Chapter Summaries

Nan Qing spent the afternoon with Huo Yuzhou at his villa, where teasing and flirtation gave way to a serious exchange about love. Huo Yuzhou asked what had left Nan Qing with such deep emotional wounds.

• Huo Yuzhou carried a full and sleepy Nan Qing upstairs, agreeing to delay skiing and promising to give the housekeeper a raise.
• Nan Qing admired the villa's huge pool but agreed to wait half an hour before swimming because he had eaten too much.
• Nan Qing refused Huo Yuzhou's red wine and watched him swim, admiring his physique while turning down a proposed competition.
• When Huo Yuzhou said he was waiting for Nan Qing to love him, Nan Qing warned him not to hope for it because longing to be loved could trap someone for life.
• Huo Yuzhou sat beside Nan Qing, gently stroked his hair, and asked whether someone had bullied him.

Nan Qing feared that Huo Yuzhou’s love would eventually turn into betrayal and begged him to stop loving him. After Nan Qing fell asleep, Huo Yuzhou spoke with Gu Xingchen, who was baffled that Huo’s confession had been rejected despite their closeness.

• Huo Yuzhou reassured Nan Qing that he loved him for who he was, not to repay an old favor.
• Nan Qing described how love could decay into hatred and urged Huo Yuzhou to give up on him.
• Huo Yuzhou comforted Nan Qing, who asked him to stop loving him and rely only on himself.
• Nan Qing fell asleep in Huo Yuzhou’s arms, and Huo carried him to bed and tucked him in.
• Gu Xingchen called Huo Yuzhou and questioned how Nan Qing could reject his confession when they already acted like a couple.

Gu Xingchen and Huo Yuzhou discussed Bai Ruanruan’s healing ability and agreed to keep testing its limits before releasing him. Nan Qing woke at Huo Yuzhou’s home and then received an angry call from Bai Yanxiu, who demanded to know where Ruanruan was.

• Gu Xingchen told Huo Yuzhou that Bai Ruanruan’s recent injuries had not healed and proposed testing the limits of his ability.
• Huo Yuzhou ordered Gu Xingchen to test Bai Ruanruan for two more days, release him, then repeat the tests after ten days and a month if necessary.
• Gu Xingchen suggested using Bai Ruanruan to provoke Nan Qing, but Huo Yuzhou refused because he could not bear to do so.
• Nan Qing woke beside Huo Yuzhou, teased him about his suggestive remark, and left the bed when Huo flirted back.
• Bai Yanxiu called Nan Qing from a new number and demanded to know what he had done with Bai Ruanruan and where he had taken him.

Nan Qing teased Bai Yanxiu over the phone after learning Bai Ruanruan was missing, then spent the evening with Huo Yuzhou at the estate. The two went to the indoor ski slope and traded flirtatious remarks as they prepared to ski.

• Nan Qing mocked Bai Yanxiu’s accusation that he had kidnapped Bai Ruanruan and hung up after telling him he sounded like a barking dog.
• Nan Qing told Huo Yuzhou that Bai Ruanruan was missing and reasoned that the Bai family had already checked surveillance footage.
• Nan Qing asked whether Huo Yuzhou had kidnapped Bai Ruanruan, but accepted his explanation that he had no reason to do so.
• Nan Qing took sunset photos and teased Huo Yuzhou about having leverage over him, prompting Huo Yuzhou to make a suggestive remark.
• Nan Qing and Huo Yuzhou changed into ski gear, and Huo Yuzhou teased Nan Qing about his bottom.
• Nan Qing told Huo Yuzhou that his bottom was perky too, and Huo Yuzhou asked how he knew.

Nan Qing and Huo Yuzhou went snowboarding, but Nan Qing crashed into Huo Yuzhou and ended up pinned on top of him. Huo Yuzhou kissed him, and Nan Qing objected that he had not agreed to the kiss or to Huo Yuzhou using his tongue.

• Nan Qing showed off on his snowboard while Huo Yuzhou filmed and photographed him.
• Nan Qing deliberately moved into Huo Yuzhou's path, lost control, and crashed on top of him.
• Nan Qing checked whether Huo Yuzhou was hurt, and Huo Yuzhou kept him pinned while asking for a kiss.
• Huo Yuzhou kissed Nan Qing, then helped him up and promised to wait for his definite answer before kissing him again.
• Nan Qing grabbed Huo Yuzhou's collar and angrily clarified that he had not let him use his tongue.

