Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• On the return to the ship, An Shi becomes dangerously feverish, collapses, and loses consciousness. William tends to him on the lifeboat, and the group gets him back aboard, where he receives medicine and medical supervision.
• While unconscious, An Shi relives memories of his childhood. His mother trained him to display exceptional knowledge to win his father’s attention, while his family treated his talents as useful and expected him to enter business. An Shi grew quiet under the pressure.
• In a pivotal memory, his older sister leads him to a balcony and asks whether he likes the sea. After he says yes, she pushes him into the swimming pool.
• An Shi wakes beside Lin Xingye and hears what happened after his collapse. Lin and Cheng Yu confront Huang Dao, who initially denies pushing Lin overboard. Lin’s bluff exposes that Huang knows details he should not, and Huang suddenly blurts out that he pushed Lin because Lin had killed Qin Ke and hurt his friend.
• Qi Sijing threatens to take Huang to the police, but the ship’s surveillance footage has been deliberately deleted, suggesting another accomplice is still aboard.
• Later, Bo Xi brings food to An Shi and Lin Xingye. An Shi’s fever has passed, though he remains weak; Lin is well and helps him eat.

Character developments

• An Shi is physically vulnerable after falling ill, and his memories reveal the emotional burden of being treated as a family asset rather than simply a child. His childhood trauma around his sister and the pool is also brought to light.
• Lin Xingye is openly worried about An Shi and stays with him. His anger at Huang Dao nearly turns into violence, but Cheng Yu repeatedly tries to restrain him.
• William acts quickly to care for An Shi and later removes Huang Dao from the scene.
• Huang Dao is exposed as the person who pushed Lin overboard, though he seems to reveal his motive unintentionally.
• Bo Xi shows warmth and affection toward Lin, while also caring for An Shi by bringing them food.

Significant themes

• Family pressure and conditional affection: An Shi’s family values his talents for the attention and advantage they bring, leaving him suffocated by expectations.
• Trauma and vulnerability: An Shi’s fever unlocks painful childhood memories, connecting his present weakness with earlier harm.
• Truth and concealment: Huang Dao’s accidental confession undermines his denials, while the missing surveillance footage points to a hidden accomplice.
• Care and protection: The group’s efforts to treat An Shi and keep Lin from attacking Huang show their concern for one another.

Character interactions

• Lin Xingye watches over An Shi, asks after his condition, and later helps him to the table.
• William provides emergency care for An Shi and takes Huang Dao away.
• Cheng Yu holds Lin back as Lin confronts Huang Dao, while Qi Sijing threatens legal consequences.
• Bo Xi brings An Shi and Lin a meal, teases Lin, and kisses his forehead affectionately.

Plot points and events

• Qi Sijing confronts his sister, Qi Sinian, after she demands that he persuade Cheng Yu to marry her. Sinian admits she knew Cheng Yu loved Lin Xingye but insists she could make him happy.
• Sinian insults Lin, prompting Sijing to defend him. He acknowledges Lin’s kindness and argues that, in their privileged world, genuine care is rare—and Lin has proved his by risking his life for others.
• Bo Xi leaves Lin Xingye and An Shi alone over a phone call. An Shi asks whether Lin likes the men who are close to him. Lin says he neither dislikes them nor truly cares for them romantically.
• Lin explains that he suspects others have been drawing information from him. Because he remembers a previous life in which people failed to help him, their sudden concern now leaves him resentful and wary.
• Lin admits he is afraid to love anyone, fearing another tragedy in which someone might die because of him. An Shi comforts him, insists he is not to blame, and encourages him to trust the group.
• The chapter ends with William learning that a boy has revealed everything to them. Still puzzled by the group’s behavior, he suspects everyone has secrets and wonders what role Lin plays.

Character developments and interactions

• Qi Sijing shows deep loyalty to Lin, defending his character while trying to make Sinian understand that Cheng Yu’s feelings cannot be controlled.
• Qi Sinian is revealed as entitled and stubborn in her pursuit of Cheng Yu, though her outburst also exposes her jealousy of Lin.
• Lin Xingye is candid with An Shi about his emotional distance, resentment, guilt, and fear of attachment. His humor and appetite provide a contrast to his painful reflections.
• An Shi acts as a steady, affectionate confidant, reassuring Lin that the blame belongs to the person who harmed him and urging him to accept support.
• William remains an observant antagonist—or at least an uncertain player—trying to piece together the group’s hidden motives.

Significant themes

• Love and agency: Sijing argues that affection cannot justify controlling another person’s choices.
• Kindness amid privilege: Lin’s simple, genuine care distinguishes him in a world where people often have ulterior motives.
• Trauma and self-blame: Lin’s fear of loving others stems from past loss, while An Shi helps him separate his suffering from responsibility for someone else’s cruelty.
• Trust and hidden knowledge: The group’s efforts to learn from Lin—and William’s suspicions—underscore the secrets shaping the present.

Plot points and events

• Bo Xi, Qi Sijing, and Cheng Yu discuss the threats aboard the ship: Qin Ke’s people, who seem to be manipulating others and targeting Lin Xingmo, and another group pursuing William.
• They suspect Huang Kai’s sudden exposure was no accident. Cheng Yu recalls that Lin Xingmo’s intervention snapped him out of Qin Ke’s influence, leading Bo Xi to theorize that Xingmo may be able to restore people’s reason. They reject using him as bait because it would put him in danger, and decide to take the initiative.
• Meanwhile, Xu Chen goes to fetch food for Xingmo. In a quiet, camera-poor passage, he overhears men discussing an attempt to kill Lin Xingye and their limited time before the ship returns.
• Xu Chen secretly records their conversation, but his phone rings. The men spot him, reveal that their people control the surveillance room, and knock him unconscious before carrying him away.
• William and Qi Sijing witness the abduction through the surveillance system and agree to work together. Qi alerts Bo Xi, who decides they must advance their plan.
• Xingmo receives an emergency alert from Xu Chen. Finding the scene shown in the alert, he rushes toward the fourth floor to search for him.

