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Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Xu Jiahao (徐家豪) |
| Alias(es) | Brother Xu; Boss Xu; Uncle Xu; later addressed as “Dad” by Chi Ning 7 92 96 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Owner of a Gangnan billiards hall; business partner of the Chi family; Qin Heng’s godfather and adoptive father figure 7 14 17 |
| Occupation/Role | Businessman, billiards-hall proprietor, real-estate investor, and Qin Heng’s mentor/successor sponsor 7 14 92 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 7 7 |
Background / History
Xu Jiahao is introduced as the owner of a billiards hall in Gangnan. Wearing a floral shirt and gold chain, he initially comes across as a rough, eccentric proprietor, but he runs the hall with explicit rules: no smoking, no disruptive behavior, and no harassment of customers. He hires Qin Heng and Zhang Qiuwen partly because they can fight, while requiring them to abandon their old habits and maintain order instead. 7
His standing becomes clear after Jiang Shijie damages the hall’s pool table and provokes Chi Ning. Qin Heng acts under Xu’s authority, violently ejecting Jiang and warning him that Xu Jiahao will not receive President Shen. Impressed by Qin’s ruthless but calculated handling of the incident, Xu offers to make him his godson and teach him to manage his businesses. 13 14
When Shen Zongze attempts to settle the dispute with money, Xu accepts the apology while giving Shen five million yuan in casino chips. He privately uses the gesture to lure Shen into spending more at his business, while informing Chi Ning that his apparent neutrality will not last and that he intends to cooperate with the Chi family. 15 17
At Chi Yang’s birthday banquet, Xu publicly introduces Qin Heng as his son, immediately changing how Yangcheng’s elite view Qin’s status. 24 Years later, Xu transfers his gambling operations in Australia Province into real estate, acquires Gangnan Universal Entertainment Center, and secures a formal business alliance with the Chi family through a share exchange connected to Qin Heng and Chi Ning’s engagement. 92
Appearance
Xu Jiahao is a middle-aged man whose deliberately flashy style contrasts with his influence and business acumen.
- First appears in a floral shirt and a gold chain. 7
- Often projects an easygoing, hooligan-like image while speaking and acting with calculated authority. 7 15
- Later presents himself more openly as a real-estate businessman and family elder. 92
Personality
Xu Jiahao is pragmatic, shrewd, and highly skilled at using ambiguity to his advantage. He treats Shen Zongze courteously in public while arranging for his gambling business to profit from Shen’s greed, and he chooses to ally with the Chi family only after judging their position and potential. 15
He values competence and initiative. Qin Heng earns his regard by protecting the hall, managing the Jiang-Shen conflict strategically, and demonstrating the ability to navigate business disputes without creating unnecessary liability. Xu responds by offering him training, a future inheritance, and public legitimacy. 14 24
Despite his calculating nature, Xu is unusually sincere in his affection for Chi Ning. Chi’s innocent description of him as a “very nice person” affects him deeply, and he repeatedly tries to establish a father-son bond with him through teasing, gifts, business arrangements, and eventually the request to be called “Dad.” 16 92 96
Businesses and Influence
| Venture / Position | Details |
|---|---|
| Gangnan billiards hall | Uses the hall as both a legitimate business and a controlled social space; enforces strict customer rules and employs Qin Heng and Zhang Qiuwen to maintain order. 7 |
| Australia Province operations | Previously operated businesses associated with horse racing, football betting, lotteries, and casino chips; later states that he transferred all gambling operations away. 14 92 |
| Real-estate business | Converts former overseas gambling interests into real estate and develops his mainland holdings. 92 |
| Gangnan Universal Entertainment Center | Acquires the entertainment center as part of his expanding business portfolio. 92 |
| Chi family alliance | Enters a partnership with Chi Baichuan’s family, covertly favors Chongning during the conflict with the Shen family, and later completes a share-exchange agreement tied to Qin Heng and Chi Ning’s engagement. 17 92 |
Relationships
- Qin Heng — Godson and publicly acknowledged son. Xu hires Qin at the billiards hall, recognizes his potential after the Jiang Shijie incident, and offers to train him as a business successor. 7 14 24
- Chi Ning — Treats him with paternal affection and reserves special treatment for him at the billiards hall. Xu later seeks recognition as Chi Ning’s father as well, considering Qin’s partner to be his son. 15 92 93 96
- Chi Baichuan — Business partner and comedic rival in their roles as Qin Heng and Chi Ning’s respective fathers. Their initial distrust becomes cooperation through the Chi–Xu share agreement. 17 92 94
- Chen Mingxian — Cooperates with Xu in the engagement-related share arrangement and accepts his growing place within Chi Ning’s family life. 92
- Shen Zongze — Business adversary whom Xu manipulates through a deliberately ambiguous casino-chip deal, using Shen’s greed to profit while moving closer to the Chi family. 15
- Zhang Qiuwen — Employee at Xu’s billiards hall and a close associate of Qin Heng; Xu’s employment gives Zhang a more stable position alongside Qin. 7
Notable Quotes
“This is my son. Handsome, right?” 24
“Why call me godfather? That sounds so distant. Just call me Dad.” 92