Chapter Summaries

After awakening with memories of his previous life, Xia Shule realized he had been made into a villainous pawn in Jiang Gechen and Song Dimu’s romance and resolved to stop chasing Jiang Gechen. He returned to the day of Old Mr. Yan’s birthday banquet, where Zhou Anyang exposed his delight at Xia Shule’s misfortune.

• Xia Shule relived his drowning and learned that Jiang Gechen had killed him before the Xia family fell apart and Jiang Gechen married Song Dimu.
• Xia Shule recalled how he had befriended Jiang Gechen in high school, grown jealous of Song Dimu, and been blamed for the pool incident that led to his death.
• Xia Shule resolved to live his new life without revolving around Jiang Gechen.
• Jiang Gechen warned Xia Shule to stop following him after Xia Shule struck his head on a table at Old Mr. Yan’s birthday banquet.
• Zhou Anyang rushed over to Xia Shule, pretending concern while taking pleasure in his misfortune.

After being reborn, Xia Shule rejected Zhou Anyang’s fake invitation and ended his pursuit of Jiang Gechen, then confronted Jiang over his cruelty. Jiang was left furious and unsettled after Xia Shule escaped, and he left with Zhou Anyang to carry out their scheme.

• Xia Shule refused Zhou Anyang’s invitation and told him it was beneath his status.
• When Jiang Gechen insulted him, Xia Shule declared that they would go their separate ways and he would stop bothering him.
• Zhou Anyang tried to defend Jiang Gechen, prompting Xia Shule to accuse Jiang of taking advantage of his affection and benefits.
• Jiang Gechen grabbed Xia Shule by the collar, but Xia wrenched free and told him he regretted giving him too much respect.
• Xia Shule left, and Jiang Gechen asked Zhou Anyang whether he had brought the thing before they departed together.

After Jiang Gechen provoked his fear and hatred, Xia Shule decided to seek Yan Zhiyi’s protection through a contractual marriage. Lost and suffering from a pollen allergy in the Yan residence’s rear garden, Xia Shule unknowingly met Yan Zhiyi and exchanged contact details with him before leaving to look for Yan Zhiyi’s father.

• Xia Shule decided that gaining the protection of the powerful Yan Zhiyi could help him take revenge on Jiang Gechen, and planned to offer Yan Zhiyi a contractual marriage.
• Xia Shule wandered into the Yan residence’s flower-filled rear garden, where his pollen allergy flared and he became lost.
• Xia Shule mistook Yan Zhiyi, who was pruning flowers, for a gardener and asked him to lead him out of the garden.
• Yan Zhiyi silently escorted Xia Shule to the banquet hall entrance, exchanged contact details with him, and ordered A Ping to fire Xiao Zhang for allowing Xia Shule into the garden.
• Xia Shule left without realizing Yan Zhiyi’s identity and decided to seek out Yan Zhiyi’s father instead.

Xia Shule delivered a rare ink painting to Old Master Yan, charmed him, and grew closer to the Yan family. Yan Zhiyi overheard Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang plotting to drug Xia Shule and decided to warn him, then encountered him again.

• Old Master Yan welcomed Xia Shule and asked him about wandering into the back garden.
• Xia Shule defended Yan Zhiyi and gave Old Master Yan a rare ink painting, winning his affection.
• Yan Zhiyi left the tea room after Old Master Yan dismissed him.
• Yan Zhiyi overheard Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang discussing a plan to drug Xia Shule.
• Yan Zhiyi decided to tell Xia Shule about the plot and ran into him again.

At the Yan Residence birthday banquet, Xia Shule learned that Jiang Gechen planned to drug him and resolved to avoid all food and drink. After a waiter led him away to change his wine-stained clothes, Yan Zhiyi suspected a trap and hurried after them.

• Yan Zhiyi warned Xia Shule that Jiang Gechen planned to drug him, and Xia Shule recalled the assault he had suffered in his previous life.
• Xia Shule thanked Yan Zhiyi and decided not to eat or drink anything offered to him at the banquet.
• Yan Zhiyi watched Xia Shule from the second-floor terrace while Lai Jiangtian teased him about his interest in the young man.
• After someone spilled wine on Xia Shule, a waiter offered to take him to a room to change, and Xia Shule agreed while demanding that the culprit be found.
• Lai Jiangtian noted that the waiter was unfamiliar, so Yan Zhiyi suspected a scheme and went after Xia Shule.

Yan Zhiyi found Xia Shule drugged and badly wounded in a secluded room, then learned Jiang Gechen had arranged the attack. After Xia Shule passed out and the family doctor stopped his bleeding, Yan Zhiyi questioned the truth of their relationship as an ambulance arrived.

