Yang Zhi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yang Zhi (杨稚)
Alias(es)	Sister Yang Zhi; Sister Xiao Zhi; Yang Xian'er
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Jinghuai University; Jinghuai First Primary School
Occupation/Role	Graduate student; former English tutor; Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher of Class 3-1
Status	Married to Ding Yebai; later expecting their child 191 194
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Yang Zhi survived a magnitude 8.0 earthquake as a child. Her mother shielded her during the disaster and died after leaving Yang Zhi a final text message; her father also died. Her grandmother subsequently brought her to Jinghuai and raised her. 5 43

Before becoming outwardly gentle and approachable, Yang Zhi was highly introverted and withdrawn. She endured repeated mistreatment by an elementary-school teacher, including false accusations of cheating and theft, public humiliation, and physical punishment. These experiences, compounded by the earthquake and later financial hardship after her grandfather's death, led her to resolve to become a teacher who would protect and heal children rather than hurt them. 43

A high-achieving student, Yang Zhi was the liberal-arts top scorer and received offers from Huaqing University and Kyoto University. She declined them to remain in Jinghuai near her grandmother, completing both her undergraduate and graduate studies locally. During university, she taught in remote mountainous areas, supported post-disaster reconstruction, donated annually, and began a business that allowed her to improve her grandmother's life. 43 67 79

Appearance

Yang Zhi is a tall, refined young woman with a scholarly, water-town elegance. She is often described as dignified, intellectual, serene, and gentle. 1 5

• Fair, delicate skin and long black hair, usually worn loose with side-swept bangs. 1
• Tall and slender, with long straight legs; her stated height is 168 cm. 1 52
• Usually dresses neatly in light, understated clothing such as white shirts, blue jeans, long skirts, and dresses. 1 5 7
• Sometimes wears thin-framed silver glasses while reading. 6
• Was nicknamed Yang Xian'er in college for her beauty even without makeup. 19
• Her left arm was placed in a cast after a fracture shortly before Ding Yebai entered university. 75

Personality

Yang Zhi is defined by patient, deliberate kindness. She treats Qiqi's difficult questions with age-appropriate gentleness, calls a ridiculed cosplayer a “princess,” and sees beauty in Fang Xiaoliang's freckles when the girl is ashamed of them. 11 123 Her warmth is not merely politeness: she waits three hours beside an ill Ding Yebai, learns sign language to communicate with a deaf child, and treasures small gifts because of the care behind them. 19 28 49

Beneath her habitual smile, Yang Zhi is rational, serene, and scarred by loss. She keeps strict principles in romance, rejected previous suitors respectfully, and initially restrained her feelings for Ding Yebai because of their age difference and former tutor-student relationship. 4 21 67 She is also capable of firmness; when her students fight, she sternly confronts their actions while still preserving their dignity and guiding them toward accountability. 171

Her private side is more playful and childlike than her composed image suggests. She enjoys sweets, plays pranks, sings, builds snowmen, and becomes shy when confronted with affection or praise. 15 55 93 140

Abilities & Skills

Teaching and Educational Guidance

Yang Zhi is a devoted educator who adapts her methods to each learner rather than relying on rote discipline.

• Tutored Ding Yebai in English for free out of gratitude to Ding Yuerong and concern for her grandmother. 5 38
• Teaches vocabulary through etymology, stories, mnemonics, and student-created associations. 5 15
• Guides reading comprehension and cloze-test strategies instead of focusing solely on scores. 12 31
• Motivated Ding Yebai from frequent English scores in the 80s and 90s to scores above 110, then into the 120–140 range. 30 46 60
• Became the Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher of Jinghuai First Primary School's Class 3-1. 160
• Handles disruptive students through patience, accountability, and individualized encouragement rather than harsh punishment. 164 168 171 175

Languages and Communication

Yang Zhi has extensive knowledge of English language and culture and can use sign language.

