Gao Jun

Biodata

Background / History

Transformation and Isolation

Before her first appearance, Gao Jun was a man who was defeated—or “cut down”—through War of Men and transformed into a woman. She later explains that the experience leaves the defeated person unable to stop thinking about the person responsible, even when those feelings begin as hatred. Gao Jun says she once hated the man who transformed her but now believes she can belong only to him 12 13.

At school, she maintains an aloof, intimidating manner and initially has no friends. Chang Song comes to understand this coldness as a defense against closeness and her distress over the transformation 11 12.

Friendship with Chang Song

Gao Jun first becomes an unwitting cover for Chang Song’s attraction to his homeroom teacher, Yang He. When Wang Ling questions his punctual arrivals at school, Chang Song points toward Gao Jun rather than reveal whom he is actually following. His supposed crush is a pretense, although Wang Ling continues to treat it as genuine 2 3 4.

Their first substantial interaction occurs while cleaning the Art Studio. After overhearing Wang Ling’s deliberately suggestive telephone call, Gao Jun tells her that she has no interest in Chang Song. She subsequently recognizes Wang Ling’s transformation, checks Chang Song’s phone for War of Men, and reveals her own history. Before explaining the emotional consequences of defeat, she asks him to promise that he will treat Wang Ling well 11 12.

Their relationship changes after Chang Song finds Gao Jun crying following a humiliating encounter with the man she is attached to. She asks him to become her friend while firmly excluding romance, and he agrees to walk her home. The following morning, he publicly gives her chocolates and presents the gift as thanks for her help. Gao Jun realizes that he is trying to make her more approachable to their classmates 13.

The gesture prompts her deskmate, Yan Ling, to speak with her and share the chocolates. Although uncomfortable with the interaction, Gao Jun makes an effort to smile 14.

Confidante and Classmate

By their later Art Studio meeting, Gao Jun actively wants Chang Song’s company. When he remains distracted and silent, she awkwardly initiates a conversation, then hits him with a book after he laughs at her approach 30.

Chang Song confides that he loves and has slept with another girl despite promising to marry Wang Ling. Gao Jun slaps him, calls him “Scum,” and urges him to choose Wang Ling. Nevertheless, she embraces him when he is distressed. Wang Ling witnesses a later embrace and runs away in tears; Gao Jun immediately sends Chang Song after her 31.

When Wang Han harasses Wang Ling in Class 1, Gao Jun is the first classmate to act after Chang Song confronts him. She throws a book at Wang Han, prompting the other students to help drive him out. Afterward, Chang Song suspects that Wang Han is also the man who transformed and mistreated Gao Jun, based on his resemblance to the departing man he saw earlier. This remains his suspicion rather than an explicit confirmation 38.

Appearance

Gao Jun is exceptionally beautiful, with an elegance that remains striking even in ordinary clothing 2 12.

• Build: Light and slender, as described when Chang Song embraces her 31.
• Complexion: Very fair skin 13.
• Bearing: Controlled, graceful movements; even walking or raising a hand gives Chang Song the impression of practiced elegance 12.
• Expression: Usually cold and unapproachable, though her composure breaks when she is distressed or embarrassed 11 13 30.
• Notable accessory: Wears a small blue silk flower around her neck at her introduction. Old Cai allows it temporarily, instructing her to remove it once she has healed 2.

Personality

Gao Jun’s apparent disdain conceals loneliness and difficulty socializing. Her distant manner discourages both classmates and teachers, but she eventually admits that she wants a friend and someone to talk to. Even after befriending Chang Song, she struggles to greet him warmly or initiate conversation without sounding confrontational 12 13 30.

She is proud and resistant to pity. When asking for friendship, she emphasizes that Chang Song need not feel sorry for her and offers her knowledge of War of Men as a practical benefit. She also repeatedly sets boundaries against romantic involvement 13.

Despite her reserve, she is protective of Wang Ling and capable of tenderness toward Chang Song. She condemns his divided romantic commitments but comforts him when he is genuinely upset. Teasing can quickly provoke her into angry retorts or striking him with a nearby book 30 31.

Abilities & Skills

Knowledge of *War of Men*

Gao Jun provides Chang Song with firsthand information about the game and its consequences.

• Recognizes that Wang Ling was formerly male and confirms Chang Song’s involvement by finding the game on his phone 12.
• Explains that defeated players may become persistently preoccupied with the person who transformed them, regardless of whether they love or hate that person 12.
• States that the more people a player has “broken,” the prettier the next transformed person will be 13.
• Offers to answer Chang Song’s questions about the game as part of their friendship 13.

Relationships

• Chang Song — Classmate, friend, and confidant. Their friendship develops through shared cleaning duty; both explicitly distinguish it from a romantic relationship 13 30 31.
• Wang Ling — Gao Jun understands her attachment to Chang Song through their shared experience of transformation and repeatedly advocates for her emotional well-being 12 31.
• The man who cut her down — The focus of an attachment Gao Jun describes as inescapable. He rejects and humiliates her, but she remains emotionally drawn to him 12 13.
• Wang Han — Harasses Wang Ling and is driven from the classroom with Gao Jun’s help. Chang Song suspects he is Gao Jun’s unnamed tormentor 38.
• Yan Ling — Deskmate whose conversation and chocolate-sharing mark an early step beyond Gao Jun’s isolation 13 14.

Notable Quotes

“Can you be my friend? I don't have a single friend.” 13

“I've had such a hard time. What's wrong with wanting someone to talk to? Is that so hard to understand?” 30

“The girls in Class 1 aren't that easy to bully!” 38