Nan Qing and Huo Yuzhou spent their days together at the estate, where Nan Qing reluctantly agreed to let Huo Yuzhou kiss him with his tongue. As Nan Qing left, Huo Yuzhou gave him the estate, revealing that he had prepared it for him years earlier.

• Huo Yuzhou teased Nan Qing about their contract until Nan Qing agreed that he could kiss his tongue.
• Huo Yuzhou and Nan Qing picked grapes and made wine, picked fruit, prepared dried peaches, fished, ate together, and watched movies and played games.
• Nan Qing grew fond of the estate and hoped he could visit again as they drove away.
• Huo Yuzhou gave Nan Qing a signed property gift agreement for the estate.
• Huo Yuzhou told Nan Qing he had bought and renovated the estate eight years earlier, hoping to bring him there, and promised it would always support him.

Bai Ruanruan went missing after leaving the Gu Family reception, and the Bai Family could not find him. Qin Mubai questioned Bai Yanxiu about the money and gifts he had been entrusted with, and Bai Yanxiu insisted he had eventually delivered them to Nan Qing.

• The Bai Family searched for Bai Ruanruan after he failed to return from the reception, but surveillance showed him leaving the Gu Family gates and then disappearing.
• Qin Mubai returned after Bai Ruanruan had been missing for twenty-four hours and dismissed Qin Jingzhu's demand that he worry about his brother.
• Qin Mubai stopped Bai Yanxiu from blaming Nan Qing, took him to the study, and ordered him to kneel.
• Qin Mubai demanded to know what Bai Yanxiu had done with the things he had left behind before going abroad.
• Bai Yanxiu admitted he had withheld the things while Nan Qing mistreated Bai Ruanruan, but claimed he later gave them to Nan Qing through Auntie Chen.

Qin Mubai questioned Bai Yanxiu about Auntie Chen’s departure and went to Nan Qing’s locked bedroom, remembering how he had once cared for and protected him. After Bai Yanxiu accused Nan Qing of taking the money Qin Mubai left behind, Qin Mubai asked why his brother had stopped protecting Qingqing and begun slandering him.

• Qin Mubai asked Bai Yanxiu where Auntie Chen was, and Bai Yanxiu said she had resigned to care for her grandson.
• Bai Yanxiu insisted that Nan Qing had taken the money Qin Mubai left behind and said Auntie Chen had not stolen anything.
• Qin Mubai went to Nan Qing’s old bedroom and remembered their childhood, including the times he had disciplined and comforted him.
• Qin Mubai opened the locked room with his fingerprint while Bai Yanxiu claimed Nan Qing had hidden the money.
• Qin Mubai asked Bai Yanxiu why he had promised to protect Qingqing but was now slandering him.

Bai Yanxiu recalled how jealousy over Qin Mubai’s affection for Nan Qing grew into resentment after Nan Qing’s identity was exposed and he began mistreating Bai Ruanruan. When Qin Mubai asked why he had acted against Nan Qing, Bai Yanxiu claimed he did not know and blamed Nan Qing’s bullying.

• Bai Yanxiu remembered envying Nan Qing for receiving Qin Mubai’s attention while his own achievements earned only distant approval.
• After Nan Qing was revealed not to be a Bai, Bai Yanxiu watched the family and their acquaintances turn against him during Qin Mubai’s absence.
• Nan Qing pushed Bai Ruanruan down the stairs, leaving him with a broken arm and fingers and unable to play piano.
• Bai Yanxiu felt relieved when Nan Qing was confined and secretly had something Qin Mubai had left delivered to his room to prevent future trouble for himself.
• Bai Yanxiu told Qin Mubai that he did not know exactly why he had acted as he did, then said Nan Qing had gone too far in bullying Bai Ruanruan.

Qin Mubai searched Nan Qing’s untouched room and discovered the keepsakes and diary Nan Qing had left behind. The diary ended with Nan Qing believing Qin Mubai no longer wanted him, and Qin Mubai broke down over the discovery.

• Qin Mubai shut Bai Yanxiu out and searched Nan Qing’s room, finding his belongings preserved just as he had left them.
• Qin Mubai discovered that Nan Qing had kept gifts and mementos, including the ruler Qin Mubai had once used to hit him.
• Qin Mubai remembered Nan Qing asking him not to leave him behind, then wept while clutching the ruler.
• Qin Mubai found Nan Qing’s diary, which recorded his loneliness and confusion as Qin Mubai repeatedly ignored him.
• Qin Mubai read the final line of Nan Qing’s diary: “He doesn't want me anymore.”

