Chapter Summaries

Chapter 61 Summary — “Cleaning Up the ‘Crime Scene’”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Professor Li informs Ye Nanxun that Yan Beiyou has returned to the Academy of Sciences, leaving Nanxun wondering when Yan’s promised “next time” will be.
• Alone at home on a cold, rainy day, Nanxun is briefly overcome by memories of his former life and the loneliness of waiting to die. The warm Mushroom Egg comforts him, easing his distress.
• Nanxun vividly recalls his intimate dream about Yan Beiyou from the previous night. Embarrassed and flustered by his sudden attraction, he treats the bedroom as a “crime scene,” throwing away the sheets, duvet cover, and underwear and thoroughly cleaning the room.
• He reflects on the changes and possibilities of his reborn life: cooperating with the Scientific Research Institute, attending his delayed omega coming-of-age ceremony, and publicly playing piano at Jiang Yuenian’s invitation.
• Nanxun acknowledges that some events cannot be controlled, including the fusion of his Mushroom Spore with Yan’s pheromones to create the glowing, warm Mushroom Egg—and his unexpected romantic feelings for Yan.
• He writes the letter “Y” on a fogged window, recognizing that it could stand for either “Ye” or “Yan,” though he knows the true answer in his heart.
• Rather than cook, Nanxun orders delivery. The delivery driver makes intrusive comments about his appearance and whether he is alone, causing Nanxun discomfort. He shuts the door and later loses his appetite after the Mushroom Egg knocks the food from his hand.
• Nanxun eats only fruit and bread, then contacts his vacationing parents. He ignores several messages from Zhu Shixin but notices an unread message from Yan, who says he is free the next day and asks when Nanxun will be home.
• Before Nanxun can decide how to respond, the power suddenly goes out. He tells Yan he will investigate, and Yan immediately calls him.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly aware of his attraction to Yan and, despite embarrassment, does not deny or fear it. His experience of having died once has made him more willing to pursue possibilities without obsessing over the outcome. He also shows growing independence by considering work, public performance, and social experiences outside his former sheltered life.
• Yan Beiyou: Remains largely off-page but becomes central through Nanxun’s memories and anticipation. His promise to return, his earlier words, and his immediate phone call suggest attentiveness and concern.
• The Mushroom Egg: Functions as Nanxun’s affectionate companion and emotional support. Its warmth helps pull him out of painful memories, and its playful interruption prevents him from eating the unwanted delivery.
• Nanxun’s parents: Their messages and video call provide emotional comfort and a sense of family connection.
• The delivery driver: His invasive questions highlight Nanxun’s vulnerability while alone and contrast with the safety Nanxun associates with Yan.

Significant Themes

• Awakening desire and belated adolescence: Nanxun experiences romantic and physical attraction with the awkwardness of someone encountering these feelings late, making the dream about Yan especially disruptive and meaningful.
• Rebirth and freedom: His second life encourages him to try new experiences and accept uncertainty rather than cling to predetermined outcomes.
• Control versus fate: Nanxun can clean his room and suppress outward evidence of his dream, but he cannot erase the feelings themselves or control the unusual bond represented by the Mushroom Egg.
• Loneliness versus companionship: Memories of dying alone are softened by the Mushroom Egg, his parents’ call, and Yan’s continued presence.
• Emotional evidence and denial: The “crime scene” metaphor reflects Nanxun’s attempt to conceal or invalidate his desire, while writing “Y” reveals that he already understands whom his feelings concern.

Character Interactions

• Nanxun and the Mushroom Egg: Their interaction is tender and almost parental; Nanxun speaks to it affectionately, and it responds through movement and physical comfort.
• Nanxun and the delivery driver: The driver’s flirtatious, intrusive behavior makes Nanxun uncomfortable, prompting him to take the food and close the door abruptly.
• Nanxun and his parents: Their video call offers warmth and reassurance while he is alone.
• Nanxun and Yan: Their relationship advances through indirect contact. Nanxun hesitates over how to answer Yan’s invitation, but the sudden power outage leads Yan to call immediately, creating suspense and suggesting mutual concern.

Chapter 62 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun immediately answers Yan Beiyou’s call, but Yan urgently tells him not to leave his bedroom.
• Following Yan’s instructions, Ye Nanxun locks the door and checks the windows. He notices dark figures outside the villa.
• Through a Mushroom Spore, Ye Nanxun overhears intruders searching the house. They reveal that:
  • The villa is surrounded.
  • Signal jammers have been installed.
  • They believe Ye Nanxun may have been drugged by something delivered earlier.
• Unable to call the police and aware that numerous attackers are approaching, Ye Nanxun prepares to defend himself with his Mushroom Spores, mycelium, and toxins.
• He realizes that poisoning or fighting so many enemies directly would be difficult, while escape through the window is also impossible because guards are stationed outside.
• The darkness suddenly becomes unnaturally complete, cutting off Ye Nanxun’s awareness of the outside. At the same time, the Mushroom Egg on his bed begins glowing brightly, illuminating the room.
• The intruders force open the bedroom door, but instead of attackers, Yan Beiyou appears.
• Ye Nanxun remains ready to use his pheromone bottle, uncertain what has happened to the people outside.
• Yan kneels before him and gently asks why he did not open the bottle, reassuring him: “Xiaoxun, I have plenty of pheromones.”

Character Development

• Ye Nanxun demonstrates composure and practical intelligence under threat. Although briefly frightened, he quickly assesses the attackers, considers his limited combat ability, and attempts to use his Companion Beast and pheromones strategically.
• His growing reliance on Yan Beiyou is evident: he follows Yan’s instructions immediately and seeks his help when the danger escalates.
• Yan Beiyou reveals his protective nature and extraordinary confidence. His unusually urgent tone suggests concern for Ye Nanxun, while his sudden appearance indicates that he possesses powerful abilities or resources capable of neutralizing the attack.

Significant Themes

• Protection and trust: Yan’s calm instructions and intervention contrast with Ye Nanxun’s isolation, emphasizing their developing bond.
• Hidden abilities and information gaps: Ye Nanxun’s pheromones and Companion Beast remain advantages because enemies do not fully understand them; Yan’s final statement hints that he too possesses formidable pheromone-related power.
• Vulnerability versus strength: Ye Nanxun is trapped and outnumbered, yet his calm reasoning and unusual abilities prevent him from becoming helpless.
• Suspense and uncertainty: The signal jammers, blackout, disappearing Mushroom Spore, and unexplained darkness create uncertainty about what happened before Yan entered the room.

Character Interactions

• Yan Beiyou takes command over the phone, repeatedly instructing Ye Nanxun to stay inside, lock the room, and remain quiet.
• Ye Nanxun reports the intruders and follows Yan’s directions while independently scouting with his Mushroom Spore.
• When Yan finally appears, Ye Nanxun is prepared to use his pheromone bottle, but Yan reassures him with gentle familiarity and implies that he can handle the attackers himself.

