Chapter Summaries

Chu Yilan attended a New Year dinner with his maternal relatives while Shen Lian stayed home, but Shen Lian dreamed of Chu Yilan burning alive and woke in severe pain. Convinced the dream warned of danger at the dinner, Shen Lian called Chu Yilan and begged him to come back.

• Chu Yilan told Shen Lian that Ming Congshan had invited him to meet their relatives, and decided to host them for dinner while Shen Lian stayed home.
• Chu Yilan gathered the Ming Family at a restaurant, where the guests were intimidated by his cold manner and abandoned their plans to get close to him.
• Shen Lian fell asleep and dreamed of Chu Yilan burning on a black shore, then woke with intense chest pain and suspected the dream was a warning.
• As a young man from Chu Yilan's generation offered him a toast, Chu Yilan received Shen Lian's call and stood when he heard his weak voice.
• Shen Lian urged Chu Yilan to leave the dinner and come back, fearing danger awaited him there.

Shen Lian suffered a frightening episode after dreaming about the Ming Family and urged Chu Yilan to stay away from them. Chu Yilan stayed by his side through the night and kept him in the hospital for three days.

• Chu Yilan left dinner with Ming Congshan and Ming Lin without pursuing an investment.
• Shen Lian endured severe chest pain, took his medicine with Aunt Fen's help, and asked her about the Ming Family.
• Chu Yilan returned home, held Shen Lian, and agreed to avoid the Ming Family after Shen Lian said their presence made him uncomfortable.
• Chu Yilan took Shen Lian to the hospital, where Ning Sixian ordered tests and treated him.
• Shen Lian recovered overnight, and Ning Sixian concluded that the episode had been sudden.
• Chu Yilan stayed awake beside Shen Lian and insisted he remain in the hospital for three days.

After Shen Lian was discharged, he and Chu Yilan prepared for New Year's Eve and celebrated it at home with Aunt Fen. As midnight arrived, Chu Yilan and Shen Lian kissed and fell onto the carpet together.

• Shen Lian persuaded Chu Yilan to let him leave the hospital, and Chu Yilan brought him home to recover.
• Shen Lian persuaded Chu Yilan to help put up New Year prints and couplets, and they decorated the house together.
• Chu Yilan declined Feng Yueshan's invitation to go out and stayed home with Shen Lian and Aunt Fen for New Year's Eve.
• Shen Lian sent New Year greetings and gave red envelopes to Hu Kailan, Jiang You, and Li Yi.
• Chu Yilan told Shen Lian he wanted every year to be like this, and Shen Lian promised they would celebrate together each year.
• As fireworks and midnight bells marked the New Year, Chu Yilan and Shen Lian kissed and tumbled from the sofa onto the carpet.

Shen Lian helped promote "Blazing Fire" as Lin Fu celebrated the film’s growing awards prospects, while Chu Yilan teased him over fans shipping their characters. Later, Shen Lian and Chu Yilan joined Feng Yueshan, who revealed his mother was expecting a baby, before paparazzi ambushed Shen Lian outside the club.

• Shen Lian congratulated Lin Fu after he shared that Golden Scale Award judges had hinted he might win for "Blazing Fire."
• Chu Yilan saw fans shipping Lin Fu and Shen Lian’s characters, grew jealous, and asked Shen Lian about his contact with Lin Fu.
• Feng Yueshan told Chu Yilan, Shen Lian, and Ning Sixian that his mother was pregnant and that he had told his parents to do whatever made them happy.
• Shen Lian assured Ning Sixian that he had no discomfort and was carrying his prescribed medicine.
• As the group left the club in the snow, bodyguards stopped two paparazzi who rushed at Shen Lian, and Chu Yilan suspected someone had leaked his whereabouts.

After a long holiday with Chu Yilan, Shen Lian returned to work and attended a business gathering, where he encountered Chen Mu being bullied. He stepped out of the darkness to confront the men harassing Chen Mu.

• Chu Yilan finally let Shen Lian return to work after making him promise not to put work before his life.
• Hu Kailan showed Shen Lian several promising job offers, and Shen Lian chose to attend a business gathering for a luxury brand endorsement.
• Shen Lian met director Dai Tong at the gathering, and Dai Tong praised his prospects after Blazing Fire.
• Shen Lian saw Zheng Ge at the gathering, then went out to the terrace while Hu Kailan handled business contacts.
• Shen Lian overheard two men mock and shove Chen Mu over his breakup with Song Yuan, then stepped out and called them bullies.

