Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Xiaoyi reveals that a mysterious sculpture, a bust, appeared and disappeared at the exhibition where the male teacher had his accident.
• The sculpture was confirmed to have been exhibited but was not present at the scene.
• The sculpture has reappeared multiple times.
• The security guard who found the male teacher's body was released from the police station but insisted on staying, fearing for his life.
• The security guard claimed to see a person in the room with him, but there was no one else present.
• The security guard's sons came to take him home, but he struggled and ran back towards the police station, where he was fatally hit by a truck.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Becomes more involved in the case, showing concern for Yuan Xiaoyi and determination to solve the mystery.
• Yuan Xiaoyi: Gains confidence in sharing her knowledge about the case with Jiang Cheng.
• The Security Guard: Exhibits strange behavior after finding the male teacher's body, suggesting he may have witnessed something supernatural.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences: The mysterious sculpture's appearance and disappearance, and the security guard's claims of seeing an unseen person.
• Fear and its consequences: The security guard's fear leads him to refuse to leave the police station, ultimately causing his death.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Yuan Xiaoyi: Jiang Cheng listens attentively to Yuan Xiaoyi's account, showing concern and support.
• The Security Guard and his Sons: The security guard's fear and desperation to avoid leaving the police station contrast with his sons' attempts to care for him and their misunderstanding of his behavior.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A school security guard dies in a car accident, but his behavior before the accident was unusual.
• A witness reports that the guard froze in the middle of the road, staring at a coffee shop across the street before the accident.
• Police find a video of the accident, which shows a bust in the coffee shop, the same one that was in the Sculpture Hall where a male teacher died.
• The coffee shop's staff and surveillance cameras have no record of the bust.
• The security guard and the male teacher's incidents share similarities: a shadow on the wall, and the victims' deaths after seeing something terrifying.
• The Sculpture Hall reopens after renovation, with reports of cold temperatures and moving sculptures, but no serious incidents.
• The Art Center building is locked up at 5 PM, with no one working the night shift due to fear.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Becomes more determined to save Xiao Yu as he learns more about the incidents.
• Yuan Xiaoyi: Shows concern for Xiao Yu but also seems to be hiding something, acting overly emotional.

Significant Themes

• Fear and the unknown: Characters are driven by fear of the unexplained and supernatural events.
• The past's influence: The history of the bust and the bandit haunts the present.
• Friendship: Yuan Xiaoyi's concern for Xiao Yu drives her to share the information she knows.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Yuan Xiaoyi: They exchange information about the incidents, with Jiang Cheng trying to understand the situation better, and Yuan Xiaoyi acting nervously and emotionally.
• Yuan Xiaoyi and Xiao Yu: Yuan Xiaoyi shows concern for Xiao Yu, who is trapped in the anomaly, and shares a close friendship with her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng learns from Yuan Xiaoyi that the bust in the Sculpture Hall is a bandit leader who was executed long ago, and it's now controlling other moving sculptures that were once its followers.
• The bust can kill by staring at someone for a long time, while the other sculptures are brutal and mindless, but they all have a weak spot at the back of their heads.
• They plan to go to the Art Center's Sculpture Hall at midnight to destroy the bust and save Xiao Yu.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows leadership and determination in planning the mission to save Xiao Yu.
• Yuan Xiaoyi reveals her caring nature towards Jiang Cheng, worrying about his safety.
• Fatty shows concern for Jiang Cheng's well-being by bringing him his favorite Jianbing Guozi.

