Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi, a young man with supernatural skills inherited from his Taoist master, arrives in Tokyo with the help of an old friend of his master, Zhang Chunfa (Brother Zhang).
• Qian Xiaoyi's master, Daoist Lingkong, passed away, and in a dream, he advised Qian Xiaoyi to go to Japan due to its oppressive social environment that breeds ghosts, and the good security.
• Qian Xiaoyi meets Brother Zhang, who assists him with accommodation and a long-term visa.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi: He is a young man with supernatural skills, determined to make a name for himself in Tokyo. He is resourceful, quick to learn, and has a strong sense of responsibility towards his master's legacy.
• Daoist Lingkong: Although deceased, his influence is significant. He was a wise and caring master who planned for Qian Xiaoyi's future even in his final moments.

Significant Themes

• Cultural Exchange: The story explores the cultural exchange between China and Japan, with Qian Xiaoyi bringing his Chinese supernatural skills to Japan.
• Loyalty: The theme of loyalty is evident in Brother Zhang's assistance to Qian Xiaoyi, fulfilling his promise to Daoist Lingkong.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Daoist Lingkong: Their master-disciple bond is strong, with Daoist Lingkong guiding Qian Xiaoyi even in his dreams.
• Qian Xiaoyi and Brother Zhang: They form a mutually beneficial relationship, with Brother Zhang helping Qian Xiaoyi establish himself in Tokyo, and Qian Xiaoyi offering his supernatural services in return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi, a Taoist priest from China, struggles to find clients in Tokyo, Japan, three months after his arrival.
• He performs free rituals for harmless spirits but is arrested due to public disturbance, leading him to stop helping these spirits.
• Qian Xiaoyi tries various advertising methods but faces rejection and coldness from the Japanese public.
• He encounters A Jian, a fat otaku ghost who died waiting for a game sequel, and decides to let him be as he's not causing trouble.
• Qian Xiaoyi witnesses a ghost harassing a high school student in a supermarket and decides not to intervene, as he doesn't want to waste his discounted bentos.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi: He becomes more resigned to his situation in Japan, accepting that he can't help every spirit he sees and focusing on his own survival. He also shows a pragmatic side, choosing to buy discounted bentos instead of immediately helping the high school student.
• A Jian: The fat otaku ghost remains obsessed with his unfulfilled wish, waiting for a game sequel that may never come.

Significant Themes

• Isolation and insularity of Japanese society, making it difficult for Qian Xiaoyi to find clients.
• The pragmatic approach Qian Xiaoyi takes towards his situation, focusing on his own needs rather than immediately helping others.
• The consequences of unfulfilled desires and obsessions, as seen in A Jian's story.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and A Jian: Qian Xiaoyi shows understanding towards A Jian's obsession and decides not to force him to move on, allowing the ghost to stay as long as he's not causing trouble.
• Qian Xiaoyi and the high school student: Qian Xiaoyi witnesses the ghost harassing the student but chooses not to intervene, showing a moment of indifference.
• Qian Xiaoyi and the supermarket crowd: He competes with others for discounted bentos, highlighting the competitive nature of Japanese society.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi follows the Bagua Compass to a bustling commercial street.
• He witnesses a group of delinquents harassing a high school student, Inuyama Heita.
• Qian Xiaoyi intervenes, revealing his ability to see ghosts to the student.
• Heita's ghostly pursuer, Oda, is introduced, seeking Heita's help.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi demonstrates his calm and collected demeanor, even in tense situations.
• Inuyama Heita shows fear and hesitation but is willing to help Oda after learning he's not evil.
• Oda, the ghost, is revealed to have a strong attachment to the living world, seeking help from Heita.

Significant Themes

• The ability to see ghosts and interact with them.
• The concept of unfinished business driving spirits.
• The fear and prejudice against delinquents in society.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi helps Inuyama Heita, showing a protective and guiding nature.
• Inuyama Heita and Oda form a connection due to Oda's plea for help.
• The delinquents' interaction with Heita highlights societal apathy towards minor crimes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Oda, a ghost, dies in a traffic accident after a personal crisis. He lingers to help his grieving sister, Riko.
• Inuyama Heita encounters Oda and agrees to convey his final message to Riko. Oda then disappears, having fulfilled his wish.
• Inuyama Heita meets Qian Xiaoyi, a Taoist priest, who gives him his business card and offers help with his clairvoyant eyes.
• Inuyama Heita visits Qian Xiaoyi the next day, seeking advice and eventually asks to work at his office.

