Wang Xiaoliang

Biodata

Background / History

Wang Xiaoliang comes from a small city and a family that struggled financially. His father required him to practice calligraphy from childhood and taught him to reinforce his memory by writing things down. During middle and high school, he concentrated on studying to enter a good university 12 22 41 42.

At his university’s freshman welcome gala, he volunteered to write a replacement banner after something happened to the original. Wei Zijin watched him work backstage without his noticing. Later that evening, he fell in love with her when she performed onstage, beginning a four-year secret crush 22 23.

His university life subsequently became directionless. He spent substantial time gaming, failed courses, and faced graduation without clear employment plans. His roommate Zhou Tao’s suicide forced him to reconsider that way of living 11 38.

Appearance

• During his early crisis: Pale face, heavy dark circles, chin stubble, greasy hair, and a wrinkled, loose jacket. This disheveled appearance reminds him of the Book of Fate’s warning against filth 2.
• General appearance: Described as ordinary-looking; he feels outclassed by Zhao Shengkai in height, looks, and clothing 18.
• Graduation dinner outfit: Wears newly purchased ERKE clothing, which Zhao Shengkai privately mocks as unfashionable 19.

Personality

Initially introverted, thin-skinned, and poor at refusing people, Wang Xiaoliang is easily embarrassed by romantic attention and comparisons with more successful peers. He warms up to strangers slowly and dislikes gatherings dominated by drinking, forced smiles, and empty pleasantries 1 18 33 34 37.

His conscience becomes a firm boundary. He refuses to give false testimony even when offered a permanent job, and he admits having no career plans rather than inventing an impressive future. After his attempt to confront Liang Yanni leaves her crying, he recognizes the humiliation of his own behavior and objects when Li Jun insults her 7 10 18.

He remains loyal despite conflict. After falling out with Li Jun, he instinctively saves him a library seat; later, he pays Li Jun’s fine and tries to watch over him through the night. His growing independence also leads him to decline Liu Xinyu’s job offer so he can first attempt to support himself 11 39.

His attitude toward fate shifts from frightened belief to deliberate interpretation. Following Song Yi’s advice, he resolves to examine the Book of Fate rationally. He increasingly treats its teachings as practical principles for ethical work, recognizing opportunities, and repaying kindness 9 11 34 42.

Abilities & Skills

Calligraphy

• Trained by his father since childhood; his brushwork is respectable even though he is not presented as an established master calligrapher 22.
• Writes an emergency replacement banner for the freshman welcome gala 22.
• Decorates the dormitory washroom curtains with “Three-Wash Pavilion” and “For Tough Guys Only” in two different calligraphy styles 4.
• Becomes noticeably calm and focused when writing with a brush. Wei Zijin’s video shows steady, flowing strokes and characters combining forcefulness with delicate finishing details 27.
• Sells personalized commissions, including “I love Xiaoxiao,” “idiot,” and “The Dao follows nature” 31 42.
• Receives advice from Song Yi to understand the meaning of the words he writes rather than concentrating solely on technique 43.

Entrepreneurship

• Overcomes his fear of rejection by quietly offering drinks to library students, focusing on those without drinks already on their desks 14.
• Builds repeat business through WeChat orders, dormitory deliveries, and customer referrals 14 29 42.
• Recognizes that customers may be buying more than an object: a romantic calligraphy commission teaches him that he is also selling a way to express affection 31.
• Plans to develop his WeChat Moments into an online grocery store rather than depend entirely on calligraphy sales 31.
• Understands the limits of his drink business: its opportunity depends on hot weather and the university’s ban on outside food deliveries 24.

Content Creation and Planning

• Proposes an online interview series for Wei Zijin featuring ordinary people and everyday life. He advises her to avoid unethical tactics and present interviewees without judging or lecturing them 25.
• Improves his own calligraphy videos by shortening them and writing trending phrases, increasing views, comments, and followers 35.
• Studies account positioning, personal branding, opening hooks, music selection, and traffic distribution through the Gold Creator Support Program 49 50.
• Applies the training by scripting videos, opening with finished calligraphy, reversing the writing footage, using music timed to the beat, and keeping videos under a minute 50.

Emergency Response and Study Habits

• Helps an unconscious girl injured by a delivery scooter, remaining beside her until medical staff take over. Teacher Zheng later recognizes him for helping save her 13 29.
• Uses careful note-copying to calm distracting thoughts and improve concentration 12.
• Replaces gaming with a study routine and balances revision with drink sales. He later feels confident that he has passed both makeup exams, though the supplied account does not give their results 11 15 26.

The Book of Fate

The Book of Fate is an old, thread-bound book given to Wang Xiaoliang by a Taoist priest who warns that he is trapped and approaching death. Its reading instructions require belief, reflection after each page, and moving forward only after gaining insight. Wang increasingly interprets it as actionable guidance rather than merely seeking supernatural reassurance 1 7 9 34.