Chapter 63 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the rain stops, Ye Nanxun speaks briefly with his parents during their nightly video call. He hides the recent break-in because he does not want them to cut their travels short and return home.
• After bathing, Ye Nanxun reflects on how frightened he actually was during the attack. Although he had believed himself calm, his pale appearance and physical tension reveal that he remains afraid of darkness and danger.
• He goes downstairs and finds Yan Beiyou still at the estate, having personally stayed to deal with the aftermath.
• Yan explains that the intruders were desperate men who had temporarily banded together. One was a deliveryman who had noticed Ye Nanxun was alone and informed the others. Their original plan was robbery, but their intentions became more sinister after seeing Ye Nanxun.
• Ye Nanxun thanks Yan and offers him water. Yan takes away Ye’s ice water and insists that he drink the warm water he usually prefers, showing attentiveness to his habits.
• Ye Nanxun notices Yan’s rose-scented pheromones and directly asks whether Yan can smell his own pheromones, which are poisonous.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: His composure is shown to be partly an outward appearance; internally, he is still shaken by the attack. However, he accepts his fear as a normal human reaction instead of criticizing himself. His behavior around Yan also becomes increasingly open and instinctive: he observes Yan closely, responds with mild grievance when his drink is taken, and bluntly asks about pheromones.
• Yan Beiyou: He demonstrates reliability and protectiveness by arriving quickly and personally handling the intruders. His knowledge of Ye’s drinking habits and his insistence on warm water suggest that he pays close attention to Ye’s needs. Though outwardly calm and restrained, his immediate intervention and heightened presence imply concern and possessiveness.

Significant Themes

• Fear beneath apparent calm: Ye Nanxun’s physical condition exposes emotions he tries to suppress, emphasizing that bravery does not mean the absence of fear.
• Trust and protection: Ye relies on Yan’s assurances that the danger has been handled, while Yan’s actions reinforce his role as a dependable protector.
• Intimacy and boundaries: The discussion of pheromones carries personal and potentially suggestive implications, marking a shift toward greater emotional and physical awareness between them.
• Care expressed through small actions: Yan’s insistence that Ye drink warm water reveals affection and familiarity through seemingly mundane behavior.

Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun conceals the truth about the attack from his parents to protect them from worry.
• He and Yan discuss the intruders, with Yan providing a preliminary explanation of what happened.
• Yan controls Ye’s choice of drink, recalling his preference for warm water; Ye accepts this despite mild irritation.
• Ye openly admires Yan’s appearance and rose pheromone scent, then asks whether Yan can detect his poisonous pheromones. The chapter ends on this intimate, potentially revealing question.

Chapter 64 Summary

Key plot points and events

Ye Nanxun researches poisonous mushrooms to determine whether his pheromones smell unpleasant. Because his pheromones contain deadly toxins, he has feared releasing them around his parents and strangers, and his past attempts to use them as a weapon were only partially effective. He confesses to Yan Beiyou that he released his pheromones when intruders were approaching and asks whether Yan smelled them. Yan confirms that he did and says they smell pleasant—like a cool, primeval forest after rain, with damp earth and flowing streams. Relieved and secretly delighted, Ye Nanxun repeatedly questions whether Yan is merely trying to comfort him. Yan then asks whether Ye has any trusted omega friends or doctors nearby. Learning that Ye is essentially isolated and has no one reliable to help him, Yan realizes how deeply his pheromone condition has affected his life. The chapter ends with Yan gently telling Ye that he is in heat.

Character developments

Ye Nanxun’s insecurity about his pheromones and fear of harming others are revealed as burdens he has carried for two lifetimes. Despite his usual restraint, his anxiety and emotional vulnerability cause him to speak impulsively. Yan’s reassurance gives him unexpected happiness, especially because it comes from Yan, whose opinion matters greatly to him. Yan, meanwhile, demonstrates increasing attentiveness and emotional sensitivity. He recognizes Ye’s loneliness and understands that Ye’s isolation is not simply a personal choice but a consequence of his dangerous pheromones.

Significant themes

The chapter explores self-worth, shame, isolation, and the desire for acceptance. Ye fears that an essential part of himself is repulsive or dangerous, while Yan’s description reframes his pheromones as beautiful and refreshing. The chapter also emphasizes the contrast between outward strength and inner vulnerability, showing how even a talented, accomplished person can be profoundly lonely. Trust begins to develop as Ye seeks reassurance and Yan responds honestly and gently.

Character interactions

Ye and Yan share an intimate conversation in which Ye exposes a deeply private insecurity. Yan’s sincere description of Ye’s pheromones comforts him and strengthens their emotional connection. Ye’s unusually direct, almost instinctive gaze suggests growing attraction or dependence, while Yan notices both Ye’s vulnerability and his lack of support. Yan’s final statement that Ye is in heat shifts the interaction toward an urgent and potentially intimate situation.

Chapter 65 Summary — “Sudden Situation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The King and royal family of Su Lan Star arrive at Dream Star Capital, reigniting public speculation that Third Prince Yi Xing may be the mysterious blue-eyed omega who danced with Yan Beiyou on New Year’s Eve.
• At a banquet, Ji Yunqi and Song Ren discuss the rumors. Ji argues that Yi Xing is not the omega Yan Beiyou danced with because their appearances and temperaments differ.
• They also note Yan Beiyou’s unusual behavior: he leaves the banquet abruptly, without greeting the Su Lan Star royals or taking attendants, suggesting that something—or someone—important has drawn his attention.
• Meanwhile, at a suburban manor, Ye Nanxun begins experiencing his heat cycle. His rising pheromone concentration causes the Mushroom Egg he is carrying to overheat.
• Yan Beiyou recognizes Nanxun’s condition and explains that the Mushroom Egg’s temperature is being affected by the pheromones. He asks how Nanxun handled previous heat cycles, while struggling to control his own intense reaction to Nanxun’s scent.

Character Developments

• Yan Beiyou: His sudden departure from the banquet confirms how strongly Nanxun affects him. Though concerned and attentive, he deliberately maintains physical distance, showing restraint as Nanxun’s pheromones trigger his Alpha instincts.
• Ye Nanxun: He is confused and physically overwhelmed by the unexpected onset of his heat. His feverish state makes it difficult for him to process Yan Beiyou’s words, and he is unaware that he left his phone upstairs.
• Song Ren: It is revealed that he has secretly loved someone for years—someone who only dates omegas, making Song Ren’s feelings seem impossible. In response to Ji Yunqi’s teasing, he says he will consider finding someone to date, masking his pain.
• Ji Yunqi: His playful curiosity about Yan Beiyou’s love life contrasts with his unusual attentiveness toward Song Ren. His teasing unintentionally exposes Song Ren’s hidden feelings and leaves him startled when Song claims he may begin dating.

Significant Themes

• Hidden identities and public speculation: The royal visit renews rumors about Yan Beiyou’s mysterious partner, emphasizing the gap between public assumptions and private reality.
• Love disrupting composure: Yan Beiyou, normally controlled and dignified, abandons a formal banquet because of Nanxun’s condition, suggesting that his feelings are becoming impossible to conceal.
• Unrequited love and emotional loneliness: Song Ren’s secret love highlights the pain of loving someone unavailable and the isolation beneath his composed exterior.
• Instinct versus restraint: Yan Beiyou must control his powerful Alpha instincts while caring for Nanxun during his heat, creating growing romantic and physical tension.

Character Interactions

• Ji Yunqi repeatedly teases Song Ren about his lack of romantic experience and offers to help him find a partner. His close physical proximity makes Song Ren uncomfortable and emotionally conflicted.
• Song Ren and Ji Yunqi’s conversation reveals a contrast between Ji’s carefree, flirtatious behavior and Song’s guarded, long-standing heartbreak.
• Yan Beiyou and Ye Nanxun share a tense, intimate exchange in which Yan diagnoses Nanxun’s heat cycle and attempts to help without overwhelming him. The chapter ends with Yan struggling against his hunger and attraction as Nanxun’s pheromones intensify.

