Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

• Song Zhou confronts Lu Ao about surveillance: Song Zhou reveals that the authorities tracked Lu Ao’s overnight journey from Chongxin Village to New Luzhou because Lu Ao is classified as an A-rank dangerous individual. He explains that the Abnormal Human Affairs Supervision Bureau monitors people like Lu Ao as part of its responsibility to protect the public.
• Song Zhou’s position and motives: When Lu Ao questions why Song Zhou works with humans despite being considered dangerous himself, Song Zhou clarifies that he does not serve the human government personally. Instead, he works to safeguard the security of the entire continent. His answer suggests a sense of duty independent of political allegiance.
• A meal and growing familiarity: Song Zhou joins Lu Ao for the large meal Lu Ao ordered, mostly keeping him company while Lu Ao eats ravenously after traveling overnight. Their conversation shows increasing ease between them. Song Zhou teases Lu Ao gently and understands his connections with the people of Lin Family Village, recognizing that Lu Ao went to considerable effort to help them.
• Reassurance about official registration: While walking toward the beach, Lu Ao worries that his unusual movements and abilities might attract suspicion. Song Zhou assures him that, because he is registered with the authorities, officials will overlook or even cover up unusual behavior—such as catching unusually large fish, raising powerful creatures, or growing exceptional crops—as long as he does not seriously endanger humanity. This makes Lu Ao more accepting of his monitored status.
• Song Zhou sends Lu Ao home: At the seaside, Song Zhou transports Lu Ao directly back to his courtyard through his supernatural ability. Lu Ao notices that Song Zhou always stops outside rather than entering without permission. Song Zhou explains that he does not intrude without the owner’s invitation, emphasizing his restraint and respect for Lu Ao’s boundaries. Their brief hand-holding during the return creates a subtle moment of intimacy.
• Lu Ao rests and resumes fishing: Exhausted, Lu Ao sleeps until the following afternoon, eats a substantial bowl of noodles, and goes fishing. He realizes that his exceptional fishing ability is rapidly depleting the nearby waters and estimates that the area will support him for only another month. He avoids fishing with Lin Manzhang and the others to protect their livelihood and to keep his strange abilities hidden.
• Future plans: Since local fishing grounds are becoming exhausted, Lu Ao considers deep-sea fishing, but he must wait until his fishing license is approved. Due to strong winds and murky water, he catches only a little over twenty jin of fish after three hours.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao: Remains cautious and mildly irritated at being monitored, but gradually becomes more comfortable with official protection. He demonstrates consideration for the villagers by avoiding their fishing grounds and concealing the full extent of his abilities.
• Song Zhou: Appears candid, patient, protective, and respectful. He balances his official duty to monitor Lu Ao with personal warmth, accompanying him to eat, answering his questions honestly, and ensuring he returns home safely.
• Their relationship: Their banter becomes more relaxed and trusting. Song Zhou’s willingness to reassure and care for Lu Ao, combined with the physical contact during transportation, hints at a developing emotional closeness.

Significant Themes

• Trust versus surveillance: Lu Ao dislikes being watched, but Song Zhou’s transparency helps transform surveillance from a threat into a form of protection.
• Power and responsibility: Both men possess unusual abilities, yet Song Zhou emphasizes that strength must be used to protect society rather than serve personal or governmental interests.
• Respect for boundaries: Song Zhou’s refusal to enter Lu Ao’s courtyard without permission highlights the importance of consent and personal space.
• Living peacefully despite exceptional abilities: The authorities are willing to accommodate Lu Ao’s unusual gifts as long as he avoids harming humanity, allowing him to pursue an ordinary rural life.
• Sustainability and restraint: Lu Ao recognizes that his extraordinary fishing ability can damage local resources, so he deliberately avoids disrupting the villagers’ livelihoods and begins considering deeper waters.

Chapter 20 Summary: “Yellow Croaker”

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao returns from selling his catch and buying groceries to find Lin Qiyan awkwardly feeding his geese. Qiyan explains that Lin Gongshang is away and the regular helpers are busy fishing.
• Qiyan admires the geese and briefly considers raising one as a pet, but shifts the conversation toward a business proposal. His followers have asked whether they can purchase Lu Ao’s genuine wild-caught fish.
• Lu Ao agrees to sell fish through Qiyan, since Qiyan can handle orders and shipping. They plan to select and ship fish the following day.
• Lu Ao also decides to send fish to two friends: his childhood friend Ge Ranzhou and Song Zhou.
• The next day, Lu Ao has a successful fishing trip, catching Red Snapper, White Wax Fish, Golden Drum Fish, and Black Seabream. He keeps three large Black Seabream alive to ship.
• Lu Ao visits Qiyan to ask about mailing the fish. Qiyan offers to accompany him to town and explains that the local courier service can preserve fish with ice and oxygen for same-day delivery.
• While Qiyan washes up, Lu Ao is welcomed by Qiyan’s grandmother, Ye, who serves him homemade eggplant pancakes. Lu Ao enjoys them and asks how they are made.
• Grandma Ye and Lu Ao discuss fishing, rural life, and Qiyan’s decision to return home from the city. She praises Qiyan’s filial nature and is pleased that he chose to stay and care for her.
• Before Lu Ao and Qiyan leave for town, Grandma Ye packs them extra pancakes. Qiyan gently insists on doing the household laundry himself rather than letting his grandmother handle it.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao becomes more open to cooperating with Qiyan and recognizes the practical value of turning his fishing into a broader business. His willingness to accept Grandma Ye’s food and engage in conversation also reveals a softer, more family-oriented side.
• Lin Qiyan demonstrates initiative by proposing an online fish-selling arrangement through his followers. He is affectionate toward Lu Ao’s geese, somewhat domestic despite his sleepy and disheveled appearance, and deeply caring toward his grandmother.
• Grandma Ye is portrayed as warm, generous, and perceptive. She is proud of Qiyan’s filial behavior and quickly treats Lu Ao with the same kindness she would show family.
• Lu Ao’s thoughts of Ge Ranzhou and Song Zhou show that he remains attentive to his friendships and wants to share the fruits of his work with them.