Significant Themes

• Bravery vs. Fear: Characters face their fears to help their friend, Xiao Yu.
• Trust and Loyalty: Yuan Xiaoyi trusts Jiang Cheng enough to share crucial information, and the group sticks together to face the danger.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Yuan Xiaoyi share a moment of understanding and concern for each other.
• The group, including Fatty, Huai Yi, Shen Mengyun, and Wang Qi, shows unity and support for Jiang Cheng's plan.
• Jiang Cheng demonstrates care and concern for Shen Mengyun's injured ankle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng's team goes to the school infirmary for pain relief patches for Shen Mengyun's ankle.
• They encounter a senior student who seems to have a crush on Jiang Cheng.
• After returning to the dormitory, they decide to stay together for safety, as the Heart-Corroding Demon could replace any of them.
• Shen Mengyun notices her dorm room door is open, which was locked when she left.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows kindness and care towards Shen Mengyun, but also unintentionally hurts the senior student's feelings.
• Shen Mengyun is more cooperative and obedient around Jiang Cheng.
• Wang Qi seems to have taken a liking to Fatty, sitting on his bed.
• The senior student is kind and caring but also has feelings for Jiang Cheng.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion among the team members, as anyone could be replaced by the Heart-Corroding Demon.
• The dangers of nighttime in Jiangtan University, with the possibility of encountering the disappeared teachers and students in a different form.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun: Jiang Cheng helps Shen Mengyun with her injury, showing care and concern.
• Jiang Cheng and the senior student: Jiang Cheng unintentionally hurts the senior student's feelings by appearing to have a girlfriend.
• Wang Qi and Fatty: Wang Qi seems to have feelings for Fatty, sitting on his bed.
• The team: They decide to stay together for safety, highlighting their unity and mutual support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group discovers a wet footprint leading to Shen Mengyun's dormitory, indicating the presence of the Heart-Corroding Demon.
• They find more footprints leading to the gatekeeper's room, suggesting the gatekeeper might be in danger.
• They enter the Art Center building at midnight and find a route map leading to the Exhibition Hall (Sculpture Hall).
• In the duty room, they find an old newspaper clipping about a university art teacher's death in the Exhibition Hall, hinting at a possible connection to their current situation.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates leadership and caution, guiding the group and preventing Wang Qi from opening the gatekeeper's door.
• Shen Mengyun shows trust in Jiang Cheng's decisions.
• Huai Yi displays respect for the strange tales they're confronting and maintains a serious attitude.
• Wang Qi seems to understand the nature of Jiang Cheng's art and has a subtle reaction to it.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Leadership: Jiang Cheng's actions reinforce his role as the group's leader, with Shen Mengyun and others trusting his decisions.
• Confrontation with the Unknown: The group acknowledges and accepts the need to confront the entities in the strange tales, as Jiang Cheng puts it, "smashing them on the back of their heads."
• The Past's Influence: The old newspaper clipping suggests that the current events might be connected to a past incident, foreshadowing potential dangers.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi have a silent exchange when Wang Qi tries to open the gatekeeper's door, with Jiang Cheng stopping him and Wang Qi understanding the unspoken message.
• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi have a brief exchange about the nature of their mission, with Huai Yi initially wanting them to be serious but later agreeing with Jiang Cheng's approach.
• The group dynamic is shown through their collective discovery of the route map and their decision to follow it to the Exhibition Hall.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group enters the Sculpture Classroom, finding it old and disorganized, with various sculpting tools and finished sculptures.
• Jiang Cheng and the others choose weapons: Jiang Cheng takes a sickle, Huai Yi a metal spike, Wang Qi a curved metal hook, Shen Mengyun a blunt knife, and Fatty an iron hammer.
• They hear a sound of something falling and breaking near the Sculpture Hall, which they investigate.
• Upon entering the Sculpture Hall, they feel an eerie, gloomy atmosphere and notice a figure in a red cloth in a distant corner, as seen by Fatty.

Character Developments

• Fatty's behavior becomes peculiar, suggesting he might be sensing something supernatural.
• Jiang Cheng shows leadership and caution, checking their surroundings and taking the initiative to explore the Sculpture Hall.
• Fatty's past connection with the Crimson Deep is hinted at when he feels familiar with the iron hammer.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Atmosphere: The Sculpture Hall's gloomy, eerie atmosphere suggests the presence of supernatural entities.
• Suspicion and Fear: The group's suspicion of the figure in red and their fear of the sculptures coming to life highlight their growing unease and tension.

