Li Xingzhu

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Li Xingzhu (李星竹)
Alias(es)	Xingzhu; Brother Li 69 74 85
Gender	Male 71
Affiliation	G University; Lin Jingchen’s company; covert cooperation with President Xiao 70 75 130
Occupation/Role	Finance student; programmer; Gu Yun’s childhood friend and eventual romantic partner 89 130 157
Status	Alive; together with Gu Yun after their three years abroad 157
First Appearance	Chapter 27, the earliest appearance documented in the supplied context 27

Background / History

Childhood and separation

Li Xingzhu’s attachment to Gu Yun began when Gu rescued him from a dark cellar as a child. Afterward, Li visited him weekly and brought snacks. Their mothers were former classmates, and the boys attended elementary and middle school together. Li’s family was better off; after Gu Yun’s mother died, Li’s parents continued looking after him, with his mother preparing an extra portion of food for Gu Yun before he came of age 27 106 109.

They entered different high schools because of their grades: Gu Yun attended the city’s best school, while Li barely qualified for No. 2 High School. Gu Yun returned home only on weekends and often could not find Li, causing them to drift apart. When questioned about this absence years later, Li blamed exam preparation, but Gu Yun recognized that he was concealing something 27 85.

Li also saved Gu Yun from a fire, suffering a shoulder injury during the rescue. Discovering that the fire had been deliberately set, he secretly investigated the arsonist and eventually traced the plot to Xiao Muling, the eldest daughter of the Xiao Family. He sought influential allies in G City to help uncover the wider conspiracy 17 111 115.

Reunion at G University

Li initially attended university in another city before transferring to G University, a decision Gu Yun found suspicious. Around this period, he concealed the circumstances of injuries sustained in a fight that Gu Yun believed involved Gu Cheng. Fang Yuan followed Li’s silent instruction not to reveal the details 30 75.

His renewed closeness with Gu Yun developed alongside secretive activity. He hastily put away his computer and papers when Gu Yun visited, privately reported a completed assignment to “President Xiao,” and kept a computer folder containing information about Gu Yun 69 70 71.

Li began spending nights in Gu Yun’s bed and most evenings around Room 704. He quickly won over Bai Chen and Lin Sen by bringing food, repairing computers, writing small programs, and cleaning the dorm and bathroom daily. His attention to Gu Yun was more intimate: he fed him while he read and persistently sought opportunities to stay beside him 77 78 85.

Exposing the attacks on Gu Yun

Li accompanied Gu Yun to meet Sheng Feng, the driver responsible for Guan Ci’s death, and helped retrieve Sheng Feng’s old phone. He repaired the device, allowing Gu Yun to hear recordings proving that the killing had been commissioned rather than accidental. Li’s earlier investigation and cooperation with powerful allies had helped compel Sheng Feng to surrender this evidence 107 108 110 111.

After Gu Yun’s public introduction into the Gu Family, Xiao Muling attacked him with a knife. Li blocked the blade with his arm and kicked her unconscious. While treating the wound, Gu Yun realized that Li was also his unidentified rescuer from the childhood fire. Li admitted the rescue and tacitly acknowledged arranging Sheng Feng’s disclosure. Hurt by the secrecy, Gu Yun nevertheless accepted his protection; Li promised to explain the situation and introduce him to someone who could help 114 115.

Following Gu Yun abroad

Gu Yun deliberately sent Li away before departing alone for a dangerous undertaking overseas. On discovering this, Li resolved to follow him. Lin Jingchen provided airport transport, the destination, and contacts who could help him gain access, while advising him to take a different flight so Gu Yun would not notice 130.

Li later messaged Bai Chen and Lin Sen to say that he was going abroad with Gu Yun. During their hardest three years in that country, Li and Gu Yun confessed their feelings and became a couple. Li remained by Gu Yun’s side after Gu Yun gained complete control of the Gu Group 132 157.

Appearance

• Build: Taller and more muscular than Gu Yun 71.
• Face and expression: Described as handsome, with a bright, energetic smile 74.
• Eyes: Slightly narrowed, alluring eyes; his expression becomes unreadable while watching the sleeping Gu Yun 70.
• Identifying injury: A shoulder injury from rescuing Gu Yun during the childhood fire helps reveal his identity as the rescuer 17 115.

Personality

Li is openly attentive and persistent around Gu Yun, often using a needy, wounded expression to soften his anger. This is an established childhood habit rather than a new approach. His affection also takes practical forms: bringing food, waiting nearby while Gu Yun mourns, and helping him manage painful discoveries without demanding attention 71 85 109 110.

