Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Chen and his wife break down in tears after learning that the money raised should allow their seriously ill daughter, A Mo, to receive proper treatment. Their emotional reaction reveals the fear and hardship they have endured.
• Lin Dawu, Lu Ao, and Lin Qiyan leave the Chen family feeling deeply affected by the couple’s situation.
• Lin Qiyan considers using his online platform to seek donations. Although direct donation appeals could jeopardize his job, he plans to describe the family’s circumstances and allow people to contact Old Chen privately. Lin Dawu accepts the idea, while Lu Ao also decides to find a way to help.
• After returning home, Lu Ao researches valuable seafood from the Qianming Waters, presumably hoping to earn enough money to contribute toward the Chens’ medical expenses.
• Old Chen unexpectedly visits Lu Ao with carefully prepared gifts: honey peaches, wild honey, and chicken-mushroom oil. He refuses to accept payment, explaining that the gifts are an expression of gratitude.
• Lu Ao reciprocates by giving Old Chen braised meat and milk, insisting that Old Chen accept them if he wants Lu Ao to keep the gifts.
• Old Chen explains that his wife will likely be treated at the provincial hospital. They plan to take an overnight bus on Sunday so she can be admitted Monday without paying for unnecessary lodging.
• Lu Ao offers to contact acquaintances who may know doctors at the provincial hospital and help make the admission and treatment process easier.
• After Old Chen leaves, Lu Ao carefully examines the gifts and is moved by the thoughtfulness behind them. He then posts in two online groups asking for recommendations for a provincial-hospital doctor or a brain-tumor specialist, offering to pay for a consultation.

Character Developments

• Old Chen and Mrs. Chen: Their grief and relief become openly expressed, showing how desperate they are but also how much hope they now have for A Mo’s survival. Old Chen’s gift-giving demonstrates his pride, gratitude, and desire to repay kindness despite his poverty.
• Lu Ao: He becomes increasingly compassionate and proactive. Rather than merely offering sympathy, he searches for practical ways to help, including researching ways to earn money, offering hospital connections, and seeking medical advice online.
• Lin Qiyan: He shows moral courage by considering how to use his platform to support the Chen family, even though openly soliciting donations could threaten his employment.
• Lin Dawu: He acts as a steady and sympathetic supporter, encouraging Old Chen while also cautioning Lin Qiyan to protect his livelihood.
• The three helpers: Their shared silence on the journey back reflects how profoundly the Chens’ suffering has affected them.

Significant Themes

• Compassion and mutual aid: The villagers and friends respond to the Chens’ crisis with emotional, financial, and practical support.
• Dignity and reciprocity: Old Chen’s refusal to simply receive charity, and his insistence on giving Lu Ao local goods, show the importance of pride and self-respect among people in hardship.
• Hope amid suffering: The possibility of treatment transforms the Chens’ despair into fragile hope.
• Community responsibility: The chapter emphasizes that helping someone may involve donations, professional connections, advocacy, or small personal acts of kindness.
• The value of thoughtful gestures: The peaches, honey, and chicken-mushroom oil symbolize gratitude and human connection more than material wealth.

Character Interactions

• Lin Dawu comforts Old Chen and promises that they can live better once the medical crisis is addressed.
• Lin Qiyan discusses fundraising with Lin Dawu, who warns him about the risks to his platform but does not discourage him.
• Lu Ao privately resolves to help and later exchanges gifts with Old Chen, creating a touching moment of mutual generosity.
• Lu Ao offers to use his connections to help Mrs. Chen at the provincial hospital.
• The chapter ends with Lu Ao widening the circle of support by asking his online communities for medical contacts.

Chapter 46 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao seeks help for Old Chen’s seriously ill wife, whose family is poor and inexperienced with hospital procedures.
• Xiang Xingchang offers to contact a friend at the provincial hospital to arrange medical assistance. He also agrees to help if the family struggles financially.
• Little Du informs Lu Ao about government aid programs and volunteer assistance available for families in similar circumstances. He also tells Lu Ao that his application for the Outstanding Youth title has been submitted and is likely to succeed.
• Song Zhou returns with beautifully packaged, chilled lychees and longans, prompting a lighthearted exchange about traditional methods of preserving fruit.
• Lu Ao explains Old Chen’s family situation to Song Zhou and asks whether non-humans can intervene to help. Song Zhou confirms that they can, but warns that changing a person’s fate carries serious karmic consequences and may result in heavenly punishment.
• The chapter then shifts to Lu Ao’s finances. After purchasing fruit saplings, he has just over 630,000 yuan left—possibly insufficient for both a boat and its renovation.
• Song Zhou offers financial help, but Lu Ao refuses for now and explains that he also hopes to lease a mountain for planting fruit trees.
• Song Zhou explains that different mountains have different levels of spiritual energy. He recommends Haining Mountain, located upstream near the river, though Lu Ao worries about its size and the fact that it belongs to another village.
• Lu Ao plans to ask Tan Junhao about leasing Haining Mountain during an upcoming fishing trip.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues to demonstrate compassion and responsibility by actively seeking medical, financial, and institutional support for Old Chen’s family rather than simply offering sympathy.
• His helpfulness changes Xiang Xingchang’s opinion of him, making Xiang see him as warmhearted rather than merely capable or distant.
• Lu Ao remains independent and proud, declining Song Zhou’s financial assistance despite his own financial pressure.
• Song Zhou shows concern for Lu Ao’s burdens and offers practical help. He also reveals more about the supernatural world’s rules, particularly the dangers of interfering with human fate.
• Little Du proves reliable and resourceful by connecting Lu Ao with official aid channels and updating him about the Outstanding Youth application.

Significant Themes

• Compassion and mutual aid: Lu Ao gathers support from friends, hospitals, government programs, and volunteers to help a vulnerable family.
• Human effort versus supernatural intervention: Although non-humans can alter human circumstances, karmic laws restrict them from interfering freely, emphasizing the consequences of disrupting destiny.
• Independence and pride: Lu Ao wants to solve his own financial problems, even while accepting advice and assistance from others.
• Growth and cultivation: His plans to lease a mountain and expand his fruit-growing operation reflect his increasing ambition and long-term vision.
• The intersection of ordinary and supernatural life: Everyday concerns—illness, money, fruit, and land—coexist with spiritual energy, karma, and heavenly punishment.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Xiang Xingchang: Their phone call establishes a cooperative relationship, with Xiang offering medical contacts and financial support.
• Lu Ao and Little Du: Little Du provides practical information about aid programs and celebrates Lu Ao’s likely award, strengthening their friendship.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou: Their domestic banter over fruit contrasts with a serious discussion about fate and karmic consequences. Song Zhou also offers financial support and advice about spiritually significant mountains.
• Lu Ao and Tan Junhao: Though they do not interact directly in the chapter, Lu Ao plans to consult Tan about leasing Haining Mountain during their next fishing trip.

