Chapter Summaries

Gu Nian'an prepared to spend three months filming in Jiangzhou, and Fu Xiuyuan arranged to move there with him. After they arrived at their new home, Fu Xiuyuan surprised Gu Nian'an with a room for Renata and a bedroom stocked with intimate accessories, and the couple spent the night together.

• Gu Nian'an told Fu Xiuyuan he would be filming in Jiangzhou for three months, and Fu Xiuyuan offered to invest in the production and buy a home there so they could live together.
• Gu Nian'an agreed to Fu Xiuyuan's plan, and a month later they arrived at their spacious Jiangzhou residence.
• Fu Xiuyuan showed Gu Nian'an the prepared cat room and explained that Renata would be brought over to keep him company.
• Gu Nian'an explored the bedroom and discovered the accessories Fu Xiuyuan had stocked in a cabinet.
• Fu Xiuyuan kissed Gu Nian'an and carried him to bed, where they spent the night together.

Gu Nian'an met Mu Chen on the film set, where they discussed their roles as Gu An and Wen Chen and how each felt suited to his character. While shooting costume photos, Gu Nian'an played a piece associated with Wen Chen and froze when he saw someone familiar enter.

• Gu Nian'an arrived early for costume photos and learned that Mu Chen was playing Wen Chen, his old piano-competition rival and friend.
• Mu Chen told Gu Nian'an that the role of Gu An seemed born for him, and Gu Nian'an reflected that they might be living their story in another world.
• Ai Mingzhu praised their styling and sent Gu Nian'an and Mu Chen to photograph the piano-competition scene while the actress playing Zhao Yingfang was still on her way.
• Gu Nian'an played “Traveler,” the piece that had made Wen Chen famous, while Mu Chen watched and the staff paused to listen.
• As Gu Nian'an played, he looked toward a familiar figure entering through the door and froze.

Gu Nian'an met Zhao Ying, who was playing the role of his mother, Zhao Yingfang, and was overwhelmed by memories of his past life. After returning home, he broke down in Fu Xiuyuan’s arms, leaving his grief unexplained.

• Ai Mingzhu introduced Zhao Ying as the actress playing Zhao Yingfang, and Gu Nian'an struggled to hide his emotional reaction to her.
• Gu Nian'an and Zhao Ying introduced themselves, each feeling an unexplained familiarity with the other.
• After filming ended, Mu Chen asked where Gu Nian'an was staying, and Gu Nian'an said he was staying with a friend.
• On the drive home, Gu Nian'an wondered whether Zhao Ying was his mother’s reincarnation or whether their resemblance was coincidence.
• Gu Nian'an returned home and sobbed uncontrollably in Fu Xiuyuan’s arms, unable to explain his pain.

After Gu Nian'an collapsed, Fu Xiuyuan took him to the hospital, where doctors suspected depression and warned him to watch over his partner. When Gu Nian'an woke at home, he revealed that he remembered a past life in which he had read a book about this world, with Fu Xiuyuan as its protagonist.

• Gu Nian'an struggled to breathe, then lost consciousness in Fu Xiuyuan's arms, and Fu Xiuyuan rushed him to the hospital.
• A doctor told Fu Xiuyuan that Gu Nian'an likely had depressive tendencies, noted his gastrointestinal problems, and warned that he might harm himself.
• Fu Xiuyuan stayed by Gu Nian'an's bedside and later cared for him at home until he woke after sleeping for another day.
• Gu Nian'an kissed Fu Xiuyuan, then told him he had memories of a past life and had once believed this world was a book.
• Gu Nian'an said the book was called The Fu Family's Stormy Rise and that Fu Xiuyuan had been its protagonist.

Gu Nian'an told Fu Xiuyuan about his confused memories and confessed that he loved him regardless of whether their world was real. Fu Xiuyuan returned his love but remained consumed by fear that Gu Nian'an might leave, ending with him holding Gu Nian'an close.

• Gu Nian'an explained that he remembered both his previous life and his life as Gu Nian'an, but could not tell which reality was true.
• Fu Xiuyuan asked whether Gu Nian'an had treated him as a character in a book, and Gu Nian'an admitted he had once been cautious but later fell in love with him.
• Gu Nian'an declared that he loved Fu Xiuyuan and wanted to stay with him, prompting Fu Xiuyuan to kiss him and confess that he loved him too.
• Fu Xiuyuan, overcome by possessiveness and fear, repeatedly asked Gu Nian'an to promise he would never leave, and Gu Nian'an reassured him.
• After they became intimate, Fu Xiuyuan held the exhausted Gu Nian'an and vowed not to let him leave.

