Song Hengzhe

Biodata

Background / History

Separation from Shang Shunan

Song Hengzhe grew up as one of four brothers in a family governed by Song Zhi’s strict demands for obedience and reputation. He blamed Song Zhi’s arranged marriages for his grandmother’s death from depression and his parents’ estrangement, which deprived the brothers of a complete, affectionate family life 127.

He fell in love with Shang Shunan, but Song Zhi subjected him to coercive punishment intended to end his attraction to men. This included repeated lashes with a saltwater-soaked whip. Fearing that Song Zhi would target Shang Shunan, Song Hengzhe compromised and suppressed the relationship. Song Zhi believed he had successfully “corrected” him, although Song Hengzhe remained unmarried and never lost his resentment 125 127.

During their years apart, Song Hengzhe distinguished himself in medicine and devoted his work to the country 125.

Song Yanqing’s Hospitalization

After Song Yanqing suffered a gunshot wound near his collarbone, Song Hengzhe led a team to rescue him from the sea. The experience left him terrified by how close his younger brother had come to dying 66.

When Song Yanqing tried to leave the hospital because Shang Shujue had stopped answering his messages, Song Hengzhe scolded him, threatened to have him restrained, and redressed his reopened wound. After observing his unusually rapid recovery, however, he privately instructed Lu Qingyun to let him leave that evening if he still insisted 66.

Song Yanqing departed earlier than permitted and became unreachable. Although the family wanted him brought home to meet a prospective bride, Song Hengzhe rejected Lu Qingyun’s suggestion to abduct him. He instead returned without his brother, trusting Shang Shujue not to neglect him 72.

Defiance of Song Zhi

When Song Yanqing’s confinement and forced-marriage dispute escalated into a violent confrontation, Song Hengzhe heard Song Zhi threaten the Shang Family—the same tactic previously used against him. He called Shang Shujue and shouted that he was calling, stopping Song Yanqing’s dagger just short of Song Zhi. He then helped his restrained brother speak to Shang Shujue and signaled for him to be untied once he calmed down 125 126.

Song Hengzhe subsequently blocked the people sent to seize Song Yanqing. He openly condemned Song Zhi’s treatment of successive generations and demanded to know why loving a man justified such cruelty. His confrontation bought Song Yanqing time to escape, but Song Zhi ordered him punished for defying his elders 127.

Song Hengzhe was whipped and forced to kneel in the underground ancestral hall, copying family rules while bleeding. Medical staff were present but withheld treatment until he lost consciousness—a punishment he had repeatedly endured during the preceding forty-six days. When Song Yanqing returned rather than expose him and Song Lin to retaliation, Song Hengzhe initially reacted with anguished frustration 127 128.

Rescue and Reconciliation

Shang Shujue broke into the ancestral hall to rescue Song Yanqing. Despite his own injuries, Song Hengzhe urged him to leave with his younger brother and pointed out an escape tunnel. He also tried to entrust him with a peace buckle pendant and an unfinished message for Shang Shunan. Shang Shujue refused to leave him behind and teleported both brothers out 128.

At the hospital, Shang Shunan arranged a private VIP room and stayed at Song Hengzhe’s bedside. On waking, Song Hengzhe called him “A-Nan,” a name he had kept in his heart for years. Shang Shunan later took him home, and by their next hospital visit they were openly together 130.

The Song Family informed Song Hengzhe that Grandpa Song had replaced Song Zhi as family head and introduced reforms. The family would neither pursue Shang Shujue over the rescue nor interfere in the couples’ private lives. Shang Yuanzhen also chose not to oppose his sons’ relationships, while Shang Shuyu welcomed Song Hengzhe with the familial address “Sister-in-law” 130 131.

Later Life

Song Hengzhe became a familiar presence beside Shang Shunan at Shang Family gatherings. Their reunion did not remove their professional obligations: both continued working in positions that could not readily spare them, leaving them much less time together than Song Yanqing and Shang Shujue enjoyed 145 163.

By the mission-world finale, Song Hengzhe and Shang Shunan were living among the family in the Quick Transmigration Bureau’s main world. Their relationship remained strong, and they reunited with Shang Shujue and Song Yanqing over a family meal 232.

Personality

Song Hengzhe’s concern for Song Yanqing often takes the form of profanity, scolding, and threats. His anger during the hospitalization stems from having personally rescued his brother from near death. Despite his forceful manner, he can reconsider: he relaxes the hospital restrictions after assessing Song Yanqing’s recovery and later refuses to drag him home for an arranged match 66 72.

His apparent compliance with Song Zhi conceals lasting hurt rather than agreement. Having once sacrificed his relationship to protect Shang Shunan, he refuses to watch the same coercion destroy Song Yanqing’s happiness. He knowingly risks further punishment to give his brother a chance to escape 125 127.

With Shang Shunan, he is affectionate but not always verbally forthcoming. During a later disagreement, Shang Shunan teases him for keeping his feelings unspoken; Song Hengzhe responds by pulling him close and kissing him 154.

Abilities & Skills

Medicine

• Recognized for substantial accomplishments as a physician 125 127.
• Personally changes Song Yanqing’s dressing and assesses the healing of his gunshot wound 66.

Rescue and Coordination

• Leads the team that retrieves the wounded Song Yanqing from the sea 66.
• Directs Lu Qingyun regarding his brother’s hospital restrictions 66.
• Buys time and makes arrangements intended to help Song Yanqing escape the underground compound 127.

Hearing Shang Shujue’s Thoughts

• Can hear Shang Shujue’s leaked inner voice, as demonstrated while watching a livestream with Song Yanqing and Shang Shunan 154.
• Finds the stream of commentary excessive, prompting Song Yanqing to insist that hearing it is a privilege 154.

Items

• Peace buckle pendant — Attempts to send it to Shang Shunan through Shang Shujue while urging the rescue party to leave without him. Shang Shujue interrupts and takes him along instead 128.

Relationships

• Shang Shunan — Longtime love and eventual partner. Song Hengzhe suppressed their relationship to protect him from Song Zhi; they reunite after the ancestral-hall rescue and remain together in the main world 125 130 232.
• Song Yanqing — Younger brother. Song Hengzhe rescues him from the sea, supervises his recovery, and later suffers punishment while helping him resist the family’s forced marriage 66 127.
• Song Zhi — Great-grandfather and source of his prolonged resentment. Song Hengzhe openly challenges his coercive marriage policies and receives another whipping for his defiance 125 127.
• Shang Shujue — His younger brother’s partner and his rescuer. Song Hengzhe initially complains about his influence on Song Yanqing, but later expresses admiration when he breaches the ancestral hall 66 128.
• Lu Qingyun — Carries out his hospital instructions. Song Hengzhe rejects his proposal to forcibly bring Song Yanqing home 66 72.
• Shang Shuyu — Acknowledges his relationship with Shang Shunan by calling him “Sister-in-law” and reminding him to rest while recovering 131.

Notable Quotes

“In your eyes, is the Songhui Aristocratic Family's reputation more important than your descendants?!” 127

“Shang Shujue, don't waste time. I don't know how you got in, but I admire you. Now hurry and take my little brother away!” 128