Qin Mubai remembered the shame and desire that drove him to leave the country, then found a hidden USB drive in Nan Qing’s room. Its recording revealed the Bai Family’s decision to send Nan Qing away and Qin Mubai’s quiet agreement, leaving him to confront how the family had condemned Nan Qing.

• Qin Mubai recalled his forbidden desire for Nan Qing, his refusal to let Nan Qing sleep beside him, and his departure abroad for half a year.
• Qin Mubai opened the hidden compartment in Nan Qing’s room and found a USB drive inside an old briefcase.
• Qin Mubai played a recording of the Bai Family accusing Nan Qing of pushing Ruanruan from the third floor and deciding to make him leave.
• Qin Mubai heard his past self agree to the family’s plan, then wondered how Nan Qing had become someone they all condemned.

Qin Mubai confronted Bai Yanxiu over failing to protect Nan Qing and the empty suitcase, then withdrew his investment in Bai Yanxiu’s art gallery. He rejected Bai Yanxiu’s excuses and ordered him to leave.

• Qin Mubai played a recording repeatedly while Bai Yanxiu stood in silence beside the empty suitcase.
• Qin Mubai reminded Bai Yanxiu that he had been told to protect Nan Qing, then kicked him for betraying that trust.
• Qin Mubai listed the money and support he had given Bai Yanxiu, including a thirty-million investment in his art gallery.
• Qin Mubai demanded that Bai Yanxiu repay the thirty million within three days or face legal proceedings.
• Bai Yanxiu blamed Auntie Chen and begged for another chance, but Qin Mubai kicked him away and said he did not need a fool who had betrayed him.

Nan Qing began his first leading role in a popular crime mystery film while ignoring doubts about his acting. At the set, Lin Tang tried to provoke him and lure him into a scheme against Bai Ruanruan, but Nan Qing caught him recording their conversation.

• After his skiing post drew attention and he landed an endorsement, Nan Qing told Zhou Guangliang to reject every script connected to the Qin Family.
• Nan Qing secured the lead role in a crime mystery film, despite online commenters questioning whether he could carry it.
• At the film set, Nan Qing recognized Lin Tang, who later mocked him and accused him of sleeping with an older benefactor for resources.
• Lin Tang bragged about his wealthy boyfriend and offered to recommend Nan Qing for a dating show if he helped keep Bai Ruanruan out of Journey through Luo.
• Nan Qing spotted the red recording light and called out Lin Tang, who pulled out the recorder and shouted that Nan Qing had tricked him.

Nan Qing reunited with Huo Yuzhou on set, where Huo publicly defended him and had Lin Tang removed for insulting him. Nan Qing discovered Huo had invested in the film to protect him, while Huo insisted Nan Qing deserved the role and had brought the whole production good fortune.

• Nan Qing heard Lin Tang insult him and secretly photograph Huo Yuzhou’s luxury car before joining Huo inside it.
• Nan Qing told Huo that Lin Tang had been bad-mouthing him, and Huo brought Nan Qing onto the set to confront him.
• Lin Tang tried to ingratiate himself with Huo, but Huo ordered the director to remove him from the production.
• The director and producer respectfully welcomed Huo, while his assistants and bodyguards distributed gifts to the crew.
• Nan Qing learned that Huo had invested in the film to protect him, and Huo said Nan Qing had earned his role and helped the production prosper.

Nan Qing saw explosive reports claiming Xi Juan and Bai Ruanruan had become lovers, and worried that Bai Ruanruan’s influence would disrupt the story and endanger Huo Yuzhou. After Xi Juan insisted nothing had happened between them, Bai Ruanruan threatened to reclaim what was his, and Xi Juan publicly named him as his lover.

• Nan Qing saw paparazzi footage and online gossip suggesting Xi Juan and Bai Ruanruan had spent the night together and grown intimate.
• Nan Qing accidentally liked the exposé, sparking online arguments about him, Xi Juan, and Bai Ruanruan.
• Xi Juan called Nan Qing and insisted that nothing had happened with Bai Ruanruan, while Nan Qing told him he believed him and ended the call to film.
• Bai Ruanruan messaged Nan Qing that he would take back everything that belonged to him.
• Xi Juan posted that Bai Ruanruan was his lover and the only male lead in his life.

Nan Qing realized Bai Ruanruan had used a golden finger to force Xi Juan to acknowledge their relationship and feared what Bai Ruanruan might do next. Huo Yuzhou came to comfort him at the set, where Nan Qing planned to talk with him after filming.

