Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Wan'er reveals she's from a secret organization, sent to infiltrate the Night Watch.
• She was involved in a plan called the Abyss, aiming to investigate a terrifying scheme by high-ranking Night Watch members.
• Lin Wan'er eliminates other infiltrators and becomes the leader of the Abyss plan.
• She reveals the Night Watch's secret weapon, the Old President, a monster capable of absorbing disciples and their Doors to create a new world.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows growth and independence by refusing to help Lin Wan'er against Wu, asserting his own thoughts and decisions.
• Lin Wan'er demonstrates her strategic and manipulative nature, having infiltrated the Night Watch and eliminated other spies.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Betrayal: Lin Wan'er's revelation challenges Jiang Cheng's trust in her, while her past actions show her betraying her original mission and other infiltrators.
• Power and Control: The Old President's ability to absorb disciples and their Doors highlights the theme of power and control, with the Old President seeking to dominate and reshape the world.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er: Their relationship becomes strained as Jiang Cheng questions Lin Wan'er's motives and truths, leading to a tense standoff.
• Jiang Cheng and Wu: Jiang Cheng's attempt to protect Wu from Lin Wan'er fails, leading to Wu's temporary disappearance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty learns that Night Watch's ultimate plan is to replace the real world with a new one, using the Deep Abyss Plan.
• Jiang Cheng understands that the supernatural incidents are rifts opened by Nightmare into the real world, and that the Deep Abyss Plan requires a catalyst or key for the worlds to overlap.
• Lin Wan'er reveals that Jiang Cheng is not human, but a being from another world, with a Gate within him that can act as a key for the two worlds to overlap.
• They learn that Night Watch's first Deep Abyss Plan failed due to Xia Tan and his disciples, and that the bus Jiang Cheng encountered is Old President's Gate, containing countless Nightmare puzzles and absorbed disciples.
• Night Watch has been using shelters to forcibly contract Gates onto people and feed them to Old President to help him recover, awakening him 10 years earlier than expected.

Character Developments

• Fatty is shocked and disturbed to learn that Doctor is not human.
• Jiang Cheng remains calm and focused on understanding the truth, despite learning about his non-human nature.
• Lin Wan'er shows concern and grimness when discussing Night Watch's actions and the awakening of Old President.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between Nightmare and the real world.
• The consequences of absorbing despair and Gates.
• The true nature of Jiang Cheng and his role in the Deep Abyss Plan.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er discuss the Deep Abyss Plan, with Jiang Cheng pressing for details and Lin Wan'er providing information reluctantly.
• Fatty reacts with shock and horror to the revelations about Doctor and the bus.
• Lin Wan'er expresses concern about Night Watch's actions and the awakening of Old President.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng learns about District 13, a secretive containment facility within Night Watch, where he and Deep Red members were imprisoned.
• Lin Wan'er reveals that Deep Red members were chosen from the 13 families of Night Watch for a secret plan, to be absolute loyalists and eliminate threats.
• Lin Wan'er admits to deceiving Jiang Cheng and other Deep Red members about their missions, claiming it was necessary to protect the plan and many lives.
• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er discuss the mission involving the bizarre bus, and Lin Wan'er identifies the mission giver as Nipo, a high-level disciple with the ability to bewitch and turn people into clay figures.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng struggles with the revelation of his past and Night Watch's true intentions, trying to understand and accept the truth.
• Lin Wan'er shows remorse for deceiving Jiang Cheng and other Deep Red members but maintains that her actions were necessary to protect the plan and many lives.
• Fatty's loyalty shifts towards Lin Wan'er after she explains her role in the Deep Abyss Plan, despite initially intending to side with the doctor.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: The theme of deception and truth is prominent as characters grapple with the reality of their past actions and the true intentions of Night Watch.
• Loyalty and Betrayal: Characters struggle with their loyalties, questioning who they should trust and support, leading to shifts in alliances.
• The Price of Power: The consequences of seeking and maintaining power are explored through the actions of Night Watch and the Deep Red members.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er share a tense but informative conversation, with Jiang Cheng questioning Lin Wan'er's actions and motives while trying to understand his past.
• Fatty's loyalty shifts between the doctor and Lin Wan'er, ultimately siding with Lin Wan'er after she explains her role in the Deep Abyss Plan.
• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er discuss the mission involving the bizarre bus, leading to the identification of the mission giver as Nipo, a high-level disciple with a bewitching ability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng learns that the Mud Monk is a resistance fighter led by Xia Tan, one of the high-level disciples who disappeared with Xia Tan.
• The bus where the disciples died is revealed to be a rift between two worlds, with Old President being a piece of the nightmare puzzle.
• Lin Wan'er reveals that Jiang Cheng was brought back from another world by Old President through the bus.
• Lin Wan'er explains that resolving Old President or finding the opening on the bus is necessary to escape the bus.
• Xia Tan, who escaped the bus, tore open Old President's domain and escaped through the resulting rift, which is the opening's location.
• Lin Wan'er admits to orchestrating the incident at Night Watch headquarters, using Xia Tan's eruption to eliminate high-ranking members involved in the Deep Abyss Plan.
• The entity behind Lin Wan'er plans to move against Night Watch due to the commencement of the second Deep Abyss Plan.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng becomes more determined to resolve Old President to escape the bus and protect his friends.
• Fatty shows resilience and optimism, eager to return to the bus to save his friend Wang Qi.
• Lin Wan'er demonstrates her strategic mind and ruthlessness in eliminating Night Watch's high command.
• Xia Tan is revealed to have sacrificed himself to escape the bus, leaving behind a crucial weakness in Old President.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against powerful, otherworldly forces (Old President, Night Watch, the entity behind Lin Wan'er).
• The consequences of one's actions and the responsibility to protect others (Xia Tan's sacrifice, Lin Wan'er's undercover work).
• The necessity of strategic planning and adaptability in the face of changing circumstances (Lin Wan'er's premature action against Night Watch).

