Lin Xiaomei

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lin Xiaomei (林小梅)
Alias(es)	Sister Lin
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Mystery Case Tracking Studio
Occupation/Role	Reporter; one of Mystery Case Tracking Studio's signature figures
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Background / History

Lin Xiaomei covered the Hanjiang City “Genius Girl Case” years earlier and personally photographed victim Lingling’s corpse. She later followed the deaths connected to the Cursed Oil Painting, including the death of its owner, Old Zhou, and intended to produce a dedicated interview video on the case. 22 23

By the time she visited New Century Amusement Park, Lin Xiaomei was an experienced reporter with more than ten years in the profession. Her studio investigated mysterious incidents and produced reports and videos on supernatural rumors, Lost Media, and local cases. 18 65

Personality

Lin Xiaomei is observant and analytical. She quickly recognizes familiar case details, questions inconsistencies in a supposed VR experience, and notices when supposed staff member Li Yang has no knowledge of Old Zhou. 20 21 22

Her composure breaks down once she concludes that Crow's Nest contains genuine ghosts rather than special effects. Even while terrified, she takes charge of Hu Xin and Dong Xing, urges them toward the Cellar, and warns them that removing their gas masks may be fatal. 22 23

In her professional work, she is proactive and practical. She seeks outside expertise when examining suspicious footage, uses the studio’s industry connections to enter the Donghai Road Film and Television Base, and pursues investment when the studio’s finances become unstable. 65 66 126

Professional Skills

Investigative Journalism

• Reported on Lingling’s case, the Cursed Oil Painting, and Old Zhou’s death. 22 23
• Authored the investigation into Feng Xiaomin’s death following MECT Electroconvulsive Therapy at the Hanjiang City Third Mental Recovery Center. 98
• Identified that Lingling’s exact appearance could not have been reconstructed from publicly available information, since uncensored victim photographs had never been released. 22
• Recognized Li Yang’s attempt to lure the group toward the Cellar as a trap after seeing his corpse transform. 23

Media Production and Promotion

• Works with Mystery Case Tracking Studio’s cameraman, lighting technician, assistant, and other staff. 18 126
• Helped facilitate the studio’s work on a mockumentary at Donghai Road Film and Television Base through investor Yue Pan’s internal channel. 66
• Proposed a promotional partnership with Zhang Ze and undertook to organize and promote his Haunted House Speedrun Championship as proof of the studio’s capabilities. 126
• Collaborated with Zhang Ze on coverage of the competition after its first day. 138

Story Role / Major Arcs

Crow's Nest Investigation

Lin Xiaomei visits Zhang Ze’s Haunted House with Zhao Haiyang, Hu Xin, and Dong Xing, initially intending to assess and potentially publicize the attraction. She recognizes that its Crow's Nest scenario draws from the Genius Girl Case. 18 20

Inside the scenario, she becomes increasingly alarmed by the impossible scale of the forest and the physical realism of its surroundings. Her fear turns into certainty after Zhao Haiyang vanishes, Lingling manifests before her, and Old Zhou’s face matches that of the dead owner of the Cursed Oil Painting. 21 22 23

Lost Media Coverage

A manipulated Lost Media video depicts Lin Xiaomei interviewing Doctor Gao. During repeated replays, both figures develop déjà vu and begin to realize they may be trapped in a looping interview. In a later replay, Lin Xiaomei attempts to kill herself with a pen before Doctor Gao stops her. 27 28

She later contacts Zhang Ze with footage of a girl playing the Pen Fairy game, asking him to verify whether it could be special effects. Lin Xiaomei and her colleagues find no signs of editing and suspect the footage is real. 65

Donghai Road Film and Television Base

Using Mystery Case Tracking Studio’s connection to Yue Pan, Lin Xiaomei brings Zhang Ze and Chen Ge into Donghai Road Film and Television Base to investigate unusual footage and a mockumentary production. 66

When Zhang Ze’s crow damages a monster costume during filming, she intervenes with Director Sun, accepts responsibility, and smooths over the conflict on behalf of the studio. 66

Partnership with Zhang Ze

After Yue Pan goes missing and the studio faces mounting operating expenses, Lin Xiaomei seeks Zhang Ze as an investor. Zhang Ze agrees conditionally, requiring her to demonstrate the studio’s value by running a Haunted House Speedrun Championship with a 50,000-yuan prize pool. 126

The competition gives Lin Xiaomei material for further reporting on Zhang Ze’s Haunted House and establishes an ongoing promotional partnership between the studio and the attraction. 138

Relationships

• Zhang Ze — Haunted House owner, source for supernatural verification, and later business partner. Lin Xiaomei seeks his judgment on suspicious videos, assists his investigation at the film base, and secures his investment for the studio. 65 66 126
• Zhao Haiyang — Lighting technician and member of her Crow's Nest team. Lin Xiaomei initially reins in his enthusiasm, then witnesses his disappearance after he removes his gas mask. 18 20 22
• Hu Xin and Dong Xing — Cameraman and companions during the Crow's Nest investigation; Lin Xiaomei assumes a leadership role as the group attempts to escape. 18 22 23
• Doctor Gao — Interview subject in the anomalous Lost Media recording; both exhibit awareness of repeated interviews during its looping replays. 27 28
• Yue Pan — Mystery Case Tracking Studio investor whose connections grant the studio access to Donghai Road Film and Television Base. His disappearance later leaves the studio in financial difficulty. 66 126
• Director Sun — Film director at Donghai Road Film and Television Base; Lin Xiaomei placates him after Zhang Ze’s crow disrupts filming. 66

Notable Quotes

“Maybe this mask is the Cognitive Filter. In reality, that female ghost is standing right in front of us, face-to-face with us!” 22

“This haunted house really has ghosts!!” 23