Chu Yanzhang

Biodata

History

Childhood and the Chu Family

Chu Yanzhang was abandoned in winter as an infant and taken to an orphanage, where he experienced abuse and bullying. An adoptive family subsequently rejected him and returned him to the orphanage. The Chu Family found him when he was fifteen, but returning to the household did not give him a sense of belonging; his parents already had a younger son and daughter 48 51.

The man regarded as his father was not his biological father. Chu Yanzhang’s mother had conceived him with another man before her marriage, and her husband had deliberately abandoned him at birth. The family’s maternity test established only his relationship to his mother 75.

Despite these circumstances, Chu Yanzhang skipped several grades, became the top science-track examination scorer, and graduated from university before turning twenty. His business was already thriving before he returned to the Chu Family, eventually giving him capital exceeding the family’s own 51 73.

Blindness and Meeting Xie Zhuzhou

Chu Yu framed Chu Yanzhang, and his car was later tampered with. Brake failure caused the accident that blinded him. His relatives also sabotaged and hunted him, while the Chu Family blacklisted him within their social circle 48 55 118.

On the day he first met Xie Zhuzhou, Chu Yanzhang intended to go to Golden River Bridge and jump. Their encounter interrupted that plan, and Xie took him home. Chu was struck by the contrast between Xie’s blunt speech and considerate actions 17 48.

Chu later sought Xie out to return his expensive clothes and thank him. Two acquaintances harassed him outside Xie’s school, but Xie intervened before Chu could retaliate. Xie then escorted him home and exchanged WeChat contacts with him 29.

An unsuccessful operation left Chu withdrawn, barely eating, and silent for three days. Xie traveled to the hospital in Country D and found him approaching a lake. Although Xie feared another suicide attempt, Chu explained that he was only taking a walk. Xie stayed to care for him and arranged for Li Er to remain afterward 48 50 51.

His assistants subsequently noticed that he was regaining enjoyment in life and was no longer trying to evade protection to kill himself. His eyesight eventually recovered, though the supplied chapters do not identify the exact successful operation 107 111 118 121.

Revealing His Business Identity

Chu initially concealed his wealth and company work from Xie. Wen Shuming posed as his cousin, while Wu Chang was presented as a caregiver. Li Er’s presence forced Chu to arrange business matters discreetly through his assistants 73 118.

After several interrupted attempts to explain himself, Chu revealed that he controlled Divine Sea Group. He apologized for concealing his identity and for the trouble Chu Yu had caused Xie, then disclosed his headquarters, home address, and even his door code 107 116 118.

Chu also pursued the Chu Family’s downfall. He initially wanted them to watch their assets and influence disappear gradually, but further mistreatment made him impatient to accelerate their decline. By the island competition, the Chu Group had gone bankrupt and the Chu Family father and son were in prison 88 213.

Courtship

Xie initially regarded Chu as his confidant rather than a romantic prospect. Chu increasingly sought physical closeness, worried that he was becoming too clingy, and feared that confessing might cost him their friendship 78 123 124 135.

Their intimacy developed through shared outings, meals, and small acts of care. Chu held Xie’s hand during an art-exhibition visit, while Xie gradually recognized his own attraction. Ji Wangyan noticed Chu’s feelings and attempted to prevent a confession, fearing the consequences of tying the Ji Family to Divine Sea through romance 144 148 150.

Chu eventually arranged a confession at a secluded mountain house. After serving Xie his favorite dishes, he led him through a balloon-lined path to a flower-filled courtyard and offered him his love, wealth, and lifelong support 156.

The two became a couple. Chu pursued a home near Xie, and by his birthday he was living next door. Their relationship included dates at Crescent Lake and an arcade Chu had purchased 160 178 225.

Island Competition and Family Discovery

Chu paid ten million to enter Director Wang’s island program, twice the amount paid by other contestants. He also placed his own people within the production team and was pleased when the draw put him on Xie’s team 183 191.

During the competition, he repeatedly concealed his fighting ability from Xie. After defeating five contestants, he threatened them into claiming they had slipped on moss. His separate livestream exposed the deception to viewers, even as Xie accepted their explanation 196 197.

