Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Plot points and events

Lu Ao explains to Song Zhou that he became drunk the previous day while discussing plans to develop a Marine Ranch with Xiang Xingchang and others. Their conversation focused on the industry’s prospects, possible locations, and government support, but they reached no concrete decisions. Lu Ao learns that recent anti-corruption measures have made Marine Ranch applications and approvals much stricter, especially for private individuals, and that ordinary aquaculture operations can no longer be passed off as Marine Ranches to obtain benefits.
Rather than rushing into construction, Lu Ao decides to research the industry and visit successful examples before making plans. He intends to consult Professors Huang Ningna and Zhao Xingli. After breakfast, he also remembers his plan to investigate whether he can provide life force to seabed seaweed and coral on a large scale. He quickly contacts Huang, who offers to connect him with a friend in Shannan Province whose Marine Ranch is a National Marine Ranch Demonstration Zone. Huang agrees to send Lu Ao background materials and arrange communication with the ranch’s owner.

Character development

Lu Ao is shown as ambitious but cautious. Although eager to develop a Marine Ranch, he recognizes the risks of acting without sufficient knowledge and chooses to study successful models first. His confidence in his network and past relationships is rewarded when Huang immediately helps him find a suitable contact. His tendency to overindulge and forget plans after drinking provides a lighter, more human aspect to his character.
Song Zhou continues to act as a supportive and practical partner, encouraging Lu Ao to eat, offering assistance, and helping him stay focused on his plans. He also recognizes that Lu Ao’s earlier kindness and connections have created opportunities for him now.

Significant themes

• Careful preparation versus impulsive action: Lu Ao avoids entering a complicated new industry blindly.
• Changing governance and institutional transparency: Stricter regulations and anti-corruption efforts have made Marine Ranch development more formal and difficult.
• The value of relationships and reciprocity: Lu Ao’s previous assistance to others has built goodwill that now helps him pursue his own goals.
• Innovation and sustainable development: Marine Ranches represent a modern, systematic approach to managing marine resources and ecosystems.

Character interactions

Song Zhou questions Lu Ao about the previous night, listens to his plans, and offers practical support. Lu Ao explains the challenges of Marine Ranch development and expresses confidence in finding help through his contacts. Song Zhou reminds him to eat and prompts him to resume the seabed life-force investigation. Lu Ao then calls Huang Ningna, who responds warmly and offers a direct connection to an experienced Marine Ranch operator. Their exchange demonstrates Lu Ao’s growing professional network and the trust he has earned from others.

Chapter 164 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao realizes that funding his planned Marine Ranch will require tens of millions, but Song Zhou reminds him that he already gave Lu Ao access to his enormous wealth. Lu Ao had forgotten because he rarely used Song Zhou’s money.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a playful, affectionate moment, with Song Zhou kissing him after Lu Ao jokingly claims he remembered the money.
• Huang Ningna’s friend agrees to receive Lu Ao as a visitor. Lu Ao travels alone to Shannan Province, deliberately using ordinary transportation rather than Song Zhou’s teleportation so he will not arouse suspicion in human society.
• After arriving, Lu Ao contacts Song Zhou and arranges to visit Cao Zijun, the friend’s acquaintance, the following morning.
• Cao Zijun picks Lu Ao up and explains that Marine Ranching requires massive investment and carries a high risk of failure. He recommends simpler ventures such as raising scallops or sea cucumbers on fish rafts.
• Lu Ao explains that declining fish stocks and high fishing taxes motivated him to consider aquaculture. He remains open to trying the Marine Ranch but is willing to fall back on a smaller operation if necessary.
• Cao Zijun brings Lu Ao to his own large offshore deep-water Marine Ranch, which has received over sixty million in investment.
• Lu Ao examines the ranch’s plans, including monitoring systems, artificial reefs, seaweed fields, seedling production, and grow-out facilities. He learns that only about a quarter of the proposed infrastructure has been completed.
• Cao Zijun reveals that the ranch primarily raises sea cucumbers, scallops, and abalone, with kelp cultivated as feed.
• Although the ranch has operated for four years after an experimental period, its performance has been poor. A disease outbreak killed large numbers of scallops and sea cucumbers, nearly bankrupting the operation, forcing a complete cleanup and disinfection of the sea area.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates practicality and ambition. He understands the risks of Marine Ranching but remains determined to explore the possibility and learn from experienced operators.
• He also shows a desire to live within normal human rules, refusing teleportation to avoid suspicious travel patterns.
• Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao financially and emotionally. His wealth and willingness to help contrast with Lu Ao’s reluctance to rely on him.
• Cao Zijun is introduced as an experienced but cautious Marine Ranch operator. His frank warnings reveal both his practical knowledge and the hardships he has faced.

Significant Themes

• Ambition versus risk: Lu Ao wants to move beyond fishing, but Marine Ranching demands enormous capital and offers no guarantee of success.
• Adaptation and sustainability: Declining wild fish populations and high fishing taxes encourage Lu Ao to consider controlled aquaculture.
• Trust and mutual support: Lu Ao’s earlier help to others leads to assistance from Huang Ningna’s connections, while Song Zhou provides dependable financial backing.
• Integration into human society: Lu Ao consciously follows ordinary travel procedures to avoid exposing anything unusual about himself.
• The complexity of progress: A Marine Ranch involves advanced technology and extensive infrastructure, yet even large investments cannot prevent disease and financial setbacks.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange affectionate teasing over Lu Ao’s forgotten access to Song Zhou’s money, ending in a kiss.
• Lu Ao and Cao Zijun develop a friendly, respectful rapport during the long drive. Cao Zijun warns him against underestimating the difficulty of the business, while Lu Ao listens but maintains his willingness to experiment.
• Cao Zijun treats Lu Ao favorably because of his connection to Professor Huang, openly sharing the ranch’s finances, systems, operations, and past failures.

Chapter 165 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cao Zijun warns Lu Ao that marine aquaculture is highly risky because densely stocked fish are vulnerable to disease and parasites. He cites a serious salmon-farming outbreak in Country N as an example of how infections can devastate an entire operation.
• Rather than discouraging him, the risks strengthen Lu Ao’s determination to enter the industry. He wants to establish reliable aquaculture so people can eat trustworthy fish.
• Cao Zijun explains the main requirements for building a marine ranch:
  1. Obtaining sea-use rights, which can be difficult.
  2. Cooperating with research institutions for expertise in marine biology, anti-corrosion technology, environmental monitoring, and related fields.
  3. Securing sufficient funding, since marine ranching requires enormous ongoing investment.
• Lu Ao believes he can overcome the first two obstacles through his government and scientific connections. He also knows that Song Zhou has more than two billion yuan in readily available cash, giving him confidence about the financial burden.
• Cao Zijun takes Lu Ao by speedboat to inspect his own marine ranch. The ranch includes a privately managed island, deep-water fish cages, bamboo structures, and extensive underwater facilities, including tunnels.
• Cao Zijun explains that the island was obtained under a fifty-year use period and that the ranch was designed as an integrated project involving tourism, sightseeing, fishing, aquaculture, stock enhancement, and release.
• The ranch’s mixed private and government funding creates bureaucratic complications, limiting how freely Cao Zijun can develop it.
• When asked about his own plans, Lu Ao says he wants to build an integrated marine ranch that combines aquaculture with stock enhancement and release. He intends to use part of the profits to replenish marine populations and give back to the ocean.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Becomes even more committed to marine ranching after learning about its dangers. His ambition is not merely commercial; he wants to improve food safety and protect marine ecosystems. His confidence in his connections and financial backing suggests he is seriously prepared to pursue the project.
• Cao Zijun: Acts as a cautious mentor and gives Lu Ao an honest account of the industry’s technical, financial, and administrative difficulties. Though initially skeptical that Lu Ao will listen, he respects Lu Ao’s determination and shares practical knowledge about marine ranching.

