Cen Jiao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Cen Jiao (岑姣)
Alias(es)	Jiaojiao
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	Original Female Lead; later an ordinary survivor after losing her protagonist role
Status	Alive
First Appearance	36

Background / History

Cen Jiao grew up in the same social circle as Pei Chixuan and Cheng Yang. Cheng Yang had loved her since childhood, though she regarded him as a younger brother; she and Pei Chixuan later became inseparable. Her comforting Cheng Yang after his teacher’s death became a recurring source of conflict with Pei Chixuan. 92 99

During junior high, Cen Jiao met Chen Yuzhu after having Pei Chixuan drive away a hooligan harassing her. Cen Jiao admired Chen Yuzhu’s appearance, refinement, and gentle manner, and wanted a female friend, but Chen Yuzhu soon transferred schools. 99

As the original novel’s female lead, Cen Jiao possessed a powerful spatial ability and was surrounded by numerous male admirers. In the original storyline, Pei Chixuan was meant to give her a Wood Ability Crystal Core, allowing her to gain Wood abilities with offensive and healing applications. That opportunity was disrupted when Jiang Zhaosu consumed the relevant Mental Crystal Core first and Qi Xing targeted Cen Jiao’s space instead. 92 98

Cen Jiao and Pei Chixuan later arrived at Yangyao Base, where she encountered Chen Yuzhu again. Seeing Chen Yuzhu as a hardened Ability User left Cen Jiao conflicted and saddened, while her relationship with Pei Chixuan worsened under his jealousy and rough treatment. 90 99

Pei Yuemu ultimately forced a new romantic plot by erasing Cen Jiao’s memories of Pei Chixuan and positioning Huo Jinran as her fiancé. Cen Jiao remembered Chen Yuzhu but not Pei Chixuan, leaving her confused, dependent on Huo Jinran’s protection, and increasingly uncomfortable with his controlling behavior. 233 244 245

After losing her female-lead status, spatial storage, abilities, and plot protection, Cen Jiao was found frightened and vulnerable alongside the injured Pei Chixuan and Huo Jinran. Jiang Zhaosu nevertheless brought all three survivors to Yangyao Base. 297

Appearance

Cen Jiao is portrayed as exceptionally beautiful, fair-skinned, delicate, and graceful, with peach blossom eyes and a sweet, soft voice. 36 92

• Innocent, harmless-looking facial features despite a quick temper. 218
• Snow-white shoulders and an elegant neck-and-shoulder line, highlighted by formal dress. 190
• Long black hair, worn in an elaborate updo for a banquet. 190
• Delicate skin that reddens easily under pressure. 99
• Her appearance and manner naturally attract male attention. 92 120

Personality

Cen Jiao is proud, emotionally expressive, and accustomed to receiving attention and protection. She can be sharp-tempered, easily offended, and prone to tears when frustrated or hurt. 36 99 191

Her confidence also masks loneliness. Although she has many admirers, she has very few female friends; her interest in Chen Yuzhu stemmed from a sincere desire for companionship with someone she admired. 99 245

Despite her dependence on powerful men, Cen Jiao gradually recognizes that being protected can become another form of confinement. While with Huo Jinran, she realizes that relying on one admirer after another would only exchange one “gilded cage” for another. 284

Abilities & Skills

Spatial Ability

Cen Jiao originally possessed a large spatial storage ability, making her a valuable source of supplies and resources.

• Could store substantial quantities of materials. 92 134
• Opened her storage to provide supplies for Chasing Moon Base after Pei Yongyi’s death, helping Pei Chixuan stabilize the base. 183
• Her space was valuable enough that Qi Xing and Qi Tong considered seizing it for their residential area. 134 135
• She later lost her spatial storage and abilities after losing her protagonist role. 297

Affinity / Bewitchment

In the original storyline, Cen Jiao was meant to develop an ability associated with charm, later called Bewitchment.

