Cheng Xin has awoken after five years in hibernation. Previously, her blindness turned from a psychosomatic condition to a physical condition, and she needed new retinas, so she hibernated until the replacements were ready. In the meantime, humanity has rebuilt, heralding the crews of Blue Space and Gravity as heroes and retaliating against the ESF. Peace returns. Some believe they can live out their lives before the inevitable dark forest strikes; others doubt the validity of the dark forest theory itself.

Many people believe that the destruction of Star 187J3X1 was coincidental, and that Trisolaran terror of the dark forest theory is insufficient proof of its veracity.

The world largely forgets Cheng Xin’s failure as Swordholder, but Cheng Xin still feels immense despair over her actions. One night, Fraisse calls to tell her to look at a bright blue light illuminating the night sky. It is the destruction of the Trisolaran star system.