Recaps

Cheng Che finished his historical-costume styling and emerged from the dressing room, stunning the waiting cast and crew with his otherworldly bearing. The corridor fell silent as everyone stared at him, including those who had doubted he could suit the costume.

• The makeup artists admired Cheng Che's flawless skin while preparing him for the role.
• Actress Zhou questioned whether Cheng Che could carry off historical costume, and Ning Qing went to see him, confident he would look good.
• Extras, crew members, and actors debated Cheng Che's appearance in historical costume while Zhao Yiming waited for him to emerge.
• Cheng Che's styling was completed, and the overwhelmed makeup artists watched him leave the dressing room.
• Cheng Che walked into the corridor in a black brocade robe, and everyone stopped speaking to stare at him.

Cheng Che impressed the cast and crew with his historical styling and detailed understanding of Shen Che during a script read-through. The chapter ended with Director Zhou asking Ning Qing to present her interpretation of the female lead.

• Cheng Che appeared in a dark brocade robe, prompting the extras, Ning Qing, Director Zhou, and Producer Fang to admire his look.
• Director Zhou arranged group photos and individual stills of Cheng Che and Ning Qing.
• At lunch, Director Zhou discussed the script with Cheng Che before the cast gathered for the read-through.
• Cheng Che explained Shen Che's three stages of development, from a restrained hostage prince to a calculating court player and finally a decisive ruler.
• Cheng Che read lines from Shen Che's first and third stages, impressing the room and earning applause.
• Director Zhou asked Ning Qing to take her turn as the female lead.

Cheng Che made a striking entrance at The Realm and Old Friends launch press conference, winning over the crowd with his appearance and candid answers. After the event, he signed Zhou Jie’s notebook and urged her to study hard, leaving her overwhelmed with emotion.

• Zhou Jie and other fans filled the press conference venue, where Cheng Che’s arrival in Shen Che’s plain historical costume triggered an ecstatic response.
• Cheng Che noticed a middle-aged fan’s sign saying her daughter saw him as a role model and bowed deeply to her.
• Cheng Che discussed his approach to choosing roles, then challenged critics who called his shifts between careers dabbling.
• Ning Qing answered doubts about her first acting role by saying she chose it because she wanted to play it, not because it was her only option.
• After the cast posed for photographs, Cheng Che signed Zhou Jie’s notebook, wrote her name, and told her to study hard, making her cry with joy.

Cheng Che impressed the crew during three months of filming The Realm and Old Friends, while his growing closeness with Yan Ruanning drew attention. As filming wrapped, Director Zhou told Cheng Che and Ning Qing to prepare for a close-up French-kissing scene, and Cheng Che hoped it would raise his charm to ninety and unlock a new trial.

• Cheng Che's strong performances helped raise the level of the cast, while crowds of fans outside the set forced the production to increase security.
• Cheng Che befriended Ning Qing, welcomed visits from Li Siyuan and others, and received snow fungus soup from Yan Ruanning, who treated the crew to milk tea and snacks.
• After the final scene wrapped at Xiangshan, Director Zhou told Cheng Che and Ning Qing that they would film a close-up French-kissing scene the next day.
• Cheng Che and Ning Qing awkwardly agreed to follow the script, and Cheng Che reviewed the scene in his hotel room.
• Cheng Che checked his system panel and saw that his charm was 89.9, just short of unlocking a new trial.

Cheng Che examined his new trial missions after reaching ninety in all four attributes and judged their first stages manageable. He then met Ning Qing on the way to set, where they exchanged nervous reassurance before filming their kissing scene.

• Cheng Che saw that his stamina, endurance, charisma, and intelligence had all reached ninety, and reviewed the harder final trial objectives.
• Cheng Che read the first-stage missions, which required another Grand Slam title, a second top mathematics paper, and greater overseas visibility.
• Cheng Che decided to tackle the Stamina Trial first and prepared for the morning scene with Ning Qing.
• Cheng Che and Ning Qing rode the elevator together, awkwardly discussing the day's kissing scene.
• Ning Qing told Cheng Che not to be nervous, and Cheng Che reassured her in return.

