Ch. 481Chapter 194
Plot points and events
- Lu Ao discovers that the Dragon Egg has cracked but has no clear opening. When he touches it, the egg warms, rocks, and Little Dragon responds with a faint whimper, convincing Lu Ao and Song Zhou that they are becoming fathers.
- Hatching proves slow and difficult. Little Dragon spends hours chipping at the thick shell with his mouth and horns, managing only a tiny fragment at first.
- Lu Ao and Song Zhou remain at the hotel instead of joining the fleet when it departs. Lu Ao stays beside the egg through the night, comforting Little Dragon whenever he wakes and struggles.
- After nearly three days, Lu Ao is exhausted and increasingly afraid that something is wrong, though Song Zhou repeatedly senses that Little Dragon is healthy.
- Song Zhou massages Lu Ao until he falls asleep, then carries him to bed. There, he sees that Little Dragon has begun working his way through a lychee-sized opening in the egg.
Character development and interactions
- Lu Ao becomes intensely protective and anxious, unable to sleep or focus on anything beyond Little Dragon’s safety. His tenderness shows in the way he responds to the egg’s movements and reassures the hatchling by touch.
- Song Zhou remains calm and supportive. He monitors Little Dragon’s life force, comforts Lu Ao, and eventually helps him rest.
- Little Dragon appears responsive and determined: he seeks Lu Ao’s touch, whimpers when it is withdrawn, and keeps working despite the difficult hatch.
- Lu Ao and Song Zhou share the shock and joy of realizing they are about to become fathers. Their contrasting reactions—Lu Ao’s worry and Song Zhou’s steadiness—reinforce their partnership.
Significant themes
- Parenthood and care: The couple’s bond with Little Dragon begins before he is born, expressed through touch, attention, and protection.
- Anxiety and trust: Lu Ao struggles to trust that Little Dragon will be all right, while Song Zhou urges him to rely on what they know of the hatchling’s strong life force.
- Endurance and vulnerability: Little Dragon’s arduous hatching mirrors the parents’ emotional strain, while Lu Ao’s exhaustion reveals the cost of caring deeply.