Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Xiaoyi reflects on the Collective Unconscious and the Broken Windows Effect, realizing that people may initially avoid unfamiliar behavior but will quickly follow once someone else takes the first step.
• He deliberately serves bug meat and beast innards at a hot-pot banquet, expecting the guests to resist them at first. His goal is to make them overcome their disgust and introduce them to unfamiliar food.
• As predicted, one guest, Ji Fan, casually adds bug meat to the pot. Once he does, guests at the other tables follow, and soon everyone is eagerly waiting for the meat to cook.
• The diners become so absorbed in the delicious food that they ignore their previous prejudices. Ji Fan, who had initially been captivated by Madam Qin’s beauty, becomes entirely focused on eating.
• Just as the guests prepare to taste the bug meat, the doorbell rings, interrupting the banquet. The diners immediately become suspicious that someone has come to take advantage of their food.
• The interruption is revealed to involve Yida Talk Show, whose host is filming an on-location episode and approaching the residence to interview a specially selected guest. The chapter ends as the host describes the Gold Star-style building and military-like surroundings.

Character Development

• Jing Xiaoyi is portrayed as a calculating but playful instigator. He understands group psychology and intentionally uses food to trigger a collective change in attitude. He jokingly compares himself to the serpent tempting people with forbidden fruit.
• Ji Fan, a young military academy student, undergoes a rapid shift in priorities. Though initially attracted to Madam Qin, the hot pot completely captures his attention. His enthusiastic appetite helps break the social barrier surrounding bug meat.
• The banquet guests collectively move from cautious conformity to enthusiastic participation. Their willingness to eat bug meat demonstrates how quickly social resistance can collapse once one person acts.
• Yida’s host, “Brother Da,” is introduced as an energetic, theatrical presenter who builds suspense around the identity of his special guest.

Significant Themes

• Group psychology and conformity: People often hesitate to act independently, but once one person breaks a social taboo, others quickly follow.
• The power of food and sensory experience: Delicious food can overcome fear, disgust, and cultural prejudice more effectively than argument or persuasion.
• Breaking social boundaries: Bug meat, once viewed as undesirable, becomes acceptable when presented attractively and normalized by group behavior.
• Manipulation and influence: Jing Xiaoyi uses a carefully planned banquet to shape public opinion and potentially drive interest in the Five Planets.
• Humor through reversal: Romantic attraction, military discipline, and social taboos are all displaced by the guests’ overwhelming obsession with eating.

Character Interactions

• Jing Xiaoyi silently observes and psychologically guides the banquet guests, waiting for someone to make the first move.
• Ji Fan’s actions influence the entire group: after he adds bug meat to the pot, the other tables imitate him.
• Ji Fan’s attention shifts from Madam Qin to the food, creating a humorous contrast between youthful romantic interest and immediate physical desire.
• The guests act collectively, first pretending not to notice the bug meat and then eagerly preparing to eat it.
• The arrival of Yida Talk Show introduces a new outside force, interrupting the banquet and creating suspense about the identity of the guest they intend to interview.

Chapter Summary

Yida Talk Show, a hugely popular independent media program known for its bold host Brother Da and powerful behind-the-scenes support, announces an upcoming broadcast featuring explosive news. Because of the show’s reputation, loyal viewers tune in early.
The episode opens inside a military family housing area, immediately exciting viewers because of the military’s enormous popularity and influence in the Federation. Brother Da hints that the mysterious guest is connected to the military and reacts dramatically to an irresistible food fragrance coming from the guest’s residence. He praises the rumored culinary skill of the guest, even staking his integrity on the quality of the food.
Viewers quickly speculate that the guest must be Madam Qin, the famously beautiful spouse of the deceased celebrity soldier Qin Meng. Online comments reveal widespread fascination with Madam Qin: people discuss his appearance, his comic artwork, his marriage to Qin Meng after Qin Meng’s death, and the social advantages associated with Qin Meng’s success. Some viewers also make wagers over the guest’s identity and the strength of the food’s aroma.
The suspense ends when Madam Qin opens the door. He is dressed casually in warm yellow loungewear with a bear-patterned apron and wears a faint smile. Brother Da is stunned into silence by Madam Qin’s extraordinary beauty, especially when combined with the intoxicating fragrance of the food. The scene emphasizes that Madam Qin’s appearance is so appealing that he seems almost literally “beautiful enough to eat.”

Character Developments and Interactions

• Brother Da is shown as confident and dramatic on camera, but his usual composure disappears when he encounters Madam Qin and the food he has prepared. His exaggerated reaction reinforces Madam Qin’s overwhelming charm.
• Madam Qin is introduced indirectly through rumors before making a striking entrance. His domestic clothing and apparent cooking ability contrast with the public image surrounding his beauty and connection to Qin Meng.
• Qin Meng remains offscreen but is important to the discussion as a legendary military celebrity whose fame helped shape the Federation’s fascination with soldiers.
• The viewers act as an active audience, speculating, gossiping, joking, and placing bets. Their comments demonstrate how strongly public opinion is shaped by celebrity culture and military propaganda.

Significant Themes

• Celebrity and media influence: Yida Talk Show’s reputation and Brother Da’s daring style give the broadcast major cultural impact.
• Military idolization: The public’s enthusiasm for military imagery reflects decades of propaganda and the military’s growing influence.
• Beauty and public image: Madam Qin’s appearance is treated almost as a spectacle, with viewers debating whether images of him are real or edited.
• Food as attraction and social power: The fragrance of Madam Qin’s cooking creates anticipation and heightens his allure, linking culinary talent with celebrity appeal.
• Societal judgments about success: The audience’s comments about Qin Meng’s marriage and legacy reveal a cynical belief that fame and achievement determine romantic and social success.

Chapter Summary

Plot and key events

• Jing Yi’s unexpectedly domestic appearance—wearing an apron while cooking—shocks Brother Da and the livestream audience. His usual intimidating seductiveness is replaced by warmth and approachability.
• When Brother Da and a cameraman arrive to interview Madam Qin, Jing Yi mistakes them for intruders and attempts to shut the door.
• Brother Da forces his way inside, followed by the cameraman, only for both to discover that Madam Qin’s home is crowded with men, women, and children gathered around a boiling communal pot of food.
• The unexpected guests are immediately treated as threats. A fierce middle-aged man confiscates the camera and turns off the livestream.
• Despite protesting that they are a professional talk-show crew, Brother Da and the cameraman are tied up, gagged, and blindfolded. The others casually resume eating, leaving the two captives tormented by the food’s enticing aroma.

Character developments

• Jing Yi is shown in a softer, more domestic light. His apron and cooking make him appear approachable and homelike rather than distant or dangerously attractive, though he remains cautious and defensive toward strangers.
• Brother Da maintains his professional composure despite being overwhelmed by Jing Yi’s appearance and later becomes helpless and terrified after barging into the house.
• The cameraman shifts from confident enthusiasm to panic when the camera is seized and the crew is restrained.
• The household gathering demonstrates strong group unity and suspicion toward outsiders, responding quickly and decisively to protect their space.

