Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge encounters Zhang Ya outside the school gate, and she points towards the Campus Office Building.
• Chen Ge waits for the police outside the school gate, and Captain Li arrives with a team.
• Chen Ge leads Captain Li and another officer to the sports equipment room in the office building, where they find over a dozen ballet slippers, including a pair stained with blood.
• Chen Ge's phone receives a notification that he has completed the "Zhang Ya's favorability" mission by finding her red dance shoes before dawn.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows bravery and determination in investigating the case despite the risks.
• Captain Li demonstrates professionalism and commitment to justice, vowing to pursue the case to its end.
• Zhang Ya's attitude towards Chen Ge softens slightly, and she guides him towards the office building.

Significant Themes

• The investigation into the girl's suicide four years ago reveals a potential serial offender, highlighting the theme of justice and the pursuit of truth.
• The discovery of the ballet slippers suggests a possible fetish or obsession with the dance shoes, adding a layer of psychological depth to the story.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Captain Li work together to investigate the case, with Chen Ge providing crucial information and guidance.
• Chen Ge interacts with Zhang Ya, who guides him towards the office building, indicating a shift in her attitude towards him.
• The interaction between Chen Ge and Zhang Ya's exclusive page hints at the possibility of influencing or controlling Zhang Ya's actions through his requests.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge completes the favorability mission for Zhang Ya, triggering a four-star horror scenario, "Spirit Medium School."
• The scenario consists of eight side missions and a final mission, all set in different locations around Jiujiang.
• Chen Ge decides to challenge the scenario in the future but not immediately.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge's ambition grows as he considers strategies to increase the House of Horrors' popularity and replayability.
• Captain Li is revealed to have a caring wife who checks on him during missions.

Significant Themes

• The theme of escalating terror is reinforced with the introduction of a four-star horror scenario.
• The idea of protection and preparation for facing greater challenges is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Captain Li have a light-hearted exchange in the police car.
• Captain Li's wife makes a silent call to check on him, showing their understanding and care for each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge receives a call from his sister-in-law expressing concern about him.
• He arrives at New Century Park and enters the Haunted House, noticing the restroom window is open.
• He discovers someone has broken into the Haunted House via surveillance footage.
• Zhang Peng, the escaped convict, is revealed to be hiding in the surveillance room.
• Chen Ge fights Zhang Peng while retreating towards the repair room, where he keeps a hammer.
• A black shadow, later revealed to be the Mirror Monster, clings to Chen Ge's back, aiding Zhang Peng.
• Chen Ge struggles to reach the hammer, with the black shadow increasing in weight and pressure.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates his alertness and strategic thinking when faced with danger.
• Zhang Peng shows increased ferocity and agility, likely influenced by the Mirror Monster.
• The Mirror Monster exhibits growth and enhanced abilities, becoming more formidable.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Chen Ge continues to fight despite the overwhelming odds against him.
• Adaptation: Chen Ge quickly adapts his strategy when he realizes Zhang Peng is being controlled by the Mirror Monster.
• The Unknown: The black shadow's true identity and the extent of its powers remain mysterious.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge's conversation with Captain Li reveals family dynamics and the ongoing threat of Zhang Peng.
• Chen Ge's internal struggle with the black shadow on his back highlights his determination to survive.
• The dynamic between Zhang Peng and the Mirror Monster suggests a symbiotic relationship, with the monster aiding Zhang Peng's attacks.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge is attacked by the Mirror Monster and Zhang Peng in the Repair Room.
• Chen Ge summons Zhang Ya using the Black Phone, and she saves him.
• Zhang Ya eats the Mirror Monster, and a part of it enters Chen Ge's eyes.
• Chen Ge calls the police, and Zhang Peng is arrested.
• Chen Ge discovers his eyes have changed after sleeping.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows desperation and resilience in the face of danger. His eyes change after the Mirror Monster's essence enters them.
• Zhang Ya: Proves to be a powerful ally, saving Chen Ge and consuming the Mirror Monster.
• Zhang Peng: Captured and arrested, appearing listless and vacant after the Mirror Monster leaves him.

