Chapter Summaries

Chapter 361 Summary

• Key events: Lu Ao and Song Zhou witness a sudden battle between humpback whales and orcas. The humpback whales use their barnacle-covered flippers and massive bodies to strike and ram, while the smaller orcas rely on their sharp teeth. The violence churns the sea and stains the water with blood, scattering nearby krill and herring.
• Lu Ao and the orcas: One orca approaches Lu Ao after attacking a humpback whale. Instead of showing hostility, it makes friendly calls and rubs against him. Lu Ao pets it, and the orca becomes excitedly affectionate. The humpback whales, jealous and possessive after their earlier interaction with Lu Ao, try to drive the orca away, reigniting the fight.
• Character interactions: Although the whales and orcas fight fiercely, both groups carefully avoid hitting Lu Ao. Disturbed by the brutality, Lu Ao decides to leave with Song Zhou. After Lu Ao changes back into human form, he becomes cold, and Song Zhou warms and protects him, teleporting them back to the ship.
• After Lu Ao leaves: The whales and orcas stop fighting when they realize he has disappeared. They search the area and call mournfully for him, apparently distressed by his absence. Eventually, they abandon the search and separate to pursue the scattered fish schools.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou: Back aboard the ship, Song Zhou makes Lu Ao bathe in hot water, prepares a warm bathrobe, and holds him until he recovers from the cold. Their affectionate, intimate relationship is emphasized through their physical closeness and mutual concern. They discuss returning to check on the whales and orcas, possibly at night when they can avoid being noticed by the other passengers. The chapter ends with Lu Ao wondering when Song Zhou will return and whether he will visit again the following night.

Character development and themes

• Lu Ao is shown as compassionate and sensitive. He is fascinated by the sea creatures’ behavior, welcomes the orca’s affection, and is deeply unsettled by the violence between natural enemies. His special bond with marine life is reinforced by the whales’ possessiveness and distress when he disappears.
• Song Zhou is portrayed as protective, attentive, and physically affectionate, caring for Lu Ao after the cold swim and planning to accompany him on another visit.
• Themes include the raw violence of nature contrasted with tenderness and affection, interspecies attachment, jealousy and possessiveness, and the comfort of intimacy amid a harsh environment.

Chapter 154 Summary

• Key events: Song Zhou decides to remain with Lu Ao for two days, having already arranged for You Li and the others to handle urgent matters. They eat together in their cabin while the ship approaches Antarctica. Lu Ao later visits Lin Qiyan, who has been severely ill with seasickness and vomiting all day. Lu Ao gives him water, supports him, and secretly transfers some vitality to ease his symptoms. Lin Qiyan improves and agrees to rest.
• Character developments: Lu Ao shows increasing concern and responsibility toward those around him, caring for both Song Zhou and the sick Lin Qiyan. His ability to secretly use vitality demonstrates both his healing powers and his desire to protect others without drawing attention. Song Zhou remains attentive and affectionate, helping Lu Ao dress and reminding him to keep his feet warm. Lin Qiyan, though physically weak, begins to recover slightly.
• Significant interactions: Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a quiet, intimate domestic moment while eating and preparing for sleep. Lu Ao gently cares for Lin Qiyan, who gratefully accepts his help. Later, Song Zhou immediately wakes when Lu Ao hears strange cries and supports his decision to investigate.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes companionship, tenderness, and mutual care. It also highlights Lu Ao’s special connection with marine life and the contrast between the humans’ vulnerability at sea and the vitality of the natural world. The approaching Antarctic environment is increasingly important, with the polar daylight and dangerous icebergs shaping the atmosphere.
• Ending development: During the night, Lu Ao hears melodic cries beneath the ship and discovers a pod of dozens of orcas playing in the water. He recognizes that they have come to find him. With Song Zhou’s encouragement, Lu Ao mentally contacts the pod’s female leader and persuades the orcas to swim away from the ship so they can secretly meet them without alerting the crew.

Key plot points and events

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou teleport into the sea and are immediately surrounded by an affectionate pod of orcas. They pet the animals and ride on their backs as the pod swims toward Antarctica.
• Song Zhou notices Lu Ao is cold and creates warm clouds from seawater vapor for them to wear, turning the ride into something like a floating hot spring. They leap through the air with the orcas and keep playing as the polar sky brightens.
• Before dawn, they spot a distant group of animals leaping through the water. The orcas eagerly pursue them, and Lu Ao recognizes them as Adélie penguins.
• The penguins flee toward a nearby stretch of coast. Lu Ao realizes they have reached an area away from cruise-ship routes, likely because it is home to a large penguin colony and other wildlife.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Ao is delighted by the orcas’ affection and playful company, and his excitement grows during the ride. He also shows curiosity and initiative by suggesting they investigate the distant animals.
• Song Zhou is attentive and caring: he watches Lu Ao closely, checks whether he is cold, and uses his abilities to keep both of them warm. He joins in Lu Ao’s adventure with quiet enthusiasm.
• Their relaxed, affectionate companionship is highlighted by their shared play and Song Zhou’s focus on Lu Ao’s comfort.
• The orcas behave warmly toward the pair, inviting them onto their backs, but their excitement at seeing penguins reveals their predatory nature.

Significant themes

• Wonder and connection with nature: The chapter emphasizes the joy of encountering wildlife up close.
• Care and intimacy: Song Zhou’s practical, imaginative gesture reinforces the pair’s closeness.
• Adventure and discovery: Their spontaneous journey leads them to a remote, inaccessible stretch of Antarctic coast.
• Nature’s competing needs: The orcas’ delight at finding prey contrasts with the penguins’ urgent escape.