Chapter 103 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lin Gongshang invites Lu Ao to join the group’s regular fishing trip. Lin Qiyan also decides to come, intending to film underwater and test the wetsuit he recently bought.
• The next morning, Lu Ao rises before dawn and prepares a large pot of claypot rice before leaving. The dish consists of high-quality rice, Chinese sausage, baby bok choy, and a carefully simmered soy-based sauce made with fish bones, onions, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms.
• Lu Ao enjoys the meal, especially the combination of savory sausage, sweet rice, refreshing vegetables, and crispy scorched rice at the bottom of the pot.
• He rides his tricycle to Lin Family Village, arriving shortly after six. Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan are already waiting, with Qiyan struggling awkwardly to put on his wetsuit.
• Lu Ao catches Qiyan when he nearly falls, while Qiyan compares his own physique unfavorably with Lu Ao’s tall, lean appearance.
• Lin Manzhang advises Lu Ao and Qiyan to enter the water first, but prevents Qiyan from going too far, telling him to practice near shore. Lu Ao equips himself with a fish basket and begins diving.
• Excited by the water, Lu Ao unconsciously swims more than a hundred meters from shore without surfacing. Lin Manzhang becomes concerned and warns him about ocean currents.
• The strong current attracts many fish because it carries drifting food. Lu Ao quickly catches two Black Seabream and a large Red Snapper, earning a substantial amount of money if sold.
• Lin Gongshang and the others eventually arrive and spread out to fish, while inexperienced Qiyan remains near shore. As the sun rises, Lu Ao continues diving and his fish basket gradually fills.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates his growing confidence and skill as a diver and fisherman. His stamina, underwater ability, and instinctive response to the sea are impressive, though his enthusiasm causes him to underestimate the danger of currents.
• Lin Qiyan is shown as inexperienced but eager to participate. He wants to document the activity and prove himself, yet struggles with the wetsuit and must begin cautiously near shore.
• Lin Manzhang acts as the responsible and protective member of the group, supervising Qiyan and warning Lu Ao not to swim too far.
• Lin Gongshang and the other villagers continue treating Lu Ao as part of their fishing circle, showing increasing familiarity and acceptance.

Significant Themes

• Community and companionship: Fishing is presented as a shared activity that strengthens bonds among the villagers and includes Lu Ao in their social circle.
• Skill versus inexperience: Lu Ao’s natural ability contrasts with Qiyan’s beginner status, while Manzhang emphasizes learning safely and gradually.
• Respect for nature: The sea provides abundant opportunity but also carries real dangers, especially through unpredictable currents.
• Food and livelihood: The detailed preparation of claypot rice reflects Lu Ao’s resourcefulness and appreciation for quality food, while fishing provides a practical source of income.
• Enjoyment of simple pleasures: Both the carefully prepared meal and the excitement of diving highlight the satisfaction found in ordinary work, food, and outdoor life.

Character Interactions

• The group casually discusses plans in a lively, familiar manner, reinforcing their camaraderie.
• Lu Ao helps Qiyan when he nearly falls, teasing him lightly and easing his embarrassment.
• Qiyan admires Lu Ao’s physique, revealing a mixture of envy and respect.
• Manzhang balances encouragement with caution, allowing Lu Ao to dive while keeping Qiyan safely near shore.
• Lu Ao’s successful catches and the group’s coordinated fishing suggest a cooperative but individually driven outing.

Chapter 47 Summary

• Key events: After two hours of underwater fishing, Lu Ao catches several fish, including a rare, valuable Spotted Rock Bream weighing over two catties. He returns to shore at 8:46 a.m., stores his catch in a tide pool, and rests while eating char siu buns. Lin Qiyan joins him, eats, and films the fish for his content, explaining its culinary uses and market value.
• Group interactions: Lin Qiyan is impressed by Lu Ao’s catch and enthusiastically records it. When Lin Gongshang returns, he is shocked and jealous because the group has fished the area for months without seeing a Spotted Rock Bream. Lin Qiyan reminds him of Lu Ao’s previous success catching a Large Yellow Croaker, provoking his frustration. Lin Gongshang then mentions rumors of Hairy Croaker near neighboring Tuanbao Town, though he later admits the information may be unreliable. Lin Qiyan and Lin Manzhang warn Lu Ao against going because of the dangerous reefs and currents.
• Character development: Lu Ao remains relaxed and confident, demonstrating both strong fishing ability and practical awareness of his financial situation. His interest in the rumored Hairy Croaker shows his determination to find valuable fish and improve his nearly empty wallet. Lin Qiyan continues developing as an enthusiastic, knowledgeable content creator, while Lin Gongshang’s admiration and envy of Lu Ao become more apparent.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes Lu Ao’s extraordinary luck and competence, the economic value of fishing, and the tension between opportunity and danger. It also highlights camaraderie and playful rivalry among the fishermen, along with the importance of reliable information when pursuing uncertain opportunities.
• Ending: Intrigued by the possibility of finding Hairy Croaker—large, expensive fish that migrate nearshore during spawning season—Lu Ao decides to investigate. After returning home at noon, he calls Li Xinyong to ask about the rumor.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao contacts Li Xinyong to ask about rumors of Hairy Croakers near Tuanbao Town, especially sightings around Oxhead Island. Li explains that although locals have seen an enormous one—possibly weighing over a hundred jin—no one has ever successfully caught one. He agrees to investigate further.
• Lu Ao also searches online but finds little useful information because the area is poorly documented.
• Old Chen calls to inform Lu Ao that the male ginkgo tree he requested has been dug up. Lu Ao drives to Chen Family Village to collect it before it dies.
• Old Chen happily reports that his bayberries and honey peaches sold well, bringing in several thousand yuan. Lu Ao also learns that volunteers and a doctor have helped arrange transportation and lodging for Old Chen and his family, charging only ten yuan per night.
• Before Lu Ao leaves, Old Chen gives him a large basket of fruit despite Lu Ao’s protests.
• Lu Ao stores the fruit, prepares the ginkgo sapling with water and rooting powder, and later plants it on the back mountain using fertilizer made partly from goose manure. He hopes the male tree will eventually help the existing female ginkgo bear fruit.
• Lu Ao also waters the surrounding crops and uses his mist-producing ability to moisten the field. The watermelon vines have spread across the garden, with flowers attracting bees and butterflies, suggesting a future harvest.
• When Song Zhou arrives after work, Lu Ao refuses his help with the heavy load. They decide to pick pumpkin, loofah, and green beans and cook a light vegetable congee for dinner.

Character Development

• Lu Ao remains practical, industrious, and considerate. He actively pursues his interest in Hairy Croakers while continuing to manage the orchard and mountain garden.
• His care for agriculture is evident in the careful planting and fertilizing of the ginkgo tree, as well as his attention to watering and pollination.
• Lu Ao also demonstrates growing involvement in the welfare of Old Chen’s family by checking on their volunteers, lodging, and general situation.
• Old Chen is becoming more hopeful and financially secure. The successful fruit sales have improved his spirits, and outside assistance is helping his family move forward.
• Song Zhou continues to share a comfortable, cooperative relationship with Lu Ao, offering help and participating in household decisions.

Significant Themes

• Hard work and reward: Old Chen’s successful harvest reflects the idea that diligent cultivation eventually brings results.
• Mutual aid and community support: Lu Ao’s introductions, the volunteers’ help, and Old Chen’s gift of fruit show people supporting one another.
• Connection with nature: The chapter emphasizes farming, tree cultivation, natural growth, pollination, and the careful balance needed to nurture crops.
• Patience and long-term planning: The ginkgo tree symbolizes investment in the future, since its fruit may not appear until the next generation.
• Simple domestic contentment: The chapter closes with Lu Ao and Song Zhou planning a modest, refreshing meal after a day of work.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Li Xinyong discuss the Hairy Croaker legend, with Li agreeing to ask local people for more information.
• Lu Ao and Old Chen exchange updates about fruit sales, orchard care, volunteer assistance, and lodging. Old Chen expresses gratitude through both conversation and gifts of produce.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou meet at the garden after work. Though Song Zhou offers to help, Lu Ao insists he can manage alone; they then cooperate in choosing vegetables and planning dinner.

