Chapter Summaries

Su Can and Wang Yue recruited staff and launched Shushan Stationery Store with an ambitious pay and bonus system, while Su Can considered how to protect Wang Bu amid shifting political alliances. A late-night walk with Lin Luoran ended with Su Can teasing her about her apparent interest in his love life.

• Su Can and Wang Yue hired a varied group of sales assistants, and Su Can laid out Shushan Chain’s salary grades, sales targets, and store bonuses to motivate them.
• Su Can explained to Wang Ming that the recruits needed to see tangible benefits before they would trust the new chain, and the two reflected on how far their venture might grow.
• Su Can noted that opening the stores and buying stock had consumed nearly eight hundred thousand yuan, and he considered withdrawing some of Liu Cheng’s illicit money while leaving enough evidence behind.
• Wang Bu’s political position remained precarious despite temporary relief from pressure, and he appeared to be withdrawing from politics as Jin Donghai and his allies gained influence.
• Su Can walked with Lin Luoran, who asked whether he had won over the girl he had pursued; after he said she had transferred schools, Lin Luoran insisted she was only curious.
• Su Can teased Lin Luoran by suggesting she was the piece of meat he wanted, enjoying how flustered she became.

Su Can and Lin Luoran shared a charged conversation in which she admitted that she believed they came from different worlds, but he insisted it was too soon to decide their futures. As the Shushan stores prospered and finals approached, Su Can was chosen to give a schoolwide speech about happiness at the flag-raising ceremony.

• Su Can teased Lin Luoran at the garden swing, but she closed her eyes and told him, with tears in her eyes, that they were different.
• Su Can agreed that they were different, urged her to cherish what they had, and left saying it was too early to know what fate held for them.
• The five Shushan stores earned 250,000 yuan in revenue and about 80,000 yuan in profit during their first month, while their reputation spread through Xiahai.
• As finals neared, Su Can noticed that Tang Wu still had not called him at her new school.
• Xiao Rihua told Su Can that the principal had selected him to represent Senior One in a formal speech about happiness at the school flag-raising ceremony.
• Su Can learned that the speech would be reviewed by school leaders and that education officials would attend, leaving him to prepare for his first address to the whole school.

Su Can reluctantly prepared to speak at City First Middle School’s flag-raising ceremony, where provincial officials were visiting. After two students delivered flowery speeches, Su Can used a story and jokes to define happiness, winning over the school and the provincial education secretary before the school year ended.

• Su Can overheard classmates mocking flag-raising speeches and decided he would not write a draft for his own speech.
• Mao Xiaoshi announced that he had been chosen as a flag escort and revealed that Su Can would represent the first-year students in the ceremony’s speeches.
• On Monday, Xiao Rihua confronted Su Can about his missing draft, and Su Can said he had composed his speech in his head.
• Two student speakers gave speeches about happiness, drawing restrained applause and sarcastic reactions from the students.
• Su Can told a story about an orphan boy learning to value himself, then joked that people with what they needed were happier than those without it.
• The students, teachers, principal, and provincial secretary Chu Zimiao laughed and praised Su Can’s speech, and the school year ended.

Su Can reflected on Shushan Cultural Supplies’ growing retail network while Xinghai Square neared completion and Zhong Jianjun offered Su Licheng a transfer to headquarters in Rongcheng. The chapter ended with Su Licheng facing a choice between a better career and educational prospects for Su Can and the life their family had built in Xiahai.

• Su Can noted that Shushan’s five stationery shops had captured much of Xiahai’s untapped market and were building valuable brand recognition.
• Zhong Jianjun warned Su Licheng about corruption and interference by Electromechanical Team Three as they reviewed Xinghai Square’s construction plans.
• Zhong Jianjun praised the project’s progress and said its success had earned him and Su Licheng recognition with the General Group.
• Zhong Jianjun offered to recommend Su Licheng for a transfer to headquarters in Rongcheng, citing better pay and benefits.
• Zhong Jianjun said Su Can could attend No. 27 Middle School with the transfer fee waived, leaving Su Licheng and Zeng He troubled by the prospect of leaving Xiahai.

