Chapter Summaries

Ji Yunhuai spared Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng and offered Fang Youcheng ownership of Create the Future’s South City subsidiary. With Lu Xiaoxiao’s encouragement, Fang accepted the opportunity, leaving the pair with a fresh start as Ji Cheng’s prosecution remained ahead.

• Ji Yunhuai agreed not to pursue Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng after they provided evidence against Ji Cheng.
• Ji Yunhuai offered Fang Youcheng full ownership of Create the Future’s South City subsidiary, separated from the Ji Corporation and without further group support.
• Ji Yunhuai praised Fang Youcheng’s practical abilities and urged him not to turn down the opportunity.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reminded Fang that his mother’s medicine and supplements were costly, helping him overcome his hesitation.
• Fang Youcheng accepted the company and promised to make it thrive, while Shi Zhiyi tearfully thanked Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao.

Fang Youcheng revealed that he had refused Ji Cheng’s order to sabotage Ji Yunhuai’s Riverside bid, and Ji Yunhuai told him he had known and trusted him more because of that choice. After Fang Youcheng and Shi Zhiyi left, Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao departed the cemetery together, ready to begin a new chapter.

• Fang Youcheng confessed that Ji Cheng had asked him to secretly replace Ji Yunhuai’s Riverside project documents, but he had refused.
• Ji Yunhuai revealed that he had known about Ji Cheng’s plan and had been watching to see what Fang Youcheng would do.
• Shi Zhiyi praised Fang Youcheng for acting according to his conscience, and he accepted her affirmation with relief and gratitude.
• Shi Zhiyi asked Ji Yunhuai whether he was doing well without his mother, apologized that she could never apologize to her, and wished him and Lu Xiaoxiao a happy life together.
• Fang Youcheng helped Shi Zhiyi leave, while Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai discussed Ji Cheng’s impending downfall and then went home together.

After the funeral revelations made Ji Yunhuai the Ji Group’s new leader, the Gu Group publicly backed him and online attention turned to his relationship with Lu Xiaoxiao. The couple confirmed they were dating, while a behind-the-scenes post revealed Ji Yunhuai was Spirit Abyss Chronicle’s biggest investor, leaving the newly official couple and the drama at the center of a public frenzy.

• The Gu Group issued a public statement supporting Ji Yunhuai as the Ji Group’s new principal shareholder and leader, prompting speculation about a business alliance.
• Online commenters mocked Ji Cheng’s behavior at the funeral and debated whether he might try to seize power, while praising Ji Yunhuai’s composure and influence.
• Internet users identified Ji Yunhuai’s fiancée as Lu Xiaoxiao, and the two confirmed their relationship in playful Weibo posts.
• Wei Yun released a behind-the-scenes video of Ji Yunhuai with Lu Xiaoxiao and revealed that he was the biggest investor behind Spirit Abyss Chronicle.
• The couple’s announcement and Wei Yun’s post sent their romance and Spirit Abyss Chronicle trending, and Lu Xiaoxiao felt satisfied with how things stood.

Lu Xiaoxiao balanced acting classes with the success of Spirit Abyss Chronicle, which boosted her career and Jiang Ci’s comeback. Yu Sangning visited the Lu family home to share her progress and thank Xiaoxiao for introducing her to Luna Devereaux, whose recommendation helped her win an international award.

• Lu Xiaoxiao began studying acting at university while Ji Yunhuai handled the Ji Group takeover and prepared charges against Ji Cheng.
• Spirit Abyss Chronicle became a hit, and viewers celebrated the Lu family’s involvement in the production.
• Lu Xiaoxiao earned praise for her performance, while Lu Shiyan screened the many offers she received.
• Jiang Ci’s performance as Song Qingyun won acclaim, and Shen Yufeng promoted her earlier work to support her comeback.
• Yu Sangning visited Lu Xiaoxiao and revealed that a work recommended by Luna Devereaux had won an international award.

Yu Sangning told Lu Xiaoxiao about winning the Aurora International Rising Star Jewelry Design Awards and explained her plans to build the Sang Yu brand before considering reviving Yu. The two went shopping to celebrate, where Lu Xiaoxiao recognized Bai Xinyan in a jewelry boutique.

• Yu Sangning explained that her sapphire and diamond set Daybreak had won the Most Commercial Potential Award, with Luna Devereaux's recommendation helping her enter the competition.
• Yu Sangning said she would focus on building Sang Yu Creative Design Co., Ltd. and preserving her family's design legacy before deciding whether to revive the Yu brand.
• Lu Xiaoxiao supported Yu Sangning's plans, and Yu Sangning invited her to shop as a celebration of their recent successes.
• Yu Sangning and Lu Xiaoxiao visited an upscale mall, where Yu Sangning offered styling advice as they shopped.
• Lu Xiaoxiao and another woman asked to see the same moonstone necklace, and Lu Xiaoxiao recognized the masked woman as Bai Xinyan.