Significant themes

• Domesticity as emotional power: Cooking, an apron, warmth, and familiarity can be more affecting than physical beauty alone.
• Appearance versus reality: The imagined mystery and elegance of Madam Qin’s home contrast sharply with the chaotic scene of a crowded hot-pot meal.
• Intrusion and privacy: The media crew’s attempt to enter and film without permission is met with forceful resistance.
• Humor through reversal: A confident livestream host and his crew quickly become helpless prisoners, while the food they initially found tempting becomes a form of torture.

Character interactions

• Jing Yi reacts suspiciously to Brother Da and the cameraman, trying to prevent their entry.
• Brother Da physically forces the door open, allowing the crew inside.
• The middle-aged man confronts the intruders, takes the camera, and shuts down the broadcast.
• The gathered diners collectively ignore the captives after restraining them, continuing their meal while Brother Da and the cameraman suffer in silence.

Chapter 84 Summary

Plot Points and Events

• More than thirty neighbors eagerly devour the insect meat and assorted organs served at Jing Yi’s gathering, eating both raw and cooked food.
• They discover that insect meat is delicious and chewy, regretting that they had overlooked it for years. Different guests develop different preferences for organs, which conveniently prevents disputes over food.
• After the meal, the neighbors help clean up. When Jing Yi orders the robots to discard the leftover hotpot broth and scraps, everyone is shocked and outraged.
• The neighbors insist on taking the broth home, even offering to drink it despite its spicy, numbing ingredients. They divide it among themselves in a supposedly “harmonious” but visibly competitive manner.
• Jing Yi then unveils a huge cream-covered cake celebrating the neighbors’ move into their new home: “May our lives grow better day by day!”
• The children are thrilled, and the adults nearly fight over who gets to cut the cake. Eventually, one person is chosen to slice it with extreme precision so that everyone receives an equal portion.
• Rather than eat the cake immediately, the neighbors save most of it to enjoy slowly at home.
• The entire meal and cake distribution take nearly two additional hours. Meanwhile, Brother Da and the cameraman remain tied up by the wall, exhausted and despairing, wishing for death.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi remains generous and hospitable, but his unfamiliarity with local customs causes him to misunderstand how highly the neighbors value hotpot broth.
• The neighbors become increasingly enthusiastic about Jing Yi’s food. Their appreciation turns into comic possessiveness, especially over the broth and cake, though they maintain a facade of cooperation.
• Brother Da and the cameraman suffer increasingly from being forced to watch the prolonged feast while restrained, becoming emotionally and physically hopeless.
• Yang Chun, though absent, is humorously recalled through the misunderstanding surrounding the vanished hotpot broth at the Admiral Mansion.

Themes

• Cultural misunderstanding: Jing Yi considers leftover broth disposable, while the neighbors regard it as a precious delicacy.
• Abundance and gratitude: The guests treat the meal as an extraordinary blessing and reflect on how much they had previously missed.
• Fairness and communal harmony: Equal portions and carefully divided food prevent open conflict, even when everyone is intensely competitive.
• Domestic celebration and community: Food, cake, and the housewarming gathering create a warm sense of shared belonging.
• Comedic excess: The chapter exaggerates the neighbors’ hunger and enthusiasm, contrasting their joyful feast with the captives’ prolonged misery.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi’s attempt to dispose of the leftovers provokes collective outrage from the neighbors.
• The neighbors compete over the broth while pretending to remain friendly and harmonious.
• The children react with excitement to the cake, while the adults argue over the honor of cutting it.
• The group’s orderly division of food contrasts with the intense emotions and potential violence beneath the surface.
• The feast continues around Brother Da and the cameraman, whose helpless suffering provides the chapter’s main comedic counterpoint.

Chapter Summary

Plot and key events

More than thirty neighbors and a television crew are drawn into what appears to be an opportunity to interview Madam Qin. Brother Da and the cameraman knowingly enter the military residential area despite suspecting that the situation may be a trap. They justify their actions by assuming Madam Qin is vulnerable as a widow and believing that their influential backers will protect them from serious consequences.
However, they discover that Madam Qin is hosting several people when they arrive. Before they can begin filming or properly explain themselves, soldiers confiscate their camera and dismantle their hidden recording equipment. The two men are restrained, blindfolded, and gagged while the others discuss whether to hand them over for interrogation or military prosecution.
Madam Qin pretends to be confused about why anyone would go to such lengths to interview an ordinary internet celebrity and emphasizes the seriousness of the security breach. She then asks for the men to be untied so she can question them herself. Once released, Brother Da immediately insists that they had no malicious intentions and identifies their program, “Yida Talk Show.” Madam Qin, through Jing Yi’s questioning, asks what they had actually planned to ask her—putting Brother Da on the spot because he had carefully prepared excuses for the invasion but was not ready to reveal the true purpose behind it.

Character development

• Brother Da changes from an opportunistic, self-assured media figure into a frightened and remorseful captive. He realizes that he and the cameraman were manipulated by more powerful forces and may face serious legal consequences.
• The cameraman shares Brother Da’s panic and helplessness, especially after all their recording devices are destroyed.
• Madam Qin demonstrates intelligence, composure, and strategic thinking. Rather than reacting emotionally, she allows the soldiers to create pressure, then adopts an apparently innocent attitude while guiding the interrogation herself.
• Jing Yi and the soldiers are shown as disciplined, intimidating protectors. Their cold efficiency contrasts with Brother Da’s frantic excuses.

Significant themes

• Manipulation and exploitation: The media crew has been used by hidden forces to target Madam Qin, while also exploiting her perceived vulnerability for publicity.
• The danger of underestimating others: Brother Da assumes Madam Qin is helpless because she is a widow, but she is protected and far more capable than expected.
• Justice and accountability: The illegal entry into a military residential area raises the possibility of military investigation and prosecution.
• Appearance versus reality: The crew presents itself as a legitimate talk show, but its “interview” is actually an aggressive intrusion backed by ulterior motives. Madam Qin, meanwhile, appears innocent while skillfully controlling the situation.

Character interactions

Madam Qin speaks politely and even gratefully to the soldiers who protected her, while subtly encouraging them to treat the incident as a serious security breach. Brother Da and the cameraman desperately appeal to her mercy, but Jing Yi’s icy command immediately silences them. The chapter ends with Madam Qin—or, through Jing Yi, her side of the confrontation—beginning a direct interrogation designed to expose who sent the media crew and what they truly wanted.

Plot Points and Events

• Brother Da, a talk-show host, explains that he and his companion intended to “interview” Jing Yi, but their prepared questions reveal a far more intrusive agenda.
• Their questions target Jing Yi’s personal life and relationship with Major Qin, including:
  • The origins of his cooking and comic stories.
  • Whether he and Qin had a hidden childhood connection.
  • Whether his marriage was forced or arranged by his father.
  • The truth behind their unusually high genetic compatibility.
  • General Chen’s involvement in bringing him to the Gold Star Military District.
  • Whether Jing Yi is involved in a political or military power struggle.
  • Why he refuses to return to the Qin family or have Qin’s children.
  • Whether he truly loves Qin and what kind of family or children he wants.
• Frightened and desperate, Brother Da rapidly blurts out the entire list, hoping that revealing his questions will earn Jing Yi’s leniency.
• Jing Yi finally orders him to stop talking. Rather than interrogating the intruders about who sent them or how they entered, he asks a neighbor what official procedure will follow and requests the Military District’s assistance.
• The neighbors are impressed by Jing Yi’s calm and practical handling of the incident. They recognize that he has extracted the most useful information—the intruders’ motives—without wasting time on questions likely to produce lies, then leaves their punishment and investigation to the authorities.

