Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “A Lion Hunting a Rabbit”

Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing enjoy a meal together, particularly praising the salt-and-pepper pork and Ye Wanqing’s excellent tomato-and-egg dish.
• Xiao He eagerly eats and shows small, awkward acts of consideration by serving Ye Wanqing food, though he admits he mainly wants to finish the leftovers himself.
• After dinner, they wash the dishes and take a walk before returning home.
• While Xiao He goes to boil water, he discovers a cockroach in the kitchen. Determined to prove he is not afraid of it, he attempts to stomp on it with excessive force.
• He misses, nearly damaging the floor and frightening Ye Wanqing. She kills the cockroach herself and reminds him of their arrangement: she handles cockroaches, while he deals with slugs.
• Xiao He asks her to stop teasing him about his fear, and she affectionately pats his head.
• A downstairs neighbor arrives to complain about the tremendous noise. Misinterpreting Xiao and Ye’s messy appearance and the commotion, he assumes they were being intimate. Ye Wanqing hurriedly explains that Xiao He was only trying—and failing—to kill a cockroach.

Character Developments

• Xiao He remains gluttonous, impulsive, and comically fearful of cockroaches, but he also demonstrates unexpected gentleness by offering Ye Wanqing food and saving some of the pork for her.
• His immense strength as a Mutant is emphasized through his wildly excessive attempt to crush the cockroach.
• Ye Wanqing becomes increasingly aware of her attraction to Xiao He. She is especially affected by his appearance in a dress shirt, though she insists to herself that she is not genuinely in love with him.
• She also finds his eating habits, awkwardness, and small acts of kindness endearing. Her teasing gradually takes on an affectionate quality.
• Ye continues to act as the more practical and capable partner, handling the cockroach and managing the misunderstanding with the neighbor.

Significant Themes

• Growing romantic feelings: Ye Wanqing’s internal struggle reveals that her relationship with Xiao He is shifting from simple companionship toward attraction.
• Affection through ordinary domestic life: Cooking, sharing food, washing dishes, and dealing with household pests deepen their intimacy more than dramatic events do.
• Contrasting strength and vulnerability: Although Xiao He possesses superhuman power, he is helpless and terrified in front of a cockroach, creating a humorous contrast.
• Miscommunication and social embarrassment: The neighbor’s mistaken assumptions highlight how easily their close living arrangement can be misunderstood.

Character Interactions

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing tease each other throughout the meal, with his appetite clashing humorously against her attempts to interpret his gestures as kindness.
• Ye compliments Xiao He’s appearance in a dress shirt, openly revealing her preference for sturdier men and unintentionally making her attraction clearer.
• During the cockroach incident, Ye scolds Xiao for using too much force but ultimately comforts him and accepts their division of household responsibilities.
• The neighbor’s misunderstanding leaves Ye embarrassed and Xiao apologetic, reinforcing the chapter’s playful romantic tension.

Chapter Summary: “You Have One Too?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After their neighbor leaves, Xiao He is embarrassed by his fear of the cockroach. Ye Wanqing tries—and fails—not to laugh at him, leading to playful bickering.
• They watch anime together, and Xiao He suspects Ye Wanqing is still secretly laughing at him. He jokingly demands that she swear otherwise, but she repeatedly changes the subject by suggesting food.
• Although Xiao He claims he is too angry to eat, Ye Wanqing prepares sandwiches because their earlier meal and walk have left him hungry. He enjoys them, while she reflects on how much happier and more natural their relationship has recently become.
• Ye Wanqing remains troubled by the romantic threat in Xiao He’s department, especially Huang Ling’s previous remarks. She decides to respond by openly asserting her closeness with Xiao He.
• The following morning, Ye Wanqing accompanies Xiao He to his class, teasingly calling herself his “girlfriend.” On the bicycle ride, their playful argument causes her to grab his waist for balance, creating an awkwardly intimate moment.
• At Xiao He’s classroom, Ye Wanqing’s transformed appearance after losing weight draws everyone’s attention. She deliberately sits behind Huang Ling and publicly acts affectionate toward Xiao He.
• During class, Ye Wanqing suggests eating at Willow Restaurant and links arms with Xiao He, prompting the teacher to jokingly reprimand them for behaving like a couple in class.
• After class, Huang Ling speaks privately with Xiao He. She observes that his relationship with Ye Wanqing has improved and asks whether he still intends to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
• Xiao He cannot answer, revealing that his feelings and priorities may already have changed. Huang Ling then cryptically claims that she also possesses a “superpower,” ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Becomes increasingly comfortable and emotionally close with Ye Wanqing, though he continues to hide his feelings behind sarcasm and mock annoyance. His inability to answer Huang Ling’s question suggests that he may already be choosing Ye Wanqing emotionally.
• Ye Wanqing: Grows more confident and proactive in expressing her attachment to Xiao He. She uses food, teasing, physical affection, and a public appearance at his class to stake her claim and challenge Huang Ling.
• Huang Ling: Remains observant and emotionally perceptive. She recognizes the change in Xiao He and Ye Wanqing’s relationship and confronts Xiao He directly. Her revelation about having a superpower introduces a potentially important new mystery.

Significant Themes

• Growing intimacy: Everyday activities—cooking, eating, commuting, and watching anime—show the pair developing a relationship that feels increasingly domestic and natural.
• Jealousy and romantic competition: Ye Wanqing’s decision to attend Xiao He’s class and display affection is motivated partly by Huang Ling’s presence and previous challenge.
• Unspoken feelings: Xiao He and Ye Wanqing continue to express affection indirectly through teasing and arguments rather than honest declarations.
• Secrets and supernatural abilities: Huang Ling’s claim that she has a superpower expands the story’s supernatural mystery and suggests she may know more about Xiao He than she has revealed.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing trade affectionate insults, with the “Little Pufferfish” nickname becoming a recurring source of playful conflict.
• Ye Wanqing prepares food specifically for Xiao He, quietly demonstrating care despite their arguments.
• During the bicycle ride, Ye Wanqing’s fear causes her to embrace Xiao He, creating a moment of accidental romantic closeness.
• In class, Ye Wanqing deliberately holds Xiao He’s hand and links arms with him in front of Huang Ling and their classmates.
• Huang Ling privately questions Xiao He about his romantic intentions and then shocks him by revealing that she may also possess supernatural powers.

Chapter Summary: “The Secret to Happiness”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huang Ling reveals—or jokingly claims—that her “Superpower” is making the people closest to her find happiness. She says that boys who like her and close female friends soon find their ideal partners, leaving her alone.
• Xiao He remains uncertain whether Huang Ling is serious, but he decides to clarify their relationship. He apologizes and explains that he cannot pursue her because he has fallen for Ye Wanqing.
• Huang Ling accepts this calmly, saying she expected it and encouraging Xiao He to confess to Ye Wanqing at a romantic moment. Xiao He admits he fears rejection and the awkwardness it might create between them.
• Ye Wanqing returns, and Xiao He invites Huang Ling to join them for dinner at Willow Restaurant. Huang Ling declines, joking that she has suffered enough from watching couples display their affection.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing skip class to secure a table at the popular restaurant. Ye Wanqing worries about the consequences, while Xiao He jokingly asks her to help him academically if he ever leaves the Special Response Department.
• At the restaurant, Xiao He helps the owner push a stalled car while Ye Wanqing remains inside with the owner’s wife.
• The owner’s wife asks Ye Wanqing about her relationship with Xiao He and encourages her to take the initiative. She shares that her husband once loved another girl but eventually chose her because she actively pursued her own happiness.
• Her advice makes Ye Wanqing seriously reconsider her hesitation. The conversation ends when Xiao He and the owner return, unaware of what was discussed.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Becomes more honest about his feelings for Ye Wanqing and formally distances himself from the possibility of romance with Huang Ling. Although confident in many situations, he is nervous about confessing and being rejected.
• Huang Ling: Shows emotional maturity and acceptance regarding Xiao He’s feelings. Her mysterious “happiness” Superpower reinforces her image as someone who helps others while being left lonely herself.
• Ye Wanqing: Quietly acknowledges that her relationship with Xiao He is improving and suspects he likes her. She remains hesitant because of her traditional belief that the girl should not make the first move, but the owner’s wife’s story begins to challenge that belief.
• The owner’s wife: Acts as a confident mentor figure, presenting herself as proof that happiness requires active pursuit rather than passive waiting.
• The restaurant owner: Remains affectionate and playful with his wife and recognizes Xiao He’s physical strength after Xiao He helps move the car.