Significant Themes

• Rural entrepreneurship: Modern delivery and social media allow Lu Ao and Qiyan to turn local fishing into a wider business without leaving the village.
• Family and filial devotion: Qiyan’s decision to return home and care for Grandma Ye emphasizes the value of family responsibility.
• Community and hospitality: Grandma Ye’s food, conversation, and generosity create an atmosphere of warmth and belonging.
• Growing domestic intimacy: Lu Ao and Qiyan’s easy cooperation, shared errands, and interactions with Grandma Ye suggest an increasingly comfortable and close relationship.
• Connection between tradition and modernity: Traditional fishing and homemade cooking coexist with online followers, air shipping, and modern preservation technology.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Qiyan develop a practical partnership through the fish-selling plan.
• Their conversation about the geese is playful and reveals Qiyan’s fondness for Lu Ao’s home and possessions.
• Lu Ao and Grandma Ye bond over food, fishing, and family, with her treating him warmly and Lu Ao responding respectfully.
• Qiyan’s gentle handling of his grandmother—helping with chores and insisting she rest—highlights their close familial relationship.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Grandma Ye continues nagging about money and water usage, but her smiling demeanor shows affection rather than hostility. Lin Qiyan feels embarrassed, while Lu Ao finds her behavior amusing.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan travel to town to ship live fish. Lu Ao sends fish to Song Zhou, his childhood friend Ge Ranzhou, and the elderly dumpling-shop owners, Old Zhang and his wife, as repayment for their kindness.
• The courier-station owner carefully packages the fish in oxygen-filled bags, ice, and foam boxes. Shipping is expensive, but Lu Ao pays without hesitation. Lin Qiyan complains about the cost and considers negotiating a bulk discount.
• After returning home, Lu Ao resumes his quiet rural routine: watering vegetables, eating, resting, and planning to fish again later.
• Song Zhou receives his fish at the Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency. His subordinates—various supernatural beings—are astonished that their usually private boss has received a personal delivery.
• Song Zhou reacts warmly, clearly recognizing that Lu Ao sent the fish. His signature briefly produces an unusual flash, hinting at his supernatural nature or power.
• The agency’s residents try to question him, but Song Zhou silences their curiosity by reminding them to finish their work.
• At dinner time, Song Zhou takes a watermelon from the shared refrigerator along with the fish and secretly leaves the agency.
• He teleports or otherwise instantly travels to Lu Ao’s farm, arriving while Lu Ao is watering the vegetables.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao is shown as generous, practical, and considerate. He sends fish not only to close acquaintances but also to people who previously treated him kindly. His peaceful daily life contrasts with his dangerous supernatural status.
• Lin Qiyan becomes more familiar with Lu Ao, helping him navigate town and interacting comfortably with his family. His concern over shipping costs highlights his frugality.
• Grandma Ye is established as thrifty and outspoken, though her smiles and concern reveal affection for Lu Ao and the household.
• Song Zhou displays unusual warmth and happiness upon receiving Lu Ao’s gift. His careful concealment of the delivery from his subordinates suggests a private, emotionally significant relationship with Lu Ao.
• Song Zhou’s subordinates are curious and intimidated by him. Their reactions emphasize how unusual it is for him to receive personal gifts or show obvious emotion.
• The courier is impressed and puzzled by Song Zhou’s refined appearance and extraordinary presence, unknowingly sensing that Song Zhou is not an ordinary person.

Significant Themes

• Generosity and reciprocity: Lu Ao returns kindness through gifts, strengthening his bonds with others.
• Domestic peace versus supernatural danger: Lu Ao lives a simple farming life despite being classified as an A-rank dangerous individual, while Song Zhou works in a supernatural regulatory agency.
• Affection expressed indirectly: Rather than speaking openly, characters show care through food, gifts, practical help, and shared routines.
• Contrast between public authority and private emotion: Song Zhou is a feared and powerful boss in the agency, yet privately becomes visibly pleased by Lu Ao’s fish and secretly visits him.
• Frugality and abundance: Grandma Ye and Lin Qiyan worry about expenses, while Lu Ao is willing to spend heavily to send gifts, revealing differing attitudes toward money and generosity.

Character Interactions

• Grandma Ye’s teasing complaints embarrass Lin Qiyan, while Lu Ao responds with amusement.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan cooperate during the trip to the courier station, with Lin Qiyan acting as a local guide and negotiating-minded companion.
• Song Zhou’s subordinates eagerly question him about the fish, but he maintains authority by dismissing them and refusing to explain.
• Song Zhou takes food from the agency’s shared supplies, provoking silent resentment from the others.
• The chapter ends with Song Zhou arriving at Lu Ao’s field, creating anticipation for their private interaction and revealing that he values the gift enough to visit Lu Ao personally.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Zhou visits Lu Ao, bringing a fish he is reluctant to cook himself and a chilled watermelon.
• Lu Ao is still watering his three mu of farmland, so Song Zhou demonstrates his supernatural ability by creating a raincloud that waters the entire field.
• Impressed, Lu Ao asks Song Zhou to teach him how to make rain. Song Zhou agrees and takes him back to the courtyard by teleporting while holding his wrist.
• Lu Ao showers while Song Zhou washes and cuts the watermelon using wind blades. The two relax together in Lu Ao’s cool, mosquito-free courtyard.
• Lu Ao tastes the watermelon and is amazed by its unusually fresh, authentic flavor. He immediately decides to save the seeds so he can grow his own.
• Song Zhou helps pick out the seeds and offers to bring Lu Ao more watermelons, but Lu Ao prefers to cultivate them himself.
• They finish more than half of the watermelon together, sharing the final two slices before preparing dinner.
• Lu Ao begins making a seafood hot pot, using chicken and fish bones to create the broth and revealing that his newly replaced refrigerator is fully stocked with meat and seafood.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: His curiosity about Song Zhou’s abilities deepens after witnessing the rain-making power. He is practical and enthusiastic, immediately thinking about cultivating the exceptional watermelon himself. His relaxed, generous nature is evident in the way he shares the fruit and invites Song Zhou to stay for hot pot.
• Song Zhou: He continues to display powerful supernatural abilities while behaving casually and considerately. His willingness to prepare food, pick out seeds for Lu Ao, and spend time eating with him shows increasing comfort and affection. Watching Lu Ao enjoy the watermelon awakens faint emotional and sensory responses in Song Zhou.
• Song Zhou’s inner conflict: He reflects on his existence as something approaching godhood. Although freedom from desire is viewed as spiritual transcendence, he recognizes that complete detachment could erase his consciousness and identity. Lu Ao’s ordinary pleasures—especially eating—help reconnect him with human feelings and desires.

Significant Themes

• Connection through ordinary pleasures: Sharing watermelon and preparing hot pot create intimacy between the characters despite their vastly different supernatural statuses.
• Humanity versus transcendence: Song Zhou questions whether becoming completely free of desire would truly be enlightenment, since it might mean losing the self. Lu Ao’s appetite and enjoyment symbolically draw him back toward human experience.
• Cultivation and self-sufficiency: Lu Ao’s desire to save and plant the watermelon seeds reflects his practical independence and interest in making supernatural gifts part of his own life.
• Comfort and domestic intimacy: The peaceful courtyard, shared food, and cooperative meal preparation create a warm, domestic atmosphere that strengthens their relationship.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou playfully offers to “make it rain” for Lu Ao, while Lu Ao responds with sincere curiosity and asks to learn the technique.
• Song Zhou teleports Lu Ao home by holding his wrist, highlighting both his power and their physical familiarity.
• They share watermelon in a relaxed, companionable manner. Song Zhou picks out seeds for Lu Ao, while Lu Ao insists that Song Zhou eat and save room for dinner.
• Song Zhou quietly watches Lu Ao’s enjoyment with growing fondness, and Lu Ao naturally includes him in the preparation of the evening’s hot pot.

Chapter Summary: “Eerie”

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a hot pot meal made from seafood, chicken, vegetables, and Lu Ao’s Black Seabream. Song Zhou demonstrates impressive knife skills while preparing the fish.
• The pleasant meal creates greater familiarity between the two. Song Zhou cleans up afterward, and Lu Ao—unusually relaxed and informal—allows him to do so.
• Song Zhou agrees to return the next afternoon to teach Lu Ao how to make it rain. Lu Ao plans to buy more ingredients for their next meeting.
• Lin Gongshang updates Lu Ao about Shi Chen and Liu Qiming, who are recovering well after their emergency rescue. Their families repay Lu Ao’s advance and compensate the rescuers with money.
• Lin also reveals that Yan Zhengning has been asking about Lu Ao and wants to become friends. Suspecting Yan’s interest may not be entirely innocent, Lu Ao instructs Lin to say he knows little if Yan asks again.
• The next day, Yan invites Lu Ao to join a fishing trip near Xiding City to catch wild yellow croaker, locally called “cucumbers.” These fish can be extraordinarily valuable, with large specimens selling for hundreds of thousands of yuan.
• Although Lu Ao recognizes the opportunity could be highly profitable—and might allow him to return home—he ultimately declines Yan’s invitation. He says he would rather go with friends and feels uncomfortable traveling with Yan.

