Shen Zeyu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Shen Zeyu (沈泽屿)
Alias(es)	“Papa” and “Little Dad,” used by Lu Yu 3 4
Gender	Male 1
Affiliation	Lu household; formerly the Shen family’s adopted son 1 2
Occupation/Role	Lu Cizhou’s husband; parental caregiver to Lu Yu; participant in Go, Little Cuties! 3 38
Previous Occupation	Worked as an extra in his previous life 10 13
Status	Alive after transmigrating; legally estranged from his adoptive family 1 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Transmigrating into a novel” 1

Background / History

Shen Zeyu died suddenly from overwork in his previous life. He had frequently worked as an extra, leaving him little time or money for leisure. A colleague had told him about a novel containing a doomed cannon-fodder character with his exact name. After entering that character’s body and receiving his memories, Shen realized that he had transmigrated into the same novel; the original owner had already disappeared 1 10 13.

The original Shen Zeyu was an adopted son raised by the Shen family for eighteen years. In the novel’s plot, his parents forced him to marry the comatose Lu Cizhou. Although he initially intended to settle into married life, a manipulative lover persuaded him to attempt an elopement in front of Lu Cizhou’s son, leading to disgrace. The transmigrated Shen refuses to follow that course 1.

On the night of his graduation, Shen learns that he will replace his younger brother, Shen Mo, in the marriage alliance. He agrees only on the condition that his adoption be legally dissolved, offering to repay his upbringing expenses with the original owner’s carefully saved money. His adoptive father signs the declaration, and Shen leaves the villa for a hotel before joining the Lu household the following day 1 2.

Appearance

Shen Zeyu has handsome features and a youthful appearance; a bartender initially mistakes him for an underage student 3 13.

• Complexion: Fair skin, described as smooth and lustrous after bathing 3 8.
• Eyes and lashes: Long, slightly curled lashes; his eyes curve into crescents when he smiles 3.
• Lips: Faintly pink 13.
• Build: Slender ankles and a lean waist 12 29.
• Clothing: Wears casual white-and-blue combinations on outings, black riding clothes at the riding center, and a white suit with a black tie for a banquet 13 29 34.
• Voice: Clear and pleasant, drawing notice during his livestream debut 38.

Personality

Shen openly prefers comfort to exertion. He sleeps late, plays games, lounges in the sunshine, and resists Lu Cizhou’s efforts to establish an exercise routine. His reluctance is not absolute: he finishes a difficult run despite falling behind and later agrees to eat breakfast regularly and continue evening workouts 4 7 10 11 17.

His outward composure frequently conceals irreverent internal commentary. He improvises excuses to hide failed crafts, stages workout recordings to disguise a bar visit, and pretends to sulk when Lu takes him to the office. He is especially reluctant to look incapable in front of Lu Yu 3 9 13 21.

Despite his shameless flirting, Shen becomes easily embarrassed when Lu reciprocates. He enthusiastically admires Lu’s body, yet blushes at intimate gestures and sometimes avoids him afterward. Practical kindness affects him just as strongly: Lu’s help during a run gives him a rare feeling of being supported, while thoughtful wording and personal attention make him quietly happy 3 6 11 17 22 23.

Shen is affectionate with children and fiercely protective of friends, but his temper can make him reckless. He intervenes against sexual coercion and workplace bullying, and reacts violently to Liu Hang’s provocations. He can also acknowledge mistakes: after arguing with Bai Yi, he recognizes that financial security has made him forget the pressures of earning a living 14 16 27 28 50.

Abilities & Skills

Social Acting and Improvisation

Shen uses controlled expressions and carefully chosen words to expose others’ dishonesty or protect his own dignity.

• Feigns excitement about the marriage while revealing that his adoptive father informed him only the previous day 2.
• Conceals his failed clay bunny by claiming the task was too easy to bother completing 3.
• Prepares multiple workout photos and videos to answer Lu Cizhou’s checks while secretly visiting a bar 13.
• His previous-life work as an extra provides an acting background, though no formal training is specified 10 13.

Cooking

Shen is a capable cook whose food is praised by both family and fellow show participants.

