Hua Jinchen

Biodata

Background

The Hua Family traditionally arranged marriages for financial advantage. Hua Jinchen’s parents maintained an affectionate public image but were distant in private 9. He said that no one looked after him when he was young, so he learned to cook for himself; he continued cooking even after the family hired a nanny 44.

At Sacred Cherry Academy, Hua Jinchen was known for his flashy conduct and frequent changes of girlfriend. Despite that reputation, he had not had an intimate relationship with any of his previous girlfriends 6 9.

Appearance

Hua Jinchen is tall and handsome, with a lean, muscular build 8 9.

• Hair: Short and red 42 45.
• Eyes: Peach-blossom eyes that tilt slightly upward at the corners 8 9.
• Facial features: A high nose bridge and thin lips 9.

Personality

Hua Jinchen generally presents himself as carefree, refined and attentive toward women, but he is also observant and suspicious of others’ motives. Although he recognized that Shi Zheng wanted access to his circle and protection, her boldness and apparent interest in him intrigued him 8 9 10.

He can be controlling and possessive: he initially made obedience a condition of dating him and grew jealous of Gu Yanshen’s interest in Shi Zheng 10 30 46. His protectiveness also became more public over time. After initially refusing to announce their relationship, he defended her on the school forum and threatened legal action against rumor-spreaders 12 36.

Skills

Basketball

Hua Jinchen plays basketball at school and draws considerable attention on the court 8.

• After noticing Shi Zheng in the stands, he played more aggressively, making drives and layups 8.

Cooking

Hua Jinchen learned to cook as a child and prepares meals for himself and Shi Zheng 44.

• He makes noodles for Shi Zheng and later takes responsibility for breakfast and other household chores 44.

Relationships

• Shi Zheng — His girlfriend and eventual fiancée-to-be. He initially agreed to date her on the condition that she obey him, but later proposed and brought her to meet his parents 10 49.
• Gu Yanshen — His rival for Shi Zheng’s affection. Their dispute escalated into a fistfight after Hua Jinchen learned that Gu and Shi Zheng had slept together 24 42.
• Hua Jinchen’s parents — Their marriage of convenience shaped his childhood. Although they treated Shi Zheng warmly at dinner, his mother later told her that she was looking for a more suitable fiancée for him 9 44 49 50.
• Zhao Yong and Huang Siyuan — Friends who tease Hua Jinchen about his interest in Shi Zheng and attend gatherings with him 6 13 21.
• Su Qingqing — A schoolmate who became jealous of Shi Zheng’s relationship with him. Hua Jinchen later rejected Su’s accusations against Shi Zheng 6 32 49.

Story Role

Relationship with Shi Zheng

After Shi Zheng named him as the kind of man wealthy enough to keep her, Hua Jinchen became interested in her. They spoke privately following his basketball game, and he agreed to make her his girlfriend 6 8 10. He initially refused to make the relationship public but promised to speak to the disciplinary committee about her threatened expulsion 12.

At Yunding Club, Hua Jinchen rescued Shi Zheng from Zhang Hao and his companions. He then identified her as his girlfriend to the gathering and defended her when others spoke against her 21 22. As rumors spread at school, he publicly confirmed their relationship on the forum and warned that the Hua legal department would contact anyone who continued spreading false claims 36.

Rivalry and reconciliation

Hua Jinchen repeatedly confronted Gu Yanshen over Shi Zheng. After hiding in a bathroom and overhearing her disclose that she and Gu had slept together, he fought Gu until Shi Zheng ordered them to stop 39 40 42. Hua refused to give her up, and she later tended his injuries at his villa 43.

Hua asked Shi Zheng to stay with him at night because the house felt too quiet when he was alone. She agreed on the condition that he handle the cooking and household chores 44. Three months later, he proposed; Shi Zheng agreed to meet his parents before discussing an engagement and marriage after her graduation 49.

Favorability

Shi Zheng’s system reports Hua Jinchen’s favorability toward her at several points: