Gu Shiyan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Shiyan (顾时晏)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Contracted artist under Cao Ying's entertainment company; guest on Soul Shocker
Occupation / Role	Actor; protagonist of the original novel premise
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background

Gu Shiyan was born into a wealthy family, but the Gu family's collapse left him burdened by enormous debts. His father, driven to desperation by creditors, died after falling from a building; his mother died of sudden illness soon afterward, leaving Gu Shiyan alone. The Zhang family, once neighboring business associates, exploited the Gu family's downfall by taking its projects and partners. 1 37

To enter the entertainment industry, he signed a restrictive contract with a small company managed by Cao Ying. Cao Ying turned an alleged favor into a nine-figure debt with predatory interest, keeping Gu Shiyan trapped while extracting his earnings and labor. 2 3 13

In the original novel's projected storyline, Gu Shiyan rises through his work, clears his debts, investigates the people responsible for the Gu family's ruin, and brings them to justice. 1

Appearance

Gu Shiyan is widely recognized for his exceptional looks, with viewers describing him as a standout visual from the moment of his debut. His imposing, restrained bearing often reinforces the aloof image he projects onscreen. 6 7

• Strikingly handsome, with a notably strong physique. 7 25
• Often wears a stern or unreadable expression. 7 8
• For his Soul Shocker butler role, he wore slicked-back hair, a black tailcoat, white shirt, black bow tie, and white gloves. 6 7

Personality

Gu Shiyan is reserved, disciplined, and notably self-controlled. He generally speaks little outside of work, maintains professional boundaries, and handles directors and colleagues with measured tact rather than open confrontation. 6 46 47

He is fiercely self-reliant. Though trapped by Cao Ying's contract, he rejects pity and remains determined to free himself through his own efforts. His work ethic is extreme; he pushes himself relentlessly because he sees success as his way out. 13

Beneath his restrained exterior, Gu Shiyan is observant, dryly playful, and increasingly protective of Chu Tian. He often notices details others miss, quietly indulges Chu Tian's antics, and uses teasing remarks to expose Chu Tian's embarrassment. 7 29 34 When Chu Tian is harmed, however, his composure can break entirely. 48 50

Abilities & Skills

Inner Thought Perception

Gu Shiyan can hear Chu Tian's unspoken inner thoughts despite Chu Tian's lips remaining closed. He initially suspects the phenomenon is an illusion, then confirms it after repeatedly hearing information Chu Tian never says aloud. 2 3

• Uses the information to recognize dangers around Cao Ying, Li Yu, and Zhang Yang. 3 11 43
• Avoided attending Li Yu's gathering after becoming wary from Chu Tian's thoughts, preventing his involvement in the subsequent police raid. 43
• The cause and limits of this ability are not explained in the available chapters.

Deduction and Investigation

Gu Shiyan is an effective mystery-game participant who remains focused on evidence even under pressure.

• Correctly connected evidence in Soul Shocker to the theory that the guests were dolls inhabited by spirits, independently reaching the same conclusion as Chu Tian. 36
• Won the first Soul Shocker case after the scripted reveal identified his butler character as the murderer. 14
• Maintains concentration despite uncooperative partners, including Zhang Yang. 36

Acting and Action Work

Gu Shiyan is a rising actor whose popularity grows rapidly after his appearances on Soul Shocker. Directors begin sending him offers based on both his image and the attention surrounding the show. 19

• Portrays the butler in Soul Shocker and later plays the fourth male lead in Nine Provinces Sword. 6 21
• Trains with the action director for combat scenes and wirework, as his Nine Provinces Sword role requires rooftop leaps and weapon fighting. 24
• Declines unnecessary added scenes tactfully, prioritizing the production's stability and his existing schedule. 46

Combat

Gu Shiyan is capable of decisive physical violence when provoked by harm to Chu Tian.