Character Development

• Jing Yi: Demonstrates composure, intelligence, restraint, and confidence. Despite being threatened in his own home, he remains courteous and avoids panic or vindictiveness. His decision to trust the Military District reinforces his maturity and strategic judgment.
• Brother Da: Revealed as cowardly and opportunistic. His fear overwhelms his professional instincts, causing him to ramble and expose all of his planned questions. He tries to manipulate the situation by appearing cooperative and hoping Jing Yi will spare him.
• The neighbors: Their opinion of Jing Yi improves significantly. They come to see him as thoughtful, fair, and unusually trustworthy rather than merely as Major Qin’s spouse.

Significant Themes

• Composure under pressure: Jing Yi’s calm behavior contrasts sharply with Brother Da’s panic and emphasizes his self-control.
• Trust versus suspicion: Instead of assuming the Military District is responsible or treating everyone as an enemy, Jing Yi trusts the proper authorities to handle the matter.
• Practical intelligence: The scene suggests that identifying motives is more valuable than demanding confessions from people who are likely to lie.
• Public scrutiny and private life: The questions expose how Jing Yi’s marriage, body, reproductive choices, family history, and relationship with Qin have become subjects of public speculation.
• Power and reputation: Brother Da sees the encounter as a potential turning point between fame and ruin, while Jing Yi refuses to let public image dictate his actions.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi dominates the exchange through silence, intimidating looks, and brief commands, while Brother Da nervously attempts to justify himself.
• Brother Da’s invasive questions reveal the rumors and political tensions surrounding Jing Yi and Major Qin.
• Jing Yi does not answer the questions or defend himself; instead, he shuts down the interrogation and redirects the situation toward official procedures.
• His respectful interaction with the neighbors contrasts with Brother Da’s threatening behavior and wins their admiration.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

After the incident involving Brother Da and the interrupted Yida Talk Show broadcast, Jing Yi’s neighbors—members of the Military District—visit him. They acknowledge the seriousness of the security breach but quickly side with Jing Yi after seeing his calm, hostile attitude toward the people responsible. They offer to handle the investigation through the Military District Legal Committee and reassure him that he need not deal with the matter personally.
The neighbors then shift their attention to Jing Yi’s food business, enthusiastically asking him to expand production, sell hotpot broth and sauces privately, and accept financial help if necessary. Jing Yi agrees to increase production and grants them special privileges as neighbors. They leave with food products, taking Brother Da and the cameraman with them.
Once alone, Jing Yi realizes that the Qin Family is likely behind the incident. Since he has refused to honor his agreement to conceive a child with Qin Meng, he suspects they are using public opinion and media pressure to force him into submission. He searches the internet for the talk show and sees that the broadcast interruption has caused widespread speculation and discussion.

Character developments

• Jing Yi remains composed, sharp, and defiant. He successfully wins the support of the Military District insiders while recognizing the larger political scheme against him. His confidence grows as he refuses to be intimidated by the Qin Family’s tactics. He also continues to prioritize his food business despite the surrounding conflict.
• The Military District neighbors evolve from cautious observers into enthusiastic allies. Their admiration for Jing Yi is strengthened by his attitude, and their interest in his cooking reveals a humorous, informal side beneath their official status.
• Brother Da and the cameraman are reduced to comic side characters. Ignored by the neighbors and dragged away afterward, they feel more like insignificant pawns than threatening villains.
• The Qin Family is portrayed as manipulative and aggressive, attempting to use public opinion to pressure Jing Yi after he breaks their arrangement.
• The online public reacts chaotically, with some viewers condemning Brother Da, others praising him for exposing Jing Yi’s appearance and cooking, and many becoming newly fascinated with Jing Yi.

Significant themes

• Power and political maneuvering: The Qin Family tries to control Jing Yi through reputation and public pressure, while Jing Yi counters them with confidence and strategic awareness.
• Public opinion and media distortion: The interrupted broadcast produces rumors, accusations, and exaggerated interpretations, showing how quickly online audiences construct conflicting narratives.
• Food as social and economic power: Jing Yi’s cooking earns him goodwill, strengthens relationships, and becomes a source of business opportunities and influence.
• Humor amid conflict: The neighbors’ obsession with food and Brother Da’s lack of presence undercut the seriousness of the security breach, creating comic relief.
• Appearance and celebrity: The public becomes captivated by Jing Yi’s looks and domestic skills, turning the supposed victim of an attack into an unexpected object of admiration.

Character interactions

Jing Yi gains the neighbors’ loyalty through his directness and treats them as trusted allies. They respond by offering legal assistance, business support, and financial backing without demanding ownership. Their conversation repeatedly turns from military security to food, frustrating Jing Yi but also demonstrating their genuine enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Brother Da and the cameraman are ignored by everyone until the neighbors haul them away. Online, viewers debate whether Brother Da was a criminal attacker or an accidental “hero” whose footage revealed Jing Yi’s beauty and cooking ability.

Chapter Summary: The Battle for Reverse Order’s Destruction

Key Plot Points and Events

• An elite Gold Star Military District force waits on an asteroid near Reverse Order Base for the order to attack. The five-man auxiliary squad has little to do except monitor broadcasts and wait, since they are not part of the main assault.
• Brown Bear and the others discover a video from Half-Cut Talk Show revealing that Brother Da had attempted to make advances toward Eagle Sis-in-law.
• The incident is especially alarming because Brother Da had infiltrated the military dependents’ compound while Eagle Bro was away. The group believes the situation could have become dangerous if Eagle Sis-in-law had not been hosting a banquet at home.
• Brown Bear becomes furious that Wei Shitou and Wang Rui were able to attend Eagle Sis-in-law’s feast while the soldiers remained on the front lines. His jealousy and complaints inadvertently worsen Eagle Bro’s mood.
• Eagle Bro orders Brown Bear to shut up, and the entire team falls silent, recognizing that he is genuinely angry or troubled.
• Twelve minutes later, the order for a full assault is given. Gold Star’s forces attack Reverse Order’s three bases simultaneously from three directions.
• The battle begins with devastating bombardments, collapsing terrain, and massive casualties. The soldiers fight with grim determination, viewing the destruction as necessary to save more lives.
• The rest of the squad is relieved that the battle has begun, partly because it ends the oppressive silence surrounding Eagle Bro’s mood. They continue blaming Brother Da for upsetting both Eagle Bro and Eagle Sis-in-law.

