Shen Qiao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Shen Qiao (沈乔)
Alias(es)	Shen Qiao'er; “Male Star”; Campus Heartthrob; Campus Belle
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jiang University; Dormitory 515; Hanfu Club 113 224
Occupation/Role	Jiang University student; Zhou Ye Bookstore part-time worker; later opens his family’s supermarket beside the bookstore 579 1362
Status	Married to Ai Xiaoya, also known as Xiao Lei 1324 1349
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

High school and Ai Xiaoya

Shen Qiao was a top student who consistently ranked among the top three in his class. His mock-exam results could reach 680, and he was strong across all subjects. Though capable of aiming for Beijing universities, he chose to apply to Jiangcheng so he could remain in the same city as Ai Xiaoya. 1034 1402 1406

Ai Xiaoya was his high-school sweetheart. They kept their relationship discreet while preparing for university, but planned to make up for those restrained years through dates, meals, and travel once they reached Jiangcheng. Shen Qiao nicknamed her “Xiao Lei” because she loved to cry. 40 1034

Shortly after graduation, Ai Xiaoya was involved in a car accident during a family trip. Her parents died protecting her, while she survived in a vegetative state. 40 1403

Choosing to stay

Although Shen Qiao’s family initially paid Ai Xiaoya’s emergency medical expenses, he refused to abandon her. He remained in Jiangcheng, chose a local university, and sought work to fund her ongoing care despite conflict with his father. 40 1404

His earliest work included a bar job that exposed him to harassment, exploitation, and a costly contract breach. After quitting, he took multiple part-time jobs and continued working through the summer; the physical labor left calluses on his hands. 1405 1406

Shen Qiao entered Jiang University while Ai Xiaoya remained unconscious. His mother secretly provided tuition money and later helped care for Ai Xiaoya as family. 1406 1075

Waiting, recovery, and marriage

Shen Qiao considered dropping out to cover medical expenses, but Luo Ye encouraged him to treat waiting as a period for self-improvement rather than a life without purpose. 88 132

He maintained a home with Ai Xiaoya, cared for her in a wheelchair, and continued hoping for her recovery. After three years unconscious, she woke up and underwent rehabilitation. 579 861 1276 1324

After Ai Xiaoya’s recovery, the couple visited her parents’ graves, registered their marriage in Ningcheng, and travelled together on their honeymoon. 1281 1324 1349

Appearance

Shen Qiao is a tall, slender young man with idol-like looks. He is over 1.8 meters tall and is widely regarded as exceptionally handsome; his appearance attracts attention regardless of how he dresses. 106 1402

• Tall stature and notably long legs. 106 362
• Youthful, refined facial features that make him stand out among Jiang University students. 106 113
• Can convincingly present as a woman with a wig, makeup, and feminine clothing. 106 224
• His cross-dressing persona, Shen Qiao'er, is often mistaken for a campus beauty and became the subject of a Jiang University urban legend. 224 744

Personality

Shen Qiao is principled, devoted, and stubbornly responsible. Though he had no legal obligation to support Ai Xiaoya after her accident, he chose to remain with her through financial hardship, family conflict, and years of uncertainty. 40 1404 1406

He is initially embarrassed and reluctant when pressured into cross-dressing, yet he honors promises to friends and gradually becomes more confident performing as Shen Qiao'er. 106 224 His calm exterior can conceal insecurity and exhaustion, particularly when confronting Ai Xiaoya’s condition or his own lack of stamina. 132 250

Shen Qiao is considerate toward others. He volunteers with children, treats friends to meals when he can, and supports Luo Ye with practical advice about expressing genuine feelings. 504 633 1125

Abilities & Skills

Academic ability

Shen Qiao was one of the strongest students in his high-school class and entered Jiang University after deliberately choosing Jiangcheng over more selective options. 1034 1402

• Consistently ranked within his class’s top three. 1034
• Achieved mock-exam scores as high as 680. 1402
• Chose his university primarily to remain near Ai Xiaoya rather than pursue the most prestigious available option. 1402 1406

Basketball

Shen Qiao is an accomplished basketball player whose ability is compared to that of Jiang University’s school team. 113

