Wang Dahai

Biodata

Appearance

• Build: Short and very overweight, with a belly that strains the buttons of his floral shirt 17 19.
• Hair: A large bald patch surrounded by a sparse ring of hair 17.
• Face: Round, with a barely visible neck, sagging flesh beneath his chin, and small eyes described as having an unsettling gaze 17.
• Voice: Loud and harsh, compared to a cracked gong during his phone call to Zhang Xiu’e 16.
• Injuries: Broken glass becomes embedded in his knees during his confrontation with Chen Yuan. He later appears with a gauze-wrapped leg and a limp 23 31.

Personality

Wang treats his managerial authority as leverage for sexual access. He invokes the training and clients he claims to have provided Zhang Xiu’e, then offers her a supervisory position, double salary, and a share of year-end profits if she becomes his mistress. When she refuses, he treats her rejection as an insult to his “generosity” 17.

His apparent willingness to accept rejection is a pretense. He immediately redirects Xiu’e toward a client dinner, privately admitting that he wants her for her looks and dismissing the exploitation of his employees as “business.” At the hotel, persuasion gives way to threats against her job and physical restraint 17 20.

When confronted by people he cannot control, Wang becomes fearful and seeks protection. He appeals to his acquaintance with police officer Liu Ming after Chen Yuan subdues him, then tries to hide behind Liu when Xiu’e confronts him outside the detention center 23 31.

History

Harassment at Xingda Labor Services

Zhang Xiu’e has worked under Wang for two and a half years. During Chen Yuan’s visit to the agency, Chen sees Wang repeatedly attempt to touch her through the office window. She avoids him, rebukes him, and slaps his hand away before leaving 13 17.

After Xiu’e spends the morning helping Chen settle into Deep City, Wang calls and threatens her employment. Back at the office, he acknowledges that reception informed him of her absence but insists that he never approved it. He then propositions her directly, offering professional rewards in exchange for becoming his mistress 16 17.

Shangri-La Dinner and Attempted Assault

Following Xiu’e’s refusal, Wang orders her to attend dinner with Sun Deming, the HR director of Dacheng Electronics. He describes Sun’s account as important enough to secure the company’s business for the second half of the year. To obtain her agreement, he promises her all sales credit and commission, along with an end to his harassment. The dinner is scheduled for seven at the Shangri-La 17.

When the intoxicated Xiu’e tries to leave, Wang and Li Yan force her back into the private dining room. Wang pressures her to keep drinking and threatens her job. The group then takes her toward the guest rooms despite her resistance 20.

Wang has booked room 1806 on the eighteenth floor. He and Li Yan haul Xiu’e inside, followed by Sun, who locks the door. Chen Yuan learns the room number from reception and arrives while Wang is trying to force open the bathroom door where Xiu’e has taken refuge 21 22.

Chen restrains Wang by twisting his wrist. In the ensuing confrontation, Wang is forced onto his knees on broken glass, then pinned facedown with his arm held behind his back 22.

False Statements and Detention

When police arrive, Wang calls out to Liu Ming and reminds him that they have eaten together. Liu identifies him to Deputy Chief Zhao Jianguo as the head of Xingda Labor Services 23.

Wang, Sun, and Li Yan give matching false accounts claiming that Xiu’e tried to seduce Sun and attacked them after being rejected. Liu accepts their statements without reviewing the hotel surveillance and sends Xiu’e and Chen to the Second Detention Center 24 29.

Zhao subsequently orders a review of the footage, which exposes the group’s actions. He directs Liu to send the perpetrators to detention and arranges the release of Chen and Xiu’e. Wang is brought to the detention center as they leave; Xiu’e confronts him over his betrayal 29 31.

After her release, Xiu’e refuses to return to Wang’s employment and seeks another job 33.

Relationships

• Zhang Xiu’e — Employee and target of his harassment. He uses promotions, commissions, and threats to her livelihood to pressure her before helping arrange the attempted assault 17 20 21.
• Li Yan — Employee, mistress, and accomplice. Although she initially condemns his dinner scheme, she later actively helps trap and restrain Xiu’e 16 17 20.
• Sun Deming — Prospective client and HR director of Dacheng Electronics. Wang attempts to secure his business by making Xiu’e available to him 17 19 21.
• Chen Yuan — Xiu’e’s protector and Wang’s opponent at the hotel. Chen interrupts the attempted assault and subdues him 18 22.
• Liu Ming — Police acquaintance with whom Wang has shared meals. Wang appeals to this connection after the hotel confrontation; Liu initially accepts his false account 23 25 29.

Notable Quotes

“If you become my woman, I'll make you a supervisor and double your salary. You'll get a share of the year-end profits too.” 17

“What do you mean, a bastard? This is business.” 17