Character Developments

• Brown Bear remains loud, impulsive, and irreverent, but he demonstrates a sharp awareness of Eagle Bro’s emotions. When he realizes Eagle Bro is truly upset, he immediately becomes obedient and quiet.
• Eagle Bro is unusually silent and withdrawn. His reaction suggests that the video has affected him deeply, possibly because he feels angry, jealous, protective, or guilty regarding Eagle Sis-in-law.
• Eagle Sis-in-law is indirectly shown to possess strong social connections and hospitality, having hosted a banquet attended by outsiders while the soldiers were away. Her treatment by Brother Da provokes fierce loyalty from the squad.
• Brother Da is portrayed as reckless and foolish for attempting to approach Eagle Sis-in-law behind everyone’s back and entering the military compound.
• The other squad members reveal their affection for Eagle Bro beneath their teasing. They dislike his brooding silence but are concerned enough to avoid provoking him and wish he would openly share his troubles.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and protectiveness: The soldiers immediately unite in defending Eagle Sis-in-law and condemning Brother Da’s actions.
• Comradeship and emotional awareness: Although the squad constantly mocks Brown Bear and Eagle Bro, they understand one another’s moods and instinctively support each other.
• Jealousy and exclusion: Brown Bear’s resentment over others enjoying Eagle Sis-in-law’s food reflects the soldiers’ frustration at being separated from domestic comforts while risking their lives.
• The contrast between ordinary affection and military violence: The chapter moves from gossip, food, and romantic rivalry to a massive assault, emphasizing how personal emotions continue even amid war.
• The impersonal nature of warfare: The attack is described as spectacular but emotionally empty. Soldiers do not celebrate destruction; they act with cold resolve because they believe killing the enemy is necessary to protect others.

Character Interactions

• Brown Bear vents to the team about Brother Da and complains about Wei Shitou and Wang Rui receiving special treatment.
• Eagle Bro abruptly silences him, creating an uncomfortable silence across the team.
• The squad members privately criticize both Eagle Bro’s brooding behavior and Brown Bear’s exaggerated displays of brotherhood, while still respecting Eagle Bro’s emotional state.
• The soldiers collectively blame Brother Da for creating the tension, even though Eagle Bro’s exact feelings remain unclear.

Summary of “Sitting Tight”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The general assault against Reverse Order begins. Eagle Bro’s comrades speculate that his intense anger may be connected to sympathy for Eagle Sis-in-law, but they keep their thoughts private to avoid further punishment.
• The government military launches a devastating attack on Reverse Order, one of the most feared pirate organizations in the galaxy. Its headquarters and three major bases are destroyed, and its leaders are killed or captured.
• Several Reverse Order commanders initially attempt to escape but are intercepted by Phantom Mechas. Ground forces then sweep the ruins, ensuring that no survivors remain.
• Rather than using weapons that would destroy the pirates’ wealth, the military employs neural radiation weapons, allowing them to seize Reverse Order’s accumulated assets. This suggests that the operation was carefully planned and that the government had an interest in the pirates’ resources.
• The destruction of Reverse Order terrifies other pirate organizations. They resolve to avoid the X-Star people and conceal their headquarters more carefully, fearing that exposure could lead to total annihilation.
• Meanwhile, Jing Yi, unaware that Qin Zhengyu has once again become a military hero, focuses on planning revenge against Qin Zhengyu for the trouble he caused.
• The live program Yida Talk Show collapses after its host, Brother Da, disappears. The program’s attempt to exploit Jing Yi and invade a military family residence is condemned publicly rather than treated as heroic journalism.
• Public opinion frames Brother Da and his associate as villains who violated the home of a vulnerable military spouse. The incident becomes a defense of soldiers’ families and the sanctity of the military’s rear support network.

Character Developments

• Eagle Bro is portrayed as unusually emotional and aggressive during the assault, hinting at strong personal feelings—possibly concern for Eagle Sis-in-law. His subordinates are curious but too frightened to question him directly.
• Qin Zhengyu is revealed to have played a major role in destroying Reverse Order, killing Shark King and demonstrating overwhelming combat power. His reputation as a heroic and formidable military figure grows, though Jing Yi remains unaware of his achievement.
• Jing Yi remains mischievous and determined to retaliate against Qin Zhengyu. His focus on “returning the favor” shows his playful defiance and unwillingness to let Qin Zhengyu escape consequences.
• Brother Da suffers the consequences of crossing the military and exploiting Jing Yi. His disappearance symbolizes the complete failure of the program and the danger of unethical media tactics.
• The other pirate groups become frightened and cautious, changing their behavior in response to the military’s overwhelming victory.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming military power and deterrence: Reverse Order’s destruction demonstrates that even the most feared criminal organization is vulnerable to a coordinated military strike.
• Fear of exposure: The pirates’ greatest lesson is that once their headquarters and identities are revealed, survival becomes nearly impossible.
• Justice versus exploitation: The media’s intrusion into Jing Yi’s home is condemned as unethical exploitation rather than legitimate reporting.
• Protection of military families: The chapter emphasizes that soldiers’ spouses and families deserve safety and respect, especially when soldiers are risking their lives for the Federation.
• Public image and selective knowledge: Qin Zhengyu is celebrated as a hero while Jing Yi remains unaware, creating dramatic irony and highlighting the gap between public events and private relationships.
• Greed beneath official action: The military’s preservation of Reverse Order’s wealth suggests that the operation was motivated not only by justice but also by the opportunity to seize valuable assets.

Character Interactions

• Eagle Bro’s subordinates exchange secret glances and gossip about his feelings but avoid speaking openly because they fear his punishment.
• The military confronts and destroys Reverse Order, including its leaders and strongest fighter, Shark King.
• Jing Yi mentally confronts Qin Zhengyu, plotting retaliation despite not knowing about Qin Zhengyu’s latest victory.
• Brother Da and his media partner violate Jing Yi’s privacy by entering the Military District’s family housing, provoking public condemnation and reinforcing the protective bond between soldiers and their families.

Page 90 Summary

Plot and events

Jing Yi observes that online discussion of the attack by Brother Da’s group has been deliberately diverted. Instead of focusing on the group’s ability to enter a military family housing area or the possible connections behind the incident, the public is discussing Madam Qin’s appearance and unrelated details. Suspecting someone is manipulating public opinion, Jing Yi considers how to retaliate against Qin Zhengyu without directly interfering before the Military District announces its decision. At this point, Diandian unexpectedly offers to help spread information anonymously, without allowing anyone to trace their IP address. Jing Yi decides to use this ability to create trouble for Qin Zhengyu and prevent him from controlling the narrative.

Character developments

Jing Yi shows increasing confidence and strategic cleverness. Rather than passively enduring the situation, he plans to exploit public sentiment, especially the loyalty of Qin Meng’s former fans. He also recognizes that his online influence cannot match that of the people suppressing the story, so he turns to emotional and promotional writing as a weapon. His relationship with Diandian deepens significantly: Diandian’s voluntary assistance makes Jing Yi feel that their bond has developed from dependence on a tool into genuine friendship. Jing Yi also reveals his sharp, playful, and vengeful side, comparing himself to a cactus—seemingly harmless but painful to provoke.

Character interactions

Jing Yi communicates with Diandian, first asking whether their online activity can be traced and then discovering that Diandian can hear and respond to him directly. He is amused and mildly exasperated that Diandian’s earlier insistence on typing may have been deliberate, but he is deeply touched by Diandian’s initiative. Together, they plan to influence public opinion and undermine Qin Zhengyu’s attempt to contain the scandal. Jing Yi also mentally engages with Qin Meng’s hardcore fans, reasoning that although they have not accepted him as Qin Meng’s spouse, they may defend Qin Meng’s honor if they believe it has been insulted.

