Xue Boyu

Biodata

Background / History

Xue Boyu reached peak popularity upon debut at nineteen. His gentle treatment of fans, respect for seniors, sweet-puppy image, and formidable family background made him the most popular guest associated with Spring Heartbeat. 10

He was paired on the show with screenwriter He Qing. Although Boyu's fans initially opposed the pairing because he had only just entered university, He Qing's considerate treatment of him won them over, and their CP became the most supported pairing of the first season. 10 He Qing's car accident left Boyu temporarily without his partner during the following season. 10 12

Boyu entered A City's best drama academy without retaking exams or using connections, scoring forty-three points above the cultural-subject admission cutoff. He is strongest in Chinese and English, while mathematics—especially linear algebra—is his weak point. 21

At fifteen, he suffered a serious strain while practicing dance. Though specialists expected recovery with proper care, he was warned against strenuous activity; the injury continued to affect his back and legs. 31 33

Following his recovery from the mountain accident, Boyu joined The Strongest Stage as a mentor. He had already won several prestigious awards by this point, and his professional assessment of dance was treated as authoritative by viewers and fellow judges. 61 62

He later left for overseas further study. Despite the separation, he remains closely involved in He Qing's affairs and secretly returns to see him before the New Year. 167 171

Appearance

Xue Boyu is a fair-skinned young man with extraordinarily long eyelashes and clear, captivating eyes. His looks and temperament are repeatedly described as those of a classic “sweet puppy.” 10 11

• Long eyelashes that appear unreal 11
• Clear, expressive eyes 10
• Lean but solid frame despite his youthful appearance 28
• Considered especially eye-catching even when dressed in the show's concealing work uniform 24

Personality

Boyu is polite, gentle with fans, and respectful toward senior entertainers. He is socially adept enough to bring gifts for every guest when joining the Spring Heartbeat cast. 10 11

Despite his privileged upbringing, he is earnest and hardworking. He studies even during filming breaks, honestly admits when he does not understand something, and quickly tries to copy practical methods Si You teaches him. 21 24 He can also be naive and physically impulsive, particularly in unfamiliar outdoor situations. 13 31

Boyu becomes an enthusiastic observer of Jiang Tingxu and Si You's growing closeness. After witnessing Jiang quietly pat Si You's back while tending to him, Boyu's reaction condenses into: “I ship it.” 20

Although his usual image is straightforward and innocent, Boyu is fiercely protective of the people he loves. While abroad, he is prepared to use the Xue Household's connections against Qian Shen for targeting He Qing, revealing a possessive resolve and the poise of his family upbringing. 167

He is openly grateful and affectionate toward Si You after the mountain rescue, even when his conspicuous attention risks prompting unwanted CP speculation. 61 63

Abilities & Skills

Performing Arts

Boyu has acted in several dramas, though singing and dancing are his main focus. His family had planned to support his future debut as the center of a boy group after Spring Heartbeat. 31

• Trained extensively in singing and dance 31
• Has prior acting experience in several dramas 31
• His dance training contributed to lingering back and leg injuries 31 33
• Has won several prestigious professional awards by the time he serves as a mentor on The Strongest Stage. 62
• Performs a seamless collaborative dance rendition of “Ode to Qingcheng” with Si You, which is widely praised as the program's strongest performance to date. 74 75

Academic Ability

Boyu was admitted to a top drama academy on his own academic results. 21

• Scored forty-three points above the academy's cultural-subject cutoff 21
• Performs well in Chinese and English 21
• Struggles with linear algebra, but listens carefully and persists with his coursework 21
• Receives one-on-one tutoring from Si You on determinants and matrix operations 21
• Pursues further studies abroad after establishing himself professionally. 167

Sales and Practical Learning

During the apple-selling task, Boyu learns to sort fruit by quality, clean it, and use Si You's sales approach. He successfully sells apples after copying the method. 24

• Helps grade apples into different price tiers 24
• Learns to use cleaner presentation, signs, samples, and bargaining to attract customers 24
• Quickly applies Si You's approach to make a sale himself 24

Mentoring and Evaluation

As a mentor on The Strongest Stage, Boyu provides professional dance evaluations. Rather than offer insincere praise, he remains restrained when confronted with weak performances. 61 62

• Publicly supports Si You after arriving as a new mentor, helping counter the other judges' initial exclusion of him. 61
• Casts an important vote for Zhao Ningqian based on her performance rather than production pressure or backstage influence. 74
• Keeps a deliberate professional distance from Si You during public interviews to avoid manufactured CP promotion and to respect He Qing. 75

Health

• Sustained a serious dance-related strain at fifteen, leaving him vulnerable to back and leg problems during strenuous activity. 31 33
• Falls down a mountainside during the rice-carrying task after stepping into empty space; the incident aggravates his old waist injury and injures his knee. 31 33
• Develops a fever while awaiting rescue, but later recovers well after medical treatment. 33 36

