Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• Ji Yunhuai accepts Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng’s offer of crucial evidence against Ji Cheng and agrees not to pursue them.
• He goes further, transferring the Ji Corporation’s South City subsidiary, Create the Future, to Fang Youcheng as an independent company. Fang will keep its profits and make its own decisions, but must also manage it without support from the group.
• Ji Yunhuai explains that Fang has practical ability and deserves a chance to prove himself, then pointedly urges him not to reject the opportunity.
• Fang hesitates, worried about accepting something so valuable, but Lu Xiaoxiao reminds him that his mother’s medical care is costly. Fang accepts, pledges to build the company, and promises to repay the kindness. Shi Zhiyi thanks them tearfully.
• The conversation ends with the pair facing a difficult but hopeful new beginning, while the case against Ji Cheng remains to be resolved.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai shows compassion beneath his reserved manner. He repays the family’s help with a carefully bounded opportunity and encourages Fang without making a show of kindness.
• Fang Youcheng moves from disbelief and prideful hesitation to resolve, choosing his mother’s welfare and accepting responsibility for the company.
• Shi Zhiyi shifts from fearful pleading to relief and joy as her son receives a chance to build a more secure future.
• Lu Xiaoxiao recognizes Ji Yunhuai’s soft-heartedness and helps Fang overcome his reluctance with a practical reminder.

Significant themes

• Mercy and reciprocity: Ji Yunhuai responds to the family’s evidence with both clemency and tangible support.
• Opportunity and self-reliance: Fang receives a platform, but its success rests on his own decisions and work.
• Family responsibility: Fang’s mother’s needs help him set aside pride and accept assistance.
• Hope after hardship: Though justice for Ji Cheng is still pending, the family gains a path toward a better future.

Character interactions

• Ji Yunhuai balances authority with generosity, addressing Fang directly and leaving the choice to him.
• Fang and Shi Zhiyi react with shock and gratitude; Shi initially objects, while Fang struggles with whether he can accept.
• Lu Xiaoxiao intervenes warmly and bluntly, persuading Fang to think first of his mother’s well-being.
• Fang’s formal thanks and Ji Yunhuai’s understated reply mark a softening between them.

• Fang Youcheng’s confession and Ji Yunhuai’s trust: After their business is settled, Fang Youcheng reveals that Ji Cheng once asked him to replace Ji Yunhuai’s documents during the Riverside project bidding. He refused, guided by conscience. Ji Yunhuai explains that he already knew about the plan and had deliberately watched to see what Fang would do. Fang’s integrity exceeded his expectations, and that choice helped make their reconciliation possible.
• Fang’s change in outlook: Shi Zhiyi proudly affirms her son’s decision, and Fang is deeply moved to learn that both she and Ji Yunhuai recognized his courage. He gains confidence in his own moral judgment and comes to admire Ji Yunhuai as fair-minded, generous, and worthy of leadership. The past tension between them gives way to genuine respect.
• A tender farewell: Fang and his mother prepare to leave. Shi Zhiyi gently asks whether Ji Yunhuai is coping well without his late mother; her sincere concern briefly recalls Ji’s own mother and softens him. She regrets never having the chance to apologize to her. She then warmly praises Lu Xiaoxiao and blesses the couple’s future; Lu responds with cheerful confidence.
• Ji Cheng’s looming downfall: As Shi Zhiyi and Fang depart, Lu reflects on Shi’s past love for Ji Cheng. Ji Yunhuai remarks that Ji Cheng received more than he deserved, and Lu points out that he is about to lose his partner and money and face prison.
• Closing note: Lu and Ji share an affectionate moment and leave the cemetery together, with the cleared sky and sunset signaling that old troubles are passing and a new chapter is beginning.
  Themes: Conscience and moral choice, the healing power of being seen and affirmed, forgiveness without forgetting, maternal care, and hope after painful history.

Plot and key events

• News from Ji Wenzhong’s funeral dominates social media after his will names Ji Yunhuai the Ji Group’s new principal shareholder and leader, while Ji Cheng receives no inheritance and leaves after an angry outburst.
• The Gu Group publicly mourns Ji Wenzhong and explicitly endorses Ji Yunhuai, signaling powerful business support and prompting speculation about a new alliance.
• Online attention shifts to Ji Yunhuai’s apparent fiancée, whom users identify as Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Lu Xiaoxiao announces Ji Yunhuai as her boyfriend in a playful post, and he replies in kind, confirming their relationship—and revealing that he had pursued her until she “promoted” him.
• Spirit Abyss Chronicle director Wei Yun releases a behind-the-scenes clip of the couple and reveals that Ji Yunhuai is the production’s largest investor. The announcement boosts both the show’s profile and public excitement about the couple.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai emerges as composed and capable under pressure, with the inheritance and Gu Group’s endorsement establishing his authority and influence. His public response also shows a playful, devoted side, while the reveal of his investment underscores how actively he supports Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Ji Cheng loses status in the family dispute and is mocked online, though commenters note that his years of influence may still leave him with resources.
• Lu Xiaoxiao publicly embraces her relationship with Ji Yunhuai on her own terms, jokingly casting herself as an emperor granting him boyfriend status.
• Gu Sipei remains offstage, but the Gu Group’s statement presents his family’s backing of Ji Yunhuai as a significant show of support.
• Wei Yun uses the public excitement strategically, releasing footage that promotes both the couple and her series.