Character Developments

• Oda: A ghost who seeks to help his sister overcome her grief, showing a caring and responsible side despite his tragic past.
• Inuyama Heita: Develops from a fearful and hesitant individual to one who takes initiative, seeking help and eventually employment with Qian Xiaoyi.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Initially portrayed as confident and skilled, Qian Xiaoyi's backstory reveals he's struggling to find clients and make a living, hinting at a more vulnerable side.

Significant Themes

• Grief and Loss: Oda's lingering as a ghost to help his sister highlights the impact of loss and the struggle to move on.
• Self-Discovery: Inuyama Heita's journey to understand and accept his clairvoyant abilities mirrors self-discovery and growth.
• Help and Support: Both Oda and Inuyama Heita seek help, emphasizing the importance of support and connection in overcoming challenges.

Character Interactions

• Oda and Inuyama Heita: Oda's plea for help leads to a brief but meaningful interaction with Inuyama Heita, who agrees to convey his message.
• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita: Qian Xiaoyi's initial confidence gives way to a more genuine, helpful demeanor as he interacts with Inuyama Heita, ultimately leading to an offer of employment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita visits Qian Xiaoyi's office, seeking a job.
• Qian Xiaoyi initially declines, citing his own financial struggles and the boy's lack of experience.
• Inuyama Heita reveals his dire financial situation and lack of job opportunities due to his ability to see ghosts.
• Qian Xiaoyi, after learning Inuyama Heita's circumstances, arranges for him to work at a Chinese restaurant through a friend.
• Qian Xiaoyi helps Inuyama Heita despite their brief acquaintance, contrasting with the city's indifference.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi: Shows a more empathetic side, helping Inuyama Heita despite his initial reluctance and financial struggles. He reveals his cynical view of society and its lack of appreciation for genuine skills.
• Inuyama Heita: Demonstrates determination and desperation in finding a job. He is grateful and puzzled by Qian Xiaoyi's help, contrasting with the indifference he's experienced in Tokyo.

Significant Themes

• Financial Struggles: Both Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita face financial difficulties, highlighting the challenges of making ends meet.
• Indifference vs. Empathy: Qian Xiaoyi's help contrasts with the general indifference Inuyama Heita has experienced in Tokyo, raising questions about societal apathy.
• The Value of Skills: Qian Xiaoyi laments that people who are good at talking often get further than those with real skills, emphasizing the devaluation of genuine abilities.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita's interaction is initially tense but evolves into a helping relationship, with Qian Xiaoyi arranging a job for Inuyama Heita.
• Qian Xiaoyi's friend in Tokyo, who owns a Chinese restaurant, is mentioned but does not appear in this chapter. Their relationship is implied to be close enough for Qian Xiaoyi to ask for a favor on Inuyama Heita's behalf.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita, working at "Shanwai Lou," receives home-cooked meals from his colleagues, making him feel appreciated and happy.
• He visits Qian Xiaoyi again, expressing gratitude, and his ability to distinguish spirits improves.
• While rushing home, Inuyama Heita witnesses a classmate, Suzuki, being targeted by a spirit through a man named Matsui.
• Despite initial hesitation, Inuyama Heita intervenes, disrupting the spirit's attempt to possess Suzuki.
• Matsui retreats, and Suzuki thanks Inuyama Heita, who then leaves quickly.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Shows growth in selflessness and courage, choosing to help Suzuki despite the risk to himself.
• Suzuki: Remains unaware of the supernatural events but is grateful for Inuyama Heita's help.
• Matsui: Revealed to be aiding spirits in possessing people, showing cunning and cold calculation.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between self-preservation and helping others.
• The consequences of ignoring one's conscience and not interfering in others' affairs.
• The growing awareness and acceptance of the supernatural world by Inuyama Heita.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Suzuki: Their brief interaction shows a shift from acquaintances to potential allies, with Inuyama Heita protecting Suzuki.
• Inuyama Heita and Matsui: Their encounter hints at future conflict, with Matsui taking note of Inuyama Heita's ability to see spirits.
• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: Their relationship remains one-sided gratitude, with Qian Xiaoyi not showing much interest in Inuyama Heita's growth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita visits Qian Xiaoyi's office, seeking help with a supernatural issue he witnessed.
• Qian Xiaoyi explains the complexity of dealing with such issues in Japan's religious landscape.
• Inuyama Heita tries to warn Suzuki about the supernatural threat but struggles to find the right approach.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi: Realizes the challenges of practicing his craft in Japan's diverse and legal religious environment. Shows reluctance to intervene due to potential backlash and lack of support.
• Inuyama Heita: Becomes more aware of the complexities surrounding supernatural issues and their resolution. Struggles with how to warn Suzuki about the threat without sounding crazy.

