Chapter Summaries

After the typhoon, Xiao Ling took Shorekeeper on a bicycle ride through Hangzhou and taught her to ride when West Lake was closed. They headed back to the residence after Aemeath announced that they had a new housemate.

• Xiao Ling rode with Shorekeeper from the residence to Qingbo Gate through the rainy old streets.
• When West Lake was closed, Shorekeeper asked Xiao Ling to teach her to ride a bicycle at Dongshan Park.
• Shorekeeper learned quickly, but she skidded on the wet road after a little girl ran into her path, and Xiao Ling caught her.
• The little girl apologized and gave Shorekeeper a hair clip, which Xiao Ling placed in Shorekeeper's hair before taking her picture.
• Aemeath tagged Xiao Ling and told him they had a new housemate, so he and Shorekeeper decided to return to meet them.

Jinhsi and Changli arrived at Xiao Ling’s residence, where Sigrika and Aemeath welcomed them and showed them to their room. Jinhsi delighted in her new Peach Blossom outfit and playfully chased Changli to uncover her hidden gift.

• Jinhsi and Changli arrived at the residence, and Sigrika and Aemeath carried their luggage inside.
• Suisui explained that Xiao Ling’s late-night farce had kept much of the household awake, while Xiao Ling was out with Shorekeeper and Yangyang prepared food.
• Roccia urged Jinhsi and Changli to rest rather than help with the meal, and Sigrika and Aemeath showed them their room upstairs.
• Jinhsi opened the gift box on her bed and found her New Year outfit, named Peach Blossom.
• Jinhsi used her resonance ability to try to see Changli’s new clothes, but found the box empty and chased Changli around the room.

Aemeath hosted a late-night movie party and tricked the girls into watching the horror film Dead Silence instead of a family movie. Xiao Ling ended up trapped between frightened guests, unable to leave for the bathroom, as Lynae joined them in clinging to him.

• Aemeath invited the girls to a movie night, and the guests arrived with snacks and pastries.
• Aemeath started Dead Silence after claiming it was a family movie, and Xiao Ling realized she had deceived him.
• Sigrika and Dania clung to Xiao Ling during the jump scares while the others watched with varying reactions.
• Xiao Ling tried to get Sigrika to let him go so he could use the bathroom, but another scare made her grip him tighter.
• Lynae admitted she was scared and hid against Xiao Ling, who gave up trying to escape.

After a horror movie left Sigrika unable to sleep, she sneaked into Xiao Ling’s bed and confessed that she liked him, and they became lovers. Dania arrived while they were together, and Xiao Ling pulled her into the bed as well.

• Unable to sleep after the movie, Sigrika left her room and sneaked into Xiao Ling’s bed.
• Sigrika kissed Xiao Ling, and he asked her to say whether she liked him.
• Sigrika confessed her feelings, Xiao Ling said he liked her too, and they agreed they were lovers.
• Dania came upstairs to visit Xiao Ling and found him with Sigrika.
• Xiao Ling pulled Dania onto the bed, and she protested that he should be gentler.

After spending the night with Xiao Ling, Sigrika worried that Dania would blame her, but Dania welcomed her and explained she had encouraged them to get together. Sigrika joined Roccia, Dania, and Aemeath’s private group chat, while Aemeath resolved to confront Xiao Ling that night.

• Sigrika woke beside Dania and nervously asked whether she blamed her for becoming intimate with Xiao Ling.
• Dania reassured Sigrika that she was not angry and admitted she had known about their feelings and helped them get time alone.
• Dania supported the sore Sigrika downstairs, where Roccia offered them food and added Sigrika to a group chat.
• Roccia revealed that the chat was for women who had been intimate with Xiao Ling, and welcomed Sigrika into the group.
• Aemeath learned that Sigrika had become Xiao Ling’s latest partner and decided to make him pay for his favoritism that night.

Xiao Ling stargazed with Morning, told her about the stars, and carried her to bed when she fell asleep. Back in his room, he was ambushed by Aemeath, who confronted him about his night with Xixi and kept him there for the rest of the night.