Lu Xiaoxiao unexpectedly encountered Bai Xinyan while shopping with Yu Sangning and chose to leave rather than engage with her. As they were leaving, Bai Xinyan called after Lu Xiaoxiao and claimed she was happily married to someone who loved her.

• Lu Xiaoxiao recognized Bai Xinyan at a jewelry counter, and Yu Sangning moved closer to protect her.
• Bai Xinyan stared at Lu Xiaoxiao and Yu Sangning but stayed silent, visibly struggling with resentment and humiliation.
• Lu Xiaoxiao said the moonstone necklace did not suit her and suggested that she and Yu Sangning visit another shop.
• Yu Sangning agreed, and Lu Xiaoxiao linked arms with her as they walked away without acknowledging Bai Xinyan.
• Bai Xinyan called after Lu Xiaoxiao and declared that she was married to someone who loved her and that her life was wonderful.

Lu Xiaoxiao confronted Bai Xinyan over her claim that they were alike, then left the store with Yu Sangning after warning Bai about the necklace. Humiliated, Bai photographed them and suspected Yu Sangning was Lu Shiyan’s secret girlfriend, plotting to use the picture against Lu Xiaoxiao.

• 037 told Lu Xiaoxiao that Bai Xinyan had married Zhao Dezhu, a modestly wealthy former fan-club leader.
• Bai Xinyan accused Lu Xiaoxiao of relying on Ji Yunhuai and claimed Wei Linfeng had dumped her because of Lu.
• Lu Xiaoxiao rejected Bai’s accusations, defended her own conduct, and warned Bai not to buy the expensive necklace just to impress her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao left the store with Yu Sangning while Bai stood humiliated before the watching customers.
• Bai suspected Yu Sangning was Lu Shiyan’s undisclosed girlfriend, photographed the two women, and vowed to cause Lu Xiaoxiao trouble.

A leaked post claimed Lu Shiyan was secretly dating Yu Sangning, exposing her to online scrutiny and abuse. After hearing her cry, Lu Shiyan drove with Lu Xiaoxiao to comfort her, determined to let Yu Sangning decide whether they would go public.

• Blurry photos of Lu Xiaoxiao and Yu Sangning leaving a mall spread online with claims that Yu Sangning was Lu Shiyan's girlfriend.
• Online users identified Yu Sangning as the jewelry designer Sang Yu, and debate over her relationship with Lu Shiyan intensified.
• Lu Xiaoxiao blamed Bai Xinyan for leaking the photos and rushed to discuss the scandal with Lu Shiyan.
• Lu Shiyan told Lu Xiaoxiao that Yu Sangning had cried during their call and said he needed to be with her.
• Lu Shiyan and Lu Xiaoxiao drove to see Yu Sangning, and Lu Shiyan said he would go public only if she wanted to.

Yu Sangning broke down after private photos of her and Lu Shiyan were leaked, and Lu Shiyan and Lu Xiaoxiao comforted her. Lu Xiaoxiao suggested they turn the scandal into a chance to reveal their relationship and promote Yu Sangning’s jewelry studio, but Yu Sangning worried about relying on Lu Shiyan’s fame and damaging his career.

• Lu Shiyan and Lu Xiaoxiao arrived at the Yu Family Old House and found Yu Sangning crying alone.
• Lu Shiyan embraced Yu Sangning and assured her that the online attacks and leaked photos were not her fault.
• Lu Xiaoxiao encouraged Yu Sangning to consider making her relationship with Lu Shiyan public and using the attention to promote her studio.
• Yu Sangning worried that going public would mean riding on Lu Shiyan’s coattails and harm his career, then asked what he thought.

Lu Shiyan reassured Yu Sangning that she had never harmed his career and confessed how deeply he wanted to make their relationship public. Yu Sangning agreed, and Lu Shiyan prepared to handle the public announcement.

• Lu Shiyan told Yu Sangning to stop apologizing and said his success came from his acting, not from maintaining a single-man image.
• Lu Shiyan explained that he had worked for years hoping to become capable of finding and protecting Yu Sangning, and that buying back the Yu Family Old House had been a way to give her a home.
• Lu Shiyan admitted that he wanted everyone to know he loved Yu Sangning and asked her to agree to go public.
• Yu Sangning agreed to make their relationship public, and Lu Xiaoxiao offered to stay with her while Lu Shiyan prepared the PR statement.
• Lu Shiyan left to handle the announcement and prepare for the public reaction.