Su Can watched Liu Cheng’s villa and photographed Liu Cheng meeting deputy mayor Jin Donghai, who admitted to intervening in an assault case and covering up evidence. Liu Cheng warned Jin to stop the nightclub operation while Zhao Lijun remained in power, then looked toward the woods where Su Can was hiding.

• Su Can returned to his concealed lookout and reflected on the money he had taken from Liu Cheng’s pond, while his family prepared to move to Rongcheng after Su Licheng’s promotion.
• Su Can saw an Accord and three police cars arrive at Liu Cheng’s villa, with suited men securing the grounds.
• Su Can photographed Liu Cheng and Jin Donghai entering the villa and talking together.
• Jin Donghai told Liu Cheng he had arranged Zhang Luo’s release and used police contacts to disguise the assault investigation and intimidate the injured mine owners.
• Liu Cheng rebuked Jin for involving Zhao Lijun and ordered him to halt the Jinhui business until Zhao was removed.
• Liu Cheng sensed something and looked toward the wooded slope where Su Can was hiding.

Su Can watched Liu Cheng secretly dispose of two packages at his villa, realizing the camera could influence the political case against him. At Zeng Na’s celebration banquet, Chen Lingshan and her parents arrived, and Mr. Chen spotted a familiar face.

• Su Can left Liu Cheng and Jin Donghai’s villa after their men searched the hillside, then reflected on how cautiously he had to gather evidence against Liu Cheng.
• Liu Cheng threw two sealed packages into his villa pond while Su Can watched from the opposite slope with his camera.
• Zeng Na celebrated her admission to Southwest Medical University’s dentistry program at a lavish banquet hosted by Zeng Qu anming.
• Chen Lingshan arrived with her parents and gave Zeng Na a White Jade Horse, while Mr. Chen marveled at his family’s improved standing.
• Mr. Chen caught sight of a familiar face at the banquet.

At Zeng Na’s banquet, Chen Lingshan’s parents tried to gain help from local officials, but Director Zhao humiliated Chen Lingshan’s mother until Zeng Ke and Su Can intervened. The table’s attitude shifted when Zeng Na showed her closeness to Su Can and Municipal Party Secretary Wang Bu personally toasted him.

• Chen Lingshan’s parents joined Zeng Ke’s table, where Chen Lingshan and Su Can reunited and spoke about their summer.
• Chen Lingshan’s father tried to connect with officials, while her mother asked Director Zhao to help with her husband’s stalled property project.
• Director Zhao demanded that Chen Lingshan’s mother drink three glasses of baijiu, but Zeng Ke offered to drink for her and Su Can objected.
• The Municipal Construction Committee secretary stopped the drinking, and Chen Lingshan resolved to work hard so her parents would not have to submit to others.
• Zeng Na scolded Su Can for drinking baijiu and revealed their closeness, leaving Director Zhao to realize Su Can’s family had influence.
• Municipal Party Secretary Wang Bu approached Su Can, praised his school speech, and toasted him, astonishing the banquet guests.

At a banquet, Wang Bu’s attention to Su Can’s family unsettled Chen Lingshan’s parents and prompted Zhao Qingshan to make amends by offering to approve Chen’s father’s project. Su Can and Chen Lingshan talked through their lingering quarrel, and she left him waiting until the next school year to prove himself.

• Wang Bu toasted Su Can’s family, surprising the guests and making Chen Lingshan’s parents reconsider their earlier treatment of Zeng Ke.
• Zhao Qingshan toasted Su Licheng and Zeng Ke, then promised to review and approve Chen Lingshan’s father’s project the next day.
• Chen Lingshan and Su Can discussed their exams and the rumors among classmates that they would make a good couple.
• Su Can asked whether Chen Lingshan was still angry, apologized, and asked what would make her accept it.
• Chen Lingshan told Su Can she would see how he behaved next school year, then playfully punched him after his teasing reply.

