This case study explores the use of "fangtan," a Chinese narrative method, in the investigation of problem gambling among Chinese international students. It provides a snapshot of the project context and an analysis on the importance of using narrative to explore sensitive topics. The case study covers practical elements of the investigation such as grants received, ethical approval and research sites. Research design and research in action are presented to demonstrate how the Chinese narrative was conducted. A snapshot of findings provides readers with a better understanding of the issue being studied. Co-ownership of the research project and the insider relationship between the researcher and participants are identified as practical lessons that the researcher learned from the process of the research. This case demonstrates that the Chinese narrative method provides a means to access identity constructions as well as the broader experiences related to gambling among the participants. The narratives in the current study provide alternative knowledge about Chinese international students' gambling, which is as valuable to researchers as knowledge about prediction of pathological gambling behaviour using epidemiological methods. [This content is provided in the format of an e-book.]