• Prepares four dishes and soup for Lu Cizhou as thanks for their horseback-riding outing 32.
• Volunteers to cook for the parenting-show group when the other adults reveal limited cooking skills 40 41.
• Receives enthusiastic praise for the resulting meal 45.
• Nearly exposes his previous life while explaining that he learned to cook through restaurant work, prompting Lu to question his background 32.

Fighting

Shen can kick, punch, dodge attacks, and execute a shoulder throw, but his confidence sometimes exceeds his awareness of danger.

• Knocks Liu Hang down after Liu insults Lu Cizhou in front of Lu Yu 4.
• Dodges a thrown bottle and throws Director Wang to the floor; he credits his recent exercise with making the throw possible 14.
• Fails to notice an attacker approaching from behind with a club and is saved by Lu Cizhou 14 16.
• Beats Liu after an attempt to sabotage his marriage, then worries about whether Liu will be all right 50.

Caregiving and Parenting

Shen takes on both everyday childcare and support during Lu Cizhou’s recovery.

• Comforts Lu Yu about his unconscious father, sings him to sleep, and helps with school assignments 3 5.
• Alerts Doctor Li to Lu’s finger movement and keeps Lu Wan informed 5.
• Assists Lu with walking, bathroom visits, and wheelchair transfers during rehabilitation 6.
• Explains Lu Yu’s mother’s absence gently when classmates ask why he has two fathers 20.
• Knows Lu Yu’s Ultraman interests well enough to answer all ten questions in the show’s drawing-and-guessing game 40.

Horse Riding

Shen begins as a complete novice and learns under Lu Cizhou’s supervision.

• Chooses a white horse reputed to be difficult to ride; it accepts his touch and nuzzles him 29.
• Initially needs help mounting, then learns the technique through repeated attempts 29 30.
• Learns to handle the reins and ride independently at a run within a small area 30.

Limitations

• Craftwork: Struggles with modeling clay and relies on Lu Cizhou to preserve his competent image during the lily assignment 3 9 10.
• Endurance: Begins falling behind after roughly ten minutes of running 11.
• Formal dress: Does not know how to tie his own tie before the banquet 34.

Relationships

• Lu Cizhou — Husband. Their arranged marriage develops into a trial relationship and shared bedroom, followed by increasingly mutual attraction. Lu supports Shen against his former family and intervenes when his confrontations become dangerous 8 14 35 36 50.
• Lu Yu — Lu Cizhou’s orphaned nephew, whom Lu raises as his son. Shen becomes his second father, accepting the names “Papa” and “Little Dad.” Their closeness includes school pickups, games, reassurance, and joint television appearances 2 3 4 38.
• Bai Yi — Close friend first met when Shen defends him from Director Wang. They bond through meals, games, karaoke, and visits to Bai’s grandmother. A disagreement over money and accepting help leads to temporary distance before reconciliation 14 23 25 28 32.
• Lu Wan — Mother-in-law. She recognizes Shen’s performance against his adoptive father, challenges his mistreatment, and welcomes him into the Lu household. Shen initially addresses her as “Auntie Lu” rather than “Mom” 2 8.
• Zhou Huan — Father-in-law, introduced to Shen by Lu Wan after Shen and Lu Cizhou decide to give their relationship a try 8.
• Butler Zhang — Welcomes Shen, helps him settle into the mansion, and asks him to assist with Lu Cizhou’s daily care. He later remarks through his reaction that the household has felt unusually quiet during Shen’s absence 2 3 29.
• Shen family patriarch — Former adoptive father. Shen legally severs their relationship and later refuses his attempt to use the marriage for business access 1 35.
• Shen family matriarch — Former adoptive mother. She insists on the marriage despite Shen’s objections; he acknowledges her occasional concern before cutting ties 1.
• Shen Mo — Former adoptive younger brother. Shen dismisses his boasting and warns him against further interference after he tries to ingratiate himself with Lu Cizhou 1 5 35 36.
• Liu Hang — The original owner’s boyfriend. Shen formally ends the relationship and demands repayment of money and gifts; Liu repeatedly attempts to win him back or undermine his marriage 4 49 50.
• Mo Chen — Lu Cizhou’s friend, who calls Shen “brother-in-law.” Shen suspects that Mo’s special attention to Bai Yi reflects romantic interest 27 49.
• Ge Qing — Fellow parenting-show participant. He greets Shen enthusiastically and praises his cooking ability 39 41.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Entering the Lu Household

