Zhao Jiayuan

Biodata

Background / History

Zhao Jiayuan spent years chatting online with someone he believed was Chen Chong’s older sister. He felt strongly attached to his online correspondent but did not experience the same excitement when meeting his girlfriend in person. Chen Chong’s recollections later establish that he was the longtime online companion: he had fallen for Zhao Jiayuan when Zhao arrived to register as a college freshman, added him on QQ, and cultivated their friendship over the following years 104 107 113.

When they met offline, Zhao Jiayuan mistakenly became interested in Chen Chong’s sister. She offered to date him to help Chen Chong determine whether he was attracted to men or women. Their relationship lasted three months without Zhao Jiayuan even holding her hand; she ended it through a message delivered by Chen Chong during Survival Challenge 6 107.

Appearance

• Handsome features: Fans describe him as handsome while contrasting his looks with his frequently embarrassing remarks and behavior 53.
• Tourism-shoot costume: Wears a white robe with flowing sleeves and poses with a sword, prompting fans to praise his ethereal appearance—until he starts speaking 53.
• Visible embarrassment: His face and ears redden noticeably when he catches himself admiring Chen Chong or discusses his attraction to him 92 104.

Personality

Zhao Jiayuan is outspoken, boastful, and quick-tempered. He introduces himself by declaring that all his songs sound great, readily challenges the director, and repeatedly responds to Chen Chong’s provocations by trying to hit him. His pride can override common sense: after Chen Chong saves him from falling into a stream, he insists that he wanted his face in the water and deliberately puts it there 6 12 19.

His bluntness coexists with genuine concern for others. After a livestream captures Dabao being fired, Zhao Jiayuan worries that the broadcast has harmed him and that a thug might retaliate. He is similarly protective of Jiang Mingxi, offering practical help during an online scandal and angrily objecting when he initially thinks Zhao Ke is badmouthing their friend 16 155 204.

He loves gossip and enthusiastically joins Zhao Ke in watching other people’s romantic complications. His own romance makes him far less confident: he struggles to interpret Chen Chong’s feelings, takes a harsh tone as rejection, and becomes unusually quiet and dejected. Once reassured, he is openly affectionate and asks Chen Chong for more kisses 107 108 112 172.

Abilities & Skills

Singing and Music

• Works professionally as a singer; Dabao recognizes him and says he can sing almost all of his songs 16.
• Performs “Under the Light” for two girls during a mountain outing, then invites Jiang Mingxi to sing the next line 17.
• Offers to write Jiang Mingxi a song, help him release a single, and promote it. The supplied chapters do not establish whether that project is completed 74.

Survival-Task Assistance

• Successfully catches a rabbit by helping Jiang Mingxi smoke it out of its burrow, although he pulls so forcefully that Chen Chong must catch him as he falls backward 86.
• Collects firewood, assists with gathering mushrooms, and crushes seepweed for seasoning under Jiang Mingxi’s direction 88 89 93.
• Remains inexperienced: Jiang Mingxi has to explain why they need dry branches, and his attempt to imitate Jiang Mingxi’s fishing nearly sends him face-first onto rocks 19 88.

Physical Restraint

• Pins Gao Le facedown to prevent him from interrupting Jiang Mingxi and Song Lan or causing further trouble 96 97.
• Acts impulsively in dangerous situations; when he tries to charge fleeing suspects, Chen Chong stops him before he can rush forward 194.

Relationships

• Chen Chong — Boyfriend and former public “sworn enemy.” Their constant arguments conceal Chen Chong’s longstanding affection and Zhao Jiayuan’s emerging attraction. Even after becoming a couple, they continue bickering and provoking one another 107 112 113 167 177.
• Jiang Mingxi — Close friend and confidant. Zhao Jiayuan warns him about Zhang Lin, supports him through romantic frustration, and seeks his advice when questioning his own feelings for Chen Chong. He introduces himself to Zheng Muyun as Xiaoxi’s best friend 58 74 104 215.
• Zhao Ke — Friend and fellow gossip enthusiast. Zhao Ke helps Jiang Mingxi provoke Chen Chong into revealing his jealousy; Zhao Jiayuan also offers to share rabbit meat if Zhao Ke attends his birthday party 86 110 111.
• Chen Chong’s older sister — Former girlfriend. Zhao Jiayuan initially mistakes Chen Chong’s overnight stay at her home for infidelity, unaware that they are biological siblings 6.
• Song Lan — Fellow cast member and frequent target of teasing. Zhao Jiayuan criticizes the repeated interruptions to Jiang Mingxi’s relationship with him and later joins Zhao Ke in teasing him about his past mistakes 74 95 198.
• Gao Le — Fellow guest whom Zhao Jiayuan distrusts after his treatment of Jiang Mingxi. He restrains Gao Le during the forest episode and remains openly hostile when Gao Le returns for the next installment 95 97 167.
• Manman — Fan whose cheerful personality leaves a strong impression on him. She admits that she initially followed him to criticize him before becoming genuinely attached; he recognizes her immediately when they meet again 36 202.

