Chapter Summaries

Wen Shaoyu brooded over his rejection while Shao Ke noticed Yan Ningke had secretly eaten river snail rice noodles and reminded him to eat lightly. At a banquet, Shao Ke invited Liu Yunzhou to his booth and thanked him for helping Yan Ningke, leaving Liu Yunzhou realizing the two were close.

• Wen Shaoyu left after the man he liked said their encounter had been an accident, then drank with Si Yanzhuo, who offered him reckless advice.
• Shao Ke saw a photo of Yan Ningke eating river snail rice noodles and told him to eat lighter food for the next few days; Yan Ningke cheerfully agreed.
• At the banquet, Liu Yunzhou faced pressure from Mr. Zhang and other investors to perform, but Wen Shaoyu silenced them by smashing a wineglass against the partition.
• Shao Ke sent a server to invite Liu Yunzhou to his booth, where he thanked Liu Yunzhou for helping Yan Ningke in the past.
• Liu Yunzhou recognized Shao Ke, Si Yanzhuo, and Wen Shaoyu as powerful figures and realized that Yan Ningke and Shao Ke were closely connected.

Liu Yunzhou learned that Shao Ke was supporting Yan Ningke and accepted Shao Ke’s offer to pursue an overseas film opportunity. Wen Shaoyu then saw Zheng Yan Che with Gao Jingkai and watched as Zheng, exhausted and emotionally troubled, agreed to take a taxi home.

• Shao Ke offered Liu Yunzhou a role in a science fiction film being prepared in M Country, and Liu gratefully accepted.
• After Liu left, Si Yanzhuo asked Shao Ke whether their opponents had reacted, and Shao Ke said they would soon.
• Wen Shaoyu left the gathering and ordered his driver to take him anywhere, but the car stopped near the commercial building Zheng Yan Che was leaving.
• Wen Shaoyu angrily scolded the driver after spotting Zheng Yan Che with Gao Jingkai across the road.
• Gao Jingkai urged the exhausted Zheng Yan Che not to drive, and Zheng agreed to take a taxi while Wen Shaoyu watched from across the road.

Wen Shaoyu saw Zheng Yan Che with Gao Jingkai and tried to drown his feelings at the Yuntang Club, but he later swerved his SUV into Bai Siyuan’s car as it raced toward them. After ordering his men to take Bai Siyuan to the hospital, Wen Shaoyu left without speaking further to Zheng Yan Che.

• Wen Shaoyu saw Zheng Yan Che and Gao Jingkai standing together and told his driver to take him to the Yuntang Club.
• Bai Siyuan drove his car toward Zheng Yan Che and Gao Jingkai, but Wen Shaoyu’s SUV struck it and stopped it before it reached them.
• Wen Shaoyu’s bodyguards pulled the unconscious Bai Siyuan from his car, and Wen Shaoyu ordered them to take him to the hospital.
• Zheng Yan Che noticed Wen Shaoyu was bleeding and told him to stop smoking, but Wen Shaoyu ignored him and drove away.
• Gao Jingkai and Zheng Yan Che were asked to step away while Wen Shaoyu’s driver arranged the ambulance, tow truck, and cleanup.

Yan Ningke attended the Lincheng premiere of At Daybreak, where audiences cheered for his role as Cheng Yin and his awkward dancing became an online joke. After posting a complaint about the savage comments, he left smiling as the first snow began to fall.

• After Cheng Yin became a breakout character at earlier premieres, the production team invited Yan Ningke to attend the Lincheng premiere, and he agreed.
• Yu Ping picked Yan Ningke up from the airport and drove him to the event, where he met Xiao Jingzhan and chatted about their dogs.
• At the premiere, the audience cheered for Yan Ningke, and the host praised Cheng Yin's popularity.
• Xiao Jingzhan led the younger actors in a trending dance, while Yan Ningke struggled to follow and watched Xiao Jingzhan dance instead.
• Yan Ningke's awkward dancing spread online, so he complained on Weibo about how savage everyone was.
• As Yan Ningke followed Yu Ping outside, a snowflake landed on his phone and made him smile.

Yan Ningke reunited with Shao Ke after his wrap party, endured a week of relentless concerts and theater dates meant to tease his appreciation of another dancer, and finally persuaded Shao Ke to stop. At Daybreak became a box-office hit and brought Yan Ningke a major career breakthrough, but at the celebration banquet he noticed a missed call from Zheng and called him back.

• Shao Ke arrived with flowers to take Yan Ningke home, while Lin Yechen collected Yan Ningke’s abandoned backpack from Yu Ping.
• Shao Ke teased Yan Ningke for being captivated by a dancer and spent the night covering him in jealous affection.
• Shao Ke took Yan Ningke to performances every day for a week, until Yan Ningke refused to go out and coaxed him into staying home.
• At Daybreak earned over a hundred million on its opening day, and Yan Ningke gained eight hundred thousand Weibo followers overnight for his performance as Cheng Yin.
• Yan Ningke attended At Daybreak’s celebration banquet and called Zheng back after seeing his missed call.