Cheng Che and Ning Qing filmed a kissing scene on a closed set, and Director Zhou kept both takes for editing. Afterward, they shared an awkward but warm exchange before Cheng Che's phone lit up.

• Qin Lie advised Cheng Che to stay relaxed during the kissing scene, and Cheng Che teased him about being a flirt.
• Cheng Che and Ning Qing arrived at the closed set, changed into their costumes, and rehearsed their positions beneath an artificial pear tree.
• Cheng Che and Ning Qing performed the first take, which impressed the crew and pleased Director Zhou.
• They filmed a second take with a different camera angle, and Director Zhou decided to keep both takes.
• Cheng Che checked on Ning Qing after the scene, and his phone screen lit up as he stood beside her.

After filming wrapped, Cheng Che left for Paris to prepare for his French Open debut, carrying a protective amulet from Ning Qing. In Seoul, Pei Jingshu booked a flight to Paris, determined to see him.

• Su Miaoyin messaged Cheng Che with a strange feeling, and he told her he was filming an action scene.
• At the wrap dinner, Director Zhou praised Cheng Che's acting and urged him to win the French Open.
• Ning Qing gave Cheng Che a protective amulet for France, and Cheng Che hugged her before leaving.
• Cheng Che arrived in Paris, met the French Open event director, and saw fans discussing his clay-court debut online.
• Pei Jingshu read about Cheng Che's arrival in Paris and booked a flight to visit him.

Cheng Che arrived in Paris to prepare for the French Open, where Federer visited his practice court and offered advice on playing clay. A photo of their embrace went viral as Cheng Che began putting Federer’s guidance into practice.

• Fans from around the world bought tickets and traveled to Paris to watch Cheng Che at the French Open.
• Qin Lie took Cheng Che to Roland Garros, where Cheng Che practiced sliding and adjusting his footwork to the clay.
• Federer met Cheng Che at the practice court, praised his Australian Open performance, and advised him to be patient while timing his movement on clay.
• After Federer left, Cheng Che used the advice to improve his sliding and hit a forehand into the far corner of the baseline.
• A photo of Cheng Che embracing Federer spread across the internet and became a trending topic in Xia Country and abroad.

Cheng Che welcomed Pei Jingshu to Paris after she surprised him by flying in during the French Open qualifiers. They reunited at the airport, and the chapter ended with Pei Jingshu planning to return home with him after the tournament as the main draw began.

• Pei Jingshu called Cheng Che from Charles de Gaulle Airport, surprising him by speaking Chinese and revealing she had come to Paris.
• Cheng Che arranged a car with Qin Lie and went with Zhao Gang to meet Pei Jingshu at the airport.
• Pei Jingshu recognized Cheng Che despite his hat and mask, ran to him, and told him about her flight and the French woman she had met.
• At the hotel, Cheng Che arranged a room for Pei Jingshu across from his, but she fell asleep in his room while he read.
• After Pei Jingshu woke, Cheng Che invited her to return home with him after the French Open, and she said she had used her annual leave for the trip.
• The French Open main draw began the next day.

Cheng Che made a highly anticipated entrance at Roland Garros for his first-round match against Argentina’s Matias Rojas, drawing a sold-out crowd and enormous international support. He acknowledged Pei Jingshu in the stands, then prepared to begin the match while Yan Ruanning watched his bracelet from Capital City.

• A full house filled Court Philippe-Chatrier, where fans and commentators focused on Cheng Che’s first-round match against Matias Rojas.
• Pei Jingshu and Chen Wei cheered for Cheng Che, and Pei Jingshu noticed his many attractive foreign fans.
• Matias Rojas entered first and waited on court before Cheng Che was announced.
• Cheng Che emerged to a thunderous standing ovation, wearing his four major endorsement brands as [Stars Surrounding the Moon] amplified the crowd’s cheers.
• Yan Ruanning watched Cheng Che’s black braided-cord bracelet and touched her matching white bracelet.
• Cheng Che smiled and nodded toward Pei Jingshu, then went behind the service line and prepared to start the match.

Cheng Che won his clay-court debut in straight sets, then went out to celebrate with Pei Jingshu at a French restaurant. The elaborate tasting menu left them hungry, so they headed for McDonald's instead.