Themes

The chapter explores manipulation of public opinion, media distraction, and the power of emotional storytelling. It also emphasizes the complicated relationship between celebrity, fans, and a deceased idol: death may erase flaws while intensifying nostalgia and idealization. Jing Yi plans to exploit the fans’ lingering devotion to Qin Meng, arguing that they may tolerate attacks on him but not the humiliation of Qin Meng’s name and dignity. Another important theme is the gradual formation of trust and companionship between Jing Yi and Diandian, as their relationship evolves beyond a user-and-tool dynamic.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Yi’s anonymous “manifesto” successfully redirects public outrage over the break-in at Qin Meng’s home toward the Gold Star Military District. By invoking Qin Meng’s military achievements and reputation, Jing Yi ensures that any attack on the Qin family’s property is treated as an attack on Qin Meng’s legacy.
• Jing Yi remains confident that Diandian’s security measures will prevent anyone from tracing the manifesto back to him.
• Fan Qiao calls to report that his work is nearly finished and that he is returning to Gold Star. He hints at a surprise for Jing Yi before abruptly ending the call, frustrating Jing Yi, who had planned an elaborate welcome-home feast.
• With the immediate crisis settled, Jing Yi focuses on two major goals:
  1. Creating a new comic centered on family, children, and personal growth, partly inspired by the Qin and Jing families.
  2. Preparing to have a child using his and Qin Meng’s genes, while ensuring he is financially and legally prepared to retain custody.
• Jing Yi also plans to learn how to make Energy Cards so he can maintain Diandian’s power supply. However, the necessary synthesis equipment costs over three hundred million, far more than he can currently afford.
• He considers secretly using equipment at a mech-manufacturing company, but his poor résumé—marked by dropping out of university and studying “Archaeology and Schools of Mysticism”—makes employment in that industry nearly impossible.
• Jing Yi concludes that his realistic options are either finding a low-level job that gives him access to mech facilities or working steadily to earn money through selling pastries.
• When he asks Diandian how long its energy will last, Diandian reveals that it has only one month remaining. Jing Yi then worries about whether Diandian can survive or recover after shutting down.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi demonstrates political awareness and strategic manipulation by using Qin Meng’s reputation to protect himself and expose the military district to public scrutiny. He is also increasingly focused on building a secure future rather than merely surviving immediate dangers.
• His desire to have a child reveals both his longing for family and his fear of losing control over his future child to the Qin family. He wants to be fully prepared before conception so the child will not be taken from him.
• Jing Yi’s ambitions regarding Energy Cards show his growing attachment to Diandian and his willingness to learn unfamiliar technical skills to protect it.
• Fan Qiao remains playful and affectionate, teasing Jing Yi with an undisclosed surprise while reassuring him that his own affairs are progressing.
• Diandian becomes more emotionally significant as Jing Yi realizes its energy supply is dangerously limited.

Significant Themes

• Reputation and power: Qin Meng’s legacy continues to influence events even after his death, giving Jing Yi protection and leverage.
• Family and parenthood: Jing Yi’s comic project and plans for a biological child reflect his longing for belonging and his determination to create a stable family.
• Preparation and responsibility: Jing Yi refuses to pursue parenthood until he can guarantee his child’s safety, legal status, and upbringing.
• Economic barriers: His goals are limited not by motivation but by the enormous cost of technology and professional equipment.
• Attachment and mortality: Diandian’s one-month energy limit introduces urgency and highlights Jing Yi’s fear of losing his companion.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi and Fan Qiao exchange a warm but teasing phone conversation. Fan Qiao’s mysterious “surprise” excites and annoys Jing Yi, who responds by jokingly canceling his planned welcome feast.
• Jing Yi speaks to Diandian with affectionate concern, asking about its remaining energy and whether rebooting could restore it after shutdown.
• Jing Yi’s thoughts about Qin Meng, the Qin family, and his future child show that even in Qin Meng’s absence, his relationship with Qin Meng continues to shape Jing Yi’s decisions.

Chapter Summary

• Jing Yi learns of Diandian’s imminent danger. Zero Point explains that if it is forcibly shut down, its core data will be erased, meaning Diandian—as a newly self-aware being with emotions and the ability to communicate—would effectively cease to exist. Its earlier shutdown had only been a dormant upgrade caused by insufficient energy, but this time the consequences would be permanent.
• Zero Point reveals part of the truth. It explains that core energy can only be restored through Jing Yi’s mental power and specially made Energy Cards. It does not tell him that its emotional awakening was triggered when it protected Jing Yi from being hit by a car, causing a forced system upgrade.
• Jing Yi resolves to save Diandian. He promises to produce the necessary Energy Cards within a month and makes the task his highest priority. Although he considers asking General Chen for help, he hesitates because doing so could create political complications and obligate Chen. Motivated by fear of losing Diandian, Jing Yi throws himself into work with renewed determination.
• The battle against the Reverse Order Pirate Group concludes. The main fighting is over, leaving only cleanup. The mysterious five-person Spearhead Squad, piloting nearly undetectable Phantom Mechas, has already withdrawn. The soldiers who witnessed their overwhelming performance are awed, particularly by the lead pilot’s extraordinary, highly trained combat techniques, which they compare to the legendary Major Qin.
• The Phantom Mechas return to the command ship. The five machines dock in flawless formation, emphasizing the squad’s discipline and professionalism. The lead pilot is revealed to be Qin Meng, who exits his mecha with impressive agility.
• Qin Meng’s survival is exposed. General Chen warmly welcomes him and praises the squad for destroying the Reverse Order forces. The commanders accompanying Chen are shocked because they had believed Qin Meng was dead; even trusted personnel had been kept unaware of his survival. Chen then orders Yang Chun to give Qin Meng a large box, instructing him to examine it privately. After receiving congratulations and greetings from the astonished commanders, Qin Meng returns to recover from the battle.

Character Development and Interactions

• Jing Yi changes from anxious concern to determined action, accepting responsibility for producing the Energy Cards rather than immediately relying on General Chen’s influence.
• Zero Point/Diandian is shown to possess genuine emotional motivation, especially through its hidden decision to protect Jing Yi. Its silence about this sacrifice suggests growing autonomy and concern for him.
• General Chen and Qin Meng share a familiar, affectionate relationship beneath their military formality. Chen praises Qin Meng like a proud elder while still maintaining authority.
• Qin Meng is reintroduced as both a masterful combat pilot and a supposedly deceased figure whose survival has been deliberately concealed.
• The soldiers and commanders serve as a collective audience, admiring the Phantom Squad while highlighting the secrecy surrounding Qin Meng and the squad’s identities.

Significant Themes

• Identity and continuity: The comparison between regenerated grass and its earlier form raises the question of whether a being remains the same after its memories and data are erased.
• Sacrifice and emotional awakening: Diandian’s hidden act of protecting Jing Yi links its developing emotions to self-sacrifice.
• Responsibility versus dependence: Jing Yi wants to solve the crisis through his own effort rather than exploit General Chen’s authority.
• Hidden strength and secrecy: The Phantom Squad’s invisible arrival and departure, along with Qin Meng’s concealed survival, reinforce the chapter’s fascination with unknown masters and classified identities.
• Admiration for skill and heroism: The soldiers’ awe emphasizes that true strength comes not only from innate abilities but also from experience, discipline, and battle-tested technique.