Character Development

• Lu Ao: Becomes increasingly comfortable with Song Zhou, allowing their relationship to develop through domestic companionship and shared meals. He remains cautious and perceptive regarding Yan Zhengning’s motives, refusing to become indebted or overly close to him despite the financial benefits of Yan’s offer.
• Song Zhou: Displays practical competence through his exceptional cooking preparation and willingness to help clean up. His agreement to teach Lu Ao further strengthens their growing friendship.
• Lin Gongshang: Demonstrates loyalty and responsibility by continuing to care for the rescued men even after they recover. He acts as a reliable intermediary between Lu Ao and Yan Zhengning.
• Yan Zhengning: Shows growing interest in Lu Ao and actively seeks opportunities to spend time with him. His enthusiasm over the lucrative fishing trip suggests both genuine admiration for Lu Ao’s abilities and a desire to draw him closer.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and growing intimacy: The shared hot pot and casual cooperation bring Lu Ao and Song Zhou closer, emphasizing how ordinary domestic experiences can build trust.
• Caution and boundaries: Lu Ao remains wary of Yan Zhengning’s intentions and deliberately avoids situations that could create unwanted closeness or obligation.
• Risk and reward: The yellow croaker trade represents a tempting chance for sudden wealth, but Lu Ao values personal comfort and independence more than easy profit.
• Mutual aid and gratitude: The rescue aftermath highlights how Lu Ao’s actions have earned genuine appreciation, while compensation and repayment restore balance between the characters.
• Ordinary life amid extraordinary abilities: Lu Ao’s mysterious ability to make rain exists alongside fishing, cooking, eating, and managing friendships, grounding the supernatural elements in everyday routines.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou bond through cooking, eating, cleaning, and planning another lesson together.
• Lu Ao and Lin Gongshang exchange updates about the rescued men, with Lin passing along Yan Zhengning’s interest.
• Lu Ao and Yan Zhengning discuss the fishing opportunity, but Lu Ao maintains emotional distance and rejects the invitation.
• The chapter subtly contrasts Song Zhou’s comfortable, natural companionship with Yan Zhengning’s more intrusive and possibly romantic interest.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao ends a lengthy call with Mr. Yan, who suggests fishing together in the future and even buying a fishing boat.
• Lu Ao contacts Tian Mingzhi to ask about the recent popularity of yellow croaker fishing in Xiding City. Tian explains that interest surged after someone caught a large, valuable fish.
• Lu Ao proposes an offshore yellow croaker fishing trip. Tian agrees, offering to provide his group’s boat in exchange for Lu Ao covering bait, fuel, and related expenses. They also hope to film the trip as a collaborative episode.
• Lu Ao emphasizes the importance of fishing licenses because large yellow croakers are valuable and could attract complaints or legal trouble if their paperwork is incomplete.
• Lu Ao asks his fishing group who wants to join. Lin Gongshang and Lin Guixiao decline because of work and the long journey, while Tan Junhao stays home to care for his infant daughter.
• Lin Qiyan eagerly agrees to participate so she can film the trip, and Lin Manzhang also joins after discussing it with his wife. Lin Gongshang offers to help care for Lu Ao’s geese while he is away.
• The group plans to leave on June 21, fish for approximately three days, and return on the night of June 25, just in time for the Dragon Boat Festival.
• Lu Ao creates a new offshore fishing group including Lin Manzhang, Lin Qiyan, Tian Mingzhi, Hu Xingjin, and Chen Shengrong.
• While the others continue discussing trip arrangements, Lu Ao returns to his farm and tends his crops. His eggplants and peppers are beginning to fruit, while the pumpkins, winter melons, and especially sweet potatoes are thriving.
• He plans to harvest sweet potato vines to eat and to feed to his geese.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates practical judgment by checking licensing requirements, organizing the trip carefully, and considering the timing of the yellow croaker season and upcoming holiday demand.
• Tian Mingzhi shows enthusiasm and initiative, quickly agreeing to collaborate and offering the group’s boat rather than treating the arrangement as a simple rental.
• Lin Qiyan reveals her eagerness to participate for filming and collaboration purposes, valuing the experience even if they fail to catch fish.
• Lin Manzhang remains dependable and responsible, joining after making sure family matters are handled and offering support with Lu Ao’s geese.
• Lin Gongshang cannot join because of work but remains supportive by offering to help with the farm.
• Tan Junhao prioritizes his responsibilities as a father, while Lin Guixiao realistically decides the long trip is not worth it given his average fishing ability.

Significant Themes

• Cooperation and mutual support: The fishing trip is organized through shared resources, with one group providing the boat and the other covering operating costs.
• Responsibility and family obligations: Several characters weigh work, childcare, and household duties before deciding whether to participate.
• Timing and opportunity: The group must act before warmer water makes yellow croakers less active, while also taking advantage of increased prices before the Dragon Boat Festival.
• Rural prosperity and self-sufficiency: Lu Ao’s flourishing crops and geese reflect his growing success in agricultural life.
• Practical planning versus uncertainty: Although the trip could be profitable, Lu Ao acknowledges that catching yellow croaker is not guaranteed.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao politely but firmly ends Mr. Yan’s extended conversation before contacting Tian Mingzhi.
• Lu Ao and Tian Mingzhi quickly move from catching up to negotiating a cooperative fishing arrangement.
• Lu Ao consults the fishing group, respects each member’s personal reasons for declining, and welcomes Lin Qiyan and Lin Manzhang into the expedition.
• The newly formed group continues enthusiastically discussing logistics while Lu Ao quietly returns to his farming routine, highlighting his role as both organizer and caretaker of the farm.

Chapter 47 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao spends the day tending his crops while waiting for Song Zhou, performing various tasks such as pruning vegetables, thinning leaves, and installing bamboo supports.
• Song Zhou arrives near sunset and begins teaching Lu Ao how to use his Dragon abilities, particularly the power to control wind and rain.
• Song Zhou explains that Lu Ao must first recognize himself internally as a Dragon rather than continuing to think of himself primarily as a human.
• To illustrate the broader nature of Dragon power, Song Zhou explains that Dragons are divine beasts and the kings of all animals. Their authority allows them to command or influence other creatures.
• Song Zhou gives practical examples: Lu Ao could drive pests away from his fields or command his geese to find food and water without constant supervision.
• Although commanding humans or large numbers of creatures would be extremely difficult, Song Zhou says it is theoretically possible once Lu Ao fully accepts his Dragon identity.
• Song Zhou advises Lu Ao to practice communicating with nonhuman animals. He also helps produce rain for Lu Ao’s fields.
• After dinner, Lu Ao announces that he will return to Xiding City to fish for valuable wild large yellow croakers. Song Zhou offers to care for and water the crops during his absence.
• Lu Ao leaves before dawn with Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan. After arriving in Xiding City, they meet Tian Mingzhi and two companions, share a meal, and organize the next day’s fishing trip.
• The following morning, the group heads to the docks. Tian Mingzhi welcomes them with breakfast, and they prepare to board the fishing boat.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Begins confronting the gap between his human habits and his Dragon nature. Though he has physically become a Dragon, he has not fully accepted or explored that identity. He shows strong interest in the practical applications of his abilities and agrees to practice communicating with animals, including fish.
• Song Zhou: Acts as Lu Ao’s mentor and caretaker. Although he admits he does not know exactly how a human-turned-Dragon should awaken or use these powers, he patiently provides guidance and helps Lu Ao’s household while he is away.
• Tian Mingzhi: Demonstrates warmth and hospitality by arranging the fishing preparations and buying generous amounts of breakfast for the group.
• Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan: Continue accompanying Lu Ao on the fishing expedition, though they play supporting roles in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• Identity and self-acceptance: Lu Ao’s powers depend not only on his transformation but on accepting himself psychologically as a Dragon.
• Power and responsibility: Dragon authority can extend over animals and potentially humans, raising questions about how such power should be used.
• Practicality and everyday life: Lu Ao’s supernatural abilities are connected to ordinary concerns such as farming, pest control, watering crops, and caring for geese.
• Cooperation and trust: Song Zhou supports Lu Ao’s household in his absence, while Tian Mingzhi and the others work together to organize the fishing trip.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou teaches Lu Ao about Dragon identity and abilities through a calm, conversational lesson in the fields.
• Lu Ao responds with curiosity and humor, repeatedly questioning how far his powers can be applied.
• Song Zhou and Lu Ao develop greater trust as Song Zhou agrees to water the crops while Lu Ao travels.
• Tian Mingzhi welcomes Lu Ao’s group to Xiding City, hosts them for dinner, helps plan the fishing trip, and provides breakfast before departure.
• The chapter ends with the group united at the dock, ready to begin their sea-fishing expedition.

