Zhou Chenglei

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhou Chenglei (周承磊)
Alias(es)	A'Lei; Fourth Brother; Team Leader Zhou; Regimental Commander Zhou 204 257 270 276
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Zhou family; former military comrades; family fishing, aquaculture, and business ventures 111 197 600 609
Occupation/Role	Former regimental commander; fisherman, diver, fish-farm operator, and investor 96 173 197 631
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background

Zhou Chenglei served in the military from his teens, distinguishing himself by shooting down two enemy planes with his first artillery fire and accumulating numerous merits. He rose to regimental commander but was forced to leave military service after an injury during a mission damaged his hearing. His body bears many faded scars from his service. 96 255 276 332

His military experience included learning English, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese to overcome mission-critical language barriers. He can read and understand these languages, though he considers his speaking and writing less proficient. 89 128 277

After returning home, Zhou gave a town-government job opportunity to his second brother and sought to separate from the household to prevent further resentment. He and Jiang Xia accepted the Zhou family’s old house while Zhou Chengxin’s family received the new brick house. 7 8 9

Appearance

Zhou Chenglei is an exceptionally tall, broad-shouldered man, standing around 1.86 meters. His severe, restrained appearance and powerful bearing often make others wary before he speaks. 2 498

• Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, and defined abdominal muscles 2 38
• Sharp, aggressive facial features and a cold, abstinent temperament 2
• Strong arms and a solid build capable of lifting adults or handling heavy fishing gear alone 90 366
• Slender hands marked by numerous faded scars 255
• Frequently wears clean, long-sleeved white shirts despite village work and summer heat 222
• Maintains extremely short hair and a meticulous personal appearance 68 374

Personality

Zhou Chenglei is disciplined, observant, and highly self-controlled. His military habits extend to his home and boats: he keeps belongings precisely arranged, values cleanliness, and has influenced former subordinates to maintain similarly exacting standards. 270

He is responsible toward his family and tends to act rather than speak. He gave up housing during the family division, helped his brothers when able, and later stayed behind to oversee the household and construction work rather than join a profitable fishing trip. 8 111 232

His protectiveness of Jiang Xia is central to his behavior. He consistently prioritizes her safety and comfort, whether caring for her illnesses and injuries, defending her reputation, or changing his work plans during her pregnancy. 14 53 62 484

Zhou can also be uncompromising and intimidating when confronting threats, betrayal, or corruption. He does not tolerate people harming his family or exploiting others for personal gain. 317 747 750

He is competitive and possessive in private, reacting strongly when other men show interest in Jiang Xia or when she praises another man’s appearance. 279 498

Abilities & Skills

Military Combat

A former regimental commander with extensive battlefield experience, Zhou Chenglei combines speed, strength, intimidation, and practical use of his surroundings in combat.

• Defeated a dozen armed youths by wielding a bicycle as an improvised weapon, disarming and incapacitating attackers in rapid succession. 101
• Threw multiple intruders from his fishing boat back onto their own vessel before they could establish a foothold. 129
• Boarded Boss Guo’s boat, seized a wind spear, and forced sea bullies to retreat without escalating to gunfire. 342
• His killing intent and interrogation tactics quickly compelled He Yong'an to confess to his role in the Exhibition Hall incident. 317
• Has a reputation among acquaintances as a soldier who entered the battlefield young and achieved numerous military merits. 96

Fishing, Diving & Seamanship

Zhou Chenglei is an experienced fisherman and diver who manages boats, nets, catches, and marine equipment.

• Teaches Jiang Xia how to tire a hooked fish before reeling it in, preventing the line from breaking. 55
• Uses sound from the engine and the behavior of fishing gear to judge when a net is carrying a heavy catch. 366
• Can drag a heavily laden net onto the boat alone and sort valuable catches efficiently. 366
• Dives in a diving suit to inspect prospective aquaculture areas before deploying equipment. 173
• Modified flashlights and used headlamps to attract squid at night. 252
• Demonstrates sharp aim and speed while scooping squid, consistently catching far more than Jiang Xia. 253

Languages & Learning

Zhou Chenglei learned several foreign languages during military service and remains capable of studying and translating alongside Jiang Xia.

• Understands English, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese well enough for reading and general communication. 89
• Reads quickly and retains what he sees, including being described as able to read ten lines at a glance. 88
• Continues learning translation through technical magazines, though he consults Jiang Xia on uncertain passages. 128
• Holds a university degree earned through the military rather than the standard entrance-examination route. 409

Business & Investment

Zhou Chenglei expands the family’s livelihood beyond traditional fishing through fish farming, construction, factory investment, and long-term land planning.

