Yi Chen

Biodata

Background / History

Yi Chen is Director Li’s nephew and enters Back to the ’80s through his uncle’s connections. Before filming, Director Li advises him to get along with Ning Shile, expecting Shile’s personality to attract viewers. Yi Chen instead intends to become the show’s biggest star and considers Shile’s sweet public image easy to imitate 61.

He has a reputation within the industry for flirting and has pursued men already involved with other people. His previous partners include wealthy heirs and business magnates willing to spend money on him 62.

Ning Shile’s recollection of the original novel identifies Li Yian as a crew member rather than a guest. In that version, his parents favor his academically stronger younger brother, while his attempts to frame coworkers and steal their credit fail to win his employer’s appreciation. He turns to torturing animals to satisfy his desire for control. Ning’s notes also describe him keeping victims’ collars or teeth beneath an apple tree in his backyard 80 83.

Bai Qiongyu’s investigation establishes that Li Yian and Yi Chen are the same person. Yi Chen’s private thoughts later confirm that he has abused numerous animals without their owners discovering what happened 80 83.

Appearance

• Face and eyes: Fair complexion, bright black eyes described as glittering like stars, and red lips 61 62.
• Build: Described as having outstanding looks and a figure he confidently uses to attract men 62.
• On-camera styling: Viewers notice similarities between his makeup, styling, and mannerisms and Ning Shile’s 61.
• Notable clothing: Wears a mink sweater when welcoming the arriving guests and a loose white shirt during his attempt to attract Zheng Ye in their shared room 62 75.

Personality

Yi Chen performs sweetness, bashfulness, and vulnerability for cameras and potential partners. He lets fans disparage Ning Shile while appearing helpless rather than intervening. His courteous treatment of villagers likewise conceals contempt: he privately judges Third Aunt as ill-mannered for offering him an old, freshly washed handkerchief 61 82.

He is highly competitive and treats seduction as proof of his desirability. Faithful, devoted men particularly interest him because he enjoys the prospect of making them betray their partners. Zheng Ye’s rejection increases his desire to win him over rather than making him respect the boundary 62 76.

His polished persona collapses when he is caught stealing supposed evidence of animal abuse. He becomes openly dismissive of Tangqiu’s suffering and assumes legal consequences are unlikely. Challenges to his ability and self-worth provoke an explosive response, culminating in his attack on Ning Shile 82 83.

Abilities & Skills

Audience Engagement and Image Management

• Interacts continuously with livestream comments, briefly taking first place among the guests’ streams while other broadcasts are quiet 61.
• Uses blushing, soft speech, and apparent concern to present himself as approachable and harmless 61 62.
• His image management falters under confrontation: angry denials make him look worse during his dispute with Su Jinyu, and the livestream captures his later evidence theft 71 82.

Flirtation and Seduction

• Uses admiring language, physical contact, exposed skin, and requests for assistance to create opportunities for intimacy 62 75 76.
• Draws confidence from previous success attracting wealthy men and taking partners from existing relationships 62.
• Fails to attract Zheng Ye, who explicitly rejects him and warns him to respect boundaries 76.

Practical Limitations

• Repeatedly drives potential customers away by calling women around his own age “Auntie”; his craft stall makes no sales 68.
• Fabricates an arm injury to avoid carrying water and seeks an easier chore 70 71.
• Avoids cooking because he dislikes kitchen fumes, then presents his absence as a needed rest 74.

Relationships

• Director Li — Uncle and route into the variety show. Advises Yi Chen to gain exposure by befriending Ning Shile 61 80.
• Ning Shile — Fellow guest and popularity rival. Initially wins his goodwill with luggage assistance, lozenges, and water; later implicates him in Tangqiu’s abuse. Ning exposes his attempted evidence theft and reports him to police 62 79 82 84.
• Zheng Ye — Target of his romantic pursuit. Yi Chen considers him his type and attempts to seduce him despite his engagement; Zheng firmly rejects him 62 75 76.
• Su Jinyu — Antagonistic fellow guest whom Yi Chen considers difficult to deal with. Su’s staged fall and offer of medical assistance help expose Yi Chen’s invented injury 63 71 75.
• Bai Qiongyu — Initially softens toward Yi Chen after seeing his kindness to Ning, but later confronts him for accusing Ning and uncovers his real identity 62 79 80.
• Tangqiu — Cat he abuses after his failed pursuit of Zheng Ye. Yi Chen later claims the cat bit him first; Tangqiu survives with badly injured, bandaged paws 76 79 82 85.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Public aftermath: The incident draws widespread condemnation and calls for stronger animal-protection laws. The Animal Protection Association announces work toward improved regulations 83.