the tense encounter.

Key plot points and events

• Fang Yao announces she plans to enter the entertainment industry, mainly to get close to its gossip. Bo Zhe wants to join her, while Bo Miao is interested too, but Bo Zhe dismisses his sister’s idea as too dangerous.
• Fang Yao teases Bo Zhe by suggesting he learn to manage the family company instead. His and Bo Miao’s reluctance to take on work confirms that both are content to be “couch potatoes.”
• After an anxious, sweat-inducing exchange between the siblings, Bo Zhe asks which entertainment company Fang Yao will join. She says Bo Hanmo is handling it.
• That evening, Bo Hanmo reveals he has bought an entertainment company so Fang Yao can work somewhere under the family’s protection. Bo Zhe immediately assumes the new business will earn him dividends.
• Fang Yao grabs Bo Hanmo by the throat, ending the chapter on a comic cliffhanger.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao is eager to pursue gossip and acts confidently, playfully intimidating Bo Zhe while treating the family’s business expectations with amusement.
• Bo Zhe is protective of Fang Yao but also lazy and opportunistic: he fears she’ll be mistreated, yet quickly imagines profiting from the company Bo Hanmo bought.
• Bo Miao wants to accompany Fang Yao, but Bo Zhe’s refusal frustrates her. Her private thoughts and physical distress add to the chapter’s slapstick humor.
• Bo Hanmo shows his concern for Fang Yao through decisive action, buying an entire company to ensure her safety.
• The family’s interactions are affectionate but chaotic: Bo Zhe and Bo Miao bicker, Fang Yao teases them, and everyone rushes to question Bo Hanmo when he returns.

Significant themes

• Gossip as motivation: Fang Yao’s curiosity is strong enough to pull her out of her usual inactivity.
• Family protection and privilege: Bo Hanmo uses the family’s resources to give Fang Yao a safer path into the industry.
• Laziness and responsibility: Fang Yao points out that Bo Zhe and Bo Miao have roles in the family business, though neither wants the work.
• Comedy through exaggeration: Dramatic reactions, sibling squabbling, and the abrupt throat-grab turn the family’s concern into farce.

Plot points and events

• Fang Yao is angry that Bo Hanmo bought an entertainment company for her without asking. Bo Zhe and Bo Miao watch from a distance and jokingly assume she is punishing him for hiding money.
• Bo Hanmo reassures Fang Yao that he used his own money and says he had already planned to enter the entertainment industry. Fang Yao accepts his explanation, admits she had only wanted to investigate the previous day’s gossip, and suggests they go eat.
• At the company, employees wonder whether the new owner will make layoffs. They expect the poorly qualified, politically connected hires to be the ones at risk.
• Zhou, the former boss, celebrates selling the company and getting rid of the troublesome staff. His secretary interrupts to make him finish the work left behind before the sale takes effect.
• While signing the backlog, Zhou says he plans to return to his hometown, buy a house, and live as a landlord. His secretary warns him not to flaunt his money or leave his safe open; Zhou dismisses the advice.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao and Bo Hanmo: Their quarrel quickly turns affectionate. Fang Yao’s concern about the purchase reflects her wish to be consulted, while her calling Bo Hanmo’s money “ours” pleases him and signals their closeness.
• Bo Zhe and Bo Miao: They act as comic spectators, misread the argument, and are promptly chased away.
• Zhou and his secretary: Zhou is exuberant but erratic after the sale; his diligent secretary remains exasperated and responsible, pushing him to finish his obligations and think practically.

Significant themes

• Marriage and shared finances: The chapter plays with the idea that spouses should make major financial decisions together, even when one partner pays.
• Affection beneath conflict: Fang Yao’s anger gives way to trust and intimacy once Bo Hanmo explains himself.
• Workplace change and responsibility: Employees anticipate restructuring, while Zhou’s sale does not erase the duties he still owes the company.
• Comedy through contrast: The couple’s tender reconciliation is paired with Zhou’s chaotic celebration and his secretary’s weary practicality.

Plot points and events

• On his last day as boss, Boss Skinflint finishes signing the company’s paperwork after hours. Secretary Xiao Zhong celebrates being free of him, and their teasing escalates into a comic chase with a pole.
• The apparent attack turns out to be part of a farewell surprise: the employees have prepared a cake to celebrate Boss Skinflint’s retirement and new life as a landlord.
• Boss Skinflint says he endured humiliation and mistreatment to help his employees succeed. Touched, they briefly turn on him in mock fury, cake-smearing him before settling down to share the cake.
• The group becomes emotional about parting. Boss Skinflint gives the employees farewell cash envelopes, exchanges warm goodbyes with them, and then gives Xiao Zhong the largest envelope.
• Boss Skinflint and Xiao Zhong take one last walk through the company before parting ways. The following day, Assistant Fang arrives to take over amid rumors that the office is haunted—an amusing consequence of the late-night crying and laughter.

