Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao lets An Tingxue enter the storage room alone to speak with Lu Bochen, while she waits in the living room.
• She tells system 037 that the original Lu Xiaoxiao has appeared in a mysterious space. Xiaoxiao refuses to report it to 037’s superior, reasoning that the original host has shown no intent to harm her and may simply need time before she can explain herself.
• 037 panics at first, but Xiaoxiao calms it with her arguments—then shakes it for calling her “scarier” than the original host.
• Xiaoxiao believes the original host will return and plans to learn more about her from the Lu family before they meet again.
• Lu Yubai comes downstairs, giving Xiaoxiao an immediate opportunity to start asking questions.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows patience, confidence, and empathy. Rather than condemn the original host for what she did in the novel, she considers the insecurity and neglect the girl may have experienced as a child.
• 037 shifts from alarm to support, though its nervousness and poor tact remain a source of comedy.
• The original Lu Xiaoxiao is still absent, but Xiaoxiao’s account frames her as a troubled child who may want to communicate rather than cause harm.

Significant themes

• Empathy over judgment: Xiaoxiao distinguishes between a person’s past circumstances and crimes she has not committed in the current timeline.
• Communication and reconciliation: She hopes conversation can clarify the original host’s motives and perhaps change her path.
• Trust and autonomy: Xiaoxiao chooses to handle the situation herself rather than defer to an unhelpful system authority.

Character interactions

• Xiaoxiao persuades An Tingxue and trusts her to speak with Lu Bochen.
• She argues with 037 about whether the original host is dangerous, then humorously punishes it for its blunt remark.
• Xiaoxiao reassures 037 and explains why she feels compassion for the original host.
• Lu Yubai’s arrival prompts Xiaoxiao to begin gathering information about the original host from the family.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao wakes Lu Yubai and, in an unusually sweet voice, calls him over. Her gentleness alarms him more than her usual threats, so he cautiously approaches.
• She asks what he thought of her “all this time,” not just recently. Lu Yubai first tries to evade the question, then nervously praises her and apologizes for his past behavior.
• Xiaoxiao presses him about why he used to pick fights with her, sic dogs on her, and refuse to call her his sister.
• Lu Yubai finally explains that he blamed Xiaoxiao for the disappearance of his original sister, Jiaoyue. As a young child, he believed Xiaoxiao had taken Jiaoyue’s place and somehow prevented her return.
• Though he later understood that Jiaoyue had been abducted and Xiaoxiao was not responsible, resentment had become a habit. Finding Jiaoyue, seeing her bond with Xiaoxiao, and seeing Xiaoxiao defend him at school gradually changed his feelings.
• He ends by bowing his head and sincerely apologizing to Xiaoxiao.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao teases and intimidates Yubai, but her questions reveal that she wants to understand the long-standing hostility between them. Beneath her sharp manner, she is willing to hear his honest explanation.
• Lu Yubai begins frightened and evasive, but eventually drops his comic excuses and faces the shameful truth about his childhood jealousy and resentment. His apology marks a real step toward reconciliation.

Significant themes

• Childhood misunderstanding and misplaced blame: Yubai’s grief over Jiaoyue’s disappearance became resentment toward the newly adopted Xiaoxiao.
• Regret and personal growth: Understanding the facts did not immediately undo Yubai’s hostility, but later experiences helped him change.
• Family and reconciliation: Xiaoxiao’s acceptance by Jiaoyue, and her kindness toward Yubai despite his past treatment of her, help repair the siblings’ relationship.
• Humor and vulnerability: Yubai’s exaggerated fear contrasts with his sincere, painful confession.

Character interactions

• Xiaoxiao’s stern, teasing interrogation pushes Yubai from nervous flattery toward honesty.
• Yubai’s confession reframes his past cruelty as a child’s misguided grief, without excusing it.
• His final apology is the chapter’s first sincere exchange between them, offering a foundation for a better relationship.

Plot points and events

• Lu Yubai apologizes to Lu Xiaoxiao for how he treated her in the past and asks if she forgives him.
• Xiaoxiao refuses to forgive on behalf of her former self, but agrees they can start fresh if he treats her better. She playfully messes up his hair.
• Yubai promises “filial devotion,” prompting Xiaoxiao to correct his misuse of the phrase and threaten him with tutoring. He resists a Chinese tutor, then reluctantly accepts one when she suggests a math tutor instead.
• Counselor An Tingxue leaves after visiting the storage room where Lu Bochen has been hiding. She says he is doing well and expects him to come out for dinner.
• Soon after An leaves, Bochen emerges. Xiaoxiao brings him slippers and leads him to the sofa. He says he did not speak with the counselor, and Xiaoxiao reassures him that he can choose whether to see her again.
• Xiaoxiao privately longs to know what happened in the storage room. Bochen, who can read minds, hears her thoughts and feels guilty.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiaoxiao balances warmth and boundaries: she welcomes Yubai’s effort to change without erasing past harm, and patiently supports Bochen while respecting his privacy.
• Yubai shows remorse and eagerness to reconcile, but his enthusiasm and poor Chinese vocabulary create comic friction. His fear of math persuades him to accept Chinese tutoring.
• Bochen takes a small step toward rejoining the family by leaving the storage room and joining Xiaoxiao, though he remains withdrawn and says little.
• An Tingxue remains professional and discreet, reporting that Bochen is stable without explaining what passed between them.
• The siblings’ affectionate teasing contrasts with their more serious efforts to rebuild trust and support Bochen.

