Secretary Su

Biodata

Background / History

By the beginning of the story, Secretary Su has worked for Xia Qinghe for eight years and dealt with Lin Fengmian for ten. His familiarity with both men extends beyond office business: he knows their daily habits and understands that Lin can approach Xia when almost everyone else is afraid to do so 1 6.

Drugging and Hospital Incident

Secretary Su calls Lin Fengmian after Xia Qinghe apparently drinks too much at a business engagement. Knowing how to persuade Lin, he emphasizes that Xia is in a bad mood. Once Lin arrives equally irritable, Su worries that he has brought in someone who will make the situation worse rather than calm it down 1.

When the pair wrestle their way into the elevator, Su mistakes a trail of melted ice for evidence that Lin has beaten Xia into incontinence. He subsequently brings a doctor to check for internal injuries, only for Lin to explain the ice. Xia threatens to fire him; Lin’s reaction indicates that such threats are familiar rather than exceptional 2.

The following morning, Su brings bodyguards and replacement suits to the hospital. He has already contacted the police before Xia instructs him to do so, and the hospital’s examination report is handed over for the drugging investigation 3.

After a staged public apology turns into a confrontation, Su arrives with the legal team and confirms that evidence collection is complete. He later reports the instigating woman’s detention and fine, the legal action against rumor-spreading bloggers, and the replacement of the negligent security company 4 6.

Looking After Lin Fengmian

While Xia attends a blind date, Su spends over an hour calling outside his residence to get Lin’s attention, leaving his voice hoarse. When Lin finally emerges hungry, Su takes him to a nearby noodle shop rather than delay the meal. He unsuccessfully pretends not to know about Xia’s blind date, then arranges Lin’s taxi home and reports his departure to Xia 10.

At Xia’s request, Su investigates the offer for Lin to become Yu Huan’s guest singing partner. Within minutes, he provides a file identifying her and explains that a Xia Group subsidiary already invests in the show, allowing her removal with compensation. Xia orders him to proceed 17.

Su also facilitates Lin Sui’s access to Xia’s residence, supplies Xia with security-camera feeds to watch Lin leave for work, and carries out an order to purchase a luxurious van with a comfortable place for Lin to lie down. During Xia’s visit to the film set, Su arranges the distribution of gifts to the crew 27 29.

Lanhai Stay and Falling-Out

In Lanhai, Su accompanies Xia on business and listens with driver Chen Xiaohua as Xia worries about Lin working in the entertainment industry 35.

When Xia takes the deeply sleeping Lin to the hospital, Su handles the car doors, blanket, and driving. He notices Xia’s embarrassment but deliberately avoids commenting on his employer’s private life 39.

During the subsequent fight between Xia and Lin, Su warns Lin Sui not to intervene and pulls him away after he is struck. Su initially treats the confrontation as a familiar pattern, explaining that the two know where to hit without causing lethal harm. He also declines to act on Lin’s angry instruction to throw out Xia’s luggage 40.

Su describes Xia as Lin’s “Abeibei”—a comfort object—and predicts that Lin’s anger will last no later than bedtime. Their disagreement nevertheless escalates into a genuine separation, and Su offers only a sigh when Lin Sui asks whether they can reconcile 40 41.

Personality

Secretary Su is outwardly deferential but privately irreverent. He fears Xia’s temper and frequently imagines disastrous outcomes, yet his internal commentary mocks his employer’s indulgence toward Lin. He restrains himself partly because he has elderly parents and children to support and cannot afford to lose his job 1 2.

Experience has made him more composed around the pair’s quarrels. Rather than take every threat or angry instruction literally, he distinguishes their usual behavior from matters requiring intervention. He shares these lessons with Lin Sui, although his confidence does not give him a definite answer when their falling-out becomes serious 40 41.

He is also willing to gossip about Xia’s less intimidating side. Before work, he tells the assistants that Xia learned cooking through a high-school club and attributes his motivation to jealousy 47.

Abilities & Skills

Executive Administration

Su leads Xia’s assistants and handles both corporate assignments and personal arrangements 6 17.

• Coordinates bodyguards, lawyers, meals, clothing, and transport 3 4 10 39.
• Follows up on evidence collection, online rumors, and security-provider failures 4 6.
• Quickly identifies the investment connection relevant to Yu Huan’s television appearance 17.

Reading Xia Qinghe and Lin Fengmian

Su uses years of familiarity to anticipate their preferences and reactions 1 6.

• Persuades Lin to visit by mentioning Xia’s mood 1.
• Observes Xia’s rule against serving Lin cold food 10.
• Recognizes when Xia is venting rather than seeking an answer 27.
• Advises Lin Sui not to treat the pair’s angry remarks as firm instructions 40.
• Can still misread events, most notably the melted-ice incident 2.

Relationships

• Xia Qinghe — Employer of eight years at the story’s opening. Su manages his work and personal requests while privately criticizing his behavior around Lin 1 2 17.
• Lin Fengmian — Longstanding acquaintance whom he addresses as “Fourth Young Master.” Su looks after his meals and transport and recognizes his importance to Xia’s mood 1 6 10.
• Lin Sui — Fellow observer of Xia and Lin’s relationship. Su gives him practical advice, shares access to the hotel suite, and rescues him from their fight 40.
• Qin Minghui — Legal contact involved in the hospital case. Su brings the legal team and reports that Qin and his colleagues will handle the follow-up 4.
• Family — Has elderly parents and children to support. He imitates his daughter’s guilty, wide-eyed innocence when trying to conceal Xia’s blind date 2 10.

Notable Quotes

“I saw Fourth Young Master Lin beat the piss out of you.” 2

“We're the only outsiders here. Never take those two close buddies' little games seriously, or things can go wrong.” 40

Trivia

• Drinks goji berry and honey water from an insulated cup at work 6.
• Thinks it is a shame that Lin Fengmian is not a lead singer whenever he hears his voice 1.
• Refuses to let Xia’s urgency override traffic regulations during the hospital drive 39.