Character Interactions

• Group Dynamics: The group sticks together, showing unity and mutual support, as they navigate the unsettling environment.
• Fatty's Perception: Fatty's unique perception or sensitivity to supernatural elements is acknowledged and relied upon by the group.
• Jiang Cheng's Leadership: Jiang Cheng takes the lead in exploring and investigating the source of the sound, demonstrating his courage and initiative.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters a mysterious figure in red, suspected to be the male teacher who died tragically in the Sculpture Hall.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi investigate, leaving the others behind. The others disappear without a trace.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi search for the missing trio, discovering an ajar door and an unsettling statue.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows leadership and concern for his companions' safety, prioritizing their rescue over the mission.
• Wang Qi reveals anxiety and determination to find the missing trio, suggesting a caring side beneath his tough exterior.
• Shen Mengyun displays a heightened sensitivity to supernatural entities, seeing the figure and its feet under the curtain.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and its dangers, with the group facing an unknown entity that can kidnap people without a trace.
• Trust and teamwork, as Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi rely on each other to search for their missing companions.
• The consequences of underestimating the enemy, as the group's carelessness leads to the disappearance of three members.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi work together to investigate the mysterious figure and later search for their missing companions, displaying a level of trust and cooperation.
• Jiang Cheng comforts Shen Mengyun when she's frightened, showing empathy and understanding towards her.
• Wang Qi and Jiang Cheng share a tense moment when they realize the others are missing, both anxious to find them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi encounter moving statues in the art school, which they manage to defeat.
• Jiang Cheng discovers a piece of clothing that, when worn, makes him appear like a statue, preventing the moving statues from attacking him.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi realize that the clothing has tally marks and an eye pattern, corresponding to the number and type of active sculptures in their mission.
• Fatty, Shen Mengyun, and Huai Yi search for Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi but can't find them. They suspect they've been made invisible by a ghost.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his combat skills and strategic thinking, understanding the statues' weaknesses and devising a plan to defeat them.
• Wang Qi shows his combat skills and analytical thinking, helping Jiang Cheng understand the statues' changes and the significance of the clothing.
• Fatty, Shen Mengyun, and Huai Yi show determination and resourcefulness in their search for Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi, using their knowledge of previous ghost encounters to guide their actions.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation: Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi adapt to the new environment and threat, learning the statues' behavior and using it to their advantage.
• Perception vs. Reality: The team's inability to see or interact with Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi raises questions about perception and reality, echoing the ghost's ability to steal vision.
• Teamwork: Despite the challenges, the team works together to find solutions, demonstrating their commitment to supporting each other.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi work well together, with Jiang Cheng taking the lead in combat and Wang Qi providing analytical support.
• Fatty, Shen Mengyun, and Huai Yi also work well together, using their combined knowledge and experience to approach the problem from different angles.
• The interactions between the teams highlight their complementary skills and their ability to adapt to new situations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Author reflects on 2021, a turning point in their writing career, as the year comes to an end.
• They express gratitude to readers for supporting their book, Nightmare Strikes.
• Author apologizes for delayed updates, estimating they owe at least 20 updates since August.
• They share struggles with productivity, including writer's block and fatigue.
• Author looks ahead to 2022, committing to work out three times a week and adding 20 chapters by January 15th.
• They thank readers again and wish everyone success, prosperity, and good health in the new year.

Character Developments

• Author: Shows introspection, gratitude, and determination. They acknowledge their struggles with productivity and commitment to improvement.
• Readers: Portrayed as supportive and understanding, they are the primary motivators for the author's commitment to their craft.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude: The author expresses deep appreciation for their readers' support.
• Self-reflection: The author looks back on their past year, acknowledging their shortcomings and committing to improvement.
• Commitment: The author demonstrates dedication to their craft and readers by promising to catch up on owed updates.

Character Interactions

• Author interacts with their readers through the reader group, expressing gratitude and commitment to their work.
• Author interacts with their partner, who supports and understands their writing process and demands.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty, Huai Yi, and Shen Mengyun encounter living statues in the Sculpture Hall, which they must escape from.
• Fatty, despite his initial reluctance, carries Shen Mengyun and encourages her to keep fighting, even when she's injured.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi realize they need to trigger the same taboo to help their trapped teammates.
• Jiang Cheng decides to enter the Sculpture Hall to save the others, while Wang Qi stays outside to find clues.

