Arc 1A Marriage of Convenience

After Gu Haisheng returned and restored Gu Bai’s inheritance, Gu Bai accepted an arranged marriage with Chu Zeshen and moved into the Chu residence with Mocha. The stretch ended with Chu Zeshen introducing Gu Bai as his spouse to Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan.

  • Gu Bai left the Gu residence with Mocha, while Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin fought over family control and their father’s inheritance.
  • Gu Bai attended Gu Haisheng’s funeral, where Gu Haisheng unexpectedly returned alive and took Gu Bai back to the Gu residence.
  • Gu Haisheng revoked his wills, leaving his Gu Group stake to Gu Bai and dividing his other assets among his four children.
  • Gu Bai agreed to marry Chu Zeshen under the families’ old arrangement, and they signed a contract and registered their marriage.
  • Gu Bai moved with Mocha into Chu Zeshen’s home, where Elder Chu welcomed him and Chu Ningwei’s family disturbed the household.
  • Elder Chu visited and learned about Gu Bai’s life with Chu Zeshen, while the couple agreed to arrange a meal between their families.
  • Chu Zeshen brought Gu Bai and Mocha to dinner with Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan, introduced Gu Bai as his spouse, and told them they had married the previous week.
Chapters 1–25 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 1Page 1

After dying in a car accident, Gu Bai awoke in the body of a wealthy young man with the same name in a novel he had once read. He accepted that he had transmigrated and met the young man's loyal dog, Mocha.

  • Gu Bai jolted awake in an unfamiliar bedroom beside a wary border collie.
  • Gu Bai recalled the young master's memories, including his father's disappearance at sea and the car accident that left him unconscious.
  • Gu Bai recognized that he had died in his own world and transmigrated into a novel.
  • Gu Bai called the border collie Mocha, and the dog happily bounded onto the bed to greet him.

Ch. 2Page 2

After waking in the body of Gu Bai, Gu Bai learned that his father had disappeared at sea and his siblings were already arguing over the family inheritance. He left the Gu house to avoid their conflict but demanded the share that rightfully belonged to him.

  • Gu Bai reunited with Mocha and recalled the Gu family's complicated marriages and four children.
  • Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin argued over control of the family's clothing subsidiary and their father's inheritance.
  • Gu Bai came downstairs with a suitcase, surprising his siblings by saying he wanted to leave the Gu house.
  • Gu Jiazi tried to persuade Gu Bai to stay, but he said he wanted to get away from the trouble.
  • Gu Bai left and told Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin to give him his rightful share of the inheritance and divide the rest between themselves.

Ch. 3Page 3

Gu Bai left the Gu Family home and settled into a hotel owned by the family, where he spent several carefree days enjoying himself. As he prepared to go sea fishing with Mocha, he crossed paths with Chu Zeshen and Xie Wen in the hotel lobby.

  • Gu Bai left the Gu Family home with Mocha and checked into a hotel, where the manager arranged a suite after the presidential suite had been booked by someone from the Chu Family.
  • Gu Bai spent several days enjoying the hotel’s food and activities and received eighty million as his share of the family assets.
  • Gu Bai booked a sea-fishing excursion and prepared to leave with Mocha.
  • Xie Wen came downstairs with Chu Zeshen and asked him to go have fun, while Mocha’s hopeful gaze turned to disappointment when he saw Chu Zeshen instead of Gu Bai.

Ch. 4Page 4

Gu Bai took Mocha out on a rented yacht to fish, enjoying his new freedom after rumors spread that he had lost the Gu Family succession struggle. Nearby, Chu Zeshen, Xie Wen, and Lu Shengfan discussed the Gu Family head’s disappearance at sea as Chu Zeshen watched Gu Bai’s yacht.

