Chapter Summaries

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.

Jiang Ci confronted Zhao Chunfang for selling her schedule and room number to a stalker, then severed their mother-daughter relationship. Zhao Chunfang attacked her and, after Shen Yufeng intervened, mistook him for Jiang Ci’s wealthy sugar daddy.

• Jiang Ci confronted Zhao Chunfang with the police’s evidence that she had sold information about Jiang Ci to an obsessive fan.
• Zhao Chunfang admitted selling the information and claimed she had done it to help Jiang Ci and earn money.
• Jiang Ci declared that she was ending their relationship, while promising only the minimum legally required support.
• Zhao Chunfang lunged at Jiang Ci, but Shen Yufeng stepped between them and blocked her.
• Zhao Chunfang assumed Shen Yufeng was Jiang Ci’s rich backer and demanded that Jiang Ci share his money, angering both Jiang Ci and Shen Yufeng.

Jiang Ci severed ties with Zhao Chunfang after Shen Yufeng helped remove her from the casino and warned its owner to handle the debt without violence. Shen reassured Jiang that Starlight would treat her as a professional partner, and she arrived at the artist residence ready to pursue her career.

• Jiang Ci told Zhao Chunfang their ties were severed and that she would receive no money from her until she was unable to work.
• Boss Wang ordered security to remove Zhao Chunfang from the casino and threatened her over her unpaid debts.
• Shen Yufeng asked Boss Wang to collect the debt without violence and said he would arrange protection for Starlight's artists.
• Zhao Chunfang pleaded with Jiang Ci for help, but Jiang turned away as the guards dragged her out.
• Shen Yufeng reassured Jiang Ci about Starlight's professional intentions and promised to arrange her agent, contract, resources, security, and housing.
• Jiang Ci arrived at Starlight's artist residential complex and felt relieved that she could pursue her career freely.

Lu Xiaoxiao asked 037 to pursue approval for travel between worlds and decided to let her family experience the silence of losing access to her thoughts before revealing what she knew. She then learned that Lu Bochen had agreed to long-term counseling with An Tingxue, who accepted Lu Xiaoxiao’s offer to move into the Lu family home.

• Lu Xiaoxiao told 037 to keep pressing its superiors for permission to travel between worlds.
• Lu Xiaoxiao decided to delay telling the Lu family about their former ability to hear her thoughts and let them adjust to mute mode as harmless revenge.
• Lu Xiaoxiao found Lu Bochen quietly sitting with An Tingxue in the living room.
• Lu Bochen told Lu Xiaoxiao he was willing to begin long-term counseling with An Tingxue.
• Lu Xiaoxiao invited An Tingxue to move into the Lu family home, and An Tingxue accepted.

At dinner, the Lu Family noticed that Lu Xiaoxiao’s usual inner monologue had gone silent, leaving them unsettled. Lu Xiaoxiao explained that she wanted to transfer from philosophy to an acting program, and the family agreed to support her while she secretly enjoyed her prank.

• Song Zhilan, Lu Yuan, Lu Shiyan, Lu Jiaoyue, Lu Yubai, and Lu Xiaoxiao shared dinner without mentioning the obsessive fan’s intrusion into Lu Xiaoxiao’s room.
• Lu Shiyan and Lu Jiaoyue noticed that Lu Xiaoxiao’s inner voice was absent, and Lu Yubai asked why she was so quiet.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reassured Lu Yubai that she was simply following Song Zhilan’s rule about not talking while eating.
• Lu Yuan warned Lu Xiaoxiao that her extended university leave could affect her enrollment and asked about her plans.
• Lu Xiaoxiao said philosophy no longer suited her and asked to transfer to an acting program, and Lu Yuan agreed to support her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao kept up her sweet, ordinary demeanor while privately thinking that the initial effects of “mute mode” were good.

Lu Xiaoxiao agreed to attend Gu Sipei’s apology dinner and planned to make him work for her forgiveness. Ji Yunhuai refused Ji Cheng’s demand to attend a family celebration, and Ji Cheng ended the chapter furious and vowing to show no mercy.

• Lu Xiaoxiao agreed to meet Ji Yunhuai at Cloud Summit for Gu Sipei’s apology dinner and planned to dress up to intimidate him.
• Ji Cheng called Ji Yunhuai and demanded that he attend a family dinner celebrating his Seacity bid victory.
• Ji Yunhuai refused and pointedly suggested that Ji Cheng’s trusted assistant Fang Youcheng report on the project instead.
• Ji Cheng angrily yelled at Ji Yunhuai, who hung up on him.
• Ji Cheng called Old Master Ji to complain, but Old Master Ji excused Ji Yunhuai and told Ji Cheng to come home himself.
• Ji Cheng flew into a rage and vowed to show no mercy to Ji Yunhuai and Old Master Ji.

Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai met Gu Sipei for an apology and negotiated a joint partnership on the Riverside project. Gu Sipei agreed, while Lu Xiaoxiao recognized that Ji Yunhuai had also secured protection for her and Jiaoyue, and decided it was her turn to borrow his clout.

• Gu Sipei apologized to Lu Xiaoxiao for having her forcibly brought to him and said the subordinate responsible had been dismissed.
• Ji Yunhuai asked why Gu Sipei was willing to give up the Riverside project despite its importance to his plans against Gu Sijing.
• Gu Sipei explained that he wanted to build a working relationship with Ji Yunhuai and help him establish his position in the Ji Corporation.
• Ji Yunhuai proposed that the Ji and Gu families jointly develop the Riverside project, with the Ji Corporation investing more and publicizing the partnership.
• Gu Sipei accepted the proposal, and the two men toasted their new partnership.
• Lu Xiaoxiao realized Ji Yunhuai had used the deal to protect her and Jiaoyue, and decided to borrow his clout next.

Lu Xiaoxiao warned Gu Sipei to treat Lu Jiaoyue well, then challenged his knowledge of her and was astonished when he answered every question correctly. Gu Sipei admitted he had investigated both sisters, and Ji Yunhuai’s attempt to impress Lu Xiaoxiao only reminded her to confront him about doing the same.

• After the business discussion ended, Lu Xiaoxiao told Gu Sipei she would not interfere in his relationship with Lu Jiaoyue but warned him to treat her in a way she appreciated.
• Lu Xiaoxiao challenged Gu Sipei to prove how well he knew Lu Jiaoyue, and he correctly answered questions about her preferences and habits.
• Gu Sipei revealed that he had investigated Lu Jiaoyue and Lu Xiaoxiao, leaving Lu Xiaoxiao embarrassed and defeated.
• Ji Yunhuai laughed at Lu Xiaoxiao’s reaction, then said he could answer the same questions about her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reminded Ji Yunhuai that she still had to settle the score with him for investigating her.

Ji Cheng confronted Fang Youcheng for failing to swap Ji Yunhuai’s documents, then ordered him to attend the Ji Family celebration banquet and follow his next plan. Ji Cheng intended to undermine the old man’s trust in Ji Yunhuai and secure a larger share of the benefits.

• Ji Cheng picked up Fang Youcheng at the airport and demanded to know why he had not swapped Ji Yunhuai’s documents.
• Fang Youcheng explained that Ji Yunhuai had guarded the documents too closely, and Ji Cheng mocked him for being afraid to take risks.
• Fang Youcheng silently admitted to himself that he had not wanted to swap the documents, but he avoided telling Ji Cheng.
• Ji Cheng told Fang Youcheng to attend the Ji Family celebration banquet and said he would praise Fang Youcheng’s work in Seacity before the old man.
• Ji Cheng revealed that he had another plan and said he wanted to weaken the old man’s trust in Ji Yunhuai.

After the banquet, Ji Cheng privately accused Ji Yunhuai of mishandling the Seacity bid and urged Ji Wenzhong to restrict his authority, while falsely claiming Fang Youcheng had discovered a flawed document. Ji Wenzhong left the accusations unanswered and asked Fang Youcheng whether he had really found the document himself.

• Ji Cheng brought Fang Youcheng to Ji Wenzhong’s study after the family banquet ended.
• Ji Wenzhong praised Fang Youcheng for helping the Seacity bid succeed, and Ji Cheng echoed his praise.
• Ji Cheng presented a doctored document and claimed Fang had found errors in Ji Yunhuai’s materials before they caused losses.
• Fang Youcheng recognized Ji Cheng’s scheme to frame Ji Yunhuai but stayed silent under pressure.
• Ji Cheng portrayed Ji Yunhuai as careless, resentful, and indifferent to the Ji Family, then called for experienced staff to oversee him.
• Ji Wenzhong studied the document and asked Fang Youcheng whether he had truly discovered it himself.

Ji Wenzhong questioned Fang Youcheng about his accusation against Ji Yunhuai, but Fang Youcheng admitted he was unsure whether Ji Yunhuai had acted deliberately. Ji Cheng dragged Fang Youcheng to a private apartment and erupted at him for failing to stick to their story.

• Ji Wenzhong asked Fang Youcheng how he could expect him to calm down, and Fang Youcheng said he was not sure Ji Yunhuai had acted deliberately.
• Ji Cheng tried to steer Fang Youcheng's answer back toward accusing Ji Yunhuai of carelessness, but Ji Wenzhong ended the conversation without giving a verdict.
• Ji Cheng took Fang Youcheng from the study and drove him to a private apartment where Fang Youcheng's mother was staying.
• Ji Cheng slammed Fang Youcheng against the wall and berated him for losing his nerve in front of Ji Wenzhong.