Recaps

Ji Cheng tried to turn Ji Yunhuai’s plan to compete with the Gu Corporation for the Riverside project into a question of ambition and disloyalty before Ji Wenzhong. Ji Wenzhong sent Ji Cheng away but ordered an investigation into Ji Yunhuai’s recent meeting and any discussion of the Gu Family.

• Ji Cheng complained to Ji Wenzhong that Ji Yunhuai was diverting resources from the Ji Family’s AI bid to challenge the Gu Corporation for the Riverside project.
• Ji Wenzhong initially dismissed the dispute as a chance for Ji Yunhuai to test himself.
• Ji Cheng suggested that Ji Yunhuai’s timing and actions showed ambition and disrespect for Ji Wenzhong’s authority.
• Ji Wenzhong asked where Ji Yunhuai was, then told Ji Cheng not to call him over.
• Ji Cheng left the study pleased that he had planted suspicion, while Ji Wenzhong ordered someone to investigate whom Ji Yunhuai had met and what he had said about the Gu Family.

Lu Xiaoxiao learned that she and Ji Yunhuai would both be traveling to Seacity and hoped they might meet there. Ji Yunhuai also told her that Gu Sipei had withdrawn from the Riverside project and apologized for his earlier conduct, leaving them to plan a meeting after their trip.

• Lu Xiaoxiao discovered that Ji Yunhuai was flying to Seacity for a bidding trip while her crew was traveling there to film, and they joked about finding time to meet.
• Ji Yunhuai received a message from Gu Sipei saying the Gu Corporation was withdrawing from the Riverside project and wishing them success.
• Ji Yunhuai told Lu Xiaoxiao that Gu Sipei had also apologized for how he had invited her to meet and had proposed dinner with them both.
• Lu Xiaoxiao suspected Gu Sipei's sudden change might be a trap, but Ji Yunhuai agreed to meet him after their work trips and find out what was behind it.
• Lu Xiaoxiao agreed to discuss the meeting after returning from Seacity and resumed packing, looking forward to seeing what happened.

The Spirit Abyss Chronicle crew departed for Seacity, where Lu Xiaoxiao checked on Jiang Ci and learned her pay advance had been arranged to help with her family’s debts. As the plane headed toward the coast, Lu Xiaoxiao looked forward to the trip and to possibly running into Ji Yunhuai.

• At the airport, Lu Jiaoyue and Lu Xiaoxiao joked with Lu Shiyan about packing plenty of sunscreen for Seacity.
• Lu Xiaoxiao approached Jiang Ci, who said she was telling her mother about the trip and that their relationship had recently improved.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Wei Yun about Jiang Ci’s pay advance, and Wei Yun confirmed the paperwork was ready.
• The crew boarded the plane, and Lu Xiaoxiao felt reassured when she saw Jiang Ci seeming to be in better spirits.
• As the plane flew toward Seacity, Lu Xiaoxiao anticipated filming, sightseeing, and a possible encounter with Ji Yunhuai.

The Film Crew arrived in Haicheng and rehearsed a seaside scene, but Jiang Ci suddenly collapsed from low blood sugar. Lu Xiaoxiao suspected Jiang Ci had been giving her money to her gambling-addicted mother, and the crew returned to the hotel so Jiang Ci could rest and eat.

• The Film Crew arrived in Haicheng and went to the seaside filming location to scout and rehearse.
• Jiang Ci, Lu Xiaoxiao, and Xiao Zhang began rehearsing a scene in which Song Qingyun protected Xiao Lingyun from Moon Devouring Cult disciples.
• Jiang Ci lost her strength during the action sequence and collapsed into Lu Xiaoxiao's arms.
• Lu Shiyan identified Jiang Ci's condition as low blood sugar, and the assistant brought chocolate and a sports drink.
• Lu Xiaoxiao helped Jiang Ci eat and suspected she had transferred her money to her gambling-addicted mother.
• Wei Yun ended the rehearsal, and the crew helped Jiang Ci onto the coach and arranged food for her on the way back to the hotel.

After recovering enough to reach the hotel, Jiang Ci gave Lu Xiaoxiao her ocean-view room and took Lu Xiaoxiao’s less desirable room instead. Lu Xiaoxiao and Lu Jiaoyue admired the sea view and Lu Xiaoxiao resolved to make sure Jiang Ci ate during filming.