Significant themes

• Reconciliation without denying past hurt: Xiaoxiao offers a fresh start, but acknowledges that she cannot undo or forgive harm on behalf of her former self.
• Respecting personal boundaries: She reassures Bochen that he need not disclose anything before he is ready.
• Care through everyday gestures: Hair-ruffling, tutoring plans, slippers, and an invitation to dinner express affection and practical support.
• Humor amid vulnerability: Wordplay and sibling banter lighten a chapter centered on apology, emotional recovery, and cautious progress.

Plot points

• Lu Bochen tells Lu Xiaoxiao how An Tingxue gently communicated with him while he was hiding in a cabinet: she asked him to knock once if he could hear her, and he did.
• Xiaoxiao explains that An is a psychological counselor, not a doctor, and reassures Bochen that she will not force him into anything. Bochen understands but remains frightened and cannot promise to accept help, so he changes the subject.
• The siblings talk about Xiaoxiao’s upcoming acting role. Bochen says he will watch the drama because she is in it, and she jokes that her other siblings’ appearances should make it even better.
• At the filming location, Xiaoxiao complains about the hot weather and asks Lu Shiyan to arrange iced drinks. They discover that milk tea has already been provided for the crew in Xiaoxiao’s name by investor Ji Yunhuai. She takes credit when staff thank her, then asks where Ji is—only for him to call out that he has already spotted her.

Character developments

• Lu Bochen is willing to share a small part of what happened with An, showing some trust, but his fear of treatment remains stronger than his wish to recover. His praise of Xiaoxiao reveals his deep affection and admiration for her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao tries to reassure and protect her brother, while using humor and warmth to keep him comfortable. She also readily plays along with the mistaken belief that she arranged the drinks.
• Lu Shiyan is attentive and caring, agreeing to help Xiaoxiao while reminding her not to overindulge in cold drinks.
• Ji Yunhuai is introduced as having already arrived and arranged a generous treat for the crew, with a teasing manner when he addresses Xiaoxiao.

Themes

• Trust and recovery: Gentle communication helps Bochen open up, but reassurance cannot erase his fear.
• Family affection: Xiaoxiao and Bochen comfort one another, while Shiyan looks after Xiaoxiao.
• Kindness and recognition: The crew’s gratitude turns a simple gift into a warm, humorous misunderstanding.
• Humor amid emotional difficulty: Light banter and the milk-tea mix-up soften the chapter’s more serious discussion of Bochen’s distress.

Character interactions

• Xiaoxiao listens to Bochen’s account, reassures him about An, and accepts his affectionate praise.
• Bochen avoids making a promise about counseling, but connects with Xiaoxiao over her drama.
• Shiyan indulges Xiaoxiao’s request for drinks while setting a gentle limit.
• Crew members thank Xiaoxiao for Ji’s drinks, and Ji himself playfully reveals that he has been watching for her.

Key plot points and events

• Ji Yunhuai appears at the costume photo shoot, revealing he came to see Lu Xiaoxiao. He has also arranged milk tea for the crew, quietly helping her make a good impression.
• Lu Jiaoyue asks why an investor would attend the shoot. Ji Yunhuai explains his personal reason, then exchanges pointed remarks with Lu Shiyan over whether he should call him “Emperor Lu” or “Second Brother.”
• A logistics worker recognizes Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai from Desert Island Survival and admits she ships them as “Cloud Roller Coaster.” She flees, leaving the group awkwardly reacting to her confession.
• Lu Xiaoxiao worries the shipping comment will provoke a confrontation between Ji Yunhuai and Lu Shiyan. Lu Shiyan hears her private thoughts and is irritated by her doubts about his generosity.
• Director Wei Yun arrives and notices Ji Yunhuai’s unusually flashy outfit, which the narration describes as more suited to a peacockish young trendsetter than a serious investor.

Character developments and interactions

• Ji Yunhuai shows thoughtful support for Xiaoxiao and openly says he came to see her. His teasing exchanges with Lu Shiyan suggest he enjoys testing his patience.
• Lu Xiaoxiao is pleased by Ji Yunhuai’s consideration but tries to keep it discreet around the crew. She is anxious about the rivalry between him and her brother.
• Lu Shiyan remains protective and prickly, especially when Ji Yunhuai hints at calling him “Second Brother.” Xiaoxiao’s private judgment further annoys him.
• Lu Jiaoyue remains innocently curious, while Wei Yun enters in her brisk, professional manner and draws attention to Ji Yunhuai’s striking look.
• The logistics worker’s fangirl confession makes the group’s chemistry public, delighting Ji Yunhuai, embarrassing Xiaoxiao, and displeasing Lu Shiyan.

Significant themes

• Care expressed through small gestures: Ji Yunhuai’s arrangements for the crew show his attention to Xiaoxiao.
• Romantic speculation and public image: The worker’s ship name turns private-seeming chemistry into a topic of public excitement.
• Sibling protectiveness and jealousy: Lu Shiyan’s rivalry with Ji Yunhuai is intensified by the prospect of a romance.
• Humor through contrast: The chapter plays Ji Yunhuai’s polished role as an investor against his flamboyant appearance and teasing behavior.

