Lu Shiyan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Lu Shiyan (陆时宴)
Alias(es)	Emperor Lu; Second Brother, as addressed by Lu Xiaoxiao 33 111
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lu family; entertainment industry 2
Occupation/Role	Award-winning actor and top star; the Lu family’s second son 2 173
Partner	Yu Sangning, his high-school first love and later girlfriend 211 216
First Appearance	First mentioned in Chapter 2; first appears in person in Chapter 33 2 33

Background / History

Lu Shiyan pursued acting because he genuinely loved the craft, despite Lu Yuan’s strong opposition. The disagreement left him partly estranged from his family, while filming frequently kept him away from home. He concealed his family background and established himself without relying on the Lu family’s wealth or connections 2 7 36 55.

His early career involved little support and considerable hardship. Living alone taught him to cook, while working his way up from the bottom exposed him to online hostility and the need for careful public communication. Years of honing his craft eventually made him an award-winning actor and one of the industry’s leading stars 2 7 55 112.

His first love, Yu Sangning, was a high-school classmate from a wealthy family. After sabotage ruined her family’s jewelry business, her parents sent her abroad under a new identity and later died by suicide. Sangning left Shiyan a deliberately hurtful farewell letter to prevent her troubles from affecting him. Their separation lasted seven years 211 215.

Appearance

• Face: Alluring, expressive eyes that curve warmly when he smiles; a high, straight nose; and lips with slightly lifted corners 33.
• Complexion: Fair, jade-like skin 33.
• Build: Tall and well-built, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a physique described as slim in clothing but muscular beneath it 33.
• Overall impression: Exceptionally handsome in both formal suits and casual clothes. Xiaoxiao considers him the best-looking of the Lu children 33.
• Public disguises: Uses inconspicuous clothing, caps, masks, and sunglasses when he needs to avoid recognition 164 211.

Personality

Shiyan’s approachable smile and gentle manners conceal a fierce rebellious streak. His decision to pursue acting despite his father’s objections reflects that independence. He also enjoys playing characters whose innocent appearances hide scheming or wicked personalities 36.

Professionally, he is diplomatic and highly controlled. He can exchange courteous pleasantries without genuine warmth, redirect awkward conversations, and keep his feelings from showing on camera. His caution comes partly from having experienced the entertainment industry’s hostility firsthand 48 55.

His affection for Xiaoxiao becomes increasingly open and practical: arranging opportunities, accompanying her through medical treatment, and helping her navigate public scrutiny. He is particularly sensitive to the neglect revealed in her childhood memories and regrets not having understood her earlier silence 36 164 404.

His protectiveness can become possessive, especially around Ji Yunhuai. Nevertheless, he explicitly tells Xiaoxiao that the family will not pressure its children into advantageous relationships; their happiness matters more. In his own romance, his usual confidence initially gives way to hesitation and fear of rejection 211 232 236.

Abilities & Skills

Mind Reading

Shiyan unexpectedly begins hearing Lu Xiaoxiao’s unspoken thoughts during their reunion at home 33.

• Detects the contrast between her polite outward behavior and lively private commentary 36 48.
• Learns that she is the Pirate Team’s mole despite her convincing denial, but keeps her secret 55.
• Receives information about Sangning’s farewell letter and the supposed romantic interest he had misunderstood 212.
• Limit: Cannot hear Xiaoxiao’s conversations with system 037 212.
• Later change: Loses access to her inner voice. Concentrating harder does not restore it, and he considers that the family may need to return to ordinary communication 362.

Acting

Shiyan approaches roles rigorously, preparing thoroughly to enter character and continually working to improve 7 211.

• Particularly effective at portraying scheming villains with harmless façades or a touch of wickedness 36.
• Maintains convincing expressions and natural delivery even under livestream scrutiny 144.
• Earns strong audience praise for Xiao Lingyi’s transformation into the Demon Lord in Spirit Abyss Chronicle 404.

Social Judgment and Public Relations

Years in entertainment have made him skilled at reading situations and controlling what he reveals 48 55.