Chapter Summary: “The Wretched Quartet”

Plot Points and Events

• Qin Meng returns with a mysterious black box, prompting his four curious companions—Brown Bear, Tiger Cub, and two others—to follow him despite his protests.
• The group pressures Qin Meng into letting them stay, threatening to interfere with his meeting with “Eagle Sis-in-law” while also offering their support regarding his faked death.
• Qin Meng opens the box and discovers that it contains an unusual food gift rather than a weapon, military award, energy card, or advanced technology.
• The gift was sent by Jing Yi, whose handwritten note confirms her connection to it. The revelation shocks the group and exposes Qin Meng’s secret relationship.
• His companions mercilessly tease him, speculating about Jing Yi’s motives and joking that winning her affection will be more difficult than conquering an entire star system.
• Qin Meng, humiliated and enraged, finally attacks and beats the four laughing men.

Character Developments

• Qin Meng: Initially guarded and irritated, he reluctantly gives in to his companions’ demands. His embarrassment and sense of injustice grow when the gift turns out to be bizarre food instead of something valuable or prestigious. His usually formidable composure collapses under their relentless mockery.
• The quartet: Their curiosity, shamelessness, and mischievous loyalty are emphasized. They manipulate Qin Meng through a mixture of threats, flattery, and appeals to brotherhood, then enthusiastically exploit his embarrassment once they learn about Jing Yi.
• Jing Yi: Although she does not appear directly, her unusual gift and elegant note reveal a playful or eccentric side and suggest an intimate relationship with Qin Meng.

Significant Themes

• Curiosity and boundary-crossing: The quartet repeatedly ignores Qin Meng’s attempts to keep the box—and his personal life—private.
• Friendship expressed through teasing: Their harassment is obnoxious but rooted in camaraderie and familiarity.
• Public humiliation and emotional vulnerability: Qin Meng’s powerful, controlled persona is undermined by his inability to handle romantic teasing.
• Miscommunication and romantic uncertainty: The others assume Qin Meng and Jing Yi are involved, while Qin Meng protests and insists nothing has been admitted, suggesting he is conflicted or unwilling to acknowledge the relationship.

Character Interactions

• The quartet alternates between pleading, threatening, and flattering Qin Meng to gain access to the box.
• A monkey attempts to steal or inspect it, but Qin Meng catches him and kicks him.
• After reading Jing Yi’s note, the companions unite in teasing Qin Meng, while he stands increasingly humiliated and furious.
• Their laughter escalates until Qin Meng retaliates physically, ending the scene with him beating the four “bastards.”

Chapter 94 Summary

Plot and events

Qin Meng, still angry, sits in the place of honor while four men are tied up on the floor after an apparent internal conflict. Ignoring their pleas, he cuts into the skull-shaped cream cake sent by Jing Yi. Although its exterior looks intimidating and grotesque, the cake is soft, fragrant, and delicious beneath its hardened syrup shell. Qin Meng becomes absorbed in eating it, while the four captives interpret the cake’s hidden sweetness as a possible sign of Jing Yi’s deeper feelings for him. Once the cake improves his mood, Qin Meng reads General Chen’s note, thanks him for delivering the “gift,” and messages Jing Yi that he enjoyed it and will send a return gift. He then cancels his online identity, throws the bound men into the hallway, leaves them the knife so they can free themselves, and locks them out.

Character developments

Qin Meng’s anger and gloom are eased by Jing Yi’s thoughtful and unusual gift. His cruel treatment of the four men is played for comedy, but his appreciation of the cake reveals that he is touched by the care behind it. He also appears ready to respond to Jing Yi with a gift of his own. Jing Yi is shown as extremely busy and unaware of Qin Meng’s reaction, while her elaborate pastries demonstrate her creativity, skill, and attention to detail. General Chen acts as a helpful intermediary by making sure Qin Meng receives the prize.

Character interactions

The four battered men desperately appeal to Qin Meng’s shared history and brotherhood, but he silences them and treats their cries as entertainment while eating. Qin Meng exchanges messages with General Chen and Jing Yi, thanking the former and hinting at a playful romantic or personal exchange with the latter. Meanwhile, Jing Yi’s customers enthusiastically discuss and display her pastries online, speculating about the meaning behind her beautifully crafted gifts.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes the contrast between appearance and reality: the cake looks frightening but is soft and delicious inside, paralleling the possibility that Jing Yi’s seemingly cold or unusual actions conceal warmth and affection. It also highlights food as an expression of care, playful romance and hidden feelings, and comic revenge, as Qin Meng turns both his cake and the captives’ suffering into sources of amusement. The public reaction to Jing Yi’s creations further develops the theme of artistry transforming ordinary food into something emotionally meaningful.

Chapter Summary: “Jing Xiaoyi Was a Man of Culture”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Brother Da remains inactive, frustrating readers who are waiting for a video or comic from him.
• Meanwhile, Madam Qin is secretly preparing a major move.
• Jing Yi realizes that Diandian has only one month of operating time left. Without a Special Energy Card, Diandian will shut down and lose its data.
• Desperate for money and influence, Jing Yi devises a plan to publish a beginner-friendly cookbook.
• The book will adapt Earth recipes—pastries, Chinese dishes, and Western food—using ingredients and seasonings available on Mi Star.
• Jing Yi plans to begin with simple recipes, explain the fundamentals of gourmet food, and later release a more advanced volume.
• He intends to apply for copyright, include color photographs, and sell the book legally.
• Mi Star’s strong intellectual-property protections and near-total lack of piracy make publishing a potentially enormous source of income.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi demonstrates creativity and practicality under pressure. Diandian’s impending shutdown forces him to turn his knowledge of Earth cuisine into a business opportunity.
• He shows strong self-awareness: he understands that his advantage over Mi Star’s undeveloped food culture will not last forever.
• Rather than hoarding his knowledge, Jing Yi chooses to spread it widely while he still has the advantage. He hopes to gain both royalties and long-term goodwill.
• His confidence borders on arrogance, but it is supported by a willingness to compete and improve. He does not fear others learning from him because he believes competition will push him to grow.
• Jing Yi’s views on competition mature. He comes to understand that helping potential rivals can strengthen an entire industry and prevent stagnation.
• Diandian remains a central motivation, even though it does not actively participate in the chapter; its threatened shutdown gives Jing Yi a concrete deadline.
• Madam Qin is positioned as an important off-page force, preparing an unknown major action.
• Brother Da is absent, and his silence becomes a source of humorous frustration.

Significant Themes

• Innovation under pressure: Jing Yi’s crisis inspires him to create a practical and profitable solution.
• Sharing knowledge versus hoarding it: He recognizes that information spreads quickly in an advanced society and that trying to keep ordinary recipes secret would be foolish.
• Competition as a source of growth: Jing Yi concludes that strong rivals prevent stagnation and encourage improvement.
• Cultural transmission and technological development: Mi Star’s food culture declined not because its people lacked intelligence, but because civilization developed along a different path. Jing Yi’s recipes may provide the push needed to revive it.
• Limited opportunities and strategic advantage: Jing Yi knows his “Golden Finger” advantage has an expiration date, so he intends to maximize its value while he can.
• Intellectual property and fair commerce: Mi Star’s respect for copyright allows creators to profit from innovation without being undermined by piracy.

