The threat from Xu Yunfeng—that Cao invites Li to a dinner with his wife—is one of the most sinister invitations I’ve read. The line about Li being “fortunate” with two children is an undisguised threat. It raises stakes immediately: this isn’t just about job loss but the family’s safety.
2 The “crying as work” bit was hilarious. The protagonist consciously deciding she has to do "a baby's job" and having to test different cries to get the right pitch is such a brilliant way to show the adult mind inside a baby. The pure absurdity of her critiquing her own wails as “a little weak” before trying again is the exact kind of meta-humor I love. It breaks the fourth wall of the baby's perceived innocence.
2 The drinking/drugging scene is a good reminder that in this world, enemies can come from anywhere, even your own superior. It sets a tone of paranoia and danger. Trust no one.
The antagonist Li Dong is a bit one-dimensional so far, but that’s fine for an early antagonist. He’s selfish, manipulative, and clearly prioritizes his own ambitions over Du Shao’s wellbeing. I don’t need him to be complex yet. He works perfectly as a foil for Lin Du’s cleverness and Du Shao’s growth. I’m sure we’ll see more nuanced villains later.
The prose feels like a translated Chinese webnovel, which is fine but sometimes awkward. Phrases like “his heart agitated” or “a pile of indistinct black figures” sound a bit off to a native speaker. Still, the action is easy to follow and the descriptive beats – like the light stream twisting like a Möbius strip – stuck with me.
You can feel the author’s original language bleeding through the English translation. Phrasing like “drilled into his nasal cavity” or “a piece of meat” has that very specific literal translation texture. It bothers some people, but I actually find it gives the story a distinctive, almost surreal horror vibe.
I love that Song Chu keeps the original owner's bully persona and even enjoys it. No need to be sweet or fake. She can threaten the village doctor and glare at people, getting things done without holding back. It's satisfying to read a protagonist who's not a pushover. And she knows how to use that image to her advantage while being rational inside.