Yu Zeqi

Biodata

Background / History

Childhood and His Mother’s Death

Yu Zeqi was raised by his mother, Zhang Yunyi, without knowing that his father was Yu Yang. As a child, he noticed her crying while watching Yu Yang on television, but she denied knowing the entrepreneur when questioned 4.

Although Zhang Yunyi was a highly qualified scientist, she concealed their connection to Yu Yang to prevent herself and her son from becoming leverage against him. She worked three jobs a day to support Yu Zeqi. He grew up enduring insults about his absent father and blamed himself for the hardships his mother faced. She eventually died of illness 21 22.

Before her death, Zhang Yunyi left a password-protected video explaining his parentage, intended to be opened when he turned eighteen. Yu Zeqi discovered it at nineteen. Its password, 825735, commemorated their first visit to Ice and Snow World: August 25 at 7:35 a.m. 17.

Talent Show and Ren Xiaoxue’s Betrayal

During Draft’s opening recording, Yu Zeqi heard Shang Shujue’s inner thoughts expose both his recent loss of 200 yuan to a scam and a much more serious threat. His trusted friend and manager, Ren Xiaoxue, had steered him into an exploitative agency and intended to deliver him to three predatory celebrities. In the future Shang described, Yu Zeqi would resist sexual exploitation, be smeared and sidelined by his agency, and ultimately die. Ren Xiaoxue would then use his blood to establish his connection to the Yu Family and gain Yu Yang’s favor 3 4.

The revelations also identified Yu Yang as his biological father. Bai Zhiyi helped Yu Zeqi maintain his composure during the livestream, while Xu Jiaqiao subsequently formed a mutual-support pact with him after learning of his own threatened future 4 6.

After the broadcast, Ren Xiaoxue tried to take Yu Zeqi to a supposed investment banquet. Shang Shujue confronted her with a guest list naming Lin Xu, Han Dong, and Yang Shaoying. Recognizing the three men’s reputations, Yu Zeqi rejected her explanations and refused to forgive her. The trainees sheltered him, while Shang used the show’s compulsory training schedule and breach-of-contract penalty to prevent her from taking him away 9 10.

Shang also secretly restored Yu Zeqi’s stolen luck and collected a clump of his hair for a paternity test. Although Yu Zeqi knew what he was doing and found it painful, he cooperated and sincerely thanked him 10.

Discovering His Parentage

Shang mailed the hair, photographs, and a warning letter to his uncle, Yun Qishan, a childhood friend of Yu Yang. An expedited DNA test confirmed that Yu Zeqi was Yu Yang’s biological son 13 16.

Meanwhile, Yu Zeqi discovered his mother’s video. Her message and family photographs revealed that his father had not knowingly abandoned him—Yu Yang had never known he existed. Overwhelmed, Yu Zeqi went for a late-night walk with his roommate Zhao Zhiyu. Xu Jiaqiao joined them, and their conversation over ice cream helped him laugh again and consider how to face his father 17 18 19.

Their first meeting did not lead to an immediate reconciliation. After reading the DNA report, Yu Zeqi told Yu Yang that Zhang Yunyi was dead and confronted him about never searching for them. Despite Yu Yang’s apology, he refused to be acknowledged and taken home, unable to set aside his mother’s suffering 21.

Reconciliation and Continued Competition

Bai Xiaoze’s decision to leave the competition and return to school prompted Yu Zeqi to reconsider his estrangement. He recognized that Yu Yang was facing internal family struggles alone and feared losing the chance to call him his father. He messaged Yu Yang to ask whether he would watch the evening’s livestream, accepted a 200,000-yuan transfer, and changed his contact name from an ellipsis to “Dad” 36.

Yu Zeqi continued rehearsing and competing. He performed during the subsequent round and successfully advanced 33 47.

Recognition as the Yu Family Heir

Yu Zeqi later formally returned to his ancestral family and was confirmed as the Yu Family heir at a banquet. His resemblance to Yu Yang and the DNA evidence supported the announcement. Shang Shujue’s public acknowledgment, together with support from Song Yanqing and the Song Family, discouraged those considering opposition 164.

