Chapter Summaries

At Ji Cიცen’s birthday banquet, Shen Yu gave him a bouquet and celebrated his adulthood with their friends before they played cards. The friends discussed university plans, leaving Yao Maolin fretting over being left behind while Shen Yu failed to understand that he and Yao were the ones with weaker grades.

• Shen Yu asked Ji Cიცen whether he remembered him, admitted he had secretly tasted fruit wine, and received a gentle warning to stay alert when drinking outside.
• Shen Yu presented Ji Cიცen with a bouquet and wished him a happy adulthood while Shen Jin complained that Shen Yu was kind to everyone.
• Yao Maolin arrived after his father had kept him downstairs and joked that he had been taken for a walk.
• Shen Yu suggested playing cards, and Ji Cიცen joined him while Shen Jin and Shen Jun secretly teamed up against Ji Cიცen.
• The friends discussed where they would attend university, and Yao Maolin lamented that he seemed likely to be left behind.
• Shen Yu wondered whether he and Yao Maolin were the ones dragging the others down.

After Ji Cицen’s birthday banquet, Shen Yu left with his family while Ji Cицen kept the flowers Shen Yu had given him. On the drive home, Shen Jin’s jealousy sparked a family squabble, and Shen Changgeng eagerly offered to judge the case.

• Yao Maolin and Zhao Jinren joked about their academic prospects, while Shen Yu called himself dumb and said he would choose a nearby university.
• The group played games for hours, and Shen Yu was repeatedly defeated by Shen Jin and Shen Jun.
• Shen Changgeng collected his children, and Ji Cицen and Ji Zheyue followed the Shen Family toward the garage before saying goodbye.
• Ji Cицen appeared at the car window holding Shen Yu’s flowers, and Shen Changgeng’s comment about them upset Shen Jin.
• Shen Jin teased Shen Yu for watching Ji Cицen leave, and Shen Changgeng offered to judge their dispute as Lin Yujing warned him to focus on driving.

On the ride home from the party, Shen Yu complained that Shen Jin was giving him the cold shoulder, and the brothers soon made up. Shen Changgeng then proposed a lively coming-of-age celebration, while Lin Yujing added that Xubai planned to take Shen Yu abroad.

• Shen Yu complained that Shen Jin was ignoring him, and Shen Jin blamed Ji Cიცen for monopolizing Shen Yu’s attention at the party.
• Shen Changgeng prompted the brothers to show Shen Yu affection, but Shen Jin struggled to call him his big brother.
• Shen Yu tried to prove he was skinny, hit his head on the car roof, and cried while Shen Jun comforted him with candy.
• Shen Jin finally told Shen Yu that they loved him, and the brothers made up by sharing the candy.
• Shen Changgeng suggested a lively coming-of-age celebration, and Lin Yujing said Xubai planned to take Shen Yu abroad.

As Shen Yu studied for his final exams, Ji Cიცen indulged him and resolved to protect him from malicious gossip. After the exams, Shen Yu left excitedly for vacation, while Jiang Minjie finally realized Ji Cიცen’s affection for Shen Yu was not a joke.

• Shen Yu refused a snack because he was trying to lose weight, and Ji Cიცen gently teased and indulged him.
• Jiang Minjie complained that Shen Yu and Ji Cიცen acted sappier than a couple, while Shen Yu pinched Ji Cიცen and pretended he needed to focus on studying.
• Ji Cიცen thought about the malicious gossip surrounding Shen Yu and resolved to stand by him and keep him safe.
• After the final exams, Shen Yu boasted that he had done well, then grabbed his schoolbag and hurried off on vacation.
• Jiang Minjie realized Ji Cიცen’s protectiveness toward Shen Yu was genuine, and Xu Shang told him his own bad luck and cluelessness explained why Ji Cიცen picked on him.

Shen Yu and Shen Jun visited Shen Xingshuo at his remote film set after the family agreed Shen Yu should not travel alone. Their arrival stirred curiosity among the crew, and Shen Xingshuo hurried out to meet them.

• Shen Yu admired Shen Xingshuo for supporting himself, and Shen Changgeng and Shen Xubai suggested he visit his second brother.
• Shen Changgeng worried about the dangers of the set, but Shen Jun agreed to accompany Shen Yu.
• Shen Yu and Shen Jun reached the inner set, where Shen Xingshuo joked with his assistant Little Fang while Zhang Yan watched.
• A crew member announced that two students were waiting, and Shen Xingshuo abruptly hurried out to meet them.
• Zhang Yan questioned whether Shen Xingshuo would frighten the visitors by rushing over.