Significant Themes

• Pursuing happiness: The chapter argues that people must actively seek happiness instead of waiting for circumstances or social expectations to decide their future.
• Love and initiative: Romantic relationships require courage, and there is no inherent reason one gender must always make the first move.
• Loneliness and self-sacrifice: Huang Ling’s supposed Superpower suggests the bittersweet idea that someone may bring happiness to others without finding it personally.
• Fear of rejection: Xiao He and Ye Wanqing both hesitate because they fear disrupting their current relationship, showing how emotional uncertainty can delay confession.
• Everyday intimacy: Teasing, arguments, shared meals, and helping others reveal the growing closeness between Xiao He and Ye Wanqing.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao He and Huang Ling: Discuss their romantic situation honestly; Huang Ling accepts that Xiao He prefers Ye Wanqing and advises him on confessing.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing: Continue their playful, argumentative dynamic while showing increasing mutual affection.
• Ye Wanqing and the owner’s wife: Have the chapter’s most emotionally significant conversation, with the older woman encouraging Ye Wanqing to take control of her romantic future.
• Xiao He and the restaurant owner: Work together to move a stalled car, highlighting Xiao He’s strength and his willingness to help.

Chapter Summary: “Next Time for Sure”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing eat at a small restaurant, where the owners mistake them for a couple. Their playful bickering and comfortable habits—such as sharing food—reinforce the impression.
• Xiao demonstrates his unusual strength while helping out, worrying Ye Wanqing that his powers might be exposed. Their teasing argument is affectionate and familiar.
• The restaurant owners openly display their own affection and jokingly bet on when Xiao He and Ye Wanqing will officially become a couple. The owner predicts “next time,” while his wife says “the time after next.”
• After returning home, Ye Wanqing collapses on the sofa, explaining that she finds it difficult to relax outside because she feels constantly watched or on guard.
• While Ye Wanqing sleeps, Xiao He covers her with a blanket, tidies her messy room, and gently strokes her head. He hides his tenderness when she begins to wake.
• Ye Wanqing remembers the comforting touch and chooses not to confront him, quietly appreciating his care.
• After waking, she proudly shows Xiao He that the dough she prepared has risen successfully. Together, they eagerly plan to steam and eat the fresh buns.

Character Developments

• Xiao He reveals his strength but also displays increasing domestic care and tenderness toward Ye Wanqing. He cleans her room, looks after her while she sleeps, and reacts warmly to her cooking.
• Ye Wanqing remains sharp-tongued and easily embarrassed, but her actions show growing trust and affection. She relaxes around Xiao He, accepts his care, and secretly cherishes the reassurance of his touch.
• Their relationship continues shifting from friendship toward romance, despite neither openly acknowledging their feelings.

Significant Themes

• Unspoken romantic affection: Xiao He and Ye Wanqing behave like a couple before officially becoming one, while their embarrassment prevents direct confession.
• Comfort and safety: Ye Wanqing’s anxiety outside contrasts with the ease and security she feels at home with Xiao He.
• Domestic intimacy: Sharing meals, cleaning, sleeping nearby, and cooking together emphasize the closeness of their everyday life.
• Playful foreshadowing: The restaurant owners’ prediction that the two will soon become a couple hints that their relationship may progress in the near future.

Character Interactions

• The restaurant owners tease Xiao He and Ye Wanqing about being lovers while affectionately comparing them to their own marriage.
• Ye Wanqing scolds Xiao He for revealing his strength, while Xiao He jokingly calls her “Little Pufferfish.”
• They share food naturally, showing how accustomed they are to caring for one another.
• At home, Xiao He quietly tends to Ye Wanqing, while she responds with hidden appreciation rather than confrontation.
• Their excitement over the risen dough ends the chapter on a warm, collaborative note, reinforcing their increasingly couple-like dynamic.

Chapter Summary: “Good Child”

Plot points and events

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing spend the afternoon making steamed buns. Ye Wanqing teaches him how to fold them, guiding his hands at first, though Xiao He becomes distracted by their physical closeness and asks her to demonstrate from across the table.
• They watch Gintama while cooking, then begin watching The Big Bang Theory, which quickly appeals to Ye Wanqing’s sense of humor.
• After steaming the buns, they taste them. Xiao He enjoys them so much that he eats less at dinner, leaving leftovers. Ye Wanqing plans to reheat them for his breakfast with porridge and another bun.
• Before going out for a walk, they take out the garbage. Ye Wanqing breaks the sharp ends off used toothpicks so recycling collectors will not injure themselves and prepares a bag of plastic bottles to give to them.
• The following day, they return to the Special Response Department for training. Xiao He practices combat with Xie Haining, while Ye Wanqing trains nearby with Xia Yu.
• Xie Haining demonstrates his superior combat ability, teaching Xiao He how to maintain his guard, exploit an opponent’s recovery time, and generate power through his legs, waist, and arm.
• During training, Ye Wanqing suddenly appears unwell. She slows the treadmill, then collapses, leaving Xiao He alarmed.

Character development

• Xiao He: Becomes increasingly attracted to Ye Wanqing, admiring her smile, kindness, domestic habits, and consideration for others. He nearly blurts out a marriage proposal when he sees her thoughtful treatment of recycling workers. He also begins improving his combat awareness under Xie Haining.
• Ye Wanqing: Is shown as a capable cook, cheerful and humorous companion, and someone who values thrift and household responsibility. Her kindness is practical and sincere, expressed through small actions rather than public displays. She also demonstrates concern for Xiao He’s eating habits and well-being.
• Xie Haining: Establishes himself as an exceptionally perceptive and technically skilled combat instructor, surpassing Xia Rui and teaching Xiao He advanced fighting principles.
• Xia Yu: Continues physical training alongside Ye Wanqing, though she plays only a minor role in the chapter.

Significant themes

• Everyday intimacy and affection: Shared cooking, watching television, and eating together deepen Xiao He and Ye Wanqing’s relationship.
• Genuine kindness: Ye Wanqing’s care for recycling collectors emphasizes that true goodness is often revealed through quiet, practical details.
• Domestic responsibility: Avoiding food waste, preserving leftovers, and managing household tasks reflect Ye Wanqing’s ideas about security and a dependable partner.
• Growth through training: Xie Haining’s instruction highlights the importance of technique, observation, and learning to turn physical ability into effective combat skill.
• Sudden danger beneath ordinary life: The chapter shifts from warmth and routine to suspense when Ye Wanqing collapses unexpectedly.

Character interactions

• Ye Wanqing patiently teaches Xiao He to make buns, teasing and scolding him when he struggles.
• The two bond over comedy programs, with Xiao He quietly enjoying Ye Wanqing’s laughter.
• Ye Wanqing gives Xiao He one of her buns and later plans his breakfast, showing her domestic concern for him.
• Their walk and recycling preparations reveal their shared household routine and strengthen Xiao He’s admiration for her.
• Xie Haining critiques Xiao He’s combat posture and technique, acting as a demanding but knowledgeable mentor.
• Xiao He notices Ye Wanqing’s condition during training and reacts with concern when she collapses, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary: “High Fever”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a training session, Ye Wanqing suddenly becomes dizzy and collapses. Xiao He catches her before she hits the floor.
• He realizes she has a dangerously high fever of 39°C. The doctor orders immediate cooling measures, including wiping her down with cold towels and alcohol.
• While delirious, Ye Wanqing clings to Xiao He’s hand and refuses to let go, briefly causing confusion when Xia Yu identifies him as her “boyfriend.” Cui Man arrives and takes charge, allowing the women to treat Wanqing.
• After her temperature drops slightly, Xiao He carries Ye Wanqing to the infirmary. She is placed on an IV, given a cold towel, and monitored.
• The doctor suspects influenza brought on by seasonal changes and exhaustion from intense training. Blood tests and a nasopharyngeal swab are taken to confirm the diagnosis.
• Since Wanqing remains weak and feverish, she stays in the infirmary overnight. Xiao He volunteers to remain with her, using his immunity from the Miracle Factor as justification.
• While unconscious, Wanqing grips Xiao He’s hand and calls his name. He briefly interprets this as evidence that she likes him—until she mutters that she hates him and calls him a “stupid pig.”

