Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• After a violent incident, An Shi and Lin Xingye recover in hospital. Their teacher reports that a blond man carried An Shi from the ambulance and was later called away by the police—confirming that William helped rescue him.
• An Shi stays awake watching over Lin Xingye, relieved that he is safe.
• William visits An Shi. Despite their awkward history, he checks An Shi’s bruises and urges him not to move. He then invites him abroad for a holiday; An Shi unexpectedly agrees, leaving William delighted.
• Lin Xingye reveals he woke during the invitation and playfully teases An Shi about it. An Shi checks on his injuries and privately resolves to prevent him from breaking his dietary restrictions as soon as he is discharged.
• They discuss their next steps: Qin Ke has been captured, but the system behind him may still resist. With its other forces exhausted, it may rely on He Shuqin as its final bargaining chip. An Shi and Lin Xingye plan to visit him and end the matter.

Character developments and interactions

• An Shi is tender and protective toward Lin Xingye, while remaining embarrassed and guarded around William. His acceptance of the trip suggests he is warming to William despite their past tension.
• William drops his usual flippancy to show genuine concern for An Shi. His jealousy of Lin Xingye is apparent, but he restrains himself and treats An Shi carefully.
• Lin Xingye remains playful and gossip-minded, yet he reassures An Shi that he is recovering. His thoughts focus humorously on the foods he hopes to eat once his restrictions end.
• An Shi and Lin Xingye share a close, caring bond; William’s visit creates an awkward but increasingly affectionate triangle of interactions.

Significant themes

• Care amid danger: The characters’ concern for one another provides comfort after violence and injury.
• Romantic tension and jealousy: William’s invitation and jealousy contrast with An Shi’s embarrassment and growing openness.
• Recovery and resilience: The characters endure repeated injuries but remain determined to resolve the larger conflict.
• Confronting the final threat: Capturing Qin Ke is a major victory, but the system’s remaining leverage means the conflict is not yet over.

Key plot points and events

• Mrs. An arrives at the hospital demanding that An Shi be moved, despite doctors warning that he has only just left intensive care.
• An Shi allows his family to enter and reveals that he has signed a share-transfer agreement.
• He says he has given 15% of the An Group to An Ning and another 10% to Lin Xingye. An Ning is stunned but decides she will sign the agreement. Her mother objects, arguing that An Ning will eventually marry and take the shares to her husband’s family.
• Mr. An focuses on the remaining shares, while Mrs. An tries to pressure An Shi into reversing the transfers. An Shi rejects her appeal and confronts her about his upbringing.
• He reveals that his mother controlled his life and arranged for people around him to befriend him for their own purposes. As he describes feeling isolated and manipulated, he becomes physically distressed. Doctors intervene, and the family is ordered out.
• William, who had been quietly observing, coldly tells Mrs. An to shut up as she continues shouting outside the room.

Character developments

• An Shi shifts from quiet composure to open defiance, asserting control over his inheritance and naming the emotional harm caused by his mother’s manipulation.
• An Ning is initially surprised by the shares, then reacts to her mother’s sexist dismissal by leaving and resolving to accept them.
• Mrs. An is exposed as controlling and self-interested: she prioritizes the family’s wealth and her plans for An Shi over his wishes.
• Lin Xingye is shocked to learn he has received shares and remains protective of An Shi.
• William moves from curious observer to forceful defender, confronting Mrs. An when An Shi is in distress.

Significant themes

• Autonomy versus control: An Shi rejects being treated as a puppet whose future is decided by his mother.
• Family, money, and power: The share transfers challenge the An family’s hierarchy and reveal how closely affection is tied to inheritance and influence.
• Gender inequality: Mrs. An treats An Ning’s eventual marriage as a reason she should not hold significant shares.
• Betrayal and isolation: An Shi’s account of people being placed around him for ulterior motives shows the lasting damage of manipulation disguised as concern.

Character interactions

• Mrs. An’s demands clash with the doctors’ duty to protect An Shi and with An Shi’s refusal to obey her.
• An Ning’s mother publicly diminishes her, prompting An Ning to leave and assert her own choice.
• Mr. An focuses on the company’s ownership rather than An Shi’s feelings.
• Lin Xingye is unexpectedly included in An Shi’s redistribution of shares, while William supports An Shi as his family’s confrontation escalates.

Key events

• An Shi’s mother confronts him in the hospital, upsetting him so badly that he becomes breathless and aggravates his abdominal injury. Doctors make him lie down while Lin Xingye panics and wants to confront her.
• An Shi’s friends defend him. Bo Xi tells his mother to leave, and William has security remove her for disrupting the hospital. An Shi’s mentor later bans her from visiting again without permission.
• After An Shi recovers, his friends gather around him. Qi Sijing urges him to stop tolerating his family’s behavior, while An Shi explains that he has tried to preserve family ties and avoid turning relatives against his mother.
• An Shi admits he chose to leave the An Family’s affairs and pursue his own path. His decision to study medicine grew from feeling helpless when Lin Xingye was injured and lost his memory; his brain research was partly aimed at helping Star recover.
• Surrounded by friends who understand and protect him, An Shi realizes he does not always have to handle his pain alone.

