Nan Xingyu

Biodata

Background

Nan Xingyu grew up at Xi Family Manor, where her mother, Liu Meili, worked as a gardener. She and Xi Jin had known each other since childhood; the manor’s greenhouse became their secret garden 4 14 19. Xi Jin later tutored her for the Peking University entrance exam 14.

Their relationship became sexual after Xi Jin returned from a shooting championship. Nan Xingyu recalled resisting him during their first encounter, which was painful 10 11. By the opening of the story, they had been secretly involved for nearly three years 1 4.

Appearance

Nan Xingyu has round eyes and red, pouty lips 26 50.

• She blushes easily when nervous or embarrassed 29 34.
• She wears a short white down jacket and a furry cat-ear hat when she meets Song Shuchen 34.

Personality

Nan Xingyu is cautious about Xi Jin’s temper and often hides her plans or tells him what she thinks will placate him. She nevertheless resists his control, sometimes talking back or striking him despite fearing retaliation 11 21 30.

She is protective of her family and fears that revealing her relationship with Xi Jin would expose her mother to humiliation 4 10. Her feelings toward him are conflicted: she remembers being drawn to him, but also wants to escape their relationship and is unsure whether she loves him 2 10.

Story Role

Breakup and continued secrecy

A month after sending Xi Jin a breakup message, Nan Xingyu learns that he has returned to the country. He confronts her at Peking University, and she continues trying to end their relationship 1 4. When he offers to make it public, she refuses, fearing the consequences for her mother 4.

Nan Xingyu asks Xi Jin to let her live independently, but he threatens her and sexually assaults her after she repeatedly demands a breakup 17. Her attempts to conceal their relationship at school also become harder: Jiang Yu sees Xi Jin kiss her at the cinema 24 25.

Attempts to leave

Nan Xingyu plans to take the postgraduate entrance exam and find work near home, away from Xi Jin 28. He discovers and withdraws her school-transfer application 30. After Jiang Yuexi suspects Nan Xingyu’s phone is being monitored, Song Shuchen finds a listening device and tracker in it 30 31.

Xi Jin confronts Nan Xingyu over the devices and drives toward a river after she says she never wants to be with him again. He stops at the edge when she begs him to stop and promises not to leave 31. Jiang Yuexi continues helping Nan Xingyu with transfer arrangements, and Nan Xingyu later tells her parents she plans to study abroad 32 46.

New Year and the funeral

After Liu Meili suffers a spinal fracture, Xi Jin helps arrange her surgery 37. He later visits Nan Xingyu’s family for New Year, while she continues to keep their relationship from her parents 40 41.

Xi Jin insists they marry, but Nan Xingyu refuses and accuses him of using force whenever she disobeys 43. Following the death of his grandfather, she flies to Jingzhou to accompany him, still hoping that time abroad will allow her to return eventually to a normal life 45 46. Xi Jin then promises that they will no longer have to hide their relationship 47.

Fertility diagnosis

In a recalled earlier incident, Nan Xingyu underwent surgery after severe bleeding. A doctor told Xi Jin that her chances of becoming pregnant were nearly zero; he concealed the diagnosis from her 49.

Relationships

• Xi Jin — Her childhood acquaintance and secret boyfriend. She seeks to leave him, while he uses threats, surveillance and force to keep her close 4 17 31.
• Liu Meili — Her mother and a former gardener at Xi Family Manor. Nan Xingyu fears that her relationship with Xi Jin could subject Liu Meili to gossip and humiliation 4 42.
• Nan Zhiping — Her father. He gives her financial support when she tells her parents she plans to study abroad 46.
• Lin Piaopiao and Li Ziyan — Her roommates, who spend time with her at school and on outings 1 6 28.
• Jiang Yu — A lawyer, high-school senior and former internship supervisor. He is also Xi Jin’s friend and learns of Nan Xingyu’s relationship with him 14 15 25.
• Jiang Yuexi — Her friend, who suspects her phone is monitored and helps with her transfer plans 30 32.
• Song Shuchen — Jiang Yuexi’s uncle. He finds the surveillance devices in Nan Xingyu’s phone and helps handle her transfer; during a game, he says he loves her 31 35 50.

Trivia

• Nan Xingyu is one month older than Xi Jin, despite his habit of calling himself her “big brother” 16.
• She is afraid of bugs and has a poor sense of direction; Xi Jin used both to tease her when they were younger 10.
• She describes herself as a little face-blind after failing to recognize Jiang Yu immediately 12.