Wang Zhiwen

Biodata

Background / History

Original Timeline

In Chen Haichao’s previous life, Wang Zhiwen married his third sister, Chen Pandi. Zhiwen had already begun a relationship with Liu Chunlan before the marriage and continued seeing her afterward. Pandi discovered the affair but initially remained with him out of shame and concern for her children and family 4 6.

Zhiwen subsequently became more brazen, bringing Liu Chunlan home while Pandi was away and regularly beating or berating his wife. Chen Haichao fought him several times after hearing about the abuse from neighbors. Liu Chunlan also encouraged Zhiwen to beat Pandi while spending Pandi’s money and provoking her 6 17.

The affair became public close to the millennium, when villagers discovered the pair together. Chen Haichao went to Zhiwen’s home carrying a knife, after which Pandi finally decided to divorce him. The scandal nevertheless left her ashamed to face the village 6.

Matchmaking with Chen Pandi

In the changed timeline, Zhiwen initiated a proposed match with Pandi through an intermediary. Her parents initially approved: he seemed educated and polite, lived nearby, and appeared likely to become a factory worker. Pandi likewise considered him a reasonable prospect because his gentle manner suggested he would not beat his wife 5 6 8 16.

During their riverside meeting, Zhiwen tried to take Pandi’s hand and told her he had liked her for a long time. Chen Haichao interrupted, shoved him away, and took Pandi home. Using his memories of the previous life, Haichao warned his sister and mother about Zhiwen’s existing relationship. Pandi rejected the match, and Mother Chen later turned down the matchmaker 4 6 18.

Exposure and Compulsory Marriage

After identifying Liu Chunlan as Zhiwen’s lover, Chen Haichao arranged surveillance with Wang Zhiqiang, Li Zhengjun, and Chen Xiaoqi. Villagers caught Zhiwen and Liu together at the educated youth station. Zhiwen pleaded for his clothes and attempted to deny the affair despite the circumstances. Brigade Captain Wang ordered both of them bound and detained in the production team office 12 13 14 16.

Chen Haichao proposed that the pair marry so the village could contain the scandal without reporting it to higher authorities. Zhiwen’s parents objected, but officials threatened severe penalties if the couple refused, including the loss of a full year’s work points and an official record of misconduct. Members of the Wang family ultimately agreed to the marriage 17 18.

Zhiwen and Liu confessed that their relationship had lasted two years. Their actual punishment was the deduction of half their work points for the year, and the brigade leader took them to register their marriage. They returned around lunchtime but went separately to their respective homes 23 26.

Renewed Pursuit of Chen Panpan

Despite the registered marriage, Zhiwen later accompanied his mother, Zhao Guilan, to the Chen home to seek another match with Pandi, now called Chen Panpan. Zhao argued that he could divorce Liu Chunlan and offered 300 yuan in bride price, then raised the offer to 500 yuan. Mother Chen rejected the proposal and drove them outside with a broom 42.

When they continued pressing the matter, Chen Haichao grabbed Zhiwen and threatened to take him to the Public Security Bureau. Liu Chunlan arrived and publicly addressed Zhiwen as her husband. The villagers supported her marital claim and escorted the family home, urging them to stop pursuing another woman 43.

Later village gossip established that the Wangs still refused to let Liu Chunlan enter their home that evening. She eventually left after repeatedly addressing Zhiwen’s parents as “Dad” and “Mom” at the doorway 47.

Appearance

• Fair complexion and refined looks: Chen Pandi initially found him noticeably different from other village men; Chen Haichao and his friends refer to him as a “pretty boy” 5 7 13.
• Gentle outward manner: He presents himself as soft-spoken and polite during matchmaking, earning the Chen parents’ initial approval 4 6.

Personality

Zhiwen’s courteous presentation contrasts with his conduct in Chen Haichao’s previous life. He courts Pandi with assurances that he will treat her well while concealing an established relationship with Liu Chunlan. In the original timeline, he continues that relationship throughout his marriage and abuses Pandi rather than restraining himself after she discovers it 4 6.

When exposed publicly, he is frightened by the possibility of punishment and insists that the situation is a misunderstanding. His later attempt to marry Panpan, followed by his angry reaction when Liu asserts their legal marriage, shows his unwillingness to accept the arrangement imposed after the scandal 16 42 43.

Relationships

• Chen Pandi / Chen Panpan — His wife in the original timeline and unsuccessful matchmaking partner in the changed timeline. She is two years older than him 4 5 6.
• Liu Chunlan — His longtime lover and legal wife in the changed timeline. She is thirty-nine when he is twenty-one, an eighteen-year age difference 16 17 26.
• Chen Haichao — His former brother-in-law in the original timeline and principal opponent in the changed timeline. Haichao intervenes to protect his sister and organizes the exposure of the affair 6 13 14.
• Zhao Guilan — His mother. She blames Liu Chunlan for the scandal, opposes their marriage, and later helps Zhiwen pursue Panpan 16 18 42.
• Wang Laosan — His father. He tries to recover the couple’s clothes during their exposure and pleads with village officials to avoid harsher punishment 16 17.
• Older brother and sister-in-law — They oppose having the scandal officially recorded because they fear consequences for their children. His sister-in-law threatens to split the household if Zhiwen’s actions jeopardize her family 17 18.
• Liu Chunlan’s two sons — His wife’s children. One is twenty, only a year younger than Zhiwen; villagers invoke the new family connection when urging the Wangs to accept Liu 16 43.