Character development

• Boss Skinflint reveals a generous, self-sacrificing side beneath his miserly reputation: he accepted hardship partly to protect and support his staff. Though he jokes and complains, he is deeply attached to them and struggles to say goodbye.
• Xiao Zhong shifts from smugly anticipating freedom to showing affection and gratitude. His mock aggression masks the closeness he shares with his longtime boss.
• The employees move from laughter and teasing to genuine appreciation and sadness, recognizing what their boss sacrificed for them.

Character interactions

• Boss Skinflint and Xiao Zhong trade familiar insults, threats, and affectionate jokes, showing years of shared history.
• The employees tease Boss Skinflint, then respond emotionally when they understand his motives. Their farewell exchanges combine concern, humor, and intimacy.
• The final private exchange between Boss Skinflint and Xiao Zhong—especially the envelope and jokes about boiled vegetables—turns their comic rivalry into a heartfelt goodbye.

Significant themes

• Found-family bonds: The workplace is portrayed as a close-knit group whose members care for one another beyond their formal roles.
• Sacrifice and recognition: Boss Skinflint’s apparent selfishness conceals his willingness to endure indignity for his employees’ benefit.
• Transitions and farewells: Retirement means freedom and a fresh start, but also the sadness of leaving familiar people and places.
• Humor as affection: Teasing and slapstick let the characters express fondness that they struggle to voice directly.

Plot and events

• A newcomer enters the livestream room late and is startled to find Li Jin already there. The newcomer, Ning Yelei, jokingly puts Li Jin in a headlock and learns Li’s phone was confiscated, preventing him from warning anyone.
• Ning Yelei had wanted to alert his younger sister that her favorite celebrity was present. The cast also discusses the missing participants: senior Lin Yuqing and the mysterious newcomer.
• The group suspects the schedule was changed to accommodate someone important. They conclude that it would be wise to befriend the newcomer and avoid offending her, though they do not yet know her connections.
• Fang Yao arrives with her masked companion, Bo Miao, who offers anxious advice and asks to accompany her inside. The director permits Bo Miao to enter, with Fang Yao’s approval.
• The director and producer had worried that an investor-backed newcomer might be difficult, but Fang Yao seems harmless and agreeable. Once inside, however, she is delighted to find Xie Jiaxi and eagerly surveys the room for gossip.
• Li Jin interprets Fang Yao’s sparkling gaze as predatory, comparing her to a wolf among sheep. Xie Jiaxi notices her looking at him, and they exchange polite nods.

Character developments and interactions

• Ning Yelei is playful and affectionate toward Li Jin, but his concern for his celebrity-obsessed sister prompts him to try to send a warning.
• Fang Yao appears reserved on entering, yet her excitement about gossip reveals a curious, mischievous side. She recognizes Xie Jiaxi with particular interest.
• Bo Miao is protective and overcautious, repeatedly instructing Fang Yao not to be afraid and offering to supervise her.
• The cast shifts into cautious networking mode, treating the newcomer as someone whose influence may make her dangerous to cross.
• Li Jin is unnerved by Fang Yao’s intense expression, while Xie Jiaxi responds calmly and courteously.

Significant themes

• The entertainment industry runs on influence and careful judgments about whom to offend.
• Livestream rules and behind-the-scenes scheduling shape what participants can say and do.
• Appearances can mislead: Fang Yao looks like a potential troublemaker to the others, but her true excitement is simply the prospect of gossip.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Yuqing arrives on set and receives a warm welcome from the crew, reinforcing her sense of status. She is startled to find Fang Yao there, though she masks her irritation.
• Fang Yao’s private thoughts expose Lin’s alleged habit of using fear of darkness and bad weather as excuses to seek comfort from Xie Jiaxi, despite his marriage.
• Lin offers Xie his favorite tea and flirts with him, claiming she overslept and rushed her makeup. Fang Yao internally mocks the act; Xie politely declines the tea.
• The crew notices Lin’s awkward reaction to Fang Yao and presses Fang to explain their encounter at the mall. After getting everyone to “swear” secrecy—despite the livestream—Fang recounts how Lin wanted the same dress but could not pay because her card had been frozen. Fang Yao’s companion, referred to as the wife, bought it and sent her husband a photo in front of Lin.
• The story shocks the crew and viewers. Online audiences connect it to rumors that Xie is married with two children and criticize Lin for pursuing him. They also question Xie’s behavior, including why he gave Lin his card.

