Shen Ranxin

Biodata

Background / History

Shen Ranxin transmigrated into the body and role of a disgraced former child star who was fated to serve as a vicious supporting villain: pursue Cheng Cheng, be ruined by Lu Zhi, and eventually die by jumping into the sea. A system offered him an enormous cash reward for completing that predetermined storyline, then shut down immediately after he accepted the contract. He enters Instant Heartbeat intending to recreate the novel’s plot from memory. 1

To perform his assigned role, Shen publicly presents himself as Cheng Cheng’s devoted admirer while manufacturing conflict with Lu Zhi. His first attempt—staging a restroom confrontation for hidden cameras—fails to produce the expected enmity when Lu Zhi responds with unmistakable interest in him instead. 1 4

Shen’s five-year absence from the entertainment industry is associated with persistent public accusations that he was involved in a fire that killed two people. The chapters present these as hostile rumors rather than confirmed facts, while his return draws an unusually organized wave of efforts to prevent his comeback. 8 13 The fire was ultimately revealed to have been part of Shen Ziqing’s attempt to escape the Federation after his crimes were exposed. Shen Ziqing trapped Shen Ranxin and Liang Mei in a burning building, and Shen Ranxin was severely injured while attempting to save his mother. 122 Following the exposure of concealed evidence, Shen’s wrongful implication in the fire was publicly cleared. 160

He suffers from fragmented or missing memories, including gaps surrounding prior connections with Lu Zhi and Cheng Cheng. Cheng Cheng’s warning that Shen may “regain his memories,” Lu Zhi’s fear of what Shen has forgotten, and Shen’s instinctive reactions to both men make clear that his current understanding of the past is incomplete. 18 32 45

Shen’s recovered memories reveal that he was raised by Shen Ziqing and Liang Mei in an abusive environment shaped by illegal gland research. As a child, Shen Ziqing forced him to choose between protecting his mother and protecting Shen Qi, his slave-born companion. Shen refused the false choice and attempted to seek outside help, but Shen Ziqing intercepted the plan, forcibly removed Shen Qi’s gland, and transplanted it into Shen. 91 92 Shen experienced severe rejection after the operation and remained devoted to Shen Qi despite being abandoned by him soon afterward. 92

Shen had also encountered Lu Zhi in a slave market when they were children. Shen Ziqing had brought him there to choose a companion, but young Shen rejected the quiet Lu Zhi and chose Shen Qi instead. Though he did not select Lu Zhi, he objected to the traffickers’ violence toward him and instinctively recognized that Lu Zhi had not intended to hurt him. 57 This rejection became one of the central wounds underlying Lu Zhi’s later fear of being replaced. 82 83

Appearance

Shen is a strikingly handsome Alpha-presenting omega with a cold, sharp presence that is not overshadowed even beside Gu Yifei. His lowered gaze is described as icy and dismissive, while his lean, pale build contrasts with Lu Zhi’s heavier musculature. 4 30

• Cool-toned, porcelain-pale complexion. 29
• Lean physique with subtle abdominal definition and a narrow waist. 30 44
• Naturally intimidating, aloof expression. 4
• His restrained appearance can become markedly alluring in formal, traditional, or revealing costumes, drawing visible reactions from Lu Zhi, Cheng Cheng, Shen Qi, and viewers. 98 99
• Pheromones carry a light, clean blend of woody notes, orange blossom, ebony, and cedar; early descriptions also compare his leaked scent to brandy mixed with cool cedar. 2

Personality

Shen cultivates an image of an arrogant, vicious, and emotionally detached villain, but much of his behavior is reactive, theatrical, or shaped by his belief that he must follow a script. He is blunt enough to unplug an unbearable performance mid-song, threaten Director Chen with a fruit knife, and proudly declare that he has no fans. 4 5 13

He is practical, opportunistic, and unusually skilled at turning the show’s rules into profit. He prioritizes food, points, and eventual financial independence over romantic drama, often treating obvious courtship as an inconvenience or a business opportunity. 14 19 27

