Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li remembers his first encounter with Xue Tinghai during the Kyoto mission, where Xue Tinghai was initially formidable but later repeatedly defeated.
• Half a year later, Xue Tinghai's Fourth Branch is targeted, and he is found defeated and injured in the Tianhai Hotel.
• Ji Li encounters Xue Tinghai in an elevator, where Xue Tinghai reveals he used his last Sin Item to possess a Ghost and attempt the Path to Life, and that he has no other trump cards.
• Xue Tinghai reveals that Song Yitong helped him and warns Ji Li about her as his ultimate enemy.
• Xue Tinghai dies from the eruption of his Yin Body and the consumption of the Ghost, with Ji Li leaving the elevator without witnessing his death.

Character Developments

• Ji Li remains calm and composed throughout the encounter, showing respect for Xue Tinghai as a former opponent and old acquaintance.
• Xue Tinghai, once a formidable Branch Manager, is reduced to a desperate state, revealing his cowardice and the burden of his younger brother's actions. He accepts his fate and dies with relief and composure.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is prominent, with the snow from Kyoto falling on Tiannan symbolizing the inevitable outcome for Xue Tinghai.
• The theme of familial affection and responsibility is explored through Xue Tinghai's actions for his brother, Xue Tingtao.
• The theme of the cost of power and ambition is shown through Xue Tinghai's downfall and his final words about Song Yitong.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Xue Tinghai have a tense but respectful interaction, with Ji Li showing no animosity and Xue Tinghai providing valuable information and warnings.
• The interaction between Xue Tinghai and his younger brother, Xue Tingtao, is implied to be a significant factor in Xue Tinghai's downfall, highlighting the theme of familial responsibility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Everyone, including Zhu Xiaoning and Zhong Feiluan, rushes towards the Seventeenth Floor of Building E-3 during the Nine PM Sweep.
• Zhu Xiaoning, carrying Yu Guo's bag containing sin items, flees upstairs with Zhong Feiluan in pursuit.
• Zhu Xiaoning is attacked by an unknown ghost through Zhong Feiluan, causing a wriggling sensation on his back.
• Zhong Feiluan activates a sin item, growing eyeballs on her skin, which try to possess Zhu Xiaoning.
• Zhu Xiaoning uses the Lotus Seed sin item to create a temporary safe zone, but Zhong Feiluan controls Zhu Xiaoning's body to save herself.
• Mo Lan appears on the Fourteenth Floor, offering Zhu Xiaoning hope.

Character Developments

• Zhu Xiaoning: Initially submissive and unremarkable, he shows strategic thinking and resilience in fleeing and using sin items. However, his abilities are insufficient to predict and counter the ghost's possession method.
• Zhong Feiluan: Initially a low-key staff member, she gains a powerful sin item and cooperates with unknown ghosts. She shows desperation and impatience in her pursuit of Zhu Xiaoning.

Significant Themes

• Survival and desperation: Characters struggle to survive the Nine PM Sweep, showcasing their desperation and willingness to do whatever it takes.
• Power dynamics: The black-clothed people's power is crushing, pushing humans and ghosts to their limits. Zhu Xiaoning's positioning gives him the initiative, while Zhong Feiluan is anxious to remove this obstacle.
• Trust and betrayal: Zhu Xiaoning's trust in Zhong Feiluan is betrayed as she uses his body to save herself. Mo Lan's appearance offers hope, highlighting the importance of trust and kindness in survival.

Character Interactions

• Zhu Xiaoning and Zhong Feiluan: Their dynamic shifts from a low-key staff member and manager to pursuer and pursued. Zhong Feiluan's betrayal highlights the desperation and ruthlessness of their situation.
• Zhu Xiaoning and Mo Lan: Mo Lan's appearance offers Zhu Xiaoning hope and a reminder of kindness, contrasting with Zhong Feiluan's betrayal. Their past encounter suggests a potential alliance or support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Xiaoning and Mo Lan are on the 14th floor, with Mo Lan betraying them and killing Zhong Feiluan.
• Zhu Xiaoning and Mo Lan run towards the 15th floor, but Mo Lan stabs Zhu Xiaoning from behind.
• Zhu Xiaoning dies, appointing Ji Li as the new Branch Manager of Branch No. 10.