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er share information and strategize about Old President and Night Watch.
• Jiang Cheng expresses his desire to meet Xia Tan, revealing his respect for the resistance fighters.
• Fatty's resilience and optimism contrast with Jiang Cheng's cautious realism about returning to the bus.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Wan'er explains the consequences if dangerous individuals escape, including the Night Watch's aggressive actions and societal impact.
• Lin Wan'er reveals that the Night Watch's leadership has betrayed their oath and aims to create a new world.
• Jiang Cheng learns that Xia Meng and Xia Tan are from the Xia Family, one of the 13 families.
• Lin Wan'er states that the Xia Family and other Night Watch members who disagree with the old guard's methods will assist in cleansing the Night Watch.
• Jiang Cheng learns about Gong Zhe, a high-level disciple and Xia Tan's stabilizing force, and his child, Chen Ran (No. 6).
• The conversation is interrupted by a black shadow (Wu) in the courtyard, and other Night Watch members arrive.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Shows curiosity and seriousness in understanding the Night Watch's dynamics and Lin Wan'er's plans.
• Lin Wan'er: Demonstrates her intelligence, deep background, and determination to cleanse the Night Watch, even if it means taking down those who don't support her.
• Wu (Black Shadow): Shows aggression and disregard for the other Night Watch members' presence.
• Luo He (No. 3): Displays intelligence and a calm demeanor, contrasting with the other Night Watch members.
• No. 8: Reveals a past incident involving Wu and expresses embarrassment.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and corruption within the Night Watch.
• The consequences of inaction and the need for change.
• The struggle between family interests and personal beliefs.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er: Engage in a serious discussion about the Night Watch and its members, with Lin Wan'er sharing crucial information.
• Wu and other Night Watch members: Interact with each other, revealing their dynamics and personalities, with Wu showing aggression and the others attempting to contain him.
• No. 8 and Wu: Share a past incident, hinting at Wu's past behavior and No. 8's embarrassment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu, the cowboy man, and No. 13 confront Jiang Cheng, but Wu is ordered not to harm him.
• Lin Wan'er meets Jiang Cheng and offers a deal: Wu's safety in exchange for a mysterious item.
• Wu agrees and leaves with the item, Jiang Cheng's shadow reappearing at his feet.
• Lin Wan'er tells Jiang Cheng not to look for her and that she will find him when the time is right.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng struggles with trusting Lin Wan'er due to her past deceptions.
• Wu shows restraint in his actions, following Lin Wan'er's orders.
• Lin Wan'er reveals her protective feelings towards Jiang Cheng.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Jiang Cheng grapples with whether to trust Lin Wan'er.
• Selfishness: Lin Wan'er's actions suggest a level of selfishness in her motivations.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er have a tense yet revealing conversation.
• Wu and No. 13 show a level of respect for Jiang Cheng's abilities.
• Fatty shows concern and support for Jiang Cheng, helping him process his emotions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng sleeps well for the first time in a while.
• The fatty has insomnia due to Wang Qi's death and his consciousness being trapped on a bus.
• The fatty discovers that the breakfast street and Julong Shopping Mall are closed, with the mall undergoing renovations despite having recently finished some.
• Jiang Cheng decides to postpone his appointments and stay home to sort out clues, while the fatty rests.
• Jiang Cheng snaps at the fatty after he jokes about dying, leading to a tense confrontation.
• Huai Yi messages the fatty about an urgent matter, and they arrange to meet at a nearby teahouse.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng's emotional state is fragile, leading to an overreaction to the fatty's joke, showing his vulnerability and lack of coping mechanisms.
• The fatty, despite his size and initial bravado, is intimidated by Jiang Cheng's outburst and shows remorse for his joke.

