Chapter Summaries

After the Beast King evolved, Ye Yuan gave the next Evolution Pill to Big Yellow, whose own evolution led to a fight between the two pets. He stopped them after seeing their contrasting strengths and healed Big Yellow with Space Water.

• The Beast King stopped its attack when Ye Yuan shouted, then curled up and fell asleep in his arms.
• Ye Yuan saw that the new mission required one system upgrade and decided to wait before exchanging more rare metals for points.
• Ye Yuan gave the Evolution Pill to Big Yellow before the Beast King could steal it.
• Big Yellow grew much larger after taking the pill, then charged at the Beast King.
• The Beast King dodged Big Yellow's powerful attacks while Big Yellow withstood the Beast King's claws, leaving neither able to defeat the other.
• Ye Yuan stopped the fight and gave both pets Space Water, which quickly healed Big Yellow's wounds.

Ye Yuan took his pets out on his yacht to enjoy the rare good weather, where Beast King caught fish while the others played in the sea. After sharing grilled fish with them, Ye Yuan called the pets back as evening fell and prepared to head home.

• Ye Yuan sailed into the Yellow Sea with his pets, while Little Shark went fishing with Yu Hongbo’s group and Qiuqiu and Xinxin stayed behind.
• Beast King caught several sea fish and placed them in a tank on the yacht while the other pets swam and played.
• Ye Yuan grilled the fish, gave Beast King the largest one, and shared smaller fish with Big Yellow, Tank, and Duke.
• As the sun set, Ye Yuan whistled for the pets to return to the yacht so they could head back.

After Big Yellow completed its evolution, Ye Yuan returned home and noticed the Big Dragon Head fishing boat heading out to sea at night. He later welcomed Wang Xuehong and his friend Fourth Master, whose visit revealed Ye Yuan’s casual attitude toward valuable antiques.

• Big Yellow showed new strength and energy after evolving, and Ye Yuan brought the dogs back to shore.
• Ye Yuan spotted the Big Dragon Head fishing boat heading out to sea at night but continued home without investigating.
• Ye Yuan cleaned his house before Wang Xuehong and a guest arrived, then read the Lu Ban Jing while waiting.
• Wang Xuehong introduced his Shangjing friend, Fourth Master, to Ye Yuan.
• Fourth Master admired Ye Yuan’s Shoushan Stone and was stunned by the valuable antiques displayed throughout the house.
• Ye Yuan served tea in Yuan blue-and-white porcelain cups, and Fourth Master and Wang Xuehong remarked on how unusual he was.

Ye Yuan met Fourth Master and learned he wanted furniture for a teahouse in Shangjing. Ye Yuan agreed to supply the order before the New Year, leaving his existing furniture stock ready to fill it.

• Wang Xuehong introduced Fourth Master to Ye Yuan as a potential buyer of imitation Ming and Qing style furniture.
• Fourth Master recognized that Ye Yuan's woodworking came from Song Guangren and praised the carving on Ye Yuan's screen.
• Wang Xuehong explained that Fourth Master had acquired a courtyard and planned to open a teahouse that needed furniture.
• Fourth Master ordered ten Eight Immortals Tables and forty Round-backed Chairs, asking that their materials and craftsmanship match Ye Yuan's existing chairs.
• Ye Yuan agreed to deliver the furniture before the New Year, though he already had enough pieces stored in his space.

Ye Yuan promised Wang Xuehong two bottles of medicinal liquor, then hosted Wang Xuehong and Fourth Master for a lavish meal. After Fourth Master praised the wine and learned Ye Yuan brewed Aftertaste Wine, he asked about Ye Yuan’s relationship with the Xu Family, leaving Ye Yuan surprised.

• Wang Xuehong awkwardly asked Ye Yuan for the medicinal liquor he had given Zhang Wujin, and Ye Yuan mistook his request for Tiger Penis Wine.
• Ye Yuan promised Wang Xuehong two bottles of the liquor as thanks for his help.
• Ye Yuan served Wang Xuehong and Fourth Master a lavish meal and poured them his wine.
• Fourth Master praised the wine as even softer and more fragrant than Aftertaste Wine.
• Wang Xuehong revealed that Ye Yuan brewed Aftertaste Wine, and Fourth Master asked about Ye Yuan’s relationship with the Xu Family.
• Ye Yuan acknowledged meeting Old Xu but questioned why that mattered to his ownership of Aftertaste Wine.

Ye Yuan learned that the Xu Family had secretly protected Aftertaste from business rivals, then rejected Fourth Master’s investment offer by revealing that expanding production required century-old Aged Ginseng. Fourth Master’s confidence collapsed when Ye Yuan asked him to supply two roots every year.

