Mu Nanyu

Biodata

Background / History

Mu Nanyu grew up with Ji Yunqing, who is two years older than him. He was affectionate and clingy as a child, but abruptly distanced himself after developing romantic feelings at seventeen. Believing there was something wrong with him, he feared that confessing would frighten Ji Yunqing and make him hate him. Ji Yunqing instead interpreted the withdrawal as rejection and spent years wondering what he had done wrong 137 138.

Despite pretending to dislike Ji Yunqing, Mu Nanyu became jealous of girls who expressed interest in him. During their school years, he secretly paid girls to stop pursuing Ji Yunqing. Shang Shujue estimates that these payments could have bought ten Cullinans; both of Mu Nanyu’s parents were wealthy enough to sustain his spending. Ji Yunqing later suspects that some girls exploited the arrangement simply to obtain money 137.

Appearance

• Approximately half a head taller than Ji Yunqing 138.
• Frequently blushes around Ji Yunqing, with his ears reddening when he is attracted, embarrassed, or exposed by Shang Shujue’s gossip 6 137 138.
• Has a handsome smile, with eyes that curve into crescents when he laughs 145.
• His ears are recognizable enough that Ji Yunqing raises his collar to conceal them during an outing 145.

Personality

Mu Nanyu’s public reputation is dominated by his explosive temper and apparent hostility toward Ji Yunqing. He deliberately interrupts him, gives him provocative looks, and reacts sharply to teasing. His outbursts can escalate beyond verbal sparring: on Draft’s debut night, other mentors have to restrain him after he raises a fist toward Ji Yunqing 6 99 136.

Behind that antagonism, he is deeply attached to his childhood friend and frightened of rejection. His jealousy and inability to explain his feelings lead him to act on assumptions rather than ask questions. Once confronted, he becomes tearful and apologetic, admits his fears, and promises to change. After receiving permission to court Ji Yunqing, he adopts a more open, persistent approach instead of continuing to conceal his affection 137 138 145.

Abilities & Skills

Dance

Mu Nanyu is introduced as the “King of Dance” and serves on Draft’s mentor panel. He also performs during the group’s debut-night event 4 136.

Hearing Shang Shujue’s Inner Voice

Mu Nanyu can hear Shang Shujue’s otherwise unspoken thoughts 6 137.

• Uses the information to discuss threatened futures and possible interventions with the other mentors 6.
• Follows Shang Shujue’s investigation of Ren Daiqi through his inner commentary 99 100.
• Hears his own concealed romantic history exposed before meeting Ji Yunqing to reconcile 137.

Equipment / Items

• Peace talisman — Shang Shujue has Nuomi send one to Mu Nanyu and another to Ji Yunqing after revealing their tragic future 139.
• Whip — Keeps a small whip in his suitcase and offers it to Ji Yunqing as a means of punishing him during his apology. Ji Yunqing takes it away and refuses to use it 138.

Relationships

• Ji Yunqing — Childhood friend, apparent rival, and longtime romantic interest. Mu Nanyu calls him “Brother Qing” and “Gege.” After years of concealed affection and antagonism, he confesses and receives a conditional opportunity to court him; they are not yet an established couple in the latest documented scene 6 137 138 144 145.
• Shang Shujue — Draft contestant whose leaked thoughts expose Mu Nanyu’s feelings and warn of his tragic future with Ji Yunqing. Though embarrassed by the revelations, Mu Nanyu becomes deeply grateful and treats him to dinner as a small gesture of thanks 137 145.
• Fellow Draft mentors — Works alongside Chen Liqu, Liu Jiyun/Aosi, Zhang Jinchen, Liu Xinru, and Ji Yunqing. The six discuss Shang Shujue’s revelations and agree to help him gain merit so he can help them escape their threatened futures 6 100.

Story Role / Major Arcs

*Draft* Mentor Panel

• Viewers express surprise that Mu Nanyu and Ji Yunqing have agreed to appear on the same show, referring to them as sworn enemies 2.
• Mu Nanyu joins the mentor panel as the “King of Dance.” His secret attraction is visible when Ji Yunqing’s smile makes him blush, even as he maintains an antagonistic manner toward him 4 6.
• He supports the mentors’ agreement to help Shang Shujue earn merit after hearing the dangerous futures awaiting others 6.

Yulan Wellness Restaurant

• While the six mentors listen to Shang Shujue’s thoughts from a nearby booth, Mu Nanyu searches for Ren Daiqi and finds an entry titled “The Chosen One Ren Daiqi’s Life of Rising Against the Odds” 99.
• He suggests that Ren Daiqi is waiting for Su Youchuan and suspects him of being the influence behind the suppression of a recent prostitution scandal involving Su Youchuan’s associates 100.

Debut-Night Conflict and Foretold Tragedy

Mu Nanyu’s debut-night outburst originates in mistaken identity: he sees someone resembling Ji Yunqing enter a couples’ restaurant with a notorious Gu Family playboy. Rather than verifying what he saw, he takes his jealousy out on Ji Yunqing backstage, nearly striking him before the other mentors intervene 136 137.

Shang Shujue subsequently reveals the future awaiting them if Mu Nanyu continues hiding his feelings and lashing out. These events are a foretold outcome, not deaths that occur in the documented storyline 136 145.

Confession and Courtship

• Ji Yunqing hears the warning while filming and rushes to find Mu Nanyu. Mu Nanyu calls him first, apologizes, and admits that jealousy caused his outburst; their conversation exposes the mistaken identity 136 137.
• At the hotel, Ji Yunqing confronts him about withdrawing at seventeen. Mu Nanyu breaks down, explains his fear of being hated, and confesses his love 138.
• Ji Yunqing rejects the initial confession as insufficiently sincere but allows Mu Nanyu to begin courting him, depending on his behavior 138.
• During a later outing, Mu Nanyu openly tells Shang Shujue that he is pursuing Ji Yunqing. He explains their handholding as a precaution against becoming separated in the crowd 144.
• After dinner, he thanks Shang Shujue by paying the bill. When Ji Yunqing asks how long winning him over will take, Mu Nanyu admits he does not know but promises to keep trying 145.

Notable Quotes

“Gege, I was wrong. Don’t be with other men. Be with me instead, okay? I really, really like you. I’ll change anything you don’t like. Keep me in line...” 138

“As for our relationship, I’m actually the one pursuing him.” 144

“I don’t know either. But if I keep at it, I’ll win you over eventually, right?” 145