Yu Chuan

Biodata

Background / History

Joining Shan Ye’s Team

Yu Chuan is introduced as a new colleague seated beside Shan Ye and assigned to the same team. Shan Ye is the first colleague he gets to know after starting the job. When their workplace announces a National Day outing, Yu Chuan suggests a separate trip south to Osmanthus City, which he has seen recommended on Xiaohongshu 17.

He offers to drive and buys coffee from Shan Ye’s preferred café after asking another colleague about his tastes. They share the seven-hour drive from Muzhou and stay at a hotel beside Osmanthus Creek. Shan Ye’s insistence on separate rooms strengthens Yu Chuan’s suspicion that he is attracted to men 17.

Confession in Osmanthus City

During the trip, Yu Chuan’s attention becomes increasingly personal. He orders local snacks, brings Shan Ye Pineapple Cake, compliments his smile, and brushes petals from his shoulder during a boat ride. Shan Ye initially treats these gestures as collegial courtesy, but becomes uncomfortable with the tenderness of Yu Chuan’s gaze 18 19.

At a mountain summit, Yu Chuan puts an arm around Shan Ye’s waist and asks for a romantic chance. When Shan Ye raises their working relationship as an objection, Yu Chuan offers to change jobs. Shan Ye ultimately explains that someone else already occupies his heart. Yu Chuan recognizes this as the man who called during their trip, but argues that competition is fair because they are not yet together 19.

After unexpectedly meeting Fan Jin on the mountain, Yu Chuan sees how completely Shan Ye’s attention belongs to him. He offers to help them get together rather than force his own pursuit, and says he wants to remain a good colleague 20 21.

Helping Shan Ye Approach Fan Jin

Yu Chuan accompanies Shan Ye to Fan Jin’s family home and helps entertain his grandmother. When she urges Fan Jin to marry, he first points out that young people may marry later or not at all. He then tactfully suggests that a loving partner need not be a woman, deliberately glancing at Shan Ye as he speaks. Fan Jin responds with a warning look, which Yu Chuan ignores 22 23.

Before their departure, Yu Chuan reminds Shan Ye that they must return to Muzhou in time to prepare lessons. Despite Shan Ye’s reluctance to leave Fan Jin, they return together 24 26.

Illness and Renewed Rivalry

When Shan Ye develops a fever at work, Yu Chuan arranges leave, brings medicine and water, and offers to take him to the hospital. Shan Ye refuses hospital care, so Yu Chuan takes him home and stays nearby in case his condition worsens. He answers Fan Jin’s call and explains the illness, prompting Fan Jin to return early from Osmanthus City 28 29.

Yu Chuan later accompanies Shan Ye on a three-day academic exchange trip. Their continued proximity provokes Fan Jin’s jealousy. On their return, he collects Shan Ye’s luggage after Shan Ye rushes ahead to meet Fan Jin at the airport 33 34 35.

At a subsequent colleagues’ dinner, Yu Chuan supports the drunken Shan Ye outside and briefly refuses to release him to Fan Jin. He challenges Fan Jin to let him pursue Shan Ye if his feelings are not serious, citing their similar ages, education, and experiences as reasons for compatibility. Fan Jin rejects his interference and emphasizes Shan Ye’s right to choose 36.

After learning that Shan Ye and Fan Jin have become a couple, Yu Chuan congratulates Shan Ye following a long silence. Shan Ye recognizes that Yu Chuan may not have truly let go and resolves to maintain a respectful distance without giving him hope 44.

Appearance

• Youthful face: Shan Ye notices his young-looking face when Yu Chuan arrives to collect him for their trip 17.
• Gentle smile: His eyes curve when he smiles; during their hike, Shan Ye considers him pleasant-looking despite feeling uneasy about his attention 19.

Personality

Yu Chuan is outgoing, talkative, and attentive. He chats throughout their journey, talks even more than Shan Ye during their hike, and notices changes in Shan Ye’s mood and health. His teasing ranges from identifying Shan Ye’s lovesick expression to joking about the attention he attracts at an academic conference 17 19 20 34.

His courtship combines practical care with persistence that Shan Ye finds pressuring. Although he promises to support Shan Ye’s pursuit of Fan Jin, his later confrontation reveals that he has not fully abandoned his own hopes. He also acts tactfully around Fan Jin’s grandmother, framing companionship around sincerity rather than a partner’s gender 19 20 23 36.

Abilities & Skills

Teaching and Academic Knowledge

• Works as a university teacher and attends an exchange conference as a Muzhou University representative 23 34.
• Discusses the history of British and American literature with Shan Ye as a subject related to their field 19.
• Reminds Shan Ye to pay attention during the conference opening because he represents their university 34.

Practical Caregiving

• Secures leave and supplies medicine and water when Shan Ye is too feverish to continue teaching 28.
• Drives Shan Ye home, helps him into bed, and remains nearby to monitor him 29.
• Tries to stop Shan Ye from drinking further and supports him when he can no longer stand steadily 36.

Relationships

• Shan Ye — Teammate, neighboring colleague, travel companion, and unrequited romantic interest. Yu Chuan admires his combination of a simplehearted nature and mature bearing; Shan Ye values their working relationship but does not reciprocate his attraction 17 19 44.
• Fan Jin — Romantic rival. Yu Chuan alternates between helping Shan Ye pursue him and challenging the seriousness of his feelings 20 23 36.
• Fan Jin’s grandmother — Welcomes him as a guest. He helps ease her concerns about Fan Jin’s future and suggests that a suitable partner need not be a woman 22 23.

Notable Quotes

“So rather than force things, I'd rather help you two get together. If you're happy, I'll be happy too.” 20

“If you don't like him, or don't like him that much, then let me pursue him.” 36