Cheng Huai

Biodata

Background / History

Cheng Huai is Zhuang Xin's cousin, the son of Zhuang Xin's maternal aunt, Xu Pei, and Cheng Yuan. Although Zhuang Xin remembers him as shy and well-behaved in childhood, Cheng Huai later began associating with dubious people, claiming to do business while accumulating more than 500,000 yuan in debts. 12 16

After Zhuang Xin's parents brought valuable gifts and a bank card to their maternal relatives, Cheng Huai stole Zhuang De's White Jade Chess set and bank card. He discovered the card's password, fled, and spent heavily before going to Yaoxing Winery's underground casino. The card held over 40 million yuan; Cheng Huai had already spent more than one million yuan and lost over 700,000 yuan gambling within half an hour. 12 14 15

At the casino, Cheng Huai attempted to justify using the stolen card as a family matter and initially refused to surrender it. He admitted that he had given the White Jade Chess to Ah Cai, then led Zhuang Xin to recover it from his hotel room after Zhuang Xin threatened to call the police. 14

Zhuang Xin brought Cheng Huai back to Green Bud County Town for the family to decide his punishment. Although the stolen property was recovered and Zhuang Xin ultimately chose not to press charges, Cheng Huai was permanently barred from Zhuang Xin's businesses because Zhuang Xin considered him untrustworthy. 15 16

Following the confrontation, Cheng Huai joined Xu Pei and Cheng Yuan in spreading false claims that Zhuang Xin was ungrateful and heartless. They used the resulting public pressure to demand money and employment for Cheng Huai, later escalating their demands through Editor Ning. Their incriminating messages became evidence of extortion. 16 19 23 26

Personality

Cheng Huai is reckless, greedy, and evasive. He treats family ties as leverage when it benefits him, insisting that Zhuang Xin should overlook his theft because they are cousins, while showing no comparable respect for Zhuang Xin's parents or their property. 14 15

His gambling is driven by immediate gain rather than restraint: despite rapidly losing stolen money, he continued exchanging the bank card's funds for chips in hopes of winning it back. 14 When confronted with consequences, he relies on his parents' protection, blames others, and later participates in an extortion scheme rather than taking responsibility. 15 16 26

Crimes and Misconduct

Relationships

• Zhuang Xin — Cousin and victim of Cheng Huai's theft; Zhuang Xin recovers the stolen property, declines to press charges, and bans him from all of his businesses. 12 14 16
• Xu Pei — Mother; supports Cheng Huai regardless of his actions and helps him pressure Zhuang Xin for money and a job. 15 16 19
• Cheng Yuan — Father; attempts to excuse Cheng Huai's theft as a family matter and urges Zhuang Xin to let him go. 15 16
• Ah Cai — Former girlfriend or associate; received the stolen White Jade Chess from Cheng Huai and publicly fought with him when he agreed to return it. 14 46
• Xu Chi — Cousin; alerts Zhuang Xin to Cheng Huai's theft and does not share Cheng Huai's family's entitlement. 12 15 16
• Ningbo / Editor Ning — Collaborator in the attempted extortion campaign; turns on Cheng Huai and his parents after their text messages create evidence against them. 24 26

Story Role / Major Arcs

Theft at Yaoxing Winery

Cheng Huai's theft of the White Jade Chess and bank card brings Zhuang Xin back to his hometown. Zhuang Xin tracks the card transactions to Yaoxing Winery, stops Cheng Huai from gambling away more money, and retrieves both stolen items. 12 14

Family Confrontation

Cheng Huai's parents attempt to shield him during the confrontation at Zhuang Xin's maternal grandparents' home. Zhuang Xin spares him criminal prosecution but refuses to offer him any place in his companies, unlike Xu Chi, whom he chooses to support. 15 16

Smear Campaign and Extortion Attempt

Resentful of being excluded from Zhuang Xin's businesses, Cheng Huai helps his parents distribute false allegations and mobilize reporters against him. The group later sends extortion demands, but their messages expose the scheme and leave them vulnerable to criminal charges. 19 23 26

Notable Quotes

“This... this is my aunt's card, not yours... Besides, you're my cousin. Your mom is my aunt. What's wrong with spending a little money?” 14

“Zhuang Xin, Cheng Huai... I won't let you go... I will make sure you die a horrible death!” 27