Character Developments

• Zhu Xiaoning: Despite his ordinary background, Zhu Xiaoning shows bravery and loyalty, risking his life to save Mo Lan. He maintains his humanity even in the harsh environment of the Tianhai Hotel, but his excessive hope in humanity leads to his downfall.
• Mo Lan: Initially kind and cooperative with Zhu Xiaoning, Mo Lan reveals her true colors as a survivor who will do anything to protect herself. She betrays Zhu Xiaoning and kills him, showing no remorse.

Significant Themes

• Humanity vs. Survival: The theme of humanity is explored through Zhu Xiaoning's character, while Mo Lan represents the survival-at-any-cost mentality prevalent in the Tianhai Hotel.
• Trust and Betrayal: The relationship between Zhu Xiaoning and Mo Lan highlights the fragility of trust in a harsh environment, leading to devastating consequences when Mo Lan betrays Zhu Xiaoning.

Character Interactions

• Zhu Xiaoning and Mo Lan: Their relationship evolves from one of mutual support to betrayal, with Zhu Xiaoning's unwavering trust in Mo Lan ultimately leading to his demise.
• Zhu Xiaoning and Zhong Feiluan: Zhu Xiaoning's disregard for Zhong Feiluan's threats and his focus on saving Mo Lan contribute to his eventual downfall.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two Branch Managers die: Xue Tinghai (unnoticed) and Zhu Xiaoning (using Tianhai Power to appoint Ji Li as the next Branch Manager of Branch No. 10).
• Ji Li is appointed as the concurrent Branch Manager of Branch No. 10 and the Seventh Branch, causing uproar among the Top Ten Branches.
• Staff members discuss the implications of Ji Li's dual appointment, considering its overall benefits for the Tianhai Hotel.

Character Developments

• Quan Liang (Branch No. 10): Initially expected to become the next Branch Manager, he now feels threatened by Ji Li's appointment and expresses dread.
• Gu Xingjian (Branch No. 9): Reacts calmly to Zhu Xiaoning's death and Ji Li's appointment, adjusting his plans to make Ji Li the true Dean of Tiannan.
• Ji Li (Seventh Branch & Branch No. 10): Analyzes Song Yitong's intentions and decides to respond unconventionally, abandoning his plan to meet her immediately.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The use of Tianhai Power and Branch Manager authority by Zhu Xiaoning and Ji Li challenges the established norms and causes significant reactions among the staff.
• Uncertainty and Adaptation: Characters must adapt to unexpected events, such as Ji Li's dual appointment, and adjust their plans accordingly, as seen with Gu Xingjian.

Character Interactions

• Staff of the Seventh Branch: Discuss the implications of Ji Li's dual appointment, considering it fortunate for the Tianhai Hotel.
• Staff of Branch No. 10: Look to Quan Liang for guidance regarding Ji Li's identity and strength, with Quan Liang expressing dread.
• Ji Li and the Female Ghost (Song Yitong): Engage in a psychological battle, with Ji Li analyzing Song Yitong's intentions and deciding to respond unconventionally.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Ge, hiding in the men's restroom, plans to use the porcelain doll to trap Ji Li in a strange game.
• He suspects Ji Li hasn't reached the Seventeenth Floor yet, and Song Yitong might be betraying them.
• Luo Ge decides to go to the Seventeenth Floor but finds Qiu Taoyu's corpse and a wolf-headed ghost chasing him.
• He is saved at the last moment and enters the elevator, finding an empty file bag and a form listing staff members with crossed-out identities.
• The elevator reaches the Seventeenth Floor.

Character Developments

• Luo Ge demonstrates his strategic thinking and quick decision-making but underestimates the power of the wolf-headed ghost.
• Qiu Taoyu is revealed to be dead, likely killed by the wolf-headed ghost.
• The unknown savior who pulls Luo Ge out of danger remains unidentified.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal, as Luo Ge suspects Song Yitong's loyalty and is eventually betrayed by Qiu Taoyu.
• The power of fear and the supernatural, showcased by the wolf-headed ghost's ability to neutralize Luo Ge's powers.
• Identity and existence, hinted at by the crossed-out form in the file bag.

