Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author announces the release of their book, "Ten Chapters of Friendship," on August 1st.
• The book's first five chapters are released as drafts after midnight, with the rest to follow throughout the day.
• The author expresses gratitude to readers, editors, and fellow authors for their support.

Character Developments

• The author, as a narrator, reveals their background as an ordinary young man with various jobs before becoming an author.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude and appreciation for readers, editors, and fellow authors.
• The author's dream of achieving ten thousand first-order subscriptions for their book.
• The excitement and anticipation of the book's release.

Character Interactions

• The author interacts with readers through their announcement, expressing their eagerness and gratitude.
• The author mentions specific individuals who have supported them, such as editors and fellow authors, highlighting the collaborative nature of the writing process.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fei Youliang and Zhu Jianing's video from the House of Horrors is played.
• The video reveals their plan to leave negative reviews and cause trouble.
• Fei Youliang appears to be possessed by the Pen Spirit.
• The Pen Spirit attempts to escape the House of Horrors but is stopped.
• Fei Youliang has a violent outburst in the classroom, then walks to the Deep Well and collapses.
• Chen Ge arrives and performs CPR on Fei Youliang.
• Chen Ge triggers a hidden mission for the two-star horror scenario, Muyang Middle School—Wish of the Pen Spirit.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows professionalism by attempting to save Fei Youliang and maintains composure despite the situation.
• Fei Youliang: Revealed to be possessed by the Pen Spirit, displaying violent behavior and a desire to escape the House of Horrors.
• Zhu Jianing: Shows cowardice and runs away when he gets scared.

Significant Themes

• The power of fear and its effects on people.
• The consequences of one's actions and intentions.
• The struggle between the living and the supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Fei Youliang: Chen Ge tries to save Fei Youliang, while Fei Youliang, possessed, attempts to escape the House of Horrors.
• Fei Youliang and the Pen Spirit: Fei Youliang is possessed by the Pen Spirit, leading to violent behavior and a desire to escape.
• Onlookers and Qin Guang Studio: The onlookers and Qin Guang Studio members watch the video, with the onlookers eventually turning against Qin Guang Studio.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge receives a task from the Black Phone to find the Pen Spirit's best friend from her alive days and fulfill her wish.
• The task reward includes a chance to hire the Pen Spirit as an employee of the House of Horrors.
• Fei Youliang from Qin Guang Studio steals Chen Yalin's school ID card from the Haunted House.
• Chen Ge discovers that the Pen Spirit's wish is related to Chen Yalin, who died three years ago at Muyang Middle School.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes determined to find Chen Yalin to fulfill the Pen Spirit's wish and potentially hire her as an employee.
• Fei Youliang and Zhu Jianing's actions lead to the temporary closure of the Muyang Middle School scene for maintenance.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Black Phone and its tasks.
• The potential for hiring ghosts as employees in the House of Horrors.
• The connection between the Pen Spirit and Chen Yalin.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with Uncle Xu and Xu Wan regarding the incident with Qin Guang Studio.
• Chen Ge calls Captain Li to help find information about Chen Yalin.

Summary of "Only One Survives" (Part 3)

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge learns about Muyang Middle School's history from Captain Li: it was built on a crematorium, started as an orphanage, and the first batch of students were the orphans.
• Out of the initial 25 students, only Wang Xin (one of the two girls Chen Ge inquired about) is still alive.
• Chen Ge discovers that Wang Xin was adopted by Ms. Gu and is being treated by Dr. Gao, Gao Ruxue's father.
• Chen Ge contacts Dr. Gao, who agrees to take him to Wang Xin, hoping he can help her.

Character Developments

• Captain Li shows understanding and assistance towards Chen Ge, despite initial reluctance.
• Dr. Gao, initially hesitant, agrees to help Chen Ge reach Wang Xin, showing trust in his abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power of the past and its influence on the present, as seen in the students' attachment to Muyang Middle School.
• The struggle between hope and despair in mental health, as seen in Wang Xin's condition.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Captain Li: They maintain a professional relationship, with Captain Li eventually providing crucial information.
• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: They form a temporary alliance, driven by their shared desire to help Wang Xin.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dr. Gao and Chen Ge visit Wang Xin, a patient suffering from severe trauma and insomnia.
• Wang Xin's mother expresses concern about her daughter's deteriorating condition despite medication.
• Chen Ge enters Wang Xin's room, observing her withdrawn state and self-harming behavior.
• Chen Ge attempts to communicate with Wang Xin using the Pen Spirit game, revealing a past incident involving her friend's accidental death.

