Chapter Summaries

Cheng Yue moved into Ji Huaijin’s villa while keeping his old lease, then celebrated his new ambition with friends and got drunk. Ji Huaijin took him home, where their teasing gave way to intimacy.

• Cheng Yue left his old apartment but kept the lease as a fallback, and Ji Huaijin took him to his new home.
• Qi Su surprised Cheng Yue with shredded paper at the welcome party, and Cheng Yue punched him before joining the friends’ toast to his career.
• After the gathering, drunk Qi Su insisted on taking Cheng Yue home, but Ji Huaijin arrived and carried Cheng Yue away.
• Qi Su identified Ji Huaijin as Cheng Yue’s husband, and Cheng Yue angrily blamed Qi Su while Ji Huaijin drove him home.
• At the villa, Ji Huaijin covered Cheng Yue’s eyes with his tie and praised him as they became intimate.

Ji Huaijin brought Cheng Yue to Old Master Chu’s birthday banquet to introduce him to influential guests and help him pursue a political career. After Cheng Yue nervously passed the military compound’s security checks, Ji Huaijin kissed him and told him it was too late to run.

• Ji Huaijin gave Cheng Yue study materials, arranged lessons, and invited him to visit his office while Cheng Yue settled into the villa.
• Ji Huaijin returned early with Cheng Yue’s favorite milk tea, kissed him, and invited him to Old Master Chu’s birthday banquet.
• Ji Huaijin explained that he wanted guests to know Cheng Yue and encouraged him to seize opportunities in a political career, so Cheng Yue agreed to attend.
• Cheng Yue followed Ji Huaijin through strict security checks at Old Master Chu’s military residential compound and grew frightened by the armed guards.
• Ji Huaijin kissed Cheng Yue in the car and told him he could no longer run away.

At General Chu’s birthday gathering, Ji Huaijin brought Cheng Yue as his guest, and Chu Jiye’s rude welcome drew a sharp reprimand from the general. While Cheng Yue rested, Su Xingchen confronted him and insisted that he did not belong among the wealthy and powerful.

• Ji Huaijin introduced Cheng Yue to Old General Chu, who warmly welcomed him and called him to address him as Grandpa.
• Chu Jiye insulted Cheng Yue, so Old General Chu scolded him in front of the guests and Ji Huaijin suggested sending him somewhere he could be disciplined.
• Cheng Yue left Ji Huaijin to rest, and Tang Jiaran joined him before offering to relieve Ji Huaijin.
• Su Xingchen sat beside Cheng Yue and flaunted the value of the general’s orchids, arguing that Cheng Yue did not belong in their world.
• Cheng Yue calmly asked whether the orchid could be eaten or drunk, and privately admitted that Su Xingchen was right about their different lives.

Cheng Yue rebuffed Su Xingchen’s claims that he could never support Ji Huaijin, and Ji Huaijin took Cheng Yue’s side during the ensuing confrontation at the Chu residence. As they drove away, Ji Huaijin predicted that Old Master Chu would invite him back soon, possibly by the next morning.

• Su Xingchen argued that Cheng Yue was an unsuitable partner for Ji Huaijin, but Cheng Yue said Ji Huaijin was personally building his future support and challenged Su Xingchen over his past abroad.
• Su Xingchen warned that the Ji Family would never accept Ji Huaijin being with a man, and Cheng Yue replied that he had at least been with Ji Huaijin.
• Ji Huaijin arrived and told Cheng Yue to stay away from Su Xingchen, while Chu Jiye defended Su Xingchen and threatened them.
• Old Master Chu slapped Chu Jiye, ordered him confined to his room, and told Su Xingchen to leave.
• Ji Huaijin took Cheng Yue away from the Chu residence, then said Old Master Chu would invite him back within a couple of days, perhaps by the next morning.

After Ji Huaijin’s gift helped Old Master Chu recognize his long-lost younger brother, he invited Ji Huaijin and Cheng Yue to tea. Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin affirmed their love, but the chapter ended with Cheng Yue urgently insisting that he return to Splendid China Garden because he sensed something was wrong.

• Old Master Chu opened Ji Huaijin’s gift, recognized his younger brother in an old photograph, and was overcome with emotion.
• Ji Huaijin told Cheng Yue the gift was a photographic record book, and Old Master Chu called to invite them over for tea.
• Cheng Yue told Ji Huaijin that he had answered Su Xingchen’s warning by declaring that Ji Huaijin only loved him, and Ji Huaijin confirmed it.
• Cheng Yue settled into a regular study routine while he and Ji Huaijin continued their intimate life together.
• Cheng Yue woke suddenly, insisted that something was wrong at Splendid China Garden, and hurried to get dressed; Ji Huaijin said he would go with him.

