Xu Nan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Nan (徐楠)
Alias(es)	Nannan
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Star Frost Fashion Magazine
Occupation/Role	Editor-in-chief of Star Frost Fashion Magazine; startup CEO 7 166
Status	Legally married to Liu Yuan; the pair later confirm their relationship and plan their wedding 214 227 253
First Appearance	6

Background

Xu Nan is Shen Qingyan's closest friend and one of her most steadfast supporters. She was the only person present for Shen Qingyan during Tang Yao's birth, and remained deeply affected by the hardships Shen endured while raising her daughter alone. 18

Before Tang Chen's help, Xu Nan had spent three years trying to build Star Frost Fashion Magazine amid an industry dominated by major publishers. The magazine's lack of traffic and capital left it close to closure. 71

Personality

Xu Nan is fiercely loyal and protective. Her distrust of Tang Chen initially comes from witnessing Shen Qingyan's suffering; even after learning that he was Tang Yao's father and had begun caring for both mother and daughter, she insists that he must prove he will never hurt Shen Qingyan again. 18 66

She is blunt, hot-tempered, and prone to dramatic reactions, but her anger is usually rooted in concern for the people she loves. She is willing to swallow her pride for her work, bowing to Tang Chen when she believes he may be the only person capable of saving her magazine. 70 71

Xu Nan can also be stubborn and impulsive. She resists Shen Qingyan and Tang Chen's warnings about Wu Lingxuan without evidence, drinks competitively while distressed over her failed relationships, and later enters an impulsive legal marriage with Liu Yuan. However, she admits fault when confronted with the truth and apologizes sincerely. 169 170 209 214

Abilities & Skills

Fashion and Editorial Expertise

Xu Nan possesses a trained eye for clothing and luxury fashion, which she applies directly to her work as an editor-in-chief.

• Correctly identifies Tang Chen's suit as a rare custom piece from Fog City's Royal Wardrobe by its fabric and pattern. 7
• Immediately recognizes Tang Chen's potential as a fashion model and believes his appearance could elevate Star Frost Fashion Magazine internationally. 7
• Recognizes the value of Tang Yao's Imperial Green jade pendant by researching its auction history; it had sold for 32 million yuan. 73
• Oversees the magazine's collaboration with Tang Chen and Gu Xia, whose photoshoot drives rapidly increasing sales and online attention. 95 96 98

Free Combat Training

Xu Nan has trained in free combat for ten years and keeps five medals at home as proof of her accomplishments. 40

• Offers to personally intervene if Shen Qingyan or Tang Yao are harmed. 40
• Threatens to hold Tang Chen accountable should he ever mistreat Shen Qingyan. 72

Career

*Star Frost Fashion Magazine*

Xu Nan runs Star Frost Fashion Magazine as its editor-in-chief. The magazine struggles against established publishers that control most of the market, making outside investment alone an insufficient solution. 7 64 71

After initially declining her request, Tang Chen agrees to pose for the magazine and invest in it after learning how much Xu Nan has put into keeping it alive. 71 His photoshoot becomes the magazine's turning point: sales accelerate, Tang Chen trends online, and the publication gains public attention. 96 98

• Gu Xia serves as Xu Nan's partner, manager, photographer, and makeup artist for the magazine. 95
• Xu Nan later meets potential investor Wu Lingxuan as the CEO of a startup. 166

Story Role / Major Arcs

Distrust of Tang Chen

Xu Nan initially sees Tang Chen as the man who abandoned Shen Qingyan and Tang Yao. She is alarmed when father and daughter reunite, fearing that Tang Chen may disappear with Tang Yao again. 6 18

Her hostility persists even after Shen Qingyan confirms her relationship with him and explains Tang Chen's devotion to Tang Yao. Xu Nan begins softening only after Tang Chen agrees to rescue her magazine, though she continues to warn him not to hurt Shen Qingyan. 66 71 72

