Gu Yijin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Yijin (顾亦瑾)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu Family
Occupation/Role	Entertainment-company founder and Shen Qingling's manager; former Gu Corporation shareholder 338 351 352 583
Status	Alive
First Appearance	12

Background / History

Gu Yijin was raised in the Gu Family despite being born out of wedlock and not being a blood relative of the family. He grew up feeling that his existence was a mistake, an insecurity that later shaped his hostility toward Shen Qingling and his fixation on retaining his place in the family. He was also presented publicly as the Gu family's young master while Shen Qingling endured hardship in his place. 159 377

In the original novel's storyline, Gu Yijin was its male lead and a ruthless villain driven by power, whose actions harmed Shen Qingling and numerous others. He bore grudges against those who humiliated him, including Ruan Mingyi, and was willing to ruin rivals such as Lin Qingdai when they threatened his interests. 2 6 47

Before Shen Qingling's return to the Gu residence, Gu Yijin treated him as a threat to his inheritance, family standing, and engagement to Sheng Xia. He planned to use the variety show Journey with X Family to damage Shen Qingling's reputation and intended to enter the entertainment industry to outshine him. 14 21

A car accident seriously injured Gu Yijin's legs. Although Shen Qingling emerged unharmed, Gu Yijin saved him during the incident; Shen Qingling subsequently concluded that Bu Yunrou and her children had engineered the situation to turn the two brothers against each other. 145 146

Shen Qingling's compassion gradually breaks down Gu Yijin's self-loathing. Gu Yijin confesses his resentment, guilt, and affection, asks forgiveness for hurting Shen Qingling, and vows never to betray him. 149 159

After his identity is exposed to the public, Gu Yijin accepts responsibility for having occupied Shen Qingling's place in the Gu Family. At Shen Qingling's birthday gathering, he publicly acknowledges Shen Qingling as the Gu family's biological heir, transfers his entire 10% stake in Gu Corporation to him, and thanks Gu Chenwang and Wen Sulan for continuing to recognize him as their son. 377 583

Appearance

Gu Yijin is noted for an elegant, gentle, and seemingly innocent public image that attracts considerable admiration. 31 60

• Projects a refined and kind demeanor in public. 31 60
• His outward gentleness contrasts with his earlier manipulative and insecure behavior. 14 31
• After Shen Qingling's visit to the Nan Family, his jealousy and worry leave him visibly gloomy. 106

Personality

Gu Yijin initially operates from insecurity, jealousy, and fear of replacement. He is willing to use publicity, competition, and investigation to undermine or monitor Shen Qingling, while maintaining a gentler face before others. 14 21 31 91

His hostility is rooted in profound self-loathing rather than simple ambition. After learning that Shen Qingling does not hate him, Gu Yijin begins questioning his own path and ultimately accepts Shen Qingling's forgiveness. 101 102 159

Following his change, he becomes intensely devoted and protective toward Shen Qingling—at times to the point of possessiveness or suspicion toward anyone who approaches him. 160 166 189 253

Though he gives up his claim to Gu Corporation, Gu Yijin retains a ruthless streak when defending those he considers family. He joins Gu Yutang and Nan Yan in confronting Lu Yunrou over her schemes against the Gu Family. 390 391

By the later dating-show period, he recognizes the sincerity of the people who love Shen Qingling and prioritizes Shen Qingling's happiness and peace over his own possessiveness. 631

Abilities & Skills

Piano Performance

Gu Yijin is a capable pianist and competes directly with Shen Qingling at a banquet.

• Performs a piano piece during their confrontation. 34
• His skill is explicitly regarded as quite good. 34

Media and Entertainment Management

Gu Yijin pursues entertainment-industry work, later establishing a company and managing Shen Qingling's public affairs.

• Planned to use Journey with X Family to build his own public profile. 21
• Intended to weaponize the same program against Shen Qingling's reputation. 14
• Creates an entertainment company with Shen Qingling's support. 338
• Establishes ZeroOne Entertainment, with Shen Qingling becoming its second-largest shareholder. 351
• Acts as Shen Qingling's manager to counter rumors and protect him from malicious attention. 352
• Invests his own funds and effort into developing the company for Shen Qingling's benefit, making its prospective partnership with Liar's Cage strategically important. 478

Investigation and Strategy

Gu Yijin repeatedly responds to perceived threats by gathering information and coordinating with others.