• Cheng Che defeated Rojas 6–2, 6–1, 6–1 in his clay-court debut, impressing the commentators and crowd with his steady play.
• Cheng Che told Qin Lie that he had played without locking his ball-feel stat and credited his natural breathing rhythm with helping him adapt to clay.
• Cheng Che met Pei Jingshu and Chen Wei after the match, then went with Pei Jingshu to a discreet French restaurant while Qin Lie warned them not to attract attention.
• Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu ordered a seven-course tasting menu, but the small portions left them unsatisfied and hungry.
• Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu laughed about the meal and decided to go to McDonald's, with Pei Jingshu offering to pay.

Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu enjoyed a casual meal at a Paris McDonald’s, then slipped away after Cheng Che noticed someone secretly photographing them. The blurry photos failed to convince people online, and Pei Jingshu ended the ride back to the hotel by planning another meal there tomorrow, on Cheng Che’s tab.

• Pei Jingshu and Cheng Che ordered burgers and fries at a Paris McDonald’s, shared a chicken leg, and ate by the window.
• Cheng Che spotted an Asian young man secretly photographing them and quietly warned Pei Jingshu.
• Cheng Che led Pei Jingshu out through the side door and into the crowd before they drove back to the hotel with Zhao Gang.
• Someone posted a blurry photo online claiming Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu had been eating intimately, but commenters dismissed the claim and the post was deleted.
• The young man who took the photos admitted he had no clear shots of their faces and decided not to post them.
• Pei Jingshu found a McDonald’s coupon in the car and told Cheng Che she wanted burgers and chicken legs again tomorrow, with him paying.

Cheng Che adapted to clay and won through the French Open quarterfinals to reach the semifinals on his first appearance at the tournament. As the media and fans celebrated his run, he remained unaware of the attention back in Paris, where he admired a Boston lobster with Pei Jingshu.

• Cheng Che beat Lopez in the second round and a French player who retired in the third round.
• Cheng Che dropped the first set against the Croatian twelfth seed, changed tactics, and won the fourth-round match three sets to one.
• Cheng Che lost the first-set tiebreak to the Argentine sixth seed, then dominated the next three sets to reach the semifinals.
• Lin Yan and Zhou Zhou praised Cheng Che's performance and efficiency as fans speculated about his semifinal opponent.
• European media changed their coverage of Cheng Che, while Zhao Yiming, Actor Zhou, and Ning Qing posted about his run.
• Cheng Che, unaware of the online attention, looked at a Boston lobster with Pei Jingshu.

Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu cooked and shared Boston lobster in their Paris hotel suite, where he proposed visiting her in South Korea after the final. Pei Jingshu eagerly agreed, and Cheng Che planned to use the trip to build his overseas recognition before filming began.

• Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu bought lobsters and ingredients at a Paris supermarket, and Pei Jingshu prepared a Korean-style lobster dish at the hotel.
• Cheng Che praised Pei Jingshu’s cooking, and they ate together.
• Cheng Che suggested that he visit Pei Jingshu in South Korea after the final, but she worried she would have to work during his visit.
• Cheng Che offered to stay at her rental while she worked, and Pei Jingshu eagerly accepted his offer.
• Cheng Che considered using the South Korea trip to increase his overseas recognition before filming in the northwest began.

Cheng Che faced Casper Ruud in the French Open semifinals after predicting that Zverev would win the other semifinal and expressing confidence in his own chances. As Cheng Che entered Court Philippe-Chatrier, spectators and commentators around the world were captivated by his appearance, while Pei Jingshu privately planned how to win him over in South Korea.

• Cheng Che watched Zverev defeat Sinner and said Zverev would be no match for him in the final.
• Li Na predicted Cheng Che would beat Ruud in four sets, citing Cheng Che's improving clay-court play and composure.
• Ruud and Cheng Che entered Court Philippe-Chatrier to begin their semifinal, and the crowd roared for Cheng Che.
• Cheng Che's appearance drew admiring reactions from commentators and viewers around the world.
• Pei Jingshu watched Cheng Che and planned to take him to Korean restaurants and the Han River before trying to win him over.

