Chapter Summaries

Wang Xiaoliang continued writing and meditating as his companions watched over him, while Fan Qishan’s explanation of the Returning Hexagram helped Wang Xiaoliang understand why the Fate-Changing Art’s Seventh Art followed its Thirtieth. He realized that changing fate began with changing the heart, and that his and Zijin’s starting point was her new life.

• Yang Qingyu and Yi Jiahui brought bedding for Wang Xiaoliang, and Yang Qingyu reassured Yi Jiahui that he could endure his long writing session.
• Wang Xiaoliang continued writing and reading for more than a day, pausing to eat when Yang Qingyu, Yi Jiahui, and Luo Bisheng brought him food.
• Liu Xinyu asked Fan Qishan about Instructions for Practical Living, and Fan Qishan answered, “The unity of knowledge and action is knowledge,” which Wang Xiaoliang copied down.
• Nuomi visited Wang Xiaoliang and asked why he needed to write for seven days; Fan Qishan explained the Returning Hexagram’s seven-step cycle.
• Wang Xiaoliang connected the Returning Hexagram to the Seventh Fate-Changing Art and realized that changing fate began with changing the heart, while his and Zijin’s starting point was her new life.

Xiao Mo sat drinking with Wang Xiaoliang while telling him about a one-time beggar who used his skill at reading people to target wealthy passersby for a gang. Wang Xiaoliang listened and kept writing, and Xiao Mo finished the bottle of Jiuqing Liquor without getting drunk.

• Xiao Mo brought liquor, cups, and snacks into Wang Xiaoliang's room and invited him to drink.
• Xiao Mo told Wang Xiaoliang about a handless beggar at a train station who selectively asked people for money and had followers target those who refused.
• Xiao Mo explained that the beggar's operation was a gang that used begging to judge people's compassion before stealing from or robbing those who refused to help.
• Xiao Mo revealed that the beggar belonged to the Thousand Gates and had lost his hands for cheating; after Xiao Mo uncovered his secret, the beggar left the station.
• Wang Xiaoliang resumed writing while Xiao Mo drank the remaining Jiuqing Liquor and remained sober.

Wang Xiaoliang continued writing and meditating while friends and family visited, as he waited for Wei Zijin to wake. The livestream drew millions of viewers, who increasingly focused on whether Zijin would recover and whether Xiaoliang could endure four days without sleep.

• Huang Xueli visited Wang Xiaoliang, shared his plans to quit his job and make a philosophy show, and said he believed in him.
• Lu Sining thanked Wang Xiaoliang for supporting her during Huang Xueli's hospital stay and told him she believed he would succeed.
• Huang Xueli told Liu Xinyu and the others that Seventh People's Hospital was under military management and that he had found no news about Zijin.
• Chen Zhifei, Cui Wanqiu, and Xie Hui visited Wang Xiaoliang; Xie Hui noticed white strands in his hair and broke down after learning he had gone four days without sleep.
• Tang Heihu's livestream reached 4.37 million viewers, and commenters increasingly hoped Zijin would wake and urged Wang Xiaoliang to keep going.

On the sixth day, Wang Xiaoliang kept writing while friends and family visited or watched his livestream, unable to bring themselves to disturb him. The chapter ended with those who stayed in Jiangcheng agreeing to go to Fucheng immediately if they heard that Zijin had woken up.

• Kong Xiuyun visited Wang Xiaoliang and reminded him to buy her the bag he had promised, then cried silently after leaving the room.
• Zhou Qiang spent hours telling Wang Xiaoliang his plans for a restaurant chain and cultural business, then asked him to promise to help; Wang Xiaoliang faintly agreed.
• Liu Xinyu's mother arrived with Fu Zhaojun, but she could not bring herself to enter Wang Xiaoliang's room and instead planned to cook for everyone the next day.
• Cheng Huan watched Tang Heihu's livestream and asked Tian Jiayi to go to Fucheng with her, but Tian Jiayi said she could not bear to cry in front of Wang Xiaoliang.
• Zeng Haiyan watched the livestream and asked Chen Zhifei for updates, while Li Lanxiang messaged her that they should both go to Fucheng if they heard that Zijin had woken up.

