Ch. 1The Vanished Street, My Name Is Xie Yi

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The protagonist, Jiang Xiaobai, has been experiencing a recurring dream about his childhood street, Little Ancestral Hall Entrance, which was demolished years ago.
  • He seeks help from his best friend, Old Evil Song, a psychology student, who suggests he might be obsessed with the past.
  • Jiang Xiaobai meets Old Evil Song's psychology professor, Wang Kaiguo, and another man, Xie Yi, who claims to know why Jiang Xiaobai is having the dreams and what will happen to him in the future.
  • Xie Yi reveals he is from Bureau Five, Section Nine, and offers to take Jiang Xiaobai with him to explain further.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Initially curious and puzzled by his recurring dream, he becomes intrigued and somewhat alarmed by Xie Yi's revelations.
  • Old Evil Song: Shows concern for his friend's well-being and seeks help from his professor.
  • Professor Wang Kaiguo: A renowned psychology professor who respects Xie Yi as an equal.
  • Xie Yi: Mysterious and knowledgeable, he claims to know about Jiang Xiaobai's dreams and future, hinting at a supernatural or secretive organization he belongs to.

Significant Themes

  • The power of memory and nostalgia.
  • The unknown and the supernatural.
  • The blurred line between reality and dreams.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Old Evil Song: Their friendship is evident as Jiang Xiaobai seeks help from Old Evil Song, who in turn tries to assist him.
  • Professor Wang Kaiguo and Xie Yi: They share a mutual respect, suggesting they are equals in their respective fields.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Their interaction is brief but intense, with Xie Yi's revelations piquing Jiang Xiaobai's curiosity and concern.

Ch. 2Old Photograph, Lies

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xie Yi, a stranger claiming to be from Bureau Five, Section Nine, approaches Jiang Xiaobai, revealing knowledge about his dream and childhood.
  • Xie Yi shows Jiang Xiaobai an old family photo with different parents, claiming they are his real parents.
  • Jiang Xiaobai decides to go with Xie Yi to Qiao City to confront his parents about the photo.
  • Eccentric Song, Jiang Xiaobai's friend, reveals that Jiang Xiaobai was raised by his grandfather and has no memory of his parents.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Becomes suspicious and cautious of Xie Yi's intentions. His identity and past are called into question.
  • Xie Yi: Remains mysterious and cryptic, revealing information bit by bit to lure Jiang Xiaobai into his plan.
  • Eccentric Song: Reveals unexpected information about Jiang Xiaobai's past, casting doubt on Jiang Xiaobai's memories.

Significant Themes

  • Identity and memory: Jiang Xiaobai's sense of self is challenged as he learns about his possible false memories.
  • Truth and lies: The chapter explores the theme of truth being obscured by lies, with Xie Yi and Eccentric Song revealing information that contradicts Jiang Xiaobai's understanding of his past.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Their interaction is tense and suspicious, with Jiang Xiaobai trying to uncover Xie Yi's true intentions.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Eccentric Song: Their friendship is strained as Eccentric Song reveals information that contradicts Jiang Xiaobai's memories, leading to a heated exchange between them.

Ch. 3No. 44 Yongle Road, the Nonexistent Eccentric Song

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Jiang Xiaobai returns home to find his residence replaced by a scrap yard.
  • Xie Yi reveals that Jiang Xiaobai has been living with his grandfather since age 12, and his parents are not present.
  • Jiang Xiaobai blacks out and wakes up in his grandfather's house, with Xie Yi present.
  • Jiang Xiaobai tries to return home but can't remember the way, and Xie Yi offers to guide him.
  • Eccentric Song reappears and offers to lead Jiang Xiaobai to his home.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Struggles with reality, experiences confusion, fear, and desperation.
  • Xie Yi: Remains calm and composed, revealing bits of information about Jiang Xiaobai's past.
  • Eccentric Song: Reappears, offering support and guidance to Jiang Xiaobai.