• Jiang Ci recovered from her fainting spell and declined Wei Yun’s offer to take her to the hospital.
• The crew handed out hotel room cards, and Lu Xiaoxiao, Lu Jiaoyue, and Lu Shiyan each received garden-view rooms.
• Jiang Ci insisted on exchanging her ocean-view room with Lu Xiaoxiao, claiming the sunlight would disturb her rest.
• Lu Xiaoxiao realized Jiang Ci had given her the better room as a quiet act of kindness, and Lu Jiaoyue praised Jiang Ci’s warmth.
• Lu Xiaoxiao and Lu Jiaoyue enjoyed the ocean view, and Lu Xiaoxiao decided she would make sure Jiang Ci ate during filming.

Fang Youcheng struggled with his father Ji Cheng’s order to slip an altered tender proposal into Ji Yunhuai’s documents, while wrestling with his fear and unexpected admiration for Ji Yunhuai. He brought the file box and a coffee to Ji Yunhuai’s workroom and knocked, leaving his choice unresolved.

• Fang Youcheng finished organizing the Riverside project materials, while Zhang praised him as Ji Cheng’s favored employee.
• Fang Youcheng asked whether Ji Yunhuai was still working and learned he was reviewing the final tender documents before the next day’s bid.
• Fang Youcheng examined the sealed file box and recalled that Ji Cheng had ordered him to hide an altered proposal in the official materials.
• Fang Youcheng remembered Ji Yunhuai’s competence and felt an absurd flicker of admiration, but remained afraid to defy his father.
• Fang Youcheng brewed Ji Yunhuai an Americano, carried it and the file box to his workroom, and knocked on the door.

Fang Youcheng entered Ji Yunhuai’s office intending to replace a genuine project document with his father’s falsified proposal, but his conscience and a promise to his mother stopped him. He left without betraying Ji Yunhuai, unaware that Ji had woken and watched him.

• Fang Youcheng found Ji Yunhuai asleep at his desk and realized he could swap the documents unnoticed.
• Fang Youcheng struggled between Ji Cheng’s orders and Shi Zhiyi’s advice to follow his conscience.
• Fang Youcheng remembered his childhood promise to be kind to his younger brother, Ji Yunhuai, and pulled his hand away from the files.
• Fang Youcheng left the proper materials on the desk, redirected the air-conditioning vent, and hurried out without taking action against Ji Yunhuai.
• Ji Yunhuai opened his eyes after Fang Youcheng left and looked thoughtfully at the adjusted vent louvers.

Lu Xiaoxiao returned to the hotel exhausted and encountered a leering man hiding in her room. On set, Jiang Ci saw threatening messages naming Room 925—the room she had swapped with Lu Xiaoxiao—and realized Lu Xiaoxiao might already be in danger.

• Wei Yun sent Lu Xiaoxiao back to the hotel to rest while Jiang Ci and Lu Shiyan filmed, and Lu Xiaoxiao asked Jiang Ci to wait for her for dinner.
• Lu Xiaoxiao entered her room and collapsed onto the bed, only to hear a man's laugh and see him emerge from the dark bathroom.
• Jiang Ci checked her phone after filming and found messages from an unknown number claiming to know Lu Xiaoxiao's hotel room.
• Jiang Ci recognized Room 925 as the room she had swapped with Lu Xiaoxiao and feared the man had already reached her.

Jiang Ci realized that Lu Xiaoxiao might be in danger after an unknown caller threatened her in the hotel room Jiang Ci had given to Lu Xiaoxiao. Lu Shiyan, Jiang Ci, and the others rushed back to the hotel, where they heard screams from room 925 and broke in.

• Jiang Ci called Lu Xiaoxiao twice without getting an answer and told Lu Shiyan that a harassing text had named room 925, where Lu Xiaoxiao was staying.
• Lu Shiyan ended the afternoon shoot, and Wei Yun gathered the group to hurry back to the hotel.
• Lu Shiyan, Jiang Ci, Wei Yun, and Lu Jiaoyue rushed to the ninth floor and heard frightened screams and crashing sounds from room 925.
• Lu Shiyan used a master key card and kicked open the door to room 925.

Lu Xiaoxiao subdued an intruder who had broken into her room, and the group learned he had been targeting Jiang Ci. The intruder revealed that Jiang Ci’s mother had sold him her schedule and room number, leaving Jiang Ci devastated.

• Lu Shiyan and the others burst into the room and found Lu Xiaoxiao beating the intruder instead of needing rescue.
• Lu Xiaoxiao pinned the man down, and staff tied him up while Wei Yun called the police.
• Lu Shiyan, Lu Jiaoyue, Wei Yun, and Jiang Ci checked on Lu Xiaoxiao, who said she was unharmed.
• Lu Xiaoxiao interrogated the intruder, who confessed he had bought Jiang Ci’s schedule and room number from her mother and entered through the balcony drainpipe.
• Jiang Ci heard that her mother had sold her personal information to the stalker and fell into stunned silence.