As Wang Xiaoliang continued his seventh day without sleep to pray for Wei Zijin, his friends and supporters worried about both of them and tried to keep him going. Hu Yang and Fan Qishan discussed death as a state of waiting for a chance to live, while Xiaoliang kept writing without responding.

• Zeng Haiyan explained in the group chat that Zijin was being watched over by doctors, while Xiaoliang needed company to help him sleep and avoid danger.
• Wang Fen posted a video revealing her friendship with Xiaoliang and Zijin, then sang a warm song wishing them both safety and recovery.
• On the afternoon of the seventh day, Hu Yang and An Peiwen joined Fan Qishan in the room while Xiaoliang continued writing with an unsteady grip.
• Hu Yang asked Fan Qishan about death, and they described it as waiting for a chance to live, like a northern tree waiting for spring.
• Hu Yang invited Fan Qishan to visit their home, but Fan Qishan refused unless Hu Yang had figured something out.

Wang Xiaoliang finished writing after the seven-day countdown ended, then collapsed and slept for two days while his friends watched over him. After waking, he ate, learned Zijin had not woken, and decided to return to Jiangcheng the next day to bring Zijin home.

• Wang Xiaoliang continued writing past the countdown, bowed to the livestream audience, and collapsed after completing the final words.
• Luo Bisheng, Liu Xinyu, and Zhou Qiang carried Wang Xiaoliang to bed, and Fan Qishan told everyone to let him sleep.
• Wang Xiaoliang woke two days later and found Yang Qingyu and Yi Jiahui keeping watch in shifts.
• Yang Qingyu brought Wang Xiaoliang food, and he learned that Zijin had not woken up.
• Wang Xiaoliang went upstairs to rest, planning to return to Jiangcheng the next day and bring Zijin home.

Wang Xiaoliang recovered enough to leave for the hospital where Wei Zijin remained unconscious, dyeing his graying hair before traveling. He reunited with Huang Xueli and held on to the belief that Wei Zijin would wake after thirty-one days, with six days left.

• Wang Xiaoliang woke in Luo Bisheng's care and learned that twenty-five days had passed since Wei Zijin received the antibodies.
• Luo Bisheng gave Wang Xiaoliang hair dye from Yang Qingyu, and Wang Xiaoliang dyed his graying hair before reading messages of support.
• Wang Xiaoliang thanked Luo Bisheng, asked him to manage things, and flew to meet Huang Xueli.
• Wang Xiaoliang reunited with Huang Xueli at the airport and said he had returned to take his queen home.
• Wang Xiaoliang believed Wei Zijin would wake on the thirty-first day, six days away.

Wang Xiaoliang arranged a car to bring Zijin home comfortably and reunited with Zhou Qiang, Kong Xiuyun, Nuomi, and Xiao Mo in Jiangcheng. Nuomi told him she was expecting twins, and Wang Xiaoliang guessed they would be a boy and a girl.

• Luo Bisheng worried about Wang Xiaoliang, and Liu Xinyu reassured him that the livestream had gathered people’s sincere wishes for Zijin.
• Liu Xinyu urged Luo Bisheng to pursue Yi Jiahui, and Luo Bisheng called her to invite her to lunch.
• Wang Xiaoliang decided to buy a vehicle with a flat-folding rear seat so he could drive Zijin home, and he ordered the only suitable SUV in stock.
• Wang Xiaoliang visited Suiyun Residence, where Zhou Qiang and Kong Xiuyun welcomed him with an emotional reunion.
• Nuomi and Xiao Mo arrived, and Nuomi told Wang Xiaoliang that she was expecting twins.
• Wang Xiaoliang smiled and predicted that Nuomi’s twins would be a boy and a girl.