Significant Themes

• The challenges of practicing religion and supernatural beliefs in a diverse, legal, and secular society.
• The struggle to uphold justice and protect others when faced with complex societal norms and legal constraints.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita: Qian Xiaoyi explains his reservations about intervening in supernatural issues in Japan, leading to a more realistic understanding from Inuyama Heita.
• Inuyama Heita and Suzuki: Inuyama Heita tries to warn Suzuki about the supernatural threat but struggles to find the right approach, leading to a somewhat awkward interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita decides to stay indifferent to Suzuki's situation after initially feeling concerned.
• Matsui, the man from the religious group, finds Inuyama at his part-time job and invites him to join the Lucky Mutual Aid Society, claiming Suzuki is already involved.
• Inuyama attends the Lucky Mutual Aid Society's gathering, where he sees Suzuki and Qian Xiaoyi.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Struggles with his conscience regarding Suzuki's situation but ultimately decides to prioritize his own life. He becomes more determined to find out what's happening after Suzuki's absence from school.
• Matsui: Reveals more about the Lucky Mutual Aid Society and its methods, showing he's willing to manipulate others to achieve the group's goals.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between self-preservation and moral responsibility.
• The manipulative tactics of religious groups and cults.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Matsui: Their interaction reveals Matsui's manipulative nature and Inuyama's growing concern for Suzuki.
• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: They make eye contact at the gathering, hinting at a potential connection or shared secret.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi attend the Lucky Mutual Aid Society gathering under false pretenses.
• Heita is there to check on his classmate Suzuki's condition, while Xiaoyi is there to learn and exchange information.
• The society's venue is unexpectedly bright and harmonious, unlike Heita's expectations of a cult gathering.
• Heita and Xiaoyi help themselves to the snacks, with Xiaoyi justifying it as getting their money's worth.
• Matsui, a member of the society, greets Heita and teases him about his snacking.
• Matsui reveals that Suzuki is present but will be seen later, and he tries to convince Heita that the society is beneficial to its members.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Shows concern for Suzuki's well-being and is initially naive about the society's true nature. He is easily influenced by Matsui's words but maintains some skepticism.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Displays his practical and opportunistic nature by helping himself to the snacks without guilt. He remains observant and cautious, noticing details like the handprint on the receptionist's neck.
• Matsui: Reveals his charismatic and manipulative side, trying to sway Heita's opinion of the society. He hints at the society's ability to give its members a sense of existence and purpose.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs. Reality: The society's venue and members are far more ordinary and harmonious than Heita's expectations, challenging his preconceived notions of cults.
• Manipulation and Persuasion: Matsui uses his charisma and words to try to convince Heita of the society's benefits, highlighting the theme of manipulation.
• Identity and Belonging: The society offers its members a sense of existence and belonging, which they may lack in their ordinary lives.

Character Interactions

• Heita and Xiaoyi: They work together to gather information, with Xiaoyi taking the lead in observing and interacting with the society's members.
• Heita and Matsui: Matsui teases Heita about his snacking and tries to persuade him to see the society in a positive light. Heita is initially swayed but remains cautious.
• Xiaoyi and Matsui: Xiaoyi observes Matsui from a distance, trying to understand the society's true nature and its leader's intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Matsui, a representative of the Lucky Mutual Aid Society, tries to recruit Inuyama Heita by presenting the society as a fair platform where talented individuals can thrive, while the mediocre find peace.
• Qian Xiaoyi, a new attendee, approaches Matsui, expressing strong agreement with his views and causing Matsui discomfort with his eccentric behavior.
• Qian Xiaoyi accidentally stains Matsui's suit with cream, and despite Matsui's attempts to leave, Qian Xiaoyi insists on helping, making the stain worse.
• The gathering is about to begin, and attendees find their assigned seats.

