Tang Shi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tang Shi (唐莳)
Alias(es)	Tang Shi Caomu (web-novel pen name); “Roughwood”; “Tang Shi Slow” 3 16
Gender	Male
Age	Reborn into his sixteen-year-old body; twenty-one by his later return to Hollywood 1 128
Affiliation	Sugar Juice Studio; partner of the Sugar Juice Duo
Occupation/Role	Web novelist, dancer, singer/idol, actor, screenwriter, producer, studio executive
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Tang Shi grew up in X City as the only son of Song Chunyi. After his father’s death, his mother supported them through repeated moves between increasingly rundown rentals, while shielding Tang Shi from much of their financial hardship. Her indulgence left him gentle and idealistic, but also naïve, weak-willed, and insufficiently prepared for responsibility. 1 2

In his original life, Tang Shi’s obsession with extracurricular novels devastated his academic performance. He failed to enter a good university, later worked at a foreign company, quit to become a full-time web novelist, and relied heavily on the support of his mother and lifelong friend Lu Hengzhi. 2 3 6 After wishing for another chance, he awakens in his sixteen-year-old body with memories and experience from more than a decade ahead. 1 3

Determined not to repeat his failures, Tang Shi begins helping Song Chunyi sell buns, makes a study schedule, and starts rewriting his former web novel, Prosperous Tang Strategy. His knowledge of its original plot and of later online-literature trends lets him rebuild it with stronger historical research and more coherent plotting. 4 7 49

Tang Shi uses his memories of the future to identify winning lottery numbers during the Dance Miracle auditions. He and Lu Hengzhi claim a four-million-yuan prize, giving them financial security before their public careers begin. 14 19 He also helps expand his mother’s bun business, which ultimately develops into Good Taste Frozen Foods through a partnership with the Lu family and the school cafeteria owner. 9 10

Appearance

Tang Shi is noted for his refined, striking looks: handsome enough to draw attention immediately, but not so delicate as to appear feminine. His sharp features and intense presence contrast with Lu Hengzhi’s steadier, more restrained image. 36 52

• Refined, pleasing features and an exceptionally eye-catching appearance. 36
• Sharp facial features and a fierce personal presence. 52
• Often projects youthful confidence, flamboyance, and emotional openness. 52
• Develops a six-pack while preparing for a demanding later role. 137

Personality

Tang Shi is sincere, affectionate, and strongly attached to the people who have consistently supported him. His sheltered childhood preserves his innocence, passion, and idealism; he openly credits Song Chunyi and Lu Hengzhi for giving him the confidence to keep moving forward. 1 79

He is also impulsive and direct. Tang Shi dislikes social maneuvering, tends to skip discussion and move immediately toward the result he believes is right, and often appears arrogant or reckless to people who do not understand his future knowledge. 6 61 Though he can be proud and hot-tempered, he has clear personal boundaries: he refuses work requiring wire rigs or dangerous heights, and does not compromise merely to preserve a favorable public image. 94 116

Tang Shi is not forgiving toward deliberate malice. He does not seek revenge over every slight, but he refuses to reward people who try to harm or frame him. 115 Conversely, he is considerate toward crews, fans, and colleagues, often earning loyalty through practical acts of care rather than calculated public relations. 109 117

Abilities & Skills

Writing and Historical Research

Tang Shi is an experienced online novelist with a strong grasp of commercial fiction, reader preferences, and historical research.

• Rewrites and serializes Prosperous Tang Strategy, a historical-transmigration novel that becomes a representative work of the genre. 3 49
• Maintains frequent updates despite balancing school, dance practice, and filming. 8 49
• Distinguishes documented history from fictional plotlines and incorporates Tang-dynasty customs into his work. 49
• Serves as lead screenwriter for the television adaptation of Prosperous Tang Strategy. 95
• Recruits historians, museum specialists, costume designers, and other consultants to improve the adaptation’s historical accuracy. 95
• Later achieves further literary success with Legends of Mountains and Seas and gains admission to an Ivy League literature master’s program. 138

Dance and Choreography

Tang Shi’s rebirth gives him over a decade of additional dance experience, allowing him to lead choreography despite the limitations of his sixteen-year-old body.

• Combines street dance with freestyle basketball, Tai Chi, Peking Opera movement, and robot-dance rhythms. 8 17 21
• Acts as the principal choreographic force in his partnership with Lu Hengzhi. 17
• Wins Dance Miracle with Lu Hengzhi, establishing the pair as the Sugar Juice Duo. 48
• Has poor stamina and is prone to dance-related injuries, particularly twisted ankles. 18 30

Acting and Performance

Tang Shi develops from an idol contestant into an internationally recognized actor.

• Impresses Professor Lin with his natural acting potential and becomes one of the students the professor wishes to mentor. 52
• Gains international recognition through A Wonderful Journey, where his performance highlights both acting ability and Chinese cultural skills. 77 79
• Receives a Golden Phoenix Best Actor nomination for Fox Demon. 123
• Plays Crown Prince Li Chengqian in Prosperous Tang Strategy. 109
• Avoids roles likely to typecast him or require wire work, including the role of Han Yan in Emperor Wu of Han. 106 111

Cooking and Chinese Cultural Arts

Tang Shi learned to cook in college and later uses food and traditional arts to connect with others.

