Chen Ling rented a haunted house because it was cheap. On the first night, bloody words appeared on the bathroom mirror: "Save me, Zhang Jieqiong."
He blurted out, "Hey, gorgeous, what's the Wi-Fi password?" The bloody words obediently revealed a string of numbers.
The woman next door poked her head out. "Trying to trick another girl into giving you her password? Someone surnamed Zhang really did die in that house last month!"
Chen Ling discovers that the whole building is full of oddballs: a Northeastern auntie who seals starving ghosts in jars of pickled cabbage, and a programmer who uses Python to exorcise vengeful spirits with code.
The official Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau comes knocking. "You have a rare talent. Join us!"
Chen Ling: "Do you offer insurance and a housing fund? Is there overtime pay?"
The folk exorcist group, the 404 Club, tries to recruit him. "Brother, come work with us. We'll get you a 20 percent discount on ghost sightings!"
Chen Ling: "How about breaking my bones instead? Money's tight lately."
As a hundred ghosts descend on the city, Chen Ling grabs the auntie's jar of pickled cabbage and uses it as a megaphone:
"Hey, hanged ghost over there! Your tie's crooked. Looking sharp matters in a job interview!"
"Water ghost sister! Your sheet mask is soaked through. Want the latest waterproof version?"
The ghosts all freeze in confusion. The leader of the vicious spirits shrieks in fury, "Take this seriously! We're slaughtering the city!"
Chen Ling shrugs. "Slaughtering the city? Scan the code to join the group and get a coupon first. Half price on your second item, dear."