Significant Themes

• Grief and its impact on mental health, as seen in Jiang Cheng's emotional instability.
• Communication and understanding, or lack thereof, between Jiang Cheng and the fatty, leading to conflict.
• The mysterious circumstances surrounding Wang Qi's death and the closed Julong Shopping Mall, hinting at deeper, unexplained phenomena.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and the fatty's relationship is strained due to Jiang Cheng's emotional outburst and the fatty's fear of his reaction.
• Huai Yi's message indicates he has information or needs help with an urgent matter, suggesting he trusts Jiang Cheng and the fatty to assist him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Yi reveals that supernatural events have increased dramatically, with new missions constantly being posted on the website.
• Jiang Cheng deduces that the Night Watch is orchestrating these events to buy time for their own plan.
• Huai Yi shares that Rong City has also experienced supernatural events, including one at Julong Shopping Mall, which Jiang Cheng and Fatty had recently visited.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his strategic thinking and quick understanding of the situation.
• Huai Yi shows his knowledge of the website's intricacies and the gravity of the current situation.
• Fatty displays shock and concern upon seeing the gruesome photos from the mall incident.

Significant Themes

• The escalation of supernatural events and the Night Watch's involvement.
• The potential harm and urgency of these events, as indicated by their threat levels.
• The impact of supernatural events on populated areas and the challenges in controlling them.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng, Huai Yi, and Fatty meet at a tea house to discuss the current situation.
• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi exchange information and theories about the recent supernatural events.
• Fatty reacts with shock and concern when seeing the photos from the mall incident, highlighting his emotional response to the events unfolding around them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A mall's mannequins suddenly come to life and attack the people inside, leaving only four survivors, two of whom are severely injured and have gone insane.
• The survivors report that the mall's doors wouldn't open, and no one outside could hear or see them, as if they were in a separate world.
• Jiang Cheng decides to accept the mission to investigate, suspecting it was man-made.
• Huai Yi, while trying to accept the mission, finds his account logged out, indicating his death, though he's still alive.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Shows determination to investigate the mall incident, hinting at a personal stake.
• Huai Yi: Initially reluctant to accept the mission, he later agrees to join Jiang Cheng and Fatty. He's shocked and confused when his account is logged out.
• Fatty: Shows confidence in his abilities and determination to support Jiang Cheng.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural events and their causes.
• The consequences of supernatural events on survivors.
• Trust and teamwork among the characters.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi: Jiang Cheng convinces Huai Yi to accept the mission, showing leadership. Huai Yi is later shocked and confused when his account is logged out.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: They show mutual trust and determination to work together.
• Huai Yi and Fatty: Huai Yi seeks Fatty's reassurance, showing his reliance on the team.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng, Huai Yi, and Fatty discuss the possibility that a bus they took left a "brand" on them, allowing supernatural entities to find them.
• Jiang Cheng theorizes that this brand might protect them from other supernatural events in the real world.
• They decide to sneak into Julong Mall, where a supernatural event is occurring, to test Jiang Cheng's theory.