Relationships and interactions

• Ji Yunhuai’s protective manner toward Lu Xiaoxiao at the funeral fuels speculation; their teasing social-media exchange confirms their romance and reveals their affectionate dynamic.
• Ji Yunhuai’s business standing is strengthened by the Gu Group’s public endorsement, while his investment in Lu Xiaoxiao’s series demonstrates support for her work.
• The internet acts as a chorus, interpreting the family drama, identifying Lu Xiaoxiao, celebrating the couple, and eagerly anticipating the show.

Significant themes

• Public image and power: A family inheritance dispute becomes a public contest over legitimacy, influence, and future control of the Ji Group.
• Private relationships in the public eye: Fans and media turn brief interactions into intense speculation, while the couple ultimately chooses to confirm their relationship themselves.
• Romance and playful role reversal: Ji Yunhuai may command a business empire, but their joke frames Lu Xiaoxiao as the one who decides when he earns official boyfriend status.
• Media spectacle and promotion: Funeral controversy, celebrity gossip, and carefully timed publicity merge, turning an unexpected scandal into a celebration and a marketing boost.

Key plot points and events

• After the online uproar dies down, Lu Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai return to their demanding routines. Ji takes charge of the Ji Group, prepares legal action against Ji Cheng, and works to consolidate his control.
• Lu Xiaoxiao formally switches to acting studies and enjoys campus life, often accompanied by her sister, Lu Jiaoyue.
• Spirit Abyss Chronicle premieres and becomes a major hit. Viewers celebrate its many Lu-family connections, while praising the performances of Lu Shiyan, Lu Jiaoyue, and especially Lu Xiaoxiao.
• Lu Xiaoxiao receives many new career offers, but Lu Shiyan screens them so she can focus on school and choose her next project carefully.
• Jiang Ci earns widespread acclaim as Song Qingyun. With Shen Yufeng’s promotional support, she makes a strong comeback and gains new recognition for her acting.
• Yu Sangning visits Lu Xiaoxiao to share that her studio is progressing and thank her for introducing her to Luna Devereaux. His guidance helped Sangning’s latest work win an international award.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai shifts from a seemingly carefree manner to focused leadership as he manages the company and prepares to confront Ji Cheng legally.
• Lu Xiaoxiao finds fulfillment in her acting studies and establishes herself as a promising performer, while keeping her next career move deliberate.
• Jiang Ci rebuilds her public reputation through her talent, emerging from a difficult career period with major success.
• Yu Sangning advances her independent career and gains confidence and recognition through her work.

Significant themes

• Talent and perseverance: Jiang Ci and Lu Xiaoxiao earn praise through strong performances.
• Support and opportunity: Family, friends, and mentors help characters pursue their goals—especially Shen Yufeng’s promotion of Jiang Ci and Xiaoxiao’s introduction that aided Sangning.
• Balancing ambition with personal priorities: Xiaoxiao welcomes new opportunities but puts her education first, while Ji Yunhuai concentrates on leadership and justice.

Character interactions

• Lu Shiyan protects and advises Xiaoxiao by reviewing her offers.
• Lu Xiaoxiao celebrates Jiang Ci’s success and warmly welcomes Yu Sangning.
• Yu Sangning expresses gratitude to Xiaoxiao for connecting her with Luna Devereaux.
• Shen Yufeng helps Jiang Ci regain public attention by promoting her past and present work.

Key plot points and events

• Yu Sangning tells Lu Xiaoxiao that she won the Most Commercial Potential Award at the Aurora International Rising Star Jewelry Design Awards for Daybreak, a sapphire-and-diamond set inspired by designs left by her mother.
• She credits Luna Devereaux’s recommendation with helping her qualify. The award has strengthened her confidence and helped her clarify her business plans.
• Rather than rush to revive the family’s Yu brand, Sangning will first build her own studio, Sang Yu Creative Design Co., Ltd., incorporating her family’s design principles into its work. She hopes to consider restoring the Yu brand only after Sang Yu is established.
• Sangning says she may make her relationship with Shi Yan public once her studio is doing well. Xiaoxiao enthusiastically supports her.
• To thank Xiaoxiao for connecting her with Luna, Sangning invites her to shop. At a stylish, design-focused mall, Sangning shares her expertise and helps Xiaoxiao choose clothing and accessories.
• In a jewelry boutique, both women ask to see the same moonstone necklace. Xiaoxiao recognizes the other shopper as Bai Xinyan, setting up a likely confrontation.

Character developments

• Yu Sangning shows growing confidence as a designer while adopting a more patient, practical approach to rebuilding her career and preserving her family’s legacy.
• Lu Xiaoxiao is openly supportive of Sangning and enjoys celebrating both her award and her own successful Spirit Abyss Chronicle.
• Bai Xinyan appears unexpectedly at the boutique, masked and dressed fashionably; her presence immediately catches Xiaoxiao off guard.

Significant themes

• Building success step by step: Sangning chooses steady growth over an ambitious, premature revival of the Yu brand.
• Legacy and innovation: Daybreak reinterprets her mother’s designs while adding Sangning’s own ideas.
• Recognition and self-belief: The award validates Sangning’s talent and helps shape her plans.
• Support and celebration: Sangning and Xiaoxiao encourage one another and share each other’s achievements.