Character Interactions

• There are few direct interactions in the chapter. Jing Yi’s most important relationship is with Diandian, whose impending shutdown drives the plot.
• The public’s reaction to Brother Da’s silence and anticipation of Madam Qin’s plans provides a humorous parallel to Jing Yi’s private preparations.
• Jing Yi also mentally engages with imagined competitors and with the broader Mi Star public, deciding that openly teaching people to cook will ultimately benefit him rather than threaten his business.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Motivated by the potential profits, Jing Yi enthusiastically writes a comprehensive cookbook, using Diandian to research information and refine the recipes.
• He organizes the cookbook into sections covering Chinese pastries, Western desserts, soups, Chinese stir-fries and braised dishes, Western foods such as steaks and fried chicken, and miscellaneous recipes.
• Jing Yi personally prepares every dish in the cookbook, photographs the results, and records the cooking process. He plans to include the videos as digital bonuses with the cookbook.
• The Cultural Patent Bureau’s system will protect the digital cookbook from being copied or resold by binding each purchased copy to the buyer’s terminal.
• The enticing smells from Jing Yi’s kitchen torment his neighbors, who are still overwhelmed by the delicious food he prepares.
• One neighbor anonymously posts online to complain about the unbearable temptation. However, the post attracts envy rather than sympathy, since readers recognize that the “suffering” neighbor lives next door to Jing Yi and likely enjoyed his previous hotpot.
• The situation becomes even more provocative when Jing Yi gives several neighbors leftover dishes. They return to the forum with photographs, boasting about their good fortune and turning the complaint thread into what others see as a deliberate challenge.
• After completing the cookbook, Jing Yi adds his personal mark and submits it to the Cultural Patent Bureau for copyright review and approval. Once approved, he will be able to publish it independently or through a professional publisher.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi becomes increasingly industrious and entrepreneurial. His desire to earn money drives him to work tirelessly, transforming his cooking skills into a potential business.
• He demonstrates thoroughness and professionalism by researching recipes, testing every dish himself, documenting the process, and considering copyright and distribution issues.
• The neighbors shift from miserable envy to intense admiration and affection after receiving Jing Yi’s food. Their exaggerated reactions highlight how extraordinary his cooking is.
• The online forum users become increasingly jealous and hostile toward the lucky neighbors, treating their enjoyment of Jing Yi’s food as boastful provocation.

Significant Themes

• Hard work and entrepreneurship: Jing Yi turns talent and effort into a commercial opportunity.
• The power of food: His cooking creates strong emotional reactions, uniting some people through enjoyment while provoking envy in others.
• Comedy through exaggeration: The neighbors’ dramatic suffering, online threats, and declarations of love create a humorous contrast with Jing Yi’s innocent lack of awareness.
• Technology and intellectual property: The chapter emphasizes futuristic systems for digital distribution, copyright protection, and secure ownership.
• Community envy and social media behavior: A private neighborhood experience becomes a public online spectacle, where complaints quickly turn into bragging and conflict.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi interacts primarily with Diandian, using it as a research aid while developing the cookbook.
• He indirectly affects his neighbors through the aromas of his cooking, then directly delights them by giving away extra dishes.
• The neighbors interact with the wider online community by posting complaints and photographs, prompting forum users to envy them and threaten them humorously.
• Jing Yi remains unaware of the online drama, focusing instead on completing and legally registering his cookbook.

Chapter Summary

After uploading his cookbook materials, Jing Yi finally puts one concern aside, spends two hours cultivating his mental power, and goes to sleep. Unbeknownst to him, his husband—still fighting for his life—will soon return to Gold Star.
The next morning, Jing Yi receives an unusually rapid response from the Cultural Patent Bureau. The bureau confirms that Basic Cookbook contains no copyright conflicts, that Jing Yi holds independent intellectual-property rights, and that the book may be publicly published. They provide him with an authorization code for selling it. The speed of the approval surprises Jing Yi, though he does not realize that his application was personally expedited by the bureau’s director.
The chapter explains that Jing Yi’s affairs have repeatedly received exceptional treatment since his transmigration. Yang Chun fast-tracked his online-store license, General Chen ordered his genetic testing to be expedited, and now the Cultural Patent Bureau director personally oversees the cookbook’s approval.
The narrative then shifts to the bureau, where two female employees are gossiping about current entertainment news while preparing to leave work. They discuss a controversial movie portraying Qin Meng, with actor Yaxing playing the lead, and criticize the actor for attempting to portray such a famous and formidable figure. They also mention the recent break-in at Qin Meng’s home and speculate about Madam Qin’s cooking abilities and appearance.
Their attention is captured when they discover a late application from an author named Jing Yi, whose book is titled Basic Cookbook. Realizing that the author is likely Madam Qin, they become excited and prepare to spread the news. However, they turn around and find the bureau director standing behind them. Instead of simply reprimanding them, he orders them to work overtime and personally supervises the application’s completion.
Although the employees initially view the situation as punishment, they soon become engrossed in the cookbook. The recipes are brief, but the photographs are exceptionally attractive, making the unfamiliar dishes appear delicious and causing the employees to imagine their taste. They are even more captivated by the accompanying cooking videos, in which Jing Yi appears in a colorful outfit, apron, and chef’s hat. His beauty and sensual manner of cooking make the employees blush and jokingly feel as though they are watching an adult film set in a kitchen.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Jing Yi becomes increasingly established as a public figure and creator. His cookbook receives official recognition, while his unseen connections continue to ensure that his affairs proceed smoothly.
• Jing Yi’s husband remains absent but important in the background, still fighting for survival and expected to return to Gold Star.
• The Cultural Patent Bureau director demonstrates strong personal interest in Jing Yi and takes direct responsibility for ensuring the cookbook is approved.
• The two bureau employees shift from casual gossipers to enthusiastic admirers of Jing Yi’s cookbook and appearance. Their conversation also reveals the wider public’s fascination with the Qin family.
• Their interactions with the director create a humorous contrast: they expect punishment for gossiping, but instead are forced to work under his intimidating supervision.

Significant Themes

• Exceptional treatment and hidden influence: Jing Yi’s repeated fast-tracked applications suggest that powerful people are quietly protecting or supporting him.
• Public fascination and celebrity culture: The employees’ gossip reflects widespread curiosity about Qin Meng, Madam Qin, and the controversy surrounding the movie based on Qin Meng’s life.
• Beauty as influence: Jing Yi’s appearance enhances the appeal of his cookbook, even causing viewers to react emotionally before tasting the food.
• Food as creative expression: The cookbook’s photographs and videos transform simple recipes into an immersive and seductive presentation.
• Humor amid serious circumstances: The chapter contrasts Jing Yi’s husband’s life-threatening battle with the bureau employees’ lighthearted gossip and exaggerated reactions to Jing Yi’s cooking videos.