Wang Xiaoliang arranged round-the-clock caregivers for Wei Zijin and agreed to buy Zhao Nan an apartment as Zijin had requested. Unable to get past a military roadblock to reach Zijin at Seventh Hospital, he stocked his SUV and settled into a parking lot nearby to wait.

• Wang Xiaoliang persuaded Zhao Nan to hire two professional caregivers for Wei Zijin and told her to take over Nuomi's work at Mimo while Nuomi rested during her twin pregnancy.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Zhao Nan that Wei Zijin had left instructions for him to buy her an apartment, and Zhao Nan agreed to look for one near his home.
• Four days later, Wang Xiaoliang picked up his SUV and converted its back into a place where he could sleep.
• Wang Xiaoliang drove toward Seventh Hospital but turned back when soldiers blocked the road and would not let him pass.
• Wang Xiaoliang packed supplies and the Book of Fate, parked less than a kilometer from the roadblock, and decided to wait near Wei Zijin.

Wang Xiaoliang waited anxiously for news of Wei Zijin near Seventh People's Hospital, but Zeng Haiyan was also turned back and Wei’s phone remained off. On the thirty-second day, a military convoy passed from the hospital, and Wang realized the martial law had been lifted and drove toward the hospital.

• Wang Xiaoliang recognized Zeng Haiyan driving back from the direction of Seventh People's Hospital and watched her leave without calling to her.
• Wang spent the day waiting for news of Wei Zijin, repeatedly checking his phone and finding no calls or messages.
• Wang called Wei Zijin several times, but heard that the number was powered off, then spent the night unable to sleep.
• On the thirty-second day, Wang saw three military jeeps and six covered trucks pass from the direction of Seventh People's Hospital.
• Wang understood that martial law had been lifted, drove east without encountering a roadblock, and headed for Jiangcheng Seventh People's Hospital.

Wang Xiaoliang brought Wei Zijin home from the hospital, believing she was still unconscious, until she opened her eyes in the car and spoke to him. The chapter ended with them reunited in his arms as she slowly began to talk.

• Wang Xiaoliang arrived at the hospital, and Xie Hui told him he could take Zijin home without answering whether she had woken up.
• Xie Hui explained Zijin’s care needs and helped Wang Xiaoliang carry her to his car.
• Wang Xiaoliang drove Zijin home carefully and called Zhao Nan to tell her Zijin had been brought back.
• In the underground garage, Wang Xiaoliang noticed that Wei Zijin’s eyes were open and realized she was looking at him.
• Wei Zijin asked Wang Xiaoliang what had taken him so long, and he held her, gave her water, and apologized for being late.
• Wei Zijin spoke aloud, telling Wang Xiaoliang that he smelled good.

Wei Zijin returned home with Wang Xiaoliang and Zhao Nan, weak but able to speak and eat. Wang Xiaoliang asked Zhao Nan to keep visitors away for a few days, but learned Haiyan and Wei Zijin’s aunt and uncle were coming.

• Zhao Nan heard Wei Zijin call her “Sis” and broke down crying before checking that Wei Zijin could feel her legs.
• Wang Xiaoliang carried Wei Zijin home with Zhao Nan, and Wei Zijin said she was hungry in the elevator.
• At home, Wei Zijin held onto Wang Xiaoliang’s shirt, and he stayed beside her while Zhao Nan prepared congee.
• Wang Xiaoliang asked Zhao Nan not to tell anyone else yet, but Zhao Nan said Haiyan would visit and Wei Zijin’s aunt and uncle were arriving that night.
• Zhao Nan fed Wei Zijin plain rice congee, and Wei Zijin slowly swallowed several spoonfuls.

Wei Zijin recovered enough to speak and stand after waking, while Wang Xiaoliang’s family and friends visited to support her. She told Wang Xiaoliang that she had misread the Book of Fate and knowingly placed herself in danger at Seventh Hospital.