Plot points and events

• Lu Ao observes orcas hunting Adélie penguins but, unwilling to interfere with either predator or prey, carries Song Zhou away from the chase.
• The penguins escape by diving deep and launching themselves onto shore, where the orcas cannot reach them. Lu Ao and Song Zhou watch in amazement.
• Wanting to see the Antarctic shore, Lu Ao goes ashore with Song Zhou, who makes warm cloud clothes for him. They admire the icy, untouched landscape; Lu Ao suggests visiting the Arctic someday.
• They return to the ship before the crew wakes. Lu Ao enjoys wearing his cloud clothes, while Song Zhou returns to handle work at the Agency.
• The ship has crossed the Drake Passage, and the crew begins resuming duties. Lin Qiyan is recovering from severe seasickness. Because the production crew is short-handed, Lu Ao is assigned to help.
• The chapter ends as the group approaches Antarctica on a clear but bitterly cold day during the midnight-sun season.

Character developments

• Lu Ao shows compassion and restraint: he avoids disrupting the natural hunt, while still feeling sympathy for the penguins. He is captivated by Antarctica’s beauty and by Song Zhou’s cloud-made clothing.
• Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao’s interests, making him warm clothes and sharing his enthusiasm for future trips.
• Lin Qiyan is physically recovering from seasickness but remains fatigued and uncertain about the day’s work.

Themes

• Respect for nature: Lu Ao recognizes that the orcas must hunt and chooses not to interfere, while appreciating the penguins’ remarkable escape.
• Wonder and exploration: The penguins’ movement and Antarctica’s scenery inspire awe; Lu Ao hopes to explore more of the world.
• Care and companionship: Song Zhou’s practical gestures and the pair’s shared excursion emphasize their closeness.
• Human vulnerability: The crew’s seasickness and the freezing conditions contrast with the travelers’ extraordinary experiences.

Character interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou watch the penguins together, then visit the shore hand in hand and discuss returning for future trips.
• Back aboard, Song Zhou teases Lu Ao affectionately about how much he likes the cloud clothes and promises to show him more of their uses.
• Lu Ao checks on Lin Qiyan, who describes his illness and doubts about the work schedule.

Key plot points

• Lin Qiyan and the others endure the cold while repeatedly filming scripted scenes. Lu Ao watches until a pod of orcas appears.
• The orcas recognize Lu Ao from their earlier encounter and swim to the research ship, delighting the film crew and giving the researchers a chance to record them.
• When an actor raises the “killer whale” concern, Lin Qiyan explains that the name is misleading and says wild orcas rarely attack people without provocation.
• The orcas repeatedly seek Lu Ao’s attention. Unable to join them while surrounded by cameras and researchers, he uses his unusual ability to communicate with them and asks them to stay nearby. They follow the ship for a while before leaving to hunt.
• The expedition team announces the first Antarctic landing for that evening. Because only one hundred people may land at once, passengers are divided into groups. The film crew goes first, followed by the research team; Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan are in the first group.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Ao feels sympathy for the crew’s exhausting filming and affection—and some guilt—toward the orcas. He restrains his desire to swim with them, instead keeping them nearby through his marine-animal connection.
• Lin Qiyan calmly answers the crew’s question about orcas, presenting himself as a knowledgeable and reassuring expert.
• The orcas show memory and apparent attachment by recognizing Lu Ao and repeatedly asking him to play, puzzling the researchers.
• The film crew and researchers respond differently to the encounter: the crew treats it as exciting footage, while the researchers focus on documenting unusual behavior.

Significant themes

• Human–animal connection: The orcas’ recognition of Lu Ao suggests an unusual bond between him and marine life.
• Science and the unknown: Researchers carefully record behavior they cannot explain, acknowledging gaps in existing knowledge.
• Performance versus reality: The scripted filming contrasts with the spontaneous encounter with the orcas.
• Anticipation and shared excitement: The coming landing unites the passengers in eager expectation.

Key plot points and events

• The expedition team briefs passengers on Antarctic landing rules and polar-kayak safety. The icebreaker reaches land, but a sudden blizzard forces the landing to be postponed.
• From the ship, Lin Qiyan and Lu Ao spot a group of penguins. Lu Ao identifies them as Emperor Penguins, distinguishing them from the smaller Adélie Penguins. Neither can tell why the birds are huddled together.
• The storm grows so severe that the penguins disappear from view. Lin Qiyan becomes chilled, and Lu Ao urges him inside.
• After just over an hour, the blizzard passes and the sun returns. The first landing group—mostly the film crew—prepares to go ashore in polar kayaks, wearing life jackets and receiving a final safety briefing.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Ao’s sharp eyesight and familiarity with Adélie Penguins let him identify the distant birds confidently, though he admits he cannot explain their behavior.
• Lin Qiyan is eager to see the penguins up close and reluctant to leave the deck, but the cold overwhelms him. Lu Ao looks after him and gets him out of the wind.
• The crew’s excitement turns to frustration when the storm delays their landing, then to hurried anticipation when they are finally allowed to go.

Significant themes

• Nature’s unpredictability: Antarctic weather can abruptly disrupt careful plans.
• Curiosity and limited opportunity: With little time ashore, the visitors are eager to observe wildlife firsthand.
• Human vulnerability and care: The harsh conditions expose Lin Qiyan’s physical limits, while Lu Ao responds with practical concern.