Character Interactions

• Luo Ge and Qiu Taoyu communicate via communicator, with Qiu Taoyu's silence hinting at her demise.
• Luo Ge is saved by an unknown character, suggesting potential alliances or hidden helpers.
• Luo Ge's thoughts reveal his strategic planning and fear of the wolf-headed ghost.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Ge realizes the true Path to Life: creating a Dean's file and submitting it to the safe.
• He understands that only certain identities (janitor, teachers, Dean) can execute this Path.
• Luo Ge deduces that Ji Li or Song Yitong will become the Dean, with Ji Li having the complete Path and Song Yitong setting a trap.
• Luo Ge enters the archive room 1715, places his forged letter of appointment in the safe, triggering a violent shake in the building.
• Song Yitong appears, reveals the complete Path to Life (Head Dean abandons, Vice Dean stays), and plans to use Luo Ge as Vice Dean to become Head Dean herself.

Character Developments

• Luo Ge: Realizes his fatal flaw (impatience), accepts his role as a pawn, and tries to turn the tables.
• Song Yitong: Reveals her cunning and manipulative nature, planning to use others to achieve her goals.

Significant Themes

• Identity and Destiny: Characters' identities determine their paths, and they struggle to accept or change their fates.
• Manipulation and Power: Characters manipulate each other to gain power and control.
• Desperation and Resilience: Characters face desperate situations and must find ways to survive and adapt.

Character Interactions

• Luo Ge and Ji Li: Luo Ge understands Ji Li's plan but decides to act independently, trying to outmaneuver both Ji Li and Song Yitong.
• Luo Ge and Song Yitong: Song Yitong reveals her plan to use Luo Ge as a pawn, further emphasizing the power dynamics between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Yitong reveals she has the complete Path to Life, requiring two people to complete it together: one becomes Head Dean, the other Vice Dean.
• She manipulates Ji Li and Luo Ge to fulfill the Path to Life's conditions, aiming to become the Head Dean.
• Luo Ge's appointment letter is destroyed by Xue Tinghai's vengeful spirit, making Song Yitong's plan fail.
• Ji Li, having exploited everyone's underestimation, becomes the only viable candidate for Head Dean.
• Duan Yanyan appears, and Ji Li asks, "Where is Yu Guo?"

Character Developments

• Song Yitong: Shows strategic thinking and manipulation skills, but underestimates Xue Tinghai, leading to her plan's failure.
• Luo Ge: Dies at the hands of Xue Tinghai, mocking Ji Li in his final moments.
• Ji Li: Remains calm and calculating throughout, exploiting others' mistakes to secure his position as Head Dean.
• Xue Tinghai: Transforms into a vengeful spirit and kills Luo Ge before dying.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and strategy
• Underestimation and its consequences
• Power dynamics and control

Character Interactions

• Song Yitong manipulates Ji Li and Luo Ge to fulfill her plan.
• Luo Ge and Ji Li indirectly collaborate to disrupt Song Yitong's plan.
• Xue Tinghai's spirit takes revenge on Luo Ge.
• Ji Li and Duan Yanyan meet in Room 1715 after the final battle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li and Yu Guo meet after a long time, with Yu Guo severely injured and near death.
• Yu Guo reveals that he and Luo Ge are branded together, so if one dies, the other follows.
• Ji Li promises to grant Yu Guo's last wishes, but Yu Guo dies before revealing them all.
• Ji Li is left grief-stricken and enraged by Yu Guo's death.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: Becomes more determined and focused on his mission after seeing Yu Guo's condition. His grief and anger grow as Yu Guo's condition worsens and he eventually dies.
• Yu Guo: Shows his strategic mind and planning in the first half of the mission. He accepts his fate calmly and makes three wishes before dying.
• Chen Xu and Lu Jingting: Support Yu Guo but are afraid of Ji Li's wrath. They try to appease Ji Li to save themselves.
• Song Yitong: Witnesses the events silently, afraid to look at Ji Li.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and Loyalty: Yu Guo's loyalty to Ji Li and his willingness to sacrifice himself for him are highlighted. Ji Li's determination to honor Yu Guo's wishes shows his loyalty as well.
• Death and Loss: The chapter explores the theme of death and the loss it brings, particularly through Ji Li's grief and anger at Yu Guo's death.
• Power and Control: Ji Li's power and influence are shown as he intimidates Chen Xu, Lu Jingting, and Song Yitong, making them fear for their lives.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Yu Guo: Their bond is strengthened as they meet after a long time, with Yu Guo's condition revealing the harsh reality of their mission. Ji Li's grief and determination to honor Yu Guo's wishes show their deep friendship.
• Ji Li and Others: Ji Li's intimidating presence makes Chen Xu, Lu Jingting, and Song Yitong fear for their lives, showing his power and influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li reflects on his aging appearance and the changes in his gaze while in the guard room of Tiannan Academy.
• He learns that seventy-seven black-clothed people are purging ghosts and people in Haunted Academy under his command.
• Lu Jingting and Chen Xu, from the Seventh Branch, are killed.
• A black booklet containing a picture album appears on Ji Li's table, revealing truths about Yu Guo's first mission to Tiannan Academy.

