Recaps

After Xue Ci died, he chose the Honest Person System and entered an ABO world as a rural Beta tasked with finding the Gu Family and giving up an unrequited crush on his fiancé, Gu Xu. Gu Xu took him home, while a call to Gu Xu’s mother revealed that the engagement was real and that the family had three Alphas.

• Xue Ci chose system no. 11, learned his role as a countryside Beta engaged to Gu Xu, and traveled to the Gu Family’s villa district.
• Xue Ci slipped into the gated district behind a group of boys and met Xin Yue and Gu Xu, then showed Gu Xu the elders’ engagement agreement.
• Gu Xu rejected the engagement and left Xue Ci behind, but later returned and brought him home after finding him sheltering from the rain with a stray cat.
• Gu Xu called Hu Shenglan to ask about the engagement, and she confirmed that his grandfather had mentioned it before dismissing his objection to marriage.

Xue Ci stayed overnight at the Gu family villa, where Gu Xu grew increasingly flustered by his presence while refusing to acknowledge his attraction. Gu Ling learned that Xue Ci was tied to the family by a childhood betrothal and realized the agreement might concern him.

• The butler welcomed Xue Ci and arranged for him to stay overnight after Gu Xu confirmed his family could not return until the next day.
• Gu Xu dismissed the arranged marriage as outdated, while the butler inferred that he was jealous of Xue Ci.
• Xue Ci learned that his task was to express admiration for Gu Xu, then completed it by complimenting the size of Gu Xu's shirt and earned 20 points.
• Gu Xu gave Xue Ci a long-sleeved shirt after noticing his thin clothes, then spent the evening checking his wardrobe and searching online about being told something was big.
• Gu Xu met his returning brother Gu Ling and warned him that someone was staying in the guest room.
• Gu Ling learned Xue Ci had a childhood betrothal with someone in the family and asked Gu Xu who the agreement had been arranged with; Gu Xu realized it might mean Xue Ci would become Gu Ling's wife.

Xue Ci stayed with the Gu family, where Hu Shenglan arranged for him to attend school and left the engagement open until he was older. As Xue Ci tried to get closer to Gu Xu, he unexpectedly met Gu Ling after the older brother picked up his underwear, and then ran into Gu Xu.

• Gu Ling left for a meeting in Yuecheng, while Xue Xu told his parents about the engagement agreement.
• Gu Cheng and Hu Shenglan confirmed the agreement and learned about Xue Ci's difficult life with his uncle and aunt.
• Hu Shenglan and Gu Cheng invited Xue Ci to stay, promised to arrange his schooling, and said they would not force him into marriage.
• Xue Ci began studying and spending time with Gu Xu, who invited him to play a game before leaving to meet Xin Yue for basketball.
• Gu Ling returned home and handed Xue Ci the underwear he had picked up, and Xue Ci ran into Gu Xu as he hurried away.

Xue Ci tried to complete his tasks by getting hold of Gu Xu’s clothes, then began studying for the noble academy entrance exam under Gu Ling’s supervision. The chapter ended with Gu Ling noticing how soft Xue Ci’s ankle looked while retrieving an eraser.

• Gu Ling agreed to help Xue Ci prepare for his entrance exam after the butler relayed Madam Hu’s request.
• Xue Ci persuaded Gu Xu to give him a basketball wristband to wash, and Gu Xu reluctantly handed it over.
• Xue Ci returned the badly wrinkled wristband to Gu Xu, completing his task of making the protagonist unhappy.
• Gu Ling found Xue Ci asleep over his exam paper, where he had answered only four multiple-choice questions and gotten three wrong.
• Gu Ling tutored Xue Ci, pointed out his mistakes, and retrieved an eraser from beneath the desk.
• Gu Ling nearly brushed Xue Ci’s calf with his nose and stared at his soft-looking ankle.

Xue Ci studied for and took the entrance exam, while Gu Ling and Gu Xu each showed him unexpected care. After the exam, Xue Ci met Xie Yishu and went to find Gu Xu, who mistakenly believed Xue Ci had come to see Xin Yue.