Significant Themes

• Survival and desperation: Chen Ge faces life-threatening situations and must use all his resources to survive.
• Alliances and enemies: Chen Ge forms an uneasy alliance with Zhang Ya, while Zhang Peng and the Mirror Monster are his enemies.
• Consequences of actions: Chen Ge's eyes change after the Mirror Monster's essence enters them, hinting at potential future consequences.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Zhang Ya: Zhang Ya saves Chen Ge and then disappears, leaving him with unanswered questions.
• Chen Ge and Zhang Peng: Chen Ge confronts and ultimately helps capture Zhang Peng.
• Chen Ge and the Mirror Monster: Chen Ge faces off against the Mirror Monster, with Zhang Ya eventually consuming it.
• Chen Ge and Xiao Wan: Xiao Wan calls Chen Ge to inform him about the crowd gathering downstairs, showing her concern and loyalty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge wakes up to find a crowd gathered outside his Haunted House, thinking he's in trouble.
• The crowd turns out to be police and reporters who want to award Chen Ge the Third-class Public Security Honor Medal for his role in solving the Ping An Apartment Massacre.
• Captain Yan, a police officer, presents the medal and praises Chen Ge's actions.
• Chen Ge learns he needs to go to the Municipal Public Security Bureau to collect his bounty and prize money.
• Captain Yan tells Chen Ge that the survivor from the Ping An Apartment wants to meet him.
• Chen Ge asks Uncle Xu about renting the underground parking lot and is taken to meet Director Luo, the true helmsman of New Century Park.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows maturity and calmness in handling the unexpected situation. He's determined to continue developing his Haunted House despite the park's decline.
• Captain Yan: Reveals himself to be a kind and appreciative officer who understands and respects Chen Ge's actions. He's also involved in the Ping An Apartment case.
• Director Luo: Introduced as the gentle, well-dressed, and respected leader of New Century Park.

Significant Themes

• Recognition and reward for bravery and service.
• The weight of unsolved cases on the police and victims' families.
• Chen Ge's persistence in pursuing the truth about his parents' disappearance.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Captain Yan: They show mutual respect and understanding, with Captain Yan expressing gratitude for Chen Ge's actions.
• Chen Ge and Uncle Xu: Uncle Xu tries to dissuade Chen Ge from renting the underground parking lot, but Chen Ge remains firm in his decision.
• Chen Ge and Director Luo: They meet briefly, with Uncle Xu warning Chen Ge to be cautious around Director Luo.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge meets Director Luo, who is initially skeptical about Chen Ge's plan to lease the underground parking lot for his expanding Haunted House.
• Director Luo raises concerns about the high initial investment, limited repeat customers, and the park's potential closure.
• Chen Ge expresses his determination to revitalize the park through his Haunted House, despite Director Luo's warnings.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows resolve and ambition in his plans for the Haunted House, despite the challenges and risks involved.
• Director Luo: Reveals his personal story and the origin of New Century Park, demonstrating empathy and understanding towards Chen Ge's situation.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance in the face of adversity: Both Chen Ge and Director Luo exhibit determination and resilience in pursuing their goals.
• The power of belief: Chen Ge's conviction in his Haunted House's potential to revitalize the park is a driving force in his decisions.
• The importance of personal connections: The bond between Director Luo and his daughter, as well as the connection he forms with Chen Ge, highlights the significance of human relationships.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Director Luo: Their conversation reveals their shared experiences and understanding, leading Director Luo to support Chen Ge's plans despite his initial reservations.
• Director Luo and his daughter (through flashbacks): Their relationship demonstrates Director Luo's motivation for creating New Century Park and his empathy towards Chen Ge's situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge secures the rights to use the underground parking lot of New Century Park for free indefinitely.
• He collects his bounty money for solving the Massacre Case.
• Chen Ge visits the old man in the hospital and discovers that the old man can see Yin Xiaoxiao, the Vengeful Spirit possessing the Ragdoll.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge's luck improves, and he secures a valuable asset (the underground parking lot) and collects a significant bounty.
• The old man's condition worsens, and he becomes more attached to Yin Xiaoxiao.