Chapter 48 Summary

Plot points and events

Lu Ao and Song Zhou discuss the possibility of contracting Haining Mountain in Tanwu Village. The mountain is over 2,000 mu, fertile, well-watered by a nearby river, and currently unused because the villagers cannot afford to develop it. The asking price is fifty yuan per mu annually, meaning roughly 100,000 yuan in rent each year and about 200,000 yuan more over a fifty-year contract than Lu Ao originally hoped to pay. Although the villagers are eager to earn money from the deal, they refuse to lower the price below fifty yuan, especially after hearing about Lu Ao’s lucrative fishing and expensive fruit-tree purchases.
Song Zhou persuades Lu Ao that owning a large private mountain will eventually be useful because Lu Ao’s Dragon Form will grow to several dozen—or possibly several hundred—meters long. He will need space to transform, coil up, stretch his wings, and bask in the sun. This makes Lu Ao more enthusiastic about Haining Mountain, though he remains concerned about the financial burden and whether he can use all the land.
Tan Junhao advises Lu Ao not to rush and suggests waiting for the price to fall or considering a smaller mountain. Lu Ao agrees to think it over, noting that he also needs money for his fruit trees and a boat. The chapter ends with Tan Junhao asking when Lu Ao’s boat will be auctioned.

Character development

• Lu Ao becomes more proactive about acquiring Haining Mountain after realizing it may serve as a future home for his Dragon Form. At the same time, he shows financial caution and recognizes that the contract may be beyond his current means.
• Song Zhou demonstrates foresight and a deep understanding of Lu Ao’s supernatural nature, helping him think about long-term needs rather than only immediate agricultural plans.
• Tan Junhao acts as a trustworthy friend and practical adviser, honestly explaining the villagers’ position and encouraging Lu Ao not to overextend himself.

Significant themes

• Long-term planning and adaptation: Lu Ao must prepare for the physical demands of becoming a larger and more powerful dragon.
• Economic hardship and rural decline: Yandong County’s poor transportation, aging population, and lack of labor make agriculture difficult and drive people away.
• Money, negotiation, and human nature: The villagers see Lu Ao’s wealth as an opportunity to charge more, while Lu Ao understands their desire to maximize collective income.
• Balancing ambition with financial responsibility: Lu Ao is tempted by the mountain’s possibilities but must consider rent, development costs, fruit trees, and a boat.

Character interactions

Song Zhou’s confident explanation changes Lu Ao’s view of the mountain from an excessive investment into a possible necessity. Tan Junhao gives Lu Ao an honest account of the negotiations, warns him against paying too much, and protects him by asking him not to reveal their discussions. Their exchange highlights their friendship and Junhao’s willingness to prioritize Lu Ao’s interests despite pressure from the villagers.

Chapter 107 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao tells Tan Junhao that he will travel to the city the next day to attend a ship auction instead of going fishing.
• He is interested in purchasing a run-down boat, though it will require refurbishment at a shipyard before it can be used.
• Tan Junhao reminds him that the Giant Grouper fry he ordered will soon be ready. Lu Ao still owes 1,500 yuan, which worries him because his finances are becoming strained.
• Lu Ao spends the afternoon fishing, catching thirty-seven fish weighing nearly one hundred jin. After selling them and paying taxes, he earns enough to cover the remaining cost of the grouper fry, while reserving money for groceries.
• Lin Qiyan arrives to remind Lu Ao about the labor he owed after losing their previous bet. He has harvested the sweet potato leaves but needs help transporting them from the field.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan haul the leaves back together. Lin complains about the intense heat and mosquitoes, while Lu Ao—now a Dragon and immune to insect bites—has difficulty understanding his discomfort.
• They discuss Lu Ao’s young geese. Lin suggests herding them to the riverbank each day instead of keeping them penned up, and volunteers to take them out the next morning while filming the experience for an episode.
• Lu Ao agrees but warns Lin to watch the lead goose, Sesame Ball, and avoid taking the flock onto the sea, where currents and winds could scatter them. He also gives Lin instructions about feeding the geese and promises him a spare key.
• That evening, Song Zhou fails to return at his usual time. Lu Ao becomes concerned and messages him, learning that Song is away on a business trip and had forgotten to mention it.
• Lu Ao feels unexpectedly disappointed by Song Zhou’s absence. After exchanging brief messages, he spends the empty evening alone, eventually cooking a simple one-pot meal of noodles, meat, vegetables, and eggs.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues trying to balance his expanding plans—buying a boat and raising Giant Grouper—with the financial pressure these investments create. His successful fishing trip temporarily eases that burden.
• He remains cautious and responsible regarding the geese, especially because of dangers in the river and sea, although he is gradually becoming willing to let others help care for them.
• Lin Qiyan fulfills the obligation from his lost bet despite complaining about the conditions. He also takes the initiative to help with the geese and combine the task with his filming work.
• Song Zhou’s regular presence has become important to Lu Ao. Lu Ao’s disappointment at Song’s absence reveals that he has grown emotionally accustomed to their companionship, even if he does not openly acknowledge it.

Significant Themes

• Financial strain and self-reliance: Lu Ao works hard fishing to fund his business plans and livestock expenses.
• Responsibility and cautious trust: He carefully considers the risks of letting Lin herd the geese, especially the possibility of losing them to predators or the sea.
• Growing companionship: The chapter emphasizes how friendships and routines have become part of Lu Ao’s daily life.
• Loneliness and emotional dependence: Song Zhou’s absence leaves Lu Ao unusually listless, highlighting his increasing attachment to Song’s presence.
• Ordinary rural life: Fishing, harvesting, livestock care, mosquitoes, weather, and simple meals ground the chapter in practical everyday concerns.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Tan Junhao: Discuss the boat purchase and the upcoming Giant Grouper fry, with Tan reminding Lu Ao about the remaining payment.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qiyan: Work together harvesting and transporting sweet potato leaves. Their teasing, complaints, and practical cooperation reflect a familiar friendship.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou: Exchange concerned but restrained messages. Their brief conversation reveals Lu Ao’s worry and disappointment when Song cannot return.
• Lu Ao and the geese: Though the geese do not directly interact with him, Lu Ao’s detailed concern for their safety shows his growing investment in caring for them.

Chapter 49 Summary

• Auction and Purchase: Lu Ao travels to Qianyong City to bid on a 77-ton fishing vessel at a judicial auction. Starting at 300,000 yuan, the price rises through a tense exchange with one competing bidder. Lu Ao carefully times his bids to exploit the auction’s five-minute extension rule, ultimately placing a final bid of 396,000 yuan. When the other bidder stops responding, Lu Ao wins and immediately completes the payment. Including taxes and other fees, the boat costs over 430,000 yuan, leaving him with only a little over 200,000 yuan.
• Little Du’s Assistance: Little Du calls excitedly after hearing that Lu Ao won the boat. He takes the afternoon off to help Lu Ao complete the difficult ownership-transfer procedures associated with the judicially auctioned vessel. Thanks to Little Du’s help, the transfer is completed the same day, and Qianming Fishing Vessel No. 0356 officially becomes Lu Ao’s property. Lu Ao also invites Little Du to lunch and hints that he will ask for further assistance.
• Meeting Yu Hongshen: Lu Ao then meets Yu Hongshen, Little Wen’s father-in-law and the owner of the reputable Qinyin Shipyard. Since Lu Ao wants the vessel completely restored, he brings Yu aboard to discuss the work. Yu is portrayed as capable, professional, and straightforward.
• Refurbishment Plans: Lu Ao requests a comprehensive overhaul: removing hull barnacles, treating rust, repairing damaged deck areas, inspecting and replacing interior equipment, repainting the vessel, and generally restoring it to near-new condition. His main priority is replacing the underpowered existing engine, which produces just over 280 horsepower.
• Engine Decision: Lu Ao wants an engine producing roughly 500–600 horsepower. Yu advises that a 400–500-horsepower engine would be sufficient for the vessel’s size and more fuel-efficient, but Lu Ao remains interested in a more powerful option. Yu recommends either a Xinchai or Huachai engine and explains that both cost around 150,000 yuan. Because he has better access to a Xinchai dealer, Yu can obtain a 526-horsepower Xinchai 3427 marine diesel engine for approximately 142,000–143,000 yuan. Lu Ao chooses Xinchai and plans to sell the old engine after it is removed.
• Inspection and Cost: Yu’s workers spend the afternoon inspecting the boat. They find no serious structural problems, but the vessel is heavily worn and requires extensive cosmetic and mechanical work. Yu estimates that the complete refurbishment, including the new engine, will cost 180,000 yuan, a reasonable quote that Lu Ao accepts in principle.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao demonstrates patience, financial discipline, and determination during the auction. Despite having limited remaining funds, he commits to transforming the aging vessel into a productive fishing boat and makes practical decisions about its engine and refurbishment.
• Little Du proves dependable and enthusiastic, immediately offering help and successfully handling much of the complicated transfer process.
• Yu Hongshen establishes himself as an experienced, honest shipyard owner who gives practical advice rather than simply encouraging Lu Ao to spend more.