Chapter Summary

Plot points and events

• Before dawn, Lu Ao and five companions—Chen Shengrong, Tian Mingzhi, Lin Qiyan, Lin Manzhang, and Hu Xingjin—leave the dock by fishing boat to search for wild Large Yellow Croaker.
• After traveling for over an hour, Lu Ao uses his ability to sense the fish and directs Chen Shengrong to a promising fishing location.
• The group chums the water and fishes with Red Sea Bream rods, using Bird Shells and Small Sea Intestines as bait. Tian Mingzhi and Lin Qiyan also film the outing.
• Fishing is initially frustrating: for half an hour, nobody catches anything, and nearby boats begin leaving. Lu Ao manages to catch two Black Seabream, but no Large Yellow Croaker appear.
• When a neighboring boat catches the first Large Yellow Croaker, the fish in the area become active. Lu Ao immediately gets a bite and lands a fish weighing more than two and a half jin.
• His companions help net, film, and protect the valuable fish, which must be kept covered and chilled so its golden color—and therefore its market value—does not fade.
• Over the next two hours, Lu Ao catches five fish, including three weighing more than two jin. Lin Qiyan catches one smaller Large Yellow Croaker, while the other nearby fishermen remain largely unsuccessful.

Character developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates his exceptional fishing instincts and skill. His ability to locate fish and consistently catch the most valuable specimens sets him apart from everyone else.
• Chen Shengrong serves as the boat’s driver and follows Lu Ao’s directions, enabling the group to reach the correct fishing grounds.
• Lin Qiyan and Tian Mingzhi combine fishing with filming, becoming especially excited when the valuable fish surface.
• Lin Manzhang proves quick and capable by expertly scooping Lu Ao’s fish into the landing net.
• Hu Xingjin shows awareness of the fish’s financial value and becomes excited at the prospect of earning thousands of yuan.
• The group shifts from relaxed morning companionship to tense concentration and excitement as the fishing becomes competitive.

Significant themes

• Skill versus luck: Although many boats fish in the same area, Lu Ao’s superior senses and technique allow him to find and catch fish that others cannot.
• The commercial value of nature: The Large Yellow Croaker is treated not only as prey but as a valuable commodity whose weight, color, and condition determine its price.
• Patience and persistence: The fishermen endure long periods without bites before being rewarded.
• Competition and envy: Lu Ao’s success attracts the attention—and jealousy—of neighboring fishermen, who realize that fish are present but seem to favor only his bait.
• Respect for the catch: The group takes care not to bruise or expose the fish, emphasizing the importance of preserving its quality.

Character interactions

• Lu Ao directs Chen Shengrong where to stop and instructs the group to chum the water.
• The companions cooperate closely when Lu Ao hooks the large fish: Lin Qiyan brings the net and adjusts the camera, Lin Manzhang handles the net, and Tian Mingzhi and the others document and assist.
• Hu Xingjin reacts enthusiastically to the fish’s estimated value, while Lu Ao remains practical, insisting that the fish be weighed before determining its price.
• The neighboring fishermen serve as observers and rivals, becoming increasingly frustrated as Lu Ao repeatedly catches the area’s Large Yellow Croaker.

Chapter Summary: “Thrilling”

Key Plot Points and Events

• As the morning warmed, the yellow croaker stopped biting, and the group prepared to return home to sell their catch.
• Just before leaving, Hu Xingjin hooked a Large Yellow Croaker weighing over two jin. His catch excited the entire group and attracted jealous attention from nearby fishing boats.
• The fishers returned to the dock after 10 a.m. and compared prices at several fish shops. They learned that wild Large Yellow Croaker had standardized prices based on weight, with larger fish bringing dramatically higher returns.
• Lu Ao sold five yellow croaker and earned 18,600 yuan before taxes, receiving 10,230 yuan afterward. Lin Qiyan earned 1,155 yuan after tax for his one-jin-six-liang fish, while Hu Xingjin received 3,300 yuan after tax for his two-jin-six-liang catch.
• Overjoyed by their unexpected success, Hu Xingjin and Lin Qiyan treated the group to a lavish lunch. Lu Ao contributed two Black Seabream, which were cooked as an additional dish.
• The group celebrated with coconut juice instead of alcohol because they planned to fish again that evening. Tian Mingzhi recorded Hu Xingjin and Lin Qiyan’s exuberant reactions.
• After lunch, they bought more bait, ground bait, hooks, and fishing supplies before splitting up to rest.
• At home, Lu Ao was warmly welcomed by his neighbors. Old Zhang and his wife gave him dumplings in gratitude for the fish he had previously shared, while a supermarket owner offered him free goods.

Character Developments

• Hu Xingjin experiences a dramatic boost in confidence and happiness after catching the most valuable fish of his career. His excitement turns into generosity as he treats everyone to lunch and confidently predicts another lucky catch.
• Lin Qiyan is also delighted by his unusually good fortune and eagerly joins the celebration, showing a more carefree and enthusiastic side.
• Lu Ao remains calm and generous despite earning the most money. He plans to treat everyone later, shares his fish with others, and is shown to have strong, positive relationships with his neighbors.
• Tian Mingzhi acts as a practical observer and friend, stopping Hu Xingjin from ordering alcohol and filming the celebration for amusement.
• Lin Manzhang continues to provide support and guidance, helping Hu Xingjin safely land his fish.

Significant Themes

• Luck and perseverance: The fishers endure long hours and low odds because a single Large Yellow Croaker can transform an otherwise disappointing day into a highly profitable one.
• Economic pressure: The detailed pricing and taxes emphasize the costs of fishing and the financial importance of a successful catch for working families.
• Shared prosperity and camaraderie: The group celebrates together, shares food, and looks forward to continued success rather than competing bitterly.
• Community and generosity: Lu Ao’s kindness toward others has earned him genuine affection and support from his neighbors.
• Hope and renewed ambition: Hu Xingjin’s catch inspires other disappointed anglers to remain on the water, hoping they too might become the lucky exception.

