Zhao Liya

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Liya (赵丽雅)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Zhao Group; Zhao family, one of the Four Great Martial Arts Families of Jiangsu and Zhejiang 8 43
Occupation/Role	University student; daughter of the Zhao Group's chairman 8 14
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Zhao Liya is the daughter of the Zhao Group's chairman. Her family is among the Zhao, Lin, Wang, and Shi families—long-established martial arts families that also operate prominent private enterprises. Her father is a close secular-world friend of Wudang disciple Song Feng, whom she calls “Uncle Song.” 8 43

She and her close friend Lin Ling first encounter Zhang Hupan while touring Wudang Mountain. Infuriated by his intrusive staring, Zhao Liya attacks him with the Zhao Family Eighteen Fist Techniques, only for him to evade and restrain her without effort. The defeat leaves her shaken, especially after Song Feng warns her not to provoke the unknown young Daoist. 3 4 8

Later, Zhao Liya becomes Zhang Hupan's classmate but does not recognize him in his changed appearance. His unusual indifference piques her curiosity; she chooses to sit beside him and gradually becomes fixated on winning his attention. 14 15 16

Appearance

Zhao Liya is a notably beautiful young woman with a polished, fashionable presentation befitting the daughter of a major business family. She has neat black hair, clear “autumn-water” eyes, long eyelashes, a delicate nose, and soft red lips. 14 39

• Usually wears modern, high-end clothing and drives a red Porsche. 39 40
• Her short black hair is described as dark, shiny, and ear- to shoulder-length. 14 39
• At Lin Xiaotian's birthday banquet, she wears a light-blue off-the-shoulder evening gown. 44
• Her beauty and wealthy background make her a prominent campus belle and frequent target of unwanted attention. 14 37

Personality

Zhao Liya is proud, strong-willed, and quick-tempered. When she feels insulted or embarrassed, she tends to respond directly—whether by attacking Zhang Hupan at Wudang Mountain, berating him for his silence, or physically pinching him after discovering his Wudang status. 3 37 49

Despite her arrogance, she dislikes the lewd, boastful conduct of wealthy young masters and finds elite social gatherings exhausting. Her decision to hire Zhang Hupan as a fake boyfriend stems from a desire to avoid such unwanted advances. 37 38 44

She is capable of reflection and softens considerably once she recognizes Zhang Hupan's character and martial ability. She defends him when he is ridiculed, appreciates his protection, and is able to persuade him to forgive the families that offended him. 41 42 46 48

Abilities & Skills

Zhao Family Eighteen Fist Techniques

A hereditary Zhao-family martial art created by her ancestor Zhao Kuangyi. Zhao Liya has reached its fifth level. 3

• Her punches can break several bricks; the completed technique is said to be capable of shattering hard granite. 3
• She uses the technique against Zhang Hupan, including the move “Qi Tun Shan He.” 3
• Her martial ability is formidable by ordinary standards, though vastly inferior to Zhang Hupan's cultivation-based techniques. 3 8
• Even Zhang Hupan acknowledges that the thugs confronting them are no match for her, though he intervenes himself. 41

Social Etiquette and Dance

Zhao Liya is familiar with upper-class social expectations and teaches Zhang Hupan how to conduct himself before Lin Xiaotian's birthday banquet. 40 41

• Instructs him in greetings and proper handshakes. 41
• Teaches him to dance for the banquet. 41
• Maintains a composed, courteous public manner even when uncomfortable around elite guests. 44

Equipment / Items

• Red Porsche — her personal car, used to take Zhang Hupan shopping and to the banquet. 39 40
• High-end suit for Zhang Hupan — purchases an 80,000-yuan black suit so her nominal boyfriend will be properly dressed for the event. 40

Relationships

• Zhang Hupan — Former opponent, classmate, fake boyfriend, and eventual close friend. Their relationship shifts from hostility and misunderstanding to mutual admiration and emotional tension. 3 15 41 42
• Lin Ling — Close friend and daughter of Lin Qiming. Lin Ling mediates after Zhao Liya attacks Zhang Hupan and later supports her at the Lin family banquet. 3 8 44
• Song Feng — Wudang disciple and friend of Zhao Liya's father, whom she calls Uncle Song. She initially views him as an unparalleled master. 8 41
• Shi Liwei — Her longtime martial-arts idol and teenage crush. His appearance at Lin Xiaotian's birthday banquet excites her and causes conflict with Zhang Hupan. 37 50
• Lin Weifeng — Lin Ling's cousin and an unwanted wealthy suitor whose advances disgust Zhao Liya. 37 44 45
• Lin Qiming — Lin Ling's father and head of the Lin family; signals Zhao Liya to ask Zhang Hupan to forgive the Wang and Lin families. 8 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wudang Mountain Encounter

Zhao Liya's attack on the newly descended Zhang Hupan introduces her as a martial artist with a fierce temper. Her inability to touch him establishes the enormous gap between secular martial arts and his cultivation. 3 4

University Classmate Arc

As Zhang Hupan's deskmate, Zhao Liya becomes increasingly intrigued by his lack of attention. Her pride turns his apparent indifference into a personal challenge, and she grows resentful when she sees him happily dining with other women. 15 16 27

Fake Boyfriend Arrangement

To avoid persistent wealthy suitors at Lin Xiaotian's birthday celebration, Zhao Liya recruits Zhang Hupan as her fake boyfriend for 100,000 yuan. She buys him formal clothing, teaches him etiquette, and dances with him before the party. 38 39 40 41

Banquet at Lin Xiaotian's Birthday

Zhao Liya publicly presents Zhang Hupan as her boyfriend and a Wudang disciple. When Lin Weifeng, Wang Hong, and others ridicule him, she fiercely defends him; Zhang Hupan in turn refuses to tolerate their disrespect toward her. 44 45 46

After Chen Jiaying reveals Zhang Hupan's standing within Wudang, Zhao Liya is able to convince him to let the matter go, demonstrating her unusual influence over him. 47 48

Shi Liwei's Return

Zhao Liya is overjoyed by the unexpected return of Shi Liwei, the martial-arts prodigy she has admired for years. Wanting to avoid misunderstanding, she tells Zhang Hupan not to claim to be her boyfriend in front of Shi Liwei, unintentionally causing him intense jealousy and heartache. 50

Notable Quotes

“Zhang Hupan, you blockhead!” 37

“I want to ask you to be my boyfriend!” 38

“Young Master Wang, you're not allowed to insult my friend!” 46