Significant Themes

  • Reality vs. Fantasy: Jiang Xiaobai's struggle to accept his current situation and question his memories.
  • Identity and Belonging: Jiang Xiaobai's search for his home and family.
  • Trust and Betrayal: Jiang Xiaobai's uncertainty about Xie Yi's intentions.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Tense and confrontational, with Jiang Xiaobai questioning Xie Yi's motives.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Eccentric Song: Supportive and comforting, with Eccentric Song offering guidance and reassurance.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and his Grandfather: Brief interaction, with the grandfather showing concern for Jiang Xiaobai's well-being.

Ch. 4Unfinished Building, Awakening

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The protagonist discovers that his home is an unfinished building, and he has been living in a dream world.
  • He learns that his parents, Uncle Long, and Aunt Qin are trapped in Little Ancestral Hall Entrance and are about to die.
  • Li Sen has committed suicide, and Xu Qiuyan is in a mental hospital.
  • The protagonist decides to join Bureau Five, Section Nine to help solve the case and save his loved ones.

Character Developments

  • The protagonist starts to remember his past and accepts the reality of his situation.
  • Xie Yi reveals more about his background and the case he is working on.
  • Eccentric Song continues to appear and taunt the protagonist.

Significant Themes

  • The struggle between reality and illusion.
  • The consequences of repressed memories and trauma.
  • The power of acceptance and facing one's fears.

Character Interactions

  • The protagonist interacts with Xie Yi, learning more about the case and Bureau Five, Section Nine.
  • Eccentric Song continues to provoke the protagonist, hinting at other characters and events.
  • The protagonist decides to join forces with Xie Yi to save his loved ones.

Ch. 5Little Bug Flies, in Dreams

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Jiang Xiaobai grapples with his identity and memories, acknowledging his multiple personalities: Eccentric Song, Duan Hongbin, and Chu Ge.
  • Xie Yi takes Jiang Xiaobai to the Second Provincial Hospital, revealing that Uncle Long, Aunt Qin, and Xu Qiuyan are in a vegetative state, and Xu Qiuyan is singing and dancing in her room.
  • Jiang Xiaobai learns that Uncle Long and Aunt Qin's souls were sealed away, and Duan Hongbin offers to help find the "Soul Guiding Incantation" to save them, with Xie Yi's assistance.
  • Jiang Xiaobai visits Xu Qiuyan, who recognizes him and reveals she's dreamt of him many times.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai accepts his multiple personalities and their shared experiences.
  • Xie Yi shows curiosity about Jiang Xiaobai's condition but maintains his focus on finding the truth about the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident.
  • Xu Qiuyan remains affectionate and recognizes Jiang Xiaobai despite the passage of time.

Significant Themes

  • Identity and self-discovery: Jiang Xiaobai grapples with his multiple personalities and their shared history.
  • Memory and reality: Jiang Xiaobai's memories of his childhood home and family are challenged, blurring the line between reality and his dreams.
  • The power of music and dance: Xu Qiuyan's singing and dancing bring her joy and serve as a connection to her past.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Despite their initial tension, they work together to find a way to save Uncle Long and Aunt Qin.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan: Their reunion is emotional, with Xu Qiuyan recognizing Jiang Xiaobai and sharing that she's dreamt of him often.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Duan Hongbin: Duan Hongbin offers to help find the "Soul Guiding Incantation" and interacts with Xie Yi through Jiang Xiaobai.

Ch. 6That Past, a Nightmare

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xu Qiuyan, a woman with no apparent mental issues, asks Bai to take her away from the mental institution.
  • Xie Yi reveals that Xu Qiuyan was present at Li Sen's accident and was so terrified that she lost control and was sent to the institution.
  • Xu Qiuyan recognizes Xie Yi from her dreams, describing him as a younger man wearing a Taoist robe, giving fortunes on Qixia Mountain.
  • Bai decides to take Xu Qiuyan with him, agreeing to join the Ninth Bureau Special Section with her, investigating supernatural phenomena.
  • Xie Yi explains that they had tried to approach Bai years ago, but he was unresponsive and living in a self-hypnotized state.
  • Bai recalls the events of the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident ten years ago, involving a sudden darkness and a piercing noise.