• Gu Ling tutored Xue Ci, and Gu Xu learned that his brother had given Xue Ci a bank card; Gu Xu later sent him money as well.
• Gu Xu and Gu Ling accompanied Xue Ci to the entrance exam, where Gu Xu wished him luck and handed him his schoolbag.
• After finishing the exam, Xue Ci collided with Xie Yishu, who steadied him and helped him find the management department building.
• Xie Yishu watched Xue Ci leave and privately fixated on his scent, while 11 warned Xue Ci to find Gu Xu before his classmates' teasing made him turn cold toward Xue Ci.
• Xue Ci reached the classroom window, where Xin Yue assumed he was looking for him and mocked Gu Xu for being engaged; Gu Xu realized Xin Yue had mistaken Xue Ci's intentions.

Xue Ci enrolled at Holy Spiral Academy and moved into dorm 3012, where he met Duan Xingyan, Gu Xu’s missing twin brother. Gu Xu arrived with food and found Xue Ci growing close to Duan Xingyan, leaving him jealous and privately fixated on Xue Ci.

• Xin Yue mistakenly thought Xue Ci was Gu Xu’s fiancée, then decided he could no longer be interested in him.
• Gu Xu walked Xue Ci to the car after Xue Ci visited his classroom and earned points for completing the task.
• Gu Ling prepared Xue Ci’s enrollment documents and luggage, and Xue Ci moved into dorm 3012 after starting at Holy Spiral Academy.
• Xue Ci met Duan Xingyan in the dorm and learned from 11 that he was Gu Xu’s twin brother, had returned to the Gu family two years earlier, and could not produce pheromones.
• Gu Xu skipped class to bring Xue Ci lunch, then found Duan Xingyan helping him unpack and making noodles with him.
• Gu Xu watched Xue Ci tie Duan Xingyan’s apron and privately imagined someone seducing Xue Ci.

Xue Ci settled into the dorm and met Xin Yue, who quickly became attentive to him despite his growing attraction. Gu Xu found them eating together and was unsettled by Xin Yue’s behavior, especially after recalling that Xin Yue had offered to help take care of Xue Ci.

• Duan Xingyan and Gu Xu joined Xue Ci for noodles, and Gu Xu piled extra toppings into Xue Ci’s bowl.
• After Duan Xingyan and Gu Xu left for class, Xue Ci arranged his books, considered his electives, and fell asleep while thinking about pursuing Gu Xu.
• Xin Yue returned to the dorm, met Xue Ci, and helped him dry his hair and use the washing machine.
• Xue Ci invited Xin Yue to dinner, and Xin Yue went with him and took care of his utensils and drink while offering to buy him dessert.
• Gu Xu spotted Xin Yue and Xue Ci eating together and remembered Xin Yue had offered to help take care of Xue Ci.

Xue Ci grew closer to Xin Yue and his roommates while Gu Xu became increasingly preoccupied with him. The chapter ended with Gu Xu reacting angrily to a campus post pairing Xue Ci with Xin Yue and blaming Xin Yue for tempting Xue Ci.

• Xin Yue lost control of his pheromones around Xue Ci, used a suppression band, and then walked around campus with him.
• Xue Ci settled into school life, receiving help from Duan Xingyan and Xie Yishu while Gu Xu repeatedly transferred him money and checked on him.
• Xue Ci chose archery as an elective, and Xin Yue worried about his safety while Gu Xu watched him grow close to their classmates.
• Xin Yue gave Xue Ci his jacket to shield him from the sun and promised to take him to a hot spring another time, but Xue Ci said he would go home with Gu Xu that weekend.
• Gu Xu sent Xue Ci several messages offering money and clothes after learning he had worn Xin Yue's jacket.
• Li Xun showed Gu Xu a popular forum post pairing Xue Ci with Xin Yue, and Gu Xu insisted Xue Ci would not change his affections and blamed Xin Yue for tempting him.

Gu Xu tried to get closer to Xue Ci, apologized after frightening him with possessive warnings about Alphas, and asked to join the dorm group chat, but Xie Yishu rejected him. That night, Xie Yishu watched over the sleeping Xue Ci and privately revealed his possessive desire to mark him.

