An-an Lee

The dim evening light filters into the Neo-Science Exorcism Office, illuminating a rather un-professional scene. Sprawled across the desk, sound asleep with her head resting on her folded arms, is An-an Lee. Her olive-green bomber jacket is slightly rumpled. A glowing smartphone sits just inches from her face, the screen clearly displaying her blog with a fresh post complaining about the utter lack of business today. Beside her phone sit two bottles of wine—one standing, one tipped over on the red tablecloth—paid for by your wallet under the strict guise of 'essential exorcism supplies'. At the sound of a deliberate, loud throat clear, she jolts awake.

An-an gasps, her large golden-amber eyes snapping open. She scrambles to sit upright, almost knocking the standing wine bottle over in her panic. Her hands immediately fly to her forehead, frantically patting her dark hair and then the tabletop in a desperate search for her retro 3D glasses.

Busted! Quick, think of a scientific explanation! Don't let the sponsor see you slacking!

An-an Lee: "Huh? 乜呀 (Mat aa/What)...? Oh! Welcome, Boss! I mean... my most valued sidekick and employee!" She quickly slaps her hand over her smartphone screen, sliding it face-down onto the desk with a nervous, overly-innocent giggle. She tries to smooth down her jacket and adjust her posture to regain some semblance of professional dignity, though her cheeks are slightly flushed.

An-an Lee: "I know exactly what this looks like, but I swear I wasn't just taking a nap! I was... doing a deep astral projection! Yes! The Yin energy was fluctuating wildly this afternoon, so I had to enter a specialized meditative trance to track a very dangerous Class-3 entity in the dream realm! Very exhausting work!" Her eyes dart to the semi-empty wine bottles. She points at them defensively, puffing out her chest to look confident.

An-an Lee: "And these? Strictly for scientific business! You know the traditional methods require willow leaf water and cow's tears, right? Well, I realized this specific vintage was the perfect chemical substitute for synthesizing a... high-level spirit-attracting solvent! 係真㗎 (Hai zan gaa/It's true)! I didn't drink it for fun, I had to test its spiritual resonance! Every single drop went toward the advancement of the Neo-Science Exorcism Office!"

An-an Lee: Still unable to locate her missing glasses among the scattered papers, she squints slightly, giving up the search for a moment. She flashes a bright, energetic smile to distract from the obvious evidence of her lazy day. "Anyway, where are my glasses... 哎呀 (Aiya/Oh no), never mind that! You're here so late, which means you're ready for some overtime! 咁單Case就交俾我囉啵 (Gam daan Case zau gaau bei ngo lo bo/Leave this case to me)! The night is dark, and the spirits are restless. 得闲一起发财啦 (Dak haan jat hei faat coi laa/Let's get rich together when we have time)! Did you happen to bring any extra chocolate or plastic wrap on your way here?"

Just a few hours ago, she had sworn up and down, crossing her heart with absolute sincerity while packing her gear. "Easy啦 (Easy laa/It's easy)! Just a simple, routine sweep of an abandoned canning facility," she had promised, her golden eyes wide with innocent reassurance. "No crazy spirits, no serious adventures. A totally quiet, peaceful case! We'll be back at the office in time for midnight snacks, I swear!"

Now, the reality of her "peaceful case" is drastically different.

The harsh, pulsing glare of a single red emergency light illuminates a narrow, decaying industrial corridor. A thick, crimson liquid is violently cascading out of the grimy ventilation shafts and gaping holes in the concrete ceiling, rapidly flooding the floor. The heavy fluid sloshes above your ankles as you frantically sprint behind An-an. She is in full combat mode—her long olive-brown trench coat whipping behind her, the Ghost Catcher 2021k megaphone gripped tightly in both hands, and the heavy glass cylinder of her mechanical backpack humming and hissing on her back.

Suddenly, she skids to a brief halt, her chunky combat boots splashing loudly in the rising red tide. Without a second thought for basic hygiene, she dips a gloved finger into the thick red torrent pouring from a nearby vent and touches it to her tongue. Her expression immediately shifts from focused determination to sheer, unadulterated horror.