Character Developments

• Fatty shows unexpected courage and determination, carrying Shen Mengyun to safety and boosting her morale.
• Shen Mengyun, despite her injury, regains her will to fight and survive.
• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his leadership and concern for his team, prioritizing their safety over solving the case immediately.
• Wang Qi reveals a hidden determination to protect Fatty, hinting at an unknown connection between them.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Characters must keep fighting despite their fears and injuries, as giving up means certain death.
• Teamwork: The team's survival depends on their ability to work together and support each other.
• Unknown Connections: Wang Qi's mysterious relationship with Fatty adds an element of intrigue.

Character Interactions

• Fatty and Shen Mengyun: Fatty's encouragement and support help Shen Mengyun find her fighting spirit.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi: Their tense exchange reveals Wang Qi's hidden determination to protect Fatty, while Jiang Cheng prioritizes his team's safety.
• Fatty and Jiang Cheng: Jiang Cheng's concern for Fatty's safety is evident in his decision to enter the Sculpture Hall to save him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng's group is chased by statue ghosts. They split up, with Jiang Cheng taking Shen Mengyun to hide.
• The statue ghosts find Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun's hiding spot, but Jiang Cheng uses Shen Mengyun as a decoy and a statue as a source of information.
• Jiang Cheng discovers a statue that had been guiding the others and destroys it. He then devises a plan to mislead the pursuing statue ghosts.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates resourcefulness and adaptability in crisis situations, using Shen Mengyun as a decoy and manipulating the statue ghosts' behavior.
• Shen Mengyun shows resilience and understanding, cooperating with Jiang Cheng's plan despite the intimate nature of their decoy strategy.
• Fatty's naivety is highlighted when he misunderstands the situation between Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun.

Significant Themes

• Trust and cooperation: Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun work together to survive, while Fatty's misunderstanding highlights the importance of communication and trust.
• Deception and manipulation: Jiang Cheng uses his understanding of the statue ghosts' behavior to deceive and mislead them, showcasing the power of knowledge and adaptability.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun: They work together to survive, with Jiang Cheng protecting Shen Mengyun and using her as a decoy. Their interaction is intense and intimate, leading to Fatty's misunderstanding.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Fatty's naivety leads him to misunderstand the situation between Jiang Cheng and Shen Mengyun, highlighting the contrast between their personalities and experiences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng leads the team to lure and eliminate the resurrected sculptures, with Shen Mengyun as bait.
• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi successfully ambush and eliminate several sculptures, while Wang Qi and Fatty do the same.
• A cunning sculpture ghost evades Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi but is later cornered and eliminated by them.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his strategic thinking and combat skills, earning respect from Huai Yi.
• Huai Yi gains confidence and experience in ambushing and eliminating ghosts under Jiang Cheng's guidance.
• Fatty shows loyalty to Jiang Cheng but also accepts Wang Qi's help, indicating his adaptability.