Gu Nian'an went to the set and filmed a scene with Zhao Ying, then prepared to portray Gu An’s painful response to his mother killing his kitten. As filming was about to begin, Gu Nian'an revealed that he could play Gu An because he understood his helplessness himself.

• Fu Xiuyuan’s fears after learning about Gu Nian'an’s previous life led him to repeatedly seek reassurance and closely monitor Gu Nian'an’s health.
• Gu Nian'an arrived at the set, where Ai Mingzhu had arranged a location resembling his former home, and filmed a scene with Zhao Ying as Gu An and Zhao Yingfang.
• Gu An instinctively knelt when Zhao Yingfang discovered his kitten, and Zhao Yingfang left without punishing him, tacitly allowing him to keep it.
• Ai Mingzhu praised Zhao Ying and Gu Nian'an’s performances and explained that the next scene required them to improvise Zhao Yingfang killing the kitten.
• Gu Nian'an assured Ai Mingzhu that he could portray Gu An, then reflected that he understood Gu An’s helplessness before the crew prepared to film.

Zhao Ying and Gu Nian'an performed a scene in which Zhao Yingfang, enraged over Gu An's slipping grades and goaded by her ex-husband, attacked her son and tried to destroy his kitten. After the scene ended, Zhao Ying apologized for gripping Gu Nian'an too hard, but he brushed off her concern and suggested they prepare for the next scene.

• In the scene, Zhao Yingfang woke Gu An and made him kneel, then berated him for his falling grades and her ex-husband's insults.
• Zhao Yingfang pinned Gu An down and choked him while sobbing that she resented the sacrifices she had made for him.
• Gu An stopped struggling when his mother's tears fell on him, but she turned on his kitten and tried to smash it.
• The crew swapped in a prop kitten, and Zhao Yingfang left while Gu An collapsed to the floor in despair.
• Ai Mingzhu praised the performance, and Zhao Ying apologized to Gu Nian'an for using too much force; he said he was fine and moved on to the next scene.

Gu Nian'an and Zhao Ying perform an emotionally intense mother-and-son scene, stirring Zhao Ying’s grief over the child she lost and leaving Gu Nian'an shaken by memories of his past life. After filming wraps, he returns home alone, sinks into the bathtub, and begins to drift underwater.

• Gu An brings Zhao Yingfang an umbrella, and they improvise a sorrowful scene in which she tells him the cat is in the garbage pit.
• After the take, Zhao Ying breaks down, revealing that she once lost an unborn child she had planned to name Gu An, while Gu Nian'an comforts her as she cries.
• Gu Nian'an films Gu An finding the dead kitten and walking home through the rain as tears mingle with the raindrops.
• Ai Mingzhu praises Gu Nian'an’s performance and tells him to rest after the shoot wraps.
• Gu Nian'an returns home, recalls that his bond with his mother ended with his death, and sinks beneath the bathtub water as he grows drowsy.

Fu Xiuyuan rescued Gu Nian'an after finding him unconscious in the bathtub and later discovered a small butterfly-shaped birthmark on his lower back. After Gu Nian'an woke, Fu Xiuyuan asked about trouble on set, and Gu Nian'an's distress surfaced as he struggled to answer.

• Fu Xiuyuan found Gu Nian'an submerged and unconscious in the bathtub, then warmed him and carried him to bed.
• Gu Nian'an told Fu Xiuyuan he had accidentally fallen asleep, while Fu Xiuyuan worried about how often he had been in danger.
• Fu Xiuyuan punished Gu Nian'an, and later noticed a small red butterfly-shaped birthmark on his lower back.
• Gu Nian'an woke in the evening feeling sore, and Fu Xiuyuan checked that his fever had passed before offering to massage him.
• Fu Xiuyuan asked whether anything had happened on set, and Gu Nian'an choked on his food before his hurt and bitterness overwhelmed him.

Gu Nian'an broke down after seeing Zhao Ying, whose resemblance to his mother brought back overwhelming pain, and Fu Xiuyuan realized his depression might be flaring up. Meanwhile, the film’s publicity stills sparked online attacks against Gu Nian'an, while Mu Chen defended his acting and the casting.

• Gu Nian'an saw Zhao Ying and was overcome by memories and grief, then collapsed into Fu Xiuyuan's arms as he struggled to breathe.
• Fu Xiuyuan comforted Gu Nian'an and recognized signs of a depressive episode, wondering if the condition had begun earlier than he thought.
• Ai Mingzhu shared publicity stills for In the Name of Love, prompting netizens to question Gu Nian'an's casting and mock Zhao Ying's lack of acting experience.
• An anonymous post accused Gu Nian'an of having powerful backing, and online commenters questioned why Mu Chen had accepted a supporting role.
• Mu Chen publicly praised Gu Nian'an's acting and asked people to wait for the film, then ignored the backlash and argued in his defense.

