An Luning

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	An Luning (安鹿宁)
Alias(es)	“National First Love”; “Flower of Riches and Honor” 6 143 161
Gender	Female 6
Affiliation	Huaxing; represented by Sister Hong (Fang Jihong) 36 48
Occupation/Role	Actress; former student of Yanjing Film Academy’s performing arts department 6
Status	Active 286
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

An Luning became nationally famous through a television drama when she was sixteen or seventeen, establishing her image as the “National First Love” while still studying at Yanjing Film Academy. Despite her celebrity status, she was known for having virtually no scandals or public pursuers. 6 104

Before the main story, Bai Youlou unsuccessfully pursued her. An Luning gave him a bottle of folded paper stars as consolation; each star contained a confession of love and fears about dating. Bai kept the bottle for years, though the two did not communicate for roughly two years afterward. 111 112

After recognizing Bai at the Film Academy, An Luning becomes increasingly curious about his changed circumstances. She enlists her friend Zhang Xiaorong to learn about his songwriting, musicianship, directing, and acting. 6 16

She later reunites with Bai in Yunnan, openly showing excitement at seeing him and insisting on remaining near his film crew. Her affection becomes increasingly direct, including giving him a puppy, bringing him cigarettes, and accompanying him during filming trips. 110 131 133 138

Appearance

An Luning’s public image combines delicate, classical beauty with an exceptionally expressive face. Away from formal appearances, her emotions are easily visible and she often makes unflattering or exaggerated expressions; in costume and styling, however, she projects a composed, melancholic “National First Love” aura. 31 142 143

• Fair skin with a translucent glow and notably well-maintained complexion. 112 162
• Large, expressive eyes and a lively range of facial expressions. 7 31
• Usually has short hair; she often wears it in a bun, though formal styling with her hair down gives her a more mature image. 163 257
• Her red-carpet appearance is described as elegant and radiant, with high heels, a long gown, jewelry, and a composed demeanor. 154
• Her figure becomes more mature and noticeably curvier as the story progresses. 289

Personality

In public, An Luning is generally low-key, serious about acting, and careful to maintain a poised image. Her fame, family background, and audience goodwill allow her to remain unusually insulated from many entertainment-industry scandals. 117 153 286

Privately, she is impulsive, affectionate, straightforward, and easily flustered—especially around Bai Youlou. She struggles to lie convincingly, wears her feelings openly, and tends to pursue what she wants with little concern for appearances. 112 117 131

Though initially naïve and sheltered, An Luning gradually becomes more assertive. She publicly supports Bai during controversy, confronts Chu Keran directly, and begins actively protecting her relationship with Bai from potential rivals. 145 146 288 289

Abilities & Skills

Acting

An Luning is a committed actress with a strong natural screen presence. Her greatest strength is her visual temperament: she can shift from her usual lively manner into a subdued, melancholic image suited to more artistic roles. 117 142 143

• Became nationally known through a television drama as a teenager. 6
• Successfully adapts her performance style for Love Before Dawn Breaks by modeling her character’s restraint after Zhang Xiaorong. 142
• Earns recognition for portraying quieter, more cautious characters rather than simply playing to her natural personality. 142
• Treats filming seriously and is noted for maintaining a demanding work schedule. 117 286
• Her first on-screen kiss—and first real kiss—occurs while filming Love Before Dawn Breaks. 143

Music and Instruments

An Luning can play both piano and violin. She also performs Bai Youlou’s song impulsively, helping sell all five of his released songs within a day. 16 117

• Performs Bai’s song with confidence despite song purchasing not being her specialty. 117
• Her audience appeal turns an unconventional promotional act into a widely accepted success. 117

Language and Local Knowledge

During the Yangcheng roadshow, An Luning comfortably switches between Cantonese, Chaoshan dialect, Mandarin, and Hokkien. Her local connection gives the Love Before Dawn Breaks promotion a particularly warm reception. 162

Fighting

After training for a fight scene in an upcoming drama, An Luning is capable of delivering a surprisingly forceful punch. 293

