Ji Wangyan

Biodata

Background / History

Ji Wangyan is a son of Ji Wuqiu and Ms. Sheng. His parents divorced over incompatible outlooks when he was very young. Although their separation was amicable, it hurt him deeply. Watching the neighboring Liang couple’s marriage deteriorate into suspicion, divorce, and financial damage reinforced his belief that love was an expensive, fragile luxury 158 170.

When Xie Zhuzhou joined Ji Wuqiu’s household, Ji Wangyan doubted their father’s claim that the newcomer had no interest in the inheritance. He considered the possibility that Xie Zhuzhou might be capable of challenging Ji Wangchen’s position. Nevertheless, he followed Ji Wuqiu’s instructions to show his younger half-brother around the manor 25.

Appearance

• Complexion and features: Strikingly cool-white skin, a graceful jawline, finely defined handsome features, and narrow eyes 57 60.
• Hair: Thick, ink-black hair long enough to fall down his back. He wears it loose or gathers it into a low ponytail; for sparring, he ties it into a high ponytail 57 143 170.
• Build: A powerful physique that makes Ji Wangyun reconsider retaliating physically during their squabbles 127.
• Expression and clothing: Often looks gloomy or somber. His outfits include a white shirt, dark red couture, and—in private—women’s clothing 57 64 170.
• Eyesight: Describes himself as nearsighted while making an excuse for stepping on Ji Wuwei 96.

Personality

Ji Wangyan is outwardly quiet and difficult to read, but his silence often conceals elaborate worries. During their trip to the polo grounds, he wonders whether his reserve has prevented Xie Zhuzhou from feeling close to him. His protectiveness becomes unmistakable after the polo incident, when he stays beside his younger brother for days and nights, neglecting even his usual grooming 58 61.

His humor is dark, provocative, and frequently directed at his siblings. He retaliates against Ji Wangyun’s criticism by forcibly applying lipstick as makeup, invents a dead friend for his supposedly amnesiac brother, and enjoys frightening Xie Zhuzhou. Against outsiders who threaten his family, that vindictiveness becomes more serious: he refuses to reassure Wang Chen after Wang Anning’s provocation and breaks Ji Wuwei’s leg while pretending it was an accident 65 85 96 179 241.

He is proud of his appearance and reluctant to surrender his dignity. Before sparring with Xie Zhuzhou, he worries about being hit in the face; unlike Ji Wangyun, he cannot bring himself to escape the match by conceding immediately. His distrust of romance also makes him overprotective: he fears that Xie Zhuzhou and Chu Yanzhang’s relationship could constrain his younger brother or damage the family 142 143 150.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts

Ji Wangyan has trained in jujitsu and sanda and regularly participates in strength training and sparring 75 143.

• Can overpower and restrain Ji Wangyun during their makeup dispute 65.
• Knocks down two attackers while helping rescue Ji Wangyun from Chu Yu’s gang 70.
• Uses evasions, low sweeps, and two-handed blocks against Xie Zhuzhou 143.
• Falls short of Xie Zhuzhou in strength and speed. Their spar ends when Xie Zhuzhou catches his wrist and lands a controlled elbow strike to his ribs 143.
• Cannot land his rapid punches on Chu Yanzhang during the engagement test; Chu repeatedly dodges them 256.

Polo

An experienced polo player who introduces Xie Zhuzhou to the sport 59.

• Explains the rules and warns that the match may become rough 59.
• Shows masterful ball-stealing technique while playing on horseback 59.
• Recognizes the danger posed by Ling Zhenhe’s hostility and orders Xie Zhuzhou to leave the field and let someone substitute for him 60.

Business and Information Gathering

• Oversees a major out-of-town project and travels for work 40 57.
• Holds the presidency of a subsidiary 265.
• Assigns people to follow Ji Wangyun after the incident involving Chu Yu; one of them later reports an attempted setup during Ji Wangyun’s business trip 163.
• Has Chu Yanzhang followed while trying to prevent a confession to Xie Zhuzhou, although the person tailing him loses track of him 152.

Mixology and Alcohol Knowledge

• Mixes drinks with elaborate, acrobatic-looking movements in the family villa’s bar 264.
• Knows enough about alcohol to take over drinking with Li Shangfeng when Ji Wangyun approaches his limit during the meeting with Li Yankai’s parents 306.