• Yan Zhiyi tricked the bartender into leading him to the secluded room where Xia Shule had been taken.
• Yan Zhiyi found Xia Shule bleeding from a slashed wrist and covered in self-inflicted scratches.
• Xia Shule mistook Yan Zhiyi for Jiang Gechen before recognizing him and realizing the events had changed from his previous life.
• Yan Zhiyi carried Xia Shule to a bed and called the family doctor to treat his wounds.
• Xia Shule told Yan Zhiyi that Jiang Gechen had drugged him with a towel held over his mouth and nose, then passed out.
• The family doctor stopped Xia Shule's bleeding, and Yan Zhiyi considered their hidden conflict as the ambulance arrived.

After recovering from the attack at the Yan estate, Xia Shule thanked the gardener who saved him and arranged to meet him, hoping to learn whether Mr. Yan was investigating the incident. Yan Zhiyi attended in disguise, but mistook Xia Shule’s questions about Mr. Yan for proof that Xia Shule was using him.

• Xia Shule woke in the hospital as Ming Yue and Xia Dunrong worried over him, and learned that Mr. Yan had promised to investigate the attack at the Yan estate.
• After two days in the hospital, Xia Shule was discharged and worried that Jiang Gechen might still be a threat; he messaged the gardener to ask whether Mr. Yan was busy.
• Yan Zhiyi received Xia Shule’s invitation to dinner, changed into casual clothes, and left despite Old Mr. Yan’s arranged blind date with Miss Zheng.
• Xia Shule arrived early at Quiet Silence Residence and ordered food before Yan Zhiyi joined him in disguise.
• Xia Shule offered to repay the gardener for saving him, then asked whether Mr. Yan had been busy investigating; Yan Zhiyi grew cold, believing Xia Shule was using him to reach Mr. Yan.
• Xia Shule accepted the gardener’s answer and concluded that Mr. Yan might not be taking the investigation seriously, leaving him to seek proof himself.

Xia Shule worried that Yan Zhiyi had not investigated Jiang Gechen’s attempt on his life, but Yan Zhiyi reassured him that the investigation was underway. When Lin Yushan mocked Xia Shule and insulted Yan Zhiyi, Xia Shule defended the gardener, leaving Yan Zhiyi unexpectedly moved.

• Xia Shule asked Yan Zhiyi whether President Yan would investigate Jiang Gechen, and Yan Zhiyi assured him that President Yan kept his word.
• Xia Shule treated Yan Zhiyi to lunch and decided to visit Grandpa Yan to get closer to President Yan.
• Lin Yushan confronted Xia Shule and mocked him over Jiang Gechen, and Xia Shule traded insults with him.
• Lin Yushan mistook Yan Zhiyi for Xia Shule’s kept pretty boy and insulted him, so Xia Shule pulled Yan Zhiyi behind him and defended him.
• Yan Zhiyi felt moved because Xia Shule had defended him for the second time.

After Xia Shule defended Yan Zhiyi from Lin Yushan, Yan Zhiyi invited him to the Yan Residence, where Xia Shule mistakenly believed the gardener had arranged a meeting with President Yan. He arrived the next morning eager to meet the master, while Xu Wenchuan worried over Xia Shule's reopened injury.

• Xia Shule slapped Lin Yushan after he insulted Yan Zhiyi, and Lin left vowing to get revenge while taking out his anger on his lackey.
• Xia Shule reassured Yan Zhiyi that he was not shabby, and Yan Zhiyi invited him to meet at the Yan Residence the next morning.
• Yan Zhiyi asked Li Changbin about the ongoing testing involving Jiang Gechen, then returned to the Yan Residence.
• Xu Wenchuan visited Xia Shule's home to change his dressing and found that Xia Shule's wound had reopened.
• Despite his injuries and exhaustion, Xia Shule drove to the Yan Residence, where Old Zheng told him President Yan was waiting.

Xia Shule discovered that the gardener was President Yan Zhiyi and proposed a marriage alliance to gain his backing and pursue revenge against Jiang Gechen. Yan Zhiyi said he would consider it, while Xia Shule left cheerful and went out to order an extravagant meal.

• Xia Shule entered Yan Zhiyi's study and realized that the gardener was President Yan.
• Yan Zhiyi apologized for concealing his identity and explained that he had wanted to see whether Xia Shule would defend him without knowing who he was.
• Xia Shule proposed that they marry, offering to win over Yan Zhiyi's parents in exchange for his support.
• Xia Shule said he wanted revenge and explained that his father could not deal with Jiang Gechen; Yan Zhiyi agreed to consider the proposal.
• Yan Zhiyi learned that Xia Shule was twenty and told him to go home while he thought it over.
• Xia Shule left in high spirits, went out to eat, and ordered several rich dishes and desserts.

