Isolation plays a big role. Being alone means there's no one to turn to for help. In these stories, the characters are often trapped in a situation where they are by themselves and have to face whatever is scaring them. It makes the reader or listener put themselves in that situation and feel the fear.
The darkness is a key factor. At night, we can't see as well. In 'alone at night scary stories', the darkness hides things. There could be something lurking just out of sight. It creates a sense of unease and anticipation of something bad about to happen. And when something does happen, like a sudden noise in the dark, it's extra terrifying because we can't immediately figure out what it is.
Chapter 308, "Want me to surrender to him? Don't even think about it!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Shixu's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, Jiang Li sighed, "Where is your mind wandering?.
Chapter 107, "Are You Really Going to Participate in That Variety Show?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xiao Xueyi's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 21, "Uncle Policeman, They Are the Ones Causing Trouble!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Miss Su's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 128, "Which family created the white lotus persona to go transplant rice seedlings in the field?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Li's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 511, "I'm Here to Notify You, Not to Discuss With You", is the clearest early answer because it turns Grandfather's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with The man had changed out of his previously luxurious traditional...
Chapter 203, "She's Not Her Maid!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xiao Xu's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Ah Fu knew he might have made a mistake, and after glancing at Su...
Chapter 202, "Jiang Li Official Announcement?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Zhao Lang's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Jiang Li couldn't believe it, "Just to take a picture?" "Yes, just to...
Chapter 11, "She Smiled, He Panicked", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xiang Hao's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with After a meeting, Shang Shaojing pinched the bridge of his nose,...
Chapter 327, "Official Announcement Entering the Circle!", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Official Announcement Entering into a new phase or setting.
Chapter 235, "Bungee Jumping in Ethiopia???", is the clearest early answer because it turns East Africa Rift's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, Chasing Wind Youth was clearly becoming anxious, and as a result, his....