Significant Themes

• Risk versus determination: The industry’s dangers do not deter Lu Ao; instead, they motivate him to create a better and more reliable system.
• Environmental responsibility: Lu Ao believes humans should restore the ocean after exploiting its resources, linking business success with ecological responsibility.
• The complexity of large-scale ventures: Marine ranching requires scientific expertise, government approval, funding, and cooperation among multiple parties.
• Idealism versus practical obstacles: Lu Ao’s vision is ambitious and socially beneficial, but the chapter emphasizes that good intentions alone cannot overcome technical, financial, and bureaucratic challenges.

Character Interactions

• Cao Zijun repeatedly cautions Lu Ao, treating him like a younger brother and trying to prevent him from entering the field without understanding its dangers.
• Lu Ao listens respectfully but remains unconvinced that the obstacles are insurmountable, revealing his confidence and determination.
• Their relationship develops through mutual respect: Cao Zijun offers honest advice, while Lu Ao appreciates the warning without abandoning his goals.
• During the tour, Cao Zijun’s pride in his marine ranch contrasts with his earlier warnings, while Lu Ao’s growing excitement shows that seeing the project firsthand only intensifies his ambition.

Chapter 384 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao finishes touring Cao Zijun’s Marine Ranch and discusses its equipment and operating model.
• Impressed by the ranch’s success, Lu Ao decides that developing his own Marine Ranch is financially feasible. He believes his superior conditions—more capital, technology, and confidence in raising seafood—could allow him to become profitable within one or two years rather than seven.
• Lu Ao plans to research potential sites, consult Zhang Ge and others, and investigate Marine Ranch projects in the province.
• After returning home, Lu Ao and Song Zhou spend time with their increasingly large and mischievous dog, Chubby. They later take him to Lin Family Village.
• At Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying’s home, the conversation turns to the government’s fishing retirement program. Officials have begun encouraging villagers to stop fishing, though participation remains voluntary.

Character Development

• Lu Ao becomes increasingly enthusiastic and confident about establishing a Marine Ranch. His ambitions are shown to be both unusually large and genuinely motivated by practical goals, including eventually contributing to public welfare.
• Cao Zijun gains respect for Lu Ao’s vision and sincerity. He offers to provide technical support and may later supply customized equipment, strengthening their professional relationship.
• Song Zhou continues to act as Lu Ao’s calm, supportive partner. He encourages Lu Ao not to overwork himself and helps train and care for Chubby.
• Chubby has grown rapidly into a dog weighing over thirty jin. Though affectionate and clingy, he is also brave and unruly, even daring to challenge Lu Ao’s formidable geese.
• Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying reveal concern about the fishing retirement program, suggesting that the policy may threaten villagers’ familiar livelihoods despite being voluntary.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and investment: Lu Ao’s plans reflect his willingness to pursue large-scale projects and take calculated risks.
• Giving back to the ocean: The Marine Ranch is presented not only as a business but as a possible means of ecological and social contribution.
• Rural change and uncertainty: The fishing retirement program highlights the tension between government efforts to regulate or reform rural industries and villagers’ dependence on traditional work.
• Companionship and domestic warmth: Lu Ao, Song Zhou, and Chubby’s interactions provide a contrast to the chapter’s business and economic concerns.

Character Interactions

• Cao Zijun and Lu Ao discuss Marine Ranch operations, equipment, and possible future cooperation.
• Song Zhou questions Lu Ao about his priorities, prompting Lu Ao to explain his immediate plans for researching the project.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou affectionately tease and comfort Chubby while caring for him.
• At Lin Family Village, Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange friendly greetings with Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying, while Ye Zhiying praises Chubby’s behavior.
• Lu Ao asks about the fishing retirement program, allowing Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying to express their worries about the village’s changing circumstances.

Chapter 166 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao learns that the government may soon encourage fishermen to retire because fish stocks are declining. The retirement program may include subsidies, county jobs, low-rent housing, and school placements.
• Ye Zhiying is particularly tempted by the possibility of county-school placements for her children, though she and her husband have not yet agreed to leave fishing.
• Lu Ao consults Lin Manzhang about establishing a Marine Ranch for raising various marine species, similar to traditional fish rafts.
• Ye Zhiying and Lin identify an old fish-raft site near a reef island as a potentially suitable location, but Lin warns that it is too small—only slightly more than ten mu—while Lu Ao wants several dozen mu.
• Lu Ao explains that he hopes to raise sea cucumbers, abalone, lobsters, and other species, requiring relatively deep water and possibly an offshore island for building facilities.
• Lin advises him to consult older fishermen, especially Lin Dawu, who knows the local waters and fishing networks better.
• Unable to find useful information online, Lu Ao stays up researching until Song Zhou forces him to go to bed.
• The next morning, Weng Qian calls after hearing about Lu Ao’s plans. He offers either substantial investment or a business partnership through his hotel’s fresh-food delivery service.
• Lu Ao realizes Weng Qian is interested in securing a future supply of his seafood, while Weng frames the proposal as a mutually beneficial arrangement: Lu Ao provides products, and Weng provides sales channels.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao becomes more ambitious and business-minded, moving from informal fishing and seafood work toward a large-scale marine-aquaculture venture. He shows caution by researching locations and seeking advice rather than acting impulsively.
• Ye Zhiying reveals concern about her family’s future. Although she is not enthusiastic about the available jobs or housing, better schooling for her children strongly motivates her to consider retiring from fishing.
• Lin Manzhang acts as a practical adviser, honestly assessing the limitations of local waters and encouraging Lu Ao to seek knowledge from older fishermen.
• Song Zhou demonstrates care and familiarity with Lu Ao by making sure he rests instead of staying up all night.
• Weng Qian shows strong confidence in Lu Ao and develops from friend into a potential investor and commercial partner.

Significant Themes

• Decline of traditional fishing: Reduced fish stocks and possible government retirement policies suggest that the old fishing lifestyle is becoming unsustainable.
• Adaptation and modernization: Lu Ao’s Marine Ranch represents a shift from extractive fishing to organized, technology-based aquaculture.
• Family and education: Ye Zhiying’s concerns highlight how economic decisions are shaped by children’s futures and access to better schooling.
• Trust and cooperation: Lu Ao relies on local fishermen’s knowledge, while Weng Qian offers financial and commercial support based on personal trust.
• Balancing ambition with practicality: Lu Ao dreams of raising multiple valuable species but must find a location that meets demanding environmental and logistical requirements.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhiying and Lin Manzhang discuss the uncertain future of fishing and suggest potential Marine Ranch sites to Lu Ao.
• Lu Ao consults Lin Manzhang, who provides realistic advice while directing him toward Lin Dawu’s greater experience.
• Song Zhou looks after Lu Ao when his obsessive research keeps him awake.
• Weng Qian contacts Lu Ao to propose investment or a future supply partnership, emphasizing the strength of their friendship and mutual business potential.

