Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist visits the cooked food shop on Jintian Road again, encountering a hostile young man (Ali) and a polite older man (presumably Old Man Li).
• He discovers Granny Wang's ghost in the freezer, merged with it.
• The protagonist returns to the Qingye Agency, finding a fallen cardboard box with strange items inside, including a tin box containing a cat bone.
• He spends the night researching witchcraft and incantations online but finds no useful information.
• The next day, he brings the tin box to his workplace and shares his experiences with his colleagues.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows bravery and determination in investigating Granny Wang's case, despite facing hostility and uncertainty.
• Ali, the young man at the shop, is portrayed as impulsive and violent, while Old Man Li appears to be either cunning or naive.
• The protagonist's colleagues react with concern, confusion, and disbelief upon hearing his experiences.

Significant Themes

• Investigation and truth-seeking: The protagonist's relentless pursuit of the truth behind Granny Wang's disappearance.
• Supernatural elements: The discovery of Granny Wang's ghost and the mysterious items from the Qingye Agency.
• Trust and instinct: The protagonist's growing trust in the Qingye Agency's guidance, despite its mysterious nature.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Ali and Old Man Li at the cooked food shop, with Ali being hostile and Old Man Li being apologetic.
• The protagonist shares his experiences with his colleagues, who react with concern, confusion, and disbelief.
• The protagonist's internal dialogue reveals his thought processes and growing confusion regarding the case and the Qingye Agency's guidance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group decides to investigate the cooked food shop, suspecting it's connected to Aunt Wang's disappearance.
• They plan to sneak into the shop to place the cat bone in the freezer, as suggested by the skinny guy's knowledge of witchcraft.
• Guo Yujie wants to confront the shop owners directly, but the group decides to use her as a distraction while Lin Qi places the bone.
• Chen Xiaoqiu calls someone for backup, boosting the group's confidence.

Character Developments

• Guo Yujie shows her determination and strength, willing to confront the shop owners despite the risks.
• Chen Xiaoqiu reveals her resourcefulness and influence, calling for help and taking charge of the situation.
• Lin Qi remains cautious and rational, trying to balance the risks and benefits of their plan.

Significant Themes

• Determination and perseverance in seeking justice for Aunt Wang.
• The group's growing trust in Lin Qi's supernatural abilities and their shared goal.
• The contrast between the group's amateur investigation methods and the potential power of Chen Xiaoqiu's connections.

Character Interactions

• Guo Yujie and Chen Xiaoqiu work together to create a distraction, showcasing their contrasting personalities and strengths.
• The skinny guy and the fatty support the plan, demonstrating their loyalty to Lin Qi and their shared desire to help Aunt Wang.
• Lin Qi, the skinny guy, and the fatty rely on each other's unique skills and knowledge to execute their plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guo Yujie, furious about Granny Wang's death, confronts Huang Mao, leading to a scuffle.
• The group uses this opportunity to hide the cat bones and iron box in Old Man Li's shop freezer.
• A police car arrives, and Guo Yujie and Chen Xiaoqiu are taken away to give statements.
• The next day, Old Man Li's shop is raided due to food poisoning cases linked to their products.

Character Developments

• Guo Yujie displays her strength and assertiveness in the confrontation with Huang Mao.
• Chen Xiaoqiu uses her family connections to navigate the police station situation smoothly.
• The protagonist realizes that Granny Wang might not have been watching him directly but rather through Huang Mao.

Significant Themes

• The power of family connections, as seen through Chen Xiaoqiu's ease with the police.
• The group's growing understanding of the cat bones' curse-like effects.

Character Interactions

• Guo Yujie and Huang Mao's physical altercation highlights Guo Yujie's strength and Huang Mao's anger and shame.
• Chen Xiaoqiu's calm demeanor contrasts with Guo Yujie's impulsiveness, showing their complementary roles in the group.
• The group's dynamic is strained when they discuss the police officers' reactions to the name 'Wang Hong,' revealing their insecurities and suspicions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xiaoqiu accompanies the protagonist to Qingye, where they find a tin box containing cat bones.
• A door appears where an abstract painting was previously, causing unease.
• The protagonist learns that Li Changsheng has confessed to multiple murders, including Wang Hong's and his wife's, and has gone mad.
• The door reverts to a painting, and they leave Qingye.