Chapter Summary

• Journey through Antarctic ice: The expedition members kayak through blue ice floes, which Lu Ao explains have been compressed for tens of thousands of years. A foreign crew member reveals that warming temperatures have caused ancient ice to break away and that areas once covered by ice sheet now expose bare rock.
• Environmental concern: The group is struck by the seriousness of Antarctic ice loss. Although some participants initially find the exposed rocks disappointing compared with their expectations of a completely frozen continent, they become melancholy after learning that the landscape has changed dramatically in only a few years.
• Landing preparations: Before reaching shore, the expedition team reminds everyone not to leave anything behind, take anything away, or approach penguins closer than five meters. These rules are necessary because humans could transmit diseases to penguins, whose isolated ecosystem is extremely vulnerable.
• Difficult landing: The slippery shore and heavy clothing and equipment make landing challenging. Lu Ao volunteers to help the crew and demonstrates excellent balance, agility, and strength. His calm, capable assistance earns praise from the coordinator, who jokes that he seems to practice martial arts. Lu Ao modestly dismisses the compliment.
• First penguin encounter: Emperor Penguin chicks approach the newly landed group. Their fluffy, round appearance delights everyone, who struggle not to touch them despite their cuteness. The penguins are curious and unafraid, while the humans carefully avoid close contact as instructed. The crowd scatters around the waddling chicks, and Lu Ao observes their unusually plump bodies with amused interest.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao is shown as physically capable, reliable, and considerate. He takes responsibility for helping the less agile crew members and handles the dangerous landing with confidence, while remaining humble about his abilities.
• Lin Qiyan displays curiosity about the ancient ice and concern about climate-related ice loss. His interaction with Lu Ao establishes a shared sense of wonder and environmental awareness.
• The expedition team acts as responsible guides, explaining the age of the ice, the effects of warming, and the strict wildlife-protection rules.
• The group and penguins share a charming but carefully controlled encounter: the penguins approach humans out of curiosity, while the visitors must restrain their instinct to touch or interact physically.

Significant Themes

• Climate change and environmental loss: The changing Antarctic landscape makes the effects of warming tangible and emotionally affecting.
• Respect for fragile ecosystems: The group must follow strict rules to avoid contaminating or disturbing wildlife.
• Human wonder versus restraint: Although the visitors are overwhelmed by the beauty and cuteness of Antarctica, they must control their impulses to protect the environment.
• Lu Ao’s dependable nature: His practical courage and physical competence become especially evident during the difficult landing.

Chapter 157 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters a number of adorable Emperor Penguin chicks while exploring Antarctica. They approach within a few meters, photograph the chicks, and make noises to attract their attention.
• The Emperor Penguin chicks are gentle and curious, responding to sounds by turning their heads but showing no aggression.
• The director calls everyone together to film planned interaction scenes.
• Lu Ao notices two Adélie Penguins approaching and warns the group to be careful, knowing that Adélie Penguins are much more aggressive than Emperor Penguins.
• The group initially ignores his warning, becoming excited by the smaller penguins’ appearance and filming them.
• One Adélie Penguin aggressively charges a man wearing a red hat and attempts to peck his thigh. While backing away, the man trips over a rock and falls hard onto his lower back.
• Lu Ao helps him up, and the expedition team checks him. Fortunately, he appears to have suffered no serious injury, though he is shaken and sore.
• The Adélie Penguin quickly escapes across the ice. The curious Emperor Penguin chicks then approach the fallen man, apparently intending to investigate or peck at him, forcing him to move away.
• The chicks’ parents arrive and herd them back to the colony. The chicks reluctantly follow, repeatedly looking back at the humans.
• The group follows the departing penguins, but walking is difficult because the recent blizzard has left the ground slippery and uneven.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates knowledge, caution, and responsibility by recognizing the danger posed by the Adélie Penguins and attempting to warn the group. He also immediately assists the injured man.
• The man in the red hat shifts from excitedly photographing the penguins to panic and embarrassment when attacked. His fall leaves him shaken but unharmed.
• The rest of the group initially behaves carelessly, prioritizing photographs and excitement over Lu Ao’s warning. Their reactions become more cautious after witnessing the attack.
• The Emperor Penguin chicks are portrayed as gentle, curious, and slow-moving, while their parents are protective and authoritative.
• The Adélie Penguins are characterized as small but bold, aggressive, and surprisingly fast.

Significant Themes

• The unpredictability of nature: Cute or harmless-looking animals can behave unexpectedly, and humans must respect wildlife.
• Human curiosity versus caution: The group’s excitement over the penguins causes them to overlook Lu Ao’s warning.
• Contrasts within nature: Emperor Penguins are docile and slow, while Adélie Penguins are fierce and energetic despite their smaller size.
• Humor amid danger: The penguin attack and the man’s fall create a comic situation, though the harsh Antarctic environment makes the accident potentially serious.
• Wildlife boundaries and parental care: The Emperor Penguin adults retrieve their wandering chicks, emphasizing natural family instincts and the need for humans to avoid interfering.

Character Interactions

• The group interacts playfully with the Emperor Penguin chicks by making noises and taking photographs.
• Lu Ao warns everyone about the approaching Adélie Penguins and later helps the red-hatted man after his fall.
• The Adélie Penguin confronts and pecks at the red-hatted man, while he tries unsuccessfully to scare it away.
• The Emperor Penguin chicks investigate the commotion, prompting the man to retreat again.
• Adult Emperor Penguins call their chicks back and guide them away, while the humans watch and follow.

