
She tried to use him to buy her freedom—and ended up trapped in a gilded cage. He was danger, control… and the only one who ever protected her. And just when she thinks she’s finally free, he comes back—closer, colder, and hiding something far more dangerous.

This episode depicts the initial entanglement between Qin Buxiao, the second in command of Dahua Hall, and An Jing, a student at a church school. Qin Buxiao intercepts An Jing while she is secretly selling cigarettes and becomes intrigued, subsequently sending people to investigate her covertly. Upon returning home, An Jing is severely punished by her cruel aunt, An Yuxian, for being two minutes late. Not only is she searched, but she is also subjected to verbal humiliation and physical abuse, revealing An Yuxian's plot to sell An Jing as "merchandise" to a wealthy magnate in Hong Kong. The episode concludes with Qin Buxiao's unexpected visit to the An residence. An Yuxian sheds her fierce demeanor and greets him obsequiously, hinting at their complex relationship.

Qin Buxiao (male lead) returns home with his aunt, An Yuxian, and unexpectedly discovers An Jing (female lead), his "niece," imprisoned and abused by An Yuxian. An Yuxian tries her best to conceal An Jing's existence, verbally humiliating her and attempting to keep her away from Qin Buxiao's notice. Qin Buxiao becomes intensely interested in An Jing and forces his way into the bathroom while she is tending to her wounds alone. Facing the aunt's watchful eye, Xiaomei, knocking to check on them, Qin Buxiao exploits An Jing's fear of her aunt, coercing and tempting An Jing to seek his help, revealing his strong desire for control and an oppressive demeanor.

An Jing is blamed by her aunt, An Yu Xian, for breaking a cherished limited edition item. Qin Bu Xiao intervenes, citing "fools should not be kept around," and successfully persuades An Yu Xian to dismiss An Jing from her service. The two hide in a cramped fitting room to evade An Yu Xian's search, creating an atmosphere of ambiguous tension. Qin Bu Xiao demands a "thank you gift" from An Jing, asking her to personally peel and feed him grapes, with overtly flirtatious remarks. Finally, Qin Bu Xiao instructs An Jing to wait for him at their usual spot after school. Back at school, An Jing receives a letter from Qin Bu Xiao, delivered by a messenger, drawing curious glances from her classmates.

This episode showcases the brewing power struggle between Qin Buxiao and the An family aunt and niece. At the An family's dinner, An Yuxian tries her best to flatter and please Qin Buxiao, but is met with his cold mockery. Qin Buxiao seizes an opportunity to cause trouble, outwardly reprimanding servants but inwardly using them as a veiled attack on An Yuxian. He then uses this chance to dismiss everyone, leaving him alone with An Jing. Under the table, Qin Buxiao engages in ambiguous verbal and physical probing with An Jing, revealing a strong desire for control and demanding that An Jing wait for him after school. The scene then shifts to school, where An Jing unexpectedly receives a mysterious letter filled with US dollars in the confession booth. This sparks discussion among classmates and plunges An Jing into deeper fear and unease.

An Jing and Qin Buxiao hide in a church from Aunt An Yuxian's search. An Jing recounts to Qin Buxiao the horrific abuse she has suffered for years from her aunt's saltwater whip, evoking Qin Buxiao's pity and a promise to protect her. However, a turn of the camera reveals An Jing's true nature: she is not a fragile "white lotus," but is aware that Qin Buxiao is her aunt's lover and has deliberately set a trap for him. An Jing plans to use Qin Buxiao to eliminate Xiaomei, who is monitoring her, and to raise money to study abroad, thereby completely escaping her aunt's control. Meanwhile, An Yuxian has already selected a "buyer," Boss Jia, over the phone and plans to "sell" An Jing at a party three days later.

Driven by greed, An Xian meticulously dresses An Jing as a "saintess" and drugs her, intending to offer her to the lecherous rich businessman Boss Jia as a commodity. After the deal of money and beauty is struck, Boss Jia is about to assault the disoriented and bound An Jing. At the critical moment, Qin Buxiao bursts in with fury, kicks Boss Jia away, and rescues An Jing from danger, displaying immense protectiveness and dominance.

Upon learning of An Jing's humiliation, Qin Buxiao ruthlessly punished the scoundrels who had offended her, fiercely declared his claim, and warned everyone that An Jing was his. He then took An Jing back to her room. An Jing analyzed their precarious situation with Qin Buxiao: her aunt, An Yuxian, saw her as a bargaining chip and was ready to sell her off at any moment. For Qin Buxiao, the second-in-command of Dahua Hall, his belief in the "law of the jungle" was An Jing's only lifeline. An Jing tested Qin Buxiao with her words, recalling a backup plan she had left at school just in case. Facing An Jing's honesty and vulnerability, Qin Buxiao reiterated his promise to protect her, and in a complex web of emotions, they shared a passionate kiss.

When An Jing is being arranged for a "transaction" with Boss Jia by her aunt, An Yu Xian, Qin Bu Xiao intercepts and takes her away. Inside the room, intense emotional tug-of-war ensues. An Jing expresses her fear of being sold again, while Qin Bu Xiao proposes she become his girlfriend for protection. Faced with Qin Bu Xiao's frivolous attitude of "seizing the day," An Jing tests his sincerity by setting the condition of "watching the sunrise." After Qin Bu Xiao leaves, An Jing's expression turns cold and stern, lamenting how cheap men's sincerity is and hinting at her own hidden plans.

An Jing, desperate to raise tuition for studying abroad, secretly visits the Golden Sands Casino without Qin Buxiao or her aunt's knowledge. Shedding her "innocent bunny" facade, she leverages Qin Buxiao's name, skillfully maneuvering at the gambling tables in a bid to acquire funds quickly. Qin Buxiao observes her from the shadows, witnessing her polished performance as she navigates the world of fame and fortune. When a belligerent gambler, suspicious of An Jing's identity, makes unwanted advances, Qin Buxiao makes a dramatic entrance, his overwhelming power and violence silencing the entire room. He not only exposes An Jing's deception but also coldly warns her that using him comes at a price, marking the beginning of a dangerous game between them.

Qin Buxiao (male) questions An Jing (female) about using his feelings. An Jing sarcastically retorts that Qin Buxiao's sincerity is worthless and states directly that she doesn't want to be entangled with someone living a life on the edge of a knife, only wanting to reclaim the money she won. The two have an intense confrontation in the room. Qin Buxiao threatens with broken glass and humiliatingly suggests An Jing go with Boss Jia (male) to gain leverage. To escape her current situation or for some other purpose, An Jing ultimately chooses to compromise and accepts this humiliating transaction.