Yan Zhiyi

Biodata

Background / History

Childhood and family

Yan Zhiyi grew up repeatedly taking the blame for his older sister Yan Zhishu’s misbehavior. Their parents believed her accusations, and his explanations did not help. At school, his father prohibited him from revealing his Yan family background to build his perseverance. Influential classmates bullied him, while teachers sided with those better-connected children 75.

Yan Zhishu was already eighteen when he was born. When he was twelve, she insisted on marrying a man their parents distrusted, saying she was pregnant. The family later learned that the man had drugged her and, after their marriage, confined her in a basement. Her psychological condition deteriorated severely after childbirth 29.

As an adult, Yan Zhiyi continues to care for his family but maintains an emotional distance. Xia Shule observes that his conduct toward his parents and sister often resembles responsibility more than intimacy 31.

School years and business career

Lai Jiangtian befriended Yan Zhiyi in high school through persistent attempts to get close to him. Their circle eventually included Yin Xian, Song Jing’an, and Lu Mingwen 5 38.

Wen Yuzhi began pursuing Yan Zhiyi after Lu Mingwen rescued him from people demanding money. Yan Zhiyi initially rejected Wen’s attention and later ignored it; he did not accept a romantic relationship. Wen subsequently resorted to self-harm, suicide threats, and repeated hospitalizations when Yan resisted him 38.

After graduation, Yan Zhiyi went abroad without publicly disclosing his destination or plans. He returned two years later, took over Yan Corporation, and became widely known as a tyrant of the business world 38.

Appearance

• Build: Tall, with a broad back, long legs, and large, strong hands 3 5 10.
• Face: Sculpted features and a usually stern expression 59 128.
• Voice: Deep and resonant, initially described as carrying an icy chill 3.
• Usual clothing: Suits. A white T-shirt, coffee-brown trousers, and white sneakers make him look roughly ten years younger—almost like a college student 7.
• Bearing: Elegant movements and an air of nobility, accompanied by conspicuous coldness and distance 8.

Personality

Yan Zhiyi is reserved, terse, and difficult to approach. Even close friends are accustomed to receiving silence or one-word answers. Before meeting Xia Shule, he generally avoids interfering in other people’s affairs and believes that a person’s fate is decided by heaven 4 5. His reputation for ruthlessness contrasts with his willingness to apologize directly when he reveals that he is not actually a gardener 10.

Xia Shule’s uncalculated kindness reaches him precisely because he has rarely experienced someone defending him. Yan Zhiyi is moved when Xia protects him without knowing his status, and later recognizes that Xia extends the same kindness to others. Through their relationship, he experiences a sense of happiness and belonging he says he has never known before 5 8 19 39.

His affection is attentive but intensely possessive. He enjoys being needed, wants to provide Xia Shule’s clothes and daily necessities himself, and increasingly insists on constant proximity. His fear of abandonment includes thoughts of bringing Xia back if he runs away, and the residence’s strengthened security serves both protective and possessive purposes 65 88 117 127 145. Nevertheless, he also questions whether he is being too strict and restrains his sexual desires after Xia’s recovery because he fears triggering further trauma 69 142.

Abilities & Skills

Business Management and Corporate Influence

Yan Zhiyi’s power rests on his business position rather than a cultivation or leveling system.

• Takes over Yan Corporation after returning from abroad and establishes a formidable reputation in Jingjiang 38.
• Oversees businesses including Shengshi, whose experienced senior management can continue operating after ownership changes 16 21.
• Applies sustained pressure to Jiang Corporation as its stock falls and business opportunities disappear 69.
• Receives updates from Li Changbin as Jiang Gechen and Jiang Shou turn against each other and the corporation loses its gains 97.

Practical Caregiving

Yan Zhiyi becomes closely involved in Xia Shule’s medical care and everyday routines.

• Carries out wound aftercare using disinfectant, scar gel, and replacement scar-reduction patches 46.
• Notices memory problems, emotional instability, and hypervigilance, then consults psychologist Yin Xian 67.
• Soothes Xia Shule through insomnia by holding him and patting his head and back 70.
• Cooks meals, prepares clothing, and helps with washing and bathing 69 97 120.
• Supports rehabilitation by feeding Xia Shule when necessary while encouraging him to regain independent use of utensils 138.

Observation and Security Awareness

• Recognizes the unfamiliar waiter at the birthday banquet as a possible sign of another trap and follows Xia Shule 5.
• Arranges strict body searches for wedding guests after the earlier attack at the residence 59.
• Uses phone GPS to locate Xia Shule when his prolonged absence causes concern 59.
• Anticipates Yan Zhishu’s outburst and carries Xia Shule away before he can be hurt 129.

Assets and Gifts

• Shengshi and financial documents — Provided as part of the marriage arrangement, with Yan Zhiyi promising that Xia Shule will not have to manage the business alone 16.
• Solid-gold wedding bouquet — Commissioned because fresh flowers could trigger Xia Shule’s allergies and Yan Zhiyi considers artificial flowers too cheap 48.
• Office leisure area — Equipped with snacks, toys, and books so Xia Shule can comfortably accompany him at work 32.
• Chestnut Tree Island recreational facilities — Built to keep Xia Shule entertained; the island is extensive enough that Xiang Lin and Lai Jiangtian explore only a third of it in an afternoon 145.
• Entire personal fortune — Offers to transfer everything, including Yan Corporation, to Xia Shule. By the ending, Xia confirms that Yan Zhiyi has already given him everything he owns 119 145.