The program also brought him into contact with Xue Lang. Chu suspected that his mother had disclosed his existence to his biological father after the Chu Family’s collapse. Xue Lang independently investigated his childhood and joined the program to assess whether Xie treated his younger brother well 213 217.

Chu later confirmed through investigation and DNA testing that Xue Lang was his biological older brother. Nevertheless, he initially mistook Xue Lang’s attention toward Xie for romantic interest and declared that their kinship would not make him yield 273.

Engagement and Marriage

After more than two months together, Chu asked whether they could date with marriage in mind. He admitted that he feared losing Xie to someone else and still felt inadequate beside him 254 256.

Xie’s brothers tested him before approving an engagement. With his academic and business achievements already established, they settled on a fight. Chu defeated Ji Wangyan, and Ji Wangchen agreed to let the couple proceed 256 257.

Their engagement celebration took place at Ji Wuqiu’s estate. Xie insisted that their relationship remain equal and respectful, while allowing Chu to contribute somewhat more financially because rigidly separating expenses made him insecure 258.

In the extras, Chu accepted Xie’s confession that he had transmigrated from the Great Yan dynasty. He had already suspected that Xie was not the original occupant of his body, but had waited for him to choose to explain. They later married, and Chu’s public identity caused their remaining romantic rivals to abandon hopes of separating them 311 312.

Appearance

Chu Yanzhang’s delicate appearance frequently causes others to underestimate his physical strength 108 185 196.

• Face: Deep-set amber eyes, long lashes, dark brows, a high, straight nose, pale lips, and a sharply defined jaw 37 48 108.
• Build: Tall and long-legged, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and developed chest and abdominal muscles 108 110 247.
• Complexion: Extremely pale. His later sickly appearance is attributed partly to staying indoors and subsequently adopting a skincare routine, rather than simple physical frailty 197.
• Hair: Curly enough for Xie to compare him to a little lamb 254.
• During blindness: Uses a white cane and sometimes wears sunglasses; his eyes are covered with gauze following treatment 48 107.

Personality

Chu presents a markedly different demeanor around Xie Zhuzhou. With most people, he can be cold, indifferent, and ruthless; around Xie, he becomes affectionate, gentle, and apparently obedient. His assistants recognize this contrast long before Xie does 50 111 150.

His helplessness is sometimes calculated. He uses wounded expressions, carefully phrased apologies, and feigned clumsiness to obtain Xie’s protection or frustrate romantic rivals. During an argument over lighting a fire, he makes An Xinian appear boastful while presenting himself as apologetic and harmless 111 202 209.

His devotion is nevertheless sincere. He learns Xie’s preferences, cooks for him, and studies unfamiliar subjects so they can share interests. He consistently interprets Xie’s behavior generously, dismissing hostile rumors and treating him as the center of his life 73 124 205 268.

Beneath that confidence lies considerable insecurity. Chu fears rejection, worries that affection may become burdensome, and remains anxious about rivals even after they begin dating. He is highly protective and possessive, but waits for Xie to volunteer his deepest secret rather than demanding an explanation 135 151 254 311.

Abilities & Skills

Business and Financial Management

A self-made businessman whose company grew from a small enterprise into a major technological group 73 150.

• Accumulates wealth exceeding that of the Chu Family before turning twenty 73.
• Employs special assistants educated at leading overseas finance schools 73.
• Controls Divine Sea Group, which becomes a key national partner with extensive resources 118 150.
• Uses screened-out projects to bait the Jin Family; their theft of Divine Sea’s work results in litigation and further reputational damage 178 262.

Combat

A capable close-range fighter despite his outwardly fragile appearance 185 196.

• Locates a harasser by sound while blind and prepares to kick him before Xie intervenes 29.
• Knocks out a disguised waiter planning an ambush 84.
• Breaks Yuan Dede’s wrist after Yuan attempts to punch him 180.
• Subdues five contestants and forces them to conceal the encounter 196.
• Uses thrown stones to strike opponents’ hands and disarm them, then breaks their replica firearms against a rock 214.
• Demonstrates agile footwork against Ji Wangyan and ultimately defeats him 256 257.

