Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a hearty meal of freshly caught eel rice and spirit wine. The exceptionally tender eel and flavorful rice impress Lu Ao, while the wine makes the meal feel even more satisfying.
• After eating, Song Zhou washes the dishes and prepares to leave. Lu Ao, relaxed and slightly sleepy from the meal and alcohol, asks him to stay longer to look at the stars.
• Song Zhou promises to return the next day to teach Lu Ao how to make it rain and to have dinner together again. They part warmly, agreeing to meet the following day.
• Once alone, Lu Ao realizes how deeply relaxed and content he feels. Since his parents’ deaths, he has rarely experienced such comfort, and the evening temporarily eases his loneliness.
• The next morning, Lu Ao catches only three fish: a Giant Red Grouper, a Black Seabream, and a Golden Drum Fish. Their combined value barely covers his grocery expenses.
• Lu Ao worries that continued fishing in the same waters could damage the local ecosystem, especially since fish stocks are declining. Finding new fishing grounds becomes his main priority.
• He takes his geese to the shallow waters where he caught the eel, intending to search for shellfish along the shore.
• In a group chat, Lin Gongshang and the others discuss moving their fishing activities from Warm Dragon Bay to the waters near West Wind Island, where recent changes in wind and tides have brought in more fish.
• They invite Lu Ao to join them on a rented fishing boat. He agrees to go, and the group plans to depart in two days if they can secure a boat.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Becomes more emotionally open and aware of his need for companionship. His evening with Song Zhou gives him a rare sense of peace and helps lessen the loneliness he has carried since losing his parents. He also shows responsibility toward nature by recognizing the danger of overfishing and actively seeking alternative fishing grounds.
• Song Zhou: Continues to show warmth, attentiveness, and willingness to spend time with Lu Ao. His promise to return and teach Lu Ao another skill strengthens their growing bond.
• Lin Gongshang and the other fishermen: Demonstrate cooperation and practical resourcefulness by sharing information about fishing conditions and organizing a group trip.

Significant Themes

• Companionship and healing: Shared food, conversation, and simple routines help Lu Ao recover emotionally from long-term grief and isolation.
• The comfort of food: The eel rice and spirit wine symbolize warmth, abundance, and emotional connection rather than mere nourishment.
• Environmental responsibility: Lu Ao recognizes that excessive fishing could harm the ecosystem, showing concern for sustainable living.
• New beginnings: The planned trip to West Wind Island offers Lu Ao the possibility of better fishing conditions and a change from his increasingly unproductive routine.
• Domestic intimacy: Cooking, eating, washing dishes, and stargazing create a gentle sense of closeness between Lu Ao and Song Zhou.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou bond over the eel meal, praising both the ingredients and Lu Ao’s cooking.
• Song Zhou helps clean up after dinner, while Lu Ao asks him to remain longer, revealing Lu Ao’s growing attachment.
• Song Zhou reassures Lu Ao by promising to visit again the next day, making their relationship more dependable and emotionally intimate.
• Lu Ao interacts with the fishermen through their group chat, accepts their invitation, and joins their cooperative plan to explore new fishing waters.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao calculates that renting out a fishing boat is less profitable than it first appears, since fuel, labor, and boat fees reduce the daily income substantially.
• He discusses buying a fishing boat with Lin Manzhang. Lin explains that a cheap boat would be too small and dangerous for offshore work, while a suitable larger vessel would be expensive and difficult to maintain.
• Lin reminds Lu Ao that he needs a Certificate of Competency to legally operate a fishing boat, especially with the typhoon season approaching. Lin agrees to help him find a training institution.
• Lin Qiyan messages Lu Ao and joins him for shoreline foraging. Lu Ao continues practicing his ability to communicate with his geese, who now follow him willingly instead of needing to be driven with a bamboo pole.
• Lu Ao uses his unusually sharp senses to locate hidden fish, shrimp, crabs, and other seafood, filling nearly half a bucket before Lin Qiyan arrives.
• Lin Qiyan is impressed by Lu Ao’s geese, which independently forage in the water, and by Lu Ao’s unusually large catch.
• While searching, Lin Qiyan finds several crabs, snails, and an Eight-Claw fish. He then probes Lu Ao about his relationship with Lin Manzhang and learns that Lu Ao is attracted to men.
• Lu Ao firmly warns Lin Qiyan not to pursue Lin Manzhang, implying that Lin Manzhang’s circumstances are complicated. Lin Qiyan also asks about Lu Ao’s sexual role, but Lu Ao’s intimidating silence makes him retreat.
• Lin Qiyan jokingly vows to focus on his “career” and seafood haul if romance is unsuccessful, while Lu Ao ignores the teasing and continues foraging.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Becomes increasingly practical and independent, considering boat ownership and recognizing the need for professional certification. His bond with the geese has also deepened; they now understand and follow his intentions. He remains emotionally guarded and protective of Lin Manzhang.
• Lin Manzhang: Acts as a knowledgeable and helpful mentor regarding boats, certification, and maritime safety. His conversations with Lu Ao suggest familiarity and mutual trust.
• Lin Qiyan: Is sociable, curious, and openly gay. He shows interest in both Lu Ao and Lin Manzhang but quickly backs down when Lu Ao makes his boundaries clear. His humor masks loneliness and a desire for companionship.

Significant Themes

• Practicality and economic survival: Lu Ao weighs the costs and risks of renting versus owning a fishing boat.
• Preparation and responsibility: The certification discussion emphasizes the importance of legal qualifications and preparing for the coming typhoon season.
• Human-animal cooperation: Lu Ao’s growing communication with the geese demonstrates trust, training, and an unusual connection between them.
• Romance and boundaries: Lin Qiyan’s questions reveal the romantic tension surrounding Lu Ao and Lin Manzhang, while Lu Ao’s response establishes his protectiveness and limits.
• Self-reliance: Both Lu Ao’s foraging skills and Lin Qiyan’s determination to succeed despite romantic disappointment reflect the value placed on work and personal capability.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Lin Manzhang: Exchange practical advice about buying boats and obtaining certification. Their conversation shows mutual respect and suggests that Lu Ao cares about Lin Manzhang’s opinion.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan: Share a playful but awkward outing. Lin Qiyan admires Lu Ao’s skills and teases him about his relationships, while Lu Ao responds bluntly and protects Lin Manzhang from unwanted advances.
• Lu Ao and the geese: Their relationship advances significantly as the flock begins following him voluntarily and foraging alongside him, reflecting their growing trust and communication.

Chapter Summary

• Key events: While searching the shallows, Lu Ao discovers and catches an enormous wild Ornate Spiny Lobster hidden beneath the water. Its colorful shell, size, and long antennae astonish Lin Qiyan, who estimates it to be over twenty centimeters long and worth tens of thousands of yuan. Lin photographs it and posts the images to their group chat and social media, where friends react with shock and envy.
• Potential sale: A hotel owner offers at least 50,000 yuan for the lobster and suggests paying even more if it weighs over three jin. Despite the lucrative offer, Lu Ao refuses to sell it, explaining that he intends to eat it with Song Zhou, as he had promised the previous night. Lin Qiyan finds this extravagant and repeatedly tries to persuade him, but Lu Ao remains firm.