Character developments

• Bo Xi remains strategic and protective, refusing to put Xingmo at risk even if his apparent ability could help expose Qin Ke’s operation.
• Cheng Yu recognizes how thoroughly Qin Ke had clouded his judgment and is encouraged by the possibility that Xingmo can break that influence.
• Qi Sijing is jealous and irritable about Cheng Yu’s affection for Xingmo, but sets aside his grievances when the crisis escalates.
• Xu Chen acts courageously by recording the conspirators, but is captured before he can get help.
• William proves observant and pragmatic, readily proposing cooperation with Qi.
• Lin Xingmo responds immediately to Xu Chen’s distress, showing concern and resolve.

Significant themes

• Protection versus using someone as bait: Xingmo may be central to countering Qin Ke, but the others resist making him a target.
• Trust and cooperation: Rivals and bickering friends must work together as danger becomes immediate.
• Hidden threats and surveillance: The conspirators exploit blind spots, disguises, and control of the ship’s cameras.
• The danger of manipulation: Cheng Yu’s recollection suggests Qin Ke can distort people’s judgment, while Xingmo may be able to restore it.

Character interactions

• Bo Xi acts as the mediator when Qi and Cheng Yu squabble over Xingmo, then steers them back to the investigation.
• Qi and William form a practical alliance after discovering Xu Chen’s abduction.
• Xu Chen’s attempt to alert Xingmo triggers the next phase of the rescue effort.

Plot points and events

• Lin Xingmo finds his brother, Lin Xingye, and shows him Xu Chen’s emergency message and recording. Xu has overheard a group planning to harm Lin Xingye and has been captured.
• Lin Xingye panics, blaming himself for putting others in danger and insisting on confronting the attackers alone. An Shi and Lin Xingmo try to stop and reassure him.
• Bo Xi arrives with news that Qi Sijing’s team has located Xu and William has already led rescuers to him. He promises Lin Xingye they will go together.
• The captors receive a false report that Lin Xingye is heading to another floor. While two men leave to pursue him, William’s team breaks into the room where Xu is held and captures the man guarding him.
• Lin Xingmo reaches Xu, who is alive but has a sore head. The captured accomplices reveal their boss was hired by Qin to attack Lin Xingye, believing an incident at sea would be difficult to trace.
• Lin Xingye confronts the boss and violently attacks him, losing control. Bo Xi and the others restrain him as he breaks down crying.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is revealed to carry deep guilt and self-hatred over past harm to those around him. The threat to Xu triggers a severe emotional crisis, and he cannot distinguish the present from painful memories.
• Lin Xingmo acts quickly to alert his brother and remains concerned for both Xu and Lin Xingye.
• Bo Xi responds to Lin Xingye’s distress with reassurance and practical information, staying close and physically comforting him.
• An Shi recognizes that Lin Xingye’s self-directed hatred is more severe than he had understood.
• Xu Chen has risked himself by uncovering the plot and, once rescued, tries to reassure the others despite being injured.

Character interactions

• The siblings follow their parents’ lesson to face danger together, though Lin Xingye initially tries to rush off alone.
• An Shi and Lin Xingmo attempt to calm Lin Xingye; Bo Xi succeeds in reaching him by promising honesty and a joint rescue.
• William and his men capture the kidnappers, while the accomplices’ panic and betrayal expose the plot.
• After the rescue, Bo Xi restrains and comforts Lin Xingye, while An Shi holds his hand and witnesses his collapse.

Significant themes

• Guilt and self-blame: Lin Xingye sees himself as the cause of others’ suffering and turns his anger inward.
• Loyalty and protection: Xu’s sacrifice, the siblings’ solidarity, and the rescue team’s swift response emphasize care for one another.
• Trauma and loss of control: The confrontation reawakens Lin Xingye’s past pain, showing that reassurance alone cannot erase it.
• Trust and support: Bo Xi’s candid reassurance helps Lin Xingye accept help, even as the crisis reveals how much support he needs.

• Key events: Lin Xingye panics when Xu Chen is hurt, then hides that his vision has become impaired. As William’s group faces an armed ambush by Carl’s men, An Shi catches a thrown knife but is taken hostage. When another attacker threatens Bo Xi, Lin Xingye—despite his fear and weakened condition—snatches the knife and attacks him, giving William’s allies an opening to overpower the attackers. Ship security arrives, and the cruise is cut short, with the ship returning to port the next morning.
• Character developments: Lin Xingye’s protectiveness overrides his fear of knives, but afterward he is shaken and withdraws under the covers. He insists he can see, though his unfocused eyes and private thoughts reveal otherwise; he is frightened and confused by what is happening. Bo Xi notices but chooses not to press him. William’s lighthearted confidence contrasts with the danger, while An Shi proves capable and composed even after being caught in the hostage situation.
• Character interactions: Lin Xingmo comforts Lin Xingye and checks on Xu Chen. Lin Xingye’s attack is driven by seeing Bo Xi threatened, and Bo Xi is touched but distressed by the injuries Xingye sustains. An Shi treats him and reminds him to control his emotions. Later, Bo Xi holds and comforts him without demanding an explanation. Their intimate conversation reveals Bo Xi’s past restraint: family pressure sent him abroad, and fear of attracting gossip or frightening Lin Xingye kept him from approaching him.
• Themes: The chapter explores fear and courage, protection and vulnerability, and the difficulty of speaking honestly about pain. Bo Xi’s confession reframes his distance as timidity rather than indifference, while Lin Xingye’s concealed vision loss shows how fear can isolate someone even when others are ready to support him.