Character Developments

• Wang Xin: Shows signs of severe trauma, insomnia, and self-harm. She reacts strongly to Chen Ge's attempt to communicate with her using the Pen Spirit game.
• Chen Ge: Demonstrates empathy and determination to help Wang Xin, going against Dr. Gao's initial instructions. He shows resourcefulness and courage in his unconventional approach to helping Wang Xin.
• Dr. Gao: Initially cautious about Chen Ge's methods, he eventually supports Chen Ge's attempt to help Wang Xin, showing trust in his abilities.
• Wang Xin's Mother: Expresses worry and desperation about her daughter's condition, reluctantly allowing Chen Ge to try and help Wang Xin.

Significant Themes

• Trauma and its lasting effects on mental health.
• The power of communication and understanding in healing.
• Trust and empathy in professional relationships.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Wang Xin: Chen Ge attempts to connect with Wang Xin through the Pen Spirit game, revealing a past incident that has been haunting her.
• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: Initially cautious, Dr. Gao eventually supports Chen Ge's unconventional method to help Wang Xin, showing trust in his abilities.
• Wang Xin and her Mother: The mother expresses concern and desperation about Wang Xin's condition, reluctantly allowing Chen Ge to try and help her daughter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Xin, a depressed patient, communicates with Chen Ge using a pen spirit game, expressing her pain and desire to escape her world.
• Chen Ge discovers Wang Xin's trauma stems from her roommate's death after playing the Pen Spirit game and decides to mimic her roommate's handwriting to help her.
• Wang Xin falls asleep after playing the game with Chen Ge, and the black phone notifies him of completing a hidden mission and offers to employ the Pen Spirit (Wang Xin's roommate) as an employee.
• Chen Ge returns home, sleeps, and wakes up with a ragdoll (Xiaoxiao) in his arms. He discovers the red door in the mirror in the restroom.

Character Developments

• Wang Xin: Overcomes her emotional turmoil and falls asleep after playing the Pen Spirit game with Chen Ge.
• Chen Ge: Successfully employs the Pen Spirit as his first ghost employee and plans to create dolls to house the lingering obsessions in the Last Classroom.
• Xiaoxiao: Appears as a ragdoll in Chen Ge's arms when he wakes up.

Significant Themes

• Overcoming trauma and emotional pain
• The power of empathy and understanding
• The beginning of Chen Ge's journey in employing ghosts to run his haunted house

Character Interactions

• Wang Xin and Chen Ge: Wang Xin finally opens up to Chen Ge about her pain, and he helps her find temporary relief.
• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: Dr. Gao is impressed by Chen Ge's ability to help Wang Xin.
• Chen Ge and Wang Xin's foster mother: She apologizes to Chen Ge for suspecting him earlier and invites him to stay for a meal, but he declines.
• Chen Ge and Xiaoxiao: Chen Ge wakes up with Xiaoxiao as a ragdoll in his arms, indicating a deeper connection between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge discovers a blood-red scene in the bathroom stall's mirror reflection.
• A strange, crawling sound and blood-red mist emanate from the stall.
• Chen Ge locks the stall and returns to the staff lounge, finding Xiao Xiao missing.
• He accepts the Nightmare-level daily task, "Invisible Guest," which involves staying in his room overnight with specific preparations.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates courage and caution in exploring the eerie bathroom stall.
• He shows determination in accepting the challenging Nightmare task.
• Xiao Xiao's disappearance hints at her mysterious nature and possible involvement in the supernatural events.

Significant Themes

• The theme of the unknown and the unseen continues, with the revelation of an "invisible guest" in Chen Ge's room.
• The struggle between curiosity and safety is evident in Chen Ge's decision to investigate the bathroom stall and accept the Nightmare task.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the Pen Spirit, using it to gain information about the Nightmare task and the entity in his room.
• His interaction with Xiao Xiao, though brief, suggests a growing connection and shared experiences in the supernatural world.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author, who has been writing a story, finds themselves unable to complete the chapter as planned.
• They apologize to their readers for not meeting their expectations and promise to make up for the missed chapters within the week.

