Love between Lines Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Love between Lines Synopsis

Xiao Zhiyu and Hu Xiu, who cross paths during a Republican-era themed role-playing game. Amidst swirling snow and intertwining espionage in the scripted world, their fates collide in an intense spark. However, their unexpected reunion in reality unravels hidden mysteries about their true identities. As the boundaries between the fictional script and real life blur, the two navigate through a dislocated space-time, ultimately growing together across dimensions and transforming both in love and self-discovery.

Love between Lines Recaps

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On a day that should have been the happiest of her life, Hu Xiu found herself tethered to her laptop even at her own engagement banquet. Between coordinating with a colleague named Shao and ensuring files were delivered to Mr. Xu, she barely had a moment to breathe. Her father, a man who loved lively celebrations, had even paid to upgrade the venue to a larger hall to accommodate the many relatives visiting from out of town.

Her mother, Mrs. Bai, pulled her aside to explain that they had insisted on splitting the banquet costs equally with the groom’s family. She wanted her daughter to have a sense of confidence and an equal footing in the marriage, ensuring that the wedding gift money would serve as a solid foundation for the couple’s future. However, the festive atmosphere was shattered in an instant.

Hu Xiu’s young nephew, eager to play on her laptop, accidentally broadcasted a voice message from her fiancé, Zhang Qiran. Before the entire room of guests, Zhang’s voice rang out, coldly declaring that he wanted to break up. He announced that he would not be attending the engagement banquet and had no intention of ever returning to Shanghai. The public rejection left Hu Xiu stunned and humiliated, standing motionless as the whispers of the confused relatives filled the hall.

A month later, Hu Xiu was still spiraling in a deep depression. She stayed holed up in her room, ignoring the almond bars and noodles her best friend, Zhao Xiaorou, brought to cheer her up. Worried that Hu Xiu would never move on, Zhao Xiaorou used her savings to take her to a high-end, immersive virtual reality murder mystery game called "Escape from Reality."

Though Hu Xiu was initially reluctant and preoccupied with her lost dreams of becoming an architect—a goal she had sacrificed to stay home and care for her father after his leg injury—she eventually agreed to play, touched by the fact that her friend had spent nearly five hundred yuan on the tickets. Entering the game world of 1930s Rongcheng, Hu Xiu took on the identity of Sun Jiaying, an overseas PhD in chemistry.

The VR simulation was incredibly realistic, placing her in a city under martial law due to a blizzard. She soon realized her character was in possession of a valuable package of "Tugao" (opium), which was considered contraband. While hiding at the Central Hotel, she was nearly caught during a police sweep led by the intimidating Police Chief, Ning Zechen.

Desperate for an ally, she encountered Qin Xiaoyi, a man dressed as a Warlord Commander who stepped in to protect her from a forced body search. When caught in a power struggle between the Chief and the Minister of Finance, Feng Youjin, Hu Xiu chose to trust Qin Xiaoyi and left with him.

Following the game’s prompts, Hu Xiu attempted to trade her contraband at a black market hidden within a porcelain shop, hiding the goods inside a blue and white vase. She eventually received her final mission: deliver a critical chemical formula to a contact at Rongcheng Square. The instructions warned that her mission had been exposed and told her to identify her contact by their blue scarf.

At the square, she found Qin Xiaoyi wearing the scarf, but her suspicion flared when she saw another man with the same accessory. Qin Xiaoyi managed to convince her of his loyalty, claiming they were allies against the other factions. Trusting him, she handed over the formula. He praised her for a job well done and urged her to reach the train station to win the game.

However, as she ran toward her escape, she was suddenly struck by two gunshots and was immediately eliminated. Exiting the game, Hu Xiu felt the sting of failure. During the review session, the truth was revealed: Qin Xiaoyi was not her ally but the leader of a rival faction. He had cleverly intercepted the mission details to trick her into handing over the formula so he could claim victory for himself.

To make matters worse, it was Qin Xiaoyi who had personally executed her, firing two shots to ensure she was completely out of the game. The frustration followed her back to reality. At her workplace, Hu Xiu was horrified to discover that the man who had played Qin Xiaoyi—a high-ranking executive named Mr. Yu—had stolen her real-life chemical formula and claimed credit for it as his own invention.

Staring at his hypocritical face, she realized she had been manipulated both in the virtual world and her professional life. Fueled by a new sense of rage and a refusal to be a victim any longer, Hu Xiu decided to return to the game. She was determined to go back to Rongcheng, not to escape, but to make those who crossed her pay the price.

Hu Xiu returns to the immersive world of Rongcheng, this time dressed in sharp black. In this session, her role is Anna, a financial advisor from Side M. Her official objective is to help the ambitious warlord Qin Xiaoyi become the city lord by securing his trust and getting him to sign a critical policy contract. However, Anna carries a secret: years ago, she was saved by Ning Zechen.

To repay this debt, her true mission is to act as a mole, gathering evidence to frame Qin Xiaoyi and pave the way for Ning Zechen to take control of the city. Before meeting Qin Xiaoyi, Hu Xiu holds a secret rendezvous with Ning Zechen. Their reunion is heavy with dramatic flair as Ning recites poetry about meeting again after a decade.

Hu Xiu, more focused on the game than the verse, urges him to skip the nostalgia and hand over the evidence against Qin Xiaoyi. She also demands a handgun and some funds, treating the exchange with the efficiency of a seasoned player. Hu Xiu’s first move involves infiltrating the General’s Office. She arrives just as other players are attempting to steal files.

When Qin Xiaoyi suddenly returns, the other players flee, but Hu Xiu remains, claiming she was actually trying to stop the intruders. While Qin Xiaoyi has his men check the office, Hu Xiu realizes that the room is too chaotic to plant evidence; it would be discovered too quickly and turn the suspicion back on her. Instead, she pivots to her role as a financial advisor, offering Qin Xiaoyi a partnership with Side M.

She promises that once he signs their contract, the promised funds will be transferred to support his campaign. Qin Xiaoyi is skeptical and demands a show of "sincerity," specifically a formula for manufacturing arms. Hu Xiu attempts to negotiate, claiming she intercepted the formula before a rival could get it. However, Qin Xiaoyi refuses to be bargained with. He reveals he knows there are spies in his inner circle and suspects the document she handed him is a fake.

He has her arrested and thrown into a cell. Even behind bars, Hu Xiu remains several steps ahead. When she sees Qin Xiaoyi preparing to leave, she scatters hawthorn balls outside her window. These serve as a reminder of their previous connection, subtly signaling that she had gone to the casino for their scheduled meeting and hadn't broken her word. Her gamble pays off when Qin Xiaoyi eventually comes to her rescue.

Meanwhile, Hu Xiu plays a dangerous double game by convincing Minister Feng, a rival official, that she only wants to destroy Qin Xiaoyi. She promises to lead Qin into a trap near the post office where the formula is hidden. Through these intricate betrayals, Hu Xiu successfully topples Qin Xiaoyi, and Ning Zechen’s camp emerges as the final victor. Invigorated by her success, Hu Xiu returns to her real-life job at an architectural firm.

She confronts her boss, Mr. Xu, demanding the design position she was promised three years ago. Instead of a promotion, Mr. Xu asks her to take his dog to a pet salon, claiming she should be grateful to be the "general manager’s assistant." Fed up with his empty promises, Hu Xiu quits on the spot.

As a parting gift, she informs him that several employees found dead cockroaches in the office coffee machine the previous month, leaving him gagging on his drink. Now unemployed, Hu Xiu spends her time sending out resumes and visiting the murder mystery club. On Member’s Day, she joins a new session but is deeply disappointed to find that the actor playing Qin Xiaoyi is not the "special guest" she encountered before.

The new actor is clumsy and unconvincing, making the mission far too easy. To make her six-hundred-yuan entry fee feel worth it, she consoles herself by eating several sticks of candied hawthorns. She tries to find the schedule for the original actor, but the club owner explains that the performer is a mysterious freelancer whose identity is kept confidential. While Hu Xiu struggles to find a new job, her parents come to visit her.

They cross paths with her former mother-in-law, whose son, Zhang Qiran, famously ran away on his engagement day. The woman has the audacity to demand the return of the initial gift money. Hu Xiu’s father gets into a heated argument with her, and the noise draws the attention of the neighbors—including a man named Xiao, who happens to be looking for a short-term rental in the courtyard. Hu Xiu arrives just in time to defend her parents.

She coldly reminds the woman that her parents had actually given Zhang Qiran a gift money amount that was double what they received, so the accounts are already settled in Hu Xiu's favor. She further points out that her parents had paid to upgrade the banquet hall and that the groom's family had sneakily added extra tables for their own relatives without paying a cent.

Hu Xiu tells the woman that while she will never see Zhang Qiran again, the woman is stuck with her irresponsible son forever. Having thoroughly shamed her, Hu Xiu sees the woman out. Unbeknownst to her, the mysterious "Qin Xiaoyi" actor, Xiao, is watching the entire scene unfold from nearby, having just agreed to rent an apartment from Granny Chen in the very same courtyard.

Hu Xiu’s transition into life after quitting her job was marked by an obsession with murder mystery games at the ME Club, specifically chasing the sessions of the star NPC, Qin Xiaoyi. At a gathering hosted by her friend’s husband, Guangming, she overheard that a famous NPC would be appearing at Star Club 888. Thinking it was her idol, Hu Xiu rushed there, only to be disappointed to find Li Yue, a drama student, instead.

A quick check of a group chat revealed that Qin Xiaoyi was actually scheduled for the final session of the night at the ME Club. Hu Xiu immediately bolted for the theater. Arriving late, Hu Xiu was forced to take the role of Wu Jin, an investigation expert from Side S. Her mission was to find the Old Lord, secure his command token, and help a new leader take office.

Determined to win, she tracked down the token early on, even intimidating a character by slamming a dagger into a ledger to get what she wanted. However, the game took a frightening turn when she entered the Old Lord’s residence, which featured a new, experimental "haunted house" atmosphere. The setting was based on a family tragedy from ten years prior, and Hu Xiu found herself surrounded by eerie, wailing clouds.

Though she managed to find the secret letter and the token in a cabinet, the terrifying virtual spirits paralyzed her with fear. Just as she was about to collapse, the door opened and Qin Xiaoyi appeared in the role of General Qin. He rescued her and fired his gun at the clouds, which transformed into a romantic cascade of pink petals—a visual effect titled "Spring in Rongcheng." Mesmerized, Hu Xiu followed him through the residence.

She playfully coaxed him into shooting more "spirits," turning the dark mists into butterflies, meteors, and fireflies. Despite her earlier dismissal of such "flowery" designs, she was secretly impressed. Their progress eventually led them to the Finance Department. Using her architectural background, Hu Xiu noticed a discrepancy in the room sizes by counting the floor tiles. Her keen observation revealed a hidden space behind a movable wall made of lightweight materials.

Together, they rescued the Old Lord before the in-game dawn. However, once the objective was secured, Qin Xiaoyi’s ruthless competitive side emerged. He outmaneuvered Hu Xiu, winning the game for himself and leaving her trapped in the scenario. When the session ended, reality returned. Hu Xiu exited the club into the rain and prepared to offer Qin Xiaoyi her umbrella, but a staff member beat her to it. Qin departed without a word.

Later, the club sent Hu Xiu an apology and free game vouchers, concerned that the new horror elements had been too intense for her. Meanwhile, Hu Xiu decided to rent out her attic to cover her living expenses, while Qin Xiaoyi happened to be looking for a new home in the traditional lanes of his childhood. Qin sent his friend and ME Club owner, Mr. Gong, to inspect Hu Xiu’s apartment.

During the viewing, Mr. Gong followed Qin's remote instructions and tried to lower the rent by nitpicking the yellowing walls and claiming the window's view of the lane intersection was "bad fengshui." Overhearing this from the balcony, Hu Xiu grew hesitant, feeling a male tenant might be too much trouble. Sensing her change of heart, Mr. Gong quickly pivoted to a sentimental, fabricated story about his grandfather and eating fried dough sticks in the lanes as a child.

To seal the deal, he offered a substantial three-month upfront payment of 20,000 RMB. Desperate for funds to restart her career as a designer, Hu Xiu agreed to the contract, completely unaware that her mysterious new tenant was the man she had been chasing in the digital world.

Early the next morning, Hu Xiu was awakened by a call from her friend, Ms. Zhao, who needed her help at the coffee shop. While preparing to assist, Hu Xiu realized she had left her ID card inside the attic she had just rented out. She hurried back and knocked, but the tenant, Qin Xiaoyi, was determined to hide his identity to avoid an awkward encounter.

He slid her cardholder through a crack in the door, claiming a sudden allergy made him unfit to be seen. Feeling sympathetic, Hu Xiu even went out of her way to buy him allergy medicine and left it at his doorstep. However, the truth began to surface while Hu Xiu was helping at the shop. She spotted Gong Huaicong—the man who had officially signed the lease—driving a flashy red sports car and looking perfectly healthy.