Character Developments

• Huai Yi: Struggles with the idea of being branded by the bus but finds hope in Jiang Cheng's theory.
• Jiang Cheng: Shows leadership and strategic thinking, proposing a dangerous plan to test his theory.
• Fatty: Remains cautious and perceptive, observing their surroundings and the people they encounter.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural: The bus and the mall incident highlight the presence of supernatural forces in the world.
• Risk and reward: The group weighs the risks of entering the mall against the potential benefits of Jiang Cheng's theory.
• Trust and teamwork: The group relies on each other for support and decision-making.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi: They discuss and debate the implications of the bus incident and Jiang Cheng's theory, with Huai Yi initially skeptical but eventually hopeful.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Fatty supports Jiang Cheng's plan but also expresses caution and concern for their safety.
• Huai Yi and Fatty: Huai Yi acknowledges Fatty's contributions to their discussion and tips the delivery boy generously, showing appreciation for Fatty's help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi are stopped by police officers near the mall, with Consultant Wu Gang finding Jiang Cheng peculiar.
• Wu Gang warns them not to go out after dark and advises them to leave, but he suspects they might be involved in something.
• Jiang Cheng and his friends escape surveillance, but Wu Gang's team continues to monitor the area.
• Jiang Cheng leads his friends to a safe vantage point to observe the mall from a distance.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his keen observational skills and quick thinking, evading police surveillance.
• Fatty shows his agility and strength, scaling walls effortlessly.
• Wu Gang is portrayed as an experienced and perceptive police officer, with a keen eye for detail.
• The young police officer shows diligence and respect towards Wu Gang, earning his appreciation.

Significant Themes

• Suspicion and surveillance, as Wu Gang suspects Jiang Cheng and his friends of being involved in something.
• The eerie atmosphere around the mall, hinting at supernatural events.
• The contrast between the police's surveillance and Jiang Cheng's evasion of it.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi work together to evade police surveillance, showcasing their teamwork and trust in each other.
• Wu Gang and the young police officer interact, with Wu Gang appreciating the young officer's diligence and respect.
• Jiang Cheng and his friends observe the mall from a distance, highlighting their shared goal and determination to uncover the truth behind the mall's eerie events.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The trio enters a mall and encounters a supernatural event, indicated by a cold chill and bloodstains.
• They follow a trail of blood and drag marks, leading to an emergency exit with fresh bloodstains.
• The mall is eerily empty of mannequins, which were present in the initial mission description.
• Jiang Cheng discovers that the glass doors, which were previously impassable, can now be opened.
• They follow bloody footprints to the fourth floor, leading to a wood carving shop filled with mannequins.
• Jiang Cheng decapitates one of the mannequins, revealing its true nature.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his analytical skills and supernatural abilities, such as sensing the presence of a supernatural event and decapitating the mannequin.
• Fatty's abilities are hinted at, but he remains secretive about them. He also experiences a range of emotions, from happiness to worry, about his connection to the supernatural bus.
• Huai Yi shows curiosity about Fatty's abilities but doesn't directly ask about them.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural event's ability to adapt and change, as seen in the mannequins' disappearance and reappearance.
• The theme of discovery and investigation, as the trio follows clues to uncover the event's true nature.
• The theme of fear and the unknown, as the group faces an enemy they can't see.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng takes the lead in investigating, with Fatty and Huai Yi following his guidance.
• Fatty and Huai Yi are both curious about Fatty's abilities but don't directly ask him about them.
• The trio works together to follow clues and uncover the truth about the supernatural event.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng and his team enter the wood carving shop in Julong Mall, where they find mannequins eerily standing.
• They discover a cabinet with scratch marks and a broken hemp rope, suggesting a sealed supernatural entity.
• Fatty spots a moving mannequin, which turns out to be a woman in pajamas with restraint marks, standing in a pool of blood.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates courage and calmness in the face of the supernatural, showing his growth as a doctor.
• Fatty and Huai Yi show fear but remain loyal to Jiang Cheng, displaying their growth as assistants.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural entity's origin and nature, hinting at the Night Watch's involvement in previous incidents.
• The theme of courage and calmness in the face of the unknown, as shown by Jiang Cheng.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi work together to investigate the shop, showing teamwork and mutual support.
• Jiang Cheng interacts with the woman, showing respect and calmness, while Fatty and Huai Yi express fear but trust Jiang Cheng's judgment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng and Fatty investigate a supernatural incident in a mall, where mannequins attack them, but stop due to a brand on Jiang Cheng's back.
• They decide not to interfere further to avoid Night Watch's suspicion.
• Huai Yi declines to join them, planning to settle his affairs first.
• Jiang Cheng and Fatty return home, and after a few days, they both experience a sudden, intense burning sensation on different parts of their bodies.

