Ji Hanchuan

Biodata

Background / History

Childhood and trauma

At ten, Ji Hanchuan lived amid his parents’ constant arguments and received little recognition from either of them. His older half-brother, Ji Xiangyu, became an important companion after praising a school award his parents had ignored. Despite the family’s hostility toward Ji Xiangyu, the brothers spent their summer exploring and playing together 94.

Their relationship ended in tragedy during conflict involving Ji Xiangyu’s mother. Ji Hanchuan tried to reach the mother and son in a lake, but a driver restrained him before he could get close enough. Ji Xiangyu cried for help, then declared that he hated Ji Hanchuan before disappearing beneath the water. Both mother and son died 94.

Afterward, Ji Hanchuan developed depression, irritability, insomnia, and the belief that Ji Xiangyu’s ghost haunted him. He also sleepwalked and attempted to return to the lake. Xu Xirui subsequently helped him through this period, becoming someone he remembered as a childhood savior 14 94.

Acting career and marriage

Ji Hanchuan won his first Best Actor award through a film directed by Zhang Zixiang. Even after becoming a top star, he continued to treat Zhang respectfully as his teacher. His earlier film Skylark Moonlight, co-starring Chen Yutong, also earned him admirers abroad 4 52.

By the opening, Ji Hanchuan had been married to Shi Wei for two years. He resented the circumstances of their initial encounter, which he described as a setup, and regarded Shi Wei as manipulative. His sense of obligation to his grandfather had influenced the marriage and later prevented him from carrying out his divorce plans 1 8 10.

Appearance

• Build: Tall and muscular, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and visibly powerful arms 4 17.
• Face: Deep-set features, a high, straight nose, a sharply defined profile, and dark eyes beneath long, thick lashes 4 14 36.
• Hands: Broad palms, long, strong fingers, and lightly callused fingertips 2 22 164.
• Usual clothing: Immaculately arranged shirts buttoned to the top, tailored suits, polished leather shoes, and cuff links. Even his tracksuit is introduced with its zipper fully raised 2 14 69.

Personality

Ji Hanchuan prides himself on restraint, composure, and refinement. His stern expressions and imposing presence intimidate colleagues, admirers, and inexperienced actors. He also values order: he keeps his room clean and repeatedly refolds Shi Wei’s carelessly packed clothes 13 45 112 118 129.

His coldness does not prevent him from recognizing unfair treatment. While still seeking a divorce, he refuses to stand by when Shi Wei is falsely accused. He later explicitly distinguishes protecting a victim from covering for a culprit 4 53.

Around Shi Wei, his reserve gives way to dry sarcasm, jealousy, teasing, and increasingly open affection. He disguises concern as complaints about repayment or exercise, yet carries Shi Wei when he falls asleep, supports his acting, and rescues him from danger. Li Xiaochen notices that this less-perfect version of his employer has gained a human warmth he previously lacked 41 68 112 116 150.

By the ending, Ji Hanchuan rejects the idea of remaining trapped in struggles over the family company. Having watched his mother suffer because she could not let go, he chooses the person he cherishes over repeating that cycle 199.

Abilities & Skills

Mind Reading

Ji Hanchuan can hear Shi Wei’s unspoken thoughts, exposing the gap between his affectionate declarations and private insults 2 3.

• Recognizes that Shi Wei also wants a divorce despite maintaining a devoted-husband persona 5.
• Detects Shi Wei’s attempts to use Xu Xirui as an excuse to end their marriage 16 33.
• Finds the stream of internal commentary intrusive, describing the ability as exceptionally noisy 5.
• Continues to hear Shi Wei’s thoughts during intimate and emotionally charged encounters 71 150.

Acting and Coaching

An established Best Actor winner, Ji Hanchuan can shift rapidly into character and use his performance to guide his scene partners 4 17 137.

• Character analysis: Helps Shi Wei understand why Liang Fang’s hatred should outweigh his fear of General He Ming 17.
• Emotional immersion: His rehearsals help Shi Wei become fully absorbed in his role 20.
• Vocal control: Alters his normally deep voice to a clear, youthful tone while demonstrating an injured woman’s scene 58.
• Provocation: Invents “Xiao Wang,” a supposed previous kissing partner, to draw out Shi Wei’s emotions for filming 79 82.
• Limits: Shi Wei’s performance can distract him, and trauma-related distress causes an unusually basic mistake during a take 34 85.

Music

• Violin: Performs for two elderly music teachers while traveling with the variety-show group 52.
• Composition: The piece he performs was composed when he was seventeen 52.
• Songwriting: Shi Wei sings Ji Hanchuan’s song as part of his romantic confession 162.

Athletics

• Running: Maintains a regular running routine, including a several-kilometer run despite a hangover 5.
• Swimming: Swims quickly and supervises Shi Wei’s swimming and exercise regimen 112.
• Horse riding: Controls a galloping horse and dismounts smoothly while riding with Shi Wei 133.
• Physical strength: Carries Shi Wei and restrains Ou Wen during the rescue 68 150.