• Turns the forced marriage into an opportunity to leave the Shen family legally and avoid the original character’s disastrous elopement 1.
• Wins Lu Yu’s trust soon after arriving, becoming an affectionate second parent 2 3.
• Takes responsibility for Lu Cizhou’s daily wiping routine but also touches him intimately while he is unconscious and unable to respond outwardly 3 4.
• Is caught touching Lu’s abs when Lu awakens, then supports his rehabilitation 5 6.

Trial Marriage and Domestic Life

• Agrees to share a room after Lu clarifies that they are genuinely trying a relationship, not merely reassuring Lu Yu 8.
• Becomes subject to Lu’s exercise campaign, first through leverage over the lily assignment and later through Lu Yu’s encouragement 10 11.
• After the bar fight, agrees to regular breakfast, evening exercise, and direct communication about outings 14 17.
• Participates in Lu Yu’s kindergarten activities; their family wins Balloon Stomp and the pin-the-nose game. His spontaneous embrace and racing heart mark increasingly visible attraction to Lu 18 20.

Friendship with Bai Yi

• Defends Bai from Director Wang’s coercion at Clear Color and later accepts his invitation to lunch and karaoke 14 23.
• Stays at Bai’s apartment while avoiding Lu, visits Bai’s hospitalized grandmother, and encourages Bai’s acting 25 26.
• Confronts Li Wei for bullying Bai with repeated cold-water scenes and requires him to leave the production and stay away from Bai 27 28.
• Reconsiders his assumptions about financial help and repairs the friendship through messages 28 32.

Growing Affection and Renewed Family Pressure

• Enjoys Lu’s riding lesson and a shared ride, then cooks and delivers lunch to thank him 29 30 32.
• Returns to Lu’s social circle at a banquet, where Lu publicly introduces him as his husband 34.
• Rejects his former father’s business overtures and Shen Mo’s manipulation, then asks Lu not to assist the Shen family 35 36.
• Joins Lu and Lu Yu for the promised amusement-park outing 36.

*Go, Little Cuties!*

• Signs on for the fully livestreamed parenting show to support Lu Yu’s wish to participate; Lu Cizhou initially remains off-camera 38.
• Scores ten out of ten with Lu Yu in “Draw and Guess,” earning first choice of accommodation 40.
• Becomes the group’s cook and continues caring for Lu Yu during the village stay 41 45.
• Returns home with Lu Yu when Lu Cizhou comes to collect them 47.

Liu Hang’s Sabotage and the Mountain Outing

• Visits Bai’s production and rejects Liu’s false claim that he has gathered the repayment money, giving him three days to pay 49.
• Recognizes Liu’s public declaration and “secret code” claim as an attempt to provoke marital suspicion. He attacks Liu, while Lu restrains him and arranges Liu’s removal 49 50.
• Leaves with Lu for dinner and a mountain summit, where they watch shooting stars and make wishes 50.

Notable Quotes

“I'll repay you for those eighteen years of expenses. Write up a declaration dissolving the adoption. Once it's signed and stamped, we'll have nothing more to do with each other.” 1

“Hey, are you deaf? Didn't you hear him say no?” 14

“I haven't been considerate enough, and I haven't understood you. But Bai Yi, I also hope you can trust me, trust our friendship, and let me help you.” 28

“Don't dress up selling your son as something noble.” 35

Trivia

• Lu Cizhou discovers that he can hear Shen’s inner voice, but not Butler Zhang’s thoughts. This is Lu’s ability, not a demonstrated power of Shen’s 7.
• Shen is five years younger than Lu Cizhou 9.
• He saves Lu in his contacts as “Heartless Great Demon King” in protest against the exercise routine 13.
• He says he eats everything and remembers that Lu dislikes ginger and organ meats 7.
• He enjoys sitting in bubble tea shops and watching the street scenery 32.