Character Developments

  • Bai: Becomes more proactive and decisive, deciding to take Xu Qiuyan with him and agreeing to join the Ninth Bureau Special Section.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows no signs of mental illness, but has vivid, peculiar dreams. She seems to trust and rely on Bai.
  • Xie Yi: Reveals his role as the head of the Ninth Bureau Special Section and his knowledge of the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident. He is persistent in investigating the case.

Significant Themes

  • Memory and Reality: The characters struggle with recalling and accepting past events, with Bai and Xu Qiuyan having vivid but unclear memories of the incident.
  • Trust and Protection: Bai feels a sense of responsibility towards Xu Qiuyan, and she trusts him implicitly. Xie Yi also shows trust in Bai's abilities.
  • Supernatural Elements: The incident at the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance is hinted to involve supernatural phenomena, which the Ninth Bureau Special Section investigates.

Character Interactions

  • Bai and Xu Qiuyan: They form a bond, with Xu Qiuyan trusting Bai and linking arms with him. Bai decides to take care of her.
  • Bai and Xie Yi: They discuss the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident and the Ninth Bureau Special Section. Xie Yi makes Bai an offer to join his department, with Xu Qiuyan as a condition.
  • Bai and Old Evil Song: Old Evil Song is present at the end of the chapter, suggesting a close relationship with Bai and possibly a role in his past.

Ch. 7Like a Dream, Yet Real

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Jiang Xiaobai wakes up in his room, confused about how he returned from the provincial capital.
  • He learns from Old Evil Song that he fainted in the Green Garden Residential Area and was brought back home. Everything he experienced in the provincial capital was a dream.
  • Jiang Xiaobai's phone rings, and he answers it to find Xie Yi on the line, asking him to return to the provincial capital immediately to see Xu Qiuyan.
  • Jiang Xiaobai leaves for the provincial capital, where Xie Yi picks him up and warns him about Xu Qiuyan's mental state.
  • Jiang Xiaobai shares details of his dream with Xie Yi, including Xu Qiuyan's recognition of him and her mention of Xie Yi's past on Qixia Mountain.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Realizes the truth about his experiences and decides to face reality, showing growth and acceptance.
  • Xie Yi: Shows concern for Jiang Xiaobai's well-being and is alarmed by the details of Jiang Xiaobai's dream.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Struggles with her mental state, showing signs of lucidity and confusion.

Significant Themes

  • Reality vs. Dreams: The distinction between Jiang Xiaobai's dream experiences and reality is blurred, raising questions about perception and truth.
  • Acceptance of the Past: Jiang Xiaobai finally accepts his past and decides to face it, symbolizing personal growth and maturity.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Old Evil Song: Their interaction reveals the truth about Jiang Xiaobai's experiences and highlights Old Evil Song's loyalty and concern for Jiang Xiaobai.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Their conversation in the car reveals the details of Jiang Xiaobai's dream and Xie Yi's reaction to it, showing their growing bond and mutual trust.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan: Although they don't interact directly in this chapter, their connection is established through Jiang Xiaobai's dream, hinting at a deeper relationship between them.

Ch. 8Monster, Join Unit Nine

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Jiang Xiaobai visits Xu Qiuyan at the Second Provincial Hospital, where she's singing and dancing, as in his dream.
  • He decides to take her away, but Xie Yi raises concerns about her settlement.
  • Xie Yi invites Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan to join the Ninth Bureau Special Section.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Struggles with his identity and fate, shows determination in protecting Xu Qiuyan, and accepts Xie Yi's invitation to join the Ninth Bureau.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows vulnerability and dependency on Jiang Xiaobai, trusts him implicitly.
  • Xie Yi: Shows curiosity about Jiang Xiaobai's connection with Xu Qiuyan, invites them to join the Ninth Bureau to benefit them.

Significant Themes

  • Fate vs. Free Will: Jiang Xiaobai grapples with the idea that one's fate is predetermined, yet he still makes choices that shape his reality.
  • Trust and Dependency: Xu Qiuyan's trust in Jiang Xiaobai is absolute, while Jiang Xiaobai feels responsible for her well-being.
  • Beneficence: Xie Yi's invitation to join the Ninth Bureau is presented as a beneficial opportunity for Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan: Their bond deepens as they reconnect. Xu Qiuyan relies on Jiang Xiaobai, while he feels protective of her.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: They establish a mutual understanding and respect, with Xie Yi showing interest in Jiang Xiaobai's unique abilities and inviting him to join the Ninth Bureau.

