Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist discovers that Gu Junze and Liu Shengxuan, who were involved in a supernatural event twelve years ago, are now living happily abroad as a couple with an adopted child.
• The protagonist finds Wang Ziming's social media account, which contains homophobic rants from 2010, implying a falling out with Gu Junze around that time.
• The protagonist notices that Liu Shengxuan's face in recent photos resembles Chen Jia, the ghost from their past encounter.

Character Developments

• The protagonist becomes increasingly suspicious and unsettled about Gu Junze and Liu Shengxuan's relationship.
• Wang Ziming's homophobic rants suggest a possible reason for his falling out with Gu Junze.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural event's lasting impact on the characters' lives.
• The theme of hidden truths and deception, as the protagonist starts to question the nature of Gu Junze and Liu Shengxuan's relationship.
• The exploration of homophobia and its consequences.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Gu Junze and Liu Shengxuan's social media profiles, piecing together their lives since the supernatural event.
• The protagonist shares his findings with his colleagues, Fatty, Guo Yujie, and Chen Xiaoqiu, who help him analyze the situation.
• The protagonist reaches out to Prince Ming for more information about Gu Junze.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, Qi Ge, suspects that Liu Shengxuan's appearance is changing to resemble Chen Jia, a man who died years ago.
• Qi Ge contacts Wang Ziming, an old classmate of Liu Shengxuan and Gu Junze, to gather information.
• Wang Ziming warns Qi Ge about the dangers of getting involved with Gu Junze and shares his knowledge of past events.

Character Developments

• Qi Ge: Becomes increasingly curious and concerned about the relationship between Liu Shengxuan, Gu Junze, and Chen Jia.
• Wang Ziming: Revealed to be a warm and sincere person, willing to share his knowledge to protect Qi Ge.

Significant Themes

• The power of words and beliefs (Fatty's mention of "spoken magic").
• The consequences of hidden truths and secrets (Wang Ziming's warning about Gu Junze).

Character Interactions

• Qi Ge and his friends (Fatty, Guo Yujie, Slimmer, and Chen Xiaoqiu) discuss and analyze the situation together.
• Qi Ge and Wang Ziming communicate via social media messages, with Wang Ziming eventually sharing his knowledge via a video call.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Ziming reveals that Gu Junze's high school admirer, Chen Jia, became a ghost and haunted a student, leading Gu Junze to help exorcise him.
• A year later, Gu Junze comes out as gay to Wang Ziming and reveals he's in a relationship with the previously haunted student, Liu Shengxuan.
• Wang Ziming discovers that Liu Shengxuan is actually Chen Jia possessing his body, with Gu Junze's help, to be revived.
• Gu Junze and Chen Jia/Liu Shengxuan go abroad together, planning to get married, after Wang Ziming threatens to expose them.

Character Developments

• Wang Ziming: Realizes he has feelings for Gu Junze, becomes less disgusted by homosexuality, and eventually tries to expose Gu Junze's secret.
• Gu Junze: Comes out as gay, reveals his love for Chen Jia, and helps Chen Jia possess a body to be revived, showing his determination and obsession.

Significant Themes

• Love and obsession: Gu Junze's love for Chen Jia drives him to extreme lengths, even after Chen Jia's death.
• Supernatural events: The story explores the reality of ghosts and possession, challenging the reader's beliefs.
• Consequences of actions: Wang Ziming's actions, driven by jealousy and anger, lead to Gu Junze's departure and his own personal chaos.

Character Interactions

• Wang Ziming and Gu Junze: Their friendship is strained due to Wang Ziming's jealousy and Gu Junze's secrets, ultimately leading to a falling out.
• Gu Junze and Chen Jia/Liu Shengxuan: Their love story transcends life and death, with Gu Junze helping Chen Jia possess a body to be together.
• Wang Ziming and Liu Shengxuan: Wang Ziming suspects Liu Shengxuan's true identity and eventually confronts Gu Junze about it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Ziming's reply reveals that Gu Junze and Chen Jia planned Chen Jia's death and possession of Liu Shengxuan's body.
• Liu Shengxuan is likely dead or better off dead.
• The group discusses the situation, and Lin Qi contacts Gu Mo and Nangong Yao from Qing Ye.
• Gu Mo and Nangong Yao reveal that Chen Jia's return from the underworld is abnormal and problematic.
• They decide not to intervene due to the distance and potential madness from the journey.
• Lin Qi experiences nightmares every night since reading the files.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Struggles with nightmares and adaptation to his abilities, feels helpless and pessimistic about his future.
• Guo Yujie: Shows a naive sense of justice and willingness to act on impulse.
• Chen Xiaoqiu: Remains rational and suggests notifying Qing Ye.
• Gu Mo: Seems dismissive of Lin Qi's nightmares, hints at his own struggles with abilities.
• Nangong Yao: Acknowledges the side effects of abilities, warns Lin Qi about knowing too much.