Character developments and interactions

• An Shi shows how deeply his mother’s control and rejection have hurt him, while still recognizing her contributions to the family. His restraint comes from gratitude and a wish to avoid burning bridges—not from indifference or weakness. He begins to accept his friends’ support.
• Lin Xingye is fiercely protective of An Shi and repeatedly tries to fight his mother, though he stops himself after remembering others’ warnings against violence.
• Bo Xi stands firmly with An Shi, while William takes a blunt, practical approach and removes the disruptive visitor. An Shi’s mentor also acts to protect him.
• Qi Sijing argues that An Shi should cut off those who mistreat him, reflecting his direct, fiercely loyal nature. An Shi gently teases him but is moved by his unwavering support.
• Cheng Yu offers quiet reassurance and keeps Qi Sijing from saying something inappropriate. William, meanwhile, feels excluded as the group shares unspoken signals he cannot understand.

Significant themes

• Family duty versus personal choice: An Shi can acknowledge his mother’s past contributions without surrendering his own life to her wishes.
• Loyalty and chosen family: His friends provide the protection and understanding he has long struggled to ask for.
• Restraint and boundaries: An Shi tries to preserve relationships, while his friends insist that protecting him sometimes requires taking a firm stand.
• Vulnerability and healing: An Shi’s emotional collapse reveals the cost of enduring pain alone, and his friends remind him that he can lean on them.

Key plot points and events

• Nearly half a month after the rescue, the rescued civilians remain under observation: their brainwaves show identical abnormalities, though they have no memories of the incident or unusual physical findings. Authorities are investigating discreetly.
• William is thanked for helping with the rescue but warned not to bring large groups into the country or act without authorization.
• The An family faces a crisis after William halts business partnerships with the An Corporation and supports changing its leadership. An Ning uses the opportunity to challenge her father, while Lin Xingye refuses the family’s requests for his shares.
• He Shuqin’s visitors finally arrive: Bo Xi, Cheng Yu, and Lin Xingye. Others support them from elsewhere, while An Shi stays home under William’s care.
• The system, still controlling Qin Ke, demands that they release him. Lin Xingye refuses to negotiate and presents evidence gathered by the group, including a recording in which Qin Ke confesses to his crimes.
• When the system claims the confession could have been coerced, Lin Xingye plays a news report confirming the kidnapping and rescue. He then reveals that stories about Qin Ke and the case are trending online, including claims that Qin Ke is alive and has confessed. The system is visibly shaken, but the chapter ends before its defeat is confirmed.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is confident and openly hostile toward the system. He uses the evidence not just to expose it but to unsettle it, driven by his loyalty to An An.
• He Shuqin remains calm and assured despite Qin Ke being under the system’s control, contrasting with the system’s growing desperation.
• The system shifts from arrogant certainty to panic as its isolation, Qin Ke’s foolish confession, and the public evidence undermine its position.
• An Ning takes advantage of the An family’s weakened position to push for a new direction and confront her father.
• An Shi is kept away from the confrontation so he can rest, while William remains with him.

Significant themes

• Truth versus manipulation: The group counters the system’s attempts to dismiss the evidence with records, a confession, and public reporting.
• Loyalty and protection: Lin Xingye’s commitment to An An shapes his actions, while the group carefully coordinates to protect one another.
• Power and accountability: The rescue and its aftermath bring both the kidnappers and the An family’s leadership under scrutiny.
• Control and vulnerability: The system’s confidence falters as it loses control of events and faces evidence it cannot easily explain away.

Character interactions

• The system tries to pressure He Shuqin and the visitors by threatening Qin Ke’s body, but Lin Xingye dismisses the threat and takes control of the encounter.
• Lin Xingye works with Bo Xi and Cheng Yu in person, while Lin Xingmo and Xu Chen monitor remotely and Qi Sijing waits nearby as backup.
• William’s intervention both helps the rescue group and intensifies conflict with the An family.

• The system is defeated and Qin Ke is freed. Lin Xingye reveals that the group sent their evidence to the police, and Qin Ke has confessed. The system realizes Lin Xingye had been wary from the start, rather than becoming hostile only after its attacks. As its power is stripped away, it screams and collapses. Qin Ke soon wakes, in severe pain from the long separation between his soul and body.
• He Shuqin reunites with Qin Ke. He carries the hurting young man to the hospital, where doctors find no physical cause. A spiritual master later explains that Qin Ke’s soul is weak from being separated from his body and needs to regain yang energy. Qin Ke eventually recovers and changes his name to He Shuke, wanting to leave behind the unlucky name associated with his former kindergarten classmate, Qin Ke.
• The group gathers for dinner after dealing with the aftermath. Lin Xingye and Lin Xingmo arrive at a private-room meal, where friends eagerly welcome them. Qi Sijing sweeps Lin Xingmo into an exuberant hug, prompting Cheng Yu to complain; Bo Xi is left waiting for a chance to greet Lin Xingye until Lin calls him over. Lin Xingmo takes Xu Chen’s hand, suggesting their earlier tension has eased. Lin Xingye gives An Shi an enthusiastic hug, while William also joins the gathering after inviting An Shi.
• Relationships and lighter fallout: Bo Xi had accompanied He Shuqin and He Shuke to the spiritual master, who recommended Bo Xi as the best person to help restore He Shuke’s energy. Bo Xi was so embarrassed—and He Shuqin so displeased—that Bo Xi avoided visiting them for a week. Lin Xingye later teased him about it. The chapter ends on a warm, celebratory note as everyone sits down to eat, with Lin Xingye excitedly choosing the food.
  Key themes: Human resilience and solidarity triumph over the system’s manipulation; trust and loyalty motivate He Shuqin’s determination to save Qin Ke; recovery involves both practical care and emotional reunion. The shift from the eerie defeat of the system to affectionate teasing and shared dinner gives the finale a sense of relief, restored relationships, and closure.

