Chapter Summaries

Wang Xiaoliang watched the relationships of supermarket customers unfold and recognized He Runya shopping with another man, who bought condoms. He Runya later confronted Wang and asked him not to tell Xiao Weijin, revealing that she wanted to keep the man as another option.

• Wang Xiaoliang observed a tattooed girl dating several men and two formerly close girls avoiding each other at his supermarket.
• He Runya entered the supermarket holding hands with a man who was not Xiao Weijin, and the man bought snacks, drinks, and condoms.
• He Runya dodged the man's attempt to hold her hand and hurried out, while Wang Xiaoliang wondered whether she had broken up with Xiao Weijin.
• He Runya sent Wang a WeChat request, but he ignored it, and the next day she waited for him outside the supermarket.
• He Runya confronted Wang about pretending not to notice her, then asked him not to tell Xiao Weijin about the other man.
• Wang promised he would keep quiet, and He Runya said she wanted to give herself another option.

Wang Xiaoliang reflected on the Book of Fate’s Way of Husband and Wife and understood how trust and unity could strengthen a relationship, comparing his bond with Wei Zijin to He Runya and Xiao Weijin’s fragile one. The next morning, Sun Ting returned to Store Two after handling her family matters, and Wang Xiaoliang decided not to pry.

• After dinner and his livestream, Wang Xiaoliang read the Book of Fate’s Way of Husband and Wife and considered how trust and unity could protect a couple from outside threats.
• Wang Xiaoliang reflected on how his lack of complete trust with Wei Zijin had let Liang Yanni’s interference drive them apart.
• Wang Xiaoliang judged He Runya and Xiao Weijin’s relationship to be fragile because they lacked trust and shared purpose.
• Wang Xiaoliang realized that family harmony meant resolving internal conflicts and uniting against outside threats.
• The next morning, Wang Xiaoliang found Sun Ting back at Store Two, and she told him her family matters had been taken care of.
• Wang Xiaoliang chose not to ask Sun Ting for details about her private affairs.

Wang Xiaoliang learned that Liu Xinyu, Yang Qingyu, and others were visiting Jiangcheng for the supermarket opening and helped arrange their Saturday plans. After coordinating dinner and airport pickups, he longed to own a car so he could drive to meet his family and Wei Zijin.

• Luo Bisheng invited Wang Xiaoliang to dinner to celebrate the supermarket opening, but Wang later postponed after Liu Xinyu said he was coming to Jiangcheng.
• Liu Xinyu told Wang that Yang Qingyu and others would join him and asked Wang to arrange a Saturday lunch at Old Sichuan for the visiting guests.
• Wang agreed to find a private room for twelve to fifteen people and called Luo Bisheng to reschedule their dinner.
• Wang and Zhou Qiang agreed that Wang would pick up Liu Xinyu and the others at the airport while Zhou Qiang waited near the university.
• Wang watched the traffic and wished he had a car to pick up his parents and Wei Zijin.

Wang Xiaoliang checked the private dining room at Old Sichuan before visiting Anyang Snacks to buy fruit and examine its products and sales approach. He discovered that the store stocked Liu Xinyu and his wife's Grandpa Liu dried tofu and considered whether he could introduce its fresh-cut fruit model at his own supermarkets.

• Wang Xiaoliang asked Sister Hong to clean Old Sichuan's private room thoroughly and prepare good rice for lunch.
• Wang Xiaoliang called Zhou Qiang, who said he had liquor and asked him to buy fruit and drinks for the women.
• Wang Xiaoliang joined Anyang Snacks' membership program and noticed its wide variety of products and competitive prices.
• Wang Xiaoliang recognized the Grandpa Liu dried tofu as a product from Liu Xinyu and his wife's Fucheng Chengde Food Factory and bought a whole pack.
• Wang Xiaoliang observed the store's popular fresh-cut fruit service, bought several expensive fruits to be prepared, and considered studying the model for his own supermarkets.

Wang Xiaoliang ran into Wang Fen, Chen Xiaoying, Ouyang Hai, and Zhao Shengkai at the supermarket, then was called back there by Liu Xinyu. He met An Peiwen, Hu Yang, Li Liting, and Shangguan Rui, and Hu Yang told him to call him Third Brother.

