Chen Yannan

Biodata

Background

Chen Yannan comes from a business family in Hong Kong City. His grandfather and Pei Song'an's grandfather were comrades-in-arms; their descendants subsequently entered business and politics, respectively. This connection brought the two young men into repeated contact, though they were not particularly close 2 3.

He grew up alongside the original Li Shu, who followed him closely after his parents divorced. With Li Shu's father occupied by work and his eldest brother abroad, Chen Yannan became an important source of care despite being only one year older and having no blood relationship with him 6. Their childhood memories include a seaside outing during which Chen Yannan carried Li Shu for treatment after he cut his foot between rocks 64.

Chen Yannan studied finance in keeping with his family's business background. The original Li Shu chose the same major to follow him 3. Although Chen Yannan knew about Li Shu's romantic feelings, he initially insisted that he regarded him only as a younger brother 1 5.

Appearance

Chen Yannan is described as very handsome, with a gentle, rational bearing that attracts attention from both men and women 3.

• Build: Broad-shouldered, tall, and straight-backed 24.
• Eyes: Narrow and deep-set; his gaze becomes sharp when angered 8 52.
• Scent: Carries a jasmine fragrance that the original Li Shu particularly liked 24.

Personality

Chen Yannan is usually courteous, restrained, and attentive. He rarely breaks openly with others, and his gentle treatment extends beyond Li Shu to people such as Xue Chen 8. He also maintains personal rules: after telling Li Shu not to date before adulthood, he observed the same restriction himself 12.

His affection for Li Shu conflicts with his ambition and desire for his father's approval. He initially believes that obtaining sufficient power and status will allow Li Shu to stand beside him, using this reasoning to justify pushing him away while pursuing other relationships 34. He later admits that he knowingly ignored Li Shu's feelings and placed him second 56.

His composure can give way to jealousy and violence. He becomes distressed by Li Shu's growing closeness to Pei Song'an, crushes the hand of a man who groped Li Shu, and physically lashes out at Xue Chen when confronted about his concealed feelings 10 16 35.

Chen Yannan eventually recognizes his mistakes, ends the Xue Family collaboration, and openly confesses. His later willingness to help Li Shu visit Pei Song'an shows that he can prioritize Li Shu's safety despite remaining romantically jealous 55 56 88.

Abilities & Skills

Diplomacy and Social Negotiation

Chen Yannan is practiced in the tact required by his family's social position 18.

• Uses controlled, courteous language even during confrontations with Pei Song'an 18.
• Recognizes Xue Chen's attempt to force a public declaration that his relationship with Li Shu is purely brotherly, understanding the potential consequences for his family 53.
• Arranges a private restaurant meeting with Li Qinshi to help Li Shu address family tensions 56.

Campus Leadership

Chen Yannan holds positions in both the university and college student councils and is favored by the student advisor 87.

• Has enough authority over younger students to stop a confrontation without raising his voice 87.
• Makes students apologize after they spread baseless rumors about the Pei family 87.

Relationships

• Original Li Shu — Childhood companion and non-blood-related younger-brother figure. Chen Yannan knowingly leaves his affection unanswered before admitting that he also liked him. His confession comes after the transmigrated Li Shu has taken the original owner's place 5 6 56 64.
• Li Shu, the transmigrator — Rejects Chen Yannan romantically and regards him only as a brother. Although inherited memories sometimes trigger emotional pain, Li Shu distinguishes those reactions from his own feelings 5 56 64.
• Pei Song'an — Family acquaintance turned romantic rival. Their exchanges become increasingly hostile over Li Shu, but Chen Yannan later personally brings Li Shu to Pei Song'an's residence during the Pei family's crisis 2 34 88.
• Xue Chen — Prospective romantic partner whose family supplies technology important to the Chen Family's expansion. Xue Chen's repeated attacks on Li Shu undermine their relationship; Chen Yannan eventually ends the business collaboration, though Xue Chen continues contacting him 20 33 55 56.
• Li Qinshi — Li Shu's eldest brother. Chen Yannan helps arrange a meeting between the brothers. Li Qinshi considers him capable and reliable as a friend, but unsuitable as Li Shu's partner 56 58.
• Father — A major influence on Chen Yannan's ambitions and relationship choices. Chen Yannan admits that seeking his approval led him to neglect Li Shu; ending the Xue Family collaboration brings further paternal pressure 56.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Shu's Withdrawal

