Chapter Summaries

Chapter Twenty-One Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Beiyou carries the injured Ye Nanxun into a building after finding him unable to walk. Nanxun is initially stunned and unsure how to address him, nearly calling him “Your Majesty.”
• They pass a private room where suggestive sounds are coming from inside, leaving Nanxun embarrassed and motionless. Yan Beiyou silently takes him into an elevator and clarifies that his name is Yan Beiyou, prompting Nanxun to call him “Mr. Yan.”
• Yan Beiyou brings Nanxun to a private living room and explains that, because of his battlefield experience, he understands injuries well. He identifies Nanxun’s ankle sprain as involving a misaligned bone.
• Yan treats the ankle with pain- and swelling-relieving spray while reassuring Nanxun not to be afraid. Their physical proximity and the contrast between Yan’s rough, strong hands and Nanxun’s delicate appearance create a moment of subtle intimacy.
• Yan notices faint red marks on Nanxun’s foot after holding it still and asks whether he hurt him. Nanxun explains that his skin marks easily and insists that it does not hurt.
• A medical team examines Nanxun and confirms that his ankle injury is not severe enough to require surgery, but he must rest for at least a week, avoid putting weight on it, and use a wheelchair.
• A full-body scan reveals that Nanxun also has a lingering shoulder injury caused by Zhu Shixin. Yan dismisses the doctor and nurse before the shoulder can be treated, saying that Song Ren will handle it later.
• Yan explains that he has something important to discuss with Nanxun and produces a black-and-white patterned egg, creating a suspenseful ending.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: His usual calm and reserved nature is challenged by Yan’s sudden physical care and their intimate proximity. He becomes visibly shy and flustered, especially when hearing the sounds from the private room and when Yan examines his foot, but he remains polite and emotionally controlled.
• Yan Beiyou: He demonstrates practical competence, authority, and unexpected attentiveness. Though outwardly restrained, he carefully treats Nanxun’s injury, reassures him, notices even minor discomfort, and takes responsibility for his medical care. His decision to personally oversee Nanxun’s examination suggests growing concern or a specific hidden purpose.
• Their relationship: Their interaction becomes more personal and physically intimate. Nanxun begins addressing Yan by name rather than by title, while Yan shows a protective willingness to care for him directly.

Significant Themes

• Care beneath emotional restraint: Yan’s quiet actions reveal concern despite his controlled and authoritative demeanor.
• Vulnerability and trust: Nanxun must allow Yan to handle his injuries, gradually accepting his help despite initial embarrassment and hesitation.
• Power and protection: Yan’s status and strength contrast with Nanxun’s physical delicacy, positioning Yan as both an intimidating authority figure and a protector.
• Suspense and hidden motives: The unexplained egg and Yan’s insistence on a private examination suggest that an important revelation or discussion is imminent.
• Physical intimacy and awareness: Small details—touch, bruising, warmth, and eye contact—highlight the growing tension between them.

Chapter 22 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun becomes extremely tense when Yan Beiyou mentions arranging a physical examination, fearing that doctors may discover his secret Poison Mushroom pheromones.
• He hurriedly refuses the examination, then regrets speaking so abruptly to the galaxy’s emperor. Sensing his distress, Yan Beiyou cancels the appointment and reassures him that he will not be forced to undergo one.
• Yan Beiyou asks Ye Nanxun to examine the mysterious black-and-white egg. When Ye holds it, the egg begins glowing rhythmically and warming, apparently reacting to his presence.
• Yan reveals that their pheromones accidentally fused and produced the egg. Because the egg requires both of their pheromones to hatch, the two of them will need to keep it with them.
• Ye realizes that his lost Mushroom Spore may have caused the pheromone fusion. Yan identifies the egg’s patterns as resembling mycelium, confirming that he knows Ye’s Companion Beast is a Mushroom Spore.
• Ye admits that his Companion Beast is specifically a poisonous Mushroom Spore, capable of severely harming or killing others.
• Yan reveals that his own Companion Beast is the legendary Black Dragon and explains that dragons are immune to poison.
• Yan asks whether Ye wants to keep and hatch the egg with him, emphasizing that Ye will not be forced and that he has alternative methods to ensure its survival.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: His fear of medical examinations exposes how deeply he worries about his dangerous pheromones being discovered. Although he remains anxious and self-conscious, he gradually trusts Yan enough to admit the truth about his Poison Mushroom nature.
• Yan Beiyou: He demonstrates unusual patience and consideration toward Ye, immediately canceling the examination and speaking gently to calm him. Rather than using his authority to command Ye, he presents the egg’s situation as a mutual decision and reassures him that he has a choice.
• Their relationship: The interaction marks a shift from suspicion and guardedness toward honesty and cooperation. Yan openly shares important information, while Ye begins revealing a secret he has long tried to conceal.

Significant Themes

• Trust and vulnerability: Ye’s fear of exposure contrasts with Yan’s calm acceptance, allowing Ye to lower his defenses.
• Consent and personal choice: Despite being the emperor, Yan refuses to pressure Ye and asks whether he genuinely wants to participate in caring for the egg.
• Unusual bonds and shared responsibility: The egg physically represents the accidental fusion of their pheromones and creates a continuing connection between them.
• Fear of being dangerous: Ye sees his poisonous nature as a threat, while Yan’s immunity suggests that what makes Ye frightening to others may not make him unacceptable to Yan.

Character Interactions

• Yan gently comforts Ye after his panicked refusal of the examination, maintaining a respectful distance and asking him to call him “Mr. Yan.”
• Ye handles the egg while repeatedly turning to Yan for explanation and reassurance.
• Yan calmly reveals that he knows Ye’s secret, but treats it as a fact rather than something repulsive or threatening.
• Their conversation ends with Yan reassuring Ye that his poisonous pheromones cannot harm the Black Dragon, potentially easing Ye’s fear of being close to him.

Chapter 23 Summary — “Unexpected Softness”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun returns home in a hovercar after meeting Yan Beiyou and tells him he will carefully consider Yan’s proposal.
• His parents worry over his injury, but Nanxun reassures them that modern technology allows him to manage independently despite his injured right foot.
• Jiang Yuenian checks on Nanxun and arranges for his private doctor to examine the injury. Nanxun accepts the offer.
• Yan Beiyou sends Nanxun a friend request using a Little Yellow Dog profile picture. Nanxun accepts, surprised and emotionally affected by seeing this gentler, unexpected side of the powerful alpha.
• The two exchange a brief good-night conversation, which leaves Nanxun deeply moved because Yan Beiyou was once someone he never dared even think about.
• The next day, Jiang Yuenian’s private doctor examines Nanxun and estimates that he should be able to walk again in about a week.
• Jiang had arrived with the doctor earlier but had asked Nanxun’s family not to wake him, wanting him to rest.
• Nanxun’s friends He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng arrive after learning of his injury. They have lunch with his family, experiencing the warmth of the Nanxun household.
• He Lanxue invites Nanxun to an art exhibition, and he agrees. Ye Zhineng insists on joining them, claiming he can take care of Nanxun.
• He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng exchange sharp remarks about Xu Wenyan, revealing tension between them.
• At the exhibition, the group unexpectedly encounters He Yiming and Xu Wenyan.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Shows vulnerability and emotional sensitivity beneath his normally calculated, distant exterior. He is touched by Yan Beiyou’s personal message and increasingly willing to accept help from powerful allies. His embarrassment at oversleeping and his gentle behavior with his family reveal his softer side.
• Yan Beiyou: Reveals an unexpectedly cute and approachable aspect through his Little Yellow Dog profile picture and his simple good-night message. His proposal and growing contact with Nanxun suggest increasing personal interest.
• Jiang Yuenian: Demonstrates genuine concern by arranging medical care and prioritizing Nanxun’s rest, strengthening their connection.
• He Lanxue: Becomes more attracted to Nanxun after seeing his warmth and softness at home. She also displays jealousy or protectiveness regarding Ye Zhineng’s attention toward him.
• Ye Zhineng: Continues to act possessive and intrusive, using Nanxun’s injury as an excuse to accompany him. His strained relationship with He Lanxue remains evident.
• Nanxun’s parents: Provide a loving, supportive, and harmonious family environment that contrasts with He Lanxue’s own home life.