• Wang Xiaoliang politely declined Chen Xiaoying's invitation to eat and left the supermarket, ignoring Zhao Shengkai when he encountered him at the entrance.
• Ouyang Hai and Zhao Shengkai joined Wang Fen and Chen Xiaoying, and Zhao Shengkai suggested sneaking out to a club after gaming at his place.
• Zhao Shengkai spotted Liu Xinyu arriving at the supermarket with Wei Zijin, Li Lanxiang, and others, and told Ouyang Hai that Liu Xinyu was a wealthy business owner.
• Liu Xinyu called Wang Xiaoliang and asked him to meet at Anyang Supermarket, so Wang Xiaoliang left Old Sichuan after putting his purchases in the private dining room.
• An Peiwen and Hu Yang met Wang Xiaoliang, and Hu Yang introduced Li Liting as Xiaowen's wife and Shangguan Rui as his own wife.
• Hu Yang told Wang Xiaoliang to call Shangguan Rui Third Sister-in-law and to call him Third Brother from then on.

Wang Xiaoliang arrived at Anyang Snacks with Hu Yang and An Peiwen, where Liu Xinyu and the others gathered to meet them. After the group left for a restaurant, Liu Xinyu stopped Zhao Shengkai, Chen Xiaoying, Ouyang Hai, and Wang Fen from tagging along, promising to treat them another day.

• Hu Yang put his arm around Wang Xiaoliang and praised his writing as they entered Anyang Snacks with An Peiwen and Shangguan Rui.
• Chen Xiaoying was excited to see An Peiwen, while Zhao Shengkai was stunned to recognize Shangguan Rui.
• Liu Xinyu greeted Hu Yang and introduced his wife, Yang Qingyu, to Li Liting and Shangguan Rui.
• Shangguan Rui led the group out of the crowded supermarket, and Zhao Shengkai introduced himself to her before she left with the others.
• Liu Xinyu led everyone toward Old Sichuan, then told Zhao Shengkai, Chen Xiaoying, Ouyang Hai, and Wang Fen that the reserved room had no space for them.

At a meal with Liu Xinyu’s friends and family, Wang Xiaoliang asked whether his supermarket could sell the secret-recipe dried tofu, and An Peiwen agreed to supply it through Anyang’s warehouse. An Peiwen then explained Hu Yang’s childish pranks against Fat Boss, which Hu Yang said were meant to keep Luo Bisheng from returning to his old ways.

• Liu Xinyu introduced Zhou Qiang, Li Lanxiang, Wang Xiaoliang, and Wei Zijin to An Peiwen, Li Liting, Hu Yang, and Shangguan Rui.
• Zhou Qiang and Wang Xiaoliang tried the secret-recipe dried tofu, and Wang asked Liu Xinyu whether his supermarket could sell it.
• An Peiwen approved the sale and offered Wang access to Anyang’s Central Warehouse and internal prices.
• Hu Yang joked that Zhou Qiang and Wang Xiaoliang were talented, while Shangguan Rui teased him for being overly familiar with Wang.
• An Peiwen recounted how Hu Yang and Luo Bisheng had loudly embarrassed Fat Boss at his supermarket, making everyone laugh.
• Hu Yang said the prank was meant to stop Fat Boss’s insult from driving Luo Bisheng to fight him or return to his old ways.

Hu Yang pushed Luo Bisheng to introduce himself to the people at lunch, revealing how severe his social anxiety was. After the group reminisced about their busy lives and joked about growing old together, Zhou Qiang asked Hu Yang about buying a storefront in the Phase Two development.

• Hu Yang called Luo Bisheng to lunch, and Luo arrived looking embarrassed and nervous.
• Hu Yang challenged Luo Bisheng to introduce himself to everyone he did not know, and Luo gradually made his way around the table.
• Luo Bisheng refused Liu Xinyu’s offer of alcohol because he had work that night, then slumped into his chair after completing the introductions.
• The group ate Sichuan dishes, reminisced about earlier gatherings, and talked about retiring together after the Phase Two Project was finished.
• Zhou Qiang asked about buying a storefront in the Phase Two development, and Hu Yang asked how much money he had.

