Gu Yijin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Yijin (顾亦瑾)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu Family
Occupation/Role	Entertainment-company founder; Shen Qingling's manager 338 352
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

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 left Gu Yijin's legs crippled. 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

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

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
• Acts as Shen Qingling's manager to counter rumors and protect him from malicious attention. 352

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

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. 14 159 377
• 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. 12 217
• 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. 377 399
• Wen Sulan — His mother; she questions whether his concern for Shen Qingling is genuine before witnessing his change. 31 114
• 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. 14 102 338
• Nan Yan — Initially confrontational rival over Shen Qingling; later joins Gu Yijin in confronting Lu Yunrou. 114 390
• Bu Yunrou / Lu Yunrou — A common enemy whose schemes include fomenting conflict between Gu Yijin and Shen Qingling. 146 390 399

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

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

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