Gu Yun

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Gu Yun (顾云)
Alias(es)	Yun — familiar address used by Li Xingzhu 75 114
Gender	Male 2 113
Affiliation	G University; later the Gu Group 74 157
Occupation/Role	University student; later head of the Gu Group 77 157
Family	Son of Guan Ci and Gu Zhengde; paternal half-brother of Gu Cheng 106 110 113
Partner	Li Xingzhu 157
Residence	Room 704 at G University during his studies 74 77
Status	Alive; has taken complete control of the Gu Group and is together with Li Xingzhu 157
First Appearance	Introduces himself to his new roommate, Bai Chen 1

Background / History

Childhood and Guan Ci’s Death

Gu Yun was raised by his mother, Guan Ci, who gave up opportunities to pursue her dreams and endured degrading neighborhood rumors about being an unmarried mother. She refused relationships that would require leaving her son behind and never regretted having him 112.

His friendship with Li Xingzhu began when he rescued Li from a dark cellar. Li subsequently insisted on visiting him every week, spending his pocket money on snacks for him. Their families were acquainted, and Li’s parents continued looking after Gu Yun after Guan Ci’s death 106 109.

Ten years before Gu Yun’s confrontation with Sheng Feng, the driver struck and killed Guan Ci. She saved Gu Yun by pushing him out of the vehicle’s path. Although police attributed the crash to fatigued, reckless driving, Gu Yun long suspected that it had been deliberate 107.

Afterward, a cousin of Guan Ci took him in to gain access to the valuable land beneath her inherited house. Gu Yun also survived an attempted sexual assault by a trusted family acquaintance, fighting back and seriously injuring the man, and a fire from which an unidentified rescuer saved him 8 17 110.

University and Friendship with Bai Chen

Upon meeting Bai Chen, Gu Yun immediately wanted to befriend him, noticing that his eyes lacked the ulterior motives he had encountered in other people. Bai Chen initially kept his distance, but helped when Gu Yun slipped in the bathroom, carrying him to the clinic and back after a mild ankle sprain 1 2.

Bai Chen’s everyday care—including bringing congee, reminding him about medicine, and encouraging him to sleep—deeply affected Gu Yun. Despite some early refusals, their shared meals eventually became a comfortable routine 4 5 10.

Gu Cheng’s unwanted pursuit escalated from rude attention to an attempted sexual assault in their dorm. Bai Chen interrupted with a fabricated message and escorted Gu Yun away. Afterward, Gu Yun confided his despair about his apparently predetermined life, while Bai Chen encouraged him to believe that his fate could change 3 15 16.

Bai Chen also helped him search for his childhood rescuer. Unable to name the person directly, he suggested checking familiar people for the shoulder injury the rescuer had sustained 16 17.

Uncovering the Family Conspiracy

Gu Zhengde approached Gu Yun at university with a photograph and DNA report, claiming to be his biological father. Gu Yun rejected his excuses for Guan Ci’s hardships and feared that joining the Gu family would expose his mother to further stigma 106.

With Li Xingzhu accompanying him, Gu Yun visited Sheng Feng in detention. Sheng admitted that the crash had been intentional and directed him to evidence stored on an old phone. After Li repaired it, recordings revealed that a woman from the Xiao family had commissioned the deaths of both Guan Ci and Gu Yun. Guan Ci’s intervention had saved her son 107 108 110.

Li’s separate investigation connected the childhood fire to the Xiao family’s eldest daughter. Gu Yun subsequently agreed to return to the Gu family, concealing his hostility behind apparent acceptance of Gu Zhengde. His father publicly acknowledged him as his son at a reception 111 113.

At the Gu residence, Xiao Muling—whom Gu Yun knew to be responsible for his mother’s murder—attacked him with a knife. Li blocked the blade with his arm. While treating the injury, Gu Yun recognized Li as his childhood rescuer and confronted him about his concealed involvement in obtaining Sheng Feng’s confession 114 115.

Departure Abroad and Later Life

Before leaving the country for a dangerous undertaking tied to the Gu family’s power struggle, Gu Yun said goodbye to Bai Chen and admitted his former feelings for him. Bai Chen explained that their bond was that of kindred spirits, then helped Gu Yun recognize his deeper attachment to Li Xingzhu 129.

Gu Yun planned to ask Li about his feelings after returning, but deliberately sent him away so that he could not accompany him into danger. Li discovered the departure and followed with Lin Jingchen’s assistance 130.

During their hardest three years abroad, Gu Yun and Li confessed their feelings and remained together. Gu Yun ultimately took complete control of the Gu Group. Gu Zhengde was imprisoned for debts, while Xiao Muling was imprisoned for intentional homicide 157.