Character interactions

• Sangning shares her award and plans with Xiaoxiao, who responds with admiration and reassurance.
• Sangning thanks Xiaoxiao for helping her meet Luna by treating her to a shopping trip, where their warm rapport grows through conversation and styling advice.
• Their cheerful outing is interrupted when both reach for the same necklace and Xiaoxiao realizes the other shopper is Bai Xinyan.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao unexpectedly encounters Bai Xinyan in a jewelry shop, where both are looking at the same moonstone necklace.
• Bai’s former glamour has faded: she has lost her industry support, reputation, and entourage, and appears anxious and resentful despite her efforts to look composed.
• Lu recognizes that Bai is no longer a serious rival and decides not to engage. She casually tells Yu Sangning the necklace does not suit her and suggests they visit another shop.
• The two leave together, but Bai calls after Lu, angrily declaring that she is now married to someone who loves her and that her life is wonderful.

Character developments

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows how far she has moved on from her past conflict with Bai. Rather than retaliate or compete, she chooses to protect her good mood and focus on her present life.
• Bai Xinyan is portrayed as diminished and insecure, struggling to hide her hostility and humiliation. Her final outburst suggests she remains emotionally invested in comparing herself with Lu.
• Yu Sangning is protective of Lu and readily supports her decision to leave, strengthening their warm, sisterly bond.

Significant themes

• Moving on: Lu’s calm response reflects her shift toward new goals and relationships, leaving old rivalries behind.
• Status and vulnerability: Bai’s loss of influence exposes the insecurity beneath her former confidence.
• Choosing peace over conflict: Lu refuses to turn a minor shopping encounter into another confrontation.
• Appearance versus reality: Bai claims happiness, but her anger and strained composure make that claim seem uncertain.

Character interactions

• Yu instinctively moves closer to Lu when she recognizes Bai, signaling support and caution.
• Lu addresses Yu affectionately as “Sis,” both reassuring her and emphasizing their close relationship.
• Bai watches Lu and Yu together with jealousy and resentment, then breaks the silence with a defensive declaration about her marriage and happiness.

Plot points and events

• Bai Xinyan confronts Lu Xiaoxiao, claiming she is doing well after marrying Zhao Dezhu, a modestly wealthy real-estate businessman and devoted former fan.
• Lu hears the details from 037 and privately judges the marriage as a compromise Bai chose for herself. She offers only a perfunctory congratulations and tries to leave with Yu Sangning.
• Bai stops her and blames Lu—and Lu’s relationship with Ji Yunhuai—for Wei Linfeng abandoning her. She accuses Lu of being no different from her, relying on powerful men and pillow talk.
• Lu angrily rejects the comparison. She says Ji acted on his own because he was attracted to her, contrasts that with Bai’s transactional dependence on benefactors, and reminds Bai that her own conduct toward Lu was bullying rather than self-defense.
• Lu also warns Bai not to buy the expensive moonstone necklace merely to impress her if she cannot afford it. She leaves with Yu, who has quietly supported her.
• Humiliated, Bai notices people watching her. She suspects Yu may be Lu Shiyan’s secret girlfriend, photographs the women as they leave, and vows to use the picture to cause Lu trouble.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao is blunt, self-assured, and unwilling to let Bai equate her with someone who exploits relationships and bullies others. Though she feels no real sympathy for Bai, she responds decisively when her character is attacked.
• Bai Xinyan masks insecurity with boasts and resentment, then spirals into humiliation. Rather than accept Lu’s rebuke, she turns to revenge and looks for a new vulnerability to exploit.
• Yu Sangning remains quiet but visibly supportive of Lu, accompanying her out of the store.
• 037 provides background on Bai’s marriage, adding context to Lu’s reaction.

Significant themes

• Self-delusion and status: Bai presents her changed circumstances as triumph, while Lu sees her marriage as a choice shaped by diminished prospects.
• Agency and moral distinction: Lu argues that accepting freely offered affection and help is different from manipulating a benefactor or abusing power.
• Humiliation and retaliation: Lu’s words dismantle Bai’s self-justifications, but Bai’s shame quickly fuels a new scheme.
• Appearance versus reality: The necklace, Bai’s boasts, and her marriage all highlight the gap between outward display and underlying means or motives.

Key plot points and events

• After Lu Xiaoxiao and Yu Sangning shop together, someone posts secretly taken photos of them online, claiming that Sangning is Lu Shiyan’s girlfriend. Xiaoxiao’s affectionate “sister-in-law” greeting fuels the rumor.
• The story quickly trends, splitting public opinion between upset fans, supportive fans, and curious onlookers. Online users identify Sangning as “Sang Yu,” an emerging jewelry designer who recently won an international award; some praise her, while others question and attack her.
• Xiaoxiao suspects Bai Xinyan leaked the photos after their encounter at the mall. Rather than confront her, Xiaoxiao focuses on the immediate priority: supporting Sangning and managing the backlash.
• Lu Shiyan has already spoken with Sangning and heard her crying despite her insisting she is fine. He sets out to be with her, and Xiaoxiao joins him.
• In the car, Xiaoxiao asks whether he plans to confirm their relationship publicly. Shiyan says the decision is Sangning’s: he is ready to go public if she wishes, or to quiet the situation and protect her if she does not.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Shiyan shows deep concern for Sangning and makes clear that her wishes come before his own public image or preferred outcome.
• Lu Xiaoxiao feels partly responsible for the exposure and acts protectively, prioritizing Sangning’s emotional well-being and thinking ahead about the public-relations response.
• Yu Sangning is revealed to be hurt by the scrutiny, despite trying to reassure Shiyan. Her sensitivity and pride make the hostile attention especially difficult.
• Bai Xinyan is suspected of engineering the leak, continuing the conflict through a covert attack.
• The siblings share a close, cooperative bond: Xiaoxiao immediately offers to accompany Shiyan, and he accepts, believing she can comfort Sangning.