Significant Themes

• Unexpected tenderness: Powerful or seemingly distant characters reveal softer, more human sides.
• Trust and emotional vulnerability: Nanxun begins cautiously allowing others to care for him, despite his long-standing habit of relying only on himself.
• Family warmth and belonging: The loving atmosphere of Nanxun’s home affects He Lanxue and highlights what she lacks in her own family.
• Strategic relationships becoming personal: Nanxun originally sought proximity to influential figures for protection, but his interactions with Yan Beiyou and Jiang Yuenian begin developing genuine emotional significance.
• Contrasts between appearance and reality: Yan Beiyou’s cute profile, Nanxun’s softness at home, and the differing behavior of characters in public and private challenge their outward reputations.

Character Interactions

• Nanxun and Yan Beiyou share their first brief, intimate online exchange after becoming friends.
• Jiang Yuenian supports Nanxun through medical assistance while respecting his need for rest.
• Nanxun’s family welcomes He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng, allowing them to witness the household’s warmth.
• He Lanxue grows closer to Nanxun but clashes verbally with Ye Zhineng, particularly over Xu Wenyan.
• Ye Zhineng attempts to position himself as Nanxun’s caretaker, while He Lanxue views his behavior skeptically.
• The chapter ends by setting up a confrontation or awkward encounter with He Yiming and Xu Wenyan at the art exhibition.

Chapter 24 Summary: “Facing Xu Wenyan”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun attends a private art exhibition with He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng. He Lanxue’s prestigious family background allows them entry despite the exhibition’s limited public access.
• The exhibition focuses on Companion Beasts and partial beastification. Nanxun becomes especially fascinated by a painting of a cheerful Little Yellow Dog.
• The painting reminds him of Yan Beiyou and their encounter the previous night, including their mingled pheromones, the egg they created, and Yan’s reassurance that dragons are immune to poison.
• Ye Zhineng notices Nanxun’s unusual emotional focus on the painting and offers to buy it for him.
• William, the exhibition’s manager and a powerful alpha, arrives after being contacted by Ye Zhineng. He offers the painting to Nanxun as a gift, clearly hoping to establish a connection with the beautiful SS-class omega.
• Nanxun politely refuses, wary of accepting expensive gifts and the obligations they might create. Ye Zhineng pressures him to accept, but Nanxun responds with a cool glance that unsettles him.
• Xu Wenyan and He Yiming then appear. Xu Wenyan immediately demands the Little Yellow Dog painting. When the others point out that Nanxun saw it first, Xu Wenyan deliberately tears the painting from the wall, throws it to the floor, and stomps on it.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: His usually detached exterior briefly softens as he is drawn to the Little Yellow Dog painting and reflects on Yan Beiyou. He demonstrates strong independence and caution by refusing William’s expensive gift, recognizing the hidden expectations behind it. Seeing Xu Wenyan again causes suppressed tension, though Nanxun maintains outward composure.
• Ye Zhineng: He tries to use the exhibition to introduce Nanxun to influential young nobles, particularly William. His apparent generosity is partly strategic. He closely observes Nanxun and is visibly shaken by Nanxun’s cold, penetrating gaze.
• He Lanxue: She remains openly protective of Nanxun and hostile toward Xu Wenyan. She mocks Xu when he attempts to take the painting.
• William: He behaves warmly and enthusiastically toward Nanxun, but his offer of the painting reveals a desire to gain access to him socially.
• Xu Wenyan: He is introduced as spiteful, possessive, and deliberately provocative. His destruction of the painting appears intended to hurt or challenge Nanxun rather than simply obtain the artwork.
• He Yiming: He accompanies Xu Wenyan and observes the situation with detached arrogance, offering no meaningful intervention.

Significant Themes

• Hidden motives and social maneuvering: Gifts, introductions, and polite interactions conceal attempts to gain influence over Nanxun.
• Independence and guardedness: Nanxun refuses to accept something valuable when he suspects it carries an invisible obligation.
• Memory and emotional symbolism: The Little Yellow Dog painting becomes linked to Nanxun’s thoughts of Yan Beiyou, his secret pheromone, and the possibility of a meaningful bond.
• Class and privilege: Access to the exhibition depends heavily on family status, highlighting the social hierarchy of Dream Star.
• Cruelty and provocation: Xu Wenyan’s destruction of the painting demonstrates how personal hostility can be expressed through public humiliation and calculated vandalism.

Character Interactions

• He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng display a strained sibling relationship, though both remain involved with Nanxun.
• Ye Zhineng attempts to broker a connection between Nanxun and William, while Nanxun resists being treated as part of a social arrangement.
• William’s flattering attention makes Nanxun uncomfortable because of its obvious ulterior motive.
• He Lanxue openly confronts Xu Wenyan over the painting, while Ye Zhineng also argues that Nanxun saw it first.
• Nanxun and Xu Wenyan share their first encounter since Nanxun’s rebirth. Their silent exchange is tense and hostile, ending with Xu Wenyan deliberately destroying the painting Nanxun admired.

Chapter 25 Summary

Plot points and events

• At an art exhibition, Ye Nanxun notices a painting of a Little Yellow Dog that reminds him of Yan Beiyou’s pet, though he has no intention of owning it.
• Xu Wenyan suddenly tears the painting apart and openly mocks the dog, revealing an unusually arrogant and provocative attitude.
• Ye Zhineng confronts Xu Wenyan, while He Lanxue angrily defends Ye Nanxun. However, He Yiming merely tells Xu Wenyan to stop fooling around, showing that he continues to indulge and protect him.
• Xu Wenyan deliberately provokes He Lanxue and humiliates William, the gallery owner. William is furious but leaves without confronting He Yiming, recognizing that Xu Wenyan is shielded by He Yiming’s influence.
• Ye Nanxun leaves with He Lanxue and Ye Zhineng. He Lanxue apologizes repeatedly, but Ye Nanxun assures her that Xu Wenyan would have targeted him regardless.
• On the way home, Ye Nanxun analyzes Xu Wenyan’s behavior and concludes that it is inconsistent with the original storyline. Xu Wenyan should still be pretending to be weak and innocent, not acting openly domineering.
• Ye Nanxun suspects that Xu Wenyan may also have been reborn, just as he was.
• After returning home, Ye Nanxun spends time alone in the garden as snow begins to fall. He finally messages Yan Beiyou, asking when they can discuss “hatching eggs.”

Character development

• Ye Nanxun: Remains calm and observant despite being publicly targeted. His ability to compare Xu Wenyan’s current behavior with the original plot allows him to identify a major change and suspect Xu Wenyan’s rebirth. He also becomes more proactive by contacting Yan Beiyou.
• Xu Wenyan: Displays blatant arrogance, cruelty, jealousy, and confidence. Unlike his expected early-stage persona, he no longer hides behind weakness or innocence, suggesting that his behavior has been altered by memories of a previous life.
• He Yiming: Continues to favor and protect Xu Wenyan, tolerating his misconduct even when others are insulted. His attention is briefly drawn to Ye Nanxun’s vulnerable appearance.
• He Lanxue: Feels guilty for indirectly causing Xu Wenyan to target Ye Nanxun and openly defends her friend. Her anger fades into helplessness because of He Yiming’s favoritism toward Xu Wenyan.
• Ye Zhineng: Becomes angry at Xu Wenyan and escorts Ye Nanxun home, though Xu Wenyan’s disregard for him suggests a change from their previous-life dynamic.
• William: Feels humiliated after Xu Wenyan destroys the painting and undermines his authority as gallery owner, but he cannot retaliate because He Yiming supports Xu Wenyan.

Significant themes

• Rebirth and altered fate: Xu Wenyan’s behavior appears to diverge sharply from the original plot, raising the possibility that he, too, remembers a previous life.
• Masks and hidden identities: Xu Wenyan was supposed to maintain a façade of innocence, while Ye Nanxun quietly observes the difference between appearances and reality.
• Power and favoritism: Xu Wenyan’s boldness comes from He Yiming’s protection, allowing him to mistreat others without consequence.
• Observation and strategic thinking: Rather than reacting emotionally, Ye Nanxun studies inconsistencies and uses them to reassess the situation.
• Vulnerability and perception: Ye Nanxun’s lowered head and pale neck make him appear fragile to others, even though he is privately thinking carefully and drawing important conclusions.

Key character interactions

• Xu Wenyan provokes Ye Nanxun by destroying the dog painting.
• Ye Zhineng challenges Xu Wenyan, while He Lanxue demands that He Yiming intervene.
• He Yiming lightly reprimands Xu Wenyan but ultimately allows him to continue behaving badly.
• He Lanxue apologizes to Ye Nanxun, and Ye Nanxun reassures her that she is not responsible.
• William silently resents Xu Wenyan and leaves rather than risk confronting He Yiming.
• The chapter ends with Ye Nanxun reaching out to Yan Beiyou about their private discussion concerning “hatching eggs.”

