Arc 8Chapters 176–200

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Chapters 176–200 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 176Neither of Them Was Buying It

Shen Jin reunited with her estranged parents, Shen Cong and Ning Yao, and brought them together with Yun Xiaoran. Their distance and unresolved scandal left Yun Xiaoran intent on finding the right moment to learn what had happened.

  • Shen Jin greeted Shen Cong and Ning Yao, who had come to visit her but kept their distance from each other.
  • Shen Cong questioned Yun Xiaoran about living with Shen Jin, and Yun Xiaoran said they got along well despite occasional disagreements.
  • Ning Yao said she would stay at a hotel, then asked Yun Xiaoran whether Shen Jin had caused him trouble; he reassured her that their recent friction had passed.
  • Yun Xiaoran wondered whether Shen Cong had really abused his position with two actresses, but kept his questions to himself.
  • Shen Jin drove the group home, with Ning Yao in the front passenger seat and Shen Cong and Yun Xiaoran sitting apart in the back.

Ch. 177Discussing Marriage

Shen Jin told Shen Cong and Ning Yao she planned to marry Yun Xiaoran, and Ning Yao supported an early wedding despite Shen Cong’s concerns about her career. Shen Jin and Yun Xiaoran went to cook lunch together, while Shen Cong and Ning Yao remained distant.

  • At home, Shen Cong asked Shen Jin about her future with Yun Xiaoran, and she firmly said they would marry.
  • Shen Cong agreed to the marriage but urged them to postpone the wedding until Shen Jin’s career had advanced further.
  • Ning Yao supported Shen Jin marrying soon and said she should not repeat her mother’s mistake of trusting the wrong person.
  • Shen Cong went to the bathroom to smoke while Ning Yao and Shen Jin settled on the general plan.
  • Shen Jin joined Yun Xiaoran in the kitchen to prepare lunch, and Shen Cong returned to ask Ning Yao where their daughter was.

Ch. 178Two people in sync

While cooking with Yun Xiaoran, Shen Jin worried that her parents’ failed marriage meant he might someday betray her too. Yun Xiaoran promised he would not, and they embraced, while he reflected on how deeply she loved him.

  • Shen Jin and Yun Xiaoran went to the kitchen and prepared vegetables together.
  • Shen Jin worried about her parents’ broken relationship and asked Yun Xiaoran whether he might someday leave her for another woman.
  • Yun Xiaoran solemnly promised that if he married Shen Jin, he would not betray her.
  • Shen Jin embraced Yun Xiaoran and asked him not to lie to her, and he comforted her with another promise.
  • Yun Xiaoran realized Shen Jin might quietly leave rather than confront him if he hurt her, and thought of Ning Yao.

Ch. 179A Surprising After-Dinner Q&A

Shen Jin and Yun Xiaoran hosted Shen Cong and Ning Yao, who discussed their reasons for visiting Linshun City and asked Yun Xiaoran about his work and music. Yun Xiaoran brought out the guitar he used as Lone Cloud and prepared to perform “Sunny Day,” leaving Shen Jin wondering whether he was really Lone Cloud.

  • Yun Xiaoran and Shen Jin served a lavish meal, and Shen Cong warmed to Yun Xiaoran while bonding with his daughter.
  • Ning Yao said she had come to check on the company she built and see how Shen Jin was caring for it, while Shen Cong said he wanted to see how his apprentice's new movie was progressing.
  • After dinner, Shen Cong asked Yun Xiaoran about his novels, VA Station account, and the gold bracelet he had bought Shen Jin.
  • Ning Yao asked Yun Xiaoran to play a song, and Shen Jin admitted she had hardly listened to his music.
  • Yun Xiaoran fetched the guitar he used as Lone Cloud and announced he would play “Sunny Day,” making Shen Jin question whether he was Lone Cloud.

Ch. 180Yun Xiaoran's rendition of "Those Bygone Years"

Yun Xiaoran sang his original song for Shen Jin and her parents, but Shen Jin noticed how closely his guitar-playing resembled Lone Cloud’s videos. She tested her suspicion by asking him to improvise a melody for lyrics he had sent her, leaving him caught between revealing his identity and refusing just before his scheduled score arrived.

  • Yun Xiaoran performed “Those Bygone Years” for Shen Jin, Shen Cong, and Ning Yao, impressing them with his voice and guitar.
  • Shen Jin recorded Yun Xiaoran and cropped his head out of the frame, realizing his guitar-playing looked like Lone Cloud’s videos.
  • Shen Jin wondered whether Yun Xiaoran was Lone Cloud and decided to test him with unfinished lyrics he had sent her.
  • After Yun Xiaoran finished singing, Shen Jin showed him the lyrics and asked him to improvise a melody.
  • Yun Xiaoran panicked because singing could expose his secret, while refusing could look suspicious when his scheduled score reached Shen Jin later that afternoon.