Character Developments

• Ye Wanqing: Her usual energetic and tough demeanor gives way to vulnerability. Despite feeling unwell, she had continued training and failed to recognize—or admit—the seriousness of her condition. Her unconscious attachment to Xiao He suggests emotional dependence or affection, though her feverish insult preserves their usual antagonistic dynamic.
• Xiao He: He becomes visibly worried and protective, blaming himself for not noticing Wanqing’s worsening condition sooner. He stays by her side, holds her hand, and prioritizes caring for her over attending class. His romantic feelings become more obvious, although he remains uncertain about Wanqing’s true feelings.
• Cui Man: She takes a responsible leadership role, organizing treatment and arranging leave for both Xiao He and Wanqing. Her quiet, observant reaction hints that she recognizes Xiao He’s feelings.
• Xie Haining and Xia Yu: Both assist during the emergency. Xie offers emotional support, while Xia Yu helps transport and care for Wanqing.

Significant Themes

• Care and emotional vulnerability: Wanqing’s illness exposes a softer side of her and allows Xiao He to express concern and affection.
• Responsibility and guilt: Xiao He regrets overlooking her pale complexion and feels responsible for failing to detect her fever earlier.
• Hidden romantic feelings: Xiao’s hopes rise when Wanqing calls for him, but her contradictory words undercut his expectations and maintain the teasing uncertainty between them.
• Teamwork and mutual support: The group responds quickly and cooperatively, showing the trust and camaraderie among the trainees and staff.
• Physical limits and overexertion: The chapter emphasizes that intense training and fatigue can weaken the body, even for someone normally energetic and resilient.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing: He catches her, comforts her, carries her to the infirmary, and holds her hand while she sleeps. Her feverish dependence on him contrasts with her habitual insults.
• Xiao He and the medical staff: He provides information about Wanqing’s symptoms and commits to staying with her.
• Cui Man and Xiao He: Cui Man entrusts him with Wanqing’s care and quietly observes his concern, while he openly volunteers to remain overnight.
• Xie Haining and Xiao He: Xie reassures Xiao He but teasingly recognizes how deeply worried he is.
• Xia Yu and the group: Xia Yu assists with the emergency and encourages Xiao He not to blame himself.

Chapter Summary: “Two People”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After receiving an IV, Ye Wanqing’s fever stabilizes, and she falls asleep while tightly holding Xiao He’s hand.
• Xiao He stays beside her, changing the towel on her forehead despite being unable to free his hand. When Ye Wanqing rests her face on his other hand, he becomes completely immobilized.
• Xie Haining brings food and patiently feeds Xiao He buns and water. Their conversation turns to Xiao He and Ye Wanqing’s complicated relationship.
• Xie Haining observes that the two clearly love each other but are too stubborn and afraid to admit it first. He then reflects on his brain tumor and regrets not spending more time with his wife and daughter.
• He encourages Xiao He to treat every day with loved ones as though it might be their last. Xiao He admires Xie Haining’s combination of strength and gentleness and wishes he could cure his illness.
• While caring for Ye Wanqing, Xiao He realizes that their bickering, shared meals, walks, and daily companionship have made his life happier. He recognizes how empty he felt when she was away and admits internally that having “two people” together is comforting.
• Ye Wanqing wakes later that evening. Her fever has dropped to 37.5°C, and the medical worker says she should recover after another night’s rest.
• When Xiao He tries to leave to heat her porridge, Ye Wanqing anxiously asks him not to leave her alone. He promises to stay and reassures her that he will return immediately.
• After Xiao He leaves, Ye Wanqing privately realizes that he stayed with her the entire time and reacts shyly to the lingering warmth of his hand on her face.

Character Development

• Xiao He: Becomes more openly caring and responsible toward Ye Wanqing. Although he continues to tease and complain, he acknowledges his emotional dependence on her and recognizes that their shared life has brought him happiness. Xie Haining’s advice prompts him to reconsider his stubbornness and priorities.
• Ye Wanqing: Even while unconscious, instinctively seeks Xiao He’s comfort by holding his hand and resting against him. After waking, she reveals her fear of being left alone and begins to recognize how much Xiao He’s care means to her.
• Xie Haining: Acts as a gentle, perceptive mentor figure. His tenderness toward Xiao He and his reflections on family life reveal his emotional maturity, while his illness adds poignancy to his advice.

Significant Themes

• Love hidden behind conflict: Xiao He and Ye Wanqing express affection through bickering, caretaking, and reluctant dependence rather than direct confession.
• The value of companionship: Xiao He realizes that ordinary shared experiences—meals, walks, and everyday arguments—have become central to his happiness.
• Mortality and regret: Xie Haining’s tumor leads him to reflect on lost time and the importance of valuing loved ones before it is too late.
• Strength and gentleness: Xiao He admires Xie Haining’s ability to be both powerful and kind, suggesting an ideal Xiao He hopes to embody.
• Emotional vulnerability: Ye Wanqing’s plea not to be left alone and Xiao He’s determination to stay together reveal feelings neither is yet willing to express directly.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing: Their physical closeness while she sleeps exposes their mutual trust and affection. Her dependence on his touch and his unwavering care deepen their romantic tension.
• Xiao He and Xie Haining: Xie feeds Xiao He and offers honest relationship advice, becoming a warm, familial presence. Xiao He responds with admiration and concern for Xie’s health.
• Ye Wanqing and Xie Haining: They do not interact directly in the chapter, but Xie’s observations about their relationship help Xiao He understand his feelings toward her.

Chapter Summary: “Keeping Watch”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He asks Cui Man whether donating more of his blood could cure Candle Dragon’s brain tumor. Cui Man explains that his Miracle Factor cannot regenerate quickly enough to stop the tumor and that excessive blood donations would endanger Xiao He’s health.
• Cui Man tells Xiao He that he cannot save everyone alone. This motivates him to cooperate in researching the origin and production of Miracle Factor so it can eventually be synthesized and used to help many people.
• Xiao He returns to the infirmary with warm porridge for the feverish Ye Wanqing. He feeds her carefully, carries her to the bathroom, replaces her cooling towel, and insists that she rest.
• Ye Wanqing is embarrassed by Xiao He’s attentive care but is secretly comforted by his presence. She repeatedly turns in bed, asks for water, and eventually receives her phone so she can stay awake for a while.
• Xiao He plans to nap in the neighboring bed while continuing to watch over her, but he falls asleep. When he wakes at 2 a.m., he discovers that Ye Wanqing has covered him with her coat.
• After confirming that her fever has broken, Xiao He remains beside her, determined to continue keeping watch.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Becomes more mature and responsible. His concern for Candle Dragon shifts into a broader willingness to help develop Miracle Factor for everyone, not merely solve individual cases. He also displays growing tenderness and protectiveness toward Ye Wanqing, despite disguising it with teasing.
• Ye Wanqing: Reveals increasing emotional dependence and affection toward Xiao He. Although shy and defensive, she feels safe when he is nearby and quietly takes care of him in return by covering him with her coat.
• Cui Man: Acts as both a mentor and an affectionate older-sister figure. She pushes Xiao He to understand the limits of his abilities and encourages his growth into a true Yinglong.