After learning from a nearby murder mystery club that Gong was actually their boss, Hu Xiu’s suspicions were confirmed. When she later saw Qin Xiaoyi returning to the attic with groceries, she finally realized that her idol was her secret tenant. To confirm her theory, Hu Xiu returned the next day under the guise of replacing the old bed. Panic-stricken, Qin Xiaoyi called Gong for help.

In a desperate move, Gong rushed over and jumped from a neighbor’s balcony into the attic just as the delivery crew arrived. Although Gong put on pajamas and tried to act as the resident, his flustered behavior and a suspicious wardrobe—where Qin was actually hiding—made it clear to Hu Xiu that she was right. That evening, Hu Xiu visited her parents, who remained unaware of her unemployment.

Her father insisted she gift two prized bottles of Moutai to her "boss," Mr. Xu, to secure her position after her long leave. Amidst the tension, Hu Xiu received a timely interview invite from the prestigious Zhuling Group. The interview, however, proved disheartening. Despite her architecture degree and student awards, the firm only offered her a position as a General Manager’s assistant due to her three years of administrative experience.

The interviewer even discouraged her from switching career paths, comparing her ambition to a trap. Leaving the office in low spirits, she shared an elevator with the firm's GM, Mr. Pei, without realizing his identity. Meanwhile, back at the lane, Qin Xiaoyi’s habit of sketching ancient architecture aroused the suspicion of the neighbors. Led by Dazhong, a group cornered him and accused him of being a prowler.

Hu Xiu arrived just in time to defuse the situation, defending her tenant and silencing the crowd by exposing a neighbor named Dabao for his own history of stealing electricity. Once the neighbors left, Hu Xiu and Qin Xiaoyi finally had a proper conversation. She asked him to sign a new lease under his real name and shared her frustrations regarding the failed interview.

Qin Xiaoyi, who introduced himself as "Xiao Yu," looked at her student architecture model and praised her unique design style, providing her with much-needed encouragement. The day ended in a frantic race against time. While Hu Xiu was at the coffee shop, her parents called to say they were on their way to the attic to deliver the Moutai she had forgotten.

Fearing they would discover she had rented the place out and was currently living in the coffee shop, Hu Xiu dashed back to the lane. She arrived just as her father was about to use his spare key, shouting a loud warning at the door to alert Qin Xiaoyi inside.

After careful consideration, Hu Xiu decides to turn down the position of General Manager's Assistant. She realizes that repeatedly compromising with reality will only lead her further away from her dreams of being an architect. Just as she makes this choice, her parents call to inform her that they are coming to visit. They are personally delivering the bottle of Maotai she had forgotten to take during her last visit, intended as a gift for her boss.

The news of her parents' sudden arrival sends Hu Xiu into a panic. She hasn't told them about losing her job or that she has rented out her room to stay afloat. Unable to reach her tenant, Xiao Zhiyu, directly, she frantically calls his friend, Gong Huaicong, over a dozen times. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhiyu is at Gong’s place working on design proposals.

Gong eventually notices the missed calls, but by the time Xiao Zhiyu tries to call her back, Hu Xiu's phone has run out of battery. Sensing an emergency, Xiao Zhiyu hurries back to the attic. Hu Xiu reaches the house just as her parents arrive. She fumbles with her keys to stall for time, but her father simply uses his spare set to open the door.

Inside, she desperately tries to hide signs of a male occupant, making excuses for an oversized coat and a new coffee machine. When Xiao Zhiyu returns, he runs into Hu Xiu as she is heading out to buy cooking wine. Seeing her parents, she begs him to hide, but it is too late—her mother spots them. Hu Xiu quickly introduces him as her colleague, "Xiao Yu."

Her parents are impressed by his refined appearance, though they are surprised to learn he is renting. Xiao Zhiyu plays along, claiming he left his leasing contract with Hu Xiu so she could help him apply for a housing allowance. Hu Xiu eventually ushers him out under the guise of seeing him off. Recognizing Hu Xiu's talent after seeing her sketches, Xiao Zhiyu offers her an opportunity to interview at his firm, Dynamism Design Studio.

Shortly after, she receives an official call from HR. Overjoyed by the prospect of working at her favorite firm, she celebrates by eating "good-luck" persimmon cakes, finally feeling a sense of professional validation. The next day, Hu Xiu arrives at Dynamism and is struck by the chaotic, creative energy of the office. To her shock, she discovers that her tenant, "Xiao Yu," is actually Xiao Zhiyu, the founder of the firm.

During the interview with Xiao Zhiyu, HR Director Dong Qi, and partner Zhou Yan, Hu Xiu's three-year career gap is questioned. However, she answers technical questions about frame structures and sustainability with impressive clarity. When Xiao Zhiyu points out a structural flaw in her student portfolio—a design that prioritized aesthetics over safety—Hu Xiu acknowledges it honestly.

She admits she once valued style above all else but now understands that the core of architecture must always be the safety and well-being of the people who use the space. After the interview, Xiao Zhiyu and Zhou Yan discuss the candidates. While another applicant has more experience, Xiao Zhiyu leans toward hiring Hu Xiu. He notes that her fundamentals are solid and her career gap means she isn't yet constrained by professional inertia.

He likens her "three-year blank" to negative space in architecture, which can emphasize openness and potential. Later that evening, Xiao Zhiyu visits Hu Xiu with a revised leasing contract. The new terms include a promise from the landlord to respect the tenant's privacy and "quirks," committing to unconditional confidentiality. However, he also advises her to be honest with her parents about her career situation. He suggests her secrecy stems from a lack of self-confidence.

Hu Xiu, misinterpreting his words as a sign that she failed the interview, lashes out. She tells him she only shared her fears because she considered him a friend, and she is hurt that he is using her vulnerability against her. Feeling dejected, Hu Xiu meets her friend Zhao for dinner. Just as she is lamenting another "failed" interview, she checks her phone and finds an offer letter from Dynamism. Overcome with joy, she prepares for her new life.

On her first day, she meets her new colleagues, including lead designer Jiang Tianyi and senior architect Sun Yifei. She admits her lack of practical experience but expresses her eagerness to learn. Xiao Zhiyu calls her to his office and tasks her with compiling thoughts on the Lyman Group hotel project within a week. Following company tradition, the team heads out for a welcome dinner. Hu Xiu, feeling the pressure and excitement, toasts the bosses and the team repeatedly.

By the end of the night, she is heavily intoxicated. Worried that she might accidentally reveal their living situation if a colleague drives her home, Xiao Zhiyu insists on taking her himself. On the way back, a drunken Hu Xiu begins shouting about being a "City Lord," still immersed in the logic of a murder mystery game. She demands her "command token," and Xiao Zhiyu, resigned but patient, plays along to keep her calm as they return home.

Xiao Zhiyu brought a heavily intoxicated Hu Xiu back to the attic and settled her on the sofa. To maintain boundaries, he locked himself in the upstairs room to work, only to find himself trapped when the lock jammed. When Hu Xiu eventually woke up, she was mortified by her drunken blackout. Hearing Xiao Zhiyu’s predicament, she used a bamboo pole to deliver a glass of water to him from her balcony.

During their conversation, Xiao Zhiyu revealed he hired her because of the potential he saw in her college portfolio, urging her to reclaim her architectural knowledge and focus on the upcoming Lyman competition. The next morning, Xiao Zhiyu insisted on driving Hu Xiu to work. Despite her fears that colleagues would think she was hired through the "back door," he remained indifferent to potential gossip, asserting that their landlord-tenant relationship was perfectly transparent.

However, the atmosphere at the office turned tense when a whistleblower leaked information linking Xiao Zhiyu’s father to a historical design catastrophe involving a collapsed stadium. The controversy, which also highlighted a polarizing professional quote that Xiao Zhiyu admitted to saying, led Lyman to disqualify Dynamism from the competition. Xiao Zhiyu suspected that their rivals, Lyman, were behind the sabotage to secure an easy victory.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, Xiao Zhiyu took Hu Xiu and his colleague, Zhou Yan, to Lyman’s office to meet Sun Daqin. After being brushed off for hours with claims of ongoing meetings, they left, only to spot Sun in the parking lot returning from a fishing trip. It became clear that Sun had been intentionally avoiding them.

Determined to reach Lyman’s top executive, Mr. Xie, Xiao Zhiyu leveraged his connection with a friend, Mr. Wang, who invited him to his daughter’s wedding on a private island. The wedding was held at a stunning hotel that Xiao Zhiyu had personally designed. He introduced Hu Xiu as his assistant designer to Mr. Wang, the owner of the island.

Hu Xiu was initially impressed by the breathtaking architecture and the joyous atmosphere, but her mood shattered when the groom was introduced. He was Zhang Qiran, the boyfriend who had jilted her at their own wedding. Overcome with shock and physical nausea, Hu Xiu fled the scene, leaving the bride to assume she was merely suffering from seasickness. Xiao Zhiyu, however, noticed the groom’s lingering, uneasy look toward Hu Xiu and immediately sensed a deep secret between them.

Hu Xiu approaches the bride, Wang Yue, offering congratulations. When Hu Xiu mentions that a "flash marriage" requires great courage, Wang Yue is confused, clarifying that she and Zhang Qiran had actually known each other for over a year and had been dating for six months before deciding to wed. Realizing she has touched a nerve, Hu Xiu quickly changes the subject.

Meanwhile, the groom, Zhang Qiran, is paralyzed by the fear that Hu Xiu will expose the fact that he abandoned her on their engagement day. To prevent this, his mother covertly locks Hu Xiu inside a restroom. While trapped, Hu Xiu receives an urgent text from her boss, Xiao Zhiyu, instructing her to bring the design documents for the Lyman project to a meeting room.

Knowing how critical this project is for their firm, Dynamism, Hu Xiu refuses to stay put. Finding no other way out, she climbs through a window and jumps from the third story. The fall causes her to lose her shoes and sprain her ankle, but she pushes through the pain, limping barefoot to deliver the files to Xiao Zhiyu just in time.

Inside the meeting, Xiao Zhiyu is defending his studio's work to Mr. Xie, arguing that their island project is a space that deserves to be redefined. When the meeting concludes, Xiao Zhiyu is shocked by Hu Xiu's battered state. He provides her with slippers and even arranges for medicine to treat her injuries. After learning from a groomsman and security footage that Zhang Qiran’s mother was responsible for locking her away, he refuses to let Hu Xiu swallow her pride.

He insists on taking her back to the wedding to confront those who mistreated her. Their return visibly rattles Zhang Qiran, nearly causing him to fumble the ring exchange. When the wedding ring rolls away and stops at Hu Xiu’s feet, Xiao Zhiyu signals for her to remain still, forcing a humiliated Zhang Qiran to kneel before her to pick it up. During the evening banquet, the tension finally breaks.

When Wang Yue notices Hu Xiu’s slippers and suggests she change into proper shoes, Xiao Zhiyu reveals that Hu Xiu was forced to jump from a window because Zhang Qiran’s mother had trapped her. Under the bride's questioning, the full truth comes out: Hu Xiu was Qiran’s fiancée until he vanished on their engagement day just three months ago. Hu Xiu calls him out for his two-timing behavior, and a devastated Wang Yue slaps Qiran in front of the guests.

The next day, Dynamism's fortunes shift as their competition eligibility is restored. The office celebrates, but they also learn that their colleague, Jiang Tianyi, was the mole who had been leaking internal information to sabotage the firm. A complete recording of Xiao Zhiyu's previous controversial remarks is released, turning public perception around and gaining the firm significant positive attention.

Hu Xiu finds comfort in her friend Zhao at the café, who likens Zhang Qiran to a "dangerous building"—a structure that heaven finally pushed over so that Hu Xiu could rebuild on new ground. A few days later, Hu Xiu attends an industry bidding meeting where she encounters a desperate Jiang Tianyi. As he tries to force his way into the venue to cause trouble, Hu Xiu attempts to stop him but is nearly knocked over.

She is caught by Pei Zhen, the heir to Zhuling. Pei Zhen’s presence reveals a darker side to the industry rivalry; it was he who had bribed Jiang Tianyi with promises of a high-ranking position to destroy Dynamism. Now that Jiang Tianyi’s reputation is ruined, Pei Zhen coldly dismisses him, offering only a minor role at a subordinate company. As the competition for the Lyman project intensifies, a deep family secret is revealed—Xiao Zhiyu is actually Pei Zhen’s brother who had changed his name to take his mother's surname.

Pei Zhen remains arrogant despite Qin Xiaoyi uncovering his recent schemes. During a private confrontation, Pei Zhen mocks Qin Xiaoyi’s decision to change his name to Xiao Zhiyu and take his mother’s surname, calling it pathetic. Pei Zhen dismissively claims that loyalty is rare and that most people, like Jiang Tianyi, simply have a price.

Meanwhile, to keep the mole out of sight, Pei Zhen arranges for Jiang Tianyi to be transferred to a small, obscure branch office in a different city to lay low. Having noticed Hu Xiu’s sprained ankle, Qin Xiaoyi personally drives her home and even calls her best friend, Zhao Xiaorou, to ensure she is looked after.

When Hu Xiu learns that the healing ointment she’s using was also provided by Qin Xiaoyi, she is deeply moved and becomes even more determined to excel at Dynamism. A few days later, her father sends two boxes of premium Chongming freshwater crabs. Since she is avoiding certain foods while her injury heals, she decides to send the crabs to Qin Xiaoyi as a gesture of gratitude.

At the office, Hu Xiu also assists Zhao Xiaorou with a business strategy for Regard Coffee. Despite Xiaorou’s efforts to research posting times and take high-quality photos for social media, the account struggles to gain traction. Meanwhile, the team focuses on the Lyman project. They identify a major issue in "Zone S," where soft soil will significantly increase foundation costs. While discussing the budget, Hu Xiu and her colleague, Sun, visit the site.

While there, they spot Pei Zhen accompanied by officials from the Construction Bureau, highlighting Zhuling’s deep-rooted influence. When an urgent meeting requires Sun to head back to the office early, Hu Xiu stays behind alone to finish verifying site elevation data. As evening falls, a heavy storm rolls in. Stuck in the rain with no taxis available, she is approached by Pei Zhen.

Though she initially refuses to avoid a conflict of interest, the worsening weather eventually forces her to accept a ride. Back at the office, Qin Xiaoyi hears that Hu Xiu is in Pei Zhen’s car. Haunted by Jiang Tianyi’s betrayal, he immediately drives to the site to intervene. Qin Xiaoyi intercepts the car on the road, blocking their path and taking Hu Xiu into his own vehicle.

During the drive, he coldly warns her to keep her distance from competitors to avoid suspicion. Hu Xiu is deeply hurt, feeling that her professional integrity is being questioned. She vents her frustration to Xiaorou for days, upset that her boss might view her as a potential traitor. Determined to prove her worth, Hu Xiu proposes a creative architectural solution for the project's soft soil problem.

She suggests a "Waterfront Lane" (Zhenshui-style) layout that modernizes traditional Shanghai elements instead of fighting the terrain. The bold idea impresses both Qin Xiaoyi and the budget director, Zhou Yan, who agree it brings much-needed innovation to the design. Later, Zhao Xiaorou’s husband, Wang, asks Hu Xiu to join them for a "murder mystery" LARP session to help him network with a client, Qian Jinxin, who manages the business park’s operations.

Before the game starts, Hu Xiu accidentally drops her scarf, and to her surprise, it is picked up by Qin Xiaoyi, who is also attending the session. In the game, set in old Rongcheng, Hu Xiu plays a reporter named Han Yingzhi, while Qian Jinxin plays her "fake husband." Throughout the session, Qian Jinxin flirts with her and even takes her to a shop to buy a qipao, which clearly irritates Qin Xiaoyi.

Qin, playing the role of a powerful General, watches with growing jealousy. During a scene in a dark theater, Hu Xiu’s character is tasked with interviewing the General to steal a pocket watch that could expose his family's past. Their dialogue carries a heavy subtext regarding trust and betrayal in the real world.

When Hu Xiu complains within the game about her fake husband’s lack of manners, Qin Xiaoyi stays in character but makes a firm, protective promise that he will not let her cross paths with that man again.

Hu Xiu finds herself increasingly frustrated with her role in the murder mystery game, particularly her assigned "husband" Ning Zechen. In reality, the player behind the character is Qian Jinxin, the industrial park’s operations manager, whose arrogance and lack of manners make him just as unpleasant as his role suggests.

Following the script, Hu Xiu takes on the persona of Reporter Han and seeks out General Qin (played by Xiao Zhiyu) at a theater to hand over evidence of Ning Zechen’s smuggling activities. Noticing her discomfort with the script’s routine, Xiao Zhiyu promises to help her avoid the Ning Zechen character. During the movie, the atmosphere turns slightly awkward due to the intimacy of the setting, but the tension breaks when Hu Xiu’s stomach growls.

Xiao Zhiyu quietly shares his hawthorn balls with her to tide her over. As the movie ends, Xiao Zhiyu discovers that Hu Xiu left more than just scripted evidence. Along with the documents, she included a pocket watch and a note expressing her loyalty and a sincere wish for his safety. Meanwhile, in the real world, Qian Jinxin’s ego is bruised by Hu Xiu’s constant rejection.

He takes his frustration out on Hu Xiu’s best friend, Zhao Xiaorou, calling Hu Xiu derogatory names. Xiaorou fiercely defends her friend, leading to a heated exchange where Qian Jinxin loses his temper and slaps her. Hu Xiu arrives just in time to witness the assault and immediately retaliates by slapping him back. The confrontation escalates as a furious Qian Jinxin begins shoving Hu Xiu and her friends. Seeing Hu Xiu’s small frame, he hurls a heavy sculpture toward her.

Xiao Zhiyu rushes in at the last moment, using his right arm to shield her and taking the full force of the impact. The incident effectively ends the game. Xiao Zhiyu breaks character to call the police and shuts down the session. To compensate the other players, he offers full refunds and a thirty-percent discount for future visits.

When a staff member questions his authority, Xiao Zhiyu reveals he is the owner of the club, earning him the nickname "Second Boss." Deeply concerned, Hu Xiu insists on taking Xiao Zhiyu to the hospital. Her attentive care leads the doctor to mistake her for his girlfriend. While X-rays show no broken bones, he is diagnosed with a soft tissue contusion and severe bruising.

He is cautioned to avoid spicy food and seafood and to keep his hand still—a devastating blow for an architect with a major competition deadline approaching. Back at the park, gossip about the scuffle spreads through a viral video. Gong Huaicong and the other employees discuss the drama, though they decide against releasing the surveillance footage of the rescue to protect the club’s privacy.

Hu Xiu’s living situation at the Regard Café becomes precarious when Qian Jinxin uses his position as park manager to harass her. He points out that she has been illegally using the commercial space as a residence for two months and threatens to delay Zhao Xiaorou’s business license renewal unless Hu Xiu apologizes and joins him for drinks. Refusing to be blackmailed, Hu Xiu decides to move out. However, finding a short-term lease on a tight budget proves difficult.

Through a real estate agent, she learns that Xiao Zhiyu’s interest in their old neighborhood was likely due to his admiration for the legendary architect Xie Lin, who once lived at No. 11, Lane 7. Faced with a shortened project deadline and Xiao Zhiyu’s inability to draw, Hu Xiu sees a way to help both of them. She approaches him with a proposal to co-rent his apartment.

She offers to handle all housework and cooking while acting as his "new right hand" by assisting with his architectural drawings. Xiao Zhiyu agrees to the arrangement and tells her to move back in immediately. Later, when Gong Huaicong visits with grapefruit-flavored water, he is stunned to find Hu Xiu has returned. He notes with surprise how much the usually private Xiao Zhiyu has allowed Hu Xiu to influence his life.

Hu Xiu began packing her belongings to move back into the attic to live and work more closely with her boss, Xiao Zhiyu (also known as Qin Xiaoyi). Her best friend, Zhao Xiaoru, arrived with leftover cake and, far from being upset about Hu Xiu leaving, expressed relief that she would no longer be living alone in an insecure rental. Xiao Zhiyu even lent Hu Xiu his car to facilitate the move.

Later that night, Hu Xiu found Xiao Zhiyu attempting to wash the car despite his injured arm and the rain. She took over the task, leading to a lighthearted moment where they splashed each other with the hose. Xiao Zhiyu teased that while she was a skilled car washer, she should focus her talents on her true calling as a designer, challenging her to begin drafting drawings the following evening.

However, Qian Jinxin, still resentful after their confrontation during the murder mystery game, sought revenge. He posted a maliciously edited video of the fight online to tarnish Hu Xiu’s reputation and used his position at the industrial park to pressure Zhao Xiaoru’s cafe. Claiming the cafe violated "business and residence" regulations, he orchestrated a rent hike and the cancellation of their cooperation agreements.

Despite the threat to her business, Zhao Xiaoru stood by Hu Xiu and posted the full surveillance footage online, exposing Qian Jinxin’s violent behavior toward women. Facing pressure from the owner of the ME Club and the park’s leadership, the industrial park fired Qian Jinxin for damaging their corporate image. Driven by spite, Qian Jinxin spotted Hu Xiu and Zhao Xiaoru driving and initiated a dangerous high-speed chase.

He repeatedly tried to force their car off the road until Pei Zhen, a rival architect, intervened and helped stop him. After the police took Qian Jinxin into custody, Pei Zhen acted the part of a helpful gentleman. However, he privately admitted to his assistant that he was "playing a long line to catch a big fish," using the situation to keep tabs on his competitor, Xiao Zhiyu. Back at the attic, things began to stabilize.

The industrial park corrected Qian Jinxin's misconduct and renewed the cafe’s contract without a rent increase. Hu Xiu became Xiao Zhiyu’s indispensable assistant, and the two worked in perfect harmony on design revisions. This peace was interrupted when Hu Xiu’s father arrived unannounced. Panic-stricken, Hu Xiu shoved Xiao Zhiyu into the bathroom. She tried to rush her father out, even making up a lie that her boss had chronic health issues and couldn't drink the baijiu her father had brought.

The deception fell apart when her father returned for a forgotten thermos and found Xiao Zhiyu in the living room. Caught, Hu Xiu was forced to negotiate. She firmly explained that she and Xiao Zhiyu were strictly roommates and colleagues at D Design Studio. She also confessed that she had long since quit her stable job at Shiyuan Real Estate to pursue architecture. Her father was deeply upset, fearing the industry was too grueling and dangerous.

He felt a heavy sense of guilt, believing Hu Xiu had already sacrificed her dream of studying abroad three years ago to care for him after his leg injury. Hu Xiu tearfully explained that while she never regretted staying for him, architecture was her lifelong passion that she couldn't give up. Heartbroken after the confrontation, Hu Xiu hid under her covers for hours. Xiao Zhiyu, sensing her pain, eventually lured her out by faking an emergency about a broken drainpipe.

Realizing it was a ruse to distract her, Hu Xiu eventually found solace in their work. As they spent the night refining drawings together, Hu Xiu realized that the only way to truly prove herself to her father and resolve her inner conflict was to win the upcoming design competition.

The coffee shop has finally regained its peace. Following the video clarification that cleared her name, Zhao Xiaorou is able to relax as business thrives once more. Her husband, Guangming, returns from a business trip to Jinshan and visits the café to surprise her with famous local desserts to inspire her own creations. He also invites her to an upcoming class reunion organized by their old classmate, Cheng Han.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhiyu is entering the final stages of a major proposal for the Lemont project. His efficiency remains remarkably high despite his recent hand injury, and he even promises the team a vacation once the design competition concludes. As his capable assistant, Hu Xiu is delighted to see his work receive such high praise from their colleagues. Beyond his professional success, Xiao Zhiyu remains dedicated to uncovering the truth behind his father’s past.

He meets with an old colleague, Uncle Xu, to discuss the Xincheng Stadium collapse. Although his father had signed the consent form for the substandard steel used in the building, Xiao is convinced there was a conspiracy, as his father’s professional expertise would have easily identified the hardness issues in the materials. Uncle Xu reveals that the director of the steel mill responsible went bankrupt and moved abroad after the accident, eventually passing away from illness.

Despite the case being closed for years and the signature being verified as his father’s, Xiao refuses to give up and asks Uncle Xu to investigate the director's former associates. Life as roommates has brought a sense of order and warmth to Xiao Zhiyu’s life. He finds himself touched by Hu Xiu’s unsolicited care, such as when she calls him at a bar to nag him about his health, warning him that drinking will hinder his bone recovery.

Later, Hu Xiu brings him "crab shell" pastries as a substitute for the seafood he cannot eat due to his injury. Their domestic dynamic shifts when a neighborhood power outage occurs. While Hu Xiu tries to use her architectural knowledge to fix the circuit, Xiao Zhiyu steps in and successfully repairs the short circuit, inadvertently revealing that his hand has fully healed.

Hu Xiu is annoyed to realize he has been "selling misery" to keep her doing his chores, car washes, and drawings, though Xiao insists he only kept it up because her skills were showing such great improvement. Hu Xiu continues to look out for Xiao in small ways, even installing a soft plush doll on a low-hanging beam in the attic.

She explains that based on the room's circulation paths, that specific spot is where he is most likely to hit his head, and he needs to protect his brain if they are to win the competition. Their harmony is interrupted when Hu Xiu’s aunt, Xiuying, calls about a blind date arranged for Saturday. Because Hu Xiu has her phone on speaker, Xiao overhears the conversation and becomes visibly frustrated.

Later, Xiao informs Hu Xiu that the firm has decided to give her a designer credit on the Lemont project, albeit at the end of the list, which she happily accepts. Meanwhile, Pei Zhen visits Zhao Xiaorou’s café and asks if Hu Xiu is single. After Zhao confirms she is unattached, Pei Zhen prepares a gift to surprise her.

However, when he arrives at Lane 9, Yanhua Road, he sees Xiao Zhiyu leaving the building and notices men’s clothing drying on Hu Xiu’s balcony. This leads Pei Zhen to worry that they are in a relationship, though his assistant suggests they might simply be roommates. Saturday marks Hu Xiu’s birthday, and Zhao Xiaorou prepares two volcano-shaped cakes for her.

