Lu Jiancheng

Biodata

Background / History

Jiancheng is Lu Baoquan and Wang Xiuhong’s second son and Lu Tinglan’s second brother. His father secures a worker-peasant-soldier university recommendation for him, but Jiancheng insists on giving it to Bai Rui, the woman he loves. When he learns Tinglan nearly drowned amid the dispute over the place, he offers to sell his job and give her his savings as compensation 1 2.

Believing Bai Rui is carrying his child, Jiancheng defies his parents and nearly leaves home with her. Tinglan’s thoughts prompt the family to question the pregnancy’s timing. Jiancheng then asks Bai Rui’s roommate Wang Xue about her visibly pregnant belly and concludes that the child is not his 2 3.

Jiancheng ends the relationship, but Bai Rui threatens to accuse him of rape unless he marries her and meets her financial and university demands. He briefly agrees to marry her without surrendering the university place and proposes separating his household to protect his family. Tinglan confronts Bai Rui, who flees 4 5 6.

Afterward, Jiancheng burns books that could endanger the family if Bai Rui reports him. He agrees that Tinglan should have the recommendation instead; when she refuses it, he chooses to wait for the anticipated return of the college entrance exam 6.

Personality

Jiancheng’s devotion to Bai Rui initially overrides his judgment and his family’s warnings. Evidence that she has deceived him leaves him devastated, but he ultimately confronts her and ends their relationship 2 3 4.

He becomes more receptive to his family after the crisis, promising to heed his parents’ advice—though his father urges him to make his own decisions. When Tinglan explains their mother’s long-standing grievances, Jiancheng sides with her and Tinglan 6 13.

Equipment / Items

• Bai Rui’s letters — He prepares to return the letters she wrote him over two years when he decides to cut ties 4.
• Hidden books — He keeps books disguised with textbook covers, then burns them after Tinglan’s thoughts alert the family to the risk they pose 6.

Relationships

• Lu Tinglan — His younger sister. Her thoughts expose problems with Bai Rui’s claims and warn him of the future Tinglan remembers from the novel; the siblings later support each other despite frequent teasing 2 3 4 13.
• Lu Baoquan — His father, who secures the university recommendation and fiercely opposes giving it to Bai Rui. He later advises Jiancheng to develop independent judgment 2 6.
• Wang Xiuhong — His mother, who challenges Bai Rui’s account of the pregnancy. Jiancheng later backs her during her dispute with Baoquan 3 13.
• Bai Rui — His former love interest. He initially plans to give her his university place and accepts responsibility for her pregnancy, then breaks with her after questioning her claims 2 3 4.
• Wang Xue — Bai Rui’s roommate, whose description of Bai Rui’s visibly pregnant belly helps Jiancheng recognize that the child is not his 3.