Cheng Sisi is a recent college graduate from another province who arrives in the city with no money and no job. Her best friend, Jiang Xin, invites her to stay temporarily at the Jiang family home. The household is headed by Jiang Zhuo, the eldest brother and CEO of the powerful Jiang Group, who raised his two younger siblings after their parents died. Cheng Sisi is also acquainted with Jiang Xin’s second brother, Jiang Si, a sunny and warm young man who is passionate about car racing. Cheng Sisi has harbored romantic feelings for Jiang Si for some time and moved into the Jiang household with the hope of getting closer to him.
Upon her arrival, Cheng Sisi is drenched by a sudden summer rain while rushing into the house. Jiang Zhuo greets her and, despite his composed and gentlemanly exterior, immediately takes a keen interest in her. He observes her with a sharp, calculating gaze that hides a dark intensity. That evening, Jiang Xin plays a prank by locking Cheng Sisi in her room while wearing a sheer nightgown, intending for her to surprise Jiang Si. However, Jiang Si does not return. Instead, Jiang Zhuo finds Cheng Sisi distressed and offers her his robe. He then secretly enters her room while she sleeps, capturing photographs of her bound and posed in the nightgown using handcuffs and a camera. He reveals to the reader that he views her as prey and harbors obsessive, destructive desires, though he maintains control over his impulses.
The following day, Cheng Sisi and Jiang Xin both pass interviews at Sheng Yu Advertising Company. However, Cheng Sisi receives a call stating she has been rejected due to being deemed the weakest candidate, despite her strong design portfolio. Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Zhuo orchestrated this rejection behind the scenes. When Cheng Sisi is devastated after failing multiple other interviews, Jiang Zhuo offers her a graphic design position at his own company, the Jiang Group. She reluctantly accepts, hoping to be near Jiang Si, who is expected to join the company soon.
Tragedy strikes when Jiang Si is involved in a serious car accident and is hospitalized. Cheng Sisi is left alone in the large house. That night, she experiences terrifying hallucinations, including eerie green lights and persistent knocking sounds. She calls out for Jiang Zhuo, who returns home and comforts her. He explains that her symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction to mushrooms and red wine, which she consumed earlier. He moves her to a room next to his for safety. In reality, Jiang Zhuo had drugged her food and drink to induce the hallucinations and had used a remote-controlled speaker to create the knocking sounds. He also reveals a secret chamber in his home filled with preserved toxic animals, indicating his psychopathic nature.
While Cheng Sisi believes Jiang Zhuo is her savior, he manipulates her fear and dependence. He drugs her milk again and carries her unconscious body to his room, where he begins to seduce her. Cheng Sisi, trapped in a drug-induced dream state, struggles between her love for Jiang Si and her growing, confused attraction to Jiang Zhuo. Jiang Zhuo’s gentle facade masks a predatory intent to possess her completely, setting the stage for a dark psychological thriller involving manipulation, obsession, and hidden secrets within the seemingly perfect Jiang family.