Due to a delivery delay, Hu Xiu is late to meet Xiao Zhiyu, whom she invited to dinner to show her gratitude. Xiao, believing she is on her blind date, finds her at a restaurant and initially acts cold, but he discovers she is eating alone. Hu Xiu clarifies that she canceled the blind date via WeChat long ago and was only late because she was waiting for the cakes.

Xiao admits he was eavesdropping on her earlier call and felt a "surprise" seeing her there. During the meal, Hu Xiu makes wishes for their design competition to succeed. Following Xiao Zhiyu's advice to resolve her "internal issues" before facing external challenges, Hu Xiu takes his car and returns home to reconcile with her parents. She shares the news of her upcoming designer credit, which moves her father deeply.

He expresses regret, fearing his own past leg injury had hindered her dreams. Hu Xiu reassures her parents that her boss is reliable, privately comparing Xiao Zhiyu to a dog in their lane named "Da Huang"—someone who acts prickly at first but is actually soft-hearted and loyal once you get to know him.

Pei Zhen investigates the timeline of Xiao Zhiyu’s move into the lane and realizes it perfectly aligns with the announcement of the Lyman design competition. Deducing that Xiao Zhiyu’s project is centered on lane culture, Pei Zhen decides to strike first. He organizes a press interview to "pre-heat" his own project, publicly claiming that his firm, Zhuling Group, is developing a hotel inspired by Shanghai’s traditional Shikumen (stone-gate) houses.

This news sends Xiao Zhiyu’s team into a panic, as they have already spent months refining similar details. His employees worry that even with superior data, Lyman will reject their proposal as a mere imitation of Zhuling’s publicized plan. Despite the mounting pressure at the office, Hu Xiu refuses to let Xiao Zhiyu descend into gloom.

She sends him a series of urgent text messages, first claiming the scallions in their garden have grown and then insisting he buy plant nutrients for their dying flowers. When he still doesn't return, she invents a story about an old lady whose hydrogen balloons drifted away and became stuck on their roof. Xiao Zhiyu eventually returns to find the attic filled with a vibrant sea of colorful balloons that Hu Xiu bought to cheer him up.

While they sit on the terrace sharing a pot of traditional soup, Hu Xiu talks about her childhood in the lane, describing the elegance of their neighbors and the sense of community that makes the area feel like a living legend. Her stories help Xiao Zhiyu realize that the true essence of the lanes is found in the warmth of the people, not just the architecture.

The next morning, Xiao Zhiyu is awakened by the sound of laughter and sees Hu Xiu distributing the remaining balloons to the local children. Inspired by this display of neighborhood connection, he revises his design to focus on the human element. At the competition, Pei Zhen presents a tech-heavy "floating community" concept featuring an AI-driven smart hub. In contrast, Xiao Zhiyu introduces his project for his firm, Dynamism, as a "flowing city of time."

He proposes using virtual reality technology to allow residents to immerse themselves in different historical eras of Shanghai, creating a bridge between collective memory and modern living. His emotional and innovative approach wins over the judges, and his firm secures the victory by a single vote. Although his team initially pranks him by pretending they lost, the group eventually celebrates their hard-earned success.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaorou attends a class reunion with her husband, Guangming, who is praised by his former classmates as a model husband and a former campus heartthrob. During the event, friends reveal that Guangming recently rejected a junior colleague named Chi Xin’s advances, further cementing his reputation for loyalty. However, after the party, Guangming admits to Xiaorou that his company is in trouble.

A client's funding has been cut, leaving his current project at risk of becoming an abandoned "rotten-tail" building. He promises her that he is working to secure a deal with a larger corporation to save the development. Following the competition, a resentful Pei Zhen goes to a winery to drown his sorrows and runs into Xiao Zhiyu. Pei Zhen warns his rival that the "game" has only just begun, but Xiao Zhiyu is preoccupied with his father’s past.

He has been gathering information and discovers that a former driver for a steel factory director managed to climb the social ladder after the director’s death. This man has since become a prominent building materials supplier with suspicious ties to the Zhuling Group. As Xiao Zhiyu digs deeper into these old connections, Pei Zhen’s father returns from abroad, berating his son for losing to Xiao Zhiyu and questioning if Pei Zhen is truly capable of leading the family business.

With the Lyman design project successfully completed, Hu Xiu spent her weekend helping her friend at the Regard cafe. During the shift, she learned that Pei Zhen had gone to the murder mystery club across the street. Knowing that Qin Xiaoyi was also working there that day, Hu Xiu feared a confrontation between the rivals would be disastrous. She rushed to the club, hoping to warn him, but found the session had already started.

Unable to buy a ticket, Hu Xiu used a distraction to sneak inside. While wandering the immersive corridors, she encountered players in various roles—including a "time traveler" who mistook her for a hidden character and tried to lead her toward a "gambling tycoon’s son." Eventually, she located Qin Xiaoyi, who was playing the role of "Commander Qin." However, her intrusion was caught on security cameras.

The club staff, led by a man known as Freckled Li, moved to escort her out for violating the rules. Hu Xiu pleaded for a moment to speak with Qin, but the situation escalated when they ran into Pei Zhen. To everyone’s astonishment, Pei Zhen ended the conflict by publicly announcing that Qin Xiaoyi was actually his younger brother.

The revelation shocked the local architecture community, as no one knew the independent Qin Xiaoyi had ties to the powerful Pei family. On the way home, Qin explained that they were not blood brothers; they became family when his mother, Wanyue, married Pei Zhen’s father. This complicated history fueled the cold tension between them. Qin, referred to as Xiao Zhiyu within the family, had always felt like an outsider.

This was highlighted during a stiff family lunch where his mother and stepfather tried to bridge the gap with praise and snacks like "crab shell pastries," only for Qin to remain distant, reminding them that he had chosen his own path long ago. The next day, Gong Huaicong—the club owner and Qin’s former classmate in America—spoke with Hu Xiu about Qin’s past. He recalled Qin as a solitary student who worked exhausting part-time jobs and never received family visits.

Everyone had assumed he was from a poor background, never imagining his stepfather was a wealthy industry titan. However, Pei Zhen provided a darker perspective, labeling Qin a "thief" and claiming that at age twelve, he had been caught trying to crack the family safe. Despite these claims, Hu Xiu’s trust in Qin remained firm. Later, while helping a neighbor, Granny, with heavy laundry at the lane house, Qin noticed Hu Xiu’s hands were red and sore.

He protectively put disposable gloves on her hands, explaining he had learned this trick to prevent sores while washing dishes in the cold during his years working abroad. Hu Xiu felt a deep surge of sympathy for the hardships he endured to maintain his independence.

Her friend later suggested that Qin's decision to share a house with Hu Xiu was likely motivated by more than just work, hinting that he had feelings for her—an idea Hu Xiu found hard to believe. As the firm officially received the authorization for the Lyman project, they held a celebration banquet. A representative from Huasheng Materials named Mr. Wu joined them.

Aware of Hu Xiu’s background in real estate, Mr. Wu made pointed remarks implying she was only successful because of Qin’s "special support," even suggesting she had used the "back door" for her early promotion. Qin noticed Hu Xiu’s distress when she began nervously pinching her fingers—a habit he had realized she only did when upset. He quickly made an excuse about a conference call to lead her away from the table.

On the drive home, Hu Xiu began to act bizarrely after eating undercooked mushrooms at the banquet. Her hands lost all strength, and she soon began to hallucinate, joyfully shouting that it was snowing and that flower petals were falling from the sky. Qin watched with quiet amusement as she became lost in her imaginary world. In her dazed state, she looked at him and softly admitted he was very handsome, calling him by his real name, Qin Xiaoyi, rather than his professional title.

Early the next morning, Hu Xiu woke up to find a medical report confirming that her erratic behavior the night before was due to mild mushroom poisoning. Feeling incredibly embarrassed, she apologized to her boss and roommate, Xiao Zhiyu. He had prepared mung bean porridge to help her detoxify, and seeing her nervous expression, he played it cool.

When she frantically asked if she had done anything inappropriate—even wondering if she had cursed at him or hit him—he teased her, telling her "dream on" when she suggested he could hit her back to even the score. He chose not to reveal the true extent of her mushroom-induced boldness. After delivering some eight-treasure pastries from her mother to her best friend at the café, Hu Xiu headed to a murder mystery game.

In this session, Xiao Zhiyu was once again playing the role of the dashing Commander Qin Xiaoyi. Seeing him in his military regalia, Hu Xiu was momentarily dazed by his aura before snapping back to her character, Song Lina, a spy and the Commander's former lover. During a ballroom scene, they shared a dance that felt unexpectedly intimate. The narrative took a turn when "assassins" appeared, forcing the Commander to grab Hu Xiu’s hand and flee.

Hiding in a cramped space, the atmosphere became heavy with tension. As their hearts raced, Hu Xiu suddenly remembered that during her actual delirium, she had truly kissed him and complimented his looks. Panicking as the moment turned too romantic, she scrambled to explain that any previous affection was purely the fault of the mushrooms and that he shouldn't take anything she did seriously.

As the Qingming Festival arrived, Xiao Zhiyu visited his mother, Wanyue, hoping she would join him to pay respects at his father’s grave. However, she flatly refused. Years ago, his father, a chief architect, had committed suicide following a major construction accident, leaving her to deal with the public's resentment alone. She admitted she still harbored deep anger toward him for leaving a widow and an orphan behind.

Leaving his mother’s side, Xiao Zhiyu passed a bridal shop; the gown in the window reminded him of Hu Xiu's dress from the game, appearing like a ray of light in his otherwise cold world. Meanwhile, Hu Xiu joined her parents to visit the grave of Han Chuan, a former colleague of her father. Years prior, they had worked together on a stadium project that tragically collapsed.

Han Chuan had been killed, and Hu Xiu’s father had suffered a permanent leg injury. At the cemetery, they met Han Chuan’s son, Han Xuan, who was home from his university. Overwhelmed by the pressure of seeing his mother work as a cleaner to support him, Han Xuan confessed he wanted to drop out.

Hu Xiu encouraged him to persevere, reminding him that no parent wants their child to sacrifice their dreams and that they had to keep looking forward despite the tragedies of the past. At the cemetery for Xiao Zhiyu's father, Pei Zhen arrived to pay respects on behalf of his own family. He was cruel in private, mocking Xiao Zhiyu for using his original name, "Qin Xiaoyi," only in games.

He reminded him that after the scandal, his mother had changed his identity to Xiao Zhiyu to bury the "stains" of the past. Pei Zhen warned him to keep his background hidden, fearing it would tarnish their company, Zhuling. Xiao Zhiyu fired back, stating that the Pei family were the ones who played dirty and that if Zhuling ever collapsed, it would be due to their own actions. Back at work, the company faced a supply crisis.

Pei Zhen had moved to monopolize the supply of 3D-printed ceramic tiles, leaving Xiao Zhiyu’s project without a source. Refusing to compromise on the design, Hu Xiu stayed late at the office to search for alternatives. She eventually discovered a niche factory run by an artisan from Jingdezhen whose craftsmanship was exceptional. When Xiao Zhiyu approached her, she stood up abruptly and accidentally slammed her head into his nose.

Distressed at having injured him, she hurried to wrap ice in a cloth and applied it for him. As they sat close together, Xiao Zhiyu was touched by her genuine concern. Later that night, still unable to sleep, they shared music with each other via their phones, finding a moment of quiet connection.

Guangming had been taking on outside design projects at night to make ends meet, but his secret was eventually discovered by his boss, Mr. Qu. Despite his years of dedication, Guangming felt exploited as his superiors often took credit for his hard work. When the boss showed no sympathy and reminded him that he couldn't serve two masters, Guangming made the bold decision to resign immediately.

The loss of a steady income left Guangming anxious, leading him to stay out late even after leaving the company. On their second wedding anniversary, Zhao Xiaorou waited up for him for hours, only for him to call and say he was tied up with a business dinner. The next morning, Xiaorou quietly turned off the alarm to let him sleep and hid the anniversary cake in the refrigerator.

To her surprise, Guangming was already awake and presented her with a gift. He confessed that he had been under immense pressure while handling the registration for their own new company, Mingjie. Xiaorou was hurt that he had hidden such a significant move from her, but Guangming promised they would face everything together. He also shared the good news that they had just signed a contract with a major company, ensuring the new venture's survival.

Meanwhile, Hu Xiu was tirelessly searching for high-quality ceramic tiles required for Xiao Zhiyu’s latest project. Standard factories couldn't produce the intricate designs and vibrant colors he envisioned. After scouring numerous brochures and navigating a remote area where even the GPS failed, Hu Xiu finally located a niche ceramic art factory and discussed a potential partnership with the owner, Mr. Ma. Hu Xiu shared her discovery with Xiao Zhiyu just before the Lyman Group’s celebration banquet.