Significant Themes

• Consequences of Actions: Gu Junze and Chen Jia's scheme has far-reaching consequences, affecting others and potentially causing harm.
• Adaptation to Abilities: Lin Qi struggles to adapt to his new abilities and their side effects, highlighting the challenges faced by those with extraordinary abilities.
• Burden of Knowledge: Nangong Yao hints at the burden of knowing too much about others' abilities, echoing the theme of the weight of knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and the group discuss the situation, with Guo Yujie showing willingness to act and Chen Xiaoqiu suggesting a rational course of action.
• Lin Qi contacts Gu Mo and Nangong Yao, who reveal the abnormality of Chen Jia's return and express reluctance to intervene.
• Lin Qi shares his struggles with nightmares, but Gu Mo dismisses them, and Nangong Yao offers little comfort.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist discovers the Qingye Supernatural Agency's dark secrets, including the deaths of Chen Jia and female ghosts, and the transformation of a black cat into a specimen.
• Ye Qing, the agency's leader, reveals he wants to resurrect using the protagonist's body, as he has done with others.
• The protagonist has a nightmare where Ye Qing pushes him into a pile of ashes, and he's pulled into a hellish abyss by mannequins resembling himself.
• The protagonist wakes up disturbed, fearing Ye Qing's intentions and questioning his rationality.

Character Developments

• The protagonist becomes more suspicious of Ye Qing's true intentions and the extent of his power.
• Ye Qing shows his desire to resurrect and his ruthlessness in achieving it.

Significant Themes

• Doubt and suspicion in relationships.
• The consequences of unchecked power and ambition.
• The blurred line between reality and nightmare.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Ye Qing, who reveals his plan to resurrect using the protagonist's body.
• In the nightmare, the protagonist interacts with mannequins resembling himself, reflecting his fear and self-doubt.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Junze's social media post announces his sudden death, sparking curiosity and speculation among his followers.
• Chen Jia's social media comments explode with accusations that he killed Gu Junze, leading to his own death shortly after.
• An investigation report from a foreign police department reveals that Gu Junze and Chen Jia died due to a domestic dispute and subsequent suicide.
• The protagonist experiences intense discomfort, hallucinations, and a visit from Ye Qing, who requests his body.

Character Developments

• The protagonist struggles with sleep deprivation, discomfort, and fear due to his abilities and the recent events.
• Ye Qing's character is further revealed as he appears to the protagonist in a hallucination, requesting his body.

Significant Themes

• Death and its consequences
• The power of social media and its influence on public perception
• The protagonist's struggle with his abilities and the supernatural events surrounding him

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Gu Mo, attempting to call him for help but instead encountering Ye Qing.
• The protagonist's thoughts and fears are explored through his internal monologue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi experiences a vivid dream where Gu Junze and Chen Jia die, and he hears Ye Qing's voice.
• Ye Qing calls Lin Qi, warning him not to use his abilities and hinting at Liu Miao and Wu Ling's whereabouts.
• Lin Qi's symptoms disappear after Ye Qing's call, but he's unsure if it was real or a dream.
• Lin Qi calls Gu Mo to discuss the incident, but Gu Mo is evasive and hands the phone to Nangong Yao.
• Nangong Yao reveals that Ye Qing has been bearing some of the side effects of Lin Qi's ability.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Struggles with differentiating reality from dreams, experiences fear and confusion, but also shows concern for Ye Qing's well-being.
• Ye Qing: Implicitly shown to be helping Lin Qi by bearing some of his ability's side effects, but his motives and capabilities remain unclear.
• Gu Mo: Becomes irritated and evasive when Lin Qi mentions Ye Qing, hinting at a deeper knowledge or involvement in the situation.
• Nangong Yao: Provides insight into the situation, revealing that Ye Qing has been helping Lin Qi and the others, and offers reassurance.

Significant Themes

• The blurring line between reality and dreams/illusions.
• The burden of responsibility and the consequences of using one's abilities.
• The interconnectedness of the characters and their shared history.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Ye Qing: Their relationship is ambiguous, with Ye Qing helping Lin Qi but also potentially using him for unknown purposes.
• Lin Qi and Gu Mo: Their communication is strained, with Gu Mo being evasive and Lin Qi growing frustrated.
• Lin Qi and Nangong Yao: Nangong Yao offers guidance and reassurance to Lin Qi, providing him with valuable information about the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nangong Yao discusses the deaths of Gu Junze and Chen Jia, showing little concern.
• The office team discusses the recent survey data, which shows diverse preferences among property owners but strong support for demolition.
• The old leader announces the next steps for the formal opinion-gathering phase.
• The protagonist visits Ye Qing's office to express gratitude for his help.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows empathy for the deceased Gu Junze and Chen Jia, despite their past actions.
• The protagonist feels grateful and apologetic towards Ye Qing for his help and the potential consequences Ye Qing faced.