Shen Lian helped Chen Mu escape a confrontation at an industry reception and learned about Chen Mu’s troubled history with Song Yuan. As Song Yuan found Chen Mu outside, Shen Lian offered him a ride, and Chen Mu disappeared from view.

• Shen Lian confronted two men who were trying to push Chen Mu out of the reception and left with him.
• Hu Kailan told Shen Lian that Chen Mu had dated Song Yuan and that Song Yuan was now involved with Shi Zhujie.
• Shen Lian made industry connections while waiting for Chu Yilan, who stayed outside the venue.
• Song Yuan arrived with Shi Zhujie, noticed Shen Lian, and then spotted Chen Mu waiting for a car.
• Shen Lian stopped his Bentley and offered Chen Mu a ride, and Song Yuan lost sight of Chen Mu when the traffic cleared.

Shen Lian navigated a busy work schedule while enjoying his time at home with Chu Yilan, then agreed to help Director Dai Tong when a production was stalled. At the film studio, he unexpectedly ran into Chen Mu, who was also filming a small role.

• Shen Lian thanked Chen Mu for his help and dropped him at a bus stop, then asked Chu Yilan whether Dawnlight Media had a backer.
• Shen Lian's schedule filled with shoots and business dinners, while Chu Yilan welcomed him home and Hu Kailan handled drinking at work events in his place.
• Dai Tong asked Shen Lian to fill in for an actor who had refused to shoot, and Shen Lian agreed to join the period drama as a villainous eunuch.
• At the film studio, Shen Lian spotted Chen Mu eating a modest boxed lunch and greeted him; Chen Mu said he was filming a small role.

Shen Lian reunited with the struggling actor Chen Mu, recommended him for a small role in Dai Tong’s production, and helped him through his first day with the crew. Chen Mu began watching Shen Lian closely on set, hoping to learn from his acting.

• Shen Lian gave Chen Mu water and learned that he was playing a minor role in another production.
• Shen Lian praised Chen Mu’s acting to Dai Tong and suggested he audition for one of the uncast roles.
• Shen Lian filmed a silent eunuch scene in one take, impressing Dai Tong and easing the director’s frustration.
• Chen Mu auditioned successfully and joined Dai Tong’s production after Shen Lian recommended him.
• Shen Lian shared his lunch with Chen Mu, who ate gratefully and later watched Shen Lian’s filming with admiration.

Shen Lian worked with Chen Mu on set and dismissed Ming Lin after learning he was Chu Yilan’s cousin. Ming Lin left with Chen Yan, while Chen Mu noticed his reaction to Shen Lian.

• Jiang You chatted comfortably with Chen Mu while Shen Lian prepared to reshoot a scene.
• Shen Lian watched Chen Mu act, and Dai Tong gave the inexperienced actor pointers.
• Chu Yilan sent Shen Lian a photo of Sun Binghe reprimanding executives during a meeting, and Sun Binghe called out Yang Bin.
• Chen Yan declined Dai Tong’s dinner invitation and left with Ming Lin, who introduced himself to Shen Lian as Chu Yilan’s cousin.
• Shen Lian rebuffed Ming Lin, who later took Chen Yan away, while Chen Mu watched them leave thoughtfully.

Shen Lian suffered a dangerous heart attack after dreaming of Ming Lin laughing over someone’s death, then recovered after Chen Mu helped him take his medicine. He called Chu Yilan to pick him up, and Chu Yilan arrived to take him home.

• Shen Lian dreamed that Ming Lin laughed after someone died, then woke in severe pain and realized Ming Lin had been the person in the dream.
• Chen Mu heard Shen Lian’s faint call, fetched his medicine, and helped him take it; Shen Lian’s pain soon eased.
• Chen Mu warned Shen Lian that Ming Lin had seemed hostile, and Shen Lian laughed and called Chen Mu cute.
• Shen Lian called Chu Yilan and explained that he had felt unwell but had recovered, prompting Chu Yilan to come get him.
• Chu Yilan arrived at the filming complex, wrapped Shen Lian in his coat, and led him away.

Shen Lian warned Chu Yilan that Ming Lin seemed dangerous, prompting Chu Yilan to investigate him and watch his movements. After Chen Mu helped Shen Lian, Chu Yilan arranged for Xingkai to offer him work, and Chen Mu accepted the chance to continue acting.