Ch. 9This Perk Was Awesome

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xie Yi offers Jiang Xiaobai a job at the Ninth Bureau, with benefits including support, help, and uncovering secrets about Jiang Xiaobai's past.
  • Jiang Xiaobai decides to stay in Lin City with Xu Qiuyan, who chooses to stay as well.
  • Xie Yi leaves them a luxury apartment at Lingshan Academy, next to Qianzhou University.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Xiaobai: Struggles with his past and identity, but decides to accept the job at the Ninth Bureau and live with Xu Qiuyan.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows no signs of mental issues, decides to stay in Lin City with Jiang Xiaobai, and is willing to live with him.
  • Xie Yi: Demonstrates sincerity and generosity in offering the job and living arrangements.

Significant Themes

  • Identity and belonging: Jiang Xiaobai's struggle to understand his past and his relationship with his grandpa.
  • Trust and companionship: Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan's growing bond and willingness to live together.
  • Support and protection: Xie Yi's offer of support and help from the Ninth Bureau.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan: Grow closer, with Xu Qiuyan showing understanding and support for Jiang Xiaobai's feelings about his grandpa.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xie Yi: Establish a working relationship, with Xie Yi showing trust in Jiang Xiaobai's abilities and offering him a job.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Chu Ge: Their interaction is brief, but Chu Ge expresses displeasure at Xie Yi's treatment of him.

Ch. 10We're the Same, a Job Came In

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xu Qiuyan and Jiang Xiaobai reunite and move in together.
  • Jiang Xiaobai's friends, Eccentric Song, Duan Hongbin, and Chu Ge, meet Xu Qiuyan.
  • A middle-aged man, Gu Song, arrives seeking Jiang Xiaobai's help, claiming his wife was murdered and sent him a text message from beyond the grave.

Character Developments

  • Xu Qiuyan: She accepts her relationship with Jiang Xiaobai and is comfortable with his unusual friends. She hints at having similar experiences, suggesting she might be like Jiang Xiaobai.
  • Jiang Xiaobai: He starts a new life with Xu Qiuyan, feeling hopeful about their future. He also begins his work for Bureau Five, Section Nine, with Gu Song's case.

Significant Themes

  • Acceptance of the Unusual: Both Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan accept and embrace the extraordinary aspects of their lives and each other.
  • Trust and Friendship: Jiang Xiaobai's friends accept Xu Qiuyan, and she trusts Jiang Xiaobai enough to introduce him to her own unusual friends.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Xiaobai and Xu Qiuyan: They reconnect and start a life together, with both being open about their unusual experiences.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Eccentric Song et al.: The friends meet Xu Qiuyan and are surprised by her acceptance of them and their world.
  • Jiang Xiaobai and Gu Song: They meet for the first time, with Gu Song seeking Jiang Xiaobai's help in solving his wife's murder, which has a supernatural element.

Ch. 11Eyes and Psychological Problems

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Jiang Yanning, a private investigator, is hired by Gu Song to investigate his wife's mysterious death and his suspicion that she was murdered by a non-human entity.
  • Gu Song recounts his wife's strange behavior, including feeling constantly watched, speaking in an unknown language at night, and her subsequent visit to a psychiatrist who diagnosed Gu Song with psychological issues.

Character Developments

  • Jiang Yanning: He is patient, empathetic, and professional, despite initially finding Gu Song's long-winded story annoying. He believes Gu Song's account and is determined to help.
  • Gu Song: He is a loving husband, a dedicated teacher, and a man struggling with his wife's mysterious behavior and his own mental state. He is desperate for answers and help.
  • Duan Hongbin: He is an expert in this field, but he initially appears disinterested and falls asleep during Gu Song's story. However, he proves to be attentive and insightful when needed.