Despite his harsh manner, Shen repeatedly shows care through actions rather than reassurance. He plants Gu Yifei’s Paperbush himself after frightening him, rescues Gu from fans, buys him ice cream, and immediately spends part of his earnings on bedding for Lu Zhi. 13 27

Shen is intensely protective of his autonomy. He reacts with anger and fear when stronger pheromones are used to control him, and he resists both Cheng Cheng’s pheromone coercion and Lu Zhi’s attempts to isolate or restrain him. 29 34

As his memories return, Shen becomes more willing to define his own relationships and reject guilt-based obligations. He forgives neither Shen Qi’s possessiveness nor the assumption that shared trauma gives Shen Qi ownership over him, explicitly refusing to take responsibility for another person’s suffering. 94 He remains emotionally selective: he can be ruthless toward those who betray him, but directs profound tenderness and loyalty toward Lu Zhi. 147

Shen also develops a fierce and pragmatic sense of justice. He refuses to internalize harm or submit to powerful people, retaliating against public harassment, threatening Shen Ziqing with the destruction of Wei Huizhi’s genetic sequence, and pursuing vengeance for the damage Shen Ziqing inflicted on him and Lu Zhi. 118 150 157

Abilities & Skills

Alpha Physiology and Pheromones

Shen possesses an Omega body altered by Shen Qi’s transplanted gland. The experimental graft gives him Alpha-like pheromonal characteristics while leaving him vulnerable to gland instability, pheromone coercion, and the lingering consequences of Shen Ziqing’s research. 91 92 147

• His scent is described as woody and orange-floral rather than conventionally aggressive. 2
• Fear and trauma can trigger a dangerous release of aggressive pheromones. 39 40
• Lu Zhi’s Alpha pheromones normally cause Shen discomfort and suppression rather than attraction. 6
• He is vulnerable to powerful omega pheromones; Cheng Cheng’s pheromone attack drives Shen into a severe physical and psychological crisis. 29
• He has unusually precise pheromone control, allowing him to keep his scent from leaking even when sensitive detection equipment is nearby. 145
• His scent and presence are uniquely effective at stabilizing Lu Zhi during pheromone crises and glandular instability. 125 143

Resourcefulness and Point Economy

Shen consistently exploits Instant Heartbeat’s point system and production rules.

• He scheduled a month of food deliveries before the production team froze the contestants’ funds. 26
• He turned Gu Yifei’s street performance into a 39,300-yuan haul by selling earplugs while Gu sang. 27
• After splitting the earnings with Gu, he accumulated 2,165 points—enough to comfortably last through the show under its usual pricing. 27
• He monetizes opportunities without hesitation, including charging the cast for Cheng Cheng’s cooking. 14
• He uses manipulation, feigned helplessness, and environmental hazards to escape captivity, obtaining a lighter from Cheng Cheng, burning through nylon restraints, and triggering a villa evacuation with a deliberately set fire. 121

Intimidation and Physical Resistance

Shen is physically confrontational and uses threats, sudden violence, and unnerving humor to control hostile situations.

• He retaliates against Lu Zhi with slaps, punches, food-based pranks, and direct defiance. 1 4 28
• His attempts to frighten Gu Yifei become so extreme that Gu develops a visible fear response around him. 13
• During a trauma-induced breakdown in the haunted manor, he seizes a prop chainsaw and chases the staff he mistakes for threats. 40
• His aggression is unreliable during memory gaps and extreme stress; he does not fully remember some of his most frightening behavior. 13 41
• He can precisely control his strength, knocking Shen Qi unconscious with a punch calibrated to leave him incapacitated for a specific period. 103
• He forcibly retaliates against harassment, including slapping an actor, throwing vodka in his face, and hanging him upside down at the Lu family estate after he refuses to compensate Shen. 118

Acting and Professional Recovery

Shen’s return to entertainment develops from reality-show notoriety into a genuine career recovery.