Plot points and events

• The group shares a cheerful meal, trading news about their plans and relationships. Qi Sijing, Cheng Yu, and Bo Xi each hint at marrying Lin Xingye or becoming family with him, while Lin is embarrassed by their claims.
• Cheng Yu considers joining William on a business trip, but Lin invites Cheng Yu hiking instead. Qi Sijing quickly volunteers to go with Lin, and Cheng Yu redirects the plan so he can accompany him.
• He Shuqin announces that he and Keke will travel together, delighted by how close they have become. An Shi is also planning a trip, though he has not decided whether to go alone.
• Qi Sinian reveals she is going abroad to study. Lin Xingmo announces that he and Xu Chen will hold their engagement party the following week, catching Lin Xingye completely by surprise.
• Asked about his family, An Shi says An Ning has prevailed. She apologized to him, but he does not forgive her; he simply recognizes that she is more humane than their father. An Shi says he wants to pursue someone new, then kisses Lin Xingye. The table erupts in jealous protests, while Lin privately enjoys the kiss.
• The main story ends with the group’s affectionate chaos and Lin’s sense that this happy, stable life is the ending he wanted.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye remains trusting and easily flustered, but is content with the affection surrounding him. He also quietly tries to help William avoid being exposed.
• An Shi takes a step toward a new life by planning to travel and openly acting on his feelings for Lin. His calm kiss contrasts with the group’s shocked, jealous reaction.
• He Shuqin and Keke are happy together, while Lin Xingmo and Xu Chen move toward engagement.
• The friends’ banter—especially Qi Sijing and Cheng Yu competing for Lin’s attention—underscores their closeness and ongoing romantic rivalry.

Significant themes

• The ending emphasizes safety and stability as the foundation for love: Lin can enjoy romance only once threats and turmoil have receded.
• Healing does not require forgiveness; An Shi can reject reconciliation with his family while still moving forward.
• The author’s afterword acknowledges that the main story closes before every romance is resolved. The remaining relationship developments and everyday happiness are intended for future extras.

Key events

• Lin Xingye leaves work early to meet Bo Xi, while reflecting on his growing closeness to the people around him—and his uncertainty about his feelings for Bo Xi, Qi Sijing, and Cheng Yu.
• In the underground garage, the Dong Family’s spoiled young son makes an unwanted advance. Lin Xingye rejects him, then punches and kicks him when he grabs him.
• Bo Xi arrives, immediately recognizes Lin Xingye has been harassed, and knocks the man down with one punch. He warns that any repeat incident will be reported to the man’s father, then takes Lin Xingye away.
• They drive to a hot-springs resort. Lin Xingye is flustered by Bo Xi’s appearance and attention, but pretends he is merely overheated. At the resort, he is more eager to find food than to explore the facilities.
• Bo Xi has reserved a luxury suite with a private outdoor hot spring and only one bed. Lin Xingye teases him while changing, but dashes off as Bo Xi starts undressing. They head toward the food together, with Bo Xi content to follow Lin Xingye’s lead.

Character development

• Lin Xingye is more open and comfortable with those close to him, but remains confused about his attraction to several men. He is assertive and capable of defending himself, while also being easily embarrassed by Bo Xi’s affection and physical presence.
• Bo Xi shows a contrast between his intimidating protectiveness toward outsiders and his gentleness with Lin Xingye. He prioritizes Lin Xingye’s comfort and happiness, enjoying the carefree, childlike side of him.
• The Dong Family’s young son is portrayed as entitled and dismissive of boundaries; his behavior earns him an immediate physical and social comeuppance.

Themes and interactions

• Consent and boundaries: Lin Xingye clearly rejects the unwanted advance and calls it harassment; the chapter treats his response as justified.
• Protective affection: Bo Xi’s decisive intervention is followed by considerate, tender care, highlighting the trust between the two.
• Romantic uncertainty and desire: Lin Xingye’s attraction to multiple men—and especially his feelings for Bo Xi—creates comic inner turmoil.
• Playful intimacy: Teasing, blushing, and their easy companionship give the resort outing a warm, flirtatious tone.