Shen Xingshuo reunited with Shen Yu and Shen Jun at the film set and teased his younger brothers during their visit. Shen Yu mistook his joke about playing a mute for the truth, then surprised Shen Xingshuo by not recognizing his acting career.

• Shen Xingshuo met Shen Yu and Shen Jun outside the set and brought them inside, making sure they were dressed warmly.
• Shen Yu complained that Shen Jun never called him Big Brother, and Shen Xingshuo distracted him by joking about Shen Xubai's busy work life.
• Shen Yu asked whether acting was difficult, and Shen Xingshuo falsely claimed he played a mute who used sign language.
• Best Actor Xie corrected Shen Xingshuo and said his line delivery was excellent.
• Shen Yu asked Best Actor Xie whether he had played a soldier before, then praised Shen Xingshuo for acting opposite him without realizing his own brother had played male leads.
• Shen Xingshuo protested that Shen Yu should pay more attention to his acting career.

Shen Xingshuo spent a break on set joking with his younger brothers, while the director considered Shen Jun for acting and Shen Xingshuo refused on his behalf. When filming resumed, Zhang Yan approached Shen Yu and Shen Jun with probing questions about Shen Xingshuo’s friends, leaving Shen Yu suspicious.

• Shen Xingshuo teased Shen Yu into serving him tea, and the director admired Shen Jun and Shen Yu before asking whether they wanted to join the entertainment industry.
• Shen Xingshuo declined the director’s suggestion and joked that Shen Xubai was the family’s workhorse, prompting Shen Yu to join in describing their eldest brother’s burdens.
• Shen Xingshuo returned to filming a scene with Xie Yang while Shen Yu and Shen Jun watched from the corner and struggled to reconcile his on-set persona with his usual behavior.
• Zhang Yan introduced himself to Shen Yu and tried to flatter him, but Shen Yu said his second brother called him abominable.
• Shen Jun moved protectively in front of Shen Yu as Zhang Yan asked whether Shen Xingshuo had many friends and why none had visited the set.
• Shen Yu answered that being busy was good, while eyeing Zhang Yan suspiciously.

Shen Yu’s innocent remarks inspired the director to expand Shen Xingshuo’s character with a flashback, and Shen Jun agreed to appear in it for a fee. The brothers were left on set as Shen Jun went off for an unexpectedly lengthy makeover.

• Shen Xingshuo finished his tragic death scene, then rejoined Shen Yu and Shen Jun and explained that his own filming was done.
• Shen Yu comforted Shen Xingshuo by saying he was the lead in his own story, inspiring the director to add a flashback scene.
• The director tried to cast Shen Jun in the flashback, but Shen Xingshuo objected to involving his younger brother in the entertainment industry.
• Shen Jun asked whether he would be paid, accepted the role, and was taken away for two hours of styling.
• Shen Yu waited beside Shen Xingshuo and wondered whether Shen Jun was short of money.

Shen Jun joined Shen Xingshuo’s shoot for a red envelope, impressing the director with his youthful appearance before leaving with his brothers. Shen Jun then headed to the City Center alone, while Shen Xingshuo warned Shen Yu to stay away from Zhang Yan.

• Shen Jun appeared in a flashback scene, and the director praised his fit for the role while teasing Shen Xingshuo about looking older.
• Shen Jun finished filming, collected his payment, and declined to stay for the director’s wrap party.
• Shen Yu asked whether Shen Xingshuo and Zhang Yan were friends, and Shen Xingshuo firmly denied knowing him well.
• Shen Xingshuo told Shen Yu to stay away from Zhang Yan and scolded him for asking why he had died, insisting that he was still alive.
• Shen Jun left his brothers to browse at the City Center, assuring Shen Yu that he would not get lost.

Shen Jun wrestled with his wish to become financially independent and support his older brother, then returned home to a family that had been waiting anxiously for him. At dinner, he firmly rejected the idea of pursuing acting and remained uncertain about his future.

• Shen Yu and Shen Xingshuo left Shen Jun at the commercial center, where he reflected on his childhood, his growing independence, and his desire to support his older brother.
• Shen Yu and Shen Xingshuo returned home without Shen Jun, and Lin Yujing worried about his whereabouts while they waited for him.
• Shen Jun came home carrying bags, and Shen Yu and Shen Xingshuo welcomed him before Lin Yujing bundled him and Shen Yu in a blanket to warm them.
• Shen Changgeng returned from overtime, checked his sons' cold hands, and turned up the heat.
• At dinner, Shen Xingshuo told Shen Changgeng that a director had praised Shen Jun's acting, but Shen Jun firmly said he did not want to enter show business.