Key plot points

• The Lin parents had withdrawn from business dealings with the Four Great Families for ten years to protect their children from the dangers of rivalry and sabotage. Now that the children are grown, they have resumed their ambitions and intend to settle old scores.
• Bo Xi’s mother mocks the Lin parents for choosing their children over power. Bo Xi condemns her own neglectful, status-minded parenting and leaves the family estate.
• Bo Xi has long wanted to reconnect with Lin Xingye (“Star”), but holds back while Star contends for the company’s CEO position. When they finally meet, Star does not recognize him.
• Bo Xi apologizes and admits his distance was his own choice. Star, though hurt and tearful, insists Bo Xi did nothing wrong. Bo Xi comforts him, explains why he has always cared for him, and later tenderly watches over him as he sleeps.
• After an attack, Cheng Yu and the others detain the men involved and arrange for the police to collect them. The captives reveal that someone had leverage over them and that they heard a phone caller referred to as “Qin-something,” but know little else.
• William offers Cheng Yu a cigarette, prompting Cheng Yu to consider quitting after Star complained about the smell. Cheng Yu leaves the investigation to return to sleep, privately resenting that he was left to handle the late-night work.
• William tries to thank An Shi with a rose, copying romantic dramas. An Shi teases him, then tricks him into stepping back and shuts the door. William is delighted to have seen An Shi smile.

Character developments and interactions

• Bo Xi moves from longing and self-reproach to finally approaching Star. He accepts responsibility for his choices rather than blaming circumstances.
• Lin Xingye is vulnerable but forgiving: despite his pain and poor eyesight, he reaches out to comfort Bo Xi and tells him he did nothing wrong.
• Bo Xi and his mother clash over her contempt for the Lin family and her own treatment of him. His departure marks a break from her influence.
• Cheng Yu remains protective and practical in dealing with the attackers, while showing consideration for Star by deciding to quit smoking.
• William and An Shi share a playful, awkward exchange: William is earnest and easily confused, while An Shi is sharp-tongued but lets a rare smile show.
• The Lin parents’ past choices are framed as protective rather than weak: they sacrificed influence to keep their children safe.

Significant themes

• Family and protection: The Lin parents prioritize their children’s happiness over wealth and status.
• Regret, forgiveness, and reconnection: Bo Xi’s fear of rejection contrasts with Star’s willingness to forgive and begin again.
• Perspective and responsibility: Bo Xi recognizes that people choose how to interpret events and owns his own choices.
• Power and retaliation: The Lin family’s renewed rise follows years of rivalry, scheming, and danger.
• Tenderness amid tension: Comforting gestures and playful romance offer warmth alongside the threats and unresolved investigation.

Key plot points

• Police arrest the foreign suspects after the boat reaches shore. The group learns the suspects had deliberately approached them and may have been involved in espionage; several bystanders are questioned and must apologize to the Qi family.
• Police begin investigating the mysterious “Mr. Qin,” though they remain skeptical of the claim that he is dead.
• The Lin family puts their trip on hold and takes Lin Xingye to the hospital to see An Shi.
• An Shi privately assesses Lin Xingye, recognizing signs of PTSD, depression, mania, and possible self-harm. He suspects the symptoms are tied to Xingye’s frightening past life, but does not pressure him to explain it.
• Xingye says he does not want medication. He wants the people who did wrong to be punished and wants to protect his loved ones, but feels powerless and ashamed of his perceived lack of ability.
• An Shi encourages him to stop judging himself so harshly, accept help, and rely on the people who care about him. He recommends spending time with others and seeking support rather than isolating himself.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye reveals more of his vulnerability: beneath his usual joking manner, he feels inadequate and believes he can protect people only with his fists. He is willing to share something with An Shi, but still keeps the details of his past to himself.
• An Shi balances clinical insight with warmth and humor. He reassures Xingye that medication is optional unless necessary and offers to teach him other ways to protect those he loves.
• The Lin family are intensely protective, waiting outside the consultation room and listening in. Their comic argument over which parent Xingye loves most underscores their affection and closeness.
• An Shi points out that Xingye’s claim that he dislikes relying on others conflicts with the three family members waiting outside. His suggestion that Xingye “go have fun” immediately leads Xingye to privately contemplate booking male models, prompting alarm from An Shi and the family.

Significant themes

• Healing at one’s own pace: An Shi avoids forcing Xingye to disclose painful memories and lets him choose what to share.
• Self-worth and vulnerability: Xingye’s desire to protect others is tangled with shame about his own perceived weakness; An Shi challenges the idea that strength means acting alone or using force.
• Support and family love: The family’s watchful presence and An Shi’s reassurance emphasize that relying on others can be a strength.
• Humor amid distress: Teasing and misunderstandings lighten an otherwise serious discussion of trauma and recovery.

Key plot points and events

• After leaving An Shi, Lin Xingye returns home with his parents, who awkwardly ask whether he loves his mother or father more. Aunt Liu interrupts the tension by calling everyone to dinner.
• At dinner, Lin Xingye privately plans to visit the office with Lin Xingmo, get William’s contact information, rest, and go out that night to see male models. His parents misinterpret his plans and give him clumsy advice about “being on top,” which he doesn’t understand.
• The next morning, Lin Xingye visits the office and asks Xu Chen for William’s contact details. Xu Chen mistakenly assumes Lin Xingye is romantically interested in William, though Lin Xingye only wants to ask him for help.
• With his parents away and Lin Xingmo at a banquet, Lin Xingye goes to a lively club featuring male performers. He chooses a seat among the crowd, enjoys the show, and enthusiastically—if awkwardly—joins a dancer.
• A woman mistakes him for a performer and lifts his chin, only for both to recognize each other: she is Qi Sinian.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye remains playful, impulsive, and cheerfully self-conscious. He wants to explore something new but admits he can’t identify any particular passion; he rejects show business, joking that he can neither sing nor dance. Despite his embarrassment at the club, he commits to having fun.
• Lin Xingmo looks after his brother but teases him and sends him away so he can work. Their easy banter shows their familiar sibling dynamic.
• Xu Chen readily gives Lin Xingye William’s contact details, then worries when he assumes the request signals romantic interest. Lin Xingye leaves before he can clarify.
• Mother Lin is protective and embarrassed by her son’s plans, while Father Lin quietly manages her reactions. Aunt Liu is warm and supportive, feeding Lin Xingye and helping him feel at home.
• Lin Xingye’s surprise encounter with Qi Sinian ends the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Significant themes

