Gu Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Gu Yan (顾言) 121
Gender	Female 262
Species/Race	Human 242
Affiliation	Unnamed voice-acting agency; Copycat Animation Studio shareholder 271 877
Occupation/Role	Voice actor; Chu Yu’s image ambassador and personal stylist 415 558
Status	Active 978
First Appearance	Chapter 121

Background

Gu Yan began as a newcomer in voice acting. After Chu Yu helped her reach the second round of an audition, she thanked him and requested guidance for voicing Meiko rather than asking for preferential treatment. They exchanged Weixin contacts after meeting again. 121 125

Initially, Gu Yan approached Chu Yu partly because she believed he would judge her on professional ability rather than expect money or ulterior compensation in return. She had researched his rapid rise as the manga artist Shui Xin and saw him as an unusually principled industry connection. 125 245

Her interest gradually became personal. Through her cousin Gu Yun—who attended school with Chu Yu—Gu Yan quietly kept informed about his daily life, including his concealed identity as Shui Xin. 149

Appearance

Gu Yan is repeatedly described as notably beautiful, with a fair and delicate face, clear eyes, a slender waist, and long hair. Her appearance and voice acting reputation make her recognizable to animation fans. 240 874

• Usually wears practical casual clothes such as jeans and denim jackets for studio work, with her hair tied in a bun for convenience. 288
• Wore a black knee-length skirt, light makeup, and braided hair for her birthday party after studying Chu Yu’s preferred fictional-character aesthetics. 262
• Has waist-length hair when worn down, as seen during the hot-spring trip. 341
• Is an accomplished cosplayer; her most significant costume was Frost’s Arctic Goddess, with silver-white hair, armor, skirt, and a blue longbow. 285 286
• Maintains an elegant public image as an “intellectual, beautiful voice actress” under her agency’s promotional strategy. 467

Personality

Gu Yan is ambitious and self-reliant. While she initially sought Chu Yu out partly to improve her prospects in voice acting, she refused to rely on direct favors and wanted opportunities based on her own qualifications. 125 245

She is observant and deliberate in romance. After realizing that Chu Yu responded strongly to favorite fictional characters and cosplay, she actively used that knowledge to bridge the gap between his otaku interests and real-life attraction. 282 286 Although naturally conservative and easily embarrassed by public intimacy, she was willing to take initiative when pursuing him. 356

Gu Yan is caring in everyday life: she adjusted an amusement-park date when Chu Yu became ill, took responsibility for getting him home after he became drunk, and later frequently cooked and managed his living arrangements. 240 265 353 She is also protective of people she values, intervening to save Xia Yin from an alley attack and publicly defending Chu Yu against Ye Chun’s criticism. 277 366

Abilities & Skills

Voice Acting

Gu Yan develops from a newcomer into a top-tier voice actor in the Dragon Country animation industry. 121 415

• Reached the second round of an early audition and sought targeted advice for Meiko’s voice performance. 121
• Passed T-Bone Animation Studio’s audition for Keli, protagonist of The Hero Who Fell into the Abyss; the studio cited both her audition quality and the value of maintaining goodwill with Chu Yu. 270 271
• Her popularity rose sharply after 5 Centimeters per Second and Voices of a Distant Star. 240
• Later became busy with multiple projects, weekend performances, and livestream appearances. 566

Cosplay and Public Performance

Gu Yan uses cosplay both professionally and as a form of self-expression.

• Performed Frost’s Arctic Goddess at a comic convention specifically to see Chu Yu’s reaction. 285 286
• Her weekend cosplay appearances at T-Bone Animation Studio attracted a dedicated audience among staff. 288
• Participated in commercial events and convention promotions as her fame grew. 286 566
• Has the looks and figure to portray mature female character archetypes particularly effectively. 752

Gaming

Though she personally prefers casual games such as Match-3, Gu Yan studied League of Heroes so she could play with Chu Yu. 186 197

• Took notes from game-streaming tutorials to improve. 197
• Became skilled enough to lead matches and help defeat opponents who insulted her. 349
• Shares gaming as a recurring hobby and source of intimacy with Chu Yu. 348 571

Image Management and Advocacy

Gu Yan eventually takes responsibility for Chu Yu’s public presentation as his fame expands. 558

• Replaces much of Chu Yu’s old wardrobe with more suitable clothing and ensures his hair is regularly maintained. 415 558
• Acts as his image ambassador while helping him adapt to being recognized in public. 558
• Operates a Weibo account, “A Little Star!”, and used it to counter Ye Chun’s criticism of Chu Yu’s work with sales comparisons. 366