Cheng Yue found Fang Lele waiting at his old apartment and learned that the nineteen-year-old had traveled to Capital City without telling his mother. After Fang Lele was treated for a fever and fell asleep, Cheng Yue kept watch through the night and recognized that his feelings for Ji Huaijin had begun in a single moment.

• Ji Huaijin drove Cheng Yue to his old apartment, where they found Fang Lele waiting on the stairs.
• Cheng Yue brought Fang Lele inside and angrily questioned him about traveling to Capital City without his mother's knowledge.
• Ji Huaijin noticed Fang Lele was feverish, and Cheng Yue calmed down and let him shower while they contacted the Family Doctor.
• Fang Lele received treatment and fell asleep after Cheng Yue reassured him that he was there.
• Cheng Yue kept watch overnight, then kissed Ji Huaijin as he slept on the sofa and realized his feelings had begun at a particular moment.
• Ji Huaijin woke and greeted Cheng Yue in the morning.

After Fang Lele woke from his fever and said he missed home, Cheng Yue decided not to let him leave Capital City until he learned what had upset him. Cheng Yue took him to Capital City University with food for Ji Huaijin, while Fang Lele admired Cheng Yue for befriending a professor.

• Fang Lele woke feeling better, ate Cheng Yue's dumpling soup, and tearfully said he wanted to go home because he missed his mother.
• Cheng Yue messaged Ji Huaijin about Fang Lele's unusual behavior, while Ji Huaijin focused on the dumpling soup he had not tasted.
• Cheng Yue refused to take Fang Lele home and instead told him to get dressed for an outing.
• Cheng Yue brought Fang Lele to Capital City University, where Fang Lele praised him for making friends with a professor.
• Cheng Yue boasted that Ji Huaijin was lucky to be his friend.

Cheng Yue brought Ji Huaijin dough-drop soup and met him outside the university, where they teased each other and made plans for dinner. Fang Lele joined them, and Ji Huaijin declined the drinks Fang Lele had bought.

• Ji Huaijin told Cheng Yue he had been waiting for him, and Cheng Yue arrived with the insulated food container.
• Cheng Yue refused to go into Ji Huaijin’s office and said he was taking Fang Lele to buy clothes.
• Cheng Yue sent Fang Lele to buy drinks, then Ji Huaijin asked whether he had done his homework.
• Ji Huaijin asked Cheng Yue what he wanted for dinner, and they agreed to eat out with Fang Lele.
• Fang Lele returned with five drinks, but Ji Huaijin declined them, prompting Cheng Yue to tease him about acting like a domineering CEO.

Cheng Yue took Fang Lele shopping and bought him clothes and shoes, then confronted Su Xingchen, who mocked him for supposedly living off Ji Huaijin. Ji Huaijin’s million-yuan transfer and affectionate voice message silenced Su Xingchen, and Cheng Yue left with Fang Lele to make hot pot at home.

• Cheng Yue took Fang Lele shopping, paid for his purchases, and insisted on buying him expensive shoes despite his protests.
• Su Xingchen mocked Cheng Yue and accused him of using money from Ji Huaijin to buy luxury goods.
• Cheng Yue told Su Xingchen he had quit his security job and showed him Ji Huaijin’s one-million-yuan transfer and a voice message encouraging him to shop.
• Cheng Yue thanked Su Xingchen for prompting the unexpected windfall, then returned to help Fang Lele choose shoes.
• Cheng Yue and Fang Lele left after the others disappeared, and Fang Lele insisted they eat at home, so Cheng Yue suggested making hot pot.

Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin shared an intimate evening after dinner, while Cheng Yue asked Ji Huaijin to investigate Fang Lele’s situation. The chapter ended with Fang Lele waiting outside a military compound, only to watch a man arrive holding someone else in his arms.

• Ji Huaijin returned while Cheng Yue prepared shrimp, and the two kissed in the kitchen before Ji Huaijin invited Cheng Yue home.
• After dinner, Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin left Fang Lele at home, and Cheng Yue urged him to call his mother and stay a few more days.
• On the drive to the villa, Cheng Yue asked Ji Huaijin to look into Fang Lele’s troubling situation, and Ji Huaijin agreed before pulling him into an intimate encounter.
• Fang Lele traveled alone to the military compound and waited in the rain outside its gate.
• When a white SUV arrived, Fang Lele saw a man emerge and embrace someone else, and the light faded from Fang Lele’s eyes.