Chapter Twenty-Six Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun suffers another nightmare after encountering Xu Wenyan, reliving the terror of blindness, drowning, and malicious forces pushing him into darkness. Yan Beiyou’s late-night message wakes him, and he does not dream again afterward.
• During his recovery, Ye Nanxun withdraws from unwanted social obligations. He Lanxue informs him that gallery owner William has banned Xu Wenyan from his galleries because of his previous misconduct.
• He Lanxue becomes noticeably cautious around Ye Nanxun, while Ye Zhineng begins treating him more warmly, seemingly attempting to act like a genuine cousin.
• Musician Jiang Yuenian visits Ye Nanxun and encourages him to pursue music professionally. Ye Nanxun declines, explaining that he intends to return to school the following spring.
• It is revealed that Ye Nanxun has already signed a long-term contract with Dream Star Academy. At only nineteen, he has become a professor of microbiology, shocking the academic community because of his age and impressive research achievements.
• Faculty members discuss Ye Nanxun’s talent and compare him to Jiang Ying, the Academy’s former youngest professor.
• Ye Nanxun waits in a café near the Academy of Sciences and reflects on Jiang Ying’s hidden connection to Xu Wenyan. Although Jiang Ying appears rational and refined, Ye Nanxun knows he is secretly involved in Xu Wenyan’s corrupt and degrading world.
• As Ye Nanxun struggles to ask a server for hot water, Yan Beiyou enters the café and walks directly toward him. His cold demeanor softens when he sees Ye Nanxun, and he asks whether Ye Nanxun has been waiting long.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Continues recovering physically and emotionally from his past trauma. He remains guarded and socially inexperienced after years of isolation, but he is also reclaiming his life by accepting a prestigious professorship and planning to return to formal education. His knowledge of the future or past events makes him wary of Jiang Ying and Xu Wenyan.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows concern for Ye Nanxun through his late-night message and personal visit. His normally intimidating, icy presence noticeably softens when interacting with Ye Nanxun, suggesting growing affection or protectiveness.
• He Lanxue: Feels guilty about Xu Wenyan’s previous behavior and becomes cautious in her communications with Ye Nanxun.
• Ye Zhineng: Begins treating Ye Nanxun with unusual warmth, apparently trying to establish a sincere familial relationship, though Ye Nanxun remains skeptical of his motives.
• Jiang Yuenian: Recognizes Ye Nanxun’s unusual musical talent and potential, though he respects Ye Nanxun’s decision not to pursue music as a career.
• Jiang Ying: Is introduced as a highly accomplished biologist and former youngest professor. Despite his polished, rational exterior, Ye Nanxun knows he possesses a darker side and is entangled with Xu Wenyan.

Significant Themes

• Recovery and reclaiming one’s future: Ye Nanxun moves beyond isolation and trauma by establishing an academic career and preparing to return to school.
• Appearance versus reality: Several characters appear different from their true selves—Jiang Ying hides his depravity behind refinement, while Ye Zhineng’s new warmth may or may not be genuine.
• Trauma and vulnerability: Ye Nanxun’s nightmare reveals that his past still affects him deeply, even as he becomes stronger and more independent.
• Talent and exceptionalism: His achievements as a nineteen-year-old professor highlight his extraordinary intelligence and mental power, while also separating him from ordinary social expectations.
• Growing emotional connection: Yan Beiyou’s message and visit emphasize the developing bond between him and Ye Nanxun.

Character Interactions

• He Lanxue communicates with Ye Nanxun about Xu Wenyan and William’s ban, attempting to maintain contact while respecting Ye Nanxun’s distance.
• Jiang Yuenian praises Ye Nanxun’s musicianship and discusses his future, but Ye Nanxun firmly chooses microbiology and academia instead.
• Academy staff compare Ye Nanxun with Jiang Ying, establishing both their professional connection and rivalry in status.
• Ye Nanxun internally judges Jiang Ying after recalling his hidden relationship with Xu Wenyan.
• The chapter ends with Yan Beiyou approaching Ye Nanxun in the café, their first direct interaction in the scene, as his icy expression softens upon seeing him.

Chapter 27 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun meets Yan Beiyou after signing his contract at the Academy of Sciences. Expecting a representative to collect him, he is surprised when Yan comes personally, disguised through advanced technology.
• Yan confirms his identity by speaking and asks whether Ye has eaten. Since neither has had lunch, they leave the café together.
• Despite worsening snow and wind, Yan personally holds an umbrella and pushes Ye’s wheelchair to an autonomous hovercar.
• Yan takes Ye to his own spacious, comfortable apartment rather than a private estate or restaurant. The home contains signs of ordinary domestic life, revealing a more personal side of Yan.
• Yan has prepared indoor slippers and crutches for Ye, showing that he anticipated Ye’s needs.
• While Ye holds the mysterious egg formed from their fused pheromones, Yan cooks lunch. The egg unexpectedly bounces, frightening Ye, and Yan reassures him that it is sturdy and reacting happily to Ye’s presence.
• The chapter ends with Yan serving stir-fried beef while Ye remains tense and protective of the animated egg.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: He remains cautious and easily flustered around Yan, especially when Yan shows personal concern or physical care. His surprise at Yan’s apartment, prepared slippers, crutches, and cooking reveals that Ye is beginning to see him as more than a powerful public figure. Ye also displays growing emotional attachment to the egg, instinctively holding it protectively.
• Yan Beiyou: He demonstrates a considerate, domestic, and unexpectedly playful side. Rather than delegating tasks, he personally escorts Ye, prepares for his mobility needs, invites him into his home, cooks for him, and offers calm reassurance. His teasing comment about the egg “being happy” suggests increasing intimacy and comfort between them.

Significant Themes

• Unexpected intimacy: Yan’s acts of practical care—pushing Ye’s wheelchair, preparing slippers and crutches, and cooking—create a private closeness that contrasts with his prestigious and busy public identity.
• Trust and vulnerability: Ye is placed in Yan’s private home and must rely on him physically and emotionally, though he remains nervous and guarded.
• Domesticity versus status: The chapter emphasizes the contrast between Yan’s powerful social position and his ordinary household behavior.
• The developing bond: The egg, created from the fused pheromones of three powerful individuals, symbolizes the unusual connection between the characters and reacts to Ye’s presence as though recognizing him.

Character Interactions

• Yan takes the initiative throughout the meeting, while Ye responds politely but nervously.
• Yan’s physical assistance repeatedly unsettles Ye, who is unused to receiving such direct care from him.
• Their quiet journey in the hovercar shows their mutual awkwardness and restrained curiosity.
• In the apartment, Yan asks about Ye’s food preferences and lightly teases him about being easy to feed.
• Yan reassures Ye about the egg’s safety, while Ye’s repeated alarm and protective handling highlight both his unease and his growing emotional investment.

Chapter 28 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• On a cold, rainy afternoon, Ye Nanxun stays inside Yan Beiyou’s home, holding the mysterious Mushroom Egg because his injured legs make moving difficult.
• Yan Beiyou finishes cooking and carelessly tosses the sturdy egg onto the dining table. It nearly falls, then rolls back on its own, showing signs of unusual—and possibly intelligent—behavior.
• The two share a meal. Ye Nanxun is surprised by how good Yan Beiyou’s cooking is, while Yan explains that cooking helps him relieve stress.
• Yan gives Ye Nanxun an update on the egg: its contents remain unknown, its shell is extraordinarily hard, and it may take up to a year to hatch. They agree to take turns caring for it, with Ye Nanxun bringing it home for seven days.
• Worried about protecting the egg—and himself—Ye Nanxun asks what he should do if someone attacks or tries to steal it.
• Yan provides a wooden box containing:
  • A diamond stud with advanced disguise technology capable of altering or replicating facial features.
  • A necklace containing Yan’s powerful 3S-level alpha pheromones. Opening it will immobilize people nearby and allow Yan to locate Ye through the released pheromones.
• Yan demonstrates the disguise device, but Ye reveals that he has no pierced ears. Yan offers to have it converted into an ear clip, which embarrasses Ye because of Yan’s prolonged attention to his ears.
• Ye leaves with the Mushroom Egg and pheromone necklace, while the ear-clip version will be prepared later.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun becomes increasingly willing to rely on Yan Beiyou, though he remains cautious and self-conscious. His questions about danger reveal a growing desire for safety and protection.
• He also begins to recognize the emotional significance of Yan entrusting him with highly personal and powerful resources, particularly Yan’s pheromones.
• Yan Beiyou continues to show practical care through cooking, protecting Ye, and providing advanced defensive tools. His relaxed teasing and attentiveness contrast with his intimidating status as a 3S-level alpha and ruler.
• Yan’s behavior suggests growing trust in Ye, as he gives him both responsibility for the egg and access to his own pheromones.