Xia Shule confronted Jiang Gechen at a restaurant, then left with his wrist bleeding after their argument. Zhou Anyang invited him to a reunion that evening, and Xia Shule agreed, intending to see what Zhou had been telling their old friends.

• Jiang Gechen accused Xia Shule of following him and threatened him, but Xia Shule confronted him about the drugging and hired attackers.
• Jiang Gechen grabbed Xia Shule by the throat, then released him when he noticed Xia Shule's bleeding wrist.
• Xia Shule threw water at Jiang Gechen, demanded to know what he owed him, and left the restaurant.
• Song Dimu found Jiang Gechen and agreed to stay with him that night.
• Zhou Anyang stopped Xia Shule outside and invited him to a gathering for Chen Jin's return, where Xiang Lin and their old friends would be present.
• Xia Shule agreed to attend, while Zhou Anyang privately vowed to bring him down.

Xia Shule reunited with Xiang Lin and Chen Jin, then revealed that Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang had drugged him at Old Mr. Yan’s birthday banquet. Xiang Lin recognized the truth and confronted Xia Shule about still protecting Jiang Gechen.

• Xia Shule messaged Xiang Lin, who explained that the dinner was meant to celebrate Xia Shule’s upcoming birthday and surprise him with Chen Jin’s return.
• Xia Shule arrived at Garden Estate, where Xiang Lin saw his injured hand and learned he had hurt himself to stay conscious after being drugged.
• Zhou Anyang denied knowing what had happened, while Xia Shule hinted that Zhou Anyang had acted against him without meeting him in person.
• Chen Jin joined them and asked about Xia Shule’s wrist brace, prompting Xia Shule to say that Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang had drugged him by accident.
• Xiang Lin realized Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang had drugged Xia Shule and demanded to know why Xia Shule still seemed to protect them.

Xia Shule confronted Zhou Anyang at a meal with their friends, hinting that he knew Zhou had helped drug him and warning him that Jiang Gechen might abandon him. Zhou denied involvement but panicked, while the investigation into the drugging remained unresolved.

• Zhou Anyang cried and portrayed Xia Shule as jealous and unreasonable, while Xia dismissed the scene as a joke.
• Xiang Lin privately asked Xia whether Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang were behind the incident, and Xia confirmed it but said there was no concrete evidence yet.
• When the group shared an ice cream cake, Zhou Anyang tried to get close to Chen Jin, but Chen told him to hand Xia the first slice.
• Zhou Anyang lectured Xia about his conflict with Jiang, and Xia told him to keep his opinions to himself.
• Xia warned Zhou that Jiang might blame him once evidence of the drugging emerged, making Zhou panic and deny knowing anything.

Zhou Anyang accused Xia Shule of oppressing their friends, but the group rejected his claims and he left. Xia Shule wondered whether his friends defended him out of genuine affection or the influence of the plot, before Yan Zhiyi summoned him to the Yan Residence before nine.

• Zhou Anyang denounced Xia Shule and urged the others to leave with him, but no one moved.
• Zou Xueyu reminded Zhou Anyang that Xia Shule had once saved him, and Ruan Jiaojiao told him he was the one looking down on himself.
• Zhou Anyang left, while the others discussed his resentment and reassured Xia Shule.
• Xia Shule questioned whether his friends' loyalty was genuine or caused by the plot, then joined them for a cheerful meal and agreed to go drinking.
• Yan Zhiyi called and ordered Xia Shule to reach the Yan Residence before nine, so Xia Shule prepared to go despite the short notice.

Xia Shule rushed to the Yan Residence, where Yan Zhiyi showed him the documents prepared for their contract marriage, including a transfer of Shengshi Entertainment. Touched by Yan Zhiyi’s generosity, Xia Shule agreed to marry him, only to learn that they would register the very next day and hold the wedding four days later.

• Xia Shule left his birthday meal early and drove to the Yan Residence, arriving late and complaining to Yan Zhiyi about the rushed journey.
• Yan Zhiyi apologized for calling Xia Shule without knowing he was away, then waited for him at the entrance and led him to the study.
• Xia Shule inspected the property deeds, registration booklet, transfer documents, and prenuptial agreement Yan Zhiyi had prepared to make their marriage convincing to Old Yan.
• Xia Shule discovered that Yan Zhiyi planned to transfer Shengshi Entertainment to him so he would have something to rely on if they divorced.
• Moved by Yan Zhiyi’s kindness, Xia Shule asked when they would marry, and Yan Zhiyi said they would register the next day and hold the wedding in four days.