After Fang Lele returned home soaked and exhausted, Cheng Yue took him sightseeing around Capital City and later brought him to a club gathering hosted by Ji Huaijin. Their lively evening was interrupted when Chu Jiye arrived and confronted Ji Huaijin.

• Fang Lele came home in the middle of the night, showered, changed into new pajamas, and fell asleep after deciding to leave Capital City behind.
• Cheng Yue took Fang Lele to Splendid China Garden, the Fragrant Hills, the Great Wall, and the flag-lowering ceremony to cheer him up.
• Ji Huaijin invited Cheng Yue and Fang Lele to a club, where they met Lin Shuyang, Xi Ming, and others.
• Fang Lele sang and enjoyed the club’s food and entertainment while Cheng Yue watched over him.
• Chu Jiye forced his way into the room and demanded to know what Ji Huaijin was doing there.

Fang Lele met Chu Jiye to return the money and belongings he had received, but Chu Jiye shattered a treasured Ultraman figurine and cruelly insulted him. Fang Lele discarded the broken pieces and walked away, while Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin stopped Chu Jiye from dragging him off.

• Chu Jiye found Fang Lele beside Cheng Yue and ordered him outside, and Fang Lele agreed to speak with him privately.
• Fang Lele returned Chu Jiye's extra money and the cash from his belongings, along with the Ultraman figurine, saying he wanted nothing that was not his.
• Chu Jiye swept the envelope and figurine onto the floor, called them trash, and watched Fang Lele cry as he picked up the broken pieces.
• Fang Lele threw the figurine's pieces into a trash can and walked away, refusing Chu Jiye's offer to buy another one.
• Chu Jiye grabbed Fang Lele and tried to take him away, but Cheng Yue pulled Fang Lele free while Ji Huaijin and the others blocked Chu Jiye.

After Chu Jiye grabbed Fang Lele, Cheng Yue warned him about Chu Jiye and saw him off as he returned home. Cheng Yue resumed his studies with Ji Huaijin, whose tutoring soon turned into a heated encounter.

• Cheng Yue treated Fang Lele's injured wrist and pressed him to explain what had happened with Chu Jiye.
• Cheng Yue warned Fang Lele about Chu Jiye's dangerous behavior and his obsessive history with Su Xingchen.
• Fang Lele told Cheng Yue he was going home, and Cheng Yue saw him off at the train station the next day.
• Cheng Yue returned to his routine of studying while Ji Huaijin sometimes mixed lessons with intimate teasing.
• Ji Huaijin turned a late-night study session into an encounter with Cheng Yue and eventually agreed to take him to the bathroom.

While studying for a civil service exam, Cheng Yue learned from Aunt Fang that Fang Lele had been exposed to village gossip after a man was seen kissing him. Aunt Fang stood up to the villagers and sent Lele away, while Cheng Yue prepared to find out what had happened.

• Cheng Yue struggled to study with Ji Huaijin's practice papers, then abandoned them to enjoy food and videos before returning to his desk.
• Aunt Fang called Cheng Yue in distress and said villagers were calling Fang Lele a pervert after seeing him with a man.
• Cheng Yue suspected Chu Jiye was the man involved and asked Aunt Fang where Lele was.
• Aunt Fang recalled that villagers had crowded into her courtyard after a woman saw a tall man holding Fang Lele down and kissing him.
• Aunt Fang challenged the village leaders, asking whether Lele had broken the law and accusing them of barging into her home.
• As villagers continued gossiping outside, Aunt Fang messaged Fang Lele to leave and not come back.

Cheng Yue brought Fang Lele home after he emerged from the train station in distress, but Fang Lele withdrew from the world and stopped eating or drinking. When Ji Huaijin returned from his business trip, Cheng Yue told him how worried he was and recalled that Aunt Fang had once jolted Fang Lele into reacting with a slap.

