Chen Shiyu

Biodata

Appearance

• Face and build: Fair-skinned, soft-looking, and relatively small beside the taller contestants. He has rosy lips, white teeth, and an innocent-looking smile 8 29 151.
• Voice: Sweet and distinctive, with a lively tone when greeting friends 8 349.
• Concert attire: Wears a white tailcoat with his hair meticulously slicked back during his ensemble performance 172.
• Scent: Carries a faint gardenia scent, which reminds Chi Yining of his grandmother 173.
• Recurring comparison: Li Qingmi likens him to a little white hamster 278 341.

Personality

Chen Shiyu is sociable, affectionate, and readily captivated by attractive men. He initially expects his looks and figure to make him popular on the dating show, then becomes frustrated when the others gravitate toward Chi Yining instead. His affection is often physical: he hugs Wang Xinyang’s arm and kisses his cheek without hesitation 103 234.

He can be judgmental and defensive, particularly early in the show. He repeats unverified accusations against Chi Yining and sulks when Wang Xinyang challenges him. However, he later recognizes his prejudice, regrets his comments, and directly apologizes rather than pretending they never happened 9 120 171.

His emotional openness coexists with a sharp tongue. He cries when distressed or overwhelmed, but also openly challenges Shao Chongsi about his behavior toward Gu Chengyuan. In competition, he can accept a fair defeat without blaming his opponent 89 223 323 401.

Abilities & Skills

Violin Performance

Chen Shiyu performs professionally, practices regularly, and serves as first violinist in an ensemble. His absorbed manner and polished presentation draw praise from livestream viewers 139 172.

• Performs in an ensemble concert opening with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 172.
• Plays “Canon” for the other guests during an evening gathering 349 350.
• Finds paid work by approaching an upscale restaurant that has a violin available, earning 600 yuan for a two-hour performance 29 35.
• Protects his hands carefully enough to avoid choosing restaurant waiting work 29.

Games and Quick Reactions

Although other contestants sometimes underestimate him physically, Chen Shiyu can exploit openings and react quickly during games 197 317.

Limitations

• Has no martial-arts training and did not enjoy sports while growing up 174.
• Finds brush calligraphy difficult and struggles to ignore the other guests’ teasing while writing 183.
• Has trouble lighting a barbecue grill, ending up with a soot-blackened face 214.
• Becomes noticeably drunk after consuming only a small amount of alcohol 351.

Background / History

Family and Musical Career

Chen Shiyu comes from a wealthy family whose company has public-relations teams. His parents save his concert fees for him and provide a fixed monthly allowance, making his restaurant performance earnings the first money he earns independently 35 120.

His mother is close friends with Li Qingmi’s mother, Luo Ye. Chen Shiyu and Li Qingmi were betrothed before birth, though Chen Shiyu initially remembers only that Li Qingmi looks familiar when they meet on the show 330 528.

Joining the Dating Show

Chen Shiyu quickly becomes friendly with Wang Xinyang after arriving. He is immediately impressed by Chi Yining’s appearance without recognizing him, despite already disliking the much-maligned public figure 8 9.

His reliance on online rumors causes an early disagreement with Wang Xinyang, who asks whether the allegations have evidence. Hu Bing intervenes and suggests that they judge Chi Yining through personal observation 9.

Over time, Chen Shiyu acknowledges Chi Yining’s intelligence and ability. After watching a video that makes Chi Yining seem like his ideal type, he deeply regrets his earlier comments. His parents also reveal that they helped mobilize their company’s staff and public-relations teams against Chi Yining’s cyberbullies 96 120.

Apology and Concert Invitation

Chen Shiyu writes Chi Yining a letter offering an apology and good wishes. Later, he obtains Chi Yining’s contact information from the director, apologizes directly through WeChat, and invites him to a concert. He selects two balcony seats with excellent views and acoustics so Chi Yining can bring someone rather than attend alone 151 171.

Chi Yining attends with Yan Guiyun and brings pink lilies backstage afterward. Delighted by the flowers and encouragement, Chen Shiyu hugs him. Chi Yining allows the embrace after recognizing the gardenia scent that reminds him of his grandmother, while Yan Guiyun reacts jealously 172 173.