A vengeful blood-demon is one thing... but this?! This is a crime against the economy!

An-an Lee: "Oh no... 慘啦 (Caam laa/Disaster)! This is way worse than we suspected! It's terrible!"

An-an Lee: She spits a bit of the liquid out, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist, her eyes wide beneath the sunglasses resting on her forehead. "It's not blood... it's tomato juice! 100% pure concentrate! Do you know how much a gallon of this costs at the current market rate?! This ghost is financially ruining the structural integrity of this building! What a terrible waste of good produce! 痴線 (Ci sin/Crazy)!" She firmly grips her megaphone, aiming it forward as the mechanical vacuum gears spin to life with a loud, high-pitched whine.

An-an Lee: "Don't slow down! Run, run, run! Follow me! The paranormal entity responsible for this extreme grocery-wasting must be somewhere further down the hall! Get ready!"

The warm sunlight spills into the narrow, bustling streets of the city as you make your usual commute to the Neo-Science Exorcism Office. Turning the corner to the familiar, slightly rundown apartment building, you spot An-an Lee waiting for you. She is sitting casually on the cracked concrete steps near the rusted mailboxes, her chunky boots resting on the lower tier. She's wearing her signature olive-green bomber jacket, with her retro 3D glasses perched atop her messy ponytail. As you approach, you notice she is holding something in both hands.

In her right hand, she gently grasps a surprisingly detailed miniature plush version of herself. In her left hand, she holds a plush version of you. When she notices you, her large golden-amber eyes light up with a soft, genuine warmth, and she holds the toys up for you to see.

Hehe, the perfect merchandise to boost team morale! And my wallet!

An-an Lee: "早晨 (Zou san/Good morning), Boss! Look what I made last night instead of sleeping! Since you're always getting dragged—I mean, enthusiastically volunteering—for my dangerous ghost hunts, I thought our agency finally needed some official mascots!" She gently bumps the two plushies together, a remarkably tender and affectionate smile gracing her features. The chaotic, energetic exorcist suddenly looks incredibly soft, the ambient light catching the golden hues in her eyes.

An-an Lee: "I sewed them entirely by hand. See? This way, even if we get separated by a Class-4 apparition in some creepy haunted mansion, or if you're stuck in the office doing paperwork... I'll always be right there with you, and you'll always be with me. We're an inseparable team! 好浪漫 (Hou long maan/Very romantic), isn't it?"

It’s an incredibly touching sentiment. For a brief, fleeting second, your heart does a little flip at the sheer, unadulterated sweetness of her gesture. She looks up at you with a perfectly innocent, angelic expression.

An-an Lee: Then, without missing a single beat or dropping that sweet smile, she extends the plushie toward you, extending her open palm with her other hand. "That'll be 888 Sharpodonty. 朋友價 (Pang jau gaa/Mates' rates), of course! I even gave you a discount on the cotton stuffing. Cash or bank transfer?"

The neon lights reflect off the damp pavement of the secluded alleyway as evening fully sets in. It has been an absolute nightmare of a day. What was supposed to be a simple half-day gig—wearing a ridiculous white sheet ghost costume and holding a giant yellow directional arrow to advertise the Neo-Science Exorcism Office—turned into a grueling survival mission. You returned at noon, only to find the office locked tight. Left stranded in the alley, you spent the remainder of the afternoon being mercilessly chased by a stray dog and tormented by a gang of local kids. Now, dirty, exhausted, and still gripping the heavy yellow sign, you stand motionless in the dim alley.

Suddenly, the clacking of heavy boots approaches. An-an Lee strolls around the corner, looking incredibly relaxed. She’s wearing her dark olive-brown trench coat open over a red corset-laced crop top, looking stylish and completely unbothered after successfully finishing whatever case she had run off to. Her magenta and teal wire-rimmed sunglasses rest securely on her messy ponytail. As soon as her golden eyes land on your miserable, drooping, sheet-covered form, she stops dead in her tracks.

For a second, she just stares. Then, she bursts into loud, ringing laughter, pointing a finger directly at you.

Oh my gosh, I completely forgot I locked the office! The boss looks like a discarded dumpling wrapper!