Character Developments

• The protagonist: Becomes more accepting of the supernatural and Qingye's involvement, showing bravery in facing the door but also caution in leaving.
• Chen Xiaoqiu: Demonstrates courage and self-defense skills, shows concern for the protagonist's safety, and reveals her uncle's role in the case.
• Li Changsheng: Confesses to multiple murders, goes mad after seeing Wang Hong's ghost.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural elements and their impact on reality.
• The consequences of past actions and the inability to escape them.
• The thin line between the living and the dead.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Chen Xiaoqiu: Work together to uncover the truth, show concern for each other's safety, and share a growing bond.
• The protagonist and Li Changsheng: The protagonist learns about Li Changsheng's crimes and his subsequent madness, leading to a sense of shock and disbelief.
• The protagonist and Qingye: The protagonist's trust in Qingye grows, but they also feel unease and fear in the office.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guo Yujie, the protagonist's colleague, is furious after learning about the serial killers near their workplace.
• The protagonist decides to attend his sister's parent-teacher conference, shifting his focus from the ongoing investigations.
• At the conference, he notices a woman standing outside the classroom, initially mistaking her for a school leader.
• A gust of wind sweeps into the classroom after a window is forcefully opened, and the classroom door slams shut.
• The parent-teacher conference ends, and the protagonist shares the information with his family.
• The next day, Guo Yujie informs the protagonist that Grandpa Wang has passed away.

Character Developments

• The protagonist demonstrates responsibility towards his sister's education, attending the parent-teacher conference in his parents' place.
• Guo Yujie shows concern for her grandfather, Wang Hui, and their family.

Significant Themes

• Family responsibility and support, as seen in the protagonist's dedication to his sister's education and Guo Yujie's concern for her family.
• The impact of the serial killers' presence on the characters' daily lives and emotions.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with his sister and parents, sharing information from the parent-teacher conference and discussing their family's future.
• Guo Yujie contacts the protagonist to share the news of Grandpa Wang's passing, maintaining their professional and personal connection.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Uncle Wang's body is found decomposed, suggesting he's been dead for at least two years.
• The police confirm the body is indeed Uncle Wang's through DNA testing.
• Li Li and Li Changsheng die by suicide in the detention center under mysterious circumstances.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi (the protagonist) is shocked and confused by the revelations.
• Guo Yujie becomes more accepting of the supernatural events and the justice meted out to Li Li and Li Changsheng.
• Wang Hui is traumatized by finding her father's decomposed body.
• Chen Xiaoqiu maintains her professional demeanor but is also affected by the events.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Events: The discovery of Uncle Wang's decomposed body and the deaths of Li Li and Li Changsheng suggest the presence of supernatural forces.
• Justice: The deaths of Li Li and Li Changsheng can be seen as a form of supernatural justice for their crimes.
• Acceptance: Characters struggle to accept and cope with the supernatural events and their implications.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi, Guo Yujie, Fatty, and Skinny grow closer, sharing their confusion and fear about the events.
• Chen Xiaoqiu maintains a professional distance but shares relevant information with the group.
• Wang Hui receives support from Guo Yujie, He Juan, and Zheng Xinxin.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group visits the Qingye Agency to communicate with spirits using Ouija, but they're interrupted by knocks at the door.
• Old Man Wang and Old Lady Wang, now deceased, appear at the door, revealing they're ghosts.
• They warn the group not to rush the demolition of the building and to seek help from the Qingye Agency if needed.
• The ghosts disappear, and the group decides to leave the agency.

Character Developments

• Qi, the protagonist, becomes more composed and takes the lead in the agency.
• The Skinny guy and Guo Yujie show fear and anxiety, while the Chubby guy and Chen Xiaoqiu remain relatively calm.
• Old Man Wang and Old Lady Wang are revealed to be ghosts, with Old Lady Wang showing a change in demeanor.

Significant Themes

• Communication with the supernatural and the consequences of doing so.
• The impact of death and the presence of ghosts on the living.
• The responsibility of the living towards the deceased.