Plot points and events

• Lin Xingye and Bo Xi share a meal at a buffet. Bo Xi attentively helps choose and prepare food to suit Lin Xingye’s tastes, while gently stopping him from taking more than they can eat.
• Lin Xingye runs into He Shuke and He Shuqin. Their openly affectionate relationship prompts He Shuke to tease Lin Xingye about Bo Xi and ask why he cannot choose among the people who care for him.
• Lin Xingye admits he feels guilty turning anyone down. He Shuke boldly suggests he need not choose, leaving Lin Xingye flustered.
• On the way back, Bo Xi takes Lin Xingye’s hand and intertwines their fingers. Lin Xingye does not pull away, though his embarrassment is plain.
• Back at their room, Bo Xi embraces him and they share an intimate moment. Later, while soaking in the hot spring, Bo Xi confesses that he loves him and admits he envies He Shuqin’s ability to openly claim his beloved.
• Lin Xingye asks what Bo Xi likes about him. Bo Xi answers with affectionate kisses and reassures him that he need not choose: simply being close to Lin Xingye is enough.
• Lin Xingye finally says he likes Bo Xi. Their intimacy deepens, though Lin Xingye later calls Bo Xi a “liar,” apparently protesting the intensity of the experience.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye remains affectionate and receptive but is troubled by the idea of choosing among people who love him. He gradually lets himself accept Bo Xi’s closeness and voices his feelings, even as uncertainty and bashfulness remain.
• Bo Xi moves from quiet attentiveness to open vulnerability. He confesses his love, reveals his jealousy, and makes clear he is willing to accept an unconventional arrangement if it means staying with Lin Xingye.
• He Shuke is cheerful and teasing, but his blunt advice gives Lin Xingye a new way to think about his dilemma.
• He Shuqin and He Shuke serve as a visible example of a couple who are openly devoted to each other.

Significant themes

• Love and choice: Lin Xingye’s affection for multiple people makes choosing feel painful; the chapter raises the possibility of loving without choosing only one.
• Vulnerability and reassurance: Bo Xi’s confession and Lin Xingye’s eventual reciprocation deepen their emotional trust.
• Intimacy and acceptance: Small gestures—sharing food, holding hands, and verbal affection—build toward physical closeness.

Character interactions

• Bo Xi shows care through practical attentiveness at dinner, then through tentative hand-holding and direct declarations of love.
• He Shuke teases Lin Xingye about his feelings, while Lin Xingye tries to silence him and hide his embarrassment.
• Bo Xi reassures Lin Xingye that he need not resolve his feelings for everyone immediately, and asks only to hear that Lin Xingye likes him.

Key plot points and events

• Bo Xi stays with Lin Xingye at a hot-spring resort after an intimate night, gently soothing him back to sleep.
• Qi Sijing returns from arranging Qi Sinian’s trip abroad, eagerly visits Lin Xingye with a cake, and discovers him asleep beside Bo Xi. Seeing the marks on Lin’s neck, Qi becomes jealous; Bo Xi coolly points out that Lin agreed to be with him.
• When Lin wakes, Bo Xi tends to his sore back while Qi complains that Lin is favoring Bo. Qi’s jealousy quickly gives way to concern, and he leaves to get Lin food—then insists Lin praise the cake he brought.
• The trio go shopping, where Bo and Qi repeatedly make Lin try on their preferred choices and pick a winner. Fed up, Lin sends them away and returns to his villa alone.
• Later, Bo Xi lets himself into the villa with Lin’s passcode, bringing a home-cooked meal made up of Lin’s favorites. He explains that he expected Lin to wake hungry after sleeping, and that Qi’s visit had kept him from resting and eating properly.
• The two spend a cozy evening watching movies and playing games. A tragic film prompts Lin to worry that their happiness might not last. Bo reassures him that his love has endured for over ten years and does not press him about his painful past.
• Their evening turns intimate again, with Lin embarrassed by Bo’s persistence but still drawn to him.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is affectionate and receptive to both men’s attention, though their rivalry exhausts him. His fear that happiness could be temporary reveals lingering trauma from his past.
• Bo Xi shows tenderness through caretaking—soothing Lin, massaging his back, cooking for him—and reassures him with his long-standing devotion. His possessive streak surfaces in his knowledge of Lin’s routine and use of the passcode.
• Qi Sijing remains flamboyant, childish, and openly jealous, but his concern for Lin outweighs his resentment. He brings food, fusses over Lin, and seeks more time with him.

Significant themes

• Jealousy and affection: Bo and Qi compete for Lin’s attention, but their rivalry is presented as playful and rooted in love.
• Care as intimacy: Comfort, food, and attentive gestures are as important as romantic and physical closeness.
• Trust amid vulnerability: Lin’s fears about losing his happiness contrast with Bo’s steady reassurance and respect for Lin’s privacy.
• Comic domesticity: The chapter balances emotional tenderness with teasing, squabbling, and the inconvenience of being loved by two overenthusiastic partners.

Character interactions

Lin is caught between Bo’s calm, protective affection and Qi’s loud, puppy-like devotion. Bo and Qi needle one another over Lin, while Lin responds with embarrassment, exasperation, and occasional acceptance. In private, Bo offers Lin reassurance and comfort; Qi, though jealous, consistently puts Lin’s needs first.

Plot points

• Qi Sijing surprises Lin Xingye with a drive to an amusement park. After another driver mistakes Lin for a woman, Qi dismisses the man and comforts his annoyed boyfriend.
• At the park, Qi dotes on Lin—wiping his face, carrying him inside, and choosing matching bunny- and dog-ear headbands. He jokes that he is Lin’s “dog,” embarrassing Lin in public; their playful chase and reunion show how easily their teasing turns affectionate.
• Qi steers Lin away from the more extreme rides, still troubled by a past cliff-fall incident. He makes peace with him by buying plenty of snacks and treats, then they ride the Ferris wheel.
• At the wheel’s peak, they share an intense kiss. Qi says he believes in the Ferris-wheel legend because anything he does with Lin feels worth believing in. Lin later discovers he dropped his food during the kiss and scolds Qi.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is mischievous, easily flustered, and enjoys being pampered, though he likes to act indignant. He understands Qi’s caution and ultimately lets himself be won over by the day’s affection.
• Qi Sijing is openly affectionate and playful, but his protectiveness comes from lingering fear about Lin’s previous accident. His gaze and words reveal how deeply devoted he is.