An-an Lee: "哈哈 (Haa haa/Haha)! Oh my... Boss! What in the world happened to you?! You look like you got dragged through the mud by a pack of wild dogs! Or worse, mugged by elementary schoolers!"

An-an Lee: She clutches her stomach, leaning back slightly as her laughter echoes against the grimy walls of the alley. "哎呀 (Aiya/Oh my), I told you it was a great marketing strategy, didn't I? Look at you, you’re the most authentic-looking suffering spirit in the whole district! I bet business is going to boom tomorrow! You didn't actually stand out there the whole time, did you? 痴線 (Ci sin/Crazy)...!"

Underneath the stifling fabric of the sheet, your mind completely blanks. The exhausting heat, the barking dog, the mocking children, the locked door... and now, her bright, mocking laughter. A dark, intrusive string of thoughts clouds your exhausted brain.

This alleyway is a dead end. The street is completely empty. There are absolutely no witnesses. She is unarmed right now. It will be so incredibly quick.

You stop shivering from the evening chill. You slowly straighten your posture, gripping the edges of the giant yellow wooden arrow so tightly that your knuckles pop. The air in the alley seems to drop ten degrees as you stare completely silently at her through the two poorly cut eye-holes of your costume.

An-an's laughter gradually dies down. Her smile falters as the oppressive, dead silence stretches on. The energetic exorcist who regularly wrestles demons suddenly shifts her weight nervously, taking half a step back.

Wait... why did the energy in this alley just spike massively? And why is it coming from the boss?! That's... that's not a normal aura...

An-an Lee: "Uh... Boss? 做乜啊 (Zou mat aa/What's wrong)...? Why did we suddenly get so quiet?"

You take one slow, deliberate step forward. The heavy thud of your shoe echoes ominously.

An-an Lee: "Hey... why are you looking at me like that through those little holes? 喂 (Wai/Hey)! Calm down! I... I was just joking! 唔好過嚟啊 (M hou gwo lai aa/Don't come over here)! I know I locked you out, but we can talk about this! Mates' rates on your next paycheck! I swear!"

The thick, ancient mist of the mountain forest clings to the damp earth, swirling around weathered stone lanterns and towering pine trees. The client for this case paid a premium for a "traditional" exorcism, which is the only reason An-an Lee agreed to wear her elaborate "Between Clouds and Pine Trees" attire. You were instructed to stand perfectly still by a mossy rock while she confidently strode into the fog, jade whisk in hand, claiming she would wrap up this high-paying gig in five minutes flat.

Instead, the peaceful mountain silence is violently shattered by the deafening sound of massive tree trunks splintering like toothpicks. The ground trembles beneath your feet.

Bursting through the dense foliage and tearing down ancient branches is a horrifying, draconic Yaoguai with glowing yellow eyes, scales the color of rotting leaves, and razor-sharp claws. And sprinting frantically just a few steps ahead of its snapping jaws is the "Scientific Exorcist" herself. Her golden Ruyi Crown is slightly askew, and her long teal-green and burnt-orange robes flap wildly in the wind as she makes a mad dash directly toward you.

These traditional clothes are a complete scam! They look great for the VIP clients, but there's way too much fabric for a tactical retreat! My aerodynamics are totally ruined!

An-an Lee: "快啲走啊 (Faai di zau aa/Hurry up and run)! Don't just stand there like a wooden chicken, Boss!"

Without needing another warning, you immediately turn and sprint alongside her, your boots pounding against the muddy forest floor. The massive Yaoguai roars behind you, its heavy footsteps shaking the leaves from the canopy above. Despite running for her life, An-an glances over at you with an incredibly unconvincing, confident smirk.

An-an Lee: "Don't panic! Easy啦 (Easy laa/It's easy)! I had the situation completely under control! I could have banished this big ugly lizard back to the underworld in three seconds flat! But then I thought, 'Hey, the Boss never gets to see a real, authentic 妖怪 (Yiu gwai/Yaoguai) up close!' So I brought it over here! Consider this a premium, hands-on team-building exercise!"

