Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Major Qin Showing Off Like a Peacock”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Xiaoyi learns why the Mi Star people were so determined to seize the newly discovered Five Planets: the planets hold valuable resources or advantages.
• After three teams successfully reunite, Jing Yi orders everyone to light the cooking fires.
• Using their prepared equipment, the group quickly starts numerous stoves and holds a large outdoor barbecue. They grill monster meat, squid, shrimp, insect meat, meatballs, and sausages with oil, honey, and brushes.
• The Mi Star people enthusiastically learn how to barbecue from Madam Qin’s demonstration. Although some skewers are burned and others cooked perfectly, everyone enjoys the food and the festive atmosphere.
• Jing Yi and Qin Meng prepare an Emperor Owl Dragon for roasting in a hanging oven, using glazing and seasoned boiling water inside the bird. Its increasingly enticing aroma gradually draws everyone’s attention.
• While waiting for the Emperor Owl Dragon to finish—something that will take over an hour—the group eats, plays music, performs, laughs, and talks as night falls.
• The soldiers begin spontaneous martial-arts matches whenever disagreements arise. The crowd enthusiastically watches the fights.
• Qin Meng initially stays out of the contests, but after seeing Jing Xiaoyi admiring the fighters, he enters the ring to show off.
• Qin Meng easily handles Brown Bear and Monkey when they attack him together. Tiger Cub and Lone Wolf then join the fight, allowing the four men to barely hold him to a draw. The chapter ends as they prepare to abandon fair play and use underhanded tactics against him.

Character Developments

• Jing Xiaoyi acts as an enthusiastic organizer and participant, helping create a communal celebration. His excitement over the food and combat reveals his enjoyment of the Mi Star people’s lively, rough-edged culture.
• Jing Yi demonstrates practical leadership and culinary skill by organizing the fires, distributing grilling equipment, and carefully tending the Emperor Owl Dragon.
• Qin Meng is revealed to be highly competitive and eager to impress Jing Xiaoyi. His pride drives him into the fighting ring, where he confidently faces multiple opponents.
• Brown Bear, Monkey, Tiger Cub, and Lone Wolf display their camaraderie and competitive spirit. Though they cannot match Qin Meng individually, they cooperate to challenge him and are willing to use comic, dishonorable tactics to gain an advantage.
• The children increasingly idolize Qin Meng, viewing his powerful and decisive fighting style as heroic.

Significant Themes

• Community and celebration: The barbecue transforms a group of soldiers and survivors into a relaxed, joyful community.
• Cultural exchange: Earth-style cooking and entertainment introduce the Mi Star people to unfamiliar forms of pleasure and social bonding.
• Food as connection: Sharing and preparing food helps overcome differences and creates a sense of unity.
• Competition and masculinity: The spontaneous fights reflect the Mi Star people’s combative nature, while Qin Meng’s entrance turns the gathering into a spectacle of pride and strength.
• Humor and camaraderie: The exaggerated rivalry, burnt food, cheering children, and willingness to fight unfairly give the chapter a playful tone.

Character Interactions

• Jing Xiaoyi directs the gathering while Jing Yi manages the cooking and Qin Meng assists with the Emperor Owl Dragon.
• Madam Qin teaches the others how to barbecue, allowing the whole group to participate.
• The crowd watches the roast with growing anticipation while eating and socializing.
• Jing Xiaoyi’s obvious admiration of the fighters indirectly motivates Qin Meng to join the contest.
• Brown Bear and Monkey first team up against Qin Meng, followed by Tiger Cub and Lone Wolf. Their four-against-one battle becomes the chapter’s main comedic confrontation, ending with the group preparing to fight dirty.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

During a group sparring match, Qin Meng’s four companions realize that Eagle Sis-in-law is watching. Rather than use their usual tactics, they decide to deliberately support Qin Meng so he can win impressively. They gang up on him while secretly holding back, allowing him to put on a spectacular, flashy performance. The officers recognize the deception and are amused, while the family members cheer sincerely, unaware of the arrangement. Qin Meng wins to enthusiastic applause.

Character developments

Qin Meng notices his companions’ plan and approves of their loyalty, though he pretends not to realize what they are doing. His confident, showy fighting reveals a desire to impress Jing Xiaoyi. Jing Xiaoyi is deeply affected by Qin Meng’s performance, finding him extremely attractive, but becomes embarrassed and retreats before the moment can turn intimate. Qin Meng appears interested in drawing closer to him but remains hesitant and fails to act. Their relationship is shown to be emotionally charged yet still awkward and distant.

Character interactions

Qin Meng approaches Jing Xiaoyi beside the fire and asks whether the roast duck is ready. A tense silence develops between them, noticed by the watching officers. Jing Xiaoyi senses the romantic atmosphere and quickly escapes by suggesting they prepare the crabs. The officers are frustrated that Qin Meng does not hold or embrace him, believing he is progressing far too slowly with his wife. Later, Qin Meng joins his battered companions in preparing the crabs, while Jing Xiaoyi expertly roasts them and serves the food.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes brotherly loyalty and comic solidarity, as Qin Meng’s companions sacrifice their pride to help him impress Jing Xiaoyi. It also explores romantic tension, shyness, and missed opportunities: both men seem affected by each other, but neither is ready to openly bridge the distance between them. The contrast between the lively group gathering and the quiet intimacy around the fire highlights their unusual, unresolved relationship. The chapter ends by returning to the communal barbecue, with the roasted crabs ready and the Emperor Owl Dragon still cooking.

Chapter 83 Summary: Emperor Owl Dragon’s Delicacy

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Meng notices that Jing Xiaoyi has begun deliberately avoiding him. Although this shows Jing has recognized Qin’s unusual feelings, Qin is frustrated because he can no longer get close to or casually “take advantage” of Jing’s affection and attention.
• Brown Bear and Tiger Cub try to comfort Qin, joking that at least he has someone to pursue, unlike them. They also marvel at how Qin managed to find someone as extraordinary as Jing Yi among billions of people.
• The group finishes the crab far too quickly, leaving Brown Bear and Tiger Cub heartbroken that they received almost none. They regret wasting time comforting Qin instead of eating.
• Jing Yi announces that the Emperor Owl Dragon is ready. The roasted creature is brought out, now deep brown and covered in sizzling oil.
• Jing Yi dramatically carves the enormous roast with twin knives, sending thin slices of meat flying through the air. Soldiers catch them on a large platter and arrange them in a beautiful fish-scale pattern.
• Qin arrives too late to help with the carving. He attempts to stay near Jing for protection but is told to move aside, leaving him jealous and sulky while Jing enthusiastically participates in the festive atmosphere.

Character Developments

• Qin Meng: His romantic feelings for Jing are becoming increasingly obvious, but he remains inexperienced and immature in pursuing him. He is possessive, jealous, and irritated by Jing’s avoidance, yet still maintains a composed exterior.
• Jing Yi/Jing Xiaoyi: He has become aware that Qin treats him differently and consciously keeps his distance. However, he is still carefree and energetic in public, quickly returning to the group’s celebrations and proudly displaying his impressive culinary and knife skills.
• Brown Bear and Tiger Cub: They act as comic observers of Qin’s romantic troubles. Their attempts at sympathy reveal both their loyalty and their tendency to make outrageous jokes, while their disappointment over the missing crab highlights their humorous priorities.
• The soldiers and children: They enthusiastically support Jing’s performance, applauding the platter holders and cheering more warmly for Jing’s cooking display than for Qin’s earlier attempts to show off.

