Liu Xizhen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Xizhen (柳熙珍)
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	Owner of the Western Paradise bar on Nanshan Road 17 22
Affiliation	Western Paradise
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Background / History

Liu Xizhen lost her mother to illness while still in elementary school and was raised by her father, Liu Zhiyi. A successful Hangzhou enterprise general manager and an external martial-arts master known as “Thunderclap Hand,” Liu Zhiyi doted on her and personally cooked her favorite meals each weekend. 32 33

She later studied in New York, where she fell in love with the son of a wealthy overseas Chinese family. After discovering his promiscuity, she returned to Hangzhou two months pregnant. 17 Her father died not long after her return; relatives divided the family assets, leaving her the villa near West Lake. 32

Using her own efforts, Liu Xizhen established Western Paradise, a Nanshan Road bar styled after an American Western small town and promoted around a healthy drinking culture. It became a well-known local venue. Her father’s reputation also ensured that no one extorted protection money from the bar. 17 32

Appearance

Liu Xizhen is a mature woman in her thirties whose youthful complexion makes her age difficult to judge. She is noted for a well-maintained figure, soft skin, and a refined, orchid-like presence. 19

• Has the poised bearing and natural authority of a business owner. 26
• Wears a pale-red embroidered qipao at Western Paradise, with a high slit and close-fitting cut. 21
• Dresses casually in a white tracksuit and sneakers while climbing Baoshi Mountain. 31
• Lives in a two-story antique-style detached villa on South Mountain Road, near the bar. 31

Personality

Liu Xizhen is resilient and self-reliant. After being left with limited assets following her father’s death, she successfully built and operates Western Paradise while raising Liu Feifei alone. 17 32 She is normally generous, poised, articulate, and commanding in business, but becomes noticeably shy and girlish when inviting Zhang Hupan to spend time with her. 26

She is deeply devoted to her daughter and feels guilty over Feifei’s loneliness. Zhang Hupan’s ability to make the normally withdrawn child laugh immediately earns Liu Xizhen’s goodwill. 17 19 She also longs for the domestic warmth she lost after her father’s death, becoming especially excited by the prospect of sharing a home-cooked meal. 33

Though she develops feelings for Zhang Hupan, Liu Xizhen recognizes the perceived age gap and her responsibilities as a mother as barriers. She ultimately resolves to treat him as a younger brother, despite lingering sadness. 36

Relationships

• Liu Feifei — Her five-year-old daughter. Liu Xizhen is protective of Feifei but worries that work has left the girl lonely and withdrawn. 17 19
• Liu Zhiyi — Her late father, a respected businessman and external martial-arts master. His care and home cooking remain central to her memories of family warmth. 32 33
• Zhang Hupan — Employee, friend, and the person who brings laughter back to Feifei. Their relationship develops through mutual concern, outings, meals, and romantic tension; Liu Xizhen later chooses to regard him as a younger brother. 19 21 31 36
• Liu Feifei’s biological father — A wealthy overseas Chinese playboy whom Liu Xizhen met while studying in New York; she left him and returned to Hangzhou pregnant. 17

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hiring Zhang Hupan

Liu Xizhen meets Zhang Hupan while he is applying for work and observes him patiently playing with Liu Feifei. Moved by her daughter’s happiness and Zhang Hupan’s gentle manner, she hires him for Western Paradise. 18 19

Western Paradise

As Zhang Hupan begins working, Liu Xizhen takes a particular interest in him. She warmly introduces him to the staff, frequently watches him from her reserved seat, and is intrigued by his English fluency, composure, and unexpectedly exceptional service skills. 21 22 23

She indulges his request to leave during the bar’s busiest hour and sincerely tells him to be careful on his way home. 25

Growing Closeness

Liu Xizhen invites Zhang Hupan and Feifei to the zoo, then brings Feifei to cheer for him at the college sports meet when he cannot attend. She introduces herself to his roommates as his friend and allows them to call her “Sister Xizhen.” 26 27

She later invites Zhang Hupan to climb Baoshi Mountain. During the outing, she recounts her losses and accepts comfort from him, feeling safe and calm in his presence. 31 32

Birthday at Home

On her birthday, Liu Xizhen shops with Zhang Hupan for kitchenware and ingredients so he can cook at her villa. The meal revives memories of the home life she shared with her father. 32 33

She is touched by Zhang Hupan’s cooking, accepts his specially made perfume gift, and kisses him on the cheek. She is initially embarrassed by how eagerly she eats, but relaxes when he does not mock her. 34 35

Choosing Familial Affection

Zhang Hupan’s piano performance leaves Liu Xizhen emotionally shaken. After confronting her feelings and the barriers she believes separate them, she resolves to treat him as a younger brother and returns to her usual cheerful demeanor. 36

Trivia

• Liu Xizhen owns a high-end Steinway piano in her villa. 36
• She cannot cook despite cherishing memories of her father’s home cooking. 33
• Her bar’s Western-themed décor originates from her years studying in the United States. 17