Significant Themes

• Trust and vulnerability: Ye must care for the mysterious egg while trusting Yan with his safety.
• Protection and security: The defensive necklace represents Yan’s willingness to protect Ye even when they are apart.
• Hidden identities and transformation: The disguise technology reinforces the importance of appearances, secrecy, and Yan’s concealed identity.
• Growing intimacy: Shared food, personal belongings, and gentle teasing create a domestic atmosphere and deepen the connection between the two.
• Mystery and anticipation: The egg’s unknown contents and unpredictable behavior sustain suspense, especially with the possibility that it may hatch into something extraordinary.

Character Interactions

• Yan casually cares for Ye by helping him move, cooking for him, hanging up his coat, and reminding him not to strain his injured foot.
• Ye sincerely praises Yan’s cooking, creating a more comfortable conversational atmosphere.
• Their discussion of the egg allows them to establish a cooperative arrangement and shared responsibility.
• Ye’s concern about misusing Yan’s pheromones leads to playful teasing from Yan, making Ye visibly embarrassed.
• Yan’s attention to Ye’s unpierced ears produces further awkwardness and romantic tension, while his offer to arrange an ear clip shows consideration for Ye’s comfort.

Chapter Summary: “Dating Isn’t Bad Either”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a severe bout of sleet, Ye Nanxun stays at Yan Beiyou’s apartment with the Mushroom Egg, a mysterious object he is becoming familiar with. Yan offers him the guest room and asks him to remain nearby in case anything unexpected happens.
• Ye Nanxun feels unusually relaxed and safe in Yan’s quiet, private home. After the weather fails to improve, Yan drives him home.
• Using his powerful pheromones, Yan creates a sheltered space around Ye Nanxun, protecting him from the freezing wind and rain as he escorts him to the villa.
• Ye Nanxun’s parents meet Yan briefly and are impressed by his appearance and manner. They assume he may be a potential romantic interest, but Ye insists that they are only ordinary friends.
• After Yan leaves, Ye privately keeps the Mushroom Egg and the necklace infused with Yan’s pheromones, suggesting that Yan’s presence has become emotionally meaningful to him.
• As New Year approaches, Ye’s ankle heals, allowing him to walk without assistance. He prepares to begin official work in his own laboratory and office after the holiday.
• Ye declines an invitation to the department’s New Year’s dinner, but tells his mother that he already has plans with a friend. His mother is pleased that he is spending time with someone.
• A news report announces that the Star Lord will attend the New Year’s Eve gala at the Dream Star Imperial Palace. Ye immediately checks his messages and sees that Yan has invited him there, promising to send someone to pick him up.
• On New Year’s Eve, Ye worries over what to wear but ultimately chooses ordinary clothes. Yan sends Song Ren, a close friend and renowned pheromone expert, to escort him to the Imperial Palace.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: He remains socially anxious and withdrawn, but is increasingly comfortable around Yan. He shows growing trust by staying at Yan’s home, accepting his help, and agreeing to attend the New Year’s celebration. His attachment is subtle but evident in the way he keeps Yan’s pheromone necklace and reacts immediately to news of seeing him again.
• Yan Beiyou: He continues to be considerate and protective toward Ye, providing him with a safe room, accompanying him home in dangerous weather, and arranging transportation for the New Year’s event. His actions suggest steady personal interest, though he remains restrained and respectful.
• Ye’s parents: They are curious and optimistic about Yan, hoping Ye may begin forming closer relationships and perhaps consider dating. Their concern is affectionate rather than forceful.
• Song Ren: Introduced as Yan’s trusted friend and a highly accomplished pheromone expert, he becomes the person responsible for bringing Ye to the gala.

Significant Themes

• Safety and emotional refuge: Yan’s apartment and pheromone barrier symbolize the sense of security Ye finds in his presence, contrasting with Ye’s usual need for isolation.
• Growing intimacy: Their relationship develops through small acts of care rather than explicit declarations. The necklace, the invitation, and Yan’s arrangements all indicate increasing closeness.
• Social anxiety and gradual change: Ye continues to avoid crowds and social gatherings, yet he begins making exceptions for Yan, showing slow emotional growth.
• Romance and outside perception: Ye’s parents’ comments introduce the possibility of dating, while Ye’s denial suggests he has not yet acknowledged—or is not ready to define—the depth of his feelings.
• Independence and recovery: Ye’s healed ankle and upcoming professional position mark his return to normal life and greater independence.

Character Interactions

• Ye and Yan: Their conversations remain practical and understated, focused mainly on the Mushroom Egg, but Yan’s protective behavior and Ye’s quiet acceptance reveal mutual trust.
• Ye and his parents: His parents gently question him about Yan and encourage him to socialize. Ye responds defensively but does not reject the idea of spending time with Yan.
• Ye and his colleagues: Ye politely declines the department’s New Year’s dinner, maintaining his preference for privacy while remaining courteous.
• Ye and Song Ren: Their first meeting is polite and formal, with Ye recognizing Song as one of Yan’s important associates.

Chapter 30 Summary — Embarrassing Companion Beast

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun enters the inner district of the Dream Star Imperial Palace for the first time, traveling with Song Ren through the enormous palace grounds.
• He sees the imposing statue of the emperor and reflects on the contrast between Yan Beiyou’s public image as a powerful ruler and his private domestic side.
• Song Ren explains that Yan Beiyou had intended to receive Ye Nanxun personally but was too busy. He offers to show Ye Nanxun the palace’s New Year’s Eve banquet and fireworks later.
• During their conversation, Song Ren asks what Ye Nanxun thinks of Yan Beiyou. Ye Nanxun describes him as “gentle,” surprising Song Ren because Yan Beiyou is generally viewed as intimidating and formidable.
• Song Ren reveals that only he and Yan Beiyou know about Ye Nanxun’s Poison Mushroom pheromones, relieving Ye Nanxun’s anxiety about the secret being exposed.
• Song Ren leaves Ye Nanxun outside Yan Beiyou’s study. Before Ye Nanxun can knock, Yan Beiyou opens the door and invites him inside.
• Yan Beiyou appears completely transformed in his formal imperial uniform, sharply contrasting with the relaxed man Ye Nanxun knows from home. He tells Ye Nanxun to call him “His Majesty” inside the palace but “Mr. Yan” elsewhere.
• In the study, Yan Beiyou offers Ye Nanxun alcohol, teasing him lightly when he admits he rarely drinks. Ye Nanxun instead asks for warm water.
• Yan Beiyou’s Companion Beast, a cheerful Little Yellow Dog, rushes over to greet Ye Nanxun and nearly knocks him down. Yan Beiyou is embarrassed by the dog’s overly enthusiastic behavior.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly aware of the gap between Yan Beiyou’s imperial identity and his private personality. Though intimidated by Yan Beiyou’s authority and formal appearance, he continues to view him as fundamentally gentle. His concern about his pheromone secret shows his vulnerability and desire for trust and privacy.
• Yan Beiyou: Is shown balancing two identities: an austere, powerful emperor in public and a teasing, considerate man in private. His immediate opening of the study door suggests he may have been waiting for Ye Nanxun. His embarrassment over the Companion Beast adds a rare, humorous vulnerability.
• Song Ren: Acts as a reassuring intermediary between Ye Nanxun and the imperial household. His kindness and discretion help Ye Nanxun feel more comfortable, while his knowledge of pheromone research hints at his deeper involvement in Ye Nanxun’s situation.
• Companion Beast: The Little Yellow Dog displays open affection toward Ye Nanxun, suggesting it already likes or recognizes him and adding warmth and comedy to the encounter.

Significant Themes

• Public image versus private self: Yan Beiyou’s intimidating statue and formal imperial uniform contrast with the gentle man who cooks, holds umbrellas, and keeps a small dog.
• Trust and secrecy: Ye Nanxun’s anxiety about who knows about his pheromones highlights the importance of confidentiality and emotional safety.
• Power and intimacy: Despite the vast difference in status between them, Yan Beiyou treats Ye Nanxun with familiarity and gentle teasing.
• Humor and domestic warmth: The Companion Beast’s enthusiastic greeting undercuts the solemnity of the palace and reveals a more personal side of Yan Beiyou’s life.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun and Song Ren: Establish a comfortable rapport, discussing Yan Beiyou and Song Ren’s research. Song Ren reassures Ye Nanxun that his pheromone secret is safe.
• Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou: Share a formally awkward but subtly intimate first meeting in the palace. Yan Beiyou gently teases Ye Nanxun and guides him into the study.
• Ye Nanxun and the Little Yellow Dog: The dog eagerly greets him, startling and nearly toppling him.
• Yan Beiyou and the Little Yellow Dog: Yan Beiyou silently reacts with embarrassment at his Companion Beast’s overly enthusiastic behavior.