Hu Yang agreed to sell Zhou Qiang a storefront at an insider rate after hearing he wanted to reopen a restaurant for his former staff. He then explained why he had taken responsibility for helping Luo Bisheng become more independent, and the story left with Liu Xinyu suggesting Wang Xiaoliang might help Bisheng overcome his shyness.

• Zhou Qiang explained that he wanted to open a restaurant so his former employees would have work, and Hu Yang agreed to reserve him a well-located storefront at a private rate.
• Hu Yang told Luo Bisheng that a man needed honesty, the ability to get things done, and thick skin, then sent him away after their meal.
• Luo Bisheng whispered to Wang Xiaoliang that he would treat him and his girlfriend to dinner the following weekend before rushing out.
• Hu Yang told Liu Xinyu and the others how he had opposed sending Bisheng abroad and arranged for him to attend Jingke and work at Bugbug Internet Cafe.
• Hu Yang admitted that Bisheng was still extremely shy, and Liu Xinyu suggested Wang Xiaoliang might be able to help him.

Wang Xiaoliang explained how selling his first bottle of soda helped him overcome his shyness, and Hu Yang asked how Bisheng might take a similar first step. The conversation turned to Hu Yang and Shangguan Rui’s courtship, but Hu Yang refused to tell the story until Liu Xinyu had three kids.

• Liu Xinyu described how Wang Xiaoliang had once been extremely shy, and Wang Xiaoliang recalled that selling his first bottle of soda helped him become more comfortable approaching people.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Hu Yang that Bisheng would need to want to change before outside opportunities could help him overcome his shyness.
• Hu Yang agreed that Bisheng had to take the initiative and joked that a pretty girl might spur him to change.
• Shangguan Rui corrected Hu Yang’s claim that he had pursued her, saying she had been the one who chased him relentlessly.
• Liu Xinyu asked Hu Yang and Shangguan Rui to tell their love story, and Hu Yang said he would tell it after Liu Xinyu had three kids.

Hu Yang and his friends finished their meal in Fucheng, while Liu Xinyu discussed the upcoming launch of three local snacks. After Hu Yang and his family left, Liu Xinyu agreed to a classmates’ dinner in Jiangcheng, where the group teased him about trying for a baby.

• Liu Xinyu told An Peiwen that the three new snacks were awaiting Quality Supervision Bureau approval, and Hu Yang stressed that they must be clean, hygienic, and fairly priced.
• Hu Yang and Shangguan Rui declined Liu Xinyu’s offers for more activities because they missed their children and had an early flight.
• After Hu Yang and the others left, Liu Xinyu learned Wang Xiaoliang had paid the lunch bill and saw classmates urging him to let them host him.
• Liu Xinyu apologized in the group chat and offered to treat everyone to dinner, but Zeng Haiyan organized a group meal at Hongbin Tower instead.
• Liu Xinyu said he and Qingyu were trying for a baby and would not drink, prompting the classmates to congratulate and tease him.

Liu Xinyu and his friends toured Jiangcheng University while Zhou Qiang explained how Hu Yang planned to help Luo Bisheng build a future through an internet café. Wang Xiaoliang realized Zhou Qiang was deliberately befriending people to get closer to Hu Yang, and the group continued their walk joking together.

• Zhou Qiang called Huang Xueli, who arranged for security to let the group into Jiangcheng University.
• Liu Xinyu showed Yang Qingyu around campus, while Wei Zijin greeted students who recognized her and asked for autographs and photos.
• Wang Xiaoliang admitted he worried about Wei Zijin’s growing fame but was also proud of her.
• Zhou Qiang told Wang Xiaoliang that Hu Yang planned to teach Luo Bisheng to run an internet café before handing it over to him.
• Wang Xiaoliang realized Zhou Qiang had approached Hu Yang about buying the storefront to get closer to him, and Zhou Qiang called his plan an open stratagem.
• When Liu Xinyu asked whether they were bad-mouthing him, Wang Xiaoliang and Zhou Qiang shouted that they were.