Significant Themes

• The theme of luck and fortune continues, with Chen Ge's luck improving after dealing with the Mirror Monster.
• The connection between the living and the dead is explored further through the old man's ability to see Yin Xiaoxiao.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with Director Luo, securing the parking lot rights.
• He meets Captain Li at the hospital, and they discuss the old man's condition.
• Chen Ge brings Yin Xiaoxiao to the hospital, leading to a significant reaction from the old man.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge accepts a normal-difficulty daily task to find a suitable location to expand the House of Horrors.
• He selects a location next to the Zombie Resurrection Night scenario for the expansion and receives two rewards: a free spin on the Horror Roulette and a damaged Midnight Ticket Booth.
• The Midnight Ticket Booth has a one-in-a-thousand chance of attracting special 'tourists.'

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows responsibility and thoroughness in managing his House of Horrors, cleaning up bloodstains and repairing the bathroom door.
• He demonstrates caution and prudence in deciding not to use the free Horror Roulette spin due to his bad luck.

Significant Themes

• The theme of expansion and growth is introduced with the House of Horrors' first expansion.
• The uncertainty and risk associated with luck and chance are explored through the Horror Roulette.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with a tourist who is scared off by the bloodstains in the bathroom, highlighting his commitment to providing good service.
• Chen Ge communicates with the Black Phone, selecting the expansion location and receiving rewards, but there's no direct interaction with other characters in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge discovers a digit "0" appearing in the mirror after midnight, contrary to his belief that it was related to the Mirror Monster.
• The toilet stall door in the mirror turns blood-red for a minute after midnight, revealing a blood-red world inside the stall.
• Chen Ge suspects that the mirror might be a buffer zone connecting two worlds and that the "0" is a countdown for the Mirror Monster's activity in reality.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes more cautious and analytical about the phenomena in the Haunted House, trying to understand and control them.

Significant Themes

• Exploration of the supernatural and the unknown.
• The consequences of curiosity and the desire to understand the unexplainable.
• The duality of reality and the supernatural world.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the mirror and the stall door, trying to understand and control the phenomena.
• Chen Ge communicates with the Black Phone, accepting and completing missions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge repairs the Midnight Ticket Booth, which triggers a special effect, attracting the first "special tourist."
• A woman and a young child arrive at the House of Horrors. The woman wants to buy tickets for both of them, but Chen Ge refuses due to the age restriction.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows concern for the child's well-being and sticks to the age restriction rule.
• The woman exhibits persistence and a desire to please the child.

Significant Themes

• The tension between the allure of the supernatural and the responsibilities of protecting the vulnerable (the child).
• The importance of rules and their exceptions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the woman, trying to dissuade her from bringing the child into the House of Horrors.
• The woman and the child have a silent, somewhat strained interaction, hinting at an unusual dynamic between them.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• A woman and her nephew, Fan Yu, visit the Haunted House despite Chen Ge's initial refusal due to the child's age.
• Fan Yu is fixated on the dry well in the Ghost Marriage scene, insisting it's where Heaven is.
• Chen Ge learns that Fan Yu's parents, both teachers at Muyang Middle School, went missing years ago.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows empathy and curiosity towards Fan Yu's unusual behavior.
• Fan Yu: Reveals his belief that Heaven is in the well and displays unusual behavior, fearlessness, and mood swings.
• Fan Yu's Aunt: Struggles to cope with Fan Yu's psychological trauma and seeks help from doctors.

Significant Themes

• Trauma and Grief: Fan Yu's parents' disappearance has left him with psychological trauma, affecting his behavior and understanding of the world.
• Heaven and the Afterlife: Fan Yu's belief that Heaven is in the well suggests his longing for his parents and his attempt to cope with their loss.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Fan Yu: Chen Ge tries to understand and help Fan Yu, while Fan Yu initially seems wary but opens up to Chen Ge.
• Fan Yu and His Aunt: Fan Yu's aunt is concerned for him but struggles to connect with him due to his unusual behavior.
• Chen Ge and Fan Yu's Aunt: They share information about Muyang Middle School and Fan Yu's parents, fostering a sense of mutual understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge meets a little boy, Fan Yu, who believes his parents are in 'heaven' and searches for them in a well.
• Chen Ge deduces that Fan Yu's parents were murdered and their bodies are in the well.
• The Black Phone offers Chen Ge a trial mission to unlock a two-star horror scene, Muyang Middle School, by surviving until dawn.
• Chen Ge decides to follow Fan Yu and the dark-skinned woman to gather more information.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows empathy towards Fan Yu and decides to help him, demonstrating his courage and determination.
• Fan Yu: Reveals his belief in his parents being in heaven and his fear of the living, hinting at his traumatic past.