• Nan Qing called Bai Ruanruan, who claimed he had made Xi Juan fall in love with him and threatened to turn Huo Yuzhou against Nan Qing.
• Bai Ruanruan told system 087 that he had used his golden finger on Xi Juan because he was losing resources and feared further attacks.
• Nan Qing called Huo Yuzhou and asked him to come because he was scared.
• Huo Yuzhou arrived at the set after Nan Qing finished filming and carried him to the RV to warm up.
• Nan Qing invited Huo Yuzhou for a late-night snack, and Huo Yuzhou agreed to discuss what Nan Qing had wanted to tell him.

Nan Qing tried to explain to Huo Yuzhou that they were characters in a webnovel, with Bai Ruanruan and Xi Juan as protagonists and Huo Yuzhou cast as a villain. Huo Yuzhou reassured him that they would stay together, then teased him about their supposed childhood-sweethearts script.

• Nan Qing asked Huo Yuzhou to wait until after dinner, then began explaining webnovel protagonist and villain roles over sweet rice balls.
• Huo Yuzhou guessed that Bai Ruanruan and Xi Juan were the protagonists and asked whether his story ended badly and whether he would lose Nan Qing.
• Huo Yuzhou comforted Nan Qing, promising that no one could separate them and that he would always stay with him.
• Nan Qing corrected Huo Yuzhou that they had not been given a fugitive lovers script, and Huo Yuzhou called theirs a childhood-sweethearts script.
• Nan Qing pointed out that Huo Yuzhou was seven years older, then covered his mouth when he began to suggest what people might call his childhood role in Nan Qing's household.
• Huo Yuzhou pulled Nan Qing's hands down and teased him for blushing.

Nan Qing grew suspicious when Huo Yuzhou unexpectedly stopped kissing him and began covering up, unaware that Gu Xingchen had advised Huo Yuzhou to act differently. In bed, Huo Yuzhou teased Nan Qing with a suggestive question, leaving him to wonder what would happen until dawn.

• Huo Yuzhou pulled away before kissing Nan Qing, then stayed unusually distant and fully covered after getting into bed.
• Nan Qing suspected Huo Yuzhou was messaging another man and felt troubled despite telling himself they were only friends.
• Huo Yuzhou messaged Gu Xingchen, who explained that acting more conservative would make Nan Qing find him exciting again.
• After the lights went out, Huo Yuzhou pulled Nan Qing into his arms and asked what would make him seem like himself.
• Huo Yuzhou stroked Nan Qing's wrist and asked whether Nan Qing wanted to play the flute until dawn.

Nan Qing returned to Huading Entertainment and confronted Bai Ruanruan for publicly humiliating Xi Juan, only to see Xi Juan struggle against Bai Ruanruan’s control. As Zhou Guangliang pulled Nan Qing away, Bai Ruanruan ordered a witness to post photos of the incident.

• Nan Qing teased Huo Yuzhou about losing his phone before leaving the set to attend global auditions in S City.
• Nan Qing saw Bai Ruanruan leading Xi Juan through Huading Entertainment on a ribbon attached to a collar and urged Bai Ruanruan to stop humiliating him.
• Bai Ruanruan taunted Nan Qing and claimed Xi Juan’s earlier pursuit of him had been a game, while Xi Juan shoved Bai Ruanruan away.
• Bai Ruanruan slapped Xi Juan in front of Nan Qing, and Zhou Guangliang pulled Nan Qing away before he could intervene.
• Bai Ruanruan threatened a front-desk employee and ordered her to post the photos of him and Xi Juan.

Nan Qing and Zhou Guangliang worried that Bai Ruanruan was manipulating Xi Juan, while Zhou warned Nan Qing to stay out of their relationship. After Zheng Ming bragged about Bai Ruanruan, an urgent phone call left him shocked, and Nan Qing saw Bai blocking Huo Yuzhou’s car.

• Nan Qing watched Bai Ruanruan lead Xi Juan away and asked Zhou Guangliang whether they were dating.
• Zhou Guangliang warned Nan Qing that Bai Ruanruan might be using occult tricks and told him not to get involved with Bai and Xi Juan.
• Nan Qing finished recording his audition video and ran into Zheng Ming, who boasted about Bai Ruanruan’s relationship with Xi Juan.
• Zhou Guangliang publicly insulted Zheng Ming and criticized Huading Entertainment for mistreating its artists.
• Zheng Ming received a phone call about Bai Ruanruan and reacted in shock.
• Nan Qing and Zhou Guangliang saw Bai Ruanruan blocking Huo Yuzhou’s luxury car, and Zhou worried Bai would target Huo next.