She arrived at the event in her casual work clothes, feeling completely out of place. Sensing her discomfort, a colleague handed her a garment bag containing a stunning dress that Xiao Zhiyu had specially selected for her. When Hu Xiu re-emerged in the gown, she became the center of attention. Even Pei Zhen was struck by her transformation, jokingly remarking that it felt like another "beauty rescuing the hero" moment.

Seeing Xiao Zhiyu surrounded by persistent female guests, Hu Xiu stepped in to help him escape the crowd. During the ceremony, Xiao Zhiyu took the stage as the chief designer for the Lyman Resort Community project. However, he shocked everyone by announcing that Dynamism had signed a cooperation agreement with the Zhuling Group to handle the construction.

Hu Xiu was stunned, as she believed they were competitors and had worked hard to find independent suppliers so Xiao Zhiyu wouldn't have to rely on them. It was later revealed that while Xiao Zhiyu and the Pei family had a complicated personal connection, he had always insisted on being independent. Pei Zhen later confronted Hu Xiu, claiming Xiao Zhiyu was simply being a practical businessman by partnering with the group that controlled the industry's best resources.

Hu Xiu fired back, suggesting that Zhuling was the one "bending" by aggressively chasing the partnership. As the Lunar New Year approached, Hu Xiu received a call from her mother inviting her to her stepfather’s home, but she declined, feeling like an outsider. Instead, she delivered a gift to her mother and then visited Uncle Xu, a man close to Xiao Zhiyu’s father.

Uncle Xu knew Xiao Zhiyu was burdened by the desire to prove his father’s innocence regarding a past engineering disaster. He warned the young architect that seeking the truth was a dangerous path and urged him to prioritize his own happiness. Xiao Zhiyu, however, remained resolute, stating he didn't feel he had the right to pursue happiness until his father's name was cleared. On New Year’s Eve, Xiao Zhiyu wandered into the old alleyway where Hu Xiu lived.

He was spotted by Hu Xiu’s father, who noticed the young man was alone. Despite Xiao Zhiyu’s initial hesitation, the Hu family insisted on showing him hospitality, especially since he was Hu Xiu’s boss and their tenant. The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm, and the family even shared a video call with Zhao Xiaorou to exchange greetings.

During the meal, the family shared a tradition of hiding a black sugar filling inside one of the tangyuan for good luck. Xiao Zhiyu happened to find the lucky tangyuan, prompting the family to cheer and wish him a year of good fortune. As they toasted to the new year, the warmth of the Hu family provided Xiao Zhiyu with a rare moment of peace.

Following their New Year's Eve dinner, Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhiyu shared a quiet moment on the rooftop. Hu Xiu admitted that while her parents wished for a peaceful year, she craved new challenges—specifically, successfully completing the Lyman project and refining her own architectural designs. When she asked Xiao Zhiyu about his own resolution, he revealed his lingering obsession: uncovering why the stadium designed by his father had collapsed years ago.

In the emotional wake of his confession, Hu Xiu leaned in for a kiss, but Xiao Zhiyu pointedly pulled away. Stunned and hurt by the rejection, Hu Xiu spent a restless night, only to be surprised the next morning when Xiao Zhiyu’s friend, Mr. Gong, arrived to move his belongings out. Feeling he was rushing to cut ties, Hu Xiu frustratedly returned the evening dress he had gifted her.

Meanwhile, a side of the story unfolded involving Guang Ming and Zhao Xiaorou. Guang Ming, feeling undervalued at his firm where his superiors took credit for his hard work, had been moonlighting on side projects. When his boss discovered this and confronted him, Guang Ming chose to resign. The professional stress caused him to neglect his personal life, missing his second wedding anniversary with Zhao Xiaorou.

Although he eventually presented her with a gift and Zhao Xiaorou tried to be supportive by hiding her disappointment—even tucking their anniversary cake back into the fridge—the strain on their relationship was evident. Back at D Studio, the atmosphere was strained as Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhiyu resumed their professional relationship. During the first meeting of the year, Pei Zhen arrived to discuss the Lyman project collaboration.

A master of corporate socialites, Pei Zhen distributed thoughtful, expensive gifts to the staff—a pair of luxury shoes for Director Zhou and a designer's ruler from Italy for Sun Yifei. For Hu Xiu, he brought chocolates, claiming he remembered her love for sweets from a previous gala. By pointedly giving nothing to Xiao Zhiyu, Pei Zhen attempted to isolate him from his own team.

Xiao Zhiyu remained focused on business, however, demanding that Zhuling submit a year’s worth of financial statements to ensure project transparency before any contracts were signed. As the collaboration progressed, Pei Zhen specifically requested Hu Xiu to serve as the liaison for a site inspection at Zhuling’s construction project. Though Xiao Zhiyu was wary of Pei Zhen’s interest in her, he agreed that Hu Xiu’s recent research into suppliers made her the most qualified candidate.

Rumors of a romance between Pei Zhen and Hu Xiu began to circulate in the office, but Hu Xiu quickly shut them down by sharing the "romantic" chocolates with the entire team. On the day of the inspection, Pei Zhen intercepted Hu Xiu to offer her a ride. During the drive, Hu Xiu confronted him, refusing his coffee and calling out his half-hour wait as a calculated move.

She bluntly stated that she saw through his tactics; she knew his attention was merely a tool to provoke Xiao Zhiyu or gather information. She warned him not to involve her in his family infighting, noting that Xiao Zhiyu was a professional who would never let personal grudges hinder his employees' opportunities. Pei Zhen was taken aback by her directness, admitting he had expected more diplomacy from a former assistant.

Hu Xiu replied that true grace was speaking the truth politely. At the construction site, they were met by Supervisor Xu. Pei Zhen displayed a surprisingly rigorous side, changing into work gear and emphasizing that safety was the non-negotiable bottom line, warning workers against the dangers of complacency. Impressed by Zhuling’s standardized safety management, Hu Xiu shared that her father, a lighting engineer, had been permanently injured in a construction accident, which made her deeply respect site protocols.

Pei Zhen offered a rare moment of sincerity, noting that as long as one is alive, there is hope. Later, at the office, Xiao Zhiyu checked on the progress of the day, only to find that Hu Xiu was still at Zhuling with Pei Zhen finishing their work.

Qin Xiaoyi felt a surge of anxiety at the office when he realized Hu Xiu had not yet returned. Upon learning she had gone to Forma with Pei Zhen to collect supplier materials, he couldn't help but worry. Their relationship had been icy since New Year’s, after he moved out of the alley and rejected her advances, leading her to return the evening gown he had gifted her.

Seeing Pei Zhen’s persistent interest in her, Qin Xiaoyi feared his rival was trying to poach his most talented designer. While at Forma, Pei Zhen invited Hu Xiu to a casual meal in the staff cafeteria. During dinner, Hu Xiu’s phone buzzed repeatedly with messages from Qin Xiaoyi, who was looking for excuses to get her back to the office.

Annoyed by his interference in her personal time, Hu Xiu reminded him that employees have no obligation to report their after-work activities and eventually set her phone to do-not-disturb mode. Later, as they left the building, they found Qin Xiaoyi waiting at the entrance. He insisted on driving Hu Xiu home himself, claiming it was his responsibility as her boss to ensure her safety.

Despite the awkward tension, Hu Xiu chose to get into Qin Xiaoyi’s car, acknowledging his professional authority. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaorou’s world collapsed. After noticing her husband Wang Guangming’s suspicious behavior, she followed him and discovered him in the company of his college classmate, Chi Xin. Witnessing their intimacy made it clear the betrayal had been going on for some time. Devastated, Xiaorou locked herself in her café and obsessively ground coffee beans until a massive pile accumulated.

When a burst pipe flooded the shop, the physical mess mirrored her internal state; she lamented to a neighbor and later to Hu Xiu that she had ignored the "leaks" in her marriage until it was too late. Hu Xiu spent the night comforting her as Xiaorou mourned the loss of the man who had been her entire world since graduation. The professional rivalry between Qin Xiaoyi and Pei Zhen intensified during their next project meeting.

Pei Zhen continued to show blatant favoritism toward Hu Xiu, replacing her drink with healthy jujube tea to "replenish her energy," which deeply irritated Qin Xiaoyi. During the presentation, Hu Xiu provided a professional analysis of suppliers, recommending Shunke Chemical and Qisheng Timber based on cost-efficiency and transport logistics. However, Qin Xiaoyi challenged the proposal, pointing out that the materials provided by Forma were incomplete.

He cited his knowledge of their past projects to demand a full list of all partner manufacturers, insisting on selecting the absolute best options. Afterward, Qin Xiaoyi warned Pei Zhen to stop his poaching tactics, sarcastically offering to pay for a recruitment training course for him. Later, Qin Xiaoyi took Hu Xiu to Lanjing Park under the guise of scouting a location for a potential pop-up store. As they walked, they approached a "Dark Corridor."

For Qin Xiaoyi, this triggered a deep-seated trauma related to a stadium accident years ago involving his father, leaving him with an intense fear of the dark. When Hu Xiu ventured into the corridor to take photos for their project, Qin Xiaoyi forced himself to follow her. In the shadows, he struggled with the painful memories of his childhood, yet his presence there marked a significant step in confronting his past alongside Hu Xiu.

Zhao Xiaorou returned to the old wonton stall where her journey with Wang Guangming had first begun. Years ago, a simple mistake over a wonton order led to Guangming falling for her at first sight. Now, sitting in the same spot, the atmosphere was heavy with the impending end of their marriage. When Guangming arrived, he put on a front of frantic success, claiming he had finished his resignation from his previous firm and secured a stable new project.

Xiaorou met his performance with a cold revelation: she knew about Chi Xin's "help." Despite Guangming’s desperate claims that his relationship with Chi Xin was strictly professional and that he had resisted her advances out of loyalty, Xiaorou revealed she had witnessed their intimacy at a park near the Zhiteng building. To her, his excuses were nothing more than a pathetic display. She ended their relationship on the spot, giving him three days to pack his belongings and move out.

Meanwhile, a corporate storm was brewing at the Zhuling building. Pei Zhen uncovered evidence of systematic financial fraud within his father’s company. By pressuring the financial director, Shen Jie, and using the man’s concern for his young son, Pei Zhen learned that the company had been fabricating transactions and inflating profits for years to cover massive losses.

When he confronted his father, the elder Pei remained unrepentant, arguing that "faking" the books was a necessary survival tactic to secure loans when no one else would offer help. He coldly warned his son that they were on the same sinking ship—if the company collapsed, Pei Zhen would fall from the heights his father had built for him. Dejected and physically injured after his father threw a glass at him, Pei Zhen encountered Hu Xiu at the office.

Seeing his bleeding forehead and damp shirt, Hu Xiu quietly applied a bandage. During their conversation on the terrace, Pei Zhen questioned if a building must always follow its original blueprints once the foundation is laid. Hu Xiu offered a glimmer of hope, explaining that while a foundation is hard to change, the final appearance and design can be modified with new ideas and technologies.

Her words suggested that despite his father's legacy, Pei Zhen could still determine his own path. A few days later, Xiaorou learned that Guangming had been hospitalized with gastric bleeding. She visited him, but her heart remained closed. Guangming tried to use his illness to win her back, claiming he had pushed himself to the brink of collapse just to secure the project's final payment for their future. Xiaorou was unmoved.

She reflected on their past—the first date, the long subway rides he took to see her, and the nights he spent caring for her in the hospital. She admitted those moments were likely sincere, which only made his current betrayal and the "kiss" with Chi Xin more unbearable. She told him that by choosing to stop loving him, he had become a stranger to her, and it was time for both of them to move on.

Focusing on her career, Xiaorou used the Souler app to find inspiration for a new dessert titled "Rebirth." Her café, Regard, also launched a collaboration with Gong Huaicong’s murder mystery shop. While discussing the partnership, Gong Huaicong accidentally discovered Xiaorou's divorce agreement. Realizing she was single, his personal interest in her deepened. Meanwhile, Hu Xiu had become a frequent player at the mystery shop, specifically joining sessions led by the actor Li Yue.

Her sole mission in every game was to find increasingly creative ways to "kill" the character typically played by Qin Xiaoyi, much to the latter's chagrin. The collaboration officially kicked off with an event at the café, featuring drinks inspired by the games, such as "Rongcheng Snowy Night" and "Bits of Silver." During the gathering, a delivery of flowers addressed to "Baby" caused a stir, though it was eventually revealed to be for another guest.

Hu Xiu and Qin Xiaoyi also engaged in a debate about acting; Hu Xiu critiqued his performance style, suggesting he focused too much on looking cool rather than understanding a character's internal psychology. Determined to prove himself, Qin Xiaoyi secretly took over Li Yue's role during a Sunday session. Hu Xiu played the role of the scholar Liu Rushi, tasked with stealing a sapphire ring from Qin Xiaoyi’s character to survive a simulated blizzard.

When she attempted to swipe the ring through a distraction, Qin Xiaoyi caught her in the act. He teased her, noting that as long as she stayed by his side, she wouldn't "die" regardless of the ring.

