★ One of the concept artists for the opening sequence of Ne Zha: The Devil's Birth,Duan Lei (Midnight Monkey) presents his heartfelt debut work! His illustrations, characterized by a unique ink-wash and heavy-color style and profound cultural depth, showcasing the distinctive charm of Eastern aesthetics.

★ The author has re-illustrated Cat City Chronicles ①: Southern Tales and Cat City Chronicles ②: Secrets of the Sea with ink-wash techniques to depict story details. The two works have been refined and merged into one, unfolding through five sequential tales—where romance and beauty flow through every coastline, every story, and every string of the instrument.

The nation of Kunsuka lies in the Pacific Ocean, its land shaped like a cat—hence its name, the Cat Country. A traveler’s footsteps stir its slumber, whales breach the horizon, and the tides carry the scent of mermaids. Thus, the journey through the Cat Country begins...

Roaming the beautiful Cat Country in the eastern Pacific, this book paints a wondrous world through exquisite illustrations and prose. It weaves together a series of enchanting tales about love and dreams, life and happiness, brimming with warmth and inspiration, sketching a romantic voyage like no other.

Cat City Chronicles 1: Southern Tales
It begins with a whisper on the wind, a murmur in the tide—like mist rising, like fog dispersing. A fated traveler disturbs its peace and, like the locals, takes on the form of a cat.
Once every thirty years, the tides bring a mermaid who steps ashore as a girl, wandering into a school where friendship and young love intertwine.
A struggling painter and a celebrated dancer—their destined romance is sealed by the magic of a frog.
If you ever receive a peach-blossom gold coin, know this: your wish is about to come true.
In the beautiful Cat Country of the eastern Pacific, the journey unfolds—where romance and wonder flow through every coastline, every story, and every plucked string.

Cat City Chronicles 2: Secret Language of the Sea
At the foot of Butterfly Hill, by the shore of Yantan Lake, the rock superstar of Grey Blue Coast Band and the country girl who loves music sing a melodious Huashan tune together;
A missing passenger plane, strange sea creatures emerging from the depths, and a missing father—a Marine veteran and a stunning deep-sea explorer join forces to uncover the mysteries of the Lomé tribe.
Cat City Chronicles: Secrets of the Sea—where every tale is a melody of the heart!

Midnight Monkey/Duan Lei, born in Kunming, is one of the conceptual artists behind the opening sequence of "Ne Zha: The Demonic Children Roar in the Sea". His co created posters of "Fire Lotus Ne Zha" and "Four Seas Dragon King" have gone viral on the internet.
His creations have been featured in numerous major exhibitions and art annuals, earning praise as a "bridge connecting Eastern aesthetics with modern industrial design." Currently, he is dedicated to promoting the fusion of Yunnan's ethnic culture with digital art on the global stage.

Professional background:
Graduated from the School of Art at Yunnan Normal University in 2001, and obtained a Master's degree in Digital Art from the City College of Wuhan University in 2010.
Chinese digital ink artist, illustrator, novelist, conceptual designer.
Served as a co-designer for Ne Zha 2: The Devil's Birth and an animation designer for Fengshen & Moonlight Blade.
Representative works: "Fengshen", "Cat City Chronicles", "Jianghun", "Jinmao Wei Ink Painting Ancient Style Picture Book", etc.

Professional Affiliations
Standing Committee Member, CCAC Digital Art Committee (China Film Art Society)
Senior Researcher, China CG Art Committee
Professional Mentor, International School of the Central Academy of Fine Arts
Deputy Director, Digital Media & Animation Art Committee (Yunnan Artists Association)
Committee Member, Yunnan Higher Education Animation & Digital Media Teaching Guidance Committee (Yunnan Provincial Department of Education)
Member, Yunnan Writers Association

Grey Blue Coast 1-38
Peach Blossom Express 38-58
Ji Zhao Zhi Xi 59-87
Qingwu 87-109
The Tragedy of the Mermaid 109-141