Chapter 31 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun returns the Mushroom Egg to Yan Beiyou, but the intelligent egg clearly prefers staying close to Ye Nanxun. It repeatedly rolls back toward him and acts affectionately, forcing Yan Beiyou to take it away and put it in his pocket.
• Yan Beiyou observes that the Mushroom Egg has begun developing intelligence despite still being an egg.
• He gives Ye Nanxun a customized emerald earring containing advanced military technology. The earring can alter Ye Nanxun’s appearance by generating a new face or copying another person’s face.
• Yan Beiyou explains that the earring can be attached using his pheromones. Ye Nanxun agrees without hesitation, allowing Yan Beiyou to press it onto his earlobe.
• Ye Nanxun prepares to leave, mentioning that he is planning to meet Song Ren. Yan Beiyou becomes noticeably interested and asks whether Ye Nanxun and Song Ren are close.
• Ye Nanxun explains that Song Ren is a pheromone-research expert and that he himself will begin conducting microorganism research at the Scientific Research Institute after the New Year.
• Yan Beiyou reveals that he intends to find Ye Nanxun during the New Year’s Eve banquet, while claiming that Song Ren already has plans for the evening.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun remains innocent and straightforward, unintentionally making an ambiguous remark about “your egg” and becoming embarrassed only afterward. He is comfortable enough with Yan Beiyou to accept the alpha’s pheromones without coyness, suggesting growing trust and intimacy.
• Ye Nanxun’s scientific abilities and ambitions are emphasized: despite being only nineteen, he is preparing to conduct advanced research.
• Yan Beiyou shows a softer, more possessive side. He gives Ye Nanxun a valuable customized device, personally attaches it to him, and reacts subtly when Ye Nanxun mentions spending time with Song Ren.
• Yan Beiyou’s mysterious past is briefly highlighted: he appeared at eighteen and became ruler of the galaxy through overwhelming strength, with no known information about his family or origins.
• The Mushroom Egg demonstrates increasing intelligence and attachment to Ye Nanxun, behaving like a jealous or clingy companion.

Significant Themes

• Growing intimacy and trust: The use of pheromones to attach the earring symbolizes a level of personal closeness, made significant by the alpha–omega dynamic.
• Possessiveness and jealousy: Yan Beiyou’s questioning about Song Ren and his insistence on taking back the Mushroom Egg hint at guarded affection and jealousy.
• Identity and disguise: The Emerald Earring introduces the theme of changing or concealing one’s identity, likely foreshadowing future undercover activity or danger.
• Exceptional talent and strength: Both protagonists are portrayed as extraordinary in different ways—Ye Nanxun through scientific ability and Yan Beiyou through political and physical power.
• Unexplained origins: Yan Beiyou’s unknown past continues to create mystery around his character.

Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou share an awkward but affectionate exchange after Ye Nanxun’s accidental innuendo about the Mushroom Egg.
• Their interaction with the egg becomes playful, with the Mushroom Egg choosing Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou silently reclaiming it.
• Yan Beiyou carefully seeks Ye Nanxun’s consent before using pheromones, while Ye Nanxun responds openly and calmly.
• Yan Beiyou’s reaction to “Brother Song” reveals subtle jealousy, contrasting with his otherwise controlled demeanor.
• The chapter ends with Yan Beiyou arranging to meet Ye Nanxun at the banquet, suggesting he wants to keep close watch over him.

Chapter Thirty-Two Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After leaving Yan Beiyou’s study, Ye Nanxun—still disguised with the Emerald Earring—joins Song Ren for coffee and work-related discussion.
• Song Ren reveals that Ye Nanxun has formalwear prepared for the New Year’s Eve banquet. The black outfit, apparently selected by Yan Beiyou, fits Ye Nanxun perfectly.
• In his disguise, Ye Nanxun appears as a refined, blue-eyed omega with an aloof and elegant presence.
• At the café, Ye Nanxun meets Ji Yunqi, one of Yan Beiyou’s three closest friends. Ji Yunqi is visibly displeased by Ye Nanxun’s presence, seemingly because Song Ren is abandoning him during the celebration.
• Ye Nanxun asks Song Ren to take him to the Royal Library, partly to avoid Ji Yunqi’s hostile scrutiny.
• Before leaving, Ye Nanxun notices Xu Wenyan entering the café with House Zhou’s eldest young master. Xu Wenyan has deliberately cultivated this relationship, hoping it will give him access to Yan Beiyou at the banquet.
• Song Ren shows Ye Nanxun around the library but later leaves to handle other matters, telling him Yan Beiyou will arrive in about an hour.
• Ye Nanxun settles into a sofa and reads alone in the quiet library.
• Yan Beiyou eventually arrives and silently approaches him. Ye Nanxun notices his presence and rises to greet him.
• Yan Beiyou’s attention is drawn to the thin silver chain around Ye Nanxun’s neck. Hidden beneath Ye Nanxun’s collar is a vial containing Yan Beiyou’s pheromones.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Remains calm, self-contained, and more comfortable in solitude than at social gatherings. Although disguised, his natural elegance and detached demeanor remain unmistakable. His request to visit the library suggests a desire to avoid unnecessary attention and preserve emotional distance.
• Song Ren: His gentle manner is revealed to conceal a carefree, sociable personality. He acts as Ye Nanxun’s guide and protector while carefully maintaining the secret of Ye Nanxun’s identity.
• Ji Yunqi: Introduced as charming but possessive and openly suspicious of Ye Nanxun. His close relationship with Song Ren is evident, as is his irritation at being left behind.
• Xu Wenyan: Continues maneuvering socially to gain access to Yan Beiyou. His confidence that Yan Beiyou might fall in love with him at first sight reveals his ambition and self-delusion.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows quiet attentiveness toward Ye Nanxun, approaching him silently in the library and immediately noticing the pheromone vial concealed against his neck.

Significant Themes

• Disguise and concealed identity: Ye Nanxun’s altered appearance allows him to move among Yan Beiyou’s acquaintances without being recognized, while the hidden pheromone vial preserves a private connection to his true relationship with Yan Beiyou.
• Public appearances versus private truth: Formalwear, social alliances, and the upcoming banquet emphasize political and social performance, contrasting with Ye Nanxun’s quiet reading and the intimate secret represented by the vial.
• Social maneuvering and ambition: Xu Wenyan attempts to exploit House Zhou’s connections, while Ji Yunqi’s relationships and loyalties reveal the importance of proximity to powerful figures.
• Quiet intimacy: The library scene creates a private, peaceful atmosphere between Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou, suggesting closeness that exists beneath their public disguises and formal roles.

Character Interactions

• Song Ren treats Ye Nanxun with familiarity and reassures him throughout the outing, while Ji Yunqi reacts with jealousy and suspicion.
• Ye Nanxun deliberately avoids prolonged interaction with Ji Yunqi by asking Song Ren to accompany him to the library.
• Xu Wenyan approaches Ji Yunqi through Young Master Zhou, hoping to use their connection to meet Yan Beiyou.
• Yan Beiyou and Ye Nanxun share a quiet reunion in the library, with Yan Beiyou’s attention focused on the concealed symbol of their bond: the vial containing his pheromones.

Chapter Thirty-Three Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun finishes reading a book about pheromones in the Royal Library while waiting for Yan Beiyou.
• He explains that he has long researched microbial medicines designed to ease alpha susceptible periods and help omegas safely endure their heats. In his previous life, he was murdered before completing this work.
• Ye hopes to join the Scientific Research Institute, both to continue his unfinished research and to gain access to superior equipment and facilities.
• Yan Beiyou grants Ye permanent access to the Royal Library and permission to borrow books, encouraging him as a “top student.”
• Ye and Yan then leave for the evening banquet as darkness settles over the Palace Square.
• Meanwhile, Xu Wenyan accompanies Zhou Zhixia and attempts to manipulate him by suggesting that Ji Yunqi was drawn away by another omega.
• Zhou defends Ji Yunqi’s character, while Xu privately mocks the elite social circle and plots to use Zhou’s interest and connections.
• Upon seeing Yan Beiyou’s enormous statue in the Palace Square, Xu becomes intensely captivated and convinces himself that he alone is destined to become the emperor’s omega.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Reveals his scientific ambitions and the trauma behind them. His desire to finish his research demonstrates determination and a wish to reclaim the future stolen from him. He also becomes slightly more emotionally open, meeting Yan’s gaze and responding firmly when encouraged.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows growing consideration toward Ye by giving him special library privileges and supporting his academic goals. His softened attitude suggests increasing personal interest and affection.
• Xu Wenyan: Displays his manipulative, jealous, and ambitious nature. His fascination with Yan Beiyou shifts from admiration into possessive certainty, revealing that he intends to pursue the emperor.
• Zhou Zhixia: Appears sincere and comparatively trusting. He remains attracted to Ji Yunqi but recognizes the distance between ordinary people and the emperor, unlike Xu’s delusional confidence.