• Morning invited Xiao Ling to sit with her on the terrace and admire the stars.
• Xiao Ling showed Morning the Summer Triangle and told her the story of Niulang and Zhinü.
• Xiao Ling discussed stars with Morning until she fell asleep against his shoulder, then tucked her into bed.
• Aemeath, wearing Hajipiao's clothes, surprised Xiao Ling in his room and questioned him about the fruit platter and Xixi.
• Aemeath teased Xiao Ling about her jealousy and kept him with her through the night.

A week after arriving in Hangzhou, Xiao Ling and his companions began their group outing at West Lake, where they sampled the infamous vinegar fish and then boarded a chartered yacht. The boat set off toward the lake’s center, beginning their sightseeing trip.

• Dania and Sigrika came downstairs in their new hanfu, and Suisui fixed Sigrika’s sash before giving her a red envelope.
• Xiao Ling’s companions tried West Lake vinegar fish, which Lynae, Shorekeeper, and Lupa disliked, while Dania found it acceptable.
• Roccia described the unusual food at Star Torch Academy, and Jinhsi explained the academy’s difficult conditions and role in fighting the Threnody’s invasion.
• Xiao Ling reminded everyone that they had come to enjoy themselves and led them to the yacht his second aunt had chartered.
• The group boarded the yacht, which left shore and headed toward the center of West Lake.

The Solaris girls and their companions admired West Lake during a yacht trip, while Xiao Ling explained the lake’s history and the story of Xi Shi. As the yacht reached Leifeng Pagoda, he began to offer another legend before the journey ended at the shore.

• Sigrika pointed out the birds to Dania, and she explained that the mandarin ducks symbolized love and harmony.
• Aemeath took photos with Lynae and Rover while the Rinascita and Black Shores groups enjoyed the scenery aboard the yacht.
• Xiao Ling recited Su Dongpo’s poem about West Lake and explained the poem’s reference to Xi Shi and her role in the conflict between Yue and Wu.
• Xiao Ling discussed why women’s achievements were often left out of ancient Dragon Country’s history books after Jinhsi asked about Xi Shi’s legacy.
• Yangyang spotted Leifeng Pagoda, and Xiao Ling described its history before offering to tell the group its legend.
• The yacht completed its route and slowly pulled ashore.

Xiao Ling looked after his friends as they rowed across West Lake, bringing them cold water and sunscreen before boarding a sculling boat to the Mid-Lake Pavilion. When Aemeath and Lupa challenged each other to a race, the boatmen joined the chase, sending all four boats speeding toward the pavilion.

• Xiao Ling bought chilled water for Aemeath's group, then delivered another bag to Lupa's boat after she complained he had forgotten them.
• Xiao Ling gave Cartethyia sunscreen and reassured everyone before leaving the two groups to row on their own.
• Xiao Ling boarded a sculling boat with Jinhsi, Suisui, and Yangyang, and Rover messaged him that Encore was seasick on another boat.
• Aemeath called to Xiao Ling and boasted that her group had rowed to his boat in less than half an hour.
• Lupa challenged Aemeath to race to the Mid-Lake Pavilion, and the boatmen accelerated to chase the two rowboats.

As their boat trip on West Lake neared its end, Sigrika and Dania admired the sunset and reflected on their happy months together. The passengers shared performances and songs aboard the yacht, and Xiao Ling’s singing brought the outing to a joyful close.

• Sigrika admired Leifeng Pagoda at sunset, and Dania joined her on the deck.
• Sigrika and Dania recalled the half year they had spent in this world and took a photo together.
• Suisui performed a dance in the tea lounge, then sampled a cocktail while watching Hajiling.
• Aemeath sang a new song for the passengers, who praised it and encouraged her.
• With the yacht nearing its final stop, Aemeath and the others persuaded Xiao Ling to sing, and the passengers joined in.

Suisui tested Xiao Ling’s character while returning home drunk, but she twisted her ankle and he cared for her. After seeing how he treated her and hearing him welcome her and Yangyang as family, Suisui decided Xiao Ling passed her test.

