Xie Yibai

Biodata

Background / History

Xie Yibai grew up as an only child in an ordinary, law-abiding family. He studied singing from childhood and was a strong student with good conduct. After classmates learned that he liked boys, his mother, He Limei, arranged a school transfer to protect him from possible bullying. She later chose an arts-affiliated high school with a more accepting atmosphere 1 7.

He began acting at sixteen, when a production filming at his school recruited extras. The director noticed his small head and face, invited him to audition, and cast him as a supporting high-school student. Although he passed on his first attempt, he initially found filming exhausting and preferred singing. He subsequently entered a music conservatory rather than an acting program 2 6.

During university, he signed with Dusk Star Entertainment after an agent promised opportunities in film, television, and music. He rented a room from Xing Zhanyun until graduation, then bought his own home and moved out with their dog. By twenty-six, he had spent ten years acting and three years as a traffic star, progressing from supporting parts to top-billed idol-drama leads 1 2 3.

Appearance

• Build: Tall and slender, with narrow shoulders, a slim waist, long limbs, and a graceful bearing 2 13 33.
• Face: Small and pointed, with delicate features, fair skin, dark eyes, and a dimple on one cheek 2 4 33.
• Youthful image: Looks younger than his age. His fresh-faced appearance helps him in campus and historical idol dramas but limits his suitability for some contemporary roles 2 5.
• Styling: Maintains a regular skincare routine and frequently uses face masks. After an online-game advertisement, he dyes his hair back to black and experiments with sharper clothing 1 10 19.

Personality

Xie Yibai is easygoing in daily life and dislikes unnecessary conflict. He does not habitually boss his employees around, remains loyal to his longtime assistant despite their disagreements, and treats production colleagues as equals. His tendency to be absent-minded can nevertheless lead to embarrassing mistakes, including getting into Sheng Ke’s car without checking whose vehicle it is 8 9 16 46.

Professionally, he is ambitious but pragmatic. He wants broader roles without gambling away his established audience, reputation, or employees’ livelihoods. He recognizes the usefulness of connections, yet is wary of accepting expensive gifts that might imply romantic obligations. He also avoids reading online commentary about himself and leaves his public accounts to his team 1 5 6 10 23.

He is guarded about intimacy and has few close friends outside his family. His initial approach to Zou Yan mixes professional self-interest with caution, but recognition of his acting aspirations gradually earns his trust. Despite realizing that he is attracted to Sheng Ke, he resolves not to betray Zou Yan’s kindness, describing a clear conscience as his guiding principle 22 27 33 35.

Abilities & Skills

Acting

A self-taught professional whose experience comes from ten years of filming rather than formal acting education 1 2 22.

• Established strengths: Historical idol dramas, youthful characters, and roles suited to his gentle appearance and upright bearing 1 5 22.
• Developing range: Impresses the producer and assistant director at a supporting-role audition; later completes scenes opposite An Fei in one take 22 43.
• Professional reliability: Finishes filming on schedule without disrupting the crew, causing unnecessary overtime, or behaving like a diva 46.
• Limitations: His familiar idol image and limited range complicate his move into film. Yin Ran therefore plans to establish him through supporting roles rather than immediately making him responsible for a film’s box office 5 22.

Singing and Voice Work

His musical training predates his acting career 1 2.

• Performs his own dialogue without needing dubbing 1.
• Has released an album and sung opening and ending themes for several dramas 2.
• Has enough vocal ability to sing an entire drama soundtrack 1.

Promotional Work

• Works as a celebrity representative at a luxury-jewelry dinner, displaying unreleased pieces and interacting with important clients 16.
• Uses his popularity to support sales; fans at the event purchase jewelry for the opportunity to speak with him 17.
• Maintains his professional composure during public embarrassment, choosing not to argue when Xing Zhanyun calls him his boyfriend in front of guests 16.