Character Developments

• The author: Struggles with self-doubt and anxiety about their writing capabilities, leading to an apology to their readers.

Significant Themes

• Self-doubt and anxiety
• Responsibility to readers and commitments
• Apology and making amends

Character Interactions

• The author interacts with their readers through the apology, expressing remorse for not meeting their expectations and promising to make up for the missed chapters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge sets up a trap using slippers and rice, then hides under the bed with a hammer to record any paranormal activity.
• He experiences sleep paralysis and sees a pair of slippers moving on their own, entering different rooms, and eventually approaching him.
• The Human Skin Mask in the makeup room moves, and the slippers stop at the staff lounge door, implying an unseen entity is present.
• Chen Ge regains control of his body and discovers a girl lying behind him, who flees upon realizing he's awake.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates resilience and willpower in overcoming sleep paralysis.
• The girl's appearance suggests she might be a new ghostly entity or a returning character.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown and unseen.
• The struggle against the loss of control over one's body.
• The theme of familiarity in horror, as Chen Ge feels he recognizes the girl.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the unseen entity through the slippers and the Human Skin Mask.
• Chen Ge and the girl have a brief, tense encounter before she flees.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge encounters a mysterious girl in the Haunted House who seems to be a guardian spirit.
• He finds a bracelet and an origami crane in the underground parking lot, belonging to the girl.
• The bracelet has the name 'Luo Ruoyu' inscribed on it, which Chen Ge recognizes as Director Luo's daughter.
• Chen Ge discovers photos of his family, suggesting that his parents were aware of and possibly interacted with spirits.
• He finds a note inside the origami crane reading 'Third Ward, Third Room!'

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes more aware of the supernatural presence around him and the connection between his parents and the spirits.
• He starts to question the true nature of his parents' disappearance and the role of the spirits in it.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural presence and their influence on the living.
• The connection between Chen Ge's parents and the spirits.
• The mystery behind Chen Ge's parents' disappearance.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the mysterious girl, though she remains unseen and uncommunicative.
• He reflects on his parents' behavior and their possible connection to the spirits, piecing together clues from his memories and new discoveries.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge completes three nightmare missions, receiving the Beginner Talent Skill 'Living Doll'.
• He decides to create dolls using the lingering spirits from Muyang Middle School.
• The Midnight Ticket Booth special effect triggers again, introducing the second special visitor, Dr. Gao.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge becomes more determined to complete missions and improve his Haunted House.
• Dr. Gao shows interest in Chen Ge's Haunted House and seeks his help regarding a patient.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between Chen Ge's ambition and the reality of his situation.
• The connection between the supernatural and the mundane, as Dr. Gao's professional interest intersects with Chen Ge's extraordinary experiences.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with Dr. Gao, who seeks his help due to their shared experience with the supernatural.
• Chen Ge continues to manage his Haunted House, interacting with tourists and maintaining order.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dr. Gao brings his student, Men Nan, to Chen Ge's Haunted House, seeking help for Men Nan's strange condition.
• Men Nan has been experiencing long-term lethargy, irritability, and a preference for dark places, along with a recurring dream.
• Dr. Gao believes Men Nan's condition is similar to the little boy Chen Ge mentioned earlier.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows curiosity and willingness to help, despite finding Men Nan's condition puzzling.
• Dr. Gao: Demonstrates concern and dedication towards his student's well-being, seeking unconventional help from Chen Ge.
• Men Nan: Struggles with a mysterious fear and a recurring dream, displaying anxiety and reluctance to discuss his dream.

Significant Themes

• Fear and anxiety: Men Nan's fear of his dream and the unknown entity within it is a central theme.
• The power of dreams: The recurring dream is affecting Men Nan's waking life, highlighting the influence of dreams on mental health.
• The search for answers: Both Dr. Gao and Chen Ge are driven by their desire to understand and help Men Nan, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth behind his condition.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: They discuss Men Nan's condition, with Dr. Gao asking for Chen Ge's help and Chen Ge agreeing, albeit hesitantly.
• Dr. Gao and Men Nan: Dr. Gao shows empathy and concern for Men Nan, encouraging him to share his dream with Chen Ge.
• Chen Ge and Men Nan: Chen Ge tries to engage Men Nan in conversation, but Men Nan is reluctant to discuss his dream, displaying his anxiety and fear.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Men Nan describes his recurring nightmare, where an unknown figure approaches him while he washes his hair.
• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao discuss the dream's possible meanings and causes.
• Chen Ge suggests that the dream might be related to an undiscovered corpse in Men Nan's apartment.
• Dr. Gao shares that Men Nan still had the dream even after moving out, indicating the ghost might be attached to him.