Significant themes

• Privacy versus public attention: A private relationship becomes a public spectacle through covert photography and online speculation.
• Personal choice and respect: Shiyan insists that whether to go public should be Sangning’s decision.
• Protective family support: Xiaoxiao and Shiyan respond to the crisis by focusing on Sangning’s needs.
• Online judgment and celebrity fandom: The chapter shows how quickly fans and strangers turn limited evidence into praise, speculation, or abuse.

Plot points and events

• Lu Shiyan and Lu Xiaoxiao arrive at Yu Sangning’s home and find her crying after the leaked photos and online backlash.
• Shiyan comforts her and insists that the blame belongs to the people spreading malicious comments and whoever took and leaked the photos—not to her.
• Xiaoxiao reassures Sangning that online criticism is common, then suggests they could respond by openly acknowledging the relationship.
• Xiaoxiao argues that going public might also benefit Sangning’s jewelry-design career and help promote the studio she is preparing to open.
• Sangning is tempted by the idea but worries that using Shiyan’s fame would undermine her pride and independence.
• She asks Shiyan what he thinks, especially since a public relationship could cost him fans and damage his career.

Character developments

• Yu Sangning is emotionally shaken and blames herself, but gradually becomes open to considering a public response. Her concern about “riding on” Shiyan’s fame reveals her strong desire to succeed through her own ability.
• Lu Shiyan shows tenderness and firm support, immediately embracing Sangning and rejecting her self-blame.
• Lu Xiaoxiao acts as both comforter and practical adviser. She reframes the scandal as a possible opportunity and emphasizes that using each other’s strengths need not diminish Sangning’s independence.

Significant themes

• The harm of online gossip, invasive photography, and public scrutiny.
• Love and mutual support in the face of pressure.
• Balancing personal independence with the advantages of partnership.
• Turning a crisis into an opportunity, while acknowledging the costs of publicity.

Character interactions

• Shiyan offers Sangning physical comfort and reassurance.
• Xiaoxiao supports the couple, using humor and encouragement before making a practical case for going public.
• Sangning listens to Xiaoxiao but ultimately turns to Shiyan for his view, showing that the decision’s impact on him—and their relationship—matters deeply to her.

Summary

• Lu Shiyan reassures Yu Sangning that she has nothing to apologize for and is not responsible for any damage to his career. He says his success comes from his acting and hard work, not from pretending to be single, and that he would rather lose shallow fans than hide the person he loves.
• He rejects her fear of relying on his fame, arguing that her design talent stands on its own and that they can support and illuminate each other.
• Lu Shiyan explains the depth of his commitment. After Yu Sangning left seven years earlier, he focused on building a career partly so he could one day protect and bring her home. Buying back the Yu family house was his way of offering her a place to return to, not a means of pressuring her.
• He tells her he loves all of her—her past and present, strengths and flaws—and admits he has long wanted to make their relationship public. Their separation left him afraid of losing her again, and going public would help him feel their bond is secure.
• Recognizing that Lu Shiyan has his own fears and vulnerability, Yu Sangning agrees to announce their relationship. He is delighted and embraces her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao supports them, offers to stay with Yu Sangning, and urges Lu Shiyan to prepare a public-relations statement that night. He accepts responsibility for handling the public response and prepares to defend their relationship openly.

Character developments and interactions

Yu Sangning moves from guilt and anxiety to trust and resolve, while Lu Shiyan reveals the fear beneath his usual confidence and makes clear that he values their relationship above fame. Their honest exchange allows them to meet each other’s insecurities with reassurance. Lu Xiaoxiao acts as a warm, practical ally, helping Yu Sangning feel supported while encouraging Lu Shiyan to take action.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes love grounded in acceptance rather than status, the importance of mutual trust and support, and the courage to reject public expectations. It also explores how past separation can leave both partners afraid, and how honest vulnerability can help them rebuild security.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Shiyan responds to the online scandal by publishing a long, personal post making his relationship with Yu Sangning public. He recounts their youthful love, their painful separation seven years earlier, his years of longing, and their recent reconciliation.
• He praises Sangning’s resilience and success as an independent jewelry designer, asks the public to respect their relationship, and directs attention toward her work.
• The public reaction quickly turns supportive. Most fans admire Shiyan’s honesty and the couple’s history, while Sangning’s social-media following and studio bookings surge. The attempted scandal becomes a boost to both their reputations and her career.
• Lu Xiaoxiao tells Ji Yunhuai that Bai Xinyan leaked the photos. She declines to pursue harsh revenge, but asks him to give Bai’s husband’s company a mild warning so the couple will leave the city and stop appearing in her life.
• With the controversy fading, Xiaoxiao turns her attention to her approaching final exams.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Shiyan takes responsibility for the situation and chooses openness over a polished PR response. His public declaration shows the depth of his commitment to Sangning.
• Yu Sangning is affirmed as both Shiyan’s beloved and a talented, self-made designer. The attention gives her studio a major professional opportunity, and she resumes work on a new collection.
• Lu Xiaoxiao shows restraint toward Bai Xinyan: not out of forgiveness, but because she considers her unworthy of further attention. She sets a limited boundary by asking Ji Yunhuai to intervene mildly.
• Ji Yunhuai respects Xiaoxiao’s wishes and asks before acting, having learned not to intervene without her permission. He agrees to handle the company warning.
• Their conversation is warm and familiar: Xiaoxiao shares the good news, while Ji checks on Sangning and offers help.