Zhou Qiang returned to Hongbin Tower for a class farewell dinner and saw how much the place had changed since he gave it up. At the gathering, Wang Xiaoliang revealed that he called Hu Yang “Third Brother,” prompting Chen Xiaoying to understand his connection to Wei Zijin and choose her seat accordingly.

• Zhou Qiang arrived at Kexin Hongbin Tower and told Wang Xiaoliang that the building had taught him a lesson he would not forget.
• Zeng Haiyan prepared the Friendship Hall and warmly welcomed Zhou Qiang, Wang Xiaoliang, and their friends.
• Classmates arrived for the farewell dinner and complained about the strict school gate security.
• Chen Xiaoying confronted Liu Xinyu about missing lunch with Hu Yang and An Peiwen, then asked Wang Xiaoliang about his connection to Hu Yang.
• Wang Xiaoliang said he called Hu Yang “Third Brother,” and Chen Xiaoying inferred his connection to Wei Zijin before sitting beside Li Lanxiang.

Wang Xiaoliang watched the classmates gather for their reunion and noticed that Zhao Shengkai, Ouyang Hai, and He Runya had placed their phones face down. He Runya, whom he knew was unfaithful to her partner, received a call and left the room after glancing toward him.

• Zeng Haiyan welcomed Wang Fen, and Li Xiaoman and Fang Dongxu arrived to greet Liu Xinyu, Zhou Qiang, and Wang Xiaoliang.
• Zhou Qiang explained that Huang Xueli had helped them get past the campus gate and introduced him to Liu Xinyu.
• Xiao Weijin arrived with He Runya, and the reunion began with everyone present.
• Wang Xiaoliang noticed that Zhao Shengkai, Ouyang Hai, and He Runya had placed their phones face down, and he suspected the habit reflected their desire for privacy.
• He Runya received a phone call, told Xiao Weijin she was stepping out, and glanced toward Wang Xiaoliang as she left.

Yang Qingyu and Liu Xinyu took charge of the classmates’ dinner, ordering more food and insisting on paying as a wedding-hosting gesture and an apology. As the meal resumed, the classmates complained about the restaurant’s prices, and Li Lanxiang clarified that Hongbin Tower had a new owner; He Runya then returned to the private room.

• Li Xiaoman complained that Zeng Haiyan had ordered too few dishes, and Xiao Weijin called for the menu before objecting to the restaurant’s high prices.
• Yang Qingyu said she wanted to treat everyone because her family had meant to host Liu Xinyu’s friends after the wedding.
• Liu Xinyu ordered additional dishes and called the meal an apology banquet, then ended the argument over who would pay by joking that the couple would leave if it continued.
• Xiao Weijin and other classmates blamed the restaurant’s owner for its prices, but Li Lanxiang said it was now Kexin Hongbin Tower under a different owner.
• Wang Xiaoliang agreed that the food was worse than before, and He Runya returned to her seat.

At a reunion dinner at Hongbin Tower, Zhou Qiang defended the restaurant’s prices after Xiao Weijin accused it of overcharging. The gathering resumed its celebration, though He Runya remained weary of Xiao Weijin.

• Xiao Weijin complained that Hongbin Tower’s soy-braised beef had become more expensive, and Wang Xiaoliang and Li Lanxiang challenged his claims.
• Li Lanxiang explained that customers could choose whether to eat at the restaurant, and Xiao Weijin accused her of defending Zhou Qiang because she had never paid for her meals.
• Zhou Qiang revealed that he had owned the original Hongbin Tower, defended its ingredients and portions, and said Li Lanxiang ate there as his wife.
• Fang Dongxu agreed with Zhou Qiang, and Zeng Haiyan shifted the gathering’s attention to a toast welcoming Yang Qingyu and Liu Xinyu back to Jiangcheng.
• Xiao Weijin reluctantly joined the toast and drank heavily, while Fang Dongxu raised his glass to Zhou Qiang; the meal grew lively again as He Runya appeared weary.

At a dinner hosted by Liu Xinyu and Yang Qingyu, Zeng Haiyan and the other guests toasted Liu Xinyu, Zhou Qiang, Wang Xiaoliang, and the women while seeking advice and connections. Liu Xinyu revealed that Mr. An had personally offered Wang Xiaoliang a job at Anyang, but Wang Xiaoliang had chosen to try making his own way first.