Character Interactions

• Qi interacts with the other four characters, leading the Ouija session and opening the door to the agency.
• The group dynamics shift as they encounter the ghosts, with some characters showing fear and others curiosity.
• Old Man Wang and Old Lady Wang interact with the group, providing guidance and warnings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Bao, a 24-year-old technician, hires the Qingye Supernatural Investigation Agency to investigate strange occurrences on night bus route 381.
• Xie Bao observes three individuals (two men and one woman) behaving identically on the bus every night, suspecting they might harm the woman.
• The investigation team rides the bus for a week but finds no anomalies.
• The team decides to accompany Xie Bao on the bus route to gather more information.

Character Developments

• Xie Bao: Initially frightened and uncertain, he becomes more determined to help the woman he suspects is in danger.
• Investigation Team: They remain professional and thorough, adjusting their approach based on new information.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences and their investigation.
• The struggle between personal fear and the desire to help others.
• The importance of thorough and adaptable investigation methods.

Character Interactions

• Xie Bao interacts with the investigation team, providing them with detailed observations and agreeing to accompany them on the bus route.
• The investigation team members discuss their findings and strategies, considering the possibility of a false case.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The team investigates the mysterious passengers seen by Xie Bao, creating portraits and inquiring at bus stops.
• Xie Bao spots the three individuals again, leading the team to realize the issue might be with the bus driver.
• The team films the ghosts boarding the bus and attacking a woman, Yang Yixin, who later disappears.
• They identify Yang Yixin, find her records, and learn she died by suicide in February 2002.

Character Developments

• Xie Bao: Shows bravery in confronting the supernatural and providing crucial information.
• Yang Yixin: Initially a mysterious figure, revealed to be a troubled woman who committed suicide, possibly connected to the ghostly events.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Entrapment: The ghosts are trapped in a past event, reliving their final moments.
• Unresolved Issues: Yang Yixin's sudden change in behavior and eventual suicide suggest unresolved personal issues.

Character Interactions

• Xie Bao and the Investigation Team: They work together, with Xie Bao providing sightings and the team conducting investigations.
• Yang Yixin and the Male Ghosts: They interact violently, with the ghosts attacking Yang Yixin, leading to her death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yang Yixin's uncle reveals she claimed to be attacked and targeted before her death.
• Investigators contact Li Shangjie, who dismisses them and refuses to cooperate.
• Yang Xinyi's colleague Wu Yue reveals Li Shangjie's harassment and Yang Xinyi's sudden change in behavior before leaving the company.
• The client is informed about Li Shangjie's involvement and the investigation's progress.

Character Developments

• Yang Yixin: Her uncle reveals she was possibly targeted and attacked before her death.
• Li Shangjie: Refuses to cooperate with investigators, showing guilt or fear.
• Yang Xinyi: Her colleague Wu Yue provides insights into her behavior change and possible harassment by Li Shangjie.
• Client: Becomes more involved in the investigation and expresses concern for Yang Yixin's spirit.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of using dark magic and transferring karmic debt.
• The struggle between truth and denial, as seen in Li Shangjie's refusal to cooperate.
• The impact of workplace harassment on an individual's mental state.

Character Interactions

• Yang Yixin's uncle and the investigator discuss her possible attack and suicide.
• Wu Yue shares information about Li Shangjie's harassment of Yang Xinyi with the investigator.
• The investigator updates the client on the investigation's progress and Li Shangjie's involvement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shangjie hires the agency to deal with Yang Yixin, revealing he hired Blind Kang to teach her a lesson.
• The team visits Blind Kang, who initially denies involvement but later confesses under pressure.
• Blind Kang's ghosts escape, and he begs for help to control them.
• Blind Kang agrees to undo the talismans harming Yang Yixin and eliminate all his ghosts in exchange for protection.

Character Developments

• Li Shangjie: Confesses to hiring someone to harm Yang Yixin out of jealousy and revenge.
• Blind Kang: Initially deceitful and defensive, later reveals his involvement and expresses fear of the ghosts he raised.
• Xie Bao (Boss): Shows no mercy towards Blind Kang, prioritizing justice and eliminating evil.