• Fourth Master challenged Ye Yuan’s claim that he had only met Uncle Xu a few times and explained that the Xu Family had shielded Aftertaste from people seeking to seize or obstruct the business.
• Wang Xuehong described how business depended on connections, and Ye Yuan realized Xu Hang and Old Xu had been supporting him behind the scenes.
• Fourth Master offered one hundred million for ten percent of Aftertaste and promised not to interfere with production or sales.
• Ye Yuan declined the partnership indirectly, explaining that scarce raw materials—not a lack of ambition—limited Aftertaste’s production.
• Fourth Master claimed he could supply whatever materials Ye Yuan needed, so Ye Yuan asked for two century-old Aged Ginseng roots each year.
• Fourth Master nearly dropped his glass when he heard the request, knowing how difficult it had been to obtain even one Aged Ginseng root.

Ye Yuan convinced Fourth Master that his Aftertaste Wine contained Aged Ginseng supplied by a mysterious master, and Fourth Master concluded that a hidden expert stood behind him. They ended their meal on friendly terms, with Fourth Master giving Ye Yuan an invitation to Intrafish’s Fisheries Expo in Wei City.

• Fourth Master doubted Ye Yuan’s claim about the Aged Ginseng in Aftertaste Wine, so Ye Yuan suggested testing the wine.
• Ye Yuan told Fourth Master that a mysterious traditional Chinese medicine master supplied his herbs, and Fourth Master believed the story.
• Fourth Master inferred that Ye Yuan was backed by a hidden master and changed his attitude from suspicion to friendliness.
• An elderly Chinese man in a Black State base sneezed repeatedly, puzzled that his robotic body could sneeze.
• Ye Yuan and Fourth Master settled several matters over lunch, including a furniture deal, and Fourth Master gave Ye Yuan a Fisheries Expo invitation.

Ye Yuan strengthened his ties with Fourth Master by giving him ancient gold Yuanbao, and Fourth Master responded with an invitation to the Fisheries Expo. As Fourth Master left Fishing Bay Island, he asked Wang Xuehong to bring Ye Yuan to his house, leaving Wang to suspect that Fourth Master's interest came from Ye Yuan's master.

• Ye Yuan welcomed the Fisheries Expo invitation and showed Fourth Master the collectibles kept in the courtyard house.
• Ye Yuan gave Fourth Master several ancient gold Yuanbao, and Fourth Master accepted them as a gesture of respect.
• Ye Yuan gave Fourth Master and Wang Xuehong cases of special Aftertaste Wine, and he also gave Wang two bottles of medicinal wine.
• As the yacht departed, Fourth Master told Wang Xuehong that he would not covet Ye Yuan's belongings and asked him to bring Ye Yuan to his house to meet his son.
• Wang Xuehong recalled that Fourth Master's attitude had changed after hearing about Ye Yuan's master and concluded that Fourth Master wanted to use him to grow closer to Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan reconsidered Wang Xuehong and Fourth Master's motives, then prepared to attend the Fisheries Expo in Wei City after Yuwan Seafood received an invitation. He left for Blue Island International Airport alone, where a weather delay gave him time to learn more about the event.

• Wang Xuehong wondered why Fourth Master had abandoned his plan to invest in Aftertaste Wine and instead given Ye Yuan an invitation to the Fisheries Expo.
• Ye Yuan suspected Wang Xuehong and Fourth Master had come to obtain his Aftertaste Wine formula, but decided to stay cautious rather than dwell on their motives.
• Three days later, Ye Yuan received an invitation addressed to Yuwan Seafood, which Fourth Master had arranged with the expo organizers.
• Ye Yuan set off alone for Wei City after Li Shiyun said she could not accompany him.
• While his flight was delayed by weather, Ye Yuan read about the Fisheries Expo and its exhibitors, exhibition zones, and events.

Ye Yuan traveled to Lin Hai City for the Fisheries Expo, where he learned about smart fisheries and arranged for Yuwan Seafood to participate despite its late registration. At the expo, he examined modern fishing equipment and began considering whether he needed a larger boat.

• Ye Yuan read about smart fisheries and realized his fish farm still had much to learn about technology.
• Ye Yuan flew to Lin Hai City and checked into the Hilton Hotel hosting the Fisheries Expo.
• An expo liaison visited Ye Yuan to collect Yuwan Seafood’s information, and Ye Yuan provided a USB drive and confirmed he had no live exhibits.
• Ye Yuan reviewed expo materials at the hotel and planned to look for useful technologies and equipment.
• Ye Yuan attended the expo and, while viewing automated machinery, wondered whether he should replace his small fishing boat with a larger one.