• Deflects Bai Xinyan’s attempt to learn his game role without giving her useful information 54.
• Redirects Xiaoxiao away from public conflict to prevent viewers from labeling her a hothead 55.
• Offers public-relations assistance when Xiaoxiao becomes the target of online attacks 171.
• Screens scripts, advertisements, and variety-show offers so Xiaoxiao can prioritize school and choose suitable work 404.

Cooking

Shiyan learned to cook while living alone early in his career 112.

• Prepares cleaned fish wrapped in banana leaves and secured with vines for an island cooking contest 111.
• Cooks the fish beneath hot stones and sand; the judge rates its taste as equal to Su Miaohan’s winning dish 112.

Screen Work

Production	Role / Participation	Notes
Unnamed earlier drama	Onscreen romantic pairing with Bai Xinyan	Their previous collaboration encourages viewers to ship them during the reality show 47.
Desert Island Survival	Celebrity contestant; Warrior Team member	His first variety show, accepted as a favor to a director friend. Brings Xiaoxiao and arranges an additional place for Jiaoyue 7 36 55.
Spirit Abyss Chronicle	Xiao Lingyi, the reincarnated Demon Lord	Plays the male lead opposite Song Qingyun. The drama becomes a major hit, with viewers praising his villainous performance 161 404.

Relationships

• Lu Xiaoxiao — Adopted younger sister. Her support, private thoughts, and matchmaking deepen their bond; he credits her with restoring warmth to the family 33 252 390.
• Lu Jiaoyue — Biological younger sister. He is suspicious of Qin Zixuan’s attention toward her and later asks Xiaoxiao about her connection with Gu Sipei 80 236.
• Lu Yuan — Father. Their conflict over acting gradually gives way to reconciliation and Lu Yuan’s acknowledgment of Shiyan’s independent success 2 33 171.
• Song Zhilan — Mother. She joins him in encouraging Xiaoxiao to accept the reality-show invitation; both later harbor doubts about Xiaoxiao’s changed identity 33 434.
• Lu Xunli — Eldest brother. Shiyan discusses his happiness with Sangning with him and openly credits Xiaoxiao for bringing them together 252.
• Lu Bochen — Younger brother. Shiyan suspects he can also hear Xiaoxiao’s thoughts and plans to approach the subject gently rather than frighten him 182.
• Lu Yubai — Younger brother. Shiyan sympathizes with his wish to pursue an unconventional career, remembering his own struggle for recognition 426.
• Yu Sangning — First love and girlfriend. He waits through seven years of separation, helps restore their relationship, and respects her wish to rebuild her jewelry career independently 211 216 236.
• Ji Yunhuai — Xiaoxiao’s romantic interest and an investor in Spirit Abyss Chronicle. Shiyan scrutinizes his capabilities and intentions, while Ji deliberately tries to earn his approval 175 274.
• Bai Xinyan — Former onscreen partner and reality-show teammate. His courtesy toward her is professional, not romantic; he later refuses to let her backing override his loyalty to Xiaoxiao 47 48 164.
• Wei Yun — Close friend and collaborator on Spirit Abyss Chronicle. Shiyan appreciates Wei’s willingness to accept responsibility for Xiaoxiao’s injury 173 404.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Reality Show and Family Secrecy

Shiyan initially invites Xiaoxiao to Desert Island Survival. When she assumes the opportunity should go to Jiaoyue, he insists that he genuinely intended to bring her. He later offers to request another place so both sisters can participate 33 36.

To preserve his concealed family background, he publicly identifies Xiaoxiao as his sister but keeps his relationship with Jiaoyue private. This leads viewers—and Qin Zixuan—to mistake his concern for Jiaoyue as romantic interest. Qin even asks whether they are rivals in love 36 57 72.

During filming, Shiyan quietly learns Xiaoxiao’s mole role through her thoughts and protects her from further public confrontations. He also responds to her concern about Bai Xinyan by keeping more distance from Bai during a tug-of-war contest 55 75.

On-Set Injury and Reconciliation

When Xiaoxiao is wounded by a real sword during filming, Shiyan immediately crosses the set to help her. He rejects Bai Xinyan’s demand for an apology, declares his unconditional belief in his sister, and takes Xiaoxiao to the hospital after changing out of his conspicuous costume 163 164.