Significant Themes

• Karma and consequences: Blind Kang's actions catch up to him, and he faces the wrath of the ghosts he raised.
• Power dynamics: Xie Bao's power and influence are evident in his ability to control and intimidate Blind Kang.

Character Interactions

• Li Shangjie and Xie Bao: Li Shangjie hires Xie Bao's agency, leading to the investigation of Blind Kang.
• Xie Bao and Blind Kang: Xie Bao intimidates and pressures Blind Kang, leading to his confession and eventual agreement to undo the talismans.
• The ghosts and Blind Kang: The ghosts raised by Blind Kang turn against him, highlighting the karmic consequences of his actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist listens to a file from Qingye about the elimination of a group of ghosts, including a blind man named Kang.
• The protagonist's team investigates the death of Grandpa Wang, which is ruled as "sudden death" with "unexplainable factors" by the police.
• The team takes a day off to watch a play performed by Chen Xiaoqiu's cousin at the Drama Academy. During the performance, a girl is found dead, suspended above the stage.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows no fear or trauma from listening to the violent ghost elimination, indicating growing resilience.
• Chen Xiaoqiu shows determination in pursuing her cousin's case, despite personal leave to watch the play.
• The skinny guy and chubby guy display their connections and influence, securing tickets to the sold-out performance.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and its acceptance by society ("unexplainable factors" vs. ghosts).
• The pursuit of truth and justice (Chen Xiaoqiu's determination, the team's investigation).
• The consequences of curiosity and meddling (the girl's death at the play).

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with his team, sharing information and supporting each other's personal lives.
• The skinny guy and chubby guy interact with each other and Guo Yujie, displaying their playful and competitive nature.
• Chen Xiaoqiu interacts with her cousin's drama club, showing support and concern for her cousin's well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A student, Zhang Shanmei, is found hanged on stage during a school play.
• The cause of death is initially uncertain, with suicide and murder being considered.
• Police are called, and the school is evacuated. The drama club members, including Chen Xiaoqiu, are questioned.
• It's revealed that Zhang Shanmei was supposed to play Maeda Suzuna in the play, but refused. Chen Xiaoqiu took her place.
• Zhang Shanmei's roommate is arrested for the murder, claiming it was an impulsive act.
• The office learns that Uncle Tao, another target, has returned.

Character Developments

• Qi Ge (Narrator): Becomes more accepting of death and supernatural events. Reflects on his role in protecting the living from the supernatural.
• Chen Xiaoqiu: Shows concern for her cousin, Li Ruolan, but maintains a professional demeanor at work.
• Ma Yibing: Struggles with guilt and fear, trying to make amends by treating everyone to dinner.

Significant Themes

• Death and Supernatural: The incident with Zhang Shanmei brings the topic of death and supernatural occurrences to the forefront.
• Guilt and Redemption: Ma Yibing feels guilty for his role in the play and tries to make amends.
• Professionalism vs Personal Life: Chen Xiaoqiu maintains a professional demeanor at work despite her personal connections to the incident.

Character Interactions

• Qi Ge and Skinny: They communicate and share thoughts about the incident, showing a growing bond.
• Chen Xiaoqiu and Li Ruolan: There's tension between them due to Li Ruolan's involvement in the play and Zhang Shanmei's death.
• Ma Yibing and the Office: Ma Yibing tries to ingratiate himself with the office, offering to treat everyone to dinner.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ma Yibing reveals that the rope used to hang Zhang Shanmei was a prop from their drama club, used for a hanging scene in another play.
• The police return the rope to the drama club, which unsettles Ma Yibing.
• The group takes the rope to Qi Yu for examination, but Qingye shows no reaction to it.
• Qi Yu has disturbing dreams about Zhang Shanmei's hanging, and in his dream, he hears an unfamiliar man's voice saying "Perfect."

Character Developments

• Ma Yibing is distressed and scared due to the returned rope, showing his vulnerability and fear.
• Qi Yu is determined to help Ma Yibing and investigates the rope's origin and its effect on Qingye.
• Qingye remains indifferent to the rope, indicating it may not be haunted or possessed by any supernatural entity.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fear and anxiety is prevalent, with Ma Yibing's fear of the returned rope and Qi Yu's unsettling dreams.
• The theme of truth and deception is explored, as the police's unusual action with the rope raises questions about the case's authenticity.

