Hello???

in the book Lu Feng is young and handsome too. so his visual is true to the source.

I heard the story and romance start to pick up right after this part...?

there is actually no romance in the very romantic sense in the book. It is a Chinese novel, so heavily censored. But you can see the tension building already - in the previous chapter Lu Feng wiping the blood of Little Mushroomʻs cheek, in this chapter take a look at Lu Feng touching his hand. But yes, the story gonna pick up a little bit, but itʻs also a sci-fi story. In the book, it gets science-heavy. I am curious how the romance and the plot gonna be showcased in the manga. the short answer, yes, it should pick up. the long answer, itʻs not a standard romantic story, so no clue how itʻs gonna be portrayed here.

>>>>>I'm so excited to see how much more An Zhe will have the colonel wrapped around his finger!
and to answer this - Lu Feng will actually go to the end of the world for Little Mushroom, wil risk/sacrifice quite a lot (in the book). Granted, the book is about the end of the world.

That's understandable! Do you know much about the newest censorship laws??

But I think the subtle bits will still make me giddy. It's just cute to see people want to go to the ends of the world for each other. I like when they're devoted and such. (▰˘◡˘▰)

I donʻt know the text of the law, which I probably can google and read. I know the intent (anti-LGBQT), erasure of every identity, but straight and whatever else is "morally" approved, which becomes propaganda. And the impact on the art and culture and the way artists can lose their livelihoods and many other serious impacts on lives. As a reader, and sorry if I am stating things you know, we get censored and untrue representations of reality, e.g., Tamen De Gushi and even Little Mushroom. I know, depressing!

I am with you, there is something about being subtle and intimate, without being obvious, that makes it endearing. If you havenʻt read the book, I hope you consider it. I know people left a link to the novel in the other comments, so itʻs easy to find.
(●'◡'●)ﾉ

Oh yes... Ugh! These laws are incredibly frustrating and super vague so the Chinese government can just cancel something it doesn't like and using the vagueness as an excuse. ╥﹏╥
I have heard about the ban on live action adaptations, and I've search and searched about the latest information on danmei, but I can't find anything after 2021.

Oh! But about Little Mushroom, I bought both volumes and am having it delivered soon! I'll read it after I finish the release of Vol 1 of QJJ. ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~ I'm excited to read these stories so much!
I'm currently reading Vol 3 of Sha Po Lang.

I believe itʻs not just the law but also the prevailing stance and attitude towards LGBQT in general, which is not a written thing. patriarchy and oppression at its best! always ruin everything.

I am so excited for you to read Little Mushroom! That was my first danmei, which is technically sci-fi and not danmei, but I will not argue with purists. it fits! I am going through the Untamed (book, manhwa, anime, and movie at the same time, oof, overwhelm!) and Heavenʻs Official Blessings. Somehow I went into the contemporary ones and skipped the classics, so doing the fundamental reading right now.

Thank you for mentioning Sha Po Lang! I am adding it to my list!

wishing you the best and hope to run into you again, fren.....