Yu Yang

Biodata

Identity Ambiguity

The chapters use Yu Yang for both the talent-show director and Yu Zeqi’s biological father, the head of the Yu Family. However, the reunion scene treats the director and the father as separate people, while later passages give them incompatible family circumstances 20 21 82 164.

The director’s activities and the family-head passages are separated below.

History

Launching the Talent Show

Yu Yang arranged Zhang Zhichen and Shang Shujue’s appearance order to exploit the contrast between their reputations. Delighted by the livestream’s growing popularity, he instructed the staff to place Zhang seventeenth and Shang immediately afterward 2.

His responsibilities also included responding to incidents during production. After Bai Zhiyi was hurt, he ordered the public-relations department to apologize, reassure viewers that the injury was not serious, and announce a schedule of three-hour livestreams every three days 8.

Later, when Shang Shujue realized he had not submitted his performance song, Yu Yang assigned him number 98 to give him time to submit and prepare it 47.

Protecting the Production

Yu Yang repeatedly checked on Shang Shujue during his painful ordeal, but stayed outside after becoming embarrassed by the sounds from the room. The following day, he accompanied the camp doctor upstairs and questioned why Shang had not also undergone an examination 68 69.

After hearing that Qi Tianlin might face a suicidal future, Yu Yang welcomed his decision to leave the camp. He was willing to forgo the contract-termination fee rather than risk a death on a show into which he had invested half his fortune 78.

Su Youchuan’s Financial Pressure

Three days before Su Youchuan’s visit, Yu Yang rejected a caller’s offer of money for access to Bai Zhiyi. A succession of costly incidents then struck his family, including extortion, an accident involving his parents, his wife’s dismissal and fine, and his child’s hospitalization 82.

Su Youchuan subsequently offered eight million yuan and further investment in exchange for admitting Lin Yuyan to the show and pairing him with Bai Zhiyi. Recognizing that the offer matched his family’s losses, Yu Yang concluded that Su had engineered the financial pressure 82.

Despite fearing Su’s influence, Yu Yang refused to decide on Bai Zhiyi’s behalf. He summoned Bai to hear the proposal and make his own choice, while privately hoping Shang Shujue would intervene 82 83.

Shang’s arrival gave Yu Yang considerable relief. After Su left, Shang handed over the money he had obtained from him as compensation. Yu Yang accepted the bank card, which contained an additional two million yuan, and promised Shang a large red envelope once the show became profitable 84 85 86.

Continued Contact with Shang Shujue

After Shang Shujue forfeited the competition and left the hospital, Yu Yang joined the others in urging him to keep visiting the training camp, even if only backstage. Shang eventually agreed to occasional visits 111.

Personality

Yu Yang is commercially minded and attentive to publicity: he deliberately exploits contestant contrasts to attract viewers and is pleased by rising livestream traffic. His concern for the show also makes him highly sensitive to accidents and potential scandals 2 69 78.

Financial pressure does not erase his boundaries. He rejects an initial attempt to purchase access to Bai Zhiyi and later insists that Bai must decide for himself. When confronting Su Youchuan, he conceals his anger behind professional courtesy rather than openly challenging someone capable of ruining him 82 83.

Abilities & Skills

Production Management

• Assigns contestant appearance orders and adjusts performance scheduling 2 47.
• Coordinates public apologies and livestream announcements through the PR department 8.
• Maintains negotiations with prospective investors despite severe funding pressure 82.

Hearing Shang Shujue’s Thoughts

• Can hear Shang Shujue’s leaked inner voice and react without revealing that he has heard it 6 78 83.
• Learns about threatened futures and Shang’s intended intervention against Su Youchuan through these thoughts 78 83.
• Understands that Su Youchuan and Lin Yuyan cannot hear the same revelations during their office visit 83.

Relationships

• Shang Shujue — Contestant and ally. Shang helps him resist Su Youchuan’s pressure and supplies compensation for his losses; Yu Yang later encourages him to remain connected with the camp 83 86 111.
• Bai Zhiyi — Contestant whose right to choose Yu Yang defends when Su Youchuan proposes a duo with Lin Yuyan 82 84.
• Su Youchuan — Coercive prospective investor whom Yu Yang suspects of orchestrating his family’s financial troubles 82 83.
• Wife and child — Unnamed family members affected by the incidents preceding Su Youchuan’s investment offer 82.

Yu Family Head: Same-Name Passages

Discovery of Yu Zeqi

The Yu Family head initially believes he will never have a biological child and considers leaving the family business to his nephews. He envies Yun Qishan’s relationships with the younger generation 15 16.

Shang Shujue sends Yun Qishan photographs, a letter, and Yu Zeqi’s hair for a paternity test. Recognizing Zhang Yunyi and the resemblance between himself and Yu Zeqi, Yu Yang immediately seeks an expedited test. Confirmation that Yu Zeqi is his son moves him to tears 16.

After learning that Ren Xiaoxue intended to deliver Yu Zeqi to predators, he asks Shang to protect his only son and offers his treasured miniature golden world as thanks 17.

Estrangement and Reconciliation

At their meeting, Yu Yang presents the DNA report and identifies himself as Yu Zeqi’s father. His hope of reuniting with Zhang Yunyi collapses when Yu Zeqi reveals that she died after years of raising him alone. Yu Zeqi rejects immediate reconciliation, and Yu Yang apologizes for failing them both 20 21.

Yu Zeqi later reconsiders after recognizing the dangers within the Yu Family and his father’s efforts to protect him. He accepts a 200,000-yuan transfer and changes Yu Yang’s contact name to “Dad.” Overjoyed, Yu Yang rushes to finish a negotiation so he can watch his son’s livestream 36.

Yu Zeqi eventually returns to the ancestral family and is publicly confirmed as its heir. The DNA evidence, their strong resemblance, and support from Shang Shujue and the Song Family prevent opposition from disrupting the recognition banquet 164.