Significant Themes

• Unrequited or awkward romance: Qin’s affection is clear to everyone except—or at least not fully acknowledged by—Jing, creating tension and comedy.
• Jealousy and possessiveness: Qin’s irritation at Jing avoiding him and his jealousy toward others demonstrate how emotionally invested he has become.
• Comradery and teasing: The group’s banter turns Qin’s romantic situation into a source of entertainment, while shared food and celebration reinforce their bond.
• Food as community and spectacle: The crab and Emperor Owl Dragon are not merely meals; preparing and eating them becomes a communal event filled with performance, competition, and shared excitement.
• Public confidence versus private embarrassment: Jing is bold and enthusiastic in the kitchen, while Qin appears dignified outwardly but internally behaves like a frustrated, jealous lover.

Character Interactions

• Brown Bear and Tiger Cub tease Qin while pretending to comfort him, suggesting his pursuit of Jing could have ended much worse.
• Qin remains focused on Jing rather than the food and tries to stay beside him, but Jing dismisses him and tells him to move away.
• Jing works smoothly with the soldiers, who catch and arrange the meat slices while he performs the carving.
• The surrounding soldiers and children admire Jing’s skill, while Qin silently observes with jealousy and resentment.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points and Events

• The group finishes preparing the Emperor Owl Dragon by breaking its skeleton apart and placing the pieces into a boiling cauldron to make soup.
• Jing Yi serves the roasted meat with lotus-leaf pancakes, side dishes, and sweet bean sauce. Everyone eagerly eats, especially Brown Bear and Tiger Cub, who want to make up for missing out on the crabs earlier.
• The Emperor Owl Dragon is universally praised. Its crisp, fragrant fat and tender, silky meat make it an exceptional delicacy, though the large dragon is quickly consumed because it must be divided among many people.
• Yang Chun is especially disappointed. Since he brought the Emperor Owl Dragon, he had expected to enjoy more of it, but the expanded gathering leaves him with only a few bites.
• The group finishes the rich soup made from the dragon’s skeleton.
• Jing Yi then surprises everyone by frying white bee pupae with salt and oil. Though initially horrified, the guests are won over by the aroma and quickly fight over the snack until none remain.
• After the feast, the guests help pack up the cookware and say goodbye. Jing Xiaoyi leaves with Qin Xiaomeng, since they are cohabitants.
• In the car, Jing Yi and Qin Meng experience an awkward but emotionally charged silence. Jing Yi thanks Qin Meng for helping him recently and asks about his vacation.
• Qin Meng explains that he is on leave until the award ceremony but will resume training the next day. He then invites Jing Yi to train with him and try piloting a mecha.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi continues to demonstrate creativity and generosity through his elaborate cooking. His decision to save the small fish and shrimp for himself also reveals a more playful, practical side.
• Yang Chun suffers humorous regret over bringing the Emperor Owl Dragon but barely getting to eat any of it, emphasizing the consequences of sharing with a large group.
• Brown Bear and Tiger Cub remain enthusiastic, competitive eaters and openly try to compensate for missing the crabs.
• Qin Meng becomes more proactive in pursuing Jing Yi, though his invitation remains hesitant and indirect. He uses Jing Yi’s interest in mechas as a natural excuse to ask him to spend time together.
• Jing Yi appears increasingly aware of Qin Meng’s presence and attractiveness. He becomes shy during their eye contact but still initiates conversation by thanking him.

Significant Themes

• Shared food and social bonding: The meal strengthens the group’s camaraderie, with everyone participating enthusiastically in unfamiliar culinary experiences.
• Openness to the unfamiliar: The guests overcome their disgust toward bee pupae and discover that appearances can be misleading.
• Scarcity and indulgence: The limited amount of Emperor Owl Dragon meat creates comic competition and regret, highlighting the value of rare delicacies.
• Romantic tension and hesitant courtship: The quiet car ride marks a shift from group interactions to a more intimate setting between Jing Yi and Qin Meng.
• Resourcefulness and domestic warmth: Jing Yi’s cooking and careful use of unusual ingredients create a welcoming, communal atmosphere.

Character Interactions

• The group enthusiastically shares the Emperor Owl Dragon, with Brown Bear and Tiger Cub competing most eagerly.
• Yang Chun silently suffers as others consume the delicacy he brought.
• The guests initially react with horror to the bee pupae but quickly change their minds once Jing Yi fries them.
• The four-person group silently encourages Qin Meng to take advantage of the private car ride and pursue Jing Yi.
• Jing Yi thanks Qin Meng for his recent assistance, and Qin Meng responds by inviting him to mecha training—an understated but clear attempt to arrange another meeting.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Xiaoyi rejects Eagle Bro’s suggestion to take a break or go out with Qin Meng because he is determined to finish making Energy Cards.
• Qin Meng offers financial help and warns Jing Yi not to overwork himself, assuming he may be driven either by financial pressure or a desire to improve his skills.
• The advertising deal between Jing Yi’s venture and Starry Sky Grand Marketplace collapses after the marketplace becomes wary of negative public sentiment surrounding Madam Qin’s framing. Fan Qiao is furious, but Jing Yi dismisses the loss, believing Food and Desire Empire will eventually become a competitor.
• Jing Yi’s finances remain strained despite his expanding business plans. He is funding new equipment, employees, the four masters’ expensive laboratory work, and his ambitious empire-building project.
• Qin Meng cannot understand why Jing Yi prioritizes Energy Card production over more profitable work, such as developing recipes. He assumes Jing Yi’s obsession may come from his dream of creating an invincible mecha.
• Jing Yi promises to accompany Qin Meng to the training ground once he succeeds, while concealing the true reason for his urgency: Diandian’s existence must remain secret.
• Qin Meng continues to notice Jing Yi’s unexplained abilities and behaviors, including accessing encrypted government evidence, taking mysterious affectionate photographs, and speaking to someone unseen.
• After returning home, Jing Yi immediately resumes working. His progress has reached the final stage, but he cannot overcome a persistent failure in the Energy Card-making process.
• Online tutorials and even advanced instructors offer little help. Jing Yi concludes that the new Energy Cards require a precise “rhythm” or technique beyond the primitive methods normally used by Mi Star card makers.

Character Developments

• Jing Xiaoyi/Jing Yi: Becomes increasingly obsessive and driven, willing to exhaust his finances and energy to support both his business ambitions and the four masters. He remains secretive about Diandian and his unusual abilities, but his motives toward Qin Meng appear harmless. His frustration grows as he reaches a technical barrier in Energy Card production.
• Qin Meng: Shows concern for Jing Yi’s health, finances, and mysterious behavior. He is emotionally drawn to Jing Yi but remains cautious because of the unknown forces surrounding him. His lack of romantic experience and uncertainty contribute to their stalled relationship.
• Fan Qiao: Reacts angrily to Starry Sky Grand Marketplace’s withdrawal, demonstrating his loyalty and protectiveness toward Jing Yi’s interests.
• The four masters: Though not directly present, their costly research significantly increases Jing Yi’s financial burdens and motivates his determination to support them before their limited lifespans run out.