Significant Themes

  • Mental Health: The chapter explores the theme of mental health, with Gu Song's wife's strange behavior and his own psychological state being the central focus.
  • Trust and Belief: The story touches on the theme of trust and belief, with Jiang Yanning choosing to believe Gu Song's account despite its unusual nature.

Character Interactions

  • Jiang Yanning and Gu Song: Jiang Yanning listens patiently to Gu Song's story, showing empathy and understanding, while Gu Song relies on Jiang Yanning to help him find answers.
  • Jiang Yanning and Duan Hongbin: They work together, with Duan Hongbin providing expert insights and Jiang Yanning handling the client's emotional needs. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect and reliance.

Ch. 12Forgotten, Lop Nur

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Gu Song accompanies his wife to see a psychologist, but the doctor focuses on Gu Song and prescribes medication for him.
  • Gu Song's wife starts exhibiting strange behavior, such as talking to herself, laughing and crying suddenly, and forgetting recent events.
  • Gu Song and his wife go to Lop Nur with a group of travel buddies. On their last night, one of the travelers goes missing, and they search for him before returning to camp.

Character Developments

  • Gu Song: Initially appears helpless and confused about his wife's behavior. He is mild-mannered but becomes increasingly concerned and desperate as his wife's condition worsens.
  • Jiang Bai: Feels uncomfortable being called "Mr. Jiang" and has a fear of teachers. He is patient and understanding with Gu Song but also grows concerned about the wife's condition.

Significant Themes

  • Mental health: The chapter explores the theme of mental health, with Gu Song's wife exhibiting symptoms that suggest a psychological issue, and Gu Song being prescribed medication by a psychologist.
  • Memory and identity: The wife's forgetfulness raises questions about the nature of memory and how it shapes our identity.
  • The unknown and adventure: The group's trip to Lop Nur highlights the allure of the unknown and the risks associated with adventure.

Character Interactions

  • Gu Song and Jiang Bai: Gu Song shares his wife's story with Jiang Bai, who listens patiently and asks relevant questions to understand the situation better.
  • Gu Song and his wife: Their relationship is strained due to the wife's strange behavior and Gu Song's insistence that she take medication. They have arguments about this issue.
  • Gu Song and the travel group: The group dynamic is briefly explored, with the travelers splitting up to search for their missing companion.

Ch. 13Forgotten Past

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Gu Song shares his experience of a hiking trip to Lop Nur, where a hiker returned acting strangely, potentially possessed.
  • The group's Captain stayed with the hiker that night, and the next morning, the hiker seemed fine but couldn't remember what happened.
  • Gu Song's wife started acting strangely one week later, resembling the hiker's state.
  • Gu Song hires Xiao Bai to investigate his wife's death and the message she sent before dying.

Character Developments

  • Gu Song: A hiker who becomes suspicious about his wife's death after learning about a strange incident on a hiking trip.
  • Xiao Bai: A character who is hired to investigate Gu Song's wife's death, showing initial hesitation but eventually agreeing to take the case.

Significant Themes

  • The Supernatural: The story hints at supernatural elements, such as possession, which are left unexplained.
  • Investigation and Truth: The theme of uncovering the truth behind Gu Song's wife's death drives the plot forward.

Character Interactions

  • Gu Song and Xiao Bai: Gu Song hires Xiao Bai to investigate his wife's death, and they discuss the details of the hiking trip and the strange occurrences.
  • Xiao Bai and Duan Hongbin: Xiao Bai consults with Duan Hongbin about the case, showing deference to his expertise.
  • Xiao Bai and Xu Qiuyan: They discuss the case together, and Xu Qiuyan offers to take Xiao Bai to meet someone related to the investigation.

Ch. 14Eighteen, or Eight

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xu Qiuyan brings the protagonist to Sunrise Rehabilitation Center to meet Yin Wuyu, who was with them at the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident ten years ago.
  • Yin Wuyu is now an 18-year-old with the mental capacity and memories of an 8-year-old, unable to recall the incident or his past.
  • Xu Qiuyan reveals she found Yin Wuyu through a dream, and she believes others from the incident might still be alive.
  • The protagonist learns that Bureau Five, Section Nine has been secretly searching for survivors but hasn't found Yin Wuyu yet.
  • Xu Qiuyan shares that she had memory loss and violent tendencies before meeting the protagonist, which she believes he helped her overcome.