Voice-Acting Career

Milestone	Chapter	Details
Second-round audition	121	Thanks Chu Yu for helping her advance and asks for guidance on voicing Meiko. 121
Contact with Chu Yu established	125	Exchanges Weixin information; she does not request favors from him. 125
Female-lead opportunity	207	Immediately accepts Chu Yu’s invitation to interview for the female lead in one of his animations. 207
Rising recognition	240	Gains a substantial fanbase after 5 Centimeters per Second and Voices of a Distant Star. 240
Keli audition	270–271	Auditions for and secures Keli, protagonist of The Hero Who Fell into the Abyss. 270 271
Top-tier status	415	Is described as a top-tier voice actor, though her agency limits work to protect her profile and accommodate Code Geass. 415
Mentors juniors	482	Helps Xiao Xin and Xiao Yi obtain voice-acting roles. 482
Expanded public career	566	Balances voice acting with agency-arranged weekend performances and livestream appearances. 566

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Connection with Chu Yu

Gu Yan’s relationship with Chu Yu begins professionally, then deepens through shared interests in animation and gaming. She recognizes that her interest in his projects is partly a desire to spend more time with him. 197

During their amusement-park outing, public recognition fuels rumors that they are dating. Gu Yan becomes more confident after learning that Chu Yu, despite his exaggerated attachment to fictional heroines, does intend to date a real woman someday. 240 242 244

Confession and Pursuit

Gu Yan confesses to Chu Yu on a Ferris wheel, admitting that gratitude and career-minded curiosity eventually became genuine affection. Chu Yu rejects her because he does not yet view her romantically. 245

She remains persistent after the rejection, creating reasons to contact him, inviting him to play games, and continuing to spend time with him despite his tendency to become absorbed in work. 266 272

Her Frost cosplay becomes a turning point: Chu Yu reacts far more strongly than he ever had toward her before, and Gu Yan realizes that presenting herself through his favorite character archetypes can make him confront his attraction to her. 285 286 313

Relationship with Chu Yu

During a trip, Gu Yan impulsively kisses Chu Yu after being locked out of her room in pajamas; it is their first kiss. 348 Their relationship is established soon afterward, and Gu Yan begins visiting Chu Yu’s home frequently, cooking when possible and helping free him from takeout meals. 353

As Chu Yu’s girlfriend, she supports him publicly and privately, including defending him online, attending industry events with him, and helping manage his appearance. 366 461 558

Later Relationship Conflict

Gu Yan meets Su Ruo and Zhao Qinyin in Tokyo after Chu Yu introduces her as his girlfriend. 602 She later becomes increasingly uneasy about Chu Yu’s connection to the two women while he works in Japan. 800

When Chu Yu admits that he wants to remain involved with Gu Yan, Su Ruo, and Zhao Qinyin, Gu Yan initially demands that he end the other relationships. 884 Afterward, she chooses to try to coexist with them rather than force an immediate separation, stating that she will work to join their circle and become friends. 891

Chu Yu grants Gu Yan 2.5% of Copycat Animation Studio’s shares, despite her initial insistence that she did not need compensation or financial support. 875 877

Relationships

• Chu Yu / Shui Xin — Initially a professional contact and gaming partner; Gu Yan’s admiration develops into love, and she becomes his girlfriend after persistently pursuing him. Their relationship later becomes complicated by Su Ruo and Zhao Qinyin. 121 245 348 353 884
• Gu Yun — Her cousin and Chu Yu’s classmate. Gu Yun discreetly reports Chu Yu’s school life to Gu Yan and protects his secret identity. 149 263
• Xia Yin — Producer of The Hero Who Fell into the Abyss. Gu Yan saves Xia Yin from an attack; Xia Yin later becomes close to her and offers romantic advice while secretly planning to sabotage Gu Yan’s relationship with Chu Yu. 277 282
• Su Ruo — Chu Yu’s former manga editor. Gu Yan first meets her in Tokyo and later resolves to try to get along with her despite their shared connection to Chu Yu. 602 891
• Zhao Qinyin — Chu Yu’s longtime friend and another woman involved with him. Gu Yan meets her in Tokyo and later attempts to integrate into her and Su Ruo’s circle. 602 891
• Ye Zi, Xu Lin, and Li Tong — Gu Yan’s roommates, who recognize her feelings for Chu Yu, tease her about them, and consider helping her pursue him. 261 263
• Xiao Xin and Xiao Yi — Junior voice actors whom Gu Yan helps secure animation roles. 482

Notable Quotes

“The difference between you and them is... you’re a good person.” 245

“I will try to get along with them properly. I’ll work hard to integrate into their circle and become friends with them.” 891

Trivia

• Gu Yan learned League of Heroes primarily to have more opportunities to interact with Chu Yu, despite preferring Match-3 games. 197
• Chu Yu gave her a keyboard-and-mouse set for her birthday; despite her friends’ surprise at the unromantic-looking gift, she sincerely liked it. 263
• Her Frost’s Arctic Goddess cosplay was deliberately based on Chu Yu’s favorite League of Heroes character skin. 285 286
• She buys lucky charms and participates in temple customs despite not believing the items are genuinely effective. 502