Chapter 66 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun unexpectedly enters his first heat cycle of the year more than a week early, likely triggered by the night’s emotional upheaval.
• Disoriented and physically weakened, he tries to leave the house alone while wearing only pajamas and slippers. He nearly collapses outside, but Yan Beiyou catches him.
• Yan carries Ye to a sealed, windowless white house beside the lake—Ye’s private heat-cycle shelter. The house contains food, water, a bed, and medicine that Ye developed himself to control his pheromones and endure his heats alone.
• Ye takes one of the pills and asks Yan to leave. However, Yan refuses to abandon him in such a vulnerable condition, especially after realizing how isolated and inadequate Ye’s usual arrangements are.
• Yan carries Ye back to his bedroom instead. He assures Ye that his Psychic Barrier will contain the poisonous pheromones and protect the house, birds, and other animals outside.
• Ye, weakened and unusually dependent, asks Yan for warm milk. Yan prepares it and returns to find Ye asleep or semi-conscious, having kicked off the blanket and tightly clutching Yan’s black-and-gray scarf.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: His normally proud, cold, and stubborn personality gives way to vulnerability during his heat. He is mentally foggy, physically helpless, and instinctively seeks Yan’s presence and comfort. His secret heat shelter reveals how long he has handled these episodes alone, relying on self-developed medication and isolation.
• Yan Beiyou: He becomes protective and attentive, refusing to follow Ye’s request that he leave. His concern reflects both personal affection and a strong sense of responsibility as an alpha and political leader. He is visibly affected by Ye’s unusually docile state and struggles to control his desire to care for him.

Significant Themes

• Vulnerability and trust: Ye’s heat exposes a side of him he normally hides, while Yan’s decision to stay demonstrates growing trust and emotional intimacy between them.
• Isolation versus care: Ye’s carefully constructed system of enduring heats alone contrasts with Yan’s insistence that he should not have to face such a dangerous and painful period without support.
• Instinct and restraint: Ye’s heat causes reason to weaken and instinct to dominate, while Yan must balance his protective instincts and attraction with restraint.
• Hidden loneliness: The secret, windowless shelter symbolizes Ye’s long-standing habit of managing everything by himself and the absence of anyone who has cared for him during his most vulnerable moments.

Character Interactions

• Yan catches Ye when he collapses and carries him to the lakeside shelter.
• Ye gives Yan directions while barely coherent, then asks him to leave after taking his medicine.
• Yan gently overrides Ye’s wishes, bringing him back to the bedroom and promising to protect him with his Psychic Barrier.
• Ye asks Yan to return quickly with warm milk, revealing his reliance on him.
• The chapter ends with Ye asleep while holding Yan’s scarf, suggesting that even unconsciously, he finds comfort in Yan’s scent and presence.

Chapter 67 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During the final stage of Ye Nanxun’s heat, Yan Beiyou quietly checks on him, brings him hot milk, and covers him with a blanket.
• While asleep, Ye Nanxun instinctively reaches for Yan Beiyou, clings to his wrist, and nearly bites him, murmuring that he “smells so good.” Amused and flustered, Yan calls him a “little hooligan” and leaves.
• After nearly a week of rain, early spring sunlight appears. Ye Nanxun finds the view of the sky, trees, lake, and sunlight outside his window especially comforting.
• On the fifth day, his heat ends. His fever, pheromone levels, and other readings return to normal.
• Yan has carefully cared for him throughout the heat while maintaining distance: he speaks from outside the bedroom, communicates by phone, and sends meals through a robot.
• Once recovered, Ye Nanxun leaves his room and thanks Yan for looking after him. He offers to repay him by making a mushroom hot pot.
• Yan declines the need for repayment but says he must leave. Ye Nanxun watches him depart, then notices his lingering scent and a strand of his hair on the sofa.
• After leaving, Yan messages Ye, asking whether he might still get to try Teacher Ye’s mushroom hot pot the following week.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes more aware of how much he prefers openness and natural light during heat, despite previously being comfortable staying indoors. His instinctive physical closeness to Yan reveals growing dependence and attraction. After recovering, he actively seeks to maintain their connection by inviting Yan to dinner.
• Yan Beiyou: Demonstrates strong self-control and consideration by caring for Ye without taking advantage of his vulnerable state. Though irritated and embarrassed by Ye’s unconscious affection, he is clearly pleased and emotionally affected. His later message suggests he also wants to see Ye again.

Significant Themes

• Trust and restraint: Ye’s willingness to remain alone with Yan during heat reflects deep trust, while Yan’s decision to keep his distance emphasizes respect and self-control.
• Unspoken attraction: Their feelings are conveyed through scent, unconscious gestures, lingering traces, and teasing rather than direct confession.
• Care and emotional intimacy: Yan’s practical care—food, monitoring, and respecting boundaries—creates a stronger bond between them.
• Recovery and openness: Ye’s appreciation of sunlight and the outdoors symbolizes both physical recovery and a gradual emotional opening.

Character Interactions

• Yan gently checks on and covers sleeping Ye, while Ye unconsciously seeks his scent and touch.
• They exchange warm, restrained dialogue after Ye’s recovery, with Ye offering hot pot as thanks and Yan teasing him about repayment.
• Their farewell is outwardly polite but emotionally meaningful: Ye watches Yan leave, and Yan later initiates contact by asking about the proposed meal.

Chapter 68 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• On the first morning after his heat ends, Ye Nanxun finds that Yan Beiyou has already left. Yan calls to reassure him that the police will explain the investigation into the recent break-in.
• Yan’s black hovercar returns at noon with food from Muli Restaurant. Though Yan is absent, Ye realizes the alpha has arranged meals for him throughout the day.
• In response, Ye cuts white hyacinths from the garden, binds them with his delicate mycelium, and leaves them in the hovercar. This becomes a quiet exchange: Yan provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea, while Ye sends flowers in return.
• Police captain Zhuang Liening and omega officer Tang Tian visit the estate. Zhuang inspects the boat used by the intruders, while Tang discusses the investigation with Ye.
• The police reveal that the intruders’ case has led to an interstellar human-trafficking ring. They have increased patrols around the estate and advise Ye to install additional security near the lake.
• Zhuang gives Ye an emergency wristband that cannot be blocked by signal jammers and provides contact information for both officers.
• Ye asks what he can do if he wants to report someone with a powerful background. Zhuang solemnly assures him that, with conclusive evidence, he should trust the law and the government.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun remains calm and self-possessed after the break-in and his heat, suggesting that Yan’s presence helped ease his fear and tension. He is also shown expressing affection indirectly through flowers and mycelium rather than words.
• Yan Beiyou demonstrates continued care and protectiveness by arranging regular meals for Ye, even after leaving the estate. His actions reveal a considerate, attentive side to their relationship.
• Zhuang Liening is introduced as a confident, capable, and reassuring police captain. Though friendly and stylish, she becomes serious when discussing justice and powerful offenders.
• Tang Tian is energetic, warm, and somewhat excitable. She is immediately impressed by Ye’s appearance and tries to reassure him, while also showing genuine determination to protect him.
• Ye’s composed manner leads Tang Tian to realize that he does not need conventional emotional consolation; someone—implicitly Yan—has already helped him recover.

Significant Themes

• Quiet affection and reciprocity: Yan’s delivered meals and Ye’s flowers form an understated but intimate exchange of care.
• Protection and trust: Yan’s practical support and the police’s security measures reflect the growing network around Ye after the attack.
• Justice versus influence: Ye’s question about reporting someone powerful introduces concerns about whether the legal system can stand against privilege and corruption.
• Recovery after trauma: Although Ye insists he is not afraid, the chapter suggests that emotional healing has occurred through Yan’s companionship and continued concern.
• Fragility beneath calmness: Ye appears elegant and controlled, but the need for protection and the trafficking revelation underline the danger surrounding him.