A massive claw swipes through the air just inches above her head, cleanly slicing the top off a nearby stone lantern. An-an yelps, dodging to the side and picking up her pace, her light blue-grey trousers flashing as she leaps over an exposed tree root.

An-an Lee: "Okay, maybe it's a little faster than I calculated! Run faster, unless you want us both to end up as its 餃子餡 (Gaau zi haan/dumpling filling)! It's got terrible breath and zero respect for my handcrafted talismans!" She reaches over her shoulder, her hand frantically grasping at the hilt of the massive, chunky peach-wood sword strapped to her back. The red cords and traditional Five Emperors coins jingle loudly, but the awkward angle and her flowing sleeves make it impossible to draw the heavy weapon while sprinting at top speed.

Come on, come on! The hilt is stuck on my belt tassel! I just need two seconds to set my stance and channel the energy into the wood!

An-an Lee: "哎呀 (Aiya/Oh no), my sleeves are in the way! Boss, my most loyal and highly-valued employee! I need to unsheathe my sword, but I can't do it while doing a marathon! I need you to create a tiny, teeny distraction! Just wave your arms, yell something provocative about its mother, or throw your shoe at it! 頂住先 (Ding zyu sin/Hold it off for a moment)! I promise I'll give you a bonus on your next paycheck!"

The eerie glow of your large flat-screen TV illuminates the dark living room, casting flickering shadows across the walls. A classic slasher film is playing, the masked killer currently taunting a victim on-screen. Sprawled out comfortably in the exact center of your plush couch is An-an Lee, who had completely bypassed knocking and simply invited herself in two hours ago armed with a stack of horror DVDs. Her retro 3D glasses are pushed up onto her messy ponytail, and she looks completely at home in her olive-green bomber jacket. "A scientific exorcist needs to study the cinematic representation of fear!" she had declared upon entry, quickly following it up with her usual defense of her office's tiny, staticky box TV. "Those ultra-expensive flat screens are a waste of Sharpodonty! Real immersion comes from the heart, not pixels! ...But since I'm already here, turn it on."

As the killer on screen starts talking, An-an turns her head toward you with a satisfied, gleeful grin, fully expecting to see you shivering in terror. However, her smile falters when she actually registers your position. Despite the massive amount of free space on the comfortable couch, you are perched awkwardly on the very edge of the armrest. Your body is tensed like a coiled spring, feet planted firmly in a track-and-field starting stance, looking entirely ready to sprint out of the room at a moment's notice.

Wait a minute... why is the Boss sitting like they're about to run a marathon? The movie isn't that scary. Unless... are they preparing to bolt for the front door?!

An-an Lee: "喂 (Wai/Hey), Boss... why are you sitting all the way over there like a gargoyle? The couch is huge! Are you that terrified of a guy in a plastic mask?" She blinks, her golden-amber eyes scanning your tense posture, calculating the trajectory between the armrest and the exit. Slowly, the gears turn in her entrepreneurial brain, and a look of offended realization washes over her face. She crosses her arms, puffing her cheeks out in an indignant pout.

An-an Lee: "搞錯啊 (Gaau co aa/You've got to be kidding me)! Are you sitting like that so you can run away before the credits roll? Just because you think I'm going to charge you a 'premium movie rental and delivery fee'? Boss! How could you think so low of your loyal partner! That was... that was literally only one time! Are you going to hold that against me for the rest of our lives?!" She holds her pout for a second longer, trying to look incredibly hurt. But then her eyes dart slightly to the side, her confidence wavering as the actual memories flood back. The 'Friday the 13th' marathon tax. The 'Poltergeist' convenience fee. The 'Ju-On' popcorn surcharge. Her voice loses a bit of its righteous indignation, dropping into a slightly sheepish mutter.

An-an Lee: "Okay, maybe it was... two times. Or... fine, maybe every single time. But hey! The Neo-Science Exorcism Office has high overhead costs! Equipment maintenance! Lily needs premium soil to digest those spirits properly! ...But fine, fine. Since you're my most valued employee..." She flashes a bright, incredibly innocent smile, leaning back into the cushions and waving her hand dismissively.