Significant Themes

• Ambition versus resources: Jing Yi’s grand plans continually outgrow his available money, forcing him to work relentlessly despite increasing earnings.
• Secrecy and trust: Qin Meng senses that Jing Yi is hiding major truths, yet he also believes Jing Yi does not intend harm. Their relationship depends on trust despite incomplete explanations.
• Romantic uncertainty: Attraction exists between Jing Yi and Qin Meng, but Qin Meng’s caution and Jing Yi’s distractions prevent emotional progress.
• Innovation versus tradition: Jing Yi discovers that conventional card-making instruction cannot solve the new Energy Card problem. Success requires an entirely different sense of timing, technique, or artistic rhythm.
• Time and urgency: Jing Yi’s determination to fund the four masters reflects awareness that their remaining lifespans make delay costly.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yi and Qin Meng: Qin Meng offers support and companionship, while Jing Yi reassures him that he will join him once the Energy Cards are completed. Their exchange reveals mutual concern but also the distance created by Jing Yi’s secrets.
• Jing Yi and Fan Qiao: Fan Qiao vents about the failed advertising deal, but Jing Yi remains calm and pragmatic, advising him to abandon the matter.
• Jing Yi and the unseen Diandian: Though Diandian does not appear openly, the hidden connection drives Jing Yi’s urgency and explains why he refuses to stop working.

Chapter Summary: “Award Ceremony”

Key plot points and events

• Jing Yi works desperately to create an Energy Card capable of sustaining Diandian, using Diandian’s guidance and the Mi Star people’s research as a foundation.
• He treats the process like experimental materials science, repeatedly combining methods and frequencies in the hope of discovering the correct formula.
• After more than 256 failed attempts, his mental power improves rapidly, but Diandian warns that it can survive for only two more days.
• Jing Yi locks himself away and works continuously, surviving on nutrient solution and brief periods of sleep. To relieve stress, he folds models from discarded cards.
• During one calm, focused moment, he changes the frequency used to make an Energy Card. The result is a beautiful, successful card containing 40,000 units of energy—enough to support Diandian’s normal operation for a month.
• Diandian thanks him, but Jing Yi immediately collapses from exhaustion and sleeps for an entire day.
• After waking, he showers, notices his unhealthy, vampire-like appearance, and indulges in an exaggerated fantasy of becoming an evil overlord destined to rule the universe.
• He quickly abandons his dramatic ambitions when hunger takes priority and decides to find a proper meal.
• The chapter ends as he leaves his room and encounters Qin Meng, who is wearing a military ceremonial uniform.

Character developments

• Jing Yi demonstrates intense determination and self-sacrifice, pushing his mental and physical limits to save Diandian.
• His repeated experimentation significantly strengthens his mental power and reveals his growing ability to create high-quality Energy Cards independently.
• His stress and exhaustion produce a mixture of despair, vanity, theatrical “villain” fantasies, and comic self-awareness. Despite imagining himself as a future supervillain, he remains fundamentally ordinary in his immediate concerns—especially his need for food.
• Diandian remains dependent on Jing Yi but provides essential technical guidance and clearly values his efforts, expressing gratitude when he succeeds.

Significant themes

• Persistence and experimentation: Success comes only after hundreds of failures and the careful elimination of possibilities.
• Luck versus knowledge: Jing Yi’s success depends on both accumulated research and the chance discovery of the correct frequency.
• Sacrifice and loyalty: He exhausts himself to extend Diandian’s life, emphasizing their close bond.
• Identity and destiny: Jing Yi jokingly wrestles with the idea that his appearance and circumstances mark him as a “villain,” though his actions reveal compassion rather than evil.
• Comic contrast: Grand fantasies of conquering the stars are undercut by his practical obsession with eating a good meal.

Character interactions

• Jing Yi and Diandian collaborate throughout the Energy Card experiments. Diandian offers guidance despite being unable to directly perform the work, and later confirms the card’s energy level and thanks Jing Yi.
• The chapter concludes with Jing Yi encountering Qin Meng in ceremonial military dress, setting up their next interaction and the chapter’s connection to the award ceremony.

Chapter 167 Summary

Key plot points and events

Jing Yi unexpectedly discovers that Qin Meng’s promotion ceremony is taking place that day. Qin Meng is dressed in an elaborate ceremonial military uniform and initially plans to attend alone, having prepared multiple explanations for Jing Yi’s absence. However, Jing Yi quickly changes into his vintage three-piece suit and agrees to accompany him. They travel together to the ceremony, where Qin Meng joins the other officers and their families.

Character developments

Qin Meng appears proud and excited about his promotion, but he is especially delighted that Jing Yi chooses to attend. His usual composure hides his nervous anticipation, and his happiness becomes obvious when Jing Yi takes his hand. Jing Yi, initially caught off guard and uncertain about attending, makes a sincere effort to dress appropriately and support Qin Meng on this important occasion. His decision reflects growing emotional commitment to their relationship.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes romantic partnership, public acknowledgment, and emotional support. Qin Meng’s formal promotion marks an important professional milestone, while Jing Yi’s presence symbolizes his acceptance of Qin Meng as both a partner and a source of pride. The contrast between military discipline and the couple’s affectionate, almost wedding-like interactions adds humor and warmth.

Character interactions

Qin Meng asks Jing Yi to accompany him and promises that Jing Yi must hug him onstage after the ceremony, presenting the custom as a normal Mi Star tradition. Jing Yi is confused but accepts, interpreting it as evidence that Mi Star culture combines military severity with romantic tenderness. Their coordinated yet contrasting appearances attract attention, and Qin Meng’s obvious delight at Jing Yi’s participation reveals how meaningful his support is. At the venue, Jing Yi is the only family member Qin Meng brings, causing the assembled military personnel and families to notice them.

Chapter Summary: “A Military Role Model”

Key plot points and events

• Jing Xiaoyi attends Qin Meng’s military rank conferment ceremony as a family member and immediately attracts attention because of his striking appearance, fashionable clothing, and youthful presence among the older attendees.
• The ceremony is broadcast live, with the cameras repeatedly focusing on Jing. Viewers criticize his calm demeanor and appearance, while others praise his improved fashion sense and wonder what happened to the disgraced Qin and Jing from the previous scandal.
• During the opening ceremony, Jing cleverly mouths along to the national anthem and military song despite not knowing the words.
• General Chen calls Qin Meng forward first. Qin is promoted directly from major to colonel, an unusually significant advancement that allows him to bypass several other officers. General Chen personally presents him with the new insignia.
• The broadcast creates a romantic visual by alternating between Qin marching toward the stage and Jing watching him intently, making it appear as if the couple is silently gazing at each other.
• After Qin’s promotion, Jing overcomes his nerves and openly embraces him in front of the entire ceremony. Qin responds affectionately by kissing Jing, shocking the audience, military personnel, and livestream viewers because of the ceremony’s normally solemn atmosphere.

Character developments

• Jing Xiaoyi displays confidence, composure, and social poise despite intense public scrutiny and private nervousness. His transformation from someone mocked for his clothing into a stylish and self-assured figure is emphasized.
• Qin Meng receives a major professional advancement, becoming a colonel after an exceptional two-rank promotion. He is portrayed as highly respected and successful within the military.
• Their relationship becomes more publicly affectionate and secure. Both are willing to express their love openly, even in an extremely formal and highly watched setting.