Significant Themes

• Entrepreneurial risk and investment: Lu Ao commits most of his savings to acquiring and upgrading the vessel, showing his willingness to take calculated risks for future success.
• Preparation and renewal: The worn-out fishing boat symbolizes an opportunity that can be revitalized through careful investment and hard work.
• Trust and cooperation: Lu Ao relies on Little Du’s assistance and Yu Hongshen’s expertise, highlighting the importance of dependable relationships in achieving his goals.

Chapter Summary

• Lu Ao finalizes the boat refurbishment contract: After carefully reviewing the agreement, Lu Ao signs with Yu Hongshen to have his boat’s engine replaced and the vessel fully refurbished. He agrees to pay 30,000 yuan upfront, 100,000 yuan after the engine replacement, and the remaining 50,000 yuan after the ship passes inspection. Because a typhoon is approaching, Yu arranges to move the boat to his own location for safekeeping. The refurbishment is expected to take two months.
• Lu Ao and Yu Hongshen part on friendly terms: Yu invites Lu Ao to dinner, but Lu declines because he has already arranged to meet Little Du. Yu suggests joining them, but Lu prefers to speak privately with his old acquaintance. They agree to dine together another time, establishing a cordial business relationship.
• Dinner with Little Du: Lu Ao meets Little Du at a food stall near the Maritime Shipping Public Security Bureau and treats him to a large meal. Little Du explains that the approaching typhoon means he and his colleagues must work overtime and take night shifts. He complains about being assigned heavy workloads as a relatively new, unmarried officer, though he admits the overtime pay is good.
• Dangers faced by maritime officers and fishermen: Little Du describes how some fishermen continue going to sea during weaker typhoons, either underestimating the danger or hoping to catch more fish while others stay in port. These decisions often force rescue workers to risk their own lives in severe weather. Lu Ao sympathizes with Little Du and shows his concern through small gestures, such as serving him food.
• The typhoon intensifies: Lu Ao spends the night at a hotel because Song Zhou is still away on business. He wakes during the night to strong winds and receives official warnings that Qianyong City is facing a direct typhoon strike, with Force 8–10 winds. The warnings urge all vessels and offshore workers to return to port.
• A fishing boat sinks: Remembering Little Du’s warnings, Lu Ao contacts him and learns that a boat has sunk about sixteen nautical miles northeast of Qianming Port. Twenty-five fishermen are missing. Maritime authorities, emergency services, police, volunteers, helicopters, and other boats launch a large-scale search, but darkness, wind, and rough seas make the rescue extremely difficult. Only two people have been found after more than an hour.
• Lu Ao volunteers to help: After reading the rescue updates in Xiang Xingchang’s volunteer group, Lu Ao becomes increasingly uneasy about the missing fishermen. Despite the dangerous conditions, he declares that he is in Qianyong City and asks whether any boats are still heading out, volunteering to join the rescue effort.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao demonstrates reliability by completing the ship contract efficiently and maintaining friendly relationships with both Yu Hongshen and Little Du. His sympathy toward Little Du and his decision to join the rescue reveal his compassion, courage, and growing sense of responsibility.
• Yu Hongshen is presented as practical, trustworthy, and pleased with Lu Ao’s straightforward manner.
• Little Du reveals the exhausting and dangerous reality of maritime police work. His interaction with Lu Ao shows their familiarity and mutual trust.
• Lu Ao and Little Du’s relationship deepens through their candid dinner conversation, with Lu offering emotional support and later worrying about Little Du’s safety at sea.
• The volunteer group and rescue personnel highlight a broader communal response to the disaster, emphasizing cooperation under pressure.

Significant Themes

• Human responsibility in the face of danger: Fishermen’s risky choices endanger both themselves and rescuers, while Lu Ao’s willingness to help reflects a strong moral obligation to protect others.
• Courage and sacrifice: Maritime officers, volunteers, and emergency workers continue searching despite darkness, strong winds, and dangerous waves.
• Community and solidarity: Government departments, police, volunteers, boat crews, and civilians work together in the rescue effort.
• The unpredictability and power of nature: The approaching typhoon rapidly transforms an ordinary business trip into a life-threatening emergency.
• Work, duty, and personal bonds: Little Du’s complaints contrast with his dedication to his responsibilities, while Lu Ao’s concern for him turns personal friendship into active support.

Chapter 50 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao rushes to the pier before dawn to join a civilian-organized rescue effort for fishermen whose boat sank.
• At the pier, he learns that six fishermen have been rescued and taken to the hospital, while nineteen remain missing.
• He boards a fishing boat with Brother Tao, who gives him water and motion-sickness medicine.
• The rescue conditions are extremely dangerous: rough waves, strong winds, darkness, poor visibility, and widespread seasickness among the volunteers.
• The rescued fishermen had initially stayed together using life jackets and net cages, but the waves eventually separated them and carried them in different directions.
• Lu Ao remains focused and observant despite the difficult conditions. He spots what appears to be debris in the water, which turns out to be a missing fisherman floating face-up.
• The rescue team brings the fisherman aboard and confirms that he is alive, though seriously injured. A helicopter evacuates him to the hospital.
• The successful rescue raises everyone’s morale, and the volunteers continue searching for the remaining survivors.
• As the boat reaches the edge of its assigned area, Lu Ao suggests searching northwest, but the captain explains that other boats are already covering that direction.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates courage, endurance, and exceptional observational ability. While others struggle with the waves and limited visibility, he remains alert long enough to locate a survivor.
• His actions establish him as a valuable and trusted member of the rescue effort. The crew members praise and physically congratulate him after the discovery.
• Brother Tao acts as Lu Ao’s guide and support, helping him board the boat, providing medicine, and encouraging him during the search.
• The civilian rescuers are portrayed as selfless and determined, willingly paying for their own fuel and risking severe weather to help strangers.
• The missing fishermen are shown as having fought to survive by staying together, but the sea’s force ultimately overwhelmed their efforts.

Significant Themes

• Human solidarity and compassion: Ordinary civilians organize free rescue boats and sacrifice their time, money, and safety to save others.
• The power and danger of nature: The darkness, waves, wind, and vastness of the sea make the rescue uncertain and physically punishing.
• Hope amid tragedy: Although many remain missing, finding one survivor renews everyone’s determination.
• Perseverance and responsibility: The rescuers continue searching despite exhaustion, seasickness, and the slim visibility, emphasizing the value of every possible life.
• Individual contribution within collective action: Lu Ao’s sharp observation directly saves a life, but the rescue succeeds through the coordinated efforts of the entire crew.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao communicates with people at the pier before joining the rescue boat.
• Brother Tao assists him and advises him to take motion-sickness medicine.
• Lu Ao collaborates with the crew, shouting out the location of the survivor and helping direct their attention.
• The fishermen and volunteers respond with excitement and gratitude after the rescue, praising Lu Ao for his discovery.
• The doctor evaluates the injured fisherman and explains that urgent hospital treatment is necessary.
• Lu Ao later approaches the captain with a search-direction suggestion, showing his continued involvement in coordinating the rescue.