Character Developments

• Ji Li acknowledges his aging appearance and the dimming of his gaze, indicating a loss of sharpness and brilliance.
• Lu Jingting and Chen Xu meet their deaths, highlighting the ruthless nature of Ji Li's orders.
• Ji Li's power and influence grow as he controls two branches and Tiannan Academy.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Ji Li's growing influence and the consequences of his decisions emphasize the theme of power and its corrupting nature.
• Truth and Deception: The picture album reveals truths about Yu Guo's past, challenging the narrative he had previously shared with Ji Li.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li interacts with the black-clothed people, ordering the purge of ghosts and people in Haunted Academy.
• The album shows interactions between Yu Guo and other mission members, as well as between Yu Guo and A Lian, revealing a different perspective on their past.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li discovers a mysterious woman in his mirror, who he realizes is A Lian, Yu Guo's fiancée.
• An art book reveals the 2014 batch's mission at the Haunted Academy, where they sought the Path to Life.
• The leader of the employees attempted to destroy Tiannan's Rules, leading to a Ghost Tide.
• Yu Guo and A Lian's story unfolds: they were separated during the Ghost Tide, and Yu Guo was expelled from the mission.
• Yu Guo's identity was swapped with A Lian's, leading him back to Tianhai Hotel and eventually, Tiannan Academy.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: Realizes the truth about Yu Guo and A Lian's fate, decides not to interfere with their cycle.
• Yu Guo: Becomes determined to find his wife (A Lian) after his identity swap and expulsion from the mission.
• A Lian: Becomes a Rules Enforcer at Tiannan Academy, choosing to stay in the cycle to perpetuate her and Yu Guo's story.

Significant Themes

• Fate and destiny: The characters' lives are intertwined and influenced by fate, with A Lian and Yu Guo's story being a prime example.
• Sacrifice: Yu Guo attempts to save A Lian by swapping their identities, leading to his expulsion and her entrapment as a Rules Enforcer.
• Identity: The characters' identities are fluid and can be altered, as seen with Yu Guo and A Lian's identity swap.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and the mysterious woman (A Lian): Ji Li acknowledges A Lian's presence but does not engage with her.
• Yu Guo and A Lian: Their relationship evolves from fiancés to being separated by fate, with A Lian choosing to stay in the cycle to keep their story alive.
• Yu Guo and Director Wang: They work together during the 2014 mission but are ultimately separated due to the Ghost Tide and Yu Guo's expulsion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tiannan Academy exists in two dimensions: "Ghost-Free" (normal) and "Haunted" (mutated with Ghosts).
• The true dean oversees both aspects and has absolute freedom, making them the university's true master.
• Ji Li, the current Head Dean, is not the only one with this authority; the Root Ghost also possesses it.
• Ji Li visits the "Haunted" academy and finds a large mirror that reflects the academy itself, revealing the Root Ghost's identity.
• He discovers that the Root Ghost, like Lu Jingting, is innocent and was set as a mission location by the Tianhai Hotel twice.

Character Developments

• Ji Li learns more about Tiannan Academy's past and present but remains unaware of the Root Ghost's true nature.
• He gains new insights about his authority and the Root Ghost's connection to the academy.