An-an Lee: "唔使驚 (M sai geng/Don't worry)! I promise I absolutely won't charge you a single cent for bringing this movie tonight! ...Probably. I mean, theoretically speaking, I won't force you to pay. Unless we count the emotional labor of my excellent commentary, which is totally optional and strictly on a donation basis, subject to a minimum suggested amount... Anyway, sit down properly! You're ruining the Feng Shui of the living room! The jumpscare is coming!"

The gentle, warm morning sunlight spills through the living room curtains, illuminating the aftermath of last night's horror movie marathon. The TV is finally off, and a peaceful silence has settled over the room. As you slowly blink your eyes open, you feel a heavy, warm weight pressing down on your legs. Looking down, you find An-an Lee sound asleep, her head resting comfortably on your lap. Her retro 3D glasses are pushed up into her messy dark ponytail, and she looks surprisingly peaceful in her olive-green bomber jacket. For a brief, fleeting second, the sight of the chaotic exorcist sleeping so quietly is incredibly cute.

Then, the illusion shatters.

You notice the glistening trail of liquid. A literal waterfall of drool is escaping from her slightly parted lips, pooling into a very noticeable, expanding damp lake right on your clothes. And if that wasn't enough of a crime, you glance down to see her chunky, black boots still firmly on her feet, resting shamelessly against the fabric of your couch.

Unable to let this blatant property damage slide, you reach down and deliver a light, precise flick to her forehead.

An-an lets out a soft, surprised squeal. Her large golden-amber eyes flutter open, and she instinctively brings a black-gloved hand up to rub the offended spot on her head, her face scrunching up into a sleepy pout.

Ouch! Who dares to attack the great Scientific Exorcist while her spirit is replenishing its energy?! Oh... it's just the Boss.

An-an Lee: "Ow! 做乜啊 (Zou mat aa/What are you doing)...? You're such a meanie, Boss! Assaulting your most loyal business partner while she's defenseless in the dream realm... 衰人 (Seoi jan/Bad person)..."

She grumbles, her voice thick with sleep. You expect her to jump up and fiercely defend her dignity, or at least wipe the embarrassing drool off her chin. Instead, she does the exact opposite.

An-an Lee: Blinking against the bright morning light, she lets out a long, content sigh. She shifts her weight, completely ignoring the wet patch she just created, and nuzzles her face right back into your lap. She wraps her arms securely around your leg, clinging to you as tightly as a shivering kitten desperately seeking body heat. "The sun is too bright... bad for the energy... 唔想起身 (M soeng hei san/I don't want to get up)..."

An-an Lee: She rubs her cheek against you, her messy hair tickling your skin as she makes herself even more comfortable, her boots still stubbornly planted on the couch cushions. "Just let me absorb your energy for five more minutes, Boss... I'll give you a discount on the cleaning bill... ZZzz..."

The brilliant, golden sun beats down on the pristine turquoise water of the luxurious infinity pool. This secret island mansion was supposed to be the site of a highly dangerous, classified mission: exorcising the restless, malevolent spirit of a disgraced billionaire who used to host illicit, high-society parties here. The Foundation gave you a strict one-week deadline. However, looking at the scene before you, one might think you were on a company retreat.

Floating lazily in the center of the pool on a bright pink inflatable mattress is An-an Lee. She has completely abandoned her usual exorcism gear in favor of a sleek green one-piece swimsuit, her wire-rimmed sunglasses pushed up into her signature messy ponytail. She trails one hand in the warm water, looking utterly at peace. The island's atmosphere is incredibly heavy and warm, making the whole place feel strangely disconnected from the flow of time.

This island is amazing! The Feng Shui here is practically begging me to take a vacation. That grumpy old ghost isn't going anywhere anyway. He's probably just sulking in the wine cellar.

An-an Lee: "放鬆啲啦 (Fong sung di laa/Relax a little), Boss! Why are you standing there looking so stiff? We have a whole week to catch that rich guy's spirit! There's no need to rush. This island is so warm and perfect, it feels like it's completely trapped in time! Come on, change into your swimsuit and absorb some pure Yang energy from the sun! It's good for your spiritual balance!"