Lu Shiyan publicly recounted his history with Yu Sangning and made their relationship official, turning the scandal into widespread support for them and Yu Sangning’s studio. Lu Xiaoxiao declined to pursue Bai Xinyan directly, asked Ji Yunhuai to warn her husband’s company, and turned her attention to her approaching exams.

• Lu Shiyan posted a heartfelt account of his seven-year separation from Yu Sangning, their reunion, and his decision to publicly commit to her.
• The public largely rallied behind Lu Shiyan and Yu Sangning, and her social media following and studio commissions surged.
• Lu Xiaoxiao told Ji Yunhuai that Bai Xinyan had sold the paparazzi the photos and declined to retaliate against her personally.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asked Ji Yunhuai to warn Zhao Dezhu’s company so they would leave the city and stop bothering her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao put the dispute behind her and began worrying about cramming for her final exams.

Ji Cheng received a life sentence for his crimes and clung to the hope that Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng would help him. At their prison visit, Shi Zhiyi rejected him and revealed that Fang Youcheng had supplied the evidence, while Fang said he was taking his mother away and would not visit again.

• Ji Cheng was sentenced to life imprisonment, stripped of his political rights, and ordered to forfeit his assets.
• Ji Cheng pleaded with Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng to believe he had been framed and help him get released.
• Shi Zhiyi told Ji Cheng she would never marry him and that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
• Shi Zhiyi revealed that Fang Youcheng had provided the evidence against Ji Cheng.
• Fang Youcheng told Ji Cheng he had to accept punishment and said he was taking his mother somewhere quiet; he declared it was their last visit.

Shi Zhiyi told Ji Cheng she had hated him for years and revealed that she had given Yun Huai evidence of his crimes, then left with Fang Youcheng. Uncle Zhong explained why the Old Master had transferred Ji Cheng’s inheritance to Yun Huai and warned that Ji Cheng would remain imprisoned for life; Ji Cheng collapsed after hearing the truth.

• Shi Zhiyi denounced Ji Cheng, admitted she had given Yun Huai evidence against him, and left the visitation room with Fang Youcheng.
• Ji Cheng shouted threats as guards subdued him and took him away.
• Uncle Zhong told Ji Cheng that the Old Master had changed his will after Ji Cheng tried to smear Yun Huai, transferring Ji Cheng’s inheritance to Yun Huai.
• Uncle Zhong said his connections would ensure Ji Cheng stayed in prison for the rest of his life, with no reduced sentence or medical parole.
• Ji Cheng blamed others, vomited blood, and collapsed unconscious as guards rushed to help him.

After Ji Cheng was imprisoned, Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao joined their childhood friends at a celebration, where the group teased them about their relationship. Ji Yunhuai calmly welcomed the gossip, then asked why Shen Yufeng had not arrived.

• Jiang Feiwan and Cui Anze hosted a party celebrating Ji Yunhuai taking charge of the Ji Group and his relationship with Lu Xiaoxiao.
• He Mingchuan eagerly fussed over Jiang Feiwan and offered to tell her how Ji Yunhuai had pursued Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Jiang Lei greeted Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao, while Jiang Feiwan asked when Ji Yunhuai had confessed.
• Cui Anhe revealed that Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao had comforted each other and kissed on the night Old Master Ji died.
• Cui Anze tried to soften his sister's blunt remark, and the friends congratulated the couple while watching Ji Yunhuai's reaction.
• Ji Yunhuai said he was fine and asked where Shen Yufeng was.

Shen Yufeng joined the gathering and reassured Lu Xiaoxiao that Jiang Ci was thriving at Starlight. At dinner, Ji Yunhuai revealed that Lu Xiaoxiao had confessed to him first, then bragged that they had run toward each other, leaving He Mingchuan exasperated.

• Shen Yufeng arrived and teased Cui Anhe, who bristled until Cui Anze calmed her down.
• Shen Yufeng told Lu Xiaoxiao that Jiang Ci was doing well at Starlight and agreed to send her Jiang Ci’s schedule.
• Ji Yunhuai stopped everyone from sitting down and announced that Lu Xiaoxiao had confessed to him first.
• Lu Xiaoxiao confirmed Ji Yunhuai’s account and explained that she had been overcome by her feelings.
• Ji Yunhuai bragged that they had both run toward each other, and He Mingchuan responded with an angry rant about nobody asking.

At a lively dinner, He Mingchuan’s over-the-top delight at Jiang Feiwan feeding him watermelon entertained the group before they began giving Lu Xiaoxiao welcome gifts. Lu Xiaoxiao received several thoughtful presents, and Shen Yufeng was about to reveal his gift.

