Lu Tingzhou

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lu Tingzhou (路庭洲)
Alias(es)	“Teacher Lu”; “Best Actor Lu”; “Brother Tingzhou” (used by Ning Luo); “L” (anonymous online account)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Entertainment industry
Occupation/Role	Award-winning actor; investor working increasingly behind the scenes
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Lu Tingzhou spent more than a decade establishing himself at the peak of the entertainment industry. He won three Best Actor awards within four years and, while still in his early thirties, had already begun shifting toward behind-the-scenes work without losing his industry standing. 4

In Ning Luo’s knowledge of the original story, Lu was positioned as an antagonist to the male leads: he ignored and repeatedly embarrassed the protagonist, eventually considered blacklisting him, and was consequently suppressed by the male leads. The projected outcome was the loss of his career, betrayal by people around him, alcoholism, and an uncared-for death in a car accident. 3

Lu first encounters Ning Luo at a directors’ dinner. Ning Luo’s private thoughts—heard by Lu alone—warn him that an investment made under his name will be connected to a plagiarism scandal. Though initially unsure whether he is experiencing an auditory hallucination, Lu decides to verify the warning and investigate his older brother. 3 4

The warning proves credible: Lu’s brother had diverted money into a company with a history of plagiarism, a scheme that could have damaged Lu’s reputation through a false endorsement association. 10

Appearance

Lu Tingzhou is a tall, refined man whose reserved demeanor and glasses make him especially striking to Ning Luo.

• Stands roughly a head taller than Ning Luo. 4
• Has deep-set eyes, dark pupils, pale thin lips, and an inherently imposing gaze. 4
• Wears gold-rimmed glasses in public; without them, his features and gaze appear noticeably sharper. 3 10
• In ancient costume, his sword-like brows, sharply defined nose, and cool, detached expression are emphasized by flowing white robes. 13
• Has a clear, cool voice likened to “shattered ice striking jade.” 3

Personality

Lu is composed and difficult to read. He can maintain a faint, polite smile even while privately assessing threats, and he treats Ning Luo’s apparently impossible foreknowledge as information to be checked rather than dismissed outright. 3 4

He has a dry, teasing sense of humor. He deliberately calls the alternative route around a rope bridge a “dead end,” later takes Ning Luo to a high waterfall location despite noticing his fear of heights, and punishes Nie Wentao for calling him petty by assigning him to inspect a distant variety-show location. 14 15

Despite his intimidating reputation, Lu shows consideration in private moments. He guides Ning Luo over the unstable bridge without publicly embarrassing him, recognizes Ning Luo’s unexpected sword skill, and quietly helps contain online controversy surrounding their magazine shoot. 14 18

Abilities & Skills

Acting and Screen Presence

Lu is an established Best Actor whose reputation and experience make him a benchmark for other performers in the industry. 4

• Won three Best Actor trophies within four years. 4
• Remains highly influential despite transitioning gradually toward behind-the-scenes work. 4
• Portrays twin roles in the concept shoot featuring Ning Luo as the mute servant. 13
• Recognizes Ning Luo’s martial-arts training and advocates photographing with him after seeing his performance. 14

Industry and Investment Influence

Lu possesses substantial professional influence and personally approves investment decisions.

• Orders an investigation after hearing Ning Luo’s warning about the plagiarism-linked company. 4 10
• Approves investment plans through Manager Yao and delegates drama investments to Nie Wentao. 20
• His agency helps de-escalate online backlash against Ning Luo’s magazine collaboration. 20
• People who previously approached him with improper intentions reportedly disappeared from the entertainment industry afterward, contributing to his reputation as someone not easily provoked. 15

Perception of Ning Luo’s Thoughts

Lu can hear Ning Luo’s private thoughts, a phenomenon that other bystanders initially do not appear to share. 3 4

• First notices Ning Luo’s internal declaration of attraction at the directors’ dinner. 3
• Uses Ning Luo’s thoughts about the plagiarism scandal as the basis for investigating his brother’s investment. 4
• Appears amused rather than offended by Ning Luo’s extravagant compliments and inappropriate inner commentary. 13 15
• His growing interest in transmigration and rebirth scripts follows Ning Luo’s apparent knowledge of future events. 20 21

Relationships

• Ning Luo — Initially investigates him as a secretive newcomer whose thoughts predict future events. Their connection develops through a magazine shoot, private teasing, and Lu’s quiet protection of Ning Luo from online backlash. 3 4 14 18 20
• Nie Wentao — Lu’s manager and a familiar target of Lu’s retaliatory humor. Nie handles professional matters and investments, but openly describes Lu as exceptionally petty. 10 15 20
• Older brother — His mishandling of funds and investment in a plagiarism-linked company places Lu’s reputation at risk. 4 10
• Manager Yao — Financial adviser who treats Lu’s casual manner and jokes about punishing dishonest associates with considerable caution. 20

Story Role / Major Arcs

Original-Story Downfall

Lu is identified as the original novel’s powerful villain figure. Ning Luo’s knowledge of the original plot frames Lu as someone doomed to be betrayed, driven from the entertainment industry, and killed after losing everything. 3

First Encounter and Plagiarism Warning

At the directors’ dinner, Lu hears Ning Luo’s thoughts and approaches him directly. Ning Luo’s warning about a coming plagiarism scandal prompts Lu to investigate the people around him rather than dismiss the prediction. 3 4

Magazine Shoot

Lu meets Ning Luo again for a promotional magazine shoot and asks him to call him “Brother Tingzhou.” He assists Ning Luo across a swaying wooden bridge, takes interest in his sword work, and suggests a paired photograph after Ning Luo demonstrates unexpected acting ability. 13 14

Anonymous Online Contact

Using the account “L,” Lu follows Ning Luo’s alternate account, “Crotch on Fire,” and anonymously discusses Lu Tingzhou with him. He is entertained by Ning Luo’s blunt admission that he only likes Lu’s face. 18 20

Quiet Protection

When fans argue over the magazine shoot and begin attacking Ning Luo, Lu instructs Nie Wentao to contain the controversy. He later acknowledges that Ning Luo helped him and that he therefore intends to protect him “a little.” 18

Trivia

• Lu’s Weibo contains almost exclusively work-related reposts and no personal selfies. 4
• He keeps a cat and teases it with a feather wand at home. 10
• Ning Luo accidentally carries a photo card of Lu from a post-bath scene instead of his bank card. 10 11
• Lu specially follows Ning Luo’s “Crotch on Fire” account before Ning Luo realizes that “L” is Lu Tingzhou. 20