• Cheng Yue waited at the station for Fang Lele and reassured him when he arrived alone, crying and lost.
• Cheng Yue took Fang Lele home, called Aunt Fang to say he was safe, and asked her to come to Capital City, but she refused to leave Uncle Fang.
• Cheng Yue tucked Fang Lele into bed, and Fang Lele hid under the quilt and sobbed after Cheng Yue left.
• Fang Lele stopped speaking, eating, and drinking, and spent his days sitting dazed and his nights pretending to sleep.
• Ji Huaijin returned from his business trip, and Cheng Yue told him Aunt Fang had once slapped Fang Lele through her tears until he reacted.

Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin arranged for Fang Lele to leave for Sucheng, where Ji Huaijin’s uncle, Ji Fengyao, would keep him safe from Chu Jiye. Fang Lele accepted the plan and arrived in Sucheng, where a man greeted him as Young Master Fang.

• Ji Huaijin told Cheng Yue that Fang Lele should go to Sucheng, where Ji Fengyao could protect him from Chu Jiye.
• Fang Lele agreed to leave, and Cheng Yue comforted him, saying Chu Jiye’s abuse was not his fault.
• Cheng Yue saw Fang Lele off on a train to Sucheng, while Ji Huaijin reassured him that his uncle had made arrangements.
• After a journey of more than twenty hours, Fang Lele arrived in Sucheng and corrected a man who addressed him as Young Master Fang.

Fang Lele arrived at the Ji family residence in Sucheng and met Ji Fengyao, who left him waiting before ordering a room for him. Back in Capital City, Cheng Yue checked on Fang Lele and then flirted with Ji Huaijin.

• The Ji family driver brought Fang Lele to a picturesque garden residence in Sucheng, where Ms. Chen welcomed him.
• Fang Lele waited nervously until Ji Fengyao came home and ordered him to sit.
• Ji Fengyao received a phone call, then left and told Ms. Chen to arrange a room for Fang Lele.
• Cheng Yue called Fang Lele, checked his surroundings, and reminded him to contact his mother and ask for help if needed.
• Cheng Yue joked about being glad he could not have children, and Ji Huaijin teased him before Cheng Yue challenged him to a night together.

Chu Jiye confronted Ji Huaijin and Cheng Yue about Fang Lele, then learned Fang Lele was in Sucheng at Ji Fengyao’s home. Ji Huaijin called his uncle, while Fang Lele settled into Sui Garden and tended the plants as Ji Fengyao watched.

• Chu Jiye arrived at Ji Huaijin’s villa demanding to know where Fang Lele was, and Cheng Yue rebuked him for how he had treated Fang Lele.
• Ji Huaijin told Chu Jiye that Fang Lele was in Sucheng, staying at his uncle’s place, and warned him to knock because his uncle had a temper.
• Ji Huaijin called Ji Fengyao, asked about Fang Lele staying at Sui Garden, and mentioned that Chu Jiye had been released.
• Ji Fengyao asked whether Ji Huaijin was seeing someone and invited him to bring that person home for a meal.
• Fang Lele woke early, declined Ms. Chen’s offer of soup, and watered the plants in the courtyard while Ji Fengyao watched from a window.

With the trouble from Chu Jiye’s circle temporarily gone, Cheng Yue focused on studying until Ji Huaijin took a day off to celebrate the Winter Solstice with him. Their first date ended with a movie, a stolen kiss, and matching coats, leaving them to enjoy a rare day out together.

• A member of the Chu Family was taken away for investigation, while Chu Jiye’s work troubles kept him from seeking out anyone in Sucheng.
• On the Winter Solstice, Ji Huaijin stayed home to spend the day with Cheng Yue and took him out into the snow.
• Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin watched a comedy together, and Cheng Yue stole a kiss just before the theater lights came on.
• At the mall, Cheng Yue joked about Ji Huaijin’s wealth and insisted they shop for clothes like ordinary people.
• Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin tried on matching cashmere coats, bought them, and wore them out of the store.

Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin shopped together, and Ji Huaijin bought them matching luxury watches before they shared an intimate moment in the mall restroom. They left hand in hand for dinner, with Ji Huaijin promising to get Cheng Yue candied hawthorn.

• Cheng Yue tried to stop Ji Huaijin from entering an expensive watch shop but followed him inside.
• Ji Huaijin bought two seven-figure watches and fastened one onto Cheng Yue’s wrist.
• Cheng Yue praised Ji Huaijin for looking handsome while paying, then pulled him into a restroom stall and kissed him.
• Cheng Yue and Ji Huaijin left the restroom holding hands, and Cheng Yue admitted that people had seen them.
• Ji Huaijin led Cheng Yue toward Ding Sheng Lou and agreed to have candied hawthorn made for him.