Character Interactions

• Lin Manzhang helps Hu Xingjin reel in the fish carefully, while the rest of the group gathers to celebrate his success.
• Hu Xingjin and Lin Qiyan happily treat their companions to lunch and toast their good fortune with coconut juice.
• Chen Shengrong playfully restrains Hu Xingjin’s enthusiasm by reminding him that they still need to fish that evening.
• Tian Mingzhi records Hu Xingjin and Lin Qiyan’s exaggerated happiness, turning their celebration into a shared joke.
• Lu Ao receives warm thanks from Old Zhang and his wife, revealing how his generosity has strengthened his ties with the local community.
• Lin Qiyan is surprised to discover that Lu Ao, whom he assumed might intimidate people, is actually well-liked and warmly welcomed by his neighbors.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Before resting, Lu Ao asks a neighbor to watch his geese and reminds Song Zhou to bring rain to their fields, showing that he continues managing responsibilities at home despite being away.
• The group—Lu Ao, Lin Manzhang, Chen Shengrong, Hu Xingjin, Tian Mingzhi, and Lin Qiyan—sets out to sea in the afternoon to fish.
• Their previous productive fishing spot is crowded with boats that have come hoping to share their luck. Lu Ao instead senses the fish and directs the boat west to a quieter location.
• At the new spot, Lu Ao chums the waters and deliberately feeds smaller fish to attract more substantial catches. As evening arrives, everyone begins catching fish.
• Chen Shengrong catches a valuable Red Grouper, while the group also catches Large Yellow Croaker and other fish. Lu Ao’s haul is by far the best: seven Large Yellow Croaker and thirteen other fish. Lin Manzhang comes second with four Large Yellow Croaker and five other fish.
• After selling their catch and paying taxes, everyone earns well over a thousand yuan. Lu Ao makes more than twenty thousand yuan, and on the following outing earns over thirty thousand yuan.
• Encouraged by their earnings, the group decides to leave even earlier the next day. By the third day, the others are exhausted from the demanding schedule, while Lu Ao remains energetic because he is no longer fully human.
• While the others fight sleep, Lu Ao notices several Large Yellow Croaker feeding nearby and skillfully guides his bait toward them. He hooks an unusually powerful fish, apparently much larger than expected, and urgently asks Lin Manzhang to get the landing net.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues to demonstrate his supernatural sensitivity to fish and his exceptional fishing ability. He is also shown as responsible and considerate through his concern for his geese and crops.
• His physical transformation becomes increasingly evident: he can remain awake and alert for days while the others become exhausted.
• Lin Manzhang becomes more comfortable around Lu Ao and openly defends him, insisting that Lu Ao’s cold appearance hides a warm heart. He grows enthusiastic about fishing and wants to extend the trip.
• Chen Shengrong relies heavily on Lu Ao’s judgment and jokingly calls him the “Fishing God.” His excitement over catching a Red Grouper highlights the group’s improving fortunes.
• Tian Mingzhi and the others gain confidence and enthusiasm as even the smallest catch brings significant income. Their initial fatigue is contrasted with Lu Ao’s unnatural endurance.
• Lin Qiyan, despite earning the least, still makes a substantial profit and reacts with dreamy satisfaction to the money.

Significant Themes

• Hard work and financial reward: The group’s exhausting schedule pays off, with everyone earning meaningful income.
• Trust in expertise: The fishermen rely on Lu Ao’s unusual instincts, allowing him to guide them away from crowded waters to a more profitable location.
• Community and cooperation: The group shares equipment, follows Lu Ao’s directions, and celebrates one another’s catches.
• Lu Ao’s changing identity: His supernatural stamina and ability to sense fish distinguish him from ordinary people, hinting at the growing consequences of his transformation.
• Humanity beneath appearances: Lin Manzhang emphasizes that Lu Ao’s intimidating exterior conceals kindness and warmth.

Character Interactions

• Lin Manzhang reassures others that Lu Ao is kind despite his cold aura, while Lu Ao avoids discussing the matter and tells everyone to rest.
• Chen Shengrong repeatedly consults Lu Ao about where to fish and follows his directions without hesitation.
• The group reacts collectively to their profitable catches, discussing how early to depart and eagerly planning to continue fishing.
• At the chapter’s close, Lu Ao’s massive catch abruptly unites the sleepy group, prompting everyone to rush over and help land the fish.

Chapter Summary: “Selling Fish”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao hooks an exceptionally powerful wild Large Yellow Croaker while fishing over a reef. The others immediately stop fishing and clear space so he can fight it.
• For more than twenty minutes, Lu Ao repeatedly reels in and releases the line, carefully tiring the fish so that neither the line nor rod will break.
• When the rod is finally close to snapping, Lu Ao takes the landing net from Lin Manzhang and attempts to control both the rod and net at once.
• He suddenly hauls the fish out of the water. At that instant, the fishing rod snaps, but Lu Ao quickly discards it, switches the net to his other hand, and successfully catches the fish before it falls back into the sea.
• The Large Yellow Croaker weighs at least eight jin. The group estimates that it could sell for roughly 800,000 yuan, making it an extraordinarily profitable catch.
• Lu Ao carefully removes the hook, wraps the fish, and stores it in a cooler with ice. Since his rod and line are ruined and the struggle exhausted him, he stops fishing and falls asleep beside the cabin.
• The others continue fishing, energized by Lu Ao’s success and hoping to catch valuable Large Yellow Croakers themselves.
• The next morning, Lin Manzhang catches a smaller fish and notices Lu Ao sleeping in the sunlight. He and Lin Qiyan are struck by Lu Ao’s extraordinary beauty and quietly admire him.
• While asleep, Lu Ao remains partly conscious. His awareness seems to spread across the sea, allowing him to perceive the nearby anglers, fishermen, and large fishing vessels.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates exceptional strength, timing, composure, and fishing skill. His successful landing of the fish despite the broken rod reinforces his unusual abilities and earns the admiration of everyone present.
• After the intense struggle, Lu Ao reveals a more vulnerable and ordinary side by becoming physically exhausted and falling asleep.
• Lin Manzhang acts as Lu Ao’s main support during the catch, preparing the landing net and coordinating the others. His respect for Lu Ao deepens into a sense of awe, though it is explicitly portrayed as admiration rather than lust.
• Lin Qiyan is excited by the dramatic catch and later finds himself similarly captivated by Lu Ao’s appearance. He also regrets that the event was not recorded clearly enough to preserve or publicize it.
• Tian Mingzhi films the struggle but, like Lin Qiyan, is disappointed that the footage is too unclear to capture the spectacular moment properly.
• Chen Shengrong, Hu Xingjin, and the other anglers react with shock and admiration, recognizing that an ordinary fisherman could not have landed such a powerful fish.

Significant Themes

• Skill versus luck: The fish’s high value creates excitement, but the group recognizes that only Lu Ao’s precise judgment and ability made the catch possible.
• Risk and reward: The enormous financial return comes with real danger—the rod breaks and the line nearly fails.
• Admiration and awe: Lu Ao’s fishing ability and physical beauty both inspire others to view him as almost extraordinary or miraculous.
• Human connection with the sea: Lu Ao’s unusual expanded awareness while sleeping suggests a deepening, possibly supernatural connection to the ocean and everything upon it.
• The fleeting nature of remarkable moments: The group wants to preserve the catch on camera, but their unclear footage leaves them frustrated that such an incredible event cannot be properly recorded.