Character developments

• Lu Ao is shown to be exceptionally skilled and lucky at catching valuable seafood, but also steadfast and uninterested in prioritizing money over personal commitments. His decision reflects loyalty toward Song Zhou and a preference for enjoying his own harvest.
• Lin Qiyan becomes increasingly comfortable and playful around Lu Ao. He enthusiastically documents the catch, boasts about Lu Ao’s abilities, jokes with their friends, and acts as an intermediary with the hotel owner. His dramatic reaction also highlights his material awareness and inability to understand Lu Ao’s refusal.
• Character interactions: Lin Qiyan praises Lu Ao as “godly,” takes photos with his help, and banters with friends in the group chat. He calls Lu Ao’s refusal to sell wasteful, while Lu Ao responds minimally and continues walking with the bucket. The geese follow them as they forage in the water, adding a lighthearted background detail.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes the contrast between commercial value and personal enjoyment, showing that Lu Ao values promises and shared experiences more than immediate profit. It also develops themes of friendship, camaraderie, self-sufficiency, and the comic gap between Lu Ao’s calm practicality and Lin Qiyan’s exuberant, money-conscious personality. The group’s final realization that Lu Ao previously sold a cucumber for hundreds of thousands reinforces his extraordinary luck and wealth-generating abilities.

Chapter Summary: “Growing Watermelons”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao checks the group chat and sends several large red packets instead of responding verbally. His friends quickly claim the money, jokingly calling him “Dad.”
• He returns home with seafood gathered from the shore, keeping the live lobsters, crabs, snails, and other catches in aerated basins for dinner.
• For lunch, he prepares seafood egg fried rice using sea urchin roe, snail meat, shrimp, fish, eggs, and rice. He greatly enjoys the fresh, savory dish and finishes the entire pot.
• After lunch, Lu Ao naps through a heavy afternoon rain, enjoying the cool, damp atmosphere.
• Upon waking, he decides to plant watermelon seeds saved from an exceptionally delicious watermelon Song Zhou previously gave him.
• Because the normal watermelon-growing season has passed, Lu Ao plants only half of his several hundred seeds, saving the rest in case he needs to try again the following year.
• He travels to his family’s abandoned vegetable plot on the back mountain, where sandy soil and nearby spring water seem suitable for growing watermelons.
• The field is overgrown with weeds and deeply rooted shrubs, making it difficult to reclaim.
• Elderly neighbor Wang Huaiying notices him struggling and offers advice and help. She warns that planting watermelons so late is unlikely to succeed and recommends using herbicide to clear the land.
• Lu Ao politely refuses to let her do the hard work, determined to reclaim the plot himself.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues settling into rural life and demonstrating self-sufficiency. He forages for seafood, cooks creatively, farms, and takes responsibility for restoring neglected land.
• His decision to plant Song Zhou’s watermelon seeds shows how strongly he values the gift and how curious he is about cultivating something exceptional himself.
• He is considerate toward the elderly villagers, greeting them and refusing to let Wang Huaiying overexert herself.
• Wang Huaiying is established as a kind, practical village elder who looks out for Lu Ao and shares her agricultural experience.
• Lu Ao’s playful relationship with his group-chat friends is shown through the red-packet exchange, while his generosity reinforces his affectionate role within the group.

Significant Themes

• Rural adaptation and self-reliance: Lu Ao is building a new life through farming, foraging, cooking, and hands-on labor.
• Connection to the land: The abandoned field, spring water, and inherited soil emphasize his growing bond with his family’s village and agricultural roots.
• Generosity and community: Lu Ao shares money with his friends, while Wang Huaiying offers practical help and advice.
• Patience and experimentation: Despite the poor timing and difficult conditions, Lu Ao is willing to try growing the watermelons and accept that success may require repeated attempts.
• Appreciation of food: The detailed preparation and enjoyment of the seafood fried rice highlight Lu Ao’s pleasure in fresh ingredients and simple homemade cooking.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao interacts playfully with his friends through the group chat, sending red packets that prompt grateful and teasing responses.
• He says goodbye to Lin Qiyan before returning home.
• His encounter with Wang Huaiying is warm and neighborly: she questions his late-season planting, offers an alternative field, helps remove weeds, and advises him on clearing the land.
• Lu Ao responds respectfully but insists on doing the difficult work himself, showing both gratitude and independence.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao attempts to reclaim his family’s long-abandoned mountain farmland to plant watermelons.
• An experienced elderly farmer warns him that the accumulated weed seeds will make ordinary weeding ineffective and recommends herbicide or planting on more recently abandoned land near the mountain’s base.
• Determined to use his family’s original field, Lu Ao asks Song Zhou for help.
• While waiting beneath the century-old ginkgo tree, Lu Ao reflects on the tree’s history and considers planting a second tree of the opposite sex so it can produce ginkgo nuts.
• Song Zhou arrives and uses his supernatural abilities to prepare the field:
  • He causes the weeds to wither and turn to ash through precise high-temperature control.
  • He loosens and aerates the soil.
  • He summons rain to moisten the field.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou form planting ridges and sow watermelon seeds. Lu Ao expects them to sprout within a few days.
• At home, Lu Ao treats Song Zhou to a large ornate spiny lobster he caught earlier.
• Song Zhou explains that Lu Ao’s status as the last dragon in the plane attracts long-lived marine creatures, accounting for his unusually large and abundant catches.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates determination and practicality by insisting on reclaiming his ancestral land despite the difficulties. His willingness to seek help shows growing trust in Song Zhou.
• His connection to his family’s land deepens as he reflects on the old ginkgo tree and considers restoring its ability to bear fruit.
• Lu Ao is increasingly amazed by his own latent dragon-related abilities and begins to understand the influence his identity has on the natural world.
• Song Zhou proves both dependable and extraordinarily capable, using careful, precise powers to help Lu Ao while encouraging him to develop his own abilities.
• The two continue developing a comfortable teacher-student and friendship-like relationship, marked by cooperation, teasing, and shared meals.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and renewal: Lu Ao seeks to restore land abandoned for over a decade, symbolizing his return to his roots and the rebuilding of his life.
• Harmony with nature: Farming, rain, soil, trees, and marine life all respond to supernatural forces, emphasizing the connection between characters and the natural environment.
• Inherited identity and power: Lu Ao’s dragon nature affects both his abilities and the behavior of animals around him.
• Knowledge versus supernatural ability: The old farmer offers practical agricultural wisdom, while Song Zhou provides an effortless magical solution; together, both forms of knowledge contribute to Lu Ao’s progress.
• Companionship and mutual support: Song Zhou’s assistance transforms difficult labor into a shared activity and strengthens their bond.