In the ongoing murder mystery game, Hu Xiu (playing Miss Liu) needs a specific item to complete her mission. Following the game’s rules, she learns that a signed marriage certificate can be traded for any object in the city. She recruits Li Yue (playing Zhang Bolun) to act as her groom and approaches the "Commander," played by Qin Xiaoyi, to witness and sign the document. Qin Xiaoyi hesitates to sign, deviating from the expected game flow.

To goad him, Hu Xiu praises her "groom," calling him obedient, easy to get along with, and truly devoted. When Qin Xiaoyi asks if their feelings are genuine, she insists they are, claiming she is tired of difficult people and would rather choose someone simple and kind. Frustrated by her words, Qin Xiaoyi refuses to validate the certificate, rendering it useless.

As the game nears its end, Hu Xiu finally snaps, tearfully confronting him over his hot-and-cold behavior and the emotional toll of his constant "push and pull." She declares she is done with his games and no longer cares about winning or losing. Moved by her vulnerability and afraid of losing her again, Qin Xiaoyi pulls Hu Xiu into a secluded corner for a passionate embrace. Their kiss lasts until a broadcast announces the end of the game.

As they part, Qin Xiaoyi presses his ring into her palm—not just as a game prop, but as a genuine token of his feelings. Outside, they run into Gong Huaicong, who is oblivious to their intimate moment. He insists on a ride home, acting as a massive "lightbulb" in the car. Seeing their silence, he assumes they are still feuding and offers unsolicited advice on being broad-minded. He even shares mints that Hu Xiu jokes taste like "mothballs."

After dropping him off, Qin Xiaoyi invites Hu Xiu to his home. Although she is initially nervous about the late hour, the visit turns out to be professional; he provides her with architectural manuscripts and engineering data for the Lyman project, encouraging her to focus on the details now that she has officially joined the team. Later, while walking home through falling cherry blossoms, Hu Xiu texts Qin Xiaoyi to ask if they are officially a couple.

He appears behind her, confirming their relationship and promising to take responsibility for her heart. To seal the deal, Hu Xiu insists on a "pinky swear" to "stamp" his commitment. Though he finds the gesture childish for someone his age, he ultimately gives in. Meanwhile, Pei Zhen’s forehead wound has healed, but he carefully preserves the band-aid Hu Xiu gave him in a jewelry box. He later joins Qin Xiaoyi to celebrate their stepmother Wan Yue's birthday.

Qin Xiaoyi brings a nostalgic Teresa Teng record that reminds Wan Yue of happy times with her late husband, while Pei Zhen gifts her a set of gardening tools. During dinner, Pei Zhen mentions he is interested in a girl from work. However, his father’s pragmatic nature sours the mood; upon learning the girl’s father is a simple engineer, he dismisses her as a "useless" match for Pei Zhen’s career.

After the meal, Qin Xiaoyi warns Pei Zhen to stop pestering Hu Xiu, pointing out that their father will never accept someone from an ordinary family and that Pei Zhen shouldn't let his unrequited feelings cause her pain. On their first official day of dating, Qin Xiaoyi visits Hu Xiu. Adhering to her "honeymoon phase etiquette"—which dictates never letting a boyfriend see her with greasy hair—Hu Xiu rushes to wash up.

In her frantic state, she accidentally uses hand sanitizer instead of shampoo. Finding her in a panic over her ruined hair, Qin Xiaoyi uses coconut oil to perform an emergency rescue. As he skillfully treats her hair, he reveals he once worked at a salon abroad. Hu Xiu teases him about his past as a "chief stylist" named Kevin or perhaps "Tony Xiao," as they enjoy the quiet closeness of their first day together.

Gong Huaicong was scanning through in-house CCTV footage to find promotional material for a new murder mystery game when he stumbled upon something far more explosive: a recording of Qin Xiaoyi and Hu Xiu sharing a passionate kiss. Stunned, he immediately shared the news with Zhao Xiaorou, and the two conspired to catch the new couple in the act. Back at the apartment, the atmosphere was already thick with romance.

As Qin Xiaoyi helped blow-dry Hu Xiu’s hair, the intimacy between them peaked, leading to a deep embrace with Hu Xiu sitting on his lap. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Zhao Xiaorou and Gong Huaicong poked their heads in, catching them red-handed. Startled, Hu Xiu tumbled right off Qin Xiaoyi’s lap and onto the floor.

While she tried to blame the "crime scene" on a tangled comb, Zhao Xiaorou wasn't fooled, teasing her best friend for finally "landing" the handsome boss. Hu Xiu eventually admitted that Qin Xiaoyi had taken the initiative, a fact Gong Huaicong confirmed with his friend, marveling that the usually detached CEO had finally "opened his eyes" to love. As a penalty for keeping the secret, Zhao Xiaorou demanded Hu Xiu perform in five additional murder mystery games.

To give the couple space, Zhao Xiaorou quickly packed her bags to move back home, claiming she wanted to be closer to her coffee shop to get more sleep. Once alone, Qin Xiaoyi and Hu Xiu skipped their movie plans and spent the night immersed in architectural studies. Hu Xiu was particularly struck by a mature yet gentle music hall design signed with a simple "Q."

She praised the designer’s use of wooden lattices to create a flowing space, unaware that the architect was actually Qin Xiaoyi’s father, who had left the industry twenty years ago. As they talked, Hu Xiu eventually drifted off to sleep in his arms. Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoyi’s investigation into the conspiracy against his father reached a breakthrough.

Working with Uncle Xu, he pressured the Zhuling company to release supplier data, which forced the villainous Pei Kanghua to cut ties with Xinde Building Materials. Qin Xiaoyi realized the owner of Xinde was likely the key witness to the truth. Knowing he was being watched, Pei Kanghua met with the supplier privately, offering him a "lifeline" in exchange for his eternal silence regarding the building collapse.

The next morning, the new couple’s attempt to keep their relationship a secret at work was complicated by a heavy downpour. Qin Xiaoyi insisted on driving Hu Xiu to the office, but as they neared the entrance, they ran into several colleagues struggling to find taxis. To avoid suspicion, Hu Xiu had to invite the entire group into the car.

While the coworkers teased Hu Xiu about her "good luck" in getting a ride from the boss, she and Qin Xiaoyi could only share subtle, secret glances. Later that day, Qin Xiaoyi’s mother, Wanyue, prepared a pot of nourishing soup for her son. Since Pei Zhen was heading to the office to deliver a box of luxury pastries to Hu Xiu, he offered to drive his stepmother.

During the ride, Wanyue encouraged Pei Zhen to be patient with his father, Pei Kanghua, but she also noticed the exquisite food box and realized Pei Zhen was truly serious about the girl he liked. At the office, Wanyue delivered the soup and crossed paths with Hu Xiu, taking a long, discerning look at the woman who had captured Pei Zhen’s heart.

Outside, Pei Zhen presented Hu Xiu with the private chef’s creations, framing it as a way to repay her for a previous favor involving a bandage. Hu Xiu couldn't refuse and shared the treats with her colleagues. When Qin Xiaoyi saw the elaborate plating and heard the staff gossiping about Hu Xiu's "mysterious admirer," he was overcome with jealousy. To reclaim her time, he announced that Hu Xiu had a "special task" and forced her to work overtime.

After the office cleared out, the two shared a quiet evening over simple boxed meals. Hu Xiu playfully teased him for being a "foodie" who could clearly taste the difference between her shared snacks and their dinner. As they relaxed, Qin Xiaoyi apologized for not introducing her to his mother yet, explaining the complexities of their long estrangement. Hu Xiu comforted him, encouraging him to be more open about his feelings so they could eventually rebuild his family bonds together.

Gong Huaicong has been visiting Zhao Xiaoru’s coffee shop more frequently since learning she is single, even helping her develop new coffee blends. One evening, after finishing the final preparations for an upcoming event, Gong Huaicong suffers a stomach ache from drinking an Iced Americano on an empty stomach. Zhao Xiaoru prepares a non-alcoholic "stomach-soothing special blend" for him.

During their chat, Gong Huaicong asks if she is working so tirelessly just to distract herself from the void left by her recent breakup. Zhao Xiaoru isn't offended but challenges him to see if her dedication is just a passing phase. When Gong Huaicong asks what she thinks of him—expecting her to say he’s a "tech genius"—she bluntly calls him a "virgin," much to his embarrassment.

To save face, Gong Huaicong claims he has had countless girlfriends and boasts that he gets a new girlfriend every time he gets a new car. When Hu Xiu and Qin Xiaoyi arrive to help, Gong Huaicong asks Qin Xiaoyi to confirm how many luxury cars he has owned. While Qin Xiaoyi admits Gong Huaicong has gone through eight or ten cars, Zhao Xiaoru quickly points out that no woman has ever been seen in his passenger seat.

It is revealed that despite his clever ideas, Gong Huaicong has virtually no experience with the opposite sex and has merely been maintaining a "playboy" persona for years. The day of the coffee shop’s collaboration event is incredibly busy, with the shop crowded with customers. Hu Xiu works tirelessly as a part-time waitress to support her friend. Pei Zhen, having seen a social media post about the event, arrives with a celebratory flower basket.

Noticing a coffee stain on Hu Xiu’s collar, he presents her with an expensive silk scarf he had delivered from a nearby mall. Hu Xiu finds the gift far too valuable for her simple outfit and politely rejects it, telling him to give it to someone more "worthy." Following the rejection, Pei Zhen returns home in a somber mood, only to face his father, Pei Kanghua.

The father is furious to learn that Pei Zhen, acting as general manager, had the finance staff bring him the company accounts. Pei Kanghua refuses to acknowledge his son’s right to review the books and beats him with a cane. Bleeding from the corner of his mouth, Pei Zhen retreats to his room and tearfully clutches the silk scarf Hu Xiu refused to accept. Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoyi continues his investigation into his father's death.

He meets with Uncle Xu to discuss Huang Yide, the owner of Xinde Building Materials. They note that Huang, who has a Nancheng accent and a specific build, matches the man involved in the tragedy from years ago. Despite his factory’s poor management, Huang has been supported by Pei Kanghua and is now suspiciously expanding production for a massive reservoir dam project. Qin Xiaoyi decides to take a gamble on this lead.

Later, the group plans a three-day trip to Zhejiang to relax. Qin Xiaoyi is surprised to find that Gong Huaicong and Zhao Xiaoru are coming along, turning what he hoped would be private time with Hu Xiu into a group outing. On the road, when Hu Xiu begins applying sunscreen, Qin Xiaoyi playfully extends his hand for her to help him as well.

Gong Huaicong teases them about the amount of sunscreen, but Zhao Xiaoru quickly shuts down the "Mr. Know-it-all." Since becoming a couple, Hu Xiu and Qin Xiaoyi have been inseparable. Although Qin Xiaoyi often plays cold and aloof characters in his murder mystery games, he is incredibly warm and clingy with Hu Xiu. However, Gong Huaicong’s mention of Pei Zhen’s gift of the silk scarf stirs some jealousy in him.

At one point, Hu Xiu teases Qin Xiaoyi with a custom napkin from the shop, pretending it was the scarf, leading to a playful moment where they stand together like a "compass" to draw a circle. Upon arriving at the resort, Hu Xiu stays with Zhao Xiaoru, while Gong Huaicong and Qin Xiaoyi share a suite. The next day, the couple enjoys the scenic park, riding the Ferris wheel and taking photos among the cherry blossoms.

Their peace is interrupted when Gong Huaicong calls Qin Xiaoyi away for a video conference with a colleague named Felix to discuss virtual reality effects for a new project. Hu Xiu decides to wander the scenic area alone while they work. When Qin Xiaoyi finishes his meeting, he is unable to reach Hu Xiu by phone and becomes increasingly anxious.

He hears from nearby tourists that an accident occurred at the observatory, with rumors of someone falling and being covered in blood. This triggers a traumatic memory for Qin Xiaoyi, who witnessed his father’s suicide years ago. Fearing the worst for Hu Xiu, he turns deathly pale and rushes toward the scene.

Qin Xiaoyi rushes to the scene of the accident with a heart full of dread, only to discover that the victim is not Hu Xiu. Just as his panic reaches its peak, he hears her familiar voice behind him. Hu Xiu is safe and explains that her phone had died after she took a shuttle down the mountain to exchange game coins because the hotel had run out.

Overwhelmed with relief, Qin Xiaoyi pulls her into a tight embrace, telling her that regardless of what she wished for at the temple, he hopes more than anyone that her dreams come true. Later that night, the couple drives to a quiet suburban observation deck to escape the city's hustle. Under the starlit sky, Qin Xiaoyi opens up about his most painful memory: the sudden disappearance of his father when he was a child, which ended in a tragic accident.

He confesses that without Hu Xiu, he would feel as aimless and untethered as a drifting balloon. Hu Xiu comforts him, promising to always hold onto him tightly. Finding solace in each other’s presence, they share a romantic kiss under the moonlight. While Qin Xiaoyi and Hu Xiu are enjoying their peaceful night, Gong Huaicong and Zhao Xiaorou are back at the hotel lounge drinking away their troubles.

Zhao Xiaorou, still reeling from her recent divorce, finishes an entire bottle of wine, and Gong Huaicong, eager to prove his own stamina, tries to keep pace. Both end up falling into a deep sleep in the public lounge. They wake up the next morning with stiff necks and a heavy sense of embarrassment.