Equipment / Items

• Book of Fate — His principal guide to changing his circumstances; he initially keeps it hidden beneath his pillow, where Li Jun discovers it 7 9.
• Calligraphy supplies — Brushes, ink, and xuan paper used for gifts, commissions, and videos 27 31 42.
• Drink-filled backpack — Carries stock between his dormitory and library customers 14 27.
• iPhone from Wei Zijin — A graduation and thank-you gift for helping her develop her show 48.
• iPhone from Liu Xinyu — A separate farewell gift; his improved phone equipment helps him produce more videos 49.

Relationships

• Wei Zijin — His four-year secret crush, initially his pretend girlfriend and later his actual girlfriend. He helps launch her interview show; she promotes his calligraphy and eventually confesses that she has liked him for four years 18 23 25 31 49.
• Li Jun — Roommate and longtime friend. Their friendship is strained by Li Jun’s willingness to testify for the university, but Wang continues helping him and pays his two-thousand-yuan fine after his arrest 10 11 39.
• Zhou Tao / Third — Roommate whose suicide becomes the decisive turning point in Wang’s life. Wang refuses to lie about the circumstances of his death 1 10 38.
• Song Yi — University vice president and mentor. Encourages rational thought about fate, discusses Yuan Liaofan’s example, and later accepts Wang’s calligraphy as sincere gratitude 9 43 46.
• Zhou Qiang — Entrepreneur, friend, and recycling business contact. Buys Wang’s bottles and cardboard, shares his difficult early history, and offers help with Wang’s plans to remain in Jiangcheng 32 35 47.
• Liu Xinyu — Supportive friend who promotes the drink business, offers employment in his family business, and gives Wang a phone before leaving. Wang admires his social skill 14 39 46 49.
• Parents — Initially perceived as restrictive and unable to advance his prospects. His father supports his decision to remain in Jiangcheng, promises another year of living expenses, and assures him that home remains a fallback 41 42.
• Teacher Zheng — Recognizes his assistance at the scooter accident, intervenes when he faces discipline for library sales, and offers help with future difficulties 29.
• Feng Yuan — Student advisor who offers academic and employment assistance while seeking cooperation as a witness in the university’s dispute with Zhou Tao’s parents 6 10.
• Wholesale shop owner / Fat Boss — Supplier and business adviser whom Wang identifies as a benefactor; encourages the WeChat Moments approach to selling 31 42.
• Zhao Shengkai and Ouyang Hai — Mock him behind his back and discuss getting him drunk to embarrass him. He declines the karaoke outing and later becomes less troubled by their ridicule 19 20 35.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Room 404 Crisis and Refusal to Testify

• Receives the Book of Fate shortly before witnessing Zhou Tao leap from the dormitory window. In the aftermath, he briefly envies Zhou Tao for escaping life 1.
• Learns that Zhou Tao had been expelled before his death and that the university subsequently revoked the expulsion. His request to change dormitory rooms is effectively deferred 2.
• Delivers Zhou Tao’s stained plush rabbit to Liang Yanni as his final gift, but her tears make Wang question his attempt to seek justice through confrontation 6 7.
• Rejects the prospect of a secure job in exchange for testimony that violates his conscience 10.

Building an Independent Livelihood

• Begins selling drinks while preparing for makeup exams. After selling four boxes, he calculates earnings of 151.50 yuan—the first money earned through his own work 14.
• Loses access to selling in the library, but Teacher Zheng’s intervention prevents the demanded thousand-word self-criticism. Viewer interest in his calligraphy suggests another income source 29.
• Receives 400 yuan for “I love Xiaoxiao” and initially charges 100 yuan per character. Price resistance convinces him that commissions cannot yet be his main business 31.
• Adds recyclable sales through Zhou Qiang and later accepts a Qingdao calligraphy commission at 50 yuan per character, earning 200 yuan 32 35 42.

Wei Zijin and *Song of Ordinary People*

• Moves from awkward library conversations to pretending to be Wei Zijin’s boyfriend at a graduation dinner 12 18.
• Confesses his love after she initially rules out a relationship. She asks whether five years would be enough for him to make her happy, without promising to wait 23.
• Develops the ordinary-people interview concept and becomes its first subject. Wei films his drink-selling routine, interviews him, and includes his calligraphy in Song of Ordinary People 25 26 27.
• Learns that Jiangcheng Television has bought her show and provided a production team. She credits his advice with accelerating her career 48.
• Becomes her boyfriend after her confession and their first kiss. They agree to prioritize their futures, limit casual contact, and meet no more than once a week 49.

Staying in Jiangcheng and Growing as a Creator

• Rents a room near the university and chooses to attempt independent work instead of returning home or joining Liu Xinyu’s family business 38 39.
• Gains unexpected parental support. His mother sends 2,000 yuan, which he resolves to preserve as an emergency reserve 42.
• Builds the Youyouzi account, enrolls in free creator training, and applies the lessons to improve his videos 42 49 50.
• Joins the platform’s Creator Incentive program and receives his first traffic-based earnings: 0.01 yuan. Rising views also bring new calligraphy inquiries 50.