Themes and interactions

The chapter centers on affectionate intimacy: teasing, caretaking, public embarrassment, and reconciliation all reinforce the couple’s comfort with each other. It also contrasts Lin’s desire for excitement with Qi’s protective concern, while the Ferris-wheel kiss turns an ordinary outing into a romantic, meaningful moment.

Plot

Qi Sijing grumbles when Lin Xingye plans to travel abroad to visit Cheng Yu and An Shi. He suggests postponing the trip until Cheng Yu is back, hoping to keep Lin Xingye close a little longer. Later, he takes Lin Xingye to his villa for a surprise dinner. Lin discovers a romantic setup of roses, candlelight, and favorite foods, then opens a large gift box. Inside is an embarrassing skimpy outfit—apparently a prank present from Qi Sijing’s sister, Qi Sinian. Beneath it, Lin finds the matching hoodie Qi Sijing actually chose, decorated with a golden star and a little dog, along with another small gift box.

Character developments

• Qi Sijing is clingy and playfully jealous, but also thoughtful: he arranges a special dinner and a personalized matching outfit for Lin. His romantic plans are derailed by his sister’s prank.
• Lin Xingye teases Qi Sijing and is embarrassed by his attentions, yet clearly enjoys the romantic gestures. He responds to the skimpy outfit with mock indignation rather than anger.

Character interactions

The couple trade teasing and affectionate banter throughout. Qi Sijing clings to Lin and watches him adoringly during dinner; Lin notices his suggestive gaze and calls him a pervert. When the revealing outfit appears, Lin throws it at Qi Sijing, who protests his innocence and blames the prank on his sister.

Themes

The chapter emphasizes affectionate intimacy, playful jealousy, and the care expressed through small, personalized gestures. Its humor comes from the contrast between Qi Sijing’s sincere romantic preparation and the accidental, embarrassing prank that interrupts it.

Plot points

• Qi Sijing gives Lin Xingye a gold puppy necklace with a hidden button that summons him, along with snacks, plush toys, and a car key. Lin loves the gifts and plans to take them all home.
• Qi reminds Lin that he promised to make it up to him and produces a revealing pearl outfit Lin had discarded. Embarrassed but willing, Lin puts it on; Qi is overwhelmed by how attractive he looks, and the two share an intense, intimate encounter.
• The next day, Lin drives the new red sports car, with Qi unusually quiet beside him. At sunset, Qi reveals he has been waiting to act on his earlier suggestion that they have sex in the car. Lin protests, but Qi persuades him with puppy-eyed pleading, then carries him into the back seat. Lin’s objections are left unfinished.

Character developments and interactions

• Lin Xingye is affectionate and increasingly comfortable accepting Qi’s gifts, while remaining easily flustered by Qi’s advances. He takes the lead by offering to drive, but is caught off guard when Qi turns the outing into a romantic opportunity.
• Qi Sijing shows his devotion through thoughtful, personalized gifts and playful “puppy” behavior. Beneath his sweet, clingy manner, he is persistent and mischievous, having planned ahead for intimacy.
• Their relationship is marked by mutual affection, teasing, and growing physical closeness. Lin’s mock indignation and Qi’s coaxing create a playful push-and-pull dynamic.

Significant themes

• Affection expressed through gifts: Qi’s presents reflect how closely he knows Lin’s tastes.
• Playfulness and intimacy: Puppy imagery, teasing promises, and romantic surprises shape their interactions.
• Trust and vulnerability: Lin’s willingness to humor Qi’s requests signals growing comfort and closeness, even as he continues to protest bashfully.

• Plot and events: After Qi Sijing’s teasing leaves him angry, Lin Xingye secretly flies overseas to see Cheng Yu, whom he has missed. On the flight, he turns down a fellow passenger’s attempt to chat because of the language barrier, then falls asleep. In a troubling dream, he relives his past-life suicide and hears someone calling for him just before waking. A child repeatedly disrupts him and throws marbles at him; when the child tries again, Lin Xingye retaliates by throwing the marbles at the child’s parents, joking that he is a sorcerer who will curse them. The flight attendant moves him to a better seat, while other passengers take his side.
• Reunion: At the airport, Cheng Yu greets Lin Xingye with an unrestrained kiss. Lin Xingye is embarrassed by the public display, but the welcoming crowd and Cheng Yu’s affection reassure him. Cheng Yu takes him to a stylish restaurant, where Lin Xingye takes photos to send to Lin Xingmo—and blocks Qi Sijing.
• Character developments: Lin Xingye shows a sharper, more assertive side when provoked, though he remains shy about public affection and awkward with strangers. His dream hints at lingering unease about his past-life death and raises the question of who was calling to him. Cheng Yu’s reunion makes clear how intensely he has missed Lin Xingye; he is also jealous of Qi Sijing and privately struggles to rein in his desire.
• Character interactions: Lin Xingye rejects the young man’s overture but later accepts his help translating during the flight dispute. He stands up to the disruptive child and confronts the parents, with the other passengers supporting him. With Cheng Yu, he responds to an enthusiastic reunion with bashful resistance before leaving with him. The chapter also highlights the tension between Cheng Yu and Qi Sijing, who has been sending Cheng Yu intimate photos of Lin Xingye.
• Themes: The chapter contrasts Lin Xingye’s vulnerability and trauma with his newfound willingness to defend himself. It also explores longing, jealousy, affection, and the comic misunderstandings that arise from language and cultural differences.

