Yao Maolin

Biodata

Background / History

Kindergarten Friendship

Yao Maolin grew up alongside Shen Yu because their mothers were close friends. Loud and boisterous even as a child, he went everywhere with Shen Yu. He also helped Shen Yu defend Ji Cicen against children who pulled Ji’s hair; the two defeated a group of five children 124 140.

He was possessive of his place beside Shen Yu. When Ji Cicen grew closer to Shen Yu, Yao worried that he would be replaced. Nevertheless, his surrender of his kindergarten seat allowed Shen Yu and Ji Cicen to become deskmates—something Ji later credited with beginning their bond 185 192.

After kindergarten, Yao wanted to visit Shen Yu, but his mother told him that the Shen family’s circumstances were special. The two did not reunite until their school years 88.

Reunion with Shen Yu

Yao immediately recognized Shen Yu at school and greeted him as “Little Fish,” only to discover that Shen Yu did not remember him. He repeatedly recounted their kindergarten experiences in an unsuccessful attempt to restore those memories 51.

Alongside his genuine enthusiasm for the reunion, Yao was curious about Shen Jin, the Shen family’s recently recovered biological son. After seeing Shen Jin accurately assess the classroom’s social dynamics, he developed respect for his observational ability 52.

His renewed friendship with Shen Yu quickly became a mixture of teasing, competition, and invitations to visit his home. Their placement-exam rivalry ended in a tie: both scored ninety-eight 56 60. After repeatedly refusing Yao’s invitations, Shen Yu eventually agreed to a group visit 92.

Helping Find Treatment for Shen Jun

When Shen Yu and Shen Jin became withdrawn over Shen Jun’s worsening condition, Yao brought them hot water and offered to mobilize his family’s connections. He argued that the Yao family’s contacts might differ from the Shen family’s, even if their resources were smaller 63.

His inquiries produced a lead to the Ye family in Y City, a low-profile medical family with more than a century of experience and a private research laboratory. Yao’s grandfather had discovered them after spending over ten years seeking medical help for Yao’s grandmother 65.

The information prompted the Shen family to travel to Y City. Before Yao returned home, Shen Xubai rewarded his assistance with a highly profitable contract 65.

Business Ventures

Yao wanted to start a business to help Zhao Jinren, whose family was experiencing trouble. Shen Yu consequently proposed selling handmade crafts, but Yao rejected the assumption that ordinary handmade goods would command high prices and complained that their age restricted their options 82 84.

When they encountered Mo Zizhan, Yao joined Shen Yu in encouraging him to rebuild his career after his designs had been stolen 85. He invested all the pocket money he then had in Mo’s project, despite privately believing Shen Yu’s proposal was probably a passing whim 158.

The investment earned money, but Yao misplaced the card holding his returns and forgot about it until the subject arose at Ji Cicen’s coming-of-age banquet 158.

Graduation and University Plans

By the end of school, Yao had already begun participating in his family’s company affairs. His father did not expect him to enter a top university, allowing him to approach his studies more casually than some of his friends 162.

At a post-graduation gathering, he finally learned that Shen Yu and Ji Cicen were romantically involved. He theatrically mourned becoming the single member of their childhood trio, then looked forward to finding someone at university. He was set to attend the same university as Shen Yu 185.

Appearance

• Handsome features: Described as sunny, handsome, and sharp-featured when he reunites with Shen Yu 51.
• Sturdy, muscular build: At Ji Cicen’s home gym, Shen Yu considers him the sturdiest-looking of Yao, Ji Cicen, and Shen Jin 99.

Personality

Yao is exceptionally talkative, mischievous, and fond of gossip. He enjoys provoking his friends, especially when Ji Cicen cannot openly retaliate, and often turns complaints into theatrical performances. His restlessness extends to school, where his class advisor repeatedly has to retrieve him from the neighboring classroom 87 99 110.

Beneath the wisecracks, he is attentive and generous. He notices when Shen Yu is unwell, offers practical help without being asked, and commits his savings to a friend’s venture despite doubting its prospects. His loyalty is particularly evident with Zhao Jinren, whom he reassures, houses, and includes in plans without treating him as an outsider 59 63 92 158.

He is also socially polished when circumstances require it. His courteous, humorous conversation quickly wins Lin Yujing’s favor, and he declines her invitation to visit when he realizes he has brought nothing appropriate for the occasion 57.

Abilities & Skills

Social Connections and Information Gathering

Yao readily gathers school gossip and can draw on his family’s wider network.

• Learns what classmates are saying about Shen Yu’s intervention against bullying and Shen Jin’s identity 55.
• Shares advance information about seating privileges, an overseas transfer student, and the autumn outing 84 110.
• Supplies the medical lead that directs the Shen family toward the Ye family 65.

Academics and Business Experience

Yao is intelligent and earns good grades, though his performance is inconsistent.

• Scores ninety-eight on the placement exam, matching Shen Yu 60.
• Is praised academically by his class advisor despite his disruptive habits 110.
• Has a reputation for exceptional promise; before returning to China, Ji Cicen hears comparisons between him and Shen Xubai 89.
• Begins handling company matters early, although his understanding is less thorough than Ji Cicen’s 162.

Cooking

Yao confidently claims skill in making smashed cucumber salad, following his mother’s method.

• Says both parents have approved his version 99 100.
• Has little kitchen experience and overlooks ingredients that have already been prepared 99.
• Gets garlic in his eyes and accidentally spreads the irritation to Ji Cicen while attempting the dish 99.
• His father’s praise is partly intended to keep Yao’s mother out of the kitchen, rather than an impartial endorsement 100.

Relationships

• Shen Yu — Childhood friend and frequent sparring partner. Yao resents being forgotten but eagerly rebuilds their friendship. When Shen Yu regains his memories, Yao reaffirms that Shen Yu is still his “boss” 51 116.
• Zhao Jinren — Close friend and deskmate. Yao calls them brothers, keeps a room for Zhao at his home, and offers to have his father handle permission for Zhao to stay. He also remembers Zhao’s preference for tomatoes when arranging food for a gathering 59 92 100.
• Ji Cicen — Childhood friend and frequent target of teasing. Yao helps defend him in kindergarten, later interferes with his efforts to spend time with Shen Yu, and remains oblivious to the romance until it is explicitly announced 92 99 124 185.
• Shen Jin — Friend whom Yao initially finds intimidating but admires for his perceptiveness. Shen Jin becomes noticeably more tolerant of Yao after his offer to help Shen Jun 52 63.
• Shen Jun — Friend whose treatment Yao helps make possible. On formally meeting him at Shen Yu’s banquet, Yao awkwardly mishandles the introduction before declaring anyone who can keep Shen Yu in line his brother 65 79.
• Lin Yujing — His mother’s close friend. She remembers him following Shen Yu around as a small child and warmly invites him to visit 57 140.
• Jiang Minjie — A kindred spirit in exaggerated banter. Their immediate rapport nearly leads them to become sworn brothers before Yao’s father pulls him away to socialize 159 161.

Personal Items

• Figurines and Ultraman collection — Treasured possessions that he carries upstairs to protect from visiting children during a noisy family gathering 82.
• Investment bank card — Holds the proceeds from Mo Zizhan’s project; Yao puts it away in an obscure corner and forgets about it 158.

Notable Quotes

“We’re brothers too. No need to be so down.”
— Reassuring Zhao Jinren 59

“As long as you’ve remembered, you’re still my boss. We can’t throw away our revolutionary friendship!”
— To Shen Yu after his memories return 116

“Then what did our childhood bond count for?”
— Upon learning that Shen Yu and Ji Cicen are together 185