Cheng Liang

Biodata

Background / History

Cheng Liang is Wen Chengze's childhood friend. He grew up in the same social circle as Wen Chengze and their other friends, and they remained in contact after Wen Chengze went abroad. When Wen Chengze returns to Haicheng without notifying the group, Cheng Liang calls him to complain and organizes a welcome-home gathering. 18

His family owns cultural-entertainment businesses, including Phoenix Dynasty Entertainment, one of the industry’s major companies. Cheng Liang began working at the company before graduating from college and serves as its general manager, though his father and grandfather continue to supervise him closely. 22 23

When Wen Chengze chooses to enter the entertainment industry, Cheng Liang supports the decision by signing him to Phoenix Dynasty on highly favorable terms. He becomes Wen Chengze’s direct superior and personally helps arrange his training, management, debut resources, and variety-show participation. 22 23 25 35

Personality

Cheng Liang is indulgent and protective toward Wen Chengze, often treating him as the pampered “little ancestor” of their friend group. He worries about Wen Chengze’s ability to adapt to the entertainment industry, checks on his training, and apologizes when he fails to ensure Wen Chengze gets home safely after a night out. 22 26 34

He is sociable and openly carefree about romance, frequently changing partners before developing feelings for Wen Chengze. His interest makes him unusually distracted and awkward around Wen Chengze; he misreads ordinary concern as special affection and privately imagines a future with him. 23 25

Despite his relaxed demeanor, Cheng Liang takes his company role seriously. He understands the value of connections and resources in entertainment, provides Wen Chengze with preferential arrangements, and seeks to build a good relationship with Zhong Mohan for business reasons. 23 26 28

Abilities & Skills

Entertainment Management

As Phoenix Dynasty Entertainment’s general manager, Cheng Liang has access to company resources and insider information.

• Personally signs Wen Chengze under a favorable contract designed as a formality rather than a restrictive commercial arrangement. 22
• Arranges private acting teachers rather than requiring Wen Chengze to attend standard trainee courses. 23
• Helps oversee the selection of Wen Chengze’s agent, assistants, training, scripts, costumes, props, and supporting cast. 23 25 35
• Provides insider details on the actor-training variety show jointly produced by Phoenix Dynasty and Zhong Mohan. 26

Social Connections

Cheng Liang is well connected within Haicheng’s wealthy social circle and the entertainment industry.

• Organizes Wen Chengze’s reunion with their childhood friends after his return to the country. 18
• Uses his family’s company as Wen Chengze’s entry point into the entertainment industry. 22
• Invites Zhong Mohan to join his group at a club in hopes of establishing a favorable business relationship. 28

Relationships

• Wen Chengze — Childhood friend and signed artist under Phoenix Dynasty Entertainment. Cheng Liang is openly indulgent and protective toward him, while privately harboring romantic feelings that he struggles to confess. 18 22 25 26 27
• Zhong Mohan — A powerful business contact through Phoenix Dynasty’s cooperation with Zhong Mohan. Cheng Liang is intimidated by him but actively tries to maintain good relations for business purposes. 23 28
• Cheng Liang’s father — His father is involved in Phoenix Dynasty’s dealings and closely monitors Cheng Liang’s work performance. 23
• Cheng Liang’s grandfather — A senior Cheng Household figure whose approval Cheng Liang is concerned about; he is implied to be part of the family leadership overseeing him. 23 25
• Zhuo Wenyu — Wen Chengze’s manager, whom Cheng Liang brings in after struggling to find another suitable candidate for Wen Chengze. 25

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wen Chengze’s Return

After Wen Chengze returns from abroad, Cheng Liang contacts him over his failure to inform their friend group and arranges a reunion. He continues to treat Wen Chengze with the same protective familiarity established in childhood. 18

Phoenix Dynasty Entertainment

Cheng Liang becomes central to Wen Chengze’s entertainment-industry plan by offering him a contract with Phoenix Dynasty Entertainment. He gives Wen Chengze privileged support, including personal training arrangements and a handpicked management team. 22 23 25

Actor-Training Variety Show

Cheng Liang introduces Wen Chengze to the actor-training variety show as a rapid way to gain public attention. He explains that the production is a major Phoenix Dynasty project co-produced with Zhong Mohan and helps secure Wen Chengze’s debut resources. 26 35

Unspoken Pursuit

Cheng Liang brings Wen Chengze to a club intending to broaden his views on same-sex relationships and confess his own feelings. He learns that Wen Chengze is not opposed to homosexuality, but Zhong Mohan interrupts Cheng Liang before he can finish asking about Wen Chengze’s romantic interests. 26 27

Trivia

• Cheng Liang calls Wen Chengze “Xiao Ze” and is sometimes corrected when he refers to him as a “little ancestor.” 22 34
• He avoids touching Wen Chengze’s forehead after remembering that Wen Chengze’s skin reddens easily. 22
• Cheng Liang initially assumes Wen Chengze’s exceptional appearance alone could make him popular in entertainment. 22
• He is described as young and handsome, with no shortage of romantic attention. 23