• Gu Xu changed outfits before visiting Xue Ci, then helped him wash his new clothes and watched him with growing affection.
• After Xue Ci praised Xie Yishu, Gu Xu warned him about predatory Alphas, upset him, and then apologized when Xue Ci objected.
• Gu Xu noticed Xue Ci was in a group chat with his three Alpha roommates and asked Xin Yue to add him.
• Xie Yishu rejected Gu Xu's request to join the dorm group chat.
• Xie Yishu returned while Xue Ci slept, pretended to chase away a mosquito, and privately wished he could mark him.

Xue Ci began archery lessons with Xie Yishu, whose growing possessiveness surfaced when he protected Xue Ci from a tennis ball and used the injury to keep him close. Later, Xue Ci agreed to attend Gu Xu and Duan Xingyan’s birthday banquet, and his praise of Gu Xu left Gu Ling quietly reassured that he still favored him.

• Xin Yue realized he probably liked Xue Ci, his brother’s fiancée, and watched him leave for archery with Xie Yishu.
• Xie Yishu helped Xue Ci with his archery equipment and technique, and Xue Ci completed his task by drawing attention from others at the range.
• After an Alpha approached Xue Ci, Xie Yishu’s pheromones drove the boy away, and Xie Yishu shielded Xue Ci when a tennis ball struck his back.
• Xie Yishu went with Xue Ci to the infirmary and then returned to the dorm, where Xue Ci stayed by his side for the next few days.
• Gu Xu invited Xue Ci to the family’s birthday banquet for him and Duan Xingyan, and Xue Ci accepted.
• Gu Xu called Gu Ling using Xue Ci’s phone, and Xue Ci told Gu Ling that he was saving the money on his card for the most important things.

Xue Ci returned to the Gu residence to try on his birthday outfit, then went home for the weekend and played a game with Gu Xu, Duan Xingyan, and Xin Yue. During the game, Xue Ci suddenly felt unwell and accidentally dropped the condom he had received at school, alarming the Alphas.

• Gu Xu packed Xue Ci's schoolbag and went back to the dorm with him and Xie Yishu.
• Gu Ling brought Xue Ci's custom birthday outfit to the Gu residence, and Xue Ci tried it on while Gu Ling admired how it suited him.
• Xue Ci arranged to ride back with Gu Ling rather than be squeezed between Gu Xu and Duan Xingyan in the car.
• A student gave Xue Ci a condom during a campus event, and Xie Yishu teased him about not knowing how to use one.
• Xin Yue joined Xue Ci, Gu Xu, and Duan Xingyan for Aeroplane Chess, and Xue Ci won both rounds.
• Xue Ci began feeling weak and unusually sensitive, then dropped the condom from his pocket as the Alphas watched.

Xue Ci felt increasingly unwell, and Duan Xingyan took the packet from his pocket after Xue Ci pressed his face against Duan Xingyan’s hand. Xue Ci went to sleep, leaving Xin Yue alone with him; after seeing Xue Ci in bed, Xin Yue struggled to control his attraction.

• Xue Ci left the living room to wash his face while Gu Xu and Xin Yue wondered who had been messaging him.
• Duan Xingyan found Xue Ci in the bathroom, and Xue Ci pressed his face against Duan Xingyan’s outstretched hand.
• Xue Ci gave Duan Xingyan the packet from his pocket, and Duan Xingyan said he would keep it because Xue Ci was young.
• Xue Ci returned to his room and fell asleep, while Gu Xu left with Duan Xingyan for the old residence and Xin Yue stayed over.
• Xin Yue took Xue Ci’s forgotten phone upstairs, saw him asleep with his clothes askew, and struggled to resist his desire to kiss him.

Xue Ci attended Gu Xu and Duan Xingyan’s birthday banquet, where the Gu family introduced him as someone under their protection. After returning home, he brought Gu Xu hangover soup and was caught in Gu Xu’s rut, but Gu Xu released him and apologized.