• Family affection and comic misunderstanding: The Lins’ care for Xingye emerges through awkward questions, overprotective advice, and practical support.
• Self-discovery and freedom: Xingye is encouraged to find something he enjoys and tries a new experience on his own terms.
• Humor through misinterpretation: His parents’ advice, Xu Chen’s assumption about William, and the clubgoer’s mistaken identity all contrast what Xingye means with what others infer.

Plot points and events

• Qi Sinian and Lin Xingye meet at a club, where both have come to look at attractive men. They argue over their romantic lives: Qi Sinian is pursuing Cheng Yu, while Lin Xingye has learned that Cheng Yu likes him.
• Lin insists that someone else’s feelings do not obligate him to return them. He also shrugs off the attention he gets from male friends, teasing Qi Sinian about her own interests.
• While the pair are busy comparing men, Qi Sijing arrives after failing to reach his sister. He spots Qi Sinian with Lin and approaches.
• Qi Sinian recognizes her brother and tries to escape, but Qi Sijing stops her by threatening to call their grandfather. Ren Ruoxi’s frantic messages warning Qi Sinian to run turn out to have gone unnoticed.
• Lin tries to slip away too. Qi Sinian grabs him and insists they face trouble together. Qi Sijing hears Lin’s thoughts, recognizes him, and takes both of them to his car.
• Qi Sijing scolds Qi Sinian for going somewhere her family could find her, then says he will drop her at home. Lin realizes he is going with Qi Sijing and fears what awaits him.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is comfortable with his independence and sees no obligation to reciprocate Cheng Yu’s feelings. His playful confidence at the club gives way to nervousness once Qi Sijing appears.
• Qi Sinian remains impulsive and determined to enjoy herself despite family restrictions. Her competitive teasing with Lin briefly turns into panic, then she drags him into trouble rather than face it alone.
• Qi Sijing is protective and exasperated with his sister. His stern warning is tempered by the comic way he catches both young people and takes charge.
• Ren Ruoxi is not present, but her repeated warnings show how worried she is about Qi Sinian.

Themes and interactions

• The chapter plays romantic jealousy and attraction for comedy: Qi Sinian and Lin compete to spot the most attractive man, while their own complicated romantic situations remain unresolved.
• Lin’s remarks emphasize personal choice and boundaries: being liked does not mean one must return someone’s feelings.
• The banter between Lin and Qi Sinian is teasing and competitive, but when Qi Sijing arrives they become reluctant allies, each trying to avoid punishment.
• Qi Sijing’s protective authority contrasts with the pair’s rebellious behavior, creating the chapter’s central comic tension.

Plot points and events

• Jealous after Lin Xingye’s outing to hire male models, Qi Sijing brings him home and confronts him about whether the models are more handsome or attractive than he is.
• Qi’s jealousy turns into teasing and passionate kissing. He repeatedly seeks Lin Xingye’s affection, calling himself Xingye’s favorite “puppy,” while Xingye protests and insists he has not agreed to a relationship.
• Qi asks permission before kissing him, keeps his hands mostly restrained, and stops short of going further. Overwhelmed by Qi’s pleading, Xingye eventually agrees to help him with his arousal, though he grumbles about it.
• Later, they shower, order food, and watch a movie together. Qi cuddles and steals kisses while Xingye eats, swatting him when his hands wander.
• Meanwhile, Lin Xingmo returns home and finds Aunt Liu worried because Xingye has not come back or answered her messages. Xingmo assumes his brother is simply enjoying a night out and sends him a message—unaware that Xingye is with Qi.

Character developments

• Qi Sijing reveals how possessive and jealous he is, but also shows restraint: he wants more intimacy yet repeatedly checks Xingye’s reactions and holds himself back.
• Lin Xingye remains flustered and verbally resistant, but his inner thoughts reveal attraction and desire. He softens when Qi seems vulnerable and accepts a degree of closeness, though he does not formally accept Qi’s advances.
• Lin Xingmo treats his older brother as independent and assumes his late night is harmless.
• Aunt Liu worries over Xingye’s absence, reflecting her protective concern for him.

Significant themes

• Jealousy and possessiveness drive Qi’s behavior, while his self-restraint complicates his domineering image.
• Unspoken attraction and denial create comic tension between Xingye’s protests and his revealing inner thoughts.
• Consent and boundaries are present in Qi’s requests and Xingye’s warnings, though the scene portrays their intimacy as teasing and emotionally charged.
• Dramatic irony comes from Xingmo’s innocent assumptions contrasting with the intimate reality of Xingye’s night.