Character Interactions

• The elderly farmer advises Lu Ao about weed control, irrigation, soil fertility, and the more practical location for planting.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou communicate casually by message before working together in the field.
• Song Zhou helps Lu Ao prepare the land, while Lu Ao learns by observing and asking whether he can eventually perform similar feats.
• Lu Ao respectfully serves Song Zhou tea, then proudly presents the lobster he caught.
• Song Zhou responds with praise and explains the supernatural reason for Lu Ao’s remarkable fishing luck.

Chapter Summary: “Salvage”

Plot points and events

Lu Ao learns more about the strange attraction produced by his dragon body. Song Zhou explains that marine creatures are drawn to him because of their closeness to his dragon form, though his body is currently too small to attract extremely large animals. Reassured that he is not yet in serious danger, Lu Ao shifts his attention to dinner and prepares the large lobster he caught. He makes lobster sashimi, butter-seared lobster meat, and a hot-and-sour lobster noodle soup using the head, roe, and tomalley. Just as he and Song Zhou are about to eat, Lu Ao receives an unexpected call from the Qianyong City Maritime Shipping Public Security Bureau. The officer informs him about a recent collision between a passenger vessel and a cargo vessel that killed thirteen people and injured twenty-one, setting up the chapter’s main mystery.

Character development

Lu Ao continues becoming more comfortable with his unusual abilities and begins to recognize that his dragon form affects nearby sea creatures. His initial concern about attracting dangerous marine animals reveals both his awareness of the risks and his curiosity about his growing powers. He remains enthusiastic, practical, and food-oriented, taking pride in his cooking and fishing. His sudden nervousness when contacted by the maritime police shows that he is still uncertain about how his unusual activities might be connected to larger events. Song Zhou remains calm, cooperative, and attentive, helping with the meal and quietly supporting Lu Ao.

Character interactions

Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss the nature and limits of his aquatic attraction, with Song Zhou providing reassurance and information. They work together closely while preparing the lobster, with Lu Ao cooking and Song Zhou assisting. Their easy cooperation and shared meal preparation reinforce their domestic intimacy. Later, Song Zhou helps identify the unknown caller and listens as Lu Ao speaks with the police, suggesting he will likely be involved in whatever investigation follows.

Significant themes

The chapter contrasts ordinary domestic comfort with the threat of a larger, unexplained maritime incident. Food preparation emphasizes Lu Ao’s connection to the sea and his ability to transform unusual catches into something pleasurable and communal. His attraction to marine life introduces themes of transformation, hidden power, and the danger of being connected to forces beyond human understanding. The police call shifts the mood from warmth and appetite to suspense, implying that Lu Ao’s relationship with the ocean may be tied to the shipwreck and its victims.

Chapter 67 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao receives an urgent call from Little Du, a police officer, asking him to join an underwater salvage operation.
• The operation concerns a passenger vessel that collided with another ship the previous week, took on water, and sank. A deceased passenger’s laptop containing highly important information was lost with it.
• The police offer Lu Ao food, lodging, a daily wage, travel reimbursement, and diving equipment. They emphasize that the laptop was almost certainly not taken before the vessel sank.
• Lu Ao asks for time to decide, but the police insist on an answer before seven that evening.
• At the police station, Little Du doubts that Lu Ao can locate such a small object in the vast ocean. Captain Old Zhang and Old Gao defend the decision, pointing to Lu Ao’s extraordinary luck and recent success catching valuable sea creatures.
• Meanwhile, Lu Ao eats the large spiny lobster he caught earlier with Song Zhou. Although anxious about the mission, the meal briefly calms him.
• Lu Ao tells Song Zhou about the accident and the request. He feels that he ought to help because the police are treating the matter as nationally important.
• Song Zhou explains that his organization is separate from ordinary government agencies. It supervises anomalous individuals and generally avoids interfering in human affairs because doing so can disrupt the balance of fortune and cause irreversible consequences.
• Song Zhou reassures Lu Ao that he is not violating this principle because he already has deep ties to humanity.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Shows a growing sense of responsibility and patriotism. He recognizes the importance of the laptop and seriously considers risking his time and safety to help recover it. He also remains cautious, questioning whether the laptop could still be on the seabed and whether he is truly qualified.
• Song Zhou: Reveals more about the nature and limits of his organization. He offers Lu Ao calm, practical guidance rather than directly telling him what to do, while reassuring him that helping the police will not cause dangerous interference.
• Little Du: Represents skepticism and exhaustion. After nearly a week of overtime, he doubts Lu Ao’s abilities and views the invitation as a desperate measure.
• Captain Old Zhang and Old Gao: Remain determined to recover the laptop. They trust Lu Ao’s unusual luck, even though Little Du dismisses it as superstition.

Significant Themes

• Duty and responsibility: Lu Ao feels morally obligated to help with a matter affecting national interests, even though the task is dangerous and uncertain.
• Luck versus skill: The police debate whether Lu Ao’s achievements come from supernatural luck, coincidence, or exceptional ability. His unusual fortune makes him a last hope for an otherwise nearly impossible search.
• Human and supernatural boundaries: Song Zhou clarifies that anomalous organizations and government agencies operate separately, emphasizing the dangers of supernatural forces interfering directly in ordinary human affairs.
• Hope in desperate circumstances: The police know the chances of success are slim, but continue searching and recruit Lu Ao because even a small possibility is worth pursuing.

Important Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and the police: The officers appeal to his diving ability and sense of responsibility, while Lu Ao questions the mission’s urgency and feasibility.
• Little Du, Old Zhang, and Old Gao: Their workplace banter contrasts skepticism with desperate optimism. Old Gao uses Lu Ao’s improbable fishing successes as evidence that his luck may help locate the laptop.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou: Lu Ao seeks Song Zhou’s advice and clarification about the relationship between supernatural organizations and the government. Song Zhou explains the rules governing intervention and reassures him that his connection to humanity makes participation acceptable.

Chapter Summary: “Despair”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Zhou reassures Lu Ao that he should accept the Maritime Public Security Bureau’s request for help with an underwater salvage operation.
• Lu Ao calls Little Du and agrees to participate. The mission is expected to last three days to a week.
• Before leaving, Lu Ao asks Song Zhou to water his vegetables and arrange care for his geese. Song Zhou volunteers to handle both, while Lu Ao gives him the house keys.
• Lu Ao packs his diving equipment and clothes. Song Zhou washes the dishes and cleans the kitchen, reinforcing their comfortable domestic routine.
• A government vehicle arrives that evening to take Lu Ao to Qianyong City. Lu Ao says goodbye to Song Zhou, who promises to look after the house.
• During the long journey, Lu Ao notices Song Zhou standing at the door in white and briefly thinks of him as “a little wife,” a thought that embarrasses and unsettles him.
• Lu Ao reaches the Qianyong City Maritime Public Security Bureau after midnight. He is welcomed by Old Xu and a female officer before meeting Captain Zhang.
• Captain Zhang explains that the mission is to recover an important computer from an accident site. The salvage operation will begin at 6:30 the next morning.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Though initially nervous about the mission, he accepts it quickly and prepares responsibly. His concern for his home, vegetables, and geese shows his practical and attached nature. His involuntary comparison of Song Zhou to a wife reveals growing emotional awareness and possible romantic feelings that he is not yet ready to confront.
• Song Zhou: He remains calm, elegant, and considerate. By offering to care for Lu Ao’s home and geese and by cleaning up before Lu Ao leaves, he demonstrates reliability and domestic intimacy.
• Captain Zhang and the maritime police: They treat Lu Ao as a valuable specialist and show urgency regarding the salvage operation, though the full details of the case remain restricted.