At a fisheries expo, Ye Yuan explored modern processing equipment and reunited with Wei Yan, who invited him to dinner with industry contacts. The chapter ended as Wei Yan introduced him to the four people waiting in a private dining room.

• Ye Yuan compared modern seafood-processing machines with his fishing boat’s setup and considered upgrading his equipment.
• Wei Yan met Ye Yuan at the expo and learned that he was exhibiting, then invited him to dinner with industry contacts.
• Ye Yuan spent the afternoon looking for equipment suppliers and reviewing their materials before heading to the restaurant Wei Yan chose.
• Wei Yan arrived at the restaurant and brought Ye Yuan into a private room, where three men and one woman were waiting.
• A middle-aged man teased Wei Yan about bringing Ye Yuan, and she introduced him as her younger brother and seated him beside her.

Wei Yan introduced Ye Yuan to several Linhai business figures, and his red sandalwood business cards made a striking impression. The meal began with Lemon Duck and other local specialties, while Zhang Pengqiang's opinion of Ye Yuan soured over his wealth and flashy cards.

• Wei Yan introduced Ye Yuan to Miao Junkai, Zhang Pengqiang, Wang Cansheng, and Xue Lina, and Ye Yuan exchanged greetings and business cards with them.
• Miao Junkai recognized Ye Yuan's card as red sandalwood, prompting the others to inspect the cards and feel that their own looked shabby.
• Zhang Pengqiang disdained Ye Yuan's expensive cards and young business ownership, and his favorable impression of Ye Yuan sharply declined.
• A server introduced Linhai's Lemon Duck and then presented the other local specialties, giving Ye Yuan a glimpse of the region's food and traditions.

At a dinner gathering, Ye Yuan learned that the guests were pursuing separate seafood deals, while Xue Lina remained mysteriously silent. Miao Junkai approached Ye Yuan about buying all of his large yellow croaker and Fishing Bay Abalone, and Ye Yuan recognized the proposal as an attempt to monopolize his premium seafood.

• Ye Yuan sampled the silverfish as Miao Junkai remarked on its market prospects and the difficulties it posed for fish farmers.
• Ye Yuan realized Zhang Pengqiang wanted a larger purchasing quota from Miao Junkai, Miao Junkai wanted premium dried seafood from Wei Yan, and Wei Yan wanted to monopolize Zhang Pengqiang's premium sea cucumbers.
• Ye Yuan wondered why Xue Lina had attended the gathering without speaking or making a request about fishing boats.
• Miao Junkai toasted Ye Yuan and revealed that he knew about Yuwan Seafood and coveted its large yellow croaker.
• Miao Junkai proposed buying all of Ye Yuan's large yellow croaker and Fishing Bay Abalone, and Ye Yuan suspected he intended to monopolize his high-end seafood.

Ye Yuan rejected Miao Junkai’s vague seafood-buying proposal at a Fisheries Expo dinner, then spent the rest of the expo ordering equipment for his family’s fishing boats. After returning to Blue Island, he visited Li Shiyun and his parents, where his sister warned him that Miao Junkai was a fraud.

• Ye Yuan recognized the risks in Miao Junkai’s proposed seafood deal and directed him to discuss business with Manager Ye Hui.
• Wei Yan steered the dinner away from business, then warned Ye Yuan that Miao Junkai was troublesome and encouraged him to get to know Xue Lina.
• Ye Yuan attended the Fisheries Expo over the following days and ordered equipment for his family’s fishing boats.
• Ye Yuan returned to Blue Island, spent the afternoon with Li Shiyun, and visited his parents.
• Ye Yuan told his older sister about meeting Miao Junkai, and she called the man a fraud.

Ye Yuan returned to Fishing Bay Island, caught up with Li Hui and Yu Hongbo, and heard that Big Dragon Head had repeatedly taken a fishing boat southeast at night. The men suspected he was heading toward a restricted fishing zone to transport goods, but they did not learn what he was really doing.

• Ye Hui refused Miao Junkai's demand to control Fishing Bay Farm and stopped supplying him with seafood, and Ye Yuan agreed with her.
• Ye Yuan returned to Fishing Bay Island and joined Li Hui and Yu Hongbo for dinner to discuss the island, the boat, and equipment he had bought.
• Yu Hongbo told Ye Yuan that Big Dragon Head had often put out to sea at night, and Li Hui said Wang Family Village had not been selling much seafood.
• Ye Yuan checked a sea chart and wondered whether Big Dragon Head was heading for the restricted fishing zone southeast of Fishing Bay Island.
• Li Hui said he had heard Big Dragon Head's boat was transporting goods for a boss, while Yu Hongbo urged them not to worry unless the trips harmed the island.