Significant Themes

• Limits of individual heroism: Xiao He learns that one person cannot save everyone, emphasizing the need for scientific progress and collective solutions.
• Maturity and responsibility: His change from someone who wanted to “coast along” into someone willing to cooperate and shoulder responsibility is a central development.
• Care expressed through actions: Xiao He’s feeding, carrying, monitoring, and testing food and water temperatures demonstrate affection more clearly than words.
• Mutual comfort and emerging romance: The quiet hospital setting allows Xiao He and Ye Wanqing to grow closer through teasing, embarrassment, trust, and reciprocal concern.

Character Interactions

• Cui Man teases Xiao He about his growth and his supposed blind dates while seriously advising him about Miracle Factor.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing share a series of tender, playful exchanges: he jokes about being her “boyfriend” and “sneak attacking” her, while she calls him a pervert but is secretly reassured by his presence.
• Their relationship becomes more intimate through small gestures: Xiao He cares for her physically, while Ye Wanqing quietly covers him with her coat as he sleeps.

Chapter Summary: “Mutant ‘AME’”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Wanqing wakes up fully recovered after spending the night in the military base infirmary, where Xiao He stayed awake beside her.
• She affectionately offers to prepare breakfast for him, and Xiao He is touched by her unusually warm smile.
• Before they leave, Cui Man stops them and insists that Ye Wanqing undergo another examination.
• Cui Man reveals that Ye Wanqing’s illness is not ordinary seasonal Flu but the newly identified AME Influenza, which originated in Nanhua City.
• AME Flu repeatedly returns in infected individuals because the virus remains in the body and mutates to evade the immune system.
• Cui Man suspects the virus may itself be a Mutant, similar to previously identified mutant animals such as the Yangtze finless porpoise.
• She explains that the disease has spread much faster than expected and that no effective prevention or cure currently exists. If Ye Wanqing is infected, the entire group may already have been exposed.
• Although Ye Wanqing remains cheerful and unaware of the danger, Xiao He realizes from the medical staff’s expressions that her test is positive.
• A medical worker confirms that Ye Wanqing is infected and warns that the disease’s spread has already exceeded their ability to control it.

Character Developments

• Ye Wanqing appears physically recovered and emotionally relaxed. Her willingness to cook for Xiao He and her open smile show growing affection and trust toward him.
• Xiao He demonstrates loyalty by staying awake all night beside Ye Wanqing. His playful hunger contrasts sharply with his growing fear once he learns the truth. He becomes protective, hides the diagnosis from her temporarily, and tries to prevent her from becoming alarmed.
• Cui Man shifts from her usual teasing, casual personality into a serious authority figure. Her concern reveals the severity of the AME outbreak and her awareness of its potential consequences.
• The medical staff are visibly uneasy, emphasizing that the situation is already beyond normal medical control.

Significant Themes

• Affection amid impending danger: The lighthearted breakfast exchange creates warmth just before the chapter introduces a potentially catastrophic disease.
• The unknown threat of mutation: AME Flu challenges ordinary assumptions about viruses, suggesting that mutation may produce intelligent or adaptive threats.
• Individual illness becoming a global crisis: Ye Wanqing’s infection may indicate that everyone around her has already been exposed, expanding a personal problem into a threat to humanity.
• Protection and concealed truth: Xiao He chooses not to tell Ye Wanqing immediately, placing her emotional safety above complete honesty.
• Fragile normality: Ordinary activities such as breakfast and leaving the infirmary continue even as the characters face a crisis that could lead to societal collapse.

Character Interactions

• Ye Wanqing and Xiao He share a tender, increasingly intimate exchange about breakfast, revealing their mutual comfort and affection.
• Xiao He and Cui Man have a serious conversation in which she explains the nature of AME Flu and its possible connection to Mutants.
• Xiao He attempts to protect Ye Wanqing by sending her to retrieve her clothes before confronting the medical staff about her diagnosis.
• Ye Wanqing remains optimistic and unaware, while Xiao He and the medical personnel silently carry the knowledge that she is infected.

Chapter Summary: “The Only Option”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cui Man explains that Ye Wanqing has contracted the new AME strain of influenza, a “Mutant” virus capable of deliberately changing its evolutionary structure to evade the human immune system.
• Although the illness currently resembles an ordinary cold, it may remain in infected people permanently and could potentially evolve into a lethal disease if the entire world becomes infected.
• Medical experts have been unable to find a cure. Even the Miracle Factor can destroy the virus only at sufficient concentrations; otherwise, the Flu consumes it.
• Xiao He realizes that he cannot cure Ye Wanqing simply by giving her his blood. The only remaining solution is to confront and defeat the virus himself, treating it as another manifestation of “Lin Tiannan.”
• Cui Man warns that this enemy may be stronger than any previous opponent Xiao He has faced. Because the Flu can attack while Xiao He remains primarily on the defensive, he may be at a severe disadvantage.
• Cui Man instructs Ye Wanqing to wear a mask, avoid others, suspend her exercise, and rest at home. She plans to tell Ye Wanqing the full truth later.
• Xiao He returns home with Ye Wanqing, concealing the seriousness of her condition while considering whether to fight the virus immediately or recover first.
• Ye Wanqing prepares breakfast for him, unaware of the danger. Xiao He initially lacks an appetite but quickly begins eating once he sees the elaborate meal she made.
• He persuades her to stay home for at least a day, though she insists that she feels energetic and believes she is already recovering.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Moves from underestimating the Flu as an ordinary cold to recognizing it as a potentially unparalleled threat. He accepts that defeating it may be his only option but also understands that rushing into battle could cost him the Miracle Factor permanently. His concern for Ye Wanqing is evident in his cautious questioning and efforts to keep her safe.
• Ye Wanqing: Remains cheerful, energetic, and largely unaware of the virus’s true nature. Her instinctive kindness appears when she prepares breakfast for Xiao He after realizing how exhausted he must be. She agrees to rest, though reluctantly, because she does not want to infect others.
• Cui Man: Acts as the voice of medical and strategic caution. She is deeply worried that Xiao He may lose against this unusually powerful enemy, even though she tries to reassure him that the illness is currently mild.

Significant Themes

• Hidden danger beneath ordinary appearances: The Flu seems harmless because its immediate symptoms are mild, yet its ability to evolve makes it potentially catastrophic.
• The limits of immunity and power: Even the Miracle Factor is not automatically superior to the virus, emphasizing that Xiao He cannot rely on his usual advantages.
• Responsibility versus self-preservation: Xiao He must choose between confronting the threat quickly to protect humanity and preserving his strength and the Miracle Factor.
• Care expressed through ordinary actions: Ye Wanqing’s breakfast and Xiao He’s insistence that she rest show affection and concern despite their casual bickering.
• Isolation and uncertainty: Ye Wanqing is separated from others without knowing why, while Xiao He must carry the burden of understanding the real danger alone.

Character Interactions

• Cui Man and Xiao He debate whether the Miracle Factor can cure Ye Wanqing and conclude that Xiao He must personally defeat the Flu.
• Cui Man warns Xiao He against underestimating the virus and advises him to recover before confronting it.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing exchange their usual teasing over the mask, masking his anxiety and her ignorance of the situation.
• At breakfast, Ye Wanqing shows concern for Xiao He’s exhaustion, while he subtly tries to convince her to remain at home and avoid spreading the illness.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Xiao He tells Ye Wanqing that she has contracted the new AME Influenza, an incurable virus that will remain in her body and cause recurring illness whenever her immune system weakens.
• He plans to eliminate the virus himself, reassuring Ye Wanqing while hiding his concern.
• Ye stays home to rest, and she and Xiao He try to maintain normality by watching television and planning lunch together.
• Cui Man arrives and explains that Xiao He’s Miracle Factor cannot defeat the virus because its concentration is insufficient.
• Research reveals that AME Influenza is a Mutant with both rapid mutation and a unique “coordination” ability: every virus individual shares evolutionary changes with the entire group.
• This collective connection may be the virus’s weakness. If Xiao He defeats the strain inside his own body, the virus throughout everyone else might also be destroyed. Even if that fails, studying its final form could lead to a vaccine or treatment.
• Xiao He agrees to begin the operation immediately, referring to the virus as “Lin Tiannan,” but Ye Wanqing hesitates because she fears something may happen to him.
• After their argument, Xiao He firmly tells her to trust him and vows, “As long as it’s called Lin Tiannan, even if it’s a god, I’ll kill it for you.”