  • Xie Wen brought Chu Zeshen to a yacht party, while Gu Bai reunited with Mocha at the hotel and left with it for a day at sea.
  • Gu Bai and Mocha boarded a rented yacht, put on life jackets, and headed out to the fishing grounds.
  • Gu Bai began fishing and promised to catch something for Mocha, appreciating that he could now spend his time as he wished.
  • Xie Wen questioned Lu Shengfan about choosing waters where search teams were looking for the missing Gu Family head.
  • Lu Shengfan suggested the search teams could respond quickly if they ran into trouble, while Xie Wen speculated that the disappearance might involve foul play.
  • Chu Zeshen remained quiet and watched Gu Bai’s yacht ahead.

Ch. 5Page 5

Gu Bai spent a day fishing and swimming with Mocha before moving with the dog into a spacious rented apartment. He planned to buy and furnish a home after severing his remaining ties to the Gu family.

  • Xie Wen, Lu Shengfan, and Chu Zeshen passed Gu Bai and Mocha fishing on a small yacht, and Chu Zeshen reflected on how his attention had begun wandering.
  • Gu Bai reeled in a large black sea bream while Mocha barked excitedly at the fish.
  • Gu Bai let Mocha slide into a protected swimming area, then fed the dog steamed fish with apple.
  • Gu Bai arranged to have his catch cleaned and frozen, and continued looking for a spacious home suited to Mocha.
  • Gu Bai moved with Mocha into a large rented apartment and let the dog explore its new surroundings.

Ch. 6Page 6

Gu Bai returned to the Gu Family home after being summoned and faced his relatives’ pressure to accept that their father was dead and the funeral should proceed. He challenged their haste, leaving the family’s factional tensions unresolved.

  • Gu Bai discovered that Mocha could follow commands to fetch objects and rewarded him with jerky.
  • Gu Bai took Mocha to the Gu Family home after the eldest daughter called him back, and Mocha ran happily across the front lawn.
  • At lunch, Zhao Xinran criticized Gu Bai for moving out and for eating before the elders, but he ignored her and continued his meal.
  • Gu Bai pointed out that the family was preparing a funeral despite their father still being missing, and he questioned how soon they were willing to declare him dead.
  • Gu Ruilin argued that the search had no hope, while Gu Jiazi urged Gu Bai to accept their father’s death and said the siblings needed to support one another.

Ch. 7Page 7

Gu Bai attended Gu Haisheng’s hastily arranged funeral, where the Gu Family received guests without showing much grief. Chu Zeshen arrived on behalf of the Chu Family, and Xie Wen followed him while Gu Bai remained unnoticed at the back.

  • At lunch, Gu Ruilin warned Gu Bai to remember the message about his inheritance, and Gu Bai said he had received it.
  • Gu Bai left the Gu Family home after learning the date of Gu Haisheng’s funeral.
  • Gu Bai attended the funeral in a black suit and stayed behind the Gu Family members as they received condolences.
  • Zhao Xinran and Gu Jiazi discussed appearances and company business while welcoming guests, and Zhao Xinran tried to reconnect with Chu Zeshen when he arrived.
  • Chu Zeshen declined Gu Jiazi’s offer to accompany him to pay his respects, and Xie Wen followed him to wait for the memorial ceremony.
  • Xie Wen told Chu Zeshen that Gu Bai was absent from the front row and had reportedly lost the family power struggle, while Chu Zeshen declined to comment on the Gu Family’s affairs.

Ch. 8Page 8

Gu Haisheng returned alive during his own funeral, shocking the Gu Family and guests before sending everyone away. Gu Bai rode back with his father, who asked about his health, and Gu Bai returned the concern.

  • As the funeral was about to begin, a guard announced that Gu Haisheng had returned, and the family and guests saw him arrive in a white Zhongshan suit.
  • Gu Haisheng remarked that his relatives had seemed eager for him to disappear at sea, then asked the guests to leave and promised to host them another day.
  • After the guests departed, Gu Haisheng told his children to return to the Gu residence, while Gu Bai followed them after the others left without offering him a ride.
  • A car stopped for Gu Bai, and he got in with Gu Haisheng, who asked whether he was feeling better.
  • Gu Bai said he was recovering and asked about his father's health, prompting Gu Haisheng to laugh genuinely.