Character Interactions

• Ma Yibing seeks help from Qi Yu and his friends, showing his trust in them.
• Qi Yu and his friends support Ma Yibing, trying to alleviate his fears and find answers.
• Li Ruolan is still holding a grudge against Ma Yibing, showing tension in their interaction.

• Key Plot Points: The protagonist and Guo Yujie search for Tao Hai, a resident of Gongnong Sixth Village, to discuss the demolition. Tao Hai evades them, leading to a stakeout that proves fruitless. The protagonist continues to have disturbing dreams about Zhang Shanmei's hanging.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows determination in pursuing Tao Hai but also displays concern for Guo Yujie's well-being.
• Guo Yujie demonstrates her commitment to the case by agreeing to stake out Tao Hai's apartment.
• Tao Hai is revealed to have a troubled past involving gambling debts and a divorce, which may explain his reluctance to engage with the protagonist and Guo Yujie.
• Significant Themes: Persistence in the face of obstacles, the consequences of past actions (Tao Hai's gambling debts), and the psychological impact of traumatic events (the protagonist's recurring dreams of Zhang Shanmei's hanging).
• Character Interactions: The protagonist and Guo Yujie work together, showing mutual support and understanding. Director Mao assists them, providing information about Tao Hai. Tao Hai's neighbor, Aunt Xu, offers information about his whereabouts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist discovers that his recurring dream voice is real and belongs to a middle-aged man.
• He finds a file labeled "049" in Qing Ye's office, which leads him to the case of "Death Road."
• The case involves a series of traffic accidents on Island Kang Road, with victims seemingly reacting to an unseen entity before the accidents.
• The earliest accident, involving Hao Xuan, occurred on July 1, 2005, and the earliest jaywalking accident, involving Feng Shaojiang, happened on September 29, 2005.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows determination and curiosity in investigating the supernatural events.
• Lu Mengyi, the traffic police officer who brought the case to Qing Ye, displays concern and curiosity about the unusual accidents.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences and their impact on the living.
• The search for truth and understanding behind mysterious events.
• The consequences of ignoring or dismissing unusual phenomena.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with Qing Ye's office, which provides him with information and guidance through environmental cues.
• The protagonist communicates with Lu Mengyi, the client, to gather information about the case.
• He also interacts with Feng Jianjun and Lin Xin, individuals related to the earliest jaywalking accident victim, to gain more insights into the case.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Investigators interview Hao Xuan's sister, Hao Jing, and learn about Hao Xuan's car accident, which might have been caused by a hallucination of a child on the road.
• They also learn about a previous car accident on Qixing Road, where a mentally ill pedestrian was hit and killed, and Hao Xuan sent flowers to the site.
• Investigators find no boy ghosts among the deceased on Qixing Road but confirm the car accident was not an accident or an isolated incident.
• They identify 12 locations in Pingnan City with frequent accidents of the same type, with the initial outbreak on Fuyi Road in 2001, involving Liu Ning.
• Liu Ning's widow, Tan Yaqi, reveals she saw a ghost, which she believes is the spirit of a mischievous child from a neighboring family.

Character Developments

• Hao Jing: Initially reluctant to discuss her sister's accident, she opens up and provides valuable information about Hao Xuan's state of mind before the accident.
• Tan Yaqi: Initially guarded, she eventually shares her belief in the ghost of a child causing her husband's death, revealing her resentment towards the child's family.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural influence on real-world events: The ghost of a child is suspected to be causing car accidents.
• The power of imagination and hallucination: Hao Xuan's hallucination of a child on the road leads to her accident.
• Resentment and its consequences: Tan Yaqi's resentment towards the child's family might have contributed to the child's ghost causing her husband's death.

