Gu Shuoyan
The True Young Master Returns Home, and His Unlucky Family Depends on Me to Survive
Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Gu Shuoyan (顾朔延) |
| Alias(es) | Xiao Yan; Third Brother; Third Young Master 2 3 |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 21 at his introduction 2 |
| Affiliation | Gu Family; Jinghong College 2 |
| Occupation/Role | Third-year university student; third son of Gu Jiangfeng and Zhao Wanling 2 |
| Status | Alive; the plot intended to permanently disable his legs is exposed before the predicted crash 40 42 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 2 |
Background / History
Welcoming Gu Zhiyue
Gu Shuoyan is the third of the Gu Family’s four sons, younger than Gu Tingchuan and Gu Shen Ci and older than Gu Zhiyue. When Zhiyue returns to his biological family, Shuoyan is studying at Jinghong College, where Zhiyue is also due to enroll. He immediately welcomes his younger brother, offers him two sports cars, and promises to help him test the rare remote-controlled airplane sent by Tingchuan 2.
On the night of Zhiyue’s return, Shuoyan is the first to reach him after he falls down the stairs. He carries him to the car, urges the driver toward the hospital, and stays overnight beside his bed. The injuries prove superficial, and the brothers return home the next morning 3.
Discovering the Family’s Predicted Fate
After Zhiyue returns from the hospital, Shuoyan and Zhao Wanling discover that they can hear his thoughts and his unspoken conversations with System No. 9, also called Xiao Jiu. They conceal their reactions while listening to its mission to save the Gu Family 3 4.
Xiao Jiu predicts that repeated family tragedies will eventually cause Shuoyan to suffer a mental breakdown and spend the rest of his life in a psychiatric hospital. Shuoyan initially rejects the idea that outsiders could destroy his powerful family, but learns that internal betrayal is central to its downfall 4.
The revelations expose Gu Jiangli’s plans to steal company information and cooperate with the family’s rivals. Shuoyan is particularly shaken because his uncle had treated him affectionately as a child and had helped finance his parents’ early business. He later warns Shen Ci that Jiangli must be treated as an enemy rather than a trusted relative 5 18.
Supporting His Younger Brother
Shuoyan becomes one of Zhiyue’s regular companions, taking him driving, gaming with him, and accompanying him on outings. He books an entire racetrack so that Zhiyue can experience a beginner course and practice driving privately, then offers to accompany him to driving school after the semester begins 6 7 18.
When the brothers encounter Luo Yunhe suffering a heart attack in a car, Shuoyan brings a window-breaking tool and smashes the glass so Zhiyue can reach him and administer his medicine. He subsequently agrees to use the family’s connections to find heart specialists. He also helps Zhiyue and Yunhe move into their college dormitories 13 15 21.
Shuoyan helps maintain the family’s secret coordination over Zhiyue’s predictions. He explains the thought-hearing phenomenon to his older brothers and invites them into the private discussion group. After overhearing Zhiyue’s predicted death while avenging the family, he reacts with anger and distress. The following morning, he creates an opening for Zhiyue to warn Tingchuan about suspicious people approaching him 18 36 37.
Tong Ziyi’s Sabotage Plot
At a family dinner, Xiao Jiu reveals that Shuoyan’s longtime friend Tong Ziyi plans to sabotage his race car. In the predicted incident, Shuoyan enters an intermediate-level race, loses his brakes during a high-speed turn, and crashes into a wall, permanently losing the use of both legs. Tong’s resentment stems from Shuoyan outperforming him in racing, academics, and popularity 26.
Although Shuoyan initially assures his mother that he values his life too much to enter a dangerous race, he later agrees to race Tong and arranges for Tingchuan to bring a second sports car. Before the event, he carefully reads the organizer’s liability waiver, recognizing that his former trust in Tong would once have led him to sign without checking it 28 38 39.
At Huanyao Circuit, Shuoyan and Zhiyue hide near the cars and record Tong ordering mechanic Wang Yong to destroy Shuoyan’s brakes. Shuoyan plans to display the recording on the spectator grounds’ LED screen. Police authenticate the video, obtain statements, and take Tong into custody 40 42.
