Zhang Yang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhang Yang (张杨)
Alias(es)	Yangyang
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Former child star; actor; returning entertainment-industry artist; Soul Shocker guest
Affiliation	Soul Shocker; Zhang family
First Appearance	Chapter 33

Background / History

Zhang Yang entered the entertainment industry at age three and became known as a child star before leaving to study abroad. He chose Soul Shocker as his comeback project after returning to the country. His early popularity gave him a favorable nostalgic public image before his behavior on the program damaged it. 33 35 36

According to information Wu Hui obtained from Zhang Yang’s former agent, Zhang Yang is Father Zhang’s illegitimate son. His mother allegedly pushed him into child acting to gain leverage over the Zhang family, forcing him to work across multiple productions rather than attend school. After she threatened to expose his identity, Father Zhang’s wife brought Zhang Yang into the family, while his mother was imprisoned for fraud and later transferred to a sanatorium. 44

Wu Hui further reports that Zhang Yang later announced his retirement and studied abroad to improve his public image after criticism of his education. He also alleges that Zhang Yang orchestrated a car accident that left his half-brother in a vegetative state before fleeing overseas. 44

Zhang Yang acquired a “Divine Book” whose setting and events appeared to match reality. Believing himself to be the book’s first-person figure—the person destined to accompany Gu Shiyan to wealth and power—he returned early, used his connections with Li Yu to join Soul Shocker, and attempted to take that role for himself. 43

Personality

Zhang Yang presents himself as bright, innocent, enthusiastic, and emotionally vulnerable, frequently calling Gu Shiyan “Brother Shiyan” and adopting a tearful, aggrieved demeanor when challenged. His performance is convincing enough that Chu Tian considers his child-star acting worth studying. 33 35

Behind this façade, he is jealous, possessive, calculating, and intensely fixated on Gu Shiyan. He resents Chu Tian’s closeness with Gu Shiyan, repeatedly tries to provoke conflict between them, and loses control when his plans deviate from the Divine Book’s predictions. 34 35 40 43

Abilities & Skills

Acting and Persona Management

A former child star, Zhang Yang can quickly construct a convincing social performance.

• Privately introduced himself to the other guests before filming, then greeted them on-camera as though meeting for the first time. 35
• Shifted from intrusive questioning to a tearful victim act when Gu Shiyan appeared, claiming Chu Tian had cursed him without cause. 33
• Used flattery, gifts, and claims of past connections to ingratiate himself with industry personnel. 46 47

Manipulation and Networking

Zhang Yang actively exploits relationships and industry access to position himself near Gu Shiyan.

• Secured a place on Soul Shocker through Li Yu by negotiating an exchange of benefits. 43
• Signed on as a regular guest for multiple upcoming episodes. 44
• Tried to gain Gu Shiyan’s gratitude by arranging for a director to expand Gu Shiyan’s scenes. 46
• Hosted the Qingjing Garden dinner that placed Soul Shocker guests near Li Yu, producers, and investors. 40

Divine Book Knowledge

The Divine Book gives Zhang Yang knowledge of a possible future centered on Gu Shiyan, though its events have already diverged from reality.

• It depicts Gu Shiyan rising from debt-ridden entertainer to an internationally renowned superstar and the world’s richest man. 43
• Zhang Yang believes the book’s first-person companion is a role he can claim for himself. 43
• His reliance on the book leaves him destabilized when Gu Shiyan avoids the gathering Zhang Yang expected him to attend. 43 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

*Soul Shocker* Comeback

Zhang Yang joins Soul Shocker as a returning child star and immediately probes Chu Tian about his relationship with Gu Shiyan. When Chu Tian rebuffs him, Zhang Yang attempts to frame the exchange as bullying in front of Gu Shiyan. 33

He reveals that his family once lived near the Gu family and claims he joined the show to reunite with Gu Shiyan. Gu Shiyan instead locks him outside the dressing room to speak privately with Chu Tian. 34

Interference with the Investigation

Zhang Yang attempts to partner with Gu Shiyan during the new mystery-game episode but spends much of the evidence search pestering him rather than participating. His perfunctory clue collection and poor analysis draw heavy livestream backlash. 35 36

He continues trying to insert himself between Gu Shiyan and Chu Tian, calling Gu Shiyan by his real name during immersive roleplay and dismissing their deductions. Chu Tian publicly rebukes him, while Gu Shiyan openly sides with Chu Tian. 39

Qingjing Garden Plot

Zhang Yang invites the cast to dinner at Qingjing Garden, where he separately arranges access to producers and investors. He confesses to Gu Shiyan, insists Chu Tian is coercing him through the Chu family, and offers to help Gu Shiyan leave Chu Tian. 40

He then directs Gu Shiyan toward Li Yu’s private room. Gu Shiyan refuses to leave the intoxicated guests unattended, preventing Zhang Yang’s plan from proceeding as intended. 40 41

Attempt to Control Gu Shiyan

Zhang Yang’s intended scheme was to use Li Yu’s gathering to get Gu Shiyan addicted to an unspecified substance, take him away, and make himself the only person Gu Shiyan could rely on. He viewed this as a shortcut to securing Gu Shiyan’s future wealth and power for himself. 43 44

The police raid ruins the operation. Zhang Yang avoids arrest despite hosting the dinner and is released after being summoned for questioning, increasing Chu Tian and Gu Shiyan’s suspicions. 41 43

Continued Access to Gu Shiyan

After Soul Shocker changes hands, Zhang Yang remains determined to stay on the program. He later visits Gu Shiyan’s drama set with desserts and attempts to use his supposed relationship with the director to obtain additional scenes for Gu Shiyan and create a debt of gratitude. 45 46

Gu Shiyan declines the arrangement, but accepts added scenes after Chu Tian is offered a guest role, leaving Zhang Yang furious that the same outcome was achieved without his favor. 46 47

Relationships

• Gu Shiyan — Former neighbor and the object of Zhang Yang’s obsession. Zhang Yang seeks to replace the Divine Book’s destined companion, manipulate Gu Shiyan into dependence, and gain access to his future power and wealth. 34 40 43 44
• Chu Tian — Romantic rival and primary obstacle. Zhang Yang tries to pry into his relationship with Gu Shiyan, drive the couple apart, and undermine him in front of others. 33 35 39 40
• Li Yu — Industry connection used to secure Zhang Yang’s Soul Shocker appearance and facilitate the Qingjing Garden arrangement. 34 43
• Zhang family — Zhang Yang’s paternal family. The family previously benefited from the Gu family’s business ties, then seized Gu projects and partners after the Gu family’s downfall. 37
• Zhang Yang’s mother — Reportedly pushed him into child acting and used his fame in an attempt to force Father Zhang into marriage. Wu Hui describes Zhang Yang as having inherited her obsessive and extreme temperament. 44

Notable Quotes

“Brother Shiyan, I really do like you. I had my reasons back then.” 40

“Why? Why! No, this is wrong! That's not what the Divine Book said.” 43

Trivia

• Zhang Yang is a year older than Chu Tian. 33
• His child-star reputation initially earns him a warm welcome from viewers, but his conduct on Soul Shocker rapidly turns public opinion against him. 35 36
• He views Gu Shiyan’s rejection of favors differently depending on who provides them: he is angered when Gu Shiyan refuses his arrangement, but Gu Shiyan accepts a similar opportunity once it is tied to Chu Tian. 46 47