Chapter Summaries

Cheng Che gained immunity to extreme temperatures and a certificate that gave his requests an optimal path, then returned from Tokyo to a swarm of reporters at the airport. He left with his companions, while Su Miaoyin privately reacted to being asked if she was his girlfriend.

• Cheng Che received Immunity to Heat and Cold and the Green Lights All the Way Certificate, and noticed that the heat no longer bothered him.
• At a hot spring, Cheng Che decided he wanted to grow stronger more than pursue luxury, though he considered buying a villa.
• Cheng Che returned to Magic City with Qin Lie, Su Miaoyin, Lin Lin, and Zhao Xiaoman after winning the Tokyo championship.
• Reporters crowded Cheng Che at the airport and asked about his plans, Federer, and whether the three women with him were his girlfriends.
• Qin Lie identified the women as Cheng Che's classmates and guided the group past the reporters to their car.
• Su Miaoyin said she was used to the attention, but privately recalled that the girlfriend question had made her heart skip.

Cheng Che received a direct wild card into the Magic City Masters main draw, apparently through the combined effects of his titles, and gained two days of rest. While taking a nighttime walk along the Bund, he bumped into a Korean woman and began speaking with her.

• Cheng Che and Qin Lie arrived at their hotel in Magic City, where Qin Lie asked the tournament organizers about Cheng Che's qualifying schedule.
• The organizing committee confirmed Cheng Che would enter the main draw directly, giving him two days off from qualifying.
• Cheng Che told Jiang Xue and his dorm group chat that he had arrived safely and shared news about souvenirs from Japan.
• Online, players criticized or questioned Cheng Che's main-draw entry, while his fans defended his Tokyo Open victory.
• Cheng Che walked along the Bund at night, bumped into a young Korean woman, apologized in Korean, and joked that no Korean man was as handsome as he was.

Pei Jingshu met Cheng Che by the river, where his appearance and the effect of his [Heartthrob of Ten Thousand] title left her flustered. After her friend recognized him and explained his fame as a top exam scorer and tennis prodigy, Pei Jingshu searched for his player profile and watched him leave.

• Cheng Che removed his mask, and Pei Jingshu blurted out that he was handsome before twisting her ankle.
• Cheng Che helped Pei Jingshu to a bench, where they talked about their studies and she told him she attended Korea University for vocal music.
• Pei Jingshu's best friend called and came to collect her after learning she had hurt her ankle.
• Pei Jingshu's friend recognized Cheng Che, who put on his mask and left after the friend arrived.
• Pei Jingshu's friend told her Cheng Che was Xia Country's college entrance exam Zhuangyuan and a tennis prodigy, and Pei Jingshu found his profile on the Magic City Masters player list.

Cheng Che began his first-round match against Tiago Ferreira at the Magic City Masters, drawing a packed crowd and catching the attention of Pei Jingshu and Yan Ruanning. Ferreira struggled to handle Cheng Che’s shots, and the match opened with Cheng Che leading 40-love as Ferreira admitted he was in trouble.

• The Magic City Masters began, and the committee scheduled Cheng Che’s first-round match against Tiago Ferreira on Court No. 2.
• Qin Lie briefed Cheng Che on Ferreira’s playing style, while Cheng Che noted that winning the tournament would complete the tennis portion of his system objective.
• Pei Jingshu and her friend attended in disguise, and Pei Jingshu reflected on how much she had learned about Cheng Che by searching for him online.
• Yan Ruanning and Xiao Zhou also came to watch Cheng Che’s match while they were in Magic City for a music awards ceremony.
• Cheng Che entered to loud cheers, then returned Ferreira’s opening serve for a winner and took the first three points.
• After Cheng Che’s third straight point, Ferreira watched him take a 40-love lead and quietly said, “I’m done for.”

Cheng Che defeated Ferreira in straight sets to advance to the second round of the Magic City Masters, where he faced world number nineteen Berrettini. After studying Berrettini’s powerful serve and forehand, Cheng Che exploited his slow movement and broke him in the opening game, leaving Berrettini to regroup as the match continued.

• Cheng Che beat Ferreira six-one, six-two, and advanced to face sixteenth seed Berrettini.
• Pei Jingshu and Yan Ruanning watched Cheng Che’s victory and admired his skill and composure on court.
• Cheng Che studied Berrettini’s strong serve and forehand, then planned to target his slower movement with sharp angles and slices.
• Cheng Che began his second-round match against Berrettini and used precise returns and angled shots to trouble the Italian.
• Cheng Che broke Berrettini’s opening service game, taking a one-zero lead as Berrettini struggled with his first-serve percentage.