• Ordered an additional five thousand fish fry to expand his aquaculture operation. 197
• Invested in businesses with Jiang Xia, including a five-million-yuan agreement and construction-company shares. 439
• Ordered bricks for factory construction and coordinated bulk purchasing with Zhou Chengsen. 518
• Refused to sell remaining industrial-zone land, intending to reserve it for future expansion or rental income. 609
• Signed an equal-share business contract with Zhang Rong. 631

Equipment / Items

• Fishing boats, trawl nets, hand nets, clay pots, and aquaculture equipment 128 173 252
• Diving suit and diving equipment used for seabed inspection and abalone harvesting 129 173
• Modified flashlights and headlamps for attracting squid at night 252
• Bicycles used for travel, transporting Jiang Xia, and improvised combat 62 101
• Long-sleeved white shirts, which he wears to avoid unwanted attention while working 222

Relationships

• Jiang Xia — Wife. Their marriage was arranged through the Old Chief, but develops into a deeply affectionate partnership built on mutual protection, fishing, business, and family life. They have triplets together. 53 102 332 407 534
• Zhou Zhou — Niece and later his adopted daughter in household-registration terms; she continues to call him Little Uncle. He carries her to the clinic during a high fever and is greatly missed when away. 68 176 201
• Father Zhou and Mother Zhou — Parents. Zhou is filial and works closely with them in fishing and family decisions; they are especially protective of him after his military service and early hardships. 90 111 232
• Zhou Chengxin — Eldest brother and fishing partner. Zhou compensates him for assistance, but also bluntly prioritizes Jiang Xia’s interests over his brother’s feelings. 130 252
• Zhou Chengsen — Second elder brother. They maintain a supportive relationship, cooperate in business matters, and Zhou Chenglei respects Chengsen’s ability to handle difficult situations. 518 629
• Zhang Rui — Former subordinate who admires Zhou Chenglei. Zhou pushed him through demanding training and encouraged his education while in the military. 96 631
• Old He — Respected elder and language teacher connected to Zhou’s military past. Old He remains disappointed in Zhou’s limited spoken-language skills. 276 277
• Old Chief — Former superior and matchmaker for Zhou and Jiang Xia. He regrets assigning Zhou to the mission that harmed his hearing, but is relieved to see the couple’s happiness. 407
• Boss Guo — Initially attempted to extort Zhou’s diving equipment and intimidate his family. After witnessing Zhou’s skill, Boss Guo becomes cautious and seeks a connection instead. 129 130 342

Story Role / Major Arcs

Family Separation and Marriage

Zhou initiates the division of the Zhou household, choosing the old house with Jiang Xia rather than escalating conflict over property. Although initially stern and distant, he protects Jiang Xia from village gossip and begins caring for her safety in everyday life. 7 9 14

Fishing Partnership and Aquaculture

Zhou introduces Jiang Xia to fishing, supports her remarkable catches, and works with her to develop diving, abalone harvesting, fish farming, and larger-scale fishing operations. Their earnings eventually make the family a “Ten Thousand Yuan Household.” 55 129 154 197

Confrontations at Sea

When Boss Guo’s men attempt to board the Zhou boat, Zhou physically repels them and warns Boss Guo to earn a living honestly. Later, he disarms another group of sea bullies and forces them to retreat. 129 342

Canton Fair and Investigation

Zhou accompanies Jiang Xia to the Canton Fair, where he assists with business matters and protects her from unwanted attention. When the Exhibition Hall incident nearly costs Jiang Xia her life, he independently investigates, obtains a confession, assaults Ye Fu, and reports the conspirators for suspected intentional homicide. 276 279 317

Fatherhood and Business Expansion

After Jiang Xia becomes pregnant with triplets, Zhou adjusts his work around her health and later devotes himself to caring for the children. Alongside this, he expands into construction, factory investment, industrial land, and clothing-factory acquisition. 332 484 537 600 609

Defending Family Interests

Zhou repeatedly intervenes when relatives, neighbors, or officials threaten his family. He refuses to help Lei Yuzhen after her betrayal, confronts a corrupt market administrator, and makes clear that people who target Jiang Xia or his parents will face consequences. 513 747 750

Trivia

• The character Lei (磊) in Zhou Chenglei’s name was chosen after his grandfather sought a name associated with the earth element; his grandfather had first considered the character Yao. 540
• He showers at least twice daily and sometimes three times, reflecting his strict cleanliness habits. 68
• He has a particular habit of putting everything in order himself rather than demanding Jiang Xia conform to his standards. 270
• Zhou is notably skilled at carrying children and can hold all three of his triplets at once. 550 819
• He regards marrying Jiang Xia as the wisest and luckiest decision of his life. 578