Yu Nian

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Nian (余年)
Alias(es)	Rice Cake Isn't Cake; Rice Cake; Nian Nian; Nian Bao 27 30 43
Gender	Male
Age	Twenty during his early streaming success 31
Sexual Orientation	Gay 11 119
Occupation/Role	University student and gaming livestreamer 1 31 146
Affiliation	Starfish Platform; formerly Huajia; former resident of the Children's Welfare Institution 28 31
Residence	Initially rents a room near Swallow City University of Technology; later moves into Qin Yuheng's home 1 151
Family	Wu Dexin, his father; deceased mother and maternal grandfather; Qin Yuheng, his husband 142 171
Status	Alive; married to Qin Yuheng 171 173
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Birthday Banquet” 1

Background / History

Yu Nian's mother died giving birth to him. His father, Wu Dexin, regarded him as a burden, so his maternal grandfather took him in and named him. Yu Nian remembers their life together—farming, raising chickens, and catching fish and shrimp—as his happiest childhood years. His grandfather died when Yu Nian was eight, forcing him to return to Wu Dexin 142.

Wu Dexin gambled, drank, and beat him. After asking a police officer what evidence would establish domestic violence, the young Yu Nian deliberately provoked a more severe beating in an attempt to have his father imprisoned. The assault nearly killed him 142 143.

With Wu Dexin in prison and nobody available to care for him, Yu Nian entered the Children's Welfare Institution. He arrived severely underweight, injured, troubled by nightmares, and prone to extreme behavior. Therapy and the caregivers' support gradually helped him recover. Auntie Liu, the institution's director, became someone he regarded as family 31 122 142.

During university, he supported himself through daytime part-time work and nighttime streams from internet cafés. Even after leaving the institution, he continued visiting its children and sending money for clothing, school supplies, and Auntie Liu's needs. He also repaid the kindness of his home village and contributed toward its road construction 7 31 109 146.

Appearance

Yu Nian has delicate, handsome features, fair skin, and a gentle manner. His appearance makes him particularly popular with the older villagers in Bian Yan's hometown 82.

• Eyes: Dark, bright, and lively 52.
• Smile: His eyes curve when he smiles, revealing a small pointed canine tooth 4 52.
• Build: A slender waist and long, straight legs 65 138.
• Usual presentation: Casual student clothing, including fleece jackets, sneakers, and a fluffy bear-ear hat during his mountain trip 1 3 45.
• Wedding attire: Bright-red embroidered robes with a gold-woven sash and paired-blossom and entwining-stem embroidery; Qin Yuheng wears a matching design 171.

Personality

Yu Nian is easygoing and responsive to kindness, but his gentleness does not make him submissive. When Qin Yu violates his expectations of honesty and respect, he ends their relationship and refuses to reconsider merely because Qin Yu is wealthy or apologetic 4 5 6 10.

His optimism is something he developed after surviving childhood abuse. He rarely discusses his past, but explicitly rejects the idea that he conceals it out of shame. Fierce behavior can still put him on edge, including Qin Yuheng's anger, even when it is not directed at him 69 70 142 143.

With people he trusts, he is mischievous and quick to joke. He disrupts Bian Yan's emotional thanks by demanding to be called “Dad,” and later teases Qin Yuheng as an “old baby.” He is frugal about everyday spending but generous toward friends, caregivers, and people in trouble 31 39 84 149.

In relationships, he values equality, openness, and informed choice. Qin Yu's secrecy leaves him unwilling to accept another hidden romance. When Qin Yuheng visits him for New Year, Yu Nian introduces him honestly to Auntie Liu rather than passing him off as a friend 86 119 141.

Abilities & Skills

Gaming

Yu Nian is a skilled Divine Call player who streams under the name Rice Cake Isn't Cake 30 43.

• Plays multiple roles, including marksman, mage, and jungler/assassin 1 8 83.
• Reads ambushes, uses mobile skills effectively, and changes his equipment build to counter opponents 8.
• Coordinates with teammates rather than immediately blaming them for mistakes 1.
• Usually carries games with Bian Yan, although distraction over Qin Yuheng causes unusually poor performances 83.

Livestreaming and Audience Management

He combines gaming commentary with a gentle voice, viewer banter, and fan events 1 20 139.