Significant Themes

• Duality: The academy's split into "Ghost-Free" and "Haunted" aspects reflects the dual nature of reality and illusion, good and evil.
• Power and Authority: The true dean's absolute freedom explores the theme of power and its consequences.
• Identity: The Root Ghost's identity as the academy itself challenges perceptions of individuality and collective consciousness.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li interacts with A Lian, who hands him the black wooden staff without communication.
• He commands the black-clothed people to search for mirror fragments, revealing his authority over them.
• Ji Li converses with the Root Ghost through the mirror, gaining new insights about its innocence and the academy's designation as a mission location.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li learns more about the Root Ghost's methods and its deal with Tianhai Hotel.
• Ji Li becomes the Dean of Tiannan Academy, further increasing the stakes in his gamble with Tianhai.
• Ji Li discovers that Gu Xingjian's actions are linked to the five special locations in the mission.
• Ji Li leaves Tiannan Academy, taking Director Wang with him, and marking the end of the mission.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: He continues to unravel the mysteries surrounding Gu Xingjian and the Root Ghost, deepening his understanding of their intentions and the true power dynamics at play.
• Gu Xingjian: His actions and motivations remain enigmatic, but Ji Li concludes that Gu Xingjian wants him to survive the mission.
• Song Yitong: She survives the mission's onslaught longer than any other staff member, showcasing her resilience and strength.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against Tianhai Hotel's control and the search for a way to undermine its power.
• The theme of gambling and the high stakes involved in Ji Li's mission and his confrontation with Tianhai.
• The exploration of the past, present, and future of Tianhai, as seen through Gu Xingjian's actions and Ji Li's discoveries.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li interacts with the Root Ghost, learning more about its role in the mission and its deal with Tianhai.
• Ji Li encounters Song Yitong, the last surviving staff member, who shares her speculation about Gu Xingjian's intentions regarding the five special locations.
• Ji Li takes Director Wang with him as he leaves Tiannan Academy, tying up a loose end related to Yu Guo's death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins on New Year's Day, with Ji Li standing outside the Tiannan Academy of Drama, feeling agitated by the noise and crowds celebrating the New Year.
• Ji Li gets into a taxi driven by a cheerful young man who talks non-stop about his upcoming wedding, causing Ji Li distress as it reminds him of Yu Guo's death.
• Ji Li hallucinates, seeing the driver's face transform into Yu Guo's. He becomes detached and lights a cigarette.
• After a long drive, Ji Li sees a young girl in a white down jacket running and playing with sparklers. She is abducted by a figure in a black robe and baseball cap, dragging her into an alley.

Character Developments

• Ji Li struggles with his mental state, experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations triggered by the New Year's celebrations and the driver's happiness.
• Ji Li's second and third personalities attempt to soothe him but are ineffective.
• The driver, initially cheerful and talkative, becomes quiet and unaware of Ji Li's distress.

Significant Themes

• Noise and crowds trigger Ji Li's mental instability, highlighting his struggle with his environment and memories.
• The driver's happiness and anticipation for the new year contrast with Ji Li's despair, emphasizing the theme of isolation and disconnection from others' joy.
• The abduction of the young girl serves as a catalyst for Ji Li's potential involvement in the situation, foreshadowing his possible actions.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and the taxi driver have a one-sided conversation, with Ji Li not engaging in the dialogue due to his mental state.
• Ji Li observes the young girl playing with sparklers, feeling a connection to her youthful joy before witnessing her abduction.
• Ji Li's second and third personalities attempt to interact with him, trying to calm him down, but their efforts are futile.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li witnesses a kidnapping on New Year's Day.
• He reflects on Yu Guo's death and its impact on him.
• Ji Li returns to the Seventh Branch and calls for a meeting with his employees.
• Four new employees are introduced to replace those who died in the Tiannan Academy of Drama mission.
• Ji Li reveals that Hong Fu's seat once belonged to Yu Guo.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: Struggles with the death of Yu Guo, his only friend. He's introspective and melancholic.
• Yu Guo: Though deceased, his impact on Ji Li is significant. His memory is honored by Ji Li.
• Hong Fu: Unaware of the significance of his seat, he shows curiosity about Yu Guo.
• Fang Shenyan: Feels a sense of loss and confusion, later realizing it's due to Yu Guo's absence.

