Old Master Yan

Biodata

Background / History

Old Master Yan founded the company later managed by Yan Qingyue. Although he had long since withdrawn from active management, his authority remained influential among its executives. Yan Qingyue regarded him as the person she respected most 6.

After Yan Qingyue lost her parents in childhood, he raised her himself. They remained close, though her demanding work schedule left him wishing she would visit the family residence more often 27.

The Auction Request

Old Master Yan informed Yan Qingyue that an elder from a family with longstanding ties to theirs urgently needed to sell an important ancient painting. With little time to obtain an authoritative appraisal and a substantial personal favor involved, the purchase carried considerable risk 6.

The intended auction target was Elder Zhang’s anonymous Ming-dynasty landscape painting. His grandfather’s request prompted Yan Qingyue to bring Lin Chen along and seek his judgment 7.

Investigating and Meeting Lin Chen

During a private dinner, Old Master Yan pressed Yan Qingyue to consider marriage. Her distracted smile while thinking about Lin Chen caught his attention, despite her attempts to dismiss the young man as a clumsy assistant who already liked someone else 27.

He secretly instructed A Zhong to investigate Lin Chen’s family, education, connections, and character. The resulting report described an ordinary but respectable young man; observations of Yan Qingyue’s unusual attention toward him persuaded Old Master Yan to arrange a personal meeting 28.

Using a family dinner on Yan Qingyue’s late father’s birthday as the occasion, he insisted that she bring Lin Chen home. During the visit, he assessed Lin Chen through casual questions and watched his conduct at the table. Lin Chen’s sincere answers, good manners, and unobtrusive consideration for Yan Qingyue won his approval 28 29.

Before they left, he invited Lin Chen to visit again and privately urged Yan Qingyue to hold on to him. Earning his approval also completed Lin Chen’s system mission, “Visit to the old residence,” with an excellent rating 29.

Warning About the AI Material

When Yan Qingyue reported that Lin Chen had supplied AI material apparently at least ten years ahead of known approaches, Old Master Yan cautioned her against treating it as an uncomplicated opportunity. He raised possible explanations—including a secret laboratory leak or an unknown advanced team—without establishing any as fact 35.

He ordered strict secrecy around the material’s source, advised discreetly investigating Lin Chen’s acquisition channel, and offered Yan Family resources and protection 35.

Advising Against Huanyu Capital’s Demands

After Huanyu Capital demanded access to Alpha’s technical details and veto power over core-technology decisions, Yan Qingyue turned to him for advice. He opposed surrendering the company’s technological independence but recommended negotiation rather than a direct confrontation 42 43.

His proposed strategy combined limited concessions, competing investors, and family-backed security. Yan Qingyue adopted this approach and subsequently continued negotiations while contacting other investment firms 43 45.

Appearance

• Age and bearing: An elderly man described as energetic, with a commanding presence 29.
• Eyes: His piercing, scrutinizing gaze makes Lin Chen feel as though he is being examined by an X-ray 29.
• Voice: Booming and kindly in family conversation, but capable of becoming stern when discussing danger 27 35.

Personality

Old Master Yan is openly affectionate toward his granddaughter. He arranges her favorite dishes, puts food on her plate, and worries that she neglects her health for work. His persistent matchmaking reflects both his desire for a great-grandchild and his concern that she lacks someone with whom she can share her burdens 27.

Despite suggesting eligible men from families he knows, he does not insist on an equal-status marriage. He believes the Yan Family no longer needs a marriage alliance and would accept an impoverished suitor if his background were clean and he genuinely made Yan Qingyue happy 28.

His warmth coexists with sharp observation and a willingness to intervene. He notices emotional changes Yan Qingyue tries to conceal, investigates potential risks privately, and becomes uncompromising when her safety or the company’s independence is threatened 28 35 43.

Abilities & Skills

Business Strategy and Negotiation

His advice emphasizes retaining independence while creating room to negotiate 43.

• Treats core-technology control and the company’s own veto power as non-negotiable.
• Allows flexibility over board representation and market-channel sharing.
• Recommends approaching competing investors to improve bargaining leverage.
• Recognizes that Huanyu Capital has internal factions and performance pressures rather than acting as a perfectly unified opponent 43.

Observation and Character Assessment

He evaluates people through both background information and everyday behavior 28 29.

• Detects Yan Qingyue’s interest in Lin Chen from a fleeting smile and unusual distraction.
• Cross-checks investigation reports against Lin Chen’s answers and demeanor.
• Notices small gestures, including Lin Chen moving a favored dish closer to Yan Qingyue 27 28 29.

Intelligence and Security Connections

He retains access to trusted confidants and longstanding Yan Family contacts 28 43.

• Directs A Zhong to conduct confidential background investigations.
• Offers connections capable of supporting security and intelligence work.
• States that these resources can help protect core technology and key personnel, while acknowledging that they do not match Huanyu’s global network 28 43.

Relationships

• Yan Qingyue — Granddaughter whom he raised; he is her most trusted elder, a persistent matchmaker, and a source of business guidance and protection 6 27 35 43.
• Lin Chen — Initially investigated as a possible romantic interest for Yan Qingyue. Old Master Yan approves of his character after meeting him, but later urges renewed scrutiny of his connection to the advanced AI material 28 29 35.
• A Zhong — Trusted subordinate tasked with secretly investigating Lin Chen 28.
• Uncle Zhang — The person Old Master Yan says monitors his daily medication 27.
• Elder Zhang — The seller whose urgent financial need leads Old Master Yan to ask Yan Qingyue to help secure a painting at auction 6 7.

Notable Quotes

“Family background and all that doesn't matter. As long as he's a good person and treats you well, I'll be satisfied!” 27

“If you need any resources or support, tell me anytime. The Yan Family hasn't fallen yet, and these old bones of mine can still shield you from the wind.” 35

“Putting your lifeline in someone else's hands is the worst possible choice.” 43