Key plot points and events

• Cheng Yu takes Lin Xingye abroad, where Cheng Yu handles all communication. He arranges an intimate dinner surrounded by flowers, keeping Lin close and making sure he eats foods he enjoys.
• Lin wants to visit An Shi, so Cheng Yu brings him to An Shi’s home. They arrive to find An Shi passionately kissing William. Embarrassed, Lin quietly leaves without interrupting them; Cheng Yu, who knew what was happening, hides his amusement.
• Back at Cheng Yu’s temporary home, Lin accidentally breaks a crystal goblet. Cheng Yu checks that he isn’t injured, reassures him, and cleans up the shards himself.
• That night, Cheng Yu persuades Lin to share his bed, claiming he is afraid of thunder. The room is decorated with roses and red lighting. Cheng Yu ties Lin’s hands with a ribbon, confesses how much he missed him, and initiates an intimate encounter.
• Elsewhere, Qi Sijing receives photos of Cheng Yu and Lin together and reacts angrily.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye remains trusting, affectionate, and easily flustered. He relies on Cheng Yu abroad, is curious about his new surroundings, and feels embarrassed after accidentally walking in on An Shi and William.
• Cheng Yu reveals intense possessiveness and desire for Lin. He carefully arranges romantic settings, indulges Lin, and takes advantage of his trust to create an intimate night together.
• An Shi and William are shown in a passionate relationship, though An Shi seems unaware that Lin and Cheng Yu have briefly entered.
• Qi Sijing remains preoccupied with Lin and reacts with jealousy upon receiving the photos.

Significant themes

• Possessiveness and jealousy: Cheng Yu’s pleasure in Lin’s dependence and Qi Sijing’s anger both reflect the men’s fixation on him.
• Trust and vulnerability: Lin depends on Cheng Yu to guide and care for him, while Cheng Yu uses their closeness to pursue greater intimacy.
• Tenderness alongside control: Cheng Yu is attentive when Lin is hungry or at risk of injury, but his romantic gestures also carry a possessive, controlling edge.
• Privacy and safety: The closing author’s note warns readers not to imitate the characters’ extreme possessiveness and emphasizes protecting oneself.

Character interactions

• Cheng Yu guides, feeds, comforts, and affectionately touches Lin throughout the trip; Lin responds with trust and warmth.
• Lin and Cheng Yu accidentally catch An Shi and William kissing, then retreat discreetly.
• Cheng Yu reassures Lin after the broken goblet and later draws him into an intimate encounter.
• Qi Sijing’s response to the photos establishes continuing rivalry and jealousy over Lin.

Key plot points and events

• Lin Xingye wakes as Cheng Yu gets ready for work and, still sleepy and clingy, insists on going with him. He notices a damp patch on the window and blushes, recalling the previous night.
• Cheng Yu brings him to the office, prepared with a warm breakfast and fluffy winter accessories. Lin enjoys the congee while Cheng Yu massages his sore back, showing their easy intimacy.
• Left in the lounge during Cheng Yu’s client meeting, Lin attracts attention because he looks unusually young and doesn’t speak the local language. A red-haired man approaches and pesters him; Lin uses a translation app to answer and waits for Cheng Yu to return.
• Cheng Yu rejects the client’s personal advances, even when she hints that a romantic relationship might change his business decision. After the meeting, he finds Lin being bothered by the red-haired man and introduces him as his longtime partner.
• The client recognizes the situation, stops her younger brother, and makes him apologize to Lin.
• Back home, Cheng Yu’s jealousy and insecurity surface. He worries that others’ interest in Lin might lead Lin to leave him, then kisses him possessively.

Character developments

• Lin Xingye is affectionate and dependent on Cheng Yu in unfamiliar surroundings, but handles the unwanted attention with quiet directness. His embarrassment over the previous night adds a playful, bashful note.
• Cheng Yu is attentive and openly devoted, making thoughtful arrangements for Lin’s comfort. He firmly refuses the client’s advances, but his possessiveness reveals an underlying fear of losing Lin.
• The client and her brother provide a brief comic complication: she accepts Cheng Yu’s refusal, while her brother’s pestering prompts her to discipline him.

Significant themes

• Affection expressed through care: Cheng Yu’s breakfast, warm clothing, and physical comfort show love through practical attention.
• Jealousy and insecurity: Cheng Yu’s confidence in public contrasts with his fear that Lin might be drawn away by others.
• Language and belonging: Lin’s reliance on a translation app underscores his isolation in an unfamiliar place, while Cheng Yu’s presence gives him security.
• Public identity and commitment: Cheng Yu’s introduction of Lin as his partner makes their relationship unmistakable.

