Chapter Summaries

Wang Xiaoliang explained how he had ousted Chengyou’s former employees and decided to stay in Fucheng with a new plan. After Chengyou’s cafeteria lunches quickly sold out, he proposed turning the courtyard into a dining plaza and night market, and suggested bringing in Grandpa Liu’s Beef Offal Shop.

• Wang Xiaoliang told Liu Xinyu that he had reported the employees gambling in the cafeteria, and said he would stay in Fucheng rather than return to Jiangcheng.
• Li Shumei and Fat Auntie promoted Chengyou’s cafeteria, and the first thirty portions sold out within ten minutes.
• Wang Xiaoliang and Xie Hui moved office furniture into the courtyard as the lunch crowd grew, and customers asked for shade.
• Wang Xiaoliang assessed the courtyard and garages, then proposed turning the space into a dining plaza with daytime meals and an evening night market.
• Wang Xiaoliang suggested opening a branch of Grandpa Liu’s Beef Offal Shop in the courtyard.

Wang Xiaoliang secured Yang Qingyu’s agreement to open a Grandpa Liu’s Beef Offal Shop branch in Chengyou’s courtyard and began revising the renovation plans. At Gu Junhao’s company opening, he dismissed rumors about Wei Zijin and confronted Liu Chengyi over his interference in Chengyou.

• Wang Xiaoliang called Yang Qingyu, showed her Chengyou’s courtyard, and got her agreement to open a Grandpa Liu’s Beef Offal Shop branch there when she was able to return to work.
• Wang Xiaoliang and Xie Hui revised the renovation plan to give each storefront independent water and drainage connections, with construction set to begin the next day.
• Wang Xiaoliang attended Gu Junhao’s company opening and banquet, where Fang Dongxu warned him that Gu Junhao’s attitude had changed and showed him a rumor linking Wei Zijin to Xu Zixiong.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Fang Dongxu the rumor about Wei Zijin was fake and rejected his advice to go work as her assistant or manager.
• Wang Xiaoliang refused to sit when Gu Junhao introduced him to Liu Chengyi, then told Liu to clear his belongings from Chengyou’s garage within three days.
• When Liu Chengyi called him rude, Wang Xiaoliang turned back and asked why he should make Liu comfortable.

Wang Xiaoliang opened Liu Chengyi’s garage after the deadline and documented the valuable belongings inside before Chen Jiye arrived to move them out. With the garage emptied, Wang Xiaoliang decided the staff would use it as their new break room, and they began cleaning while he moved the Prado.

• Wang Xiaoliang smashed the garage lock after Liu Chengyi ignored his calls and warning, while Xie Hui recorded the process.
• Wang Xiaoliang found a Prado, Moutai, and fishing rods inside and told Xie Hui to film every item clearly.
• Chen Jiye arrived with a moving truck, and Wang Xiaoliang insisted that only Liu Chengyi’s personal property be taken.
• Chen Jiye and the movers loaded the Prado, cabinet, Moutai, and carefully packed fishing rods onto the truck.
• After the truck left, Wang Xiaoliang designated the garage as the staff’s new break room, and the employees began cleaning it.
• Wang Xiaoliang drove the Prado out of the garage as Xie Hui called him over to help carry desks.

Wang Xiaoliang settled on a profit-sharing arrangement for Second Aunt's Boxed Meals and proposed that the group jointly rent the largest shop to open a supermarket. The chapter ended with everyone silently considering his proposal.

• Xie Hui completed paperwork for the renovated shops, while Wang Xiaoliang fielded inquiries and promoted the planned night market through short videos.
• Li Shumei and the head cook drew a steady lunchtime crowd to Second Aunt's Boxed Meals, which became the courtyard's strongest business.
• Wang Xiaoliang proposed that Li Shumei and the head cook run the cafeteria for their own profit or loss while paying rent to the company and continuing to provide staff meals.
• Everyone raised a hand to approve the cafeteria arrangement.
• Wang Xiaoliang proposed that the people at the meeting jointly rent the largest shop and open a supermarket, leaving them stunned and silent.

Wang Xiaoliang persuaded his colleagues to invest together in an Anyang Snacks franchise for the company’s storefront, while promising to follow company rules and keep the venture discreet. The chapter ended when his Uncle Wen arrived at the office with two assistants.

• Wang Xiaoliang explained that the team would pay market rent and franchise Anyang Snacks, while the brand handled daily operations.
• Li Yongling questioned whether the plan misused company resources, and Wang Xiaoliang clarified the financial arrangements and invited the team to invest equal shares.
• Yi Jiahui, Xie Hui, Li Yongling, Cui Wanqiu, and Li Shumei agreed to invest, while the Master Chef declined because she had no savings.
• Wang Xiaoliang called Uncle Wen to ask for help arranging an assessment of the proposed franchise location, then joked that he knew Anyang Group’s founder, An Peiwen.
• Uncle Wen arrived at the office with two assistants, and Wang Xiaoliang recognized him.