• Organizes cash giveaways, custom merchandise, and different gift packages for subscription tiers 20 39 56.
• Thanks supporters while repeatedly warning viewers against spending beyond the value of the rewards 12 56.
• Works with moderators to record gift recipients and maintain order during disruptive broadcasts 72 138.
• Appears onstage alongside professional commentators, providing introductions and responses rather than handling the main commentary himself 105.

Practical Planning and Mutual Aid

Yu Nian researches unfamiliar problems before acting and recognizes when he needs help 73.

• Investigates sales, transportation, spoilage, and after-sales requirements when trying to help Bian Yan's village sell jujubes 73.
• Seeks Qin Yuheng's assistance instead of promising an outcome he cannot deliver alone 73 74.
• Helps Qiūqiūyú escape Qinggang's control through a coordinated deception, then arranges medical treatment and safety for her parents 166.

Domestic and Creative Skills

• Makes wontons in advance and prepares Snow Pear and Lily Soup for Qin Yuheng's cough 19 123.
• Maintains a clean home, although he tends to leave belongings wherever convenient 19.
• Learns needlework from Xie Zhou and makes Qin Yuheng a foxtail-grass bunny ring 151 173.
• Admits that his handcrafting skills are weak; his cake-making attempt with Bian Yan and drawing-game performance have poor results 56 140.

Streaming Career

Milestone	Chapter	Details
Early self-supported streaming	7 12	Builds his audience gradually for more than a year while also doing part-time work.
Sudden follower increase	12	Gains over twenty thousand followers in one night following an online controversy.
Platform change	28 31	Moves from Huajia to Starfish, where his contract offers slightly better pay and benefits.
Growing platform support	30	Sea Star's investment from Azure Group and promotion of new streamers help him attract and retain viewers.
Five hundred thousand followers	39	Plans a merchandise giveaway and purchases a 1,500-yuan webcam and additional lighting.
One million followers	137 139	Fulfills a promised cross-dressing broadcast; viewer-made clips gain traction, and he later holds a fan meet-and-greet.
Return after the Qinggang scandal	166	Resumes streaming to a warm welcome from familiar viewers; Y sends ninety-nine Deep-Sea Battleships.
Fourth-anniversary fan reward	174	Arranges a women's-clothing photo shoot at his fans' request, using an outfit supplied by Tao Yan.

Equipment / Items

• Streaming setup — Uses a computer and later invests in a webcam and lighting rather than economizing on essential work equipment 1 39.
• Jasmine velvet-flower clip — A gift from Qin Yuheng, worn as a brooch. Yu Nian later pins it to his suit for courage and good luck before an onstage appearance 25 105.
• Matching rings — Receives a pair from Qin Yuheng during Qin's birthday celebration 123.
• Blue sapphire engagement ring — Presented during Qin Yuheng's fireworks proposal, which Yu Nian accepts 170.
• Crocheted rabbit — A large handmade gift from Xie Zhou when Yu Nian moves into Qin Yuheng's home 151.
• Custom streaming outfits — Tao Yan supplies the school-uniform-style outfit for his million-follower broadcast and a maid outfit for a later anniversary photo shoot. Yu Nian states that he is not personally interested in cross-dressing 137 139 174.

Relationships

• Qin Yuheng — Husband and Qin Yu's older brother. Initially a reassuring acquaintance whom Yu Nian calls “Brother Yu,” he becomes Yu Nian's partner, source of support, and eventual family. Yu Nian also comforts him through conflict with his father and younger brother 4 93 120 171.
• Qin Yu — First boyfriend and later ex-boyfriend. His secrecy, neglect, and disregard for Yu Nian's boundaries end their brief relationship; subsequent attempts at reconciliation fail 5 6 10 11.
• Y — Wealthy livestream supporter, later revealed to be Qin Yuheng. His gifts and reminders to rest initially make Yu Nian uneasy, then curious; Qin explains that the anonymous account allowed him to see Yu Nian without intruding on his streaming space 27 72 112.
• Bian Yan — Close friend, dorm roommate, and classmate. Accepts Yu Nian's sexuality, worries about his romantic choices, helps him catch up on coursework, and becomes one of his groomsmen 9 11 85 146 171.
• Fang Xu — Dorm roommate and supportive friend. Helps him consider streaming platforms, stands by him during public accusations, and serves as a groomsman 6 161 171.
• Tao Yan — Classmate, fellow Divine Call player known as Mousey, and supportive designer. Helps with fan merchandise and outfits, warns him about Qin Yu, and trusts him during the scandal 30 41 137 161.
• Auntie Liu — Former welfare-institution director and family figure. Continues inviting him home for New Year and carefully questions Qin Yuheng about his intentions 31 109 122.
• Maternal grandfather — Raised and named Yu Nian, providing the loving childhood he remembers before his grandfather's death 142.
• Wu Dexin — Abusive father. His return after imprisonment frightens Yu Nian, but Yu Nian ultimately confronts his extortion rather than allowing him renewed control 142 143 146.
• Xie Zhou — Friend whom Yu Nian defends against Xie Lingfeng. Gives him handmade gifts, teaches him needlework, and attends his wedding as a groomsman 148 151 166 171.
• Qiūqiūyú — Viewer whose exploitation by Qinggang draws Yu Nian into a public scandal. He helps her escape and pays for her treatment and her parents' accommodations 160 166.
• Spike and New Life — Qin Yuheng's border collie and the stray kitten the couple adopt. Yu Nian bonds quickly with Spike and becomes so devoted to New Life that both Qin Yuheng and Spike appear jealous 63 75 146.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Breakup and Growing Trust