Ch. 9Page 9

Gu Haisheng returned to the Gu residence with Gu Bai and confronted the family about their attempt to divide his fortune while he was missing. Gu Ruilin blamed Gu Bai for forcing the division and claimed he had threatened to expose their acquisition plans, leaving Gu Haisheng asking what Gu Bai had threatened them with.

  • Gu Haisheng asked Gu Bai how much of the family fortune he had received, and Gu Bai said it was eighty million.
  • Gu Bai returned to the Gu residence in Gu Haisheng's car, prompting Gu Ruilin and Zhao Xinran to question him about the ride.
  • Gu Haisheng ordered the staff cleared from the house and asked Gu Ruilin about the acquisition of Golden Grain Group.
  • Gu Haisheng confronted Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin for dividing his fortune before his body had even been found, and Gu Ruilin blamed Gu Bai for demanding eighty million.
  • Gu Ruilin claimed Gu Bai had threatened to expose their plan to acquire Golden Grain Group, and Gu Haisheng asked what Gu Bai had threatened them with.

Ch. 10Page 10

Gu Haisheng blamed his family for plotting over his presumed death and rewrote his will, leaving his Gu Group shares to Gu Bai. Gu Bai returned home afterward, while Gu Haisheng told him to come back in a few days.

  • Gu Haisheng questioned Gu Bai about buyouts, and Gu Bai pretended not to know what the terms meant.
  • Gu Haisheng summoned his lawyer and revoked his previous wills, leaving his seventy-eight percent stake in the Gu Group to Gu Bai and dividing his other assets equally among his four children.
  • Zhao Xinran, Gu Ruilin, and Gu Jiazi objected to the inheritance plan, but Gu Haisheng warned them to accept their positions or leave.
  • Gu Bai agreed to follow Gu Haisheng's arrangements, and Gu Haisheng told him to return in a few days.
  • Gu Bai returned home, where Mocha greeted him and brought him his slippers.

Ch. 11Page 11

Gu Bai settled into a comfortable life with Mocha, content to rely on his inheritance and avoid the Gu family’s struggles. Gu Ruilin then told him that Gu Haisheng was planning an arranged marriage with a man and proposed that Gu Jiazi take his place, before Gu Haisheng summoned Gu Bai home to discuss it.

  • Gu Bai rewarded Mocha with a dental chew and decided to enjoy his wealth without getting involved in the Gu family’s affairs.
  • Gu Bai spent his days relaxing, walking Mocha, and playing games while rewarding the dog for fetching things he could reach himself.
  • Gu Ruilin called Gu Bai and asked whether he had ever dated anyone; Gu Bai said he had not, and Gu Ruilin concluded that he was attracted to women.
  • Gu Ruilin told Gu Bai that Gu Haisheng planned to arrange his marriage to a man and suggested that Gu Jiazi take his place; Gu Bai asked who the intended partner was, then gave an ambiguous agreement.
  • Gu Haisheng called Gu Bai and told him to come home the following afternoon, apparently to discuss the arranged marriage.

Ch. 12Chapter 12

Gu Bai attended a meeting with the Chu family about his arranged marriage and met his prospective partner, Chu Ze Shen. The chapter ended with Gu Bai and Chu Ze Shen facing each other after Old Mr. Chu revealed that his grandson was attracted to men.

  • Gu Bai decided to meet his prospective marriage partner before making up his mind about the arrangement.
  • Gu Bai arrived at the Gu residence and saw Chu Ze Shen being shown around by the butler.
  • Old Mr. Chu warmly welcomed Gu Bai, while Gu Ruilin tried to suggest that Chu Ze Shen and Gu Jiazi might be romantically involved.
  • Old Mr. Chu told Gu Ruilin that Chu Ze Shen was attracted to men.
  • Gu Jiazi and Chu Ze Shen entered after a vase broke at the entrance, and Old Mr. Chu called Chu Ze Shen over to meet Gu Bai.

