In the height of summer in 2014, the powerful typhoon "Nightmare" swept through Xianghai, and a storm of conspiracy and the uncanny quietly descended with it. New police officer Zhang Xin is unexpectedly transferred to the remote Jinfeng Police Station, and the gears of fate begin to veer off their intended course. On his very first day, he stumbles upon a series of disappearances involving prominent businesspeople. The victims vanish inexplicably from their homes, leaving no trace on surveillance footage, only a faint clue connected to the Neural Consciousness Nexus project (NSN).
At the same time, a plea for help from Xia Yan, a student at Xianghai University, shatters the calm. He claims his classmate Xu Yu vanished after taking part in a paranormal investigation at the abandoned dormitory building known as Jinghua House. Yet no one at the university will even admit that Xu Yu exists. As the investigation deepens, Zhang Xin encounters Dr. Zhuang Jia, who leads the NSN project. Her Eden One device can control consciousness and recreate memories. It has the power to heal trauma, but also conceals a disturbing danger.
From the horrifying truth behind a campus legend to the battle between reality and illusion in the world of consciousness, Zhang Xin sheds his inexperience through one life-or-death trial after another. At the heart of the storm, he must uncover the truth, protect Xianghai's peace, and defend the limits of human decency. This adventure blends suspense, science fiction, and action, and is also a heroic ode to courage, redemption, and justice.
This is the second work of my "Xiang Hai Trilogy", and it is also the prequel to "The Girl Holding a Box". The story focuses on the past of the protagonist, policeman Zhang Xin, and reveals his experiences and state of mind that have not been revealed before. This work not only supplements the key settings of the world view of the series, but also makes the motivations and growth of the characters more complete. I am also quite satisfied with the overall completion. I hope friends who like this series and suspense stories will support me. I will continue to tell every story hidden in the light and shadow of the city in the world of Xianghai.