• Liu Xinyu proposed a toast to Yang Qingyu, and the guests teased the couple before Yang Qingyu toasted everyone in return.
• Zeng Haiyan thanked Liu Xinyu for his advice, then asked Zhou Qiang how to make her shop attract customers; Zhou Qiang told her to copy someone.
• Zeng Haiyan thanked Wang Xiaoliang for improving her videos and told him she planned to start livestreaming after renovating her shop.
• Zeng Haiyan invited Wei Zijin, Yang Qingyu, and Li Lanxiang to spend the next day shopping, drinking tea, and visiting a spa at her expense.
• Chen Xiaoying asked Liu Xinyu to connect Zhao Shengkai with Mr. An and Mr. Hu, but Liu Xinyu said he could not help while still establishing his own business relationship with them.
• Liu Xinyu told Chen Xiaoying and Zhao Shengkai that Mr. An had personally invited Wang Xiaoliang to join Anyang, but Wang Xiaoliang wanted to try making his own way first.

Wang Xiaoliang enjoyed the respect he received at the gathering, but the evening turned sour when Fang Dongxu got drunk and vomited on Zhou Qiang and the private room. Liu Xinyu ended the gathering after the waitresses complained about cleaning up.

• Wang Xiaoliang basked in the changed attitudes of the guests while drinking juice instead of liquor.
• Fang Dongxu arrived heavily drunk, thanked Zhou Qiang for supporting his opening, and drank more liquor.
• Fang Dongxu vomited on the floor and Zhou Qiang’s trousers and shoes, prompting Wang Xiaoliang to summon the waitresses.
• Wang Xiaoliang and Liu Xinyu moved Fang Dongxu to the sofa, where he vomited on the carpet again.
• The waitresses protested about cleaning up, and Liu Xinyu warned them before Zhou Qiang calmed the situation.
• After Fang Dongxu fell asleep, Zhou Qiang suggested ending the gathering, and Liu Xinyu announced that everyone could leave.

After the gathering, Wang Xiaoliang, Zhou Qiang, and Huang Xueli carried the unconscious Fang Dongxu to Huang Xueli’s dorm and left him with water and a message. As they headed to meet their friends, Huang Xueli was asked to break up an argument outside Women’s Dormitory Nine, where Wang Xiaoliang recognized Xiao Weijin confronting He Runya.

• The gathering ended, and Huang Xueli agreed to take the unconscious Fang Dongxu to his dorm while Liu Xinyu took the others to the hotel.
• Wang Xiaoliang and Zhou Qiang carried Fang Dongxu to Huang Xueli’s dorm, where Huang cleaned him up and made sure he had no fever.
• Wang Xiaoliang messaged Fang Dongxu to explain where he was and tell him to wait until morning before leaving.
• Huang Xueli told the dorm duty officer about Fang Dongxu, then agreed to check on a reported argument outside Dormitory Nine.
• Huang Xueli, Wang Xiaoliang, and Zhou Qiang found Xiao Weijin gripping He Runya’s arm as they argued outside the women’s dormitory.

Huang Xueli stopped Xiao Weijin from assaulting He Runya and cleared away the students watching them. He Runya reaffirmed that she wanted to break up, leaving Xiao Weijin sobbing outside her dorm as Huang Xueli arranged to have security monitor him.

• Zhou Qiang stopped Wang Xiaoliang from approaching while Xiao Weijin confronted He Runya about breaking up and accused her of liking Wang Xiaoliang.
• He Runya slapped Xiao Weijin and told him she had wanted to end the relationship for a long time because of his arrogance and behavior.
• Huang Xueli restrained Xiao Weijin as he raised his hand to hit He Runya, then warned him and sent away the students who were watching and filming.
• He Runya told Xiao Weijin she still wanted to break up, rejected his tearful pleas, and returned to Dormitory Building No. 9.
• Xiao Weijin crouched outside the dormitory sobbing, while Huang Xueli asked Old Li to monitor the entrance and have security escort him away if he stayed.