• Suisui planned to test Xiao Ling’s character as the group walked home, but a heel snapped and she nearly fell into a pond.
• Xiao Ling caught Suisui, then carried her to her room after she twisted her ankle; Aemeath, Roccia, and Sigrika urged him to help her.
• Xiao Ling iced Suisui’s ankle while joking with her, and Dania brought him an ice pack and towel before kissing him.
• Roccia brought Suisui osmanthus honey water, and Xiao Ling told her that she and Yangyang were part of his family, not guests.
• Suisui concluded that Xiao Ling was genuine and caring despite his flaws, and wrote in her notes that he was worth entrusting herself to.

Xiao Ling told the group that Brother Songlun had invited them to perform at a concert in Magic City, and everyone agreed to go. They planned to leave Hangzhou in a week, then continue on to the Imperial Capital after the concert.

• Xiao Ling received a late-night message from Songlun inviting the group to perform at a concert in Magic City from August 20 to 22.
• Xiao Ling told Songlun they would only perform and would leave afterward, then said he would ask the group.
• At breakfast, Xiao Ling explained the invitation and asked everyone whether they wanted to go.
• Aemeath welcomed the chance to sing, while Iuno and Roccia also agreed to take part despite their reservations about performing.
• Xiao Ling and the group decided to leave Hangzhou in a week and go to the Imperial Capital after the concert.
• Xiao Ling confirmed their plans with Songlun, who promised to arrange their food and lodging.

Xiao Ling invited the Solaris girls to watch Wuthering Waves fanworks, starting with videos of Lynae dancing and Dania performing as a girl-group idol before showing a provocative, out-of-character Suisui chat video. The evening ended when Rover knocked Xiao Ling unconscious after he joked about building a harem, and Aemeath and the others carried him away.

• Xiao Ling gathered the Solaris girls in the home theater and explained that he wanted to show them fanworks based on themselves.
• The group watched Lynae dance in an official video, and Xiao Ling revealed it had over 4.23 million views, embarrassing her.
• Xiao Ling played a girl-group performance featuring Dania, who tried to seize the remote before Aemeath restrained her and the group praised her dancing.
• Xiao Ling showed a fan video with shocking chat messages attributed to Suisui, who denied that the out-of-character lines reflected her.
• Xiao Ling joked about building a harem, and Rover knocked him unconscious before Aemeath, Dania, Sigrika, and Roccia carried him away.
• Yangyang invited Suisui upstairs without questioning her, leaving Suisui relieved that the conversation had ended for now.

Xiao Ling, Yangyang, and Suisui visited Qingxiao in Hangzhou, where they reunited over tea and pastries. Qingxiao teased Xiao Ling about making a military pledge to treat Yangyang well, but Yangyang stopped the joke from going further.

• Xiao Ling went with Yangyang and Suisui through the drizzle to meet Suisui's old friend in Qingbo District.
• The three arrived at Qingxiao's courtyard and watched her practice swordplay before joining her for tea and pastries.
• Qingxiao praised Suisui's Guangzhou trip and urged Xiao Ling to treat Yangyang well.
• Xiao Ling joked about making a military pledge, and Qingxiao pretended to prepare one while Suisui and Yangyang played along.
• Yangyang argued that feelings should not be forced, so Qingxiao dropped the pledge and warned Xiao Ling not to joke about such promises again.

Xiao Ling visited Qingxiao’s apartment, where he discovered that the sleeping little fox was Heartfox, and his prank left her offended. He cooked lunch to make amends, while privately considering how to restore her human form, and Heartfox eventually joined the others at the table for food.

• As the rain returned, Xiao Ling and his companions moved indoors to Qingxiao’s apartment, where Xiao Ling recognized the sleeping fox as Heartfox.
• Xiao Ling lifted Heartfox from her bed and teased her about being a girl, so she scratched his cheek and retreated to sulk.
• The women made Xiao Ling cook a meal to make up for upsetting Heartfox, and they chatted together while he worked.
• While cooking, Xiao Ling reasoned that Heartfox had been severely weakened and considered how to restore her human form.
• Xiao Ling served lunch, and Heartfox eventually hopped onto the table to eat and coax everyone into feeding her.

