Chapter Summaries

Xu Duoduo secretly drank liquor at a banquet and became a clingy, tearful drunk, leaving Qin Luo to carry and care for her. In their room, she nuzzled and bit his neck, and Qin Luo gave in to keep her from crying.

• Xu Duoduo drank a glass of liquor despite Qin Luo's warnings and quickly became dizzy and flushed.
• Qin Luo carried Xu Duoduo away from the banquet after she clung to him, while Bai Shu advised him to let her sleep.
• Xu Duoduo felt nauseated but could not vomit because her zombie body digested everything she ate; she cried, and Qin Luo washed her face.
• Qin Luo carried Xu Duoduo to their room, where she whined whenever he tried to put her down and eventually settled on his lap.
• Xu Duoduo nuzzled and gnawed on Qin Luo's neck, and he let her bite him when she started to cry.

After a sleepless night with Xu Duoduo, Qin Luo left City R with his squad as they headed toward H City Base. The team enjoyed Xu Duoduo’s breakfast on the road and reached a mutated fruit grove near City R’s exit by noon.

• Xu Duoduo emerged cheerful the morning after drinking, while Qin Luo looked exhausted, and Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu teased him.
• Wang Weihu told the squad that City R Base had sent mutated produce to H City Base, and the team departed after a farewell ceremony.
• Xu Duoduo served the squad a hearty breakfast in the vehicle, earning enthusiastic praise from Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu.
• Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu noticed bite marks on Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo, but Wang Weihu mistook their coughing for reactions to the cold.
• Xu Duoduo read the Forum and munched on a mutant core as the squad reached a mutated fruit grove near City R’s exit.

Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo collected mutated fruit and saplings in City R while the squads witnessed the grove wither and regrow as weeds. After filling their Space Cards and recording the strange growth cycle, the group prepared to return to H City Base.

• The squads split up to harvest mutated fruits, and Xu Duoduo led Qin Luo northeast to gather fruit and saplings.
• Qin Luo found a huge chunk of gold ore, which Xu Duoduo stored, and he jokingly called it betrothal gifts.
• The fruit grove withered and rotted away in less than half an hour, then weeds grew in its place and attracted mutated ants.
• Bai Shu recorded the plants' decay and regrowth, while Chen Xiaofei marveled at the bizarre cycle.
• Wang Weihu's squadmates refused points for their harvest, accepted cigarettes and other supplies instead, and the group set off to return to H City Base.

After returning to H City Base from their nearly twenty-day mission, Qin Luo and the 3A squad sold much of the supplies they had collected and divided the points among their members. Xu Duoduo watched Du Chunjiang demonstrate the base's Space Card scanner as the squad finished its trade and prepared to go home.

• Wang Weihu drove the 3A squad safely into H City Base, where staff welcomed them and inspected their vehicle.
• Qin Luo handed over the squad's wristbands, and Xu Duoduo met Du Chunjiang, surprising her by speaking fluently.
• Du Chunjiang examined the squad's Space Cards and admired their haul of supplies, while Qin Luo refused to sell the grapes Xu Duoduo liked.
• Qin Luo asked Du Chunjiang to divide the payment equally among the four humans and one zombie, and she transferred the points to their accounts.
• Du Chunjiang showed Xu Duoduo how the base's scanner cataloged Space Card contents, priced items, and transferred purchased supplies into Headquarters' warehouse.

Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo visited Du Chunjiang before heading to the Research Institute for Mutant Core Dilution Injection discussions and ability tests. They arrived on B3, where Wang Weihu and the others were speaking with Professor Ji.

• Xu Duoduo gave Du Chunjiang several giant grapes, and Du Chunjiang thanked her and praised her appearance.
• Du Chunjiang spotted marks on Xu Duoduo's neck and shouted at Qin Luo, but the pair had already left.
• Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo traveled through the snow to the Research Institute, where they encountered Xiao Qiao consoling the newly bald A-Ku.
• Xiao Qiao reminded Xu Duoduo to have her monthly blood drawn, but Qin Luo carried her away before she could respond.
• Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo reached B3 and found Wang Weihu and the other two talking with Professor Ji.

Qin Luo’s team learned that Headquarters had requisitioned their planned Lightning Mutant Core, but Qin Luo offered a three-star earth-type core for Wang Weihu’s serum and encouraged the team to stay patient. After Wang Weihu went for compatibility testing, the group left the Research Institute to look for mutant cores and sell materials.

