Chapter Summaries

Lu Jiaoyue told Gu Sipei that his treatment of her sister had made her hate him, and he challenged her to consider what that meant to him. Gu Sipei then gripped her chin and kissed her.

• Lu Jiaoyue told Gu Sipei that she had started to hate him because of what he did to her sister.
• Gu Sipei asked Lu Jiaoyue to repeat her declaration, giving her a chance to take it back.
• Lu Jiaoyue repeated that she hated him, and neither of them spoke for a full minute.
• Gu Sipei rose, approached Lu Jiaoyue, and asked what difference her hatred made.
• Gu Sipei gripped Lu Jiaoyue's chin and kissed her.

Gu Sipei kissed Lu Jiaoyue to show that her threat to hate him could not stop him, but she slapped him and broke down in tears. He realized she was most upset that he had kissed her without courting her or confessing, and decided they could resolve their conflict through negotiation instead.

• Gu Sipei kissed Lu Jiaoyue and told her that he could do as he pleased regardless of whether she hated him.
• When Gu Sipei leaned in to kiss her again, Lu Jiaoyue slapped him, then took back her apology and said he deserved it.
• Lu Jiaoyue sobbed that Gu Sipei had not courted or confessed to her, compared him to Ji Yunhuai, and said she was still angry with him over Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Gu Sipei recognized that Lu Jiaoyue objected to the lack of courtship and a confession more than to his closeness, and decided to handle their negotiations differently.

Gu Sipei promised Lu Jiaoyue he would apologize to Lu Xiaoxiao in a way she could accept, calming Lu Jiaoyue’s distress. Lu Jiaoyue added that Lu Xiaoxiao must forgive him and asked him not to reveal that she had prompted the apology.

• Gu Sipei decided that apologizing to Lu Xiaoxiao was a worthwhile concession and promised Lu Jiaoyue he would do it.
• Lu Jiaoyue stopped crying when Gu Sipei promised to apologize to her sister.
• Lu Jiaoyue insisted that Lu Xiaoxiao had to forgive Gu Sipei for the apology to count.
• Gu Sipei gave Lu Jiaoyue a handkerchief, and she asked him not to tell Lu Xiaoxiao that she had requested the apology.

Lu Jiaoyue explained that she wanted Gu Sipei to apologize to her sister and make amends, because she did not want to dislike him or see the people around her in conflict. Gu Sipei recognized that she judged right and wrong by simple, firm rules and resolved to follow them; Lu Jiaoyue left the study, where Uncle Sun gently asked her not to hold Gu Sipei’s coldness against him.

• Lu Jiaoyue told Gu Sipei that she had come because she had believed he was a good person, and said she wanted him to apologize to her sister and correct his wrongdoing.
• Lu Jiaoyue admitted she did not want to dislike Gu Sipei and hoped he and her sister could both be well.
• Gu Sipei realized Lu Jiaoyue followed clear rules about right and wrong, and decided to treat her according to those standards rather than his usual calculations.
• Lu Jiaoyue worried that Gu Sipei resented her for calling him wrong and explained how she judged whether her slap and his kiss were fair.
• Gu Sipei assured Lu Jiaoyue he understood, and she left the study with Uncle Sun.
• Uncle Sun apologized for any shortcomings in the hospitality and asked Lu Jiaoyue not to hold Gu Sipei’s cold temperament against him, then began to mention Gu Sipei’s childhood experiences.

Uncle Sun told Lu Jiaoyue a tragic account of Gu Sipei’s childhood, deepening her sympathy for him. Gu Sipei recalled how Elder Gu taught him that power determined right and wrong, then withdrew Gu Corporation from the Riverside project.

• Uncle Sun told Lu Jiaoyue that Gu Sipei had been orphaned young and grew up without warmth or support.
• Lu Jiaoyue felt sympathy for Gu Sipei while still believing he should apologize for wronging her sister.
• Gu Sipei remembered how Elder Gu explained that the strong made the rules after Gu Sijing broke his mother’s pocket watch and injured him.
• Gu Sipei reflected that Lu Jiaoyue had reminded him of his childhood belief that people who did wrong should apologize and make amends.
• Gu Sipei messaged Ji Yunhuai that Gu Corporation was withdrawing from the Riverside project.

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.