Zhuo Xiao

Biodata

Background / History

Early career and friendship with Shi Wei

Zhuo Xiao worked his way up from bit parts, eventually gaining modest popularity and a reputation as one of the new generation’s most dependable actors. When he reconnects with Shi Wei, he has recently played a third male lead 36.

He was the original Shi Wei’s only good friend. However, the original Shi Wei resented his growing success and stopped contacting him for a long time. The transmigrated Shi Wei welcomes the connection, regarding Zhuo Xiao as an ally when he learns they will appear together on Traveling with You 36.

When Shi Wei suggests concealing their friendship to protect Zhuo Xiao from his negative reputation, Zhuo Xiao angrily rejects the idea that he would abandon a friend for publicity. At their subsequent dinner, he notices changes in Shi Wei’s appearance and appetite, but dismisses his claim of transmigration and attributes the improvement to getting acting work 36 42.

*Traveling with You*

Zhuo Xiao joins Shi Wei, Ji Hanchuan, and the other guests on Traveling with You. Ji Hanchuan interrupts his time with Shi Wei by asking difficult questions about acting, including which senior actor he considers better; Zhuo Xiao retreats rather than risk offending anyone 45 46.

After overhearing an ambiguously worded nighttime exchange between Shi Wei and Ji Hanchuan, Zhuo Xiao suspects intimacy between them. Shi Wei explains that the incident involved a failed prank, which ended with Ji Hanchuan drawing a peach on his cheek 48.

*Just Like You*

Zhuo Xiao unexpectedly meets Shi Wei on the flight to Luo Sixi’s production of Just Like You. Because the casting has been kept secret, neither knew the other would be involved. They discover that their characters, Rong Zizheng and Xia Chi, will play a couple 75.

His feelings complicate the work. Seeing Shi Wei handle an emotionally charged scene with Ji Hanchuan leaves him impressed but insecure: he fears Shi Wei’s improved acting will make him seem inadequate. Distracted by those thoughts, he struggles with his own takes despite having more experience 81.

His concern also develops into a series of misunderstandings. After seeing Shi Wei select a leather whip from the props department, reading fiction featuring “Ji Dachuan” and “Shi Xiao Wei,” and noticing marks on Shi Wei’s wrist, he imagines troubling circumstances behind Shi Wei’s relationship with Ji Hanchuan 81 83.

For Rong Zizheng’s first confrontation with Yang Xun, Zhuo Xiao initially struggles against Ji Hanchuan’s overwhelming presence. Shi Wei tries to help him connect with his character’s protective feelings, but Zhuo Xiao instead vows to protect Shi Wei himself. Ji Hanchuan takes over the coaching, provoking the anger and resolve needed to complete the scene 101.

*Our Life*

Zhuo Xiao accepts an invitation to the final episode of Our Life after learning Shi Wei will attend. He is delighted at the chance to spend time with him and promises to sleep beside him so that Shi Wei will feel safe 102.

The visit includes harvesting fifty kilograms of corn, fishing, carrying bricks, and helping prepare farewell gifts for the villagers. Zhuo Xiao joins the cast’s jokes and pranks, including playing along when Shi Wei pretends to whip him for everyone else’s mistakes 103 105 106.

He initially considers Xu Xirui kind and enjoys chatting with him. After Xu Xirui’s scandal airs live, Shi Wei criticizes Zhuo Xiao for overlooking his slacking and victim-playing. Zhuo Xiao admits his mistake, though he remains touched by the vegetable salad Shi Wei has specially arranged for him 109 110.

Attempts to protect and court Shi Wei

Zhuo Xiao invites Shi Wei to a nearby amusement park for his birthday, but Ji Hanchuan repeatedly interrupts their planning. He also joins other cast members in opposing investor Ou Wen’s attempt to remove Shi Wei from Just Like You 119 120.

Hearing Shi Wei scream at the hotel, Zhuo Xiao confronts Ji Hanchuan and demands to see him despite being intimidated. He retreats in embarrassment after learning that Shi Wei merely stubbed his toe 126.

Still suspicious, he stretches a dinner with Shi Wei past four hours to delay his return to Ji Hanchuan. His later plan to keep watch outside Shi Wei’s room fails when pickup shots, dubbing, and other work keep him occupied until late at night. The following morning, Ji Hanchuan answers his call to Shi Wei and ends the conversation 130.

Although Shi Wei explicitly describes their real-life bond as friendship, Zhuo Xiao continues hoping for a romantic breakthrough. After finishing his scenes, he turns down other engagements so that he can remain with Shi Wei and travel home together 137 143 144.

Confession and confrontation

Zhuo Xiao asks Shi Wei to meet for an important conversation. When Shi Wei postpones because he has something important to do himself, Zhuo Xiao gathers his courage and asks over the phone whether Shi Wei would accept him if he said he liked him too 161.

He subsequently confronts Ji Hanchuan at the studio. Ji Hanchuan openly declares his love for Shi Wei and points out that Zhuo Xiao has already guessed Shi Wei’s feelings. Unable to finish either his questions or his attempted warnings, Zhuo Xiao acknowledges that he has lost the romantic contest 162.

Appearance

• Youthful and handsome: Without styling, he resembles a handsome college student 75.
• Fit physique: He has a six-pack and insists that he is not overweight when Shi Wei restricts his food 101.
• Pleasant voice: His voice is described as pleasant and slightly husky during a phone conversation 36.
• Sunny smile: He greets the Our Life cast with a bright, sunny smile 103.

Personality

Zhuo Xiao is hardworking and loyal. His career begins with minor roles, and he refuses to distance himself from Shi Wei merely because of public hostility. At his wrap party, he thanks the cast and crew individually and expresses particular gratitude to Luo Sixi for the opportunity 36 144.

He is easily flustered around Shi Wei, blushing at affectionate attention and becoming insecure when comparing himself with Ji Hanchuan. Nevertheless, concern for Shi Wei can push him to challenge the senior actor directly despite his fear 75 81 101 126.

His protectiveness is sincere but often misinformed. He interprets props, marks, overheard dialogue, and interrupted plans as evidence that Shi Wei needs rescuing. Conversely, he initially accepts Xu Xirui’s friendliness at face value, prompting Shi Wei to call him too easily fooled 48 81 83 110 130.

Abilities & Skills

Acting

• Earned a reputation as a dependable rising actor after progressing from bit parts to larger supporting work 36.
• Won his role in Just Like You through his own abilities, according to Luo Sixi 144.
• Can struggle when distracted by personal insecurity or overwhelmed by a stronger scene partner; targeted emotional coaching helps him complete his confrontation scene with Ji Hanchuan 81 101.

Known Works

Relationships

• Shi Wei — Longtime friend and romantic interest. Zhuo Xiao hopes their on-screen romance will bring them closer, while Shi Wei repeatedly frames their real-life relationship as friendship. Zhuo Xiao eventually confesses his feelings 36 137 144 161.
• Ji Hanchuan — Senior colleague, acting coach, and romantic rival. Zhuo Xiao fears his imposing presence but repeatedly challenges him over Shi Wei 101 126 162.
• Luo Sixi — Director of Just Like You. She coaches his performances and affirms that he earned his casting through ability 77 101 144.
• Xu Xirui — Fellow variety-show participant whom Zhuo Xiao initially considers kind. Shi Wei later points out how readily Xu Xirui’s friendliness deceived him 109 110.

Notable Quotes

“How could you take me for such a snob, Shi Wei!” 36

“I’d tell him that no matter what happened, I’d stand beside him and be his strongest support.” 90

“If I said I liked you too, would you, would you accept me?” 161