This chapter is essentially a hostage negotiation where both parties think they're the hostage-taker. The external conflict is simple — she wants to stay in Ruyi Town, he wants her in the capital. But the INTERNAL conflict is where the real stakes live. Feng Yi has spent three years surviving under his protection, and she's realized that survival isn't the same as living. When she says "Respect. And freedom," she's not being dramatic — she's stating the fundamental terms of her existence. Without those two things, she's just a pretty object in his collection. And the stakes for HIM are just as high, even if he'd never admit it. He's the Marquis of Jing'an, heir to power, used to getting everything he wants. The idea that she might genuinely choose to leave him — not run away, not fake her death, but simply choose a different life without him — seems to genuinely terrify him. His response is to escalate: grab her, corner her, remind her of her "place." But the most terrifying line in the whole chapter isn't his threat — it's his question: "Aside from a formal title, what is it that I have not given you?" He genuinely doesn't understand. He's given her comfort, protection, luxury, passion — but not the one thing she actually needs. And that gap between what he thinks he's given and what she actually needs? That's the real conflict. That's what's going to break them.
What I love about this section is that the conflict isn't some dramatic villain trying to sabotage Chen Tang—it's just the quiet, terrifying vulnerability of walking into an audition with almost zero fans, zero connections, and a script you've memorized in half a day. The stakes feel real because they're internal. Yang Xihua lays it out clearly: "Even if you audition successfully, this movie won't be filmed until at least three months later, and you lack popularity and traffic." So the strategy is double-layered—audition for the big movie while simultaneously taking short dramas to build visibility. That's smart storytelling because it shows the industry mechanics without being boring. The audition scene itself cuts off right as someone in high heels stops in front of Chen Tang with a "somewhat sharp voice," which is a perfect cliffhanger. You're sitting there wondering: is this a rival? A casting director? Someone from her past? The tension works because we've spent two chapters watching Chen Tang prepare obsessively, and now we're about to see if it pays off. Fu Tingyuan's confidence—"If you don't get the part, it's because they're blind"—adds another layer because we know he's being supportive, but the reader also knows that rejection is genuinely possible. That's what makes good conflict: the outcome isn't guaranteed by the narrative framing. Chen Tang could fail, and if she does, it won't be because the plot is protecting her—it'll just be part of the journey. That's honest storytelling.
Let me just say this: the pacing in these chapters is absolutely ruthless and I am here for it. You start with Su Zhisheng flashing his badge and reading rights to his own father—maximum drama, maximum tension. The engagement banquet is happening, everyone's dressed up, Su Mingjie is literally thinking about how he can change clothes and continue the celebration. And then—BAM. The cleaning cart. The body. Screams. The author doesn't give you a single breath between the family confrontation and the murder reveal. It's one scene bleeding into the next, and it works so well because the engagement banquet guests are still panicking while the police are already moving into investigation mode. Two storylines happening simultaneously in the same space, and the contrast is delicious. What I loved most is how the author uses the guests' reactions to control the pacing. The nobles complaining about the hotel, making snide remarks about Su Mingjie's "unbeatable legend" engagement, wanting to leave—these moments of petty gossip actually serve as a pressure release valve. After the body reveal, you get these snarky comments that let the reader exhale before diving back into the investigation. Then the chapter shifts into pure procedural mode: surveillance footage, checkout records, the killer's escape route, the missing phones. This is where some books would drag, but the author keeps it tight by layering in the animal clue-gathering scene. The snake sequence is basically a comedic relief break that also advances the plot. Genius. And the ending? Su Zhisheng getting the location from the snake, the moon reflecting off the bald guy's head like a "little night-light"—it's vivid, it's funny, and it propels the investigation forward. The chapter ends right when the search is about to begin, which is a perfect hook. I wanted to immediately read the next part. One minor note: the transition from the hotel investigation to the outdoor search felt slightly abrupt, but honestly, the energy carried it well enough.
I need to just sit with this for a moment because the emotional depth in this chapter is absolutely devastating. The scene where Qingqing says 'If you don't want to stay... I won't force you' and then a single tear lands on the back of Lin Heng's hand—it burned like a brand against his heart—this is one of the most quietly powerful moments I've read in a long time. No grand declarations, no dramatic speeches. Just a tear. And it destroys him. But what wrecked me even more was what happened AFTER. She goes back to her room, packs him thirty taels of silver, and basically prepares for him to leave. She's already grieving the relationship while he's still in the next room. And he overhears ALL of it. Every word. Every thought. He knows she's kind, she knows he's a good man, and she still thinks he'll abandon her. The morning scene where she finds him gone—'You rotten man... You left without saying a single word. Do you hate me that much?'—I literally had to put the book down. The desperation in her voice, the tears streaming down her face, the way she's calling him heartless when he actually decided to STAY... this is the kind of miscommunication that makes my chest physically ache. These two are so deeply in love and so terrified of losing each other that they're both preparing for the worst at the exact same time. I'm not okay.
Another one from my favorite author ❤️?????☺️❤️❤️❤️?? Thanks author ❤️❤️
This story has unique world building and concept. And Mirabella Flamire’s journey is thrilling, and Eros La Velle’s charm irresistible. A beautiful blend of romance and adventure—each page sparkles with life!
By reading this book, I got completely lost in it so much the story is authentic
I've read to chapter 9 ( the latest) and I'm hooked. The story looks promising. Continue with the good work author. And could you also increase the number of daily updates to something like 5 chapters a day.
I started this as one of the "read recommendations for 20 min" ... by the time I realized I was past 20 min, it was chapter 50, and I was hooked. Other than the occasional name changes, which stopped bothering me, I love this book. It's intense, it's well written, and the story and character development are great. I am officially addicted to a book I didn't intend to read past 20 min.
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Uwaaaah! Honestly, I don’t read much ML or fantasy stories, but a friend (who absolutely loved this book) recommended it to me! It’s so interesting so far! I really adore unique storylines!
Hooked on this webnovel! Reading a few chapters every day is my new routine. The mc's character development is awesome. Loving the story so far! Thanks for the translations!