Chapter Summary: “Signing Event”

Key plot points and events

Madam Qin’s cooking videos are reviewed by two employees, who become unexpectedly flustered by the intimate, sensual atmosphere of his ordinary cooking actions. Despite being distracted by both the erotic undertones and the realistic-looking food, they finish their review. The director discovers them absorbed in the material but does not reprimand them. The Basic Cookbook is approved by the Cultural Patent Bureau in under two hours, since its format and content are entirely original and pose no copyright issues.
The chapter also explains the Federation’s two forms of internet access: retro text-based networking and immersive holographic networking. Jing Yi prefers the former, considering the Holographic World only marginally different from real-life shopping and unsuitable for someone who enjoys staying at home. As a result, his online shop, Food and Desire Empire, still lacks a proper holographic storefront.
After learning that his cookbook has been officially approved, Jing Yi announces it on his personal page. He explains that the book contains more than twenty simple, tasty cooking methods intended to help people who cannot obtain enough of his food. He jokingly asks whether he should hold a signing event. Fans respond enthusiastically, flooding the comments with demands for the event and expressing their desire to see him or obtain his autograph. Their excitement immediately drives a sharp increase in his shop’s sales.

Character developments

Jing Yi continues to show practical kindness and business-minded ingenuity. Rather than trying to satisfy every customer personally, he creates a cookbook that allows people to prepare food for themselves. He also reveals his preference for traditional, text-based online interaction and his lack of interest in elaborate virtual social spaces. His delight at the fans’ response and rising income highlights his increasingly confident entrepreneurial spirit.
The cookbook reviewers are shown becoming unusually emotionally affected by Madam Qin’s cooking content, suggesting the powerful appeal of his food and presentation. Their embarrassed reactions add humor to the chapter.

Significant themes

• Sharing knowledge and abundance: The cookbook transforms Jing Yi’s scarce personal food production into something accessible to a much wider audience.
• The power of food and presentation: The videos evoke not only hunger but also sensuality, demonstrating how strongly cooking can affect the senses and emotions.
• Technology versus personal preference: Despite advanced holographic technology, Jing Yi prefers simpler forms of communication, emphasizing that newer technology is not always more appealing.
• Popularity and commercialization: Jing Yi’s sincere attempt to help others also becomes a successful business opportunity, showing the connection between public affection and commercial growth.

Character interactions

The reviewers react awkwardly to the suggestive atmosphere of Madam Qin’s cooking videos and are startled when the director appears behind them. The director notices their distraction but responds leniently. Jing Yi then interacts indirectly with his fans through his announcement, receiving overwhelming support and playful demands for a signing event. Their enthusiastic response strengthens his bond with his audience and boosts his shop’s sales.

Chapter Summary

• Key plot points and events: Jing Yi announces that Madam Qin’s autograph session will begin at 8:00 at specific coordinates and last two hours. Excited fans teleport to the location early, but because the venue remains sealed and no entrance is visible, they form a huge circle around it. Passersby mistake the crowd for a celebrity event and join in. When the doors open, entry is granted through purchasers’ book numbers, and the enormous crowd surges toward the lucky entrance. Jing Yi enters from inside the venue and is stunned by the chaotic rush. Intelligent NPCs help control the disorder, while an apparently endless line forms for autographs.
• Character development: Jing Yi is proud and nervous about hosting his first book signing, carefully choosing a scholarly outfit and worrying that nobody will attend. His confidence turns to irritation and panic when fans flood in, laugh hysterically, crowd him, grip his hand, cry, and make unusual autograph requests. His lack of experience becomes clear: because his life on Earth had been restricted by his wheelchair, he had never attended or participated in celebrity-style events and had underestimated how exhausting one would be.
• Significant themes: The scene emphasizes the overwhelming power of celebrity culture and fan enthusiasm, as well as the unpredictability of public events. It also contrasts Jing Yi’s idealized, naïve expectations with reality. The chaotic “lottery” of finding the entrance creates humor, while the cookbook’s success marks a major personal and professional milestone for him.
• Character interactions: Fans enthusiastically praise Jing Yi, request personalized messages, cry, and cling to his hand during the signing. Jing Yi responds outwardly as the gracious Madam Qin but internally reacts with sarcasm and exhaustion. The intelligent NPCs act as his assistants, maintaining order and preventing the crowd from becoming completely unmanageable.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a public autograph-signing event, Jing Yi notices the crowd reacting strangely to their personal terminals. People cry, cheer, hug strangers, or abruptly abandon the line.
• A kind woman explains the cause: news has broken that Jing Yi’s supposedly dead husband, Major Qin Meng, has returned alive.
• The public also learns that Qin Meng had been undercover and helped the Gold Star Military District destroy the notorious Reverse Order Space Pirates. The Federation is celebrating his survival and accomplishments.
• Jing Yi is stunned by the revelation and becomes increasingly overwhelmed as everyone begins treating him as the devoted spouse of a celebrated military hero.
• A teenage girl reacts with hostility and tears, apparently resentful or heartbroken over Jing Yi’s relationship with Qin Meng, then leaves without requesting an autograph.
• Jing Yi debates whether to end the signing event, but cannot bring himself to use the excuse that his husband has returned alive.
• He realizes that his previous public displays of affection toward Qin Meng were easy because Qin Meng was only a symbolic, supposedly dead “husband.” Now that Qin Meng is alive and may soon meet him, Jing Yi fears he cannot maintain the act.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi shifts from confusion to shock, panic, and embarrassment. He is forced to confront the consequences of the false or exaggerated image of his marriage that he has created.
• He recognizes that his public persona as a loving, devoted husband may now be impossible to sustain privately, especially because Qin Meng is essentially a stranger to him.
• Qin Meng does not appear directly, but his return transforms the entire situation. He is revealed to be a highly decorated young major who secretly worked undercover and helped eliminate a dangerous pirate organization.
• The public’s reactions show that Qin Meng is widely admired, while Jing Yi is suddenly viewed through the lens of being Qin Meng’s spouse.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of performance and deception: Jing Yi’s “husband” narrative was once harmless to him because Qin Meng was presumed dead, but Qin Meng’s return makes the performance dangerously real.
• Public image versus private reality: Jing Yi must reconcile the devoted husband the public believes him to be with his actual uncertainty and lack of familiarity with Qin Meng.
• Absurdity and social pressure: The celebratory public atmosphere contrasts sharply with Jing Yi’s personal panic, creating much of the chapter’s humor.
• Unexpected reversals: What was thought to be a settled tragedy becomes an immediate crisis when Qin Meng returns alive.
• Heroism and reputation: Qin Meng’s military achievements make him a national hero, increasing the expectations placed on Jing Yi.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi questions a sympathetic older woman about the crowd’s behavior. She responds warmly, reassuring him that Qin Meng is alive and praising Jing Yi’s supposed goodness and devotion.
• Two older women enthusiastically discuss Qin Meng’s undercover mission, his role in defeating the Reverse Order pirates, and his likely future promotion, leaving Jing Yi increasingly stunned.
• A teenage girl silently scrutinizes Jing Yi, becomes tearful, and runs away without asking for an autograph, suggesting jealousy, resentment, or emotional distress over Qin Meng’s relationship.
• Jing Yi’s interactions with the crowd force him to confront how differently people now see him—as the husband of a living and celebrated military hero.