Relationships

• He Qing — His original Spring Heartbeat partner and widely supported CP. He Qing's injury temporarily separates them during filming. 10 12 Their show pairing develops into a genuine romantic relationship; Boyu remains devoted to He Qing while abroad, secretly travels to see him, and refuses to give up after He Qing initially rejects his confession. 167 171
• Si You — Initially keeps his distance because of Si You's behavior in the previous season, but gradually comes to admire his competence, kindness, and willingness to protect others. Si You tutors him, shares work with him, and ultimately risks himself to save him during their fall. 13 21 24 31 33 Boyu views Si You as an elder brother and life-saving benefactor, publicly supports him as a mentor, and persistently tries to repay his debt of gratitude. 61 63
• Jiang Tingxu — Treats him as “Brother Jiang” and accepts Jiang's temporary guardianship while He Qing is absent. Boyu also becomes a devoted Jiang–Si shipper. 14 20 26 He continues following the Jiang–Si Super Topic through an alternate account and is delighted when the relationship proves real. 63 65
• Jiang Yao — Works alongside her during the mountain-produce task, helping shield her from the storm and later playing with her in puddles. 16 17
• Xue Ling — A relative who visits Si You in hospital to thank him for saving Boyu. 35 She also supports Si You's appointment to The Strongest Stage and later helps prepare the Xue family's gifts of thanks. 61 75
• Xue Baining — His eldest brother, who oversees an entertainment division and has managed much of Boyu's industry path. 64
• Xue Baiqing — His second elder brother. Boyu remains unaware of Baiqing's brief attraction to Si You and is instead preoccupied with enjoying Jiang Tingxu and Si You's relationship. 64 65
• Qian Shen — An adversary of He Qing who holds a grudge over being replaced in Palace of Clear Grace. Boyu is angered by Qian Shen's hostility and intends to protect He Qing through every connection available to him. 167

Story Role / Major Arcs

*Spring Heartbeat* Arrival

Boyu arrives to a far warmer reception than Si You, distributes gifts to the cast, and cautiously addresses Si You as “Brother Si You.” 11 He is surprised by Si You's changed routine and behavior, having known the previous-season version as a disruptive night owl. 12

Ancient-Town Missions

With He Qing absent, Boyu asks to join Si You and Jiang Tingxu's team. He initially keeps a small distance from Si You due to their past friction, but Si You's decision to share scarce cucumbers and water begins changing his view. 13 He later witnesses Si You's cooking, outdoor competence, and consideration for others, increasingly regarding him as a dependable older brother. 14 16 17

Si You's Student and Jiang–Si Shipper

Boyu receives Si You's tutoring in linear algebra and becomes impressed by his knowledge. 21 He also assists with apple sales by learning Si You's sorting and bargaining strategy. 24 Throughout this period, he repeatedly notices intimate moments between Si You and Jiang Tingxu and privately supports their relationship. 20 24 26 28

Mountain Fall and Rescue

During a task requiring guests to carry rice uphill, Boyu steps into empty space and falls down a mountainside. Si You catches his wrist but is dragged down with him. 31 Injured and feverish afterward, Boyu is splinted, fed wild grapes, reassured, and carried toward the rescue team by Si You despite Si You's own severe condition. 33 The incident solidifies Boyu's trust in Si You and leads his family to formally thank Si You after their recovery. 33 35

*The Strongest Stage*

Boyu appears as a mentor on The Strongest Stage and immediately seeks out Si You, openly treating him with the affection and concern of a younger brother reunited with his benefactor. 61 His enthusiastic public support becomes a viral source of CP speculation, despite his gratitude being sincere and his family backing his decision to support Si You. 61

He later votes according to merit rather than the production team's preferred results and joins Si You in an acclaimed performance of “Ode to Qingcheng.” 74 75 Afterward, the two intentionally maintain physical distance during interviews to reject fake romance marketing and avoid making He Qing uncomfortable. 75

Overseas Study and He Qing

After leaving for overseas study, Boyu and He Qing argue over the separation and temporarily give each other the cold shoulder. 167 When Si You informs him that Qian Shen has been targeting He Qing, Boyu asks Si You to protect him and reveals the intensity of his own concern. 167

Boyu later secretly returns before the New Year to see He Qing. Si You discovers the two kissing and reluctantly acts as their lookout while they spend time together, confirming that their former program CP has become an actual relationship. 171

Trivia

• The characters in Boyu's name are described as evoking the steadfastness of pine or cypress and the gentle beauty of uncut jade. 11
• He does not have a driver's license and lacks confidence driving electric vehicles. 24
• He is notably food-motivated; after Si You cooks for the group, he eats with such urgency that Si You tells him to slow down. 15
• Although he once viewed Si You warily, he later defends him in practice by trusting his judgment and accepting his help without hesitation. 13 31 33
• He is among the earliest close-range supporters of Jiang Tingxu and Si You's relationship and follows their CP Super Topic through an alternate account. 63
• He gave Si You two boxes of ginseng prepared by the Xue family as a continued expression of gratitude for saving his life. 75