Pei Song'an

Biodata

Background / History

Pei Song'an was raised to embody the Pei family's ideal heir. His parents strictly regulated his conduct, academic results, and emotional expression, teaching him that affection and approval could disappear after a single mistake. His achievements depended on sustained effort, but he grew up feeling that very little belonged to him unconditionally 22 39.

His father, Pei Lian, punished imperfections by having him held underwater. Falling one point short of full marks, lapses in etiquette, and even watching other children play could trigger punishment. His mother also rejected him when he failed to place first. He consequently learned to conceal distress and perform flawlessly rather than expect protection from his family 46 49 50 123.

His paternal half-brother, Shen Muwen, resented his reputation for perfection and deliberately framed him for wrongdoing. Their antagonism eventually developed into cooperation against Pei Lian, although Pei Song'an remained wary of him 6 22 76 115 134.

Appearance

• Build and posture: Tall and muscular, with an unusually straight posture attributed to deliberate childhood training 2 7 61.
• Face: Sharply defined features, dark eyes, a straight nose, and a prominent Adam's apple 2 9 14.
• Hands: Broad, warm hands with visible veins and lightly callused fingertips 2 9 69.
• Clothing: Usually well-groomed; one casual outfit consists of an off-white linen shirt, dark gray trousers, rolled cuffs, and a simple watch 17 107.
• Voice and scent: A low, steady voice and a faint, cool fragrance repeatedly noticed by Li Shu 2 55.

Personality

Pei Song'an usually presents himself as composed, capable, and socially restrained rather than openly arrogant. His sharp perception and occasional aggression are more startling because he generally puts on few airs. He also understands how public scrutiny affects someone of his standing, weighing both the practical and reputational consequences of intervening for others 7 10.

Beneath that restraint, he has a strong need for ownership, exclusivity, and control. Li Shu's unexplained injuries, unfamiliar scents, and complicated social connections make him anxious and suspicious. Chen Yannan is a particular source of jealousy, and Pei Song'an openly acknowledges that his possessiveness can become frightening 9 14 17 65 89.

His relationship with Li Shu exposes a fear of abandonment that competence cannot resolve. He initially assumes Li Shu's closeness results from his own manipulation rather than genuine affection. Later, he seeks counseling, admits wanting to make Li Shu dependent on him, and explicitly recognizes that he must not act on that desire 39 94 100.

He increasingly makes room for Li Shu's wishes: accepting his objections, reconsidering cooperation with Shen Muwen, and stopping an intimate encounter when Li Shu says he is afraid. By the final extra, he encourages Li Shu to put his own happiness first rather than sacrifice himself for their relationship 70 76 142 152.

Abilities & Skills

Academic Ability

• Maintains top grades and is regarded as an example to others of his generation 22.
• Secures a place in an economics competition and later participates in it; no result is given in the provided passages 7 120.
• Helps Li Shu study by testing his vocabulary, accompanying him to the CET-4 examination, and waiting outside for him 46 132.
• Handles studies, competitions, work, and project responsibilities alongside family pressure 50 69.

Strategy and Social Maneuvering

• Anticipates the political and social consequences of publicly protecting Li Shu, using Chen Yannan's involvement to reduce the resulting exposure 10.
• Recognizes the competing personal and business interests behind Chen Yannan's treatment of Li Shu 17.
• Retains control of the Manor shooter by citing both Pei ownership of the property and his own status as the reported target 31.
• Reassesses Shen Muwen's usefulness, turning a former internal threat toward another opponent 112.
• Arranges for the old butler to secretly record his confrontation with Pei Lian 125.

Investigation and Deduction

• Investigates Tan Xu as a possible route to finding Pei Lian's weakness 58.
• Has Zheng Linchuan investigate Xie Jin and considers discrepancies between his recorded personality and current behavior 110.
• Infers that different outsiders have different missions and restrictions, then uses Xie Jin's need to survive as leverage 120.
• Notices inconsistencies in his own memories, including unusually complete early-childhood recollections and the absence of a specific face for his mother 135.

Practical Care

• Cooks for Li Shu and notices needs Li Shu has not directly expressed, including his limited wardrobe and possible financial difficulties 36 54 69.
• Arranges medical attention after Li Shu's abduction and offers to help apply ointment 26.
• Helps care for Zhaocai, including feeding, transport, and pet-shop arrangements 7 26 109.

Limitations

• Cannot swim: This is largely unknown to others and makes an accidental fall into a pool potentially fatal 18 19.
• Trauma associated with water: Rain and damp conditions bring back memories of childhood punishment; he suppresses visible trembling during the mountain hike 46.
• Fear of losing Li Shu: The possibility of Li Shu disappearing prompts nightmares, repeated checking, and renewed counseling 94 100.