Character interactions

• Qi and Xingye alternate between provocation, embarrassment, affection, and playful resistance; Qi seeks reassurance, while Xingye pushes back but repeatedly gives in to closeness.
• Xingmo gently reassures Aunt Liu and sends Xingye a safety message, unaware that Qi has kept him occupied.
• The chapter ends with Xingmo still waiting for a reply while Xingye remains with Qi.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Xingmo calls his brother, Lin Xingye, but Qi Sijing answers: Xingye is asleep after spending the night at Qi’s apartment. Qi kisses him during the call, prompting Xingmo to angrily warn him not to take liberties with his brother. Qi teasingly suggests Xingmo can kiss Qi Sinian in return.
• Abroad, William receives a friend request from someone unexpected. Bo Xi, who is interested in Star but worries he may have made Star uncomfortable, becomes jealous and insists on seeing William’s phone. They accept the request and wait for a reply, but Star remains asleep.
• At work, Xingmo is distracted and asks Xu Chen to find Qi’s apartment. Xu contacts Cheng Yu, but Cheng hangs up after learning Qi took Xingye home. Xu nevertheless obtains the address through a message and offers to go with Xingmo.
• Cheng reaches Qi’s apartment first and confronts him. He finds Xingye sleepy, barefoot, and wearing oversized pajamas, with visible marks on his neck. Cheng’s anger and jealousy make him bleed from the nose.
• Qi carries Xingye back to dress, taunting Cheng and claiming to be concerned for Xingye’s comfort. Cheng feigns illness to win Xingye’s sympathy, while Qi mocks him. The scene ends with Xingye suddenly realizing his pajama shorts are missing.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye remains sleepy and unaware of the tension around him, responding kindly to Cheng and taking the rivals’ exaggerated complaints at face value.
• Qi Sijing is openly affectionate and possessive toward Xingye, enjoying both their intimacy and the chance to provoke Cheng.
• Lin Xingmo is protective of his brother and becomes increasingly frustrated as Qi and Cheng evade his efforts to find Xingye.
• Cheng Yu is jealous and protective, but restrains himself around the sleepy Xingye and resorts to pretending he feels unwell.
• Bo Xi shows concern and insecurity over his relationship with Star, while William enjoys teasing him and is forced to cooperate.

Significant themes

• Romantic jealousy expressed through teasing, possessiveness, and comic rivalry.
• Protective affection among family and friends, especially Xingmo’s concern for Xingye.
• Miscommunication and comic contrast between Xingye’s sleepy innocence and the others’ dramatic behavior.

Character interactions

• Qi’s intimate teasing on the phone provokes Xingmo’s protective anger.
• William needles Bo Xi about the friend request, while Bo Xi’s jealousy reveals his feelings for Star.
• Xu Chen helps Xingmo investigate, using his contacts to locate Qi’s apartment.
• Cheng and Qi compete for Xingye’s attention through insults, posturing, and feigned concern, while Xingye innocently tries to care for them.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Xingye discovers that he has been wearing Qi Sijing’s clothes and angrily rushes to get dressed. Cheng Yu helps him find his shoes, while both men try to keep him close.
• Qi Sijing and Cheng Yu argue over where Xingye should go, who should drive him, and what he should eat. Their rivalry triggers a hazy childhood recollection of Xingye mediating between two quarrelsome little boys.
• Xu Chen arrives with breakfast and says Xingmo is waiting outside to take Xingye home. Xingye leaves, frustrating both men.
• On the ride home, Xingmo angrily notices marks on Xingye’s neck and warns Aunt Liu to keep Qi Sijing and Cheng Yu away.
• Xingye asks William to find Qin Ke and Li Hanwen. William quickly locates the place where Li Hanwen disappeared: Unit 203 beside an abandoned building on Chongming Avenue.
• William asks Xingye for An Shi’s contact details. Xingye, surprised by William’s apparent crush, forwards his contact card to An Shi and tells him to accept the request—despite William’s warning not to tell Bo Xi.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye is embarrassed by his appearance but remains the practical center of the group, cutting through the men’s squabbles by saying he is hungry. His memory of childhood suggests he has long played peacemaker between two competing companions. He also takes active steps to investigate Qin Ke and Li Hanwen.
• Qi Sijing and Cheng Yu continue their competitive, bickering pursuit of Xingye. Each blames the other for losing the chance to take him home, while their familiar quarrels hint at a longstanding bond with him.
• Lin Xingmo is protective and furious about the marks on Xingye’s neck, and wants to keep the two men away from him.
• William readily helps with the investigation but asks for An Shi’s contact information instead of money, revealing romantic interest.
• Bo Xi reacts possessively to William’s messages and is especially wary of his interest in An Shi. His knowledge of Qin Ke and Li Hanwen suggests he, too, is watching Xingye’s investigation.
• An Shi receives William’s contact card without knowing who William is or why he wants to connect.

Significant themes

• Rivalry and attachment: Qi Sijing and Cheng Yu’s childish competition suggests deep familiarity and mutual attachment to Xingye.
• Memory and unresolved history: Xingye’s sudden childhood recollection hints at a shared past that he does not fully understand.
• Protectiveness and jealousy: Xingmo and Bo Xi both react strongly when people they care about appear threatened or pursued.
• Comedy alongside mystery: The chapter’s romantic misunderstandings and bickering contrast with the serious search for Qin Ke and Li Hanwen.

Plot points

• William reconnects with An Shi, who responds with a coldly formal message and threatens to block him. William says he will visit when he can.
• An Shi’s mother lets herself into his home and berates him for upsetting his sister. An Shi rejects her authority, criticizes her relationship with his father, and leaves rather than stay with her.
• An Shi visits Lin Xingye and drives him to a poor, run-down neighborhood to look for Li Hanwen. An Shi realizes Lin had intended to go alone and warns him about the danger.
• At an apartment building, they find neighbors gathered outside a sealed room. A foul smell suggests something inside may be a decomposing body. An Shi tells the crowd to move back and calls the police.

Character developments and interactions

• An Shi remains guarded toward William and openly hostile toward his mother, showing how firmly he has cut himself off from her. With Lin, however, he is protective and attentive: he catches him on the stairs and takes charge when the situation seems dangerous.
• Lin Xingye is determined to find Li Hanwen despite the risks, but his reaction to the smell makes clear how unprepared he is for what they discover. He is also disturbed by the neighbors’ callous gossip, especially their willingness to treat a school-aged girl as a means of securing a wealthy husband.
• William tries to reopen contact with An Shi, but An Shi’s boundaries make clear that he is unwelcome for now.
• An Shi’s mother insists that being his mother entitles her to interfere, while An Shi refuses to accept that claim. Their confrontation ends with him leaving.