Story Role / Major Arcs

First Installment: Bridgehead Village

• Opening broadcast disruption: Zhao Jiayuan and Chen Chong arrive fighting, causing the livestream to be banned for profanity and suspected promotion of violence. Zhao Jiayuan’s accusation that Chen Chong slept with his girlfriend is subsequently exposed as a misunderstanding 3 6.
• Escape to town: Joins Jiang Mingxi and Chen Chong’s plan to obtain transportation despite the production team’s restrictions. He distracts the director with an angry confrontation, then jumps into the car Chen Chong drives away without the camera crew 14.
• Low-cost mountain tours: Helps Jiang Mingxi offer two-hour outings for 9.90 yuan per person, accompanying tourists and singing for their first group 17.
• Couples’ games: Ends up paired with Chen Chong after Jiang Mingxi swaps his draw to partner with Song Lan. Their tied-leg challenge ends with both men falling when Zhao Jiayuan jumps up to strike Chen Chong 33 34.
• Concern for Qianqian: Shows Jiang Mingxi a staff note asking them to investigate possible manipulation or danger. His attempt to raise the subject is painfully blunt, but he continues trying to challenge Qianqian’s denial about her boyfriend 41 44.
• Tourism promotion: Takes part in a historical-costume shoot and supports Jiang Mingxi when Su Hui substitutes an unsuitable outfit for the red hanfu originally selected for him 53.

Between Installments

• Birthday gathering: Attends Jiang Mingxi’s birthday celebration while arguing with Chen Chong over President Liu. Zhao Jiayuan initially interprets Liu’s attention as recognition of his talent, but falls silent when Chen Chong points out that Liu had touched his thigh 73.
• Support for Jiang Mingxi: Criticizes Zhang Lin’s public statements, offers musical collaboration, and later calls urgently during the Ji Hanyu scandal to ask whether Jiang Mingxi has PR support and offer to come with Chen Chong 74 155.

Forest Installment: Realizing His Feelings

Later Filming and the Bai Family Investigation

• Tailor-shop misunderstanding: Sneaks out to meet Jiang Mingxi, Zhao Ke, and A-Wang, then lies about shopping for hot-pot ingredients. Chen Chong arrives while Zhao Jiayuan is being measured for clothes and mistakes the situation for infidelity; Zhao Jiayuan rushes to hug him and asks him to listen 139 140 142.
• Seaside return: Arrives with Chen Chong for the third installment, with visible hickeys attracting viewers’ attention. Their relationship remains argumentative, including an incident in which Zhao Jiayuan gives Chen Chong the silent treatment before being carried away 167 177.
• Questions about the Bai family: Suggests that missing longtime household staff might have secretly rescued Bai Zheming’s family. Later attempts to pursue fleeing suspects before Chen Chong restrains him 188 194.
• Discovery in Qin Family Village: While assigned to sweep a courtyard with Zhao Ke, recognizes the resemblance between a scarred resident’s birthmark and Bai Zheming’s father’s photograph. He catches an elderly woman when she suddenly falls backward 207 208.
• Family reunion: Introduces himself to the recovering Zheng Muyun as Jiang Mingxi’s best friend and helps welcome the reunited family to A-Wang’s residence. He excitedly announces that Jiang Mingxi has promised him a patch of land where he wants to plant scallions 215 217.

Notable Quotes

“I'm Zhao Jiayuan. A popular singer. All my songs sound great.” 6

“I'll write you a song when I get back. You can release a single, and I'll promote it!” 74

“Want more kisses.” 112

“Auntie, Uncle, come on home!” 217