Ch. 181Father Shen's sinking heart

Yun Xiaoran sang Lone Cloud’s “Those Bygone Years,” astonishing Shen Jin and her parents with his songwriting and vocal ability. Shen Jin grew eager to bring him onto her songwriting team, while Shen Cong suspected Yun Xiaoran had concealed his musical achievements.

  • Shen Jin read Yun Xiaoran’s lyrics and considered recruiting him alongside Lone Cloud for her songwriting team.
  • Shen Cong and Ning Yao exchanged smiles as they watched Shen Jin’s nervous excitement, and Shen Cong reflected on how much his daughter had grown.
  • Yun Xiaoran praised the lyrics, then sang “Those Bygone Years” while recalling the youth he had once hoped to share with Li Qingxi.
  • Shen Jin and her parents were moved by Yun Xiaoran’s performance, and Shen Jin’s eyes reddened during the chorus.
  • Shen Jin concluded that Yun Xiaoran had genuine musical talent, while Shen Cong wondered why he had not achieved more if the song was his own.

Ch. 182You win some, you lose some

Yun Xiaoran’s song warmed Shen Cong and Ning Yao toward him, but Shen Jin’s attempt to spend more time with her parents failed because Ning Yao remained hurt and Shen Cong had to leave. Yun Xiaoran comforted Shen Jin and believed her parents wanted to reconcile despite their reluctance to admit it.

  • Shen Cong praised Yun Xiaoran’s talent, and his performance helped the family share a rare moment of warmth.
  • Shen Jin suggested that everyone go downtown, but Ning Yao resisted because she remained hurt by the earlier incident involving Shen Cong.
  • Shen Cong said he had to visit his apprentice’s film set and offered to transfer money for shopping and clothes.
  • Yun Xiaoran soothed Shen Jin and urged her to accept that her parents could meet again when they had time.
  • Shen Cong and Ning Yao left, and Shen Jin broke down crying as Yun Xiaoran comforted her.
  • Yun Xiaoran told Shen Jin that her parents seemed to want to reconcile but were too concerned about saving face, though she doubted him.

Ch. 183The Truth Revealed!

After Yun Xiaoran comforted Shen Jin over her parents’ departure, Shen Jin secretly compared his guitar video with Lone Cloud’s and became convinced they were the same person. Sister Hua confirmed the identity, leaving Shen Jin pleased that Yun Xiaoran had kept his secret from her.

  • Yun Xiaoran comforted Shen Jin and let her hug him before returning to his room to write songs.
  • Shen Jin returned to her room and compared Yun Xiaoran’s guitar video with Lone Cloud’s performances.
  • Shen Jin sent the videos to Sister Hua, who recognized that Yun Xiaoran and Lone Cloud were the same person.
  • Sister Hua called Shen Jin and confirmed that Yun Xiaoran was Lone Cloud, and Shen Jin reacted with reproachful satisfaction.

Ch. 184He Was Lone Cloud

Shen Jin realized that Yun Xiaoran was Lone Cloud and struggled with jealousy before confronting him. Yun Xiaoran opened the door to find her wounded and resolute, leaving him unable to avoid the truth.

  • Shen Jin compared videos of Yun Xiaoran and Lone Cloud playing guitar and concluded they were the same person.
  • Shen Jin told Sister Hua that she was unsure whether to confront Yun Xiaoran, but Sister Hua made her jealous by mentioning Lone Cloud's pretend romance with a dance creator.
  • Shen Jin ended the call and went straight to Yun Xiaoran's room with a comparison image on her phone.
  • Yun Xiaoran worried that scheduled sheet music would reveal his identity, but he opened the door before he could prepare an excuse.
  • Shen Jin entered with a wounded expression, and Yun Xiaoran asked what was wrong despite knowing why she was upset.

Ch. 185All-Out Romantic Chaos!

Shen Jin confronted Yun Xiaoran after discovering he was Lone Cloud and asked about his online pairing with Audrey Cat. After hearing his explanation and learning he had spent most of his early VA Station earnings on her bracelet, Shen Jin asked if he loved her and kissed him.