Su Can went with Xue Yiyang to a class karaoke gathering, where Xia Zhiyu publicly confessed to Chen Lingshan and gave her roses. Chen Lingshan accepted the bouquet, and Su Can watched with the painful realization that he could not undo every regret from his past life.

• Chen Lingshan's parents discussed her feelings for Su Can and her father’s obligation to Xia, who hoped she would become Xia Zhiyu’s wife.
• Xue Yiyang persuaded Su Can to attend a class gathering at Ding Sheng Karaoke City, and Su Can reflected on his hidden cash and Xue Yiyang’s future.
• Su Can and Xue Yiyang arrived to find Xia Zhiyu waiting outside the karaoke room with a large bouquet of roses.
• Xia Zhiyu confessed to Chen Lingshan in front of their classmates, but she initially refused to become his girlfriend.
• After the crowd urged her to accept the flowers, Chen Lingshan took the bouquet and saw Su Can watching.
• Su Can realized that his revived feelings for Chen Lingshan still caused him pain, despite knowing their relationship had ended before it began in his previous life.

Over six months, Shushan Chain grew into a profitable five-store business, and Su Can recruited experienced staff while training them for a planned shopping mall. As his family prepared to move to Rongcheng, he and Wang Yue worked to secure an opportunity at Xinghai Square, and she reaffirmed her trust in him.

• Shushan Chain expanded to five branches, earned two million yuan in profit for 1999, and recruited more than twenty experienced and ambitious employees.
• Su Can trained the new recruits in Shushan Chain's business strategy and explained his plans for expansion and a shopping mall.
• After school, Su Can met Wang Yue and discussed launching the mall at Xinghai Square before he left Xiahai.
• Su Can told Wang Yue that his family would move to Rongcheng in a month or two, but he hoped to see the mall begin taking shape first.
• Wang Yue joked about running off with Shushan Chain's money, then told Su Can she would stay until she had seen the wider world he promised and the miracles he would create.

Su Can helped Wang Yue secure a five-year lease for Xinghai Square’s commercial podium so Shushan Chain could open a shopping center in Xiahai. He named the venture Dunhuang, but the team still faced the difficult task of attracting well-known tenants and making the project succeed.

• Su Can urged Zeng Ke to consider selling the stationery stores in Xiahai and starting new ones in Rongcheng, while she remained uncertain about leaving their established business.
• Wang Yue presented her qualifications and Su Can’s detailed shopping-center plan to Wang Bu, who chose her over Jinhui Nightclub’s owner as a tenant he could support.
• Wang Bu offered Wang Yue a five-year lease for Xinghai Square’s commercial podium at around 1.85 million yuan in annual rent and told her to coordinate the project with city departments.
• Su Can worried that Shushan Chain’s funds and experience would be stretched by the rent and the costs of operating a shopping center, though he viewed the project as necessary for the company’s growth.
• Su Can named the shopping center Dunhuang, and the team began preparing for the challenge of recruiting prominent brands.

Su Can joined Chen Lingshan’s Dunhuang dance as a backing dancer while Dunhuang Mall prepared to open and recruit staff. When Chen Lingshan looked to him for an offer to walk her home, Su Can stayed silent, and she left with Xia Zhiyu; Su Can then remembered that Dunhuang Mall would be recruiting the next day.

• Dunhuang Mall’s striking design drew attention as news spread that major brands and businesses were coming to Xinghai Square.
• Su Can and Xue Yiyang were recruited as backing dancers for Chen Lingshan’s “Silk Road Flower,” with Su Can assigned the role of Extra G.
• Su Can watched Chen Lingshan rehearse and learned from Xue Yiyang about the businesses expected to arrive in Xiahai City.
• After Chen Lingshan finished rehearsing, Xia Zhiyu offered to take her home, and Li Lumei hinted that Su Can should offer instead.
• Su Can failed to speak when Chen Lingshan looked toward him, so she accepted Xia Zhiyu’s offer and left with him.
• Su Can remembered that Dunhuang Mall would be recruiting the next day and felt that time had shifted for the first time since his rebirth.