Chapter 51 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During the typhoon rescue operation, Lu Ao realizes that the wind has shifted and suggests searching northwest, where the fishermen who fell overboard may have drifted.
• The captain follows his advice, and within minutes they locate another survivor. The injured fisherman has a fractured arm but is alive and is evacuated by helicopter.
• Lu Ao continues using his exceptional eyesight and sharp senses to identify people in the dark, stormy sea. He spots four more fishermen, three of whom are alive.
• By dawn, Lu Ao has personally found all six survivors rescued by their boat and nine fishermen in total. Other rescue boats locate thirteen additional people.
• With three fishermen still missing and the weather worsening, the civilian rescue boats end their search and return, leaving the remaining search to the professional rescue team.
• On the journey back, nearly everyone suffers from seasickness. Lu Ao remains physically well but becomes extremely hungry and eats a large plate of seafood noodles.
• The captain learns that Lu Ao has bought a fishing boat but still lacks his Certificate of Competency. He offers to help introduce Lu Ao to someone who can assist with the certification process.
• After docking, Brother Tao and Captain Chang bring Lu Ao to breakfast with several other captains. They introduce him as the man who rescued nine fishermen, and the group warmly welcomes him into their circle.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates remarkable observational abilities, proving that his reputation as an excellent fisherman and diver comes from genuine skill rather than luck.
• His calm judgment and reliability earn the trust of the entire rescue crew; people begin following his directions without hesitation.
• Lu Ao’s rescue efforts win him widespread respect and new friendships among the fishermen and captains.
• His ambition to operate his own fishing boat becomes clearer, while his lack of certification represents the next obstacle he must overcome.
• The other rescuers, initially simply working alongside him, come to admire him personally and seek to stay in contact.

Significant Themes

• Courage and humanitarian responsibility: The fishermen risk their safety in dangerous weather to search for those lost at sea.
• Skill and earned respect: Lu Ao’s abilities are validated through his accurate sightings and successful rescues.
• Community and solidarity: Shared danger creates strong bonds among the rescuers, who celebrate Lu Ao and welcome him into their professional network.
• Perseverance amid uncertainty: Although not everyone can be saved, the group continues searching until worsening conditions and practical limits force them to stop.
• Future ambition: Lu Ao’s plan to become a boat operator introduces a new stage in his development.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao advises Captain Chang to change course, and the captain trusts his judgment.
• The crew praises Lu Ao enthusiastically, adds him on WeChat, and offers future assistance.
• Brother Tao acknowledges that Lu Ao’s extraordinary fishing ability is based on real talent.
• The captain discusses Lu Ao’s future at sea and offers help with his certification.
• At breakfast, Captain Chang and Brother Tao introduce Lu Ao to other captains, who welcome him with food, drinks, and friendly conversation.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• At a breakfast gathering with fishing captains in Qianyong City, Lu Ao discusses his newly purchased 26.7-meter, 77-ton fishing boat and confirms that he plans to return to underdeveloped Yandong County rather than develop in the city.
• The captains explain that Yandong County’s poor harbor conditions, limited infrastructure, and weak economy make it difficult to support large-scale fishing operations. They pity Lu Ao for giving up better opportunities, but he privately values the county’s sparse fishing population and lower likelihood of attracting attention.
• The fishermen complain about increasing competition, declining catches, and the difficulty of earning enough to cover fuel expenses. Many are considering selling their boats or retiring.
• Lu Ao asks about Hairy Croaker, a nearly extinct and extraordinarily valuable fish. The captains say the fish is rarely seen, but confirm rumors that it has appeared near Tuanbao Town, particularly around Bao Town. This convinces Lu Ao that Hairy Croaker genuinely inhabit the waters near his intended destination.
• After breakfast, Lu Ao returns to his hotel, checks out, and begins traveling back to Yandong County.
• Little Du messages him about the approved reward for recovering the police computer. Lu Ao declines the ceremony and publicity, asking for the money to be transferred instead. Little Du also mentions that another reward may be issued for Lu Ao’s recent assistance, while the police continue searching for three missing fishermen.
• Lu Ao briefly checks his conversation with Song Zhou but finds no new messages, suggesting Song Zhou remains unusually busy.
• During the journey, Lu Ao sleeps through the rainy, typhoon-affected weather and eventually reaches his village.
• After collecting his car from Lin Dawu, buying groceries, and eating a simple dinner, Lu Ao contacts Lin Manzhang to arrange a boat to Oxhead Island in Tuanbao Town for the following day.
• Lin Manzhang is surprised that Lu Ao intends to go to sea despite an approaching typhoon.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates strong independence and clear priorities. Unlike the other fishermen, he is not primarily motivated by profit or status. He prefers Yandong County’s quiet, less crowded waters, likely because they offer him greater freedom and secrecy. His interest in Hairy Croaker also reveals that he is actively pursuing a specific, potentially valuable objective.
• Little Du: Continues to support and admire Lu Ao, calling his recent actions impressive and helping him navigate the official reward process. His messages also show that he remains occupied with the ongoing search for the missing fishermen.
• The older captains: Their complaints reveal growing discouragement within the fishing community. They are aging, facing reduced catches and increased competition, and beginning to reconsider fishing as a long-term livelihood.
• Lin Manzhang: Acts as a practical contact for Lu Ao’s transportation needs, but his concern about the typhoon highlights the danger of Lu Ao’s planned trip.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus opportunity: Lu Ao rejects the apparent advantages of urban development in favor of the autonomy and reduced scrutiny available in Yandong County.
• Decline and competition in the fishing industry: The captains describe shrinking catches, overcrowded waters, rising expenses, and uncertain futures, emphasizing the economic pressures facing traditional fishermen.
• Human development versus natural resources: Yandong County’s lack of infrastructure has kept it economically backward, but this same lack of development preserves relatively untouched waters and valuable marine life.
• Risk and determination: Lu Ao’s willingness to travel during a typhoon suggests that his search for Hairy Croaker is urgent and that he is prepared to accept considerable danger.
• Public recognition versus privacy: Lu Ao repeatedly avoids publicity and official attention, preferring to act quietly rather than capitalize on his achievements.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao engages in friendly but probing conversation with the captains, learning about Yandong County’s fishing conditions and confirming the presence of Hairy Croaker.
• The captains try to persuade him that remaining in the city would offer better prospects, but their own complaints ultimately reinforce his decision to return home.
• Little Du offers Lu Ao official recognition and updates him on the police investigation, while Lu Ao minimizes his contribution and declines the ceremony.
• Lu Ao reaches out to Lin Manzhang for a boat, prompting concern over his plan to travel to Oxhead Island during dangerous weather.