Chapter 386 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao discusses his future marine ranch with Weng Qian. They consider a possible supply contract and investment, but Lu Ao postpones any agreement until the ranch is operational and producing.
• Lu Ao visits Lin Dawu’s general store, where he meets Lin Dawu and Gui Yandan over tea.
• He explains his plan to establish a marine ranch and asks Lin Dawu, an experienced former fisherman, for advice on suitable locations.
• Lin Dawu recommends relatively shallow waters with reefs, while Lu Ao adds that the area should support artificial reefs, coral, algae, and seagrass. Ideally, it should also be near an island so facilities can be built safely on land, especially because of frequent typhoons.
• Lin Dawu offers to show Lu Ao several possible sites. Gui Yandan agrees to watch the store, allowing the two men to leave immediately.
• They inspect thirteen locations near various islands. Each site proves unsuitable due to problems such as excessive shallowness, sandy seabeds, murky water, deep water, strong currents, or dangerous undercurrents.
• They return to town after dark without finding even one acceptable location.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates practical foresight and caution. He understands that future sales should rely on Weng Qian’s established channels rather than on Lu Ao handling distribution alone, but he avoids making premature commitments.
• He also shows increasing seriousness about building the marine ranch, carefully considering its ecological requirements, infrastructure, safety, and long-term profitability.
• Lin Dawu acts as a knowledgeable mentor and local guide. His former fishing experience gives him familiarity with nearby islands, and he eagerly assists Lu Ao.
• Lin Dawu admires Lu Ao’s large boat, revealing his own respect for the success and opportunities represented by it.
• Gui Yandan is initially confused about the concept of a marine ranch but quickly becomes supportive, trusting her son’s prior explanation and willingly helping by taking care of the store.

Significant Themes

• Planning versus premature action: Lu Ao refuses to finalize investment or supply arrangements before the ranch’s prospects are clearer.
• Human development and environmental suitability: The ranch must be designed around natural conditions such as water depth, seabed composition, currents, reefs, and marine vegetation.
• Practical cooperation: Lu Ao combines his resources with Weng Qian’s commercial connections and Lin Dawu’s local maritime knowledge.
• Persistence in the face of setbacks: The failure of thirteen site inspections emphasizes that ambitious projects require patience and careful investigation.
• Rural community support: Lu Ao’s plans are strengthened by the trust and willingness of people such as Lin Dawu and Gui Yandan to help him.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Weng Qian maintain a friendly but businesslike conversation, with Weng offering both distribution support and investment.
• Lu Ao shares tea and casual conversation with Lin Dawu and Gui Yandan before explaining his project.
• Lin Dawu and Gui Yandan have a humorous exchange about what a marine ranch is, highlighting their close domestic relationship.
• Lu Ao and Lin Dawu work together cooperatively during the site inspections, with Lin providing local knowledge and Lu Ao evaluating the locations firsthand.

Chapter 387 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and Lin Dawu spend the day inspecting thirteen possible locations for Lu Ao’s planned Marine Ranch, but none meet all the necessary requirements.
• Lu Ao is discouraged, especially because he wants the ranch to be close enough to reach by boat within a day.
• Lin Dawu suggests the sea area outside Lu Family Village, near Haining Mountain—the mountain Lu Ao has already leased. The area contains a large reef zone, deep water, marine life, and nearby land suitable for building supporting facilities.
• Although the location has strong currents and is relatively large and deep, Lu Ao recognizes that it may be the most practical option.
• After returning home, Lu Ao discusses the idea with Song Zhou, who also considers the location favorable.
• Over the following days, Lu Ao asks friends, boat captains, volunteers, and other contacts to recommend suitable sites. More than one hundred locations are suggested, but after inspecting them over a week, he rejects every one.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou ultimately decide that the waters outside Haining Mountain are the best choice. After consulting experts, Lu Ao commits to leasing the area.
• Since their province has no existing Marine Ranch and Lu Ao does not know the application process, he contacts Little Du for advice about leasing sea territory and obtaining the necessary rights to build the ranch.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao shifts from disappointment to determination. Though initially dissatisfied with all available sites, he carefully investigates every alternative before concluding that the area near Haining Mountain is ideal.
• Lin Dawu proves supportive and resourceful, first helping Lu Ao inspect locations and then proposing the solution that becomes the basis of the final decision.
• Song Zhou continues to act as Lu Ao’s calm and supportive partner, offering encouragement and agreeing with the plan while maintaining their comfortable domestic routine.
• Little Du is reintroduced as a knowledgeable contact whom Lu Ao trusts to help navigate official procedures.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and careful decision-making: Lu Ao refuses to settle prematurely and conducts extensive research before choosing a site.
• Practicality versus perfection: The Haining Mountain location has drawbacks, but its proximity, natural resources, depth, and access to land make it more useful than theoretically better but distant alternatives.
• Community and cooperation: Lu Ao’s project depends on the knowledge and assistance of friends, local residents, experts, and government contacts.
• Building a future through gradual ventures: The Marine Ranch represents another step in Lu Ao’s expanding plans and growing investment in his local community.

Character Interactions

• Lin Dawu reassures Lu Ao after their unsuccessful search and brainstorms with him about the sea near Haining Mountain.
• Lu Ao and Lin Dawu part amicably, with Lin Dawu inviting him to dinner and joking about his married life.
• At home, Lu Ao affectionately greets Song Zhou, shares the day’s results, and discusses the proposed ranch site with him over dinner.
• Lu Ao jokes that Chubby might eventually be assigned to watch the sea, while Song Zhou laughs at the idea.
• The chapter ends with Lu Ao calling Little Du, beginning the transition from planning the Marine Ranch to dealing with its legal and administrative requirements.

Chapter Summary — Page 388

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao seeks approval to lease a stretch of sea for his new marine ranch project.
• Little Du warns him that the project may face resistance because the Fisheries Bureau has recently intensified its crackdown on illegal marine activity, including unregulated fish rafts.
• The application is eventually sent to Hou Mingzhi, director of the Qianyong City Fisheries Bureau, who rejects it.
• Lu Ao resubmits a much more detailed application, including a costly assessment from a research institution arranged through Huang Ningna. Despite the stronger materials, he learns that Hou has declared he will not approve the project, dismissing it as little more than fish farming on rafts.
• Someone from Lu Ao’s auction group privately alerts him to Hou’s opposition and suggests using personal connections.
• Song Zhou offers to intervene through his influential contacts, but Lu Ao refuses, choosing to pursue the matter through legitimate human channels rather than exploit their non-human identities or powers.
• Lu Ao explains that using supernatural influence to interfere heavily in human society could violate the Heavenly Dao’s limits. He also prefers to establish an honest working relationship with the Fisheries Bureau rather than risk future retaliation.
• The next day, Lu Ao changes strategy and goes directly to the city Fisheries Bureau to wait for Hou Mingzhi. Surprisingly, Hou agrees to meet him immediately.
• The chapter ends as Lu Ao enters Hou’s office and observes the director’s unassuming appearance.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates patience, determination, and growing awareness of the responsibilities that come with being a Dragon. Although he is tempted by an easy solution, he deliberately rejects using supernatural or influential shortcuts.
• He also shows increasing political and practical maturity by recognizing that long-term cooperation with officials is more important than obtaining one-time approval through pressure.
• Song Zhou remains supportive and protective, offering to use his connections to help Lu Ao. He accepts Lu Ao’s decision when it becomes clear that Lu Ao wants to handle the matter independently.
• Little Du acts as a cautious adviser, warning Lu Ao about Hou Mingzhi’s stubbornness and the regulatory obstacles facing the project.
• Hou Mingzhi is established as the main bureaucratic obstacle: a powerful, inflexible official who distrusts Lu Ao’s unconventional marine ranch proposal.

Significant Themes

• Integrity versus expediency: Lu Ao must choose between using connections and influence or continuing through proper procedures.
• Boundaries between human and non-human society: The chapter explores the limits placed on non-humans’ interference in the human world and Lu Ao’s growing understanding of those rules.
• Persistence in the face of bureaucracy: Lu Ao repeatedly revises his application and changes tactics rather than abandoning the project.
• Legitimacy and long-term trust: Lu Ao values obtaining approval openly so that future cooperation with the Fisheries Bureau will not be undermined.

