Chen Chong

Biodata

Background / History

Chen Chong comes from a wealthy family based in a southern city. Gao Le considers his family's wealth comparable to that of Feng Moshan's and Song Lan's families. In entertainment, Chen Chong established himself through a tough, unruly martial arts star image, with most of his screen roles following that style 30 89 112.

He fell for Zhao Jiayuan when Zhao arrived to register as a college freshman. Chen Chong added him on QQ and maintained daily conversations with him for years. Their exchanges included childhood stories, music and films, late-night meals, and good-morning and goodnight messages 110 113.

When they met offline, Zhao Jiayuan mistook Chen Chong's older sister for his online confidant and began dating her. His sister offered to help Chen Chong determine whether Zhao was attracted to men or women. The relationship lasted three months without even hand-holding, giving Chen Chong renewed hope that Zhao might return his feelings 6 107 115.

Chen Chong also quietly supported Zhao Jiayuan's entertainment career, arranging recording studios, helping with album publicity, and smoothing his entry into the industry without Zhao knowing. He later cleared his entire schedule to join Survival Challenge because he knew Zhao would participate 107 112.

Appearance

• Buzz cut: A defining part of his tough-guy appearance 30 92.
• Powerful physique: Particularly apparent during the tourism promotional shoot, when he wears a fitted black imperial guard uniform 53.
• Dark eyes: Described as pitch-black during his confrontation with Zhao Jiayuan 112.
• Intimidating bearing: His anger gives him a murderous aura consistent with his hard-edged screen roles 89.

Personality

Chen Chong is blunt, sharp-tongued, and quick to trade insults with Zhao Jiayuan. After relaying his sister's breakup message, he repeatedly uses its embarrassing accusation to provoke Zhao. During truth or dare, he immediately names Zhao as the person he dislikes most, reinforcing their apparent rivalry 6 7 12 36.

His actions are considerably more protective than his words. He catches Zhao when he falls, intervenes when Jiang Ke tries to strike him, and notices when President Liu's supposed professional interest becomes inappropriate. His care also extends to small practical matters, including preparing washing water and breakfast and retrieving Zhao's trapped shoes 19 30 73 115 176.

Despite years of pursuit, Chen Chong is insecure about whether Zhao reciprocates. He mistakes Zhao's nervous hesitation outside their tent for avoidance and nearly gives up. When Jiang Mingxi and Zhao Ke introduce the prospect of another suitor, that uncertainty turns into jealousy and an angry confrontation 107 108 110 111.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Staff Work

Chen Chong demonstrates practiced martial ability both in performance and during emergencies.

• Performs a fluid Shaolin staff routine in a town square, drawing enthusiastic applause 16.
• Blocks Jiang Ke's attempted slap at Zhao Jiayuan 30.
• Kicks away Su Zhang Lin's dagger and knocks her down when she attacks again 213.

Strength, Agility, and Reflexes

His physical ability repeatedly allows him to escape traps and protect other guests.

• Catches Zhao Jiayuan when he loses his footing beside a stream and pulls him clear of fire-related hazards 19 98.
• Escapes a closing net trap by jumping, kicking off a table, and pulling himself through its opening with his arms 172.
• Lifts Gao Le out of a narrow pit, then braces against its wall to vault out himself 176.
• Snaps a thick wooden stick with his bare hands while jealous 110.

Improvised Defense

• Throws bricks and rocks at armed attackers alongside Song Lan 194 195.
• Helps subdue and disarm the attackers after hidden anesthetic electric needles strike them; the capture is a coordinated effort rather than a solo victory 195.
• Physically stops Zhao Jiayuan from charging into the confrontation 194 195.

Practical Outdoor Skills

• Uses an axe to whittle smooth, pointed wooden sticks for preparing and roasting game 92 93.
• Recaptures the rabbit Zhao Jiayuan caught after Gao Le releases it 89.
• Drives the group into town during their effort to attract tourists 16.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Borrowed wooden staff — Used for his Shaolin staff performance in the town square 16.
• Axe — Used to shape wooden skewers; also borrowed by Song Lan to prepare a wild chicken 91 92 93.
• Imperial guard costume and sword — Worn and carried for the tourism promotional shoot 53.
• Bricks and rocks — Improvised projectiles used against the armed attackers 194 195.

Relationships

• Zhao Jiayuan — Longtime online confidant and eventual boyfriend. Their apparent hostility conceals Chen Chong's years of affection and behind-the-scenes support. They become openly romantic during the show's livestream 107 112 113 115.
• Older sister — Helps test whether Zhao Jiayuan might reciprocate Chen Chong's feelings. Her brief relationship with Zhao creates the misunderstanding behind the pair's early public arguments 6 107 115.
• Jiang Mingxi — Friend and fellow contestant. They perform together, cooperate during survival tasks, and socialize outside filming. Jiang Mingxi later uses Chen Chong's knowledge of Zhao's everyday habits as an example of an established emotional foundation 16 73 92 145.
• Zhao Ke — Recognizes Chen Chong's feelings and helps provoke his confession by encouraging Zhao Jiayuan to appear interested in another man. He later teases the couple by drawing attention to Chen Chong's rescue of Gao Le 109 110 111 176.
• Song Lan — Fellow contestant and ally during dangerous incidents. The two protect their respective partners from flying embers and later help capture armed attackers 98 195.
• Gao Le — Fellow contestant and occasional teammate. Chen Chong confronts him over releasing the group's rabbits but later rescues him from a pit and a falling treasure chest 89 176.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early *Survival Challenge* Filming

Mutual Misunderstandings and Confession

During the wilderness challenge, Chen Chong's attention to Zhao Jiayuan becomes increasingly difficult to disguise. He preserves Zhao's captured rabbit, reacts strongly to a touch at his lower back, and catches Zhao staring while he whittles a stick. When Gao Le sends burning material toward the group, Chen Chong pulls Zhao out of its path 89 90 92 98.

Their attraction nevertheless produces conflicting assumptions. Zhao begins questioning his feelings after reacting physically while Chen Chong applies medicine to him. Chen interprets Zhao's subsequent nervousness as rejection, while Zhao interprets Chen's cold response in the woods as proof that he is not interested 104 107 108.

Jiang Mingxi and Zhao Ke break the stalemate by pretending to introduce Zhao to another male suitor. Chen Chong becomes visibly jealous, leaves the group game, and takes Zhao aside to ask whether he likes men. When Zhao argues that genuine attraction should have led him to initiate a kiss, Chen finally kisses him. Zhao responds by asking for more, and Chen carries him into their tent 110 111 112.

Open Relationship

Armed Attack and Family Discoveries

• Capturing the attackers: Chen Chong restrains Zhao Jiayuan from rushing ahead, throws projectiles alongside Song Lan, and helps overpower the armed men once they are incapacitated 194 195.
• Recognizing Jiang Mingxi's parents: After the burned man calls his wife “Muyun,” Chen connects the name to Zheng Muyun. He also identifies the man's birthmark as matching the one on Bai Zheming's father's arm 212.
• Stopping Su Zhang Lin: Chen prevents her from recovering her dagger and intervenes when she lunges at the man beside her 213.

Notable Quotes

“Try laying a hand on him.”
— After blocking Jiang Ke's attempt to slap Zhao Jiayuan 30

“How could you think I didn't like you?”
— To Zhao Jiayuan after their feelings are reciprocated 113