Significant Themes

• The impact of abilities and their side effects on individuals and their relationships.
• The contrast between the protagonist's empathy and Nangong Yao's indifference towards the deaths of Gu Junze and Chen Jia.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Nangong Yao over the phone, discussing the deaths of Gu Junze and Chen Jia.
• The protagonist visits Ye Qing's office to express gratitude, with Ye Qing not present but seemingly aware of the visit.
• The protagonist encounters Ye Qing briefly at the office door, leading to a moment of surprise and connection.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist encounters Ye Qing in the school office after school hours, but Ye Qing's eyes appear cold and bloodthirsty, not human-like.
• The protagonist discovers the office door at the end of the corridor, which he suspects is related to Ye Qing's strange behavior.
• The protagonist calls Gu Mo for help, but Gu Mo dismisses the issue and tells the protagonist to focus on his own tasks.

Character Developments

• The protagonist's fear and concern for Ye Qing grow as he witnesses Ye Qing's strange behavior.
• Gu Mo shows a rare moment of vulnerability when discussing his own lost dreams, hinting at the weight of his responsibilities.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions and choices.
• The struggle between personal dreams and responsibilities.
• The protagonist's growing awareness of the supernatural world and his role within it.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Ye Qing's interaction is limited to the eerie encounter in the office.
• The protagonist and Gu Mo's conversation reveals Gu Mo's knowledge of Ye Qing's situation and his reluctance to discuss it further.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mr. Li hears strange noises at school, initially described as a large group of children, later as a school dismissal bell, and finally as running footsteps and laughter.
• He sees a classroom full of students when the school should be empty.
• The noises and visions occur on Tuesdays, and Mr. Li tries to switch classes to avoid them, but the phenomena persist.

Character Developments

• Mr. Li: Becomes increasingly distressed and obsessed with the strange occurrences, affecting his daily life and work.
• Teacher Wang: Shows concern for Mr. Li's wellbeing but doesn't experience or witness the supernatural events.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences in an everyday setting (school)
• Isolation and disconnection from reality
• The struggle between rational thought and inexplicable experiences

Character Interactions

• Mr. Li interacts with Teacher Wang, who seems to be the only other person aware of his distress but doesn't share his experiences.
• Mr. Li's interactions with the supernatural entities are one-sided, with no communication or acknowledgment from the other side.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li, an art teacher, is still experiencing supernatural-like events at school, seeing a boy who others can't.
• A team from the Normal University visits Li's school, Bihai Primary School, to investigate.
• They search the school, including the library and storage room, finding no evidence of supernatural activity.
• Li expresses interest in old books in the storage room, and the librarian allows him to look through them.

Character Developments

• Li: Struggles with his sanity as he continues to experience unexplained phenomena. He's cooperative with the investigation team.
• The Investigation Team: They remain skeptical of supernatural causes, focusing on mental or physical health issues as the root of Li's problems.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between reality and perception, with Li's experiences being unseen by others.
• The search for evidence and rational explanations, as the investigation team explores the school.

Character Interactions

• Li interacts with the investigation team, sharing his experiences and cooperating with their search.
• The investigation team interacts with Li and the school staff, gathering information and searching the school grounds.
• Li interacts with the librarian, Teacher Xu, who allows him to explore the storage room filled with old books.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A spirit from an old school textbook is affecting Mr. Li's senses and consciousness.
• The spirit is neutralized, and the book is taken for further investigation.
• Mr. Li experiences another supernatural event at school, involving a ball and children's voices.
• He seeks help from the investigators again.

Character Developments

• Mr. Li: Becomes increasingly distressed and frightened by the supernatural events, questioning his mental state.
• Investigators: Remain calm and professional, offering assistance and guidance to Mr. Li.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences and their impact on individuals.
• The struggle between rational explanations and the paranormal.
• The search for answers and resolution.

