Xi Yan

Biodata

Background and History

Xi Yan was born to Tan Lianxin after she concealed her pregnancy from the man she married. When that man discovered the truth on Xi Yan’s fifth birthday, he began drinking heavily and sometimes beat and berated both mother and son. After the birth of Xi Yan’s younger half-brother, Li Jing, the couple lavished their affection on the younger child 1.

As a teenager, Xi Yan pushed Li Jing down the stairs. His family confined him at home, and at eighteen he was sent to a psychiatric hospital, where he spent a year in isolation and nearly died after a serious illness. His biological father later had him released, restored his Xi surname, and acknowledged him as a family member after the death of his eldest son 1 58.

Xi Defeng orchestrated a car accident against Xi Yan shortly after his return to the Xi Family. Xi Yan presented himself as disabled afterward, using a wheelchair and allowing rivals to underestimate him while he built his own forces 7 25. He eventually arranged for news that his legs had “healed” to reach Xi Defeng, hoping to provoke him into making a move 55.

Appearance

Xi Yan is tall and upright, with sharply defined, deeply set features and a notably pale complexion. His imposing appearance contrasts with the frailty he presents to outsiders 2 20 57.

• Eyes: Dark, sometimes appearing gloomy or lifeless 2 16.
• Lips and voice: Thin lips and a cold, slightly hoarse voice 2.
• Build: Lean and muscular from long-term exercise, despite his sickly appearance 20.
• Hands: Long, pale fingers with prominent joints and visible veins 45.

Personality

Xi Yan is known for being cold, calculating, and ruthless. He is highly disciplined and patient, having built his position gradually while concealing his strength. He also directs that severity toward himself: after initially needing a light to sleep, he forced himself to grow accustomed to the dark, though enclosed dark spaces can still trigger episodes 1 7 17.

With Bai Le and their children, he shows a gentler and more playful side. He is attentive to Bai Le’s health, teases him, and patiently cares for Mu Mu. Xi Yan also privately fears that Bai Le will leave if he learns too much about his past 64 108 110.

Skills

Strategy and observation

Xi Yan uses patience, investigation, and deception to navigate rivalries within the Xi Family.

• His apparent disability reduced scrutiny from rivals while he built his own forces 7.
• He investigated Ye Feifei and discovered a connection to an establishment associated with Xi Defeng 8 12.
• He planned to lure Xi Defeng into acting by publicizing the recovery of his legs 55.

Physical skill

Xi Yan trained consistently to improve his health and maintained a stronger physique than outsiders expected 1 20.

• At a festival shooting stall, he hit every target and won a giant Doraemon prize 21.
• He twisted the arm of a man who had harassed Bai Le, forcing him to retreat 75.
• He confronted Li Jing during a knife attack, although Li Jing stabbed him in the shoulder 80.

Relationships

• Bai Le — Husband. Bai Le initially feared Xi Yan after arranging for him to be drugged, but their relationship gradually became affectionate. Xi Yan sought to marry him after learning of his pregnancy and later defended him against insults and gossip 2 44 109 115.
• Mu Mu — Xi Yan and Bai Le’s son. Mu Mu calls Xi Yan “Father”; Xi Yan is attentive and patient with him 83 105 108.
• Xixi — Xi Yan and Bai Le’s daughter and Mu Mu’s younger sister 119 120.
• Xi Sheng — His grandfather, Old Master Xi. He considers Xi Yan ruthless and capable, though he has also questioned him about his father’s death. He accepts Xi Yan’s decision to marry Bai Le 25 44 70.
• Tan Lianxin — His mother. She mistreated him during childhood, and their later relationship is deeply hostile. Xi Yan tells her to stay away from his family after she pleads for Li Jing 1 10 96.
• Li Jing — His younger maternal half-brother. Li Jing destroyed Xi Yan’s childhood goldfish and later attacked him with a dagger 22 80.
• Xi Defeng — His second uncle and rival. He orchestrated Xi Yan’s car accident and used Ye Feifei in a scheme to approach him 25 32.
• Zhou Kun — A relative and associate who helps Xi Yan with his plans against Xi Defeng 7 55.
• Secretary Xing — Xi Yan’s long-serving secretary, who has been at his side since he entered the Xi Family 11.

Story Role

Meeting Bai Le

Bai Le wakes beside Xi Yan after arranging for him to be drugged. Xi Yan initially tells him to stay out of his sight, but privately orders an investigation into him 2 3. Their paths continue to cross, including at a business dinner and a festival in Japan, where Bai Le gives Xi Yan goldfish as a birthday present 19 21 22.

Marriage and family

After learning that Bai Le is pregnant, Xi Yan tells Old Master Xi he wants to marry him, believing the child may be his. He finds Bai Le after he runs away and takes him to hospital when he collapses with a fever. Their wedding takes place on an island Xi Yan owns 44 49 52 56.

Li Jing later attacks Xi Yan and Bai Le. Xi Yan is stabbed in the shoulder, and Bai Le knocks Li Jing unconscious before going into labor 80. After Mu Mu’s birth, Xi Yan and Bai Le welcome another pregnancy and later raise their daughter, Xixi, alongside him 81 98 119 120.

Notable Quotes

“I know everything, so don’t hide anything from me, and don’t lie to me.” 49

“I remember everything about you clearly. I haven’t forgotten a thing.” 108

“Happy birthday, my Lele. We’ll always be together.” 121