Cheng Che recovered from losing the second set to dominate the deciding set and defeat Berrettini, advancing to the tournament’s third round. He left the venue with Qin Lie to prepare for his next opponent, a Russian ranked fourteenth in the world.

• Berrettini won the second set by taking risks, while Cheng Che and Yan Ruanning recognized that the Italian was tiring.
• Cheng Che changed to deep, heavy groundstrokes, broke Berrettini twice, and built a five-one lead in the deciding set.
• Pei Jingshu stood and shouted her love for Cheng Che, while Yan Ruanning praised his play from the stands.
• Cheng Che saved his second match point by hitting a backhand winner down the line and defeated Berrettini six-one in the third set.
• Berrettini asked Cheng Che whether he had been testing him in the second set, and Cheng Che did not answer.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that his next opponent was a Russian ranked fourteenth in the world, and Cheng Che agreed to watch footage on the way back.

After Pei Jingshu confessed to Cheng Che at his match, photos of them together at The Bund sparked dating rumors and sent their story to the top of the trending searches. As people close to Cheng Che reacted, Su Miaoyin decided to learn tennis too.

• A video of Pei Jingshu shouting that she loved Cheng Che went viral, and students identified her as Korea University's school belle.
• Netizens matched a photo of Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu sitting together at The Bund to the viral story, and #ChengChePeiJingshuDating# quickly trended.
• Jiang Xue and Cheng Jianguo saw the photos and wondered whether Cheng Che and Pei Jingshu were involved.
• Guo Xin messaged Cheng Che demanding an explanation, while Su Qingyue quietly looked at the four-leaf clover pendant he had given her.
• Yan Ruanning dismissed the dating rumor but asked Xiao Zhou to investigate Pei Jingshu's plans to come to Xia Country.
• Su Miaoyin called Lin Lin and said she had decided to learn tennis too.

Online rumors linked Cheng Che with Yan Ruanning and Pei Jingshu, while fans argued over the pairings and his tennis career. Cheng Che stayed unaware of the gossip and arrived at Qizhong Tennis Center for his second-round match.

• Photos and rumors about Cheng Che, Yan Ruanning, and Pei Jingshu spread online, prompting fans to compare the two women and speculate about their relationships with him.
• Cheng Che's CP fans championed Yan Ruanning or Pei Jingshu, while career fans urged everyone to focus on his tennis match.
• Cheng Che woke after a good night's sleep and told Qin Lie he had not seen the online discussion.
• Qin Lie briefed Cheng Che on his Russian second-round opponent, and Cheng Che packed his tennis gear before heading to the venue.
• Cheng Che arrived at Qizhong Tennis Center, where fans waited outside, and entered the locker room before his match on Court No. 2.

Su Qingyue took comfort in resembling the type rumored to attract Cheng Che, while Su Miaoyin and Lin Lin plotted to approach him without drawing attention. Pei Jingshu openly watched Cheng Che’s match as Yan Ruanning worried about the rumors, and Cheng Che began playing Andrei Volkov.

• Su Qingyue compared herself with Yan Ruanning and Pei Jingshu, then smiled as she touched her four-leaf clover pendant and listened to “Chasing the Wind.”
• Su Miaoyin argued online about Cheng Che’s supposed romantic prospects until Lin Lin suggested they quietly sneak into the village, prompting Su Miaoyin to delete her comment.
• Pei Jingshu sat undisguised at Venue No. 2, where spectators recognized her and raised their phones to take pictures.
• Yan Ruanning worried that the rumors comparing her with Pei Jingshu might affect Cheng Che, but she repeatedly typed and deleted messages to him.
• Cheng Che entered Venue No. 2 to loud cheers, noticed Pei Jingshu in the stands, and began his match against Andrei Volkov.

Lu Yunxiao lost to Tsitsipas, then learned that Cheng Che had beaten Volkov and advanced to the fourth round. Cheng Che ignored the dating rumors spreading online and left the venue with Pei Jingshu after she came to congratulate him.