Ai Mingzhu released behind-the-scenes footage that showed Gu Nian'an delivering a painful scene with Zhao Ying, changing many viewers’ doubts about his acting. A second clip of his piano performance impressed Mu Chen and drew the attention of renowned pianist Xiao Zhen, who wished he could teach Gu Nian'an.

• Ai Mingzhu shared footage of Gu Nian'an and Zhao Ying filming an emotional rain scene, prompting viewers to praise Gu Nian'an’s acting and anticipate the movie.
• A behind-the-scenes clip showed Gu Nian'an playing piano with focused emotion while Mu Chen watched in a daze and the crew listened.
• Xiao Zhen reposted Gu Nian'an’s piano performance and praised the young performer’s emotional expression despite some technical imperfections.
• Xiao Zhen considered teaching Gu Nian'an but sighed that talented young people these days went into the entertainment industry.

Gu Nian'an filmed Gu An and Wen Chen’s first meeting at a piano competition, then the crew moved on to their final competition scene, where Gu An revealed his terminal illness. Wen Chen was devastated but learned that Gu An still wanted them to enter the competition together.

• Gu Nian'an performed “Song of Freedom” as Gu An, moving Wen Chen, who approached him and introduced himself after the performance.
• Gu An and Wen Chen shook hands and exchanged names, beginning their connection as rivals.
• Ai Mingzhu praised Gu Nian'an’s piano playing and Mu Chen’s acting after she called cut, while Mu Chen admitted he had been absorbed in the performance.
• A month later, Wen Chen confronted Gu An after learning he planned to retire before the Treigo International Piano Competition.
• Gu An told Wen Chen that his late-stage stomach cancer left him little time, then asked to enter his final competition with him.

Gu Nian'an filmed Gu An’s final piano performance, stirring memories and deepening Mu Chen’s feelings for him. As filming neared its end, Gu Nian'an remained troubled by dreams about his mother and his feelings about Zhao Ying until a man’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

• Gu An asked Wen Chen to look after his mother after his death, and Wen Chen agreed during their scene.
• After the scene ended, Mu Chen admitted he had been deeply affected and praised Gu Nian'an’s performance.
• Gu Nian'an played “Melody in a Dream” as Gu An’s farewell performance, drawing on memories of his past and receiving thunderous applause.
• Mu Chen watched Gu Nian'an and realized his feelings for him went beyond friendship, both on and off the film set.
• As filming neared completion, Gu Nian'an thought about his nightmares, his mother, and Zhao Ying before a deep male voice sounded beside him.

Fu Xiuyuan visited Gu Nian'an on the film set, openly identifying him as his partner and comforting him as he rested. As Gu Nian'an prepared for his final scene, Fu Xiuyuan grew alarmed at his deathlike calm and asked him to make plans together for New Year.

• Fu Xiuyuan arrived at the set to keep Gu Nian'an company for his last scene and pressed him to rest.
• Fu Xiuyuan took Gu Nian'an's hand and told Ai Mingzhu that Gu Nian'an was his partner, surprising her before they discussed the film investment.
• Fu Xiuyuan reassured Gu Nian'an that his work was settled, and Gu Nian'an fell asleep in his embrace as the crew discreetly returned to work.
• Gu Nian'an prepared for the final scene with pale makeup and recalled the character's suffering, while Fu Xiuyuan watched him with growing panic.
• Fu Xiuyuan asked Gu Nian'an to revisit Clear Mandarin Duck Mountain at New Year and described plans for a barbecue and the snowy scenery; Gu Nian'an agreed.

Gu Nian'an filmed Gu An's death scene, in which the boy died in his mother's arms after asking her to find happiness. After filming wrapped, Zhao Ying remained overwhelmed with grief, while Fu Xiuyuan clung fearfully to Gu Nian'an; Mu Chen arrived and saw them embracing.

• Gu An comforted Zhao Yingfang, asked her to live freely and happily, and died in her arms as she sang him a lullaby.
• Ai Mingzhu called cut, but Zhao Ying stayed immersed in grief and held Gu Nian'an while crying.
• Gu Nian'an comforted Zhao Ying until she steadied herself, and Ai Mingzhu praised him as filming officially wrapped for Xiao Gu.
• Fu Xiuyuan embraced Gu Nian'an and admitted the death scene had frightened him, while Gu Nian'an reassured him that he was alive.
• Mu Chen arrived, saw Fu Xiuyuan holding Gu Nian'an, and his gaze darkened.