Significant Themes

• Growing intimacy and domestic partnership: Lu Ao and Song Zhou behave increasingly like companions sharing a household, with mutual trust and care.
• Emotional realization and denial: Lu Ao’s “little wife” thought suggests feelings developing beneath his conscious awareness; his immediate embarrassment reflects his reluctance to examine them.
• Duty and uncertainty: Lu Ao leaves behind the safety of his home for a dangerous, secretive mission whose importance is emphasized by the authorities’ guarded explanations.
• Separation and foreboding: The farewell and the chapter’s title, “Despair,” create an ominous mood, suggesting that the salvage trip may bring danger or emotional hardship.

Important Character Interactions

• Song Zhou reassures Lu Ao about accepting the mission and agrees to care for his property.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a warm farewell, with Song Zhou promising to see him again in a few days.
• Old Xu guides Lu Ao to the bureau and helps him settle in.
• Captain Zhang formally requests Lu Ao’s assistance and informs him that the salvage mission begins early the next morning.

Chapter Summary — Page 69

Plot and events

Lu Ao agrees to stay overnight and begin searching for the missing computer the next morning. Old Zhang arranges for Little Du to escort him to the Public Security Bureau’s nearby guesthouse. After checking Lu Ao in, Little Du leaves him, but Lu Ao soon goes out to find food. At a nearby twenty-four-hour food stall, he unexpectedly encounters Little Du, who is already eating there. Lu Ao joins him and orders an unusually large meal, astonishing Little Du with his appetite.

Character developments

Lu Ao remains calm, quiet, and self-assured. He shows little concern about Little Du’s skepticism and behaves confidently, especially when insisting that he can finish more than a dozen dishes alone. His enormous appetite is emphasized as an unusual or striking trait. Little Du is introduced as practical but doubtful; he privately questions whether Lu Ao truly looks like a diving expert and thinks the investigation should rely on more equipment instead. However, his attitude becomes slightly more familiar and accommodating when he invites Lu Ao to eat with him.

Character interactions

Old Zhang gives Little Du instructions to escort and assist Lu Ao. Little Du and Lu Ao have a restrained first interaction during the drive, with Little Du checking that Lu Ao has his identification. At the food stall, Little Du is surprised to see Lu Ao so soon after dropping him off and invites him to share his table. Their exchange highlights Lu Ao’s directness and Little Du’s bemusement. Lu Ao also briefly interacts with the friendly guesthouse receptionist, adding her on WeChat after she recommends local food.

Significant themes

The chapter develops the contrast between appearance and ability, as Little Du doubts Lu Ao based on his looks while Lu Ao’s confidence and unusual physical capacity suggest he may be more capable than expected. It also introduces a theme of skepticism versus trust: the police team is relying on an unconventional specialist despite reservations. The late-night meal creates a lighter, more ordinary setting that begins to build familiarity between the two men before their serious work begins.

Summary of Page 70

Key plot points and events

• Lu Ao enjoys an extensive late-night meal, rapidly finishing pork trotters, ribs, shrimp cakes, potatoes, oysters, mussels, and other dishes.
• He photographs and films the pork trotter, sending both to Song Zhou with an invitation to eat there together the next day.
• His colleague Little Du is astonished by Lu Ao’s enormous appetite and initially worries that the meal is costing him too much.
• Lu Ao pays the entire bill himself. Little Du notices a six-figure bank balance on Lu Ao’s phone, revealing that he is financially comfortable.
• On the way back to the guesthouse, Lu Ao confirms that the money is payment for the Large Yellow Croaker he sold through Weng Qian’s hotel.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange warm, increasingly intimate messages before going to sleep.
• The next morning, Lu Ao wakes at 6:20, eats breakfast, collects his equipment, and reports to the Public Security Bureau for another wreck-salvage operation.
• Little Du introduces him to the hired diving team, led by Old Wen. Old Zhang explains the day’s safety procedures, but Lu Ao is the only one who listens with full attention.

Character developments

• Lu Ao: His extraordinary appetite and calm, efficient habits are emphasized. He is generous toward Little Du, financially secure, disciplined, and highly attentive to operational safety. His messages to Song Zhou reveal a softer, affectionate side.
• Little Du: He becomes increasingly impressed and bewildered by Lu Ao’s eating capacity and wealth. His willingness to bring Lu Ao breakfast suggests growing friendliness and concern.
• Song Zhou: Though appearing only through messages, he shows interest in Lu Ao’s activities and wellbeing, asking when Lu Ao will sleep and telling him to rest.
• The diving team: They are experienced but somewhat casual about the safety briefing, contrasting with Lu Ao’s seriousness.

Significant themes

• Lu Ao’s unusual nature: His near-superhuman appetite and striking appearance make him seem almost unreal to observers.
• Financial independence and generosity: Lu Ao’s wealth allows him to pay without hesitation, while he avoids making Little Du feel indebted.
• Growing intimacy: Sharing food and exchanging good-night messages strengthen the emotional connection between Lu Ao and Song Zhou.
• Professional responsibility: Lu Ao’s careful attention to diving precautions establishes him as disciplined and safety-conscious.
• Contrast between appearance and reality: Lu Ao looks elegant and almost otherworldly, yet possesses immense physical appetite and practical competence.

Character interactions

• Lu Ao and Little Du bond over the late-night meal, with Little Du watching in disbelief and offering to pay his share.
• Lu Ao reassures Little Du that he need not contribute and accepts his offer to bring breakfast the next morning.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange playful, caring messages about the food, their plans, and bedtime.
• At the Public Security Bureau, Little Du acts as Lu Ao’s guide and introduces him to the salvage crew, while Old Zhang provides the operational briefing.

