Duan Xu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Duan Xu (段煦)
Alias(es)	Xuxu
Gender	Male
Secondary Gender	Omega; initially believed himself to be a beta before undergoing late secondary differentiation 10 44
Affiliation	University student; mixed-major dormitory; Cycling Club 1 4
Occupation/Role	Visual communication student; occasional part-time worker 1 9 27
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Duan Xu fainted from heatstroke during military training and experienced a vivid dream that appeared to reveal his future as a minor “cannon fodder” character in a novel. In that future, he developed feelings for Han Xi, mistakenly believed Shen Yanlang had betrayed him, repeatedly interfered with Shen and Han’s relationship, and ultimately caused Shen to use his family influence against the Duan family. Duan Xu and both of his parents then died in a car accident while leaving the country. 1

When Shen Yanlang unexpectedly became his roommate three days later, Duan Xu treated the dream as real and initially responded to Shen with terror and avoidance. He resolved to evade his supposed fate by changing jobs and avoiding Han Xi altogether. 1 2

Duan Xu then awakened the ability to hear Shen Yanlang’s unspoken thoughts. After realizing that Shen genuinely wanted to befriend him, Duan abandoned his avoidance strategy and began deliberately building a friendship with him through shared meals, classes, contact information, and the Cycling Club. 2 3 4

During a blackout after the National Day holiday, Duan Xu detected Shen’s faint pheromones—something an ordinary beta should not have been able to do. A hospital examination confirmed that he was undergoing unusually late secondary differentiation into an omega; doctors warned that the process would take months and that his first heat could be unusually severe. 10 11

Duan initially believed that Shen was destined to be with Han Xi and repeatedly interpreted Shen’s possessiveness as friendship or a dangerous deviation from the “original plot.” Shen’s affection became increasingly impossible to dismiss, however, particularly after he publicly pursued and defended Duan. Duan’s anxiety eased when he learned that Han Xi and Xue Jingshu were dating. 18 21 24 25 26

After fully differentiating into an adult omega, Duan admitted to his parents that Shen was effectively his boyfriend and planned to confess properly. He and Shen later formally became boyfriends during the New Year holiday. 44 48 49

By Chapter 50, Duan begins showing signs that his first heat is approaching. Shen immediately leaves to support him, while his mother reminds him that caring for Duan is a lifelong responsibility and that he must not complete a mating mark during Duan’s vulnerable first heat. 50

Appearance

Duan Xu is a delicate, fair-skinned young man with a soft, youthful appearance that Shen Yanlang initially compares to that of a high-school student. 1 3

• Light-brown, almond-shaped eyes often compared to a startled deer’s. 1 2
• Fair neck, smooth pale skin, and a slight build. 1 10
• Bright, expressive eyes that Shen privately praises as beautiful. 7
• His omega pheromones carry a jasmine scent. 10 29

Personality

Duan Xu is cautious, imaginative, and strongly motivated by self-preservation. The dream of his family’s death leaves him convinced that he must avoid predetermined tragedy, and he often interprets events through the lens of being “cannon fodder.” 1 2 21

Despite his anxious first impression, he is considerate and emotionally perceptive. He accepts Shen Yanlang’s friendship after hearing his sincere thoughts, appreciates the concern of his roommates, and works part-time despite having a financially comfortable family because he wants to be independent. 3 9 27

He is easily flustered by romance and particularly by Shen’s thoughts, which frequently reveal attraction that Shen does not say aloud. Duan tends to avoid direct confrontation when overwhelmed, but gradually becomes more honest with himself about his feelings and refuses to rush into a relationship before he feels emotionally and physically ready. 16 21 28 40

Duan is also more courageous than he considers himself. When confronted by a drunken alpha who harasses him and Zhou Zhou, he verbally stands up for both of them before Shen intervenes. 29

Abilities & Characteristics

Hearing Shen Yanlang’s Thoughts

After his heatstroke dream, Duan develops the ability to hear Shen Yanlang’s inner voice despite Shen not speaking aloud. 2

• Only Shen Yanlang’s thoughts are audible to him; Duan tests the ability on Zhou Zhou and hears nothing beyond spoken words. 2
• Shen must be within approximately three meters and inside Duan’s line of sight. 3
• If Shen remains nearby but leaves Duan’s sight, the thoughts cease after roughly three minutes. 3
• The ability lets Duan recognize Shen’s concern, jealousy, attraction, and private plans, but it also causes frequent misunderstandings and embarrassment. 3 18 24