Significant Themes

• Second chances and unfinished dreams: Ye’s current life allows him to pursue the research he was prevented from completing.
• Healing through support: Yan’s encouragement and trust give Ye confidence and emotional reassurance.
• Ambition versus reality: Xu believes desire alone can overcome the enormous social and personal distance separating him from Yan.
• Power and idealization: Yan’s statue symbolizes his immense authority and the way people across the galaxy project fantasies onto him.
• Contrasting forms of affection: Ye’s quiet, sincere connection with Yan is contrasted with Xu’s possessive ambition and calculated manipulation.

Important Character Interactions

• Yan and Ye share a gentle library exchange in which Yan learns about Ye’s research, grants him special privileges, and calls him a “top student.”
• Xu attempts to influence Zhou by planting doubts about Ji Yunqi, but Zhou resists the suggestion.
• Zhou notices Xu’s intense reaction to Yan’s statue and reflects on the impossibility of ever becoming close to the emperor.
• Xu silently rejects Zhou’s realistic view, believing with absolute confidence that he is destined to be Yan Beiyou’s future omega.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a lively New Year’s celebration in the Imperial Palace, Ye Nanxun walks through a quiet corridor with Emperor Yan Beiyou.
• Ye uses a tiny Mushroom Spore to secretly observe and overhear Xu Wenyan speaking with Zhou Zhixia. Xu’s intense, almost obsessive gaze toward the Emperor’s statue suggests he may be setting his ambitions on Yan Beiyou.
• Yan Beiyou interrupts Ye’s concentration and asks whether he can dance. Ye agrees, not yet realizing that the Emperor intends for him to be his partner.
• Yan explains that palace staff ask him every year whether he will perform the opening dance. This time, he accepted—and specifically arranged to dance with Ye.
• Ye becomes extremely nervous at the thought of dancing publicly before countless viewers. Yan reassures him, gently saying that he does not have to agree if he is uncomfortable.
• When Ye worries that he may dance poorly because it is his first public performance, Yan reveals that it is also his first time, easing Ye’s anxiety.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Remains observant and cautious, using his Companion Beast to investigate Xu Wenyan while trying to conceal his actions from Yan. He is unsettled by Xu’s ambitions and displays a growing emotional reaction—possibly jealousy or protectiveness—toward Yan. Though shy and nervous, he does not immediately reject Yan’s invitation.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows a gentle, considerate side beneath his dignified imperial presence. He deliberately chooses Ye as his dance partner and reassures him rather than pressuring him. His calm humor and warmth make their interaction more intimate.
• Xu Wenyan: His intense fixation on the Galactic Emperor’s statue hints at powerful ambition and possibly a desire to pursue or challenge Yan Beiyou. Ye interprets this development with suspicion and anger.

Significant Themes

• Growing intimacy: The invitation to dance functions as a personal gesture, drawing Ye and Yan closer in a public yet emotionally private moment.
• Jealousy and unspoken feelings: Ye’s anger at Xu Wenyan’s apparent interest in Yan suggests feelings he has not fully acknowledged.
• Public image versus private emotion: Yan is a highly visible emperor, while Ye fears public scrutiny; the opening dance forces their private relationship into the public eye.
• Trust and vulnerability: Ye risks exposing his unusual abilities by eavesdropping, while Yan’s admission that the dance is also his first time creates a sense of shared vulnerability.
• Ambition and political tension: Xu Wenyan’s fixation introduces a potential threat or rival presence beneath the festive atmosphere.

Character Interactions

• Ye secretly observes Xu Wenyan through his Mushroom Spore, creating an indirect connection between the two.
• Yan notices Ye’s distraction and draws him back into the present.
• Yan confidently arranges for Ye to be his dance partner, while Ye responds with nervous hesitation.
• Their conversation shifts from formal imperial address to a warmer exchange in which Yan gently reassures Ye and makes him feel less alone.

Chapter Thirty-Five Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The New Year’s Eve gala begins in the Imperial Palace’s central square, enclosed by light screens that keep out the snow and cold.
• Zhu Shixin teases Ye Zhineng about being alone and asks about his cousin, Xu Wenyan. Their exchange becomes tense because Xu Wenyan has been avoiding Zhu since Zhu failed to help him enter the Imperial Palace.
• He Yiming joins them and mentions that he plans to spend the New Year with Professor Jiang, implying a close relationship between them.
• The lights go out, and instead of a traditional opening speech, the enormous statue of the Galactic Emperor is illuminated. The crowd reacts with overwhelming admiration and applause.
• Yan Beiyou appears beneath the statue and reaches back for Ye Nanxun, who is visibly nervous about entering the spotlight.
• Yan reassures Ye Nanxun and leads him onto the stage. They perform a formal dance together before the entire gala.
• Ye Nanxun’s anxiety fades once the dance begins, allowing him to focus on Yan Beiyou. Afterward, he is taken to a palace room to rest and soon falls asleep while Yan returns to the banquet.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Initially overwhelmed by the attention and pressure of performing before the powerful Imperial audience, he gradually relaxes through Yan Beiyou’s support. His ability to meet Yan’s gaze and dance calmly suggests growing trust and emotional intimacy.
• Yan Beiyou: Displays patience, tenderness, and protectiveness toward Ye Nanxun. He guides him physically and emotionally, reassuring him that he will not let him falter.
• Ye Zhineng: Continues to behave as a flirtatious and confident alpha, using another omega to provoke or deflect Zhu Shixin’s teasing.
• Zhu Shixin: Remains frustrated by Xu Wenyan’s continued avoidance but is still eager to find him. His excitement at the possible appearance of the Emperor highlights his admiration for powerful figures.
• He Yiming: Maintains a composed, authoritative presence and hints at his relationship with Professor Jiang. His indifferent treatment of Xu Wenyan and Zhou Zhixia creates an undertone of tension.
• Xu Wenyan: Does not interact directly with the main group, but his absence and avoidance remain significant to Zhu Shixin.

Significant Themes

• Power and worship: The crowd’s reaction to the Galactic Emperor’s statue emphasizes the overwhelming authority and status of the galaxy’s strongest alpha.
• Public image versus private vulnerability: The gala is a display of wealth, power, and social confidence, yet Ye Nanxun privately struggles with fear and pressure.
• Trust and emotional support: Yan Beiyou’s reassurance enables Ye Nanxun to overcome his anxiety, showing how their bond is strengthening.
• Hierarchy and status: The interactions among the younger alphas, the Imperial family, and the Emperor’s symbolic presence reinforce the rigid social and political hierarchy of their world.
• Romantic intimacy: The dance functions as both a public performance and a private emotional moment, with Ye Nanxun becoming increasingly aware of Yan’s presence and gaze.

Character Interactions

• Zhu Shixin and Ye Zhineng exchange hostile, teasing remarks concerning Xu Wenyan and their romantic pursuits.
• He Yiming interrupts their tension and discusses spending the New Year with Professor Jiang.
• Father He reprimands He Yiming for his posture, reinforcing their formal and strained father-son dynamic.
• Yan Beiyou comforts and guides Ye Nanxun onto the stage, then dances with him while maintaining physical and emotional reassurance.
• After the performance, Yan ensures Ye Nanxun is resting comfortably before returning to the banquet.

