Father

Biodata

Background / History

Li Jun Tian grew up in the countryside, held a junior-college diploma, and was neither wealthy nor conventionally handsome. He met Wu Qiu Xia when he pushed her out of the path of an oncoming truck and was injured himself. Their acquaintance became a courtship, despite Qiu Xia initially believing he had little chance among her many suitors. 13

Qiu Xia married him at eighteen. Their twin sons were born during their second year of marriage; the elder brother was born a few minutes before Xiao Tian. Li later taught himself engineering, steadily improved the family’s circumstances, and moved them from the countryside into the city when Xiao Tian was six. 13

His engineering work kept him away for extended periods. Though he participated in work-related socializing and entertainment, he remained faithful to Qiu Xia and trusted her in return. 13

Li’s prolonged absences left much of the children’s day-to-day upbringing to Qiu Xia. His and Qiu Xia’s indulgence of their elder son contributed to the boy’s worsening behavior; when conflict later erupted between the brothers at school, Li punished Xiao Tian without understanding the underlying cause of the fight. 13 14

After a construction-site accident led to his resignation, Li became unemployed and struggled emotionally, sometimes drinking heavily. He arranged for Qiu Xia to live near Xiao Tian’s school and supervise his studies while he sought new work. 16 He later resumed working, but a fall after the elder son’s death injured his leg. Following his recovery, the lasting effects of the injury led Qiu Xia and Xiao Tian to insist that he stop working. 22

Appearance

Li Jun Tian is described as ordinary-looking rather than conventionally handsome. His build is comparatively refined and lightly muscled, contrasting with the forceful side of his private demeanor noted by Qiu Xia. 13

• From a rural background and initially less materially established than Qiu Xia’s other admirers. 13
• Became tanned during a work trip. 15

Personality

Li is devoted to Qiu Xia and consistently frames their marriage around trust, fidelity, and mutual support. He is playful and romantic in private, often using teasing wordplay to make her laugh, despite appearing honest and simple to outsiders. 13

He is ambitious, industrious, and strongly identifies as the household’s provider. Even when work takes him away, he regards supporting the family as his responsibility and later expresses regret that Qiu Xia has had to manage the home alone. 13 18

As a parent, he is strict and emphasizes discipline, work, and academic effort. This approach can become overbearing: Xiao Tian feels intimidated by him, and Qiu Xia repeatedly objects to the severity of his treatment of their son. 14 15

Relationships

• Wu Qiu Xia — wife. Their relationship begins after Li saves her from a traffic accident; they remain deeply affectionate despite later strain caused by his work absences and family conflicts. 13 14 15
• Li Xiaotian / Xiao Tian — younger twin son. Li urges him to study and attempts to discipline him, but Xiao Tian grows resentful of his authority and jealous of Li’s marriage to Qiu Xia. 13 15 17
• Da Wen / Elder Brother — elder twin son. Li and Qiu Xia spoil him out of guilt over his early separation from the family; Li later sees him off when he enlists and is devastated by his death during a military mission. 13 14 22
• Wu Tingting — daughter-in-law through Xiao Tian’s marriage. 22
• Li Lianxia — granddaughter, Xiao Tian and Tingting’s daughter. 6

Story Role / Major Arcs

Family Provider and Courtship History

Li’s rescue of Qiu Xia establishes their relationship. He builds a career as an engineer and supports the family through frequent travel, while his marriage is presented as loving and mutually trusting. 13

Parenting Conflict

Li’s limited presence at home and the parents’ favoritism toward the elder twin contribute to growing instability. He returns to address the brothers’ school fight but misreads the situation, punishing Xiao Tian and worsening the emotional distance between them. 14

Career Setback and Reconciliation

A work-related accident costs Li his job and damages his morale. He nonetheless acts to support Xiao Tian’s education by arranging for Qiu Xia to accompany him near school, while he searches for work. 16

Later Family Loss

Following the elder son’s death on military duty, Li suffers a leg injury in a workplace fall. He recuperates at Xiao Tian’s home and ultimately leaves work due to the injury’s lasting effects. 22

Notable Quotes

“Meeting you was the most beautiful accident of my life.” 13

“I trust my wife. She can resist temptation.” 13