As they hurry back to their rooms, Zhao Xiaorou is flustered, worrying that Hu Xiu will interrogate her about her whereabouts, unaware that Hu Xiu didn't return to the room that night either. As the vacation concludes and they drive back to the city, Qin Xiaoyi notices a black Buick sedan with the license plate BF69H tailing them.

He recognizes the vehicle and its driver from the years he lived with his stepfather, Pei Kanghua, and realizes that Hu Xiu is being watched. To ensure her safety, he decides not to take her back to her home in the lane. Instead, he brings the sleeping Hu Xiu to his own high-end apartment, knowing the building's security will keep unwanted followers away. Hu Xiu remains largely unaware of the looming danger and settles into Qin Xiaoyi’s home.

He has already registered her fingerprint for the door lock and stocked the fridge with her favorite foods. Since she didn't bring any loungewear, he gives her one of his oversized shirts, finding it incredibly endearing to see her walking around in his clothes. Hu Xiu begins to make the space her own, adding personal touches and color to the sterile apartment.

She stays up late to wait for him to finish work so they can share a meal, giving Qin Xiaoyi a true sense of home for the first time. Qin Xiaoyi later visits the Forma Group to return a lunchbox to Pei Zhen on Hu Xiu’s behalf, using the opportunity to deliver a stern warning. He demands that Pei Zhen tell his father to stop the surveillance on Hu Xiu.

Pei Zhen is stunned by the revelation but admits it aligns with his father’s controlling nature. Meanwhile, Pei Kanghua is dealing with his own corporate crisis. A factory manager named Mr. Huang, whose facility was shut down for excessive emissions, begs for financial help after mortgaging everything and turning to loan sharks. Pei Kanghua coldly dismisses him, stating that even a dog should learn how to find its own food.

Determined to protect Hu Xiu, Pei Zhen confronts his father, insisting that his pursuit of her is entirely one-sided and that she shouldn't be targeted. Pei Kanghua responds with a harsh reprimand and a physical blow, questioning how Pei Zhen could be so reckless as to involve himself with a girl without even knowing who her father is. The gravity of his father's words leaves Pei Zhen shaken, sensing a deeper, darker history.

Amidst these tensions, Qin Xiaoyi focuses on transitioning his professional life. Gong Huaicong visits the office to discuss new scripts for their murder mystery game, but Qin Xiaoyi surprises him by officially handing over the management of the club. He explains that he no longer wants to be "trapped" in his old life and plans to step back from the club entirely.

During the meeting, Qin Xiaoyi’s mother arrives with soup and mentions that a childhood neighbor named Luna is back in town and wants to reconnect. Qin Xiaoyi politely dismisses the suggestion, his commitment to Hu Xiu remaining unwavering. He even warns Gong Huaicong not to mention Luna to Hu Xiu to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

Gong Huaicong brings gossip to Zhao Xiaorou’s coffee shop, revealing he overheard Qin Xiaoyi’s mother arranging a blind date for him with a childhood neighbor. He mentions that the two families were once neighbors and that the woman attended the same school as Xiaoyi. Although Hu Xiu tries to act indifferent, her jealousy is apparent as she fumbles with the coffee jars.

Gong notes that Xiaoyi was even more headstrong during his years in the United States and rarely follows his mother's advice, yet he admits that Xiaoyi has always been popular with women, leaving Hu Xiu deeply unsettled. Determined to see for herself, Hu Xiu obtains the meeting details from Pei Zhen and spies on the duo at a hotel. She watches from a distance as Xiaoyi chats warmly with the woman and presents her with a gift.

Her heart sinks, but before she can retreat, she is intercepted by Pei Zhen. Noticing her suspicious behavior on a Saturday, Pei Zhen pulls her outside and demands to know the exact nature of her relationship with Xiaoyi. Xiaoyi suddenly appears and puts an end to the questioning by firmly declaring that Hu Xiu is his girlfriend. He takes her hand to prove his point, leaving Pei Zhen stunned.

After driving away with Hu Xiu, Xiaoyi pulls over under a canopy of trees to clear the air. He lifts her onto the car’s hood and explains that the woman is simply an old neighbor who recently got engaged; the gift was merely a polite congratulatory gesture. To make amends, he surprises Hu Xiu with front-row concert tickets—a peace offering that successfully thaws the tension between them. Meanwhile, a dejected Pei Zhen drinks heavily at a formal family dinner.

After accidentally cutting his hand on a plant, the memory of Hu Xiu once tending to him with a bandage drives him back to her old apartment. However, a neighbor informs him that she moved out long ago, and he realizes she has fully committed to her life with Xiaoyi. In the professional sphere, Xiaoyi makes a decisive move against Zhuling.

By examining supplier reports, he identifies several shell companies used by Zhuling to fabricate business transactions and report financial fraud to Lyman, the project’s lead company. This lead to the termination of the partnership with Zhuling. While Pei Zhen is bewildered that Xiaoyi would let a primary contractor be cut out, Xiaoyi remains confident. He reveals he has been prepared for this since the Spring Festival, as he dislikes being constrained by limited options.

He introduces Mr. Shen, a ceramic factory owner, as a new supplier for the 3D tiles. During a meeting at D Studio, Xiaoyi publicly credits Hu Xiu for her persistence in finding this contact, which saved the firm from being dragged down by Zhuling’s scandal. The night of the concert arrives, and amidst the music, Xiaoyi and Hu Xiu share a passionate kiss. However, a crisis unfolds elsewhere.

Hu Xiu’s father, Hu Ding, receives an anonymous envelope containing documents that expose Xiaoyi’s biological father, Qin Yuze, as the architect responsible for the stadium collapse that caused Hu Ding’s permanent leg injury. In a state of shock and anger, Hu Ding wanders into the street and is struck by a car. At the concert, Hu Xiu receives a frantic call and breaks down in tears.

Simultaneously, Xiaoyi checks his phone to find that his true identity and his father’s past are being leaked across the internet. Despite the public exposure, he focuses on Hu Xiu and drives her to the hospital. Hu Ding is diagnosed with a fractured leg, and while Hu Xiu’s mother panics, Xiaoyi takes charge of the admission procedures, quietly using Hu Ding’s digital health insurance card to handle the paperwork. Later, Pei Kanghua confronts Pei Zhen about the fallout.

It becomes clear that Pei Zhen played a role in exposing Xiaoyi’s past, bitterly admitting he felt the need to keep at least one thing for himself after losing everything else.

Hu Xiu rushed to the hospital after a frantic call from her mother, learning her father had been in a serious car accident. While her father was in surgery, Xiao Zhiyu quietly stepped in to arrange the best medical care and a private ward.

When her father stabilized, Hu Xiu’s mother pulled her aside and revealed the bitter truth: the accident occurred because her father had been in a rage after discovering a document revealing Xiao Zhiyu’s true identity as the son of Qin Yuze. Her mother was adamant that Hu Xiu could not be involved with the son of the man responsible for the stadium collapse years ago. In a somber confrontation, the weight of the past finally crushed their relationship.

Xiao Zhiyu had been sent to America immediately after his father’s death following the stadium disaster, living in the dark about the victims' families. Hu Xiu tearfully explained that her father was the lighting engineer for that very stadium; he was injured, and his close friend and construction foreman, Han Chuan, was killed in the ruins.

For Hu Xiu, the realization was devastating, and she told a stunned Xiao Zhiyu that falling for him was a mistake they could never rectify. Meanwhile, Pei Kanghua realized the leak regarding Xiao Zhiyu’s background was no accident. He confronted his son, Pei Zhen, who admitted to exposing the truth to make Xiao Zhiyu suffer. Pei Kanghua was disappointed by his son's emotional recklessness, fearing the repercussions of such a betrayal.

As the online discourse turned hostile, Xiao Zhiyu’s mother, Xiao Wanyue, grew distressed. Although Pei Kanghua tried to reassure her, the scandal was spreading too fast to suppress. Hu Xiu eventually moved back to her own home, unable to face her injured father while still tied to Xiao Zhiyu. She shared a final, poignant memory with Xiao Zhiyu about Han Chuan, who was like a brother to her father.

Han Chuan had stayed to help with the stadium project despite his wife being pregnant, only to lose his life when the building collapsed. Her father had lived with the guilt for over twenty years, visiting Han Chuan’s grave every year. Hu Xiu told Xiao Zhiyu that their brief happiness felt like a dream she had to wake up from, officially ending their relationship.

At the office, Gong Huaicong defended Xiao Zhiyu, arguing that a child shouldn't be punished for his father's mistakes, while Zhao Xiaorou tried to maintain focus on work. Facing the storm, Xiao Zhiyu released a public statement. He formally admitted he was the son of Qin Yuze and offered to personally bear any losses for partners who had concerns, vowing to let his portfolio prove his worth.

Despite the scandal, his staff remained loyal, choosing to stand by the trust they had built over the years. Pei Zhen visited the hospital with gifts, hoping to win Hu Xiu over, but she refused his assistance. When Pei Zhen tried to disparage Xiao Zhiyu’s family, Hu Xiu fiercely defended him. She argued that the name change was a decision made by a guardian and that Xiao Zhiyu was an innocent child at the time of the tragedy.

Seeing her defense of the man she had just broken up with, Pei Zhen realized he still had no chance of replacing Xiao Zhiyu in her heart. The Lyman project remained a major concern, but the owner, Mr. Xie, called Xiao Zhiyu for a meeting. Instead of terminating their contract, Xie revealed that he had known Xiao’s father during the early infrastructure boom.

He recounted how the elder Qin had taught him that a building's soul is what allows it to endure. Impressed by Xiao Zhiyu's integrity and talent, Xie confirmed that Lyman would proceed with the project regardless of the public outcry. Later, needing project materials for work, Hu Xiu went to Xiao Zhiyu’s apartment to retrieve her laptop. Finding the place in a mess, she couldn't help but start cleaning, only to be interrupted by Xiao Wanyue.

Though Hu Xiu tried to leave, Xiao Wanyue recognized her and encouraged her to stay. Sensing the situation, she alerted her son, who rushed home. Upon seeing them together, Xiao Zhiyu took Hu Xiu’s hand and formally introduced her to his mother as the woman he loved.

Picking up from their encounter at Xiao Zhiyu’s home, Zhiyu holds Hu Xiu’s hand and formally introduces her to his mother, Xiao Wanyue, declaring her as the woman he loves. Hu Xiu, feeling overwhelmed by the complicated history between their families, leaves with her laptop. While she cares for him deeply, the knowledge that Zhiyu’s father was blamed for the design flaw that injured her own father creates a painful barrier.

Later, Wanyue expresses her concern over Zhiyu’s public statement admitting his identity as Qin Yuze’s son, fearing that he will face public gossip. Zhiyu, however, feels no shame in the truth and tells his mother that the only way to win Hu Xiu back is to resolve the past by finding the evidence to clear his father’s name.

To uncover the truth, Zhiyu tracks down Huang Yide, a former supplier for Pei Kanghua’s company, Zhu Ling, who has been hiding from debt collectors. Zhiyu and Uncle Xu secure Huang in a secluded location. During a tense confrontation, Zhiyu reveals he remembers seeing Huang in America twenty years ago, where Huang profited by staying silent about the stadium accident. Terrified, Huang insists that while he benefited, the actual framing of Qin Yuze was entirely Pei Kanghua’s doing.

Although Huang is shrewd and refuses to hand over a hidden USB drive containing evidence, Zhiyu deduces from Huang's nervous expression that the proof is likely hidden at his old factory and prepares to search for it. While Zhiyu and Uncle Xu scour the massive factory, Hu Xiu arrives on her own, having found research materials at Zhiyu's home that linked Huang Yide and Pei Kanghua to her father's accident.

Zhiyu is startled to find her there and immediately pulls her aside, worrying for her safety as Pei Kanghua’s men could arrive at any moment. Hu Xiu, however, asserts her right to know the truth since her father was a victim of the accident. Softened by her resolve, Zhiyu finally shares the entire story of his father’s framing and his mission to find the truth, leading to a moment of mutual understanding between them.

Hu Xiu’s father is finally discharged from the hospital. Gong Huaicong, acting as a friend of Zhao Xiaorou, arrives to pick up the family in a comfortable car that Zhiyu secretly arranged. On the way home, Huaicong mentions that a professional caregiver has also been hired so Hu Xiu can return to work peacefully.

This news causes Hu Xiu’s father’s expression to harden, as he is still deeply uncomfortable with his daughter working at the company owned by Qin Yuze’s son. Back at the house, he asks when she will complete her resignation. Hu Xiu’s mother intercedes, noting that a proper resignation requires a month-long handover process to ensure things are finished properly.

As Zhiyu prepares his counterattack against the Pei family, he worries about his mother’s potential legal exposure through her ties to Zhu Ling. To investigate her financial involvement without alarming her, he asks for her bank records and proof of assets under the guise of setting up a premium annuity insurance plan. Pei Kanghua quickly realizes that Zhiyu is auditing Wanyue’s accounts to see if she is entangled in the company’s potential crimes.