Chapter Summary

Old Zhang assigns Lu Ao to work with Captain Wen during a deep-sea search operation and reminds him to prioritize safety. Captain Wen reassures Lu Ao that the dive should be manageable if everyone follows proper procedures. Before departure, Little Du gives Lu Ao five portions of rice noodles as thanks for sharing a late-night snack with him. Lu Ao enjoys the meal, and Little Du offers to bring him more food in the future, revealing a friendly and considerate rapport between them.
The team travels by vehicle and then by five boats to the designated search area. Once there, the boats spread out and the divers review their search zone. Lu Ao is placed with Old Wen and is reminded to communicate using diving signals. Because Lu Ao is less accustomed to scuba equipment, he takes extra time adjusting his weights and removes two lead blocks to achieve neutral buoyancy. Old Wen patiently supervises him, showing trust and concern for his safety.
The pair descend to a depth of roughly sixty to seventy meters, where darkness makes visibility difficult. Using flashlights and metal detectors, they search the seabed for the missing computer connected to the accident. Lu Ao repeatedly detects metal, but most of it turns out to be marine debris such as cans, fishing wire, nails, and hooks. He responsibly collects the rubbish for later disposal. After more than thirty minutes, however, they still find no sign of the computer.
The search is interrupted by an unexpectedly humorous situation. Lu Ao senses something unusual among the other divers and, together with Old Wen, swims over to investigate. They discover one teammate hiding beside a reef to relieve himself underwater. Embarrassed, Lu Ao and Old Wen turn away, but Old Wen soon experiences severe stomach trouble himself. He signals for a safety stop and hurriedly searches for a secluded place, preparing to remove his equipment while Lu Ao swims away to give him privacy.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Lu Ao demonstrates diving competence, calmness, and environmental responsibility, though he is initially slower and less familiar with scuba equipment.
• Old Wen acts as a patient and protective partner, guiding Lu Ao through the dive and emphasizing safety. His later embarrassment and predicament create a more human, comic side to his character.
• Little Du shows growing friendliness toward Lu Ao by buying him breakfast and offering to bring him more food. Their relationship becomes warmer and more familiar.
• The diving team works cooperatively through hand signals, coordinated boat placement, and shared search procedures.

Significant Themes

• Trust and teamwork: Successful diving depends on clear communication, mutual supervision, and reliance on teammates.
• Safety and preparedness: The chapter repeatedly emphasizes equipment checks, buoyancy control, planned routes, and safety stops.
• Environmental responsibility: Lu Ao’s collection of seabed rubbish highlights the damage caused by human waste and the importance of cleaning it up.
• Humor amid danger: The awkward bathroom incidents contrast with the seriousness of the deep-sea search, making the team feel more relatable and easing the tension of the hazardous mission.

Chapter Summary: “Found”

Plot and key events

During a deep-sea search for a lost laptop, Old Wen and the other divers urgently relieve themselves underwater because they are sixty to seventy meters below the surface and cannot ascend quickly without risking decompression sickness. Lu Ao swims away in embarrassment, but remains nearby to protect the group. After everyone resurfaces, the divers apologize for making him uncomfortable, while Little Du and the others struggle not to laugh.
After resting, the team resumes searching. Lu Ao refuses to return to the area where the incident occurred and instead asks to search the far southwestern edge of the original search zone. Although this area has already been searched and lies far from the wreck, Old Gao approves his request. Lu Ao and Little Shan search the seabed for an hour without success, but Lu Ao insists that his intuition tells him the laptop is nearby. Little Shan challenges his decision, arguing that the search is becoming random and ignoring probability.

Character development

Lu Ao is shown as highly uncomfortable with embarrassing situations and increasingly regretful about accepting the job. He longs for the simpler life he shares with Song Zhou, growing vegetables and raising geese. Despite his disgust and frustration, he demonstrates responsibility by staying near the divers and prioritizing their safety. His unusual intuition and confidence also become more prominent, prompting him to trust his instincts over the team’s established search plan.
Little Shan emerges as practical and skeptical, emphasizing evidence, prior searches, and probability rather than intuition. Old Gao shows leadership and flexibility by allowing Lu Ao to pursue an unconventional search area.

Themes

The chapter contrasts human embarrassment with the vastness and indifference of nature: underwater bodily functions feel humiliating to the divers, yet the ocean easily absorbs them. It also explores responsibility versus personal discomfort, as Lu Ao remains with his companions despite wanting to escape. Another important theme is intuition versus rational probability, with Lu Ao’s mysterious certainty clashing with Little Shan’s scientific, methodical approach.

Character interactions

Lu Ao silently signals Old Wen to hide while he moves away, later receiving apologies from the embarrassed divers. Little Du and the boat crew learn what happened and nearly laugh at the group’s discomfort. Lu Ao persuades Old Gao to authorize a search outside the planned area, then argues with Little Shan when the latter questions the decision. The chapter ends with the disagreement unresolved, as Lu Ao continues to trust his feeling that the laptop is nearby.

Chapter 73 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao insists that the missing laptop is somewhere near their current search area, despite the team’s reluctance to continue there.
• Little Shan becomes increasingly impatient, criticizing Lu Ao’s judgment and amateur status. Old Gao intervenes, reminding everyone that they must trust and protect one another underwater.
• The team agrees to search the area for the rest of the morning, but Lu Ao still finds nothing after using several air tanks.
• Although Old Gao grows worried and the divers want to change locations, Lu Ao insists on continuing nearby that afternoon. They proceed only after their captain, Old Zhang, persuades the professional divers to cooperate.
• During a late-afternoon dive, Lu Ao scans the seabed with a metal detector. He eventually pulls a heavy laptop from the mud and sand.
• Because of poor visibility and the sediment stirred up by the tide, Little Shan does not realize Lu Ao has found anything important.
• Lu Ao surfaces after only twenty minutes underwater and presents the laptop to Little Du. Old Gao examines it and confirms that it is almost certainly the computer the police have been searching for.
• Little Du contacts Old Zhang by satellite phone. Old Zhang is overjoyed and orders the team to return immediately, while the others are informed that the search has succeeded.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates remarkable persistence and confidence in his instincts. Despite criticism and repeated failure, he remains calm and ultimately finds the laptop, reinforcing the team’s faith in his unusual abilities.
• Little Shan: His skepticism and impatience become more apparent as the search drags on. He looks down on Lu Ao as an amateur, but his disbelief after the discovery suggests that his opinion of Lu Ao may begin to change.
• Old Gao: Acts as the team’s mediator and leader, suppressing conflict and balancing professional caution with hope in Lu Ao’s abilities. His excitement upon confirming the discovery reveals how important the mission is to him.
• Little Du: Serves as a cooperative and enthusiastic team member. He tries to ease tensions, supports Lu Ao, and eagerly reports the discovery to Old Zhang.
• Old Zhang: Though absent from most of the search, he decisively resolves the team’s disagreement and reacts with great excitement when informed that the laptop has been found.

Significant Themes

• Trust and teamwork: The chapter emphasizes that underwater work requires people to rely on one another, even when they disagree.
• Perseverance: Lu Ao’s refusal to abandon the search demonstrates the value of persistence, especially when others have lost confidence.
• Instinct versus experience: Little Shan represents professional expertise and skepticism, while Lu Ao relies on intuition and extraordinary ability. The successful discovery validates Lu Ao’s approach.
• Recognition and cooperation: The team’s initial conflict gives way to shared excitement once Lu Ao’s contribution proves decisive.

Character Interactions

• Little Shan repeatedly challenges Lu Ao, while Lu Ao calmly defends his judgment.
• Old Gao mediates between them and reminds the divers of their shared responsibility.
• Little Du attempts to smooth over the dispute and later becomes the first to help confirm and report the discovery.
• Old Gao and Little Du enthusiastically celebrate Lu Ao’s success, while Old Zhang responds with relief and excitement over the satellite phone.