• Key events: Lu Ao’s group follows a line of emperor penguins to a large colony, where the birds spread out after huddling for warmth. They watch penguins, including juveniles, moving across the ice before the expedition team calls them back so the researchers can take their turn ashore. Later that night, the vessel leaves for another landing site. The next morning, Lu Ao oversleeps but learns the production team did not need him. He is preparing to go ashore again when expedition member Si Lin knocks to tell him the ship is nearing shore.
• Character development: Lu Ao’s fascination with Antarctic wildlife is clear: he is reluctant to leave the penguin colony and eagerly proposes returning. His exhaustion catches up with him, and he sleeps soundly while Song Zhou looks after him. He also seems uneasy about being discovered with Song Zhou in his cabin, though Song Zhou takes the situation lightly. Song Zhou is affectionate and attentive, encouraging Lu Ao to rest and bringing him breakfast.
• Interactions: Lin Qiyan wonders where the penguins are going, and Lu Ao guesses they may be heading to hunt or rest. On returning to the ship, the outgoing visitors’ disappointment contrasts with the researchers’ excitement to go ashore. In private, Lu Ao excitedly recounts the landing to Song Zhou and asks to return; Song Zhou gently teases him and persuades him to sleep. The next morning, Song Zhou lets Lu Ao rest, then playfully questions his nervousness when Si Lin calls.
• Themes: The chapter highlights the wonder of Antarctic wildlife and the bittersweet brevity of each landing. It also emphasizes care and intimacy between Lu Ao and Song Zhou, alongside the expedition’s orderly rotation of visitors and researchers as the ship moves from site to site.

Chapter 158 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The ship stops at a suitable Antarctic location, allowing the research team and production crew to try ice swimming.
• Although the weather is sunny, the strong wind and freezing temperatures make everyone hesitant to enter the water.
• The activity is organized as a brief, safety-rope-assisted jump from the gangway. Participants are provided with towels, hot drinks, vodka, and warm showers afterward.
• Several crew members and expedition participants bravely jump first, screaming from the cold but encouraging others to try.
• Lin Qiyan initially refuses, comparing the sea to whiskey with ice, but gradually becomes tempted after hearing that the opportunity may never come again.
• Lu Ao encourages Lin Qiyan to jump, assuring him that he will pull him up immediately. Lu Ao himself refuses because he has already swum in the sea and does not want to repeat the experience or be filmed.
• Lin Qiyan courageously dives in without prolonged hesitation but immediately cries out from the extreme cold and asks to be pulled up.
• Lu Ao reaches him before the staff, pulls the rope, grabs Lin Qiyan’s hand, and brings him out of the water.
• Wrapped in towels, Lin Qiyan is left pale, blue, and violently shivering. His legs are so numb and stiff that he can barely walk, dragging himself forward with his thighs.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates calm confidence and practical concern. He is capable of handling the cold but chooses not to show off, while remaining ready to protect Lin Qiyan.
• Lin Qiyan moves from fear and hesitation to impulsive bravery. Though he regrets the decision immediately, he follows through and confronts the challenge.
• The other participants also show increasing courage, with the first successful jumps inspiring more people—including women from the ship—to participate.

Significant Themes

• Courage versus self-preservation: The chapter humorously explores how people balance the desire for adventure with awareness of danger and discomfort.
• Peer encouragement and group spirit: Once a few people jump, others are motivated to try, turning the activity into a shared experience.
• Adventure and limited opportunities: Lin Qiyan is persuaded by the thought that he may never return to Antarctica, emphasizing the value of seizing rare experiences.
• Care and mutual trust: Lu Ao’s willingness to rescue Lin Qiyan highlights their developing closeness and his dependable nature.

Character Interactions

• The director and producer tease Lu Ao into participating, but he firmly declines.
• Lin Qiyan and Lu Ao exchange playful remarks about whether either of them will jump.
• Lu Ao reassures Lin Qiyan that he will pull him out, and he fulfills that promise immediately.
• The crew’s laughter, teasing, and encouragement create a lighthearted atmosphere despite the physically harsh setting.

Chapter Summary

• After ice swimming, Lin Qiyan refuses vodka because he cannot tolerate alcohol and still needs to go ashore. Concerned about him getting chilled, Lu Ao goes to the kitchen and prepares a large bowl of ginger soup. He teasingly calls Lin Qiyan “Dalang” and makes him drink it, prompting laughter from the others. Lu Ao also serves ginger soup to the other swimmers.
• Once the expedition members return, the group prepares to land in polar kayaks. Staff remind them to remain at least fifteen meters from elephant seals.
• The group encounters numerous curious Adélie Penguins on the glacier. The expedition guide explains that Adélie Penguins are widespread in Antarctica and that Chinstrap Penguins can be seen farther ahead.
• A huge Wandering Albatross suddenly flies overhead, astonishing everyone with its nearly three-meter wingspan. Two more albatrosses join it and float near the kayaks, apparently hoping for food. The tourists want to feed them but are discouraged from doing so.
• After landing, the Adélie Penguins aggressively chase and peck at the visitors. The tourists struggle to avoid them while also battling the strong wind.
• Just as the penguins’ attack begins to subside, the director calls everyone together to film. The penguins then swarm him and begin chasing him, creating an unexpectedly comic scene.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Lu Ao’s actions reveal his quiet attentiveness toward Lin Qiyan. Though he downplays their relationship by insisting Lin is “a man,” he goes out of his way to prepare him a warming drink and supervise him while he drinks it.
• Lin Qiyan remains reluctant and somewhat helpless in the cold, but he accepts Lu Ao’s care despite complaining about the ginger soup.
• The expedition group grows increasingly enthusiastic and childlike in response to Antarctica’s wildlife, while the staff provide practical guidance and safety reminders.
• The director’s attempt to organize filming backfires when the penguins target him, turning him into the center of the group’s amusement.