Relationships

• Ji Wuqiu — Father. Ji Wangyan occasionally startled him by dressing in women’s clothing while growing up. Later, he promises to keep an eye on his brothers while their father is away 64 271.
• Ms. Sheng — Mother. Her amicable divorce from Ji Wuqiu nevertheless left a lasting emotional impact on Ji Wangyan 158 170.
• Ji Wangchen — Eldest brother and business authority within the family. Ji Wangyan consults him about Xie Zhuzhou’s plans and relies on his ability to protect the family from repercussions 173 176.
• Ji Wangyun — Second brother, frequent prank target, and someone he quietly protects. Beneath their antagonistic jokes, Ji Wangyan worries enough to arrange surveillance for his safety 65 163.
• Xie Zhuzhou — Younger half-brother. Initial suspicion gives way to protective affection, outings, sparring, and increasingly elaborate mutual pranks 25 58 61 143 265.
• Chu Yanzhang — Xie Zhuzhou’s eventual husband. Ji Wangyan initially mistakes his attraction for admiration, then tries to prevent a romance before later testing him in the octagon 150 152 255 256 312.
• Ling Zhenhe — Member of his social circle rather than a trusted friend. Ji Wangyan has long disliked him and openly insults him when he turns hostile toward Xie Zhuzhou 59 60.
• Zhao Wen — Friend who spends time drinking with him. When Ji Wangyan blames him for embarrassing gifts sent to Xie Zhuzhou, Zhao Wen refuses to accept responsibility 264 265.
• Aolai — Ji Wangyun’s dog, whom Ji Wangyan repeatedly uses to tease his second brother. He threatens to stew Aolai, jokes about arranging the dog’s marriage, and later tells Aolai that his owner is neglecting him 61 142 302.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Polo Incident and Family Protection

• Takes Xie Zhuzhou to meet his friends and play polo. Ling Zhenhe’s hostility turns the outing dangerous, and Ji Wangyan attempts to remove his younger brother from the match 58 59 60.
• Remains at Xie Zhuzhou’s bedside for days and nights afterward 61.
• Later rushes out with Xie Zhuzhou after they realize Ji Wangyun is impersonating their youngest brother without bodyguards. He helps subdue the attackers surrounding Ji Wangyun 70.

Retaliation Against the Extended Family

• After Zhuangzhuang knocks Ji Wuwei down, Ji Wangyan steps on his lower leg hard enough to break it. He claims his uncle was obstructing the path despite knowing about his nearsightedness 96.
• Confronts Old Master Ji over his lack of concern for Ji Wangyun’s life-threatening injuries, contrasting it with his immediate suspicion when Ji Wuwei becomes unreachable. The confrontation prompts the old man to send supplements and a red envelope to the hospital 170.
• Participates in a banquet scheme that sows discord between the Jin and Zhang families. When Ji Wangchen questions the risk, Ji Wangyan expresses confidence that his eldest brother can keep the Ji Family safe 176.

Ji Wangyun’s Amnesia and the Li Yaokun Prank

• Helps invent a story that “Li Yaokun” was Ji Wangyun’s friend who died drawing pursuers away from him. The story begins after Ji Wangyun discovers a private phone album with the password hint “LYK” 179.
• Becomes the target of a counterprank when Ji Wangyun searches his wardrobe and presents him as a younger sister. Xie Zhuzhou subsequently joins in calling him “Third Sister-Brother” 221 222.
• Recasts Li Yaokun as a heroic dog and hastily arranges a stand-in grave. Ji Wangyun makes all four brothers dress formally and bring flowers, forcing Ji Wangyan to improvise a memorial tribute 222.
• Later raises the photo album in front of Li Yankai, hoping to embarrass Ji Wangyun. The attempt backfires when its contents move Li Yankai and lead him to kiss Ji Wangyun 302.

Xie Zhuzhou and Chu Yanzhang’s Relationship

• Realizes that Chu Yanzhang’s conspicuous devotion is romantic rather than admiration for Xie Zhuzhou’s strength. Fearing emotional and financial consequences, he privately resolves to stop a confession 150.
• Eventually agrees to discuss an engagement if Chu Yanzhang comes to speak with the brothers face-to-face. He then serves as Chu’s opponent in their fighting test 255 256.
• Sends Xie Zhuzhou embarrassing gifts and is caught while trying to flee the house. Given a choice between a beating and serving as a maid for a week, he chooses the latter—an outcome Ji Wangyun considers a reward rather than a punishment 265.

Later Family Events

• Accompanies Ji Wangyun and Ji Wangchen to meet Li Yankai’s parents, then helps by drinking with Li Shangfeng 305 306.
• Drinks heavily with Ji Wangyun, Li Yankai, and Xie Zhuzhou’s disappointed former suitors after Xie Zhuzhou’s wedding. Ji Wangchen retrieves him and grants the older brothers three days off 312.
• Enjoys the leave at home in panda pajamas until Xie Zhuzhou appoints Li Yankai to supervise his brothers’ work during the honeymoon 312.

Notable Quotes

“There's no such thing as an eternal friend. Only in death can friendship last forever and never change.” 82

“We never received your love when we were little. Fine, we can let that go. But why do you suspect us whenever something happens now?” 170

“Anyway, a dog's life is unpredictable. I hope that in your next life, you'll find a slightly smarter owner and won't have to sacrifice yourself again!” 222

Trivia

• His interest in women’s clothing predates Xie Zhuzhou’s arrival and was initially known only within the immediate family 64.
• Ji Wangyun calls him narcissistic because he has never seen him show romantic interest in either men or women; this is his brother’s interpretation, not a confirmed diagnosis 265.
• His sexual orientation remains unspecified. When Xie Zhuzhou asks whether he is bisexual, Ji Wangyan says he does not know and redirects the conversation toward Ji Wangyun 298.