Ch. 13Page 13

Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen both accepted the marriage arranged by their families, while Gu Jiazi tried to challenge the match and get close to Chu Zeshen. After a family banquet, Chu Zeshen declined to drive Gu Jiazi and chose to spend time alone with Gu Bai, crushing her hope that he opposed the marriage.

  • Old Master Chu explained the families’ old marriage arrangement, and Gu Jiazi questioned whether it should bind the younger generation.
  • Gu Bai accepted the marriage to secure his inheritance, and Chu Zeshen said he would follow his elders’ arrangements.
  • The Gu and Chu families shared a lavish lunch, where Gu Bai ate heartily and rebuked Gu Ruilin for wasting food.
  • Old Master Chu suggested that Chu Zeshen drive Gu Bai home, hoping they would have time together.
  • Gu Jiazi asked Chu Zeshen for a ride, but he refused, saying she would intrude on his time alone with Gu Bai.

Ch. 14Page 14

Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen agreed to a one-year marriage arrangement for their families’ business interests, and Chu Zeshen drove Gu Bai home. Later, Gu Bai relaxed at home with Mocha before receiving a message from an unfamiliar contact that ended in a voice call.

  • Gu Ruilin told Gu Jiazi that Chu Zeshen liked men, and Gu Jiazi said the family alliance served their interests.
  • Chu Zeshen drove Gu Bai home and explained that he had agreed to the marriage alliance under family pressure and for business reasons.
  • Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen agreed to cooperate for a year, arrange for Chu Zeshen to join Gu Bai’s household registration, and review the contract together.
  • Chu Zeshen asked whether Gu Bai was seeing someone, and Gu Bai clarified that Mocha was his pet.
  • At home, Gu Bai played with Mocha, ate dinner, and received a message from an unfamiliar WeChat contact about a contract.
  • The unfamiliar contact tried to call Gu Bai after failing to reply to his question about their identity.

Ch. 15Page 15

Gu Bai signed Chu Zeshen’s marriage contract after deciding its generous terms made the deal worthwhile, and the two quickly registered their marriage. As Chu Zeshen drove Gu Bai home with their marriage certificates, Old Master Chu called to confirm they had married.

  • Gu Bai spoke with Chu Zeshen by phone, then reviewed the contract and found it offered generous financial support and compensation while requiring both spouses to protect their families’ reputations.
  • Gu Bai signed the contract after concluding he could not lose on the deal.
  • Within a week of meeting for only the second time, Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen registered their marriage and received their certificates.
  • The newlyweds accepted roses from an event organizer outside the marriage registry, and Chu Zeshen offered to drive Gu Bai home.
  • Old Master Chu called Chu Zeshen in the car and learned they had just collected their marriage certificates.

Ch. 16Page 16

After Gu Bai married Chu Zeshen, Elder Chu welcomed him into the family and gave him a generous red envelope for calling him Grandpa. Gu Bai agreed to move into Chu Zeshen’s house for its large yard, and as they began the move, Chu Zeshen recognized Mocha from the Gu Family Hotel.

  • Elder Chu told Chu Zeshen to treat Gu Bai well, then sent Gu Bai a red envelope and got him to call him Grandpa.
  • Chu Zeshen apologized for forgetting to include living together in their marriage contract, and Gu Bai agreed to move in the next day after hearing his house had a large yard.
  • Gu Bai examined their marriage certificate, arranged for his housekeeper to stop preparing meals, and packed his belongings and Mocha’s toys and snacks.
  • The next morning, Chu Zeshen came to help Gu Bai move, but Mocha jumped into the car trunk before the suitcases could be loaded.
  • Chu Zeshen recognized Mocha as the Border Collie he had seen at the Gu Family Hotel, where he had first considered getting a pet.

Ch. 17Page 17

Gu Bai moved into the Chu Family residence with Chu Zeshen and found a large lawn where Mocha could play. After touring the villa, Gu Bai settled into the secondary bedroom and asked Chu Zeshen to bring Mocha inside so he could wipe the dog's paws.

