2 Despite the flaws, I’m invested. The premise is solid, the protagonist has potential, and the space system is fun. If the author focuses on character depth and world-building in the 60s, this could be a great read.
I appreciate that the story doesn't pretend to be super serious. The author's notes at the beginning say "brainless refreshing novel" and that's exactly what this is. No deep philosophical stuff, just a fun ride with a charismatic heroine. Sometimes that's all I need. The self-heating hot pot, the Detective Conan reference, the ghost's spicy oil face—all silly, all memorable.
2 The emotional core of this story for me is Xu Zhiqiao’s loneliness. She’s in a new city, with a new family that resents her, and the only person who pays her attention is this scary, rich guy who wants to date her. That trip from the moat to the car was so melancholic. She has nowhere to go, no one to call. That's why she fixates on moving into the dorm so much. It's her only escape from this suffocating environment.
The setting of the countryside journey on a tractor adds a rustic charm. The description of the brick truck and the hill with the Taoist temple establishes the rural atmosphere. I could almost feel the bumpy ride. This scene contrasts with the earlier urban coffee shop, giving variety to the locations.