Character developments

• Xiao He tries to appear casual and confident, but his determination to save Ye Wanqing reveals how deeply he cares about her. He willingly risks himself and refuses to be intimidated by the virus.
• Ye Wanqing becomes unusually obedient and visibly anxious. Rather than focusing on her own condition, she worries about Xiao He’s safety and tries to care for him by preparing his favorite meal.
• Cui Man acts as the practical scientific authority, explaining the virus’s abilities and helping identify a possible strategy, though she admits the risks and uncertainties.
• The chapter strengthens the emotional bond between Xiao He and Ye Wanqing, showing that both care deeply for one another but struggle to express it directly.

Significant themes

• Sacrifice and devotion: Xiao He is prepared to endanger himself to cure Ye Wanqing, while she fears becoming responsible for his possible death.
• Trust versus fear: Ye Wanqing’s hesitation contrasts with Xiao He’s confidence, and his demand that she trust him becomes the emotional climax.
• Science and the unknown: The virus’s supernatural mutation and shared evolution challenge ordinary medical understanding, forcing the characters to seek an unconventional solution.
• Hidden affection: Their bickering masks mutual concern, with both characters avoiding direct confessions of how much the other matters.

Character interactions

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing share domestic moments over chores, television, and lunch, creating a sense of intimacy despite the threat.
• Cui Man provides crucial information while attempting to mediate their argument.
• Ye Wanqing challenges Xiao He’s recklessness, while Xiao He responds with determination and reassurance.
• Their final exchange transforms their conflict into a declaration of loyalty: Xiao He promises to destroy the virus for her, and Ye Wanqing silently accepts his resolve.

Chapter Summary: “The Confrontation Begins”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cui Man emphasizes that Xiao He’s battle against the AME Influenza is also Ye Wanqing’s battle, since she is infected and will need to support him.
• Xiao He agrees to be deliberately infected so the Special Response Department can study the virus and develop a vaccine. He is transferred to a military-base ward, where medical staff monitor every stage of the infection.
• Although Xiao He pretends the illness is only a normal cold, his Superpower warns him that the AME Influenza is the most dangerous enemy he has ever faced—more threatening even than the challenge of solving “NP=P?”
• The virus begins producing a strong fever and weakness as Xiao He’s Miracle Factor fights it. Unlike his previous infection, he does not recover immediately or gain new abilities.
• Doctors determine that his fever is caused by the internal battle between the Miracle Factor and the Flu. They give him medicine, draw blood for testing, and maintain constant surveillance.
• Ye Wanqing stays beside Xiao He, feeds him water, and plans a nourishing meal of chicken soup, teriyaki chicken legs, fried egg, bok choy, and other food.
• While Ye Wanqing is cooking, Xiao He’s condition suddenly worsens. When she returns, she finds him unconscious, drenched in sweat, trembling, and being examined by several doctors.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Reveals hidden fear and uncertainty despite his confident exterior. He accepts infection not because he knows he can win, but because stopping the virus is necessary to protect the people he cares about. He continues joking with Ye Wanqing to reassure her, even as the illness drains his strength.
• Ye Wanqing: Becomes Xiao He’s primary emotional and practical support. Her worry appears through her stern remarks, insistence that he not lose, close attention to his symptoms, and determined effort to cook food suited to his condition. She is increasingly comfortable being treated as Xiao He’s partner.
• Cui Man: Encourages both of them and openly expresses faith in Xiao He as the hero Yinglong. She also teases Ye Wanqing about their relationship, highlighting how couple-like they have become.
• Medical staff: Treat Xiao He as a critical research subject and patient, monitoring him around the clock while studying the virus’s progression.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice and responsibility: Xiao He knowingly risks his life because allowing the Flu to spread would endanger everyone important to him.
• Love expressed through care: Ye Wanqing’s cooking, hydration, concern, and decision to remain at his side demonstrate affection more clearly than direct declarations.
• Courage versus uncertainty: Xiao He’s bravery is meaningful because he is genuinely afraid and does not know whether he can defeat the virus.
• Science and heroism: The confrontation combines Xiao He’s extraordinary abilities with the medical team’s research and support, making the battle a collective effort.
• Human vulnerability: Despite his powers and past successes, Xiao He becomes physically weak and dependent on others.

Character Interactions

• Cui Man frames Xiao He and Ye Wanqing as partners in the fight and teases them about being a couple.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing exchange affectionate, playful banter, including his nickname “Little Pufferfish.”
• Ye Wanqing mirrors Xiao He’s former care for her by checking his temperature, giving him water, preparing food, and reassuring him.
• Their lighthearted conversation contrasts with the seriousness of Xiao He’s deteriorating condition, intensifying the chapter’s final cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary: “First Round”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He is hospitalized with a high fever caused by a rapidly mutating flu-like illness. Doctors monitor him closely, drawing blood and other samples to study the disease.
• His Miracle Factor becomes highly active, helping his body resist the infection. The doctors speculate that it may be capable of curing illnesses, repairing optic nerves, and even regenerating limbs, though they cannot yet synthesize it or identify the organ that produces it.
• Ye Wanqing arrives with homemade food and anxiously watches over Xiao He. While he sleeps, she holds his hand, wipes away his sweat, touches his face, and admits internally that she has been worried about him.
• Xiao He wakes because he smells the food and immediately begins eating. The chicken soup, made with goji berries, red dates, and other medicinal ingredients, provides both nourishment and rapidly converted energy, strengthening his body’s resistance.
• Ye Wanqing takes care of him in a strict but affectionate manner: checking his temperature, changing his towel, ordering him to rest, and refusing to let him use his phone.
• While Xiao He sleeps, Ye Wanqing privately admires his appearance and growing physique, then becomes embarrassed by her own romantic thoughts.
• Medical staff continue testing him throughout the afternoon. By around four o’clock, his fever disappears and his vital signs return to normal, though doctors insist on further testing because the virus may still be present.
• Xiao He immediately regains his appetite and requests an elaborate dinner. Ye Wanqing compromises by offering chicken soup noodles and beef stew with potatoes, relieved that he has recovered despite pretending to be annoyed with him.

Character Development

• Xiao He: Demonstrates remarkable resilience and a strong appetite even while seriously ill. His Miracle Factor actively converts food into energy to combat the infection. Once recovered, he quickly returns to his playful, demanding personality, showing confidence that his body has overcome the illness.
• Ye Wanqing: Reveals increasing emotional attachment to Xiao He. Her concern appears through her cooking, physical care, constant monitoring, and attempts to control his behavior. Though she teases and scolds him, she privately acknowledges that she was deeply worried and begins noticing his physical attractiveness.
• Their relationship: Moves further toward mutual romantic affection, although neither openly confesses. Ye Wanqing’s feelings are becoming clearer to herself, while Xiao He remains largely oblivious and interprets her care as ordinary concern.

Significant Themes

• Care expressed through food: Ye Wanqing’s cooking serves as her main way of showing affection, while Xiao He’s enthusiastic eating reassures her.
• The body’s extraordinary potential: The Miracle Factor introduces the possibility of healing, regeneration, and major medical breakthroughs.
• Science versus uncertainty: Doctors can observe the Miracle Factor’s effects but still do not understand its source or how to reproduce it.
• Affection hidden behind teasing: Concern, tenderness, and attraction are repeatedly disguised as nagging, insults, or practical instructions.
• Recovery and resilience: Xiao He’s ability to overcome the illness highlights both his unusual physiology and his determination to keep functioning normally.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye Wanqing comforts and cares for the sleeping Xiao He, holding his hand and wiping his sweat while confessing internally that she worried about him.
• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing bicker over whether she should feed him, whether he may use his phone, and what he should eat after recovering.
• Ye Wanqing praises and explains the medicinal ingredients in her soup, while Xiao He enthusiastically compliments it and suggests using it for noodles.
• After his fever breaks, Xiao He demands heavier food, and Ye Wanqing responds with mock irritation while quietly celebrating his recovery.