Significant Themes

• Care expressed through teasing: Lu Ao shows concern through practical help and playful mockery rather than openly emotional words.
• Wonder and discovery: The penguins and magnificent albatrosses emphasize the extraordinary beauty and unfamiliarity of Antarctica.
• Human vulnerability in nature: The tourists are easily overwhelmed by the wind and surprisingly fierce penguins, highlighting that they are visitors in an environment governed by wildlife.
• Humor and camaraderie: Shared discomfort, ginger soup, wildlife encounters, and the director’s misfortune strengthen the group’s relaxed, communal atmosphere.

Chapter 159 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During filming in Antarctica, the director is unexpectedly chased by a flock of aggressive Adélie Penguins, causing the production team to laugh and film the incident.
• Lu Ao is called over to distract the penguins. Instead of attacking him, the penguins become unusually affectionate, surrounding him and rubbing against him.
• Lu Ao tries to escape and runs toward a colony of Southern Elephant Seals. The director and crew humorously continue filming and teasing him from a distance.
• The Elephant Seals initially appear indifferent but become interested in Lu Ao and slowly follow him. Their enormous size contrasts with their gentle, sluggish movements.
• Concerned about disturbing the animals, Lu Ao avoids getting too close or circling behind them. He uses his ability to communicate with animals and persuades the seals to stop following him.
• The seals appear disappointed as Lu Ao leaves, amusing and endearing everyone watching.
• After spending about an hour and a half observing the Elephant Seals, the group returns to the ship for lunch and rest before visiting the next site, where they will experience Antarctic hot springs surrounded by ice.
• The weather is unusually warm for Antarctica, reaching six degrees Celsius with little wind. Lin Qiyan, previously cold and sluggish, becomes energetic and eagerly surveys the next landing site with binoculars.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: His extraordinary affinity with animals becomes increasingly evident. Although he is embarrassed by the attention and tries to avoid being filmed, he remains careful and respectful around dangerous wildlife. His ability to communicate with the Elephant Seals also highlights his unusual connection to nature.
• The Director: He is portrayed as comically irresponsible and opportunistic, turning his own penguin chase and Lu Ao’s predicament into entertaining footage. He repeatedly teases Lu Ao while prioritizing the production.
• The Leading Actress and Crew: They show a playful, mischievous camaraderie, laughing at the director and Lu Ao while still helping distract the penguins and documenting the unusual encounters.
• Lin Qiyan: He proudly supports Lu Ao’s reputation for animal affinity and becomes noticeably more energetic as the weather improves.

Significant Themes

• Human–nature harmony: The chapter emphasizes the possibility of communication and peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife through Lu Ao’s unique abilities.
• The unpredictability of nature: The penguins and seals behave in unexpected ways, showing that wild animals cannot always be treated according to simple assumptions.
• Comedy and camaraderie: Dangerous or inconvenient situations become sources of humor, strengthening the relaxed relationships within the production team.
• Respect for wildlife: Lu Ao carefully maintains safe distances and avoids provoking the animals, reinforcing the importance of responsible conduct in Antarctica.

Character Interactions

• The director calls Lu Ao to rescue him from the penguins, then joins the crew in teasing and filming Lu Ao’s escape.
• The production team attempts to distract the penguins, but the animals ignore everyone except Lu Ao.
• Lu Ao’s interaction with the Elephant Seals is largely nonverbal until he communicates with them mentally and persuades them to stop following him.
• The actress and Lin Qiyan admire Lu Ao’s popularity with animals, while the crew is charmed by the seals’ apparent disappointment at his departure.

Chapter Summary

• Penguin conflict: After eating, Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan watch penguins from the ship’s deck. They observe several smaller Adélie Penguins aggressively chasing and pecking at Emperor Penguin chicks, who only evade the attacks and cannot effectively fight back.
• Explanation from expedition members: The researchers explain that Adélie Penguins are known for their aggressive behavior. In this case, however, they are not acting out of simple bullying. A large iceberg collapse blocked their usual route to the sea, so they are attempting to drive the Emperor Penguins away and claim the area as a new access point for foraging.
• Environmental concerns: The expedition members discuss how iceberg collapses have become increasingly common because of rising temperatures. Although Adélie Penguins appear abundant, their population has declined to roughly thirty percent of its level ten years earlier. They explain that climate change is a complex, planet-wide process possibly connected to the current Interglacial Period, and that it may cause major ecological changes and even mass extinctions.
• Scientific responsibility: Lin Qiyan worries that nothing can be done to protect the penguins. The researchers reassure him that scientists worldwide are studying the problem, and that their own expedition—as well as the filming project—can help people understand Antarctica and encourage environmental protection.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou: Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan return to their cabins feeling discouraged. Song Zhou finds Lu Ao distressed and comforts him, arguing that the world and climate are constantly changing and that the situation is not necessarily beyond control. He emphasizes that humans and nonhumans are both contributing to the effort to manage these changes, mentioning the Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency’s work in eliminating anomalous factors. His physical affection—squeezing Lu Ao’s neck and putting an arm around his shoulders—shows their growing closeness and his instinct to reassure and protect Lu Ao.