Su Can oversaw Dunhuang Mall’s hiring and tenant recruitment as the mall prepared to open, then faced slipping grades while arranging his transfer to Ge City. After rehearsing for the school arts performance, he rode the bus with Chen Lingshan and considered their shared dance a fitting farewell to his time at Xiahai City First Middle School.

• Wang Feng recruited staff for Dunhuang Mall, arranged employee training, and negotiated with brands, while Su Can approved favorable terms to secure Lanhui.
• Dunhuang Mall attracted numerous tenants, classified its shops into four grades, and began fitting out its premises ahead of opening.
• Su Can’s grades fell as he divided his attention between school and the mall, but Ge City No. 2 No. 7 Middle School approved his transfer.
• At rehearsal, the school rejected a boy’s song, while the Dunhuang Dance featuring Chen Lingshan became one of the anticipated acts.
• Su Can walked and rode the bus with Chen Lingshan, who teased him about his grades and discussed her closing dance as they neared her stop.

Su Can revisited his final night playing StarCraft with Xue Yiyang and Liu Rui before learning that Wang Bu had been detained over alleged corruption tied to Zhang Zhimao. He realized that his changes to Xinghai Square had drawn Wang Bu into conflict with Liu Cheng’s criminal network, and he saw that Zhao Lijun was being watched.

• Su Can treated the internet café’s patrons to drinks, then defeated Xue Yiyang and Liu Rui in what he called their last match against him.
• Su Can learned that Wang Bu had been placed under isolated investigation after Zhang Zhimao’s former secretary implicated him in embezzlement, bribery, and suspicious transfers.
• Zhong Jianjun and Su Licheng returned to Xiahai, while Zhong Jianjun asked Zhao Lijun about Wang Bu’s investigation.
• Zhao Lijun told Zhong Jianjun that Wang Bu was under round-the-clock investigation and insisted he did not believe Wang Bu was corrupt.
• Su Can reasoned that Xinghai Square’s success had given Wang Bu influence and prompted him to investigate Jinhui Nightclub and the mines, threatening Liu Cheng’s illicit interests.
• Su Can concluded that Jin Donghai had leaked Zhao Lijun’s investigation and noticed plainclothes officers watching Zhao at the dinner.

Su Can tried to learn about Wang Bu’s situation from Lin Luoran and realized he needed a way to get his evidence against Liu Cheng to provincial leaders. After avoiding the plainclothes officers watching Wang Bu’s home, he contacted Zhao Lijun and arranged to speak with him the next day.

• Su Can called Lin Luoran, who said her family was all right and urged him and his relatives to stop calling because the situation was dangerous.
• Su Can promised Lin Luoran he would help Wang Bu, but she doubted he could change anything and ended the call.
• Su Can decided to visit Wang Bu’s family and skip the school arts performance where he was due to dance with Chen Lingshan.
• Su Can spotted two plainclothes officers watching Wang Bu’s home and left the compound without approaching the house.
• Su Can considered how to get his evidence against Liu Cheng to provincial leaders and concluded that ordinary channels were too risky and slow.
• Su Can paged Zhao Lijun, who agreed to meet him the next day.

Su Can and Chen Lingshan turned her classical dance into the song-and-dance drama “Dunhuang,” with Su Can reciting poetry as she performed at City First Middle School’s arts showcase. The performance ended with Chen Lingshan kissing Su Can onstage as the curtain fell.

• Xue Yiyang praised Su Can’s strategy in their online game and took him to the arts showcase, where both prepared to perform as background extras.
• Backstage, Chen Lingshan shared her dreams of dancing and said she hoped someday to dance for the person she loved; Su Can offered to accompany her performance with poetry.
• Su Can quietly spoke to Yue Zijiang, and the scheduled classical dance was introduced as the song-and-dance drama “Dunhuang.”
• Chen Lingshan danced in the spotlight while Su Can recited poetry about Dunhuang, moving the audience and bringing tears to her eyes.
• Chen Lingshan told Su Can she would show him her performance, then kissed him as the dance and recitation reached their final note.

