Zheng Shaoming

Biodata

Background / History

Sun Meiling’s Death

More than a month before his death, Zheng Shaoming pursued Sun Meiling, a server recruited through the Zheng Group. He initially behaved like a gentleman, gave her gifts, and arranged time off through her supervisor. By the third day, he had lost patience, drugged her during dinner, and raped her while she was unconscious 39.

When Sun Meiling tried to retrieve her phone to contact the police, the manor’s supervisor refused to help. After she publicly exposed what had happened, the supervisor persuaded the staff not to support her. Zheng Shaoming’s abuse continued until he tied her up and threw her into the lake, where she drowned. Sun Die described this final act as an attempt to frighten her 39.

Sun Meiling became a water ghost seeking revenge against him. Zhang Xianhai subsequently used a forbidden method to reduce the resentment attached to Zheng Shaoming 37 38 39.

Conflict with Jiang Chen

As heir to one of Jiangbei City’s five largest business conglomerates, Zheng Shaoming commanded considerable fear among his classmates. Two students who had offended him had withdrawn the previous year; classmates also reported that one former student’s parents lost their jobs and suffered financial and marital problems afterward 6.

His conflict with Jiang Chen began after Lin Youwei called Jiang Chen out for a private conversation. Zheng Shaoming claimed that their fathers were longtime acquaintances, invited Jiang Chen to a gathering, and then publicly mocked him for working at a milk tea shop. Jiang Chen retaliated by ridiculing his dependence on his father and pointing out that Lin Youwei had ignored him. Five or six basketball club members surrounded Jiang Chen and demanded an apology before student advisor Sun Zhibing intervened 6.

Jiang Chen later provoked him again while Zheng Shaoming drove his Ferrari through campus. Lin Youwei asked her father to intervene, and her father spoke with Zheng Tiance, though she remained concerned that Zheng Shaoming might retaliate behind their backs 14 15 24.

Serene Summer Resort Incident

Zheng Shaoming’s father sponsored a free university outing to the Zheng Group’s luxury mountain resort. Before the trip, Jiang Chen noticed two black handprints on Zheng Shaoming’s shoulders; by the bus journey, the mark had faded rather than intensified, suggesting outside help against the curse 7 25.

At Serene Summer Resort, Zheng Shaoming adopted a more approachable manner, introduced the grounds, and arranged the best lakeside rooms for several female classmates. During the supernatural attacks that followed, he was absent from the student gathering. One student reported seeing him leave toward the mountains with Steward Zhang 25 26 31.

Steward Zhang revealed himself as Zhang Xianhai of the Ghost Refining Sect. Zhao Erhu later identified his technique as the Substitute Death Method: concealing a ghost’s target near other living people caused the ghost to attack those people instead, with each death reducing its hatred for the original target. The target had to remain nearby 35 38 39.

Jiang Chen and Zhao Erhu found Zheng Shaoming near the mountain entrance in a luxury RV covered with concealment talismans. He was watching a movie with headphones while his classmates faced the ghosts. On seeing Jiang Chen alive, he immediately ordered “Uncle Zhang” to kill him, only then realizing that the RV door had been forced open 39.

Jiang Chen threw the restrained Sun Meiling into the RV and shut the door. She recognized Zheng Shaoming and attacked him. After nearly ten minutes of screams, the vehicle fell silent; when Jiang Chen and Zhao Erhu entered, blood and flesh covered the walls, confirming his death 39 40.

Appearance

• Described as a young man wearing designer clothes at his first appearance 6.
• Frequently displays a dark or menacing expression when displeased, particularly around Jiang Chen 6 14.
• Bears supernatural black handprints on his shoulders, visible to Jiang Chen through demonic power; the marks later fade under treatment 7 25.

Personality

Zheng Shaoming uses wealth and status to intimidate others rather than relying solely on overt boasts about his father. His mockery of Jiang Chen targets presumed poverty and social inferiority. His hostility over Lin Youwei also reflects his belief that suitable partners should come from the same wealthy social circle 6.

He can present a courteous face when it suits him: he politely addresses his driver, travels with his classmates by bus, and acts as a welcoming resort host. This contrasts with his disregard for pedestrians on campus, his abuse of Sun Meiling, and his willingness to let others die to relieve his curse 14 25 39.

Equipment / Assets

• Ferrari convertible — Drives it through a crowded campus road while smoking and forcing students to move aside 14.
• Chauffeur-driven luxury car — Arrives in it before the resort trip, then sends the driver home and joins the students on their bus 25.
• Luxury RV — His hiding place near the mountain entrance; exterior talismans conceal the occupants’ presence. It becomes the site of his death 39 40.
• Access to Serene Summer Resort — Uses his family’s property to host classmates and arrange preferential rooms 25 26.

Relationships

• Zheng Tiance — Father; sponsors the university’s resort outing and is approached by Lin Youwei’s father over the conflict with Jiang Chen 7 24.
• Jiang Chen — Classmate and enemy. Their dispute begins over Lin Youwei; Jiang Chen ultimately delivers Sun Meiling to his hiding place 6 39.
• Lin Youwei — Romantic interest. He resents her attention to Jiang Chen, while she seeks family intervention to protect Jiang Chen from him 6 15 24.
• Sun Meiling — Victim of his sexual assault and fatal abuse; returns as a water ghost and kills him 39 40.
• Zhang Xianhai / Steward Zhang — Protector against Sun Meiling’s resentment through the Substitute Death Method. Zheng Shaoming calls him “Uncle Zhang” and expects him to kill Jiang Chen 38 39.
• Sun Zhibing — Student advisor who initially treats him deferentially, but later blames him when the resort’s danger becomes apparent 6 7 35.
• Li Jie — Fellow wealthy student who refuses to be intimidated by him and offers to support Jiang Chen 15.