Key Themes

Environmental change and ecological fragility

Human responsibility toward nature

The limits of individual action versus collective scientific effort

Perspective and emotional resilience

Growing intimacy and mutual comfort between Lu Ao and Song Zhou

Chapter 160 Summary

• Plot and events: Lu Ao and Song Zhou rest together aboard the ship while traveling toward an Antarctic hot spring site. Lu Ao learns that the geese and Chubby are being well cared for at home. He later wakes to an unusually heavy rainstorm, which is dangerous for Antarctic wildlife—especially Adélie Penguin eggs and Emperor Penguin chicks vulnerable to hypothermia. With Song Zhou’s reassurance, Lu Ao uses his environmental abilities to disperse the enormous storm clouds. After a strenuous effort, sunlight returns, and the crew prepares to go ashore.
• Character development: Lu Ao shows increasing awareness and control of his powers. He begins to understand that nonhumans are part of the environment and can positively influence it rather than merely “interfere” with nature. His concern for the penguins demonstrates his compassion and sense of responsibility, while successfully clearing the clouds reveals the growing strength of his abilities. However, the effort leaves him physically exhausted.
• Character interactions: Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a tender, domestic closeness. Song Zhou helps him sleep, reassures him about their animals, supports him during the storm, massages him after he uses his powers, and kisses his forehead. Lu Ao expresses regret that Song Zhou could not join the entire journey, but Song Zhou promises they can visit together another time. The crew’s excitement at seeing the sun return highlights the immediate impact of Lu Ao’s actions.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes environmental interconnectedness, suggesting that powerful beings can coexist with and protect nature. It also highlights compassion toward vulnerable wildlife, the responsibility that comes with extraordinary abilities, and the emotional comfort and mutual support found in Lu Ao and Song Zhou’s relationship.

Chapter Summary

Plot and events

Lu Ao chooses to skip the group’s Antarctic hot-spring outing so he can share a private experience with Song Zhou later that night. He falsely claims to have a cold, marking the first lie he has told for love. After reassuring the concerned Lin Qiyan and avoiding suspicion, Lu Ao waits in the cabin until Song Zhou finishes working. Around 2 a.m., the two secretly leave with bathrobes and towels. Song Zhou teleports them to a secluded hot spring deep within the Antarctic peninsula, where they enjoy the warmth and complete privacy. They kiss and become intimate while surrounded by the polar landscape. Afterward, Song Zhou dries Lu Ao, offers to show him nearby seals and penguins, and, when Lu Ao is too weak to walk, carries him away from the springs.

Character developments

Lu Ao reveals how deeply his feelings for Song Zhou have grown. Though normally restrained and honest, he willingly deceives the coordinator to create a private romantic memory with Song Zhou. His affection is expressed more through his eyes and actions than through words. Song Zhou demonstrates tenderness and attentiveness by protecting Lu Ao’s sleep, arranging the secluded trip, caring for him afterward, and carrying him when he is exhausted.

Character interactions

Lin Qiyan worries about Lu Ao’s supposed illness and offers to prepare ginger soup, but Lu Ao sends him to enjoy the hot springs. Song Zhou and Lu Ao share playful, intimate exchanges, including teasing about preserving the environment, before becoming physically intimate. Their final walk emphasizes Song Zhou’s protective care and Lu Ao’s trust in him.

Significant themes

The chapter centers on love expressed through sacrifice and private choices, as Lu Ao gives up a rare group experience for time alone with Song Zhou. It also highlights intimacy, trust, and emotional union: the secluded Antarctic setting mirrors their sense of being alone in the world, while their synchronized heartbeats symbolize two previously separate lives becoming one. The contrast between the cold polar environment and the warmth of the hot springs and their relationship reinforces the theme of love as emotional refuge.

Key plot points and events

• Song Zhou takes Lu Ao to observe crabeater seals and chinstrap penguins in Antarctica. They watch the seals sleeping on the ice, then keep their distance from the more easily disturbed penguins.
• The pair return to the ship around dawn. Lu Ao gets only a little sleep before work, and Lin Qiyan notices his exhaustion and gives him ginger tea instead of coffee because he is still recovering from a cold.
• The expedition begins its return journey after six days inside the Antarctic Circle. The group feels subdued about leaving, and the director gives everyone a day off when the open sea offers little to film.
• As the ship heads north, wildlife grows scarce. A blue whale Lu Ao has encountered before appears near his window; he communicates with it for over an hour, then encourages it to move away from the humans.
• Humpback whales and orcas appear in turn. Humpbacks follow the ship for a while before Lu Ao urges them to leave and feed.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a quiet, affectionate moment while observing wildlife. Lu Ao shows care by avoiding disturbing the penguins, and Song Zhou responds with warmth and tenderness.
• Lu Ao’s sadness at leaving Antarctica reveals how deeply he has valued the trip and its wildlife.
• Lin Qiyan looks after Lu Ao, having specially arranged ginger tea for him and reminding him to rest.
• Lu Ao’s ability to communicate with marine animals remains central: he delights in seeing the whales again but also prioritizes their safety and freedom.