Character Interactions

• Ye and Yan: Their phone call is brief but affectionate. Yan checks on Ye and continues caring for him through food deliveries; Ye responds with flowers, creating a wordless romantic ritual.
• Ye and Zhuang: Zhuang treats Ye respectfully and directly, explaining the investigation and offering protection. Their conversation becomes especially serious when Ye raises the issue of powerful suspects.
• Ye and Tang Tian: Tang is charmed by Ye’s appearance and gentleness, while Ye responds politely. She provides reassurance and her contact details.
• Zhuang and Tang: Zhuang playfully reprimands Tang’s enthusiastic behavior but also treats her warmly, rubbing her hair and relying on her as a fellow officer.

Chapter 69 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Ning delivers another bouquet of white hyacinths to Emperor Yan Beiyou’s study. He places them in a vase and prepares tea for Yan and coffee for Song Ren.
• Song Ren explains that white hyacinths symbolize “love that dares not be revealed,” introducing the chapter’s central romantic implication.
• Yan receives and approves Song Ren’s project proposal, then messages Ye Nanxun with a brief confirmation.
• Ye Nanxun, sitting in his car outside the Scientific Research Institute, reflects on Yan’s unusual devotion. He wonders why the emperor personally stays at the manor, sleeping on the sofa and caring for him instead of delegating the responsibility.
• Yan reminds Ye about their promised wild mushroom hotpot. Ye says he is free throughout the following week, while privately wishing to ask Yan why he treats him so well. He decides that such important words should be spoken face-to-face.
• Ye returns to the laboratory without his usual mask and hat. His striking appearance draws attention, and coworkers warmly welcome him back after his absence.
• Li Suihuan invites Ye to lunch with her team. During the meal, she tells him that an accident occurred in Professor Jiang Ying’s laboratory: leaked reagents infected a student, Cao Xi, who was hospitalized and placed in isolation treatment.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes more conscious of his growing feelings for Yan Beiyou. He notices Yan’s persistent care and begins questioning its meaning, though he is not yet brave enough to ask directly. His decision to appear unmasked and respond warmly to colleagues also suggests increased confidence and comfort around others.
• Yan Beiyou: Continues quietly caring for Ye, remaining at the manor and arranging his life around Ye’s safety. His brief, restrained messages contrast with the depth of his actions.
• Mo Ning: Maintains his regular role as Yan’s efficient secretary while subtly conveying romantic symbolism through the white hyacinths.
• Song Ren: Shows awareness of romantic symbolism and may recognize the emotional significance of Mo Ning’s flowers.
• Li Suihuan and the researchers: Demonstrate concern and acceptance toward Ye after his leave, reinforcing his reintegration into the institute community.

Significant Themes

• Unspoken love and emotional restraint: The white hyacinths explicitly represent feelings that cannot yet be confessed, mirroring Ye and Yan’s uncertain relationship.
• Actions versus words: Yan’s behavior reveals considerable care despite his concise messages and lack of direct explanation.
• Vulnerability and trust: Ye’s return without concealing his appearance reflects growing openness, while his desire to speak face-to-face shows the seriousness of his emotions.
• Professional danger and foreshadowing: The laboratory accident involving Cao Xi introduces a potentially important scientific or health-related conflict.

Character Interactions

• Mo Ning respectfully serves Yan and Song while Song questions the meaning of the flowers.
• Yan and Song discuss the project and the symbolism of white hyacinths.
• Yan and Ye exchange brief messages about Ye’s availability and their promised hotpot meal.
• Ye receives an unexpectedly warm welcome from laboratory staff and shares lunch with Li Suihuan’s team.
• Li Suihuan informs Ye about the reagent leak and Cao Xi’s hospitalization.

Chapter 70 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Half a month earlier, Cao Xi secretly meets Professor Ye Nanxun near the dormitory and gives him a list of Jiang Ying’s laboratory members. The names marked in red are Jiang Ying’s close associates and core researchers, including Zhang Ming, whose family helped him enter the lab.
• Cao Xi reveals that Zhang Ming mentioned an upcoming welcome-back banquet for Jiang Ying, who is returning soon. Terrified that Jiang Ying will retaliate over the incident at the He Household, Cao Xi breaks down and fears for his safety.
• Ye Nanxun reassures Cao Xi and explains his plan to help him change advisors. Cao Xi will temporarily become ill and remain in the hospital, allowing them to protect him and distance him from Jiang Ying. Cao Xi agrees because he trusts Ye.
• Cao Xi is admitted to a special isolation ward. Ye Nanxun, Li Suihuan, and other researchers visit him, bringing fruit and nutritional supplements, though they can only speak to him through the ward’s glass window.
• Li Suihuan reports that the investigation into the reagent leak at Jiang Ying’s lab remains unresolved, possibly because the authorities are waiting for Jiang Ying to return.
• After the visit, Ye stays behind alone in the hospital garden. Watching the sunset, he reflects on the kindness and support he has recently received from his colleagues and government officers.

Character Developments

• Cao Xi is shown as deeply traumatized and fearful of Jiang Ying, but he also demonstrates trust in Ye Nanxun by agreeing to endure hospitalization and illness as part of the protection plan.
• Ye Nanxun acts as Cao Xi’s protector and strategist, offering calm reassurance despite the danger surrounding them. His private reflections reveal that his view of society and the government is gradually becoming more hopeful.
• Li Suihuan displays concern for Cao Xi and practical care for Ye and the rest of the group, reinforcing her supportive and responsible character.
• Ye Nanxun’s perception of Yan Beiyou continues to change. His personal interactions with Yan have convinced him that the ruler is far better and more humane than public descriptions suggest.

Significant Themes

• Trust and protection: Cao Xi’s willingness to follow Ye’s dangerous plan emphasizes the importance of trust in a threatening environment.
• Fear versus hope: Cao Xi remains dominated by fear of Jiang Ying, while Ye begins to believe that people and institutions may be more compassionate than he once assumed.
• The complexity of society: Ye recognizes that even a highly advanced and orderly society will have corruption and “rats” hidden in its “sewers,” but these flaws do not necessarily condemn the entire system.
• Personal experience over public reputation: Ye’s direct encounters with Yan Beiyou, his colleagues, and government officials challenge his previous assumptions and reshape his understanding of the world.
• Beauty amid uncertainty: The sunset Ye photographs symbolizes a brief moment of peace and his growing ability to notice and appreciate beauty despite ongoing danger.

Character Interactions

• Cao Xi confides in Ye Nanxun about Jiang Ying’s return and his fear of revenge; Ye comforts him and proposes the hospital strategy.
• Li Suihuan and the research team visit Cao Xi, speaking to him through the ward window and promising to support him during his recovery.
• Ye and Li discuss the unresolved laboratory accident, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Jiang Ying’s lab.
• Ye reflects on the kindness of Li Suihuan, Cao Xi, Officer Tang, and Officer Zhuang, as well as his meaningful encounters with Yan Beiyou, all of which contribute to his renewed faith in people and society.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Yan Beiyou returns home with fresh white hyacinths while his Little Yellow Dog eagerly searches for Ye Nanxun. He distracts the dog by tossing it the Mushroom Egg, whose scent is saturated with Ye’s pheromones.
• In the study, Yan preserves the hyacinths by freezing them with an energy gun and placing them in a picture frame. He replaces an existing oil painting with the framed flowers, turning Ye’s casual gift into a lasting keepsake.
• Yan’s half-beast transformation is revealed: his fingers become clawed and scaled, his lower body changes into a long black dragon tail, and dragon horns and facial scales are visible.
• Meanwhile, Ye Nanxun leaves the hospital and successfully navigates a self-service fast-food restaurant alone. Though he dislikes communicating with others, he proves capable of managing the outing independently.
• Ye sends Yan a sunset photograph. Yan replies with a picture of the preserved hyacinths, allowing Ye to see both the flowers and Yan’s faintly reflected dragon features.