At the beginning of the story, Chen Yannan refuses the possibility of dating Li Shu while going to collect a family acquaintance from the airport 1. When a crowd discovers Li Shu with Pei Song'an, he defends Li Shu against the suggestion that he casually drugged someone. Nevertheless, Li Shu chooses to leave in Pei Song'an's arms rather than go with him 2.

After receiving video evidence that Xue Chen pushed Li Shu into the water, Chen Yannan orders Xue Chen to move out of his apartment and into a hotel 6. He later brings Xue Chen to apologize, but Li Shu publicly states that Chen Yannan is only his big brother and that he will not interfere with their relationship 8.

Chen Yannan struggles to accept the change. He interprets Li Shu's distance as anger over Xue Chen, while Li Shu increasingly focuses on studying and plans to leave finance for physical education 16 24.

Conflict over Xue Chen

The Chen and Xue families' business ties complicate Chen Yannan's response to Xue Chen's behavior. He warns Xue Chen not to target Li Shu, but continues their association 16 20.

After hired men intimidate Li Shu and Xue Chen is injured at Pei Song'an's gathering, Chen Yannan confronts Li Shu about his relationship with Pei Song'an 28 31 33. Li Shu rejects his claim that he pushed him away for his own good, condemns his history of bringing other lovers into their lives, and tells him that nobody will wait forever 34.

Chen Yannan subsequently warns Xue Chen that Li Shu is not someone he can touch. When Xue Chen mocks his inability to acknowledge his love, Chen Yannan grabs his collar and slams him onto the hospital bed 35.

Confession and Rejection

Following another public confrontation involving Xue Chen, Chen Yannan apologizes to Li Shu and announces that he has ended the Xue Family collaboration. He acknowledges having underestimated Xue Chen and overestimated his own ability to protect Li Shu 52 55.

At their restaurant meeting, he admits that he liked Li Shu but lacked the courage to say so. He asks for a chance to rebuild their relationship slowly; Li Shu answers that he now sees him only as a brother 56.

At his birthday banquet, Chen Yannan again expresses regret and recalls their childhood closeness. The transmigrated Li Shu recognizes that the confession answers the original owner's longstanding love, not his own. Pei Song'an intervenes and tells Chen Yannan that Li Shu does not like him romantically 64.

Continued Concern and Rivalry

Chen Yannan remains involved in Li Shu's life after the rejection. During the rumors surrounding the Pei family, he stops a campus confrontation and takes Li Shu to see Pei Song'an, explaining that going alone would be more dangerous 87 88.

He nevertheless tells Pei Song'an that he still likes Li Shu and will pursue him if their relationship fails 88. After Li Shu survives a car crash, Chen Yannan questions Pei Song'an about the danger, while Li Shu attributes the collision to his own reckless driving rather than Pei Song'an 98.

Planned Memory Adjustment

The system later reveals that the original Li Shu is asleep in its space and will return after the transmigrator leaves. It states that Chen Yannan's memories and feelings will be altered according to the original owner's wishes, leaving the two as childhood friends after the unwanted feelings are removed. This is presented as a planned adjustment, not a completed event 137.

Notable Quotes

“Li Shu can like anyone, but it absolutely cannot be me. I only see him as a younger brother.” 1

“Shu, you don't understand. In my position, power and true love can never coexist.” 34

“I was wrong before. I knew how you felt, but I turned a blind eye. I wanted my father's approval so badly that I chose to put you second.” 56