Relationships

• Li Shu — Boyfriend and the person Pei Song'an declares his absolute priority. Li Shu repeatedly protects him, challenges his controlling behavior, and asks him to live for himself rather than his family 78 80 89 152.
• Pei Lian — Abusive father. Pei Song'an conceals his resistance while seeking weaknesses in his father's position; Pei Lian later uses succession and threats against Li Shu to try to force obedience 49 58 125 134.
• Shen Muwen — Paternal half-brother, childhood antagonist, and eventual collaborator against their father. Their cooperation does not amount to complete trust 6 22 76 115 134.
• Mother in the book world — A demanding, emotionally unstable parent in his memories. His inability to recall her specific face becomes a clue to the world's construction 123 135.
• Zheng Linchuan — Bodyguard and trusted subordinate who handles security, investigations, and practical arrangements 2 26 78 110.
• Chen Yannan — Family acquaintance through their grandfathers and a romantic rival. Their initially formal exchanges become increasingly pointed over Li Shu 2 18 55 65.
• Zhu Sichun — Friend and competition companion who listens to Pei Song'an discuss his attachment to Li Shu 115 123.
• Old butler — A sympathetic elder who secretly records Pei Lian's abuse and supports Pei Song'an's willingness to leave the family rather than abandon Li Shu 125 126.
• Xie Jin — Investigated outsider whom Pei Song'an pressures into cooperation after deducing the restrictions surrounding his mission 110 120.
• Zhaocai — The puppy he helps care for with Li Shu; Zhaocai assists in locating Li Shu after his abduction and accompanies their later outings 26 109 152.
• Pei Xiying — Younger sister introduced in the extras. In the same conversation, Pei Song'an describes his parents as businesspeople traveling abroad 143.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Li Shu and Becoming His Protector

• At Li Shu's birthday banquet, a mistaken encounter places them together in a hotel room. Li Shu warns Pei Song'an not to leave because someone intends to shoot him. Pei Song'an stays, covers Li Shu when the crowd enters, and carries him away after he collapses 2.
• He helps catch a man who groped Li Shu, taking a reputational risk despite initially reassuring Li Shu that the intervention is straightforward 9 10.
• At a pool party, Li Shu rushes to prevent his predicted drowning. Pei Song'an moves toward him despite being unable to swim, then pulls him out once Li Shu reaches the edge 18 19.
• After Li Shu is abducted and assaulted, Pei Song'an brings him to his apartment and arranges a doctor's examination 26.

Courtship and Mutual Commitment

• At the Manor shooting, Li Shu runs back to protect him. Xue Chen is wounded instead, and Pei Song'an refuses to surrender the shooter to Chen Yannan. Li Shu suspects an arranged retaliation; Pei Song'an identifies his real goal as making Chen Yannan face the reality of his claim on Li Shu 31.
• During an overnight mountain hike, rain triggers childhood memories. Li Shu returns to find him, and Pei Song'an kisses him 46.
• His later request to date is rejected, but Li Shu continues to care for him and protects him from being taken home for his father's questioning 51 58.
• While Pei Song'an is feverish, Li Shu confesses his feelings and promises to face their problems together. They subsequently discover that Pei Song'an dates their relationship from the mountain kiss, whereas Li Shu dates it from the fever-night confession 80 84.

Confronting Threats and the Book World's Rules

• Li Shu blocks a Volkswagen threatening Pei Song'an's car with his Porsche. Although both emerge safely, seeing Li Shu risk his life leaves Pei Song'an shaken 96.
• Pei Song'an investigates Xie Jin and confronts him about Cheng Qi's death, outsider missions, and the consequences of revealing the world's truth. He offers Xie Jin survival if the required plotline is completed in time 110 120.
• His scrutiny extends to his own memories, leading him to question whether details of his childhood exist primarily to serve the story 135.
• He asks Li Shu to wait for him in the real world and expresses a wish to meet Li Shu's parents 137.

Defying Pei Lian

• Pei Lian has him repeatedly submerged after he refuses to reconsider his relationship with Li Shu. Afterward, Pei Song'an confirms that the butler obtained the recording he requested 125.
• He tells the butler that he loves Li Shu and cannot give him up, despite the consequences for his inheritance 126.
• Pei Lian announces an impending change of heir. His concealed objective is to make Pei Song'an believe Li Shu has disappeared and use that fear to force a breakup 132 134.

Main-Story Ending and Extras

• Pei Song'an reassures Li Shu that they can wait when he expresses fear about intimacy. They later become intimate and exchange declarations of love 142.
• The extras introduce his younger sister and show him visiting Li Shu's campus 143 147.
• In the final extra, he takes a road trip with Li Shu and Zhaocai. By the sea, the couple discuss their past separations and affirm that each should live freely and happily 152.

Notable Quotes

“When the Li Family can't protect you, the Pei Family will.” 17

“Stop measuring other people by your own standards. I'm not like you. With me, Li Shu takes absolute priority.” 78

“I want him addicted to me, not out of love, but out of habit.”
“But I know very well that I can't do that.” 94

“But I love Li Shu. I can't give him up.” 126