Gu Yanqing

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Gu Yanqing (顾晏卿)
Alias(es)	President Gu; Chairman Gu
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu family; Chairman of Chisheng Information Technology Co., Ltd. 121 171
Occupation/Role	Corporate chairman; Koukou's biological father; Gu Mingyuan's adoptive father and intended heir 43 154
Status	Alive 267
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Background / History

Gu Yanqing was a high-ranking businessman before the main events. Though he had originally remained unmarried and childless, he took responsibility for his cousin's neglected son, Gu Mingyuan. After discovering that Mingyuan's nanny had abused him and that the boy's parents continued to neglect him, Gu Yanqing removed Mingyuan from their care, adopted him, and began raising him as his heir. 1 43

His relationship with Qiao Wanqing began disastrously. In the past, Qiao drugged him and entered his bed in an attempt to force him to take responsibility. Enraged, Gu Yanqing gave her a check and told her to leave. 1 When he later learned that she had secretly given birth to his child, he assumed she intended to use the baby to secure wealth and status. He initially planned to confirm paternity, bring the child into the Gu family, and compensate Qiao; instead, Qiao refused both marriage and financial dependence. 4 7 14

Gu Yanqing gradually reconsidered his view of Qiao as her behavior became increasingly unlike the woman he remembered. His visits to see Koukou developed into an emotional connection with his son and regular involvement in Qiao's rural life. 19 28 31 He eventually fell in love with her, though Qiao initially rejected his confession and refused to let him pursue her. Gu Yanqing accepted her answer and withdrew rather than pressure her. 72 78

Appearance

Gu Yanqing is a tall, upright man over 180 cm in height, with a cold, chiseled face, deeply defined features, and the natural presence of someone accustomed to authority. 7 101

• Often appears stern, aloof, and difficult for strangers to approach. 59 171
• Carries himself with the poised elegance associated with his privileged upbringing. 13
• His restrained public image contrasts with a more teasing and expressive demeanor around Qiao Wanqing and the children. 31 80

Personality

Gu Yanqing is composed, observant, and highly controlled in public. He developed a cold exterior when he was younger because he believed a stern demeanor was necessary to earn respect, but those close to him find him more grounded and approachable than his reputation suggests. 83 He is also notably low-key about his achievements, despite his status as Chisheng Technology's chairman. 171

He values genuine affection over social compatibility or family pressure. He rejects marriage without love, respects Qiao's refusal after his confession, and insists that his feelings for her are based on who she is rather than her social status or image. 37 72 96 However, he can be jealous, possessive, and domineering when it concerns Qiao or his family. 45 162

Abilities & Skills

Corporate Leadership and Business Strategy

Gu Yanqing is an accomplished executive whose company rose rapidly within the information-technology industry. He is regarded as a capable, influential chairman and gives clear, organized professional instruction as a guest mentor. 171

• Evaluated tourist routes, road access, and signage placement to identify the most practical site for Qiao's vegetarian restaurant. 60 61
• Offered Qiao business guidance and supported her restaurant's development, including menu and signage decisions. 45 96 97
• Helps Qiao understand e-commerce and professional communication without dismissing her lack of experience. 149 252

Influence and Crisis Management

Gu Yanqing has extensive professional connections and can resolve problems that overwhelm Qiao's family when ordinary efforts fail.

• Arranged legal assistance for Qiao's uncle's case and had Lawyer Gao investigate the matter through official channels. 77 80
• Used pressure against those spreading harmful rumors about Qiao, warning them of severe consequences if the attacks continued. 35
• Quickly verified Gu Yanze's movements and identified Jiang Yi after Qiao reported a suspected affair. 178
• Supported Chu Shishi's plan to expose Gu Yanze and Jiang Yi, despite the potential damage to the Gu family's reputation. 244

Caregiving

Although initially inexperienced, Gu Yanqing becomes a patient and attentive father figure.