Yan Ningke celebrated his drama’s success with Shao Ke, but noticed Zheng Yan Che had seemed troubled during their call. At the private banquet, he found Wen Shaoyu drinking heavily while Shao Ke led him away to eat.

• Zheng Yan Che called Yan Ningke to congratulate him, then ended the call before explaining what was bothering him.
• Yan Ningke left the production celebration early and met Shao Ke, who took him to a separate banquet in his honor.
• Yan Ningke asked Shao Ke to invite Zheng Yan Che because he had sounded strange on the phone.
• At the banquet, Yan Ningke found Wen Shaoyu drinking glass after glass, while Si Yanzhuo said he would watch over him.
• Shao Ke led Yan Ningke to a private room, where Yan Ningke eagerly began eating the food laid out for him.

Shao Ke watched over Yan Ningke as he ate, while Zheng Yan Che hurried to the club and found Wen Shaoyu drinking and smoking despite his injuries. Wen Shaoyu rejected Zheng Yan Che’s attempt to stop him from drinking, and Si Yanzhuo splashed tea in his face after he insulted him.

• Shao Ke brought Yan Ningke soup and urged him to slow down as he ate.
• Zheng Yan Che arrived at the club and learned from Si Yanzhuo that Yan Ningke had gone to eat.
• Zheng Yan Che saw Wen Shaoyu drinking and smoking with his fractured wrist and unhealed arm wound.
• Zheng Yan Che tried to stop Wen Shaoyu from drinking, but Wen Shaoyu sneered at him and told him to get lost.
• Si Yanzhuo splashed tea in Wen Shaoyu’s face and told him to stop acting like a jerk.

After Zheng Yan Che left the club, Wen Shaoyu dragged him into a car and stopped only when Zheng Yan Che said he was scared. Wen Shaoyu sent him home, then discovered that Zheng Yan Che had bought him medicine and carried it to his bedroom.

• Wen Shaoyu left the private room after Si Yanzhuo told everyone to continue the party.
• Zheng Yan Che tried to buy cigarettes like Wen Shaoyu's, then smoked outside and reflected on their troubled relationship.
• Wen Shaoyu pulled Zheng Yan Che into his SUV and attacked him, but stopped when Zheng Yan Che said he was scared.
• Wen Shaoyu gave Zheng Yan Che his coat and ordered the driver to take him home before walking away.
• Zheng Yan Che spoke with Yan Ningke, who then asked Si Yanzhuo for gossip about what had happened.
• Wen Shaoyu found the anti-inflammatory medicine Zheng Yan Che had bought, pretended to disdain it, and eventually carried it to his bedroom.

Yan Zhipeng learned that Yan Ningke was close to the powerful Shao Ke and planned to use the connection to benefit the Yan family, while Yan Zhen tried to expose Yan Ningke. Yan Ningke remained unaware of their plotting and admired Zheng Yan Che’s casual look before their malatang outing.

• Yan Zhipeng struggled with company quality inspections and a surprise audit, while his assistant complained about the officials who refused their gifts.
• Yan Zhen showed Yan Zhipeng a photo of Yan Ningke with Shao Ke and claimed Yan Ningke was being kept by a man; Yan Zhipeng recognized Shao Ke and decided to exploit the connection.
• Yan Zhen contacted a paparazzo to publish the photos and slander Yan Ningke, but Yan Zhipeng stopped him, took the photos, and shut down the computer.
• Yan Zhen accused Yan Zhipeng of still caring about Yan Ningke, and Yan Zhipeng’s defense of his eldest son intensified Yan Zhen’s jealousy and hatred.
• Yan Ningke admired Zheng Yan Che’s handsome appearance after Zheng Yan Che dressed casually for their long-awaited malatang outing.

Zheng Yan Che took Yan Ningke to eat malatang and stroll around Lincheng University, where Yan Ningke cheerfully complained about Shao Ke and heard about Zheng Yan Che’s difficult university years. Zheng Yan Che told Yan Ningke he was lucky to have Shao Ke, and Yan Ningke declared that his relationship was the fruit of his hard work.

• Zheng Yan Che ordered a variety of malatang for Yan Ningke, who delighted in the food and praised Zheng Yan Che for treating him best.
• Yan Ningke complained to Zheng Yan Che about Shao Ke’s strict rules and the seven days of performances Shao Ke had made him attend, and Zheng Yan Che soothed him with milk tea.
• Zheng Yan Che and Yan Ningke walked along a quiet path on Lincheng University’s campus, where Zheng Yan Che explained that he had focused on studying and scholarships rather than his appearance.
• Zheng Yan Che told Yan Ningke he was lucky to have Shao Ke, and Yan Ningke credited his own dedicated care for winning Shao Ke’s love.

