Bai Huizhang

Biodata

Background

Bai Huizhang made his fortune in real estate before gradually shifting his business focus toward entertainment 12.

His marriage to Wu Xueying began as a business arrangement. After their relationship deteriorated, he took a younger mistress. He and Wu Xueying divorced, and he received custody of their son, Bai Le. Two years later, he married Chen Suqiu, who gave birth to their daughter, Bai Yin 4 15.

Personality

Bai Huizhang is described as old-fashioned and chauvinistic, but not inclined to favor one child over the other 4 15. He frequently scolds Bai Le and threatens to discipline him, yet also worries about his health and future. When he finds Bai Le asleep and apparently unwell, he tucks him in and checks his forehead for a fever 12 42.

His manner toward Bai Le softens as his son proves capable at work. By a later New Year visit, he no longer hits or scolds him at the slightest provocation 26 112.

History

Company affairs

Bai Huizhang initially scolds Bai Le for neglecting the company and worries about whether he can eventually leave the business to him. After noticing a change in his son, he transfers his longtime secretary, Ye Xiaosi, to teach Bai Le company affairs 3 12 18.

Bai Huizhang and Bai Le meet Xi Defeng to discuss an entertainment partnership. Bai Le negotiates a verbal agreement on the contract amount, earning Xi Defeng’s praise as a successor 12 13. After Bai Le returns to work following childbirth, Bai Huizhang gradually hands him more authority 86.

The Xi family marriage arrangement

Bai Huizhang brings his family to Old Master Xi’s birthday banquet, where he realizes Bai Yin is being considered as a wife for Xi Yan. He later asks Chen Suqiu whether their daughter wants the marriage and is told that she does, although Bai Yin has privately objected 29 30 33 41.

After Bai Le leaves home, a discarded prenatal report reveals that he is pregnant. Bai Huizhang orders the family to keep the news secret and replaces the household maids when it leaks, but distorted rumors continue to spread 42 43.

Xi Yan subsequently announces that Bai Le is carrying his child and that he intends to marry him. Bai Huizhang reluctantly agrees on the condition that Bai Le also consents, and publicly clarifies that Bai Yin will not marry into the Xi family 45. Bai Le later agrees to marry Xi Yan 51.

Later family life

Bai Huizhang and Wu Xueying visit their grandson after Bai Le gives birth. During a later New Year visit, Bai Huizhang tells Bai Le to focus on his health and the baby rather than worry about the company 82 112. He grows fond of his grandson, Xi Mubai, and awkwardly asks to keep him for a few days, though Bai Le refuses 113.

Relationships

• Bai Le — His son with Wu Xueying. Bai Huizhang is often strict with him but cares about his welfare and gradually entrusts him with company business 4 42 86.
• Bai Yin — His daughter with Chen Suqiu and Bai Le’s younger half-sister. He considers her a possible match for Xi Yan and asks whether she wants the marriage 4 30 41.
• Wu Xueying — His ex-wife and Bai Le’s mother. Their different personalities and views on raising their son contributed to their separation; they continue to argue after their divorce 12 15.
• Chen Suqiu — His second wife and Bai Yin’s mother. They disagree over family matters, including Bai Yin’s prospective marriage 4 15 41.
• Xi Yan — Bai Le’s husband and Bai Huizhang’s son-in-law. Bai Huizhang remains somewhat reserved around him, and Xi Yan never calls him “Dad” 51 112.
• Xi Mubai — His grandson through Bai Le and Xi Yan. Xi Mubai’s cheerful manner makes the usually stern Bai Huizhang laugh 82 113.
• Xi Defeng — A business partner from the Xi family. He negotiates an entertainment contract with Bai Huizhang and Bai Le 12 13.