Character Developments

• Fatty shows more confidence and determination in his mission and loyalty to Deep Red.
• Jiang Cheng starts to accept and embrace his fate, feeling more at ease.
• Huai Yi reveals his plan to settle his affairs, showing a more thoughtful side.

Significant Themes

• The power of the brand on Jiang Cheng's back and its connection to Night Watch.
• The growing bond and camaraderie between Jiang Cheng and Fatty.
• The looming threat of Night Watch and the Old President.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Fatty's relationship deepens, with Fatty showing more initiative in their conversations.
• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi maintain a professional, respectful relationship.
• Fatty's loyalty and determination are evident in his conversation with Jiang Cheng about Night Watch and the Old President.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three characters (Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi) receive old, illegible bus tickets at their respective doors, with no one visible outside.
• The tickets are believed to be death warrants, as similar incidents resulted in deaths in the past.
• The three decide to live together, awaiting the arrival of the bus.
• An eerie bus appears one night, shrouded in fog, with only its front half visible.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Becomes the de facto leader, making decisions and comforting the others. He maintains a calm demeanor despite the situation.
• Fatty: Shows bravery and determination, stepping up to help Huai Yi and support Jiang Cheng's decisions.
• Huai Yi: Struggles with fear and anxiety, often staying up at night. He's the most affected by the situation but tries to cope.

Significant Themes

• Fear and Courage: The characters grapple with fear but find courage in unity and acceptance of their situation.
• Uncertainty: The bus's nature and their fates remain uncertain, driving the narrative forward.
• Camaraderie: The three form a bond, supporting each other as they face the unknown together.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: They work together, making decisions and comforting Huai Yi. Their bond strengthens as they face the threat together.
• Jiang Cheng and Huai Yi: Jiang Cheng provides guidance and reassurance to Huai Yi, who looks up to him for support.
• Fatty and Huai Yi: Fatty offers comfort and support to Huai Yi, showing a protective and caring side.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi board a ghostly bus filled with vengeful spirits.
• A boy in a striped outfit approaches them, asking Jiang Cheng to deliver a gift box to his friend.
• The boy's demeanor changes drastically, becoming aggressive, but calms down when Jiang Cheng agrees to help.
• Jiang Cheng takes the gift box, feeling its unusual weight and strange pattern, and is warned about its importance.
• As Jiang Cheng steps off the bus, he finds there's no ground beneath him, and he falls.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows maturity and calmness in dealing with the boy, using his words to defuse the situation.
• Fatty and Huai Yi remain fearful and rely on Jiang Cheng's decisions.

