Duan Xun

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Duan Xun (段浔)
Alias(es)	President Duan; Teacher Duan; God Duan; Young Master Duan; Brother Xun 6 8 36 38
Gender	Male
Affiliation	President of an unnamed entertainment company; Qin Xiao is one of the company’s artists 21
Occupation/Role	Film actor, wealthy young master, entertainment-company executive, and Song Mingzhou’s patron before becoming his acknowledged partner 22 41
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

In the original novel’s intended storyline, Duan Xun is a tragic villain: a cruel and vicious but complex character supposedly devoted to Shen Qing. The planned route has him suffer a permanent leg injury during a mountain fire, descend into madness, and eventually become a threat to those around the protagonists. 2 16 18

Duan Xun can hear Song Mingzhou’s inner voice and conversations with System 527, including Song’s knowledge of the original plot. He therefore learns that he is meant to be a villain and that Song’s missions require him to antagonize Shen Qing. 2 18

His first encounter with Song begins when an intoxicated Song enters his room and initiates a kiss. Duan Xun responds to Song’s advances, tends to him afterward, and then resumes a deliberately detached manner the following morning. 1 He later has Lin Cheng prepare a patron-and-lover contract for Song and accepts Song’s offer to use himself as collateral in exchange for help. 2 3 5

Although the original route casts Shen Qing as the center of Duan Xun’s devotion, Duan Xun privately recognizes that he does not actually like Shen Qing or care about Shen Qing’s relationship with Gu Yanting. He still rescues Shen Qing during the fire, but prepares in advance so that he avoids the injury that was meant to cripple him. 18 19

Appearance

Duan Xun is a strikingly attractive man with a controlled, aloof bearing that contrasts with the sensual impression he can make on camera. 4 15

• Cold, profound eyes and finely composed features 36
• Well-proportioned chest muscles and a small mole on his chin 4
• Often wears tailored dark clothing; he arrives at Song Mingzhou’s set in a black shirt and dark sunglasses 36
• Has long, straight legs and pale collarbones 46
• Uses a silver-white cane, at least on the morning after his first night with Song Mingzhou 2

Personality

Duan Xun is outwardly cool, languid, and difficult to read. He is accustomed to control, values personal boundaries, and has a reputation intimidating enough that even fans describe him as someone who can curse people without restraint. 12 21 He can be bluntly possessive with Song, particularly when he believes someone else has received Song’s attention. 45 48

Around Song, Duan Xun is far more playful than his public image suggests. He enjoys provoking Song’s jealousy, listens closely to Song’s complaints, and often performs sternness while quietly indulging him. 19 33 39 His concern is practical as well as emotional: he arranges transport, financial support, career opportunities, medical care, and protection from people who may exploit Song. 22 34 41

He is an avid reader, particularly of crime fiction and books involving serial-murder cases. 15 19

Abilities & Skills

Eavesdropping on Song Mingzhou’s Inner Voice

Duan Xun can hear Song’s unspoken thoughts and his exchanges with System 527, while concealing this knowledge from Song.

• Learns of Song’s transmigration, missions, and the original novel’s planned plot through Song’s internal conversations. 2 18
• Uses foreknowledge of the mountain fire to avoid being struck and losing the use of his leg. 18
• Plays along with Song’s mission-driven behavior rather than exposing that he knows the truth. 19 42
• The cause and limits of this ability are not explained in the available chapters.

Physical Ability

Duan Xun is notably strong and flexible.

• Performs a backbend while holding Song Mingzhou during a variety-show challenge. 8
• Navigates the mountain fire while supporting Shen Qing, despite severe smoke exposure. 18
• Avoids the leg injury expected by the original plot through prior preparation. 18

Entertainment and Business Influence

As an executive and established actor, Duan Xun can mobilize substantial professional and financial resources.

• Has Lin Cheng draft Song Mingzhou’s patron contract and manage later arrangements. 3 5
• Provides Song with multiple cars for filming transport, revising the arrangement when luxury cars would draw too much attention. 22 23
• Orders a black card and a two-million-yuan transfer after realizing he has not properly supported Song as a patron. 34
• Investigates Song’s scandal, handles its aftermath, and gives Song backing against Lu Fenghai. 33 35
• Introduces Song to Director Han, encourages Han to consider Song for a leading role, and makes investment negotiable for the project. 40 41

Relationships

• Song Mingzhou — Initially his contracted lover and patronage recipient; their relationship becomes mutually affectionate, and Duan Xun later tells Director Han that they are in a relationship. 2 18 38 41
• Shen Qing — A longtime acquaintance whom Duan Xun treats as a younger brother. He once protected Shen Qing, but increasingly keeps his distance after becoming involved with Song. 17 18 38
• Lin Cheng — Personal assistant and bodyguard. Lin Cheng manages contracts, transport, messages, medical errands, and access to Duan Xun. 5 19 38
• Director Han — Director and business contact. Duan Xun brings Song to meet him, supports Song’s potential casting, and entrusts Song’s protection to him. 40 41
• Qin Xiao — An actor employed by Duan Xun’s company. 21
• Gu Yanting — Shen Qing’s partner and Song’s rival. Duan Xun supports Song’s demand that Gu repay money owed to him. 37

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Patron Contract Arc — Duan Xun becomes interested in Song after seeing his aggressive Weibo posts, commissions a contract, and accepts Song as his lover in exchange for assistance. 2 3 5
• Variety Show Arc — He joins the dating show, repeatedly teases Song in public, gives Song flowers instead of Shen Qing, and becomes noticeably more relaxed and playful around Song. 6 8 14
• Mountain Fire Arc — He enters the fire to rescue Shen Qing but avoids the crippling injury expected by the original story; Song finds him, helps him escape, and openly declares that he came to save him. 16 18
• Patronage and Protection Arc — Duan Xun begins materially supporting Song with vehicles, money, a black card, scandal management, and promised retaliation against Gu Yanting. 22 34 36
• Set Visit and Confession Arc — He visits Song’s set, lets Song monopolize his time, confirms Song is his only lover, and increasingly allows their intimacy to be visible to others. 36 38 39
• Director Han Dinner Arc — Duan Xun brings Song to a business dinner, promotes him as a possible male lead, and openly identifies Song as his partner while requesting that Han protect him. 40 41
• Established Relationship Arc — He continues to show possessiveness, jealousy, and care for Song, including accompanying him to filming and openly sitting beside him when they encounter Shen Qing and Gu Yanting. 45 48 49

Notable Quotes

“You are only my... Only my little lover.” 19

“I’ll help you bully him back.” 36

“Him? We’re in a relationship.” 41

Trivia

• Duan Xun’s first variety-show appearance draws surprise because he is much happier and more playful around Song than viewers expect. 8
• He has a habit of leaving his phone with Lin Cheng, but Song’s messages make him repeatedly break that routine. 27
• He initially does not understand the practical obligations of being a patron and has Lin Cheng explain that money and resources are expected in the arrangement. 34