  • Shen Jin showed Yun Xiaoran a photo and demanded to know if he was Lone Cloud, and he admitted it.
  • Yun Xiaoran explained that he had paired with Audrey Cat to repay her for defending him during a VA Station controversy, and Shen Jin accepted that they had only promoted each other.
  • Shen Jin asked whether Yun Xiaoran had bought her gold bracelet with his VA Station earnings, and he said he had spent ten thousand after earning fifteen thousand.
  • Moved by the gift and his explanation, Shen Jin asked Yun Xiaoran if he loved her, and she kissed him after he began to answer.

Ch. 186Love you

Shen Jin kissed Yun Xiaoran and checked his phone, finding his VA Site accounts and choosing not to block Audrey Cat because she trusted him. She confessed she only wanted to be Yun Xiaoran’s goddess and would never give up her attachment to him.

  • Shen Jin kissed Yun Xiaoran, then refused to leave when he asked her to give him some time alone.
  • Shen Jin demanded Yun Xiaoran’s unlocked phone and inspected his contacts, alternate VA Site account, and Lone Cloud account.
  • Shen Jin claimed Yun Xiaoran’s VA Site follower trophies and saw that her China Star Entertainment account ranked first among his private-message interactions.
  • Shen Jin noticed Audrey Cat ranked second but chose not to block her, saying she trusted Yun Xiaoran.
  • Shen Jin found her pinned WeChat contact name, “Super-duper amazing wife,” and Yun Xiaoran explained that she had changed it while drunk.
  • Shen Jin admitted she had secretly kissed Yun Xiaoran before and declared that she would never give up her attachment to him.

Ch. 187Let's sleep together.

Shen Jin tested Yun Xiaoran’s feelings by telling him her mother wanted them to have a baby, and he reassured her that he loved her and intended to marry her. The couple stayed close as Yun Xiaoran explained that a child should be the fruit of their love, not a way to bind them together.

  • Shen Jin told Yun Xiaoran that her mother had suggested they have a baby, though she had made up the suggestion to gauge his feelings.
  • Yun Xiaoran said they should wait until their careers were more settled before having a child.
  • Shen Jin pretended to fear that Yun Xiaoran did not love her, prompting him to firmly reassure her.
  • Shen Jin revealed that she had tricked him into agreeing that he loved her and intended to marry her.
  • Yun Xiaoran told Shen Jin that a baby could deepen love but could not bind people together or restore a failing relationship.

Ch. 188Who said you couldn't have plenty of secret identities?

Shen Jin asked Yun Xiaoran to appear with her on his Lone Cloud channel, and he began writing a sad duet called “Daughter Kingdom” for them to sing. Yun Xiaoran kept his Yun Bai identity secret, while Shen Jin eagerly watched the song take shape.

  • Shen Jin embraced Yun Xiaoran and said she wanted them to experience dating and everything they had missed.
  • Yun Xiaoran felt relieved that Shen Jin had discovered his Lone Cloud identity but not his Yun Bai account, which he planned to keep secret until it partnered with her company.
  • Shen Jin insisted on appearing in a Lone Cloud video without showing her face and asked Yun Xiaoran to choose a duet for them.
  • Shen Jin requested a sad song about unrequited love, and Yun Xiaoran decided to write “Daughter Kingdom.”
  • Yun Xiaoran typed the song’s lyrics as Shen Jin watched, and she grew excited about its sorrowful portrayal of the Tang Monk and the Daughter Kingdom ruler.

Ch. 189Singing "Daughter Kingdom" Together

Yun Xiaoran wrote a love song for himself and Shen Jin, then discovered she had a well-equipped Singing Room at home. After Shen Jin kissed him, they began rehearsing the song together, leaving Shen Jin nervous about their first duet.

  • Shen Jin questioned Yun Xiaoran about whether he had saved the song for his ex-girlfriend, and he insisted he was writing it for them now.
  • Shen Jin led Yun Xiaoran to her Singing Room, where he found a piano and other instruments.
  • Shen Jin kissed Yun Xiaoran in the soundproof room, and he emerged with messy hair and lipstick on his mouth.
  • Yun Xiaoran suggested they practice the song, and Shen Jin nervously reviewed the lyrics before their first rehearsal.
  • Shen Jin began playing the piano as Yun Xiaoran prepared to sing with her.

Ch. 190The title had to be changed to this!

Shen Jin and Yun Xiaoran recorded and uploaded a duet, and Yun Xiaoran titled it to announce Shen Jin as his wife despite her worries about losing fans. Sister Hua later saw the notification for Lone Cloud’s new video and prepared to watch it.