Late Omega Differentiation

Duan believed he was a beta without scent glands until he began an abnormal late differentiation into an omega. 8 10

• His pheromones smell like jasmine. 10
• Doctors warn that his differentiation will take two to three months and that his heats may be more intense than average. 11
• His completed differentiation is medically confirmed as normal by Chapter 44, though his first heat remains a serious concern. 44
• He can detect Shen Yanlang’s wood-and-sunlight pheromone scent, which initially exposes that he is not an ordinary beta. 10

Equipment / Items

• Inhibitors — Two bottles prescribed as a precaution during his late differentiation, though doctors advise against relying on them heavily. 11
• Suppressor patches — Used to mask his increasingly noticeable jasmine pheromones in public. 29
• Bear mascot costume — Worn during his five-day National Day job at Fantasy Amusement Park. 9

Relationships

• Shen Yanlang — Roommate, closest companion, and eventual boyfriend. Duan initially fears Shen because of his dream, then becomes his friend after hearing Shen’s desire for friendship. Their relationship develops through Shen’s open pursuit, Duan’s gradual acceptance, and their eventual confirmation as boyfriends. 1 3 24 40 48 49
• Zhou Zhou — Roommate and close friend. Zhou Zhou welcomes Shen into the dorm, teases Duan about his romance, defends him against hostile forum comments, and stands beside him during the service-area harassment incident. 2 25 29
• Xiao Xu — Roommate and friend from the School of Physical Education. Though quieter than Zhou Zhou, Xiao Xu is part of Duan’s supportive dorm circle and helps restrain the alpha who harasses Duan. 2 29
• Tang Che — Duan’s class Youth League secretary. Tang Che is friendly toward Duan and becomes a point of jealousy for Shen; he later confronts Shen over Duan’s safety and closeness. 7 19 22
• Han Xi — The omega Duan initially assumes is Shen’s destined partner and the person his dream-self supposedly loved. Duan’s fear of Han Xi as a romantic obstacle fades after Han begins dating Xue Jingshu. 6 21 26
• Xue Jingshu — Shen’s longtime acquaintance and student council president. Xue frequently teases Duan and Shen, assists Shen in identifying users who insult Duan online, and later becomes Han Xi’s boyfriend. 12 25 26
• Duan Hu and Qiu Shan — Duan’s affectionate, protective parents. Their possible deaths in his dream drive much of Duan’s fear of fate; after his differentiation, they support his choices while carefully questioning Shen’s intentions. 1 44 45

Major Arcs

Escaping the “Cannon Fodder” Fate

Duan’s core conflict begins with his belief that he is destined to cause his own family’s ruin by interfering with Shen Yanlang and Han Xi. He initially tries to avoid both the plot and Han Xi, then realizes that altering his choices may have already changed the future. 1 2 10

Becoming Shen Yanlang’s Friend

After discovering that Shen wants a peaceful relationship with his roommate, Duan changes from fearful avoidance to active friendship. He accepts shared meals, exchanges contact details, attends classes with Shen, and joins the Cycling Club partly to remain close to him. 3 4

Late Differentiation

Duan’s presumed beta identity is overturned when he begins differentiating into an omega. The process forces him to confront medical risks, pheromone sensitivity, public safety concerns, and the changing nature of his relationship with Shen, an alpha. 10 11 29 44

Shen Yanlang’s Pursuit

After Shen admits that he only likes Duan, he begins pursuing him through meals, walks, studying, part-time work, and public support. Duan resists verbally but becomes increasingly aware that his embarrassment and jealousy are signs of reciprocated feelings. 24 25 26

Official Relationship

During the mountain trip, Duan acknowledges that he wants Shen but asks him to wait until he is ready. After returning home for the New Year, Duan prepares to confess and the two officially become boyfriends. 28 40 45 48

Notable Quotes

“Rogue! You big rogue!” 20

“I don’t believe you.” 40

“I want that too.” 40

Trivia

• Duan’s first alcoholic experience leaves him heavily intoxicated after only three cans of beer. 8
• He is skilled enough with visual-design software to study Photoshop independently for his coursework. 24
• He worked as a bear mascot at Fantasy Amusement Park during the National Day holiday. 9
• He initially assumes Shen’s jealousy and possessiveness are simply signs of close friendship. 7 9