Character developments

• Fang Yao comes across as observant, sarcastic, and reluctant-looking but willing to share gossip. She uses her inner commentary to reveal what she believes is happening behind Lin’s public behavior.
• Lin Yuqing tries to preserve her polished, flirtatious image, but her composure slips when Fang appears and when the mall incident is discussed.
• Xie Jiaxi remains courteous but does not accept Lin’s tea. His familiar rapport with her, and the rumors about his marriage, leave viewers suspicious.
• The crew, especially Sheng Tianwei and Ning Yelei, show how irresistible gossip is—even to people in the entertainment industry.

Significant themes

• Public image versus private conduct: Lin presents herself as charming and innocent, while Fang’s thoughts and the mall story suggest a more calculated side.
• Gossip and livestream culture: The crew promises secrecy while the audience hears everything in real time, turning private embarrassment into public spectacle.
• Marriage, boundaries, and celebrity fandom: Lin’s closeness with a married star sparks criticism, while fans struggle with the implications of Xie’s reported family life.

Character interactions

• Lin and Fang exchange pointedly polite greetings, with Fang’s remarks subtly undermining Lin’s status.
• Lin flirts with Xie through tea, compliments, and coquettish behavior; Xie responds politely but keeps his distance in that moment.
• The crew rallies around Fang, coaxing her to tell the mall story. Her account shifts the group’s attention from Lin’s flirtation to the controversy surrounding Lin and Xie.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Yuqing complains to Xie Jiaxi that Fang Yao failed to intervene in her earlier clash with Jiajia, apparently hoping Fang Yao will apologize. Fang Yao and the others are too engrossed in gossip to respond.
• Xie Jiaxi defends Fang Yao, noting that she was a newcomer who didn’t know either woman. Lin Yuqing quickly softens her tone and redirects his attention to trouble with her ex-husband.
• The group’s gossip reveals provoke widespread embarrassment. Fang Yao’s blunt commentary leaves the cast and director regretting that they listened, while the producer notices the audience numbers rising and decides Fang Yao is a ratings draw.
• Lin Yuqing’s agent, Sister Feng, tries to interrupt the recording but is stopped. Suspecting Fang Yao’s account may be true, she leaves to arrange the destruction of shopping-mall surveillance footage.
• The show resumes. Lin Yuqing hides her anger toward Fang Yao and tries to connect with Sheng Tianwei, who is so uncomfortable sitting beside her that she wishes she could change seats.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Yuqing shifts from reproaching Fang Yao to acting vulnerable with Xie Jiaxi, then conceals her resentment and plots to deal with Fang Yao later. Her agent’s panic suggests there may be evidence supporting the damaging gossip.
• Xie Jiaxi recognizes the malice in Lin Yuqing’s complaint and defends Fang Yao, but remains concerned about Lin’s ex-husband and presses her to consider marrying.
• Fang Yao remains largely uninterested in show business, despite becoming a potential ratings asset. Her candid inner thoughts and gossip unsettle the group.
• Bo Miao silently hears Fang Yao’s thoughts and struggles not to laugh, confusing the nearby crew.
• Sister Feng is protective of Lin Yuqing and focused on concealing evidence, while other agents restrain her and some openly criticize Lin.
• Sheng Tianwei avoids engaging with Lin Yuqing, though Lin misreads her discomfort.

Significant themes

• Reputation and concealment: The agents’ scramble to suppress evidence contrasts with the public-facing image the performers maintain.
• Gossip as entertainment and exposure: The revelations embarrass the cast but boost viewership, making scandal both damaging and commercially valuable.
• Social performance: Lin Yuqing’s calculated changes in tone show how people manage impressions, while the others struggle to resume filming after hearing the gossip.

