Liu Manli

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Manli (柳曼栗) 64
Alias(es)	Sister Manli; President Liu; Director Liu 177 189 268
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Founder and president of Manli Entertainment 64 150
Occupation/Role	Grand Slam actress; entertainment-company executive; producer; aspiring film director 146 195 260
Status	Pregnant; publicly refuses to identify the child’s father, though Bai Youlou is widely suspected 301
First Appearance	Chapter 64 (earliest provided appearance) 64

Background / History

Liu Manli debuted as an actress at approximately the same age as An Luning and has spent nearly two decades in the industry. Though still in her thirties, she is described as having won every major award available to her; her presence alone can dominate a major event’s red carpet. 64 179

She founded Manli Entertainment and, in the two years before Bai Youlou’s rise, gradually shifted her attention from acting toward company operations. Her standing, industry connections, and reputation made her a formidable figure to both artists and executives. 64 124

Bai Youlou was signed to Manli Entertainment during his first year of university. When his previously concealed abilities abruptly emerged, Liu Manli suspected that he and Old Zhou had engineered events around his contract negotiations and public-image controversies. 65 76 177

Her professional interest in acting resurged when she joined The Secret Life of Walter Mitty as its female lead. She accepted the role because of Bai Youlou rather than the part itself, and her casting also helped secure other companies’ support for the project. 124

Appearance

Liu Manli is a glamorous actress whose public image combines maturity, elegance, and an intimidating “big sister” presence. Her smile can carry a cold, oppressive aura, while formal-event styling emphasizes the confidence developed through her long career. 64 249

• Usually favors sharp businesswear or black silk dresses with high heels. 165
• Can adopt a casual, approachable appearance with a gray dress, white flats, ponytail, and no makeup. 126
• Went bare-faced throughout filming for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty to better portray an ordinary office worker and single mother. 132
• Her bare face remains well maintained, though it gives her a deliberately tired, lived-in look for the role. 132
• At formal events, her presence and refined temperament can overshadow younger actresses even when they are conventionally prettier. 249

Personality

Liu Manli is commanding, composed, and highly conscious of status. She developed a queenly, dominant demeanor early in life and learned to protect herself while navigating social occasions in the entertainment industry. 260

Behind her polished public image, she is playful, curious about gossip, and fond of teasing Bai Youlou. She frequently tries to provoke or outmaneuver him, yet is willing to show affection and vulnerability around him. 150 176

She is protective of people under her company, particularly when their careers could be damaged by association or industry pressure. Her support for Jiang Yuanchu, Lu Nana, Lu Xiaoxiao, and other artists reflects both genuine concern and a manager’s strategic mindset. 107 150 259 266

Liu Manli remains sensitive about her age, unmarried status, and family expectations. Although she outwardly handles her parents’ pressure with humor and calmness, she becomes lonely and conflicted when confronted with the subject of marriage or Bai Youlou’s other relationships. 109 137 213 214

Abilities & Skills

Acting

A Grand Slam actress and Cannes Best Actress, Liu Manli is regarded as one of the few active performers at the pinnacle of the profession. Her reputation gives her unusual authority within the industry. 146

• Instantly enters character when filming begins, shifting from irritation to a gentle, intellectual, melancholy screen presence. 135
• Maximized a limited role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty through controlled, naturalistic acting. 135
• Intentionally abandoned makeup on set to reduce her star aura and better fit an ordinary character. 132
• Learned to smoke convincingly for a previous role despite not being a smoker herself. 135

Entertainment Management & Public Relations

As Manli Entertainment’s founder and president, Liu Manli uses her influence, contacts, and knowledge of industry tactics to protect projects and artists. 64 152

• Her public defense of Bai Youlou quickly halted a major wave of online attacks; her fans and peers treat her statements as authoritative. 145 146
• Anticipates smear campaigns and identifies which artists may be targeted indirectly when opponents cannot attack her openly. 152
• Introduces Bai Youlou to high-level industry contacts and resources rather than allowing him to remain dependent on a single partner. 150
• Manli Entertainment’s public-relations department becomes valuable enough that Bai Youlou arranges to use it long-term. 248