• Lu Yunxiao lost to Tsitsipas in straight sets and heard that he still had a chance to advance through the playoff round.
• Lu Yunxiao watched a broadcast announcing that Cheng Che had defeated Volkov in straight sets without conceding a break point.
• Cheng Che celebrated his victory as Pei Jingshu cheered from the stands, and Qin Lie told him he had two days to rest before the next round.
• Cheng Che saw trending rumors linking him with Pei Jingshu and Yan Ruanning, but decided to focus on the tournament.
• Pei Jingshu waited outside the players' tunnel to congratulate Cheng Che, and he invited her and her friend into Qin Lie's van to avoid the gathering crowd.

After Pei Jingshu kissed him goodbye before returning to South Korea, Cheng Che considered using interviews to complete his Charisma Trial. Qin Lie then brought him an offer to appear on the cover of Esquire’s October issue, giving Cheng Che a chance to expand his profile beyond tennis.

• Pei Jingshu exchanged WeChat contacts with Cheng Che, kissed his cheek, and left with her best friend for the hotel.
• Cheng Che checked his system panel and saw that the Charisma Trial still needed 150,000 more people to feel favorably toward him.
• Cheng Che considered giving interviews and using the Phantom Pinky Ring to boost audience trust and favorability.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Esquire had offered him the October cover, with Chen Man as photographer.
• Cheng Che agreed the Esquire cover was worth considering, and Qin Lie said the shoot could happen anytime.

Cheng Che completed an Esquire cover shoot with Chen Man and declared his intention to win the Magic City Masters. After exchanging messages with Pei Jingshu, he returned toward his hotel and reviewed his fourth-round opponent.

• Cheng Che accepted the magazine shoot Qin Lie arranged and attended the studio two days later.
• Cheng Che used Camera Language during three outfit shoots, impressing Chen Man with his feel for the camera.
• Chen Man selected a gray-sweater photo for the cover and promised a champion headline after Cheng Che said he would win the Magic City Masters.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Chen Man expected the cover to raise his commercial value by at least thirty percent.
• Cheng Che told Pei Jingshu about the Esquire cover, and she asked him to sign a copy for her.
• Cheng Che reviewed his fourth-round opponent's technical characteristics during the drive back toward the hotel.

Cheng Che reached the Magic City Masters round of sixteen and told reporters he intended to win the championship. As he prepared to face fellow eighteen-year-old Tsitsipas, his rising public profile brought him closer to completing his system trial.

• Cheng Che defeated a Spanish player in straight sets, then came back from a set down to beat an Argentine player and reach the round of sixteen.
• Cheng Che answered questions at a press conference, dismissed the idea that his match against Tsitsipas was about age, and said he expected to win the championship.
• Cheng Che's interview spread across social media, drawing both support and mockery as the trending topic changed to his championship claim.
• Cheng Che checked his system panel and saw that the Charisma Trial had reached 420,000 of 500,000 favorable reactions.
• Cheng Che reviewed Tsitsipas's strengths and resolved to make his championship claim come true by continuing to win.

Tsitsipas and Cheng Che faced off in a quarterfinal-spot match as both players and commentators weighed their strengths. Tsitsipas took the first point, but Cheng Che’s sharp returns and court awareness put him ahead in the opening game.

• Tsitsipas studied footage of Cheng Che with his coach, who warned him about Cheng Che’s powerful serve and aggressive returns.
• Lin Yan and Zhou Zhou discussed the matchup as spectators filled Court Two and debated which eighteen-year-old had the advantage.
• Tsitsipas and Cheng Che entered the court, and [Star of the Court] activated as the crowd’s attention sharpened Cheng Che’s senses and reactions.
• Tsitsipas served first and won the opening point with a sharply angled forehand that Cheng Che could not reach.
• Cheng Che attacked Tsitsipas’s next serve, came forward, and won the point with a volley.
• Cheng Che returned Tsitsipas’s body serve with a sharply angled backhand, then countered his forehand down the line to take a 30–15 lead.

Cheng Che defeated Tsitsipas in straight sets to reach the Masters quarterfinals, using his powerful serve and a tactical adjustment to recover after being broken. He learned that his next opponent was Medvedev, the world No. 5 and US Open runner-up.

• Cheng Che broke Tsitsipas twice and took the first set 6–2, while Tsitsipas struggled to handle his serve and baseline game.
• After Tsitsipas broke his serve in the second set, Cheng Che activated Total Concentration, held serve, and broke back to regain control.
• Cheng Che broke Tsitsipas again and won the second set 6–2, defeating him and advancing to his first Masters quarterfinal.
• Tsitsipas told Cheng Che he would not lose next time, and Cheng Che accepted the challenge.
• Qin Lie gave Cheng Che information about Medvedev, his next opponent, and Cheng Che prepared for a difficult match.