Significant Themes

• The theme of survival and adaptation is emphasized as the team faces the resurrected sculptures.
• The theme of trust and camaraderie develops as Jiang Cheng reassures Huai Yi about Fatty's loyalty.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi form a strong partnership, with Jiang Cheng acting as the mentor and Huai Yi as the eager learner.
• Fatty's loyalty to Jiang Cheng is tested when Wang Qi saves him, but he ultimately remains loyal to Jiang Cheng.
• The team dynamic shifts as they work together to eliminate the sculptures, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi decide to find Fatty and the others after realizing they've dealt with most of the sculpture ghosts.
• Shen Mengyun, disguised as a sculpture, feels an unease and senses a hidden ghost.
• She discovers a bust statue ghost that moves when she blinks, and it eventually kills her by tearing off her lower body.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows concern for Shen Mengyun's safety and rushes to her aid when he senses something amiss.
• Huai Yi demonstrates his bravery by trying to help Jiang Cheng, despite being frightened by Shen Mengyun's gruesome state.
• Shen Mengyun, despite her fear, tries to outsmart the bust statue ghost by not blinking, but ultimately fails.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fear and unease is prevalent as characters face the unknown and supernatural.
• The theme of trust and communication is highlighted when Fatty receives a message from a ghost, leading him to believe it's Shen Mengyun.
• The theme of loss and grief is introduced with the death of Shen Mengyun.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi work together, with Jiang Cheng taking the lead and Huai Yi following his instructions.
• Fatty and Jiang Cheng have a brief interaction where Fatty misinterprets Jiang Cheng's reaction to Shen Mengyun's message.
• Shen Mengyun interacts with the bust statue ghost through a staring contest, trying to prevent it from moving towards her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shen Mengyun is killed by the half-body statue ghost, which takes her legs and uses them to walk away.
• Jiang Cheng wears the work uniform to lure the ghost and finds its hiding place in the Sculpture Hall.
• Jiang Cheng realizes that only the person wearing the uniform can see the ghost, and it can only be defeated by having all survivors look at it simultaneously.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates exceptional perception, courage, and strategic thinking in facing the ghost.
• Wang Qi shows intelligence and adaptability in assisting Jiang Cheng without being able to see the ghost.
• Fatty and Huai Yi follow instructions and support Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork and communication in overcoming adversity.
• The concept of seeing and understanding the truth to defeat it.
• The idea of facing one's fears and taking action.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi work together to locate and defeat the ghost, with Wang Qi relying on Jiang Cheng's guidance.
• Fatty and Huai Yi support Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi by following their instructions.
• The ghost's ability to freeze and teleport creates a tense dynamic between Jiang Cheng and the other survivors.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng decapitates the bust in the Sculpture Hall, causing it to transform into a Wu head statue.
• He wakes up in his dorm to find Huai Yi worriedly watching over him.
• Wang Qi enters the room, revealing that Fatty is next door, needing some quiet time.
• Wang Qi hints at knowing about Wu's awakening.
• Jiang Cheng confronts Wang Qi about his and Fatty's true nature and their relationship.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: He becomes more determined to uncover the truth about his past and the strange occurrences around him.
• Wang Qi: He reveals that he and the others are already dead and trapped by the bus. He also hints at knowing more about Jiang Cheng's past.
• Fatty (Wang Fugui): He is implied to have a special connection to Jiang Cheng and is well-liked by the others.

Significant Themes

• Death and Afterlife: The revelation that Wang Qi and others are dead but trapped adds depth to the theme of death and the afterlife.
• Memory Loss: Jiang Cheng's struggle to recall his past and Wang Qi's forgotten memories highlight the theme of memory loss and its significance.
• Truth and Secrets: The chapter delves deeper into the truth behind the characters' pasts and the secrets they hold.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi: Their tense conversation reveals crucial information about their pasts and the nature of their relationship.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Jiang Cheng's concern for Fatty's well-being is evident, hinting at a deeper bond between them.
• Wang Qi and Fatty: Wang Qi's gentle demeanor when mentioning Fatty suggests a strong affection and respect for him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Qi reveals he's part of Deep Red, a secret organization.
• Jiang Cheng learns that Fatty (Wang Fugui) and others are also former members of Deep Red.
• Jiang Cheng discovers that Pi Ruan, his former classmate, was an informant planted by Deep Red.
• Wang Qi confirms that Jiang Cheng's codename is 'Zero'.
• Wang Qi suggests visiting Wang Fugui (No. 10) to help him remember his past.
• Jiang Cheng draws a portrait of a woman, who Wang Qi identifies as the creator of Deep Red.

Character Developments

• Wang Qi: Struggles with fragmented memories of his past, tries to help Jiang Cheng understand their shared history.
• Jiang Cheng: Realizes his past connections with Deep Red, experiences a mix of shock, disbelief, and acceptance.
• Wang Fugui (Fatty): Not present but mentioned, resistant to accepting his past identity as No. 10 in Deep Red.

Significant Themes

• Identity: Characters grapple with their true identities and the implications of their past actions.
• Memory and Forgetting: The characters' memories are fragmented or repressed, affecting their understanding of their past.
• Trust: Despite initial suspicions, Jiang Cheng comes to trust Wang Qi, leading to a deeper understanding of their shared history.