Character Developments

• Matsui: Reveals his manipulative nature, trying to recruit Heita by playing on his sympathies. Shows discomfort and annoyance with Qian Xiaoyi's behavior.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Exhibits eccentric and oblivious behavior, causing discomfort to Matsui. Shows no respect for Matsui's expensive suit and appears to have an ulterior motive for attending the gathering.
• Inuyama Heita: Struggles with socializing and feels out of place among the adult attendees. He remains focused on finding Suzuki, his missing friend.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Matsui tries to recruit Heita by presenting a skewed perspective of the society.
• Social dynamics: The society is portrayed as a place where the strong can thrive, while the weak find contentment, reflecting real-world social dynamics.
• Appearance vs. reality: Matsui's polished appearance and speech contrast with his manipulative intentions, while Qian Xiaoyi's seemingly harmless demeanor hides his eccentric behavior.

Character Interactions

• Matsui and Heita: Matsui tries to recruit Heita, but Heita remains unconvinced and uncomfortable with Matsui's methods.
• Matsui and Qian Xiaoyi: Matsui is discomforted by Qian Xiaoyi's behavior, and Qian Xiaoyi appears to have an ulterior motive for approaching Matsui.
• Qian Xiaoyi and Heita: Qian Xiaoyi shows no respect for Heita's concerns about Suzuki and focuses on enjoying the free snacks and gathering information.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi attend a gathering of the Lucky Mutual Aid Society.
• President Oiwa, the society's leader, enters and interacts with the members, creating a frenzied atmosphere.
• Qian Xiaoyi explains that the society targets marginalized individuals seeking excuses for their circumstances and a sense of belonging.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Becomes more uneasy as he observes the society's members and their devotion to President Oiwa.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Shows insight into the society's recruitment tactics and targets, displaying his observational skills and understanding of human psychology.

Significant Themes

• Escapism: Members of the society seek refuge from their harsh realities and find a sense of belonging within the group.
• Manipulation: President Oiwa uses his charisma and the members' vulnerabilities to control and exploit them.
• Social Inequality: The society targets marginalized individuals, highlighting the disparities in society and the desperation of those on the fringes.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: Qian Xiaoyi guides Inuyama Heita, providing him with insights into the society's dynamics and helping him understand the members' motivations.
• President Oiwa and the members: President Oiwa manipulates the members' emotions, creating a frenzied atmosphere and solidifying their devotion to him and the society.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kuroda Nobunaga, a truck driver who had a life-changing accident and became homeless, shares his story and expresses gratitude to the society for turning his life around.
• The Lucky Mutual Aid Society holds a gathering where members share their success stories, fostering a sense of community and hope for attendees.
• President Oiwa announces that a non-member, Miss Suzuki, will undergo a 'ritual' to become a part of the society, with her daughter Suzuki accompanying her.

Character Developments

• Kuroda Nobunaga: Transforms from a desperate, homeless man to a hopeful individual with a job and reunited family.
• Suzuki: Initially impatient, she seems to have agreed to participate in the ritual under certain conditions from her mother.

Significant Themes

• Community and mutual support: The society provides a sense of belonging and hope for its members.
• Transformation and redemption: Members share stories of turning their lives around, emphasizing the society's positive impact.
• Uncertainty about the 'ritual': The true nature and purpose of the ritual remain unclear, creating intrigue and unease.

Character Interactions

• Kuroda Nobunaga and President Oiwa: Kuroda expresses deep gratitude to President Oiwa, who humbly attributes the success to the collective effort of the society.
• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita: Qian remains skeptical and observant, while Inuyama shows concern for Suzuki and urges action, revealing his warm-hearted nature.
• Suzuki and her mother: Their dynamic suggests Suzuki agreed to participate in the ritual under certain conditions, with her mother being the driving force behind it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• President Oiwa performs a ritual to strengthen his bond with Suzuki, predicting good fortune for her.
• A smoke fetus, unseen by most, crawls towards Suzuki but bypasses her and enters the crowd.
• Qian Xiaoyi uses Soul Guiding Incense to absorb the fetus into a Scrap Jade Pendant.
• Qian Xiaoyi leaves the venue, instructing Inuyama Heita to stay behind to avoid suspicion.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Shows curiosity and trust in Qian Xiaoyi, follows his instructions, and understands the importance of maintaining his innocence.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Demonstrates his abilities and cunning, successfully absorbing the smoke fetus and escaping unnoticed.
• President Oiwa: Reveals his desperation and anxiety when the ritual goes awry, showing a vulnerable side.