Chapter 52 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the typhoon begins to subside, Lu Ao confirms with Lin Manzhang that he can travel to sea the following morning.
• Lin connects him with Bao Ge, a local fisherman who agrees to take him to Oxhead Island without charging him, asking only that Lu Ao meet him at Erxi Pier at six in the morning.
• Lu Ao prepares extensively for the trip, bringing a heavy-duty fishing rod with eighty-pound-test line, live shrimp for bait, diving equipment, cookware, an induction stove, food, and a large storage box.
• Bao Ge and his wife transport Lu Ao to Oxhead Island while planning to collect and reset their fishing nets elsewhere. Lu Ao will be picked up after they finish their day’s work.
• Once on the isolated island, Lu Ao changes into his diving suit and searches underwater for Hairy Croaker.
• The rough, sediment-filled water makes visibility extremely poor, but after more than two hours he spots a large fish near a reef cave.
• The fish turns out to be part of a large group of Hairy Croaker. Lu Ao discovers that the fish are unusually large, with even the smallest weighing roughly seventy or eighty jin.
• He attempts to spear one, but the fish are extremely alert and flee whenever he approaches. Despite exhausting himself throughout the morning, he catches nothing.
• Having learned where the fish gather and how they move, Lu Ao returns to shore, scatters fragrant fish chum near the rocks, and prepares to fish from the surface.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates increasing confidence and preparation in his human form. He invests in specialized equipment and carefully plans around the danger of transforming into a Dragon in front of witnesses.
• His persistence is emphasized when he continues searching underwater despite poor visibility, exhaustion, and repeated failures.
• Lu Ao also shows practical adaptability: after realizing he cannot catch the Hairy Croaker by spearfishing, he switches to a more strategic bait-and-line approach.
• Bao Ge is established as a friendly and experienced fisherman who respects Lu Ao’s abilities and unusual goal. His willingness to help and refuse payment reflects his straightforward generosity.
• Bao Ge’s wife becomes noticeably warmer toward Lu Ao after meeting him and offers him food, suggesting that his appearance and polite manner leave a favorable impression.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and preparation: Lu Ao’s detailed preparations and refusal to be discouraged reflect his determination to succeed.
• Human limitations versus extraordinary abilities: Although Lu Ao possesses unusual strength and underwater capabilities, his human form is less effective underwater, forcing him to rely on planning and technique.
• Respect for nature and uncertainty: The Hairy Croaker are powerful, elusive, and highly alert, showing that success cannot be guaranteed simply through equipment or confidence.
• Community cooperation: Lu Ao’s expedition depends on local knowledge and the fishermen’s willingness to assist him.
• Adaptability: Failure in one method leads Lu Ao to study the fish, identify their territory, and develop a new fishing strategy.

Character Interactions

• Lin Manzhang provides weather information and introduces Lu Ao to Bao Ge.
• Bao Ge jokes about Lu Ao’s rare ambition to hunt Hairy Croaker but encourages him, praising his luck and skill.
• Bao Ge explains local fishing practices, including the daily cycle of retrieving and resetting drift nets.
• Bao Ge’s wife greets Lu Ao and offers him banana-leaf rice cakes after meeting him.
• Lu Ao remains polite, optimistic, and composed throughout his exchanges, refusing to be discouraged by Bao Ge’s warnings or his own unsuccessful morning underwater.

Chapter 114 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao spends the day on a deserted island trying to catch the elusive Hairy Croaker using a large hook, shrimp bait, and a small iron cage.
• He begins fishing at 11:37 a.m. and continues through the scorching afternoon. Despite his efforts, he catches only one Giant Red Grouper.
• Members of the fishing group, particularly Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan, ask about his progress and jokingly suggest casting nets. Lu Ao refuses because he lacks the necessary license.
• As the bait disappears without triggering the hook, Lu Ao becomes increasingly frustrated. He gives up on fishing for the moment, cooks the grouper and remaining shrimp with pickled mustard greens, and eats the meal directly from the pot.
• Determined not to leave empty-handed, Lu Ao jumps into the sea and transforms into his Dragon Form, deciding to hunt the Hairy Croaker himself.
• He swims directly to the area where he found the fish earlier. The surrounding fish flee, including a medium-sized Hairy Croaker that hides briefly among rocks before escaping toward deeper water.
• Lu Ao easily catches up because his dragon body is fast and agile in open water. However, he discovers that his long body and short claws make it difficult to attack the fish. Each attempt to curl around and grab it causes him to lose momentum, allowing the Hairy Croaker to escape.

Character Development

• Lu Ao’s patience is tested by the Hairy Croaker’s extreme caution and his unsuccessful fishing attempts.
• His irritation grows as the day progresses, especially when his bait is eaten without the fish being hooked.
• Despite his frustration, he remains resourceful: he turns his failed bait into food and then personally enters the water to pursue the fish.
• His Dragon Form has continued to grow. Its scales have darkened from jade green to a distinctive dark green, suggesting ongoing physical development.
• Lu Ao also becomes more aware of the limitations of his transformed body. Although fast and powerful, its long shape and short claws are poorly suited to grabbing prey.

Significant Themes

• Patience versus frustration: Fishing demands persistence, but Lu Ao struggles against an opponent that refuses to take the bait.
• Adaptability and determination: When conventional fishing fails, Lu Ao changes tactics and hunts directly.
• The limits of power: His Dragon Form gives him speed and strength but also creates practical weaknesses.
• Self-reliance: Alone on the deserted island, Lu Ao must provide his own food and solve the problem without assistance.
• Nature’s unpredictability: Even Lu Ao’s exceptional skill and luck cannot guarantee success against the wary Hairy Croaker.

Character Interactions

• Lin Gongshang teases Lu Ao in the fishing group chat about his lack of success.
• Lin Qiyan asks whether he caught anything valuable and learns about the Giant Red Grouper.
• Lin Gongshang suggests using nets, but Lu Ao rejects the idea because he has no license.
• Both Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan flatter and encourage Lu Ao after realizing their teasing may have irritated him.
• The central interaction is ultimately between Lu Ao and the Hairy Croaker: he pursues it relentlessly, but the fish repeatedly escapes because Lu Ao cannot effectively use his dragon claws underwater.

Chapter 53 Summary

Key plot points and events

Lu Ao spends nearly half an hour chasing a massive Hairy Croaker underwater. Unable to catch it with his claws, he finally bites into its body and allows the fish to drag him through the water until it tires. Because Hairy Croakers are extremely valuable for their meat and nourishing fish maw, Lu Ao avoids killing or damaging it. As evening approaches, he pulls the exhausted fish ashore in Dragon Form, only to discover that Song Zhou has come to pick him up and has witnessed the embarrassing scene. Lu Ao changes back into human form, contacts Bao Ge to cancel the pickup, and takes the fish home. He preserves it under ice, while Song Zhou retrieves Lu Ao’s vehicle from the pier. Lu Ao then posts photos of the fish online to find a buyer, immediately attracting excited responses from Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan.

Character developments

Lu Ao demonstrates persistence, physical strength, and practical business sense, but also reveals his concern with dignity and appearances. He is embarrassed at being seen carrying the fish in Dragon Form, especially by Song Zhou, and tries to maintain a calm exterior despite his flushed ears and sore mouth. His determination to preserve the fish’s value shows his careful, profit-minded nature. Song Zhou continues to act considerate and dependable, quietly helping Lu Ao preserve the fish, retrieve his vehicle, and leave without making fun of him.

Significant themes

The chapter highlights perseverance and resourcefulness, as Lu Ao adapts his strategy when brute force fails. It also emphasizes the contrast between Lu Ao’s powerful supernatural identity and his ordinary concerns about money, reputation, and selling seafood. The value placed on Hairy Croaker reflects themes of wealth, social status, and popular beliefs about health and nourishment. The scene also develops a lighthearted theme of vulnerability and embarrassment within a growing relationship.

Character interactions

Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a humorous but intimate moment when Song Zhou catches him emerging from the sea with the enormous fish in his mouth. Song Zhou suppresses his laughter and gives Lu Ao privacy while changing, then helps him practically by making ice and returning his vehicle. Lu Ao speaks with Bao Ge to cancel the planned pickup, while Bao Ge apologizes for the delay. Online, Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan react enthusiastically to Lu Ao’s catch, reinforcing his reputation for accomplishing what he promises.

