Lu Zhou

Biodata

Background

Lu Zhou was the biggest star of the temporary idol group W-ixe. During the group’s two years together, his ambiguous relationship with fellow member Nan Zhou attracted a substantial romantic-pairing fandom 2 3.

Nan Zhou entered Chuangxing Yinhuli to pursue him, accepted an unusually small share of earnings to work alongside him, and spent his earnings on Lu Zhou. Despite this attachment, the two were not an established couple 3 22 71.

Lu Zhou also acted in a drama with Wen Yu. Their subsequent publicly announced relationship was a promotional pairing, although they presented themselves as a couple on You Make My Heart Flutter 2 48 163.

Appearance

• Height: Approximately six feet; shorter than Huo Xingye 8.
• Build: Muscular. Wen Yu privately mocks the muscles Lu Zhou repeatedly boasts about as “protein-powder-fed” 48.

Personality

Lu Zhou is highly conscious of his popularity and idol image. He initially expects himself and Wen Yu to be the dating show’s biggest attractions, then becomes unsettled when Nan Zhou and Huo Xingye’s pairing surpasses theirs in trending topics and audience attention 8 10 22.

His attitude toward Nan Zhou combines entitlement, possessiveness, and a need for control. He interprets rejection as a deliberate attempt to provoke jealousy and assumes Nan Zhou’s affection should entitle him to obedience and original songs. When insults fail to make Nan Zhou submit, he abruptly switches to an aggrieved, pleading manner 22 30 47.

Lu Zhou also blames Nan Zhou for withholding advantages he believes could have advanced his career. Learning about Nan Zhou’s songwriting ability and wealthy family provokes anger rather than reflection on his own behavior 47 100. His desire to restore their former relationship eventually makes him susceptible to a stranger’s claim that Nan Zhou is possessed 140.

Abilities & Skills

Stage Performance

• Has two years of professional idol experience by the dating show’s trainee-role assignment 30.
• Rehearses singing-and-dancing performances with Wen Yu, although distraction over Nan Zhou causes repeated dance mistakes 30.
• Performs with Wen Yu at the fundraising event, receiving more than four hundred thousand votes 122.

Guitar and Songwriting

• Is publicly associated with guitar playing; fans and Gu Tang claim Nan Zhou learned from him, but this is not established as fact 31 35.
• Releases the solo single “Watching Fireworks Together,” which becomes the subject of a plagiarism dispute involving Nan Zhou’s music 41 44.

Physical Strength and Practical Limits

• Is strong enough to overpower Nan Zhou physically. Nan Zhou’s punch causes him little actual damage, despite humiliating him 46 107.
• Cannot ride an electric scooter competently 14 48.
• Fails to repair a leaking bathroom pipe and worsens the leak before Wen Yu takes over 135.

Relationships

• Nan Zhou — Former bandmate and the object of Lu Zhou’s possessiveness. Lu Zhou publicly reduces their connection to that of coworkers, but repeatedly pursues him after he becomes close to Huo Xingye. The conflict culminates in Lu Zhou pushing him into a river 2 22 140 141.
• Wen Yu — Former drama costar and publicly acknowledged partner in a promotional relationship. Wen Yu privately dislikes him, intervenes when he threatens Nan Zhou, and announces their breakup after his arrest 47 48 141 145.
• Huo Xingye — Romantic rival in Lu Zhou’s eyes. Huo Xingye pointedly identifies him as “Nan Zhou’s former bandmate,” challenges his behavior, and rescues Nan Zhou from the river 8 15 141.
• Gu Tang — Fellow dating-show participant who encourages speculation about Lu Zhou and Nan Zhou’s former closeness. Investigators later uncover allegations that Gu Tang directed Lu Zhou to hurt Nan Zhou 7 35 145.
• Lu Bei — Photographer Lu Zhou resents after learning that a planned magazine shoot was canceled because Lu Bei refused to photograph him 69.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Public Separation from Nan Zhou

After W-ixe disbands, Lu Zhou announces his relationship with Wen Yu. In an interview, he states that he has never smelled Nan Zhou’s pheromones and describes them as “just coworkers.” His remarks fuel accusations that Nan Zhou is a Beta pretending to be an Omega and exploiting their former pairing for publicity 2.

On the dating show, Lu Zhou initially accepts Gu Tang’s insinuation that Nan Zhou chose an electric guitar because he believed it belonged to Lu Zhou. The guitar instead turns out to be Huo Xingye’s gift. Huo Xingye’s arrival also displaces Lu Zhou and Wen Yu as the show’s most prominent pairing 6 7 8.

Jealousy and the Solo-Single Dispute

The growing popularity of Nan Zhou and Huo Xingye makes Lu Zhou jealous. He messages Nan Zhou insisting that he still likes him and warning him against Huo Xingye. Nan Zhou responds by asking for money, stating that he has slept with Huo Xingye, and blocking Lu Zhou. Lu Zhou then listens through the wall separating their rooms 22 23.

After watching Nan Zhou’s musical performances, Lu Zhou becomes angry that Nan Zhou never gave him his compositions. He contacts someone about new ideas for his solo debut single 30. When the single is released, Nan Zhou accuses him of copying a melody he previously played. Listeners later compare “Watching Fireworks Together” with Nan Zhou’s “Summer Flame,” with some favoring Nan Zhou’s account of the alleged plagiarism 41 44.

Harassment and Attempts to Reconnect

After witnessing Nan Zhou kiss Huo Xingye, Lu Zhou snatches Nan Zhou’s apartment keys and confronts him. He insults Nan Zhou’s sexuality and presumed Beta status, blames him for hiding his songwriting ability, and threatens to force himself on him. Wen Yu’s intervention with a suitcase knocks the key loose, allowing Nan Zhou to retrieve it and shut Lu Zhou out 46 47.

Further attempts to reconnect fail. Lu Zhou moves next door to Nan Zhou and pressures him to unblock him, only to be tricked into scanning a payment code. Nan Zhou subsequently accepts Huo Xingye’s offer of another home 108.

After discovering Nan Zhou’s wealthy family background, Lu Zhou angrily accuses him of concealing yet another advantage. He later posts that their bond as teammates and family has never changed; Nan Zhou publicly rejects the suggestion of continued closeness 100 114.

Dating-Show Setbacks

River Assault and Arrest

An unidentified stranger contacts Lu Zhou, claims Nan Zhou has been possessed, and promises to restore his former devotion through a ritual. After receiving comparisons of Nan Zhou’s changed behavior and a message that an altar is ready, Lu Zhou follows the stranger’s instructions 140.

He intercepts Nan Zhou at night and questions him about living with Huo Xingye. When Nan Zhou rejects him and walks away, Lu Zhou shoves him into the river. Huo Xingye dives in to rescue Nan Zhou, while Wen Yu calls emergency services and the police, reporting attempted murder. Lu Zhou remains fixated on the belief that Nan Zhou will soon belong to him 140 141.

News later identifies Lu Zhou’s arrest as being for intentional assault. Wen Yu publishes a breakup statement, and renewed scrutiny of Lu Zhou’s treatment of Nan Zhou leads netizens to accuse him of bullying. Allegations concerning Gu Tang’s involvement also emerge during the investigation 145.

Notable Quotes

“In short, he and I were just coworkers.” 2

“You said you liked me, but you wouldn't give anything for me. What do feelings even mean to you? Are they just words? I can't feel your love!” 47

“You were mine! We could have made the perfect family!” 107