An Peiwen visited Wang Xiaoliang, inspected a storefront with him, and joined him for dinner with Fan Qishan. After Fan Qishan briefly acknowledged An Peiwen and told him to have someone come, An Peiwen said he had come on Hu Yang’s behalf.

• An Peiwen arrived and asked Wang Xiaoliang to show him a storefront, which Xie Hui and two visitors from Anyang inspected and approved for a contract.
• An Peiwen gave Wang Xiaoliang gifts from himself and Old Hu, then accepted Wang Xiaoliang’s invitation to dinner.
• Wang Xiaoliang cooked dinner, and he introduced Fan Qishan to An Peiwen when Fan came out of his room.
• Fan Qishan told An Peiwen, “You’re very good,” then said to have someone come before returning to his room.
• An Peiwen told Wang Xiaoliang he had come both to see him and Fan Qishan, and finally revealed he had come on Hu Yang’s behalf.

On the drive back from meeting Qishan, An Peiwen explained how Qishan’s words helped him recognize that he was satisfied with his life and no longer needed to pursue a fortune or a son. Wang Xiaoliang reflected on An Peiwen’s ideas about money and happiness, then returned home and opened the Book of Fate.

• Wang Xiaoliang asked An Peiwen how he knew Qishan was a master, and An Peiwen said Qishan’s words made him realize he would love another daughter just as much as a son.
• An Peiwen told Wang Xiaoliang that he had achieved his old goal of taking control of the An family, but Hu Yang had helped him value family and work he built himself over money and inheritance.
• An Peiwen explained that Anyang stopped property development and started Anyang Snacks after their families worried about busy mothers and unhealthy snacks for the children.
• An Peiwen said he wanted his satisfying life to continue unchanged and guessed that Third Uncle had avoided Qishan because he feared receiving a bad reading.
• Wang Xiaoliang drove home thinking about An Peiwen’s views on money and life, then opened the Book of Fate to its latest page.

Wang Xiaoliang reflected on whether success depended on cultivation and whether he should be satisfied with things as they were, then led the team in setting storefront rents and expanding the supermarket project. The chapter left him signing leases for Mixue Ice City and Luckin Coffee beside the Anyang Snacks supermarket.

• Wang Xiaoliang read the Book of Fate’s teaching that cultivation mattered more than power, fame, or wealth, but remained unsure whether he was satisfied with his life as it was.
• Wang Xiaoliang and his partners set standardized storefront rents, chose a five-year lease for their supermarket, and assigned responsibilities for contracts, rentals, and funds.
• Wang Xiaoliang confirmed the Anyang Snacks franchise, and Xie Hui paid the franchise and renovation fees as construction began.
• The renovation tarpaulins attracted prospective tenants, while Xie Hui handled a growing stream of inquiries.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Xie Hui that Mixue Ice City and Luckin Coffee had agreed to rent the two units beside the supermarket, and Cui Wanqiu prepared their contracts.

Wang Xiaoliang invested in Mixue Ice City and Luckin beside Anyang Snacks, and the storefronts quickly attracted tenants until none remained. After he and Xie Hui planned the next phase of the development, Fang Dongxu arrived and tried to take Yi Jiahui to dinner, but she refused.

• Wang Xiaoliang chose Mixue Ice City and Luckin for the remaining storefronts and told Wei Zijin about his plan; she supported him as long as it would not prevent his eventual return to her side.
• Construction began on the Mixue Ice City and Luckin storefronts beside Anyang Snacks, and every remaining storefront was leased within two days.
• Xie Hui regretted not taking a storefront, and he and Wang Xiaoliang discussed developing the second floor, rear shops, and courtyard.
• Fang Dongxu arrived at the office to take Yi Jiahui to dinner, but she refused and Xie Hui said he had to pick up his child.
• Wang Xiaoliang offered to treat Fang Dongxu instead, then sarcastically agreed that the office was a poor match for Fang Dongxu’s distinguished presence.

Wang Xiaoliang discussed his plans and finances with Fang Dongxu over dinner, then asked Fang Dongxu to connect him with designer Sui Yiming for a courtyard night market project. Sui Yiming dismissed the project and hung up, leaving Wang Xiaoliang and Fang Dongxu criticizing his arrogance.