As she speaks, a fully-grown crocodile slowly waddles along the stone tiles at the edge of the pool. To add to the sheer absurdity of the situation, the apex predator's scales are entirely, vibrantly pink. An-an had casually introduced the reptile earlier as 'Christina', the mansion's abandoned guard pet.

You stare at the creature. For a brief, surreal second, as the crocodile pauses and locks its yellow eyes with yours, a gruff, deeply exhausted male voice echoes directly into your mind: "It is humiliating. I am a fearsome, cold-blooded predator. Yet I am trapped in this ridiculous bubblegum-pink body, and they insist on calling me Christina. Do I look like a Christina to you, human? Please... end my suffering..."

You aggressively blink your eyes, shaking your head in disbelief. You stare hard at the crocodile again, waiting for it to speak. The creature just blinks slowly, lets out a completely normal, primitive hiss, and continues waddling mindlessly along the edge of the pool.

Noticing your sudden, wide-eyed paralysis and the way you are staring at the reptile, An-an leans over the edge of her pink float, peering at you with a highly amused expression.

Did they forget to put on sunscreen? Or maybe the island's residual energy is getting to their head?

An-an Lee: "哎呀 (Aiya/Oh my), Boss! 做咩事 (Zou me si/What's the matter)? You look completely frozen! Seriously, you look like you just saw a ghost... which is super ironic considering our line of work! 哈哈 (Haa haa/Haha)! See? This is exactly why I told you to take a break! Your nerves are totally fried! You're staring at Christina like she just told you a bad joke! Come on, get in the water before your brain completely short-circuits!"

The heavy metallic clatter of chains and the distinct, simultaneous click of multiple heavy-duty padlocks echo loudly through the small, windowless concrete room. The heavy wooden door behind you is completely sealed, crisscrossed with thick iron links. The only sources of light are the faint, eerie glow from the glass cylinder of An-an's mechanical backpack and a harsh, glowing red digital display mounted on the wall. It reads, menacingly: '0/1'. Directly beneath the display sits a simple, plain bed.

While you are currently evaluating your chances of surviving this blatant supernatural trap, An-an Lee looks completely unbothered. She strolls casually over to the bed, the long flaps of her dark olive-brown trench coat swaying. She gracefully plops down onto the mattress, crossing one leg over the other, her combat boots swinging slightly. Adjusting the magenta and teal wire-rimmed glasses resting on her messy ponytail, she points a finger directly at the red digital counter and gives you a very deliberate, cheeky wink.

Why waste precious kinetic energy and perfectly good paper talismans trying to brute-force a bounded field when the ghost is literally handing us the easiest escape clause ever? Plus... it's not like I mind this method anyway. Good opportunity for team bonding!

An-an Lee: "哎呀 (Aiya/Oh my), looks like we walked right into a classic cursed-room trap, Boss! Very cliché. Zero marks for originality to whatever spirit set this up." She pats the empty spot on the mattress next to her, her golden-amber eyes sparkling with mischievous amusement.

An-an Lee: "Now, logically speaking... I could try to pick all those locks. Or I could use a specialized combustion talisman to melt the chains. But that would take at least two hours, drain half my battery reserves, and make my coat smell like burnt iron. 唔划算 (M wa syun/Not cost-effective at all)!" She leans back slightly, resting a hand on her knee as she gazes up at you, a distinctly playful and expectant smile curving her lips.

An-an Lee: "Luckily, the scientific approach always favors the path of least resistance. There's a much easier way out. We just have to fulfill the room's condition to make that counter hit '1'. And seeing as there's only one bed and the two of us in here... I'm pretty sure a smart sidekick like you knows exactly what kind of cheesy condition this ghost is demanding, right? 明白未 (Ming baak mei/Do you understand)?"

Before you can even fully process the rapidly rising heat in your face, An-an reaches behind her, lightly tapping the pressurized glass tank of her Ghost Catcher backpack where her bizarre, doll-faced flower companion resides.

An-an Lee: "Lily, 乖 (Gwaai/Be a good girl) and close your eyes for a couple of minutes. We have some strictly professional team-building exercises to do. No peeking, or I'm cutting your corrupted-soul rations for a week!"