• Cast through eye contact and voice. 120
• Greatly increases her charm and contributes to the intense competition among her admirers. 120
• Her future acquisition of “Bewitching Eyes” was linked to Pei Chixuan obtaining Su Yayun’s ability for her. 152

Intended Wood Ability

Cen Jiao was originally supposed to receive a Wood Ability Crystal Core from Pei Chixuan.

• Would have provided attack and healing options. 92
• Would have allowed her to escape or fight without relying entirely on Pei Chixuan. 92
• The intended development was derailed before it occurred. 92

Relationships

• Pei Chixuan — Childhood companion and former boyfriend. Their relationship was passionate but increasingly strained by his jealousy, possessiveness, and violent temper; Cen Jiao later lost her memories of him. 36 99 218 244
• Huo Jinran — Later fiancé after Cen Jiao’s memory loss. His protection gives her security, but his possessive and controlling behavior makes her fearful and uneasy. 238 244 284
• Cheng Yang — Childhood friend and longtime admirer. He treats her as “Jiaojiao Jie,” remains devoted to her well-being, and openly challenges Huo Jinran’s claim over her. 92 244 246
• Chen Yuzhu — Former junior-high classmate and Cen Jiao’s rare female friend. Cen Jiao admires her composure and strength, seeks her support, and later receives a Crystal Core from her. 99 245 258 280
• Pei Yuemu — Pei Chixuan’s older sister, who treats Cen Jiao poorly and later manipulates her memories and romantic circumstances to force a new plot. Cen Jiao is also revealed to be Pei Yuemu’s biological daughter. 134 233 281
• Jiang Zhaosu — Initially regards Cen Jiao as a dangerous protagonist to avoid. Despite disliking her, Jiang Zhaosu later rescues her after Cen Jiao loses her powers and status. 90 98 297
• Qi Xing — Views Cen Jiao chiefly as a “mobile storage unit” because of her spatial ability; their encounters are tense and antagonistic. 135 191

Story Role / Major Arcs

Original Female Lead

Cen Jiao begins as the central heroine of an apocalypse power fantasy: beautiful, privileged, protected by Pei Chixuan, and equipped with a highly valuable spatial ability. Her narrative role centers on attracting male leads and developing romance amid the apocalypse. 92 120

Conflict with Pei Chixuan

Her relationship with Pei Chixuan deteriorates as his jealousy escalates. He physically drags her away from Cheng Yang, repeatedly apologizes without changing, and resents her for helping Huo Jinran rather than comforting him during a breakdown. 99 202 218

Amnesia and Huo Jinran’s Fiancée

Following a confrontation with Qi Xing, Cen Jiao faints and later retains no memory of Pei Chixuan. Huo Jinran presents himself as her fiancé, while Pei Yuemu intends to remove Pei Chixuan from her memories to force a new romance. 235 233 244

Reconnection with Chen Yuzhu

Cen Jiao recognizes Chen Yuzhu despite her amnesia and seeks closeness with her. Although Chen Yuzhu initially remains distant, she rescues Cen Jiao from danger, gives her a Crystal Core in repayment for their past encounter, and later offers restrained advice about becoming herself. 245 258 265 280

Loss of Protagonist Status

Cen Jiao’s interest in every potential male lead drops below the expected baseline, undermining her assigned role. By the time Jiang Zhaosu and Qi Xing become the new protagonists, Cen Jiao has lost her ability, storage space, and former protection, becoming an ordinary survivor. 285 297

Trivia

• Cen Jiao has many male admirers but, aside from Chen Yuzhu, very few meaningful female friendships. 92 281
• She is unusually sensitive to unwanted attention and immediately noticed Huo Zhuo staring at her. 218
• Jiang Zhaosu and Qi Xing accidentally reenacted a stereotypical scene of antagonists bullying the female lead during their restroom confrontation with her. 191
• In a later side story, Cen Jiao and Chen Yuzhu remain close enough for Cen Jiao to bring flowers onstage after Chen Yuzhu’s performance. 335