Chapter Summary: “Fishing Boat”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao and Old Gao return by boat after recovering a laptop from underwater. A Maritime Shipping Public Security Bureau boat escorts them safely to shore.
• At the dock, Old Zhang and several experts are waiting. The experts confirm that the laptop belongs to their organization and contains identifying information connected to a missing colleague.
• Because the laptop is waterproof and undamaged, the experts urgently report its recovery to higher authorities, who arrange for representatives to arrive from the capital.
• Lu Ao, despite having entered the sea six times and being visibly exhausted, agrees to complete an official report that evening. He documents where and how the computer was found and who handled it.
• After eating boxed meals, the group finishes the paperwork. Lu Ao then answers further questions from experts who arrive by helicopter.
• The investigation concludes around ten that night. Old Zhang sends Little Du to take Lu Ao back to the guesthouse.
• Exhausted, Lu Ao chats with Song Zhou and tells him about the day’s ordeal. Concerned, Song Zhou suddenly appears in Lu Ao’s room and offers to take him home.
• Song Zhou transports Lu Ao to his family home in Lu Family Village. Lu Ao immediately feels calmer there and falls asleep. Song Zhou quietly removes his shoes and agrees to sleep in the guest room.
• The chapter ends the next morning, with Lu Ao waking to peaceful sunlight, birdsong, and the quiet atmosphere of the village.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates endurance, responsibility, and professionalism by continuing to work despite severe physical and mental exhaustion. His repeated dives and willingness to complete paperwork that night show his determination not to delay the investigation. However, his exhaustion also reveals his vulnerability and need for rest. Returning home allows him to relax emotionally, and his instinctive invitation for Song Zhou to stay suggests growing trust and dependence.
• Song Zhou: Shows increasing concern and attentiveness toward Lu Ao. Rather than merely offering comfort through messages, he personally comes to retrieve Lu Ao and takes him to a safe, familiar environment. His gentle care—transporting Lu Ao home, arranging his shoes, and agreeing to stay nearby—deepens their emotional connection.
• Old Gao and Old Zhang: Both recognize Lu Ao’s exhaustion and try to protect him from further strain. Old Gao advocates postponing the report, while Old Zhang offers to let Lu Ao dictate it and later arranges for him to rest.
• The experts and investigators: Their excitement over the recovered laptop emphasizes its importance to the larger investigation and confirms that Lu Ao’s dangerous search produced crucial evidence.

Significant Themes

• Duty versus personal limits: Lu Ao prioritizes the investigation even when physically depleted, raising the tension between professional responsibility and self-care.
• Recovery and refuge: The quiet Lu family home contrasts sharply with the chaotic investigation, allowing Lu Ao to regain a sense of peace.
• Trust and emotional intimacy: Song Zhou’s immediate response to Lu Ao’s distress shows their relationship becoming more intimate and supportive.
• The importance of evidence: The laptop serves as a major breakthrough, connecting the underwater search to the missing colleagues and advancing the official investigation.
• Exhaustion after crisis: The chapter focuses less on action than on the physical and emotional aftermath of the day’s dangerous work.

Character Interactions

• Old Gao and Old Zhang express concern for Lu Ao and encourage him to rest, though Lu Ao insists on completing his responsibilities.
• The experts question Lu Ao about the laptop’s recovery but treat him considerately.
• Song Zhou and Lu Ao exchange messages about Lu Ao’s exhaustion. Song Zhou responds with concern, appears in person, and takes him home.
• Lu Ao’s sleepy request for Song Zhou to stay in the guest room conveys comfort and trust, while Song Zhou’s quiet compliance reinforces the tenderness between them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao wakes at 7:08 feeling unusually refreshed after his exhausting search at sea.
• He discovers Song Zhou at home preparing breakfast. Song encourages him to eat before returning to the guesthouse and suggests that Lu Ao may have grown stronger or larger in his Dragon Form.
• Lu Ao decides to inspect his Dragon Form in the sea after the matter at the public security bureau is resolved.
• After breakfast, Lu Ao and Song Zhou wash dishes together, and Song drives Lu Ao back to the guesthouse. They arrange to meet again for a late-night snack.
• Lu Ao visits the public security bureau, where Little Du explains that only the final records and expert confirmation remain before Lu Ao can receive payment and a bonus for recovering the computer.
• Old Gao and the other officers warmly thank Lu Ao for helping end a week of exhausting overtime. They invite him to a group dinner, which he reluctantly accepts.
• Old Gao and Little Du add Lu Ao as a friend and offer to help him with future maritime-related matters within official procedures.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Recovers from his fatigue, showing a close and comfortable side in his interactions with Song Zhou. He remains modest about his achievement and reluctant to accept praise, rewards, or thanks, but gradually accepts the bureau’s dinner invitation.
• Song Zhou: Demonstrates domestic care by cooking breakfast and looking after Lu Ao. He also shows attentiveness to Lu Ao’s unusual Dragon Form and encourages him to check on its growth.
• Little Du: Treats Lu Ao enthusiastically and affectionately, praising him as a hero while handling the remaining administrative work.
• Old Gao: Expresses sincere gratitude for Lu Ao’s help, revealing how the prolonged case affected his family and especially his young daughter. His relief and appreciation deepen the emotional importance of Lu Ao’s assistance.

Significant Themes

• Care and companionship: Song Zhou’s breakfast, shared chores, and plans to meet again emphasize the comfort and intimacy developing between him and Lu Ao.
• Recognition and humility: Lu Ao views his rescue work as “nothing,” while the officers see it as crucial and deserving of compensation and thanks.
• Work-life balance and family: Old Gao’s exhaustion and guilt over missing time with his daughter highlight the personal costs of the bureau’s overtime.
• Growing abilities and identity: The discussion of Lu Ao’s Dragon Form hints at his continuing physical or supernatural development.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a warm domestic morning, eating and washing dishes together. Song gently persuades Lu Ao to rest and promises to meet him later.
• At the bureau, Little Du greets Lu Ao with exaggerated enthusiasm and guides him through the final steps of the case.
• Old Gao openly thanks Lu Ao, invites him to dinner, and offers future assistance, while Lu Ao responds modestly but ultimately agrees.
• Lu Ao begins forming lasting personal connections with the officers by exchanging contact information with Old Gao and Little Du.

