Li Yun'ao

Biodata

Background / History

Original Storyline

In the original storyline revealed through Shang Shujue’s thoughts, Li Yun'ao is Su Youchuan’s childhood friend and Xu Jiaqiao’s future abuser. Xu’s manager is supposed to force him to add Li as a contact or take him to a banquet where they will meet. Their ensuing relationship leads to Xu’s death, followed by the sexual violation and preservation of his corpse in formalin. Su Youchuan separately arranges to have Xu’s soul suppressed, preventing reincarnation 6.

Li also intends to capture Xu Jiaqiao’s older sister as a substitute. Before he can seize her, she jumps into the sea while pregnant. These events are part of the tragic future that Shang Shujue’s intervention helps Xu avoid, rather than events completed in the altered storyline 6 8 25.

Attempt to Obtain Xu Jiaqiao

Brother Wu attempts to make Xu Jiaqiao add Li’s WeChat, presenting the arrangement as an opportunity to receive more resources. Xu refuses, invoking his contractual protection against casting-couch arrangements. Shang Shujue intervenes, confronts Brother Wu, and offers to bring Xu to Jinyuan Media 8.

Li’s interest persists after this failed approach. While watching the survival show with Su Youchuan’s circle, he singles out Xu as more appealing than the contestant Han Dong is watching. Yang Shaoying warns both men that Song Yanqing could easily destroy their reputations and livelihoods 49.

Su Youchuan’s Circle

Li socializes with Su Youchuan, Han Dong, Lin Xu, and Yang Shaoying. At Nine Colors Astonishing Bar, he spreads a sexual rumor about Shang Shujue, openly fondles and kisses a male escort, and later leaves with him 11 12.

After Ren Xiaoxue’s company is raided and she is jailed, Li has someone secure her release and places her at a riverside villa. He reassures the others that she had no opportunity to disclose anything, suspects Shang Shujue’s people were responsible, and recognizes that Shang blocking Su Youchuan signals a serious break. Su subsequently orders Li and Yang Shaoying to edit a photograph for a smear campaign against Shang 26.

When Li encounters an injured, distraught Lin Yuyan, he initially promises revenge. After learning that Su Youchuan inflicted the injuries, he returns to the room with the others. He later remains silent while Lin Yuyan kneels and begs Su for forgiveness 89.

Exposure and Release

Nuomi distributes footage exposing Li, Han Dong, Lin Xu, and Yang Shaoying committing sexual assaults. The four perpetrators remain identifiable, while their victims are thoroughly censored. The exposure leads to arrests, but Su Youchuan obtains their release with help from the newly created Ren family 96.

Restaurant Confrontation

Ren Daiqi sends Li and Han Dong to bring Shang Shujue to booth 215. Li notices Han’s unusually affectionate manner toward Shang and warns him not to forget his allegiance or provoke Su Youchuan, whose violent episodes can become uncontrollable 102.

Inside the booth, Li tries to avoid Shang’s verbal attacks by staying quiet and asking to be spared. Shang instead condemns him for abandoning his companions when trouble arrives, leaving Li privately furious at being called conscienceless 103.

Afterward, Li and Yang Shaoying restrain Su when he attacks Han Dong over Han’s feelings for Shang. The resulting fight ends with the police taking the group to the station. Li remains with Su’s companions afterward, including during their rain-interrupted journey to Café Nianjue 105 109.

Loss of Protection

Once Su Youchuan is removed and no longer protects his associates, Shang Shunan and Yun Qishan launch severe retaliation against their families. Li’s family and company suffer substantial blows and are left in peril 124.

Without Su to unite and lead them, Li, Han Dong, Yang Shaoying, and Lin Xu cease to function as a cohesive group 129.

Personality

Li is sexually predatory and openly treats others as objects of gratification. His conduct with escorts is uninhibited even among friends, while his continued fixation on Xu Jiaqiao connects his everyday behavior to the abuse foretold in the original storyline 6 11 12 49.

He is also attentive to danger within his own circle. He recognizes the significance of Shang Shujue blocking Su Youchuan, detects Han Dong’s attraction to Shang, and warns Han about Su’s volatility. His caution becomes self-protective during the restaurant confrontation, when he attempts to escape Shang’s criticism by distancing himself from the argument 26 102 103.

Relationships

• Su Youchuan — Childhood friend and leader of his social circle. Li assists his schemes but remains wary of his violent episodes 6 26 102.
• Xu Jiaqiao — Object of Li’s predatory interest and intended victim in the original storyline. Shang Shujue disrupts the manager-mediated introduction 6 8 49.
• Xu Jiaqiao’s older sister — Intended substitute for Xu in the original storyline; she dies escaping Li’s planned capture 6.
• Shang Shujue — Opponent who protects Xu, becomes a target of Li’s circle, and openly denounces Li’s selfishness 8 26 103.
• Han Dong — Fellow associate whose attraction to Shang threatens to bring him into conflict with Su. Li warns him and later helps restrain Su during their fight 102 105.
• Ren Xiaoxue — Entertainment-industry contact who had promised to send him a young idol. Li arranges her release after her company is raided 26.