• Xue Ci woke after an early bout of skin hunger, ate seafood congee, and called Xin Yue, who hid his guilty thoughts about her.
• At the birthday banquet, the Gu family introduced Xue Ci as the grandson of an old friend, and he stayed close to Xin Yue before asking Gu Ling to take him home.
• Xue Ci made salty hangover soup for Gu Xu and carried it to his room after Gu Xu returned from the banquet.
• Gu Xu caught Xue Ci in the hallway, held him from behind, and pressed his nose against the back of Xue Ci’s neck while in rut.
• Xin Yue and Duan Xingyan arrived as Gu Xu apologized to Xue Ci, saying he had drunk the soup and had only wanted to touch him with his mouth.

After Gu Xu’s susceptible period frightened Xue Ci, Xue Ci kept his distance while Duan Xingyan comforted him and shared the story of his lost gland. Gu Xu apologized and sought Xue Ci’s forgiveness, and the chapter ended with Xue Ci slapping him hard enough to cause a nosebleed.

• Xin Yue confronted Gu Xu about what he had done to Xue Ci, and Gu Xu admitted he had hugged him during his susceptible period.
• Xue Ci spent the night frightened by what he had learned about Alpha behavior, then found Gu Xu’s apologies and money transfers waiting on his phone.
• Duan Xingyan gave Xue Ci a Shiba Inu plush and revealed that he had lost his gland and could no longer produce pheromones.
• Xue Ci comforted Duan Xingyan and gave him scar-removal medicine, while Gu Xu watched them from across the breakfast table.
• Gu Xu apologized to Xue Ci in the garden and asked him to hit him, so Xue Ci slapped him and left him with a nosebleed.

Xue Ci went with Xie Yishu to watch Gu Xu’s basketball game after Xin Yue stayed behind to complete his online lessons. Gu Xu accepted water from Xue Ci, and 11 told Xue Ci to start distancing himself from Xie Yishu, though Xue Ci misunderstood why he was supposed to do so.

• Gu Xu apologized for his behavior during his susceptible period and tried to reassure Xue Ci that he was conservative, while Duan Xingyan helped Xue Ci remove his gloves.
• Xin Yue received Xue Ci’s reply and continued caring for him, then volunteered to complete Xue Ci’s Spanish lessons so Xue Ci could go to Gu Xu’s game with Xie Yishu.
• Xue Ci and Xie Yishu traveled to the arena, where Xue Ci leaned against Xie Yishu during the game and Xie Yishu remarked that they looked like they were dating.
• After the game, Gu Xu asked for the water beside Xue Ci, but Xie Yishu stopped him; Gu Xu took another bottle and handed it to Xue Ci instead.
• 11 congratulated Xue Ci for completing his task and instructed him to distance himself from Xie Yishu, and Xue Ci decided Xie Yishu must be tired of his company.

Xie Yishu’s jealousy and frustration over Xue Ci’s sudden distance intensified, while Xue Ci struggled with guilt and skin hunger. After Xue Ci left with Xin Yue, he received a startling message from an unknown number that seemed to know about his symptoms.

• Xie Yishu saw photos of Xue Ci’s milk tea with Xin Yue and Duan Xingyan, then looked through his secret collection of Xue Ci’s photos and belongings.
• Xue Ci refused Xie Yishu’s invitations to study together, but agreed to meet him after he offered to share exam notes.
• Xie Yishu confronted Xue Ci in the corridor and lifted him onto a platform to ask why he was avoiding him, but Xin Yue intervened and Xie Yishu left after handing over the notes.
• Xin Yue accompanied Xue Ci to archery class, where Xue Ci noticed Xie Yishu sitting alone and learned from 11 that Xie Yishu had isolated everyone else.
• Xue Ci soothed his skin hunger by leaning against Xin Yue, then received an unknown text calling him “Baby” and asking whether he had skin hunger.

Xue Ci suffered an episode of skin hunger and clung to Gu Ling, who arranged for the family doctor to examine him. Gu Ling promised to keep the diagnosis secret and help with treatment, while Xue Ci discovered the doctor's recommendation included prolonged kisses and more intimate contact.