Significant themes

• Public image versus private truth: Viewers interpret Jing’s calmness as evidence that he does not truly love Qin, but his later embrace reveals that his composure masks deep emotion.
• Love challenging convention: Their kiss disrupts the rigid solemnity of the military ceremony and highlights the strength and openness of their relationship.
• Transformation and reputation: Jing’s refined appearance and confidence contrast with his former image, showing his personal growth and changing public perception.
• Achievement and recognition: Qin’s promotion reflects his exceptional military accomplishments and growing status.

Character interactions

• The livestream audience reacts intensely to Jing’s appearance, criticizing or admiring him and speculating about his relationship with Qin.
• Jing and Qin communicate through exchanged looks during the ceremony, creating a romantic moment even before they physically reunite.
• After Qin receives his new rank, Jing enthusiastically embraces him, and Qin affectionately kisses him in front of the assembled military families, officers, and viewers. Their display leaves everyone stunned and turns the formal ceremony into an unexpectedly romantic spectacle.

Chapter Summary

• Plot and events: During the military promotion ceremony, Jing Yi unexpectedly goes down from the family seating area to greet Qin Meng personally. Qin Meng responds by kissing him in front of the soldiers, their families, and the livestream audience before leading him back to his seat. The public is stunned and delighted, while Jing Yi is left completely flustered because the kiss was not part of their supposed script. The spectacle overshadows the other promotions, especially that of a major general who is promoted to lieutenant general but receives almost no attention. Inspired by Jing Yi’s example, other military families begin going down to greet their own loved ones, effectively turning his unconventional gesture into a new ceremony tradition.
• Character development: Qin Meng displays unusual boldness and affection, publicly claiming intimacy with Jing Yi while carefully restraining himself from deepening the kiss. He is delighted by having “taken advantage” of Jing Yi and remains completely unfazed when Jing Yi pinches him. Jing Yi, despite appearing composed and alluring to the audience, is internally overwhelmed by embarrassment and shock. His genuine shyness and emotional reaction reveal how deeply affected he is by Qin Meng’s affection.
• Character interactions: Jing Yi’s family-style greeting leads directly to Qin Meng kissing and holding his hand in front of everyone. Jing Yi responds with embarrassment, glaring, and pinching Qin Meng, while Qin Meng remains smug and affectionate. The military officers and families react with disbelief, then admiration, and eventually imitate the couple. Online viewers shift from mocking the idea that Jing Yi does not love Qin Meng to celebrating their apparent devotion.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes public affection, romantic devotion, and the tension between military formality and personal emotion. It also shows how one bold act can challenge rigid social conventions and inspire collective change. The humorous public spectacle contrasts with Jing Yi’s private embarrassment, highlighting the gap between public perception and personal feelings while reinforcing the couple’s popularity and emotional bond.

Chapter 87: “Game” — Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The day after the public ceremony, government and military media outlets launch an unusually enthusiastic campaign praising Qin Meng as an exceptional young colonel and military role model. Jing Yi is praised as an exemplary military spouse despite having merely embraced Qin Meng publicly.
• The Gold Star military becomes suspicious of the coordinated praise, sensing that the long-suppressed “Minister Qin case” may soon shift in Qin Zhengyu’s favor.
• On the journey home, Jing Yi confronts Qin Meng about kissing him during the ceremony. Qin Meng openly admits that he kissed Jing Yi because he was too happy and because the day—his promotion and public recognition—was deeply important to him.
• Jing Yi, embarrassed and flustered, orders Qin Meng not to kiss him again. Qin Meng responds with exaggerated dejection, though his outward composure hides how nervous he actually is.
• In a private meeting at the Federal Government Building, Qin Zhengyu argues with an unnamed government official over whether his accusations against the Military Headquarters are genuine. The official suspects Qin Zhengyu may be manipulating events or staging a double act.
• Qin Zhengyu insists that he would not sacrifice his position merely to advance Qin Meng. He warns that the Military Headquarters is steadily overpowering the government, which has become little more than a logistical department.
• He urges the government to unite against military overreach and establish a system of checks and balances. He also declares that, if rescued, he will remain irreconcilably opposed to the Military Headquarters.
• The next day’s media coverage intensifies, presenting Qin Meng as the Military Headquarters’ greatest talent in a century and Jing Yi as an ideal military spouse. The exaggerated praise causes widespread suspicion and resentment among military districts and personnel.

Character Developments

• Qin Meng: Reveals a more openly affectionate and vulnerable side with Jing Yi. Although he appears calm and controlled, he is secretly nervous about the kiss and emotionally affected by the significance of the day. His promotion and public image also make him a central political figure.
• Jing Yi: Becomes increasingly embarrassed and unsettled by Qin Meng’s public affection, but his reaction suggests growing emotional intimacy between them. He tries to establish boundaries while remaining affected by Qin Meng’s sincerity.
• Qin Zhengyu: Demonstrates political awareness and strategic resolve. He frames his imprisonment and conflict with the Military Headquarters as part of a larger struggle over civilian authority, governmental unity, and military power.
• The unnamed government official: Remains distrustful of Qin Zhengyu, suspecting manipulation and questioning whether his claims are part of a larger scheme.

Significant Themes

• Political propaganda and power struggles: The exaggerated media praise appears less like genuine admiration and more like a coordinated political maneuver connected to Qin Zhengyu’s case.
• Military versus civilian authority: Qin Zhengyu warns that the Military Headquarters is becoming too powerful and that the government is losing meaningful control.
• Public image versus private reality: Qin Meng is portrayed publicly as nearly flawless, while privately he is nervous, affectionate, and emotionally vulnerable.
• Romance and emotional boundaries: Jing Yi’s embarrassment and Qin Meng’s shameless affection create tension between public duty and private intimacy.
• Factionalism and unity: Qin Zhengyu identifies division within the Federal Government and among the Nine Planets as a major weakness that threatens the Federation.

Character Interactions

• Qin Meng and Jing Yi: Their playful but awkward argument over the kiss highlights their developing relationship. Qin Meng is candid about his feelings, while Jing Yi attempts to suppress his embarrassment and impose limits.
• Qin Zhengyu and the government official: Their conversation is a tense political negotiation. The official challenges Qin Zhengyu’s motives, while Qin Zhengyu argues that saving him would help counterbalance the Military Headquarters and prevent internal divisions from benefiting external enemies.
• Military factions and public opinion: The media’s praise provokes suspicion and rivalry among the various military districts, whose personnel resent the implication that Qin Meng is uniquely superior to all other soldiers and officers.