• Fang Dongxu looked down on the tavern and urged Wang Xiaoliang to exploit Chengyou's credit to make money through finance, but Wang Xiaoliang rejected the idea.
• Fang Dongxu warned Wang Xiaoliang not to take other women, saying Zijin could divorce him and leave him with nothing.
• Wang Xiaoliang asked whether Fang Dongxu still knew his designer childhood friend and explained that he wanted to turn Chengyou's back courtyard into a night market.
• Fang Dongxu called Sui Yiming, who quoted a high design fee and requested travel expenses and a five-star hotel.
• Sui Yiming dismissed the night market as a waste of time and hung up, and Fang Dongxu called him arrogant.

Wang Xiaoliang sought a distinctive design for his company’s exterior wall and took Hu Yang’s advice to invite students from Fucheng Academy of Fine Arts to compete and paint it. The chapter ended with Wang Xiaoliang expanding the competition to include the night market layout.

• Wang Xiaoliang rejected generic renovation ideas and remembered the striking five dragons painted on Bugbug Internet Cafe.
• Wang Xiaoliang called Hu Yang to ask about the dragon painter, and Hu Yang suggested holding a design competition at Fucheng Academy of Fine Arts.
• Hu Yang advised Wang Xiaoliang to invite student designs, favor representational art, pay the painters, and ensure the wall and scaffolding were safe.
• Wang Xiaoliang realized the student competition could cost less than hiring Sui Yiming and might produce a wider range of ideas.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Hu Yang that after dying, he had seen everyone he wanted to see, including Hu Yang.
• Wang Xiaoliang added the night market layout to the competition plans.

Wang Xiaoliang drafted a student mural competition and promotion plan to turn the building’s exterior into a draw for its food court. A medical aesthetics tenant offered to rent the second floor if she could advertise on the walls, but Wang Xiaoliang refused and handed Xie Hui his plan.

• Wang Xiaoliang prepared a budget and ten-week schedule for a Fucheng-themed mural competition, construction, and unveiling, totaling 195,000 yuan.
• He planned hidden mural clues and photo spots to draw visitors inside the food court, along with progress videos and an unveiling livestream.
• Xie Hui brought Mr. Zhang to discuss renting the second floor, and she criticized the layout, renovation costs, amenities, and rent.
• Mr. Zhang offered to sign and pay immediately if she could advertise her medical aesthetics brand on the exterior walls, but Wang Xiaoliang refused because the company had other plans for them.
• Xie Hui urged Wang Xiaoliang not to lose a suitable long-term tenant, and he handed her the printed mural plan.

Wang Xiaoliang proposed a graffiti competition to draw visitors to the food court, and the team chose it over renting the walls to Medical Aesthetics. He then asked Huang Xueli how to recruit university students and learned to approach campus offices.

• Xie Hui backed Wang Xiaoliang’s proposal but argued that renting the walls to Medical Aesthetics would provide safer, immediate income.
• After the team reviewed the proposal, Yi Jiahui supported the competition, Cui Wanqiu favored the safer option, and Li Yongling argued they could afford to take a risk.
• Xie Hui agreed to proceed and offered to handle the Urban Management paperwork.
• Wang Xiaoliang assigned four team members to organize the Graffiti Competition while Li Yongling continued overseeing finances.
• Wang Xiaoliang called Huang Xueli, who advised him to contact university Student Affairs and Campus Affairs offices to reach student organizers.

Wang Xiaoliang and his coworkers advanced the graffiti competition, advertising preparations, scaffolding arrangements, and cafeteria operations while waiting for design entries. The first batch of submissions arrived, and Wang Xiaoliang was struck by a concept called Fucheng Food Jianghu just as someone came looking for him.

• Wang Xiaoliang and Cui Wanqiu secured cooperation from one school and received a possible agreement from another, while Xie Hui reported that one of his schools had started registration and the other needed to consider it.
• Xie Hui obtained the checklist for the exterior wall advertising application, and Wang Xiaoliang hired Jiang Youfu's crew to handle scaffolding.
• Li Shumei and the Master Chef hired three helpers and expanded the cafeteria's menu, while Xie Hui rejected a health-supplement business because it preyed on older people.
• An art academy student council member emailed Wang Xiaoliang the first batch of design concepts, and Wang Xiaoliang shared the images with the company chat.
• Wang Xiaoliang admired the Fucheng Food Jianghu design when someone entered and asked whether he was there.

Wang Xiaoliang reunited with Luo Bisheng and Cheng Huan, apologized to Cheng Huan for deleting her on WeChat, and helped the couple settle in during their trip to Fucheng. On the drive home, Luo Bisheng revealed that Tian Jiayi had planned to come but changed her mind at the airport.

• Wang Xiaoliang welcomed Luo Bisheng and Cheng Huan, then took them to dinner and apologized to Cheng Huan for deleting her on WeChat.
• Cheng Huan confronted Wang Xiaoliang about how much his life had improved, then accepted his apology and let him book her a hotel room.
• Luo Bisheng kissed Cheng Huan goodbye at her hotel, then told Wang Xiaoliang that their first time was planned for Cheng Huan's birthday two days later.
• Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that Tian Jiayi had been going to join the trip but decided against it after reaching the airport.