Items

• Bottle of “Little Stars” — A small bottle of paper stars she gave Bai Youlou after his earlier failed confession; the folded stars contain her confessions and anxieties about dating. 111 112
• Puppy — A puppy from her own dog’s litter, given to Bai Youlou as an “opening gift.” Its identity later becomes evidence in the exposure of their relationship. 131 132 205
• Divination blocks — Jade-like blocks she carries and uses to seek favorable “holy cup” results. 162
• Golden broom keychain — A small Golden Broom souvenir given to her by Bai Youlou before the Berlin Film Festival; she cherishes it despite its mocking symbolism. 154

Relationships

• Bai Youlou — Former crush and eventual romantic partner. An Luning’s long-held affection is documented in her paper-star confessions; she later becomes increasingly open in pursuing and defending him. Their relationship is exposed by paparazzi. 112 131 145 205
• Zhang Xiaorong — Close friend and former dance teacher. Zhang initially gathers information on Bai for An Luning, later becomes a major emotional support and eventually a romantic rival. 12 16 74 296
• Sister Hong (Fang Jihong) — Agent, mentor, and confidante. Sister Hong manages An Luning’s career while repeatedly trying to make her more restrained around Bai. 36 112 290
• Lin Juntao — President of Huaxing and An Luning’s literal grand-nephew by family generation. He is protective of her and uneasy about her feelings for Bai. 48 117 162
• Lu Wenyuan — Co-star and persistent admirer. His jealousy of Bai causes repeated tension, particularly after An Luning and Bai grow closer. 7 111 205
• An Mengyu — Mother. She meets Bai Youlou and approves of him as a potential son-in-law. 187 188
• Bai Xingzu — Father; An Luning takes after him in temperament. 163
• Host Xiao Liu — Becomes closer to An Luning after they jointly confront Chu Keran. 288 289
• Chu Keran — Rival actress whom An Luning confronts over coattail-riding publicity and conflict involving Xiao Liu. 286 288

Story Role / Major Arcs

Film Academy Reunion

An Luning recognizes Bai Youlou when he returns to Yanjing Film Academy. Though initially distant, she becomes visibly affected by his presence and begins seeking information about him through Zhang Xiaorong. 6 7 16

Yunnan Reunion

She waits for Bai at the Yunnan airport and enthusiastically runs toward him when he finally reaches the film set. She recalls the bottle of paper stars, receives skateboard instruction from him, and becomes increasingly unable to hide her feelings. 110 111 112

*The Secret Life of Walter Mitty* Filming

An Luning gives Bai a puppy and repeatedly returns to his crew after completing outside work. Her willingness to bring him cigarettes stolen from Lin Juntao further demonstrates her bold, openly affectionate behavior. 131 133 137

*Love Before Dawn Breaks*

An Luning stars opposite Bai in the romance film. Their filmed “date” through Mountain City lets them spend time together publicly under the cover of production, while Bai helps her find a quieter acting state. 142 143

Their growing intimacy culminates in their first on-screen kiss. An Luning also publicly defends Bai amid criticism directed at his work, deciding that her new goal is to protect him. 143 145 146

Berlin Film Festival and Roadshow

An Luning attends the Berlin Film Festival with Bai, walks the red carpet holding his hand, and receives attention for her appearance. She later joins the Love Before Dawn Breaks roadshow, where her regional popularity in Guangdong draws large crowds. 154 155 162

Relationship Exposure

Paparazzi release a photo exposing An Luning’s relationship with Bai. The scandal disrupts promotion for her drama with Lu Wenyuan and prompts extensive fan speculation, while Bai remains publicly silent. 205

Conflict with Chu Keran

By the later story, An Luning is more confident and confrontational. She displaces Chu Keran at a nightclub event, supports Xiao Liu during a restroom confrontation, and openly accuses Chu of using resemblance-based publicity to benefit from her fame. 286 288

Notable Quotes

“I just want to be with you.” 131

“Liking is liking. Flaws... who doesn’t have them?” 202

“Sister Xiaorong, he’s a really bad person. You’re so good, you can’t handle him, let me!” 220

Trivia

• An Luning’s family background is deliberately kept confidential, contributing to persistent but inaccurate “sugar daddy” rumors involving Lin Juntao. 166
• She is Lin Juntao’s grand-aunt by generation, despite appearing far younger than him. 48
• Her reason for choosing the Berlin Film Festival is that its trophy is a little bear. 145
• She is notably poor at lying; Sister Hong can often tell immediately when she is hiding something. 112 144
• Her puppy gift to Bai later becomes a key piece of online “evidence” linking the two celebrities. 205