Concealment and Social Manipulation

Chu hides both his business identity and his more intimidating behavior from Xie 73 118.

• Uses false personal roles for Wen Shuming and Wu Chang 118.
• Alternates between intimidating opponents privately and appearing vulnerable when Xie returns 111 196 209.
• Deletes footage of his island behavior while attempting to preserve his innocent image 222.
• Arranges for assistants to release hungry fish upstream during a fishing date, making his success appear effortless 248.

Cooking and Painting

Chu develops practical skills that support his shared life with Xie 121 268.

• Prepares meals tailored to Xie’s tastes and learns to make ice cream cake and strawberry cookies 121 156 222.
• Learns traditional Chinese painting from Xie, progressing to simple plants and animals 268.

Equipment and Property

• Electrified white cane — Functions as a mobility aid and stun weapon. Its charge can be depleted, and insulated clothing counters its electrical effect 90 106 107.
• Silver snake ear cuff — Used to contact Wu Chang while keeping their communication discreet 111.
• Watch — Has illumination and a scanning function used to check a restroom for cameras 186 201.
• Mechanical bees — Sends several after Yuan Dede following their confrontation 180.
• Castle — Purchases it so Xie can visit or stay whenever he wishes 84.
• Home theater — Equipped to screen a 5D jiangshi film 132.
• Arcade — Buys an entire floor and offers to move Xie’s preferred machines into their recreation room 225.
• Residence beside the Ji home — Moves next door to remain close to Xie 225.

Relationships

• Xie Zhuzhou — Rescuer, confidant, boyfriend, fiancé, and eventual husband. Xie’s care helps restore Chu’s desire to live; Chu supports his daily life and accepts his transmigration without hesitation 48 107 258 311 312.
• Wen Shuming — Special assistant who manages company affairs and initially poses as Chu’s cousin 73 118.
• Wu Chang — Second special assistant, confidant, and frequent accomplice in Chu’s courtship arrangements; initially presented as his caregiver 37 118 248.
• Li Er — Assigned by Xie to stay with Chu during his treatment; his presence complicates Chu’s efforts to conceal his business 51 73.
• Xue Lang — Biological older brother, confirmed by DNA testing. Investigates Chu’s past and watches Xie to ensure he treats him well 217 273.
• Chu Yu — Younger brother within the Chu household who frames him and causes trouble for Xie 48 118.
• Ji Wuqiu — Xie’s father; admires Chu’s business talent and considers recruiting him before learning the full extent of his position 78.
• Ji Wangyan — Initially opposes the romance and fights Chu as part of the engagement test; Chu defeats him 150 256 257.
• Ji Wangchen — Scrutinizes Chu’s intentions before ultimately approving the engagement 256 257.
• An Xinian, Ling Zhenyang, and Qin Fang — Romantic rivals who recognize his manipulative behavior but repeatedly fail to dislodge him from Xie’s side 111 186 201 257.
• Zhan Tongfei — Antagonistic rival who investigates Chu’s ruthless past and seeks revenge after Chu knocks him unconscious and confines him in a tool shed 185 201.

Notable Quotes

“Everything I have is yours. You don't have to wait until later. It can be yours right now. You can also spend your whole life being yourself without a care.” 156

“Being with Zhouzhou forever is my aim.” 256

“If you wanted to tell me, Zhouzhou, you would. As long as I can stay by your side, I'm satisfied.” 311

Trivia

• Wealthy acquaintances call him a “god of bad luck” because people who mistreat him subsequently encounter unexplained misfortunes 79.
• He and Xie both hide their fear of haunted attractions, despite trying to appear brave for each other 100 132.
• He is described as having a cleanliness obsession and OCD; Xie’s warning about pathogens in rainwater sends him hurrying to shower 140.
• From Xie’s knowledge of the original novel, the Chu Family’s eldest son was never mentioned, leaving his original fate uncertain 55.