A scholar named Fang from Eastern Zhejiang, lodging in Shaanxi as a tutor, prided himself on his bravery.

One night, as Fang slept naked in his bed, an object suddenly dropped from the air—it was entirely covered in fur, landing squarely on his chest with a soft thud. Fang felt it was as large as a hound, panting heavily, its four paws scrabbling. Terrified, he tried to scramble up, but the creature stuck out a leg and tripped him; Fang tumbled to the floor and passed out cold.

An hour later, Fang’s nose began to itch unbearably, as if someone were teasing him. He let out a sneeze and woke up. The room was brightly lit, and by the bedside sat a stunning beauty, who smiled and said, "What a man! Is that all the courage you possess?" Fang immediately knew he had encountered a fox spirit and was all the more frightened. The lady teased him playfully, but Fang soon found his fear receding as he gazed upon her exquisite features. They became inseparable, staying together harmoniously for half a year.

One day, while the lady was taking an afternoon nap at home, Fang secretly trapped her using a hunting net. When the lady awoke, unable to move, she pleaded with him to release her bonds. Fang smiled faintly and refused to approach. Suddenly, the lady dissolved into a wisp of white vapor and slipped out from under the bed, crying out in anger, "You are wicked! Take me back." She snatched Fang's hand, and despite his will, he was yanked out the door. His body ascended into the air, soaring with the wind, moving faster than the eye could follow.

After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the lady abruptly let go, and Fang plummeted toward the ground. Coincidentally, he fell right into the garden of a prominent estate, landing directly onto a wooden trap overlaid with a fishing net. The impact caused the net to bend sharply downward, suspending Fang mid-air. He dared to look down and saw a massive tiger crouching at the bottom of the pit. The tiger spotted him and sprang upward with fierce intent, leaving barely a foot of space between them. Fang’s heart nearly burst from terror, and he fainted once more.

A gardener came by to feed the tiger and was both startled and perplexed to find Fang dangling in the net. He quickly revived Fang and asked for an account of what had transpired. Fang explained everything. From the gardener, he learned he was now in Zhejiang territory, over four hundred li from his hometown. The master of the house gave him money and arranged his passage home. Upon his return, he told his friends, "Although I fainted twice, both times due to the fox spirit’s doings, without her, I would still be teaching in Shaanxi, penniless, with no idea when I might reunite with my family."