  • Shen Jin and Yun Xiaoran sang and recorded a duet, with Shen Jin briefly losing herself in the song as she watched him sing.
  • While editing the video, Yun Xiaoran used Shen Jin’s suggested title, “My wife's first appearance on camera,” and posted it to VA Station.
  • Shen Jin asked Yun Xiaoran to change the title, but he explained that he wanted to honor her and make up for the love he had not returned before.
  • Shen Jin left a red heart under the video with her alternate account, and Yun Xiaoran liked her comment.
  • After afternoon tea, Sister Hua received a notification that Lone Cloud had posted a new video and opened it to watch.

Ch. 191The Battle of Album Sales

Yun Xiaoran released “Daughter Kingdom,” revealing his marriage to Shen Jin and drawing fan backlash and media attention. Meanwhile, Shen Jin went to China Star Entertainment, where the approaching album-sales contest between her mother Shen Muge and Li Qingxi was taking shape.

  • Sister Hua and Zhou Zeyu watched Yun Xiaoran’s new song “Daughter Kingdom” and were impressed by his performance as Tang Monk.
  • Yun Xiaoran’s announcement of his marriage to Shen Jin drew angry comments, a Weibo trending spot, and accusations that he was a scumbag.
  • Yun Xiaoran ignored the song’s reception and continued writing Battle the Firmament while planning to coordinate with Shen Muge’s company over Wild Rush.
  • Shen Jin went to China Star Entertainment hoping to see her mother and test the song Those Bygone Years, but her mother had not arrived.
  • Sky Star Entertainment shifted most of its promotional resources to Li Qingxi, setting up an album-sales showdown with Shen Muge.

Ch. 192Her resentment

Li Qingxi prepared to record her album, Love, determined to defeat Shen Muge in August album sales and prove Yun Xiaoran wrong. She relied on the resources and songwriting team Sky Star Entertainment had assembled, while her resentment toward Shen Muge and Yun Xiaoran hardened.

  • Li Qingxi watched Lone Cloud's video of Yun Xiaoran singing with Shen Muge and took their apparent closeness as another reason to resent them.
  • On the way to the recording studio, Li Qingxi reminded herself that the chance to compete with Shen Muge was crucial to her career.
  • Li Qingxi asked Liu Yi whether they knew who was writing Shen Muge's songs, and Liu Yi suspected Lone Cloud might be involved.
  • Chang Wujiang dismissed Lone Cloud's songwriting talent and assured Li Qingxi that she could beat Shen Muge in album sales.
  • Li Qingxi resolved to rise to the top by crushing Shen Muge's album sales, with no other path forward in her career.

Ch. 193Offering advice

Sister Hua read the lyrics and score for Those Bygone Years and praised it as a perfect song for Shen Jin, but Shen Jin was preoccupied with wanting to share a bed with Yun Xiaoran. Sister Hua proposed two ways to make it happen, while Shen Jin hoped Yun Xiaoran would choose to join her on his own.

  • Sister Hua studied the lyrics and score for Those Bygone Years and told Shen Jin it could anchor her new album.
  • Sister Hua noticed Shen Jin was distracted and asked what was troubling her.
  • Shen Jin admitted she wanted to sleep in the same bed as Yun Xiaoran.
  • Sister Hua suggested getting Yun Xiaoran drunk or physically restraining him, and Shen Jin considered the ideas but felt they went too far.
  • Sister Hua explained that Yun Xiaoran's values would keep him from climbing into Shen Jin's bed because their relationship was not yet that intimate.

Ch. 194Invite Yun Xiaoran Over

Shen Jin invited Yun Xiaoran to China Star Entertainment so Sister Hua could carry out a secret plan to get him to take the initiative. Yun Xiaoran arrived and was mistaken for a celebrity, leaving him surrounded by employees seeking his autograph.

  • Sister Hua devised a plan and told Shen Jin to invite Yun Xiaoran over without revealing the details.
  • Shen Jin messaged Yun Xiaoran, saying she needed help with a song, and he agreed to visit China Star Entertainment.
  • Shen Jin's advance registration let Yun Xiaoran enter the company easily, where employees admired his appearance and speculated about him.
  • An employee asked Yun Xiaoran for an autograph, and a crowd of more than fifteen people quickly formed.
  • Yun Xiaoran wondered whether Shen Jin had deliberately arranged the autograph requests after the employees began lining up.

Ch. 195What Was Going On?

Shen Jin went to meet Yun Xiaoran at her company, only to find him surrounded by women seeking autographs and photos. Jealous and furious, she dragged him to her office and ordered him to shower before explaining himself.