  • Gu Bai brought Mocha to the Chu Family residence, where Chu Zeshen let the dog run on the lawn.
  • Gu Bai played fetch with Mocha while Chu Zeshen watched and the household staff carried in the luggage.
  • Chu Zeshen showed Gu Bai the minimalist villa, and Gu Bai said he liked its decor and large sofa.
  • Gu Bai mistook the master bedroom for his room, but Chu Zeshen directed him to the secondary bedroom and carried his suitcase there.
  • Gu Bai declined help unpacking, then asked Chu Zeshen to bring Mocha upstairs so he could wipe the dog's paws.

Ch. 18Page 18

Gu Bai settled into the Chu Family Villa with Mocha and saw how Chu Zeshen had prepared for the dog. Chu Zeshen returned home late after an urgent work meeting, suffering from one of his familiar headaches.

  • Gu Bai rested upstairs with Mocha and later went downstairs to eat while Chu Zeshen was away.
  • Uncle Li told Gu Bai that Chu Zeshen had bought supplies for Mocha and prepared food for him.
  • Gu Bai showed Uncle Li how Mocha followed commands and ate only after being told to.
  • Chu Zeshen worked until eleven at night, endured a headache on the drive home, and arrived at the dark entrance to his house.

Ch. 19Page 19

Chu Zeshen returned home to find Gu Bai waiting in the living room, and the two settled into a quiet, comfortable domestic routine. Over the following days, Elder Chu arranged to visit, and Chu Zeshen left to pick him up.

  • Chu Zeshen came home and found Gu Bai playing a game; Gu Bai told him Uncle Li had left soup warm for him.
  • Chu Zeshen and Gu Bai talked about how Gu Bai was settling in and agreed to add a light-filtering curtain.
  • Chu Zeshen noticed the small signs of Gu Bai and Mocha living in the house, then watched Mocha open Gu Bai's bedroom door and go inside.
  • Elder Chu insisted that Chu Zeshen pick him up for his weekend visit, so Chu Zeshen left after breakfast with Gu Bai.
  • Gu Bai learned that the Chu Family villa usually held only Chu Zeshen, Uncle Li, and a housekeeper, with other staff staying next door.

Ch. 20Page 20

Gu Bai prepared his and Chu Zeshen’s room to look shared because Elder Chu was coming to visit. Before Elder Chu arrived, Chu Ningwei, Chu Hanjin, and their mother forced their way into the house, and Chu Ningwei took a lustful interest in Gu Bai.

  • Chu Zeshen called Gu Bai and warned that Elder Chu might inspect their room, so Gu Bai moved his belongings and Mocha’s bed into Chu Zeshen’s room.
  • Gu Bai finished arranging the room and waited for Elder Chu, but Chu Hanjin, Chu Ningwei, and Second Madam arrived first.
  • Uncle Li told the visitors to leave, but Chu Ningwei shoved past him and entered the house with his family.
  • Chu Ningwei spotted Gu Bai and was attracted to him, while Chu Hanjin accused Chu Zeshen of hiding someone away.
  • Chu Hanjin said her family would stay for lunch, and Second Madam quietly urged her to leave so they would not disturb Gu Bai.
  • Chu Hanjin challenged her mother to consider what would happen if her father were transferred to a distant branch office.

Ch. 21Page 21

Chu Ningwei and Chu Hanjin visited Chu Zeshen’s home and disturbed Gu Bai and Mocha, but Gu Bai rebuffed them while Chu Zeshen and Elder Chu made their preference for Gu Bai clear. The chapter ended with Gu Bai calling Elder Chu “Grandpa” in person, delighting him.

  • Chu Ningwei tried to befriend Gu Bai, but Gu Bai ignored him until Mocha came over and claimed the seat between them.
  • Chu Ningwei insulted Mocha, and Gu Bai defended the dog by turning Chu Ningwei’s own words against him.
  • Chu Zeshen returned and went straight to Gu Bai, asking if everything was all right; Gu Bai said the visitors had disturbed Mocha’s sleep.
  • Elder Chu arrived and sent the second madam, Chu Ningwei, and Chu Hanjin to the front courtyard so they would not disturb Mocha.
  • Gu Bai greeted Elder Chu as “Grandpa,” making the old man visibly happy.