• Xue Ci received threatening messages from an unknown sender who knew about what he had done to Xin Yue, and 11 gave him a protective bracelet before leaving to report the problem.
• Gu Ling returned to the villa and found Xue Ci feeling unwell; Xue Ci clung to him and sought skin contact while suffering from skin hunger.
• Xue Ci came to his senses in Gu Ling's arms, and Gu Ling called the doctor to examine him.
• The doctor diagnosed Xue Ci with moderate skin hunger and advised desensitization therapy through daily skin contact with someone he trusted.
• Xue Ci asked Gu Ling not to tell anyone about his condition, and Gu Ling promised to keep it secret and help with treatment.
• Xue Ci read the doctor's recommendations and realized that treatment could involve prolonged deep kisses or more intimate acts with Gu Ling.

Xue Ci spent the weekend receiving desensitization treatment from Gu Ling, then returned to school and dealt with an unsettling message from the unknown sender. The sender threatened Xie Yishu, but promised not to hurt him after Xue Ci pleaded, then asked Xue Ci for a reward.

• Gu Ling repeatedly hugged Xue Ci as treatment, while Xue Ci welcomed 11 back and learned that headquarters was investigating the spiritual-entity virus.
• Gu Xu returned home, and Xue Ci invited him to play a game; Gu Ling and Gu Xu silently competed for Xue Ci’s attention.
• Gu Ling took Xue Ci back to the academy on Monday, and Xue Ci’s skin hunger did not flare during the week.
• Xue Ci received his mock exam results, struggled with math problems, and got detailed solutions from the unknown sender.
• The unknown sender warned Xue Ci not to seek help from Xie Yishu and said everyone Xue Ci hated deserved to die.
• Xue Ci told the sender not to hurt Xie Yishu, and the sender agreed before asking for a reward.

Xue Ci was frightened by the mysterious caller, then relied on Xie Yishu during exams while trying to keep Xin Yue away from his summer plans. After Gu Xu punched Xin Yue, Gu Ling took Xue Ci home and initiated the next step of his desensitization, ending with a prolonged kiss.

• Xue Ci received a threatening call from a hacker who knew his whereabouts, but Xie Yishu found and comforted him in the restroom.
• Xie Yishu accompanied Xue Ci throughout the final exams, and Xue Ci secretly left him a cup of milk tea.
• Xue Ci hid his summer activity form from Xin Yue, who left his own form blank, then pressed close to Xin Yue outside the assembly hall.
• Gu Xu pulled Xin Yue away and punched him, and both boys were called into the office while Xue Ci waited outside.
• Gu Ling picked Xue Ci up, questioned him about his contact with Xin Yue, and kissed him at the villa as the next step in desensitization.

Xue Ci tried to manage a possessive admirer while treating Gu Xu’s injuries, but Gu Xu’s proposal and Gu Ling’s intimacy with Xue Ci left Gu Xu shocked. The chapter ended with Gu Xu realizing that Gu Ling had kissed Xue Ci.

• Gu Ling kissed Xue Ci, who found it uncomfortable, and carried him back to his room to rest.
• Xue Ci appeased a jealous admirer by threatening to stop replying and sending him a photo, which made him obsess over Xue Ci’s swollen lips.
• Gu Xu visited Xue Ci, and Xue Ci took him downstairs to apply medicine to his bruises.
• Gu Xu proposed that he and Xue Ci get engaged, but Xue Ci said he wanted to focus on his studies, and Gu Xu withdrew the suggestion.
• Xin Yue sent Xue Ci a revealing photo, and Gu Ling caught him looking at his phone.
• Gu Xu went to Xue Ci’s room and saw Gu Ling touching Xue Ci’s lips while asking whether they still hurt and promising to be gentler next time.

Xue Ci began an academy painting course, where Xie Yishu joined him and took him to lunch. After Xue Ci fled a group of Alphas whose boss seemed to enter a susceptible period, Xie Yishu dragged him into an empty classroom and warned him about what could happen.

• Gu Xu lost his nerve to confront Gu Ling about his feelings for Xue Ci and continued avoiding the issue.
• Xue Ci practiced painting at home before leaving for the academy, where Xie Yishu joined the course and sat beside him.
• Xie Yishu took Xue Ci to lunch, then returned their trays while Xue Ci waited in the studio for the Alphas from his task.
• Several Alphas approached Xue Ci to ask for his WeChat, but their boss reacted to Xue Ci's scent and seemed to enter a susceptible period.
• Xue Ci ran from the studio, but Xie Yishu pulled him into an empty classroom and warned him about an Alpha's susceptible period.