Chapter 116 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• After Lu Ao posts about his enormous wild Hairy Croaker on Moments, the news spreads rapidly through social and wealthy business circles.
• Although many people express interest, few initially make serious offers. Lu Ao remains confident and refuses to rush the sale.
• Hotel owner Weng Qian, a previous buyer of Lu Ao’s fish, contacts him directly. During a video call, Lu Ao proves the fish’s freshness, size, and condition.
• Weng offers 1.2 million, but Lu Ao demands 2.4 million, refusing to negotiate downward. He emphasizes that he can charter a helicopter to deliver the fish quickly to a buyer anywhere nearby.
• After the call, Lu Ao has Song Zhou photograph him holding the fish and posts a more detailed advertisement, highlighting its weight, freshness, and the value of its swim bladder as fish maw.
• Lu Ao asks his contacts to share the post, causing it to spread widely. More than fifty comments and numerous private messages appear almost immediately, with wealthy buyers asking about the price.
• While Lu Ao handles inquiries from multiple potential buyers, Song Zhou quietly prepares dinner for him.
• The chapter ends with the Hairy Croaker attracting widespread attention because its meat and especially its fish maw are considered valuable restorative delicacies and long-term investments.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao displays confidence, patience, and strong business judgment. He refuses to undersell the fish and is willing to wait for a buyer who recognizes its value.
• He also demonstrates resourcefulness by using his extensive network and offering helicopter delivery to overcome the fish’s remote location.
• Song Zhou continues to support Lu Ao in practical, understated ways. He films and photographs the fish, then cooks dinner while Lu Ao manages business inquiries.
• Song Zhou’s private observations show increasing attentiveness and warmth toward Lu Ao, as he notices Lu Ao’s youthful appearance and quietly takes care of him.
• Weng Qian acts as a pragmatic potential buyer. He recognizes the fish’s rarity but remains cautious about paying an exceptionally high price.

Significant Themes

• Value and exclusivity: The fish’s rarity, size, freshness, and valuable swim bladder make it a luxury commodity rather than ordinary food.
• Confidence in one’s worth: Lu Ao’s refusal to accept a low offer reflects his belief that rare goods should be sold at their true value.
• Networking and social influence: The post spreads through overlapping personal and business circles, demonstrating how reputation and connections can create demand.
• Luxury consumption and investment: Wealthy buyers view the fish maw not only as a delicacy or medicine but also as an asset that may appreciate over decades.
• Quiet companionship: Song Zhou’s practical care contrasts with Lu Ao’s intense focus on business, subtly highlighting their closeness.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Weng Qian negotiate respectfully but firmly, with Lu Ao maintaining control of the discussion.
• Weng Qian briefly sees Song Zhou during the video call and begins speculating about his close relationship with Lu Ao.
• Lu Ao relies on Song Zhou for physical assistance and documentation of the fish.
• Song Zhou supports Lu Ao without interrupting his negotiations, expressing care through cooking and small acts of service.

Chapter 54 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao creates a WeChat bidding group to auction his rare, freshly caught wild Hairy Croaker. Wealthy buyers rapidly drive the price from 3.3 million to over 4.6 million, eventually reaching 5.63 million.
• Weng Qian watches the auction but considers the price absurd and decides not to participate.
• His father calls after seeing Weng Qian in the bidding group and insists that he buy the fish, believing its maw is extremely valuable and difficult to obtain. He argues that the fish can be resold if necessary.
• Though skeptical of the fish maw’s supposed health benefits and convinced the price is inflated, Weng Qian agrees to bid to satisfy his father.
• Weng privately offers Lu Ao 5.8 million and tries to persuade him that the price is already unreasonable, especially since the fish will lose freshness and Lu Ao has no guarantee that the group’s bidders will actually pay.
• Lu Ao screenshots Weng’s private message and posts it publicly in the bidding group, exposing Weng’s attempt to negotiate outside the auction.
• The other wealthy buyers criticize Weng for violating fair competition and immediately resume bidding, raising the price beyond 5.8 million.
• Weng continues arguing that the fish is overpriced, while the bidders defend the purchase as worthwhile for health and rarity. Lu Ao allows the argument to continue without intervening.

Character Developments

• Weng Qian: Revealed as practical, skeptical, and conscious of the value of money despite coming from a wealthy family. He views the Hairy Croaker as an overpriced luxury rather than a miracle food, but his desire to please his father forces him into the auction. His attempt to negotiate privately leaves him embarrassed and publicly challenged.
• Weng Qian’s father: Demonstrates strong faith in traditional beliefs surrounding Hairy Croaker maw. He is willing to spend millions and pressures his son to secure the fish, even suggesting he buy it first and resell it later.
• Lu Ao: Shows confidence and shrewdness as a seller. Rather than accepting Weng’s private offer, he insists on public bidding and exposes Weng’s comments to stimulate competition, revealing his willingness to exploit the buyers’ pride and rivalry.
• The wealthy bidders: Their competitive instincts and concern with prestige, health, and family status become increasingly apparent as they continue raising the price despite acknowledging the fish’s enormous cost.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and extravagance: The chapter contrasts ordinary people’s understanding of several million with the casual spending habits of elite families.
• Tradition versus rationality: Weng Qian questions the scientifically unproven health benefits of Hairy Croaker maw, while his father and other buyers trust traditional beliefs and perceived rarity.
• Status and competition: The auction becomes less about the fish’s objective value and more about pride, social standing, and the desire not to lose to other wealthy buyers.
• Manipulation and commercial strategy: Lu Ao uses transparency—or public embarrassment—to intensify the bidding and increase the fish’s final value.
• Family pressure: Weng’s decision to participate is motivated less by personal belief than by his desire to satisfy his father.

Character Interactions

• Weng Qian and his father argue over whether the fish maw is genuinely valuable, with his father ultimately forcing him to bid.
• Weng Qian privately negotiates with Lu Ao, but Lu Ao refuses the offer and publicly posts Weng’s reasoning.
• The other bidders respond by accusing Weng of undermining fair competition and collectively pushing the price higher.
• Lu Ao remains silent during the escalating debate, allowing the buyers’ rivalry to work in his favor.

Chapter 118 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Weng Qian’s arguments convince some people to withdraw from the Hairy Croaker auction, but they persuade even more potential buyers of the fish’s value, driving up the bids.
• While the auction continues, Song Zhou prepares seafood noodles using homemade, pesticide-free tomatoes. Lu Ao is extremely impressed and eats five bowls, highlighting both the food’s quality and his enormous appetite.
• The auction price rises from over seven million to 8.12 million yuan. Lu Ao announces the winning bid after the extended-bidding period ends.
• The buyer is Gui Yaoyao, who requests delivery to her home in Jiazhuang City, Yuannan Province. Lu Ao arranges helicopter transportation, which costs 80,000 yuan.
• After the auction, Lu Ao estimates that they will receive approximately 4.46 million yuan after taxes.
• The Hairy Croaker is nearly lifeless, but Song Zhou secretly restores its vitality by touching it with his supernatural power. The fish begins struggling again.
• Song Zhou also heals the bite wounds Lu Ao had inflicted on the fish, ensuring that its body looks undamaged and helping Lu Ao avoid suspicion. He explains that maintaining a low profile is safer.
• Lu Ao packs the fish in an oxygen-filled plastic bag surrounded by ice and places it in a sealed foam box. When the helicopter crew sees the box, their attitudes immediately change, likely because of the fish’s remarkable size and value.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao displays his growing confidence as a businessman. Although he initially expected the fish to sell for only a little over two million yuan, he quickly accepts the much higher price and spends freely on helicopter transport.
• Lu Ao’s enthusiastic reaction to Song Zhou’s cooking shows his easygoing personality and close familiarity with Song Zhou. His willingness to handle the auction, delivery, and logistics also demonstrates his practical competence.
• Song Zhou continues to appear calm, capable, and considerate. He cooks for Lu Ao, anticipates his appetite, and quietly uses his extraordinary abilities to preserve the fish and erase evidence of its injuries.
• Song Zhou’s comment about “keeping a low profile” shows that he is careful about concealing the supernatural nature of his abilities and protecting Lu Ao from unnecessary attention.
• Gui Yaoyao is introduced as the wealthy buyer. She is decisive and cooperative, quickly providing her address and arranging a landing site for the helicopter.

