The grandfather and his dog stayed overnight in the wheat field to guard the harvested wheat, as the technology at the time was not advanced enough to process it immediately. This was a common practice in rural areas to prevent theft or damage to the crops.
While guarding the wheat field, the grandfather's dog started barking uncontrollably at a white rabbit with red eyes. The dog, usually brave, was so frightened by the rabbit that it hid in the wheat stalks and refused to come out, which was highly unusual behavior.
After catching a white rabbit, Li Pangzi went insane. He was found wandering the fields, singing in a young woman's voice, and behaving erratically. His mother revealed that he had killed the rabbit after it caused the death of all other rabbits in his cage, and he had been acting strangely ever since.
Li Pangzi was possessed by the spirit of Zhang Xiaocui, a young woman from a neighboring village who had died several years ago. She had been waiting for her lover, a sent-down youth who promised to return for her but never did. Heartbroken, she eventually committed suicide by hanging herself.
The spirit of Zhang Xiaocui was laid to rest through a ritual conducted by a local shaman. The shaman used a mixture of animal blood, rice, and other materials to create a protective circle. When Xiaocui appeared, the villagers threw rice at her, causing her to burn and eventually dissipate. A grave was then erected in her memory.
The grandfather's dog played a crucial role in the final confrontation by attacking the spirit of Zhang Xiaocui, preventing her from escaping the protective circle. The dog's intervention allowed the villagers to complete the ritual, but the dog later died from severe burns sustained during the encounter.