Character Interactions

• Little Du warns Lu Ao about Hou Mingzhi’s opposition but offers to help him find another solution.
• Lu Ao communicates with the auction-group member “Moonlit Crabapple,” who provides inside information about Hou’s refusal.
• Song Zhou comforts Lu Ao, offers assistance, and discusses whether intervention would violate their responsibilities as non-humans.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou ultimately agree—implicitly—that Lu Ao will continue handling the matter through official channels.
• Lu Ao’s unexpected meeting with Hou Mingzhi sets up the next stage of the conflict.

Chapter 167 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao visits Hou Mingzhi to discuss his application to establish a Marine Ranch.
• Hou Mingzhi treats him courteously, offering him water and acknowledging his journey from the village.
• After reviewing Lu Ao’s application, Hou Mingzhi states that he does not approve it.
• Hou Mingzhi explains that:
  • Marine Ranch technology and theory are still underdeveloped.
  • Lu Ao’s proposed area—67,200 square meters of sea—is excessively large.
  • There is insufficient knowledge about ecological carrying capacity, organism interactions, facility design, and environmental impact.
  • A private individual cannot yet prove that his project would be safe or scientifically viable.
• Lu Ao defends the project, arguing that Marine Ranches are essential for restoring depleted fisheries and transitioning away from dependence on ocean fishing.
• He insists that unresolved problems can only be addressed through practical experimentation and that private organizations should have the opportunity to participate rather than waiting entirely for government-funded research.
• The discussion becomes a tense ideological and professional debate. Hou Mingzhi remains unconvinced and extends his opposition not only to Lu Ao’s proposal but also to Marine Ranches in the Qianming Sea generally.
• Lu Ao refuses to give up and calmly announces that he will return in a few days.
• After Lu Ao leaves, Hou Mingzhi predicts that his influence will soon bring pressure from higher authorities. However, since he is nearing retirement, Hou Mingzhi decides he can afford to resist and remain firm.

Character Development

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates persistence, confidence, and a willingness to challenge authority. Although he lacks formal expertise in marine science, he responds honestly and argues from practical experience and long-term vision. His resolve strengthens when faced with rejection.
• Hou Mingzhi: Initially appears cordial and respectful, but reveals himself to be highly knowledgeable, cautious, and uncompromising. He prioritizes ecological safety and theoretical certainty over enthusiasm or policy trends. His approaching retirement makes him more willing to stand by his principles.

Significant Themes

• Innovation versus caution: Lu Ao represents bold experimentation, while Hou Mingzhi emphasizes the dangers of acting without sufficient scientific understanding.
• Private initiative versus institutional authority: The chapter questions whether important technological progress should be limited to government and academic institutions.
• Environmental responsibility: Marine development may restore fisheries, but poorly planned projects could damage already fragile ecosystems.
• Persistence in the face of opposition: Lu Ao’s determination suggests that rejection will not end his efforts.
• The limits of policy: Both men debate whether official policies and foreign examples are necessarily correct or applicable.

Character Interactions

• The central interaction is a respectful but increasingly confrontational debate between Lu Ao and Hou Mingzhi.
• Hou Mingzhi’s polite hospitality contrasts with the firmness of his rejection.
• He challenges Lu Ao with a series of technical questions, exposing Lu Ao’s lack of formal theoretical preparation.
• Lu Ao does not become hostile; instead, he acknowledges the validity of the concerns while arguing that research requires action and experimentation.
• Their meeting ends without agreement, establishing an ongoing conflict between Lu Ao’s determination to build the Marine Ranch and Hou Mingzhi’s resolve to prevent it.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao leaves the Fisheries Bureau and goes to Huang Ningna’s research institute to obtain evidence for his Marine Ranch proposal.
• Huang is away teaching in the capital, but his students warmly welcome Lu Ao and offer to help.
• Lu Ao explains that he needs research on the Qianming Waters, especially the waters near Yandong County, to prepare a report persuading the Fisheries Bureau to approve the Marine Ranch.
• Although the institute has little direct research on Yandong County, the students search their extensive academic connections. Within the morning, they gather seven large volumes of relevant materials, including papers, books, notes, and research data.
• Lu Ao treats the students to lunch in gratitude.
• Huang calls after receiving Lu Ao’s message. He promises to contact colleagues who have studied Marine Ranches and send additional materials.
• Lu Ao returns home carrying the collected documents and several USB drives. Song Zhou is surprised by the quantity of material.
• When Song Zhou assumes the documents concern the technical construction of the Marine Ranch, Lu Ao hints that their purpose is different, creating suspense.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates initiative and persistence. Rather than waiting passively for the Fisheries Bureau’s decision, he actively searches for scientific evidence to strengthen his case.
• He also shows humility and gratitude, accepting help without arrogance and compensating the students with a meal.
• Lu Ao’s ability to build relationships within the academic community becomes increasingly important. His good reputation and connection to Huang Ningna allow him to access a wide network of marine researchers.
• Huang Ningna continues to act as a supportive mentor and friend. Although busy with teaching, he immediately offers to help Lu Ao locate specialized Marine Ranch research.
• Huang’s students are portrayed as generous, cooperative, and professionally connected. Their willingness to help highlights their respect for Lu Ao.
• Song Zhou remains a practical observer, questioning whether the collected materials will have any immediate effect on the stalled approval process.

Significant Themes

• Resourcefulness and perseverance: Lu Ao refuses to be discouraged by the lack of online information about the remote Yandong waters.
• The value of academic networks: Research knowledge is shown to depend not only on published sources but also on personal connections among students, professors, and colleagues.
• Mutual support and trust: Lu Ao’s relationships with Huang Ningna and the students are based on goodwill, respect, and the promise of sharing useful data in return.
• Preparation before action: The chapter emphasizes gathering evidence and building a persuasive case before attempting to move the Marine Ranch project forward.
• Suspense through hidden intentions: Lu Ao’s mysterious statement that the materials are not for construction suggests he has a different strategy in mind.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao respectfully asks Huang’s students for access to research materials, and they enthusiastically organize a search on his behalf.
• A female student expresses concern over the lack of relevant information and suggests contacting a doctoral student whose dissertation may cover the area.
• Lu Ao assures her that he will use any data responsibly, pay for it if necessary, credit the author, and seek permission.
• Huang and Lu Ao speak warmly by phone, with Huang offering professional assistance and joking about visiting the future Marine Ranch to use its data.
• Song Zhou questions Lu Ao about the large collection of documents, but Lu Ao withholds the true purpose, ending the chapter on a note of anticipation.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

Lu Ao reveals that, instead of immediately pursuing approval for the ocean ranch project, he plans to write an academic paper addressing Fisheries Bureau Director Hou Mingzhi’s concerns. Hou doubts the project because ocean ranches still involve unresolved environmental and practical risks. Lu Ao decides that a well-supported paper could answer those objections and provide expert backing for the project.
Lu Ao withdraws from his usual activities and spends nearly all his time studying marine-related materials and drafting the paper. His intense work causes him to lose weight, prompting Song Zhou to bring him food and supplements and arrange for Chubby to exercise the geese in his place. After a week, Lu Ao completes a rough first draft and asks Professor Huang Ningna for advice. Huang identifies logical gaps, recommends additional sources, and guides Lu Ao toward further study.
Lu Ao quickly produces a much stronger second draft after three more days of work. Huang is impressed by its quality, noting that it resembles work by a graduate student despite Lu Ao’s lack of formal training in marine sciences. He offers to submit it to a journal editor in Shannan Province. Lu Ao agrees to a provincial-level publication, and the paper is accepted soon afterward. By the end of January, Lu Ao receives a sample copy with his complete, more-than-seven-thousand-word paper printed on page sixteen.