Character Developments

• Men Nan: His mental state deteriorates due to the recurring nightmare. He's terrified and desperate for help.
• Chen Ge: He remains calm and analytical, trying to find clues in Men Nan's dream.
• Dr. Gao: He's concerned about Men Nan's well-being and is open to Chen Ge's suggestions.

Significant Themes

• The power of dreams and the line between reality and illusion.
• The search for clues and answers to solve a supernatural mystery.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao work together to understand Men Nan's dream and find a solution.
• Men Nan is scared and reluctant to discuss his dream, but Chen Ge and Dr. Gao try to reassure him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge learns about Men Nan's deteriorating condition and decides to visit his apartment to investigate.
• The Black Phone reveals a hidden mission, "Room of Three," related to Men Nan's illness.
• Chen Ge discovers a note and a bracelet in the underground parking lot, which Director Luo confirms belong to his missing daughter.

Character Developments

• Men Nan's condition worsens, and he exhibits strange behaviors like keeping his head down and rapid eye movements.
• Dr. Gao shows proficiency in psychological counseling, helping Men Nan maintain composure.
• Director Luo reveals his affection for his missing daughter, scattering her favorite toys around the park.

Significant Themes

• The theme of hidden secrets continues, with Men Nan's past and Director Luo's daughter's disappearance remaining mysterious.
• The number three appears frequently, hinting at an unknown significance related to Men Nan's illness and the mission "Room of Three."

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge, Dr. Gao, and Men Nan plan to meet at Haiming Apartment to investigate Men Nan's condition.
• Chen Ge visits Director Luo to ask about the note and bracelet, learning about Director Luo's connection to his missing daughter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge learns from Director Luo that his parents had left a Roly-poly Toy for him before they went missing, and they mentioned the 'Third Ward' in their conversation.
• Chen Ge suspects that his parents might have entered a blood-red world behind the door of the Third Ward.
• Chen Ge decides to complete the current trial mission at Haiming Apartment before tackling the Third Ward mission.
• He prepares for the trial mission and buys materials to customize life-sized dolls for his Haunted House.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: He becomes more determined to find out what happened to his parents, showing his resilience and dedication.
• Director Luo: He reveals that he overheard Chen Ge's parents talking about the Third Ward before they disappeared.

Significant Themes

• The search for truth and understanding (Chen Ge's pursuit of his parents' whereabouts).
• The power of resilience (symbolized by the Roly-poly Toy's ability to bounce back from difficulties).

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with Director Luo, learning about his parents' last visit to the park.
• Chen Ge meets the workshop owner who will customize dolls for his Haunted House, and they discuss the details of the order.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge visits a workshop to discuss a new scenario for his Haunted House, but the workshop is short on staff.
• Chen Ge rents the workshop for a day to work on the scenario himself, using it to create twenty-four realistic clay heads.
• He asks Captain Li for a photo of the twenty-four children who died at Muyang Middle School to use as a reference for the heads.
• Chen Ge then heads to Haiming Apartment to meet Dr. Gao.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates his craftsmanship and dedication to his work, as well as his determination to help the Lingering Spirits find rest.
• The Fat Boss, the workshop owner, is initially skeptical of Chen Ge but becomes impressed by his skills and work ethic.