• Professor Ji told Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo that Headquarters had requisitioned a suitable three-star Lightning Mutant Core for weapons research, delaying the team’s allocation.
• Qin Luo gave Professor Ji a three-star earth-type mutant core and asked him to prepare Wang Weihu’s serum.
• Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu brawled in the conference room, while Qin Luo stopped Xu Duoduo from copying their roughhousing and sent Wang Weihu for testing.
• Qin Luo, Xu Duoduo, Wang Weihu, and Chen Xiaofei left the Research Institute to meet Lin Qianxing, sell their materials, and ask about mutant cores.
• On the bus, Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu posed when passengers recognized 3A, while Qin Luo protected Xu Duoduo and promised to buy her dresses.

Qin Luo and the others visited Lin Qianxing's shop to return materials and browse its stock, but their joking over some clothing accessories turned into a noisy argument about who was a pervert. Lin Qianxing finally burst out of his room and scolded them for making a racket.

• Qin Luo and the others entered the warm shop, where the Clown Puppet told them Lin Qianxing was asleep after staying up all night.
• Xu Duoduo noticed mutant core prices had risen, while Qin Luo carried her to the clothing section to choose dresses.
• Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu argued over a headscarf, then Qin Luo realized he was holding a thigh strap and got a nosebleed.
• The Mechanical Parrot called everyone perverts as Wang Weihu browsed hair accessories with Xu Duoduo.
• Lin Qianxing rushed out in his pajamas and wheelchair, shouted at the group for disrupting his shop, and threatened to tear Daidai apart if it squawked again.

Qin Luo and the others traded materials with Lin Qianxing for four Three-Star mutant cores, then took Xu Duoduo shopping before heading to the Research Institute. The chapter ended with the group preparing to obtain a Mutant Core Dilution Injection.

• Qin Luo apologized to Lin Qianxing for being too loud and explained that 3A had collected most of the materials Lin Qianxing wanted in City C.
• Xu Duoduo transferred the materials into Lin Qianxing's Space Card, and Lin Qianxing calculated two payment options while the others expressed concern about his injured hand.
• Xu Duoduo accepted the offer of three dress sets in exchange for four Three-Star mutant cores, and Lin Qianxing gave the group Thunderstorm Type, Psychic Type, Earth Type, and Wind Type cores.
• Qin Luo took Xu Duoduo to choose two Lolita sets and two New Chinese-Style Winter Wear sets, and Lin Qianxing added a White Jade Hairpin.
• Qin Luo said the group needed to visit the Research Institute to obtain the Mutant Core Dilution Injection.

Xu Duoduo and Team 3A returned to the Research Institute with three mutant cores and learned that Three-Star dilution injections could help them advance toward Tier Five. Professor Ji warned that Tier Five was a dividing line and that reaching Tier Six would require far more cores and bring major physical and mental changes.

• Xu Duoduo wore her new winter outfit as Qin Luo, Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu admired her, and Qin Luo told them to stop staring at her.
• Wang Weihu worried that he had found two Three-Star mutant cores while Qin Luo and the others had found one each, but Qin Luo reassured him that they were family.
• Qin Luo brought the cores to Professor Ji, who sent the team for compatibility tests while Qin Luo blushed after Xu Duoduo sniffed his coat.
• Professor Ji reviewed the results and confirmed the team's genetic markers were compatible with the Three-Star dilution injections, which could help Wang Weihu and the others reach Tier Four and Qin Luo potentially reach Tier Five.
• Professor Ji explained that Tier Five was a dividing line, that Tier Six would require many more mutant cores, and that the team would sign consent forms and receive their first injections under observation.

Professor Ji questioned Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo after noticing marks on her neck, then privately assessed whether their relationship was consensual. Xu Duoduo revealed that she had once forced herself on Qin Luo, leaving Professor Ji stunned.

• Professor Ji noticed marks beneath Xu Duoduo's collar and took her and Qin Luo outside to question them.
• Qin Luo admitted he had bitten Xu Duoduo while caring for her, and Professor Ji explained that Headquarters allowed relationships between ability users and mutated people but needed to rule out manipulation.
• Professor Ji interviewed Xu Duoduo, who said she depended on Qin Luo, liked him, and would not eat or bite him or anyone else.
• When Professor Ji asked whether Qin Luo had forced himself on her, Xu Duoduo recalled pinning him down and kissing and nibbling him, then confessed that she had forced him.
• Professor Ji choked on his drink after hearing Xu Duoduo's confession.