  • Shen Jin headed to the first-floor waiting area to meet Yun Xiaoran, but found him surrounded by female employees asking for photos and autographs.
  • Shen Jin confronted Yun Xiaoran about entertaining the women and pulled him into a private elevator by the ear.
  • Shen Jin dragged Yun Xiaoran past a stunned Sister Hua and into the women's bathroom in her office.
  • Shen Jin ordered Yun Xiaoran to take a shower and said he could explain himself afterward.

Ch. 196Shen Jin, the Clean Freak

Shen Jin made Yun Xiaoran shower after women at her company crowded around him, then pulled him close and reveled in his scent. Yun Xiaoran apologized, and Shen Jin asked him to recite the rules for being a good husband.

  • Shen Jin ordered Yun Xiaoran to shower thoroughly after hearing about the women who had pursued him at the company.
  • Shen Jin told Sister Hua she was worried about the preparations and about keeping Yun Xiaoran safe from unwanted attention, and Sister Hua reassured her.
  • After Yun Xiaoran finished showering, Shen Jin pulled him onto the sofa beside her and held him while smelling his hair and neck.
  • Yun Xiaoran apologized for causing the commotion, and Shen Jin asked whether he knew what he had done wrong.
  • Shen Jin asked Yun Xiaoran to recite the rules for being a good husband.

Ch. 197Sweet as Honey

Shen Jin made Yun Xiaoran recite her rules for being a good husband, then interrupted him with a kiss and pinned him to the sofa. The chapter ended with her kissing him passionately while he submitted to her affection.

  • Shen Jin showed Yun Xiaoran her rules about interacting with unfamiliar women and warned that breaking them would bring punishment.
  • Yun Xiaoran accepted the blame and recited the rules while Shen Jin watched him.
  • Shen Jin stopped Yun Xiaoran mid-recitation and kissed him.
  • Shen Jin pushed Yun Xiaoran onto the sofa, pinned his hands, and kissed him again more fiercely.

Ch. 198Shen Jin, the "Fruit Farmer"

Shen Jin kissed Yun Xiaoran and, wanting to mark him as hers, gave him a hickey on his collarbone. She admired the mark and asked whether it hurt, while Yun Xiaoran suspected Sister Hua had taught her the idea.

  • Shen Jin kept Yun Xiaoran pinned on her lap after kissing him, ignoring his pleas to let him go.
  • Shen Jin decided to leave hickeys on Yun Xiaoran and pulled down the neckline of his T-shirt to expose his collarbone.
  • Shen Jin hugged Yun Xiaoran and sucked hard on his collarbone, making him cry out in pain.
  • Shen Jin released his skin and saw that she had left a thumb-sized hickey.
  • Shen Jin pinched the mark with a pleased smile and asked Yun Xiaoran whether it hurt.

Ch. 199A Close Call in the President's Office

Shen Jin left five hickeys on Yun Xiaoran in the president’s office, then explained that she wanted to discourage other women from approaching him. She revealed that she had asked him to come sing for her and invited him to dinner with Sister Hua, leaving Yun Xiaoran to consider the evening’s plans.

  • Shen Jin apologized for hurting Yun Xiaoran and offered to let him leave marks on her, but he straightened her clothes instead.
  • Shen Jin asked to leave more hickeys on Yun Xiaoran, and he reluctantly let her give him five marks on his collarbones and neck.
  • Shen Jin said the hickeys would keep women at her company from harassing Yun Xiaoran and complained that he had been surrounded by other girls.
  • Yun Xiaoran asked why Shen Jin had summoned him, and she said she wanted to hear him sing the song again.
  • Shen Jin told Yun Xiaoran that she and Sister Hua had booked a restaurant and asked him to join them for dinner.

Ch. 200Call me something else

Shen Jin impressed Yun Xiaoran and Sister Hua with her singing, though Sister Hua said she lacked the heartbreak needed to fully convey the song. The trio reminisced about Shen Jin and Sister Hua’s old plans to win Yun Xiaoran over, and Shen Jin asked him to call her “wifey.”

  • Shen Jin sang “Those Bygone Years” twice, and Yun Xiaoran praised her performance while Sister Hua said she could not bring out the song’s full emotion without experiencing heartbreak.
  • Shen Jin said she would keep practicing but wanted to stay with Yun Xiaoran forever, prompting Sister Hua to tease the couple and sulk until Shen Jin offered to buy milk tea.
  • Sister Hua told Yun Xiaoran that she and Shen Jin had sat at Shen Jin’s office chair to discuss how to win him over.
  • Yun Xiaoran asked about their old plans, but Shen Jin objected to him calling her by name and asked him to call her his wife.
  • Yun Xiaoran called Shen Jin “Wifey,” and she affectionately praised him as her “hubby” and a good boy.
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