At Qin Yu's birthday banquet, Yu Nian is excluded from the wealthy social circle and watches others introduce potential partners to his boyfriend. Qin Yuheng drives him home afterward, offering consideration that contrasts sharply with Qin Yu's behavior. Yu Nian resolves to break up and follows through despite later fears of retaliation 1 3 4 5 7.

His friendship with Qin Yuheng develops through meals, practical help, and a trip to Cloud-Gathering Mountain. When Qin Yu interrupts that trip, Qin Yuheng refuses to automatically take his brother's side. Yu Nian is relieved that their friendship can continue, even as he begins feeling guilty about his attraction to his ex's older brother 22 41 47 48 53.

Romance and a Shared Home

While helping Bian Yan's family with their jujube harvest, Yu Nian struggles to distinguish Qin Yuheng's affection from ordinary friendship. Bian Yan warns him about the risks of the difference in wealth and status, but later supports the relationship after witnessing Qin Yuheng's concern for Yu Nian's health 77 85 86 87 93.

The couple become openly affectionate, and Qin Yuheng admits that his mountain visit and invitations home were motivated by romantic interest. Yu Nian later learns that Qin is also Y, his mysterious supporter 97 112.

When Qin Yuheng joins him for New Year, Yu Nian introduces him to Auntie Liu as his boyfriend. Later, he brings Qin to his mother and grandfather's graves as his partner. After his exams, he ends his lease and moves into Qin Yuheng's home 119 146 151.

Confronting Wu Dexin

Wu Dexin's release revives Yu Nian's fear of childhood abuse. With Qin Yuheng's support, he begins discussing memories he had long avoided. When Wu Dexin demands five million and threatens to expose his past to his boyfriend, Yu Nian recognizes that the threat rests on a false understanding of their relationship 142 143.

After Wu Dexin is dealt with, Yu Nian tells Qin Yuheng that it is over. Their Qingming visit to his family's graves follows this resolution 146.

Qinggang's Scheme

Qiūqiūyú requests help with surgery for an early-stage malignant tumor, and Yu Nian gives her five hundred thousand. She subsequently posts accusations that he demanded sex in exchange for money, provoking a public backlash and exposing his family background 160 161.

The later account reveals that Qinggang was controlling her through abuse and surveillance. Yu Nian recognized her hints, helped disable her listening device, and planned an act that allowed her to escape. He arranges her surgery and her parents' safety before returning to streaming 166.

Engagement and Wedding

Qin Yuheng proposes with red roses, a blue sapphire ring, and fireworks spelling out his request. Yu Nian accepts, although graduation-thesis work delays their planned trip 170.

They marry in matching traditional Chinese wedding robes before friends, business partners, Auntie Liu, and Yu Nian's fans. With no parents seated in the places of honor, the wedding establishes the two as each other's family. Later countryside travels show them enjoying ordinary life together 171 173.

Notable Quotes

“People often say love is blind, but I actually think love shouldn't be blind.” 141

“I know you're strong, Brother Yu, and you'll handle everything. But that doesn't mean I can't hurt for you. If you're upset, tell me. I'll curse them out for you.” 120

“Mom, Grandpa, I brought my partner home! I hope you don't mind that he's a man.” 146