• Shares his plan against Shen Qingling with Zhang Jing. 14
• Investigates Sang Yin after suspecting her identity and intentions. 189
• Has Zhang Jing investigate Jiang Yuning's disguised arrival at the Gu residence. 338
• Provides Gu Chenwang with material exposing Bu Yunrou's schemes. 399
• Assists in checking surveillance footage and investigating suspects connected to threats against Shen Qingling. 424

Relationships

• Shen Qingling — Initially viewed as a rival and threat to his status; later becomes his forgiven brother and the focus of Gu Yijin's deep loyalty and protectiveness. Gu Yijin ultimately transfers all of his Gu Corporation shares to Shen Qingling and publicly recognizes him as the rightful heir. 14 159 377 583
• Gu Yutang — Sister whom he has supported since childhood, including through personal and career crises; he later reveals Wen Sulan was the person truly behind much of that support. Although he once claimed indifference, he later confirms that his affection for Gu Yutang and the family is genuine. 12 217 583
• Gu Chenwang — Gu family patriarch who once intended to use Gu Yijin as a “whetstone” for Shen Qingling; later rewards Gu Yijin for helping expose Bu Yunrou and affirms that he remains one of the family's two sons. 377 399 583
• Wen Sulan — His mother; she questions whether his concern for Shen Qingling is genuine before witnessing his change. Despite the revelation of his lack of blood relation to the family, she continues to accept him as her son. 31 114 583
• Sheng Xia — Former fiancée who refuses to exchange him for the Gu family's real heir; their relationship fractures after she finds him in a compromising situation. 29 43
• Zhang Jing — Associate and confidante involved in his schemes and investigations; Gu Yijin later becomes dissatisfied with her investigative work. Zhang Jing also helps him maintain the Gu Family's secrets when outsiders question Shen Qingling's identity. 14 102 338 506
• Nan Yan — Initially confrontational rival over Shen Qingling; later joins Gu Yijin in confronting Lu Yunrou and investigating threats to Shen Qingling. 114 390 424
• Bu Yunrou / Lu Yunrou — A common enemy whose schemes include fomenting conflict between Gu Yijin and Shen Qingling. 146 390 399
• Pei Shishi — A dating-show participant who repeatedly questions Gu Yijin about his relationship with Shen Qingling; he deliberately withholds the Gu Family's secrets from her. 506

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rivalry with Shen Qingling

Gu Yijin attempts to preserve his standing in the Gu Family by discrediting and outperforming Shen Qingling. This includes planning a variety-show smear campaign and competing with him on piano. 14 21 34

Public Image and Broken Engagement

He gains public admiration through Journey with X Family, where viewers respond positively to his gentle image. Privately, his engagement to Sheng Xia deteriorates after he is found with another woman while drugged. 43 60

Reconciliation and Redemption

After the car accident and Shen Qingling's continued kindness, Gu Yijin abandons his former conflict with Shen Qingling. He confesses his guilt, receives forgiveness, and commits himself to Shen Qingling's happiness. 146 149 159

Shen Qingling's Protector

Gu Yijin becomes openly protective of Shen Qingling, confronting the Nan Family when Shen Qingling disappears, barring Nan Zhen and Nan Yan from the Gu residence, and investigating Sang Yin and Jiang Yuning. 114 166 189 253

Framed Investigation and Family Defense

Gu Yijin is taken in for police investigation after being framed as the mastermind behind an attack on the orphanage. Shen Qingling believes in his innocence, and the later exposure of Lu Yunrou's schemes confirms that the Gu Family had been targeted by an outside enemy. 280 399

Entertainment Company and Family Defense

He founds an entertainment company and becomes Shen Qingling's manager. He later helps expose Bu Yunrou's long-running schemes against the Gu Family, earning Gu Chenwang's trust and a two-million reward. 338 352 399

Renunciation of Inheritance

At Shen Qingling's birthday gathering, Gu Yijin publicly confesses that he is not biologically related to the Gu Family and that he once feared Shen Qingling's return would cost him everything. To make amends, he transfers his 10% Gu Corporation stake, including its voting and dividend rights, to Shen Qingling and declares him the family's sole legitimate successor. 583

Support for Shen Qingling's Happiness

During the dating-show arc, Gu Yijin supports the people sincerely devoted to Shen Qingling rather than treating them solely as rivals. He explains that, as Shen Qingling's brother, his foremost wish is for Shen Qingling to be happy. 631

Trivia

• Gu Yijin's devotion to Shen Qingling becomes conspicuous enough that the public speculates their relationship is more than brotherly. 160
• Sheng Xia and Ruan Mingyi both express displeasure over his close, attendant-like behavior toward Shen Qingling. 160
• Gu Chenwang privately describes his original role for Gu Yijin as a “whetstone” meant to sharpen Shen Qingling. 377
• ZeroOne Entertainment's name is widely interpreted by fans as referencing Shen Qingling and Gu Yijin, further fueling public speculation about their relationship. 351
• Despite relinquishing his Gu Corporation shares, employees continue to address Gu Yijin as “Young Master Gu.” 506