• He Mingchuan treasured the piece of watermelon Jiang Feiwan fed him, while the others teased him for his fawning.
• Shen Yufeng reminded the group that they had not given their gifts yet, and Jiang Lei presented Lu Xiaoxiao with a lifetime membership card to Jiang Corporation’s entertainment clubs.
• Jiang Feiwan told Lu Xiaoxiao that she had also arranged custom riding gear and transferred the pony Lu Xiaoxiao liked into her name.
• Cui Anhe gave Lu Xiaoxiao a custom-made plush toy, and Lu Xiaoxiao warmly accepted it.
• Cui Anhe asked Shen Yufeng what gift he had prepared for Lu Xiaoxiao.

Lu Xiaoxiao received thoughtful gifts from Ji Yunhuai’s friends, including Shen Yufeng’s connection to acting coach Tan Jingqiu, and felt welcomed into their circle in her own right. The group began playing truth or dare, and Ji Yunhuai was challenged to list ten of Xiaoxiao’s flaws.

• Shen Yufeng gave Lu Xiaoxiao Professor Tan Jingqiu’s private contact information and offered her a chance to seek acting guidance.
• Cui Anze gave Lu Xiaoxiao luxury skincare products, and He Mingchuan gave her a gaudily wrapped gift that he told her to open at home.
• He Mingchuan proposed truth or dare, and the group agreed to play, with forfeits requiring three drinks.
• He Mingchuan admitted he fell for Jiang Feiwan after she attended a parent-teacher meeting for him and comforted him about failing physics and English.
• The group played several rounds, including Jiang Lei doing push-ups, Cui Anhe sharing her opinion of Lu Xiaoxiao, and Shen Yufeng feeding fruit to Cui Anze.
• Ji Yunhuai chose truth, and He Mingchuan challenged him to name ten of Lu Xiaoxiao’s flaws.

At a party, Ji Yunhuai turned a game asking him to list Lu Xiaoxiao’s flaws into an affectionate display that ended in laughter. Afterward, he took her to the Ji Group headquarters and showed her a confidential immersive gaming pod, where he had recreated the romantic setting she had once casually described.

• Ji Yunhuai listed Lu Xiaoxiao’s supposed flaws, including that she was too cute, and his friends teased him for flaunting how well he knew her.
• He Mingchuan conceded the game and awarded Ji Yunhuai the titles of strongest survival instinct and most shameless display of affection.
• After the party, Ji Yunhuai took Lu Xiaoxiao to the Ji Group headquarters and invited her to test a confidential immersive holographic gaming pod.
• Lu Xiaoxiao entered the pod and found herself in a lifelike sea of flowers beneath a starry sky, with a lit Ferris wheel in the distance.
• Lu Xiaoxiao recognized the scene as a recreation of the romantic setting she had mentioned during a previous game, and Ji Yunhuai offered to show her around.

Ji Yunhuai took Lu Xiaoxiao through a romantic world he had created to fulfill her fantasy, then confessed his feelings to her again. The chapter ended with him telling her that he wanted to be an open book with her.

• Ji Yunhuai led Lu Xiaoxiao through a flower field, onto a Ferris wheel, and across a lake in a boat.
• Ji Yunhuai set off elaborate fireworks, moving Lu Xiaoxiao to tears with the world he had prepared just for her.
• Ji Yunhuai explained that he had been building the game environment since Lu Xiaoxiao first described her fantasy and had planned to use it for a formal confession.
• Lu Xiaoxiao teased Ji Yunhuai for being upset that she confessed first, then invited him to confess all over again.
• Ji Yunhuai told Lu Xiaoxiao that he liked her and wanted to share everything about himself with her.

Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai supported each other through exams and work as Gu Sipei and Lu Jiaoyue became a couple. After System 037 offered Lu Xiaoxiao a one-day return to her original world, she accepted and organized a New Year trip to a tropical island with Ji Yunhuai, her family, and their friends.

• Lu Xiaoxiao prepared thoughtful gifts for Ji Yunhuai's friends while she and Ji Yunhuai focused on exams and Ji Group reforms, supporting each other from afar.
• Gu Sipei followed Lu Xiaoxiao's advice and confessed to Lu Jiaoyue at a private amusement park, and she accepted.
• System 037 told Lu Xiaoxiao that she had earned an S rating and could return to her original world for one day; she accepted the reward.
• Lu Xiaoxiao invited Ji Yunhuai to spend New Year with her family, and Ji Yunhuai proposed that everyone celebrate on a warm resort island.
• Lu Jiaoyue asked to bring Gu Sipei, and Cui Anhe, He Mingchuan, Jiang Feiwan, and others joined the trip, turning the family gathering into a group vacation.