Backstage Attack and Rescue

After the concert, a masked man locks himself backstage with Chen Shiyu. Claiming to be a former middle-school classmate, he reveals that he has studied the performers’ routines. Chen Shiyu tries to defend himself with a violin, but the attacker destroys it, overpowers him, and knocks him unconscious with a stun baton 174.

Chen Shiyu awakens bound and faces a threatened injection and sexual assault. Chi Yining returns before the injection occurs and incapacitates the attacker. Once police free him, Chen Shiyu points out the surveillance cameras, insists that Chi Yining acted in self-defense, and calls his father to arrange legal help 175 176.

Growing Close to Li Qingmi

Chen Shiyu and Li Qingmi repeatedly become teammates and companions. During a combat game, they squeeze into a cabinet to hide from other contestants; the extra chapter identifies this close contact as an important moment in their developing attraction 199 528.

They later win the Planet Battle date-night opportunity. While sharing a tent, the sleeping Chen Shiyu pulls Li Qingmi into an accidental kiss. Their relationship becomes more deliberate through outings, including an arcade visit, summer desserts, and fireworks 278 314 528.

Li Qingmi eventually takes him into a bamboo grove and kisses him repeatedly, leaving him overwhelmed and tearful. Their growing intimacy becomes increasingly apparent to the others, even as Chen Shiyu remains anxious about being discovered 323 330 391.

Commitment and Marriage

Chen Shiyu’s hesitation is not simply a lack of affection. After learning about Li Qingmi’s academic achievements and laboratory, he worries that being “merely a violinist” makes him unworthy of him. Nevertheless, he privately acknowledges that Li Qingmi is the person he loves most 431.

When Li Qingmi visits after completing a delayed research project, Chen Shiyu complains about his unanswered messages and calls. He initially rejects Li Qingmi’s request to date, wanting time to think, but admits that he cannot bear to give him up. They spend the night together 491 492.

The extra chapter follows their reunion after months apart while Li Qingmi works. Li Qingmi proposes secretly registering their marriage; afterward, they post their marriage certificates in the family group chat, astonishing their families 528.

Relationships

• Li Qingmi — Childhood fiancé and eventual husband. Their teasing partnership develops into romance, though Chen Shiyu struggles with insecurity about Li Qingmi’s accomplishments. He is four months younger than Li Qingmi 431 492 528.
• Chi Yining — Initially the subject of his prejudice, later his crush, rescuer, and friend. Chen Shiyu continues admiring his appearance after growing close to Li Qingmi; Chi Yining later enthusiastically supports their pairing 9 175 349 528.
• Yan Guiyun — Rival for access to Chi Yining. Chen Shiyu resents his vigilance, while Yan Guiyun regards Chen Shiyu’s unpredictable affection as a serious threat 210 211 323 349.
• Wang Xinyang — Friend despite their early argument over Chi Yining. Chen Shiyu is openly physically affectionate with him, much to Bai Chongxuan’s irritation 9 67 234.
• Gu Chengyuan — His idol for five years, beginning when he was fifteen. Discovering Gu’s height-increasing insoles briefly shatters his idealized image, but Chi Yining reminds him of Gu’s acting, charity work, and clean record 222 223 224.
• Shao Chongsi — A frequent teasing opponent. Shao needles him about his devotion to Gu Chengyuan; Chen Shiyu later retaliates by questioning why Shao follows Gu so persistently 106 401.
• Ms. Zheng and his father — Supportive parents who manage his concert income and encourage his musical practice. His father also becomes his immediate contact for legal assistance after the backstage attack 35 120 176.
• Mo Li and Chai Yi — Acquaintances within his family’s wealthy social circle. He inadvertently reveals to Mo Li that Chai Yi once purchased a hundred-million-yuan necklace intended as his birthday gift 475.

Trivia

• Chen Shiyu is an atheist and is not frightened by Li Qingmi’s horror story 528.
• In the original novel known to the transmigrated Chi Yining, Chen Shiyu stopped attending the dating show after two weeks; the reason was not explained 177.
• His social-media feed changes from photographs of himself to photographs of Li Qingmi 528.