Surprise is a key element. For example, if in a spooky old house, a character thinks they are being haunted by a ghost, but it turns out to be their cat knocking things over in a clumsy way. The unexpected nature makes it both scary at first and then funny.
Misdirection can also do the trick. In a story, if the narrator leads you to believe there is a dangerous monster lurking in the forest, but then reveals it's just a friendly, albeit very large, deer with big antlers that scared the characters by accident. This creates that funny but scary feel. The characters' over - the - top reactions to what they think is a threat can also add to the humor and scariness.
The use of contrast between the normal and the abnormal is important. Say, in a seemingly ordinary town, people start to notice that all the clocks stop at the same time every night. This is scary as it's an unexplained and strange phenomenon. But then it's discovered that it's just a naughty kid with a magnet going around to all the clocks. The normalcy of a kid's prank against the backdrop of the spooky event makes it funny and scary.
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 117, "What Jiang Li Can Do, She Can Do Too!". It opens with Fragrant and cloyingly sweet potatoes and corn were out of the pot, and Qi... and closes on Since entering puberty, his mother had exerted strict control over his....
Look to Chapter 122 for the clearest answer. It begins with Damn, are we supposed to find the points card in the mud?!" He had just..., keeps building through To salvage his image, he had deliberately dressed up before leaving the..., and lands on He had just steadied himself when Qi Tianyu.
Chapter 160 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from As the sky gradually darkened, the originally mild drizzle began to... and follows through on Then came Shu Yan and Jiang Li, while He Yun silently moved to the back of....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 137. Early on, Jiang Li personally went to Lai Fu's tomb and performed a small ritual.; later, the chapter leans on After it was finished, she took out talisman paper and gently waved it....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 114. Early on, As time passed, the number of viewers in the live broadcast gradually...; later, the chapter leans on After a whole day of trending searches yesterday, the popularity of....
Chapter 148 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from Exiting the cottage, Director Sun picked up the phone. and follows through on Just as Jiang Li put down her chopsticks, she received the call from Mr..
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 128. Early on, Still hungover, Huo Ziyang had just awakened from a blurry dream when his...; later, the chapter leans on He clicked his tongue in annoyance and picked up the phone..
Look to Chapter 106 for the clearest answer. It begins with Thinking of this, He Yun nodded with a hint of anticipation., keeps building through Alright, then tell me my fortune, what do I need to do?, and lands on Jiang Li's fingers lingered over the three copper coins, her clear voice....
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 159, "The Other Flying Guest is Actually Him?!". It opens with Seeing the red light of the camera turn on, Su Yinwan looked at the... and closes on Shang Shaobai, who was browsing through files, received a call from his....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 152. Early on, While most of the villagers of Chixia Village were gathered at the village...; later, the chapter leans on The unassuming structure stood out oddly against the backdrop of its....