The resulting online attack leads to another confrontation with Lu Yuan. Xiaoxiao’s overheard thoughts help her father reconsider Shiyan’s perspective. Lu Yuan allows him to reveal their family background if necessary and finally acknowledges his achievement in entertainment 170 171.

By Chapter 173, the public knows that Shiyan is the Lu family’s second son and Jiaoyue is his biological sister. Most reactions are supportive or amused, with fans viewing his independent career as an accomplishment 173.

Reunion with Yu Sangning

Shiyan discovers Sangning’s account on the journaling app Secret and learns when she will return. He goes to the airport in disguise, intending only to watch from a distance, but Xiaoxiao arrives to intervene 211.

Her thoughts reveal that Sangning’s farewell letter was an act of protection rather than rejection. They also clarify that a “neighbor” whose singing Shiyan had interpreted romantically was actually a bird. Xiaoxiao engineers a quieter meeting, and Shiyan finally reveals himself 212 213 214.

He later tells Sangning that he bought the Yu family’s old house to demonstrate his commitment. He reassures her that her lack of celebrity status does not make her unworthy of him, and they officially become a couple 216.

They initially keep the relationship private because Sangning wants to regain confidence and establish her jewelry business. Although he offers funding, he respects her refusal; Xiaoxiao proposes industry introductions instead 236.

Supporting Xiaoxiao’s Acting Career

Shiyan encourages Xiaoxiao to try the vacant role of Xiao Lingyun in Spirit Abyss Chronicle, explains the story, and helps her prepare for the opportunity 161.

His scrutiny of Ji Yunhuai continues alongside their work on the production. He questions Ji’s investment authority and later insists on a separate suite and appropriate distance when Xiaoxiao plans a temporary stay at a guesthouse 175 336.

He recommends a challenging cat-demon role in a light fantasy comedy and offers to arrange an audition. After Spirit Abyss Chronicle succeeds, he personally reviews Xiaoxiao’s incoming offers while she focuses on acting studies 362 404.

Loss of Mind Reading

After Xiaoxiao’s inner voice disappears, Shiyan is the first family member to question her indirectly. He tries concentration, asks about Ji Yunhuai, and checks whether she has noticed anything unusual, but hears only her spoken answers 362.

Though unsettled, he concludes that her apparent happiness and well-being matter more than restoring the supernatural connection. He accepts that the family may have to adjust to life without it 362.

Publicly Acknowledging His Relationship

Photos of Xiaoxiao shopping with Sangning trigger speculation that Shiyan is secretly dating a non-celebrity. Reactions range from support to possessive fans questioning Sangning’s suitability 408.

Shiyan refuses to treat his relationship as a threat to a career built on skill and dedication. Rather than publish a conventional team-written statement, he personally writes a lengthy social-media post titled “To the moonlight of my youth, and everyone who cares about me,” openly recounting their relationship and seven years of longing 410 411.

What-If Side Story

In the alternate scenario, Shiyan privately suspects that the lively Xiaoxiao he loves is a different soul from the frightened girl originally adopted by the family. He chooses not to expose that suspicion, but remains remorseful about the original girl’s unmet emotional needs 434.

He awakens in his teenage body before Jiaoyue disappears and before Xiaoxiao joins the family. Discovering that his parents and brothers have also returned, he resolves with them to protect Jiaoyue and welcome Xiaoxiao as genuinely wanted family—not as a substitute. He also intends to confess to Sangning before they lose years together 434.

Notable Quotes

“Giving a game your all is the most basic respect you can show your opponent, so you'd better do your best to beat me.” 55

“By now, I honestly can't imagine what this family would be like without you.” 390

“I earned it through role after role, scene after scene, through the skills and work I fought to build.” 410

Trivia

• His fandom is called the Sea Salts 91 111.
• His drift-bottle prize on the island is a torn, unusable fishing net, prompting Xiaoxiao to joke that he is even unluckier than she is 82.
• Wei Yun mistakes his irritation over Ji Yunhuai for preparation for his Demon Lord role. After hearing Xiaoxiao admire that supposed dedication, Shiyan accepts the explanation 232.