Gao Shu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gao Shu (高树)
Alias(es)	Assistant Gao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ye Zexi Studio; Ye Family
Occupation/Role	Ye Zexi's chief manager; former assistant to Ye Jianbin
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 28

Background

Gao Shu served at Ye Jianbin's side for five or six years, where he was frequently caught between Ye Jianbin, Yan Man, Ye Haoyan, and Ye Zexi. Ye Jianbin later assigned him to become Ye Zexi's chief manager, establish an artist studio, and take responsibility for all of Ye Zexi's professional arrangements 28.

He initially dreaded managing Ye Zexi because of the eldest young master's former reputation as a troublesome, arrogant playboy. However, Gao Shu recognized Ye Zexi's rapid accumulation of fans and believed he had the qualities to become exceptionally popular. He accepted the role partly for the professional opportunity and became one of Ye Zexi's people from that point onward 28.

Gao Shu's first calls and meeting with Ye Zexi overturned his expectations. Ye Zexi's gentle speech, politeness, and offer of a drink sharply contrasted with Gao Shu's memories of him, quickly earning his trust and approval 28 29.

Appearance

Gao Shu is a tall man, described as standing over six feet tall 46.

• Usually appears in a professional capacity beside Ye Zexi, handling negotiations, schedules, documents, and public relations.
• Carries contracts and work materials prepared for Ye Zexi to sign, sometimes keeping multiple endorsement agreements ready at once 175.

Personality

Gao Shu is commercially minded, energetic, and highly ambitious on Ye Zexi's behalf. While Ye Zexi often wants to avoid work, Gao Shu consistently sees his talent, popularity, and industry resources as opportunities that should be developed rather than wasted 40 61 89.

His loyalty becomes increasingly personal and protective. He reacts strongly to rumors, worries about Ye Zexi's physical comfort and public image, and often interprets Ye Zexi's fatigue or indifference as hidden emotional pain. His care can become overbearing, particularly when he presses Ye Zexi to accept work or makes decisions without consulting him 46 47 89.

Despite his persistence, Gao Shu respects Ye Zexi's personal autonomy once he understands the situation. After suspecting that Ye Zexi is in love, he states that he will not interfere, focusing instead on preparing for possible media consequences 183. He is also easily placated by Ye Zexi's sincere apologies, reflecting their familiar and informal manager-artist dynamic 222.

Abilities & Skills

Artist Management

Gao Shu handles Ye Zexi's studio operations, career planning, project negotiations, and day-to-day arrangements.

• Established and operated Ye Zexi's personal studio at Ye Jianbin's instruction 28.
• Identified Ye Zexi's potential as both an idol and actor early in his career 28 41.
• Continued sourcing drama, variety-show, music, and endorsement opportunities even when Ye Zexi repeatedly refused them 90 120 259.
• Adjusted to Ye Zexi taking greater control of his career by bringing scripts and contracts for him to choose personally 196.

Negotiation and Contract Handling

Gao Shu is an aggressive negotiator who prioritizes securing favorable terms for Ye Zexi.

• Escalated the proposed Bvlgari endorsement fee after mistaking Ye Zexi's shock for dissatisfaction, ultimately securing an exceptionally high payment 29.
• Recognized The Famous General as a valuable opportunity and signed Ye Zexi to the project through the studio after reviewing the script and confirming Ye Jianbin's support 41.
• Keeps contracts readily available and successfully used Ye Zexi's promise to sign endorsements to secure two agreements during a tense personal moment 175.
• Arranged Ye Zexi's later Bvlgari ambassadorship for the brand's entire product line 248.

Public Relations and Promotion

Gao Shu actively manages Ye Zexi's online visibility, collaborations, and controversies.

• Replied professionally from the studio account to celebrities who supported Ye Zexi online, inviting future collaboration offers and providing the studio's work email 40.
• Coordinated with Tang Jing's manager and mobilized studio staff after seeing promotional potential in online discussion of Ye Zexi and Tang Jing's rivalry 33.
• Removed defamatory posts and intended to pursue legal action against those spreading rumors about Ye Zexi 46.
• Prepared a public-relations statement in advance when he learned that Ye Zexi and He Jinyun were neighbors and their CP fandom was growing 154.
• Reacted immediately to the video exposing Ye Zexi and He Jinyun's relationship, initially issuing a denial before Ye Zexi personally confirmed it 221 222.

Logistics and Artist Care

Gao Shu pays close attention to Ye Zexi's comfort, safety, and reputation during productions.