Wang Xiaoliang reassured Luo Bisheng that he trusted Wei Zijin despite rumors about her, and made clear he would not pursue Tian Jiayi. After settling Luo Bisheng at the villa, Wang Xiaoliang spoke with Wei Zijin and then joined Luo and Fan Qishan for a strange tea ritual.

• Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that Tian Jiayi had cried while he was in a coma and remembered his words as he tried to save her.
• Wang Xiaoliang dismissed the online allegations about Wei Zijin as false and said he would hope they could remain family even if they separated.
• Wang Xiaoliang rejected Luo Bisheng's suggestion that Tian Jiayi was a better match, saying he had no room in his heart for anyone but Wei Zijin.
• Wang Xiaoliang brought Luo Bisheng to the villa, then called Wei Zijin while Luo settled into the guest room.
• Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that Fan Qishan was drinking tea downstairs, and Fan served them boiled water without tea leaves.

Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that his family had proposed funding a gaming hotel project in Fucheng, but he was torn between taking it on, staying with Cheng Huan, and preparing for graduate school. He had not told his father about his doubts, and the chapter left his decision unresolved.

• Wang Xiaoliang asked Luo Bisheng what he and Cheng Huan wanted to do in Fucheng, and Luo said they would tour with him before exploring on their own.
• Luo Bisheng said he planned to tell Cheng Huan about his family's wealth after her birthday and would answer honestly if she asked about his past relationships.
• Luo Bisheng explained that his father wanted him to run an independent gaming hotel project in Wang Xiaoliang's building, without using the Chongchong name.
• Wang Xiaoliang realized Luo Bisheng's father viewed the likely loss-making project as a chance for his son to learn how to run a business.
• Luo Bisheng admitted that moving to Fucheng could strain his relationship with Cheng Huan and derail his plans to take the graduate school entrance exam.
• Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that his father still believed he would accept the project and had not heard that he was conflicted.

Wang Xiaoliang helped Luo Bisheng see that he could follow Cheng Huan to the Northeast if she returned home, easing his worries about choosing between Jiangcheng and their relationship. The next morning, Luo Bisheng and Wang Xiaoliang went to meet Cheng Huan, who emerged from the hotel with swollen eyes and two middle-aged people close behind her.

• Luo Bisheng told Wang Xiaoliang that Hu Yang and his father wanted him to stay in Jiangcheng and learn from Wang Xiaoliang, though he was unsure about leaving Cheng Huan.
• Wang Xiaoliang encouraged Luo Bisheng to ask Cheng Huan what she wanted and suggested he could move to the Northeast with her if she returned home.
• Luo Bisheng relaxed after realizing he had more options than choosing between Jiangcheng and his relationship with Cheng Huan.
• Wang Xiaoliang and Luo Bisheng practiced an early-morning routine, then drove to Cheng Huan's hotel and waited for her.
• Cheng Huan came down with swollen, red eyes, followed closely by a middle-aged man and woman, leaving Wang Xiaoliang and Luo Bisheng concerned.

Cheng Huan's parents arrived and confronted Luo Bisheng after a tense meal with her and Wang Xiaoliang. The chapter ended with Cheng Huan's father telling Luo Bisheng that he and Cheng Huan were not right for each other.

• Cheng Huan introduced Wang Xiaoliang as her best friend and Luo Bisheng as her boyfriend to her parents.
• Wang Xiaoliang steered the group to Grandpa Liu's Beef Offal Shop for breakfast, where Cheng Huan's parents refused the beef offal noodles and tensions grew over Cheng Huan eating and drinking.
• Wang Xiaoliang drove everyone to a café and stayed with Luo Bisheng instead of waiting in the car.
• Cheng Huan's father told Luo Bisheng that he and Cheng Huan were not right for each other.

Luo Bisheng and Wang Xiaoliang faced Cheng Huan's parents as her father rejected Luo over his background, education, appearance, and prospects. Wang challenged the father's control over Cheng Huan, but Luo left after deciding he had his answer, and his final insult prompted her father to slam his cup down in the silent café.

• Cheng Huan's father declared Luo Bisheng unsuitable and criticized his family background, education, and future prospects.
• Luo Bisheng asked Cheng Huan whether she would still want him if he failed to succeed, but she did not answer.
• Wang Xiaoliang confronted Cheng Huan's father about controlling her and cited the list of experiences she wanted to try.
• Wang defended Luo's family and challenged the father's judgments, but Luo interrupted and said they should leave.
• Luo stood up, told Cheng Huan's father that his horizons were narrow, and provoked him into slamming his cup onto the table.