Key plot points and events

• Ji Yunhuai arrives in casual clothes and trades teasing remarks with Lu Xiaoxiao, who jokes that his bright outfit makes him look like her younger brother—and makes her want to smack him.
• Ji Yunhuai playfully offers to call her “big sis.” Lu Xiaoxiao is flustered in front of her family, though privately she relishes the idea and plans to hear him say it someday.
• Lu Shiyan and Lu Jiaoyue overhear Lu Xiaoxiao’s thoughts. Shiyan’s jealousy shows in his clenched fist, while Jiaoyue is unsettled by the prospect of Ji Yunhuai claiming the “big sis” role.
• Wei Yun redirects everyone toward hair and makeup so filming can begin. Ji Yunhuai offers to arrange an indoor location in Ji family buildings to spare them a difficult outdoor shoot, but Lu Xiaoxiao declines to avoid creating extra work.
• Shiyan hurries toward the makeup area; Jiaoyue follows, pretending to be eager for her first costume photos. Lu Xiaoxiao then arranges for Ji Yunhuai to try on a spare men’s costume while she gets ready.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai continue their flirtatious, competitive banter. She disguises her admiration with teasing, while he confidently presses her with suggestive jokes; she later directs him to dress up and wait for her.
• Lu Shiyan struggles to hide his irritation at their exchange, but quickly changes the subject when Wei Yun notices his clenched hand.
• Lu Jiaoyue is protective of her place beside her sister and privately regards Ji Yunhuai’s “big sis” offer as a possible threat.
• Wei Yun enjoys the banter, then focuses on practical concerns: the heat, filming arrangements, and getting the cast ready.

Significant themes

• Playful flirtation and embarrassment: Lu Xiaoxiao’s outward denials contrast with her enthusiastic inner thoughts.
• Family protectiveness and jealousy: Shiyan and Jiaoyue react to Ji Yunhuai’s closeness with Lu Xiaoxiao in different ways.
• Public performance versus private feelings: Several characters conceal their real reactions or invent explanations to maintain appearances.
• Consideration and practicality: Ji Yunhuai offers help, while Lu Xiaoxiao declines to keep the production from taking on extra work.

Key plot points and events

• After securing Ji Yunhuai’s promise, Lu Xiaoxiao heads to hair and makeup. Wei Yun walks with her mainly to ask whether she and Ji are still “just friends.” Xiaoxiao calls her a gossip and sends her back to work.
• Xiaoxiao changes into her revised costume: a pale, mistlike swordswoman’s outfit with silver details, delicate makeup, and a short sword. The sharper look reflects Xiao Lingyun’s life after her disguise, replacing the earlier pink, innocent village-girl styling.
• Delighted with her appearance, Xiaoxiao plays with the sword and takes selfies with Lu Jiaoyue, who is impressed by her transformation.
• Lu Shiyan introduces Jiang Ci, the actress cast as Song Qingyun. He warns his sisters that Jiang can be difficult and may seem cold, though she behaves that way with many people.
• Xiaoxiao decides that coworkers need not become friends, provided Jiang is decent and professional. Still, she asks system 037 whether Jiang has any notable role in the original novel.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao is excited and playful about her new look, and her smile at the sword recalls her conversation with Ji Yunhuai. She also shows practical caution about meeting a new colleague.
• Wei Yun openly teases Xiaoxiao about her relationship with Ji, suggesting she hopes they will become a couple.
• Lu Jiaoyue warmly admires Xiaoxiao’s costume, and the sisters share a cheerful selfie-taking moment.
• Lu Shiyan is protective and considerate, warning his sisters about Jiang Ci without insisting they approach her. Seeing his sisters happy also eases his earlier frustration involving Ji Yunhuai.
• Jiang Ci is introduced at a distance: she appears focused on memorizing her script, but her reputation for being hard to approach creates uncertainty.

Significant themes

• The chapter contrasts innocence with maturity, expressed through Xiaoxiao’s character’s changing costume and role.
• It emphasizes that professional cooperation does not require personal friendship.
• Teasing and concern within the family and workplace reveal the importance of affectionate relationships and social curiosity, especially around Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao asks system 037 about actress Jiang Ci and learns that, in the original novel’s timeline, Jiang Ci will soon be murdered by an obsessive fan.
• 037 urges Lu Xiaoxiao not to interfere in events outside the main romance plot, arguing that other characters’ fates are not her responsibility.
• Lu Xiaoxiao rejects the idea that only the protagonists matter, insisting everyone is the main character of their own life. Although she says she needn’t intervene, she decides to approach Jiang Ci and gently warn her if she can.
• Lu Xiaoxiao pulls Lu Jiaoyue along to greet Jiang Ci. When Jiang Ci turns around, Lu Xiaoxiao is struck by how perfectly she embodies Song Qingyun, her character in the film.
• Jiang Ci immediately addresses Jiaoyue with a line from the script, mistaking—or pretending to mistake—her for a villager. Jiaoyue is bewildered, realizing she has been drawn into acting without warning.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows compassion and a growing willingness to act beyond the system’s assigned plot. She tries to make her intervention seem small and practical, but is determined not to ignore a known danger.
• 037 is cautious and rule-bound, discouraging involvement in side characters’ lives, though it retreats when Lu Xiaoxiao challenges its reasoning.
• Lu Jiaoyue remains obedient and uncertain, following her sister despite not understanding the plan; her confusion becomes comic when Jiang Ci starts the scene.
• Lu Shiyan understands his sister’s warm nature and quietly permits her to approach Jiang Ci.
• Jiang Ci appears cool, composed, and strikingly suited to her role, blurring the line between actress and character.

