Ruan Dongchen

Biodata

Background / History

Ruan Dongchen grew up in the south. He transferred to the Capital in sixth grade, becoming Yan Guiyun’s elementary school classmate. Their homes were close to Jia Mingchuan’s, and Ruan frequently sought out Jia, who was one grade below him, to play. He returned south for secondary school and did not move back to the Capital until university 356 370.

He married Zhou Feng in the year before their visit to Crimson Flame Courtyard. The two watch the dating show together, with Zhou becoming an enthusiastic fan of Chi Yining 164 353 355.

Appearance

• Build: Burly and over six feet three inches tall 125.
• Clothing: Dresses casually; his wild, untamed appearance initially makes Chi Yining mistake him for Yan Guiyun’s romantic interest 165.
• Voice: Naturally rough, although he sometimes adopts an affected, high-pitched voice when complaining to Yan Guiyun 125 354.

Personality

Ruan is outspoken, theatrical, and comfortable teasing his friends. When Yan Guiyun jokingly demotes him from friend to elementary school classmate, he staggers backward and clutches his chest while accusing Yan of abandoning friendship for romance. He also threatens to warn Chi Yining about Yan’s bad temper and personality 164.

His impatience can outweigh his discretion. Rather than let Jia Mingchuan discover Su Ziqian’s identity himself, Ruan reveals the connection despite Yan Guiyun’s attempted interruption. His immediate regret is practical: Jia leaves to find Su, leaving Ruan with more kitchen work 354.

He is affectionate toward Zhou Feng and comically jealous of the attention his husband gives Chi Yining. Nevertheless, he arranges the meeting Zhou wants and acknowledges Chi’s appeal 164 353 355.

Abilities & Skills

Cooking

• Helps Yan Guiyun and Jia Mingchuan prepare dinner at Crimson Flame Courtyard 354.
• Makes white-cut chicken for the gathering 356.
• Wears goggles while chopping onions 354.

Weight Training

• Performs barbell bench presses at a gym in the Capital. His first appearance shows a sudden sneeze nearly causing an accident with the Olympic bar 101.

Relationships

• Zhou Feng — His husband, whom he affectionately thinks of as his darling. Ruan indulges Zhou’s wish to meet Chi Yining, although Zhou’s intense admiration leaves him feeling neglected 164 353 355.
• Yan Guiyun — His elementary school classmate, longtime friend, and business contact. Their exchanges are full of insults and teasing; Yan repeatedly downplays their friendship to reassure Chi Yining 125 164 353.
• Chi Yining — An acquaintance whom he calls “Xiao Chi-Chi” or “Chichi.” Chi initially misunderstands his relationship with Yan and later admits jealousy over how long they have known each other 125 165 353.
• Jia Mingchuan — A childhood playmate one school year below him. Ruan eventually tells Jia that Su Ziqian is Xiao Feiqi 354 370.
• Su Ziqian — His neighbor. Ruan knows his connection to Jia Mingchuan, and the two exchange pointedly polite remarks after Ruan reveals the truth 354 356.
• Chai Yi — His younger cousin. Ruan complains about Chai’s temper and prefers watching other guests’ livestreams, but his frequent praise of Yan Guiyun helps spark Chai’s admiration for Yan 234 354 473.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Appearances

• While Yan Guiyun tells Chi Yining that Chi is his only friend, Ruan sneezes during a workout in the Capital and immediately accuses Yan of bad-mouthing him 101.
• He later calls Yan to ask whether he has brought Chi home and invites him out for Saturday-night drinks. Yan refuses and hangs up, prompting Ruan to complain about the difference between Yan’s treatment of him and Chi 125.

Visit to Yan Guiyun’s Office

Ruan notices Yan’s unusually meticulous grooming and compares it to a peacock displaying its tail. He mocks Yan for pursuing Chi after previously claiming he had no plans to find a boyfriend 164.

When Chi arrives and notices Ruan on the sofa, Yan introduces him as merely a classmate and client, even offering to delete him from WeChat. Chi apologizes for misunderstanding their relationship, but Yan sends Ruan away anyway 164 165.

Crimson Flame Courtyard Gathering

At Zhou Feng’s request, Ruan arranges a meal with Yan and Chi. They meet at Crimson Flame Courtyard because Chi is introverted and prefers staying home 353.

While helping prepare dinner, Ruan reveals that Su Ziqian is Xiao Feiqi. He explains that Su lives next door to him and that he and Yan once spotted Su with Jia during a bowling outing, then followed them for the afternoon. Their circle had discussed the connection at a gathering two years earlier 354.

Jia leaves the kitchen to invite Su to dinner, leaving Ruan regretting his timing. During the meal, Ruan becomes increasingly uneasy under Yan’s glare as Zhou enthusiastically attends to Chi 354 356 357.

Notable Quotes

“What a two-faced President Yan~ So nice to Chichi on the show, but so cruel to me in private!” 125

“You punk, does Chichi know how awful your personality and temper are? If he doesn’t, I’ll give him a heads-up.” 164

Trivia

• Ruan and Zhou both grew up in the south and enjoy roast duck and roast goose. Ruan brings roast goose to the courtyard dinner 356.
• Zhou’s fandom becomes intense enough that he wants a life-size Chi Yining body pillow—treatment Ruan notes he has never received himself 164.
• Yan privately blames Ruan’s repeated talk about novels for influencing his own thinking 185.