Chapter Summary: “Inspecting Fishing Boats”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao visits a local fisheries department with Old Gao and Little Du, who have good connections with Yandong County’s subordinate departments.
• He asks Old Gao to help expedite his Fisheries Qualification Certificate. Old Gao checks the internal system and discovers that the certificate has already passed review and been produced; it only needs to be moved into distribution.
• Lu Ao discusses his future plans. He may go offshore rock fishing or resume fishing at sea, though he has not yet obtained his Certificate of Competency, which functions like a boat license.
• Little Du explains that the competency exam should be easy to pass with practice.
• Since Lu Ao is considering going to sea, Little Du asks whether he has a fishing boat. Lu Ao explains that he wants a small or medium vessel roughly ten to twenty meters long, either a fishing or transport vessel, costing no more than 800,000 yuan.
• Little Du introduces him to judicial auction vessels, which can often be purchased for roughly half their market price. Although Lu Ao worries about whether viewing the internal files is improper, Old Gao assures him that he is trusted and will not face trouble.
• After reviewing the available boats, Lu Ao selects

Qianming Fishing Vessel No. 0356

• Built domestically in 2013
• Steel hull
• 26.7 meters long
• Gross tonnage of 77
• 106-kilowatt power output
• Auction starting price of 300,000 yuan
• The vessel would cost at least one million yuan if newly built, making the auction price highly attractive. Little Du explains that its original owner went bankrupt, but the boat was reportedly well maintained and had reliable core components.
• Lu Ao decides to keep the vessel in consideration, believing it is large enough for his needs and rejecting the other options as unsuitable.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao becomes more practical and ambitious about expanding his fishing activities. He moves from considering a cheap speedboat to seeking a sturdier, larger vessel now that his savings have increased.
• He also shows caution and responsibility by asking whether accessing internal auction information would violate regulations.
• Little Du continues to act as an enthusiastic helper and connector, using his knowledge and relationships to assist Lu Ao.
• Old Gao demonstrates his influence within the fisheries department by expediting Lu Ao’s certificate and providing trustworthy advice about auction vessels.

Significant Themes

• Building a legitimate livelihood: Lu Ao is working toward the licenses and equipment necessary to operate legally at sea.
• Opportunity through connections: His relationships with Old Gao and Little Du give him access to administrative assistance and valuable information.
• Practical investment: The chapter emphasizes careful evaluation of cost, size, condition, and usefulness rather than buying the largest or newest boat.
• Trust and mutual support: The officials are willing to help Lu Ao because of their positive relationship with him, while Lu Ao remains respectful and cautious about accepting favors.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Old Gao share a cooperative, trusting exchange over the delayed certificate.
• Little Du eagerly questions Lu Ao about his plans and offers advice about the competency exam and fishing boats.
• Old Gao and Little Du work together to give Lu Ao access to auction records and recommend suitable vessels.
• Lu Ao responds appreciatively but remains discerning, ultimately choosing the boat that best fits his actual needs rather than being swayed by size or appearance.

Chapter Summary

• Police investigation concludes: Lu Ao waits impatiently at the police station while experts complete their examination of the recovered computer. Captain Old Zhang shows him the final report, which Lu Ao signs. Zhang also informs him that a bonus of approximately 20,000 yuan has been approved for his assistance in recovering the computer, and that his wages will continue to be paid during the delay.
• Questioning: After Zhang asks the experts to finish Lu Ao’s portion early, they question him for over an hour. Lu Ao has become skilled at concealing what he does not want revealed, answering only what he can and leaving the investigators no useful openings. After signing the necessary records, he is finally free to leave.
• Departure from the police station: Although Zhang invites him to stay for the celebration banquet, Lu Ao declines because he has livestock to care for at home. He returns to the guesthouse to pack, taking only a suitcase of clothes.
• Reunion with Song Zhou: Song Zhou arrives shortly after five in the afternoon to pick Lu Ao up. The guesthouse receptionist is visibly attracted to Song Zhou, repeatedly staring at him and becoming flustered when he acknowledges her. Lu Ao notices and quickly leads Song Zhou away.
• Dinner together: The pair eat at Lu Ao’s favorite twenty-four-hour food stall, where Lu Ao enthusiastically recommends the grilled pork trotters. Song Zhou jokes about figuring out the recipe and having their cook recreate it, highlighting their comfortable, familiar dynamic.
• Inspecting the auction vessel: After dinner, Lu Ao and Song Zhou take a taxi to the docks to inspect the Judicial Auction Vessel Lu Ao found online. Lu Ao explains that he wants his own fishing boat so he will not have to rely on others or remain limited to fishing near the village. Song Zhou offers financial help, but Lu Ao clarifies that the purchase is not about lacking money; he simply considers a boat a practical tool and does not want to overspend.
• Condition of the boat: They locate Qianming Fishing Vessel No. 0356. Although it is only a little over three years old, it is in poor condition, covered in rust and clutter due to inadequate maintenance. The cabin appears similarly neglected, with dusty windows, faded instruments, and more disorganization inside.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao remains cautious and controlled during official questioning, while also showing impatience to return home and resume his normal life. His interest in buying a boat reflects growing independence and a desire to establish himself more securely.
• Song Zhou continues to be attentive and supportive, offering money without making Lu Ao feel pressured. Their banter over food and the boat shows increasing ease and intimacy.
• Captain Old Zhang treats Lu Ao warmly, trying to compensate him fairly, reassure him, and maintain a positive relationship for possible future cooperation.
• The chapter emphasizes the contrast between Lu Ao’s guarded behavior with authorities and his relaxed, affectionate interactions with Song Zhou.

Chapter 78 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao inspects a neglected 2013 fishing boat being sold through judicial auction. Although its exterior is rusty and poorly maintained, its structure and equipment appear sound.
• Rather than immediately buying a new boat, Lu Ao decides to investigate the auction vessel further. He contacts Lin Manzhang, who explains that the listed price—300,000—is unusually low but potentially worthwhile if the boat has no accident or repair history.
• Lin advises Lu Ao to have a professional inspect the boat before bidding. Lu Ao asks Little Du for help, and Little Du suggests Old Wen’s younger brother, Little Wen, who works as an engineer.
• Despite his lingering discomfort over Old Wen’s past behavior, Lu Ao accepts the connection and offers compensation for the inspection. Little Du arranges for Little Wen to come that evening and also obtains the boat keys.
• Little Wen arrives with professional equipment, enters the brightly lit cabin, and begins a careful, item-by-item inspection, recording data in a notebook.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao becomes more serious and proactive about expanding his options in the fishing business. He shows practical judgment by consulting experienced people and arranging a professional inspection rather than relying solely on the auction listing.
• He also demonstrates generosity and an awareness of favors, offering Little Du and Little Wen payment, though he respects Little Du’s refusal to accept money.
• Little Du’s attitude toward Lu Ao has clearly softened. Though he once disliked him, he now willingly helps arrange the inspection and appears to admire Lu Ao.
• Little Wen is introduced as a refined, competent engineer who approaches the boat inspection methodically and professionally.
• Song Zhou remains close to Lu Ao, accompanying him to Qianyong City simply to share a meal. His teasing observations reveal familiarity and ease between them.