Cheng Che lost the first-set tiebreak to Ruud but changed tactics and won the second set 6–4. After checking his rising system progress, Cheng Che activated [Total Concentration] as the third set approached.

• Ruud won the first set 10–8 in a tiebreak after both players held serve through twelve games.
• Cheng Che began hitting flatter, faster, and deeper in the second set, breaking Ruud in the third game.
• Cheng Che saved two break points with serves in the fifth game, then broke Ruud again in the seventh.
• Cheng Che served out the second set to win it 6–4 in thirty-five minutes.
• Cheng Che checked the system panel, closed it, and activated [Total Concentration] before the third set.

Cheng Che activated [Total Concentration] and dominated Ruud to win the third set six-one, defeating him three sets to one and advancing to the French Open final. Qin Lie called Cheng Che’s form in the third set scary, while Cheng Che held back his full effort for the final.

• Cheng Che activated [Total Concentration], using his stamina talents to sustain its heightened memory, comprehension, imagination, and reaction speed.
• Cheng Che overwhelmed Ruud with powerful serves, sharp returns, and relentless attacks, breaking Ruud’s serve as Ruud grew visibly shaken.
• Cheng Che won the third set six-one in twenty-eight minutes, completing a three-sets-to-one victory over Ruud.
• Cheng Che advanced to the French Open final, drawing astonished reactions from Lin Yan, Zhou Zhou, Li Na, and the spectators.
• Qin Lie met Cheng Che in the players’ tunnel and said his third-set form had been scary; Cheng Che smiled, thinking he would truly go all out in the final.

As Cheng Che’s French Open final against Alexander Zverev approached, fans and commentators debated whether Cheng could carry his semifinal form onto clay. Cheng entered the packed Court Philippe-Chatrier, chose to serve first, and prepared to begin the match.

• Retired tennis greats praised Cheng Che’s third-set performance against Ruud, while bookmakers made Cheng the French Open title favorite and a Spanish commentator argued that Zverev had the clay-court advantage.
• Guo Xin encouraged Cheng Che’s fans to trust him, citing his semifinal win over Ruud and his past success in major finals.
• Su Miaoyin argued with a troll who doubted Cheng Che, then posted that he did not need doubters to believe in him.
• Cheng Che and Zverev entered the packed Court Philippe-Chatrier for the French Open final, where Cheng’s arrival drew a loud ovation.
• Cheng Che won the coin toss, chose to serve first, checked his ball feel, and activated Total Concentration before play began.

Cheng Che dominated Zverev in the French Open final, winning in straight sets to claim the title. As the crowd celebrated, Cheng Che bowed to the stands and prepared to attend the trophy presentation.

• Cheng Che opened the match with a 226-kilometer-per-hour serve and overwhelmed Zverev with his speed and anticipation.
• Cheng Che won the first set 6–2, while Zverev struggled with shaking hands and heavy legs.
• Cheng Che saved two break points with powerful serves and gave Zverev no further chances to break.
• Cheng Che won a long rally with a series of overhead shots, then took the third set 6–1 to finish the match three sets to love.
• The crowd sang “We Will Rock You” as Cheng Che bowed to the stands, smiled at Pei Jingshu, and met Qin Lie in the players’ tunnel.
• Cheng Che told Qin Lie they should go to the trophy presentation.

Cheng Che celebrated winning the French Open as Qin Lie began handling a flood of lucrative endorsement offers. After seeing an old image of Cheng Che kissing Ning Qing onscreen, Pei Jingshu ended the chapter jealous and annoyed.

• Cheng Che lifted the French Open trophy, spoke at a press conference, and returned to the hotel with Qin Lie.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Nike, Rolex, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton wanted to renew or offer him endorsement deals.
• Pei Jingshu surprised Cheng Che in his room, congratulated him, and kissed him before leaving when Qin Lie arrived to discuss contracts.
• Cheng Che's French Open victory dominated Xia Country's trending searches, and fans, brands, and colleagues celebrated his win.
• Pei Jingshu found a post showing Cheng Che's onscreen kiss with Ning Qing and muttered, "Damn it."