Character developments

• Yan Beiyou’s normally restrained nature contrasts with his affectionate, sentimental actions. Preserving the hyacinths shows how deeply he values Ye and wants to keep a physical reminder of him.
• His dragon-like half-beast form is further established, emphasizing his unusual identity and giving the chapter its central visual revelation.
• Ye Nanxun makes a small but meaningful step toward independence by eating alone in a public place and completing the entire process without assistance. His hesitation over how to respond to Yan’s photo also reveals growing emotional vulnerability and attachment.
• Ye remains socially avoidant, but the chapter clarifies that his withdrawal comes from dislike of interaction rather than an inability to communicate.

Significant themes

• Affection expressed through preservation: Yan turns temporary flowers into a permanent keepsake, symbolizing his desire to hold on to his relationship with Ye.
• Quiet intimacy: The characters communicate through simple photographs rather than direct emotional statements, with ordinary images carrying deep personal meaning.
• Independence and recovery: Ye’s successful solo outing represents progress after his hospitalization and shows him cautiously reclaiming normal life.
• Human and beast identities: Yan’s dragon traits highlight the coexistence of his composed human appearance and powerful beast nature.

Character interactions

• The Little Yellow Dog comically reacts to the Mushroom Egg, driven wild by the omega scent clinging to it.
• Yan and Ye remain physically apart but stay connected through exchanged photographs. Ye’s emotional reaction to the framed hyacinths shows that Yan’s gesture affects him deeply.
• The final image of Yan’s dragon horns and scales, glimpsed through the photo’s reflection, leaves Ye—and the reader—with a striking revelation about Yan’s half-beast form.

Chapter 72 Summary — “Self-Delusion”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Shixin waits outside Ye Nanxun’s school after learning that Ye had been ill and absent. Unable to reach him through messages or calls, Zhu dresses carefully, brings his motorcycle, and smokes while waiting.
• He reflects on how unlike Ye Nanxun is from the omegas he usually pursues. Zhu’s wealth and status had easily controlled people like Xu Wenyan, but they have no effect on Ye.
• A plainly dressed alpha student confronts Zhu for smoking on school grounds. Zhu responds arrogantly and attacks him, triggering a fight.
• When other students intervene, Zhu loses control and releases his pheromones. He half-shifts into a huge, wolf-like form, terrifying everyone and escalating the situation.
• Zhu notices Ye Nanxun nearby and immediately becomes defensive, insisting that he did not start the fight because the others provoked him.
• As Zhu approaches Ye in his dangerous half-shifted state, Ye has Officer Zhuang Liening tranquilize him with a specialized dart. Zhu collapses unconscious.
• Before losing consciousness, Zhu mistakenly believes Ye is approaching because he is worried about him. In reality, Ye is walking toward Officer Zhuang, whom he had called for help.
• Officer Zhuang kicks the unconscious Zhu, while Ye politely thanks her for intervening.

Character Developments

• Zhu Shixin: His usual arrogance and confidence are undermined by his growing fixation on Ye. He cannot eat or sleep properly because of his concern, yet his insecurity appears as anger, violence, and self-pity. His loss of control reveals how emotionally vulnerable and immature he is beneath his wealthy, domineering persona.
• Ye Nanxun: He remains distant and unreadable, avoiding direct engagement with Zhu. Rather than comforting or confronting him, he handles the danger pragmatically by contacting the police, demonstrating clear boundaries and self-protection.
• Officer Zhuang Liening: She acts decisively and professionally, using the appropriate weapon to subdue Zhu and showing no sympathy for his status or intimidating appearance.
• Student bystander: The student’s refusal to be intimidated by Zhu highlights that Zhu’s identity and wealth do not make him exempt from rules or consequences.

Significant Themes

• Self-delusion: Zhu imagines that Ye’s approach signals concern, but this is entirely false. His romantic hopes are based more on wishful thinking than reality.
• Power versus genuine affection: Zhu is accustomed to using money, status, and dominance to secure attention, but these tools have no influence over Ye.
• Emotional immaturity and loss of control: Zhu’s inability to manage frustration leads directly to public violence and a dangerous half-shift.
• Consequences and accountability: His wealth and alpha status cannot protect him from school rules, police intervention, public recording, or the consequences of assault.
• Boundaries and detachment: Ye’s refusal to indulge Zhu contrasts sharply with Zhu’s increasingly obsessive pursuit.

Character Interactions

• Zhu clashes with the student over smoking and school regulations, then attacks him when challenged.
• Other students attempt to restrain Zhu and call for help, but his pheromone release frightens them into fleeing.
• Zhu sees Ye and tries to justify his behavior, revealing how much Ye’s opinion matters to him.
• Ye does not approach Zhu out of concern; he summons Officer Zhuang and allows her to neutralize him.
• Officer Zhuang protects the school community, then reprimands the unconscious Zhu physically, while Ye thanks her for handling the situation.

Chapter 73 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhuang Liening arrests Zhu Shixin after he half-beastifies into an armored wolf-like form and attacks a student at the Scientific Research Institute, violating campus regulations.
• Police secure the scene, photograph the incident, confiscate Zhu Shixin’s motorcycle, and take him away in an armored vehicle.
• Ye Nanxun helps the injured student, Xiao Wu, get to the hospital. He contacts the student’s teacher to arrange leave from class, pays the medical advance, and exchanges contact information with him.
• Because Zhu Shixin has a powerful background, Ye Nanxun warns Xiao Wu to contact him if Zhu Shixin or his associates retaliate.
• The incident quickly becomes public after a video of Zhu Shixin’s transformation spreads across the Star Network. Police and several teachers contact Ye Nanxun to ask about the event and his condition.
• Feeling socially exhausted and reluctant to return to his empty manor, Ye Nanxun receives a message from Yan Beiyou checking on him.
• Yan calls Ye and persuades him to rest at Yan’s nearby apartment instead of traveling home. He mentions the framed hyacinths Ye gave him and asks Ye to check on Mushroom Egg and Little Dragon.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun demonstrates compassion, responsibility, and quiet authority by assisting Xiao Wu, handling the hospital arrangements, and protecting him from possible future harassment.
• Despite appearing young, Ye’s position as a professor and affiliation with the Scientific Research Institute command respect and allow him to resolve practical problems efficiently.
• Ye’s social anxiety and exhaustion are emphasized. After dealing with police, teachers, students, and hospital staff, he craves solitude but also feels reluctant to return to an isolated home.
• Yan Beiyou shows increasing attentiveness and emotional consideration toward Ye. He carefully asks whether Ye can take a call, recognizes his fatigue, and offers a comfortable alternative place to rest.
• Zhu Shixin is established as reckless and entitled, willing to violate regulations and use violence despite his powerful background.
• Xiao Wu is courageous enough to confront Zhu Shixin but remains modest and obedient afterward, relying on Ye’s protection.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility and protection: Ye takes responsibility for a vulnerable student even after the immediate danger has passed.
• Power and privilege: Zhu Shixin’s wealth and status may allow him to cause further trouble, contrasting with Ye’s moral use of authority to safeguard Xiao Wu.
• Social exhaustion versus emotional connection: Ye finds ordinary social interaction draining, yet his communication with Yan brings comfort rather than pressure.
• Growing intimacy: The frequent exchange of messages, photos, and daily details shows that Ye and Yan have developed a steady, mutually supportive relationship.
• The persuasive power of Yan’s voice: Yan’s gentle, almost hypnotic voice makes it difficult for Ye to refuse his invitation, highlighting both Yan’s unusual allure and Ye’s growing trust in him.