Significant themes

• Gentleness and respect for nature: Lu Ao and Song Zhou observe animals without intruding, and Lu Ao sends the whales away from the ship.
• Affection expressed through care: Song Zhou offers warmth and support, while Lin Qiyan tends to Lu Ao’s illness.
• Parting and impermanence: The expedition’s end brings a shared sense of loss, even as new wildlife encounters make the return journey memorable.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao watches orcas leaping from the sea, comparing their graceful movements to skipping stones.
• After spending the night alone aboard the research vessel, he uses his satellite phone to have a sweet conversation with Song Zhou.
• The next morning, the vessel reaches port. Lu Ao and the others disembark, say goodbye to the crew, and travel to the airport.
• Since his production contract has ended, Lu Ao no longer has arranged lodging. Lin Qiyan worries about him traveling alone so late, but Lu Ao explains that Song Zhou is coming to pick him up.
• Song Zhou unexpectedly appears at the airport after tracking Lu Ao’s flight. The two reunite affectionately, hold hands openly, and wear matching aquamarine rings on their ring fingers.
• Rather than eat out, they pack food and return home. After avoiding the airport’s cameras, Song Zhou transports them directly to their courtyard.
• Their dog, Chubby, enthusiastically welcomes Lu Ao after nearly ten days apart. Lu Ao learns that Chubby has grown and has chewed part of the kitchen door.
• Lu Ao then goes to check on the geese, noticing that they have grown larger and more imposing.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao remains affectionate and emotionally attached to Song Zhou, their dog, and the animals at home. His excitement at returning reveals how deeply he misses his domestic life.
• Song Zhou demonstrates devotion and attentiveness by monitoring Lu Ao’s flight, traveling to meet him, carrying his luggage, and ensuring they can return home safely and privately.
• Lin Qiyan shows concern for Lu Ao but also mild envy of his romantic relationship, reflecting his own loneliness.
• Chubby is developing from a puppy into an adolescent dog, becoming larger and more mischievous while remaining strongly attached to Lu Ao.
• The geese’ growth suggests that life at home has continued and flourished during Lu Ao’s absence.

Significant Themes

• Reunion and homecoming: Lu Ao’s return centers on the comfort of home, familiar animals, and his relationship with Song Zhou.
• Romantic devotion: Song Zhou’s airport welcome, their hand-holding, rings, and private return home emphasize their closeness and commitment.
• Public and private love: Although strangers stare at them, neither man hides their relationship; however, they still take precautions to avoid being caught by cameras.
• Growth and passage of time: Lu Ao notices changes in Chubby and the geese after only a short absence, highlighting how quickly living things mature.
• Freedom and contentment: The orcas’ graceful movement and Lu Ao’s peaceful reunion reinforce the chapter’s warm, joyful atmosphere.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a tender phone conversation before reuniting in person.
• Lin Qiyan offers Lu Ao practical concern and expresses understated envy of his relationship.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou openly hold hands and exchange affectionate gestures despite onlookers.
• Chubby greets Lu Ao exuberantly, while Lu Ao responds by cuddling and reassuring the dog.
• Song Zhou gently directs Lu Ao to shower and stop overindulging the dog, reflecting their comfortable domestic intimacy.

Chapter 162 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao returns home and relaxes with Song Zhou after an exhausting period away. He checks on the geese, showers, eats a late-night snack, and falls asleep.
• The next day, Xiang Xingchang calls after learning that Lu Ao has returned through Qi Yan’s vlog.
• Xiang explains that illegal fishing boats dragged a pair trawl—likely a destructive “Wipeout Net”—across Mingya Bay. The operation destroyed recently transplanted coral, algae, and seagrass, leaving the seabed severely damaged.
• Because Lu Ao is particularly skilled at coral restoration, Xiang asks him to act as a volunteer technical adviser. Lu Ao immediately agrees to help and plans to travel there the following morning.
• Photos reveal that the damage is extensive, with obvious trawl marks across the silt and nearly all the transplanted marine life destroyed.
• Lu Ao learns that Professor Huang Ningna’s heat-resistant coral research has succeeded. The coral seedlings are now being planted throughout the Qianming Waters, while Huang remains there to study the next generation.
• Lu Ao discusses the destruction with Song Zhou. Rather than using supernatural means to locate the perpetrators, Lu Ao decides to focus on restoring the ecosystem.
• He proposes using his ability to inject vitality into surviving algae and plants over a broad area, though he has never attempted this on such a large scale.
• Song Zhou agrees the experiment is worth trying and offers to help if necessary. The next morning, he teleports Lu Ao to the meeting place and leaves without revealing himself.
• Lu Ao arrives to meet Xiang and the volunteers, who immediately notice the large ring on his hand.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao is shown recovering from exhaustion but quickly becomes serious and proactive when he hears about the ecological destruction. His immediate willingness to volunteer reflects his strong sense of responsibility toward marine conservation.
• He also demonstrates growing confidence in applying his vitality-based abilities creatively, treating large-scale ecological restoration as a new experiment.
• Song Zhou continues to provide emotional and practical support. He respects Lu Ao’s decision to let humans handle the investigation but remains ready to intervene if needed.
• Xiang Xingchang is angry and frustrated over the destroyed restoration project but trusts Lu Ao’s expertise enough to ask for help despite having little money available.
• Huang Ningna’s coral research makes significant progress, establishing that his cultivated coral has survived and is now contributing to broader restoration efforts.