At the banquet, Yu Zeqi told Shang that he had grown up and would take care of both the Yu Family and his father. The ceremony concluded without disruption 164.

Appearance

Yu Zeqi has pretty, fresh, clear-cut features and a gentle, pure presence. His nervousness during his first recording makes him appear approachable rather than aloof 3 4.

• Family resemblance: Strongly resembles Yu Yang, while combining attractive features from both parents 16 164.
• Debut styling: Wears a Western European-style performance outfit with elaborate makeup 3.
• Expressiveness: Frequently blushes when embarrassed; his ears, cheeks, and eyes visibly redden during emotional exchanges 3 6.

Personality

Yu Zeqi is sincere, kind, and hardworking, but initially trusts others too readily. After being scammed out of 200 yuan, he cries and consoles himself that suffering a loss is a blessing. Ren Xiaoxue similarly exploits his fear of losing his only friend, making him feel guilty even while he suspects her intentions 3 4 9.

His gentleness extends to people facing their own crises. When Xu Jiaqiao becomes furious over the predicted fate of his sister, Yu Zeqi covers his clenched fist and silently reassures him until he calms down. He also worries about fellow trainees traveling late at night 6 70.

He nevertheless becomes capable of drawing firm boundaries. He refuses to forgive Ren Xiaoxue and confronts Yu Yang directly over his mother’s suffering. By his heir-recognition banquet, his determination centers on protecting his father and taking responsibility for the family 10 21 164.

Abilities & Skills

Hearing Shang Shujue’s Inner Thoughts

Yu Zeqi is among those able to hear Shang Shujue’s otherwise unspoken thoughts 3 4.

• Learns about Ren Xiaoxue’s intentions and his biological father through these revelations 4.
• Conceals his reactions so Shang does not realize he can hear him 4 21.
• Must distinguish genuine revelations from speculation: Shang’s imagined scenarios about Zhang Yunyi returning alive are explicitly corrected afterward 22.

Stage Performance

Yu Zeqi participates in Draft’s dance training and performance rounds 33 47.

• Studies the theme-song video and choreography independently, including while struggling with anxiety about his family 17.
• Successfully advances after his individual performance 47.

Relationships

• Zhang Yunyi — His mother and sole childhood caregiver. Her sacrifices shape his grief, guilt, and initial refusal to accept Yu Yang 17 18 21.
• Yu Yang — His biological father. Their painful first meeting develops into reconciliation, followed by Yu Zeqi’s formal recognition as his heir 21 36 164.
• Shang Shujue — His rescuer and admired elder-brother figure. Yu Zeqi later reciprocates his care by helping escort him back to his dorm when he is exhausted. By the heir banquet, he openly regards Shang as an idol and role model 10 64 164.
• Ren Xiaoxue — His former trusted friend and manager. Her plan to exploit him destroys their friendship 4 9 10.
• Xu Jiaqiao — A close friend and mutual-support partner. They agree to help each other survive, and Xu later comforts him during his family crisis 6 19.
• Zhao Zhiyu — His roommate and friend, who accompanies him on a late-night walk after discovering him crying 18 19.
• Bai Zhiyi — A fellow trainee who steadies him during the initial revelations about his future and parentage 4.
• Zhou Zheng — A fellow trainee whose interruption gives Yu Zeqi an opening to escape Ren Xiaoxue’s pressure and rejoin the group 10.

Notable Quotes

“Ren Xiaoxue, I don't know what you're really thinking. Please stop crying. I won't forgive you. You've really disappointed me.” 10

“From now on, I'll not only take good care of the Yu Family, but Dad too.” 164

Trivia

• Yu Zeqi was originally supposed to become the next protagonist of The Infertile Buddhist Scion of Beijing’s Elite: His Wife Ran Away Pregnant. His intended good fortune was undermined by the theft of his luck 10.
• Shang Shujue’s system explicitly confirms that Yu Zeqi’s life trajectory has undergone a major change, awarding Shang one merit point and 100 points 18.