Ye Yuan joined Yu Hongbo and the crew for a nearshore fishing trip while postponing long-distance voyages to handle deliveries and the Pinghai Underwater Museum. Zhang Wujin arranged to meet them at sea, and the Yushui Hao left the dock with Ye Yuan aboard.

• Ye Yuan agreed to accompany Yu Hongbo and the crew on a nearby fishing trip while planning to stay near shore for the coming weeks.
• Zhang Wujin called Ye Yuan and asked to go to sea with him, then arranged to meet the ship from Nanlin Island.
• Ye Yuan told Yu Hongbo they would leave without waiting for Zhang Wujin, and Yu Hongbo ordered Ding Yi to get the Yushui Hao moving.
• Ye Yuan enjoyed the sea breeze from the bow as the Yushui Hao departed Fishing Bay Island.
• Ma Hua asked Ye Yuan to demonstrate his fishing skills, but Ye Yuan told him to handle his own bragging.

Ye Yuan learned why Zhang Wujin had brought Zhang Jun onto the fishing boat: Zhang Jun had lost his late mother's Patek Philippe watch near Youlong Reef and hoped Ye Yuan could retrieve it. Seeing the request as a chance to build a useful relationship for his family, Zhang Wujin persuaded Ye Yuan to help, and Ye Yuan agreed despite warning that he could not guarantee success.

• Zhang Wujin arrived by yacht with his friend Zhang Jun and asked Ye Yuan to take them to Youlong Reef.
• Zhang Wujin privately told Ye Yuan that Zhang Jun had lost the watch his late mother gave him and had already failed to recover it with salvage crews.
• Zhang Wujin explained that he hoped to befriend Zhang Jun because his family's customs connections could help with the horse ranch and imports for his resort plans.
• Ye Yuan agreed to search for Zhang Jun's watch, while cautioning that it had been lost a week earlier and might not be found.

Ye Yuan took Zhang Jun out to search for the watch he had lost near Youlong Reef, while Zhang Jun enjoyed seeing life aboard a fishing boat. Ye Yuan searched the reef-filled seabed but had not found the watch when the chapter ended.

• Zhang Jun told Ye Yuan that he had a 95% chance of recovering his watch and asked him for help.
• Ye Yuan changed the Yushui Hao’s course and brought Zhang Jun and Zhang Wujin toward Youlong Reef.
• Ye Yuan dove into the sea in his protective diving suit, leaving Zhang Jun to ask Zhang Wujin about his underwater abilities.
• Ye Yuan searched the seabed for twenty minutes but found no sign of the watch.
• Ye Yuan continued searching among the reefs and dense seaweed, realizing the area was richer in marine life than he had expected.

Ye Yuan found Zhang Jun’s missing watch inside a giant Tridacna and returned it to him. Afterward, Ye Yuan resumed fishing with the group, while Zhang Jun discovered that the work he had romanticized was exhausting.

• Ye Yuan spotted Zhang Jun’s watch inside a large Tridacna, removed it, and swam back to the Yushui Hao.
• Zhang Wujin and Zhang Jun smoked Ye Yuan’s cigars while waiting, and Zhang Jun eagerly greeted Ye Yuan when he surfaced.
• Ye Yuan tossed Zhang Jun the watch, and Zhang Jun confirmed it was his and thanked Ye Yuan.
• Ye Yuan caught Zhang Wujin smoking his cigars, then led the boat along its original route to fish.
• Zhang Jun tried sorting the catch, complained about the strain, and Zhang Wujin joked that ideals and reality differed.

After helping Zhang Jun recover his watch, Ye Yuan spent the evening drinking with him and Zhang Wujin aboard their yacht. Swimming back to his fishing boat, Ye Yuan discovered an unflagged cargo ship stopped nearby and cautiously approached to investigate.

• Zhang Jun thanked Ye Yuan for helping him recover his watch and asked why fishermen struggled when Ye Yuan had caught so much fish.
• Zhang Wujin explained that Ye Yuan had an unusual knack for finding fish, which accounted for his successful catches.
• Zhang Jun became drunk, and Ye Yuan left the yacht to swim back to his fishing boat.
• Ye Yuan sensed a cargo ship stopped a few nautical miles away and noticed that it flew no country's flag.
• Ye Yuan swam beneath the cargo ship and used his perception to observe the people aboard without surfacing.