Wealth? Technology And Civilization? Might As Well Start Dinner!

If you are searching for a science fiction novel that defies the standard tropes of galaxy-spanning epics, look no further than Wealth? Technology And Civilization? Might As Well Start Dinner! by Jia Lei Bi Gou Hai Da Xia. This story is a refreshing, eccentric blend of cyber-dystopia and martial arts madness that refuses to take itself too seriously.

The narrative centers on Zhou Tong, or Tongzi, a protagonist whose nonchalant attitude toward his own extraordinary circumstances is nothing short of hilarious. After a sudden time-travel incident deposits him into a world defined by space exploration and strange cybernetic enhancements, Tongzi’s primary concern isn't conquering the universe—it’s finding a flatbread that lives up to his high culinary standards. This juxtaposition of high-stakes interstellar survival and mundane obsession with snacks is the heart of the book’s charm.

What makes this novel stand out is its unique "Ryoko-style" protagonist. Tongzi is refreshingly unburdened by the angst or heavy-handed heroics common in the genre. Instead, he maneuvers through a complex world—complete with a mysterious martial arts system lodged in his brain and the strange allure of "third world" mental spaces—with a breezy, almost chaotic indifference. Whether he is dealing with powerful bosses or looming superhero responsibilities, his focus remains firmly on the strawberry-flavored ice cream.

The world-building is equally captivating, seamlessly weaving together gritty cyberpunk aesthetics with expansive space adventure elements. By ignoring the restrictive "Sequence 0" logic, the author creates a sandbox where anything can happen. If you want a fast-paced, witty, and unpredictable journey that prioritizes personality over pretension, this is a must-read. It is a wild, imaginative ride that reminds us that even when civilization is on the line, there is always time to start dinner.