After filming, Gu Nian'an encountered Zhao Ying, whose familiar appearance stirred memories of his late mother, and Fu Xiuyuan exchanged contact details with her on his behalf. Back at their room, Gu Nian'an sought comfort in Fu Xiuyuan, and they held each other close.

• Gu Nian'an and Fu Xiuyuan walked together after Gu Nian'an finished filming.
• Zhao Ying caught up with them and cautiously asked to call Gu Nian'an by name and keep in touch.
• Fu Xiuyuan exchanged contact details with Zhao Ying, who invited Gu Nian'an to visit her bookshop and its cats.
• Gu Nian'an left with Fu Xiuyuan, unsettled by Zhao Ying's resemblance to his mother and the connection he felt.
• At their room, Gu Nian'an told Fu Xiuyuan that many memories from the past had resurfaced, then kissed him urgently for comfort.

After filming wrapped, Gu Nian'an reunited with Mu Chen, who revealed that they had grown up together at Warm Home Orphanage and had once been brothers. As Gu Nian'an left with Fu Xiuyuan, Mu Chen recalled their childhood and wondered when the dark clouds would clear.

• At the wrap party, Ai Mingzhu thanked the cast and crew, including Gu Nian'an, Zhao Ying, and Mu Chen, for completing the film.
• After the party, Gu Nian'an waited outside for Fu Xiuyuan, and Mu Chen approached and asked whether he had grown up at Warm Home Orphanage.
• Mu Chen revealed that he had grown up at the orphanage too and told Gu Nian'an his childhood name was Yan Chen, prompting Gu Nian'an to recognize him as his big brother.
• Mu Chen apologized for not finding Gu Nian'an after he was adopted, and Gu Nian'an reassured him that he was happy now.
• Fu Xiuyuan arrived and took Gu Nian'an home; Mu Chen asked him to call him big brother as he used to.
• As rain began to fall, Mu Chen remembered their childhood together and wondered when the dark clouds would clear.

Gu Nian'an woke from another nightmare and, overwhelmed by painful memories from both his lives, began biting his wrist while Fu Xiuyuan hurried home to comfort him. Fu Xiuyuan held him through his tears and promised to stay by his side as he faced the past.

• Gu Nian'an woke from a nightmare and went to the window, struggling to calm himself as memories from his past and present overwhelmed him.
• Fu Xiuyuan called Gu Nian'an and realized he was biting his wrist, then urged him to stop while rushing home from a meeting.
• Fu Xiuyuan reached the manor, loosened Gu Nian'an's grip on his wrist, and held him until his trembling eased.
• Gu Nian'an told Fu Xiuyuan that memories of his lives returned whenever he closed his eyes and that he was scared and in pain.
• Fu Xiuyuan kissed the marks on Gu Nian'an's wrist and promised to remain with him as he worked through his painful memories.

Fu Xiuyuan arranged a romantic New Year’s celebration for Gu Nian'an, playing the piece “Confession” and finally confessing his love. Gu Nian'an returned his feelings, and they welcomed the new year together beneath the fireworks.

• Gu Nian'an admired the red lanterns and everlasting lamps Fu Xiuyuan had arranged around the snow-covered manor.
• Fu Xiuyuan led Gu Nian'an to a piano surrounded by red roses and played “Confession,” a piece his mother had taught him to perform for someone he loved.
• Fu Xiuyuan explained the piece’s meaning and confessed his love, and Gu Nian'an embraced him and said he loved him too.
• At night, Fu Xiuyuan wished Gu Nian'an a happy New Year and promised they would spend every year together.
• Gu Nian'an cried from happiness, kissed Fu Xiuyuan, and held him beneath the fireworks.

Gu Nian'an struggled through another nightmare as Fu Xiuyuan comforted him and privately feared losing him. After they welcomed the new year and Fu Xiuyuan invited him to visit his late mother in spring, Gu Nian'an became seriously ill, and Fu Xiuyuan arranged treatment while he slept.

• Gu Nian'an woke from a nightmare, and Fu Xiuyuan held him and pleaded for him not to leave.
• On New Year's morning, Fu Xiuyuan asked Gu Nian'an to visit his mother with him in spring, and Gu Nian'an agreed.
• Near the end of winter, Gu Nian'an suffered two days of vomiting and abdominal pain, and he feared his previous stomach cancer had returned.
• Fu Xiuyuan called the doctor, comforted Gu Nian'an, and had private doctors come to the estate to treat him.
• After painkillers eased Gu Nian'an's pain and he fell asleep, Fu Xiuyuan discussed a treatment plan and follow-up examinations with the doctors.