Zheng Zaisheng

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zheng Zaisheng (郑再升)
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Film director and screenwriter
Known Work	Old Street — director and screenwriter
Status	Alive; active in screenwriting and directing 186
First Appearance	Chapter 147

Background

Zheng Zaisheng grew up in a poor village and left school during his final year of high school when his family could no longer afford to support him. After moving away with fellow villagers, he took odd jobs while continuing to write; his first serialized story earned him 1,000 yuan. 159

He began a relationship with Xie Yan, a fellow villager who later rose from nightclub security work into management. When Xie Yan chose to pursue the nightclub owner’s daughter, Wang Yingrou, he had Zheng assaulted to prove his loyalty: Zheng was beaten until three ribs were broken, doused in alcohol and urine, and abandoned after the attack. 159 179 180

After leaving the hospital early because he could only afford three days of treatment, Zheng survived through writing and periods of hunger. The trauma left him socially anxious, self-blaming, and wary of crowded social and business settings. 180

Appearance

Zheng is a thin, pale man with a quiet, scholarly bearing. He often wears gold-rimmed glasses and favors restrained, practical clothing. 156 162

• Slender hands with long, pale fingers and neatly rounded nails. 162
• His eyes are gentle and composed, though easily reveal his anxiety. 172
• Wore a black turtleneck and khaki overcoat during Old Street publicity events. 176
• Has a faint lily-of-the-valley scent from his shower gel. 178

Personality

Zheng is introverted, polite, and highly sensitive to other people’s emotions. Crowds, social obligations, and perceived contempt make him visibly uneasy, and he is accustomed to retreating into solitude and work rather than confronting discomfort. 148 162

Despite this timidity, he is principled in both work and relationships. He refuses to let buyers radically alter his scripts or characters, prioritizing the integrity of a story over money. 178 He is also capable of unexpected resolve: when confronted by Xie Yan, he rejects his apology, fights back, and refuses to let his past be rewritten. 179

His long habit of blaming himself begins to break after Zhao Linxiu helps him confront the truth of Xie Yan’s abuse. Zheng ultimately recognizes that he was not responsible for what happened to him. 180

Professional Work

Directing and Screenwriting

Zheng is socially anxious around people but exacting about film production. He prefers actors to understand a scene through the script and intuition rather than through extensive explanation. 148

• Writes slowly and deliberately; a script takes him at least a year, sometimes longer. 175
• Insists that adaptations preserve the logic, story, and characters he created. 178
• Favors emotionally layered, dialogue-light scenes that rely on actors’ eyes and body language. 148
• Is recognized within the industry as a renowned director, though he previously avoided public visibility and high-society networking. 162

*Old Street*

Old Street is Zheng’s major project with Jiang Tingxu and Si You. Its protagonist, Yu Ning, embodies the gentleness, resilience, and hope Zheng once lost and gradually recovered. 159

• Jiang Tingxu selected the film as his final acting project before retirement and wanted Si You as the other lead. 147
• Zheng initially doubted Si You but cast him as Yu Ning after his dialogue-free audition exceeded expectations. 148
• He directed Jiang Tingxu as Chu Lingjun and Si You as Yu Ning; their first reunion scene was completed in one take. 150
• Si You’s portrayal of Yu Ning helped Zheng release much of the pain that had shaped his work and see himself as capable of moving forward. 159
• The film became a major success after its Lunar New Year release, receiving particular praise for its grounded writing and Si You’s performance. 176
• Zheng won Best Screenwriter for Old Street at the Flying Dragon Awards. 185

Relationships

• Zhao Linxiu — Boyfriend. Zhao’s patient courtship, protection, and open affection gradually help Zheng trust love again. Zheng confesses to him after recognizing that Xie Yan’s abuse was not his fault. 162 176 180
• Si You — Actor, friend, and emotional catalyst. Si You’s performance as Yu Ning helps Zheng confront his past, while his steady enthusiasm makes Zheng feel safe in social settings. 148 159 162
• Jiang Tingxu — Lead actor in Old Street and trusted professional collaborator. Jiang’s confidence in Zheng’s work helps secure the film’s cast, while Jiang also warns Zhao not to treat Zheng’s feelings lightly. 147 163
• Xie Yan — Former lover and abuser from Zheng’s hometown. Xie Yan betrayed Zheng for status, orchestrated his assault and humiliation, then later attempted to force his way back into Zheng’s life. 159 179
• He Qing — Screenwriter and creative collaborator. The two quickly find common ground during a script discussion and continue writing together while drunk. 182
• Fang Jin — Friend within Si You’s circle and a prospective investor in Zheng and He Qing’s new project. 182

Major Arcs

Healing Through *Old Street*

While filming Old Street, Zheng recognizes that Yu Ning is an idealized reflection of the person he once was: someone gentle, optimistic, and able to keep moving after hardship. Watching Si You bring that character to life helps him release some of his long-held grief. 159

The project’s success also pushes Zheng into public life. Though initially overwhelmed by interviews, fan events, and his sudden online popularity, he slowly becomes more comfortable with being seen. 176 177

Relationship with Zhao Linxiu

Zhao begins pursuing Zheng after meeting him on the Old Street set. He protects Zheng from social humiliation, offers investment support without demanding repayment, and approaches his anxiety with unusual patience. 159 162 178

After Xie Yan attacks Zheng, Zhao intervenes, gets him medical care, and helps him challenge his reflexive self-blame. Zheng then admits his feelings, and the two begin a relationship. 179 180

Zheng later moves into Zhao’s home for safety while Xie Yan remains a threat. Their relationship settles into a domestic routine of shared meals, gardening, scriptwriting, and mutual care. 184 186

Breaking from Xie Yan

When Xie Yan reappears, Zheng initially reacts with panic and physical revulsion, but he ultimately refuses reconciliation and fights to escape him. 178 179

Zhao uses his influence to isolate Xie Yan professionally, while Zheng’s growing distance from his old life is reflected in his eventual inability to immediately recognize news about Ankang Group, formerly Shengmao. 181 186

Notable Quotes

“Si You, the only person I miss is the innocent, brave version of myself from back then.” 159

“If you think they did, then they definitely did.” 177

“It wasn't my fault. It was Xie Yan's fault.” 180