Business and Public Relations

• Crisis management: Coordinates with his studio and publicly supports Shi Wei and Director Zhang during Wang Jun’er’s accusations 30 31 32.
• Business pressure: Agrees to target the Wang family’s businesses and later takes action against the Xu family 31 33 178.
• Independent enterprise: Creates SW Group, whose ownership initially remains unknown to Shi Wei 199.
• Strategic cooperation: Works with Shi Wei to arrange cooperation between SW Group and Ji Corporation, undermining Ji Jinnan and Xu He’s alliance 199.

Health

Relationships

• Shi Wei — Husband, co-star, and eventual openly acknowledged partner. Their hostile marriage develops into mutual affection, a romantic confession, and a public appearance together at an awards ceremony 1 17 162 199.
• Old Master Ji — Grandfather whose wishes carry considerable weight. He forbids Ji Hanchuan from divorcing Shi Wei 8.
• Song Nian — Mother and film queen. Their affection is restrained, and he resents her matchmaking schemes, though he retains some love and consideration for her 177 178.
• Ji Xiangyu — Older half-brother and childhood companion. His drowning and final accusation leave Ji Hanchuan with lasting trauma 94.
• Ji Jinnan — Younger brother and corporate rival. Takes control of the company but ultimately admits defeat after losing the SW Group deal 186 195 196 199.
• Xu Xirui — Childhood friend associated with his recovery. Ji Hanchuan repeatedly rejects his romantic approaches and later targets the Xu family 14 16 33 99 178.
• Zhang Zixiang — Director, teacher, and long-standing collaborator whose film earned Ji Hanchuan his first Best Actor award 4.
• Feng Wan — Studio colleague who handles schedules, publicity, retirement arrangements, and preparations to announce his relationship 13 31 154 162.
• Li Xiaochen — Assistant who drives him, brings meals and documents, and repeatedly witnesses his changing relationship with Shi Wei 4 18 112 150.
• Chen Yutong — Former Skylark Moonlight co-star. He rejects her attempts to turn their screen pairing into a personal connection and condemns her treatment of Shi Wei 52 53.
• Zhuo Xiao — Fellow actor and rival for Shi Wei’s affection. Ji Hanchuan eventually tells him directly that he loves Shi Wei 101 162.
• Han Ge and Bai Qingjin — Old friends who socialize with the couple; Han Ge mischievously pressures him to drink on Shi Wei’s behalf 122 123.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Original Plot and the Divorce That Fails

The system’s account of the original storyline identifies Ji Hanchuan as a future main villain. In that projected course, his resentment over losing Xu Xirui and lacking power contributes to his downfall into villainy, while the original Shi Wei meets a disastrous end. This is distinct from the relationship that develops after Shi Wei’s transmigration 1 2.

The changed story begins with Ji Hanchuan discovering that he can hear Shi Wei’s thoughts. Both men want a divorce, but Old Master Ji blocks it. Ji Hanchuan instead imposes rules requiring them to conceal their marriage and act like strangers outside the home 2 5 8 12.

Co-Stars and Public Support

Ji Hanchuan watches Shi Wei’s audition from a neighboring room and asks Zhang Zixiang to give him a chance. They subsequently work together on Calming the Wind and Waves, where rehearsals establish Ji Hanchuan as both scene partner and mentor 10 11 14 17.

When Wang Jun’er attacks Shi Wei publicly, Ji Hanchuan intervenes through his studio and posts his support. Shi Wei’s recording then helps reverse public opinion against the Wang siblings 30 31 32.

Growing Intimacy

Shared travel, rehearsals, and domestic life gradually undermine Ji Hanchuan’s insistence that there is nothing between them. He distances himself from Chen Yutong, becomes jealous of attention directed at Shi Wei, and allows Shi Wei to see vulnerabilities concealed beneath his public image 41 52 53 88.

After Ou Wen drugs Shi Wei, Ji Hanchuan restrains Ou Wen and takes Shi Wei to the hospital. He initially holds the culprit and crime scene under control, then agrees to let Shi Wei handle the matter himself 150.

Confession and Retirement Plans

Ji Hanchuan asks Feng Wan to prepare a relationship announcement before he and Shi Wei have formally confessed. He later admits his love to Zhuo Xiao and returns home to Shi Wei’s candlelit surprise, song, poem, and banner naming him the “one and only officially designated boyfriend” 154 162.

Although Ji Hanchuan wants to announce their relationship, Shi Wei explains that immediate disclosure would tie his independent career and identity to Ji Hanchuan’s fame. Meanwhile, Ji Hanchuan makes retirement arrangements and plans to bring Shi Wei into his company 162 165.

Family Conflict and Public Future

Xu Xirui attempts to create a compromising situation with an unconscious Ji Hanchuan at Xu He’s banquet. Later, while the Xu family seeks relief from Ji Hanchuan’s pressure, Ji Jinnan approaches Xu Xirui and challenges his brother’s corporate position 170 178 186 195.

Ji Hanchuan and Shi Wei ultimately reveal their separate plans and cooperate through SW Group. After Ji Jinnan’s defeat, the couple walk the awards-ceremony red carpet hand in hand, publicly presenting their relationship for the first time 199.

Notable Quotes

“But that doesn't mean I have to watch him be falsely accused.” 4

“Helping the culprit is covering for them. Helping the victim is protecting them.” 53

“I never wanted the company in the first place. I grew up watching my mother suffer because she couldn't let go. Now that I have someone I cherish more, I don't want to get trapped in that vicious cycle.” 199