• Shen Lian told Chu Yilan that Ming Lin troubled him, and Chu Yilan asked Sun Binghe to keep a close eye on Ming Lin.
• Chu Yilan learned that Ming Lin was Ming Congshan's nephew and had pursued influential lovers, including the daughter of the Kangsheng Pharmaceutical Group's owner.
• After Shen Lian recovered, Chu Yilan arranged for Chen Mu to receive an invitation from Xingkai.
• Shen Lian encouraged Chen Mu to leave Dawnlight Media and accept Xingkai's offer, and Chen Mu agreed.
• Shen Lian asked Dai Tong to keep Chen Mu's plans quiet, while Sun Binghe arranged an advertising job for him.

Shen Lian brought Chen Mu to an apricot grove gathering hosted by Zhou Yuanlin, where Chu Yilan offered Chen Mu a place at Xingkai. As Shen Lian and Chu Yilan enjoyed the blossoms, Chen Mu met Feng Yueshan, who noticed his quiet kindness.

• After filming wrapped, Chu Yilan invited Shen Lian to Zhou Yuanlin's apricot grove and asked him to bring Chen Mu.
• Shen Lian introduced Chen Mu to Chu Yilan, who thanked him for helping Shen Lian and offered him a place at Xingkai.
• At the grove, Chen Mu poured tea while Sun Binghe pressed Kuang Chenghai with unfinished business.
• Shen Lian and Chu Yilan walked through the blossoms together as Shen Lian took photos of them.
• Feng Yueshan arrived exhausted, dropped an apricot blossom pastry, and accepted a clean one from Chen Mu.
• Chen Mu picked up the fallen pastry, brushed off the dust, and ate it while Feng Yueshan watched.

Feng Yueshan and the others met Chen Mu at a scenic retreat, where his academic ability and practical skills impressed Xingkai’s executives as they discussed signing him. Chen Mu left on a bus, while Shen Lian agreed to take a few days off.

• Feng Yueshan learned that Chen Mu was Shen Lian’s friend and that Skyreach International had given him a haircare endorsement.
• Kuang Chenghai discussed Chen Mu’s salary and benefits, then learned that Chen Mu had graduated from Yunhai Drama Academy with full marks in professional theory.
• Kuang Chenghai promised Chen Mu an agent, assistant, endorsements, and acting roles, with the upcoming Skyreach International shoot serving as a trial run.
• Sun Binghe praised Chen Mu’s grades and skills during the drive and offered to help him find office work if he stopped acting.
• Chen Mu got off at a bus stop on route 96, and Shen Lian told Hu Kailan that he would take a few days off.

Chen Mu faced Shi Zhujie’s attempt to take over his Skyreach International ad, but Feng Yueshan intervened and ensured Chen Mu could continue the shoot. Chen Mu reassured Shen Lian that everything was going smoothly.

• Shen Lian asked Chen Mu whether his ad shoot was going smoothly, and Chen Mu replied that there was no need to worry.
• Shi Zhujie demanded that Chen Mu give up the ad and threatened him with Song Yuan’s involvement.
• Feng Yueshan confronted Shi Zhujie and the person in charge, ordered Shi Zhujie to finish his milk tea and leave, and sent the person in charge to HR.
• Feng Yueshan told Chen Mu the ad was his and that no one could take it away.
• Chen Mu told Shen Lian that the shoot really was going smoothly.

Shen Lian visited Chen Mu’s endorsement shoot, where Feng Yueshan revealed that he had handled an attempt to take Chen Mu’s job. After watching Chen Mu walk home rather than spend his newly earned money, Feng Yueshan reconsidered how little he had understood Chen Mu’s life; Chen Mu then received paperwork ending his ties to Dawnlight and blocked Song Yuan again.

• Shen Lian watched Chen Mu struggle through his endorsement shoot and offered him advice on posing and lighting.
• Feng Yueshan told Shen Lian that Zhu-whatever had tried to steal Chen Mu’s job, and Chen Mu explained that Feng had settled the matter.
• Shen Lian left to buy flowers for Chu Yilan, while Feng Yueshan followed Chen Mu for five intersections and saw him walk home and spend only one yuan.
• Feng Yueshan realized Chen Mu had refused to use his advance payment and understood that Chen Mu was stubborn rather than neglected by Shen Lian.
• Chen Mu received Dawnlight’s paperwork ending their ties, replied “Dumbass” to Song Yuan, and blocked the number again.

At the Golden Scale Award ceremony, Shen Lian reunited with Shu Mingyue and heard that Zheng Ge’s career was faltering while Zhou Tangsi faced trouble with the Zhou Family. Meanwhile, Sun Binghe reported that Ming Lin and Jin Lei were moving money overseas, and Chu Yilan realized their plans appeared to target Hengtai.