Significant themes

• Every life matters: Lu Xiaoxiao challenges the idea that the world exists only for its protagonists, arguing that everyone has their own story.
• Fate and intervention: The chapter raises the question of whether foreknowledge of tragedy creates a responsibility to act, even when the outcome is uncertain.
• Butterfly effects: 037 suggests that changes to the original plot may already have altered Jiang Ci’s fate.
• Performance and identity: Jiang Ci’s embodiment of Song Qingyun is so convincing that Lu Xiaoxiao briefly sees the character rather than the actress.

Character interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao confronts 037 over its detached attitude toward Jiang Ci’s murder and its narrow focus on the main plot.
• Lu Shiyan calmly allows Lu Xiaoxiao and Jiaoyue to go greet Jiang Ci, anticipating that Xiaoxiao would do so.
• Lu Xiaoxiao tries to guide Jiaoyue into the interaction, while Jiaoyue follows obediently but cluelessly.
• Jiang Ci opens with her character’s scripted line, leaving Jiaoyue confused and Lu Xiaoxiao momentarily captivated by her performance.

Key plot points and events

• Jiang Ci intends to speak with Lu Jiaoyue, but Lu Jiaoyue freezes when their scene begins. Lu Xiaoxiao’s unspoken thoughts accidentally prompt her with the next lines.
• Once she regains her footing, Jiaoyue delivers the scene more smoothly, and Jiang Ci responds naturally in character. Jiaoyue has memorized the script, but nerves make her performance stiff.
• Jiang Ci stops the scene and gives Jiaoyue direct advice: her lines are decent, but her body language feels forced; she should avoid making the audience notice her acting.
• Xiaoxiao, impressed, asks Jiang Ci to rehearse a scene with her and offer feedback. Jiang Ci declines because she has not yet studied Xiaoxiao’s scenes.
• Xiaoxiao introduces herself and Jiaoyue, then cheerfully accepts Jiang Ci’s blunt statement that she dislikes small talk. The sisters leave for the filming location.

Character developments

• Lu Jiaoyue shows that she has prepared carefully, but remains inexperienced and easily flustered. She gradually gains confidence during the scene and takes Jiang Ci’s criticism respectfully.
• Lu Xiaoxiao remains upbeat and socially resilient, interpreting Jiang Ci’s coolness generously rather than taking it personally. Her inner commentary also helps Jiaoyue through the scene.
• Jiang Ci comes across as reserved and blunt, but also attentive, professional, and willing to give useful acting guidance.

Character interactions

• Xiaoxiao’s thoughts unintentionally cue Jiaoyue’s lines; Jiaoyue works hard to meet her sister’s expectations.
• Jiang Ci and Jiaoyue share a brief rehearsal that shifts from acting to practical coaching.
• Xiaoxiao approaches Jiang Ci warmly despite her aloof manner. On the walk back, Jiaoyue admires Xiaoxiao’s ease with people, while Xiaoxiao reassures her that Jiang Ci’s reserve is not hostility.

Significant themes

• Acting and authenticity: A convincing performance requires natural behavior, not merely memorized lines.
• Different social styles: Jiang Ci’s dislike of small talk contrasts with Xiaoxiao’s warmth, yet they can still interact without conflict.
• Encouragement and resilience: Jiaoyue benefits from both Xiaoxiao’s support and Jiang Ci’s candid feedback.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao asks system 037 for information on actress Jiang Ci, offering to spend points if necessary. 037 complains that the information is not free and warns Lu not to take on yet another problem.
• 037 explains that Jiang Ci was once a rising star, but her exploitative agency sidelined her after she refused to curry favor with powerful people or accept inappropriate arrangements. She was cast in Spirit Abyss Chronicle partly because the director values ability and the originally selected actress, Bai Xinyan, left after a scandal.
• In the original storyline, an obsessive stalker eventually killed Jiang Ci during a rural art-film shoot. Her current filming schedule differs, so that specific tragedy is less likely—but the stalker may still pose a danger.
• Lu Xiaoxiao listens, deciding that she will try to prevent any tragedy she can if it arises, then returns her attention to finishing the costume-photo shoot.
• Ji Yunhuai, already dressed in his elaborate period costume, waits in the director’s chair. He receives a call from Qian Annie, who reports that Ji Cheng has invited Cui Anhe to his house.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows concern for Jiang Ci and considers intervening, while remaining practical about the uncertainty and limits of what she can do.
• 037 is exasperated by Lu’s habit of taking on extra concerns, but ultimately gives her the requested information and cautions her about the risks.
• Jiang Ci is revealed to be a capable actress whose career was damaged by an exploitative industry and agency, rather than by lack of talent.
• Ji Yunhuai waits calmly and casually, apparently unaware of the significance of the invitation reported in the call.

Significant themes

• Celebrity vulnerability and exploitation: Jiang Ci’s career suffers because she resists coercive industry practices, while fame also exposes her to stalking.
• Fate, risk, and responsibility: 037 argues that danger cannot be eliminated completely, but Lu Xiaoxiao is inclined to prevent harm when she has the chance.
• System-user friction: Lu’s blunt persistence contrasts with 037’s weary attempts to manage her workload.

