Old Li

Biodata

History

Old Li and his apprentice Zhang Ruobing investigate the disappearance of homeless men near the Happiness Internet Cafe. Although their search finds no evidence, he cautions Zhang against ruling out the cafe. When Chen Feng claims to be stranded and hungry, Old Li offers him a meal and a place at a shelter 3.

A call takes the officers to Cihang Bridge, where Old Li tells Chen the local story of a businessman murdered by his wife who became a Water Ghost. In one sequence of events, Old Li dives into the river to rescue a young woman. She takes the rescue rope and pushes him underwater; he still pushes her toward shore before disappearing 4. After Chen reloads, he stops Old Li from diving. Old Li instead fires at the invisible ghost and shoots through the rope it is climbing, allowing the group to escape 6.

When the ghost follows them, Old Li fights it alongside Zhang and Chen. He refuses to retreat toward his home for fear of leading it to his wife. Chen ultimately destroys the ghost using Old Li’s windproof lighter 7. In a later loop, Old Li witnesses Chen subdue the ghost and agrees to investigate the cafe despite the lack of conventional evidence. He leads officers into the building, where they encounter disguised monsters 8 9 10.

Personality

Old Li is willing to risk his life for a stranger, but he also heeds Chen’s warning when jumping into the river could cost more lives 4 6. He is protective of Zhang: after their encounter with the ghost, he tells her to leave the case because he fears having to face her late father if she is hurt 6. He takes ghost stories seriously, even before seeing the Water Ghost himself 3 4.

Equipment

• Windproof lighter — engraved “For Dad.” Chen uses it to ignite the oil-coated Water Ghost 7 22.
• Pistol — Old Li shoots the invisible Water Ghost, severs its rescue rope with a shot, and fires on monsters inside the cafe 6 10.
• Police rescue rope — kept in his patrol car for emergencies at the bridge 6.

Relationships

• Zhang Ruobing — his apprentice; he tries to keep her out of danger, while she worries about what would happen to his wife if he died 3 6.
• Li Guolong — his son. Guolong’s existence has been erased from his parents’ memories after his capture by the academy; the lighter’s inscription remains a clue to their relationship 17 22.
• Chen Feng — initially helps him as a stranded stranger, then works with him against the Water Ghost and investigates the cafe on Chen’s warning 3 6 8.
• Old Yang — his police colleague and longtime partner; Old Li fears for him when the cafe raid goes wrong 9 10.