Significant Themes

• The power of luck and fortune, and the belief in rituals to influence one's destiny.
• The contrast between public perception and reality, as seen through President Oiwa's actions and the audience's reactions.
• Trust and deception, as Qian Xiaoyi manipulates Inuyama Heita and the situation to his advantage.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: Qian Xiaoyi guides Inuyama Heita, who follows his instructions without fully understanding the situation. They part ways, with Qian Xiaoyi ensuring Inuyama Heita's safety and innocence.
• President Oiwa and the audience: President Oiwa's actions on stage contrast with the audience's perception of him, highlighting the gap between his true intentions and their expectations.
• President Oiwa and the smoke fetus: President Oiwa's attempts to control the fetus reveal his desperation and anxiety when the ritual goes awry.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The fetus creature, summoned by President Oiwa, escapes during a ritual.
• President Oiwa and Matsui search for the creature but can't find it.
• Matsui tries to recruit Inuyama Heita into their organization but fails.
• President Oiwa leaves for drinks, leaving Matsui to continue the search.

Character Developments

• President Oiwa: Shows incompetence in handling the situation and prioritizes his personal time.
• Matsui: Becomes suspicious of Inuyama Heita but can't prove his involvement.
• Inuyama Heita: Maintains his innocence while subtly mocking Matsui's failed ritual.
• Suzuki: Confronts Inuyama Heita about his presence at the event.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and incompetence within the Lucky Mutual Aid Society.
• The organization's reliance on the fetus creature for power and influence.
• The potential danger of dealing with supernatural entities.

Character Interactions

• Matsui and President Oiwa: Matsui grows irritated with President Oiwa's lack of urgency in finding the fetus.
• Matsui and Inuyama Heita: Matsui tries to recruit Heita but is rebuffed, leading to tension between them.
• Suzuki and Inuyama Heita: Suzuki questions Heita about his involvement in the event, showing concern for her pendant's safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita meets Suzuki at the Lucky Mutual Aid Society gathering. She warns him about the group's scams.
• Suzuki reveals she was forced to attend due to her mother's threat.
• Inuyama Heita takes photos of Suzuki's pendant at Qian Xiaoyi's request.
• Heita visits Qian Xiaoyi at the Lingkong Exorcism Office, seeking information about the pendant.
• Qian Xiaoyi reveals he's found something but is reluctant to share with Heita.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: Heita shows concern for Suzuki's well-being, revealing a caring side. He also shares his personal history with religious groups, hinting at a deeper motivation for his involvement.
• Suzuki: Suzuki shows skepticism towards the Lucky Mutual Aid Society and its claims, despite being forced to participate.
• Qian Xiaoyi: Qian displays a mix of arrogance and professionalism, initially refusing to share information with Heita. He later shows understanding and empathy towards Heita's personal history.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Deception: The Lucky Mutual Aid Society is portrayed as a group preying on people's desperation and gullibility.
• Family Pressure: Suzuki and Heita's situations highlight the influence of family expectations and pressure on individual decisions.
• Personal Motivation: Both Heita and Qian Xiaoyi have personal reasons for their involvement in the case, revealing their deeper motivations.

Character Interactions

• Heita and Suzuki: They have a brief interaction where Suzuki warns Heita about the group, and Heita asks to see her pendant.
• Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: Their interaction is tense initially, with Qian Xiaoyi refusing to share information. However, after Heita shares his personal history, Qian shows understanding and empathy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi, a foreigner, agrees to investigate the inner workings of a religious group but demands a high fee due to the risks involved.
• Inuyama Heita, unable to afford the fee, is offered a job as Qian Xiaoyi's assistant in exchange for investigating the group.
• Qian Xiaoyi reveals that the jade pendant Inuyama Heita saw earlier is a Southeast Asian sorcery object called 'Kuman Thong,' used to raise ghost children.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi: Shows his business acumen and willingness to take risks, but also displays a caring side by offering Inuyama Heita a job.
• Inuyama Heita: Demonstrates adaptability and understanding of his financial situation, accepting the job offer without much consideration.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between financial needs and moral obligations.
• The dangers of engaging with dark arts and supernatural entities.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita: Qian Xiaoyi initially seems to take advantage of Inuyama Heita's situation but later offers him a job, showing a level of care. Inuyama Heita, in turn, accepts the job without much negotiation, showing trust in Qian Xiaoyi.
• The chapter explores the relationship between employer and employee, with Qian Xiaoyi acting as the employer and Inuyama Heita as the employee.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi explains the mechanism of the possessed doll's 'good luck' to Inuyama Heita.
• Qian Xiaoyi reveals that the office's storage room was the scene of a murder.
• Qian Xiaoyi continues working on the possessed doll's exorcism inside the storage room.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita shows fear and unease when learning about the murder scene, but Qian Xiaoyi's calm reassurance helps him cope.
• Qian Xiaoyi demonstrates his knowledge of evil arts and their consequences, showing his expertise and nonchalance towards supernatural events.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of evil actions and the cycle of misfortune.
• The manipulation of people's emotions and misfortune for personal gain.
• The fear of the unknown and the coping mechanisms for dealing with it.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita work together to prepare the storage room for the exorcism.
• Qian Xiaoyi educates Inuyama Heita about the possessed doll's nature and the 'Lucky Mutual Aid Society's' possible motivations.
• Qian Xiaoyi reassures Inuyama Heita when he's frightened, showing a level of care and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian Xiaoyi creates a makeshift altar in the storage room for the 'little ghost' he 'kidnapped'.
• Inuyama Heita sees an eerie fetus-like figure formed from smoke on the altar.
• Qian Xiaoyi explains that the 'little ghosts' need a container to exist long-term and can only survive up to seven days outside their original body.
• Qian Xiaoyi predicts that Inuyama Heita will encounter misfortune and financial loss soon.
• The next day, Inuyama Heita accidentally scalds a customer at his part-time job, causing a scene.