Significant themes

• Boundaries and family estrangement: An Shi rejects the idea that family ties excuse intrusion or mistreatment.
• Compassion without comparison: An Shi argues that people’s suffering should not be ranked; what matters is helping where possible and not making things worse.
• Poverty and social neglect: The decaying building and intrusive, indifferent neighbors expose the harsh conditions surrounding Li Hanwen.
• Taking responsibility: An Shi responds to a possible death by calling the police and protecting the others, rather than treating the discovery as gossip or spectacle.

Plot points

• A crowd gathers around a dilapidated home where An Shi and Lin Xingye have discovered a corpse. A passerby deliberately bumps Lin Xingye, causing him to knock over a frightened neighbor, who falls through the rotten door and exposes the body.
• To keep the onlookers from entering and disturbing the scene, Lin Xingye pretends to be a debt collector and claims Huzi owed him money. The neighbors, worried they may have borrowed from Huzi, quickly scatter.
• Lin Xingye insists on seeing the corpse, which he suspects may be Li Hanwen. From the doorway, he sees a badly decomposed body and blood on the wall, but cannot identify the face.
• A drawing of a sinister figure bearing Lin Xingye’s face drops from above. The word “Murderer” is stamped on its back, making it appear to implicate him.
• An Shi and Lin Xingye realize the scene may be a setup. Lin Xingye suspects Qin Ke, who may have anticipated that he would come looking for Li Hanwen.
• Lin Xingye urges An Shi to leave so he will not be implicated, but An Shi stays, reasoning that fleeing would look suspicious. The police arrive, collect the drawing, question them, and ask Lin Xingye to come with them.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye shows quick thinking and a playful knack for bluffing when he clears the crowd. His desire to confirm Li Hanwen’s fate overcomes his fear, but he becomes wary once the drawing appears and recognizes the risk of being framed.
• An Shi is protective and attentive, catching Lin Xingye when he stumbles and letting him inspect the room while trying to keep him safe. He refuses to abandon him, despite Lin Xingye’s insistence that he leave.
• The neighbors shift from curious spectators to frightened, self-protective witnesses; Lin Xingye’s debt-collector act sends them fleeing.
• Qin Ke does not appear, but Lin Xingye identifies him as the likely hidden schemer behind the trap.

Significant themes

• False accusation and injustice: The drawing could make Lin Xingye look guilty despite his innocence, and he doubts that the truth will necessarily protect him.
• Manipulation and suspicion: The corpse, the staged-looking clue, and the way events unfold suggest someone is controlling the situation.
• Loyalty and protection: An Shi’s decision to stay with Lin Xingye contrasts with the neighbors’ instinct to avoid trouble.
• Fear and self-interest: The crowd’s curiosity quickly gives way to panic when people fear being connected to the crime.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Xingye is arrested after a murder accusation is tied to him, with a suspicious painting offered as evidence. In the police car, he reasons that the case may not be strong enough to convict him, but could destroy his reputation.
• He recognizes the accusation as part of a larger plan: Qin Ke may be trying to ruin his name, isolate him from people who once cared about him, and ultimately take his place.
• During questioning, Lin gives a deliberately theatrical account. He says he went looking for the missing Li Hanwen after William supplied an address, claiming he wanted to encourage him. He denies knowing whether the dead man was Li Hanwen and says the painting is merely an insult to his looks.
• Officer Jiang tries to get a coherent statement, but Lin’s jokes and melodramatic outbursts turn the interrogation into a farce.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye shifts from calm analysis to cold determination when he connects the present framing to the injustices of his previous life. Though he is under pressure, he uses humor and performance to control the conversation and conceal his thoughts.
• Officer Jiang remains diligent but grows increasingly exasperated by Lin’s evasions and antics.
• Qin Ke is not present, but Lin concludes that Qin has deliberately manipulated others and harmed his family to destroy him and claim his life.

Significant themes

• Reputation as a weapon: The accusation may matter less for a conviction than for socially destroying Lin.
• Stolen identity and betrayal: Lin fears Qin has taken the affection and place that once belonged to him.
• Truth, evidence, and suspicion: Even innocent people can be forced to prove themselves when circumstances make them look guilty.
• Humor as defiance: Lin’s absurd jokes under interrogation mask his anger and help him resist intimidation.

Character interactions

• Lin’s witty, exaggerated answers frustrate Officer Jiang, who repeatedly attempts to steer the questioning back to facts.
• Lin names William as the source of the address, joking privately that he will make it up to him.
• Lin’s thoughts about Qin contrast with the comic tone of the interrogation, revealing the serious personal stakes beneath his performance.

Key plot points and events

• Bo Xi learns that Lin Xingye and An Shi are in trouble and rushes to fly home. William insists on accompanying him, claiming his assistant Kana can handle his work.
• Police question neighbors after a body is found in the apartment. The neighbors offer little useful information; many admit taking or spending money belonging to the resident, but deny involvement in the death. Police are still looking for the landlord.
• An Shi is released after routine questioning. Lin Xingye remains a suspect, but Officer Jiang says the police will release him unless they find conclusive evidence.
• News of Lin Xingye’s arrest spreads online. Reporters and hostile onlookers gather when he is released, and the crime scene has become a spectacle, forcing police to guard it.
• Lin Xingye calmly faces the crowd, mocking their eagerness to condemn him on rumor and warning that their threats and insults could be used as evidence. William and Bo Xi arrive by car, and Bo Xi takes Lin Xingye home.
• As they leave, Lin Xingye reveals a major complication: the deceased was not Li Hanwen.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye shows composure and defiance under public attack. Rather than hide or break down, he confronts the crowd and turns their hostility into a potential legal liability.
• Bo Xi acts urgently when he hears Lin Xingye is in trouble, and his worn, unkempt appearance suggests how worried and exhausted he has been. His quiet offer to take Lin Xingye home provides a moment of comfort.
• William remains irreverent and shamelessly delegates his responsibilities, but he accompanies Bo Xi back to help.
• Officer Jiang tries to reassure Lin Xingmo, emphasizing that Lin Xingye is only a suspect and that the investigation must be based on evidence.
• Lin Xingmo and the others are frustrated and worried as they struggle to reach Lin Xingye through the crowd.