• Stands out even among the Computer Science Department’s large student body. 113
• His individual style does not combine as effectively with Gao Yuming’s as Luo Ye’s more complementary approach does. 132
• Can be physically limited by injury or poor condition despite his skill. 132 944

Cross-dressing and performance

As Shen Qiao'er, Shen Qiao can pass convincingly as a woman through costumes, wigs, makeup, and performance. 106 744

• Headlined the Hanfu Club’s runway finale and became a contender for the Campus Belle title. 224
• Helped recruit Hanfu Club members, drawing an overwhelming queue while dressed in pink-and-white Hanfu. 594
• Performed at a comic convention and followed photographers’ poses with enough ease to impress professionals. 165 167
• Learned and performed an online dance for a Hanfu Club event. 810
• Usually avoids speaking while in persona because his voice would reveal his identity. 594 746

Caregiving and work

Shen Qiao is experienced in caring for Ai Xiaoya and adapting to demanding part-time work. 861 676

• Pushes her wheelchair, manages travel arrangements, and prepares her appearance before visiting family. 861
• Worked at the Zhou Ye Bookstore and could manage both floors alone during a busy sports meet. 579 676
• Volunteered to teach children about the Dragon Boat Festival and making zongzi. 504

Relationships

• Ai Xiaoya / Xiao Lei — High-school sweetheart and later wife. Shen Qiao cared for her throughout her three-year vegetative state and built a home around the hope of her recovery. 40 579 1324
• Luo Ye — Dormmate and close friend. Luo Ye learns of Shen Qiao’s financial struggle, supports him without empty promises, and advises him on the meaning of waiting. 40 88 132
• Wang Dachui — Dormmate and frequent teasing partner. Wang often pressures Shen Qiao into wearing feminine outfits, but also cares for him when he is ill. 362 1034
• Li Haoyang — Dormmate in 515 and fellow basketball player. 3 113
• Shen Qiao’s parents — Initially conflicted with him over Ai Xiaoya’s care; his mother eventually treats Ai Xiaoya as her own daughter. 40 1075
• Qin Yuwen — Makeup artist and accomplice in developing Shen Qiao'er’s image. Her makeover helped strengthen the mysterious-campus-belle legend. 744 745
• Yu Qiuyu — Friend whom Shen Qiao meets during his honeymoon in Shancheng. 1349

Major Arcs

Shen Qiao'er and the Hanfu Club

Shen Qiao first cross-dresses after his roommates pressure him to honor a promise. Though shy at first, he discovers that he can perform the role convincingly and later participates in conventions, Hanfu events, recruitment drives, and stage performances. 106 165 224 594 810

His Hanfu Club runway appearance creates a campus mystery surrounding a beautiful girl who appears only occasionally and leaves no trace. 224 744

Devotion to Xiao Lei

Shen Qiao’s central conflict is his decision to care for Ai Xiaoya after her accident. He accepts difficult work, considers leaving university, and continually wrestles with whether his waiting will have an outcome. 40 88 132

His persistence ultimately gives way to Ai Xiaoya’s recovery, their marriage, and a future built together. 1276 1324 1349

Independence and business

After working numerous part-time jobs, Shen Qiao becomes increasingly self-reliant. He works at the Zhou Ye Bookstore and later announces plans to open his family’s supermarket next door, proposing future cooperation with Luo Ye. 633 1362

Notable Quotes

“I want to stay.” 1404

“I’ll bring her to Jiangcheng to live, show her the university I attended, and introduce her to my friends.” 1210

“Xiao Lei, love doesn't disappear. My parents can be your parents too.” 1281

Trivia

• Shen Qiao keeps an electronic diary and records his personal thoughts and important events. 113 404
• He has been called both Jiang University’s Campus Heartthrob and Campus Belle, depending on whether he appears as Shen Qiao or Shen Qiao'er. 224 363
• His feminine appearance is convincing enough that a dorm supervisor mistook him for a girl in the male dormitory. 362
• Despite his basketball skill, he is notably poor at uphill endurance and was exhausted after a 500-meter climb. 250