Significant Themes

• Environmental destruction and restoration: The chapter contrasts the damage caused by illegal fishing with the painstaking work of coral and seagrass rehabilitation.
• Responsibility and service: Lu Ao willingly helps with a charity project despite the lack of payment, emphasizing his commitment to protecting the ecosystem.
• Human effort versus supernatural power: Lu Ao and Song Zhou deliberately allow humans to investigate the crime instead of relying on supernatural abilities, while Lu Ao uses his powers primarily to heal and restore nature.
• Scientific experimentation: Lu Ao’s plan to spread vitality across a damaged marine area extends his understanding of his abilities and combines supernatural methods with ecological research.
• Cooperation: The restoration project depends on volunteers, researchers, and Lu Ao’s specialized skills working together.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a comfortable domestic routine, with Song Zhou caring for him after his exhausting journey.
• Xiang appeals to Lu Ao’s expertise and charitable nature, and Lu Ao reassures him that payment is unnecessary.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss whether to track down the illegal fishermen through supernatural means. Lu Ao insists that humans should handle the investigation, while Song Zhou promises support if the restoration experiment fails.
• Their mutual trust is emphasized when Song Zhou tells Lu Ao that he will certainly do a satisfactory job.
• At the chapter’s close, Lu Ao joins Xiang and the volunteers at Mingya Bay, setting up the next stage of the restoration effort.

Plot points and events

• Xiang Xingchang and the volunteers tease Lu Ao about his and Song Zhou’s rings and celebrate that they have officially become a family. They invite him to a drinking gathering and joke about a future wedding banquet.
• Lu Ao and the team travel to Mingya Bay to restore coral. Using existing metal frames, they finish planting by early afternoon, then inspect the damaged area for clues about the people who used twin trawl nets.
• The volunteers are saddened by the destruction, especially the loss of seaweed and the damage to the bay’s potential as a holiday destination. They encourage one another to keep working for the marine environment.
• Over drinks, the team discusses its plans for the year: clearing plastic litter, possibly buying speedboats, and expanding coral planting with coral supplied by Professor Huang.
• Asked about his own plans, Lu Ao says he is considering establishing a large offshore Marine Ranch and leasing a suitable stretch of sea. The group is surprised by the expense and uncertain returns.

Character developments

• Lu Ao is more at ease with the volunteer team than before. Though he rarely joins their social outings, he has built genuine friendships with them.
• He shows growing ambition by proposing a large Marine Ranch, though his plans are still preliminary.
• The volunteers demonstrate perseverance, treating environmental restoration as a long-term effort that may benefit future generations.

Character interactions

• The team’s affectionate teasing of Lu Ao reflects their closeness and acceptance of him and Song Zhou as a family.
• When Old Zhang despairs over the damage, Little Liu and the others comfort him and renew the group’s resolve.
• The volunteers encourage Lu Ao to share his plans, then react with curiosity and concern when he reveals the scale of his Marine Ranch idea.

Significant themes

• Environmental damage and restoration: Destructive fishing has badly harmed Mingya Bay, while coral planting and litter removal offer ways to repair it.
• Collective perseverance: The volunteers believe sustained work by successive generations can improve the marine environment.
• Community and belonging: Lu Ao’s growing bond with the team is shown through their celebration, banter, and shared plans.
• Ambition and risk: Lu Ao’s proposed Marine Ranch suggests a major new undertaking, but its cost and uncertain early returns raise practical concerns.

Plot points

• Lu Ao tells friends he is considering a project that combines business with public benefit. After seeing the abundance of wildlife in Antarctica, he no longer feels right about fishing simply for personal gain. With more than six million yuan saved, he is thinking about creating a Marine Ranch.
• The plan is only an idea, and he knows it would be costly and risky. His friends nevertheless offer wholehearted support: they begin looking for possible sites, calling contacts, and sharing practical advice. Their enthusiasm makes Lu Ao seriously consider moving forward.
• Lu Ao drinks too much at the gathering. Song Zhou arrives to take him home, and Xiang Xingchang explains that Lu Ao insisted on waiting for Song Zhou. Song Zhou carries him home and looks after him.
• Drunk and disoriented, Lu Ao clings to Song Zhou’s coat for comfort. The next morning, hungover and miserable, he finds the coat and takes comfort in its familiar scent. Song Zhou stays home, brings him breakfast, and asks what prompted him to drink so much.

Character developments

• Lu Ao is moving from survival-minded fishing toward a more socially and environmentally responsible livelihood. The friends’ support helps turn his vague idea into a genuine possibility.
• Song Zhou shows patient, tender care, both when Lu Ao is drunk and the following morning. Lu Ao’s eagerness to be near him reveals how secure and affectionate he feels with Song Zhou.
• Xiang Xingchang and the others demonstrate that they trust and support Lu Ao, despite the risks of his proposal.

Themes

• Stewardship and responsibility: Lu Ao’s experience in Antarctica changes how he views fishing and his relationship with marine life.
• Community and cooperation: Friends respond to his public-minded idea with practical help, not just words.
• Care and intimacy: Lu Ao’s dependence on Song Zhou while drunk, and his comfort in Song Zhou’s coat afterward, underscore their closeness.

Character interactions

• Lu Ao raises the Marine Ranch idea with his friends, who encourage him and offer contacts and expertise.
• Xiang Xingchang keeps Lu Ao company until Song Zhou arrives, then hands him over with a joking comparison to a child waiting for a parent.
• Song Zhou gently brings Lu Ao home and cares for him; the next morning, Lu Ao embraces him affectionately, while Song Zhou looks after him and presses him to explain his drinking.