Chapter Summary: “A Narrow Victory”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He recovers enough from the AME Influenza to eat a hearty meal prepared by Ye Wanqing. He remains confident that his Superpower will help him survive, though he underestimates the illness.
• Ye Wanqing and Xiao He share dinner, teasing each other and discussing his recovery. Their domestic interaction reveals growing intimacy.
• Xiao He explains his gratitude toward Cui Man for helping resolve the Lin Tiannan Incident, in which he accidentally paralyzed a man after using his Superpower.
• He also opens up about his deep insecurity: he hates being ordinary and believes that no matter how hard he works, he can never surpass truly talented people. He once gave up on himself after concluding that even his Superpower was useless.
• Ye Wanqing reassures him, telling him that she thinks he is impressive and should remain the way he is. Their partnership has allowed both of them to become far more powerful than they could have been alone.
• Xiao suffers a violent seizure as the virus attacks his nervous system. His condition temporarily stabilizes, but Ye Wanqing becomes increasingly distressed.
• Ye Wanqing suggests changing Xiao’s name to Lin Tiannan to activate his “bug state,” but Cui Man refuses because Xiao’s weakened body makes the experiment dangerously unpredictable.
• As Xiao’s fever worsens, the virus attacks his internal organs. He develops a cytokine storm, leading to unstable vital signs, organ failure, and cardiac arrest.
• Believing Xiao may die, Ye Wanqing confesses that she has fallen in love with him and promises to date him if he survives—provided he confesses first.
• Xiao appears to die and awakens in a strange cosmic space, assuming he has entered the afterlife. He discovers that the space has invisible boundaries and suspects he may be able to break through them.
• Ye Wanqing’s desperate cry reaches him, pulling him back to consciousness. He awakens in the hospital as the medical team celebrates.
• The chapter ends with Xiao noticing the White Light surrounding him fading and realizing that his Superpower, combined with the team’s actions, has saved him.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Becomes more emotionally open, admitting both his insecurities and his feelings for Ye Wanqing. His near-death experience exposes his fear of dying without accomplishing anything or experiencing love. He also gains a deeper understanding of his Superpower.
• Ye Wanqing: Moves from quiet concern and jealousy to openly acknowledging her love for Xiao. Her willingness to stay awake, care for him, and confess under extreme pressure shows how deeply attached she has become.
• Cui Man: Continues acting as the cautious, responsible strategist. Although she refuses to risk Xiao’s life with an untested plan, she remains determined to save him and helps coordinate the emergency response.
• Xia Yu, Xie Haining, and the medical staff: Their reactions emphasize the seriousness of Xiao’s condition and their emotional investment in his survival.

Significant Themes

• Love emerging from companionship: Xiao and Ye Wanqing’s relationship develops through daily life, shared meals, arguments, and mutual reliance rather than sudden attraction.
• Overcoming feelings of ordinariness: Xiao’s insecurity contrasts with his actual importance and power. His partnership with Ye Wanqing allows him to recognize that individual limitations do not define his worth.
• The fragility of life: Xiao’s rapid decline from recovery to cardiac arrest highlights how close victory can be to disaster.
• Trust and emotional vulnerability: Xiao’s confession about his past and Ye Wanqing’s promise to date him mark a major emotional breakthrough between them.
• Power through cooperation: Neither Xiao nor Ye Wanqing is as effective alone as they are together; their combined abilities and mutual support make survival possible.

Character Interactions

• Xiao and Ye Wanqing tease one another over food, nicknames, and his affection for Cui Man, displaying their growing familiarity and romantic tension.
• Ye Wanqing comforts Xiao about his self-loathing, while Xiao reveals that meeting her changed his life and gave him a path toward strength.
• Ye Wanqing cares for Xiao during his seizures and fever, ultimately holding his hand and confessing her feelings while he is unconscious.
• Cui Man supports Ye Wanqing emotionally but insists on avoiding reckless experimentation, balancing compassion with medical caution.
• The medical team works desperately to revive Xiao after his cardiac arrest, while the others watch helplessly and emotionally.

Chapter Summary: “Perfect Form”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He survives his battle with the AME Influenza after Ye Wanqing changes his name to “Lin Tiannan” at the last moment, allowing him to defeat the virus without dying.
• Cui Man and the others celebrate his survival, while Ye Wanqing reacts emotionally. She angrily calls Xiao He an idiot and says she hates him, though her tears and later behavior reveal how deeply relieved and worried she had been.
• Xiao He undergoes medical tests and appears to have fully recovered. Ye Wanqing brings him chicken soup and personally feeds him while insisting that he now “belongs” to her because she saved his life.
• After Xiao He showers, Ye Wanqing falls asleep beside him, exhausted from staying awake throughout his crisis. Xiao He quietly cares for her and realizes how cute and important she is to him.
• The next day, Cui Man reveals that the AME Influenza was not completely eliminated. Instead, Xiao He forced it to evolve into a “Beneficial Virus.”
• The virus now helps people absorb excess energy and bodily waste, reducing obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, oily skin, acne, and constipation. It also strengthens the immune system.
• The virus has lost its contagiousness but can be passed genetically, meaning future generations in China may inherit its health benefits.
• Cui Man explains that this mutually beneficial coexistence represents the virus’s “perfect form.”
• Xiao He learns that his battle with the virus also increased the concentration of the Miracle Factor in his body by one hundred times.

Character Developments

• Xiao He survives his most dangerous confrontation yet and gains a more nuanced understanding of his enemy. Rather than simply destroying the virus, he effectively turns it into an ally, satisfying the conditions of his Superpower.
• He becomes more aware of his affection for Ye Wanqing, privately admiring her appearance and caring for her while she sleeps, though he still fails to recognize her romantic hints.
• Ye Wanqing openly demonstrates her emotional attachment to Xiao He through her panic, tears, sleepless vigil, feeding him, and possessive declaration that his life now belongs to her. Her anger masks relief and affection.
• Cui Man remains energetic and teasing, especially toward Xiao He and Ye Wanqing, but also acts as the source of the important medical revelations.
• The AME Influenza changes from a lethal enemy into a symbiotic organism, marking a transformation from threat to beneficial partner.

Significant Themes

• Conflict transformed into cooperation: The virus is not ultimately defeated through destruction but through evolution into a mutually beneficial form.
• Life and survival: Xiao He’s victory depends on adapting to the enemy rather than overpowering it, suggesting that coexistence can be the strongest form of victory.
• Hidden affection and emotional misunderstanding: Ye Wanqing’s love is evident to everyone except Xiao He, creating comedic tension through her indirect confessions and his obliviousness.
• Sacrifice and indebtedness: Ye Wanqing risks everything to save Xiao He, while Xiao He’s survival creates a sense of emotional and literal obligation between them.
• Evolution and balance: The chapter presents the “perfect” organism as one that protects its host because its own survival depends on the host’s well-being.
• Unexpected consequences: A near-catastrophic illness ultimately improves public health and strengthens Xiao He’s Miracle Factor.

Important Character Interactions

• Cui Man embraces Xiao He and calls him “Darling,” while teasing him about his relationship with Ye Wanqing.
• Ye Wanqing angrily berates Xiao He for frightening her, then secretly celebrates his survival and cares for him.
• The doctors and companions reveal how long Ye Wanqing stayed by Xiao He’s side and how distressed she became during his crisis.
• Ye Wanqing feeds Xiao He soup and hints at her romantic feelings by claiming his life belongs to her; Xiao He responds literally and misses the implication.
• Xiao He comforts Ye Wanqing, encourages her to sleep, tucks her in, and privately admires her.
• Cui Man explains the beneficial transformation of the virus, exciting Ye Wanqing while Xiao He remains skeptical because the virus nearly killed him.