• Huang Xueli and Lu Sining visited Wei Zijin, and Lu Sining invited her to call her Hongqiu.
• Nuomi, Xiao Mo, Zeng Haiyan, Zhao Nan, and Wang Xiaoliang’s other friends visited Wei Zijin and brought food and supplies.
• Zhao Xiuqin arrived with Wang Keqin and promised to help Wei Zijin recover, while Xie Hui later visited and refused to discuss her antibodies because of a confidentiality commitment.
• On the third day, Zeng Haiyan, Wang Fen, and Li Lanxiang visited, and Wang Xiaoliang treated Li Lanxiang a little more warmly than before.
• On the fourth day, Wang Xiaoliang bathed Wei Zijin, and she explained that she had misunderstood the Book of Fate and entered Seventh Hospital despite its danger.

Wei Zijin told Wang Xiaoliang about the military lockdown and possible deliberate release of the virus at Seventh Hospital, then described how she and Xie Hui reconciled during the outbreak. Wang Xiaoliang revealed that Brother Qiang had been found and prepared to tell Wei Zijin what happened.

• Wei Zijin told Wang Xiaoliang that soldiers had confiscated and registered phones at Seventh Hospital, blocked communications, and kept the outbreak under secrecy after an expert suggested the virus might have been man-made.
• Wei Zijin joined Wang Xiaoliang’s family for breakfast and said she was grateful to have them together.
• Wei Zijin explained that she and Xie Hui had set aside their grudges during the outbreak, made messages for their families, and promised to contact each other’s relatives if one survived.
• Wei Zijin revealed that Xie Hui had left Director Jiang’s contact details and explained that he was her father, while Wang Xiaoliang warned her to be cautious of them because of the Book of Fate.
• Wang Xiaoliang told Wei Zijin that Brother Qiang had been found, and said he had something important to tell her about it.

Li Lanxiang reviewed her schemes and planned how to get closer to Wei Zijin and Wang Xiaoliang by using Zhou Qiang to make herself seem like the victim. After deciding to wait for a natural opportunity, she was surprised when the chance she wanted arrived sooner than expected.

• Li Lanxiang wrote that she regretted making Zhou Qiang disappear completely and considered that she should have made him admit to cheating so Wei Zijin would sympathize with her.
• After seeing Tang Heihu reveal that he was Wang Xiaoliang, Li Lanxiang assessed the couple’s wealth and wrote that Wang Xiaoliang was the pair’s weakness and Wei Zijin was the driving force behind him.
• Li Lanxiang recalled Wang Xiaoliang’s distance toward her and concluded he had not yet seen Zhou Qiang or learned the truth.
• Li Lanxiang planned to arrange for Wang Xiaoliang to see Zhou Qiang and hear that Zhou Qiang had cheated, hoping to gain the couple’s sympathy without making the situation seem contrived.
• Li Lanxiang locked her notebook in her safe and went to bed, unaware that the opportunity she wanted was about to arrive.

Li Lanxiang learned that Wang Xiaoliang was giving Zhou Qiang three days to contact him, and she tried to delay Zhou Qiang’s planned visit to Guoguo. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoliang brought Wei Zijin and his family back to Hongbin Little Tower, where Sun Ting welcomed them.

• Li Lanxiang watched Wang Xiaoliang announce that Wei Zijin had woken up and demand that Zhou Qiang contact him within three days.
• Li Lanxiang considered what Zhou Qiang might tell Wang Xiaoliang and messaged Zhou Qiang to postpone picking up Guoguo.
• Sun Ting prepared Hongbin Little Tower for dinner service and greeted Wang Xiaoliang when he arrived with four family members.
• Wang Xiaoliang introduced his parents, his older sister, and his wife Wei Zijin to Sun Ting.
• Sun Ting welcomed the group, asked Xiaolu to bring them good tea, and they sat down.

After moving into Ruijing Residential Community, Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin settled into a quieter routine as Wei Zijin continued recovering. A call from Li Lanxiang revealed that she remained wary of others’ intentions, even as she interpreted Wang Xiaoliang’s visit to her restaurant as a sign he had let go of his grudge.