Character developments

Lu Ao demonstrates determination, self-discipline, and a growing willingness to confront problems through knowledge rather than relying on personal connections. Though initially lacking a strong theoretical foundation, he studies intensely and rapidly improves, proving his practical experience and independent learning ability. His success boosts his confidence and gives him a sense of accomplishment, though he remains modest when Song Zhou praises him.
Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao emotionally and practically. He respects Lu Ao’s decision not to seek influence through personal connections, encourages him to try, provides care during his exhausting study period, and celebrates the paper’s publication with him. Professor Huang becomes an important mentor by offering rigorous criticism, resources, and professional assistance.

Significant themes

• Persistence and self-improvement: Lu Ao overcomes his educational limitations through sustained effort.
• Practical knowledge versus academic authority: His paper offers an unusual practitioner’s perspective on ocean ranches, showing that valuable expertise can come from hands-on experience as well as formal scholarship.
• Reasoned problem-solving: Rather than becoming frustrated by Director Hou’s rejection, Lu Ao chooses to address the underlying concerns with evidence and logic.
• Support and collaboration: Song Zhou’s encouragement and Huang Ningna’s guidance help Lu Ao turn an ambitious idea into a professional achievement.
• Recognition and confidence: Publication validates Lu Ao’s abilities and marks an important step toward gaining legitimacy for the ocean ranch project.

Character interactions

Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss the rejection and Lu Ao’s plan in the courtyard, with Song Zhou offering reassurance rather than interfering. Song Zhou cares for Lu Ao during his obsessive study period and jokingly compensates for Chubby’s lost leisure time by having the dog exercise the geese. Huang Ningna critiques Lu Ao’s first draft honestly but constructively, then expresses genuine admiration for the polished version. At the end, Lu Ao and Song Zhou read the published paper together, sharing Lu Ao’s pride and happiness.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Zhou praises Lu Ao for his intelligence, determination, and hard work. Their affectionate exchange highlights their growing intimacy.
• Lu Ao plans to present his revised Marine Ranch proposal to Fisheries Bureau Director Hou Mingzhi. Song Zhou insists on accompanying him.
• Hou carefully reviews Lu Ao’s sample journal and agrees to approve the project, provided that Lu Ao accepts inspections by an expert panel and agrees to suspend or abandon construction if it seriously harms the local ecology.
• Lu Ao accepts these conditions, demonstrating his commitment to environmentally responsible development. Hou signs the application, and the remaining officials approve it within the same day.
• The approval only qualifies Lu Ao to build the Marine Ranch; he must still secure development rights for the designated sea area. With Song Zhou’s help, the necessary bureaucratic procedures are completed in one day instead of nearly half a month.
• Lu Ao receives highly favorable terms for the province’s first Marine Ranch: a fifty-year lease for over 67,200 square meters of sea area costing slightly more than thirty million.
• He orders artificial reefs and monitoring equipment from Cao Zijun, who plans to bring the materials and workers after the New Year.
• Since construction cannot begin immediately, Lu Ao and Song Zhou begin planning their first New Year together. They decide to stay home, follow traditional customs, and invite friends over for hot pot.
• With more free time, Lu Ao tends to the household and fields, harvesting and preserving vegetables. Village elders help him with traditional food preparation and preservation techniques.

Character Development

• Lu Ao becomes more confident and established as an entrepreneur and environmental project leader. He is willing to accept strict ecological oversight, showing that his ambitions are balanced by responsibility.
• He also displays a softer, domestic side as he prepares food, manages the fields, and looks forward to celebrating the New Year at home.
• Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao emotionally and practically. His willingness to use his connections to speed up the administrative process shows both his care for Lu Ao and his commitment to their shared future.
• Song Zhou expresses a desire to experience an ordinary, settled life, revealing a shift away from his previous habit of spending New Year traveling.
• Hou Mingzhi changes from Lu Ao’s primary obstacle into a cautious supporter after being convinced by Lu Ao’s preparation and arguments.
• The village elders are presented as skilled, helpful community members who pass on practical knowledge to Lu Ao.

Significant Themes

• Love and mutual support: Song Zhou and Lu Ao’s affectionate relationship is central, with both partners encouraging and assisting each other.
• Environmental responsibility: Lu Ao’s acceptance of expert inspections emphasizes that development must not come at the expense of ecology.
• Persistence and achievement: Lu Ao’s careful revisions and repeated efforts eventually overcome bureaucratic resistance.
• Building a home and ordinary happiness: Their New Year plans symbolize stability, belonging, and the creation of a shared domestic life.
• Community and tradition: The village elders’ assistance and the planned hot-pot gathering highlight the importance of communal relationships and cultural customs.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou lovingly praises and kisses Lu Ao, while Lu Ao reacts with embarrassment but is clearly pleased.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss the upcoming meeting and agree to attend it together.
• Lu Ao negotiates directly with Hou Mingzhi, accepting environmental conditions in exchange for approval.
• Song Zhou quietly uses his connections to help Lu Ao complete the remaining procedures efficiently.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou plan their first New Year together, agreeing to celebrate at home and invite friends.
• The village elders assist Lu Ao with harvesting and preserving vegetables, strengthening his connection to the local community.

Chapter 168 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao finishes harvesting his vegetables, while Old Chen continues maintaining the orchard. Because Old Chen has already pruned the trees, fertilized them, and cleared the weeds, Lu Ao has little farm work left.
• Lu Ao spends several peaceful days herding his geese, walking around Haining Mountain, and relaxing in his Dragon Form under the winter sun.
• His first group of Lionhead Geese has matured, weighing roughly twenty to thirty pounds each. More than seventy goslings follow them, ranging from newly hatched chicks to half-grown juveniles.
• Chubby, though still young, successfully helps herd stray geese back into the flock.
• Lu Ao surveys the land and sea he has leased. He plans to raise sea cucumbers, abalone, lobsters, and fish in the waters near Haining Mountain once spring arrives.
• The mountain is already flourishing: peach trees are blooming, other fruit trees are attracting wild bees, and the orchard is full of life. Lu Ao considers keeping beehives and planting Rosa laevigata flowers to produce honey.
• After enjoying the peaceful scenery, Lu Ao falls asleep in his dragon form.
• Later, Lin Gongshang invites Lu Ao on a fishing trip planned for the next morning. The villagers want to take advantage of high pre-New Year fish and shrimp prices to earn extra money.
• Lu Ao agrees to go and decides to borrow an additional boat so he will have enough room for his catch. Lin Gongshang mentions that Zhang Ge is unexpectedly staying home.
• Lin Qiyan initially hesitates but agrees to join after learning that Lu Ao will be going. He wants to film an at-sea video for his followers.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Enjoys a rare period of leisure and takes pride in the growing success of his farm, orchard, mountain, and future aquaculture plans. His confidence and ambition as a farmer and entrepreneur continue to expand. He also shows consideration for Lin Qiyan by offering to arrange a separate boat.
• Chubby: Demonstrates growing responsibility and competence by herding the geese despite his young age.
• Lin Qiyan: Is revealed to feel isolated within the village because of gossip about his sexuality. He is reluctant to join group activities when they may place him in uncomfortable situations, but Lu Ao’s presence makes him more willing to participate.
• Lin Gongshang and the other villagers: Seek Lu Ao’s help because of his exceptional fishing luck, showing their trust in his abilities and the practical value they place on his companionship.