After their performance, Chen Lingshan and Su Can shared an intimate moment, and she hinted that she would rather be happy with him than cry in a BMW. Su Can told her he was leaving soon, but she misunderstood and said they could walk home together another time, leaving their feelings unresolved.

• Chen Lingshan praised Su Can's poem and credited their successful performance to their partnership.
• Li Jumei teased Su Can that he would need a BMW to be worthy of Chen Lingshan, and Chen Lingshan replied that she would rather ride happily on the back of a bicycle.
• Su Can told Chen Lingshan that he was leaving soon, and she turned back to smile and suggest they walk home together another time.
• Chen Lingshan joined her friends, who teased her about having a boyfriend and demanded she treat them.

Su Can convinced Zhao Lijun that Wang Bu had been framed and showed him photographs of Liu Cheng disposing of a bundle, then brought the evidence to Zhang Qing. Zhang Qing prepared to report it to Secretary Liu in the provincial capital while Zhao Lijun and Su Can planned to divert the plainclothes officers watching the family compound.

• Su Can met Zhao Lijun for breakfast and argued that Liu Cheng was behind Wang Bu’s investigation and might target Zhao Lijun next.
• Su Can gave Zhao Lijun photographs of Liu Cheng throwing a bundle into a pond and described what he had witnessed.
• Zhao Lijun took Su Can to Wang Bu’s home, where Zhang Qing agreed to hear what they knew about the case.
• Zhao Lijun explained Wang Bu’s secret investigation and showed Zhang Qing and the others the photographs; Su Can asked that his role in providing them remain undisclosed.
• Zhang Qing decided to take the photographs to Secretary Liu in the provincial capital, while Zhao Lijun and Su Can planned to draw away the watchers outside.

The authorities arrested Liu Cheng and dismantled the criminal network tied to him, clearing Wang Bu of the charges fabricated against him. With the crisis resolved, Su Can prepared to leave Xiahai for Xiangcheng and continue pursuing Tang Wu, while saying goodbye to Xiao Rihua.

• Yang Zhengliang and Liu Shengjian submitted evidence against Liu Cheng, and a special investigation team secretly gathered investigators to pursue the case.
• Zhao Lijun led investigators to recover Liu Cheng’s hidden money at his Muma Mountain villa, then the team arrested Liu Cheng, Jiang Cai, and Jin Donghai.
• The secretary in the Zhang Zhimao case confessed that Liu Cheng had coerced him into fabricating allegations against Wang Bu, and the authorities ruled Wang Bu’s case a wrongful conviction.
• Zhao Lijun’s team raided Jinhui Nightclub and arrested its boss, while Liu Cheng’s criminal network and the underground casinos were rooted out.
• Wang Feng proposed that Shushan Chain acquire Xiahai Cultural Supplies’ three branches, and Su Can quietly left the area after learning Wang Bu had been cleared.
• Su Can rode past his old bus stop with Tang Wu and later told Xiao Rihua he was leaving for Xiangcheng, where he hoped to meet her again.

At a family dinner, Su Can’s relatives celebrated his transfer to No. 2 No. 7 Middle School while teasing Zeng Yuan, who felt the distance growing between them. Later, Zeng Qu anming urged Su Can to keep striving academically, and Su Can resolved to focus on school while quietly building the skills and resources for a future in business.

• Zeng Zhaoding criticized Zeng Yuan’s school performance and contrasted it with Su Can and Zeng Na’s achievements, leaving Zeng Yuan resentful.
• Zeng Yuan asked Su Can to build a business and give him a Lamborghini and company shares, while remembering their childhood closeness and feeling the loss as Su Can prepared to leave.
• After dinner, Zeng Qu anming summoned Su Can to his study and questioned him about his slipping grades.
• Zeng Qu anming encouraged Su Can to treat his move to No. 2 No. 7 Middle School as a chance to face stronger competition and aim for a better university.
• Su Can considered how to balance high school with self-study and managing family businesses, deciding to quietly build his strength and resources before pursuing a larger future.