Character interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao firmly presses 037 for Jiang Ci’s history, teasing and silencing the system when it complains about being “paid” in points.
• 037 gives Lu a detailed warning about Jiang Ci’s past and uncertain future safety; Lu acknowledges it but keeps watching Jiang Ci thoughtfully.
• Wei Yun shows Ji Yunhuai respect by offering him her director’s chair.
• Qian Annie contacts Ji Yunhuai with news that Ji Cheng has invited Cui Anhe to his home, setting up a possible development in Ji Yunhuai’s personal affairs.

Key plot points and events

• Qian Annie tells Ji Yunhuai that Ji Cheng has arranged for Cui Anhe to meet Fang Youcheng—possibly as a matchmaker or as a way to pressure Ji Yunhuai.
• Ji Yunhuai considers whether Ji Cheng may have a more calculated motive, but tells Annie to keep watching discreetly rather than interfere.
• He insists Cui Anhe won’t fall for Fang Youcheng, citing her long-standing feelings for himself. Annie teases him for being conceited.
• The scene shifts to Lu Xiaoxiao arriving and reacting to Ji Yunhuai’s outfit. After a few teasing remarks, she calls him “Fire Cloud,” a nickname inspired by his name and his revealing clothes.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai appears outwardly unconcerned about Cui Anhe, but his thoughts reveal protectiveness and an unresolved rivalry with Fang Youcheng. He dislikes admitting that Cui Anhe’s feelings matter to him.
• Qian Annie is alert to possible danger and surprised by Ji Yunhuai’s apparent indifference.
• Lu Xiaoxiao remains playful and tactless, offering compliments in unconventional terms and confidently inventing a nickname.

Significant themes

• Hidden motives and manipulation: Ji Cheng may be using Cui Anhe’s meeting with Fang Youcheng to influence Ji Yunhuai.
• Possessiveness beneath indifference: Ji Yunhuai claims not to care about Cui Anhe’s feelings, yet reacts strongly to the possibility of her choosing Fang Youcheng.
• Teasing as intimacy: The banter between Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao shows their easy, irreverent rapport.

Character interactions

• Annie warns Ji Yunhuai about Ji Cheng’s plans and challenges his confidence; he ends the call without revealing his deeper concerns.
• Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao trade playful barbs: he expects admiration for his appearance, while she jokes about his pose and calls his outfit “scandalous.” She then proposes “Fire Cloud” as his new nickname, which he accepts only jokingly.

Key events

• Lu Xiaoxiao insists on taking a selfie with Ji Yunhuai in their period costumes and offers him photography tips. He barely pays attention, distracted by her lips, and winds a strand of her hair around his finger as she takes the picture.
• When director Wei Yun arrives, Ji Yunhuai gives up her chair and jokes that Lu Xiaoxiao had scolded him for taking it. Wei clarifies that she offered it to him and compliments the pair’s costumes and appearance.
• Wei asks whether Lu Xiaoxiao can perform sword moves for the camera. When Xiaoxiao admits she has never learned flourishes, Wei asks Ji Yunhuai to teach her, since the action choreographer is absent.
• Ji agrees, takes Xiaoxiao’s sword, and performs a dazzling series of flourishes. Xiaoxiao is left stunned by his showmanship.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao is playful and enthusiastic, eager to preserve a photo of herself with Ji Yunhuai. She privately welcomes the idea of sword lessons as a chance for romantic closeness—and imagines feeling his abs.
• Ji Yunhuai shows a more openly affectionate, teasing side: he lingers over Xiaoxiao’s appearance, plays with her hair, and places an arm around her shoulders. He also enjoys her praise, though he pretends his sword skills are modest.
• Wei Yun is warm and perceptive. She praises the pair and appears to arrange the sword lesson in a way that may encourage their closeness.

Significant themes

• Romantic tension and flirtation: Xiaoxiao’s playful fantasies contrast with Ji Yunhuai’s quieter but unmistakable attraction.
• Performance and showmanship: The scene begins with selfie advice and turns into a display of Ji’s unexpectedly impressive sword skills.
• Playful teasing: Their joking exchanges—and Wei’s likely matchmaking—keep the interaction light and affectionate.

Plot points and events

• Ji Yunhuai begins teaching Lu Xiaoxiao a basic sword flourish while Wei Yun steps away to give them room.
• Lu Xiaoxiao misunderstands the first demonstration and sends the sword flying toward Ji Yunhuai. He dodges, then teases her about nearly chopping him into mince.
• With slower demonstrations and corrections, she learns to loosen her grip, coordinate her wrist and forearm, and control the sword’s momentum. Ji Yunhuai catches the sword when it nearly slips again and guides her hand.
• Lu Xiaoxiao eventually performs the flourish smoothly and celebrates her success.
• She jokes that they have swapped teacher-student roles after she taught Ji Yunhuai photography, then playfully teases him with the sword. She assumes her brother, Lu Shiyan, is still busy filming—until his voice suddenly comes from behind them.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao is eager and confident, but initially clumsy with the sword. She accepts correction, improves through practice, and takes pride in mastering the movement.
• Ji Yunhuai proves patient and attentive as a teacher. His teasing stays affectionate, and he carefully guides Xiaoxiao without letting her get hurt.
• Lu Shiyan’s unexpected arrival interrupts their playful moment, setting up a reaction in the next scene.

Character interactions

• Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao shift from joking teacher-student roles to close, hands-on instruction. Their playful banter and Xiaoxiao’s heightened awareness of his touch suggest growing intimacy.
• Lu Xiaoxiao mock-threatens Ji Yunhuai with the sword, acting out a dramatic villain scene; his warning that her brother is nearby goes unheeded.
• Lu Shiyan’s arrival catches Xiaoxiao mid-performance.