Significant Themes

• Practical ambition and risk management: Lu Ao is interested in improving his circumstances but carefully investigates the financial and mechanical risks of purchasing a boat.
• Trust and cooperation: Lu Ao relies on acquaintances and professional connections, while Little Du and Little Wen demonstrate goodwill by assisting him.
• Reputation versus reality: The boat looks severely neglected, yet its underlying condition may still be good, emphasizing the difference between appearance and actual value.
• Growing relationships: Lu Ao’s interactions show that former tensions can ease over time, and Song Zhou’s loyal presence highlights the importance of companionship.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Lin Manzhang discuss the cost, condition, and risks of buying and maintaining a fishing boat.
• Lu Ao and Little Du negotiate the logistics of finding an inspector, with Little Du acting as a mediator between Lu Ao and Little Wen.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange light teasing while waiting, with Song Zhou amused by Lu Ao’s ability to enlist others’ help.
• Little Du comments admiringly on Lu Ao and Song Zhou’s closeness, learning that Song Zhou traveled from New Luzhou merely to eat with Lu Ao.
• Little Wen begins the formal inspection while Lu Ao waits and cooperates, marking the next step toward deciding whether the boat is worth purchasing.

Chapter Summary: “Competition”

• Boat purchase and refurbishment: Little Wen completes his inspection of the boat and reports to Lu Ao that it is in good condition and worth buying. Although refurbishment would cost roughly 100,000 yuan, the restored vessel would be nearly as good as a new one. Little Wen recommends his father-in-law’s Qinyin Shipyard, which can offer affordable repairs, modifications, and a discount. Lu Ao subsequently boards the vessel himself, confirms its condition, and pays the auction deposit. Since he is the only bidder so far, he expects to win it.
• Return from Qianyong City: With the maritime police matter resolved, Lu Ao returns home with Song Zhou. Song Zhou teleports them directly, while arranging a forged travel record for Lu Ao to prevent suspicion. Lu Ao is exhausted despite the convenience and praises the usefulness of teleportation.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou’s relationship: Song Zhou offers to teach Lu Ao teleportation, but Lu Ao gives up when he learns it is more difficult than rainmaking—an ability he has still failed to master. Lu Ao asks Song Zhou to continue teaching him rainmaking the following afternoon. Their warm farewell reveals Lu Ao’s growing reliance on and reluctance to part from Song Zhou; after Song Zhou leaves, the familiar courtyard feels unusually quiet.
• Restocking supplies: The next day, Lu Ao skips fishing and goes to town to replenish his nearly depleted supplies. He buys a whole butchered sheep and twenty pounds of pork, relying on his vegetable garden for produce. He portions and freezes the meat after returning home.
• Caring for the geese: Lu Ao takes the geese out to forage. He checks their pen, cleans it, and adds the waste to his compost pile for future fertilizer. The flock has grown noticeably in the two days he was away. Sesame Ball, the dominant gander, attempts to act threateningly but immediately submits when Lu Ao taps its head. The geese protest when Lu Ao delays feeding them, but he eventually drives them toward the shore.
• Meeting the Lin family: At the shallows where Lu Ao previously caught eels, he finds Lin Qiyan and Lin Gongshang searching the tidal flats. They explain that poor tides have prevented fishing, so they are gathering food along the shore instead. Lu Ao lets the geese roam and asks what they have found.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Lu Ao becomes more confident and practical, investing in the boat and planning its renovation while continuing to manage his household and livestock independently.
• Song Zhou demonstrates his supernatural abilities and quietly supports Lu Ao by providing transportation and protecting his identity. Their friendship appears increasingly close and emotionally significant.
• Little Wen acts as a professional adviser and connects Lu Ao with a reliable shipyard through his family.
• Sesame Ball establishes itself as the flock’s comical but submissive leader.
• Lu Ao’s interaction with Lin Qiyan and Lin Gongshang shows his continued integration into the local community and his willingness to share daily activities with them.

Significant Themes

• Competition and opportunity: Lu Ao’s early deposit gives him an advantage in acquiring the overlooked boat.
• Self-sufficiency and preparation: He combines fishing, farming, livestock care, food preservation, and composting to maintain a sustainable rural life.
• Trust and companionship: Song Zhou’s help and Lu Ao’s disappointment after his departure suggest a deepening bond.
• Balance between ordinary and extraordinary life: Teleportation and supernatural skills exist alongside mundane chores such as shopping, cleaning animal pens, and gathering food.

Chapter Summary

• Plot and events: Lu Ao returns from a short private job, explaining that although he earned only 500 yuan per day in wages, he also received a substantial bonus, valuable information about a ship, and goodwill from the Qianyong City Maritime Shipping Public Security Bureau. At home, Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan tell him that Shen, the manager of Jiacheng Grand Hotel, was secretly asking about his whereabouts. They find this suspicious, but Lu Ao decides to wait until Shen approaches him directly.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan go tidepooling together while Lin Gongshang stays behind because of the heat. Lu Ao quickly outperforms Lin Qiyan, catching larger and more valuable seafood, including an unusually large Eight-Claw and several Mud Crabs. Lin Qiyan proposes a friendly wager based on total weight rather than value, since Lu Ao consistently finds rare, high-value catches. The loser must spend two hours helping the winner film tidepooling videos.
• Lin Qiyan gains an apparent advantage by collecting many snails and smaller crabs, while Lu Ao refuses to bother with small or low-value creatures. Near the end of the beach, Lin Qiyan believes he is winning by weight. Lu Ao challenges this confidence and dramatically flips over a massive rock, suggesting he may still uncover an exceptional catch.

Character developments

• Lu Ao remains calm, capable, and confident. He is practical about his private-job earnings and recognizes the broader benefits of the arrangement. His superior tidepooling skills and physical strength reinforce his competence, while his relaxed attitude contrasts with Lin Qiyan’s competitive enthusiasm.
• Lin Qiyan is curious, energetic, and increasingly comfortable with Lu Ao. He actively films their activities, turns the tidepooling trip into content, and challenges Lu Ao in a playful attempt to prove himself.
• Lin Gongshang is cautious and observant. He helps warn Lu Ao about Shen’s suspicious inquiries but opts out of tidepooling because of the intense heat.
• Shen does not appear directly, but his secretive search for Lu Ao introduces a possible future conflict or mystery.

Themes

• Practical success beyond money: Lu Ao’s job demonstrates that rewards can include connections, information, and future opportunities rather than wages alone.
• Competition and friendship: The wager between Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan is competitive but deliberately framed to avoid harming their relationship.
• Skill versus quantity: Lu Ao values quality and efficiency, while Lin Qiyan relies on gathering many smaller items to gain weight. Their approaches create both humor and tension.
• Suspicion and uncertainty: Shen’s unexplained interest in Lu Ao raises questions about his motives and foreshadows future developments.
• Human interaction with nature: The detailed tidepooling scenes emphasize observation, physical effort, and knowledge of the coastal environment.
• Character interactions: Lu Ao discusses his job and Shen’s inquiries with the Lin family, then joins Lin Qiyan in a friendly tidepooling contest. Their teasing—especially over luck, “feng shui,” and Lu Ao’s ability to find valuable creatures—shows growing camaraderie. Lin Qiyan narrates and records the contest for his videos, while Lu Ao responds confidently and ultimately escalates the competition by overturning a huge rock.