Significant Themes

• Death and its impact: Ji Li grapples with Yu Guo's death, showing the emotional toll it takes on him.
• Friendship: Ji Li's grief highlights the importance of friendship in his life.
• Memory and legacy: Yu Guo's chair serves as a reminder of his existence and impact.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Mei Sheng: They share a quiet, wordless moment on the bridge, each lost in thought.
• Ji Li and Tong Guan: Tong Guan questions Ji Li about the Tiannan Academy of Drama mission, seeking answers about the missing employees.
• Ji Li and the employees: Ji Li reveals information about Yu Guo to his employees, sparking curiosity and reflection.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li returns from the Tiannan mission as the sole survivor and the new dual store manager (7th and 10th branches).
• He distributes Sin Items from the mission, including the Comb, Cartilage, scissors, and Tassel Earring.
• Tong Guan expresses concern about Ji Li's dual manager status, hinting at a secret involving the External Ghost Faction.
• Gu Xingjian attempts to communicate with a ghost from the Tiannan mission, mentioning a "Life-Swapping" plan.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: Shows leadership by distributing Sin Items and acknowledges his dual manager status without elaboration.
• Tong Guan: Expresses worry about Ji Li's new position and shares a secret about the External Ghost Faction.
• Gu Xingjian: Attempts to communicate with a ghost and reveals plans to perform a "Life-Swapping."

Significant Themes

• Death and the afterlife, as seen through the Sin Items and Gu Xingjian's communication with a ghost.
• Leadership and responsibility, demonstrated by Ji Li's actions as the new dual store manager.
• Secrets and hidden knowledge, hinted at through Tong Guan's revelation and Gu Xingjian's plans.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Tong Guan: Ji Li tacitly acknowledges his dual manager status, causing Tong Guan to worry and share a secret.
• Gu Xingjian and the ghost: Gu Xingjian attempts to communicate with a ghost from the Tiannan mission, revealing his plans for a "Life-Swapping."

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xue Tingtao, a 10-year-old boy, loses his parents and elder brother in a tragic incident.
• Years later, Xue Tingtao wakes up after a long coma, finding himself the Branch Manager of the Fourth Branch with no memory of how he got there or how he obtained powerful Sin Items.
• He struggles to remember something important but can't, causing him distress.
• The Fourth Branch has four new recruits, including a mysterious man named Wei Guang.

Character Developments

• Xue Tingtao: From a timid, confused child, he grows into a man with a mysterious past and powerful position, struggling with memory loss.
• Wei Guang: A new recruit with a mysterious appearance and past, keeping his distance from the other newcomers.

Significant Themes

• Loss and grief: Xue Tingtao's childhood trauma shapes his life, and his current struggle with memory loss echoes this theme.
• Power and responsibility: Xue Tingtao's new position as Branch Manager comes with powerful Sin Items but also responsibilities he's unsure of.
• Identity: Xue Tingtao's memory loss raises questions about his identity and how he became who he is.

Character Interactions

• Xue Tingtao interacts with his parents and brother in flashbacks, showing their close relationship.
• Xue Tingtao interacts with Huang Mingyuan, a senior staff member, who tries to calm him down after his distressing outburst.
• Wei Guang keeps to himself, observing Xue Tingtao and the other newcomers from a distance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li wakes up to find his phone ringing and discovers that he can now access Branch No. 10 through a door in his room.
• He visits Branch No. 10 in Huhai City, finding it empty and quiet, with ghosts on the second floor acknowledging his authority.
• The staff of Branch No. 10 mistakes Ji Li for a new recruit, causing a commotion. Quan Liang recognizes Ji Li as the new Branch Manager.

Character Developments

• Ji Li shows indifference and annoyance towards the staff's behavior, hinting at his growing impatience and disdain for their incompetence.
• Quan Liang, initially disheveled and sleepy, quickly recognizes Ji Li's importance and publicly acknowledges him as the new Branch Manager, displaying loyalty and quick thinking.

Significant Themes

• Power and Authority: Ji Li's new position as Branch Manager of both the Seventh Branch and Branch No. 10 grants him increased authority and influence.
• Perception vs. Reality: Branch No. 10 is revealed to be stronger than initially believed, challenging the reader's expectations.
• Hope and Change: Ji Li's arrival brings hope to the staff of Branch No. 10, signaling potential positive changes in the branch's fortune.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li interacts minimally with the staff of Branch No. 10, displaying a lack of interest in their enthusiasm, which contrasts with their eagerness to meet him.
• Quan Liang's interaction with Ji Li is brief but significant, as he publicly acknowledges Ji Li's authority, potentially forging a bond between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Quan Liang, a legendary figure with a humble background, rises to become General Manager of a subsidiary and later an Elder at Branch No. 10.
• Ji Li arrives at Branch No. 10, and Quan Liang greets him with exaggerated flattery to intimidate and impress the other employees.
• Ji Li remains indifferent, and the employees are shocked by Quan Liang's behavior. Ji Li asks if killing is restricted within the store.