Significant Themes

• Harmony with nature: Lu Ao’s farm, orchard, livestock, and leased sea are developing into a connected, thriving ecosystem.
• Rural prosperity and planning: The chapter emphasizes seasonal work, agricultural expansion, aquaculture, beekeeping, and taking advantage of the profitable pre-New Year market.
• Peace and contentment: Lu Ao’s sunbathing and quiet observation of the mountain contrast with the later preparations for work and profit.
• Community and social prejudice: Lin Qiyan’s discomfort reflects the effects of village gossip and homophobia, highlighting how social judgment can isolate individuals.
• Mutual support: Lu Ao’s willingness to accommodate Lin Qiyan demonstrates friendship and sensitivity within the village community.

Character Interactions

• Old Chen’s dependable work allows Lu Ao to enjoy time away from farm maintenance.
• Chubby interacts with the geese as their young caretaker, successfully keeping the flock together.
• Lin Gongshang invites Lu Ao fishing because his luck improves everyone’s chances of making money.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan communicate privately, discussing the trip and Lin Qiyan’s hesitation. Lu Ao reassures him by promising to find a suitable boat.
• Lin Qiyan’s strained relationship with Tan Junhao is explained: Tan’s homophobia makes Lin uncomfortable, even though Tan does not openly mistreat him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao borrows Lin Manzhang’s boat for the following day, since Lin will be visiting his father-in-law for the New Year. Lin tells him there is no rush to return it.
• Song Zhou helps Lu Ao prepare a box of pastries as a New Year gift for Lin’s family. He neatly wraps the box and adds a decorative bow, while Lu Ao takes Chubby along to collect the boat key.
• At Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying’s home, Lu Ao gives them the pastries and samples their freshly made rice cakes. He enjoys them, and Ye Zhiying happily gives him several more.
• Lin and Ye discuss their plans to visit Ye’s parents for two or three days. Lu Ao then takes the boat key and returns home.
• The village has become lively as workers return for the New Year. Seeing the brightly lit homes and hearing the festive sounds lifts Lu Ao’s mood.
• Song Zhou confirms that he will receive three days off for the holiday, though he may still need to cover a partial shift. Lu Ao invites him to visit relatives together, and Song agrees.
• Lu Ao begins organizing their New Year schedule and considers which relatives may be willing to receive them, knowing that his same-sex relationship with Song is already widely known.
• He also plans to catch extra fish and prepare seafood gifts for relatives, friends, and clients from the Billionaire Auction Group. He carefully calculates suitable gifts according to the closeness of each relationship.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao shows increasing investment in family and social relationships. Rather than treating the New Year casually, he becomes eager to participate in traditional visits and gift exchanges.
• He also demonstrates practical awareness and emotional sensitivity by considering his relatives’ attitudes toward his relationship with Song Zhou before visiting them.
• Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao in domestic and social matters, efficiently wrapping the gift and agreeing to join his New Year visits. He is also gradually embracing ordinary holiday routines, despite previously having little concept of taking holidays.
• Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying appear content and prosperous after a safe, successful year. Their warm hospitality reflects their close friendship with Lu Ao.
• Chubby remains an affectionate, energetic companion who eagerly follows Lu Ao wherever he goes.

Significant Themes

• New Year traditions and community life: The returning villagers, illuminated homes, homemade food, gift exchanges, and family visits create a strong atmosphere of communal celebration.
• Building and maintaining relationships: Lu Ao sees gifts and visits as ways to express gratitude, preserve friendships, and strengthen future cooperation.
• Acceptance and social belonging: Lu Ao’s concern about relatives’ reactions to his same-sex relationship highlights the tension between personal happiness and traditional family expectations.
• Domestic intimacy: Small actions—wrapping gifts, sharing food, planning schedules, and spending the holiday together—show Lu Ao and Song Zhou developing a comfortable, partner-like life.
• Prosperity and gratitude: The characters’ ability to exchange gifts and plan visits reflects the rewards of a successful year and their appreciation for those who helped them.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou helps Lu Ao package pastries and reminds him to return home early.
• Lu Ao shares a friendly exchange with Lin Manzhang and Ye Zhiying, accepts their rice cakes, and discusses their holiday plans.
• Lin Manzhang offers Lu Ao generous use of the boat and shows concern by asking him to message after arriving home.
• Lu Ao invites Song Zhou to visit relatives, and Song readily agrees.
• At the end of the chapter, Song Zhou notices Lu Ao’s happiness while planning the gifts and asks what he is thinking about, emphasizing their growing emotional closeness.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a quiet, intimate conversation about holiday preparations and family traditions. The dim lamp and domestic atmosphere remind Lu Ao of his childhood, when his parents discussed social obligations together.
• Song Zhou reassures Lu Ao that they will spend many future years celebrating and treating each year seriously as a family.
• The next morning, Lu Ao leaves early to go fishing, promising Song Zhou he will return by afternoon. Song Zhou wishes him a plentiful catch.
• At the dock near Lin Family Village, Lu Ao prepares Lin Manzhang’s boat carefully, bringing extra ice, replacing the seawater in the livewell, and getting the nets ready. He also intends to clean the boat because it has become worn and dirty.
• Lin Gongshang and the others arrive with supplies. Lin Qiyan happily tells Lu Ao that his latest production project succeeded and that he now has over three million followers, with his income rising to nearly one hundred thousand yuan per month.
• The group discusses celebrating together over drinks. They decide that each person will host one meal before the New Year.
• Lu Ao mentions bringing a family member, prompting Lin Gongshang to reveal that he and his partner are expecting a child, though the pregnancy is still under three months and must remain private.
• After congratulating Lin Gongshang, the group loads their equipment and sails into the open sea. They spread out, cast their nets, and prepare to eat lunch under favorable weather conditions.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao shows increasing emotional attachment to the idea of family and shared traditions. He values his domestic life with Song Zhou and quietly cherishes the feeling of recreating his childhood family atmosphere.
• Song Zhou demonstrates affection and commitment by promising Lu Ao many meaningful years together. Their relationship is portrayed as stable, loving, and future-oriented.
• Lin Qiyan has achieved major professional and financial success. His growing online popularity has expanded beyond a niche audience, boosting both his confidence and his income.
• Lin Gongshang reveals an important personal milestone: he is going to become a father. His news reflects the group’s growing stability and happiness.
• The fishing group as a whole appears more prosperous, cheerful, and closely bonded than before.

Significant Themes

• Family and belonging: Lu Ao’s memories of his parents connect family life with small rituals, shared decisions, and emotional warmth.
• Commitment and the future: Song Zhou and Lu Ao’s promise to take every year seriously emphasizes their long-term partnership.
• Personal growth and prosperity: Lin Qiyan’s success and Lin Gongshang’s impending fatherhood show the characters moving toward better, more fulfilling lives.
• Community and friendship: The group’s shared fishing trip and plan to take turns hosting meals demonstrate mutual support and strengthened relationships.
• Care and responsibility: Lu Ao’s careful preparation of the boat and equipment reflects his conscientious nature and respect for others’ property.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share affectionate domestic moments, including promises, embraces, and kisses.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan reconnect warmly, with Lu Ao encouraging him to discuss his career.
• The group enthusiastically exchanges congratulations and jokes about taking turns hosting New Year celebrations.
• Lu Ao accurately guesses Lin Gongshang’s concealed news, creating a moment of surprise and shared happiness.
• The chapter ends with the friends working together and enjoying a peaceful fishing outing.

