Ji Yuanming

Biodata

Appearance

• Height: Six feet three inches 15.
• Features: Handsome, with features reflecting mixed Chinese and European heritage 18.
• Build: Long-legged and well-proportioned, with prominent eight-pack abdominal muscles 6 15.
• Professional image: Introduced by an excited Lucky Inn staff member as “Asia’s top male model” 18.

Personality

Ji Yuanming is proud, accustomed to attention, and reluctant to accept rejection. After Jian Ran stops pursuing him, he repeatedly interprets the change as neglect, provocation, or attachment to someone new rather than a genuine end to their relationship. Even after Jian Ran explicitly dumps him, he continues behaving possessively 7 15 18 125.

His temper clashes with his public reputation as a gentleman. During Lucky Inn, he interrupts others, grabs Jian Ran without permission, shouts at staff, and blames people around him for frightening incidents. Viewers increasingly describe him as a spoiled man-child, although some fans continue defending him 26 27 32 33.

Raised abroad, he initially champions science and atheism, dismissing Jian Ran’s warnings about ghosts as nonsense. Repeated supernatural attacks eventually leave him terrified enough to vow that he will stop questioning such things and burn incense to Buddha if he escapes alive 22 47.

He nevertheless shows occasional concern for others: he warns Bai Jingchuan to stay on Jian Ran’s good side and later tries to protect Jian Dan from Lu Yuhuan. By Jian Ran’s wedding, he is willing to apologize and leaves after Lu Yanting orders the ex-boyfriends out 70 167 172 212.

History

Relationship with Jian Ran

Ji Yuanming originally regards Zhong Fanrui as his ideal beloved and Jian Ran as an inferior substitute whose appearance resembles him. In a recalled hotel confrontation, he tells Jian Ran that their outward resemblance does not make him Zhong Fanrui’s equal, then leaves despite Jian Ran begging him to stay 7 19 29.

When Jian Ran later appears at a photography studio, Ji Yuanming assumes he has obtained his schedule to pursue him. Jian Ran instead insults him and walks away. Unsettled by the rejection, Ji Yuanming watches Jian Ran being styled and even calls his mother to ask whether she disclosed his whereabouts 6 7.

Jian Ran’s subsequent silence disrupts his work. He repeatedly checks his phone during a shoot, performs poorly, and asks his assistant what Jian Ran has been doing. Learning that Jian Ran and Lu Yanting are appearing on Lucky Inn, he asks whether the show is still accepting guests 15.

Joining *Lucky Inn*

Ji Yuanming volunteers for a season of Lucky Inn. Although the dilapidated Mountain Villa initially makes him consider withdrawing, seeing Jian Ran persuades him to get out of the car. Their reunion ends with Jian Ran explicitly telling him that he has been dumped and must stop pestering him 18.

His jealousy soon brings him into conflict with Lu Yanting. When Ji Yuanming attempts to follow Jian Ran, Lu Yanting blocks him and calls him “the ex who just got dumped.” Ji Yuanming later provokes Jian Ran badly enough that Jian Ran seizes his throat and warns him against causing further trouble 20 21.

During an investigation into the Deserted Village, Ji Yuanming barges into an elderly couple’s courtyard, interrupting their account and causing them to dismiss the visitors. He then grabs Jian Ran’s arm and is punched in the face. The broadcast divides viewers between fans defending Ji Yuanming and those who consider Jian Ran’s response justified 26 27.

Supernatural Incidents

After being revived, Ji Yuanming immediately takes Jian Ran’s intervention as proof of lingering romantic feelings. Both Lu Yanting and Yu Fengyi reject his self-pity and insist that he take responsibility for ignoring warnings 47.

He also forms a temporary alliance with Yu Fengyi to prevent Jian Ran from becoming closer to Lu Yanting. Their cooperation proves fragile: they soon begin arguing with each other 39 41.

When filming ends, Ji Yuanming regrets how he treated Jian Ran but still assumes that a modest change in attitude could win him back. He leaves the mountain determined to do so 61.

Recovery and Continued Pursuit

While recovering, Ji Yuanming calls Bai Jingchuan, who is participating in Pure Love, and advises him to stay close to Jian Ran. Bai Jingchuan laughs off the warning. Ji Yuanming subsequently watches the program while receiving an IV at home and later from a makeup room 70 72 82.

At a cruise gathering, Ji Yuanming remains resentful about the breakup but is wary of Jian Ran’s strength. His attention follows Jian Ran so completely that he initially fails to notice Zhong Fanrui beside him. He then leaves Zhong Fanrui behind, confused by his own possessiveness toward someone he once considered dispensable 125.

Career Setback and Jian Dan

His conduct on variety shows damages his reputation and reduces his work offers. Ji Yuanming privately blames his outbursts on the abrupt loss of Jian Ran’s former devotion, while publicly insisting that his family’s wealth allows him to take a vacation 167 168.

When Bai Jingchuan reports that Lu Yuhuan is pursuing Jian Ran’s younger brother, Jian Dan, Ji Yuanming joins him in intervening. They visit Jian Dan’s workplace and accuse the bar of offering improper services, only for the manager to remind Ji Yuanming that he is a regular customer 167 168.

At Lu Yuhuan’s gathering, Ji Yuanming and Bai Jingchuan simultaneously stop Jian Dan from pouring him a drink. Ji Yuanming later insists that they cannot allow Lu Yuhuan to bully Jian Dan while Jian Ran is away 168 172.

Jian Ran’s Wedding

Ji Yuanming attends Jian Ran’s wedding alongside Yu Fengyi and Bai Jingchuan. All three bring gifts and apologize for their earlier behavior. When Lu Yanting demands that they leave, Ji Yuanming sighs and reluctantly departs 212.

Relationships

• Jian Ran — Ex-boyfriend. Ji Yuanming initially treats him as Zhong Fanrui’s substitute, then pursues him after being rejected. Jian Ran repeatedly establishes boundaries and saves his life during Lucky Inn 19 26 44 46.
• Zhong Fanrui — Formerly his ideal beloved. Ji Yuanming’s growing fixation on Jian Ran eventually leads him to neglect Zhong Fanrui even when they are standing together 7 125.
• Lu Yanting — Romantic rival. Their encounters involve jealousy, insults, and Lu Yanting’s repeated defense of Jian Ran; Lu Yanting also removes him from immediate supernatural danger 20 22 27 37.
• Yu Fengyi — Childhood friend and fellow ex-boyfriend of Jian Ran. Their families know one another, and they were instructed to look after each other. They briefly cooperate against Lu Yanting but frequently quarrel 39 41 47.
• Bai Jingchuan — Acquaintance from the same childhood social circle and another romantic rival. Ji Yuanming warns him about provoking Jian Ran and later teams up with him over Jian Dan 70 167.
• Jian Dan — Jian Ran’s younger brother. Ji Yuanming attempts to protect him from Lu Yuhuan, presenting this as looking after Jian Ran’s family during his absence 167 172.
• Mother — Ji Yuanming contacts her about Jian Ran’s supposed pursuit and later asks whether he really is arrogant and an “overgrown baby” 7 72.

Trivia

• Jian Ran’s internal narration identifies Ji Yuanming as the original novel’s second male lead 26.
• His current behavior diverges from his original-novel counterpart, who became villainous after failing to win his ideal beloved and began operating on the fringes of the law 168.