Zhang Qiren

Biodata

Background / History

Writing career and shared apartment

Zhang Qiren spent nearly two years writing webnovels while delivering takeout to support himself. His first two books attracted only double-digit subscriber counts, but he completed both without missing a day of updates. After a major argument with his family, he quit delivery work and moved in with Chu Ge through a writers’ forum roommate advertisement. They quickly became friends and had shared the apartment for almost half a year by his introduction 2 6 7.

With his delivery savings nearly exhausted, Zhang treated his third novel as his last opportunity to continue writing. He had agreed to return home if it failed; the expected alternative was a factory job arranged by his family 6 7.

Premium launch and departure

His third novel initially exceeded expectations, gaining over four hundred subscriptions to its first paid chapter within an hour. Its strong conversion rate suggested a loyal readership despite relatively modest bookmark numbers 7.

The launch was interrupted when his editor reported a complaint accusing the book of political insinuations. Zhang maintained that it was simply a fantasy about leveling and clearing dungeons. The editor planned to hide it pending revisions, possibly because someone had distorted the meaning of its dungeon design 7.

Unable to identify what needed changing, Zhang believed an indefinite interruption would destroy the new book’s readership. He abandoned it, posted “Dropping this book. Sorry, everyone,” and moved out that afternoon. Before leaving, he thanked Chu Ge for their friendship and offered help whenever needed 7.

Continued support for Chu Ge

Zhang remained involved in Chu Ge’s career after leaving. He promoted Chu Ge’s work through a thread on the No-Female-Lead Forum, helping attract readers outside its previous audience. As Chu Ge shifted toward romance-free cultivation fiction, he recognized the growing influence of Zhang’s writing style and wondered whether success might offer his friend some vindication 23 24.

When they later chatted, Zhang claimed to be working “basically” as a security guard. He said he had spotted Chu Ge shopping with a beautiful woman while chasing a thief, but avoided naming his employer 27.

Divine Miracle Nightclub

Zhang was subsequently revealed as the Divine Miracle Nightclub’s new owner and registered legal representative. During Lin Wuyang’s inspection, he truthfully identified himself and explained that he had taken over the family business only days earlier 40.

After the nightclub’s underground boxing operation shut down, Zhang appeared to concentrate on its legitimate business. He also sought contact with the “Black Room,” whose members were interested but remained hidden because of police attention. Zhang regarded Gu Ruoyan’s return to the capital as favorable and dismissed Lin Wuyang’s ability to interfere 47.

At a hotel, Chu Ge encountered him wearing expensive clothes and accompanied by underlings. Rather than displaying pride, Zhang felt embarrassed to be seen by his old friend. He discreetly ordered an underling called Big Ears to listen to Chu Ge’s table, then paid for the reunion’s two tables under the pretext of admiring Chu Ge’s work 48 49.

Lin Wuyang continued treating Zhang as an important investigative lead despite the case having been called off. He asked Chu Ge to report anything Zhang might reveal. Chu Ge’s suggestion that Zhang had returned home to inherit a billion-dollar fortune was an incredulous guess, not a confirmed account of his wealth 48 50.

Appearance

• Build: Skinny, with a physique that makes Chu Ge question his ability to chase thieves 2 27.
• Eyewear: Wears glasses at his introduction 2.
• Later presentation: Appears in expensive clothing with an entourage after taking over the nightclub 48.

Personality

Zhang’s everyday manner is irreverent and often vulgar. He trades sexual jokes and self-deprecating remarks with Chu Ge, but also notices when his friend needs company. Despite his own launch anxiety, he readily accompanies Chu Ge for a late-night meal to discuss the latter’s troubled outline 2 5.

Writing is a serious ambition beneath that joking exterior. Zhang studied books and tutorial videos, accumulated extensive notes, and wrote roughly ten hours a day after moving in with Chu Ge. His discipline exceeded Chu Ge’s, but prolonged work had already damaged his neck and lower back. The complaint against his third novel crushed him precisely when its results seemed to validate those efforts 7 13.

His later wealth does not erase his attachment to his former life. He quietly supports Chu Ge rather than approaching him triumphantly, and rejects a lineup of attractive women because none is the person he actually wants 47 48 49.

Abilities & Skills

Webnovel Writing

Zhang’s stated strengths are imaginative concepts and snarky humor rather than romance 6.

• Favors stories without a female lead, a direction he maintains despite poor commercial results 5 6.
• Completed two unsuccessful novels while holding a delivery job, maintaining uninterrupted updates 7.
• Attracted unusually loyal paying readers with his third novel, although its launch was cut short 7.

Story and Audience Analysis

Zhang helps Chu Ge identify ways to revise his novel without discarding Qiu Wuji’s importance 5 6.

• Points out that readers’ interest in the female sect master is overshadowing the protagonist’s struggles 5.
• Proposes leaving romantic possibilities unresolved and using an open ending, preserving flexibility because the protagonist has not committed to anyone 6.
• Promotes the revised work to a no-female-lead readership 23.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• G-Wagon — Identified by Lin Wuyang as Zhang’s vehicle outside the reunion hotel 50.

Relationships

• Chu Ge — Close friend, former roommate, and fellow writer. Their support extends from book recommendations and plotting advice to Zhang’s discreet promotion and payment of Chu Ge’s reunion bill 2 5 6 23 49.
• Moon Shadow — Their former neighbor and the object of Zhang’s quiet attraction. He knew she had unsuccessfully streamed games, but financial insecurity discouraged him from approaching her. Their early assumption that she worked as a hostess was unconfirmed 6 7.
• His family — Opposed his prolonged pursuit of writing and secured his agreement to return if the third book failed. He later identifies the nightclub as a family business 6 7 40.
• Lin Wuyang — Police officer investigating the nightclub and Zhang’s activities. Lin warns him to know when he has made enough money and asks Chu Ge to share future information 40 48 50.
• Black Room — A group Zhang seeks to establish contact with; no completed alliance is shown in the provided chapters 47.
• Big Ears — An underling tasked with discreetly listening to the conversation at Chu Ge’s reunion table 48.

Notable Quotes

“I really love writing... I've always thought showing people the world inside my head was a wonderful thing.” 7

“All these years of struggling weren't entirely for nothing. The best thing I got out of them was a friend like you, Chu.” 7

“They're all pretty, but they aren't what I want. There's no point.” 47