Shen Jun gave his family presents after earning his first pay, and the reunited family enjoyed time together over the New Year. As Shen Yu returned to studying for his college entrance exam, a joking contest to find a partner began among the brothers.

• Shen Jun gave Shen Yu a present, and Shen Yu delighted in being called Big Brother.
• Shen Jun handed presents to the rest of the family, who celebrated his thoughtfulness.
• Shen Jun made Shen Yu finish his homework before the family went to pick up Shen Jin.
• Shen Jin returned home, and the family shared stories and celebrated their fifth year reunited.
• Shen Xubai hosted a smoky, disastrous barbecue, and Shen Xingshuo teased him about finding a wife.
• Shen Yu declared he was joining the brothers' contest to find a partner, but they told him no.

Shen Yu received his citywide mock exam results and celebrated his improvement, especially in math. Jiang Minjie’s teasing about Ji Cицen’s favoritism made Shen Yu recognize his feelings might be more than brotherly, while Ji Cицen left him with an ambiguous message to grow up soon.

• Shen Yu denied dating anyone, then spent the New Year studying, playing with his brothers, and messaging Ji Cицen.
• Shen Yu worried that a misread math question would hurt his score as the class awaited the mock exam results.
• Shen Yu learned he had scored 120 in math and stabilized his science scores, while Ji Cицen proudly praised his progress.
• Jiang Minjie teased that Ji Cицen favored Shen Yu, prompting Shen Yu to realize he felt something different for Ji Cицen than he did for his brothers.
• Ji Cицen patted Shen Yu’s arm and told him, “It’ll be over soon. Grow up soon.”

After the college entrance exams ended, Shen Yu left school with Ji Cიცen and joined his family at their car, where Ji Cიცen’s parents soon joined them. The chapter ended with Shen Jun arriving to find Ji Cიცen in his seat and his family acting strangely.

• Shen Yu left the examination room in a daze, and Ji Cიცen caught up with him outside the school.
• Ji Cიცen followed Shen Yu to the Shen family car, ignoring Ji Mother’s calls and accepting Lin Yujing’s invitation to share snacks.
• Ji Zheyue and Ji Mother joined the Shen family, while Shen Changgeng hinted that Shen Yu and Ji Cიცen would go their separate ways for university.
• Ji Zheyue suggested bringing the Ji family’s things over, and Ji Cიცen fed Shen Yu as Shen Changgeng and Shen Jin watched with displeasure.
• Shen Jun returned from handing in his admission ticket and found Ji Cიცen sitting in his seat.

After Shen Jun finished his exam, the family celebrated the end of the tests and discussed summer vacation plans. Shen Yu said he would go wherever Shen Jun and Ji Cიცen went, then his family realized he had been messaging Ji Cიცen all evening.

• Lin Yujing brought Shen Jun lunch during the exam break, and Shen Yu refused a pork rib because he was saving room for dinner.
• Shen Jun returned to his exam while Shen Yu and Ji Cიცen stayed with the family until they were sent home to rest.
• Shen Yu slept through the afternoon and woke to find the family celebrating the end of the exams and planning a summer trip.
• Shen Yu told Shen Changgeng he would follow Shen Jun and Ji Cიცen's travel choices, then chatted with Ji Cიცen on his phone.
• Shen Jin teased Shen Yu for messaging someone constantly, and Shen Yu's family learned he was chatting with Ji Cიცen.

Shen Yu’s family traveled to Y Country for the summer, where they unexpectedly met Ji Cícen and his parents staying next door. Ji Cícen’s mother suggested he show Shen Yu around, leaving Shen Jin suspicious that she was matchmaking.

• Shen Changgeng decided the family would spend the summer in Y Country, and Shen Yu told Ji Cícen about the trip while messaging him.
• The Shen family arrived in Y Country, settled into their villa, and Shen Jun helped Shen Yu chat with the locals.
• Shen Yu unexpectedly spotted Ji Cícen at the neighboring villa and eagerly greeted him across the fence.
• The Shen and Ji families reunited, and Ji Mother suggested Ji Cícen take Shen Yu sightseeing because he had lived in Y Country.
• Shen Jin wondered aloud whether Ji Cícen’s mother was acting as a wingwoman.

Shen Yu explored the shops and stalls in Country Y with Ji Cიცen and his brothers, where Ji Cიცen gave him a bracelet he had prayed for when they were children. The stallholder revealed he understood their conversation, leaving Shen Yu’s excuse exposed.

