I find it quite perplexing that many of the other reviewers are labeling the protagonist as intelligent; in my opinion, this character exhibits an alarming level of obliviousness. It's difficult to reconcile their supposed ingenuity with the series of questionable decisions they make throughout the story. For clarity, let’s dive into a few examples that may illuminate this discrepancy. In one notable instance, the protagonist makes a choice that clearly goes against common sense, leading to dire consequences not only for themselves but for their companions as well. Such moments consistently highlight a lack of forethought and judgment that you would expect from someone considered to be clever. Additionally, there are several scenarios where the protagonist is presented with information that could alter the course of events, yet they seem to overlook or misunderstand the importance of these details. This repeated inability to connect the dots can be incredibly frustrating for readers who are looking for a main character that demonstrates shrewdness and insight. Overall, the disparity between the general consensus around the protagonist's intelligence and the character's actual actions and decisions is striking. I would encourage potential readers to keep this in mind as they delve into the story, as it may significantly affect their enjoyment and investment in the narrative.
The dialogue between Nian Shilan and Yinzhen is sharp. Their restaurant conversation is full of subtext—she calls him out on impatience, he defends his haste. The “forced melon not sweet” line is a great metaphor. But their chemistry feels intellectual rather than romantic; I’m not swooning yet. Their relationship evolution depends on trust, which is still shaky.
I appreciate that the system rewards are somewhat balanced. The Body Potion costs 30 coins and can only be used once per person. The Iron Man armor's synthesization cost is still greyed out, implying it'll be expensive. So the MC can't just get OP gear immediately. He has to earn it. The fact that he went from 1 to 123 coins after killing a bunch of zombies feels earned because we saw him fight for it. Also, I like that the system doesn't explain everything right away—Lin Xiu has to experiment, like when he tries synthesizing drinks. Discovery through trial and error makes the system feel more like a tool than a crutch. Let's just hope the difficulty scales properly.
2 The tension when Zhou Cong says "I can give your brother a little lesson" was electric. The fact that she doesn't immediately accept this offer of protection is smart. It shows she understands the complicated dynamics at play. Him offering to help her against her own brother is a huge red flag for his intentions, but also a sign of his loyalty to her, albeit a misplaced one. She's caught in a terrifying but interesting position.