Significant Themes

• The theme of helping others, as Jiang Cheng agrees to deliver the gift box.
• The theme of deception and hidden danger, as the boy's true nature is revealed.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng, Fatty, and Huai Yi work together to try and understand the situation and survive.
• Jiang Cheng interacts with the boy, trying to calm him and extract information.
• The boy's behavior changes drastically, showing his unpredictable nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng opens a mysterious box, leading to a bright light and an unknown passage of time.
• He wakes up in a small, simply furnished room, likely an employee dormitory.
• Jiang Cheng meets his new teammates, including Fatty and Huai Yi, and learns they're on a mission together.
• Jiang Cheng discovers his teammates are from the Xia Family, an ally against the Night Watch.
• The Xia Family team is escorting a brother-sister pair, Lin Muyun and Lin Muwan, to safety from the Night Watch.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng initially feigns weakness but drops the act when he realizes his teammates know him.
• Fatty is shown to be brave and outspoken, arguing with the Xia Family team leader.
• Lin Muyun is protective of his sister, Lin Muwan, who is shy and communicates using a binder.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Jiang Cheng initially doesn't trust the Xia Family team, but they seem genuine in their mission.
• Protection and responsibility: The Xia Family team is responsible for protecting the Lin siblings from the Night Watch.
• Communication: Lin Muwan's unique method of communication highlights the theme of understanding and adapting to differences.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng is wary of the Xia Family team at first but warms up to them as they explain their mission.
• Fatty argues with Xia Qiang, showing his loyalty to Jiang Cheng and his team.
• Lin Muyun and Lin Muwan interact, showing their close bond and Lin Muyun's protective nature.
• The Xia Family team members introduce themselves, establishing their roles in the mission and the group dynamic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group wakes up to an alarm and meets their landlady, Wen Jie, who introduces them to a client, Wang Jie, with a problem that needs solving.
• They go to an office building, and Jiang Cheng, using his charm, convinces Wen Jie to take the stairs instead of the elevator, giving him more time with her.
• They meet Wang Jie, who works at a large company and has encountered a problem she can't resolve.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Shows cunning and manipulative skills, using his charm to persuade Wen Jie and gain information.
• Wen Jie: Reveals she has feelings for Jiang Cheng and is willing to help him and his group, despite her initial harsh words.
• Wang Jie: Appears terrified and desperate, suggesting she's in a serious predicament.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Jiang Cheng uses his charm to manipulate Wen Jie and gain information, while Wang Jie is likely being manipulated by someone else.
• Power dynamics: The group's reliance on Wen Jie for business and accommodation highlights their vulnerable position in society.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Wen Jie: Jiang Cheng uses his charm to manipulate Wen Jie, while she shows clear affection towards him.
• Jiang Cheng and Wang Jie: Jiang Cheng shows empathy and understanding towards Wang Jie, encouraging her to share her problem.
• The group: They rely on Jiang Cheng for leadership and guidance, following his decisions without question.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Jie, a woman in her 30s, recounts her experience at her office building in South City's Yourun Building, floors 10 to 14, where she works.
• On a rainy day at 12:15 PM, she finds her workstation on the 10th floor messy, with documents thrown around and a desk lamp on.
• She can't find her colleague and discovers the office is unusually quiet and dark, with broken lights.
• A flash of lightning reveals a disheveled aisle with overturned trash cans and an office chair.
• Following the ringing of a phone, she finds a body in front of the emergency exit, with blood splattered everywhere, and the person appears to be split open.
• She calls the police, who arrive quickly. She later learns the deceased is not her colleague and her call records with him are deleted.
• Wang Jie seeks help from Jiang Cheng's team, as the police suspect her involvement.

Character Developments

• Wang Jie: Initially calm, she becomes increasingly frightened and anxious as she recounts her experience. She is desperate for help and appears honest but confused.
• Jiang Cheng: He listens attentively, asks relevant questions, and maintains a calm demeanor, trying to reassure Wang Jie. He seems experienced and professional.

Significant Themes

• Fear and anxiety: Wang Jie's fear is palpable as she describes her experience, highlighting the theme of anxiety and unease.
• Trust and suspicion: Wang Jie feels let down by her colleague and later by the police, who suspect her involvement.

Character Interactions

• Wang Jie and Jiang Cheng: Wang Jie seeks help from Jiang Cheng, who listens sympathetically and reassuringly. He tries to extract more information from her without agitating her further.
• Wang Jie and the police: Wang Jie feels misunderstood and suspected by the police, leading her to seek outside help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An alarm clock goes off in the office, identical to the one that woke them in the morning.
• Wang Jie, startled, leaves hurriedly.
• Yuan Xiaotian finds and turns off the alarm clock.
• They realize Li Mengyao is missing. She had accompanied Wang Jie out.
• A phone call from the Municipal Public Security Bureau informs them that Wang Jie was murdered the previous night.
• Jiang Cheng, Xia Qiang, and their teams search for Li Mengyao but find no trace of her.
• Xia Qiang concludes that Li Mengyao is also dead.

Character Developments

• Wang Jie's mysterious behavior and eventual death hint at her involvement in the supernatural events.
• Li Mengyao's disappearance and presumed death suggest she might have been targeted.
• Jiang Cheng shows determination to help, despite his initial disdain for Li Mengyao.
• Xia Qiang demonstrates leadership and strategic thinking in managing the search for Li Mengyao.
• Yuan Xiaotian displays concern and desperation over Li Mengyao's fate.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Events: The alarm clock's inexplicable appearance and Wang Jie's murder suggest supernatural forces at play.
• Death: Wang Jie's murder and Li Mengyao's presumed death emphasize the stakes and danger of the mission.
• Trust and Betrayal: Wang Jie's actions hint at potential betrayal, while Jiang Cheng's offer to help despite his grudge shows unexpected trust.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Xia Qiang work together despite their initial tension, showing a mutual respect for each other's capabilities.
• Yuan Xiaotian and Xia Qiang work as a team, with Xia Qiang taking the lead in decision-making.
• Li Mengyao's absence creates a void, highlighting the importance of her role and the impact of her presumed death on the team.