Chapter Summary

The Federal Government launches a propaganda campaign praising Qin Meng, intending to elevate him so dramatically that his eventual downfall will damage both him and Gold Star Military District. While some of Qin Meng’s more perceptive supporters recognize the danger, most fans become arrogant and celebratory. Gold Star’s leaders quickly realize that the government is also trying to stir distrust and division among the various Military Districts.
Qin Zhengyu publicly appears for the first time since the scandal. Looking exhausted and greatly aged, he offers no excuses and humbly apologizes to Qin Meng, Jing Yi, and the public. He is sentenced to remain in office under probation, pay thirty-eight million Federation Credits in reputational damages, and complete six months of publicly supervised community service. Though many initially consider the punishment too lenient, public opinion softens because Qin Zhengyu has suffered serious humiliation, lost substantial money, and apologized submissively. The request to sever his relationship with Qin Meng is left unresolved.
General Chen and Gold Star Military District remain furious that the government minimizes Qin Zhengyu’s intrusion into military housing. The government counters by accusing Gold Star of using military hacking technology to obtain screenshots from encrypted government communications, implying that the military may be spying on the state. General Chen denies the accusation, insisting that the hacker “Just Kidding” was not connected to Gold Star and that the government has no evidence. Their argument escalates into a bitter public dispute, while other Military Districts begin wondering whether Gold Star’s cyber capabilities have secretly advanced—and whether their own networks are vulnerable.
After the government withdraws, General Chen tries to reassure the other districts that Gold Star cannot infiltrate internal networks and that the government is deliberately sowing discord. He then reveals a more serious concern: the X Star people are negotiating directly with Mi Star to send a delegation and improve relations, bypassing Military Headquarters. The announcement alarms the military leaders because the two nations have a long history of warfare and deep mutual hatred. They fear that the Federal Government, motivated by political stability and self-interest rather than military caution, may attempt reconciliation with X Star, potentially weakening defenses against a dangerous enemy.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Qin Meng: Becomes the focus of a government-backed praise campaign, gaining public admiration but also being placed in a politically dangerous position.
• Qin Zhengyu: Appears humbled and weakened, publicly apologizes, accepts punishment, and becomes the object of both public scorn and reluctant sympathy.
• Jing Yi: Is included among the people Qin Zhengyu must apologize to and compensate, reinforcing the damage caused by his actions.
• General Chen: Demonstrates political awareness and military loyalty, aggressively defending Gold Star while attempting to prevent the other districts from being manipulated.
• Federal Government: Acts deceptively, protecting Qin Zhengyu while attacking the military’s credibility and encouraging suspicion between Military Districts.

Significant Themes

• Praise as a weapon: Excessive public admiration can be a setup intended to destroy the person being praised.
• Political manipulation and division: The government exploits controversy to weaken cooperation among the Military Districts.
• Public sympathy and shifting judgment: People excuse Qin Zhengyu’s wrongdoing once he appears humbled and punished.
• Military-government tension: The chapter highlights the conflict between military security concerns and the government’s political desire for compromise.
• Distrust and national security: Rumors about hacking and secret negotiations make even allied Military Districts question one another’s intentions and capabilities.

Chapter Summary: “Rival in Love?”

Plot and events

Authorities continue investigating “Just Kidding,” the mysterious hacker who previously demonstrated extraordinary abilities before disappearing. They suspect Gold Star Military District may not possess such technology and hope to locate and recruit the hacker, though they acknowledge that the person’s intentions remain uncertain. Meanwhile, General Chen meets with Qin Meng to discuss the Federation’s widespread praise of him—a possible political tactic intended to “praise him to death” by creating unbearable expectations. Qin Meng identifies two possible responses: modestly downplay the praise or accept it confidently and use the pressure as motivation. He chooses the latter, refusing to retreat or appear weak.

Character developments

Qin Meng is shown as calm, strategic, and self-assured. He recognizes the political implications of the praise campaign and is willing to turn it to his advantage. General Chen, while outwardly exasperated by Qin Meng’s boldness, clearly trusts his judgment and considers him almost indestructible. Chen also learns that Jing Yi either orchestrated the hacker incident or knows the person responsible, interpreting the act as a signal of goodwill rather than hostility. This makes him more supportive of Qin Meng’s relationship with Jing Yi, since Jing Yi—or the expert connected to him—could become a valuable ally to Qin Meng, Gold Star, and the Mi Star people.

Character interactions

General Chen and Qin Meng exchange teasing but affectionate remarks, with Chen comparing Qin Meng to his supposedly “lunatic” grandfather. Chen orders him to treat his future wife well, revealing his growing approval of Jing Yi as a potential partner. Qin Meng responds respectfully but leaves with a faint smile. Chen’s newfound happiness is so great that he unconsciously hums a popular love song, amusing and alarming the officers around him. At home, Qin Meng quietly watches Jing Yi bake cookies. When Jing Yi finally notices him and is startled by his handsome appearance, he becomes flustered and pretends to be uninterested, highlighting the romantic tension between them.

Significant themes

The chapter explores political strategy and public perception, contrasting humility with confidence and showing how praise can function as both admiration and manipulation. It also emphasizes trust amid uncertainty: although Jing Yi’s connection to “Just Kidding” is not fully confirmed, his apparent goodwill encourages cautious acceptance rather than immediate suspicion. Finally, the chapter develops the theme of romantic and political alliance, as General Chen sees Qin Meng’s relationship with Jing Yi not only as a personal matter but also as a potential benefit to their wider community.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Meng invites Jing Yi to train at the mech training ground, and Jing Yi agrees after confirming he can pilot Qin Meng’s mech.
• Jing Yi changes into military-style training clothes, and the two travel to the Military District’s large-scale mech training grounds.
• The chapter explains that mech warriors usually train in holographic simulations because live combat is expensive and risks damaging real mechs. Live training is reserved for more advanced practice involving real combat pressure and killing intent.
• Qin Meng releases his mech from a Space Button, astonishing Jing Yi with both the mech’s impressive appearance and the advanced spatial technology.
• Qin Meng gives Jing Yi access to the Space Button by entering Jing Yi’s mental signature while holding his hand. This grants Jing Yi a secondary “key” to retrieve the mech, though only under Qin Meng’s supervision.
• Other mech warriors notice the intimate interaction and gossip over the public channel, teasing Qin Meng for openly displaying affection and joking about wanting his attention and Space Button.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi: Initially embarrassed by his earlier coy behavior, Jing Yi deliberately adopts a more composed and “manly” attitude. His excitement about mechs and Space Buttons causes him to temporarily forget his usual wariness around Qin Meng. He is also flustered by their hand-holding but rationalizes it as a necessary technical procedure.
• Qin Meng: Acts confidently and somewhat playfully, agreeing to let Jing Yi pilot his mech while insisting on accompanying him for safety. His willingness to lend Jing Yi his expensive Space Button demonstrates trust, generosity, and a desire for closeness. His amusement at Jing Yi’s reactions reveals his affection.
• Their relationship: The pair become more physically and emotionally intimate. Qin Meng’s actions publicly suggest that Jing Yi occupies a special position in his life, prompting others to refer to Jing Yi as “Madam Qin.”

Significant Themes

• Trust and intimacy: Sharing access to a Space Button requires mutual trust, making Qin Meng’s gesture symbolically important.
• Technological advancement: The chapter highlights the Mi Star people’s sophisticated technology, particularly Space Buttons and holographic mech training.
• Training and preparation: The contrast between simulated and live combat emphasizes the importance of gradually developing both technical skill and psychological resilience.
• Public displays of affection: Qin Meng’s casual closeness with Jing Yi becomes a source of amusement and envy among the soldiers.
• Masculinity and embarrassment: Jing Yi consciously tries to appear composed and manly, while internally struggling with romantic awkwardness.

Character Interactions

• Qin Meng invites Jing Yi to train and offers to supervise his first mech-piloting experience.
• Jing Yi asks about Qin Meng’s mech, and Qin Meng reveals it dramatically rather than answering verbally.
• Qin Meng personally takes Jing Yi’s hand to register his mental signature in the Space Button, creating an intimate moment that Jing Yi tries to dismiss as purely practical.
• The surrounding mech warriors mock and tease Qin Meng, treating his interaction with Jing Yi as an obvious romantic display.