Character Interactions

• Lin Manzhang and the others cooperate closely to give Lu Ao room to fight the fish, showing their trust in his ability.
• Lin Manzhang assists Lu Ao with the net and worries about whether he can safely manage the rod one-handed.
• The group collectively experiences intense suspense, then shock and excitement when Lu Ao catches the fish immediately after the rod breaks.
• Chen Shengrong and Lin Manzhang discuss the fish’s likely market value and emphasize how rare and difficult the catch was.
• Lin Qiyan and Tian Mingzhi compare their recordings and share disappointment over failing to capture the moment clearly.
• Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan independently observe Lu Ao while he sleeps, both experiencing a profound sense of awe at his appearance.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao wakes after sleeping through the morning on the fishing boat and learns that the group is preparing to return to shore.
• The fishermen compare their catch: Hu Xingjin caught two fish, A-Zhi caught four, and Lin Qiyan caught one, while Lu Ao’s unusually large wild Large Yellow Croaker remains the main attraction.
• Tian Mingzhi suggests selling Lu Ao’s fish through social media rather than to ordinary fish dealers, since local dealers may not be able to afford its full value.
• Lin Qiyan proposes posting a video of Lu Ao catching the fish. They carefully avoid claiming an unconfirmed million-yuan valuation, instead using a caption that emphasizes the fish’s size and asks who will ultimately buy it.
• The video and related Moments posts quickly attract interest from hotels and wealthy buyers.
• When the boat reaches the dock, Manager Wen from a familiar hotel is waiting with scales to inspect the fish.
• The Large Yellow Croaker is weighed at eight jin and seven liang, confirming it as an exceptionally large and valuable catch.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao remains calm and unconcerned about the sale. Unlike the others, he is not financially dependent on getting the highest price and is willing to take the fish home to share with Song Zhou if necessary.
• Tian Mingzhi demonstrates practical business sense by suggesting a competitive sale through social media.
• Lin Qiyan shows initiative and promotional skill by filming, editing, and posting the fishing video. He also displays honesty by rejecting an exaggerated claim about the fish being worth one million before it has been sold.
• Manager Wen acts quickly and professionally, traveling to the dock with weighing equipment after seeing the online post, showing the strong commercial interest in the fish.
• The fishing group works cooperatively, with everyone helping prepare the catch, promote it, and arrange its sale.

Significant Themes

• The value of exceptional labor and nature: Lu Ao’s rare catch has considerable market value, but the group recognizes that finding the right buyer is essential.
• Modern technology and traditional work: Social media allows the fishermen to reach wealthy buyers directly, expanding opportunities beyond local dealers.
• Honesty in commerce: Lin Qiyan avoids overstating the fish’s value, emphasizing accurate information and preventing buyers or followers from being misled.
• Lu Ao’s confidence and detachment: His lack of financial anxiety contrasts with the others’ concern and highlights his growing independence and unusual abilities.
• Community and collaboration: The group’s shared efforts—from fishing to filming and selling—demonstrate mutual support.

Character Interactions

• Hu Xingjin wakes Lu Ao and gives him bread, showing casual concern and friendship.
• Lu Ao discusses the morning catch with Hu Xingjin and agrees to sell the fish after returning.
• Tian Mingzhi consults Lu Ao about the best sales strategy, while Lu Ao gives him permission to pursue online buyers.
• Lin Qiyan collaborates with Tian Mingzhi on the video and caption, with both balancing publicity against accuracy.
• At the dock, Tian Mingzhi introduces Lu Ao to Manager Wen, who immediately treats Lu Ao as the owner of the valuable catch.
• Manager Wen and Lu Ao interact courteously while arranging the weighing, and the confirmed weight establishes the fish’s exceptional worth.

Chapter Summary

Plot and key events

Manager Wen approaches Lu Ao on behalf of his hotel-owning boss to buy the exceptionally large, wild Large Yellow Croaker Lu Ao caught. He initially offers around 600,000–700,000 yuan, but Tian Mingzhi argues that the fish is worth much more because of its size. Lu Ao demands twice the initial offer, while several of Lin Qiyan and Lin Manzhang’s contacts independently offer around 820,000–850,000 yuan, putting additional pressure on the hotel to raise its bid.
At the hotel, Lu Ao meets its heir, Weng Qian, who offers 850,000 yuan. Lu Ao refuses, insisting that the price is below the fish’s value. After negotiation, Weng Qian agrees to Lu Ao’s minimum price of 950,000 yuan, tax included. They sign a contract, with payment to be completed within three days, and Lu Ao leaves the fish with the hotel. Manager Wen also buys the other men’s catches at market price.

Character development

Lu Ao demonstrates strong confidence, business sense, and self-control. He refuses to be pressured into accepting a low offer and calmly maintains his bottom line, even joking that he would eat the fish himself rather than sell it cheaply. His knowledge of the market and willingness to walk away establish him as a capable negotiator.
Weng Qian is initially cautious because the fish has limited resale value, but he recognizes Lu Ao’s resolve and ultimately respects him enough to accept the 950,000-yuan price. Lin Qiyan, Lin Manzhang, Tian Mingzhi, and Hu Xingjin serve as supportive witnesses, with the others visibly impressed and envious of Lu Ao’s success.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes the value of confidence and patience in negotiation, showing that Lu Ao’s refusal to compromise allows him to secure a much better price. It also explores the difference between an object’s marketability and its intrinsic or auction value: although the fish is rare and extremely valuable, its freshness and limited market make it difficult to sell. The scene further highlights Lu Ao’s rising status and the rewards of his exceptional fishing ability.

Character interactions

Manager Wen acts as the intermediary between Lu Ao and Weng Qian, attempting to lower expectations and bring Lu Ao to the hotel. Tian Mingzhi openly challenges the initial offer, while Lin Qiyan and Lin Manzhang reveal competing bids from their contacts, strengthening Lu Ao’s bargaining position. Weng Qian and Lu Ao engage in a direct, respectful negotiation, ending with a firm agreement and mutual acknowledgment. Afterward, the group reacts with admiration when Lu Ao reveals that the fish sold for 950,000 yuan, though he notes that only 522,500 yuan remains after tax.

Chapter Summary: “Release”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After lunch, Lu Ao separates from Lin Qiyan, Tian Mingzhi, and the others, who must return to sea for another fishing trip before traveling home.
• Having earned substantial money over the previous three days, Lu Ao visits the city’s Youth Foundation and donates 100,000 yuan to Hope Primary Schools.
• That night, he waits for the group at the dock and arranges the delivery of 10,000 Large Yellow Croaker fingerlings. He intends to release them into the sea as he has done before.
• The fish hatchery owner delivers the fingerlings, which are small and stored in three tanks. Lu Ao checks the quantity and confirms the payment.
• The owner initially assumes Lu Ao is raising the fish in a raft, but learns that Lu Ao is releasing them directly into the sea. Impressed, he offers to refund the rush fee, though Lu Ao instead asks for extra fingerlings on a future purchase.
• Tian Mingzhi and the others help move the fingerlings into their boat’s live fish hold and activate the oxygen equipment in preparation for the release.
• The group reports that their fishing trip was unexpectedly fruitless: after several highly successful days, they caught no fish at all.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao is portrayed as financially successful but notably generous. Rather than spending all his earnings on himself, he donates a large sum to education and spends additional money replenishing marine life.
• His habit of releasing fingerlings shows his sense of responsibility toward the sea, even though he knows many fish will die or be eaten before reaching maturity.
• Lu Ao also remains practical and careful: he inspects the shipment, negotiates prices, and makes sure the fish are properly transported.
• Tian Mingzhi and the other fishermen gain a clearer understanding of Lu Ao’s unusual conservation efforts. They are impressed but also worry that he is spending money on something from which he may never personally benefit.
• The hatchery owner shifts from confusion to admiration after learning the purpose of the purchase and offers Lu Ao a discount for future orders.
• The fishermen’s lack of success raises the possibility that Lu Ao’s remarkable catches may be connected to his unexplained ability to attract Large Yellow Croaker.