• Subdues and brutally beats Guo Fumei's boyfriend after witnessing him injure Chu Tian. 48
• Remains composed while facing the Wang family's hired thugs in the hospital. 49

Story Role

Debut and Dating Agreement

At the beginning of the story, Gu Shiyan's debut guest slot on Soul Shocker is obstructed by Chu Tian. After Chu Tian apologizes and returns the opportunity, Cao Ying pressures Gu Shiyan to exploit the resulting rumors and enter a mutually beneficial dating agreement with Chu Tian. Gu Shiyan ultimately agrees, partly because the contract offers publicity and protection while he is overwhelmed by debt. 1 3 4

*Soul Shocker*

Assigned as Chu Tian's partner during the horror mystery program, Gu Shiyan initially regards him as an arrogant nuisance. Chu Tian's frightened but sincere attempts to protect him gradually change that impression. 7

Gu Shiyan publicly treats Chu Tian as his ally and boyfriend, refusing Tian Qianqian's proposed alliance and physically keeping Chu Tian beside him. 9 10 He later shields Chu Tian from Qian Feihe's outburst and comforts him during the horror segment, holding his hand despite never having offered such reassurance to anyone before. 11

His character is revealed as the first episode's scripted murderer, an orphan who killed Master Huai in revenge for the sacrifice of his younger brother. Gu Shiyan wins the 500,000-yuan prize but appears more concerned with Chu Tian than with the victory. 14

*Nine Provinces Sword* and Career Growth

Following an injury, Gu Shiyan receives a surge of offers and chooses Nine Provinces Sword because he values its original source material. 18 19 On the troubled production, he is targeted by Wang Yang, who wants his scenes reduced out of jealousy. 25

After the production collapses, Chu Tian begins arranging a new adaptation closer to the original novel and reaches a preliminary agreement with Gu Shiyan for him to play the male lead. Gu Shiyan accepts Chu Tian's sincerity and the proposed eight-million-yuan salary. 31 32

Zhang Yang's Interference

Zhang Yang presents himself as Gu Shiyan's childhood acquaintance, but Gu Shiyan dismisses him and later explains that their families were merely neighbors and business associates. The Zhang family profited from the Gu family's downfall, making Zhang Yang's attempted reunion particularly unwelcome. 34 37

Zhang Yang later attempts to manipulate Gu Shiyan through Li Yu's private gathering, intending to drug and control him. Gu Shiyan avoids the trap after hearing Chu Tian's warnings through his inner thoughts. 43 44

Protection of Chu Tian

As Gu Shiyan and Chu Tian grow closer, Gu Shiyan becomes increasingly open in his care: he prepares porridge for Chu Tian after a hangover, takes him home when he is drunk, and watches over him on set. 41 43 47

When Chu Tian is injured while protecting Guo Fumei, Gu Shiyan abandons his usual gentlemanly restraint and attacks the man responsible. He then carries Chu Tian to the hospital and remains at his side while he recovers. 48 49 50

Relationships

• Chu Tian — Contractual boyfriend and Soul Shocker partner. Their relationship begins as a publicity-driven agreement but develops through mutual protection, teasing, and growing trust. 4 11 34 49
• Cao Ying — Manager and contractual controller. Cao Ying exploits Gu Shiyan's debt, pressures him into damaging arrangements, and seeks profit over his welfare. 3 13
• Zhang Yang — Former neighbor who claims to be a childhood friend. Gu Shiyan rejects his advances and remains wary of his attempts at manipulation and control. 34 37 43
• Chu Maoming — Chu Tian's older brother. He is initially distrustful of Gu Shiyan and questions Chu Tian's involvement with him. 18 20
• Zhou Han — Nine Provinces Sword colleague who warns Gu Shiyan that Wang Yang is trying to have his scenes cut. 25
• Tian Qianqian — Fellow Soul Shocker guest who seeks an alliance with Gu Shiyan; he declines because he has already chosen Chu Tian as his ally. 9 10
• Li Yu — Soul Shocker director whose industry gathering becomes part of a scheme that could have endangered Gu Shiyan. 40 43 44

Notable Quotes

“Sorry, I already have an ally.” 9

“I believe you.” 32

“How dare you hurt him?” 48

Trivia

• Gu Shiyan won 500,000 yuan for solving the first Soul Shocker scenario as the scripted culprit. 14
• He changes Chu Tian's contact name to “Little Liar” after Chu Tian avoids him following the “boyfriend” incident. 33