Chapter Summary: “Humanity’s Treasure”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cui Man reveals that Yinglong’s immune system has evolved into its perfect form, producing Miracle Factor at a concentration one hundred times greater than before.
• This development means that Xie Haining’s brain tumor can eventually be cured. Although there is not enough Miracle Factor for immediate treatment, Yinglong’s body now produces it faster than the tumor grows.
• China announces the existence of Miracle Factor at an international press conference on October 23, 2021. Academician Dai Jinghong explains that it can treat or cure nearly every known disease, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, ALS, polio, and blindness.
• China submits its research to the World Health Organization and medical journals for verification. The results are quickly confirmed as genuine.
• Rather than monopolizing the discovery, China offers samples to friendly countries with advanced medical research capabilities. However, because supplies are extremely limited, the samples are restricted to research use and cannot yet be used for private treatment.
• The announcement causes a global uproar. Wealthy individuals and governments urgently seek access to Miracle Factor, especially countries with hostile relations toward China.
• American billionaire Edward Curtin learns that China has given a sample to E Country but not the United States. Since his daughter suffers from ALS, he offers to invest unlimited money in Chinese and E Country medical projects and demands that the U.S. government improve its relations with China.
• In the White House, Vice President Lawrence orders CIA Director Breen to stop considering Yinglong’s assassination. Instead, the U.S. must attempt to recruit, manipulate, or kidnap him while keeping him alive.
• Lawrence recognizes that Yinglong is too valuable to destroy, calling him “humanity’s treasure.”
• Governments and medical institutions worldwide begin pressuring China for access, but China repeatedly makes clear that countries must first change their hostile attitudes toward it.
• Meanwhile, Xiao He—unaware or unconcerned with the immense international consequences—returns home with Ye Wanqing to celebrate their victory.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Gains enormous importance as the source of Miracle Factor. His immediate concern remains helping Xie Haining, showing his loyalty and compassion despite becoming globally valuable.
• Cui Man: Confirms the medical implications of Yinglong’s evolution and explains the limitations of Miracle Factor. She acts as a knowledgeable and reassuring figure.
• Ye Wanqing: Quickly notices the political implications of China sharing Miracle Factor with other nations, demonstrating her alertness and awareness of international affairs.
• Xie Haining: Though absent, his condition becomes more hopeful because the tumor can now be outpaced by Xiao He’s production of Miracle Factor.
• Edward Curtin: Reveals himself to be pragmatic and deeply motivated by his daughter’s illness. He values access to treatment more than national loyalty, political approval, or intellectual-property concerns.
• Vice President Lawrence: Shifts from viewing Yinglong primarily as a threat to recognizing him as an indispensable medical resource. His willingness to consider coercion or kidnapping shows both his ruthlessness and the immense value he places on Miracle Factor.
• Breen: Appears intimidated and powerless, struggling to obtain intelligence on Yinglong and acting under Lawrence’s pressure.

Significant Themes

• Humanity versus national interests: China presents Miracle Factor as a resource for all humanity, but access is still shaped by diplomatic relationships and political trust.
• The value of life: The discovery makes health and survival more important than money, power, or ideology. Edward’s actions and Lawrence’s orders both demonstrate that nearly anyone would sacrifice political principles to save loved ones.
• Power and vulnerability: Xiao He becomes one of the most strategically important people on Earth, making him both protected and endangered.
• Scientific cooperation: The chapter presents international collaboration as humanity’s best hope for synthesizing Miracle Factor, while also showing how political hostility obstructs that cooperation.
• Moral ambiguity: China’s decision to restrict access may be understandable because supplies are scarce, but it also turns a medical miracle into diplomatic leverage. Other countries’ attempts to obtain it range from legitimate investment to espionage and kidnapping.

Character Interactions

• Cui Man reassures Xiao He that Xie Haining can eventually be cured, and Xiao He responds with relief.
• Ye Wanqing questions Cui Man when she realizes that Miracle Factor may be shared internationally, highlighting the broader consequences of Yinglong’s evolution.
• Edward’s subordinate reports the failure of the U.S. government to obtain a sample, prompting Edward to order investments in China and E Country and pressure on the American government.
• Lawrence intimidates Breen over the CIA’s failure to gather information and orders him to replace assassination plans with recruitment or abduction efforts.
• The chapter contrasts these political and economic reactions with Xiao He and Ye Wanqing’s private celebration, emphasizing the gap between Xiao He’s personal life and his growing global significance.

Summary of “A Bit of Chatter”

• Plot points and events: An update is in the process of being written. No major action or events occur yet; the chapter asks readers to remain patient and stay tuned.
• Character developments: There is no character development presented.
• Significant themes: The passage emphasizes anticipation, delay, and communication with an audience.
• Character interactions: No character interactions or dialogue are shown.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He, Ye Wanqing, and Li Zhiqiang return home after Xiao’s dangerous illness and recovery. Xiao reflects on nearly dying and briefly wonders whether he could have escaped the mysterious “world after death.”
• The Special Response Department has publicly revealed Xiao He’s Miracle Factor. This information is intended both to encourage international medical research and to protect him by making him too valuable to assassinate.
• Xiao now donates blood monthly. His Miracle Factor is mainly used for Xie Haining’s treatment and for broader medical research, with access depending partly on different countries’ attitudes toward China.
• Back at the apartment, Tuantuan greets them suspiciously, clinging to Xiao and scowling at Ye Wanqing.
• Xiao and Ye Wanqing cook spring pancakes and several accompanying dishes together. Their domestic routine emphasizes how normal life has resumed after the crisis.
• News reports reveal growing international tension: hawkish factions demand access to the Miracle Factor, while dovish factions advocate cooperation for the benefit of humanity.
• Xiao explains that he now views Yinglong’s purpose as protecting and saving people rather than merely defeating enemies.
• The chapter ends with Ye Wanqing suggesting that they go shopping and watch a movie together, hinting at their increasingly couple-like relationship.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: He remains grateful that his suffering can contribute to medical progress. His experience with Xie Haining deepens his understanding of his ability’s meaning, shifting his focus from combat to saving lives. He is relaxed and affectionate at home, though still unaware of Ye Wanqing’s romantic feelings.
• Ye Wanqing: She is relieved by Xiao’s recovery and increasingly conscious of her love for him. She fantasizes about him confessing, worries about how to respond, and considers taking the initiative but ultimately decides she can wait. Her happiness comes from their everyday companionship and growing intimacy.
• Li Zhiqiang: He provides reassurance and practical information, explaining how Cui Man’s psychological expertise makes her perceptive and how the Special Response Department is protecting Xiao.
• Cui Man: Though absent, she is portrayed as highly intelligent and strategic. Her decision to reveal the Miracle Factor gives Xiao political protection.
• Xie Haining: Through Xiao’s memories, he represents the human benefit of the Miracle Factor and reinforces Xiao’s belief that saving people is the true purpose of his power.
• Tuantuan: The pet remains protective of Xiao and distrustful of Ye Wanqing, adding playful tension to their household dynamic.

Significant Themes

• The meaning of power: Xiao comes to see true heroism as healing and protecting others rather than defeating powerful enemies.
• Scientific progress and global politics: Even a discovery capable of benefiting all humanity becomes entangled in national rivalry, mistrust, and political pressure.
• Protection through value: Making Xiao’s Miracle Factor public functions as an “immunity card,” showing how his survival depends on both his strength and his usefulness to the world.
• Recovery and ordinary happiness: Cooking, eating, shopping, and watching movies symbolize a return to peaceful daily life after trauma.
• Unspoken romance: Ye Wanqing’s feelings grow stronger, but she remains too shy to confess. Their comfortable domestic interactions suggest a relationship developing before either openly acknowledges it.