Significant Themes

• The search for truth and justice.
• The consequences of trauma on the psyche.
• The struggle between hope and reality.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and the dark-skinned woman: They interact briefly, with the woman thanking Chen Ge for his help.
• Chen Ge and Fan Yu: Chen Ge observes Fan Yu's strange behavior and deduces the truth about his parents.
• Chen Ge and the Black Phone: Chen Ge accepts the trial mission, committing to a dangerous task.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge follows a thin, dark woman and her son, Fan Yu, to their residence in a dilapidated alley.
• Chen Ge learns that Fan Yu's parents went missing three years ago, and their bodies were later found in a well at Muyang Middle School.
• Chen Ge discovers that Fan Yu has a younger brother and sister, but they died when they were young.
• The Black Phone's side quest mentions "younger sister and younger brother" who didn't return home from school, contradicting the woman's statement.
• Fan Yu is seen drawing pictures of black houses with red figures, which he throws away after completion.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows curiosity and determination in investigating the case, trying to help Fan Yu.
• Fan Yu: Reveals his drawings, hinting at his inner turmoil and possibly his connection to the missing siblings.
• Thin, Dark Woman (Fan Yu's aunt): Struggles with her emotions when discussing her late children and seems to be hiding something.

Significant Themes

• The impact of loss and trauma on individuals, particularly children.
• The discrepancy between the woman's account and the Black Phone's quest, suggesting a mystery yet to be unraveled.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the thin, dark woman, trying to gather information about Fan Yu's parents and siblings.
• Chen Ge observes Fan Yu drawing, hinting at the boy's inner state.
• The thin, dark woman avoids discussing her late children, showing emotional distress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge meets with Fan Yu's aunt, the Dark Thin Woman, to discuss Fan Yu's condition and the disappearance of his parents.
• The aunt reveals that Fan Yu was found at Muyang Middle School, a school with a history of strange incidents and a sealed classroom with locked doors.
• She shares a chilling story about her brother (Fan Yu's father) seeing a group photo of students facing away from the camera, taken in the sealed classroom, before he and Fan Yu's mother went missing.

Character Developments

• Fan Yu's aunt shows concern for her nephew's well-being, hoping he grows up happy and healthy.
• Chen Ge demonstrates empathy and understanding towards Fan Yu's aunt, showing genuine interest in helping Fan Yu.

Significant Themes

• The theme of the supernatural and unexplained is further emphasized with the mention of the sealed classroom and the eerie group photo.
• The impact of trauma on individuals, as seen in Fan Yu's behavior and his parents' disappearance, is another significant theme.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Fan Yu's aunt have a candid conversation about Fan Yu's past and the events surrounding his parents' disappearance.
• Chen Ge shows professionalism and curiosity in his interaction with Fan Yu's aunt, gathering information to better understand Fan Yu's condition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge discovers a drawing by Fan Yu, a boy living in the haunted house, which might depict a crime scene.
• Chen Ge learns about Muyang Middle School's legends and a previous incident involving five students who played the Pen Spirit game.
• A streamer named Qin Guang announces he will live-stream a puzzle-solving session in the West Suburb Ping An Apartment, Chen Ge's haunted house.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes more determined to uncover the truth behind the haunted house and its inhabitants.
• Fan Yu is revealed to have witnessed a crime and is trying to express it through his drawings.
• Qin Guang, the streamer, is introduced as a potential competitor in the haunted house streaming scene.

Significant Themes

• The power of memory and trauma on the psyche, as seen through Fan Yu's drawings and the students' experiences at Muyang Middle School.
• The exploration of fear and courage, as Chen Ge faces new challenges and Qin Guang attempts to replicate his success.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with He Shan, his friend and employee, discussing the Qin Guang situation and seeking information about adolescent mental illness.
• Chen Ge's thoughts and observations about the haunted house and its inhabitants, as well as his comparison between Muyang Middle School and West City Private Academy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge receives a call from He Shan, who mentions a child who enjoys visiting haunted houses, reminding Chen Ge of Fan Yu.
• Chen Ge learns about negative comments on his homepage and Qin Guang's popularity.
• He Shan offers to help Chen Ge contact Gao Ruxue, whose father is a psychologist.
• Chen Ge returns to New Century Park and finds a large crowd at the House of Horrors. He spends the afternoon in the Midnight Escape scenario.
• In the evening, Chen Ge hires a taxi to Muyang Middle School but is dropped off at a remote, seemingly abandoned area due to the driver's refusal to go further.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge remains focused on the Black Phone's mission and is determined to explore Muyang Middle School despite the challenges.
• He Shan shows concern for Chen Ge's online presence and offers to help connect him with Gao Ruxue.
• The taxi driver exhibits strange behavior, refusing cash and throwing away the seat cushion after dropping Chen Ge off, hinting at possible supernatural fears or experiences.

