Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yan Yu (严裕) |
| Alias(es) | President Yan; Mr. Yan 30 35 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Yiying Industries 41 |
| Occupation/Role | Company owner and CEO; Qiao Hua’s employer 21 |
| First Appearance | Introduced after Qiao Hua’s job interview 15 |
Background / History
Yan Yu and Qiao Hua studied in the same university department for four years. They also interned at the same company, where he remembered her as one of the strongest student interns. Their friendship included eating together in the cafeteria, where she regularly asked him to peel shrimp for her 15 21 31 32.
At a class reunion three years before their renewed acquaintance, Yan Yu learned that Qiao Hua had married. He later reveals that he regrets not confessing his feelings when they graduated, although she does not hear the admission 16 35.
Role in the Original Novel
In the original novel remembered by the transmigrated Qiao Hua, Yan Yu appears after the original Qiao Hua’s death. When Gu Wenze refuses to claim her body, the hospital contacts Yan Yu, who arranges her cremation and funeral. This belongs to the original storyline, not the events of their renewed acquaintance 16.
Appearance
- Build and bearing: Tall and handsome, with an elegant, refined manner and a mature, dependable presence 21 36.
- Eyes: Deep-set, dark eyes; his gaze often reveals emotions he leaves unspoken 15 21 36.
- Clothing: Wears impeccably tailored dark or dark-gray suits 15 21 36.
- Distinguishing details: Strong forearms, long fingers, and a warm, resonant voice 32 35.
Personality
Yan Yu is serious and exacting at work but approachable, considerate, and humorous in private. Qiao Hua finds his company comfortable and free of pressure; several female employees also have crushes on him 22 31.
His affection for Qiao Hua initially appears through attentive gestures rather than direct declarations. He remembers her tastes, notices her mood and fatigue, and offers reassurance without demanding an explanation. After learning about her intended divorce, he supports her decision while acknowledging that he does not know the full circumstances 22 31 35 36.
His courtesy does not prevent him from confronting others. He refuses to justify Qiao Hua’s presence at the banquet to Jiang Nan and Gu Jinman, stands his ground against Gu Wenze, and rejects the claim that a husband can decide his wife’s resignation for her 42 43 45.
Story Role / Major Arcs
Reunion and Employment
- Yan Yu sits on Qiao Hua’s interview panel, then follows her into the corridor and identifies himself as her former classmate. He is visibly disappointed when she does not recognize him 15.
- He invites her for coffee, asks about her marriage and return to work, and exchanges phone numbers with her. He notices that she speaks more eloquently than she did at university 16.
- When Qiao Hua reports for work as an executive assistant, she discovers that Yan Yu owns the company. He explains that he personally conducted interviews because he was selecting his own assistant 20 21.
- He acknowledges that personal feelings influenced her selection slightly, but emphasizes his confidence in her abilities. Passing probation remains dependent on her performance, and he directs her to his secretary for help learning the job 21.
Rainy-Day Assistance and Interrupted Dinner
- Finding Qiao Hua stranded at the office during heavy rain, Yan Yu offers to drive her home and escorts her to the villa under his umbrella. She promises to buy him a meal in thanks 29.
- After glimpsing divorce-related messages on her phone, he asks her to honor the invitation and reserves a French restaurant 30.
- During dinner, he remembers her food preferences and peels shrimp for her, recalling their university meals. Gu Wenze arrives, joins their table, and eventually takes her phone and drags her away 31 32.
- Yan Yu blocks their path and asks Gu Wenze to release her, but hesitates when Gu calls it a matter between husband and wife. He later phones Qiao Hua to check that she has arrived home 32 35.
- He supports her divorce decision and privately hopes that, once she is divorced, he will have a chance with her 35 36.
Business Banquet
- Yan Yu invites Qiao Hua to accompany him to a business banquet and reassures her about her lack of experience at such events 40.
- He picks her up and supplies an expensive black evening gown, explaining that he should provide suitable attire because he invited her. Their entrance together attracts questions about their relationship 41.
- When Gu Jinman and Jiang Nan accuse Qiao Hua of attending without an invitation, he confirms that she is his invited date and refuses to explain their relationship further 42.
- Gu Wenze demands that he remove his hand from Qiao Hua’s shoulder. Yan Yu refuses to back down and counters Gu’s claim of marital authority by mentioning the intended divorce 43.
- After Qiao Hua returns from a concealed confrontation with Gu Wenze, Yan Yu accepts her explanation that she visited the restroom. He later drives her home 44 45.
Disputed Resignation
- Gu Wenze takes Qiao Hua’s phone and sends Yan Yu a resignation message without her consent. Yan Yu immediately calls and insists that he will not accept it unless resigning is Qiao Hua’s own decision 45.
- Unable to reach her afterward, he worries throughout the night. When she calls from Gu Wenze’s phone, he asks whether she is all right 47.
- Gu Wenze interrupts the subsequent call and claims that his own company will arrange any job Qiao Hua needs. Qiao Hua plans to explain the situation to Yan Yu, but surveillance prevents her from speaking with him alone that day 47.
Relationships
- Qiao Hua — Former university classmate and internship colleague; later his assistant and romantic interest. She values his friendship and eventually considers him an appealing potential partner, but no romantic relationship is established in the supplied chapters 21 31 36 49.
- Gu Wenze — Qiao Hua’s husband and an increasingly hostile romantic rival. Their confrontations center on Yan Yu’s closeness to Qiao Hua and her right to choose her employment 32 43 45.
- Jiang Nan — Gu Wenze’s first love. Yan Yu rebuffs her questioning about his relationship with Qiao Hua at the banquet 42.
- Gu Jinman — Publicly challenges Qiao Hua’s right to attend the banquet; Yan Yu counters her accusation by confirming his invitation 42.
- His secretary — Entrusted with explaining Qiao Hua’s new duties and answering her workplace questions 21.
Notable Quotes
“Personal feelings did play a small part in my decision to hire you, but more importantly, I believe in your abilities.” 21
“It isn't bias. To me, you're the best.” 36
“Your wishes are yours. As long as Qiao Hua doesn't want to quit, I won't accept that resignation text.” 45