Cheng Che reached the quarterfinals and calmly told reporters his goal was still to win the championship. He unlocked two system rewards, then encountered Su Miaoyin and was prompted to bind her as a target.

• Qin Lie advised Cheng Che to answer reporters carefully before the press conference.
• Cheng Che said his goal remained the championship and discussed his upcoming match against Medvedev.
• Cheng Che learned that his favorable-impression trial was complete and received the talents Faces of All Beings and Red Sleeves Add Fragrance.
• Su Miaoyin greeted Cheng Che outside the hotel, and the system identified her as a bindable target.
• Cheng Che nodded when the system asked whether he wanted to bind Su Miaoyin.

Cheng Che welcomed Su Miaoyin, who had taken leave to watch his match against Medvedev, and learned that her favorability toward him was unexpectedly high. Back in his room, he examined three new buffs and felt confident they would help him in the upcoming match.

• Su Miaoyin told Cheng Che she had taken leave to watch him play in the Masters tournament.
• Su Miaoyin said she had watched his interview and asked whether he was confident against Medvedev; Cheng Che said he was.
• Su Miaoyin promised to attend Cheng Che’s match and urged him not to lose as she left in the elevator.
• Cheng Che showered and wondered why Su Miaoyin’s favorability toward him was 80, despite thinking she liked Yan Ruanning.
• Cheng Che read the descriptions of Strange Fragrance, Same-Sex Strangulation, and Attractiveness Suppression, then anticipated facing Medvedev the next day.

Cheng Che crushed Medvedev to reach his first Masters semifinal, then accepted Su Miaoyin’s invitation to visit Disneyland on his rest day. The chapter ended with Cheng Che eagerly planning the outing and asking whether the park had fireworks.

• Cheng Che defeated Medvedev 6–2, 6–1, with his [Attractiveness Suppression] and [Champion] aura contributing to Medvedev’s poor performance.
• Lin Yan announced that Cheng Che had advanced to the semifinals, where he would face Khachanov.
• Su Miaoyin noticed Cheng Che’s faint fragrance as they rode with Qin Lie toward the hotel.
• Su Miaoyin invited Cheng Che to Disneyland during his rest day, and he eagerly researched the park’s rides.
• Cheng Che and Su Miaoyin agreed to leave for Disneyland at seven the next morning, and Cheng Che asked Qin Lie whether the park had fireworks.

Cheng Che and Su Miaoyin spent a day at Disneyland, where he enjoyed the rides, parade, and fireworks while she looked after him. They left the park together after Su Miaoyin lent him her scarf, and Cheng Che felt glad he had come.

• Cheng Che and Su Miaoyin entered Disneyland and rode TRON Lightcycle Power Run, where Cheng Che shouted excitedly through the drops.
• While they waited for the mine train, Su Miaoyin applied sunscreen to Cheng Che's hands, making him feel cared for.
• Cheng Che and Su Miaoyin watched the parade, and Cheng Che waved back at Mickey before asking to visit the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
• Cheng Che and Su Miaoyin shared turkey legs and continued through the park's rides as Su Miaoyin wiped grease from his nose.
• Cheng Che persuaded Su Miaoyin to ride the Ferris wheel, where they watched fireworks over the castle and Su Miaoyin watched him enjoy the view.
• As they left Disneyland, Su Miaoyin lent Cheng Che her scarf to keep him warm, and he walked beside her feeling happy.

Khachanov prepared to face Cheng Che in the Magic City Masters semifinals after studying his dominant performance against Medvedev. Cheng Che overcame the loss of the opening point and earned two break points in Khachanov's first service game.

• Khachanov watched Cheng Che's match against Medvedev and reviewed statistics that showed Cheng Che's superior serving, returning, and movement.
• Khachanov and Cheng Che entered Arena Two for their semifinal before a larger crowd than at previous matches.
• Cheng Che found that Attractiveness Suppression did not trigger against Khachanov and locked in a feel value of 90.
• Khachanov won the opening point with a sharp crosscourt forehand.
• Cheng Che won the next three points with precise returns and court coverage, leaving Khachanov trailing fifteen-forty and questioning whether Cheng Che was human.