Chi Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Chi Yan (池砚)
Alias(es)	Qingqing 22
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Commands Chi Yi, Chi Er, Black Snake, White Wolf, and other bodyguards 14 32
Status	Alive 50
First Appearance	Chapter 6 (voice call with Xia Yu) 6

Background / History

Chi Yan and Xia Yu had an intimate encounter before the novel's main events. Chi Yan later apologized and told Xia Yu to forget it, leaving Xia Yu hurt and resentful despite his continued attachment to him 10.

When Xia Yu returns to China, Chi Yan repeatedly tries to make him return to the United States. His attempts are marked by possessiveness, poor communication, and escalating conflict; after an argument, Chi Yan becomes physically aggressive and Xia Yu knocks him unconscious with an ashtray 18.

The confrontation worsens after Xia Yu restrains Chi Yan. Chi Yan breaks free, dislocates Xia Yu's wrist during their struggle, then personally resets the injury and summons doctors to treat Xia Yu 19 20. He subsequently returns to the United States, where recurring dreams of Xia Yu force him to recognize his feelings 20 22.

During the Live Until the End island program, Chi Yan follows Xia Yu by yacht with a large security detail. Though he initially tries to remove Xia Yu from the production, he ultimately has Black Snake and White Wolf protect him rather than forcibly extracting him 32 34.

After Xia Yu leaves the Black Room, Chi Yan brings him aboard his yacht, apologizes for his conduct, and gradually begins expressing concern more openly 38. He later confesses that Xia Yu is the only person he has ever loved or desired, acknowledging that his jealousy and wish to keep Xia Yu close stem from those feelings 40.

Appearance

Chi Yan is a tall, powerfully built man with a cold and intimidating presence.

• Stands approximately 1.90 meters tall 43
• Has black, icy eyes and sharp brows 18
• Possesses broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and defined musculature 43
• Is described as ruggedly handsome 43
• Has one-quarter white ancestry 43

Personality

Chi Yan is stern, controlling, and emotionally inarticulate. He habitually gives orders rather than explaining himself, particularly when he is worried about Xia Yu, and his concern frequently comes across as coercion or anger 18 34.

He is intensely jealous of Xia Yu's connection to Chu Lan and reacts strongly to the possibility that Xia Yu sees him as a substitute 14 17 50. Despite his harshness, he is highly susceptible to Xia Yu's tears and distress; he repeatedly softens, apologizes, or abandons his anger when Xia Yu appears hurt 18 19 50.

His attempts to learn how to reconcile with Xia Yu are notably earnest but awkward. He studies a relationship handbook with more care than major business contracts after realizing that forceful behavior is driving Xia Yu away 34.

Abilities & Skills

Combat Training

Chi Yan has trained at the Lineage's private bodyguard training camp since childhood and is physically formidable even compared with trained bodyguards 43.

• Breaks free after Xia Yu binds him to a bedframe 19
• Easily blocks Xia Yu's attempted counterattack during their fight 19
• Is considered physically capable of overpowering Xia Yu due to his size, training, and condition 43
• Has enough combat ability that Chi Er became an admirer after losing a sparring match with Xia Yu, who is himself treated as a serious fighter by Chi Yan's staff 14

Command and Security Resources

Chi Yan exercises unquestioned authority over a substantial security force.

• Deploys more than a dozen bodyguards during his arrival on the island 32
• Assigns Black Snake and White Wolf to locate and covertly protect Xia Yu 32 34
• Has access to live location tracking for Xia Yu during the survival program 32
• His orders intimidate both his own men and the production staff 32

Financial Resources

Chi Yan has access to exceptional private resources.

• Travels in a black Hummer with personal drivers and bodyguards 18
• Uses a luxury yacht as a private base near the island 32 38
• Provides rooms and servants for Xia Yu's companions aboard the yacht 50

Equipment / Items

• Black Hummer used for transport in Capital City 18
• Luxury yacht stationed near the survival-program island 32 50
• Personal phone used to contact and monitor Xia Yu 32 34
• Cigarettes and wine 18 50

Relationships

• Xia Yu — Romantic interest and eventual partner. Their relationship is defined by mutual attraction, jealousy, conflict, and repeated power struggles; Chi Yan ultimately admits that he loves Xia Yu 18 22 40.
• Chi Yi — Trusted subordinate and adviser. Chi Yi manages logistics, drives Chi Yan, and cautiously advises him on how to treat Xia Yu better 14 34.
• Chi Er — Subordinate who serves as Xia Yu's personal bodyguard and openly favors Xia Yu over Chi Yan when the two conflict 14 15.
• Black Snake — Bodyguard and retired special-forces soldier dispatched by Chi Yan to find and protect Xia Yu on the island 32 34.
• White Wolf — Retired special-forces medic who accompanies Black Snake in protecting Xia Yu 32 34.
• Chu Lan — Xia Yu's childhood friend and a major source of Chi Yan's jealousy and insecurity 14 17 50.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict over Xia Yu's Return to China

Chi Yan contacts Xia Yu after Xia Yu returns to China and attempts to summon him back to the United States. Their hostile calls reveal an already damaged relationship, with Xia Yu responding to Chi Yan's concern through mockery and provocation 6 13.

Hotel Confrontation

Chi Yan tries to force Xia Yu to leave China, leading to a violent confrontation. Xia Yu incapacitates him with an ashtray; Chi Yan later breaks free, injures Xia Yu's wrist, and arranges medical treatment before sending him home 18 19 20.

Recognition of His Feelings

After returning to the United States, Chi Yan repeatedly dreams of Xia Yu and realizes that his attachment is romantic. He takes time away from work to pursue Xia Yu 22.

Island Intervention

Chi Yan arrives at the Live Until the End filming island after becoming concerned about Xia Yu's safety. He initially demands Xia Yu leave but is persuaded to let his bodyguards protect Xia Yu while he continues the program 32 34.

Reconciliation on the Yacht

Chi Yan receives Xia Yu aboard his yacht after Xia Yu leaves the Black Room. He apologizes for his past behavior, attends to Xia Yu's needs, and later confesses that his desire for Xia Yu was born from love 38 40.

Jealousy over Chu Lan

After the program ends, Chi Yan confronts Xia Yu about Chu Lan and fears he has been treated as a replacement. Xia Yu reassures him that no one is worthy of being his substitute, though Chi Yan remains deeply insecure 50.

Notable Quotes

“I'm informing you, not asking for your opinion.” 18

“When I see you cry, my heart hurts and I want to comfort you. When I hear you call someone else, I get jealous and want to tear him apart.” 40

“I've lived for twenty-eight years, and whether women or men, you're the only person I've ever felt anything for.” 40

Trivia

• Chi Yan studies Chi Er's relationship handbook in an attempt to understand how to comfort Xia Yu 34.
• He becomes enraged by livestream comments calling Xia Yu “husband” and speculating about Xia Yu's relationships 34 43.
• He crushed a wineglass with his bare hand while watching Xia Yu's livestream 34.