• Explains English vocabulary through mythology, word origins, and memory techniques. 5
• Learns and uses sign language to communicate with a deaf and mute child, then helps take him home safely. 28
• Communicates difficult ideas to children through clear, compassionate metaphors. 11 17

Academic Achievement

Yang Zhi is an exceptional scholar with broad academic ability.

• Earned more than 700 points as a student and became the liberal-arts top scorer. 31 67 79
• Was recruited by Huaqing University and Kyoto University but chose Jinghuai University to remain near her grandmother. 67
• Continued into graduate study, spending much of her time in libraries and study rooms. 67

Music and Arts

Yang Zhi has several artistic interests and talents.

• Plays the accordion, an instrument that reminds her of her late mother. 7
• Plays the violin and piano; she also sings. 15 20 55
• Won first place in Jinghuai University's singing competition. 55
• Folds origami skillfully and uses crafts to encourage children. 34

Hobbies

• Reading in libraries or quietly at home. 15 112
• Playing the violin, accordion, and piano; singing. 7 15 55
• Listening to rain, watching snow, and observing nature. 15 54
• Eating sweets, especially White Rabbit milk candies. 15
• Making origami and collecting ideas for children's crafts. 34

Relationships

• Ding Yebai — Initially her eighteen-year-old English student. Yang Zhi encourages his academic growth, gradually falls in love with him, accepts his confession, and later marries him. 3 37 101 191
• Grandma — Her grandmother and guardian after the earthquake. Yang Zhi chose to remain in Jinghuai to stay near her and deeply values her care. 5 67 79
• Qiqi — Sister Lin's daughter, whom Yang Zhi treats like a younger sister. She patiently teaches, comforts, and looks after Qiqi. 4 11 17
• Ding Yuerong — Her senior sister and close friend. Ding Yuerong helped care for Yang Zhi's grandmother during difficult times and arranged Yang Zhi's tutoring of Ding Yebai. 38 41
• Sister Lin — Qiqi's mother and Yang Zhi's close friend. The two support one another through family difficulties and personal worries. 20 21 103
• Luo Luo — Her university roommate and friend, who notices Yang Zhi's feelings for Ding Yebai and openly teases her about them. 53 67 85
• Fang Xiaoliang — A troubled child who initially distrusts Yang Zhi's softness but comes to recognize her patience and sincerity. 120 123 127
• Li Ziyan and Gao Ming — Students in her Class 3-1 whose conflicts Yang Zhi mediates through accountability and empathy. 168 171 188
• Fu Hui — A man who confessed to Yang Zhi and insensitively urged her to move on from her mother's death; Yang Zhi rejected him. 32 42

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ding Yebai's Tutor

Yang Zhi begins tutoring Ding Yebai in English at Ding Yuerong's request. Her confidence in his potential, tailored study methods, and consistent encouragement transform his attitude toward English and contribute to his major improvement. 3 5 31 60

Growing Feelings

Although Yang Zhi initially views Ding Yebai as a younger student, she begins to recognize her attachment through jealousy, longing, and concern during their periods apart. She struggles with the implications of loving someone younger and once under her tutelage. 37 42 52 67

University Reunion and Relationship

After Ding Yebai chooses Jinghuai University partly to remain close to her, he reunites with Yang Zhi while she is recovering from a fractured arm. Their mutual affection becomes increasingly open, culminating in Ding Yebai's confession and Yang Zhi's reciprocation. 75 101 103

Teacher Xiao Zhi

After graduate study, Yang Zhi becomes a Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher at Jinghuai First Primary School. Her approach contrasts sharply with the harsh discipline that harmed her as a child: she protects vulnerable students, holds children accountable without humiliating them, and works to resolve conflicts between classmates. 157 160 164 171 188

Marriage and Family

Yang Zhi and Ding Yebai marry and begin their life together. She later becomes pregnant, while Ding Yebai prepares to care for both her and their child. 191 194

Notable Quotes

“Believe in yourself. I can see that you have the potential.” 3

“You are enough as long as you are someone I like.” 106

“Gentleness isn’t about always yielding, or always being polite. Gentle people can also curse, they can also yell. But no matter what they encounter, they can maintain kindness.” 121