Significant themes

• Rumor and public judgment: Online speculation quickly turns suspicion into assumed guilt, while the crowd treats the case as entertainment.
• Due process versus mob justice: Lin Xingye insists that accusations are not proof and warns that the crowd’s own conduct has consequences.
• Resilience under pressure: His humor and controlled defiance help him resist intimidation.
• Mystery and uncertainty: The closing revelation that the deceased was not Li Hanwen undermines assumptions about the case and raises new questions.

Key plot points and events

• Police confirm that the corpse is not Li Hanwen’s but Huzi’s, a drifter who had brought a heavily intoxicated, well-dressed man home—likely Li Hanwen. Huzi later vanished, and the unknown man disappeared as well.
• Lin Xingye concludes that Qin Ke may have arranged the killing to frame him. Though the body’s identity undermines the accusation, the public still does not know who died, leaving Lin under suspicion and his reputation damaged.
• Lin asks Bo Xi for help, and Bo Xi agrees.
• Lin Corporation issues a statement challenging people to take responsibility for spreading rumors without knowing the victim’s identity. The Four Young Masters of the Capital publicly support Lin, prompting more measured online discussion and weakening the smear campaign.
• The campaign’s organizer, revealed to be Li Hanwen, loses the paid trolls he hired after Cheng Corporation’s legal team threatens action. He bears a scar from killing Huzi and appears physically and psychologically unstable. Learning that Lin will go out the next day, he resolves to confront him himself.
• At Bo Xi’s apartment, Lin reads a loving message from his mother and reflects on how, in his previous life, he had sacrificed his happiness to meet others’ expectations. He recognizes that his family never considered him a burden. Despite fearing what Li Hanwen may do, Lin prepares to face him.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye moves from suspicion and public vulnerability toward a deliberate, dangerous plan. He understands the risks but chooses to act, trusting his friends and his knowledge of Li Hanwen.
• Bo Xi offers steady support, agreeing to help and embracing Lin despite his fear. He respects Lin’s choice while worrying deeply about his safety.
• Li Hanwen is exposed as the likely killer and architect of the smear campaign. His injuries, rage, and paranoia reveal a man consumed by resentment and revenge.
• Lin’s parents are shown to value their son’s happiness above the company, challenging the guilt and insecurity that shaped Lin’s past choices.

Significant themes

• Public judgment and misinformation: Online outrage is shown to be easily manipulated, while public support can help restore space for reason.
• Self-worth and family love: Lin’s memories contrast the pressure to prove his value with his parents’ unconditional acceptance.
• Trust and responsibility: Lin accepts the danger of his decision, while Bo Xi supports him without taking that decision away from him.
• Revenge and consequences: Li Hanwen’s violence and bitterness have left him scarred and increasingly isolated.

Character interactions

• Lin asks Bo Xi to help him; Bo Xi readily agrees and later holds him, offering reassurance while warning him to stay safe.
• Lin’s parents communicate their unconditional support through his mother’s message.
• Li Hanwen’s associate abandons him after the legal threat, exposing how unreliable his hired support is.
• Public figures’ endorsement of Lin shifts the online climate, encouraging ordinary commenters to question the accusations.

Key plot points and events

• To pressure Li Hanwen, Lin Xingye’s allies deliberately publicize a carefree outing, making it seem that they have dismissed the scandal. Xu Chen identifies the people helping Li, while Cheng Yu’s legal team and Bo Xi’s contacts work to cut off Li’s jobs, paid online support, and public influence.
• Qi Sijing unexpectedly fuels online attention by announcing that he has fallen in love with the man who saved his life and asking for advice on how to pursue him. The post goes viral, and it enrages his grandfather.
• Lin Xingye’s allies prepare a private estate as a trap, with cameras, disguised staff, and police ready nearby. Li Hanwen sneaks in carrying a machete, intending to kill Lin and take revenge on both the Lin and Qi families.
• Lin Xingye acts relaxed and taunts Li, drawing him out. Li reveals his identity and boasts about his role in Huzi’s death, but Lin’s apparent fear is only an act. Lin asks whether Li came alone; when Li realizes the estate is surrounded, the group subdues him and the police take him into custody.
• Reporters initially mistake the arrest for another incident involving Lin, but their photos help reveal Li as the real murderer. With the truth finally emerging, Lin breaks down in tears.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye shows both courage and vulnerability. He knowingly risks himself to expose Li and clear his name, but admits afterward that he was genuinely terrified. His relief comes from facing the danger with people beside him rather than alone.
• Li Hanwen is exposed as increasingly delusional, resentful, and violent. His envy of Lin and belief that he deserves Lin’s advantages drive his attempted murder; his arrogance makes him easy to lure into the trap.
• Cheng Yu stays close to protect Lin despite Lin’s objections, maintaining his composure while Lin improvises their performance.
• Bo Xi, An Shi, Xu Chen, Qi Sijing, and the others demonstrate their loyalty through legal, practical, and personal support, even as the scandal damages their businesses and relationships.