Professor Ji cleared Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo to date, and they officially became a couple after sharing their first initiated kiss. While they waited in the meeting room for the drugs to be prepared, Qin Luo finally let Xu Duoduo sleep beside him.

• Professor Ji questioned Xu Duoduo, concluded she was mentally normal and interested in Qin Luo, then gave her a strawberry-flavored drink and warned them to be careful while kissing.
• Qin Luo asked Xu Duoduo if she understood dating, kissed her, and she agreed to date him before kissing him back.
• Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu fell through the meeting room doorway after eavesdropping, and Qin Luo dragged them away for a fight.
• Qin Luo carried Xu Duoduo back into the meeting room, where the group waited for Professor Ji to prepare the drugs and the three men settled down to rest.
• Xu Duoduo demanded to sleep beside Qin Luo, and after initially refusing, he gave in and invited her under his blanket.

Qin Luo and the others received stronger injections made from Three-Star mutant cores, triggering intense but expected side effects. As the researchers monitored them, Xu Duoduo stayed close to Qin Luo and helped care for him while he ran a higher fever than the others.

• Xu Duoduo cuddled with Qin Luo before they fell asleep, and the injections were finished being prepared at one in the morning.
• Professor Ji, Da Qiao, and Xiao Qiao gave Qin Luo, Wang Weihu, Chen Xiaofei, and Bai Shu ten injections each and told them to keep their existing Beast Forms.
• The four men injected themselves, then began suffering heat, aches, rapid heartbeats, weakness, and lowered moods as Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao monitored them.
• Da Qiao admitted that she and Xiao Qiao had recommended the stronger dosage partly to gather valuable research data, and the team complained but accepted the discomfort.
• Qin Luo developed the strongest reaction and began sweating with a high temperature, so Da Qiao gave Xu Duoduo a temperature gun and asked her to watch over him.

Qin Luo and his teammates were released after their temperatures stabilized, but they remained feverish and unwell. Xu Duoduo followed Qin Luo into his apartment and, worried by how badly he was suffering, decided to look for a way to help him.

• Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao discharged Qin Luo, Wang Weihu, Chen Xiaofei, and Bai Shu, advising them to rest and seek help if needed.
• Wang Weihu, Chen Xiaofei, and Bai Shu hurried back to their apartments, while Qin Luo told Xu Duoduo to go home and rest.
• Xu Duoduo slipped into Qin Luo's apartment and followed him into his bedroom despite his protests.
• Xu Duoduo pushed Qin Luo onto his bed and climbed on top of him as he tried to persuade her to leave him alone.
• Xu Duoduo covered Qin Luo's mouth, took out her tablet, and began searching for a way to help him.

Xu Duoduo experimented with items from her space while Qin Luo was recovering, and the next morning Chen Xiaofei, Wang Weihu, and Bai Shu realized the couple had spent the night together. Over breakfast, the three discussed the base’s food supply and the danger that City R’s apparent stability might not last.

• Xu Duoduo used items from her space to experiment with Qin Luo through the night, and Qin Luo eventually took control.
• Chen Xiaofei, Wang Weihu, and Bai Shu entered Qin Luo’s home the next morning, smelled photinia blossoms, and quickly left after realizing he and Xu Duoduo were together.
• Wang Weihu brought breakfast for the three at the cafeteria, where residents praised 3A’s missions and scavenging efforts.
• Chen Xiaofei lamented that Qin Luo was no longer single, while Bai Shu and Wang Weihu discussed cafeteria prices and the availability of mutant food.
• Bai Shu warned that City R’s security was fragile because supplies remained scarce and the enormous banyan tree could threaten the city.

After waking up together, Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo teased each other, and Qin Luo stayed clingy while caring for her. Bai Shu arrived with Old Wang and Chen Xiaofei to discuss a private job, leaving Qin Luo asking about its details and pay.

• Xu Duoduo kicked Qin Luo off the bed, then accused him of bullying her before they agreed neither would leave the other.
• Qin Luo bathed Xu Duoduo, cleaned their room, and discovered he had grown to 191 centimeters while Xu Duoduo remained 163 centimeters.
• Bai Shu messaged Qin Luo about a private job and said she, Old Wang, and Chen Xiaofei were outside.
• Chen Xiaofei greeted Xu Duoduo and accepted snacks and cola from her, while Qin Luo held her and dried her hair.
• Qin Luo asked Bai Shu what the private job involved and how much it paid.

3A examined the threat posed by the mutant robots in City E and the bounty for a four-star mechanical mutant core. Qin Luo decided the squad would accept the dangerous mission and confront them.