Chapter 396 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group gathers at sea for a meal. Lu Ao brings a complete food box prepared by Song Zhou, prompting jokes about their relationship and marriage.
• Lin Guixiao teases Lu Ao about having such a considerate partner, while Lin Gongshang jokes that he would accept a husband like Song Zhou. Lin Guixiao clarifies that he prefers sweet, gentle girls.
• Tan Junhao remains on his boat nearby and does not participate in the conversation, though he shows no visible objection. Lin Qiyan quietly observes him and feels relieved.
• Lin Qiyan spots several large black shapes in the distance. At first, the group assumes they are seabirds, but Lu Ao identifies them as manta rays, also known as “devil fish.”
• The group sails closer to observe the manta rays, taking care not to disturb them. They witness a spectacular display as the gentle creatures repeatedly leap one or two meters above the water.
• Lin Qiyan records the scene, preserving the rare and beautiful sight. After more than half an hour, the manta rays disappear beneath the sea.
• The group returns to their fishing nets, which have been blown out of position by the afternoon wind. Fortunately, each net has a marker, allowing everyone to locate their own.
• Lu Ao begins hauling in his three nets while Lin Qiyan films him, carefully avoiding his face as requested.
• The first net contains shrimp and Flower Crabs, including one exceptionally large crab measuring over thirty centimeters across. Lu Ao secures it and places it in the boat’s live well.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao is shown as capable, calm, and knowledgeable about the sea. He identifies the manta rays and takes responsibility for guiding the group, while also efficiently handling his fishing nets.
• Lin Qiyan displays curiosity and enthusiasm, eagerly recording the manta rays. His attentiveness to Tan Junhao suggests that he remains concerned about Tan’s feelings and reactions.
• Tan Junhao stays distant but does not openly resist the group’s activities, indicating a subdued or more accepting attitude.
• Lin Guixiao and Lin Gongshang provide comic relief through their teasing about relationships and marriage.
• Song Zhou, though absent, is characterized through Lu Ao’s well-prepared meal as considerate and affectionate.

Significant Themes

• The beauty and unpredictability of nature: The manta rays’ unexpected aerial display becomes a memorable reminder of the wonders found at sea.
• Work and livelihood: After enjoying the spectacle, the group quickly returns to fishing, emphasizing the balance between appreciating nature and securing their income.
• Companionship and affection: The food prepared by Song Zhou and the group’s teasing reveal warmth and familiarity among the characters.
• Respect for nature: The group observes the manta rays from a distance and avoids disturbing them.
• Recording precious moments: Lin Qiyan’s effort to capture the manta rays reflects the desire to preserve rare experiences.

Character Interactions

• The group jokes warmly about Lu Ao and Song Zhou’s relationship, with Lu Ao even offering to introduce Lin Guixiao to a husband.
• Lin Qiyan and Lu Ao share a cooperative dynamic: Qiyan films while Lu Ao works, and both understand and respect the boundaries involved.
• Lin Qiyan remains quietly attentive to Tan Junhao, watching for signs of discomfort.
• Everyone briefly shares a sense of wonder while watching the manta rays before returning to the practical demands of fishing.

Chapter 397 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao hauls in three fishing nets, each producing an impressive catch. His total haul exceeds one hundred jin of seafood, including Black Seabream, Sea Bass, Eight-Claw, White Seabream, White Wax Fish, and Stone Crabs.
• Other fishermen, including Lin Gongshang’s group, had intentionally kept their distance from Lu Ao to avoid competing with his unusually productive nets. Although envious, they focus on gathering their own catches.
• Lin Qiyan comments that Lu Ao could easily support himself and his partner through fishing alone, making the Marine Ranch seem unnecessary from a financial perspective.
• Lu Ao explains that the Marine Ranch is motivated by ideals rather than profit. He also discusses the declining fishery resources, increasing regulations, and government efforts to encourage fishermen to transition into other careers.
• Lu Ao advises Lin Qiyan that fishermen should consider coming ashore if the government offers suitable work, since fishing is physically demanding, offers little long-term advancement, and may eventually disappear as a livelihood.
• While waiting for the others to finish hauling their nets, Lu Ao notices a distant black object floating on the sea. Suspecting it may be marine debris, he decides to investigate and informs Lin Gongshang.
• The object turns out to be a huge, recently deceased Miiuy Croaker measuring roughly 1.4–1.5 meters long. Its intact scales, clear eye, bright red gills, lack of odor, and un-swollen body indicate that it is still fresh.
• Lu Ao carefully pulls the fish aboard while instructing Lin Qiyan to keep his weight on the opposite side of the boat so it does not overturn. The fish nearly fills the small vessel, and Lin Qiyan records the discovery on camera.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates exceptional fishing ability and physical strength, but remains practical and level-headed about his success. He shows concern for the long-term future of fishermen and reinforces that his Marine Ranch represents personal ideals, not merely a way to earn money. His caution while loading the fish also highlights his awareness of safety.
• Lin Qiyan: Expresses admiration and envy toward Lu Ao’s luck and clear sense of purpose. He listens seriously to Lu Ao’s advice about leaving the fishing industry and becomes excited by the discovery of the enormous croaker, filming it as a memorable event.
• Lin Gongshang and the other fishermen: Although initially wary of Lu Ao’s ability to attract fish, they remain focused on their own work and accept his temporary departure to investigate the floating object.

Significant Themes

• The decline of traditional fishing: Fishery depletion, stricter conservation laws, and industrial modernization threaten fishing as a lifelong occupation.
• Ideals versus financial gain: Lu Ao’s Marine Ranch is presented as an expression of his ambitions and values rather than a necessity for survival.
• Adaptation and changing times: Fishermen must consider transitioning to new careers before their traditional livelihood becomes unsustainable.
• Respect for the sea and environmental responsibility: The fishermen collect marine debris when possible, while the chapter also emphasizes the consequences of human impact and the changing marine ecosystem.
• Luck and competence: Lu Ao’s extraordinary catch appears fortunate, but his knowledge, judgment, and skill allow him to make the most of those opportunities.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qiyan and Lu Ao have a reflective conversation about wealth, ambition, and the uncertain future of fishing.
• Lu Ao gives Lin Qiyan practical career advice, encouraging him to consider moving ashore.
• Lu Ao coordinates with Lin Gongshang and the other fishermen before investigating the floating object.
• During the rescue of the Miiuy Croaker, Lu Ao directs Lin Qiyan’s movements to maintain the boat’s balance, showing trust and cooperation between them.

Chapter 169 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao discovers an enormous, freshly dead Miiuy Croaker floating on the sea. Unsure how it died, he preserves it with ice so it will not spoil before they reach shore.
• Lin Qiyan estimates the fish weighs at least seventy or eighty jin and could be worth nearly 100,000 yuan, largely because of its valuable swim bladder, which can be dried into fish maw.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan return to the others, who initially assume they merely found marine debris. They are shocked when Lu Qiyan reveals the massive fish.
• The other fishermen compare the catch to their own day’s haul of just over sixty jin and feel both astonished and envious. Lu Ao’s single discovery may earn tens of thousands—or even close to hundreds of thousands—of yuan.
• The group jokingly suggests that Lu Ao has supernatural fishing luck and proposes worshipping or praying to him before future fishing trips. Even Lin Qiyan eventually agrees, leaving Lu Ao speechless.
• Because the fish may be too expensive for local buyers, Lu Ao considers keeping it, processing its swim bladder into fish maw, and turning the meat into fish balls for New Year gifts.
• After returning to shore before six o’clock, Lu Ao posts the fish on his Moments account to find a buyer. He soon receives dozens of messages, especially from Weng Qian, who urgently asks him to respond.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao remains calm and practical despite his extraordinary luck. He focuses on preserving the fish, finding the best way to sell or use it, and avoiding waste.
• Lin Qiyan acts as an enthusiastic observer and promoter of Lu Ao’s good fortune. Although initially teasing him, he ultimately joins the others in treating Lu Ao’s luck almost superstitiously.
• Lin Gongshang, Lin Guixiao, and Tan Junhao become increasingly impressed—and envious—of Lu Ao’s abilities. Their joking about worshipping him reflects their growing belief that his presence improves their fishing results.
• Weng Qian emerges as a particularly eager potential buyer, sending Lu Ao repeated messages as soon as he learns about the fish.

