Fish Head Xu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Xu (刘旭) 12
Alias(es)	Fish Head Xu; Cross-eyed
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Stuntman, film extra, and film-set crew worker 18 32 60
Affiliation	Hong Kong film-stunt community; works with crews associated with San Bao, Jia Le, and his older brother Bai Biao 18 20 52
Status	Deceased; his body is held at the Central Public Mortuary 64
First Appearance	Chapter 12: “Fish Head Xu”

Background / History

Fish Head Xu first meets Yang Chu while fleeing a group of young gangsters after dancing with a girl connected to their boss. He hides beneath a cardboard box in an alley, carefully returning the cardboard to neat sheets once the gang has gone. Grateful that Yang Chu does not expose him, he insists on treating him to a late-night meal and introduces himself as Liu Xu, better known as Fish Head Xu 12.

When the gang finds them at the food stall, Xu initially urges Yang Chu to run, but then draws the gang’s attention to himself rather than abandoning his new acquaintance. After Yang Chu defeats the attackers, Xu takes him home and quickly begins treating him as a brother 13.

Xu offers Yang Chu money, transportation, and help finding work. He brings him into the film industry, where he introduces him to stunt coordinator Jia Le and helps secure his first stunt job. Although Xu loses an on-camera role after arriving late, he accepts the change without resentment and works as his director’s assistant instead 15 18.

He remains Yang Chu’s main connection to ordinary life in Hong Kong, regularly feeding him, buying him clothes, sharing industry knowledge, and inviting him to social outings. Xu later introduces Yang Chu to his older brother Bai Biao’s film set and gives Xiahou Wu a ride when he finds the martial artist walking alone on a remote road 20 22.

Xu’s generosity extends to Ah Xue, also called Jenny. He borrows HK$200,000 from San Bao to settle her loan-shark debt, fully aware that she may only be interested in his money 52. He is later seen dancing with a woman at the Starlight Nightclub before his death 59 81.

By Chapter 64, Xu has died under suspicious circumstances. Yang Chu finds signs of struggle and restraint on his body at the Central Public Mortuary, then begins pursuing the truth behind the reported confession of Cen Fada 64.

Appearance

Fish Head Xu is a cross-eyed man in his thirties or forties with sparse hair that he wears long and parted down the middle. His appearance, slow speech, and deliberately foolish expressions often lead others to underestimate him 12 13.

• Noticeably cross-eyed, the source of both his nickname and frequent mockery 12 13
• Sparse, long hair parted down the middle 12
• Slightly hunched posture, which his director urges him to correct 18
• Often dresses casually, but wears a black suit and polished leather shoes for dates 54

Personality

Fish Head Xu is forthright, warm-hearted, and unusually practical about gratitude. Although he hides behind a clownish persona and can be self-deprecating about his appearance, he does not become bitter or excessively sensitive. He takes responsibility when danger reaches Yang Chu and remains willing to help people even when doing so puts him at a disadvantage 12 13 30.

He is generous to the point of recklessness. Xu spends freely on meals, desserts, clothing, and friends, has a history of gambling losses, and borrows heavily to help Ah Xue. He accepts the possibility of being exploited rather than pretending otherwise 20 22 52.

His enthusiasm for food, movies, martial arts, and city life contrasts strongly with Yang Chu’s detached outlook. He considers simple pleasures—food, games, and being among other people—evidence that being alive is worthwhile 22.

Abilities & Skills

Film and Stunt Work

Fish Head Xu is an experienced stuntman and extra with long-standing connections in Hong Kong’s film industry.

• Brings Yang Chu into a stunt crew and vouches for his employment with Jia Le 18
• Has worked as an extra in older martial-arts films 32
• Understands basic stunt-work demands and considers martial-arts training important for action performers 20
• Maintains personal connections across multiple film sets, including Bai Biao’s crew 20

Dancing

Despite his awkward appearance, Xu is an agile and skilled dancer.

• His dancing with a beautiful woman at the Starlight Nightclub captivates the crowd 59
• His dancing is later identified as a key lead in the police investigation into his death 81

Equipment / Items

• Toyota car — Used to drive Yang Chu, transport desserts to film sets, and rescue Yang Chu after the confrontation with Black Skin Sha 20 30
• Apartment key — Leaves Yang Chu access to his residence while away 42

Relationships

• Yang Chu — Xu’s close friend and “little brother.” He shelters Yang Chu, finds him stunt work, feeds and clothes him, and refuses to abandon him after finding him severely injured 13 15 22 30.
• Bai Biao — Xu’s older brother, a film-industry figure whose crew Xu visits and supports with gifts for the staff 20.
• Jia Le — Stunt coordinator and familiar colleague who addresses Xu as “Brother Xu” and accepts Yang Chu into the crew on Xu’s recommendation 18.
• San Bao — Director and senior figure whom Xu calls “Big Brother”; San Bao lends Xu HK$200,000 to settle Ah Xue’s debt 18 52.
• Xiahou Wu — Martial artist Xu admires intensely. Xu invites him to lunch, acts as a friendly intermediary between him and Yang Chu, and eagerly follows Xiahou’s fights 35 36 54.
• Ah Xue / Jenny — Xu’s former lover and later date. He takes on substantial debt to resolve her loan-shark problem, despite recognizing she may be using him 30 52.
• Yang Chu’s film crew — Xu is valued as a long-time colleague who supports his seniors even when that means losing roles or spending his own money 18 20.

Notable Quotes

“My boss taught me that gratitude has to be practical.” 12

“I really like it here. … having food to eat, games to play, and seeing so many people—I just feel that being alive is a happy thing.” 22