• Bai Shu explained that a master from the Artisan Department had offered a hundred million points and powerful mutant core weapons for a four-star mechanical core from City E.
• Xu Duoduo read forum posts about the robot outbreak, where commenters discussed the danger and expected 3A to take the mission.
• Bai Shu showed the squad footage of robots hunting mutant animals and collecting their cores, then described their weaknesses and the risks posed by larger and specialized robots.
• Wang Weihu, Chen Xiaofei, and Qin Luo considered how their abilities could counter the machines, while Bai Shu warned that some robots could resist or absorb their attacks.
• Qin Luo argued that 3A could not wait for the robots to grow stronger and decided the squad would accept the mission.

After accepting a mission to travel to City E, Bai Shu and the others waited for further orders and prepared for a hot pot dinner. The chapter ended with Qin Luo stopping Xu Duoduo from burning her mouth and insisting on serving her.

• Bai Shu accepted the mission on the Forum, drawing attention from spectators and prompting the Artisan Department to invite the team for weapon modifications and specialized weapons.
• Bai Shu explained that the team would wait for other squads to assemble and for possible Headquarters orders before leaving for City E.
• Xu Duoduo announced hot pot for dinner and brought out a huge assortment of ingredients, while Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu cheered and Qin Luo gave up trying to stop her.
• The group ate snacks and talked about the worsening wind and snow as Bai Shu played combat footage and Chen Xiaofei complained about watching it during dinner.
• As the hot pot boiled, Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu wrestled while Qin Luo sat beside Xu Duoduo, who eagerly ate prawn crackers and prepared to eat a piece of scalding meat.
• Qin Luo stopped Xu Duoduo from putting the hot meat in her mouth, checked that she had not burned herself, kissed her, and said he would serve her food.

After a hot pot meal, Qin Luo doted on Xu Duoduo, who slept well and woke with black hair again. The next morning, 3A headed to the Research Institute for a checkup and planned to visit the Artisan Department before traveling to City E.

• Qin Luo fed Xu Duoduo hot pot while Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu ate and joked with one another.
• After the group cleaned up, Qin Luo gave Xu Duoduo a bath and held her as they slept.
• Xu Duoduo woke with black hair, and Qin Luo admired her and helped her get dressed for the day.
• 3A gathered at nine to visit the Research Institute and collect and repair weapons at the Artisan Department before heading to City E.
• On the way out, Chen Xiaofei marveled at the mutant trees and talked excitedly about the new weapons and a Mechanical Mutant Core.
• Once fully awake, Xu Duoduo patted Qin Luo's shoulder until he put her down, insisting that being carried was not cool.

After their checkups, Qin Luo and the others questioned Headquarters' growing Nutrient Solution stockpile as they saw the base struggle through the Little Ice Age. A new mission sent them to City E to retrieve a large supply of power stones, and Qin Luo warned Xu Duoduo to protect the secret of her space.

• Professor Ji examined Qin Luo, Xu Duoduo, Chen Xiaofei, and Wang Weihu, found them stable, and told them to collect two boxes of Nutrient Solution.
• Qin Luo and his team discussed why Headquarters was stockpiling Nutrient Solution, suspecting it might be preparing for a worsening food shortage.
• The team saw Ability Users and Mutated People working to keep the snowbound base running, while Bai Shu wondered whether anyone would see sunlight again.
• Headquarters assigned Qin Luo's team a mission to gather power stones in City E alongside logistics Team B and its spatial Ability User, Jiang An'an.
• Qin Luo warned Xu Duoduo to be careful because the other spatial Ability Users might notice her space.

3A collected their mission rewards and headed home through the extreme cold, where they ran into Da Qiao walking a noisy group of Man-Eating Flower Babies. The chapter ended with the babies pestering Da Qiao as she calmly recorded notes.

• Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, Wang Weihu, Qin Luo, and Xu Duoduo collected their repaired-weapon arrangements and Headquarters’ rewards at the Artisan Department.
• The young woman advised 3A to bring back discarded robots from City E, which the team agreed to do.
• Bai Shu noted that the temperature outside had dropped to sixty-five degrees below zero, and Qin Luo offered to carry Xu Duoduo before she refused.
• Qin Luo, Chen Xiaofei, and Bai Shu started a snowball fight while Wang Weihu worried that people were filming them.
• 3A spotted Da Qiao walking a dozen or so Man-Eating Flower Babies, who squawked at her and playfully tried to bite her as she recorded notes.