Significant Themes

• Luck versus ordinary effort: The fishermen’s hard work yields a respectable catch, but Lu Ao’s seemingly effortless discovery makes their earnings appear insignificant by comparison.
• Value and resourcefulness: Lu Ao recognizes that even if the whole fish cannot be sold, its swim bladder and meat can still be preserved, processed, or gifted.
• Superstition and reputation: Lu Ao’s repeated success has begun turning him into a good-luck symbol among the fishermen, blurring the line between skill, special sensitivity to the sea, and superstition.
• Economic opportunity: The chapter emphasizes the high commercial value of unusual marine products, especially fish maw.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qiyan playfully questions Lu Ao about his luck and helps reveal the fish to the others.
• Lin Gongshang reacts with disbelief and compares the giant Miiuy Croaker to his own modest catch.
• Lin Guixiao and Tan Junhao joke about exploiting Lu Ao’s generosity and worshipping him for better fishing luck.
• Lu Ao responds to their teasing with restrained disbelief, while the others increasingly treat his luck seriously.
• At the end, Lu Ao’s phone fills with inquiries from prospective buyers, setting up the next development involving Weng Qian.

Page 399 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao introduces the enormous Miiuy Croaker he caught to both an auction group and a group of boat captains.
• The fish was already dead when hauled up, bearing fresh wounds that suggested it had fought another fish or creature.
• Members of the auction group discuss its value, initially offering less than 100,000 yuan. Their bargaining is competitive but cautious.
• The boat captains are more generous, raising their offers to 280,000 yuan, though Lu Ao refuses to sell immediately because he wants to compare bids.
• Lu Ao’s companions, including Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan, transport their own catch to sell locally, while Lu Ao brings his fish home to preserve it in a large freezer.
• Back home, Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss the fish’s sale while preparing a seafood dinner of prawns, Flower Crab, and steamed sea bass.
• The auction group’s bidding continues throughout dinner. Weng Qian ultimately wins with a bid of 360,000 yuan.
• Lu Ao informs the boat captains of the final price. Although they regret not bidding higher, they are pleased that he received such a profitable offer.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates patience, confidence, and business savvy. He understands that the bidders are shrewd despite their apparent impulsiveness and refuses to accept a low offer simply because someone invokes friendship.
• He also shows practical judgment by preserving the fish rather than rushing into a sale and by comparing different groups of buyers.
• Lin Gongshang and his companions are portrayed as hardworking and pragmatic, quickly taking their catch to market before it loses freshness.
• Lin Qiyan helps Lu Ao transport the fish and shows concern about it spoiling, suggesting a cooperative relationship.
• Song Zhou remains calm and supportive, helping with the fish and cooking. His presence also seems to make Lin Qiyan slightly nervous or intimidated.
• Weng Qian shifts from trying to negotiate through personal connection to making the highest serious bid, ultimately paying far more than the boat captains’ group offered.

Significant Themes

• Value and negotiation: The chapter contrasts two kinds of buyers—wealthy auction participants who bargain carefully and boat captains who are more generous and relationship-oriented.
• Practicality versus sentiment: Lu Ao does not allow friendship or social pressure to influence his decision and focuses on obtaining the best price.
• Luck and prosperity: The unusually large catch just before the New Year is treated as a fortunate omen and a source of financial security.
• Community and competition: The buyers compete with one another, but the boat captains remain supportive of Lu Ao even after losing the fish.
• Abundance and domestic comfort: The successful catch leads naturally into a festive seafood meal, linking work, profit, and family-like companionship.

Character Interactions

• Group members repeatedly pressure Lu Ao to sell, but he keeps control of the negotiation.
• Lin Qiyan helps Lu Ao carry the catch and briefly worries about preserving the Miiuy Croaker.
• Song Zhou and Lu Ao exchange teasing, practical conversation while preparing dinner, reinforcing their close partnership.
• Lu Ao notices Lin Qiyan’s apparent fear of Song Zhou, adding a light interpersonal moment.
• Weng Qian’s final bid decisively outmatches everyone else, while the boat captains respond with a mixture of disappointment and genuine goodwill.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao’s friends discuss meeting for drinks during the Lunar New Year. Since he plans to spend the holiday with his family, he can only join them around the third or fourth day.
• He leaves the group chat to finalize a fish purchase with Weng Qian, who jokes that Lu Ao no longer gives him special discounts because his business has expanded.
• Weng asks whether Lu Ao has a Leopard Coral Grouper for his family’s New Year meal. Lu Ao does not, but offers to catch him a fresh Mouse Grouper instead. Weng eagerly accepts and asks for several more, but Lu Ao limits him to one.
• They discuss how to handle the enormous Miiuy Croaker Weng purchased. Because shipping is slow and helicopter delivery is too expensive, Weng asks Lu Ao to remove and dry the fish’s swim bladder and turn the meat into frozen fish balls.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou begin processing the fish while it is still partly unfrozen. It weighs 93.6 jin, close to Lu Ao’s original estimate of one hundred jin.
• Lu Ao admits he has never actually prepared fish maw despite knowing the theory. Song Zhou takes over, expertly opening the fish and removing its organs.
• The fish’s roe and swim bladder are saved, while the other organs are placed in basins. Chubby eagerly approaches because of the smell, but Lu Ao tries to keep it from eating the unsuitable organs.
• Song Zhou begins preparing the swim bladder by removing its membrane and blood vessels, following the careful process required before drying it.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues expanding his fishing business and handling increasingly valuable, unusual catches. He is generous toward Weng Qian but maintains clear limits rather than allowing himself to be exploited.
• He is confident in his ability to catch fish but less comfortable with specialized processing techniques, readily admitting when he lacks practical experience.
• Song Zhou demonstrates calmness, competence, and precision. His expertise reassures Lu Ao, who trusts him completely with the valuable swim bladder.
• Weng Qian remains enthusiastic and opportunistic, admiring Lu Ao’s abilities while trying to obtain extra fish and favorable treatment.
• Chubby provides comic relief through its persistent attempts to get at the fish organs.

Significant Themes

• Growing prosperity and responsibility: Lu Ao’s expanding business brings greater earnings but also more complicated orders and expectations.
• Trust and cooperation: Lu Ao relies on Song Zhou’s skills, while Weng Qian trusts Lu Ao to prepare an expensive purchase properly.
• Practical knowledge versus experience: Knowing the theory of a task is shown to be different from having actually performed it.
• Abundance and resourcefulness: Every part of the large fish is considered for use—meat, roe, and swim bladder—reflecting the value of the catch.
• Family and seasonal traditions: The New Year setting emphasizes family meals, gift-like food purchases, and social gatherings.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and his friends coordinate their New Year drinking plans.
• Lu Ao and Weng Qian negotiate fish prices, future catches, delivery problems, and processing arrangements through playful, familiar banter.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou work closely together, with Lu Ao trusting Song Zhou to handle the delicate preparation.
• Lu Ao gently scolds Chubby for approaching the fish organs, while Song Zhou reassures him that the dog will not cause trouble.