Li Hongyuan
Apocalypse Reborn: Starting with a 30-Million Lottery Win
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Li Hongyuan (李宏远) |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | In his forties 17 |
| Affiliation | Li family; Li Yu’s fortified mountain base 3 13 |
| Occupation/Role | Small-workshop owner; base construction organizer; weapons custodian and lookout 3 4 13 |
| Spouse | Liu Fanghua 6 |
| Children | Li Yu, Li Hang, and Li Yuan 2 4 |
| Status | Alive; remains at the base to protect the family during Li Yu’s expedition 29 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 2 |
Background / History
Family and livelihood
Li Hongyuan runs a small workshop in town and has established local connections over years of living in his hometown. Lai Dongsheng has worked for him for more than a decade 2 4.
When Li Yu insisted on attending university far from home, Li Hongyuan declared that he would not pay his tuition or living expenses. Li Yu responded by working his way through university, leaving his father unable to make him abandon his choice 2.
Building the base
After returning home, Li Yu presented his proposed rural tourism project to Li Hongyuan and Liu Fanghua, showing his lottery ticket and prize-collection photographs to establish that he could fund it. Li Hongyuan helped obtain the village Party secretary’s approval and lease neighboring land; most of the original property was allocated under his household registration 3.
Li Hongyuan organized construction using Li Yu’s professional plans, though he warned that a three-month deadline would be difficult. Li Yu specifically instructed him not to alter the designs without consultation. During construction, Li Hongyuan also brought completed professional drawings to his son 3 4.
The project’s expense remained a source of friction. Li Hongyuan scolded Li Yu over costly villa improvements, but a later tour with Liu Fanghua persuaded them that the finished site might genuinely attract tourists. They still worried about recovering the investment, unaware of its intended purpose as an apocalypse refuge 5 6.
The outbreak and base defense
During the first zombie attack at the base, Li Hongyuan operated the watchtower searchlight at Li Yu’s request. He was shocked by the approaching zombies and his son’s ability to fight them, then helped his relatives open the gate. Recognizing some of the bodies afterward, he questioned Li Yu and learned that these familiar people had become zombies 11.
Li Yu subsequently gave his father a firearm, explained its basic operation, and entrusted him with the stored weapons. Li Hongyuan also joined the lookout rotation at the entrance 13.
He volunteered to accompany the search for Li Yu’s missing uncle, but Li Yu persuaded him to remain behind. Before leaving, Li Yu instructed him and the other defenders not to open the gate for anyone 16.
When displaced villagers arrived, Li Hongyuan felt pity for an orphaned girl but remained wary. The village Party secretary invoked his earlier approval of the base’s paperwork to pressure him; Li Hongyuan stayed silent rather than agreeing to admit the group 17. The standoff continued to trouble his conscience 20.
Li Hongyuan continued serving on watch through later incidents. When Liu Huamei sought help, he insisted on waiting for Li Yu before making a decision. He also remained home with other relatives to protect the family during a subsequent expedition 23 27 29.
Personality
Li Hongyuan is strict about spending and willing to challenge his children’s choices. However, Li Yu remembers that his father has almost always kept his promises to him since childhood 2 3 5.
His reaction to Li Yu shifts from frustration and bewilderment to pride after the outbreak. Even while worrying about his son’s plans, he watches anxiously for his return from dangerous trips 13 16 17.
Compassion does not erase his caution. The orphaned village girl moves him deeply, but he does not let sympathy or the Party secretary’s pressure override the restrictions on entering the base 17 20.
Abilities & Skills
Construction Organization
- Organizes the base’s construction and assesses whether its deadline is realistic 3.
- Works with professional drawings and handles construction discussions with Li Yu 3 4.
- Helps secure local approval and additional land for the project 3.
Lookout and Gate Security
- Operates the watchtower searchlight and helps open the gate during the initial zombie attack 11.
- Takes regular lookout shifts with other adult relatives and Lai Dongsheng 13 23.
- Defers requests for entry to Li Yu rather than independently admitting outsiders 27.
Weapons Handling and Custody
- Receives basic firearm instruction from Li Yu; this is his first experience handling guns 13.
- Is entrusted with safekeeping the base’s stored weapons, including bows, crossbows, swords, and knives 13.
Equipment / Weapons / Items
- Firearm and magazine — Issued by Li Yu for protection after the outbreak 13.
- Stored weapons — Keeps custody of the base’s weapon stockpile 13.
- Watchtower searchlight — Uses it to illuminate threats outside the perimeter 11.
Relationships
- Li Yu — Eldest son; initially clashes with him over education and expenditure, then accepts defensive responsibilities under his direction 2 5 13.
- Liu Fanghua — Wife; shares his concerns about the tourism project’s cost and later recognizes its potential appeal 6.
- Li Hang — Younger son; receives his first firearm instruction alongside Li Hongyuan 4 13.
- Li Yuan — Daughter and third child; attends university before returning for the National Day holiday 4.
- Lai Dongsheng — Long-serving workshop employee who later joins the base’s defense rotation 4 13.
- Li Hongqian — Younger brother, three years his junior; stands guard with him when the displaced villagers arrive 17.