Significant themes

• Honesty and responsibility can turn a crisis around: Shiyan’s candid account wins public goodwill rather than worsening the scandal.
• Resilience and renewed opportunity: Sangning’s perseverance is recognized, and adversity gives her work greater visibility.
• Consequences and moving on: Xiaoxiao believes Bai Xinyan will face the results of her choices, but refuses to let resentment consume her.
• Looking toward the future: The chapter closes by shifting from online drama to Xiaoxiao’s everyday concern—studying for exams.

Key plot points

• Ji Yunhuai’s evidence and the Gu Group’s support help secure Ji Cheng’s conviction for fraud, bribery, and covering up dangerous illegal operations. Ji Cheng receives life imprisonment, loses his political rights, and forfeits his assets.
• Soon after sentencing, Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng visit him in prison. Ji Cheng insists he was framed and imagines that he will soon escape, reclaim the Ji family’s wealth, and marry Shi.
• Shi Zhiyi rejects him unequivocally, telling him he will spend the rest of his life in prison. She reveals that Fang Youcheng supplied the evidence that brought him down.
• Ji Cheng erupts at his son for betraying him. Fang, though frightened, says Ji Cheng broke the law and must accept punishment. He tells his father that he and his mother are leaving to start over, and that this is their last visit.

Character developments and interactions

• Shi Zhiyi has moved from suppressed sorrow to firm resolve. She ends her connection to Ji Cheng and stands by the decision to leave.
• Fang Youcheng overcomes his fear enough to confront his father and take responsibility for helping expose his crimes. His choice marks a break from Ji Cheng and a commitment to protect his mother.
• Ji Cheng remains delusional and self-pitying until the betrayal is revealed; then his hope turns to rage. His former power has collapsed, and he cannot control his family.
• The visit brings Shi, Fang, and Ji Cheng into direct confrontation: Shi delivers the personal rejection, while Fang delivers the legal and moral judgment.

Significant themes

• Justice and accountability: Ji Cheng’s crimes are exposed and punished, despite his attempts to blame others.
• Breaking free from abuse and control: Shi and Fang reject the future Ji Cheng had imagined for them and choose a life apart from him.
• Betrayal versus conscience: Fang’s actions look like betrayal to his father, but Fang frames them as a necessary consequence of wrongdoing.
• The end of power and self-deception: Ji Cheng’s fantasies of restoring his status contrast with his permanent imprisonment and the family’s departure.

Plot points

• Shi Zhiyi tells Ji Cheng she has hated him for years and admits she gave Yun Huai evidence that Ji Cheng murdered his father. She praises Yun Huai for helping Fang Youcheng make an honest new start, calls Ji Cheng the “only true villain,” and leaves with Youcheng.
• Ji Cheng loses control, threatens them, and is dragged away by guards.
• Uncle Zhong visits next. He explains that the Old Master changed his will the night Ji Cheng tried to smear Yun Huai, transferring Ji Cheng’s inheritance to Yun Huai because he had been deeply disappointed in Ji Cheng’s cruelty and lack of love for his own family.
• Uncle Zhong says Youcheng’s later evidence confirmed the Old Master’s judgment. He promises that every effort will be made to keep Ji Cheng imprisoned for life, leaving no hope of a reduced sentence or medical parole.
• Overwhelmed by the revelations and the collapse of his remaining hopes, Ji Cheng spits blood, loses consciousness, and is left behind as his influence and “era” end.

Character developments and interactions

• Shi Zhiyi finally voices her long-suppressed hatred and decisively severs her connection to Ji Cheng. Her departure with Youcheng shows her choosing freedom and a new beginning.
• Fang Youcheng stands with Shi Zhiyi and is confirmed as the person who supplied evidence of Ji Cheng’s crimes.
• Uncle Zhong shifts from a composed witness to the bearer of a final, uncompromising truth: he offers Ji Cheng neither help nor hope, but closure and a warning.
• Ji Cheng moves from pleading for rescue to rage, denial, and collapse. Even when confronted with evidence that his own actions caused the Old Master’s disinheritance, he blames others rather than accepting responsibility.

Significant themes

• Consequences and justice: Ji Cheng’s imprisonment and abandonment are presented as the outcome of his own choices.
• Truth versus self-deception: The will’s history and the evidence against him undermine Ji Cheng’s explanations and fantasies.
• Family, love, and legacy: The Old Master values compassion and responsible fatherhood over ambition or entitlement.
• Freedom and closure: Shi Zhiyi and Youcheng leave Ji Cheng behind, while Uncle Zhong’s visit closes off his last hopes of escape.