Yan Ningke accidentally spilled milk tea on Zhou Pingfan’s books, then visited Shao Ke at his company and teased him about an upcoming seduction scene. Shao Ke kissed him and carried him toward the lounge, leaving their flirtation to turn intimate.

• Yan Ningke collided with Zhou Pingfan and soaked his books with spilled milk tea, then insisted on paying for replacements.
• Zhou Pingfan recognized Yan Ningke, accepted his contact information, and watched him leave while thinking, “You’re better than me.”
• Yan Ningke privately wished Zhou Pingfan would live a more ordinary life, then took a taxi to Shao Ke’s company.
• Yan Ningke was escorted to Shao Ke’s office, where Shao Ke quickly finished a video meeting while Yan Ningke ate desserts.
• Yan Ningke asked Shao Ke to teach him how to seduce the male lead in a bed scene, and Shao Ke kissed him and carried him toward the lounge.

Yan Ningke returned to his busy acting schedule, and a misleading post sparked a brief online scandal accusing him of mistreating his makeup artist. Wendy’s testimony and evidence cleared his name, while Yan Ningke’s work kept him so exhausted that Shao Ke grew increasingly resentful.

• Yan Ningke remembered he had come to Shao Ke’s office to ask Lin Yechen to investigate someone, then went with Lin Yechen to register his fingerprints for access.
• Yan Ningke began working long hours, and Liao Hai posted videos of him sleeping while getting his makeup and hair done in the company van.
• Haters accused Yan Ningke of acting like a diva and mistreating his staff, pushing the accusation onto trending searches.
• Wendy posted photos showing she could sit comfortably while doing Yan Ningke’s makeup and enjoyed the snacks he bought for the crew, exposing the scandal as fabricated.
• Yan Ningke’s lawyer sent a letter to the person who spread the rumor, and a court summons arrived at the person’s workplace the next day.
• After working nonstop for over a month, Yan Ningke kept falling asleep at home, and Shao Ke’s resentment grew.

Lin Yechen adjusted Yan Ningke’s workload after Shao Ke accused him of overworking Yan Ningke, while Yan Ningke dealt with a call from his estranged parents and came home exhausted. Shao Ke comforted him and made sure he rested, and Yan Ningke woke to find Christmas Eve was near.

• Shao Ke accused Lin Yechen of using Yan Ningke’s work to get back at him, then agreed to give Yan Ningke a lighter schedule after Lin Yechen called and received a bonus.
• Yan Ningke ate a little river snail rice noodles after his livestream and gave the rest to Liao Hai.
• Yan Ningke blocked a call from the person claiming to be his father and told Liao Hai to treat further calls as harassment.
• After returning home exhausted, Yan Ningke fell asleep on the sofa and woke briefly when Shao Ke came home and kissed his forehead.
• Shao Ke persuaded Yan Ningke to sleep longer the next morning, and Yan Ningke later realized Christmas Eve was approaching.

Yan Ningke enjoyed an unexpected break with Shao Ke and organized a Christmas Eve barbecue, while arranging anonymous support for Zhou Pingfan. As the guests began arriving, Si Yanzhuo and Lin Yechen traded barbs by the grill, leaving Yan Ningke eager to guess what was between them.

• Shao Ke stayed home with Yan Ningke, whose work engagements had been suspended, and Yan Ningke spent the day relaxing and eating.
• Yan Ningke proposed a barbecue party for Christmas Eve, and Shao Ke and Lin Yechen helped prepare it.
• Shao Ke learned about Zhou Pingfan, a young man left in a vegetative state after an assault who had recently awakened with amnesia.
• Yan Ningke arranged anonymous financial assistance for Zhou Pingfan until he no longer needed it.
• Si Yanzhuo arrived at Yan Ningke's villa and exchanged pointed remarks with Lin Yechen while Lin tended the grill.
• Yan Ningke watched Si Yanzhuo and Lin Yechen's tense banter and wondered what was going on between them.

Yan Ningke celebrated with friends over a barbecue, growing close to Zheng Yan Che as he gave him an apple and they drank together. Wen Shaoyu arrived late and made a cocktail for Yan Ningke, whose hopes for a romantic confession gave way to admiration for the trick.

• Lin Yechen and Yan Ningke spent nearly an hour lighting the charcoal and came inside with soot-blackened faces and hands.
• Zheng Yan Che arrived, and Lars covered him in dog hair before Yan Ningke cleaned him with a lint roller.
• Zheng Yan Che gave Yan Ningke a red apple and wished him safety and happiness, promising to give him one every year.
• Yan Ningke and Zheng Yan Che grilled food, shared snacks, and drank together while waiting for Yan Ningke's big brother.
• Wen Shaoyu arrived late, joined the barbecue, and made a flashy cocktail that impressed Yan Ningke.