Character Interactions

• Mr. Li interacts with the investigators, seeking their help and support.
• Mr. Li works with other teachers (Teacher Xu and Teacher Fang) on a school project, during which he experiences the second supernatural event.
• The investigators reassure Mr. Li and offer guidance, suggesting he seek medical help for his condition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mr. Li continues to hear children's voices and cries, but investigators find no evidence of supernatural activity at his workplace, Binhai Elementary School.
• Mr. Li reveals he substituted for his father at Minqing University Affiliated Primary School, where he might have encountered something that triggered his experiences.
• Investigators find no records of abnormal deaths or incidents at Minqing University Affiliated Primary School.
• Mr. Li shares his family history of mental illness, expressing fear that he might be developing similar issues.

Character Developments

• Mr. Li: Struggles with his sanity, fears he might be developing mental illness like his mother and aunt.
• Investigators: Persistently search for rational explanations, encourage Mr. Li to seek psychiatric help.

Significant Themes

• Mental health and the stigma surrounding it.
• The search for rational explanations in the face of unexplained phenomena.
• The impact of family history on personal fears and anxieties.

Character Interactions

• Mr. Li interacts with investigators, revealing his family history and fear of mental illness.
• Investigators interact with retired teacher Zhang Manling, seeking information about Binhai Primary School's history and any strange occurrences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A teacher shares a ghost story about a female teacher who haunts children, told to scare them into behaving.
• Mr. Li calls the agency, reporting children's voices outside his house, which he believes are supernatural.
• The agency investigates and concludes it's likely just children playing, but can't completely rule out a supernatural event.
• Mrs. Li asks for help to ease Mr. Li's mind, suggesting a visit to a temple.
• The next day, a child reports seeing an unfamiliar boy in the neighborhood.

Character Developments

• Mr. Li: Struggles with his fear and disbelief about the supernatural events he believes he's experiencing.
• Mrs. Li: Shows concern for her husband's mental state and seeks help to ease his mind.
• The Child (Tiantian): Reports seeing an unfamiliar boy in the neighborhood, potentially connected to the supernatural events.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural vs. Natural Explanations: The agency tries to find a natural explanation for Mr. Li's experiences, while he remains convinced of a supernatural cause.
• Fear and Belief: Mr. Li's fear drives his belief in the supernatural, while his wife seeks a way to help him cope psychologically.
• The Power of Suggestion: The ghost story told by the teacher may have influenced Mr. Li's perception of events.

Character Interactions

• Mr. and Mrs. Li: Mrs. Li supports her husband but also seeks help to manage his fear and belief in the supernatural.
• The Agency and Mr. Li: The agency tries to reassure Mr. Li and find a natural explanation for his experiences, but they can't completely rule out the supernatural.
• The Child and the Agency: The child's report of an unfamiliar boy in the neighborhood may provide a new lead in the case.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The investigation team analyzes an audio file containing a child's voice describing seeing a boy in a black tracksuit and blue sweatpants who ignored him.
• They search for the boy and contact the client's father, Li Jianguo, who initially dismisses the idea of ghosts.
• Li Jianguo later calls back, having found a painting of the boy in question, drawn by a former student.
• The team visits Li Jianguo's home, where he reveals that the paintings were part of a school art competition five years ago, and the boy was seen in several drawings but not at the school.

Character Developments

• Li Jianguo: Initially skeptical, he becomes more open to the possibility of supernatural events after finding the paintings and recalling the boy from the drawings.
• The Investigation Team: They remain professional and persistent in their investigation, offering support and reassurance to Li Jianguo.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between disbelief and acceptance of the supernatural.
• The search for truth and understanding, even when faced with the unknown.

Character Interactions

• Li Jianguo interacts with the investigation team, initially dismissive but later cooperative and seeking their help.
• The investigation team members interact with Li Jianguo, offering support, reassurance, and guidance throughout the process.
• The team also interacts with Zhuang Yibin, one of the authors of the paintings, trying to gather more information about the boy in the drawings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Students report seeing a boy not wearing a school uniform around their elementary school after school hours.
• The boy is described as watching the students, but not interacting with them.
• The boy's appearances are irregular, and his origin is unknown.
• The boy is later seen ringing the doorbell at a client's house, causing distress.
• The team decides to set up a trap at Min University Affiliated Elementary School to lure the boy out.
• The client's father arranges for the trap to be set at Minqing University Affiliated Elementary School.