After winning his second Grand Slam title, Cheng Che received new system rewards and prepared to fly to Seoul with Pei Jingshu. They made it to the airport late, where a camera flash went off as they walked together.

• Qin Lie reviewed Cheng Che’s endorsement offers with him and warned him to avoid being photographed with Pei Jingshu in Seoul.
• Cheng Che completed the first stage of the Stamina Trial and gained Five Viscera Enhancement and the Great Demon King title.
• Cheng Che woke to find Pei Jingshu sleeping beside him, and the two overslept before their flight to Seoul.
• Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu checked in and headed to the gate, where she linked her arm through his and promised to take him out to eat.
• A camera flash suddenly went off beside Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu at the airport.

Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu arrived in South Korea and drove to Pei Jingshu’s hometown of Daegu. They checked into a hotel together, and the chapter ended with Cheng Che kissing her beneath a streetlight.

• Cheng Che led Pei Jingshu away from paparazzi at Incheon Airport.
• Pei Jingshu asked Cheng Che to go with her to Daegu, and he agreed.
• Pei Jingshu drove them to Daegu and revealed that it was her hometown.
• Pei Jingshu took Cheng Che to a hotel instead of bringing him to her family’s home.
• Pei Jingshu unpacked some belongings in Cheng Che’s room, then went out with him to explore the city.
• Cheng Che pulled down his mask and kissed Pei Jingshu beneath a streetlight.

Pei Jingshu showed Cheng Che around Daegu, but her family learned he was there and summoned her home. She went in alone after sharing a kiss with him at the gate, unaware her parents and sister had watched them.

• Pei Jingshu took Cheng Che to her favorite grilled-intestine shop, her former high school, and a crowded food-stall street.
• Pei Jingshu's mother called after a neighbor saw her holding hands with Cheng Che, and her father insisted she come home without him while her mother and sister welcomed the idea of meeting him.
• Pei Jingshu agreed to go home alone, and Cheng Che walked her to the gate before she went inside.
• Pei Jingshu found her parents and sister waiting in the courtyard and realized they had watched her kiss Cheng Che outside the gate.
• Pei Jingshu's mother invited her indoors as her embarrassed daughter entered the house and felt her phone vibrate.

Pei Jingshu returned to her family in Daegu, where her mother learned about her relationship with Cheng Che and asked to meet him. Cheng Che accepted an invitation to Louis Vuitton’s Paris show and agreed to return to Capital City to sign endorsement contracts before Wimbledon.

• Pei Enshu asked Pei Jingshu for a gift, and Dad Pei grumbled that she had stayed at a hotel instead of coming home.
• Mom Pei asked whether Pei Jingshu and Cheng Che had been intimate, then praised him and asked her to bring him home to meet her.
• Pei Enshu peppered Pei Jingshu with questions about Cheng Che at dinner, but Dad Pei told her to eat.
• Cheng Che checked his trials and saw that his Grand Slam progress was 2/4 and his global visibility was about 7,000,000/10,000,000.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Louis Vuitton’s president had personally invited him to its Paris autumn/winter show, and Cheng Che accepted.
• Qin Lie said Porsche and Apple wanted Cheng Che to sign endorsement contracts in Capital City, and Cheng Che agreed to fly there the next day.

After learning he had to return to Capital City the next afternoon, Cheng Che told Pei Jingshu and heard her disappointment. Pei Jingshu used a favor from her childhood friend Kim Su-a to slip away from home and arrived at Cheng Che’s hotel, asking to stay with him overnight.

• Cheng Che told Pei Jingshu that Porsche and Apple were pressing him to sign contracts, so he had to fly back to Capital City the next afternoon.
• Pei Jingshu messaged Kim Su-a and asked her to tell her parents that Pei Jingshu would spend the night at her house.
• Kim Su-a persuaded Father Pei to let Pei Jingshu go, then guessed that Pei Jingshu was dating Cheng Che and asked to meet him.
• Pei Jingshu refused to let Kim Su-a see Cheng Che, and Kim Su-a teased her for being jealous.
• Pei Jingshu reached Cheng Che’s hotel, hugged him, and asked to stay with him that night as his phone began to vibrate.