Significant themes

• Learning through patience and practice: Xiaoxiao progresses by slowing down, listening, and correcting her technique.
• Mutual exchange: The characters take turns teaching one another, reflecting the value of learning from each other.
• Playfulness and budding closeness: Teasing, shared instruction, and physical proximity deepen the warmth between Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Shiyan returns after finishing the costume photos and finds Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai together. Xiaoxiao panics because she has just said embarrassing, flirtatious things to Ji.
• Shiyan invites them to stay and “role-play,” but Xiaoxiao suspects he is jealous and might use the excuse to hurt Ji, so she declines.
• Ji politely praises Shiyan’s acting and helps smooth over the awkwardness. Shiyan leaves to find Jiaoyue and inform Director Wei, telling Xiaoxiao to meet them at the director’s tent after she finishes talking with Ji.
• Once Shiyan is gone, Xiaoxiao accuses Ji of messing with her. Ji points out that he warned her, but lets her vent and reassures her that Shiyan is more likely to blame him.
• Ji explains that he is trying to show Shiyan how much he cares for Xiaoxiao, hoping to improve her brother’s opinion of him. He then brings up Cui Anhe and says he has something important to tell her.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao is embarrassed by her own impulsive comments and anxious about her brother’s judgment. She takes her frustration out on Ji, but also accepts his comfort and grows flustered when he speaks sincerely about caring for her.
• Lu Shiyan keeps a gentle, composed exterior despite jealousy and irritation at Xiaoxiao’s closeness with Ji. His possessiveness is conveyed mostly through his thoughts and pointed remarks.
• Ji Yunhuai remains calm and tactful around Shiyan, deliberately avoiding rivalry and prioritizing a good impression. With Xiaoxiao, he is playful, patient, and openly attentive.

Significant themes

• Jealousy and protectiveness: Shiyan’s concern for his sister clashes with his suspicion of Ji’s intentions.
• Embarrassment and misunderstanding: Xiaoxiao’s inner panic contrasts with her attempts to act normal, while her words leave Shiyan and Ji interpreting the situation differently.
• Courtship and family approval: Ji sees winning Shiyan’s trust as part of showing his commitment to Xiaoxiao.
• Humor through contrast: Xiaoxiao’s dramatic internal reactions offset the men’s restrained politeness.

Character interactions

• Shiyan and Ji exchange courteous compliments that conceal Shiyan’s jealousy and Ji’s awareness of it.
• Xiaoxiao nervously avoids being left alone in a role-playing scenario with both men, then blames Ji for the embarrassment.
• Ji reassures Xiaoxiao, lightly teases her, and explains his strategy for earning her brother’s approval.
• The chapter ends with Ji beginning to share something about Cui Anhe, setting up the next conversation.

Plot points

• Ji Cheng invites Cui Anhe to the Ji Residence and offers her favorite desserts, then gently asks about her recent conflict with Ji Yunhuai.
• Anhe complains that Ji Yunhuai missed her birthday, avoided her, and scolded her over Lu Xiaoxiao. She admits she kidnapped Lu Xiaoxiao to frighten her and paid her not to contact Ji Yunhuai, but insists she did no real harm.
• Anhe unexpectedly praises Lu Xiaoxiao’s temper despite calling her shameless, then breaks down crying over Ji Yunhuai’s treatment of her and declares she will never forgive him.
• Ji Cheng comforts Anhe while privately welcoming the rift. He hopes to keep Ji Yunhuai from gaining the Cui family’s support and considers using Anhe’s disappointment to promote another son or advance his own plans. He offers to have Youcheng take her home and pay for an outing.

Character developments and interactions

• Cui Anhe is impulsive and self-contradictory: she resents Lu Xiaoxiao but recognizes her good temper, and sees herself as the wronged party despite admitting to kidnapping her. Her complaints reveal that her anger at Ji Yunhuai is tangled with hurt and unmet affection.
• Ji Cheng presents himself as a caring elder, listening and comforting Anhe, but his sympathy is strategic. He fishes for information about Lu Xiaoxiao and sees Anhe’s quarrel with Ji Yunhuai as politically useful.
• Ji Cheng and Anhe have a warm, trusting rapport, which allows him to draw out her grievances. Anhe’s account also reveals the tension between her and Ji Yunhuai, and the incident that contributed to it.

Significant themes

• Manipulation beneath kindness: Ji Cheng’s considerate gestures conceal his effort to influence family loyalties.
• Self-deception and entitlement: Anhe admits to harming Lu Xiaoxiao’s freedom but frames herself as the victim.
• Affection, resentment, and power: Anhe’s feelings for Ji Yunhuai coexist with anger, while Ji Cheng views their relationship through the lens of family influence.

Key plot points and events

• Ji Cheng introduces his son, Fang Youcheng, to Cui Anhe and suggests he drive her. Cui Anhe mistakes Fang for a servant and declines, saying she’ll wait for her brother.
• After Cui Anhe leaves, Ji Cheng reproaches Fang for not trying harder to win her over. He argues that befriending her could benefit Fang because of the Cui family’s influence.
• Ji Cheng disparages his other son, Ji Yunhuai, and insists Fang is more capable and levelheaded. Fang privately doubts this assessment but avoids challenging his father.
• At dinner, Song Zhilan proudly serves a dish she learned to cook. The family welcomes her effort, but Lu Xiaoxiao seems distracted, prompting her mother to ask what is troubling her.