• Prepared extensively for Ye Zexi's first film shoot, sending supplies ahead and arranging a luxurious RV sponsored by Ye Jianbin 54.
• Distributed cold drinks and fruit to reporters, fans, cast, and crew to soften resentment over Ye Zexi's conspicuous arrival on set 56.
• Objected when Director Chen replaced Ye Zexi's first scene with a demanding silent solo performance, believing the director was making things difficult for him 57.
• Accompanied Ye Zexi during the Tang Jing bar incident to ensure his safety and prevent compromising rumors 144.

Relationships

• Ye Zexi — His chief manager. Gao Shu begins as a wary employee motivated by Ye Zexi's potential, then becomes fiercely protective and persistently invested in building his career; their frequent disagreements usually concern Ye Zexi's desire to retire or avoid work 28 46 89 120.
• Ye Jianbin — Former employer and the person who appointed Gao Shu as Ye Zexi's manager. Gao Shu regularly seeks or receives Ye Jianbin's support when advancing Ye Zexi's career 28 41 104.
• He Jinyun — Professional partner through Ye Zexi's acting and endorsement work. Gao Shu negotiated with him, signed Ye Zexi to The Famous General, and later informed him of Ye Zexi's private meeting with He Xiu 29 41 252.
• Yan Man — Gao Shu answers her inquiries about Ye Zexi's management arrangements while carefully avoiding conflict with her 28.
• Yu Ye — He Jinyun's assistant. The two share mutual concern when Ye Zexi and He Jinyun disappear from filming activities without a cameraman 115.
• Tang Jing's manager — Coordinated with Gao Shu on publicity surrounding Ye Zexi and Tang Jing's online “archrivals” narrative 33.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Appointment as Ye Zexi's Manager

Gao Shu accepts Ye Jianbin's order to manage Ye Zexi and establish his studio. Although intimidated by Ye Zexi's old reputation, he quickly reassesses him after their first phone call and meeting, deciding to become his strongest support 28 29 30.

Early Career Expansion

Gao Shu secures Ye Zexi's Bvlgari endorsement through forceful negotiations and begins using the studio to pursue collaborations and manage online attention. He identifies both commercial value and promotional opportunities in Ye Zexi's growing popularity 29 33 40.

*The Famous General*

Believing the script could make Ye Zexi a major film star, Gao Shu signs him to The Famous General through the studio without first obtaining his direct approval. The decision binds Ye Zexi to the role, creating a major conflict between the manager's ambition and the artist's wish to remain idle 41 47.

During production, Gao Shu manages Ye Zexi's logistics and public image, while repeatedly defending him against perceived unfairness. He is especially alarmed by Director Chen's difficult solo-scene test, though Ye Zexi ultimately proves his acting ability 54 56 57.

Ye Zexi's Attempted Retirement

Gao Shu is distressed when Ye Zexi repeatedly announces plans to leave the entertainment industry and rejects offers. He visits with scripts and opportunities, only for Ye Zexi to ignore or discard them; Ye eventually changes the villa locks to keep Gao Shu from entering 61 89 90.

He later helps bring Ye Zexi back through The Food Journal, supporting Ye Jianbin's plan to show the public Ye Zexi's genuine personality 103 104.

Managing Romance and Public Exposure

Gao Shu gradually realizes that Ye Zexi's attachment to He Jinyun is romantic. Rather than interfere, he focuses on privacy, public relations, and ensuring Ye Zexi keeps him informed of significant developments 154 183 184.

When Ye Zexi and He Jinyun's relationship is exposed, Gao Shu initially denies it through the studio account because he has not been told the truth. Ye Zexi's apology quickly settles the dispute, and Gao Shu agrees to remove the post 221 222.

Notable Quotes

“Young Master, I'm not tired. This is what I'm supposed to do.” 89

“The contract has already been signed!” 47

Trivia

• Gao Shu once believed Ye Zexi's sleep-reddened eyes meant he was heartbroken over online rumors, prompting him to plan legal action despite Ye Zexi's indifference 46.
• He regarded Ye Zexi's refusal to debut in an idol group as potentially beneficial because individual activities would offer greater freedom and better resources 46.
• Gao Shu's greatest professional obstacle is Ye Zexi's lack of career ambition; even prestigious offers from directors such as Chen Zhengtian and Li Kai fail to excite him 120 213.
• Ye Zexi can often persuade Gao Shu to secure contracts by offering to sign one, making endorsement deals a recurring source of comedy in their relationship 175 248.