Ch. 22Page 22

Gu Bai impressed Elder Chu with his hospitality and joined him and Chu Zeshen for a meal, where the grandfather encouraged their closeness. Their conversation turned to Elder Chu’s late wife and her talent for investing, while Chu Zeshen shared details about Gu Bai’s education.

  • Elder Chu sent Chu Zeshen away from Gu Bai, then settled the matter with the three visitors, who left the Chu home after their view of Gu Bai changed.
  • Elder Chu seated Gu Bai beside him and asked Uncle Li to remove the extra chairs, prompting Chu Zeshen to sit next to Gu Bai.
  • Elder Chu noticed that Gu Bai wore Chu Zeshen’s cologne, and Gu Bai admitted he had used it because he liked the scent.
  • Chu Zeshen said he would buy Gu Bai whatever he liked, and Elder Chu recalled how his wife had managed their money and invested successfully in stocks.
  • Elder Chu learned that Gu Bai had studied Chinese at B University, while Chu Zeshen recalled his grandmother’s stories about Elder Chu’s poor grades and mentioned his own finance degree.

Ch. 23Page 23

Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen hosted Elder Chu, who grew fond of Gu Bai and Mocha while asking about their plans for a wedding. Chu Zeshen postponed the wedding discussion, and Elder Chu left after asking him to arrange a meal with the two families.

  • Gu Bai learned that Chu Zeshen had studied finance at B University and attended H University for graduate school, where Gu Bai had studied in his previous life.
  • Chu Zeshen kept placing food on Gu Bai's plate, and Elder Chu teased him for neglecting his own meal.
  • Gu Bai reassured Chu Zeshen that he had arranged everything, then explained that Mocha's belongings were in the spare bedroom.
  • Mocha charmed Elder Chu, who joked that he should get into university like his dad; Chu Zeshen recalled being compared to the Li Family's children.
  • Elder Chu asked when the couple would hold their wedding, and Chu Zeshen said they would decide after things had settled down and agreed to arrange a meal between the families.
  • Elder Chu left the Chu home at three that afternoon, and Gu Bai sighed with relief once he was gone.

Ch. 24Page 24

Gu Bai chose to stay at the Chu Family home and told Chu Zeshen he would arrange a dinner with his father without involving the rest of the Gu Family. Meanwhile, Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan heard rumors that Chu Zeshen had married, and Chu confirmed he was bringing someone when they asked him about it.

  • Gu Bai said he preferred living with the Chu Family and joked that Chu Zeshen’s name on his household register gave him more backing.
  • Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan compared rumors that Chu Zeshen had gotten married and learned that both had heard them from people connected to Chu Ningwei.
  • Lu Shengfan pointed out that Chu Zeshen had been unavailable over the weekend, and Xie Wen doubted he could have married someone so quickly.
  • Xie Wen messaged Chu Zeshen, who replied that he was bringing someone to their gathering.
  • Gu Bai took Mocha to Chu Zeshen’s car for a bath appointment, and Chu Zeshen drove them to the pet shop.

Ch. 25Page 25

Gu Bai joined Chu Zeshen for dinner with his friends after Mocha’s bath, and Chu Zeshen introduced him as his spouse. Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan learned that they had married the previous week and heard that Chu Ningwei’s family had offended Gu Bai.

  • Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen waited together while Mocha got a bath, then Chu Zeshen invited Gu Bai to meet his friends for dinner.
  • Gu Bai agreed to go after feeding Mocha, and Uncle Li mistakenly called the outing a date when Gu Bai phoned home.
  • Chu Zeshen brought Gu Bai and Mocha to a private-kitchen restaurant, where Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan greeted them.
  • Chu Zeshen introduced Mocha as a Border Collie and Gu Bai as his spouse, surprising Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan.
  • Chu Zeshen told his friends that he and Gu Bai had registered their marriage the previous week and that Chu Ningwei’s family had offended Gu Bai.
Arc 1 of 12
Arc 1 of 12