Chen Mu

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chen Mu (陈木)
Gender	Male
Age	24 when he discusses his past with Shen Lian 143
Affiliation	Xingkai Media; formerly Dawnlight Media 135 231
Occupation/Role	Actor and brand spokesperson 125 153
Education	Yunhai Drama Academy; earned full marks in professional theory 133
Partner	Feng Yueshan 232
Residence	An apartment within Qu City’s third ring road, shared with Feng Yueshan and later purchased outright 238 252
First Appearance	Chapter 125

Background / History

Before gaining recognition, Chen Mu supported himself through bit parts and part-time jobs. He met Song Yuan during the two years Song lived away from his wealthy family: after Song lost a fight at a late-night food stall, Chen took him to the hospital. Their friendship became romantic after Song confessed, although Chen initially cautioned him against mistaking gratitude for love 143.

Chen gave Song emotional support and his savings during this difficult period. After returning to the Song family, Song became increasingly distant. He arranged Chen’s entry into Dawnlight Media but described it as repayment, telling him not to expect anything more. Chen understood that Song looked down on his social status 143.

Dawnlight’s contract left Chen dependent on company arrangements. Song cut his opportunities while becoming involved with Shi Zhujie, and Shi subsequently sabotaged his work. Although Chen knew Song still had feelings for him, he refused to seek favors or resume the relationship. He considered their debts settled and rejected the idea of waiting for Song to mature 134 143.

Appearance

Chen Mu initially lacks the immediately striking looks favored by the entertainment industry, but Shen Lian finds him increasingly appealing the longer he looks at him 125.

• Complexion: Healthy, wheat-colored skin; becomes more tanned after filming outdoors and somewhat fairer with less sun exposure 125 199 224.
• Features: Strongly defined brows and eyes, balanced facial contours, and dark, usually unruffled eyes 125 143.
• Styling: Loose curls and sponsored clothing make him appear younger and less withdrawn after joining Xingkai 143.
• Presence: Quiet, natural, and peaceful rather than flamboyant. By the year-end extra, two years of success have made him noticeably more handsome and refined 239 273.

Personality

Chen is patient, considerate, and difficult to provoke. He listens without mocking others or betraying their confidence, and often treats minor professional slights as matters not worth escalating. Even after gaining popularity, he discourages Shen Lian from confronting people who have taken his sponsored outfits 143 199.

His restraint is not the same as helplessness. Chen recognizes Song Yuan’s continuing attachment but refuses affection that diminishes him. After Dawnlight releases him, he answers Song’s demand for an apology with “Dumbass” and blocks the number. Later, he regards Song with irritation rather than lingering love or hatred 135 143 235.

Years of financial hardship make Chen thrifty and self-reliant. He walks rather than spends unnecessarily on transport, avoids wasting food, and keeps useful possessions even when they are visibly worn. His increasing income does not erase these habits 132 135 240.

Chen’s caution about Feng Yueshan comes from fear of unequal consequences, not an inability to love again. He worries that Feng’s family and wealth give Feng alternatives that Chen would not have if their relationship failed. Once he feels secure, he becomes quietly affectionate, amused by Feng’s exuberance, and willing to invest in their shared future without abandoning his work 224 230 233 252.

Abilities & Skills

Acting

Chen’s performances are memorable even when he has low-billed roles. Shen Lian recalls specific characters he played before meeting him, and later considers his fundamentals strong enough that he chiefly needs to refine details 125 153.

• Studies Shen’s performances closely and understands their subtle emotional choices 128.
• Learns posing and lighting adjustments quickly, despite initially having limited endorsement-shoot experience 135.
• Continues seeking practical guidance from Shen after becoming successful 239 257.

Memory and Academic Knowledge

Chen graduated from Yunhai Drama Academy with full marks in professional theory. He attributes the result to memorizing the textbook material and regards memorization as straightforward 133.

• Impresses Kuang Chenghai and Sun Binghe with his command of material drawn from five theory books 133.
• Writes neat, carefully formed script annotations that attract Feng Father’s attention 240.

Cultural Knowledge

Chen is widely read and can participate comfortably in discussions of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea. Kuang Chenghai values this breadth of knowledge when bringing him to professional dinners 235.

• Demonstrates genuine familiarity with books during Feng Father’s questioning, without showing off 240.
• Enjoys reading and considers opening a bookstore after his acting career 238 240.

Tea Preparation

Chen researches tea preparation and adjusts his technique to preserve delicate flavors 133.

• Lightly toasts leaves until their tips curl, then uses warm water so the tea fragrance does not overwhelm the apricot aroma 133.
• Regularly prepares tea at gatherings; Feng later uses his tea-making skill as a reason to ask for his company 144 152.

Cooking and Practical Care

Chen learned to cook because buying ingredients and preparing his own meals was cheaper. Feng praises his balanced seasoning, and their shared meals become a regular part of domestic life 233 238.

• Prepares varied meals, including four dishes and a soup after Feng begins living with him 238.
• Retrieves Shen’s prescribed medicine, provides water, and carefully helps him swallow the pills during an episode on set 130.
• Expresses affection through food, checking injuries, and caring for Feng during their storm-bound stay in a mountain village 237 239 273.

Equipment / Items

• Backpack and protective charms — A sturdy, years-old backpack with frayed straps and a faded red cord bearing protective charms. Chen keeps it because it remains usable 240.
• Annotated scripts — Used for close study of upcoming roles; his handwriting is notably neat 239 240.
• Tea set — A gift from Shen Lian at the dinner celebrating Chen and Feng’s relationship 238.
• Shared apartment — Purchased outright for two million yuan. Chen gives Feng the deed and offers to transfer the title, explaining that his endorsement income is substantial 252.
• Bookcase — Installed by Feng in Chen’s apartment because Chen likes reading 238.

