Chu Hengyi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chu Hengyi (楚衡逸)
Alias(es)	Ye Mingyi; the Ye family's real young master 2 148
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ye family; formerly the Chu family
Occupation/Role	Investor and strategist; martial-arts actor in Mandarin Duck Buckle 65 130
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Chu Hengyi was abducted as a child and adopted by Chu Jianguo and Zhao Meijuan. The Chu family concealed his identity despite knowing he belonged to the Ye family, forced him to leave school after middle school, and made him support the household through odd jobs and underground boxing while prioritizing their biological son, Chu Qingyi. 2 37 112

In his previous life, Chu Hengyi returned to the Ye family only to be repeatedly framed by Ye Mingzhao. Alienated from the family and driven out, he ultimately died by suicide with deep resentment. Reborn with memories of that life, he initially sought to destroy the Ye family, expose Ye Mingzhao, and make everyone who had wronged him pay. 1

His initial revenge plan relied on foreknowledge from rebirth: he cultivated informants, manipulated investments, leaked Ye Group secrets, and intended to profit from the collapse of both Ye Group and its rivals. He also placed his faith in the Chu family and worked with the Zhou family, unaware that his abduction had been arranged through Hua Rui and connected to Zhou Heting's rise. 5 7 10 83 112

As the truth emerged, Chu Hengyi broke with the Chu family and gradually accepted the Ye family's protection and affection. He joined Ye Mingzhao in dismantling the Zhou family's interests, pursued evidence against Hua Rui, and offered a one-billion-dollar reward that led Hua Rui's own confidants to turn her over to the police. 83 109 112 123

After learning that his suffering originated in Zhou Heting's greed, Chu Hengyi was deeply shaken but chose not to discard the identity forged by his past. He accepted that he could be Ye Mingyi on the Ye family register while remaining Chu Hengyi by choice. 147 148

Appearance

Chu Hengyi is a tall, powerfully built man whose intimidating bearing is frequently compared to a wild beast.

• Stands approximately 1.9 meters tall, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. 20 89
• Has sharply defined features, light amber eyes, sword-like brows, and a fierce, blood-soaked aura. 2 89
• His arms are muscular and veined, with prominent knuckles shaped by manual labor and fighting. 2
• As Bamboo Leaf Green, he wears black robes, a bamboo hat, and carries a dark sword; the costume emphasizes his cold, restrained presence. 130

Personality

Upon returning to the Ye family, Chu Hengyi is cold, guarded, and openly hostile toward Ye Mingzhao. Having been betrayed and abandoned in his previous life, he distrusts affection easily and initially views every kindness as a possible scheme. 1 2 32

He is highly intelligent, patient, and ruthless when pursuing a goal. He understands manipulation rather than blindly falling for it, and he is willing to let Ye Mingzhao use him when their interests align. His revenge is deliberate rather than impulsive, often involving concealed financial moves, informants, and indirect pressure on his enemies. 56 65 83

Behind his imposing demeanor, Chu Hengyi is curious, playful, and unexpectedly domestic. He enjoys teasing Ye Mingzhao, takes satisfaction in tricking opponents, and cooks for the Ye family. 82 87 99

His past abuse left him emotionally reserved and physically fragile despite his appearance. He struggles to express vulnerability directly, but increasingly seeks Ye Mingzhao's comfort and listens to him in matters of health and daily life. 115 116 147 153

Abilities & Skills

Financial Strategy and Trading

Chu Hengyi uses his memories from his previous life to identify market opportunities and execute discreet, high-risk trades.

• Earned more than 810% in roughly a month and a half through early investments, creating the capital base for later operations. 25
• Used foreknowledge of foreign exchange and international futures markets to grow his initial capital further. 26
• Secretly accumulated 4.99% of Zhou Group while its shares were being dumped, deliberately remaining below the 5% disclosure threshold. 65
• Sold the stake to Ye Group for 2.5 billion yuan after spending 750 million yuan acquiring it, more than tripling his personal assets in two months. 68
• His transferred shares were crucial to Ye Group's successful acquisition of Zhou Group. 68

Investigation and Information Networks

Chu Hengyi employs the private detective Dagger to gather intelligence on rivals, allies, and unresolved crimes.

• Learned of Dagger through Ye Mingzhao's investigation and continued using him as an information source. 32
• Provided Ye Mingzhao with internal materials that helped expose and bring down Zhou Film and Television Company. 84
• Tasked Dagger with investigating Chu Qingyi's death and later Zhou Taichuan's motives. 107 146

Martial Arts and Combat

Years of underground boxing and difficult labor gave Chu Hengyi practical, highly effective fighting skills.

• Competed in underground boxing to support the Chu family after leaving school. 2
• Fights with clean, decisive movements marked by ruthlessness and adaptability; his skill exceeds the expectations of stunt and martial-arts instructors. 129
• Can ride horses and perform action choreography without relying on a stunt double. 125 129

Cooking

Chu Hengyi learned a range of practical skills through his many jobs and is a capable cook.

