Wang Weimin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Wang Weimin (王为民)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jinling University 71
Occupation/Role	Principal of Jinling University; poet and poetry enthusiast; judge at a poetry association event 23 71
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background / History

Wang Weimin is Wang Siyi's father and He Shumin's husband. His family is described as scholarly, with a book-filled, antique-style home in Jinling; he modestly calls them “an ordinary family” that has merely “read a few more books.” 53

His opposition to Wang Siyi entering the entertainment industry strained their relationship for years. Although he shared his wife's concerns about the industry's dangers, he hesitated to confront Siyi because he feared worsening their estrangement. 14 When he unexpectedly found Siyi staying in Li Changle's home in Yangcheng, he assumed they were cohabiting as a couple and tried to take her back to Jinling. 23

After Li Changle explained how he had helped Siyi and come to live with her, Wang Weimin recognized that he had judged him too quickly. He apologized to Siyi, promised to respect her choices and relationships, and began treating Li Changle as a potential son-in-law. 25

Poetry and Literary Interests

Wang Weimin considers poetry his proudest identity, ahead of his position as principal of Jinling University. He maintains a large collection of poetry books and ancient-book rubbings, writes poetry himself, and welcomes Li Changle's criticism of his work. 71

He repeatedly encouraged Li Changle to enter poetry competitions, submitted Li's work on his behalf, and became increasingly convinced of Li's exceptional literary talent after reading works including Lovesickness, Qing Ping Diao, Spring River Flower Moon Night, and Prelude to the Water Melody. 39 151 325 326

Support for Wang Siyi

After reflecting on his controlling behavior, Wang Weimin adopted the principle that he should support Siyi as long as her choices were legal, moral, and ethical. 59 He secretly used his connection with his old classmate Li Xuexin to help secure Wang Siyi the opportunity to sing a promotional song for the Poetry Competition, deliberately keeping his involvement hidden from her. 104

He later watches Wang Siyi's Spring Festival Gala performance with He Shumin, feeling proud of her achievements while reflecting on how quickly she has grown up. 206

Acceptance of Li Changle

Wang Weimin initially regarded Li Changle with suspicion, but his opinion shifts after learning about Li's character and literary ability. He repeatedly creates opportunities for Li Changle and Wang Siyi to spend time together, including misleading both into returning to the Wang home at the same time. 51 54 65

By the time Li Changle and Wang Siyi publicly announce their relationship, Wang Weimin openly welcomes Li as family and jokes that he should stop calling him “Uncle.” 180 When Li Changle proposes to Siyi, Wang Weimin reveals that he had long accepted him as his son-in-law and scolds him only for waiting so long to propose. 369

Appearance

Wang Weimin is a refined middle-aged man with the bearing of a scholar. 23

• Wears a Zhongshan suit. 23
• Has short hair and a mustache. 23
• Is described as learned and educated in appearance. 23

Personality

Wang Weimin is protective of his daughter, sometimes to an excessive degree. His first reaction to seeing Li Changle with Siyi is anger and distrust, driven by fear that Siyi is being taken advantage of. 23 He later recognizes that his and He Shumin's pressure had pushed their daughter away and makes a conscious effort to let her decide her own future. 25 59

He is proud, enthusiastic, and occasionally boastful about poetry, especially his personal collection and literary knowledge. 71 However, he is also capable of humility: he accepts Li Changle's criticism of his writing and sincerely praises Li's superior talent. 71 151

Despite his serious academic position, Wang Weimin has a playful, meddlesome side. He lies about He Shumin's birthday, engineers encounters between Siyi and Li Changle, and enjoys teasing the young couple about their relationship. 51 55 180

Abilities & Skills

Poetry and Literary Scholarship

Wang Weimin is an accomplished poetry enthusiast with extensive literary knowledge and a sustained interest in composing, collecting, and discussing poetry. 71 72

• Keeps collections of poetry books and rare ancient-book rubbings. 71
• Writes poetry and seeks detailed feedback on wording and artistic choices. 71
• Recognizes the quality and literary importance of Li Changle's poems. 151 325
• Serves as a judge at poetry association events and helps facilitate poetry competitions. 23 39

Academic Leadership

Wang Weimin serves as the principal of Jinling University. 71

• Arranges for Li Changle to meet him at the university during an academic visit. 72
• Maintains professional and literary connections, including with his teacher Ye Xiande and former classmate Li Xuexin. 104 322

Matchmaking

Wang Weimin actively pushes Wang Siyi and Li Changle toward a relationship after realizing that Siyi likes him. 25 54

• Invites Li Changle to Jinling under the pretext of scheduling convenience. 51
• Falsely tells Wang Siyi that it is her mother's birthday to ensure she returns home. 51 55
• Leaves Li Changle and Wang Siyi alone together to create opportunities for them. 53 58
• Treats Li Changle as a son-in-law long before the couple formally progresses toward marriage. 72 322

Relationships

• Wang Siyi — His only daughter. Their relationship becomes strained over her career choice, but he later apologizes, supports her independence, and takes pride in her success. 23 25 59 206
• He Shumin — His wife and Siyi's mother. They differ on how strongly to intervene in their daughter's life, though both ultimately accept Siyi's relationship with Li Changle. 51 54 59
• Li Changle — Initially suspected of taking advantage of Siyi; later regarded as a talented, reliable future son-in-law and a fellow poetry enthusiast. 23 25 72 369
• Li Xuexin — Old classmate who assists Wang Weimin's plan to obtain a Poetry Competition promotional-song opportunity for Wang Siyi. 104
• Ye Xiande — His teacher. Ye pressures Wang Weimin to persuade Li Changle to participate in the Poetry Competition because of Li's literary talent. 322

Story Role / Major Arcs

Yangcheng Confrontation

Wang Weimin visits Yangcheng while serving as a judge for a poetry association event and finds Wang Siyi staying with Li Changle. Misunderstanding the arrangement, he demands that Siyi return to Jinling and rejects Li Changle outright. 23 24

Change of Heart

Li Changle explains the circumstances of their meeting and living arrangement, leading Wang Weimin to reassess him. Wang Weimin apologizes to Siyi and promises not to interfere with her future choices or romantic life. 25

Jinling Matchmaking

Wang Weimin begins arranging encounters between Siyi and Li Changle, hoping that Li's feelings will catch up with Siyi's. His schemes include inviting Li to Jinling early and falsely invoking He Shumin's birthday to bring Siyi home. 51 54 55

Literary Mentor and Supporter

He introduces Li Changle to poetry competitions, discusses poetry with him at length, submits his work, and acts as an enthusiastic reader of Li's poems. 39 71 151 325

Family Reconciliation

As Siyi returns home more often, Wang Weimin's household becomes increasingly harmonious. He and He Shumin accept Li Changle, celebrate family occasions with the couple, and support their eventual engagement. 82 180 182 369

Trivia

• Wang Weimin prefers being called a poet over being identified as the principal of Jinling University. 71
• He has not celebrated his own birthday for three years, partly because he lacked drinking companions and family gatherings. 79
• Li Changle becomes overwhelmed by Wang Weimin's extended poetry discussions despite initially enjoying them. 72
• Wang Siyi jokingly suspects that Li Changle is Wang Weimin's biological son because of how eagerly her father pulls him away to discuss poetry. 324