After Lu Xiaoxiao gave her statement for defending herself against an intruder, Ji Yunhuai arrived and offered her a place to stay at his guesthouse. Lu Shiyan reluctantly agreed after Xiaoxiao insisted, and she left with Ji Yunhuai.

• Jiang Ci left the room alone after learning her family had betrayed her, while Wei Yun gave her space.
• Police took the intruder away, and Lu Xiaoxiao went to the station with Lu Shiyan and Lu Jiaoyue to give a statement.
• The police reviewed the evidence and concluded that Lu Xiaoxiao had acted in self-defense.
• Ji Yunhuai arrived and suggested that Lu Xiaoxiao stay at his guesthouse for a few days.
• Lu Xiaoxiao urged Lu Shiyan to agree, and he allowed her to stay in a separate suite while warning Ji Yunhuai to keep his distance.
• Lu Xiaoxiao climbed into Ji Yunhuai's car and went with him to the guesthouse.

Lu Xiaoxiao arrived with Ji Yunhuai at the Ji Corporation Guesthouse, where she discovered they had separate bedrooms, then told him how Jiang Ci had been mistreated. Ji Yunhuai proposed helping Jiang Ci join Starlight Media, and Lu Xiaoxiao accepted the plan before asking how he had been doing.

• Ji Yunhuai brought Lu Xiaoxiao to a presidential suite and showed her that they had separate bedrooms.
• Lu Xiaoxiao explained that Jiang Ci’s mother had leaked her schedule and her agency had failed to support her career.
• Ji Yunhuai suggested that Shen Yufeng negotiate Jiang Ci’s contract termination and bring her to Starlight Media, which could provide her with resources and protection.
• Lu Xiaoxiao thanked Ji Yunhuai, and he said Shen Yufeng would contact Jiang Ci after they returned.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Ji Yunhuai how the Riverside project bidding had gone and whether he was tired.

Ji Yunhuai told Lu Xiaoxiao how Fang Youcheng had refused to tamper with his documents and instead adjusted the air-conditioning vent. He admitted he felt torn between his longstanding hatred of Fang Youcheng and respect for his choice, and Lu Xiaoxiao offered to share her thoughts.

• Ji Yunhuai recounted how he had expected Fang Youcheng to switch crucial documents but watched him leave them untouched and tilt the air-conditioning louvers away from him.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Ji Yunhuai how Fang Youcheng's actions had affected him.
• Ji Yunhuai confessed that he resented Fang Youcheng's existence and had been jealous of the care Ji Cheng showed him, but now found his old hatred difficult to maintain.
• Lu Xiaoxiao held Ji Yunhuai's cold hand as he described feeling unable to treat Fang Youcheng either with his former coldness or with acceptance.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Ji Yunhuai whether he wanted to hear her thoughts as an outsider.

Lu Xiaoxiao comforted Ji Yunhuai as he struggled with conflicting feelings about Fang Youcheng, assuring him that she was unconditionally on his side. Ji Yunhuai regained his composure and said he knew what to do, while Lu Xiaoxiao still demanded his spare key so she could lock her door.

• Lu Xiaoxiao praised Ji Yunhuai for questioning his feelings about Fang Youcheng and argued that Fang's single act of restraint did not make him especially good.
• Lu Xiaoxiao admitted she was biased because Ji Yunhuai mattered to her and said she cared more about supporting him than being objectively fair to Fang Youcheng.
• Lu Xiaoxiao encouraged Ji Yunhuai to accept his feelings and reminded him that he had not seriously harmed Fang Youcheng.
• Ji Yunhuai clasped Lu Xiaoxiao's hand, thanked her, and said he had sorted out his thoughts and knew what to do.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Ji Yunhuai to hand over his spare key so she could lock her door that night, and he joked that he might need comforting again.

Lu Xiaoxiao used her day off to shop in Seacity and recruited 037 to pose as a child so she could claim a limited-edition capsule toy. She was caught by Ji Yunhuai, and 037 fled after their cover story fell apart, leaving Lu Xiaoxiao embarrassed with Ji Yunhuai.