• Personally prepares hot pot for the Ye family. 87
• Favors and cooks hearty, spicy dishes such as barbecue, hot pot, spicy crayfish, rice noodles, and luosifen. 115
• Handles knife work, braising, and dough kneading with ease. 111

Acting

Though initially inexperienced, Chu Hengyi enters the entertainment industry through Mandarin Duck Buckle.

• Accepts a role partly because it allows him to spend time on the same production as Ye Mingzhao. 125
• Plays Bamboo Leaf Green, the male lead's martial-world friend and a top assassin of the Pavilion of Mysteries. 130
• Impresses the crew with his appearance, screen presence, and action performance. 129 130

Relationships

• Ye Mingzhao — Former enemies in Chu Hengyi's previous life; they become strategic partners, then lovers. Chu Hengyi sees through Ye Mingzhao's calculating nature and loves him without requiring him to pretend. 1 83 129
• Chairman Ye (Ye Linyuan) — Biological father. Chu Hengyi initially resents and distrusts him, but gradually recognizes the Ye family's remorse and protection. 2 142
• Madam Ye — Biological mother. She worries over his health and safety, while Chu Hengyi slowly allows himself to be included in her care. 32 108 115
• Ye Mingchen — Biological elder brother and member of the Ye family's united front against Hua Rui and the Zhou family. 115 112
• Ye Mingxi — Biological younger brother. Their relationship grows into playful familiarity; Ye Mingxi supports his role in Mandarin Duck Buckle and learns of his relationship with Ye Mingzhao. 68 129 136
• Chu Jianguo and Zhao Meijuan — Adoptive parents who concealed his identity and abused him for years. Chu Hengyi ultimately learns they were paid to adopt and mistreat him. 109 112
• Chu Qingyi — Adoptive younger brother. Chu Hengyi resents his complicity in concealing his identity and refuses to rescue him from the consequences of his alliance with the Zhou family. 83 87
• Dagger — Private detective loyal to Chu Hengyi, used to investigate Hua Rui, the Zhou family, and later criminal cases. 32 107
• Hua Rui — Architect of his abduction and abuse. Chu Hengyi pursues evidence against her and funds the reward that secures her capture. 112 123
• Zhou Heting — A former ally in Chu Hengyi's original revenge plan who is later revealed to be tied to the circumstances of his abduction and suffering. 147
• Zhou Yueze — Business adversary whose company Chu Hengyi shorted and helped drive into bankruptcy. 39 56

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to the Ye Family

Chu Hengyi returns as the Ye family's biological son, insists on retaining the name Chu Hengyi, and immediately clashes with Ye Mingzhao. His hostility stems from memories of a previous life in which Ye Mingzhao destroyed him. 1 2

Revenge Plan and Rivalry with Ye Mingzhao

Using rebirth knowledge, Chu Hengyi begins replicating Ye Mingzhao's methods and building a revenge network. His rivalry with Ye Mingzhao shifts when both recognize the other's intelligence and begin exchanging information rather than attacking directly. 32 56

Zhou Group Acquisition

Chu Hengyi secretly accumulates 4.99% of Zhou Group and sells the stake to Ye Group at a pivotal moment. The transfer helps secure the acquisition and marks a major improvement in his standing with the Ye family. 65 68

Downfall of Zhou Film and Television

He helps expose Zhou Film and Television's internal crimes, accelerates its bankruptcy, and pits Zhou Heting against Chu Qingyi. He refuses Chu Qingyi's pleas for protection, citing the harm caused by their past. 82 84 87

Hua Rui Investigation

Chu Hengyi investigates Hua Rui's connection to his abduction alongside Ye Mingzhao and the Ye family. After Hua Rui's crimes are exposed, he offers a one-billion-dollar reward for her capture. 109 112 123

Romance and Acting Career

Chu Hengyi begins dating Ye Mingzhao and joins Mandarin Duck Buckle as Bamboo Leaf Green. His martial-arts ability and ancient-costume appearance make a strong impression on the production crew. 129 130

Choosing the Name “Chu Hengyi”

After confronting the origins of his abduction and his past trauma, Chu Hengyi rejects the idea that abandoning his name would free him. He chooses to acknowledge Ye Mingyi as part of his identity while continuing to live as Chu Hengyi. 148

Notable Quotes

“Even if it's an act, you have to act with me until the curtain falls!” 1

“Tricking people is delightful.” 87

“I am Chu Hengyi. Even if this name was shaped by hatred and greed, even if it bears a false and burdensome life, I am still Chu Hengyi.” 148

Trivia

• Chu Hengyi deliberately chose a 4.99% stake in Zhou Group to avoid the 5% disclosure requirement. 65
• Despite his severe appearance, he uses a crooked piece of cardboard as a pickup sign for Ye Mingzhao. 99
• He likes blue and sends Ye Mingzhao a cryptic message about it. 48
• He has a weak health foundation from childhood deprivation and heavy labor, catches colds and fevers easily, and dislikes injections. 115 153
• He is particularly responsive to Ye Mingzhao's guidance, including changes to his diet and health habits. 153