Character Developments

• Qian Xiaoyi shows his professional composure and knowledge about the 'little ghosts'.
• Inuyama Heita feels a mix of excitement and unease about their plan and later experiences a mishap at work.

Significant Themes

• The transient nature of the 'little ghosts' and their dependence on containers for existence.
• Qian Xiaoyi's prediction of misfortune and its immediate manifestation in Inuyama Heita's life.

Character Interactions

• Qian Xiaoyi and Inuyama Heita discuss their plan and Qian Xiaoyi acts like a nagging parent, telling Inuyama Heita to focus on his studies.
• At the restaurant, Inuyama Heita interacts with the injured customer and his companion, leading to a heated argument.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita is reprimanded by his supervisor at Shanwai Lou after a customer is scalded by soup.
• He contacts Qian Xiaoyi, who warns him about impending trouble from Matsui.
• The next day, two thugs, presumably sent by Matsui, confront Inuyama Heita, demanding compensation for the scalding incident.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita shows resilience and calmness after being scolded, indicating growth in handling pressure.
• Qian Xiaoyi demonstrates foresight and manipulation, anticipating Matsui's moves and guiding Inuyama Heita.
• The thugs display aggressive and manipulative behavior, threatening Inuyama Heita to secure compensation.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Control: Qian Xiaoyi manipulates the situation to his advantage, while the thugs try to control Inuyama Heita.
• Consequences of Actions: Inuyama Heita faces potential repercussions at school due to the scalding incident, highlighting the theme of cause and effect.
• Desperation and Help Seeking: Inuyama Heita's financial struggles and lack of support could lead him to seek help from Matsui, despite knowing it might not be wise.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: Qian Xiaoyi provides guidance and information to Inuyama Heita, manipulating the situation to maintain control.
• Inuyama Heita and the Thugs: The thugs threaten and intimidate Inuyama Heita, attempting to coerce him into paying compensation.
• Qian Xiaoyi and Unknown Acquaintances: Qian Xiaoyi socializes with others, showing his network and influence, contrasting with Inuyama Heita's isolation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inuyama Heita is extorted by two thugs, leaving him with little money.
• He contacts Qian Xiaoyi and, following her advice, calls the Lucky Mutual Aid Society for help.
• Matsui, the leader of the society, offers Inuyama Heita a part-time job and promises to handle the thugs.
• The next day, Matsui and members of the society confront the thugs and take them away.

Character Developments

• Inuyama Heita: He maintains his calm demeanor despite being extorted, showing resilience and strategic thinking as he seeks help from the Lucky Mutual Aid Society.
• Matsui: He reveals his manipulative side, orchestrating the extortion to draw Inuyama Heita in. He also demonstrates his influence and power by swiftly dealing with the thugs.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Matsui's actions show his willingness to manipulate others for his gain.
• Power dynamics: Matsui's intervention highlights the power imbalance between him and the thugs, as well as between him and Inuyama Heita.

Character Interactions

• Inuyama Heita and Qian Xiaoyi: They collaborate to deceive Matsui, with Qian Xiaoyi providing guidance on how to act.
• Inuyama Heita and Matsui: Their interaction reveals Matsui's manipulative nature and Inuyama Heita's strategic thinking.
• Matsui and the thugs: Matsui's intervention shows his power and influence, as he easily dispatches the thugs.