• Prepares meals for Song Chunyi, Professor Lin’s family, production crews, and Lu Hengzhi. 6 52 96
• Demonstrates dumpling-making to a foreign film crew. 69
• Masters Tea Dividing after independently researching and practicing the art for more than half a year in his previous life. 69
• Performs tea-art imagery and plays melodies with leaves, leaving a distinct impression on international audiences. 69 79

Business and Production

Tang Shi applies foresight and practical judgment to publishing, investments, and entertainment production.

• Chooses online serialization for Prosperous Tang Strategy rather than immediately accepting a book deal, securing magazine rights while pursuing long-term online growth. 8 9
• Acquires shares in Terminus Station Website and Green Website with Lu Hengzhi. 50
• Co-produces the Prosperous Tang Strategy television drama with Tianma Film and Television Company and Emperor Entertainment. 94 95
• Helps establish Sugar Juice Studio as an influential entertainment-industry force. 116

Relationships

• Song Chunyi / Mother Tang — His devoted mother and sole parent after his father’s death. Tang Shi’s rebirth motivates him to become more filial, improve academically, and help with her bun business. 1 4 50
• Lu Hengzhi — Childhood friend, creative partner, fellow Dance Miracle champion, and eventual romantic partner. Lu Hengzhi uploads and proofreads Tang Shi’s novels, protects him through professional crises, and remains central to both his career and recovery. 8 16 111 119 133
• Cui Yujin — Close friend and early Dance Miracle companion; joins Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi in buying lottery tickets and supports them during their auditions. 10 14 16
• Old Yu — Tang Shi’s homeroom teacher. Initially frustrated by Tang Shi’s lateness and poor grades, he later supports his academic progress and urges him to use celebrity influence to promote Chinese culture. 4 11 100
• Professor Lin — Acting mentor who recognizes Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi’s talent and wants to take them as disciples. 51 52
• Zhou Qiyue — Co-star in Fox Demon and a supportive colleague during difficult filming. 112 114
• Zhou Boyun — Entertainment-industry associate and business collaborator who works with Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi on major studio and production matters. 103 116
• Yun Xiaoting — Senior artist associated with Emperor Entertainment; later interacts with Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi as their industry standing rises. 85 123

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rebirth and Academic Reform

After returning to his teenage years, Tang Shi tries to correct the failures of his first life: he studies seriously, helps his mother’s business, and resumes writing with greater discipline. His grades improve from near the bottom of his class to twenty-fifth place, eventually earning an emotional response from Song Chunyi. 3 4 10 50

*Dance Miracle*

Tang Shi joins Dance Miracle with Lu Hengzhi to prevent the regret that ended their first attempt in the previous timeline. He leads their innovative choreography, struggles with limited stamina and injuries, and ultimately wins the competition with Lu Hengzhi. 6 17 18 48

Rise as a Writer and Idol

While still a student, Tang Shi builds Prosperous Tang Strategy into a successful serialized novel and becomes a public figure through the Sugar Juice Duo’s victory. He and Lu Hengzhi balance celebrity work, studies, investments, and educational initiatives while retaining their academic standing. 16 49 50

Actor, Screenwriter, and Producer

Tang Shi expands into acting, international productions, and entertainment management. He later adapts Prosperous Tang Strategy himself, insisting on historical consultants, cultural preparation, and large-scale production values before portraying Li Chengqian in the drama. 79 94 95 109

Relationship with Lu Hengzhi

Lu Hengzhi confesses his feelings after becoming increasingly afraid of losing Tang Shi to others. Tang Shi recognizes Lu Hengzhi’s importance but initially hesitates because of family, career, and social concerns; they agree not to date others while they work through their feelings. 111 Their relationship becomes openly domestic and intimate as they continue supporting one another’s careers. 119 137

Depression and Recovery

Tang Shi pushes himself so intensely while preparing for a later role that he develops mild depression and collapses during filming. He recovers through treatment, hypnosis, and the sustained support of his family and Lu Hengzhi, then returns to China and resumes university life at Capital University. 132 133

Notable Quotes

“I've always felt that I'm a very fortunate person. Because I have a wonderful mother who loves and supports me, and a wonderful partner, Lu Hengzhi, who will always stand by my side no matter what happens.” 79

Trivia

• Tang Shi’s lottery numbers are based on his birthday and student ID number. 14
• He is nicknamed “Tang Shi Slow” because of his comparatively slow web-novel updates. 16
• Despite his fame, he remains especially motivated by food and is known for changing his mind about meals the moment he sees something appealing. 100
• He dislikes wire work and high-altitude stunts, making this a well-known boundary in the entertainment industry. 94 116
• He later becomes a Global Peace Ambassador. 138