Li Ming

Biodata

Background / History

Li Ming had led the Labor Union for nearly twenty years, advocating for Yuguang's laborers despite having little real authority. He regarded the union chairman's position as effectively being “a dog on a leash” used by the Council to keep the district compliant. 26 39

When Superintendent Tian Yuan requisitioned union labor for a district-wide police search, Li Ming attempted to negotiate for the workers' lost factory time, but Tian dismissed the concern and demanded compliance. 26

During the church murder investigation, Li Ming initially trusted Bishop Twilight and defended the bishop's work in Yuguang. He witnessed Li Wei expose the bishop as a body-modifying monster, then protected three children from falling debris during the ensuing battle. 34 36

After the bishop's defeat, Li Ming accepted Wang Xiaole's recovered eyes from Li Wei and promised to return them. The event shattered his faith in the Council and the Church's supposed benevolence, while Li Wei's fulfillment of his promise changed Li Ming's view of the wanted bio-human. 39

Li Ming later assisted Li Wei's effort to reach Yaoguang and the White Tower. He supplied uniforms, passes, and access to a supply train, then entered a debt-recovery agreement concerning more than 12 million in unpaid trafficking-related debts. He revised the proposed split to give Li Wei 70% and the Labor Union 30%, judging that share sufficient to support widows and orphans. 41 42 43

Appearance

Li Ming is a middle-aged man with half-black, half-white hair and a weary, weathered face. His home is notably plain, resembling an ordinary Yuguang rental rather than the residence of a district leader. 26 41

• Maintains a humble, deferential bearing around officials such as Tian Yuan. 26
• Has farmer-like, weathered features. 39
• Lives simply despite serving as the head of hundreds of thousands of laborers. 41

Personality

Li Ming is conscientious and deeply committed to Yuguang's laborers. He repeatedly worries about factory productivity, worker safety, unpaid compensation, and the welfare of laborers' families, even when officials treat those concerns as irrelevant. 26 42

Years of limited influence made him cautious and accustomed to compromise. However, witnessing Bishop Twilight's true nature and Li Wei's actions leaves him disillusioned with the institutions he had trusted. He becomes willing to aid Li Wei despite the political and personal risk. 39 41

Relationships

• Li Wei / 626 — Initially a wary witness to Li Wei's attack on Bishop Twilight; later becomes an ally, offers practical assistance, and entrusts him with recovering laborers' unpaid debts. 35 39 41 43
• Feng Zi — Witnesses her cooperation with Li Wei during the church incident; offers assistance to both fugitives after the bishop's defeat. 39
• Tian Yuan — Their interactions are marked by Tian Yuan's institutional superiority and Li Ming's constrained position as union chairman. 26 39
• Bishop Twilight — Li Ming once viewed the bishop as Yuguang's hope, but learns that he exploited laborers as disposable material. 34 39
• Su Ya — His niece, whom he asks Li Wei to check on in Yaoguang. 41
• Wang Xiaole — Receives the boy's recovered eyes from Li Wei and promises to return them to his family. 39

Story Role / Major Arcs

Police Search of Yuguang

Li Ming is summoned to support Tian Yuan's search operation with union manpower. His inability to secure compensation or protections for laborers illustrates the union's lack of real power. 26

Twilight Church Incident

He attends the interrogation surrounding the serial murders and supports the exhausted Bishop Twilight. After Li Wei exposes and defeats the bishop, Li Ming protects nearby children and survives to reveal what he witnessed. 34 36 39

Alliance with Li Wei

Li Ming declines to report Li Wei and Feng Zi for their bounty, instead offering his contact information and carrying out Li Wei's request concerning Wang Xiaole's eyes. 39

Yaoguang Infiltration and Debt Collection

He helps Li Wei and Feng Zi enter Yaoguang through a supply train, provides information on three trafficking-linked companies, and formalizes a debt-recovery arrangement intended to benefit the Labor Union's vulnerable families. 41 42 43

Trivia

• Li Ming has served as Labor Union head for nearly two decades. 39
• He believes the union's recovered share of the debt collection should fund basic living guarantees for widows and orphans. 43
• Despite his leadership position, he cannot normally enter Yaoguang or the White Tower. 41