• Lu Xiaoxiao found Ji Yunhuai's note and spent her free day browsing Seacity's shopping street.
• Lu Xiaoxiao summoned 037 in its little-boy form so they could buy a kids' meal and claim a Fantasy Ocean Capsule Toy.
• Lu Xiaoxiao and 037 left the restaurant holding hands, but Ji Yunhuai stopped them and asked who the child was.
• Lu Xiaoxiao and 037 awkwardly claimed that 037 was a lost human child, then said it was cosplaying when Ji Yunhuai questioned its appearance.
• Lu Xiaoxiao sent 037 running off toward a police officer, and Ji Yunhuai teased her about being popular with children.

After returning from Seacity, Lu Xiaoxiao encouraged Jiang Ci to leave her exploitative agency for Starlight Media, framing the offer as a mutually beneficial opportunity. Jiang Ci agreed to consider the move and resolved to confront Zhao Chunfang before ending their relationship.

• Ji Yunhuai accompanied Lu Xiaoxiao shopping before leaving early for work, and 037 returned her long-awaited capsule toy after secretly following them all afternoon.
• Lu Xiaoxiao and the Spirit Abyss Chronicle crew left Seacity, while Ji Yunhuai stayed behind to handle bidding matters; Lu Shiyan greeted his sister at the meeting point and eyed Ji Yunhuai with suspicion.
• On the flight home, Lu Xiaoxiao asked Jiang Ci about her plans, and Jiang Ci said she could not afford to leave her current agency before her contract expired.
• Lu Xiaoxiao offered to connect Jiang Ci with Starlight Media and explained that the company would negotiate her termination fee as an investment in her talent.
• Jiang Ci accepted the idea after Lu Xiaoxiao reassured her that the arrangement would benefit both sides, then decided to confront Zhao Chunfang and sever ties with her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao urged Jiang Ci not to meet Zhao Chunfang alone, and Jiang Ci agreed to have two reliable people accompany her as witnesses.

Lu Xiaoxiao visited Cixin Orphanage to investigate the Original Host’s origins. Director Du Cixin seemed to recognize her and nearly called her by an affectionate name, but hid her reaction, leaving Lu Xiaoxiao to probe whether she remembered her.

• After returning home, Lu Xiaoxiao realized she had free time while Ji Yunhuai remained in Seacity and decided to visit Cixin Orphanage.
• Lu Xiaoxiao removed the tracking phone case Ji Yunhuai had given her and went alone to the orphanage.
• Lu Xiaoxiao met Director Du Cixin, who showed surprise and familiarity when she saw her.
• Du Cixin nearly called Lu Xiaoxiao “Xiao...” before adopting a polite, distant manner.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Du Cixin whether she still remembered her.

Lu Xiaoxiao questioned Du Cixin about her origins, but the orphanage director tried to avoid revealing what she knew. Du Cixin finally told Lu Xiaoxiao that the people she wanted to find had died long ago.

• Du Cixin pretended not to remember Lu Xiaoxiao, then acknowledged her after Lu Xiaoxiao gave her name and adoption history.
• Lu Xiaoxiao told Du Cixin that the Lu Family treated her well and watched the director react with relief and sadness.
• Du Cixin tried to end the conversation, but Lu Xiaoxiao asked when she had arrived at the orphanage and whether anyone had left information about her birth parents.
• Du Cixin denied remembering anything and urged Lu Xiaoxiao to stop searching, but Lu Xiaoxiao insisted she would keep investigating.
• Du Cixin finally told Lu Xiaoxiao that the people she wanted to find had passed away long ago.

Du Cixin recalled how her childhood friends Xie Huaisha and Cheng Miyun died on an archaeological expedition and entrusted their daughter Xiaoxiao to her care. After keeping Xiaoxiao’s parentage secret and arranging her adoption by the Lu family, Du Cixin faced her now and resolved to reveal the truth.

• Du Cixin remembered growing up with Xie Huaisha and Cheng Miyun, who chose archaeology and built a life exploring ancient sites together.
• Xie Huaisha and Cheng Miyun had a daughter, Cheng Xiao, whom they took with them on expeditions while Du Cixin worried about her safety.
• Xie Huaisha and Cheng Miyun died when a tomb collapse trapped their archaeological team, leaving Du Cixin a letter asking her to protect Xiaoxiao and keep her parentage secret.
• Du Cixin raised Xiaoxiao at Cixin Orphanage as an orphan, then chose the kind Lu family to adopt her and quietly followed her life.
• When Lu Xiaoxiao pressed her about the past, Du Cixin decided to tell her the truth about her birth parents.

After hearing the truth about her birth parents, Lu Xiaoxiao accepted that they had entrusted her to a safer life because they loved her. She called Du Cixin her godmother and promised to live brightly while keeping in touch with her.