Key plot points

• Fang Yao is surprised to learn that the livestream show requires scripted acting. Despite having no experience, she memorizes her lines in about fifty minutes and performs first.
• Her performance captivates the studio audience and viewers, sending the ratings soaring. Other contestants and staff are impressed, while Lin Yuqing is privately furious that the rookie has done so well.
• Afterward, Fang Yao jokes to herself about charming the people around her and comparing one good-looking man unfavorably with Bo Hanmo. Bo Miao is embarrassed by Fang Yao’s flirtatious thoughts and urges everyone to get back to preparing.
• Lin Yuqing then performs a story that differs from the assigned script. The director and producer are alarmed: changing the script is a serious breach, and they argue over the consequences and the show’s earlier decision to accept her funding.
• Lin Yuqing’s melodrama portrays a woman who leaves her childhood sweetheart, later marries someone else, and returns hoping to reunite with him. Her manager approves, believing the performance may move Xie Jiaxi. Fang Yao privately condemns the story’s self-serving version of events.

Character developments and interactions

• Fang Yao proves unexpectedly disciplined and talented as a performer, though she remains unsure of herself afterward. Her playful, boastful inner commentary contrasts with her impressive stage presence.
• Bo Miao shifts from questioning the unexpected acting segment to proudly supporting Fang Yao, then becomes exasperated by her friend’s fanciful thoughts about other men.
• Lin Yuqing responds to Fang Yao’s success with resentment and breaks the rules by changing her script. Her performance reveals how she frames her past actions to make herself appear blameless.
• The director and producer clash over having allowed Lin Yuqing onto the show for financial reasons, but agree that her unscripted performance may require consequences.
• Xie Jiaxi wonders whether Fang Yao’s earlier glance was meant for him, while Lin Yuqing’s manager hopes her act will win his sympathy.

Significant themes

• Unexpected talent and perseverance: Fang Yao’s preparation and natural ability overturn expectations about rookies.
• Truth versus self-justification: Lin Yuqing’s altered story casts her choices in a sympathetic light, while Fang Yao recognizes the distortion.
• Ambition and rule-breaking: The show’s financial compromises create conflict when Lin Yuqing disregards its rules.
• Performance and reality: Lin Yuqing becomes so absorbed in her role that she briefly loses track of the boundary between fiction and her own feelings.

Key plot points and events

• Fang Yao reveals she kept access to a family member’s phone, letting the cast read online comments despite their own phones being confiscated. The director and producer realize Bo Miao must have helped her and resolve to search everyone more carefully next time.
• Lin Yuqing performs a scene that seems to hint at her feelings for Xie Jiaxi and hope of rekindling their relationship. When she asks what he thought, he gives her straightforward acting feedback, missing the romantic implication.
• During the audience Q&A, Fang Yao bluntly rebuts hostile questions about her connections, her attitude toward Lin Yuqing, and her career plans.
• Xie Jiaxi is asked whether he is married, whether his wife is targeting Lin Yuqing, and whether he intends to divorce his wife for his “true love.” He confirms he is married, denies knowing about any conflict, and insists he never said he wanted a divorce.
• Alarmed by the divorce question, Xie Jiaxi pleads with his wife not to leave him, turning the broadcast into an awkward spectacle. His agent calls Yuan Jiajia to come help; she knows her husband’s foolish side is hardly a secret.

Character developments

• Fang Yao comes across as resourceful and fearless, using the phone workaround and answering viewers without hesitation.
• Lin Yuqing appears confident that her public hints and questions will pressure Xie Jiaxi, but his oblivious responses undermine her plan.
• Xie Jiaxi is shown as sincere but comically clueless: he fails to read Lin Yuqing’s performance as a message and panics at the idea of divorce.
• Yuan Jiajia is familiar with Xie Jiaxi’s real personality and is unruffled by the agent’s alarm.

Character interactions

• Fang Yao’s phone trick earns the cast’s admiration and exposes the production team’s lax security.
• Lin Yuqing seeks a personal response from Xie Jiaxi, but he treats her performance as acting and offers technical criticism.
• Fang Yao recognizes the Q&A questions as an attempt to push Xie Jiaxi toward Lin Yuqing; Xie Jiaxi’s answers instead reveal his confusion and attachment to his wife.
• The agent, overwhelmed by Xie Jiaxi’s public behavior, turns to Yuan Jiajia, while fellow agents sympathize with him.

Significant themes

• Manipulation versus sincerity: Lin Yuqing’s apparent attempt to steer Xie Jiaxi through public pressure is exposed by his honest confusion.
• Public image and private personality: The broadcast reveals a goofy side of the celebrated actor that his agent and fans have long known.
• Online scrutiny and confrontation: Audience questions can be provocative, but Fang Yao refuses to accept their assumptions or demands.