Chapter Summary: “Colonel Qin Establishes His Authority”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Colonel Qin finishes imprinting Jing Yi’s mental power map onto the Space Button, leaving a temporary mark on Jing Yi’s delicate hand.
• Jing Yi tests the storage device by repeatedly putting Qin Meng’s impressive mecha away and summoning it again, amusing himself and provoking envy among the other mecha warriors.
• Qin Meng prepares to take Jing Yi with him, but Lan Quan arrives in a dark-red spider-shaped mecha and challenges him to a duel.
• The onlookers reveal that Lan Quan may have feelings for Qin Meng, though Lan Quan angrily denies it and insults the others for gossiping.
• Lan Quan deliberately provokes Qin Meng by threatening Jing Yi’s safety, claiming that Jing Yi would be crushed by even a minor shock if he entered Qin Meng’s mecha during the fight.
• Rather than becoming frightened or defensive, Jing Yi calmly tells Qin Meng to finish the duel quickly and refuses to give Lan Quan the reaction he wants.
• Qin Meng becomes cold and intimidating, places Jing Yi safely on the viewing platform, and enters his humanoid mecha.
• Lan Quan realizes he has provoked someone far stronger than himself but proceeds anyway, charging Qin Meng with all eight spider-mecha legs as Qin Meng has only just entered the cockpit.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi: Displays increasing confidence and emotional composure. He is unfazed by Lan Quan’s threats and chooses to trust Qin Meng completely. His playful testing of the Space Button also highlights his mischievous side.
• Qin Meng: Shifts from teasing and possessive behavior with Jing Yi to a formidable military presence when challenged. His reaction makes clear that threats against Jing Yi are his “reverse scale.”
• Lan Quan: Is established as impulsive, jealous, and confrontational. Though aware that Qin Meng vastly outclasses him, he cannot control his temper and escalates the situation.
• The mecha warriors: Act as an amused but nervous audience. Their gossip reveals their curiosity about Qin Meng and Jing Yi’s relationship, but they quickly become embarrassed when Lan Quan exposes that he overheard them.

Significant Themes

• Authority and intimidation: Qin Meng’s reputation is reinforced as Lan Quan’s challenge immediately reveals the enormous gap between their abilities.
• Trust and protection: Jing Yi’s calm response shows his faith in Qin Meng, while Qin Meng’s anger demonstrates his instinct to protect Jing Yi.
• Jealousy and provocation: Lan Quan uses Jing Yi to provoke Qin Meng, suggesting unresolved feelings and rivalry.
• Public gossip versus private relationships: The soldiers’ jokes contrast with the more serious bond developing between Qin Meng and Jing Yi.
• Composure as strength: Jing Yi defeats Lan Quan’s attempted psychological provocation simply by refusing to react emotionally.

Character Interactions

• Qin Meng handles Jing Yi’s hand while imprinting the mental map, mixing practical instruction with obvious flirtation and possessiveness.
• Jing Yi responds to Qin Meng’s behavior with awkward amusement rather than resistance.
• The soldiers gossip about Qin Meng, Jing Yi, and Lan Quan through the Team Channel.
• Lan Quan publicly insults the gossipers, then challenges Qin Meng and threatens Jing Yi.
• Jing Yi calmly encourages Qin Meng to end the fight, while Qin Meng silently asserts his authority by moving Jing Yi to safety and accepting the duel.

Chapter 175 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Meng defeats Lan Quan’s mech, Big Spider, in a single move by severing its central nervous system. The mech remains outwardly intact but becomes completely immobile.
• The observing mech warriors are stunned by Qin Meng’s overwhelming skill and immediately abandon any thoughts of challenging him.
• Qin Meng retrieves Jing Yi by scooping him into his mech. The two leave together, with Jing Yi sitting on Qin Meng’s lap while Qin Meng claims the position is “safer.”
• Humiliated, Lan Quan blames the defeat on a supposed mech malfunction and calls for repairs. He vows to defeat Qin Meng someday.
• The spectators comment that Lan Quan’s privileged family background and lieutenant general grandfather have protected him from hardship, suggesting that his talent has been undermined by being spoiled.
• Qin Meng spends the rest of the training period teaching Jing Yi basic mech controls. He handles the mech unusually gently so Jing Yi will not be hurt.
• General Chen calls Qin Meng to reprimand him for provoking Lan Quan, explaining that Lan Quan’s grandfather has complained again. Qin Meng treats the scolding as a familiar routine.
• On the way back, Qin Meng explains that Lan Quan’s grandfather and General Chen are old comrades in the same faction, and that Lan Quan regularly seeks his grandfather’s protection after losing to Qin Meng.

Character Developments

• Qin Meng: Demonstrates a vast superiority in mech combat, defeating Lan Quan effortlessly. Despite his intimidating reputation, he is extremely gentle and protective toward Jing Yi. He also reveals an inability to respond smoothly to romantic teasing or directly express his feelings.
• Jing Yi: Continues becoming more comfortable around Qin Meng and shows enthusiasm for learning mech piloting. He is cautious and self-aware about his physical limitations but enjoys the experience. He also teases Qin Meng about being popular and charming.
• Lan Quan: Suffers a decisive public defeat, exposing the gap between his reputation and actual ability. Though embarrassed and frustrated, he remains determined to improve and defeat Qin Meng. His spoiled upbringing and dependence on family connections are emphasized.
• General Chen and Lan Quan’s grandfather: Their longstanding relationship explains why Lan Quan is able to complain and seek intervention after losing.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming skill versus inherited privilege: Qin Meng’s effortless victory contrasts with Lan Quan’s protected, privileged background.
• Affection expressed through protection: Qin Meng’s careful handling of Jing Yi and insistence that he sit safely on his lap reveal his care more clearly than his words do.
• Public reputation versus private tenderness: Qin Meng is feared and admired as an elite mech pilot, yet acts indulgently and awkwardly romantic with Jing Yi.
• Humor and romantic teasing: The chapter uses Lan Quan’s defeat and Qin Meng’s awkward responses to create a lighthearted atmosphere while highlighting the couple’s growing intimacy.

Character Interactions

• Qin Meng and Lan Quan clash through a brief mech duel, ending in Qin Meng’s instant victory and Lan Quan’s humiliation.
• Qin Meng and Jing Yi share affectionate physical contact, playful bickering, and a private training session.
• General Chen scolds Qin Meng over Lan Quan’s complaint, reinforcing the recurring comedic pattern of Lan Quan losing to Qin Meng and seeking family-backed redress.
• Jing Yi teases Qin Meng about being liked by many people, while Qin Meng fails to turn the moment into a direct romantic confession.

