The narrative follows Gao Ying, a university student who finds himself staying in a mysterious and ancient town. He soon becomes entangled in a conflict that dates back hundreds of years, leading him to uncover the truth about the world. This intriguing story is filled with spiritual aspects and humor.
The title of the story, "Nanting Guwei," derives from the names of the village and residential district in Guangdong. The author noted in an interview that "xiao guwei," the name of the district, sounds like the Mandarin word for "ghost" (鬼, gui/guei).