Shen Ranxin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Shen Ranxin (沈燃心)
Alias(es)	Teacher Shen; Ran / A-Ran; Ranran (used by Lu Zhi) 2 24
Species/Race	Alpha
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Guest on the dating reality show Instant Heartbeat
Occupation/Role	Entertainment figure and former child star; transmigrated “vicious supporting villain” attempting to follow a prewritten plot 1
Status	Active 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

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

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

Appearance

Shen is a strikingly handsome Alpha 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
• Pheromones carry a light, clean blend of woody notes, orange blossom, ebony, and 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

Abilities & Skills

Alpha Physiology and Pheromones

Shen is an Alpha whose pheromones are unusually pleasant to Lu Zhi despite the biological incompatibility expected between Alphas.

• 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

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

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

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

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
• 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
• 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
• 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

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

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