• His chemistry with Lu Zhi and their successful Instant Heartbeat photo shoot make their pairing overwhelmingly popular online. 101 108
• Fang Yu recommends him for a supporting role in a major production, where Shen’s performance impresses the director enough to secure him a larger supporting role in a subsequent drama. 129
• The public disclosure of evidence clearing the fire allegations substantially reverses his reputation and restores his standing in the entertainment industry. 160

Equipment / Items

• Suppressant and inhibitor patches — Used to contain his pheromone leakage and protect his injured gland. 2 6
• Genetically targeted anti-assault spray — Given to him by Cheng Cheng; formulated to incapacitate Lu Zhi specifically. 8
• System contract — The agreement binding Shen to the original novel’s intended plot in exchange for a promised reward. 1
• Reality-show points — Shen’s primary on-show currency and a resource he guards aggressively. 14 27
• Wei Huizhi’s genetic sequence — Used by Shen as leverage to force Shen Ziqing into negotiations; Shen later destroys its recoverable value by dispersing it among innumerable gene sequences. 150 157
• Memory-storage USB drive — Contains Wei Huizhi’s recorded memories, allowing Shen to investigate Shen Ziqing’s history through a memory-extraction device. 147 148
• Talisman — A fortune-teller’s charm that burns away after the explosion, leading Shen to conclude that it protected Lu Zhi. 125

Relationships

• Lu Zhi — Shen initially considers Lu his destined enemy and Cheng Cheng’s intended partner. Their relationship instead becomes the central conflict of the show: Lu is possessive, protective, and repeatedly coercive, while Shen resists him yet increasingly relies on him during moments of fear and crisis. Their forgotten shared past remains a major source of tension. 1 29 34 40 45 Shen later learns that Lu was the child he left behind in the slave market and that Lu saved him from the fire five years earlier, despite being badly injured himself. 57 122 Shen ultimately chooses Lu openly over Shen Qi, accepts their mutual attachment, and becomes Lu’s essential emotional stabilizer during his glandular crises. 106 123 143
• Cheng Cheng — Shen performs the role of Cheng’s devoted admirer because he believes the original plot demands it. Cheng reciprocates publicly, but later reveals a possessive and dangerous side by using pheromones, violence, and an accomplice to try to claim Shen. 4 17 29 Cheng later collaborates with Shen Qi and Shen Ziqing in Shen’s kidnapping, though he disobeys Shen Ziqing’s order during the ensuing fire and helps search for Shen. 120 122 After his recovery, he provides Shen with information about Shen Ziqing in exchange for one day of companionship per month. 143
• Shen Qi — A botanist and former Anomaly Management Center member who joins Instant Heartbeat after Gu Yifei’s departure. Shen feels immediately familiar to him, and Shen Qi’s missing glands, scar, and cryptic behavior reveal their shared childhood history. 81 83 Shen Qi is the slave-born childhood companion whose gland Shen Ziqing forcibly transplanted into Shen. 91 92 Although Shen understands Shen Qi’s suffering, he rejects Shen Qi’s possessive attempts to reclaim their former bond and refuses to be held accountable for the harm Shen Qi endured. 94 Shen Qi later joins Cheng Cheng in abducting Shen, but ultimately defies Shen Ziqing’s command and enters the burning villa to look for him. 120 122
• Gu Yifei — Their relationship begins with mutual hostility and Gu’s fear of Shen. Shen later protects him from fans, buys him ice cream, and earns his growing affection despite continuing to tease him. 13 27 29
• Fang Yu — A senior in the entertainment industry who watches Shen’s behavior with concern and often serves as a practical observer during the group’s conflicts. 2 13 41 Fang later recommends Shen for an important supporting role, directly contributing to his professional comeback. 129
• Jiang Ye — Shen treats Jiang as a younger teammate, calls him “Captain Jiang,” and recruits him for gaming. Jiang is wary of Shen’s instability but recognizes that Shen’s cruelty toward Gu was partly motivated by Gu’s treatment of him. 7 16 43
• Director Chen — Shen repeatedly undermines the director’s attempts to control the show, while Chen changes rules and creates obstacles to reclaim the points Shen has earned. 13 14 31 Chen later supports Shen against industry exploitation and remains concerned for his safety and career. 113 114
• Shen Ziqing — Shen’s biological father and the architect of the experiments that shaped his life. Shen Ziqing psychologically abused Shen, forced the transplantation of Shen Qi’s gland, used Shen and Liang Mei as disposable tools, and orchestrated the fire that killed Shen’s mother. 91 92 122 Shen ultimately confronts him as an enemy and uses Wei Huizhi’s genetic sequence to force him out of hiding. 150 152 157
• Liang Mei — Shen’s mother, a former Star Science Institute talent who was trapped, manipulated, and mentally broken by Shen Ziqing. She initially urges Shen to help his father escape, but realizes too late that Shen Ziqing never loved either of them and tries desperately to save Shen from the fire. 122
• Lu Yeshan — Lu Zhi’s adoptive father and founder of the Anomaly Management Center. Shen initially distrusts him but gradually accepts his protection, resources, and willingness to treat Shen as family. 116 117 Lu Yeshan supports Shen’s efforts to save Lu Zhi and tacitly permits Shen to seek personal revenge against Shen Ziqing. 156
• Sister Zhao — Shen’s long-suffering manager. She handles his career recovery and social-media disasters while persistently urging him to take advantage of his renewed popularity; Shen, in turn, shows concern for her severely underpaid work. 114 115