Relationships

• Shen Lian — Friend, mentor, and the actor who recognizes his overlooked talent. Shen protects him from harassment, recommends Xingkai, and continues coaching him. Attempts to create professional jealousy between them fail 125 131 135 257.
• Feng Yueshan — Boyfriend and eventual household partner. Their relationship develops from professional contact and repeated rejected confessions into mutual trust, practical care, and an acknowledged commitment 134 224 232 238 252.
• Song Yuan — Former boyfriend. Chen once supported him financially and emotionally, but rejects his later mistreatment, harassment, and attempts to control his career 134 143 236.
• Shi Zhujie — Professional antagonist associated with Song Yuan. He sabotages Chen’s opportunities and attempts to take his advertisement job; his eagerness to terminate Chen’s Dawnlight contract inadvertently helps free Chen from the company 134 143.
• Chu Yilan — Supporter who thanks Chen for helping Shen obtain his medicine and promises fair treatment at Xingkai 131 132.
• Kuang Chenghai — Xingkai’s president. Initially cautious about Chen’s prospects, he comes to value his performances and knowledge, refuses Song’s attempt to buy control over him, and becomes protective of his interests 133 235 236 257.
• Sun Binghe — Friend and practical supporter, impressed by Chen’s academic record. He arranges an endorsement opportunity and later praises Chen to Feng Father, though he repeatedly teases Chen about choosing Feng 133 237 257.
• Dai Tong — Director who also recognizes Chen’s potential. He had considered introducing Chen to another company and agrees to keep the planned Xingkai move confidential 131.
• Feng Father — Initially distrustful of Chen’s occupation and background. After hearing Sun’s praise and speaking with Chen directly, he respects Chen’s character and affirms Feng’s right to choose his partner 231 237 240.
• Feng Mother and Feng Yuezhou — Feng Mother supports her son’s choice and reacts warmly upon meeting Chen. Feng’s young brother quickly befriends him 231 245.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Career Recovery and Recognition

Milestone	Chapter	Details
Overlooked supporting actor	125 126	Has appeared in numerous web dramas and television series, often sixth- to eighth-billed, but remains commercially unsuccessful at Dawnlight.
Xingkai opportunity	131 133	Accepts a path out of Dawnlight. Xingkai promises an agent, assistant, endorsements, and acting opportunities, with a Skyreach International endorsement as an initial trial.
Release from Dawnlight	134 135	Feng prevents Shi from taking his advertising job; Chen subsequently receives formal notice that Dawnlight has released him.
Third male lead	153	Secures a drama role significantly above his previous bit parts and shares the news enthusiastically with Shen.
Breakout attention	199	A character he played gains popularity through fan-made edits, prompting stronger company support and rapidly rising follower numbers.
Third-tier celebrity	231	Feng identifies him as an actor signed to Xingkai while defending his future prospects to his father.
Sustained success	235 257	Delivers successive breakout roles and becomes one of Xingkai’s heavily promoted artists.
Approaching the A-list	252	Describes himself as nearing the A-list, with substantial endorsement fees and enough money to buy the shared apartment outright.
Demanding established career	273	Remains committed to work despite exhaustion; Feng notes that Chen would resist interference with his schedule.

Relationship with Feng Yueshan

• Growing attention: Feng notices Chen at the apricot-grove gathering, protects his advertisement job, and begins seeking his company. Chen initially interprets much of this attention as that of a boss or financial backer 132 134 144 154.
• Guarded refusal: Chen declines Feng’s invitation to a family birthday banquet because of their social difference. He later realizes that Feng’s private visits, rides, and gifts have moved him, but fear of eventual abandonment leads him to reject thirty-two confessions 188 224.
• Feelings exposed: After Feng’s racing accident, Chen steps between him and Ning Sixian to prevent a beating. His concern reveals the affection he has tried to suppress 227 228.
• Addressing the imbalance: Chen explains his fears about family expectations, heirs, and the unequal risks of a failed relationship. Feng responds by confronting his family rather than using its influence against Chen 230 231.
• Acceptance: When Feng returns wet and injured from the family confrontation, Chen checks on him and finally accepts the relationship. Feng spends the night in the guest room, and Chen gives him a spare key the next morning 232 233.
• Closure with Song Yuan: Chen refuses to justify his new relationship to Song. Feng intervenes when Song tries to grab him, and the couple leave together after Feng defeats Song 236 237.
• Acknowledgment and family acceptance: A celebratory dinner establishes their relationship among friends. Feng increasingly lives at Chen’s apartment, and Feng Father later tells Chen that no one is asking him to leave 238 240.
• Shared home: Feng eventually moves into the master bedroom. Chen’s apartment gift makes his commitment tangible, while both continue balancing their relationship with demanding work 252 273.

Notable Quotes

“But Mr. Shen, I despise that kind of affection. I don’t want to hold Song Yuan’s hand while he grows up. I have myself.” 143

“You don’t have to understand my past. You can share in my future.” 233

“I have the best person in the world now.” 236

Trivia

• Chen is repeatedly compared to a tree: first weathered and withered, then regaining life as fair opportunities and a supportive relationship allow him to grow 143 228 240 273.
• Acting began as a teenage dream. His earlier alternative was a small convenience store; after his circumstances improve, he considers eventually opening a bookstore 240.
• He dislikes cigarette smoke. Feng stops carrying cigarettes and later states that he will no longer smoke 225 235.
• At the year-end gathering, Chen eagerly joins Shen’s game despite playing poorly; the more he loses, the more determined he is to keep playing 273.