Afterward, the Tong Family visits the Gu estate to seek a letter of forgiveness. Shuoyan and his family refuse to excuse the attack. Despite escaping the predicted crash, he still regrets losing the opportunity to compete in a major race 42.
Appearance
- Face: Handsome, with relatively soft facial contours and a youthful appearance 2.
- Hair: Side-parted, with red highlights at his introduction 2.
- Clothing and accessories: Introduced wearing a black leather jacket and a black-and-gold necklace 2.
- Family resemblance: Takes after Gu Jiangfeng, as does Gu Tingchuan 4.
Personality
Shuoyan is outgoing, affectionate, and generous with Zhiyue. He readily puts an arm around his younger brother’s shoulders, offers expensive gifts without ceremony, and treats helping him as an older brother’s responsibility. His teasing includes joking about whether Zhiyue will grow past 180 centimeters and encouraging him to spend his pocket money so their parents can give him more 2 6 12 15.
His easygoing nature initially prevents him from recognizing Tong Ziyi’s concealed hostility. Once warned, however, he becomes more cautious, scrutinizing the race waiver and helping gather evidence rather than continuing to trust his friend blindly. He remains enthusiastic about racing even after the plot is exposed 26 39 40 42.
Shuoyan is protective of his family but quick to show his emotions. He becomes angry over attacks on Shen Ci, is deeply upset by Zhiyue’s predicted death, and reassures his mother that their resources and advance warnings give them a way to resist their enemies 19 36.
Abilities & Skills
Hearing Gu Zhiyue’s Thoughts
Shuoyan can hear Zhiyue’s inner voice and his mental exchanges with Xiao Jiu 3 36.
- Onset: First noticed after Zhiyue returns from the hospital following his fall 36.
- Information gained: Learns about future disasters, concealed betrayals, and threats against family members 4 18 26.
- Secrecy: Keeps the ability hidden from Zhiyue and discusses revelations through the family’s private “Incredible Ability” group 18 36.
- Scope: The family confirms that the parents and all three older brothers can hear the conversations; no outsiders are known to share the ability at that point 36.
Driving and Racing
Sports cars are Shuoyan’s principal enthusiasm, and he regularly visits racetracks with friends 2 14.
- Racing ability: Xiao Jiu identifies his superior racing performance as one cause of Tong Ziyi’s jealousy 26.
- Driving instruction: Supervises Zhiyue’s practice on a privately booked circuit and offers to accompany him to driving school 6 7.
- Resources: Has access to an extensive garage and offers Zhiyue two cars, including the option of buying new ones if none available suit him 5.
Academics
- Attends Jinghong College as a third-year student at his introduction 2.
- Earns better grades than Tong Ziyi, another source of Tong’s resentment 26.
Relationships
- Gu Zhiyue — Younger brother and frequent companion. Shuoyan helps him settle into the family and college life; Zhiyue’s conversations with Xiao Jiu provide the warning that saves Shuoyan from the racing sabotage 2 21 26 40.
- Zhao Wanling — Mother and one of the first people with whom he confirms the thought-hearing ability. They coordinate secretly over threats to the family; she explicitly forbids him from risking the predicted racing crash 4 28.
- Gu Jiangfeng — Father. Shuoyan initially shares his confidence in the family’s wealth and influence, then works with him against the dangers revealed by Zhiyue 2 18 40.
- Gu Tingchuan — Eldest brother. Shuoyan helps explain the family secret to him and works with him during the racetrack incident 36 38 40.
- Gu Shen Ci — Second brother. They exchange family news, tease each other, and coordinate over threats to Shen Ci’s career 4 17 18 19.
- Tong Ziyi — Former trusted friend of two or three years. Tong conceals his jealousy behind their friendship before paying Wang Yong to sabotage Shuoyan’s brakes 26 42.
- Gu Jiangli — Paternal uncle whose earlier kindness makes his betrayal especially bitter for Shuoyan. Shuoyan later warns Shen Ci not to treat him favorably 5 18.
- Luo Yunhe — Zhiyue’s friend. Shuoyan assists during his heart attack, agrees to seek medical connections, and helps arrange his dorm room 13 15 21.
- Bai Qinglan — Zhiyue’s adoptive mother. She thanks Shuoyan for looking after Zhiyue and invites him to visit for a home-cooked meal 16.