Xiao Ling and his companions prepared for a dawn bicycle ride from the Six Harmonies Pagoda toward Beauty Dam to watch the Qiantang River tidal bore. After checking that everyone was ready and reviewing safety precautions, Xiao Ling led the group off toward the river.

• At sunrise, Dania rested against Xiao Ling while Aemeath photographed the girls admiring the Qiantang River Bridge.
• The group agreed to cycle to the tide-watching spot after Shorekeeper proposed the ride, and Xiao Ling offered Dania a seat on the back of his bicycle because she could not ride confidently.
• Xiao Ling and the girls gathered on Zhijiang Road in front of the Six Harmonies Pagoda, ready to cross the bridge and follow the riverside greenway to Beauty Dam.
• Xiao Ling reminded everyone to prioritize traffic safety, rest when tired, and stay hydrated before leading the group off toward the Qiantang River tidal bore.

Xiao Ling and the girls cycled along the Qiantang River Bridge, admiring the river and photographing one another. Sigrika wished to see river porpoises, and several surfaced nearby before the group continued toward the tidal bore.

• Dania asked Xiao Ling to take a photo with her, and they posed together before teasing one another.
• Sigrika prayed to see river porpoises, but the river stayed calm at first.
• Suisui noticed movement underwater, and several river porpoises leapt out of the river near the group.
• The girls took photos of the porpoises, and Dania sent Xiao Ling a copy of her pictures.
• Xiao Ling urged everyone to continue so they would reach the tidal bore in time, then hummed as he pushed Dania along on the bicycle.

On the Qiantang River greenway, Aemeath secretly photographed Xiao Ling brushing Dania’s hair aside, while the others argued over the picture. Nearby, the group shared a Hangzhou breakfast, and Yangyang confirmed that Xiao Ling and the others were heading to a restaurant before meeting them later.

• Sigrika photographed egrets by the river and promised to share the picture with Lynae and Chisa.
• Aemeath borrowed Sigrika’s camera and captured Xiao Ling brushing Dania’s hair aside, then refused to share the photo as the others chased her for it.
• Dania and Xiao Ling watched the group tussle over the camera and discussed whether the photo was worth fighting over.
• Roccia, Jinhsi, Changli, and the others ate Hangzhou breakfast at a makeshift table, and Lupa invited Cartethyia and the others to join them.
• Yangyang messaged Xiao Ling, who said he was taking the others to a restaurant and would meet the group at their usual place later.

Xiao Ling’s hungry group stopped for rice noodle soup, where Qingxiao joined them and demonstrated her sword-control technique. After breakfast, she went with the reunited group toward the Xiaoshan Beauty Viewing Platform to watch the Qiantang River tidal bore.

• Camellya joked about dividing up Xiao Ling to eat, so he hurried the starving group toward a restaurant.
• Over noodles, Qingxiao teased Xiao Ling about the women around him and revealed that she had once taught him sword control.
• Xiao Ling invited Qingxiao to join the trip to the Xiaoshan Beauty Viewing Platform, and she accepted.
• After Dania ate five bowls of noodles, Xiao Ling took Qingxiao to meet Yangyang’s group.
• Qingxiao formed a transparent flying sword and explained that a spell kept people from noticing her before the group set off for the tidal bore.

Xiao Ling and the others gathered at Beauty Dam to watch the Qiantang River tide, and he reassured Cartethyia that the natural phenomenon was not the same as the Dark Tide. After the spectacular returning tide impressed Iuno, the group posed for a photo just as a wave surged into the background.

• Xiao Ling explained the legends behind Beauty Dam, while Dania described the Qiantang River's funnel-shaped estuary and its dangers in extreme weather.
• Cartethyia worried that the tidal bore might be dangerous, and Xiao Ling clarified that it was a natural phenomenon rather than a threat related to the Lament.
• Suisui noticed the tide beginning, and Yangyang watched the one-line tide sweep across the river.
• Yangyang spotted the returning tide charging back, and Iuno agreed that the spectacle lived up to its name.
• Roccia arranged a group photo, and a towering wave surged behind Xiao Ling's group as she took the picture.