Chen Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Yan (陈燕)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Class Two, Year One, Pear Blossom High School 6 45
Occupation/Role	Student; later the class's Youth League secretary 44 45
First Appearance	Assigned as Su Yan's classmate and seatmate at the start of senior year one 4

Background / History

Isolation and poverty

Chen Yan begins high school as a severely ostracized student. Her classmates avoid her because of her worn clothing, poor hygiene, quietness, weak academic performance, and impoverished family circumstances. She seldom speaks unless called on by a teacher and endures ridicule without responding. 5 6 14

Wang Hu publicly bullies her over their seating arrangement, scattering her books and threatening her while the class watches. Chen Yan silently picks up her belongings and suppresses her tears rather than resist. 5 6

In Su Yan's memories of his previous life, her isolation became so severe that a student refused to sit beside her; afterward, she spent the rest of high school alone in the classroom's farthest corner. 5

Su Yan's intervention

After reconsidering his own past prejudice, Su Yan moves Chen Yan's desk beside his and later specifically chooses her as his deskmate during the seating rearrangement. His decision shocks the class and gives her her first consistent support within the classroom. 6

Chen Yan initially remains unable to communicate easily with Su Yan. Although he repeatedly gives her fruit, she quietly takes it home for her younger siblings rather than eat it herself. 9 10 Su Yan follows her home and sees her siblings divide an apple among themselves, confirming the extent of her family's hardship. 10

Because Chen Yan refuses to accept nourishment for herself, Su Yan secretly adds spiritual spring water to her drinking cup to improve her weak health. 10

Gradual reintegration

Chen Yan is excluded from the class New Year's party after being unable to pay the five-yuan class fee. Su Yan confronts Chen Wanwan over the exclusion and shares his own snacks with Chen Yan so she will not be accused of taking advantage of the class. 26 27

During winter vacation, Su Yan and Lin Qiang offer Chen Yan paid work at the fruit stall. Lin Qiang makes clear that she will need to answer customers and learn to communicate, while Su Yan believes that she can change with support and experience. 34

Aunt Xu treats Chen Yan warmly, giving her overtime pay, including her in a New Year's Eve reunion dinner, and later giving her new clothes. Chen Yan comforts Aunt Xu when she becomes emotional about her missing daughter. 35

Academic and Social Progression

Period	Development	Notes
Start of senior year one	Isolated and academically struggling	She is described as slow but hardworking, spending much of her time quietly doing exercises. 5 6
First-semester finals	Greatest improvement in class	Teacher Ma publicly recognizes her improvement; her mother is pleased by the news. 32
Winter vacation	Temporary fruit-stall worker	She works alongside Su Yan and Lin Qiang, earning daily wages and gaining practical social experience. 34 35
New semester	Appointed Youth League secretary	Teacher Ma cites her effort and improvement, challenging the class to examine its treatment of her. 44
First day as class officer	Earns class acceptance	She confidently introduces every classmate by name and explains the meanings of their names, receiving sustained applause. 45

Appearance

Chen Yan's appearance changes markedly as her confidence and circumstances improve. Early in the story, she wears outdated, worn clothing, has dull yellow hair that obscures her face, and appears malnourished. 6 10 14

• Fair, smooth skin that classmates initially dismiss as the result of poor health. 14
• Initially wears old green trousers, dusty Liberation shoes, and unkempt bangs. 14
• Later reveals her forehead with a new hairstyle and wears a yellow down jacket, plaid skirt, and furry boots. 44
• Is increasingly recognized by Lin Qiang and others as an ordinary, neat, and attractive girl rather than the “dinosaur” created by class gossip. 35 44

Personality

Chen Yan is initially shy, withdrawn, and deeply conditioned to expect rejection. Years of poverty and ridicule leave her hesitant to speak, accept kindness, or draw attention to herself. 5 6 10

Despite this, she is diligent and self-sacrificing. She continues studying while being mocked, gives food intended for herself to her siblings, and accepts hardship as the eldest child in a financially strained household. 6 10

After receiving sustained support from Su Yan, Lin Qiang, Aunt Xu, and Teacher Ma, Chen Yan becomes more self-assured. Her appointment as Youth League secretary helps her recognize that friendship, care, and courage matter more than wealth, appearance, or others' judgment. 44 45

Skills and Responsibilities

Academic perseverance

Chen Yan studies consistently even when she struggles to keep pace with her classmates.

• Works through exercises during periods of bullying and exclusion. 5 6
• Receives the class's greatest-improvement recognition after the first semester. 32
• Earns Teacher Ma's trust through her quiet effort and progress. 44

Youth League duties

As Youth League secretary, Chen Yan demonstrates unexpectedly strong composure and preparation.

• Leads the class in introductions, addressing every student by name. 45
• Explains the meaning of each student's name clearly and confidently. 45
• Begins taking an active place in the class rather than remaining isolated. 45

Fruit-stall work

Chen Yan temporarily works at Su Yan's fruit business during winter vacation.

• Receives daily wages alongside Lin Qiang. 34
• Is expected to learn customer communication and basic business conduct. 34
• Leaves the temporary job when school resumes after the Lunar New Year. 39

Relationships

• Su Yan — Her early deskmate and principal supporter. He publicly chooses to sit with her, gives her food, discreetly helps her health, and encourages her after she becomes Youth League secretary. 6 10 27 44
• Lin Qiang — Classmate, fruit-stall coworker, and supporter. He helps bring her into the job, praises her growing appearance and confidence, and gives her an enthusiastic thumbs-up when she is appointed class officer. 34 35 44
• Aunt Xu — Employer and maternal figure. Aunt Xu gives Chen Yan wages, holiday red envelopes, a reunion dinner, and new clothes; Chen Yan later comforts her over her missing daughter. 35
• Teacher Ma — Homeroom teacher who recognizes her improvement and appoints her Youth League secretary despite the class's prejudice. 32 44
• Chen Wanwan — Classmate with whom she has a strained relationship. Chen Wanwan excludes her from party food over the unpaid class fee and later challenges her suitability for the Youth League secretary role. 26 44
• Wang Hu — Early bully who insults, threatens, and humiliates Chen Yan over being seated beside her. 5 6
• Chen Yan's father — Initially confused by her new role, but becomes visibly proud after learning that she has been appointed a class officer. 45

Notable Quotes

“Dad, I became the Youth League secretary.”
— Chen Yan 45

“I am Chen Yan.”
— Chen Yan, during the class introductions that mark her return to confidence 45