Xue Ci’s skin hunger worsened, and while he sought comfort from Xie Yishu, Xie Yishu secretly kissed him and left him sore and confused. Xin Yue comforted Xue Ci and took him on a date, but Gu Ling confronted them when they returned to the dorm.

• Xie Yishu protected Xue Ci from the Alphas’ pheromones, then shielded his painting when a classmate spilled paint and helped him clean up.
• Xue Ci began sharing Xie Yishu’s dorm to escape messages from a harasser, and his skin hunger led him to sneak close to Xie Yishu during naps.
• Xie Yishu pretended to sleepwalk and forcefully kissed Xue Ci, who fled afterward with sore lips and tongue.
• Xin Yue visited Xue Ci, suspected Xie Yishu had kissed him, admitted he wanted to kiss him too, and took him out to eat and play games.
• When Xin Yue accompanied Xue Ci back to the dorm, Gu Ling confronted Xue Ci for ignoring his calls and glared at Xin Yue.

Xue Ci grew closer to Xie Yishu while managing his skin hunger, unaware that Xie Yishu was using his injury and concern to get intimate with him. As Xue Ci prepared for the painting competition, Xie Yishu offered his jacket for protection and suggested a way to transfer his pheromones.

• Xin Yue left after Gu Ling found Xue Ci, and Gu Ling questioned Xue Ci about his afternoon before treating his skin hunger.
• Xie Yishu noticed a mark on Xue Ci's neck and later arrived with a cast, prompting Xue Ci to care for him and help him change clothes.
• When Xue Ci's skin hunger flared during the clothes change, he kissed Xie Yishu, who then offered to help treat the condition.
• Xie Yishu held Xue Ci during regular treatment and encouraged him to study photography for inspiration before the competition.
• Xue Ci replied to Gu Xu's good-luck message, advancing the progress bar to 70%, while Xie Yishu grew jealous.
• Xie Yishu lent Xue Ci a jacket for the competition and claimed that an Alpha's saliva could help a Beta pick up his pheromone scent.

Xue Ci finished the painting competition, moved into the Gu Family home with help from the Gu brothers, and placed higher than expected. As he exchanged gifts with the family, Duan Xingyan received a meaningful necklace from him, leaving Gu Xu jealous.

• Xue Ci comforted Xie Yishu before the competition, and Xie Yishu later asked to be with him in secret after learning he liked Gu Xu.
• Xue Ci finished the competition, then Gu Ling, Duan Xingyan, and Gu Xu helped him move out of the dorm.
• Gu Xu showed Xue Ci his improved English grade, while Gu Ling and Duan Xingyan interrupted his attempt to kiss Xue Ci.
• Xue Ci placed higher than expected and received six-figure prize money, then celebrated with the Gu Family and exchanged gifts with them.
• Xue Ci gave Duan Xingyan a star necklace, and Gu Xu grew jealous when he saw Duan Xingyan helping Xue Ci put it on.

During summer vacation, Xue Ci accepted an invitation to a hot spring trip and agreed to model in a vintage-dress photo shoot, while Gu Xu and the other Alphas grew increasingly jealous and attentive. The chapter ended with Gu Ling, Duan Xingyan, and Gu Xu crowding into the changing room to help Xue Ci dress, leaving him struggling to breathe and asking one of them to leave.

• Duan Xingyan treasured Xue Ci's necklace gift, while Gu Xu felt jealous that he had not received a meaningful present.
• Xue Ci spent his vacation at home, and Gu Xu invited him to go out and joined the hot spring trip Xue Ci had arranged with Xin Yue and Duan Xingyan.
• Gu Xu trimmed the garden with Xue Ci, but Hu Shenglan interrupted their planned amusement-park outing by inviting Xue Ci to dinner and a photography shoot.
• Xue Ci agreed to model in Li Man's vintage court-style dress, and Duan Xingyan, Gu Ling, and Gu Xu all accompanied him to the villa.
• When Xue Ci struggled to zip the dress, Gu Ling, Duan Xingyan, and Gu Xu squeezed into the changing room to help him, and Xue Ci asked one of them to go out.