Xiao Hailong

Biodata

Personality

Xiao Hailong is contemptuous of Ye Chen’s position as a live-in son-in-law and resents Xiao Churan’s superiority over him and his sister. He repeatedly humiliates Ye Chen in public, including throwing a one-yuan coin at his feet during Old Madam Xiao’s birthday banquet. Churan describes him as someone who looks down on everyone 1 5 9.

His ambition depends heavily on his grandmother’s favor and influential connections. He refuses to approach Dihao Group because he fears failure and ridicule, but schemes to claim the directorship after Churan secures the contract. Although he bitterly resents being forced to kowtow to Ye Chen, he complies rather than risk losing his standing in the family 5 10 12.

History

Old Madam Xiao’s Birthday

At Old Madam Xiao’s seventieth birthday banquet, Hailong joined the family’s attacks on Ye Chen after he requested money for Aunt Li’s medical treatment. Hailong accused him of trying to manipulate their grandmother into paying. As Ye Chen left, Hailong mocked him as a beggar and tossed a coin at his feet, provoking laughter from the family 1.

The Dihao Group Wager

When Old Madam Xiao offered a director’s position to whoever secured a thirty-million-yuan contract with Dihao Group, she initially assigned the task to Hailong. He refused, arguing that the Xiao Family had little chance when even the Wang Family had been rejected 5.

After Churan volunteered, Hailong ridiculed her prospects. Ye Chen challenged him to a wager: if she succeeded, Hailong would kneel, kowtow three times, and admit his mistake; if she failed, Ye Chen would do the same. Confident that she could not succeed, Hailong accepted before the entire family 6.

Churan returned with a sixty-million-yuan contract. Hailong accused her of forgery until Dihao Group’s official announcement confirmed the agreement. He then tried to avoid honoring the wager, but Old Madam Xiao insisted because the oath attached consequences to their relatives’ lives, including her own. Hailong performed the three kowtows and admitted that he had been wrong to doubt Churan’s ability 9 10.

Taking Churan’s Directorship

Despite his public admission, Hailong remained hostile toward Ye Chen and sought to prevent Churan’s promotion. He privately told Old Madam Xiao that Zhang Wenhao had arranged the contract and suggested that Churan had slept with him. He argued that appointing a man and transferring the project’s credit would protect the family’s reputation. Old Madam Xiao accepted his argument and promised him the position in exchange for obedience 11 12.

Hailong had also been helping Zhang find opportunities to pursue Churan. When he questioned Zhang about the supposed affair, Zhang falsely confirmed it and promised Hailong a share of future benefits 18.

At the family’s celebration banquet, Old Madam Xiao publicly appointed Hailong director instead of Churan. His triumph ended when Wang Dongxue announced that Dihao Group would withdraw its cooperation because Churan had been replaced. Hailong blamed Churan for his embarrassment, but his grandmother slapped him twice and restored Churan as director. The partnership resumed only after Churan agreed to oversee it 20 21.

Pursuing Dong Ruolin

Hailong later went to the airport with Xiao Weiwei and Wang Yunfei to welcome Dong Ruolin. He hoped to win her affection because her influential Yanjing family could greatly improve his position. Ruolin initially declined his invitation because she already had arrangements with Churan and Ye Chen, but subsequently suggested that everyone dine together 28 29.

Hailong boasted that he had booked a gold private room at Heavenly Fragrance House. In reality, Old Madam Xiao had secured it through money and favors. When the restaurant’s staff escorted the group to the diamond private room reserved for Ye Chen, Hailong mistakenly took their respectful treatment as recognition of his own importance 29.

The Diamond Room Incident

Hailong snatched the reservation form from Ye Chen and signed his own name, then claimed credit for the lavish banquet. Brother Biao discovered the unauthorized signature and confronted him. When Xiao Weiwei urged Hailong to invoke his supposed connection to Master Hong Wu, he admitted that he did not know him 30.

Brother Biao had Hailong restrained and struck his hand with a club, causing him to lose consciousness. Hailong later heard Hong Wu treating Ye Chen respectfully and trembled upon realizing that Ye Chen really did have the connection he had mocked. After Ye Chen left with Ruolin, Hong Wu arranged an ambulance for Hailong, Weiwei, and Wang Yunfei. Hailong’s hand was nearly crippled, with recovery expected to take a long time 30 31.

Relationships

• Old Madam Xiao — His grandmother, who initially regards him as her favorite grandson. Her patronage secures his brief directorship, but she punishes him when his conduct threatens the family’s interests 6 12 21.
• Xiao Weiwei — His younger sister and frequent ally in mocking Churan and Ye Chen. She encourages his pursuit of Dong Ruolin 1 6 28.
• Xiao Churan — His younger cousin and rival within the Xiao Group. He attempts to take both her promotion and credit for her contract 12 20.
• Ye Chen — His cousin’s husband and a frequent target of his insults. Hailong’s contempt turns to fear when he witnesses Hong Wu’s deference toward Ye Chen 5 10 31.
• Zhang Wenhao — An associate whose pursuit of Churan Hailong assists. Zhang reinforces Hailong’s accusations with false claims about an affair 18.
• Dong Ruolin — A prospective romantic partner whom Hailong hopes will elevate his family standing. His exposed boasting at Heavenly Fragrance House disappoints her 28 30.
• Wang Yunfei — Xiao Weiwei’s fiancé and Hailong’s companion during the airport welcome and restaurant banquet 20 28 30.