Xiang Lin

Biodata

Background / History

Xiang Lin was bullied in elementary school because he looked like a girl, becoming increasingly timid and withdrawn. Xia Shule intervened and defeated the larger boy bullying him. Their friendship endured into adulthood; at Xia Shule’s wedding, Xiang Lin still remembered him as the child who had stood in front of him to protect him 19 49.

Xiang Lin, Xia Shule, and Chen Jin grew up together and entered high school together, separating only when they went to university. The original-storyline extras show Xiang Lin as Xia Shule’s deskmate, already wary of Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang and concerned that Xia Shule’s kindness could be exploited 11 146 147.

His family operates a pharmaceutical company with its own professional research and development team. Its work has effectively brought it under state protection, giving the family enough standing that Jiang Gechen cannot casually act against him. His older brother sometimes takes him to the company office, where Xiang Lin passes the time following gossip 30 53.

Appearance

• Childhood: Had a face feminine enough that other children bullied him for resembling a girl 19.
• Expressions: His emotions are conspicuous—he cries openly when moved and becomes visibly flushed or agitated when angry 12 49.

Personality

Xiang Lin is outgoing, blunt, and quick-tempered. Repeatedly likened to a firecracker, he readily confronts people who insult or endanger Xia Shule. He particularly dislikes affected behavior and challenges Zhou Anyang’s attempts to portray himself as the indulgent, wronged party in their friendship 14 53 58.

His harsh language conceals an affectionate, sensitive disposition. After scolding Xia Shule for trusting Jiang Gechen, he secretly wipes away tears and carefully supports his injured hand. He also cries through Xia Shule’s wedding, becoming even more emotional when Xia Shule deliberately throws him the bouquet 13 49.

Despite his confrontational manner, Xiang Lin is considerate toward friends. He generally avoids rushing people because he worries about making them uncomfortable. He is also willing to reconsider his own behavior: in the high-school extras, Zhou Anyang’s reaction makes him ask whether a simple request to leave his seat sounded too harsh 130 146.

Abilities & Skills

Observation and Recognition

• Correctly suspects Jiang Gechen and Zhou Anyang’s involvement in Xia Shule’s drugging, then privately asks Xia Shule for confirmation 12 13.
• Recognizes Wen Yuzhi as the supposed waiter who spilled wine on Xia Shule, remembering his eyes despite the change in appearance 58 84.
• Identifies a heart-shaped amethyst as Master F’s final piece and recalls its symbolism and auction history 86.

Coordination with Xia Shule

• Collaborates with Xia Shule on a plan to ruin Du Tong and Du Jianhao before offering to take them in 43.
• Trips Jiang Gechen as Xia Shule evades his attempt to grab him, demonstrating their practiced coordination 54.
• Helps monitor Du Jianhao’s online allegations and prepare evidence to counter them 104.

Informal Relationship Advice

• Helps Xia Shule recognize that his admiration for Yan Zhiyi amounts to romantic love, despite having no dating experience himself at the time 86.
• Later turns to Xia Shule for help when Lai Jiangtian’s confession leaves him uncertain about his own feelings 116.

Relationships

• Xia Shule — Childhood best friend and former deskmate. Xia Shule protected him from bullying; Xiang Lin reciprocates through outspoken loyalty, practical help, and immediate intervention when Xia Shule is threatened 19 53 146.
• Lai Jiangtian — Friend turned boyfriend and intended spouse. They bond through their similarly outgoing personalities; Lai Jiangtian accepts Xiang Lin’s bluntness and uses his criticism to improve how he cares for him 48 120 139 145.
• Xiang Zhou — Older brother. He brings Xiang Lin to the company and can rein in his temper, including during an argument over Lai Jiangtian’s vegetable preparation 30 136.
• Chen Jin — Childhood friend who attended high school with Xiang Lin and Xia Shule 11.
• Ruan Jiaojiao — Close friend and fellow defender of Xia Shule. They trade teasing remarks and both retaliate against Jiang Gechen after Xia Shule is harmed 50 134.
• Song Dimu — Friend whom he warmly welcomes into their circle. Xiang Lin also follows his entertainment career as a fan 56 144.
• Jiang Gechen — Longstanding object of distrust and hostility. Xiang Lin opposes his treatment of Xia Shule and refuses to back down when Jiang threatens to kill him 13 53.
• Zhou Anyang — Disliked acquaintance whose manipulative behavior Xiang Lin openly challenges after learning of his involvement in Xia Shule’s drugging 12 14.
• Wen Yuzhi — Antagonistic acquaintance. Xiang Lin objects to his targeting of Xia Shule and exposes his connection to the waiter disguise 61 84.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Birthday Reunion and Drugging Disclosure

• Organizes an early birthday gathering for Xia Shule at Garden Estate, using Chen Jin’s return as an opportunity to surprise him and ordering an ice cream cake 12.
• Examines Xia Shule’s injured wrist and learns that he wounded himself to remain conscious after being drugged 12.
• Privately confirms the culprits’ identities, but learns that Xia Shule still lacks concrete evidence. He subsequently confronts Zhou Anyang’s self-serving account of their friendship 13 14.

Xia Shule’s Wedding and Birthday

• Quickly befriends Lai Jiangtian at the wedding. The two embrace and cry over the ceremony, and Xiang Lin catches the solid-gold bouquet Xia Shule specifically intends for him 48 49.
• Intervenes when Jiang Gechen seizes Xia Shule’s injured wrist and reminds him that Xia Shule is allergic to pollen when he proposes moving their confrontation to the garden 53.
• Challenges the disguised Wen Yuzhi after the wine spill and later identifies him publicly 58 84.
• Stays overnight after Xia Shule’s birthday celebration and helps him understand his feelings for Yan Zhiyi 86.

Relationship with Lai Jiangtian

Abduction and Hospital Vigil

• Notices that Xia Shule has neither arrived for afternoon tea nor answered his messages. His call to Yan Zhiyi prompts Yan to check the tracker linked to Xia Shule’s ring and discover that he is being taken away 130.
• Joins the retaliation against Jiang Gechen, punching him and attempting to use a large floor vase before Zou Xueyu stops him. He settles for throwing soil over Jiang instead 134.
• Is present when Xia Shule opens his eyes after his coma. He immediately informs Yan Zhiyi and Ming Yue, then attempts to speak with Xia Shule and grows alarmed when he receives no response 135.

Possessions & Interests

• Solid-gold bouquet — Receives it at Xia Shule’s wedding and makes a special trip home to put it away before visiting the Yan residence 49 50.
• Borrow Five Hundred Years from Heaven — A large hermit crab found with Lai Jiangtian on Chestnut Tree Island. Xiang Lin treats it as their “child” and hopes its grand name will bring it a long life 145.
• Gaming — Regularly plays with Xia Shule and vocally criticizes poor teammates; Xia Shule notices that an unusually fierce tirade signals something is troubling him 115.
• Entertainment gossip — Shares news and videos with Xia Shule and searches Weibo for candid photographs of Song Dimu 30 144.
• Outdoor play equipment — Particularly enjoys playground-style climbing facilities, spending much of the island trip exploring with Lai Jiangtian 145.

Notable Quotes

“Being in sync is the least remarkable thing about me and Lele.” 54

“Really. Your brain doesn't know it, but your words are very much in love with him.” 86