Chapter Summary: “Bragging”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Xiaomeng becomes irritated when Jing Xiaoyi refuses to share his jerky, creating an awkward atmosphere. He tries to repair their relationship by criticizing Lan Quan, but the tension remains.
• Jing Yi visits Fan Qiao’s office after being absent for nearly ten days.
• Fan Qiao teases Jing Yi by reading a sensational news report about Qin Meng’s highly publicized romantic reunion with him. Jing Yi realizes that Qin Meng deliberately used the rank conferment ceremony and their reunion to flaunt their relationship before the entire world.
• Embarrassed and furious at having been deceived, Jing Yi searches the news himself and regrets having previously sympathized with Qin Meng.
• Fan Qiao continues teasing Jing Yi about his “honeymoon,” making suggestive jokes about his relationship with Qin Meng and implying that the two may have been physically intimate.
• Jing Yi is enraged but unable to admit that, despite being married, he and Qin Meng have not actually consummated their relationship.
• To escape the embarrassing conversation, Jing Yi shifts to business matters. Fan Qiao reports that their products are extremely popular and that demand currently exceeds supply.
• Jing Yi decides they should expand rapidly by borrowing funds and establishing branch factories across all Nine Planets.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi: Becomes increasingly embarrassed and defensive about Qin Meng’s public displays of affection. Although he is emotionally affected by the teasing, he maintains a controlled exterior and redirects the conversation toward business. His ambition and practical leadership are also emphasized as he immediately focuses on expanding production.
• Qin Meng: Although absent from most of the scene, he is revealed to have intentionally publicized his love for Jing Yi during the ceremony and reunion. His behavior is affectionate, bold, and somewhat manipulative, since he allowed Jing Yi to misunderstand what had happened.
• Fan Qiao: Shows a playful, mischievous side beneath his normally professional demeanor. He enjoys provoking Jing Yi with romantic and sexual jokes, but remains competent and attentive to the company’s operations.
• Qin Xiaomeng and Jing Xiaoyi: Their brief interaction suggests mild interpersonal tension, with Qin Xiaomeng feeling slighted by Jing Xiaoyi’s refusal to share food and trying unsuccessfully to restore harmony.

Significant Themes

• Public versus private romance: Qin Meng’s open declaration of affection contrasts with Jing Yi’s embarrassment and preference for privacy.
• Teasing and friendship: Fan Qiao’s provocative jokes reveal the familiarity and informal closeness between him and Jing Yi.
• Miscommunication: Jing Yi’s anger comes from realizing that Qin Meng allowed him to misunderstand the extent of the public romantic spectacle.
• Ambition and responsibility: Despite personal embarrassment, Jing Yi quickly returns to his role as a business leader and prioritizes large-scale expansion.
• Changing relationships: Jing Yi’s marriage and growing intimacy with Qin Meng have altered how others perceive and interact with him.

Character Interactions

• Qin Xiaomeng attempts to regain Jing Xiaoyi’s goodwill after feeling rejected, but his efforts fail to dispel the awkwardness.
• Fan Qiao welcomes Jing Yi, mocks him about Qin Meng’s romantic behavior, and makes increasingly suggestive comments about their married life.
• Jing Yi responds with threats and irritation but ultimately avoids discussing his private relationship, steering Fan Qiao toward company matters.
• Fan Qiao reports the company’s success, while Jing Yi provides strategic direction by ordering preparations for expansion across the Nine Planets.

Chapter 177 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Yi and Fan Qiao finalize plans to establish eight additional branch factories. Because their company has a high credit limit, they consider renting facilities first so all the factories can be launched simultaneously.
• During the business discussion, Fan Qiao repeatedly teases Jing Yi about his intimate relationship with Qin Meng, especially the embarrassing incident in which Qin Meng pretended his arousal was a military dagger.
• Jing Yi tries several times to change the subject, but Fan Qiao’s curiosity and enjoyment of teasing him force him into a defensive position.
• Eventually, Jing Yi decides to retaliate by inventing exaggerated stories about his and Qin Meng’s sex life. Drawing on a pornographic video he once glimpsed, he confidently fabricates increasingly explicit claims about their experiences, endurance, and frequency.
• Fan Qiao accepts the conversation enthusiastically, and the two appear to grow closer through their joking exchange.
• Qin Meng arrives to pick Jing Yi up. Fan Qiao reacts suspiciously, looking toward Qin Meng’s waist and struggling to suppress a smile, implying that Jing Yi’s fabricated stories have given him a very different impression of Qin Meng.
• Jing Yi feels briefly guilty when he sees Qin Meng but quickly regains his composure. He remains annoyed that Qin Meng lied about the “dagger” and privately resolves not to let him off easily.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi: Revealed as deeply conservative and easily embarrassed despite his outward image. However, when pushed too far, he displays resourcefulness, stubbornness, and a willingness to bluff. His elaborate lies show both his competitive pride and his desire to regain control of the conversation.
• Fan Qiao: Becomes increasingly playful and mischievous, taking great pleasure in Jing Yi’s embarrassment. He is also portrayed as a supportive business partner, helping plan the company’s expansion.
• Qin Meng: Maintains his polished, courteous exterior when greeting Fan Qiao, but his earlier deception continues to trouble Jing Yi. His physical presence and Fan Qiao’s reaction suggest that Jing Yi’s exaggerated stories may create awkward consequences.

Significant Themes

• Embarrassment and intimacy: The chapter humorously explores the tension between private sexual experiences and public discussion, particularly through Jing Yi’s discomfort.
• Bluffing and reclaiming power: Jing Yi turns from the embarrassed target of Fan Qiao’s teasing into an apparently confident storyteller, using imagination to protect his pride.
• Friendship through teasing: Fan Qiao’s provocative jokes and Jing Yi’s eventual participation create a sense of growing familiarity between them.
• Business expansion and trust: Alongside the comedy, the characters discuss practical methods for rapid expansion, including financing, management structures, oversight, and company policies.

Character Interactions

• Fan Qiao relentlessly questions and teases Jing Yi about his relationship with Qin Meng.
• Jing Yi initially evades the topic but eventually counters with outrageous claims, leading to a lively and increasingly intimate conversation.
• Qin Meng’s arrival interrupts their exchange. Fan Qiao’s knowing reaction creates a comic misunderstanding, while Jing Yi’s guilty yet defiant response highlights his unresolved irritation with Qin Meng.

Chapter 178 Summary

Plot and events

Jing Yi tries to visit the four masters, but Fan Qiao stops him, claiming they are occupied with an important experiment. Fan Qiao’s suggestive “good luck” gesture leaves Qin Meng confused, making him suspect they had been discussing him. During the ride home, Qin Meng indirectly questions Jing Yi, accidentally provoking Jing Yi into bringing up Qin Meng’s past deception. Qin Meng apologizes and promises not to deceive him again.
Qin Meng then reveals that he has been promoted to commander of the Third Mecha Corps and will soon join the Galaxy Battleship Fleet. His first assignment is to escort a high-ranking diplomatic delegation from X Star, a longtime enemy of Mi Star. Although the mission is presented as a peace initiative, Qin Meng and the Military Headquarters suspect X Star may have ulterior motives. Because any incident would damage the military and provoke public outrage, the mission carries significant political and personal risk. Qin Meng expects to be away for at least a month.
Jing Yi worries about Qin Meng’s safety and begins planning supplies for the mission. He decides to prepare food—especially hot pot soup base—and organize a farewell meal with Qin Meng’s comrades. The two discover that Brown Bear and the others will also be part of the mission. They plan to shop for ingredients and hold the dinner the following night, before Qin Meng departs.

Character development

Qin Meng demonstrates both military responsibility and emotional attachment. He takes the diplomatic mission seriously but tries to keep its dangers from troubling Jing Yi, instead emphasizing how much he will miss him. His promotion marks an important advancement in his career.
Jing Yi shows increasing concern and domestic commitment toward Qin Meng. He eagerly plans meals, worries about Qin Meng’s ability to bond with his new subordinates, and thinks practically about supporting him during the mission. Though still embarrassed and irritated whenever Qin Meng calls him his “wife,” Jing Yi’s actions reveal how deeply attached and supportive he has become.