Character developments and interactions

• Ji Cheng tries to steer Fang toward Cui Anhe for strategic reasons and shows resentment toward Ji Yunhuai. Cui Anhe’s dismissal of Fang briefly wounds his pride.
• Fang Youcheng is reserved and unwilling to press his attention on Cui Anhe after she refuses. He recognizes that Ji Yunhuai may be more capable than their father claims, yet chooses not to disagree.
• Cui Anhe is casual and dismissive toward Fang, remaining unaware of the tension her remarks cause between him and Ji Cheng.
• The Lu family shares a warm dinner scene, with Lu Jiaoyue and Lu Shiyan encouraging Song Zhilan. Xiaoxiao’s unusual distraction stands out.

Significant themes

• Family favoritism and rivalry: Ji Cheng elevates Fang while belittling Ji Yunhuai, deepening the implied divide between the half brothers.
• Ambition and influence: Ji Cheng sees a relationship with Cui Anhe as a way to gain advantage through her family.
• Control and self-doubt: Fang’s image of dust like “strings controlling a puppet” reflects his growing unease, though he persuades himself to trust his father.
• Domestic warmth contrasted with hidden worries: The Lu family’s affectionate dinner is interrupted by the suggestion that Xiaoxiao has something on her mind.

Plot and key events

• At dinner with her family, Lu Xiaoxiao snaps out of a daze and reassures her mother, Song Zhilan, that she is only tired. She praises the meal, pleasing her mother, then resumes privately discussing Ji Cheng and Fang Youcheng with system 037.
• Lu Xiaoxiao is suspicious that Ji Cheng has encouraged Cui Anhe to meet Fang Youcheng, since in the original story Ji Cheng usually tried to keep Fang Youcheng away from Ji Yunhuai and his circle.
• 037 suggests the change may be a consequence of the altered timeline: Ji Yunhuai has joined the family company earlier than in the original plot, making his conflict with his father more apparent.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asks about Fang Youcheng and his mother, Shi Zhiyi. 037 explains that Shi is kind and sickly, while Fang is capable and generally well-adjusted—but too obedient to Ji Cheng.
• 037 reveals Shi’s history with Ji Cheng: he concealed his identity and, after they fell in love, persuaded her to have his child. When Ji Cheng’s father demanded he end the pregnancy and marry someone else, Ji Cheng secretly sent Shi overseas to give birth, then returned home and married Ji Yunhuai’s mother.
• Ji Cheng kept Shi and their son abroad, visiting them while hiding his marriage from Shi. She discovered the truth only after Fang Youcheng was older. Dependent on Ji Cheng, she stayed with him despite her distress and guilt toward Ji Yunhuai and his mother.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao is perceptive and cautious about Ji Cheng’s motives, but openly favors Ji Yunhuai and quickly dismisses Fang Youcheng as someone Ji Yunhuai can handle.
• 037 tries to help Lu Xiaoxiao assess the situation, while acknowledging its limits and offering background information.
• Song Zhilan responds warmly to Lu Xiaoxiao’s praise, and Lu uses their affectionate exchange to put her mother at ease.
• Ji Cheng is portrayed as manipulative and weak-willed: he deceived Shi, concealed his marriage, and yielded to his father rather than openly defying him.
• Shi Zhiyi emerges as a largely innocent victim of Ji Cheng’s deception, though she later remained in a painful, dependent arrangement.
• Fang Youcheng is not presented as inherently bad, but his obedience to his father may make him complicit in Ji Cheng’s plans.

Significant themes

• The butterfly effect: changes from the original story may be reshaping characters’ actions and relationships.
• Power and dependence: Ji Cheng uses social status and Shi’s lack of security to control her choices.
• Deception and divided families: secrecy around Ji Cheng’s marriage leaves both women and their children caught in its consequences.
• Agency and loyalty: Fang’s inability to resist his father contrasts with Lu Xiaoxiao’s confidence that Ji Yunhuai can manage his own conflicts.

Plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao learns that Ji Cheng has deceived not only Ji Yunhuai and his mother but also the woman he keeps on the side, leaving multiple people to suffer for his selfish choices. She angrily condemns him, while system 037 enthusiastically joins in.
• Lu Xiaoxiao questions Ji Cheng’s decision to bring Fang Youcheng directly to Cui Anhe. She wonders whether he might want Cui Anhe to notice something, but cannot find a convincing explanation and decides to wait for Ji Cheng’s next move rather than risk misleading Ji Yunhuai.
• After dinner, Lu Xiaoxiao retires early. Her family notices that she was distracted and that they could not hear her thoughts. Lu Shiyan worries she may be upset with him for interfering in her relationship with Ji Yunhuai, and resolves to give her more freedom.
• The next morning, Lu Xiaoxiao jokes that the Original Host has stopped visiting her in her dreams. 037 remains doubtful that the Original Host will ever accept her.
• Lu Shiyan suddenly rushes into Xiaoxiao’s room, takes her wrist, and tells her to come with him. The chapter ends before the reason is revealed.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows compassion for Ji Cheng’s victims, but stays cautious about drawing conclusions. She treats 037 with familiar bluntness, criticizing its exaggerated insults.
• 037 mirrors Xiaoxiao’s outrage to support her, though it privately doubts that the Original Host will befriend Xiaoxiao.
• Lu Shiyan reveals a protective, anxious side: he worries Xiaoxiao is unhappy with him and considers loosening his oversight of her social life, while still drawing a line at anyone getting physically inappropriate with her.
• The Lu family are confused by Xiaoxiao’s silence at dinner, since her private conversations with the system are invisible to them.