Character Interactions

• Zhuang Liening deals with Zhu Shixin firmly and contemptuously, kicking him and ordering his arrest.
• Ye treats Xiao Wu with kindness and reassurance, earning his trust and offering continued protection.
• Ye’s conversations with teachers and police reveal his competence but also contribute to his fatigue.
• Yan and Ye’s phone conversation is warm and intimate. Yan notices Ye’s emotional state, suggests a practical solution, and subtly entices him to come to the apartment by mentioning the hyacinths and pets.

Chapter 74 Summary: “Making Time to Care, No Matter How Busy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Beiyou asks someone on the phone to check on Mushroom Egg and Little Dragon at the apartment. He then theatrically tosses the sleeping Mushroom Egg into the air, prompting the Little Yellow Dog to transform into a small black dragon and catch it before flying away.
• After speaking gently with Ye Nanxun, Yan Beiyou returns to his official role as galactic ruler and resumes a serious meeting with five generals.
• Several generals volunteer for an upcoming wormhole expedition. Yan Beiyou assigns General Zhu Yucheng to investigate an interstellar human-trafficking case instead, implying that influential upper-ranking figures may be involved.
• Yan postpones choosing the expedition commander and orders the generals to submit a list of promising soldiers by the following Friday.
• During a break, Zhu Yucheng calls his husband, Jiang, speaking affectionately and promising to bring him caramel pastries. His domestic warmth contrasts with the other generals’ lack of close personal connections.
• Ji Yunqi realizes that he has not contacted Song Ren for nearly a week, an unusually long silence for them. He finally messages Song Ren, asking what he is doing.
• Yan orders Secretary Mo to prepare a varied, refined meal and send it to the apartment in the black hovercar, showing that he is thinking about Ye Nanxun’s needs even while occupied with government affairs.
• Ye Nanxun arrives at Yan’s apartment, checks on Little Dragon and Mushroom Egg, and notices signs that Yan left hurriedly that morning. He then goes to Muli Restaurant to buy lunch.
• While waiting, Ye Nanxun overhears that a mall security guard was kidnapped, drugged, tied up, and severely beaten after the underground parking surveillance mysteriously malfunctioned. Suspecting the incident may be connected to a larger crime, Ye Nanxun asks for the guard’s contact information so a police-station acquaintance might help.

Character Developments

• Yan Beiyou: Demonstrates his ability to balance tenderness and responsibility. He openly cares for Ye Nanxun and the pets, yet immediately returns to his formidable public persona and handles political matters decisively. His choice to arrange food for the apartment further reveals his quiet attentiveness.
• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly comfortable in Yan’s private space, caring for Mushroom Egg and Little Dragon as though they are partly his responsibility. His sensitivity to dark underground parking areas hints at unpleasant past experiences. He also shows compassion and initiative by wanting to help the injured security guard.
• Ji Yunqi: His reaction to Zhu Yucheng’s affectionate call exposes his loneliness. Realizing how long it has been since he spoke with Song Ren prompts him to reach out, suggesting he may be becoming more aware of his emotional attachment.
• Zhu Yucheng: Balances his military obligations with devotion to Jiang. His joking claim that Jiang would divorce him for missing their anniversary underscores the strength and familiarity of their relationship.
• Little Dragon and Mushroom Egg: Their playful supernatural abilities and obedient behavior reinforce their role as cherished members of Yan and Ye’s household.

Significant Themes

• Balancing duty and affection: Yan refuses to neglect either his imperial responsibilities or the people and animals he cares about.
• Care expressed through practical actions: Food preparation, checking on loved ones, arranging transportation, and remembering preferences all function as understated expressions of affection.
• Contrasts between public and private selves: Yan shifts from a warm, smiling partner and playful father to a cold, authoritative ruler.
• Loneliness versus domestic companionship: Zhu Yucheng’s affectionate marriage highlights Ji Yunqi’s isolation and desire for someone waiting for him at home.
• Suspicion and hidden wrongdoing: The trafficking investigation and the assault on the security guard suggest corruption and crimes concealed by powerful people or manipulated surveillance.

Character Interactions

• Yan and Ye share an affectionate but understated relationship, communicating through brief messages and acts of consideration.
• Yan interacts with the generals as a firm but perceptive leader, taking personal circumstances into account while assigning politically important duties.
• Zhu Yucheng’s call with Jiang provides a humorous and affectionate example of married intimacy.
• Ji Yunqi’s silent comparison with Zhu’s relationship leads him to reconnect with Song Ren.
• Ye’s interaction with Little Dragon and Mushroom Egg emphasizes his growing place within Yan’s household.
• Ye’s conversation with the restaurant staff shifts the chapter from domestic concerns toward the broader mystery surrounding the security guard’s kidnapping.

Chapter 75 Summary

• Plot and events: Ye Nanxun returns to Yan Beiyou’s penthouse with takeout and is greeted by the Little Yellow Dog and the increasingly large Mushroom Egg. He senses the egg’s grievance and comforts it, reflecting on its developing self-awareness and ability to communicate through pheromones. Yan Beiyou’s hovercar arrives, but he is not present; instead, he has sent Ye Nanxun an elaborate meal prepared by the Imperial Palace’s chef. Ye Nanxun compares it humorously with the simpler food he bought himself, then begins eating Yan Beiyou’s gift.
• Study and painting: While entering the study, Ye Nanxun discovers the framed painting of six white hyacinths sealed in ice—the same flowers he had repeatedly picked at the manor. The discovery makes him think about Yan Beiyou’s partially beastified dragon form, including his horns and scales. His imagination turns unexpectedly toward intimacy, leaving him embarrassed.
• Character development: Ye Nanxun is becoming more comfortable and emotionally attached to Yan Beiyou’s home, pets, and unborn child. He openly expresses affection for the Mushroom Egg, promises to love it regardless of its appearance, and begins considering giving it a name. His thoughts about Yan Beiyou also reveal growing romantic and physical interest, despite his self-consciousness.
• Character interactions: Although Yan Beiyou does not appear in person, his care is evident through the food he sends and his message encouraging Ye Nanxun to try it. Ye Nanxun interacts tenderly with the Little Yellow Dog and Mushroom Egg, treating the latter like a baby and conversing with it. The chapter ends when the television unexpectedly plays a children’s cartoon featuring the words, “Mom! Mom! I love you!”
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes domestic warmth, emotional bonding, and the gradual formation of a family. It also highlights indirect expressions of love, the Mushroom Egg’s emerging identity, Ye Nanxun’s growing acceptance of his relationship with Yan Beiyou, and the contrast between quiet loneliness and the comfort created by companionship.