Appearance

• Height and build: A little over 170 centimeters tall, with a slender frame and narrow waist 2 3 10.
• Face: Delicate, handsome features, rosy lips, white teeth, and exceptionally beautiful almond-shaped eyes 1 15.
• Hair and complexion: Soft, glossy chestnut hair and fair, smooth skin; his tousled bangs partly cover his eyes 10 26.
• Clothing: Wears a crisp white shirt with black jeans during an outing with Bai Chen, and a fitted black suit at the Gu family residence 10 106.
• Later appearance: His build, bearing, and manner change considerably after taking charge of the Gu Group; he becomes more composed and aloof 157.

Personality

Gu Yun is reserved but warm toward people he trusts. He saves seats and waits for Bai Chen to share meals, protects his roommates’ sleep, and becomes visibly embarrassed by sincere compliments. His kindness contrasts with his blunt refusal to entertain disrespectful or unwanted attention 3 8 10 74 75 77.

His distrust has concrete roots: people have pursued him for his appearance or tried to exploit his mother’s property. For a time, he views his life as miserable, lonely, and beyond his control. Recognizing Li Xingzhu’s longstanding presence eventually helps him reconsider that belief 16 110 129.

Gu Yun often expresses concern through stern scolding, especially when Li neglects his health or gets injured. Although suspicious of Li’s excuses for staying close, he is easily softened by signs of genuine distress 30 71 75 77.

His grief over Guan Ci’s murder produces intense anger and a desire for revenge, but he can restrain himself and conceal his feelings when necessary. At the Gu residence, he outwardly excuses Xiao Muling’s attack while privately knowing her responsibility for his mother’s death 107 112 114.

Abilities & Skills

Academic Ability

Gu Yun is an exceptionally disciplined student with the best grades in his major 77.

• Studies late into the evening and resumes reading early in the morning 4.
• Maintains upright posture and takes notes while reading 4.
• Continues studying even after returning to the dorm following a late night out 30.

Retail Knowledge

Gu Yun worked in computer sales during a summer break 2.

• Memorized the prices and advantages of different computer models.
• Recognized that Bai Chen’s computer cost at least two hundred thousand despite his inexpensive clothing 2.

Physical Endurance and Self-Defense

• Climbs seven floors without visible fatigue, unlike Bai Chen 9.
• Fought back against an attempted childhood sexual assault and seriously injured the attacker 8.
• His ability to resist has limits: he could not escape Gu Cheng’s physical restraint during the dorm assault attempt 15.

Relationships

• Li Xingzhu — Childhood best friend, rescuer, and eventual romantic partner. Gu Yun rescued Li from a cellar; Li later saved him from a fire, helped uncover the attacks against him, and accompanied him through three difficult years abroad 109 111 115 157.
• Bai Chen — Roommate and close friend. His practical kindness earns Gu Yun’s trust, and his advice helps Gu Yun identify both his rescuer and his feelings for Li. After returning, Gu Yun’s first concern is Bai Chen’s mental health 2 17 129 157.
• Guan Ci — Beloved late mother. She raised him despite hardship and died saving him; protecting her memory and holding her killers accountable drive his confrontation with the Gu family 107 112.
• Gu Zhengde — Biological father. Gu Yun distrusts his belated remorse and suspects that his return is self-serving, despite later presenting himself as an accepting son 106 110 113.
• Gu Cheng — Paternal half-brother and former roommate. His possessive pursuit and attempted assault leave Gu Yun disgusted; Gu Yun learns their family connection only later 3 15 106 129.
• Xiao Muling — Gu Zhengde’s wife and Gu Cheng’s mother. Responsible for Guan Ci’s murder and later attempts to stab Gu Yun; ultimately imprisoned for intentional homicide 114 157.
• Lin Sen — University roommate. He respects Gu Yun’s study time and permits Li’s overnight stay provided they do not disturb Bai Chen 3 77.
• Sheng Feng — Driver who deliberately killed Guan Ci. Gu Yun refuses to forgive him but pursues the evidence he provides rather than acting on his urge to attack him 107.

Notable Quotes

“When asking if someone else has manners, you should first learn what respect is.” 3

“I want to.”
— Explaining why he wants to keep saving Bai Chen a seat 8

“I used to think my life was miserable, so miserable and lonely. Only now have I realized that someone has been beside me all along.” 129

Trivia

• Bai Chen initially identifies Gu Yun as a protagonist of the novel world and Gu Cheng as his destined romantic partner. Gu Yun ultimately forms a relationship with Li Xingzhu instead 1 3 157.
• His looks draw frequent confessions from both male and female students; admirers even send Bai Chen snacks in exchange for help approaching him 39 40.
• The author explicitly states that Bai Chen is not intended to fall for Gu Yun, partly because the two are too alike 109.
• Gu Yun wore girls’ dresses among his available childhood clothes. His maternal grandparents remarked on his resemblance to Guan Ci 112.
• He smokes to cope with stress when revisiting his mother’s home 109.