During a fireworks gathering, Wen Shaoyu made Zheng Yan Che a dramatic cocktail and kissed him while forcing him to drink it, calling the drink “Possessiveness.” After the party, Wen Shaoyu got into Zheng Yan Che’s car and teased him about paying for the cocktails, leaving Zheng Yan Che unable to finish his protest.

• Wen Shaoyu mixed drinks for the gathering while Yan Ningke, Zheng Yan Che, and the others watched and teased him.
• Yan Ningke watched fireworks with a familiar person beside him and reflected that he was no longer alone.
• Lin Yechen caught Si Yanzhuo watching him, but Si Yanzhuo’s sly look made Lin Yechen turn away.
• When Zheng Yan Che became dizzy from drinking, Wen Shaoyu kissed him and made him swallow more liquor, then named the cocktail “Possessiveness.”
• After the party, Wen Shaoyu climbed into Zheng Yan Che’s Buick and joked that Zheng Yan Che could not drink his cocktails for free, prompting Zheng Yan Che to start protesting.

Zheng Yan Che asked Wen Shaoyu to set a time limit on their relationship, believing it had ended when Wen left. Wen returned with his asset documents and proposed marriage, leaving Zheng Yan Che stunned but certain that Wen liked him.

• Zheng Yan Che asked how long Wen Shaoyu intended to keep him, and Wen left after Zheng accused him of treating him as a plaything.
• Zheng Yan Che reflected that he had fallen for Wen and thought their relationship was over.
• Wen returned with documents listing his domestic and overseas assets and told Zheng to find his household registration booklet so they could marry.
• Wen listed the roles Zheng would have as his spouse and asked him to give a time limit if he ever wanted a divorce.
• Zheng told Wen he liked him, then questioned why Wen seemed to seek him out only for sex.

Shao Ke prepared to confront the people behind his parents’ murders while caring for a drunk Yan Ningke, whose apple wish revealed his longing to be safe. The next day, Yan Ningke spent a relaxed day at home, then tried to get gossip from Zheng Yan Che and teased Wen Shaoyu about love.

• Lin Yechen told Shao Ke that evidence had been collected and Shao Yang’s side was showing signs of activity, and Shao Ke said the show would begin at the shareholders’ meeting next Friday.
• Drunk Yan Ningke wished for himself to be safe and sound, then coaxed Shao Ke into taking a bite of his apple.
• Yan Ningke dreamed of marking another year of life with noodles, beer, and the same wish, recalling that he had been abandoned with only a wristband bearing the date December 24.
• The next morning, Yan Ningke ate the light breakfast Shao Ke had requested and added Shao Ke’s past gloating over his drunkenness to his book of grudges.
• Shao Ke watched Yan Ningke on a surveillance feed and asked Aunt An to prepare extra dishes, while Yan Ningke enjoyed the feast and spent the day watching variety shows.
• Yan Ningke failed to get gossip from Zheng Yan Che, then sent Wen Shaoyu a love psychology book and told him to study.

On a snowy day, Yan Ningke left the villa to revisit the old neighborhood and found the little boy he had hoped to see. He gave the boy warm clothes and shoes, and left him with Uncle Zhang to return to his shelter.

• Aunt An bundled Yan Ningke in a scarf and gloves before he left to visit a friend.
• Yan Ningke walked through the crowded old neighborhood and found the steps where he had expected the little boy to be empty.
• The little boy called out to Yan Ningke, who bought him a roasted sweet potato and learned he slept in a bicycle shelter.
• Yan Ningke gave the boy clothes, trousers, and shoes brought by Uncle Zhang, and tied a scarf around him.
• Uncle Zhang escorted the boy back, and the boy thanked Yan Ningke before leaving.

Yan Ningke went home with Shao Ke as the Yan family’s business crisis worsened and Yan Zhen tried to smear him. Lin Yechen intervened to suppress the scandal and trace its source, leaving Yan Zhen panicked when his devices were remotely accessed.

• Yan Ningke flirted with Shao Ke in the snowy street, and Shao Ke carried him home.
• Yan Zhipeng ordered Yuan Qi to call Yan Ningke for help with the company’s impending prosecution, but Yan Ningke had blocked her number.
• Yan Zhipeng raged after the call failed, while Yan Zhen vowed that Yan Ningke would not take their parents’ love.
• Lin Yechen learned that someone planned to expose Yan Ningke with a photo of him and Chairman Shao, then ordered the leak buried and its source traced.
• Yan Zhen discovered that the paparazzo’s account and their chat records had vanished, then watched his computer and phone display rapidly flashing code.