Chapter 76 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun discovers that the Mushroom Egg can control television signals and communicate through cartoon characters. It repeatedly expresses affection, calling him “Mom” before learning to call him “Dad.”
• He reflects that, because the egg was created partly from his pheromones and already possesses consciousness, it is essentially his child. He records the egg’s behavior and sends the video to Yan Beiyou.
• Ye Nanxun comforts both the Mushroom Egg and Little Dragon by telling them that they are cute and loved.
• While Ye Nanxun prepares for a nap, Yan Beiyou remotely uses Little Dragon’s senses through their Companion Beast connection. He realizes the Mushroom Egg has developed mental abilities, even though it has not hatched.
• Irritated by the egg’s rolling and movement, Yan Beiyou—controlling Little Dragon—slaps it, accidentally knocking it unconscious. He then settles beside Ye Nanxun, and the two sleep peacefully together.
• After waking, Ye Nanxun notices that Little Dragon smells strongly of Yan Beiyou’s pheromones. He secretly enjoys the familiar scent and recognizes his growing attraction and comfort around Yan Beiyou.
• Yan Beiyou messages that he will work late and asks Ye Nanxun to take Little Dragon and the Mushroom Egg home. He also looks forward to sharing mushroom hotpot the following day.
• Ye Nanxun wraps the oversized Mushroom Egg in his scarf, places it in his bag, and prepares to leave with Little Dragon and the leftover Muli Greens.
• Instead of returning directly to the manor, Ye Nanxun heads to the hospital where an injured security guard is staying. He suspects the guard may provide evidence connecting Ye Zhineng to the drugging and abduction from his previous life.
• Before leaving, Ye Nanxun learns that Zhang Ming and others are holding a welcome banquet for Jiang Ying the next day. He views tomorrow as an important opportunity.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly affectionate and parental toward the Mushroom Egg, accepting it as his child. He also grows more emotionally attached to Yan Beiyou, privately enjoying the alpha’s scent and the intimacy of sleeping beside Little Dragon. At the same time, he remains cautious and proactive in investigating the danger surrounding him.
• Yan Beiyou: Shows a playful, possessive, and somewhat jealous side through Little Dragon, punishing the Mushroom Egg for disturbing his nap. His willingness to remain close to Ye Nanxun through their Companion Beast connection reflects his growing attachment.
• Mushroom Egg: Demonstrates advanced consciousness and mental control by manipulating television signals. It is affectionate, expressive, and eager for parental love despite remaining unhatched.
• Little Dragon: Acts as a link between Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou. Though appearing innocent and sleepy, it is temporarily controlled by Yan Beiyou and helps him observe Ye Nanxun.
• Ye Zhineng: Remains an off-page threat, but Ye Nanxun’s suspicions about his involvement become more focused.

Significant Themes

• Family and parenthood: Ye Nanxun accepts the Mushroom Egg as his child despite its unusual origin and unhatched state.
• Affection and emotional healing: The Mushroom Egg’s enthusiastic praise helps counter Ye Nanxun’s past insecurity about his pheromones.
• Growing intimacy: Small domestic moments—sharing a bed, exchanging messages, recognizing pheromone scents, and caring for pets—show Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou becoming closer.
• Trust versus danger: The peaceful household scenes contrast with Ye Nanxun’s continuing investigation into his attempted abduction and possible enemies.
• Identity and unconventional bonds: The chapter presents family and companionship as relationships formed through pheromones, consciousness, and mutual care rather than conventional biological or social structures.

Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun gently teaches the Mushroom Egg to call him “Dad” and responds warmly to its declarations of love.
• He reassures Little Dragon that it is loved as well, creating a playful rivalry for affection.
• Yan Beiyou communicates indirectly through Little Dragon, observing Ye Nanxun and reacting to the Mushroom Egg’s behavior.
• Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou exchange affectionate, domestic messages about caring for the animals and sharing dinner.
• Ye Nanxun privately recognizes Yan Beiyou’s pheromone scent on Little Dragon, revealing feelings he is not yet ready to express openly.

Chapter 77 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Nanxun wakes before dawn from an embarrassing nightmare in which Yan Beiyou eats mushrooms, transforms into a black dragon, and teasingly suggests that Ye Nanxun might taste as sweet as the mushrooms.
• Unable to calm himself or return to sleep, Ye Nanxun gets up and begins preparing for Yan Beiyou’s expected return that evening.
• He feeds himself a simple breakfast, then carefully cleans and prepares a new pair of black house slippers and a complete set of toiletries—including a toothbrush, towel, cup, and razor—for Yan Beiyou.
• Ye Nanxun visits the laboratory near the woods to collect wild mushrooms, despite Little Yellow Dog having to wait outside. He plans to return home and check whether Mushroom Egg has awakened.
• Ye Nanxun reflects sadly on the possibility that Little Yellow Dog and Mushroom Egg may leave with Yan Beiyou, revealing how attached he has become to them.
• Meanwhile, Xu Wenyan continues watching the Imperial Palace library in hopes of meeting either the blue-eyed omega or Yan Beiyou, but remains unable to approach the palace’s inner areas.
• Frustrated by his lack of progress, Xu Wenyan reassesses his strategy. Since Yan Beiyou is too difficult to reach directly, he decides to target other influential alphas, especially General Ji Yunqi, as a possible route to gaining access to Yan Beiyou.
• Xu Wenyan receives a dinner invitation from Jiang Ying. Although he responds obediently, he privately resents the arrangement and recognizes that he is still relying on Jiang Ying and the other men for his plans.

Character Developments

• Ye Nanxun: Becomes increasingly conscious of his attraction to Yan Beiyou, as shown by his suggestive dream, blushing, and inability to sleep afterward. His domestic preparations also demonstrate growing affection and anticipation. He is caring, attentive, and emotionally attached to Yan Beiyou’s pets and belongings.
• Yan Beiyou: Does not appear directly, but his presence strongly influences Ye Nanxun’s thoughts and behavior. His return is eagerly anticipated.
• Xu Wenyan: His confidence and belief that he can manipulate powerful figures begin to weaken. He remains ambitious and calculating, but his inability to reach Yan Beiyou forces him to seek a new approach through General Ji Yunqi.
• Little Yellow Dog and Mushroom Egg: Function as sources of comfort and emotional attachment for Ye Nanxun. The dog follows Ye Nanxun everywhere, while Mushroom Egg remains apparently asleep.

Significant Themes

• Growing romantic attraction: Ye Nanxun’s dream and flustered reaction reveal feelings he has not yet openly acknowledged.
• Domestic intimacy and preparation: The slippers and toiletries symbolize Ye Nanxun quietly making room for Yan Beiyou in his home and life.
• Emotional attachment and separation anxiety: Ye Nanxun fears losing the pets and the companionship they represent when Yan Beiyou returns.
• Ambition versus reality: Xu Wenyan’s grand belief that he can charm powerful alphas clashes with his inability to even meet Yan Beiyou.
• Contrasting approaches to relationships: Ye Nanxun expresses affection through genuine care, while Xu Wenyan treats influential people as tools for advancing his own position.

Character Interactions

• Ye Nanxun speaks affectionately to Little Yellow Dog, comforts him, and brings him along during his morning activities.
• He also addresses Little Dragon and worries about both animals returning with Yan Beiyou.
• Xu Wenyan speaks politely and submissively to Jiang Ying during their phone call, but privately considers Jiang Ying and the others “useless fools” and resents depending on them.
• The chapter contrasts Ye Nanxun’s warm, sincere bond with the animals against Xu Wenyan’s manipulative view of interpersonal relationships.

Chapter 78 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Ming attends the lavish welcome banquet Jiang Ying organized for Jiang Ying’s return. Although he has dressed expensively for the occasion, he appears unwashed, has yellow teeth, and smells terrible.
• Xu Wenyan openly humiliates Zhang Ming, complaining about his odor and throwing wine at him. Jiang Ying does not defend Zhang Ming; instead, he has another student remove him from the banquet.
• Zhang Ming’s mistreatment is connected to his recent laboratory mistake. He caused a reagent leak and failed to address it, leading to Cao Xi’s bacterial infection and hospitalization. The incident also jeopardized Jiang Ying’s promise to provide powerful alphas with a high-level omega.
• As Zhang Ming is dragged away, he becomes dizzy and hallucinates the other student as a monstrous snake accusing him of being nothing more than Jiang Ying’s “rat” or “dog.”
• Later that afternoon, Yan Beiyou visits Ye Nanxun at his villa. He arrives with food from Muli Restaurant and two cups of freshly made milk tea.
• Ye Nanxun gives Yan Beiyou a clean pair of slippers that no one has worn before, emphasizing the chapter’s title: unlike previous disposable slippers, these are intentionally washed and prepared for him.
• Yan Beiyou reveals that he bought out an entire milk-tea shop’s supply for the day so that everyone at the Imperial Palace could have some. Ye Nanxun tries milk tea for the first time and enjoys it; Yan Beiyou also admits it is his first time drinking it.