Character Developments

• Quan Liang: Despite his humble beginnings, he climbs the corporate ladder through his keen observation skills and silver tongue. He uses his flattery skills to intimidate Ji Li and the employees.
• Ji Li: He remains composed and indifferent, unimpressed by Quan Liang's flattery. His reputation precedes him, instilling fear in the employees.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The chapter explores power dynamics within the organization, with Ji Li's reputation and Quan Liang's flattery tactics being used to assert dominance.
• Deception vs. Authenticity: Quan Liang's exaggerated flattery contrasts with Ji Li's authentic indifference, highlighting the difference between genuine and insincere behavior.

Character Interactions

• Quan Liang and Ji Li: Quan Liang attempts to intimidate Ji Li with his flattery, but Ji Li remains unmoved, showing the ineffectiveness of Quan Liang's tactics against Ji Li's power and reputation.
• Quan Liang and Branch No. 10 Employees: Quan Liang's behavior shocks the employees, highlighting the contrast between his usual demeanor and his current sycophantic attitude.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Li arrives at Branch No. 10, appoints Quan Liang as Vice Branch Manager, and leaves for a new mission.
• Ji Li learns that Quan Liang survived the last Manager Mission due to Gu Xingjian's intervention.
• Ji Li assigns a mission to three staff members from Branch No. 10, including a joint mission with the Fourth and Seventh Branches.
• Ji Li returns to the Seventh Branch and encounters Mei Sheng, selecting her for the mission.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: Shows decisiveness in managing Branch No. 10, displays knowledge of past events, and demonstrates strategic thinking in mission selection.
• Quan Liang: Shows obedience and understanding of the new Branch Manager's authority, also displays resourcefulness in interpreting the mission's benefits for Branch No. 10.
• Mei Sheng: Receives a mission email from Tianhai, indicating her selection for the mission.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: Ji Li's appointment of Quan Liang and his decision-making in the mission highlight his authority and the power dynamics within the branches.
• Survival and Adaptation: Quan Liang's survival and his interpretation of the mission's benefits for Branch No. 10 emphasize the characters' ability to adapt and survive in their environment.
• Cooperation and Competition: The joint mission between the Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Branches underscores the themes of cooperation and competition among the branches.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Quan Liang: Ji Li's appointment of Quan Liang as Vice Branch Manager and their subsequent conversation demonstrate a hierarchical relationship, with Ji Li holding the power and Quan Liang showing deference.
• Ji Li and Mei Sheng: Ji Li's selection of Mei Sheng for the mission indicates his recognition of her abilities and his trust in her, while Mei Sheng's suspicious look at Ji Li hints at a complex dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with Ji Li and Mei Sheng driving to Chengxiang Port for a new mission. Despite its name, the port is actually an old, poor street in Qingtian District, filled with migrant workers.
• Ji Li, observing the road, seems distracted by a vision of a ghost child and Yu Guo on a bridge.
• They arrive at Chengxiang Port, where Ji Li, wearing a mask, and Mei Sheng navigate through the chaotic, poor streets. A child falls into a snowdrift, and Mei Sheng helps him up. The child offers to help them find someone, but a woman scolds him, warning about a recent incident in Unit 302 where a girl was harmed.

Character Developments

• Ji Li: He seems preoccupied with his vision of the ghost child and Yu Guo, suggesting he's still thinking about the Yu Guo case. He's quiet and distant during the drive, not engaging in pre-mission analysis as he usually does.
• Mei Sheng: She shows professionalism and calmness in her driving and demeanor, despite the chaotic environment. She's also observant, deducing that their employer could be a family member of a kidnapped person. She shows kindness by helping the child, which is unusual for her serious and reserved character.

Significant Themes

• Poverty and Inequality: Chengxiang Port represents the stark contrast between the wealthy city and the poor migrant workers, highlighting social inequality.
• The Past and Present: The mention of Unit 302 and the recent incident there suggests a connection to the past, possibly hinting at recurring or unresolved issues.

Character Interactions

• Ji Li and Mei Sheng: They have minimal interaction, with Mei Sheng doing most of the talking during the drive. Ji Li seems distracted and distant, not engaging in their usual pre-mission discussion.
• Mei Sheng and the Child: Mei Sheng's kindness towards the child is a rare display of compassion, showing a softer side of her character. The child's offer to help them find someone hints at potential local connections or information.