Significant themes

• Truth and reputation: Lin’s urgent goal is not simply survival but to have his name cleared and face the people he loves without the stain of false blame.
• Found support and belonging: The final realization that Lin is no longer alone contrasts with his former isolation and gives the capture emotional weight.
• Manipulation and accountability: Li’s own habits—cowardice, arrogance, temper, and self-importance—are used against him, while the evidence exposes his crimes.
• Fear beneath bravery: Lin’s calm is partly performance; his courage lies in accepting danger for the truth despite being afraid.

Character interactions

• Lin’s friends coordinate around him, with Bo Xi monitoring the cameras, William’s men posing as staff, Cheng Yu acting as bartender, and An Shi and William waiting with medical equipment.
• Lin deliberately provokes Li while Cheng Yu plays along, creating the appearance that Lin is unaware of the danger.
• Once Li is captured, Bo Xi places a coat around the shaken Lin. The group’s presence helps Lin move from tension and fear to laughter and tears of relief.

Plot points and events

• Lin Xingye meets Li Hanwen again, where Li threatens that a powerful figure will still target him. Xingye dismisses the threat and leaves, determined that Li should face punishment rather than an easy death.
• Police evidence links Li to Huzi’s murder and confirms he meant to frame Xingye. Li refuses to explain the painting or his motive, while investigators suspect someone called “Mr. Qin.” Xingye privately knows the real mastermind is someone else.
• The police publicly clear Xingye. The internet quickly fills with apologies, and the Lin Corporation’s lawyers pursue people who helped spread the accusations.
• At a board meeting, Lin Xingmo confronts members who had demanded the brothers’ removal. He announces that the board will be reviewed. The brothers reveal they had quietly bought back shares during the company’s stock slump, leaving their opponents with little influence.
• The brothers decide to attend a charity gala and make their recovery visible. Xingye chooses to dye his hair red, wanting to live more boldly than he did in his previous life.
• At the gala, Bo Xi, Qi Sijing, and Cheng Yu trade barbs over their showy outfits. Qi Sinian avoids Cheng Yu, resolves to move on, and plans to find happiness elsewhere.
• An Ning threatens her younger brother An Shi, but William intervenes, politely criticizing her for striking him and taking An Shi away. William’s public defense embarrasses An Ning and irritates An Shi.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye remains composed in the face of Li’s threats and is determined to see him punished. His red hair marks a desire for greater freedom and self-expression.
• Lin Xingmo gains confidence after finally confronting the hostile board members; his brother backs him up.
• Li Hanwen is exposed as Huzi’s killer and a participant in the attempt to frame Xingye, but continues to withhold information about the larger conspiracy.
• Qi Sinian begins accepting Cheng Yu’s rejection and turns toward a more self-directed life.
• William shows unusual restraint and courtesy, yet uses it to defend An Shi. An Shi rejects the intervention, though William notices his embarrassment.
• The gala brings several characters together through rivalry, teasing, and strained family relationships.

Significant themes

• Reclaiming reputation and power: Public exoneration and the brothers’ control of shares reverse the forces that had threatened them.
• Justice and revenge: Xingye wants Li held accountable, while the identity of the real mastermind remains unresolved.
• Self-determination: Xingye’s bold new look and Qi Sinian’s decision to move on reflect choices to live on their own terms.
• Public image versus private behavior: The board members’ opportunism and An Ning’s polished façade contrast with their actions behind the scenes.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Xingye arrives at a charity banquet with Lin Xingmo, whose vivid red hair immediately draws attention. Their friends gather around them, while William drags An Shi over; Bo Xi intervenes and makes sure An Shi is beside Lin Xingye.
• Guests whisper that the Lin family appears unaffected by recent troubles and notice that An Ning has not joined her brother. An Ning watches from the crowd, resentful and determined to prove the An family does not need An Shi.
• The banquet raises money for impoverished children in the same area where Li Hanwen had been hiding. Lin Xingye and An Shi remember the harsh conditions there, including overcrowded homes, hungry children, and girls being kept out of school.
• Several performers take the stage. Lin Xingye finds dancer Song Ze’s technically beautiful performance emotionally hollow, though he watches it through; he enjoys the more heartfelt singing and choral pieces.
• During a group photo, Song Ze tries to stand near Cheng Yu but ends up hidden behind Lin Xingye. A fan loudly tells the red-haired man to move because he is blocking Song Ze. Lin Xingye turns and discovers Song Ze behind him.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is lively and self-conscious about his striking new hair. He is also thoughtful about the impoverished children and values sincerity in performances.
• An Shi remains uncomfortable in his tight suit, but his presence with Lin Xingye’s group contrasts with An Ning’s hostility.
• An Ning’s resentment is clear: she assumes An Shi has complained about her to others and resolves to prove her own worth.
• Song Ze is presented as a popular dancer whose performance seems detached, and who later tries to move closer to Cheng Yu.

Significant themes

• Poverty and social responsibility: The charity’s cause recalls the severe deprivation the children endure, prompting Lin Xingye and An Shi to confront how easily society can ignore suffering.
• Authenticity: Lin Xingye distinguishes between performance that is merely beautiful and work delivered with genuine feeling.
• Family conflict and belonging: An Ning’s bitterness contrasts with the warmth and protectiveness shown toward An Shi by his friends.
• Public image and status: The banquet’s polished setting and guests’ concern for reputation sit uneasily beside the poverty it aims to address.

Character interactions

• Lin Xingye’s friends compliment his hair, while An Shi offers a more personal observation about his recovery after Li Hanwen’s removal.
• Bo Xi watches William closely, pushes him away, and steers An Shi toward Lin Xingye, highlighting the group’s protectiveness.
• An Ning observes her brother from a distance and interprets the group’s support for him as a personal slight.
• Cheng Yu moves to stand beside Lin Xingye for the photo; Song Ze’s attempt to get near Cheng Yu leads to the fan’s public complaint and leaves Lin Xingye confused.