Character interactions

• Lin and Cheng Yu share affectionate, teasing intimacy throughout the morning and at the office; Lin clings to him, and Cheng Yu caters to his needs.
• Lin’s awkward exchange with the red-haired man contrasts with his relief and enthusiasm when Cheng Yu appears.
• Cheng Yu calmly rejects the client’s advances, then introduces Lin as his partner; the client responds by making her brother apologize.
• At home, Cheng Yu’s protective affection turns possessive as he voices his fear of losing Lin.

Plot points

• An Shi’s vacation is interrupted when his hospital asks him to replace a sick colleague in an overseas exchange program. William protests by phone, but An Shi goes ahead with the assignment.
• At the partner hospital, An Shi joins neurology and is paired with Claire, a young, striking but distant doctor. His colleagues are impressed by his medical knowledge and welcome him socially.
• After dinner, William arrives to collect An Shi. An Shi introduces him simply as a friend, then falls asleep in the car. William carries him home and sneaks an affectionate nuzzle; An Shi notices but says nothing.
• An Shi tells William he may stay, leaving William delighted.
• The chapter ends with a hooded stranger delivering photographs of William and An Shi to an unidentified man, who studies An Shi’s appearance and remarks on William’s devotion.

Character developments and interactions

• An Shi remains composed and self-reliant, accepting the work assignment despite being on vacation. He is polite with colleagues and quietly amused by William’s clinginess, suggesting growing affection.
• William is openly upset that An Shi’s vacation has become work, but is attentive and eager to care for him. An Shi’s permission to stay gives him hope.
• Claire is introduced as a cold, reserved mentor interested in Chinese cultivation. Though she seems disengaged, she shows curiosity when she sees William.
• An Shi’s colleagues quickly warm to him, while his interaction with Claire remains limited.

Significant themes

• Work versus personal life: An Shi’s holiday is overtaken by professional obligations.
• Affection expressed through care and restraint: William’s devotion contrasts with An Shi’s understated responses.
• A looming threat or complication: The secret photographs suggest that someone is watching the pair and may use their relationship against them.

Plot points

• An Shi and William’s relationship is growing more comfortable: William stays over, drives An Shi to work, and is increasingly affectionate. An Shi quietly enjoys having him beside him at night.
• At the hospital, colleague Claire asks whether An Shi is close to William, then turns the conversation back to their research. An Shi’s coworkers assume William is his boyfriend, and he does not correct them.
• An Shi covers Claire’s night shift, expecting a quiet evening. At 1 a.m., an armed man takes him hostage, using a nurse as leverage. An Shi secretly triggers an emergency alert on his phone.
• William receives the alert and a brief video, abandoning his investigation into someone who had been following him to respond.
• The kidnappers take An Shi to an abandoned factory, where their leader identifies himself as Wilang, William’s younger half-brother. Wilang complains that William has denied the family wealth to his siblings and had them beaten.
• An Shi listens impassively, concludes that William must have endured a difficult family life, and asks Wilang to let him go.

Character developments and interactions

• An Shi remains calm and practical under threat. He uses his phone discreetly, assesses possible motives, and reacts to Wilang’s rant with dry impatience rather than fear.
• William is shown as affectionate toward An Shi but also protective and powerful. His lapse in security has allowed someone to follow him for weeks, and he reacts furiously when he learns this.
• Wilang is introduced as William’s resentful half-brother. He presents the kidnapping as justified revenge over the family fortune and his injuries, but his long, bitter rant seems more self-indulgent than intimidating.
• An Shi and William are publicly treated as a couple, while their private closeness grows through everyday gestures. William’s family conflict now directly threatens An Shi.

Significant themes

• Affection and security: Their growing intimacy contrasts with the danger created by William’s enemies.
• Composure under pressure: An Shi responds to a crisis with quiet, practical thinking.
• Family resentment and power: Wilang’s kidnapping reflects a bitter dispute over inheritance and William’s control of the family fortune.
• Dry humor: An Shi’s understated reactions puncture Wilang’s melodrama, ending the scene on an anticlimactic note.

Plot points and events

• Wilang captures An Shi, exploiting William’s recent lowered guard. He threatens An Shi’s hands and plans to assault him to hurt William, but An Shi stays defiant despite his fear.
• William breaks into the factory with a sniper’s support and police close behind. He shoots Wilang in the arm and rescues An Shi, whose wrists and ankles are badly chafed but not seriously injured.
• While treating An Shi, Professor Claire urges him to leave William. An Shi realizes she arranged the shift change that gave Wilang his opening, intending to use the danger to separate them. He punches her and rejects her interference.
• An Shi takes leave from work and returns home with William. After William apologizes, An Shi admits he had misjudged him and wants him to act as he used to. They share a passionate kiss, but William stops and gives An Shi the choice to proceed at his own pace.

Character developments

• An Shi remains sharp-tongued and courageous, though the kidnapping exposes his genuine fear. He stands by William, calls him his boyfriend, and begins choosing to trust him—an important step toward confronting the nightmares left by his childhood.
• William acts quickly to save An Shi and feels responsible for the attack. Rather than pressuring him afterward, he shows restraint and reassures him that they can take their relationship slowly.
• Claire is revealed to have engineered the opportunity for An Shi’s capture, believing separation from William would protect him. Her concern does not excuse her manipulation.
• Wilang is portrayed as cruel and insecure, resorting to threats against loved ones because he cannot match William directly.