Character Interactions

• Xiao and Ye Wanqing tease each other affectionately, with her objecting to the nickname “Little Pufferfish” and him calling her his “solid support.”
• They work together in the kitchen, sharing responsibilities and enjoying the meal as though they are already a couple.
• Ye Wanqing feeds Xiao part of her unfinished spring pancake, and he accepts without hesitation, illustrating their closeness.
• Xiao’s casual remark that he could eat her spring pancakes forever causes Ye Wanqing to wonder whether he is indirectly expressing his feelings.
• Li Zhiqiang jokes with both of them and explains Cui Man’s abilities, while Tuantuan’s hostility toward Ye Wanqing creates a humorous rivalry for Xiao’s affection.

Chapter Summary: “Candy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing make plans to spend the afternoon together after lunch. Although Ye Wanqing claims she has a movie in mind, she mainly wants an excuse to spend more time with him.
• They eat spring pancakes at home, with Xiao He enthusiastically making up for several days of living on soup and porridge. They decide to watch a movie, shop for household necessities, and return home for dinner.
• At the theater, Ye Wanqing chooses a movie that Xiao He expects to be poor, but he agrees because he wants to accompany her. She refuses snacks so they will still have room for dinner.
• During the film, Ye Wanqing struggles to sit comfortably and asks to lean on Xiao’s shoulder. The physical closeness makes both of them nervous, though they pretend to remain focused on the movie.
• Xiao He touches her hair after it brushes against his face. Both become even more self-conscious when the film shows an intimate scene and the couple in front of them begins kissing passionately.
• Afterward, they shop for toiletries and other necessities. Xiao He notices that Ye Wanqing’s natural scent differs from her soap, which embarrasses her.
• At the checkout, they sign up for a supermarket membership card. Xiao He uses the accumulated points to get Ye Wanqing a strawberry lollipop, but she complains playfully that he is treating her like a child and tells him she prefers grape flavor.
• The chapter ends with Ye Wanqing happily accepting the lollipop, taking Xiao He’s hand, and suggesting they go home to prepare dinner.

Character Developments

• Ye Wanqing becomes increasingly aware of her attraction to Xiao He. She invents or accepts opportunities to spend time with him, enjoys leaning against him, imagines what kissing him might be like, and is deeply touched by his small gift.
• Xiao He shows quiet consideration and affection toward Ye Wanqing. He prioritizes accompanying her despite disliking the movie, notices subtle details such as her scent, gives her the lollipop, and naturally takes responsibility for carrying the shopping bags.
• Both characters remain outwardly composed while internally reacting strongly to their growing intimacy. Their teasing and comfortable domestic routines suggest their relationship is becoming more affectionate.

Significant Themes

• Unspoken romantic feelings: Neither openly confesses attraction, but their thoughts, nervousness, and physical closeness reveal mutual interest.
• Domestic intimacy: Cooking, eating at home, shopping for necessities, and planning dinner create the feeling of an established couple despite their reluctance to acknowledge it.
• Affection through small gestures: Xiao He’s gift of the lollipop and his attention to Ye Wanqing’s preferences demonstrate how ordinary acts can carry emotional significance.
• Embarrassment and emotional denial: Both characters repeatedly disguise romantic feelings with jokes, irritation, or false explanations.

Character Interactions

• Their conversation is playful and teasing, especially over Xiao He’s appetite and Ye Wanqing’s “pufferfish” temper.
• Ye Wanqing’s request to lean on Xiao He marks a significant increase in physical closeness, while Xiao’s touching her hair shows reciprocal comfort and tenderness.
• The supermarket scene highlights their growing familiarity: Xiao He recognizes her natural scent, and Ye Wanqing is flustered by how observant he is.
• The lollipop exchange captures their dynamic: Xiao He is thoughtful but teasing, while Ye Wanqing pretends to be annoyed even as she is genuinely pleased and emotionally moved.

Chapter Summary: “Transformation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao He and Ye Wanqing return home after shopping, displaying increasing domestic intimacy and comfort. Their playful interaction resembles that of a young couple, though Xiao He still tends to treat Wanqing protectively and almost like a daughter.
• Cui Man arrives with Xia Yu at the apartment, revealing that she owns the property, which explains why she can visit without arousing suspicion.
• Cui Man announces Xiao He’s official reward for resolving the AME Influenza crisis:
  • One million in monetary compensation.
  • A three-bedroom apartment in Beichang City, with Xiao He allowed to choose its location.
• Xiao He considers whether he and Wanqing should move into the new apartment, but Wanqing admits she prefers their current smaller home because its closeness and shared routines make her feel safe.
• Cui Man explains that the government will not publicly identify Xiao as a hero or reveal details about AME Influenza, fearing foreign powers might exploit the information to create a dangerous variant.
• International governments, wealthy elites, and business magnates are pressuring China for access to Miracle Factor. Cui Man warns that private buyers are especially dangerous because their enormous offers could motivate attempts to abduct or kill Xiao.
• The Special Response Department decides to remove Xiao temporarily from frontline missions. Instead, he will use his abilities to assist with scientific and medical research.
• Xiao receives six possible research fields:
  1. Plastic decomposition
  2. Desertification and land reclamation
  3. Global warming
  4. Freshwater scarcity
  5. Nuclear waste disposal
  6. Environmentally friendly energy
• With other powerful Mutants now available and fewer incidents occurring, Xiao can rest and focus on improving humanity’s living conditions rather than fighting.
• Cui Man and Xia Yu leave to eat barbecue, while Xiao and Wanqing prepare dinner together and make plans to visit the market for fresh fish the next morning.

Character Developments

• Xiao He: Shows growing interest in using his abilities for constructive scientific progress rather than combat. He is also beginning to imagine a future shared with Wanqing, as shown by asking whether she would like a larger home. However, he remains oblivious to the romantic implications of their relationship.
• Ye Wanqing: Becomes increasingly emotionally attached to Xiao and openly enjoys their domestic life. She values their small apartment because its confined space keeps them close and provides emotional security. Her frustration at Xiao’s failure to confess reveals that she is ready for a clearer romantic commitment.
• Cui Man: Acts as Xiao’s informant, protector, and teasing friend. She explains the political and personal dangers surrounding Miracle Factor while helping Xiao transition into a safer research-oriented role.
• Xia Yu: Remains gentle and somewhat innocent, contributing humor through her concern that eating raw lamb might turn her into a sheep.
• Old Xie: Though absent, he is mentioned as prioritizing time with his wife and child, emphasizing the domestic relationships among the older members of the department.

Significant Themes

• Domestic intimacy and emotional security: The small apartment, shared meals, household chores, and physical closeness symbolize the deepening bond between Xiao and Wanqing.
• Love and unspoken feelings: Wanqing clearly views Xiao romantically, while Xiao’s affection remains indirect and unconscious, creating light romantic tension.
• Responsibility versus personal gain: Although Xiao briefly recognizes the temptation of selling Miracle Factor to wealthy clients, the chapter emphasizes the danger and moral responsibility associated with controlling such a powerful resource.
• Science serving humanity: Xiao’s abilities are redirected from crisis response toward solving global problems, presenting scientific innovation as a means of improving ordinary people’s lives.
• Political and international tension: Foreign governments and wealthy individuals seek Miracle Factor, revealing the geopolitical and economic consequences of advanced medical technology.
• The meaning of “home”: Xiao’s potential new apartment represents status and reward, but Wanqing’s preference for their current home suggests that warmth and shared memories matter more than size or luxury.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao and Wanqing hold hands while walking, shop together, cook together, and plan future activities, highlighting their increasingly couple-like relationship.
• Cui Man teases them about buying condoms, embarrassing Wanqing and exposing the intimacy of their living arrangement.
• Xiao consults Wanqing about the government-provided apartment, subtly implying that he sees her as part of his future.
• Cui Man warns Xiao that Miracle Factor has made him a target, while Xiao and Wanqing jointly express distrust of foreign powers’ motives.
• Xiao and Wanqing end the chapter preparing a simple meal, with Wanqing privately wishing that Xiao would finally confess his feelings.