Chapter 36 Summary: “Taking Little Yellow Dog Home”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun wakes just after midnight to the sound of New Year bells and fireworks, having accidentally slept through most of the New Year’s Eve banquet.
• He steps onto the balcony and watches spectacular fireworks, including a Tree of Life, phoenix, dragon, and a white Big Mushroom. The Big Mushroom reminds him of something but he dismisses it as coincidence.
• Yan Beiyou gives Ye Nanxun an overcoat, wishes him a happy New Year, and offers to take him home.
• Before Ye Nanxun leaves the hovercar, Yan Beiyou entrusts him with his small yellow dog for a week, revealing that the dog’s name is Little Dragon.
• Ye Nanxun returns home carrying Little Dragon and finds that his parents have waited up for him. His mother immediately notices the romantic implications of Yan Beiyou bringing him home and lending him the dog.
• After settling Little Dragon in his room, Ye Nanxun exchanges brief messages with Yan Beiyou. Yan asks him to take the dog with him when he goes out because Little Dragon is afraid of strangers.
• Just as Ye Nanxun prepares to spend the sleepless night browsing the news, he sees a major headline reporting that the Galactic Emperor danced into the New Year with a mysterious, beautiful omega.
• The accompanying photograph clearly shows Ye Nanxun—while disguised—dancing with Yan Beiyou, leaving him shocked.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly conscious of his closeness to Yan Beiyou and embarrassed by how others may interpret their relationship. He is caring and responsible toward Little Dragon, though Yan’s casual teasing and affectionate behavior make him flustered. The leaked photograph forces him to confront the possibility that his connection with Yan Beiyou is now public.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows continued consideration toward Ye Nanxun by giving him a coat, driving him home, checking on his injury, and entrusting him with Little Dragon. His behavior suggests familiarity and trust, while his private messages use Ye Nanxun’s name warmly.
• Chen Mingzhu: Quickly recognizes the suggestive nature of the situation and teasingly implies that Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou may be raising the dog together.
• Little Dragon: Acts as a new link between Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou, giving Yan an excuse to maintain contact and encouraging Ye Nanxun to care for something connected to him.

Significant Themes

• Growing intimacy and emotional ambiguity: Yan Beiyou and Ye Nanxun behave increasingly like a couple, though neither openly acknowledges their feelings.
• Public image versus private identity: Both men use disguises outside the palace, but their New Year dance is exposed through the media, threatening to reveal their association.
• Trust and domestic closeness: Yan’s decision to leave Little Dragon with Ye Nanxun creates a temporary shared responsibility and brings Yan’s presence into Ye Nanxun’s home life.
• New beginnings: The New Year setting, fireworks, and changing relationships symbolize a transition toward a deeper stage in their bond.
• The danger of exposure: The chapter ends with Ye Nanxun realizing that the public may now speculate about his relationship with the Galactic Emperor.

Character Interactions

• Yan and Ye Nanxun share a quiet, intimate New Year moment while watching fireworks. Yan’s gentle concern contrasts with Ye Nanxun’s nervous embarrassment.
• Yan teasingly calls Ye Nanxun a “good child,” while Ye Nanxun suppresses his protest to avoid appearing immature.
• Yan entrusts Little Dragon to Ye Nanxun and asks him to care for the dog, strengthening their connection.
• Ye Nanxun’s mother questions him about Yan and jokingly suggests they are raising the dog together, increasing his embarrassment.
• Yan and Ye Nanxun exchange a brief but affectionate good-night conversation.
• The chapter concludes with Ye Nanxun seeing photographic evidence of their dance, turning their previously private interaction into a potentially public scandal.

Chapter 37 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun expects to spend New Year’s night sleepless, but after drinking milk and being comforted by a faint rose scent, he falls into a deep sleep.
• He wakes to Little Dragon, the small yellow dog he is temporarily caring for. During the university’s three-day New Year holiday, the campus is nearly empty.
• After the holiday, Ye Nanxun returns to working alone in the research laboratory every day. He spends most of his time inside, leaving only at noon to buy a simple meal and walk Little Dragon.
• While waiting in line at a convenience store, Ye Nanxun overhears students discussing His Majesty’s appearance at a banquet. They speculate that the beautiful, tall omega who danced with him must be the emperor’s lover and that a wedding announcement may be coming.
• The description—an elegant omega with ice-blue eyes, nearly as tall as His Majesty—strongly resembles Ye Nanxun, though he remains unnoticed because he is bundled in winter clothing.
• After eating, Ye Nanxun walks Little Dragon to a pavilion, drinks hot water, and photographs the dog for Yan Beiyou. He has been sending Yan Beiyou three daily updates since taking care of Little Dragon.
• A pale, physically delicate omega approaches and feeds Little Dragon a sausage. The dog still refuses to let him touch it, but the omega enjoys seeing it.
• The omega reveals that he is a master’s student rather than a teaching assistant and asks whether Ye Nanxun is also a student.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Remains independent and absorbed in his research, but his routine shows increasing emotional consideration for Yan Beiyou through the daily photographs of Little Dragon. He is also gentle and attentive in caring for the dog. His reaction to public discussion of the mysterious dancing omega is restrained, suggesting he is accustomed to concealing his connection to His Majesty.
• Yan Beiyou: Though absent from the chapter, he remains present through Ye Nanxun’s thoughts and daily messages. His attachment to Little Dragon is implied by Ye Nanxun’s belief that he would miss the dog.
• The pale omega: Introduced as a quiet, fragile-looking graduate student who likes dogs. He is shy but becomes more comfortable with Ye Nanxun, eventually initiating a question and showing interest in him.
• Little Dragon: Remains affectionate only toward Ye Nanxun and wary of others, though it accepts food from the visiting omega.

Significant Themes

• Public image versus private identity: The public is fascinated by the omega who danced with His Majesty, while Ye Nanxun quietly goes about his life unnoticed.
• Loneliness and companionship: Ye Nanxun’s solitary work is softened by his bond with Little Dragon and his ongoing contact with Yan Beiyou.
• Care expressed through small gestures: Sending photographs, preparing the dog’s needs, and sharing food demonstrate affection indirectly.
• Secrecy and misunderstanding: The students’ speculation contrasts with Ye Nanxun’s silence, emphasizing how little the public knows about the relationship behind the rumors.

Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun interacts briefly with convenience-store customers and the cashier, whose comments unknowingly describe him as His Majesty’s dance partner.
• He communicates with Yan Beiyou by sending regular photos of Little Dragon.
• He has a gentle, increasingly personal conversation with the pale omega, discussing the dog, university life, and their academic status. The chapter ends as the omega begins to take a more active interest in Ye Nanxun.

Chapter 38 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• On New Year’s Day, Ye Nanxun begins working at the Scientific Research Institute and encounters a frail omega he has seen several times before. The omega introduces himself as Cao Xi, though Jiang Ying answers for him.
• Jiang Ying, a respected alpha professor and Ye’s new colleague, is revealed to be Cao Xi’s advisor. Ye recognizes him from his past life as one of Xu Wenyan’s associates and as a researcher involved in illegal experiments on omegas.
• Ye recalls that Jiang Ying once experimented on him after discovering that his pheromones were the highly toxic “Poison Mushroom.” Jiang Ying also supplied drugs used to control powerful omegas, including He Lanxue.
• Ye settles into a routine at the institute, accompanied by Little Dragon. Cao Xi regularly visits during Ye’s lunch break, bringing treats for the dog and quietly spending time nearby. Their relationship remains restrained but increasingly familiar.
• Cao Xi tells Ye that he will be absent for several days, hinting that something may be happening in his life or under Jiang Ying’s influence.
• He Lanxue invites Ye to his birthday banquet. Ye agrees to attend and declines the offer of a family driver, choosing to drive himself.
• Ye also contacts Yan Beiyou about their planned “egg swap.” Yan cannot meet during the day but promises to pick Ye up after the birthday gathering.
• Ye feels reassured by Yan’s willingness to come for him, while simultaneously fearing that his plan to poison someone may be discovered.
• The next afternoon, Ye drives to the He household with a birthday gift.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Remains outwardly quiet, detached, and cautious, but his memories of Jiang Ying reveal the trauma behind his guarded behavior. He continues calculating the risks of his revenge plan and finds unexpected emotional comfort in knowing Yan will come to collect him.
• Cao Xi: Appears timid, physically frail, and deeply nervous around Jiang Ying. His repeated visits to Ye suggest that he trusts or feels safe around Ye, even though he speaks very little.
• Jiang Ying: Presents himself as a gentle, refined, and professional professor, but Ye remembers his hidden role in unethical experimentation and omega control. His polite exterior contrasts sharply with his threatening past.
• Yan Beiyou: Though absent from most of the chapter, he shows concern and reliability by offering to pick Ye up after the banquet.
• He Lanxue: Cheerfully and insistently invites Ye to his birthday, maintaining an affectionate relationship with him.

