The Prodigal Son is an Eastern fantasy novel by Hao Wai, first serialized on Qidian Chinese Network. The online text runs to 217 chapters, roughly 990,000 characters, and was completed in January 2013. The print edition was published by Zhuhai Publishing House in March 2008 in five volumes, volumes one through five forming a single set. The story begins in the fictional Great Xia dynasty: in the Qinglin governor's mansion in Huyang City, Linzhao Province, Governor Li Sihong is blessed with a baby boy named Li He. The infant carries within him the memories of a twenty-two-year-old university student from the twenty-first century; he grows up again with an adult's mind but has no intention of following the old path of contending for the empire, introducing new technology, or scheming for power. His wish is simple: reborn into a rich and powerful family, he will be a carefree prodigal son who eats, drinks, and enjoys himself. Yet having no grand ambition is not the same as being foolish. Li He seems lazy but is deep in his calculations: every plot around him is fended off, and only he can trick others; it is hard for anyone to get the better of him. Backed by the governor's household, his grandfather Li Xiao's position as Grand Preceptor at court, his own martial skill, and his strokes of fortune, he rises from a dissolute young lord to the center stage: he subdues the Fire Qilin, wields a divine weapon, is granted the title General of Tiger Might, and serves as Marquis of Wuwei, Grand General of the Pillar State, and Governor of the Three Southwestern Provinces, finally seizing power and being enfeoffed as Prince of Chang'an and Prince of Freedom. The work blends fantasy adventure, court intrigue, and martial-world grudges, using a playful tone to depict the happy life of a "little prodigal tyrant"; it is one of the representative early web novels in the "reborn noble son" mold.
这是一本典型带着“老网文”气息的东方玄幻作品。它出现的时候，穿越、架空才刚刚兴起，主角设定也没有后来那么多套路；一个只想吃喝玩乐的贵公子，本身就是个颇有意味的立意。郝歪并没有把李郃写成靠胡闹取胜的傻子，而是写他“胸无大志却不是傻瓜白痴”：他玩得开，也防得住；看似荒唐，心里有数。这种“浪荡外壳+精明内核”的写法，读起来轻松，也让人会心一笑。 实体书共五册，由珠海出版社2008年出版，合为一套，适合慢慢翻看；网络版约百万字，节奏更完整。整体风格是轻松爽利，语言直白、俏皮，人物形象鲜明，尤其是李郃那种“我就要做个不务正业的纨绔”的姿态，在今天的网文里已经很难见到。 需要说明的是，本书带有明显的时代写作特征：感情线繁杂，女性角色众多，其中一些桥段以今天的标准来看会显得粗糙乃至有争议。另外，网络版当年以月更方式连载，收尾部分不少读者认为仓促。因此，它更适合当作一段网文史的样本来看，不适合追求严谨历史考据或现代价值观审读的读者。
Zhuhai Publishing House focuses on youth literature, modern romance, and social novels, and its 25 titles in the catalog show a clear orientation toward younger readers. Representative works include Mo Xiaoba's Twelve Midsummer (Part Two) and Xin Tang Mina's emotional series linked by the character "Na": Na's Little Pain, Na's Love Affairs, Na's Phantom, Na's Yearning, and Na's Disposition, along with titles such as Goodbye, Aurora. Beyond literature, the press also publishes food and lifestyle books such as Homebody Dessert Workshop, as well as otherworld fantasy and general biography titles. Its collaborating authors include Chong Xi, Wang Hehe, Zhuiyue Zhuhua, and Han Shi. Public information about its full publishing history and catalog system is limited; the above is based only on the titles held in our catalog.