• Shen Lian attended the ceremony with the Blazing Fire cast and refused to promote a pairing with Lin Fu, despite the production’s suggestion.
• Shu Mingyue told Shen Lian that Zheng Ge had fought with a co-star and was losing roles after the Flowers in Bloom cast stopped accommodating him.
• Shen Lian asked Feng Yueshan about Zhou Tangsi, and Zhou Yuanlin said Zhou Tangsi was embroiled in a fight with the Zhou Family’s illegitimate son.
• Sun Binghe told Chu Yilan that Ming Lin was laundering money and transferring funds overseas, while Jin Lei had sent substantial sums to the same account.
• Sun Binghe suspected that Ming Lin and Jin Lei’s actions ultimately centered on Hengtai, and Chu Yilan understood that he was likely their target.

Shen Lian refused Chen Yan’s invitation to a cocktail party, avoiding Ming Lin’s trap, then attended the Golden Scale Awards with the Blazing Fire crew. Lin Fu won Best Actor, and the ceremony ended with Shen Lian’s jacket mishap becoming a viral joke before his friends dragged him off to celebrate.

• Chen Yan invited Shen Lian to a cocktail party, but he refused and stayed wary of Ming Lin’s plans against Chu Yilan.
• Shen Lian sat with Lin Fu at the Golden Scale Awards, where the cameras caught their easy banter and Chu Yilan watched from a screen.
• Shen Lian received a Best Supporting Actor nomination but lost the award to a veteran actor.
• Lin Fu won Best Actor, accidentally dragging Shen Lian’s jacket with him until Shen Lian took it off and handed it over on camera.
• Blazing Fire won Best Dark Horse and Best Cinematography, and Zhao Wenshu and Lin Fu stopped Shen Lian from going home so they could celebrate.

Shen Lian attended a late-night celebration, pretended to drink, and rode with Sun Binghe to pick up Yang Bin. When they found Yang Bin injured after a fight with a Tianchong manager, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe attacked the manager and his group, while Yang Bin called for backup.

• Shen Lian celebrated with Zhao Wenshu and their friends, drinking tea while pretending to be drunk, then left with Sun Binghe.
• Sun Binghe agreed to pick up Yang Bin from the Shenglin Hotel, and Shen Lian went along with him.
• Shen Lian and Sun Binghe found Yang Bin bleeding after a Tianchong manager struck him during a dispute over drinking.
• Shen Lian seized the manager and slapped him, then he and Sun Binghe joined the ensuing brawl.
• Yang Bin removed his glasses and called for backup instead of immediately entering the fight.

After Yang Bin was injured by a Tianchong manager, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe joined the ensuing fight, which grew into a chaotic brawl. Nie Sheng arrived after the group began planning how to present themselves as victims, and asked the hotel manager to write him a report too.

• Nie Sheng answered Yang Bin's call and headed to the hotel with men while Shen Lian, Sun Binghe, and Yang Bin fought Tianchong's people.
• Sun Binghe recalled how Yang Bin had once declared him family after finding him reckless street racing, reinforcing his resolve to defend Yang Bin.
• Kuang Chenghai recognized Shen Lian and the two assistants, then charged into the fight and helped turn the tide.
• Nie Sheng arrived to find the hotel badly wrecked, while Shen Lian nursed his injured finger and advised the group to present themselves as victims.
• Sun Binghe asked Kuang Chenghai to report what happened, and Nie Sheng offered to pay the hotel manager to write a report for him as well.

After Sun Binghe told Chu Yilan that Shen Lian had joined Yang Bin and Kuang Chenghai in a fight with Tianchong, Chu Yilan hurried over to check on him. He found Shen Lian calmly eating an apple, and his anger gave way to concern when Shen Lian showed him his injured finger.

• Sun Binghe called Chu Yilan and explained that Yang Bin had fought Tianchong after they learned its people had gotten Shen Lian drunk and smashed a vase over Yang Bin's head.
• Sun Binghe told Chu Yilan that Shen Lian and Kuang Chenghai had also joined the fight, while Nie Sheng had arrived afterward and was preparing to resign.
• Chu Yilan left his business gathering and went to find the group, convinced that Shen Lian had led them into the fight.
• Shen Lian offered the others apples while they waited for Chu Yilan, and Sun Binghe admired how unafraid he seemed.
• Chu Yilan arrived, asked Shen Lian whether the apple was good, and checked him for injuries after Shen Lian showed him his bandaged finger.