• Comforts Koukou during separations, recognizes his attachment, and begins calling himself the boy's father. 81
• Feeds, carries, bathes, and plays with Koukou despite occasional clumsiness. 45 100 109
• Protects and raises Mingyuan after recognizing the harm caused by the boy's biological parents. 43
• Handles the children's needs calmly, including comforting Mingyuan after nightmares and helping Koukou follow instructions. 96 188

Relationships

• Qiao Wanqing — Formerly hostile co-parent and later his wife. Their relationship began with Qiao drugging him, but developed through shared care of Koukou, business cooperation, mutual support, and romance. Gu Yanqing proposed during his company banquet, and Qiao accepted. 1 72 101 157
• Koukou — His biological son. Koukou shows an instinctive attachment to Gu Yanqing, calls him “Daddy,” and eagerly seeks his attention. Gu Yanqing publicly acknowledges him as his son at the company banquet. 7 81 154
• Gu Mingyuan / Yuan Yuan — His nephew and adopted son. Gu Yanqing rescued Mingyuan from parental neglect and abuse, raised him as his heir, and serves as his primary father figure. 43
• Gu Jingzhi — His stern, reserved father. 121
• Lu Yapei / Mrs. Gu — His mother. She pressures him to marry and have children, but later warmly accepts Koukou and helps care for him. 37 121 148
• Gu Yanze — His cousin and Mingyuan's biological father. Gu Yanqing becomes involved in the fallout from Gu Yanze's affair and supports efforts to protect Mingyuan and Chu Shishi. 175 183 244
• Chu Shishi — Mingyuan's biological mother. Gu Yanqing supports her after Gu Yanze's betrayal and acts as an intermediary between her and Qiao. 183
• Wang Xiao — His longtime assistant. Wang Xiao helped investigate Qiao's pregnancy and manages matters on Gu Yanqing's behalf. 4 7
• Tan Yue — A commercially capable acquaintance whom Gu Yanqing distrusts around Qiao. Their differing business perspectives create occasional rivalry. 45 62
• Wu Manni — A famous actress with whom he once attempted a relationship based on compatibility. He ended it because he had no genuine feelings for her. 214

Story Role / Major Arcs

Koukou's Discovery and Fatherhood

Gu Yanqing learns that Qiao gave birth to his son and initially approaches the situation with suspicion. His repeated visits gradually turn into a genuine father-son bond, especially after Koukou cries when Gu Yanqing tries to leave. 7 19 81

Reassessment of Qiao Wanqing

Qiao's changed conduct undermines Gu Yanqing's belief that she is manipulative and greedy. He begins protecting her from public harassment, assisting her business, and becoming increasingly involved in her daily life. 31 35 45

Courtship and Protection

After Qiao rejects his first confession, Gu Yanqing respects her boundary but later recognizes that his feelings are genuine. When Qiao's family faces a legal and financial crisis, he returns to arrange help and provide the support she cannot obtain alone. 72 78 80

Public Family Life

Gu Yanqing publicly presents Qiao and Koukou as his family during Chisheng Technology's anniversary banquet. He formally proposes to Qiao, while his public acknowledgment of Koukou confirms the child's place in the Gu family. 152 154 157

Support for Qiao's Ambitions

Rather than expecting Qiao to abandon her work, Gu Yanqing supports her vegetarian restaurant, e-commerce training, and later entrepreneurial career. He offers strategic advice, practical resources, and reassurance while allowing her to maintain independence. 96 149 171 252

Gu Yanze and Jiang Yi's Scandal

Gu Yanqing assists Qiao and Chu Shishi in a long-term plan against Gu Yanze and Jiang Yi. He ultimately stands with his wife and Chu Shishi when the affair is exposed publicly, even though the scandal implicates the Gu family. 183 208 244

Notable Quotes

“Wanqing, I like you for who you are. It has nothing to do with what you do or what image you have.” 96

“I want both the empire and the beauty.” 101

Trivia

• Gu Yanqing cannot reliably distinguish cauliflower from flowering choy sum and once picked the wrong vegetable for Qiao's meal. 109
• He is a poor cook; his attempt to fry an egg for Koukou ended with a burnt, broken egg and his son calling him a “big, big bad guy.” 148
• Despite his intimidating reputation, he once allowed Qiao to place a flower wreath on his head because it made her happy. 110