Saving the Magazine

After recognizing Tang Chen at a hotel buffet, Xu Nan approaches him to request a photoshoot for Star Frost Fashion Magazine. Her first attempt fails, but she refuses to abandon the possibility after he accepts her business card. 7 8

When the magazine's situation worsens, Xu Nan humbles herself again and begs Tang Chen for help at Ping An Imperial Feast. Tang Chen agrees to both model for and invest in the magazine, transforming their relationship from antagonism into cooperation. 70 71

Wu Lingxuan's Betrayal

Xu Nan begins dating Wu Lingxuan, unaware that he is pursuing her for access to Tang Chen and Shen Qingyan's influence. Shen Qingyan and Tang Chen recognize his insincerity, but Xu Nan initially dismisses their concerns as another unfair first impression. 167 169

Tang Chen's investigation uncovers Wu Lingxuan's pattern of using women with influential backgrounds to advance his company. When Xu Nan watches a recording in which he explicitly plans to exploit and discard her, she realizes the betrayal, apologizes to Shen Qingyan, and joins Tang Chen's plan to expose him. 170 173

Xu Nan retaliates by making Wu Lingxuan pay more than 1.1 million yuan for an extravagant meal and wine while he still believes he can gain Tang Chen's favor. 171 172 She later takes satisfaction in watching his downfall through the surveillance footage of Tang Chen's confrontation. 176

Relationship with Liu Yuan

Following her breakup and a drinking competition with Liu Yuan, Xu Nan becomes severely intoxicated. Liu Yuan carries her to Sheng Tang Grand Hotel and spends the night caring for her after she repeatedly vomits. 209 210

Xu Nan initially believes Liu Yuan took advantage of her, but apologizes after remembering what happened. Their misunderstanding ultimately leads to an impulsive marriage registration. 210 211 214

The pair briefly attempt to cancel the marriage, but the Civil Affairs Bureau refuses to revoke their certificate. As they confront their unresolved feelings, Liu Yuan asks Xu Nan to marry him for real; she agrees, and they later officially confirm their relationship while deciding to postpone their wedding. 214 226 227

Liu Yuan brings Xu Nan to meet his parents in his hometown, demonstrating that their relationship has become serious. 237 They later decide to hold their wedding in Magic City, where Xu Nan's friends and family are based. 253

Relationships

• Shen Qingyan — Best friend and confidante. Xu Nan supported Shen Qingyan through her pregnancy and single motherhood, and remains fiercely protective of her happiness. 18 40
• Tang Chen — Initially distrusted as the man who left Shen Qingyan and Tang Yao; later becomes an ally after saving Xu Nan's magazine and exposing Wu Lingxuan. 66 71 170
• Tang Yao — Shen Qingyan's daughter, whom Xu Nan treats with genuine affection and concern. 40 166
• Li Tong — Longtime friend and business partner. Their friendship is strained when their wedding arrangements conflict, but they agree to meet and resolve the misunderstanding themselves. 7 268
• Gu Xia — Xu Nan's partner and the magazine's manager, photographer, and makeup artist. 95 96
• Wu Lingxuan — Former boyfriend who attempts to use Xu Nan's connection to Tang Chen for personal and business advancement. 167 170
• Liu Yuan — Husband and romantic partner. Their relationship grows from a drunken misunderstanding and impulsive marriage into a mutual commitment. 214 227

Notable Quotes

“But, if you ever treat Qingyan poorly in the future, if you let her suffer even a little bit of grievance or harm, I will absolutely not let you off the hook!” 72

“From now on, when I date someone, I'll bring them to you first. If you say no, I'll kick him straight into the Pacific Ocean!” 173

Trivia

• Xu Nan and Li Tong unknowingly chose wedding dates that fell on the same day: Xu Nan selected the twenty-ninth day of the ninth lunar month, while Li Tong selected October 24 on the Gregorian calendar. 254
• As a teenager, Xu Nan promised Li Tong that they would one day marry on the same date and walk down the aisle together in white wedding dresses. 259