• Shen Jun questioned Shen Jin’s habit of watching over him and Shen Yu, while Ji Mother encouraged the group to explore the area.
• Ji Cიცen led Shen Yu and the Shen brothers around the shops, and Shen Yu admired the local architecture and browsed roadside ornaments.
• Ji Cიცen gave Shen Yu a sandalwood prayer bracelet he had prayed for after Shen Yu was hurt in kindergarten, explaining he had kept it for years.
• Shen Yu tried to remove the bracelet because it felt too precious, but Ji Cიცen stopped him.
• Shen Jin found them struggling over the bracelet, and Shen Yu claimed he had just bought it to try on.
• The stallholder told Shen Yu that he understood a little Mandarin.

Shen Yu and the Shen brothers spent the day shopping, where Shen Yu nervously hid how he had gotten Ji Cიცen’s bracelet and eagerly tried food that he disliked. Back home, their mothers headed to the kitchen to cook, leaving Shen Yu unsure whether anyone would get a meal.

• Ji Cიცen covered for Shen Yu’s awkward exchange with the foreign stall owner, and Shen Jin bought souvenirs while assuming Shen Yu had already paid for his bracelet.
• Shen Jin showed Shen Yu around and offered to answer his questions, but Shen Yu soon forgot their tension when he spotted a snack shop.
• The Shen brothers returned home with bags of food Shen Yu had disliked, and Shen Jin explained that they had bought it because Shen Yu did not want to waste it.
• Ji Cიცen gave Shen Yu milk and quietly indicated that his mother’s cooking was barely edible.
• Lin Yujing and Ji Mom went to cook, while the two fathers followed them into the kitchen and Shen Yu wondered whether dinner would be served.

Shen Yu visited the Ji family abroad, where both families shared a meal and his bracelet nearly exposed a secret. The parents grew unusually attentive to Shen Yu and Lin Yujing, while Shen Jin watched the commotion and dreaded future family gatherings.

• Shen Yu sent photos of ornaments to his brothers, gave Shen Xingshuo a metal tower, and learned Shen Xubai had missed the trip because of work.
• Ji Zheyue and the other adults served a large meal, and Shen Yu praised Ji Zheyue's cooking.
• Shen Changgeng noticed Shen Yu's sandalwood bracelet, but assumed Shen Yu had bought it with money from his eldest brother.
• Ji Mother and Ji Zheyue recognized the bracelet and nervously piled food onto Shen Yu and Lin Yujing while the parents chatted warmly.
• Ji Cიცen helped Shen Yu eat the food the adults served him, and Shen Jun gave Shen Jin a chicken wing as Shen Jin silently dreaded future family gatherings.

While abroad, Shen Yu celebrated his college entrance exam score and chose to apply to universities in A City, where his brothers and friends would be nearby. The Shen family returned home for his coming-of-age celebration, with Ji Cichen joining them to stay close to Shen Yu.

• Ji Cichen grew jealous when Shen Yu befriended a curly-haired boy, then teased Shen Yu about wearing a dress and reminded him of his own childhood curls.
• The exam results came out, and Shen Yu scored 670, his best result of his final year; he celebrated with a dance while Lin Yujing shared his score and video in the family group chat.
• Ji Cichen urged the Shen parents to let Shen Yu study in A City, and Shen Jin agreed that keeping their brother nearby would make it easier to look after him.
• Shen Yu listed A City universities as his top three choices, followed by universities in his home city.
• The Shen family ended their trip abroad and prepared to return for Shen Yu's coming-of-age celebration, while Ji Cichen joined them despite Shen Jin's disapproval.

At the Shen family banquet, Yuan Ming tried to exploit Shen Yu’s status as an adopted son by proposing a marriage alliance and a plot to take over the Shen Family. Shen Yu was about to reject him when someone behind him challenged Yuan Ming.

• Shen Yu joined his brothers at the formal banquet and endured guests’ flattery and probing about the family’s future.
• Yuan Ming told Shen Yu that his parents favored his older and younger brothers, then asked whether Shen Yu could accept being an adopted son with little claim to the family fortune.
• Yuan Ming proposed a marriage alliance, claiming it would restore his standing and help Shen Yu take over the Shen Family.
• When Shen Yu did not agree, Yuan Ming warned that the Shen Family would not protect him and urged him to fight back with Yuan Ming’s help.
• A familiar, chilling voice asked Yuan Ming, “A marriage alliance with you? Who do you think you are?”