Key plot points and events

• After Ji Cheng is imprisoned, Ji Yunhuai finally relaxes and joins his childhood friends at a weekend gathering. The party celebrates his taking over the Ji Group and his relationship with Lu Xiaoxiao.
• He Mingchuan fusses over Jiang Feiwan, offering to cook for her and dramatically claiming he would endure any injury for her. Jiang jokes that she would pay for an amputation; he takes even her teasing as a sign of concern.
• The friends welcome Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao and tease them about their relationship. When asked when Ji confessed, Cui Anhe blurts out that it was the night Ji’s grandfather died—and that the couple kissed.
• Cui Anze quickly silences his sister and tries to ease the awkwardness. The others offer congratulations while carefully watching Ji Yunhuai, concerned the reminder might upset him.
• Ji Yunhuai remains composed, reassures everyone that they can speak freely, and notices Shen Yufeng is absent.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai shows that the strain of recent events has lifted. He is calm about the painful night of his grandfather’s death and more openly comfortable with his relationship.
• Lu Xiaoxiao is at ease with Ji Yunhuai, sharing a laugh with him and gently teasing him about his courtship.
• He Mingchuan remains devoted to Jiang Feiwan, expressing affection through exaggerated offers and persistent chatter, despite her dry teasing.
• Cui Anhe is impulsive and blunt, revealing private details without considering the effect. Cui Anze acts as her more tactful, protective counterpart.
• The friends show affection and concern for the couple, especially for Ji Yunhuai after his recent loss.

Significant themes

• Recovery and moving forward: With Ji Cheng dealt with, Ji Yunhuai can begin to relax after a difficult period.
• Friendship and support: The gathering offers celebration, companionship, and a chance to unwind together.
• Romance and teasing: The friends’ curiosity and He Mingchuan’s antics bring humor to the scene.
• Grief handled with care: The friends worry that mentioning the night of Ji’s grandfather’s death will reopen Ji Yunhuai’s pain, while his calm response suggests he is beginning to move beyond the worst of it.

Character interactions

• He Mingchuan pursues Jiang Feiwan’s attention through enthusiastic offers and theatrical devotion; she responds with deadpan humor.
• Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao exchange amused looks and tease each other about He Mingchuan.
• Jiang Lei welcomes the couple and jokes with Lu Xiaoxiao, while Jiang Feiwan presses Ji Yunhuai for details about their romance.
• Cui Anhe’s revelation shocks the group; Cui Anze intervenes, and the friends quickly shift to congratulating and supporting the couple.
• Ji Yunhuai’s relaxed response puts the group at ease and returns the gathering to a lighter mood.

Plot points and events

• Shen Yufeng arrives and playfully teases Cui Anhe for being unusually quiet and proper. She takes offense, but her brother Cui Anze calms her, and Shen apologizes.
• Lu Xiaoxiao asks how Jiang Ci is doing at Starlight. Shen reports that Jiang Ci is thriving, receiving strong support, and preparing for a demanding new film schedule. Lu asks for her schedule so she can visit the set.
• As the group prepares to eat, Ji Yunhuai stops them to return to an earlier conversation: he reveals that Lu Xiaoxiao confessed to him first.
• Lu shyly confirms it, explaining that an unusual, emotional situation made her unable to hold back her feelings.
• Ji boasts that although he had been pursuing her, they were “both running toward each other.” He Mingchuan reacts with exaggerated disbelief and launches into a comic rant about nobody asking.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Xiaoxiao shows concern for Jiang Ci’s career and openly acknowledges her own role in starting her relationship with Ji Yunhuai. Her embarrassment contrasts with her unusually candid admission.
• Ji Yunhuai appears pleased and confident about the relationship, teasing the group—and especially He Mingchuan—by emphasizing that Xiaoxiao confessed first.
• He Mingchuan is shocked and envious of Ji’s romantic success; his long “who asked?” tirade turns that jealousy into comedy.
• Shen Yufeng and Cui Anhe resume their familiar teasing dynamic. Anhe is quick-tempered and playful, while Cui Anze acts as her mediator.
• Shen Yufeng also shows appreciation for Lu Xiaoxiao’s help in bringing Jiang Ci to Starlight.

Significant themes

• Mutual affection and emotional initiative: Ji frames their romance not as one-sided pursuit but as two people moving toward each other.
• Support and gratitude: Lu remains invested in Jiang Ci’s wellbeing, while Shen recognizes her contribution.
• Friendship and teasing: The gathering’s affectionate banter—especially He Mingchuan’s mock outrage—keeps the romantic revelation lighthearted.

Key plot points and events

• During dinner, He Mingchuan angrily launches into a rapid-fire rant. Cui Anhe teases him for being unusually loud, and Cui Anze backs her up. Jiang Feiwan silences him by feeding him watermelon.
• He Mingchuan becomes comically sentimental, treating the watermelon as a treasured gift. The others mock him, while Jiang Feiwan remains unbothered by his fawning.
• The group eats and chats until Shen Yufeng brings up the gifts they planned to give Lu Xiaoxiao, who briefly worries she has missed someone’s birthday.
• Jiang Lei gives Lu Xiaoxiao a lifetime membership card for Jiang Corporation’s entertainment clubs. Jiang Feiwan reveals she helped sponsor it and also had riding gear made for Lu Xiaoxiao and transferred the pony she liked into her name.
• Cui Anhe gives Lu Xiaoxiao a custom-made plush toy, insisting it is not especially expensive. Lu Xiaoxiao warmly reassures her that the thought makes it precious.
• Shen Yufeng jokes that his gift may seem unimpressive after Anhe’s, prompting Anhe to ask what he has brought.