Significant Themes

• Generosity and social responsibility: Lu Ao supports both human welfare through his donation and marine life through fish releases.
• Environmental conservation: The chapter emphasizes the difficulty of restoring fish populations and the uncertain survival of released fingerlings.
• Selflessness versus personal gain: Lu Ao spends money for the benefit of others, despite knowing that other fishermen may eventually catch the fish he releases.
• Mystery and supernatural ability: The group’s empty-handed return contrasts sharply with Lu Ao’s previous abundance, suggesting that his presence may influence the fish around his boat.
• Practical kindness: Lu Ao’s generosity is understated; he treats charitable acts as ordinary responsibilities rather than seeking praise.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan casually discuss lunch, showing their comfortable familiarity.
• At the dock, the group jokingly questions Lu Ao about his phone call and learns about the fingerling delivery.
• Tian Mingzhi challenges the practicality of releasing so many fish, prompting Lu Ao to acknowledge the high mortality rate of young fish.
• The hatchery owner initially misunderstands Lu Ao’s purpose, then respects his conservation efforts and offers favorable treatment in the future.
• Tian Mingzhi and the others actively assist Lu Ao by transferring the fingerlings and preparing the boat’s oxygen system, demonstrating their growing cooperation and support.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and his companions carefully check their fuel and water supplies before returning to the fishing grounds to release the Large Yellow Croaker fry they purchased.
• After more than an hour of travel, they arrive late at night among numerous fishing boats still working the area.
• Hu Xingjin proudly announces to the nearby fishermen that they are releasing fish fry to give back to the sea. Lu Ao, Lin Manzhang, Chen Shengrong, and Hu Xingjin then pour all ten thousand fry into the water while Tian Mingzhi and Lin Qiyan film the event for their audiences.
• The fry quickly scatter into the sea, reassuring Lu Ao that they are healthy. The group immediately leaves, joking that they are returning for a late-night meal.
• Everyone enjoys a celebratory late-night snack. Chen Shengrong and the others refuse Lu Ao’s offer to cover the fuel costs, explaining that he has already treated them generously and helped them earn substantial money.
• Lin Qiyan thanks the group for providing filming material, and the companions reaffirm their friendship and promise to stay in contact.
• Lu Ao eventually returns home after several changes in transportation. Exhausted, he sleeps, eats, and then checks on his geese.
• Lin Gongshang arrives to perform the geese’s final feeding of the day. He expresses regret that he did not join the fishing trip after hearing how much money the others earned. Lu Ao reassures him that he can come along the following year.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates responsibility and environmental awareness by organizing the release of the fish fry. He also shows generosity toward his companions by offering to pay their fuel costs and sharing the success of the fishing trip.
• Hu Xingjin remains outspoken and humorous, enthusiastically publicizing the release and helping create a lively atmosphere. His playful “run” after the release adds comic relief.
• Chen Shengrong reveals his loyalty and generosity by refusing payment for fuel and helping treat Lu Ao to the late-night meal.
• Tian Mingzhi and Lin Qiyan take their role as documentarians seriously, filming the release to spread awareness. Lin Qiyan also expresses gratitude for the group’s hospitality and cooperation.
• Lin Gongshang continues to be dependable, feeding and cleaning the geese while Lu Ao is away. His envy of the others’ earnings shows his growing interest in joining Lu Ao’s future fishing ventures.

Significant Themes

• Environmental responsibility: The fish release emphasizes the idea that resources taken from the sea should be restored to it. The filming also suggests that public awareness can encourage broader conservation efforts.
• Friendship and mutual generosity: The group’s refusal to accept fuel money and insistence on treating Lu Ao show that their relationship has moved beyond a simple business arrangement.
• Success shared with others: Lu Ao’s profitable trip benefits not only himself but also his companions, strengthening their bonds.
• Hard work and rural livelihood: The chapter contrasts the exhaustion of travel and fishing with the rewards of honest labor and cooperation.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao coordinates the fish release with Lin Manzhang, Chen Shengrong, and Hu Xingjin while Tian Mingzhi and Lin Qiyan record it.
• The nearby fishermen react with surprise and admiration, creating a moment of public recognition for Lu Ao’s environmental effort.
• During the meal, the companions tease, thank, and encourage one another, establishing a warm sense of brotherhood.
• At home, Lu Ao and Lin Gongshang discuss the geese and the profits from fishing, with Lu Ao promising to include him in next year’s trip.

Chapter Summary: “Rice Dumplings”

Plot and events

Lin Gongshang visits Lu Ao to help clean the goose pen and settle the expenses from the recent helicopter rescue. He returns the refunded rescue and medical costs and offers Lu Ao the ten-thousand-yuan payments given by Shi and Liu, but Lu Ao refuses because he feels he did not earn the money. Lin also mentions that the men have reclaimed their car and that Yan has been asking about Lu Ao, though Lu Ao shows no interest in responding.
After Lin leaves, Song Zhou arrives with zongzi, fruit, and food from his courtyard, explaining that he wants to spend the holiday with Lu Ao. The two herd the geese and tend to Lu Ao’s thriving vegetable fields. Lu Ao harvests a large basket of vegetables, while Song Zhou uses his supernatural ability to summon rain specifically over the crops. The geese wander through the field before heading toward a neighboring plot.
As evening falls, Lu Ao suggests catching crabs for a Dragon Boat Festival feast. They return home through the quiet countryside, where Lu Ao feeds and waters the geese. Song Zhou’s gifts include six zongzi, bayberries, a cold dish, and fried ribs, which remain remarkably fresh despite having been prepared earlier. The chapter ends as Lu Ao begins opening and examining the food.

Character developments

• Lu Ao continues to demonstrate his honesty and independence by refusing money he believes he has not earned. He is also shown enjoying the simple pleasures of farming, cooking, and spending time with Song Zhou. His impulse to prepare a crab feast suggests increasing affection and domestic intimacy.
• Song Zhou actively seeks Lu Ao’s company and brings food to share, revealing his care and attachment. He appears increasingly comfortable with rural life and admits that the peaceful routine feels warm and meaningful compared with his otherwise “boring” existence. His rain-summoning ability is used naturally to support Lu Ao’s crops.
• Lin Gongshang remains helpful and practical, handling financial matters and updating Lu Ao about the rescued men, while also acting as a friendly, talkative connection to the outside world.

Significant themes

• Peaceful rural living: The quiet fields, sunset, geese, gardening, and shared meals emphasize the comfort of a slow, uncomplicated life.
• Mutual care and domestic intimacy: Song Zhou’s visit, gifts, assistance with the crops, and willingness to join Lu Ao’s routine show their relationship developing through ordinary shared activities.
• Integrity and generosity: Lu Ao’s refusal to accept undeserved payment contrasts with the men’s insistence on showing gratitude.
• Nature and supernatural harmony: Song Zhou’s extraordinary powers are integrated into everyday agricultural life, helping the land rather than disrupting it.

Character interactions

Lu Ao and Lin Gongshang discuss the rescue money and recent developments before parting amicably. Song Zhou and Lu Ao share a light, affectionate exchange about his clothes, harvest vegetables together, and care for the geese. During their walk home, Song Zhou opens up slightly about valuing the peaceful life, while Lu Ao responds with concern and invites him to share in a festive crab dinner. Their growing ease and companionship are the emotional focus of the chapter.

Chapter Summary

Plot points and events

• Song Zhou brings Lu Ao a festive Dragon Boat Festival meal: tender, meaty ribs, two kinds of rice dumplings, and a refreshing cold salad.
• Lu Ao enthusiastically eats the food and praises the skill of Song Zhou’s compound chef. He offers to send Song Zhou fish in return, clarifying that he intends to provide enough for everyone at Song Zhou’s agency.
• During the meal, Song Zhou explains the existence of the Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency, broadening Lu Ao’s understanding of Song Zhou’s work and unusual social circle.
• Song Zhou gives Lu Ao a multicolored baishuo bracelet, a traditional Dragon Boat Festival item meant to be worn for a year. Lu Ao accepts it and puts it on.
• The two spend the afternoon drinking tea and chatting. Later, Lu Ao’s neighbor, Lin Gongshang, arrives with a large basket of homemade rice dumplings and lychees from his family.
• Lu Ao feels the gift is excessive and reciprocates by giving Lin Gongshang a roast goose. Lin notices Song Zhou in the courtyard, and Lu Ao introduces them.