Character Developments

  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows concern and care for Yin Wuyu, visiting him regularly to help jog his memories. She reveals her past memory loss and violent tendencies, hinting at a troubled past.
  • Yin Wuyu: Now an 18-year-old with the mental capacity of an 8-year-old, he is unable to recall the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident or his past. He recognizes the protagonist but struggles to remember his name.
  • Protagonist: Feels bitterness and sadness upon seeing Yin Wuyu's condition. He also feels jealousy when Xu Qiuyan hugs Yin Wuyu but later dismisses it. He becomes more curious about Xu Qiuyan's past.

Significant Themes

  • Memory and Identity: The characters struggle with lost memories and identities, trying to piece together their pasts.
  • Trauma and Healing: The incident at the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance has left lasting effects on the characters, who are trying to heal and move forward.
  • Connection and Belonging: The characters share a bond from their past, seeking each other out and forming connections despite their circumstances.

Character Interactions

  • Xu Qiuyan and Yin Wuyu: Xu Qiuyan shows affection and care towards Yin Wuyu, trying to help him remember his past. Yin Wuyu is happy and excited to see Xu Qiuyan.
  • Protagonist and Xu Qiuyan: The protagonist feels jealous when Xu Qiuyan hugs Yin Wuyu but later dismisses it. He becomes more curious about her past and shares his concerns about Yin Wuyu with her.
  • Protagonist and Yin Wuyu: The protagonist feels bitterness and sadness upon seeing Yin Wuyu's condition. He interacts with Yin Wuyu gently, trying to help him remember their past together.

Ch. 15Cold and Aloof Female Ghost, Little Ghost

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Gu Song calls Xiao Bai early in the morning, asking him to visit.
  • Xu Qiuyan buys breakfast for Xiao Bai, revealing she goes for a run every day.
  • Gu Song reveals he saw his deceased wife's ghost, who told him to find Zhuanghe.
  • Duan Hongbin and Xu Qiuyan's ghostly friend accompany them to Gu Song's house.
  • In Gu Song's bedroom, they find a little ghost hidden in a clay pot.

Character Developments

  • Gu Song: Seems increasingly disturbed and pale, hinting at mental instability or supernatural influence.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows concern for Xiao Bai, revealing she had a dream about him.
  • Xiao Bai: Starts to question Gu Song's mental state and the authenticity of his wife's ghostly appearance.
  • Duan Hongbin: Shows interest in Gu Song's case and reveals he can sense yin energy.
  • Xu Qiuyan's ghostly friend: Remains aloof and mysterious, providing crucial information about the little ghost.

Significant Themes

  • Supernatural influence and interaction with the living.
  • The blurred line between reality and dreams.
  • The impact of grief and loss on mental health.

Character Interactions

  • Xiao Bai and Xu Qiuyan: Show growing camaraderie and mutual concern.
  • Gu Song and Xiao Bai/Xu Qiuyan: Gu Song appears increasingly dependent on them for help.
  • Duan Hongbin and Xiao Bai: Duan Hongbin provides valuable insights and assistance.
  • Xu Qiuyan and her ghostly friend: Their relationship remains unclear, but the ghost offers help.

Ch. 16Miscarriage, Kuman Thong

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Gu Song and his wife Xie Xiaotang, after years of infertility, finally conceive a child after praying to a Four-Faced Buddha in Thailand.
  • Xie Xiaotang miscarries due to an accident at eight months of pregnancy.
  • A friend suggests keeping the fetus as a Kuman Thong (a spirit child) using a Thai master's special methods.
  • Gu Song and Xie Xiaotang take the fetus to Thailand, where it's turned into a Kuman Thong.
  • The Kuman Thong appears to them, drinking Xie Xiaotang's blood, and calls Gu Song "Daddy."
  • Back home, the Kuman Thong lives with them, growing up gradually and occasionally causing minor disturbances.
  • Recently, the Kuman Thong has been restless, staring out the window menacingly.