Character developments and interactions

• He Mingchuan shifts from angry and talkative to giddy and affectionate after Jiang Feiwan feeds him. His over-the-top gratitude embarrasses the others.
• Cui Anhe playfully criticizes He Mingchuan, then shows a more awkward, caring side when giving Lu Xiaoxiao a personal gift.
• Cui Anze readily sides with his younger sister, even while recognizing her teasing is a little sharp.
• Jiang Feiwan shows practical generosity toward Lu Xiaoxiao and is notably accustomed to He Mingchuan’s antics.
• Lu Xiaoxiao is surprised and touched by the group’s kindness, accepting the gifts with warmth and enthusiasm.
• Jiang Lei presents himself as a welcoming host and credits Jiang Feiwan for helping with his gift.
• Shen Yufeng keeps the dinner lively with teasing and flattery, then sets the gift-giving in motion.

Significant themes

• Found-family warmth and inclusion: The group makes Lu Xiaoxiao feel welcomed through thoughtful gifts and easy conversation.
• Affection expressed in different ways: Jiang Feiwan’s practical support, Anhe’s awkwardly delivered plush toy, and He Mingchuan’s exaggerated devotion all show care in contrasting styles.
• Humor and camaraderie: Teasing helps create a relaxed, affectionate atmosphere around the dinner table.

Plot and key events

• Shen Yufeng gives Lu Xiaoxiao a valuable professional opportunity rather than a material gift: private contact with renowned acting coach Professor Tan Jingqiu, who has agreed to review her work and offer guidance. Xiaoxiao is thrilled and promises to make the most of it.
• Cui Anze gives her luxury skincare products. Xiaoxiao guesses he chose them with help from his sister, Cui Anhe. He Mingchuan gives her a flamboyantly wrapped present but insists she open it at home, leaving its contents a mystery.
• The gifts make Xiaoxiao feel genuinely welcomed by the group in her own right, not merely as Ji Yunhuai’s girlfriend. She resolves to prepare thoughtful return gifts.
• He Mingchuan proposes truth or dare. The first spin lands on him, and Jiang Lei asks what he likes about Jiang Feiwan. He recalls her attending a parent-teacher meeting for him and comforting him after a poor exam. His romantic recollection is undercut when Feiwan reveals she told him not to worry because he had also failed English.
• Later rounds include Jiang Lei doing push-ups, Cui Anhe sharing that she initially disliked Xiaoxiao but now finds her interesting, and Shen Yufeng seductively feeding fruit to an embarrassed Cui Anze.
• The bottle eventually points to Ji Yunhuai. He chooses truth, and He Mingchuan challenges him to name ten of Xiaoxiao’s flaws. The chapter ends as Ji prepares to answer.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiaoxiao responds to Shen’s offer with sincere excitement and confidence, showing how seriously she takes her acting career. The group’s gifts and warmth deepen her sense of belonging.
• Shen’s gift reflects his respect for Xiaoxiao’s talent and his willingness to help her professionally. Cui Anze’s gift prompts Xiaoxiao to think fondly of Anhe’s influence on her brother.
• He Mingchuan’s overblown, comic account of his feelings for Feiwan contrasts with her blunt, practical version of events. The friends tease him for turning an ordinary kindness into a grand romance.
• Anhe’s candid answer shows that her view of Xiaoxiao has softened. Ji stays relaxed and protective beside Xiaoxiao, but He’s final question puts him on the spot.

Significant themes

• Thoughtful generosity: A useful opportunity can mean more than an expensive object.
• Belonging and mutual care: Xiaoxiao recognizes the group’s acceptance and wants to return their kindness.
• Romance versus reality: He Mingchuan’s idealized memories collide humorously with Feiwan’s unsentimental account.
• Friendship and playful testing: The group’s teasing creates intimacy while setting up a potentially revealing challenge for Ji and Xiaoxiao.

Plot points and events

• During a party game, Ji Yunhuai is asked to name ten of Lu Xiaoxiao’s flaws. He turns nearly every answer into a compliment or an affectionate observation, admitting he gets jealous because she is charming and social.
• Lu Xiaoxiao kisses his cheek to reassure him that she is committed to him. Their friends protest the public display of affection, while Cui Anhe enthusiastically defends the couple.
• Ji Yunhuai completes his list with “you’re too cute,” explaining that it can make him unable to think clearly. The room erupts in laughter, and He Mingchuan awards him for both “strongest survival instinct” and “most shameless display of affection.”
• After the party, Ji Yunhuai takes Lu Xiaoxiao to a confidential testing center at Ji Group headquarters. He invites her to be the first external tester of the company’s immersive holographic gaming pods.
• Inside the simulation, Lu Xiaoxiao finds herself in a vivid flower-covered hillside beneath the stars, with a lit Ferris wheel in the distance. She realizes Ji Yunhuai recreated settings she had casually mentioned as romantic during an earlier game. Moved by his thoughtfulness, she praises the scene, and he takes her hand to show her more.

Character developments

• Ji Yunhuai openly reveals his jealousy and vulnerability, but expresses them through teasing affection. His careful recreation of Lu Xiaoxiao’s preferences shows how attentively he listens and how seriously he values sharing his work and ambitions with her.
• Lu Xiaoxiao reassures Ji Yunhuai of her commitment and responds warmly to his romantic gesture. She is surprised and touched that he remembered her casual remarks so precisely.
• Their friends provide comic commentary: He Mingchuan objects to the couple’s affection, while Cui Anhe prioritizes witnessing their kiss.