Relationships

• Xia Shule — Husband. Their marriage begins as an openly negotiated exchange of protection and companionship, then becomes a mutually devoted relationship. Yan Zhiyi accepts his account of rebirth and supports him through trauma and recovery 10 20 76 77 138.
• Yan Family Old Master — Father. Conceals Yan Zhiyi’s family status during his schooling and later arranges blind dates. He approves of Xia Shule but warns Yan Zhiyi not to bully him 7 16 75.
• Old Madam Fu — Mother. Welcomes the change toward hands-on domestic life after Yan Zhiyi’s marriage 120.
• Yan Zhishu — Older sister. Their childhood relationship contributes to his emotional distance from the family. He remains responsible for her safety and is wary of the danger her episodes can pose to others 29 75 129.
• Lai Jiangtian — One of his few close friends, whose persistence and talkativeness overcame Yan Zhiyi’s initial indifference 5.
• Yin Xian — Longtime friend and psychologist. Advises him about Xia Shule’s anxiety, post-traumatic symptoms, and later unresponsive state 38 67 135.
• Lu Mingwen and Song Jing’an — Members of his school-era friendship circle who remain involved in his adult life and wedding 38 41 49.
• Li Changbin — Assistant. Reports on investigations and corporate developments; Yan Zhiyi rewards his work with an expenses-paid Maldives holiday and private-jet transport 32 97.
• Wen Yuzhi — Former classmate and unwanted pursuer, not a confirmed former lover. Yan Zhiyi rejects his wedding attendance and later denies Wen’s claims of past romantic intimacy 38 47 83.
• Jiang Gechen — Nephew from an estranged branch of the family and Xia Shule’s chief threat. Yan Zhiyi intervenes against him despite their family connection 4 49 69.
• Ming Yue and Xia Dunrong — Parents-in-law. Yan Zhiyi visits with valuable gifts and personally promises them that he will never hurt their son 19 20.

Story Role / Major Arcs

The Gardener Misunderstanding

Xia Shule first encounters Yan Zhiyi pruning flowers and assumes he is a gardener. After overhearing plans to drug Xia, Yan Zhiyi decides to intervene because the young man has defended him. He warns Xia, follows when an unfamiliar waiter leads him away, and finds him injured. He summons the family doctor to stop the bleeding before the ambulance arrives 3 4 5 6.

The misunderstanding continues through messages and a lunch invitation. When Lin Yushan insults the supposed gardener, Xia Shule pulls Yan Zhiyi behind him and defends him again. Yan eventually reveals his identity at the residence and apologizes, prompting Xia Shule to propose marriage as a way to obtain protection from Jiang Gechen 7 8 10.

Marriage and Growing Affection

Yan Zhiyi considers both his own desire for companionship and Xia Shule’s future security before agreeing to the arrangement. They register their marriage, and he takes responsibility for the wedding preparations, including inviting Jiang Gechen so Xia Shule’s changed circumstances will be unmistakable 10 16 20.

His affection becomes increasingly visible through small acts: peeling crayfish, preparing a leisure area in his office, comforting Xia during emotional breakdowns, and carrying supplies for his injured wrist. Xia Shule admits that he is beginning to fall in love with him 20 32 37 46.

Wen Yuzhi’s Return

Despite being refused an invitation, Wen Yuzhi enters the wedding gathering through another guest. Yan Zhiyi remains distant during his attempts to revive their school-day connection and instead worries about Xia Shule’s absence. His smile upon spotting Xia on the terrace shocks Wen, who has never seen that expression on him before 47 58 59.

When Wen later implies that he and Yan Zhiyi shared a romance, Yan denies being close to him and reassures Xia Shule. The couple subsequently affirm their wish to spend their lives together and share their first kiss 83 87.

Learning the Truth About the Novel

Xia Shule reveals that their world is a novel and that he has broken free of his assigned role as a vicious supporting character. In the original plot, Yan Zhiyi is the mysterious businessman Jiang Gechen fears most; even the finale leaves the two in peaceful coexistence rather than giving Jiang a victory 21 76.

Yan Zhiyi’s immediate concern is whether the plot could force Xia Shule to leave him. On learning about Xia’s previous death and rebirth, he feels no anger at having been approached for protection. Instead, he is grateful that his position made him someone Xia could turn to, and pledges to support his revenge 76 77.

Crisis and Recovery

Before Xia Shule’s predicted calamity, Yan Zhiyi promises not to give up on him. He later finds Xia bloodied, dissociated, and clutching a knife near the injured Jiang Gechen. He prioritizes getting Xia to the hospital rather than confronting Jiang 127 133.

When Xia awakens but cannot respond, Yin Xian explains that his psychological self-protective state may take years to resolve. Yan Zhiyi breaks down but continues caring for him, celebrates his first finger movements, and helps him relearn basic tasks as his strength returns 135 137 138.

By the ending, the couple remain together. Xia Shule begins confronting his fear of bathing, while Yan Zhiyi continues their domestic routines and hosts their friends on Chestnut Tree Island 142 145.

Notable Quotes

“Please rest assured, both of you. I will never hurt Xia Shule.” 20

“We’re married. We’re family now. You can tell me anything, and I’ll always be on your side.” 68

“I won’t give up on you, but... what if the one who comes back isn’t you?” 127

Trivia

• His formerly black-and-white study gradually fills with Xia Shule’s colorful toys and belongings 40 69.
• He switches their laundry detergent to a fruity scent because of Xia Shule’s pollen allergy, leaving both of them smelling of fruit 145.
• His enthusiastic adoption of cooking and personal caregiving makes the household staff wonder whether they are about to lose their jobs 120.