I need to talk about the pacing here because this chapter is a masterclass in tension escalation. Let me trace the arc: it starts with the classmates pressuring Gu An'an to apologize, then Gu Wanrou's fake apology performance, then Zhao Xi's cold refusal, then the teacher arrives and immediately sides against Gu An'an, then the money count reveals it's short, then the camera reveal, then the teacher tries to cover it up, and finally Gu An'an pushes back again. That's a lot of beats and the author rides each one like a wave. The rhythm feels almost musical in how it builds and releases. Where I think it could've been tighter is the middle section with the classmates' dialogue—there are several rounds of them saying similar things about how Gu An'an should apologize or leave. Some of that could've been condensed. But then again, the repetition serves a purpose because it shows how the mob mentality works. Everyone says the same thing until the truth comes out and then they all suddenly want to "let it go." The pacing of the reveal itself is perfect though. First Gu An'an mentions surveillance, then Zhao Xi dismisses it, then she actually produces the camera. Each beat raises the stakes a little more. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger with Gu An'an questioning the teacher and getting a major demerit. That's a great place to stop because it makes you immediately want to read the next chapter.
Let me sit with this image for a moment. A month-old puppy, barely old enough to survive on its own, bled dry for a basin full of blood that turns out to be almost nothing. Shi Meijiao pays fifteen yuan — a fortune in that era — for a trick. And what does she want it for? To curse her rival. To harm someone through superstition. The dog is innocent. The blood is useless. The superstition is empty. But the damage is real: Shi Meijiao ends up covered in it, vomiting, possibly exposed to rabies, while An Ruoyan kicks the basin back and watches her face the consequences. "Promoting feudal superstition" — the woman actually uses this phrase as a threat. In a time period when the state was actively campaigning against exactly this kind of belief, the irony is thick. Shi Meijiao, a reincarnated chosen one who should know better, is still reaching for magic solutions instead of using her wits. Meanwhile An Ruoyan, who supposedly has no cheat code, outsmarts her every time. The blood on Shi Meijiao's clothes with no damage to her fabric — that detail the older women catch. It's not human blood. It's not even enough dog blood to matter. Everything about this scheme is hollow. And yet Zhou Shuchen still believes her over An Ruoyan. That's the real tragedy, isn't it? The superstition isn't in the blood — it's in the belief.
I need to talk about Gu Beiting because THIS MAN. In just a few chapters, he went from barely speaking to her to actively chopping meat, washing dishes, and bringing her hot bathwater like some kind of 1970s Chinese husband simulator. Let's break down the relationship evolution because it's actually really well done. At the start of these chapters, they're still in that awkward contract phase. She's being careful, measured, polite. He's... present but distant. Then the cooking scene happens and everything shifts. The moment where she instinctively holds out a piece of crackling to him and he leans forward to take it—this is the first time they touch in a way that isn't accidental. And look at what the text does: "Both froze for a moment." One sentence. That's it. But it changes everything. Then there's Gu Beiting's POV at the end, and it's devastating in the best way. He's lying in bed, heart racing, thinking about her hands—"the hands that should be holding chalk were now cooking and washing for him." He's aware of the contract. He's aware of the two-year limit. And he's already dreading what comes after. That's not just attraction, that's genuine emotional investment forming faster than either of them planned. The Li Yumei subplot is also interesting from a relationship perspective. Gu Beiting specifically told Mu Youyou she could ask Li Yumei for help. He's already thinking about her safety and social connections in the compound. That's not nothing. And Mu Youyou herself—her character here is so layered. She's careful because she has to be (no family, contract marriage, military compound politics), but she's also genuinely warm. She brings cracklings to the neighbors' kids without being asked. She makes extra dumplings for Gu Beiting because she notices he trained hard. She's not performing kindness, she just IS kind. The CP chemistry? Impeccable. Every interaction feels earned, not forced.
Okay so let me sit with this image: Xu Lian in a pale pink oversized puff dress, walking through a mall, carrying shopping bags, looking like the most harmless woman alive. And underneath that skirt—"not just one—enough to hide a full circle's worth of guns." The dress is literally armor. It's the perfect symbol for everything this story is about: performance, disguise, the gap between appearance and reality. She looks like someone on a date and she's actually a sniper lying in wait. The petticoat makes it bouncy, "making Xu Lian, a near-dead person, feel incredibly alive." That line hit me hard. A dress that makes you feel alive while you're preparing to kill someone. The absurdity of it. The shopping bags themselves are symbolic too—she's performing normalcy, performing romance, performing the life of a woman on a date with her boyfriend. And Song Jinze sees the photo and immediately thinks about the money. "The money they spent on the clothes… could it be the 2 million gold he had given Rolling Wealth earlier?" He's tracking her through her spending. The commodification of intimacy runs through this entire passage. Everything is transactional: the 2 million gold, the stolen car (she pays the owner in gold bars), the bracelet data, the selfies as leverage. The white canopy, black shirt, cigarette—White Chess's description before he dies has this almost poetic quality. A man who looks like a silhouette against the sky, and then he's splattered with blood because someone he trusted set him up. The betrayal motif is everywhere. Broken Snake betrays White Chess. Xu Lian betrays Song Jinze (or does she?). Song Jinze betrays Pei Xiaocha by ignoring her. Everyone is playing multiple sides, and the dress is the perfect emblem for that—beautiful on the outside, lethal on the inside.
It's truly interesting and successfully captures my attention. While there are still some minor aspects that could be improved, overall, I found it engaging and enjoyable. It kept me interested, and I appreciate the effort put into it.
Is this a one man army? Or does he got subordinated and companions?
Woah, what an interesting story, I love the first chapter, and I recommend it to everyone, it worth my time. good job author,pls more update
I always read all your work especially Vimpire caregiver and a fame chess which ends in tragedy but please what is the problem with sold to the beastly alpha ? But honestly , your work is very good . I'm your fun. Keep it up.
It is a nice book the updating stability is also at its peak along with the starting of the story it is a good start that they get to know each other because of the dag and then the other coincidences that in a way looks intensenal
Mokel didn't know what hit him– even though he later realized. Lordian, I love this banger of yours, keep the chapters coming.
i'm not good in english so i can't say a lot whereas i'm really happy with this book(it's my Second favorite novel)
More like story linked to the origin of Christianity. perfect for those readers looking for something enlighten to read???