His cheerful manner coexists with secrecy and a more intimidating side. He withholds information even when it concerns Gu Yun directly, controls what Fang Yuan tells him, and uses threats and inducements during his investigation. Bai Chen interprets his initially friendly greeting as concealing intense possessiveness. When confronted, however, Li admits that his abilities have limits and promises greater honesty 30 74 111 115.

Abilities & Skills

Programming and technical repair

Li’s technical ability earns both the dorm group’s appreciation and Lin Jingchen’s professional regard 85 130.

• Repairs computers and writes small programs for the dorm residents 85.
• Restores Sheng Feng’s old phone so its recorded evidence can be accessed 110.
• Is considered a rare, valuable talent by Lin Jingchen, who promises to keep his company position available while he is abroad 130.

Investigation and covert cooperation

Li conducts a prolonged investigation into the attempts on Gu Yun’s life 111.

• Tracks down the arsonist and extracts information through threats and inducements before handing him to the police 111.
• Traces the conspiracy to Xiao Muling and investigates the connections between Gu Yun’s mother, Gu Zhengde, and the Gu Family 111.
• Enlists influential allies whose intervention helps secure Sheng Feng’s recordings 111.
• Carries out assignments for President Xiao while keeping his activities hidden from Gu Yun 70.

Fighting and protection

Li is willing to intervene physically when Gu Yun is endangered 114 115.

• Fights back in the confrontation that leaves him injured; the full circumstances remain undisclosed to Gu Yun 30.
• Shields Gu Yun from Xiao Muling’s knife with his arm and incapacitates her with a kick 114 115.
• Uses quiet gestures and physical support to restrain Gu Yun’s anger and prevent him from collapsing after Sheng Feng’s confession 107.

Domestic care

• Brings snacks and meals for Gu Yun and his dormmates 85.
• Sweeps, mops, and scrubs the bathroom daily, allowing Bai Chen to relinquish his unofficial “dorm dad” role 85.
• Gives Bai Chen space during an upsetting moment, advising Gu Yun not to approach immediately 86.

Health

• Li has an unnamed condition dating back to childhood, described by Gu Yun as something resembling a mental illness rather than a continuously present illness 71.
• Its apparent return involves trembling, curling up with a pillow, and tightly clinging to Gu Yun. Gu Yun gives him medication used for the condition in childhood 71.
• Gu Yun is suspicious because the condition had been absent for years, but continues accommodating Li and hopes to arrange care through his personal doctor 75 78.
• The supplied context does not establish a specific diagnosis.

Equipment / Items

• Computer: Used for concealed research and a folder containing information about Gu Yun 69 71.
• Repair kit: Includes screwdrivers, tweezers, and lubricant; carried in his backpack and used to repair Sheng Feng’s phone 110.
• Pillow from Gu Yun: Brings it to Room 704 when seeking to sleep beside him 77.
• Contact supplied by Lin Jingchen: An overseas number provided to help him follow Gu Yun and seek assistance if necessary 130.

Relationships

• Gu Yun — Childhood friend, rescuer, and eventual lover. Their bond includes reciprocal acts of protection, but Li’s secrecy repeatedly strains Gu Yun’s trust 109 115 157.
• Bai Chen — Friend within the dorm group. Bai Chen supports Li’s closeness with Gu Yun and provides the clue that eventually identifies Li as the childhood fire rescuer. Li confirms that he did not know Bai Chen beforehand 85 115.
• Lin Sen — Dorm-group friend who welcomes “Brother Li” and invites him to join their outings for skewers 85.
• Lin Jingchen — Employer and practical ally. Helps Li follow Gu Yun overseas and reserves his company position for his return 130.
• Xiao Zhao / President Xiao — Li privately reports assignments to President Xiao. Xiao Zhao, living under Xiao Li’s identity, also presses Li’s mother to honor a childhood betrothal; Li’s agreement is not established 50 70 115.
• Fang Yuan — Acquaintance who alerts Gu Yun to Li’s injuries, then obeys Li’s instruction to conceal their cause 30.
• Li’s parents — Longstanding friends of Guan Ci who help care for Gu Yun after her death. Li’s mother later acts as an intermediary in the proposed betrothal meeting 106 115.

Notable Quotes

“You're still my most important friend.” 115

“Once this matter is settled, I won't hide anything from you again.” 115

“If I make it back safely, I'll definitely repay you properly. I'll develop even better programs.” 130