Significant themes

• Betrayal and accountability: Ji Cheng’s selfish choices have harmed several people, not just those Xiaoxiao initially suspected.
• Caution amid uncertainty: Xiaoxiao avoids acting on an untested theory that could make things worse for Ji Yunhuai.
• Family protectiveness and independence: Shiyan struggles to balance safeguarding his sister with allowing her room to grow.
• The Original Host’s unresolved presence: Xiaoxiao hopes to connect with the person whose body she occupies, while 037 fears that the Original Host may view her as an intruder.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Shiyan quietly pulls Lu Xiaoxiao onto a balcony and takes a few photos of her, apparently trying to create a pleasant moment before telling her that a scandal has erupted online.
• He urges her to avoid the internet and not take the rumors to heart while he handles the situation, then leaves to call his manager.
• Curious, Xiaoxiao ignores his warning and checks Weibo. Three explosive trending topics accuse her of faking her heiress status, flirting with Shiyan despite being his adoptive sister, and pretending to be cheerful while secretly resenting Lu Jiaoyue.
• The accusations rely on a leaked adoption certificate, selectively edited footage from a show, and old claims that Xiaoxiao skipped Jiaoyue’s welcome banquet.
• Online reactions split between hostile commenters who condemn Xiaoxiao and her fans and other users who defend her, challenge the evidence, and call the controversy a planned smear campaign.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao remains curious and impulsive: despite Shiyan’s warning, she immediately investigates the scandal herself. She finds the claims bewildering and largely absurd.
• Lu Shiyan shows protective concern for Xiaoxiao, trying to shield her from the backlash while visibly struggling to contain his anger. His care also comes through in the gentle, carefully composed photos he takes.
• Lu Jiaoyue is drawn into the controversy as commenters cast her as Xiaoxiao’s rival, though the excerpt offers no direct response from her.

Character interactions

• Shiyan’s composed photo-taking contrasts with his furious expression and serious warning, leaving Xiaoxiao confused but reassured that he is trying to protect her.
• Xiaoxiao’s affectionate, teasing inner commentary reveals her closeness with Shiyan and her trust in him, even as she disobeys his advice.
• Fans and critics argue over the siblings’ interactions and Xiaoxiao’s relationship with Jiaoyue, turning private family dynamics into public accusations.

Significant themes

• Online harassment and manufactured scandals: Selective evidence and misleading narratives rapidly shape public opinion.
• Adoption, belonging, and social status: The attackers use Xiaoxiao’s adopted status to question her legitimacy and worth, while defenders reject bloodline-based prejudice.
• Public image versus reality: Xiaoxiao’s cheerful persona and family relationships are reframed by strangers as evidence of hidden motives.
• Protective family bonds: Shiyan’s response highlights the family’s concern for Xiaoxiao amid the public attack.

Key plot points

• Lu Xiaoxiao remains amused rather than upset by the online smear campaign, treating the insults as entertainment.
• The Lu family publicly supports her: Lu Shiyan posts a photo with the caption “The best little sister. The family I chose,” and Lu Jiaoyue, the Lu Corporation, and Lu Bochen share it with their own messages of acceptance.
• Their coordinated response quickly draws supportive comments and helps shut down the backlash.
• Ji Yunhuai calls to check on Lu Xiaoxiao and says he had planned to help, but Lu Shiyan acted first. He offers to identify the person behind the campaign; Xiaoxiao already suspects Chen Xiwan, who could have obtained the adoption certificate.
• Xiaoxiao plans to sue Chen Xiwan for defamation and notes that the campaign may have drained the money Chen had left.
• Ji reveals he traced the relevant information himself. Xiaoxiao is astonished—and exasperated—to discover he also has technical skills, ending the call with a mock threat.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows resilience and confidence in the face of public attacks. The Lu family’s support still moves her, reminding her how much her life has changed from the original novel’s hostile outcome.
• Lu Shiyan and the Lu family demonstrate that they accept Xiaoxiao as a loved family member, regardless of her adoption.
• Ji Yunhuai is quietly attentive to Xiaoxiao’s feelings and has a protective instinct, though he respects the family’s swift response.
• Chen Xiwan is identified as the likely source of the smear campaign and may face legal consequences.

Significant themes

• Chosen family and belonging: The Lu family publicly affirms that Xiaoxiao is their sister by choice.
• Personal change and second chances: Xiaoxiao contrasts her current, supportive life with the original version of her story.
• Resilience and support: Online cruelty loses power when Xiaoxiao refuses to be shaken and people close to her stand beside her.
• Humor and affection: Teasing lets Xiaoxiao and Ji express care without making their conversation overly serious.

Character interactions

• Xiaoxiao jokes with 037 about learning insults from online commenters, underscoring her unbothered attitude.
• The Lu family’s coordinated posts provide public reassurance, visibly affecting Xiaoxiao.
• Ji checks on her and offers help; she teases him, then discusses her suspicions and legal response.
• Their playful exchange ends with Xiaoxiao mock-threatening Ji for casually revealing yet another impressive ability.