Known Productions and Roles

Relationships

• He Limei — Mother and closest confidante. She supported his sexuality, protected his school environment, and manages most of his savings. He accompanies her on a holiday and buys her gifts 7 13 31.
• His father — A traditional, emotionally reserved parent whose criticism frustrates him. Xie Yibai nevertheless remembers his work supporting the family and buys his parents a three-story villa 7.
• Zou Yan — Producer, professional supporter, and suitor. His respect for Xie Yibai’s acting gradually inspires trust and affection; Xie Yibai ultimately chooses him over Sheng Ke after the hotel incident 11 19 35 49.
• Sheng Ke — Director whose filmmaking Xie Yibai admires despite disliking his arrogance. Their interactions develop into unwanted attraction; Sheng Ke later sexually assaults him after allowing him to mistake his identity 6 23 33 47 48.
• Xing Zhanyun — Former landlord, university roommate, and persistent suitor. Their closeness is widely interpreted as a past romance, although Xie Yibai repeatedly denies that they were boyfriends and rejects renewed advances 1 3 7 41.
• Kuai Zhao / Xiaodao — Longtime assistant and one of the people closest to him. Handles schedules, travel, and everyday needs; Xie Yibai retains him for his diligence and dependability 16.
• Yin Ran — New manager introduced by Zou Yan. Oversees his career planning and develops a supporting-role strategy for his transition into film 14 22 25.
• Sister Hu — Former agent. Advises caution about independent films and worries when he repeatedly declines acting projects 5 10 18.
• Qi Lan — Former acquaintance who previously mistreated him. Xie Yibai opposes his involvement in Zou Yan’s drama and anticipates retaliation after his exclusion 26 37.
• Little Biscuit — Pet dog raised during his time living with Xing Zhanyun. Xie Yibai takes the dog when he moves out and finds comfort in caring for and cuddling him 3 4 5.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Seeking a Career Change

• Accepts an audition arranged through Xing Zhanyun’s family connections, hoping to move beyond historical idol dramas. The audition for Sheng Ke’s film ends without him receiving a script or performing a scene 1 2.
• Takes the rejection badly and briefly vacations in Indonesia. Even while angry with Sheng Ke, he cannot dismiss the quality of the director’s films 5 6.
• Declines acting projects for an entire quarter rather than accept another unsuitable role, alarming Sister Hu 10.

Zou Yan’s Courtship and Professional Support

• Arrives at a rooftop meeting expecting his boss, Hao Jun, but instead finds Zou Yan, who confesses his interest and offers a manager introduction and a possible leading role 11.
• After Xing Zhanyun embarrasses him at a jewelry event, openly rebukes his behavior. Xing Zhanyun and Zou Yan subsequently fight, and Xie Yibai tries to contain the fallout 16 17 18.
• Questions what he owes Zou Yan for his help. Zou Yan insists that professional collaboration does not require romantic repayment and later tells him that an outstanding performance would be the best return 19 35.
• Passes the audition for their drama and celebrates its project approval. Zou Yan also confirms that Qi Lan will not be cast 37.

Attraction to Sheng Ke

• Accidentally enters Sheng Ke’s car on a rainy night and falls asleep. A unicorn pendant from his ear cuff is left behind 8 9.
• Receives the pendant back through a deliberately teasing gesture. Afterward, he asks to lead Sheng Ke’s next film, and Sheng Ke agrees over WeChat to write a script 23.
• Recognizes his attraction to the director but chooses to avoid him out of loyalty to Zou Yan. He also declines to work with him 33.

Returning to Filming

• Resumes production work after six months away and encounters intense attention from photographers and fans 42.
• Films smoothly opposite An Fei, then completes Lin Wen’s scenes while earning goodwill from the crew 43 46.
• As his relationship with Zou Yan grows more intimate, asks him to wait until filming finishes before proceeding further. After wrapping, he prepares a private meeting and surprise 44 46.

Hotel Assault and Aftermath

• Zou Yan leaves for a production emergency in Dunhuang and asks Sheng Ke to deliver flowers and a hotel key card. Waiting in darkness, Xie Yibai mistakes Sheng Ke for Zou Yan and initiates intimacy; Sheng Ke knowingly allows the mistaken identity to continue 46 47.
• Upon recognizing him, Xie Yibai becomes distraught and rejects Sheng Ke’s description of the encounter as an accident. He points out that Sheng Ke could have spoken or stopped him 47 48.
• Considers reporting the assault but fears the consequences for his career. He chooses Zou Yan, demands secrecy, and condemns Sheng Ke for abusing his friend’s trust 49.
• Remains dazed afterward and rejects Sheng Ke’s proposed solution, accusing him of sacrificing both Xie Yibai and Zou Yan to obtain what he wants 50.

Notable Items

• Unicorn ear-cuff pendant — A porcelain-white pony with a purple mane and silver horn, attached to a gold clip. Lost in Sheng Ke’s car and eventually returned 9 19 23.
• Tie clip for Zou Yan — Chosen as a thoughtful gift after He Limei advises him to prioritize happiness and the person he likes 31.
• Sheng Ke’s watch — Briefly placed on his wrist after a joke. Xie Yibai returns it and refuses Zou Yan’s offer to buy him one 22 23.

Notable Quotes

“My interest in acting gradually developed through practice. I really enjoy the process of understanding and portraying a character, and I want to try a wider variety of roles.” 2

“Brother Yan, I'll work hard at acting to repay you!” 35

“Being a good person doesn't give you a reason to betray him!” 49