Significant themes

• Affection expressed through attention: Ji Yunhuai’s elaborate simulation turns an offhand comment into a meaningful gift.
• Vulnerability and trust: His admission of jealousy contrasts with Lu Xiaoxiao’s reassurance and their easy intimacy.
• Humor and romance: The group’s teasing frames the couple’s displays of affection as both sincere and comically excessive.
• Sharing the future: By inviting Lu Xiaoxiao into a confidential project, Ji Yunhuai lets her share not only a romantic experience but also his professional world.

Character interactions

• Ji Yunhuai and Lu Xiaoxiao flirt, tease, and reassure each other throughout the game; her kiss settles his jealousy.
• Their friends heckle them and bicker among themselves, turning the gathering into a lighthearted group scene.
• Later, Ji Yunhuai guides Lu Xiaoxiao through the gaming pod and its virtual landscape, while she reacts with excitement and emotion to his thoughtful creation.

Plot and key events

• Ji Yunhuai leads Lu Xiaoxiao through a custom-built romantic game world inspired by a fantasy she once described: a sea of flowers, a Ferris wheel beneath the stars, and a still lake.
• As they drift across the lake, he triggers an elaborate fireworks display. The sensory realism and the care behind the surprise move Lu Xiaoxiao to tears.
• Ji explains that he began creating the environment after hearing her describe the scene. He had hoped to use it for a formal confession, but Lu Xiaoxiao confessed first on the night his grandfather died.
• Lu teases him for sounding resentful that she took his moment, then playfully gives him permission to confess again.
• Ji tells her he likes her, explaining that his feelings became clear when he wanted to share everything about himself with her. He says he wants to be “an open book” with her.

Character development

• Lu Xiaoxiao is deeply affected by Ji’s quiet, sustained effort. Though she tries to hide her tears, she responds with humor and affection, showing both emotional vulnerability and her lively, mischievous nature.
• Ji Yunhuai reveals the depth of his devotion through the world he created and through a more direct confession. He opens up about his usual guardedness and his desire to be wholly known by Lu.

Significant themes

• Thoughtful love: A casual wish becomes meaningful because Ji remembers it and works patiently to bring it to life.
• Emotional openness and trust: Ji’s confession centers on wanting to reveal his true self to Lu.
• Love’s imperfect timing: Lu spoke first, but Ji’s delayed confession still matters; their playful exchange turns a missed moment into a shared one.
• Fantasy made tangible: The game world makes the emotional impact of Ji’s care feel vivid and real.

Character interactions

• Ji guides and steadies Lu throughout the outing, then watches her reaction with warmth.
• Lu’s tears prompt Ji to explain his effort; her teasing interrupts his habitual false modesty.
• Their banter eases her overwhelming emotion and leads naturally into her invitation for him to confess again.
• Ji responds sincerely, balancing playful affection with an unusually open declaration of trust.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Xiaoxiao prepares thoughtful, personalized gifts for Ji Yunhuai’s friends, choosing items that reflect each person’s interests rather than their wealth.
• As finals approach, Xiaoxiao works hard at her acting studies while Ji Yunhuai struggles to reform the Ji Group and establish his authority. Though they have little time together, they support each other with messages and encouragement.
• Gu Sipei follows Xiaoxiao’s advice and gives Lu Jiaoyue a sincere, private confession at an amusement park. Jiaoyue accepts, bringing the original novel’s couple together in this altered timeline.
• System 037 announces that Xiaoxiao has earned an S rating for completing the main quest. She is offered a one-day return to her original world, with time in this world adjusted so she can come back afterward. She accepts the reward for later use.
• After exams, Xiaoxiao invites Ji Yunhuai to spend New Year with her family, knowing he has no relatives left. He instead suggests a warm resort-island holiday. The invitation expands from a family trip into a large gathering of their friends.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiaoxiao shows care through practical thoughtfulness: she remembers her friends’ preferences, supports Ji Yunhuai without hindering his work, and makes sure he is included in her family’s holiday.
• Ji Yunhuai balances demanding leadership responsibilities with affection and consideration for Xiaoxiao. His gratitude at being welcomed by her family reveals how much the invitation means to him.
• Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai’s relationship grows into a steady partnership built on mutual encouragement and respect. Even Lu Shiyan, once skeptical of Ji Yunhuai, becomes less critical.
• Gu Sipei sets aside his instinct for grand gestures and adapts to Jiaoyue’s quieter nature. Their happy, low-key confession reflects a more considerate relationship.
• Lu Xiaoxiao’s family warmly accepts Ji Yunhuai, while Jiaoyue asks to bring Gu Sipei. Friends including the Cui siblings, He Mingchuan, Jiang Feiwan and others enthusiastically join the trip.

Significant themes

• Thoughtfulness over extravagance: Personal gifts and a sincere confession matter more than price or spectacle.
• Mutual support and independence: Xiaoxiao and Ji Yunhuai pursue demanding goals while remaining emotionally present for each other.
• Belonging and chosen family: The New Year invitation counters Ji Yunhuai’s loneliness, and the growing holiday group turns a family gathering into a celebration among close friends.
• Second chances and changed outcomes: The original story’s couple finds happiness in a gentler timeline, while Xiaoxiao receives the chance to address unfinished business in her original world.