Significant Themes

• Unexpected value and opportunity: The Hairy Croaker far exceeds Lu Ao’s expectations, turning an unusual catch into a life-changing financial gain.
• Cooperation and trust: Lu Ao and Song Zhou work smoothly together, with Lu Ao managing practical matters and Song Zhou supporting him behind the scenes.
• The tension between extraordinary abilities and secrecy: Song Zhou’s healing power makes the fish appear naturally healthy, but both men understand that revealing too much could attract danger.
• Comfort and abundance: The long description of the noodles, fresh ingredients, and Lu Ao’s appetite creates a warm domestic contrast to the high-stakes auction and expensive helicopter delivery.
• Wealth and status: The rapidly rising bids and the helicopter transport emphasize the elite market surrounding rare goods and the dramatic financial impact of the fish.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a relaxed meal while monitoring the auction, reinforcing their comfortable, almost familial relationship.
• Lu Ao praises Song Zhou’s cooking, while Song Zhou quietly provides more food and accommodates Lu Ao’s appetite.
• The two collaborate closely on the fish’s preparation and delivery. Song Zhou restores the fish and heals its wounds, while Lu Ao handles the packing, oxygen, ice, auction arrangements, and transportation.
• Lu Ao and Gui Yaoyao communicate efficiently by phone, agreeing on the delivery location and helicopter landing arrangements.
• The chapter ends with the helicopter crew reacting noticeably upon seeing the sealed box, suggesting that the fish’s size or appearance may create further complications.

Chapter 55 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao insists that the large Styrofoam box contains only fish, despite the pilot’s suspicions. The pilot agrees to wait until they reach their destination before opening it.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou transport the box by helicopter to Wubaixia District in Jiazhuang City, where Gui Yaoyao is waiting with her assistant and two fish experts.
• Gui Yaoyao had purchased the Hairy Croaker at an extremely high price after hearing about its supposed nutritional value. Although motivated by concern for her family’s poor health, she later worries that she may have been scammed.
• Because she suspects fraud, Gui arranges for experts to authenticate the fish and is prepared to contact the police if anything is wrong.
• Upon arrival, Song Zhou effortlessly carries the supposedly enormous box, misleading everyone about its weight. One expert nearly injures himself trying to move it, confirming that the fish weighs about 114 pounds.
• The helicopter crew, suspicious that the box might contain illegal goods, records the opening to protect themselves. Gui’s assistant and Song Zhou also record the process.
• Lu Ao opens the box and reveals the Hairy Croaker packed beneath ice and inside a plastic bag. The fish is unexpectedly still alive and energetic, violently flicking its tail.
• Expert Huang Shoushui confirms that it is genuinely a Hairy Croaker. The experts are astonished by its size, vitality, and rarity, noting that such a large specimen has not been caught in the country for nearly twenty years.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao remains calm, controlled, and confident while handling the suspicious pilot, transporting the fish, and opening the box. He demonstrates practical knowledge by warning Huang to keep his distance from the fish.
• Song Zhou continues to appear gentle and dependable. His effortless strength in carrying the box surprises everyone, while his calm presence helps reduce the tension surrounding the inspection.
• Gui Yaoyao is shown as both impulsive and deeply concerned for her family. Though she regrets spending so much money, her caution and determination to verify the fish demonstrate responsibility and business savvy.
• Huang Shoushui shifts from cautious curiosity to intense excitement once he sees the living fish. His expertise allows him to recognize the specimen’s authenticity and significance.
• The pilot and copilot remain distrustful but professional, taking precautions by documenting the opening of the box rather than acting recklessly.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion: The unusual shipment and enormous transport fee lead the pilot and Gui Yaoyao to suspect fraud or criminal activity.
• Rarity and value: The Hairy Croaker’s immense size, survival, and scarcity justify its extraordinary price and create a sense of scientific and commercial importance.
• Family responsibility: Gui Yaoyao’s purchase is driven by hopes of improving the health of her parents, in-laws, and children, even though it places financial pressure on her.
• The extraordinary hidden beneath the ordinary: What initially appears to be an unusually expensive fish turns out to be a rare, living specimen of considerable significance.
• Professional caution: Both the transport crew and Gui Yaoyao rely on recording, expert examination, and evidence before accepting the fish as legitimate.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao persuades the pilot to postpone opening the box, maintaining control without escalating the disagreement.
• Gui Yaoyao and Lu Ao meet at the landing site and immediately begin the inspection process.
• Song Zhou’s quiet assistance contrasts with the experts’ difficulty handling the box, highlighting his unusual strength.
• Lu Ao prevents Huang from touching the fish carelessly, showing his awareness of its danger.
• Huang and the second expert exchange their knowledge about the Hairy Croaker’s rarity, transforming the inspection from a fraud investigation into a moment of scientific excitement.

Chapter Summary

• Professors Huang Shoushui and Kim confirm that Lu Ao’s enormous fish is a genuine wild Hairy Croaker. Its size and ability to remain alive after being out of water for an unusually long time make it exceptionally rare and valuable.
• Lu Ao reveals that the fish was purchased for 8.12 million yuan. Professor Huang believes this was a bargain and asks whether it can be sold to him.
• Although Gui Yaoyao initially considered reselling the fish for a small profit, the professors’ reaction convinces her of its true value. She refuses to transfer it, explaining that she bought it to improve her family’s health.
• Song Zhou records the professors’ assessment and posts it in Lu Ao’s auction group. The video quickly causes a sensation. Group members express shock that the fish is alive, admit they would have paid more than ten million yuan, and begin asking Gui Yaoyao to sell it.
• Weng Qian’s father sees the video and regrets missing the purchase. He criticizes his son for being too hesitant and reveals that the fish’s value has already risen above ten million yuan. Weng Qian explains that he lacked sufficient liquid funds and promises to ask Lu Ao to reserve future rare catches for him.
• With the fish authenticated and demand confirmed, Gui Yaoyao feels no regret about the purchase. She urges Lu Ao to sign the contract and plans to have her finance department transfer the money immediately.
• Concerned that the fish might die without oxygen, Lu Ao suggests moving it to temporary storage. Professor Huang instead offers to house it at the university, which has equipment capable of recreating its natural environment.
• Gui Yaoyao agrees to lend the fish to the university for half a month, provided it remains healthy and can be reclaimed if its condition deteriorates. Huang enthusiastically arranges the necessary personnel, seawater, and a transport truck.
• The chapter ends with Gui Yaoyao and Lu Ao preparing to finalize the sale while the university prepares to transport the living Hairy Croaker.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Gui Yaoyao shifts from uncertainty and concern over her purchase price to confidence and determination to keep the fish after learning how rare it is.
• Lu Ao remains calm and practical, allowing the experts to examine the fish and prioritizing its survival during transport.
• Professors Huang and Kim move from evaluators to enthusiastic researchers, recognizing the fish’s scientific importance and rarity.
• Song Zhou helps document the fish’s authenticity, indirectly increasing its credibility and market value.
• Weng Qian and his father provide a contrasting reaction: they recognize the fish’s value only after missing the opportunity, highlighting the cost of hesitation.

Significant Themes

• The difference between apparent price and true value.
• The importance of expert knowledge in recognizing rarity.
• Regret caused by indecision and missed opportunities.
• The tension between commercial profit and scientific or practical preservation.
• The growing importance of the Hairy Croaker as both a valuable commodity and an object of research.