Significant themes

• Trust and emotional healing: An Shi’s willingness to rely on William marks progress beyond his childhood trauma.
• Love versus control: William respects An Shi’s boundaries, while Claire’s attempt to dictate whom he should love backfires.
• Power and vulnerability: An Shi’s defiance persists despite physical danger, while the antagonists’ threats reveal their insecurity.
• Responsibility and protection: William blames himself for the attack, while An Shi refuses to be treated as a helpless burden.

Character interactions

• An Shi taunts Wilang and refuses to be intimidated, even when threatened with injury and sexual violence.
• William’s rescue and An Shi’s later reassurance deepen their bond; An Shi’s admission that he likes William gives William hope, but William prioritizes An Shi’s comfort.
• An Shi confronts Claire directly, rejecting both her manipulation and her criticism of William.

Plot points

• Bo Xi dreams of an alternate life in which he and his friends are devoted to Qin Ke, while Lin Xingye is absent from their lives. In this timeline, rumors wrongly claim Star married Li Hanwen, and Li later gains control of the Lin family’s company.
• Years later, Bo Xi sees Star impoverished and mistreated while trying to leave Li Hanwen. Star is working exhausting jobs to support his terminally ill mother, while Bo Xi and the others continue to lavish attention on Qin Ke.
• Qin Ke threatens Star’s mother and appears to arrange a meeting with Li Hanwen. Just as Bo Xi regains control of his body, he rushes to save Star—but arrives too late to stop him from falling from a window. Bo Xi jumps after him.
• Bo Xi wakes in the present, shaken by the nightmare. Star is safe beside him after their New Year gathering, and their friends wake and react as if the dream may have revealed a possible past life.

Character developments and interactions

• Bo Xi is haunted by the dream’s helplessness and guilt. On waking, he clings to Star and is visibly desperate to protect him.
• Lin Xingye comforts Bo Xi, unaware of the nightmare’s full implications. Confused by everyone’s sudden intensity, he assumes they may be expecting another round of intimacy.
• An Shi, William, Cheng Yu, and Qi Sijing respond protectively. Qi Sijing secures the window, Cheng Yu orders investigations into the people from the dream and plans to repurpose the building, and An Shi reassures Star. The group crowds around Star with affection, leaving him overheated and sore.
• The dream portrays Qin Ke as manipulative and indulged, and Li Hanwen as cruel and powerful; Bo Xi’s attempts to resist their influence underscore how powerless he felt in that imagined life.

Significant themes

• Memory, fate, and alternate lives: The dream suggests another possible history and raises the question of whether its events could have been real.
• Helplessness and regret: Bo Xi witnesses Star’s suffering but cannot act until the tragedy is nearly complete.
• Loyalty and protection: In contrast to the dream’s abandonment, the present-day group surrounds Star with care.
• The cost of unchecked power and rumor: False stories and Li Hanwen’s influence help erase Star’s truth and deepen his suffering.

Plot points and events

• He Shuqin raised He Shuke (formerly Qin Ke) from childhood and loved him deeply. When he found a classmate’s love letter in the boy’s bag, he overreacted, forbidding the relationship and threatening to transfer the classmate. Though he later apologized, He Shuke became more withdrawn and obedient.
• After He Shuke confessed that he loved He Shuqin, He Shuqin panicked and avoided him. When He Shuke stopped messaging him and began going out to bars, He Shuqin grew worried, went to find him, and brought him home. By then, He Shuke was avoiding him instead.
• In the present, the two have reconciled. He Shuqin admits he was at fault and showers He Shuke with affection. He Shuke teases him about failing to recognize someone who had impersonated him, while He Shuqin hints that he is hiding something about the danger involved.
• He Shuqin takes He Shuke back to university for the new semester. When a gossiping student insinuates that He Shuke has a rich sugar daddy, He Shuke explains that He Shuqin raised and supported him. He Shuqin confronts the student, and He Shuke proudly introduces him as his boyfriend.

Character development

• He Shuqin recognizes that his protectiveness and fear caused He Shuke pain. His anxiety when He Shuke withdraws makes clear how much he misses and loves him; now he is affectionate and openly supportive.
• He Shuke moves from childhood obedience and withdrawal to a playful, confident young adult. He is comfortable teasing He Shuqin and openly claiming their relationship.
• The roommates are surprised by the relationship but generally supportive; the gossiping student is embarrassed when confronted.

Significant themes

• Overprotection and regret: Love can become controlling when fear overrides trust.
• Growing up and changing relationships: He Shuqin must accept that the child he raised has become an adult and a romantic partner.
• Honesty and openness: Their reconciliation allows them to stop hiding their feelings.
• Chosen family and public commitment: He Shuke’s playful description of He Shuqin as his “dad” reflects their history, while calling him his boyfriend affirms what their relationship has become.

Character interactions

The chapter contrasts their earlier conflict—He Shuqin’s restrictions and He Shuke’s hurt—with their affectionate present-day banter. He Shuqin apologizes and protects He Shuke, while He Shuke responds with teasing, warmth, and an unembarrassed public declaration of love.