Character Developments

• Zhang Ming: His foolish, careless nature is shown to have serious consequences. His laboratory negligence harmed Cao Xi and damaged Jiang Ying’s plans, causing Jiang Ying to lose patience with him. Zhang Ming remains naively loyal to Jiang Ying despite being treated with contempt.
• Jiang Ying: He is revealed as pragmatic and exploitative, valuing Zhang Ming mainly for the dirty or difficult tasks he performs. Although he once tolerated Zhang Ming’s mistakes, the laboratory incident and banquet embarrassment make him visibly displeased and willing to discard him.
• Xu Wenyan: He acts arrogantly and cruelly toward Zhang Ming, using his status and closeness to Jiang Ying to publicly degrade him.
• Ye Nanxun: His small but meaningful act of washing and setting aside personal slippers for Yan Beiyou shows increasing warmth, consideration, and acceptance.
• Yan Beiyou: He presents a more relaxed, approachable side of himself while visiting Ye Nanxun. His extravagant gesture involving the milk tea is both attentive and characteristically grand, showing his desire to please Ye Nanxun.

Significant Themes

• Disposable versus valued relationships: Zhang Ming is treated as replaceable by Jiang Ying, while Ye Nanxun’s specially prepared slippers symbolize Yan Beiyou being welcomed as a genuine guest rather than treated casually or temporarily.
• Power and humiliation: The banquet demonstrates how status determines whose dignity matters. Jiang Ying and Xu Wenyan can publicly shame Zhang Ming without consequence.
• Care expressed through small gestures: Yan Beiyou’s food and milk tea, and Ye Nanxun’s clean slippers, reveal affection through practical acts rather than declarations.
• Contrasting worlds: The chapter shifts from Jiang Ying’s manipulative, degrading social environment to the quiet, intimate warmth of Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou’s interaction.

Character Interactions

• Xu Wenyan insults Zhang Ming and throws wine at him while Jiang Ying passively allows the humiliation.
• Jiang Ying orders another student to remove Zhang Ming from the banquet, reinforcing the unequal relationship between them.
• Yan Beiyou and Ye Nanxun share a gentle domestic exchange over slippers, restaurant food, and milk tea. Their conversation highlights growing familiarity and mutual consideration, with both experiencing milk tea for the first time.

Chapter 79 Summary — “Courage Through Drink”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At a banquet, Zhang Ming is dragged upstairs by a man who criticizes his hygiene and blames him for embarrassing their teacher in front of important guests.
• Zhang Ming’s hallucinations make the man appear as an evil snake demon surrounded by tiny, fearful people urging him to escape.
• When the man turns away, Zhang Ming suddenly attacks him with a table lamp, encouraged by the imaginary little people.
• Meanwhile, at home, Ye Nanxun prepares to host Yan Beiyou for a mushroom hotpot. Although Ye intended to cook, Yan takes over the washing, cutting, and preparation.
• Yan prepares chicken soup, which becomes the hotpot base, while Ye arranges the mushrooms and ingredients.
• Ye warns that eating wild mushrooms before they are properly prepared can cause poisoning, hallucinations, or death. Despite this, he pours wine for both of them, deciding to drink more than usual to gather courage.

Character Developments

• Zhang Ming is shown to be deeply detached from reality. He believes hallucinated “little people” are washing him and interprets the man caring for him as a monstrous snake. His paranoia and aggression culminate in a violent attack.
• The snake-headed man appears irritated and condescending toward Zhang Ming, but also takes responsibility for hiding him from the banquet and entertaining the guests in his place.
• Ye Nanxun is nervous but increasingly deliberate about his relationship with Yan Beiyou. His decision to drink, despite usually having only half a small glass, suggests he is preparing himself emotionally for a difficult or important conversation.
• Yan Beiyou is attentive and domestic, confidently taking charge of cooking. His discussion of milk tea reveals that he has never dated and has never expressed romantic interest through such gestures before.
• Mushroom Egg and Little Yellow Dog remain passive companions at home, watching television while the adults prepare dinner.

Significant Themes

• Hallucination versus reality: Zhang Ming’s distorted perception contrasts sharply with the ordinary domestic scene at Ye Nanxun’s home.
• Courage and emotional vulnerability: Ye uses alcohol to bolster his courage, implying that he is anxious about revealing or confronting his feelings.
• Romantic symbolism: Milk tea is established as a traditional signal of romantic interest. Yan’s comment that he has never accepted or offered it carries an implicit message to Ye.
• Care expressed through actions: Yan’s cooking and practical help demonstrate affection more clearly than direct words.
• Danger and temptation: The warnings about poisonous mushrooms parallel the risks of emotional involvement—both offer alluring experiences but can have serious consequences.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Ming’s confrontation with the snake-headed man escalates from verbal scolding to sudden violence, driven by hallucinations.
• Ye and Yan share a teasing, subtly intimate conversation about milk tea, dating, and past romantic experience.
• Yan repeatedly focuses his attention on Ye, asking whether he has finished and enjoyed the milk tea, while Ye responds with increasing awareness of the romantic undertones.
• Over dinner preparations, Yan’s quiet attentiveness and Ye’s nervousness create a growing sense of mutual attraction, culminating in Ye pouring alcohol to find the courage to proceed.

Chapter 80 Summary

• Zhang Ming’s violent breakdown: After washing blood from his hands, Zhang Ming appears mentally unhinged. He hallucinates a colorful forest filled with cartoon figures encouraging him to defeat “demons” and prove himself. Returning to the banquet hall, he sees the guests as monstrous creatures and becomes fixated on Jiang Ying as the “biggest monster” occupying the place he believes should be his. He grabs a wine bottle and attacks Jiang Ying from behind, smashing it down as the scene cuts away.
• Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou’s quiet evening: In contrast to the banquet-hall violence, the chapter shifts to a warm, peaceful meal at home. Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou drink sweet, low-alcohol grape wine and eat wild mushroom hot pot while children’s cartoons play in the background. Their conversation is gentle and restrained, but they are increasingly comfortable together; their silence feels natural rather than awkward.
• Ye Nanxun’s emotional realization: The wine and domestic atmosphere cause Ye Nanxun to reflect on Yan Beiyou’s support during his previous heat. He recognizes how dangerous it was for an alpha to stay with an omega during that period without marking him, and realizes that Yan’s restraint and protection made him feel safe and cared for. He compares himself to a “Poison Mushroom,” referencing his pheromones and his fear that he may be dangerous or difficult to approach, yet he also acknowledges the warmth and fullness Yan brings to his life.
• Growing intimacy: Yan Beiyou sincerely enjoys the grape wine and offers to obtain more, while Ye Nanxun insists on giving him bottles from home as thanks for saving him. Their exchange shows mutual consideration and affection. The simple meal becomes emotionally significant, symbolizing comfort, trust, and the gradual opening of Ye Nanxun’s heart.
• Romantic turning point: After they finish eating and drinking, Yan begins to mention the white hyacinths Ye Nanxun gave him. Before he can continue, Ye Nanxun directly asks, “Mr. Yan, can I pursue you?” The chapter ends on this bold confession, marking a major development in their relationship.

Key Themes

• Violence versus domestic safety: Zhang Ming’s distorted, dangerous worldview contrasts sharply with Ye Nanxun and Yan Beiyou’s peaceful evening.
• Trust and emotional healing: Yan’s past protection helps Ye Nanxun understand what genuine safety and companionship feel like.
• Love expressed through ordinary acts: Sharing food, wine, and quiet conversation gradually builds intimacy.
• Self-acceptance and vulnerability: Ye Nanxun begins to move beyond viewing himself as a “poisonous” or harmful person and takes the courage to openly pursue love.