Xia Qing

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xia Qing (夏晴)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	Mother of Zhou Tongtong; later opens and operates a milk tea shop 1096 1472
Status	Alive 1600
First Appearance	Chapter 31

Background

Xia Qing married Zhou Xian, a fellow townsman who had been the university campus belle. They had one daughter, Zhou Tongtong. Zhou Xian later worked as a Beast Hunter and died during an expedition, leaving Xia Qing to raise Tongtong alone. 62 545

Zhou Xian's elder brother, Zhou Dazhuang, had previously taken the Zhou family inheritance after their parents died, while Zhou Xian accepted a small settlement and built his own life through work. Despite this history, Xia Qing and Zhou Xian continued helping Zhou Dazhuang's family. Xia Qing allowed them to use a vacant house rent-free for years and repeatedly lent them money. 62 63

She later moved with Tongtong to Ping'an Garden Residential Area, where she became Lin Li's next-door neighbor. 61 108

Appearance

Xia Qing is a slender, pretty woman with long dark hair and an oval face. 31 210

• Often wears simple dresses, home clothes, or casual skirts and T-shirts. 31 108 545
• Once wore a matching floral dress with Zhou Tongtong for an outing. 31
• Usually keeps her hair tied up while cooking or handling errands. 61 841

Personality

Xia Qing is gentle, hospitable, and inclined to help others. She shares homemade food with Lin Li, returns a lost wallet to its owner, and continues to care for Zhou Dazhuang's family despite their long history of exploiting her goodwill. 44 63 210

Her kindness does not make her weak. When Zhou Dazhuang and Wang Haiyan demanded the vacant house associated with Zhou Xian, she firmly refused them. Repeated manipulation gradually taught her to set boundaries, threaten to involve security or police, and reject further demands. 62 112 122

Her strongest motivation is protecting Zhou Tongtong. Xia Qing carefully shields her daughter from adult conflicts, monitors Tongtong's emotional control as her psionic energy develops, and worries that a cultivator's life could expose her daughter to the same dangers that took Zhou Xian. 113 545 1590

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Zhou Dazhuang's Family

When Zhou Dazhuang and Wang Haiyan sought Xia Qing's vacant house for their son Zhou Qiang's marital home, she refused because it held sentimental value connected to Zhou Xian. She reminded them that they had already occupied the property rent-free and that Zhou Xian had supported them despite their earlier treatment of him. 62

The couple then asked for a 300,000-yuan down-payment loan. Xia Qing revealed that she had already lent them roughly 400,000 to 500,000 yuan for failed ventures, yet she still agreed to help one final time for her husband's sake. 63

After Zhou Dazhuang gambled away the money intended for Zhou Qiang's wedding, the couple returned to pressure her again. Xia Qing eventually refused further loans, warned that she would call security and the police, and received Lin Li's support when they escalated into public harassment. 112 113 122 124

Neighborly Bond with Lin Li

Xia Qing and Lin Li develop a friendly relationship as neighbors through small acts of mutual care. She gives him steamed buns, wontons, dumplings, pastries, and other homemade food, while Lin Li offers practical advice and repeatedly helps when she is being harassed. 44 148 218 841

After Xia Qing returned a lost wallet, its owner falsely accused her of taking 500 yuan. Lin Li intervened, defended her, and later accompanied her to the security bureau after the man attempted to attack him. 210 211

Xia Qing increasingly trusts Lin Li with Tongtong's safety, including asking him to collect her from school when she must travel home to handle family matters. 593 597

Zhou Tongtong's Awakening

When Tongtong's spiritual awakening becomes apparent, Xia Qing reacts with concern rather than celebration. Learning that her daughter has awakened abilities reminds her of Zhou Xian's death as a Beast Hunter, and she fears that Tongtong's peaceful life will be disrupted. 545

Xia Qing helps Tongtong conceal her psionic manifestations in public and repeatedly teaches her to calm herself when excitement causes golden spiritual light to appear in her eyes. 571 813 1066

After Tongtong breaks through to the First-Order Initial Stage, Xia Qing makes clear that spiritual energy is for self-protection, not for showing off or troubling ordinary people. 1590

Milk Tea Shop

Xia Qing begins pursuing greater independence by securing a storefront and advertising for employees for her own business. 1096

She later oversees renovations, equipment delivery, hiring, and the shop's daily operation. When Tongtong becomes ill, Xia Qing remains home to care for her after deciding that her newly hired employees are dependable enough to run the shop temporarily. 1345 1472

Relationships

• Zhou Tongtong — Her daughter. Xia Qing is affectionate, protective, and attentive to both Tongtong's education and emerging psionic abilities. 31 545 1590
• Zhou Xian — Her late husband and Tongtong's father. A Beast Hunter who died during an expedition; Xia Qing preserves the house associated with their life together. 62 545
• Lin Li — Next-door neighbor and trusted friend. They exchange food and favors, while Lin Li protects Xia Qing from harassment and helps care for Tongtong when needed. 44 113 593
• Zhou Dazhuang — Zhou Xian's elder brother and Xia Qing's brother-in-law. His gambling and repeated demands place a lasting burden on Xia Qing. 62 63 112
• Wang Haiyan — Zhou Dazhuang's wife and Xia Qing's sister-in-law. She repeatedly uses emotional pressure and Zhou Xian's memory to seek money from Xia Qing. 63 113 813
• Zhou Qiang — Her nephew. Xia Qing's sympathy for his marriage difficulties is repeatedly exploited by his parents. 62 63
• Little White Cat and Little Black Cat — Stray cats closely attached to Tongtong. Xia Qing initially treats them cautiously, then feeds and pets them as part of Tongtong's circle. 411 545