Themes

The chapter contrasts military and political uncertainty with the comfort of domestic life. The X Star delegation represents fragile diplomacy, hidden motives, and the danger of public blame. In contrast, Jing Yi’s cooking and preparations symbolize home, emotional security, and mutual care. The chapter also highlights the importance of trust, reconciliation, teamwork, and building relationships through shared meals.

Character interactions

Fan Qiao teasingly blocks Jing Yi from visiting the four masters and gives Qin Meng an enigmatic gesture. Qin Meng and Jing Yi then move from playful conflict over past deception to sincere concern about their upcoming separation. Their affectionate conversation reveals their growing marital intimacy, while Jing Yi’s plans for a farewell dinner extend his care to Qin Meng’s fellow soldiers and support Qin Meng’s efforts to establish authority among his new subordinates.

Chapter Summary: “Farewell Banquet”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Meng and Jing Yi prepare a farewell feast before their impending separation. They purchase large quantities of marrow bones and rent a separate room to simmer them in enormous pots, since the operation is too large for their home.
• Jing Yi creates several different broths by combining various meats, plants, and seasonings. Diandian, now fully recovered, assists by analyzing ingredients for their nutritional and flavor qualities.
• While the stocks simmer, Jing Yi and Qin Meng return home and prepare a smaller meal of fried creek fish, river shrimp, several kinds of stir-fried meat, and freshly made flatbreads.
• The two enjoy the long-awaited feast together, temporarily setting aside their sadness over parting.
• Before bed, Jing Yi examines customer reviews on the Food and Desire Empire website. He discovers that Mi Star customers are enthusiastic but often have no understanding of proper cooking methods.
• Many buyers experiment absurdly with instant noodles, soaking them in cold water, nutritional solution, fruit juice, alcohol, candy, biscuits, and other ingredients. Their reviews range from confused to exaggeratedly enthusiastic.
• Reviews of the meat products are more conventional, but customers are intensely impressed by the absence of the unpleasant fishy or gamey taste common in local meat. Jing Yi is amused and somewhat horrified by the dramatic videos and descriptions customers upload.

Character Developments

• Jing Yi demonstrates his resourcefulness and culinary creativity by organizing a large-scale farewell meal. His attention to flavor, nutrition, and presentation highlights his growing role as a food innovator on Mi Star.
• He also becomes more aware of the cultural gap between his own cooking knowledge and Mi Star’s food habits. Reading the reviews makes him realize that introducing food products without teaching people how to prepare them may create confusion.
• Qin Meng participates closely in the preparations and shares the feast with Jing Yi. Their quiet cooperation and willingness to make time for one another emphasize their emotional closeness despite the approaching separation.
• Diandian has recovered and matured into a useful, thoughtful assistant, applying analytical abilities to help refine Jing Yi’s recipes.
• Mi Star’s customers are portrayed as curious, impulsive, and highly imaginative consumers. Their reviews reveal both their lack of culinary experience and their strong enthusiasm for Jing Yi’s products.

Significant Themes

• Farewell and companionship: The banquet becomes a way for Jing Yi and Qin Meng to enjoy one another’s company and momentarily escape the sadness of separation.
• Food as emotional connection: Cooking and sharing a meal provide comfort, intimacy, and a sense of home.
• Cultural exchange and adaptation: Jing Yi’s foods introduce unfamiliar culinary concepts to Mi Star, while customer reactions reveal how differently the society understands eating and preparation.
• Innovation versus misunderstanding: The popularity of instant noodles and other products shows Jing Yi’s success, but the bizarre preparation methods demonstrate the challenges of introducing new ideas without established traditions or knowledge.
• Humor through consumer culture: The exaggerated buyer reviews and strange food combinations create comedy while emphasizing the eccentricity of Mi Star’s online shopping culture.

Character Interactions

• Qin Meng reassures Jing Yi that the visitors are eager to come, while also showing concern about the effort the meal will require.
• Jing Yi and Qin Meng work together on the preparations, then share a private dinner that reflects their mutual affection and impending loss.
• Diandian supports Jing Yi indirectly through careful analysis of ingredients and recipe combinations.
• Jing Yi interacts with customers indirectly through their online reviews, reacting with amusement, disbelief, and concern as he sees how creatively—and incorrectly—they use his products.

Chapter Summary

• Public reaction to Jing Yi’s food: Jing Yi reads absurd but enthusiastic customer reviews of his spicy strips and dried bug meat. One buyer praises the product’s quality with an official appraisal certificate, while another posts a video of frying and eating locally caught beetles. The Mi Star customers’ eccentric behavior amuses and frustrates Jing Yi, who concludes that they are entertaining but useless for serious feedback. He chooses not to update his online status, deciding to remain inactive and let the publicity from the award ceremony gradually die down.
• Spiritual breakthrough: During training, Jing Yi’s spiritual power becomes unusually unstable and difficult to control. Diandian warns him that he is on the verge of advancing and tells him to calm his mind and protect his core. Jing Yi realizes that his recent single-minded work—especially creating Energy Cards for Diandian—has unknowingly completed the accumulation needed for advancement. He successfully breaks through from D-grade to C-grade, experiencing a profound change in perception and physical comfort. The advancement also appears to improve Diandian, whose intelligence and possible future evolution remain important hopes for Jing Yi. After congratulating Diandian, Jing Yi falls asleep peacefully.
• Preparation for the mission: The following day, Jing Yi prepares concentrated bone-broth essence, dried meat, desserts, and other foods for Qin Meng and the mission team. He intends the supplies both to satisfy hunger during the mission and to strengthen his relationships with his companions by sharing them.
• Farewell feast: Jing Yi organizes a farewell dinner at the same scenic streamside where the group previously held a picnic. He has the area cleaned and sets up a U-shaped fire pit with specially prepared charcoal. The four-person team and Yang Chun watch eagerly as he slowly roasts a small, unusually plump fish. However, Jing Yi does not serve the fish to them; instead, he places the finished fish inside a black-feathered chicken, leaving the group confused and anticipating the next stage of his unusual cooking.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Jing Yi becomes more confident and disciplined, choosing to withdraw from the public spotlight while focusing on cultivation and mission preparations.
• His breakthrough marks a major advancement in his abilities and strengthens his bond with Diandian.
• Diandian acts as both guide and companion, recognizing the breakthrough before Jing Yi does and encouraging him through it.
• Jing Yi shows consideration for Qin Meng, his teammates, and subordinates by preparing portable food and planning to share it.
• The team’s eager reactions to Jing Yi’s strange cooking highlight their trust, curiosity, and growing familiarity with his unconventional methods.

Significant Themes

• Growth through focused effort: Jing Yi’s advancement results from sustained dedication rather than deliberate cultivation alone.
• Partnership and evolution: His connection with Diandian continues to deepen, with Jing Yi hoping that Diandian may eventually develop fully independent thought or a physical form.
• Food as care and social connection: Jing Yi uses cooking not only for survival but also to comfort others, build camaraderie, and express concern.
• Humor and cultural absurdity: The bizarre customer reviews and the team’s bewilderment over Jing Yi’s cooking provide comic relief amid his serious spiritual development.