Xiao Jiu

Biodata

Background

Xiao Jiu was once Li Wan, a gifted seven-year-old who lived under intense academic pressure. She found a confidant in retired teacher Zhou Dun and planned to hide near her residential community. She disappeared ten years before Fang Xian investigated her case; he eventually found her remains in a concrete pipe 12 13 14.

After Li Wan’s remains were returned to her parents, her obsession with going home faded. Her spirit manifested on Fang Xian’s shoulder, apparently without Li Wan’s former memories or awareness. Fang Xian named her Xiao Jiu, and the Compendium confirmed her capture 15 16.

Appearance

Xiao Jiu appears as a small, pale girl whom ordinary people cannot see 15 16.

• Face: Round, with baby fat and unusually pale skin 15 17.
• Hair and clothing: Long hair and white clothes 16 49.
• Movement: Often crawls quickly on all fours or perches on Fang Xian’s shoulder; she feels nearly weightless to him 16.

Personality

Xiao Jiu is affectionate, curious, and frequently sleepy. She clings to Fang Xian, enjoys his praise, and loves lollipops—especially orange-flavored ones 15 16 28 34 35. She can also be impulsive: when Yu Feng knocked her lollipop away, she used Interference on him without Fang Xian’s permission 18. Although rain initially frightened her, damp conditions later brought out a more energetic, eager side 18 20 47.

Abilities & Skills

Interference

Interference can make an unnatural person or action seem familiar enough that ordinary observers fail to question it 18 19.

• Xiao Jiu activated it independently against Yu Feng after he knocked away her lollipop 18.
• It had minimal effect on the Human-Faced Fish, an Insect Beast resistant to Obsession-type powers 26 34.
• Fang Xian subsequently forbade her from using it—or any other ability—against someone without his permission 20.

Spirit Separation

Spirit Separation briefly dazes a person or urban legend. Its duration depends on the target’s willpower 32.

• It stunned the Human-Faced Fish long enough for Fang Xian to strike; against the weakened fish, the effect lasted two seconds 32 33.
• It briefly dazed the Hanging-Neck Woman, giving Fang Xian an opening to attack 49.

Manifestation and Scouting

Xiao Jiu can move through some physical barriers, scout ahead, and touch people or objects to a limited extent 16 18 25.

• She passed through a fence and spotted an angler across Changzhao Reservoir 25.
• She pressed Chen Kang’s mouse during a game, accidentally giving away his position 16.
• She could not move more than roughly fifty meters from Fang Xian while scouting 25.
• Her Moist Body trait keeps her energetic in damp conditions 47.

Items and Costs

• Soothing Necklace — An urban-legend item that originally belonged to Xiao Jiu. Fang Xian gave it back to her after setting rules for her abilities 20.
• Lollipops — Satisfying her lollipop Obsession repays a day of the lifespan Fang Xian spends using her. Fang Xian packs them when preparing for expeditions 16 20.

Relationships

• Fang Xian — Captured and named Xiao Jiu. He treats her affectionately, relies on her warnings and skills, and sets limits on when she may attack 15 20 21 32.
• Wang He and Li Yu — Li Wan’s parents, who spent ten years waiting for news of their missing daughter. Returning her remains completed the “Going Home” mission 11 15.
• Zhou Dun — Li Wan’s trusted confidant, whom she wished were her grandfather 12 13.