Significant Themes

• The theme of helping the deceased find peace and rest is further emphasized as Chen Ge creates vessels for the Lingering Spirits.
• The importance of dedication and hard work is shown through Chen Ge's determination to complete the task within the given time frame.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the Fat Boss, convincing him to let him use the workshop and impressing him with his skills.
• Chen Ge contacts Captain Li, asking for a favor related to the Muyang Middle School case, showing their professional relationship.
• Chen Ge is set to meet Dr. Gao at Haiming Apartment, hinting at an upcoming interaction with a new character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge arrives at the dilapidated apartment building, Room 303, where Men Nan lives.
• He discovers that someone died in Room 303, and it has been vacant since.
• Chen Ge meets Dr. Gao and Men Nan, who is severely deformed and afraid of falling asleep due to his recurring nightmare.
• Chen Ge notices a strange, putrid odor coming from the walls of Room 304, which shares a wall with Room 303.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows determination and caution in investigating the mission site.
• Men Nan: His condition worsens; he is severely deformed and terrified of falling asleep due to his recurring nightmare.
• Dr. Gao: Shows concern for Men Nan's well-being and understands the urgency of the situation.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown and the supernatural.
• The consequences of ignoring or suppressing one's fears and traumas.
• The importance of facing one's fears to overcome them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the drunken neighbor from Room 301, who warns him about the bad luck associated with Room 303.
• Chen Ge, Dr. Gao, and Men Nan meet in Room 304, where they discuss Men Nan's condition and the strange odor coming from the walls.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge enters Men Nan's nightmare, finding him in a strange posture with something seemingly pressing down on his head.
• Chen Ge explores the rental room and discovers a half-body mirror in the bathroom, reflecting Men Nan's dream scene.
• Chen Ge finds empty shampoo bottles and a half-used one, suggesting Men Nan's frantic hair washing.
• Chen Ge receives a text message from Dr. Gao, revealing Men Nan's family's indifference to his condition.
• Chen Ge shares his findings with Dr. Gao, who suggests Men Nan's behavior might be due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) rather than OCD.

Character Developments

• Men Nan: Stuck in his nightmare, exhibiting strange behavior and possible PTSD symptoms.
• Dr. Gao: Provides insights into Men Nan's condition, revealing his family's indifference.

Significant Themes

• The blurred line between reality and dreams.
• The psychological impact of trauma (PTSD).
• The discrepancy between one's public image and private reality.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: Share information and theories about Men Nan's condition via text messages.
• Chen Ge and Men Nan: Chen Ge observes Men Nan's behavior in his nightmare but doesn't interact with him directly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao discuss Men Nan's hair-washing compulsion, which they believe is related to a past traumatic event.
• They learn that Men Nan's biological mother was murdered when he was young, and he discovered her body the next day.
• Chen Ge theorizes that Men Nan's hair-washing compulsion is triggered by liquid dripping on his head, reminiscent of his mother's blood after the murder.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows empathy and understanding towards Men Nan's condition, demonstrating his dedication to helping him.
• Dr. Gao: Provides insight into Men Nan's past and his possible psychological condition, displaying professional expertise.
• Men Nan: Remains in a catatonic state, repeatedly washing his hair, indicating his inability to cope with his past trauma.

Significant Themes

• Trauma and its psychological effects: The chapter explores how Men Nan's past trauma continues to affect him, manifesting as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and recurring nightmares.
• The impact of childhood experiences: The murder of Men Nan's mother and his discovery of her body have shaped his psychological state and coping mechanisms.
• The role of memory: Men Nan's compulsion to wash his hair is triggered by memories of his past trauma, highlighting the power of memory in shaping behavior.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao: Collaborate to understand Men Nan's condition, sharing information and theories via text messages, demonstrating their professional partnership.
• Men Nan and his parents: Their relationship is briefly mentioned, with his parents showing little concern for his condition, highlighting potential neglect or lack of understanding.
• Men Nan and the unknown man in his dreams: Their interaction is implied to be the source of Men Nan's terror, driving the plot forward as Chen Ge aims to identify and 'drive out' this figure.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge learns about Men Nan's dream and interprets it as a warning of impending danger.
• He decides to investigate Room 303, where he believes the threat originates.
• Chen Ge tries to rent Room 303 but is refused by the landlord.
• He learns from the disheveled uncle in Room 301 about Wang Haiming, the original tenant of Room 303, who was once committed to a mental hospital.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates his analytical skills and bravery in facing the supernatural threat.
• Men Nan is revealed to have a troubled past, with a mother who abandoned him and a father who is rarely home.
• Dr. Gao is overwhelmed by the situation and struggles to keep up with Chen Ge's deductions.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing one's fears and dangers head-on is emphasized through Chen Ge's actions.
• The power of dreams and the subconscious as warnings is explored through Men Nan's recurring dream.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the landlord and the disheveled uncle in Room 301, gathering information about Room 303.
• Chen Ge and Dr. Gao work together to unravel the mystery surrounding Men Nan's dream and the threat in Room 303.