Significant Themes

• Trauma beneath appearances: Jiang Ying’s elegant public persona conceals his history of cruelty, while Cao Xi’s frailty may conceal serious danger or suffering.
• Trust and protection: Ye is wary of everyone, yet Yan’s promise to pick him up gives him a rare sense of security.
• Revenge and moral risk: Ye continues preparing to poison someone, weighing the probability of discovery against his desire for justice or retaliation.
• Control and exploitation: The chapter highlights the abuse of omegas through illegal experimentation, pheromone manipulation, and coercive drugs.
• Quiet companionship: Ye and Cao Xi bond through repeated, mostly silent interactions centered on Little Dragon.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye meets Jiang Ying and Cao Xi at the institute, immediately recognizing Jiang Ying’s significance from his previous life.
• Cao Xi repeatedly spends lunch breaks beside Ye and Little Dragon, creating a quiet, tentative connection.
• Ye exchanges warm messages with He Lanxue about attending the birthday celebration.
• Ye ignores a message from Ye Zhineng, demonstrating his continued emotional distance from his family.
• Ye and Yan Beiyou discuss their schedule, and Yan’s promise to pick him up subtly deepens Ye’s dependence on and trust in him.

Chapter Thirty-Nine Summary: “Entering the He Household”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun arrives at the prestigious He Household for He Lanxue’s birthday banquet. The household’s year-round climate-control light screen, luxurious gardens, and lavish setting emphasize its immense wealth and status.
• Dressed elegantly in a silk shirt, fitted pants, and boots, Ye Nanxun attracts attention despite his comparatively ordinary family background.
• He Lanxue enthusiastically welcomes him, accepts his birthday gift, and personally escorts him to an upstairs room reserved for young omega guests.
• Before leaving to attend to her father, He Lanxue asks her close friends to look after Ye Nanxun so that his reserved personality will not leave him isolated.
• Ye Nanxun learns that the omegas have their own room, while the alphas—including He Lanxue’s brothers—are gathered elsewhere and are rumored to behave recklessly.
• He steps outside to answer a call from his cousin, Ye Zhineng, who is already at the banquet.
• Ye Zhineng questions why Ye Nanxun has repeatedly ignored his messages. Ye Nanxun calmly claims he has been busy conducting experiments, subtly dismissing his cousin’s assumption that he has no meaningful occupation.
• Ye Nanxun then encounters Cao Xi, a nervous young omega, outside another room. Cao Xi appears frightened and unable to speak freely.
• Jiang Ying emerges and explains that Cao Xi accompanied him to the banquet because he needed a break from his demanding studies. His polite greeting to Ye Nanxun contrasts with the threatening situation implied by his presence and Ye Zhineng’s thoughts.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Presents himself with greater confidence and sophistication than his relatives or social peers expect. Though introverted and socially cautious, he is observant, composed, and capable of responding sharply when Ye Zhineng belittles him. His mention of conducting experiments hints at an important private life and intellectual pursuits that others underestimate.
• He Lanxue: Demonstrates genuine affection and concern for Ye Nanxun. She personally welcomes him, introduces him to her friends, and makes sure he will be comfortable after leaving.
• Ye Zhineng: Reveals condescension toward Ye Nanxun and irritation at being ignored. He views his cousin as idle and insignificant, while also showing interest in the mysterious “experiments.” His disturbing thoughts about Cao Xi expose a predatory and cruel side.
• Cao Xi: Appears extremely timid, tense, and fearful, especially in the presence of alphas. His reaction suggests that he may be vulnerable or at risk within the banquet environment.
• Jiang Ying: Acts courteous and protective toward Cao Xi on the surface, but the surrounding context casts doubt on his intentions and suggests that Cao Xi may have been brought to the banquet for darker purposes.

Significant Themes

• Class and social hierarchy: The grandeur of the He Household and the status of its guests highlight the gulf between Ye Nanxun’s background and the wealthy elite he has entered.
• Appearance versus reality: Ye Nanxun’s refined clothing attracts attention but cannot erase class differences; similarly, Jiang Ying’s polite demeanor conceals the ominous circumstances surrounding Cao Xi.
• Underestimation and hidden ability: Ye Zhineng dismisses Ye Nanxun as unproductive, while Ye Nanxun’s reference to his experiments suggests that his true capabilities are not widely known.
• Protection and vulnerability: He Lanxue’s care for Ye Nanxun contrasts with Cao Xi’s apparent helplessness in an environment dominated by powerful alphas.
• Predatory power dynamics: The separation of omega and alpha guests, along with Ye Zhineng’s thoughts about Cao Xi, establishes the banquet as a potentially dangerous space for vulnerable omegas.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun and He Lanxue: Their warm reunion shows genuine friendship and mutual affection.
• Ye Nanxun and He Lanxue’s friends: They include him in conversation and ease his concerns about being socially awkward.
• Ye Nanxun and Ye Zhineng: Their exchange is outwardly polite but contains tension. Ye Zhineng presses him about his absences, while Ye Nanxun responds calmly and indirectly challenges his cousin’s assumptions.
• Ye Nanxun and Cao Xi: Ye Nanxun recognizes Cao Xi and approaches him kindly, briefly giving the frightened omega a familiar and reassuring presence.
• Ye Nanxun, Cao Xi, and Jiang Ying: Their meeting introduces a suspicious triangle. Cao Xi is visibly nervous, Jiang Ying controls the conversation, and Ye Zhineng’s private reaction reveals that the room may be connected to a threatening plan.

Chapter Forty Summary

Key plot points and events

• After leaving Jiang Ying’s room, the four characters stand in the corridor. Ye Nanxun is shaken by memories of his past life, when he and Cao Xi were imprisoned and experimented on in the He household’s basement.
• Jiang Ying casually invites Ye Nanxun and Ye Zhineng inside, while Ye Zhineng intervenes protectively and claims Ye Nanxun as his cousin.
• Ye Zhineng warns Ye Nanxun that Jiang Ying is manipulative and advises him not to accept drinks or wander off at the party.
• Inside the alpha gathering, Zhu Shixin provokes Ye Nanxun and attempts to touch him. Ye Zhineng stops him, while He Yiming’s warning prevents the situation from escalating.
• William approaches Ye Nanxun, apologizes for their previous encounter, and offers to show him around. Ye Zhineng leaves Ye Nanxun with William while he goes to get drinks.
• Although Ye Zhineng successfully advances his business partnership with William and gains access to the Dream Star market, he feels unexpectedly dissatisfied and troubled when leaving Ye Nanxun behind.

Character developments

• Ye Nanxun: His memories of his former imprisonment and Cao Xi’s suffering resurface, revealing his continuing trauma and concern for Cao Xi. Despite the uncomfortable environment and unwanted attention, he remains composed and emotionally guarded.
• Ye Zhineng: He increasingly behaves as though Ye Nanxun is genuinely his cousin, defending and advising him. However, his protective feelings conflict with his practical motives, and he experiences unease after handing Ye Nanxun over to William.
• Cao Xi: His past suffering is revealed through Ye Nanxun’s memories, explaining the emotional weight of Ye Nanxun’s reaction to seeing him with Jiang Ying.
• Jiang Ying: He maintains a polished, outwardly respectable demeanor while displaying a chilling, calculating attitude toward Ye Zhineng and Ye Nanxun.
• Zhu Shixin: He continues to behave aggressively and disrespectfully toward Ye Nanxun but backs down when challenged by Ye Zhineng and He Yiming.
• He Yiming: Though distant and nearly expressionless, he prevents Zhu Shixin from causing trouble, indirectly protecting Ye Nanxun.

Significant themes

• Trauma and memory: The bright party corridor triggers Ye Nanxun’s memories of imprisonment, contrasting present luxury with past cruelty.
• Protection versus exploitation: Ye Zhineng protects Ye Nanxun while also using his presence to fulfill a business arrangement, creating moral and emotional tension.
• Power and vulnerability: Omegas are treated as possessions or objects within the party’s alpha-dominated environment, while social status determines who can act with impunity.
• Emotional awakening: Ye Zhineng’s dissatisfaction suggests that his relationship with Ye Nanxun is becoming personally meaningful rather than merely familial or strategic.
• Appearances versus reality: Respectable public reputations conceal manipulation, abuse, and ulterior motives, especially in Jiang Ying’s case.

Important character interactions

• Jiang Ying and Ye Zhineng exchange restrained hostility, with Ye Zhineng blocking him from Ye Nanxun.
• Ye Zhineng gives Ye Nanxun protective instructions and later intervenes when Zhu Shixin tries to grab him.
• He Yiming warns Zhu Shixin to behave because it is Lan Xue’s birthday, ending the confrontation.
• William persuades Ye Zhineng to leave Ye Nanxun in his care, while Ye Zhineng hesitates after noticing Ye Nanxun’s trusting look.