Xiao Churan

Biodata

Background / History

Marriage and Family Estrangement

Xiao Churan is Old Master Xiao’s eldest granddaughter. Three years before the opening events, her grandfather insisted that she marry the penniless Ye Chen. They registered their marriage without holding a wedding; the planned ceremony was postponed when Old Master Xiao became gravely ill and never took place after his death 1 15.

Following her grandfather’s death, the Xiao Family sought to drive Ye Chen away. Churan and her parents were expelled from the family villa and lived with him in an ordinary apartment. Her standing within the family declined, and her parents were also subjected to ridicule 1 2 6. Although Churan and Ye Chen shared a bedroom, their marriage remained unconsummated after three years, with Ye Chen sleeping on a bedroll beside her bed 2.

At Old Madam Xiao’s birthday banquet, Churan appealed for help with Aunt Li’s medical expenses. Her grandmother made the loan conditional on Churan divorcing Ye Chen and marrying Zhang Wenhao. Churan would not agree, and later explicitly rejected her parents’ demands for the same divorce. She also offered her personal savings—more than one hundred thousand yuan—for Aunt Li’s treatment 1 2.

Dihao Group Partnership

When Dihao Group announced a two-billion-yuan hotel project, Old Madam Xiao promised a director position to whoever secured a thirty-million-yuan contract. Encouraged by Ye Chen, Churan volunteered despite her relatives’ ridicule and received a three-day deadline 5 6.

Churan prepared her proposal overnight and visited Dihao Group the next morning. Wang Dongxue received her directly and offered a prepared agreement worth sixty million yuan, twice the amount the Xiao Family had sought. Unknown to Churan, Ye Chen owned Dihao Group and had instructed Wang Dongxue to assist her 8 9.

Her relatives initially accused her of forging the contract, but Dihao Group’s official announcement confirmed it. Churan subsequently obtained confirmation that the company’s chairman would attend the Xiao Family’s celebration banquet 9 12.

Appointment as Director

Before the banquet, Xiao Hailong persuaded Old Madam Xiao that Churan had obtained the contract through Zhang Wenhao. Old Madam Xiao then awarded Hailong the promised directorship, leaving Churan devastated. Zhang Wenhao’s accompanying claims that Churan had slept with him were false; he later knelt before her and admitted that her contract had nothing to do with him 12 18 19 20.

After Ye Chen intervened privately, Wang Dongxue announced that Dihao Group would terminate cooperation because Churan had been replaced. Old Madam Xiao and Hailong rushed to ask Churan to save the partnership. Churan agreed to take charge, and Wang Dongxue restored cooperation on the condition that she serve as director 21.

Old Madam Xiao publicly apologized and appointed Churan. Her success became known throughout Jinling, where it was seen as a potential turning point for the Xiao Family’s fortunes 22.

Third Wedding Anniversary

For their third anniversary, Ye Chen secretly reserved the Hanging Garden at the Buckingham Palace Grand Hotel and arranged the wedding celebration they had never received. Churan had previously admired the unknown husband who had booked the venue, unaware that the celebration was for her 15 32 43 45.

The couple celebrated alone, without relatives, friends, or an officiant. Overwhelmed, Churan embraced Ye Chen and thanked him through tears. He also gave her a jade necklace, concealing its connection to the Jade Pavilion’s store treasure by claiming it was a replica 45 46.

Churan remained unaware of Ye Chen’s wealth and family background. She accepted his explanation that an old orphanage friend had helped secure the venue, then told him that she wanted to learn more about his past 46.

Appearance

• Renowned beauty: Churan is described as a celebrated beauty throughout Jinling 1.
• University reputation: She was chosen as her university’s campus belle; classmates refer to her and Dong Ruolin as their class’s “two golden flowers” 36 44.
• Formal appearance: When dressed for the Xiao Family banquet, she stands out in the crowd, compared in the narration to a blooming star 19.

Personality

Churan is loyal to Ye Chen despite sustained pressure from her family and wealthy suitors. She defends his place in the Xiao Family, refuses Zhang Wenhao’s offer of help when he insults her husband, and confronts Zhao Liqing for disparaging their marriage 2 5 7 44. Her offer to use her savings for Aunt Li’s treatment also shows concern for someone important to Ye Chen 2.

She wants professional recognition partly so that her parents can regain dignity within the family. Although the Dihao assignment frightens her, she prepares thoroughly and follows through; after becoming director, she begins work determined to perform well 6 8 21 22.

Churan is frugal rather than status-conscious. Even after her promotion, she considers buses convenient and enjoys riding on Ye Chen’s electric scooter in good weather. Household expenses and the money she gives her mother leave her with only a few thousand yuan each month 34. She nevertheless has a temper when pushed, welcoming the prospect of Hailong facing consequences for repeatedly belittling her and Ye Chen 9.

Equipment / Items

• BMW 760 disguised as a BMW 520 — Bought by Ye Chen for Churan. He changed the badge and attributed the purchase to personal savings, leading her to believe it was a less expensive model. She later accepted the keys to drive it to work 35 46 47.
• Jade necklace — An anniversary gift from Ye Chen. Churan recognized its resemblance to the Jade Pavilion’s store treasure but accepted his claim that it was a commissioned replica 46.

Relationships

• Ye Chen — Husband. Their initially reserved marriage becomes more affectionate, though he continues to hide his identity, wealth, and role in her career opportunities 2 19 45 46.
• Old Master Xiao — Grandfather who arranged her marriage and intended to hold a formal wedding before illness and death prevented it 1 15.
• Old Madam Xiao — Grandmother and family authority. She pressures Churan to divorce, attempts to deny her promised promotion, and ultimately apologizes when Dihao Group makes Churan’s leadership a condition of cooperation 1 20 21 22.
• Ma Lan — Mother. She encourages wealthy alternatives to Ye Chen and asks for at least seventy percent of Churan’s anticipated director salary 2 17 20.
• Xiao Changkun — Father. He initially supports replacing Ye Chen with Zhang Wenhao and fears that failure to obtain the Dihao contract will further damage the family’s standing 2 6.
• Xiao Hailong and Xiao Weiwei — Cousins who resent her and repeatedly mock her husband. Hailong also maneuvers to take control of the partnership she secured 1 6 12.
• Dong Ruolin — Best friend and university acquaintance. Churan helps welcome her to Jinling, and Ruolin defends the couple against classmates’ gossip and mockery 28 33 36.
• Wang Dongxue — Dihao Group vice chairwoman and business contact. She handles Churan’s contract and insists that Churan personally lead the Xiao Group partnership 8 21.
• Zhang Wenhao — Rejected suitor who falsely claims responsibility for her business success and spreads sexual rumors about her before publicly retracting them 7 18 19.

Notable Quotes

“He's not a good-for-nothing. He's my husband!” 7

“You're my husband. Of course I'm very interested in your past, and I really want to know about it.” 46