Character Developments

• The client, Mr. Li, is shown to be scared and hesitant about facing the boy again, but eventually agrees to the team's plan.
• Wu Ling, the team leader, is determined and reassuring, promising to protect Mr. Li.
• Ye Qing, a team member, is calm and analytical, suggesting they investigate the multi-purpose classrooms.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown and the supernatural.
• The struggle between facing one's fears and avoiding them.
• The importance of cooperation and teamwork in facing adversity.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ling and Mr. Li: Wu Ling reassures Mr. Li, while Mr. Li expresses his fears and concerns.
• Ye Qing and Wu Ling: Ye Qing suggests a course of action, and Wu Ling agrees.
• Mr. Li and his father: Mr. Li discusses the plan with his father, who arranges for the trap to be set at a specific school.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group explores the art rooms in the teaching building.
• They choose "Art Room 1" for their purpose.
• A mysterious boy, Han Yun, appears outside the adjacent classroom.
• Han Yun claims to have been called by a man named Li, who denies it.
• Han Yun reveals he plays with children from a classroom who call him, and he's seen by other children.

Character Developments

• Han Yun: Revealed to be a mysterious, innocent child who interacts with unseen entities.
• Mr. Li: A middle-aged man who seems anxious and denies knowing Han Yun or calling him.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs. Reality: Han Yun and Mr. Li have differing accounts of their interaction, suggesting a disconnect between their perceptions.
• The Supernatural: The presence of Han Yun and his interactions with unseen entities hint at supernatural elements.

Character Interactions

• Han Yun and Mr. Li: Their interaction is tense and confusing, with Han Yun insisting Mr. Li called him, and Mr. Li denying it.
• Liu Miao, Ye Qing, and Wu Ling: They work together to investigate Han Yun's presence and interact with him, trying to understand his connection to Mr. Li and the unseen entities.

Key Plot Points

• Han Yun, a boy from an ancient record, is revealed to be behind recent incidents at schools.
• Li Shengtang, an art teacher, is targeted by Han Yun but eventually freed with Qingye's intervention.
• Han Yun's identity is investigated, and his story is found in an ancient book, "Miscellaneous Records of Strange Events."

Character Developments

• Li Shengtang: Initially targeted by Han Yun, he becomes stable and happy after being freed.
• Han Yun: His form of existence becomes strange, taking away many children, but he stops pestering Li Shengtang after Qingye's intervention.

Significant Themes

• The theme of childhood innocence and its loss is explored through Han Yun's story.
• The consequences of one's actions are highlighted, as Han Yun's initial innocent actions lead to severe consequences.

Character Interactions

• Han Yun interacts with Li Shengtang, luring him into a game that nearly drives him mad.
• The Qingye team discusses Han Yun's case, with Fatty and Chen Xiaoqiu drawing parallels to fairy tales involving child abduction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The search for Chen Li and Zhang Qiong continues, with their fate still unknown.
• Demolition compensation plans are released, requiring staff training to understand and explain them to property owners.
• The team attends ideological education classes to prepare for potential troublemakers during the demolition process.
• The protagonist attends a parent-teacher conference for their sister's college entrance exam preparation.

Character Developments

• Chen Xiaoqiu excels in understanding the demolition compensation plans, while other team members struggle.
• The protagonist's parents are nervous about their sister's upcoming college entrance exam, while the sister remains focused on her studies.

Significant Themes

• The importance of happiness and contentment in life, regardless of fortune or misfortune.
• The significance of the college entrance exam in determining one's future and the pressure it brings to students and parents.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with parents at the conference, discussing their children's university preferences and major considerations.
• The protagonist has a detailed conversation with a teacher from the academic affairs office about their sister's academic performance and university recommendations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A parent, Mrs. Wu, creates a commotion at the parent-teacher conference due to her daughter Wu Chenxi's sleep disturbances and her husband's infidelity.
• Mr. Wu, the husband, arrives and argues with Mrs. Wu, revealing that their daughter is in the hospital with suspected food poisoning from Mrs. Wu's cooking.

Character Developments

• Mrs. Wu: She is emotionally unstable, causing a scene at the conference due to her daughter's problems and her husband's infidelity.
• Mr. Wu: He is unfaithful and uncaring, prioritizing his mistress and her child over his wife and daughter, leading to marital conflict.
• Wu Chenxi: She is struggling with sleep disturbances, possibly due to psychological tension from exams or supernatural influences.

Significant Themes

• Marital Strife: The conflict between Mr. and Mrs. Wu highlights the theme of marital discord and its impact on the family.
• Parental Pressure: The focus on Wu Chenxi's academic performance and her parents' expectations emphasize the theme of parental pressure on students.
• Supernatural Elements: The mention of Wu Chenxi's sleep disturbances and possible supernatural influences hints at the theme of the supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Mr. and Mrs. Wu: Their heated argument reveals their marital issues and the tension between them.
• Mrs. Wu and the Teachers: Mrs. Wu interacts with the teachers, seeking help for her daughter's problems, while the teachers try to maintain order and assist the parents.
• Parents and Teachers: The parents discuss their children's academic prospects and share strategies, while the teachers provide guidance and answer questions.