• At Hongbin Little Tower, Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin posed for photos with customers, and Sun Ting asked to display a photo of them in the restaurant.
• Wang Xiaoliang told his parents he wanted a simple wedding at Spring Festival, while Wang Keqin and Zhao Xiuqin prepared to return home for their early flight.
• Wei Zijin’s health improved through daily standing meditation, and she gave Zhao Nan her apartment and BMW.
• Wei Zijin told Li Lanxiang that Wang Xiaoliang had met Zhou Qiang and urged her to bring her godmother and Guoguo over for a visit.
• Li Lanxiang suspected she might be tested, then decided Wang Xiaoliang’s restaurant visit meant he no longer held a grudge and resolved to observe him carefully.

Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin reunited with friends for dinner at Old Sichuan, where they announced their wedding plans and heard how Sun Wenbin had been punished after a female student went into hibernation. The chapter ended with Wei Zijin reassured that the student woke up and Wang Xiaoliang holding her hand.

• Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin returned to Old Sichuan, where Sister Hong welcomed them and praised Wei Zijin.
• Huang Xueli, Lu Sining, Zhou Qiang, and Kong Xiuyun joined them, and Wang Xiaoliang gave the women handbags chosen by Wei Zijin.
• Wang Xiaoliang invited everyone to their wedding in Xicheng on the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month; Zhou Qiang and Kong Xiuyun said they would be away.
• Huang Xueli told the group that Sun Wenbin had been dismissed after a female student went into hibernation while visiting him, and that the university had guaranteed her graduate-school admission.
• Wei Zijin asked whether the student had woken up, and Huang Xueli confirmed that she had; Wang Xiaoliang held Wei Zijin's hand.

After two successful Jiuqing Liquor livestreams, Wei Zijin and Wang Xiaoliang took a leisurely road trip to Xicheng, where they gave Wang Keqin their car and visited the new home prepared for the couple. The chapter ended with Wei Zijin realizing Wang Keqin and Zhao Xiuqin planned to move in only after the wedding.

• Mimo held two successful Jiuqing Liquor livestreams hosted by Wei Zijin, and she and Wang Xiaoliang planned their drive back to Xicheng as a honeymoon road trip.
• Wei Zijin and Wang Xiaoliang spent ten days taking detours to eat, sightsee, and sleep in their car before reaching Xicheng.
• Wang Keqin and Zhao Xiuqin met them at their old residential community and brought them to the new home.
• Wang Xiaoliang gave Wang Keqin the car, which Wang Keqin accepted after learning he could keep it rather than drive it back.
• Wang Keqin and Zhao Xiuqin showed Wei Zijin and Wang Xiaoliang the furnished home, then left for their nearby residence.
• Wei Zijin guessed that Wang Keqin and Zhao Xiuqin would move into the new home after the wedding, leaving it as the couple's marital home for now.

Wang Xiaoliang and Wei Zijin prepared for their wedding, gathering friends and arranging their roles in the ceremony. As guests arrived in Xicheng, Wang asked Liu Xinyu’s mother and Fu Zhaojun to stand in as Zijin’s parents, while Zijin’s friends shared a meal and Li Lanxiang finally explained her painful history with Zhou Qiang.

• Zhao Xiuqin took charge of wedding preparations, and Wei Zijin and Wang Xiaoliang arranged family portraits and coordinated guests.
• Wei Zijin asked Zhao Nan to be a bridesmaid, but Zhao Nan declined; Zeng Haiyan agreed to host, and Yi Jiahui accepted the bridesmaid role.
• Luo Bisheng arrived early and became the couple’s chauffeur, while their friends began arriving in Xicheng and An Peiwen offered Wei Zijin the hotel’s Presidential Suite as a bridal chamber.
• Wang Xiaoliang picked up Liu Xinyu’s mother and Fu Zhaojun and asked them to represent Wei Zijin’s parents at the wedding; they gladly agreed.
• At the Presidential Suite, Li Lanxiang recounted what had happened with Zhou Qiang, admitted how humiliated she felt, and reconciled with Wei Zijin and Yang Qingyu.