Meanwhile, Hu Xiu learns that Pei Zhen has been active behind the scenes, leaking Zhiyu’s background online and sending archival documents about the stadium collapse to her parents. She rushes to the studio to warn Zhiyu to be cautious of Pei Zhen’s next moves. The situation takes a dire turn when investigators from the Market Supervision Bureau arrive at D Studio.

They inform Zhiyu that Zhu Ling’s confidential supplier list and internal quotes, bearing the studio’s watermark, have been leaked online. Zhiyu and his team are accused of leaking trade secrets and conducting illegal private investigations. While Zhiyu is taken away for questioning, he maintains his innocence. Later, Zhiyu confronts a defiant Pei Zhen, who blames Zhiyu for ruining his life and resents that Hu Xiu still takes Zhiyu’s side.

The conflict culminates when Wanyue discovers that Zhiyu was the one who reported Zhu Ling to the authorities. Devastated, she asks if his desire for revenge is so strong that he is willing to destroy her family. Zhiyu, feeling the weight of years of exclusion, poignantly asks if the family she mentioned ever truly included him.

Xiao Zhiyu completed his statement to the auditing department regarding the alleged leak of trade secrets. Convinced that Pei Zhen was the one who filed the anonymous report, he rushed home and confronted him with a punch. Pei Zhen showed no remorse, instead venting years of frustration, claiming that ever since Xiao Zhiyu entered the family, he had been living in Zhiyu’s shadow.

Their mother, Xiao Wanyue, witnessed the altercation and immediately stepped in to defend her home of nearly twenty years. She harshly rebuked Xiao Zhiyu for being cold and impulsive, accusing him of trying to destroy their family. Meanwhile, Hu Xiu was at home caring for her father, but her mind was consumed with worry for Xiao Zhiyu, whom she could not reach.

Distracted and distressed, she spilled a bowl of hot soup while serving her father and broke down in tears. She confessed to her father that despite her daily efforts to move on, she simply could not forget Xiao Zhiyu and wanted to stand by him. Realizing he could no longer keep them apart, her father finally gave her his blessing to go find him. Hu Xiu searched Xiao Zhiyu’s apartment and office to no avail.

Amidst her anxiety, she received a call from Xiao Wanyue, who was also looking for her son and expressed regret for her earlier harshness. Hu Xiu explained that Xiao Zhiyu had been under investigation for the leaked supplier data. Hearing this, Wanyue realized the fight was a result of the anonymous report and felt deep remorse for blaming Xiao Zhiyu without understanding the pressure he was under.

Eventually, Hu Xiu found Xiao Zhiyu at a venue where they used to play murder mystery games. They shared a tearful embrace, and Xiao Zhiyu admitted how much his mother’s words had hurt him—she had fought to protect a family that clearly did not include him. Hu Xiu reassured him that they were now family. In that moment, they reaffirmed their commitment to one another, sensing their lives were now inextricably linked. The professional fallout soon hit Hu Xiu.

Her colleague, Zhou Yan, informed her that the Lanjing Park project was terminating their contract due to the investigation. Additionally, the Lyman firm requested that Hu Xiu be temporarily suspended from the construction phase since she was the primary liaison. Despite being unfairly implicated, Hu Xiu remained calm, choosing to use her time off to support Xiao Zhiyu through his struggles.

As Xiao Zhiyu worked to clear his father’s name, he learned that Huang Yide had been taken by Pei Kanghua. Zhiyu confronted Pei Kanghua at his office, demanding Huang Yide’s whereabouts. Pei Kanghua remained defiant and instead threatened Hu Xiu’s safety.

He mockingly mentioned a news report about a warehouse fire caused by an untended joss stick and warned Zhiyu that he only had about twenty minutes—the time it takes for a joss stick to burn—before a similar "accident" occurred at the old warehouse where Hu Xiu was being held. Xiao Zhiyu raced to the location and found the building filling with smoke. Inside, Hu Xiu had regained consciousness and was desperately trying to open the locked doors.

Xiao Zhiyu arrived just in time, broke the chains, and carried her to safety. Once she recovered, Hu Xiu shared a crucial clue: at Huang Yide’s factory, she had noticed a concrete test block with a handwritten QR code, unlike the professional codes on the other blocks. Xiao Zhiyu immediately sent his associate, Uncle Xu, to retrieve it. Inside the specific concrete block, they discovered a USB drive containing long-hidden evidence.

Armed with the truth, Xiao Zhiyu returned to the Pei residence to confront Pei Kanghua in front of his mother. He revealed that twenty years ago, his father Qin Yuze’s design for the stadium was sound. The collapse was actually caused by Pei Kanghua swapping the specified Q345B steel for inferior Q235B materials to pocket three million yuan in kickbacks.

Furthermore, he exposed that Pei Kanghua had forged documents to frame his father and that his father’s death was not a suicide, but a murder committed to silence him. Xiao Wanyue was devastated, realizing she had spent two decades resenting her late husband while being married to the man who had actually destroyed him.

Xiao Zhiyu rushed the unconscious Hu Xiu to the hospital just in time. She had only inhaled a small amount of carbon dioxide, and after Xiao completed the admission procedures, he watched over her as she slept peacefully in the ward. He felt a deep sense of contentment, wishing only for time to linger and for no further harm to reach them. With the evidence against the Zhuling Group in hand, Xiao turned everything over to the police.

Soon, the news broke: the investigation into the Xincheng Stadium collapse was reopened, confirming that key evidence used to frame the chief architect, Qin Yuze, twenty years ago had been forged. Xiao's father was finally exonerated. Meanwhile, Pei Kanghua was taken into criminal detention, facing a litany of charges including embezzlement, bribery, major construction safety violations, and perjury. At Xiao’s architectural design studio, the atmosphere shifted from uncertainty to relief.

The team celebrated the miracle of clearing Qin Yuze's name, noting that the investigation into their own firm had been terminated now that Pei Zhen had turned himself in for the supplier leak and defamation. With the Lanjing Park project back on track, Xiao visited his father's grave with his mother.

Standing before the tombstone, his mother lamented the years she spent trying to escape her own suffering, realizing she had left a young Xiao to harbor the burden of the truth alone while she was away. She expressed her gratitude for his persistence in bringing justice to the family.

Having filed for divorce from Pei Kanghua, she planned to return to the United States once the procedures were finalized, promising to return to help arrange Xiao's wedding when the time came. Hu Xiu spent two weeks recovering under Xiao’s diligent care before she felt ready to return home. Xiao drove her back, and they shared an affectionate moment upon arrival. Hu Xiu’s father spotted them from the balcony and eagerly waved them up.

Inside, Xiao presented numerous gifts to the family. After dinner, Xiao sat down for a game of Chinese chess with Hu Xiu’s father. When the conversation turned toward their future, Xiao didn't hesitate to express his commitment, stating he intended to take full responsibility and put engagement and marriage on the agenda. However, Hu Xiu immediately interrupted, stuffing a strawberry into his mouth and clarifying that she had no plans to marry just yet.

The ride back was quiet, as Xiao’s enthusiasm had been dampened by her rejection. To cheer him up, Hu Xiu decided to stay at his apartment for the night. However, Xiao, feeling slighted, jokingly declared that he was a serious person when it came to relationships. He told her that the master bedroom was for the lady of the house, and since Hu Xiu had no plans for that role, she should sleep in the guest room.

He then locked his bedroom door. Undeterred, Hu Xiu tried to lure him out with claims of a giant spider in the bathroom, but Xiao saw through the ruse. It wasn't until she pretended to be a delivery person from a convenience store bringing toothpaste that he finally opened the door, only for her to catch him and refuse to let go. Settling down, Hu Xiu shared her heart.

She explained that for her entire life, she had lived according to her parents’ rigid plans, never truly satisfying others or herself. Meeting Xiao had given her the courage to pursue her true passion for architectural design and to chase her own dreams. She wanted to focus on her career for a while longer to make up for lost time.

Xiao immediately understood and promised his full support, noting that she wasn't just a "plan" but a permanent part of his life. The two settled into a harmonious routine of cohabitation, often discussing design requirements and concepts like "community art living rooms" late into the night. Meanwhile, Pei Zhen returned to a cold, empty house. With his father in prison and his stepmother gone, he reached out to Xiao for a final meeting.

At the playground where they once played as children, Pei Zhen revealed that the Zhuling Group was undergoing a name change; he had only recently learned that the original name had been chosen by Xiao’s father. He admitted that he had spent his whole life trying to outdo Xiao—first in grades, then in business—only to realize Xiao never saw him as a rival.

After offering a sincere apology for everything he had done, Pei Zhen prepared to leave the city to find his own path. In a final reflection on their craft, they recalled a shared philosophy: that a building's final form isn't determined by its foundation, but by the architect's vision.

Sitting in the car, Xiao Zhiyu and Hu Xiu watched Pei Zhen’s figure disappear into the distance. For Xiao Zhiyu, seeing this once-familiar person walk away signaled that it was finally time to let the burdens of the past rest. With the weather clear and bright, he took Hu Xiu on an architectural inspiration trip that doubled as a date.

They photographed various unique structures, and as fellow architects, they found it easy to connect over design concepts and their shared passion for their craft. During their walk, Xiao Zhiyu mentioned that he and his mother were scheduled to return to America the following Wednesday to handle property matters and paperwork. He warned that he might be away longer than planned and suggested that Hu Xiu move into his house while he was gone.

He framed it as a convenience for her—being closer to the office and having use of his car—but admitted he would feel better knowing she was looking after his plants. Most importantly, he wanted her to be the first person he saw upon his return. Hu Xiu jokingly teased him about wanting a free gardener but agreed for the sake of the spacious house.

When asked if she would miss him, she playfully claimed she wouldn’t, relishing the idea of having a large bed all to herself. Xiao Zhiyu playfully warned her not to move out secretly again, while she countered by telling him not to meet any "blonde beauties" abroad. He laughed, mentioning a friendly seventy-year-old Cuban neighbor who could teach him the salsa, a dance he briefly and passionately demonstrated for her. Their conversation turned back to architecture.

Hu Xiu shared a poetic sentiment about how buildings are like a "kiss to the earth" and a "love letter to the world." She even used Xiao Zhiyu’s large hands as a scale model to visualize the proportions of an exterior wall for her upcoming design—a community cultural space envisioned as an urban oasis. Xiao Zhiyu was impressed by her dedication, noting she seemed even more inspired out in the field than at home.

The time for Xiao Zhiyu’s departure arrived quickly. At the office, he hugged Hu Xiu tightly before leaving for the airport. After he left, the large house felt empty. Though she had joked about enjoying the space, Hu Xiu found herself wandering through the rooms, her longing for him growing deeper by the day. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaorou and Gong Huaicong were seeing progress in their relationship.

With the lease on her coffee shop nearly up, Zhao Xiaorou looked for a new location, and Gong Huaicong stayed by her side to help. During a visit to a potential site, Zhao Xiaorou bargained hard with the agent, pointing out the poor foot traffic. Gong Huaicong supported her completely, though he secretly hoped they wouldn't move too far. He eventually admitted he had grown accustomed to being her neighbor and didn't want that to change.

Feeling the same, Zhao Xiaorou decided to renew her lease at the current location so they could continue seeing each other every day. Back at the studio, Hu Xiu was buried in work, preparing for her final proposal. Despite the time difference, Xiao Zhiyu sent treats to the office to encourage the team. One evening, during a video call, Hu Xiu dropped her "strong" act and confessed how much she missed him.

She admitted she couldn't even bring herself to skip the end credits of movies they used to watch together and instinctively bought his favorite mints. Xiao Zhiyu then directed her to a drawer in his study where he had left a diary titled "Architecture in Love." His written words, promising to cross any time zone to see her, gave Hu Xiu the confidence she needed for her presentation.

The following morning, Hu Xiu presented her "green micro-settlement" philosophy to the clients. Her vision of a community cultural space with circular forms and irregular windows acting as picture frames was a resounding success. As she left the meeting, she noticed it was raining and called Xiao Zhiyu to report her victory. To her shock, Xiao Zhiyu appeared right behind her with an umbrella. He had returned early, arriving just after her confession of how much she missed him.

Life settled into a happy routine. One day, they discovered a stray kitten at their door. Despite Xiao Zhiyu’s initial hesitation—rooted in a fear of the pain that comes with loss—Hu Xiu convinced him that the journey shared is worth the risk. They adopted the kitten, completing their "three-member family." To celebrate her success, Xiao Zhiyu took Hu Xiu on an "elopement" to the top of an unopened 258-meter skyscraper he had designed.

Overlooking the city, they shared a simple meal of convenience store food. Xiao Zhiyu revealed that as the lead designer, he had permanent access to the observation deck, promising they would return every year. On the balcony, he kissed her and captured the moment with a photo. Later, while Zhao Xiaorou and Gong Huaicong tested a new story at the murder mystery venue, Hu Xiu remained busy finishing the final stages of her project. In the world they had built together, everyone was finally moving toward a future of their own choosing.