Character Interactions

• Wang Qi and Jiang Cheng: They engage in a lengthy conversation, with Wang Qi providing information about their past and Jiang Cheng processing this newfound knowledge.
• Wang Qi and Wang Fugui: Wang Qi expresses concern for Wang Fugui's well-being and resistance to accepting his past identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng sees disturbing bloody words and a shadow on the wall, hinting at his connection to Deep Red.
• Fatty (Wang Fugui) is in a distressed state, muttering about his ranking drop in Deep Red and his younger siblings' deaths.
• Huai Yi notices something unusual in Jiang Cheng's eyes.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Struggles with the revelation about Lin Wan'er's deception and his possible connection to Deep Red. His emotional state is fragile.
• Fatty (Wang Fugui): Breaks down upon seeing a jade pendant given by Wang Qi, recalling his dead younger siblings and questioning his identity in Deep Red.
• Huai Yi: Shows concern for Jiang Cheng and Fatty, trying to understand the dynamics within Deep Red.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Trust: The theme of people close to Jiang Cheng deceiving him is reinforced with Lin Wan'er's revelation.
• Identity and Belonging: Fatty grapples with his identity within Deep Red and the loss of his younger siblings.
• Mental Health: Fatty's mental state deteriorates, highlighting the psychological toll of Deep Red's activities.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wang Qi: Jiang Cheng is hostile towards Wang Qi, who claims to know Fatty and gives him a jade pendant.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Jiang Cheng tries to comfort Fatty, who is distraught over his past and current circumstances.
• Huai Yi and Jiang Cheng: Huai Yi expresses concern for Jiang Cheng's wellbeing, noticing something unusual in his eyes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng confesses his feelings to Fatty, acknowledging Fatty's importance and reliability.
• Wang Qi reveals he's a ghost trapped on the bus, with his memory of his death erased.
• Wang Qi suggests the final mission might hold the truth about their failures.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Admits his fear of change and dependence on Fatty.
• Fatty: Struggles with his new identity and recognition of Wang Qi.
• Wang Qi: Accepts his ghostly state and remains calm and analytical.

Significant Themes

• Trust and reliability (Jiang Cheng's reliance on Fatty).
• Acceptance of reality (Wang Qi's acknowledgment of his ghostly state).
• The unknown truth behind their missions.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Share a moment of emotional connection and mutual support.
• Wang Qi and Huai Yi: Wang Qi's calm revelation about his ghostly state unnerves Huai Yi.
• Wang Qi and Jiang Cheng: They discuss the possibility of the final mission holding the truth about their failures.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng meets Yuan Xiaoyi at their usual spot, revealing he couldn't save Xiaoyu.
• Yuan Xiaoyi shares she saw Xiaoran the previous night, who was soaked and dripping water, wearing Xiaoran's swimsuit.
• Yuan Xiaoyi recounts strange occurrences related to the school's swimming pool, including wet footprints and water on the doorknob.
• They discuss a recent incident at the swimming pool: a high school girl died during night training, officially ruled as drowning due to a severe muscle cramp.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Struggles with guilt over not saving Xiaoyu, remains determined to find Xiaoran.
• Yuan Xiaoyi: Shows fear and distress when discussing Xiaoran and the swimming pool incidents, her mental state seems fragile.

Significant Themes

• Guilt and self-blame (Jiang Cheng)
• Fear and trauma (Yuan Xiaoyi)
• The supernatural and unexplained occurrences in the school's facilities

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Yuan Xiaoyi: They comfort each other, with Jiang Cheng trying to keep Yuan Xiaoyi calm while she shares her experiences.
• Jiang Cheng and the Heart-Devouring Demon: They work together, cherishing their scenes and moving on to the next part of their plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A girl drowns in the school's swimming pool during late-night training.
• The other girls find her body floating in the pool after showering.
• During an upcoming swimming competition, another girl drowns inexplicably in the pool.
• The competition is suspended due to the second drowning.
• The second girl's body is found with a strange, dark handprint on her ankle.
• A third girl, who used to train at the swimming pool, is found drowned in her family's fish tank.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Shows curiosity and concern about the events, asking detailed questions.
• Yuan Xiaoyi: Relates the events with increasing unease, revealing a growing fear as she recounts the details.

Significant Themes

• Sudden and unexplained deaths, creating a sense of mystery and dread.
• The impact of tragic events on the community, with the school trying to suppress the news.
• The eerie and supernatural elements, such as the handprint and the girl's strange behavior before her death.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Yuan Xiaoyi: Jiang Cheng listens intently as Yuan Xiaoyi recounts the events, occasionally asking questions to clarify details.
• The girls involved: They are initially unaware of the danger, but later show fear and take leave from their studies after the incidents.