Story Role / Major Arcs

Attempting to Follow the Original Plot

Shen joins Instant Heartbeat to push Cheng Cheng and Lu Zhi together while acting as their villainous obstacle. His plans immediately fail: Lu Zhi’s suitcase contains a magazine with Shen’s face, Lu responds to Shen’s hostility as flirtation, and Cheng begins showing romantic attention toward Shen instead. 1 2 5

The Red-String and Paperbush Activities

Shen repeatedly selects Cheng Cheng during the show’s red-string games because he believes it is the safest way to preserve the original story. The strategy backfires when Cheng, Gu Yifei, Jiang Ye, Fang Yu, and Lu all focus their ribbons on Shen’s tree; Lu then sabotages the ceremony to remove Shen’s connections to others and mark Shen as his own. 17 18

Growing Conflict with Lu Zhi

Forced room-sharing, damaged bedding, gland injuries, and Lu’s escalating jealousy repeatedly place Shen in close contact with him. Shen gradually recognizes that Lu’s feelings are real, but refuses to examine his own attachment because he still wants the system reward and an independent escape from the novel world. 19 24 32

Cheng Cheng’s Attack

When Shen visits hospitalized Cheng Cheng, Cheng confesses love and uses pheromones to overwhelm him. Shen resists despite the effects, instinctively thinking of Lu Zhi as a contrast to Cheng’s genuine killing intent. Lu eventually rescues Shen and helps him survive the aftermath. 29 30

Haunted Manor Breakdown

A scratch from a haunted-house NPC triggers Shen’s traumatic defensive state. He loses control, terrorizes the performers, and can only be calmed when Lu reaches him through familiar words, pheromones, and physical reassurance. Cheng recognizes that his own years of care cannot compete with Shen’s instinctive trust in Lu. 39 40

Fantasy Role-Play Game

During the princess, warrior, and dragon activity, Shen realizes he cannot tolerate Lu appearing close to Cheng Cheng. He spends fifty points to exchange roles with Lu, preventing himself from becoming the princess and enabling Lu to take the role instead—a decision that exposes Shen’s jealousy despite his continued denial. 47 48

Shen Qi’s Arrival and the Recovered Past

After Gu Yifei leaves the show, Shen Qi joins as a botanist recruited to restore the Paperbush trees. Shen immediately senses an unexplained familiarity, while Lu reacts to Shen Qi with fear and possessive hostility. 81 82 Shen Qi’s references to Shen’s gland and their shared past lead Shen to agree to memory recovery despite the risk of permanent neurological damage. 83 89

