I suspect the story might eventually reveal that Li Yanqiao is not just a random student. His reaction to the wet pants (knee-jerk shock, then furious slap) plus his appearance in the elevator at the Jingren’s apartment (same outfit, same build) is way too coincidental. The author uses the phrase “identical outfits” and “walking posture… a bit arrogant and annoying” which Xie recognizes. That’s a deliberate clue. Maybe Li Yanqiao is also a Puppet Master? Or an inspector of Jingren activities? His clean freak personality would clash with the disgusting puppet work, which makes it a fun parallel. The disguised meeting at the building is setting up some reveal. I’m betting they’ll have to work together on whatever case the Jingren murder creates. I hope the story goes beyond school rivalry and dives into a bigger supernatural conspiracy.
As a final note, I want to commend the story for its consistent tone. Despite the sci-fi and fantasy elements, it never feels silly or over-the-top. The horror is genuinely creepy, the humor is dry and earned, and the protagonist's abilities are portrayed as exceptional but not absurd. The emotional beats – Su Ninglong's pragmatic detachment, the other kids' fear, the mother's protective concern – all feel grounded. It's a tricky balance to maintain, especially with a reincarnated protagonist, but this story pulls it off. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.
The reveal that the bathroom man is Yan Shiyu, the so-called invalid, is a great twist. All those rumors are wrong. His calm demeanor and the cufflinks details show he's sophisticated. I suspect he will be important in Tang Xu's story.