Character Developments

  • Gu Song: Initially skeptical of spiritual beliefs, he becomes accepting after seeing his wife's determination and their child's manifestation as a Kuman Thong. He shows deep love and care for his wife and the Kuman Thong.
  • Xie Xiaotang: After the miscarriage, she becomes obsessed with keeping their child's spirit, even at the cost of turning it into a Kuman Thong. She shows strong maternal instincts towards the spirit child.
  • The Kuman Thong: Initially bloodthirsty and menacing, it displays affection towards its parents after being brought home, growing up and causing occasional disturbances.

Significant Themes

  • Love and Loss: Gu Song and Xie Xiaotang's deep love for their child, even after its death, leading them to keep its spirit as a Kuman Thong.
  • Belief and Acceptance: Gu Song's initial skepticism towards spiritual beliefs, which he eventually accepts after witnessing the Kuman Thong.
  • Consequences of Desperation: The couple's desperation to keep their child leads them to turn it into a Kuman Thong, with potential unknown consequences.

Character Interactions

  • Gu Song and Xie Xiaotang: They show deep love and understanding towards each other, with Gu Song supporting his wife's decision to keep their child as a Kuman Thong despite his initial reservations.
  • Gu Song and the Kuman Thong: Initially frightened, Gu Song warms up to the Kuman Thong after it calls him "Daddy," showing affection towards it.
  • Xie Xiaotang and the Kuman Thong: Xie Xiaotang shows strong maternal instincts towards the Kuman Thong, even feeding it her blood.

Ch. 17Abnormalities, Car Accident

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Gu Song reveals that his wife, Xie Xiaotang, often behaved strangely before her accident, but he didn't think it was related to the little ghost living in their house.
  • Gu Song describes the little ghost's behavior on the day of Xie Xiaotang's accident, suggesting the ghost tried to stop her from leaving.
  • The protagonist learns that Xie Xiaotang was a Level 1 Appraiser at the Municipal Cultural Relics Administration Bureau and died in a car accident.
  • Gu Song mentions receiving a message from Xie Xiaotang's phone after her death, stating it wasn't an accident.
  • The protagonist decides to visit the Cultural Relics Administration Bureau and plans to go to the Northeast to find Zhuanghe, suspecting Xie Xiaotang's accident might be related to their trip to Lop Nur.

Character Developments

  • Gu Song: Struggles with grief and guilt over his wife's death, believes in ghosts after his son's death, and regrets not stopping Xie Xiaotang from driving alone.
  • Xie Xiaotang: Displayed strange behavior before her accident, possibly due to the little ghost or an unknown reason.
  • Little Ghost (Xiao Tian): Showed concern for his mother's safety, tried to stop her from leaving, and hasn't appeared since her accident.
  • Xu Qiuyan: Shows empathy and understanding towards Gu Song's situation, plans to surprise the protagonist by bringing back the kid from the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance.

Significant Themes

  • Grief and loss: Gu Song's struggle with his wife's death and the little ghost's longing for his mother.
  • Ghosts and the supernatural: The existence of ghosts and their interactions with the living, as well as the protagonist's growing acceptance of the supernatural.
  • Trust and communication: The importance of open communication and trust in relationships, as seen in Gu Song and Xie Xiaotang's marriage and the protagonist's relationship with Xu Qiuyan.

Character Interactions

  • Gu Song and the protagonist: Gu Song shares his experiences and suspicions about his wife's death with the protagonist, seeking help and understanding.
  • Xu Qiuyan and the protagonist: They discuss their next steps in the case and share a moment of connection, wondering if they would ever share deep feelings like Gu Song and Xie Xiaotang did.
  • Xu Qiuyan and the little ghost: Xu Qiuyan plans to bring the little ghost back to live with them, surprising the protagonist and showing her empathy for the ghost's situation.