The recovered memories reveal Shen Ziqing’s coercive experiments, Shen Qi’s forced gland removal, and Shen’s childhood attempt to protect both Shen Qi and Liang Mei. 91 92 Shen ultimately rejects Shen Qi’s belief that their past and biological connection entitle him to Shen’s present affection. 94

Choosing Lu Zhi

Shen’s relationship with Lu becomes increasingly public through their photo shoots, microfilm, accidental video leak, and persistent jealousy toward rival suitors. 98 101 114 Although Shen remains embarrassed by direct confessions and public intimacy, he gradually accepts that Lu’s devotion is genuine and chooses to leave with him rather than Shen Qi. 99 106

During the mountain and restaurant activities, Shen’s teasing repeatedly triggers Lu’s insecurity, but Shen apologizes and continues to accept Lu’s affection. 110 113 By the time Shen is rescued from captivity, he openly promises to care for Lu for the rest of his life. 123

Kidnapping and Fire Escape

Shen Qi, Cheng Cheng, and Shen Ziqing abduct Shen to use him as bait for Lu Zhi and to obtain Lu’s exceptional gland. Shen remains sarcastic and manipulative even while bound, quickly recognizing Shen Ziqing as the mastermind. 120 He escapes by stealing Cheng Cheng’s lighter, burning his restraints, and setting the villa ablaze to activate its emergency exits. 121

The fire forces Shen to relive the blaze from five years earlier, including Lu’s rescue of him and Lu’s unsuccessful attempt to save Liang Mei. 122 Lu finds Shen in the present fire, and their reunion allows Shen to recognize that his past declaration of hatred came from grief rather than genuine resentment. 122 123

Anomaly Management Center and Lu Zhi’s Stabilization

After the fire, Shen becomes central to Lu Zhi’s recovery from pheromone rampages and glandular instability. He brings Lu worn clothing and intimate belongings to calm him, prioritizing Lu’s health over his professional schedule. 125 Shen’s presence proves uniquely capable of restraining Lu emotionally, even when Lu’s instincts overwhelm his rationality. 143

Although the Center considers removing Lu’s gland as a last resort, Shen remains committed to finding another solution. 143 He later discovers evidence of an abandoned experiment that may save Lu and personally anesthetizes Lu when Lu’s fear of others makes treatment impossible. 156

Investigation of Shen Ziqing and Wei Huizhi

Shen investigates Shen Ziqing’s long-term scheme through Cheng Cheng’s information, a restricted Anomaly Management Center archive, and Wei Huizhi’s stored memories. 143 145 148 Through those memories, he witnesses the abuse inflicted on Wei Huizhi and learns that Shen Ziqing murdered thirteen Federation generals in retaliation before descending into further crimes. 149 150

Shen refuses to excuse Shen Ziqing’s actions or accept responsibility for Wei Huizhi’s tragedy. Using Wei Huizhi’s genetic sequence as leverage, he forces Shen Ziqing to emerge from hiding and makes clear that his priority is Lu Zhi’s survival rather than the Federation’s moral judgment. 150 152 Shen later destroys the sequence’s recoverable value, ending Shen Ziqing’s hope of reviving Wei Huizhi through genetic research. 157

Entertainment Career Recovery

Following Instant Heartbeat, Shen’s revived public attention turns into acting opportunities despite his reluctance to work. 115 With Fang Yu’s recommendation, he proves himself in a supporting role and earns a more substantial future part. 129 The final clearing of the fire allegations transforms his public reputation and confirms his full return to the entertainment industry. 160

Notable Quotes

“Sometimes, knowing less makes you happier.” 27

“Lu Zhi... would never be like this...” 29

“People change. Besides, I’ve reached this age already. It’s time I spent this money!” 48

“I have no obligation to take responsibility for your trauma, and I don’t owe you anything.” 94

“I’ll take care of you. For the rest of my life, wife.” 123

“He went mad for his dead lover, and there is nothing wrong with that. But if I go mad once so my lover can live by my side, no one can fault me for that either.” 150