• Lu Xiaoxiao listened as Du Cixin recounted how Xie Huaisha and Cheng Miyun had left their daughter in Du Cixin's care before dying for their ideals.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reflected on the love behind her parents' choice of her name and compared it with how she had chosen her own name.
• Lu Xiaoxiao calmly accepted the truth and inwardly reassured the Original Host's soul that her parents had loved her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao called Du Cixin her godmother, thanked her for caring for their family, and said she would not hate her parents.
• Lu Xiaoxiao told Du Cixin she was happy to be their daughter and asked her to stay in touch and watch over her life on her parents' behalf.

After learning the truth about her birth parents, the Original Host Lu Xiaoxiao broke down in the transformed Bug Space, where Lu Xiaoxiao comforted and embraced her. The Original Host began to let go of her regret and accept that she had been born out of love.

• Lu Xiaoxiao returned to the Lu Family home and entered the Bug Space, finding it bright and dry instead of dark and flooded.
• Lu Xiaoxiao saw the Original Host Lu Xiaoxiao crying and waited quietly as she processed her emotions.
• The Original Host thanked Lu Xiaoxiao for revealing that her birth parents had loved her and for speaking to her godmother on her behalf.
• The Original Host admitted she regretted giving up on life, and Lu Xiaoxiao embraced her and reassured her that she could begin again.
• The Original Host returned the embrace and laughed softly at Lu Xiaoxiao's promise of more hugs, as the two found comfort and understanding.

The Original Host revealed that she had secretly let the Lu family hear Lu Xiaoxiao’s thoughts, while filtering out anything that could expose her identity or endanger her. Lu Xiaoxiao was left reeling from the revelation and mortified by everything her family might have heard.

• The Original Host calmed down and told Lu Xiaoxiao she needed to explain the Lu family’s strange behavior.
• The Original Host confessed that she had used her soul’s power to transmit Lu Xiaoxiao’s thoughts to the Lu family.
• The Original Host said she had filtered out thoughts about Lu Xiaoxiao’s transmigration, System 037, and her missions.
• The Original Host explained she had done it because she wanted the family to understand and like Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Lu Xiaoxiao realized the family had heard her private thoughts, including her embarrassing remarks and fantasies, and struggled to process the revelation.

Lu Xiaoxiao confronted the Original Host about making the Lu Family hear her inner thoughts, then explained why exposing herself to earn affection was unhealthy and dangerous. The Original Host understood her mistake and thanked Lu Xiaoxiao for guiding her.

• Lu Xiaoxiao felt embarrassed and angry after learning that her family had heard her inner monologue for months, but seeing the Original Host's fear softened her anger.
• Lu Xiaoxiao criticized the Original Host for wasting her unusual ability on a family-wide inner-voice broadcast to seek affection.
• Lu Xiaoxiao warned that exposing her thoughts and surrendering her boundaries could leave her vulnerable to manipulation by cruel people.
• The Original Host admitted she had only wanted everyone to know she was a good person so they would like her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao urged the Original Host to value herself and seek affection by being herself, and the Original Host apologized and thanked her.

Lu Xiaoxiao forgave the Original Host and learned that, having resolved her regrets, she was ready to leave the bug space and find her parents. After they shared a final embrace, the Original Host disappeared, and Lu Xiaoxiao returned to her own bed, ready to continue her story.

• Lu Xiaoxiao forgave the Original Host and insisted that she stop the inner-thought livestream.
• The Original Host told Lu Xiaoxiao she planned to leave now that her regrets were resolved.
• The Original Host said she wanted to find her parents and asked whether she could be their child again in her next life.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reassured the Original Host, and they hugged and wished each other happiness.
• The Original Host dissolved into light, leaving Lu Xiaoxiao alone in the bug space.
• Lu Xiaoxiao returned to her bed and told 037 that finding the bug should count as a major contribution.

Jiang Ci met Shen Yufeng, who offered her a place at Starlight Media and helped her track down her gambling-addicted mother. They found Zhao Chunfang at a casino, where she reacted with panic and anger upon seeing Jiang Ci.

• Jiang Ci met Shen Yufeng at Starlight Media, and he explained that Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao had told him about her situation.
• Shen Yufeng revealed that Zhao Chunfang was at the Golden Joy casino and offered to take Jiang Ci there before she joined Starlight.
• Jiang Ci accepted Shen Yufeng's help and agreed to confront her mother immediately.
• Shen Yufeng led Jiang Ci through the casino to Zhao Chunfang, who was absorbed in gambling at a card table.
• Zhao Chunfang spotted Jiang Ci, hid her chips, and demanded to know how she had found the casino.