Character Interactions

• Investigators interact with Hao Jing and Tan Yaqi, gathering information about the car accidents and the potential supernatural involvement.
• Hao Xuan and Tan Yaqi's husbands are connected through their encounters with the child's ghost, leading to their deaths.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tan Yaqi, a client, recounts seeing a ghostly child, Xue Tao, who died in a car accident, and her husband Liu Ning's subsequent death in a similar accident.
• Lu Mengyi, a traffic police officer, dies in an accident caused by Xue Tao, who is revealed to be a vengeful spirit.
• Surveillance footage shows Xue Tao causing Lu Mengyi's accident and her husband Qi Zixuan's later accident.
• The team investigates and discovers that Xue Tao has been following Lu Mengyi since she burned offerings for him.

Character Developments

• Tan Yaqi: Becomes increasingly paranoid and believes she's being targeted by Xue Tao's ghost.
• Lu Mengyi: Dies and becomes a ghost, driven by resentment towards Xue Tao and his family.
• Qi Zixuan: Lu Mengyi's husband, unaware of his wife's ghostly presence, is targeted by Xue Tao.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and its consequences: Xue Tao's desire for revenge leads to multiple deaths, including his own family.
• Resentment and its impact on the afterlife: Lu Mengyi's deep resentment prevents her from resting in peace and puts others at risk.
• The separation of human and ghost worlds: Ghosts are encouraged to rest in peace to avoid harming the living.

Character Interactions

• Tan Yaqi and Liu Ning: Husband and wife, both victims of Xue Tao's vengeful spirit.
• Lu Mengyi and Qi Zixuan: Husband and wife, with Lu Mengyi's ghost trying to protect Qi Zixuan from Xue Tao.
• The investigation team: Attempts to handle Xue Tao's spirit and help Lu Mengyi rest in peace.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A man is killed by a speeding vehicle, and a child appears at the scene.
• Client ghost reports that the killer has struck again.
• Investigators retrieve Xue Tao's ashes and scatter them on Mingjiang Road, but Xue Tao doesn't appear.
• Tan Yaqi is used as bait to lure Xue Tao into a trap on Mingjiang Road.

Character Developments

• Tan Yaqi's hatred for Xue Tao grows as she learns about more victims.
• Lu Mengyi, a client, wants to help but is warned not to interfere.
• The agency boss reveals his willingness to use dark arts and human sacrifice if the trap fails.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and its consequences.
• The struggle between human emotions and the need for rational action.
• The power dynamics between the living and the dead.

Character Interactions

• Tan Yaqi interacts with the agency, expressing her willingness to be bait to catch Xue Tao.
• Lu Mengyi argues with the agency boss, wanting to help but being warned not to interfere.
• The agency boss and his partner discuss their plans and the potential use of dark arts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A child ghost (Xue Tao) attempts to harm Tan Yaqi, but is stopped and captured by a group of people.
• The group, led by a man, plans to sell Xue Tao to cultivators for refinement or as ghost food.
• Lu Mengyi, a ghost, is persuaded to ascend, ending her existence in the mortal realm.
• The protagonist receives a file about these events and feels lost about its meaning.
• The protagonist has recurring nightmares of Zhang Shanmei, a woman who committed suicide by hanging, with the rope breaking each time.
• Zhang Shanmei's ghost appears to look at the protagonist in the latest nightmare.
• The protagonist visits Qing Ye for clarification but receives no response.

Character Developments

• Tan Yaqi: Shows concern for her unborn child's name, displays fear when Xue Tao attacks.
• Lu Mengyi: Struggles with the idea of ascending, eventually accepts it.
• The protagonist: Becomes increasingly haggard due to nightmares, seeks help from Qing Ye.

Significant Themes

• The existence and nature of ghosts in the mortal realm.
• The struggle between life and death, and the consequences of not letting go.
• The search for meaning and understanding in mysterious or supernatural events.

Character Interactions

• Tan Yaqi and her partner (Yaqi): Discuss baby names, show affection towards each other.
• Lu Mengyi and the man (possibly a cultivator): Discuss her ascension, show a power dynamic.
• The protagonist and Qing Ye: The protagonist seeks help, but Qing Ye provides no clear response.
• The protagonist and Zhang Shanmei's ghost: The protagonist is haunted by Zhang Shanmei's ghost in their dreams.