Ch. 18The Eerie Dreamscape, the Black-Robed Man

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Protagonist falls asleep in a taxi and enters a dreamscape.
  • In the dream, he witnesses a black-robed man causing a car accident that kills a woman, who might be Xie Xiaotang.
  • After waking up, the protagonist learns from the taxi driver that a similar accident happened recently, involving a woman driving a Nissan Corolla.
  • The protagonist sees a black-robed figure on the roadside and chases after it, with Chu Ge accompanying him briefly before disappearing.

Character Developments

  • Protagonist: Realizes he's been relying on the three companions too much and starts questioning his own capabilities.
  • Black-Robed Man: Implied to be a malevolent entity, possibly involved in Xie Xiaotang's death.

Significant Themes

  • Dreams and reality intermingling.
  • The protagonist's growing self-awareness and independence.
  • The mysterious nature of the black-robed man and his potential connection to Xie Xiaotang's death.

Character Interactions

  • Protagonist and Taxi Driver: The driver shares information about the recent accident, leading the protagonist to suspect a connection to his dream.
  • Protagonist and Chu Ge: Chu Ge briefly accompanies the protagonist in chasing the black-robed figure but then disappears, leaving the protagonist to rely on himself.

Ch. 19Onmyoji, Threats and Intimidation

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Lin Sanjiu gets lost in a bamboo grove and encounters a black-robed figure who threatens her.
  • She is pulled into a dream where she witnesses Xie Xiaotang's death.
  • The black-robed figure reveals himself to be an Onmyoji from the Island Nation and warns Lin Sanjiu to stop meddling in the case.
  • Lin Sanjiu reports the incident to Xie Yi, who advises caution against the Onmyoji.
  • Lin Sanjiu visits the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau to gather information about Xie Xiaotang.

Character Developments

  • Lin Sanjiu shows courage and determination in the face of threats, refusing to back down from the case.
  • Duan Hongbin, Chu Ge, and Eccentric Song demonstrate their power and confidence in protecting Lin Sanjiu.
  • Director Fang of the Cultural Relics Bureau shares his respect and admiration for Xie Xiaotang's professionalism and dedication.

Significant Themes

  • The threat and intimidation tactics used by the Onmyoji highlight the dangerous nature of the case and the potential risks Lin Sanjiu faces.
  • Lin Sanjiu's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, despite the dangers, emphasizes her determination and resilience.
  • The isolation and secrecy of Xie Xiaotang's personal life raise questions about her motivations and the true nature of her relationship with the little ghost.

Character Interactions

  • Lin Sanjiu's interaction with the black-robed Onmyoji reveals his arrogance and underestimation of her abilities.
  • Lin Sanjiu's conversation with Director Fang provides insight into Xie Xiaotang's character and work ethic.
  • The bond between Lin Sanjiu and her three companions grows stronger as they face threats together.

Ch. 20Vanished Without a Trace, the Purpose

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Xie Xiaotang's husband reveals that she received an urgent job call from her unit before her accident.
  • Director Fang admits to making the call, as they had received an anonymously donated cultural relic of national treasure grade: a Song Dynasty Yao Bian San Mu.
  • The relic was later stolen from the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, with no signs of forced entry or anyone present on surveillance footage.
  • The case was handed over to a mysterious department, possibly Unit Nine.

Character Developments

  • Director Fang shows remorse for his role in Xie Xiaotang's accident.
  • Duan Hongbin suggests that the Island Nation woman (Xu Qiuyan's companion) could have made the relic disappear using her Ghost Body abilities.
  • Xu Qiuyan brings Yin Wuyu back to live with them, and they learn about his sealed soul and potential abilities from Xu Qiuyan's companion.

Significant Themes

  • The power dynamics and intrigue surrounding cultural relics and their authentication.
  • The mysterious and often inexplicable nature of supernatural events.
  • The consequences of one's actions and the unintended harm caused by them.

Character Interactions

  • Xie Xiaotang's husband and Director Fang discuss the circumstances surrounding her accident.
  • The author and Director Fang discuss the stolen relic and its mysterious disappearance.
  • The author, Xu Qiuyan, and Yin Wuyu discuss his potential abilities and the possibility of helping him.
  • Xu Qiuyan's companion reveals information about Yin Wuyu's sealed soul and potential abilities.
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