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Zhou Fengxu jerked awake, turning his head to see a small head next to him. The girl put down her peach wood sword and smiled, "Hey, Inspector Zhou."

Yu Feiyang also greeted him, "Inspector Zhou."

Though they weren't in the same department, both worked at Kowloon Police Station, so they were no strangers to each other. Especially since Zhou Fengxu's reputation for solving cases efficiently in Team D was well-known.

Looking at the crowd of people, Yu Feiyang lowered his voice, "Any idea what's going on?"

Zhou Fengxu gazed ahead at the stage, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings. It was pitch black, with no exit in sight.

"Not really. But when we entered, it seemed to be a bamboo forest."

Ever since the yellow talisman saved his life, his perspective had shifted significantly.

With this mental preparation, he found it easier to accept the current situation.

A thin white mist began to rise around them.

What would happen next was anyone's guess.

Zhou Fengxu stood sideways, shielding the two from view as he turned his head, first glancing at Yu Feiyang and then at the girl holding the peachwood sword.

"We should take a look. You two stay back a bit."

The melody had ceased, and when the crowd looked again, the stage was empty.

The trio made their way toward the stage. Yu Feiyang glanced around, and as they passed some seats, a child suddenly tumbled down, grinning at Yu Feiyang.

Yu Feiyang jumped in surprise.

Chu Yuening twirled the sword in her right hand.

Upon seeing the peachwood sword, the child recoiled in fear, clutching their sugar figurine and scurrying away.

"It's alright, just a wandering soul with an incomplete spirit," Chu Yuening said, sheathing the sword. Souls that wandered for too long without reporting to the underworld would gradually lose their memories, and the unlucky ones might even lose parts of their three souls and seven spirits.

That child, clearly, had already lost one of its souls.

Before Yu Feiyang entered the bamboo grove, he had mentally prepared himself, but his fear was reserved solely for Dan Dan; he was still terrified of other wandering spirits.

He stayed closely by Chu Yuening's side, no longer daring to look around.

"Master, what exactly is happening in this bamboo grove? I've never encountered this situation before when I came to find Dan Dan," he said.

Chu Yuening gazed at the dark, gloomy aura above and explained, "When someone dies tragically, their spirit can become trapped in that place, turning into a vengeful ghost. Most of these spirits remain consumed by resentment, eventually transforming into malevolent spirits over time."

"This area is a web woven from Dan Dan's resentment," she stated.

Yu Feiyang grasped the key point, "So Dan Dan is also inside?"

"Yes." Chu Yuening furrowed her brows at the thick, oppressive aura.

If Yu Feiyang was telling the truth, and Dan Dan didn't wish to harm anyone, then why had this haunted realm been created?

As long as the resentment didn't dissipate, the ghostly domain couldn't be escaped.

The three of them stepped onto the stage.

Zhou Fengxu pulled aside the curtain, instantly illuminating the backstage with bright lights. The theater staff were bustling about, dressing in wigs and costumes amidst laughter and chatter, filling the small space with warmth and joy.

It was a stark contrast to the oppressive and terrifying atmosphere outside.

If it weren't for the bizarre turn of events,

Yu Feiyang would have believed this to be reality.

Scanning the surroundings anxiously, he called out, "Dan Dan? Where's Dan Dan?"

Suddenly, another person lifted the stage curtain and shouted towards them, "Dan Dan, someone else wants to send you flowers."

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice.

Not far away, a flower-drum actress sat before a mirror, removing her makeup. An assistant helped her take off her heavy wig, while she gently wiped her face with a cleansing cloth, revealing half of her clean, beautiful face. It could only be Dan Dan.

Zhou Fengxu, having just watched the performance, still had a clear memory. He turned back and asked, "The one who was singing outside just now?"

"It should be." Chu Yuening hadn't examined it closely.

Yu Feiyang, on the other hand, wore a relaxed smile.

"So Dan Dan was a leading soprano in her past life. She sang beautifully."

He made no mention of the scare they had just experienced.

Eager to check on Dan Dan, Yu Feiyang rushed over. As Guo Fengdan finished removing her makeup and stood up to leave, the two collided, and Guo Fengdan turned into mist before gradually reforming.

"Stop shouting, it won't help," Chu Yuening called out, then assessed their surroundings. "This is an illusion. Let's observe first."

The stage curtains were drawn again.

A plump little girl, dressed in a padded jacket and with two curly braids, entered with a bowl of water. Her rosy cheeks flushed with delight as she giggled. "Sis Dan Dan, wash your face quickly."

"Alright, thank you, Little Butterfly," Guo Fengdan smiled, taking the water and placing it on the table. She cupped some water and thoroughly washed off her heavy makeup.

"No need, Mother said serving Sis Dan Dan is my good fortune. Sis Dan Dan is the youngest principal soprano. I hope I can learn from her and become a principal soprano sooner or later," Little Butterfly beamed radiantly.

The Leading Female Role is the lead actress in the troupe.

The competition was fierce. Many aspired to this position, but Guo Fengdan had already taken on this title at sixteen, captivating audiences with continuous applause on her first day and subsequently becoming a sensation in the opera world.

"Being the Leading Female Role? Aren't you afraid of the hardships of dieting?" Guo Fengdan wiped her oval face gently with a towel, still in her wide-sleeved robe from the performance. With a smile, she playfully tapped Xiaodie's cheek.

"Not at all." Xiaodie, with her cotton robe rolled up to her elbows, puffed out her small chest. "One must endure great hardships to become exceptional!"

"Right, did your mother really say that movie companies want to sign you for films?" Xiaodie's tiny eyes were brimming with curiosity.

Movie companies—those were where the stars on the posters lining the streets came from. Could a Leading Female Role also venture into films?

"There were some offers, but I haven't decided yet," Guo Fengdan looked around, crouching down to be at eye level with Xiaodie. With her delicate lotus fingers, she softly tapped her own cheek, whispering, "Mother says that going out to be seen by more people isn't something she approves of."