Xu Yong

Biodata

Background / History

Xu Yong was Lin Tian's deskmate for nearly three years of high school. Their friendship began through relentless mutual trash talk, with Xu Yong recognizing Lin Tian as a kindred spirit after being viciously cursed for secretly eating Lin Tian's takeout 35 79.

Although his family is well-off—his father is a prominent seafood merchant in Qingjiang—Xu Yong worked part-time at SWING alongside Lin Tian to save money for a gaming computer 9 35 271. He was ranked 31st in his class and outside the top 100 in the grade before Lin Tian's academic surge drew his envy and disbelief 107.

Xu Yong planned to study animation at Chuan Du University. After spending much of his final school term studying without Lin Tian, he scored 534 on the Gaokao, reaching the first-tier university cutoff and gaining greater confidence in pursuing his own future 54 355.

Personality

Xu Yong is outspoken, impulsive, and prone to crude jokes. He follows online forum culture closely, gossips freely, and habitually turns serious situations into exaggerated banter—especially when Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu are involved 7 8 75.

Behind his loud behavior, he is observant and loyal. He notices Lin Tian becoming gentler after meeting Gan Yan Yu, recognizes that Lin Tian's university choice is connected to her, and supports his friend's ambitions even while openly envying his success 72 104. When Lin Tian needed money for a piano, Xu Yong was prepared to hand over the 8,000 yuan he had saved for his computer 330.

Xu Yong is deeply insecure about romance and his own worth. He once rejected a junior's confession because he believed his sensitivity and tendency to overthink would only hurt her; he later admits that he had noticed Su Ran's affection but felt unable to meet her expectations 330. His academic progress helps him adopt a more self-directed outlook on life 355.

Relationships

• Lin Tian — Best friend and former deskmate. They worked together at SWING, trade constant insults, and remain close even after Lin Tian's rise to fame 9 79 330 427.
• Gan Yan Yu — Lin Tian's musical partner and Xu Yong's schoolmate. Xu Yong initially reacts dramatically to her closeness with Lin Tian, but later provides her study advice that she credits for helping her Gaokao preparation 75 356.
• Su Ran — Classmate and eventual romantic partner. Their relationship begins through frequent arguments and mutual teasing; Su Ran later stays by Xu Yong despite his insecurity and supports his university studies 224 330 477.

Story Role / Major Arcs

High School Friendship

Xu Yong is among the first people to witness Lin Tian's changing life. He works with Lin Tian at SWING, discovers the viral video of Lin Tian's piano performance, and helps him understand the scale of his sudden school popularity 9 23 24.

When Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu begin building Moonlight and Cat, Xu Yong identifies Su Ran as someone knowledgeable about Douyin and connects Lin Tian with her 51 52. He is also one of the few people who knows that Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu are behind the account 104.

Pursuing His Own Path

Xu Yong's admiration for Lin Tian gradually becomes motivation. Lin Tian's advice that love is only one part of life prompts Xu Yong to reconsider his priorities, while Lin Tian's success pushes him to take his own studies and animation ambitions more seriously 79 355.

After achieving 534 on the Gaokao, Xu Yong describes the score as the culmination of his high-school efforts and resolves to work toward his own goals rather than compare himself to Lin Tian 355.

Reunion and Continued Support

Before Lin Tian leaves Qingzhou for Beijing, Xu Yong reunites with him at their former workplace, SWING. Lin Tian reflects on Xu Yong's past support and the likelihood that their paths will diverge after graduation 330.

As a university student, Xu Yong travels with Su Ran to Beijing for Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu's departure ceremony. Though initially intimidated by Lin Tian's fame, he reaffirms that he will help his friend however he can 427 428.

Notable Quotes

“Life is ultimately your own. Even if it's not as good as others', you still have to work towards your own goals.” 355