Xia Shule agreed to marry Yan Zhiyi and learned that he would receive Yan Zhiyi’s company and wealth, while Yan Zhiyi assured him he would not have to manage the business alone. Yan Zhiyi’s father discovered the engagement, approved of Xia Shule, and prepared to tell Yan Zhiyi’s mother.

• Xia Shule and Yan Zhiyi agreed to register their marriage the next day, hold their wedding in four days, and move in together after Xia Shule told his parents.
• Xia Shule panicked about managing Shengshi, but Yan Zhiyi reassured him that the senior management team would remain in place and offered to help with major decisions.
• Xia Shule drove home with the gifts and documents Yan Zhiyi had given him, looking forward to their wedding and his birthday instead of the day he had expected to die.
• The Yan Family Old Master confronted Yan Zhiyi, asked whether he had threatened or bribed Xia Shule, then accepted their relationship and warned Yan Zhiyi not to bully him.
• The Yan Family Old Master left to tell Yan Zhiyi’s mother, while a scene in the family’s private hospital room began with someone saying, “Darling, guess what!!!!”

Xia Shule told his parents he planned to marry Yan Zhiyi after falling in love with him at first sight, and they accepted the news despite their shock. He planned to bring Yan Zhiyi home the next day before they registered their marriage.

• Xia Shule returned to the Xia Family home and waited for Ming Yue to finish watching her soap opera before announcing he was getting married.
• Ming Yue and Xia Dunrong feared Xia Shule was marrying Jiang Gechen, but Xia Shule clarified that his intended was Yan Zhiyi.
• Xia Shule said he and Yan Zhiyi had fallen in love at first sight at Old Mr. Yan's birthday banquet and were planning a whirlwind marriage.
• Xia Dunrong and Ming Yue accepted Xia Shule's decision and promised to support him, while warning him to come home if Yan Zhiyi mistreated him.
• Xia Shule said he would bring Yan Zhiyi to meet his parents before they registered their marriage the next day.

Xia Shule prepared Yan Zhiyi for a visit to meet his parents before they registered their marriage, while Yan Zhiyi found himself increasingly drawn to Xia Shule. They arrived at the Xia family home, where Xia Shule’s nervous parents prepared to receive them.

• Xia Shule told Yan Zhiyi that his parents wanted to meet him before the marriage registration and coached him on personal details to remember.
• Xia Shule learned that Yan Zhiyi was thirty and teased him about his age before wishing him good night.
• Yan Zhiyi waited outside the Xia family home, then caught Xia Shule in an embrace when he came jogging over.
• Yan Zhiyi held Xia Shule close until Xia Shule urged him inside and wriggled free.
• Ming Yue and Xia Dunrong prepared to meet Yan Zhiyi, and Xia Shule entered with Yan Zhiyi behind him.

Yan Zhiyi visited Xia Shule’s family, where Xia Shule zoned out and Ming Yue shared embarrassing childhood stories and examples of his kindness. Ming Yue asked Yan Zhiyi not to hurt Xia Shule if he ever stopped liking him, and Yan Zhiyi realized Xia Shule had defended many people because of his naturally kind heart.

• Yan Zhiyi brought gifts to Xia Shule’s home and sat close beside him while speaking with his parents.
• Xia Shule zoned out during the conversation, then got flustered when Ming Yue exposed that he had not been listening.
• Yan Zhiyi teased Xia Shule, and Xia Shule leaned in to ask what he and his parents had been discussing.
• Ming Yue recounted Xia Shule’s childhood embarrassments and stories of how he had stood up for Xiang Lin, Chen Jin, Ruan Jiaojiao, and Zhou Anyang.
• Ming Yue asked Yan Zhiyi not to hurt Xia Shule if he stopped liking him, and Yan Zhiyi reflected that Xia Shule had always been kindhearted.

Yan Zhiyi and Xia Shule grew closer during lunch and a drive, then went to the registration office and officially married. As they discussed their wedding plans, Yan Zhiyi decided to invite Jiang Gechen and Xia Shule’s classmates so everyone would know Xia Shule had moved on from Jiang Gechen.

• Yan Zhiyi peeled crayfish for Xia Shule at lunch, surprising him with the gesture.
• Yan Zhiyi asked Xia Shule why he had helped others, and Xia Shule said he would make the same choice again despite the risk of being hurt.
• Yan Zhiyi stroked Xia Shule’s hair while they waited at a traffic light, then dismissed the gesture by saying it was soft.
• Yan Zhiyi and Xia Shule completed their registration and received their marriage certificates.
• Xia Shule left the wedding arrangements to Yan Zhiyi, who decided to invite Jiang Gechen and Xia Shule’s classmates.