Producing & Casting

Liu Manli oversees productions with a practical awareness of casting, company interests, and resource allocation. 195

• Personally supervised auditions for Drug God and selected Qiu Yanran after judging her performance superior to the other candidates. 195
• Structured Drug God as a Manli Entertainment-led project while accommodating Huaxing’s co-producer interests. 195
• Worked extensively to secure approval and release for Drug God, using her connections and personally presenting materials to leadership. 245

Directing

Liu Manli begins pursuing a directorial debut with the youth-film project Better Days: Weather-Beaten Face. 260 266

• Chooses a youth film as a comparatively lower-risk first project. 260
• Sets ambitious quality expectations and asks Bai Youlou to revise the script. 264
• Struggles with crew members instinctively seeking Bai Youlou’s direction rather than hers. 266
• Gains confidence from Bai Youlou’s behind-the-scenes script revisions and his proposed stream-of-consciousness filming approach. 266
• Often relies on Bai Youlou’s judgment while serving as director, particularly when deciding whether a take is acceptable. 268

Relationships

• Bai Youlou — Former Manli Entertainment artist, frequent production collaborator, and romantic partner. Liu Manli initially suspects his motives, later stars in his film, publicly defends him, and becomes pregnant with a child widely believed to be his. 65 124 135 146 301
• Jiang Yuanchu — A prominent Manli Entertainment artist whom Liu Manli actively promotes through album, role, and variety-show opportunities. They maintain a close, supportive relationship and publicly appear together at a premiere. 107 159
• Xiao Liu — Her niece and a television host. Liu Manli is affectionate but intimidatingly protective when she discovers Xiao Liu may be involved with Bai Youlou. 135 137
• An Luning — A younger actress openly interested in Bai Youlou. Liu Manli views her with a mixture of rivalry, concern, and respect, and later joins her in defending Bai Youlou from online attacks. 131 134 145
• Mo Qiuling — Close friend, sponsor, and fashion-industry figure. Liu Manli supports Mo Qiuling’s attempt to recruit Bai Youlou for a magazine shoot. 132 150
• Qiu Yanran — Actress selected by Liu Manli as the female lead of Drug God after a personally supervised audition. 195
• Lu Xiaoxiao — Manli Entertainment artist. Liu Manli recognizes her potential and later protects her position when production interference threatens her credibility. 259 266
• Liu Manli’s parents — Traditional parents who repeatedly pressure her over marriage. During her pregnancy, they suspect Bai Youlou is the father but cannot make her confirm it. 213 301

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bai Youlou’s Former Employer

Liu Manli first functions as Bai Youlou’s powerful former boss and a potentially dangerous industry figure. She suspects that his sudden success and the Dong Lu controversy may have been deliberate schemes intended to improve his bargaining position. 65 76

*The Secret Life of Walter Mitty*

She negotiates with Bai Youlou over Jiang Yuanchu’s career, a possible role in his next film, and a reality-show proposal before accepting the female lead in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Her acting commitment and industry stature lend the project major credibility. 107 124 132

Public Defense of Bai Youlou

When directors, paid commenters, and online critics attack Bai Youlou and his films, Liu Manli intervenes. Her reputation immediately changes the public conversation and demonstrates the influence she has accumulated through decades of work. 145 146

*Drug God*

Liu Manli helps lead Drug God through casting, production, approval, and release. She selects Qiu Yanran at auditions, takes responsibility for navigating sensitive approval concerns, and works herself to exhaustion to ensure the film’s release. 195 245

Directorial Debut

As producer and “Big Sister” of Divas Hit the Road, Liu Manli begins developing her own youth-film directorial debut. She casts Bai Youlou as the male lead and depends on his covert assistance with script revisions, crew management, and resisting external casting pressure. 259 264 266

Pregnancy and Withdrawal

Liu Manli secretly arranges to have Bai Youlou’s child and later withdraws from public view while working on Better Days post-production. After overseas pregnancy photos surface, the news dominates online discussion, but she refuses to disclose the father’s identity. 274 301

Notable Quotes

“Don’t worry, I have a high status, I can say whatever I want.” 183

“I guarantee you, this child is definitely mine.” 301