Character development

• Lu Ao is shown as warm, appreciative, and enthusiastic about food. He is also generous and considerate, insisting on sharing a meal with Song Zhou and returning Lin Gongshang’s gift rather than accepting it without reciprocation.
• Song Zhou demonstrates thoughtfulness through his carefully chosen festival foods and the baishuo bracelet. He becomes more open with Lu Ao by discussing his agency and personal circumstances.
• Lin Gongshang is established as a friendly, generous neighbor who values community ties and family customs.

Significant themes

• Friendship and mutual care: The exchange of food and gifts reflects growing trust and affection between the characters.
• Hospitality and reciprocity: Lu Ao insists that Song Zhou eat with him and returns Lin’s generous offering with roast goose.
• Cultural tradition: The Dragon Boat Festival meal and baishuo bracelet connect the characters to seasonal customs and shared heritage.
• Discovery of the unknown: Song Zhou’s explanation of the anomalous-personnel agency expands Lu Ao’s world and hints at larger supernatural or extraordinary elements.

Character interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a relaxed, increasingly intimate meal and conversation, with playful discussion about cooking and exchanging fish.
• Song Zhou gives Lu Ao the festival bracelet, creating a meaningful personal gesture.
• Lu Ao and Lin Gongshang interact as friendly neighbors, exchanging festival food and maintaining a balance of generosity.
• The chapter ends with Lin Gongshang meeting Song Zhou, establishing a new connection between Lu Ao’s local life and Song Zhou’s unusual world.

Chapter Summary

Key events

Lin Gongshang visits Lu Ao and is immediately impressed by Song Zhou’s refined appearance, joking that attractive people must naturally befriend one another. Soon after, Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan arrive with homemade rice dumplings, glutinous rice cakes, fruit, and other holiday gifts. They invite Lu Ao and Song Zhou to dinner, but Lu Ao declines because he and Song Zhou have planned to catch crabs that night. The Lins then arrange to join them after dinner, with Lin Qiyan considering filming the outing for his videos.

Character developments and interactions

Lu Ao is hospitable but protective of his time with Song Zhou, repeatedly refusing invitations and emphasizing that Song Zhou is unfamiliar with the group. His instinctive statement that the others would not be “disturbing” them suggests he values their private time, even if he does not fully recognize the implication. Lin Gongshang is energetic, outspoken, and eager to participate, while Lin Qiyan is more observant and appears to notice the special closeness between Lu Ao and Song Zhou.
While waiting for the others, Lu Ao and Song Zhou play Chinese chess. Lu Ao is confident in his considerable skill, but Song Zhou defeats him repeatedly, leaving Lu Ao embarrassed and frustrated. When the Lins finally arrive, Lu Ao eagerly abandons the chessboard, relieved that Song Zhou does not comment on his losses.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes companionship, hospitality, and the growing intimacy between Lu Ao and Song Zhou. The group’s holiday gathering and planned nighttime outing create a warm, communal atmosphere, while the chess match introduces playful competition and highlights Song Zhou’s quiet competence. There is also subtle humor in Lu Ao’s protectiveness and in the others’ increasing awareness of the pair’s unusual closeness.

Ending

The group walks to the shore, then divides into two teams to search more efficiently. Lu Ao enthusiastically prepares for the nighttime foraging, but Song Zhou dryly reminds him that they came specifically to catch crabs, hinting that Lu Ao may be hoping to find more than just crabs.

Chapter 26: “Eel” — Summary

Plot and events

Lu Ao and Song Zhou forage along the shore, initially looking for crabs and finding a snail instead. Song Zhou protects Lu Ao from a wave and then uses his unusual ability to move them instantly to a shallow reef area. There, Lu Ao spots what he thinks is a large fish, but discovers it is a nearly two-meter-long eel. Although briefly frightened that it might be a sea snake, Lu Ao boldly captures it using iron tongs and his boot, eventually throwing it onto the shore. The eel is too large for their bucket, so Lu Ao decides to stop foraging and take it home, where he has a larger water vat. He calls Lin Manzhang to cancel their crab-gathering plans and return early.

Character developments

Lu Ao remains adventurous, energetic, and strongly motivated by the excitement of discovering valuable or unusual sea life. Despite his initial fear of the eel, he quickly regains his courage and demonstrates practical experience and determination in catching it. Song Zhou is calm, observant, and protective, warning Lu Ao to be careful, helping him avoid the waves, and supporting his decision to bring the eel home. Their comfortable teamwork and growing closeness are evident throughout the outing.

Character interactions

Song Zhou gently restrains and looks after Lu Ao while allowing him to take the lead in the search. Lu Ao relies on Song Zhou’s assistance but also confidently handles the dangerous eel himself. Over the phone, Lu Ao apologizes to Lin Manzhang and explains the situation; Lin Manzhang responds understandingly, while Lin Gongshang complains that their gathering has been cut short because he wanted to eat with Lu Ao. Lin Manzhang reassures Lu Ao and suggests inviting Tan Junhao and others next time. Lin Qiyan teasingly suggests that Lu Ao and Song Zhou may be on a date, highlighting how their relationship appears to others.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes adventure and the unpredictability of nature: a simple crab-foraging trip turns into an exciting encounter with an unusually large eel. It also develops themes of trust, companionship, and mutual care through Lu Ao and Song Zhou’s cooperation. The group’s joking reactions add a light, domestic tone, while Lin Qiyan’s teasing hints at the possibility of romantic feelings between the two men.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

Lin Qiyan suggests that two men might be dating, startling Lin Gongshang and prompting an awkward discussion about homosexuality. Lin Qiyan becomes embarrassed because he privately suspects Lu Ao may also be gay, though he keeps that thought to himself. Meanwhile, Lu Ao and Song Zhou return home with a massive eel they caught. Concerned about its sharp teeth and ability to escape, Lu Ao has Song Zhou kill it. They then work together to prepare an elaborate eel-rice meal, with Song Zhou cleaning and cutting the eel while Lu Ao carefully cooks the meat, bones, and liver into a rich, savory dish.

Character developments

Lin Qiyan becomes more aware of his suspicions about Lu Ao’s sexuality, though he is too embarrassed to voice them openly. Lu Ao demonstrates both caution and enthusiasm: he is frightened by the eel’s dangerous teeth but excited by the opportunity to cook and eat it. His patience and care in preparing every piece of eel reveal his deep passion for food. Song Zhou remains calm, capable, and dependable, efficiently killing and cleaning the eel. His willingness to help with the vegetables also shows quiet attentiveness toward Lu Ao.

Significant themes

The chapter explores awkwardness surrounding same-sex relationships and the tendency to interpret others’ behavior through personal assumptions. It also emphasizes domestic intimacy, cooperation, and affection expressed through shared work and food. Cooking becomes a bonding activity, highlighting Lu Ao’s passion and Song Zhou’s supportive presence.

Character interactions

Lin Qiyan and Lin Gongshang exchange embarrassed, teasing remarks about two men dating. At home, Lu Ao relies on Song Zhou’s strength and skill to handle the eel, while Song Zhou voluntarily assists with dinner preparation. Their cooperation is relaxed and familiar. When Lu Ao presents the finished eel rice, Song Zhou smiles at his obvious delight, suggesting growing warmth and affection between them.