Significant Themes

• The power of fear and the allure of haunted attractions.
• The impact of negative comments and competition in the online streaming world.
• The potential dangers and mysteries hidden in seemingly abandoned places.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and He Shan discuss the child who enjoys visiting haunted houses and the state of Chen Ge's online presence.
• Chen Ge interacts with Xu Wan briefly, asking her to go home and leaving the Haunted House for the night.
• Chen Ge has a strange interaction with the taxi driver, who refuses to take him all the way to Muyang Middle School and exhibits unusual behavior.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge arrives at the abandoned Muyang Middle School on a stormy night.
• He explores the school's layout, finding it dilapidated and crude, with four side missions to complete: Pen Spirit, Fifth Stall of the Restroom, Deep Well, and Sealed Classroom.
• He discovers a classroom with a seal, believed to be the source of supernatural events, and finds another classroom with books and stationery on the desk, as if recently used.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge remains calm and determined despite the eerie environment, showing his resilience and courage.
• He demonstrates strategic thinking, planning to explore the school before attempting the side missions.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural vs. Reality: The line between the real world and supernatural events blurs as Chen Ge encounters strange phenomena.
• Perseverance: Chen Ge's resolve to complete the missions despite the challenges and dangers he faces.
• The Past's Impact: The school's history as a crematorium and its past supernatural events continue to influence the present.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the environment, exploring the school and discovering its secrets.
• He doesn't encounter any characters in this chapter, but his past experiences and knowledge about the school guide his actions.

Key Plot Points

• Chen Ge discovers a classroom with a desk and chair neatly arranged, suggesting it might have been used for the Pen Spirit game.
• He finds a dorm room with four chairs, four sheets of paper, and a pen, indicating another Pen Spirit game was played there.
• Chen Ge decides to attempt the Pen Spirit game himself.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows determination and curiosity in exploring the school, but also caution and fear when facing the unknown.
• He Shan, Chen Ge's assistant, shows enthusiasm and support for Chen Ge's stream.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and the unknown, as Chen Ge encounters strange phenomena and attempts to communicate with spirits.
• The power of belief and intention, as Chen Ge uses the Pen Spirit game to try and connect with the past.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge speaks with He Shan on the phone, updating him on his progress and plans for the stream.
• Chen Ge interacts with his viewers through his stream, although the poor signal makes real-time interaction difficult.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge attempts to summon the Pen Spirit in a girls' dormitory during a storm.
• Three entities respond to the summoning, contrary to expectations.
• The Pen Spirit communicates through writing on a paper, answering Chen Ge's questions about his parents and his future wife.
• The Pen Spirit game's rules are revealed: never ask about cause of death, lifespan, and the spirit must be sent away.
• The Pen Spirit game ends abruptly, and the pen breaks.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge displays courage and curiosity in exploring the Pen Spirit game.
• He shows concern for his missing parents and expresses curiosity about his future wife.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and the supernatural.
• The consequences of curiosity and pushing boundaries.
• The theme of communication and understanding between the living and the dead.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the Pen Spirit, asking it questions and receiving cryptic answers.
• There's no direct interaction with other characters in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge completes the Pen Spirit game side mission and gains popularity.
• He heads to the teaching building to find the fifth stall of the restroom for the next task.
• He searches the first-floor restroom, finding nothing unusual, and moves to the second floor.
• While investigating, he hears mysterious footsteps in the hallway.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes more confident in completing tasks and gaining popularity.
• He shows determination and caution while exploring the school.

Significant Themes

• The school's eerie atmosphere and potential changes.
• The tension and danger of exploring the unknown.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with his stream viewers, gaining their support and increasing his popularity.
• He encounters mysterious footsteps but doesn't engage with the source.